The Prodigal Daughter Chapter 8

The Prodigal Daughter-Chapter 8

Stefan looked up to find his mother standing in the doorway to his office. "Mother, you have returned," he noticed already weary of her presence.

She ventured further into the room. "Yes, Stefan," she purred out, "astute as always I see. But, it would seem that I am not the only one that has returned."

"What are you talking about, Mother?" he asked putting the folder he was reviewing back on his desk.

"Oh, I think that you know who I'm talking about. The Ward girl seems to be back in town," she said grinning at him.

"How does that concern me?" he asked staring stonily at her. "Now, I have things to do today, if you will excuse me," he said rising.

"It seems that she has been around Mr. Jacks a lot lately. He even took her to his house. Do you think that is something you need to be worried about?"

That did surprise him. He had no idea that Keesha was friends with Jax, much less go to his house. With all the information that Alexis and Jax uncovered about the family, that alliance could not be good. He pleaded with Alexis to stop her insistent knowledge about the past. No good would come of her constant research; he would be forced to tell her more than he wanted to. He would not show this surprise to Helena, however.

"Mother, could you possibly tell me the meaning of your observations. Have you taken to having Mr. Jacks followed now? If I'm not mistaken, you did have a certain interest in him not too long ago," he said hitting her where he knew that it hurt.

She flinched slightly, but soon smiled. He was right, she did and still did have an interest in Jax, but she would not let him know that. "Stefan, please, I always know what everybody else is up to. I am just that good. Don't forget that," she said pointing a finger at him and stood to leave.

"Don't you forget that, Mother," he said to her as she left the room. Knowing what he had to do, he picked up the phone and dialed Alexis' number.

Keesha awoke the next morning disoriented. Her eyes searched the room without her head leaving the pillow. At first she was confused about where she was; this room was very unfamiliar. She closed her eyes remembering that she was in the guestroom at Jax's house. She searched around the room until she saw a clock on the bedside table. It read 9:03. Judging by the light coming in the window, it was in fact morning.

Slowly, she rose from the bed. She was lightheaded and nauseated, but that was nothing new. She also noticed that it felt as if someone had stepped on chest, she was so sore. The joys of pregnancy, she thought. Finding a suitcase on the couch in her room, she opened it, and pulled out the items she needed and disappeared into the bathroom.

"I was beginning to wonder if you would ever wake up," Jax noted as he met her in the hallway. "I was just coming to see how you were, and if you felt up to going to breakfast at Kelly's."

She nodded as she went back to her room to get her coat. She felt a little better this morning. "How long was I asleep?" she asked rejoining him.

"I brought you here around one or so yesterday, and you've been asleep pretty much since then. You didn't want to eat, and I'm sure you must be starving."

She gave a small smile as she patted her stomach. "Food is not exactly the first thing on my mind."

"I'm sorry. Have you been incredibly sick this morning as well?"

She shrugged, "Not too bad. Are you ready? Toast sounds pretty good right now."

*****

Jax closed his phone and put it back into his pocket. "It would seem that Alexis wants to meet with me."

"Really," she said studying her glass of milk. She couldn't bring herself to drink it.

"You know, it's okay," Jax said teasing her. "You can drink it."

She frowned at it and pushed it away. Folding her arms, she asked, "Did she sound urgent?"

He noticed her reaction to the milk, but did not say anything. "Yeah, I can't imagine what it's about though."

"You're not in trouble are you, Jax? Usually when a lawyer wants to meet urgently with her client, it usually isn't good."

He smiled at her. She sure had a lot of faith in him keeping out of trouble, though he couldn't really blame her. What she knew of him, she knew from other people, and others were not usually such good sources. "No, I assure you that I am in no trouble."

She nodded her head and rolled her eyes at his response, as if to say, "Yeah, right." He only smiled at her as the waitress brought over their breakfast.

Keesha looked up as Alexis entered the restaurant and searched for Jax. The look that came over Alexis' face when she finally spotted him was one of confusion. She wondered what that look was all about, but the toast was not settling too well, so she didn't think she was going to find out.

"Good morning, Jax, Keesha," Alexis said coming over to their table and taking the extra seat.

"Good morning, to you as well," Jax said re-seating himself. "What is this pressing business you wish to discuss with me?"

"Well," she said glancing over at Keesha.

Keesha raised a hand, "Don't worry about me. I think that I need to leave for a few minutes anyway."

Jax looked at her with concern. She looked absolutely sick, and he noticed she hardly touched her toast. He turned his attention back to Alexis. "Okay, now that we're alone, what is it?"

She knew that Jax and Keesha came to her party together, but she didn't see them together after that, and she was sure that was just business. "I didn't know that you and Keesha were friends," she said removing her coat now.

He shrugged, "I wouldn't exactly call us friends. What does that matter anyway?" he asked taking a sip of his coffee.

Alexis brushed the hair back from her face. She sighed, "I met with Stefan last night. He wants me to stop any search into the Cassadine family past. He's afraid of some things that might come out." She was still unsure as to whether or not to tell him, especially since the two of them were obviously something to each other. She saw the way he looked at her when she left.

"Of course Stefan wouldn't want you digging around in the family past, Alexis. You knew that before." He studied her, "You already know the secret he wants to keep covered, don't you? Just tell me, you know that I could find out if I wanted to anyway."

She nodded, "Jax, you have to promise not to mention this to anyone." He merely nodded; she knew that she had his word unless he saw that it was necessary to tell anyone. She glanced around at the nearly empty room. "It seems that Stefan has another child."

His interest was piqued now. The Cassadines were quite an interesting family. "Another heir, perhaps. Wow, so many secrets."

"Yeah, there are, but this child is a woman. So, the heir problem isn't too big. It's who it is that's a little bit of a problem."

"Well, who is this new Cassadine?" he asked leaning back in his chair.

Her eyes darted over to the bathroom. "Jax, this is going to be a little hard to believe. I didn't believe it at first, but it does make sense now. Keesha is not a Ward, Jax; she is Stefan's daughter."

Now, Jax was really surprised. "Are you sure about that? Is there any proof of that?"

She was sure something was going on between them. "Jax, I thought that you said that you and Keesha weren't friends. No, I have nothing other than Stefan's word to go on."

"That was true; I would hardly think that she would consider me a friend. We don't really know each other that well." He saw that she was coming to rejoin them. "I suggest we meet later to discuss this." She gave him a small nod.

"Are you two finished with your business?" she asked sitting back at the table.

Jax and Alexis studied her now. They were both looking for traces of her illustrious family. She noticed, "Is there something on my face? Why are the two of you staring at me?" she laughed a little nervously.

"Don't I always stare," Jax teased her trying to lighten the mood at the table. He glanced at Alexis and noticed that she was giving him a confused look. He had not lied to her; the last thing that he would consider Keesha and him being was friends. "Are you fine now?"

She sighed, she knew he would not tell the truth. "As fine as I can be, anyway."

"I should say you are. What time do you want to meet, Alexis?" he asked not giving Keesha the opportunity to respond.

"Whatever time is good for you. Preferably today; we really need to talk about this," she said glancing quickly at Keesha.

"We could meet for dinner at the Grille," he suggested.

"You and Keesha don't have plans for dinner?" Alexis asked deciding to test the waters. Stefan told her that Helena had been keeping tabs on the two of them, and that she spent the night at Jax's house.

Keesha answered her question, "Why would we?"

She shrugged and smiled, "I don't know, just thought I'd ask. That would be great. Seven-thirty?" She stood.

"Sure," he said smiling at her. "I'll see you then."

*****

Dinner was the last thing she had on her mind, so Keesha decided to catch up on her reading. Her mind was too full to concentrate on the book. She sighed and tossed on the table. Slouching down on the couch, she thought that maybe sleep would be better to occupy her time. The phone had other ideas.

"Hello," she said into the receiver.

"Hi, Keesha," she heard Dara say. "I'm surprised to find you at home on a Friday night."

She laughed, "Not too surprising. How are you? What are you up to tonight?" She was glad that she had not let her friendship with Dara go, even after the bad break-up with her Justus. Dara was just like an older sister to her, just like Justus was like her older brother. She shook her head of the thoughts of Justus, sometimes it was still too painful.

"Not much here either," she said then paused. She could be out tonight, but that was just not going to happen, if she could help it. "We really haven't talked much since you've been back, and I was wondering if you wanted to go out someplace tonight?"

That sounded like a really good idea. She wasn't that sick anymore, and besides if she waited to go out when she was completely not nauseated, then she would never leave her apartment. She needed to do something to get her mind off of everything. "That sounds wonderful. I haven't really been out since I've been back," she said thinking back to her last night out. That would definitely not be happening tonight.

"Great, how about Luke's? Does that sound good to you?"

"Sounds wonderful. It's going to take me some time to get ready. I'll meet you there in about an hour and a half," she said before hanging up the phone.

*****

"Ms. Jensen," Luke said noticing as she walked into the nightclub. "It's been a while since you've been in here."

She smiled as she walked over to the bar. "I've been busy." She had been busy, very busy. Ever since she and Alexis became partners, she was swamped with things to do. Being the ADA was a whole lot different than being Alexis Davis' partner.

"So, you're not busy tonight?" he asked leaning on the bar. "Or, is there some other reason that you're here."

He caught her looking around the club. She turned her attention back to him. "I am waiting for someone, if you must know. I think that I deserve a night work-free, don't you."

"I am sure that you do. But, in case you're wondering, Sonny's not here," he whispered to her and left her scowling at him.

"You haven't been waiting long, I hope," Keesha said joining her at the bar. "Do you want to get a table?"

"Yeah, that's fine. You look great. Love the dress," she said smiling as she took her drink from the bar.

"Thanks," she said tugging a little self consciously at the form fitting black dress and draping her coat across the empty chair at the table. She almost didn't wear the dress because of her recent condition, she filled out the dress a little too well, but when would she have the opportunity to wear it again. "It's been a while since I've been here."

"You were here not more than two months ago at that party that Ned threw here for Alexis. I think two month intervals are adequate to come to Luke's," she joked.

"Well, it seems like it's been a lot longer than that," she smiled. She was not going to be in a sour mood tonight.

"Do you want a drink?" Dara asked about to get a refill on her own.

She shook her head, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"You don't think that you can hold your liquor?" She teased her, "You did drink a little more than you should have that night, but we don't hold it against you."

She laughed, "Yeah, I did didn't I. But, that's not it." Her ringing cell phone broke her off. "Hello," she answered.

"Hello, to you as well," Jax said.

She sat back in her chair. She should have known that he would call her. "Jax, I was expecting to hear from you."

"Were you? That's interesting. I don't usually like it when I become predictable; I'll have to make a note to myself to change that," he joked.

"You should. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to see how you were. You're out, I take it. I did call your apartment, but of course you weren't there. That's good, but do make sure you take care of yourself."

"Thanks for the advice, but I assure you I will. Did your meeting with Alexis go well?"

He paused for a few seconds before answering, "Yeah, it went great." Jerry joined him in the limo. "Listen, I have to go now. Have a goodnight."

"Yeah, you, too." This was getting a little annoying. She knew that he was keeping something from her about her.

"Jax calls you on your cell phone?" Dara observed with a teasing smile. "Isn't that something."

Keesha rolled her eyes and replaced the phone in her purse. "There is nothing there, I assure you of that. I have sworn off of relationships for awhile, for my own sanity."

"Keesha, that is a little drastic, don't you think. I know that you've been hurt in the past, but to swear off of dating completely. How do you think you're going to accomplish that?"

"Easy, I've got a long term relationship in the works right now. I'm pregnant, Dara," she informed her.

"Wow, that's great, congratulations. But wait a minute, you said you weren't getting involved with men, but now, you're pregnant."

She thought about it and sighed. "It's a very long story, and I will tell you sometime, but right now, I would rather not. What's going on with you?"

"If that's what you want." Dara's attention was caught by the man that just walked into the club.

Keesha followed her friend's gaze. She looked back at her. She knew the look in her eyes. Sonny Corinthos, she thought turning back to look at him. He had noticed Dara, and had that same look and was smiling at her. "Well, well, Dara, it seems that you have some things you need to share, as well."

*****

Jax needed a drink, and Jerry adamantly agreed to join him at Luke's. That would be the last place he would expect to run into Keesha. After everything Alexis told him, he was positive that she was indeed Stefan's daughter, and how was he going to keep that from her.

"You know, you've been really quiet tonight, Jax," Jerry noticed as they walked into the bar.

"I've been doing some thinking." He had yet to tell Jerry about his impending fatherhood, and he didn't know whether or not he should tell him about Keesha. He saw her sitting at the table with Dara, well actually he heard her laughter first.

"Are your thoughts secret?" Jerry asked as they started towards their table. He turned around to find that Jax had stopped at the ladies' table.

"This was the last place I expected to see you," Jax informed Keesha.

"I told you that I was out. You don't think that a bar is an appropriate place for me?" she asked daring him to say yes.

He stared at her. She could definitely be a Cassadine. She was self-assured, and dared anyone to go against her. "That is not what I meant. Will you call me when you get home? It doesn't matter how late. We really need to talk," he said leaving the table to join Jerry at theirs.

"Jax, Keesha?" Dara stared after him and turned back to her friend. Keesha nodded at her. "Now, that will be one beautiful baby."

She rolled her eyes. "That is the least of my worries."

She looked back at him again. "I would say that you have no worries, outside of the fact that he can be a ruthless cutthroat, but only in business of course. He seems very concerned about you, and he is able to take care of this child. And not to mention the fact that he's gorgeous."

"Dara," Keesha admonished her. "I would have never thought I would hear you say that. The problem is that he wants more than I am willing or able to give. If he would just be a father to my child, then that would not be a problem, but this complicates matters a little more."

"Oh, so he does want you. I thought I could see it. He has it bad for you," she informed her.

"Don't say that. Could we not talk about me?" She laughed, "I really don't want to think about all of this tonight. Now, back to you and Mr. Corinthos."

*****

Jerry looked behind him to find out who had captured his brother's attention. "Well, Jax, it seems that you always have an eye for the women."

Jax looked back at Jerry. It was hard to keep his mind off of her, but he had to. But, the fact that she was only sitting a few tables away made it difficult, and it definitely wasn't helped by the fact that she wore that dress. "What are you talking about?"

"I have seen the way you have been oggling the lovely Ms. Ward ever since we came in here. What's going on between the two of you. I know you left that party together, but I haven't seen you two together after that. Is she your new conquest?"

"She is not a conquest, and I have not been oggling her." He had to stop thinking about her; it was crucial. He had to tell Jerry what was going on, so that he would stop thinking about it. "Jerry, I am going to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell Mom and Dad about it. Do you promise?"

Jerry shrugged. "Sure, I won't tell them. Now, what is it?" This had to be good if Jax was making him promise.

He was always straight with Jerry before, all he had to do was be straight with him now. "Jerry, in about seven months, you're going to be an uncle."

Jerry looked at him somewhat confused, "Excuse me, what?"

"Come on, Jer, you heard me. I'm going to be a father soon, thus making you an uncle," he said smiling. "Isn't that great."

"That's wonderful, little brother, congratulations." His mind began working; who could this woman be? "It's not Chloe is it?" he asked in a voice on the verge of terror.

Jax laughed now. He knew how much Jerry and the rest of his family despised Chloe. They thought she was a horrible woman. "No, you don't have to worry on that, the mother is not Chloe."

"Then who is she? You can't keep that piece of information to yourself." Jax looked over at Keesha again. "Keesha Ward is your baby's mother?" Jerry said a little too loud for Jax's taste.

"Keep it down, Jer, or everyone in Port Charles is going to know, and I'm not quite sure how she wants to handle this just yet."

"Talk about fast. She hasn't been in town a good two months yet, and you've already got her knocked up," Jerry marveled.

"'Knocked up', Jerry. You're becoming more and more Americanized everyday. I say why waste time. There is a little more to this, though. I don't really want to talk about that here," he said finishing his drink. He stood and waited for Jerry to join him. He walked past Keesha without speaking, but he did smile at her.

*****

She looked at the clock in her bedroom after she came out of the shower. Three o'clock, boy, it was late, she thought. But she had to call Jax, she made that promise, and he did say that it didn't matter how late it was. She dialed his number, amazed at how she knew it without having to look it up.

"Hello," the voice from the other end said after several rings. He had just gotten to sleep figuring Keesha must have forgotten to call him.

"Hi, I woke you didn't I?" she asked.

"You did, but that's fine. Judging by the hour, you must have had a good time tonight," he said with humor in his voice tinged with concern.

"Yeah, Dara and I went dancing. In a few months, it will be almost impossible for me to do that, so I thought I would tonight. It was exhilarating."

"That's good to hear. Keesha, there is something really important that I need to talk to you about. Do you think that it would be possible for me to come there tomorrow to talk to you."

"Jax, you aren't going to try to propose to me, are you?" she said asked part jokingly and serious.

He laughed. "No, I will not subject you to that. No, this is something serious, though."

Hazarding another guess, she asked, "Is this about Ned and your ELQ plan, because if it is then…"

"Could you possibly wait until later when I tell you," he said laughing again. "Would you do that for me?"

"I guess. Okay, I guess I'll see you then. Have a good night."

"You, too," he said before hanging up.

She hung up wondering exactly what Jax had to tell her. Well, that would just have to wait until later.

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