Carly fumed as Keesha leaned against the armrest of the chesterfield, "listen Keesha, Spencer is going to be home soon so say your piece and get out of my house!"
Keesha smiled coldly at Carly before speaking, "perhaps you should inform your doorman to not allow anyone inside because I am NOT leaving until I am through ringing you out."
Carly waved her hand aimlessly as she headed to the small bar and poured herself a drink, "fine, whatever, I don't care what you have to say to me, I never have. Drink?"
Keesha paused and ignored Carly's offer, calming herself as she spoke, "you know, for a long while I hated you. Hated everything about you and what you stood for and the things you did to other people. After what happened to A.J. and then Robin leaving and you and Jason marrying I just shut you out of my head. That was until Spencer came along. Something odd started happening, I saw something good emerge from you, something pure and real."
Carly didn't turn around but paused in pouring out another drink for herself. Carly's stiffening gave Keesha the indication that Carly was listening and so she continued.
"I just thought you were another skank, that nothing in life could change you but then you married Jason and the four of you started to act like a family. Your children were happy, I could see it every time they visited Mary and I can see it now. You did one thing right Carly, the only thing I'll ever admit freely. You raised two fine boys, in so many words, you were a good Mother. Protecting your children at any cost and doting on them like crazy. For awhile I respected your role as a Mother, that in this kind of world, you were doing your best."
Keesha's voice became cold as she continued, "then Michael announced to us who he really was and in that split second, everything slipped back into its familiar routine. I almost didn't believe it!" Keesha laughed sarcastically, "I thought, no, not even Carly would do this! Not to her own child. Then I looked at A.J. and then at Michael and it took so much in me to not scream. The rage and the injustice and the contempt for you and Jason."
Keesha came up behind Carly, standing just a few inches from her back, "how could you Carly? How could you masquerade this for so long, did you EVER plan on telling Michael? I mean, what would possess you to do this?" she whispered over Carly's shoulder.
"Well I'm sorry if nothing in my life came easy for me, that I didn't get unconditional love from my own Mother and a Father who didn't even want to hang around for me. You don't know what it was like for me, to feel how I felt when all I wanted was a family, was for people to tell me they loved me, for their faces to light up when I walked in the room. You have no idea why I did the things I did!" Carly declared indignantly.
Keesha threw up her hands at Carly's words, "oh, here we go again! Pity poor Carly, she had such a rough life, she doesn't have to be responsible for ANYTHING she does! I can hear the violins now!"
"Oh of course, it's so EASY for you to look down at me and cluck your disapproval. You sitting up there on that pedestal frowning because you don't like what I did-," Carly said angrily.
"I Don't like what you did?!!" Keesha said aghast, "honey, has ANYONE supported you since we found out the truth? What about the things you did in the past, did anyone slap you on the back and congratulate you for making A.J. believe he'd fallen off the wagon again?! What about your Mother, where is Bobbie tooting your horn in all of this?"
Carly became silent at the mention of Bobbie's name and Keesha did a double take, "she doesn't even KNOW?! Hooboy, you are in for a doozy when your Mother gets wind of this."
Changing her mind, Keesha walked to the bar, poured herself a shot and gulped it before slamming the glass back onto the cart. "You still haven't told me WHY you did this, care to share that memorable story?"
"Why would I tell you, you'd twist it into something worse."
Keesha shrugged, "perverted curiosity I guess." Carly stood silent and so Keesha tried another approach, "A.J.'s my husband and you hurt him deeply, but I remember you used to be his friend. He talked about you like you were so different from what I'd heard. For some reason, he saw something special in you. What happened, why did you blind side him like that?" Keesha' voice grew hoarse at remembering A.J.'s retelling of the story from years ago.
"I liked A.J.," Carly's voice started soft, "he knew who I was and he didn't seem to care. He was like Jason almost, didn't care what other people thought except he was more fun to be with. He'd listen to me and offer advice about Tony. He remembered little details about me, like if I mentioned how much I liked mangoes, he'd show up a few days later with a bag full, telling me he saw them on sale and just thought I'd might like them. Sometimes he took me to my doctor's appointments when Tony couldn't. He would even go inside with me, not just drop me off. I'd come out of the doctor's office and he'd jump up, smiling and he'd ask me if everything was okay. I didn't know what I had done to deserve such a good friend," she said quietly.
Keesha took a step back, stunned. A.J. had said he and Carly had been friends, but not like this. Anyone else would think the two were something more and Keesha was slightly bothered by the fact that Carly used a softer tone when talking about him in the past, it was clear she had grown fond of him and despite the years of love, devotion and marriage, Keesha couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy run through her.
"Man, back then I was SO different, so needy and I truly believed that if I wanted something, nothing should get in my way and if something did, I had to move it, however I chose to do that," Carly sighed, "I don't applaud the measures I went to get what I wanted, but I kept my son, so I wouldn't change anything."
Keesha smiled and shook her head in disbelief, "after all these years, you still don't get it, that what you did was beyond wrong. You are a selfish, amoral, cold-hearted, lying, thieving, bullying bitch and you give bad Mothers a bad name. What you did to A.J. and to Michael, I-I can't even find the words to describe," Keesha threw up her arms, at a loss.
"You're a Mother Keesha, I protected my son! You would have protected your daughter at any cost!" Carly yelled, pointing her finger angrily at Keesha.
"Don't you DARE compare yourself to me! And what were you protecting your son from?"Keesha hurled back.
"Your family is RICH and POWERFUL, I was poor and alone and no one was going to help me!"
"You were alone because you burned your bridges all by yourself. You are your worst enemy Carly! Nothing the Quartermaines or anyone else could have done worst than what you did to yourself!" Keesha shouted as Carly smiled cynically and shook her head.
"You just don't get it, I HAD to fight dirty to keep Michael, I wasn't going to lose him to anyone, especially the Quartermaines."
"You know, for someone so smart, you are incredibly stupid," Keesha said, disgusted by Carly's antics. "You were willing to sacrifice your son's happiness in order to make sure you didn't have to answer for your crimes."
"Michael was happy! He had a WONDERFUL Father in Jason and nothing you say can change that!" Carly said stubbornly. "I love my son and I would do anything for him."
"Carly, you are so full of crap it's coming out of your ears and nose. If you loved your son, you would have done right by him years ago but no, that was too hard and you fooled yourself into believing nothing would change but the truth is a funny thing Carly. No matter how short or long it takes, it ALWAYS comes out."
Keesha was flushed with anger and breathed deeply to calm herself as she watched Carly stand rigid in front of her. Carly's face remained blank and tight but Keesha's words had stung deep into her as Carly barely contained the tears that were threatening to tumble down her cheeks.
"You ever hear of the saying, the road to hell is often paved with good intentions?"
Carly nodded,"yeah, I saw that episode of 'The Outer Limits' too," she said, disinterested.
"Yeah, well, I think you started your road the day you told your first lie about Michael and look where you are now. I think you know the full meaning of that saying better than you'd ever imagined."
Carly said nothing as Keesha slung her purse over her shoulder and headed towards the door. As she placed her hand on the door handle, a thought came to her and she turned in her spot.
"Oh, and if you EVER come near my family or hurt anyone I love or just piss me off in general, I swear I'll rip your heart out," she threatened in a low voice, before opening the penthouse door and slamming it behind her.
"You're too late," Carly whispered as she remembered Michael's hateful words and pained stare when she last saw him, and as soon as the room was completely silent, did she allow the tears to fall.
**************************
Spencer Home
Emily was humming to herself as she did some tidying of the front room to her house. She was disturbed with the ringing of her door. Looking through the side window, she smiled, "come in Nikolas!" she called.
"Hey, I hope I'm not disturbing you," Nikolas said as he gingerly entered the living room and Emily waved his worry aside.
"No no, Nikolas I was just doing some house cleaning that's it. Lucky took the children to the park but they should be back soon," Emily said, responding to Nikolas's roving eyes for his son.
Nikolas nodded, "I noticed the guards were gone, I trust Lucky, do you mind if I wait?" he asked.
Emily nodded, "sure, you want some tea or coffee?"
Nikolas paused before his eyes registered with hers, "uh, no thank you I'm fine Emily."
Emily frowned, Nikolas seemed distracted, "you okay? You look a little out of it."
Nikolas sighed, he was never good at concealing things from Emily, "if I tell you, do you promise not to reveal it?"
Emily shook her head, "no, Lucky and I don't keep things from each other, that's our rule, whatever you tell me goes straight to him but nowhere else."
Nikolas contemplated the thought but decided to speak, "okay, guess who I met last night at the Port Charles Hotel?"
Emily arched her brow with interest and thought for a moment, "I don't know, who?"
"Elizabeth Webber," Nikolas said, his voice light as he observed Emily's reaction carefully.
"Oh really?" Emily said, her voice slight, having never liked either Webber sister, it was hard to hide her tone.
"I know you never liked her, but she's different now," Nikolas explained. "We had dinner together, she's really changed, although she hasn't."
"Uh huh," Emily murmured as she began to tidy the magazines on the coffee table.
Nikolas paused, this was going to be much harder than he anticipated.
"Emily," he started but Emily stood and placed her hand on her hip, "you know, I'm sorry but I never liked either of those girls, with all due respect to Audrey, bless her soul."
"Emily," Nikolas said, his voice growing strained as Emily continued with her rant, "first there was Sarah who ignored Lucky until you dumped her and then she was all over him like white on rice and then there was her sister who just rubbed me the wrong way, yes, I feel bad about the rape but then she just acted like Sarah after that," Emily chattered to herself as if reliving the past.
"Emily I slept with Elizabeth last night!" Nikolas blurted out.
There was an awful silence as Emily took in the startling confession. She turned to face Nikolas, her mouth wide open, completely shocked.
"What?" she croaked.
"I slept with Elizabeth last night," Nikolas repeated, more slowly and softly this time.
Emily blinked, and sat quickly, "WHY?"
Nikolas pulled back, slightly stunned, "hey maybe I shouldn't have told you," he said, his voice growing with annoyance.
Emily rose as quickly as she had sat, "I'm sorry, listen, I'm sorry, I'm just thinking the past here, please go on," she insisted, her face having changed from shock to the usual openness he was used to.
Nikolas sighed, "we were having dinner, reminiscing about the past and what we had done in the years since we last saw each other. We talked a little about business and I asked to see some of her stuff so we went up to her room and we were talking on her sofa, going through some stuff, when..."
*~*
Room 412
"Here we go, this was what I was talking about earlier," Elizabeth said as she pulled open a folder and handed it to Nikolas, trying to ignore her fast beating heart every time she got close to him.
"Ahh, okay I see what you have here, I could look it over if you'd like," Nikolas offered as he scanned the file quickly, furrowing his brow, trying to keep his thoughts to business rather than how in the last few hours he'd begun to notice how beautiful Elizabeth was, how her smile made his heart do jumping jacks and how he nearly fainted when he would catch a sniff at her perfume.
"Great, that would be wonderful, my boss will love it," Elizabeth said gratefully, hoping he didn't hear the giddiness in her voice at the thought of extending her trip to Port Charles an extra day or two. Feeling her face grow red at the thought, Elizabeth quickly rose and headed to the container of ice where some Evian bottles sat. Taking one and opening it, she gratefully guzzled the ice water down as she unbuttoned her jacket and stepped out of her heels, letting her feet sink into the plush carpet. Nikolas gulped as he watched Elizabeth take her jacket off and take another sip of her drink as she hung the coat up. Feeling his mouth grow dry as she took the hair clip out of its place and letting her wavy hair fall to her shoulders he slammed his mouth shut feeling foolish at his display.
Elizabeth turned and nearly gasped as Nikolas quickly averted his eyes. He'd been watching her, that she was sure of, but did he notice her the way she wanted him to?
"Well, I should be going," Nikolas said, interrupting Elizabeth's thoughts as he rose from his seat.
"Right," Elizabeth agreed, "call me tomorrow sometime and we can perhaps discuss this a little further," she said quickly, as she followed him to the door. Nikolas opened the door, folder in hand and as he put one foot out, he stopped, feeling as though he shouldn't, or was it couldn't, leave. Nikolas turned around as Elizabeth looked at him uncertainly.
"Nikolas, are you okay?" she asked hesitantly, feeling her cheeks redden as his dark eyes seemingly stared into hers.
"I-I," he stuttered.
"Don't want to go," Elizabeth finished softly, her gaze never leaving his.
Nikolas shook his head, "something is stopping me," he said hoarsely.
Before realizing the words were out of her mouth, Elizabeth had spoken.
"Then stay."
Nikolas moved forward, shutting the door behind him and locking it as Elizabeth slowly approached him. Nikolas leaned against the door as Elizabeth took the folder from his hand and gently placed it on the desk beside the door. The two stood, as if unsure of what to do next.
"You're so beautiful," Nikolas finally whispered as he reached his hand to caress her cheek.
Elizabeth closed her eyes as Nikolas leaned forward and their lips met briefly at first, barely touching, but it was enough encouragement as Elizabeth initiated the second one, this time, their lips met fully. It wasn't long before Elizabeth's arms were wrapped around Nikolas's neck as he secured his own around her slim waist, pulling her tight against his body, sending an electric current in both bodies. Opening her mouth, Elizabeth deepened the kiss and was thrilled as Nikolas's tongue greeted hers. Their kissing soon became more feverish, as they hungrily demanded from each other after both had gone without this kind of attention in so long. Elizabeth easily pushed Nikolas's jacket off him while Nikolas needed a little help with her skirt after successfully untucking her blouse. His fingers fumbled with the zipper at the back of her skirt and so Elizabeth had to guide his fingers along until it fell happily to the floor leaving only the slip behind. Their kissing, never ceasing for more than a second or two, continued as the two made their way to the Queen sized bed and both managed to discard the shirts before landing softly onto the welcoming bed.
*~*
"Okay, okay, you don't need to go into the um, more intimate details," Emily said awkwardly as Nikolas nodded, growing red. Looking at Nikolas, she tilted her head slightly, "so how do you feel about this turn of events?"
Nikolas rose and paced a few feet before shoving his hands in his pockets and turning to face Emily. "Great, I mean, it was wonderful, it's just she's here on business."
Emily nodded, "well how did she react to it?"
Nikolas smiled without pause, "it was wonderful for both of us, I told her I'd meet her for dinner tonight, to discuss everything."
Emily smiled her approval, "that's a really good start."
"What's a really good start?" Lucky's voice boomed as he came in from the hallway. As he made his way to the open doorway of the living room, Emily hid her smile and coughed instead. Clinging to each leg was Lila and Ethan, both faces carrying the identical grape juice mustache on their grinning faces and stains on their shirts to match. Luke was nestled in the backpack, fast asleep, covered in dirt and juice and carrying him was their Father, Lucky, clearly exhausted as he smiled wearily at Emily and Nikolas.
Emily hurried over and took Luke out of the backpack, "Lila, Ethan, go wash your faces and hands," she ordered and the two scampered up the stairs. "Don't touch the walls and use the soap!" she hollered as she heard some thumping upstairs. Lucky collapsed into the nearest chair, "I will NEVER do that again, babe, I don't know how you do it," he said in a defeated tone.
"Give birth to twins and you can do just about anything," Emily informed him wisely as she expertly pulled off Luke's coat and shoes without waking him up. Grabbing the cloth Nikolas had fetched from the kitchen, she gave Luke a quick wipe of the face and hands before setting him on a blanket on the floor. Luke only stirred slightly, before sticking his thumb in his mouth and went back to sleep.
"How was it?" Nikolas asked, "and where is my son?"
"Oh, we saw Alexis on the way back, he went with her and so did the guards. Sorry you made the trip," Lucky said, in a drowsy voice with his eyes half closed. Snapping his eyes open, Lucky sat up, "you know, I don't think I should take Lila with me next time, or Ethan. Just me and Luke next time."
Emily sighed as she thumped into the couch, "what happened this time?"
"Ethan ran off THREE times, twice after some damn squirrel and Lila kept needing to use the washroom and all these Mothers would stare at me like I was the devil when I took her to the men's room, like where else am I supposed to go? Then I have to cover her eyes after she asked why we didn't have boy toilets at home. Sheesh!"
Nikolas frowned, "boy toilets?" he queried to Emily.
"Urinals," Emily explained daintily.
"I hate the park, I'm just taking them to the club next time. The waitresses love them there," Lucky resolved and Emily simply rolled her eyes. "What were you talking about earlier? Something about a good start?"
Emily turned, her mouth open, to look at Nikolas, who in turn nodded his head in approval.
"Elizabeth Webber is back in town," Emily started and Lucky's eyebrows rose with interest, "oh really, how is she?"
"Fine, fine," Emily ushered past that bit, "Nikolas had dinner with her last night and uh, they slept together."
Lucky stopped mid smile and blinked, "come again?"
"We slept together."
There was a silence before Lucky's face broke out into a slow, cheshire cat like grin. "You sly dog you!" he hooted as he slapped his knee.
"Are we getting a dog?" Lila's voice piped up excitedly from the stairwell banister. The three adults froze as they realized the twins had heard Lucky's comments.
"Can we get a police dog? Ooh ooh, can we call him Chomper?" Ethan interrupted.
Lila shook her head, "that's a stupid name and we're getting a SLY dog dummy," she informed him importantly as she came down the stairs.
"Don't call me stupid!" Ethan cried as he quickly followed her, "can we get a police dog instead Daddy? Then he could eat the food that we don't like after dinner just like Foster did," he said hopefully as he looked from his Mother to his Father for confirmation.
"Both of you, we are NOT getting a dog and Lila, no name calling in this house young lady. Both of you go and tidy up your playroom, you left a huge mess this morning and I'm not cleaning it up so go!" Emily instructed Ethan and Lila in her no nonsense voice.
The two grudgingly trudged out of the room and down the hallway muttering and pouting with disapproval.
Emily glared at Lucky and he gave her a sheepish smile, "sorry babe, I'll watch my words from now on." Turning to Nikolas, Lucky smirked, "so when's the wedding pal?" he teased.
Nikolas smiled sarcastically, but chose to ignore the question, "we're having dinner tonight but I don't really know what I'm going to say to her. I mean, what do you talk about after getting so intimate that quick."
"Well, if you're that uncomfortable," Lucky started his suggestion but caught Emily's eye and she firmly shook her head, "oh, never mind then."
"Just tell her how you feel, be honest with her and listen to her side of everything," Emily advised as Nikolas rose from his seat.
"Thanks, I'm just worried, I've just never felt this way in a long time," Nikolas said truthfully, causing Emily and Lucky to exchange a gentle look. Perhaps Nikolas would finally be able to move on after Gina.
Nikolas quickly shook Lucky's hand and gave Emily a hug before heading to the door, "I'll let you know what happens okay, and thanks for Raphael guys."
After Nikolas had left, Lucky turned to Emily and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her, "so you didn't want Elizabeth in our house, is that why you stopped my suggestion?"
Emily shook her head, "no no no, maybe I just wanna drop the kids off at the mansion tonight," she whispered seductively in his ear, her breath tickling him and Lucky shivered.
"That would mean we'd be all alone, but our nephew Michael will be returning," Lucky deduced quickly and Emily nodded as the two began to dance, "Michael told me he'd spend the night at Andrea's in the guest bedroom tonight, I think Lucy insisted upon it so I said it was okay."
"How is the kid doing?" Lucky murmured.
"Better I think, he's got good friends and people who care about him, so I think he's gotten over the worst part, but he's not out of the woods yet," Emily said as she rested her head on Lucky's shoulder and squeezed him tight.
"What's up baby, you're a little tense," Lucky said, concerned.
"I'm just so grateful for you and our three beautiful children Lucky. We are very fortunate for everything we have, I love you and the kids so much," Emily said, her voice becoming emotional and Lucky pulled her even closer than before.
"Hey darlin', we're okay," Lucky soothed as he stroked her hair gently.
"I know, I know, I'm just sad over what's happened with Michael," Emily said quickly, "and yeah, I don't want Elizabeth in my house."
Lucky chuckled before pulling Emily close for a passionate kiss. They were only interrupted by two giggling children, peeking into the living room.
"Hey!" Lucky growled as he moved towards the children like a monster, "you two are supposed to be cleaning up the playroom and you're not, now I'm going to have to eat you!" he declared and both children shrieked with delight before rushing down the hallway, Lucky hot on their heels and Emily smiled tenderly as she kneeled beside baby Luke's sleeping body. She gently stroked his fine blond hair and Luke smiled in his sleep and Emily became grateful for the fact that none of her children would ever suffer the great pains that had been inflicted upon Michael and in that moment she promised them, that as long as she and Lucky were alive, they never would.
*****************************
The Penthouse
Carly sat on the couch, rocking herself as she had done a thousand times before in the past few days and did not hear the door behind her open and close. She only turned around, upon hearing the soft voice.
"Carly?"
Carly's mouth went dry as she stared at Bobbie before her.
Bobbie's face indicated that she had been crying and she stared at Carly, determined to finally get the truth.
"We have to talk."