Masquerade Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Sonny left Hannah’s room feeling very different than he had felt in a long time. He felt desperate, even smothered, as if he couldn’t draw a breath. A part of him had wanted her as much as she wanted him however, he had been put off by the aggressive nature of her seduction. Hannah had almost been rough with him, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized she had always been a little rough. She was an aggressive lover, she had been aggressive even before they had become lovers, he was not sure how he felt about her active nature. However, he knew that he didn’t want to make love with her at the moment. She had touched him in all of the right ways and places, but his mind wasn’t on the act. He couldn’t keep his mind in the moment. Sonny found that he couldn’t stop thinking about Brenda and the explosive kiss that they shared. Maybe that was the key difference between Hannah and Brenda. He and Brenda seemed to share a passion that lead to electric moments, the kind where the world seemed melt away, leaving only their connection to each other intact. In comparison to the kiss he had shared with Brenda, his connection to Hannah seemed incomplete. He had left Hannah with a promise to cook her dinner later that night. She seemed disappointed, but she let him go, anyway. He had wondered around for some time before he found himself in front of Luke’s. Luke had been leaving him messages all day, Sonny had been ignoring those messages. Sometimes when Luke was feeling pathetic he would call Sonny and take it out on his partner. Usually Sonny didn’t mind, he had been there and back. If Luke needed a punching bag, Sonny was usually more than willing to volunteer. However, at the moment, he wasn’t in the mood to be dragged through the wringer. He was pleasantly surprised when Luke was not only sober, he was willing to lend a sympathetic ear and listen to Sonny’s problems.  

Luke: Let me get this straight, you struck out with two lovely ladies, all in one day?  
Sonny: I walked away from Hannah all on my own, I told her I had to get to the warehouse.
Luke: I’ll bet she took that well.
Sonny: I’ll make it up to her, maybe tonight at dinner.
Luke: What would have changed by tonight?
Sonny: I don’t know, but my heart just wasn’t in it, I couldn’t be with Hannah.
Luke: Since when is the heart involved in making love to a beautiful woman?
Sonny: When it is Brenda, making love with her is all about the heart.
Luke: *Skeptical* All of it is about the heart with Brenda?

Sonny gets an almost guilty smile on his face.

Sonny: It isn’t only about the heart with Brenda, but being with Hannah suddenly seemed cheap.
Luke: What do you mean when you say, "cheap."
Sonny: I was with Hannah, but my mind was on Brenda. So, being with Hannah seemed wrong.
Luke: I don’t get how they are connected, don’t you care about Hannah?
Sonny: Yes, but I’m in love with Brenda.
Luke: That is your problem my friend, you believe that what you do with one woman affects the other one.
Sonny: Of course they are affected by what I do with the other person.
Luke: Let me put it this way. Do you like to cook?
Sonny: You know I do, I love to cook, especially when it comes to pasta.
Luke: Do you ever eat pasta out, at a restaurant?
Sonny: Sure I do, the chef at the No Name makes the second best pasta al dente in town.
Luke: Do you stop and think of the experience as cheap, just because some one else was the cook?
Sonny: Nothing about the No Name is cheap.
Luke: The way I see it, making love to a woman is the same thing. 
Sonny: How can you compare the two?
Luke: Some times you want to cook at home and sometimes you want to eat out.
Sonny: It is different.
Luke: Food and women are a similar dishes, you get back only what you put into them.
Sonny: When I make love to a woman it is an expression of my inermost feelings and passion.
Luke: Cooking isn’t an expression of the same passion?
Sonny: I do cook with a passion, but it isn’t the same passion that I feel for the woman I love.
Luke: I love my wife, but I don’t feel the same fidelity you feel for a woman you haven’t seen for a year.
Sonny: I guess we see things differently.
Luke: I won’t argue with that, partner.
Sonny: Did I just hear you call me your partner?
Luke: that’s what you are, unless you sold your half of the club again, and forgot to let me know.
Sonny: Not recently.
Luke: Than why would you be surprised when I refer to you as my partner?
Sonny: You have hardly considered us friends, much less partners, in a long time.
Luke: You mean, since I believed that my son died.
Sonny: Do we have to do this, today? 
Luke: Do what?
Sonny: Rehash my responsibility for Lucky’s death, I’m not really in the mood.
Luke: Neither am, actually. You didn’t kill my son, I know that now.
Sonny: I could have though and I’ll have to carry that with me for my whole life.
Luke: That is why I’m letting you off the hook once and for all, Lucky is alive.

Sonny gives his friend a doubtful look.

Sonny: I’m sure that you have good reason to believe that your son isn’t dead, you want to tell me?
Luke: I had DNA tests done on the body that was buried in my sons grave, they were negative.
Sonny: What do you mean by negative?
Luke: The DNA didn’t come close to matching the DNA that GH had on file for Lucky.
Sonny: If that isn’t Lucky in that grave, who is buried in that plot?
Luke: Probably some John Doe, I don’t really care, all I know is that my son is somewhere else.
Sonny: Where do you start to look?
Luke: I’m not sure, but I was hopping that you would help? 
Sonny: Yeah, sure, whatever you need me to do all you have to do is say the word.
Luke: Thanks I appreciate that, actually you have already helped.
Sonny: *Gives him a puzzled look* How’s that?
Luke: I kind of dropped your name down town in order to get the DNA test done over night.
Sonny: If you used one of my contacts to run the test, how do you know the results were accurate?
Luke: I had Barbara Jean oversee the operation from start to finish.
Sonny: Did she know who the test was about?
Luke: Not at first, but  had to tell her the whole story.
Sonny: Who else knows about this?
Luke: I had to tell Laura and Liz, now you know, that is everyone.
Sonny: Good, the less people who know about this the better.

Sonny looks at his watch.

Sonny: I had better get home and figure out what I’m going to cook for Hannah tonight.
Luke: Are you going to keep in mind the advice I gave you about her and Brenda?
Sonny: You mean, that I should treat the women in my life like a bowel of pasta?
Luke: Is that what I told you?
Sonny: I’ve already forgotten what you told me, it went in one ear and out the other.
Luke: That hurts, Corinthos. Now, get going before I belt you a hard one!
Sonny: See you later, keep me posted about your search for Lucky?
Luke: Sure, unless you are preoccupied with one of your problems.
Sonny: Believe me, I would welcome the chance to forget those problems for a little while.
Luke: Yes, but which one of your beautiful problems are you willing to forget, Hannah or Brenda?

He gives Sonny a knowledgeable look and then extends his hand to his old friend. 

Sonny: Later, Spencer.
Sonny walks out of the club and realizes that it is raining lightly. He pulls the collar of his coat up around his neck and heads for the docks. Although he doesn’t know it, he is headed right towards one of his beautiful problems. Brenda has arranged to meet Ned on the docks so that they can go to the airport and take the ELQ jet to Brooklyn. Despite the light rain, she is waiting for him on the docks. In fact, she is enjoying the light mist that is falling around her and refuses Johnny’s attempts to provide her with an umbrella.   

Johnny: Please use the umbrella Ms. Barrett, if you get sick Mr. Corinthos will kill me.
Brenda: Sonny is not going to be mad at you if I catch a cold.
Johnny: He wouldn’t want you getting wet.
Brenda: I really don’t care what Sonny wants, I’m not his child.
Johnny: I know that and so does Sonny.
Brenda: Sometimes I wonder if he thinks that I can take care of myself at all.
Johnny: You would have to talk to him about that, all I do is what I’m told. 
Brenda: I don’t blame you and most of the time I don’t even mind you lurking around.
Johnny: Except when I try and tell you what to do, right?
Brenda: Right, because I feel like it is Sonny who is trying to control my actions.
Johnny: I don’t know about that observation. I don’t want to see you catch a cold.

He gives her a very paternal look.

Brenda: Here and now in the rain is the most alive I have felt in a long time. I’m not about to give that up.
Johnny: Okay, I guess it won’t hurt for you to get a little wet. I’ll just be standing over there, undercover.
Brenda: Thanks, Johnny. If Ned takes longer I might just join you, under cover.

She smiles him and for a second he sees part of the reason why Brenda is so precious to his boss. Her hair is damp from the rain and her clothes are soaked, yet she is happy and that makes her one of the most beautiful  creatures that he has ever seen. He maintains his vigil over her from a short distance away and is unawear that someone ealse is intent on the same task. As Brenda waits for Ned, she is being watched by Lopez. He pulls out his phone and dials Hannah’s room above Kelly’s.

Hannah: Hello?
Lopez: Hello, Querida.
Hannah: Didn’t you just leave here?
Lopez: Yes, but I have been busy trying to solve your problems with Corinthos.
Hannah: And what did you come up with?
Lopez: I contacted a clinic in Europe that deals with fertility problems such as yours.
Hannah: What problem? Can they undo what I had done when I was a teenager?
Lopez: It is possible, modern science can perform miracles, but it would take time.
Hannah: If I’m going to use a pregnancy to hold onto Sonny, I need it done yesterday.
Lopez: You don’t actually need to become pregnant in order to hold onto Sonny.
Hannah: That is good to hear, because I’m not sure that even modern medicine could solve my problem.
Lopez:  This clinic can provide shots that cause your body to mimic a pregnancy.
Hannah: *Shocked* You want me to fake a pregnancy?

Her voices raises a few octaves in pitch, causing Lopez to winch in pain.

Lopez: Don’t act so shocked, I’m sure it isn’t the first thing you have faked to hold onto a man.
Hannah: So I’m not an innocent person, but this would never work. Sonny will find out eventually.  
Lopez: You let me worry about the eventually part, you just be ready to leave for Geneva in the morning.
Hannah: So soon? What will I tell Sonny?
Lopez: You are still a model for Deception, tell him you have an out of town assignment.
Hannah: I guess that would work.
Lopez: Good, I’ll see you in the morning.

He hangs up the phone and goes back to watching Brenda.  From where he is at he is hidden from Johnny’s view and Johnny is hidden from him as well. He knows that it is dangerous to approach her, but he can’t help himself, as dangerous as it is, he finds himself drawn to Brenda. The rain has begun to ease up, it is now falling lightly. Brenda continues to willingly embrace the gentle mist that is falling around her. Sonny walks down the stairs to the lower level of the docks. He stops when he sees her, so care free and happy, even though she is soaking wet. Much like the other men around her, Sonny is captivated by her spirit and gracefulness. He stands watching her for several minutes, drinking in her beauty, and he allows a smile to spread across his face. Johnny notices his boss and acknowledges him with a nod, which Sonny returns.

Sonny: How long has been out in the rain?
Johnny: Not for long, I tried to get her to take cover, but she wanted to stay out in the rain.

Sonny: *nodding* She looks happy though     

Sonny rushes to Brenda’s side and help her to her feet.

Sonny: Sweetheart, what happened?
Brenda: I’m not sure, that man walked by me and I suddenly felt overwhelmed by fear.
Sonny: Did he hurt you?
Brenda: He just brushed past me, but I could smell his after shave and it made me feel sick.
Sonny: Have you eaten today?
Brenda: I just came from Kelly’s.
Sonny: That wasn’t what I asked you, Brenda.
Brenda: I ate lunch before I left the diner.

Sonny is holding on to her tightly.

Sonny: Good girl, you have to keep your strength up, baby.

He helps her over to a bench and they sit down. He quickly takes off his coat and drapes it around her shoulders. He wraps his arms around her body in a protective embrace. His arms feel so good around her, his embrace warms her straight to her soul. She always feels safe in his arms, where she could feel his heart beatings and drink in his scent. They almost make her forget the feelings that overwhelmed her a few minutes earlier. 

Sonny: You’re shivering, sweetheart, are you cold?
Brenda: I’m fine, I’m not cold at all.

She gives him a smile that fails compleatly in its attempt to make him believe that she is all right.

Sonny: *In an angry whisper* That man really upset you. What was it about him that frightened you?

Brenda hesitates to tell him what she is really thinking.

Brenda: Sonny, he terrified me. He remind me so much of my father. 
Sonny: Harlen Barrett? 
Brenda: Yes, but this man was too tall to be my father and he really didn’t look like him at all.
Sonny: Harlen is dead, Brenda. He can’t hurt you anymore.
Brenda: You mean the way that Deke can’t hurt you anymore?

He knew what she meant, even though Deke was dead, at times, the memory of his reign of terror still held Sonny prisoner.

Sonny: Memories can be powerful, sweetheart, but that is all they are, just old feelings.
Brenda: Do you really believe that or are you just trying to make me feel better?
Sonny: I’ve decided that Deke can only hurt me if I allow the memories to control my life.
Brenda: Does that thinking work?
Sonny: Some days it works better than others. 
Brenda: That’s what I thought.
Sonny: It works best if I stay away from people who set me off by preaching the virtues of Deke Woods.
Brenda: So you try and stay away from Taggert?
Sonny: That is one of the steps in a 12 step process. Something had to have set off your feelings though.
Brenda: I saw that same man earlier today and I thought he looked familiar.
Sonny: He might be a certain type that you associate with the memory of your father.
Brenda: Maybe, anyway, I’m glad that you happened to be here or do you just spend all your time here? 
Sonny: I was on my way home from the club. Why are you here?
Brenda: I’m waiting for Ned. He is going to Brooklyn with me, but he is late.
Sonny: I’ll just wait here until he shows up.
Brenda: Don’t do that, please. If he sees us together he’ll tease me all the way to New York.
Sonny: I don’t think that you should be out here alone.
Brenda: Sonny, I’m sitting on a bench on the docks in the middle of the day. What could be safer?
Sonny: The docks are not as safe as they used to be, a lot has changed since you left a year ago.
Brenda: Johnny is watching me from over there. 
Sonny: He wasn’t doing a very good job at watching over you a few minutes ago.
Brenda: You distracted him when you walked up, I’ll be fine, Sonny.
Sonny: I know, I just want to make sure that you aren’t going to freeze to death.
Brenda: In September?

She takes his jacket off of her shoulders and tries to hand it back to Sonny. He refuses to take it from her hand. He stands up and moves behind her and looks at her, siting on the bench, their bench.

Sonny: Keep my jacket.
Brenda: Okay.
Sonny: Do you know that before I left Port Charles, the second time, I saw you sitting on this bench.
Brenda: I know, I could feel you watching me and I always wondered why you never came over?

She turns around on the bench so that she is facing him and Sonny Gives her a dimpled grin.

Sonny: You know, I was trying to work up the nerve, then Jax showed up and ruined the moment.
Brenda: Since when did you let Jax ruin anything for you?
Sonny: You made a choice the day of the warehouse fire. You ran to him, and pretty much ruined it for me.
Brenda: Then I was the one that ruined things, not Jax?
Sonny: No, I did, I ruined it when I ran and left you standing alone at St. Timothy’s.
Brenda: *Letting out a sigh* Why do we have to keep going through all of this again?
Sonny: We don’t, it is all in the past and we each know how the other feels.
Brenda: Right and Ned will be here very soon.
Sonny: Okay, so I’m going to go. Have a nice trip and I’ll see you when you get home.
Brenda: It seems impossible for us to avoid seeing each other.
Sonny leans over the back of the bench and kisses her tenderly on the forehead, then she kisses him gently on his cheek. Before they know it, their mouths have collided in a sweet, passionate, lingering kiss that sets both of their mouths on fire. Brenda can still feel that kiss several minutes later when Ned finally shows up to take her to the airport.
Ned: Sorry I’m late.
Brenda: No problem.
Ned: I got held up by an ELQ "discussion" between Carly and Grandfather. I hope you aren’t mad?
Brenda: Not at all.
She touches her still burning lips and pulls Sonny’s jacket tightly around her body and follows Ned to his parked car.       
Chapter 14

Luke Spencer leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk in the clubs office. He sipped a glass of the clubs private stock of brandy. He carefully pondered the problems presented to him early that day by his longtime friend and often partner, Sonny Corinthos. If Luke had been a lesser man, he would probably have gloated over the fact that he had far less problems than Sonny. However, as tempting as it would be to relish in his partners problems, Luke actually felt sorry for Sonny. After all, Luke was not facing an uncertain future with one woman, while actually being in love with a completely different woman. Sonny was the only guy that Luke knew who could end up in that kind of mess, not once, but twice in his life. Luke figured that was part of the problem with Sonny, he never learned from his mistakes. Sonny just kept making the same mistakes over and over. On the other hand, Luke figured that he kept finding new mistakes to make. Luke Spencer never made the same mistake twice in one life time. Luke was busy pondering this new life philosophy when he heard a knock on the office door.

Luke: I hope that is you, Corinthos, because I have a new philosophy to share with you.

The door slowly opens to reveal Cesar Faison.

Faison: I hope you aren’t too disappointed.
Luke: Of course not, Heer Kriege, what can I do for you? 
Faison: I assume that you got the delivery?
Luke: Yes, I’m not exactly sure about our next move.
Faison: I need for you to take the merchandise to a contact.
Luke: Where is this contact located?
Faison: He can be found in a private compound on  a small island off of Chile.

He hands Luke a small manila envelope.

Luke: My travel plans?
Faison: Yes, it is all there. You leave tomorrow afternoon for Santiago, Chile. 
Luke: Fine with me, I’m over due for a vacation.
Faison: May I see the merchandise?
Luke: Of course, if you’ll just turn your back, I’ll get them out of my safe.
Faison: Oh really, come now, is that necessary.
Luke: I don’t call it a safe because ever one and his dog has watched me open it up.

He indicates for Faison to turn his back, when he complies, Luke opens the safe. He pulls out the ornate bottle and places it on the desk, causing it to make a loud thump.

Luke: You can turn back around.

Faison turns around and holds out his hand. Luke pours the diamonds into it and watches Faison’s eyes grow large with lust.

Faison: Beautiful!
Luke: My thoughts exactly.

Luke scoops the stones up and pours them back into the bottle. Luke fills a second glass and hands it to Faison.

Luke: I’ll be in touch, as soon as I get back.
Faison: It should only take you a few days to meet the contact and return. 
Luke: Then you’ll get my report.
Faison: I’ll look forward to it.

He downs the liquor and  leaves. As soon as he gets to a secluded area outside of the club, Faison pulls out his cell phone and calls Lopez.

Lopez: Hello?
Faison: I need you to go to the island and meet Spencer, he will have the diamonds with him.
Lopez: When?
Faison: His plane leaves this afternoon for Santiago.
Lopez: I’m in the middle of another project.
Faison: I’ll bet you are, most likely it is female, has dark hair and eyes. Am I right?

Lopez remains silent, wondering how Faison found out about Hannah.  Unknown to him Faison describes Brenda, who he believes Lopez is involved with at the moment.
   
 he has transportation to the island from there.
Lopez: Is it safe to let him visit the island?
Faison: It is more than safe, it is necessary.
Lopez: What about for our guest.
Faison: That is the irony of the situation. Luke Spencer will be so close to his son, yet he will not know it.
Lopez: That isn’t ironic, it is dangerous. No make that, insane!
Faison: Do not call my plans crazy! Lopez, you will do as your told!
Lopez: Why can’t I just meet Spencer here in Port Charles?
Faison: Because, the whole idea is to have Spencer take the jewels out of the country for us.
Lopez: You don’t trust me?
Faison: I trust you, as much as I trust anyone, but you are too valuable to loose, if you get caught. 
Lopez: You think that I’m more likely to get caught than Spencer?
Faison: Not at all, but if Spencer gets caught, he is dispensable. You my friend, can’t be easily replaced.
Lopez: After all, where would you find another high ranking U.S. Government official to aid your plan? 
Faison: Especially one with delusions of grandeur. 
Lopez: We do make a fabulous team.
Faison: Don’t get carried away, contact me when you reach the island.

He abruptly hangs up the phone, leaving Lopez slightly perturbed. This new order had the power to ruin his plans with Hannah. He dials her number and finds his call forwarded to the penthouse. The phone rings for several minutes. When it fails to wake Sonny, Hannah reaches over his sleeping form and answers the call.

Hannah: *Cautiously*  Hello?
Lopez: Good morning, Querida.
Hannah: What on earth are you doing calling me here?
Lopez: The call was forwarded, where exactly are you at the moment?
Hannah: I’m at the penthouse with Sonny.
Lopez: Isn’t it  A little early for a visit?
Hannah: I never left last night.
Lopez: Things must be improving between the two of you?
Hannah: Things are fine for now. Why are you calling?
Lopez: My plans have changed. Do you still want me to fly to Geneva with you?
Hannah: You know that I do.
Lopez: Then we have to leave by the Concord right away so that I can get you settled, then be in South America by this evening.
Hannah: What is happening in South America?
Lopez: Now, Querida, you know that we get along so much better when we each have secrets.
Hanaah: When have I ever kept anything from you?
Lopez: I don’t believe for a second that you don’t have a few secrets.
Hannah: My point is, how can you blame an agent for being curious?
Lopez: You weren’t an agent for that long.
Hannah: You aren’t going to tell me why you are going to South America, are you, Lopez?
Lopez: Not this time. Our flight on the Concord leaves at noon.
Hannah: The Concord doesn’t fly out of Port Charles though.
Lopez: No, you are going to have to get a flight to New York this morning.
Hannah: Sonny and I were planning on driving to New York together.
Lopez: There isn’t time for that, you are going to have to fly.
Hannah: Sonny and I were looking forward to spending time together on the road.
Lopez: You’ll survive, both of you will live through this separation.
Hannah: You aren’t being very supportive.
Lopez: All I’m being is supportive. I’m the one who got you into this fertility clinic in the first place.
Hannah: You aren’t the one who has to break the news of my early departure to Sonny!
Lopez: Deception is hard work.
Hannah: Sonny is worth the effort.
Lopez: He is a powerful man and knowing that you can control him must make you feel powerful.
Hannah: I’ll see you at the Concord, Lopez.

She hangs up on him. It was true, there hadn’t been that many men in Hannah’s life that she had power over. Sonny was one of the few that she could influence with little more than turning her mouth into a pout. Having that kind of power over another human being exhilarated Hannah. She sits on the side of the bed and starts to put on her clothes. She was glad that Sonny had slept through her talk with Lopez. It would have been difficult to explain the look that she got on her face when Lopez told her that she had to leave immediately. Sonny wakes up when he feels her moving around. He notices that she is getting dressed and then he looks at the clock.

Sonny: Hey, It is only 8:00, what are you doing?
Hannah: I have to catch a flight to New York.
Sonny: I thought I was going to drive you to New York so that you could catch a 6:00 flight.
Hannah: I had to change plans. My photographer called to say that we have to catch the Concord at 12:00
Sonny: Was that him on the phone, just now?
Hannah: Yes it was him, nice of him to give me a warning, isn’t it?
Sonny: What can you do? You have time for me to make breakfast though.
Hannah: I see, so you feel like cooking this morning, but not last night?

Sonny had invited Hannah over for dinner the pervious night. When she got there, he had insisted that they go out and eat. Sonny hadn’t been able to get Luke’s cooking analogy out of his head. Mostly though, Sonny hadn’t really wanted to spend the whole evening alone with Hannah and he didn’t want to end up in his bedroom, in his bed together, somehow it had happened anyway. 

Sonny: Well, you know the difference a good nights sleep can make.
Hannah: Not that I mind eating out, but I could have cooked dinner for us here.

Hannah had volunteered to cook dinner the night before, but Sonny had refused. Hannah had already taken over so many aspects of his life, including his bedroom. There was no way that he was letting her take over his kitchen as well.
 
Sonny: Cooking for me isn’t what I keep you around for, honey.

He gives her a quick kiss and gets out of bed, and  putting on his robe, he leaves the bedroom.
Hannah looks after him with a sour look on her face.

Hannah: *Bitter* Exactly why do you keep me around?
Hannah: *Calling after him* Don’t forget, my plane leaves La Guardia, at 12:00!

Lois and Brenda each sat on a twin bed in the bed room once shared by two of Lois’ brothers. They had been up almost all night talking about everything under the sun. Some how, during all that time, they had managed to avoid the real issues. To drop a few names, Sonny and Ned and how these men fit into there lives.    

Lois: I can’t believe that you are leaving so soon, you just got here last night.
Brenda: Sorry, but the only flight that I could get to Paris leaves La Guardia at 12:30.
Lois: I know that I have to share you with Robin, but I wish we had gotten to talk more.

At that moment, Ned walks by the room and hears her complaint.

Ned: What are you talking about, you two talked all night.
Lois: How do you know? You were across the hall in my old room!
Ned: I could still hear you two, giggling!
Brenda: We don’t giggle!
Ned: I heard you!
Lois: You were dreaming.
Ned: Maybe I was dreaming, if so it was about you, Lois Mare.

He flashes her a smile.

Ned: I’m on my way to take a shower.

He leaves the girls alone in the room.

Brenda: You two are so cute together.
Lois: We aren’t together, Bren. 
Brenda: Why not, you have every reason to be together. Ned is not working for ELQ anymore.
Lois: He is still tied to the family though.
Brenda: Because of Lila?
Lois: Manly because of who he was raised to be, Tracy groomed him to be the family gatekeeper.
Brenda: The three of you could be a family, Ned, Brooke Lynne and you.
Lois: I want my daughter to be raised in a loving environment, even if that means Ned has to come visit.   
Brenda: The two of you seem to be doing all right that way, how often do you see him?
Lois: He is up here almost every weekend, when he can’t be here, Brooke and I go to Port Charles.
Brenda: If you are going back and forth so much, why don’t you go back to Port Charles for good? 
Lois: Besides all the reasons I listed?
Brenda: They are good reasons.
Lois: You bet they are, a lot of messes have been raised in the Q mansion.
Brenda: True, but some good has come out of there as well. Ned turned out all right and so has Emily.
Lois: Emily had a good foundation.
Brenda: Jason and Carly are raising their son in the mansion?
Lois: Only part of the time, Jason still has his penthouse in case things get hectic.
Brenda: You would be living in the gatehouse. Why not raise Brooke alongside Michael?
Lois: Can you see me and Carly trading parenting tips?
Brenda: No, but I don’t think that you are staying here only because of Brooke Lynne, so tell me the truth!
Lois: Okay, here is what I’m afraid of, I don’t know if we could last if I went back to Port Charles.
Brenda: You mean if you went back there and allowed Ned to be hopelessly devoted to you?
Lois: His family is just so different from what I know growing up, I’m afraid Brooke would miss that.
Brenda: You mean you would miss being in a house where the family members care about each other?
Lois: It isn’t even all about me, I want my daughter to grow up surrounded by love as well.
Brenda: It must have been wonderfully to grow up in a normal family?
Lois: I don’t know how normal we are, but it was great growing up in Bensonhurst.
Brenda: The Cerullo’s are a lot more normal than the Q’s or my family.

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