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by Desi 
Chapter Five “Tell me doctor. How is my son,” Ian’s voice vibrated with worry as he stepped forward emerging from the group. “He’s made it through surgery,” Dr. Lucas began with a sigh, “although given the nature of his injuries, he’s still in very critical condition.” “Oh god,” Eve gasped holding onto Chris as tears threatened to overtake her, “I have to be with him. I have to see him.” “He needs to rest,” Dr. Lucas explained as he turned his attention to Eve, “and furthermore I don’t want you going in there like that. If Daniel senses it...” “He won’t,” Eve wiped at her tears, “I promise that I’ll keep it under control.” “I’m going with you,” Ian began as Eve spun around to face him. “Like hell you are,” she glared at him, “you aren’t going anywhere near my son.” “Our son Lambert,” Ian reminded her, “he’s my son too.” “For his sake I wish that wasn’t the case,” she shot back bitterly as Chris stepped forward. “Ian, this isn’t a good time,” Chris began. “You stay out of this Ramsey,” Ian warned, “that is my child fighting for his life in there.” “Because of your carelessness,” Eve snapped back at him, “you won’t go near him again Ian.” “Lambert,” Ian spoke up once more as Lucy touched his shoulder gently. “Ian, maybe you should just let Eve go see him right now,” Lucy’s voice tried to soothe him, “just for now.” “Lucy, I...” Ian turned to his friend seeing the concern wash over her features, “alright, but only for now.” Eve glared at Ian a moment longer as Chris urged her forward, “Come on,” he whispered, “let’s go see Danny.” Saying nothing Eve brushed past Ian with Chris beside her as Ian, Kevin and Lucy watched them walk on into where Daniel was. Letting out a groan, Ian spun around with tension coursing through his body as Lucy looked to her husband. “Doc, I need to speak with him,” Lucy explained apologetically. “I know,” Kevin nodded, “but I don’t think you’re the only one who wants a word with him right now.” “What?” Lucy turned her eyes in the direction Kevin had nodded in as Mac and Garcia stepped off the elevators making their way towards Ian, “oh no.” “He has some explaining to do,” Kevin sighed thinking of the child that was fighting for his life, “and I don’t think that there is any easy way out of this.”
“Jack, what’s wrong?” Livvie frowned slightly noting the way he’d paced around the living room, “what is it?” “I’m worried about Chris,” Jack confessed with a sigh, “there was something about his voice, something about our conversation before...” “He’s upset about Danny,” Livvie explained holding Angel close to her as the little one reached out to poke Livvie’s nose. “I know he is, but still,” Jack faced her, “there was something in his voice, something so sad and it worried me.” “Jack, do you think there’s something he isn’t telling you,” Livvie questioned again as Angel moved up on her knees to give Livvie a kiss. “I don’t know,” Jack sighed. “Daddy’s worried,” Angel explained with a tiny shrug, “daddy loves Danny, just like I do. Daddy loves Danny and Chrissy.....” Angel smiled before a sigh fell from her lips, “Angel miss Chrissy too.” “Oh Jack,” Livvie frowned, “Angel’s missing her sister.” “Chrissy read me story,” Angel explained with a half smile, “the bears and the monkeys...” she laughed again before wiggling out of Livvie’s lap and moving over to the phone, “can we call Chrissy?” “Angel now isn’t a good time,” Livvie began reaching out to the small child, “but maybe later.” “No, I want Chrissy now,” Angel explained firmly, “call her now.” “Angel,” Jack approached his niece, “sweetie I know you want your sister, but right now she’s sleeping.” “Then call Danny,” Angel held out the phone towards him, “you know the number, don’t you?” “Angel,” Jack embraced his niece, “sweetheart right now Danny isn’t home.” “Make him go home,” Angel pouted, “make him and Chrissy come here. I want them.” “They’ll be back soon,” Jack promised hugging her close to him. “Not soon, I want them now. Mommy said if I was ever sad, to call Chrissy and I want Chrissy.” “Livvie,” Jack glanced over to her. “I could call Lucy,” Livvie shrugged offering up a suggestion. “That might be a good idea,” Jack nodded turning his eyes to Angel, “we’ll call Chrissy and see if she’s awake, okay?” “Okay,” Angel smiled before reaching out to hug him, “I love you.” “I love you too Angel,” Jack hugged his niece close to him as he looked to Livvie. “Alison, hi. Hey it’s Livvie. Listen Jack and I are watching Angel right now and she’s a bit upset because Chris isn’t around and she was wondering if maybe Christina is awake,” Livvie paused, “oh, oh....okay. Alright then we’ll get right on it. Thanks again Alison.” “Well?” Jack questioned as Livvie hung up the phone. “Christina’s been asking for Lucy and Angel for at least half an hour now,” Livvie explained, “so taking her over there sounds like a good idea.” “Then let’s leave Chris a note and get right on it,” Jack hoisted Angel into his arms, “come on sweetie, we’ll go take you to see your sister.”
“What’s going on?” Paige questioned from her corner of the room as she watched the officers speaking with Ian. “I’m not sure,” One of the nurses replied as Paige watched the men escorting Ian. With a frown, she reached for her cell phone and dialed a familiar number, “Amy, it’s me. That’s right, yes, uh huh, look I can’t talk much now, but it would be in your best interest to make your way down to the Port Charles police department...just trust me. Would I lead you astray?” Paige frowned hanging up the phone as she turned her eyes towards a very curious Lucy Coe. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Lucy cleared her throat. “No, not in the least,” Paige offered up with a half smile, “it looks like something major went down here.” “Indeed,” Lucy sighed turning her eyes towards Kevin, “but it’s been a mistake.” “So it would seem,” Paige noted. “What?” “Nothing,” Paige shook her head, “so what are you doing here Lucy?” “I happen to work here.” “A cosmetics company and the hospital, my you do get around,” Paige noted, “and here I thought I’d already seen the extend to your multifaceted personality.” “Just the tip of the ice burg,” Lucy frowned, “Paige, I don’t want to seem rude, but if you don’t mind, I should really check in on my friend as he’s....” “Of course,” Paige nodded, “I was just on my way out anyways. I think I’m just about finished here.” “Great, then we can go collect Doc and I’ll just meet up with you in a few minutes.” “Oh you go on ahead Lucy. I’m certain I’ll find my way around in no time,” Paige offered with a smile, “take care.” “Sure,” Lucy watched her closely wondering what it was that Paige was hiding from her. She couldn’t quite place her finger upon it, but there was something different about that woman and she intended to find out. “Lucy,” Kevin interrupted her thoughts as he approached her, “I know you were concerned about Ian, but I’d really rather stay here a while for Eve.” “Doc, I don’t know if you being here is such a good idea especially when,” Lucy stopped as her pager went off and she reached within her purse, “Doc, it’s Christina.” “You’d better go see what’s going on,” he urged seeing the look of motherly concern wash over her features. “I’ll be right back,” she promised thinking about her young daughter at home.
Taking in a tight uneasy breath, Eve braced herself for her visit with her son, but nothing had her prepared for this moment as her eyes fell upon his tiny body. He was hooked up to monitors and his poor little arms were covered in bandages, faint bruises and cuts. Feeling her heart ache at the sight of him, tears fell from her eyes. “Oh god,” She fought to contain herself as Chris drew her into his arms though he too was shaken by the way Daniel was before them. He was so weak, so tiny and after everything he’d gone through to be alive, here he was once again fighting for his life and there was nothing he could do to help him. “How could this happen?” Eve questioned under her breath as Chris held her close to him, “how could I let this happen to my son?” “Eve, you can’t blame yourself,” Chris started at a loss as his eyes never strayed from the tiny incubator that Daniel was in, “this wasn’t your fault.” “I should’ve protected him Chris. I should’ve been there when his father wasn’t,” Eve started painfully as her tears engulfed her. “His father wasn’t there for him,” Chris agreed his own tears threatening as a lump formed in his throat, “he wasn’t anywhere near being there for him.” “I can’t lose him, Chris. I can’t loose Danny now just because of this,” Eve started, “he’s been through so much.” “You aren’t going to lose him,” Chris promised her as he reached out to her touching her face gently before lifting her eyes to his, “I won’t let that happen.” “But Chris, we don’t know....” Eve sniffled, “we don’t know what will happen.” “He’s fighting Eve,” Chris replied keeping his eyes fixed on her a moment longer before he turned his attention to Daniel, “and he’s not going to give up.” “I hope not Chris,” Eve whispered as he drew her into his arms once again, “because I can’t afford to lose him.” “You won’t,” Chris promised as he held her hearing the sound of footsteps in the distance as he looked up to find Kevin standing before them. “Can I have a word with Eve?” Kevin questioned lightly. “This isn’t a good time,” Chris shot him a glare. “I understand that, but there’s something I need to speak with her about,” Kevin hesitated, “Mac is here and he needs a word with you.” “Now?” Eve frowned, “Kevin, I can’t just leave Danny...” “I’ll be right here,” Chris urged squeezing her shoulder, “he’ll be safe.” “Chris, I don’t want to,” she paused looking to her son once again before regarding Kevin, “just for a minute.” “A minute is all I’ll need, then I promise you can come back,” Kevin replied holding the door for her as Eve left the room. Upon the silence that enveloped him, Chris turned to look at Daniel feeling his heart ache. Stepping forward he knelt beside Daniel reaching out to touch the small incubator that Daniel was in as he was unable to contain his tears a moment longer. “How could this happen? How could I not know?” he asked his heart breaking as he looked to the boy in front of him, “how could I have wasted so much time?” Daniel lay unresponsive as Chris reached out to touch the barrier between them while wishing so desperately that he could hold the small child in his arms. Another tear slipped past as he thought of the ways in which his life had changed in just a short time. “Angel loves you so very much Danny,” Chris spoke to him, his voice cracking with emotion as Daniel lay unresponsive, “you’ve become such an important part of her life and mine. From the moment your mommy told me that you were coming into this world, I knew that I loved you and that we’d have a special connection with one another. Somehow I knew when you were born that you’d be an amazing child and you are. You’re an incredible little boy with your mother’s spirit. I know that somehow, someway you’re going to make it through what’s happened and when you do, I promise you that I’m going to be there for you and your mother. I’m going to stand up for what I should’ve done a long time ago. Your mother and I love you very much and we’d give anything to see to it that you were strong and healthy.” Chris choked up on emotion as he thought back to the pages he’d encountered earlier. Not only had Julie given him the greatest gift in the world in offering him up a family, but she’d gone a step further in her brief time in Port Charles. She’d given him love and Angel and the hope that one day he would have the family he’d always dreamed of, but never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the depths of what exactly it was that Julie was preparing him for...that was until this moment. Now looking at Daniel, Chris knew in his heart what it had meant to love and to feel like a parent and he promised himself in that moment that he wouldn’t let his family down. He wouldn’t allow himself to lose the only truth he’d ever known.
“Rafe, what’s wrong?” Lucy questioned worried by the call she’d received. “Lucy, I don’t mean to bother you, but Christina had a nightmare and she was asking for you. Alison and I tried to soothe her, but she only wants to see you.” “In that case, tell my little angel that I’m on my way,” Lucy promised hanging up the phone as she turned to find Kevin standing behind her, “Doc, it’s Christina. She has a bad dream and Rafe said she needs me.” “Then you should go to her,” Kevin urged, “I know how important you are to her Lucy.” “Promise me you’ll come home soon,” Lucy leaned up to kiss him. “Once I know about Daniel I will be on my way,” he promised hugging her gently, “give Christina a kiss for me.” “I’ll do that,” Lucy promised kissing him once more before leaving the hospital to see her daughter.
Gabriella checked the time once again wondering when this day would ever end. Somehow in the back of her mind, she’d hoped the days and nights would get easier, but the more time she spent at the hospital, the more time she had to reflect upon her life and how it had taken a turn over the last year. She’d wanted to much to move beyond what had happened with Caleb, but now as she stood behind the nurse’s station reviewing the notations she’d made for one of the doctors on staff, she felt her heart sink knowing that she’d be going home to yet another boring night alone in front of the television. “Gabby, hey, are you coming over for dinner tonight,” Emilio’s voice interrupted her thoughts as she looked over to her brother. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she sighed, “after everything...” “Gabby, you are still family and there is no place you should be, but at home with us.” “Even so, I think tonight I’m just going to spend the night on my own,” she sighed as she stepped away from the nurse’s station, “good-bye Emilio.” As Gabriella walked over to the elevator, a feeling pressed over her as she turned to look behind her. Something was going on, something she could feel, but as she looked down the empty hallway, she realized maybe the weight of the word was getting to her. Perhaps it was time for a vacation after all, she thought to herself as she stepped into the elevator unaware of the eyes upon her as he stepped out from the shadows plotting his next move.
Lucy entered the lighthouse finding Jack, Livvie, Alison and Rafe sitting in the living room talking with one another as her worries overtook her. “Where’s Christina,” Lucy questioned seeing her daughter no where in sight as she scanned the group. “She’s sleeping,” Rafe explained, “Jack and Livvie stopped by with Angel and the two of them were up in Christina’s bed reading a story together.” “They fell right asleep,” Livvie explained with a soft smile, “Angel was just missing her so much that we had to bring her over.” “So they are both upstairs?” Lucy questioned. “And fine,” Rafe nodded, “but feel free to check for yourself.” “Alright,” Lucy let out a breath of relief as she made her way upstairs to the bedroom. Hearing the soft sounds of giggling up ahead, she realized that the two little ones were anything but sleeping as she made her way into the room. There was a quick shuffling of the blankets before Christina closed her eyes and Angel followed her big sister’s lead. “I know you two silly girls aren’t sleeping,” Lucy teased moving in beside them as she reached out to tickle the both of them. “Mom,” Christina laughed lightly unable to pretend any longer as she looked up to Lucy, “you’re home.” “That’s right Christina. I’m home,” Lucy hugged her daughter as her eyes fell upon Angel. She hadn’t seen Julie’s other little girl in quite a while, but as her eyes fell upon her, she realized just how beautiful Angel had turned out as well. Shying away from Lucy a bit, Angel hugged the blanket closer to her. “Angel came over to see me,” Christina explained proudly, “she’s here at last.” “I can see that,” Lucy smiled at the small child, “Angel, you don’t have to be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.” Angel peeked out from beneath the blanket wearily before turning her eyes to Christina. Upon getting her sister’s approval, she sat upright and smiled at Lucy, “My daddy is at the hospital because Danny is there.” “I know,” Lucy reached out to her as Christina seated herself comfortablly on Lucy’s lap. “She’s worried about Danny,” Christina explained matter of fact, “she misses him too.” “I’m sure she does, but Danny’s going to be just fine. They have the best people watching over him,” Lucy started. “Like my mommy?” Angel asked with wide eyes. “Yeah mom, is our other mommy looking over Danny?” Christina questioned turning her eyes to Lucy. “I’m sure she is,” Lucy touched her daughter’s face gently. “Do you think we could say a prayer to her?” Christina asked innocently, “just to let her know how much Danny means to us?” “I’m sure we could do that,” Lucy nodded. “Do you want to pray with us,” Angel asked with a soft smile, “Christina said you might want to.” “I’d love to,” Lucy couldn’t help but smile as Christina reached for her hand. “I told you my mommy was a good mommy,” Christina explained proudly, “she’s different than our other mommy, but she’s a great mommy.” “Are you my other mommy too?” Angel asked with a curious look upon her tiny face. “Well I’m.....” Lucy started not sure how to answer that question. “We can share her,” Christina offered, “you’ll like her.” “Okay,” Angel nodded, “if you say so.” “I do,” Christina turned to Lucy, “is that okay mommy?” “I’m sure it is,” Lucy kissed Christina as Angel moved over in beside Lucy. “Can we pray now?” Angel questioned. “Of course we can,” Lucy nodded seeing the love between the two children as she wondered why she hadn’t taken Christina to see her sister sooner. This was obviously something the both of them needed and in a way Lucy found she’d needed it too.
“Eve,” Karen approached her friend as she noted Eve in the hallway up ahead of her. Rushing to her friend’s side, Karen reached out to her, “how’s Danny?” “He’s stable,” Eve answered watching as Mac and Garcia lead Ian over towards the elevators to take him downtown to the station. “How are you?” “Not good,” Eve admitted tearfully, “Karen, how could this happen? How could any of this happen?” “Eve, I don’t know,” Karen reached out to hug her embracing her tightly as she felt her friend’s pain, “I don’t know how this could happen.” “Danny doesn’t deserve this. If anyone does, it’s me for neglecting him. If I’d only been there....” “Eve, stop it. Right now Daniel needs you,” Karen reminded her firmly, “he needs you to be strong for him. He needs you to show him how much you love him.” “I do love him Karen. With all that I am I love my son, but somehow it seems Ian wasn’t willing to do the same.” “Eve, Ian wasn’t the man we thought he was. He wasn’t the father that we’d,” Karen stopped herself, “where’s Chris?” “He’s in with Daniel. I left him a few minutes earlier when Kevin pulled me out,” Eve wiped at her eyes, “why do you ask?” “I just thought he’d be with you,” Karen answered, “but seeing as he’s in with Daniel, well that makes sense.” “He’s such a good friend to me,” Eve sighed, “I don’t know what I’d do without him here.” “You two both need one another right now,” Karen replied hesitantly, “you two can lean on one another through this.” “I think I’ve done far too much leaning,” Eve blurted out, “he shouldn’t have to feel the weight of the world on his shoulders because of me.” “Eve, I know that there’s no where else he’d want to be considering that he cares about you and Daniel,” Karen tried to assure her, “I know he cares about you very much and he’d do anything to make you happy.” “I know that, believe me I do,” Eve started as Chris emerged from Daniel’s room looking rather upset. “Chris, what is it?” she asked as he reached out to her. “We need to talk,” Chris began pulling her aside, “Karen, if you don’t mind.” “No, not at all,” Karen walked away as Chris turned to Eve. “Is something wrong with Danny? Did something more happen?” “Eve, nothing more happened since you were in there, but there’s something I need to tell you and I realized that when I was alone with Daniel back there that it couldn’t wait a moment longer.” “Well, what is it? What’s wrong?” “I was going to tell you about Angel,” Chris started hesitantly. “That’s right you’d mentioned something about her before,” Eve nodded, “you wanted to talk about....” “Eve, before Julie died she had some tests run on Angel and Christina. Check ups if you will and in doing so, somehow she got her hands on some other lab reports here at the hospital.” “I don’t understand. What are you saying?” “Somehow Julie got her hands on some other patient files and she did some research on her own. Eve, earlier today I got this,” he pulled an envelope out of his hand, “this came to me when we were in the chapel. Kevin gave me this and when I read what was inside, I had to be sure and now.....” “Chris,” Eve watched as the tears swelled in his eyes and he fought to keep himself under control, “what is it?” “Take a look,” Chris urged as he handed the envelope over to Eve, “just take a good look.” “Alright,” Eve accepted the envelope unfolding it carefully as she pulled out the page it contained. “It’s blood work on Angel,” Chris explained. “Chris, I don’t see anything wrong here. You have me worried that,” Eve began as he cut her off. “Look at the next page,” he instructed as she did as told and after a moment a breath caught in her throat. “Chris, what is this....” she frowned, “how did you get your hands on...” “Eve, I told you Julie sent it and if you compare the two you’ll see that...” “It’s not possible,” Eve shook her head, “there’s no way that...” “It is possible, Eve. I was so surprised by that when I received it that I had Karen check on it herself and she confirmed it,” he finished as her dark eyes fell upon his, “Eve, Angel is Danny’s sister. Daniel is my son.”
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