And it’s hard watching
‘Cause I’m part of you
And it’s hard not to
Not to know what I can do
I’m powerless to change your world
I’m powerless to stop the hurt
I’m trying hard to be your tower of strength
I’m trying hard to bring you back to joy
— Heart and Shoulder, Heather Nova

—-

Courtney watched her husband change his shirt for the tenth time and felt a rush of love for him. “Honey, Michael’s not going to care what you’re wearing.”

AJ buttoned the blue shirt and sighed. “I just…I want to be perfect. I’ve got a second chance with him…and I don’t want to lose it.”

Courtney slid off the edge of their bed and wound her arms around him, staring at his reflection in the mirror over his shoulder. “Do you know what I see when I look at you?” she asked.

“What?” AJ asked, covering his wife’s hands with his own.

“I see man who’s made mistakes in his life,” Courtney said. “Someone who’s done bad things, but never because he’s a bad person. Baby, I see someone whose taken his family’s expectations of him and shattered them.” She kissed the side of his neck. “Be honest with Michael, don’t hold anything back. He’ll respect that in the end.”

AJ turned so that he was facing her. “How did I ever manage to marry someone like you?” he asked, his voice full of the awe and love he felt whenever he saw her.

Courtney grinned and leaned up to brush a kiss against his lips. “You hated my brother,” she reminded him without a trace of anger or bitterness.

Somehow, they’d gotten past AJ’s confession of why he’d married her. She’d been hurt and she’d asked him to leave. He’d thought their marriage was over, but it didn’t stop him from trying. He loved her more than anything in the world and he refused to lose her.

Courtney had attempted to end the marriage several times, but always stopped before seeing the lawyers. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to end her marriage because of his mistake. He claimed to love her for real–and she wanted to believe him.

In the end, it hadn’t been AJ’s tireless efforts to win her back or Courtney’s seemingly bottomless faith in her husband.

It’d been the discovery of Courtney’s pregnancy. Knowing she could never keep the child from AJ, she’d told him.

“I’m pregnant,” Courtney confessed, her hands clasped in front of her as she and AJ were seated in the small apartment they’d once shared.

He didn’t ask how long. He didn’t ask if it was his.

Instead, he slid off the couch and kneeled in front of her, placing his hands on her knees. “I love you,” he told her, his voice quiet and calm. “I’ve made so many mistakes and I don’t blame you for wanting to walk away. Hell, I’ve done enough to make you do that without telling the truth about the reason I married you.”

“AJ–” Courtney began, unwilling to listen to more apologies.

“I will never stop trying to make up for the reason we began, for how unbelievably selfish I was, trapping you into marriage. I can’t ever ask you to forgive me for it. But, I love you. I know that like I know my last name. You are my everything. The first thing I think about when I wake up–the last face I see before I fall asleep. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Please, just give me one more chance to be with you–to be a family. Let’s give this child what any child deserves. Two parents who love each other, despite the odds.”

She raised her tear-filled blue eyes to her husband’s pleading brown ones. “I love you so much, AJ Quartermaine. I married you because I wanted to escape Sonny and his controlling nature. This is my confession. I didn’t marry you because I loved you, but I saw you as my escape.” She sucked in a deep breath and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “But somewhere along the line, AJ, I fell in love with you. With everything that you are. I’m not blind anymore–I’m not na�ve. You’re not the perfect person I thought you were in the beginning.”

AJ’s shoulders slumped and he sighed. “All right. I–I just want to be part of this child’s life. I understand if you–”

She pressed two fingers to his lips. “I’m not finished,” she told him. “You are my everything. The first thing I think about when I wake up–the last face I see before I fall asleep. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Please, just give me one more chance to be with–to be a family. Let’s give this child what any child deserves. Two parents who love each other, despite the odds.”

AJ blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. He stood, pulling Courtney with him and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you,” he breathed, his breath warm on her neck.

“I love you, too,” Courtney said.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, bringing AJ back to the present. He looked into his wife’s dancing blue eyes.

“Thinking about the day you told me about Jocelyn,” AJ told her. “I love you, Courtney. I love you and Jo and Steve so much it takes my breath away sometimes. Having Michael in my life–it won’t change that.”

Hearing the promise from her husband’s lips quelled the fear that she hadn’t even known she possessed.

“Go,” she told him. “Go have lunch with your son.”

AJ kissed her again before pulling out of her arms to finish buttoning his shirt. He tucked it into his khakis and left the room.

—-

Carly smoothed Michael’s black t-shirt for the hundredth time and Michael smacked her hands away. “Come on, Mom, I’m not six anymore.”

Carly smiled. “You may be sixteen–you may be a high school graduate, but you will always be Mr. Man to me.” She kissed him on the cheek. “You’ll never know how much it means to me to know that despite my best efforts to the contrary, you still managed grow up into this wonderful person.”

A little embarrassed by his mother’s words, Michael turned and shrugged. “Well, you’re not as bad you seem to think.” He turned back to her. “So, Jason went in today?”

“No. Johnny called–Sonny came to work,” Carly replied. She moved around the guest room she was using at the Morgan house. “I guess he’s feeling better.”

“You going to talk to him?” Michael asked, sticking his hands in his pockets.

Carly shrugged. “I don’t know. I need to figure what I’m gonna say to him.” She eyed him. “You gonna drop Drew off at camp on your way to meet AJ? I have to take Mandy to the hospital.”

“Yep. I’m taking Dee and Davie with me….Mom?”

“Yeah?” Carly asked, checking the battery on her cell phone before putting it into her purse.

“You okay with me going to see him?” Michael asked.

Carly stilled in her movements and looked up. “No,” she said honestly. “I have been so terrified of AJ being around you since the moment you were born. It doesn’t matter that he’s gotten his life under control, or that he’s happily married and I know he’s a wonderful father–but I guess…I guess I can’t forget the days when he threatened to take you away and never let you see me.” She took a deep breath. “But I understand that you need to do this.”

“Thanks,” Michael said. “Well, I’d better get going.”

—-

Emily rubbed her forehead wearily. She’d never dreamed all the work that would go into opening Wyndemere to prepare for Nikolas’s arrival in a week or two. She’d found on agency to clean it, and then she’d had to contract another agency to furnish it. She’d hired gardeners to take care of the gardens and she had to hire at least a minor staff once Nikolas and Gia arrived.

To top it off, Lucky was still calling and begging her for another chance. Emily might have been tempted to listen to him, but he was still insisting she was being ridiculous. There was no way he was still in love with Elizabeth.

Emily could hear the way he felt about her best friend in the very way he said her name, so she promptly hung up on him.

Perhaps she was just being paranoid.

Maybe it was her pregnancy and the hormones were affecting her.

But Emily couldn’t be imagining the way his voice changed when he talked about Elizabeth, or the way his eyes lit up when she was around. He might be consciously aware of it–but Emily was.

She still wanted Lucky to be part of the child’s life and she’d told him as much. She’d offered to let him come to the ultrasound next week, but Lucky wasn’t interested. If he wasn’t going to be with Emily and part of her life as well, he wasn’t interested in being part of the child’s either.

Emily thought that was a rather selfish way to look at it, and had decided that he was going through a bad time and that she wasn’t going to hold him to this decision. She’d invited Laura instead.

In the back of her mind, the image from her brother’s house still lingered. She’d cried herself to sleep, thinking about Elizabeth, the strain Emily had placed on their friendship, about the way she’d die if anything happened to own child and finally, she cried for her brother, who must be reeling. No father loved his children more than Jason–and she couldn’t imagine how he was faring, having to deal with Elizabeth’s depression as well as his own.

Emily had come to work late–around noon and had spent the morning decorating the nursery. She’d decorated in a multitude of colors, preparing for either a boy or a girl. She promised herself that even if Lucky wasn’t going to be part of this child’s life, he or she was never going to want for love and attention. She was going to spoil this child beyond recognition.

“Miss Quartermaine? Mr. Spencer is on the phone again,” said her secretary over the intercom.

“Tell him I’m in the meeting,” Emily replied. “And then cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. I’m going to visit my niece at the hospital.”

“All right.”

—-

Alexis, Carly and Ned were in the hospital cafeteria trying to pass the time until Christie and Mandy returned from testing. They’d scheduled the transplant for the next day and had told Mandy and Christie that they were related and it would be explained in further detail after the surgery.

There was a tense air among the trio. Ned still felt the lingering guilt that he’d been the reason Sonny found out. Alexis still felt guilty that while she would save her daughter, Carly would lose her marriage.

And Carly was contemplating the words she’d say to her husband the next time she saw him. Sonny had yet to acknowledge Christina and Carly knew there was a real possibility that he might never do so. Once Sonny had made his mind that you didn’t exist, you didn’t have much of a chance.

“I can’t thank you enough, Carly,” Alexis said, finally breaking the tenuous silence. Carly smiled weakly.

“Just knowing that Christina will be all right is good enough,” she replied. She sipped her coffee, ignoring the bitter taste.

“I still haven’t decided on a way to tell Christie,” Alexis murmured.

Carly sighed. “I don’t know that the truth would work. I’m not sure Sonny wants to be part of her life and if that’s true, it would only hurt Christina in the end to know that her biological father doesn’t want her.” Carly looked to Ned. “If that ends up being true, I’m glad she has you.”

Ned shifted, unaccustomed to being on normal and nearly friendly terms with Carly. “Thank you. How are Mandy and Drew doing with the fall out?”

Carly sighed heavily. “They’re…adjusting. Jason offered the guest room and the kids room to us. Dee and Mandy are bunking, I’m in the guest room, Davie and Drew in the other room, and Michael’s on the couch. They don’t understand why yet and to be honest, I don’t know how to explain why we haven’t gone home.”

“You haven’t spoken to Sonny at all?” Alexis asked, concerned.

“No one has,” Carly remarked. “Not since the night I left. Jason stopped by that night, but he made it clear to Sonny that while he was there if Sonny needed him, his first priority was Elizabeth. He didn’t return to the warehouse until today.”

“How is Elizabeth?” Ned asked. “I meant to stop in while she was here, but I didn’t have the chance.”

“She’s doing a little better,” Carly replied. “She saw Emily yesterday for the first time since the miscarriage and it was bit of a nasty shock, and she locked herself in the bedroom.” A small humorless smile spread on Carly’s lips. “Jason put his lock picks to good use. But she was up this morning, and I even passed her in the hall–the first time I’ve seen her since I got there.”

“I can’t imagine what she’s going through,” Alexis murmured. “My pregnancy with Christina was very difficult–there were a few times I nearly lost her. And then with the premature birth…but in the end, she survived.”

“Elizabeth is strong,” Carly said. “I will never be her biggest fan nor will we ever be friends, but I will say that for her. She’s a survivor and I think it’s just a matter of time.”

“Tell her I’m thinking of her,” Alexis said. “That we both are, and we hope she’ll be all right.”

Grudgingly, Ned asked, “How is Jason?”

“He’s holding up,” Carly said. “You know Jason–he’ll take the weight of the world on his shoulders and never let anyone know. He’s being strong for Elizabeth, but eventually it’s going to come crashing down. It always does. And that’s when I’ll be there. Or Emily will. Jason’s got any number of people there to support him.”

It suddenly struck Ned that he was sitting here with his wife and Carly, discussing the people they had in common and those they cared about and not a single nasty word had been passed since Carly arrived.

Perhaps they’d finally grown up–seen past the mistakes of yesterday and were genuinely concerned for the decision of the future.

Or maybe it was time for a change.

“Monica wanted me to send hers and Alan’s prayers,” Ned said. “They didn’t see Elizabeth either while she was here…they didn’t want to upset Jason.”

“I think that Jason might be a little more receptive these days than he was ten years ago,” Carly said. “Marriage and parenthood has definitely mellowed him out.”

“AJ was visiting yesterday,” Ned said. “He, apparently, has lunch plans with Michael today.”

“Yep,” Carly confirmed. She traced the edge of her Styrofoam coffee cup. “Michael’s made the decision to get to know AJ and I’ve made the decision to support him in that endeavor.”

“I’m so sorry Michael found out,” Alexis said.

“It’s not your fault,” Carly remarked. “It’s mine. I never told him and I badmouthed AJ every time I turned around. You know, with Sonny and myself as role models, it’s amazing that my son grew up to be the well-rounded individual that he is.” Carly smirked. “Jason keeps telling me to stop giving him credit for his temperament.”

“He really did love that child,” Alexis said. “Getting visitation rights is still one of the best highlights of my career. I’m only sorry it didn’t work out better.”

“That’s my fault,” Carly replied. “I got scared and talked myself into trying to fix a situation that Jason already had under control. I screwed it up and I’m the reason Michael lost the best father he could have had. But Jason has always been a constant in his life and I’d be denying him the credit he’s due when it comes to Michael.”

—-

Jason pushed open the bedroom door, holding a plate with some lunch for Elizabeth. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Elizabeth sitting up in bed, showered and wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She was sketching something in one the plain sketchpads she left in the nightstand.

At his entrance, she looked up. “Hey.”

“Hey, I brought up something to eat,” Jason said, indicating the plate.

“I’m not really hungry,” Elizabeth replied. She set the sketchpad and the charcoal she’d been using aside. “Where are Dee and Davie?”

“They’re at the day camp that Mandy and Drew go to,” Jason replied. He sat down and handed her the plate. “Eat. You’ve barely eaten anything since you’ve been home.”

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Jason–”

“How many times have you shoved soup down my throat?” Jason asked. “Humor me.”

She sighed and took the plate. She looked at the burger and fries and then looked back up at him, “Wow. This looks so…professional.”

Jason smirked. “Yeah, smartass. It’s from Kelly’s. I haven’t had much of a chance to get something to eat in the house.”

“I hope you haven’t been feeding the kids a lot of junk,” Elizabeth said, setting the plate on her lap. She lifted the burger and took a small bite. She chewed carefully and set it back down.

Jason shrugged. “Just some Kelly’s take out.” He shifted on the bed, leaning his back against the headboard and stretching his legs out. “Carly and the kids are staying here for a while.”

“Yeah…I saw her this morning when I took a shower,” Elizabeth replied, nibbling on a fry. “How is she doing?”

“She’s doing better,” Jason answered. “Still isn’t sure what she’s going to do, but she’s got my support no matter what.”

Elizabeth reached and touched his arm. “I know that must mean a lot to her. How are the kids?”

“Mandy and Drew are a little confused–I think they think they’re on vacation or something. By the way, Mandy’s a match for Christina Ashton,” Jason told her.

“Oh, I’m so glad,” Elizabeth said, taking another bite. As she continued to eat, she felt her appetite return. She hadn’t realized how hungry she really was. “I know Alexis and Ned must have been worried.”

“Yeah, so Carly’s going to spending some time at the hospital while Mandy’s undergoing some tests and then the actual surgery. Michael…he went to see AJ.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Really. How did Carly take that?”

“Surprisingly, Carly’s…being really…” Jason searched for the right word before finally setting on, “mature is the best way to put it. She told Michael that he’s going to do what he needs to do and that she supports him no matter what.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad all these secrets are out,” Elizabeth replied. “They had to come out sometime, y’know?”

“Yeah, I know. I just wish Sonny could have handled it better.”

Elizabeth finished her burger and set out to eat the rest of her fries. “Have you seen him?”

Jason shook his head. “He came back to the warehouse today, but I’m going to finish the original week of vacation I had and stay with you. I told him if he needs anything to let me know.”

“I’m okay, you know,” she told him. “I don’t need constant supervision, so it’s not like I’m going to collapse if you’re not here.”

“I know…” Jason watched her for a few minutes. “But I feel better being here.”

“Not that I’m arguing,” Elizabeth said. She finished the last fry and set the plate on the nightstand. “I think I’ve seen you more the last few days than in the entire six years we’ve been married.”

He frowned. “You’re joking right?”

She laughed and straddled his waist, planting one knee on either side of his waist. “Of course,” she replied. “Like I said, I’m not arguing. I like having you here.”

“I like being here,” Jason replied, resting his hands on her hips.

“So, what are you doing today besides baby-sitting duty?” she asked.

Letting the baby-sitting comment go, he told her, “Nothing. Why?”

Her eyes lit up and she grinned. “Can we go for a ride?”

“Sure,” he replied. “Right now?”

“Yeah, I could use it.” She looked at him, her eyes imploring. “Can I drive?”

“No.”

“Aww, come on. Please?”

“You’re not driving.”

“I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Well, in that case…”

—-
AJ was sitting in the Port Charles Grille, nervously shifting in his seat. He couldn’t believe he was about to come face to face with his son after so many years of being strangers. And to have Michael initiating the contact–well, that was just the icing on the cake.

He looked up when he saw a figure walking towards the table. Michael stopped in front of him.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“Hi, Michael,” AJ said. He indicated the seat across from him. “Sit down.”

Michael sat and AJ watched Michael shift a little. It was an uncomfortable and slightly bizarre situation.

What do you say to your sixteen-year-old son the first time you’re together as father and son?

I’m sorry for being a rotten father? For being a drunk? For signing away the rights to you? Badgering your mother every time she turned around?

Where could AJ possibly start?

There was a time you’d let me know
What’s real and going on below
But now you never show it to me do you?
Remember when I moved in you?
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah
— Hallelujah, Rufus Wainwright

——–

“Jocelyn Marie Quartermaine!”

Eight-year-old Jocelyn looked up at the sound of her mother’s angry voice, guilt written all over her face. “What, Mom? I didn’t do anything.”

Courtney Quartermaine folded her arms and waited, with an eyebrow raised expectantly. Finally Jocelyn cracked.

“All right. I won’t try and shove Steven out the window anymore,” Jocelyn grumbled, pushing her blonde bangs out of her brown eyes.

“That’s not what I was talking about,” Courtney said. “Mrs. Miller called. You were kicked out of day camp.”

“Oh. That.” Jocelyn frowned. “Well, it was mainly Mandy Corinthos’ fault. She said something about my father being a drunk, so naturally, I had to say something about her father being a mobster. And then Drew called Daddy a…” Jocelyn stopped and thought for a moment. “Well, it was a very bad word.”

“And you had to give him a black eye?” Courtney asked. “Jo, he’s your cousin. They’re both your cousins.”

“They suck,” Jocelyn replied plainly. “They’re stuck-up. They think they’re all that just ’cause they live in fancy penthouse and we live in a cottage.” She snorted. “Joke’s on them.” She grinned. “Besides, Eddie told me that they don’t even live there anymore.”

Courtney let her arms fall to her side. “What?” she asked, her voice concerned. “What do you mean?”

“Eddie says that Mandy and Drew have been staying with the Spencers,” Jocelyn confided. “And-”

“Jo, how many times have I told you–don’t spread gossip,” Courtney chastised.

“Fine,” Jocelyn shrugged. “Am I done being yelled at?”

“Don’t let it happen again,” Courtney warned. The doorbell rang, distracting her. “Go to your room the rest of the night and that’s your punishment.”

Jocelyn climbed the stairs to her room and Courtney went to answer the door. She pulled it open and frowned. “Michael.”

“Um, hi, Court,” Michael said, slightly uncomfortable around the woman who was supposed to be his aunt. He’d left Jason and Elizabeth’s after a disastrous dinner and had ended up at cottage where Courtney and AJ lived.

“Hey…” Courtney trailed off. “Not to be rude, but…what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Is AJ here?” Michael asked, gesturing towards the inside of the house.

“Um, no, he’s not, actually. He’s at the hospital.” Courtney tilted her head a little. “Can I tell him anything?”

“Um…” Michael shrugged a little. “Can you tell him that I found out the truth and I’d like to talk to him?”

“The truth?” Courtney nodded, understanding. “Oh. You know…”

“That AJ’s my dad….yeah…I found that out,” Michael replied.

“Oh…wow…” Courtney leaned against the doorframe. “I didn’t think you’d ever find out.”

“Yeah, well,” Michael looked away. “If my parents had had anything to say about it, I wouldn’t have. I overheard Sonny throwing it in Mom’s face…right before he threw her out.”

“I’m sorry,” Courtney said. “That must have been difficult.”

“Yeah, well, I’m dealing with it.” Michael shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Well, just tell AJ that I stopped by.”

“I’ll do that,” Courtney replied. She watched Michael walk away and sighed.

She’d never thought this day would come.

She shut the door and leaned against it for a minute before pushing away and heading for the phone.

—-

Carly sighed. “It’s not your fault, Jase.”

“I shouldn’t have left,” Jason murmured, his clasped hands against mouth, muffling the sounds. “I should have stayed here.”

“Lu thought Liz was asleep. Emily was only stopping by to see the kids,” Carly tried to assure her.

“She’s crying again and she locked the door.” Jason just shook his head. “She was doing so much better.”

“I wish there something I could do,” Carly murmured, rubbing Jason’s back.

Jason sighed and took a deep breath. “The kids are asleep right?”

“Yeah. I put Drew and Davie together and the girls in the other room.” Carly frowned. “Drew got a black eye at camp today.”

Jason’s jaw clenched. “Who punched him?”

“Jocelyn, Courtney and AJ’s kid,” Carly said. “I know Jo–she’s not a violent kid, so I’m sure the twins aren’t completely innocent.”

“Probably not,” Jason agreed. “Where’s Michael?”

Carly shrugged. “He took a walk after dinner. I guess he’s not back yet.” She rubbed her eyes wearily. “I really appreciate you letting me and kids crash here.”

“It’s not a problem,” Jason said. “I think having the house full will help Elizabeth from withdrawing.”

“It’s only temporary,” Carly promised. “Luke is looking into a few things for more–believe it or not, Brenda’s old cottage is available. I might arrange to buy it.”

“You and Sonny might work this out,” Jason said.

“It’s impossible,” Carly said, quietly. “He’s convinced he’s right and I’m of being ashamed of who I am. I scheme, I lie, and I do stupid things. But that’s who I am. Why should I change and still have him not accept me?”

“So, you’re saying that you don’t want to work it out?” Jason asked incredulously.

Carly shifted on the couch and tucked her legs underneath her. “It’s not that. I mean, Sonny and I…Jase, I love him. And I always will. But it’s not always enough. He doesn’t respect me–and he doesn’t trust me. I don’t understand why I should have to put up with it.”

“You shouldn’t make a decision so quickly.” Jason leaned back and put his arm on the back of the couch. “Ending a marriage is such a large decision–especially one that has children and that’s lasted as long as yours.”

“Entering a marriage is just as big a deal,” Carly pointed out. “And the only reason Sonny and I are even together is that night of…” she wrinkled her nose. “I guess you could call it anger sex.” She twisted the hem of her shirt in her hand. “I don’t know if a marriage that began like that should last.”

“Look, I’m not going to argue–the way the two of you started out–it was unconventional,” Jason said. “But you love each other.”

“Right,” Carly agreed. She rubbed her forehead. “Okay, you and Elizabeth, you’re in love right?”

“Of course,” Jason replied.

“You’d lay down your life for each other,” Carly continued. “Sonny and I…we have that.”

“Which is why you can work this out,” Jason said.

“But you trust Elizabeth, don’t you?” Carly asked. “When she walks in the door, you’re not automatically wondering what she was doing and where she was and if she’s going to lie to you about it. No, if you wanted to know, you’d ask and you’d get the honest answer.”

“Right,” Jason said, slowly, understanding where Carly was going.

“Is it so bad to want someone to trust me like that?” Carly asked quietly.

“No,” Jason replied. “It’s not.” He reached out and grasped her fingers. “If you need me, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks,” Carly said. The door opened then and Michael entered. Carly sat up. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Michael eyed his mother. “I went to AJ’s.”

Jason could feel Carly tense beside him and raised himself off the couch. “I’m going to get my lock picks and open the door so I can go to sleep. Night, Carly. Night, Michael.”

Michael frowned as Jason passed him and went upstairs. “Lock picks?”

“Don’t ask.” Carly patted the seat Jason had just vacated. “So, how did it go?”

Michael sat down and studied his mother. “You’re okay with the fact that I might want to talk to him?”

“Actually, no.” Carly gave her son a weak smile. “I’d rather you stay as far away from him as possible. But you’re a young man and I trust you to make your own decisions.”

“Thanks,” Michael said gratefully. He took a deep breath. “He wasn’t there, so I told Court to let him know I stopped by and that I knew.”

“I’ll give AJ credit–he has stayed sober for ten years,” Carly said, grudgingly. “And he has made Courtney happy.”

Michael smirked. “That looked painful.”

“It was.” Carly sighed. “So…are you going to try and get to know him?”

Michael shrugged. “I don’t know. I want to at least connect, you know? To keep my options open.” He leaned back against the couch, his head tilted up. “You make any decisions yet?”

“Not really,” Carly admitted. “I’m toying with buying this old cottage–it’s actually out in the neighborhood where AJ and Courtney live. But I think I have to discuss this with Sonny first. We haven’t even talked about Mandy and Drew.” She eyed Michael. “I guess it’s safe to say you don’t want to be part of any custody arrangements?”

Michael frowned and turned his head to the side. “I don’t know how I feel about him. I mean…he raised me–he loved me. But he threw you out in a second and even threw my adoption in your face. How can I reconcile the man I knew as my dad to the one I met the night the truth came out?”

“No one can figure that out except for you,” Carly said softly.

“Same goes for you, Mom,” Michael replied.

“Thanks, kid.” Carly stood up and stretched. “Well, I’d better get some sleep. I think I might have to go into the warehouse.”

“Why?” Michael asked, pushing himself off the couch.

“Well, if Sonny doesn’t come in, someone needs to look after things.” Carly headed towards the stairs. “And Jason needs to be here. Francis will call if he needs someone.”

“I’ll make sure Mandy and Drew get to camp tomorrow,” Michael said. “Lu and I are going to enroll Dee and Davie, we think that might help.”

“Oh, Alexis called,” Carly said, suddenly remembering. “Mandy’s a match, so I have to take her to the hospital tomorrow.” She sighed. “She called on the way here, but with everything that happened with Liz, I guess it slipped my mind.”

“Does Mandy know?” Michael asked.

“She knows she’s helping a friend of mine, but no, she doesn’t know about Christie being family and I don’t think Christie knows either.”

“It’ll come out,” Michael warned.

“Yeah. Well, everything does eventually,” Carly replied.

—-

Emily laid in her bed, listening to the sounds of her mother and father moving around downstairs. Since it was the only sounds in the house, it was pretty easy to discern where they were.

She should be asleep–but she couldn’t get the image of her best friend out of her mind. She’d only wanted to see Delilah and David; she hadn’t meant to run into Elizabeth.

“I only want to stay a few minutes,” Emily said. “She’s asleep right?”

“Yeah,” Lu said. “Come on in. The kids will be glad to see you.”

Emily entered and was immediately confronted with a squealing Dee and an excitedly jabbering Davie.

“Hey guys,” Emily said, tousling their hair affectionately. “How are you?”

“We’re fine,” Dee chirped. She frowned. “You’re still fat.”

Emily laughed. “That’s because I’m pregnant.”

“Oh…I thought that because Mama wasn’t gonna have a baby, you weren’t neither,” Dee said innocently.

Davie looked at Emily there, his blue eyes somber. “Mama said she lost the baby. Do you know where she put it?”

Before Emily could say anything, she heard a horrified gasp and she turned suddenly. Elizabeth stood at the top of the stairs, her brown hair disheveled, her arms wrapped around her abdomen and tears shining in her dark blue eyes.

“Uh…Liz…” Emily said, smiling shakily. “Hi.”

She could see Elizabeth’s body trembling from down here and within seconds she’d whirled around and disappeared upstairs.

She hadn’t stayed after that–had gone straight home. She’d ignored the dozens of phone messages and hadn’t answered the phone when the agency she’d contracted to open Wyndemere had called.

Lucky was still calling–thinking she’d change her mind. But Emily had made up her mind–she was done with being a second choice and no one could convince her to be anything else.

She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for her best friend. No matter what Emily felt Elizabeth had done in the past, she didn’t deserve the type of pain she was going through. No woman did.

And she could only hope she and her brother would get through this.

—-

AJ rubbed his forehead and shifted on the couch. “You’re saying that Michael knows the truth.”

Courtney nodded somberly. “Yeah. He found out when Sonny and Carly were fighting about something.”

“Did he….did he seem upset or anything?” AJ asked.

Courtney shook her head. “No. He seemed calm. He wanted you to know he knew the truth and that he stopped by.”

“I just can’t believe…after all this time…that he knows the truth.” AJ stared ahead. “I always just thought that…he’d never know. That we’d go through life being strangers.”

“Does that bother you?” Courtney asked, leaning her head against the back of the couch. “That your son might not have known?”

“Of course,” AJ replied. “But I knew I’d made mistakes–that I was partly to blame for the whole situation–and I know how badly I handled the entire situation.”

“You’re not that person anymore,” Courtney argued. “You’re so much better than that–and Michael’s going to find that out.”

“Do you think he wants to be part of my life….of our life?” AJ asked, a little eagerly.

Courtney smiled and reached out to touch his face. “I hope so. Because you deserve a chance to finally be a father to your son.”

“Thank you,” AJ said, his brown eyes locked on her blue ones. “You have no idea how much your love, faith and trust has done for me.”

“It’s nothing you wouldn’t have done for me,” Courtney replied. She leaned forward to pull him into a soft kiss.

—–

Alexis stared through the window at Christie who was being prepped for one of tomorrow’s many tests. She felt Ned’s hand on her shoulder and she grasped it eagerly. “I just can’t believe it.”

“Carly just called,” Ned replied, pulling Alexis towards him and wrapping his arms around her waist. “She’s talked to Mandy and they’ll be here in the morning.”

“Any idea how she is?” Alexis asked, peering up at him.

“No…” Ned sighed. “But she’s staying with Jason and Elizabeth–I could tell from the Caller ID.”

“I wonder what she told Mandy,” Alexis said. “And how are we supposed to explain this to our baby?”

“We’ll think of something,” Ned replied, tightening his hold. “I was thinking of bringing Eddie by before the surgery. He’s so worried about everyone–Alan and Monica are trying, but I guess not seeing his parents or sister for so long…”

Alexis smiled a little. “We’ll bring him in tomorrow when she gets back. I know I haven’t been home with him–but I just felt like Christie needed me more.”

“It’s all right to feel that way,” Ned replied. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “We’re going to come through this, Alexis, I know it.”

“You know,” she said, closing her eyes and leaning against him. “I think I finally believe that.”

—-

Jason finally slipped into bed and laid on his back, staring at the ceiling. He was beginning to miss the way he and Elizabeth used to sleep–neither one of them ever stayed on their own sides, they’d always ended up in the center of the bed.

He turned his head on the pillow and looked at her, curled up tightly on her side. He wished he’d been here earlier when Emily had been by. He didn’t blame his little sister–the kids were attached to their aunt and had been asking about her.

He only wished Elizabeth hadn’t seen Emily or heard what Dee and Davie had said. They were only children and had no idea how cutting their words could be.

Without thinking, his arm drifted across the gap and stroked her shoulder lightly. At the touch, she rolled over and peered at him. “Hi.”

Surprised, he replied, “Hey.” He shifted closer. “You all right?”

She gave a little shrug and turned her face away. “I’ll be fine,” she whispered, her voice broken.

Unwilling to let her turn away completely and sleep in a tight little ball, he tugged on her arm and she shifted closer to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she hugged his side.

“I know I’m not being fair,” she whispered, resting her head against his chest. “I know that they don’t really mean it–that Emily still being pregnant isn’t anyone’s fault–but I just…” she sucked in a deep breath, “I can’t help it.”

He felt her warm tears on her chest and hugged more tightly. “I know. It’s okay. Emily understands.”

“Why does it hurt so much?” Elizabeth sobbed. “Why can’t I just let it go?”

He sighed and rested his head against the top of hers. “Because it was our child and we loved him or her. We made plans–and now we have to get used to the child being gone. It’s only been a few days, Elizabeth. No one expects you to bounce right back.”

“I love you so much,” she whispered brokenly.

“I love you, too,” Jason replied. He listened to her tears and didn’t succumb to slumber until long after she’d fallen asleep and her tears had dried from his chest.

If you could give me one good reason
Why I should believe you
Believe in all the things that you tell
I would sure like to believe you
— Toni Braxton, You Mean The World To Me

——

Lesley Lu Spencer did not surprise easily. After the life she’d led, it was nearly impossible to stun her.

Until her cousin sat across from her at Kelly’s and told her that his mother had had no idea who his father was when she’d gotten pregnant.

“Wow.”

“You don’t have to keep saying that,” Michael said.

Lu blinked. “Sorry. So, do you know what you’re going to do?”

Michael shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Am I supposed to disown my parents, confront my birth father, what?”

Lu shrugged. “It’s really up to you.” She glanced around. “Hey, daughter of the owner here–do I get served or what?” she called to no one in particular. She turned back to her cousin. “Do you know what you want to do?”

“I want to smack my father,” Michael muttered. “Sonny, that is.” He frowned. “How am I supposed to walk up to AJ Quartermaine and say, remember me? I’m the son my mother kept from you and the one you signed away to avoid jail.”

“Wait, wait. What’s the last part?” Lu asked, leaning forward.

Michael smirked. “My mom told me the rest of it this morning. How AJ set the warehouse on fire and in order to stay out of jail, he signed away all rights to me. Lovely, huh? With parents like these, it’s amazing I’m not a serial killer.”

“Mikey, listen,” Lu began. Before she could continue, her cell rang. “‘Ello? Hey, Jase. How’s Liz? Oh…oh…uh huh…yeah…sure. I’ll be right there.” She clicked it off and shoved it into her purse. “Let’s take this conversation to the Morgan abode, shall we?”

Michael frowned even as he stood and followed Lu to the door. “What’s wrong?”

Lu pushed the door open and headed into the courtyard. “Liz is still sleeping and Jase had planned on staying home with her today, but someone from the warehouse called.” She turned around and eyed Michael. “Sonny never showed this morning and Jason feels like he’s got to at least check in. But he didn’t want to take the kids, so he wants me to stay with them.”

“Sonny probably had a breakdown,” Michael said.

“Do you feel bad?” Lu asked.

“No,” Michael replied. “Not really. He’s the one that lied to me and kicked Mom out. I really don’t see how it’s my fault.”

Lu shrugged. “Just checking.”

—-

Jason sat on the edge of their bed on Elizabeth’s side. She wasn’t asleep, but she was doing her best to pretend otherwise. As soon as he sank onto the mattress, she rolled away from him. He put a hand on her hip and rolled her back.

“I know you’re awake,” he said softly. “Come on, Elizabeth.”

Her eyelids fluttered a little before opening up. They weren’t sleepy or unfocused but very alert and clear–she’d been pretending for a while. “Hey,” she said softly.

“I have to go to the warehouse for a few hours,” Jason said apologetically. “I called Lu to look after Dee and Davie–unless you’re feeling up to it.”

“I thought you were off,” Elizabeth replied, stretching a little.

“I was,” Jason replied. “But Sonny never showed for work.” His eyes strayed to her abdomen which was almost as flat as it had been before the pregnancy. Her gaze followed his and she sighed.

“It takes a little getting used to,” she admitted. He looked up to meet her eyes. “I can see my feet again.” She bit her lip and turned her face away. “I wish I didn’t.”

His large hand splayed across her tummy, covering it. “I know, honey.”

Her hands came up and covered his hand. “I can see your face when you felt Dee kick for the first time.” A small smile crossed her face. “And how you looked the first time you held her.”

“I love you,” he said softly. “I hope you know that.”

“I know,” Elizabeth replied. “I know I haven’t been all that easy to deal with these last few days.” She frowned and looked up at him. “Why didn’t Sonny go to work?”

He sighed, not wanting to dump Sonny’s problems on her shoulders. “Elizabeth–”

She pulled herself into a sitting position and leaned towards him. “Did something happen with Carly?” she asked, searching his eyes.

Jason frowned. “How…how did you know?”

“Carly came to see me while I was in the hospital,” Elizabeth explained. “She…was struggling with something and she wanted to tell someone–even if was me–but she couldn’t. What happened, Jason? Is she okay? Is Sonny okay?”

“Carly moved out,” Jason told her. “Sonny found out she’d kept another secret.”

“What secret?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“Christina Ashton is Sonny’s daughter,” Jason replied. “And Carly knew.”

“She didn’t move out did she?” Elizabeth asked. “Sonny kicked her out, didn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Jason admitted. “And Michael overheard the fight and found out that AJ is his father.”

“He didn’t…he didn’t know?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes wide. “I always assumed that he did.”

Jason shook his head. “No. And he walked out after that. Sonny was upset last night, which is why he didn’t go to work.” And now Jason was reluctant to leave–was worried Elizabeth would withdraw again and they’d lose this tenuous connection. “Hey…why don’t you get dressed?” he suggested. “I’ll check in at the warehouse and maybe we can go for a ride?”

She shook her head. “I’m so tired. I just wanna go back to sleep.”

Disappointed but trying not to show it, he nodded. “You sure?”

Instead of answering him, she leaned forward and kissed him. He returned the pressure but did nothing to deepen it. She pulled away after a few moments and smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I’m going to be okay,” she assured him. She leaned her forehead against his. “I just…I want to sleep for a while.”

He pulled away to kiss her forehead. “All right.” He heard the downstairs door open. “It sounds like Lu is here. Get some sleep. I’ll bring home dinner.”

“No pizza,” Elizabeth admonished. “Get something from Kelly’s if you have to.”

“All right,” Jason agreed. He kissed her again quickly and stood up. “I’ll see you later tonight.”

—-

Michael was with Lu when Jason came down the steps. David was sitting on Lu’s lap while Delilah was sitting in between Lu and Michael, chattering incessantly to the older boy.

“Hey,” Jason said.

“Hey,” Lu greeted. “How’s Liz?”

“She’s good,” Jason said. “Much better.” He stood at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll only be gone a few hours–just to make sure everything’s under control.” He reached into his wallet.

“Don’t you dare try to pay me, Morgan,” Lu warned. She stood up and shifted Davie to her hip. “You know I love you like part of the family and Liz is like a sister to me–I’m more than happy to donate my time.”

“Still,” Jason pressed. “I wish you’d let me give you something.”

“Let’s make a deal,” Lu said. “If you name–” she stopped and bit her lip before beginning again. “If you stop trying to pay me, I’ll stop letting Dee watch MTV.”

Jason’s eyes went immediately to his daughter who was glaring her baby-sitter.

“Lu!” Dee cried.

“All right,” Jason agreed. “I’d better get going.”

After Jason had kissed the kids goodbye and was gone, Lu turned to Michael with a stricken expression. “I am such an idiot.”

He frowned and switched the television to Disney so Dee and Davie’s attention would be take care of. He then turned back to his cousin. “What are you talking about?”

“I almost told him that if they named their next kid after me, I’d let him pay me.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe myself.”

“Lu, don’t beat yourself up over this.” Michael shrugged. “I bet Jason didn’t even notice.”

Lu looked up towards the ceiling. “You think she’s really doing better?”

“If Jason says so, then she is,” Michael said.

“Yeah…you’re right.” Lu turned to face him and tucked her leg up underneath her body. “So. Do you know what you’re going to do yet?”

Michael frowned. “Not a damn clue.”

Dee twisted and gave him a dark look–well as dark as a four-year-old could handle. “You’re not supposed t’curse!”

“Sorry,” Michael apologized. He turned back to Lu. “I think I want to talk to AJ. I think.” He drove his fingers through his hair. “But that makes me feel like I’m betraying Sonny and it shouldn’t–because AJ is my natural father.”

“Sonny raised you,” Lu reminded him. “Of course you feel loyal to him.”

“But he’s not my father and he knew it.” Michael shook his head. “He adopted me and I heard him throw it in my mother’s face. And it makes me wonder…was that the first time he’s done it…or has he always brought it up when she does something he doesn’t approve of?”

“Sonny’s…he’s a difficult man to live with,” Lu tried to explain. “I know how he feels about honesty and all that–and no offense, but your mother lies like some people breathe.”

“Yeah,” Michael admitted. “She does. But it’s a defense mechanism. And Sonny knows it.”

“You’ve stopped calling him Dad,” Lu noticed. “Why?”

Michael looked away. “Because I want to remember that he’s not my father and that no matter how much he might love me or how much I love him, he threw that fact in Mom’s face. He didn’t hesitate and I can’t…I can’t handle that. After ten years of marriage, he threw her out for a lie when I know for a fact he’s lied to her countless times.” He chuckled. “I’m actually glad he’s not my father. Isn’t that horrible?”

“Aww….Mikey,” Lu sighed. “I can’t say I blame you. I mean, from what you’ve told me about the fight…it was cold. Your mom…Sonny should know how Carly is by now and she shouldn’t have change who she is to make him happy.”

“They’ve had their problems in the past,” Michael said, carefully. “I don’t remember a lot of it, but I know they were divorced for like a year. But they’ve always come back to each other.” He looked at his cousin. “I don’t know if that’s possible this time.”

—-

“I’m fine. Really.”

Jason peered at his best friend and finally nodded. “All right. But if you need anything–”

Carly waved him away. “You have enough to worry about without getting involved in another one of my messes.”

“Carly, you’re my best friend–”

“And Elizabeth is your wife. She’s going through a difficult time, not to mention with Sonny out of commission, you have both businesses to run. The last thing you need is to worry about me.”

“That’s an awfully mature stance to take,” Jason decided.

Carly shrugged. “When you live in a hotel, and your oldest child has just learned what slut you were once, it’s a lot easier to be mature.”

“Michael’s at the house with Lu watching Dee and Davie,” Jason said. “He seems okay.”

“I think it’s your influence,” Carly said. “Because he’s taking this entirely too well.”

“Carly, I think you give me too much credit where Michael is due,” Jason protested. “I only had him for a year.”

“You’re absolutely the only constant he’s ever had,” Carly argued. “You were his entire world for a year and I know Michael adores you. He doesn’t look up to Sonny, he looks up to you.”

“He shouldn’t.”

Carly rolled her eyes. “God. How does Elizabeth put up with this? Doesn’t she tell you what a great guy you are?”

“She does,” Jason said. “I just don’t listen.”

“You’re absolutely infuriating,” Carly said. She sighed. “Actually, the reason I’m here is to ask you if you’ve seen Sonny.”

“I saw him last night,” Jason told her. “Lu came over and told me what happened.”

“Is he okay?” Carly asked. “Because I know Michael found out right after I left.”

“You mean after he kicked you out,” Jason corrected.

Carly frowned. “Don’t tell me you’re taking my side.”

“I’m not taking sides,” Jason insisted. “I don’t agree with what you did and I don’t agree with what he did. And he seemd pretty out of it last night. I asked Johnny to look in on him, but I don’t know if I can handle taking care of Sonny the rest of my life.”

“And you shouldn’t have to,” Carly said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Everything in me tells me that I shouldn’t go back to him–that I deserve so much better. But I love him. We’ve been good these ten years. That has to count.”

“Everyone has their limits,” Jason replied. “Even you, Carly.”

“So, I wouldn’t be like a horrible shrew if I decided this was the last straw?” Carly asked.

“If you want a divorce,” Jason said, “I’ll support you. You know that.”

“No. I didn’t know that, but thank you,” Carly replied. “How is Elizabeth? Is she better?”

“Yeah. She’s doing a lot better. All she wants to do is sleep, but she was awake before I left and we talked about you and Sonny. She was worried about you.”

“Me?” Carly was surprised. “Why?”

“Because of the visit you paid her in the hospital,” Jason told her. “You should stop by and see her.”

“Would she want to see me?” Carly asked. “You know, we’ve gotten along better these last few years, but that’s because I finally decided she was good enough for you.”

“Which wasn’t your decision to begin with.”

Carly shrugged. “Details. Anyway, she makes you happy and that’s what matters. But we’re never going to be best friends.”

“I know,” Jason saod. “But I know you’re concerned about one another, so you should satisfy your curiosity.”

“How much longer are you going to be here?” Carly asked, looking around the warehouse office.

“Another hour or so,” Jason replied. “Why?”

“You’re going to pick up the slack, aren’t you?” Carly said. “Because Sonny’s not coming in and he probably won’t be, you’re going to leave Elizabeth with Lu and the kids, and come in when you’re supposed to be at home with Elizabeth.”

Jason shrugged. “Someone has to do it.”

Carly leaned forward. “Let me do it.”

“Carly–”

“I can handle it. I ran Deception.”

“With Laura.”

Carly frowned. “I ran the place like a well oiled machine. Laura’s the one who wanted to Elizabeth to be the Face of Deception when everyone and their mother could tell the girl was rotten at modeling.” She smirked. “Come to think of it, knowing what I know now, she probably tried to tank a lot of those test shoots.”

“She didn’t want to be a model,” Jason murmured. “She was only trying to please Lucky.”

“Well, I know that,” Carly replied, exasperated. “But she knew she had no business being a model.” She waved that away. “That’s not the point. I can look after things here–at least until Elizabeth is feeling better.”

“I don’t know,” Jason hedged.

“It’ll give me something to concentrate on,” Carly said.

“I hate shoving this off onto you,” Jason said–but the temptation to take her up on the offer was incredibly strong. He would rather be at home with Elizabeth.

“Besides, like I said, you already have enough to worry about between Elizabeth and the territory and we both don’t want me trying to help there.”

“That’s for sure,” Jason agreed. “Speaking of which, I do have a meeting tonight. I forgot to tell Lu about it earlier.”

“Have you ever thought about going legit?” Carly questioned curiously. “I know Sonny has ruled it out. But what about you?”

“Sometimes,” Jason admitted. “Especially now…with Elizabeth and the kids. I was out of town when she found out she was pregnant all three times. I missed so much of this pregnancy because of Tagliatti and then there was the honeymoon thing.”

Carly frowned. “What honeymoon thing?” she asked, leaning forward. “You and Elizabeth spent a month in Italy, I thought.”

“Elizabeth spent a month in Italy,” Jason corrected. “I spent the first and last week there. The other two weeks, I was here in Port Charles, trailing someone.”

“You’re telling me Sonny called you away when you were supposed to be on your honeymoon?” Carly questioned. “Is he nuts?”

“Elizabeth was pretty pissed at him,” Jason said. “I think that’s when she argued with him for the vacation time.”

“Oh…the one where you get a weekend off every month and three weeks in the summer, right?” Carly said, smiling as she thought of that particular argument six years ago. “Truly inspiring of her.”

“I was mad at her when she did it,” Jason confessed.

“Because she was interfering in business, I remember. See, when it comes to venting about the job, I’m the one she comes to,” Carly explained. “We’re the only two people who understand, y’know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Jason leaned back in his chair. “But I know I’m in this for life and for some reason, Elizabeth chooses to be okay with that.”

“If she asked, would you give it up?” Carly asked, curiously.

“In a heartbeat,” Jason told her. “But she’d never ask.”

“Must be nice to have that assurance,” Carly said. “See, she understands that this is part of who you are. It’s not all of it, but it’s part of it, y’know? Asking you to give it up would be asking her to stop…I don’t know…breathing. That’s how I feel when Sonny demands complete and utter honesty.”

“It’s not the same thing,” Jason argued.

“Yes it is,” Carly insisted. “I lie like people breathe. It’s a defense that Sonny used to understand. And I’m sick of having to always be the honest one in this relationship while he can lie any time he pleases. Do you know that this Alexis paternity thing was the last lie I ever told Sonny? That this was my last secret?” She shook her head. “Not once in ten years have I lied or kept a secret. Does that matter to him? Nope.”

“I’m sorry,” Jason said.

“I am, too,” Carly replied. “Anyway, you go home to your wife. Let me look after things here.”

“You know what?” Jason said. “This can hold until tomorrow. Come with me to Kelly’s. We’ll grab dinner and swing by the Spencers and grab the twins. We’ll eat dinner at my house.”

Carly stood. “I do need to decide what to do,” she said. “It’s nice of Luke and Laura to keep Mandy and Drew until I figure it out, but it’s not fair to keep it open-ended like this.”

“You know, we’ve got the extra guest room,” Jason reminded her. “And there’s the sofa bed downstairs that Michael could use. You and the kids could stay with us. I can put Dee and Davie in the same room. You take the guest room, and the twins can stay in the extra room.”

Carly patted his arm. “Thanks, Jase, but I can’t depend on other people anymore. I think I need to stand on my own two feet again. Be independent. And then I can decide if my marriage is worth saving.”

“It’s always worth saving,” Jason told her as he steered her towards the door of his office. “It’s more of deciding whether you want to or not.”

—-

Alexis was reading quietly to Christina when Ned threw the door open. “We have a match!”

Alexis stood and stared him, her jaw open wide. “Are you serious?” she demanded.

“Amanda’s a match,” Ned said. He looked to Christina. “You’re going to be okay, baby.”

Christina frowned. “Why did Mandy get tested?”

Some of Ned’s euphoria evaporated and he remembered that Christina didn’t know the truth.

Had the time finally come?