Chapter  17 is the last completed chapter of the first version of Tangle. I wrote a few scenes for Chapter 18, outlined the rest of the story but never finished it. Here is the unused scenes and outline for the end of the story. Tangle will be rewritten as Feels Like Home in 2016, and will be found at the new sub section of Crimson Glass, Hand Me Down.

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Chapter Eighteen

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Elm St. Pier

She found him standing by the edge of the pier, his hands in the pockets of his jeans. In many ways, Elizabeth dreaded this conversation, as happy as she was. She and Lucky Spencer would forever be tied to one another, but they had finally learned to keep the past exactly where it belonged and her future looked so wonderful.

She only wished Lucky could find the same type of happiness.

“How many times did we end up on this pier?” Lucky turned and flashed a sad smile at her. “Though not especially fun to live under.”

Elizabeth smiled. “We had a lot of fun back then. It saved my life.”

“We’re even, Elizabeth.” The wind from the lake swept through his shaggy hair. “You never owed me anything. That summer, I needed you to get through what was happening in my family. You never had to stick with me through the brainwashing and all…” Lucky shook his head. “That’s all behind us now. We’re not who we were then.”

“No, we’re not.” She hesitated. “Lucky, I came to tell you—”

“You and Jason set the date.” He rocked back on his heels. “I’m a cop, you know. I know it’s been relatively quiet and stable the last month or so.”

“We’re getting married at the Quartermaine estate next month. I wanted to make sure you heard from me. I don’t want you to be worried about the boys—”

“I’m not.” Lucky paused. “I know how it might sound, but Jason’s life, as dangerous as it can be, is much safer without Sonny. He had a way of riling things up, but Jason’s top priority will always be you and the boys.” He was silent for a moment. “You know, I never legally adopted Cameron, and you and Jason haven’t put his name on Jake’s birth certificate, so I am legally Jake’s father.”

Elizabeth tilted her head to the side. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” Lucky said slowly, “that you should fix Jake’s birth certificate and…” he swallowed hard.  “Jason should adopt Cameron. You should be a family.”

“Lucky—”

“I have never been the best father I could have been for Cam,” he cut in. “I did drugs, I ruined both our marriages and I never put him first. I want to do that now, Elizabeth. With me remaining his father, I will always be part-time. He deserves more than that. He loves Jason. He loves his little brother. I want him to have that security. I’ve been thinking about it since you told me you and Jason were engaged, that you were waiting for the right time to set the date. I’ve watched Jason with Jake and Cameron, and he’s a good father. He deserves someone full-time, Elizabeth.”

“I want you to be sure about this, Lucky,” Elizabeth said, a tear sliding down her cheek. “Because it’s not something you can’t take back and I would never have asked it of you—”

“I know, and we would have continued with the way things are.” Lucky paused. “It’s not enough for Cameron. You know better than I do, Elizabeth, that being a parent is about doing what’s right for them, not you.” He stepped closer to her and took her hand in his, pressing his lips briefly to her cheek. “I wish you happiness, Elizabeth.”

He released her hand and started up the dock steps. When he had turned around a corner and disappeared, Elizabeth sighed, her breath emerging on a shaky gasp. “I wish you the same,” she murmured.

Monday, August 26, 2024

Wyndemere: Nikolas’s Study

Nadine hesitantly stepped into Nikolas’s study. She didn’t know what she was going to say to him, what words she could possibly use that would make this okay for both of them.

Nikolas looked up at the sound of her footsteps and got to his feet. “Nadine. I’m sorry I haven’t been available this last month—there was a problem in London and…” he trailed off. “That’s not altogether true.”

“Nikolas—“ Nadine swallowed hard.

“I thought that some space might be necessary,” Nikolas said. He fisted his hand and pressed his knuckles against his desk. “I’ve spoken to Lucky and he’s heard it somewhat second hand from Leyla Marquez that Lia did this shortly after you told her of our engagement. I felt somewhat responsible—“

“No, no…” Nadine came forward and shook her head violently. “The blame for this rests squarely on me and Johnny. We love our daughter, but we have destroyed her by using her in this war between us. I don’t know why we were never able to really see it before, but we do now. Amalia is fragile right now. She certainly doesn’t trust our motives.” Suddenly exhausted, Nadine sank onto the sofa and stared blankly at the wall in front of her. “We’ve been in family therapy almost since the moment she woke up. Johnny and I have poured our hearts out to her—being painfully honest about our pasts—about Johnny’s father, and my sister. We’ve tried to make her understand that it was never about her, but I suppose that’s made it worse.”

She closed her eyes. “She is my entire world, Nikolas, and for the first time in her life, I have to devote my entire life to making sure she believes that.”

“You’re going back to Johnny Zacchara,” Nikolas said quietly. He lowered himself into a chair. “Are you doing it because it will help Amalia?”

“I—“ Nadine paused. She looked at him. “Nikolas, if Emily walked through that door we both know that you would be with her in a heartbeat. She’s the other half of your soul, so I know you’ll understand me when I tell you that Johnny’s mine.” She stood. “The failure of our marriage, the divorce and how we’ve spent the last decade, we are both to blame. I can’t keep running away from Johnny and my feelings for him, and marrying you would be just that.”

“I can accept that answer.” Nikolas twirled a pen through his fingers. “Because I know what it is to throw away a marriage with the person you love. I told you once that if you honestly believed that you and Johnny had a chance to find one another again, to be happy, that you should take it.”

“I want us to stay friends.” Nadine got to her feet. “Your friendship has always meant the world to me, Nikolas. Promise me I haven’t ruined that.”

He finally came around the desk to stand in front of her, taking her hands in his. “You could never do that, Nadine. That’s not the way friendship works.”

Kelly’s: Courtyard

“They key to life,” Ian proclaimed, leaning back in his chair and sipping his iced tea, “is keeping your complications in life to a minimum.”

“I don’t remember him being this cynical in college,” Patrick said to Pete, jerking a thumb at their friend. “Or was I drunk a lot more than I remember?”

“No, I think you’re right.” Pete tapped his chin. “In fact, I remember once a upon a time, this routine was switched. Patrick was espousing the benefits of a single life while Ian was trying to convince everyone and their mother that he was a one woman man.”

“I am a one woman man,” Ian said, slightly annoyed. “Her name was Gina and she’s not around anymore.” He sneered at Patrick. “You wouldn’t be so blasé if Robin died of cancer.”

Patrick hesitated and decided to lay off his old friend. After all, the anniversary of Gina’s death was only about a week from now and Ian always seemed be a strange combination of carefree and highly sensitive at the same time during the month of August. Gina had been gone for nearly twenty years now and he was ashamed at how often he’d forgotten her when he knew that she was never far from Ian’s mind.

“I think Pete also subscribed to my point of view,” Patrick said, switching targets. “Isn’t comforting to know that in our middle age—“

“Hey!” Ian interruputed.

“I am not middle aged!” Pete said at the same time.

“—some of us have remained exactly the same frat brother we always were.” Patrick raised his soda in a mock salute. “To Pete, who still aspires to sleep with all the undergraduates in the land.”

“Some of them are looking for father figures,” Pete said with an unapologetic grin. “To Ian, for actually believing that stuff he used to say in college.” He raised his iced tea. “Even if he’s taking it a little far after twenty years.”

Ian shook his head. “To Patrick, who found the perfect woman.”

Zacchara Estate: Backyard
Jake tells Amalia how much she scared him.

General Hospital: Waiting Room
Elizabeth is talking to Nadine about re-certification for nursing and chit chatting when someone in the background talks about rape counseling Everything flashes back in an instant and Elizabeth flees.

My file for Chapter Nineteen is missing. I’ll try to locate it, but sorry 😛

Chapter Twenty

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Zacchara Home: Back Porch
Nadine goes into labor.

General Hospital: Maternity Ward
Johnny introduces Amalia to Elizabeth, Patrick, and Robin

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Davis Home: Living Room
Molly gives Alexis a break and explains her future plans.

General Hospital: Lainey’s Office
Elizabeth begins to come to terms with her time away.

Friday. August 30, 2024

Crimson Manor: Conservatory
Johnny thinks they should get back together, Nadine thinks he’s insane.

Metro Court: Spa
Carly and Robin officially bury the hatchet.

Morgan Home: Backyard
End of the summer cookout.

Chapter Twenty-One

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

General Hospital: Elizabeth’s Room
Juliet and Amalia meet for the first time.

Monday, September 2, 2024

Morgan Home: Living Room
Liz feels at home with the kids for the first time.

Drake Home: Anna’s Bedroom
Anna frets over her ballet future and Patrick counts his blessings.

General Hospital: Lainey’s Office
Progress for the Zaccharas

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Port Charles Park

The annual Fourth of July picnic was one of the few days of the year when the citizens of Port Charles gathered and managed to remain civil to one another for at least three hours. That particular record had been set by the Quartermaines themselves in the early nineties. They had been within fifteen minutes of three and a half hours, but Edward had blustered about something that Alan had taken offense to and somehow, the mayor had ended up with mashed potatoes in his hair.

Each year, the celebration had grown in attendance until one couldn’t go to the park on that day and not tread over a picnic blanket, a table or in the case of more well-to-do residents – an entire tent.

On this particular day, the tent in question belonged to Jason Morgan. He was there with his wife, their two boys and their newborn daughter, Juliet. He had invited his best friend Carly, her husband Jax and their two children. It was a bittersweet celebration as neither Jason nor Carly were completely adjusted to spending this holiday without Carly’s ex-husband Sonny Corinthos and son Michael. Both had died just two years earlier.

They had endeavored to move on with their lives and both had done so with the birth of subsequent children. Each had solid marriages to their spouses and if life wasn’t exactly perfect, it was as close as either of them had ever been.

Despite the shade the tent offered, the day was steaming hot and sweat dripped from Jason’s adopted six-year-old son Cameron’s face. Cam had been chasing Carly’s son Morgan in a circle and both were red-faced and panting from the heat.

His wife, Elizabeth, bit down on her lower lip. “Maybe I should take them back to the car. Sit in the air conditioning for a while.” She adjusted her two month old daughter in the portable crib that had been set up and studied her Cameron and their three-year-old Jake, who didn’t look much cooler. “It’s hotter than it was supposed to be.”

Carly gripped the front of her sweat-soaked cherry red tank top and pulled it away from her chest. “Well, it is summer,” she said with a smirk. “I’d be surprised if it was chilly.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Anyway,” she said, directing her remarks to Jason. “Maybe we should feed the kids and take them home. We can bring them back for the fireworks.”

“No!” Cameron argued. He shook his head. “I want to stay!”

“It’s too hot out here.” Elizabeth reached for a napkin, dipped it into a glass of iced water and started to wipe down her son’s face. Cameron squirmed.

“Come on, Mom!” he complained, twisting away. “I’m not a baby!”

“Which is why I didn’t spit on it first.” She sighed and released him. “Fine. Go. Run. Get heatstroke.”

“Thanks, Mom!” Cameron immediately tagged Morgan. “You’re it!” he crowed and took off.

“I’m taking Jules back to the car,” Elizabeth told Jason. She reached down and picked up the infant. “I can take Cece if you want.”

Carly glanced over to her fourteen month old daughter who was chattering away to her daddy about a ladybug she’d seen crawling on her arm. “I think she’s okay for now. I’ll make sure the boys don’t keel over from too much sun.” She glanced over at them and narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me. My kid is wandering too close to the Quartermaine tent. Nothing good comes from that.” She made a quick exit to grab head off Cameron and Morgan.

“We can all go back to the house,” Jason offered. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, I’m okay, but if you think the kids are going to get too sick—”

“No, no,” Elizabeth shook her head. She smiled. “It’s the first year we’ve all been together as a family. Last year Carly and Jax were visiting Lady Jane and I know Cam’s having a good time with Morgan.” She brushed her hand over Juliet’s almost existent fluff of blonde hair. “I just don’t think it’s good for Jules.”

“I wasn’t able to stop Edward from coming over to see his great-grandchildren,” Carly huffed, hauling both boys back, a hand wrapped around each one of their arms. “What did we say about wandering away from the tent?” she demanded.

“To stay away from Robin Drake,” Morgan said with an impish smile.

“And the Zacchara tent,” Cameron added dutifully. He grinned, revealing his dimples.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what I said,” Carly muttered.

“And I’m almost positive that I said not to leave the immediate area,” Elizabeth said, arching an eyebrow. “Isn’t that right?”

“Possibly,” Morgan nodded. “But Cam was gonna tackle me and the last time he did that, I ate dirt.” He shook his head. “So not interested in repeating that experience, Aunt Liz. I think you can get what I’m saying.”

“I can get that you didn’t follow my instructions or your mother’s,” Elizabeth remarked. She grinned. “Because I’m pretty sure we both said to stay away from the Quartermaine tent.”

“That is…” Cameron paused. “Entirely possible.”

“Mayday,” Carly hissed to Elizabeth. “Incoming. Quartermaine at ten o’clock.”

“You think if I hide Jake under the table, he won’t notice him?” Elizabeth asked. “The last time we took the kids over, Edward was trying to convince us it was time for Cam to go away to boarding school.”

“I told you visiting Edward was a mistake,” Jason shook his head. “But you insisted.”

“To be fair, I took them to see Monica,” Elizabeth reminded him. She pasted a smile on her face as Jason’s grandfather joined them. “Mr. Quartermaine,” she greed politely.

Edward rubbed his hands together, looking uncharacteristically harmless in a pair of khakis and a polo shirt. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen him out of a suit. “Now, now, my dear, I’ve told you to call me Edward.” He smiled charmingly. “Or Grandfather.”

“Right, Mr. Quartermaine,” Elizabeth nodded. She turned to Jason. “I think I should take the kids to the car for the air conditioning. They need a break from the heat.”

“Oh, but I’ve just arrived.” Edward leaned closer trying to get a closer look at Juliet. “And I’ve hardly had time to meet my great-granddaughter.”

“Will you try to enroll her in college before she can walk?” Jason asked, a little resigned.

“It’s never too early to plan for the future,” Edward advised firmly. “If you have a firm idea now, you will be able to execute it without a flaw later. It’s solid parenting advice that Lila and I followed for our children and it worked. Alan was a splendid doctor and Tracy is well…” he paused. “She had great potential at one time. I can’t quite fathom her marital choices, but she’s not bad at business.”

Elizabeth glanced at her husband, looking for some direction. Jason just shrugged. When it came to Edward, it was best to let him have his say and avoid conflict. “That’s very nice advice, Mr. Quartermaine,” she said. “Jason and I appreciate it.”

“Don’t patronize me, young lady,” Edward said sternly. “It’s not my fault that they were both incapable of raising their own children. Lila and I did a fine job but our entire crop of grandchildren was worthless. Except for Emily, of course. She was a fine girl who is still missed greatly.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, softening. She held out her daughter. “Would you like to hold Juliet for a moment? It’s a bit warm out here for her so I’m going to take her into some air for a while, but I’m sure she’d like to meet her great-grandfather first.”

Edward’s eyes lit up as she placed the infant in his arms. “That’s very kind of you, my dear.” He cradled Juliet in his embrace and smiled down at her. “I was very pleased when Monica told me Jason was marrying you, you know.”

Jason shook his head, knowing that Elizabeth was a lost cause now. She’d insist Edward have regular visits from now on, she’d feel obligated to both the old man and his sister. His wife had always been a soft touch.

“You were always so good to Emily,” Edward continued, “and you had such a good work ethic and a strong moral compass. You are the exactly the right woman for my grandson and for the mother of his children. He is very lucky you chose him.”

He handed the baby back to her. “You get that child out of the sun,” he cautioned. He looked to Jason. “You have a very nice family. Don’t screw it up.”

Edward ambled back over to his tent where Monica and Tracy were arguing, Dillon was attempting to hide behind Alice and Ned was ignoring everyone and speaking to his daughter, Brook Lynn.  Another day at the Quartermaines.

“I give them five minutes before Tracy throws water in her face,” Carly nodded.

“Ten before the ribs goes flying,” Elizabeth replied.

“I doubt they’ll hold out that long,” Jax joined them. “I can see Monica eyeing up the hot dogs.”

“You’re all wrong,” Jason surprised them by speaking up. “Tracy’s hand is inching towards the chicken wings.”

Sure enough, a moment later, Tracy flung the first chicken wing at her sister-in-law. Monica retaliated with a hot dog and Dillon ducked in the picnic table entirely to avoid the ribs that flew a moment later.

“They’re going to need that water,” Carly remarked. “To cool down and to clean up.”

Elizabeth laughed and reached up to kiss Jason’s cheek. “I think I can take Jules back to the car now. I’m glad I didn’t miss the annual food fight. It’s just not the Fourth of July without it.”

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Morgan Home: Back Porch
Elizabeth wants to renew their vows.

Crimson Manor: Conservatory
Nadine wants a good reason to take him back.

Epilogue

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Quartermaine Mansion: Gardens
Liz and Jason get married.

Friday, November 15, 2024

Quartermaine Mansion: Gardens
Liz and Jason renew their vows.

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