Chapter Seven

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Kelly's: Courtyard

"Can I have ice cream?"

Johnny hoisted his daughter in his arms and started towards the door of the restaurant. "For my daughter's birthday? You can have two scoops." Amalia giggled and clapped her small hands on his cheek, blowing him a raspberry kiss.

"With sprinkles and whipped cream?"

"Maybe even some fudge."

"That's an awfully big sundae for such a little girl."

Johnny stopped, his hand on the door. He had not heard that voice in nearly five years and he was not particularly glad to hear it on this day of all days. He turned, tightening his grip on Amalia. "Lulu."

Lulu Spencer looked much as she did the last time he saw her, except that her long blonde hair had been trimmed to a neat bob resting under her chin. She smiled at him, like she hadn't disappeared with a short note of apology. She smiled at him like she had seen him just the day before instead of years.

He'd loved her once, or he thought he had. He loved the idea of her, the idea of someone loving him despite the dark spaces inside. Lulu had wanted him because of those spaces and he knew now what a dangerous kind of love that could have been.

He had something much better and worthwhile now.

"Hey, Johnny." She stepped forward and took Amalia's hand in hers. "Who is this pretty girl?"

Even at three, Amalia had perfected a skeptical look. She looked to her father as if to ask, What the hell?

"This is my daughter," Johnny said, sliding his hand around to Amalia's back, holding her protectively. "Amalia, this is someone I used to know. Lulu Spencer."

"Amalia," Lulu repeated. "That's an…interesting name."

"It was Johnny's grandmother's name." Nadine stepped into the courtyard, still dressed in her purple scrubs. She stepped up to the trio.

Lulu stepped back, frowning. "Nadine?"

"Mommy!" Amalia said, grinning. She reached her arms to her mother and Johnny calmly transferred the toddler to his wife.

"You and Nadine?" Lulu asked. "You guys have a kid together?" She looked back and forth between them. "Wow."

"Why don't you take Li inside?" Johnny said to Nadine. "Put in an order for a two scoop sundae with sprinkles and whipped cream."

"And fudge," Amalia reminded her father. "Daddy said I could have fudge."

"Hmm, we'll discuss sugar intake later," Nadine told Johnny with a smile. She cast another look at Lulu and seemed to rethink leaving them alone.

"Go on." Johnny put a hand on Nadine's arm. "I'll be right in." Eventually his wife relented and went inside.

"Wow," Lulu repeated. "You and Nurse Nadine. How in the hell did that happen?" She planted a hand on her hip. "I can't imagine you as a father."

"What do you want, Lulu?" Johnny demanded. "I can't imagine why you bothered to come back after all these years."

Lulu shrugged. "I still have family. I came back to help Lucky. He's having a rough time, with Sam splitting and taking the kid." She stepped over to the window where she could see Nadine settling Amalia into a booster seat. The sunlight from the window caught a glint on the nurse's finger and Lulu could almost feel the blood draining from her face. "You married her."

"Four years in December," Johnny confirmed.

"So you're a husband and a father." Lulu turned to look at him. "I'm surprised; most marriages for the sake of kids fail."

"I didn't marry her because she was pregnant," Johnny snapped. He shook his head. "I'm not talking about my family with you."

"Oh, come on, Johnny." Lulu touched his arm. "We were friends once. Why can't we be friends again?"

"Friends don't leave in the middle of the night with nothing but a note saying you're sorry," Johnny said flatly. He shook her arm off. "If you'll excuse me, I have a date with my kid." He didn't glance back as he strode inside the restaurant.

Lulu looked back at the window to see Johnny join Nadine and Amalia just as the large sundae was delivered. Johnny sat next to the blonde and whispered something in her ear. Nadine giggled and turned to look at him. He tucked a piece of hair out of her face, smiling at her.

He looked happy, Lulu thought to herself. She'd never seen him smile like that-without an edge to it, without a shadow in his eyes. She would never have expected someone like Johnny to be satisfied with an ordinary nurse and kid.

She'd lied to Johnny when she'd told him why she'd come back. Sure, Lucky was annoyed that his ex-girlfriend had split with their one-year-old daughter Chloe, but he was pretty sure he could track Sam down for custody so he didn't really need Lulu's help.

No, she'd come home because she knew she'd made a mistake in leaving and she'd come home to claim the things she'd left behind.

Johnny Zacchara was at the top of the list. She paused, wondering if maybe she should rethink getting Johnny back. He did look happy, after all.

The moment passed and she shrugged. It couldn't hurt if she tried to get him back. If his marriage was strong enough, then it wouldn't matter what she did. If Lulu succeeded, then well, it was for the best to find out now and she was actually doing Nadine a favor.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Kelly's: Courtyard

It seemed to be Lucky's month for precocious teenage girls searching for answers about their parents. He was sipping his usual mid morning coffee, checking in on the new manager at Kelly's when the Zacchara girl dropped into the chair across from him.

"I don't think your father would approve," Lucky said dryly.

"My father doesn't do much in Port Charles anyway," Amalia remarked. She propped her chin on her hands and smiled at him. "Your sister used to date my father."

"Is there something in the water?" he asked. "Your best friend was just in my office a few days ago."

"Well, seeing as how you've lived in the area for the last thirty years," Amalia batted her eyelashes, "of course we would think you'd be an excellent source of information. Plus, Port Charles is practically inbred. Your sister apparently tore apart my parents and you used to be married to Jules' mother."

Lucky remained silent and Amalia huffed. "Come on, you can't tell me you don't know about my dad and your sister."

"I can tell you that whatever happened was a long time ago and some things are best left in the past," Lucky replied. "You're not going to get any answers you'd be happy with, Amalia. I suggest you just leave it alone."

"Would you?" Amalia asked. "My parents can't be in the same room with each other. I've never been able to remember a Christmas or a birthday when they're together and not snarling at each other. They only put up with one other on the Fourth of July because Dad won't risk offending Jason Morgan by not going and my mother is too polite to turn down the invitation. It sucks, Commissioner, and I have a right to know what role your sister played in how my life turned out."

"What happened between the three of them," Lucky said slowly, "is not something that I know much about." And he was only speaking to her because she had a point. If Lulu Spencer had kept away from Johnny Zacchara a decade ago, perhaps this girl would have had a different childhood. "I know that they dated before your parents were married and my sister left town abruptly with very little warning. She didn't come back until 2013, when you were about three years old. She was home in May and gone by August and I know that her quick exit had something to do with Johnny. I don't know what."

Amalia pursed her lips, unhappy with this news. She was hoping to find out that somehow her mother had been mistaken about an affair and she could take that news to them so they could forgive one another and be happy again. However, if her father had slept with Lulu Spencer, it would seriously put a crimp in her plans.

"Lulu's home again isn't she?" Amalia asked. "Where is she staying?"

"She's in and out," Lucky replied. "She's out again for now but she'll back in a week or two. She usually stays with me." He hesitated. "I understand what you're doing and it's probably something I would do in your place. But I think you should be careful about what you find out. You may think you're wise beyond your years, but I know that sometimes, you're never old enough to find out a few truths. There are things about our parents that we're better off not knowing."

Amalia scrutinized him. "You're probably right," she admitted. "But I can't stop trying to make things better because I'm scared of what I'm going to find out."

Lucky finished his last sip of coffee. "I'll give you a shout when she gets back," he said finally. "Whether I think you should pursue this or not, Lu owes you for the family you might have had."

"Thanks." Amalia stood. "My dad said once that the worst thing that ever happened to the PCPD was Mac Scorpio retiring and you getting appointed."

Lucky chuckled. "He never did like me much."

"But he's wrong," she continued. "I think you're perfect for it. Thanks, Commissioner."

"Hey, Amalia-" he called after her, rising from his chair. "I hope I don't have to arrest you at any point."

She snorted. "Please, I'm Johnny Zacchara's kid. You'll see me plenty."

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Wyndemere Estate: Stables

A lot of girls went through the pony stage. Juliet had hit it about age eight and Jason had researched it thoroughly (rather, he'd had Spinelli research it thoroughly) and when he was satisfied that she would be safe, he allowed her to sign up for lessons.

Unfortunately, it had taken six months to convince him and by that time, Juliet had left the pony stage and moved on to planting flowers and vegetables in the backyard. So she'd never been able to learn to ride a horse.

Today, watching Nikolas Cassadine and his son Spencer ride in from the fields, she was actually thankful that Jason had been so paranoid. The horses the two rode were huge! Juliet made sure to stay away from the fence. She didn't trust those animals at all.

"Juliet…" Nikolas turned so that he would ride up against the fence. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Um, yes." Juliet smiled shyly. She had never had a close relationship to Nikolas or his son. They were already in London when she was born and because Nikolas only came back once a year, she did not have the relationship with him that she had with her uncle Jax or even Amalia's father Johnny. "I'm sorry to just show up-"

"Nonsense." Nikolas handed the reigns to a groom and nodded to Spencer. "Why don't you join Spencer and I for lunch?"

"I couldn't," Juliet shook her head. "I was just hoping to talk to you for a moment."

"Spencer, go tell Magdalena to set another place for lunch," Nikolas told his son. The dark-haired young man nodded and grinned at Juliet.

"You might as well give in," he said and Juliet was surprised to hear an accent in his speech. Of course, he'd lived in London for almost his entire life but it hadn't occurred to her he'd speak that way. "Dad never rests until he has his way."

"You should know," Nikolas said dryly. "It will be good to get caught up, Juliet. I'm afraid we haven't spent as much time together as we might have had…" he shrugged. "Had things been different."

She cleared her throat. "Can we talk…" She glanced at Spencer, who was clearly very interested in what was going on. "Maybe we could have a second to talk?"

"Of course. Spencer?" Nikolas nodded. "Go on up to the house. Juliet and I will be there in a moment." Spencer hesitated but finally disappeared up the path.

"Um," Juliet hesitated. "So, I don't know if you've heard but my father recently…well, he's relaxed a lot about my mom, so I've been able to ask questions."

"Nadine mentioned that Jason's started to talk about Elizabeth more," Nikolas nodded. "Grief is funny-"

"It wasn't grief," Juliet interrupted. "She's not dead."

Nikolas hesitated and a look of sympathy crossed his face. "Juliet-"

"No, I mean I guess it's possible," she continued quickly, "and I'm certainly going to consider it but I can't-" Juliet stopped and took a deep breath. "I'm finally able to talk about her, to ask about her. Please don't ask me to give her up again."

Nikolas looked down for a long moment. "When your aunt Emily passed away, I did not handle it very well. In fact, I experienced hallucinations and I could still see her as a result of a brain tumor. It was very difficult to give that illusion up and no one could convince me until I was ready to have the surgery."

"This isn't the same thing," Juliet said. "I just…I just want to know about her, figure out what might have happened to her. I deserve that."

"Of course." Nikolas leaned against the fence post. "What do you want to know?"

"I want to know if Helena Cassadine could have kidnapped her," Juliet said bluntly

Nikolas stared at her. "Excuse me?"

"I heard about how she kidnapped your mother," Juliet said. "That Laura Spencer just vanished one day and no one ever heard from her until she was able to escape. If she could do it once, why not again?"

He folded his arms across his chest and considered the question. "I suppose it could have been possible. Helena was certainly capable of it. But the question of why should be asked and why would Elizabeth not contact anyone after Helena died?"

"I don't know," Juliet admitted. "I hadn't really thought about that. I just think it's weird that it's so much like what happened to your mom. I mean what if my mother couldn't get in contact after Helena died? Maybe the fact that Helena died is the reason Mom never came back."

Nikolas pursed his lips. "I shouldn't tell you this," he said. "But I suppose there's no harm and you do have a theory that you should be able to pursue. I was touring my estates last summer and at the estate where Helena actually died…I saw a woman who looked like your mother."

"Wait, what?" Juliet demanded. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because I don't think it was Elizabeth," Nikolas said honestly. "I believe she is dead. I don't think it had anything to do with your father or her past. I think it was an awful random act that we'll never know more about."

"That's not true," Juliet said firmly. "I don't believe that after everything my mother went through in her life, that she was killed in a random act of violence. There's too much that doesn't fit. Someone went to the trouble of getting rid of the car, for one thing. Who does that?"

"I'm not saying there aren't questions that should be answered," Nikolas replied. "I just don't want you to get your hopes about something that is unlikely. Juliet, your mother loved you-"

"I know, I've heard this before," she cut in. "My mother loved me, she wouldn't have left me. I've heard it all before. But I believe there's more to the story and I want to find out." She paused. "I'm going to find out."

Patrick's Minivan

"Dad? You just passed McDonalds."

Patrick ignored his daughter and concentrated on the road in front of him. There were just too many insane drivers on the road and he did not trust them when he had his eleven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son in the car. If that driver in the red convertible did not slow down, Patrick might experience some sort of road rage.

"Dad? Aren't we going to McDonalds?"

What were the people at the DMV thinking when they gave these idiots licenses? Didn't they know there were children in the other cars?

"Dad, you just passed another McDonalds." He felt something clunk in the back of his head and he swore, jerking the wheel.

"Anna, did you really just throw something at me while I was driving?" Patrick demanded through clenched teeth.

"You were ignoring me," Anna said, exasperated. "You told me when you picked me up from ballet that I was going to get McDonalds."

"We're picking your brother up first," Patrick explained, taking the turn for the high school. "And then we will meet your mother at Kelly's. I don't remember anything about McDonalds."

"Well, I asked if we could go and you just grunted," Anna explained. "Besides, Jeff wants McDonalds."

Jeff, who rarely got a word in with his brother and sister around, shook his head. "No, sir!" he proclaimed. "I want ice cream from Kelly's."

"You are no help," Anna huffed.

Patrick pulled to a stop in front of the school and waited for Mal to get in. When the teen continued to stand there and glare, Patrick switched off the ignition, opened the car door and stalked to the spot on the concrete where his stubborn son stood.

"Do you need a royal invitation?" he demanded.

"I'm not being picked up by my parents anymore," Mal sneered. "You can't make me."

"Look, I have just had a very long day. I had a five hour surgery and then Jeff had a doctor's appointment and your sister tried to kill us all by throwing something at me while I was driving. I do not need you or your attitude," Patrick growled. He jerked his thumb at the car. "So get in the damn car."

"You know, you keep bitching about shit like that and maybe Jeff and Anna will figure out you didn't want them either!" Mal shot back.

Patrick didn't often lose his temper with his kids but the tension between them had been building for months and finally, he lost it. He grabbed Mal's collar and jerked him up an inch to his toes. "You get to say whatever you want, because you're too old for me to control, but you don't spew that bullshit around your brother and sister. They don't deserve to hear that kind of crap! You think you've got all the answers? You don't know shit about anything and I am sick of having to listen to you feel sorry for yourself."

He released him and Mal stumbled back, shocked. "You were not a mistake," Patrick bit out. "No, you weren't planned but you were never a mistake. Even when I want to shove my foot up your ass, I was never sorry that I had a son. A man doesn't stick around for almost twenty years if he thinks his life was a mistake. So you think about that for a while."

"Dad-"

"Now get in the damn car."

Friday, July 12, 2024

Metrocourt Restaurant

"I think I should have just kept my mouth shut," Nikolas sighed. He sipped his wine. "Because I think it's going to hurt her in the long run."

Nadine nodded and pushed her chicken around her plate a little. "Maybe. But I think Juliet needs some time to figure out how to deal with her mother. She's never been allowed to ask about her, to express any kind of desire to find out what happened. And you wouldn't feel right if you knew she was looking and didn't have all the information."

"That's true," Nikolas murmured. He set his fork down. "You know me very well, Nadine. And to think I used to believe you were the most annoying nurse GH had ever hired."

"That's just because you knew I was right," Nadine smirked. She reached for her glass of wine and took a long sip.

"How long have we known each other now?" Nikolas pondered. "Close to seventeen years?"

"Something like that." Nadine smiled quizzically. "You waxing poetic in your old age?"

"I'm hardly that old," Nikolas replied, slightly exasperated. He cleared his throat. "Nadine. I didn't just come home to see Lucky."

Nadine frowned. "Oh?"

"I've been giving this matter some thought," he said. "And I think the time is finally right. Neither of us…we've never really been able to move on from our respective spouses."

"That's just…" Nadine huffed. "That's inaccurate. If you are insinuating that I still love Johnny Zacchara-"

Nikolas held up a hand. "Not at all. But you have remained single. As have I. I thought someone would come along that I could love, but no one could compare to Emily." He sighed and wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. "Nadine, we're both old enough to know that real love is hard to find and even if we find it, it's not guaranteed to last."

"True," Nadine said slowly. "What's your point?"

"My point is that there come a time when you need to start thinking about how you're going to spend your time. Spencer is going off to college, Amalia is getting older. There's no reason for either of us to continue putting our lives on hold for them."

"That's…" Nadine shook her head. "I haven't been doing that. It's just…things are complicated. No one wants to date Johnny Zacchara's ex-wife." She scowled. "I know he's been scaring them off for years, whether it's just the mention of him or maybe he's making an actual effort to make them back off."

"I'm not scared of Johnny," Nikolas said simply. "Nadine, some marriages are made in fire and they last or don't. Others, they're founded on something stronger and more solid like friendship. I came home to ask you to marry me."