The Best Laid Plans- Chapter 57
Bobbie is sitting in her room at Mercy Hospital when a doctor walks in.
” Ms. Brock?”
” Yes.”
“ I’m Dr. Swanson. Dr. Newman gave me your records.”
” I know.”
” Are you sure that you want these tests done here, at Mercy?”
“ Yes.”
” Well, then. Why don’t we get you settled in, and hooked up. Do you have any questions?”
“ A ton of them.”
” Well, first, to allay your fears. I am specialist in high-risk pregnancies. It’s really all I do. I have gone over your records thoroughly, and am fully versed in the case.”
” Have you ever handled a situation like mine before?”
” Yes. When I was in Phoenix at my last hospital. The mother carried to 32 weeks, and delivered a healthy baby girl. Mother and daughter are doing just fine. I am going to first listen to the baby’s heartbeat first. So, lay still.” Dr. Swanson places the monitor up to Bobbie’s stomach, and turns it on. It is faint at first, but then, Dr. Swanson turns up the volume, and Bobbie hears it. Her baby’s heartbeat. Tears form in her eyes.
” I bet you never thought you’d hear that again.”
” No. Not in this lifetime.”
” Well, before I proceed in ordering the rest of the tests, is there a specific time that I should schedule them?”
” A specific time?”
” Just in case the father wants to join in.”
” No. Anytime is fine with me. The father won’t be joining me for anything.”
” Alright. Is there anyone that you’d like for the nurse to call?”
” No. I’m all alone.”
” OK. Well, I’ll give these orders to the nurse, and she should have you scheduled for tests later on today.”
” Fine.”
“ Well, I’ll leave you then. Please don’t worry. You’ve already passed so many critical points, that, barring unforeseen complications, and with caution, you should be just fine.”
” I hope so.”
Dr. Swanson leaves. Bobbie gets out of the bed and puts a robe on. She goes to the window and pats her stomach.
” Well, hello little one. I didn’t believe Dr. Newman when she told
me about you. How could I? When something is your darkest dream, that you
believe will never be fulfilled, how can you think it would ever be real?
But, I heard your beating heart. Good, strong heartbeat. You really are
real. And, I love you. So much already, I’m about to burst. the doctor
asked about your father. What about Stefan? He’s made it clear that he
really doesn’t want anything to do with me. The other night, I think ,
it was a combination of pity and to pay me back for all the help I gave
him while Sasha was sick. It’s obvious that he wants this relationship
with Katherine, although I will never understand why.
I know I’m doing the right thing, moving to Seattle. You , me
and Lucas. We’ll be our own little family. A relationship with Carly is
not in the cards; she hates me. Luke. Well, that’s over. And, the thought
of sharing you with Stefan isn’t something I’m about to do. He can have
kids with Katherine. You’re my only and last shot. And, I promise, I’ll
do whatever I have to do, in order to keep you safe. Which is why I have
got to get this divorce and get out of town, as soon as possible.”
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Stefan is in his study when Alexis comes in with a worried look on her face.
“ Alexis, is something the matter? Has the hospital called and said that Katya’s had a relapse?”
” No. Nothing’s wrong with Sasha. I received these by messenger just now.” Alexis hands Stefan an envelope.
“ What are these?”
” Their final divorce papers, Stefan. All you have to do it to agree to pay Bobbie’s lawyer’s legal fees, and you will be a free man.”
“ Barbara’s agreed to the divorce? I don’t understand. I thought that we were to be having a hearing soon about the settlement.”
” Bobbie’s agreed to no settlement. All we have to do is pay the lawyers fees, and you will soon be a free man.”
“ You don’t believe this is a trick, do you?”
” No. This isn’t a trick. You sign the papers, mail the check to Alicia Lozano, and this can be settled in a matter of a couple of weeks. Why do you think Bobbie is doing this?”
” Well, Barbara and I have been getting along quite well with one another, lately. Katya’s illness has brought some civility back to us. Possibly, she thought it was best that we just settle things amicably.”
“ Well, whatever the reason, you just have dodged a very strong financial bullet. Bobbie had an excellent case. One in which I did not look forward to fighting in court.”
” And now, you won’t have to.”
” True. Well, I’ll get started on things. Are you going to have dinner with Sasha later?”
Stefan smiles. “ How did you guess?”
” Well, one, I know you, and two, I smell all her favorites coming from the kitchen. Goodbye, cousin.”
” Goodbye, Alexis.”
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Justus is sitting at a table at the Port Charles Grille waiting for Keesha, who had just called and informed him that she would be late. He is reading a file for ELQ when,
” Well, I hope that folder is as fascinating as your facial expression makes it out to be.”
Justus looks up. “ Katherine.”
” Hello, Justus. So, tell me, what interests you so?”
” Just a possible ELQ acquisition. That doesn’t hold a candle to you.” Justus says as he puts the folder in his briefcase.
” Why, Mr. Ward, flattery will get you everywhere.”
“ At least with you.”
” Yes. With me. I am going to give you the honor of buying me a drink. Unless, I am intruding?”
“ No. I’m waiting for Keesha. And, she just called to tell me that she’s running late.”
” Just my luck. So, how about my drink?”
Justus motions for the waiter. “ A dry martini, three olives.”
” Well done. It’s nice to be with a gentleman who pays attention to detail.”
“ So, Katherine, why are you here?” The drink comes.
“ I’m here to celebrate my independence.”
“ Your independence? Why Katherine, I thought you were already free.”
” There’s all sorts of freedoms Justus. And, all shorts of shackles. The worst being the ones you place on yourself.”
” Well, I’ll give you an Amen to that.”
“ Good. Then, let’s make a toast. To never letting anything shackle us ever again.”
“ Well, there are some shackles that are good.”
Katherine looks at Justus and just laughs.
” So, may I take it, that you and Stefan are no longer an item?”
“ Yes. You are on the money, as always.”
“ It’s what you want?”
” Most definitely. I consider Stefan Cassadine my PhD in what NOT to do in a relationship.”
“ Oh.”
“ Well, enough about Stefan. What about you? Have you been plotting since the last time we spoke?”
“ Katherine , I don’t know what you mean. I’ve been being a good little House Counsel.”
Katherine laughs. “ Oh, that well, eh? Justus, you should know...”
“ Oh, Justus, sorry I’m so late.”, Keesha says, as she comes up to the table. “ Oh, hi Katherine.”
“ Keesha. You look terrific in that outfit. Jil Sander isn’t it?”
“ Yes. A present from Justus.”
” Well, aren’t you the thoughtful cousin.”
” I do try.”
“ I’ll be getting out of your way. Thanks for the drink, Justus. Bye, Keesha.”
” Goodbye, Katherine.”
“ Bye, Katherine.”, Justus says as Keesha gives him this curious look. “ What?”
“ I’m just wondering what you’re doing here with Katherine Bell. “
“ Keesha, I just bought the woman a drink, that’s all.”
“ Well, from where I was, there was some serious flirting action going on. Of course, a woman like Katherine, that’s all she knows how to do.”
“ MEE-OW, L’il Bit. Your claws are sharpened.”
“ Oh, please, Justus. She’s the type of woman that only a man would like. But, I didn’t come here to discuss Katherine Bell with you. “
“ And, what did you come to discuss?”
” How you were? How you’re doing...now that you have...”
“ All the money?”
“ Yes.”
“ Well, I think I’m doing fine. Working hard at ELQ, but, more importantly, FINALLY, being able to make real decisions.”
“ And how’s NED taking that?”
“ About as well as can be expected. He doesn’t like anyone with half a brain around him.”
“ Especially a cousin with an ELQ Board seat.”
“ Especially that.”
“ And Edward?”
” Oh, he’s loving this between me and Ned. The man is getting his jollies for days.”
“ Are you sure that this is what you want?”
“ For now. What makes it more satisfying is that I really have options of my own.”
” My mother called. Said she saw the article about you in the Business Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer.”
“ And?”
” She was impressed. Aunt Violet and she were passing out copies of it at church.”
“ Good Lord.”
“ Well, did you expect anything else?”, Keesha says while laughing.
“ No.”
” And, how’s Faith?”
” Faith is Faith. I told her that I thought she should come to Port Charles for a visit, but she’s turned me down.”
” I don’t know why you’d invite her. All she would be is left alone, while you spent your time working.”
” I thought she could spend the time getting to know the family.”
“ Family?!? Justus, sometimes, you scare me. I know that, in the most generic sense, that’s what the Quartermaines are, but, I wouldn’t sic them on poor Faith.”
” No. I guess not. Shall we order?”
“ Fine. So, how’s Sasha Cassadine?”
” I don’t know.”
” You haven’t been to see her?”
” No.”
“ Why?”
” Because, I thought she needed some time with her family, Ms. Nosy. Now, about this meal....”
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Sasha is going stir crazy, so she decides to get up and walk around.
She is almost to the door when she feels faint. Luckily, Bobbie is on her
way in. Bobbie catches her, but spills the contents of her purse out on
the floor.
“ Hey, you, what are you doing out of bed?”
” Trying to walk?”
” Trying being the operative word. “
“ Oh, Bobbie, I’m sorry for spilling your things. Let me help you with them.”
” No . You get back in bed. Right Now!”
“ Fine, General Spencer. I’ll follow your orders.” Sasha walks back to the bed, and feels her feet kick something. It’s a pill bottle. Sasha picks it up and reads the prescription. She is stunned.
“ You know...it’s a wonder that my shoulder doesn’t break because of all the stuff that goes into this purse”, Bobbie jokes. “ Is your purse this cluttered?........Sasha....Sasha?”
Sasha turns around. “ You forgot this. It rolled over near the bed.”
“ Why thank..........thank you for this.” Bobbie hurriedly places the pills in her purse.
“ What are the pills for?”
” Oh. I get headaches sometimes. And, well, these help me. “
“ Oh.”
“ Enough about the contents of my purse. How are you? I can’t believe that you’re awake. It’s almost like a dream.”
“ Why does everyone keep on saying that?”
“ Because, from when you first came in, it’s like a miracle that you’re OK. You’re living proof that miracles do happen.”
“ I suppose.”
“ No supposing to do. You were willed back to health, by Nikolas, Alexis and especially Stefan’s devotion. He never left you, you know. He was right here, all the time. He told me stories of when you were a little girl.”
“ He did?”
” Yes. He also told me how special you are to him. I understand, a little bit, of your bond.”
” My relationship with Papa has always been strong, for the most part.”
” And, I can’t see it being stronger than it is now. Stefan is so devoted to you. The two of you can build anykind of a relationship that you want. Well, enough of my counseling. I’m here talking as a nurse now. You have undergone serious trauma to your body. Now, maybe you are getting stir crazy, but you have to promise me, that you won’t try this walking stunt again, without someone else being in the room. You have to gain your strength back, a little at a time. Understood?”
” Yes, General.”
” Well, I am going to be going on rounds. I just came to check on you, and to tell you that I’ll be back. I brought some cards, and I expect a couple of quick hands of poker on my break.”
” You know Bobbie, that’s a fool’s errand for you.”
” Well, I feel lucky. So, I’ll see you later. Bye.”
” Bye.”
Bobbie goes to open the door when,
” I know why someone takes those pills that you have.”
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