Mr. Immigration Man II, Chapter 31







Bobbie is in Alicia's Office.

" Bobbie, are you sure that this is what you want?"

" Alicia, I am tired of the merry-go-round. Stefan doesn't want to be with me. So, I'll let him go. And hope that he finds what he wants."

" And you?"

" I have other things on my mind. Plus, it's going to take awhile for my heart to get over Stefan. I need some downtime. To assess and see where I went wrong. Again."

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Stefan is in the GH Library when Alexis comes in.

" What's wrong, Alexis?"

" These came for you while I was at home."

Alexis hands Stefan the divorce papers.

" Oh."

" That's all you're going to say?"

" What else is there, Alexis? I made mistakes that I could not take back."

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Bobbie is in the Nursery with Grace. A nurse comes in.

" Melanie? What are you doing here?"

" You mean at this time?"

" Yes."

" Well, Polly's kids have these competitions that they are doing this week, so we switched shifts. She has my early morning drive, and I have this one. So, how's your granddaughter?"

" She's fine. Getting stronger everyday."

" Well, she certainly has enough people looking out for her at all times of the day."

" Yes, I am sure that she is enjoying the attention. You know.." Bobbie picks up Grace and places her in the bassinette, " I was wondering who's brilliant idea it was to have this bassinette in here. It's been a lifesaver. I can spend oodles of time with her without getting tired holding her."

" Well, don't you know who bought it?"

" No."

" Your husband."

" Stefan?"

" Yes. He makes sure that sterile sheets are placed on it three times a day. Like clockwork. And I'm not surprised that Grace is so comfortable in it, considering that she's in it every morning."

" Pardon?"

" When Mr. Cassadine comes in to read to her each morning."

" Stefan comes to read to Grace?"

" Yes, Bobbie. I thought you knew. Right after the early morning feedings, he is here, daily. He takes her from the incubator, puts her in the bassinette and reads to her some story in a foreign language. They seem to get along very well. I guess all this is a surprise to you?"

" Completely."

" Well, Bobbie, I have some reports to do. I'll see you later, OK?"

" Fine."

Bobbie is left there with Grace.

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Ned was waiting in his office when Alicia comes in.

"Mr. Ashton."

" Ms. Warburton. Please, do sit down."

" I was curious about your telephone call. I would have thought that the Quartermaine attorneys would be here with you."

" No. This is business between the two of us."

" What business do you possibly think that we have?"

" Well, I am going to make you an offer that you will not be able to refuse." Ned hands her an envelope full of documents.

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Alicia was in Ned's office, looking over the documents. A look of horror came over her face.

" As you well see, Ms. Warburton, these documents detail very carefully fraud."

" Yes, I see that. You Sons-o-Bitches. You set him up, didn't you?"

" Set him up? Well, I wouldn't call it that."

" Then, what the hell would you call it?"

" An extreme loyalty test? And your brother failed. Now, the Quartermaines are willing to look the other way, and squelsh any and all investigations, as long as the money is returned. Actually, the money doesn't even have to be returned. We'll consider it a retainer."

" A retainer? For what?"

" I think you know what for, Ms. Warburton. If ELQ presses charges, you see that we have enough evidence to convict your brother. And since this would be his THIRD felony.."

" Three strikes."

" Exactly."

" You KNOW he's been clean for 17 years now."

" Tell that to the judicial system. He gets convicted and he's in for life. So, are you willing to 'discuss' things now?"

Alicia gets a defeated look on her face. Ned knows that he has won.

" What do you want, Mr. Ashton?"

" Well, I think it's time we outlined how WE make sure that Bobbie Spencer loses this custody case."

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Bobbie was sitting in the Port Charles Grille when Alicia came in.

" Alicia! I'm so glad to see you."

" You might not be after you hear what I have to say."

" What's wrong? Is it my case?"

" Yes...and no."

" Alright, give it to me."

" I HAVE to leave town immediately, Bobbie. I have a deep family emeergency. My mother. It doesn't look good."

" Oh, Alicia. I'm so sorry."

" Now, if it had been anything else..."

" Good, Lord, NO. You HAVE to go see your mother. I guess I'll go get another lawyer."

" That won't be necessary. I already have someone else lined up for you. He's very good. And I have completely briefed him on your case. Here is his card. He is awaiting your call. Well, I must go."

" Of course you do. Alicia, I want to thank you for all you've done for me."

" No thanks needed , Bobbie. Good luck."

" Since I've had you looking out for my interests, I haven't needed luck. I'll leave now. I hope that your mother recovers. Bye."

" Bye."

Bobbie leaves and Alicia sighs in disgust.

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Nikolas is in the GH Library looking for a book. It slips behind the bookcase and he goes around to pick it up when Ned and Edward come in.

" OK, Grandfather. No one's in here. I can give you an update."

" Well, hurry up Ned. I have to go to the Board Meeting. How did it go with the lawyer?"

" Once I showed the evidence to Alicia, she folded. By now, she has told Bobbie that she can't be her attorney, and Bobbie is now on her way to OUR attorney."

Edward laughs. " Well done, my boy. Bobbie's going to walk into court, with her lawyer in OUR pocket. And we'll walk out of family court with little Grace. And once we get her back where she belongs, HELL will freeze over before she will leave the Quartermaines. We'll be able to dictate her life. And limit her contact with those infernal Spencers."

" Glad that you approve. Well, by this time tomorrow, that nursery will be full. And Junior will have his kid. I can't believe that we're helping him."

" He's a Quartermaine. And we take care of our own. Now, you can walk me to the Board Meeting. Come on."

Edward and Ned leave the Library.

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Nikolas was not able to catch up with Stefan at General Hospital because he had a date in the park with Lesley and Lulu.

Stefan is sitting in the Conservatory when Nikolas comes in.

" Father, what do you want out of life?"

" Nikolas, what an odd question. Is there a point to it?"

" Yes. You sit here, and every evening, we do the same thing. We eat dinner in silence. After dinner, I go read and you read, or play chess against yourself, or do some business. Don't you want more?"

" What I want is irrelevant. I accept my life for how it is."

" But, how do you know that this is the way that it has to be?"

" As you pointed out, on more than one occasion, I have ruined things with Barbara. I took one too many chances, gambled, and lost."

" But, how do you know that you've lost. You and I both know what you've done."

" Whatever I've done, Nikolas. It matters not. Barbara has made it quite clear that she wants nothing more to do with me."

" But, I think that Bobbie is only saying that, because she doesn't know how much you really want her."

" She sent me the divorce papers, Nikolas. How much clearer does she have to be?"

" Divorce papers sent in a bad time. But, things are looking up now. Father, we can be a REAL family, if you want that."

" Nikolas, not that I don't sympathize. But, Barbara no longer trusts anything that I say."

" Well, then, don't say. DO!"

" And what can I do?"

" So, you admit it to me. You want Bobbie back?"

" Yes, Nikolas. I want her back. But, I have no way of showing it to her that would mean anything to her."

" Oh, yes you do. Father, Bobbie needs your help."

" Well, then, Nikolas. Tell me how, and I will see if I can oblige."

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Bobbie is arranging some flowers in Carly's room.

" You know what, Carly? Grace has gained one whole ounce today. Can you believe it? Soon, I'll be able to take her out of here and back home with me. I have had a nursery all set up for her. I think that you'd like it. Of course, if you don't like it, we can change it when you get better."

Jason walks into the room.

" Hi, Bobbie."

" Jason! Come on in. Carly, look, Jason's come for a visit."

" Is there any change?"

" No. But, I think that she's coming back to us. I KNOW she is. Jason, thank you for coming to see her."

" Bobbie, no need to thank me. She's my friend. And I'm not going to let her be alone. I know how scared she was. And the last thing that she needs is for her to think that no one cares."

" Well, we care. I'm nervous Jason."

" About tomorrow?"

" Yes."

" Don't be."

" The Quartermaines are..."

" A bunch of screwed up folks. Bobbie, you are Grace's Grandmother."

" So, is Monica."

" Yeah, well, you're the ONLY one, besides me, it seems, that gives a damn if Carly and Grace get to stay together. A baby should be with its mother. And if not with its mother, then someone who wants the baby to know its mother. The Quartermaines don't seem to care about that."

" No, they don't, do they?"

" Nope. You sure you don't need any money? I'll give what I have."

" No, Jason. I have the money to fight them. I am just wondering if a judge will take one look at me, and throw Grace to the Quartermaines."

" No judge in their right mind, looking objectively at you and that bunch, would have an innocent kid over to them. I could come to the courtroom if you want."

( laughs) " Uh, No thank you Jason. I don't know how it would look if my chief character witness..."

(laughs) " Is the local Don."

" Exactly."

" That's cool, Bobbie. Well, why don't you go and relax. I'll stay with Carly until the nurse throws me out."

" You don't mind?"

" Bobbie, it seems we have this SAME conversation every night. No, I don't mind. You go on."

Bobbie kisses Jason. " Thank you, and bye."

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Lucky and Luke are playing checkers. Lulu is playing some game with Lesley. Laura is in the kitchen when the doorbell rings.

"Alright, Cowboy. Now, don't you cheat while I am gone."

" Who me?"

" Yeah, you." Luke opens his door to find Stefan and Nikolas there. " Oh, great. Look what the cat dragged in. It's before sunset you two. How did you get out of your coffins? Laura, Honey, It’s the Lost Boys. "

" Very amusing Spencer. May we come in?"

" Why?"

" I have one question for you Spencer: Do you love your sister more than you hate me?"