Mr. Immigration Man II, Chapter 32




Bobbie and the new lawyer are sitting at the table, when in walks Justus and the rest of the Quartermaines. As they file in, one by one, sitting on one side of the room. In solidarity. Bobbie felt very alone, on her side of the courtroom. She looked at Alan and Monica as they sat there, with Justus. The bailiff comes into the court.

" All rise. The honorable Judge Margaret Walker presiding."

" You may be seated. I see the case before me is Barbara Jean Spencer versus Drs. Monica and Alan Quartermaine for temporary custody of a minor infant child, Grace Spencer Bensen-Quartermaine. Is this the correct case?"

" Yes, it is your Honor. Justus Ward representing the Drs. Quartermaine."

" I concurr you Honor. Iago Sharpe representing Ms. Spencer."

" Well, now that we have that out of the way, would the side for Ms. Spencer like to begin."

" I'm sorry your honor, but the side for Barbara Jean Spencer-Cassadine is not quite ready."

The entire court room turned around and saw Alexis standing there. Along with Stefan, Nikolas, Luke and all the rest of the Spencers, right down to Amy and Ruby. Everyone was in their Sunday finest, and Lucky's hair was even combed. Lulu was dressed in her finest dress. And Jason was there...in a SUIT.

" And may I ask who you are, Miss?"

" My name is Alexis Davis. And I am representing Mr. and Mrs. Stefan Cassadine as they attempt to gain temporary custody of little Grace."

" I do say. This is highly irregular. Ms. Spencer, do you have two attorneys?"

" No, your Honor. I have no idea what's going on here."

" Your Honor, if I may request that the court grant a recess of 5 minutes where all of this may be explained?"

" OK, Ms. Davis. But not more than 5 minutes. This case starts then. And whatever lawyer is here, will have to do their job."

" Understood, your Honor."

" This court is in recess for 5 minutes."

Bailiff, "All rise."

Bobbie goes up to Stefan and Alexis. " What the hell do you think that you're doing?"

" Barbara, I am trying to help you."

" What? By coming here, and making me look like an idiot in front of the judge?"

" No, Bobbie. By making sure that you were'nt sold out by a Quartermaine crony."

" What are you talking about, Alexis?"

" What Alexis is referring to, is that your lawyer there, is bought and paid for by the Quartermaine family. His sole purpose is to make sure that you lose any and all chance of custody of little Grace."

" No. I don't believe you."

" Well, believe it Bobbie," Nikolas says. " I heard old man Quartermaine and Ashton talking about it in the GH Library. They own your lawyer.

" Well, I'll be."

" So, Bobbie, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and prepare your case."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monica leans over to Justus. " Justus, what do you think that they are doing? Can they change lawyers like that?"

" Monica, it seems that's exactly what they're doing."

" Well, stop them, dammit, Justus."

" Edward, who Bobbie Spencer has as her attorney is none of our concern."

" It most certainly is OUR concern, if..."

" If, What, Edward? Oh, Edward, PLEASE don't tell me that you've been messing with Bobbie's attorney..", Justus asks.

Monica, "Edward! You wouldn't!?!"

Alan, " Of course he would. You just couldn't leave well enough alone, could you Father?"

" Of course not. Not, that I don't have faith in your legal skills, but there's nothing like a sure thing."

" Well, it looks as if your 'sure thing' has been busted. Damn you, Edward. If Bobbie thinks that we had anything to do with this, I'll lose my best friend AND access to my grandchild if she wins."

" Well, any judge who would give a baby to Bobbie or any other Spencer over us, is crazy."

" You head THIS clan, and you have the audacity to call someone else, crazy?", Justus asks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke and Jason have walked up to Mr. Sharpe.

" Mr. Sharpe. Let me introduce myself. I'm Luke Spencer. Bobbie's brother?"

" Ah, Mr. Spencer. Nice to meet you."

" Well, we'll see how you feel about that in a bit. Now, I have heard some VERY disturbing news about you. That you aren't going to do right by my baby sister. Now, that upsets me a great deal. Do you want to know HOW upset it is making me?"

Sharpe begins to fidget and loosen his tie. " How upset?"

" So upset, that I think that I am going to have to introduce you to my friend, here, Jason Morgan. Do you know Mr. Morgan?"

" No....I can't say that I have had the pleasure."

" Well, maybe you heard of Mr. Morgan's predessor in his present line of work, Sonny Corinthos?"

" S-S-Sonny Corinthos?"

" Yeah. My man, Sonny. Well, he was Jason's man too. Jason learned EVERYTHING from Sonny. Do you understand?"

(whisper) " Yes."

" Good. I knew that you were a smart man. Now, why don't you give me all your files and the outline of how you were going to throw this case right now, and if you run real fast, I might change my mind about introducing you to Jason."

Sharpe drops his briefcase and runs, like a bat out of hell, out of the courtroom. Luke picks up the briefcase and walks it over to Alexis.

" Knock yourself out, Counselor. Fricasee me some Q's, if you please."

" Don't worry. They'll be very tender once I am finished with them."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bobbie is standing with Stefan.

" Stefan, why?"

" Because it's the right thing to do. And because I know what it means to you."

" Do you know what you're doing?"

" Yes. I have NO illusions as to what I'm doing. I am where I want to be. Doing what I want to do. What more can I say?"

At this time, the bailiff comes in.

"All rise." And the judge comes in.

" So, is everyone ready for this to continue?"

The judge hears all the arguments back and forth. And retires to chambers to debate her decision.

Bobbie goes to face her family.

" I don't know what to say."

" You don't have to say anything, Barbara Jean."

" I told you all that I could do this by myself."

" But, don't you see, Aunt Bobbie? You don't have to. We're family."

" ALL of us, Bobbie.", Nikolas says. " And we're here to support you."

" Bobbie, I know how much Carly and Grace mean to you. And I want to see you keep your family together."

" Thank you Laura." (to Luke) " May I see you for a minute?"

" Sure, babe."

They go over in a corner to talk. " Luke, why?"

" Because you're my sister, Barbara Jean. And I love you. And Carly. And Grace. And cause no infernal Quartermaine is gonna look down their nose and take from the Spencers."

" How did Stefan ever convince you ?"

" Simple. In that imperious voice of his he said, ' I have one question for you Spencer: Do you love your sister more than you hate me?' What could I say to that but yes."

(begins to cry) " Oh, Luke. What if..."

" Bobbie, stop crying. What if, the cycle continues and Grace is taken away from Carly like Carly had to leave you? Ain't gonna happen. Grace is a miracle, baby. She is a miracle herself, and she's a miracle in what has happened. Look at this: me and Count Vlad on the same side, Cowboy and little Nikky conversing, Amy out in support for something to do with Carly, and Jason in a suit. Now, tell me, you think all this good stuff is gonna go to waste? No way."

Bobbie hugs Luke. " I've missed you."

" Back at you, babe. And Barbara.."

" What?"

" I promise to TRY and keep the peace between me and Uncle Fester."

The judge comes in.

" Well, I have heard enough interesting testimony on BOTH sides to last a lifetime. Needless to say, that little Grace has INTERESTING relatives on both side of the genealogical landscape. And that she is a very lucky little girl to have so many people interested in her welfare. But, the decision of this court is to decide the best fate of Grace. Taking into account that if Grace were to live with the Quartermaines that she would be living with THREE recovering substance abusers, I cannot take the risk with the child, of any one of the abusers slipping and causing harm to the child. I am also concerned about the lack of immediate extended family, by which I mean, more children for her to interact with especially. Since her own mother is unavailable to her at this time, Grace needs the love and attention of as many people as possible. And there have been many studies done on how other children help children grow. With the Quartermaines, there would only be the minor child, Emily, who is a recovering substance abuser, and I would have doubts about that.

On the other hand, if the child were to live with Mrs. Cassadine, she would have two older males, one Lucas Jones, the other Nikolas Cassadine, as well as a young female cousin, Lesley Lu Webber. Considering the history of Ms. Bensen to you, Mrs. Cassadine, I have been even more touched by your devotion to both your daughter and granddaughter. There was a lot of forgiveness that had to have been done on your part, in order for you to so fiercely fight for them. And I am impressed. The social workers say that either environment, your Brownstone, or Wyndemere, would be acceptable for the child.

So, it is the decision of this court, to grant temporary custody of the minor child, Grace Bensen-Quartermaine, to her biological grandmother, Barbara Jean Cassadine. The child will reside with Mrs. Cassadine while the infant's mother remains incapacitated. At such time that Ms. Bensen's medical condition changes, this case will be reopened. The paternal granparents, the Drs. Quartermaine, will be allowed bi-monthly visitation with the child on alternate weekends, and one day a week. I hope that both families can put aside their differences and join together in helping to raise this little girl, who is so much more fortunate than most other children who come into my court on a daily basis. There is a lot of love for this child, please show it to her. Good luck.

The judge gets ready to go.

" All rise."

The judge leaves, and Bobbie walks over to Monica and Alan.

" Monica.."

" Bobbie, Alan and I had nothing to do with the lawyer shenanigans. That was all Edward. WASN'T IT EDWARD?!"

" Huh? Yes. It was me. Blame me."

" Well, Monica, I don't want to blame anyone. The judge is right. Grace is what's important and taking care of her is my top priority. I'll call you about visits."

" Bobbie..can we be there when you bring her home?"

" Sure, Monica. Well, bye."

Bobbie goes over to Alexis. " Thank you, Alexis. For everything."

" No need to thank me. Bobbie, may I speak truthfully to you?"

" Surely."

" Stefan did all this because he loves you. He may not be able to say it, but I was once told. If it looks like a duck, talks like a duck, smells like a duck...Just thought you should think about it."

" Thank you, Alexis."

Luke comes up to Bobbie and Alexis. "Well, ladies, to celebrate everyone is going over to Ruby's. Counselor, will you join us?"

" Have you hidden the poisons?"

" Aw, shucks counselor. You got me. So, up for some apple pie?"

" Maybe. Maybe not. But, thank you for the invitation."

" Anytime. Bobbie?"

" I'm going to talk to Stefan."

" OK. Whatever ails ya. Bye." Luke walks back to the group, and Bobbie goes over to Stefan.

" Stefan, I just wanted to thank you for all your help today. Goodbye."

Stefan grabs Bobbie's arm and, " Barbara, wait."

" What else do we have to say to one another?"

" Barbara. Please come back with me to Wyndemere. I have something to show you. If, after we talk, you still want nothing to do with me, I will understand, respect your wishes, and have the signed divorce papers to you by morning. So, will you come?"

" Fine. But, no tricks."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stefan brings Bobbie back to Wyndemere. They go upstairs. And are walking towards a bedroom.

" Oh, for pete's sake Stefan. Sex? Come on. It doesn't cure all."

" Barbara, I assure you that this does have to do with sex, but only the end result. Close your eyes, please."

" What?"

" Please."

" OK."

Bobbie closes her eyes. Stefan leads her into one of the rooms.

" Open them."

When Bobbie opens her eyes. She can't believe it. Stefan has taken at least 2 of the bedrooms and combined them into a Nursery. An entire Nursery, done in pale pink. Everything in the room, for a little girls heart's desire. He has had a sunroof put in. There is sun almost everywhere. The room emits warmth , gentleness. On the ceiling, he has had clouds painted. Along with all sorts of Disney characters. There are overstuffed animals. Children's furniture. A little library of children's books in the bookcase. There is a huge windowseat. And a large rocking chair. Besides the crib, there is a bassinett of brass. Bobbie walks over to the crib.

" It's exquisite. The detail. The workmanship."

" It's cradled Cassadines for over 4 generations."

" Grace isn't a Cassadine."

" If she comes to this house, she would be."

" Why did you do all of this?"

" Because, I wanted you to know that I accept all of it. Your family. Is now my family."

" Even Luke?"

" Now, Barbara. Let's not get wild here."

Bobbie laughs. " I suppose not. But, that doesn't excuse what you did, Stefan."

" No, it doesn't. I hurt you. Badly."

" Tell me something I DON'T know."

" Barbara.."

" Tell me why I should believe you, Stefan? You've given me no reason to."

" I know."

" I mean. How don't I know that you won't throw me overboard for the next Blond Princess you find. Why aren't you out obsessing over Laura? Or chasing Katherine?"

" You are right. I have spent most of my life, chasing my own version of the fairy tale, with the Princess as the object of my desires. When, what I should have been looking for is a Chinese Empress."

" Chinese Empress?"

" Yes. The story of the last Chinese Empress. A woman of humble origins, who most had counted out, because they thought her too plain, too humble. But, what they didn't count on was her constitution. Which was made of cast iron. And as those, upon whom fortune seemed to shine, were broken by life because they were weak, the Last Empress made her climb to the top. Of course, everything that she ever achieved was done with hard work, and fierce determination. And her reward for outlasting the harshest of what life had to offer, was the position of Last Empress. She clawed and climbed and destroyed anything that got in her way. Including the Emporer.”

“ What happened to him?”

“ She murdered him.”

“ Are we still back at that drugging attempt?”

They both laugh.

“ So, I am supposed to be COMPLIMENTED by your comparisons of me to a murderess?”

“That's you, Barbara. Will of Iron. Nerves of Steel. Lethal when you have to be. The Last Empress."

“ Gee, Stefan. You’ re such a charmer.”

“ I have my moments.”

" What do you WANT, Stefan?"

" I suppose, I simply, want a place to be."

Stefan hesitantly placed his hands and cupped Bobbie's face in them. The tears were streaming down her face. He kisses her gently. And she responds. She throws her arms around Stefan. He whispers in her ear, " Welcome Home."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The setting: overlooking Niagra Falls. At the viewfinders.

“ This was a strange place to meet.”

“ Well, who else comes here, but tourists, and honeymooners.”

“ So, true. Well, Here is the last of our business transactions.” The gentleman is handed an envelope. Inside there is a considerable amount of cash.

“ Thank you. It’s always a joy to do business with you.”

“ You have never failed me.”

“ How could I fail not only a fellow alumnus of our esteemed institution, but an old study buddy, without whom, I never would have made it out of First Year Torts.”

“ You were always too humble, Dudley. You were one of the sharpest in the bunch.”

“ But, not as sharp as you, eh, Alexis?”

Alexis laughs. “ No. Not as sharp as me.”

“ Well, did everything work out as you thought it would, with regards to your cousin?”

“ Dudley, even better than I had imagined. Now, let’s go get some dinner. I’m starved. And want the whole scoop on your family.”