Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 48

“Sam, your breakfast is up!”

Tammy Hansen, manager at Kelly's, held up a paper bag holding a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on whole wheat toast.

“Thanks, Tammy!” Sam said, holding out a travel mug. “Can I get this filled?”

Tammy took the mug and filled it.

Tammy had been one of the hookers on the docks during the mob wars of Sonny Corinthos' reign. She'd often come into Kelly's for a quick meal and first Ruby Anderson, then Ruby's niece, Bobbie Spencer, befriended her. When the battles between Sonny and Luis Alcazar got too hot, Bobbie took Tammy in and gave her a waitressing job at Kelly's while Tammy pursued cosmetology training. Bobbie later offered Tammy a deal – manage the restaurant and live above it rent-free. Tammy snapped it up. In addition to running the restaurant for Bobbie and Luke, Tammy was also a makeup artist on the side, doing weddings, photo shoots and special events such as the Nurses' Ball.

“How much longer?” Tammy asked Sam. “Not that I want to get rid of you.”

Sam laughed. She was still living over Kelly's as the house she'd bought was being renovated.

“Another couple of weeks, it looks like,” Sam said. Just then, the bell over the door tinkled and Jason Quartermaine walked in.

“Hi!” Sam said. “I'm ready. You have breakfast yet?”

“I'm good,” Jason said. “Did we need to make any stops?”

“The paint store over on Keuka Street,” Sam said. “I told the painters I'd pick up the kitchen and bath paints for them this morning so they could finish priming the bedrooms by lunch. What time is your shift?”

Jason's training for the Iroquois County Rescue Squad was moving from the classroom to the station. For now, he was strictly an observer and stretcher-bearer. Twice a week, the trainees spent the day practicing driving ambulances.

“I'm 9:30 to 6 today, over at the Niagara station,” Jason said. “Nice place. When'd they build that?”

“About five years ago,” Sam said, stirring a packet of demerara sugar into her coffee. “Those new McMansion developments were going in over there, and the developers made getting a station for the neighborhood part of the deal with the city for building there. They got the station, but in return had to create a permanent green space around the wetlands on the other side of the development.”

“Will 6:30 or so be too late for you tonight?” Jason asked. Sam had bought a used late-model Volvo station wagon, but was keeping it at the house as overnight parking around Kelly's was scarce. She usually took the bus, rode her bicycle, or got a ride from someone to get out there.

“No, that'll be fine,” Sam said. “Thanks so much for doing this, Jason.”

Jason smiled down at her.

“After all the ways you've helped me, Sam, this is the least I could do,” he said as they walked out the door. Tammy watched them go, a meditative smile on her face.

They look good together, Tammy thought. Then laughed at herself for her matchmaking.

* * *

It was taco salad day at the Port Charles High School cafeteria. Damien Spinelli sat in the section called Dorkwad Alley by some students, absently shoveling the day's entree into his mouth as he read a textbook from the Port Charles University library on Linux administration.

“That boy is a P-I-G, pig,” Brooke said, in imitation of Babs in Animal House. Serena giggled. Lulu sighed.

“He can be so nice,” she said. “He's just so ... so ...”

She shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

“Clueless,” Georgie finished for her, piercing the penne in her pasta salad with her fork.

“Yep,” Lulu said, and took a bite of the wrap sandwich – shredded chicken with matchstick carrots, bean sprouts, cilantro, red pepper strips and peanut sauce. She usually made her own lunches after her dad tried to convince her that a peanut butter, jelly and bacon sandwich was a good idea.

“Whatever he is, I can't look anymore,” Brooke said, turning away from the spectacle Spinelli made and taking a bite of her salad of baby greens, carrots, gorgonzola cheese and spiced walnuts.

“I wish you and Lulu were coming this weekend,” Serena said plaintively, then bit into her avocado, goat cheese and tomato sandwich on wheat bread, sprinkled with salt and lime juice.

Brooke rolled her eyes.

“Let's see,” she said snarkily. “A weekend in New York City or Dweebapalooza? Sorry, I'll pass.”

As Friday was a teacher in-service day, Lulu and Brooke decided to take advantage of the long weekend and go down to New York on the train after school on Thursday. They would spend Friday in Manhattan, staying at the apartment with Laura. Brooke would spend Saturday night with her mother's family in Bensonhurst before she and Lulu returned on Sunday.

Meanwhile, this was a big weekend for fans of science fiction. The arthouse cinema at PCU was hosting a weekend devoted to sci-fi movies. The entire Star Wars series would be shown back-to-back all day and well into the night on Saturday. Sunday was an assortment of movies, capped off with an evening screening of Serenity.

“Oh, come on, Brooke,” Serena said. “You make it sound like everyone there will be like Spinelli. Dillon's going. Your cousin Jason's going.”

“Stan Johnson's going,” Lulu chimed in.

“So's Maxie,” Georgie added.

Brooke rolled her eyes. “Whatever,” she said. “Look, have fun, y'all, but the idea of watching geeky sci-fi movies is about as appealing as watching Spinelli eat.”

“That's fine,” Serena said. “I guess it'll just be me, Georgie and Maxie to enjoy shirtless – and maybe, I hope, naked – Nathan Fillion.”

“Yummmmmmm,” Georgie said.

“Don't say that too loud at the movie,” Brooke teased. “Dillon won't like it.”

* * *

The phone in Alexis Davis' office rang.

“Yes, Carol?” Alexis asked. Her secretary was on the other end.

“Kristina's school is on the line for you,” Carol said. Alexis furrowed her brow. That's never good, she thought.

“Thank you,” she said to Carol, then heard the click of the call being transferred. “This is Alexis Davis,” she said.

“Ms. Davis, this is Mrs. Mahon, the nurse. We need you to come pick Kristina up. She has a sore throat and fever.”

“I do not!” Alexis heard Kristina say querulously in the background. “I'm fine! She's lying, Mommy!”

“Uh-oh,” Alexis said to the nurse. “I know that tone of voice. I'll call and make an appointment for her with her pediatrician and come get her right now.”

Alexis knew why Kristina would insist she was all right. Kristina's best friend, Molly Prestash, was having her birthday party this weekend in Boston, and it had been all Kristina thought about since she got the invitation two weeks ago. Being sick put that in jeopardy, and Kristina had her mother's fierce will not to let anything stop her.

After ending her call, Alexis quickly called Eve Lambert's office over at General Hospital and got an emergency appointment. She packed her satchel with some paperwork she could do while Kristina napped when they got home.

“I'll be gone the rest of the day, Carol,” Alexis said. “I have to take Kristina to the doctor, but I should be home in a few hours.”

* * *

Stefan Cassadine sat at a table at the Floating Rib, sipping a sparkling water while reading the latest donation projections from Courtney Matthews in regards to the mobile health clinic. He smiled. Courtney had not rested on her laurels after bringing Jeremy Logan on board. If all went well, Stefan could send her to Las Vegas in a few months to get estimates on the mobile units. They could be out on the streets by next summer.

Stefan smiled. While his years handling Nikolas' Cassadine affairs were good experience, nothing he'd done then ever gave him the personal satisfaction of reaching goals at General Hospital. Growing and expanding the Stone Cates wing, bringing in talented personnel at all levels, now the Anne Logan Mobile Health Clinic. And there was more to come – the Edward and Lila Quartermaine Family Health Care Clinic, and, someday, a new oncology wing. Monica Quartermaine, a breast cancer survivor, was keenly interested in that, and had privately told Stefan that she would make a generous donation to name it after Paige Bowen, Emily's late biological mother and one of Monica's dearest friends.

The Cassadine empire was a family legacy. General Hospital was his own legacy. And the baseball team he wanted to bring to Port Charles would be his own creation.

Looking up, Stefan saw Scott Baldwin and AJ Quartermaine walk in. AJ waved acknowledgment as he told the hostess they were sitting with Stefan. Stefan rose and shook hands with them both.

“Glad you could make it, gentlemen,” Stefan said cordially. They sat down, and the waiter came over to take drink orders – a sparkling water for Scott, an iced tea for AJ.

“So what's new on the baseball deal?” AJ asked after the lunch orders were taken. AJ had gotten a grilled chicken breast with grilled asparagus and rice pilaf. Scott had ordered baked bluefish with potatoes Anna and green beans. Stefan ordered sliced herbed pork loin with chunky applesauce and gingered carrots.

“I think you'll like the news,” Stefan said. “I've reached an agreement to purchase to ball bearings plant, and all the land that goes with it.”

“That is good news!” Scott said. “The city's been wanting something done with that land for a while. Even if baseball doesn't pan out, Stefan, you may get some tax breaks on the land if you clean up the property. It could be a prime spot for residential development.”

“I'll keep that in mind,” Stefan said with an amused quirk to his mouth. “But for now, I'm focused on bringing a baseball team here.”

“Anything going on there?” Scott asked.

“I met with the New York-Penn League board last week,” Stefan said. “They're very interested in having a team here. The closest league teams are Auburn and Batavia, so we wouldn't be competing with any established teams.”

“What about Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo?” AJ asked.

“Those are Triple-A teams,” Stefan said. “We won't be drawing many fans away from them.”

“So we won't have any problem getting approval,” Scott said. “Excellent. Will there be an affiliation with a major-league team?”

“That has yet to be determined,” Stefan said. “The team doesn't have to have an affiliation. That could work in our favor, as we can be more independent.”

“What's your next step?” AJ asked. Just then, they were diverted by the waiter bringing them them their food.

“I have to have an environmental survey done on the land,” Stefan said as they ate. “There will need to be some clean-up work done before we can even think of building, I'm sure. But as long as it's manageable, we can get a corporation together and begin planning a team anytime. I wonder if everyone will still have interest.”

“I can't, as long as I'm in public service,” Scott said. “Conflict of interest and all that. But I know Faith Rosco is interested – she told me she had Felicia investigate everyone else on board.”

Stefan raised an eyebrow.

“With that kind of ... thoroughness,” he said tactfully, “she should be a Cassadine.”

Scott grinned.

“I think Amanda Barrington is on board,” Scott said. “And there may be some other smaller investors we can tap.”

“I'm in,” AJ said. “Ned, Justus and Skye want in, too. Tracy's not committing yet.”

“Is Jason interested?” Stefan asked.

“Not that I'm aware of,” AJ said, adding bitterly, “But I don't think I'd be the person he'd tell one way or the other.”

After an awkward silence, Stefan moved on.

“One challenge could be parking,” he said. “Having good mass transit access won't be enough. We need the land between the factory and Cooper Street to be able to build a parking garage.”

“You'll have to buy it on your own, Stefan,” Scott said. “With all the negative news about eminent domain lately, the city won't help.”

“I hadn't thought of that,” Stefan said, furrowing his brow. “That could complicate things.”

Just then, Scott saw Justus Ward walk into the restaurant and get a table alone.

“Excuse me, fellas, I have to talk with Justus for a few minutes,” Scott said. “I'll be right back.”

“By all means,” Stefan said. Scott rose and went over to Justus.

“Are you all right, AJ?” Stefan asked. “Forgive me if this is intrusive, but I noticed your expression when Jason was brought up. Are things difficult between you?”

AJ looked down, then away, then back at Stefan.

“Yeah,” he said in a soft voice. “He blames me for losing almost 10 years of his life, Stefan. And it's true – it's my fault.”

“I know a little something about paying for one's sins,” Stefan said. “Remember the role I played in Lesley Webber being believed dead for more than ten years. I did what I did to keep her alive and safe from Helena, who had ordered Lesley killed, but it is something that will always haunt me.”

“How did Lesley and Laura ever forgive you?” AJ asked. “I don't, you know, mean that to say that they shouldn't have, but they were pretty angry from what I remember.”

“To put it mildly,” Stefan said with a rueful half-smile. “I'd never seen such hate as I saw in Laura's eyes when she confronted me. After everything she'd endured at the hands of Stavros and my mother, this was too much.”

“How'd you get from there to where you are now?”

“I was an outcast for a while,” Stefan said. “Even Nikolas shut me out. I felt unfairly judged at first. After all, if I hadn't have done it, Lesley would have died. But after my vicious criticisms of Laura for her conduct, I was revealed to be a gross hypocrite. So, I had to take my lumps. I did apologize to Lesley and Laura. Lesley forgave first. Laura and I never fully reconciled until after my mother died and we were free to let go of the past and forgive each other.”

“You also proved yourself,” AJ said thoughtfully. “You fought against your mother and brother.”

“Eventually, as we could put the whole Cassadine-Spencer ridiculousness behind us, we were able to heal,” Stefan said. “Maybe after Jason's had a chance to work through his feelings, you two can heal your rift.”

“Time heals all wounds?” AJ said.

“Not all,” Stefan said. “But it can help.”

* * *

Despite Kristina's insistence that she was fine, she was dozing when Alexis showed up at the preschool. Alexis tiptoed over to the chaise and gently placed her hand on Kristina's forehead. It was hot, and Kristina's cheeks had a splotchy flush.

Gently, she picked Kristina up and mouthed a “Thank you” to the nurse, to avoid waking Kristina. The little girl only stirred a little as Alexis buckled her into her car seat and drove over to General Hospital. Kristina woke up as Alexis carried her inside, whimpering fretfully as they waited for Dr. Lambert to see them.

Kristina became more fretful and petulant as Eve examined her. Eve had to tickle her to get her to open her mouth so Eve could pop the thermometer in. Only a stern glance from Alexis kept Kristina from spitting it right back out. She whined between taking deep breaths so Eve could listen on the stethoscope, and by the time Eve touched the glands on her neck, Kristina was reaching her tipping point.

“Strep,” Eve said.

“NO!” Kristina said. “I'm all right! Leave me alone!”

Eve phoned down a prescription to the hospital pharmacy. After thanking Eve and helping a weakly-flailing Kristina into her shoes, Alexis scooped up her daughter and left. Kristina's wails echoed down the hallway as they went to the elevator, earning mother and child a few glares as they passed. Alexis almost went limp in relief when she got Kristina strapped back into her car seat.

“I'm not sick, Mommy!” Kristina whined.

“Stop fretting and relax, Kristina,” Alexis said. “We'll be home soon and you can go right to bed and start getting better.”

At the words “getting better,” Kristina calmed down. Alexis managed to get her home and in bed before Kristina got fretful again, refusing to take her medicine.

“No! I won't take it unless I can go to the party!” Kristina whined.

“You won't be going anywhere unless you take your medicine,” Alexis said sternly, on her last drops of patience. Kristina sulkily gave in, then lay back and went to sleep.

Alexis quietly shut the door and went downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of warming chicken stock soon soothed her, and she went to work making a light soup for Kristina's supper. She called Cameron to alert him to the situation, and asked him to pick up some sherbert for Kristina and a bottle of cognac for herself.

The soup was simmering when Alexis looked up at the clock. Kristina may want a cold drink. She filled a small pitcher with ice water and brought it upstairs along with a cheerful red plastic cup. Kristina's mood had not improved. Her eyes were shining feverishly, and her lips were in a firm pout.

“I wanna go to the paaaartyyyy,” she said.

“Kristina, honey, stop,” Alexis said.

“But Mommmmmmmmmmy!”

“You're too sick,” Alexis said. “And you'd make the other girls sick.”

“I don't care!”

“Molly's your best friend and you want to make her sick?” Alexis chided.

“I wannaaaaaa see herrrrrrr!” Kristina shrieked, weakly kicking and flailing. “You're mean, Mommy! I hate you!”

In her tantrum, Kristina knocked the cup out of Alexis' hands, covering her shirt front in water. Kristina just continued to sob. Alexis refilled the water and set it on the nightstand. She then sat by the bed until Kristina cried herself to sleep. Walking down the stairs, she got an idea. With a smile, she checked on the soup, then turned on her laptop.

* * *

Scott sat down across from Justus.

“So?” Scott said in a low voice. “What happened?”

Scott was referring to the case of Cordell Parker, the teen gangbanger-wannabe who was turning evidence after being arrested for an armed robbery of a delivery truck a few months prior. He was acquainted with Cordell's mother, Evangeline, and was hoping an arranged plea deal would help the boy get on the right track.

Justus looked around to make sure no busboys or other staff were in hearing distance.

“Just what should have,” Justus said softly. “He pled out; he's in juvi until he's 21. Dara made it look like the prosecution made a grand concession in having him sent over to the facility in Columbia County. They've got good work and education opportunities there for him. It's a bit far for visitors, but I hooked his mother up with an agency that helps families of inmates get to visit them. It's a smaller facility, so it'll be easier to keep an eye on him without him or anyone else knowing it.”

Scott nodded. “So everything he said checked out, I take it.”

“Ric and Durant are pretty happy,” Justus said. “They've gotten some good leads for surveillance and possible weak links who they should be able to get to talk for down the road. So the kid gets a second chance. What he does with it is up to him.”

* * *

Kristina woke up to the creak of the door opening. She looked up to see her mother holding a tray. She pouted and crossed her arms.

“Sit up, Kristina,” Alexis said gently.

“Not hungry,” Kristina said, jutting out her lower lip even as she spied the strawberry Jell-O with a big dollop of whipped cream alongside the chicken noodle soup on the tray. Alexis quickly stopped a smile.

“Let the soup cool,” Alexis said, setting the tray down on the dresser, and sitting down on the bed with Kristina, stroking her hair.

“I know it's been a hard day, darling,” Alexis said. “But I think I've found a solution.”

“I can go to the party?” Kristina asked.

“No, dear,” Alexis said. Kristina glared.

“Then no slooshun,” she said.

“There is if we make a deal,” Alexis said in her most persuasive tone. “If you're a good girl – take all your medicine, try to eat, get some rest and don't make any more fuss over the party – I'll take you to Boston for a special visit with Molly. We'll go on the Cassadine jet, stay in a fabulous hotel and have a wonderful weekend.”

“Next week?” Kristina asked excitedly.

“I'm afraid you'll have to wait until early December,” Alexis said, watching Kristina start to pout. “But only because we're going to see The Nutcracker while we're there.”

“Really?! For really, Mommy?” Kristina gasped. She loved The Nutcracker, and had already wrangled a promise of ballet lessons out of Alexis and Cameron for after she started kindergarten.

“For really, darling,” Alexis said with a smile. “You and me and Molly and Mrs. Prestash will all go together. And we can go out for tea, and go shopping.”

“Oh, Mommy!” Kristina said.

“But it's only if you hold up you're end of the deal,” Alexis said. “Take your medicine and concentrate on getting better.”

“Yes, Mommy!” Kristina said, flinging her arms around Alexis. After the hug, Alexis brought over the tray. In spite of her sore throat, Kristina gamely swallowed the soup.

“But, Mommy,” Kristina said when she finished the soup. “What about Molly's birthday? And her present?”

“Don't worry,” Alexis said, handing Kristina the Jell-O. “I called your brother. Zander's going out to near Boston this weekend with a friend, so he's going to pick up the present tonight and bring it out to Molly for you.”

“That I am,” Zander said, sticking his head in the doorway. “Nice going, squirt,” he added, gently ruffling Kristina's hair. “You get better. I'll make sure Molly knows how much you miss her.”

Kristina's eyes filled with tears. Alexis quickly jumped in.

“It'll be all right,” Alexis said soothingly. “Think Nutcracker.”

It worked. Kristina finished her Jell-O and took her medicine without complaint. Then Alexis tucked her in with a few extra tucks to make sure she was snug and warm. The light went out, and Kristina fell asleep to dream of ballerinas.

* * *

Sam emptied the last bag of grass clippings into the compost bin, and gave it several turns to mix everything up.

She had just finished mowing the yard, mulching the early autumn leaves into the bag along with the grass. Soon, that would be compost that would fertilize the planting beds around the house. It was already tilled and edged in stacked stone. Stakes marked out where the plants – a mixture of evergreen shrubs, flowering bushes, seasonal bulbs, annuals and perennials – would go. If the good weather held, planting would be done as soon as the siding and gutters were finished. If it didn't, planting would wait until spring.

The new roof was done. Lucky Spencer had suggested standing-seam metal, as it would last for 50 years and was environmentally friendly because it was made from a recyclable resource and was a solid insulator. The siding was a cement fiber, which was durable and wouldn't need painting as often. It was in a shake style, which, along with the new windows, gave the home a more cozy, cottage look. The siding was painted a dark gray, with creamy white trim, black shutters and a red front door. Elizabeth Webber chose the colors.

Sam could hear the workmen inside. The painters were finishing up putting the first coats of paint on the bedroom walls. The new kitchen cabinets were being installed. A plumber was running pipes for a dishwasher and an icemaker in the refrigerator. The recessed lighting in the living room and foyer were just about finished.

She took off her work gloves and went in through the garage, where the door opened up into the kitchen. Karen Wexler had asked her family friend, Lucy Coe-Collins, to help design the kitchen, as Lucy had been doing for Karen's grandparents. Together, Sam and Lucy came up with a plan that included light maple cabinets with brushed nickel hardware, a dark brown granite counter with bronze flecks in it, and the old stove. Gia Campbell and Linc Murphy were having it painted a candy-apple red as their housewarming present. Lucy had found a company that makes vintage-look refrigerators.

“It looks great,” she said to the cabinet installer.

“Thanks,” he said. “Going smoothly. No problems so far. We should be able to have everything ready for countertops by the end of the week. The dishwasher will be installed Friday.”

“Fantastic,” Sam said. “Any word on the other appliances?”

“Lucy called me today and said the stove'll be done by early next week,” he said. “They were hoping to have it done today, but they had a hard time finding parts.”

“Sounds good,” Sam said. “Thanks.”

She wandered into the dining and living areas, impressed with the changes. The old carpet had been replaced by light laminate flooring that extended to the kitchen and bedrooms as well. Danny had allergies, and Sam knew hard flooring with area rugs would be easier. The trim and interior doors were all painted a glossy antique white. The fireplace had been sandblasted clean and the mantel stripped and refinished.

The workmen trickled out, leaving Sam alone with the chaos and the smell of fresh paint.

Soon, the work would be done. Soon, the furniture would arrive. Soon, she would be living here. Soon one of her fondest dreams would come true ...

“Sam?”

She turned around and saw Jason in the front entry. She smiled softly. Jason looked admiringly at her, glowing in her happiness.

“How'd it go today?” she asked, noticing Jason had bulked up some in recent weeks. He looked good, she thought. No one would ever think he was just six months removed from being in a coma for almost a decade.

“Pretty good,” Jason said. “I was able to help out on a few runs. I hope I'm ready when it's my turn.”

“You'll be fine, Jason,” Sam said, squeezing his hand in reassurance. “You're doing great. Just stay focused.”

“I will,” Jason said. “Have to make you proud. Are you ready?”

“Ready,” Sam said. Jason picked up her jacket and held it open so she could put it on. What a gentleman, she thought. She smiled up at him. He smiled back down at her.

Sam turned off the lights and locked up the house. Soon, she thought. Soon.