Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 9

Another Friday, another Girl's Night Out.

Karen Wexler, Robin Scorpio, Elizabeth Webber, Gia Campbell, Mary Bishop and Sam McCall sat at a large table at Luke's. Emily couldn't come because of a family dinner at the Quartermaine house that night – Zander was going to be meeting Jason, as was Skye's beau Lorenzo Alcazar and Georgie Jones, Dillon's girlfriend. Because the conversation was over the phone, Elizabeth didn't see the dread in Emily's eyes over having to play at being happy with Zander when everything in her ached for Nikolas. Robin had approached Sam about coming out, and gently persisted until Sam said yes. Lucky had to propel her out the door at the rescue squad at the end of her shift.

Sam had been worried about her appearance, what with going out with a group that included a doctor and a lawyer. But her bootcut black jeans, black sandals and white shirt knotted at the waist fit in fine with the casual attire of the other girls. Karen wore crisp khaki linen pants and a fitted turquoise blouse. Robin was in jeans and a dark red v-neck t-shirt, with gold sandals. Gia wore brown bell-bottom pants, and a wrap shirt in a bold floral print of brown and robins-egg blue. Elizabeth wore white jeans, with a deep pink sequined tank top, and strappy silver sandals. Mary was in jeans, and wore a cap-sleeved blouse in a pastel paisley print.

The conversation flowed as easily as the drinks. Karen had gone to the Florida Keys for a vacation last year, so that drew Sam into the conversation, talking about Florida and her work at the resort. Mary silently remembered her Miami honeymoon with Connor, but somehow the memory didn't bring the old anguish. Elizabeth did wicked send-ups of some hospital staff that had Sam laughing harder than she had in ages, especially when Elizabeth puffed up and nailed Dr. Chris Ramsey's condescending pomposity. Mary asked about people in town, and she and Sam learned about the Webbers, Scorpios, Spencers, Cassadines and Baldwins.

Then Gia dropped her bombshell, telling the girls about her secret relationship with Linc Murphy.

“Why on earth didn't you tell us?!” Karen demanded. Gia explained about her worries over how Marcus would handle things at work with Linc. She also explained that they hadn't told Marcus yet – that would come in the next few days.

“Your brother's a great guy, but his attitude sucks,” Robin said bluntly. “It's about time it sunk into his skull once and for all just how far his respect-my-authority ways reach. And it's not into your love life.”

Mary giggled.

“I've seen him when he's come in for meetings with Ric,” she said. “Boy, is he pretty! And so nice! A total gentleman. Lucky girl, Gia!”

Elizabeth looked down, a faint stain on her cheeks with the mention of Ric's name.

“I'm going out with him Sunday,” she said shyly.

“What?!” Gia said, thinking she meant Linc.

“No, not him,” Elizabeth said. “Ric Lansing.”

Mary broke into a chorus of “Hallelujah!” that set the other girls into a fit of laughter. Sam laughed, too, although she'd thought Elizabeth and Lucky were going to rekindle the old love she'd heard gossip about.

“It's about damn time!” Gia exulted.

“Hope you two don't stay as shy with each other as you have been,” Karen said. “You'd have to draw straws to see who will talk next!”

“They could always mime!” Robin said. The image of that nearly made Karen do a spit-take, which sent Sam off into a gale of laughter.

Nobody mentioned Lucky, not wanting to spoil anything with “the L-word.”

Elizabeth blushed crimson under the teasing.

“What, you want a blow-by-blow report the minute I get home?” she demanded.

“YES!” came the unanimous cry.

“And even better if you can't give one until Monday morning,” Gia said.

“Oh, my GOD!” Elizabeth squealed. The girls went off into hysterical laughter, Sam especially. A warm feeling of belonging, something she'd never really felt outside of being with her mother and Danny, was wrapping itself around her.

* * *

Over at Vagabond was another Girl's Night Out. This one – with Felicia Jones-Scorpio, Bobbie Spencer, Alexis Davis, Florence Campbell, Lucy Coe-Collins, Amy Vining and Melissa Bedford, a nurse at General Hospital – was a bit more sedate.

They sat outside, in the dockside dining area. The rising moon made a gleaming path on the river. Alexis looked out once in a while to see the lights of Wyndemere. She knew Nikolas was there, alone, and worry gnawed at her a little.

Monica Quartermaine had often joined them on evenings out, but had the family dinner tonight. Talk turned to Jason's dramatic return, and the party the following weekend.

“You'll have to tell me everything that happens,” Amy said.

“Might as well put it on the hospital bulletin board,” Bobbie said.

“What, are you saying I gossip?” Amy said.

“YES!” the others said as one.

“Hmph!” Amy said. “Well, see if I tell any of you anything good again.”

“Well, I know of one thing that's good,” Melissa said. “Congratulations on getting the mobile health clinic job, Amy. That's really terrific.”

“That is!” Alexis said. “Congratulations, Amy! I know Stefan has been working hard for that. If the fundraising comes through, and it actually looks like Courtney Matthews might not screw it up, it'll be a great thing for the city. The hospital, too. It'll make GH a real leader in community health care.”

Just then, the entrees arrived, along with the refills of their wine. There were a few quiet minutes as the women ate. Bobbie had the tuna carpaccio, going light to fit into the new dress she'd gotten for the Quartermaine party. Felicia dug into the crab cakes. Lucy slurped up the linguine with Prince Edward Island mussels with chopped plum tomatoes and basil. Alexis had the Bangkok jerk chicken, as did Melissa. Amy enjoyed the cedar plank salmon. Florence ate the scallops and field greens salad.

Lucky came out for a few minutes to see his aunts Amy and Bobbie. He chatted briefly with the ladies before going back inside.

“That nephew of your's sure is a fine young man,” Florence said to Bobbie and Amy. “But he works way too hard. He needs a nice girl.”

Bobbie rolled her eyes.

“I know,” she said. “Laura's been hoping since he came back that he and Elizabeth would get back together. But if it hasn't happened yet, I don't think it will.”

Florence sighed. “I know what it's like to want something for your kids and not have it happen,” she said. “Gia's like that.”

Amy's ears pricked up. Florence saw the gleam in her eye, and wisely said nothing else. She didn't want word of Gia's relationship with Linc Murphy getting out and back to Marcus before Gia and/or Linc said anything. It would only make a difficult situation and explosive one.

“So, getting back to the Quartermaines,” Lucy said. “Has anyone talked to Monica about how things are going? With him and AJ under the same roof, I'll confess I'm a bit worried. Doc won't talk about it, but I think he is, too.”

“I talked with Carly the other day,” Bobbie said. “So far, things are all right. Jason's taking it easy. He seems to be bonding with Carly and the boys very well. So I'm hopeful things won't get bad, especially for the sake of Carly and the children.”

She shivered, worrying over that and Carly's impulse towards manipulation.

“That's good,” Amy said. “I was worried how Carly would feel about Jason coming back. She's so protective of AJ, even though she thinks no one sees it. I think it's sweet.”

“I wish Mother Quartermaine were still here,” Lucy said with a sad sigh. “She'd keep the family together no matter what.”

“God bless her, she was a saint,” Alexis said.

“She'd have to be, with the rest of the family,” Felicia said. “Keeping the Quartermaines in line is like herding cats.”

“I wonder about him,” Melissa said, after the laughter from the image Felicia had conjured died down. “Jason, I mean. You told me once, Bobbie, that he was in pre-med before the accident. But now ... what will he do now?”

Bobbie looked sad for a moment. Monica had told her about the minor brain damage affecting his fine motor skills.

“He had some damage from the accident,” she said. “So medicine is out for him. You're right, Melissa. He's going to have a hard time figuring out what to do with his life. He never had any interest in business, so I can't imagine him being happy going into ELQ, although I'm sure AJ would twist himself into a pretzel trying to find something for him. I wonder how much Alan and Monica are really prepared for that. They're just so happy over having him back, they're not thinking past today.”

“Maybe he can find something else to do in medicine,” Florence said. “There's always a need for good, caring people in all sorts of fields.”

“That's true,” Amy said.

The waiter came and cleared the table. A few minutes later, he came back for their dessert orders. Bobbie ordered a passion fruit sorbet. Alexis put in for lemon cheesecake. Felicia opted for the Belgian chocolate sampler. Lucy selected green tea ice cream. Florence got the gelato in the flavor of the day, peach. Amy took the lingonberry tart. Melissa chose the strawberry tiramisu.

“So, anyone up for an after-dinner cocktail?” Amy asked. Everyone demurred. Bobbie and Melissa had a morning shift at the hospital. Alexis had to get home for some quiet time with Cameron since Kristina was already asleep. Lucy had to go check in at the Haunted Star before going home to her Doc. Florence had to go home in order to get up early to get ready for Saturday supper with Marcus and Gia. She didn't mention having to deal with the potential aftermath of it.

* * *

Alan and Monica beamed all through the family dinner. Everything was going smoothly. Tracy had a headache, or so she said – she would never admit noticing that she hadn't seen or heard from Coleman since their spat at his place – and opted out of the dinner. Alan silently thanked the headache gods. Morgan was fed early, and was being cared for by Leticia upstairs. Michael was on his sunshiny best behavior, and would go up to the playroom after dinner to read or play computer games until his bedtime.

It was just the family, except for Lorenzo Alcazar, Georgie Jones and Zander Lewis. Jason was stunned by how different Lorenzo and Zander were from his dream. Instead of a cool, slick mobster, Lorenzo was warm and engaging. He was well-read, and talked of books like old friends. Jason also saw how attentive he was to Skye, whom he'd grown fond of, and liked Lorenzo. Georgie was a sweet, smart girl with Felicia's humor and strength. He'd seen the visible relief on her face when Alan said Tracy would not be down for dinner. Jason imagined it wasn't easy dating one of Tracy's sons. Zander, far from the screw-up of Jason's dream, was intelligent and well-spoken. He was also very nice to Emily, who'd been pale and quiet all evening. Jason caught AJ's eye, looked quickly but meaningfully over at Emily, then back at AJ with a raised eyebrow. AJ nodded softly as if to say, “that's what I was talking about.”

Cook was in fine form that night, offering up delicately seasoned frenched lamb chops, roasted asparagus, glazed baby carrots, and fragrant risotto flecked with truffles.

Ned tried to bring up business once or twice, but was admonished by Monica and Justus that this was family time, not business time. Current events were discussed, and Jason looked more and more puzzled.

“I can't even figure out what they're talking about in the newspaper,” he said. “And I don't know computers today, so much has changed.”

Lorenzo offered to give him a quick history lesson of the last nine years the next day, and help get him started on Internet-surfing. Jason gratefully accepted.

They also talked about Port Charles doings. Alan and Monica gave an update on plans for the Edward and Lila Quartermaine Family Health Center, and everyone had to give their opinions on that. Skye spoke of the improvements at the PCU campus – with interjections from Lorenzo occasionally – including the renovated student center, two new dormitories, and updates to the computer center.

Justus talked about his legal aid work, and the case that he and Gia had won against the slumlord who let veterans, the disabled and senior citizens live in fetid, unsafe buildings. With Tracy out of the way, Dillon talked about his work on the first-ever Port Charles Film Festival a few months prior, helping to screen and select films from around the world. There was even a screening of classic 1950s mental hygiene films. “That was the funniest thing ever,” Dillon said. Jason noted his glowing face when he talked about the various films he saw. It was good to see someone so young who knows what he wants out of life, Jason thought, just like I used to be.

Georgie talked about volunteering at Ward House, and learning about social work through the employees there, and the social workers she came in contact with. Her sweet face lit up when she talked about helping the kids.

Alice brought out dessert – a mixed berry tart – and coffee and tea.

“Do you still do music, Ned?” Jason asked. Ned grinned an affirmative.

“Yep, the leather pants still fit, although they won't if Cook makes many more dinners like this” he said. “Eddie Maine doesn't get out as much since Junior and I took over for Grandfather. But I do a few gigs in the area, and am still involved at L&B. Hutch – he runs Luke's now for Luke, you'll meet him eventually – and I are session musicians in recording sessions, too. We've also teamed up for some songwriting.”

Brooke Lynn broke in with her L&B work. She did background vocals and demo tapes. Lois wouldn't let her rush into the business. She insisted that Brooke Lynn get an education both in terms of school and the business side of the music industry first. Ned and Brooke Lynn also collaborated in songwriting.

Jason looked over at Emily, but Zander was whispering in her ear so he didn't interrupt. He turned to Carly, who looked stunning in a coral halter dress, with dangling chandelier earrings in coral.

“Dad said something about you being involved in the Nurses' Ball,” he said.

Carly smiled and nodded.

“Lucy's the chairwoman,” she said. “I just pitch in wherever I can – making lists, phone calls, planning the order of the numbers. Whatever needs done, I do it. Lucy's amazing with this. You think she'd rest on her laurels, but she comes charging out for each one, determined to make each year more successful than the last. But she still winds up in her underwear in the end.”

A peal of laughter rang around the table. Even Jason joined in, remembering the first Nurses' Balls, and Lucy's highjinks.

“By the way, Jason,” AJ said. “I was wondering if you'd like to come to ELQ next week for a meeting. Stefan Cassadine says he has a proposition for us. It sounds interesting, because he's bringing in other people, like Faith Roscoe and Scott Baldwin. I have no idea what it is. But since you're an ELQ shareholder, I thought you also might want to hear about what's been going on with your investment.”

Nobody admonished AJ for bringing up business. Even Ned was pleased with AJ's idea.

“Sure,” Jason said. It's not like I have anything else to do, thanks to you, AJ, he thought.

* * *

The dinner party was over. Emily had gone straight to bed after Zander left. “Let's talk about that tomorrow,” AJ whispered to Jason, who nodded. Alan and Monica, fresh from thanking Cook for the dinner and getting a grunt in response, went upstairs, too. Skye left with Lorenzo. Justus went home to the loft apartment he had in the waterfront, in the same building as Stefan. Dillon saw Georgie home, then went to bed. Ned and Brooke Lynn went down to the cottage.

Jason decided to go upstairs, too. He fell asleep quickly, but woke up around 11:30. He got up and went to the window, which overlooked the pool. His was the only room that had a good view of the pool area. He saw someone down there, and went to his dresser and got out his binoculars for a better look.

AJ and Carly were in the pool. Only one light was on, as well as the underwater lights. They were splashing playfully. Then AJ pulled Carly over to him for a kiss that seemed to last for five minutes. Carly backed him up against the edge of the pool, and continued the kiss, going down his neck and back up again as he held her up. Finally, he nodded towards the side of the pool.

With a grin, Carly got out of the water, with AJ right behind her. She was wearing a different bikini – this one was stripes of pink and orange. His arms circled her waist from behind, then his hands moved upwards as he kissed the back of her neck. Carly reached around behind her. Jason couldn't see what she was doing, but he saw the electric effect on AJ. He spun her around for another kiss before leading her to the chaise longue.

Before he laid her down on the chaise, AJ slowly took off her bikini. Jason gasped at her gleaming fair skin in the moonlight, the soft curves coming into his view. She slid off AJ's trunks, but Jason was so fixated on her he didn't see AJ. Carly lay down on the chaise. The kissing resumed. Then AJ moved a bit downward. Jason could tell Carly loved what he was doing. Her right hand was tightly clasped to his hair. It only loosened when AJ moved lower. A juniper shrub hid him from sight, but Jason could plainly see the effect on Carly. She arched her back and tilted her head backwards, gasping. Jason took in the lines and curves of her body. She stayed that way for a long time. Then Jason saw her begin to faintly tremble. Her head shook. All of a sudden, she grit her teeth and her whole body spasmed. She bucked and jerked, the went slowly limp.

AJ crawled back up, and Carly kissed him fiercely. They shifted their bodies, and the rhythmic movements began. AJ's head was nestled in Carly's neck, out of Jason's sight, but Jason had a clear view of Carly's face. First slow, the movements picked up speed. Jason could see Carly panting. Was it going to happen again? He got his answer in another arched back, another spasm, and Carly biting into AJ's shoulder to cover her cries. Above her, he could see AJ's back go into similar convulsions.

Jason watched as they slowly relaxed. He could tell they were laughing softly between gentle kisses. Then he realized what he'd been doing. He crept into the bathroom for a hand towel.