Chapter 3
"Are you ready to hold you son in your arms again?" Maliki asked her.
"Yes, Oh Yes" Carly smiled as she walked up to the door of the cottage.
"Carly, Is that really you?" Max asked in surprise
"The one and only." She said as she smiled at him.
He gave her a quick hug and said, "I am so glad your back. But how?" He was truly glad to see her he thought to himself. She brought so much life
into this crazy world.
"My family did this for me." She said, "They actually think I am worth saving"
"
Carly, I know Jason is trying?" He was cut off.
"Well he didn't try hard enough." She said "I know it's been rough don't get me wrong, I mean he's been busy and all playing
house with Robin and My baby, MY BABY."
She took a deep breath. "Max I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take it out on you. Look I'm just tired I am taking Michael to my mothers. Is Jason home?"
"No Carly he's not, he took Robin to some fancy dancy ball at Windemere, but Michael is inside with Latecia."
"Well I am going to go get him." She said.
Max hesitated and then said "I don't think that's a good idea until I talk to Jason."
As Carly was about to protest Maliki spoke up and handed Max some papers. "These are custody papers, they give
Caroline full legal custody of Michael."
Max stared at him and couldn't help but ask "How? How did you get these?"
"It matters not. They are very real and very legal if you like we could call the police and have them come here and escort Miss. Benson in to take custody
of her son."
Max truly felt caught between a rock and a hard spot he made a snap decision and said, "No Jason wouldn't want the
police involved, I will take Carly into get Michael." He added silently, and then I will call Jason.
Carly went into the cottage and was sick to her stomach at the thought of Jason and Robin playing house with Michael. She asked Latecia to pack only the things
Michael couldn't live without; she grabbed her baby and held onto him as if her life depended on it. Soon she was back in the limo along with her new
trusted bodyguards, Latecia, and Michael on her way to the safety of her mother's home. As the limo pulled off she couldn't help but wonder just how
Bobbie had
managed to get her Legal custody of Michael without anyone, especially Jason knowing.
As the Limo pulled off Max pulled out his cell phone and called Jason. He explained the events that just took place and informed him that he had put a tail on
Carly. He was relieved to hear in Jason's voice not anger just surprise. He knew Jason would handle it from here.
______________
"What do you mean you have to go? Look your business can wait for one night this is important for me. For US. We need this time together. We haven't even walked in the door yet and you're running off." Robin scolded Jason as if he were a child.
"Sorry Robin THIS cannot wait. I don't have time to explain right now but I will later. Go to the ball have fun I will make this up to you I
promise." Was his only response and with that he turned around and got back onto the launch.
"You always promise." she said to herself as she started walking in the direction of the festivities.
______________
Unaware of the events that have taken place with Carly not knowing her daughter had been released from Ferncliff with no strings attached, Bobbie stood at the entrance to ball dazed thinking to herself, "Well Barbara Jean, this is it. After tonight this place these people will be just a memory a part of your past. Make it count, but do it without drawing suspicion."
Little did she know she was being watched like a hawk. Stefan, who was greeting guest caught a glimpse of her and was like her, drawn into a trance.
"Stefan, are you listening to me? Did you even hear what I said?'
"What? Oh I am sorry Katherine, I was lost in thought for a moment. What was it you were asking?"
Katherine followed his gaze, "Is there something about Bobbie you want to share with me?" She said with a bit of jealousy to her tone.
Stefan took her hand and kissed it. "Nothing important, she just looks troubled, but not just troubled she looks like a woman on a mission."
"Well I'm sure she is troubled. Stefan, her daughter who her brother told her was dead is in the Looney bin for shooting her ex-husband for kidnapping
her grandson. Not to mention it's the same daughter who broke up her marriage by sleeping with the man, on their anniversary. And now she is here
witnessing another ex-husband of hers on the beginning of his journey to happily ever after. I'm surprised she came at all." Katherine said
snobbishly.
"Yes" was his only response.
"Katherine this is amazing, you must come say hello to Lila." Edward told her.
"Oh, Thank you Edward." She looked at Stefan and whispered "I shall return." He nodded and she walked away with Edward to where the
Quartermaines were gathered.
Stefan's eyes were drawn back to his ex-wife, as she began to approach him. "Barbara."
"Stefan" was all she said.
"You look lovely this evening." He said formally as he looked her up and down. "I am surprised you decided to attend."
"Yea, well not as surprised as I was to get an invitation." She countered. "Besides I have my own reasons for being here tonight and they have
nothing to do with you."
"Believe it or not, that much I could tell just by looking at you. Would you care to share? Or is it some Spencer secret?" He taunted.
"You think you know me so well don't you? You have no clue Stefan. Look if you want your invitation back just say so, and I will leave." She said
with fire in her eyes.
"And ruin the chance to find out just exactly what you are up to? No. The invitation is yours to keep Barbara, however if you feel the need to leave I am
not stopping you?" He said, knowing that he had her where he wanted her. She would not leave now, and give him the satisfaction. He smiled wickedly.
"Burn in hell Stefan Cassadine." She responded.
"I am sure I will my darling, and you, you will be right there with me holding my hand every step of the way."
"Me? I don't think so. That job now belongs to your precious Katherine." She told him
"Oh no. No Katherine will be watching from heaven, where she belongs. Hell, that is reserved for you and I." He whispered.
"Well, it's been less than five minutes and I'm bored with you already. Kind of like our marriage huh." She said and with that she walked
away.
Stefan watched her walk into the ballroom and called to one of his men "Watch her, I want to know everything she says and does tonight. Everything."
The guard nodded.
"If I didn't know any better I would say sparing with Bobbie has become your new favorite past time Stefan."
Stefan turned around to see Alexis grinning at him. She added "And she seems to enjoy it as much as you do."
"I will not have this conversation with you tonight Alexis. And I will not have you spying on my personal conversations." Stefan said angrily.
"Alright you win. This is a night of celebration. So let us celebrate." She smiled.
"Yes, let us celebrate. You look beautiful." He told her. He took her arm and led her into the ballroom.
"I cannot believe we are here. Woman how did I let you talk me into this?" Luke said agitated at being at Windemere.
"Please Luke, I am always there for you whenever you ask. Just be here for me. I am here for Nicholas." Laura said.
"This is it. I am not kidding. After tonight you are on your own with Prince Nikki." He spat
"Thank you my love." Laura told him "I promise we won't stay long."
"Yea I hope not, there is one heck of a storm coming on, and the last place I want to be stuck is on the island of the damned." He said. They walked
into the ball as well.
The ball was in full swing. There was Champaign, dancing, food and laughter. Bobbie had visited with Monica, Felicia, Audrey and everyone else she thought she
would never see again after tonight. She watched the couples dancing and the romantic setting took her back to a far away memory.
The Past
"Ok, Ok In the past year we have spent the most romantic week together on that island, and one week every month since, so What does SC stand for. Tell me
or I swear you are cut off. For Good This time." Bobbie teased.
"Fine, you win would you believe me if I told you it stood for 'So Cool'." He grinned.
"That's it I have had it. I am not playing with you anymore." She said and with that she jumped up and started running as fast as she could down
the beach towards the water. By the time she had reached the waves he caught up with her, and just as she was about to step in he snatched her into his arms
from behind he spun around and around as she giggled.
When he finally stopped they were both dizzy.
The moon was full, and the night air was warm. Every time he came for her was more romantic than the time before. They sat on the beach, cuddled close and
watched the waves crash against the sand.
"I should not have spun you around so much. I must learn to be more careful." He whispered in her ear. "You have a way of making me forget
everything but you." He added.
She giggled. "You didn't hurt me. It was all in fun. You could never hurt me."
"But the baby. The baby may not like being spun around. It was not wise."
"I am sure the baby is fine. I have it on good authority that she likes playing with her daddy." She told him softly.
"You still believe it will be a girl?" He asked her.
"Yea, I don't know why, just a feeling. Would you prefer a son?" she looked at him concerned.
He touched her cheek softly and said, "No, I have no preference. Do you not understand that we will have a house full of children someday?"
She kissed his lips lightly, "I hope you are right."
"I am right. Did I not make sure you were away from all those strange men? Those animals that wanted nothing more than to use you for their own sick
pleasure. I swear to you if I ever find out who they are I will have them killed on the spot. Your brother and your aunt are very fortunate you have such a
kind heart if it were up to me." He paused. "Enough of this I will not have our time together spoiled by thoughts of those who would have harm befall
you."
"Please don't be angry with me. I do not hope you are right about the house full of children. I KNOW you are right."
She said concerned at his sudden change of mood.
He reached around the front of her and learned her back on the sand until he was on top of her. He propped up on one elbow, and caressed her face with his
other hand. "I am not angry at you. Never you." He kissed her lips with a fierce passion, when they pulled apart he said to her in French
"Mon amour, Mon âme,"
"And you are My love, My soul." She whispered back. They spent the rest of the night making love. Little did she know it would be the last time they
would spend in each other's arms.
The present
"Earth to Barbara Jean, Come in Barbara Jean." Luke said.
Bobbie was startled to see her brother, "What the hell do you want?" she snapped at him.
"Hey I was calling to you forever. Where were you?" Luke asked
"That is none of your damn business. Did you ever stop and think that maybe I didn't answer because I do not want to talk to you?" She growled
and walked away.
The laughter and dancing continued that is up until the time Helana walked in on the arm of Tony Jones. Everyone stopped and stared. Bobbie was horrified at
the sight and Stefan was disgusted. He approached his mother and grunted." I will not have you ruin this evening for Katherine. Do I make myself
clear?
"How could I possibly?" She looked at Stefan. She could tell by the expression on his face he had no idea she had lost her power in the Cassadine
fold. Which meant he did not take it from her.
"I am warning you."
He was cut off "I will be on my best behavior. You have my word." She stated quickly.
"Your word means nothing." He spat back
"Now come Stefan are you going to spend the entire evening with me, such a rude host you are."
Stefan just glared at her before walking away.
The guest have all calmed down and Stefan took the make shift stage. He was about to announce his soon to be bride when he was suddenly paled and frozen in
place. As everyone turned to see what he was looking at Stefan said into the microphone. "No it cannot be you. You are dead. I was at your
funeral."
