CHAPTER SEVEN: CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

 


In the Quartermaine mansion, Alan and Monica are both standing at the bar. Alan pours them each a brandy and hands one to his wife.

"How long are you planning on being in Rio?" Monica asks.

Alan sips his brandy, "The conference lasts two weeks."

"Isn't Lesley's husband is giving a lecture?"

Alan nods, goes to the desk, pulls out a pamphlet and hands it to Moncia. She flips through it as he talks. "He's presenting several papers over the first couple of days. I was thinking of asking Tony to join me. He would enjoy hearing Dr. Von Vetten. I want to talk to both Hans and Tony about Hans taking a teaching position at the med school. I don't know of anyone more versed in the newest neurological procedure than Hans."

"Good idea. I know who else might enjoy a trip to Brazil, but not for a medical conference." Monica says as she raises an eyebrow.

Alan smiles, "I know, but I've not seen Emily lately to ask."

Just then, Emily walks in, "Not seen Emily to ask her what?"

Alan goes over and kisses her forehead, "Hey Em." He stands back and looks at her, "You know, you're positively glowing today."

Emily shrugs noncommittally, "Yeah, well, you know. It's been a day."

Monica adds, "Your father was just discussing an upcoming conference."

Alan nods, "I'm going to an international lecture series in Brazil. I know how you love getting exotic plants from the rainforests, and I thought you might enjoy the chance to go back."

Emily shakes her head, "No thanks. I don't think I'll be doing any traveling for a while."

Monica crosses over to her, concerned by her lack of interest, "Emily, honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I just don't want to go."

Monica takes Emily's hands in hers and notices the ring. "Emily, what's this?"

Emily smiles, "What does it look like?"

Monica lets Emily's hands go, "It's an engagement ring. You mean Lucky finally broke down and asked you to marry him? I'm surprised."

Alan embraces her, "Emily, that's wonderful. Congratulations. Where is Lucky?"

Emily starts to pace nervously under their close scrutiny, "I have no idea. I'm not marrying Lucky."

Monica and Alan exchange a quick concerned glance. Alan smiles at Emily as he asks, "Then who is the man that is stealing our daughter?"

Emily looks at him, "Tom Hardy."

Disbelievingly, Monica adds, "You mean, just graduated from med school, son of Tom and Simone, Tom Hardy?"

"The very same."

Emily and Monica sit on the sofa. Alan sits in the nearby chair. "I had no idea that you two were even an item," Monica says.

Emily shrugs, "We weren't. Not really anyway. There are extenuating circumstances."

Monica realizes, "You're pregnant."

Emily contemplates the floor suddenly, softly, she says, "Yes."

"And it's Tommy's?" Alan asks.

"Yes," Emily lies.

Monica sighs, "Well, I guess congratulations are still in order." Monica gives her a quick hug.

Emily nods, "I'd like to think so. We'll be planning a wedding rather quickly."

Alan crosses over to her and puts his hand on her shoulder, "Whatever you need, Em, we'll be here for you."

"Absolutely," Monica adds.

"Thanks, guys."

*****

Alexis and Tom are arguing in his office at the hospital. "Alexis, I think you're stretched pretty thin already between being legal counsel for both the hospital and Cassadine Enterprises. A personal project for Stefan is just too much."

"I owe him, Tom. Besides, I'm not stretched to thin."

"I never see you as it is." Tom stares for a second at his wife, as if coming to a decision about her. "In your eyes, you're always going to owe
him. They have a name for that, Alexis."

Alexis slams her fist on his desk, "Don't go analysing me! I'm not your patient anymore!"

Icily, Tom replied, "It's called indentured servitude."

Alexis leans across the desk and gets right in Tom's face. She angrily but softly declares, "No. It's called family responsibility. Something you seem to have little or no understanding of."

Tom leans in towards her, "Who are you married to, me or Stefan?"

She ignores his comment, turns on her heel and leaves the office quickly, slamming the door behind her. She passes Tommy in the hall, but doesn't see him.

Tommy knocks on his father's office door apprehensively.

Gruffly, Tom says, "Come in."

Tommy enters slowly, certain that Tom is going to throw something at the opening door, if Alexis' expression was anything to go by. "Hey Dad."

Tom turns around to face Tommy, "Hey Son." Tom takes one glance at the look on his son's face and realizes that Tommy is there to tell him something. "Please tell me you've got good news."

Tommy sits quietly in the chair opposite Tom. Tom decides that it might be in his best interest to sit as well. "What is it, Tommy? Just tell me."

"I'm getting married."

Tom does a double take, "Married? You? Who's the lucky girl?"

"Emily Quartermaine."

Tom watches his son for a second, waiting for the punchline. It doesn't come. "You're serious, aren't you."

Tommy only nods.

"Emily Quartermaine. I didn't know you two were even seeing each other."

"We've kept a low profile."

"Well son, this is a bit sudden, isn't it?" Suddenly, Tom is suspicious, "Is she pregnant?"

Tommy nods, "Yeah. We decided that we want to give our baby a stable environment to grow up in."

Tom sits back in his chair and nods. "I see. That's a noble goal, son, but is it realistic?"

"I love her, Dad."

"Uh huh. Does she love you?"

Tommy shrugs defensively, "She said yes, didn't she?" Tommy watches the look of exasperation cross his father's face. "Dad, I'm not naive, but I know exactly how Emily feels about this marriage. We made, the decision, and intend to carry it out. I can make her happy."

Tom stands up and crosses over to his son. "Well then," Tom says as he embraces Tommy, "I wish you and Emily all the best."

"Thanks, Dad."

*****

Robin Morgan comes out of Dr. Emma Goldstein's office, with the doctor following quickly behind her. "I think two more weeks before we welcome Baby Morgan to the world, Robin. I need to call and cancel my next appointment..."

Robin cuts her off as she sees Keesha Garcia approaching, "Too late, Emma, she's here. I'll explain, you go."

Emma quickly shakes Robin's hand, "Thanks, Robin." Emma rushes off with a nod to Keesha.

Keesha approaches Robin and gestures towards Emma, "What happened?"

"Emergency C-section, multiple birth," Robin replies knowledgeably.

Both pregant women make faces at that thought, then laugh. Robin continues, "She wanted to call and reschedule you, but here you are."

"I'll set something up with the nurse." Keesha inquires, "So Robin, how have you been?"

Robin smiles, "Good, good. How 'bout you?"

"Same."

Both of them stand there for a second, awkwardly, not saying anything, just smiling politely.

Keesha breaks the silence, "This isn't right, you know, Robin. I wish we could get together more."

"Me too," Robin replies. Then a thought strikes her, "Hey, my shift doesn't start for a couple of hours, and I'm just dying for a burger from the Outback. You game?"

Keesha nods, "Definitely."

*****

Lucky glances around his apartment again, making sure he's not forgetting anything. Satisfied that everything's in place, he slings his duffel bag over his shoulder and leaves.

The phone starts to ring. After several rings, the answering machine picks up. "Hey, Lucky here, but I'm not. Leave a message." Beep.

"Lucky, it's Emily." Her voice is quiet and sad as she continues, "We need to talk. Please? I need to see you. Call me." Click.