�I can come back and stay with you.� Jade told Georgie. �I really don�t like the idea of you staying here alone.�
�I can handle it, Jade.� Georgie said. �I need some time alone, like you said. You promised to come back in the morning, and that�s fine.�
Jade sat down on the bed and motioned for Georgie to sit. �We need to talk.�
�I don�t know what�s going on with Dillon.� Georgie said. �He�s not taking drugs, or drinking..�
�He�s going through this pregnancy with you, Honey. That�s what�s going on.� Jade told her. �I�ve seen this so many times. He doesn�t know how to feel, or what to think, and you are so determined to give this baby up, and everytime we talk about it, I see the pain in his eyes. I think if you gave him the encouragement, he�d propose to you right now. Not because you�re pregnant, but because of how much he loves you.�
�But we�re young��
Jade didn�t tell her that she had already told Dillon how she was sure Georgie felt. �You two need this time to figure out what you each want. Not just for the baby, but for your relationship and future.�
After ordering some dinner for Georgie, Jade headed back to Port Charles, making it back before nine, and was shocked to find that the house was empty. Zander had left a note saying that he�d bring Alyssa home when she called, but she was actually glad for a few minutes to herself. After calling and asking him to bring her home about ten-thirty, Jade settled in the bathtub to relax a bit. Not even five minutes after stepping into the tub, the phone rang.
�Hello?� Jade tried not to sound annoyed.
�It�s Dillon.� He sounded much calmer than when she�d left him only a few hours before.
�Are you feeling better?� She had hoped that he�d go to sleep. Dillon had looked exhausted everytime she�d seen him and she was worried that he�d run himself down.
�Yes, and I wanted you to know that I�ll do whatever Georgie wants. I would like to keep the baby, but Georgie has a voice in this too and if she thinks giving the baby up is best, then I�ll go along with it.�
Jade sighed, �You and Georgie will have to talk tomorrow. I told her to rethink everything, and reevaluate the situation. Get some rest and tomorrow will be a better day. How�s your head?�
�Fine, Mommy,� he laughed.
�Alright, then go to sleep. I�ll bring Georgie home tomorrow around ten.�
Realizing that she only had a few minutes before Zander was bringing Alyssa, Jade got out of the tub and slipped her robe on. Making her way down the stairs, she heard Zander singing to Alyssa and was relieved to see the baby asleep.
�Hi, how did everything go? Is Emily feeling alright?� Jade said, taking the baby from him and walking slowly to Alyssa�s room.
�She�s fine, and she was thrilled to see Alyssa.� Zander said, and then turned to look at her. �Who was on the phone?�
�Excuse me?� Jade asked, shocked. �How did��
�I went upstairs, called your name, but you didn�t hear me. You were on the phone saying that you would bring someone home�� He�d heard more than half of the conversation and he was giving Jade a chance to tell him the truth.
�One of my clients. She had her baby this morning and the hospital said that since all is well, she can be released tomorrow morning. I usually do escort the girls home�
�Oh, how sweet.� Zander said, furious that she was still lying to him. �How�s Connor?�
�He�s fine. A headache.� Jade said. �Was there enough milk stored?�
�I don�t want to talk about your breast milk supply. We were talking about you moving with us��
�No, we were fighting about it.� Jade corrected him. �I�ll come over every other weekend and every six weeks or so, we�ll stay for a week, but I�m not moving��
Zander sat down and shook his head, �I think you�ve grown up, or you�re doing a pretty good job of pretending you�re over me. A year ago, you�d have already been packed.�
�A year ago it looked like my brother was marrying Emily,� After all, that was why he�d turned to Jade in the first place. �A year ago, Alyssa wouldn�t have been the reason for you asking me to leave everything behind.�
�I suppose not.� He looked ready for an all night talk, just like the old days, but Jade knew better than to let him stay too long.
�Your wife is probably waiting for you.� Jade said.
�I told her that I was going to talk to you. Are you sure that you won�t come with us?� Zander asked.
�I won�t do it, Zander. You and I both know that could be dangerous. Not just for me, but for your marriage. Emily will always wonder why I�m really there. I think that coming over every other weekend is a good idea. When I can�t, Lucky can take her over.�
�Fine. Now I won�t you to tell me the truth.� Zander said, seeing her eyes question him.
�The truth about what?� She asked, wondering if he was going to keep asking her until she agreed to move, or if he suspected another truth behind her decision.
�Connor and Lucy. Or should I say�..�
Chapter 12
�Connor and Lucy. Or should I say�� Zander�s words stopped her heart.
�What are you talking about? Do you something you aren�t telling me?� Jade asked, terrified that Zander had found out.
�No, Jade, I don�t know. I should love seeing that look on your face. I do want to know more about them. Emily and I deserve that.�
�You have a file as thick as a dictionary! I�ve given you every piece of information I have. You and Emily still have the questions for them to answer, and they will.�
�Something tells me that there�s so much more to this couple then you want anyone to know.� Zander said. �Be careful; if you don�t want me to do some investigating on my own, then I want to know more��
�Don�t threaten me!� Jade screamed and then lowered her voice. �There�s something called attorney-client privilege. Lucy and Connor are entitled to that.�
�How old are they?� Zander asked.
Jade knew she could easily lie to him. �They�re both nineteen.�
�Just get the information we want, Jade.� He and Emily had already made pages of questions they wanted answered.
�I will! Go home! Your wife had a really rough day, I�m sure. She needs you.�
Nodding, he stood and kissed her cheek. �I know you�ll eventually do the right thing.�
Jade wondered if he was taking about moving to England, or telling him the true identity of Lucy and Connor.
Emily was waiting for him when he walked in the house. �Did she change her mind?�
�No, but I didn�t think she would.� Zander said. �She�s convinced that it�ll cause problems in the long run.�
�She�s probably right, Zander. You�re asking her to follow you to another country and since everyone knows about your past relationship, I can see why she�d be a little weary.� Emily took a deep breath. �What else did you talk about?�
�Connor and Lucy.�
�What about them? Did they change their minds?� Emily looked worried.
�No, nothing like that, but I wanted to know more about them.� Zander said, knowing his wife didn�t care as long as they got their baby.
�Why does it matter, Zander? Really, I wish you�d just let it go. We�re going to get a healthy baby. Is it that important to know anything else?�
�I don�t know.� Zander said, backing down. He wanted to help Dillon and Georgie, but for some reason, he believed it would be better if everyone knew the truth. �Let�s forget about all that for tonight. �I want to take you away for a few days.�
�Sounds great,� Emily said as Zander sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. �Where?�
�Anywhere you want. If we�re going to have a baby, we really need to get away. Jade never goes anywhere anymore.� Zander said. �Why not a trip to Hawaii?�
�That sounds great! When do we leave?�
�As soon as we can.� Zander said, hoping that by the time they returned, Dr. Meadows had good news, or Jade would decide to come clean with him about Dillon and Georgie.
Chapter 13
Months later
After their night apart, Georgie and Dillon talked and finally agreed that giving the baby up would be for the best. Jade had already started the papers and Emily and Zander were still on cloud nine from their trip to Hawaii. Dr. Meadows had not received all of the test results, but she hadn�t lost hope. Everyone was happier and just after Alyssa�s first birthday, the only tragedy in months struck.
While getting Alyssa�s bag together for a weekend with Zander and Emily, Jade heard the phone ring. At first she ignored it, because she only had a few minutes before Zander would arrive to pick their daughter up. After what seemed like a thousand rings, it stopped, but started again only seconds later.
�Hello?� Jade asked as she continued gathering Alyssa�s things.
�It�s Dillon. Georgie�s having contractions. I took her to the hospital and they�re monitoring, but they said that if the contractions don�t stop..� he couldn�t finish his thought.
�Zander�s about to pick Alyssa up. I�ll there as soon as I can.� Jade tried to stay calm, but she was anything but. After all these months, she hadn�t brought these two couples this far to have the baby come early. �Just keep her, and yourself, calm.�
�They can give her a shot, but Georgie doesn�t want it..�
�Don�t let her do anything until I get there.� They were only an hour away now that they were in the town with the hospital. �I promise, I�ll be there as soon as he gets here��
�I�m here. What�s wrong?� Zander asked.
Jade turned and saw him holding Alyssa. �I�One of my clients is having pre-term labor symptoms. I have to go to her.�
�Is it Lucy?� He hadn�t asked anything else about them in months, expect for inquiries about her health and offers to send money.
�Yes, Zander. I have to go�.�
�Go! I�ll get Alyssa�s stuff.� He said, setting the baby down to take the bag from Jade.
�Don�t say anything to Emily yet. I don�t want to upset her before�.�
�I won�t until I know Georgie�s okay.� Zander didn�t hear his slip, but Jade did.
�What did you just say?�
Realizing what he�d said, Zander repeated it with the other name. �I won�t say anything until we know Lucy is alright.�
�Alright,� Jade was running around the room, and then ran up the stairs. Zander followed her and turned while she was changing.
�Should Emily and I stay near them just in case something happens��
�I haven�t brought that up to them yet.� Jade answered. Emily was upset that she wouldn�t be at the birth, but she respected that decision. Running past him, Jade stopped and kissed Alyssa and then Zander�s cheek, without thinking. �I�ll call you as soon as I see Georgie.� She hadn�t realized her own slip as she raced down the stairs. Zander smiled, knowing that she would remember everything later and finally tell him what he�d known for months.
Rushing into the hospital, Jade stopped and asked where Georgie was. As soon the nurse told her, she ran to the room and saw the young couple sitting and laughing.
�Are you okay? What�s going on? How far apart are the contractions?� Jade asked in the same breath.
�It stopped. The doctor said that I just needed to take it easy.� Georgie said, the smile disappearing from her lips.
�What�s wrong? You were smiling and happy and now you aren�t. What�s going on?� Jade saw that Dillon had also stopped smiling. �What�s going on?�
�We wanted to tell you tomorrow when you came up.� Georgie said, trying to find the words.
�Georgie, what�s going on?� Jade asked, fearing the next words out of the young woman�s mouth.
�We�ve decided not to give the baby up.� Georgie said. �We�re getting married and we�re going to��
�You�re keeping the baby?� Jade asked, her face pale. �Oh please tell me that you aren�t serious. Please tell me this is a joke!�
�We can�t, Jade.� Dillon said. �You told us before that we could change our minds anytime��
�I didn�t think you would. Until now, I was sure that you were both prepared to go through with this. I have two people sitting in Port Charles planning a life with your baby!� Jade knew that this would kill Emily, even though Jade had never once told her it was a guarantee. �Are you two sure? I can�t go home and tell them that you decided not to give the baby up only to have you call me at three in the morning to tell me that you changed your minds again��
�We won�t.� Georgie looked at Jade. �I�m sorry. I really thought that I could give the baby up, but then they did an ultrasound��
�An ultrasound?� Jade had always been there for the ultrasounds and made sure Dillon and Georgie couldn�t see anything. �I should have known they�d want to do one��
�I�ll write them a letter myself.� Georgie said. �I don�t want to hurt anyone, but after seeing the baby and knowing that the baby is inside me and�.�
�I understand.� Jade said quietly. �I�m still going to come up here every week for your appointments, bring you whatever you need, and be here for the birth. That doesn�t change. Are you staying here for the night?�
�Yeah, but the doctor said everything is alright.� Georgie assured her.
�I�m going back to Port Charles. I suppose I need to tell them tonight. It�s not fair to let it go any further.� Jade said. After hugging Georgie and kissing Dillon�s cheek, she told them that she�d be back in a few days to help them get a few things.
�Thanks, Jade,� Dillon said, wishing that someone didn�t have to get hurt. �For everything.�
�Don�t thank me yet, Kiddo. I still have a long, hard night ahead of me because of you two. I�ll call tomorrow to check on you both.� After she was alone in her car minutes later, she cried for Emily and Zander, feeling as though she�d failed them, and knowing that she had. Georgie and Dillon did have the right to change their minds; they had not yet signed anything, and she knew that they would make great parents, but she knew that her news would kill Emily.
Taking a deep breath, she dialed his cell phone number and waited for his voice. �Hello?�
�Z�Zander?� Jade was trying not to cry, but she couldn�t help it.
�Jade? What�s wrong?�
�I have to talk to you and Emily. It�s important��
�Did she lose the baby?� Zander asked, praying that Georgie hadn�t been through too much, but hoping that his wife wouldn�t have to face the heartache.
Gaining her composure, Jade tried not to sound as devastated as she had a few seconds before. �The baby is fine. Don�t mention anything to Emily. I�m coming over to talk to you.�
�We�re not getting the baby, are we?� His voice was the sound of defeat and it broke Jade�s heart.
�I�ll talk to you when I get there.� Jade hung up, not able to handle his questions or the heartbreak in his voice. A few minutes later, she managed to get on the highway and tried to think of what she would say to them. It was something she�d done many times, but this time it was different. She�d always cared for Zander, and Emily had actually become a friend. This wasn�t going to be easy, she knew, but as she neared Port Charles, she had an idea. The only problem would be getting Emily to agree to it.
Chapter 14
Alyssa was asleep when she arrived and Emily let her in. It was raining and she couldn�t tell that there were tears running down Jade�s cheeks.
�What�s wrong?� Zander asked as soon as he saw her.
�We need to sit down.� Jade told them, shivering and cold from the rain.
Emily got her a blanket and soon they were sitting in the living room. Zander looked at her and asked again. �What�s wrong?�
�Lucy and Connor decided to keep the baby.� She said it quickly. �Lucy had contractions earlier and Connor called me. Before I got there, there was an ultrasound��
�But she�s had one before��
�I was always there to make sure that they never saw anything. This time, they saw the baby and Lucy realized that she couldn�t give the baby up��
�She can�t give the baby up? After all these months, all these plans, all our dreams, she can�t give the baby up?� Emily asked, angry. �I thought you said that they were sure��
�They were, until today.� Jade couldn�t look up. �Emily, I�m sorry. I told you there were no guarantees, but I was sure that the decision had been made.�
�So what happens now?� Zander asked. �To us, I mean.�
�I have a young girl about to give birth. She�s fifteen and got pregnant by her older brother�s college roommate. I have the file out in the car��
�Screw your files, and screw you!� Emily screamed. �Did you do this on purpose? Did you know that they would change their minds?�
�Emily, no! Once you two decided to move to England, I thought it was settled. I really��
�Didn�t you plan this? I bet Lucy and Connor don�t even exist. Was this your way of getting closer to Zander?� Emily said, her eyes icy cold. �That�s what this is all about. A pathetic excuse to get closer to my husband.�
�I told you that I didn�t think this was a good idea! I tried to talk you out of wanting that baby. I�m sorry that it didn�t work out, Emily. I really am, but don�t blame me��
�Stop it, both of you. Tell us about this other girl..�
�I want to see Lucy and Connor,� Emily interrupted. �I have the right to see them face to face and ask them why they wanted to rip my heart out��
�No, Emily,� Jade said. �I told you from the start��
�It�s not a good idea.� Zander said. �You�re hurt and angry. Tomorrow morning, you�d regret asking to see them��
�I want to meet them.� Emily said again, and then turned on Zander. �You were the one that was so busy fishing for information��
�It�s over, Em. There�s another baby out there for us. Let�s meet with the other girl and see what happens��
�Fine, we can do that. After I meet Lucy, face to face. I have to!� Emily said as tears fell down her cheeks. �You may not understand, or care, but this is something I have to do!�
Jade closed her eyes, knowing that Dillon and Georgie would never agree to this, and hoping that Zander wouldn�t push her. �I�ll talk to them, but there are no promises on this one either, Em.�
�Make it happen.� Emily said. �I know that you didn�t make them change their minds, but I have to know why�and what happens if this other girl doesn�t like us?�
Zander touched her hand softly. �Things will work out for the best.�
Jade knew then her idea would have only angered Emily. She stood and walked to Emily and kneeled in front of her.
�I will find you a baby, Emily. I promise you that.�
�I trust you, Jade.� Emily said, before burying her head in Zander�s chest.
Seeing that this was a private moment, Jade looked in on Alyssa and then quietly slipped out of the house. The rain was pouring down harder and faster as she walked to her car.
�Jade!� Zander called after her.
�I�m sorry�� Jade said, shivering once again. �I didn�t know that they were going to do this��
�I know who they are.� He said.
�What?�
�Georgie and Dillon are Lucy and Connor��
�Zander, how? How long have you know?� Jade asked, her heart sinking. �Does Emily know?�
�No, I never told her. I�ve known for months. I had Luke and Summer..�
�They know!� Jade looked horrified. �Luke never said��
�I paid them well not to say anything.� Zander said. �I know that she can�t meet them. It would kill her to see that Dillon and Georgie were the ones that changed their minds. We have to protect her, Jade.�
�I know. I intend to�� She saw him looking at her. �What?�
�You really have grown up, Jade.� Zander said with a smile. �More than I thought you would. A year ago, you would have had some crazy back-up plan.�
�Actually, I thought of one on the way over here,� She smiled as she sat on the hood of her car in the pouring rain.
Zander sat next to her and started trying to guess. �You were going to try and pass another baby off as theirs, or you��
�I was going to suggest that I carry a baby for the two of you.� She said it so quickly, that Zander thought he hadn�t heard her. When she repeated it, the look on Zander�s face was utter shock. Jade laughed at him and stood up. �I didn�t mean I�d get pregnant the same way I did with Alyssa, but�.�
�You are not the same person you were a year ago,� he said it again, and kissed her cheek before walking toward the house. As he neared the door he turned to her. �Were you serious? I mean, about having a baby for us..�
But Jade was already pulling away from the driveway and didn�t hear him. Emily did though, because she�d opened the door at that moment. �Would she really do that for us?�
�I think she�s proven she�d do anything for us within her power.� Zander said, following his wife into the house.
Chapter 15
The next day, Jade looked exhausted as she walked into the apartment Georgie and Dillon were now calling home. They both noticed and although they hated to ask, inquired if she�d spoken to the couple yet.
�I went straight there from the hospital. She wants to meet you, face to face.� Jade said. �She wants to know why��
�we can�t do that, Jade!� Georgie said, but Dillon spoke up.
�I think we should.� His words surprised Jade.
�Dillon, I think you should know who the couple is before saying that��
�I don�t care. Everyone is going to know before too long. Georgie called her dad and told him we were getting married. I�m pretty sure he�ll figure the rest out when we get back to town��
�Dillon, are you sure?� She knew she should tell them that Emily and Zander were the ones that they would be meeting, but for some reason, the words wouldn�t come out �I can arrange��
�We�ll go into town.� Georgie said. �I know there�s a chance that someone will see us, but it�s too late for anyone to try and stop us.�
Jade nodded and promised to arrange the meeting as soon as possible.
Jade knew that Emily would feel betrayed if she found out that Zander knew Dillon and Georgie were the young couple they were waiting to confront. Emily looked calm, although it was obvious that she was hiding the way she felt.
�They should be here any minute.� Jade said. �Emily, I never told you, but these people are really close to you. I know that once you see them, you�ll understand why I was so secretive, but I never meant for anyone to get hurt.�
�I know you didn�t. I see that, Jade. I�m sorry I said those things to you.�
�Forgotten.� Jade smiled as Betty rang her phone. �Yeah? Send them in.� She looked at Emily and Zander. �Be prepared for the two people about to walk through the door.�
Emily nodded, but as soon as she saw her cousin, her face paled. �You? I was going to adopt your baby��
�Jade said you were close to us, but I didn�t realize how close.� Dillon said. �It�s fine, we need to do this.�
Georgie looked at Emily. �I�m sorry. I had no right to tell you that I�d give you my baby and then��
�Who the hell do you think you are?� Emily had promised herself that she wouldn�t get angry, but she couldn�t help it. Georgie�s stomach was no longer flat, but showed that she was only a couple of weeks away from delivering her baby. �You made me believe that I would have a baby and then you changed your mind! How could you! That�s not fair!�
�Emily, I�m sorry! I didn�t realize I wanted my baby until the other day. I know it�s not fair, and I will never forgive myself for hurting you, but after I saw my baby, I knew that I wanted to�.� She looked away. �You�ll have a baby one day and you�ll know.�
�No, I won�t, Georgie! Why the hell do you think that I�m trying to adopt? There�s a chance that I can�t have a baby. Your baby was my chance at motherhood and you took that away from me!� Emily stood up and looked at the younger girl. �I�ll never have the excitement of missing a period and thinking �I could be pregnant�. I�ll never look down and suddenly not see my feet. I�ll never feel the baby move inside me��
�And what about me? If I gave this baby up, then I�d never know the joy of being a mother��
�You can have another baby! I can�t!� Emily�s painful cry could be heard throughout the office.
�Emily, sit down. Jade, get her some water.� Zander tried to take control, but Emily wasn�t finished. She turned on Dillon and let her fury reign on him.
�You are as sneaky as your mother. You knew! You somehow knew that I was the one that you were giving your child too, and being Tracey�s son, you wanted to hurt me!�
�No, Emily. I didn�t know!� Dillon said. �Jade tried to talk us out of getting involved with you two from the start��
�She tried to talk us out of it too.� Zander said. �I knew about you two, and I was the one that convinced Emily.� He turned to his wife. �That�s why I wanted to move to England. I thought that we could adopt the baby, go away, and help the kids out of the situation they put themselves in..�
�You knew?� Emily asked, and then turned to Jade. �Did you tell him?�
�No, she didn�t. I had Luke and Summer go to their cabin and pretend their car broke down..�
�That was Luke?� Georgie said, terrified that her mother now knew.
�They didn�t say anything to anyone, but yeah, it was Luke. This entire situation is my fault.� Zander saw Emily looking at him. �I am the one that insisted on adopting, and then adopting this baby, and because I was insistent that we have their baby, we�re all sitting here, angry at each other.�
�You didn�t know this was going to happen, Zander.� Jade said. �None of us did.�
�I�m not surprised that you are defending him.� Emily said. �I don�t believe that Zander would set me up for this kind of heartache, but this works out just fine for you. You can now have a baby for him the old fashioned way.�
�Emily, that is not what I meant when I said I would�� Jade said.
�Maybe not, but it doesn�t matter. Why would Zander want me when I can�t give him what you can. He wants children! So, have his children, Jade. Have them! I�ve already made it easy for you.� Emily�s voice was hoarse from screaming and she took a step toward the door, but before the others realized it, she fell and hit her head on the table next to the door, knocking her into unconsciousness.
�Emily!� Zander rushed to her side.
�Call 911, Georgie! Hurry!� Jade kneeled next to Emily and saw that there was blood. She looked at Zander and saw how pale he was. �She�ll be okay, Zander. She will�
�She has to be. I can�t live without her. I don�t want to.� Zander whispered as he held Emily in his arms, waiting for the ambulance.