Jade�s body tingled as his breath whispered, �No regrets,� what he always said to her before they made love.
Zander�s hands were soft as he gently touched her cheeks. This was the first time she ever thought they�d come close to making love, but she knew he�d pull away. He loved Emily.
�Zander��
�No regrets,� he whispered as they went upstairs to her bed.
He was leading her upstairs, and all she could think about was the night they conceived Alyssa.
It had never been so good between them, and Jade didn�t want to ruin it by mentioning Emily, but Zander brought her up. �You know that it�s over with her. I�m here with you, and that�s where I�m staying.�
Zander was kissing her again, and her body began to respond, but all she could think about was the night he left her for Emily.
Emily had already pointed out the obvious. Zander was leaving. She was in the car, waiting, and Jade was just watching him.
�If you need anything, call me,� He said, but she didn�t call him. She didn�t try to see him. She withdrew from socializing and concentrated on work.
Jade backed away from him, knowing that it was only one night, and it wasn�t about them. It was about his pain, and he needed her to help him forget. She�d been a slave to his love before, and it had almost cost her the independence she�d worked so hard for.
It was tacky, Jade knew, but Zander and Emily needed to know that there was now a baby involved. �I don�t want to cause problems for the two of you, and I�ve accepted that I meant nothing to you, but I thought you might want to know I�m pregnant.�
Jade remembered Emily�s face turning every shade of red imaginable. Zander�s face showed no reaction. When she turned to leave, she was sure that she was alone in the pregnancy, but that was alright, because she loved Zander, and knew he was happy.
�Jade? What�s wrong?� Zander asked, touching her hand.
�You don�t love me, you still love her.� she�d spoken the same words to him before.
�Don�t think about that. It�s over.� He was trying to convince himself of that. He pulled her into his arms and pushed the hair from her face, just like he did the night Tony tried to explain Alyssa�s condition to them�
�Is my baby alright?� Jade asked, frightened.
�Right now, we aren�t too sure. Her lungs weren�t developed enough for her to breath on her own, but she�s a fighter.� Tony said. �There are several people doing everything they can for her. Now you need to get some rest. Your body is very weak��
�I need to see her!� Jade cried as Zander took her in his arms and pushed the hair from her face, just like he did when they were kids and the neighborhood bully called her names for being so far ahead of the other kids they went to school with.
�She�ll be alright, she�ll make it. She�s our daughter.� Zander told her several times.
Jade looked at Zander and fought the tears. �I still love you, you bastard, but I can�t let you hurt me again. The second Emily decides she doesn�t want to get divorced, you�re going to leave me and run straight back to her�.�
Zander kissed her again, more passionately than before. �It�s over with Emily. She�s carrying another man�s baby.
Chapter 27
Dillon held Georgie�s hand and was relieved to know that she was only sleeping now. Maxie, Mac, and Lucas were long gone, but he�d refused to leave, in case she woke up and needed a familiar face. He remembered the first time they met. Traveling around the world had not prepared him for the kiss Georgie had planted on him.
�Follow my lead!� Georgie said, kissing him. Dillon had never in his life been taking off guard like that, and when they stopped kissing, he was breathless by the beauty in front of him.
He wasn�t impressed with Lucas from the start, and the confrontation at the party hadn�t helped his impression. For weeks, he watched Georgie go after a guy that was in love with her sister, and finally, their relationship took a turn.
It had been a week since the motorcycle escapade, and Dillon was glad that Georgie agreed to spend time with him.
�Do you think that Maxie and Kyle are actually going to Emily�s engagement party together?� Dillon asked Georgie.
�I don�t know. Jade invited all of us and said that Nikolas wouldn�t care. I think she�s just happy that Zander and Emily aren�t getting married.�
�Do you want to go with me?� Dillon asked, shyly. �I mean, I have to go and don�t want to show up alone��
Georgie smiled. �Sure, I owe you a favor anyway.�
Dillon�s mind traveled to the night that they admitted their mutual feelings for each other. Of course, he was already in love with her, but he remembered the night she told him she loved him.
�Emily told me about this place,� Dillon said, setting the basket down. It had been two months since they�d officially become a couple and he�d told her he loved her. He said it as often as he could, and he knew she wanted to say it to him, but something stopped her.
�It�s pretty up here,� They were above Port Charles and could see the entire town lit up.
Dillon took her in his arms and kissed her neck. �I love you, Georgie.�
�I love you, too.� Georgie said, turning to face him. �I should have told you before, but I love you,� She kissed him softly and spent the entire night in each other�s arms.
Dillon was sure Kat was conceived that night and smiled at the memories. He squeezed Georgie�s hand and was shocked when he felt her hand moving in his.
�Baby, are you awake?� he asked softly.
�Dillon?� Georgie asked, and then looked around. �What happened?�
�We thought you were in a coma, but thank goodness you started to come around, and now you�re awake.�
�I kept seeing us�everything important that happened to us.� She said, tears forming. �I love you, Dillon.�
�I love you, Georgie.� Dillon kissed her gently, and crawled into the bed next to her. Georgie was alive, and Kat had to pull through. They�d all been through too much for it to end this way.
Chapter 28
A few days later, Emily woke up feeling even worse than the day before. She knew that morning sickness was common, but she had no idea she�d have it morning, noon, and night.
To make matters worse, she�d tried to talk to Zander, but he wouldn�t speak to her. He told her it was over and that as soon as he knew she wasn�t there and get the rest of his things. She�d correctly assumed he was staying with Jade, but he never answered her. As far as he was concerned, they were getting divorced, and until they knew for sure the father of her baby, he had nothing to say to her.
Dragging herself to the shower, she remembered that she was going to meet Jade at the hospital to visit Georgie. It was odd to think that she and Jade had become closer in the last seven months, but they had. It was amazing to think that the woman she had hated so much was the one standing by her side through everything. Lucky was angry because she wouldn�t even talk about moving in together, but it was too soon. She still had to tell her family what was really going on. With all the stress from Zander and Lucky, Jade was the one trying to help her and keep her calm.
Once at the hospital, she saw Jade sitting in the hall talking to a young girl, obviously very pregnant. Jade�s face was not smiling, and the younger girl looked ready to cry. As she neared them, she heard Jade tell the girl that drinking and doing drugs weren�t going to impress the families she wanted to interview.
�Hard day at work?� Emily asked.
�Just another girl that doesn�t think about anyone but herself. Are you alright? You look pale? Did you eat breakfast?� Jade asked with concern.
�No, but I stopped at Kelly�s and grabbed some breakfast for the three of us. Hopefully, Dillon will give us a few minutes with Georgie to gossip.�
�Monica and Alan sent him home last night, and Ned is taking him to look at apartments and houses.� Jade smiled. �Felicia and Mac agreed to sign for Georgie to get married.�
�Really? Wow! I knew they would, but I didn�t think it�d be so soon.� Emily said, looking down. Just a little over a year ago, she was getting married herself, and now, she was getting divorced. �They must be ecstatic��
�Georgie doesn�t actually know yet. Dillon is sure she�ll say yes, but he wants to take care of the important details first. Come on, let�s go see the little momma.�
Georgie was sitting up, looking through PCU brochures, when they walked in. �Hey! I thought you�d forgotten all about me!�
�Of course not!� Emily said, and saw all the reading material. �Thinking about school?�
�Internet courses. I�m going to have to stay home with Kat, but I figured during naps, late or night, or when Dillon�s home, I can work on assignments. Maybe one or two for now and then eventually I�ll start going to a class or two..�
�Initiative is a good thing,� Jade said with a smile. �You know, Maxie isn�t going to work for me after classes start back in the fall. I know that it might be hard, but maybe Ned or someone will watch Kat for a few hours a couple of days a week and you can do some part time work for me.� Jade saw the curious look. �You�re going to need to have something outside the house. You�ll go crazy if you are stuck inside all the time. Maybe since Dillon is going to work with Ned and Zander, the three of them can work something out�.�
�We�ll have to see.� Georgie said, and looked at Emily. �How are you feeling?�
�Sick.� Emily said with a smile.
�I remember that. It gets better.� Georgie smiled. She thought she remembered Dillon mentioning that Emily and Zander were separated, but she couldn�t remember and didn�t want to bring it up. �When are you due?�
�I�m not completely sure yet,� Emily said, but she knew. She just wasn�t ready to confirm it. �Have you seen the baby yet?�
�A few times through the glass. They said that she�s still too sick for us to hold, and I don�t want to slow down her recovery.�
Emily handed the women their food and they sat and talked for several minutes before Dillon and Zander entered. Zander ignored Emily and Jade�s glares and went straight to Georgie. �You did good, Kiddo.�
�Thanks,� Georgie said, noticing the tension. �What are you two doing here?�
�We took an early lunch.� Dillon said. Zander and Ned had been with him while he looked for apartments.. He also noticed the tension in the room. �So what were you three ladies discussing?�
�The babies,� Emily said. �We were talking about the age differences between the three of them being almost the same as the three of us.�
�Interesting.� Zander said. �Jade, you ready to go?�
�Not really.� She looked at him. �Why?�
�I thought I�d go get my things today, since Emily is obviously not home.� Zander said, trying to ignore his wife�s stares.
�And you need me to hold your hand?� It was obvious that they weren�t on the best of terms at the moment.
�Damn it, Jade! I wanted company.� Zander stood up and looked at Dillon. �Tell Ned I�ll be in later this afternoon.�
As he left the room, Jade excused herself and followed him to the elevator. She slipped in before he could stop her and they stood looking at each other for a full minute before he started the elevator.
�You coming with me?� He asked.
�Yes, because we need to talk.� Jade said. �We need to tell Emily what happened between us��
�We slept together, Jade. Emily slept with someone else. We�re getting divorced. The papers have been filed,� He�d seen to it that she�d taken care of it. �She�s having a baby that is possibly another man�s��
�But what happens when you find out that baby is yours? Where does that leave me?� Jade said.
�Emily and I are over,� He insisted, but she knew better. �I don�t want to fight with you, Jade.�
�Then think about all of this. Please. I shouldn�t have opened my heart to you again, but I did.� She looked away and whispered, �And you still love her.�
Zander didn�t deny it, but he knew she was right. He would always love Emily, but something told him that this was it, things were over. He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. �I don�t know what�s going to happen, but all I do know is that I don�t have to worry about anything when I�m with you.�
�Yes, you do. If you�re with me for too long, we can�t stop your divorce if we need to.� She said before leaving him on the elevator.
Chapter 29
Emily, Dillon, and Georgie looked at each other and tried to think of something to say that wasn�t about Jade and Zander, but it was impossible.
�I thought they�d be thrilled to have a few minutes alone.� Emily said with a smiled. �I know she loves him, and I think he loves her too, but it seems like things are strained��
�You bet they are.� Dillon said, not able to keep his mouth shut. �Jade wants to welcome Zander with open arms, but she�s scared to death you are going to stop the divorce.�
�Zander and I are over. If this baby is his��
�There�s a chance the baby isn�t his?� Georgie asked, not knowing everything that had happened.
�Let�s not get into it, but yes, this child could be someone else�s. I didn�t want to hurt Zander, but we were under a lot of pressure. But if the baby is his, he�ll be a part of his or her life. Look at how involved he is with Alyssa.� Emily said, once again trying to convince herself that this was what she really wanted.
�Do you think he loves her?� Georgie didn�t have to mention names, Emily knew who she was talking about.
�In his own way, yes. I just hope that things will work out with them.� She looked at her clock and grabbed her purse. �I have an appointment. When you get out of here, Jade and I are taking you shopping.�
�Thanks, Em.� Georgie said, watching her leave. �Dillon, what do think is going to happen?�
�I have no idea. Zander and I were talking a little bit, and he told me that he and Jade were�they�d..�
�I get the picture,� Georgie said. �And I know Jade well enough to know that she isn�t going into this blind. She�s terrified they won�t get divorced.�
Dillon nodded, �That�s what Zander said. He doesn�t seem to see it, but he�s moving on with his head, but not with his heart. He wants to get the divorce over with, but he�s not thinking things though. I don�t think Emily is either�.�
�Which is what I�m glad we�re not in the middle of some dramatic triangle. Our relationship is solid, our daughter is getting stronger by the day, and I have never been happier than I am right now.� Georgie said with a huge smiled.
Dillon nodded, �I agree, and I love you too. There�s something I�ve been wanting to talk to you about for awhile�.�
�Well, it�s just going to have to wait, Dillon. I have a few a things to discuss with you,� The voice was one he didn�t expect to hear.
�Mom?� Dillon looked surprised.
�Daddy decided to be nice and let me know I have a new granddaughter.� Tracey looked at Georgie, �And I think I just prevented you from making another mistake with this girl.�
Chapter 30
�Mom, what are you doing here?� Dillon asked, and then took Georgie�s hand. �I wasn�t about to make a mistake either. I love Georgie and I want to marry her.�
�You are not marrying this girl!� Tracey said, and then looked at Georgie, �No offense, sweetie, but you�re not what I had in mind for my son.�
Dillon stood up, angry. �How would you know?�
�She got pregnant to trap you!� Tracey said. �Dillon, don�t be na�ve, this girl is after your money!�
�Excuse me, Miss Quartermaine, but I don�t want Dillon�s money. I didn�t get pregnant because I wanted to, but I did just give birth to Dillon�s child. By the way, Kat is doing much better. Thanks for asking.� Georgie saw that Tracey wasn�t going to let this go. She obviously had something up her sleeve.
�How much?� Tracey pulled her checkbook out.
�You can�t pay me off!� Georgie screamed, bring Alan and Monica into the room, both disgusted to see Tracey. �I love Dillon��
�You love the Quartermaine fortune! Just like little Greta Cummings. Alan, you ever tell your nephew the story of that gold digging whore?�
�Tracey, shut up!� Alan said.
Monica looked at Georgie and then pointed to the door. �Get out of here, Tracey. You�re going to upset Georgie��
�Upset Georgie? Who cares! My baby has a baby and he has absolutely no idea what this girl has tricked him into. Dillon, baby, it�s not all fun and games��
�How the hell would you know? I never saw you until I was old enough to take care of myself!� Dillon said. �Once I was old enough to feed myself, and didn�t need a diaper, that�s when you decided I was worthy of your time!�
Tracey took Dillon�s arm, but he pulled away. �Dillon, you�re coming to Monaco with me��
�Like hell I am. Not without Georgie and Kat.�
�What kind of name is Kat, anyway?� Tracey asked. �A Quartermaine needs a more respectable name.
�Ekaterina Dillon Quartermaine.� Georgie said. �We�re calling her Kat.�
Tracey rolled her eyes and looked at Monica. �You going to let them live in your house?�
Monica smiled, �If they need a place to stay, then yes, they can stay with us at the mansion..�
�And of course, Mother will allow them to.� Tracey said, a smile that meant nothing but trouble forming on her face. �Alright, Dillon, I�ll give you a few days to get this out of your system, and Miss Georgie Porgy, think about the sum you want. I�ll check back in a few days.
When she left the room, Georgie looked at Dillon, �I thought you said she�d be cool.�
�I thought she would.� Dillon looked at Monica. �You didn�t have to lie to my mother. She probably knows that my stuff is already out of the mansion..�
�I didn�t lie. I had all of your things moved to a bigger room, and I had a room next to that one fixed for the baby��
�You didn�t have to do that, Dr. Quartermaine.� Georgie said. �We�ll find a place..�
�Georgie, call me Monica, and I know that the two of you will find a place, but Dillon, your mother will do everything she can to prevent that. Stay at the mansion until things calm down.�
Dillon was shocked by Monica. She�d been less than thrilled when he�d come to town, but now she was offering him a place to stay. �Thanks. If I know my mother, she�s already closed every account that she can, and trying to get to the ones she can�t.�
Dillon was right. Tracey was in the hall talking to her lawyer, doing everything she could to make sure that Dillon couldn�t spoil Georgie or Kat. �I want them all closed!�
�Mr. Quartermaine, your son is of age. You can�t touch any of these accounts. His father left strict instructions��
�I don�t care! Close them! Tell them he�s supporting his teenage girlfriend because he was foolish enough to get trapped by a pregnancy!� She wasn�t totally convinced of that, because she had had Georgie investigated, but that was the only valid reason she could think of for closing the accounts. �Just do it!�