Chapter 21

Michael wants us to meet, Julianna wrote in her journal later that night when she couldn't sleep. I can't believe he lives in Port Charles. How strange is that? It wasn't until recently that I realized I do want to meet him in person, but in Port Charles? Diary, I have no idea what to do.

*~*

Julianna didn't have time to think about Michael or much else in the days that followed. She began to organize things for their move to the new town. A.J. had taken Keesha to her doctor's appointment. If Dr. Williams said she could travel, Dr. Burgess-Harmon was prepared to accept her as a patient.

Dara and Justus had returned to their home and told them their house was ready for their arrival.

The one thing Julianna wasn't certain about was where A.J. fit into their plans. She couldn't know that A.J. and Keesha were discussing that very issue.

*~*

"I plan to travel with you and Julianna to Port Charles," A.J. said to Keesha.

They had stopped at a nearby diner for a quick lunch after her appointment. Dr. Williams had given her the go ahead to travel.

"I appreciate that," Keesha said. "I know it's probably the last place you want to visit, too."

A.J. couldn't deny the truth but didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

"I'll make the best of it. I just hope a lot of the old ghosts have disappeared. How about you? Are you feeling more comfortable with your decision?"

"A little. I like the idea that we'll be with Dara and Justus. I think I'm more concerned about the hospital. People I know still work there, A.J. I don't want everybody to know my business."

"Dr. Burgess-Harmon has to guarantee you patient confidentiality, right?"

"Yes, but she can't do anything if someone sees me."

"But they don't have to know why you're there."

Keesha shook her head. "Either your memory is gone or you're just choosing not to remember. Rumors and gossip, A.J. What about those?"

"Yeah," he said, realizing Keesha had a valid point. "I guess I wasn't thinking."

She reached for his hand and held it in hers.

"The fact that I'm scared half out of my mind about the whole surgery thing isn't helping. I felt somewhat reassured with Dr. Williams. But now...it's like I found out about my condition all over again. I just wish it were over, one way or the other."

"Well, you know which way we are all rooting for, Keesha. You're going to have people who love you around you at all times."

"What about you, A.J.?" she asked, staring into his eyes. "Where will you be?"

"I...I'm not sure, Keesha. I know I can't stay in Port Charles indefinitely. It's not my home."

He saw something, maybe sadness, cloud her eyes. He quickly amended his statement.

"But if you need and want me to be there, I'm sure I can work something out."

"You've been putting your life on hold for me," she said. "I can't ask you to continue doing that when I have no guarantee of anything."

"I don't mind in the least," he assured her. "Keesha, I wasn't there for you for fifteen years. This is the least I can do."

"I just want you to know how much it means to me to have you here now. I am terrified, A.J., but when I look at you, somehow, things don't seem quite so scary."

"I want to make things as easy as possible for you and Julianna. I know that's what you need, Keesha, and it's what I want to do. For you and for our daughter."

*~*

Ten days later, with everything having been taken care of in Philadelphia, Keesha, Julianna, and A.J. arrived in Port Charles. Keesha felt as though she had gone back in time. Excitement and a bit of nervousness about the unknown and her mother's future consumed Julianna. A.J. hoped things would go smoothly and that a liver would be found for Keesha. Soon.

Dara and Justus welcomed all three into their home.

"This is lovely," Keesha said as Dara gave her and Julianna the grand tour of their two-story house in the middle of town.

Justus and A.J. remained in the living room.

"Keesha seems on edge," Justus said.

"She is. She knows this is probably it, Justus. How long can she stay here if no liver is found? Yet, she knows what her ultimate fate will be if one isn't."

"I would give anything for Keesha not to have to be going through this. Have you thought about the irony of this situation, A.J.?"

"You mean about Keesha being the one to need a new liver?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, I have thought about it. I don't want her to be going through this any more than you do."

"I'm going to take her and Julianna to GH tomorrow."

"Okay."

"What about you? I can't imagine you want to spend too much time in this town."

"I don't," A.J. admitted, "but I will if Keesha and my daughter need me to."

"Are you at the PC Hotel?"

A.J. nodded.

"What about Skye and Tom?" he asked. "Can't you stay with them?"

"I can, but I don't want to. Keesha wants things low key. I haven't mentioned this to anyone. I know it's not going to stay a secret, but I want to make this as stress free for Keesha and Julianna as I can."

Justus nodded. "That's what Dara and I want, too."

The men stopped speaking when the women returned to the room.

"Do you like your rooms?" Justus asked Keesha and Julianna.

"Yes!" Julianna said. "Mine is very nice and decorated so pretty."

"Mine is great, too," Keesha assured them.

"We planned a light meal," Dara said. "A.J., you're welcome to join us."

"Thank you, Dara, but I think I'd better check in at the hotel. I have some things I need to do for work, too. Enjoy your meal and your evening," he said, his eyes darting from Keesha to his daughter.

"I'll call you tomorrow?" Keesha said.

"I look forward to it."

Dara and Justus started to walk him to the door when Julianna stopped them. She gave A.J. a big hug and thanked him for all he had done.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," he said, touched by the gratitude he saw in her eyes. "You have fun and take good care of your mother."

"I will."

A.J. waved to them and then sped off, heading in the direction of the hotel. As he took in the familiar sights, his insides began to churn. The closer he got to the hotel, the worse he felt. By the time he had pulled into the hotel parking garage, he couldn't help but feel he had made the biggest mistake by returning to the town that had never been kind to him.