Chapter 29

Julianna was still thinking about Michael's suggestion when A.J. arrived unexpectedly at the house. She ushered him into the living room.

"I'll tell Mama you're here."

"I hope it's okay that I didn’t call first. I wanted to see how you and Keesha were doing."

"It's fine. Do you want coffee?"

"No, thanks."

Julianna left the room to help her mother get ready to visit with A.J. As soon as A.J. saw Keesha, he rose from his chair and assisted her into the most comfortable chair in the room.

"You look good," he told her.

Keesha gave him a warm smile. "Thanks. I've been feeling better. I think the medication Dr. Burgess-Harmon gave me is helping."

He returned her smile. "Excellent. Have you heard anything from her?"

"No. I have another appointment next week."

"You didn't tell me you talked to Bobbie," he gently chided.

"I know. I wasn't sure if I should tell you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. My mother *thinks* she saw us at the hospital."

"Who told you that?" Keesha asked.

"Emily. I called to tell her I wasn't in Manhattan. She told me that my mom asked if I was here."

"Are you going to visit your family?"

"I don't know. Emily asked me the same question."

"Who is Emily?" Julianna asked.

"Emily is my younger sister," A.J. explained. "My parents adopted her when her mother died from breast cancer. My mom, your grandmother, battled breast cancer, too, and she became friends with Emily's mom."

Julianna nodded.

"A.J.," Keesha said, "could Julianna meet Emily? I think it would be nice for her to know some of her relatives."

A.J. looked at his daughter. "Do you want to meet my family, Julianna? If you say 'yes,' then I will get in touch with them."

"You would do that for me?" she asked, truly touched.

"Yes, I would. The only one who knows about you is one of my best friends, Skye. I would love for both of you to meet her and her husband, Tom. We're all recovering alcoholics, and we have a lot in common. Skye and Tom have pretty much taken over managing the Port Charles office. I trust both of them implicitly. Emily knows about you, Keesha, because Bobbie told my mom she talked with you. They know you have a teen-age daughter, but they don't know I'm the father. Julianna, if you want to meet my family, I'd like the part about my being your father to remain a secret. For now. Until they’ve had a chance to meet you."

"I understand."

"Julianna, honey," Keesha asked, "what do you think?"

"I don't know," she said. "You haven't had a relationship with your family in a long time, A.J."

"No, I haven't, but that doesn't mean you automatically get shut out of their lives or that they get shut out of yours. If you're curious about them, then I think you should meet."

"Do I have to decide right now?"

"No, of course not," Keesha said.

"Okay. Then I'd like to think about it. I'll let you know, A.J."

"That's fine."

"We should tell you that Michael will be here soon," Keesha said. "I heard about your surprise visitors yesterday. I'm amazed you didn't pass out from shock."

"I'm amazed I didn't faint, too. I thought I was dreaming when the two of them walked into my suite. We had a very intense and emotional conversation. I don't know if Julianna told you the details, but that's one of the reasons I stopped by. I wanted to make sure she was okay."

"I'm better," Julianna said. "I'm still trying to understand all that you told me, but at least my head isn't pounding anymore."

The doorbell chime interrupted their conversation.

"That's probably Michael," Julianna said. "I'll be right back."

When she opened the door and saw Michael's friendly face, she breathed an audible sigh of relief.

"I'm so glad you're here. Come in. A.J. is visiting with us."

"You called him!" Michael said, pleased.

"No. He showed up before I could. He wanted to see how Mama and I were doing. They're in the living room. It's this way. Mama can't wait to see you."

They crossed the carpeted hallway and entered the living room. Michael said "hi" to A.J. and then he let Julianna introduce him to her mother. Michael saw her frailty, but he also saw her beauty and her strength.

"Mama, this is Michael."

"It's been such a long time," Keesha said, shaking her head in wonder. "You weren't even talking the last time I saw you."

"And now I never shut up," Michael said and laughed.

Taking in his appearance, Keesha’s face lit up and tears sprang to her eyes.

"Michael, you look wonderful!"

"Thank you. I've heard a lot about you, Ms. Ward. I'm so happy to finally meet you or would that be meet you again?"

"Please call me Keesha. I saw your grandmother the other day. I know she's been through a lot, but she looks good. I was sorry to hear about your mother and Sonny."

"Thank you. It's been a rough few years. I told Julianna how much A.J. has helped me. His program really works. At least it did for me."

"I think it's fantastic," she said. "I'm sorry you ended up having to go there, but I'm thrilled A.J. was able to help you."

"It wasn't just me," A.J. said.

"There were other counselors," Michael said, "and meetings that I had to attend, but A.J. was the one I spent the most time with. He helped me, and I'll never forget that."

Keesha reached for A.J.'s hand and clasped it in her own. She looked at him and smiled.

"I knew you would find a way to help people, A.J. I just knew it."

"Yes, A.J.," Julianna concurred. "I think what you're doing for people who are where you've been is wonderful. I'm not just saying that because Michael is my friend, and you've helped him. I...I've been reading more of the articles and interviews from the magazines. Mama asked me earlier if I would be willing to acknowledge that you haven't had an easy life. I am willing to acknowledge that. Because my mother loves me so much, I can't imagine what it must be like to feel unloved and unwanted, but you turned your life around, A.J. You took a horrible situation and made something positive out of it. I hope I have inherited that trait. I think it's a great one."

"Thank you, Julianna," A.J. said, his voice thick with emotion. "You don't know what it means to me to hear you say that."

"I think I do," she said, her voice filled with emotion, too.

A.J. had to admit that his daughter never ceased to amaze him. She never failed to amaze Keesha either. Michael reached for her hand and tenderly squeezed it.

"Mama, is it okay if Michael and I go out for a while?"

"Yes."

"I'll stay with your mother," A.J. offered.

"Where are you going?" Keesha asked.

"I thought we'd go some place nearby for lunch."

"Sounds good. I don't think Julianna has eaten much the last couple of days."

"I thought I might introduce her to some friends and cousins. Is that okay?"

"That's fine," Keesha said. "It'll be nice for you to meet new people, Julianna."

"May I ask one favor?" A.J. interjected.

Michael nodded.

"Please don't tell anyone I'm your father."

"I understand," Julianna said. "I won't say anything."

"Michael, it was such a treat to see you again," Keesha said and smiled.

She held out her arms and Michael gave her a hug.

"Please tell your family I said 'hello'."

"I will. My grandmother said to say 'hi', too."

"Enjoy yourselves," A.J. said.

"We will."

After Julianna and Michael left, A.J. and Keesha looked at each other and shook their heads.

"There hasn't been a dull moment since we arrived," Keesha said.

"Tell me about it," A.J. agreed.

Keesha reached for his hand once more.

"It seems you handled yourself very well when Michael and Julianna showed up at the hotel."

"I didn't have much choice. All I kept thinking was why hadn’t I listened to you. I should've told Julianna about Michael."

"Well, she knows now, and I think she's going to be okay with it. I really do."

"I can't believe they're friends!"

"I couldn't believe it either. When she said the name 'Michael,' I just could not let my mind go there. But he seems like a nice enough young man. I can see your influence in him, A.J. I really can."

When A.J. started to protest, Keesha hushed him.

"Will you *please* let me give you a compliment? Just one? That's all I'm asking for, A.J."

"I appreciate it, Keesha, I do, but I don't want to take away what Michael has done to get his life back on track. He's in a much better place, but I still worry about him."

"Why?"

"Because there are residual effects from what he went through. How can there not be? That boy has not had a normal life in any sense of the word."

"Do you think he's going to go back to drugs?" she asked, concerned.

"No. I think if that were going to happen, it already would have. What I look for are signs that he still has unresolved anger and resentment. One never knows when or how that may manifest itself."

"Julianna's safe with him, isn't she?" Keesha demanded to know.

"Yes, I believe she is. I just can't help wondering, and to a lesser extent worrying, about just how close those two have become."

*~*

While walking to the restaurant Michael had chosen, Julianna filled him in on her conversations with her mother and with A.J.

"My father totally surprised me this morning," she said. "Michael, can you believe he offered to get in touch with his family if I decide I want to meet them?"

"Wow, Jule, that's fantastic!"

"He mentioned a few names. Skye and her husband Tom and Emily, who is my father's sister."

"I know Emily. She's always been an aunt to me. You'll like her, Jule. I definitely think you should meet her. Of course, I think you should meet your grandparents, too."

"Do you know them? What are they like?"

"They're nice people. I know bad things have gone down between them and A.J., but I can't imagine they wouldn't be ecstatic to meet you. My grandmother asked me about that this morning. I told her I didn't know if they would ever meet you."

"What if things don't go well for my father? I would hate it if I caused more problems."

"I don't think you could ever cause problems for anyone, Jule. I think they will love you on sight."

"Is it fair of me to put my father in that position?"

"A.J. offered. Maybe you should just make sure he's really okay with it. If he is, I say go for it."

They'd reached the diner. The neon sign caught Julianna’s attention, and she looked up at it. She couldn't believe her eyes.

"'Kelly's'?" she squealed. "This is 'Kelly's"?!"

"I knew it was popular, but c'mon, Jule. There's no way you've heard of this restaurant."

"I have so," she said. She stuck her tongue out at him which made him laugh. "Mama told me about it this morning. She lived here. Well, in a room above the diner, I guess. Do you think I could see the upstairs? Are there still rooms up there?"

"As far as I know. Let's go in and find out, shall we?"

As soon as they stepped inside the small but bustling diner, people began waving and calling out to Michael. Julianna was a bit taken aback at how popular he was.

"Let me introduce you to some friends of mine, and then we'll ask about going upstairs."

"Okay."

Michael escorted Julianna to Brooke Lynn and Lesley Lu's table.

"Michael!" Lesley Lu greeted. "Sweetie, how are you?"

"Fine. I'd like to introduce you to a good friend of mine. Brooke Lynn Ashton and Lesley Lu Spencer, this is Julianna Ward."

"Ward?" Brooke Lynn asked. "As in Justus and Dara Ward?"

"Justus is a relative," Michael said. "Julianna is Keesha's daughter."

"Keesha!" Brooke Lynn exclaimed. "I know about Keesha. Hello, Julianna. Nice to meet you."

"Hi," she said, staying close to Michael. "It's nice to meet both of you."

"Lesley Lu is my cousin on my mom's side, and Brooke Lynn is her best friend and one of my good friends, too, even though they're older than me."

"Not that much older!" Lesley Lu protested. "Hi, Julianna. It's nice to meet you."

Julianna and Michael chatted with the two brunettes for a few minutes, and then he told them they were going to eat.

"I'll introduce you to another cousin and his wife. Lucky Spencer is Lesley Lu's older brother. Liz is his wife. They have the cutest kids."

"Hey, Mikey," Lucky said.

"You know I hate that name," Michael grumbled.

"Be nice, Lucky," Liz teased. "He has a young lady with him."

"That's why I came here. I wanted to introduce you. Lucky and Liz Spencer, this is Julianna Ward. She's Keesha's daughter."

"Keesha! Oh wow," Liz said. "She hasn't been around here in years. Are you living here?"

"For the time being."

"Is Keesha here?" Lucky asked.

"Yes, she is."

"I hope we can see her," Liz said.

"Maybe you will," Michael said, speaking for Julianna.

"Well, it was very nice meeting you, Julianna," Lucky said.

"Yes," Liz echoed. "Very nice. Tell your mom we said 'hi', okay?"

"I will. Thank you. It was nice meeting both of you, too."

"Stay outta trouble, Mikey," Lucky teased.

"Shut up," Michael said, but then he laughed, too.

"Let's ask Serena Baldwin, one of the waitresses who happens to be my friend, if we can go upstairs."

Michael introduced the cheerful blonde to Julianna who told them they could take a quick tour of the upstairs.

"But don’t disturb anyone," she cautioned.

"We won’t. Thanks, Serena."

Julianna looked at the staircase and began to imagine her mother having to climb those stairs every single day. She thought about their small but cozy house in Philadelphia and felt a pang of homesickness. She wondered if they would ever live in that house again. My mother has come so far and has accomplished so much, she thought, as they ascended the stairs. Thinking of how much her mother had managed to do on her own made her love and respect Keesha that much more.

She and Michael looked around at the small rooms.

"I wonder which one was my mother’s? I’ll have to tell her we came here. I’d like to know which room was hers."

"I know a lot of residents have lived in these rooms."

"I’m proud that we have our own house in Philadelphia," Julianna said as they descended. "I was just wondering if we’re ever going to move back there."

"Would it be self-centered of me if I said I hope you and your mother stay here?"

"That’s sweet, Michael, but Port Charles doesn’t feel like home."

"You have to give it more time, Jule. Can I tell you something?" he asked as they sat at a table and ordered hamburgers and French fries.

"Sure."

"Brooke Lynn? The one I introduced you to earlier?"

Julianna nodded.

"She’s your cousin."

"Really?"

"Yes. Her father and A.J. are cousins. You could get to know her. Become friends with her and Lesley Lu. You could hang out with some of my cousins. We could have a blast."

"I can’t forget why we’re here, Michael. My mother is still my first priority."

"Of course she is. I didn’t mean to minimize that. I’m sorry."

"No, it’s okay. A part of me would like to do all those things, but I just don’t know."

"I think you need to take A.J. up on his offer, Jule. I think you need to meet your grandparents. Maybe some things will make more sense to you if you meet them."

"I’ve been thinking about my father’s offer. I just don’t think I have the right to put him through that kind of stress."

Their food arrived. Julianna was hungry, but it seemed as though other concerns always took precedence over eating.

"You are going to eat, aren’t you?" Michael asked.

"Yeah. After I call my mom."

Keesha answered the phone and after a brief conversation with her daughter, she handed the receiver to A.J.

"It’s Julianna. She wants to talk to you."

"Hey."

"Hi, A.J. I’ve been thinking about what you said at the house."

"About meeting my family?"

"Yes. A.J., are you sure it won’t be too much for you?"

"Yes, Julianna, I’m sure."

"Then I would like to meet your side of the family."