Chapter 39

After spending most of the day with Julianna and Keesha, A.J. returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner at Nikolas and Gia's. About to leave the suite, he spotted Edward's letter on the counter. Folding the pages to return them to the envelope for safekeeping, A.J. remembered the one-page note he had not previously read. His eyes quickly scanned the familiar handwriting. After reading the words one more time slowly and deliberately, a perplexed and agitated A.J. stuffed the paper inside the envelope.

"*Why* did you have to do this, Grandfather?" he asked rhetorically and then sighed heavily. "You couldn't leave well enough alone, could you?"

A.J. reached for his cell phone to call Keesha.

"I have to make a phone call before I pick up you and Julianna. I'm sorry."

"That's okay. You sound upset. Is everything all right?"

"Not really. Remember the letter I told you my grandfather wrote to me?"

"Yes."

"I was putting it away, and I found another note I had seen but hadn't bother to read. Well, I just read it. You will not believe what I have to do."

"What is Edward making you do, A.J.?"

"His note stipulates that I have to get in touch with Ned. He has some important information for me."

"Do you have to do that tonight?"

"Now that I know about the note, I want to take care of whatever this is right away. I hope you understand."

"I do. I just don't want your night to be ruined."

"It won't," he assured her. "This will be the briefest conversation on record. I plan to be with you and our daughter within the hour."

"Good luck, A.J.," Keesha said sincerely.

"Thanks. I *know* I'm gonna need it."

A.J. didn't have Ned's phone number, but he got it from a shocked Emily, who couldn't believe her brother was actually going to call Ned.

"I can't believe I'm about to do this either."

"What's it all about?"

"I wish I knew, Em. Grandfather set this up. I just want it to be over."

"Call me if you need me."

"Thanks."

After punching in the numbers, A.J. cleared his throat and wore a path in the plush beige carpet as he waited for Ned or Alexis to answer the phone. When he finally heard his cousin's voice, he almost hung up.

"Hello?" Ned said for the second time, sounding impatient.

"Ned, this is A.J."

Silence passed between the line as A.J. waited for a response.

"Let me guess," Ned said. "You read Grandfather's note."

"Yes, I did."

"I heard you were in town. I wondered whether I would actually hear from you."

"I don't know what this is all about, but I don't want anything hanging over my head where you're concerned. So if you'll kindly tell me what Grandfather is talking about in his note..."

"Calm down, Junior."

A.J. started to bristle at his cousin's dismissive tone and then caught himself. Ned would not upset him. A.J. would not allow him to.

"What did Grandfather do?" A.J. asked.

"Something very nice, actually, considering the circumstances," Ned said. "But this isn't something we can talk about on the phone. Alexis and I need to see you."

"Why you and Alexis? What does Alexis have to do with any of this?"

"She helped Grandfather with something he wanted to do. If you can come to the house, we'll explain everything."

"I have a dinner engagement. How long will this take?" A.J. asked, suspicious.

"Not that long. It's not going to cause you any pain."

Having to be in Ned and Alexis' presence didn't exactly fill A.J. with joy.

"Fine. Are you available now? Give me directions to your place, and I'll be there soon."

In less than fifteen minutes, A.J. had arrived at Ned and Alexis' house. Their reunion was an awkward one, even if he could admit that his cousin and Alexis looked happy and in love. Grateful the quips were kept to a minimum, A.J. followed Alexis into the dining room where he saw a manila folder with his name on it. She put on her glasses and sat next to him at the cherry wood table.

"I know you're in a hurry," she began, "but this won't take long."

Ned took a seat next to his wife. They glanced at each other; Alexis nodded.

"A.J.," Ned began, "Alexis and I, we...we know about Julianna."

"Grandfather told you?" A.J. asked, sounding incredulous.

Ned nodded.

"Why?" A.J.’s tone demanded an answer.

"Because he wanted to take care of his great-granddaughter," Alexis explained. "And you and Keesha, too."

"How was he going to take care of us? And why did he come to you? I thought Justus handled his affairs?"

"Most of them," Ned acknowledged. "But Grandfather was thrilled to learn you had a daughter, A.J. I think he wanted someone else in the family to know the news."

"So he chose to tell you?!" A.J. exclaimed.

"We haven’t said a word to anyone," Alexis assured a seething A.J.

"Let’s get this over with," A.J. said, his blood pressure rising. "What did Grandfather say to you?"

Alexis slid the file folder in front of A.J.

"Read it for yourself. It’s all there in black and white. Maybe you’ll understand better why Edward chose to confide in Ned and me."

After casting a suspicious glance in their direction, A.J. sat back in the chair and opened the file. It turned out his grandfather had several more surprises for him.

"Julianna has a trust fund?"

"Yes, she does," Alexis confirmed. "She will get what Edward stipulated to starting when she’s eighteen."

"Julianna has a position waiting for her at ELQ, too," Ned said, "if she wants it. You and your daughter also have a place on the Board of Directors if either of you wants it."

"I can’t believe this," A.J. said, truly stunned. "Grandfather took care of everything, right down to making monthly donations to my Centers and providing anything Keesha needs."

"Grandfather wanted to make sure you and your family were well taken care of."

"I’ll have to think about this," A.J. said, running his fingers through his hair. "I haven’t taken one penny of the family’s money in a very long time. Considering that Grandfather was the one who cut me off to begin with..."

"He was very proud of you in the end, A.J."

"I don’t know if Keesha will want any of this. I have to tell her about this."

"The money is there, A.J.," Alexis said. "It will always be there. It’s for your daughter, Keesha and you."

Dazed, A.J. nodded and rose from the chair. "I have to think about this," he said, realizing he was repeating himself but still too stunned to say anything more coherent. "I have to talk to Keesha."

"The donations to your Centers will begin the moment you give us the word," Ned said. "And if Keesha needs anything..."

"I’ll be in touch," A.J. said, walking towards the front door.

"A.J.," Alexis said, catching up to him. "For better or worse, we are family, and you and Ned both have daughters. Brooke Lynn is here. Wouldn’t it be nice for her and Julianna to get to know each other as family? And when Kristina gets back from Greece, we’d like to get together with you and Keesha and Julianna. Don’t you think it’s time for Ned’s daughters and your daughter to get to know each other?"

*~*

"A.J., why are you so preoccupied?" Keesha asked.

They stood in the hallway waiting for Julianna.

"I have to tell you about my conversation with Ned, but it’ll have to wait until later."

"Was it that bad?"

"No, it wasn’t bad, just...shocking."

"I can’t wait to hear about it."

As soon as Julianna joined them, A.J.’s cell phone rang.

"Excuse me," he said, recognizing the number. "It’s Vincent. I’d better take this call."

"Of course," Keesha said.

"Hey, Vincent. What’s goin’ on?"

"I hate to bother you, A.J., but we have a situation brewing here in NYC."

"What’s the problem?"

"It’s a public relations nightmare."

"Can’t the PR department handle it?"

"They’ve been trying, A.J., but I’m afraid this needs your immediate attention. Is there any way you can come to Manhattan tonight or tomorrow?"

"This weekend?" he asked, looking at Keesha and Julianna. "To be honest, I’d rather not. Why don’t you tell me what the problem is? Maybe I can handle it from here."

"It concerns you, A.J., that’s why we really need you to be here."

"What are you talking about?"

"If you don’t do some quick and major damage control, boss, a New York Times reporter is ready to print a story in next Sunday’s edition claiming that the reason you have been MIA at the Center lately is because you’re back in rehab. And that your family is covering for you in Port Charles."

"What?!" A.J. yelled and then caught himself. "Look, I can’t discuss this right now. Tell Carol and Charlie to fax me everything they have on this to the Port Charles Hotel. Send me everything you can via e-mail, too. Tell Carol to try to set up a conference call, a video one if possible, for tomorrow with this so-called reporter. I want to know what caused this person to target me. Is it a man or a woman?"

"It’s a woman, and she’s claiming every time she’s asked you for an interview, you’ve declined or been suddenly unavailable."

"Have the PR department send me everything they can on this person. Find out if those allegations are true, and if they are, why was I shielded from this person? This is the last thing I need, Vincent."

"I know, but the truth will win out, right? I mean, it has to."

"We can only hope."

*~*

"You’re going to be up all night, aren’t you?" Keesha asked A.J. as he drove them to Nikolas and Gia’s house.

"I hope not. I want to believe it’s just a misunderstanding that can be cleared up without too much time and effort on my part."

"Did you know that your PR department wasn’t telling you about all the interviews?" Julianna asked.

"My staff does a good job at keeping things reasonable for me. I know we don’t honor every request, but I don’t know why this particular reporter from the New York Times would be on their ‘grant no interviews’ list."

"And that’s why you’ll be up all night," Keesha said. "Because you have to get to the bottom of this, A.J. You cannot let *anyone* think for a moment you’ve been in rehab this whole time."

"I’ll take care of it," he said, squeezing her hand. "Believe me, I will."

*~*

"Your house is beautiful," Keesha gushed, after Nikolas and Gia and the children gave them the grand tour.

"Thank you," Gia said and smiled.

"It’s not Wyndemere," A.J. said, "but then again, I doubt you would want it to be, right?"

"What’s Wyndemere?" Julianna asked.

"Can we tell her, Papa?" Nikolas’ son asked his father.

"Yes, please, Papa," Sonya chimed in. "We have pictures and everything!"

Nikolas laughed. "Are you sure you want to know about Wyndemere?" he asked Julianna, his dark eyes teasing.

"Yes," she said and laughed. "It sounds intriguing."

"It is that," Gia said and shook her head.

"Come on," Sonya said, reaching for Julianna’s hand. "Nicky and I will tell you all about our grandfather’s home."

"And about our father’s horse Sheba, too!"

"Okay," Julianna said, letting the children lead her into their father’s den, where they knew they could sit on the floor near the fireplace and look at the photo albums as long as they didn’t disturb anything on his desk.

"They are so adorable," Keesha said.

"They’re very close to Stefan," Nikolas explained. "For which I’m grateful."

"So they spend a lot of time at Wyndemere?" A.J. asked.

"A fair amount," Gia said. "Enough so that they like talking about it, and it doesn’t spook them."

The adults had retreated to the living room and were making themselves comfortable.

"Keesha," Gia said, "I’m so happy I finally got to meet you. But I’m sorry about your illness."

"Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too. Nikolas’ eyes just lit up when he talked about you and the children. I’m glad we could get together."

"And you," Gia said, turning her attention to A.J. "I can’t believe you didn’t keep in touch with us."

"I couldn’t, Gia. I’m sorry. I hope you understand."

"Yeah, I do," she said, her features softening into a smile. "Your daughter is so beautiful," she continued, directing her comment to Keesha and A.J. "Nikolas and I wondered how you were faring after the news about Sonny and Carly and then Michael’s paternity. We’re glad you came back, A.J., even if you don’t stay."

"Thanks."

"Even under the circumstances, Keesha, I hope you’re able to enjoy spending time with Dara and Justus," Nikolas said.

"I am. It’s been better than I thought it would be, but I have to be honest. Port Charles doesn’t feel like home. I miss Philadelphia. I hope to return to my house. One of these days."

"I talked to Ellen yesterday, but there’s no news, Keesha. I’m sorry."

"It’s not your fault, Nikolas. I understand it’s all about timing."

"Speaking of timing," Gia said, "I’d better check on dinner."

"I can help," Keesha offered.

"Thank you, but you sit there and relax. I have everything under control."

Just then the children came bursting into the living room, followed by Julianna, wanting to know if she could ride a horse with them some time.

"Do you ride, Julianna?" Nikolas asked.

"No, but Sonya said I could ride a calm horse."

"Starlight, Papa. Can’t Julianna ride her?"

"We have to get her used to the idea of being around horses first," he explained.

"Do you wanna?" Nicky asked, his dark eyes so much like his father’s pleading with her.

She smiled. "I’d like to try."

"After dinner," Nikolas said, "we’ll show Julianna the stables and the horses for just a little while."

"Then you come back and ride with us," Sonya said, clapping her hands together in delight.

"I’ll see if I can," Julianna said.

"C’mon," Nicky said, leading the charge. "We’ll show you pictures of Starlight. You’ll love her."

"That's great you're able to have horses on your property with enough room to ride. Maybe our daughter will become an equestrian," A.J. quipped.

Keesha laughed, but she couldn’t help but notice the worry on A.J.’s face. She wished there was something she could do to help him. Since she didn’t know what she could do to ease his stress, she squeezed his arm to let him know she was there for him. A.J. smiled to let her know he appreciated and understood the gesture.

*~*

Light conversation took place at the dining room table, which helped to keep the mood jovial.

"A little birdie told me you are a wonderful singer," Gia said to Julianna, halfway through the meal.

Julianna lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Was this little birdie at the barbecue last night?" Keesha asked.

Gia nodded and laughed.

"But seriously, I’d love to hear you sing."

"We would, too," Nicky and Sonya said in unison.

"No, please, don’t ask me," Julianna said. "I’m never singing in public again."

"Nikolas said you’re practically running L&B Records," A.J. said to Gia.

"I am, and I love every minute of it, except when I have to be away from my family."

"Do you travel much?" Keesha asked.

"More than I want to," Gia said. "But it’s exciting when we discover new talent."

"Brooke Lynn is learning more and more about the business," Nikolas said. "Gia’s going to have her do more of the traveling."

"Yes," Gia said. "I’m getting too old for this."

Nikolas laughed and affectionately rubbed his wife’s back.

"You’re not old," he said, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

"Some days I feel old," she said.

"I can relate to that," Keesha said, her voice more somber than she intended.

A.J. drew Keesha closer to him. She looked at him and smiled.

"What about you, Julianna?" Nikolas asked. "Do you think you’ll follow in your mother’s footsteps and become a nurse? I’ll make sure you have a job at GH if you do.  Or maybe you'll follow in your paternal grandparents' footsteps and become a doctor?"

"No way!" Julianna said, shaking her head in disgust.

The look of horror on her face made the adults laugh.

"Why so adamant?" Gia asked, her curiosity genuine.

"I admire my mother for becoming a nurse, but I don’t want anything to do with hospitals, doctors, Emergency Rooms, blood, needles. None of that gory stuff. My mother’s illness has just reinforced my distaste for anything to do with pain and sickness. I can’t stand any of it."

"And yet, you have to depend on all of that so your mother can get well," Gia said, understanding the irony of Julianna's feelings.

"Right. But once my mother is well, I never want to see a hospital again!"

"I understand," Nikolas said.

A.J. had a sudden flashback of Jason saying the same thing after the accident that had caused his brain damage and then another time after he had been shot. He didn’t allow himself to dwell on Jason’s words or how much his daughter had sounded like her uncle at that moment.

"Do you know what you might like to do for a career?" Gia asked.

"I want to work with children," Julianna said, looking at Nikolas and Sonya and smiling at them. "That much I do know."

"I think that’s wonderful," Gia said.

Nikolas quickly agreed.

"I can tell you that our children adore you," Gia said. "I can see it in their eyes."

"They are great kids," Julianna said, her voice wistful.

Nikolas and Sonya looked at each other and giggled.

"You hafta spend more time with us," Sonya declared.

"I’d like that," Julianna said, ruffling Nicky's dark hair with her slender fingers. "I’d like that very much."

*~*

After dinner, Gia stayed with Keesha and A.J. while Nikolas and the children escorted Julianna to the stables. They hadn’t been out there very long when the phone rang.

"Excuse me," Gia said.

"Of course."

She returned a moment later, looking concerned.

"I have to get Nikolas. That call is for him."

"Sure," A.J. said.

Gia raced to the stables and told her husband he had a phone call. A few minutes later, Nikolas hung up the phone and walked into the living room, looking very serious.

"What is it?" A.J. asked. "Is everything okay?"

"That was Ellen," Nik said. "She’s on her way to the hospital. A liver has just become available and, Keesha, you are the most likely candidate on the list to be a match."