 |
||
The Quintessential Q
Chapter Tweleve
Sunday's Best Behavior
Jason's penthouse about 9:30am on Sunday morning. Jason's security announces Emily. Jason and Michael are already dressed in "sunday best."
"Emmie!" Michael chortles racing over to meet Emily as she enters.
"Hey Michael! Look at you, all ready for church." Emily picks up Michael and spins him around.
Jason who had been watching Michael from the kitchen pours another cup of coffee, doctoring it the way that Emily likes it. "Morning Em, we're still waiting on Sonny." He brings out three cups: two with coffee and a sippy cup with apple juice for Michael. They settle in at the dining room table to wait. Jason studies Emily closely. "You look tired."
"Not much sleep in the last couple of days." Emily takes a sip of coffee and sighs. "Oh that is good. And I needed it. Friday was the play with the grandparents and then I went out dancing. Little did I know that I'd get called to a shoot Saturday morning. I came straight back from the city after it was over but it was still late when I got home. The shoot was a mess-- at least to start; I was subbing for a model who got busted for drugs, the designer wasn't happy and the cause of his ire wasn't there so he vented on me."
"Something you should be used to after living with the Q's all these years. The person who deserves the reaming is seldom the one that gets it."
"Training for real life, I guess. I'm planning on catching up on my sleep tonight after I drop Michael off at Carly and AJ's because I have appointments at Deception tomorrow."
"I thought Ned or Jax was handling Deception?"
"They are mostly but it's getting to the point where I have the..." Emily makes little quote motions with her fingers. "...connections in the fashion industry. So I get to pick photographers, models, layouts, do ad approval. Nuts and bolts stuff-- the staff does all the preliminary and I do the final selections and sign off on it. I think it's busy work Ned is shoving my way."
"How are things going with Ned?"
Emily shrugs. "Fine, other than the fact that he won't listen or take me seriously."
"I can tell you believe that but I don't think I do." Jason says calmly. "Ned is the one of the two at the house who does listen."
"Sure, about most things but he has a HUGE blindspot."
"AJ." Jason says flatly.
"Yeah, and if it were just AJ, I'd think business as usual but he's made one too many cute comments around Carly."
Jason subtly winces. "I wouldn't think Ned's blindspot would have extended to Carly."
"Yeah, it's dumb. But he can't imagine anyone sticking up for AJ so he isn't taking the threat seriously."
"Emily, he's an adult. He may have to find out the hard way. You've done what you can do."
"Not everything. I can still try to talk to Carly. Hopefully the horse will keep her distracted long enough for her to calm down over the last dig Ned made. And Alexis knows about the problem so she might be able to... redirect Ned a little. How's the coffee business?"
"Doing amazingly well considering the warm weather. It'll be picking up in a couple of months."
"Are you going to put a retail kiosk on the new docks project? Now that the docks themselves are fully functioning, the prominade is the developer's focus."
"How do you know?"
"You're looking at the newest consultant on the youth market. Grandfather's way of trying to keep my busy and push me toward ELQ at the same time." Emily says wryly. "I tell you right now. The way life has been running me ragged lately I'd keep a coffee stand in business down there. And at 4-6 bucks a drink, it's more profitable than booze."
"True. I'll mention it to Sonny." Jason nods.
"Mention what to Sonny?" Sonny asks shrugging into his jacket. He'd entered unnoticed and unannounced.
"Putting a coffee kiosk in the new prominade, Heck, it's long enough to support two!" Emily smiles.
"Wouldn't the old man just freak." Sonny smirks. "I love it. Sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Are you ready to roll?"
"Sure." Jason nods. He picks up Michael and washes off the little boy's face and hands. Emily grabs the cups and takes them into the kitchen flipping off the coffee maker as she comes out.
"All set. Is Mike going to meet us there?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm late. He wouldn't let me get off the phone." Sonny rolls his eyes. Sonny grabs the door; Jason grabs the kid, and Emily grabs Michael's accessory bag. The bodyguard hits the down button on the elevator and in about half a tick they are down in the security area of the garage and on their way to Queen of Angels. They arrive at the last possible minute. Jason drops Michael off at the nursery, Sonny goes upstairs. Emily slides in next to Mike. They slide down even further on the smooth pew to make room for Jason. Mike whispers to Emily. "Where's Sonny?"
"He's going to sit up by the organist. He thought it would be safer to split up for the service. We're all going to brunch afterward." Emily whispers back. Emily allows herself to be drawn into the service. This was something that she had shared with her mother, Paige. It was comforting, the ceremony, the ritual of the service. When the time comes to shake hands with a neighbor the people in the pew in front turn around to shake hands and blanch when they recognize Jason. Emily takes their hand and greets them setting them at ease. They hesitate a moment and then shake hands with Jason as well. Jason's expression doesn't change as he gives a firm handshake and the ritual greeting. The people sigh with relief and relax a little as they turn around. As the service winds to a close, Emily and Mike go up to take communion while Jason goes to get Micheal. The priest goes to the church vestibule to meet with people individually-- touch base with them as they leave. As a consideration to the Church's primary benefactors, the priest greets people inside the church rather than on the steps as he normally does. Out of consideration to the congregation, Jason and Sonny wait to be the last to leave. They take the time waiting to read the church news letter. The current fundraising project is replacing the ancient boiler in the school before winter comes.
"Emily, it's good to see you this week." The priest shakes Emily's hand.
"It's the highlight of my week, Father Mark. I always feel better after one of your sermons." Emily tells the priest. "Do you have the list?"
"You're a kind child." The priest offers a list of the parishioners that are hospitalized at General Hospital. People who had been prayed for that day. Emily tucks the list into her purse. She'd arrange for the flowers and cards later. The priest turns to Mike. "Mr Corbin, we've missed you at Bingo. There always seems to be a better turn out when you're calling."
Mike winces. Better turn out of blue haired ladies looking for a date. The priest winks at him knowing exactly what was going on. "I'll be there Monday, Father." Mike sighs. Priests seem to be able to do the guilt thing without even trying.
Sonny and Jason approach the priest. Sonny extends a hand to the priest. The priest shakes his hand and realizes there is a piece of paper in it. He looks down at the check. The amount would pay the difference for the new boiler. "Mr Corinthos... you've been extremely... generous. Bless you."
"It's a good cause, Father." Sonny says simply and walks away. He stops to talk to Mike for a second just to tell them where they would be doing brunch. Then follows Emily and Michael to the limo.
Jason shakes hands with the priest. "Father Mark, let me know when the boiler is due to arrive. I've got some guys that can put it in for you. They'll take good care of you. You've got my number at the penthouse and the warehouse."
"Of course. Bless you and Mr Corinthos for this." The priest can't believe it; his was a small parish and with a few exceptions not a wealthy one.
"Not a problem, Father. After my son goes to his mother's house, I'm planning on stopping by the Recovery Room for a beer-- stop by. The first round is on me. We can let the second one be on Mike." Jason gives a small smile and walks to the limo.
Emily asks once everyone is settled in the limo. "Where are we going and please don't say the grille."
"Johnny's place." Sonny says. "He's opening up early for us before the brunch crowd comes in."
Emily winces. "Why do I wish we were going to the grille?" She mutters then falls silent staring out the tinted window. Too soon they are at the restaurant. Johnny greets them at the door. He avoids any eyecontact with Emily. Something that doesn't go unnoticed by either Sonny or Jason. Johnny shows them to the table that is already set with linens and flowers. There is a booster seat already set up for Michael. Emily takes a seat next to Michael planning on focusing on him and ignoring Johnny. And getting the HELL out of there as soon as possible. The waitstaff starts circulating with coffee.
Sonny sniffs the coffee taking in the bouquet. He turns to the staff member. "Kona."
"Yes sir." The waitress smiles. "Yours." As soon as everyone has selected coffee, juice or mimosas. They are left to socialize as the staff unobtrusively sets out serving dishes of a tropical fruit salad made up of pineapple, kiwi, mango, papaya, mandarin orange and topped with a garnish of shredded coconut. There is also baskets of banana muffins set out. The ones without nuts are on the end of the table near Michael. The first course is a creme brulee french toast made from homemade challah bread. The main course is fluffy 'hawaiian omelets' made with canadian bacon and fresh pineapple. Johnny prepares a simple creamcheese scrambled egg for Michael not knowing if he was ready for omelets so Emily gives Michael a bite of hers. Everyone is stuffed to the gills, or at least think they are, when the desserts arrive: a choice of champagne orange sorbet or an orange flan topped with candied orange zest.
Mike groans even as he takes a serving of flan. "I'm glad we don't do this every week. I'd end up on a tabloid television show as the world's fattest and happiest man."
Emily hesitates for a moment then takes a serving of the sorbet. The frozen dessert is tart and sweet melting on her tongue. "Hmm, oh yeah that's good." She closes her eyes and takes another bite. Johnny walks from the kitchen and the only person he sees is Emily with her eyes closed savoring the sorbet. Emily opens her eyes meeting Johnny's hungry gaze-- time seems to stand still.
"Johnny.... JOHNNY" Sonny finally gets Johnny's attention breaking the spell. Johnny takes a seat at the table. One of his staff pours him a cup of coffee then refills everyone elses' and clear away unneeded plates and utensils. "Quitting was the best thing you ever did. You've found your calling."
"Here here!" Mike raises his cup saluting the chef.
"I was showing off a bit." Johnny admits. "But I knew you'd appreciate it."
"EMMIE, Want down!" Michael demands. Emily looks reluctantly over at Johnny who nods.
"You got it, Mr Man." The watching waitstaff has Emily a warm cloth that Emily uses to wash off Michael's hands and face quickly before letting him down. Johnny's eyes follow Emily and Michael as Michael wanders around the closed dining area of the restaurant.
"How are things going?" Sonny asks Johnny. When he can't make eye contact with his former bodyguard he follows Johnny's gaze.
"It's been hectic. The old man used my mother's wedding to the judge as an opportunity to steal my chef."
"And after he's worked for the Q's for a month or two he'll be begging for his old job back." Sonny laughs. "It's just like the old man to do a little thieving if he figures he can get away with it. But it's also in his character to be unreasonable with the staff."
"You don't have to tell me, I don't know how my mother put up with it for so long."
"Emily came up with an idea to burn the old man. Wondering if you want in." Jason asks Johnny. Both Emily and Johnny look at Jason.
"The coffee kiosks..." Sonny nods, "...on either end of the prominade-- part of the docks project."
"I don't see how I'd be involved, even though I see how a Morgan/Corinthos coffee shop would burn the old man."
"Muffins, scones, your mother's cream cheese brownies." Emily starts to list. "And you guys don't know how sweet it would be. Grandfather is hooked on sweets and I think your mother liked it that way. She could control him by withholding them. Who do you think ate ALL of those eclairs the other day, Johnny?" Emily looks at Johnny quickly and then looks away as she continues. "I think I got one bite. Having the kiosks there might irritate Grandfather but having to FREQUENT them in order to get your or your mom's baking-- that is going to burn. He'll probably send Reggie to get it the first few times. But if Reggie were busy.... I wonder if Grandfather would wear a disguise?"
Mike chokes on his coffee. Sonny thumps him on the back. Mike coughs even as he looks over at Emily. "You're evil. How did you get so sneaky?"
"The Q's." Jason says.
"Carly and AJ." Sonny adds.
"And here I thought it was hanging out with you guys." Emily laughs not taking offense. There is the toot of a horn out in front of the restaurant. "That's probably my ride." Emily picks up Michael. "You ready to go see Mama and Papa, Mr Man?"
Jason picks up Michael's bag and walks Emily and Michael to the Bentley where Reggie waits. Inside the restaurant Sonny asks Johnny. "What do you think? Emily seems to have it all figured out."
"I'm in. Let me know when, where and how much." Johnny laughs.