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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Sixty Seven
Discuss
The Bentley pulls to the front of Porter's restaurant. Reginald parks the Bentley in the handicap spot making sure that the placard is in plain view. Hopping out from behind the driver's seat he goes directly to the trunk and takes out Lila's wheel chair. Once Lila is settled in the chair, Alan and Edward lead the way into the restaurant with Alan holding the door for Lila and Reginald. The hostess looks up from her station and then around the restaurant to find a suitable table for the prominent people of Port Charles. Something was definitely up.
Outside, the beater truck of Lucky Spencer crawls by the restaurant. "How likely is it-- the Q's would be dining out tonight?" Lucky asks his brother.
"Not too." Nikolas studies first the Bentley and then the restaurant. Lucky pulls into a lot across from the restaurant and parks. Nik sees the light in the floor above the restaurant. "Any idea what is above the place?"
"Probably apartments considering the neighborhood." Lucky nods looking around. "Any clue who owns the building?"
"I hadn't made it a priority." Nik's eyes narrow. "That was an error. One which I will rectify."
"How long are we going to sit here?" Lucky asks.
"No longer." Nik says softly. "I'll return when I'll be able to talk to Emily privately."
"Private would be good." Lucky quips. "Especially since you are going to be admitting to a little kidnapping of your own." Lucky glances down at his watch. "Where do you think they are by now?"
"Somewhere over the Atlantic." Nik doesn't even glance at his watch but instead focuses on a shadow passing by the curtained window of the upstairs apartment. "She's up there."
"Later bro, Later." Lucky starts the truck and pulls out, heading back to the carriage house. "Let's see if we can track down a phone number for that apartment. Reverse listing." Lucky mutters already planning on how he was going to get the number.
Johnny walks up to the Quartermaine table. He greets Alan as if he hasn't seen him in days, is cool to Edward and sweet to Lila. He takes one of Lila's hands in both of his. "Mrs. Quartermaine, it's an honor to have you in my restaurant."
"There is no place I'd rather be on this night, Mr. Cook."
"Johnny please."
Lila smiles. "Johnny then." She looks around. "It's really quite busy this evening. I see so many people I know."
"Yes, everyone seemed to get the same idea at the same time." Johnny says ruefully. "There is one thing I'm sure you didn't see while my mother was working for the family... would you like to see the Kitchen, Mrs. Quartermaine?"
Lila studies Johnny intently before answering. "That would be lovely. Edward..."
Edward jumps up in a heart beat. He had been wondering how the meeting would be taking place. He bumps into Johnny just long enough to mutter, "She better not be back there doing dishes or something."
Johnny rolls his eyes. "This way." Edward pushing Lila's chair follows Johnny through the dining area and back into the kitchens. The controlled chaos is fascinating to watch but Johnny doesn't pause as he goes into the back storeroom. There he punches the button to the elevator. "This will take you up to the next level. The room is another storeroom, it opens to a hallway. The apartment is on the right." Johnny hands Edward the keys to the apartment. "Emily is expecting you both. But it wouldn't surprise me if she was asleep either. She was practically falling asleep in her soup when I took up her dinner earlier."
"My poor granddaughter should be home in her own bed." Lila says sadly.
"I know, Mrs. Q. But this will do until the kidnappers are caught. Taggart has already interviewed Emily and Rita both."
"How is your dear sister?" Lila pauses to take Johnny's hand.
"The Judge isn't letting her out of his sight. And Ma has called to keep me up to date." Johnny glances down at his watch. "I need to get back to the trenches. Goodness knows what Frank will pull. Don't stay long. You'll blow her cover." Johnny walks away from the Q's and back into the kitchen.
Upstairs Edward pushes Lila's chair from the elevator car. "You'd never know from looking at the place." Just as Johnny had laid out they were in a small storeroom, actually a climate controlled wine cellar. Edward can't resist looking at the some of the labels. Edward checks the hallway and then brings Lila out into it.
"I think that is just the point, Edward." Lila raps softly on the door to the apartment as Edward pulls out the key. "I'd say that like his mother, Mr. Cook has unseen depths."
"So do Icebergs." Edward mutters as he unlocks the door. "Doesn't mean I want to go meeting any." As he looks through the open door he sees Emily curled up on the couch. "Emily!" Edward races over and hugs her close. Emily had tried to rise to her feet but ended up almost oversetting herself not used to the weight of the cast. "Sit down, sit down." Edward insists. He pulls Lila's chair close then takes a nearby chair. Lila holds Emily's hand and pats it over and over. She is so choked up she can't speak. That is not Edward's problem. "That's it. When you get home... no more modeling, and a driver, an armed driver. Actually you don't need to go anywhere. Tutors, I'll get you one of those new fangled internet connection thingies in your room."
"Edward!" Lila protests. "Let the girl catch her breath."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Emily laughs shaking her head. "I'll take you up on the internet access. The rest we'll discuss."
"Discuss." Edward frowns. "Young Lady, I have been a parent for decades. While some might not agree with that, I do know what it means when someone says it will be discussed. Don't patronize me, young lady. Do you know how much you scared your Grandmother, and yes, me too?! Not that I don't know you have a good head on your shoulders, but I do have a weak heart, you know. You can just postpone your gallivanting until after Lila and I are dead."
Now Emily is the one that is speechless. There is really no comeback for the when I'm dead position in an argument. Not when you'd just come back from a "gallivant" that almost got you killed. Luckily Lila comes to the rescue.
"Edward, darling, can't you see that the poor dear is totally wiped out? It's not fair to be making your ultimatums when she isn't up to fighting with you."
"How am I suppose to win if I don't take my advantages where I get them." Edward mutters in protest. But he takes a close look at Em. "Time for bed, young lady. And this is a fight your grandmother will let me win." Edward slides a hand under Emily's knees and another behind her back. He lifts her with barely a grunt and carries her into the bedroom following Lila who has kicked up the speed on the motorized chair and turns down the neatly made bed. Lila backs away giving Edward room.
"You know you just totally blew your argument about having a weak ticker, Grandfather." Emily settles back against the pillows. Lila rolls in closer and smoothes the covers over her. Not knowing exactly what is possessing him, Edward starts tucking the covers in around Emily.
"We'll discuss it when you get home." Edward mutters.
Lila gets her last pat in. "Sleep well dear. You're safe now. Call me in the morning. We can touch base then."
"Just like always." Emily gets a little teary.
Edward is standing back by the bedroom door ready to turn off the lights. "Lila, let the girl sleep." He says gruffly. Lila rolls over to the living room. Edward stops just as he is about to turn out the lights at Emily's voice.
"Grandfather, " Emily says hesitantly. "Could you leave the lights on?" Edward flinches.
"It's on one of those dimmer things. I'll just turn it down a bit. How's that?"
"Okay."
"Sleep tight, Emily."