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The Triumph Of AJ Quartermaine
Mixed Nuts
As soon as the decision is handed down AJ glances around the courtroom-- Jason is gone. "Hell." He gets on the Nokia cell phone and calls Carly at home.
"What happened?" Carly picks up the phone in the study where she had been pacing around the rug like it was a track. Pausing only long enough to roll a toy back to Michael.
"Hello to you too. No joint custody, no visitation but the judge put an end date on the restraining order." AJ leans back in his seat relaxing now that he's heard her voice and knows that she is home safe. After all telling Dad to drive safe and having him actually do it are two different things.
"So Mama's going to have to do this again." Carly states flatly. She takes the cordless phone over near the fire and stares at it angrily.
"Yeah, that's what her attorney told her. Jason's left already."
"Probably off comparing notes with Little Miss Perfect." Carly sneers making a flicking motion with her free hand.
"Maybe or he could be heading to the house. How's Michael?" AJ asks. Carly looks over to where Michael is playing on the rug making varooming noises with his toy motorcycles.
"Being a little sweety-- All hugs and kisses. Jason took pictures while we were gone. Leticia gave them to me. And he's learned a new sound."
"Okay, I'm going to invite the crew over so consider this your warning."
"I'll be waiting. You going to invite Edward over too?" Carly grimaces.
"Well if Dad is invited then Grandfather is sure to find out." AJ shrugs.
"I'll call Reggie and fill him in. So he can tell Lila and Cook. Maybe even bring Emily here right after school." Carly muses out loud. "This is it right? Our last official extended family gathering for awhile? Let things settle down for awhile maybe even finish furnishing the house? Nothing major going on until say... Easter even better Independence Day?"
The penthouse--
Robin knocks confidently on the door. Sonny is surprised to see her. "Robin? What are you doing here?" Sonny draws her into a hug but it's a little shorter than before, a little cooler. "Aren't you suppose to be in school?"
"I was called back to testify; not that it did any good, but I thought that I'd try. And I left things unfinished here."
"Yeah, that's one way of putting it." Sonny says wryly.
"So Jason isn't here." Robin looks around the penthouse briefly.
"Jason doesn't live here anymore. He got his own place. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here-- to see him. You know what happened after you left?"
"Well Carly didn't get her hooks into Jason." Robin replies smugly. "Felicia wrote me; told me that Carly is living with AJ now."
"He lost his son, Robin. And I'm beginning to think that you got that hook thing backwards. Jason doesn't have a hold on Carly anymore and it's driving him nuts."
"Excuse me?! It's the best thing that could have happened. She's a lying sociopath, Sonny. You don't know her the way that I do.
"No, I don't. I'm getting to know her through Jason's eyes rather than yours. Maybe you should try it sometime. Listening to why Jason likes Carly. Why Jason even loves Carly."
"Jason doesn't love Carly." Robin says adamantly. "She might think he does, but it's not love; it's all in her deluded little mind."
"Since I've been back; I've seen Ms. Benson... twice maybe three times, I think. Sweetheart, I'm not getting my information from Carly."
"It's worse than I thought; she's got him brainwashed. I have to go talk to my uncle Mac." Robin reaches up and hugs Sonny quickly and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Then turns and leaves without another word.
Sonny looks over at Johnny who'd heard the last comment from Robin. "And they think Carly is nuts?"
"There are all kinds of nuts, boss. All kinds. Miss Scorpio came all the way back from Paris to testify for Bobbie Spencer?"
"No, I'd bet Tony Jones." Sonny looks down, then rubs his eyes.
Johnny who had actually been there when Jason had broken Tony's hand and hauled Robin's unconscious body from the cabin to the hospital. "All kinds, Boss. All kinds. Boss, if it's cool I think I'll have Francis cover for me on the door. I want to check on the restaurant and conduct some... personal business."
"Tell your 'Ma' hi." Sonny jokes giving Johnny his best dimpled grin. "Loved her on TV. Want her autograph."
Across town at the mansion--
Reggie has just hung up after talking to Carly and goes into the kitchen. "That was Carly on the phone. She says that everyone is coming over to her house for an 'open house' to celebrate Ms. Spencer kicking Dr. Jones' butt in court. She wants me to invite Mrs. Lila."
"You're kidding right? They just got back from Jakarta this morning and she's throwing a party today?"
Reggie shrugs. "I guess; you're invited too."
Cook looks around the kitchen. "Well Hell."
"What?"
"Get Mrs. Lila over there. I got some things to do around here. Tell Carly the Calvary is on the way."
"Calvary?" Reggie wonders what conversation he is involved in.
"I don't say things to hear myself talk-- get out of my kitchen!" Cook finally roars impatiently.
"I'm out of here." Reg rolls his eyes but goes up the back stairs at a run arriving breathlessly at Mrs. Lila's rooms. He pauses briefly to straighten his vest and get his breathing under control and then knocks softly.
"Come in, Dear." Lila looks with a gentle smile as Reggie enters.
"Mrs. Lila, the family has been invited over to AJ and Carly's house to welcome them back from Jakarta. And to celebrate Bobbie Spencer keeping custody of her son."
"Oh how lovely. But we really must take something." She considers for a minute. "Darling, could you go down to the Cellars and bring up a case of champagne and a couple of Magnums of the sparkling water. Do you think that Carly has the proper glasses yet? She and AJ did just move in. I know that she has been more preoccupied with her darling child and the major furnishings?"
"Don't forget the world traveling with AJ, I'll take care of it and pull the car around."
"Thank you, dear." As soon as Reggie leaves Lila is on the internal phone to call Cook.
Cook sees which extension is calling and knows that it is Lila. "I'm already on it. Luckily, I was cooking a prime rib today. But it is going to take me a little while to get everything packed up and over there."
"I do so love a potluck, don't you dear?"
"Potluck ala Quartermaine, Miss Lila."
"Reggie and I will meet you there, dear." Lila disconnects the call. Cook looks around the kitchen and starts pulling out the things that she'll need to transfer a meal over to the Happy Family House.
Picking up the phone she calls the Happy Family house. "Well are you going to kill him or am I?"
"Who Edward?" Carly laughs recognizing the voice.
"No, AJ-- dropping this party in your lap."
"I can't complain, Cook. Part of it is for my mother." Carly none the less starts rubbing the back of her neck. She looks over at the clock and calculates the time. "Course my body is telling me it is about midnight tomorrow. But I'll get over that. I've got the coffee on. I've got everyone's presents from the trip. They can take a tour of the house. We'll toast Bobbie and then end of session. I'll be in bed by three at the latest when Michael goes down for his nap."
"Pop a Vivarin, Girlie; that's not the way it's going down. Mrs. L is on her way with a case of champagne and tossing in a couple of bottles of that sparkly water that AJ likes since he quit closing the bars. Call this number." Cook rattles off a number. "They'll set you up with a buffet table if you don't have one already from your shopping sprees as well as china and crystal and tablecloths-- get some folding chairs as well. Tell them that I referred you and they'll have it there practically before you get off the phone."
"What are you talking about?"
"Girlie, I heard it called an Open House. For these mucky mucks that means everyone and their brother that has ever done business with the Q's are on their way over for free food. I really think that you should kill AJ."
"But... but it's suppose to be just family."
"That's bad enough.-- we're talking how many..." Cook starts doing a quick calculation. "Oh I don't know about 25-30 give or take spread out over the next couple of hours."
"I'm dead." Carly moans.
"Just get on the phone. Help is on the way. Reggie is coming with Lila. And call that number I gave you. Tell them to bring and industrial sized coffee urn as well. I think you're going to need it." Cook hangs up without saying goodbye. Cook hears the quiet snick of the back door being opened and turns sharply to see Johnny standing there. "Good-- glad you're here; I need your help."
"Really?" Johnny's face takes on a happy glow.
"Yep, AJ sprung a party on Carly; she needs food fast over at the house. Your restaurant still makes the best trout almandine and the spinach quiches right?"
"The best, Ma." Johnny says confidently.
"Well then call that overpaid cook of yours and get him busy. Need them delivered fancy dressed to Carly's house as soon as possible. And then when your done with that could you get me the serving trays down." Cook points to the highest cupboard in the kitchen. "Reggie always puts the damn things away." Johnny and Cook start working in tandem following a pattern that was started when he was a child and never forgotten even though it had been cut short by circumstance-- and the long arm of the law.
Happy Family house--
Carly is starting to realize that she is way over her head. Looking around she groans. Thank Goodness at least the caretaker had a cleaning crew in before they arrived back from Jakarta. The place sparkled but it was so darn empty. "What was I thinking... some Danishes, a little coffee, pass out the presents and then a round of Bobbie's a jolly good gal. I'm dead. I need a concierge-- Now." Carly grabs the cordless phone and dials the number that cook gave her. Balancing it against her shoulder she shifts Michael more comfortably on her hip. She lays Cooks name in often and insistently until the service swears that they have a truck on the way. As soon as she hangs up the phone there is a ring at the front door. "Not already." She moans before going to the door and opening it with a plastic smile. It's Jason.
"We need to talk." He demands. Michael starts reaching out to Jason with some clear dada's.
"I don't have time right now. Everyone is on their way over here expecting a party." Carly walks away from Jason carrying Michael with her. "What are you doing here anyway? I figured you'd be off with your perfect princess, Robin."
"Robin has nothing to do with us." Jason says flatly.
"Right. Nothing." Carly rolls her eyes. The door bell rings again. Carly throws her hand up but this time it is a grateful sight. Lila and Reggie. "Thank you, Lord." Carly opens the door with a real smile this time. "Mrs. Quartermaine. I am so happy to see you. How's it going, Reg?"
"Cook says that the Calvary is on it's way." Reggie says cryptically.
"Yeah, I just got off the phone with her."
"Reggie dear, Could you bring in the champagne start getting it chilled. Jason, darling perhaps you could help. Caroline, all you have to do is show them where the freezer is and they'll take care of everything. Not even that since Reggie has been here before."
"Mrs. L. I knew you were a saint for putting up with your hubby all these years but may I say you are a saint."
"There, there dear. Edward has sprung enough of these shindigs on me over the years. I know how you are feeling. Why don't you let me hold that sweet boy and you can get changed out of your court clothes into something more comfortable. I'll handle things down here for you."
Carly hands Michael to his great grandmother and bends over to kiss Lila on the cheek. "My house is your house, Lila. Anytime."
"That's sweet." Lila says absently patting Carly on the hand as she shows Michael her pearls and allows him to play with the lengthy strand. "Now go get changed, dear."
"Thank you, Lila." Carly races upstairs to her room throwing open the door and then groaning when she sees the mess. "oh Hell!" Quickly she tosses the clothes back in the closet after grabbing out a sweater dress. Shucking her clothes rapidly she tosses the suit to the back of the closet hoping to never see the 'court suit' ever again. Dragging the sweater dress over her head she tugs it into place and zips on her black boots. Looking in the mirror she runs a hand through her hair and adds some lipstick. "Screw it." She throws down the lipstick and heads downstairs. Lila is directing Reggie and Jason in the positioning of the newly delivered buffet table. She holds Michael firmly in her lap but the child is going nowhere except to giggle with glee whenever Lila hits the power on her motorized wheelchair and "varoom" along with the motion of the chair. "Where's the coffee urn?" Carly demands setting her priorities. "They were suppose to send one."
Reggie looks over at Lila who nods. He sets down his end of the buffet table. "It's in the kitchen perking as we speak."
"Good, okay... what next? Veggie tray. Mrs. L, are you okay out here?"
"Do what you have to, dear" Lila doesn't look at Carly but instead makes a funny face for Michael and sets the chair in motion to hear him giggle again. "We're fine here." Carly makes a move toward the kitchen and Jason starts to follow her. "Jason, could you be a dear and set up the folding chairs in the front room? They are really quite lovely. Reggie, remind me to pick some up before the fourth of July party at the house."
"You got it, Mrs. Quartermaine." Reggie sees Jason's frustrations even as he follows his grandmothers instructions. Foiled again. "Jason, I can put the chairs out." Reggie offers.
"Thanks Man, I owe you." Jason mutters as he passes Reggie on the way to the kitchen. Jason's presence startles Carly who was intent on cutting up veggies. She turns with the little paring knife still in her hand. "Hey I give." Jason laughs.
"Whatever. I don't have time for this. Here..." Carly hands Jason the paring knife. "You take over here. I need to make the dip."
"Carly, we need to talk." Jason demands even as he takes up the paring knife and begins to skillful hack the innocent vegetables into bite sized pieces.
"Now you want to talk? We've had years to talk. So this is where I am at right now-- I don't want to talk, okay? I got 30 people on the way over here and fighting with you is not how I want to spend my time. So you can either help me out here or get the hell out." Carly turns her back on Jason and tying an apron around herself so she doesn't get messed up starts gathering the ingredients for Virginia's famous vegetable dip.