A/N:This was originally to be one simple scene, but as I began to describe Danny and Lexi their little personalities kind of took over and this "epilogue" became an EPIClogue. It started innocently enough with the twins up to something. Only then I thought, what are they up to and why? If they were going to be in trouble, I wanted it to be for a good reason since I figure Jason and Sam would have raised them to be honest and goodhearted. So, I started to think about the other kids in Port Charles. Who were their cousins and friends and what might they need help with? It snowballed from there and 24k words and 60 pages later I am finally FINALLY done.

I must credit xanda at D&T and her fic, Finding What Was Lost, for it is the family unity and friendship felt in that story that inspired me and made me want to find that kind of bond for my Morgan family and friends.

Now, for purposes of this update, Molly, Kristina, Michael and Morgan are SORASed as they are on the show while all other children remain at the "true" age according to date of birth. Haley, Lexi, Drew and Aaron Refvam are who I envisioned in this update and I've included a photo at D&T and TrustedHearts of some of the other kids as well. Michael... 18, Kristina... 17, Morgan... 12, Molly... 11, Cameron... 10, Spencer... 7, Jake... 7 (just), Danny... 6, Lexi... 6, Emma... 5, Paige... 4, Davy and Little Edward... 4mos.

Epilogue

Six plus years later...

"That's disgussing!" Lexi exclaimed giddily as she pinched her nose closed to avoid the stench while leaning over her brother's shoulder for a better look.

"I know." Danny half-smirked.

"I hid the eggs on the roof for three weeks this time." Danny re-adjusted the binder clip over his nose as he cautiously scooped the slimy horrid goop from the pot to the funnel with the steady hand of a surgeon.

"Don't overfill it like last time." Lexi warned. "But not too little either!" She rushed.

"The latex needs to be stretched just right to detonate with maximum damage." She reminded.

"I got it Lex, just cover me." Daniel Alan Morgan was perfectly aware of the trouble this action could get him into if caught which was why he needed his trusted partner in crime. Bomb-making was stressful work, especially with the authorities right down the hall.

This was why Danny Morgan was thankful to have Lexi on his side. Emily Alexis Morgan was the best backup any brother could want. Her smile was her most lethal weapon. All she had to do was look up at them through her long lashes with those big brown eyes to turn any "no" into an instant "I don't see why not."

She was also great at distraction. Lexi could talk a mile a minute rambling on and on until the grown-ups completely forgot what they were ever asking her to begin with, or even better, what they'd ever been mad about.

This worked on every adult they'd ever encountered with the exception of two women. Their mother and, most of the time, their aunt Carly. Although Carly occasionally gave in, she always made sure they knew sheknew she was being conned.

"Lock the door behind me. I'm going to buy us some time." Lexi peeked out of their bathroom door. The coast was clear, so she quickly stepped into her bedroom and made happily toward her mom and dad's room.

xxxxx

"Thanks for dressing up again. I know how you hate it, especially since this is the third day in less than a week." Sam smoothed Jason's azure satin tie against the lighter blue button-down shirt.

The colors made his eyes even more blue and Sam felt herself lost in them for about the billionth time since she'd first met him. Jason half-grinned, pulled her to him by her waist and kissed her on her lips. "It isn't every day my wife celebrates her birthday and graduates magna cum laude."

"I still can't believe it." Sam shook her head. She really couldn't.

She'd waited until the twins were nearly two years old before applying for admission to PCU. Even still, they were quite a handful and Sam knew if it hadn't been for all of the support and encouragement of her wonderful husband and promise she'd made to her mother she never would have gone back after the first semester.

Stepping into the shoes of a student after years of being her own boss as a captain and salvage operator had been like putting on a pair of new leather boots. It took a while to fit just right. It was a long hard road, but she stuck with her studies and made the Dean's list each following semester.

Jason pressed another kiss to her lips. "Believe it. You're brilliant and beautiful and I couldn't be more proud of you."

Sam smiled and kissed her husband. She'd surprised herself and most of Port Charles, not Jason of course, by ending up a double-major in both Business and Sociology with a special interest in criminology. Sam loved engaging people and figuring out what made them tick so sociology was a natural fit for her. Sam's personal experiences with law enforcement inclined her to minor in Criminal Justice. She figured it could only help to have a better understanding of the law, so she'd know exactly what constituted bending or breaking it.

Sage advice and gentle persuasion from Edward influenced Sam to also major in Business. She'd even worked on and off as his assistant once again and loved every minute of it, even the relentless verbal spars with Tracy failed to dampen her job satisfaction by much. Edward was a wealth of knowledge and she loved how he valued her ideas and challenged her. Of course, she had to take things easy the past year with the latest pregnancy and all, but it was worth her extended leave of absence when she and Jason welcomed their beautiful healthy baby boy into the world four months ago.

Yesterday was a busy day with two separate functions and a celebratory lunch and dinner. Sam might have skipped today's pomp and circumstance after attending two ceremonies already, but her mom had pointed out how she could use it as an example to all of the children in her life. Sam also knew how much seeing her walk across the stage meant to her mother. Alexis missed so many of Sam's firsts and, as a mother herself now, she couldn't bear the thought of depriving her mom of one more ever again.

So, she'd invited Michael and Morgan to attend yesterday morning's business ceremony. Of course, Jason and the twins were present as well while Viola watched the newest little Morgan. Edward was the chosen guest speaker which made the occasion even more special. He was also the reason she'd been able to snag enough tickets for Nikolas, Emily and Spencer to join them. Edward Quartermaine imparted sound wisdom learned from hard knocks experience along with several good laughs to her graduating class. The enthusiastic applause as his speech concluded was proof to Sam and everyone else how much his advice was appreciated.

Afterward, Emily blinded them like paparazzi ensuring the moment was forever preserved in digital format. Edward then took Danny, Lexi and Spencer home with him for a little quality time. The old man was never so full of life than when surrounded by his great grandchildren and his great grandchildren adored spending time with him. He didn't talk down to them. He listened intently to their thoughts and opinions. Sam recalled a few of the countless times in the past six years both she and Jason sat amazed with how they carried on such adult conversations about the importance of education, the concept of capitalism, qualities of great entrepreneurship and recent breakthroughs in medical science.

It was ironic that for all Sam and Jason's diligent watchdog ways to ensure the twins weren't molded into doctors or the next CEO of ELQ it seemed Danny had a natural interest and talent for science while Lexi seemed a natural born leader. Sam wouldn't be surprised if Daniel Alan became a doctor one day like his name sake.

She recalled a conversation a few months ago on the anniversary of her brother's death when Danny learned his other namesake, and uncle, had died from a virus before a cure could be found. Danny looked up at her with his father's clear blue eyes and troubled brow and said, "When I grow up I'm going to be a doctor and find all the cures so you don't lose anybody else you love mom."

Sam hugged her sweet little boy tight and wiped the tears from her eyes. Danny had the kindest disposition reminding her so much of her brother at times her heart burst, but she'd also seen his father's personality too. Danny was extremely loyal and fiercely protective of everyone he loved and he often wanted to be the one to fix things or make them feel better when they hurt. He was also quiet like his father, shy.

While both Danny and Lexi often shocked everyone with their advanced maturity, kind of the same way Michael always had, Danny still exhibited his childlike innocence now and then. However, Lexi was incredibly precocious. It was entirely too easy to forget you were speaking with a six year old child and not a full grown adult when engaged with her. In a way, Lexi reminded Sam of Molly.

Except, while Molly seemed to see the world through a sweet romantic haze, Lexi inherited her father's pragmatic tendencies. She favored practicality and literal truth over idealistic notions. Lexi was also never shy about speaking her mind which was the reason for a lot of the trouble she found herself in. Sam and Jason walked a fine line not wanting to diminish her spirit, but needing their little girl to learn a tactful balance when sharing her thoughts.

Lexi was a take charge kind of gal and always the one with the plan. She was incredibly self-assured. Her confidence and charm encouraged all the other kids, even those more than twice her age, to follow her lead. Sam could clearly see her little girl running ELQ one day, or even better, a multi-billion dollar corporation of her own making. Of course there was also a rebel streak in Lexi a mile wide that reminded Sam so much of herself at Lexi's age it was almost frightening, so Sam wouldn't be surprised if Lexi ended up with a career that pushed, hopefully not broke, the boundaries of the law.

The afternoon ceremony held yesterday by the science department was attended by Jason, Alexis, Kristina and Molly where Sam received special recognition by faculty and peers for her academic accomplishments in sociology. It felt good to know she'd kept the promise to her mother made the day her mom gave her blessing for Jason and Sam to marry. She'd graduated college and remained independent. She had Jason and, while he was her soul mate in every way, he wasn't her whole world anymore. Her life was full with friendships she cherished, work she loved and children she adored. She finally found the balance and her relationship with Jason was only stronger as a result.

Today was the final commencement. Sam was allotted four tickets and since the twins had already attended one ceremony she and Jason decided not to make them sit through another. Sam chose instead to invite the four people most responsible for making her graduation possible, Jason, her mother, Carly and Monica. She would have fought tooth and nail for another ticket to invite Alan as well, but he'd passed away the previous year from a fatal heart attack.

It was a devastating loss to the Quartermaine family as well as the Morgan family, but Sam was grateful at least two of her children had the chance to know their grandfather before he passed. She was also grateful Jason and Alan managed to work through their differences enough to respect and enjoy the others company before he died. It was one more blessing her children brought into their lives. Fatherhood was the stepping stone that bridged the distance between father and son and allowed Alan and Jason to reconnect on a common ground. If it was possible, the bond Jason re-established with his father before he died had helped him become an even better husband, father and friend. Sam couldn't imagine loving Jason more.

"All ready mommy." Lexi walked in to find her parents hugging and kissing again.

It was no big deal. They did it all the time. She kind of liked it. It meant things were good. She'd learned from Emma, Jake and Cam that when your parents stop hugging and kissing is when the bad stuff starts. She was happy Emma's mom and dad stayed together in the end, but poor Cam and Jake weren't so lucky. Their mom and dad had been divorced since Jake was a little baby. Lexi couldn't imagine not falling asleep with both her mommy and daddy kissing her goodnight and tucking her in, or waking up without her mommy and daddy kissing over coffee or teasing each other about who would cook breakfast. So, Lexi never made yuck noises like her brother when she saw them. She was just happy her family was happy and together.

Sam turned in Jason's embrace as his hands found her shoulders and couldn't restrain the smile that curved her lips. Lexi insisted on dressing herself and just as she'd suspected Lexi was only half ready. Sam knew Lexi wouldn't be able to tie the sash of the dress behind herself or work the zipper, or... "Lexi, sweetie, where are the tights I laid out for you?"

Lexi huffed causing her entire little chest to puff and deflate. "They don't fit. I must have grown too much. I don't see why I have to get all dressed up for the party anyway. It's not like they don't already know I never wear dresses."

Sam chuckled as she headed toward her door for Lexi's room. "I don't think you've managed to grow that much since last week and for the last time, everyone is dressing up tonight, even your father."

Jason twisted his mouth to the side and gave a resigned nod to Lexi.

Lexi frowned. She had to think fast. Her mom was on her way to her room, way too close to ground zero. She held up her hands. "Wait! Mommy, I'll get them for you. You need to finish getting ready."

Lexi hurried to her room before her mom could react. She returned not even a full minute later almost out of breath.

"Got'em!" Lexi waived them around like a flag.

"Daddy, will you help?" Lexi hoped to keep him from checking on Danny which he was sure to do any minute.

"Oh Lex, you know daddy isn't very good with things like tights and hair ties." Sam reminded softly.

"Mommy's right. She can get those on you much faster. I should probably check on your brothers anyway." Jason took a step toward the door.

"Please daddy, I want you to do it and Danny is already dressed. I saw him and you'll hear Davy on the monitor if he needs you." Lexi smiled up through her lashes and prayed it worked.

"Okay, I guess I could use the practice." Jason shook his head at himself. He was such a sucker for those beautiful brown eyes and he knew it, but there just didn't seem to be a thing he could do about it. When Sam and Lexi looked at him like that all he wanted was to make them happy.

"Sucker." Sam whispered in his ear as she smiled and placed a kiss there.

"It's not my fault. The Morgan girl's charm is lethal." Jason protested weakly as he sat on the bed to help his daughter.

Five minutes later Sam exited their bathroom to find Lexi suspended in mid air between Jason's knees with one of her legs half-way in the tights and the other leg bent at the knee and stuck in the butt. Sam bit her inner cheek to keep from smiling.

"Seriously you two?" Sam shook her head, but couldn't keep the humor from her voice. "Here, let me."

Sam took the tights off, found the seam in each toe and pulled them up and over Lexi's little butt in under a minute. Jason watched diligently, still perplexed. "How did you do that?"

"Trade secret." Sam grinned.

"I see. So, you could tell me, but you'd have to kiss me."

"You mean kill." Sam corrected.

"Nope. Kiss. Your kisses are enough to stop my heart." Jason smiled.

"Well, in that case, maybe I shouldn't kiss you anymore. I want you around for a long time." Sam teased.

"I prefer your lips take me out quick rather than live a tortured life without." Jason leaned in and pulled Sam to him for a sweet kiss.

Lexi shook her head. Sometimes it was like she wasn't even in the room, which in that instance could work to her favor. If she could just sneak out without disturbing them maybe they'd end up distracting themselves long enough to ensure Danny finished his task. She began her stealthy exit and was a step from the threshold when she heard her mother. "Hust where do you think you're sneaking off to little bit?"

Lexi turned. Her mom hadn't even turned around to see her leave. How did she always do that?

"Me? I just thought you two wanted to be alone." Lexi gave her mom her most innocent expression as Sam turned to look at her. Please buy it, please buy it, please buy it, she chanted silently as she held her mother's gaze. Even at the tender age of six Emily Alexis had already learned breaking eye contact was as good as admitting guilt or defeat.

Sam gave Lexi a narrowed sideways glare. Her innocent baby girl was up to something. "Jason, weren't you about to check on the boys?"

Jason took the hint and played along. "Yea, we don't want to be late."

He stood from the bed and took two steps before Lexi responded anxiously with her hands up to halt his progress. "Wait, Daddy, it's alright! You and mommy keep kissing. I'll get Danny. We'll meet you downstairs."

Lexi rushed out of the room before Jason or Sam could reply.

Jason turned back to his wife. "How long do we give them this time?"

Sam stood from the bed and braced her hand against Jason's chest as she stepped into her heels one after the other. "A couple minutes. It's probably harmless. They're really excited about spending the night at Spencer's tonight with all the kids. I doubt they'd do anything to lose that privilege."

"You're right. They're probably just making another happy graduation card for you." Jason grabbed his suit jacket and slipped it on as they exited their room for Davy's.

xxxxx

Danny knew there was practically no risk of the stuff igniting in the grinder, but affixed his safety gloves and goggles from his science lab set just the same before hitting the button. Once thoroughly ground, he carefully poured the 50/50 mix of powdered KNO3 (saltpeter) and sugar onto a scrap of a brown paper bag.

Potassium nitrate was a common ingredient in tooth paste so it wasn't really all that toxic, but he'd have to wash out his parent's grinder well after use to avoid any odd tasting coffee. The smoke mix was then mixed 3 parts to 1 part of paraffin wax he'd shaved from his mom's candles with their cheese grater. He made sure to mix by weight not volume this time as he placed the ingredients on his small scale.

He wrapped a piece of the brown paper bag around a dowel and taped it really well with masking tape. He then made sure to plug one end with cat litter which hadn't been as easy to acquire as one might think seeing as how their home was still pet-free, though not for lack of trying on his part. Danny filled the 1 inch paper tube with the mix making sure the wax was well spaced throughout using the dowel to pack it in several increments. He'd learned the trick was to ram the mixture in a tube to restrict the oxygen in order to make a large amount of smoke.

Danny wasn't able to get a hold of any fuses, so he shoved some match heads in the top to help ignite it later. He then placed the twelve smoke bombs in a large airtight freezer bag. He'd also learned the hard way sugar smoke bombs were hygroscopic and if left out in humid air they soaked up water and became damp and ruined.

He placed the sealed bag next to the other bags containing the two dozen stink bombs, tossed his clothes, pjs and toothbrush over them and zipped up his black overnight bag.

Lexi gave the secret knock and he unlocked the bathroom door to her. "How many minutes until they come check on us?"

Lexi locked the door behind her. "Maybe five."

They both worked to quickly conceal the equipment under the sink behind the basket of bath toys. Lexi sprayed some air freshener and turned on the vent to dissipate the odor of rotten eggs and spoiled seafood. "Come on. Let's get downstairs."

Danny nodded. "You got the flashlights and the other stuff, right?"

"All packed." Lexi tapped her purple backpack.

xxxxx

Jason glanced at his watch as Sam dragged out the goodbye as if it were the last time she'd see them instead of the four hour separation it was. It wasn't as if this were Davy's first time on the launch. Nik and Emily were family after all and she and Emily grew very close over the years, especially after sharing their latest pregnancies together. Emily and Sam had both given birth to bouncing baby boys on the very same day last February 10th.

Sam and Emily were both convinced they'd never seen Edward Quartermaine's chest puffed up any more proud than the day he handed out cigars to every passerby on the maternity ward and cooed through the nursery window at his namesake, little Edward Quartermaine (Alexi Nikolosovich) Cassadine and Jason and Sam's little baby boy too.

Still, it was Davy's first time on a boat without herand Sam couldn't help feel a little anxious about it. She cradled her tiny son and lifted him up to place a kiss on his chubby little cheek. Justus Davis Morgan was a perfect combination of Sam and Jason with a head full of raven hair like hers and arresting blue eyes just like his father.

Sam still got teary-eyed remembering the day he was born and Jason placed their son in his grandfather's arms. Jason told Edward, "I took Justus from you. I know nothing will ever make up for that, but I wanted you to be the first to meet his namesake and I promise on my life to never let anyone take this Justus away from you."

Edward was moved to tears and unable to say a word for a good long moment. The twins had done a lot to mend the rift between Edward and Jason over Justus' death, but it was clearly evident the pain and guilt was as strong as ever for them both. Edward smiled down at his great grandson in his arms and said, "You, my boy, have big shoes to fill. With a name like Justus Davis I better go ahead and call my old friend over at the Yale Law program and with a name like Morgan..." Edward paused and looked up at Jason.

She could tell Jason was hesitant to hear what horrible expectations his grandfather would have for his son. "With a name like Morgan, something tells me you won't want or need any help from me to grow into an honorable young man who always keeps his word and has a heart as loving and loyal as his father and great grandmother."

It was the moment the real healing began and her baby boy had already worked miracles from his very first day in the world.

"Bye baby. Miss you already." Sam kissed him again and nuzzled his face as she inhaled his perfect little baby scent while he tugged at her hair.

"Sam, we're going to see them in a few hours." Jason reminded.

"I know. I know it's silly, but it's the first time he's been on a boat without me." Sam frowned as she strapped Davy into his stroller and covered him with the light summer blanket.

"I promise I'll take good care of him, of all of them." Viola smiled warmly at the young mother. She'd always liked Sam and over the years Viola had come to respect her a great deal as a mother, daughter and also sister to Kristina and Molly. Viola loved Molly and Kristina as much as if they were her own family and the older the girls got the more it saddened her to think her time with the Davis family was almost up. So, she had jumped at the chance to care for the twins when Sam started college four years ago. Viola watched the twins on occasion several times before, but had been their nanny full-time since just before they turned two. Of course, Sam was such a hands-on mom her version of needing a nanny "full-time" was only what most might consider little more than part-time.

Sam relaxed a little at Viola's reassurance. Viola would take great care of her babies and her little sister. "I know. You always do, Viola. Thank you. It really makes it easier knowing they're in such good hands."

Lexi and Danny had been standing quietly near the end of the dock taking turns with the binoculars as they watched for the boat. It wasn't hard to tell the moment it came into view.

"I see it! I see it!" Lexi squealed. "And Jake is withthem!"

Sam glanced over to see Jason's reaction. Just as she suspected, he tensed at hearing his little girl's excitement over seeing a boy. Sam smiled. Lexi adored Jake. She'd taken a note from her aunt Carly's book and proclaimed herself his best friend from their first day together at preschool two years ago, but Sam had watched the two play together over the years and Jake hadn't seemed to mind the attention.

In fact, Sam had caught Jake sticking up for Lexi quite a few times when the other kids at school gave her a hard time for bossing them around. They seemed to always have each others back. It was cute. Sam stepped into Jason's embrace as they watched the twins jumping and high-fiving over the adventure that awaited.

"Stop frowning. Jake is a good boy and it's a perfectly innocent friendship." Sam pulled Jason's chin and squeezed his cheeks to get him to smile.

He leaned down and placed a soft lingering kiss on his wife's lips. Sam felt his body relax in her arms and smiled against his mouth. Her kisses still made him melt.

"Yes! Emma'swith them too!" She heard Danny cheer and Jason suddenly felt her mouth frown against his.

"Stop frowning. Emma is a good girl and it's a perfectly innocent friendship." Jason smirked using her own words against her.

Sam narrowed her eyes and swatted Jason's arm playfully.

"It's not funny!" But she couldn't help smiling in spite of herself.

Sam knew it was ridiculous, but she'd always been a little over-protective of Danny. Maybe it was due to thinking they'd lost him when she was pregnant with him, or maybe it was because he reminded her so much of her beloved brother, so innocent and trusting. It was probably all of the above, but whatever the reason Sam couldn't help the way every muscle in her body tensed when she saw him give his love and trust so easily the way he did to little miss Emma Grace Scorpio-Drake.

"What's not funny?" Carly sashayed confidently as ever down the ramp toward the landing for the launch with Molly and Morgan in tow.

Sam turned with a bright smile for a woman who'd become one of the best friend's she'd ever had.

"How fast our babies are growing up." Sam complained.

Carly laughed as she came to a stop next to Sam and Jason. "Pf ft! Tell me about it. Morgan won't even let me give him a kiss in public anymore!"

Carly grabbed Morgan's chin and quickly gave him a peck on his cheek followed by his immediate shrug from her grasp. "Mommm, please!"

"See what I mean?" Carly turned back to Sam and Jason.

Sam gave her friend a sympathetic nod thankful that at least her munchkins still let her love on them to her heart's content whether in public, or not.

"Hi, Molly girl. Where's mom, or did Kristina drop you off?" Sam smiled at her beautiful little sister and looked back up the ramp expecting to find her mom or Krissy behind her.

"Carly brought me. I spent the night at Morgan's last night." Molly explained.

Sam caught Carly's eye in surprise, but didn't want to make a big deal out of it in front of the kids. After Michael was shot and spent a year in a coma, Alexis barely let Kristina, Sonny's own daughter, spend time at his house so it came as a bit of a shock to hear Molly was now allowed to sleep over.

"I'll bet you two had a great time." Sam returned trying not to reveal her surprise.

"We had a lot of fun. Uncle Sonny cooked for us and we played games. I've missed our family dinners." Molly recounted as Carly stood by smiling, happy her son was finally able to spend some quality time with his favorite cousin once again.

"Yeah, but the best part had to be when you beat dad at chess three times in a row." Morgan grinned devilishly.

Molly blushed. "I contemplated letting him have the last game, but mom always says it's a terrible disservice to everyone in the long run when we live below our ability."

"Mom is right and besides, I don't think Sonny would have wanted to win that way." Sam hedged.

"Yeah, and robbing us of the sweet taste of victory would just be wrong. You're the only one good enough or brave enough, I'm not sure which, to beat dad besides uncle Luke." Morgan chimed in.

"Uncle Sonny has the makings of a first rate chess player, if he'd only learn not to be led by his emotion. He rushes in for the kill and falls into my trap every time." Molly observed.

"From the mouths of babes." Carly agreed.

Sam and Jason shook their heads in amusement as Danny and Lexi rushed to greet Molly and Morgan. The four rushed to the edge of the dock as the captain of the launch finished tying down. Jason walked over with Viola to make sure they didn't get too close leaving Carly and Sam with Davy in his stroller.

"He gets cuter every time I see him." Carly beamed down at her newest little godson.

"Carly, you saw him two days ago when you watched the kids for my birthday." Sam chuckled.

"And I'm telling you, little JD here has gotten cuter." Carly leaned down and picked him up unable to stand it a minute longer.

Sam smiled. It was a thousand little moments like those over the years as Carly held one of Sam's children in her arms, loved on them and told them how amazing they were that she knew if, God forbid, anything ever happened to her they couldn't ask for another mother that would love them any better than Carly.

"So, how did you manage to talk mom into allowing Molly to sleep over?" Sam's curiosity was peaked.

"Actually, it was Alexis' idea. I think after the Kiefer nightmare she finally sees the negative impact of keeping Kristina away from Sonny and the boys outweighs the rest and she's trying to make up for it." Carly swayed Davy back and forth as her gaze reluctantly left the baby in her arms for Sam's.

"I'm glad. I know Molly and Kristina have really missed you all." Sam thought back over how difficult the last couple of years had been on her entire family when Michael was shot during an attempted hit on Sonny. It turned out the deranged head of a rival crime family, Anthony Zacchara, had been responsible and subsequently handled by Jason but the damage had already been done.

Carly and Sonny ended up losing three children that night. Michael was in a coma and doctors hadn't ever expected him to wake up. When Carly learned of Michael's condition, she'd miscarried their little girl and the step-daughter Carly had grown to love like her own, Kristina, was no longer allowed unsupervised visits with her father per Alexis. The one good thing to come of it all was how Carly and Sonny had managed to help each other through it all rather than tear each other down. They had finally gotten their relationship right.

"We've missed them too." Carly smiled sadly and then proceeded to steal kisses from little Davy's neck eliciting one of his first genuine giggles.

"Oh, I see I got here just in time before Carly steals another one of my nephew's hearts." Emily teased.

"Hey, not my fault if the Morgan men prefer blonds." Carly countered.

"Not allMorgan men." Emily smirked as she watched Jason walk up behind Sam and wrap his arms around her.

Carly narrowed her eyes with a calculated grin, "Touche."

Emily looked down to the little girl holding her hand. "Paige, honey, is there something you wanted to say?"

"Hi, Miss Carly. Thank you for my pretty dress. I get to wear it to the party tonight." The shy toddler ventured a brave glance up to the tall friendly blond.

Carly carefully squatted down to the beautiful girl in pigtails with long light brown locks and the deep brown eyes of an old soul like her father's. "You're very welcome. I hear you had a very happy 4th birthday. I'm sorry I missed it, but I'm glad I'll get to see you in your dress tonight."

"Daddy says half of Port Charles will be there, but he isn't sure if it's the good half or the bad." Paige innocently confessed causing all the adults around her to laugh.

Emily blushed. "Paige, sweetheart, why don't you go see if your guests are ready to board?"

"Okay mommy." And with that the toddler turned and skipped off toward her big brother.

Carly reached over and placed Davy back in his stroller and used the handle to help herself up. She was getting a little older and pregnancy wasn't as easy this time as she'd remembered it with Morgan. Then again, none of her pregnancies had ever been trouble-free.

Jason noticed her struggle and quickly helped her stand again. "You're supposed to be taking it easy, Carly."

"Don't worry. I'm fine, Jase, but I love you for caring." Carly patted him on his cheek lightly.

"Aren't you supposed to be on bed rest? I'm surprised Sonny's agreed for you to attend tonight after today's outing." Emily added.

"Ha! Husband, or no, Sonny will never be my keeper, but no. Dr. Lee gave me the okay for today and tonight after I promised to spend most of my time sitting and no dancing and also because she and half of the staff of General Hospital will be there to make sure I keep my promise." Carly frowned.

"Well, speaking of that I think we should get going so you can get to sitting." Jason softly chided.

"You're riding with us, right?" Sam asked in a way she knew her high risk pregnant friend was sure to agree. The condition she had could cost her and the baby their life and Sam and Jason were both so worried something would go wrong.

"Sure, I can have the driver pick me up after the ceremony to meet Sonny back at Greystone and change for the party." Carly agreed.

Sam nudged Jason catching Carly and Emily's attention as well and all four adults turned to observe all of the children in a huddled mass.

"Looks serious." Carly mused.

"Looks like trouble." Sam intuited.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Sam. Like you said they're excited about tonight. They know if they get into trouble there will be severe consequences." Jason rubbed Sam's shoulders.

"I'm sure Jason's right, Sam. Danny and Lexi are always on their best behavior at Wyndemere." Emily conferred.

Carly wasn't as convinced. "Morgan Stone Corinthos, front and center."

Morgan looked up from the huddle like a deer in headlight and approached his mother with a nervous gulp.

"Did you need me, mom?" Morgan asked in the most carefree voice he could muster.

"I need you to tell me what you're up to over there." Carly motioned her head to the huddle of kids, never losing eye contact with her youngest son.

"Oh. Well, uh, we're just planning what we all want to do first when we get to the castle." Morgan smiled innocently.

"Mm-hm. Well, Morgan, I hope you'll remember after Michael and Kristina you are the oldest and it's up to you to provide a good example to the younger kids. If there's any trouble on the horizon, I expect you to do the right thing." Carly warned.

"Yes ma'am. I promise I won't let anyone get hurt on my watch." Morgan vowed solemnly and something about his tone only gave Sam even more pause for concern, Carly too.

"Hey, you aren't responsible for their safety. If anything happens, you find Viola or Emily, or Nik. Understand?" Carly smoothed her hand over Morgan's shoulder.

"I know, mom. I'll see you later." Morgan flashed his dimples in a manner not quite as perfected as his father, but effective at melting Carly's heart just the same.

"See you later." Carly hugged him. "Love you. Be good for Emily and Nik."

"Love you too." Morgan hugged his mom back. "I will."

"See you later uncle Jase. Congratulations again aunt Sam." Morgan waived and smiled as he slipped back toward the crowd of kids.

"See ya, buddy." Jason waived.

"Thanks, Morgan." Sam smiled back. She reminded herself Morgan was a good boy with a sensible head on his shoulders considering who his parents were.

"Bye mommy! Love you." Sam was pulled from her thoughts by her sweet baby girl as Lexi hugged her tightly around her waist.

Sam knelt down and hugged her daughter tight. "Bye baby. I love you. Have fun with your cousins. I'll see you at the party later. Be good for aunt Emily and uncle Nik, okay?"

"I will." She kissed her mom goodbye.

Lexi rushed over to give her dad a hug and Sam sent a bright smile and waive to all the kids and motioned Danny over from talking with them.

Danny stepped into his mom's embrace and hugged her back. "Bye Danny. Love you, baby. Be good, okay? Watch out for your brother and sister."

"I will. We'll all be fine, mom. I promise. Love you." Danny squeezed his arms extra tight around his mom's neck. He hated keeping a secret from her, but the grown-ups were already doing their part to protect them. It was up to the kids to do their part too and all the intel they'd collected told him it would go down tonight while all the adults were distracted. Danny had tried to convince the rest to tell his dad what they knew and Morgan agreed, but they were voted down by the other kids. They didn't want to get Molly in trouble for going behind her family's back seeing her father in secret over the past month.

Besides, even after what Molly had learned about her dad she still didn't want him dead and they weren't sure if Ric was telling the truth about Jason killing him if he knew he was back, or not? Spencer was also afraid the adults would tip off Helena if they knew and all the kids agreed their parents would never let them use themselves as bait which they all thought was the best way to trick Helena. They came up with the compromise of telling his dad as soon as they had visual proof Helena was back.

"Okay, kids. Are we ready to get this party started?" Emily grinned.

She took their cheers as a yes and they quickly finished their goodbyes as Jason helped Viola and Emily get all the children safely on board.

Molly seemed hesitant to leave. She turned last minute and ran back to Sam.

"Hey, sweetie. Did you forget something?" Sam smoothed her hand down Molly's soft chocolate locks.

"I, I forgot to tell you..." Molly paused as if choosing her words carefully, "I love you. I really reallylove you, Sam, and I always will. No matter what anyone says, I'll always know you're the best big sister anyone could ever have."

Sam was very touched and somewhat puzzled by Molly's sudden proclamation, but didn't think too much of it knowing what a romantic her little sister was and how she sometimes tended toward a flair for dramatics like Kristina. Sam pulled her sister in for a hug. "I love you too, Molly, with all my heart. Always."

When she pulled back from the hug, Sam thought for a moment she noticed Molly's lower lip tremble and a flash of sadness cross her face. "Hey," Sam ducked down to look Molly in the eyes. "Everything okay?"

Molly quickly shrugged off any hint of melancholy with a bright smile. "Yeah, I'm just really proud to have you for my sister that's all."

Sam smiled softly. "I feel the same way about you, kiddo, so very proud."

She gave her a final squeeze and kiss on the cheek before Molly turned and hugged Jason then boarded the boat with Emily, Viola and the rest of the kids.

"I wonder what that was about?" Sam thought aloud.

Carly had an idea, but she didn't want to bring up painful memories on a day that was supposed to be a celebration for all of Sam's hard work. She'd tell Sam tomorrow though for sure, she needed to know the day had finally arrived when Molly was looking for answers about her father.

It had taken everything good inside Carly last night not to share her true feelings when Molly had asked if she knew what kind of person her dad really was. Carly had breathed through it and answered as carefully as she could without actually lying or saying too much. The truth would only hurt Molly. Carly wasn't sure how much she was old enough to know, but she knew it was a conversation Molly needed to have with Alexis and Sam.

"I'm sure it's nothing a little one on one time with her favorite big sister wouldn't cure." Carly responded.

"Yeah, maybe. I hope so." Sam watched her little sister pensively as the boat began its departure from the dock.

With that, Jason, Sam and Carly headed toward Jason's Range Rover.

"Hey Sam," Jason began as they buckled themselves in. "Whatever happened to teaching our kids to travel light? Those overnight bags of theirs weighed a ton."

Sam raised a brow. "All they had in their bags were pajamas, a change of clothes, and their toothbrushes. Oh, and I packed Danny's Snuggle Puppy and Lex's Skippy Jon Jones just in case." Kristina had given them the stuffed toys with matching books for their 1st birthday and the twins had latched on to the stuffed animals and still slept with them at night.

Jason ventured a glance over to Sam as he backed out of the parking space. "Well, it felt like they were loaded with bricks. Danny told me they were returning some books they'd borrowed from Spencer."

Sam looked at Jason as if to ask if it was his first day on the job.

"And you bought that? Seriously?" Carly laughed before Sam could say almost the exact same thing.

"Jason, they've never borrowed any books from Spencer..." Sam replied, then all three adults responded in near unison. "They're up to something."

"Maybe we should go back. I have a bad feeling about this." Sam suggested.

"No, Sam. This is a once in a lifetime moment for you today. Look, I'll call Emily and have her keep a sharp eye out until we get there." Jason looked to Sam.

"Jason's right, Sam. I have a feeling whatever it is it isn't until later when they think all the adults are distracted by the party. We've got time to go watch you graduate and then make it back to Spoon Island and get them to spill before any trouble starts." Carly was tempted to call Morgan, but she decided she'd rather confront him when she could look him in the eyes.

"Okay, I guess you're right." Sam conceded still not entirely convinced.

xxxxx

Proud.Alexis Davis had never been more proud of any of her three children than she was the moment the Dean of Port Charles University called Samantha McCall Morgan's name and her first born daughter stepped across the stage. She zoomed her telephoto lens and snapped a photograph just as Sam shook hands with him and accepted her certificate of participation in the undergraduate commencement. The actual degree, showing Sam's double major, would be retrieved and framed later.

In truth, Alexis only wished she could have taken more credit for the amazing way Sam turned out. Sure glowing recommendation letters from the former district attorney and Yale alumni as well as from the now late Chief of Staff at General Hospital and founder of ELQ Enterprises had helped Sam get her foot in the door four years ago, but every accomplishment after that was all Sam's doing.

Alexis beamed with unconditional love and pride as Sam paused before exiting the stage to find her mother in the crowd and held her gaze. Sam tapped her rolled certificate against her heart and shook it in her raised hand and shouted at the top of her lungs. "This is for you Mom!" With a giant smile on her face.

Alexis shook her head and laughed. It used to bother her that Sam seemed to have no regard for proper social protocol, or maintaining appearances for appearances sake. Those were lessons grilled into the Cassadine family from birth, but now witnessing just one more little example of her oldest daughter's free spirit Alexis couldn't be more thankful Sam escaped the Cassadine legacy.

Sam McCall Morgan was her own person. She loved who she loved without apology and she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. She defended those she cared about to the death if necessary and she lived life in the moment enjoying every little joy she was given and overcoming every obstacle without ever giving up on herself or letting those she loved give up on themselves. Alexis couldn't think of anything more she could ever want in a daughter than Sam.

Her thoughts turned momentarily to her eleven year old. Her baby girl, Molly, had looked every bit as proud of her big sister as Alexis felt during yesterday's ceremony. Kristina was seated on the other side of Molly and her eyes shined with such pride for her big sister's accomplishment it made Alexis' heart swell. She was proud of all her girls, but also a bit saddened to realize they were growing up so fast.

Kristina was now in her senior year at Madison Prep with her brother, Michael, and Alexis hoped to be sitting in the crowd at Kristina's college graduation in another four years. Of course, with everything Kristina had been through recently with Kiefer she wasn't sure if Krissy was still comfortable moving too far away from home.

Alexis hadn't brought it up yet, but she'd already decided if Kristina wanted to attend PCU like her big sister it would be more than acceptable. PCU wasn't Yale, but Sam had taught Alexis it wasn't so much the lesson you were given as much as the lesson you took away that really made the difference in your life.

Obnoxious hoots and hollers brought her out of her thoughts. She looked to her left to find two very loud blonds waving and whistling at the stage like it was a ship full of sailors on a two day leave from a six month deployment. Alexis closed her eyes and shook her head. "Ladies, please. This is a dignified ceremony of higher learning, not a rodeo."

Carly leaned into Maxie's ear. "No, but I see quite a few cowboys I wouldn't mind giving me a..."

"Carly, did you forget you're a married woman?" Jason clipped her off in a hushed tone before she could finish that statement.

"Absolutely not, but there's nothing wrong with a little harmless window shopping." Carly defended.

"Oh, I lovewindow shopping." Maxie cooed as she nudged her head to another fine specimen and rubbed her very pregnant belly. Both she and Carly were due to pop within the next three weeks.

Jason rolled his eyes at the two very married very pregnant women just as Alexis did the same. They caught each other and realized awkwardly they were in agreement once again. That had happened quite a bit over the last six years, but each time was still as disconcerting as the first.

Alexis watched the love of her daughter's life squirm in his chair and grinned to herself. All those times she grilled Jason Morgan in interrogation and not once did his stone cold facade fall, but let him find he actually agreed with Alexis Davis on something and the man was in all sorts of visible discomfort.

Her devious grin softened as she witnessed his entire body relax and face light up. She followed his gaze already knowing where it would lead, her daughter. Sam waited, rather impatiently, with the rest of her class to be dismissed as she mouthed, "I love you too," to Jason.

xxxxx

It hadn't been easy between the rounds of two watchful nanny's and her aunt Emily, but Lexi had found a way to go over her team's plan multiple times over the course of the last four hours. They even ran two timed drills. So when Lexi insisted they give the plan yet another final rundown, her team began to balk.

"Lexi, we've got it." Danny groaned.

"I know, Danny, but considering who we're dealing with I don't think we can be too careful. One last time?" Lexi implored.

"Lexi's right, guys. One last time from the top." Jake encouraged and Lexi gave him a thankful smile.

"Right. 7pm, the party begins. Paige and I will be in the main hall to greet our guests along side mom and dad. Our nanny will be upstairs with little Edward until mom calls for him and all of you to arrive at 7:15pm right before the guest of honor and her escort are announced." Spencer began.

Paige giggled. "You mean aunt Sam and uncle Jason, Pence."

Spencer smiled indulgently at his little sister and nodded. She'd been unable to pronounce the "s" in his name as a baby and still called him by the name she first gave him. Paige and Pence, they made a great team.

"I suddenly become too shy to go down to the party. I stay upstairs to keep watch in the nursery in case Helena tries to hide there before you all get back." Cam continued.

"Davy and little Edward won't be down for more than thirty minutes since their next feeding is at 8pm." Emma recited. "Lexi and I will start a fight that gets us sent back upstairs with the babies."

Lexi grinned at her best girl friend. "This should be fun."

Emma agreed. "I can't wait."

"Danny and I challenge each other to a food eating contest then pretend to have stomach aches to get sent upstairs as quickly as we can." Jake recounted.

"Spencer and I claim complete and total boredom and beg to go upstairs to play my video games five minutes after you and Danny leave for upstairs." Morgan noted.

"I beg mommy to go with my brother, unless mommy sends me up first with little Edward." Paige looked up adoringly at her big brother Spencer.

"And if mommy doesn't say yes right away?" Lexi prodded.

"I cry until she does." Paige added.

"That's exactly right, Paige, very good." Lexi complimented the four year old and she smiled proud to remember her first task.

"I enjoy the party, my mother and my sister's company a little while longer and then claim to be tired and ask to be excused upstairs. Mom will assume it's because I stayed up all night at uncle Sonny's." Molly recited dispassionately.

Last night's discoveries had only added to her heartbreak that had begun a week ago when she learned of her father's alliance with Helena. Four months ago when her father contacted her through a private messaging system on a young scientist's message board she'd been thrilled to learn her dad had missed her and wanted to see her.

They continued their secret correspondence and Molly had agreed to meet him a few times in the park after school when her mother thought she was working on a project. He was thrilled to learn every little thing about her and it was so wonderful to finally know her father's love. She really believed her dad had been misunderstood and would never do anything to hurt her, until she overheard a conversation he had with Helena Cassadine. Her father didn't think she'd heard him, but she had and she wasn't looking forward to the confrontation that lay ahead of her tonight. He'd done terrible things to the people she loved, especially Sam who she loved as much as her own mother.

"Davy and LC will be fed, burped, changed and placed in their cribs to sleep. I'm sure Viola will want to take care of Danny and Jake if she thinks they're sick." Lexi continued.

She'd felt so bad a week ago when Molly told her how her father had hurt her, but after hearing earlier how Ric hurt her mom and aunt Carly too Lexi wanted to use him for Choy Li Fut practice like one of Bruce Lee's enemies. Molly and Morgan had tricked aunt Carly last night hoping their questions about Ric would lead to her talking to uncle Sonny about it. It worked and as Molly and Morgan hid at the top of the stairs they overheard how Ric had kidnapped Carly when she was pregnant with Morgan and how he had hurt her mom on purpose and almost caused her to lose her and her brother before they were born.

"Nanny Flynn will return to my room to check on us once LC, errrr little Edward is down." Spencer added.

Lexi had taken to calling his little brother LC for littlest Cassadine, but Spencer wasn't sure his father would approve. Lexi said grandfather wouldn't approve of him being called Eddie, "little Edward" was too much of a mouthful and "LE" sounded girlish so now almost all of the others were calling him LC as well.

"I take over for Cam on my laptop to monitor the video feed on the cameras I set up and watch for Helena to make her move. As far as Viola knows I'm playing my video games." Morgan spoke up.

"Nanny Flynn will take Paige to her room to change into her pajamas and get ready for bed before bringing her back to my room for story time." Spencer looked at his little sister hoping she remembered this was her cue.

Paige was silent for a moment, then rushed to speak. "I beg nanny Flynn to sleep with the big kids. I'll beg and beg until she gives in."

"And?" Spencer prompted.

"No matter what don't go back to my bedroom alone." Paige remembered.

Everyone nodded impressed with the youngest team member and Spencer threw an arm around her neck, proud of his little sis. He remembered when his mom, not his birth mom but mom in every way that counted, and dad told him he was having a little sister. He was so disappointed. He wanted a brother to play with like Cam had Jake, but after she'd been stolen by Helena and missing for a whole month he never thought twice about wanting a brother instead.

His wicked grandmother tried to steal him as a baby and his sister too so Spencer knew it was only a matter of time before she tried to steal his baby brother. It was why he'd gone to Lexi and Danny for help the week before little Edward and Davy were born. They were good at coming up with plans and had access to a lot of equipment through their uncle Spinelli. They setup a plan for Spencer and Paige to implement last minute if needed, but after Molly found out about Ric and Helena they'd adapted the plan for all of them to help tonight.

"If Paige can't stay with us, I'll offer to sleep with Paige so she isn't sent back alone." Molly continued.

"We'll all change into our pajamas, but have our clothes on underneath." Cameron offered.

"I'll tell Viola I don't want to sleep in the same room with Emma and ask to go to Paige's room to sleep whether Paige and Molly are there, or not." Lexi went on.

"Only Jake and I will distract Viola from being able to escort you back to the room and you'll really sneak in the nursery and hide under Davy's crib and wait for the signal over comms." Danny added.

"I'll start to cry after Lexi leaves and beg Viola to go to Paige's room to make up with Lexi, but this time Cam and Jake will begin to fight and distract her from escorting me. I'll really sneak into the nursery and hide under LC's crib and wait for my signal over comms with Lexi." Emma detailed.

"We all pretend to go to bed in order to get Viola and nanny Flynn to retire for the evening. Viola will want to check on Lexi and Emma, but I'll volunteer to do it and say I think I'll sleep with them after all. If Paige and I are already in the room, I'll cover for Lexi and Emma by pretending we're all in the bathroom." Molly assured her team. "Only by then, it will be close to time to meet my father. I'll wait for time then head to the room at the end of the wing where he said he'll meet me at precisely 9pm. If Paige is with me, I'll escort her back here to Spencer on my way."

"I'll wait until the coast is clear and head down to the room ahead of Molly and hide there. I'm her back up in case her father gets any ideas about taking her against her will." Cam's voice had a hardened and somewhat protective tone to it as he spoke of Molly.

"Jake and I will stuff our sleeping bags with pillows and move into position as soon as Cam goes." Danny smirked at Jake as Jake nodded back slyly.

Danny and Jake were on weapons detail. Their mission was to tail Emma and Lexi during the girls bait and switch maneuver and take out anyone that followed them.

"I'll be watching the video feed for Helena and send the signal as soon as she's spotted. I'll also keep watch over Spencer and Paige and cover for Danny, Cam and Jake with the nanny or Viola if they check on us again." Morgan added.

"Viola, or nanny Flynn or both will come to check on the babies at 9pm. Once we get Morgan's signal we'll switch the channel on the baby monitor so we can retrieve Davy and LC from their cribs and place them in the baby bjorn's we fixed to fit us." Lexi issued.

"Lexi and I will hide in the shadows and then tease Helena once our exit is clear. She won't know which one of us has LC. We'll take off in different directions and she'll follow only one of us." Emma hoped the mean lady would trip and break a leg.

"Danny and I will help confuse Helena by setting off smoke bombs in the hall. Danny will follow Emma and I'll follow Lexi. We'll take out our targets as soon as possible, but if we can't get them before we meet up at Paige's playhouse, then we'll hide the babies there and Lexi and Emma will take off again with Paige's dolls instead." Jake recounted.

"As soon as I see Helena on camera I give the signal to Lexi and Emma, then use my phone and call uncle Jason for help." Morgan confirmed.

"Molly and I will make our way to the playhouse after her father leaves." Cam continued.

"Once we see Helena has taken the bait, Paige and I will meet up at the playhouse and keep an eye on the babies until help arrives." Spencer just hoped help arrived quick. His grandmother frightened him.

"Emma and I lead the old bat on a wild goose chase until she drops dead from exhaustion, or my dad wrings her neck." Lexi finished.

xxxxx

Thick black smoke and vicious orange flames raged across the forlorn night signaling all hell had broken loose. Alexis stood near the launch with the rest of the guests from the party trying not to panic. How had the night gone from one of the best she could recall in years into a nightmare so quickly?

Only moments ago she'd been standing with Jason and Sam as Monica apologized once again for having been called in to surgery last minute and sending Maxie in her stead to Sam's commencement. Sam refused to let Monica feel an ounce of guilt and insisted she felt her there in spirit.

Next thing she knew Jason got a call from Morgan and chaos erupted from there. Now, most of her family was trapped in the burning castle before her as she held tightly to Kristina and prayed her other two daughters and the rest of her family made it out safe.

"Please. Please, Sonny, go back and get our son!" Carly pleaded through tears as Michael stood hypnotized by the terrorizing inferno before them. Jason, Sam, Nik, Emily and Lucky had rushed upstairs for the children and Carly begged him to go too, but he'd insisted on seeing her, Michael, Kristina and Alexis out safely first.

"Listen, listen to me, Carly. Jason is going to find them. All of them!He'll get them out safe, but you need to stay calm. Remember what Dr. Lee said about the stress causing your blood pressure to rise. I can't lose you, or this baby." Sonny caressed his wife's arms soothingly as he tried his best to allay her fears.

"I'll calm down as soon as my family is safe." Carly looked back to the flames and prayed.

xxxxx

Morgan had called Jason in a panic. He said they were upstairs and a fire had started. He told them Molly and Cam were trapped in a locked room and his kicks weren't strong enough to break the lock. Jason flew into action. He found Nik who informed all of his guests of the fire and requested Coop, Patrick and Matt get everyone out safely and call for help while he, Jason, Sam, Emily and Lucky rushed upstairs for the children.

They arrived to find an empty nursery, but Sam refused to let fear set in until she found Viola lying unconscious in the hall as flames flickered dangerously close. None of the children were anywhere in sight and Paige's room was engulfed in flames. Nik found nanny Floyd in her chambers who'd been knocked out as well. They got to the door at the end of the wing where Morgan had been during the phone call, but he was gone. They could hear Cameron's cries for help on the other side of the bolted door and Jason and Lucky managed to kick it in after several tries.

Sam rushed in behind them and gasped to find Molly next to her father's dead body. Cam told them Helena had killed Ric when he tried to stop her from setting the fire to cover up the kidnapping. Ric said it wasn't part of their deal and he wouldn't be taking Molly, because she'd changed her mind. Helena had called him weak and stabbed him in his heart.

Jason and Nik remained in the fire to find the rest of the children while Lucky carried Viola out and Sam carried an unresponsive Molly. Emily helped nanny Floyd who could walk, but was still a bit unsteady. Cam stayed close to his dad and they were now all on the South lawn. Sam sat Molly down a safe distance from the burning castle behind her and raced toward Paige's playhouse where Cam told them all the children had planned to meet. Emily was right behind her.

"Danny! Lexi! Babies?" Sam shouted as she neared the little white and yellow play cottage.

"Spencer! Paige, it's mommy!" Emily called too.

At hearing their voices, Spencer emerged first from the playhouse followed by Paige. Emily fell to her knees and grabbed one in each arm as she hugged them close. "Oh thank God! Where are the others? Where's your brother?"

Spencer looked into his mom's pleading brown eyes and couldn't stop his tears. He didn't have an answer. The plan was all messed up and he didn't know where his little brother or the others had ended up.

"Honey, it's alright. It's alright. Can you just tell me what you know?" Emily coaxed her oldest son and tried her best not to pressure him.

Sam searched the playhouse and called out for the rest of the children in vain. Spencer and Paige were the only two inside. She waited for Spencer's answer and tried not to scare him by demanding he hurry.

"We were all supposed to meet up here. Emma and Lexi were supposed to confuse Helena with a bait and switch Lexi called it and hide the babies here and take off again with Paige's dolls, but then the fire broke out and Morgan told me to get Paige out. We followed our part of the plan and came here." Spencer explained as he wiped at his tears with the back of his sleeve.

Sam's heart plummeted. Bait and switch? Emma and Lexi were in that house somewhere with her infant son and nephew while a murdering witch hunted them down?She had to get back in there.

"Sam! Sam, what are you doing?" Lucky halted Sam as she attempted to charge past him.

"You heard Cam and Spencer. They were all supposed to meet back up here, but Helena started that fire and they're still in there, Lucky! My babies are still in there and I've got to find them before..." She let the words trail off not wanting to even think of those possibilities.

Sam tried to pull her arm free, but Lucky had a hold of both arms now.

"Sam, you don't know if they're still in there. Jason and Nikolas may have already found them and be waiting for us by the launch with the others. Please, before we go back in there let's at least check there first." Lucky's hazel eyes entreated upon her.

Emily made her way over to check on Molly and Viola with Spencer and Paige by her side. "Molly is going into shock. We need to get her around front on the next launch to the hospital. Viola and nanny Floyd should be checked out too. We don't know what voltage Helena may have used on that stun gun. It could have thrown their heart rates into an irregular rhythm."

Sam looked down at her innocent little sister. She was pale and hadn't spoken a word since they found her. Sam sat on the edge of the lounge chair she'd placed her on. "Molly, baby, can you please look at me? Can you tell me what happened?"

Molly's entire body trembled as she clutched her knees to her chest. Her hands and pajamas were covered in her father's blood, but she only stared blankly and didn't seem to notice or care. "Okay, we'll get everyone around front and see if they came out that way first, but if they're not there I'm going in."

"If they're not there, I'm going in with you." Lucky agreed.

He carried Molly now that Viola was conscious once again and the four adults and four children made their way around the grounds to the front of the castle as Viola explained all she remembered was smelling smoke and heading for the nursery when felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her from behind.

xxxxx

"Shh, I know LC. These secret passageways are kinda creepy, but just be happy we're not in the tunnels." Emma whispered to little Edward as she cautiously made her way along a steep set of narrow stairs.

Their plan had worked fine until the fire. Emma and Lexi escaped the nursery with the babies strapped in the carriers to their chest. Lexi went one way and Emma went the other. Danny and Jake confused Helena with all the smoke bombs and she'd ended up taking off after Lexi as hoped, but nobody anticipated her having an extra goon to chase Emma as well.

Danny had knocked him out right away with a pvc pellet to the head from his slingshot, but then the fire grew with Danny and Morgan on one side and her and little Edward on the other. She'd yelled for them to go and she would find another way out. Danny wasn't going to leave her, even though the fire was too big. She was glad Morgan pulled him back. Emma took off for the secret passage in the upstairs game room she remembered from Spencer's map.

It led to the downstairs library that had French doors leading to the East lawn and that was where they were headed. Emma was trying to be brave, but it was dark with just her little flashlight and she was kind of scared Helena would jump out at any minute. She was glad she wasn't alone. Even though LC was just a baby, he gave her a reason to be brave. Emma was pretty sure Lexi had made it to the tunnels as planned by now since her path led her away from the fire whereas Emma's had led straight through it.

xxxxx

"Davy boy, this is one for your baby book. Your very first mission and Morgan family adventure. We'll see if we can't yank a lock of Cruella's hair for a souvenir." Lexi whispered and Davy gurgled happily as she ducked down into the tunnels. She didn't want to risk tripping by looking back, but she could sense the evil witch was still behind her. The tunnels were super dark and Lexi was glad her mini flashlight was so bright. Jake lagged behind and kept aiming for Helena's head with the pellets in his slingshot, but he was finding a moving target much harder to hit in the darkened tunnels even with the flashlight clipped to his ball cap.

Lexi didn't know for sure, but she had a gut feeling Helena had started that fire. If that was the case, Lexi knew leading Helena anywhere near the playhouse was too big of a risk to the other kids. So much for the second bait & switch.She and Davy would just have to outmaneuver the crazy prune together. She felt better knowing Jake was good backup.

xxxxx

"Oh, thank God!" Alexis shouted in relief as Lucky approached carrying Molly with Sam and the others at his side.

"Molly? Oh my God!What happened?" Alexis was in near hysterics at seeing the blood all over Molly's hands and pajamas.

"Mom, Mom!It's not her blood." Sam held her mom's arm to get her attention.

"What? Who's..." Alexis began.

"It's Ric's." Sam admitted leaving Alexis with a hundred new questions Sam didn't have time, or probably the answer for.

"Have you seen Jason and Nik? Have they come out with any of the kids?" Sam asked before Alexis could speak again.

"No." Alexis' eyes softened and her heart tore open at the desperation in Sam's eyes. "You're the first. What do you mean it's Ric's blood? He's here?" Alexis didn't understand. Her ex-husband hadn't been in Port Charles since he was run out of town years ago.

"Yes, I don't know much mom, but... he's dead. Cam said Helena stabbed him in front of Molly." Sam explained as gently as she could. She knew both of their thoughts were now traveling back to the night Kristina witnessed Sam shoot Diego Alcazar to death.

"Oh God." Alexis held her trembling hand over her mouth as Lucky made his way through the crowd to the launch.

"Alexis, she's in shock. We need to get her to the hospital right away." Emily informed.

Alexis just nodded her head unable to speak or process what was happening.

"Sam! Did you find Morgan? What about Davy and the twins?" Sam turned to see Carly's tear-stricken face as she ran a calming hand over her swollen belly.

Sam met her friend's eyes and felt her own tears well up. Emotion choked her and all she could do was swiftly shake her head no. This wasn't happening. She wasn't going to sit outside while her family burned to death in that fire, or Helena hurt them.

"Cam!" Elizabeth hugged her son. "Thank God you're safe, but where's Jake? Where's your brother?"

Sam was about to ask Sonny to borrow the gun she knew he'd be carrying when Elizabeth's words caught her attention. Sam would never consider Elizabeth a friend, but the woman had raised two fine sons with a big help from Lucky and they'd somehow managed to be civil for the children's sake since their kids were such good friends. Sam had to admit it was a satisfying sensation that Jason still wanted nothing to do with Elizabeth after nearly seven years.

Lucky and Elizabeth had been divorced and raising their sons together for five years, but Emily had recently shared with Sam she thought she saw perhaps a tiny glimmer of the love between the two that they used to share. So, for the sake of her friendship to Emily and in the spirit of goodwill she'd approved Elizabeth on tonight's guest list. Lucky had already been invited and Emily had been set on playing matchmaker.

It seemed like ions ago Sam had been contemplating such trivial things as Lucky and Elizabeth's possible reconciliation. Now, she contemplated her family's possible survival. She waited for her kid's friend to speak up. Anything more Cameron had to share might help her locate the children.

"Jake is Lexi's backup and Danny was Emma's backup. They're supposed to be on the goose chase now, but Helena stabbed Ric when he tried to stop her from starting the fire. Helena told Molly she was going to slit her throat like she did her grandmother. That's when I came out of hiding and used my lotus kick to knock the knife out of her hand. Molly was crying and I tried to help her and that's when Helena locked us in the room so we couldn't escape." As Cam recounted the story Sam could see the shivers rack his young body.

His adrenaline was wearing off and reality of what had happened was slowly sinking in. He was probably going into shock like Molly. God, Molly. Cam had saved Molly's life. Helena would surely have used that knife on her and it sent shivers through her own body to know her little girl and sons were still in there with her.

Robin couldn't help cut in at the mention of her daughter. "Cam, what do you mean Danny wasEmma's backup and backup for what? What was Emma doing? Where was she going?"

Patrick stood behind his wife holding her shoulders as they waited with baited breath for word on their daughter.

"Molly found out Ric and Helena were working together. Helena wanted LC and Ric wanted Molly." Cam began.

"LC?" Sam said.

"Littlest Cassadine, um, little Edward. Lexi came up with his nickname and it stuck." Cam shrugged.

Sam tried not to cry over how cute it was that her daughter came up with that nickname for her little cousin. Would that be the last cute thing Sam ever heard of her daughter doing? Her last words to her children tonight had been that she loved them, but was disappointed in their behavior during the party. Sam, Jason and Carly had grilled the kids, but they'd finally confessed to what seemed a believable admission.

They borrowed Spinelli's video games without his knowledge, the ones with ratings they weren't allowed to play and Jason had instructed Danny to hand over every single game to Viola as soon as he made it back upstairs. How had she not seen through their scam? She was a professional con-artist, but she didn't have time to think about that right now. Sam wiped the tears from her eyes before they could fall, smiled and gave Cam an encouraging nod to continue.

"Lexi came up with a plan to confuse Helena. Lexi and Emma dressed up alike and put Davy and LC in baby carriers and took off in different directions. Helena would only be able to follow one. The plan was for them to lose Helena and then drop off the babies safely at the playhouse while Spencer and Paige watched them and Morgan called for help, but we didn't count on Helena starting the fire. I heard Morgan and Danny yelling through the door. Morgan told me Emma's exit was cutoff by the fire and he had to pull Danny out. He told me his uncle Jason was on the way to get us and Emma had turned back to find another way out." Cam was still shaking and Lucky wrapped his suit jacket around him and pulled him close.

Sam's eyes fell on Molly in the distance. She was sitting near the launch waiting for it to return from dropping off a boat full of guests. Alexis and Kristina sat in silent support on either side of Molly and Sam couldn't stop her tears for her sister, her children, Jason and the rest of those inside.

"Cam, did Morgan say what route he was going to take to get out?" Sam hoped for some clue to the whereabouts of at least one of her children.

Cam furrowed his brow in recollection. "No, but his original exit strategy was the same as mine, the stairwell at the end of the East wing closest to the room where Molly and I were trapped and he probably couldn't have gone any other way because of the fire."

Sam breathed deep. It was a starting point. "Thank you, Cam, that's very helpful."

"Sonny can I talk to you for a second." Sam motioned for them to move out of Molly's line of sight.

"I need to borrow your gun. Helena is in there hunting down children and three of them are mine." Sam whispered.

Sonny saw the look in Sam's eye. "I'm going with you. It's my family too."

"Wait for me!" Lucky stood and the three headed toward the blazing flames as Spoon Island's Volunteer fire fighters exited the front entrance with two bodies on stretchers. Two water trucks were set up as close as they could get on the far side of the wing where the fire burned most intense.

"Did you find any children?" Sam said.

"No ma'am. Just one deceased and one unconscious male." The fire fighter responded.

Sam swallowed her fear and snatched back the cover on the body before the firefighter could stop her. It was Ric. Her babies were still in there and they wasted time bringing out a dead body. He deserved to go up in flames and rot in hell. Even if he had tried to stop the fire, he teamed up with a psychotic murderer to kidnap her little sister and her nephew. Sam dropped the cover and raced to the other stretcher. "Jason?"

No, it was a man she didn't recognize. Maybe he was a guest, but she was fairly certain she knew everyone on the guest list tonight. "Where did you find him?"

"Upstairs in the wing where the fire started." Another firefighter replied.

"He could be one of the kidnappers and responsible for this fire. He'll need to be detained." Lucky waived his badge and instructed them to find officer Cooper Barrett at the launch before allowing him to leave the island.

"Noooo! Get OFF me. Let me GO! I have to get to Emma!" Danny kicked and screamed at his cousin.

"Stop it, Danny. It's too late. The fire is too big." Morgan struggled to keep hold of his younger cousin as he dragged him toward the front of Wyndemere, but the kid was stronger than he looked. They'd gone to the playhouse, but it had taken them longer since he had to fight Danny every step of the way and by the time they got there, it was empty. Morgan figured people would be at the launch since there was a fire and he fought to pull Danny along the entire way.

"Morgan! Danny!" Sonny and Sam each called their son's names as they first heard their raised voices then looked to see them fighting.

Sonny and Sam reached them at the same time and pulled the boys apart. Sonny hugged his boy close.

Sam wrapped her arms around her son and in that moment wasn't sure she could ever let go again. "Danny, oh God. I was so worried you were trapped in there."

Danny pulled back from his mother, but she wouldn't let him out of her embrace completely. His fight still raged inside him. "I'm not, but Emma and LC are still in there. We have to go get them!"

Sam looked at her little boy. His eyes were blue daggers of determination that pierced through her as sharply as his father's ever had. His jaw was set and his body shook with anger. She was sure if she let go of him, he'd run right back in to that fire. "Your dad and uncle Nik are in there looking for Emma, little Edward, Lexi, Davy and Jake. They'll find them, but I need you to come with me. I need you to go over what happened and maybe we can help figure out where they went."

Sam wasn't sure Danny would buy her story. True, she did want to hear what he had to say, but she really just needed to get him far away from this fire and then she needed to get back in there and find the rest of her family. Sam noticed something happened when she mentioned the other kids and her father to Danny. He was shaking, but not in anger anymore. It reminded her of the uncontrolled tremors Cameron exhibited a few minutes ago. She pulled Danny to her tightly. "It's okay, honey. Dad's gonna find them. They're all going to be okay."

Her hand soothed over his back and all the fight seemed to leave his body. He crumpled into her arms. Sam gathered him up and stood holding him as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck.

She felt his hot tears on her skin and heaving sobs against her chest. She looked over at Sonny and Lucky and registered the sympathy there as they all headed back toward the launch.

"Morgan? Morgan!" Carly grabbed her boy.

She'd never been so relieved to see her youngest son in all her life. She just couldn't help the feeling she was going to lose another son tonight like she'd lost Michael two years ago. She knew she had to stay calm for little Courtney Adela who was due next month, but it was only with Michael and Sonny standing next to her tonight that she'd been able to do it. Carly hugged her boy and kissed him all over his cheeks with at least thirty witnesses, but she didn't care and neither did he it seemed. Morgan didn't shrug away or say a word. He just hugged his mom tight and didn't want to let go.

"It's all my fault." Danny sobbed into Sam's shoulder and Sam wasn't sure she'd heard him.

"What baby?" Sam pulled her head back and smoothed her hand against his back. He really was too big for her to hold on her waist like that anymore, but she'd be damned if she let him go right now.

Danny lifted his face, tears spilling down his cheeks.

"It's all my fault." He whispered painfully.

"No, Danny. This isn't your fault. Why would you think that?" Sam continued to rub his back.

"It was my smoke bombs that started the fire. They're really hard to ignite, but it must have been my smoke bombs and now Lexi and Davy and Emma and Jake are trapped in my fire." Danny struggled to talk through his sobs.

"No! It wasn't you that started that fire. It was Helena. She started it on purpose to hide the fact that she was taking LC." Sam found the nickname her daughter gave her nephew rolled off her tongue.

Danny studied his mother carefully for the truth and his blue eyes warmed upon finding it. Sam realized she'd walked them aimlessly into the center of the crowd. She took a good look around for the first time and found herself surrounded by most of her family and closest friends. Maxie smiled a sad smile through her tears and Sam was thankful her friend had her husband Coop, Georgie and Spinelli hovering nearby.

Port Charles didn't have a very good record for trouble-free deliveries and this pregnancy had put a strain on Maxie's heart. Sam didn't want anything happening to her dear friend or the baby girl she was so excited to bring into the world, a new little Barbara Jean. Sam could see the boat on its return to the launch. It would dock in another fifteen minutes and Molly, Carly, Maxie and the rest of the children would get the care they needed.

"Danny, I'm sorry we couldn't get to Emma and LC, but I'm not sorry I got us out of there. You were about to walk right through that fire to get to Emma and you would've been burned. You couldn't have made it through to her. Neither of us could." Morgan swallowed his pain down. He'd wanted to get to them so bad, but the fire was too thick. He could barely see Emma on the other side.

"You're wrong! I could have made it. I know I could. It was my choice. You took my choice!" Danny's muscles flexed in anger again.

His legs went rigid forcing him to slide down his mother's side, but Sam knelt down and kept an arm around him. "Daniel Alan Morgan, listen to me!" Sam pulled his chin to make him look at her.

She fought all of the overwhelming emotions that surged within her at seeing her son remind her so much of his father and yet his words... She knew that pain. Sam knew the anger of having your choice taken from you, but this was her 6 going on 7 year old son and Morgan had done the right thing. "I know you care about Emma and LC. He's family and she's your very good friend, but I think Morgan is right. I think you were so upset you didn't even realize how bad that fire was. You saw your friend and your family in danger and you had blinders on. Morgan did the right thing." Sam held his gaze, but could tell not a word she said had changed his stubborn mind.

"It's not true!" Danny yanked away from his mother. "And I'm going to find her!"

Danny darted through the crowd escaping the many arms that shot out to try and stop him. Robin was in tears over seeing how hard the little boy was fighting to save her little girl. She prayed her daughter and all the other children made it out alive and unharmed. Patrick was at a loss for words. That brave boy was rushing back into that fiery hell while he stood there. He kissed his wife and took off after Danny right behind Sam.

They didn't get far when Danny came to an abrupt halt only a dozen feet from the rest of the crowd. Sam and Patrick followed his line of sight and struggled to make out a little form approaching them, dark hair pulled up in folded pigtails and dressed all in black. It was a little girl and she was carrying something. Sam's heart pounded. Lexi. Lexi and Davy.

She broke into a full on sprint along with Patrick, but her legs and pounding heart faltered the closer she got and realized it wasn't Lexi. It was Emma. Still, maybe... maybe she had Davy. Sam forced her frozen legs to push forward as Danny and Patrick ran the last few steps ahead to greet Emma. Sam knew better than to believe Emma had Davy. Lexi would want Davy with her.

Patrick took one look at his little girl and would have squeezed the stuffing out of her, but she had a baby strapped to her chest in a black baby bjorn. He hugged her careful not to squish the baby and kissed her cheeks.

"Emma, sweetie, is this Davy?" Patrick asked knowing Sam was behind him and would want to know.

Emma shook her head no and Sam tried not to fall apart in front of Danny or Emma. Patrick knew Emma must be tired of carrying the baby. He wasn't sure how she'd managed to make it that far with him. He was four months old and had to weigh at least 12 pounds, but Patrick didn't know Lexi and Emma had trained with sacks of flour Spencer acquired from cook's pantry.

He tried to lift the carrier off of Emma, but she swung away and cried out. "No!"

After the fire broke out, Emma promised herself she wouldn't let LC go until he could go back into his mommy's arms. It's all she wanted was to be in her mommy's arms and she knew it's what LC wanted too.

Patrick pursed his lips and wiped at his moist eyes. He nodded his head seeing how important it was to his daughter and not wanting to upset her any further. Danny stepped up to Emma's side. "I'm sorry Morgan stopped me from getting to you."

"Don't be dumb. That fire was way too big." Emma shook her head at the silly boy who thought it was his job to save her.

"But I was your backup." Danny argued as he turned to walk with her.

Sam and Patrick fell in behind them still hardly believing the scene playing out before them.

"You knocked out Helena's goon with your slingshot before he could snatch me up. You're real good backup, but you're not Superman. You can't walk through fire." Danny opened his mouth to argue, Sam was sure, but before he could speak Emma shoved Danny in his arm causing his step to falter and for the first time Sam didn't tense up at all when she noticed the affectionate little smirk smile Danny gave the petite brunette.

Emma Grace Scorpio-Drake was probably the only one in the world right now that could make her son smile rather than turn around and run back in there for his family and, for that, she loved that little girl to pieces, but Sam's heart melted at what she heard next.

"I could walk through fire for you." Danny's simple heartfelt statement brought tears to Sam's eyes. It was exactly something Jason would have said to her and she knew without a doubt her son's friendship with that little girl would last a lifetime.

Patrick looked at Sam and wasn't sure if he should be touched or scared to death, but he figured they'd all had enough fear for the night and he just allowed the sweet innocence of the moment to be okay. He called out for Emily and she made her way from helping Monica examine Molly, Cameron, Spencer, Paige and Morgan.

The crowd cleared a path as Emma and Danny made their way to Emily. Emma smiled wide as Emily fell to her knees in front of the little girl and peeked in the carrier to find her baby boy safe and sound. "Oh, Emma. Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Emily kissed the little girl on her cheek and carefully removed the carrier from Emma's shoulders. It had been reinforced with some really strong Velcro to fit her tiny frame.

Robin couldn't wait another second. She swooped her daughter up in her arms and hugged her close as Patrick pulled them both in his arms and laid a kiss on his daughter's head.

Sam's smile was bittersweet as she watched mother and child reunited. She couldn't help wish it was her daughter and baby boy that were there now. Emily held her baby close and kissed his sweet face. She checked him over quickly, but there were no signs of any harm. Emma had kept him safe from the fire and safe from Helena.

"Is he okay?" Sam asked when she noticed Emily checking him over.

"Perfect!" She beamed. "Emma, you kept him perfectly safe. Thank you so much."

Emma was happily perched on her mother's hip now and simply nodded.

"How did you get out anyway?" Danny looked up at Emma.

"I remembered Spencer's map showed a secret passageway in the game room upstairs that leads downstairs to..." she looked around at the crowd of ears listening in and finished in a whisper. "You know where."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh, but not Danny. He just gave her a thoughtful nod.

Morgan stepped over cautiously to Emma and Sam noticed Danny tense up. Emma must have noticed too, because she pushed down from her mother's hold and sidled up right between the two boys.

"I'm sorry we left you behind." Morgan's face was full of sorrow.

"I'm not. I told you to go. I knew another way out and Danny knows it was the right thing to do now. Don't you, Danny?" Emma asked him expectantly.

"I guess." Danny mumbled with a shrug as he looked down and away.

"And Danny wants to thank you for saving his life. Don't you, Danny?" Emma prodded relentlessly in a manner Sam was sure would only work on her son with Emma.

Danny looked at Emma with a stubborn blue glare Sam knew all too well and Robin couldn't get over how much her little girl reminded her of her mother in that moment, dressed in black pants and a black long sleeved top and throwing a glare every bit as hard at Danny as he threw at her. Finally, Danny was the first to break and Robin had to fight the proud smile that threatened her lips. "Yeah, thanks Morgan."

"Shake?" Morgan extended his hand.

Danny cocked his head and stared at Morgan's hand for a long minute. Just like his father, Carly and Sonny thought as a fond smile found their faces. Morgan was beginning to think Danny wouldn't shake when suddenly he felt him clutch his hand and give it a thorough squeeze and up and down.

"Alright," Sonny patted Danny on the shoulder. "Good man. You make your dad proud."

At the mention of his father, Danny's hardened face faltered and Sam couldn't stop herself from moving over and pulling him into another hug. She stared in his true blue eyes, kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around her son.

Morgan noticed too and was reminded that although his immediate family was safe outside, his cousin might lose his dad, brother and twin sister. He tried to think of how he could help.

"I wish I'd thought to grab my laptop. I could talk to Lexi over comms and find out where she is." Morgan spoke aloud.

His words offered Sam her first real ray of hope. "Lexi's on comms?"

"Yea, I had my laptop set up to see the cameras we put up to catch Helena and then I sent Emma and Lexi their signal over comms when it was time to grab the babies." Morgan explained.

"Spinelli?" Sam looked over across the grouping as she stood with her arm around Danny's shoulder, but Spin had already heard every word.

"On it!" Spin assured as he pulled his laptop from his black shoulder bag.

"You can pick them up with just your laptop?" Patrick didn't know a whole lot about it, but he thought it would take a shortwave radio to pick up the signals.

"Just my laptop? Just?If the circumstance we find ourselves in tonight were not so dire, I would surely laugh at the suggestion. Just my laptop... The Jackal has custom-fitted this laptop with an internal shortwave receiver with professional demodulators able to..." Spinelli began to explain as if it made anything any clearer then looked at a bunch of lost faces.

"Yes, it can." He summed up and everyone nodded.

"What frequency?" Spin asked of Morgan as he brought up his software.

Morgan gave him the proper hertz.

"A little fine tuning..." Spin tapped away some more. "Bingo!"

"You found her?" Sam peered over Spinelli's shoulder at his screen.

"I found one very strong signal and one weaker signal that must be Lexi's." Spin confirmed.

"Emma, do you still have your earpiece?" Sam knew she'd be able to communicate directly to Lexi with Emma's comms.

"Yea, but I don't think Lexi can hear anymore. I tried, but she hasn't talked back since a little after the fire started." Sam refused to believe that was for any other reason than an equipment malfunction as the rest of the adult faces fell.

"The castle walls are thick. Maybe it's just interference." Robin offered hopefully and Sam gave her an appreciative nod as she swallowed hard.

"She's probably in the tunnels by now." Emma added as she pulled out her earpiece and began to pull off the transmitter necklace, microphone and cell phone from under her clothes and hand it all to Sam.

"Lexi was headed to the tunnels?" Sam didn't like the sound of that at all. It was dark and slippery and dangerous down there and Helena probably knew those tunnels better than anyone.

"My path took me all around outside, but Lexi's took her through the tunnels." Emma shared.

Emma saw Danny's mom get scared and she didn't think she'd ever seen Mrs. Morgan scared before. "Don't worry. We ran drills and Lexi and I memorized Spencer's map. Lexi could find her way down there with her eyes closed."

Sam smiled at the little girl who should be exhausted and scared to death after everything she'd been through and instead Emma was giving her a pep talk.

"That's good to know, Emma. Thank you." She did her best to smile at the little girl's words of comfort.

xxxxx

Jason and Nik came up empty with their search. They'd looked over every inch of the upstairs and attic that wasn't filled with flames and were now making their way downstairs through a back passageway that led from the sitting room off of the master suite to the kitchen below. The fire fighters had managed to keep the fire from spreading past the East wing, but could do nothing of all the smoke that filled the halls.

Jason pulled his cell from his pocket. "Maybe Sonny knows if any of the children have been found."

Nik nodded as he made his way to the pantry for the emergency flashlights and lighters to light the tunnel lanterns. Helena would have used them to escape. It was the only place left he could think the kids might be. He tried not to allow his guilt to consume him. If he'd killed the evil bitch years ago his family would be safe now.

The signal was weak so Jason walked toward the window as Sonny answered. "Jason? Thank God, man. Have you found Lexi, Davy and Jake?"

"No. We've searched the entire upper two levels and found nothing. We're headed into the tunnels. Nik thinks Helena would have tried to escape that way." Jason ran his hand over his face trying to steady his nerves.

"Is that Jason?" Sam snatched the phone from Sonny before he could answer.

"Jason? Oh, thank God. Are you okay?" Jason was equally relieved to hear Sam's voice.

"We're fine. Nik and I are in the kitchen. We're headed into the tunnels."

"Danny is safe, Jason. All the children are out except Lexi, Davy and Jake." Jason was torn between relief and disbelief.

"You're sure? All of them? Do they know where Lexi, Jake and Davy might be?" Jason asked, but his signal was fading out again.

"Yes, all. Lexi has Davy... tunnels... Helena..." was all Jason could make out before the call was dropped and Jason cursed. He tried calling back, but it wouldn't go through.

"What is it? Did they find the kids?" Nik hoped against hope the children were safe outside with their mothers.

"Lost signal, but Sam said all the kids are accounted for except Lexi, Davy and Jake."

Jason couldn't begrudge Nik the relief that washed over him, but he couldn't help the envy and anger that surfaced in himself either. He knew it wouldn't help to blow up at Nik right now, but Nik's kids were safe and it looked like Jason's were the one that might have to pay the price for Nik's inability to handle his psychotic grandmother years ago.

Jason Morgan was never one to let his emotions show, but until seconds ago Nik had been living in the same hell Jason and Sam were still in. "We won't stop until we find all three and bring them out safely too."

Jason swallowed hard and issued a simple nod as Nik lead the way to the wine cellar which held the nearest entrance to the myriad of tunnels running below Wyndemere.

xxxxx

"Jason? Jason? Dammit!" Sam wanted to chuck Sonny's cell like a Molotov cocktail. She'd lost his call. She tried to call back, but it wouldn't go through.

"What did he say?" Emily hoped her brother and her husband would find the children before Helena.

"No sign of them yet, but they're headed into the tunnels now." Sam handed the phone back to Sonny and stepped over to Spinelli.

"Jason said Nik thinks Helena would try to use the tunnels to escape." Sonny informed as he tucked his phone into his suit.

"That definitely sounds like something Helena would do." Emily agreed as she held little Edward closer.

Sam wired herself with Emma's comms as she and Spinelli tried to get through to Lexi. Spin recognized the phone numbers as he dialed. "These are the old comms I replaced a few months ago."

"Morgan, how did you get these?" Sam found the boy standing with his mom's arm still around him.

Morgan was silent. He didn't want to get Danny in trouble.

"Answer your aunt. Where did you get them?" Carly ordered, but not as harshly as she might have if he hadn't almost died in a fire.

Danny spoke up instead. "From me. I'm sorry, uncle Spin."

"I thought your intentions strictly educational... to, to attempt to learn more of the inner workings of micro technology through reverse engineering." Spinelli was shocked to learn he'd been duped by the most loyal one. "Otherwise..."

"I know. I'm really sorry, but we needed it to help Spencer." Danny's face was flush with shame. He'd never deceived his uncle Spinelli before. He'd never lied to anyone before this plan, except when it was to cover for Lexi. He'd do anything for his sister, but it was only fair. Lexi would do anything for him.

"We'll talk about this later." The look Sam gave her son told him he wasn't going to enjoy later, but he would take any punishment if it meant somehow Lexi could talk to them now and tell them she and Davy and Jake were okay.

"Wait, I'm getting something." Spin turned up the volume on his laptop as loud as it would go and Sam felt everyone huddle in closer. Even Alexis and Kristina had stepped over to them now. The boat was still a few minutes from docking. Alexis held Molly. She was still silent, but at least the blood was gone. She'd been wearing clothes under her pajamas and Kristina managed to use some water from the lake to wash Molly's hands clean of the blood.

"Don't worry Davy. Just a few more twists and turns and we'll have that old fruit cake out of breath in no time. We need to wear her out so she's an easier target for Jake. At least we can tell he's still back there. Helena curses every time he hits her with a pellet. I just wish he'd hurry and knock her out." Sam was filled with relief, pride and overwhelming love and fear at hearing her little girl speak those words so gently to her son.

"At least we know they aren't trapped in the fire." It was Lucky that spoke this time. He'd just finished giving report to Mac who'd arrived by harbor patrol speedboat with several other officers.

Sam had to admit it was good to know, but her children were far from safe. "Lexi, can you hear me?"

Sam tried several times with no more luck than Emma. "What's wrong with these things? Why isn't it working?"

"Well, that is why I replaced them. One of the earpieces kept running through batteries far quicker than it should." Spinelli explained.

Sam threw her hands up and tried not to curse in front of her son. Guilt and worry clouded his face. She let out a deep sigh then lovingly ran her fingers through Danny's hair. "Your dad and uncle Nik are on their way. They're all going to be okay."

He gave her a brave smile and Sam wished she were in those tunnels right now so she could choke the life out of Helena Cassadine for putting her family through this hell.

"Uh-oh." That one utterance from her daughter nearly stopped Sam's heart.

Everyone was silent hoping to hear what was wrong.

"What? Lexi, what is it baby?" Sam asked her daughter even though she knew she couldn't hear her and then she heard a voice that sent chills to her bones.

"Foolish girl, did you really think you were in control? No one knows these tunnels as well as me." Helena's eyes lit up with an evil glow.

Lexi could kick herself for falling into Helena's trap. In the dark and with the added stress of the situation Lexi missed the turn that left her with only one way out now and that was back past Helena. They were near the entrance to the caves and, as Helena advanced, Lexi had no choice but to continue further toward the sound of water.

"I'm not surprised you know these tunnels so good. You're a crazy old bat!" Lexi shouted at the hateful woman.

Her words garnered a few smiles from the group and Kristina chuckled softly. Lexi was never afraid to tell someone exactly what she thought, just like her. Emily, Lucky, Elizabeth, Spencer and Alexis weren't smiling and neither was Sam. They knew all too well how lethal Helena could be. Sam prayed. Careful, baby. Don't provoke her.

"Such insolence! Your mother and father would be well served to teach you to respect your elders, before someone teaches you the hardway." Helena approached cautiously slowly forcing the girl where she wanted her.

"If you touch my granddaughter, I swear I'll kill you myself!" Alexis rested her mouth against Molly's shoulder and held her tight.

Helena was the cause for the state Molly was in and now she was threatening her grandchildren. Sam turned to her mother directly behind her and gave her a small smile and rubbed her hand over her sister's back. Sweet Molly. She just had to be alright. Everyone just had to be alright, but Sam knew life didn't always work out that way. It had been a long time since she'd lost someone so close to her, but she would never forget what that loss felt like and she prayed to never feel it again. She couldn't lose another daughter.

"Respect isn't given. It's earned." Lexi retorted smartly.

"And do you respect your thieving con-artist of a mother and father who's nothing more than a paid murderer?" Helena was actually curious to see how much the sharp-tongued girl knew of her parents.

Sam held her breath for Lexi's reply. Sam and Jason never lied to their children about her past and what Jason did for a living, but they never shared very much with them about it either. They were still too young. What would her babies think of her and their father by the time Helena was finished? Sam felt her son's small hand slip into hers as he stepped by her side with a look of sheer devotion.

"My brother and I accept and respect the people that love and protect us. They're not perfect, but they aren't evil kid killer baby snatchers like you!" Lexi and Danny knew parts of their mom's past from overheard conversations. They also knew their dad worked for their uncle Sonny and his job was to protect their family and business from bad guys like the man who shot Michael. Lexi and Danny didn't know for sure, but had a feeling it was their dad's job to make that man and any like him disappear... for good.

Helena narrowed her eyes. "And where are your 'protective' parents now when you need them?"

"It isn't very smart to threaten me, especially since you think my dad is a killer." Lexi didn't like the look in the woman's eyes.

"I have no intention of harming you. Hand over my grandchild and you're free to leave." Helena smiled, but it did nothing to convince Lexi of her sincerity.

"It worked. She thinks Lexi has LC." Danny whispered as he stared glued to Spinelli's laptop.

Sam spoke aloud again. "Go with it Lexi. You'll be safer if she thinks you have little Edward."

Sam felt a comforting hand on the back of her shoulder and turned to see Emily give her a worried smile. Sam looked down at her sweet little nephew tucked snugly in his mother's arms and ached to hold her son that same way.

Lexi didn't trust Helena not to hurt her. She figured Helena might not hurt her if she believed she really had LC so she didn't correct her. She caught a glimpse of movement behind Helena. Jake was hiding behind some rocks in the cave they were now in and he was motioning for her to get Helena to move forward for a better shot. Lexi felt herself back up against the cold wall of the cave. She glanced quickly to look for more room to maneuver, not letting her eyes off of Helena any longer than necessary.

It was when Lexi turned that she saw the boat moored near a small dock in the water of the caves. It was a speedboat. A plan began to formulate. Lexi was Sam McCall's daughter. She'd been driving boats since before she could see over the wheel without her mom holding her up. That boat didn't look much different than their speedboat. If Jake couldn't take Helena out, then maybe she could trick her and get away on the boat. She didn't want to leave Jake and she wouldn't if she could help it, but she couldn't let Helena get her hands on Davy either. At least Jake was behind Helena and could escape back into the tunnels. He'd studied the map and explored them almost as often as Lexi. Plus, he had a weapon. It was a last option, but one she might have to use.

"Is that your boat?" Lexi asked.

"Yes, I'll be leaving on it with my grandson as soon as you hand him over and you can go back to your parents." Helena eyed the girl for any signs of treachery.

Lexi did her best to look scared and vulnerable which she hated to admit wasn't all that hard. She was scared and this crazy lady was dangerous. "You promise you won't hurt me?"

"Oh God. No, baby, don't trust her. Stay away from her as long as you can. Daddy's on the way." Sam pressed her hands to her cheeks and prayed.

A wicked smile crept onto Helena's face. "Why of course, dear child. I simply wish to spend some quality time with my grandson."

Lexi paused for effect then nodded apprehensively. Ursula the sea witch wasn't moving and Jake didn't have a shot. She saw him trying to move in a little closer and her heart clenched in fear. Not too close, Jake. She's ancient, but she's deadly.Her eyes warned her best friend.

Jake nodded as if he understood, but still moved a little too close for Lexi's comfort. Lexi couldn't see any other way out. Jake still didn't have a shot and if he got much closer Helena might turn and capture him. She had to get away on the boat before Jake got any closer to Helena while he still had a chance to run away.

"I'll make a deal with you. I'll put the baby on the boat and you'll wait there for me until I can get by you." Lexi held her gaze refusing to admit guilt or defeat.

The girl was either telling the truth, or had the best poker face Helena had ever seen on a child that young. "We have a deal."

"She's got a plan!" Danny proclaimed.

"Her only exit is locked off by Helena. How could she have another plan?" Spencer could picture exactly where they were in the caves right now.

"I don't know, but I know my sister and there's no way she's trusting that old bat." Danny insisted.

Sam considered her son's words. Danny was right. Lexi wouldn't trust Helena. Not after all they'd done to trick her, but what was she thinking? Think. Think Sam. What is Lexi thinking?Suddenly it hit her. "The boat. Lexi's going to try and get away on the boat!"

The shocked sighs and responses barely registered as Sam ran her hands through her hair and wished for the hundredth time she was there to help her daughter.

Sam searched the crowd around her. "Lucky, I need a boat. I need to get to Lexi!"

Lucky nodded. "Come on, I'll alert harbor patrol."

The next several minutes would happen far too fast for Sam to remember clearly later. It began with Davy's cry. That was what rooted Sam to the spot she stood. She stared helplessly at Spinelli's computer even though there was nothing to see. It was only an audio feed, but she couldn't look away. Davy hadn't cried once until now.

"I'm sorry, Davy." Lexi began to whisper. "It has to look like I'm really leaving you, but don't worry. If anybody tries to take you it'll be over my dead body and Jake isn't going to let that happen. I wish Helena wasn't between him and the boat, but he knows the tunnels and he's moving too close to try and get a clear shot. If we don't go now, it'll be too late for him to run away. I have to keep you safe and Jake would be the first to tell me that. I'll come back for him after I get you some place safe." Lexi was in the boat now and had taken Davy out of the carrier still strapped to her chest and placed him on the floor of the boat in his blanket when he started to cry.

"What's taking so long?" Helena was losing her patience.

"I'm just saying goodbye!" Lexi snapped harshly, but Sam could hear the tears in her voice as it cracked and Sam ached to comfort her daughter.

Lexi met Jake's eyes as she said the word "goodbye"' and Jake knew what he had to do. He needed to distract Helena long enough for Lexi to get away. "Hey Cruella, why don't you pick on someone who isn't afraid to fight back?"

And with that he fired a pellet that nearly missed her temple. Helena turned to take care of the little miscreant once and for all. "I do believe it's past your bedtime. Time for you to say goodnight."

Jake pulled a balloon from his bag and slung it at the mad woman. "Goodnight!"

The balloon burst against her chest and face splattering the most foul odor Helena Cassadine ever smelled in all her years which by Jake's estimation was at least 592. She wiped the slimy residue of rotted eggs and decaying seafood from her mouth and chin, enraged with the boy's impudence.

Helena held the stun gun up in her hand intending to teach that child some manners. Lexi checked to make sure the keys were in the ignition then quickly loosed the lines from the horns of the dock cleat on the boat, but Davy cried louder drawing Helena's attention.

"Lexi, watch out!" Jake shouted. Helena realized she was being tricked and was now racing toward the boat.

She was faster than she looked. Lexi made it back to the wheel and attempted to start the boat when she felt the thump on the floorboard as Helena jumped aboard. Lexi turned to see the woman reaching for her baby brother and saw red.

"Stay away from my brother!" She screamed.

"This, this isn't my grandson. What have you done with him?" Helena demanded icily.

"He's somewhere safe where you'll never touch him!" Lexi spat.

"Your mother and grandmother should have warned you what happens to those foolish enough to meddle in my affairs." Helena gritted through clenched teeth.

"Lexi! Nooo!" Jake yelled! He fired another shot and it was a direct hit.

The pellet struck Helena in the temple causing her to fall overboard into the water, but not before shocking Lexi with her stun gun and pulling her in with her. Jake raced down the short dock and jumped in after his friend.

Sam heard Jake cry out, Lexi scream and then what sounded like a splash before the signal was dead. Her babies. Her babies were in the water. What had Helena done? Lexi was a great swimmer, but with Davy... Oh God. Oh God this can't be happening!Sam lost it.

"Lexiiiii!" Sam's anguished wail cut through the wicked night and Sonny caught her just as her knees gave out. Her small form fell limp as he tried to support her fall to her knees.

"Lexi, my babies." Sonny held her as she sobbed, his heart breaking at the most sorrowful sound ever heard, the cry of a mother who's just lost her child.

Something pulled her from the fog, a voice. No, a cry. Her sister, Sam, was hurting. She was hurting so much and she needed to make it okay. She needed to help her sister. Molly lifted her head from her mother's shoulder and pushed herself down to stand. She saw her big sister on her knees on the ground in front of her and her cries were breaking her heart. "Sam. Sam, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Molly placed her hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Molly?" Sam looked up through her blurred vision to see her sweet Molly girl's sad brown eyes full of tears.

"Molly!" Sam pulled her baby sister into a tight hug and cried. She was so thankful for her sister's improvement, but dying inside not knowing what happened to her baby and little girl.

xxxxx

The water was dark and a little cold, but at least it wasn't freezing. Jake held his breath as long as he could and squinted to find his friend. He couldn't see her. He surfaced once more for air and dove down deeper. It was hard to tell which way was up or down in the murky water. He was almost out of breath, but he forced himself deeper. He had to find Lexi. He had to save his best friend. His arm brushed up against something and he was scared it was the crazy lady, but he had to check if it was Lexi.

He reached out his hand and felt... a leg. It was a little leg. It was Lexi! He hadn't seen her since she was face down and wearing all black, but when he gave her leg a tug she turned and he could see her hand. He pulled himself to her arms and forced her face to turn to him. Her eyes were closed and bubbles were coming from her nose. He pulled with every ounce of breath left in him to bring them both to the surface.

It felt like forever. Was he swimming up or down? Jake began to panic and was about to switch directions just as they broke through to dry air. His arms and legs were weighted down by the heavy wet clothes. He was too weak to lift her to the boat, so he swam to the steep shore of the cave with one arm across Lexi's neck and under her arm to keep her head above water. It took all his strength to drag her ashore. He laid her flat and shook her gently.

"Lexi! Lexi, wake up! You have to wake up!" He cried.

Jake's training kicked in. He was the son of a nurse and the best cop on the force. He'd been as good as certified in CPR since he was 5 years old. ABChe recalled silently.

A – Airway. Jake placed two fingers under the point of her jaw with one hand across her forehead and carefully lifted her head and tilted her chin back. He leaned his head over her nose and mouth, but felt no breath on his cheek. Lexi. Lexi, No! She isn't breathing. She isn't breathing.He tried his best to remember what to do next.

B – Breathing.Jake pinched her nostrils together, took a deep breath, sealed his lips firmly around her mouth and blew into her lungs making sure to see her chest rise. He removed his lips and let her chest fall... nothing. She didn't wake.

C – Circulation. He couldn't remember if he was doing this part right. Was he supposed to keep breathing for a full minute and then check her pulse, or was he supposed to check for a pulse right away? He slid two fingers to the side of her windpipe to feel for a pulse... nothing. Was he doing this right? He repositioned his fingers and felt for a pulse again... still nothing. Oh no. Oh no, Oh no, Oh no!He breathed deep to calm himself and pulled hard to quickly yank the baby carrier off her chest.

He placed his hand flat just above the point where her ribs met the breastbone like he'd practiced on the dummy and brought his other hand on top of it and locked his fingers together. With arms straight, he pressed down firmly and began chest compressions at a rate of about 100 per minute. Jake alternated 30 compressions with two breaths and prayed she woke up and help arrived soon.

Nik led Jason to the caves. His grandmother had escaped that way before and he knew she'd probably have a boat waiting. Neither had spoken much, both blaming themselves for not anticipating the night's danger. Nik had added extra security to the grounds as Emily neared her due date and still they hadn't been able to stop Helena.

Jason kept close tabs on Ric's every single movement for five long years, but he'd let his guard down the last two. After Michael was shot, there was just so much fallout to deal with that Ric wasn't a priority any longer and now his children and Molly were paying for his failure to remember the true threat Ric Lansing posed to his family. They rounded the corner and Jason's chest tightened. He couldn't breathe. He'd never had a panic attack, but he thought this might be what one felt like now. His little girl was lifeless on the ground and Jake was performing CPR.

"Lexi! Jake, what happened?" Jason fell to his knees preparing to take over compressions when Lexi began to choke.

She expelled a small amount of water from her lungs and gasped for air and Jason felt his heart beat again. He grabbed his girl up in his arms and kissed her on her head.

"Daddy..." Lexi's voice was but a whisper yet it was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard aside from her first cry the day she was born. His baby was safe in his arms. His baby. His other baby!Jason saw the wet empty baby carrier tossed on the ground with no sight of Helena or his four month old. "Jake, where's Davy?"

Jake sat on his knees with his arms fallen at his side, palms up. He was drenched and exhausted. Tears streamed silently down Jake's face as his chest heaved. His eyes were glued to his best friend.

"Jake! Where is Davy? Where is my son!" Jason tried to get through to him, but it was clear the events of the night had taken a severe tole on the boy.

"Boat." Lexi whispered and lifted her arm weakly pointing toward the speedboat that was now drifting just out of the cave.

"Stay with them. I've got it." Nik took off after it and dove head first from the dock.

Jason stood helplessly pacing as he watched his infant son drift further away, but Nik swam fast. He'd already closed half the distance. Jason cradled his daughter in his arms as he paced and pulled her closer. He kissed her forehead and thanked God she was alright. He stared back out at the boat rocked gently by the waves. He couldn't hear Davy. He wasn't crying. Was that good or bad?

Nik was almost to the boat. Two more long strokes and his hand latched on to the ladder near the motor. He pulled himself aboard and Jason's breath and heart stopped again waiting to hear his son was okay.

"He's here!" Nik shouted. "He's alright!"

Jason's chest heaved in a long sigh and he cried. Tears fell down his face. His sons were okay. His little girl was okay.He hugged Lexi to him again and kissed her forehead softly.

"Baby, can you tell me what happened? Where's Helena?" Jason looked down into the most beautiful set of amber eyes he'd ever seen with the exception of her mother.

"I put Davy on the boat. Jake distracted Helena while I tried to get away, but she stunned me. I felt myself falling. I'm wet, but I don't remember being in the water." Lexi shivered and hugged tighter to her dad. She always felt so safe when her dad held her tight.

Jake finally spoke. "Helena saw Lexi untying the lines. She went after Lexi. I aimed my slingshot. I hit her temple, but she'd already stunned Lexi. Helena fell overboard and pulled Lexi with her. I jumped in to find her."

Jason swallowed and looked down long and hard at the little boy who'd saved his daughter and his son's life tonight. There was no telling what Helena would have done with Lexi and Davy after she stunned her. If it weren't for Jake, she might have thrown them both overboard and escaped on that boat or taken them as hostages.

Jason squatted down next to the small boy as Lexi laid across his thighs. He gave Jake's shoulder a firm squeeze and Jake met his gaze. "Thank you, Jake. You saved Lexi and Davy. I'm very proud of how brave and strong you were for both of them tonight and I know your mother and father will be too."

Jake smiled. It was the first time Lexi's dad had ever said anything that nice to him. He was never mean, but Jake always got the feeling he must have done something wrong whenever Mr. Morgan looked at him before. He didn't look at him like that now and it made Jake feel good, like he'd finally done something right. "Lexi's my best friend. I'll always have her back."

"You're the best backup, Jake." Lexi gave Jake a smile and Jason still didn't like it, but he finally knew without a doubt Jake Spencer was a good boy and his daughter couldn't find a better friend.

Nik pulled the boat to the dock and the two men made sure Jake and Lexi boarded safely. Nik started the engine and made way for the launch. Jason picked up his baby boy who was nestled carefully in a corner of the boat with his blanket. He held him close and nuzzled his soft cheeks with his lips. His boy.His baby boy was safe in his arms and soon he would put him back in Sam's arms where he belonged.

Sam.He needed to call and tell her the children were safe. He pulled his cell from his pocket as he cradled Davy in one arm.

Minutes later Nik rounded into the little cove on approach to the launch. As they neared, Jason could see everyone they cared about crowding the area with Sam in front and Molly and Danny at her side. The boat was still a foot away when Sam decided she couldn't wait another second. She jumped on board and threw her arms around Lexi. She lavished her with kisses, pulled her close and held her tight. She'd almost lost another daughter tonight and in that moment Sam looked up to the stars with a silent prayer of thanks to her first born baby girl for watching over her sister and keeping her safe.

They made their way off the boat and Jake was swiftly embraced by his father as Lucky grabbed him up and hugged him tight. Elizabeth pressed her hand against Jake's back and kissed his shoulder.

"You have a brave boy." Jason told them. "He saved Lexi's life. By the time we got to them, she... she wasn't breathing and had no pulse. Jake dove in the water to find her and pulled her out. He gave her CPR and brought her back. I told him I'm very proud of him and I knew you and Elizabeth would be too."

Fresh tears flowed at hearing her daughter's heart had actually stopped beating and Sam held Lexi closer. She couldn't hold her close enough and feeling her little girl's arms squeeze tight around her neck and hold her back was the best feeling in the world. "Thank God, baby. I was so scared I lost you. I love you so much, Lexi."

"I love you too. I'm sorry I scared you, mommy. I don't ever want to be lost from you again." Lexi held on to her mother for dear life. She loved her mom so much and she was so scared her mom wouldn't want anything to do with her now. She put her brothers and cousins in so much danger, but her mom hadn't yelled at her or ignored her. In fact, her mom had rushed on the boat and hugged her before her baby brother or her dad. Lexi had never felt more loved by her mother than in that moment.

She'd been so scared she did something so horrible her mom could never forgive her, but she still loved her. Lexi knew now what unconditional love meant. She'd heard the term before and even had it explained to her when her mom and dad had told her countless times they loved her and her brothers unconditionally, but she'd never really got it until now. Her mom and dad would always love her, no matter what and that's how she loved them too.

Lexi finally looked down from her mother's arms to see Molly, Danny, Morgan, Spencer, Paige, Emma, and Cameron had all made their way toward her and Jake. Lexi tapped her mom on the shoulder and Sam reluctantly allowed Lexi to push herself down and out of her arms.

Lexi never felt so defeated. Her plans always worked and she'd never let her team down before, but she owed it to them to admit she was wrong and apologize. "I'm sorry my plan didn't work. I failed you and I don't deserve to be team leader."

Jake didn't like hearing Lexi think she failed them. He pushed out of his dad's arms to stand next to his friends and looked Lexi straight in the eye. "You didn't let us down, Lexi. Your plan worked. The mission was to keep Molly and LC safe and they are, we all are!"

Molly nodded in agreement. "Jake's right. We're all safe and I'd call that a success, not a failure."

All the other kids were nodding now, but Lexi shook her head. She wasn't explaining it good enough. "But I almost got us all hurt. I didn't plan better for Helena starting a fire or having that goon to help her. I should have had a plan b and I missed my turn in the tunnels and Helena almost got Davy and I couldn't stop her. Jake was the one that saved us."

"Lexi, you didn't almost get us hurt. My dad and Helena did." Molly corrected.

"Yeah," Cameron agreed. "And nobody could have guessed Helena would hurt all of us with that fire. We thought all she wanted was LC."

Danny nodded. "And Jake was your backup. It's our job as backup to help if our partner gets in trouble."

"You chose our assignments and we all got out safe and that's because you made us memorize and practice the plan over and over even when we gave you a hard time." Morgan reminded.

"That's right, and I wouldn't have known how to get out safe with LC if you hadn't made us memorize Spencer's map with all the exits and secret passages." Emma noted.

"Your team kept my sister and my baby brother safe, Lexi. Thank you." Spencer added.

"Thank you, Lexi," Paige smiled bright and Lexi couldn't help the blush or tears staining her cheeks. Her team stood by her and she knew she had the best friends and family anyone could ask for.

xxxxx

Jason pulled into his parking space at the Harbor View Towers garage and killed the engine. He adjusted his rear view mirror and took in the sight. Sam sat in the backseat next to Davy's car seat with one hand perched on his little belly. A faint smile touched Jason's lips. She hadn't taken her hands off of him since Jason placed him in her arms.

Sam held Davy in one arm and Lexi's hand in the other during her tests at the hospital. Monica performed an EKG and a few other tests to ensure Lexi's heart hadn't been damaged by the stun gun. Lexi was okay, one more thing to be thankful for. Molly, Viola, nanny Flynn and most of the other children had been evaluated for shock and possible smoke inhalation. They were all okay as well, all things considered. Carly and Maxie were good too.

It had been an extremely long and emotionally draining night, so all of the parents agreed to meet on the upcoming weekend to discuss how to prevent anything like that from happening again. There was nothing okay about their children feeling obligated to take such a dangerous task on all by themselves. While Jason and Sam couldn't help feel proud of how their children had worked so hard to help save little Edward and Molly, they wouldn't let that dissuade them from a fitting punishment. The twins would have to work to earn back everyone's trust and he knew Alexis, Robin, Lucky, Carly, and Emily were on the same page with each of their children.

Both Lexi and Danny were fast asleep with their heads on Sam's lap. Her other hand alternated between brushing the hair out of Lexi's eyes and caressing Danny's cheek. Sam looked up when the engine cut off without hearing Jason's door open. Her amber gaze met his warm blue and they shared another moment of intense gratitude that their family was safe and together.

Jason stepped out and opened the back door. He put Lexi over one shoulder and Danny over the other. They were almost too big for him to carry both like that anymore. He held them extra tight as their sleepy heads rested over his shoulders. They were growing up too fast. Sam unbuckled Davy from his infant car seat and carried him up without it. She just wanted to feel his warm little body nestled against her chest.

The elevator ride was silent and Sam rubbed Davy's back as he rested against the cushion of her breast. His tiny fist found a lock of her hair and clutched it tightly. She looked over at Jason holding Lexi and Danny in his strong embrace and she felt so much love. Every day her love only grew deeper, richer for him. He was her friend, lover, husband and father of her children. Sam stepped into his side and pressed a soft kiss to his upper arm. She brushed her mouth and nose against his bicep. She loved his smell, so clean and manly. It still turned her on and made her heart race and the lingering smell of smoke from the fire only served to remind her just how blessed she was that he made it back to her in one piece. She couldn't wait to fall asleep in his arms.

Sam unlocked the door and they crossed the threshold silently, not bothering to turn on the lights. Jason made his way upstairs and Sam followed. She wasn't surprised when he passed right by Danny's room and then Lexi's room too. Their family was almost lost tonight. They all just needed the comfort and security of being together for a while longer before going to their separate beds.

Jason laid the twins down. They still didn't move a muscle. They were exhausted. Sam laid Davy in the middle of the bed while she changed. Jason slipped into a pair of sweatpants and pulled four black tee shirts from his closet. Sam smiled accepting one for her, Davy and each of the twins. Together, she and Jason managed to change Danny and Lexi while Davy slept soundly wrapped in his father's shirt.

Lexi and Danny only stirred once while they changed into their dad's shirts. Danny had simply opened his sleepy eyes briefly and said, "I love you daddy," and fallen right back to sleep as Jason hugged him close.

Lexi had asked for Skippy Jon, her favorite stuffed cat, forgetting he'd been lost in the fire. Sam wiped away Lexi's silent tears at the reminder that he was gone and pulled her onto her lap. She laid her head against her mother's heart and whispered sleepily to her mother. "I'm so sorry mommy. I'm sorry I put everybody in danger. I'm sorry I couldn't save Molly, Davy and LC better."

Sam closed her eyes and cried silent tears. She ran her hand through Lexi's hair and squeezed her tight with the other. "Shh, baby. Sleep now. I love you and I understand why you did it. Even though I don't ever want you or Danny to do anything like this again, I'm proud of the way you handled yourself. You're a smart brave girl and daddy and I are just so blessed to have you for a daughter."

Sam kissed her little girl's forehead and smoothed her hand over her back lulling her to sleep.

"Thank you, mommy, for loving me so good." And with that Lexi drifted off safe in her mother's love.

"Always, baby girl. Always." Sam whispered against her daughter's soft skin.

Sam felt Jason's arm wrap around her and leaned into his side. She smiled. Danny was asleep on the far side of Jason with his little arm over Jason's waist and Davy was balled up on Jason's chest, his legs drawn under him and his little rump sticking up. He'd recently found his fists and the only sound in the room was of Danny and Lexi's gentle breaths and Davy as he sucked away on two of his little fingers.

She felt Jason's lips kiss the top of her head as he whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too." She told him as she nuzzled and kissed his bare chest.

A few moments later the Morgan family all lie fast asleep, held together in the safety and warmth of love's embrace. Each now even more confident in the knowledge that no matter what the future threw at them, they would endure it together and love deeper and stronger in the end.

And they lived happily and adventurously ever after.

~The Very End~

Page 30 of 30 Created: 2010-09-12 Updated: 2012-05-10 Words: 24314 Characters: 129713