366Chapter 46- Lucy's Vision
"I'm not going! I'm not going!" Scout stomped her foot then jumped on her bed crying into her pillow.
"But Scout…" Sam sat on the edge of her bed. "You were so excited about your recital. Daddy's going. Danny and Willow. Uncle Lucas. Grandma and Grandpa. Leo. Grandma Monica. Aunt Krissy. And Uncle TJ and Aunt Molly are bringing Lexie. You'll get to meet her. Plus, Aiden will be there."
Scout's lip quivered. "No!"
Sam sighed and looked over at her costume on the floor. "Is it because of the tutu?"
"I wear no dress! I have no dress! I wear my Olaf pants!"
Sam rubbed her back. "You know a tutu isn't really a dress. Lots of ballerinas wear them."
"No!"
"Honey, if you don't want to wear it you can just wear your white tights and top and I'll explain it to your instructor. But I don't want you to be afraid of dresses. When that boy took your dress, they wanted what was inside it not the dress."
"I want no dress. I wear pants!"
"Okay, will you wear your white tights and still dance?"
Scout sat up a little. "Okay. I wish Wiley was going."
Sam frowned and wrapped her arms around Scout. "Me too." She kissed her forehead.
GHGHGH
"She's so beautiful," Willow said looking at Lexie as Sam held her in the theatre.
"Would you like to hold her?" Sam asked.
"Sure."
Sam passed Lexie to Willow. "Lexie, this is your cousin Willow."
Sam looked over at Danny who was on the other side of Drew talking to Leo. Julian and Alexis were at the end of the row and on the other side of Willow was Lucas, Kristina, TJ, and Molly. In the row across from them were Elizabeth, Cameron, Jake, and Steve Webber ready to cheer on Aiden.
Sam turned and noticed Monica pushing Jason in his wheelchair towards Elizabeth. She and the boys turned with their eyes wide and mouths slightly agape.
"Jason got special permission to be released today," Monica said. "But I have to take him right back to the hospital after because he's still recovering."
Cameron and Jake turned to each other then back to Jason as Monica wheeled him next to them.
The lights dimmed and the orchestra started playing the William Tell Overture as all age groups came out on stage. Sam pulled out her phone and started to film it. Aiden, wearing black tights and a black long-sleeved shirt, and the girls in his class moved around on the tips of their toes to the beat of the music and lifted their arms arched above their heads. Scout scurried around the stage in her white tights and white long-sleeved shirt, the only girl in her group without a tutu. And as the music stopped, all the children bowed on stage.
Sam and everyone else in the audience rode and clapped loudly. Kristina and Molly cheered, and Drew whistled. Scout beamed proudly and waved at her family.
GHGHGH
Monday rolled around quickly, and Sam was becoming one of those moms who got sad when school started again.
"Is everyone ready?" Sam past Scout's room as she grabbed her unicorn backpack.
"I'm going to big girl school, Mommy." Scout beamed.
"I know you are. You're growing so fast."
They passed Willow's room and Sam noticed her tuck her pink blanket into her tote bag.
"All right kids, we don't want to be late on your first day," Sam said when she and Scout reached Danny's room.
Once they were all ready, they went out to the car.
"Lexie really likes me, right Mommy?" Scout asked as she sat in the back seat with her knapsack and Dotty the dalmatian.
"She sure does," Sam said as she buckled Scout in. "She loves all of her cousins."
Danny fastened his seat belt next to Scout.
"Why are we driving in Willow's car?" Scout asked.
Sam climbed into the passenger's seat as Willow started the ignition.
"Because Mommy wants to see you off for your first day of kindergarten," Sam said. "Daddy's meeting us there and he and I are going to vote after. Willow's going to take you and Danny out for dinner after school."
Danny groaned and stared out the window. Willow frowned.
"Then you're going to meet us at Charlie's for the election results."
"I still don't know why the high school students are at the elementary school today," Willow said as she drove past more construction… this time it was a wall being built next to the lake. Sam scrunched her face, then turned back to Willow. "No one will tell the teachers anything and we still haven't met the new principal. I'm guessing it's some sort of orientation day in the gym or something."
Sam nodded. "That is strange."
They finally arrived at the school and climbed out of the car.
"Okay guys, line up along the fence." Sam pulled her phone out and set up the camera.
Danny and Scout stood together by the fence.
"You too, Willow," Sam touched her arm.
"Oh." Willow smiled and stood next to Danny, but Danny moved to the other side of Scout.
Sam sighed and lowered her phone. "Danny, apologize to Willow right now."
Danny inhaled deeply locking eyes with Sam.
Sam crossed her arms. "I'm waiting."
"I don't wanna take a stupid picture anyway…" He glared at Willow. "Not with her!"
Scout started crying.
"Danny, Willow is part of this family too and you need to treat her with respect."
"Respect? Respect?" Danny gritted his teeth. "Were you treating me and Scout with respect when you got yourself landed in prison or when you kept saying I have a different father or sister?"
"Danny…"
Scout threw her hands over her ears. "Stop it. Stop it. Stop it!"
Willow lowered her gaze.
"What about when you took us away from the hospital Christmas party and almost got us blown up in Jason's car?" Danny added, then turned to Willow. "You think she cares about us? All she cares about is Jason!"
"Danny, that's not true," Sam said. "I explained to you about the mind mapping."
He turned back to Sam. "I don't care about some stupid mind mapping. I hate you! And… and I wish you weren't my mom!"
Sam's heart sank. "Danny…"
But Danny ran to the playground and plopped down against a tree.
Sam placed a hand on her forehead.
"I—I should head inside," Willow said. "Set up the Smart board and such."
"Willow…" Sam said. "I do care. I really do."
Willow tensed up a little. "I'll see you at Charlie's…" She headed towards the school.
Sam buried her face in her hands, then jerked a little when a set of arms slipped around her waist and she felt Drew kiss her neck.
"Hey, how's it going?" Drew asked.
"Danny and Willow hate Mommy," Scout said.
Sam rubbed her temples.
"What?" Drew said.
"Danny told me hates me and wishes I wasn't his mom…" Sam said. "He just got a lot off his chest…"
"He doesn't hate you. He's angry, he's hurt."
"I should go to him…"
"Well, if he got a lot of his chest, maybe just give him the day to cool off. Then talk to him after school."
"I think everything he said got to Willow too," Sam said.
"Willow's going to be fine. Danny's going to be fine. You're really focusing on them. It's still going to take time, but you will earn their trust." Drew knelt down to Scout. "In the meantime, I say we focus on this little princess' first day."
Sam let out a deep breath. "You're right. Come on, Scout. I see Aiden with Violet and little Noah. "Why don't we go say hi?"
They walked across the playground to where Aiden, Violet, and Noah were sitting in the sandbox.
"Hi Scout," Aiden smiled.
Scout smiled brightly and climbed into the sandbox.
"Violet, Noah…" Drew smiled. "Are you excited to start kindergarten?"
Noah's brown eyes lit up. He looked like a four-year-old Patrick. "Daddy says we get to play Lego and learn letters and numbers."
"And how are you doing, sweetie?" Sam asked Violet.
Violet shrugged. "Uncle Chathe ith weird. I mith Mommy and Daddy and Auntie Elithabeth."
"We miss you too, Violet," Aiden said.
"Okay, Scout." Sam hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Have a totally awesome day. We'll see you after school."
Noah smiled brightly and started singing, "Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team!"
Scout's face lit up. "Me and Danny watched the Lego Movie too!" Then she sang along with him. "Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of a team. Everything is awesome, when you're living out a dream!"
GHGHGH
It seemed as though every block had some sort of construction going on, but Drew and Sam got their vote in for Alexis. The day dragged and Sam couldn't stop thinking about what Danny said. Did he really hate her? Would he ever forgive her? Did Willow hate her too now and would Scout hate her one day too?
Julian, Alexis, Leo, Lucas, Kristina, Molly, TJ, Lexie, Nikolas, and Ava were already at Charlie's Pub when they arrived, along with a room full of Alexis' supporters. Kristina stood behind the bar making drinks. Sam carried Annabelle the second, she thought it would cheer Danny up to see her there.
Molly held a phone in one hand and used her other hand to push Lexie's stroller back and forth as she slept. Molly groaned and tucked her phone away.
"Hey Mol." Sam hugged her.
"Hey…" she responded.
"What's wrong?"
"It's my dad," Molly said. "He keeps calling me. Wants me and Lexie to come over, but I told him we're here to support Mom. He insists it's urgent."
Sam rolled her eyes. "Mom needs us here today."
"Sam… you made it!" Alexis hugged her, all out of breath. "I can't believe the day is here." She scratched Annabelle the second's ears, and she panted happily.
"You got this, Mom," Sam said. "Any sign of Willow, Danny, and Scout?"
"Not yet," Alexis said. "You know, Leo complained of a stomach-ache today, but I think he just wanted to be around for all the election stuff today. I thought he should still go to school since it was his first day, but Julian let him stay home. I swear… your father just looks for ways to overstep me."
Lucas, Leo, and Julian came over to them.
"Polls are closed," Lucas said looking at his phone.
Sam sighed and sent Willow a text: Everything OK?
Lucy walked over with Kevin. "Oh, Alexis, you definitely need to win! If that awful Valentin gets in, I'm taking Doc and leaving!"
"I swear," Nikolas said. "Valentin is the worst thing to happen in this town."
"Everyone, shh!" Kristina shouted and pointed a remote at the TV hanging from the ceiling.
"The race for mayor of Port Charles has been back and forth all evening," the man on the screen said. "With polls changing drastically."
Sam looked over at her mom who buried her face into Julian's shoulder and dug her nails into his sleeve.
"You gotta win, Lexie!" Leo shifted back and forth and crossed his fingers. "You'll be the best mayor!"
"But we can now declare a winner," the man continued. "The next mayor of Port Charles is… Valentin Cassadine!"
Sam's legs almost gave out and Alexis started hyperventilating. Julian rubbed Alexis' back.
Groans and whispers filled the air.
"This is preposterous!" Nikolas pounded his fist down on the counter and Ava massaged his shoulders.
"There has to be a mistake," Kristina said.
Drew shook his head.
Sam turned back to the screen when Valentin, Nina, and Charlotte appeared.
"Citizens, congratulations," Valentin said with his head held high. He wrapped his arms around Nina and Charlotte. "What an honour it is for you to have me as your new mayor. Gun control is already in state. All weapons have already been removed from your homes."
Sam's breathing sped up. She searched her purse, but she didn't pack it today…
"I am declaring a separation from state and the country," Valentin continued.
"Can he even do that?" Molly asked appalled.
"All religious groups and institutes have been closed down, with the exception of the V-Town Centre which will be the only place of worship. Those who refuse the peace and order I have to offer will be dealt with. No one comes or goes from here. All phones, internet, social media, and cable are only connected locally now." He grinned. "This city will no longer be called Port Charles. Welcome to V-Town."
The screen went black.
"Okay, did that just happen?" Lucas threw his hands in the air.
"Why didn't Lexie win?" Leo asked.
Alexis breathed in and out of a paper bag.
Molly flipped through her phone. "Okay, I'm freaking out! Apparently, there's a wall surrounding Port Charles and there are drones hovering above us!"
Lucy stared off in the distance, then dropped to the floor convulsing.
"Lucy!" Kevin dropped beside her.
The convulsing slowed but her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she spoke robotically, "Years of unrest, of distress, of separation, of famine, of oppression. Rooted from the king she shall rise and claim what is rightfully hers. And the seed from a once iniquitous ménage shall be pierced for our afflictions but rise and crush the snake restoring peace to all."
Sam gawked at her but pulled out of her trance when her phone rang. She pressed it firmly to her ear when Willow's name appeared on the screen. "Willow? Are you okay?"
"Sam!" Willow scream whispered. "They won't let us out… There were gunshots… 911 isn't working… It's Nelle… Nelle is the new principal… Toby stay under your desk!"
Sam's heart sped and she felt her hands go numb as she held Annabelle the second in one arm. "Danny and Scout, are they with you?"
"No… they must be in another classroom. I don't understand what's happening… Ahhhh!"
"Willow?"
"Give me that phone," Ric's voice came through the other end before the call was cut off.
"Willow!? WILLOW!"