“Thanks Dani. And please, tell…”

“I won’t forget Carly! Now go and good luck.”

Carly closed the car door and watched Dani drive off. Looking back towards the Quartermaine mansion, she slowly made her way to the front door. Using her key, she opened the door and stepped into an empty and cold foyer.

“Where’s Michael?”

Carly turned toward the voice. Seeing it was Edward, she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Hey Eddie, nice to see you too.” Carly looked around the otherwise empty hall. “Where’s AJ?”

“He’s still at work Carly. And you didn’t answer my question before. Where’s Michael?”

“Michael,” Carly stressed her son’s name, “is somewhere safe Edward. I’ve just come to talk to AJ…and pack a bag.” Carly turned towards the stairwell and started walking up.

Edward followed, “What do you mean by that young lady? Pack a bag? Where on earth do you think you’re going?”

Carly pulled out a suitcase from her closet and placed it on top of her bed, opening it too. Going back to the closet, she grabbed a handful of her clothes and brought them to the bed as well.

“I asked you a question young lady and I expect an answer!”

“I’m leaving Edward. Gone. Out of here. Hasta yesterday.”

“You can’t be serious! Why, you only just got out of the hospital today, illegally I might add!”

Carly turned on Edward. “My signing myself out of the hospital was not illegal Edward. I was of sane mind also, so don’t use that argument either. And honestly, I am offended that you would think I would behave in any illegal manner at all.”

Edward frowned as Carly returned to her packing. “You did steal Michael this morning young lady. Don’t you think I saw you on the video cameras?”

“What video cameras?”

“Why dear, while you, AJ, and Michael where on that ‘honeymoon’ so to speak, I had the entire grounds fitted with security cameras.” Edward dropped his voice to a conspiratory level, “I saw you take Michael this morning. In fact, I am the one who made it clear to AJ that he should go and visit you early in the morning, just so we could be on your tail sooner than later.”

Carly shook her head and smiled. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, you ever do amazes me Edward.”

“Well darling, I’ll take that as a compliment. Now stop packing and come downstairs and have something to eat. You must be famished, you and your child.”

She laughed, not surprised that Edward knew about her pregnancy. “So, you’ve heard.”

“Of course I’ve heard. This is my house!”

“I thought it was Monica’s house that Alan gave her.” Carly smirked at that comment.

“Not funny young lady. Well, maybe a tad bit funny, but still.”

“Can I have some privacy while I pack, Edward?” Carly went back to the closet, took a few more items, and brought them back to her suitcase. Now, she was just throwing things in, not really caring if they got wrinkled or not. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and she still had to pack Michael’s things.

“Pack? Where are you going Carly? Is there some shopper’s convention I don’t know about?”

“Ha ha ha. Funny. I’m leaving this house. I guess you should know Edward, and maybe telling you will keep me from having to announce it to everyone else: AJ and I are getting divorced!” Whirling back to her suitcase, Carly picked up her clothing and just shoved it in the bag. She could iron later.

“Don’t be ridiculous Carly.”

“I’m not being ridiculous, I’m being absolutely, positively serious! We are getting a D-I-V-O…”

“For goodness sakes, you don’t have to spell it Carly! What I want to know is why?”

“Oh, well that’s simple. We hate each other. Any more questions Eddie?” Carly left the room and went down the hall to Michael’s room. Scratch that – his ex-room. Carly went to the closet, pulled out a suitcase similar to her own, and set it on the ground.

“Young lady, I find it very rude the way you are choosing to address me,” Edward whined as he came into Michael’s room. “What are you doing Carly?”

“Edward, Edward, Edward. I already told you what I was doing.” Carly opened a drawer, which contained several of Michael’s outfits, took everything out and threw it into the open suitcase. She continued to do this for the rest of the drawers in the armoire.

“Michael will not leave this house Carly. Whatever it is, you and AJ can work out your problems. This baby will be welcome with open arms into this family and will have all the luxuries that Michael has access to.”

“Is it always about the luxuries Edward? The best schools, the best clothing, the Quartermaine name. What about love? Where are my children supposed to learn about that? Here? Everyone in this house hates each other!”

“Now that’s not true Carly. Why, look at me and Lila.”

“I don’t even know why she puts up with you…has put up with you for this long. God knows she could have done better for herself.”

“Now young lady…”

“Look at Monica and Alan. On today, off tomorrow. It’s continuous. AJ and I can barely stand being in the same room with each other! My child…this baby will be treated like a pariah if I stay.”

“Of course not! We will love Jason’s child just as much as we love Michael. You must know that Carly.”

Carly shook her head and returned to her previous actions. Yes, you would love Jason’s child. But I’m not having Jason’s child, and I know exactly what you think of Sonny. “I want out Edward,” Carly voiced solemnly. “And…well, I’m taking my son with me. If you and your family want to see Michael, be involved in Michael’s life, then I welcome it, as will he. But I can’t live under this roof any longer. And I can’t raise this child here. It wouldn’t be fair to him or her, and it is not fair for you to want to keep me prisoner here. I’m not happy, can’t you see that?” Carly’s sight was becoming unclear with her tears so she just picked up a few of Michael’s toys and placed them in the suitcase as well. Zipping the suitcase closed, she picked it up and left the room. Edward followed her, again.

“Carly, I only want what’s best for you and Michael. Your new baby too. And staying in this house is what’s best!”

"Edward, can you help me with these suitcases? I'm kind of hindered," Carly told him, nodding towards her arm.

Edward stared at her for a moment before deciding to humor her. He took her suitcase after she dragged it out of her room as well as Michael's small bag.

Carly descended the stairs, Edward trailing behind her. “Will you let Reginald drop me off or should I call a cab Edward," she tossed over her shoulder.

“Are you not listening to me Carly?” Edward asked exasperatedly. He set the suitcases down, taking a second to catch his breath.

“I think she hears you fine grandfather.” AJ said, appearing from the family room.

Oh great, Carly thought.

“AJ. I’m glad you’re home. Carly here was just about to leave, and I believe for good.”

“I know grandfather. We’ve already discussed this... Or more so, I have had the pleasure of discussing it with her lawyer."

Edward looked to Carly. “You have a lawyer?”

“Yep! Surprised?”

“Hmph! Well, I’ve never!”

“And you never will,” Carly added.

“Grandfather, can you leave me and my wif... Me and Carly to discuss a few matters in privacy?”

Having noticed AJ’s discretion in calling Carly his wife, Edward figured that there was some truth to the girl’s previous claims of divorce. Giving AJ a look of determination, Edward nodded and headed off, but not too far of course.

With his grandfather’s exit, AJ looked to Carly’s luggage. “You only packed yourself two bags?”

“No. I packed myself one suitcase. The other one belongs to Michael.”

AJ looked at Carly, “I thought we were going to discuss the terms for Michael.”

“Are you being serious? I mean, are you real about this divorce business?”

“Of course. If you want to leave, who am I to stop you? But my son... Well, you know how I feel about that. Michael belongs here, with his family.”

“I am his family, AJ.”

“One person doesn’t make a family Carly. Here, he will have his father, his grandparents, his great-grandparents, his aunt, his full-time nanny, his…”

“I am his mother AJ! God, doesn’t that count for anything?”

“Yes, it does. But very little. I mean, you are the one who abandoned him right after he was born. Left him in the care of a reported criminal. You used him repeatedly for your own personal gain. What kind of mother would do that to her child? And further more, what kind of judge would give custody to that type of mother?”

“Shut up AJ! Its not as if you are the perfect father. You barely spend time with Michael. The only time you really make a show of being with him is when there’s someone around to take notice. I love him. He is my life. I know I haven’t been the greatest mother in the past, but I put forth much more everything compared to you! And a judge will give me custody of Michael next week. So get used to the idea.”

“Fine then. We’ll see. But meanwhile, Michael will stay here.”

“No way in hell AJ. Michael will stay with me, his mother, the only person who actually has any emotional bond to him. We will be at Bobbie’s. If you want to, come and see him. Any time you want that is reasonable, just drop by. I’m sure he’d be glad to see you. I already told Edward, and I’m sure the two of you can pass it on to the rest of the family.”

“Am I stupid? Do you actually take me for that much of a fool? Carly, you snuck out of the hospital this morning. You stole my son right from his home. And now, I’m supposed to believe that you’re just going to Bobbie’s?” AJ laughed, amazed that Carly would think that very little of him.

“What? Where exactly am I going?”

“To find Jason of course! Tell him you’re having his child... Take him Michael. Then you’ll have your ‘perfect’ family. That’s what you want, right?”

“Yes that’s what I want. But I’m not going to get it. Jason’s gone and I don’t think he’s ever coming back. I don’t even know where he is AJ. And, I’m not going to skip town. I have... I have a job now.”

AJ raised one eyebrow. “A job? A job?” He doubled over with laughter.

An offended Carly just stood there and watched until he was through, which was a good three minutes later.

“Oh, I’m sorry, “ AJ chuckled, “but that was just a good joke.”

“It wasn’t a joke. I work part time for S&C Law Offices.”

AJ placed the initials with the firm the lawyer that had visited him today mentioned. “Yeah? Doing what?”

“Secretarial things.”

“Well Carly, if you had wanted a secretarial job, I could’ve given you one.”

“That would have meant nothing to me. And plus, I need a job now, whereas I didn’t when I was your wife.”

“You’re still my wife Carly.”

“Not for long.”

AJ nodded his head. “Right. And full circle we have come, back to the real matter at hand.”’

“Well AJ, I don’t know what else to tell you. But, Michael is waiting for me, so I have to go.”

“You know what Carly? I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. But come next week, be ready for a battle – a full fledged war. Because I will have custody of Michael. So, enjoy it, while it lasts.” AJ walked out of the room and up the stairs, Carly just looking after his retreating form.

“We’ll see AJ. We’ll see.” Taking a last look at the empty room, Carly walked outside, where Reginald was waiting. And she left the Quartermaine mansion – for good.