Surprises

Part Eleven

Lois entered her brownstone and the first thing she saw was Justus' handsome face smiling back at her. Her arms closed around his neck and hugged him close. She took a deep breath and sighed. The crisp scent of Ivory filled her senses. He'd just taken a shower and he smelled good. She smiled. He smelled like home.

"That's one helluva greeting," he said, his arms sliding around her waist. He bent forward and closed his mouth over hers. The kiss was slow, deep and stirring. When he raised his head, his eyes were glassy from wanting her.

"You will not believe the day I had," she said, taking his hand, "but there are better things I'd rather do than talk about it. Let's go upstairs."

She tried to tug him toward the staircase, but he didn't budge. Instead, he shook his head and pressed his finger to his lips.

"Ssh."

"What's up?" Lois asked.

"BrookLynn maybe," he replied. "Ned dropped her off about an hour ago. She was sleepy so I just put her to bed."

"Thanks, Justus." Worried, she glanced toward the staircase. "Why did Ned just leave her like that? He's supposed to have her this week. Is she sick?"

Justus shrugged. "My cousin doesn't feel I should be privy to the particulars. He called first. When I answered, he just informed me he'd bring BrookLynn over. I thought he had cleared it with you. I should have known he hadn't."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry." She kissed his cheek. "Let me check on her. I'll be right back."

Lois took the staircase two at a time. Her daughter's bedroom door was cracked, but the room inside was dark. She pushed the door open and went inside.

Just like a little angel, her baby girl was fast asleep. Her favorite teddy bear, Mr. Snuggles, rested in the crook of her arm. Straight brown hair fanned her pillowcase. Lois knelt beside the bed and flattened the palm of her hand on top of BrookLynn's forehead. Her skin felt warm, but not too hot. Thank goodness, she wasn't sick.

Lois kissed her daughter's cheek and quietly left the room. When she went back downstairs, she found Justus in the dining room. Several Chinese food containers littered the table, and he was busy dishing the food onto plates. He looked up as she reached the doorway.

"Is she okay?"

She smiled. "She's out like a light. I don't think she's sick, but I'll check on her again a little later." Lois moved into the kitchen and washed her hands. She returned to the dining room with two bottles of Snapple tea. "I'm sorry about Ned and I thank you for being here to take his call."

He shrugged. "You don't have to thank me for that."

Justus spent more time at her brownstone than he did at his condo. They were conscious of BrookLynn and how impressionable a child her age could be. So, whenever Lois had the little girl, Justus slept at his own place. Lois had been looking forward to spending the night curled up in his arms. And she was more than a little miffed at Ned's latest game to keep her and Justus apart.

"Where were you today? I called you here and at L&B. I wanted to tell you about Dara. I guess you've heard by now."

Lois nodded. "I've been with her all day."

"How is she? Things were crazy downtown. Taggert brought Corinthos in, but later Alex let him go. Mac and I were spinning wheels because nobody would tell us anything."

She reached out and patted his hand. "She's okay. Marcus was mistaken." While they ate dinner, she filled him in on the day's happenings. She finished with, "When I left, it was like watching one of those tearjerker movies of the week. Dara and Sonny were beside themselves. There was their daughter right there and nothing else seemed to matter to either of them."