The Marriage of Nathan West

The Exit

Nathan took a moment to clear his head before reentering the ballroom. Chelsea had riled him up in a way he hadn't expected. It wasn't that he had any of the same old feelings for her. Those had ended years ago. What he felt had more to do with Maxie than Chelsea. He was angry with himself for letting Chelsea get to him and angrier still that Maxie had to witness Chelsea's childish attempt to make a scene. Truthfully, he was worried about Maxie. It was true, he had never bothered to tell her about Chelsea. The subject came up briefly, once, when they were fighting about Spinelli but she had waved it away insisting she didn't need to know. Now, he was kicking himself for not continuing that conversation then. Or, at the very least, before they came to this damned wedding.

He took a deep breath and stepped back into the ballroom, scanning the room for her. He didn't see her right away which bothered him. She would have marched right after him if he hadn't warned her off. He didn't really think she would do it though. It wasn't like Maxie not to react immediately. The fact that she hadn't followed and given Chelsea what for only added to his concern for her.

He wound his way through the room back to their table. Maxie was no where in sight. He sat heavily, wishing he still had a drink. Taking out his phone, he sent Maxie a quick text, not expecting a response. She would see it at the very least.

Looking for you. I'm at out table. Let's get out of here.

Eric Holt dropped into a seat next to him. "Are you so bored at my wedding that you're texting people?"

Nathan gave his old friend a wry smile. "There's never a dull moment around here. What are you doing without your new bride?"

"Actually, I was just looking for her. You haven't seen Ali anywhere have you?"

"No," Nathan shook his head. "But then I've been a little preoccupied."

Eric nodded in understanding. "Not to point out the obvious, but almost everyone saw Chelsea jump you at the bar. She always did know how to get the room's attention. We saw you two leave. Everything okay?"

Nathan shrugged. "It's the same as it was the last time I saw her. Only now I have to explain her to my girlfriend. You haven't seen Maxie have you?"

Eric looked across the room at the bar. "I saw her follow you and Chelsea. Look, Jay, I don't want any trouble tonight. Alicia will kill me if she thinks I stirred all this old trouble up again. But When Maxie followed you and Chelsea, Scott Chambers was with her."

Nathan was on his feet and heading toward the hallway door again when Eric caught him by the elbow. He jerked free, glaring at his friend. If Maxie was with Scott, she needed him.

"Slow down, Jay. I'm sure she's okay. She looked like she was handling him just fine."

"Maxie can handle herself," Nathan shot back. "But Scott is trouble. You and I both know what he's capable of."

"Hey, I know Scott messed up things with you and Chelsea, but he's changed. I swear. Alicia wouldn't let me invite him here if he hadn't." Eric gave Nathan such an earnest look that he relaxed a little. "Good, you haven't lost all reason up there in Port Charles. Come on, let's get a drink."

Nathan followed Eric to the bar, letting him order a couple of beers for them. The bartender gave Nathan a raised eyebrow but handed over two bottles without a word. Eric raised his in mock toast.

"It's really good to see you, Jay. I always wondered how you were doing up there."

Nathan lifted his bottle, tipping it at Eric. "It's good to see you too. And for the record, I love it. I've got a good job, a great partner, and Maxie. I wouldn't trade any of it."

"She's something special to you, huh?"

"More than special. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me." He grinned at the thought of Maxie. "I have a confession to make, Eric. She's the one who wanted to come to your wedding."

Eric nodded in understanding. "Hey, it's okay. Considering what you went through with Chelsea, I don't blame you. Why didn't you warn her about Chelsea though?"

That was the question of the night, Nathan thought. He started to answer but Eric's attention shifted to someone behind him. Nathan turned and watched as Alicia Kirkland-Holt appeared at the edge of the dance floor. She looked around the room, her annoyed gaze falling on Eric. She smoothed her expression and approached them, flicking a gaze between them.

"Catching up without me?" She asked kissing Eric's cheek lightly.

"Just for a minute," Eric answered. Nathan noted a hint of tension in Eric's voice but said nothing. "I was looking for you. Where'd you go?"

"Ladies room. Crystal Matthews stepped on my dress and I wanted to make sure it wasn't torn."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but I need to go find Maxie," Nathan said cutting into the newlyweds' conversation.

"Maxie?" Alicia's eyes narrowed. "I just saw her. She was in the bathroom too. She seemed upset about something," Alicia added. Nathan returned her narrow gaze for a brief moment before deciding to let it go. Alicia Kirkland would always be mean spirited; some things would never change. He shook his head and gave Eric a quick nod, leaving them to their conversation.

Maxie was emerging from the ladies room just as he turned down the hallway. She saw him at the same time and froze in place, staring at him with a look he couldn't read. A wave of shame for not warning her about Chelsea washed over him. He should have told her about all of it the minute they opened the invitation. But he didn't and there was nothing to do but move forward. He took a tentative step towards her just as she seemed to shake free of whatever thought had kept her immobile. She moved towards him at the same time, pausing just in front of him.

"Maxie-"

She interrupted him, taking his hand in hers. "Take me away from here."

Nathan gave her a half smile and nodded in agreement. "Best idea I've heard all night. Let's go."