General Hospital Rewrite Part One

October 22nd 2016

11:42 a.m.
     "So Jojo, have you thought about what you wanna be for Halloween?" Alexis asks. "Yeah actually. Alex invited me to a party so we're gonna do a couples costume. We're thinking the Joker and Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad." she tells her. Alexis narrows her eyes. "You seem to be getting pretty close to him." she says. "He's been so accepting and nice to me. He's protected me from people who'd pull me apart. He's brought me into his friend group and he gave me the push I needed to try out for the musical. He's done nothing but take care of me."
     "He hurt you." Alexis reminds her. "He didn't mean to and he's been trying to make up for it. He really cares about me and I care about him." she says. Alexis sighs. "Did you tell your father about the party?" she asks. "Yeah, he said I have to be home by midnight." Jo tells her. "You know Danny and Jake were really looking forward to going trick or treating with you." she guilts. "I'm still going. I'm gonna go with them and when they're done I'm gonna head over to Alex's."
     "Are Alex's parents gonna be there?" she asks. "Its his dad's house. His dad's the principle." Jo tells her. "Is he gonna be there?" she asks. "That's the only way he'll let Alex throw the party." she tells her. "Okay, as long as there's a responsible adult and you get home before midnight." she agrees. Jodie hugs her. "Thank you Alexis." she says. "As long as you're safe and happy." she kisses her step-daughter's forehead.
     "So what are you and Dad doing?" she asks. "Oh it's the cutest thing. Olivia has to keep an eye on the Metro-Court so we have Leo for Halloween. Your dad and I are gonna be pirates and Leo's gonna be a parrot." she says. "That's adorable." Jo laughs. "Your dad makes a wonderful pirate." Alexis says. A timer goes off in the kitchen. "I gotta get that." Jo says, bouncing off.
     Julian lays down next to Leo. He'd just put drops in his ear so he had to keep him still for a few minutes. He puts his hand gently on Leo's head to keep him down. Leo sticks his tongue out at Julian. "What are you doin'?" he asks. Leo giggles. Julian rubs his nose against Leo's. "I love you so much little man."

12:21 p.m.
     "I got the door!" Jodie runs out of the kitchen and crashes into the door, much to her parents amusement. She opens the door and tries not to laugh. "What'd we just walk in on?" Sam asks. "Jodie has no coordination." Julian says. "She started falling in the kitchen and didn't stop till she hit the door, it was funny." he adds. "You okay hon?" Sam asks, rubbing Jo's arm. "Yeah I'm good. Just being victimized by my own father."
     Sam holds her stomach while she laughs. "So what's for lunch?" she asks. "Chicken parm." Jodie announces. "Sounds good." she says. "No Jake?" Julian asks. "Jake is with his mom today." Sam says. "Well someone's gonna need to eat an extra piece of chicken cause Jodie hates left overs." Julian says. "Can I?" Danny asks. "We'll see buddy." Jason says.

1:46 p.m.
     "So Danny, what are you gonna be for Halloween?" Jodie asks him. "It's a surprise." he tells her. "It is?" she asks. He nods. "Yeah, but Jake's isn't. He's gonna be Harry Potter." he says. "That sounds awesome. When I was in fifth grade, I was Hermione." she tells him. "I was gonna be Ron, but I want to be a dog instead. Oops, I mean, uh." he looks down as Jo laugh. "It's okay buddy. I won't tell anyone." she says. "Jojo, you coming trick or treating with us?" Sam asks her.
     "Yeah of course. It's my first Halloween with my family, I'm not missing it. Plus, it's my first Halloween without Jensen and my mom." she tells Sam. Sam holds her hand. "You have us now. I know we aren't the same but we love you just as much." she says. Jo smiles. "I love you Sam." she says. "We love you Jodie!" Danny jumps onto her lap. Jo hugs him.
     Sam looks back up at her parents. Alexis has her head on Julian's chest and he's got his arm around her shoulders and the other on her stomach. Sam tilts her head, seeing down worn out her mother looks. "What's wrong?" she asks. "Oh nothing." Alexis says softly. "I'm just a little lightheaded and nauseas." she adds. "The chicken was fully cooked, I swear." Jodie says quickly. "Oh honey its not you. I get like this some days. Doctor's not worried, says its normal. I just need a minute."
     Julian keeps her close to his chest. "We were actually gonna get going pretty soon. We'll take Jodie and Leo so you guys can relax for a little while." Sam offers. "You're farther along than I am. You need to relax too. Jodie can take care of Leo." she says. "I'll get Leo all set. You two need some time." Jodie says. "I think that's a good idea." Julian finally pipes up. "I hate you guys are leaving for me." Alexis says. "Oh Mom, it's okay. You need to rest and we need to let you rest." Sam get up and gets everything together.
     "We'll be back six or so with Jojo and Leo. If we decide to bring them back." Sam jokes. After they're gone, Julian and Alexis make their way up to their bedroom slowly. He helps her take off a few layers of clothes and lay down. "What's really going on?" he asks her. "What I said. Lightheaded, a little nauseas. I'm tired. I couldn't sleep last night. I was too cold so I pulled up the blankets, then I was too hot to I stuck me feet out, then I was too cold. I couldn't get comfortable. I was nervous. There's this man, I've seen him a few times around. He's kinda tall, lean, he looks like a gentleman. He's got a really deep voice. I've never spoken to him but he's always watching me when we're in the same place. He kinda creeps me out and with the baby and lack of sleep, I'm a mess."
     "You're not a mess. You're under a lot of stress right now. You worry about getting sleep, I'll worry about this guy watching you." Julian says. "I think his name is like Valenti, or Valentine, like the holiday. I don't know. It's something weird like that. He's oddly familiar." she tells him. "Whoever he is, I'll take care of it. Don't worry, not like that. I'll just make sure no one can hurt you." he says. "Okay baby." she says. "Alright, you get some rest. I'll go clean up the living room and all that, cause I'm wonderful. I love you."
     "Love you too." he kisses her cheek and leaves their room. He stops and answers his phone. "Mom?... It's good to hear from you.... Yeah I miss you too.... Really?... That's wonderful.... Of course.... We'd all love that.... You just worry about saying goodbye to everyone, I'll take care of everything else.... Yep, I'll take care of the move and everything.... I'm so happy you're gonna come live in Port Charles with all of us.... Everyone else is gonna be so excited. We have so much to share with you.... Yeah I love you too Mom. I'll be seeing you very soon. Okay bye." he hangs up the phone and smiles.
     He calls someone else. "Hey, it's me again. I need you to do something else for me.... Yeah, you'll be paid." he explains what he needs and hangs up. He looks back in his room one more time to see Alexis. She must've been exhausted cause she's already got her eyes closed. He smiles at her and heads downstairs.