Chapter 23

Matt, Ellen and MJ were sitting around the living room, sharing idle chitchat as they waited for Ally to make her appearance.

"So, you never really gave a clear explanation for your early arrival, you want to try again now?" Ellen said to MJ.

MJ gave his mother a perplexed look. "It’s the day my sister, the valedictorian, graduates from high school? Do you all really find it that hard to believe I’d want to come over and cook breakfast for my family and just spend the morning with them?" MJ wondered. "There’s no hidden agenda in any of that."

"No, probably not a hidden agenda, but as your parents, we know you pretty well, so believing there’s something more to your early visit isn’t that much of a stretch," Matt disclosed. "There’s something on your mind. Is it that news report? I can’t help but remember the talk we had a few weeks back when you mentioned something big happening in the underworld."

"I mentioned there was some rumblings about something happening but that release wasn’t what I thought it would be. I guess I was thinking it would be something else."

"Something involving the Mancusis, maybe?" Ellen asked.

Shock registered on MJ’s face as he glanced over at Matt.

"Don’t look so surprised," she said. "Yes, your father told me all about your desire to do that expose’ and I’m glad he managed to talk you out of it. Those people are very dangerous. I know I don’t need to repeat what I’m sure Matt has already told you."

"No ma’am, you don’t," he asserted. "Dad made it quite clear that doing the expose’ would not be a good idea, and I’m not doing it, so you two don’t have to worry." Continuing his investigation into his father’s family didn’t make not doing the expose’ a lie, MJ reasoned, but since he knew his parents wouldn’t see it that way, he didn’t feel the need to share. "I can’t say those mobsters being released wasn’t a shock or that it isn’t springing up all sorts of story ideas in my head, but I promised I wouldn’t do the expose’ and I won’t. I’ll just keep reporting the news, as I’ve been doing."

"Then it’s not work related?" Matt said.

"What’s not work related?" MJ asked.

"This subdued behavior of yours," Ellen injected before Matt could respond. "I’m going to take a shot in the dark and say it’s about a woman."

"One particular woman," Matt added with a grin, that matched the one Ellen was wearing.

MJ released a breath. "Did I say anything about Jensyn Scorpio?" he ground out in frustration.

"So, Jensyn is on your mind?" Matt smiled as he placed his right leg over his left, before settling back in his chair. "I can’t say that surprises me."

"I didn’t say that woman was on my mind," MJ remarked tersely.

"Uh, yeah, you did," Matt and Ellen answered.

"Mom, could you please come help me!" Ally shouted from her room.

"She’s about to graduate high school and I’m still helping her get dressed," Ellen said as she rose from the couch. "I’m sure you guys could use a minute or two for some male bonding, but I want to hear all about this business with Jensyn."

Once Ellen had left the room, Matt wasted no time in questioning his son. "Well?"

"Well, what?" MJ returned, taking a magazine from the end table and flipping through it. "I don’t know what Mom is talking about."

"Uh-huh," Matt muttered, as he stared questioningly at his son.

After a few quiet moments passed, the younger man released a breath and yielded to his father’s inquisitive gaze. "Okay," he said, closing the magazine and returning it to the table. "I wasn’t going to, but I took that ‘great advice’ you gave me and asked Jensyn out on a date."

"That was great advice, but the way you just said it gives me the impression that it didn’t go over so well."

"To put it mildly," MJ sourly returned. "She practically laughed in my face."

"Tell me this, exactly how did you ask her?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? You know what I mean. Did you ask her out on a date like a normal man asks a woman out, or did you ask her out the way MJ Harmon asks a woman out?"

"You’ve lost me," MJ said as he walked over to the bar and poured a glass of water.

"You’re too smart to play stupid," Matt replied, uncrossing his legs and joining MJ on the other side of the room. "You know exactly what I mean. I can see it now. ‘Give yourself a thrill, Jensyn, let me take you out to dinner.’ Am I close?"

"Not quite," MJ sullenly answered, before taking a swallow of the water.

"Son, Jensyn is not like the women you tend to date. She’s not going to go for that ‘It’s all about me’ attitude. Now, if you want to win this woman over, you have to change your game plan."

"Dad, I don’t know what else I can do. I even offered to cook for her," he explained, releasing a short breath of frustration. "I never had to beg any woman to go out with me, and I’m not about to start now."

"Who said beg, MJ? All I’m saying is to lighten up on that ‘You have to want to go out with me because I’m MJ Harmon’ thing, you got going. Jensyn does not strike me as the type of woman that would be impressed with that. It’s obvious you really like her, so just present to her the nice young man I know you are, underneath all that bravado. Then, try asking her out by actually asking and not stating, okay?"

Finishing the remainder of the water, MJ placed the empty glass back on the bar. "I won’t make any promises, but I’ll think about it," he grumbled.

~*~

"You’re sure I look okay?" Ally asked her mother for the hundredth time as she stared at her reflection in the mirror of her vanity.

Giving Ally’s hair one final stroke with the brush, "You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart," Ellen answered with a smile. "It’s a shame this gorgeous dress is going to be hidden underneath the gown you have to wear."

"Well, it’s not going to be hidden from the people who count. You, Daddy and MJ are going to see me in it, and after graduation Jack and I are going…we’re going out," Ally said, catching herself. "I really want to look good for him."

"Well, you’ve succeeded, because you look absolutely breathtaking," Ellen smiled. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more radiant."

Ally stood from the vanity and gave her mother a hug. "Thanks, Mom, for everything."

"For what, brushing your hair and telling you how beautiful you look? That was nothing. Allison," Ellen said, ending the hug and looking into her daughter’s face, "is everything okay?" she asked. "No problems with Jack or anything?"

"Everything is fine, Mom, and things between Jack and me couldn’t be better. Do I seem unhappy or as if something is wrong?" she wondered.

"No, quite the opposite. But ever since last night, you’ve seemed a little anxious."

"I am anxious," she admitted with sparkling eyes. "I’m graduating high school today, and well, today is just going to mark a very big change in my life and…I’m anxious about it, but it’s a thrilling kind of anxious. This is going to be the happiest day of my life."

"One of the happiest days of your life. I assure you there are lots more happy days ahead for you," Ellen told her.

Ally’s thoughts drifted to her post graduation ceremony plans. "Maybe so, but I believe this one is going to be the most memorable. We’d better be going, I’m supposed to be at the auditorium in 20 minutes." After grabbing her royal blue cap and gown off the bed, Ally and Ellen joined the men in the living room.

"Well, here she is," Ellen announced as she and Ally entered the room.

"Whoa, is that my kid sister?" MJ good-naturedly teased. "Looks like I didn’t get all the gorgeous genes after all."

"If there was a compliment somewhere in there, MJ, thanks," Ally said, sharing a hug with her brother before walking over to Matt. "Well, Daddy, what do you think?"

Matt stared at his daughter in awe. "Where is my little girl?" he wondered softly.

"I’m right here, Daddy, just not so little anymore."

"Apparently not. Honey, you look absolutely beautiful and so…"

"Grown up?" Ally offered.

"Yeah, yeah, grown up," Matt said softly.

"That’s because I am, Daddy," she said leaning forward and giving him a hug and kiss. "But don’t worry, I’ll always be your little girl."

"Yes, you will," Matt told her, after the hug came to an end. "I know I come off as bit overprotective sometimes, but that’s because I want what’s best for you."

"I do know that, and I have it, in every aspect of my life."

"Jack Ramsey?" Matt grumbled, getting his daughter’s meaning.

"Among other things, yes, Daddy, Jack Ramsey. I love him, he makes me very happy and you really need to accept that."

"I know you love him. I’m not crazy about the Ramsey angle or how fast this all happened, but as long as he doesn’t hurt you, I can deal with that; at least I’ll keep trying to."

"I know you will and you don’t have to worry, Jack would never hurt me, he loves me. I know he’s not your first choice, but he is the only choice for me. As a graduation present, could you keep that in mind and at least pretend, from now on, that you’re glad I’m with him…that is, until you don’t have to pretend anymore."

"You don’t ask for much, do you?" Matt quipped.

Ally gave Matt a lighthearted frown. "Daddy."

"Okay, I can do that for you."

Contemplating his reaction to her nuptial news, "You promise?" she asked.

Matt gave Ellen a quick glance before answering. "I’ll do the best I can. I think Jack is an okay kid, I just…"

"You’re not crazy about him with me, I know, but I have faith that will change very soon." With a happy smile on her face, Ally slipped into the blue gown and zipped it over her dress. "Let’s go."

~*~

Eve had just walked into the cafeteria at General Hospital when she spotted Chris sitting alone at a table. "Oh-oh, who’s gonna suffer the wrath of Chris Ramsey today?" she questioned after approaching the table and seeing the Cheshire cat grin on his face.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Chris smirked at his friend.

"Sure you do," she said, taking a seat in the empty chair across from him and helping herself to half of the banana nut muffin that was on his plate. "You’re pleased about something. That combined with the glee in your eyes means somebody is about to get sandbagged. Who is it this time?"

"Must you always assume the worst of me?" Chris frowned.

"What else is there to assume? Something’s got you on Cloud Nine and I know it’s not having to come in to work on a Saturday, so what gives?" she asked, settling back in the chair as she popped a piece of the muffin into her mouth.

"I am happy about something but it has nothing to do with me. Jack is finally going to send Allison Harmon on her way. I was a little worried there for a while, but now it’s happening."

"What is happening, exactly?"

"He’s breaking up with her. Isn’t that great?" Chris beamed with pride and unabashed happiness.

"What?" Eve replied in surprise, almost choking on the muffin.

"Yep, he’s cutting her loose today, and get this, she graduates high school this morning."

Shaking her head in stunned disbelief as she swallowed some of his juice, "Are you sure about this?" Eve asked. "That doesn’t sound right. I’ve seen them together around here, and it doesn’t look to me like they were having any problems. In fact, they looked extremely happy. More than that, I find it hard to believe that Jack would break up with her on the day she graduates from high school much less any other day. It’s obvious they are very much in love."

"Well, looks can be deceiving and believe it because he told me himself. It was even his idea to break up with her on this day. In fact, I’m a little disappointed I didn’t think of it first."

"Jack told you specifically that he was going to break up with Allison today?"

"Yes, he did," Chris readily answered. The conversation he had with Jack couldn’t have meant anything else he deduced. "He told me he was ending things weeks ago, he was just waiting for the right time. A smile tugged at his lips. "The right time is now."

Eve frowned, as Chris seemed to grow happier with every passing moment. "You’re terrible. I can’t believe you’re getting so much joy out of this."

"Sure you can believe it, Eve. I’m no fan of any of the Harmons and I knew Jack couldn’t have been serious about that girl. He’s a man, he wanted what he wanted, he’s gotten it and now he’s moving on. I’m so glad about this, instead of waiting until his 20th birthday in December, I’m going to start giving him the stipend I set up now. In fact, just this morning, I had the first installment transferred to his account. That will be a pleasant surprise for him. There was a time when I wasn’t sure I would give it to him at all, especially when this Harmon thing happened, but now I know it’s the right thing to do. Maybe he’ll stop working here and have some real fun with his summer. I’m sure he won’t be wasteful, but it’s quite a sum of money, if I say so myself. He should have a good time with it."

"You’re rewarding him for breaking up with Allison?"

"It’s not for breaking up with her, it’s for coming to his senses and I won’t even pretend to be unhappy about it," Chris grinned before biting into the remaining half of the muffin.

Unbeknownst to Chris and Eve, Amy Vining was poised behind an open newspaper at the table directly behind them; and had heard every word. Folding the paper, she tucked it under her arm and went about her way to share the newest Port Charles news.

~*~

"You look so beautiful," Jack smiled at Ally, after pulling his car to a stop outside the home of the Justice of the Peace.

"So you’ve said, several times," Ally blushed.

"There’s nothing wrong with repeating the truth."

"Well, I’m just glad you got us here in one piece. You kept taking your eyes off the road."

Gently tugging at a tendril of her dark curly hair, "I had something far better than the road to look at," he returned.

"That’s sweet, but when you’re driving, nothing is better than the road to look at."

"I beg to differ," he said, as his eyes continued to adore her. "You look so incredibly gorgeous. That dress is just…wow. You look absolutely stunning. The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen."

"I wonder how beautiful you’ll think I am when you see me when I first wake up in the morning."

"I’m sure you’re as breathtaking as ever."

Ally laughed. "Right, you’ll see."

"I can’t wait," he said, leaning forward and brushing her lips with a kiss.

"That’s supposed to happen after the ceremony," Ally playfully chided.

"Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I keep thinking how incredible you were while giving your speech, how proud I was of you as you received your diploma, how happy you make me and how very much I love you. I just had to kiss you."

"Well, since you had to," she chuckled.

"Are you ready to become Mrs. Ramsey?" he asked, as his thumb grazed her cheek.

Ally’s face shined brightly. "Yes," she replied, "I am," as the slightest hint of sadness crept into her eyes.

"But?"

"No buts," she said with a shake of her head as she lowered her gaze from his.

Using his forefinger, he lifted her bowed head by the chin. "Allison, it’s not too late. You can still call your parents."

She shook her head. "No. We both know I can’t do that."

"This is an important moment in your life, in our life together, and…"

"And I want it to be a happy moment," Ally finished for him. "As much as I would love my parents to be here, if they were, that happy moment would be wrought with tension, and that I don’t want. We’ll tell my parents when we’re Mr. and Mrs. and deal with everything else afterward. I tried to tell MJ this morning, but he wouldn’t let me. Maybe that was for the best, considering Kelsey knows and she thinks we’re crazy. What about your uncle?"

Jack took her hand in his. "Well, when I saw him this morning, he was extremely excited about my plans for you today."

"That’s because he thinks you’re ending things with me," she said, covering his larger hand with hers and giving it a squeeze.

"That he does. I guess he never heard that saying about when you assume. Besides, he heard what he wanted to hear. I told him the truth." Jack shrugs. "Who knows, it may not be as bad as we think," he said with a hopeful smile.

"That’s another reason why I love you so much. That cute little naïve quality of yours," she said with a kiss to his hand.

"Okay, so it might be a little tough going in the beginning, but I have confidence in us and our love and I know we’re going to make it, because we’ll be together."

"And together we’ll face and conquer whatever comes our way. I believe that with all my heart," Ally asserted.

"Me, too," Jack whispered as he cupped her face in his hands and met her lips in a tender kiss. "Let’s get married."

"Yeah, let’s."