Chapter 25

Gia stared into the mirror admiring the “new” her. Having switched shifts at the last second the time off was exactly what Gia needed to recollect and reinvent herself. More than anything Gia hated people who did nothing but sat at home crying about the mess their life had become and realizing slowly that she was becoming one of those people she knew it was time for a change. Looking back over the past couple of weeks Gia shook her head seeing the turmoil in her life and how she was letting it destroy her. But no more... looking into the mirror Gia vowed to not let anything or anyone bring her down. Nikolas... Gerald... Dr. Oliver... and whoever else had her stressing the last few weeks would no longer have control over her or her emotions. Smiling at her newfound confidence Gia danced in front of the mirror laughing for the first time in weeks. Thinking back to the last time she genuinely laughed she quickly went to the phone calling him. After the third ring she realized he was not home she sighed instead preparing herself to leave a message on his machine. Hearing the beep Gia quickly left her message for Lucky.

Gia- Hey Lucky… it’s Gia. I know by now you’re probably crazy with worry about me but I’m fine. I’ll try to explain everything to you the next time we talk. Give me a call when you get in and…
Lucky- [quickly picking up the phone] Gia... is that you?
Gia- Yeah… it’s me...
Lucky- It’s good to hear from you. I was starting to wonder...
Gia- Things have been crazy…
Lucky- I sorta figured...
Gia- You could have called...
Lucky- I didn’t want to add more to what you already had going on...
Gia- [smiling] See that’s why I love you... you are one of the few people I know who actually put my feelings first...
Lucky- [smiling] That’s because I care...
Gia- Thank you...
Lucky- You don’t have to thank me...
Gia- Yeah I do...
Lucky- No you don’t… that’s what friends are for...
Gia- [softly laughing] I should have called you a long time ago...
Lucky- [softly] How are you doing?
Gia- [brightly] I’m fine...
Lucky- No Gia... how are you really doing?
Gia- Lucky...
Lucky- Gia...
Gia- [sighing] Ok… things have been a little rough but I think I made it through without any real damage.
Lucky- Your father...
Gia- He’s not...
Lucky- Gerald coming back really threw you for a loop...
Gia- That and a few other things...
Lucky- You want to talk about them?
Gia- [softly] Not really...
Lucky- Ok... when you are ready to you know I’m here...
Gia- I know... [sighing] how is Eliz...
Lucky- Ok if you are asking about Elizabeth I know something is up...
Gia- [laughing] Stop...
Lucky- What is it Gia?
Gia- [softly] Why did he come back?
Lucky- I don’t know... but I know you have to find out.
Gia- I don’t think I can...
Lucky- Gia... at one time this man meant a lot to you...
Gia- That was a long time ago...
Lucky- No it’s not...
Gia- I don’t… I don’t care about Gerald anymore...
Lucky- Gia... yes you do... I can still hear it when you talk about him or...
Gia- Lucky... he hurt me… he turned his back on me when...
Lucky- That was his mistake...
Gia- I can’t let him back in...
Lucky- But you can’t turn your back on him...
Gia- [softly] I want to...
Lucky- But you won’t... you’re a better person than that Gia...
Gia- Do I have to be?
Lucky- [laughing] Yes... because that’s the way you are... you can’t change now...
Gia- [sighing] Damn...
Lucky- Is everything else ok? I mean you are not having problems with anyone else are you?
Gia- [hesitating as thoughts of Nikolas rushed to her] No...
Lucky- Are you sure?
Gia- Yeah...
Lucky- Even though we have not talked in a while I’m glad that Kamar is at least there to help you.
Gia- I haven’t talked to Kamar since that night at Luke’s...
Lucky- But...
Gia- Other than my fam I’ve been avoiding the phone and even sometimes when they call I still don’t answer...
Lucky- I thought... but...
Gia- What is it Lucky?
Lucky- I thought... I thought with you and Kamar being involved he would at least...
Gia- Hold up involved... involved how?
Lucky- You know...
Gia- No I don’t know...
Lucky- Well after you left Luke’s Kamar and I stopped Gerald from going after you...
Gia- Ok and...
Lucky- Well Gerald started questioning us and Kamar said that you and he were...
Gia- We were what?
Lucky- He said he was your boyfriend and when I started to question him about it Elizabeth wanted to leave so...
Gia- Boyfriend? Kamar and I are just friends... I mean we started to talk about... we came to Luke’s that night to discuss some things but I’m pretty sure even with everything going on I would have remembered picking up a boyfriend that night.
Lucky- So you’re not... I mean you and Kamar are not...
Gia- No we are not...
Lucky- [smiling despite himself] I’m glad... not that there’s anything wrong with Kamar but I want... I want... you deserve happiness and...
Gia- Kamar’s a good person... I just don’t see him that way... I mean when I think about loving someone... [shaking her head] I’m sure you don’t want to hear this…
Lucky- No I don’t but if you want to talk about it I’m here…
Gia- I know you are with Elizabeth and everything and I...
Lucky- What is it?
Gia- This is going to sound so stupid but...
Lucky- What?
Gia- What does love feel like? I mean... when you wake up in the middle of the night is she the first thing you think about? Or when you’re feeling bad about something can like a simple thought of her make those feelings go away? I mean is she like the reason you find yourself smiling when you least expect it?
Lucky- [softly] No...
Gia- Huh?
Lucky- I think that at one time I loved her with everything that I had but...
Gia- I don’t understand...
Lucky- So many things have come in and out of our relationship that I don’t know... [sighing] sometime I wish...
Gia- You wish what?
Lucky- That I can...
Liz- [yelling as she came into his room] Lucky are you coming or what? I’ve been waiting downstairs this whole time.
Lucky- [covering the phone so he could speak to her] I’m coming… the phone rang and...
Liz- You said you were coming up here to get your wallet and but instead you get on the phone...
Lucky- Elizabeth...
Liz- Who is it? Can’t you tell them to call you back or...
Lucky- It’s my dad and...
Liz- [sighing with impatience] Well can you at least try and hurry it up? I have other things to do Lucky...
Lucky- I know and I’m coming...
Liz- Fine... I’ll be downstairs...
Lucky- Thank you...
Liz- [shaking her head as she left] Whatever...
Lucky- [softly as he continued his phone call with Gia] Sorry about that...
Gia- That’s ok... [smiling] son...
Lucky- I’m not going to be able to live that one down am I?
Gia- [smiling] Normally no... but I’ll let it pass this time...
Lucky- Thanks...
Gia- No thank you...
Lucky- Gia...
Gia- No... go ahead with Elizabeth. I’ll talk to you later...
Lucky- Are you sure?
Gia- [smiling] Yeah cowboy... go and have a good time... do something wild and crazy...
Lucky- [laughing] Shut up... I’ll call you later...
Gia- [smiling] I’ll be here...
Lucky- [smiling] Bye...
Gia- [smiling] Bye...

After hanging up from Lucky Gia sat and thought about the things they talked about. Gerald... Kamar... love... Shaking her head Gia quickly dialed Kamar’s cell phone intent on questioning him about his lies.

Kamar- Hello...
Gia- Kamar it’s me...
Kamar- Hey baby...
Gia- No... don’t "hey baby" me and think I’m just going to forget everything...
Kamar- Huh?
Gia- What’s this mess you’ve been telling people?
Kamar- I don’t know what you are talking about...
Gia- Ok Kamar... as much as I love you when exactly did we become boyfriend and girlfriend because I must have missed it?
Kamar- G...
Gia- Just answer the question...
Kamar- What question?
Gia- Are you my boyfriend and better yet when did this happen?
Kamar- Gia...
Gia- Kamar...
Kamar- [softly] I want to be...
Gia- What?
Kamar- Gia like I told you... I have a lot of feeling for you and...
Gia- Kamar I like you too but you can’t be going around saying...
Kamar- Who told you?
Gia- Huh?
Kamar- Who told you what I said...
Gia- Max...
Kamar- It was Lucky wasn’t it? I’m not surprised I mean...
Gia – This isn’t about Lucky or who told me... you can’t tell people that you’re my boyfriend...
Kamar- Why not?
Gia- Because it’s not true and...
Kamar- It can be...
Gia- Kamar...
Kamar- Gia... I know we didn’t get the chance to talk about this at Luke’s but I want to be more than just a friend to you...
Gia- I... I...
Kamar- This can’t be a shock to you. I mean we are around each other constantly and...
Gia- [softly] Kamar we’re friends and...
Kamar- Gia... I think I’m falling in love with you...
Gia- [softly] Oh my God...
Kamar- I know I’m coming at you with a lot of things but I can’t help it. I see you and my heart starts to beat so fast. I want to go to you and kiss and hold you and...
Gia- [softly] K...
Kamar- Ok... maybe you are not ready to hear the things I want to tell you but when Gerald was bearing down ready to run after you I did what I thought I had to do.
Gia- By saying you’re my boyfriend?
Kamar- It felt right... when I said I was your boyfriend his whole demeanor towards me changed. It’s like he respected me more because I was the one taking care of his babygirl...
Gia- Kamar...
Kamar- Ok look Gia I know I shouldn’t have said it but...
Gia- Just forget it...
Kamar- You are upset and...
Gia- I don’t like surprises and that’s exactly what I got when I found out what you said.
Kamar- I’m sorry...
Gia- [sighing] I know you think I’m crazy and...
Kamar- [smiling] Just a little...
Gia- [laughing] Shut up...
Kamar- [changing the conversation] When are you coming back to work?
Gia- What do you miss me?
Kamar- Yeah a little...
Gia- Aww...
Kamar- Besides Oliver’s coming after me in your absence...
Gia- Very funny...
Kamar- I know wasn’t it...
Gia- I’ll be in tomorrow...
Kamar- [softly] Good...
Gia- [smiling] Good...
Kamar- Look G... as much as I love to hear your voice I’m operating on little to no sleep here... the ER was crazy tonight...
Gia- Are you there now?
Kamar- Yeah... I stepped outside when I saw it was you calling but this is my little reprieve so I wanna try to get some sleep before...
Gia- I got you... I’ll... I’ll talk to you tomorrow...
Kamar-Ok...
Gia- Ok... bye then...
Kamar- Think about what I said Gia...
Gia- I will...
Kamar- I... I love you...
Gia- Uhh... yeah...

Quickly hanging up before Kamar made any other proclamations of love Gia was even more confused then she was before she called him. Her conversation with Lucky calmed her but it seemed that her conversation with Kamar despite all the nice words only seemed to bring back all the feelings she was trying to repress. Shaking her head clearing it of all "bad" thoughts Gia went back to concentrating on the new her she stared at again in the mirror. Although as she stared at herself again the lore of the “new” her already seemed to be fading.

Chapter 26

Mike moved hurriedly to Kelly’s in hopes of running into Gia. Knowing that her stepfather had returned Mike could not help but wonder if he was losing his daughter before he truly had the chance to know her. Entering Kelly’s he quickly scanned the room disappointed in not seeing her there. Sighing Mike sat at a nearby table placing his order as he thought about how to approach Gia about Gerald’s return. Deep in thought Mike momentarily did not see Gerald as he entered Kelly’s headed towards the counter.

Penny- Hi... would you like to place an order?
Gerald- [smiling] Yes and no...
Penny- Excuse me?
Gerald- It depends on if you can help me.
Penny- [smiling] What do you need?
Gerald- I was wondering... [pulling a picture from his pocket] I need to know if my daughter hangs out here.
Penny- I...
Gerald- Take a look at the picture... [quickly showing a picture of him and Gia hugging] have you seen her?
Penny- I think...
Gerald- Her name is Gia Campbell.
Penny- [nodding] I know... I’ve seen her in here before.
Gerald- Has she been on here today?
Penny- [shaking her head] No but...

Having overheard Gia’s name but not the crux of the conversation Mike quickly rose going to Gerald.

Mike- What do you want with Gia?
Gerald- [his back still to Mike] Excuse me?

Slowly turning around coming face to face, their recognition instant, Mike and Gerald stared at each other unsure of what to say. Their roles now changed, Mike now the father Gerald once was, neither ready to lose the daughter they both shared.

Mike- What are you doing here?
Gerald- I came to see my daughter.
Mike- Your daughter?
Gerald- [nodding] Yes. I want...
Mike- What gives you the right after all this time?
Gerald- I love her.
Mike- You have a funny way of showing it.
Gerald- I don’t have to explain anything to you.
Mike- You abandoned Gia when...
Gerald- Who are you to talk?
Mike- What?
Gerald- You left Gia a long time before I ever did.
Mike- My biggest mistake was walking away from my daughter.
Gerald- And mine wasn’t?
Mike- You had the chance to walk Gia grow. You had the chance to hear her laughter and see her smiles... how could you just walk away from that?
Gerald- I don’t expect you to understand.
Mike- [softly] I just got my daughter back...
Gerald- Is that why you are questioning me?
Mike- And I would rather die before walking away from her.
Gerald- I’m sure you feel that way but that has nothing to do with me seeing my daughter.
Mike- [softly] Stay away from her...
Gerald- You can’t expect me to…
Mike- Gia is hurting and you’re only making it worse.
Gerald- Have you talked to Gia?
Mike- I don’t need to...
Gerald- So how do you know if Gia is hurting or not?
Mike- Because I know...
Gerald- Look I’m sure you care about Gia but...
Mike- I love Gia...
Gerald- So do I... and like you I also know my daughter...
Mike- So she’s your daughter now huh?
Gerald- I was the only daddy that girl knew. Who was there to wipe away her tears when she cried?
Mike- And who was the one who caused them when he didn’t have to?
Gerald- [shaking his head] If I hadn’t did what I did would you have ever approached Gia? Would you had ever tried to find her?
Mike- You don’t have the right to question me?
Gerald- And you don’t have the right to tell me not to question her.

As Gerald turned to leave Kelly’s Mike grabbed his arm stopping him from leaving.

Mike- No this conversation is not over.
Gerald- Get your hands off of me.
Mike- No... I’m not going to let you hurt my daughter.
Gerald- [looking down at Mike’s hand on his arm] I’m only going to tell you one more time.
Sonny- [entering Kelly’s] What’s going on here?
Mike- [still holding Gerald’s arm] Nothing you have to worry about.
Sonny- Mike...
Gerald- [angrily] Take your damn hands off of me.
Sonny- [pointing to Gerald] Who are you?
Taggert- [coming into Kelly’s] What is this?
Gerald- Son... Marcus... tell this man to let go of me...
Taggert- Mike...
Mike- [releasing his arm] I’m not going to let him hurt Gia.
Gerald- She’s my daughter and I have the right...
Sonny- What do you want with her?
Gerald- I don’t have to answer you all’s questions. I came here for Gia and my family...
Sonny- Answer the question...
Gerald- Who are you to try and question me?
Sonny- I’m her brother and I...
Gerald- Gia only has one brother that I know of and...
Taggert- And I’m not going to let you hurt her either...
Gerald- [turning towards Taggert] Marcus...
Taggert- No Gerald... I don’t know what you want and personally I don’t care.
Gerald- Son...
Taggert- Gerald... the only person I care about it Gia and [pointing to Gerald] you... [pointing to Mike] you... [pointing to Sonny] or you will hurt her.
Gerald- I’m not trying to. Can’t you see...
Taggert- You know what... I don’t want to hear it.
Gerald- Marc...
Taggert- [holding up his hand] No… if you have come to hurt Gia in any way you’re gonna have to answer to me.
Gerald- How can you talk to me like that? I’ve raised you as my son...
Taggert- Stop Gerald... this about Gia and I’m not letting anything hurt or happen to her.
Gerald- But...
Taggert- Let him go... the last thing I have time for is breaking up whatever was going on between the two of you.

Looking back at the three men left in Kelly’s Gerald stormed out of the restaurant. Happy that at least he found a spot where he could conveniently run into Gia, now he if only he could think of a way to rid himself of Mike, Sonny, and surprisingly Marcus. No matter what no one would get in his way of reuniting with Gia.

Sonny- Why did you grab him like that?
Mike- Look, my emotion got the better of me... I’m sorry.
Taggert- [hands on his hips] I’m not going to let anybody hurt her.
Sonny- I know that...
Taggert- That includes you...
Mike- She’s my daughter...
Taggert- [turning to leave] I don’t care... [looking back at Sonny as he left] don’t hurt her.
Mike- [turning to Sonny] What was that all about?
Sonny- What?
Mike- His look...
Sonny- Nothing...
Mike- Sonny...
Sonny- [shaking his head] This is the only time I think I will ever agree with Taggert... but I’m not going to let anything hurt to Gia...
Mike- Of course not...
Sonny- No one Mike... [looking intently at him] no one...