Running Home Chapter 7

After a looong dry spell and life getting in the way I can write again... here is chapter 7, if anyone is still reading enjoy =)

Chapter 7
The next morning came quickly and Ned and Julia sat on the couch eating breakfast. “So Alexis is here as well?” Julia questioned him.
“Yeah, I ran into her last night as I was walking along the docks.” He stared off, and sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You get to know your daughter. Don’t think about Alexis, just get to know your daughter.” Kristen walked down the stairs as Julia spoke. She was taken off guard by the woman sitting on the couch, but even more so by the mention of her mother.

Ned looked up at his daughter as she walked into the living room and sat down on the chair. “My mother is here?” she asked confused and unsure. How did her mother know where to come find her?

“Yes.” He replied, unsure how to approach this subject with her.
Julia looked between Ned and his daughter and sensed the awkwardness that had overtaken the room. “You know maybe I should go.” She said getting up off the couch. “I’ll see you later?”

“You don’t have to,” he said serious and then looked at Kristen. “This is Julia Barrett, Julia this is my daughter Kristen.”

“Hi,” Kristen said almost shyly.

“Hi Kristen, it’s nice to meet you.” She looked back at Ned. “I really think I should go. You need time to get to know one another. You don’t need me here.”

He sighed. “I know you’re right.” Ned got up and walked her over to the door. “I’ll see you later.” She leaned in and pulled him into a kiss. He backed away, “Bye Julia,” he said closing the door behind her. He looked back over at Kristen, sitting on the chair, “So…” he said unsure of where to start their conversation.

“Yeah,” she spoke just as unsure. He walked back over to the couch and sat down, a moment of silence passed between them before she had the courage to speak again. “Have you seen my mom?”

“I have,” he sighed, “She ran into me on the docks last night. I don’t think you need to know the details.” He wanted to spare her the fight that took place. He realized she probably didn’t know much about their past and he didn’t want to take his anger with Alexis out on Kristen.

She looked at her father, “Was she angry? I didn’t exactly tell her I was coming here. I really don’t know how she knew to come here looking for me.”
“That didn’t come up, but maybe you should call her?” He didn’t want to see Alexis, but he knew that she had a right to know that their daughter was alright. He reached over to the table and picked up the phone and tried to hand it to Kristen, but she wouldn’t take it.

“She knew I wanted to know who you were. She wouldn’t tell me, she should have expected that I would come and find you,” she stated matter of factly.

“That may be true, but doesn’t she have a right to know that you are safe. She is your mother.” He said as he passed her the phone again. She looked at it and sighed before taking it.

“I’m only calling her because she has a right to know where I am. I don’t want to see her.”

“You don’t have to.”

She looked up at her dad, and smiled before dialing the phone. She waited for her mother to pick up, just as she started to feel relieved that her mother wouldn’t answer she heard her voice on the other end.

“Hello?”

Kristen looked at her father and he nodded urging her to speak. “Mom….” Her sentence trailed, anger evident in her voice.

“Kristen!” Alexis stated relieved. “Where are you?”

“I’m with my dad, not that you’d care about that.”

“I do care, Kristen,” she said sincerely.

“I really just wanted you to know I was alright. You don’t need to worry, I’m fine.”
Alexis sighed; she wanted a chance to explain everything to both her daughter and Ned. But, over the phone was not how it needed to be done. “Kristen, sweetie there are things I need to tell you. Can you meet me in the park later?”

“Why? So you can lie to me or better yet, tell me nothing at all,” she stated angry. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Kristen, please.” She sighed, “I saw your father last night, I just want a chance to explain why I did it.”

“I guess,” she stated unenthusiastically and looked back up at Ned. “I’ll see you later,” she said as she hung up the phone and then passed it back to Ned.
“Meeting her later?”

“She wants to meet me in the park to explain some things. I don’t know what there is to explain. She lied to me, she never let me know you.”

“She lied to me too,” he sighed and looked at his daughter. “I wish I could have been there for you,” he said seriously.

“I wished you were, everyday,” she said just as serious. “Mom was great, but I wanted and needed a father.”

“Well you have one now and I can promise you that your mother isn’t going to keep me out of your life any longer,” he stated adamantly. They were suddenly interrupted when Tracy and Edward barged into the gatehouse uninvited. They both turned around startled by the intrusion. “What the—“

“What do you think you’re doing! I told you this girl is nothing more than an imposter last night. What is she still doing here?” Tracy questioned her son.

“You should listen to her Ned, all this girl wants is take advantage of this family.”

“Listen to me, both of you. I am positive that Kristen is my daughter.” He said strongly.

“Well then you won’t object to a DNA test.” Edward stated matter of factly.

“That’s not going to happen grandfather. I saw Alexis last night, she is my daughter.” He said again agitated.

“That Cassadine is her mother!” Edward shouted outraged as Kristen just stood there watching scene unfold in front of her.

“That woman broke your heart more than once Ned, she’s lied before she’d lie again.” Tracy said glaring at Kristen.

“Not about this,” he stated certain. “There will be no DNA test.”

“Maybe it’s not such a bad idea,” Kristen added quietly looking at her father as Edward and Tracy stood there stunned she would agree with them. “It’s the only way we’ll know for sure.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Ned stated calmly.

“I think we should.” She replied rationally.

“Good. It’s settled the two of you are to report to GH for the testing later this afternoon. It’s all been arranged.” Edward said as he started to leave the gatehouse. “You’ve made the right decision.” He and Tracy left, leaving Ned and Kristen to pick up where they left off. They continued to spend the morning getting to know one another. Ned was certain she was his daughter, even after everything that had come between he and Alexis his heart knew she wouldn’t lie to him about something like this. Kristen reminded him of her. The way she would laugh and the way she would babble on about anything and everything. She was her mother’s daughter he thought.

Great chapter!

We want more...I love this tale

I don't come here so much, but I am glad to see this. Please continue, Sam!

PLEASE CONTINUE!! I want to know what happens. I'm hooked!!