*~*
He told her to trust him.
He took her hand in his, squeezed her fingers gently while pressing a kiss to her lips and then he said it again. His velvety whisper washed over her and while sadness at the thought of his absence nearly pushed her past the brink of bearable things, she had responded with a wordless nod and watery smile.
She would trust him.
*~*
Dara strode across the well manicured lawns of Port Charles High, the afternoon sun beating down on her. Just ahead, she could see the crowds of casual, but well dressed people standing around the seating area and the sea of blue up on the stage as the time for graduation neared. Approaching the rows of chairs set up for family and friends, Dara lifted her hand to shade her eyes and she scanned the graduates carefully. Pausing at Emily, she smiled warmly as the young woman stood with Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Webber, nervously fingering her cards for the valedictorian speech she would be giving later in the ceremony. Dara watched for a few minutes as Monica and Alan, along with other picture happy parents instructed their children on the stage for various photographs with friends and classmates. Dara chuckled as Lucky gave his trademark wry grin and rolled his eyes as he posed once more with Emily and Elizabeth for his Mother while Monica loaded another roll of film into her camera.
"Surprised to see you here."
Dara turned at the familiar voice. Justus approached her, curiosity written on his face. He looked as handsome as ever and Dara tilted her head. In another life she wouldn't have turned down a second chance with Justus, but now...
She smiled. In another life, but not this one.
"I came for Emily."
Justus nodded slowly in response, not quite understanding the hint of Dara's real meaning behind her words. The family had managed to keep Emily's true parentage under wraps, but how Dara had become involved in his young cousin's world was a mystery to him. Over the past few months, the two had forged a type of friendship, one that Emily kept tight lipped about. Monica had initially pressed her about it, but Emily was firm in her choice and so the family let the matter drop.
Still, when Dara had handed in her resignation a week earlier, he'd had a nagging suspicion that it had something to do with Emily and Johnny Alexander. Justus shook his head, the confusion and questions were clouding his thoughts.
"Have you reconsidered your resignation?" he asked, hoping that she had changed her mind. Dara shook her head firmly. "It's time for a change."
And what a change. The meeting she'd had 10 days ago had been quite a step in that direction. She'd heard of the man, but never fully understood the aura that surrounded him until formally introduced. Don Michael Corleone was pleasant but serious and the chill that ran along Dara's spine never wavered during their meeting. He never offered any explanation for how Johnny had chosen him. He mentioned brieftly that Johnny had come with a request to take over his territory and to ensure that those men who'd been loyal to Johnny remain in position. He'd also made a special request that Emily, her family and friends, as well as Dara, receive special attention. The Don had smiled ever so slightly at that moment, his dark orbs studying her carefully. She had felt both comforted and terrified by the gesture. It became instantly clear that he could and would do as Johnny had requested without hesitation and keep those he loved safe, that he understood how precious Dara and Emily's safety was to Johnny. He had almost seemed paternal in his manner, occasionally resting his hand on hers, speaking in a tone that was almost a whisper. He had even bussed her cheeks before she departed. It was only when she was in the car on her way back that she realized she had only spoken two words to the man. "Thank you." Nothing else seemed necessary and even her gratitude seemed pointless. The man had been a mystery, but the aroma of fatality that lingered stopped Dara from ever wanting to meet him again.
Now, it was just a matter of time.
Justus sensed that much was going on behind those chocolate colored eyes of hers and it troubled him. He opened his mouth to ask, but promptly shut it. She would be fine, she always had in the past.
"If you'd like, we can save you a seat," he offered to her. Dara smiled warmly. "I'd like that."
*~*
"Gum?"
Emily blinked as Lucky held the packet of sugar free gum in front of her. "So your mouth doesn't get dry," he explained.
She nodded quickly, taking a stick from the packet and took her seat next to his on the stage. She exhaled a deep breath and clutched her cue cards tightly in her hand. Looking into the crowd for her family, her nerves calmed as she spotted the large group near the front. They were all there, save for Jason. Her heart sank at the knowledge that her brother was not here. She would be seeing him in a few weeks, but if he attempted to return home, his death would be swift. Johnny had removed Sonny and Jason from power, but had not killed them. Jason had been spared because of Emily and for that, she was grateful. Sonny had been humbled by the grace bestowed upon him and vanished the moment he was permitted to leave the compound they'd been kept in. Dara had explained it all months ago, but Emily was still in awe at the power of one man being able to save another man's life from certain death just by the wave of his hand or a nod of his head.
Johnny had done that for her, and another man, one more powerful would agree to keep it that way.
Michael, her nephew, stood on AJ's lap and waved exuberatly at her. She laughed, happy that she could still enjoy the simplicity life offered. Her eyes centered on Dara.
Her friend. Of course Dara would come. So much had happened since the night in the penthouse. Their relationship had many ups and downs, but finally they seemed to be on even ground. Almost as though she was reading her mind, Dara's gaze met Emily's and instinctively there was an awkwardness as both smiled. The shyness would pass over time, Emily was sure of it.
The principal tapped on the microphone a few times and asked for everyone to take their seats. As the crowd of family and students took their respective seats, he began to recount the events of the year but it wasn't long before Emily's mind drifted to the man who'd put them all on this rollercoaster a few months earlier.
Johnny. Her Father. The man who had loved her Mother and had spent his entire life ensuring she remained safe and well taken care of. It was still hard to wrap her mind around those truths but it was harder to admit that she wasn't quite ready to meet him again. So much had happened and Nikolas, the man who re-entered her life, was helping her through it along with Lucky and Liz. She was fortunate to have so many people concerned for her well being and eager to help her.
Still, she knew the day where they'd meet and finally talk about anything and everything would come, and soon. A warm hand clasped hers and Emily blinked back to attention. Liz squeezed her hand and grinned, eager to graduate and throw her cap into the air. The breeze blew a few whisps of her dark tresses and Emily smiled warmly in response, she could feel the excitement in the air from everyone. Moving forward and starting a new chapter of life, they would greet it bravely. They were ready.
*~*
Suva, Fiji
Johnny walked down the beaten down path through the lush greenery to the sandy beaches along the waters. The warmth of the South Pacific swept in a strong, salty breeze and Johnny smiled as he came out to the clearing. Far away from his old life in Port Charles, he was. Throwing himself into the blue sea, he swam powerful strokes parallel to the shore as he did every morning and as usual, his thoughts drifted to the two women on his mind. Emily was taking things slowly but was inching towards him with interest. He didn't want to push things, instead giving her an invitation to be used whenever she wanted for as long as she wanted, no questions asked. He had waited all these years already, he could handle a few months more. She was his daughter.
Dara.
Instinctively, his heart thumped against his chest at the thought of the dark beauty who'd practically given up her entire life to be with him. Johnny moved through the water towards shore wondering if she still wanted to be with him. It had all happened so quickly and then they parted and for months now he wondered if Dara still wanted a life with him or if she was somehow clinging to what had happened that night.
It was only one night.
What would happen? Still consumed with his troubles, Johnny emerged and quickly toweled himself before pulling on his slacks. Running his hands through his hair, he looked up and nearly gasped.
Barefoot and wearing a simple sundress from one of the local stores, she stood near the opening, watching him with uncertain eyes. He stood for a moment, drinking the sight of her, hardly believing she was real. It was when her head tilted gently to the side that he began to walk, then jog, then run towards her, his feet digging hard into the warm sand. Her smile grew from uncertain, to shy, to joyful and when she jumped into his open arms they both roared with laughter and delight.
Instantly they knew. They were home and would remain there. Falling to the grassy verge with the roar of the waves in the background they reached a destination both had sought for so long. Neither had even dreamed of picturing this moment, but both knew with every ounce in them that it was perfect.