Chapters 24 & 25     CHAPTER 24: IT'S NURSE'S BALL TIME   Everyone is making their way into the ballroom for the 17th annual Nurse's Ball. Lucy walks out in front of the audience in a gorgeous flowing cream colored gown. "Good evening ladies and gentleman. Welcome to the 17th Annual Nurses Ball! Let me first introduce Chief of Staff of General Hospital, Dr. Tom Hardy." The audience applauds as Tom comes out on stage, Alexis most enthusiastically. Carly watches her from the other side of the room. Lucy gives Tom a quick kiss on the cheek as she hands him the microphone. "Hello everyone. On behalf of all of us at General Hospital, thank you for being here and for your support for such a worthy cause. As you know, this year's benefit will go to getting the HIV/AIDS vaccination to those around the world that need it. It was with your help that we were able to get the vaccine developed and approved. Now please continue to help get it to those that need it and can't afford it. Thank you." He hands the microphone back to Lucy as everyone applauds again and he leaves the stage. "Thank you Dr. Hardy," Lucy says. She looks out around to all of the tables. The Cassadines and Spencers spread out over two tables: Stefan, Laura, Nikolas and Alexis at one, Lesley, Hans, Lesley Lu, Staci, Gina, and Lucky at the other. Tom joins them, sitting next to his wife. At another table sit Bobbie, Tony, Carly, Mac, Felicia, Maxie and Georgie. Dylan sits at a table with Justus, Emily and Tommy. There is another table nearby with mostly empty chairs; the Quartermaine contingent are with Bradley and Robin at the hospital. Kevin sits at a table with Serena, Scott and Lisa Smith. Derek Barrington comes in, escorting his grandmother, Amanda, who is now in a wheelchair. "Come on, Grandmother, our table is over here." Amanda smiles at her grandson, "Thank you Derek. I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I've never missed one yet." Nikolas glares slightly at Derek, but doesn't say anything, because of Amanda. He shoots Lucky a quick glance. Lucky looks back at Derek, then turns to Nik and shrugs slightly. A familiar dark haired woman walks across the room and puts her arms around Dylan, "Hey Brat!" Lois says in her full Brooklyn accent. Dylan jumps up and hugs Lois. "Lois! When did you get here?" They both sit down, "Just a little while ago. Do ya think we'd miss the Nurse's Ball?" She waves to Justus, Emily and Tommy, "Hey guys!" "Hi Lois," the trio says collectively. "Well, I didn't know..." Dylan says, slightly apprehensive. Lois smacks him on the shoulder. "Honestly! Lucy called a couple of days ago, wanted an act to fill in while all the Q's are at the hospital. Nedly and the girls are first up." Dylan smiles, "Wow! I bet they're looking forward to that." Lois shrugs, "Well, Jet is a bit nervous, but you know how she gets. Brie and Brooke seem laid back about the whole thing. Brandy and Rendy have talked about nothing else since they found out." "I can't wait to see them. What are they all singing?" Lois smiles, "For that, Brat, you're gonna have to wait and see." Lucy commands the attention of the audience again, "Okay folks, for the first number, we have a homegrown celebrity and his daughters telling us about growing up. Ladies and gentlemen, Eddie Maine and the Ashton girls." Ned comes out on stage wearing not the trademark leather pants, but a relaxed pair of black jeans with a white shirt tucked in comfortably. The music starts to play "Butterfly Kisses." As Ned starts to sing, four of the girls come out on stage. Ned looks at each one of them in turn. First up is six year old Rendy. Ned gets down on one knee beside her and pulls her towards him. "There's two things I know for sure She was sent here from heaven, and she's Daddy's little girl. As I drop to my knees by her bed at night She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, oh but most of all..." Ned stands and walks over to eight year old Brandy, picks her up and spins her around. "For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair Walk beside the pony Daddy, it's my first ride I know the cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right To deserve a hug every morning, and butterfly kisses at night." He puts down Brandy and turns to ten year old Jet. Jet just stands there stiffly while Ned tries to get her to sway to the music. "Sweet sixteen today She's looking like her Mama, a little more everyday. One part woman, the other part girl To perfume and makeup, from ribbons and curls. Trying her wings out in a great big world But I remember..." He kisses Jet on the forehead and turns to twelve year old Brie and dances with her. "Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair. You know how much I love you Daddy, but if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time. With all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses at night." All the precious time, Oh, like the wind the years go by. Precious butterfly, Spread your wings and fly. Fourteen year old Brooke comes out on stage wearing a white gown. Ned crosses the stage to her and holds her hand, leading her across the stage. "She'll change her name today. She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away. Standing in the brideroom just staring at her She asks me what I'm thinking, and I said I'm not sure. I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl, And she leaned over..." All five girls circle around Ned. He kisses them each briefly on the forehead. All the women in the audience, especially Lois, wipe tears from their eyes. "Gave me butterfly kisses with her Mama there Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair. Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it's just about time. Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy? Daddy, don't cry. Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must of done something right. To deserve her love every morning, and butterfly kisses, I couldn't ask God for more, than this is what love is. I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember... Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses at night." The audience starts to applaud and the lights go down, but the music starts up again and the lights go up. Ned is no longer onstage, instead the girls are standing around and start singing "Walk Like an Egyptian." Brooke takes the lead. After the first two verses, the audience claps along with the girls as they jump down off the stage and mingle through the audience, getting them to dance along with them. Lois and Dylan are the first ones up following them around. "Foreign types with the hookah pipes say Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh Walk like an Egyptian All the kids in the marketplace say Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh Walk like an Egyptian Slide your feet up the street bend your back Shift your arm then you pull it back Life is hard you know (oh whey oh) So strike a pose on a Cadillac" Dylan crosses over to Lu and pulls her out of her chair. Lucky and Gina join in as well. All the cops in the donut shop say Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh Walk like an Egyptian Walk like an Egyptian" Laura looks over at Stefan, "Who is that over there with Scott?" Stefan looks over at Lisa, who is just sitting down again now that the song is over. "I have no idea, but it shouldn't be hard to find out." Laura looks around for Lu. She isn't sitting in her seat. She catches Lucky's eye. Lucky just looks at Laura and smiles. Lucy comes back out onstage, "Aren't they just so cute?! Ladies and gentleman, give another round of applause for Brooke, Brie, Jet, Brandy and Rendy Ashton!" The audience applauds again. "Did I get 'em all, Lois?" Lucy asks as everyone laughs. Lois smiles, "Sure did, Luce!" she calls back to her. "Okay. Well, now Lu Spencer and Dylan Hornsby are going to take us all back to the 1970's." The audience applauds. Stefan crosses his arms as Lu and Dylan come out on stage hand in hand. Lu is wearing a tie-dyed crop top shirt with hiphugger pants, a long bead necklace and platform shoes. Dylan wears an open neck shirt with a frilly collar and bell bottoms. The music for "I Got You Babe" begins. LU: They say we're young and we don't know We won't find out until we grow DYLAN: Well I don't know if all that's true 'Cause you got me, and baby I got you DYLAN: Babe BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe LU: They say our love won't pay the rent Before it's earned, our money's all been spent DYLAN: I guess that's so, we don't have a pot But at least I'm sure of all the things we got DYLAN: Babe BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe DYLAN: I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring LU: And when I'm sad, you're a clown And if I get scared, you're always around LU: Don't let them say your hair's too long 'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong DYLAN: Then put your little hand in mine There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb DYLAN: Babe BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe Dylan wraps his arms around Lu and they sway to the music. DYLAN: I got you to hold my hand LU: I got you to understand DYLAN: I got you to walk with me LU: I got you to talk with me I got you to kiss goodnight I got you to hold me tight I got you, I won't let go I got you to love me so BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe I got you babe Laura laughs so hard tears begin to roll. Lesley laughs as well. Nik doesn't show any emotion and Lucky seems mildly amused, unlike Stefan, who is just reaching a slow boil. He stands up and heads for backstage.     CHAPTER 25: THE NURSE'S BALL CONTINUES   Lucy comes back up onstage. "Well, it's the new Sonny and Cher if I ever saw them." The audience laughs. "Next up is Cher's older brother, Lucky Spencer with niece Staci Cassadine." Backstage, Dylan has his arm around Lu's waist. They are laughing slightly. Rendy runs up to them, "Uncle Dylan, Uncle Dylan!" He picks her up and swings her around. "Hey Rendy! Did you like our song?" She girl nods. "I didn't know you could sing," Rendy says softly. Dylan whispers loudly in her ear, "I usually only sing in the shower." Rendy giggles, Lu and Dylan both smile. Dylan puts Rendy down, "Now, you'd better go find your Ma before she misses you." Rendy reaches up and kisses Dylan on the cheek, "Night, Uncle Dylan!" "Night Rendy." Dylan turns to Lu, "That was so much fun, Lu." She nods, "Absolutely. Same time next year?" she asks. "I'll be there." "No you won't!" came the stern reply from Stefan. Lu and Dylan both spin around to face the seething Stefan. "Lesley Lu, you have some explaining to do." She gets defiant, "Oh no I don't. I was doing an act for the Nurse's Ball. You couldn't have stopped me." Lu notices the look of hurt in Stefan's eyes. She goes up to him and kisses him on the cheek, "I love you Daddy, but I had to do this." Dylan gives Lu a strange look, but follows her as they leave Stefan standing there with his thoughts. Lucky comes out onstage with Staci following closely behind. "Hey, Uncle Lucky, what was it you said we were doing?" she asks, making sure she can be heard by everyone. Lucky shrugs, "Relax babe, just make the moves like I do. You okay with that?" Staci smiles, "Of course. Lead the way." The music starts. It's Lucky's familiar hip-hop routine. Lucky begins to move and after about ten seconds, he stops. "Wait a minute," he calls out to the bandleader. "That's not the song I gave you." The bandleader responds, "Well it works, doesn't it?" Lucky frowns, "Yeah, I guess." He then smiles to the audience as they cheer them on. "C'mon Staci, let's hip-hop!" As the music and lights fade, Staci and Lucky go offstage, only to be replaced by Carly and several dancers. A slow but intense disco rhythm begins to throb through the audience. Bobbie recognizes the music immediately. It's "Last Dance," the song she and Luke danced to at the 4th Nurse's Ball. A tear slowly falls down her face. The lights come up and Carly grabs a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, my cousin Lucky and I would like to do a tribute to my mother, Bobbie Jones and his father, Luke Spencer. This is the routine they performed together 13 years ago." The audience's applause is deafening as Lucky and Carly repeat every move exactly as Luke and Bobbie had. Laura also allows a tear to fall, but is silently glad Stefan missed it. She wonders where he disappeared to, though. She looks over at the other family table. Lu hasn't returned from her number. After Lucky and Carly's dance, Lucy comes back onstage. "Well, these guys are making me tired, how 'bout you?" The audience applauds. "Our keynote speaker this evening was going to be Robin Morgan, one of our very own that the HIV vaccination has cured. I know that she was going to talk about the value of getting the vaccine to the people across the world that can't yet afford it. But, as many of you know, Robin is in the hospital. But for good reason! She's giving birth to her second child." Across the room, Justus is talking on his cellphone, "Okay, I'll tell everyone. Take care, Jason." He hangs up the phone. "It's a girl," he says loud enough for everyone to hear. "Robin had a girl! They named her AnnaLila." The audience applauds again. Whoops and hollers go up from Lois, Ned, Dylan and Emily. Lucy smiles, "Well congratulations go out to Jason and Robin. Now, for our next act, please put your hands together for Scott Baldwin and Lisa Smith, who show us a little "Fever." Scott and Lisa both come out. Lisa is wearing a sexy red dress. Scott is still dressed in his tux. He dances slightly with Lisa, but mostly she is weaving around him teasingly as she sings. You give me You give me fever Never know how much I love you Never know how much I care When you put your arms around me I get a fever that's so hard to bear Listen to me baby, hear every word I say No one can love you the way I do 'Cause they don't know how to love you my way You give me fever, when you kiss me Fever when you hold me tight Fever in the morning Fever all through the night Romeo loved Juliet Juliet, she felt the same When he put his arms around her He said Julie baby, you're my flame He gave her fever Captain Smith and Pocahontas Had a very mad affair When her daddy tried to kill him She said, daddy oh don't you dare He gives me fever With his kisses Fever when he holds me tight Fever, I'm his Misses Daddy, won't you treat him right Fever, when you kiss them Fever, if you live and learn Fever, 'til you sizzle What a lovely way to burn. The audience applauds. Many are confused as to who exactly Lisa is. Most of them have never seen or heard of her before. Lucky, Laura and Bobbie all watch Lisa closely. There is something familiar about her, although they can't put a finger on what it is. Derek watches her especially carefully. He knows that she can foul up his plans. Lucy comes back out onstage wearing a 70's outfit. The audience laughs, "Well, I decided this was better than swinging by my ankles or having to strip to get your attention." Everyone laughs. "Well, since we loved the Ashton girls so much, I persuaded them..." Lois interrupts from the audience, "You didn't have to persuade them, Luce, you had to persuade me!" The audience laughs again as Lucy continues, "Okay, okay, I persuaded Lois to let them sing for us again. "Ladies and gentlemen, the motto of the Nurse's Ball, 'We Are Family'." The music starts up again to "We are Family" as the girls file out and begin to sing. We are family I got all my sisters with me We are family Get up ev'rybody and sing Ev'ryone can see we're together As we walk on by and we fly just like birds of a feather I won't tell no lie all of the people around us they say Can they be that close Just let me state for the record We're giving love in a family dose Living life is fun and we've just begun To get our share of the world's delights high hopes we have for the future And our goal's in sight no we don't get depressed Here's what we call our golden rule Have faith in you and the things you do You won't go wrong This is our family Jewel The audience roars in applause as the lights dim for the final time.