CHAPTER THREE: REMEMBRANCE AND WISHES   Stefan Cassadine is talking on his cell phone. His voice is cold, "She's where?" He listens as the voice on the other end reconfirms it's earlier statement. "Damn. All right, keep me informed," Stefan says then slams the phone shut. He wheels around as a small voice behind him clears her throat. Staci stands there in her pajamas, looking sheepish. "Hi," she said softly. "Anastacia, what are you doing out of bed?" he says trying to be stern. "It's very late." "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I couldn't sleep. I wondered if you would tell me a story, one of the good ones that you make up." She smiles, begging him with her eyes, "Please, Grandpapa?" Stefan smiles as he sits on the sofa, her begging being too much to handle. He remembers his weakness for all women of Webber descent. "Of course." Staci crawls up in his lap quickly and kisses him on the cheek. "Thank you, Grandfather." She rests her head comfortabley on Stefan's shoulder. He begins to tell her a familiar story, "A long time ago, there was a young woman living on an island. She was a beautiful woman, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. But she was very sad, for she lived away from all her family and friends. She missed them so very much. Then she met this young man that also lived on the island. He was lonely too, even though it was his family that owned the island. "The man and woman met in a hidden cove that overlooked the ocean. The water was always as blue as the woman's eyes, and the man quickly fell in love with her. She loved him too, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it. And he was scared to tell her exactly how he felt. "The woman was given a chance to go back to her family and friends, so she ran as fast as she could away from the island. She left the young man behind without either one telling the other their true feelings. They lived apart for many years until one day..." Stefan stops briefly and looks down at Staci. She had already fallen asleep. He smiles and kisses her tenderly on the forehead. ******** Lesley Lu sneaks in the back door to Wyndemere with Georgie Jones following closely behind. "Lu, what are you afraid of?" Georgie asks. "Shhh," Lu whispers, "I don't want anyone to know where we're going." Georgie and Lu quickly tiptoe up a back flight of stairs. When they get halfway up, Lu stops and places her hand strategically on the wall. A panel silently slides open and the two girls walk in, the wall sliding shut swiftly behind them. Georgie plops in the first chair she comes to, as Lu crosses the almost empty room and puts her hands on another section of the wall. It also slides open, revealing a desk with a computer set up on it. "I can't believe you go to all this trouble just to play on the computer," Georgie says, rolling her eyes. "I told you before, Georgie, if Daddy or Nik ever found out about these online sessions, they would have the whole thing regulated by Cassadine Enterprises. This is my anonymity. No one has to know that 'The Cassadine' is my brother. And I like it that way. You should know about that as much as I do." "Yeah, I know," Georgie admits grudgingly. As Lu logs on and checks her e-mail, Georgie crosses the room to stand behind Lu. "Well?" she asks expectantly. "Any word from that guy?" Lu looks back at her and smiles, "He wants to chat with me later." Lu quickly reads through the letter her cyberguy had written her. She smiles and blushes at the same time. Georgie nearly jumps with anticipation, "What? What? What did he say?" Lu waves Georgie closer, "Here, read for yourself." Georgie reads through the letter, looks at Lu and both girls erupt into fits of giggles. ******* It's already late, Laura knows that. She just had to spend time alone tonight. More than any other. "To think," she says aloud, trying to rationalize her actions. As she finally brings herself back to Wyndemere, she enters silently and tiptoes past the living room. She glances in out of habit and sees the back of Stefan's head where he is sitting on the sofa. She walks into the room, taking a deep breath and walks around to face Stefan. She figures that he was up waiting for her. But he was asleep with his reading glasses on, his head leaning gently back against the back of the sofa and Staci still asleep in his lap. Laura smiles as she slowly removes Stefan's glasses. He stirs briefly and opens his eyes. "Lasha," he says softly, while smiling, so as not to wake Staci. He looks down at her and says, "She asked me to tell her a story, but I put her right to sleep within minutes." He stands to carry Staci upstairs. Laura follows him and watches as he lovingly tucks Staci into bed. Both Laura and Stefan kiss Staci lovingly on the forehead and walk out of the room. Laura starts to walk towards their bedroom with Stefan, but then turns and goes back downstairs. Stefan doesn't notice at first, but within minutes, he is standing next to her in the living room. She keeps her back to him and stares at the roaring fire. "Lasha, I know what today is." He is trying his hardest not to let the whole situation get to him in front of his wife. "Mmmm," she mumbles. "Did you spend time with both Lucky and Lesley Lu today?" he asks politely. She shakes her head, "I saw Lu, but not Lucky. I meant to call him, but somehow the day just slipped away from me." Stefan nods, turns and walks away without saying another word. Laura glances briefly over her shoulder as he walks out of the room. Tears slide freely down her cheeks again as she wraps her arms around herself. ******