CHAPTER FIVE: MORNINGS, CASSADINE STYLE


Laura looks at her husband with concern in her eyes, "What's wrong?"

"A situation has come to my attention."

Before he can say anything further, Lucky strolls in, "I see you've not been
keeping that guard on the door to keep out undesirables."

Laura stands and embraces her son, "Lucky, I wasn't expecting you."

"So nice to feel loved. Are the girls ready?"

Laura glances quizzically at him, "Ready, ready for what?"

"Adventure, Spencer style," he says while smiling.

Stefan stands, "No, absolutely not."

Laura jumps in before Lucky can react, "I looked in on them before I came down and they were both still sound asleep."

Lu and Georgie bounce down the stairs, awake and fully dressed with their coats on. Laura can't help but notice how much older Lu looks. Something about how she's done her make up and hair. Laura looks at Stefan, he's noticed it too and isn't happy.

"We're ready!" Lu says excitedly to Lucky.

"It's a beautiful day out, Lulu, you two don't need heavy coats," Lucky offers.

"It's foggy and cold here."

Lucky shakes his head, "When you get off this island and into the real world, it's warm and sunny."

"We'll see," Lu walks quickly over and kisses both Stefan and Laura on the cheek, "Bye guys, see you later!"

Laura smiles, "Have a good time." She watches as the three of them leave.

As Laura goes over and puts her hand on Stefan's crossed arms, she overhears Lu ask Lucky, "So, you gonna tell us where we're going?"

Laura smiles weakly at Stefan, "She's growing up, it was bound to happen."

"It's too soon."

Laura wraps her arms around him, "Maybe so, but that's one thing you can't control."

Resigning himself, Stefan sighs, "You're right, of course."

"Of course," she smiles again.

Stefan finally returns the smile and kisses his wife.

"Ewww, don't you guys ever stop?"

Laura turns around and sees Staci standing there, still in her PJ's. "Hey, Baby."

"Did I just hear Lu?"

Stefan nods, "Lesley Lu just left with Georgie and Lucky."

"Uncle Lucky was here and didn't say anything?" Staci stomps her foot impatiently, "That's not fair."

Laura adds, "He wasn't here for very long. I barely saw him myself."

Feeling better, Staci smiles at her grandmother, "Hey Grandma, when is Grandma Lesley going to be here?"

"She was delayed a couple of days because of a change in Hans' seminar schedule."

Staci frowns and wrinkles her nose, "Oh, is he coming too?"

"ANASTACIA!"

Staci wheels around as her father's sharp tone signals the entrance of The Cassadine. "Well, you don't like him either," she says, trying to defend herself.

"Manners!" Nikolas scolds. "My personal opinion of your great grandfather is none of your concern, little girl. And you will behave yourself when your great grandmother arrives, because the consequences will not pleasant."

Staci hangs her head, more embarrassed by his outburst than guilty over anything she said. "Yes sir," she says softly.

Laura can sense that Nikolas is running on a short fuse. She reaches out her hand to Staci, "C'mon Staci, let's go see what's for breakfast in the kitchen."

Staci looks up at Laura slightly, then smiles and takes her hand. Together they leave for the kitchen.

Nikolas crosses over to Stefan, "What has you so concerned?"

"A small situation has come to light. I've taken steps to insure that nothing gets out of hand."

Nikolas watches Stefan's expression, "Keep me informed."

Stefan speaks softly, "Very well. If it becomes more serious, you will be the first to know."

*****

As Lu, Georgie and Lucky get off the launch, Lucky turns to his baby sister and motions towards the sunny skies, "You see Lulu, it's a beautiful day once you get of that damn island."

Lu smiles wickedly, "Yep, you're right." She quickly takes off her coat, revealing a cream colored blue silk blouse with a plunging neckline, tucked into a pair of skin tight black jeans. Georgie also takes off her coat,
but she is just wearing an oversized t-shirt with blue jeans.

"Whoa babe, if you weren't my sister..." Lucky shakes his head, "Damn. As it stands now, I'll have to kill anyone that looks at ya!" he says while grinning. "When did you start looking like that?"

Both of the girls giggle, "Thanks, big brother. Now, will you tell us what the plan is?"

Lucky gestures towards the pink Caddy parked nearby, "Hop in."

Lu instinctively heads for the passenger seat. Lucky stops her, "No babe, other side."

"Huh?"

Lucky opens the passenger door and lets Georgie into the back seat as Lu walks around to the driver's side. Lucky sits comfortably on the front seat. "Lulu babe, I'm teaching you and G here how to drive."

"Are you nuts?" Georgie declares.

Lucky shakes his head, "Nah. Besides, you never know when it'll come in handy."

"But Lucky, Georgie and I will be taking driver's ed this summer."

Lucky shakes his head, "Not the way I'm gonna teach ya."

Lu smiles as she gets in the car. "I always knew we kept you around for something."

*****

In the Cassadine kitchen, Staci is sitting at the bar eating an omelet.
Laura is sitting nearby, watching her. After a minutes and several bites,
Staci looks up at Laura, "This is great, Grandma! I didn't know you could
cook like this."

Laura smiles, "Thank you, Staci. Your grandfather won't let me cook much. He says Mrs. Lansbury needs to feel useful."

"Then it's good that Mrs. L had an errand to run."

"Except for Mrs. Lansbury, cooking seems to be a lost art around
the Cassadines."

Staci wrinkles up her nose, "You mean like Alexis?" She shudders at the memory of Alexis' last attempt at a family dinner. "Gross, don't remind me."

Laura laughs. In between bites, Staci continues, "Do you think Lu will be back before long? I have something to ask her."

Laura shrugs, "I don't know." She smiles, "But I was thinking, why don't you and I go out today. We'll go shopping, then meet your mom for lunch and then maybe catch a movie this afternoon. What do you think? You up for a day with Grandma?"

Staci's eyes light up at the mention of her mother, "Can Mom come to the movie too?"

"Sure."

Staci jumps up and throws her arms around Laura's neck, "Thanks Grandma! I'm gonna go get dressed, I'll be right back!"

Laura watches as Staci bounds out of the room. She then crosses the room and picks up the phone to call Gina.

*****