GH2017.45 It's My Party

The Cerullos' living room where everyone is gathered. The Party has
elevated to a dull roar. Jason and Nik are in a quiet corner having drinks
and observing the melee.
Jason: Too bad about Alexis and Stone not making it.
Nik: She called. She has spent so little time with Stone lately; she wants
to make the most of it. I'm afraid I do keep her on the road. She counts
the TV station and taking over as legal counsel to GH as blessings; they
require her to stay in Port Charles. I need to groom another person to
travel for me.
Jason: You could always take Dylan off my hands.
Nik: He seems to be too easily manipulated.
Jason: Give the kid a break, Nik; we are talking about your uncle. He
suckers everyone at least once-- just to show he can. I know I ride Dylan
pretty hard. If he can handle the Q's, then running the company will be a
piece of cake.
Nik: I know what you mean. The same is true of my family. Unfortunately,
I cannot go out and get a new CEO when I get tired of the complications.
Jason: Well one of the complications died recently. Can't say I'll miss her.
Nik: Nor will I, although she had a strong influence on my life. It seems
bizarre to be at the birthday party of a much revered matriarch when the
matriarch of my own family was so reviled.
Jason: I would've gotten rid of the viper years ago for what she did to
Sonny and Alexis. (Shrugging) But you and Stefan kept your word on caging
her and Alexis was okay with it. (He hears music beginning to play from the
small stage set up on one end of the room. Brooke and her sisters have
taken the stage. Lois introduces the girls. They smoothly begin playing as
if for years. As they progress through a medley of girl group songs, Nik
becomes increasingly impressed)
Nik: They are good. Very professional.
Jason: Lois would love to send them out on the road. Ned held his ground
on this one. The youngest is only thirteen. Brooke is the only one out of
school. Lois has to make do with managing Ned and Brooke. Lois had Dylan
working at L and E Entertainment throughout college. She has become his
champion. Which is funny to watch cause she used to hate that kid's guts.

Brooke: For our last song, This was done originally by the Bangles.
~I love it in your room at night
~you're the one that gets through to me
~in the warm glow of the candlelight
~Oh, I wonder what you are going to do to me

~In your room
~I come alive when I'm with you.
~I'll do anything you want me to
~In your room

~I love it in your room all day
~When you're gone I like to try on all your clothes
~You won't regret it if you let me stay.
~I'll teach you everything a boy should know

~in your room
~I'm alive when I am with you
~Gonna make your dreams come true
~In your room

~I feel so good in your room
~Let's lock the world out
~Feels so good when we kiss
~Nobody ever made me crazy like this.

~I'll do anything you want me to
~I only want to be with you
~In your room
~in your room.

Nik: Excuse me
Jason : Are you okay?
Nik: I just need to get some air. I'll be back later. ( Nik abruptly
leaves. He is observed by Brooke who jumps down from the stage to embrace
her grandmother)
Brooke: (in her gram's ear) Something upset Nik; I am going to check on
him. Don't cut the cake without me.
Gloria: Well don't be long I want to open my presents and you know cake
comes first.
Brooke: I won't; I promise. (Brooke grabs her coat and Nik's from the
entry way and walks outside where Nik is taking deep breathes; his thoughts
focused inward.) You are going to freeze without a coat.
Nik: Go back inside, Brooke.
Brooke: I don't think so. Something about that last song bothered you.
What was it?
Nik: Did you listen to the words? Why wouldn't it upset me?
Brooke: That song has to be almost thirty-five years old . . . why would it
bother you?
Nik: ( Bitterly) Perfect.
Brooke: What do you want, Nik? What to you want me to say?
Nik: ( angrily grabbing her arms and shaking her) Don't say that. DON'T
EVER SAY THAT.
Brooke: ( growing angry also) Listen-- don't yell at me for some mental
tape that is rolling through your thick skull. And take your hands off. I
have NEVER been touched in anger and I won't start now.
Nik: (Releasing her and stepping back) I'm sorry. You're right; this has
nothing to do with you.
Brooke: It may have nothing to do with me but I get the feeling it's
affecting me . . . us. Tell me, Nik. Don't make me walk through a mine
field around you.
Nik: Fine. You want to know? About say thirty-five years ago, actually
longer, my father took my mother prisoner. Locked her away from the world.
He grew so obsessed with her that he forced a marriage between them. She
would have done anything he wanted her to-- just to have moments of freedom.
She even had me.
Brooke: ( shocked) Nik! Laura adores you.
Nik: Oh she loves me; she has told me that often enough. I believe her
even. But there is a piece of her that wonders what I am capable of-- how
much I am like my father, my uncle.
Brooke: Your uncle? I don't understand. What does he have to do with this?
Nik: He is as obsessed with my mother as my father ever was. He learned
from watching my father that force, brutality, would only drive Laura away
so he sought to manipulate her thoughts and affections. He insinuated
himself into her life. My Uncle would have done anything to gain her favor.
He still does. I think he believes if Luke Spencer was still alive he would
have nothing: Not my mother, not my sister, not his painting.
Brooke: Nik, You aren't they. I know your uncle is a gameplayer; I knew it
even before this gag with the perfume. My father can be just as sneaky; it
doesn't mean that I don't adore him. It doesn't mean I am sneaky. I've
seen how protective you are of your sister and your daughter. I think is
excessive, yes-- but not unhealthy or obsessive.
Nik: perhaps you should talk to my ex- wife.
Brooke: Maybe. But know this: I am not Gina or Laura. Maybe before you
start worrying about nothing-- you should figure out what you want. You and
I generate a lot of heat. (She moves in her arms circling his waist beneath
his heavy coat) But who's to say the flames won't burn out just as quickly?
Let's not overanalyze this. Can't we enjoy it for as long as it lasts?

Dylan: What are you two doing out here?
Brooke: (looking at her uncle who has just arrived and is looking rather
flushed) If it isn't 'dead meat' Dylan. Gram is going to kill you. I
can't believe you almost missed her birthday.
Dylan: Have they cut the cake yet?
Brooke: No and that may be the only thing that saves you. And you had
better have brought her a great present.
Dylan: Picked it up in Switzerland.
Brooke: Last minute . . . how typical. You are so in the dog house. I
bet you that the only way you are going to get back in the good graces will
be to . . . sing.
Dylan: ( groaning) And I bet you will suggest it to her.
Brooke: ( with an evil smile) Would I do that?
Dylan: I am going in. You will hopefully freeze out here. ( He goes inside)
Nik: We should get back in.
Brooke: Everything okay now? Nik. ( He looks at her) Don't worry about
me. I can take care of myself.
Nik: You are so young.
Brooke: Comments like that and you won't live much longer. ( Growing
serious) Don't underestimate me. I may talk with an accent and some people
might consider me a ditz but I learn quickly. There are too many mistakes
in my future for me to be making the same one more than once.
Nik: That is an interesting way to look at things. I'll consider it. Now
we should get inside before you freeze or join your uncle in the 'doghouse.'
(Together they walk back into the house where Lois snags Brooke to light the
candles on the cake with the rest of her sisters.)
Brooke: Save me a seat I'll be right in (she quickly kisses him before
following her mother)
Lois: (her voice fading as she reaches the kitchen) Spill it. When did you
start hanging out with Nikolas Cassadine?

Nikolas returns to the quiet corner where Jason and Robin are seated. He
insures that seats are available for himself and Brooke.
Nik: I see that Dylan arrived.
Jason: And is doing some major sucking up to Mrs. C. for missing most of
the party. She'll forgive him. Women always seem to. He is such an idiot
though. I don't think he has figured out he was sent on a wild goose chase.
Robin: You let him use the company plane.
Jason: And I'll wait for him to figure out that Stefan got his goat.
Robin: All these animal analogies. Didn't you have enough to eat at dinner?
Jason: Plenty and I had worked up an appetite. ( Robin blushes.) Did
Brooke find you?
Nik: Yes, She is evidently helping with the cake now. ( Just then voices
are heard singing a traditional birthday song while wheeling out a large
cake that is ablaze with candles. The room joins in with the song falling
silent as the cake arrives before Gloria. She rises and closes her eyes.
Thinking for a moment. Gathering her breath, she begins to blow out the
candles. Seventy-five are a lot of candles. Lois and the girls start
helping her . . . as the last candle is extinguished a cheer is heard around
the room along with isolated calls of "speech, speech")
Gloria: No long speeches. I am happy to be here, with my family and
friends. It is better than the alternative. (There are groans around the
room) You know I am right. I am glad that my son in law's brother could
make it to my party. Will someone remind me to buy him a watch for his
birthday? Now let me cut this cake. (She begins to cut the cake and cuts
the first piece which she gives to her husband. He separates a bite size
piece and offers it to Gloria who takes the bite. The noise level returns
too normal. Lois begins to help slice the cake while the girls distribute
it to the guests. When the last piece is distributed, Gloria begins to
open her presents. She leaves the large package from Brooke until last.
Brooke has joined Nik and the others. When Gloria is about to open the
portrait she rises so that she has a clear view.)
Brooke: I haven't seen this yet. Your uncle would never let me look.
Nik: I think the only person allowed to see a work in progress is my
mother. ( as the portrait is revealed Gloria gasps)
Gloria: Brooke, It is so beautiful. Mr. Cassadine painted this. Even
without the signature I could tell. ( Brooke moves closer to her grandmother
who hugs her and thanks her Brooke studies the portrait for the first time.
And becomes slightly confused. She turns to nik who is right behind her
also studying the portrait intensely.)
Brooke: It is like a mirror image of the way I was posing. He has my left
hand in my hair. And I don't recognize the background or that necklace.
Nik: He did the background from memory, and he often includes that necklace
in his portraits.
Brooke: (To her grandmother) Gram, I think that Dylan should do the final
song of the evening.
Gloria: What a nice idea. Dylan! ( She calls out to him before walking
over to make her request. Dylan looks over Gloria's shoulder with a rueful
smile and a shaking head. Brooke waves cheerfully at him before turning
back to Nik)
Brooke: The last song will be up soon. Will you dance with me?
Nik: Then you are done singing for your supper?
Brooke: I sing for my supper every day. This is the only dance that Gram
will dance. Grampa hates to dance but he always dances with the birthday
girl the last dance on her birthday. I remember my sisters being carried or
standing on his shoes as he danced with us on our birthdays.
Nik: It is a nice tradition.
Brooke: I think that Dylan is getting ready.
Dylan: This is a request from Gram. But it touches on how all of us feel
about her. Gram, If I haven't told you lately...I love you. (Accompaning
himself on the piano, Dylan begins to sing the final song of the evening a
Van Morrison standard. Couples move to the cleared area and slide into
intimate embraces as the sentimental words begin to hit home.)

~Have I told you lately that I love you
~Have I told you that there is no one above you
~Fill my heart with gladness
~Take away all my sadness
~Ease my Troubles that is what you do

~Oh the morning sun in all it's glory
~Greets the day with hope and comfort too
~And you fill my life with laughter
~you can make it better
~Ease my troubles that is what you do.

~There's a love that is divine
~And it's yours and its mine
~Like the sun at the end of the day
~We should give thanks and pray to the One

~Have I told you lately that I love you.
~Have I told you that there is no one above you
~Fill my heart with gladness
~take away my sadness
~Ease my troubles that's what you do

~there's a love that is divine
~and it's yours and it's mine
~And it shines like the sun
~At the end of the day
~We will give thanks and pray
~To the One.