Chapters 17 - 20
GH 2025.17 Sweet Dreams
"So then Richard introduced himself to the family." Lucky concludes. Sitting on the sofa, with Emily and a cup of coffee, he seems strangely subdued.
"Your mother and Stefan must be ecstatic." Emily breathes, still amazed at the news herself. "The whole family must be."
Lucky looks down into his coffee mug, to avoid looking at Emily head on. "You know Em, if you're mad, I understand. It didn't feel right lying to you. Especially about something as huge as this, but I was afraid if I told anyone, even you, Richard would bolt and I'd never see him again. And I didn't want to put you in the position of having to lie to my family."
Emily places a gentle hand on her husband's cheek. "I understand your reasons, Lucky. But I'm not happy about you keeping secrets from me."
Running a hand through his hair, Lucky sighs in exasperation. "I wasn't happy about it either, Emily. This wasn't what I wanted to happen at all. And I sure as Hell didn't want to lie to everyone."
"But you didn't lie to just anyone, Lucky. You lied to me." Emily's eyes flash as she makes her point. "I thought we were supposed to level with one another about everything. And this wasn't just a small secret, it was huge. You even invited him over to our house and you still couldn't tell me?"
"Not when it could send my kidnapped brother missing for another 24 years! I won't lose him again, and I'm sorry you're hurt, but for that one moment, I had to put Richard's needs ahead of my own." In a calmer voice, Lucky continues. "I'm sorry, Babe, I want you to be able to trust me."
"I do. This doesn't change that." She forces Lucky's face up. "You're my best friend, and always will be. I'm proud of you for doing what you thought was best for Richard, and your family, even if it I'm hurt that you couldn't trust me. It's not just your family, it's OUR family."
"Lu and Nik aren't that understanding." Lucky kisses Emily's soft palm tenderly. "They're pissed. Lu even punched me."
"And they should be mad." Emily laughs. "Look, Lucky, I forgive you and love you because your my husband. It's part of that whole for better or for worse thing. But Nik and Lu didn't make those vows to you. So they can be as mad as they want!" Her tone softens. "But I predict t they'll eventually forgive you."
Setting aside his cup, Lucky pulls Emily close in his arms. "You're the greatest woman alive, you know that, Em? I'm damn glad to have you."
"Me too, Cowboy, me too." Emily purrs, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "But you ever lie to me again and you'll be swinging from the rafters by your family jewels. And I don't mean any records or cigars either." She threatens.
Lucky winces good naturedly. "Ouch! Kinky, very kinky. And Most of the time, I love that in a woman."
"Everything you touch will die! Everything you touch will die!" Reaching out through the mirror a black gloved hand pulls at Dominique's thin gown and begins to gradually drag her in to the silvery grave.
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Dominique bolts up straight in her bed, her eyes wide open, but unseeing as she continues to let out blood curdling scream after bloodcurdling scream.
From across the hall, Ian jumps upright, grabs his firearm out of the nightstand, and races out of his room. In ten seconds flat, he has the door open and is sitting on the edge of Dom's bed. "Dominique?" He sets down the weapon, and waves a hand in front of her face. "Dom? Wake up." He shakes her gently.
"No! Don't kill me! Don't kill anything! Please! Stop!" Her voice quivering violently with fear.
Ian tries again, raising his voice. "Dominique! WAKE UP!" He gives her a not-so gentle shake.
"Ian?" Dom shakes her head, and launches herself into his arms. "Oh God! It was so awful." She whispers against his shoulder.
"Hey there, kiddo." Ian smiles. "Jesus, Dom! You scared the living hell out of me." Ian grumbles, rocking her back and forth. "It was only a dream. Wanna tell me about it?"
"He was there, right in the mirror." She points to the cheval mirror in the corner of the room. "And I knew that if I didn't fight him, he'd pull me in and I'd die."
Seeing the look of terror on her face, Ian reassures her. "That's why I'm here." He sets her away from him with an iron will. "Look, Rapunzel...." He tugs on a long stray lock of hair. "Nobody's going to pull you anywhere as long as I'm around." He takes a deep breath. "I know I've done a lousy job of protecting you so far, but I'll do better."
"You're doing a good job, Ian." Dominique smiles. "I'm alive and I'm still sane, which I guess is relative." She muses.
"With your relatives, it's not." Ian quips, trying to coax a smile out of her.
"Um, Ian? I hate to spoil this fairly nice moment...." Dom begins.
"Then don't." Ian pushes her back down gently into her bed and pulls the covers up under her chin. "Just go to sleep and have GOOD dreams. And that's an order."
"Okay. But Ian, next time you come blazing in here, you might want to stop and pull on a pair of pants first." Dominique deadpans, closing her eyes and sliding deeper under the covers.
"Oh s***!" Ian curses to himself, flushing as he walks out of the room, unaware of Dominique's eyes following him.
"And then I had Lucky bring me home." Richard explains to Destiny.
Taking one of his hands in her own, Destiny holds tightly. "It couldn't have been easy for you." She prods.
"Actually, once I was there, and I saw them it did make it a little easier." Richard replies quietly. "I'm still not sure about what's next."
"I'm sure it's overwhelming to think of the big picture. But if you focus on one day at a..." Des gives a snort of derision. "I can't believe it. I'm starting to sound like my father! You know, pal, you look like hell. Why don't you go on up to bed and try and get a good night's sleep?"
"I think I will." Richard sighs, heaving himself up off the couch and towards the stairs. "Good night, Destiny. Thanks for everything."
Destiny moves around the living room and dining room locking up. Moving to the front door, she spies something moving in the bushes on the side.
Picking up her trusty baseball bat, she slowly opens the front door and quietly moves towards the spot where she saw someone lurking.
A firm hand reaches out, grabs the end of the baseball bat, and clamps a hand down on her mouth. "Destiny! Stop! It's me!" A strong voice protests when she kicks him.
"Tyler? TYLER! It's really YOU!!!" Destiny drops the bat and flings both arms around him tightly. "OH MY GOD! When did you get home? I wasn't expecting you home for months! Why didn't you call me? Why were you lurking out here in the bushes? Why not just ring the doorbell?"
The gorgeous blonde man effectively stops her words by placing his firm lips over hers. "Hello, Darling."
Taking a deep breath, Destiny smiles sweetly. "Hello, Tyler." She takes his hand and pulls him into the house. "Come on in!"
Tyler lets out a slow whistle. "Nice place you've got here, Destiny. I really like it." He shrugs off his coat, sits down on the sofa and pulls Destiny onto his lap. "Now, to answer your questions in order. I got home a few hours ago. I know you weren't expecting me for months, I didn't think I'd be done for months. I wanted to surprise you, so I didn't call. I was not lurking, I was waiting for a more opportune time to ring the bell. I didn't mean to scare you. Your mom told me where I could find you." He glances around. "Nice place."
"Thanks. When I got back from Paris, I knew I needed some changes. Found this place, found a roommate. Everything."
"Why move out of the firehouse?" Tyler asks curiously.
"Tyler, Dom and I have been together since the WOMB. I thought we could both use a little space." She hugs him fondly. "It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're home! How was your trip? Everything go okay? Deception New Zealand still afloat?"
"Wouldn't you love to know?" Tyler gives a crooked grin. "As much as I have missed you, there's no way I am going to let the competition pump me. For information that is." He leers mockingly.
"Have you been to see your dad since you've gotten home?" Destiny asks changing tactics.
"Not yet. Anything major going on at the front?"
"Not really, but I do think that you should see him." Destiny smiles. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Settling back in at the penthouse, and the office and hopefully having a few hours of your time?"
"Sounds perfect. I have a meeting in the morning, so anytime after that would be great." Destiny stands up and hands Tyler his coat. "I am so glad to have you home again."
"And I am glad to be here." Tyler gives her another quick kiss and heads for the door.
"Give your dad a hug for me!" Destiny calls.
"I will! Night, Des!"
GH 2025.18 Prayers and Persuasion
Morning, Rick stumbles to the kitchen and begins to make himself a pot of coffee. Seeing a note on the fridge, he skims it quickly and smirks. "The big white thing is a refrigerator, inside is food. Eat something- Destiny." At that moment the doorbell rings.
"Nikolas." Richard answers it warily.
"Hello, Richard. I was hoping to have a few minutes of your time." Nikolas asks formally, unsure of where to begin.
"Come on in, I was just making some coffee." Richard opens the door widely and motions Nikolas in. "Would you like some?"
"That would be great, thank you. This is a nice house." Surveying the room Nikolas nods in approval. "Of course you know you would be more than welcome at Wyndemere." He unbuttons his jacket and sits in a comfortable chair.
"Yes, I know, but I enjoy this house and it's close to work." Richard replies defensively. "Besides I wasn't sure that I'd be staying indefinitely." He takes a deep breath. "That came out wrong, I didn't mean it like that-"
"That's quite all right, Richard." Nikolas responds. "I do understand. I just wanted to make sure that you know you're very welcome on the island." Unable to control his restlessness, Nikolas stands and leans against the countertop. "I am curious about something." He begins. "Actually I have about a million questions , but the rest will keep for now."
Pouring his coffee, and a cup for Nikolas, Richard raises an eyebrow. "Go on." He prompts.
"What made you seek out Lucky first?" Nikolas blurts out uncomfortably. "Mother, Uncle, Lu or I would have been equally willing to help you."
"It wasn't intentional, and it wasn't like that. I didn't go to Lucky, he found ME. And he told me that he would help me get accustomed to Port Charles and keep my secret for a week till I could get up the courage to face everyone all at once. I just needed time and Lucky gave it to me." Taking a long drink of coffee, Richard's eyes meet Nikolas' over the rim of his cup. "I can tell you aren't happy about this."
"But I do understand." Nikolas smiles tentatively. "Whatever the circumstances, I am glad you're here."
Richard offers Nikolas a stool at the counter and the brothers sit side by side. "I'm glad I came."
"So do you have any immediate plans?" Nikolas asks curiously. "I can't see that working as a bartender would be much of a challenge."
"I like my job." Richard shrugs.
"I'm sure that I could find you a suitable position at Cassadine Inc. if you are ever so inclined." Nikolas offers thoughtfully.
"I might take you up on that offer some day." Richard replies. "But not right now." Looking his eldest brother in the eye, he decides to draw his lines now. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, or difficult, Nikolas, but I won't let you run my life. I've already had the rug pulled out from under me once this year when i found out my mother... I mean Miranda, was not my mother. I want to be in control of my life, which means that I decide where I live and where I work. I've learned enough about this family so far to know that unless I define my boundaries, I'll get run over and decisions will be made for me before I can blink I know this isn't easy for anyone, but it's still MY life and I still have to control it if I am going to have any semblance of sanity."
Nodding slowly, Nikolas offers his hand, his mouth quirking with growing respect for the young man before him. "I think that's something I can accept." The two men shake hands. "But I reserve the right to try and change your mind."
"Oh brother." Richard mutters under his breath. "What have I gotten myself into?"
"Isn't it absolutely wonderful, Dylan?" Lu takes a deep breath, her first one since beginning Richard's tale. Her eyes glow with excitement.
"It's great. I'm happy for you Lu, and you're parents must be thrilled." Dylan straightens his tie and gives her a quick peck on the cheek.
"They are." Lu smiles radiantly. "I'm sorry I didn't call you, but it was all a blur and then when I finally got home, you were sleeping so soundly. . . ."
"That's okay, Honey. Can't wait to meet your brother." Dylan whispers seductively. "As for us, we'll have all the time in the world once we get up to the cabin this weekend."
Biting her bottom lip nervously, Lu looks at her husband. "Actually, about this weekend, I was hoping we could postpone our trip and stay close to home for the family."
"You've got to be kidding me." Dylan sighs. "Lu, we've been planning this trip for months. Our chance to have the real vacation neither one of us has had in years. We need the time together, Honey."
"I know, Dylan, but Richard's home after all these years and I just think. . ."
"You think your family should come first. As always." Dylan snaps bitterly. "But why should now be any different?" He grabs his briefcase and jacket and storms down the stairs. "Whatever. I refuse to beg you to spend time with me. I am going to the cabin this weekend and you can join me or not. At this particular moment, I don't give a damn." With a harsh slam of the front door, he exits their home.
Sitting on the spiral steps, Lu rests her head tiredly on her folded knees. What a mess everything was. Here she was, with the spectacular news of her brother's return and Dylan couldn't be bothered to share it with her. All these years and nothing to show for it. Suddenly sick of letting Dylan's anger and bitterness spoil her mood, Lu springs up the stairs and begins to dress for the day. After slipping into her favorite pair of jeans, she grabs her coat and keys and leaves the house herself.
"Good morning, My Love." Laura places a soft kiss on Stefan's chest. "Did you sleep well?"
"Excellently, as a matter of fact." Stefan answers, cradling her closer.
"It wasn't all a dream was it, Stefan?" Laura asks tentatively. "Richard is home, isn't he?"
"Yes, My Darling, he is truly alive and home." Stefan reassures her.
"Isn't it marvelous? Our darling son is home again and everything is wonderful!" She gushes.
"Lasha, I don't want you to think I'm not thrilled about this. Richard's return is a true miracle. But the truth is, that man isn't the baby we lost. He is a grown man, he has interests that we don't know, been places we never took him and has had experiences that we could not share. We can love him, and hope he loves us in return, but we didn't raise him. In his eyes, Thaao Onassis is his father and Miranda Jameison his mother."
"Oh Stefan." Laura hugs him tightly, his honest appraisal of the situation dampening her excitement a little. "Do you think we can ever get through to him? Ever make him feel like he's our son?"
"All we can do, Lasha, is try and pray." Stefan answers thoughtfully. "And find a way for him to get to know his family without scaring him away."
"I believe that we can Stefan. After all, our prayers to bring him home again safe and sound were answered, weren't they?"
"Yes, yes they were, Lasha." Stefan agrees, succumbing to his wife's boundless optimism and sparkling eyes. "All of my prayers have been answered in my life. We can handle anything if we are together, even our son. " Stefan brushes back a lock of her platinum gray hair and kisses his wife passionately.
GH2025.19 Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves
A young woman with sleek black hair wearing a soft leather jacket, jeans and a green silk blouse enters the restaurant. She gives a delicate yawn and surveys the room and upon spotting her party, she joins Brooke and Brie at their regular table.
"Hey, sleepyhead." Brooke's warm voice is filled with amusement. "Just rolling outta bed?"
"Just rolling outta the on-call room." Jett Ashton drops gracefully into the soft leather booth. "As of," She checks her watch. "Ten minutes ago, I am officially off duty!"
"Good for you." Brie folds up her copy of the Wall Street Journal. "So what are you going to do with your days off?"
Brooke pours her sister a cup of coffee. "Yes, five whole days off. What will you do with yourself?"
"Live dangerously." Jett cackles teasingly. "Read a book. Take a walk. Go swimming. Sleep. Sleep a lot."
At each of her comments, her sisters sigh enviously. "Wow. That sounds wonderful." Brooke enthuses. "You deserve a rest. Ma's been worrying about you burning out."
"You know the Lois and Eddie Maine philosophy of life don't you?" Mimicking their mother, Jett replies. "Jett, Hon'. Your Pops and I are worried about ya'. You work too hard, Honey. You sure you're getting enough to eat? You barely touched your food at Thanksgiving!"
"If you burn out you can't do anyone any good." Brie joins in.
"You've gotta take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else." Brooke quotes.
"A little rest will give you a new perspective on that problem." A raspy voice copies, flopping down next to Brooke.
"Brandi! Your hair!" Brooke chokes out.
"You like?"
"It's. . .it's." Brie looks for the right words.
"It's normal!" Jett blurts out, then covers her mouth with her hand.
"The purple dye rinsed out last night in the rain." Brandi explains.
"What where you doing out in the rain last night?" Jett asks reasonably.
"It sounded good, I want to use it for background on my synthesizer." Brandi grabs a bagel from a basket of hot goodies and breaks off a chunk and pops it in her mouth.
"Oh, sorry I am so late." A petite young woman with a heavy bag of schoolbooks apologizes sliding into the booth next to Jett. "The parent teacher conferences ran a little late."
"Rendi, you're only a few minutes late." Jett hugs her. "It's not a capital offense."
"Brandi, I love your hair this way!" Rendi exclaims. "You have such gorgeous hair, you don't need to cover it up."
"I dunno, I kind of like it purple." Brandi shrugs noncommittally.
"The green was nice." Brooke remarks, only to get a swift kick in her shin from Brie.
"Your natural color is lovely." Brie states firmly. "So Rendi, how did the conferences go?"
"Good. My kids are such a joy." Her china doll features light up with enthusiasm. "But I have some good news I wanted to tell you all." She pauses for a breath. "I've met someone. His name is Juan Morez and I think I'm in love!"
"That's terrific, Baby!" Brooke reaches out for her sister's hand.
"How did you meet him?" Brandi asks.
"What's he like?" Jett smiles encouragingly.
"He's a teacher at the school. He came in at the semester change as a substitute, but they decided to let him stay." Rendi rhapsodizes. "He teaches the other kindergarten class. He's handsome and sweet and just the most wonderful man I have ever met!"
"Morez, that name sounds familiar." Brie muses. "I can't figure out how though."
"He's not from Port Charles." Rendi says. "He came here to finish school and he liked it so much he stayed."
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Jett asks quietly.
"Because, it was just so fast, and new and wonderful; but now, he proposed!" Rendi's eyes shimmer with adoration. "He wants me to be his wife."
The group erupts in chorus of congratulations and hugs.
"What do Ma and Pop have to say about this?" Brie chuckles. "I bet Daddy's not thrilled."
"No, but Ma said she'd work on him." Rendi giggles. "And we all know how good she is at it."
"That's the truth. Too bad she isn't around to work on Dylan." Jett grimaces. "I talked to him last night, he is in such a foul mood these days, I almost wanted to get called away from the phone!"
"I don't know what's going on." Brooke shakes her head. "Lu's not talking and Dylan is in a snit all the time. Something's not right."
"Whatever it is, if he wanted us to know, he'd tell us." Brandi points out. "Till then, it's not really any of our business."
"We're a family." Jett answers firmly. "It is ALWAYS our business. So Rendi, when do we get to meet Prince Charming?"
Later that day at the firehouse. The sisters, Dominique, Destiny, Serena and Karen share a pot of tea.
"So then the nurse says, "But doctor, I didn't see any watch!"" Karen Scanlon pauses for a moment as Serena groans loudly.
"That was the worst. I mean an all-time low for you, Karen!" Tossing back her blonde hair, Serena smiles slightly. "I've got to remember that for Evan. He's a sucker for bad jokes."
"He's a sucker for you." Karen says thoughtfully pouring tea into Serena's cup. "So when are you going to marry that boy?"
"Never." Destiny answers for her. "Serena is trying to set the world's record for playing hard to get."
Serena swats Destiny playfully with her linen napkin. "You're a fine one to talk! How long are you gonna keep Tyler dangling?"
"Forever. I can't marry Tyler. He'd wait for me to talk in my sleep and reveal Jax's new line of cosmetics."
"And you'd do the the same to him." Karen smiles. "Admit it, you and my little brother are a match made. . . "
"South of Heaven." Serena chortles devilishly.
"Everyone's a comedian." Destiny grumbles. Sensing her twin's thoughtfulness she places her hand on Dominique's arm. "You okay?"
"Fine, really." Dominique reassures her sisters.
"I don't like that you're keeping all this a secret from Mom and Dad." Destiny confides worriedly. "You know, if you want, I can move back in here."
"No, that's okay Des. I've got Ian right across the hall if I need anything." Dominique objects. "You know Mom and Dad when they get into overprotective mode."
"Yeah, but still. . ." Destiny hedges.
"You promised." Dom reminds her. "Come on, you promised you wouldn't tell."
"You know, every time you make me promise, we always end up in deep trouble." Destiny sighs. "But yeah, I promised."
Karen and Serena quickly change the subject, allowing Dom's mind to wander back to her youth, and the last time she swore her twin to total secrecy and how it had backfired in a BIG way. . . . .
Flashback:
The Lighthouse: Destiny and Dominique's room. The girls are rummaging through their closets, each picking out clothes for the other one to wear.
"This! Dominique, you've GOT to wear this!" Destiny exclaims, holding up a black velvet shirt with a plunging neckline and a leather mini-skirt.
"Where did you get that? Mom would kill you!"
"Mary Rhonda gave it to me. Isn't it the best?" Destiny shoves the outfit at a reluctant Dominique. "It's perfect. Put on your knee high boots and you're all set."
"Okay, but you have to wear this." Dominique reaches into her closet and pulls out a long A-line skirt and a crisp white peasant blouse.
"Oh cool! I love this outfit!" Destiny enthuses.
"This is going to be so much fun!" says a gushing Dominique as she slips into the leather skirt and motions for her sister to zip it up in back.
"I don't know about this, Dom. . . we've never tried the Gemini Game on anyone but the family. And we haven't done that for a long while."
"Come on, Destiny. Don't be a chicken." Dom slips on the sexy shirt and flips her hair so it tumbles in a seductive mass around her shoulders. "You like Davey, right?" She waits for Destiny's reluctant nod, "And I want to teach that jerk, Scorpio. a lesson. But Ian asked YOU out and Davey asked me out. Now why go with our regular dates and be bored to tears, when we can have a little fun?" She opens her makeup drawer and begins to apply a bright pink lipstick.
"Yuck! You're not wearing that, are you?" Destiny shudders. "That color is all wrong." She leans over her sister's shoulder and rifles through her own makeup bag. "Try this." She suggests slipping the lovely white shirt on over her head. She pulls on the matching skirt and begins to plait her hair into a thick braid. "It's not the boys I'm worried about. It's Mom and Dad. If they find out we're playing the Gemini Game again, We're dead meat."
"But they won't find out. They're out tonight. And we'll just leave a note saying we're at the movies." Dom reasons. "Which movie did you see last week?"
"Terminator 400: The Really Final Conclusion." Destiny replies. "I think it was the best one."
"We'll tell Mom we went to see that, and then when she gets ticked about all the violence, she'll be too distracted to guess what we've really been doing."
"Good plan, Sis." Destiny approves. "Hmm, ten minutes in my clothes and you're already starting to think like me." She sits next to Dom at the vanity table and slings an arm across her shoulders. "Ian Scorpio will never know what hit him."
"Darn right, he won't. Call me a wallflower when he thinks no one is around, will he?" Dom mutters.
And that had been the beginning of the big trouble. Destiny had kept their secret and everything had gone wrong. But this time Dominique is certain that everything will work itself out.
"Dom?" Karen waves a hand in front of Dominique's face. "Earth to Dom! You in there?"
Snapping out of her fog, Dom musters a smile and takes a sip of her tea. "Sorry, just tired I guess."
"It'll be okay, Dom. I promise." Destiny smiles giving her sister a tight squeeze.
"Thank you guys so much, I don't know what I'd do without you." Dominique whispers huskily.
"What are sisters for?" Karen teases lightly.
"Yeah, all for one. . . " Serena begins.
"And one for all." Destiny finishes lifting her mug in a toast.
GH 2025.20 Winners and Losers
"I walked 47 miles of barbed wire,
I got a rattlesnake for a neck tie
I got a brand new house by the old roadside,
Made of a rattlesnake hide
I got me a chimney made on top
Made from a human skull.
Come on take a little walk with me
Now tell me who do you love?"
As the music pumps through the classic truck, the driver taps a hand against the steering wheel. His eyes focus on the road ahead and occasionally checks on the trailer with his mint condition 1995 Harley, while his mind considers the long road behind him.
There had been a relentless pounding on the warehouse doors. Police swarming like bees, he'd slipped out the back and was making a run for it, climbing over a chain link fence, when rough hands pulled him back down. "Don't move!" They'd patted him down, and led him away in handcuffs.
"Come on Arlene take me by the hand,
Let me know you understand,
Who do you love?
Ride nine times on the midnight train
Through the fire and cold rain,
Who do you love?"
He'd spent his childhood in a cage. Raised by a system full of strangers. Years of his life he would never get back. And the painful irony, it had all been for nothing. She had died anyway, drinking herself into oblivion... broken and forgotten, just the way they had lived. No longer. His former associates had all gone down with hardly a whimper. The bastards that had promised him she would be protected, had betrayed him. In the year he'd been out, he'd found them all. Now there was one left. The one that led him to New York. The one leading him to a nothing town. Burtanssy could run, but he would never escape.
"I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine,
Just twenty two and I don't mind dying,
Who do you love?
Tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?"
A sign on the right side of the road says: "Welcome To Port Charles"
Lucky's Club. Lucky and Nikolas sit at a corner table playing an intense game of backgammon.
"So Lu's agreed to plan this shin-dig for me." Lucky shakes his head. "In fact she sounded grateful for the opportunity to get out of her weekend with the deadbeat."
"Dylan?" Nikolas looks up from the board questioningly. "Why?"
"I don't know, every time I ask her about it, she gives me the patented
Lulu brush off." Lucky rolls the dice and makes his move, settling back in his chair.
"You mean the "I'm a big girl and I don't need you guys sniffing around in my personal life" brush off?" Nikolas offers studying the position of his game pieces carefully before passing by one of Lucky's vulnerable pieces to get to his home board.
"That's the one. Makes me wanna turn her over my knee and give her an
old fashioned spanking like when she was a kid."
"Lucky, you never struck our sister in her entire life." Nikolas muses.
"Though there are times when the idea might have had it's appeal." Lucky shrugs. "Anyway, she's really into this party idea. She's excited about it
being Richard's first party home with us." After taking his turn, Lucky stretches his legs out before him and sighs wearily. "I don't know about it though. I mean one on one isn't so bad, but the whole brood breathing down his neck for an entire evening might be too much for him."
"If that's so, then I suppose Richard will decline the invitation or leave when it gets to be too much for him." Looking up from the board, Nikolas glances around the room. "Or you could have him working behind the bar on the night of the party."
"Now Nikolas, that's a good idea." Lucky exclaims. "That way he can have
his own space and still be here with us. Everybody wins."
"Yes. But for today, not everyone wins. Just me." Nikolas grins.
Looking once more to the game in front of him, Lucky sighs.
