Chapter 14: Homecomings

Stefan closes the door to Wyndemere after everyone has left. Nikolas
follows him into the living room. Stefan stares at the fire in the
fireplace. Nikolas waits patiently. Finally Stefan breaks his silence.

S:"Well, Nikolas. How does it feel to know everything?"
N:"It is shameful what Grandmother has done. Today, I am embarrassed to
be a Cassadine." Nikolas walks over to stand next to his Uncle and
stare at the fire with him. "But I am glad you did not shield me. I do
not envy you Uncle. The task before you is all but impossible."
S:"Yes, all but impossible. How do I right the wrongs done by our
family? And yet it is a task that must attempted nonetheless." Stefan
rubs his hands together in front of the fire. "And one day you will
take the mantle of responsibility from my shoulders. It is my hope that
the job will be easier for you."
N:"How can I help now?"
S:"I plan to leave shortly to pay my respects to Alexis . The safety of
Laura and her children is of paramount importance. They will not
welcome my assistance. Thus I will have to rely on Sonny's men to
protect them, but it will take some time to arrange it. "
N:"Lucky has no quarrel with me. I will see to it personally." Nikolas
leaves to retrieve his jacket. "I'll see you later?"
S:"Yes. I will be here after my visit with Alexis. Thank you Nikolas."
N:"This is my responsibility also, Uncle. You do not have to shoulder
this alone."
S:"It would be better for you if I did."
N:"Not if I'm to rule this family successfully. I'll see you later
Uncle."

Nikolas leaves Stefan alone in the living room, contemplating the fire.

..............................

Laura, Lucky and Lulu enter the Spencer home for the first time since
Luke's death. Foster pads in behind them, having been picked up from the
Quartermaines on the way home.

Laura (looking around):"It feels so empty."
Lucky:"Yeah, it does. Aunt Ruby and Aunt Bobbie will be over later to
fix supper."
Lulu:"Mama, where's Daddy?"
Laura:"Sweetheart, once we are settled, I'll explain it all to you.
Promise. Why don't you run upstairs and change before Aunt Ruby and Aunt
Bobbie get here."
Lulu:"Okay, Mama." Lulu runs upstairs and Lucky goes into the kitchen.

Laura picks up Lucky's discarded coat and takes it to the closet. As she
hangs up their coats, she notices Luke's favorite jacket. She rubs the
sleeve against her cheeks as she inhales the strong scent of cigars. She
gives herself a shake and puts the jacket back.

........................

Alexis is laying on the couch with Sonny's comforter around her when
there is a knock at the door. Jason gets up and draws his revolver.

J (at the door):"Who is it?"
S (through the door):"Stefan Cassadine."
Jason allows Stefan to enter.

Stefan (walking over to Alexis):"Good to see all the security outside,
but see that I don't get frisked again."

Alexis:"He'd frisk a ghost if it tried to get in here." She receives
Stefan's kiss on the cheek."I was starting to think you were avoiding
me, Stefan. Tell me how I've displeased you"

Stefan frames her face with his hands."You couldn't displease me,
Alexis. You should know that by now.." He kisses both of her cheeks.
(to Jason): "The Spencers need protection. They won't accept mine. They
went home a little while ago."

J (raises an eyebrow at Stefan's highhandedness):"I'll arrange security
for the Spencers but not because you ordered it.Excuse me while I go
confirm that the Spencers are home." Jason excuses himself.

S:"Mr Morgan is an rude arrogant thug."

A:"Mr Morgan is blunt, honest and he's right. So why have you been
avoiding me, Cousin? The truth."

S (taking her hand in his, kissing it):"I am ashamed, Alexis. My mother
slipped through the security I set up... if I had been on top of
things.."

A:"Stop. Please Stefan, there's no need to blame yourself. She did this,
not you. And I don't have time for your guilt anyway. I need my cousin
to be strong so I can rely on him."

Stefan (kisses her hand again before releasing it): So kind and
generous, Alexis. Thank you."

A:"How is Laura?"

Stefan get up and walks around the room. "Devastated. I don't know if
she'll ever recover."

A:"She's stronger than you think, cousin. I've come to know her. She has
a strong will to survive."

S:"I pray that you are right. Her son Lucky is certain I did this. I
expect he'll retaliate if he stays true to his father's teachings."

A:"Should Jason watch him?"

S:"No, Michael and I will handle it." He walks over and sits on the
couch and fingers the comforter."You don't strike me as the type to lie
on the couch wrapped in a comforter."

A(pulling the comforter closer):"I feel like he's still with me. I need
to feel close to him."

S:"Of course, forgive me.

A:"No reason to apologize."

S:"You should be on the island, Alexis. You would be safer there. With
Sonny dead, there will be a fight over his territory..."

A:"I am not going anywhere, Stefan. I belong here. Jason will protect
us. So tell me, how is Mike? He is supposed to be over later but he
hasn't told me how he's doing."

S:"Like all of us, he's suffering. But I didn't come over here to talk
about Michael. I came here to be of comfort to you." He takes her hand
in his, covering it with his other hand to enclose it within his
comforting grasp.

A:"Just having you here is enough. But since you're here to listen to
me, I will take advantage of it."

S:"By all means. It's the Cassadine way."

Stefan sits with her as she shares memories of her husband.

...........................

Laura is sitting with a fidgeting Lulu after explaining Luke's death.
Lucky is standing behind them with his arms crossed. Ruby and Bobbie are
in the kitchen giving them some privacy.

Laura:"Do you have any questions sweetheart?"
Lulu:"No. Can I go play now?
Laura(looking at Lucky helplessly):"Sure. Go ahead."

Lulu bolts off the couch and up the stairs. As soon as Lulu is out of
sight, Laura collapses in tears. Lucky sits on the couch, comforting
her.

Lucky:"It's going to be okay, Mom. We'll get through this."
Laura:"I know. We don't have any other choice."
Lucky:"It was weird. Lulu took it so calmly, it didn't even phase her."
Laura:"She doesn't understand yet. She's too young to.know what it means
for her Dad to be dead. It will sink in when she wants her father and he
isn't there."

There is a knock at the door. Bobbie leaves the kitchen to get the
door. "Don't get up guys, I'll get it." She opens the door to find Emily
and Nikolas.

E:"Hi. Is Lucky here? We thought he might like some company."

B:"Sure Emily come on in. Hi Nikolas."
N:"Hi Bobbie."

Lucky hugs Emily."Thanks for coming." Bobbie returns to the kitchen
after receiving condolences from Emily.
E(tearful):"I'm so sorry Lucky.."
Lucky:"Thanks.. I'm really glad you came."

Emily (to Laura):"Mrs. Spencer, I'm really sorry about your husband. My
parents said if there's anything they can do..."

Laura:"Thanks Emily. But you being here for Lucky is best gift your
family could give us. If you guys don't mind, I'm going to excuse myself
for a minute to put Lulu to bed." She gives Nikolas' arm a squeeze on
the way up the stairs.

Lucky:" Nik, did you give her a ride?"
Nik:"Yeah.I figured you would want to see her."
Lucky:"Thanks. But why do I get the feeling there's more to it?"
Nik:"I also came to make sure all of you were safe. I see Sonny's men
aren't here yet."
Lucky(getting defensive):"I can take care of my Mom and Lulu."
Nik:"I'm not saying you can't. But I figured you wouldn't mind the extra
help anyway, just to make sure."
Lucky(seeing the extra guards outside):"Is this your uncle's doing? If
so, they can just turn around an go back to that godforsaken island."
Nik:" No, it's my doing. One of the perks of being an adult is I can
give them my own orders. They'll be here only until Sonny's men arrive."
E:"You don't want anything to happen to your Mom or Lulu, do you?"
Lucky:"Okay, okay. But just until Sonny's men get here. You guys want to
go for a walk? Having my aunts here is great an all, but I could use
some air."
E:"Sure. Let's go." They get their coats and leave.

Laura comes down a few minutes later to find the living room empty. Ruby
and Bobbie come out of the kitchen a moment later.

Bobbie:"Well, why don't I get my overnight bag from the car. I'll just
be a moment."

Laura stops her from leaving. "Actually, Bobbie, I think I'd rather be
alone. I really appreciate the offer, but I want to be alone with the
kids tonight. Please understand."

Bobbie gives her a hug. "Of course I do, honey. If you change your mind
I'm just a phone call away." They hug.

Bobbie retrieves the coats from the closet while Ruby and Laura embrace.
Ruby:"I'm here for you too, darlin'. Don't hesitate to call, you hear?"
Laura:"Thank you, Ruby. I won't."

After they leave the house seems strangely silent to Laura. She wanders
around. Even though all the things are the same, they look different.
She shivers. She walks to the closet and puts on Luke's favorite
jacket. She pulls it tightly around her to feel close to Luke.

She walks over to the mantle and picks up the picture of their family
taken when Lulu was a baby. She presses it to her chest as the tears
stream down her face. She collapses on the floor.

Laura (wailing):"LUKE!! How could you do this? How could you leave me?"
She lays on the floor, her body shaking with sobs.