Chapter 16: From The Heart

The Wake at Luke's Place continues. The mourners remaining are:
Alexis, Mike, Jason, Robin, Mac, Kevin, Lucy, Bobbie, Lucky, Tony,
Keesha, Justus, and Carly. "Singin' the Blues" played by Frankie
Trumbauer can be heard in the background.

Mac is reminiscing with Lucy and Kevin.
M:"Luke and Sonny were the best pain in the necks I could ever hope
for. Remember the time we went to Texas to round up Damian?"
L:"How could I forget? My psychic powers were told me where Damian
was, and you guys didn't believe me. So I just decided to go there on
my own. And I was right. Of course I needed some help, but hey, I
cleared Kathy's name, didn't I?"
K:"Of course you were right, Lucy. I've learned not to question your
psychic abilities. When we found out you had taken off on your own,
Luke insisted on taking control of the mission, tried to cut me out
too. Didn't work though."
M:"Yeah, and Norma and Eve were recreated. Do you remember that
ridiculous disguise Luke put on? He was the epitome of a dirty old
man"
Kevin laughs."I think that was what he was aiming for. His disguise
wasn't as bad as ours. Luke was good as his word though. We all got
out safely, with Damian in tow. But not before his bodyguards tried to
steam Norma and Eve to death."
L:"Oh, Doc. You were so adorable, trying to rescue me and all."
M:"I hate to admit this but that whole caper was a blast. Except for
the aerobics class, that was pure hell."
Lucy giggles at the memory of Norma and Eve struggling through the
aerobics class. "Norma and Eve were such sports."
M:"Isn't that when you changed your opinion of Luke, Kevin?"
K:"Yes. I was pretty angry when he put Lucy in the line of fire with
Scully. He almost got her killed."
L:"But you know now that he would never intentionally put me in
danger. Right, Doc?"
K:"Yes, Lucy, now I do."
M:"You know, I always thought he was too ornery to die. I never
thought he'd die like this. And not now, not with the truce between
the Cassadines and the Spencers. It seems so senseless."
K(holding Lucy who is starting to cry again):"Yes, it is senseless."

Meanwhile Alexis and Robin are talking about Sonny.
R:"Alexis, I'm so sorry. You and Sonny deserved more time together.
He was so happy being married to you. Brenda and Lily were finally
in the past. He loved you so much, Alexis."
A:"I know, I felt the same way, still do. You don't stop loving
someone just because they're dead. But you know that."
R:"Yes. You'd think I'd get used to losing people, but it doesn't get
easier. I want you to know that Jason and I are committed to being
here for you and the baby. We loved Sonny, but we love you too."
A:"Thank you. I knew that, but it's wonderful to hear you say it. This
baby is going to need you both, just as much as I do. You'll tell him
or her all about Sonny."
R:"You can count on it. Nothing will stop us from being there for both
of you. In fact I hope you'll let me help you decorate the nursery
when the time comes."
Alexis impulsively reaches across the table and squeezes Robin's hand.
"Robin, you are such a gift. How do you know the perfect thing to
say?" Robin sees tears in Alexis' eyes and in empathic response,
Robin starts to cry with her.
R:"It's easy when it comes from the heart. I need this as much as the
baby will. This baby means hope and new beginnings. With so much
tragedy and death around, I need to be reminded that there are
miracles too. This baby will be the closest thing to having my own as
I will ever have. So really it's selfish of me."
A:"Then go ahead and be selfish. I think I'll make that my new motto."
Jason rejoins them.
J:"Lucky is about to make a small speech."

The sound of clinking glass can be heard. The mourners turn their
attention to Mike who is clinking a knife against his beer glass.
Lucky is standing next to him, holding a cigar box.

M(loudly):"Okay everyone. We need your attention. Lucky would like to
say something." There is a hush in the room.

Lucky:"I want to thank everyone for coming today and sharing memories
of my Dad and Sonny. They were best men I've ever known. I'm only
going to talk about my Dad, Mike plans to talk about Sonny." Lucky
clears his throat. "I am proud to be Luke's son. He taught me to
appreciate the finer things in life: good looking women, blues music,
the art of playing cards, and the smell of a good cigar. " Several
people laugh in agreement. "Seriously though, he taught me everything
I know, like the importance of family. My Dad laid his life on the
line for his family every day. Talk to any of us, and we have stories
of when he helped us out of a jam. He also showed me how to have fun.
I still remember the blast my Dad and I had when we played the Pips
for MaryMae during the nurses ball." He glances at Justus and Keesha
who smile at the fond memory.

Lucky continues. "He taught me to survive whatever life threw me.
As some of you know, a few years back, Emily and I took off to find
her Aunt Corey. It was so much fun trying to outwit my Dad. We were
gone for about a week, and Mom and Dad led the chase. Finally they
found me back at the house." Several mourners laugh at the memory.
"He also taught me when to fight and when to let go. How many of you
were truly stunned when my Dad agreed to a truce with the Cassadines?
I know I was, but he knew how much my Mom wanted to have a
relationship with her son, Nikolas Cassadine. So for her sake, he let
Nikolas into our lives and we haven't regretted it. So in memory on My
Dad, I'd like to pass out the cigars. Then I'd like us to smoke one in
his memory. "

"West End Blues" can be heard in the background as Lucky passes out
the cigars.

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

Nikolas and Gina are walking in the park. They haven't said much since
leaving the club. Nikolas breaks the silence.

Nik:"Are you feeling better?"
Gina:"Yeah, I am. Thanks for walking with me."
Nik:"Were you thinking about your brother, Stone?"
Gina stops walking, clearly surprised by Nikolas. "How'd you know?"
Nik:"You told me that Stone was close to Sonny before he died of
AIDS."
Gina:"Yeah, Sonny was a way to be close to Stone. God, I miss him so
much it hurts. You'd think after all this time it wouldn't be so bad.
Now with Sonny's death, I feel like I lost him all over again..."
Gina starts to cry. Nikolas reaches out to her and guides her into
his arms. He strokes her hair as she cries.

Nik(softly, moved by Gina's sadness):"I'm sorry, Gina. I wish I could
do something to make you feel better."

Gina(still crying):"You are. Just by listening to me and holding me."
Gina pulls away and wipes away the tears. "Thanks, I'll be okay now."

Nikolas lifts her chin and studies her eyes. "Are you sure?"

Gina (smiling sadly):"No, actually I'm not sure of anything right now.
Let's walk. I know that helps." Nikolas falls into step beside her.
They walk briskly in silence with Gina setting the pace. After several
minutes, Gina is the one to break the silence.

Gina:"I can't believe you remember about Stone. I told you about him a
long time ago."
Nik:"Well, when someone's important to me, I make it my business to
remember."
Gina(surprised again):"What? We hardly ever see each other. The best
that could be said about us is we're distant friends."
Nik:"Not by my choosing." Gina studies his face while they walk. She
finds it impossible to read him. He has learned the famous Cassadine
skill of concealment.
Gina(stopping):"What are you saying Nik?" She doesn't dare guess and
be made a fool.
Nik(shaking his head):"Forget it. The timing is all wrong for this
discussion. I'm here to help, not complicate things for you."

Gina:"Please, I want to know what you mean."

Nik(weaving a spell around her with his eyes):"I'm saying I want to
get to know you better." He moves closer, his face only inches from
hers."I think you are beautiful and smart and funny." He reaches up
and tenderly tucks a stray lock behind her ear, his eyes continuing to
caress hers. Gina is shocked to find herself wanting Nikolas to kiss
her.
Gina(shaken by her reaction to him):"Nik....I.. I should be getting
home. All this walking tired me out." Gina breaks the spell
reluctantly by stepping back and looking away.
Nikolas:"Of course. I could call a driver or we could walk."
Gina(uncomfortable with the idea of being in the close proximity in a
car with Nikolas):"Well, Kelly's isn't far from here.. do you mind?"
Nikolas:"Not at all."
For the first time all night, they walk in an uncomfortable silence.
Nikolas finds it unbearable.
Nik(making small talk):"Are you still taking classes at the
University?"
Gina:"Yeah, thanks to Sonny."
Nik:"Are you worried about next term?"
Gina:"A little. I'll make it through one way or another."
They arrive outside Kelly's. Gina turns to face Nikolas.
Gina(reaching her hand out to touch his arm):"Thanks for everything,
Nik."
Nik:"You never answered my question."
Gina:"Which one?"
Nik:"It wasn't a question exactly. I said I wanted to get to know you.
Will you see me again?"
Gina (intentionally misunderstanding):"I'm sure we'll run into each
other sometime..."
Nik(slowly closing the distance between them):"I meant for a date. I'd
like to take you to dinner. I'm attracted to you Gina. And I got the
sense you might be attracted too."
Gina(unable to resist):"Yes."
Nik:"I'll call you tomorrow and set up a time. Until then, Gina." He
lowers his lips to brush them against hers briefly, leaving her
wanting more. He disappears into the night.

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

While the cigars are smoked, Mike takes the floor. Once the room is
quiet, Mike begins to speak.

M:"I want to thank everyone for coming and sharing their memories and
love of Sonny and Luke. Alexis asked me to say a few words about
Sonny. As many of you know, I didn't have much time with my son. I
wasn't there for him when he was growing up, and that's something I
will regret for the rest of my life.... " Mike's voice quivers with
emotion. Robin and Alexis give him encouragement to continue. "...I
was lucky to have the last few years to get to know him. We fought
more than we got along, but I was always proud of him. He was a man
with a big heart. It wasn't easy for him to forgive me for leaving
him, but he did. He was a loyal friend. Time and again I'd watch him
lay his life on the line for friend in danger. " Mike pauses to take
a drink.

Unnoticed by the mourners, a young woman enters Luke's. Her heavy
coat and hood obscure her features. She stops just inside the door
when she hears Mike speak.

Mike:"And now, to have lost him so senselessly, so violently..." Mike
starts to cry. "..when he just found out his wife was pregnant. To
know that he will never know his own child...." Mike is overcome with
grief . Alexis and Robin get up to go to him, when the stranger walks
forward, speaking.

W:"Daddy?" She pulls off her hood to reveal her face, covered in
tears. She is the young woman from Venezuela.

Alexis stops in her tracks, and motions for Robin to hold back. Mike
looks up in disbelief.

M:"Cassidy? Baby, is it really you?!" Cassidy comes to stand before
Mike. When he reaches out to her she runs into his embrace.