Chapter 24: Don't Be Mad

Damn, Jason thinks to himself as he disembarks from the Spoon Island launch. I don't have a choice. I have to call her.

Jason pulls out Sonny's cell phone and takes a piece of paper containing Laura's phone number out of his pocket . He dials Laura in Switzerland.

Jason takes the formal approach when he speaks into the phone. "Hello, may I please speak to Laura Spencer? Tell her it's Jason Morgan." He waits for her to come to the phone. "Hi, sorry to call you but it couldn't wait. Lucky got into some trouble last night... No, he's okay...What kind of trouble? Let's just say Stefan Cassadine....No, everything's under control. But if you don't call him he'll probably find you himself. He wasn't taking no for an answer... Nah,it's no sweat. Like I said, it's my pleasure. I just thought you should know."

Jason paces the docks as he listens to Laura. "There's some other news. Ruby died this morning in her sleep, I think Lucky found her. Bobbie is making the funeral arrangements and Lucky said she will care for Lulu... yeah, when it rains it pours.... Is there anything I can do?..Well just ring if you change your mind...Okay, Bye."

Jason walks to the waiting motorcycle.

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

Stefan is cradling Lulu in his laps as she sniffles into his chest. He has just told her he would find her mother.

Lulu(sniffing):"How?"
Stefan(gently but firmly):"By making some phone calls. But first we need to have a talk about you did. You know it was wrong. "
Lulu(downcast):"I'm sorry. "
Stefan: "Nikolas and Lucky don't know you're here, do they? I am sure they're very worried about you."
Lulu replies in her little girl voice in a bid for sympathy. "I snuck out. They didn't even notice. They won't care."
Stefan:"I don't believe that for a moment. Lucky and Nikolas adore you. And what you did was very dangerous. You could have been hurt."
Lulu:"I was just in the way. And I missed my mommy. You'll find her, won't you?" She looks up at him hopefully, her eyes pleading with his.

Stefan sighs at the trusting look in her eyes. She is irresistible. He doesn't have the heart to scold her further. "Of course I will find her." He reaches for the phone on the coffee table while he ponders the puzzle of where Laura could be. Stefan loathes the idea of calling Morgan. That thug drove him to distraction.

Stefan's eyes light up as he quickly realizes the obvious choice. "Lulu, let's see if you are right." He pulls out a small address book from his breast pocket, quickly finding the number.

Lulu(hopefully):"Me?"
Stefan dials the number and kisses her forehead. "Yes, you." He recognizes the voice on the other line.

Stefan(smiling):"Hello Lesley, it's Stefan Cassadine... excellent, put her on the phone." He winks at Lulu and nods.

Laura is slightly annoyed that Stefan found her so quickly. She was hoping to keep her whereabouts a secret from him altogether. But given her son's behavior, she decides not to make an issue of it. So she treads carefully instead of lambasting him for invading her privacy. "Hello, Stefan. I was just about to call you. I just spoke with Jason. I'm sorry about Lucky, I'll..."

Stefan interrupts her. "I didn't call to speak to you about Lucky. I have Lulu sitting right here with me. She came to Wyndemere by herself."

Laura gasps in horror at the thought of Lulu traveling to Wyndemere alone. All the possible scenarios of how Lulu could be hurt run through her head. Or worse yet, kidnapped. "Oh my God, is she okay?"

Stefan:"Yes, fortunately. But she's missing her mommy. Let me put her on the phone."

Stefan passes the phone to an expectant Lulu.
Lulu:"Mommy?"
Laura:"Hi, honey. What's wrong?"
Lulu, feeling relieved to hear her mother, lets loose. "Mama... I couldn't wake up Aunt Ruby and now she's dead like Daddy."

Laura hears Lulu sobbing on the other end of the phone and forcefully swallows the lump in her throat. "Oh, honey. I'll be home as soon as I can. I promise."
Stefan tries to soothe little Lulu.
Lulu: "Mama, why can't I see you now?"
Laura tries to explain it to her. "Honey, I'm very far away. I have to take a plane to get back home. I won't be able to get one until the morning. But you can stay with Aunt Bobbie."
Lulu(completely distraught):"I don't want Aunt Bobbie."
Laura is crying herself, feeling helpless being so far away from her little girl. Laura can tell Lulu is bordering on hysteria and tries desperately to find something to calm her down.
Laura:"Lulu, honey. It'll be okay. I promise. Lucky and Nikolas will stay with you. You love Nikolas don't you? You're always saying you want to spend time with him. And I'll call you every hour until I get there. Please, honey. Just hang on, okay?
Lulu continues to be inconsolable. "I don't want Lucky and Nikolas. I want you, Mama!"

Stefan takes the phone from a crying Lulu.

Stefan(voice tight with concern as he attempts to console a distraught Lulu): "Lasha? I don't think she can wait for you to come back on a commercial flight."
Laura(now distraught herself): "I don't know what else to do! I feel so helpless... I've tried everything I can think of. The next flight isn't until tomorrow morning."

Lulu is curled up in Stefan's lap, crying. Stefan continues to rub her back soothingly.
Stefan:"The Cassadine Jet is in Port Charles. Even if it left now, it wouldn't get to Switzerland until the middle of the night. That isn't much better than a commercial flight unless... I take her to you."
Laura jumps at the suggestion."Would you? Is it even possible?"
Stefan:"She is on your Passport, isn't she?"
Laura(disappointed):"Yes... Damn."

Stefan knows Laura wouldn't even consider his offer if she weren't panicked for Lulu. And looking down at the fragile little girl in his lap, he feels his heart constrict. Laws be damned. Lulu needed her mother now. He makes a decision. "Let me handle the details. Call Lucky and tell him the situation. Once I have the specifics from the pilot, I will call you. Hold on while I tell L
ulu."
Laura sags with relief. The idea of being separated from her little girl another night was unbearable. "Thank you," she whispers so softly he can't hear.

Stefan gently shakes Lulu. "Angel? How would you feel about a plane ride to go see your Mommy and Grandma?"

Lulu(wiping her tears and sitting up):"Can we?"
Stefan (indulgently):"Yes, we may. Do you want to talk to your Mommy again?"
Lulu takes the phone. "Mama, am I really coming to see you?"
Laura:"Yes, sweetheart. Now you be extra-specially good, okay? You do whatever Mr Cassadine tells you. And don't talk to strangers unless he tells you to, Alright?"
Lulu:"Okay. How soon will I see you, Mama?"
Laura:"The moment you get off the plane, sweetie. I love you. Be a brave girl for me?"
Lulu:"I will, Mama. I love you."
Laura:"See you soon. Now I need to talk to Mr Cassadine again." She waits until she hears Stefan's acknowledgement. "Thank you, Stefan. For everything." Laura's eyes fill with tears of gratitude.

Stefan hears the genuine warmth in her voice and is rocked to his core. He never expected this from her after all she'd been through. There is a slight tremor in his voice when he replies. "I would do anything for you and your children, Lasha."

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

Lucky and Nikolas return to the diner empty-handed. Gina jumps up from one of the table when they enter.

Gina(anxiously):"Did you find her?"
Lucky:"No. We were hoping she'd show back up here. Damn! I'll never forgive myself if anything happens to her."
Gina:"I made calls to everyone I could think of in town that she might go to. No luck. I'm so sorry."
Nikolas:"I guess the next step is calling the police. I'll call my Uncle, he can put some men on it too."
Gina:"Maybe I should call Bobbie again before you call the police. She may have found Lulu at the Brownstone. I'll go in back and make the call." She goes to the kitchen to use the phone.
Lucky(tears starting to form in his eyes):"God, he's right man. I can't keep it together. All Mom needed was some time alone in Switzerland with Grandma. Now Aunt Ruby dies and Lulu's missing. Some great head of the family I am."
Nikolas:"Don't be too hard on yourself. You couldn't know Ruby was going to die and Lulu would disappear. I know you hate the idea, but let me call my uncle. I know he can help."
Lucky(wiping the tears from his eyes):"Go ahead. All I have to lose is the rest of my pride."

Nikolas uses his cell phone to call his uncle. Gina returns and shakes her head, mouthing 'no luck'.
Nikolas(taking a deep breath):"Uncle? We have a big problem. It's Lulu."
Stefan speaks into his cordless phone as Lulu leads him to the kitchen. His tone is stern. "I was just about to call you, Nikolas. How could you let Lulu out of your sight? Do have any idea how dangerous it is for her to be running all over town by herself? And why didn't you call me the moment you noticed she was missing?"
Nikolas(confused):"What? You know? Did Bobbie call you?"
Stefan:"No. Lulu is here at Wyndemere. I have to say I am very disappointed in you, Nikolas. If anything had happened to her, I would have had your head on a platter. " Lulu can be heard in the background chattering at Mrs Lansbury who is fixing sandwiches.
Nikolas feels a flood of relief at the news. "She's there? Thank God!" He covers the receiver to talk to Lucky and Gina who are listening anxiously. "Lulu's okay. She's at Wyndemere." Lucky's knees almost buckle in relief. Gina hugs him joyously.

Nikolas takes his hand away from the receiver to speak to Stefan again. "So, how did she get to Wyndemere? How did you find her? "

Stefan sighs impatiently. "She found me, and it's a good thing too. Clearly Lucky's influence has rubbed off on you. This was very irresponsible, Nikolas."

Nikolas smiles, totally unaffected by the dressing down he's getting. "Scold me all you want, Uncle. I'm just relieved she's okay. And you're right, I should have called you sooner. So where and when should we pick her up?"

Stefan:"You aren't. I am surprised Laura hasn't called Lucky. I'm taking Lulu to Switzerland. Lulu is missing her mother." Stefan is interrupted by an enthusiastic Lulu who is dragging him to the kitchen table. Nikolas listens to the whole exchange.

Lulu:"Come on, Mrs L. fixed us sandwiches. They look yummy."

Stefan(gently):"Just a moment, angel. I'm speaking with Nikolas."

Lulu(anxiously):"Is he mad at me?"

Stefan takes the opportunity to mildly scold her again. "No, he's just glad you're safe and sound. Both of your brothers are. They were scared when you disappeared. Eat your sandwich while I speak with Nikolas." Lulu doesn't appear to take him seriously either as she cheerfully munches on her sandwich.

Nikolas(whispering into the phone so Lucky can't hear): "She's captured your heart hasn't she?"

Stefan(ignoring the last question):"Laura should be calling Lucky shortly to explain everything. We will be leaving within the hour for the airport. In fact, have Lucky call Laura after we're done." Stefan reads Lesley's phone number to Nikolas.

Nikolas writes it down. "Got it. Maybe Lulu would be more comfortable if I came along."

Stefan:"No. The trip has..." (pausing to find the right word) ".. risks. Risks that shouldn't be taken by the future Cassadine. Also, Lucky needs looking after. He has lost two family members in a week's time."

Nikolas:"I understand. I don't like it though. Lucky and I want to speak to Lulu."

Stefan:"Of course. She just finished her sandwich. Here she is."

Lulu takes the phone from Stefan. "Nikky? Please don't be mad at me."

Stefan makes the final preparations for the trip while Lulu visits on the phone with her brothers.

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