Chapter 45 Per Chance To Dream
With a whimper, Lulu sits up in bed, rubbing her eyes slightly as she tries to orient herself to her surroundings. She notices the small empty dent in the pillow next to hers where the kitten was sleeping earlier and climbs out of bed. Silence has descended on Wyndemere. Lulu creeps in and out of secret passages until she finds her brother's room. She tiptoes up to Nikolas, watching him sleep. Her faces is fearful, her hand reaching out to wake him until he turns over in his sleep. Lulu seems relieved as she retreats from his room.
Emily bolts up in bed when she hears a several pebbles loudly hit her window. She runs to the window, opening it to see Lucky below. "Are you out of your mind, Lucky?! You'll wake the whole house!"
Lucky calls up to her window in a loud whisper. "I tried to be subtle and you didn't hear me. I need to talk to you."
Emily shakes her head. "Do you realize it's 3am?! I'll talk to you tomorrow morning.... I mean later. Go home and go to sleep."
"Come on, Em! Let me in. I'll keep throwing pebbles until you do."
Emily throws her hands up in annoyance. "Okay, just a sec." She closes her window. A few minutes later, the back patio door opens to let Lucky in. "Shhh. " She grabs his hand and silently leads him up to her bedroom. "You realize if we get caught, there'll be hell to pay."
Lucky shrugs his shoulders in dismissal. "Nah, Monica and Alan are cool. They wouldn't punish you."
"That used to be true. But ever since we went through family therapy, they've gotten really tough." Emily flops down on her bed and yawns. "So what's so important it couldn't wait until morning?"
"I had a huge fight with my mom, and I walked out." Lucky paces her room, intermittently inspecting various trinkets. "Man, she was so cold. It's like it doesn't matter to her what Dad wanted anymore."
Emily looks concerned. "Wow, what happened? You and your mom hardly ever fight."
Lucky continues to pace her room angrily. "It's Cassadine. My mom let Lulu go over to Wyndemere for a sleepover. I can't believe she'd dishonor Dad's memory like that! He's probably spinning in his grave."
Emily digests the information and her face shows her conflicted feelings. "You're really mad at her, aren't you? What did she say?"
"Oh, she said she couldn't run her life based on what my dad would want. But I can't believe she'd do this. It's not that I don't trust Nik, I do. But.." Lucky shakes his head unhappily.
"But would your dad want Nikolas to stay over at your house?" Emily points out.
"He wouldn't like the idea, but he'd take it better than Lulu going to Wyndemere."
"Do you really think Stefan would hurt Lulu?" Emily asks, giving him a doubtful look.
"Nah, but he might mess with her mind." Lucky stops pacing for a moment as he considers Emily's question further. "Look what he did with Aunt Bobbie when he got her to marry him? I'd bet you the club he plans on using Lulu to lure my mom. My dad always said Cassadine was obsessed with mom. That'd be just his style to use Lulu to get to her."
"Maybe you should tell your mom..." Emily suggests.
"I already tried. She won't listen; she basically told me to butt out." Lucky flops next to Emily on the bed. "So I took off. I can't go back there tonight, Em. I'll lose it again and make her cry. Heck, she's probably crying right now." He lays down beside her and gazes at the ceiling.
Emily looks down into Lucky's discouraged face. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help." She rests her head on his shoulder, staring up at the ceiling with him.
Lucky blinks back tears. "Man, I miss my dad. I wish he were here to tell me what to do."
Emily yawns and closes her eyes."I think we both need some sleep, Lucky. It's too late to worry about this anyway. You'll know what to say in the morning to convince your mom..."
Lucky looks at Emily and see she's drifted off. "Thanks, Em. You're the best," he whispers as he pulls the blankets over both of them.
Always a light sleeper, Stefan wakes with a start when he senses another presence in his bedroom. He looks up to find Lulu sitting on his bed Indian style watching him anxiously. He bolts up in bed, wide awake. "LesleyLu!" He says, scared half to death. He grasps his chest in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"
Lulu looks relieved. "I was scared. So I came to check on you and Nikky."
Stefan leans back closing his eyes and takes several deep breaths before looking at her again. "Did you have a scary dream?" Lulu nods. "What was it about, angel?"
"I don't know...I forget." Lulu's eyes fill with tears.
Stefan reaches his hand out to stroke her cheek. "It's okay, angel. The nightmare's over now and you're safe. Let's get you back to bed, shall we?" He rises and reaches out his hand.
Lulu shakes her head furiously and shrinks away from his hand. "No! I'm scared! I don't wanna go back! You can't make me!" Lulu's voice becomes shrill as she starts to cry hysterically.
Stefan sits back on the bed and pulls Lulu into his lap, holding her tightly. "Shhh, angel. It's okay. Shhh." Once Lulu is calmer, he asks. "What are you afraid of, sweetheart?"
"You'll die. You would have if I hadn't waked you up. You were quiet like Aunt Ruby was..." Lulu's lower lip trembles as more tears roll down her cheeks. "You might die if I leave again."
Stefan strokes her hair affectionately as he contemplates her words. "Are you afraid for Nikolas and your mother too?"
Lulu nods solemnly. "Nikolas is okay, though. I just checked on him."
"I have an idea." Stefan instructs Lulu to lie down. "There is an simple way to tell if someone's alive."
"How?" Lulu asks as she stares at him with her big brown eyes.
"Watch." Stefan lies down and takes a deep breath and exhales. "Did you see my chest go up and down? That means I'm okay." Stefan pulls the blankets over Lulu. "You can put your hand on my chest and feel my breathing if you like."
"Really?" Lulu puts her hand on his chest to test it out and smiles when she feels his chest rise and fall. "It works!"
"Now it is time for you to sleep, angel. Close your eyes." Stefan watches Lulu yawn and close her eyes, her hand still resting on his chest. "Sweet dreams." He watches Lulu sleep for a long time before joining her.
Kevin tiptoes into the bedroom, trying not to wake Lucy who is already in asleep. He slips under the covers and pulls Lucy into his arms so they are lying together spoon style, and plants a whisper soft kiss on the back of her neck. Lucy stirs. "Doc?"
"Go back to sleep, Luce. " Kevin murmurs sleepily into her golden brown hair. "Everything is okay."
Across town, Cassidy uses her key to enter Jerry's suite. She creeps silently to the bedroom where she finds him sprawled on the bed. She undresses and joins him under the covers. Jerry instinctively grabs her and pulls her to his chest. "Thought you'd never get here, luv." He kisses her soundly on the mouth before falling back to sleep.
"Me either." Cassidy smiles contentedly into his chest. "Me either."
At the penthouse, a restless Alexis dreams....
A very pregnant Alexis is lying on the bed while Sonny rubs
her feet. Sonny smiles at her. "You know, if you get any
bigger, sweetheart, you won't be able to fit through the door
ways." He gives her one of his trademark Cheshire grins.
Alexis slaps the top of his head playfully. "Stop! Is that
the way to treat your pregnant wife? I have to carry
this extra weight, not you!" Alexis addresses her tummy
as she caresses it lovingly. "Do you hear your father,
Stone? He's picking on me!"
Sonny stops rubbing her feet and lays down beside her,
putting his ear gently against her large tummy. "Have I told you how
much I love you and our child you're carrying? With all my
heart...."
.... The dream ends. Alexis wakes up smiling and reaches for Sonny, only to feel empty space. As reality hits, she sits up in bed and hugs her knees.
The following morning at Wyndemere. A jean-clad Nikolas stands behind the sofa and looks at his watch with a frown. Stefan is sitting on the sofa reading the Herald, sipping tea. He glances up at Nikolas. "You know, it has been only a minute since the last time you looked at your watch. Is there a particular reason you are so time conscious this morning?"
"Mother should have been here a half an hour ago to pick up LesleyLu. What's keeping her?" Nikolas runs his hand through his dark hair impatiently.
"I'm sure it could be any number of things. Do you have somewhere you need to be?" Stefan asks
"I told Gina last night I'd meet her at Kelly's at 9:30. If I wait much longer, I'm going to be late..."
Stefan smiles indulgently. "I will take care of LesleyLu and your mother. Go on, don't keep Gina waiting."
"You sure? I promised Mother I'd be here...." Nikolas looks torn.
"I will explain it to her. If anyone can understand, she will. Now go and enjoy your day with Gina."
"Thanks! I'll go say goodbye to my sister in the kitchen. I'm not certain when I'll be back.." Nikolas jogs out of the room.
Stefan shakes his head in amusement. "Ah, young love."
Emily wakes to the sun beaming into her bedroom, but is disoriented for a moment when she feels a man's arm around her waist and his body cuddled up against her, spoon style. Then she recalls Lucky's nocturnal visit. Her mind races for a moment, trying to remember when she fell asleep...
Her thoughts are disturbed by Lucky waking. His arm tightens around her waist and he presses his face into her hair. "Mmmmm. What a great way to wake up."
Emily turns onto her back to look at Lucky. "How...?"
Lucky stops her question by putting his finger on her lips. He props himself up on his elbow and gazes at her. "You are so beautiful in the morning.. your hair mussed and your eyes sleepy..." He leans down to kiss her, replacing his finger with his mouth. He kisses her deeply, passionately, as his hand strokes her cheek. Then the kiss ends.
Emily stares at him speechlessly, her breathing uneven in response to his kiss. She had dreamed of him kissing her, but it had never been as sexy as this. Then she remembers she is in her bedroom with her parents right downstairs. She panics. "Oh God! If my parents see you in bed with me, they'll flip! I'll be grounded until I'm thirty and married!" Emily jumps out of bed, looking around the room frantically.
Lucky arches his back in a lazy full body stretch while yawning. "Don't worry, Em, they won't. We'll just tell them I came by at the crack of dawn to study for a big test. I'll go down and charm them while you get ready." Lucky rises, combing his hair and brushing the wrinkles out of his t-shirt. "Good thing I'm wearing jeans..." Emily grabs some clothes and dashes into her bathroom.
Later that morning
Stefan answers the ringing phone while Lulu chases after the kitten in the background. "Cassadine."
Laura's words come out in a breathless rush. "Stefan, I'm sorry to be running so late! I just woke up a few minutes ago... is Nikolas there?"
"There is no rush, Lasha." He smiles at the sound of her voice, realizing how long it's been. "LesleyLu seems content. Nikolas left earlier to see Gina."
"Oh, Stefan, I'm sorry! I'm sure you must have business to take care of. I'll be over as soon as I can... unless you have business over here?" Laura hears Lulu in the background calling 'here Timmy!'
"Having LesleyLu here this morning is no imposition. As a matter of fact, she has charmed the entire staff; they haven't enjoyed themselves to this degree since Lucas," Stefan replies. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to bring LesleyLu to you as I am expecting Alexis for lunch to discuss the recent legal entanglement."
Laura hurriedly pulls some clothes out of the closet. "Then I'll be over there before lunch. I still can't believe I slept in like this! Lately, I've been waking with the birds. If I'd known I would have set an alarm..."
"Perhaps you needed the rest, Lasha. If that's the case, I am glad to be of service. As I said a moment ago, there is no need to rush, LesleyLu and I get along quite well." Stefan walks over to open one of the secret doors, and Timmy scampers out from behind it. Lulu squeals with delight as the kitten tears around the room in pursuit of an imaginary mouse.
Laura smiles at the sound of her daughter's squeal. "Yes, it sounds like she's having fun. Thank you for looking after her again, Stefan. I'll see you in a little bit."
Nikolas and Gina cuddle together in Gina's bed after making love; Gina's back is against Nikolas' chest. Nikolas trails small kisses along her shoulders as he smiles at her lazily. "I can't seem to get enough of you..."
Gina rolls over to lie on her back so she can kiss him. "I can't get enough of you either. I couldn't sleep last night, I missed you so much." Gina pulls him on top of her, threading her fingers through his hair. "You're like a drug I can't do without, Nikolas Cassadine."
"So why was it we had to be apart?" He asks as he gives her a intoxicating kiss.
"Your sister..." is all she can say before Nikolas silences her completely.
Lucy pulls herself up to a sitting position in the bed, careful to use the sheets to cover her nude body. Kevin walks in with a breakfast tray complete with hot coffee. "Oh, Doc. This is so sweet of you! Especially considering how horrid I was yesterday. Does this mean you forgive me?"
Kevin puts the tray on the night table and joins her under the covers after shedding his robe. "There's nothing to forgive. I should've told you my suspicions in the first place. If I had, I don't think any of it would have happened."
"So did everything go okay with Cassidy? She doesn't hate me, does she? I'd feel so terrible if she did. I wouldn't blame her though, I really let her have it yesterday. With both barrels..." Lucy's banter is halted by the croissant Kevin shoves into her open mouth.
"No, she doesn't hate you, Lucy. I think she understands where you were coming from." Kevin sips some coffee. "In fact, she said she admired the way you stood up for me."
"Really?"
"Really." Kevin smiles at her while he feeds her another bite of croissant. "Seems she feels the same way about the people she loves."
Lucy nods definitively."Then I think we'll get along fine. We should have her over for dinner. When you think the time is right, of course..." Lucy's face grow serious as a thought occurs to her. "She didn't have to grow up with that awful mother of yours, did she, Doc?"
"No, thankfully Mike got her away from Melanie when she was really young." Kevin feeds Lucy the last bit of croissant. "Cassidy said Ryan helped save her...." Kevin and Lucy eat the rest of their breakfast as Kevin tells Lucy the whole story.
Nikolas is slipping on his jeans with his back to Gina when she comes out of her bathroom. She smiles slyly as she wraps her arms around his bare chest. "You sure you want to go to the zoo? I can think of other ways we could spend the day." She playfully bites him.
Nikolas leans over to pick up his shirt, donning it in one fluid motion. He turns to face her, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her against him. "Very tempting...." He kisses her languorously. "But... I think we'll have fun at the zoo. Besides we have all night to make love..."
"Mmmm... good point." Gina beams at him happily, taking his hand in hers. "Shall we go then?"
Laura walks into the Wyndemere living room to find Stefan sitting Indian style on the floor with Lulu in his lap. Lulu colors a drawing on the coffee table while Stefan awkwardly sketches on a pad beside her. Laura stifles a laugh when she hears Lulu in her bossy mode ordering Stefan around. "No.. that's not right. My hair is that color." Lulu picks up a different colored pencil and puts it in his hand.
"You know," Stefan says gently as he accepts her guidance. "I think you're right."
Laura can't keep silent any longer. "I never thought I'd see the day. Stefan Cassadine ordered around by a little girl." Stefan smiles when he sees the laughter in her eyes.
Lulu jumps up, and runs to hug her mother's knees. "Mommy! Guess what?! Nikolas got a kitten for me!"
"Did he really?" Laura asks.
"Yes, I'll go find her." Lulu dashes off in search of the kitty. "Timmy!"
Laura laughs. "I hope she hasn't been too much trouble."
"I told you a long time ago that someday you would be giving me orders. I think I was just off one generation." Stefan motions for her to have a seat. "It is wonderful to see you laugh again, Lasha." Mrs Lansbury comes in with a tray of tea and coffee.
Laura picks up his sketch, which is a drawing of Lulu with a small black kitten in her lap. "Oh, Stefan. It's beautiful. I didn't know you still drew."
"I don't anymore. Or I should say, I didn't until this morning." Stefan pours her some tea. "LesleyLu insisted. It is impossible to resist her."
"Yes, I know." Laura gazes at the picture lovingly. "In this case, I'm glad she did. You really captured her essence, her personality."
Stefan tries dismiss the compliment. "It is just a rough sketch."
Lulu bounds into the room, carrying Timmy in her arms. "I found her! Mommy, this is Timmy."
Laura takes Timmy from Lulu's outstretched hands. "Isn't this the same kitty you brought home a few days ago?"
Lulu stands in front of her mother and pets Timmy. "Yes, Nikky said he liked her SO much he kept her. Isn't she pretty?"
"She sure is. Who named her Timmy?" Laura asks. Timmy squirms out of Laura's lap and streaks under the sofa and out of the room.
"I did! It's short for Timoria..." Lulu follows the kitty.
Laura gives Stefan a questioning look. "Timoria?"
"Nikolas and I were discussing how this cat might be your Timoria against our family when your daughter walked in. Hence the name." Stefan pours himself more tea as he give her an ironic smile. "To say this cat is disruptive would be too mild a word."
Laura doubles over in laughter, quickly putting down her tea cup to keep from dropping it. "Oh I can just imagine! I can tell the kitten is a live wire."
Stefan gives her a mock glare. "That's not the half of it. What's the American phrase...'A curtain climber'?"
Laura laughs silently, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. "So the kitten was Nikolas' idea? And you're okay with it?"
"Yes. He brought it home, saying he didn't have the heart to give it back. He hopes that LesleyLu will visit often and consider the cat hers as well." Stefan refills her tea cup. "I know how important it is to Nikolas to be close to his sister. If the cat helps her feel at home here and brings them closer together, I support that."
Laura nods. "I've seen how devoted Nikolas is to Lulu. In fact, I am a bit surprised that Nikolas isn't here... you said he was with Gina?"
"He and Gina made plans to spend the day together. They have become quite close." Stefan shakes his head with amusement. "I walked in on the end of a conversation he was having with Gina last night. He was like a lovesick school boy. Consequently, this morning I urged him to go see Gina, he was quite torn."
Lulu comes dashing through the room chasing the cat. Laura motions for her to slow down. "Slow down, honey. There are a lot of expensive breakables."
Lulu gives up on chasing the cat when it dashes under the sofa and stays there. She climbs onto Laura's lap and rests her head on her mother's chest. Mrs Lansbury comes into the room. "Mr Cassadine, Alexis just phoned to say she couldn't make it for lunch. Apparently one of her clients was arrested and she's been detained. Will you still be eating lunch? I've prepared something for Miss Lulu as well..."
Stefan looks at Laura expectantly. "Will you stay for lunch? It is already prepared."
Laura glances at Lulu, seeing her hopeful expression. "Sure. Why not?"
Lulu jumps up and runs ahead of Mrs Lansbury to the kitchen. She passes a small table in the hallway, knocking it with her foot accidentally. Laura watches in horror as the table wobbles precariously, toppling an expensive Ming vase. Mrs Lansbury lunges for the vase, catching it before it hits the tile floor. Mrs Lansbury rights the table and places the vase back on it. "No harm done."
"Lulu, you have to be more careful!" Laura scolds. "You almost broke a very expensive vase."
Lulu looks at her feet. "I'm sorry, Mommy."
"You owe Stefan an apology, not me. He's been gracious in welcoming you into his home and it was his vase you almost broke."
"I.. I'm sorry St.. Stefan." Lulu's eyes fill with tears.
"Apology accepted. No harm done, angel."
