Chapters 53 & 54
Port Chuck 1999.53 AND They'll Tell Two Friends...
Stefan smiles into the phone. "Good morning, Alexis."
Alexis yawns sleepily, pouring herself some tea. "Good morning to you too. You sound mighty chipper, for you anyway. You must still be riding high on the news of Nikolas' engagement."
"Yes, but that is not all," Stefan replies. "I told Nikolas about Kevin and Cassidy last night. Although it is too soon to say for sure, I'd say he's handling it about as well I could hope for. And telling him had the added bonus of helping repair his frayed relationship with his mother."
Alexis pads through her penthouse in a terrycloth robe, her hair still slightly disheveled from sleeping. "What's that about? He practically took my head off when I suggested that Laura attend the wedding powwow on Sunday."
"I believe it has been festering for quite a while, but the final straw was Laura's decision to halt Lulu's visits to Wyndemere coupled with her alarm at his plan for a quick wedding." Stefan takes a sip of tea as well.
Alexis frowns. "That would do it. So does this mean I should leave her out of the wedding plans? I hate to do that. She'll be heartbroken."
"No, I want her included. I am hopeful that he will calm down in time. If not, I will take the responsibility for her inclusion. In fact, I will extend the invitation to her myself."
Nikolas joins Lucky and Lulu in the park. Lulu runs to greet Nikolas with a hug. "Hi Nikky!" Lucky trails behind her.
Nikolas gives her a warm hug. "Hello, little sister."
"Why didn't you come over yesterday?" Lulu asks.
Nikolas tousles her hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it, I had some pressing business. Why don't you show me your cartwheels?"
"Okay!" Lulu lopes off to show off her clumsy cartwheels.
"Thanks for meeting us," Lucky says as he walks up to Nikolas.
Nikolas' reply is cool. "I always make time to see my sister. What did you want to talk about?"
Lucky looks at the ground as he says quietly. "I was wrong, man."
Nikolas perks up. "What did you just say?"
This time Lucky says it louder. "I said I was wrong."
Nikolas hides a smile, pretending to casually watch Lulu's gymnastics. "I just wanted to be sure I heard you right.... wrong about what?"
Lucky looks a little peeved by Nikolas' innocent act. "You're not going to make this easy on me, are you?"
"Why should I?"
Lucky continues his apology. "I'm sorry for having a cow about Lulu going to Wyndemere. I'm not saying I'll ever trust Stefan, but I'm going to try to trust you on this one. You've always done right by Lulu."
Nikolas accepts his apology with a nod. "So has my uncle. Even so, I accept your feelings where he is concerned. For now, anyway."
Lucky changes the subject. "Mom told me about your engagement. Congratulations, man! Even though you're stealing my prettiest waitress, I guess I can be happy for you."
Nikolas laughs. "Thanks. I planned to tell you yesterday, but I was too angry."
"So when's the wedding?" Lucky asks.
"Two weeks." Nikolas' eyes twinkle mischievously as he says, "Now that you've stopped acting like a Neanderthal about Lulu, I'd like you to be my best man."
Lucky pretends to be insulted. "Is that a way to treat your prospective best man? I get no respect, I tell ya... Okay, you twisted my arm, I guess I can stand up for an ugly lug like you."
"Thanks." Nikolas pats Lucky's shoulder affectionately.
Lapsing into silence, Nikolas and Lucky follow Lulu as she chases some ducks to a nearby pond. The ducks respond by quacking loudly in protest. Lulu giggles at the ducks as they attempt to escape by taking flight for a few feet.
Finally Lucky breaks the companionable silence. "Mom's really upset about the fight yesterday." Nikolas sighs but says nothing. "She really loves you, you know."
Nikolas puts his hand up to stop Lucky. "I don't want to talk about our mother."
"Why can't you give her a second chance like you did with me?"
Nikolas gives him a warning look. "You know why." He walks a few feet away, his back to Lucky.
"She's sorry about that," Lucky presses. "Come on, man. You can't punish her for leaving you every time you have a disagreement with her."
Nikolas seethes with anger. "That's easy for you to say! You're her pride and joy. She's never left you, has she? You have no idea what it's like for me."
Lucky shakes his head sadly. "So that's it? You're just going to stay mad at her?"
"I meant it when I said back off," Nikolas growls. "What goes on between Laura and me is none of your damn business."
"Fine. You've got it, bro." Lucky throws up his hands in defeat. "I just think you should know she was up all night trying to figure out how to make things right with you."
With uncanny timing, Lulu interrupts their conversation by running up to Nikolas and tugging on his hand. "Nikky, will you push me on the swings? Please?" The tension is broken
Nikolas smiles at her indulgently. "Sure thing, little one. Just give me another minute with Lucky, okay? Run ahead, I'll be right behind you." Lulu bounces ahead to the swings.
Nikolas turns to Lucky. "There are some things for me to sort out before I'll be ready to make peace with Laura. Just give it some time."
Lucky looks somewhat relieved. "That's cool." Lucky looks at this watch. "I've got to get to the club to prepare for the Saturday night crowd. Do you mind taking Lulu home?"
Nikolas smirks. "Very subtle, Spencer. You never give up, do you?"
"I wouldn't be a Spencer if I did."
Luke's Place. Gina is putting bud vases on each table when Alexis comes in carrying a pile of magazines. "Hi, Gina. Just the person I was looking for."
Gina gives her a tentative smile. "Hi, Alexis. We haven't opened yet..."
"I came to see you, silly! Nikolas told me the news last night, congratulations!" Alexis says as she puts the magazines on table so she can hug Gina. "I couldn't be happier for you and Nikolas. You two are perfect for each other."
Gina returns the hug, looking relieved. "Thanks, Alexis. I needed to hear that."
Alexis ends the hug while grasping Gina's hands to give them an extra squeeze. "Nikolas told me your parents didn't take the news well. How are you holding up?"
Gina shrugs. "Okay, I guess. Now that the initial euphoria of the engagement is wearing off, I'm terrified! How can I get ready in such a short time?"
Alexis puts her glasses on and sits at the table, motioning for Gina to sit opposite her. "Personally I think Nikolas should have given you more time. Just like a Cassadine man to rush his bride. Told him so myself. This is such a big occasion in your life, you should be savoring it. You could tell him to wait a bit longer. I know he'd do anything for you."
Gina blushes. "I know he would, but I love him so much. I want to make him happy. I still can't believe he loves me and wants to marry me."
Alexis looks up to smile at her. "Believe it. He adores you and it's written all over his face. And his feet don't even touch the ground." Alexis hands her a magazine off the top of the pile. "I had a feeling you could use these. I bought them when I was planning my wedding to Sonny. To begin with the magazines can help give you ideas for the wedding dress. If you like, the Cassadines can have a seamstress flown in from France to fashion a dress to your liking."
Gina's eyes widen. "A French seamstress? I just figured I'd buy my dress..."
Alexis pats Gina's hand reassuringly. "You can do that if you want. But you are marrying the future head of the Cassadine family. And his wealth is at your disposal. Marriage is for a lifetime, so you should have the dress of your dreams for the occasion."
Gina starts to look through the magazine as she says, "This sounds straight out a fairy tale and you're my fairy godmother. It's like I'm marrying royalty."
Alexis leafs through the magazines, marking the interesting pages as she goes. "As a matter of fact, you are marrying royalty... Russian royalty. And I want to volunteer for the job of godmother, if you'll have me."
Gina's mouth opens in surprise. "If I'll have you? Are you kidding? I mean, yes, I'd love that.. if you're sure you want to."
Alexis looks up from the magazines again to smile at Gina. "Of course I meant it. I always say what I mean. By the way, tomorrow afternoon we'll be meeting at Wyndemere to plan the wedding. I was thinking next week if you're up to it, we could shop for a trousseau for you .... have you decided what you're going to do with your job here at Luke's?"
Gina's head spins from all the information. "I hadn't really thought of it... but it doesn't make much sense to keep working here. It's not like I'm going to need the money."
Mike and Jason enter the club together. Mike greets them jovially. "Hey, how are two of my favorite girls doing?"
Alexis waves her hand in greeting, but keeps looking through the magazines. "Hi Mike, Hi Jason."
The men join Gina and Alexis. Mike notices the magazines on the table. "What's with the wedding magazines? Someone getting married?"
"I am... to Nikolas." Gina replies, looking at the men hopefully.
Mike looks delighted as he hugs her."Really? That's great! Of course you're too good for him."
Gina blushes. "Thanks Mike."
Alexis, sensing that Jason and Gina need to talk, rises from the table and pulls Mike with her. "Mike, I want your opinion on some baby items. I have a magazine in the car..."
Mike protests. "Why don't I just wait here while you get the magazine? I want to hear more about this wedding..."
"No, Mike, I want you to come with me... NOW." Alexis gives him a significant look.
When it dawns on him, he gets up quickly. "Oh, right. Let's go." Jason and Gina are left alone.
Gina looks at Jason warily. "You haven't said anything."
Jason shrugs. "I'm surprised. I barely knew you two were dating. Marrying Nikolas... are you sure that's what you want? You're not just marrying him you know, you're marrying his family."
Gina is determined. "I love him, Jason. He's very good to me."
Jason nods. "If you're sure that's what you want, I'm happy for you. Just be careful, okay?" He looks at his watch. "I'm supposed to take Alexis to dinner.. I better get going."
Lucky strolls into the club. "Hey Jase, Gina. What's cookin'?" Jason greets him before taking off.
Gina smiles, getting up from the table to join Lucky at the bar. "Hi, Lucky. Did you and Nikolas clear the air?"
"Yeah, we did," Lucky replies. "It was one of those rare moments when I was actually wrong.... and I heard the news. Congratulations." He opens his arms for a hug, which she accepts. "I'll deny it if you tell him but he's a good man, he'll do right by you. And he's lucky to have found you. I wish you both all the happiness in the world."
Gina squeezes him tighter. "Thanks."
"Oh and another thing, you can't quit," Lucky says in mock seriousness, releasing her from the hug to put his arm around her shoulders. "I don't care how rich Nikolas is, you can't leave us."
Gina looks to the floor unhappily a she starts to protest. "Lucky, I...."
Lucky's eyes twinkle mischievously. "I was kidding... not about us needing you or wanting you to stay. But we understand... sorta. We sure are going to miss you around here. Good thing you're marrying my bro. That way I'll still get to see ya."
Gina smiles bashfully at his blatant flirtation. "Thanks... again. You're the best."
Laura hears the Cassadine limo pull up and watches from the window as Nikolas and Lulu get out. Lulu runs ahead but Nikolas calls her back, embracing her briefly before patting her rump to send her back to the house. As Laura feared, Nikolas did not follow Lulu. Instead he waited next to the limo until Lulu ran up the steps and into the house. Then he got into the limo and was gone.
Lulu bounds up to her mother, unaware of the sad look on her face. "Hi, Mommy! I had lots of fun with Nikky today. We played in the park for hours and he took me to a fancy restaurant for lunch!"
"That sounds wonderful, Lulu," Laura replies with false cheerfulness while she removes Lulu's sweater and hangs it in the closet.
Lulu chatters on. "He told me he's getting married. He wants me to be the flowergirl. Can I be the flowergirl? Please?"
Laura smiles. "Of course you can. I think you'll be the prettiest flowergirl in the world."
Lulu follows Laura around the kitchen as she fixes dinner. "Really? I like Gina. I think she's pretty. Do you think she likes me?"
Laura tears lettuce up for a salad. "Of course she does, punkin.... I just had an idea. How would you like to visit Wyndemere tonight?"
Lulu nods furiously. "Can we? Nikky didn't say anything."
Laura leans over to whisper in her ear conspiratorially. "That's 'cause it'll be a surprise."
Lulu practically jumps up and down with delight. "I like surprises!"
Laura catches Lulu's excitement and is now smiling broadly. "Why don't you go put away your toys from this morning while I finish dinner? That way we can leave right after we're done with dinner."
"Okay!" Lulu says before dashing out of the room to do as he mother asks.
Port Chuck 1999.54: The Spin Doctor Is In
"What are you doing here?" Nikolas asks after finding Laura and Lulu on the Wyndemere doorstep.
Laura's jaw sets in determination. "We came to see you."
Lulu, unaware of the tension between them asks, "Did we surprise you, Nikky?"
Nikolas softens. "You sure did. You know, if we keep spending so much time together, you're going to get sick of me."
"Never!" Lulu shakes her head emphatically. "Is Stefan here too? Can I go say hi to him?"
"Go ahead, sweetheart," Laura replies before turning back to Nikolas. When they are alone, Laura studies his face carefully, noting the wariness and the traces of anger still in his eyes. "I came to clear the air between us, Nikolas. I didn't want to leave it the way it was."
Nikolas cuts her off. "I'm not particularly interested in what you want. The fact is you ambushed me by coming to my home uninvited and using my sister as bait to make it okay. And you call the Cassadines manipulative."
Laura stands her ground. "I thought part of the issue was your visits with Lulu. I brought Lulu so you would see..."
He puts his hand up to stop her. "Enough. It doesn't really matter what your motive was. The bottom line is I don't want to see you right now. If you value our relationship like you say you do, you'll back off. When and if I'm ready, I will come to you. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get Lulu. I might as well get in some quality time with her while she's here." Nikolas leaves to find Lulu and Laura trails after him.
They find Lulu in Stefan's lap chattering at him. "...Mommy says I'll be the prettiest flowergirl ever."
Stefan smiles at her in amusement."I'm sure you'll be beautiful, Angel. We'll have to make sure you don't outshine Gina though, since it's her wedding."
Lulu nods sagely. "Of course. But when I get married, It'll be my turn to be the prettiest."
Laura bites her lip to keep from laughing and Nikolas' mood lightens. He motions for Lulu to follow him. "Do you want to see the part of the house that Gina and I will be living in?"
Laura and Stefan watch Nikolas and Lulu leave. Stefan smiles at her. "You have a delightful little girl, Lasha."
Laura blushes. "Thank you." She joins him on the couch. "Nikolas still seems so angry with me. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Has he been okay otherwise?"
"Would you like a drink?" Stefan asks as he leaves the couch to pour himself a one. Laura nods at him. "As far as I can tell, Nikolas is fine otherwise. We had a long talk last night about Cassadine family history. It was upsetting for him, but I am hopeful that when he sorts out his feelings for you along with this new information, he will understand your perspective."
"I'm not going to sit back and hope that things will be better," she replies. She takes the drink he offers and thanks him. "I want to do something. It's not easy for me to admit, but he was right. I've had different rules where he's concerned... I think it's a throwback to Luke's way of doing things. But I can't let that rule me."
He sits back down, his eyebrows flickering with surprise. "What have you decided?"
"I've decided to help you design that rec room... if the offer is still open." Laura looks at him hopefully. "That way Lulu can come visit and I won't have to worry about your precious belongings."
He beams with pleasure. "Of course the offer is still open. We should start on it immediately. How does early tomorrow afternoon sound... before the planning session for the wedding? I expect you to be here for that as well."
Laura shakes her head. "I'll come for the rec room planning, but as for the wedding plans, I don't think that's a good idea... Nikolas made it clear that he doesn't want to see me right now. I want to respect his wishes."
Stefan scowls. "Nonsense, of course you should be a part of the wedding planning! In fact, I insist that you be there. Nikolas can deal with me if he's unhappy about it."
"I don't know, Stefan. I feel like my relationship with Nikolas is tenuous as it is. I don't want to risk severing it by defying him. He made it pretty clear tonight that he wants me to leave him alone..."
Stefan gently folds one of her hands between boht of his as he reassures her. "Trust me to handle Nikolas. I know what I'm doing. I want you to be there tomorrow. Nikolas wants you there too, he just doesn't know it yet."
Alexis and Cassidy lounge on the modern overstuffed couch in the penthouse eating ice cream. Alexis grins at Cassidy. "What a way to spend a Saturday night."
Cassidy swallows a mouthful of ice cream. "Mmmm, yeah I'd say it's perfect. I'll have to double my workout time tomorrow, but what the heck."
Alexis swats her. "Stop! You could eat a house and not gain an ounce. Good thing I have this baby as an excuse to gain weight." Alexis puts the empty bowl on the coffee table. "I spoke to Stefan this morning. He said he told Nikolas about you and Kevin."
Cassidy almost chokes. "He did what? Stefan, the master of concealment? Too bad we didn't get him on tape."
Alexis giggles girlishly. "Yeah, it'd be great blackmail wouldn't it? Actually he had a good reason. It's a long story. But basically Nikolas had a fight with his mother over rushing into marriage."
Cassidy looks surprised. "Nikolas is getting married? But he's so young!"
Alexis shrugs. "Don't let him hear you say that. If you knew him you'd understand. He's 19 going on 35. Anyway, he's marrying Gina Williams. Have you met her?"
Cassidy puts down her bowl and wipes her hands as she replies. "A couple times, but only in passing. Is she Cassadine material?"
"That remains to be seen. Gina's really a sweet girl. If she can hack the Cassadines, she'll make a good wife for Nikolas," says Alexis as she picks up the bowls and returns them to the kitchen. "And most importantly, they adore each other."
"So I guess I'll be meeting Nikolas now that he knows about me."
"Yep. You'll be meeting him at the engagement party I'm planning for them next week," Alexis answers. "Speaking of romance. You haven't told me anything about this guy you've been dating. And don't bother to deny it, I have a sixth sense about these things."
Lucky makes yet another nocturnal visit to the Quartermaine mansion, throwing pebbles at Emily's window until she sticks her head out. "Maybe I should just give you a key to the place. I'll be right down." A few minutes later she drags him up to her bedroom via the back stairs. "Okay, Lucky, what's up this time?"
"I figured Nik probably forgot to tell you," Lucky says, "and I didn't want you to hear about it from anyone else."
Emily becomes alarmed. "Tell me what? Who died?"
"No, it's nothing like that," Lucky reassures her. "Oh hell. This probably could have waited until tomorrow."
Emily starts to get angry. "Tell me Lucky, NOW."
Lucky looks away. "Nikolas is getting married."
Emily sits down quickly, stunned by the news. "He's getting married? Who...oh, it's Gina."
"Yeah, it's Gina." Lucky paces her room as Emily stares off, both of them trying to digest the information. "I don't know how I feel about it. I mean, I'm happy for Nikolas and all. It's just... I don't know." Lucky notices Emily looking at the floor with her knees pulled into her chest. He sits beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. "I'm sorry, Em. Here I am going on about some stupid old crush I had on her years ago. You've got it bad for him, don't you?"
Emily bites her lip to keep from crying. "He never led me on or anything, but I always hoped that someday he'd realize that it was me he wanted." Emily exhales. "God, I hate her. Does that make me a terrible person?"
Lucky gives her shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "Nah. If that were true, we'd all be destined for hell."
"I think I just want to go to bed. Do you mind?" Emily asks.
Lucky gives her a quick hug before leaving. "See you tomorrow? I have Lulu for the evening, we could watch a Disney movie with her."
Emily nods. "Sure. That sounds good. I'll see if Dylan wants to come too. Lois and Ned won't be coming for a couple days, he could use the distraction. Just make sure it's not Aladdin IV. I swear each one gets worse."
Wyndemere. Stefan and Nikolas relax in the living room after Laura and Lulu leave. Stefan gives Nikolas a small smile. "That was a pleasant surprise."
"If it wasn't for the fact that Laura is using Lulu to get to me, " Nikolas grumbles back.
"And why is that so terrible?" Stefan asks, looking annoyed. "She obviously cares for you a great deal or she wouldn't have gone to the trouble."
Nikolas continues to sulk as he flops on the couch. "I don't like being played, that's all."
Stefan sighs with irritation. "Then you won't be very happy with me, I'm afraid. I invited your mother to attend tomorrow's planning session for the wedding."
Nikolas' glares at him angrily. "Why did you do that? You know how angry I am, and I've made it clear I don't want to see her."
"And you are being childish!" Stefan bellows back, using his anger to his advantage. "Do you have any idea how far she's come in the last few days? Evidently not, because you refuse to listen. Tonight, she said things I NEVER expected her to say."
Nikolas is hooked. "What did she say?"
"For one, she offered to assist me in designing a rec room so she can be comfortable with LesleyLu visiting Wyndemere." Stefan pauses long enough to see the surprise register on Nikolas' face. "But the real surprise was her admission that she's been unfair to you. She realizes she's been relying on Luke's way of doing things. And she knows it was wrong."
Nikolas looks torn. "I don't know.. I'm just not ready to forgive and forget."
Stefan shakes his head impatiently. "If you insist, I will call her in the morning and tell her not to come. But I know you will regret it if you cut her out. She deserves to be a part of one of the most important days of your life. Do you really want your brother and sister to be uncomfortable at the wedding? That is what will happen if you persist." He reaches over and squeezes Nikolas' shoulder before he gets up to leave the room. "Sleep well, Nikolas. I am confident that you will do the right thing."
After Stefan is gone, Nikolas crosses his arms and mumbles, "I hate when you do that."
