Chapters 59 & 60

 

 

Chapter 59 Let's Make A Deal

 

Lois and Ned arrive just outside in the living room prior to the ELQ board meeting. Tracy, Edward, Monica, and Alan are sitting around drinking coffee and eating pastries. Lois and Ned exchange a quick glance and a nod before entering. Lois speaks first. "Good morning all!"

Tracy rolls her eyes but says nothing. Edward, Monica, and Alan greet Ned and Lois. Alan asks Ned, "Are you planning on attending the board meeting today, Ned? I know when you left you swore off them."

Ned flashes him a grin. "Actually I do plan to attend. If only to remind myself why I never want to come back and run ELQ again." Alan and Ned share a laugh. "Actually, I'd like to bring up some family business before the board meets, if I may."

Edward grumbles. "This better be quick, Ned. I don't want to delay the meeting. There's too much on the agenda already."

Justus walks in toting his briefcase. "Good morning."

Ned raises his voice to get everyone's attention. "Attention, everyone. I have a piece of family business to discuss." He waits as everyone quiets down. "Thank you. This piece of business concerns Dylan. I know all of us have been concerned about him. Mother informed me yesterday she plans on sending Dylan to a boarding school in London."

The family gasps in outrage. Tracy rushes to her own defense. "He's my child and I know what's best for him! Boarding school is just what he needs."

"I couldn't agree with you more, Mother Ashton. A boarding school is a fine idea." Lois answers in her trademark Brooklyn accent.

The family gasps in unison again, all heads turning to Lois. A stunned Tracy stares at Lois in amazement. Edward is the first to bluster. "Lois, have you lost your mind? You've made it more than clear you would raise your own children! This makes no sense!"

"See? Even Lois agrees with me!" Tracy argues.

Monica shakes her her head in amazement. "Lois, how can you think sending Dylan across the ocean to a boarding school is a good idea? You of all people should understand the trauma that could cause Dylan after losing his father!"

Edward sputters, flushing beet red as he shakes his finger at both Lois and Tracy. "I'll have none of this! Dylan needs his family and that's all there is to it. That's why I invited you home, Tracy!" He turns to Lois. "And you! I want to know what drug you're on! I never thought I'd see the day that you'd turn your back on a small child!"

Lois looks at him beseechingly. "Now Mr. Q, I'm not turning my back on Dylan. Ned has an idea that I think everyone can agree has his best interests at heart."

Ned takes the floor again. "I'll support Dylan going to a boarding school; I'll even pay for it, Mother-- on one condition. I get to choose the school."

Tracy looks confused. "You want to choose the school? Why?"

Ned walks around the room. "As long as the school in excellent, it doesn't really matter where the school is located, does it? As it happens there's a topnotch boarding school right outside New York City. I called them yesterday afternoon and they have space. That way Dylan can be near family when he needs them. He'll be close to me, and he'll only be a hop skip and a jump from Port Charles."

Monica struggles to hide her amusement "Excellent proposal, Ned. I should have known you'd find a good solution."

Edward begins to nod in agreement. "Yes, this could work out just fine. So tell us about this school, Ned."

Tracy's face goes through a series of contortions before finally ending up on frustration. Frustration at being set up royally. There was no way to gracefully back out of the plan now.

Lois makes her exit. "If you will excuse me, I have a date to walk the dogs with Dylan." Lila cruises in on her wheelchair with Jason behind her as Lois leaves. "Hiya Mrs Q!" She gives Lila a quick kiss on the cheek before giving Jason a quick hug. Hi, Jase! I'll see ya later."



In a suite at the Port Charles Hotel, Alexis sits and watches as the seamstress takes measurements for Gina's dress. She smiles happily at Gina. "I think the style you picked will look absolutely stunning on you."

"You don't think it's too much?" Gina asks nervously. "I loved the floral lace overlay, but it seems so extravagant..."

The seamstress pipes up, her French accent obvious through her stilted words. "Too much?! No! It will be perfect! You are marrying the future head of the Cassadine family, nothing is too extravagant."

"She's right, Gina." Alexis adds. "The sheath style dress will accentuate your trim figure, making you look even more delicate then you already are." Alexis rubs her expanding stomach. "Gone are the days when I look slim!"

Gina laughs, her hands outstretched so the seamstress can measure them.. "Yeah, but you have a wonderful reason!"

"That's true, and I know it's not permanent."

The seamstress writes down the measurements now that she's done. "Mrs Corinthos, I have the perfect dress for you. Would you like to see the sketch?"

Alexis' eyes light up with interest. "Absolutely! I'm interested in anything that will make me look like a knockout."

Gina and Alexis follow the seamstress over to her table as she addresses Gina. "Now, the wedding dress should be finished by the beginning of next week. I need to see your flowergirl and maid of honor for measurements by the end of the week." Gina nods. "Mrs Corinthos, here is the sketch I just mentioned. Don't you think you'd look perfect in it?"

Alexis takes the sketch from the seamstress. "It's beautiful! This is the dress for me. Shall I come in tomorrow for measurements?"

Gina looks over Alexis' shoulder. "Oh, Alexis, that's a gorgeous dress. You will look incredible."

The seamstress beams with pride. "One of my most recent creations. Tomorrow afternoon would be just fine, Mrs Corinthos."

Alexis hands Gina her purse as they prepare to leave. "You ready to go shopping for the rest of your trousseau?"



Lois has just told Dylan about the plan for him to go to a boarding school. Dylan glares at her. "I hate you! I thought you were my friend! I don't want to go to a boarding school." He tries to bolt, but Lois grabs him by the arm.

She looks him pleadingly. "Dylan, honey, I AM your friend. I swear it. Your brother Ned is working out the details so you can be enrolled at a school just a short train ride from us."

Dylan looks at the ground and kicks a loose pebble on the path they'd been walking on. The dogs, Annabelle and Raoul, are a few feet away waiting for them. "Why do I have to go at all? Why can't I just stay here? It isn't fair."

Lois lets him go once he stops fighting. They start walking again. 'Cause Nedly and I want you close to us, kiddo. Don't you think it'd be fun to visit us on the weekends and play with my little girls? I know they'd love you. Heck, anytime you get lonely you can come for dinner. You'd be part of my family. Then there's my ma, she's so excited about the idea of meeting you; she lives right next door. She's already planning to send you care packages with cookies and pasta." When Dylan gives her a weird look, she adds. "My ma makes killer pasta."

"You think Brooke and Briana would like me?" Dylan asks hopefully.

Lois gives him a reassuring hug. "I sure do! What's not to like? Brooke needs a big brother like nobody's business. Why don't you give it a try? If you really hate it, I promise Ned and I will go to bat for you. Deal?" Lois spits in her palm before offering it to him.

Dylan looks at Lois like she's sprouted another head, recoiling from her outstretched hand. "Yuck, why'd you do that for?"

"Because in my neighborhood you seal a promise with a spit and a handshake. C'mon, you're telling me you've never done that?" Dylan shakes his head, looking slightly less disgusted after her explanation. "Well, you haven't lived then! The handshake means I'm giving you my word; and I never break my word. Do we have a deal?"

A hesitant Dylan spits in his hand shakes her outstretched hand. "Deal."



Justus has called the ELQ Boarding to order and is reporting the company's economic status. He sums up his speech with, "This quarter shows a small improvement in profits, but we aren't out of the woods yet."

"Thanks for the report, Justus." Edward replies. "We seemed to have weathered our last acquisition quite well."

Justus nods slightly. "So far yes, but to make that subsidiary profitable, we need to purchase some computer software patents. And I've located a company, called ICS, that suits our needs quite nicely. Here is ICS's last annual report."

Everyone peruses the report as Justus talks them through it. "All in all, I think the company is a perfect choice. It's profits went through the roof last year, and it's first quarter this year shows the same trend. Anyone have any questions before we put it to a vote?"

Jason pipes up. "Yeah, I do. Why are we pushing to buy another company so soon after the last purchase?"

"Jason has a point." Ned adds. "It could stretch our resources to the limit and make us ripe for a takeover."

Edward shakes his head. "I never thought I'd see the day, Ned. You've been gone for so long you've gone soft. You've lost your edge."

Justus tries to allay their fears. "At it's current price, we can easily buy this company without it draining us substantially. And to be honest, we can't afford NOT to buy this company. We'll be deeper in the hole without it." Justus goes onto explain how they will lose money without the ICS.

"Are we ready to put it to a vote?" Edward asks impatiently.

Justus starts the vote. "All those in favor?" Everyone but Jason votes aye. "And all those opposed?"

All eyes turn to Jason, who shrugs. "I can abstain, can't I?"



Lois and Emily enter one of the designer clothing shops in downtown Port Charles. Lois launches herself at one of the racks. "Oh, how I've missed this shop! Ya know, New York City doesn't have everything. Ooooo, this is gorgeous." Lois pulls out a royal blue dress with a flowing skirt and holds it up to herself. "What do ya think?"

Emily smiles brightly. "It's perfect. Why don't you go try it on?" They walk toward the changing rooms. While Emily waits outside for Lois to change she hears Alexis' voice a few feet away.

"Why don't you try this one on?" Alexis asks as she hands an outfit through a changing room curtain. "I think you'll like it."

"Hi Alexis." Emily walks over to give Alexis a quick hug. "How's the pregnancy going?"

Alexis returns the hug warmly. "Except for the odd night that I spend in my bathroom , It's going great. How about you? You here shopping by yourself?"

"No, I'm here with Lois. Who are you with?"

Just then, Gina comes out wearing a gorgeous sage green silk outfit which accentuates her petite figure. "Well, Alexis, what do you think?" She notices Emily standing near Alexis, looking very uncomfortable. "Oh, hi Emily. How's it going?"

"Uh.. fine." Emily looks at the ground, fighting the urge to bolt out of the shop. She felt like a huge clumsy horse next to Gina. No wonder Nikolas wanted to marry her.... She shakes away the black thoughts, looking up at Gina with a forced smile. "I heard the news, congratulations."

Gina smiles back happily. "Thanks."

Lois walks out of her changing room, wearing the blue dress, twirling around once playfully. "So what do you think, Em?" She looks around and notices Emily standing with Alexis and Gina, looking very much like she wished the ground would swallow her up. Lois joins them, putting her arm around Emily for a quick squeeze. "Hi, guys. Fancy meeting you here! Congrats, Gina. Emily, I need your help with the zipper.. do you mind?"

"Sure." Emily replies, grateful for the graceful retreat Lois offers her. "Nice seeing you Gina, Alexis. Good luck with your shopping."

Lois walks away with her arm still around Emily, who eyes are starting to shine with unshed tears. "You did good, hon. Now let's go to the changing room for a quick cry."



Once inside, Tracy locks her bedroom door, striding quickly to her purse to retrieve her cell phone. She dials a number from memory. "Hi, it's me." She whispers. "I have just what you need. ELQ plans to buy ICS.... in fact they're desperate to. They need it for some patents." She laughs when she hears his reply. "I said I'd deliver, didn't I? Now this better work, I just promised to put Dylan in a boarding school to keep everyone from getting suspicious..." Tracy's voice drips acid as she says her next words. "My darling son, Ned, walked in yesterday while we were on the phone. Then this morning, he and his holier than thou wife set me up. Never mind that, when do I get paid? I need the money NOW... No, that's unacceptable. Pay me now! Trust you?" Tracy cackles. "You're joking right? Not after the last time when you left me holding the bag and without a dime. I don't think so, buster... That's much better, darling. Give my love to your precious little wife. Bye."

After hanging up the phone, Tracy lights up a cheroot , puffing on it absently as she says outloud. "I had any doubts, you erased them this morning, my darling boy."

 

 

Chapter 60: Written Invitation

 

At a local tailor, Stefan, Nikolas, Lucky and Mike are getting fitted for tuxes. Lucky and Mike are moaning while Nikolas and Stefan listen with amusement.

Lucky rolls his eyes as he withstands the tailors ministrations. "Man, if I knew I was going to have to get fitted for a monkey suit, I would have declined your generous request to stand up for you."

"Take it like a man, Spencer." Nikolas replies, barely controlling a chuckle. "You'll only have to wear it for a few hours."

"Hours of pure hell," Mike complains. "Tell me again why I agreed to give Gina away? Was I out of my mind?"

Stefan suppresses a grin. "Once you see Gina, you will forget about the monkey suit, as you call it. Believe me, she will be ravishing."

Nikolas looks suspiciously at Stefan. "You know what she's wearing, don't you?"

"Of course I know what she will be wearing," Stefan teases. "I have to plan the flowers, remember?"

"I want to see the dress," Nikolas demands.

"That is out of the question," Stefan answers. "American custom forbids it. It is considered bad luck for a groom to see the bride's dress before the wedding. But I assure you, she will be incomparable. Besides, the dress has yet to be made. I've only seen the sketches."

Nikolas scowls at Stefan while Lucky laughs. "Take it like a man, Nikky."



Alexis and Gina are seated at the PC Grille, waiting for Laura to arrive. Gina gushes about her purchases. "I've never owned so many beautiful outfits in my life, Alexis! It seems so unreal, like I'm shopping for someone else."

Alexis smiles as she pats her hand. "Believe me, it's real."

Laura arrives. "You two are early! So how did the shopping expedition go? I'm sorry I missed it but I had a parent conference at Lulu's preschool." She quickly takes a seat at the table.

"That's what we were just talking about," Gina replies. "I wish you could have been there, I probably found a dozen gorgeous outfits."

"Gina has this annoying figure that makes everything look incredible on her," Alexis complains in a mock whisper to Laura. "By the time this is all over, I think I'm going to have to hate her."

Laura giggles as she whispers back. "Wait till she has a baby, that'll change everything."

Gina blushes. "You two stop teasing me!"

Laura changes the subject. "Have the invitations gone out?"

Alexis nods. "Yes. As a matter of fact they are being delivered by messenger this afternoon."

"I didn't get a chance to ask this earlier, but is Nikolas' grandmother invited?" Gina asks.

"You mean my mother, Lesley?" Laura replies, sipping from her glass of water. "Yes, of course she's been invited."

"No.. I meant his other grandmother, Helena," Gina says. "Nikolas doesn't say much about her...."

Laura and Alexis exchange anxious glances and Alexis answers. "No, she won't be attending. Her health is poor at this point and she won't be able to travel here for the wedding."

"What has Nikolas told you about Helena?" Laura asks carefully.

"Next to nothing; the only thing I know is she lives in Greece, and he's not very close to her." Gina pauses when waiter arrives to take their order. Afterwards she asks. "What's she like? Every time I ask Nikolas he clams up and changes the subject."

Laura looks pleadingly at Alexis, who chooses her words carefully. "Helena's very traditional. She places great importance on the Russian royal heritage. Because of that, she is very possessive."

"What do you mean, possessive?" Gina presses.

Laura tries to explain. "Helena was very possessive of Nikolas when he was born because he was the Cassadine heir. I married her son Stavros when I believed Luke was dead. I left Stavros when I received the news Luke was alive. That's when I lost Nikolas, because Helena wasn't going to have a "peasant" raise the future Cassadine heir."

Gina pales. "She took Nikolas away from you? If I had a child, she could take it away? She sounds like a monster."

Laura ignores the first question and answers the second. "No, not anymore. Helena has no power now that she is ill. Certainly she wasn't the ideal mother in law, but every family has a troublesome family member. You don't have to worry about her, though. The power rests with Stefan and Nikolas now."

"Actually the Cassadines have had more than their share of bad apples, some have even tried to freeze the world," Alexis jokes. "Seriously, children are very important to the Cassadine because most of the clan was killed in the Russian revolution. They were killed by the communists because they were attendants to the Tzar. Those that escaped the revolution but who were in hiding to try and bring back the monarchy were mostly killed by the Nazis when they laid siege to what was then Leningrad. Our family is very small now so each child's future is carefully laid out and invested in. Nikolas has been groomed since he was a young child to his role. When Nikolas becomes 25, he will become THE Cassadine, and he will make all the decisions for the family, including where my child is educated." Alexis pats her tummy lovingly.

Gina looks confused. "But the child is yours... yours and Sonny's! And I thought Stefan was the head of the family?"

"Stefan is the regent for Nikolas until he becomes 25." Alexis explains. "Yes, the child is mine, but Nikolas will be the head of my family. As head of the family, he makes the decisions. This is true in all European royal families. I trust Nikolas to take my wishes into account and I'm confident that he will choose what's best for my child."

"Nikolas has already begun practicing this with Lulu," Laura chimes in. "Even though Lulu isn't a Cassadine, Nikolas has taken responsibility for her since he donated the bone marrow to save her life. It's very hard to resist his taking charge of her life, and I'm not sure I'd want to at this point since he's shown repeatedly that he is capable of handling that responsibility."

"And when you and Nikolas have children, they will be his heirs, groomed to lead when he steps down or dies," Alexis says. The conversation is temporarily halted when their food arrives, but Alexis continues once the waiter has left. " He will preparing his male heir from childhood to take his place."

Gina's head spins from the knowledge. "I had no idea... I just thought I was marrying the man I loved."

"And you are," Laura assures her. "Now that the Cassadine family is based in the states, the rigid rules that govern European royalty are relaxed. I still remember the teachings Helena gave me on raising a Cassadine." Laura shudders at the thought but Gina misses it because she is engrossed in her plate of food. Alexis notices however and gives her a sympathetic look. Laura continues her train of thought. "But I don't think you have to worry about that stuff too much. All of us can help you."

Alexis picks up where Laura lets off. "There is one thing you have to realize. Now that you are marrying a Cassadine, your life is in some jeopardy. The Cassadine are very rich and powerful internationally, which makes them a target for terrorism, kidnapping specifically. You will have bodyguards with you at all times. And when you have children, they will be targets as well. One of the reasons Nikolas was raised on a secluded Greek island was to keep him safe from potential threats. When he was 5 and traveling with Stefan, there was a kidnapping scare. Fortunately, the plot was foiled before Nikolas was taken. I remember Stefan being positively terrified."

Laura looks at Gina's trouble face and tries to reassure her. "We aren't telling you this to scare you. We're trying to prepare you for the life you've. It will be very different from life above Kelly's diner. And we both think you can handle all this. You love Nikolas without reservation, as he does you. That will make the difference."

Gina seems to relax with Laura's reassurance. "Thanks. It would be easy for all of this to be forgotten until after the wedding. Then I'd be in REAL shock."

"There is something you should know about Nikolas," Alexis warns. "He has a difficult time trusting. He has a wall built around himself that he doesn't let anyone through."

"He's so open with me," Gina argues, clearly not believing.

After taking a deep breath for courage, Laura puts her napkin on the table and says her peace. "Gina, I'm not very proud of this, but I'm the one that's responsible for that wall. I left him when he was just a baby. He was led to believe from that moment on that I abandoned him, that I didn't love him. He didn't know until he came here that I tried to see him. Once he was in Port Charles, I made some awful mistakes where he's concerned. You saw most of them. I told him I couldn't see him anymore after forcing him to believe I loved him. Then I faked my death and let him believe I was dead for months, all because I feared the family. Each abandonment, each rejection made that wall all the more impregnable. It will be VERY difficult to reach him. If you have any hope to, you will have to be very patient and understanding."

Gina gulps as she looks from Laura to Alexis, her eyes showing doubt and confusion. Alexis jumps into the silence. "Laura is not the only reason Nikolas has trouble trusting. Stefan is a private man by his nature and Nikolas has learned to be the same. He learned not to trust, not to share his most private feelings or his darkest secrets. There is one thing you can be sure of, there will be things that Nikolas keeps private. Probably because he fears that if he told you, you wouldn't love him anymore. You will have to show him otherwise."

Upon entering the restaurant, Nikolas spies the three women sitting at the table in serious conversation. He notices Gina looking anxious and unsure and he curses under his breath. By the time he reaches the table, he has his gameface on. "Good afternoon, ladies. I trust you've had a productive morning and are now enjoying a delicious lunch?"

"We're trying to," Alexis replies. "Did the tux fittings go well?"

Nikolas lifts Gina's chin to plant a gentle kiss on her lips before he answers. "With the exception of Lucky and Mike moaning and groaning, yes. Would you mind terribly if I stole my beautiful bride to be?"

"Be our guest." Laura answers jovially. "I think we're just about done."

Nikolas takes Gina's trembling hand and helps her from the table. His arms wrap around her waist possessively as soon as she's standing. "Good afternoon Alexis, Mother. I will see you at the engagement party tomorrow evening, if not before."

Laura and Alexis watch them leave. "I sure hope we didn't scare her too much," Alexis says. "I like her a lot; she's good for him."

"Me too," Laura she stares off thoughtfully. Alexis looks at her curiously, wondering what she's thinking about. Finally Laura looks at her at her sadly. "Certainly she has a better chance than I had to be happy. My marriage to Stavros was hardly a lovematch, for me anyway."

Alexis looks down at the table guiltily. "Yes, I'm aware of how you were coerced into marrying Stavros. Did you know I was promised to him before you were kidnapped?"

Laura is stunned. "Really? I would have thought... no, neither Helena nor Stavros ever told me anything unless I had a reason to know it. If I somehow usurped your position in the family, I am truly sorry. I didn't have a choice..."

"Usurp?" Alexis laughs sadly. "No, Stavros' obsession with you saved me from a unhappy and possibly brutal marriage. If anything, I owe you."

"That was ages ago, you don't owe me anything. If I saved you from marrying him, I'm glad. I guess it served us both that I did." Laura looks at Alexis curiously. "How long were you betrothed to Stavros?"

"Almost from birth," Alexis answers. "His father arranged it. I'd spend summers with Stefan and Stavros as a child.... Stavros didn't like me much.." Her eyes cloud at the memory. "And I suppose I didn't like him much either. He didn't appreciate my wit, it made him look like an oaf." She shrugs it off as unimportant.

"He hit you, didn't he?" Laura states rather than questions. She shakes her head unhappily. "He had such a violent temper. Once I saw it, I was careful not to arouse it."

Alexis raises her glass of mineral water for a toast. "Thank the Lord THAT era is over."

Laura returns her toast. "I can drink to that."



Once Nikolas and Gina arrive at her room above Kelly's, He begins to kiss her fervently, almost frantically. His hands travel up and down her back in a sensual caress, causing her breathing to become jagged. "I can't believe how much I miss you," He murmurs into her mouth between kisses. "All morning long, I couldn't stop thinking about making love to you...." He pulls her shirt off and edges them toward the bed.

Gina returns his passionate kisses without reservation, drowning her doubts and fears in the oblivion he offers. "God, you feel so good!" She answers breathlessly as he lowers her to the bed. "I don't want this to ever end."



Reginald enters the Quartermaine living room where Monica and Alan are having a cocktail. "This was delivered by messenger, sir," He says, handing Alan the envelope.

"What is it?" Monica asks with curiosity as Alan opens it.

"It's an invitation to Gina and Nikolas' wedding next week."

Across town, Bobbie opens her door at the Brownstone to find a messenger. He hands her an envelope. Tony comes up from behind and asks. "What's that?"

Bobbie opens the envelope and reads it. "It's an invitation to Nikolas' wedding."

At the Lighthouse, Kevin walks into the living room carrying a small envelope. He rips it open and reads it. "Stefan Cassadine and Laura Spencer request the honor of your company at the marriage of Nikolas Cassadine and Gina Williams....how odd. Why would Lucy and I be invited?"

In Switzerland, Lesley sits in her kitchen talking with her husband Hans. She is glowing with happiness as she clasps a small envelop to her. "I can't believe it, my eldest grandson is getting married! I can't wait to meet this Gina at the wedding."

At Yale, Robin's on the phone with Gina. "Hi! I just got your message. I'll be in Port Charles tomorrow afternoon; Jason's picking me up after my last final. From then on, I will be at your disposal!"

Gina beams happily as she lies in bed with Nikolas holding her tightly. "Great! I'll see you at the engagement party. Thanks Robin."