CHAPTERS 1 & 2
Chapter 1: Hard To Believe
The next morning, Emily pours her heart out to Lois over the phone. "I still can't believe he asked me to marry him, Lois. I just don't know what to do. You're the only one I could think of who'd give me straight advice."
"Aw, Honey. I'm honored you think of me that way," Lois replies in cheerful Brooklyn accent, though her brow furrows with concern. "So tell me how ya felt when he proposed."
"Like I was floating on air, it was so unreal. I thought it was happening to someone else. I came home to candlelight and soft music. He danced with me, then he got down on one knee and proposed. It was so incredible, Lois." Emily's voice takes on a dreamy quality. "He loves me with all his heart, I know he does. And I love him so much too, and I always have."
Lois smiles at Emily's obvious happiness. "The proposal sounds wonderful, it's a girl's dream come true to have her guy love her like that. So what did ya say to him?" She asks, trying to sound casual as she bites her lip. The idea of Emily marrying so young is terrifying to say the least, but the last thing she wants is to scare Emily away with strong opinions. With a lot of luck and a little guidance, she hopes Emily can come to the right answer on her own.
Emily's enthusiasm dampens a bit. "I didn't say anything because I didn't know what to say. It's all happening so fast. We've never even made plans beyond next week, much less talked about marriage.... He wants me to marry him right away and take off on a road trip across country as early as tonight because he can't stand being in Port Charles any longer. He left a little while ago to run some errands. Up 'til now, I haven't had much time to think."
"Is it what you want, Emily? To get married right away and take off on the road?" Lois asks as gently as she can.
"I love him and I know someday I want to marry him... but to leave town.. my friends, my family, school, my job... I don't know if I can do that at the drop of a hat..."
Lois seizes the opening Emily gives her. "Seems like it was just yesterday you moved out of the mansion into your own apartment."
"I know, I know. And I love my life the way it is. But I love Lucky too." Emily sighs unhappily. "I wish I knew what was the right thing to do."
"Marriage is a life long commitment, Honey. And there's no way to know what the best decision is. You can only make your best guess."
"How did you know?" Emily asks. "How did you know you wanted to marry Ned and spend the rest of your life with him?"
"Which time?" Lois says with a laugh. "Seriously, the last time I made a commitment to be with Nedly, it was because I was sure he wanted what I wanted. Our priorities were the same. What we wanted our life to be like was the same. Ya remember how hard I tried to fit into Nedly's life? It took my run-in with Mother Ashton to make me realize I couldn't do it. I couldn't sacrifice myself and what I wanted out of life to be with Ned, no matter how much I loved him. A part of me would have died and then I'd be spending the rest of my life resenting Nedly. Sure, we compromise now, but it's with eyes and hearts open. He made me see that he wanted the life I wanted. That's the only way."
Emily rubs her forehead in frustration. "This is all so complicated!"
"Yeah, and I had the benefit of years of life experience on ya and I still didn't get it right the first two times. Heck, you aren't even of legal age, Sweetheart."
"I know," Emily replies softly. "Dad would go nuts if I tried to marry Lucky before I was of age. I don't think I could handle that. What do I do, Lois?"
"You don't want me to tell ya what to do," Lois refuses. "You'd resent me if it turned out wrong."
"Please, just tell me what you'd do? What you really think of my marrying Lucky?" Emily begs.
Lois takes a deep breath and goes for it. "Honestly? No matter how much I loved a guy I would never have married so young. For one thing, I had too many things I wanted to do... I wanted to play. And I think you're much too young to marry Lucky and run off to God knows where with him. It's way unfair of him to ask you give up your whole life for him. And your life is just starting. Why tie yourself down to a lifelong commitment so soon? Just when you're getting some freedom?"
Emily gulps sadly. "I thought that's what you'd say."
"Aw, that's why I didn't want to tell ya what I thought. This has to be YOUR decision, Hon, not mine. I'll love ya and be happy for ya either way. Just promise me you'll think long and hard, okay?"
"I will," Emily promises. "And maybe I didn't want to hear how you felt, but I appreciate you being honest with me anyway. Thanks, Lois. You're the best. Give the kids a kiss for me?"
"Sure thing, Emily. Call me back and tell me what you decided?"
"Promise. Bye, Lois."
As Lois lowers the receiver to the phone cradle, she hears a floor board creak behind her, and whirls around to find Ned behind her. "Nedly! That was a private conversation!"
"And it's a good thing I overheard it." Ned goes to pick up the phone.
Lois advances on him threateningly. "Ned Ashton, you pick up that phone and break my confidence with Emily and so help me I'll make you wish you'd never been born...."
Laura enters the dining room for breakfast to find Stefan, Lulu, Nikolas and Gina already seated. A sumptuous feast of croissants, scones, toast, muffins, eggs, bacon, sausage, and numerous kinds of fruits and fruit juices is laid out along the full length of the table. As Laura sits down, Stefan begins to fix her a plate despite her weak protest that she can get her own.
"Did you sleep well, Mother?" Nikolas asks as he passes her a cup of herbal tea.
"Fine, thank you," Laura replies quickly, then turns to Lulu. "How about you, Pumpkin? Do you like your room?"
"I love my new room; it's perfect," Lulu gushes. "Did you know it has a secret passage in it that leads down to the living room? I found it this morning."
"No I didn't know that," Laura smiles gratefully at Stefan after he places her plate in front of her.
Stefan touches Lulu's head affectionately while he addresses her. "I told your mother last night that we could have your room redecorated. Would you like that?"
Lulu looks to her mother for confirmation. "Could we, Mommy? Can we paint it purple?"
"Purple? What about a pink? Pink's such a pretty color," Laura suggests as she takes a bite of her breakfast.
"No, I want purple!" Lulu says adamantly. "Purple's my favorite color."
"We'll talk about it," Laura says to avoid an argument at the table. "I'm sure we can find a way to include purple in your room."
Gina pipes up. "I think I have some redecorating books from back when we were redoing our suite of rooms. I think there's a whole book of ideas on children's rooms. I'll find it after breakfast."
Lulu, who's too excited to eat breakfast, proceeds to climb into her mother's lap. "I can't wait! Mommy, can I invite Georgie over to play?"
Laura takes a bit of muffin while she helps settle Lulu into her lap. "We need to check with Felicia, but I'm sure it would be fine."
Lulu notices a new chain around her mother's neck and pulls at it. Out pops the medallion. "Mommy, why are you wearing your old necklace?"
"Actually it's a new one, even though it looks like my old one. Stefan gave it to me as a wedding present. It's a medallion of the Cassadine family crest; I wear one now that I'm married to Stefan."
"Oh." Lulu traces her fingers over the bumps of the crest thoughtfully. "Nikolas has one just like it and and so does Gina and Stefan. Why don't I have one? I want one too."
There's an awkward silence, then Nikolas coughs and gets up. "Lulu, do you still wish to visit Sheba? If so, you need to change into some jeans. Mrs Lansbury has some fresh carrots in the kitchen."
Lulu quickly climbs off her mother's lap and dashes off. "I'll be right back! Don't go without me, Nikky!"
"I'll be careful, Mother, nothing will happen to Lulu," Nikolas says as assurance.
Laura nods. "Of course you will."
The breakfast breaks up and Stefan motions for Laura to follow him into the study. She takes a seat on the love seat while he retrieves some items from his desk. "I took the liberty of having these made." He hands her three small flat velvet jewelry boxes identical to the one that held her medallion. "They are Cassadine medallions for your children... one for LesleyLu, one for Lucky, and one for our unborn child. Certainly the one for our child will be worn by her or him when the time is right. However, the ones for your other two children are yours to do with as you wish."
Laura looks at him in confusion. "Why? They aren't Cassadine."
Stefan takes a seat next to her on the love seat. "Lucky and LesleyLu are your children, and you are now a Cassadine and my wife. I vowed to protect all of your children with everything that I am. These medallions are the symbol of that vow. And when worn, they tell the world they are protected by the Cassadine."
Laura looks searchingly into Stefan's face and is calmed by what she senses. "Thank you for extending your protection to include my children. I know with Lulu's it's easy, but Lucky's done nothing but antagonize you."
Stefan smiles ruefully. "I'm afraid I have done my share of antagonizing. He is as yet a young man who feels his father's loss keenly and has been taught to hate me... and I have done little to teach him otherwise. Whatever else is between us, Lucky is your son and deserving of the same protection as all your children. Perhaps with time and patience, Lucky and I can form a truce."
"I hope it's more than just words, Stefan," Laura says quietly.
"Only my actions will prove my intent." Stefan gets up and turns to face the fireplace. "Let me know your decision on the medallion so that I know how to handle questions from LesleyLu."
"I'll let you know as soon as I decide." Laura comes to a stand behind Stefan and studies his back for a long time. What a strong and kind man he could be with the right encouragement, a man worthy of being loved. Her thoughts flit to the previous night when she locked him out of her bedroom and the guilt hits her full force. He deserves a loving wife, not one whose heart was buried with a dead man. What a mess she'd made of everything. "Are you having second thoughts about our marriage?" She asks finally.
Stefan turns suddenly, startled by her unexpected question. "No." His hands frame her face as he battles the desire to kiss her and loses. His mouth covers her, hungry for the taste of her. "No, never..." He murmurs into her mouth. "Never..."
Chapter 2: Surprise!
"Are you having second thoughts about our marriage?" Laura asks to Stefan's back.
Stefan turns suddenly, startled by her unexpected question. "No." His hands frame her face as he battles the desire to kiss her and loses. His mouth covers her, hungry for the taste of her. "No, never..." He murmurs into her mouth. "Never..."
With a whimper, Laura pulls herself out of his embrace. "I can't! Please, Stefan!"
Stefan's hands fall to his side and he pulls himself back under control. Laura takes several steadying breaths while straightening her blouse. "I will not apologize for kissing you," He says with quiet firmness, now back to his usual stoic self.
If Stefan's words surprise her, Laura doesn't show it. Instead she pretends it didn't happen, picking up the three jewelry boxes she dropped when he kissed her. "I must go see Gina about the remodeling book for Lulu's bedroom. I'll think about what we've discussed."
Stefan watches Laura's retreating back, waiting till she opens the door to leave to say, "I will see you at lunch with the children?" His words hang in the air as a challenge to her, as if to demand that she set the tone for their marriage. Would it be advance, retreat, advance? Or something more interesting?
Laura turns to face him, rising to his subtle challenge with a look of determination. "Of course. Was there any question?"
"Hi Jax, it's Cassidy Corbin," She says crisply into the phone. "Just checking to see if you've heard any news on Jerry?"
Jax's response is distracted, a clear sign that he's doing several things at once. "Didn't the State Department tell you? I received a videotape two days ago by overnight express. It was of Jerry. The tape shows him alive but in pretty sorry shape. They're analyzing it now. I thought you were in the loop?"
"A videotape?" Cassidy mouth hangs open with astonishment for a moment before closing abruptly into a thin grim line. "They said nothing to me. I guess information only goes one way. Which agent did you give it to?"
"Bloke by the name of.... " Jax makes rustling noises on his desk. "Lindner. Yeah, he said he'd get back to me if they found anything."
"Not bloody likely," Cassidy mutters under her breath. "Thanks Jax. I'll take this from my end. If I hear anything, you and Jane will be the first to know. You'll do the same?"
"Sure, sure," Jax replies distractedly.
Cassidy hangs up the phone and starts swearing loudly and profusely. Alexis comes in from the other room. "What's going on?" She asks.
"Those damn bastards at the WSB have been holding out on me!" Cassidy yells as she slams things around in the living room. Going to the desk, she powers up her computer and logs on for email. "Let's see what my good friend, Henry, has to say about this. "
"What? There's news on Jerry?" Alexis comes up behind Cassidy to read her computer screen.
"Yep. Just called Jerry's brother, Jax, a minute ago. Seems he turned over a videotape from the kidnappers two days ago. Of course the State Department routed it to the WSB for further investigation. But no one bothered tell me.... Wait, what's this? a big email from Henry. And it's encrypted so the bigwigs can't tell what it is." Cassidy waits for the encrypting software to open the email, and gasps. Alexis who's standing behind her, turns green.
"Oh my God," Alexis whispers. She closes her eyes to the grisly still image of an emaciated and beaten Jerry who's very clearly alive and flipping the bird.
Cassidy scrolls down. "Henry says they got this from a surveillance source yesterday and there's a meeting this afternoon to hammer out the final details of the rescue mission. Thank you, Henry! Alexis, can you make arrangements to get the Cassadine jet ready? I'm going to New York."
Gina sits on the edge of the tub in her bathroom staring at the pregnancy test with anticipation. Only one more minute. It had taken forever to get rid of Laura, who wanted to talk remodeling. Normally Gina would have welcomed her with open arms. To have a woman to talk to, one who understood her worries implicitly. But not today. Not when her life was about to change....
The indicator on the pregnancy test turns color at the same time she hears Nikolas' voice enter their suite of room. "Gina? Mother said you were in here and acting oddly..."
"In here!" Gina yells out. "Come in here quick!"
Nikolas slams open the door in alarm and rushes to her side. "What? What's wrong?"
Gina waves the test stick in the air. "Wrong? Nothing's wrong! I'm pregnant! I just found out I'm pregnant! We're going to have a baby."
Nikolas whisks her off the tub and carries her into the bedroom to their bed. "Did you say you're pregnant? We're going to have a baby?"
"Yes!" Gina cries happily. "Can you believe it?"
Nikolas hugs her so tightly he knocks the breath out of her. "A baby! You're carrying my child," He says in astonishment. "You're sure?"
Gina shows him the home pregnancy test. "These things are pretty accurate, but I'll make an appointment with the OB ASAP to confirm."
"I will go with you to the appointment," Nikolas vows, "I want to be there every step of the way."
Gina looks at her hands self-consciously. "Would you mind very much if we kept this to ourselves for a little while? Just until we get confirmation from the doctor that everything's okay with the baby?"
Nikolas embraces her very gently this time, like she's a porcelain doll that might shatter if held too tightly. "Absolutely, it will be our secret to savor." He kisses her lips reverently. "I love you, Gina. Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world."
In the living room, Stefan sits on the sofa with a book open in his lap talking on the phone. "Thank you for the update, Alexis. How is Cassandra handling the news?"
"She's mad as a hatter at being kept in the dark, but I haven't seen her this full of life since before Jerry disappeared," Alexis replies. "Finally there's something for her to do, rather than just waiting and worrying. I'd say all in all, she's holding up quite well."
Laura walks up behind Stefan as he finishes the conversation. "Keep me informed of new developments and of anything I can do to facilitate Mr Jacks' release..." Stefan pauses as he tries to interpret Laura's elaborate sign language. "And Lasha asks that you give that little boy of yours a big kiss for her and she will stop by later in the week for lunch. "
Alexis laughs. "Will do. Tell her Thursday is open for lunch and it's my treat."
Stefan hangs up and passes on the message about lunch. "Alexis called to tell me the news on Jerry Jacks. Apparently the terrorists released a videotape of him two days ago. Cassandra is on her way to New York City right now to see what's being done to rescue him."
Laura joins Stefan on the couch. "I can only imagine what she's going through. To be pregnant and worrying whether the man she loves is alive or not, I don't think there could be anything worse." She looks over to the book on Stefan's lap. "You noticed the page I had marked. What do you think?"
Stefan hands the book back to Laura, his hand lingering to touch hers. "A mural for LesleyLu's room is an inspired idea. In fact, I already have someone in mind for the project... Kevin Collins. I called him a few minutes ago and he is coming over tomorrow to discuss it. He is very intrigued by the idea; it's not his normal style."
"He's perfect for the project," Laura replies, beaming with enthusiasm. "But I think we should keep it as a surprise for Lulu. She loves surprises."
Stefan's eyes twinkle happily at the pure pleasure of scheming with her. He takes her hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss that causes Laura to flush. "Then surprise it will be."
Lucky and Emily sit on the bed in her apartment, a small jewelry box that holds an engagement ring sitting between them. "Well, Emily. I've told you how I feel and I've given you some time to think. Will you marry me?"
Emily looks up at Lucky with tear-filled eyes. "I love you, Lucky, with all my heart. But I can't marry you. Not now."
