Chapters 31 & 32

Chapter 31: Determination

The den at Wyndemere. Stefan pours Nikolas a glass of water. "How did your conversation go with your brother?"

Nikolas takes the drink and drops into a chair. "About as well as expected. He's pretty upset with me for pressuring him to come to the wedding. But I think we came to an understanding."

Stefan pours himself a drink. "And what did he say in regards to my proposition of peace?"

"Nothing, I didn't even get a chance to say much." Nikolas pauses to take a long sip. "He refused to discuss it with anyone but you. In his own words he said: 'Tell Steffie if he wants to deal with me that he'll have to do the dirty work himself for once.' I'm sorry. I did try, but he is as unpredictable and as touchy as ever."

Stefan frowns deeply. "I knew sending you was a calculated risk that could backfire on me. Now the task of negotiating peace will be even more difficult. Nonetheless, it must be accomplished for Lasha's and LesleyLu's sake."

"Do you have any idea how you will approach him?" Nikolas asks.

Stefan unbuttons his suit coat, and sits in a chair across from Nikolas. "I will approach him on his territory, alone, and I will agree to any conditions he has, provided I can meet them without harming anyone in the family. I don't have to tell you how ecstatic Lasha is to have him home again, you would have to be blind not to see it yourself. And I will do just about anything to keep that glow of happiness on her face."

Nikolas nods. "LesleyLu is thrilled to have Lucky home as well. Apparently, Mother took her for a short visit with Lucky this morning. She's been bouncing all over Wyndemere ever since. And for myself, I have to admit I was glad to see him today, even as surly as he was. It finally feels like the family is coming together."

The Cassadine retreat. A rumpled Alexis pads from the kitchen to the living room, dressed in pajamas carrying a cup of herbal tea. She curls up in the nest she has created for herself on the couch. Thinking back to the time around her wedding to Sonny, she smiles again sadly.


Puerto Rico. In a posh hotel suite, the happy couple makes the final preparations for the wedding. Alexis is dressed in a simple but elegant ivory dress, Sonny in a black tux.

Sonny smiles appreciatively at the beautiful picture Alexis makes. "Stunning. Absolutely stunning, Baby."

Alexis wrinkles her nose slightly as she dons some teardrop pearl earrings. "I hate when you call me that."

Sonny wraps his arms tightly around her from behind and kisses the back of her ear. "You better get used to it, 'cause I plan on calling you that for the rest of our lives." He releases her to straighten his tie. "You know, there are a couple more things we have to do before we take off for the church."

Alexis' eyebrows raise slightly. "What would they that?"

Sonny smooths back his jet black hair. "I need to call Mike and tell him the great news, and you have to call Stefan."

"You're right, I wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least attempt to get Stefan's blessing before the wedding. But still, " Alexis groans. "I just know he's going to be furious."

Sonny reaches for the hotel phone and starts to dial. "Maybe he will surprise you." When Alexis rolls her eyes, he shrugs. "Okay, so the chances of that are about one in a million... Hey Mike! I'm glad I caught you."

"Sonny, this is a surprise," Mike says jovially. "I heard through the grapevine that all went well in Venezuela. So when are you due back in Port Charles?"

"Not for a few days," Sonny says with a grin. "I have some business to attend to in Puerto Rico."

"Nothing life threatening, I hope," Mike replies.

Sonny's grin widens. "Nope, not unless you consider getting hitched life threatening."

"What.. WHAT?!" Mike exclaims. "Don't tell me you finally came to your senses and proposed to Alexis?"

"Hey, it isn't my senses that have been in question. I proposed to her ages ago, but she turned me down," He winks at Alexis. "But I used my infamous charm to wear her down."

"Oh brother!" Alexis grumbles in the background.

Mike laughs. "You give the future Mrs Sonny Corinthos a big wet kiss from me after the ceremony and tell her welcome to the family. I don't want to keep you from the church. See you in a few days.... And Michael? I'm very happy for you."

"Thanks, Mike. That means more than you know. Pass the word onto Jason, will you? He'll understand if I don't call him myself." Sonny hangs up the phone and swipes away a tear from the corner of his eye.

Alexis comes up behind him and hugs him tightly. "You wish he was here, don't you? If you wan to postpone the ceremony for a couple days so he can be attend, I'll understand."

Sonny shakes his head firmly. "No way, Baby. We are getting married tonight!"

Alexis releases him and reaches for the phone. "I suppose it's my turn to make my call."

Sonny pulls on his suit jacket to straighten it. "Try not to sound like you're going to the executioner, Sweetheart."

"I can't help it, I'm dreading this phone call..." Alexis dials the number quickly. "Hello, Mrs Lansbury. May I speak to Stefan? Thanks.... Stefan, it's Alexis."

Stefan can't hide his surprise. "Alexis, where are you? You sound far away. Shouldn't you have reached Port Charles by now?"

Alexis smiles bravely at Sonny and presses on. "I'm not in Port Charles. I'm in Puerto Rico... with Sonny."

"What are you doing there?" Stefan demands, not hiding his obvious disdain. "I need you here, Alexis. With the mess that Victor left behind, there is a mountain of damage control that requires your attention."

"I'll be happy to get started on it in a few days, Stefan. But right now, I have more pressing business here in Puerto Rico," Alexis explains.

"What could be more pressing than handling this current family crisis?"

"I'm getting married... tonight," Alexis answers, bracing herself for the inevitable explosion.

Stefan's eyes glitter dangerously. "I absolutely forbid it, Alexis. You will NOT marry that common thug, do you understand me?! Return home at once and drop this foolishness."

Alexis mouth tightens to a thin line of determination. "No, Stefan. I'm staying In Puerto Rico, and I'm marrying Sonny within the hour. There is no way you can stop me."

"Do not disobey me in this, Alexis," Stefan warns in his most ominous tone. "I am warning you, I will not tolerate it. Come home at once. That is an order."

Rather than being intimidated, Alexis only becomes more determined. "I'm sorry, that isn't possible, Stefan. But I'll plan on seeing you in a few days to begin working on damage control. Give my love to Nikolas. Good bye." She hangs up the phone quickly, cutting off Stefan's loud protests. "Well, that went about as well as expected."

"I'm sorry he gave you such a hard time," Sonny says as he extends his hand to her. "But I couldn't be happier to hear how sure you are about marrying me."

Alexis squeezes his hand meaningfully and gathers her wrap and purse. "One of the benefits of my estrangement from Stefan last year is I learned I could survive without him, without his approval or protection. And I also discovered that I have a right to be happy, even if it conflicts with the family. You make me very happy, Sonny. There's no way I'm going to give that up now."

Sonny links arms with Alexis and opens the door. "Are you ready to become Mrs Sonny Corinthos?"

Alexis smiles enthusiastically. "Absolutely."

Late evening in Nikolas and Gina's suite within Wyndemere. Nikolas is getting dressed for bed when Gina arrives home from studying for finals. He looks up and gives her a wary smile. "Hi. We missed you at dinner."

Gina dumps her pile of books on her dresser. "I'm sorry. I wanted to be here, but with this huge Organic Chemistry final tomorrow, I needed every spare minute tonight to study for it."

Nikolas crosses the room to stand next to his tired wife. He brushes the hair out of her face with one hand and tenderly kisses her on the lips. Gina moans slightly when Nikolas deepens the kiss and wraps her arms around his neck. "That's a nice welcome home. If I'd known this is waiting for me, I might have cut my studying short."

Nikolas puts his hands on her hips and edges her closer to him. "I didn't like how we left things this morning.. this is my way of making up for having to leave so abruptly." He kisses her with slow thoroughness until she melts against him. "You seem exhausted," he comments softly.

Gina sighs. "I am. Every muscle in my back and neck aches. But I feel a lot better now that I'm home with you." She kisses his bottom lip tenderly. "I have an apology to make."

"I can't think of a single thing you need to apologize for," Nikolas replies, his strong hands kneading the muscles in her back.

"That's where you're wrong," Gina disagrees. "I was childish and insecure this morning when I confronted you about Emily. Being with you, being loved by you, is a dream come true for me. And sometimes, I doubt it. I mean, what do I have to offer you? I'm nothing special."

"Gina--"

Gina puts her fingers over his lips to stop him from talking. "Please, I need to say this. Anyway, these past couple weeks, I've been feeling that way more than usual. There's no reason really, it's not that you haven't been your loving self, you have. This has to do with me, my insecurities. I'm trying to get a handle on them, but every once in a while, they rear their collective ugly head."

Nikolas removes her hand from his mouth and places a kiss in her palm. "Tell me what I can do, what I can say to make you believe you are the only woman I love."

Gina's eyes mist slightly at Nikolas' sincerity. "Nothing, except be your usual wonderfully patient and loving self."

"I think I can do that." Nikolas leads her to the bed, and directs her to lie on her side. He sits beside her, his hand gently rubbing her back and neck, easing away the knots and tension in her muscles. "I love you, Gina. Nothing can change that. Nothing."

Shortly before midnight, Lucky and Emily arrive at the front gate of the Q estate. Lucky kills the Caddy's engine and leans back in the seat to look at Emily.

Emily gives a wistful sigh. "Tonight was over much too soon. I wanted to keep dancing until they closed the club."

"Me too, but I promised your parents I'd have you home by midnight. It wouldn't look good to break my first promise to them." Lucky captures a stray lock of Emily's hair between his fingers and plays with it thoughtfully. "You really had fun tonight, didn't you?"

Emily looks at him sharply, noticing for the first time since his return that he isn't nearly as self assured as he pretends to be. "I had a fabulous time. Really. There isn't anyone in the world I'd rather be with."

Lucky lets the breath out he's been holding since he asked, relief flooding him. She wants to be with him. He could still see traces of wariness, of her fear of being hurt again, but tonight had gone a long way towards showing her they still had magic between them. And it confirmed for him what he already knew, that he was still madly in love with her. Holding her on the dance floor had been torture. He wanted to do more than just hold her in a public setting.

Lucky gives himself a mental shake and glances at his watch. "I better walk you up to the house before the Caddy turns into a pumpkin." He jogs around the Caddy and opens the passenger door to help Emily out.

They saunter hand in hand up to the house. Emily kicks a pebble on the driveway. "This is so nice, I wish it didn't have to end."

"Who says it's going to end?" Lucky grins. "Heck, our date tonight is over, but this is just the beginning. That is, if you want it to be."

They arrive at the front steps to the mansion. Emily turns to face him. "More than anything." Lucky leans over to kiss on the lips, slowly closing the distance between them as the kiss deepens.

All sense of time and place is lost as they kiss passionately, finding their way into each other's arms automatically. Lucky's hands travel up Emily's back and into her hair while Emily's hands unbutton his suit jacket and travel up and down his chest. When Emily begins to unbutton the top button of his dress shirt, Lucky breaks off the kiss.

Their breathing slowly returns to normal while they hold each other. As Emily's sanity returns with regular breathing, so does the realization that they are on the steps of her home. She groans unhappily. "I can't believe I forgot where we are, even if just for a minute. I could so easily lose myself in you. You are like a drug, Lucky Spencer."

Lucky frames her face with her hands and forces her to look into his eyes. "We are more than that, Emily. So much more. And I intend to prove that to you." He kisses her forehead. "Have lunch with me tomorrow."

"I work until two, it'd have to be a late lunch."

"I'll pick you up at Kelly's at two and we'll have lunch in the park." Lucky lifts her chin to kiss her once more on the lips before pushing her away to arm's length. "you better go before I lose what little self control I have left."

Emily runs up the steps and pauses as her hand reaches for the knob. She gives him her warmest smile. "Thank you for one of the most wonderful nights of my life, Lucky. I'll never forget it for as long as I live."

Chapter 32 Worried

 

At the park, Lucky is spreading a plaid blanket on the ground when he hears a twig break several yards behind him. Lucky calls over his shoulder, "Hey, Em, I'm over here. Did Janice come in early to relieve you?"

"No," Stefan says quietly as he emerges from the wooded path behind Lucky. "Sorry to disappoint you, Lucky."

Lucky tenses immediately. "So Count Vlad decided that I'm worth a visit in person. I suppose I should be honored. Too bad I have other plans."

"If we both remain civil, I see no reason that this conversation has to interfere with your plans." Stefan walks a little closer, keeping his hands to his side.

"Well you kind of ruined any chance for that when you snuck up on me," Lucky retorts, coming to a stand in front of Stefan. "Ever hear of making an appointment? The last thing I'm interested in right now is having a conversation, civil or otherwise, with a slimy Cassadine. So why don't you slither back under the rock you came from?"

Stefan sighs heavily. Lucky is making himself as obnoxious as possible. And it's very likely that if he pressed Lucky further it would result in greater hostilities. Best to make a strategic withdrawal now. He hates showing any weakness, but the other options would only cause an escalation between them. An escalation that couldn't be afforded. "Very well, since you've made it clear you won't speak to me now, I will wait for you to contact me at your convenience." He turns heel and prepares to return the way he came.

"So she really has you whipped, doesn't she?" Lucky cracks at Stefan's retreating back. "She says jump, you ask how high?"

Stefan stops and takes a deep breath; this behavior is so typical for Lucky Spencer. He turns to face Lucky again. "No one makes me do anything I don't want to do. However, your mother's happiness and peace of mind are of great importance to me."

"Important enough to give up hating me?" Lucky asks curiously. "I doubt it. Maybe you'll pretend for a while, but in the end you won't be able to help yourself anymore than I can help hating you. Giving up hating you would be like giving up breathing."

"Would you not do almost anything for the woman you loved?" Stefan asks quietly. "I am certain you would. In that way, we are not much different."

Automatically Lucky's mind rests on Emily and how much he would sacrifice for her. He shakes the thought out of his head. Thinking of her right now only dulls his senses, something he can't afford in Stefan's presence. He shoots Stefan a look of pure hatred as he advances on him."We are nothing alike, Cassadine. Nothing alike. You aren't capable of love, only of using people to gain your ends, to get revenge on my father and my family. And marrying my mother fits into your grand scheme of ruining my family. She's too trusting, too vulnerable, to see you for what you are. But some day she will, as will my sister. And when that day comes, you will go down. I'll see to it myself."

Stefan's eyes glitter briefly at Lucky's threat before he reins in his temper yet again. "So peace between us is impossible... that is how you would have it. Even though the ones most harmed would be your mother and LesleyLu?"

Lucky snorts. "You like to hide behind women and children, don't you? You really are a coward. First you hide behind Nikolas, now my mother and Lulu." He paces before Stefan. "Fine. You want to hide behind them, go ahead. You can have the 'peace' you want, because you're right, Lulu and Mom have the most to lose. But I'd call it a temporary truce. The moment I sense either one of them are unhappy, I'm coming in for the kill. For you."

Stefan grits his teeth to keep from responding to Lucky's provocative words, reminding himself of his resolve to have some sort of peace with Laura's son. But Lucky's words are too galling, too insulting to let pass. Walking up into Lucky's face deliberately, he stops only a few inches away. "Do not mistake my wish for peace as weakness or fear, Lucky Spencer. I have no need to hide behind anything or anyone. But I will not allow the mere words of an angry impulsive young man to bait me into action that would harm my wife and her daughter."

Lucky's temper reaches the boiling point, his fists clenched at his sides, aching for action. "Pretty words, Cassadine. But that's all you've ever had. Pretty words."

They hear a gasp a few yards away as Emily steps on the scene. "Lucky! M..Mr Cassadine!"

Stefan steps back from Lucky. "Miss Quartermaine... I regret that you have been forced to witness this.. unpleasantness. Please excuse me, it is time I leave. My business here is complete." He turns abruptly and returns the way he came, leaving Lucky glowering after him and Emily staring after him with her mouth agape.

"Hi Justus, what can I do for you?" Jason asks when Rinaldo shows Justus in. Jason sits on the floor with Stone who is pulling himself up to a stand next to the couch. Various baby toys are strewn all over the living room.

"Actually, I've been trying to find Alexis for the last couple days to give her some legal paperwork," Justus explains. "Nothing urgent or anything. But I thought I'd stop by while I was in the neighborhood." He grins at Stone who is staring at him curiously. "Hey, big fella. How's it going?"

Stone starts to walk towards Justus, only to be caught by Jason as he falls. "Glad you did. As you can see I'm taking care of the big guy while his mom takes a few days to regroup." Jason sets Stone on the floor. Stone immediately begins to crawl towards Justus.

Justus crouches down to Stone's level. "I can't believe how big he is!" He winces a little when Stone grabs his finger tightly and sticks it into his mouth. "And strong! It must have been pretty serious for Alexis to leave him with you, Jason. She's very devoted to him."

"Yeah, she's dealing with some pretty heavy stuff." Jason smiles as Justus attempts to extract his finger from Stone's mouth. Stone squeals and launches himself at Justus, knocking him from his crouching position to the floor. At Justus' laughter of surprise, Jason says, "That's his favorite thing to do, tackle. And he isn't afraid of anyone."

"I'm amazed. Bradley was pretty shy at this age..." Justus grabs Stone's hands and claps them together while making baby sounds at him. "I can't believe how comfortable he is with me."

"He's only like this when he's feeling safe... he knows he's safe here and that you're cool." Jason tousles Stone's hair. "But watch out if you get him mad. It takes a lot to get him angry, but he already has his dad's hot temper."

"When is Alexis due back in town? I assume you hear from her regularly."

"Actually I'm a little worried. She hasn't called since yesterday morning. Usually she calls in the morning when Stone wakes and then again at bedtime. But last night and this morning, she didn't call. If I haven't heard from her by tonight, I may have to send someone to check on her in person." Jason catches Stone as he stumbles into Jason's lap.

"He's certainly keeping your hands full, isn't he?"

"Yes, but it is a good busy and there isn't much going on with the business right now." Jason supports Stone as he tries to stand in Jason's lap. "Besides, this is the first time I've been able to spend more than a couple hours at a time with him in months. We both needed it. Didn't we, Stone?"

"He certainly seems to be thriving...." Justus pauses for a moment as he considers what he's about to say. "You know, if you need someone to go check on Alexis, I'd be happy to volunteer."

Jason jumps on the offer. "You would? That would be great. I wasn't looking forward to sending an employee to do it. And I trust your judgment; if Alexis is in trouble, you'll be able to tell."

Justus looks at his watch and pulls himself to his feet. "Damn, I have to go. I have a meeting in an hour with the shipping division. Give me a call this evening if you need me to check on Alexis. I'd be happy to."

"Sure thing. Can you wave goodbye to Justus, Stone?" Jason holds Stone's hand up for a wave.

Justus' smile widens huge grin as he waves back at Stone. "Bye, bye Stone. You take good care of Jason."

After watching Stefan disappear down the wooded path, Emily turns her attention back to Lucky. "Wow, I thought you were two were going to hit each other. You okay?"

Lucky looks at Emily for the first time since she arrived. "Yeah, I'm fine. As much as I'd like to knock the smug look off his face, he's not worth the sore knuckles."

"Even so, I'm glad he's gone. Seeing you two together like were just now scares me stiff." Emily drops her backpack onto the blanket Lucky spread out earlier and takes a seat next to it. "I brought two huge lunches, one of the side benefits of working at Kelly's..." She looks up at Lucky who is still staring down the wooded path. "He really got to you didn't he?"

Lucky breaks his staring contest with the trees to turn his attention back to Emily. "The mere fact that he breathes bugs me. Forget him," he says, joining her on the blanket. "We're here to enjoy a late lunch, let's do it."

Alexis lies on the couch in the dark, dozing off and on. It doesn't appear that she's moved much or done much since the day before. When she's asleep she dreams of Sonny, when awake she is consumed by memories of their time together. Even the memories of their fights, which were infrequent but excruciating, are savored for the brief comfort they bring her.

The night after their wedding is the high point of her memories. The night when it was just the two of them. No outside interferences, well-meaning or otherwise, from family or friends...


Flashback 1998

After their wedding, Alexis and Sonny arrive back at their hotel suite. Sonny pulls her into their room, slamming the door and pressing her against it with the weight of his body. His mouth finds hers from memory, tasting then devouring it in a hard passionate kiss. After a minute he pulls away to study her face. "The kiss in the church was much too short and unsatisfying for my taste... I could barely wait to get you back here."

Alexis closes her eyes as Sonny resumes kissing her, this time trailing his mouth down her neck to the base of her throat. She smiles blissfully. "Hmmmm... I have to agree, it was much too short of a kiss, though the priest was properly scandalized." She giggles. "It was the most beautiful wedding I've ever attended. I know no one else would agree..."

Sonny pauses in his exploration of her neck to look at her again. "I would. You looked so sensational I didn't notice anything else. Besides..." He grins as he kisses her on the lips. "It was our wedding, if we didn't think it was perfect, then we'd be in trouble."

Alexis wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him fully on the mouth. "True, and it was absolutely perfect in my book. Down to the little old lady witness who couldn't speak English. She was adorable in her own way."

"I'm glad to hear you weren't jealous when she kissed both of my cheeks before the wedding. I know how possessive you can be... and you did give her a dirty look." Sonny's fingers trail along the plunging neckline of her dress, causing Alexis to shiver in pleasure.

Alexis tries to kiss Sonny on the mouth again, but he playfully evades her kiss. Finally she protests, "No fair teasing me! It's been months since we've made love and now you're torturing me."

Sonny eyes turn smoldering, his playful mood turning suddenly serious. "You're right, it's been too long... much much too long since we've been together. Much too long since I held you in my arms and made love to you."

All conversation ends as they give free rein to their desire for each other. Within moments, Sonny has her dress unzipped and off her body while Alexis struggles to remove his bow tie and shirt after stripping him of his tails. Sonny scoops her up in his arms and takes her their bed. As their lovemaking quickly reaches a feverish pitch, they join together as one.

After the first frantic lovemaking, they spend the whole night making love, only taking time to cuddle and doze in each other's arms. Their hurried pace gives way to more leisurely exploration of each other's bodies. Finally as the sun peaks over the horizon, they fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms.