Chapters 39 & 40

 

Chapter 39 A New Beginning

Justus walks Alexis out of the PC Grille. Just outside the door he grabs her hand and holds onto it. "Thank you for having dinner with me, Alexis. It's the most enjoyable evening I've had in several days."

"If that's the case, then you should get out more, Counselor," Alexis teases lightly. "What's the American saying? 'All work and no play makes Justus a dull boy'."

Justus pulls on her hand to bring her close. "Does that mean you're volunteering for the job of saving me from becoming dull? Because I can't think of anyone more qualified for the position."

Alexis' eyes dance, clearly enjoying the flirting game with Justus. "Now I didn't say that..."

Justus's mouth hovers over Alexis'. "Oh? Are you sure you weren't offering?" He brushes his lips against hers playfully. "You know we'd have a lot of fun."

Alexis lays a hand on Justus' chest. "Yes, we've proven that, but..."

Her words are cut off when he captures her mouth with his and kisses her deeply. For several moments they lose themselves in the kiss, forgetting their surroundings. Then the kiss is interrupted by the sound of a ringing cell phone and they break away from each other. "It's yours, I think," Justus whispers unevenly. "And the timing stinks."

Alexis looks around the PC Hotel Lobby sheepishly as she fumbles for her ringing cell phone. "Actually, it's a good thing, considering we were making a public display of ourselves...." She answers the phone. "Alexis Corinthos... Nikolas! Slow down, where are you? Laura's in labor? Okay, I'll meet you at the hospital."

Justus sighs unhappily as he strokes her hair. "Damn, and I was going to try to get you to go upstairs with me."

"I can't, Justus... and it probably wouldn't have been wise anyway, as tempting as it is." She closes her eyes to the pleasure of him rubbing her neck. "I should call Jan... you're not going to make it easy to leave."

"How about I make it real easy," Justus suggests, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and walking her to the exit. "Let me drive you to the hospital. You'll get there faster and we can spend more time together."

"Can't argue with that logic."

Laura sits on a hospital bed that is semi upright. Stefan sits beside her, holding onto one of her hands tightly and using his other to mop her sweaty brow. "You are doing beautifully, Lasha."

"Where's Dr Goldstein?" Laura asks fretfully. "I don't know how much longer i can wait to push. The urge is so strong."

Just then, Dr Goldstein arrives, flanked by two nurses wheeling in a baby warmer. After a quick examination of Laura, she looks up with an encouraging smile. "Okay Laura, are you ready to have this baby?"

"Dr Goldstein, your delay in getting here is intolerable," Stefan snaps angrily. "My wife has been suffering in agony...." His words are cut off when he feels a sharp pain in his hand from Laura's fingernails digging into him.

"Ohhhh... here comes another one," Laura gasps. "This baby's coming whether you want it to or not!"

"Go ahead and push, Laura, " Dr Goldstein urges, ignoring Stefan's scolding and focusing on Laura. "You're doing great. Now on the next contraction I want you to push to the count of ten...."

"Luke's Place."

Nikolas stands in the maternity ward waiting room talking on his cell phone. "Lucky, it's Nikolas. You're one tough guy to hunt down. I've been looking all over for you."

Lucky props his feet up on the back office desk. "Yeah, well, that's the breaks sometimes. What's so urgent?"

"It's Mother. She has gone into labor and Uncle and I just brought her to the hospital."

"Really?" Lucky forces his voice to remain casual. "And the labor is going smoothly? No trouble or anything?"

"Not so far, Dr Goldstein just went into her room."

Lucky leans further back in his chair and closes his eyes. "Well, tell Mom congratulations for me when the baby comes."

"Lucky!" Nikolas rolls his eyes, but stops himself from saying anything further. It wouldn't help to ride Lucky about this, it would only make it more difficult to get him to the hospital. Lucky could be stubborn as a mule when he was backed into a corner.

"What? Everything's under control. You don't need me there, right?"

Nikolas pauses for a moment. "Actually, there is something I need you for. Gina and LesleyLu should be on the launch to the mainland shortly. I'd really appreciate it if you could meet the launch and bring them here to the hospital. I know LesleyLu could use some reassurance from you, she was pretty scared when Uncle and I rushed Mother out of Wyndemere. Can I count on you?"

Lucky is out of his chair in an instant. "Yeah, I'll go get them and bring them to the hospital. Anything else?"

"No, that should do it. Thank you, Lucky."

GH parking garage. Justus kills the engine and turns to face Alexis. "We're here. Would you like me to come up with you, or would that complicate things?"

"It would definitely complicate things. The simpler things are in my life, the better. Especially where Stefan is concerned, he can be overprotective." She turns in her seat to face him. "Thank you for tonight. I had fun."

Justus reaches out to brush the back of his hand against her cheek. "So did I. Would it be pushing to ask when I can see you again?"

"I wish I had an answer. Everything in my heart and in my head is still such a jumble. When I'm by myself, I think I'm handling things alright. That getting involved with anyone would just ruin this tenuous hold I have on my sanity. But then tonight, I see you and I'm all confused again. I want to be with you, and when you touch me or kiss me, the yearning is so strong. But I'm scared... not the normal kind of scared you get when you first get involved. I mean terrified. My heart races and I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack or drop dead on the spot."

Justus looks at her with a mixture of regret, understanding, and frustration. "I get the picture. You need time and space. I'm sorry for pressuring you tonight, the last thing I want is for you to be scared like that." He cups her cheek gently. "I'd never knowingly hurt you, Alexis. I hope you know that."

"I do. I've got to go." Alexis grabs her purse reaches for the door handle and stops. Looking back at Justus, she impulsively leans across the seat and kisses him passionately, with so much force he ends up against the driver's side door. He grasps her hips and pulls her against him.

Just as suddenly, Alexis ends the kiss and tries to pull away. "Don't.. God, don't stop now," Justus protests, he kisses her neck, trying to entice her to change her mind.

Alexis takes a hold of his hands and removes them from her hips, at the same time putting a safe distance between them. "I.. I'm sorry, I have to. It wasn't fair to kiss you like that after what I just said... I'm sorry." Still holding his hands, she brings them to her lips. "Either way, my family is waiting for me upstairs. If I don't show up soon, they'll start to worry."

Justus runs a hand over the top of his head and takes a deep jagged breath, staring out the windshield at nothing. "Okay, Okay. But just go quickly. If you stick around much longer I can't promise anything."

"Goodbye, Justus. Thank you." Alexis opens the passenger side door.and is gone.

Laura's hospital room. Laura cradles the new baby in her arms while looking up at Stefan with tears in her eyes. "He's beautiful, Stefan. Absolutely beautiful. He is a miracle."

Stefan's eyes mist and his chin quivers with intense emotion. "He is... magnificent. His eyes are such an amazing shade of deep blue, and so curious." He reaches out a shaking hand to caress his son's cheek. "He is everything I dared to hope for and more. And so are you, Lasha."

Laura places her finger in her new born son's palm and smiles when he reflexively grips it. "He's strong.. and healthy..." She chuckles as he holds on tightly to her finger. "He won't let go of my finger! And he's staring so intently at you, Stefan. Like he's trying to memorize your face."

"It is mutual." Stefan strokes the top of his son's head lovingly, his gaze never straying. "The only other time in my life that I recall being this euphoric was when I saw Nikolas for the first time. Love at first sight."

"Definitely." Laura reaches up to Stefan and strokes his goatee, guiding his mouth to hers for lingering kiss full of tenderness.

Their private moment is interrupted by a nurse peeking in. "Excuse me, Mr and Mrs Cassadine. But there are some anxious family members waiting. What should I tell them?"

Stefan and Laura exchange a glance and Stefan turns to nurse. "Tell them I will retrieve them in a few minutes."

A little while later, Stefan appears in the maternity ward lobby looking tired but quite happy, a permanent smile fixed on his face. Nikolas, Gina, Alexis, Lucky and Lulu are waiting. Lulu bounces up to Stefan in excitement. "Can I see him? Can I see my new baby brother?!"

Stefan tousles her hair. "Absolutely, Angel. He is anxious to meet his big sister. But only for a few moments. Your mother and your new brother are quite exhausted."

Nikolas, Alexis and Lulu follow Stefan, but when Lulu sees that Lucky isn't following, she runs back to him and tugs on his arm. "C'mon Lucky! Don't you want to see our new brother?"

Lucky squats to Lulu's level. "Sure, but I can see him later. We don't want to crowd him first thing, do we? You go on, I'll wait for you here with Gina."

Lulu frowns for a moment then gives Lucky a quick hug. "Okay! I'll see you later." She rejoins the group visiting Laura and the new baby.

Stefan opens the door for his family to reveal Laura sitting in a hospital bed cradling a baby. Laura looks up at them and beams with pure joy. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet our baby boy, Richard Stefanovich Cassadine."

 

Chapter 40: Introductions

Laura's hospital room. Alexis holds Laura and Stefan's newborn baby, Richard, in her arms while Lulu cuddles with Laura and Stefan on the hospital bed and Nikolas stands nearby watching. Alexis rocks the baby gently while cooing to it. "Hey there, Richard, you are such a big boy, just like your cousin, Stone.... Yes, you are. I bet you two will be best buddies and get in lots of trouble together. I'm so glad he'll have family close to his age. I know I loved having your daddy around when I was little.." At his grunt, Alexis nuzzles his nose. "Yes, I did. He may look gruff and stern, but inside he has a heart of mush. You'll find that out real soon if you haven't noticed already."

Alexis' watch beeps. "Oops!" She exclaims, letting her eyes go wide as she stares into Richard's face. "I'm afraid I have to go. Morning appointment. Let me give you back to your mommy, but I'll be back to admire your handsome face later, promise." She places a soft kiss on his forehead and gently places him in Laura's waiting arms. "Bye-bye, Sweetheart. See you later!" Alexis kisses both Stefan's and Laura's cheeks and smiles at them brightly. "Congratulations on a healthy and gorgeous baby! I'll check in later. Is there anything you need while I'm out?"

Both Laura and Stefan shake their heads contentedly while Lulu strokes the baby's cheek curiously. Alexis exits the room. Laura looks up at Nikolas, who is looking on longingly from a distance. "Would you like to hold your new brother, Nikolas?" She offers.

Nikolas approaches the bed hesitantly. "Uh.. sure." Laura places Richard gently in Nikolas's arms, gently rearranging his hands and arms so that Richard is nestled comfortably with plenty of support for his head.

"Like this?" Nikolas asks. Laura's eyes water at the picture he makes with his little brother and nods.

Nikolas stares down into Richard's deep blue eyes for the first time and is entranced. "Hey there, Little Brother, I'm your big brother Nikolas and we're going to be great friends, you and me." He ambles towards the hospital window out of earshot to the rest of the family..

He kisses Richard's head, marveling at how soft the baby's skin is and enjoying his private moment with him. "Your life is going to be a happy one, Richard. You will have a chance to grow up without the hatred and fear that I did. With two parents that love each other and love you. You won't have any questions about whether you are loved or wanted. You will know it from the beginning. And I will be there, every step of the way, Little Brother. Watching out for you, taking you out riding, instructing you on how to fence, reading you stories." Nikolas looks out the hospital window and cradles Richard closer to his chest, blinking back tears. 'Thank you, Richard,' He thinks to himself, not daring to say the words outloud. 'Thank you for being. Because you exist, our parents found each other again and I will be able to share in the loving home you will grow up in.' He kisses Richard again on the head.

Meanwhile, Stefan, Laura and Lulu share their own private moment. Stefan brushes a lock of hair away from Lulu's ear tenderly. "Would you like to hold him after your brother is finished, Angel?"

Lulu nods enthusiastically. "Oh yes! Can I, Mommy?"

"Of course, Sweetheart."

There is a soft knock at Laura's door and Gina peeks in. "Hi, Am I intruding?"

Laura immediately beckons her in. "No, not at all. Come in, Gina, please. Come meet Richard."

Gina and Nikolas lock eyes and share a smile. Gina crosses the room and joins him at the window, winding her arm around his waist. "Hey there, Baby Boy," She coos, pulling the baby blanket back a bit to gaze into his face. "You're so beautiful! Pretty soon you're going to have a playmate to grow up with. Did anyone tell you that?" Gina looks up at Nikolas and kisses him on the chin. "He looks so right in your arms, so perfect."

They share a soft intimate kiss on the lips. "He feels right in my arms, Gina," Nikolas whispers, never taking his eyes off her. "The idea of being a father seems more real than ever now that I'm holding Richard in my arms."

They stare at each other wordlessly, both feeling the connection between them stronger than they have in months. Gina's eyes sparkle with happiness, all the insecurities of the last few months seem to shrivel and disappear. She knows they share a bond so strong it can never be broken, the bond of creating a child.

Suddenly realizing they aren't alone, Nikolas coughs and glances back at the rest of his family. He addresses them while still looking at Gina. "Would you mind if I left to have breakfast with Gina?"

Laura stifles an indulgent laugh."As long as you leave Richard with us, no."

Nikolas transfers Richard into Stefan's arms as Gina gives Laura a hug of congratulations. "Laura, Stefan, I'm so happy for you! He's such a beautiful baby boy."

After Gina and Nikolas leave, Stefan gives Laura a look of concern. "You look exhausted, Lasha. LesleyLu and I will look after our son while you sleep."

Laura can't help yawning at his suggestion. "I really could use a nap. Especially since he'll probably keep me up tonight." She closes her eyes and is almost instantly asleep.

Stefan motions Lulu over to the couch in the far corner and sits next to her. After instructing her on how to hold her arms so she can hold Richard, he gently places Richard in her arms, being sure that his head is supported before releasing his hold. Even after letting go, Stefan keeps his hands nearby in case Lulu loses her grip.

Lulu looks down at Richard in wonder, taking in his ruddy appearance: the wrinkled skin, puffy eyelids, and his pointed head. "He doesn't look like most babies," Lulu whispers, awkwardly fumbling with the precious cargo in her arms in hopes of finding a more comfortable position. "He's all red and wrinkly. And his head looks squished. He's not sick or anything...?"

Stefan quickly reaches out to grab Richard's head when it almost flops back with all of Lulu's shifting. Patiently he explains everything to her. "On the contrary, Richard is quite healthy. All babies look like Richard when they are born..."

A short while later, Lulu says goodbye to Richard to go have breakfast with Lucky, leaving Stefan alone with the baby while Laura continues to sleep soundly.

"I finally have you all to myself, My Son," Stefan whispers. Uttering the words 'my son" out loud causes his eyes to tear up. "My precious son.... You are proof that there is goodness in this world, that there is a reason for hope. I would have given up long ago if it had not been for your brother, Nikolas... and for your mother." Stefan places a gentle kiss on Richard's forehead. "Now I am truly blessed. I cannot fathom how I have come to deserve such happiness as I feel at this moment. To share a family with the woman I love more than my own life, to be holding my baby son in my arms... openly, in a way that I could never truly could with Nikolas... Knowing you will be raised without hatred and fear, but in love. Surrounded by love." Stefan brings Richard up to his face and brushes his cheek against Richard's lovingly. "That is our fondest wish, your mother and I. To raise you with the unconditional love of two parents..."

A soft knock at the door interrupts Stefan's speech to Richard. He looks up to find a maternity nurse tiptoeing through the doorway with Bobbie not far behind. The maternity nurse approaches Stefan. "Hello, Mr Cassadine, I'm Joyce. I'm here to take Richard for some routine tests."

Stefan frowns suspiciously, tightening his hold on the baby. "If that is absolutely necessary, then have the tests done here. Richard belongs with his family, not in the hands of a stranger."

Joyce looks at Bobbie helplessly and Bobbie steps forward. "Stefan, please be reasonable. They can't possibly do the testing in here. For one thing the equipment can't be moved and for another even if it could, it would wake Laura. This is standard procedure for all newborns, I assure you. And I can personally vouch for Joyce, she's the best pediatric nurse we have on staff."

"Very well," Stefan relents. "But I will accompany you. I intend to see where Richard is going." He follows Joyce and Bobbie out of the room.

After breakfast with Lulu, Lucky hovers outside the maternity ward nursery. A few minutes before, Lulu had gone home with Gina to get some much needed rest. He watches from a safe distance as Bobbie convinces an exhausted Stefan to leave Richard at the nursery so he can get some rest.

"Stefan, you are dead on your feet," Bobbie cajoles as she pulls a reluctant Stefan out of the nursery. "Leave Richard here until you've had a few hours rest at least. That's what the nursery is for. Besides, once you take him home, you won't be getting much rest at all."

An uncharacteristically rumpled and bleary-eyed Stefan glances back at Richard's bassinet one last time. "Very well, but only for a few hours. Make sure the nurse contacts me with any concern, however insignificant."

Bobbie smiles reassuringly and gently leads him away from the nursery. "Of course she will. Go... get some rest, Stefan, so you can be of help to Laura and Richard when they are released..."

Once Stefan and Bobbie leave the corridor, Lucky slips into the nursery and heads straight for Richard. Just as he's about to reach his hand into Richard's bassinet, he hears a voice behind him.

"Excuse me, young man, but you don't have permission to be here or to touch that child." Lucky turns around to face the nurse, Joyce. She is frowning at him suspiciously, as if deciding whether to call security. She advances on him a few steps. "If you don't leave immediately, I will have to have you physically removed. There are strict rules about non-family members in the maternity ward nursery."

Lucky smiles charmingly. "Oh, but I AM family, Nurse... " He looks at her name tag. "... Granger. You see, I'm.. " He motions toward Richard. "I'm his brother. I just came to have a look at him since I couldn't see him earlier. There's nothing against the rules about me seeing my own brother, is there?"

Joyce crosses her arms. "You aren't Nikolas Cassadine, I know him from all his work on the pediatric ward, so that explanation won't wash with me."

"You're right, I'm not Nikolas. Heck, he's shorter than me and not nearly as good looking." Lucky smiles his most charming smile, while inside steaming with resentment. He shouldn't be surprised that he's having a hard time seeing his new brother. "I'm Lucky Spencer, Richard's other brother. I'm sure if I'm not on the list of approved visitors, it was just an oversight...."

Joyce quickly retrieves the chart and glances through the list of approved visitors. "... Alexis Davis-Corinthos, Lulu Spencer, and Lucky Spencer." She smiles up at him, much of her suspicion gone. "If you are indeed Lucky Spencer, then you live up to your name. I'll need to see identification, of course."

After the formalities are taken care of, Joyce leaves Lucky alone to visit Richard. Lucky tentatively approaches the bassinet. His eyes soften immediately at the sight of the sleeping tiny little boy nestled in his blue baby blanket. "Hey there, Little Guy. Mind if I pick you up?" Lucky lifts Richard out of the bassinet with practiced expertise. All the time he held Lulu as a baby makes holding Richard second nature and oddly comforting. Richard opens his eyes and spasmodically stretches out one of his hands towards Lucky's face. Lucky beams down at him. "Aww, you're pretty cute in an ugly sort of way. I mean that as a compliment, really. Lulu was an exception to the rule of most newborns. She was beautiful the moment she was born. You'll catch up soon enough."

Richard lets out a small cry of protest then closes his eyes. Lucky chuckles. "Why do I get the feeling you understood everything I just said, huh? You're going to be a smart one. Smarter than me or Nikolas, because you'll have both of us teaching you things. I'll deny I ever said this, but Nikolas is pretty smart most of the time, he just lacks the street smarts."

Lucky walks back and forth in the nursery, cradling Richard close to him. "I think I owe you an apology, Richard. Damn, that name is too formal.. can I call you Richie or something?" Richard brow furrows even though he doesn't open his eyes. "Okay, okay, so you don't like that. Anyway, I'm sorry. I was real mad when I found out Mom was pregnant with you. For a while, I didn't want her to have you. It wasn't personal, though. I swear. It's just so complicated... so damn complicated."

Lucky breathes an jagged breath. "Anyway, I'm over that. Really. I'm glad you're here and I'm proud to be your big brother. And I'll make a promise to you. I'll try to make things simpler for you than they were for Nikolas and me, or even for Lulu. I figure by the time you're old enough to make sense out of it, I'll have figured out how to be a good brother AND keep you out of the middle of all the stupid Cassadine/Spencer feud stuff." Lucky shakes his head in irony. "And right now, looking into your tiny little ugly face, all that feud stuff with your dad doesn't seem the least bit important."

Lucky returns Richard to his bassinet and tucks the blanket around him. He lets his forefinger linger on Richard's cheek a moment. "I love you, Richard. You can count on that above anything else."