CHAPTER 9

Kiara was a little uneasy with this big demonstration but she was happy, because at least his father was acting like Lucky, because Robert would never have done that. Like if he read her thoughts he backed away from his sister.

"-You’ve become such a beautiful woman. Robert said

-Thank you Lucky. I’ve missed you so much

-Lulu, come and sit down with me a second. There are some things you need to know."

Robert sat down on the couch and Lesley Lu sat next to him. He looked at his daughter and smiled, patting the cushion next to him. Kiara was happy to oblige and she sat down. He took both of the women’s hands and squeezed them.

"-I know this was your doing Kiara. Or Lucky’s. Anyhow, I’ll say what I have to say and I hope I don’t offend anyone. Lesley, I know you miss Lucky, and, in a way, I miss him too. But he is dead. I’m tired of having to explain that to everyone. I know it’s hard to let go, but I’ve made peace with it 16 years ago. I wish everyone would do. But if they can’t, I don’t want them around"

Lesley Lu started to cry softly. She just found her brother only to lose him again. Robert looked at her and smiled. She was just like his father. She looked so much like Luke.

"-Mom told me what you said. She said you don’t want to have anything to do with us, that we will endanger Kiara’s life. But Lucky, the last thing that happened was dad’s club going up in flames. We didn’t have anything since then. Dad left everything to Sonny. He is just taking care of Kelly’s with Tammy now. Stefan won’t do anything to hurt the Spencers because he knows Nikolas would simply kill him. Helena’s in a mental hospital. There are no threats against us Lucky, why are you pushing us away?

-You sure talk a lot now! Robert said with a smile. Lesley, I talked to mom out of the surprise. I wasn’t ready to bump into her. I wasn’t ready to learn I had a son. I wasn’t ready to see all of you again. I felt things I hadn’t felt in years and it scared me.

-So what now? Want us to walk out of your life again? I don’t know if I can do that Lucky. I don’t to lose my brother. I missed you.

-I missed you too and you don’t have to if you don’t want to. IF you can accept that the brother you had is dead and let me be Robert. I’m not Lucky anymore Lulu. I don’t want you to call me that.

-So, to stay in your life, all I have to do is accept Robert and let go of Lucky?

-Exactly. That way you will gain a brother and a niece. And you have to accept who I want to see and don’t want to see. Any request?

-Yeah, one. I want you to see everyone at least once before you decide who you cut out of Robert’s life. Deal?

-Deal"

Kiara saw them shake and her heart sank. This wasn’t what they had planned. Lesley Lu was suppose to get Lucky back, not accept Robert. Lesley talked about her life with their mom and dad, making Kiara feel a part of the conversation by making her get to know her grandparents. The more Lesley talked about them, the more Kiara wanted to get to know them. Finally, Kiara’s aunt got up.

"-Hey Robert, mind if I borrow your daughter? I need a woman’s point of view when I go shopping

-Lesley, don’t lie to me. If you want to take her to dad, just tell me. If she wants to go, that’s fine

-AUGH! Lesley laughed. What do you say Kiara? Want to go and meet the almighty Luke Spencer?

-Can I really dad? She was dying to

-Sure. But be home for dinner, I hate eating alone."

Kiara took her father in her arms and ran out with her aunt. She was really on her way to meet her grandfather, the man her father worshiped so much when he was Lucky’s age. On their way to Kelly’s, Lesley Lu talked about everything. Kiara was happy to see she was getting along with her aunt. Finally she had a woman in her life, to get advice from, talk with or just plain hang out.

They entered Kelly’s and Kiara’s heart missed a beat. She heard about this place so often, it was like a dream finally coming true. She saw a tall, blonde woman smile and hug Lesley Lu.

"-Tammy, I’d like you to meet my niece, Kiara. Kiara, this is Tammy. She knew your father pretty well.

-Hi Kiara. Tammy turned to Lesley. Who’s her father?

-My father’s Lucky Spencer"

Kiara saw Tammy sit down and put a hand over her mouth. Lesley sat next to her and told her everything. Kiara filled the blanks. Tammy was just in shock. She cried when she heard he was dead, she truly considered him a friend and now, to know he’s been alive all these years and he didn’t tell anyone made her mad. Kiara saw her face become red with anger. At this moment a man came from back out. An old man, but still a very handsome man. Kiara’s heart stopped. There he was. The legend. The great Luke Spencer.

"-Well if it isn’t the lady Lu. Luke said. What are you doing here baby girl?

-Hi dad. Lesley said, kissing his cheek. I came because I want you to meet someone.

-Well hello there. Luke said to Kiara. I’m Luke, Lesley Lu’s father. Luke extended his hand

-I’m Kiara, Lesley Lu’s niece. Said Kiara, shaking it"

Kiara saw her grandfather’s eyes fill with tears and he took her in his arms. This embrace was everything she ever imagined. Lucky told her once that when Luke took you in his arms, you felt like you were finally home and she didn’t understand what he meant. But now she did. She was home. With her family, all of her family.

"-I wondered if he would let you see me. Said Luke without letting go

-Aunt Lesley convinced him to. She made him promise to see everyone before he ruled you out of his life. Kiara was fighting the tears. Are you OK? This must have been quite a shock for you"

Luke broke the embrace and sat on a chair. He smiled at Kiara and suddenly he looked so tired. So old.

"-When my wife told me she saw Lucky, I was ready to take her to Ferncliff. But then I felt like I let down my boy. I should’ve known he wasn’t dead. I should’ve felt it, somehow. I want to see him so badly, but I don’t want to rush him.

-Well, you’ll see him. And you’ll see me, if you want. Kiara said with a smile

-If I want, of course I do! You’re my granddaughter. I want to teach you about the important things in life. A good blues album and the finest cigars!

-DAD! Said Lulu, laughing. Let’s not forget boys

-Ah boys! Only la crème de la crème for my little granddaughter"

Kiara was laughing but inside she was hurting. She already found the perfect man, but he was her brother. How was she suppose to find someone as perfect as he was? It was simply impossible. Luke saw her change of moods and squeezed her hand.

"-Come with me upstairs, I’ll show you stuff from the family"

They talked for what it seemed to be hours when finally they came back down, Kiara was at peace with herself. She went over to Lesley Lu, who was talking with a little girl. She was presented as Kiara’s cousin Lu Ann, Nikolas’ and Elizabeth’s daughter. The 8 year old girl looked like Lucky. Again, Kiara’s heart stopped. They heard voices outside and rushed out.

"-Dad, said Kiara, what are you doing here?

-I came to see if you and Lesley Lu wanted to go and grab a bite, but this boy ran into me, nearly got me to break my neck and he won’t apologize."

Before anyone else could interfere Elizabeth came out of no where. Kiara saw her father suck his breath in and he put both his hands in his pockets.

"-What’s going on here? Asked Elizabeth

-Mrs. Cassadine. Said Robert. I believe I didn’t introduce you to my daughter, quite rude on my part. Kiara, I’d like you to meet Elizabeth Cassadine, Lucky’s mother. Mrs. Cassadine, my daughter Kiara

-Hi Mrs. Cassadine. Said Kiara, who wanted to drop off the face of the earth

-So you are the wonderful Kiara my son won’t stop talking about. Said Elizabeth with a smile. Nice to meet you. Call me Liz, or Elizabeth. You too Mr. Jackson. I believe you know me well enough to lose the Mrs."

Robert looked at his shoes and Kiara could help but chuckle. Finally someone was putting him in his place.

"-Was there a problem here? I heard shouting. Asked Elizabeth for the second time.

-No problem. Answered Robert.

-Well, since you are both here, I’ll make the introductions. Robert, this is your 15 year old nephew Stefan. Stefan, this is your uncle Robert.

-He’s not my uncle. Answered the boy

-Yes he is. Don’t start being difficult. Answered Elizabeth

-It’s alright, Elizabeth, said Robert, I mean, he doesn’t know me, don’t push him to say things he doesn’t want to

-My father says you aren’t his brother. Replied the boy

-STEFAN!

-No, please go on. Asked Robert

-He says you are one of Helena’s goons. He says she paid you to upset my mom and my grandpa Luke. He says that’s why you are so determined to say you won’t act like my real uncle Lucky.

-Is that so? Asked Robert with a smile. It was just like his brother. Something was too much to handle, blame it on Helena. Can you tell your father a message from me?

-Depends on the message"

Robert now laughed. He was so much like Elizabeth. Full of fire, untamable.

"-Please tell him I said ‘Is this the way to treat the brother who gave you his bug-free cereal’

-Bug free? Repeated Stefan

-That’s it. Bug-free cereal. He’ll understand. Robert turned around to enter the restaurant

-But wanna know what I think?

-Stefan that’s enough. Said Elizabeth, firmly

-I’d like to hear it actually. Said Robert, turning around to face the boy.

-You know, even though he isn’t my mom’s dad, I always called Luke grandpa. I love him to death. We do stuff together. I know everything about being a Spencer and I envy my brother for being one. And I think you are one. You are Lucky.

-Thank you for the vote of confidence Stefan. Robert was amused by this kid.

-Don’t thank me yet. Wanna know why I think you don’t want to be Lucky again?

-Please

-You like being Robert. A problem-free man. You changed your name and personality for one reason and one reason only

-What’s that?

-You were too much of a wimp to be a Spencer"