An Impossible Love - Chapter 8

Lulu was in her room, getting ready for her date with Darren. Felicia had driven her home earlier. She still hadn't told Georgie about her dad and she suspected that Maxie wouldn't either. She didn't know what to do, maybe she should talk to Maxie, she would know what to do, besides it wasn't really her place to say anything. She would think about it later, right now she just wanted to think about her first date.

Lulu twirled in front of her full length mirror, gazing at her reflection. She had decided to dress a bit conservative, she didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She wore the same skirt as yesterday, she liked the tasels that hung on the hem. She just couldn't decide on a shirt. She picked up a blue blouse and held it in front of her, trying to see if she liked it. In her other hand she held a light pink ribbed shirt. She decided on the pink and slipped it on. Smoothing down her skirt, she fluffed up her hair, smiling at her reflection.

The phone rang, and Lulu had a fear that it was Darren calling to cancel.

Her mother had picked it up and told Lulu that it was for her. Clearing her throat, she picked up the extension, "Hello?"

"Hey, Lulu, it's Darren."

"Hi. What's up?"

"I'm just calling to tell you that I'm going to be a little late. Cindy needed me to drive her somewhere and as the ever-so-nice brother, I agreed."

Lulu could almost see him rolling his eyes. She giggled, "That's okay."

"Okay, I'll see you in half an hour?"

"Sure."

"Great! Bye."

"Bye." Lulu replaced the reciever and squealed with excitment. Checking her reflection one last time, she hurried downstairs to wait for him.

~~~

Laura sat at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper. Luke had gone to the club right after they came home from the PC Grill. As she was turning the page, Lucky came in through the back door with Nikolas. She looked up in surprise, a pleased smile forming on her lips. "Well, two nights in a row! Must be a record!" Laura exclaimed, going over to give her son a hug.

Nikolas rolled his eyes, "Ha ha ha. Very funny, mother."

Laura shrugged, "I try my best." Her eyes dancing in laughter.

"I found him wandering on the docks, and I thought, why not invite him over and make him part of the family?" Lucky joked, taking a seat at the table.

"Heh heh," Nikolas glared at him, "We all have to be comediens today, don't we?" he grumbled, sliding into a chair.

"All part of the Spencer charm."

"Hmph."

"Have you guys eaten? I could whip up something . . ."

"That's okay, mom, I'm not hungry." Nikolas declined.

"Speak for yourself! I don't get many chances for a home cooked meal and I love mom's cooking." Lucky protested.

Laura laughed and went to the fridge to see what she could find. "I guess I'll have to pack you a doggie bag when you leave, Lucky." Her voice faltered a bit as she said the last part.

Lucky gave a small smile. He wasn't that happy about leaving either, but his job awaits.

Laura went to the counter and began to fix Lucky something to eat. Nikolas was in the middle of telling them about his trip when Lulu came through the door.

"Nikolas!" She rushed over and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Two days in a row . . ."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, must be a record." He finished sarcastically.

She smiled quizzically, "How did you know I was going to say that?"

"Never mind." He looked her up and down and Lulu twirled around for effect. "You look nice. Where are you going?"

"On a date." Laura answered, she turned and gave Lulu a huge smile, "You look very nice, sweetheart." She held in a sigh of relief when she caught a glimpse of her attire.

"Thanks, mom."

Nikolas put an arm around his little sister's shoulders, "So who is this guy? Have I met him? Is he . . ." Nikolas waggled his eyebrows, "Cute?"

A giggle escaped her lips, as she playfully slapped Nikolas on the arm. Lucky winced at the scene. There was a time when he and she were that close. And it would have stayed that way if only . . . He shook his head as caught his mother staring at him. He lowered his eyes and glanced away. She wouldn't be able to help him, there was no use worrying her.

The doorbell sounded and Lulu casually checked her reflection in the toaster before racing off to answer the door. Everyone followed her into the living room, watching as she opened the door.

Darren had a really hard time deciding what to wear and was forced to ask Cindy. Both his brothers were away on vaction and since Cindy knew Lulu better than anyone . . . He settled for a dark green shirt and and black jeans. He carried six white daisies. His sister had said that Lulu perferred simplicity. He offered the flowers to her and she blushed.

"Thank you." She said shyly, unsure how to act. No boy had ever gave her a present before. She gingerly sniffed them.

Laura rushed over and said, "I could put those in water for you."

"Thanks, mom." She handed them over and shuffled her feet awkwardly. "Mom, this is Darren. Darren, my mom."

Darren smiled, "How do you do, Mrs. Spencer?"

"Very well, Darren." Her warm voice made him feel welcome.

Nikolas and Lucky both cleared their throats simultaneously. Darren looked up and almost felt faint. He knew Lulu had two older brothers but he didn't know that they were that well built. Lulu motioned them closer and said, "Darren, this is Nikolas," He gave a nod, "and Lucky." Forcing a smile, Darren held out his hand and they shook it. "We should be going. See you guys later." Lulu said, practically pushing him out the door.

"Have fun!" Nikolas called.

Lulu turned and waved. She got into the car and they drove off.

"Well." Lucky closed the door, "He seems nice."

"Not bad looking either." Laura said. "My little girl, all grown up and on her first date . . ."

Nikolas frowned and began sniffing the air, "Does anyone smell smoke?"

"Oh my god! Lucky's dinner!" Laura cried and rushed into the kitchen.

Nikolas grinned, "So how do like you like your dinner? Well done or really well done?"

"Shut up." Lucky grumbled and headed into the kitchen.

~~~

Liz was in the spot where she and Lucky first met. Sitting cross-legged on the grass, she kept her eyes closed, trying to attain some sort of peace.

But it was not to be, because everytime she tried to clear her mind, Lucky's face always seemed to pop out of nowhere. She heaved a huge sigh and opened her eyes. It was still light out, with the sun setting over the horizen.

To her left, a branch snapped. She shot to her feet, whirling around. She stood still for what seemed like hours. Nothing came. Letting her breathing slow down to normal, she began to relax. She couldn't understand why she was so jumpy lately. She never felt like she was being followed when she lived in London. Maybe her instincts were trying to tell her something. She glanced around nervously. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to out in the open. Anything could come out and attack her.

This new feeling of fear was disconserting. She had never felt afraid before, not with her powers. She should talk to her grandmother. Maybe she could shed some light on this situation. Liz was about to leave when she heard someone approach. She turned and leaped into a nearby tree. Hiding in the branches, she held her breath.

A minute later a big brown dog came crashing out of a bunch of bushes. It stopped and whined. Planting itself on the ground, it cocked it's head and let out a low growl.

"Foster! Where did you go?" Lucky panted, as he staggered over to his dog. "I'm not taking this off again." He clipped on Foster's leash and petted his head. He smiled as Foster gave him a big kiss, raking his tongue over Lucky's face. "Okay, okay, I forgive you for running off on me." He stood and finally noticed his surroundings. "Foster, you're detertmined to make me miserable, aren't you?"

The dog gazed up at him with sorrowful eyes. "Never mind, let's go." He gave a gentle tug but the dog did not budge. "Come on, what's the matter?" He pulled a little harder and Foster growled. Lucky sighed, "Okay, you want to rest a minute, we'll rest." Lucky sat next to him and frowned. "You know this is the spot where I first met this girl. Ever since I've met her, my life just hasn't been the same." He stopped, thinking back to when he first laid eyes on her. "She's really rather pretty. Not exceptionlly beautiful like Issabelle, but . . . I don't know." Foster laid down, settling his head in Lucky's lap. "I'm drawn to her, and I don't know why. It's almost like I'm . . ." Absently, he began to rub Foster's head, "Almost like I'm falling in love with her." Lucky laughed, "But that's silly right? I mean, I barely know her, yet . . . She and I aren't even in the same spieces, for crying out loud . . ." He closed his eyes, "Heaven help me, I don't know what I'm doing." Foster nuzzled his hand in comfort.

"Thanks, boy. We should get going." Lucky got up and pulled his leash. "No more arguements."

Liz watched them leave from above, her thoughts swimming in turmoil. He thinks he's falling in love with me? She thought, her heart racing. She didn't know whether to feel excited or devastated. And who was Issabelle? And should she feel insulted that he said she wasn't exceptionally beautiful? But he did say she was pretty . . . wait a minute, should she care what he thinks? It's not like *she* was the one falling in love. . . right?

~~~

Maxie felt like crying. All afternoon, she couldn't get the thought of her father out of her mind. Now she was at work, helping out Mac and her mom at the Outback. She hated lying to her parents. Although, technically, she wasn't lying, but she was keeping a secret, and that was the same thing, wasn't it? She put on a smile when she caught Mac staring at her. He came over and said, "Are you okay? You look kind of pale."

"I'm fine, Mac." He gave her a weird look before nodding and going over to fix a drink for a customer. Maxie went to the kitchen and leaned against the wall, wanting to get away from his questioning gaze. She closed her eyes, and wished that life could be so much more easier. She knew that Mac was worried about her, she could see it in his eyes and she wished she could talk to him about it but . . . she wished she could talk to someone about it, but there was no one who could understand.

"Maxie, your order's ready for table seven."

"What?" Her eyes flew open, as she took in the sight in front of her. "Oh, okay. Thanks, Jeff." Maxie balenced the plates on her tray and went back to the dining room. She headed over to table seven, where Lulu and her date were sitting. Maxie flashed them a genuine smile. She was glad that Lulu was happy. She and her sister had been friends for years and it almost seemed like Lulu was like her little sister too.

"Hey guys. Dinner is served." She said, putting the plates in front of them.

"Thanks, Maxie. It looks great." Lulu replied.

"Enjoy!" Maxie walked away from the table and observed them at a distance. They looked so happy together, so comfortable. Glancing around the restaurant, she saw that most of the people were dancing. Deciding that it was okay to take a small break, she settled on a barstool and lowered her head on her arms. Working at the hospital and here was beginning to take a toll on her.

"Hey, sleepy head. No slacking on the job." Maxie felt a sharp jab on her arm and she glanced up in annoyance. "Are you that tired? You can go home, if you want, I'm sure we can handle things." Mac smiled down at her, noticing the faint smudges under her eyes.

"That's okay, Mac. I just wanted to rest a minute." Maxie saw that he winced again and wondered what was wrong. She sat up straight as it dawned on her. She hadn't called Mac by name for a really long time. She had always called him dad. Seeing Frisco today really rattled her.

"Are you sure you're okay? Because you know you can always talk to me. About anything." He said with concern.

"I know, maybe later. When we get home?"

"Okay, Maxie, when we get home."

"Good." With that she hopped off the stool and began to clear away dirty plates.

~~~

Lulu looked across the table at Darren and stifled a giggle. She looked down at her plate and tried very hard not to laugh.

Looking perplexed, Darren asked. "What's the matter?"

She lifted her head and burst out laughing. "You have a piece of food stuck on your face."

"What? Where?" He raised his hand to his face and tried to brush it off. "Is it gone?"

"No." Still giggling, Lulu reached over and rubbed his chin with her thumb. "All gone." She whispered, now totally aware of how close they were. She took her hand back, although a little reluctantly.

"Good." Darren answered, his skin still tingling from her touch. His eyes met hers and locked. He had never, in his entire life, felt so close to anyone before. Her eyes were like warm pools of chocolate, and he was drowning in them. "Would you like to dance?"

Startled by his question, Lulu could only nod. He stood and offered his hand. She grasped it tentively, afraid that he could hear her heart thudding in her chest. He led her to the dance floor and placed his hands around her waist. Lulu placed her hands on his shoulders, her eyes never leaving his face. They started to move to the music.

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And I've never been this swept away
All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear is the beating of your heart

Lulu closed her eyes and let him lead her around the dance floor. She had never really danced with a guy before, unless she counted her father or her brothers. But this felt very different. Almost like she belonged here, in Darren's arms, forever.

'Cause I can feel you breathe
Just washing over me
And suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch slow and steady rush
Baby isn't that the way love's supposed to be?
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

Darren swallowed hard, fighting the urge to pull her closer against him. He didn't want to scare her, she wasn't like the other girls he had dated. They had always pressed up against him, holding him so close that he felt like he was going to sufficate.

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than I've ever felt before
And I know and you know
There's no need for words right now

Without either of them knowing it, they moved closer together, until Lulu could rest her cheek against his chest. She could smell his colonge, a deep musky scent. Lulu could hear the gentle beating of his heart beneath his shirt, and she knew that hers was beating at the exact same pace. She kept her eyes closed, savouring every moment that she was in his arms. He tightened his grip around her tiny waist, amazed that being with her was enough for him, that he wasn't thinking of how this date would end, if he would kiss her or not, he was just content to be here, now, with Lulu in his arms. He closed his eyes and rested his chin on her head, he inhaled her scent, a mixture between strawberries and vanilla.

Cause I can feel you breathe
Just washing over me
And suddenly i'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch the slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way love's supposed to be?
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

Caught up in the touch the slow and steady rush
And baby, isn't that the way love's supposed to be?
I can feel you breathe

Just breathe

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way

The song ended, but neither of them noticed it, still locked in the tight embrance that made people stare in amusement.

~~~

Mac crept downstairs, trying not to wake anyone up. He headed for the kitchen for a late night snack. He didn't really get a chance to eat when he was at work and he was too tired to think about eating when he came home.

But now, in the middle of the night his stomach was growling and reminded him of his missed meal. There was a light on in the kitchen and he wondered who could be up at this hour. He pushed open the kitchen door and found Maxie sitting at the table, holding onto a glass of milk.

"What are you doing up so late, Maxie?" He asked quietly, hoping not to startle her.

"Couldn't sleep." She glanced up and watched as Mac went to the fridge to pull out some food. He picked out some leftovers from last night's supper and warmed it up in the microwave. He loosened the belt that held his blue robe together and sat down. She gave him a small smile and stared into her glass.

"You remember when you were little, you used to come into our room and wake us up because you had a bad dream?"

Maxie smiled at the memory, "Yeah."

"You know you can to talk to me about anything. From nightmares to school to boyfriends. I'll always be here to listen."

"I know." She replied quietly.

"Maxie, look at me." She looked up and he caught her gaze. "I know something's bothering you, and I'm not forcing you to talk but . . ."

She sighed, "I don't know where to begin . . ."

"Anywhere you like."

"What do you know about my father?"

Mac blinked in surprise, obviously thrown by her question, "What do I know about Frisco? Hmm, well, not much really, I mean I know that your mom loved him very much and I know that you loved him very much. He was working for the WSB the last time I heard about him. I don't know what he's doing now."

"I know." She whispered.

"What?"

"I saw him today."

"Saw him?"

"First at the hospital, then in the park."

"Here in Port Charles?" Mac asked, incredulous. Maxie nodded. "What did he want?"

"To talk to me, I guess." Maxie looked at him with moist eyes. "I didn't even know who he was at first sight, Mac. Shouldn't a daughter be able to recognize her own father? I mean . . ." She stopped when she saw the flash of pain in his eyes. "Oh, Mac, I'm sorry, I didn't mean . . ."

He smiled sadly, "That's quite alright, Maxie. He is your father . . ."

"But *you're* my father, in every way that counts." She interrupted, not wanting to hear the only man she knew as a father defend the man that was her father.

"Maxie, come here." He pushed out his chair and patted his knee. "You used to sit in my lap when you were feeling bad, remember?" He gave her a teasing smile, "Come on, I know you want to." Maxie let a tear slip from her eye and brushed it away. She went over to him and Mac held her in his arms. "Although, I was a lot younger back then and you weren't quite as heavy." He joked as he pulled her closer. She let out a choked laugh and rested her head on his chest. "Now, do you want to talk about Frisco with me? Or would you rather wait to talk to your mother? I would totally understand if you wanted to speak to Felicia."

"I just want to sit here with you, Dad."

"Okay. We can sit here." After a moment, he spoke up, "Although I can't tell you if I can walk tomorrow." Maxie stood and playfully slapped his shoulder. "Oww." He laughed at the expression on her face, "Okay, I'm sorry." He held up his hands in mock surrender. He stood up and gave her a hug. "Are you feeling a bit better now?"

He felt her move her head, "Yeah, I do. Thanks, you always know how to make me feel better."

"It's my job." He kissed the top of her head, "Now shouldn't you go to bed? It's really late and you have to go to the hospital tomorrow."

"Okay, good night. I love you, Dad."

"Good night. Love you, too." He watched her exit the kitchen. The microwave beeped and he set the plate in front of him, his appetite suddenly gone. With Frisco back in town, things were going to turn ugly sooner or later.

~~~

The hospital was quiet, as it should be. The sounds of machines gently humming echoed throughout the deserted hallways. The lights had been turned down low, as to not disturb the patients as they slept. Liz stood still and listened for her grandmother's breathing. Pinpointing the location, she headed in that direction. After she heard Lucky's confession in the park, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Was she supposed to hear? Was she supposed to wonder about her own feelings? Was she destined to be with him? And what of this . . . presence that she feels all the time? Even now, she could feel it, watching her. She hurried to where Audrey was, not liking the idea that she was alone.

She found her grandmother at the main desk, sitting in a chair and going through a patients' file. Audrey looked up in surprise as Liz walked up to her. "Liz, darling, what are you doing here?" Liz smiled and went around the desk to hug Audrey.

"I need to talk to someone."

"Well, I'm always here to listen." She brushed her short blonde hair away from her eyes. "Come over to waiting area, where it's more comfortable." They went over to the corner and sat. Audrey took Liz's hand in her own, and caught her gaze. "Okay, I'm here and you're here. What's on your mind?"

Liz took a deep breath, "You remember Lucky?" Audrey nodded, already knowing where this conversation was headed. "I was at the park tonight. I guess you could say that I was thinking about things. Anyways I was there and I heard a noise. It turned out it was Lucky and his dog. I was hiding in the trees at this point and he was talking to his dog." She spilled out quickly. "Oh gram, what am I to do?"

"Now dear, calm down. Tell me what he said." She gently touched her face, "It can't be that bad."

"He said that he was falling in love with me." Liz's eyes brimmed with tears, "And I think that I might be too. Falling in love with him, I mean."

"Oh dear." Audrey forced a smile, "This is exactly what I was afraid of."

"What am I going to do? I know the laws, and I don't want to die, but I don't think that I can live without him either. This is crazy. We just met, like days ago and I'm already love him? Please, help me, gram. I'm so confused."

Audrey pulled her close, and Liz wrapped her arms around her neck. "Don't worry, Elizabeth, we'll figure something out. We just have to be very careful, maybe if the elders don't find out . . ."

"That might be a problem." Liz said reluctantly.

"Why?" Audrey pulled away and looked Liz in the eyes.

"I think I might have encountered an elder yesterday."

"You can't be serious."

"I think she was one, I couldn't be sure, but they way she knew my name, the way she looked at me. . . she was scary, gram, all those stories that mom and dad told us . . . Her eyes were so green that they almost resembled emeralds and they held no warmth. But what I don't understand is how Lucky knew her. He said her name was Helena . . ."

"I've never heard of a Helena. But then again, I don't know much about the elders. Oh, Elizabeth, what have you gotten yourself into?"

"I don't know, gram, I don't know." Liz replied forlonly. "All I know is that I'm in big trouble and so is Lucky."