Chapter 4
"That's impossible!" Nikolas exploded.
"Quite impossible." Stefan calmly said. "My uncle is dead."
"Not according to whoever called my wife last night." Jerry said angrily.
"And don't try to act like you didn't know." Luke said.
Stefan ignored them two and focused on Bobbie instead. He gripped her cold
hands in his and stared into her eyes. "Barbara," He began.
"Get your hands off my wife." Jerry stepped forward to part them.
Bobbie stopped him. "It's okay, Jerry." She removed her hands from Stefan's.
"Stefan, it *was* Victor. I'd recognize his voice anywhere."
"Why would he call you Bobbie?" Nikolas asked in confusion.
"He thinks that Carly is his daughter." Bobbie said softly.
"Well that's ridiculous." Nikolas laughed. "Carly can't be Victor's daughter."
Stefan nodded. "Of course not. She's mine."
~*~*~
Carly returned to the apartment and found Karen and Eve watching Michael's
cartoons while snacking on the donuts and champagne.
"Seems you gals continued the celebration without me. I thought I said don't
touch the donuts?"
Eve shrugged. "We got hungry."
"I saved you a glazed." Karen offered.
"Thanks." Carly took the donut and the glass of champagne that Eve poured for
her. She flopped down on the couch next to them. Michael came in and saw that
they had taken over the couch. He sighed loudly and dropped down on the floor.
"So where is Jerry whisking Bobbie off to?' Karen asked.
"Now where today. Jerry, Bobbie, and for some reason Uncle Luke went off to
Spoon Island this morning."
"Spoon Island?" Eve frowned. "Where the Cassadines live?"
Carly nodded. "Yup. Something must be up for Luke to go over there."
~*~*~
"Okay, now, I am really confused." Nikolas sat down.
"There is no way that Caroline is your daughter!" Luke roared.
"Bobbie? Is this true?" Jerry demanded.
Bobbie shrugged. "I have no idea. She could be Stefan's or she could be
Victor's. I'm not sure."
"How is this possible?" Luke whirled Bobbie around to face him.
"It happened a long time ago." Bobbie moved over to Jerry, who knew she needed
support. He wrapped an arm around her. "You weren't around and I met Mikkos
Cassadine, before I even knew who or what a Cassadine was. He offered me a lot
of money to spend a night at a wild party with him and the rest of the Cassadine
men. Mikkos, Stavros, Victor, Tony, and even Stefan was there. I'm not proud of
what I did but I did it. I do remember being with only Victor and Stefan.
There were other prostitutes there so it wasn't like I was passed around."
Bobbie took a deep breath and continued. "It wasn't too long after that I
realized that I was pregnant and the only possible fathers had to be Victor or
Stefan. I didn't tell them about it because, who would admit to being the
father of a hooker's baby? So I gave Carly up for adoption. Later when the
Cassadines came to town, I didn't speak of how I knew them because I wanted to
forget about it all. And when Stefan arrived, I acted like I never met him
before because I knew he wouldn't have remembered a skinny little hooker from
years ago."
"I remembered you right from the start, Barbara." Stefan said quietly.
Luke gritted his teeth. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?"
"I know you Luke, I knew how you would have reacted if you knew I had a child by
a Cassadine!" Bobbie hissed.
Nikolas who was slightly confused by all this stood up. "So Carly is my cousin?
And my long dead Uncle is alive? Is that all for today because I have to go do
something important."
Stefan nodded. "Go, for now this doesn't concern you." Nikolas left the house.
Stefan turned back to the trio. "I don't think we have anything more to
discuss."
"Wrong!" Luke said. "We have a lot more to discuss. Like do you know what
Victor is up too?"
Stefan stared at Luke. "If I knew, do you think I would let you know?"
Bobbie stepped in between them. "Stefan, if Victor gets in contact with you,
you have to let me know. Carly…"
"Carly doesn't need to know anything for now." Luke said.
"What?" Bobbie asked. "Of course she needs to know. She needs to protect
herself from Victor."
"I agree with, Luke." Jerry said.
"So do I." Stefan surprised them all. "Until we know for sure what my uncle is
up to, there is no need to frighten the girl."
"I know what he's up to! He told me so. He's here for Carly and Michael."
Bobbie declared.
"Barbara, don't work yourself up over this." Stefan said soothingly. "Go home
and let me know if and when Victor calls you again."
"I don't like this waiting around." Said Jerry.
"Neither do I." Muttered Luke.
~*~*~
"Higgins!" Victor called out. Higgins rushed into the room.
"Yes, sir?"
"Have you located Natasha yet?"
Higgins nodded. "Yes, sir. She and her husband Ned Ashton have returned from a
trip overseas just this morning."
"Good, let her know that I want a meeting with her. And I want it soon."
Higgins scribbled on his notepad. "Anything else, sir?"
"In an hour, prepare the car. It's time I go visit my dear, dear nephew Stefan.
He should be expecting me."
Higgins put that down on his notepad. "Is that all, sir?"
"No, what about that information on Corinthos?"
"It's coming along, sir, I put some men out on it and they are working very
hard."
"I don't care how hard they work, I just want results!" Victor snapped.
"Yes, sir." Higgins' head bobbed. "I understand, sir."
"When can I get those pictures of my grandson?" Victor asked suddenly.
Higgins smiled. "They are right here, sir. Just developed." He brought a
large envelope over to Victor.
"Ah, good." Victor drew out the large pictures. He studied them with a slight
smile on his face. "His hair is almost as red as his grandmother. I loved her
hair."
"Does it please you, sir?"
"Of course it pleases me!" Victor shouted. Higgins jumped slightly. "Now, go
take care of what needs to be done!"
~*~*~
Elizabeth was pacing back and forth in the living room waiting for Nikolas to
show up. She checked her watch for the third time and sighed. Where was he?
Emily came in to the living room and for a few minutes, watched as Elizabeth
walked back and forth. "Elizabeth, quit pacing before you walk a hole in that
very nice rug."
Elizabeth stopped. "I'm still waiting for Nikolas to show up. He called on his
car phone and said he'd be here but it's been a while." She resumed her pacing.
"You putting a hole in the rug is not going to help. Okay? Now calm down."
Sly popped his head into the room. "Em, I'm leaving. I gotta run some errands
and stuff."
"Okay. I'll see you later?" Emily came over to kiss him goodbye. Elizabeth
averted her eyes.
"Sure. See ya, Elizabeth." Sly waved.
"Later." Elizabeth turned to Emily. "You two act like you're all ready
married."
Emily made a face. "It seems like it sometimes. Not that that's a bad thing."
She hastily added.
"I didn't say it was." Elizabeth assured her.
"Good." The sound of a car pulling up sent Emily to the window. She peeked out.
"Nikolas is here."
"All ready?" Elizabeth asked.
"I thought you couldn't wait for him to get here?"
"That was before he got here." Elizabeth said wringing her hands.
"Do you want me to stay? I promised Monica, I'd come over but if you want, I
can cancel my plans." Emily offered.
"No, no that's okay. Thanks."
"All right." The doorbell rang and Emily went to open it. "Hey, Nikolas. Bye,
Nikolas." She slipped out pass him.
"Hi, Emily." He walked into the living room and saw Elizabeth standing there.
"So, do you have an answer for me?"
"Yes."
~*~*~
Eve, Karen, and Carly walked to Carly's front door.
"You have to let me throw an engagement party for you two, Eve." Carly was
saying.
"You in the party mood or what?" Eve laughed.
Carly shrugged. "Something like that. It's like marriage is in the air all
over Port Charles, all of a sudden."
"I'll ask Chris, see if he wants one." Eve said.
"Great. I'm so happy for you." Carly gave her another hug.
"Maybe if you play your cards right, the next engagement party will be for you
and Alex?" Karen suggested.
"I hope not!" Said a voice behind them. They turned around and saw Sonny
standing there.
"Sonny," Carly said with a frown. "What are you doing here?"
"I told you, cupcake," Carly blushed at the old nickname he used to call her by,
"that I was going to come by. Don't tell me you forgot?"
"I was hoping you weren't going to show."
"And disappoint Michael? Where is my namesake?"
"He's in the living room watching TV."
"Ladies." Sonny nodded to them before going into the living room. Eve and Karen
stepped back to let him through.
Eve raised an eyebrow. "Hmm."
"Don't say a word. I didn't invite him here and he's not staying long."
Eve raised her hands in defense. "I didn't say a thing. Did you Karen?"
Karen shook her head. "Not a word. We better get going. Joe's probably
wondering where I am."
"Yeah, I told Chris I'd be home long before now. See you later…cupcake." Karen
and Eve dissolved into giggles.
"You guys are worse than a bunch of teenagers." Carly grumbled. "Get out."
Laughing, they left. Carly turned to brace herself before going into the living
room. Carly came into the room and saw Sonny talking with Michael. He was
always so good with him, she thought. Sonny looked up and smiled at her. Carly
had to lean against the wall just from that smile.
"What's this about an engagement party?"
"Eve just got engaged."
Sonny nodded and didn't say more. Carly sighed and asked the question she knew
he was waiting for. "Why are you here Sonny?"
Sonny flashed those dimples of his. "Why do you think?"
Carly arched an eyebrow.
"To see Michael of course." Sonny reached down and tousled the boy's hair.
"Duh, Mom." Michael piped up.
Carly folded her arms. "Aunt Laura will be here soon. You better go get
ready."
"Oh, yeah!" Michael scrambled up and ran off to his room.
Sonny stood and walked over to Carly. "How are you cupcake?" He trailed a
finger down the side of her face.
Carly stepped aside. "I'm fine and don't call me that."
He followed her. "You used to like it when I called you that."
"That was a long time ago. Things have changed."
"Not everything. I bet if I kiss you right here," he tapped the back of her
neck, "you'd do whatever I ask. Remember?"
"Sonny, don't…" She stepped back and fortunately the doorbell rang.
Sonny cocked his head to the side. "Saved by the bell."
~*~*~
"Yes? You answer is yes?" Nikolas asked hopefully.
Elizabeth didn't want to burst his bubble but she had to. "No, Nikolas. I
meant, yes, I have an answer for you but the answer is no."
"No? Why?"
Elizabeth started to wring her hands. "Nikolas, we're too young. At least I am.
You've always been older even when we were younger, do you understand what I
mean?"
Nikolas nodded slightly. He sat down on the couch. Elizabeth sat next to him.
"Good. Things are going great between us."
"That's what I thought." Nikolas said glumly.
"They are but I don't want to mess things up by marrying you. Now."
"How would us getting married mess things up? I thought it would cement our
feelings for each other."
"Nikolas, why do we need to get married to prove that we love each other?"
"I…" Nikolas wasn't sure of what to say.
"Nikolas, I love you but I can't marry you." Elizabeth put the ring box into his
hand.
Nikolas clutched the box and sat in silence. He stared at the floor and
clenched his teeth.
"Nikolas? Say something?"
"Its Lucky isn't it? You're still hung up over Lucky?" Nikolas spit out.
"Nikolas? What? No."
He stood and started to pace. "Oh, don't try to deny it. I know. Why am I so
stupid! Every woman that I give my heart to always, always chooses a Spencer
over me."
Elizabeth stood. "No, I am not your mother. This has nothing to do with Lucky,
okay? Lucky and I were over years ago."
Nikolas stared at her. "Why don't I believe that?"
~*~*~
Stefan had gotten rid of Jerry, Bobbie and Luke as quickly as he could because
he knew that before long he would be getting a visit from Victor. It wasn't too
long after that when Victor came strolling into Wyndemere.
"Victor. I thought you'd be here before now." Stefan said without looking up.
"I know. That's why I delayed my arrival." Victor sat down. "So tell me, how
is your sister Natasha?"
It didn't surprise Stefan that Victor knew about Alexis. "Alexis is fine. She is
married to Ned Ashton, a Quartermaine."
"One of those?" Victor asked without letting on that he all ready knew. "And
your son Nikolas? How is he?"
Stefan's head jerked up in surprise. Nikolas' paternity had been a closely
guarded secret. "You are mistaken, Uncle, Nikolas is Stavros' son, not mine."
Victor let out a laugh. "Stefan, you don't have to play dumb with me. I all
ready knew."
"And why didn't you say anything?"
"And let the family know that I was alive? I also knew what that witch Helena
would do if she knew. I always liked you, Stefan; I would have never let her
kill your son. Don't worry, I won't say anything about it. The secret is safe
with me."
Stefan just looked at him. Victor laughed again. "You are Helena's son! Never
trust anyone, especially family, she taught you well."
"Family is why you are here." Stefan said coolly.
"Yes, I have come for my daughter. It is time she learned her rightful place as
a Cassadine."
"She is not your daughter." Stefan said simply.
"She is mine!" Victor snarled.
"She could be mine."
Once again, Victor laughed. "Ah, you make me laugh more than Higgins. There is
no way that you could have fathered that child. She is mine."
"I was with Barbara also, in case you forgot."
"You never touched her that night." Victor stated.
"You passed out. Anything could have happened after that."
"You weren't man enough. If you are so sure she was your daughter, why did you
not publicly accept her?"
"While Helena was alive? Call her my daughter and watch as Helena ruthlessly
got rid of her? Isn't that why you waited until after she was dead to claim
her?"
"I was never afraid of her." Victor changed that subject. "Who killed her
anyway? My people never discovered who."
"I suspect it was Luke Spencer but I can't be sure."
"I hope it wasn't. I wouldn't want to be in debt to the man." Victor stood and
walked around. "And how is Lasha? Are you still obsessed with her?"
Stefan wondered how so much could be know by this man. Victor knew what he was
thinking and said. "I made it my business to know everything that went on in
the family while I was away."
"And where were you?" Stefan asked.
"After I faked my death, I went away for a short vacation and I'm just getting
back from it."
"That's all?"
"That's all I'm going to tell you. However, I am back. Back for what is mine."
~*~*~
Elizabeth shook her head. "Look, Nikolas, if you want to believe that I'm
turning you down because of Lucky, go ahead. It's obvious I can't change your
mind." She turned away from him.
Nikolas ran a hand through his hair. "Elizabeth… it's just that…" He trailed
off.
"In a few years, I would love to marry you but right now, I'm young and I want
to enjoy my youth."
Nikolas set his mouth in a frown. "And marrying me would mean you can't?"
Elizabeth sighed. "You are the Cassadine. When you get married your wife will
be expected to adhere to certain rules and act in certain ways and I know that
I'm not ready for it."
"But…"
Elizabeth walked over to him and laid a hand on his arm. "Please. Can't we just
wait? There's no rush."
Nikolas nodded. "No rush."
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