Against the Grain-- Chapter 7
~7
Luke tried unsuccessfully to tiptoe down the stairs, but unfortunately every step he made still echoed in his head like the bells of Notre Dame. And the fact that he was wearing his sunglasses wasn’t helping him navigate the stairway. He finally reached the bottom and leaned against the wall in relief. He looked up and there was his daughter sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee trying in vain not to laugh at him.
He glared at her over his shades and started to walk unsteadily forward.
“I’m surprised to see you up before noon.”
Luke stopped in his tracks and frowned. “It’s before noon? I’m going back to bed.”
Dani laughed softly and got up and started to head for the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll get you some coffee.”
Luke waved her off and headed for the kitchen ahead of her. “Nah, I’m afraid this hangover requires something a little stronger than coffee.”
Dani shrugged and walked back to the couch. The front door opened and shut. Not very loud, but apparently loud enough to make Luke groan in pain.
Carly rounded the corner with a puzzled look on her face, trying to figure out why there was a wounded animal was in her mother’s house.
Luke leaned heavily against the wall with a hand pressed to his head. “Could ya keep it down Caroline?”
Carly took in Luke’s appearance and grinned. She stomped loudly across the hardwood floor. “I’m sorry Uncle Luke, am I being LOUD!?”
Luke groaned and held his head in his hands. Dani was trying desperately not to laugh.
Carly took her purse and slammed it on the coffee table, trying to make the most noise. “Well he either has a hangover or he got laid.” Carly said commenting on Luke’s sunglasses.
“Shut your trap and be quiet Caroline.” Luke growled as quietly as he could.
Carly turned to Dani and nodded decisively. “Yep, hangover.”
Luke grumbled something about how long lost nieces should stay lost and disappeared into the kitchen.
Dani glanced toward the kitchen and then turned back to Carly. “Has Sony heard anything?” She whispered.
Carly grabbed Dani’s hand and dragged her farther away from the kitchen causing Dani to nearly spill her coffee.
“No not yet, and I don’t know if I should be away from the penthouse for too long just in case he does find something out and decides to leave without us.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t leave without us.” Dani said doubtfully.
Carly shook her head. “I wouldn’t put anything past Sonny Corinthos so I’m sticking to that man like AJ to vodka.”
Dani smiled. “Well even if he does we’ll just have to follow him.”
“But we won’t know where he’ll be going.”
Dani’s grin turned devious. “Well I’m sure between the two of us we can charm that Benny guy Sonny told Jason to call.”
“Oh girl, I like the way you think.” Carly said grinning. They quickly hid their smiles when Luke came out of the kitchen with a glass full of some kind of liquid. It definitely didn’t look like it was meant to be digested.
“What is that?” Dani asked, looking at the glass like it would jump up and attack her.
“Hangover cure.” Luke murmured.
“What’s in it?” Carly asked, her face scrunched up in disgust.
“I don’t know and I don’t want to find out.” Luke said as he closed his eyes, plugged his nose, and downed the liquid. He winced and shivered as it went down. He put the glass down on the table and grabbed his coat off the chair and walked out the door without a word to anyone.
“Well isn’t he polite.” Carly smirked. “Come on, let’s go to the penthouse so we can keep an eye on Sonny.”
“Sure, but can we wait a little while, Elizabeth is coming over.”
Carly groaned. “Okay, but I’m waiting upstairs.” Carly said and made her way up the stairs.
Dani chuckled. She picked up Luke’s glass and sniffed at it suspiciously and shuddered. “Ew.” She mumbled and went into the kitchen to wash the glass out. Who knew how long it would smell like that if it sat too much longer. She rinsed out the glass and put it in the dishwasher.
Just as she’d finished the front door opened and shut. “Dani?”
“In here Liz.” Dani called.
Liz walked into the kitchen.
“Tea or coffee?”
“Tea, thanks.” Elizabeth said smiling.
Dani got two cups of tea and followed Elizabeth into the living room.
Liz dug something out of her purse and walked over to Bobbie’s stereo system. “I brought something for you to listen to.” She popped the tape in and sat down next to Dani.
Dani’s eyes widened as a young man’s voice filtered out of the speakers. The song he was singing was obviously written for Elizabeth, and so the young man’s voice could only be Lucky’s. “Is this…?”
Liz smiled and nodded. “It’s him. A couple of summers ago I wasn’t really sleeping that well.” She paused briefly and then went on. “Lucky was by my side almost every night.” She finished, smiling wistfully.
At the sound of music coming from downstairs Carly silently crept down the stairs. She frowned when she heard the name Elizabeth in the song. Who would write a song about that little brat? She thought to herself. She was about to go downstairs and make a snide remark to Liz when she heard Dani speak and decided to opt for eaves dropping instead.
“I always knew he had inherited Luke’s love for music, but I never knew he could sing like this.” Dani said, in awe that her little brother was so talented.
“I know, I think I’m the only one he ever really sang for, other than the Nurses Ball.”
“Yeah you’ll have to tell me about that, the only thing Luke will tell me about the ball is that some woman named Lucy always ends up in her underwear.” Dani said laughing.
Liz laughed. “Well the most important thing to know about the Nurses Ball is that no matter how hard she begs don’t agree to be Lucy’s dresser.” She said emphatically.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Liz got up and got the tape as the song came to an end. “It’s a little worn out. I probably should stop listening to it so much or else it’s not going to last another month.” Elizabeth said smiling sadly.
Dani shook her head. “No don’t stop playing it. Even if the tape breaks, that song is going to be with you, in your heart, for the rest of your life.”
Liz smiled sadly and nodded her head. “I know, it’s just kind of nice to have something concrete, you know?”
Dani nodded. “Yeah I know.” Dani wished so badly that she could end Elizabeth’s pain and just tell her the truth. But what if Lucky wasn’t even alive, or what it he wasn’t Lucky anymore. She couldn’t put Elizabeth or anyone else through that.
“I just miss him so much.” Elizabeth shook her head and smiled as though she had just put on a mask to hide her sadness. “So have you met Jason yet?”
Dani nodded. “Yeah briefly. He’s not the talkative type is he?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, but he does make a great listener.”
“True, having a guy who doesn’t talk much does have its virtues.” Dani grinned.
“You know Jason and I are just friends, right? I mean I know Carly thinks otherwise, but she is so off the mark it’s not even funny…” Elizabeth rushed to explain, but Dani cut her off.
“I know Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth sighed heavily. “It’s just that Jason’s this great person to talk to. He doesn’t assume anything and he doesn’t judge, he just let’s me talk. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone since Lucky died and Jason’s just so easy to talk to.”
For the first time since she heard about Lucky’s death Carly actually felt sorry for Elizabeth. Carly knew better than anyone what a good friend Jason could be, and she couldn’t fault Elizabeth for wanting that friendship. But a small part of her still wanted to be Jason’s only friend, his only love, his only everything. It was hard realizing she wouldn’t ever be that to him.
Elizabeth looked at her watch. “I’m sorry to run off, but I really should get to Kelly’s”
“It’s okay, I’ll have plenty of time to learn all about my brother.” Dani said smiling. “Thank you for sharing that tape with me.”
“Thank you for asking me to talk about him, he’s my favorite subject. They said their good-byes and Elizabeth walked out the door. A few seconds after the door shut Dani called, “All right, you can come out now!”
A few moments passed in silence but then Carly came out from around the corner, more indignant and surprised at being caught than anything.
“How’d you know I was there?” Carly said, her hands on her hips.
Dani should her head, barely containing her laughter. “I just knew.”
~*~
Laura answered the door, but she already knew who it was.
“Stefan.” She greeted stiffly.
“Good morning Lasha.” Stefan said leaning in to kiss Laura.
Laura side stepped him and closed the door behind him. “Stefan, what are you doing here? I told you yesterday that I needed some time.” She said tiredly. She was so sick of this. It seemed like she was always pushing him away only to give in to him the next day. If she didn’t know any better she would think he was giving her mind controlling gas or something.
Stefan looked at her compassionately. “Laura I only came by to make sure you were all right. I know this divorce must be hard on you and I apologize for being insensitive to that yesterday.”
Laura sighed. “It’s all right Stefan, I know how long you’ve been waiting for this.” Stefan started to smile and move forward to hug her, but she cut him off. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I need time to deal with this on my own.”
Stefan nodded. “I understand completely Laura, but I’m only worried about you and Lesley Lu. How is she dealing with this?”
Laura walked over to the couch and sat down. “I told her about the divorce when I first considered it so I think she understands and it’s not like Luke’s been living here anyway. And she’s dealing with other things right now too.” Laura finished the last part somewhat bitterly, thinking about the newest addition to her daughter’s life.
“What other things?” Stefan asked, very interested.
Laura sighed heavily. Stefan wasn’t exactly the person she wanted to talk to about this, but she really needed to talk to someone. “Luke came back to town yesterday with someone. His daughter.”
“Daughter?” Stefan asked, looking confused.
Laura nodded. “He just found out a couple days ago. Dani’s mother died recently and left Luke a letter in her will. Dani’s mother was someone he knew in Florida before he moved here.” Laura explained.
“Are you sure this is true?” Stefan asked skeptically.
Laura shook her head “Luke has been close to both Grace and Dani over the years, so Luke’s sure it’s true. And Grace had no reason to lie.”
“But what about Dani?”
“What?” Laura said, surprised.
“The young woman could just be looking for money.” Stefan said reasonably.
“Well Luke isn’t exactly a Quartermaine, but he would find a way to get money for Dani if she needed it.” Laura said thoughtfully.
“Well what has Luke done for her since she got here?”
“He’s given her a place to stay and a job, and basically excepted her into the family.” Laura said slowly. The thought hadn’t even occurred to her. What if Dani wasn’t even Luke’s daughter? What if she had faked the whole thing? In the back of Laura’s mind she knew that Luke would have given Dani those things even if she wasn’t his daughter, but right now her thinking was clouded.
A grin spread across Stefan’s face. He could almost see the doubt he had planted in Laura’s mind. “I should probably go, I’m sorry I bothered you.”
“It’s all right Stefan, I know you just care.” Laura said shaking her head.
“Of course I do Lasha.” Stefan said smiling warmly and let himself out. As he stepped out onto the porch he almost ran into Luke.
“Spencer.”
“Count Chocula.” Luke said shortly. Why is he here? Luke grumbled to himself.
“Lesley Lu’s not here if that’s what you’re here for.” Stefan said smugly, as if implying that he knew more about Luke’s daughter than he did.
“Actually I’m here to talk to my wife.”
“Don’t you mean ex-wife?” Stefan asked archly.
“Look Batman, I know you were probably singing in the street as soon as Laura got the paper’s drawn up, but we’re not quite divorced yet."
“Well Laura and I did have a bit of a celebration last night.” Stefan said with a sly grin.
Luke stiffened immediately and brushed past Stefan to enter the house. Behind him Stefan grinned to himself. For Laura being mad at him he sure was doing a good job at driving a wedge between the two.
Luke shut the door behind him and waited for Laura to turn around from her place on the couch.
“Stefan what are you doing….” She stopped short as she saw Luke standing near the door. “Luke.”
“So what, Stuffy just walks in now, or does he have his own key?” Luke asked snidely.
Laura huffed. “What do you care, this isn’t your house anymore?”
“I care about my daughter.”
“Which one?” Laura shot, unknowingly saying things Luke himself had said to her.
Luke felt like he’d been slapped. She was throwing his own words back in his face.
Laura sighed and shook her head. “Lulu, isn’t here.”
“So I’ve heard.” Luke grumbled. “I didn’t come to see the Princess, I came to see you.”
“You did?” Laura said, a little bit of hope creeping into her voice.
“What did you say to Dani yesterday?”
“What?” Laura asked confused.
“Yesterday, you talked to Dani and I want to know what you said to her.” Luke said firmly.
“Didn’t your daughter already tell you?” Laura said, slightly bitter.
“No, she said that you’d had words and that it was between you and her and that she didn’t want me involved.”
His words clearly indicated that he wasn’t happy with only that much information.
“Well it’s none of your business.” Laura said shortly.
“She was upset Laura, you probably were to. I want to know what happened.”
“She just brought Lulu home and we had a few words, that’s all.” Laura said hoping Luke wouldn’t push.
“I want to know what you said to her Laura!” He almost yelled.
“Oh what, now you just assume that I said something?”
“I just want to know what happened, she’s my daughter and I’d like to know why she was upset.”
“She might not even be your daughter Luke!” It was out of her mouth before she could even think.
“What?” His voice was dangerously quiet.
“Nothing, never mind.” Laura said shaking her head.
“No! What did you mean by that?!” Luke shouted.
“You don’t have any proof Luke! Dani could be lying.”
“Why would she lie? Unless you’ve forgotten Laura, you’re the one who lies.” Luke growled.
Laura ignored his last statement. “She could be lying for any number of reasons. Luke, you just don’t have any proof.” She said trying to sound reasonable instead of petty and jealous.
“I have enough proof.”
“What do you have?”
Luke couldn’t meet her eyes. “I just know.”
“That’s not good enough Luke, you should have her take a blood test. That way you’d know for sure.”
“I do know for sure!” Luke shouted. He took a deep breath and visibly tried to calm himself. “Dani or my relationship with her is none of your business. I am not your business anymore, or did you forget?” And with that he stormed out of the house leaving Laura almost in tears.
~*~
“Carly get out of my kitchen!” Dani heard as she saw Carly run out into the living room followed by a flying wooden spoon. Carly ran over and collapsed on the couch next to Dani, barely holding back her laughter.
Dani looked back and forth between her cousin and the kitchen she had just escaped from. “He really is the Kitchen Nazi isn’t he?”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Carly said rolling her eyes. “You should see him when Michael leaves little flour fingerprints all over his precious granite countertops.” She said smiling a little too evilly.
“Sure, I’m positive Michael did all that all by himself. Especially considering he’s only about two feet tall.” Dani said smirking.
Carly shrugged innocently. “Well that never occurred to Sonny. He was too busy trying not to be mad at Michael.” Carly laughed to herself. Then her smile turned into a devilish grin. “One time Michael took one of his wooden spoons to play drums on a couple of his buckets and I swear as soon as he walked into the kitchen he knew one of his spoons was missing, like he sensed it or something. It was hysterical.”
Dani and Carly were both laughing when Sonny came out of the kitchen. “What’s so funny?” He said picking up the spoon he had launched at Carly earlier. This only caused them to laugh harder. Sonny shot them a confused glare and retreated back to the kitchen.
As her laughter died down Dani leaned back and put her feet up on the ottoman. She resumed reading the fashion magazine of Carly’s that she had as Carly looked back at the direction Sonny had gone. A few minutes had gone by and Carly was still gazing in that direction.
Dani smirked. “You know it’s a wonder how you put up with Sonny. He’s such a control freak.” She said mildly, gauging Carly’s reaction.
“He’s not that bad, that’s just how he worries.” Carly said automatically.
“Yeah but always watching what you’re eating, wanting to know where you go all the time, and hovering, doesn’t that get so annoying?” Dani said smiling privately to herself. Sure she was baiting Carly, but Carly didn’t seem to notice.
“He’s just worried about the baby. This is really important to him.” Carly said defensively. Then she looked at Dani and realized what her cousin had been doing. “What?” She said looking suspiciously at the smirk on Dani’s face.
“Nothing.” Dani said innocently.
“Just because I defend him doesn’t mean anything.” She said, glaring at Dani.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, but you were looking at me like you just gotten me to admit that I have feelings for Sonny!” She said accusingly.
“You said it Caroline, I didn’t.”
“I don’t! I could never have feelings for Sonny Corinthos!” She said frantically. “Just because I know he’s going to be a wonderful father and just because his ultra annoying habits, only annoy me slightly anymore does not mean anything!”
Dani smirked. “I think the lady doth protest too much.”
Carly shot a glare at Dani. “Oh don’t you start quoting Shakespeare at me. On a good day, Sonny might be a friend.”
“Uh-huh.” Dani said doubtfully.
“Oh shut up!” Carly said in frustration and stormed up the stairs.
Dani chuckled softly to herself. Oh she’s got it bad.
“Carly your chicken…” Sonny called coming out of the kitchen and stopped short seeing that Dani was the only one there. “Would you tell Carly that her chicken is ready?”
Dani stopped him before he could turn around. “I thought you were cooking fish.”
“I am, but I always cook Carly some chicken when I’m eating fish.” Sonny paused. “Are you sure you don’t want me to cook you something?”
Dani shook her head and looked at her watch. “Nah that’s okay. I have to get going to Luke’s in a few minutes anyway.”
“I still can’t believe Claude quite.” Sonny said thoughtfully.
“Yeah I know, I think Luke was a bit surprised himself.” Dani chuckled.
Dani looked at her watch again and got up. “Tell Caroline I’ll be at Luke’s if she needs me.”
“I’ll get Johnny to drive you.” Sonny said walking with her to the door.
“As much as I think Johnny is very cute and I don’t mind him driving me places, I think I should start walking or else I’m never going to find my way around this town.” Dani said smiling.
“You be careful or I’ll tell Johnny you think he’s cute, I think he might blush.” Sonny could barely keep back a smile.
“We wouldn’t want that.” She said as she opened the door. “Bye Sonny, Bye Johnny.”
Sonny chuckled as Johnny smiled nervously at Dani and shut the door.
He turned around and saw Carly coming down the stairs slowly.
“Is she gone?” Carly said frowning. She was still upset that Dani would even suggest that she had feelings for Sonny.
“Yeah, she said to tell you that she’d be at Luke’s if you needed her.” Sonny paused for a moment. “Your chicken is done.”
Carly nodded. “Thanks.” Why am I so nervous all of a sudden?
“You need to eat…”
“Healthy I know!” Carly said cutting him off rolling her eyes and walking towards him. “Believe me I think I must be healthiest eating pregnant woman in all the world.”
“It’s just important that you get all your vitamins.”
Carly smiled up at him and took his hand. She placed his hand on her belly. “We’re fine.”
Sonny gave her the warmest gaze Carly had ever seen. “I know.”
~*~
Dani frowned at the rather thin crowd gathered at Luke’s. The way Luke had described it he had made sound like Luke’s was the most happening place in town. There were a couple of people at the bar and three couples at the tables and no one had danced all night.
Luke had been in his office since he’d thrown her out two hours ago for suggesting some bands that could play at Luke’s. All she had suggested were some more contemporary blues artists to get a younger crowd in here. Luke had just grumbled something about how he liked the crowd. Dani was hoping he’d come around sooner or later.
Carly sauntered into the club like she owned the place; she was obviously in a good mood. All of the men turned and looked at her, she commanded attention and she liked it.
Dani rolled her eyes as Carly slid onto the barstool.
“What has you so chipper?” Dani asked as she poured a ginger ale and slid it over to Carly.
Carly shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, I’m just in a good mood. I didn’t get nauseous today, that might be why.”
Dani laughed.
Just then Alexis walked into the bar and without a glance at anyone walked straight into Luke’s office.
“I wonder what that’s about?” Carly said grinning evilly.
Dani shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, but I kinda like Alexis. At least better than that twit Felicia.”
“What you think they’re doing the nasty? She’s married.”
“One: I really didn’t need that mental image. And two: When has a woman being married ever stopped Luke.”
Carly shrugged her shoulders and nodded, conceding the point.
One of the men at the bar got up and sat back down next to Carly. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Carly picked up her drink casually and gestured to it. “Already got one.”
The guy shrugged, not at all deterred. “How about a dance?”
Carly looked the guy over. He was fairly attractive, blond hair, blue eyes, muscular build, but Carly wasn’t really attracted to the guy. And she had other things on her mind. “I think I’m just gonna sit this one out.”
The guy nodded and went back to his seat. As Carly turned back to her Dani was trying to keep herself from laughing.
“What?”
Dani tried to stop her giggling. “Nothing.”
“No what?”
Dani was about to explain herself when she looked up at the door and frowned. There stood a very worried Johnny. Carly followed her gaze and stiffened visibly as Johnny walked toward them wearing a grim expression.
“What happened?” Carly asked immediately.
“Sonny’s hurt, you need to come back to the penthouse with me.” Johnny said quickly.
“Take me to Sonny.” Carly demanded.
“We’ll meet them at the penthouse.”
Carly nodded, knowing that was the best she was going to get from him. She grabbed her things and looked back at Dani.
“Hold on I’m coming with you.” Dani said, grabbing her purse from behind the counter and called to one of the waitresses, “Sheila let Luke know I left, tell him it was an emergency and that I’ll tell him about it later.”
“You don’t have to.” Carly said, even though she was thankful that Dani was coming with her.
Dani smirked as they walked out the door. “Yeah sure, like I’m going to let you do this alone.”
~*~
Luke looked up as his office door slammed.
Alexis looked like she had just run all the way from the hotel. “We need to talk.”
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