Unsigned Letter-- Part 2
She’s always been that responsible someone
Safe within her simplicity
But all this cloak and dagger is stoking her heart
Stroking her curiosity
Is this little plain Jane
Gonna risk everything?
An hour later Elizabeth walked into Luke’s. Tammy had come into Kelly’s and noticed how distracted Elizabeth was and told her to leave. Elizabeth didn’t want to leave Tammy in the lurch, but she accepted the offer nonetheless.
Elizabeth knocked on the door to Luke’s office and smiled as she heard Luke say gruffly. “Go away!”
Some things never change. “I thought you said I was always welcome.” She teased as she stuck her head in the door.
Luke smiled warmly at her. “Of course you are darlin’, I thought you were my no-good partner.”
Elizabeth smirked. “I thought he was your no-good brother-in-law?”
“Well that too.”
Elizabeth sat down quietly, trying to think of a way to bring up what she came here to talk about, but Luke took that out of her hands.
“What on your mind? You look awfully pensive for just a casual visit.” Luke said looking at her carefully.
After a long moment Elizabeth voiced her thoughts. “I still have that feeling, the one deep in my heart, that Lucky might still be alive.”
Luke shook his head evasively. “You know I’m not the one you should be talking to about this.”
“I know, and I am going to see Laura later, but right now I need to know if you believe in your heart that Lucky is alive.” Elizabeth said intensely.
Luke looked at her for a long moment and stayed silent.
“Do you believe her Luke?”
“Yes.” He said finally. “Of course I believe her, I always have.”
Elizabeth gave him an expression that said ‘why?’
“Don’t look at me like that Elizabeth.” He said drawing his hand tiredly over his face. “Stefan put Laura in that institution, not me.”
He got up and poured himself a drink at his small bar and sat back down heavily in his chair. “After the explosion Laura divorced me and married him within the space of a week. And not two months after that Stefan had her shipped off to the loony bin! I did everything I could to get her out of there, but as soon as the Princeling backed up his want to be father, my cause was lost.” Luke said staring into his drink the whole time.
“I know you did what you could Luke, and Laura knows that too.” Elizabeth said comfortingly.
Luke nodded. “I still feel guilty for giving up.”
“You tried for four years Luke, there was nothing else you could do. You had every right to move on with your life.”
Luke gave her a small smile. “Thank you Elizabeth, that’s something I already knew, but it helps to hear it every so often.”
“How’s Alexis doing?” Elizabeth said smiling back at him.
Luke smiled at the mere thought of Alexis. “She’s great.”
“So any wedding bells?” Elizabeth said smiling slyly. Luke and Alexis had been together for about four years, or at least that’s when everybody found out about them.
Luke shrugged his shoulders and made a noncommittal sound. “Been there, done that. We’ve both been married and we have no plans of diving head first into that shallow pool again.”
Elizabeth smirked. “Yeah sure, that’s what they all say.”
Luke shook his head and looked at her. She still had that sad look about her and he knew she was still thinking about Lucky. “So what brought on this sudden thing with Lucky?”
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and couldn’t meet his eyes. “I don’t know, I’ve just been thinking about him.”
She was silent for a long moment and then raised her eyes to look at Luke. “Do you believe he’s still out there?”
Luke nodded immediately. “Yeah, I do.”
“Then why hasn’t he come home?” She asked weakly.
Luke shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Why aren’t you looking for him?” The desperation was rising in her voice.
Luke sighed heavily. “I have tired darlin’ and I do have Sonny doing periodic checks, but they all come back the same. ‘No new info.’ If Lucky doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be found.”
“But why?”
“
He’s either out there with no memory of himself or where he came from or he’s waiting for something. I don’t know what, but it has to be a good reason.” Luke said quietly.
Just then the door opened and Robert entered. “Luke there’s something…” He said before he realized that Luke wasn’t alone.
“Well thanks for knocking.” Luke said dryly.
“You’re welcome.” Robert deadpanned. “Sorry I didn’t know you had such beautiful company. Good morning Elizabeth.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “You old smoothie.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Good morning Robert. I’ll leave you two alone.”
Robert’s expression darkened as he remembered why he came in the first place. “No stay, you should probably hear this too.”
Robert paused, half for dramatic effect and half to figure out how he was going to say this.
“Spit it out Rob.” Luke said impatiently.
“Faison’s dead.”
“Well then what’s with the sour puss? We should be celebrating!” Luke said jumping up to fill three glasses with his good brandy.
“Believe me mate, I’m as happy as you are that the bastard’s dead, but something’s bugging me.” Robert said frowning.
Elizabeth quietly took the glass Luke offered her and listened to the conversation.
“What has you so wigged?”
Robert looked at him strangely for a moment for his choice of words and then continued. “He slit his wrists.”
Luke frowned. “Faison is far from the suicidal type.”
“I know, I think he was murdered.”
Luke nodded, silently agreeing with his old partner. “Were there any witnesses?”
“Just one guard that says that no one even came near Faison’s cell, but get this, the guard disappeared the day after he was questioned.”
“That’s fishy. When did this happen anyway?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“Two weeks!?” Luke shouted.
“Shouldn’t we have been informed?” Elizabeth asked.
“You would have thought so wouldn’t you?” Robert said frowning and looking like he had already taken a few heads for that oversight. “They claimed that they had to process his paperwork before they could tell us.”
“Sounds to me like they were just trying to cover their ass!” Luke smirked.
“What still bothers me is who would want to kill Faison?” Robert said thoughtfully. “The only people who would want to kill him are… well in this room, with the exception of Anna.”
Elizabeth froze as Robert spoke. There was one other person who almost had more reason to kill Faison than anybody.
Elizabeth stood nervously and started gathering her things quickly and backing towards the door.
“You leaving darlin’?” Luke asked concerned at her nervous movements.
“Yeah, I’d better leave now if I want to get to Ferncliff by noon.”
“Okay, could you tell Laura about Faison?”
“Yeah, okay I will. Bye.” She said hurriedly and quickly slipped out the door. Elizabeth leaned heavily on the wall outside of Luke’s door.
Could he really be alive? Elizabeth shook her head, still not willing to believe it. She still had another stop to make.
Is she gonna strike a match?
That’ll surely light the flame
Is she carrying a torch for love in vain?
Is she gonna break the locks?
Take a look inside the box
Knowing that she could release Pandora’s shame
Welcome to the game
What’s in a name?
Elizabeth sat in the sterile room twisting her hands together nervously. Ferncliff had an incredibly cold feeling to it and Elizabeth was sure that there were probably better institutions that Laura could be in. In fact Stefan was constantly trying to send her to Switzerland, but Luke kept fighting, and with Alexis’ help was able to keep Laura close to the people who loved her.
Carly had told Elizabeth a lot about her time in Ferncliff and Elizabeth still felt a shiver run down her spine whenever she thought about those conversations. The facilities had improved by leaps and bounds since Carly had been there though. That was the one good thing Stefan had done.
Elizabeth looked up when she heard the door open and smiled when she saw the woman she still saw as a mother. Laura had walked into the room unescorted as she usually did. For some reason that had always made Elizabeth angry, it was like the people in charge here knew that Laura wasn’t crazy so they just let her walk around by herself. They treated her more like someone that worked there than a patient.
“Elizabeth, this is such a surprise. You usually don’t come until Saturday.” Laura said walking to Elizabeth and hugging her. “I know you can loose track of time in here, but I’m pretty sure it’s only Monday.” She joked. They both walked to the table and sat down across from each other.
Elizabeth smiled weakly. “How are you doing Laura?”
“I’m fine sweetie, but you aren’t.” Laura said, clearly worried. “You wouldn’t have come early if something wasn’t wrong. Is it Lulu? Is it Luke?”
“No they’re fine, it’s…” Elizabeth’s voice broke and her throat tightened. She still couldn’t say it; she could barely wrap her mind around the idea that Lucky might be alive. Telling Laura would make it all too real.
Laura looked into Elizabeth’s eyes and gasped. “He contacted you didn’t he?” She asked excitedly.
“Laura, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Elizabeth said avoiding Laura’s gaze.
“He did, didn’t he?” Laura asked smiling.
“It’s not him Laura.” Elizabeth said desperately. “Lucky’s gone.”
Laura looked at her sympathetically. “He’s not gone, he’ll be back when it’s safe.” She said, saying the exact same thing she’d been saying for almost 10 years.
“Laura it’s been 10 years. He’s not coming back.” Elizabeth said firmly, more to convince herself than the woman in front of her. Elizabeth shook her head; maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “Luke wanted me to tell you something. Faison’s dead.”
“Isn’t he in jail?”
“Yeah he committed suicide two weeks ago.”
“That doesn’t seem much like Faison.” Laura said thoughtfully.
“Yeah that’s what Luke and Robert said.”
“Luke didn’t… did he?” Laura asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No he didn’t and neither did Robert, or at least that’s what they said.” Elizabeth said wryly.
“Well that leaves Anna or… someone else.” Laura said smiling wistfully. “It’s finally safe.” She murmured.
“Anyone could have killed Faison.” Elizabeth said quickly walking to the window and looking out. “Believe me, he did a really good job of pissing people off.”
Laura sighed, and decided to change the subject. “How’s Luke?”
Elizabeth smiled and went back to the table and sat across from Laura. “He’s good. Him and Alexis are really good. I was teasing him about wedding bells today.”
Laura laughed. “You know I think Luke would dance around in a pink tutu before he gets married again.”
Elizabeth sat silently for a moment.
“What is it Elizabeth?” Laura asked concerned. She knew this wasn’t about Lucky.
“I don’t know, have you ever thought that maybe the reason Luke’s so adamant about not getting married is because he’s still in love with you?” Elizabeth paused at Laura’s doubtful look and then continued. “Okay if not that then maybe he feels guilty.”
“Honey, I’ve talked to Alexis and she doesn’t want to get married anymore than he does, but I think I know what you mean.” Laura sighed heavily. “Luke and I will probably always love each other, I know we’ve never been able to not love each other. But it’s been over between us for a long time and I have talked to Luke about the guilt thing. He tells me just about everything, in fact I’m pretty sure he tells me more now than he did when we were married. He felt so guilty after he kissed Alexis for the first time.” Laura said smiling at the memory of that conversation.
“How long ago was that? We found out about them four years ago, but we’ve always wonder how long they’ve actually been together.” Elizabeth said curiously.
“Only four years? They did a pretty good job of hiding it then.” Laura said laughing. “They had been together for at least two years before you guys found out.”
Laura laughed at Elizabeth stunned expression. “It was right after Luke got me here. About six years ago.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Those two are certainly sneaky.”
“So is that Jacks boy still chasing you around?”
Elizabeth groaned. “Yes.”
“You be careful about him.” Laura warned.
“Laura he’s 18, I think I can fend him off.”
“Well those Jacks’ are nothing if not determined.” Laura said ruefully.
“Don’t I know it.”
Laura looked at Elizabeth thoughtfully for a long moment. “Thank you for coming to visit me Elizabeth, it was a nice surprise.”
“You trying to get rid of me Laura?” Elizabeth asked laughing.
“No, but I think you have other things to do today.” Laura said knowingly.
Elizabeth smiled and stood to hug Laura.
“Go to him Elizabeth.” Laura whispered in her ear. Elizabeth felt her eyes fill with tears as she released Laura and walked quickly out of the room.
She must be dreamin’ as she boards a plane
And flies into her fantasy
A first class ticket to the city of Boston
Is all she knows of her destiny
When she touches down
Will her feet hit the ground?
“We are beginning our decent into Boston now. It is a chilly twenty degrees, but the wind is low at only ten miles per hour. Thank you for flying Boston Air and please fly with us again soon. And happy Valentines Day everyone.” The pilot’s gravely voice came over the speaker.
Elizabeth grasped the armrests of her first class seat tightly. She had never been afraid of flying before, but for some reason today every noise and bump was making her stomach twist. Maybe it had something to do with the fact she hadn’t had anything to eat today other than a few tic-tacs she’d picked up from the airport gift shop. Or if she was really honest with herself it wasn’t actually the flight she was nervous about, it was what might happen, or more importantly what might not happen, after she landed. Her heart knew who would be standing there waiting for her, but her head still wouldn’t let her believe it.
Thinking that Jason had sent her the flowers and the note and the plane tickets was safe. Jason was always safe. She had never had to pretend that she was healing like with Audrey or Tammy. She had never had to walk on eggshells with him like with Luke and Laura. She had never had to pretend to be happy for him like with Emily. And she had never had to be afraid of leading him on like with Nikolas. He was safe. And right now he was still safe. It was easier to think that Jason was waiting for her then Lucky. Less questions. And whenever she’d actually let herself think about the possibility that it might be Lucky those questions flooded her mind. Where has he been all this time? Why hasn’t he contacted me? How could he let me live all these years without him?
Elizabeth shook those repeating questions out of her head as the plane touched the ground. A gentle hand touched her shoulder and she almost jumped out of her seat.
“Don’t worry honey, we’re on the ground now. It’s all over now.” The kindly old woman next to her said gently. The woman had been worrying about Elizabeth for the whole trip. She reminded Liz of Gram.
“No it’s not quite over yet.” Elizabeth said softly.
Elizabeth adjusted her overnight bag on her shoulder and looked around the crowded terminal. She was pushed forward suddenly as the young woman behind her spotted her boyfriend and ran to hug him. Elizabeth felt her heart contract for a moment at the sight before her from the fear that she’d never have that again. She sighed and resumed searching the sea of faces for one that she’d recognize. Her heart started to fall as more and more people found their loved ones and filtered out of the terminal leaving her feeling very alone.
“What am I doing here?” She muttered to herself as she walked to the nearest ticket counter. “When’s your next flight to Port Charles?” She asked the brightly smiling ticket agent.
But before the woman could answer someone came up behind Elizabeth and she tensed. She could feel him long before he spoke. She could feel his eyes on her, boring into her soul with that all consuming gaze he had.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat as she heard that voice. She turned around slowly and found herself looking straight into his clear blue eyes. Without even realizing it she launched herself into his arms and held on for dear life. She knew there were questions that had to be answered. So many questions. But right in that moment all she wanted was the reunion she’d always dreamed of, the perfect moment she’s been robbed of so many years ago. All she wanted right now was to hold him tight and never let go. She pulled back only far enough to look into those azure eyes and said just before sinking into his kiss. “What took you so long?”
Is she gonna strike a match?
That’ll surely light the flame
Is she carrying a torch for love in vain?
Is she gonna break the locks?
Take a look inside the box
Knowing that she could release Pandora’s shame
Welcome to the game
What’s in a name?
Is our little plain Jane
Gonna risk everything?
Nine months later
“Sonny, Bobbie will be by to pick up Lily in a minute, could you get her dressed?” Carly called up the stairs. The only response she got was what sounded like Sonny grumbling something about why he had to give Leticia the day off.
Carly chuckled and began to pick up a couple of Lily’s toys that she’d left on the couch. Carly’s eyes drifted to the mantle and the clusters of pictures that sat there. She walked over and picked up a frame and smiled. It was a picture taken at Lily’s christening. Elizabeth was holding Lily with Sonny and Carly on either side of her smiling proudly while Michael and Virginia tried to sneak a peak at their new baby sister.
Carly smiled at the sight of her family. The fact was that she had come to think of Elizabeth as part of her family, a family that Carly had worked very hard to hold onto, and now it was weird with Elizabeth gone. She hadn’t heard anything from Elizabeth since she’d left nine months ago. If Carly could just find her she’d probably just slap the girl senseless.
Elizabeth had left a note saying she had had to get away, but Carly was the only one that knew the truth. All she could hope for was that Elizabeth was all right.
There was a short knock on the door and Johnny stuck his head in. “Delivery for you Carly.”
Carly laughed. “Since when do you answer the door?”
Johnny smiled. “I don’t, at least not for the last ten years. This was waiting at the front desk, I just thought I’d bring it on my way up.” Johnny said handing the vase of a dozen white roses to Carly. He turned around and headed to his penthouse.
“Thanks Johnny.” She called as she pushed the door closed behind him.
Carly set the vase down on the desk and looked at the roses thoughtfully before picking out the card from amidst the flowers.
“You got a secret admirer I don’t know about?” Sonny said coming up behind her and snaking an arm around her waist.
“Nope, I had thought they were from you.” Carly murmured, her eyes still glued to the card.
“Well what does the card say?”
“Just that everything is going to be okay.” Carly said cryptically and turned and kissed Sonny on the cheek. She walked over to the mantle, while Sonny watched her with a puzzled look on his face. She picked up the picture she’s been looking at before and read the card to herself again. Three words had never meant so much.
I’m finally happy
Yeah
Is she gonna strike a match?
That’ll surely light the flame
Is she carrying a torch for love in vain?
Is she gonna break the locks?
Take a look inside the box
Knowing that she could release Pandora’s shame
Welcome to the game
What’s in a name?
THE END
{Song Credit: “Unsigned Letter” written by Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick Sung by Garth Brooks Universal-PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)/Sondance Kid Music (ASCAP)/Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)/Sell The Cow Music (Adm. By Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp.) (BMI)}
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