Lucas arrived at Sonny's penthouse at the appointed time and was shown inside by a guard at the door. Sonny was coming down the steps as he entered. He reached out his hand to shake it."The guard at the door didn't freak you out did it?"
Lucas smiled, "No, not at all. In fact it didn't surprise me to see him." It was odd how he had found his way to the penthouse without any problems and seemed to know just where to go, even that there would be a guard at the door.
"I hope you plan on sticking around this town for a while. I've got a lot of work you can do. In fact I have a delivery you can make for me tonight. It's out of town, though; will that be a problem with your kid?"
"No, I'll just take him with me. It isn't dangerous is it?"
"You're not afraid are you?"
"No, not for myself."
"You have my personal guarantee that no harm will ever come to your boy."
"Why are you being so nice to me? Is it because I look like him? Like Lucky?"
"Maybe. I had a real soft spot for that kid. He was one of a kind."
"What happened to him?"
"Mysteriously disappeared about three years ago, presumed dead. I never believed that though. I've been leading my own investigation since it happened. Haven't turned anything up though."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, I will. I have confidence that I will soon. So, you ready to get to work?"
"Sure."
He handed him several envelopes with addresses on them. "Most of these are local addresses, but this one needs to be delivered early tomorrow morning in upstate New York, so you'll have to leave later tonight. If I were you I would mention it at the day care that you won't be bringing your kid in tomorrow. They tend to worry when people are there one day and don't come back the next."
"I will, I'll tell either Emily or Elizabeth, whichever one is there." He hoped it would be Elizabeth.
He reached out to shake Lucas' hand again. "I'm glad to have you working for me, kid. I'll have more important stuff for you do soon."
Lucas shook his hand firmly. "I really appreciate this, Mr. Corin…Sonny."
"You know, you've never asked me about the pay."
"It doesn't matter how much, just so I have some money coming in to feed Chase and keep a roof over his head."
"You'll have plenty for that. In fact here's an advance. $500. You're a good father. Chase is a lucky kid.."
"This is too much, I can't accept it."
"You'll learn in time not to argue with me. Take it. I'll give you the rest when you get back."
He didn't know what to say, so he just said quietly, "Thanks."
Lucas turned and started for the door and was just closing it behind him when Sonny called out to him again, "Listen kid, you ever need anything, anything at all for you or your kid, promise me you'll come to me."
Lucas still couldn't understand why he was being so nice to him, but he had no doubts that he was sincere. He nodded and pulled the door shut.
When he had finished making the local deliveries, it was time to pick up Chase. He got there just as a lot of other kids were leaving, so there were a lot of parents inside. He decided to wait outside for a few minutes until there was more room. He saw a small girl playing with some other kids on the swing set. He was struck by how beautiful she was, with long blonde wavy, hair, and the sweetest smile. Elizabeth's smile. This had to be her child. She looked so much like her, except for the eyes. They were a deep azure blue, like Chase's. In fact, when Chase came running up to him with the little girl following behind, he was struck by their resemblance to each other.
Chase ran to him and Lucas picked him up and hugged him. "I missed you today, cowboy."
He heard someone come up behind him. "He missed you, too, Mr. Stevens."
Lucas turned to see Elizabeth standing just a few feet away from him. The same feelings were back that he had had when he had first seen her. He felt awkward since having the dream about her so many times. The way they had been in the dream had been so intimate. It was all he could think about. Chase got down and began playing with Loren again.
Elizabeth was the first to speak. "I saw a friend of mine today, Sonny Corinthos. He told me he was going to give you a job."
He nodded. "I have to make a delivery out of town tonight, and he told me to be sure to tell you that Chase won't be here tomorrow."
"You're taking him with you?"
"I have no choice. I don't know anyone in town."
"Well, you know me. I'd be happy to take him for the night."
"Oh, I couldn't let you do that. I couldn't impose on you that way."
"It wouldn't be imposing. Remember I offered. Besides, he and Loren love to play together. It's like they've always known each other."
Chase and Loren had overheard the conversation and both started begging him at once to let Chase stay. He knelt down and said, "Well, if Elizabeth is sure, then all right."
At that, Loren ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He picked her up and hugged her, and was rocked by that same sensation he had felt the first time he saw Chase. He knew it would be difficult to speak and when he looked at Elizabeth he saw tears in her eyes, just as he felt them starting in his own.
"I knew this had to be your little girl. She looks just like you. She's very beautiful."
"Thank you. Everyone says we look just alike. But she doesn't have my eyes." She looked at him then and said, "She has her father's eyes."
A look passed between them, a look Lucas could neither define nor ever forget. A look that would haunt him during his overnight trip and prevent him from getting any sleep. It was a look that spoke volumes, a look of…what? Love? Was this what love at first sight felt like? Was that what he was feeling for Elizabeth? He had to get out of there and away from her to think about what was happening to him. Yet, all he wanted to do was stay with her and lose himself in that look forever. The look felt the same as the dream…full of peace and love, the likes of which he knew he had not felt in some time.
He put Loren down gently, and spoke so softly, she could barely hear him. "I'd better be going. I can drop Chase off around 8:00 if that's okay. I'd like to spend some time with him before I leave."
"Of course. Let me write down my address. I'll be right back."
"Just tell me where; I'll remember."
"It's a small house, two streets down from here…216 Maple Street."
"I'll see you in few hours then. And thank you…" He turned to Chase. "Come on, let's go get something to eat and then I'll take you to Loren's house."