Chapter 2
“Hello?” Felicia answered the phone.
“Felicia? It's Laura. Look, I'm going to Wyndemere today.” Laura said.
“Well, Hark the Harold Angels Sing.” Felicia said sarcastically. “I'm so
shocked.”
“Oh, will you give it a rest?” Laura sighed, stepping back and looking in the
mirror one last time. She was wearing a long black skirt and a big white sweater
that hid her pregnancy well.
“I'm sorry Laura. It's just that I kind of assumed you'd be spending Christmas
there.” Felicia sounded apologetic.
“It's all right. I just wanted to call and let you know that I was going in case
you tried to get a hold of me.”
“Well, wait a second.” Felicia said quickly, sensing that Laura was in a hurry
to get rid of her. “Did Lucky and Liz come over?” Laura smiled. Now this was
something she didn't mind talking about.
“Yes. They came. Lucky, Liz and I watched Lulu open her presents and then we all
sat down and had a wonderful breakfast.” Laura was brimming with excitement.
“That great, Laura. I'm happy for you. I really am.”
“Felicia, I know it must sound like such a small thing to you.” Laura held the
phone in between her ear and shoulder, as she began brushing her hair. “But it
was really the best Christmas present anyone could have ever given me. We didn't
argue once. Oh, and Lucky and Liz even bought me a huge box of chocolates.”
“Wow. Now, that is progress. You know, Laura, you'll never be able to eat all of
that chocolate on your own. Just think, you might get sick!” Laura started to
say something, but Felicia cut her off. “No, no. Don't worry. I won't let you
get sick. I'll make the sacrifice. I'll come over and eat half of it - at my own
risk. And I'll do it for free.”
“Would you like to come over tonight, Felicia?” Laura laughed. “We could watch
‘It's a Wonderful Life'. It's going to be on.”
“Hmmm. Let's see. My best friend, a ton of chocolate, and my favorite movie.
I'll be there.”
“Good. I should be home by six, if not earlier.” Laura walked to the living room
and picked up the TV guide.
“It's gonna be on at… seven. Come anytime after six.”
“Sounds great. And Laura?”
“Yeah?”
“I'm only going to ask this once more.” Laura sighed. “Don't you like Stefan at
all?”
“Of course I like him, Felicia. He's my son's fath… uncle.” Laura's eyes grew
wide. What was wrong with her today? Had Felicia noticed?
“Oh, Laura, you can be so impossible sometimes. You know what I mean.”
Apparently, she hadn't noticed, and if she had noticed she didn't think anything
of it.
“I'm desperately in love with him… happy?” Laura answered with all the sarcasm
she could muster, for such a true statement.
“Fine. Be that way. Oh! Honey, didn't you say that you needed to be a Wyndemere
by one?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it's 12:45 now.”
“Oh! I'll talk to you later, Felicia.” Laura hung up the phone and ran up the
stairs to Leslie Lu's room.
“Are we going, Mommy?” Leslie Lu, asked excitedly when she saw Laura.
“Yes. We're going, baby. I just need to get our coats and Nikolas’ Christmas
present.” Laura picked Leslie Lu up and hurried back down the stairs.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetie?” Laura helped Leslie Lu into her coat.
“Why didn't we get Stefan anything?” Laura stopped buttoning her daughter's
coat. Why hadn't she gotten Stefan anything? Was she afraid it would look funny
in front of Nikolas? Of course, she could always give him something in private.
But what? Laura sighed and rubbed her forehead.
“I'm sorry, Mommy.”
“Oh, no. You haven't done anything, Lulu.” Laura made a quick decision. “Look,
honey, on the way to Wyndemere we'll get Stefan something, ok?”
“Ok.” Leslie Lu agreed. Laura turned away from her daughter and put her own coat
on. What on earth was she going to get Stefan. It had been hard enough shopping
for Nikolas. Laura looked around the room, in a desperate attempt to get an
idea. Her eyes landed on the bookshelf. A book was always a good idea. But what
book? Suddenly she gasped.
“Get in the car, Lulu. I'll be there in a second.” Laura ran to her room, and
unlocked a trunk that stood in the closet. She almost wondered if it would still
be there, she hadn't even looked at it in seventeen years. It had been the last
thing she had grabbed before leaving the island. And she hadn't thought about it
since… but there it was. It had been her favorite book on the island… “The
Collected Works of Shakespeare.” She and Stefan had often read them aloud in the
wild garden. She carefully turned the first page, and something fell out. She
picked up the scrap of paper and recognized Stefan's handwriting. “Oh my…” she
closed her eyes. She had never even opened the book, and Stefan had left a note
for her in it. She read it almost to the end, then stopped and put it on the
dresser. “Though you forget, my love, the gods remember all.” she finished
without looking. On the slip of paper, he had written her favorite poem. It was
a beautiful poem but the real reason she had loved it was because Stefan had
written it for her. She subconsciously played with the ring on her finger for a
second, then glancing at the clock, she grabbed the book and hurried out to the
car.
“Laura! Lulu!” Nikolas stood, when Mrs. Landsbury let them into the parlor. “I
was beginning to worry you wouldn't come. It is snowing pretty hard.”
“A blizzard couldn't have kept me away.” Laura said sincerely, hugging her son.
“As a matter of fact it is pretty close to a blizzard out there.” She laughed,
and glanced around the room. It looked so cozy… so unlike she had ever seen it
before. There was a wreath about the fireplace, where flames were jumping and
crackling. There was a huge Christmas tree by the window. It had what seemed
like hundreds of ornaments on it. Hard as she tried, Laura couldn't imagine
Nikolas and Stefan decorating a tree. She came to the conclusion that the
servants must have done it. Her eyes wandered to the other end of the room. On a
desk sat a porcelain nativity scene, complete with shepherds, angels, wise men,
and the essential characters. Laura finally turned her attention back to her
son.
“Please sit.” Nikolas gestured towards the sofa. “Do you like the room?”
“It's beautiful!”
“We decorated it last night.”
“It makes this room look so inviting. I really love it.”
“I'm glad.” Nikolas smiled warmly at her. “My uncle should be here in a little
while. He's on the phone right now with hospital business.” Laura nodded
slightly, trying to appear uninterested, and sat. For some reason the thought of
seeing Stefan made her stomach feel uneasy… She thought of their last meeting.
At least now he knew the truth. That she hadn't intentionally deserted her son…
or him. Laura was anxious to see him. To see how he would react to her.
“Mr. Cassadine?” a voice nearly made her jump.
“Yes, Mrs. Landsbury?” Nikolas turned.
“There's a Mr. Spencer, Miss Quartermaine, and Miss Webber here. Are they
invited?”
“Yes, they're invited. Bring them in.” Nikolas laughed, then turned to face his
mother. “That is, if it's all right with you.” Laura's mouth dropped open. She
thought she must have heard wrong.
“Lucky is here?”
“I hope you don't mind.”
“Mind? No! But I'm sure he has no idea I'm here. I'm not sure he'll…”
“Actually, I told him you would be here.” Nikolas admitted.
“What?”
“Well, I did get you a gift, but it seemed so small… you once said that more
than anything you loved having all of your children with you at the same time.
And… well…”
“Oh, Nikolas!” she got up and gave him a big hug.
“Is Lucky gonna be here?” Leslie Lu asked excitedly.
“Yes, Lulu. Lucky's going to be here.” Laura turned back to Nikolas. “Thank you
so much.”
“Well, it wasn't totally unselfish. I wanted to have Lucky, Liz, and Emily here,
just as much as you.” Nikolas chuckled. The three entered a few moments later.
“Hey, everyone” Lucky acknowledged. Laura smiled.
“Lucky, it's so sweet of you to come, but I thought you said you had a party to
be at.”
“And here I am.” Lucky grinned. “Merry Christmas, Mom.” Laura wiped a tear away.
“No. No! I will not cry!” she laughed, as Nikolas handed her his handkerchief.
“This is the best Christmas present that either of you could have ever given
me.” She hugged them both one more time.
“I see that Lucky, Miss Webber, and Miss Quartermaine have all arrived safely.”
Laura froze at the sound of Stefan's voice.
“Thank you for allowing us to come, Mr. Cassadine.” Elizabeth said.
“Nikolas’ friends are always welcome at Wyndemere.” Stefan returned her smile,
then looked over at Laura, and attempted, without success, to make eye contact.
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, so I suggest that we adjourn to the
dining room. Nikolas, Lucky, Elizabeth, and Emily filed out, with Laura just
behind, when she felt Stefan grasp her hand.
“Lasha…” Laura knew immediately what he wanted to discuss.
“Not now, Stefan.” she admonished, almost harshly. Stefan looked hurt for a
split second, then forced his face to project nonchalance.
“I'm sorry, Stefan.”
“For what?” he asked, hinging on coldness.
“Look, the truth is that I have so much I want to say to you, I don't think I
could get it said in just a few minutes.” A glimmer of hope returned to his
eyes. “I do have something I want to give you, though” Laura remembered the book
in her purse, and quickly dug it out.
“Lasha, there was no need for you to get me anyth…” he stopped when he
recognized the cover.
“Do you remember it?” she asked hopefully.
“Of course I remember it.” He was still staring at the book.
“Do you… do you remember the first time we read it?”
“Like it was yesterday.” he answered without hesitation.
“I'd never read much Shakespeare. But it became my favorite book on the Island.”
she admitted. He looked up at her, as if to say something, but then stopped.
“What?”
“Did you get…?”
“Yes. I got it. Thank you. It… it meant so much to me.” she answered, deciding
it was unnecessary to tell exactly when she had received his note. He turned his
attention back to the book.
“You loved the comedies.” he recalled.
“They were an escape. Helena was constantly threatening to beat me and Stavros
was almost always drunk. You were the only person there who I could feel safe
with, much less talk to.”
“Lasha…” he moved closer, and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. She had
missed so much. There were some things she could never talk to anyone else
about… not even Luke. When his hand lingered on her cheek, she held it there,
closing her eyes.
“Oh my gosh!” they both whirled around to see Emily. “I am so sorry! I just… I
forgot my purse…” she walked awkwardly to the other side of the room, and picked
it up on the couch. “I'll, um… I'll be going now. I'm really sorry.” She
repeated, as she bumped into a coffee table. “I'm all right.” she held up her
hands, as if she was sure they were very concerned. “Don't worry, I'm all
right.” She continued out the door. When she was safely gone, Laura burst out
laughing.
“Oh, poor Emily.”
“She'll tell Lucky and Nikolas.” Stefan was not amused.
“I don't think she will. She knows that would just upset them.”
“Lasha, Nikolas would be too honest to keep his position as The Cassadine if he
found out that I was his father. Not to mention the fact that he would hate both
of us for keeping this from him for so long.”
“I know, Stefan. But, what Emily just saw meant nothing.” she bit her tongue
when she saw the pain her words brought to his eyes. “It meant nothing that
Nikolas could hold against either of us.” she amended.
“I suppose you're right.”
~*~*~
During dinner, Emily kept stealing, what she thought were inconspicuous glances
at Stefan and Laura. Apparently she hadn't told Nikolas or Lucky anything
because they were acting just as usual… well, almost. Laura had to smile at
their attempts not to get into an argument. She looked up at Stefan, who was
sitting across the table, and found that he was staring at her. They locked eyes
for a few seconds, then continued eating. Laura looked back over at Emily, who
was sitting beside her, to see if she had noticed. She was involved in a
discussion with Nikolas, who was sitting by Stefan. Laura liked Emily. She felt
sorry for her. It was obvious to anyone who looked, except Nikolas, that she had
a serious crush on him. Laura shook her head, and glanced to her other side, at
Lucky, who was talking to Elizabeth. Laura was thrilled that Lucky had found a
girl like Liz. Elizabeth held Leslie Lu on her lap, and talked to her, when she
wasn't eating or talking to Lucky. Laura found her eyes wandering back to
Stefan, who's gaze had never left her. She smiled at him, then continued to eat
in silence. They had done this before. She vividly remembered all of the meals
they'd eaten like this.
For an instant Laura almost felt she was on the island again. Stavros was
sitting at the head of the table, Laura sat to his right, and Stefan to his
left, with Helena at the other end. Helena and Stavros kept up an uninteresting
conversation and completely ignored Stefan and Laura. Maybe they would have paid
more attention if they had known the things Stefan and Laura were saying… with
their eyes.
“Well, I have to admit, that was a good meal Cassadine.” Lucky stood after
dinner was through. “Now, when does the poison kick in?”
“Lucky!” Liz hit Lucky lightly on the shoulder.
“Sorry.” said Lucky good naturedly.
“Well, now that dinner is through, perhaps we should open presents.” Nikolas
suggested.
“Presents!” Leslie Lu hopped off Liz's lap and jumped up and down.
“I'll go get them from the parlor.” Nikolas left the room.
“I'll help him.” Emily got up out of her chair, and ran after Nikolas. Suddenly
all of the lights went out, and there was a crash. Laura heard Elizabeth scream.
“Oh my god!” Laura exclaimed. She couldn't see anything except the pitch-
blackness. She stood up and tried to walk to where she heard Leslie Lu crying,
but she slipped on a rug, and felt herself falling.
“Be careful.” Laura heard Stefan's voice and felt his strong arms holding her
up. “Are you all right?”
“I think so. What on earth happened?”
“I'm not sure, but it was snowing pretty hard outside. The electricity must have
gone off.” Laura attempted to continue walking but gasped in pain.
“Are you all right?” Stefan's voice was concerned.
“It's my ankle. I think I twisted it when I almost fell.”
“Mom?” she heard Lucky at the other end of the room. “Are you hurt? Hold on a
second. I'll be there.”
“Mommy!” Leslie Lu was still crying hysterically, and Elizabeth was trying to
hush her.
“Mommy's just fine. You be a good girl and let Liz take care of you, Lulu.
Lucky, stay where you are. You'll get hurt trying to walk.” She turned her head
to where she guessed Stefan was. “Help me find the couch in the next room, will
you?” Stefan began leading her to the couch, and she struggled to follow him.
“Lasha, “ he whispered. “There's no need to be brave. Put your hands around my
neck.”
“Stefan, you don't have to…”
“You're in pain, Lasha. Now, let me help you.” She sighed and put her hands
around his neck, as he swung her up into his arms.
“Here we are.” he murmured when they reached the couch, gently laying her down.
“I'm going to go try to find Nikolas and Miss Quartermaine.” Laura squirmed on
the sofa. She didn't want Stefan to leave. She wanted him here with her… wanted
him to hold her again.
“Stefan…”
“Yes?” he asked.
“Thank you.” She said, deciding it would be selfish to ask him to stay.
“You're welcome.” he smoothed her hair before standing.
“Nikolas?” she heard him call. “Nikolas!”
“Uncle?” Nikolas’ voice seemed very far away. “Uncle, Emily and I are in the
parlor. We're all right. Mrs. Landsbury is with us.” Laura laughed softly to
herself. Emily would have the luck of being in the dark with a boy she a crush
on… and very proper Mrs. Landsbury.
“Mr. Cassadine?” Mrs. Landsbury asked.
“Yes?”
“I'm afraid that the item on the top of my shopping list is matches.”
“Are you trying to tell me that we don't have any matches?” Stefan asked,
nearing irritation.
“I'm afraid so, Mr. Cassadine.”
“Is the fire still burning in there?” Laura called.
“I'm afraid not, Mrs. Spencer. I put it out when everyone went to the dining
room.” Laura narrowed her eyes at Mrs. Landsbury's use of ‘Mrs. Spencer'. Of
course, it wasn't the woman's fault, but she hated even the sound of that name
now.
“Hey!” Elizabeth called from where she and Lucky and were sitting, in the dining
room. “Maybe we could start another fire by rubbing sticks together.”
“Rubbing sticks together?” Stefan asked, sounding incredulous.
“Yeah. It's a Boy Scout trick.” Lucky explained. “Except, I was never in Boy
Scouts. And I seriously doubt that Stefan or Nikolas were. Besides I think you'd
need special wood.”
“Mr. Cassadine? You know that big crash when the lights went out?” Emily asked.
“What? Oh, yes I believe so.”
“Well, I'm afraid that you're nativity scene doesn't have a Mary anymore. I'm
sorry.” Emily apologized.
“That's all right, Miss Quartermaine.” Stefan remained calm, although Laura
could tell that his voice was strained.
“My family will replace it.” she volunteered.
“Quite unnecessary. It wasn't worth very much.” Stefan made his way back to the
couch.
“Stefan, I saw the nativity scene. It looked very old and rare.” Laura said,
when Stefan was sitting on the floor in front of her.
“Oh, it really wasn't much. Just a irreplaceable.” he assured her sarcastically.
“You should let the Quatermaine's re-emberce you. God knows they have enough
money.”
“No. It's really all right. Miss Quartermaine is having quite a time today.” he
chuckled. “How's your ankle?”
“It's fine.”
“Are you cold? It's getting cold in here all ready.”
“I am a little cold, but…” Stefan was already up, getting her a blanket. He
wrapped it around shoulders, and began to let go, but Laura grabbed his hands.
“Don't go, Stefan.” she whispered. He sat back down and wrapped his arms around
her. She relaxed against him, and lay her head against his shoulder.
“Is Lulu all right?” Laura asked, as she felt herself drifting into sleep.
“She's fine. She's pretty tired, but she's fine.” Liz called back.
“Don't leave me, Stefan.” Laura murmured.
“I won't.” He whispered. Then, a few seconds later, when he was sure she was
asleep, “I love you, Lasha.”
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