Second Chances
Chapter 25
Meanwhile, Stefan was hurrying his car to try and catch up with
his mother. Laura watched him, nervously, clutching Stefan’s cell phone in one hand.
They both prayed that Helena would not drive out of the range of her signal.
“Stefan?” she asked, cautiously
He glanced at her. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to forgive me for not
looking at you. If I stop to do that, the car will crash.” he paused. “What is
it, Laura?”
“What did Luke do?”
“I told you.” he answered.
“He didn’t really hold a gun up to you all that time, did he?” when he
didn’t respond, she continued. “What happened?”
“I was arguing with my mother. Your husband surprised us both. And, while he made a
series of verbal threats, insisting that I didn’t know anything, Helena got
Lucky.”
“Did you say anything to Luke?”
“I didn’t argue with him. I even told him to go in to the country house, and
grab Lucky right then and there. He just wasn’t listening.”
Laura tried to see it from Luke’s point of view. “He was probably just worried
about Lucky. You have to understand, Stefan, Luke is wonderful at jumping to conclusions.
He just made the wrong one, this time.”
He paused to look at her again, briefly, before his eyes were on the darkened road once
more. It was getting late. “Laura, you know my feelings regarding Luke. But,
it’s unimportant at the moment. The important thing is getting Lucky back.”
He sped up the car, hoping to get onto Helena’s tail. “Laura, would you keep
your ear on the phone? I have someone on Helena, and the person on that phone should be
able to tell us where she is going. I can’t seem to catch up.”
Laura silently picked up the phone, and kept one ear trained to it. And, every so often,
she would relay the directions to Stefan; turn here, stop here, turn there, etc. But, when
she was not listening or speaking, she was simply thinking.
Mostly about her family.
Once upon a time, people had said ‘Luke&Laura’ as if it were one word; as if
there was no Luke without a Laura; or Laura without a Luke. And, for years, even after the
births of Lucky and Leslie Lu, it had still been the truth. The only times that they had
been separated was when one of them was suspected to be dead. And, then, when Luke started
to stay away more often, Laura felt like she would die without him. It was as if an arm or
a leg was being amputated, every time he left her.
But, now she was learning. She could have her children, all 3 of them, and have a life
without Luke. She could even have another lover; she did love Stefan dearly. She did not
have to follow Luke wherever he went, and make excuses for him wherever they were needed.
She was free.
Second Chances
Chapter 26
Eventually, Stefan got his car moving fast enough. And, after an
hour, or so, they could make out the bumper of Helena’s sleek gray car. Stefan kept
close to her, but discreetly enough so that Helena would, with any luck, remain
unsuspecting.
“Are you sure she can’t see us?” Laura had to ask.
:”I can’t know for certain, Laura.” Stefan answered, his eyes focused on
the car ahead of them, and narrowed. “But, it is dark, her windows are tinted, and we
are behind a bend. I sure hope she cannot see us.”
Laura relaxed, ever so slightly. “Any idea where they are going?”
“Not a clue. For all I know, we could be in Connecticut, by now.”
”Oh.” Laura was momentarily silent. “Does Helena have places
everywhere?”
“Unfortunately, yes. She has land everywhere.”
“But, how does she afford it? Don’t you, or rather, Nikolas, have all the
money?”
“My father left a lot to Helena in his will. Don’t ask me why; they were never
fond of each other.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Laura answered, with a touch of sarcasm.
Stefan answered with a brief smile, as he eased his car around a curve. “Well, yes,
that, I believe, is the way he thought of her, too. Nobody has ever really loved Helena;
not even Stavros. But, they were married, and for the Cassadines, I suppose it was the
honorable thing to do.”
He paused, slowing down the car. “They’re parking.”
And, then, steadily, he parked a short distance behind them. Stefan and Laura crept out of
the car. And, Luke showed up a second later.
“Were you trying to loose me?” Luke snapped. “You were going near 100 for
most of the trip.” he glared openly at Stefan. “My car simply does not go
that fast.”
“Helena was going about 10 miles per hour faster than I was.” Stefan responded,
shortly. “I wouldn’t have been able to keep up.”
He glanced at Helena, surrounded now by 3 men. Lucky was already inside the building, an
elaborate winter estate. “I think I have a plan.” Stefan said.
“And, what is that?” Luke responded, sarcastically.
“I’ll call for backup. Then, I can deal with my mother, and the two of you can
get Lucky out of the house. My mother will never suspect that I’m with anyone.”
“Can you get backup to come quickly?” Laura asked
“I think I know where we are.” Stefan answered, softly. “And, if I’m
correct, I do know a few people in the area.” he paused. “I think we’re
still in New York.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Laura said, smiling at Stefan. She turned to Luke.
“Are you ready?”
“I’m always ready.” Luke boasted.
Stefan refrained from rolling his eyes, and glanced back at where Helena stood, just
beyond the patch of bushes that now covered the threesome. “She’s alone.
Go.”
Luke left right away, but Laura briefly lingered. “You’ll take care, won’t
you?”
He smiled at her, reassuringly. “Of course. You will, too, right?”
“They won’t hurt me.” she paused and kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you.” he whispered back.
And, then Luke, blunt and annoying as usual, made an impatient gesture. And, Laura
grinned, sheepishly, and disappeared. Stefan watched them go, and waited a moment. He
dialed a number for backup, and told them to come by soon.
Then, he stepped out to meet his mother under the now appearing moonlight, as she
basked in her own glory.
Second Chances
Chapter 27
“Hello, Mother. Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Stefan
called, smiling coldly, as he stepped into the light.
Helena stared at him a moment, shock evident in her white face and cold gray eyes. But,
quickly, her habitual arrogance returned. “I’m surprised you caught up with me
so fast. What is your secret?”
“It is a secret, Mother, and not one I’m about to divulge to you.” he
paused. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?”
She laughed, as if in triumph. “Of course I have, my dear. You don’t think that
you’re actually going to beat me, do you? You were never going to win this
game.”
“You act as though you are the judge.”
“I am.” she answered. Her voice grew colder. “And, I cannot even comprehend
why you tried to rescue him. You are playing on the wrong side.”
Stefan stayed calm, but regarded his mother was nothing more than contempt. “This is
not a game of cat and mouse, Mother. You are trying to play games with a young man as the
piece - you cannot do that.”
Helena wasn’t one to ever be conflicted with morals. “You don’t even know
what my plans are for Lucky Spencer.”
“Nor do I care.” Stefan retorted. “The reason I was trying to get him out
was so that you wouldn’t be able to do whatever it is you are planning.”
“I cannot believe I was cursed with you as a son.” she answered, with a
withering gaze. She tried once more, knowing he would be an advantage to her side.
“If you joined me, you could rule with me.”
Stefan did not answer, biding his time, waiting patiently, and eventually hearing what he
had hoped to hear from the distant road - the sound of tires squealing across the
pavement.
Helena sighed, not hearing those cars as they approached the house. “Well, my dear, I
grow tired of this game.” she pulled out a gun. “I’ll try once more. Join
me, or never see your beloved Lasha again.”
And, then, before Helena could make good on her threats, the cars reached the estate. Five
men approached her, and surrounded her. And, Helena gun ended up on the ground, trampled
upon.
Stefan smiled in triumph. “Let me attempt to make you understand, Mother.” he
told her. “I do not care about your goals for ruling the world - I truly don’t.
All I care about is getting Lucky back home.”
Something flickered in Helena’s eyes. “You have no idea...” she whispered.
Changing tactics. “Must you be so violent and crude?”
“Mother, I would love to discuss irony right about now, too, but really, I just do
not have the patience.” he glanced at the men. “Take her to the PCPD. Tell them
I will give them solid proof against Helena, if they will simply hold her overnight. Can
you do that?”
“Sure.” said one of the men, and with a bit of force, they all disappeared, with
Helena, in the cars.
Stefan then made sure they were gone, before making his way to the door of the estate. He
was not surprised to find Luke and Laura on their way out, with Lucky walking behind them,
slowly and silently.
Laura was the first out. “Did it work?”
“Perfectly.” Stefan paused. “Can i speak to Lucky for a second?”
“No,” Luke was quick to respond.
Stefan looked at him. “I promise it will only take a second.”
Laura led Luke a bit away from their son, leaving Stefan with Lucky. Lucky looked at him,
the question obvious in his eyes, but saying nothing. He didn’t need to.
“It’s safe.” Stefan assured him, at once. “Helena is neutralized, and
nobody is watching. You can tell your parents that I’m going home.” he started
to walk away, but Lucky spoke.
“This is kind of hard for me to say, but thanks. You know, for...” he trailed
off.
Stefan answered again, with a sort of tired smile. “You’re welcome. I suggest
catching up with them, now.”
Lucky grinned, and ran to catch up with his parents. Stefan watched the touching family
reunion for a moment, and then went to his car, and drove away as quickly as possible.
Second Chances
Chapter 28
Meanwhile, as Stefan drove away, Lucky finally caught up with his
parents, who had failed to notice that he was following.
He reached his mother, and pulled at her shirt, stopping her in her tracks. She turned,
her face pale, her eyes uncertain. “Lucky?”
And, knowing that Luke was watching as well, Lucky hugged his mother, tightly.
“Mom,” he said, softly, smiling at his mother. As much of an adult as he was,
and as much freedom as he wanted, she was still his mother, and he still loved her. And,
he had not seen her for practically a whole year.
Laura heard that, and pulled out of the hug, confused. She stared at him a moment, face
still pale but eyes now sparkling. “Lucky?” she asked again, this time
whispering, her voice trembling.
Lucky looked straight at her. “It’s okay, Mom. I remember everything.”
She was confused. “How?”
“I could never forget.” Lucky answered.
“Then, Stefan...”
“Don’t blame him, Mom. I asked that he not tell; I was afraid that Helena might
still be watching. I had to lie for her, and I didn’t want to risk anything.”
She shook her head. “I don’t care. I’m just so happy that you’re
okay.” her eyes were brimming with tears.
Lucky grinned at her, and then turned to his father, who was staring at him with
amazement, not moving. “Hi, Dad.”
“You’re okay.”
“I’m fine.” he paused. “Now, you guys tell me. Is everything okay back
home?”
“Liz will be happy to see you.”
That was when Lucky’s eyes brightened. “Well, let’s get home, now. Maybe I
can surprise her for breakfast.” and he ran to the car.
Leaving Luke and Laura to watch, feeling more than happy, to simply have their little boy
safe, and alive, and going home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They made it home by dawn. And, as Laura went to spend some time with Stefan, Lucky simply
walked around town.
He was happy; he was free. And, all he could think of was seeing Liz just one more time
and holding her safely in his arms, again. If Helena had done nothing for him, at least
she had made him appreciate his girlfriend all the more.
At 7 in the morning, Lucky found himself standing in front of Kelly’s . He paused to
peek inside. Sitting on a stool by the counter, working at a glass of orange juice, was
his Liz. Her hair was tied up in a quick ponytail, and her back was to him. But, he knew
it was her without having to look twice.
He could hold it back no longer. He walked quickly into the deserted diner, and made his
way to where Liz sat, with her back to Lucky. Unable to keep the smile off of his lips, he
tapped her on the shoulder. “Um, excuse me?”
Liz turned, slowly, as if she had heard something in his voice, and she didn’t want
to be disappointed. But, finally, she saw him.
Neither one of them said anything, but, as she stared at him, her expression changed. Her
face was pale and her eyes were large and hopeful. She whispered. “Lucky?”
He enfolded her in an embrace. “I’m here. It’s me. I’ve missed
you.” he told her, softly, holding her, tightly, never wanting to let her go.
She held tightly to him, too. She began to believe. And, slowly, her eyes lit up and her
beautiful smile appeared. “I can’t believe it’s you. I dreamed of
this...” he trailed off. How did you survive the fire?”
“It’s not important. Just let me hold you. I love you.”
“I love you, Lucky.” she paused, and grinned, suddenly. “Never, ever leave
me like that again.”
“I promise, i won’t.” he kissed her on the cheek. “You don’t know
how much I’ve missed you.”
“You know, I didn’t believe you were dead for the longest time. I never could
really believe it.”
“Well, you were right. I couldn’t have left you, anyhow.” he grinned.
“Then, there wouldn’t be anybody to protect you from Nikolas.”
She laughed. “Well, now I know you’re not an impostor.”
He paused. “Why don’t we just be quiet? We can talk later, and then I’ll
explain everything.”
She was completely ready to accept this suggestion.
And, so, the couple just held each other in amazement, not seeing or hearing anything but
each other.
Chapters 21-24
Chapter 29-Conclusion