Damaged
Chapter 1
Stefan: “Why the tears Shauna?”
Shauna: “I’m happy, I can’t believe you are mine. I have loved you for so long yet I had come to accept you would never be mine.”
Stefan determinedly willed the thoughts ready to come to the forefront of his consciousness away. He would not allow them as long as he possibly could. The nights, the nights were a different matter altogether. In his dreams he lost all semblance of control. He forced himself back to the conversation at hand.
Stefan: “That’s all in the past. I hope you will like the place I’ve chosen for our honeymoon. As I recall you use to incessantly pester me about taking you there when you were but a child.”
Shauna: “A child you did your best to ignore. I remember when you use to visit our family on the mainland in Greece with Stavros. You were such a serious teenager, but oh so gorgeous…”
Stefan: “Shauna!”
Shauna: “Oh but it’s true. I was only ten then, but I fell for you immediately. I would find every excuse possible to visit my adoptive parents’ relatives on the imposing Cassadine Island. Only you didn’t notice me, oh you were kind in a distantly polite manner but alas I never won your heart. I became determined then to become so successful and beautiful you would regret not noticing me when you had the chance.”
Stefan: “Well that you have accomplished my dear. There is no beauty comparable to yours and you could imagine my surprise when I finally met the owner of the company that gave me such a hard time during my acquisitive endeavor. You were a worthy opponent.”
Shauna leaned across her seat in Stefan’s private jet to caress the soft hair on his face.
Shauna: “I love you.”
Stefan grasped her face and kissed her lips softly at first then he deepened the kiss as their passion for each other overtook them. Stefan pulled back first and kissing her one more time settled back in his chair.
“Tonight.” He promised her. Shauna smiled contentedly and settling back in her chair closed her eyes. Stefan looked over at his wife’s beautiful profile. He took in her abundant mane of strawberry blond hair, the long sweep of her dark eyelashes resting on high flawlessly encased cheekbones. Her flawless cream complexion and full lips that looked perpetually kissed. Her beauty and presence at the board meeting he had attended just a month ago had stunned him. This was the woman behind the company that had given him such a hard time in his takeover bid and she was no other than little Shauna. Well not so little now he thought as his eyes swept her voluptuously slim figure. They had dined after the meeting and recognizing the desire in her eyes for him he had made it a point to remain in Rome so he could court her. She was a breath of fresh air. He had wanted nothing to do with women or love but her open and candid personality had attracted him. They were soon lovers and he liked having her in his life. Nicholas no longer needed him. Helena had died from a heart attack strangely enough. He had methodically plotted and planned to destroy her for destroying his life and he didn’t even get the satisfaction of seeing his plans fulfilled because she had beaten him to the punch. Helena had died in her sleep. After being yet again looked upon suspiciously by the PCPD until her death was ruled from natural causes, he decided he had had enough and left Port Charles once and for all. He would never look back. If Nicholas or Alexis needed him they knew how to contact him. He was free of the Cassadine albatross and he was now intent on living his life for himself. He had always wanted a family and he was not getting any younger so he decided on asking Shauna to marry him. She loved him, which was both wonderful and sad to him. Wonderful because he wanted to be loved yet sad because his heart was damaged. He had told her he had given up on love but that he would always care for her and cherish her. Shauna said she didn’t mind, she only wanted the opportunity to share his life. He wished he could give her more but he would not go there again. It had almost destroyed him. Stefan quickly changed the course of his thoughts and picked up the book he was reading earlier.
Damaged
Chapter 2
Shauna woke with a start. The room was dark so she was a little disoriented at first. After getting her bearings she reached out to turn on the bedside light. She was in the Paris townhouse Stefan had bought her for her wedding present. He was so thoughtful and giving she thought. Her brows knitted in worry, he did not sleep well, that was what had woken her. Stefan was troubled during his sleep. She had asked him about it once but he told her it was nothing, that he usually forgot his nightmares upon waking. Shauna was not so sure.
Stefan: “Laura!” He then moaned and turned in the bed then he was still again.
Shauna froze with shock and apprehension. Who was Laura? My God, please don’t let it be someone he cares about. She did not know much about this man she loved, maybe it was time she found out more about him. He would never tell her, so she would have to find out on her own. He is yours Shauna, your husband, stop being so paranoid. She would not loose him. Stefan does not take his words lightly and no Laura or whomever could make him go against his word. That she was sure of.
Stefan wanted to escape the images bombarding him in his sleep but his unconscious mind refused to let him escape his tortured heaven. Laura was everywhere, the images of the times spent together held him in their grip. Laura laughing with him, teasing him, fighting with him, and the absolute best and worst, Laura making sweet love to him. He could not get enough of her, he was bewitched, he was sure of it, and whenever she held him in her arms it was like being drugged. Nothing was sweeter, more intoxicating or excruciatingly pleasurable. His whole being came alive when he was with her, in her, next to her. How could he win, how could he ever be free of her? She had his soul. He then felt the tearing pain of her withdrawal from him. It was the same every night and instead of lessening with time it only got worse. No more, he wanted no more of this. Stefan fought his way to consciousness but took with him the searing grief of the separation. He awoke with the pain in his heart. He focused and willed it away. Willed all thoughts of her away. She no longer exists to you. All is past and forgotten.
Shauna saw that he had awoken. “Stefan? Are you alright?”
Stefan: “ Never better. I am newly wed and I’m lying here in bed with my beautiful bride.”
Stefan reached for Shauna and slowly and methodically started making love to her. He gave himself up to the sensations of the moment. Basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking Shauna draped a leg over Stefan’s thigh and played with the soft hairs on his chest.
Shauna: “Stefan, would you like me to bear your child?”
Stefan stiffened. No! Something in him immediately rebelled. I want my child to come from her. What was he thinking? He would never have a child with Laura. He did not know what to say to Shauna. He had to think about it. He would love any child they would have together but would it be fair to the child? Would he look at his own flesh and blood and secretly wish the child’s mother was someone else? He could never do that to a child, especially his own. He needed a little more time that was all. When would he truly move on? It was not fair to his new bride and it was not fair to him.
Stefan: “I was not thinking about having children right away Shauna. Why don’t we give it a few months then we’ll see? I do want children but I want to concentrate on us right now. Is that ok with you?”
Shauna: “Yes. I never thought much about having kids but I never thought I would have you in my life either. I can wait a while, besides having you all to myself sounds too deliciously enticing for me to object.” Shauna straddled him and began kissing her husband.
Life settled down to a normal routine for them. They chose to live in London but kept apartments in the major cities of the financial world except New York. Stefan refused to lay any kind of permanent foundation there. Shauna did question it but decided not to force the issue. She had a lot of business dealings in New York so she did purchase an apartment on Fifth Avenue. Stefan could do as he pleased but she had to have somewhere to stay and she hated living out of hotels. They had a very good marriage and life, but something was missing. Stefan was very attentive and kind, but he was not all there. She had always known him to be reserved but she had thought with time he would open up to her a little. This was not the case. Stefan was holding back a large part of himself from her and although it made her sad she tried not to show it. One day while she was in New York, Shauna ran into Nicholas, Stefan’s nephew. She was having a business lunch at one of the trendiest restaurants in town when she saw him. He had visited them on a number of occasions but she had never really gotten to know him. She had sensed he was very important to Stefan and had afforded them time alone together. She excused herself and went over to his table.
Shauna: “Nicholas! How lovely to see you.”
Nicholas stood up and embraced his new aunt.
Nicholas: “Shauna. You look lovely as usual. May I introduce you to my mother? Laura this is Shauna Cassadine, Stefan’s wife. Shauna this is my mother Laura Spencer.”
Laura stood up and shook Shauna’s hand. She looked curiously at Shauna and just managed to bring forth a smile. Shauna was equally uncomfortable, not because she knew this woman, but her first name had given her cause to pause. It was the name Stefan had uttered in his sleep their honeymoon night. Was it this Laura? She was a beautiful woman, but not overly glamorous and not what she would think of as Stefan’s type. Maybe she was just being paranoid again. She was Nicholas’ mother after all!
Shauna: “It’s lovely to meet you Laura. Do you live in New York?”
Laura: “Not the city. I live in Port Charles which is not far from here. Is Stefan here with you?”
Shauna: “No, he is in Europe. I had some business here but I will not be staying long. If you can allow it, why don’t you and Nicholas have dinner with me tonight? I would so love to catch up with Nicholas. I don’t see him often enough.”
Laura looked at Nicholas questioningly and he nodded his head in approval. Laura was not comfortable spending more time than necessary with Stefan’s wife but she had to admit she was curious, and she did say Stefan would not be there.
Laura: “Thank you Shauna, we would love to join you this evening.”
Shauna: “Great! Just let me know where you’re staying and I’ll send a car to pick you up.”
Shauna tried to reach Stefan all afternoon to tell him about her expected visitors but she could not reach him, not even on his cell phone. She left him a message and went to prepare for her guests.
She chose a white halter top dress for the occasion, wanting to look her best. She felt competitive with Laura Spencer, which was ludicrous seeing that she may not have been the Laura in Stefan’s dream and while Laura was an attractive woman she had nothing on Shauna beauty wise. She was not vain but it was a fact. She had to put aside these ridiculous thoughts and concentrate on entertaining her guests. She did love Nicholas, he was so like Stefan. So handsome and formally reserved but with a heart of gold they both sought to but could not hide from those close to them. The doorbell rang.
She liked Laura. She was very down to earth and had a teasing sense of humor of which Nicholas was constantly on the receiving end. They both made his evening pleasantly uncomfortable. So this was Stavros’ widow. Shauna had heard about her but was too caught up in the trials of being a teenager to care much. She was far removed from anything Shauna would have expected. Stavros’ wife should have been as pompous and as overbearing as he was but Laura was none of those things.
She is gorgeous, Laura thought. So elegant and sophisticated too. Stefan chose well. She was shocked and more than a little disappointed when Nicholas had told her Stefan had married, which she knew was unfair of her. She had banished him from her life and heart, and his life was his to do with as he chose; yet it still hurt. Was she forever destined to make the wrong choices in life? One thing she had come to learn though was accepting the consequences of those choices and here was one staring her in the face. She had lost Stefan, no, she had thrown Stefan’s love away as if she was throwing out yesterday’s garbage. She was a fool and admitting it didn’t make it any easier to bear. She had taken him for granted for too long and her present life was her reward. She no longer had Luke, to whom she had literally made a fool of herself in trying to win back, and she no longer had Stefan, who she had literally told to get lost. Oh well, we reap what we sow. With that thought Laura looked up into the shocked and angry eyes of Stefan Cassadine. Her breath practically stopped.
Shauna: “Darling! I wasn’t expecting you, what a surprise!”
Damaged
Chapter 3
Shauna went over to kiss her husband. Nicholas who could sense the dangerous undercurrents in the room stayed where he was and prepared to watch the drama unfold. Laura stood still in guilty shock.
He could not believe his eyes, yet it was true. She was actually standing before him in his wife’s drawing room. She was even lovelier than he remembered. Her hair fell in abundant golden waves around her face and she had lost weight, which made her big blue eyes feature more prominently in her face. His heart cried out at the sight of her. He became immediately angry at her intrusion into his life and did not seek to hide it.
Stefan: “I thought I’d surprise you but I guess I’m the one who was caught. Nicholas, it is good to see you, all is well?”
Nicholas: “Yes, all is well uncle and it is good to see you too.”
Stefan: “Laura. This is unexpected, seeing you here.”
Laura: “I, I never expected to see you too Stefan. Nicholas and I came across your lovely wife in town and she invited us to dinner. Nicholas and Shauna wished to catch up on things and I was happy to oblige.”
Stefan nodded.
Stefan: “Are Leslie Lu and Lucky well?”
Laura: “Yes, yes they are, uhmm, oh Shauna, Leslie Lu and Lucky are my children from another marriage.”
Shauna smiled in acknowledgement and placed her hand on Stefan’s arm. Would you like something to eat dear, we have already dined.
Stefan: “No, I have already eaten.”
Laura: “Well I have to go. Shauna, thank you very much for a wonderful evening. It was truly a pleasure meeting you. I have to be back in Port Charles early tomorrow morning so I better make an early night of it. Nicholas, you may stay. Stefan, it was good to see you again. Goodnight.”
Nicholas: " I think I’ll retire too. Thank you Shauna and I hope to see you again soon.”
Nicholas kissed Shauna. Shauna walked them to the door and shook Laura’s hand.
Shauna: “The pleasure was mine Laura. Have a safe journey home. Nicholas my love I will see you soon.”
Stefan: “Wait! I will see you both back to the hotel.”
Laura: “That’s not necessary Stefan, we will…”
Stefan: “I said I’d see you both back. It is not a bother. I will return soon Shauna.”
With that Stefan followed them both out the door of the apartment. Shauna did not like what she saw. Stefan was furious. This was the most emotion she had ever seen him display and it was all directed at Laura. She had unexpectedly received the answer to her question. This was the Laura of his dreams. Whatever it was that he felt for her was strong enough to evoke a reaction in his usually unflappable facade. She had seen him standing at the entrance to the drawing room for sometime staring at Laura in shock and some other emotion she could not define before Laura was aware, and before he had a chance to cover his reaction. Shauna sat down in the couch. What was she going to do? Maybe it was over, maybe he only had hatred left for her. Oh what was it between them? Whatever it was it was powerful because Stefan was very affected by it. But no, he was hers, he had made vows to her, he would never go back on his words. She knew Stefan. He would not. Be gone Laura. Go back to wherever you came from. No wonder Stefan had stayed away from New York! It was too close to where she was, oh foolish foolish Shauna. He told you he did not want to be here. I will not loose you Stefan. This was a mistake I plan not to repeat. Just come home to me and we will return to Europe and our life.
Stefan did not speak to her in the limousine ride to the hotel. He spoke business with Nicholas and ignored her the whole time. Nicholas bid them goodnight as Stefan insisted on seeing her to her room.
At the hotel room door Laura turned to bid him goodnight but he took the card key from her grasp and opened the door and ushered her in.
Laura: “How rude, I did not invite you in Stefan.”
Stefan: “Would you like to explain to me what you thought you would accomplish by cozying up to my wife like that? What right do you have to intrude into my life Laura? Tell me that and then I may apologize for my breach in behavior.”
Laura: “I was not intruding. I told you, she invited Nicholas and I there. I saw nothing wrong in accepting an innocent dinner invitation. Besides I knew you would not be there.”
Stefan: “Was that all? You were not the least bit curious to see the woman who had the nerve to marry a Cassadine? The kidnapping evil maniac whose only intent was to destroy you and your precious Luke?”
Laura: “I apologized for wrongly accusing you Stefan. I was wrong, I make no excuses for that but it’s unfair of you to throw it in my face like that.”
Stefan: “Oh you find it unfair Laura? There I go again trying to make your life miserable. I am so sorry I have the ability to offend you so easily.”
He went over to her and grasping her neck with one hand stared into her eyes then down at her lips.
Stefan: “You had so little faith in me Laura. That was unfair. The outright indecent things you accused me of. That was unfair. The love I gave you in spades so callously disregarded. That was unfair. The belittling way you treated me at the words of Luke Spencer. That was unfair. You lied to me over and over again that you loved me when you didn’t give a damn about me. That was unfair.”
His hand slid from her throat and worked its way into her hair. Grabbing a fistful of her hair he tilted her head back.
Stefan: “The fact that I still want you. That is unfair.”
Stefan kissed her then. He passed his lips gently over hers back and forth, and with a groan captured her lips fully. They clung to each other hungrily until they had to come up for air. They hastily disrobed each other and Stefan carried her to the bed. They were too much on fire to engage in foreplay. Stefan entered her and was so overcome that after deeply encasing himself in her he did not move, they held unto each other tightly as waves upon waves of sensations washed over them. Laura wrapped her legs around him and scraped her nails down his back to urge him on and Stefan began to make love to her.
Afterwards Stefan sat on the edge of the bed naked with his head in his hands. He had lost the fight. No matter what he did, what she did, however far he ran, he would never get Laura out of his heart and mind. This was his lot in life. What was he going to do? Dear Shauna, dear dear Shauna, she did not deserve this. He had to let her go, he could not continue to be with her when he only wanted to be with one woman. Laura had made his life a living hell at times but he loved her. It was as simple as that.
Laura lay on her side watching his back. How could they have allowed this to happen? Shauna would not understand. Laura did not understand. Every time they crossed paths they were drawn to each other regardless if there were others in their lives. What now? He would not stay with her, she had hurt him too much for them to ever go back again. What was he thinking?
Laura: “She doesn’t have to know. I, I won’t say anything, we can pretend this never happened.”
Stefan: “You would just love that wouldn’t you? Just like you pretended you had given me your heart when all the time you were holding it in reserve for Luke. I will not put Shauna through the same hell you put me through Laura.”
He got up and started gathering his clothes. Laura lay in the bed and watched him dress. He came over to her when he was finished and pulling her up toward him kissed her passionately. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her on her cheeks, her forehead, her chin, her nose, and her closed eyelids. He then got up from the bed and left. A single tear fell from her eye and she lay back on the bed and gathered his pillow into her arms.
Shauna was waiting for him in the drawing room. She saw it in his eyes, he was leaving her. Not if she had something to say about it.
Shauna: “I don’t care. I don’t care what she said or what you think you have to do. I’m not letting you go Stefan.”
Stefan: "Shauna, I can’t do this to you, it’s exactly what Laura did to me. She made me believe, she made me hope that we had a future when her heart was elsewhere. I will not put you through that. It cannot be what you want.
Shauna: “Don’t you dare presume what I want, besides you have put me through THAT! What do you think this is? No Stefan, it’s too late. You made your choice. I am your wife and your wife I shall remain. You have felt this way all the time yet you decided to marry me. We were happy, all was going well until she appeared so why change anything now? Does she want you now that she sees you with someone else? I thought you were a lot smarter than that. Don’t let her do this to us Stefan.
Stefan: “This is not about what Laura wants Shauna, for all I know she will return to her beloved husband tomorrow. This is about you. You are right, I entered this marriage under false pretences. My intention was never to deceive you but I deceived myself and consequently you in the process. I wish to correct that mistake now. I care for you too much to deceive you any longer.”
Shauna: “And I care for you too much to let you fall prey to her again. Please, let’s not make any hasty decisions tonight. Let’s talk it over when, when things have settled a little.”
Shauna went up to him but he stepped away from her.
Shauna: “What is it Stefan? Why are you shrinking away from me?”
Stefan did not answer her. He stood with his back to her and sighed.
Stefan: “Go to bed Shauna. We will talk in the morning.”
Shauna: “Will you not come to bed with me?”
Again she approached him and again he stepped away from her. Shauna then threw herself into his arms and held on to him. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and stiffened. She could smell her. She had never hated anyone as she hated Laura Spencer at that moment. Stefan removed her hands from around his neck and set her away from him.
Stefan: “Go to bed Shauna.”
Shauna wiped away the tears she could no longer hide. She walked away and left Stefan in the drawing room.
Damaged
Chapter 4
The next morning Shauna found Stefan in
the study, he had just hung up the phone.
Shauna: “Good morning Stefan.”
Stefan: “Good morning Shauna. Please have a seat, I guess this is as good as
anytime to have our talk.”
Shauna: “Are you going back to her Stefan?”
Stefan: “No. Laura and I will never be because her heart has always belonged
to someone else. She made her choice and there is no turning back. I already
regret what took place last night; it was far from intentional Shauna. If I was
in my right mind none of it would have happened, but as is usually the case
reason seems to abandon me when it concerns her. I don’t want the specter of
Laura around you Shauna. I thought I was able to control my feelings but last
night proves otherwise. If I stay in this marriage with you it will eventually
erode everything we have and I fear damage you in some way. That I cannot allow
to happen. If you believe nothing else I say, believe this, I do care for you. I
wish things could have been different.
Shauna: “ Will you listen to me now Stefan? I appreciate that you did not set
out to hurt me. I know you are a honorable man. You are human too Stefan, and I
forgive you for last night. The shock of seeing her must have played a part in
all of this. You say that it cannot be, that you will not return to her, why
then don’t you stay with me? I have no illusions, I now know how you feel and
accept it. I accept you, the ghost of Laura and all. Stefan, if you want to we
can still make our marriage work. I am not a foolish young girl anymore with
unrealistic dreams. I have found the man I want to spend the rest of my life
with and no, the situation is not ideal but neither is life. We can make each
other happy Stefan, we already were doing just that. Give it a chance, that’s
all I ask of you.”
Stefan went over to her and cupping her face wiped the tears that were sparkling
on her lashes.
Stefan: “You are a treasure. The human heart is such a paradox. It is you that
should own me so. Shauna, I will not hurt you anymore and no matter how stoic
you try to be about it that is exactly what will happen, has happened. Forgive
me sweetheart, but I have to let you go.”
Shauna: “Will you let go of your child too?”
Stefan froze with disbelief.
Shauna: “I am pregnant. I did not wish to tell you this way but circumstances
precludes otherwise.”
Stefan let go of her and went over to an armchair and sat down.
Stefan: “How long have you known?”
Shauna: “I took the home test yesterday morning. I tried to reach you but you
were not at home. I don’t want our child to be born out of wedlock Stefan.”
Stefan: “No child of mine will be. This changes everything. I am sorry Shauna,
I am so sorry.”
Shauna went over to him and sitting on his lap embraced him.
Shauna: “Shhh. I told you, I forgive you. Let us put this all behind us and
concentrate on our little family. We will be happy Stefan, just wait and see.
Stefan stroked her hair and closed his eyes.
Stefan: “Let’s go home.”
Laura jumped when the phone rang. She quickly picked up the receiver and
tentatively answered. It was only Lulu’s babysitter confirming an appointment.
She was disappointed. She did not really expect him to call but that did not
stop her from hoping. He had said he would not be staying with Shauna, so why
had she not heard from him? He wanted nothing to do with her it seemed. If only
they hadn’t seen each other again. She now missed him terribly after only one
night. Well she had better forget about him because he had obviously done so
with her. Sighing, Laura got up to go collect Lulu from their neighbor’s
house.
Shauna was frantic. What had she done? She had never meant to deceive him, she
was just so desperate to hold on to him that she used the first thing that came
to her mind. She despised women who used such tactics but now understood what
could cause an otherwise decent person to act in such a way. She had to get
pregnant, but how? Stefan had taken himself off to meetings all over the globe
not long after their return home. Before leaving had insisted on coming with her
to the Obstetrician to confirm the home pregnancy results. She had helped her
friend Carrie set up her practice and it was with great reluctance that Carrie
had agreed to help her deceive Stefan until she could get pregnant. She hated
what she was doing, not only was she deceiving Stefan but she had asked her dear
friend to go against her personal and professional principles. What had become
of her? She had to make love with Stefan before this all blew up in her face.
Shauna made arrangements to join him on his latest destination. She was going to
seduce her husband tonight.
Laura stared at the home pregnancy test in disbelief. She was pregnant. She was
actually going to have Stefan’s child. Groaning Laura sat on the closed toilet
seat and started to laugh. Her laughter then turned into tears. She was pregnant
for a man who wanted nothing to do with her. He may not want her in his life but
she would be damned if she would allow him to turn his back on this baby. She
got up and washed her face. With resolve she determined to find him to let him
know of his impending fatherhood.
Damage
Chapter 5
Stefan:
“Hello?”
Laura: “ It’s Laura Stefan.”
Stefan: “How did you know where to reach me?”
Laura: “ Nicholas.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose Stefan sighed.
Stefan: “What is it Laura? I’m very busy.”
Laura: “I’m pregnant Stefan.”
Stefan: “Congratulations?”
Laura: “Don’t be smart. The child is yours.”
Stefan: “What makes you so sure?”
Laura: “Because you are the only lover I’ve had in this past year.”
Stefan: “What about Luke?”
Laura: “Luke and I are finished. He, we were never together again. After we
found Lucky things fell apart.”
Stefan held the receiver to his ears but did not speak for a while.
Laura: “Stefan, are you still there?”
Stefan: “Yes, yes I’m here. Are you alone at the house?”
Laura: “What do you mean?”
Stefan: “Is your mother there, or is Roy still boarding?”
Laura: “No. Mother is in North Carolina and Roy moved out some months ago.
It’s just Leslie Lu and I.”
Stefan: “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Please take care of yourself until
I get there.”
Laura: “You don’t have to come Stefan. I just wanted you to know that’s
all.”
Stefan: “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye.”
With that he hung up. Stefan was in shock. She was going to have his child.
Laura was having his baby. Joy filled his heart to the point of bursting. His
precious Lasha, he could not get to her soon enough. He reached for the phone to
call his secretary; he had to cancel all of his meetings and inform his pilots
to get ready to go to Port Charles. As he hung up the phone it rang. It was the
front desk at the hotel informing him that his wife was on her way up to his
suite. Dear God, he had forgotten about Shauna and the baby. Stefan went to
greet her at the door.
Stefan: “Shauna, what are you doing here, are you alright?”
Shauna: "I missed my husband. I thought I would surprise you.”
Shauna embraced Stefan and started to kiss him. After returning her kiss for a
while Stefan stepped away from her.
Stefan: “ Shauna, I have to leave now. There is something I have to take care
of as soon as possible. I wish you had called me first.”
Shauna: “That’s ok. I’ll just come with you.”
Stefan: “No! I’m sorry, I did not mean for it to come out that way. This is
a very delicate situation that I have to handle on my own. Please, go home. I
will call you as soon as I am able to. I don’t want you traveling too much
anyway in your condition. I promise I will tell you everything when I return,
just let me take care of this final business and then I’ll return home.”
Shauna: “Will it take long?”
Stefan: “No. I will be home very soon.”
Shauna: “Can you tell me where you’re going?”
Stefan: “I will tell you everything when I return. Come I’ll escort you to
the airport. I have to leave right away.”
After Stefan saw to it that Shauna got unto a flight he went to the tarmac where
his private jet was fueled and waiting for takeoff. Shauna decided to make some
inquiries into Stefan’s destination. She called his secretary on the pretence
that he had forgotten an important file he needed for his next meeting and was
told she could have it sent to Port Charles because that was where he was
headed. Shauna’s heart sunk. She too would go to Port Charles, she would not
let Laura Spencer destroy her marriage.
Index