Thanksgiving 1999
Rated PG

"Stefan!" Lesley Lu ran through the outer door of the conservatory, straight into a waiting Stefan’s outstretched arms. "We finally made it."

"Yes you did," Stefan smiled indulgently as he squeezed her to him in a hug. "I was beginning to worry about you." He glanced up at Laura as she entered the room, her cheeks flushed a becoming pink, her blonde hair cascading about her shoulders. Her smile really could light an entire room, he thought.

"We had to make a stop before coming here," Laura explained, still standing just inside the door. Her eyes drank in the sight of Stefan, his casual gray slacks and black sweater making his eyes appear even greener than usual. His hair was delightfully mussed, as if he had been running his fingers through it waiting for them to arrive. This was the first time she had been to Wyndemere since the night she and Stefan made love. She just wished she could stop her knees from shaking so badly!

"We went to the club to see Daddy, but he wasn’t there," Lesley Lu explained as she shed her coat, handing it to Stefan who hung it over the back of a chair. "He went to some kind of Thanksgiving party, so Mommy and I left him a note. Is Nikky here yet?"

Stefan closed his eyes for a moment, the pain of his recent encounter with Nikolas still fresh in his mind. "No, he’s not. I invited him to join us today, but he already had plans. He extends his apologies." This adorable little girl didn’t need to know about the tensions between Nikolas, Laura, and himself.

"Oh." She looked crestfallen for just a moment, then her face brightened considerably. "Can I go see Mrs. Lansbury? She promised me a special treat the next time I came."

"Certainly. She’s in the kitchen." Stefan smiled after her.

"Don’t eat too much, Lulu. You’ll spoil your lunch!" Laura called after a disappearing Lesley Lu. When they were alone she glanced at Stefan. "So you spoke to Nikolas?"

Stefan sighed, standing to his full height. "No, not since the day he walked out of here. I have left messages, but he doesn’t seem interested in returning them."

"He just needs time, Stefan." She moved closer to him, grasping his hands in hers and pulling him close. "Alexis dropped a bomb on him the other day – I think it’s going to take a while for him to deal with it." Her lips touched his lightly, sweetly.

"I know." He sighed, his breath mingling with hers as their lips brushed together softly. "I simply wish that he would allow me to help him through this."

"And who’s helping you?" Her arms encircled his shoulders as his hands rested on her hips. "I know you, Stefan. You try to be strong for everyone, even when you’re the one hurting inside. And I know what the news from Alexis did to you. How are you holding up?"

"Are you worried about me?" Stefan smiled, charmed by her concern.

"Of course," she dimpled. "Are you not used to having someone worry about you?"

He thought seriously for a moment. "Actually, no. I’ve been on my own for longer than I care to remember. Even when I have been in a relationship, there was still so much…distance." His arms tightened almost imperceptibly. "But it feels differently now."

"It should. I told you before, Stefan Cassadine – I plan to look out for you, to make sure that you get the kind of care and devotion you’ve shown me over and over again. You’d better get used to it."

"I think I may be able to do that." His lips swooped down to capture hers, the kiss quickly turning passionate. "I haven’t been able to stop picturing you in my bed since you left it the other morning," he whispered when their lips parted, both gasping for breath.

"Funny," she said, nipping at his lips with hers. "I haven’t been able to stop picturing you in your bed. Or in the shower. Or…"

Stefan groaned, his body already responding to Laura’s suggestive words and tone. "Do we have to eat?" He asked, his hands tightening around her bottom, melding her body with his.

"Why, Mr. Cassadine, whatever do you mean? What could we possibly do besides eat the lovely Thanksgiving dinner Mrs. Lansbury has prepared?" She asked in mock seriousness.

"Well, if you have to ask…" He started to pull back.

"Hey! Learn to take a joke," she stated before she saw his eyes twinkling at her. "Oh, I see. So you can take a joke now."

"I can take a lot more than that," he whispered suggestively, stealing one more kiss before releasing her and stepping back. "Now behave yourself and I promise to feed you."

"You want me to behave myself?" She pouted prettily. "We really need to have a talk. First we eat. Then…"

"We talk?" Stefan asked innocently.

"Something like that." She grasped his hand in hers, any awkwardness they had experienced initially long gone. She was pulling him toward the dining room when the outer door opened once again.

"Nikolas?" Stefan was immediately concerned when he saw his son – nephew? – standing absolutely still in the doorway. "Are you all right?"

"Didn’t you invite me for Thanksgiving dinner?" Nikolas asked, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"I did. But when I didn’t hear from you…"

"Families should be together during the holidays. We are still a family, aren’t we?" Nikolas asked, his eyes shadowed with worry.

Stefan nodded. "Yes, we are." He noticed movement behind Nikolas and was a bit shocked to see Elizabeth Webber’s brunette head come into view. "Ms. Webber, welcome to Wyndemere once again."

"Thank you, Mr. Cassadine." She shoved Nikolas just slightly, moving him more fully into the room so that she could close the door. "Hi, Laura. Are we too late to join you?"

"No, of course not, Elizabeth. I’m glad you both could make it." Laura squeezed Stefan’s hand with hers. "We were just going into the dining room. Lulu should be there waiting for us." She laced her arm with Stefan’s and walked with him from the room.

"Wow, I never really noticed what a gorgeous pair they make," Liz whispered to Nikolas as they followed Stefan and Laura to the dining room. "I could’ve told you a long time ago that you weren’t their child – you’re not nearly good-looking enough."

Nikolas’ lips curled at the corners. "Don’t even try to make me laugh. It won’t work."

"Hey, I’m not trying to make you laugh. Just stating a fact…"

***************************************

"Lunch was good, wasn’t it?" Laura asked, her head resting comfortably on Stefan’s bare chest. Nikolas and Elizabeth had taken Lesley Lu back to town with them after lunch was over, and Laura had promised to be by to pick her up that evening. Enjoying their time together, though, Stefan and Laura had unerringly made for the bedroom.

"Mmmmmm."

"Is that a yes or a no?" She asked, lifting her head slightly to gaze into his eyes.

"That was an ‘mmmmmm.’" Stefan explained, tightening his arms about her, kissing the tip of her nose sweetly.

"Well, it was a nice lunch," Laura continued undeterred. "You and Nikolas were so open with one another, so comfortable. It felt like old times. Actually, it reminded me of that dinner Lulu and I shared with you and Nikolas about a hundred years ago. Do you remember?"

He raised an eyebrow expressively.

"Of course you do," she confirmed. "You and Nikolas were so intent on entertaining us, making us comfortable here. You really are quite an entertaining pair. Lulu and I were completely charmed."

"Do you recall the toast I proposed that evening?"

Laura paused, pain darting through her heart. "We toasted to Nikolas, our son. He is our son, Stefan, and he always will be. No matter what the DNA tests conclude. What are you smiling at?"

He brushed the hair back from her face gently. "I love it when you’re so adamant about something. Especially this." He kissed her gently on the lips, hers parting in response.

"We are a family, Stefan. That’s for keeps."

~The End~

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