Stefan's New Love

Chapter 7

"Picking up the pieces
Putting back together
Hearts broke long ago."


The string quartet was warming up. They would play a few songs as the crowd slowly ventured into the ball room.

The time had come. The crowd cleared the floor, gathering around the perimeter. Stefan and Laura met in the middle of the floor. He took her hand and placed the other on the small of her back. He kept as much space as he could between their bodies. Their eyes met and held. They started moving around the floor.

Brie's mouth hung open. The woman was gorgeous, petite, blond, curvaceous with sparkling blue eyes. She'd found out from others that she was Laura Spencer, Nicholas's mother. Stavros was Nicholas's father though. She was puzzled. Stefan and Laura looked like an old married couple at odds with each other. Had they been lovers? Is this why Stefan hadn't wanted her here?


Laura broke the silence.

L Nicholas did a wonderful job. He has certainly grown into a handsome, confident young man.
S Yes, I'm very proud of him.
L As you should be. And as I am.

There was an awkward silence.

L You're very handsome tonight.
S Your beauty radiates through this entire room Laura.
L Stefan I really need to talk to you.
S We are talking Laura.
L Yes, and for that much I am grateful. But I would like to talk to you in private.
S We have nothing further to discuss.
L In my opinion we do. Or does my opinion not count any more?
S Laura, please...
L Yes, Stefan please! Hear me out. That's all I ask.

Laura saw Nicholas approaching them to cut in.

L Your study in an hours time, please Stefan.

Nicholas tapped Stefan's shoulder. Stefan bowed to Laura and placed a kiss on her gloved knuckles. He smiled slightly and said "fine". With that he turned and gave Laura's hand to Nicholas patted him on the back and walked away.

N Fine, what Laura?
L (she breathed a sigh of relief) He's agreed to meet me to talk later.
N He's in a great deal of pain Laura please don't make it any worse than it is.
L I know I've hurt him Nicholas. I've hurt you both so many times. It's time I take responsibility for my actions.
N He still loves you.
L And I still love him.

Nicholas looked deeply into her tearing eyes and he saw her love for Stefan. Why do you always hurt the ones you love he wondered to himself.

L I'm so proud of you Nicholas.
N Thank you for sharing this day with me Mother.

When the dance ended and Laura excused herself to freshen up before she met with Stefan.


Stefan had stepped outside for some fresh air. Having Laura in his arms again set his heart churning. He will hear her out. He just hoped he didn't have to hear Luke Spencer's name again. As he turned to make his way in to the study Brie appeared.

B Good evening Stefan.
S Good evening Brie. I hadn't expected to see you.
B I know. I was curious as to why you didn't invite me, but I think I know why now.
S Really? Please share your reasoning with me.
B You're still in love with Laura.
S (he laughed derisively) You get that out of half a dance?
B I know you. At least I think I've gotten to know you quite well in the past month and a half. Your love for her is evident on your face. (she felt a twinge of jealousy)
S It is an unrequited love.
B Bull shit!
S (stefan was shocked by her outburst) Laura loves another.
B But you were lovers!
S Yes. Twenty years ago, then again recently.
B She still loves you.
S No she doesn't. She's told me herself in so many ways.
B She should let herself know then.
S (He was always amazed at Brie's perceptivness but she was wrong in this instance.) I must go. I have an appointment.
B With Laura. (It was a statement not a question.)
S Yes. I guess she wants some closure.
B She wants you back.
S Brie, I assure you, you're wrong.
B Want to bet?
S Another challenge? I know I'll win this one. Yes, a bet. (he smiled)
B I say she wants you back and she'll claim her love for you.
S And I say this is the final good-bye.
B Is that what you want Stefan?

When he didn't answer right away Brie was glad she hadn't expressed her love for him. It would be easier to let go. But could she let go? She was a fighter and she found something worth fighting for in Stefan Cassadine. Impulsively she kissed him. Not the peck on the lips that they had shared after their dates. She went at him with an open, inviting mouth. Her tongue slipped in. Her arms were around his neck and she pressed her body to his. At first he was shocked but his arms went around her and his tongue met hers. They drank from each other and came up breathless.

S Wow!
B I'm sorry.
S Please don't apologize unless you are sorry.
B No. I've wanted to do that for some time now. I've just been waiting on you.
S Who's the chauvanist now? (he chuckled) The man has to make the first move?
B I wasn't sure of your feelings for me.
S I do have feelings for you Brie. I just haven't examined them. I find you extremely attractive, sexy, smart, sassy. I love spending time with you. It's just too soon to claim any thing more.
B Too soon after Laura.
S My heart has taken a pounding for the last few years. It's hard to love someone who doesn't return your love with the same intensity. I thought I could accept anything Laura gave me but that's not being fair to either of us.
B You still love her.
S I will always love Laura. She took my heart twenty years ago.
B You still have your heart Stefan. You just need to mend it.
S I really have to be going.
B The bet! What are we betting?
S If I'm right I want you to teach you t'ai chi.
B If I'm right I won't let you go. (with that, she kissed him gently on the lips and walked away)

Stefan's New Love

Chapter 8

"I know a good thing
When I see it
And it's a bad thing
To let go."


Stefan made his way to his study and poured himself a brandy. He was standing in front of the fireplace when Laura let herself in. He offered her a brandy and she gladly accepted. She needed a little confidence booster.

L Nicholas told me you still love me.
S I always will Laura. As I've said, you have my heart.
L Then this should be easy.
S What should be easy, trampling it beneath your feet?
L I know I've hurt you desperately. I am ready to accept the consequences for my actions.
S So you're here to recieve punishment to relieve your conscience?
L No! I love you Stefan!

He turned to face her with an angry look.

S Do you. (he said sarcastically)

She walked closer to him.

L I want you to know that my divorce is final.
S And this concerns me how?
L It doesn't really. It concerns me and my life and what I have chosen to do with it.
S Then why share it with me?
L Because I'm begging for another chance with you. I know I don't deserve one but you need to know I love you. You know my heart! I miss you terribly. I want you now and forever.

Stefan smiled slightly. Laura took it as acceptance and she moved toward him. He stepped back.

L What's wrong?
S I just lost a bet.
L You had a bet on us? Well I hope you betted for us!
S Actually I betted against you Laura. I just thought you wanted to say good-bye. So what kind of response do you want toward your divorce, congratulations or condolences?
L I don't need either it's over and done with. I want to move on with my life.
S What about Luke?
L I told you I'm divorced.
S A piece of paper! I'm talking of your heart. You're right, I know your heart. Luke will always be there. I could accept your love for Luke, though I'll never understand it, but you don't believe in me Laura. You actually believed I would take your son!
L I didn't know what to believe at the time. My dead son is returned to me alive and well? I was in a state of shock.
S For you to even think I was capable of it! You don't know me Laura.
L I know you Stefan! I know your heart. I know you love me.
S That's never changed. Why the change for you Laura? Is it because Luke has moved on? Is it because your divorce is final? Is it because I'm not there for you any more? What Laura?
L All I know is that I love you Stefan.
S You will love me until I do something Cassadine. I AM a Cassadine Laura.
L Why aren't you willing to work things out?
S Work things out? (he raised his voice.) You left Nicholas and me. I forgave you. I divulged my heart to you expecting and getting next to nothing in return. My heart broke with yours when Lucky "died". I tried to help you through that horrendous time. I incapacitated my mother to protect you, yet I was wrong to have done that. Then you told me you loved me. I believed you. You said you couldn't imagine a future without me. I believed you. Everything has been on your terms Laura and still that wasn't enough. You are willing to think the worst of me when I have done nothing but love you completely. It takes more than love, as you've told me before Laura. It takes trust. You don't trust me and now I don't trust you.
L Stefan, please, I love you!
S Did you think a proclaimation of your love would have me falling into your arms pledging my undying devotion yet again?

The words hurt but she knew he had to lash out at her. She could expect nothing less. She deserved much worse.

Knowing how Brie feels about him gave him confidence he'd never experienced before. But would he be doing the same thing to her? Loving another so much that there wasn't enough love for her? To use Brie's own words, Bull Shit! Stefan had just turned a major corner in his life. He smiled sadly into Laura's eyes. He knew she loved him. Knew she always did no matter how many times she denied it. But the game playing was done. It was time to move on.

L I know I've not done much to instill your trust in my feelings but I'm being true to my heart finally. Please believe that.
S I belive you love me Laura but it's too late. I wish you only happiness. I sincerely hope you get your family back.

With that he walked to the door and held it open for her. She walked up to him and kissed him. He kissed her good-bye.

L I will always love you. This will never be over. ( She left crying.)


Stefan finished his brandy. He was staring into the dying flames of the fire. He had just told the woman he had given his heart to good-bye. He knew Laura would go back to Port Charles where Luke was. He knew that he'd be "out of sight, out of mind" just like he was for so many years. Did he still have a heart as Brie said? He must, because it was in a great deal of pain now. He wanted to rush to Brie and have her hold him. He wanted a shoulder to cry on. That wouldn't be fair to her however. He didn't want to use her as he felt used by Laura. Brie...He thought of the kiss they had just shared. She was a passionate woman. He knew that from the way she fenced. Her body molded to his perfectly. Her mouth was so inviting. whoa! He shook his head to rid it of the sexual images playing through his mind. He went up to bed and slept a dreamless sleep.

Chapters 5-6

Chapters 9-10

Stefan's New Love
Index