by Sherry
It has been discovered that Stefan is the true prince. His brother, Stavros was the illegitimate son of Helena and one of her many lovers. Stefan now has everything he has dreamed of and never thought he would have: the title, his son is the heir apparent, and he has the love of his life, Laura.
Laura came to him one day and nervously starts to speak. "Stefan, I know I told you I would never abandon you again, but Luke has come to me and wants a second chance." Stefan tried to interrupt. "No, let me finish," Laura tearfully requests. Stefan is silent. "I know you think I'm a fool to listen to him, but he is truly sorry for what he has done. Lulu needs her father and he says he will accept Nikolas as my son. He won't try to stop me from seeing Nikolas and he will be welcome in our home. Part of the reason Luke and I broke up was because of the lies I told and now I feel I have to give him a chance to make our family whole again. I own him that much," she whispered, looking at Stefan with pleading eyes for him to understand.
Stefan could barely contain his tears. He wanted to scream at the world. Now that everything was going his way for the first time in his life, why now? He struggled to speak, "Laura, you owe him nothing. He abandoned you. He left you when you needed him the most. How can you still love him?"
"We have been together for so long and we have a past together. Lulu needs both of us. I...I have to give his this chance."
Stefan closed his eyes in anguish. "I told you once that all I wanted another chance with you, for you to make up your own mind. If Luke is what you want, then so be it," he rasped.
Laura stepped closer, tears streaming down her face. She reached up to caress his face and whispered, "A part of me will always love you, we made Nikolas together. I will never forget how you loved our son and brought him up to be the generous and loving man he is today. And how you took care of me on the island and here. I will always love you for that."
Stefan reached for her hand and gently kissed her palm. "Remember that I will always be here for you and your daughter. No matter where I am, I will come if you need me. And, I will love you until the day I die," he whispered roughly.
Laura stretched up and kissed him tenderly on the lips. They stared into each other eyes, until with a moan of pain Laura ran from the room sobbing. Stefan collapsed into a chair and gazed out into space, not seeing or hearing anything, lost in the pain of what might have been.
Two days go by and Stefan is miserable. He has everything he has ever wanted. He is now the Cassadine, the prince and rightful heir. A man who can bind the family together and make them whole again. His son, Nikolas is the heir apparent. A role Stefan has groomed him for his whole life. All these things he has, but it means nothing without Laura. Stefan has found out he would gladly give title and fortune back if it meant he could have Laura in his life.
After an endless day of telephone calls, meetings with bankers, and financial consultants, Stefan was relieved to be home. He strolled into his study and had a vodka. Staring down into the glass, he realizes he will work into the early hours of the morning to numb the pain of his loneliness. With a sigh, he goes to his room, intending to change into something more comfortable. When he opens the door to his bedroom, he is blinded by the light of candles scattered all over the room. He steps into the room and when his eyes adjust to the light, sees her. She is standing by the open window, a vision in a white gown. Stefan was afraid to breathe, afraid she will vanish in the breath he expels. Laura turns and smiles at him. Stefan walks as if in a trance over to her and tentatively touches her to see if she is real.
Laura looked up at him and gently said, "I am really here, Stefan."
"I don't understand," he whispered.
"I went back home and really meant to give Luke another chance. I really did. I felt guilty about all the lies I told him. I felt like I had blind-sided him with all the revelations. I felt like I hadn't made him or Lucky feel like they had a home to come to."
Stefan protested, "But he lied to you too. He made you choose between himself and Nikolas."
Laura nodded. "Yes, I know. I thought I could do it until he kissed me. Then I knew there was nothing between us. I felt none of the spark that we had before. It was gone and he knew it too. He packed up his things and left."
"When was this?"
"Two days ago," she confessed.
Stefan tried to be angry. "And you made me suffer, thinking of you with him?"
Laura hung her head. "I was afraid to come. I was afraid you wouldn't want me now."
Stefan gently lifted her chin. "You thought I wouldn't want you?" he asked in amazement. "Don't you know how incomplete I am without you, how dismal my life is without you in it?" he whispered. "I would have given everything away, name, title, and fortune to have had you back in my arms."
Laura smiled at him through her tears. "I never knew just how much I loved you until I gave you up. And when Luke kissed me," she shuddered, "I knew then, I only wanted one man's touch, yours." Laura pressed her body against his. "I am yours, if you will have me."
With a groan Stefan kissed her as if it were the last kiss he would get from her. Carrying her over to his bed, they make love, beautifully, passionately.
Later as Laura is lying in his arms she raises up and gazes into his face. "I love you, and I will never let you go."
Stefan caressed her face gently, "You remember what I told you? When I love, I love forever." Stefan kissed her softly to seal his promise.
Laura grinned at him. "Looks like we're stuck with each other then."
They dissolve into happy laughter.
THE END
Back To SNL FanFic Archive Page