It would be the last time Laura would ever see Stefan for a very long time & really didn't want say goodbye again. Luke had decided last night that it was time to move away from Port Charles & go on the road again. Laura had fought with Luke bitterly but in the end gave in. Laura would be leaving her son & the man she really loves for what, a life on the road. The only explanation Laura could come up with for really leaving is because she had spent the last 20 years with Luke & didn't know anything else. She knew right then & their that she was not worthy of Stefan's love. Laura was afraid of her feelings for Stefan because they ran so deep & were so intense. Laura thought if she left Port Charles those feelings would soon fade & she would love Luke that intensely. Laura stayed up all night trying to figure out how to say good-bye. In the end, she wrote Stefan & Nicholas a note saying basically good-bye, and I love you both. She called up Stefan in the morning to meet her at the docks & then she snuck out of the house because everyone else were still sleeping. When Laura saw Stefan, her heart skipped a beat & she wanted to feel him in her arms one last time. It took every once of well power not to touch him. Stefan looked so sad & so humiliated. He knew what she was about to do & his heart broke into a million pieces. Stefan had seen Laura & LuLu with Luke on Christmas Eve & knew at that moment, he would never have a moment of happiness with Laura. Laura & Stefan looked at each, not a word was spoken but the love they had for each other shown through their eyes. Laura finally spoke, with tears streaming down her face & said, "I am so sorry." Laura handed him the note & ran away. That was the finally time they would ever see each other for a very long time.

The Spencer's left Port Charles that morning & never looked back. Laura cried for the next 2 days straight, her heart was shattered. Luke just drove the car with a smug look on his face. Like I won Count Vlad, deal with it & bye the way, the police will be paying you a visit. Laura had know idea what Luke had set into motion but Stefan's life was about to take a drastic turn for the worse. The police arrived at Wyndiemire & arrested Stefan for the kidnapping of Lucky Spencer. Luke, with Helena's help, had set Stefan up to take the fall & he did. Stefan was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In one day Stefan had lost Nicholas, the Cassadine empire & the women he loved with his entire being.

Five Years Later

The Spencers were living in a dive outside of East Los Angeles. Luke was tending bar while Laura stayed home & took care of LuLu & Stephanie. Lucky was running moon shine for Luke over the US/Mexican Boarder. Laura hated this life because she knew any moment the police would be pounding on her door looking for either Lucky or Luke & then they would have to make a quick getaway. Laura missed the life she had in Port Charles, she missed the house, the stability & most of all Stefan. She thought when she left Port Charles for good all those years ago, her feelings for Stefan would disappear but they didn't. They kept growing stronger & stronger & stronger. Luke no longer touched her in any capacity and constantly came home smelling of strange perfume. Laura realized Luke had only wanted her because he couldn't have her. Once he got her, Luke threw her away like an old dish cloth. All this time Laura never called Nicholas to find out how he was doing. Luke had said, "Angel, you have left that life behind lets look ahead & never backwards." But it was getting harder & harder for Laura to do that. It was the middle of December & Nicholas birthday was coming up. Every year, after the girls had gone to school, she would go to a nice quite spot & think about Nicholas & Stefan. Her heart would break all over again. Last night was the final straw for Laura. Laura told Luke she was going to call Nicholas & wish him a Happy Birthday. Luke went nuts. He started throwing things & flat out told her if she called, he was out of here & taking the money with him. Laura had no job & there was only one car which Lucky had at that time in Mexico. Laura meekly nodded her head & went to her room. Laura had scrimped & saved up a $100 that Luke didn't know about & had decided to leave him for good. Laura knew that Nicholas would help, even after everything she had done to him & his father, if he only knew. The next day, Laura dressed the girls quietly & quickly, while Luke was sleeping off another bender from the night before, & snuck out of the house. LuLu asked where are we going mother. Laura's only response was, "Home." Stephanie asked, "Were is that?" Laura mumbled under her breath "With your father my dear, with your father." Laura purchased 3 bus tickets for Seattle, Washington. She knew Luke would be looking for her if she went directly back to Port Charles first so she decided to go to the one place he would not suspect her to be. The bus pulled in late that night, Laura carried Stephanie off of the bus with LuLu by her side. She called for the next taxi available & asked for the cheapest, cleanest hotel in town. The taxi driver took her to a dive right outside of Seattle. The place was a mess but it did have a working telephone. She was flat broke, she had spent the last of the money on the hotel room. After she had feed the girls, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with milk, she put them in the only bed in the room & then went & called Nicholas. Laura knew she would get a cold reception but she knew she had to try. She didn't expect much out of him. She had betrayed him & Stefan yet again & knew it.

When the phone rang & Nicholas picked up & said "Hello", Laura's heart skipped a beat. Nicholas said hello several times before Laura could say anything. With tears streaming down her face she said, "Nicholas, it is me Laura, I love you & Happy Birthday." The wall Nicholas had put up after all these years had crumbled into a million pieces. See this was Nicholas's 25th birthday which meant he was the head of the "Cassadine Empire" now. The last five years had been tough on him. He had to learn to control his emotions, feelings & be as hard & as ruthless as Helena. At every turn, Helena had tried to undermine him. By this time, he had learned to control his emotions just like Stefan had. Except when it comes to their families. At that moment on the telephone, Nicholas's resolve crumbled into a million pieces. The only thing he could say is, "I Love You & when are you coming home." Laura almost fainted, she couldn't believe her ears. He was still speaking to her & asking her to come home. Laura said, "I have left Luke for good this time & I want to return home to you & Stefan but I don't have the money to do it." Nicholas's said, "Where are you mother, I will be their in a matter of hours?" Laura told him were she was & asked who Stefan was doing. Nicholas said, "How do you think he is doing, he is in prison because of your husband." Nicholas new he shouldn't have said that but the bitterness for Luke & what he had done was so intense within him. Nicholas said, "Didn't you know that, Luke did. He is the one that framed him for Luckies kidnapping, Luke & Helena." Laura did faint at that moment. When she came around, she was still clutching the phone & could hear Nicholas shouting, "Mother, Mother are you alright. Please answer me." Laura stated that she was alright & that she didn't know about Stefan. She thought he was still running the Cassidine Empire & was probably married by now. Nicholas sadly shook his head & said, "No mother, right after you left, Stefan was sent to Prison. I have not seen him in five years because he will not allow me to visit him."

At that moment, Laura's actions caught up with her. Laura knew she had to see him & tell him she didn't know. If she
had known what Luke had done, she would have returned long ago. Nicholas said that the Cassadine jet would be leaving shortly with him on it to pick to pick her & LuLu up. Laura said, "There is someone else that will be coming with us. Her name is Stephanie & she is your sister." Laura left it at that for the moment. They figured the jet would arrive in Seattle lat the next morning. Laura had enough peanut butter to feed the girls in the morning. Laura didn't sleep at all that night. She kept thinking about Nicholas & Stefan. What hell she had put them both through & for what, because she was afraid of her emotions. She should have stayed & forgot about Luke & faced her feelings for Stefan head on. She was strong, confident & assure when she was around Stefan. But why is it, every time she was around Luke, she allowed herself to become a Stepford wife. Cow towing to him & his every whim. Not anymore she vowed, not ever again. Around 9:00 a.m. the next morning, there was a knock on the door. Laura opened it up & half way suspected Luke but boy was she amazed when it was Nicholas standing their. She took one look at her son & said "I Love You." Nicholas's resolve to stay strong, disappeared in a heart beat & took Laura into his arms and said, "I Love You, lets go home." Stephanie pecked around Laura's skirt & said, "Where is home." Nicholas couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked just like he did at that age. But that was impossible because he takes after the Cassadine features. Nicholas looked at Laura & Laura knew what he was thinking & just shook her head up & down, like yes, you are so right she does take after your father. Nicholas picked up the little girl & said, "How are you?" She said, "Fine but I am hungry." At that moment, LuLu came out of the bathroom & yelled, "Nicholas." She had remembered Nicholas & the fun they use to have. Nicholas was holding both of the girls in his arms when he turned to Laura and said, "Lets leave this place before it falls in on use." Laura said, "Happily." Nicholas said, "What would you girls like to eat." They both said at once, everything. They stopped at a local restaurant. The girls were a little shy at first because they had forgotten what it was like to eat out. Nicholas looked puzzled & then it dawned on him, they didn't know what to do. Nicholas ordered everything off of the breakfast menu & the girls ate until they were full. So did Laura. This was the first complete meal they had eaten in ages. After they had finished, Nicholas said, "How would you like to go on an airplane ride." They both said "Yes" at the same time. Previously Laura had told Nicholas that Luke would probably be looking for them & that their might be trouble. Nicholas assured her, everything would be alright. He was going to take them to Wyndimier & the security around the island had already been tightened. This helped Laura to relax. Laura slept during most of the plane ride back to Port Charles. She dreamed about Stefan & the life they should have had.

Stefan was pacing his cell in prison. Because of his Cassadine's heritage he was able to secure a private cell but not much else. Stefan had not smiled in 5 years nor had he seen Nicholas in all that time. The only contact he had with the outside world was through Alexis. That only occurred once a year when his parol hearing came up, which was the next day, Christmas Eve. The only personal items in the cell, was a picture of Nicholas, LuLu & Laura. These pictures were taken almost 6 years ago when Lucky was still alive & Luke was playing peter pan. Stefan would look at these pictures over & over & over again. The only thing that was keeping him sane were his memories & those pictures. He only remembered the good moments of his life. If he dwelled on everything that he had lost & was taken away from him, he knew he would go completely mad. Last night he had gotten a strange call from Alexis saying that Nicholas had disappeared during the middle of his birthday party & no knew where he was at. She thought maybe he had gone to see Stefan. Stefan had stated that Nicholas had not contacted him & had know idea where he was. Stefan had lost his control & starting screaming at Alexis saying find him before something terrible happens to him. Alexis had promised to call Stefan when she knew something. At that moment, the guards came put in leg irons & told him he had a phone call from his attorney. Stefan was both anxious & relieved. She would only be calling if Nicholas had been found. Stefan reached the phone & said, "Hello, have you found Nicholas yet!" Alexis said, "Relax, Nicholas is just fine, he had some important Cassadine business to take care in Seattle & had to leave suddenly." Stefan sighed in relief & said, "Thank you Alexis, I would die if something terrible ever happened to Nicholas." Alexis, said, "Don't you think it is about time, you allowed Nicholas to pay you a visit, he can handle it you know." Stefan said, "No, not now not ever. I want him to remember me as I was, not what I have become. I don't ever what him to see me in these chains. I stand by my decision please respect my wishes." Alexis said, "Okay" and hung up shaking her head & sighing. When Stefan finds out that Nicholas has brought Laura back from Seattle, all hell is going to break lose.

When Laura walked into Wyndiemire, she got a sudden case of deja vou. It was like coming home, she half expected to see Stefan walking out of his study. Laura could see him in every room & smell that wonderful aftershave he always wears. Laura is so mad at Luke, Helena & most of all herself. She had left him to deal with everything by himself. It was not fair & life is not fair. It was late, so Laura put the girls to bed & went downstairs to find Nicholas. Alexis had arrived earlier concerning family business so when Laura approached the study, she was so unsure of the type of reception she would receive. When Laura approached the study, the door was opening & she could hear arguing. "What do you mean, he still will not see me." Nicholas said. "He is my father & I want to see him, this has gone on long enough." Alexis said, "First of all, Stefan is not your father but your uncle. Second of all, if Stefan doesn't want to see you, you will not see him. We have been through this before. Stefan is very adamant about having you see him in prison." Nicholas said, "Things have changed now. Mother has come home & brought a present for Stefan that he should know about." "What possibly could Laura bring to Stefan that would cause him nothing but pain & suffering." Alexis said. When Laura heard this, she about collapsed. How could Laura ever possible fit into this family again, after everything she has done. Laura softly knocked on the door & said, "Alexis, you are absolutely right. I have caused Stefan nothing but pain & suffering & for that I will always carry that burden & shame."

Laura asked Alexis what evidence did they use to frame Stefan for Luckies kidnapping. Alexis snidely remarked, "Why don't you ask your husband, he knows." Laura stated that she knew nothing of this until yesterday when Nicholas told her. Alexis finds that hard to believe that Luke never told Laura anything about it. Laura denies it & said, "If I had known I would have come back immediately." "And done what!" Alexis asked cruelly. "I don't know," Laura said with her head hanging down. Again, Laura asks Alexis what evidence did they have to convict Stefan. "Will if you must know, someone saw Stefan at the garage right before the fire & right after the fire that night," Alexis said. Laura sat down at the nearest chair & smiled. "You mean the only hard evidence they had against Stefan was an eye witness that could have been bought and paid for by Helena & Luke?" Laura asks. Alexis says, "Yes." Laura starts laughing & laughing & laughing, while Nicholas & Alexis stares on in amazement. Alexis states that this is not a laughing matter, that Stefan has spent the last five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Laura stops & says, "I am sorry but there is no way Stefan could have been anywhere near the garage when Lucky supposedly died because he was with me, here at Wyndimier. We were planning a trip to Paris, together & alone. Didn't he tell you that? I am his alibi." It is Alexis turn to sit down & shake her heard. "Stefan never said anything about being with you, the night of the fire, Nothing," Alexis says. Laura asks when Stefan's next parol hearing is & Alexis says, "Tomorrow." Nicholas asks Alexis if there will be enough time for her to have Laura testify on Stefan's behalf. Alexis states that she doesn't know if the parol board will even hear this new evidence. We might have to have a retrial. Laura states that wants Stefan out of that prison before Christmas & if she has to go to the governor himself she will. Alexis said, "That might not be necessary. Let me talk to the parol board tomorrow & see if they will listen to you. Laura you do realize Stefan will be their & he will not be pleased to see you. He is quit adamant about no one seeing him in prison," Alexis says. "I don't care, if he is mad. My husband put him their & I am going to get him out. He is going to be home for Christmas because I have the best Christmas present in the world waiting for him," Laura says. "If it is you, don't be to sure," Alexis says. Laura sighs & says, "No, it is not me but someone else."

They made arrangements for Laura to be at the prison at 9:00 a.m. the next morning, Christmas Eve. Nicholas stayed behind to play with the girls. Stephanie was amazed by everything, she had never stayed in a room by herself & had never seen so much food & toys. Nicholas was going to take the girls shopping for new clothes & toys. They both wanted a pony, which Nicholas was working on for them. Stefan was waiting in his prison cell for the guards to take him to the hearing. He was wearing a dark suit, that Alexis had some how gotten to him to wear for the hearing. Stefan had forgotten what fine clothes felt like. Stefan had forgotten so much. Five years in prison will do it to a man. A barber had even come in & given him a hair cut & a shave. Stefan wondered what was going on because this had never happened before. Also, Stefan had a dream about Laura the previous night. He dreamt that Laura was coming to save him & take him home. They were finally going to be a family. They family he always dream of. When he awoke & realized it was only a dream, he felt so lost & alone. The guards took him to the hearing room & the first thing he saw was Alexis sitting. Alexis turned around & smiled & said, "Merry Christmas." "That is a matter of interpretation," Stefan says. Alexis is still smiling & says, "We will see dear brother, we will see." The parol board walks in & everyone sits down." Alexis asks the board if they are willing to hear the new evidence that has just come to her attention & to listen to the witness that has this evidence. The board looks at Dara to confirm that the state doesn't have a problem with this. Dara is not happy but is willing to listen. Stefan leans over & whispers, "What new evidence & how is this witness." Alexis just smiles & stands up, nods to the guard at the door or opens the door & Laura walks in. You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Stefan stands up & says, "Don't listen to her, there is nothing she can say that will have any bearing on this hearing." Laura looked Stefan in the eyes & in that moment & that moment alone, Stefan new that she had come back to him & him alone. The love he thought he had buried resurfaced & emerged stronger & more powerful then it was before. In that instant, Stefan & Laura knew what was in each other hearts & new what the other was feeling. No words were spoken. Laura walked past Stefan & up to the parol panel. They asked her what new evidence they could possible hear at such a late date. Laura states that she didn't know Stefan was convicted of her sons kidnapping & that there was a witness placing him at the scene of the crime. Laura stated that Stefan couldn't have possible been their because he was with her at the time of Luckies supposedly death. Dara stands up & objects, saying these two have a long history of covering for each other & Laura is doing it again. The parol board asks if someone saw them together that night & Laura smiles & says, "Yes." There was the housekeeping, the cook, the boat master & our son Nicholas. Alexis stands up & says, That she reexamined the phone bill of that night & Stefan had made several calls to Paris & the airport to confirm their reservations to Paris for that evening." Laura looked over at Stefan & smiled. The wall that Stefan had built around his heart started crumbling down. They still had not spoken to each other but that smile, did it to him every time. Laura couldn't keep her eyes off of him. Here he was finally in front of him & all she could do is stare & smile. The parol board asked Laura to sit down & she sat right next to Stefan. The guards moved forward to move her away but the head of the parol board shook his head like no let them be. When Laura sat down, she took Stefan's hand in his & said, "I have come home, if you will still have me." Stefan took her hand, & brought up to his lips & kissed it. "This is only the beginning my love, only the beginning." For Stefan & Laura, no one else was in the room. In their eyes, they were back at Wyndimieme under those beautiful orange sheets. Reexploring what they had lost so long ago on the island. Twenty-five years had come & gone & maybe finally they would have the life they both had dreamed of together. Alexis touched Laura on the shoulder & said the parol board has returned with a decision. Dara didn't look happy. The head of the parol board stated that they have looked at the evidence and find no legal reason to keep Stefan Cassidine in prison any longer. Mr. Cassadine you are free to go home to your family.

Stefan & Laura woke up in bed, from the previous night's passion. Laura looked up at Stefan with so much love in her eyes & said, "This is were I belong now, you are the reason I go to bed at night & the reason I get up in the morning. I am so glad I didn't go home after Nicholas dropped that bomb shell about his paternity, last night." Stefan leans over & kisses Laura & says, "Yes, you complete me in every way. I was so sure you were going to leave me & never look back." Laura says, "After last night, I am home & I am never going to leave you. I didn't tell you yesterday but I asked Luke for a divorce and he agreed." Stefan stated he had the strangest dream that Lucky was still alive, that Laura went back to Luke & left with him & Stefan ended up in prison." "That is strange, I had that very same dream," Laura stated. They both look at each other & laugh, they look at the newspaper that was slid under their door & the date on it read November 22, 1999. On Christmas day, Laura gave Stefan the best present ever, Laura told him she was pregnant, Stephanie Laura Cassidine was born on August 22, 2000. She was a happy, healthy spirited baby.

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