Elizabeth turned around to see all of the commotion. There was much shouting and officers were barking orders. Then she felt Lucky pull her closer to him as the police led a woman out in handcuffs. The bouncing blue and red lights eerily illuminated her form. Helena Cassadine lifted her head to the night sky. For a brief second, her eyes locked with Lucky's, and he swore he saw something different. The usual anger and malice were there, but he also saw something he never thought he would witness- defeat. The policemen moved her forward into the back of a waiting squad car.
Elizabeth gasped. "Lucky, does this mean…"
Lucky nodded. "Someone finally took her down, and I have a feeling I know who it was." He gently took her hand. "Let's go see if my hunch is right."
*-*-*-*-*-*
In the hallway of the Port Charles Hotel, Mac walked over to Luke. "I'm not advocating vigilante justice, but Helena Cassadine has tormented this town for too long. Good job, Spencer."
Luke slapped Mac on the back. "Just don't try to recruit me," he said as he saw Stefan finishing giving his statement.
Nikolas stood closely, almost protectively, next to Stefan. When the officer walked away, Luke approached. "I would say our mission was accomplished," Luke said slowly. He was still trying to process all of the information that he had heard from his place in the heating duct.
"Just who's going to see that tape?" Nikolas asked cautiously.
"I imagine the DA's office for starters," Luke said. He saw a flicker of emotion cross both Stefan and Nikolas' faces, and he realized that this was one of the few times they had ever let through a hint of vulnerability. "How did you get her to give up the gun?"
Stefan inhaled slowly. "I had something she wanted," he said simply. Judging from Luke's reactions, he was reasonably sure that he had not heard the last part of the confrontation with Helena, and for that, he was grateful. Maybe he could hold onto the last shred of dignity he had left. "Spencer?"
Luke looked up, and Stefan had a hand extended. "You have proved yourself to be a capable partner," Stefan said. Luke took Stefan's hand and shook it. "Yeah, I guess hell really has frozen over," Luke joked, but Stefan could see the grudging respect in his eyes.
Luke started to do a quick sweep of the area with his eyes. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to find my son," he said as he walked away.
Nikolas looked at his uncle and all he wanted to do was collapse and break down, but Stefan had regained his composure. Stefan held himself with a placid calmness that belied the events of the night. So as he did so often throughout his life, Nikolas took his cue from Stefan. He took a deep breath and straightened his posture, looking every bit the prince he was.
Luke walked back towards the ballroom to take a peek inside. It was hard to spot anyone in the swarms of well-dressed people. Still, he was confident he would know his cowboy when he saw him.
Then a soft voice called from behind him. "Dad?"
Luke turned right around. "Lucky," he breathed. He saw his son standing a little distance away, holding Elizabeth's hand.
"Has Helena been arrested? Is it really over?" Lucky asked slowly.
"Yeah, cowboy, she's trapped, and this time it's airtight. She's going to rot in prison for the rest of her life." Luke watched the emotions play on Lucky's face- anger, fear, and relief all mixed up into one. Then it occurred to Luke that Lucky had never let go of Elizabeth's hand. The simple gesture revealed a world of truth to Luke. Lucky wasn't afraid to be around Elizabeth anymore. Maybe the worst really was over.
"Do you think we're all about to wake up from some horrible nightmare?" Lucky asked, more to himself than anyone else.
"We've got a lot to talk about, son," Luke said slowly, hoping he wasn't pushing his luck.
Lucky nodded. He looked at the man who believed in him when he couldn't believe in himself, and he smiled. "I agree."
Luke felt himself brighten at the small smile on Lucky's face. For the first time in a long while, he felt the real Lucky was with him again.
Stefan and Nikolas approached from the left. "I'll be departing now, Spencer," Stefan intoned.
"May I suggest that you stick around and crash this shindig with me? I can't think of a better way to announce your miraculous resurrection than at a party with half of the town in attendance," Luke stated.
"I don't know about that, Dad," Lucky said cautiously.
"Nonsense, Sly is family. He won't mind," Luke said, already picturing the shocked looks of Port Charles society.
"Is Alexis here?" he asked Nikolas.
Nikolas nodded, his dark eyes taking in Stefan's every movement.
"Then I will go to see my sister, and no one else. I did not appreciate being separated from her," Stefan said firmly.
Nikolas and Stefan followed Luke to the entrance to the ballroom. Lucky and Elizabeth lagged behind.
"Is it just me, or were your father and Stefan Cassadine being civil with each other?" Elizabeth asked, slightly stunned.
"I'm still wondering if this isn't some mass hallucination myself," Lucky muttered.
Elizabeth looked towards the ballroom. "I wonder what Emily and Sly will think when they're not even the center of attention at their own wedding."
*-*-*-*-*-*
"Sly, do me a favor and stop pacing," Emily sighed and put her hands on her rounded stomach.
"Emily, 30 cops suddenly show up at the hotel, and you want me to calm down?" Sly said, rubbing his temples. "I don't want anything to ruin this day."
"There is nothing that will ever ruin this day," Emily smiled. She said it with such conviction that Sly believed it.
"So you don't know what's going on?" Alexis asked Ned after he returned from the lobby.
"The police are being tight-lipped," Ned said as he placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I still can't imagine why Nikolas would leave with Helena," Alexis said worriedly.
"He's a big boy, Alexis. He can take care of himself," Ned said in an attempt to reassure her.
Just then, Luke strode confidently into the ballroom, but people were too wrapped up in their own conversations to notice. He stood there for a moment, and then he brought two fingers up to his mouth. He let out a riotous whistle, and all heads turned towards the source of the noise.
Laura's eyes shifted to Luke's familiar form. She had missed the confrontation with Helena, and now both of her sons were missing. But what was Luke doing here, since he was still facing murder charges?
"Hello everyone! I can't tell you how great it is to be back in Port Chuckles with all of you," Luke began in a loud voice.
Lucy gripped Kevin's arm excitedly. "Luke is free!" she whispered.
Kevin said nothing, preferring to hear what Luke had to say first. He wondered if Lucky had seen his father yet.
Luke stood before the crowd, clearly enjoying the attention. "I'm sure you're all breathless with anticipation to hear the details of how I was cleared of the erroneous murder charges, but all fears will be put to rest. First of all, the good news. For once, the PCPD has arrested the right person. Helena Cassadine has been taken into custody, charged with attempted murder!"
The crowd gasped and a few cheers could be heard. Emily smiled broadly at Sly, even though they were both still shocked at the sight of Luke. Sly held tightly to her hand. That certainly was good news, especially for Lucky.
"And as for those charges against me…" Luke began, but Stefan and Nikolas entered the room.
"No introductions, Spencer," Stefan said lightly as he passed Luke and started to make his way through the crowd.
The room buzzed with conversation about the newly resurrected Cassadine. For Port Charles, something like this was not all that unusual. However, everyone kept their eyes on Stefan.
Laura gripped the table in an attempt not to pass out as she saw Stefan, raised from the dead. A wave of emotions tumbled over her- shock, surprise, regret for the past, happiness for Stefan and for Nikolas.
Stefan followed Nikolas through the crowd straight to Alexis. She ran right into his arms. "Natasha, I've missed you," he whispered as they embraced.
Alexis wept into his shoulder. "You're alive, Stefan." Then she stepped back, conflict evident on her face. "Why didn't you let me know?"
Stefan simply smiled at her. "I'll explain everything if you'd just come with us now," he said, nodding to Nikolas.
Alexis looked back to Ned. "I'll see you later," she said, her mind made up.
"I wouldn't try to stop you," Ned said. Alexis kissed him on the cheek, and then took her brother's hand. They began to walk out together, and Nikolas trailed behind.
Livvie took deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down. She had no clue what was going on, but Nikolas was certainly going to fill her in. He passed by quickly. "I promise I will explain, Olivia, but I have to go now," he said as he followed Stefan and Alexis. Livvie saw sadness in his brown eyes, and any anger she had felt melted away for the moment. She watched as the family walked to the exit of the ballroom.
Emily stared after the retreating figures in shock. She never got over seeing a presumed dead person very much alive. It had to be great for Nikolas, though. She looked over to her new husband to see his reaction.
Sly blinked his eyes in rapid succession as he saw the Cassadines disappear. His lower lip trembled ever so slightly.
Emily recognized the shift in mood immediately. "Hey, hey, hey," she whispered as she touched Sly's face. "What's wrong?"
Sly shook his head and looked at Emily. "Nothing, babe." He kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be right back, I promise," he said as he walked away before she could protest.
Elizabeth and Lucky walked in a little while after the spectacle took place and watched from a corner of the room. Now they approached Emily.
"Lucky. What just happened?" Emily questioned softly.
"My father almost ruined your reception, and I'm sorry," he said. "He shouldn't have done that."
Emily smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I happen to think that he brought wonderful news." She tilted her head. "How are you taking it?"
Lucky smiled at his friend's concern. "I'm doing ok. I still can't believe they finally caught Helena."
Elizabeth rubbed his back. "And we're grateful."
Emily smiled at the closeness the two shared. Something must have happened between them, something good. Maybe the happiness she felt with Sly was spreading to everyone.
"Hey, where's my cousin?" Lucky said, just noticing Sly's absence.
Emily scanned the room, but didn't see him. "He walked away a minute ago. I'm sure he just needed to get some air."
*-*-*-*-*-*
"Jack, straight up. Make it a double."
The bartender handed him the glass of brown liquid, and he quickly drank it down. The liquor burned his throat and cleared his mind, which was not what he was looking for at the moment.
Luke walked up to the bar. "I'll have what he's having," he told the bartender. Luke looked over at the other patron. "So you're really married, Sylvester."
Sly looked over to Luke and smiled. "Yeah. Nice to see you again, Luke. That was quite an entrance."
Luke took his drink and quickly downed it. "It's been a long day," he sighed. "I hope you didn't mind a couple of party crashers."
"Just one," Sly said softly. "Are the charges against Helena going to stick?"
Luke looked Sly in the eye. "It's airtight. We caught her confessing to everything on tape."
Sly raised his eyebrows. "We?"
Luke snorted. "Yeah, I actually worked with Stefan and the Prince to bring her down."
"Alert the media, a Spencer cooperates with the Cassadines," Sly said bitterly. He fiddled with his cufflinks.
Luke looked closely at Sly. "And why aren't you out there with your beautiful new bride?"
Sly ran a hand through his hair. "I don't drink around Emily. She says, 'once in recovery, always in recovery.'"
"I understand," Luke nodded. He tipped the bartender. "Well, I think you should go back out there and enjoy the rest of the night. We only pass this way once."
Sly shook his head in agreement. "I will."
Luke shook Sly's hand. "Congratulations, Sly. I hope you're happy together."
Sly smiled. "We are."
Luke turned to the entrance of the ballroom. "Now, if you could just point me in the direction of my beautiful daughter, I'll leave you alone."
"Table 32." Sly watched Luke walk away, then turned back to the bar. He considered having another, but decided against it. He looked at himself in a mirror above the bar and straightened his hair and his clothes. He walked out without looking back.
*-*-*-*-*-*
Port Charles Hotel Honeymoon Suite
A few hours later
"I still can't believe it! We're married." Emily's voice echoed in the bathroom as she took off her wedding dress.
"You know, it would be a lot more fun if you did that out here," Sly teased.
Emily smiled. His happier mood had returned after his walk during the reception. "Patience."
Sly took off his shoes and threw them in the corner of the spacious suite next to his tuxedo jacket and vest. He took a look around. The walls were painted a tasteful off-white, and blue curtains hung over enormous windows that overlooked the city. There was a small sitting room attached to the bedroom. Bouquets of flowers from various well-wishers filled the rooms. Sly sat down on the king size bed and ran his hand over the soft blue and silver bedspread as he pulled it back. He reclined on the bed for a moment as a wave of fatigue hit him.
He heard the bathroom door open and he turned his head. What he saw made him sit straight up.
Emily stood in the doorway and did her best to look as provocative as someone six months pregnant could look. She was wearing a white nightgown and a matching robe, both edged in the softest lace. She had removed the flowers from her hair, and now it fell in soft waves around her face.
"Wow," Sly said, his fatigue forgotten.
"I guess that means you like it?" Emily said with laughing eyes as she moved over to the bed.
"You bet," he said as she sat down. He kissed her passionately.
Emily pulled back and laughed. "You, on the other hand, are much too clothed." She unbuttoned his shirt as he placed soft kisses on her neck. She threw the shirt on the floor, and then touched his chest. "There, that's much better."
Sly looked down at the scars that covered his chest, and for the first time, he didn't feel embarrassed or ashamed. Emily loved him for who he was, scars and all. He looked deeply into her eyes. "God, Emily. I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you how much I love you."
Emily smiled and then whispered into his ear. "Don't worry. I already know."
Sly took Emily into his arms and gently laid her back on the bed. "Are you happy, Mrs. Eckert?" he asked as he brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes.
Emily reached over and touched his face. "I'm more than happy. This is bliss."
Sly kissed her gently on the lips in full agreement.