February 14, 00 (10 months after the fire that killed Lucky Spencer.)
''Mary Mae look at her, look how sad she looks just standing there in that church,'' said Ruby sniffing loudly. ''Ruby stop looking in on her, she's strong she will get through this it's just going to take some time,'' insisted Mary Mae.
''I agree with Ruby, come on you guys look at them. Look at him watching her, look at the pain in his eyes,'' said Stone a tear slipping down his cheeks. ''Maybe Ruby is right, maybe we should intercede,'' injected Brenda her face downcast.
''Will all of you stop looking in on them, listen to the music,'' said Mary Mae her face shinning as the voices of the arch-angels floated around them.
''You are quiet Steve, oh never mind I see where your thoughts are,'' said Sheryl noticing that Steve was looking in on Audrey. ''I say we put this to a vote and majority rule,'' said Dominique certain she already knew the outcome.
''That's an excellent idea Dominique,'' said Ruby perking up and winking at Dominique. ''Dawn, Duke, Alexandria, Filomena, Bill, BJ will you please join us for a minute,'' asked Ruby excited. When they were all gathered together and Steve was able to tear himself away from his favorite past time Ruby began.
''Now Dominique suggested that we took a majority vote on this issue that I have been bending everyone's ears about for months.'' ''Ruby,'' groaned Bill, ''I thought you gave up on that idea. I thought we decided that it wasn't our place to intercede.''
''What if it were Sly would you say the same thing, huh Bill, would you just be happy letting this be,'' said Ruby saucily. Bill looked down in shame at Ruby's words the truth affecting him. ''Ooch Ruby you mind staying above the belt,'' said Bill quietly.
Ruby frowned at him some more before continuing. ''Everyone gathered right here is tied to those two souls in the church in some way. Some related by blood,'' Ruby paused to look at Steve and Bill, ''others connected through friendship. We must do something it is too sad to allow them to continue to suffer this way.''
''Ruby don't forget that there are risk involved,'' cautioned Mary Mae always the voice of reason. ''Mary Mae the risk here are minimal compared with the gain and remember the father provided this option for just such a situation,'' said Brenda a determined look on her face.
''Ok, just so everyone is clear as to what they are doing Ruby why don't you outline the problem and the solution including the risk involved if we vote yes or no,'' said Duke already knowing how he would vote. ''Very well, here's the situation.''
Everyone was now giving Ruby their complete attention. ''Lucky and Elizabeth are soul mates, but they never really got a chance to share their lives together for more than a moment in time. Lucky is stuck in that place between here and there where all he feels is the pain of losing the love of his life.
As long as he is in that place where he refuses to leave he will never feel the peace that we all feel. He refuses to follow the light and the music, he refuses to look away from her, he is just stuck, oh my poor baby,'' cried Ruby overcome for a second allowing Lucky sadness to be felt. BJ held Ruby's hand massaging her fingers as she continued.
''Liz, like Lucky is also stuck, stuck in the pain, the loss, the hopelessness, the loneliness. She's in so much pain, she cries herself to sleep at night and she passes her days in a daze of sadness, she needs him.
Now Lucky is an innocent still he and Liz never consummated their relationship so he remains pure. His purity qualifies him for this it gives him a second chance. As you all know the father has the provision that this pure soul can occupy another body and continues his old life in the new body.
It can't just be any body it's got to be the body of a soul that have given up his body freely of his own free will. Yes, it's very specific, suicide. It has to be the body of someone who has committed suicide and have walked willingly into the light. Only once that soul has crossed over and given up the body can another soul, an innocent soul, Lucky's soul takes over the body.''
Bill interrupted Ruby then, ''I hate to point out the obvious here Ruby, but how are we going to know which body is going to become available, how are we going to get Lucky to, you know take up residence in that body. Not to mention how are we to know the when, the where, the how, what about age, attractiveness, nice smelling breath, you know young ladies think about these things.''
''I get the picture Bill,'' interrupted Ruby annoyed giving Bill a look that warned against further interruptions as Ruby continues. ''I already thought about all of that and with the help of St. Peter I was able to obtain a detailed list of upcoming vacancies and I have already picked out the perfect body.''
''Ruby,'' interrupted Sheryl, ''must you talk about it like that ewww,'' said Sheryl making a face at Ruby's reference to the vacant body. Everyone laughed out loud then paused to allow the sound of the angels singing to wash over them, their spirit soaring, their hearts singing.
A while later Ruby continued. ''Before I share with you who the, now how should I put this for Sheryl, the hmm applicant?'' Questioned Ruby gingerly looking smilingly at Sheryl who nodded her approval. ''I will continue to explain the situation, now where was I.
Once the applicant becomes available the father will put Lucky's soul in the new applicant providing two or more of us agree. Lucky will of course remain Lucky and he will remember himself as Lucky, he will of course be completely confused and unaware of what has happened to him, but don't worry. Lucky is smart and with some careful research he will be able to figure out what's going on.
This situation while uncommon is not entirely a novelty it's documented, very few people know about it, but enough do and I am sure Lucky will find out how he needs to proceed to be successful. Once the transfer takes place Lucky will then have the time remaining before the anniversary of his death to get Liz to love him.''
''Is he allowed to tell her who he is?'' Asked BJ already deciding how she will vote. ''Yes he can, it's not a secret, but I am sure he will not scare her to death by announcing who he is immediately, that would chase her away I would imagine.
No, knowing Lucky he will probably try and get her to trust him first,'' said Ruby with confidence. ''He's just going to have to sneak into her heart without sending her racing for the door then,'' cited BJ smiling.
''Well they are soul mates so Lucky won't have any problem getting her to love him, she will just be drawn to him no matter what,'' announced Dominique. ''I agree,'' said Ruby smiling. ''Ok, ok enough with the mushy stuff give us the downside,'' said Bill.
Ruby scowled at him before continuing. ''If we do this and Lucky fails to get Liz to love him, which is impossible,'' added Ruby. ''Then Lucky will lose his new body and everything for that body will return to the way it was before he took over.
Now Lucky, and this is where it gets dicy, he will also return to where he was before we intercede, but the light will not be waiting for him.'' Everyone became somber not wanting to consider that outcome. ''On the other hand if Lucky continues the way he currently has been and we don't intercede at the anniversary of his death the light will disappear anyway.''
Again everyone was quietly thinking about the situation when Brenda interrupted their thoughts. ''Ruby you say this has been done before right, and you are confident that Lucky will be able to learn about what's going on right,'' asked Brenda, ''yes,'' answered Ruby. ''Does that then include his limitations and his strengths, are those documented as well,'' continued Brenda. ''Yes,'' nodded Ruby. ''Assuming we guess correctly and Lucky manages to figure out what's what including his limits, will he be able to make it to the light if by some off chance he is unable to get Liz to love him.''
''Yes and that's the upside to us interceding,'' said Ruby eagerly. ''See, the way I see it, he's not going into the light anytime soon as it stands and the time is coming up fast where he won't have the light's comfort at his disposal. On the other hand if he gets this chance he will know what's at stake and will be able to choose whether he stays or goes, right now he's flying blind. All he knows is that the woman he loves more than life is in pain and he can't leave her.''
Steve sighed and clasped his hands together before adding. ''If he doesn't make it to the light he will spend eternity wandering without the father and he will never reunite with Liz ever,'' said Steve. The group fell silent once more reflecting on some of the others who had fallen into this dilemma.
''Ok, I am ready to cast my vote,'' said Bill decidedly. ''Me too,'' added Mary Mae giving Ruby a bright smile. Everyone else voiced their readiness to begin the vote so Ruby called Gabriel to oversee the process.
A short while later Gabriel announced that the vote for interceding were unanimous and smiled before taking his leave of his favorite most rambunctious group.
''Ok, all that's left is to make our request to the father,'' said Ruby beaming proudly at the group. ''Oh, ha Ruby, say you never did tell us anything about the applicant,'' said Dominique winking at Brenda who burst out laughing.
''Well gather around children and I will fill you in,'' said Ruby sure that she's picked the right person. ''Ok, I figure the less complication the better right, so no family to complicate the situation further. Well there is one family member, but I will explain later.
Liz is eighteen so I wanted someone within her age group. This man is twenty-one years old. Oh I should probably tell you that we have less than 24 hours before he takes his leave.'' Everyone nodded feeling nervous for Lucky as Ruby continued.
''Like I said he has no family, his parents died in a car accident four years ago and he has very few friends, no one really close. He's lived a blameless life, very nice, honest, decent young man, extremely intelligent. He received his PH.D from MIT in computer engineering and Software designs when he was only eighteen years old.
He has his own consulting firm in software and information systems designs and analyst. He is very successful, with a seemingly bright future ahead. Incidentally, Lucky will acquire his knowledge, but that's all. He won't have any of this man's memories, feelings, or desire just strickly his knowledge that comes with the body, again, he will be himself.
I choose the computer stuff, because Lucky has always been interested in computers, so I figure it would make it easier for him to be doing something he loves. I hear you all asking why this man would end his own life when he's got so much going for him, so now comes the sad stuff.
This man was married, his wife died a year ago and he's been consumed with grief ever since. He's been filling his time with work and then some for a year, but he's reached his breaking point and will give up in less than 24 hours.
Remember I mentioned that there is one family member,'' everyone nodded. ''Well he's got a baby, a baby boy name Leonard. I think the only reason he's made it thus far has been because of Leo, as he is called. He loves that little boy, but he can't live without his wife.''
''How old is Leo,'' asked BJ feeling sad for the baby who would soon lose his father. ''Fourteen months old,'' answered Ruby, she too feeling sad for the baby, but feeling certain that Lucky would not let Leo down.
''What's Leo's father's name,'' asked Mary Mae. Ruby smiled, ''are you ready for this,'' everyone waited expectantly. ''His name is Lawrence, Lawrence Scott, everyone calls him Law.'' At first everyone missed the similarities but then one by one the light bulb went off and before long everyone was chuckling softly at Ruby.
Finally Ruby straightened and continued. ''Are you all ready to see what Law looks like.'' Everyone nodded so Ruby pointed her fingers and suddenly they were all watching Law Scott walking unseeingly down 42nd street in Manhattan.
Everyone gasped unable to believe what they were seeing. ''Ruby why didn't you tell us, oh my father, I can't believe what I am seeing,'' said Mary Mae her eyes bulging. Everyone else expressed similar sentiments as they stared in awe at the young man who looked like a six-foot replica of Lucky.
''Ruby he could be Lucky's twin, taller, yes, more built, yes, but definitely a convincing replica,'' said Bill. ''Man I can't wait till he hits Port Charles, I am going to be front row center for this,'' said Brenda shaking her head in wonder.
''Is anyone else getting the feeling that the father had his hand in this somehow,'' asked Dominique. ''The father always turns tragedies into blessings,'' said Mary Mae watching the love of the father flow all around them. ''Yes, this is right,'' said Steve, ''let's go to the father, it's time to speak our request before him.'' And then they were all kneeling in splendor a thought later before the father….
Earth, The altar:
Elizabeth kneeled before the altar where only a year before her heart had soared with joy. The tears that never seemed to stop coming streamed unchecked down her cheeks.
''Oh Lucky if only I could see you one more time, if only I could touch you once more. I would give up anything, everything just to see you again. If I close my eyes I can still feel your arms around me Lucky,'' cried Elizabeth.
Lucky cried softly into Elizabeth's hair, his arms wrapped tightly around her wishing with his entire being that he could smell her or feel her just once more. ''I will never leave you Elizabeth, I will never stop holding you, I promise,'' sobbed Lucky ignoring the beckoning of the light that followed him around incessantly it's warmth continually reaching out to him.
The two stayed there for hours in their individual hell, Elizabeth unaware of Lucky's presence and Lucky transfixed by his love for her, neither capable of letting go.