Penthouse Manhattan:
Lucky returned the phone to it's cradle having just concluded his conversation with author Mary Diamond. He had an appointment with the woman at 10am the following morning at the Penthouse.
A short time ago Mrs. Worthington had delivered the book he had requested and after realizing that he now possessed a photographic memory, he was able to zip through the book in mere minutes. What he had learned had both mystified and disturbed him.
If half of what was in the book was true, Lucky was now occupying the body of a dead man. That idea in it self was unbelievable to him, though it was the only thing that made sense. He still had questions though, besides which he needed to be convinced that what he had read was fact not fiction.
Calling the publisher, Lucky was able to get the phone number of the author. After a brief conversation with Ms. Diamond, Lucky was able to give her the address to the Penthouse. He had gathered that information from the receipt in the bag that stored the book.
Ms. Diamond would not go into details on the phone with Lucky. She had only asked if he thought he was having an experience like those described in the book. Upon confirming that he was, Mary Diamond had become excited and asked to meet with him in person as soon as possible.
"How am I going to make it through the night?" Muttered Lucky. "How am I going to make myself stay in this Penthouse, in this city, so close yet so far away from Elizabeth. Tomorrow come quickly, fly on wings like the soaring dove, come quickly so I can see my love."
Above:
Everyone sat in silent contemplation of what would happen next. "Well, at least he's on the right track and he knows that he needs to get more information before he can proceed, that's smart," said Dominique, always one to look on the bright side.
Brenda nodded her agreement and Bill sighed, "why couldn't that author lady meet him tonight, why tomorrow? Time is running out for him, he doesn't have time to dawdle around Manhattan," said Bill disappointedly.
"Bill, things are moving along nicely, just relax and let it be, we can't force this. One day at a time remember," said Mary Mae. "I guess you are right. Say what do you think he will do with the rest of the evening?' Asked Bill, once again turning his attention below. "Let's watch and see,' said Ruby.
Penthouse, Manhattan:
Lucky looked down at himself, noting once again his expensive attire. "I must be loaded. Well he must be loaded, whatever,' whispered Lucky, shaking himself and the thoughts that continued to plague him.
"As long as I am going to be here I might as well relax and change into something more comfortable, not to mention look in on Leo again,' thought Lucky a smile creasing his face at the thought of Leo. He had enjoyed spending time with the baby and was actually itching to hold him again.
Opening the door that led to the foyer, Lucky peeked out and then gingerly made his way towards the stairs to the floor above. Once at the top of the stairs, Lucky stood nervously, wondering whether his room was to the right or to the left of the top of the stairs.
"Mr. Scott.' Lucky tensed at the sound of Mrs. Worthington's voice coming from his right. Slowly he turned to her as she walked out of the last door down the hall.
"I was just putting some fresh towels in your bathroom sir,' said Mrs. Worthington smiling as she passed Lucky and continued down the opposite hallway.
Lucky breathed a sigh of relief now that he knew where his room was located. Pushing open the door that Mrs. Worthington had exited, Lucky strolled inside, closing the door behind him.
"Wow,' whispered Lucky, as he took in the view of the room. "This is definitely the largest bedroom I have ever been in,' whispered Lucky, who continued looking around in awe at the richly furnished room.
Lucky looked around the room for awhile, taking in the large mahogany fourpostered bed in the center of the room. He noted the steps to the right leading down to a private seating area with its intimate setting.
Against the far right wall there stood an all occasion bar that at first glance appeared to contain every beverage he could possible desire. "Dad would like that,' thought Lucky, unable to prevent the image of his father examining the bar.
Thinking of his father brought Lucky back to reality and to the seriousness of the situation he now finds him self. Lucky raked his fingers through his hair before walking towards the double French doors that led to the private balcony.
Leaning against the balcony, Lucky raised his face upwards allowing the chill from the February evening to sweep over him. "Elizabeth,' cried Lucky over and over again as though repeating her name would somehow conjure her up.
Lucky stayed like that for the next hour his heart aching, wondering how his once clear path in life had become so cluttered and unclear.
Lucky acknowledged to himself that even now, through all the confusion and fear of the last several hours, a large part of him, the strongest deepest place in him, was grateful to still be here, breathing and thinking, not taking for granted life and all its glory. "I am here.'
Webber Residence:
"Gram, if it's Nikolas I'm not here,' said Elizabeth, racing down the stairs as her grandmother walked to the phone. "Oh and gram if it's Emily, I am not here either ok.'
Audrey gave Elizabeth a puzzled look but answered the phone without comment. After telling Nikolas that Elizabeth wasn't there at the moment and taking a message, Audrey hung up and faced Elizabeth with a questioning look on her face.
Elizabeth groaned and plopped down on the sofa, motioning for her grandmother to join her. "Gram Nikolas is my friend and Lucky's brother. And I do care about him, but lately he's just been expecting more of me than I am willing to give. I think he wants us to be more than just friends,' said Elizabeth stressing the word friends.
"I see,' said Audrey taking a deep breath. "Well dear, have you made it clear to Nikolas that you only want to be his friend?' "Of course I have gram, but do you remember my birthday party?' "Yes.' "Well, Nikolas kissed me gram,' said Elizabeth frowning.
Elizabeth quickly went on to relate to her grandmother her conversation with Nicholas after the kiss. "Even though I made it completely clear to Nicholas then that I just wanted us to be friends, he still continues to be, well, overly attentive. And it's making me uncomfortable.'
Audrey nodded her understanding. "What about Emily? Why don't you want to talk to her though?'
"I told Emily about the kiss and I got the feeling that she thinks I am being paranoid and I just don't want Nikolas using Emily to reach me. I have the feeling since I have been avoiding him lately he may use Emily to contact me, so for now I think it's best to just put some distance between Emily and myself.'
"Ok,' said Audrey "if you think that's best then that's what you should do. Although I don't think you should risk ruining your friendship with Emily over this. I am sure that Emily won't expect you to be more than friends with Nikolas if you don't want to. As for Nikolas, I think you just have to be firm and continue to tell him how you feel. Avoiding the issue will only delay the problem, so if you wish to remain friends with Nicholas it's best to deal with this head on.'
"I know you are right,' said Elizabeth getting up and walking over to the window. "I will take your advice about Emily, because god knows she's the best girlfriend I have ever had. You are right. I shouldn't risk ruining our friendship over this. Ok grams. Forget what I said about telling Emily I am out. As for Nikolas I guess I will just try to be more convincing next time.'
A short while later, Elizabeth sat in the chair beside her bed looking out her window thinking about Lucky and all the times he had visited her through her bedroom window. She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard her name being whispered over and over again.
Dashing to her door, she was about to fling the door open and bolt downstairs, when something made her stop. "Lucky,' whispered Elizabeth recognizing the distinct sound of his voice saying her name.
She ran back to the window and threw it open, peering out at the evening, willing Lucky to be there if only for a moment. After a few minutes of looking and listening, Elizabeth closed the window and slumped back down into the chair, tears pouring down her cheeks. "It was only my imagination,' cried Elizabeth. "Lucky is gone, gone forever.'
Above:
"Wow, did you see that,' screamed Brenda jumping up and down in excitement. Everyone nodded in awe at what they had just witnessed below.
"She heard him, she really heard him. Ruby is that possible? Why didn't you tell us?' Asked Stone his eyes shining with excitement.
"I am just as surprised as all of you. I only know what St. Peter told me and I was so excited about getting the ball rolling I didn't stop to listen to everything that would or would not be possible,' said Ruby.
"Suddenly this has gotten even more excited,' noted Duke who had been sitting quietly throughout. "I agree,' said Bill excitement evident in his demeanor.
Penthouse, Manhattan:
After taking a shower, Lucky decided on some jeans and a sweater he found in the extensive closet off the bedroom. Seeing a wide double door between the hallway of the bathroom and the closet Lucky decided to explore.
Lucky was delightfully surprised to find himself in the nursery and found Leo playing happily with Mrs. Worthington. He looked on in silence for a while, a smile creeping onto his face as he watched Leo padding around, transferring toys from one place to another.
After a few minutes of just enjoying the scene Leo spotted him and immediately toddled over yelling dada. Lucky reached down and picked him up spinning him around and around.
"Hey Leo,' said Lucky, sitting down to play with the baby. Mrs. Worthington quietly left the room to give Lucky and Leo time alone. She smiled as she left thinking her employer seemed more like his old self again.
Lucky forgot his situation temporarily as he played with Leo. The child was a complete delight and found excitement in everything. His favorite question was 'what's that?' which he asked about everything around him.
Lucky patiently identified everything Leo asked about, which he did at least three times before Leo would move on to his next target. After awhile, Leo started rubbing his eyes, which Lucky recalled from taking care of Lulu meant he was starting to get tired.
Moving swiftly yet gently, Lucky gave Leo a bath before tucking him down for the night. Leo fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow, leaving Lucky to look on in awe. Mrs. Worthington returned a few minutes after Leo fell asleep, but upon finding Leo safely tucked in for the night left again after inquiring if Lucky needed anything.
With Leo asleep and the hour still early, Lucky returned downstairs choosing the television room to pass his time. Flipping from channel to channel, Lucky tried to prevent the maddening thoughts of his situation from resurfacing. He failed.
"I just need to hear her voice,' whispered Lucky, as he eyed the phone. Every ounce of his being wanted to reach over and pick up the phone to dial Elizabeth. "What am going to say though, hey sweetie guess who,' muttered Lucky miserably.
"I could just call and listen to her for a second then hang up, at least that way I could hear her voice,' reasoned Lucky licking his lips in anticipation. "No, that would only frighten her, I don't want that,' sighed Lucky chiding him self for being so thoughtless.
Groaning, he resumed his channel surfacing, and trying to ignore looking at the phone, praying this evening would go by quickly so tomorrow would arrive.
"Mr. Scott, you have a visitor sir. Ms. St John is here to see you,' said the man who Lucky finally determined must be the butler.
Lucky motioned for him to send her in, wondering how he was going to bluff his way through a conversation with someone he was supposed to know. "Law,' said the beautiful blond, as she wrapped her arms around Lucky's neck and kissed him full on the lips.
Lucky fought the urge to push the woman roughly from him, choosing instead to disentangle her arms from around him and step back. She eyed him wearily before walking over to the bar and fixing herself a drink.
"It's been over a year, Law. You have to move on, it's time. I know you loved my sister, I loved her too, I mean she was my twin, but really hiding in your own little world is not healthy for you or Leo.' When Lucky only continue to sit and stare at her she continued.
"Law, will you stop pushing me away? I love you and I know you will always love Leona but won't you please give me a chance? I know we could be happy together and I love Leo.' Still Lucky said nothing only stare at the woman trying to absorb as much information as he could.
"Why didn't you return my call? And don't say you were busy because you are the boss and if you wanted to call me, you would have. I love you and I love Leo and I am not going to let you waste away, I am not.'
Lucky got up and walked over to the window Looking out over the city. "Silence. Well, I am not surprise Law, but you can't chase me off with your silence, do you hear me Law? I am not going away so you have to deal with me,' continued the woman.
"You liked me in high school, remember? Ok, so I was stupid and went for an older guy instead, but that was a long time ago, can't you give me another chance Law?'
When Lucky continued to stare out the window, the woman sighed and walked over to him, running her hands down the side of Lucky's arms. "I am sorry, but I would like to be alone right now,' said Lucky finally side stepping her reaching arms.
"I would like to see Leo,' said the woman frustration written all over her face. "Sorry, he's asleep right now. You will have to see him another day,' replied Lucky with finality.
The man Lucky assumed was the butler arrived then to remind Lucky of a conference call he had in five minutes.
"What would Law do without you Mr. Worthington?' said the woman sarcastically, before blowing a kiss to Lucky as she walked out the door. Mr. Worthington went swiftly after her, but returned a few minutes later.
"Was I convincing Mr. Scott?" Lucky looked at him a puzzled look on his face. Seeing that his employer must have forgotten about their discussion, Mr. Worthington remind Lucky that they had talked last week about him interrupting any conversation between Lucky and Taylor.
Lucky smiled, making a note of the woman's given name. "You did just fine Mr. Worthington, thank you for the rescue.' "You are welcome sir, anytime I can be of assistance,' said the man backing out of the room formally.
As soon as he left, Lucky collapsed into the nearest chair, releasing an exasperated breath. "What do I know so far, let's see.
I am some hot shot on Wall Street. I live in an upscale penthouse in the most exclusive section of Manhattan. I am a widower with a small child name Leo short for Leonard. I have what appears to be a butler name Mr. Worthington and a housekeeper it seems name Mrs. Worthington, I assume they are married.
Oh, let's not forget my sister-in-law, Taylor. My late wife's twin is in love with me. And the hits just keep on coming,' whispered Lucky rubbing his throbbing temples.
Later, looking at the clock on the wall, Lucky noted the lateness of the hour and decided to call it a night. "Hopefully I will get some answers tomorrow. So the sooner I get to sleep, the sooner tomorrow will come,' thought Lucky.
After a quick shower, Lucky slid into some boxers and got beneath the covers. He noticed the baby monitor next to his bed and checked to make sure it was on. He had checked on Leo before getting into the shower and found that the baby was sleeping peacefully with not a care in the world, as it should be.
Turning out the lights, Lucky rolled onto his back and stared into the darkness. He smiled slightly when he realized that for the first time in 10 months he felt exhaustion and the slight stirring of his stomach. He had refused super earlier, but now wish he had gotten a bite to eat. "Just go to sleep,' whispered Lucky in the dark.
As he drifted into unconsciousness Elizabeth invaded his thoughts. He pictured her lips and the last time he had felt them brushed softly against his.
Above:
"Arrrgggg, man I hate when that happens," cried Bill rubbing his head. Brenda and Dominique laughed as they watched Bill fidget obviously annoyed that the show was over for now.
"Bill, he had to sleep sooner or later. He's in a physical body now,' exclaimed Dawn waving Decker over. "Dawn's right, but just think a lot happen in the last several hours. He's made contact with that author and he's got a meeting with her tomorrow,' said Mary Mae.
"Look at him. He looks so peaceful in his sleep and wasn't he wonderful with Leo today? He's taking to fatherhood like a fish takes to water,' commented Ruby.
"Yes, I have to admit he was rather wonderful with Leo, but I guess that comes from having a little sister," said Brenda reflecting on Lucky's day.
"I am actually concerned about that girl, Taylor. She could prove to be a problem later,' said Steve looking thoughtful.
"Ruby why didn't you tell us about Taylor, didn't you say he didn't have any family?' Bill questioned looking at Ruby brows raised. "She's his sister-in-law I didn't take her into account, but you are right she may prove to be a handful."
"I am sure Lucky will be able to handle her. He was brilliant with her earlier, that silent treatment really worked and he learned a lot too,' said Dominique. "Let's not forget Mr. Worthington to the rescue there at the end, now that was smooth,' remarked Bill.
The angel's voices flowed over the group and they all turned their faces towards the choir letting their pure sounds wash over them.