''Mr.?'' Sonny inquired of Michael firmly, yet politely as only Sonny could be. ''Dr. Michael Steele,'' said Michael eyeing the man before him warily. ''I am Sonny Corinthos and this must be your wife,'' ''yes this is my wife Dr. Theresa Steele,'' ''please to meet you both,'' said Sonny smiling briefly at them both.
''I know you are thinking that Lucky's family didn't do their job or they were lacking in some way, but that is simple not the case. See they wouldn't have been looking for Lucky because they thought he was dead, they were made to think he was dead. Actually until Lucky walked in that door tonight everyone here thought he was dead.''
Malcolm stiffened next to Elizabeth and without thinking she slipped her arm around his waist and pulled him to her smiling up at him in reassurance. Malcolm immediately relaxed against her returning her smile and feeling completely at peace with her arm around him. He gently put his arm around her shoulder and felt her tightened her hold on him. He was in heaven, his world as he knew it was changing before his eyes and all he could think of was the way Elizabeth felt next to him, it was like she was made for him and him alone. He resisted the smile that threatened to creep onto his face and continued to listen to the exchange before him.
Sonny went on to explain the fire and the body and the identification, also explaining about the recent discovery of the dental records. ''You mean you didn't check it before, you couldn't tell the records were fake, Malcolm has all his teeth and he's never had a cavity, his teeth are perfect, how could you not know,'' blurted Theresa shocked at this information.
Sonny paused waiting for Luke or Laura to jump in, but both were now looking down too ashamed to defend themselves. ''I know it may seem like they should have known, that everyone should have known, retrospect and all, but 10 years ago when it happened the devastation rendered this entire town numb. The cops didn't suspect anything and it was there jobs to investigate, which they did and came back with a report that the body found was Lucky and that the fire was started by a couple of candles.''
Sonny paused again and looked without expression at Taggart and Mac. Both men averted their eyes knowing that they were ultimately responsible for not knowing the fire was a set-up and that the body wasn't Lucky. Taggart moved restlessly wondering how he was ever going to get past this, somehow knowing he never would.
''Luke and Laura,'' Sonny said gesturing to the couple standing with their heads bent. ''You have to understand they were in a lot of pain, they were told,'' Sonny glanced again at Taggart and Mac, ''they were told that their son was dead. They were told by the coroner that the dental records matched. They were in shock for a long time, they were given no reasons to think that this could all have been a set-up.''
Michael and Theresa, both shook their heads not even wanting to think of what they would be like if they were told that any of their three children was dead. ''Why would this Helena woman have taken him though?'' Michael asked.
At this point Stephan stepped forward and proceeded to try and explain his mother to Michael and Theresa. He tried to explain Helena's unrelenting hatred of the Spencer's and even of him. When an obviously disgusted Stephan was through explaining Helena Michael and Theresa stood in silent shock that any human being could be so cruel. Theresa sat down heavily obviously shaken by what she heard tears falling down her cheeks. Malcolm tensed up again next to Elizabeth and she began running her arm up and down his back until he slowly relaxed.
''She must have been the one who tortured Malcolm or she must have ordered him tortured,'' said Michael anger evident on his face. ''Torture, what do you mean torture, what did the witch do?'' Luke asked fire back in his eyes murderous rage in his demeanor. Michael told the group around him of the night he found Malcolm beaten and shot multiple times, including the one to the head that left him with amnesia.
''When I got him to the hospital that night I seriously didn't think he would make it, but he did,'' said Michael looking at Malcolm with obvious pride. ''He fought his way back and later after the search for his family proved futile Theresa and I adopted him. We couldn't love him more that wouldn't be possible,'' said Michael tears slipping down his cheeks as he looked at his son again with pride and obvious love.
Malcolm fought the tears that were threatening to spill, but couldn't prevent the single tear that slipped slowly down one of his cheeks. Elizabeth reached up and with her free hand wiped the tear from his eyes like she used to do all those years ago when he was in pain. Her hand lingered on his cheek and she gazed with wonder at the man she loved so desperately.
Malcolm felt shock waves go through his body at her touch, he had never felt anything like that before and missed her touch as soon as she took her hands away. He grabbed her hand and held it again next to his cheek as he gazed at her. He took her hand and turned it so he could kiss the palm, while still gazing into her beautiful blue eyes. They were both completely unaware of everyone looking at them they were so lost in each others eyes.
Unable to resist anymore Malcolm turned Elizabeth around and enfold her in arms burying his face into her hair. He was completely loss in the sensation of feeling her against him and he couldn't have pulled himself away if his life depended on it. Elizabeth pressed her face against his chest and smile inside as she thought of how much taller he was now. He was lean and strong and his chest was a solid mass of muscle, he was definitely no longer a boy, but a man and she couldn't help reveling in his male splendor.
Michael and Theresa watched this touching scene for awhile, but then Michael decided it was time to have a talk with Malcolm. ''Malcolm, I think we should return to the hotel now and make some important decisions.'' Malcolm raised his head and looked at his father as though his dad had lost his mind, ''I am not ready to go yet I want to stay with Elizabeth a while longer,'' insisted Malcolm firmly.
''Believe me son I can see that, but there is something important you need to address at the hotel,'' replied Michael looking at his son sternly. Malcolm knew that his father was referring to Chandler, but also knew that Chandler and the planned wedding of the century was the furthest thing from his mind. He also knew that the honorable thing to do was to return to the hotel and talk to Chandler before he could pursue anything with Elizabeth.
Malcolm released Elizabeth and took a shaky step back not meeting her eyes for fear he wouldn't be able to do what was right. ''I have to return to the hotel now, but I will see you tomorrow?'' Malcolm asked hoping she would agree to see him again, desperately wanting to know everything about her and what role she played in his forgotten life. Elizabeth obviously disappointed nodded in agreement, before fishing out a card with her cell phone number. ''Call me anytime you like,'' said Elizabeth sadly. ''I promise to call you tomorrow,'' replied Malcolm.
Laura walked up and enveloped Malcolm in a hug which he returned sincerely feeling strangely attached to the woman and the man who were his first parents. ''I will see you soon Laura and you too Luke,'' said Malcolm directing his gaze at the man who bore a remarkable resemblance to him. Luke and Laura glanced at each other, both taken aback by their son calling them by their given names. Luke smiled gently at Malcolm and nodded his head, just thankful that his son was alive even if said son had no recollection of him.
After one last look at the people that had just changed his carefully constructed life, especially one in particular Malcolm left with Michael and Theresa to return to the hotel. Once inside the waiting car Malcolm turned to his parents and with more determination than either of them had ever seen on the face of their middle child said. ''I am not marrying Chandler, I am breaking our engagement as soon as I get an opportunity to speak to her.''
''Darling you know your father and I will support whatever decision you make, neither of us are blind we could clearly see how affected you were by Elizabeth.'' ''I agree with your mother Malcolm, but I also would like to point out that you should consider whether Elizabeth is free, I mean what exactly do you know about this woman. She could be married with three children for all you know, I just don't want to see you get hurt so please all I ask is that you maintain a little emotional distance until you learn more about Elizabeth.''
''She's not married,'' said Theresa ''I saw her fingers and she wasn't wearing a wedding band and their wasn't a circle believe me I checked.'' ''Some women don't wear wedding rings Theresa,'' said Michael still trying to be the voice of reason.'' ''No I agree with mom she's not married, but you are right I do need to learn everything about her, because while she may not be married she could be seriously involved with someone else.''
''Well, I saw the way she looked at you Malcolm so if she's involved with someone else he doesn't stand a chance,'' said Theresa smiling confidently, secretly hoping that she would be rid of Chandler Reynolds very soon.'' She knew nothing about Elizabeth Webber, but she already liked the girl and her mother's intuition told her immediately that she was the one for Malcolm.
Luke's Club
As soon as Lucky walked out the door Elizabeth fell helplessly in the nearest chair. ''He's alive, he really is alive and here, he held me just the way he used to, but he doesn't remember me.'' ''Elizabeth listen to me Lucky may have forgotten you in his head, but his heart remembers you, couldn't you see the way he was drawn to you as soon as he laid eyes on you,'' said Laura reassuringly. ''Laura is right Elizabeth, Lucky, Malcolm it doesn't matter he's still your soul mate and he knows it,'' agreed Luke who was still reeling from the events of the last few hours.
''Is Lulu still sleeping in my office,'' inquired Luke wondering how he was going to explain to his daughter that her dead brother was not only alive, but had a new identity. ''She's still sleeping,'' answered Dillan who had just returned from checking on his girlfriend who hours earlier had gone to lie down on the sofa in Luke's office. The flu that had been going around had seemed to have struck Lulu who had been feeling under the weather all day, but had still insisted on coming to the party.
''Malcolm Steele of Steele enterprise that's who he is,'' shouted Jax surprising everyone with his outburst. ''What are you talking about,'' asked Alexis who along with everyone else was now listening expectantly to hear Jax's explanation to his outburst. ''Lucky, I mean Malcolm, whatever. He is the CEO of Steele enterprises and one of the richest men in the world.'' ''You are right,'' chimed in Edward walking up to Jax. ''Malcolm Steele successor to grandfather Alexander Steele, parents Michael and Theresa Steele, what do you know.'' ''Wow, imagine that our Lucky a multi-billionaire and heir to probably the richest family in the world,'' added Ned.
''Man this is weird, my little cousin a billionaire, correction multi-billionaire,'' said Sly completely impressed and not at all really surprised. ''He didn't just inherited it either he's increased the company's assets 400% since he became CEO four years ago, believe me I know I have shares in Steele Enterprises,'' said Jax equally impressed.
''If you have shares in the company wouldn't you have met the CEO,'' asked Laura completely in awe of everything. ''Not really it's a huge shipping company with ties to all different interest. I suppose eventually I would have met him, but all the board meetings I have attended have been telephone conference, which is very common for such a large Empire.''
''So Steele Enterprises is a shipping company,'' asked Taggart intrigued that the boy he had fought with so much that last summer before the fire was now some big wig billionaire. ''Well it started out that way, that is until Malcolm took over the reins. Now they have dozens of other companies including NetWorld the computer giant that in the last couple of years have left MicroSoft in the dust.'' ''Well just color me impressed, go Lucky or I guess I should say Malcolm,'' exclaimed Georgie completely blown away.
''So Jax what else do you know about him, besides all that business stuff,'' asked Elizabeth hoping to find out as much as she could about Lucky now known as Malcolm. Jax looked away debating whether or not to tell Elizabeth about Malcolm's engagement. He decided that she was going to find out sooner or later anyway so he might as well tell her so she could be prepared. ''Elizabeth I read in Business Week a while back that Malcolm is engaged to Chandler Reynolds.''
Elizabeth's heart sank, ''he's engaged? Who is this Chandler Reynolds? Do you know her?'' Elizabeth asked jealously. ''I have never met her Elizabeth, but she's from this wealthy family in Los Angeles and I hear she's very spoiled and I bet she can't hold a candle to you,'' answered Jax sincerely.
Luke took Elizabeth in his arms and comforted her while she shook uncontrollable while speaking through he tears. ''He can't be engaged Luke, I just got him back he's my Lucky she can't have him, she just can't,'' said Elizabeth feeling desperate. All she could think about was that she was going to lose him again and this time it would kill her.
''Elizabeth,'' said Emily coming up and taking Elizabeth from Luke. ''Listen to me everything is going to be fine ok, he's not married just engage and engagements are broken all the time.'' ''You don't understand Lucky always keeps his promises, if he's promised to marry someone he will,'' cried Elizabeth becoming hysterical.
''Then you have nothing to worry about then do you,'' said Nicholas hating to see Elizabeth so upset. ''He made you a promise a long time ago that he would be with you forever so that supercedes whatever promises he's made to this Chandler person.'' ''Lucky made that promise Nicholas, not Malcolm, he can't be held to some promise he doesn't even remember making,'' answered Elizabeth tears streaming down her cheeks.
''Darling he does remembers, like Laura says he may have forgotten in his head, but his heart still knows couldn't you see that,'' said Luke with certainty. ''I am willing to bet that the next time you see him he will be free.'' ''You really think so Luke,'' asked Elizabeth hope slowing creeping into her heart as she remembered the way Malcolm had looked at her earlier and how he had held her the way he used to. ''Absolutely darling just have faith, Lucky may have changed his identity, but who he his inside is still the same.
Now I think we should wrap this party and get home I am beat, I am happier than I have ever been and I am hopeful for the future. Just think Helena is dead, Lucky is home and healthy. That he has no memory of us is unimportant. We will just get to know each other again from scratch in fact the more I think about it the more I think it's all going to be ok like Emily said.''
''Elizabeth Luke and I would be thrilled if you spent the night with us, you shouldn't be alone tonight.'' ''I think that's a great idea,'' said Audrey ''I was just about to extend the same offer, but you go wherever you like dear.'' ''I think I would like to go with Luke and Laura's I always feel closer to Lucky when I am there, besides I stay there so often that I have extra clothes there.'' ''That's great dear,'' replied Audrey giving her granddaughter a hug and a kiss.
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