The Heart Remembers - Part 4

Next Morning at the Penthouse

''Malcolm we'll be happy to remain here while you talk to Chandler if you like,'' said Theresa worried about her son and the assault he will surely endure from Chandler once he's told her he wants to break their engagement. Theresa was secretly hoping to see Chandler's selfish little face when she hears the news, but was mostly concern for Malcolm who never breaks his word. She knew he was dreading having to do it but after last night she also knew that he had no other choice.

''No thanks mom, I will be just fine, hopefully Chandler won't make this harder than it has to be.'' ''I wouldn't hold my breath,'' said Danielle catching Malcolm's last words.

Danielle never liked Chandler and unlike her mother made no secret of that fact. Truthfully she's never liked any of Malcolm girlfriends, they had all been rich, shallow, selfish little twits. Malcolm was always too busy to find himself a compatible partner, but after listening to Malcolm and her parents go on and on about Elizabeth, Danielle had hoping that this one was going to be the exception.

''Listen Malcolm, why don't you just go on down to breakfast with the others and let me handle this. I will tell Chandler how it's going to be, that you've changed your mind and that her butt needs to high tail it out of town, like yesterday.''

Malcolm smiled, always intrigued my his sisters directness, ''this is my mess Danielle and I will get myself out of it, thanks for the offer, but you had better leave before I decide to take you up on it.'' He kissed Danielle lightly on the head and pointed her and his parents towards the door.

''You are way too honorable for your own good Malcolm, so I think I will need to stay with you to make sure Chandler doesn't pull anything.''

Theresa noticed the stern determination on Malcolm's face and began ushering Danielle out of the room. ''Lets go darling I am sure Malcolm can handle himself just fine,'' ''but mom this is the man eating viper we are talking about, who knows what weapons she's got in her arsenal.''

Malcolm burst out laughing while pushing his stubborn little sister out the door, ''now stay downstairs until I'm done Danielle, no sneaking upstairs for something you conveniently forget, no trying to listen at the door.''

''Listen at the door, Malcolm I'm offended I am a sophisticated adult and I would never stoop to such childish behavior.'' ''Um, yea, two words Danielle, Cathy Chase, now get out of here before she gets here.''

With that everyone except Malcolm went down to the hotel's dining room for breakfast leaving Malcolm to wait for Chandler's arrival. Late as always Chandler finally showed up 15 minutes later than planned. She immediately went to Malcolm and wrapped her long slender arms around his neck, but before she was able to kiss him he pulled away disentangling himself from her arms.

Malcolm had gone over and over in his head on how he would break the news, but now standing there with Chandler looking at him like her prize catch decided to just say it without beating around the bush. ''Chandler I can't marry you, I am calling off the wedding and ending our relationship.''

Chandler stood staring at Malcolm speechlessly thinking no one, no one had ever broken up with her before she was the one who always ended things. ''What did you say?'' ''You heard me,'' said Malcolm feeling strangely remorseless, wondering why he had even accepted her proposal in the first place, but knew that he had simple settled thinking that he was incapable of feeling what he now felt for Elizabeth.

''You can't break our engagement, I won't let you, you promise me you will marry me and you are a man of honor and therefore will never break his word.''

''I don't enjoy breaking my word, but I have no other choice in this matter. I can't marry you.'' ''No one dumps me not even the great Malcolm Steele, so why don't you take some time to consider what you are doing and then get back to me,'' said Chandler before stalking off.

Unfortunately for her Malcolm was not in a very accommodating mood since he was already going through withdrawal at being away from Elizabeth this long. He was feeling testy and not in the least bit reasonable, so he surprised himself and went completely cold, something completely alien to his character.

Malcolm reached the door as soon as Chandler opened it and slammed it before rising cold blue eyes to meet the shaken green eyes of Chandler.

''The wedding is off Chandler and I don't need any time to think about it, I have already made my decision. This is not a request Chandler it's my decision and it's final,'' said Malcolm calmly.

''What if I am pregnant? What will you do then Malcolm will you still dump me like yesterday's trash?'' ''My mother figured you would be the type to pull something like that so she went ahead and made sure you couldn't pull that crap. I know you are not pregnant Chandler, first I am always careful, and while nothing is 100% full proof I already secured evidence that proves you are not pregnant.''

''There is no way in he## you could know that Malcolm, you are bluffing. Until I get a pregnancy test, which proves I am not pregnant you had better not break our engagement or I will make sure you don't get within ten feet of our child if I am pregnant.''

''Actually I do know for sure Chandler you see I haven't been with you in the biblical sense in, what has it been two months and your physical two weeks ago, which included a routine pregnancy test came back negative. Oh by the way has that infection cleared up yet, I hear those can be murder for females.''

Chandler paled at Malcolm's last statement, ''how did you get a hold of my medical records those are confidential I will sue you.'' ''You could always try, but if I were you I wouldn't waste my time see first you would have to prove that I looked at your medical records and well that's just your word against mine. Also based on your legendary flare for stretching the truth not even your parents would believe you, but don't let me stop you give it your best shot.''

Chandler knowing that she was defeated decided to try a new tactic and appeal to Malcolm's softer side. With tears in her eyes she asked, ''I thought you loved me? Normally the sight of a female crying would soften Malcolm, but in this case all it did was made him angry.

''The way you love me Chandler are you going to pretend you do, because I happen to know you don't. The only person you love is yourself, so let's face it the only reason you want to marry me is to secure your place in society and your family's fledging fortune.''

Chandler opened her eyes in shock, surprise that Malcolm knew about her family's financial status. ''You think I wouldn't find out,'' asked Malcolm amusement replacing anger ''This marriage was to restore your family's bank account. It didn't matter to me because I figure we would make an adequate match I never kidded myself that we were in love neither of us have ever spoken those words to each other.

My grandfather have already bailed your family out of immanent bankruptcy so while you won't enjoy the same level of luxury you were used to you will not be penniless. Besides your father is a clever man he may regain some of what he's lost over time, assuming of course he learn to stop showering his mistresses with his fortune. Also you are a beautiful woman you will no doubt find another rich man to bail you out before long.''

Chandler realizing that it was over asked, ''why have you decided to end our engagement you seemed quite resigned just yesterday, what changed Malcolm?''

''That's a fair question, so I will give you the best answer I can. I realize that I need to love and be loved that marriage without love would be hell.''

''What made you come to that conclusion,'' asked Chandler bitterly, already suspecting that their was a woman involved and wanting the scratch her eyes out. Malcolm was right about her need to secure her family's position, but he was wrong about how she felt about him.

She did love him, at least as much as she was capable of loving someone else and it hurt that he obviously felt nothing for her. Mostly it made her mad that she had invested so much into getting him to agree to marry her only to have him dump her so unceremoniously.

Chandler had never worked harder at keeping a man since Malcolm was not known for long lasting relationships. When he had agreed to marry her she had congratulated herself on achieving the impossible, but now knew that she was wrong, that she had not secured him at all.

''That's not important,'' said Malcolm firmly ''the important thing is I am calling off the wedding and our relationship is over.'' Chandler knew that tone in his voice and realized that it was pointless to press him he was through discussing his feelings with her.

''There is a car waiting downstairs and a plane waiting to return you to LA. Your luggage have already been transferred from my family's plane and the hotel staff was instructed to load your belongings here in the waiting car,'' said Malcolm still amazed at how shameless he felt at ending things so abruptly with Chandler.

''You thought of everything didn't you Malcolm,'' said Chandler wondering how she could have missed this calculating side of Malcolm. ''I didn't see the need to drag this out it would serve neither of us.''

''I guess you are right, so I guess this is goodbye then.'' ''Goodbye Chandler and good luck, I mean that,'' said Malcolm sincerely walking Chandler to the door and watching her get on the elevator.

''OK, you can all come out now,'' said Malcolm to the empty hallway. A second later Danielle followed by Theresa, Michael, Jonathan and Patricia all came around the corner out of breath from the mad dash they had made around the corner.

''How did you know we were out here,'' asked Theresa looking guilty.'' ''Oh I don't, but I have a suggestion to all of you. In the future when you spy, try to keep the bickering over who's turn it is by the door down to a minimum,'' said Malcolm smiling lovingly at them all.

''Sorry Malcolm, I guess you figured it out that I was the ring leader, in his defense daddy resisted for at least two seconds,'' said Danielle gaining a look from her father that said he would pay her back for that.

''I will let you guys off the hook this time,'' said Malcolm collapsing on the sofa in relief, feeling like the weight of the world had just been lifted off his shoulders. Malcolm said a silent prayer asking forgiveness for breaking his word something he promised himself he would never do again.

''Are you ok Malcolm,'' asked Jonathan concerned over his brother's ordeal. ''I am fine, all in all it went a lot better than I'd imagine Chandler was less difficult than I expected her to be.''

''That's because you were so forceful, can I just tell you how proud I am of you,'' said Danielle sitting on the sofa and pulling Malcolm's head in her lap. ''I think freeing us all, mostly me from the human ball in chain deserves a temple massage,'' said Danielle with a big grin on her face, rubbing Malcolm temple the way he liked it.

I guess it's on to plan B thought Chandler as she made her way down to the lobby and the waiting car that would take her to the airport. If I move quickly I can get David Moore to propose to me. He may not have the kind of money and level of influence Malcolm has, but at least him I can definitely wrap around my finger and be kept in the life to which I am accustomed.

Before getting into the car Chandler looked up towards the penthouse disappointed again at the turn of events, but knowing there was nothing more she could do but move on.

Luke and Laura's house: ''Why hasn't he called yet, it's nearly 10 O clock,'' said Elizabeth in frustration. She had survived a restless night and was now coming apart at the seam wondering why Lucky hadn't call yet. All kinds of wild ideas were going through her head the worst was that Lucky had forgotten all about her.

''Elizabeth relax he really didn't say when he would call only that he would, so give him some more time,'' said Laura she too anxious about seeing Lucky again.

Since Lucky's departure from Luke's the previous night Laura was living in dread that Michael and Theresa had somehow manage to sneak out of town with Lucky in tow. Laura knew that was unlikely, but still worried regardless of how irrational her conclusions.

''What if he can't love me the way he used to Laura?'' asked Elizabeth speaking out loud what she had been thinking all night and all morning. ''I don't believe that Elizabeth,'' replied Laura honestly believing what she was telling Elizabeth.

Luke who had been sitting around the living room all morning responded to Elizabeth's concerns. ''Elizabeth, Laura is right and furthermore I strongly believe that if it hadn't been for you Lucky would have returned to wherever he came from already. You are the reason he his still here, the reason he listened last night and the reason he will probably give us a chance to get to know him.''

Elizabeth felt a little better at Luke's thinking hoping that Malcolm somehow was as drawn to her as he appeared.

The doorbell rang and Laura went to answer it admitting a confused looking Jason who was wondering why Luke had asked him to stop by.

''Jason, good you are here,'' said Luke indicating for Jason to take a seat across from him. ''I am here, but I have no idea why and I think Sonny is a little Jealous that you asked me over instead of him. He's been walking on pins and needles wondering what's going on with Lucky or should I say Malcolm.''

''Laura, call Sonny and ask him over so he can stop behaving like a jealous ex-lover,'' said Luke always amused at how territorial Sonny got about his friends.

''Jason I asked you over so I could ask your advice on how to proceed with Lucky, or rather Malcolm. You have been in his situation before and I don't want to alienate him the way the Quartermaines alienated you. We want her son back anyway he comes,'' said Luke looking at Laura who had just got off the phone with Sonny and who was now nodding in agreement.

''Luke you and Laura are different from the Quartermaines they thought they owned me somehow and didn't even attempt to get to know the person I had become. You already say you are willing to get to know Lucky anyway he comes and I think that' s the right attitude. Everyone is different so I guess the only real advise I can give is to listen to him and not assume that he is the same as before, because he may have changed in some ways.''

''Thanks Jason I really appreciate the advise,'' said Luke ''me too,'' said Laura ''all of this is so strange, but the most important thing is that our son in alive.''

By 11 O clock that morning Sonny, Lacy, Jason, Carly, Bobby, Stephan, Sly, Nicholas and Emily were all sitting around the Spencer's house anxiously waiting to here from Lucky. Twice Luke had to prevent Laura from calling Malcolm at the Port Charles hotel.

Lulu was just as anxious as her parents, after learning about the events of the previous night she couldn't wait to see the brother she remembered so lovingly. She had been inundated with stories of Lucky for the last 10 years and couldn't wait to see him after so long. She had called Dillan and asked him to come over and he had arrived in less than 15 minutes to lend support. Her parents had warned her that Lucky, now Malcolm didn't remember anyone, but that didn't matter he was still her brother and she couldn't wait to see him.

The doorbell rang and Elizabeth went to answer it thinking it was another of their friends coming over to find out about Lucky. She was completely unprepared to see Lucky standing there with the astonishingly beautiful woman next to him.

''Elizabeth, you're here I didn't expect to find you here I called the number you gave me but received no answer your phone must be off, so I decided to find you through Luke and Laura.'' Elizabeth quickly checked the phone she had been carrying around all morning and it was indeed turned off.

''Damn it,'' said Elizabeth annoyed with herself for being so nervous she had failed to turn on the phone. As soon as she looked back at Malcolm and the young woman at his side she completely lost it. Tears sprung quickly to her eyes and feeling ashamed and inadequate Elizabeth rushed out the door and tore down the block like the devil was after her.

''Elizabeth wait,'' shouted Malcolm darting after her down the block wondering what he had done to cause such a reaction from her, hoping he hadn't somehow blown everything before it got started.

''Malcolm caught up to her in the park and held her struggling form to him until she calmed down. ''What's wrong?'' asked Malcolm as soon as he could turn Elizabeth to face him. ''Why did you run away from me? Did I do something to upset you?'' asked Malcolm concerned shinning in his eyes.

Elizabeth sighed unable to hide the truth from him one look into those incredible blue eyes and she was completely lost. ''I guess that was your fiancée,'' said Elizabeth unable to keep the jealousy out of her voice or the hurt out of her eyes