Breaking away Chapters 5 - 6
Chapter 5 "You know Lucy, you and Mike don't have to babysit me 24/7." Luke grumbled from the livingroom. "I'm not going to kill myself cause Laura's shackin' up with Vlad The Impale Her."
Lucy stuck her head out of the kitchen, "First off, I am NOT babysitting you! Although someone ought to! Second of all I thought you said she wasn't shacking up with the Dark One." She clarified. "She's just not with you anymore and I thought you were letting go of all things Cassadine. It's really not healthy."
"Thanks for the pop analysis. Nice to know you kept a momento of your time with the Doc Shrink, his obnoxious insight." Luke took a seat at the bar dividing the livingroom and kitchen. "You're not really cooking? My opinion of you is shattered!" He teased. Even though it was obvious that Lucy was making an effort to distract him from his self-destructive ways, (which he rather enjoyed) he couldn't hold it against her. She was just being a good friend.
"Luke Spencer! Do I LOOK like Betty Crocker? The lasagne is from Cafe Matisse, the french bread is from that new little bakery down the street, and the chocolate mousse is from the Outback." She waved a lettuce leaf at him. "But I'm making the salad myself. Now open the wine." She instructed. Luke may have caught on to the fact that she and Mike and Sonny were taking turns watching over Luke, but he didn't seem to angry about it She was glad. Since her split with Kevin, and moving out of the firehouse it seemed she spent a lot of time on her own lately. It wasn't that she minded it, but what she did miss about being 1/2 of a couple was someone to rehash the day's events with. And if nothing else, even at his lowest point, Lucy had to say Luke Spencer was good company.
"Umm. . .you don't look like Betty Crocker from here." Luke leered dramatically as she reached into the oven to check the lasagne. When he'd come over to bring her a House Warming gift he was stunned to discover the fact that the woman even knew what a pair of jeans were, much less actually owned a pair. "So what's this I hear about a possible Woman of the Year Award from the Port Charles Ladies Club?" Luke asked as Lucy brought the food to the table.
"How'd you hear about that?"
"Lilah Quartermaine told me." Luke answered grabbing the salad bowl. "Pretty big honor."
Satisfied she'd remembered everything, Lucy took a seat at the table and began to dish herself. "Yeah, big whoop."
"Come on Luce, it's pretty big recognition from some pretty small minds!"
"That's the point Luke. Five years ago those nasty tempered, pinched face witches wouldn't even accept my application. I was too low class. Now, I hostess the Nurse's Ball, and my donation to the Stone Cates Memorial A.I.D.S Wing in Dominique's name gets made public, and all of a sudden they want to honor me? With the exception of Lilah, I intend to tell them all to get bent."
"And you don't think that this year was your best year either huh Babe?" He could tell. She was thinking about Serena's accident.
"It wasn't. The stuff they nominated me for is pretty weak compared to the things I've done." Lucy answered honestly. "And don't call me babe." She added on.
"Okay honey buns." Luke nodded causing Lucy to laugh.
"You're incorrigable." She huffed. "How's that new club thing going? And you know Luke, I love Sonny as much as the next gal, but don't you think going into business with the mob is a bad move? I mean I know that Sonny says he's in the coffee business but how long do you think that will last?"
As Luke took a drink of wine, he considered just what precisely he could tell Lucy. She'd never let him down before. He thought reasonably. And it was a cinch that she would figure it out anyway, she had that psychic thing. So he said nothing, merely smiled.
"Oh God LUKE! You are NOT going into BUSINESS with him! Not that way are you?" Lucy demanded.
"Darlin', Sonny and I are legitimate businessmen." Luke backpeddled. He never should have smiled. Damn. She was ticked. She'd probably toss him out on his rear, and he was really begininning to enjoy his role as Lucy Coe's playmate.There was a sort of kinetic energy always buzzing around her. Stuff happened when you were friends with Lucy. But she wouldn't tolerate him and Sonny in business together. Yup, she was about to toss him out of her life for good.
Lucy could feel her blood run cold. Luke running with the Mob. It's not that she didn't think he could take care of himself, but it was a stupid idea. "Luke! What are you thinking? I mean, do you have to go into business with Sonny? Did you borrow some money from him? Or do you just have a need to lay your face down on the stove to see if it's hot?" She shoved her plate aside.
"Look, I found out stuff while I've been off combing the world." Luke confided. "I don't do domesticated. I never have. I'd rather gnaw my foot off than life in captivity. This thing with Sonny, it's a thrill. I know, I know, it sounds stupid. But I'm good at it."
Lucy nodded slowly. "I understand. And you know what? You're right! It's stupid." She concluded finishing her wine and glowering at him.
~*~*~
General Hospital
~*~Angel~*~
~*~Spend all your time waiting~*~
In the emergency room Kevin paced frantically. He'd gotten a phone call from Eve saying that she was returning to Port Charles and that there was something serious she wanted to discuss. She'd been gone for four months, saying that they needed time away to sort out their confusing relationship. Now he couldn't get a straight answer from anyone.
Spotting Chris come out of the operating room, Kevin grabbed his arm. "Chris! What's going on? You call me and say that there's been an accident and Eve is asking for me, but by the time I get here I can't get any information!" He swiped a hand over his goatee. "I need some answers."
Chris spun on him, his face a stark white, and his eyes filled with tears and bitterness. "She started to hemmorage when we got her into the delivery room. Dr. Newman did everything she could, but she was too far gone."
"Delivery room?" Kevin staggered under the crushing blow.
"Congratulations Kevin. You're the father of a bouncing baby girl." Chris answered "They're taking her to the nursery, Eve was seven months pregnant."
~*~For that second chance~*~
Lucy's house.
Lucy held the test results between her forefinger and thumb as if they were something filthy, and untouchable. She dropped them into the fire, and sank to her knees. Unbelievable. Impossible, and just plain wrong. They had to be. No amount of results would change what she knew to be true.
As tears shimmered in her eyes she watched her hopes and dreams turn black, and disintegrate into ashes.
~*~For a break that would make it okay~*~
In the Brownstone.
Carly sat in the rocking chair stroking Michael's bright red hair. And as always her mind was working overtime. How was she supposed to support Michael? Sure, she could get money from Jason, he would never let her starve, and Bobbie gave them a roof over their heads. But she was tired of being bought and sold. Virginia Bensen bought her from Bobbie. Tony bought her from Bobbie with his promise of eternal love, and protection. She'd let herself buy into the illusion that Jason loved her. That Jason COULD love her.
She wasn't going to let Michael be bought. Not by the Quartermaine's and not even by Jason. She had to find a compromise.
~*~There's always some reason, To feel not good enough~*~
Laura's.
As she tucked the covers under LuLu's small body, Laura sighed and shook her head. Her last baby was growing so fast. And she missed Luke. After all these months of seperation, and absences, Lu could still tell that there was something different about it this time. She would return home from her visits with Luke to ask "When is Daddy coming home?"
Was she cheating her daughter? Closing Lu's door, Laura made her way to her own bedroom. When Lucky was Lu's age, the three of them had been inseperable. And even though she never wanted LuLu to grow up on the run, Lucky had always been able to count on one thing. His mother and father were never far behind him.
She removed her robe and slipped between the sheets. It was funny. She still slept on her side of the bed. It was as if Luke's ghost took his place at night, forcing her to stay on one side of the mattress.
~*~And it's hard at the end of the day, I need some distraction~*~
Luke's.
The club was slammin' tonight. Luke thought in satisfaction. It was nice that some aspects of his life were going well. He propped his feet up on his desk, and rolled a Havana Gold between his lips.
He was bored. And for Luke Spencer, this was NOT a good thing. He considered calling Lucy to see if she was up to a backroom craps game, but she'd been upset lately. A lot. It couldn't be her break up with Baldwin. Lucy was a romantic, but she wasn't a fool. She knew Baldwin wasn't working so she gave him the heave ho. He chortled bitterly. It was funny, the traits he admired in Lucy, were the same traits that cause Laura to end their marriage. Maybe he found Lucy so appealing because he was a masochist in a former life
The phone on his desk rang and Luke answered it, grateful for it derailing his train of thought. "Spencer."
~*~Oh beautiful release~*~
"Monk?" Victor placed his hands on Kevin's shoulders. He had just arrived at the Emergency room to see Kevin standing dazed in the hall, surrounded by staff, all wearing identical expressions of grief.
"Eve's." Kevin couldn't whisper out the rest. It was too horrific a thought to complete. He turned and rested his forehead against his father's chest, as Victor awkwardly patted his back.
~*~Memories seep from my veins~*~
Wyndemere.
Two weeks. Laura had insisted on being given "space". What a loathsome concept. Stefan prowled out the night on Spoon Island. And fool that he was, he would give it to her. This would be his last and only true chance at her love. Stepping back, and watching as she blossomed without him.
There was the chance he could lose her forever, and the very notion sent waves of panic crashing over him.
And there was the chance, that once Laura discovered her course, she would allow him to join her in forging foward out of their seperate dark pasts and into a shared future.
~*~Let me be empty~*~
Jason's penthouse.
It was quiet. That was the major difference between having Carly around and not. It wasn't the big things that were as noticable, like Michael's toys being gone. Or Carly's books of decorating stuff. It was the quiet that seemed to creep up on him out of nowhere.
Before Carly had bullied her way into his life, and thrust fatherhood onto him, the quiet had been his solace. The only place in a world that made no sense. But now the quiet seemed threatening, like it was hanging over his head, waiting to drop.
~*~Oh and weightless and maybe,I'll find some peace tonight~*~
Rising stiffly from her knees, Lucy wiped away all traces of her tears. And sank onto the couch. She had to find something to concentrate on. Focus all of her energy into. Otherwise she would drown.
So she picked up her notepad and began to work on plans for the line of lingerie. Work was enough. She was a modern woman.
~*~In the arms of an angel, Fly away from here~*~
"Kevin?" Ellen asked loathe to interrupt the father/son embrace. "I hate to ask you this, but we can't reach Eve's mother or sister. Since you were close to her, I have to ask you about organ donation."
Kevin could hear the words. But they weren't making any sense. All he could hear was the cacaphony of "Eve died. Congratulations. You're a father."
"Monk?" Victor shook Kevin. "Ellen's asking about whether of not Eve was an organ donor."
"She would be. Yes." Kevin answered. "She was so generous. I'll sign for her mother. I've got to call her."
"Can he see her?" Victor asked. And when Kevin shook his head vehemently Victor was persistant. "Yes Monk. You have to say goodbye. For Eve, for your baby, and for yourself."
"Come on Kevin." Ellen took his hand in a tight grip. She led him down the hall to the Operating Room. "Take as long as you need."
~*~And the endlessness that you fear~*~
The penthouse. Sonny leaned against the window looking out over his city. He'd sent Caroline packing. But instead of a sense of accomplishment, he felt guilty. Jason had torn into him but good. Saying that HE was responsible for losing Michael.
There was nothing he could do about it though. Carly pushed all the wrong buttons in him. The dark, hateful ones. The very same buttons Brenda pushed. He knew the darkness was there. It was his one constant companion. But to have a daily reminder of it in the form of a loud, obnoxious, lying blonde was too much.
His lips twisted horribly. Well, at least she's not a blonde. Jason would forgive him. The kid was learning that the only constant in his life was the business. Jason may be a slow learner in some areas, but he would get it eventually.
And now Luke was returning to the life. He'd been out of it for 16 years at the least. But now that he had nothing to lose he was coming back. Sonny wasn't sure whether he found that idea comforting, sad, or just damn pitiful.
~*~You are pulled from the wreckage, Of your silent reverie~*~
The early hours of morning. Laura climbs out of her warm bed, and slips on her robe. The sun was just begininning to make it's appearence and the backyard was golden and inviting.
This was new to her. Waking up each morning anticipating what the day would hold. Between her work, and Lesely Lu, and slowly healing the rift she'd allowed to grow between herself and her sons. There was a great deal to be thankful for.
And instead of focusing on the past that brought her here, she is determined to focus on the present and eventually the future. She hummed a serene tune as she selected an outfit for the day, and planning a special birthday for Lucky.
~*~You're in the arms of the angel, May you find some comfort there~*~
Chapter 6 ~*~So tired of the straight line~*~
The docks. Sonny, Jason, and Luke stand side by side on the docks. They look like statues.
"He's not welcome in this conversation." Moreno jerked his head in Luke's direction. "Get him out of here."
"He's a part of this, Moreno. You're not in th position to tell me anything." Sonny answered. "You slipped up. Seems that you've been hanging your hat with a pretty 19 year old kid. Now we all know that you get your backing from your wife's family. If they get wind of this. . . ." He lets the threat linger in the cool air.
"Yeah, it's funny how stuff like this gets out Moreno." Luke lit his cigar, and took a satisfied puff. "There's a way out ya' know?"
~*~And everywhere you turn, There's vultures and thieves at your back~*~
The Brownstone. It's early. And Carly has been up all night. When the doorbell rings on her apartment, she adjusts her robe and runs her fingers through her hair. "Hey A.J."
"Why did you call me? You call me over here so that you can have me arrested?"A.J demanded.
"No." Carly gesutred for him to enter. "I've been thinking all night, A.J." She takes a seat on the couch, and rubs her hands over her face. "And as much as I want to forget that you are the one that gave me Michael, I can't."
Warily A.J eyed Carly. This had to be a setup. She never did anything without an angle, a reason, a plan. "Where are you going with this?"
"Michael is young enough now that none of this really bothers him. We go to court, and he stays with Bobbie. We drag each other through the mud, and he's with Mike. But he's not gonna stay a baby forever. Someday he's gonna be old enough to ask questions, and overhear things, and read about himself." Carly toyed with the sash of her robe. "Bottom line, A.J. I don't want Micheal to hate me as much as I hated Virginia for lying to me about being adopted. I know it's not the same thing. But I just kept thinking, if she kept that from me, how many other secrets and lies were there?" She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "So I've decided that you should be able to see your son."
A.J's jaw dropped to the ground. "Excuse me?"
"There are conditions. A lot of them." Carly picked up the list she'd been working on since 3 a.m. "The first one is that Michael NEVER is left alone with your grandfather. Not ever. You do that and I'll change my mind. Secondly. You visit him here, or in the park. I know what your family would do to him if he set foot in their house. Third. I don't want to hear another word about St. Swithens School For Heartless Creeps. My son is never going to go to a boarding school." She looked down at her list. "And the last, but not least. No trashing Jason. At all. Not to me, not to my son. Not ever. If you can't live with any of these rules, you can go home."
"NO!" A.J blurted out. "Jesus Carly! All I've ever wanted, all I've ever asked you for is the chance to know my son! To be a part of his life. I agree. To all of them. When can I see him?"
"As soon as Alexis Davis draws all this up into a legal contract." Carly rose to her feet. "I'm glad you agreed. I'll have Alexis draw it up, and have it to you by tomorrow." She showed him to the door, and slumped against it. "God, please let this be the right decision."
~*~And the storm keeps on twisting, You keep on building the lie~*~
~*~That you make up for all that you lack~*~
~*~It don't make no difference~*~
~*~Escaping one last time~*~
~*~It's easier to believe~*~
~*~In this sweet madness~*~
~*~Oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees~*~
The GH Nursery.
Kevin sat in a rocking chair cradling his daughter in his arms. He'd never known that Eve was pregnant. When she had gone to visit her mother and sister she must have been at least three months, and given the unstable nature of their relationship, he wasn't surprised that she'd needed the time to sort out her feelings.
~*~In the arms of an angel~*~
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You're in the arms of the angel
~*~May you find some comfort here~*~
Alexis' office.
"No I don't know what sort of silver I want. Isn't that what I'm paying you to deal with?" She waved Carly into the office. "No, this is not a good time to discuss that. Fax it to me." She slammed the phone down, blew her bangs out of her eyes, and held out a legal document. "Sign these."
"How are you today Carly? Oh, I'm fine Alexis. Really." Carly carried a conversation on with herself, taking in the clutter of the office. "Where's Rita?"
"Rhonda." Alexis corrected. "She's sick, and Baldwin and I have this client party coming up soon, and frankly Carly. I'm at the end of a very long rope." She removed her glasses and smiled. "But that's not why you're here. This document gives A.J limited access to Michael under the conditions that you've established. It's airtight, if A.J violates any one of these stipulations you have the right to make sure that he never sees Michael again."
"You know Alexis. I could. . ." Carly brushed her hair off her face. "I could take care of this whole party thing for you. Organize it that is. I'm good at that kind of thing and it's a better gift than a bottle of wine." When Alexis seemed lost, Carly backed up. "Jason and I were talking about getting everyone gifts for all the help and stuff in our case to get custody of Michael." She explained. "I know you didn't want to take this case, but you did, and you did a really great job."
Uncertainly Alexis fiddled with her pen. "I don't know what to say Carly. Thank you for the offer."
"But you don't want a Spencer planning your party?" She smiled. This could be fun. "Look, I really want to help you out. Ask Jason, nobody spends money better than I do. I can decorate this place, and hire the caterers." She grinned. "And I promise, I won't pass out handguns as party favors."
In spite of herself Alexis laughed. "Sounds like Spencer gatherings closely resemble Cassadine family reunions."
~*~*~
That afternoon.
Carly took a deep breath and opened the front door of the Brownstone. "Jason. I'm glad you came."
"Of course I came Carly, I'll always be here when Michael needs me." Jason answered as they reached her door. As Carly opened it, Jason was stunned to see A.J feeding Michael his lunch. "What is he doing here?" Jason's voice was icy. "Is A.J bugging you again?"
A.J looked up from Michael and glowered at Carly "I was invited Jason. Carly's given me visitation with MY son. So why don't you come back later?"
Ignoring A.J, Jason turns to Carly. "Why?"
"It's the right thing to do Jason. When the Quartermaines tried to take Michael and said you would never see him again, how did you feel? Dead inside right? The idea of living without your son was the worst thing you could imagine. Worse than going to prison, worse than dying. Michael has two fathers. Nothing is going to change that. Not any piece of paper, not any court decision."
Jason flung his coat off and sank onto the sofa. "What did he threaten you with this time Carly? Another psych evaluation? More lawyers? More Quartermaine judges in his pocket? You don't owe him anything!"
"You're right Jason. I don't owe A.J a damn thing. But you know what? I do owe Michael This THING between the three of us was big news. Everyone knows that Michael is A.J's biological son. Everyone. What's Michael gonna think about me when he gets older? How long can we keep all these secrets from him before he hates us ALL? Me for being selfish, you for lying to him, and A.J for not fighting harder to keep him." Carly twists her gold chain around her finger. "I know you think that I don't know what Michael needs. That might have been true before. But not anymore. Michael needs to believe in us Jason. He needs to know that there are at least two people on this earth that don't lie to him. That's supposed to be us."
"What made you change your mind?" Jason asked keeping one eye on Michael at all times.
"Jason. You've been with Michael from the minute he was born. You took care of him when I couldn't. And when I couldn't trust anyone else to." Her blue eyes flashed. "And you've kept every promise to Michael. You've never disappointed him. Never failed him. Well I have. I told him I would never let him go, and I went and shot Tony in a court of law. I left him! Then I panicked at Stoneybrook, and they sent me to Pherncliffe. I left him again. When I came back I told him that I wasn't going to lie to him anymore. I wasn't going to ever let him down again. And if being a great mother to Michael means that he has to know A.J, then that's what I'm going to do."
Damn. She was right. Jason waited for the world to turn on it's axis. But it didn't Carly was right about A.J and Michael knowing each other. He forced his blood pressure back to normal. She wasn't handing A.J over custody, or marrying him or anything outrageous, just giving A.J visitation. She was putting Michael first. All he could do was to make sure that A.J didn't screw it all up. "Fine." He propped his feet up on the coffee table and picked up a magazine, pretending to study it's contents.
"He's not staying here." A.J complained. "I thought this was my time to get to know Michael."
"It is. No one knows Michael better than Jason. If you have any questions, you can ask Jason." Carly grabbed her bag. "No fighting, no throwing things, no cursing, and no girls. See ya boys!"
"Where are you going?" Jason asked curiously.
"I told A.J he would have supervised visitation. No one can keep a better eye on A.J than you. I'm not needed."Her tone was a warning. "I'm sure you guys can put aside your problems to do the right thing for Michael?" She smiled. "If I can do it, so can you." She breezed out of the brownstone with her fingers crossed.
*~*~*~*~*~
"You know Lucy, you and Mike don't have to babysit me 24/7." Luke grumbled from the living room. "I'm not going to kill myself cause Laura's shackin' up with Vlad The Impale Her."
Lucy stuck her head out of the kitchen, "First off, I am NOT babysitting you! Although someone ought to! Second of all I thought you said she wasn't shacking up with the Dark One." She clarified. "She's just not with you anymore and I thought you were letting go of all things Cassadine. It's really not healthy."
"Thanks for the pop analysis. Nice to know you kept a momento of your time with the Doc Shrink, his obnoxious insight." Luke took a seat at the bar dividing the livingroom and kitchen. "You're not really cooking? My opinion of you is shattered!" He teased. Even though it was obvious that Lucy was making an effort to distract him from his self-destructive ways, (which he rather enjoyed) he couldn't hold it against her.
"Luke Spencer! Do I LOOK like Betty Crocker? The lasagne is from Cafe Matisse, the french bread is from that new little bakery down the street, and the chocolate mousse is from the Outback." She waved a lettuce leaf at him. "But I'm making the salad myself. Now open the wine." She instructed. Luke may have caught on to the fact that she and Mike and Sonny were taking turns watching over Luke, but he didn't seem to angry about it. That was a relief. She really wasn't in the mood to be alone tonight, and if nothing else, even at his lowest point, Lucy had to say Luke Spencer was good company.
"Umm. . .you don't look like Betty Crocker from here." Luke leered dramatically as she reached into the oven to check the lasagne. When he'd come over to bring her a house warming gift he was stunned to discover the fact that the woman even knew what jeans were, much less actually owned a pair. "So what's this I hear about a possible Woman of the Year Award from the Port Charles Ladies Club?" Luke asked as Lucy brought the food to the table.
"How'd you hear about that?"
"Lilah Quartermaine told me." Luke answered grabbing the salad bowl. "Pretty big honor."
Satisfied she'd remembered everything, Lucy took a seat at the table and began to dish herself. "Yeah, big whoop."
"Come on Luce, it's pretty big recognition from some pretty small minds!"
"That's the point Luke. Five years ago those nasty tempered, pinched face witches wouldn't even accept my application. I was too low class. Now, I hostess the Nurse's Ball, and my donation to the Stone Cates Memorial A.I.D.S Wing in Dominique's name gets made public, and all of a sudden they want to honor me? With the exception of Lilah, I intend to tell them all to get bent."
"And you don't think that this year was your best year either huh Babe?" He could tell. She was thinking about Serena's accident.
"It wasn't. The stuff they nominated me for is pretty weak compared to the things I've done." Lucy answered honestly. "And don't call me babe." She added on.
"Okay honey buns." Luke nodded causing Lucy to laugh.
"You're incorrigable." She huffed. "How's that new club thing going? And you know Luke, I love Sonny as much as the next gal, but don't you think going into business with the mob is a bad move? I mean I know that Sonny says he's in the coffee business but how long do you think that will last?"
As Luke took a drink of wine, he considered just what precisely he could tell Lucy. She'd never let him down before. He thought reasonably. And it was a cinch that she would figure it out anyway, she had that psychic thing. So he said nothing, merely smiled.
"Oh God LUKE! You are NOT going into BUSINESS with him! Not that way are you?" Lucy demanded.
"Darlin', Sonny and I are legitimate businessmen." Luke backpeddled. He never should have smiled. Damn. She was ticked. She'd probably toss him out on his rear, and he was really begininning to enjoy his role as Lucy Coe's playmate.There was a sort of kinetic energy always buzzing around her. Stuff happened when you were friends with Lucy. But she wouldn't tolerate him and Sonny in business together. Yup, she was about to toss him out of her life for good.
Lucy could feel her blood run cold. Luke running with the Mob. It's not that she didn't think he could take care of himself, but it was a stupid idea. "Luke! What are you thinking? I mean, do you have to go into business with Sonny? Did you borrow some money from him? Or do you just have a need to lay your face down on the stove to see if it's hot?" She shoved her plate aside.
"Look, I found out stuff while I've been off combing the world." Luke confided. "I don't do domesticated. I never have. I'd rather gnaw my foot off than life in captivity. This thing with Sonny, it's a thrill. I know, I know, it sounds stupid. But I'm good at it."
Lucy nodded slowly. "I understand. And you know what? You're right! It's stupid." She concluded finishing her wine and glowering at him.
~*~*~
Laura's.
"So you're still enjoying your classes at P.C.U?" Laura turned the water off in the sink. "I wash, you dry." She passed Nikolas a dish towel.
"Yes, except for the continuation of Latin." Nikolas took a dish from his mother's hands and began to dry it. He'd never done dishes before getting to know his mother. And now it seemed normal, and comfortable to stand at the sink with her and discuss the day's events.
"I know that Stefan was concerned the classes wouldn't be challenging enough for you."
"The undergraduate courses keep me occupied until I can decide on a major."
"Have you given more thought to that? I know that you've toyed with the idea of medicine like your grandmother Lesley." She smiled. On her last visit to South Carolina, Laura had caught her mother up with all the changes in her life. It was a great visit not only for Lesley, but for Laura. She relished her mother's opinions and advice, and even though her disappointment in the ending of Laura's marriage had been obvious, she was unwavering in her support of Laura and her resolve to move forward in her own life.
"Actually I looked into the business school." Nikolas admitted. "Katherine tells me that I am gifted with numbers."
Laura felt her stomach churn at the mention of Katherine, but she attempted to keep her tone non-judgemental. "Really? You'd come by it from your father. I'm terrible with numbers."
Sensing her bristling at the mention of Katherine, Nikolas girded himself for another fight. "Is this where you tell me that Katherine is only using me to hurt Stefan, and that I shouldn't trust her, and that I am allowing her to exert too much influence on my life?" His dark eyes flashed.
"Nope. From the sound of that I'd say Stefan has made those points pretty clear." She placed a soothing hand on his arm. "I'm on your side." She returned to the dishes. "But, I would be lying to you if I said I didn't have any concerns about your relationship. And believe it or not, my concern has nothing to do with Katherine manipulating you, or using you. I understand that you are a grown man." She smiled. "More and more every day. But I do wonder if this relationship is making you happy now, and if it is, will it in five years?"
"I am perfectly happy with Katherine." Nikolas asserted.
"Doing what Nikolas?" Laura asked. "The two of you never go anywhere. Ever. The only time you see Katherine is when you join her in her hotel room." At his flush, Laura shook her head. "I'm not judging you Nikolas. What I am worried about is where this is going. You cannot be with Katherine and have all the things you want. For example. You've always said that you wanted a family full of children when you were older. That you didn't want your child to grow up alone like you did. Katherine is close to 40, her chances of giving you a family are running out, and you're not ready to start a family now." She pulled her hands out of the hot soapy water and wiped them on a dish towel. Taking one of his hands in her own, Laura led him to the kitchen table. "Sit, close your eyes. Now in your mind picture your relationship with Katherine in your mind. Look at it as if you were an outsider. What do you see?"
"Two people that care for one another." Nikolas declared resolutely.
"Look beyond that." Laura replied. "A 40 year old woman who was once engaged to her new lover's father. And an 18 year old young man who is very isolated from other people his own age. Now, project this couple five years into the future. Where are you? Is there a home? A marriage? A family? Something that connects you to one another?" When Nikolas is silent she procedes. "Try in ten years. What do you see now?"
Nikolas opened his eyes, and rose from the table. "Stop."
"Nikolas, the only reason I'm doing this is because I want you to think. What is it that you want? I know from first hand experience what it is to be stuck between lives. The one you have right now, and the one that you want for the future. And when there's no bridge between the two. . . ."
"That's your life Laura. It's not mine." Nikolas replied. How dare she tell him what to do with his life? Years of outright abandonment, followed by months of apathy, and neglect, to be followed by a few months of relative peace? "You've got no right." He begins to pace in anger. "You lost the right to interfere in my personal life a long time ago. The day you left me." Before she can say another word, Nikolas holds his hand up. "I don't want to hear about how you had no choices. There are always choices and sometimes they all stink but you have to make them anyway. But not you. You made NO choice. You had me and Stefan waiting for you in the past and Luke and Lucky in the present, and all of our lives have hinged around you. What is Laura feeling now? What does Laura want? That's fine for Luke, and for my father, but Lucky and I aren't like that. We have our own lives, and just because we both want to have you in our lives, and not dwell on all the lies we've been fed, does not give you an open invitation to take over my life. My relationship with Katherine is completely off limits Mother. It's what I want." He ran his fingers through his short hair. "I've got what I want right now, I'll deal with the future when it gets here." He looked around the kitchen. "I'm gonna go. Good night." He kissed her on the cheek and left through the back door.
