Sonny walks into Luke's the next morning. Luke is sitting at a tabledoing
paper work and Mike is restocking the bar for that night'spatronage.
"Good morning, Partner," Sonny says to Luke as he walks over to thebar and
pours himself a cup of coffee. "Mike."
"Good morning, Michael," Mike replies. "I'm glad to see youback."
"Hi, there, Partner," Luke returns the greeting. "How was yourtrip?
Productive, I hope."
Bringing his coffee with him, Sonny comes over to Luke's table andsits
down, "Yes, it was. What has been going on around here?" He takes adrink
of his coffee.
"Nothing much." Changing the subject, "Have you seen Ariel since yougot back?"
"No, not yet." Looking at his watch, "Maybe I should give her acall."
Sonny picks up his cup and goes to the bar to refill it and then headto
his office in the back.
Luke goes back to his paper work. Finding something in the paperwork, he
takes it up to the bar to discuss it with Mike. As they were talking,and
Luke's back is to the door, Robin and Robert come through the door.Seeing
Luke at the bar, Robin walks up so she is at his side, but Robertstays
behind Luke. "Hi Luke."
"Robin!" Luke says as he gives her a big hug. "What are you doinghome?
Are you feeling okay? Is anything wrong?"
Robin squeals, "Things could be better!! Life is great!! I'm on topof the
world!!" She hugs Luke again.
"What brought this on? Whatever it is, I hope we can bottle it. Youlook
great!" Luke smiles broadly at her.
Mike is watching the scene unfold before him. He is thrilled to seeRobin
so happy. He also notices the man that Robin came in with. A manaround
Luke's age and who is also grinning at Robin and Luke.
"What brought this on?" Robin's eyes are shining as she reaches herhand
out to someone behind Luke.
Luke turns around and is so taken back that he kind of stumbles overa
barstool and sits down. A look of pure shock appears on his face.Robin
goes over to the man and puts her arm around his waist and he putshis
around her.
"What is the matter, Mate? It looks like you've seen a ghost," an
Australian accented voice says with a wide grin.
"Robert??. . . Is that you?" Luke asks in a very shaky voice.
"Sure is. You can't get rid of me that easily. I'm like a bad penny.I
keep showing up," Robert replies grinning. Robin steps out ofRobert's
embrace and Robert steps over to his friend and draws him into ahug.
It takes Luke a minute or so to digest what is happening. Then,"Robert,
it is really you. Where have you been?" Luke says slapping him on theback
and hugging him again.
"That's a long story."
"Robin?" Luke says.
"I'm right here," Robin says from a barstool where she had satdown.
"Isn't this great, Luke!!!"
"It sure is!! When did you find out?"
"Last night when I got home."
Luke noticing Mike and the inquisitive look on his face turns to himand
says, "This is Robert, Robin's father and my best friend. I've toldyou
about him."
"I thought he was dead."
"That was what people were suppose to think. It made things saferfor
Robin that way," Robert explains.
"What happened, Robert? Where is Anna?" Luke asks.
"If you have a cup of coffee I'll tell you the whole story," Robertsays.
Just then Sonny comes out of the back room and sees Luke, Robert andRobin.
Luke sees him and calls him over, "Sonny, come over here. I havesomeone
I want you to meet." Sonny comes over to the group. "Robert, thisis
Sonny Corinthos, my partner here at Luke's. Sonny this is Robin'sfather,
Robert."
Extending his hand, "I was told you were dead." Robert shakes it.
"Well, that is a long story. Robin has told me a lot about you. Iwant to
thank you for being there for her when she needed it."
"No problem. She is like a little sister to me." Turning to Robin,"Hey,
Robin."
Robin slides off the bar stool and gives Sonny a big hug and whispersin
his ear, "Thank you." Sonny hugs her back and says in her ear,"You're
welcome."
Sonny keeps his arm around Robin's waist and says, "Well, I thinkthis is a
cause for a celebration."
"You're right, Sonny. Mike, set up four whiskeys and where are mycigars?"
Mike hands Luke a box of cigars as he goes and gets the 'good'whiskey and
pours four glasses. He also gets a glass of soda for Robin. Lukeis
passing out cigars. He goes to give one to Robin and Robin looks athim
like he lost his mind. "Go ahead and take it, Robin, as a souvenir ofyour
dad's homecoming."
"Okay, Luke, but I think you have lost it," Robin says shaking herhead and
taking the cigar.
Sonny hands her her soda and the men take their drinks. Luke raiseshis
glass in a toast. "Today Robin got her father back and I got one ofmy
best friends back. Welcome home, Robert."
"Thanks, Luke." They touch glasses and drink.
Sonny puts his glass on the bar. "I'm going to let you guys catchup.
Luke, I'll talk to you later." He heads back to his office.
"Okay, Robert, spill it. What happened?"
"How about a cup of coffee now and I'll tell you about it. At leastas
much as I can. I also want to hear about Laura and Lucky and I havebeen
told you now have a daughter."
"Dad, I'll see you later. I'm going to find Jason. Okay?"
"Okay, baby. I'll see you later." He kisses her forehead and shegoes
towards the back room.
Sonny is at his desk going over some papers when he hears a knock onthe
door. "Come in, Mike." He looks up and sees Robin. Grins, "Oh, hiRobin.
Come in."
Robin walks in and sits in a chair in front of the desk. Sonnycomes
around to the front of his desk and leans against it. "I want tothank you
for sending for me last night. I've never had a better gift."
"No problem, Robin, I was happy to do it."
"Sonny, my dad told me about how you work with him." Robin sees thea
concerned look come across Sonny's face. "Don't worry, Sonny. Iwon't
tell anyone. Not Brenda, not even Jason. I gave my dad my word andI'm
giving it to you. But, boy was I surprised when he told me." Sonnynods
his head and Robin continues, "I kind of made Dad tell me. Icouldn't
understand how you would know that he was alive and at home. I keptasking
him how you would know until he told me. Truthful, I'm still havinga
little bit of trouble believing it. Sonny Corinthos, reputed crimeboss is
actually a WSB agent. That is really weird."
Sonny laughs, "You know, when you put it like that, it does soundreally
weird. What else did your dad tell you about?"
"He told me that Ariel was also with the WSB and that she got youinto the
agency. And that he and Ariel have been really good friends for along
time. He said he had met you a long time ago before you came toPort
Charles."
"That is true. I met your dad about eight years ago, when Ariel firstgot
me involved with the agency. Ariel and I have been very good friendsever
since that time."
Robin stands up and hugs Sonny and teasingly says, "I still love youeven
though you are a lawman."
Sonny grins back at Robin, "That hurts."
They both laugh. "Now I have to go and find Jason and tell him thenews
about my dad."
Sonny kisses her on the forehead and says, "Good-bye. I'll see youlater."
And Robin leaves.
Ariel has just arrived at Wyndemere and Stefan has greeted her at thedoor.
He notices that she is wearing the locket he gave her the nightbefore and
is carrying a white teddy bear.
"I hope I'm not too early. I just couldn't wait any longer," Arieltells
Stefan.
Stefan shows her to the study, "That's fine. I expected you to beearly.
Victoria is upstairs. Have a seat and I'll go get her."
"Thanks, Stefan." Stefan leaves, but Ariel can't stay seated. Sheleaves
the bear on the sofa and walks over to a window that overlooks theriver
and peers out. 'What if Victoria doesn't like her? What will she doif
her little girl doesn't want her around?'
Ariel is lost in thought and doesn't hear Stefan and Victoriareturn.
Victoria looks up at Stefan and asks, "Who is the pretty woman,Papa?"
Hearing Victoria's voice Ariel turns around and smiles. She wants torun
and sweep Victoria into her arms and never let her go, but she knowsthat
would frighten her.
Stefan looks at Victoria and answers her question, "This is a veryspecial
friend of Papa's."
"Hello, Victoria," Ariel says to her daughter.
Ariel replies in a quiet voice, "Hello."
Remembering the bear she brought, Ariel goes over to the sofa andpicks it
up. "I saw this and thought of you. So I brought it for you."Ariel
holds the bear out to Victoria. Victoria doesn't make any movestowards
the bear and Ariel looks to Stefan for help.
"It's okay, Victoria. It is a very nice bear."
Victoria goes over and takes the bear from Ariel and stokes its fur.She
looks at Ariel and says, "Thank you."
Stefan can see that Ariel wants to hold Victoria and that Victoriafeels a
connection to Ariel, but is afraid to go near her. Stefan goes andsits of
the sofa and conveys though a look that Ariel should sit down on thesofa
also. Ariel goes and sits down leaving enough room for Victoria tosit
between them. "Victoria, come over here and show me your bear,"Stefan
says as he pats the space on the sofa between himself and Ariel.
"Yes, Papa." Victoria comes over and sits down on the sofa closerto
Stefan than to Ariel. "It's a nice bear, Papa," Victoria says asshe
holds it up to him to see.
Stefan smoothes her hair and says, "Yes, I can see that." Stefancontinues
to beam at his daughter. He takes a deep breath and starts,"Victoria,
this lady here," he reaches over Victoria's head and touchesAriel's
shoulder, "is your mother."
Victoria's eyes grow wide as she looks at Ariel. Ariel can not resistany
longer and draws Victoria to her. Stoking Victoria's hair and withtears
in her eyes Ariel leans down and kisses her head. "Oh, my baby, mybaby."
Stefan watches as mother and daughter continue to embrace. Victoriastarts
to pull away and Ariel releases her because she doesn't want tofrighten
her. Victoria looks at Ariel and asks, "You are my mother?"
"Yes, darling, I am your mother and I love you, Victoria." Victoriaallows
Ariel to draws her onto her lap and hold her close. Ariel kissesVictoria
on the top of her head and then again and then looks up at Stefan,"Thank
you, Stefan." She looks back down to her daughter on her lap andbegins to
rock her.
Stefan gets up quietly and leaves the room, pull the doors closebehind
him. He meets Nikolas in the foyer. Nikolas asks, "Where isVictoria?"
"She is in the study with Ariel," Stefan replies. He sees the lookon
Nikolas' face and adds, "Nikolas, she is her mother. I will not keepthem
apart. They need each other as much as I need you and Victoria."
Nikolas nods, "I understand, Uncle. But how are you going to keep herfrom
leaving like my mother?"
"I'm not sure," Stefan says thoughtfully.
Robin and Jason come through the front door and see Robert and Lukeat a
table laughing and getting reacquainted. They walk over to theretable and
overhear Luke saying, "Now, Robert, I think your brain got scrambleddown
in the Caribbean, because that is not the way it happened. I know, Iwas
there!'
"Luke, Luke, Luke, I was there too and that was exactly the way itwent
down," Robert replied.
"Okay, you two. No fighting is allowed. I can't leave you two alongfor
two minutes without you two getting into trouble," Robin reprimandsthem.
"Yes, ma'am," Robert and Luke say in unison, laughing.
Since Robin had told Robert about Jason's accident. He now workingfor
Sonny and using the name Jason Morgan, Robert looks at Jason andsays, "You
must be Jason Morgan. I'm Robert, Robin's father." Robert extendshis
hand to Jason.
Jason shakes it and replies, "Yep, I am. Robin has told me aboutyou."
"Sit down you two," Luke says.
"I need to see Sonny for a minute. Robin you have a seat and I'll beback
in a few minutes," Jason says.
Sitting down Robin says, "When you come back bring Sonny with youthere is
something I want to talk to all of you about."
"What do you want to talk to us about, Sweetheart?" Luke asksconcerned.
"Nothing to be that concerned with, Luke. But I want Sonny and Jasonto be
here," Robin replies.
After Jason has gone to the back room. Robert says to Robin, "Youtold me
about Jason, but I didn't expect him to be that different fromJason
Quartermaine."
"Yea, about the only thing that they have in common is their body,"Robin
says. "Sometimes I miss my friend, Jason Quartermaine, but Iwouldn't
change Jason Morgan for anything."
"Okay, who have you told about my dad?" Robin asks Luke.
"No one except for the ones of us here. Sonny and Mike," Lukereplies.
Robert and Luke exchange looks trying to figure out what Robin was upto.
Jason and Sonny come out of the back room and join them at thetable.
"Jason said you wanted to talk to me?" Sonny asks Robin.
Smiling broadly, "Since there are so many people who would like toknow
about my dad, I thought maybe a little party would be in order,"Robin
says.
"That is a great idea," Luke says. "We can have it here atLuke's."
Sonny nods his head yes and says, "Just tell me what you want me todo."
"Don't I have anything to say about having a party?" Robert asksgrinning.
"Yea, you do. Who do you want at your party?" Robin asks herfather.
The five them start planning the party. Soon they call Mike over tohelp
with the preparations.
It is now that evening and Edward and Lila had just arrived."Well,
Spencer what is this about?"
Looking at Lila, Luke reaches for her hand and kisses it. "When areyou
going to leave this old bag of wind and come and run away withme?"
"Mr. Spencer, you are such a cad," Lila says smiling at Luke.
"Well, Spencer?" Edward says in a huff.
Looking at Edward Luke says, "Edward, I promise you, you don't wantto miss
this. May I show you to your table?"
They go over to a table where Alan, Monica, AJ and Keesha aresitting. As
Luke looks around the room he sees that almost everyone is there.Kevin
and Lucy are talking to Justus and Ned. Lois and Brenda are talkingto
Robin and Jason. Audrey Hardy is having a word with her son, Tom, whois
trying to get Felicia's attention away from Frisco. Sonny and Arielhave
just come in and are headed for the back room. Frisco sees themand
excuses himself and as he follows them Tom goes over to Felicia.
When Sonny and Ariel enter his office they see Robert and Mac eachhave a
drink. "How are things looking out there?" asks Mac.
"Almost everyone is here that we called this afternoon."
"I better get out there so no one gets suspicious," says Mac just asthey
hear a knock on the door.
Sonny goes over and slowly opens the door to see who was there.Seeing it
was Frisco he lets him in.
"Hi, Frisco," says Mac as he starts to leave. As he passes Sonny hesays
to him, "I would never believe any of it, but Robert hadn't toldme."
Sonny smiles one of his grins, "Well, Mac you can't win themall."
"I guess not," Mac replies as he goes out the door.
As Sonny turns around he see Ariel giving Robert a big hug. "I'm gladwe
have a few minutes alone together. I have something I need to tellyou,"
Ariel says.
"Okay, shoot," Frisco replies.
Ariel sits down in one of the chairs facing Sonny's desk andbegins,
"Stefan came to see me last night."
"He did hurt you did he?" Robert asks concerned coming and sitting inthe
chair next to her. As Frisco and Sonny come over to her.
"No, Robert. He came to tell me that Helena was dead."
The three men looked at each other. Sonny inquires, "Did he say howshe died."
"He told me it was a malfunction of her respirator. But before shedied
she told him that my baby wasn't stillborn, that she had her stolento
punish Stefan and myself."
Ariel stops overcome with emotion and Sonny walks over to her andputs his
arms around her. "It will be all right. We will find your baby, I
promise." The other two nod thier heads affirmingly.
Ariel gets control of her emotions and continues, "That won't be
necessary. Helena told Stefan where he would find her and afterHelena
died he went and got Victoria and brought her back to Port Charleswith
him. She is at Wyndemere." She looks up at the three men with tearsin
her eyes.
"I promise you, Stefan will not keep you from seeing your daughter,"Robert
says. "I'll see to that."
Ariel smiles at Robert, "No, he won't. He told me that. I was at
Wyndemere almost all day with her. Stefan has promised me he justwants to
make sure Victoria and I are both safe and that he gets to help raisehis
daughter."
"Do you believe him?" Frisco asks.
"To an extent. I know he won't try to stop me from being with her.But
what he really wants is for us to be a family; Victoria, Nikolas, himand
me." Ariel sits quietly for a moment.
"Is that what you want?" Sonny asks.
She looks up at him and replies, "I don't know. . . Do you guys wantto
see pictures of my little girl?"
"We sure do," they say in unison.
Luke is looking around again trying to find Laura. When he called shesaid
she would be here and he wanted to tell her about Robert beforespringing
it on all the others. He goes over to Mike at the door. "Have yousee
Laura, yet?"
Just as Mike starts to tell him no, Laura walks in the door. Mikesays to
Luke, "You better turn around or she might bite you."
Luke turns around and gives Laura a big hug and kiss. "What is thisall
about, Luke? You call me this afternoon and tell me I need to behere
tonight for a part, but you didn't tell me why? What is goingon?"
Grinning Luke says to Laura, "Come and I'll show you." He takes herhand
lead her back to Sonny's office. Luke knocks at the door, "Sonny, itis
Luke."
They hear the lock unlock and Sonny opens the door. "Luke." He smilesat
Laura, "Laura, come in. We were just having a little toast before thebig
unveiling."
Luke and Laura come into Sonny's office and Laura is surprised byseeing
Frisco in the office with Sonny and Ariel. There is another manstanding
behind Frisco, but Laura can't make out who he is.
"Hi, Laura," Ariel says smiling. Though it looks like she has beencrying.
Frisco also greets Laura and then the man behind Frisco moves soLaura can
see who it is. Laura's eyes grow wide and her hand goes over hermouth,
"Oh my God!! Robert!!!"
"Hi, Laura," Robert says as he comes over and embraces her.
Laura is a little shaken as she turns around and faces Luke, "Howlong have
you known."
"Darlin,' I got the shock of my life when Robin showed up here thismorning
with him."
Turning back to Robert, "You've seen Robin? And Mac? When did you gethome?"
"Yes, Robin and I have spent some time together, but not nearlyenough.
Mac also knows. I saw them both last night. In fact this party isRobin's
idea."
"Oh, Robert it is so good to see you again. What happened to you?"Laura asks.
Just then there is another knock on the door and a feminine voicesays, "It
me, Robin." Luke turns around and lets her into the room. "Everyoneis
here. Are you guys ready?"
"Sure am, Sweetheart," Robert says as he walks over to Robin andkisses her
on the top of her head.
"If that is the case, we better get out there," Luke says. Sonny andAriel
get up to leave as well as Frisco. Luke and Laura also leave,leaving
Robin alone with her father.
"I hope you aren't too upset with the party. I just want everyone toknow
I have my dad back," Robin says to Robert.
"Of course not!" Robert says kissing her on the top of her headagain.
"Now if I can figure out a way to make you fourteen again."
"DAD!"
They both laugh as they leave Sonny's office and make it toward themain
part of Luke's. They stand just outside the door and listen to whatLuke
is saying. Luke had told them he would make the announcement aboutRobert
and they should wait until he signals them.
Luke is rapping a spoon against a glass to get everyone's attention.As
the crowd quiets down and turns their attention towards Luke, Mikelowers
the lights. Luke starts addressing the group. "You may wonder whyI
invited you all here tonight." Extremely serious, "It has come tomy
attention some of you have quite large bar bills. . ."
The group erupts in laughter except for Edward who sees no humor inLuke's
address. "Get on with it, Spencer, we don't have all night."
"Okay Edward, don't get your knickers in a tizzy. I'm going to tellyou a
very interesting story of what happened to me today."
A few groans can be heard from crowd. "This better be good, Luke,"Monica
yells at Luke.
"It is, Monica, it surely is. As I was saying a story about whathappened
to me today. Today started off like a lot of other days for me. Youknow,
get a little frisky with the wife. . ." The crowd starts to hootand
Laura blushes. Luke continues, "Get the boy off to school and feedmy
daughter breakfast. Then I come to the club and start slaving overthe
paper work. First, my partner shows back up from being out of town. .."
Luke raises his glass to Sonny and says, "Welcome back, Sonny."Sonny
holds up his drink to Luke and they both take a drink. "Then I getback to
work and I get interrupted again. This time by a sweet angel with ahuge
surprise." Luke stops talking for a moment, letting the suspenserise.
Edward speaks up again, "So get on with it, Spencer. What was thishuge
surprise you think we will all be interested in?"
Luke grins and says, "Robin, darlin' why don't you bring yoursurprise in
here so Edward doesn't have to wait any longer." Everyone turnstowards
where Luke is looking and they see the door to the back room open.Robin
comes out along with someone else. The people seated at tables can'tsee
who is with Robin because of the low lighting.
The is a stunned silence at the back of room until Bobbie says, "OHMY
GOD!!! IT'S ROBERT."
Robert goes over to Bobbie and says, "Hello, Bobbie. You are lookingas
beautiful as ever."
Bobbie rushes towards Robert and they embrace. This breaks the spellin
the room and Robert is surround by his old friends. Eventuallythings
settle down somewhat and Luke hands Robert a mike and Robert proceedsto
tell his friends what have happened to him and why he couldn't havebeen
with them. By the time he is finished there is not a dry eye in theroom
including Edward's. Robin goes up to Robert and they hug for a longtime
while the rest of room watch the love between father anddaughter.
Eventually Mac joins Robert and Robin and hugs them both. They staylike
that for a while then separate not being ashamed of the tears rollingdown
their cheeks.
Luke takes his glass and raises it to Robert. "Welcome home, Mate."There
is a chorus of 'welcome home' from the gathering of friends.
The party was in full swing. Everyone has recovered somewhat fromtheir
shock of seeing Robert alive and well. The champagne is flowingquite
freely as Sonny, Luke, Laura, Robert, Robin, Jason and Ariel arearound a
table drinking in the events of the evening.
Ariel notices Brenda at the bar talking to Mike. "If you will excuseme
for a few minutes, there is a 'little business' I must take care of,"Ariel
says as she stands up. She walks over to the bar and says to Mike, "Ineed
a bottle of your finest champagne."
"Coming right up," Mike replies with a wink. He returns with a bottleof
Moet White Star Champagne and shows it to Ariel. "Will this do?"
"Perfectly." Mike starts to open the bottle, but is interrupted. "Ican
do that, Mike," Ariel says as she takes the bottle and turns toleave. But
before she leaves the bar she takes Brenda's arm and pulls her offthe bar
stool and starts to lead her to the back room. "We need to havealittle
girl talk."
Sonny and the rest of the table watch what is transpiring at the barand as
Ariel pulls Brenda off the barstool, he starts to get up. Robinstands up
and blocks his way. "Leave it alone," she says seriously. Thenmore
light-hearted, "You promised me a dance." Sonny, looking bewildered,leads
Robin to the dance floor. Luke, Laura and Jason are perplex by theturn of
events, but Robert just smiles to himself.
Ariel and Brenda enter Sonny's office and Ariel tell Brenda to have aseat
as she starts looking for some glasses. "I know Sonny keeps someglasses
and a corkscrew back here."
"What do you think you are doing? Are you drunk?" Brenda asks.
Ariel opens one of the desk drawers and pulls out two glasses andthe
corkscrew and preceded to open the champagne. "Not yet. Tell youwhat,
Brenda, we're going to play a little game of Truth or Dare. You everplay
it?" Brenda looks a Ariel like she has completely lost her mind."No?
Okay here are the rules." Ariel pours them each a glass of champagneand
hands one to Brenda. "First you take a drink of champagne, likethis."
Ariel takes a drink. "Mmmmm. Mike knows his champagnes. Then you askthe
other person 'Truth or Dare?' If that person responds 'truth,' thenthey
must answer your question honestly; if they say 'dare'S"
Interrupting, "I know how to play Truth or Dare. What is thisabout?"
insisted Brenda.
"Good. You know the rules. Sit down." Ariel pushes Brenda towardsa
chair and she sits in the other. Brenda sits down exasperated.
"Okay, I'll start." Ariel takes a big drink of her champagne."Brenda,
Truth or Dare?"
Brenda rolls her eyes and says, "Truth."
Ariel smiles, "Is everything completely over between you andJax?"
Brenda looks annoyed and thinks, 'Why am I playing this childish gamewith
*her*?'
"Now, now Brenda, you said truth, now let's have it. Iseverything
completely over between you and Jax?"
"Yes. I found out yesterday that I don't even need a divorce becauseJax
and I were never legally married. He left for Australia todaywith
Miranda."
"Good. Your turn."
Brenda takes a sip of her champagne and says "Truth or Dare?"
"Truth."
"Have you ever slept with Sonny?"
A devious smile comes onto Ariel's lips, "Why, yes, I have fallenasleep in
his arms."
"That is not what I asked about and you know it."
"Now, now Brenda, I answered your question truthfully. I have sleptwith
Sonny. If you want to know if I have *slept* with him you'll justhave to
ask a clearer question next time. My turn." Finishing off her glassof
champagne and pouring herself another. She looks at Brenda's glass tosee
if she needs a refill. "Now Brenda you're getting behind. You mustkeep
up," motioning to her glass.
"I'm doing quite well, thank you."
"Oh yeah, Truth or Dare?"
"Truth"
"Do you trust Sonny with you life, your heart and your soul?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"One you said you would answer truthfully. Do you trust Sonny withyou
life and your heart and your soul? I seem to be repeating myself alot
tonight," Ariel says shaking her head.
Brenda squirms a little in her chair and takes a drink of herchampagne.
'What does this woman want? Why is she doing this? She is the oneSonny
wants now?' Very softly Brenda answers, "Yes."
Ariel closes her eyes and says a silent thank-you prayer to God. Sheopens
her eyes, "Your turn."
"Truth or Dare?"
"Truth."
Brenda stares at Ariel remembering the first question she asked herand the
answer she gave. "Okay Ariel, have you and Sonny ever had sex, madelove,
had intercourse, whatever you want to call it?" Brenda's voicegets
slightly higher each time she adds a new phrase.
Ariel looks at Brenda, smiles and answers, "*No*." She watchesfor
Brenda's reaction.
Brenda looks at Ariel in disbelief. Forgetting all about the game,"You
mean you and Sonny has slept together, but never had sex? You expectme to
believe that."
"It is the truth. Sonny and I love each other. We are very good
*friends*. We have been there for each other a lot of times. We haveheld
each other through the night as the other has cried. I would not givethat
up to become his lover, nor would he. Besides, he is *in love* withyou
and he will be for the rest of his life." Lean over towards Brenda,"Now
what are you going to do about it?"
Brenda is stunned. She finishes off her champagne. Ariel reaches forthe
bottle and fills both of their glasses.
It has been about a half hour since Ariel and Brenda disappeared intothe
backroom. Sonny is definitely ruffled. He hasn't been able toconcentrate
on anything since the two off them left the room. The tension is
unbearable to him. "What do you think is going on back there?" heasks.
Mike, who has just brought another round of drinks to the table, says"Who
knows? But I haven't heard any screaming or gunshots in the lasthalf
hour?" He grins at Sonny. The rest of the table laugh. It was justwhat
they needed to break the tension.
Sonny shows one of his famous wide grins, flashing his dimples,
sarcastically saying, "Ha, ha, Mike. Very funny."
Just then Sonny sees Brenda and Ariel coming out of the back room.They
are laughing and both look a little drunk. They come over to thetable and
Ariel leans down and kisses Sonny on the cheek. "This was a greatparty.
I'll see you tomorrow, I'm going home." She turns to Robert andwinks,
"Nice to have met you, Sir. You are too cute to be dead." She turnsto
leave and bumps into Brenda. She leans over and whispers in her ear,"He
is all yours, sister. Don't blow it."
Sonny stands up and takes Ariel arm, "I'll take you home."
Ariel tries to breaks free of Sonny's grasps, "No, no, no. You havebetter
things to do tonight besides taking me home." She winks at Sonny.
Sonny stares at her for a moment, then pulls her into a hug andwhispers in
her ear, "I don't want to know what you told Brenda, but thanks, Iowe you
one."
She whispers back into his ear, "Anytime, Sonny. Just don't blow itor you
will be answering to me."
He releases her and turns to Mike, "Would you tell my driver to takeAriel
back to her hotel."
"Sure." Mike looks a little puzzled. He had never seen Sonny ditch adate
like this before. Mike takes Ariel by the arm and leads her to thedoor.
Brenda sits down beside Robin having only eyes for Sonny. BeforeSonny
sits back down, he and Robert exchange a knowing look. They both knowthat
Ariel is stone-cold sober and putting on a little act for theothers
benefit.
When Ariel joined the WSB, one of her unique qualities that they
capitalized on was her ability to drink alcohol and not have itaffect her
one bit. Something in her make up didn't allow alcohol to get intoher
blood stream when she drank. She had been tested by numerous doctorsand
scientist and noone could explain it, but she could drink a fifthof
whiskey and her blood alcohol level would never raise oneone-hundredth of
a point. She could drink the most seasoned drunk under the tableanytime
and still be stone-cold sober like she was tonight. Many were thetimes
that foreign agents thought they got priceless information out ofher, when
all they got was what the WSB wanted them to know.
Ariel comes out Luke's slightly swaying and runs into Nikolas.
"Nik-o-las," she draws out his name in a slight slur and pats hischeek
with her hand. She then calls to the valet to get her car.
"I don't think you should be driving," Nikolas says lookingdisgustingly at
Ariel.
Ariel leans over towards Nikolas almost losing her balance and says,"Don't
worry little prince. I can drive as well as you can." Arielstarts
laughing, "Oh that's right, you can't drive."
Just then Stefan come up to Nikolas. "Nikolas, I've been looking foryou.
Do you know how late it is? Where have you been?" Stefan sayssternly.
Then he notices Ariel.
Ignoring Stefan, "Oh, my car is here. It has been fun, little prince,but
I must be going." Ariel tries to curtsey to him, but loses herbalance and
falls down. She starts laughing as she looks up at Nikolas andStefan.
"Hi StS StefS Stefawn."
Stefan looks at Nikolas, then to Ariel struggling to stand up. Hehelps
her up and then turns to the valet saying, "Put her car back, I'lltake her
home. She should not be driving."
"Now, Steffin. I can drive."
"No, you can't. You are coming with Nikolas and me."
He takes Ariel by the arm and ushers her to his limo. Soon she isseated
between him and Nikolas. Ariel rests her head on Stefan's chest. Asmall
smile of satisfaction comes across her face as she closes her eyesand
listens to his heartbeat.
Nikolas notices that they are going in the wrong direction for thePort
Charles Hotel. "Aren't we taking her back to her hotel?"
"No, she is coming to Wyndemere so she can't get into any moretrouble."
"UncleS"
"Nikolas, I have spoken."
Nikolas knew his uncle had his mind made up and wasn't about tochange it.
Ariel was coming to Wyndemere with them, whether he likes it ornot.
As the three enter Wyndemere, Nikolas leaves Ariel and Stefan asStefan
steers Ariel into the library. He helps her off with her coat andshe
collapses onto the sofa. "Ariel, what are you doing to yourself,"he
whispers to himself. Stefan removes his coat also and puts both ofthem
over the back of a chair.
Ariel had been silent since they had gotten into the limo. Justthen
Nikolas enters the library with a tray with coffee. He sets the traydown
on the table and looks at Stefan, "I thought this might help."
"Yes, it might. Thank you"
Nikolas pours a cup of dark, strong coffee and takes it over toAriel.
"Ariel, here." She looks up a him. Her eyes reminded him of thelost
animals he would find on the island and tend to. She takes the coffeeand
takes a sip.
Nikolas turns to Stefan, "It's late, I'm going to bed."
He walks over to his uncle and they exchange good night kisses."Good
night, Nikolas."
Nikolas then leave the room. Ariel continues to drink the coffeethat
Nikolas had given her. Stefan comes over and sits next to Arieland
tentatively caresses her hair. "Ariel, what is going on?"
She turns to him and looks deeply into his eyes. "StefanS" Justthen
Stefan's cell phone rings. It rings several times. "Aren't you goingto
answer that?" Ariel asks.
Stefan looks at her then picks up the phone. "Cassadine, hereSYesS"
Stefan gets up from the sofa and walks over to the other side of theroom
while continuing his conversation.
Ariel also gets up and walks over to a window that looks out overthe
river. The moon is just a crescent and the stars are shiningbrightly.
She wraps her arms around her waist. She looks up at the stars lostin her
own thoughts. 'Is she ready to let Stefan back into her life? Couldshe
find a balance between what she needs and what he wants fromtheir
relationship? Can they recapture what they once had? Does he evenwhat to
try? What about Victoria and Nikolas?' So many questions she couldnot
answer.
Ariel is so lost in thought that she doesn't realize that Stefan hasended
his call and has walked over to her until she feels the heat of hisbody
behind her. He wraps his arms around her waist and she leans backinto
them feeling the his strength. After a short while she turns aroundin his
arms to face him and realizes he has removed his jacket. She smilesup at
him. He looks less formidable without his jacket and she reaches upand
brushes her lips against his. He pulls her closer to his body andthey
begin a long probing kiss. The kiss breaks and Ariel starts tounbutton
his shirt; he takes hold of her wrist and moves her hands away fromhim.
"When I make love to you again, you are going to remember it inthe
morning," he tells her.
She coos, "I will remember tomorrow." Trying to free her hands fromhis
grasp so she can finish unbuttoning his shirt.
"No, you won't in your condition."
Ariel looks straight into his eyes and says, "I'm as sober as you areand I
*will* remember everything I said and done tonight."
Stefan looks deep into her eyes and realizes she is telling him thetruth.
He pushes her away. "Is this another of your games, Ariel? I willnot
make love to you in the night, just to have you disappear when thesun
comes up. I will not have it!"
Ariel approaches him and puts her hands on his chest and lookscommandingly
into his eyes. "I will give you fifty years with an option foranother
fifty."
Stefan is stunned, "Are you sure?"
"More sure of it than anything else in this world. I love you,Stefan.
This time I have spent in Port Charles seeing you, but not being withyou,
has shown me how much I love you and want you and need you. Pleasedon't
send me away. I know I have done some awful things to you, but canyou
find it in you heart to forgive me?"
Stefan sees the tears welling up in her eyes through the tears inhis.
Hoarsely he says, "I love you, Ariel, and I will take those fiftyyears."
With that he pulls her to him and plants a very passionate kiss onher
lips. She wraps her arms around his neck and returns the kiss.Stefan
picks her up and carries her up the stairs to his bedroom where heplaces
her on the bed and she finishes removing his shirt and starts on therest
of his clothes as he starts on hers. Soon there is a mixture ofclothes on
the floor by the bed and Stefan and Ariel lock in feverishlovemaking.
Afterwards Ariel lies contentively in Stefan's arms. He is caressingher
body gently. He notices a chain around Ariel's neck and reaches up tofind
that she is wearing the Cassadine pendent that he had given her somany
years ago. He takes it in the palm of his hand and looks inquizzinglyat
Ariel. "You kept wearing this all these years."
Ariel rotates in his arms so she is facing him and softly caresseshis
face, "Yes, it reminded me of you and what we once had and what Ihoped we
could have again someday."
He lets the pendent drop back against her skin and cups her chin inhis
hand as he brings his lips to hers. He kisses them lightly and thenlooks
at her saying, "Someday is now." Ariel draws him closer to her asshe
places her lips on his and starts another long probing kiss whichturns
into another expression of their deep love for each other.
Stefan wakes up. It is still dark, but he feels something is wrong.He
reaches for Ariel, but she is not there in his bed. He turns on thelamp
on the nightstand which casts just enough light for him to tell thatAriel
is not in the room. He panics. "Not again," he says to himself as hegets
up and pulls on a silk robe. He goes out into the hallway and soonfinds
Ariel, dressed in his shirt, standing in the doorway of Victoria'sroom
watching her sleep. He sighs a breath of relief and walks up behindher
and wraps his arms around her, softly kissing her on the top of herhead.
"I woke up and you weren't there."
"Mmmmm." Ariel wraps her arms around Stefan's. There is a diamondand
emerald ring on her finger. "I woke up and you were sleeping sopeacefully
that I didn't want to disturb you. I felt like I needed to checkon
Nikolas and Victoria. Even though Nikolas would probably be mortifiedif he
caught me checking on him tonight."
Stefan laughs softly. Stefan lovingly kisses the top of Ariel'shead,
again. "You always did have to check on Nikolas in the middle of thenight
before," Stefan remembers. "Your maternal instincts were very ingraineven
back then. You are right, he would be self-conscious if he knewyou
checked on him. He caught me checking on him in the middle of thenight a
couple of years ago and he was mortified. He thought he was too oldfor me
to do that. He made you me promise him I wouldn't check on him inthe
middle of the night any more."
Ariel smiles, "So now you are sneaker about it."
Stefan kisses the top Ariel's head and says, "Well, he hasn't caughtme since."
Ariel looks at a sleeping Victoria. "Isn't she beautiful?"
"The most beautiful thing in the world after her mother," Stefananswers.
They stand there together for a long while watching their daughtersleep.
Finally Stefan's says, "You're cold. Come back to bed. Our littlegirl
and Nikolas will be here when we get up and we can tell them the goodnews,
then."
Ariel turns in Stefan's arms and faces him, "Yes, they will. I loveyou,
Stefan."
"I love you, Ariel." They gently kiss and walk back to *their*bedroom.