Chapter 59
Breathe, Bobbie, Breathe, she urges herself. This isn't the end of the world, even though it feels like the bottom dropped out. It's just your ex-husband rough-housing with your grandson like he has more right to be with him than you do. And the sick part is, he probably does. Bobbie forces in a breath and makes the mistake of looking into Stefan's eyes. His triumphant look is more than she can bear.
"Barbara, this is unexpected." Stefan's greeting is smooth, Bobbie notices, even in her stunned state. And his tone is tinged with amusement.
Please Lord, Bobble pleads. If you swallow me up into the floor right now, I'll never ask for another favor for the rest of my life. I can't do this. I just can't. I can't make pleasant conversation, I can't pretend I don't want to hug and kiss that sweet little boy. I can't pretend this isn't burning a hole in my heart. Please, leave me some dignity. Set my pager off, set the room on fire, anything that'll save me from this humiliating confrontation. I don't think it's too much to ask.
Bobbie's heart skips at the look of recognition in Michael's face as he sits atop Stefan. Glancing around room, she realizes with relief that Carly is nowhere to be seen. She offers up a prayer of thanks for that small favor. Coming face to face with Stefan and Michael was bad enough without having to go another ten rounds with her daughter too.
Stefan turns his head towards Michael and holds up a hand to help Michael to dismount. "Your horse needs a break, Michael. Come down."
Crouching to be at her grandson's level after Michael dismounts, Bobbie finds her voice. "Hello, Michael. My, how you've grown. Such a big boy!" Hungry for details, Bobbie takes in the many changes since the last time she saw him, over a month ago. His hair is longer and thicker, his face thinner. He's standing on his own feet and ... "He's walking!" She exclaims. "When-?"
"Michael took his first steps several days ago," Stefan answers. Even with his carefully neutral tone, the pride shines through. "He hasn't stopped walking since. His mother is responsible for Michael's rapid progress. She has made it her mission to provide him with a loving home environment, since she knows more than anyone how important it is."
Stefan's words slice through Bobbie with surgical precision, cutting deep where it hurts her the most. For what seems like the hundredth time, she is reminded how completely she had failed Carly and Michael, that turned her back on them by believing the lies rather than her own child. Her actions had forced Carly to find help from her exhusband, and to salvage her family without Bobbie.
She pushes those thoughts out of her mind. Michael was here in front of her, looking at her with a combination of curiosity, recognition and shyness. "He's so beautiful." Unable to resist, Bobbie reaches out a hand to touch Michael's head. He responds by backing up against Stefan and whimpering. Anguish swamps her. Already he's wary of me. And soon he won't know me anymore and he'll be afraid of me.
Stefan wraps a comforting arm around Michael's middle, almost as if to shield him from Bobbie's advances. ""I believe his mother has made her intentions clear where you are concerned. It would be best if you left."
"Of course," Bobbie whispers. Her head bowed to hide her tears, she rises to her feet. She wipes the evidence away quickly before giving Michael one last smile. "Good bye, Sweetheart. Know that Grandma loves you. Give your Mama a kiss for me, okay?"
"Ma-ma... kiss." Michael repeats.
Bobbie turns away and bites her lip hard to keep from sobbing. One foot in front of the other. Even though it's breaking your heart, you have to do this. Once at the door and able to speak without sobbing, she says over her shoulder, "I'm counting on you to take good care of them, Stefan. If they need anything and I can help.... you know what to do." She leaves without waiting for an answer.
Staring at the door she left through, Stefan kisses the top of Michael's head. "Yes, Barbara. I will."
Bobbie walks swiftly back to the nurses station, determined to bury her anguish in the mountain of patient charts she needs to review. Her head down, she doesn't hear Nikolas' voice or see him step in front of her until she bumps right into him. "Woah, Bobbie!" Nikolas exclaims. "What's wrong?"
One look at Nikolas' concern and Bobbie's face crumbles. She buries her face in her hands as Nikolas holds her elbows lightly. "Hey, this must be big! You look like you lost your best friend."
Quickly recovering Bobbie wipes the tears off her face and draws in a deep breath. She has to get a hold of herself. This situation with Carly and Michael isn't going to get better anytime soon, if anything, it is going to get worse. "Oh, it's nothing new. I just saw Michael and...." Bobbie shakes her head, trying to shake off the feelings. "It's nothing new. Carly can't stand the sight of me, and every day I miss more of Michael growing up. It's time I got used to it. "
Nikolas pulls her into a hug. "I know it can't be easy when you love them as much as you do. Family is everything to you."
"Yeah well, it's my own fault. I realize that. I just.." Much as Bobbie is tempted to accept his comfort, she pulls away. Darn it, she caused this mess, she deserves what she's getting. Time to buck up and take it like a grown up. Forcing a weak smile on her face, Bobbie straightens her spine and pats Nikolas on the arm. "I wasn't expecting to see Michael today, so I was thrown a bit. I'll be fine in a minute. I really need to get back to work or I'll be even farther behind."
Nikolas gives Bobbie's a searching look "Are you sure?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Bobbie catches a flash of familiar blonde hair leaving the elevator. Glancing towards it, her heart sinks into her stomach when she realizes it's Carly. No, not now. Bobbie turns her attention back to Nikolas and says in a rush, "Yes, I'm perfectly fine, really. Listen, it's great seeing you. I'm sorry I have to dash off, but maybe we can catch up later? Drop by the Brownstone anytime." Not waiting for Nikolas' to say goodbye, Bobbie makes an about-face and heads towards the medical library.
Nikolas watches her, wondering what caused Bobbie's abrupt retreat. Then he hears himself being hailed. "Nikolas!"
Nikolas turns towards the voice and finds Carly right behind him. "Carly. Have you seen my father? Is he in his office? I need to speak to him."
"Yes, he's in his office." Carly steps in front of Nikolas when he starts to leave. "But you're not leaving until we talk."
Nikolas studies Carly's serious expression. She was angry and determined. "That sounds ominous. Is there a problem? Helena hasn't bothered you again, has she?"
"No, Helena hasn't bothered me, but you and I have a serious problem."
"If it's not Helena, then what is it?" Nikolas asks, his impatience showing. "I've kept my promise. I haven't interfered between you and my father."
"Like hell." Carly waves her finger at Nikolas. "You are a snitch, that's what. You must have run straight to Daddy after my run-in with the Granny from Hell. Couldn't wait to tell him, could you?"
"I went to my father because I know what Helena is capable of," Nikolas retorts angrily. "What is it with you? First, you deliberately provoke her and now you're mad at me for telling my father of the threat. Didn't he tell you what Helena is capable of? She's lethal."
"I've heard all the stories and I can take care of myself, thank you. I take care of my own problems and I protect what is mine. If I need Stefan's help, I'll ask him myself. I don't need some little man with a God complex deciding when I need to be protected from myself!" She steps forward and pokes Nikolas in the chest. "I don't need you poking your nose in my business. I was handling Helena just fine before you showed up."
"You call pushing her into the mud, handling it?"
"I wouldn't have needed to push her into the mud if you hadn't stuck your nose into it. You made me look weak in front of her when you rushed in to protect me. You made her think I needed a man to defend me, which makes me an attractive target for manipulating Stefan. You mind your business from now on, you got that? In the future, don't do me any favors. Next time you get the urge to rescue me, just walk the other way."
Nikolas shakes his head in derision. "You're nuts, you know that? Fine, if that's the way you want it, I won't lift a finger to help you."
Quartermaine Mansion
Emily slams open the front door as she enters, her parents rushing up from behind to keep up with her. Taking the steps two at a time, Emily is half way up before Alan stops her. "You come down here right now, Young Lady! We're not through with you yet."
Emily turns back to give her parents a scathing look. "Yes, you are because I can't stand to even look at you. You may have forced me to come home with you this afternoon, but you can't make me sit and listen to your garbage."
"Emily Quartermaine, you come down here this instant!" Alan bellows, yelling more from a feeling of helplessness than true rage.
Emily raises her chin defiantly. "Then come and get me, because the only way you're going to keep me in the same room with you is if you pick me up bodily and carry me down kicking and screaming!"
"And this is from a young lady who wants us to consider her an adult?" Monica asks in a normal tone. "I don't see an adult on that staircase, I see a petulant little girl."
Emily takes a couple steps up, then unable to ignore Monica's bait turns around to face them again. "I was mortified! I can't believe you would break into Nikolas' house and embarrass me like that! You attacked him, Dad, as if that was mature. Then you threatened to have him arrested. How did you think I would feel? Did you expect me to thank you for humiliating me in front of the man I love?"
Alan shakes his head emphatically. "I'm not going to apologize for what I did, Emily. I'm never going to apologize for protecting you. If it causes you embarrassment, so be it."
"Emily, we love you," Monica chimes in. "It's our job to know what's going on in her life. How can we trust your judgment if you don't tell us what's going on? We found out about this relationship by accident. You want us to treat you like an adult, but how can we when you act so irresponsibly as to keep such huge secret as this? It made us both believe you had some deep dark reason to hide this from us."
"You don't get it, do you?" Emily walks down a couple steps to continue the argument. "What happened today... that was the EXACT reason I didn't tell you when I started my relationship with Nikolas. I knew you'd overreact. I knew you wouldn't trust me to know what is right for me."
"I know you don't believe it, but Nikolas is a threat," Alan argues. "He's much older than you, and even though I have found him in the past to be a charming young man, he comes from a dangerous family. Add to it the fact that he convinced you to keep this sordid affair a secret, and it just confirms my suspicion that he will hurt you. I can see how he fooled you, convinced you he wanted to marry you. But he is nothing but a playboy, spoiled and rich and out for his own gratification. He's using you, Emily."
Emily throws up her hands in disgust. "You haven't listened to a word either Nikolas or I have told you! Why do I bother? He loves me and I love him and we will be together no matter what you do. You can't stop us. It won't be long before I'm eighteen and free of you both!" She turns on her heel and stomps up the steps.
"You will not see him, Emily," Alan shouts after her. "If I catch him anywhere near you, I'll have him arrested! You hear me?!" A moment later, her bedroom door slams.
Monica tugs on Alan's arm, pulling him towards the living room. "Alan! Threatening her is only going to make it worse. You keep at it, and she'll bolt on us. Then where will we be?"
"Damn it, Monica, she's just a little girl!"
"She's seventeen years old and Mac isn't going to arrest Nikolas for anything. She's practically an adult. Please, we can't alienate her any further."
"You think we should just roll over and let this jerk use her? You think we should turn a blind eye to all the secrets and lies." Alan paces the length of the living room. "I can't get the image of that scum in bed with our little Emily. She's too young, she's..." Alan stops and covers his face with his hand.
Monica wraps her arms around his waist. "Oh, Alan, she's not a little girl anymore. I don't know how we missed the transformation, but it's happened. Our daughter is well on her way to being a grown woman and the sooner we accept her as she is, the better chance we have of salvaging a relationship with her. Of being able to guide her."
Alan shakes his head even as he sags against Monica. "No. She's still my little girl. She's still the girl who joked with Sidney."
"She hasn't been that girl for a long time," Monica refutes. "Somehow, this last year, Emily has lulled us into a false sense of security. We should have noticed how quiet, serious and compliant she's been, not at all normal for a girl her age. But now it's too late, and even if we'd known all along..."
Alan wraps his arms around Monica, kissing her on the head. He's tired. Tired and defeated. "We never should have let her go visit Robin alone. One of us should have been with her, then Nikolas wouldn't have had a chance to get his hands on her..."
"Nikolas isn't the problem, and deep down you know that. We've always known Emily was sweet on Nikolas. It was only a matter of time before Nikolas realized what a beautiful incredibly wonderful young woman she is. I doubt we could have stopped it even if we'd been there. Did you see how she was with him, Alan? She loves him."
Alan groans unhappily. "I hate it. I'm going to have to apologize to her after all, aren't I?"
"I think a cooling-off period is in order. Emotions are high for all of us. Give it a day or so, and I think we'll all be able to sit down rationally and discuss some ground rules." Monica smiles at Alan lovingly. "My Big Lug, have I told you lately how much I love you?"
"Hi, Mr Man! Did you miss me?" Carly gives Michael a quick squeeze and a kiss on the head. "I bet you didn't miss me at all. How was he?" Carly asks Stefan.
Stefan grins down at Michael. "Except for the humiliation of being used as horse, it was a rousing success."
Carly's eyes light up with laughter. "Oh really? He got you to do that, huh? Where's my camera when I need it?"
"My babysitter rate just went up," Stefan replies suggestively. "I will require extra compensation."
"Oh, you're just full of surprises today, aren't you?" Carly starts to gather the toys as she continues to tease Stefan. "You let Michael feed you bologna, you agreed to be his babysitter for an hour, played horse with him, and now you demand favors as compensation? This should be fun."
"It's a certainty." Stefan walks up behind his desk and straightens the papers and starts putting files in his briefcase. "There was an unexpected visitor while you were gone."
Carly pauses in the packing of Michael's diaper bag. "Oh no, don't tell me Monica stopped by?"
"No." Stefan snaps his briefcase shut and stands it on it's end. "But your mother did."
"Ohhhh." Carly winces. "How bad a scene was that?"
"If she had a camera, I believe she would have had blackmail pictures," Stefan answers wryly. "She caught us in the midst of the horse game. The visit was civil and it was obvious she had no inkling before she arrived that Michael was in my office. She left when I reminded her of your wishes."
"Ugh . That must have been uncomfortable."
"Not so much for me, but certainly for your mother." Stefan searches Carly's shuddered expression. "Should I have handled it differently?"
"No, that was fine." After slinging the bag over her shoulder, Carly leans over the desk to give Stefan a quick kiss on the mouth. "Shall I call you after Michael goes to bed?"
"I would like that." Stefan rounds the desk to crouch next to Michael. "Good bye, Michael. I hope you can convince your mother to include me in more of your picnics. Though, perhaps the next one should be at the park, hmm?"
Chapter 60
"What do you mean, you lost track of her?" Stefan demands into the phone. "I pay you to keep up with her, how else are you to protect her? You find her and don't lose her this time... FINE. Update me in an hour. " He turns off the phone angrily and places it on his desk.
"Trouble?" Nikolas as he walks through doorway, dressed in a turtleneck and slacks.
Stefan clenches and unclenches his jaw, his frustration evident. "Hello, Nikolas. It appears Caroline has once again slipped out from under her guard's watchful eyes. My exhortations to take the risk of Helena seriously seem to have little impact."
"You feared as much." Nikolas enters the study and takes a seat in one of the high back chairs. "And I have more bad news on that front, I'm afraid. Carly and I had words today."
"You gave me your word you wouldn't antagonize her."
"I didn't. At least I didn't think I did," Nikolas tries to explain. "It seems she took exception to my attempt to shield her from Helena. She believes that Helena will view her as more of a target because I interfered in their argument. She is convinced she can handle Helena on her own." He shakes his head ruefully. "She won't listen to me because she doesn't trust my motives."
"I appreciate your attempt to reason with her. I will have to try again." Stefan places his hands on his desk and rises. "How is Miss Quartermaine? I gather Helena has not harassed her."
"Not so far, but Emily's parents have discovered the true nature of our relationship." Nikolas sighs, running his hand over his head. "Her father went ballistic. The scene might have been comical if I had not been a participant."
"Did he harm you?" Stefan asks in a low threatening voice. He looks Nikolas over carefully and doesn't catch anything amiss. No bruises that he can tell. "If he so much as touched a hair on your head..."
Nikolas waves him off. "No, nothing serious on the physical front, but he was pretty threatening. I'm more worried about Emily, the whole scene shook her up pretty bad."
"If I can be of assistance, you will let me know?"
"Sure, but I have it under control." Nikolas smoothes out the collar of the turtleneck, thankful that he thought to cover the marks Alan's choke-hold gave him. The last thing he needs is his father getting involved. "However, I've decided to extend my trip abroad a few days to give the Quartermaines time to cool off. If it's acceptable to you, I want to take the jet tonight. I'll return Sunday as planned."
"You've chosen a wise course of action. You can't be a target if you aren't on the board." Stefan sits back for a second, realizing this not only applies to the situation with Nikolas and Alan, but to Carly and Helena as well. He will have to give it some thought. Filing it for later consideration, Stefan returns to the topic at hand. "From what I recall of my research on Alan Quartermaine, it revealed that despite his charming demeanor, he has a significant history of violence. He can be quite lethal when he or his loved ones are threatened. Be careful around him, Nikolas."
Books of fabric swatches and wall paper samples cover the horizontal surfaces of the cottage living room. Vincent and Carly are camped out on the couch, debating the various color schemes for the house they are redecorating. "Do you think Madame Rollingford will go for this floral pattern, Carly?" Vincent strokes the brocade lovingly. "It's so lovely, but perhaps for a smaller piece. It could be a lovely accent to the stripped pattern we picked out for the love seat and sofa."
"Yes, I think you're right. The antique chair in her living room would look classy with that pattern." Carly picks up a wallpaper sample book from the coffee table and flips through until she finds the one she's looking for. "This.. this is the wallpaper we want. Don't you think?"
"Oh Darling, that's perfect!" Vincent exclaims. "On my own it would have taken me hours to find it. What a memory and eye for color you have!"
Carly grins happily, jotting down notations of sample numbers and prices. "I think we're done for now. I'll do the calculations on how much we'll need of each and calculate the cost. Then we're ready to give Mrs Rollingford our proposal."
"You make a splendid partner, Carly." Vincent checks his watch, snaps his briefcase shut and rises. "I really do have a run. James and I have a date tonight and I don't have much time to get ready. I'll set up a meeting for the beginning of next week with Madam Rollingford. So you'll write up the proposal and fax it to me tonight? We'll talk tomorrow."
Carly follows Vincent to the door. "Thanks for this opportunity, Vincent. I'm learning so much."
"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you."
Carly reaches for the front door just as the door bell rings. She opens it to find a pale Emily on her doorstep. "Emily! Hi."
Emily looks between Carly and Vincent and starts to retreat. "Oh, I'm interrupting, aren't I? I should have called first."
"Nonsense, Sweetheart." Vincent gives the young woman a bright smile as he blows a kiss goodbye at Carly. "We were just finished. Carly, we'll talk tomorrow."
"That was Vincent, he's helping me learn the Interior Design business." Carly motions for Emily to come in and shuts the door. She quickly clears the couch and coffee table of sample books and stacks them by the desk. "He's.. uh, he's affectionate but harmless. Come on in, have a seat."
"I know the type from my brief career in modeling. He seems nice." Awkward and nervous, Emily sits in one corner of the sofa and smooths her skirt over her legs. "I really should have called first. I just.. yesterday you said I should stop by sometime..."
"I meant it." Carly takes a seat at the opposite side of the couch and studies Emily. She doesn't know Emily very well at all, but anyone could tell Emily looks devastated. Was Emily here because something happened or in spite of it? She really doesn't know Emily enough to pry, and yet... "You want to tell me what's going on? You look like your dog just died."
Emily's control slips for just a second and she almost cries but she quickly puts herself back together. This isn't why she is here and Carly isn't someone she would pick to confide in anyway. "Nothing you need to worry about. I just wanted to ask you if you really meant it when you said I could see Michael."
Carly smiles with relief. Even if she liked Emily and wanted to help, she certainly didn't qualify as someone who could give a teenager advice. "Yeah, I meant it. There will be ground rules, but I suspect you knew that."
"Yes, I figured there would be. I know you don't have any reason to trust me..." Emily looks down at her shaking hands. This was a bad idea, she wasn't in any condition to sit here and have a polite conversation. What she needed was Nikolas to hold her, to tell her it was going to be all right. To reassure her that her parents hadn't ruined everything. God, she wanted to use so bad right now. The thought shocks her down to her toes. Where the hell did that come from?
"Emily?" Carly reaches out her hand to comfort Emily but stops herself. Emily would probably freak if Carly touched her. They hate each other. Even if they do find a way to call a truce, those feelings aren't going to change anytime soon.
Emily stands up abruptly. "This was a bad idea. It's not you---"
Carly rises and cuts off Emily's apology. "Would you like to see Michael?"
"Could I?" Emily grabs onto the offer like a lifeline.
"Yeah, he's due to get up from his nap," Carly keeps her tone matter of fact. She might not be able to give good advice, but she knows the look on Emily's face intimately. It's the same look she sees staring back at her in the mirror when she's ready to self-destruct. Emily doesn't want to talk about what's troubling her, she wants to forget for a while. Carly can sympathize with that. "Why don't you go stand out on the porch while I go get him? You look like you could use some air."
Emily takes Carly's advice while she waits to see Michael. Breathing in the cool air and enjoying the quiet, the panic that's gripped her since her parents had walked in on her with Nikolas recedes. She'd come here with no set purpose except to get away from the Quartermaines. Her first impulse had to be seek Nikolas out, but with the threat of him getting arrested, she'd nixed that idea.
This destination had the added benefit of being a safe haven from her parents. Considering her history with Carly, she had to admit Carly was being sweet about the whole thing. She's not sure she would have been this open-minded if their positions were reversed.
The sound of the screen door creaking open breaks her from her private thoughts. Turning around, Emily's worries melt at the sight of her godson. "Michael!"
In the luxury of her king sized bed, Helena lays on her stomach, her head propped up on pillows. She sighs contentedly as she submits herself to Andreas' soothing ministrations. "Ahhh, just what I needed, Andreas. A little relaxation after my exhausting day."
Andreas' capable hands pause in their efforts to massage the knots away in her back. "I gather you have found a way to avenge the insult done to you?"
"I have a beginning," Helena replies, practically purring under Andreas' attention. "Katherine Bell has consented to my plan to put a wedge between my son and his trollop. An efficient punishment in that it divests my son of his latest plaything and it deprives Caroline of her meal ticket."
"I hesitate to say this, but I have reservations about Ms Bell's competence in this matter," Andreas confides. His nimble fingers alternately press into the muscles while his palms soothe. "She has a history of being unreliable. If Ms Bell does fail, do you have another plan in mind?"
Helena clucks her tongue in response to his impudent question. "Why of course I have a backup plan, Darling. I always do. If Ms Bell fails, I will just have the tramp eliminated. She is an insignificant nuisance in and of herself, but her demise would send a powerful reminder to my son that I fulfill my promises. He has grown fat and careless over the months since Nikolas' paternity was revealed. I can only believe he doesn't take my promise for retaliation seriously."
Andreas quickly covers his alarmed reaction. His hands slide up her back to rub the base of her neck. "Won't that ruin the time line on your other project, Madame?"
Helena shrugs. "If eliminating Caroline Benson becomes necessary, I will just have to step up the implementation on my other project. It's nothing to be concerned about, I have it well in hand."
Andreas nods submissively. "Of course, Madame."
A frown of concern on his face, Alan heads downstairs from the bedrooms, through the foyer, into the living room. In one chair sits Edward reading the afternoon paper while Monica lounges on the couch, with her head leaned back and her eyes closed.
"Has anyone seen Emily?" Alan asks.
Monica and Edward snap to attention. "She's not in her room?" Monica asks, her heart already sinking into her stomach. She should have guessed this was too easy. She rises to her feet.
Edward slaps the paper down on the table and stands up. "Have you lost that girl already? Darn it Monica, Alan! Why can't you keep any of your kids under control?"
"Shut up!" Monica and Alan say in unison.
"Her room is empty." Alan walks the length of the room, turns around and walks back. "The good news is that her dresser drawers are full, so she hasn't tried to run away."
"That doesn't mean anything," Edward snorts, rising from the couch and crossing the room to the phone. "It just means the girl didn't take anything with her. I'm calling the police and reporting her as a runaway."
"You'll do no such thing!" Monica takes the phone out of his hand and returns it to it's cradle. "We're not going to hold onto Emily this way, by treating her like she's a prisoner."
"We can't just sit here and wait!" Edward insists.
"We can't call Mac for this. She hasn't even been gone an hour, for Christ's sake." Monica heads for the foyer with Alan close on her heel. "Alan and I will go looking for her, but in the mean time, Edward, don't touch that phone."
.
Carly and Emily sit on lawn chairs on the back deck of the cottage watching Michael motor around in his ride-on truck. "He's really blossoming, Carly. I can't believe he's the same boy of just a month ago."
"I think he was already coming out of his shell by then," Carly admits. "It was less obvious than what we're seeing now, but even while he was still at the mansion, he was making progress."
"Maybe, but it's this place too." Emily curls one leg under her as she admires the beauty of Carly's back yard. "I love this place, it's so serene and cozy. You, Jason and AJ have worked together to help Michael, and it's really paying off."
"Thanks. I'm just glad coming to live here didn't set him back." Carly waves at Michael when he turns to check that she's still there. Silence falls between the two women until Carly is moved to speak again. "Listen, I can tell something big happened today. If you want to just veg with Michael and me, you're welcome to stay for a while." Okay, where did that come from, Carly? Why are you suddenly feeling sorry for this kid? Maybe because she looks so miserable. You've been where she is, and chances are you'll be there again some day.
"My parents caught me in bed with Nikolas."
Carly winces. "I gather they didn't welcome him with open arms."
"My dad tried to choke him." Emily's eyes quickly well with tears and spill over as she replays the scene. "They said such awful things to him! GOD! I can't believe all the horribly cruel stuff they said. And to top it off, my dad threatened to have Nikolas arrested for statutory rape if I didn't leave with them."
"Wow." Carly swears under her breath. It seemed Emily's experience rated right up there with her showdown with Bobbie at Tony's cabin all those years ago, when Bobbie found out about her affair with Tony. Worse actually, since all Bobbie did was scream and cry a lot. She didn't threaten anyone with jail or physical harm. In fact, it had been darn right civilized until Luke showed up and threatened her life.
"I was mortified!"
"I bet you were." And I would have killed for parents who loved me as much as yours love you. "Have you thought about what you're going to do?"
"Nothing specific, but I'm not going to let them rule my life." Emily is emphatic. "I'm not their little girl anymore and they don't get to dictate what I do and who I see. As if they have any clue how Nikolas and I feel for each other. They haven't even taken the time to ask me how I feel about him. I just wish I knew what Nikolas was thinking about all this. That's what scares me the most."
"I'm no authority on love, but I do know this. If it's real, what happened today won't change how you feel about each other."
Emily bites her lip nervously. Much as she wants to wait for Nikolas to call her, he won't be able to reach her now that her phone is out of commission. "Can I use your phone for a minute?"
Carly rises to help her son push the wheel of his truck out of a hole. "Sure, there's a cordless on the wall in the kitchen."
Emily heads for the kitchen and finds the phone right where Carly said. Dialing a number by heart, her whole body sags with relief when Nikolas answers. "Nikolas."
"Emily." Nikolas sends up a prayer of thanks. "Are you all right? Where are you?"
"You'll never guess where I am." Emily turns away from the back door and ambles out into the living room for more privacy. "I'm at Carly's."
"You're what?! How did... You went to see Michael," Nikolas guesses.
"I was so scared, Nikolas!" Emily starts to cry. " I.... I've been shaking ever since my parents dragged me out of there. If... If Carly hadn't let me stay I don't know what I would have done."
"You're strong, you would have been fine, Sweetheart."
"I'm not fine," Emily says in a choked whisper. "I need to see you."
"I need to see you too." Nikolas swallows hard. "I'm leaving for Oxford tonight. Just for a few days as planned, but your parents need time to cool off."
Tears streak down Emily's face as panic sets in. "Take me with you. Don't leave me here. Don't leave me to fight them on my own. I can't---" Her voice breaks.
Nikolas swears under his breath, the tone of Emily's voice terrifies him. It's been a long time since she sounded this small. "Stay where you are. I'll be right over."
"No! Carly's been cool, but she won't want this around Michael. He's been doing so well. I'm a mess, Nikolas. She should have dumped me back out on the street, but she didn't. She even let me hold Michael and play with him."
Nikolas shakes his head in bewilderment. He is going to have to revise his opinion of Carly yet again, this is twice in one day. Time to acknowledge the woman is a complete enigma to him. "Okay, then let's meet at the airport. I won't leave until we have a plan you feel confident with."
Emily draws in a shaky breath. "Okay."
"I don't want you driving, for a variety of reasons. I'll call a taxi for you." Nikolas gives her the gate number where the Cassadine jet is waiting. "You have cash, right?"
"Yeah, of course.." Calming as a plan takes shape, Emily writes down the pertinent information. "I took the bus here, so my car isn't a problem."
"Hang in there, we'll see each other soon."
Chapter 61
"So how about if I have Leticia bring Michael to your place Friday afternoon?" Carly suggests, cradling the phone in the crook of her shoulder. "You're free for the whole weekend? Because you know, if you aren't..."
"Yeah, I checked with Sonny, he knows I'm not available for any last minute crises this weekend because of Michael." Jason reviews the details. "You said Luke and AJ know to meet Leticia in the park Sunday morning at the usual time. Then you'll pick Michael up from my place first thing Monday morning."
"Yep, everything is straight on that end. " Carly bites her lip nervously. "You sure it wouldn't work better if you stayed at the cottage instead? You know what a creature of habit Michael is..."
"He likes it here just fine and if we run into trouble, we'll move to the cottage. You said it yourself, the more places Michael feels secure, the better." Jason moves from his desk to look out the window over the city. "You can trust me, Carly. Whatever problems we have, I won't let anything happen to him."
"I know, I know. It's just hard to let him go, even for a couple nights." Carly sighs, torn between warring feelings. Yes, she knows in her gut Jason won't do anything to jeopardize Michael's progress, and yet she is scared to let go of even this little bit of control. To trust. "If he's having a hard time, you promise to call me, right? I'll be there in a blink of an eye. I don't want him scared or thinking I've left him."
"Any problems, I'll call you," Jason reassures her.
"Thank you, Jason. For everything."
"I'm happy to have Michael. He will never be a burden or an obligation." Much as Jason still despises Carly for all the damage she has done to him and the people he cares about, he's found a way to put it aside to work with her for Michael's sake. In fact it's been surprisingly easy to put those feelings in a box to help Michael. But late at night, when he is alone and looking out this window, all those feelings of rage, helplessness and betrayal come bubbling up. That's when he becomes murderously furious at her, at AJ for his machinations, and even at himself for being naive enough to think he could manage Carly Benson.
But now he has a healthy respect for how lethally dangerous she is. While he can and will work with her to help Michael, he has no illusions about trusting her with anything else. He plans to keep things on the surface with Carly. Michael only. With that firmly in mind, he starts to wrap up the call.
"Wait, Jason, there's something else you should know." Carly fidgets with the phone cord, hesitating. "Emily asked me not to say anything to anyone, probably because she didn't want anyone to know she was here, but I don't think she meant you."
"Is she in trouble?"
"In a way," Carly hedges. Damn, Emily might hate her for this, but then that would be maintaining the status quo, right? "She was pretty shook when she was here. Seems Alan and Monica went ballistic when they found her in a clinch with Nikolas Cassadine. She seemed on the edge almost. Emily and I aren't close, so I could be reading her wrong."
As stoic as he is, the only sign Jason gives that he's upset is his jaw clenching. Damn it, he's tired of cleaning up Alan and Monica's messes, but he doesn't have a choice. This is his sister... with Nikolas Cassadine?? "Do you know where she went?"
"Not specifically, but I think she left to meet Nikolas. From the little I've seen he really cares about her and she's nuts over him, so that could be a good sign. She calmed down after they spoke."
"Thanks for the heads up, I'll be on the lookout for her. She's got a good head on her shoulders so there's no reason to think she's not okay." Even as he says this, Jason is mentally listing all the possible places Emily would meet Nikolas.
Port Charles Airport
As soon as she catches sight of Nikolas, standing near the door of the gate and conferring with an older gentleman dressed in a pilot's uniform, Emily speeds up her already rapid walk to a jog. When Nikolas breaks off the conversation and opens his arms, she dashes into them, forcing him to take a step back to regain his balance. Tears sting her eyes as she hugs him tightly. "I know I'm overreacting, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, you're entitled after all that's happened today. But it's okay now." Rubbing her back soothingly, Nikolas presses a kiss into her hair. "We'll figure this out together. I know we will."
Emily pulls herself together, wipes the stray tears off her face and takes Nikolas' hands to pull him over to a row of connected vinyl covered seats to sit down. "I've been thinking about it all the way over here. I want you to take me with you. I have my passport in my purse. I don't have any reason to stay here while you're gone. My parents will only hound me until I take off on them or worse. The best solution is for me to come with you. Please say yes."
Nikolas squeezes her hands. Lord, he wants nothing more than to take her with him. He'd even dreamed of it. But not like this, not running from her parents like criminals. He lifts a feminine hand to his lips for a tender kiss. "I want you with me, you know that." Running her knuckles against his cheek, Nikolas' gaze is gentle. "But we won't solve anything by running away. It will only anger your parents further, provoke them to do something more rash and prove to them we aren't to be taken seriously. If we run, I want us to be running to our future, not away from your parents."
Emily nods gloomily, knowing even before he finishes his explanation he is right. Putting her head on his shoulder, she sighs. "You would have to be reasonable and logical when what I really want is for you to ride in like a white knight and take me away from all of this."
Nikolas crooks a finger under her chin, lifting it until she's looking into his intense eyes. "You can have it both ways, you know. I am a Cassadine after all." As the realization dawns in Emily, Nikolas smiles. "Yes, that is exactly what I am suggesting. And I've made no secret that it is what I've wanted all along."
Emily's heart does a triple twist back flip before landing hard in her stomach. "I... we... You would do that? Right now? Just like that?"
Nikolas answers by kissing her eyelids, her cheeks and her mouth with all the reverence and love he has for her. "Without a moment's hesitation, but only... only if you are absolutely certain this is what you want. Because there is no going back. Ever."
Emily reaches out a trembling hand to trace the side of this beautiful face she has loved for so long. Her eyes search his, as if she can find the answer she seeks in him. And as unlikely as it is, she does. "Yes, yes.. yes." Each time she says her answer her voice gets stronger and her eyes shine with joyful conviction. "I am absolutely positively certain. I love you, Nikolas. That will never change."
Elated at Emily's answer, Nikolas pulls her to her feet. His hands frame her face as he gives her a thorough by brief kiss on the mouth, promising more to come. "We better get moving. It's time to inform the pilot that there will be two passengers instead of one."
Quartermaine Living Room
Lila Quartermaine sits in her wheelchair off to the side as her family whip themselves up into a frenzy. She would tell them to be quiet, to trust Emily, but as upset as they are at the moment they wouldn't listen and it would only waste her precious energy. Better to wait until she could make an impact.
"I'm telling you Monica, I should have called Mac when we first realized she was gone," Insists Edward. "Lord knows what that Euro-trash has done with our little Emily. He could have absconded with her by now for all we know."
AJ breezes through the doors into the living room. His apartment had been his parent's first stop when they went on their search for Emily. "I checked Kelly's, the Outback, the Hospital, and the Library, no sign of Emily."
Monica fights the urge to wring her hands, anxiety and fear marring her pale face. "And I've called all her friends and they swear up and down they haven't seen her since yesterday and have no idea where is. Where could she be?"
Alan gets off his cell phone to report what he's found. "The bus station hasn't seen anyone matching her description, and she's not booked on any commercial flights."
Edward throws his hands into the air. "If that scoundrel is with her, he's not going to be on a commercial flight, he has his own jet for God's sake!" He barges over to the phone on the desk and picks up the receiver. "That's it. I am calling Mac."
Before Edward can dial, Reginald steps into the room and heads for Lila with a cell phone in his hand. "Miss Lila, you have a call. It's urgent."
"Thank you, Reginald. You're a dear to track me down." Lila takes the phone from him. "Hello... Emily darling!"
The Quartermaines freeze in their places. Recovering first, Edward starts towards Lila but she glares at him fiercely and waves him off. There is no way she's going to let him bully her out of the phone. "Calm down. Emily Dear. There is no need to fret." She glowers at the entire family. "Now tell me, are you safe?... Of course you are. Well that's will be a relief for everyone here who is concerned about you... of course darling, I trust you completely."
"Tell herself to come home right this instant!" Edward demands in a harsh whisper.
Lila turns her head away to listen to Emily. "My, this connection is just ghastly... Now I know I have no reason to worry about you, you have a good level head on your shoulders, and young Nikolas is such a sweet responsible young man.... Yes, yes I understand. Well thank you, Dear. Your call has eased my mind... I love you, Dear. Goodbye."
She turns off the phone before Edward can snatch it away from her. Drawing herself up as straight as she can in her chair, Lila addresses them. "That was Emily. She was calling me so I wouldn't worry about her. She assures me she is fine, and I believe her."
"You mean you didn't ask her where she is?!" Alan asks incredulously. "Mother!"
Lila shakes her finger angrily. "Don't you 'Mother' me, Alan. I have been around the block a few times, I know perfectly well what I am doing. I am allowing Emily to be an adult, as you all should. Now there will be no more talk of calling the police into this matter. Emily will be fine. While her years may not call her an adult, being a Quartermaine cuts childhood short. She is an adult in all ways that matter. Leave her be, or you may lose her entirely."
Slumping slightly under the strain of confronting the family and raising her voice, Lila motions Reginald. "I'm tired now, I need to rest. Will you take me to my room, Reginald?"
Reginald ignores the group of stunned Quartermaines to take command of Lila's wheelchair and maneuver her out of the room. "Of course, Miss Lila."
Wyndemere Study
Stefan takes a seat behind his desk and leans back. The week is turning out much better than he had anticipated. Caroline is upstairs settling Michael into the new nursery and Nikolas on his way to England early. As much as he enjoys having his son home, he is looking forward to some uninterrupted time with Caroline.
Carly had called him an hour ago, wondering if he would mind an impromptu visit from her and Michael for the afternoon. It turned out the ER doctor had ordered a frazzled Leticia to take the remainder of the day off, with strict orders for rest and quiet. Carly was at loose ends, wanting to give Leticia quiet and relaxation at the cottage. So Carly had called him.
Things are working out so perfectly you would almost think he manipulated the situation, instead of everything falling into place by pure luck. Stefan tries to never count on luck, but today he is taking what it's offering gratefully. Now that he has Carly at Wyndemere with Michael, he has every intention of extending this boon for the rest of the night. So not only would he have her to himself for the weekend, but today and tonight as well. Plenty of time to lay the groundwork.
A soft knock at the door interrupts Stefan's musings. He smiles at Carly as she enters the room. "You're back. And quickly, I might add. I hope you both found his accommodations satisfactory?"
Carly practically prances around the room. "Yes, he's already sound asleep! I can't believe how you prepared the nursery to be an exact replica of the one he has at home, all the way down to the furnishings." She leans over the desk to surprise Stefan with a kiss on the head. "You, Mr Cassadine, are a softie at heart. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She winks at him playfully. "At least until I find a way to use it as blackmail."
"It was done purely for self-interest." Stefan smiles wryly as he rises from behind his desk. He was very satisfied with the nursery renovation. "I was motivated by the hope that I could lure you here for a longer visit."
The idea of remodeling the nursery had been a late night inspiration when he'd been brooding over the absence of Carly in his bed. The next morning he had called Vincent Brummelmans to remodel the nursery as a surprise for Carly. He instructed Vincent to install a monitor system that would alert Michael's caretaker when he woke or became upset. Currently Mrs Lansbury is carrying the receiver and would track Carly down when Michael needed her. All which served Stefan's purposes nicely.
Carly strolls around the room, too giddy to stand still. Her son had just successfully weathered a small but important transition. Jason was right, Michael needed to feel safe and comfortable in different places outside of the cottage. Absently, she runs her fingers across the bindings of the books on the book shelves."Oh, I'm sure self-interest was part of it but I don't believe for a second that you are immune to my son's charms. You blew your cover when you allowed my son to feed you bologna."
Stefan rounds the desk and leans up against the front of it, his hands across his chest and one eyebrow arched. "I presume you plan to dangle that over my head until I beg for mercy?"
Carly flashes him a flirtatious grin. "Of course, I learned from the best. YOU."
"I am pleased that Michael is comfortable in my home." Stefan reaches for the phone. "If it is agreeable with you, I will inform Mrs Lansbury to expect you both as overnight guests."
"Overnight? Tonight?" Carly shakes her head. "No, I think it's too soon. Besides, we have this afternoon together."
Frowning, Stefan pushes off the edge of desk and walks to the door. "Then I suppose I have no choice but to make the best of the time I have, hmm?" The suggestiveness of his tone marks a shift his mood. His hand turns the lock, guaranteeing them privacy and sealing her fate. Stefan has a predatory gleam in his eye as he advances slowly on Carly. Carly backs up, thrilled and a little daunted by the sudden hungry look he is giving her. It hasn't been that long since they last made love, has it?!
Carly's back hits the bare wall and still Stefan advances. Desire mixed with adrenaline rushes through her as Stefan continues to advance until his hands are on either side of her head and his face is inches from hers.
"What are you doing?" she asks. He's so close she can feel his warm breath on her cheek. His eyes dilate as they study her slightly parted lips with fascination, and his mouth curves into a small smile of male triumph. She can feel the magnetic pull of his body right to her center. She feels herself melting, practically panting with wanting him. How was he able to unsettle her with a mere look?
"I am seducing you."
Chapter 61.5***R-Rated for explicit content***
"I am seducing you." Stefan's mouth touches hers for a brief teasing kiss, hot but achingly brief. Carly whimpers when he draws away and her lips try to follow. Her whole body is taut with need for him, her nerve endings screaming for satisfaction.
Pleased at the immediate results, he smiles at her again. "You look like you need seducing."
Carly bites her lip to keep from begging for another kiss. He obviously wants to play this game, so she's happy to go along with it. "Do I?"
"Yes, you have become accustomed to our brief interludes where we are rushed in our need for each other." One palm comes off the wall to stroke down her cheek and throat until his palm lies flat at the base of her neck. " I have not. I refuse to accept these trysts as the status quo." His fingers rise off her chest to play with the strands of her hair, teasing and promising. "There is no need to rush now. As you said, we have all afternoon. And once I convince you, we shall have all night."
Carly swallows, desire bubbling below the surface. Her knees weak, she sags against the wall for support. "You... you aren't happy with our love life? With me?"
"You know you please me, in countless ways." Again Stefan trails a caressing finger down her cheek and throat, smiling when her breath catches. So responsive and unable to resist him. This is his Caroline. "But our time is frequently too short. I am forced to content myself with a few stolen hours when I would prefer to savor you all night. Can you tell me you don't want the same?"
"Stefan--" Sorely tempted Carly closes her eyes as his mouth brushes her throat where his fingers just were. Over and over again, he ravages her throat, his teeth grazing the tender skin followed by his soothing tongue until she is mindless of anything but what he's doing to her. Already her blood courses through her body like molten lava and they haven't even taken their clothes off yet.
Stefan's lips suck on the lobe of her ear as his hands part her shirt so he can cup her lace covered breasts. "Tell me you will remain tonight, Caroline."
"You don't play fair," Carly whimpers, arching to his touch, craving more contact. Reduced to the level of a lustful teenager, Carly's fingers fumble with the buttons of his suitcoat. She wants more than to just be touched, she wants all of him.
Stefan captures her hands easily and chuckles against her ear. Threading their fingers together behind her back, he smiles a feral smile. "Not until you have agreed to stay." His hot breath incites as his teeth nibble on her bared shoulder. "I will not settle for less than having you in my bed tonight, all night. Say you will."
Carly sighs, frustrated while at the same time enjoying the tantalizing game. His request is getting more irresistible by the moment. She missed their long nights together, making love when the mood hit, which was often. They hadn't had that since Michael came home to her. Her resolve is quickly evaporating. "You're driving me insane."
"There is an easy solution. You can relent." Stefan slips one strap of her bra off her shoulder and sucks on the soft skin. "You want this. How can you say you are satisfied when you ache like you are now?"
Carly gives a wondrous laugh. "You could probably get me to say yes to just about anything right about now."
Stefan pulls up so that their bodies are in full contact and his eyes are looking down into hers, straight into her soul. He cups her face with both hands reverently. "Your son is safe and content. You are here to care for him if and when he needs you. But I am confident he will take his cue from you and will sleep peacefully tonight. If he has trouble, you always have the option of returning to the cottage." Tilting her head back he slants his mouth across hers again and again until they are both breathless.
Leaning her forehead against his, Carly strokes his bearded jaw lovingly. This man has been so thoughtful, trying to anticipate every need and meet it. How could she refuse? "If that happens, will you come with us?"
"Would you want me to?" As spellbound as she, Stefan would agree to just about anything to have her all night. He runs the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip and his knees almost buckle when she sucks the thumb into her mouth to lavish it with all her attention. He groans and pulls it out to keep a thin thread of control.
"Yes, I will stay tonight."
Stefan's fingers trail down her bared shoulder over her collar bone to the top of the cup to her lacy bra. He feels her shiver with expectation. "You are such a sensual creature, you can anticipate how it will feel to have my mouth on you, can't you?"
Carly sucks air in so fast she almost swallows her tongue. Dazed and incapable of rational thought, she watches as he lowers his mouth to suck the lace covered nipple into his mouth. The combination of the hot moisture of his mouth and the roughness of lace is exquisitely hot. So hot she's sure she'll burn up if he doesn't stop. Her hands move stroke his hair, but he catches them and presses them against the wall beside her head. Once the fabric is damp and her nipple is hard and erect, he releases it to give the other breast the same treatment. By the time he's done she is half mad with lust. "Stefan, please-"
Stefan steps away and drops her hands, his eye locked with hers to heighten the experience. The tips of his fingers slide the lacy fabric down so he can rub the harden peaks. His eyes bore into her soul, taking in the gambit of emotions playing on her expressive face. The rampaging desire, the love, the trust, and even fear. All of her feelings are plain for him to see.
Trembling and wild, Carly grabs his wrists. "Stefan, please," She gulps in air. "I can't take this anymore."
Stefan nods, he's taken her to the brink. He has gotten his heart's desire, there would be no more torment, no more delays. "Where?"
Carly wets her lips as she considers her options. As heated as she is, she wants the prolonged lovemaking that comes from a comfortable locale. Her hand runs down the length of his chest to his belt buckle. "The bedroom."
Stefan unlocks and opens the door before lifting her into his arms and carrying her up the stairs to the bedroom, where his door is conveniently open. Kicking the door shut as he walks through, he places a knee on the expansive bed and lays her down in the middle. Before he can pull away to light the candles, she pulls his wrists until his body is on top of hers. With a quick flip Carly is straddling atop him and grinning. "You are mine. Only mine," She says possessively.
The look Stefan gives her is at first startled and then pleased. Yes, he likes that quite a bit, being hers. He can't recall any other woman saying that to him, not one that mattered anyway. "Yes, I am yours." Stefan brushes her hair off her face with both hands, cupping her head and drawing her back down to him.
Carly's mouth and hands are voracious, frantic and wild as she takes her fill of him. Her fingers tear at his coat and shirt, popping buttons when they won't open fast enough. Stefan is barely fast enough to save his pants from her abuse by unbuttoning them himself. Her mouth is just as relentless as she nips his jaw, scoring his skin with her teeth then soothing it with her tongue. The wild abandon of her response seems to incite his passion, bringing him to the verge of losing control.
Divested of his clothing while ironically she is still partially clothed, Stefan's hands have a fine tremor as they slide under her skirt to caress her bottom. When he glides his fingers over her hot throbbing center and discovers there is no fabric barrier, he growls into her mouth. "This is only the beginning, Darling."
Smiling the smile of a woman who knows she's in control, Carly rises up and lowers herself onto him, enveloping him completely. "Yes, it's just the beginning."
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