Chapter 9
Date: 03 Apr 1997 3:52:03PST
Spoon Island. As the boat pulls closer tothe island Lucy takes a deep breath and checks the boys lifepreservers once more. Stefan meets them at the dock. "Hello. Welcometo Spoon Island." He catches the rope the driver tosses him and tiesit to one of the cleats. The boys begin to squirm in anticipation."Lucy why don't you hand me one of the boys, then the other?" Hesuggests reasonably.
Lucy hesitates for a second then picks upa wiggly Daniel. She hands him to Stefan who holds the boy in hisstrong arms. Then a more complacent Jacob. When it comes time forLucy to get out of the boat Stefan reaches down and takes her hands."Careful, I'd hate for you to fall." He steadies her with hands thatlinger for an instant longer than necessary for support. Then hekneels down and looks the boys in the eyes. "My name is Stefan." Hepulls a soft stuffed bear out from behind Danny's ear. Then repeatsthe trick with Jake, much to both the boys delight.
"Stefan, you don't have to give themanything." Lucy protests.
"I know that Lucy, but it has been solong since I have had a child to spoil." Stefan responds warmly."Ready?"
"Lead on." Lucy looks at hersurroundings, the trees green and full. The woods a little wild anduntamed looking.
Stefan swings Jake up and into his arms."Ready, little one?" The foursome head around the main house and windup in a beautifully manicured garden. On the lawn is a large red andwhite checked blanket against a tree. There is a goldfish pond and alily pond. And an enormous maze.
"Stefan this is really exquisite, thankyou for sharing it with us." They settle on the blanket to anenormous spread of food.
"I wasn't sure what your boys would like,so I had the cook prepare a little of everything." Stefan smilesalmost boyishly.
"That's good, my boys are a lot like mein the fact they'll eat anything!" Lucy takes a plate and places onit fresh strawberries, pasta salad, and roast beef cut into pieces.She places it in front of the boys and they begin to eat and babbleto one another.
"Do you know what they are saying?"Stefan asks out of curiosity.
"Yes and no. I can catch a word or twohere and there that I know both of them use, but other than that itis a language all their own."
"Fascinating. Lucy? May I ask you apersonal question?"
"You can always ask Stefan, as long as Ireserve the right to not answer."
"Why haven't you married? Two years is along time, and it can't be easy to be both mother and father to twinboys."
Lucy sips her lemonade. "I can't be afather to my boys, I can only be a good mother. As for marriage, Ilearned the hard way not to settle for anything less than love. Myfirst two marriages taught me that. I would rather be single than beunhappily married." Lucy looks down on her sons, "Besides, we're notdoing too bad."
After a leisurely lunch, Stefan, Lucy andthe boys walk a short distance to the stables. "This is what I wantedto show you, Lucy," Stefan comments as they approach the last fewstalls. "These are for you and the boys." He gesturesinside.
Inside the first pristine stall is alovely Shetland pony, with a black shiny coat and soulful brown eyes.He looks up patiently and nibbles on his feed. The second stallcontains an identical pony. The third stall houses the mostbreathtaking purebred, ivory- colored mare Lucy had ever seen."Stefan, I- I don't know what to say. They are so beautiful, but wecan't accept them."
"Lucy, they can stay here. As for theextravagance, I confess. But when I saw how happy you were talking ofIreland, I couldn't resist the opportunity to bring you some joyafter all the sorrow you have endured in your short life." Stefanpleads softly. "Let the children have this magical time in theirlives. Everything should be delight and discovery."
Unable to resist the pleading in hisvoice and the sheer happiness and wonder on her sons' faces, Lucygives in. "Fine. But I insist you let me pay room and board forthem."
"Settled." Stefan turns to the children."Care to go riding, boys?"
A gust of wind blows through the stables."Over my dead . . ." And then it begins to rain. A trickle at first,then an unexpected downpour.
"Where did that come from?" Lucy wondersaloud.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 10
Date: 03 Apr 1997 5:08:49PST
Inside Wyndemere.
"Whew! I don't know where that rain camefrom!" Lucy exclaims from the foyer as she tries to squeeze some ofthe water from her hair.
"We need to get the boys into somethingwarmer." Stefan carries Daniel up the stairs, followed by Lucy andJacob. In Stefan's room he pulls out a couple of pairs of socks andsome sweat shirts. "They'll be too big, but they'll do till Mrs.Lansbury can get these dried." He helps Lucy change the boys into thedry clothes.
Danny and Jake are half asleep from theexcitement of the day. Stefan notices Lucy shivering in her thin, wetdress. "Lucy why don't you change into these and I'll take the boysdownstairs to sit by the fireplace in the den?" He hands her a pileof a soft worn work shirt, sweat pants and thick fuzzysocks.
"Thank you Stefan." She saysquietly.
"They're nothing." Hedemurs.
"NO, not the clothes, the entire day hasbeen lovely."
"You are very welcome Lucy." He carriesthe boys to the door.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"So, I guess that didn't go very smoothlydid it?" Comes a voice from behind Kevin.
"No, it did not. And I believe I couldhave ascertained that with out you rubbing my nose init!"
"Touchy, touchy." Ryan flashes his teethin a quick grin.
"Shouldn't you be somewhere else?" Kevinsnarls.
"Not at the moment." Ryan checks hiswatch.
"I didn't mean momentarily, I meantETERNALLY."
"Ooh! You're getting snarky in your oldage. You know about that forgiveness clause. So even my kind arewelcome here." He sticks out his tongue. "So nanny, nanny, boo,boo!"
Kevin laughs, his mood lightens. "Verymature."
"More mature than that stunt with therain. Come on, Kevin, you didn't think nobody would notice that didyou?"
"As a matter of fact. . ."
"You are a moron."
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
"Am not!"
The two brothers vanish a split secondbefore their argument.
~~~**~~~*~~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~***~~~***~~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In Stefan's study. The twins are onStefan's lap listening to a story. "And the beautiful princess awokefrom her long slumber to the face of the man she loved. There was agreat rejoicing among the villagers. They realized that the princewas no monster, just a man who had never known love. Flowers bloomed,birds sang, and they lived happily ever after." The boys' even steadybreathing indicated their sleep.
"You tell stories very well, Stefan,"Lucy remarks as she walks into the room and sits next to him on thesofa. She takes Jacob in her arms and cradles him.
"Thank you. Mrs. Lansbury will have yourclothes dried in no time. Then I will have one of the enclosedshuttles ferry you home." He strokes Daniel's hair. "They are sotrusting, so innocent of what awaits them."
"I know, my first reaction wheneveranything happens is to fly into a panic and protect them, but Ican't. They need to have room to explore and live. I can't smotherthem with my fears."
"It must have taken a great deal to getto that realization." Stefan smiles. "It takes a brave woman to knowherself so well."
The two lapse into silence and Lucydrifts off into sleep. Stefan sits inhaling the fresh baby scent ofthe child in his arms, when Katherine enters the room.
"Stefan! What is that woman doing here?"she demands in an ugly tone of voice.
"Hush, Katherine. You'll wake up thechildren."
"I don't give a damn!" she yells. "Why isLucy Coe in my home?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 11
Date: 03 Apr 1997 7:05:13PST
Stefan places the small boy gently on thesofa next to his sleeping mother and brother, then strides swiftlyacross the room, pushing Katherine out and closing the door behindhim. "I would appreciate it if you would refrain from shrieking atme."
Katherine is furious. "And I wouldappreciate it if you would tell me why in the name of God, Lucy Coe,her bastard children and you are all curled up like the happy littlefamily in my home?"
"Remember where you are, Katherine." Hewarns.
"Remember who I am Stefan!" Katherineshrieks in her best fish wife voice. "Remember what I've done toprotect you, protect this family." She grins evilly. "And with awhisper in the right person’s ear, everything could comecrashing down around your ears."
Stefan grabs her arms. "Never threatenme."
During this scene Lucy has carried theboys upstairs and dressed them. She takes them down the stairsquietly and leads them to the docks. "Excuse me? Could you take usback to mainland?" Lucy asks a young man untying theboat.
"Sure, no problem. Let's get these boysin life jackets though."
Lucy and her children are gone beforeStefan or Katherine even notice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luke is on the docks enjoying the calmafter the storm when he sees the boat approaching."Lucy?"
"LUKE!" Lucy is startled. "Can you help?"She lifts Jacob into his arms. After the boats heads back to SpoonIsland, Lucy excuses herself to take the boys home.
"No way, Darlin'. I want a few words withyou!"
"Fine, then we can have them at theLighthouse." They get into Lucy's car and drive off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I never thought I'd hear you thankKatherine Bell." Stone says.
"Never had a reason to till now." Kevinsmiles. "With Katherine wanting to keep Lucy away from Stefan, andLuke wanting to keep Stefan away from Lucy, it should be smoothsailing from here on out." Kevin is supremely smug.
"HA!! You think it's that easy?" AnnaScorpio laughs.
"Mate, I assure you, smooth sailing isthe last thing it will ever be." Robert warns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 12
Date: 04 Apr 1997 2:59:30PST
The Lighthouse.
Lucy has put both boys to sleep. Now sheis in the kitchen making coffee, stalling because she knows Luke isfurious.
"O.K Luce. You've had your reprieve. Nowtell me what you were doing with your children on Spoon Island." Lukedemands.
"Stefan invited us for apicnic."
"Oh, that sounds lovely." Luke mockslightly. "Come on, Honey, it's me you're talking to. Tell me why youreally went."
Lucy looks at him sheepishly. "I wantedto check out the house. The downpour got us all wet and Stefan lentme some clothes. I was in his bedroom Luke. Over the years I've foundthat you can learn a lot about a man by what he keeps in thebedroom." She smiles mischievously, "And in Stefan's case *WHO* hekeeps in the bedroom. Katherine came home and found us all snugglyand warm on the couch together, I thought she'd slaphim."
Luke leans back in his chair. "So youhaven't completely lost your mind. Good, I'd hate to have to lock youin a closet or something."
"Good, you bought it. And you're smarterthan he is. Maybe this'll work."
"What will work Lucy? You still haven'ttold me what you are up to."
"Luke, you taught me to play my cardsclose to the vest, and that's what I'm doing."
Luke brings his chair down and gazes ather steadily. "Meaning you don't trust me."
"That is not what I said Luke. I justcan't tell you everything yet." Lucy replies.
"Yeah right!" Luke stands up. "ListenBabe, if you want to let me know about your little secret send me anE-mail. Gotta go." The front door slams behind him.
Ten minutes later it opens again. "Yourbridge washed away while my car was on it. I barely got out." Luke isnow the soaking wet one.
"Oh my God! Are you all right?" Lucynotices the bump on his forehead and the blood running down his face."Sit down. We have to clean this up."
"Remember Doc, I get to drink the alcoholfirst, then you clean the wound." Luke braces himself as if forterrible pain.
"You are not even a wee bit amusing,Spencer. Now sit still and shut up." Lucy cleans the gash on hisforehead and bandages it. "Well, we can't let you drip all over myhouse. I think I have one thing you might be able to wear." She leadshim upstairs and hands him a faded, worn, men's bathrobe. "It wasKevin's. I kept it because when I was carrying the boys it was theonly thing I could wear comfortably." She turns to leave her bedroom."You can change here."
"Well Miss Lucy, let's see what I canlearn about you." Luke mutters as he makes a quick change and beginsto prowl the room.
On her desk is a pile of recentcorrespondences, Robin, her cousins Colton and Decker, CharleneSimpson, and friends with postmarks all over the world. Also on thedesk are several pictures of the boys. On the large dresser next tothe desk is one picture of Kevin and Lucy. Kevin has his arms aroundLucy's shoulders and they are both laughing. In the bedside tableLuke finds a journal.
"Oh, babe. You do know how to tempt me."Luke says as he places it back where he found it.
"Luke?"
"With you in a second, Darlin'." Lukewalks to the door and opens it. "Sorry it took me so long. I'mexhausted."
"I've got your room set up across thehall." Lucy indicates. "Good night Luke."
"Goodnight Lucy." Luke whispers softly."Sleep very well." His lips brush her cheek for a fraction of asecond, then they're gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~
"I saw that Stone." Kevin tells the youngman.
"I didn't want him going back to an emptyhouse. Every time the kids leave for their visit with Laura, Lukegets drunk and stays that way for days. Besides," He addsdefensively. "Aren't you the one that wanted Lucy to have someprotection?"
"If Luke keeps looking at her like she'sthe last piece of cheesecake at a buffet, she'll need another kind ofprotection."
"Listen, I won't tell about your Aprilshower if you don't tell about my London bridges." Stone sticks outhis hand.
"Done." Kevin smiles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 13
Date: 04 Apr 1997 11:46:31PST
The Lighthouse is silent in the middle ofthe night. Lucy lies awake in her bed, mulling over the events of theday. "Meaning you don't trust me." She can hear Luke's voice and feelhis penetrating gaze. She gets out of bed and heads down the stairsto the kitchen for some ice cream. Sweets always helped her think. Inthe kitchen she pulls out the ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream,sprinkles, and maraschino cherries. She proceeds to build an enormoussundae, and carries it over to the table when the lights flick on."OH!" Lucy whirls around to find Luke, standing in the doorway in hisjeans and nothing else.
"Caught you! Luce, darlin', how can youthink of eating this?" He reaches over the table and snags a cherryoff the top. After devouring it in one bite he smiles wolfishly."Without me." Luke takes a spoon off the counter and digsin.
"Hey Pal!! What do you think you'redoing?" Lucy slides the bowl closer. "Get your own!!"
"Didn't anyone ever teach you to share?"Luke asks as he sneaks another bite.
"NO! I have gone my whole life withoutlearning to share and I see no need to learn now!" Lucy picks up thebowl and scoots across the kitchen. Her left foot slips on a stuffedanimal and she falls on her backside before she can catch herself.Ice cream flies everywhere, landing mostly in herhair.
For a split second there isn't a sound.Then all of a sudden Luke makes a choking noise. Then a soft snort.His sides shake and he explodes with laughter.
"This is not funny!" Lucy huffs, with asmuch dignity as a woman covered in ice cream canmuster.
"I beg to differ, Luce. I find this--" Hegasps for breath, "Very funny."
"Oh really?" Lucy asks sweetly. "Well,being a good hostess means never neglecting your guests." She scoopsup a handful of the sticky mess and flings it right athim.
*Splat* The ice cream hits Luke square inthe middle of the chest and slides down his jeans. "Ooh! Luce!Darlin'! That's mighty cold!" Luke hops around.
Now Lucy is laughing uncontrollably."Serves you right for laughing at a lady in distress." She holds outa hand. "Help me up, will you?"
Luke looks at her skeptically. "Is thiswhere you pull me down with you?"
Lucy feigns hurt. "Of course not. Nowhelp me up." The minute Luke reaches for her hand, Lucy pulls as hardas she can to get him off balance, till he lands in an undignifiedheap at her feet. "Ooops!
I lied!" Lucy smiles at him."Sorry!"
Luke looks at her, covered in ice creamand smiling radiantly. He can't resist. He frames her face with hishands and kisses her passionately.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 14
(05 Apr 1997)
As soon as the kiss begins, Luke pullsaway. "Luce, I'm sorry, I had no right..." Lucy silences him with herkiss.
"Do I look like I'm complaining?" sheasks quietly.
Luke kisses her again. He begins to openher silk pajama top, then stops himself. "Lucy, we can't do this." Hepulls away.
"But, I thought, you wanted me," Lucysays in a small voice, too embarrassed to meet hisgaze.
Luke takes her face in his hands andforces her to look into his eyes. "Darlin', if I wanted you any morethan I do I would be the first recorded case of spontaneouscombustion." Luke brushes the hair away from her face. "I couldalmost convince myself this is all right, that all you and I need isto make love here and now until we can't walk. I might even pretendthat making love to you would be fair. But Darlin, not in Kevin'shouse. It would be damned near sacrilege to violate the kind ofrelationship you had with him." Luke cuts off her protest with aswift kiss. "Besides Luce, you need someone who has hearts andflowers and forever written all over him. I don't think I have any ofthose things." Luke scoops her up and carries her up the stairs toher bedroom.
"Luke?" Lucy's question fraught withmeaning.
"Oh, Baby. PLEASE don't look at me withthose eyes of yours. I'm begging you. Sleep well, Luce. And in themorning, we'll just pretend it was all a dream."
Luke turns to the guest room where heruns the coldest shower of his adult life. He gets out of the showerand climbs between the sheets of the big bed. Propping an arm behindhis head Luke replays the kiss in his mind. "Way to go Spencer, kissher, tell her she's the sexiest thing to ever live, then say no, andmake her feel guilty and embarrassed. You're a genius." Luke hits thebed in frustration. "Oh, Lucy. What the hell am I going to do aboutyou?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In Lucy's bedroom, a stunned Lucy laysclutching her pillow and crying, oblivious to the man next to her."Oh, Lucy. What am I going to do about you?" Kevin sighs softly. "Iwant so much for you to move on. I really do, but LUKE SPENCER??? Areyou sure?"
Lucy rolls over and draws her knees up toher chest. She slowly wipes the tears from her face. "What am I goingto do?"
Kevin wraps an arm around her shoulders."I wish I could tell you."
"Doc, I wish you could tellme."
Kevin is startled. "Lucy?" Nothing."Coincidence. Lucy, I love you. I always have, but you're here. Youneed to live out your life to the fullest. You need a partner, alover, and a father for our sons." Kevin kisses her shoulder sweetly."I have to go, but don't despair, my darling. You've got more peoplelooking out for you than you know."
Lucy suddenly feels a gust of warm airbrush her body.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the guest room. Luke is still awake,also unaware of his visitor.
"Hey Luke!" Stone greets him as he turnsa chair around and sits backwards on it. He slings one arm across theback negligently and smiles at his old friend and boss. "A fine messyou've gotten your self into."
Luke gets up and moves to the door. Notreally knowing what he would say if he saw her rightnow.
"Bad move Luke." Stone cautions. "Rightnow you're too susceptible to Lucy, and she's too vulnerable toyou."
"Damn you, Laura!" Luke mutters as heslumps back on the bed.
"Now you're talking. Listen to me Luke.Laura didn't love you enough to stay. She couldn't love you. Thatdoesn't mean Lucy's the same way. She's healing Luke, a little moreeveryday. Soon she'll be able to give you anything you need. But nomore of this 'Me Tarzan! You Jane!' routine. Lucy deserves hearts andflowers."
Stone punches him in the arm playfully."And if that doesn't work, try bungee jumping!!" He looks up. "Gottarun, Man!" He hugs Luke and then fades into the night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 15
(05 Apr 1997)
The lighthouse, bright and early the nextmorning.
Lucy sits on the porch with Daniel andJacob. "So guys? What's our plan for today?" Lucy asks. "I wasthinking we should do a little gardening, then take a nap. After therepair crew gets here and fixes the bridge, Mom will take you to theQuartermaines. Lilah would like to meet you." The boys continue tomake a mess of their breakfast.
Luke greets the trio,"Morning."
"Good morning, Luke. How about somecoffee?" Lucy offers.
"Sounds good." Luke takes a seat next tothe boys and begins to talk with them. "Hey guys, I know you're smartand all. But don't you think getting the food IN your mouth might bebetter?"
"Now what fun would that be?" Lucy smilesas she hands him a mug.
"Lucy, how do you do this?" Lukeindicates the children. "I mean Laura and I had a hard enough timewith Lucky, then Lu and they're 12 years apart."
"Practice. Practice and patience." Lucytakes a seat on the other side of the boys. "I didn't know I waspregnant till I got to Ireland and passed out at the airport. Then,just when I was getting used to the idea of a baby, I was at a checkup and the doctor told me I was having twins."
She puts one hand on Daniel's tousledhead. "I cried for weeks. Then I stopped crying and decided if I wasgoing to be a mother, I had better get my act together. No more selfpity, no more tears." She raises her chin. "And I have. I love mysons more than my own life, and I will do anything to protect them.As for the rest, I just don't sweat the small stuff. I mean, whatreally matters is that they are healthy, loved, and safe." Shesmiles, "Does it really matter if my floor is clean enough to eat offof?"
Realizing her faux pas, Lucy blushes adeep red.
"Well, your boys certainly seem happy.Now did you mention something about gardening?"
"Planting. A lot of it."
"And the boys help you.How?"
"Luke, can you think of anyone morecapable at digging up a yard than a couple of little boys?" Lucysmiles. "If you're up to it you can join us."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~
Switzerland.
"Lucky!! Lesley Lu!" Laura Spencer opensher arms and embraces her children, while a disgusted Bobbie lookson.
Lucky hugs her briefly then steps away."Mom."
"Oh honey! You look so good!" Laura holdsLuLu close to her. "Come on the driver is waiting."
"I'll get the luggage," Lucky saysdully.
Bobbie and Laura proceed to the front ofthe airport. "He isn't happy to see me," Laura states.
"He is. But Laura, to Lucky, youabandoned the family. He loves you, but I don't think he'll ever likeyou again," Bobbie answers honestly.
"How is Luke?"
"Laura, how do you think he is? The sameway he's been for the past two years. Alone andunhappy."
Laura's face lights up with hope. "Thenhe must still love me." She turns on her heel.
"Where are you going?" Bobbie asksstruggling to keep up with Laura.
"We're going back home."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 16
(06 Apr 1997)
Late afternoon.
Luke Spencer sits on the porch of hishouse nursing a cold beer, and eating colder pizza.
"You know, this thing with Luce is outtathe question," he informs Foster as he devours a pizza slice. Thenoffers one to the dog. "Lucy and I are friends, pals, partners incrime." He props his boots up on the porch railing. "She's highmaintenance. A woman like her has GOT to be high maintenance.Besides, she knows me too well. I'd never be able to slip anything byher. She'd never let me do to her what I did to Laura. Blackmail?She'd probably blackmail me right back!"
Foster looks patently unimpressed withhis pal's ramblings, but awfully interested in thepizza.
"We're too much alike. And the feelings Ithink I had last night were just my imagination." Flashes of Lucy,warm, eager and out of breath bombard him. "Yeah right!" Lukemutters.
Then he notices the black sedan pull uphis driveway. Laura gets out and walks over to him. She climbs thestairs of the porch and before Luke can react, she drops into hislap, wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him.
~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*
Lucy sits alone in the Lighthouse untilthe someone knocks on the front door. "Stefan! Come in." Lucy ushershim in and shows him a seat on the couch.
"I am sorry to visit you unannounced, butI felt the urge to see you again," Stefan apologizes.
"Don't be sorry, Stefan. I'm glad you'rehere." Lucy stands and walks over to the coffee table. "I was justhaving a cup of coffee. Can I interest you in one?"
"Yes, please," Stefan smiles charmingly."After that scene you overheard between Katherine and myself, I amsurprised you feel so cordial."
"Cream? Sugar?" Lucy asks.
"Black, thank you," Stefan replies takingthe mug of strong smelling coffee.
"As for my opinion of you, Stefan,knowing you shot Katherine has only raised my esteem of you," Lucysmiles as Stefan chokes on his coffee. "I'm sorry if my attitudeoffends you, but what? Did you think I'd go running to the police? Ifthey couldn't figure it out the first time, what makes you think thatall this time later they'll do any better? As for Katherine, my onlycomplaint is your marksmanship."
Stefan smiles, "Believe it or not I wasnot aiming for her. I was an accident."
"Then why not tell the police?" Lucyasks.
"A long story. The point is, Katherinewould rather it not be revealed."
"Consider it forgotten," Lucy smiles. "Isthat all?"
"No. In fact I would like to invite youto a party for E.L.Q. It will be at the Port Charles Hotel. Lilah ispromising the social event of the season."
"Won't your lovely wife object to mygauche presence?" Lucy inquires.
"Katherine regrettably will be unable toattend," Stefan grins. "I would love to have you joinme."
"Then it would be my pleasure toaccept."
Stefan rises and moves to leave. "I hopethat Katherine's rather inhospitable welcome, won't keep you and yoursons from Spoon Island. You have open invitations."
"Thank you. I can't wait to ride." Lucyopens the door for him. "Good afternoon, Stefan."
"I shall pick you up around7:00?"
"Perfect."
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"Laura? What the hell are you doing backhere?" Luke sputters, sitting up so fast she spills off hislap.
"I've missed you so much Luke!" Laurascurries to her feet. "I love you, only you. I am so sorry I hurtyou. But Luke, can't you give us another chance?" Her clear blue eyestug at parts of Luke he thought had died two yearsago.
"You want me to forget that you lied tome? That you love, Stefan?" He shakes his head to break the spell."Woman, you are out of your mind."
"What about the toll this is taking onour children? Lu is old enough to start wondering why she only seesher mommy one week a month. And Lucky needs me. Luke, he got hisdriver's permit and I wasn't even here. I miss our family. Our life."She takes his unshaven face in her hands and pleads with him. "Forour children, can't you give our love another chance? Don't wedeserve that?"
Luke pulls away. "Maybe. But I won't haveyou staying in this house," he sighs. "We can try to work it out,Laura, but if it doesn't work out then you go back toSwitzerland."
"I can stay with Amy. You won't regretthis, Luke."
As he watches Laura stride to the carLuke feels tired. "I think I already do."
**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
"What is Laura doing here?" Stone asksMary Mae.
"Taking back her husband," Mary Maesmiles.
"If she wanted him so bad why did sheleave in the first place?"
"Luke never gave her achoice."
Stone turns away muttering to himself."Coward. Lucy would never have gone."
"I heard that!"