GH 2005.1 POWER CHANGES HANDS
Laura Cassadine reaches over to hug her husband but instead her hand hits the empty side of the bed. She is not overly concerned; Stefan has suffered from insomnia for years now. She rises from the bed and walks out to the terrace in their suite. She stands in the doorway silently taking in the image of the sunlight basking over her husbands firm body. The years have been good to them both, and for some reason he reminded her of the way he
looked back on the Greek island so many years ago. Free and peaceful.
She smiles at him when he looks up at her."Caught me lurking."
Stefan Cassadine puts down his paper and smiles at Laura"You have permission to lurk anytime it suits you darling. Why are you up so early?"
Laura walks behind him and drapes her arms around him. She whispers in his ear"Funny thing, I reached over to hold my husband and he wasn't in bed beside me."
Stefan reaches over and pulls Laura around to him seating her on his lap. He brushes her hair back from her face"Then your husband is a fool. "
Laura giggles and then smiles seductively: Perhaps you'd like to take his place in bed?"
Stefan kisses her neck gently "There is no place that I desire to be more. I am sorry my disappearance woke you."
Laura kisses his forehead"No apology necessary. I had a feeling you would be up early today. How do you feel?"
Stefan sighs and looks at the view of their island"I am not sure really. I knew this day would come. Believe me, I am not sorry it is here. I worry for him though. Have I prepared him enough?"
Laura smiles and kisses his lips gently"Shh you worry too much. Nikolas is ready to assume his responsibilities. You and Alexis have prepared him, and he will still have you both to turn to for advisement. The time has come to
let him take over and for you to enjoy yourself. I have a surprise for you tonight."
Stefan smiles and holds her tightly"You know I am too impatient for surprises. Tell me."
Laura laughs teasingly"Tonight my love and not a second sooner."
Stefan sighs and pulls her to him for a kiss "why must you tease me so?"
Laura:"Because It amuses me. I love you darling and you are so adorable when you beg."
Stefan throws his head back and laughs heartily"Beg? I do not recall begging?"
Laura rises from his lap and turns toward the door"You don't beg? Very well I suppose I can return to my bed alone."
Stefan quickly follows her"I never said I refused to beg, merely that I did not recall begging."
........................
Nikolas is in the livingroom sipping bourbon when two hands cover his eyes. A young girl's voice behind him speaks"Guess who?"
Nikolas hesitates"I don't know? Who could it be? Uncle, is that you?"
The girl giggle's"No silly guess again."
N:"Mom? Mrs. Landsbury perhaps?"
The little girl starts to laugh harder"No. Daddy, it's me!"
Staci comes from behind the couch giggling and Nikolas grabs her throwing her down beside him"You surprised me! You know what I have to do now."
The little girl begs through her giggles"No daddy . . . Please . . . "
Nikolas is merciless as he begins to tickle his daughter."Daddy please what?"
Staci laughs loudly and they are interrupted by a voice"Don't fight him, Staci; just take it."
Nikolas smiles up at Lu"You're next! "
Lu smiles and pours herself some tea " I don't think so, I'm too old for tickling."
Nikolas stops tickling Staci and looks down at her"Did you hear your aunt Lu? She thinks she is too old to be tickled! "
Nikolas rises from the couch and picks Lu up swinging her around easily"Too old for this little sister?"
Lu laughs"PUT ME DOWN! "
Nikolas puts her down and kisses the top of her hair"Eleven years old and already so bossy."
Lu laughs"You're what 25? You've been bossy for years. Infact according to Lucky you were a pain in the as(she catches herself ) butt from an early age."
Nikolas sighs "We have had this discussion. Do not listen to Lucky."
Lu laughs outloud"He says the same thing except he says don't listen to Nikolas."
A voice comes behind them"That I do, and damn good advice if you ask me."
Nikolas turns to face his brother"We didn't ask you and watch the language c-h-i-l-d is in the room."
Staci runs to her Uncle"Uncle Lucky! (She turns to her father) I know you spelled child. I've heard the d word before. Grandfather said it when he played chess with Grandmother last week."
Lucky smiles cockily at Nikolas"I told you that you'd regret those flash cards. Speaking of the old folks, where are they?"
Nikolas hands Lucky a bourbon as he puts Staci down."Upstairs."
Lucky:"Feel any older?"
Nikolas shakes his head"No, but I know everything has changed for me now. I also have a few potential jobs in mind for you if you're interested. They could require your expertise."
Lucky nods his head"Sure, let me know what's up, but meet me at the club. You know this place gives me the creeps."
Nikolas scowls at him"Lucky I would think by now you'd be used to it."
Lucky sips his coffee and ignoring Nikolas smiles at Lu"What? No hello to me?"
Lu crosses her arms and looks at him angrily"You and I were supposed to go to the movies last night. You never called or anything."
Lucky walks over and kisses her cheek"I'm sorry, Princess, the club was a madhouse last night. I'll make it up to you okay. We have Nikolas' birthday shin dig tonight then tomorrow afternoon I'll take you and Georgie and Staci to the movies and then out for dinner okay. Assuming, that is okay with Nikolas"
Nikolas nods"That will be fine, but take Jacob with you."
Lucky snorts"I'm capable of taking care of my sister and my niece on my own."
Nikolas puts down his paper and heads out the room"it wasn't a request."
..........................
Later in the evening everyone is gathered around the table eating the feast Mrs. Landsbury has cooked up. The roast Lamb and fixings have everyone in a comfortable silence for a few moments as the food melts in their mouths.
Lucky:"I swear Mrs. L's cooking is close to heaven. Too bad I can't convince her to leave the house of horrors and work for me at the club.
Laura"It shows that you aren't eating well. You're so thin honey."
Stefan:"Lucky, you know you are welcome for dinner anytime. It is always served at the same time. But you knew that already."
Lucky scowls at Stefan"No. I haven't forgotten and trust me I eat. I just prefer to dine in places with mirrors."
Nikolas sighs"Not this tonight okay? I don't feel like getting into it with you."
Lucky "I wasn't speaking to you Nikolas. Look I came here because it my presence was requested at this 'family' gathering. I don't want a fight either."
Laura smiles apologetically at Stefan.
Laura"No matter how old they get . . . (Stefan finishes her sentence) "they are still obnoxious at the dinner table. Yes I realize that. If you two are quite finished sniping at each other we can finish dinner and move on to more important matters."
Staci laughs"Yeah, birthday cake!"
LU:'Oh Daddy, leave them alone. It's kinda nice to hear them argue, let's us know they are still speaking to each other.
Lucky cringes at hearing Lu call Stefan daddy but speaks with Nikolas in unison"We aren't arguing."
As the servants clear the table Stefan rises and holds up his glass of wine"If I could have the floor for a moment. Nikolas, today is a new beginning for you. It has been a joy watching you grow into the remarkable young man you are today. Words cannot express to you how important you are to us. You are a loving brother, son, and nephew and a caring devoted father. And today you become THE Cassadine. It has been Cassadine. . . (Stefan is interrupted by Alexis' rushed entrance into the home) Alexis is out of breath but rushes over to kiss Nikolas cheeks. She turns to Stefan"I am sorry, court ran over. Tom had an emergency and Stone is running a fever."
Stefan kisses her cheeks"Relax Alexis. Who is with Stone?"
Alexis takes a seat"Jason. He's a life saver. What did I interrupt?"
Lucky whispers sarcastically"Stefan's rendition of Nikolas Cassadine this is your life."
Stefan clears his throat"Silence. Now where was I. Yes it has been Cassadine family tradition to pass the title of The Cassadine from first son to first son. I have held this position for you, Nikolas. I am proud to pass it on to you today. You have been molded to be a fine leader and be rest assured that Alexis will guide you well. Of course if you ever need any advice I am here to assist you. Nikolas, rise please."
Nikolas rises from the table and faces his Uncle. Stefan smiles and takes off the Cassadine ring from his finger. He mumbles some words in Greek and Nikolas nods silently. Stefan takes his hand and slips the ring on his middle finger"Lead well my child. I know you will do extraordinary things."
Stefan kisses both of Nikolas cheeks and then hugs him. Turning to the table he sees Alexis and Laura wiping tears from their eyes"Now as my granddaughter would say-- Let us have cake."
They laugh and take their seats but Laura rises."Actually, I have a surprise for Stefan. You are now a retired man. I know you well enough to know, sitting still and doing nothing will not satisfy you. So, I have a gift for you."
Laura calls for a servant to bring her gift and he obliges. Stefan rises and eyes the large wrapped present.
Stefan"What is it?"
Laura smiles"Open it."
Alexis teases"Well it certainly isn't shaped like golf clubs."
Nikolas laughs"and much too big to be a gold watch. "
Stefan opens it and smiles when he sees the easel. He unwraps a separate package and finds a set of oil paints."Lasha."
Laura smiles and kisses his cheek"I remembered, now the question is do you?"
He nods and kisses her back."Thank-you."
They go back to the table and laugh when they see the questioning faces. Stefan turns to Laura"I take it you did not inform them?"
She shakes her head"Stefan is a very talented artist. He can paint marvelous portraits."
Everyone is stunned and finally Nikolas speaks"Uncle? I have never seen you paint before."
Stefan smiles"I have not done it since you were an infant Nikolas. Infact the last painting I did was. . ."
Laura finishes for him"Of me. It used to hang above your fireplace Nikolas."
Nikolas looks at his Uncle disbelieving"You painted that? You never told me."
Stefan"It never came up. Lasha you know I expect you to pose for me now."
Laura smiles as Mrs. Landsbury passes out birthday cake"There is no one I would rather pose for."
Lucky:"Stefan, an artist. You learn the strangest things sometimes." He feels his stomach turn as he thinks of his mother's first portrait. The one painted while she was captive on the island years ago. He heard his mother tell him time and again; Stefan was different. Though he had a respect for the man for raising his sister and taking care of his mother, he couldn't fight the urge to hurl whenever he was around too much. These happy family times were the worst for him. He missed his father more every time he heard Lu call Stefan "daddy." No matter how much he has informed her of Luke Spencer the truth was Stefan raised her, and for the life of him it just didn't sit well in his Spencer heart. He fought the urge to leave knowing his mother, sister and niece wanted him there. And hell , it was Nikolas' birthday. One evening wasn't going to kill him.
Everyone chatters through dessert.
They are interrupted by a knock at the door. Nikolas rises"I'll get it."
Stefan"A servant will get it Nikolas. Sit back down."
Nikolas smiles mischievously "No, I am expecting this person."
He excuses himself and answers the door. He's stunned when he feels the hard slap across his face.
Gina Cassadine-Quartermaine angrily walks in"NIKOLAS CASSADINE YOU ARE A BASTARD!"