Chapters 36 & 37

 

Chapter 36 For the Love of a Child

 

Alexis checks her watch again and curses in Greek. "I'm late. Oh well,

what else is new?" She hears Stone walk into the room and smiles at him.

"Hello, there. Why so glum?"

Stone shrugs his shoulder. "I want to go with you and Tom."

Alexis sits on the bed and begins to put the finishing touches on her

makeup. "Honey, Tom and I seldom have time for dinner together anymore.

It's like a date for us. I promise this weekend we'll take AR and you to

t-ball practice and then go out for pizza."

Stone smiles as he walks over and hops on the bed with her. "You're so

pretty, Mommy."

Alexis playfully brushes his face with her blush brush. "Flattery will get

you everywhere. What do you want?"

Stone giggles at being found out. "Can you tell the Mr. and Mrs. Landers

it's okay for me to stay up later? I like it when they're here."

Alexis laughs. "Like I'd have to tell them. They spoil you so. Very well,

you may stay up later." Stone bounds out of the room and Alexis smiles. Her

happiness is short lived when the telephone rings. "Alexis Hardy here."

Alex Garcia smiles. "Don't shoot me, but I need you or Tom down at the

station." Alexis sighs. "I can't, Alex. I have a date, and yes, it's with my

husband but I'm meeting him; he isn't here."

Garcia:"Look, Scott Baldwin showed up to represent the guy we think may

have killed his parents. He's furious and we're having a hard time keeping

him controlled. Now, I tried calling Kevin and Lucy, but they've taken

Serena out of town for the night. If you come here then maybe he'll leave. I

don't want him in the same room as Clark. The kid is scared and withdrawn

already, he might be wishing for death at this point."

Alexis groans. "Tom is going to owe me big time. I'm sure there's some

starving public defendant out there just praying for a call like this. Or

did you try Justus Ward to represent the guy until his parents come up with

another attorney?"

Garcia: "He's in Llanview right now working on a purchase for Ned Ashton.

You're my only hope. I can only stall for so long."

Alexis gives in. "I'm on my way, and I better not see you gloating."

 

Alexis breezes out of the penthouse and Stone giggles. "Mommy must have a

case she doesn't want."

Mr. Landers puts down the toy truck he's fixing and looks up at Stone

curiously. "How do you know that smart guy?"

Stone: "She was saying naughty words in Greek. Wow, you fixed my truck."

Mr. Landers laughs as he picks up another truck. "Monster truck racing?"

Stone begins to make truck noises and tries to overturn Lander's truck. He's

successful and laughs. "I win."

Landers tussles his hair. "Indeed you did! Wanna go again?"

Mrs. Landers walks in and laughs. " Stone beat you?"

He looks up lovingly at his wife. "He's got the smarts of his old man; you

bet he did."

Stone looks up at the mention of his father. "Will you tell me more about my

daddy?"

Landers pulls Stone into his lap and motions for his wife to sit with them

on the couch. "Your father was one of the fairest, compassionate men I ever

met. I remember when he met your Uncle Jason. Your Daddy needed a friend

in a bad way, and your Aunt Robin pushed for the two of them to meet. It

was an interesting pairing. You see, your namesake, Stone Cates had passed

away not so long before then and your father and Robin were very lonely.

Both of them had a void that was yearning to be filled."

Stone looks at him curiously. "Uncle Jason replaced Stone?"

Mrs. Landers answers. "Well, yes and no. You see honey, when someone

dies they can't just be replaced. They lived their own life and leave their own

mark in the world. Stone Cates touched many peoples lives, and when he died

many people were left hurting. They moved past it in time though, and they

met new people to love. Jason came along and he needed Robin and your dad

as much as they needed him."

Stone nods. "Mommy was hurt when my daddy died, but Tom came along and

replaced him."

Mr. Landers smiles. "No one has replaced your daddy. He was a powerful,

kind man and lives on in you. Tom has filled the hole for your mommy and

for you. He helped your mommy get over a tremendous amount of pain."

Stone shakes his head. "Mommy is still in pain. I see it when she looks at

me. I've asked her if I did something wrong but she says I've done

everything right."

Mr. Landers smiles. "Confusing to you, eh? I'll let you in on a secret, it's

confusing to us grown ups too."

Stones looks astonished. "YOU get confused? WOW..."

Mrs. Landers teases. "Confused? You should see him try and locate the

remote control to the TV set."

Mr. Landers looks offended then laughs. "Yes, I get confused. I'm confused

as to why you always beat me at monster truck racing!" He begins to tickle

Stone who pleads through his laughter.

 

Stefan enters his living room and finds Nikolas looking at a photo album.

Stefan sits beside him and smiles. "She was a beautiful baby."

Nikolas looks up at him proudly. "So healthy, Gina and I were so proud of

her-- still are. I guess I've just been remembered the better times."

Stefan sighs. "You two were so in love and had a beautiful daughter. This

home was filled with Georgie and Lulu traipsing through secret passages,

Your mother was beginning to feel more at ease here. You were an excellent

father right from the start, of course I never had any doubts."

Nikolas laughs. "I caught you and Mother spying on me. I just never looked

up, it felt right having you stand in the doorway while I read to Anastasia."

Stefan beams. "You want this child, correct?"

Nikolas nods. "I enjoy being a father. I am so furious with Katherine;

words cannot express it right now, yet I want the child she's carrying to be

mine. Perhaps you were right, I do need to talk to Kevin."

Stefan smiles reassuringly. "To sort through your worries, perhaps. But if

you think you're going insane...."

Nikolas rolls his eyes. "I wouldn't be the first in this family to do that

either."

Stefan pats his leg. "You are not crazy, Nikolas. You have been betrayed,

and to hope for something good to come out of it is not insane. To be honest

I'm surprised you are here; I assumed you would be giving Katherine hell

right now."

Nikolas looks at him seriously. "I headed off the island to do just that.

Then I realized I was acting rashly again. I sat on the docks and went

inside myself. While sorting through all the facts, it occurred to me

showing my hand now would be to make myself an even bigger fool. No,

Katherine is right, everything is on schedule. She knows me, but the younger

me, it's time she met the Nikolas she longs for: The Cassadine. I have

learned well from you but also from Luke Spencer, and I know I can pull this

off. You always told me to be aware of my enemies' motives and weaknesses.

Both of hers are now exposed. Spencer taught me the benefits of being

underestimated. I have the advantage here. Until we find out if the child

she is carrying is mine, things will proceed as they did before I heard the

tape. I will remain her fool."

Stefan smiles proudly at the young man beside him. He has evolved so much

from his teenage years. He was now truly THE Cassadine. "You have made a

well-thought out decision. Keeping your enemy where you can see them is a

strong defense. I have complete faith that you will handle her with perfect

care. I hope you will keep me posted."

Nikolas nods. "Could it be we're reaching a new level in our relationship? I

never thought we'd reach the point were we could speak so honestly and

timely with each other."

Stefan nods. "I remember when that was all we ever did."

Nikolas cocks an eyebrow. "When was this?"

Stefan thinks back to all the secrets of Nikolas childhood and smiles. "My

mistake, we have reached a new level to our relationship. I'm glad we've

made it."

Nikolas squeezes his father's shoulder. "I am too."

 

Alexis escorts Scott outside and tries to reason with him again. "You can't

see him while in this state of mind! You're a grieving son, not an attorney!

Let me take you home."

Scott stands before her seething. "He killed my parents. I have the right to

confront him!"

Alexis stands her ground. "Absolutely, but in a court of law! You are in a

police station! What are you going to do? Throttle him with Garcia and

Taggert standing by? Kill him and stand trial for his murder? What happens

to your daughter?"

Scott fights back his emotions and pleads with Alexis for understanding.

"Your husband was murdered. You know what I'm feeling. Did you just

stand aside and allow the police to handle it?"

Alexis' thoughts rush back to the time of Sonny's death, standing in front

of her incapacitated aunt and taunting her as Timoria for the loss of Sonny.

"The circumstances were different, I assure you. I had a child on the way,

and I never stopped thinking about his welfare. You must grasp a hold of

your emotions and do the same. Serena has lost her grandparents, her mother.

Must she lose her father as well? You're a smart man. I trust you will make

the right decision."

Scott thinks for a moment then backs down. "Are you going to defend him?"

Alexis sighs. "No. Let them call the public defender. Clark's parents may

be rich but he's not. He can qualify until he sucks up to Mommy and Daddy.

I'm here to stop you from incurring criminal charges."

Scott nods and then turns to leave. "You're a savvy one, Ms. Hardy. My

cousin lucked out when he nabbed you."

Alexis sighs in relief and then looks toward the entrance of the police

station with disdain. "You owe me, Tom."

 

 

Chapter 37 You Complete Me

 

Emily awakes suddenly at the screaming coming from the other room. She

rushes toward Evan's room and is shocked to find him clutching his pillow

looking like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. He looks up at her

oddly, as if trying to place her face. "Emily?" He says quietly in an

uncertain voice.

She sits next to him on his bed and gently brushes his hair back with her

hand. "Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?"

He studies her face for a moment then reaches out and hugs her tightly. "You

left from bed last night. I had a nightmare: something happened to you when

I woke up you were gone."

Emily nods. "I had to go to the Mansion last night. Ned and Lois are there;

I needed to talk to them. When I came back it was nearly dawn, you were

sleeping so soundly; I just went to the other room. Sorry if I scared you."

Evan smiles at her. Seemingly recovered from his nightmare, he pulls her to

him and begins to kiss her neck. "No apologies necessary, baby."

Emily pushes him back and begins to kiss his chest, teasing him with her

tongue. He moans under her touch and reaches up to caress her face. He

lovingly traces the outline of her lips and brushes his fingers lightly

over her face finally stroking her hair from her face. "I'm falling in love

with you, Emily. I love you so much it hurts."

Emily takes his hands in hers and squeezes them. Looking into his eyes, she

smiles at him reassuringly. "Love hurts sometimes but it doesn't have to

with me. I love you too, more than I ever though possible. You're my

sanctuary."

Evan doesn't break the hold of their hands together and rises to meet her

lips. He kisses her gently and then whispers. "No, you're my salvation. I

came here looking for my father and found so much more. You complete me,

Em; you complete me."

She feels a single tear slide down her cheek as she stares into his eyes.

He reaches up and wipes the tear away kissing his finger tip afterwards.

"Evan, you're safe with me. I know something is still haunting you; I can

see it sometimes. You've got that air of recklessness that comes when you're

searching for something that's lost. I know about losing a part of me; it's

happened so many times. You don't have to run anymore, whatever you're

running from, I'll stand by you and help you through it."

Evan looks at her and smiles. "I'm not running anymore, Em. I found what I

was looking for. I love you, and I don't ever want to lose you."

Emily kisses his lips gently. "You won't lose me. I longed after a man who

couldn't give me his heart. I allowed myself to wait and to blame myself for

his not committing to me. Then, I met you, and though it seems like I've

known you forever, it's only been a short time. Evan, you have made me feel

so needed, so wanted and so loved. I'll stand by you. You never have to

second guess that. Make love to me."

He pulls her to him and kisses her passionately.

 

Tom Hardy smiles when Alexis rushes to their table. "I'd about given up on

you."

She kisses his hand. "I'm sorry. Emergency at the police station. It

involved Scott."

Tom looks at her curiously. "Scott? What happened now?"

Alexis sighs. "Long story, bottomline he needs to be talking to you. He has

a lot of grief to work through."

Tom shakes his head. "I'll offer, but I think I'm too personally involved to

really be of assistance to him."

Alexis shrugs her shoulders. "Well, Kevin is out I suppose. He really needs

to talk to someone. I mean to lose both of your parents in such a violent

way. Anyway, How are you?"

Tom shakes his head. "I'll never understand how you can go from a perfectly

somber conversation to asking me how my day is?"

Alexis looks at him mysteriously."It's the Cassadine in me. We like to keep

people guessing."

Tom laughs. "Including each other?"

Alexis smiles devilishly."Especially each other. Okay Spill, how is Gina

doing?"

Tom smiles. "I can only speak as her boss, not as her therapist."

Alexis waves her hand to hurry him along. "Yeah, I know confidentiality.

How is she?"

Tom smiles indulgently. "She is actually fine. She's coping with her

marriage problems and is back at work. Robin and Carly have been checking

up on her."

Alexis smiles. "Good, Nikolas has been wrapped up with Katherine, so I

doubt he's bothering her."

Tom nods. "Strange pairing, Nikolas and Katherine. It seems almost

incestuous."

Alexis looks at him bewildered."Excuse me?"

Tom laughs."It reminds me of something Luke said once, Stefan and Nikolas

need to stop using the same gene pool. I guess this isn't humorous for you."

Alexis looks at him annoyed. "No, I can't say I find that humorous. Laura

and Stefan don't trust Katherine, and neither do I."

Tom cocks an eyebrow. "You're researching her for Stefan; aren't you?"

Alexis smiles. "No, not for Stefan."

Tom bites at the cat and mouse game. "Okay, then for Laura."

Alexis smiles at him but reveals nothing.

Tom reaches over and feeds her a bite of grilled salmon. "You are

incorrigible."

Alexis winks at him."And don't you forget it."

 

Back at the Hardy home, Mrs. Landers smiles at her husband as she leaves

Stones room. "He finally went to sleep. That boy is as restless as his father."

George laughs. "Looks just like him too. I really enjoy being apart of his

life. Kinda like having a nephew."

She swats him playfully. "Maybe we should be working on some of our

own?"

He kisses her gently. "The best thing that ever happened to me was you

saying I do to you."

She squeezes his hand. "Ditto. Would you like me to heat you something for

dinner? You barely touched your plate tonight."

He shakes his head. "Not really hungry. There is something you can do for

me though."

She smiles at him. "And what would that be?"

He winks at her. "Dance with me honey, that's all I want...for now."

She allows herself to be pulled into his arms and he sways her over to the

stereo. He turns on some soft jazz music and dances with her. "This is

heaven, baby."

 

Laura dials the Scorpio household from Lu's speed dial. "Felicia? Oh hi

Maxie, is your mom there?"

Felicia comes to the phone. "Laura Spencer-- to what do I owe the honor?"

Laura laughs. "Hey, well aside from the fact it's your turn to take Lu for

the weekend not too much. I do have a favor to ask though."

Felicia:"Name it."

Laura:"How would you feel about helping to plan another wedding?"

Felicia laughs. "Hmm about the same way as I would having my teeth drilled?

I'm teasing, who's getting married?"

Laura:"Lucy and Kevin. Stefan has a wonderful idea to surprise them, and I

think you're just the person to help me put this together."

Felicia laughs. "Tell you what, Mac's helping Alex with a case this weekend.

How about you mosey on over here with Lu and you and I will plan us a

wedding."

Laura laughs. "Watching westerns again?"

Felicia giggles. "That obvious? Okay, so, Saturday afternoon we'll plan

this."

Laura smiles. "I'll be there, but remember you agreed to help."

As Felicia hangs up."And you asked me to! See ya then."

 

Robin and Jason lounge in their hotel room enjoying the peace and quiet.

They can hear the ocean crashing onto the sand outside and they cuddle

together after making passionate love.

Robin smiles blissfully. "You always amaze me. That was just so beautiful."

Jason kisses her head gently. "I love you, Mrs. Morgan. I'll never get tired

of saying that, Mrs. Morgan...Dr. Morgan...Mrs. Dr. Morgan."

Robin looks up laughing into his blue eyes. "I'll never get tired of hearing

it. After that press fiasco at the wedding, I'm really enjoying this peace

and quiet."

Jason smiles. "What would you say if I bought up every newspaper in the

New York area?"

Robin ponders for a moment. "I'd say you're bankrupt and insane. I'd love

you anyway though. I really feel for Kevin and Lucy. They'll be going

through the same thing soon. Plus, Kevin'll be receiving copies of his new

book soon. The press frenzy over that will be horrendous."

Jason looks puzzled. "Another book? What's this one called?"

Robin smiles. " 'Raised by Lilith.' His first two books were such a success

his publisher practically begged him to write another one. I read the first

two and they scared the hell out of me. I don't know if I want to read this

one."

Jason shrugs. "Then don't read it."

Robin laughs. "Everything is so easy for you. I can't just not read it.

Kevin wrote the book."

Jason smiles. "Does Kevin know the first books scared you?"

Robin nods. "Yes."

Jason laughs. "Then he won't mind if you don't read the next one. You make

things so complicated."

Robin smiles slyly. "That's why we fit...we complement each other. Ying

and Yang."

Jason kisses her deeply. "How about we try your ying with my yang again,

Mrs. Morgan?"

Robin pulls him on top of her. "I thought you'd never ask."

 

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