Chapters 42 & 43
Chapter 42 The Ladies of Port Charles
Laura and Lulu arrive at the Scorpio home and knock on the door. Lulu
blushes slightly as Evan opens the door flashing her a grin. "Well, if
it isn't two of the prettiest ladies in Port Charles? Please come in."
Laura laughs as she escorts Lu inside. "You sure are in a jovial mood.
How are Felicia and Mac?"
Evan closes the doors and follows them to the couch. "They're much
better. Felicia will be down in a sec. Can I get either of you something
to drink?"
Laura shakes her head. "No, I'm fine thanks."
Evan winks at Lulu. "Well, you must be Lulu? I'm Georgie and Maxie's
brother, Evan. They're outside waiting for more rides on the motorcycle.
Would you be interested in joining us?"
Lulu lights up and looks anxiously at her mother. "Please Mom?"
Laura hesitates. "I don't know, I'm not fond of motorcycles, they seem
so unsafe. I let you ride with Lucky in the convertible though. As long
as you do everything Evan says and keep the helmet on, I don't see why
not."
Lulu hugs her mother tightly. "You're the best." She runs over to Evan.
"Georgie thinks you're really cool. Now I can know why."
Evan laughs and leads her out of the room. "Cool eh? Well she thinks the
same of you kiddo. Let's go join her and Maxie."
Felicia walks into the room and smiles. "Another biker babe in the
making? They just can't resist him and his offers of free rides."
Laura laughs. "True. Can't blame them for finding him irresistible. He's
devilishly cute. Now, how are you?"
Felicia feigns shock. "Why Laura Cassadine! That's my stepson you're
talking about, whatever would Stefan say?"
Laura rolls her eyes. "Probably the same thing Mac would say if he heard
your comments about Joey Scanlon a few years back."
Felicia sighs happily. "Joe Scanlon, never had stitches put in by a
cuter set of... dimples. I wonder how he and Karen are doing?"
Laura smiles. "Just fine according to Lucy. The kids are good, and with
Scott back in town, they might consider a visit. Now, again how are
you?"
Felicia waves her concerns away. "Oh, I'm fine. A few bruises but still
running. Now tell me about this wedding we're planning."
Laura brings out some brochures. "Stefan thought that Hawaii might be a
good place for their remarriage. It'll be private and romantic. I hear
you can see a thousand little rainbows in the waterfalls of Kauai at
sunset. I have to agree with Stefan, I think this is just the perfect
place for them to re-commit their love."
Felicia smiles as she looks at the brochure. "Wow, scuba diving,
horseback riding, hiking.... There's a lot for them to do."
Laura slaps at her playfully. "For them to do? For us to do! Stefan has
decided that after your little adventure you could both use some R&R
just as much as the rest of us. Besides, he mentioned something about
owing you both for helping with Nikolas."
Felicia sighs as she looks over the rest of the brochure. "I wish his
hunch had been wrong. Nikolas must be furious."
Laura raises her eyebrow. "If you only knew."
Katherine walks into the living room of the penthouse and smiles at
Nikolas. "Two dozen white roses. What have I done to deserve this?"
Nikolas runs his fingers through her hair and kisses her neck gently. He
trails kisses over her neck till he meets her lips, planting a firm
passionate kiss on them. He whispers gently in her ears. "You deserve
this and so much more. I want to spend the remainder of this pregnancy
pampering you. I have rearranged my entire schedule so that I can spend
more time with you. I feel as if I've been neglecting you up until now."
Katherine runs her hands over his bank relishing his tender kisses and
gentle nudges. "Of course I want to see more of you, Nikolas, but I know
how busy you are. I'm a patient woman; there's no need to go out of your
way for me."
Nikolas tips her chin slightly and kisses her lips again before pulling
her closer to him. "I plan to spend every free minute I have with you
and our child. I want you to know I plan to treat you just as you
deserve to be treated, darling.
You are carrying what could be the next Cassadine heir. That
comes with
many responsibilities. I've asked Alexis to begin instructing you on the
child rearing guidelines for raising the future Cassadine. I also
brought some books on Russian Royalty another general topic necessary
for the mother of the future heir to know. You are going to be very
busy, darling. We have so much to prepare for. I have hired a tutor to
meet with you in the afternoons while I'm working."
Katherine pulls away and looks at him with disbelief. "Wait... a tutor?
Nikolas, I don't have time for a tutor! I'm perfectly capable of raising
a child. Am I supposed to believe your mother and Gina both went through
with this archaic tradition?"
Nikolas fakes a wounded expression. He turns away from her and whispers.
"I thought you would relish learning about the Cassadine traditions. If
you are to be my wife and the mother of my child, the potential heir to
my family, It would be necessary for you to know this. Yes, my mother
was instructed in these traditions. When married Gina I was young and
rebellious; now I realize my mistake. Part of the reason our marriage
failed was due to her lack of knowledge of the Cassadine traditions. If
you aren't interested..."
Katherine wraps her arms around him and coos lovingly to him. "Of course
I'm interested. Excuse my behavior, hormones you know. I'll adore being
your wife and raising this child. When do my lessons begin?"
Nikolas faces her and smiles seductively. "They already have and you
passed the first lesson on loyalty with flying colors. Your tutor will
be here in an hour. She will stay with you six hours a day. I will be
home shortly after she leaves. The time will pass by quickly,
sweetheart, and we can spend the entire evening together."
Katherine smiles. "Sounds like heaven, but what about Staci?"
Nikolas grins. "That brings me to my next reason for being here. I want
you to move into Wyndemere. You are my fiance, and your place is in my
home. The movers will be here tomorrow morning. We should spend our
first night at Wyndemere tonight though. I will pick you up at 8pm. We
are about to begin a wonderful new time in our lives. I hope you are as
excited as I. "
She nods excitedly. "I'm ecstatic. I love you, Nikolas."
Nikolas kisses her gently wrapping his arms around her tightly.
Scotty grins at Lucy who stares at him in disbelief. "You want to repeat
what you just said, pal?"
Scott takes her hand and looks deeply into her eyes. "I said I love you,
Lucy. Why are you so shocked? We've been through hell and back. We have
our beautiful Serena, and share a history so deep no one could touch it.
I came back here for you. I thought you realized that."
Lucy rises from the couch and shakes with emotion. Her past with Scotty
races through her mind and then she thinks about her Doc. The feeling of
deja vu overwhelms her. "No! You cost me my marriage last time! I lost
you, Serena, and my Doc because of you. I've worked hard to pick up the
pieces. It's like you-- wait 'til I'm so happy that I could just burst
then sail in flashing that cocky smile, whispering that you love me in
that irresistible way of yours and I'm supposed to drop everything,
forget everything and rush off with you.
Yeah, pal, we have a history together. A history filled with
the
greatest joy and the greatest pains I've ever experienced! Do you know
how I felt when you left with Serena without even a word to me? Just
some silly little note saying danger was near and you loved me but had
to go?! At least the first time you told me face to face. At least I
could hug her and tell her how much I loved her! Scott, I won't let you
do this to me again! I'm pregnant! I came here to tell you that Doc and
I are getting married."
Scotty holds her shoulders and shakes his head. "No Luce! You can't.
Come on, you and me, we're soulmates. I love you and you love me. Sure,
you and Nutboy might be happy now, but the first blonde bimbo comes his
way and he's off half-crazed ready to stalk again then where will you
be? Luce, Serena and I need you. I can take care of you and Serena. The
future kid too. I love you, Lucy. It hurt you when I left, but my back
was against the wall. I had to move fast. Don't you think I wanted to
take you? How could I've hidden us all?"
Lucy pushes his hands away. "Luke Spencer managed to do it with his
wife, two kids, a dog and a crazed mother-in-law! No! NO! NO! Not again!
Pooh on you, Scotty! If you loved me, you'd be happy for me! You'd
accept us being closer than close friends--pals for years to come. And
stop calling him Nutboy! Kevin's well and has been for years! Felicia
forgave him eons ago and she even helped him to forgive himself! You're
the only one holding a grudge! You spoiled rotten baby, Scott!"
Scott looks at her angrily. " What? What did you call me?"
Lucy stomps her feet. "A baby! A spoiled rotten baby! You're mad
because you can't have what you want when you want it! You can't handle
the word no! You only want me when I'm with someone else. I won't do
this again! I love Kevin! He's my rock! My constant. He'd never accuse
me of kidnaping our child! He'd never just up and leave me! He wouldn't
just toss me on the curb when something more important came along. He
held me when you accused me of kidnaping Serena. Kevin walked away from
our marriage because he loved me so much, he wanted me to make up my own
mind. Kevin is the one who took me back, battered and broken and nursed
me back to the way I am now! I'm whole when he's with me! He completes
me, Scotty! Nutboy, as you refer to him, is the strongest, kindest man
I've ever known and he loves me no matter what. Have you ever loved
anyone so much you were willing to give them up so that they could be
happy?
Of course not! Scott only thinks of Scott. No, wait that's not fair.
You thought of Dom and you think of Serena. And yes, I know that deep,
deep down in that hidden heart you do mean it when you say you love me.
Our time is over! I am happier with Doc than I've ever been in my life.
And now it's time you accepted that, Pal."
She grabs her purse and hurries out the door before he can answer. Once
outside she begins to sob. "No, not this again."
Scott runs after her but stops in the lawn as he watches her speed out
of the drive way. "LUCY!!"
GH2005.43 Forgiveness
A special thanks to Magster for writing the flashback in this chapter.
Felicia rises from the couch and pours some tea for her and Laura. She
looks at the wedding picture of her and Mac. "It seems odd to be
planning Lucy and Kevin's wedding. I still remember a time when I never
wanted to be in the same room with him."
Laura looks at her curiously. "I never asked you about that. I'd seen
you and Mac with Lucy and Kevin for some time and just assumed
everything was resolved. How exactly DID you manage to forgive him?"
Felicia smiles. "You know what it's like to forgive someone, Laura--
even for the most hideous crimes. I don't know when I made the conscious
decision to forgive him. I remember our trip to France, the one where we
brought Victor home, was a major turning point for the four of us.
Lucy's one of my best friends, and Mac loves Kevin like a brother. It
was inevitable our paths would continue to cross.
The rage I felt toward him was overwhelming. In some ways more intense
than I felt with Ryan. I think what got to me the most was Kevin was a
very good friend when he went after me. I trusted him completely; he
knew how much Ryan had terrified me. It took me a long time to really
understand Kevin really wasn't in control of what he was doing. I
displaced all my anger at Ryan on Kevin because it was easier to be
angry with a real live person."
Laura squeezes her hand. "We don't have to talk about this you know."
Felicia grins. "It's okay. I am completely comfortable around Kevin now.
He's a part of my life just like you and Stefan are. Who'd have thought
the six of us would be so close?"
Laura laughs. "Not me. I'm glad we are though. So, tell me when did you
officially forgive him?"
Felicia thinks back to the week before her wedding. "It wasn't so much
my forgiving him as my helping him forgive himself."
Flashback 2003....written by Magster
Felicia Jones, clad in a pair of khakis and a lightweight blue sweater,
sits curled in a chair, eyeing the stacks of paper on the nearby dining
room table - lists of things she needed to get through in preparation
for her marriage to Mac. It's taken years for the two to finally commit
to each other at the same time, and Felicia wants everything to be
absolutely perfect. She remembers the moment when she knew she and Mac
were finally going to make it. Laughing to herself, Felicia recalls the
memory of running around France with Lucy in a nun's habit. A thrill
went through her upon discovering Mac followed her to Europe for her
protection; she loves that about him. Mac means safety, but at the same
time, he provides an endless outlet for adventure. This combination was
unique to Mac. Tom had given her security, and Frisco adventure, but
only Mac knew how to combine the two.
Felicia glances lovingly at the couch where Mac sits. Betty had
taken the children for the day and it's supposed to be a relaxing
afternoon. The look on Mac1s face, however, is anything but relaxed.
Felicia: "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
Mac (looking pensive): "Oh, just a problem with one of my cases nothing
to worry about."
Felicia rises from her seat and crosses the room to the couch, placing
herself on Mac's inviting lap. Mac makes a move to hide the paper he
was studying, but Felicia is too quick for him. She playfully grabs and
obtains it, scanning the written words.
Felicia mutters to herself, "Ned... Justus...Stefan..." reading aloud
from the piece of paper. "Mac, what on earth are you doing?"
Mac replies, "Just trying to pick my best man, is all. I just don't
seem to be able to decide."
Felicia doesn't think any of the candidates are quite right. Someone's
missing, she realizes. There has to be someone obvious to be Mac's best
man. Suddenly, it dawns on her-- Kevin. Kevin's Mac's best friend.
Kevin should be Mac's best man. Kevin should play a role in this
wedding. The same Kevin who'd stalked her, kidnaped her, and held her
at knife-point on a deserted island. So many conflicting thoughts swim
in Felicia's head. Sorting through them, she realizes what she needs to do.
Felicia asks, "Why don't you let this decision sit for a few days,
Mac? I'm sure you'll make the right choice before the wedding." She
moves the papers out of the way and rests her head on Mac's shoulder,
allowing his strong arms to wrap around her. Reconciling with Kevin was
a sacrifice she's willing to make for the man whose arms held her.
.
*THE NEXT AFTERNOON*
Felicia put off calling Kevin all morning. Finally, she willing herself
to pick up the phone, Felicia dials the lighthouse. The phone rings
twice then Lucy picks up.
Lucy: "Hello?"
Felicia: "Hi, Lucy, It1s Felicia. May I speak to Kevin?" Felicia could
almost see the look of shock crossing her friend's face.
Lucy: "Of course, I'll get him, Hang on."
Felicia is amused as she hears Lucy excitedly whisper, "Doc, the phone's
for you. It's FELICIA!"
Kevin speaks cautiously, "Hello, Felicia. What can I do for you?"
Felicia: "Hi, Kevin. I was wondering, could you meet me at Kelly's?"
Kevin: "Sure.. if you think it's important..."
Felicia: "It is."
*AN HOUR LATER*
Felicia and Kevin grab a corner table in the crowded diner, waving the
waitress away after ordering some coffee.
Felicia: "Listen, Kevin, it's taken me a long time to put what happened
between us in the past, but I think I'm ready now to sort this out with
you."
Kevin cautiously, "That's wonderful, Felicia. Not to be too
presumptuous, but what prompted this?"
Felicia: "It's simple; Mac and I are getting married. I know it'd mean
so much to him if you could be his best man. He won't ask you, though,
out of loyalty to me. But his happiness is more important. I'm not sure
you're aware of this, but I forgave you a long time ago for stalking me.
You haven't forgiven yourself. So, if it's okay with you, I want to
discuss my feelings about it. I think it's long overdue."
Kevin: "That's generous of you, Felicia. I know this is difficult for you."
Felicia: I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Kevin, I'm
beginning to realize a few things. It's took me forever to reach this
conclusion, but I've discovered much of my anger toward you in the
months
following the incident is actually rooted in my fear and hatred of
Ryan. Sure, you did some horrible things and made me question my
judgment. But there's a major difference between what you did and what
Ryan did. Ryan went after my kids. You only went after me. Ryan put
me through a living, agonizing hell when he took first Maxie, and then
Georgie."
Kevin: "I don't see how you can just forgive and forget, Felicia. I
don't want you diminishing what I di-"
Felicia: "-please, Kevin, just let me get through what I need to say. I
don't think I'll ever erase from my mind what happened on Jasmine
Island; but that doesn't mean I can't try and put it behind me. Before
any of it happened, you were one of the most important people in my
life. You represented an alternate side of Ryan, helping me let go of
the horror and pain he caused. I desperately needed that. Then, when
Ryan returned and took Georgie, the horror resurfaced and I could never
bury that anger again. But you helped me get through it yet again. I
trusted you completely. Then Jasmine Island changed everything. I
couldn't separate the two of you. Your actions provided an outlet for
the stored up anger and terror I felt toward Ryan for years. It was
easier to hate you than hating a man who didn't exist anymore."
Kevin: "God, Felicia, I'm sorry for what I've done to you. I destroyed
the safety you created in your life after Ryan's imprisonment and
death. I can't pretend to be any better than my twin."
Felicia: "Kevin, You're not Ryan. Ryan was malicious. You were simply
lashing out because of the abuse you and Ryan suffered as small
children. You're not evil. Maybe I can't forget, Kevin, but I've
forgiven. Now it's your turn. You have to accept you aren't Ryan. What
he and your mother did is not your burden to carry. Kevin, you have to
quit punishing yourself. Every time you see me you beat yourself up!
Please, let it end now. That'd mean so much to Mac if you'd stand up
for him at our wedding. It would mean so much to both of us."
Felicia reaches across the table and lightly touches the hand of an
overwhelmed Kevin.
Kevin: "You have no idea how much this means to me, Felicia. I'll try
and yes, I will be his best man. Thank you."
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