Chapters 48 & 49
GH2005.48 Memories That Never Die..
Laura inserts her key into the room next to her bedroom suite. Opening
the door, she flips on the light then closes the door behind her. She
looks sadly around the nursery. Everything is the same as the day she
and Stefan had put the final touches on the room. Staci had recently
been brought home and they had been so anxious for their child to
arrive. She still remembers the day her water broke. Stefan and Nikolas
were playing chess when she walked into the rec room and announced it
was time. Even recently going through the process with Gina didn't
prepare the men. They rushed to grab her bags, to notify the rest of the
family. Hours later her and Stefan were gazing down at their son. She
tries to hold back the sobs as she eases into the rocking chair. She
closes her eyes remembering her child, her beautiful son with the mass
of dark hair and the perfect
skin. Stefan holding her as she held their child both trying to come up
with the perfect name. She thinks back to when her and Stefan both
announced to their other children that the baby was to be named Richard
Stefanovich Cassadine.
Nikolas and Lucky breaking the rules of the hospital, smoking a cigar
with Kevin and Mac and Tom. Alexis hugging them tightly, Lu begging to
see the baby. Bobbie explaining to her that she had to wait for just a
bit longer. Who'd have guessed the next day their child would disappear?
Laura loses her fight with her emotions and begins to sob. Hugging his
baby blanket, she sobs uncontrollably at the loss of her child. The loss
happened years ago, but still plagues her with an undeniable pain. So
much worse than losing Nikolas. She knew Stefan would always protect
Nikolas. Nikolas had been in safe hands. Who had Richard? Who was
raising her son? Was he okay?
Laura opens Staci's baby book and looks at her pictures through her
various stages. The picture of her the day after she came home from the
hospital. The picture of her first birthday, her first step. As she
flips through the pages she imagines her Richard and the way he would be
at the different ages. She smiles at imagining Lucky smearing cake over
his brothers face on his first birthday and Nikolas holding the camera
trying to scold Lucky but loosing control and laughing along with the
rest of the family. She rocks in the chair and begins to softly sing..
Hush little baby don't say a word....
Downstairs Stefan sits in front of his computer. He tries to type but
he's drawn to a picture of Nikolas and him from years before. Nikolas
was six and on top of his cherished horse. Stefan was standing proudly
next to him and they were both smiling. He examines the picture
carefully, taking in every detail. From the way his soft dark hair
shaped his face, to the dimples in his cheeks from smiling. He walks
back to his computer and starts his entry..
My son,
Today is the fifth anniversary of your disappearance. To say the house
is tomblike today is an understatement. While a day never goes by that
we do not miss your presence here, today is the worse. Yesterday you
turned five years old. There was no celebration here. Instead we roamed
the rooms of this house scarcely noticing other members of the family.
Your brothers and sister have been unusually quiet and reserved this
year. Today, as every year at this time, they
make themselves scarce. If only we could have you here. I have not given
up hope of your safe return. I pray whoever has you is raising you with
love and taking very good care of you. I have to believe for it would be
impossible for any of us to endure this tragedy any other way. I imagine
you have dark brown hair like Lesley Lu and Nikolas. Perhaps blue eyes
as Lucky and Lu have as well.
Are you a curious child? What amuses you? Will you start school this
year? You were our special child, Richard. The child to unite our
families together. You did that, even in your disappearance. For in our
grief and longing for your return, we are bonded together as a united
family. One day, I pray you will be returned to us. That you will be
able to meet your family. Your mother and I long to embrace you. To
welcome you home to your brothers and sister. Your niece, Staci would be
raised as close to you as a sister. You are both so close in age. She
too, longs for your return. I continue to pray for your return and hope
that one of the many leads we receive on you will turn out to be the
real thing. Until then my son,
Much Love,
Your Father..
Lucky and Nikolas lean on the gate by the stables watching Lulu and
Staci ride the horses. Lucky sighs and pulls out a cigar. He hands one
to Nikolas who takes it without a word. They light them in silence and
think back to the day in the hospital when Richard disappeared. Amy
rushing to them in a panic begging them to tell her who was holding the
baby. It quickly dawned on them that she was telling them Richard was
gone. They rushed to search the hospital. Calling in all personnel,
Cassadine guards and even Jason Morgan's men were available that day to
help. Every corner of the hospital was searched and then the entire
town. Nothing, as if the baby disappeared into thin air.
Lucky is the first to speak. "Will it get any easier?"
Nikolas looks at his brother and shakes his head. "I don't think so. I
still wait for him to be returned to us."
Lucky nods understanding. "Anytime I see a little boy, you know, around
Ricky's age, and he kinda resembles how I picture Ricky; I get that
feeling..What if that's him?"
Nikolas smiles. "I do that too. Staci asked me if she would be taken."
Lucky looks at him alarmed. "When did she ask this?"
He sighs as he cups his chin in his hands. "Last night. I was reading to
her and out of nowhere she asked if she would be taken away from us like
Richard. I assured her no, but I worry about that as well. If a
kidnapper could walk into a hospital and steal an infant from the
nursery, what is to stop them from grabbing my daughter or even Lulu any
other time? You saw how easy it was for Victor to take Lesley Lu years
before. Will my daughter be the next victim?"
Lucky pats him on the shoulder. "I promise you, I'll never allow anyone
to hurt Staci. You always have me in your corner."
Nikolas smiles ruefully. "Better than having you against me. I keep
thinking about Mother when she realized Richard was gone. I never saw
anyone go so .."
Lucky finishes it for him. "...Insane? Yeah, it was worse than the time
she thought Lulu was missing in the hospital. Back when Dad and I feared
you and Stefan taking her, I took her to Ruby's during a scare...a false
alarm. Well, Mom lost it on me. She kept screaming about she didn't mean
to leave her baby. We thought she meant Lulu, except she meant you.
That feeling of not knowing where one of her kids was brought back the
memories of not having you."
Nikolas eyes fill with tears. "I went into the room with her that night.
It was different though, when I relieved you from staying with her. She
was so lost. It was as if her heart had been ripped from her chest."
Lucky nods. "I checked on Stefan that night, before I went to check on
the girls at Gina's. He was in the nursery standing next to Richard's
crib. I just watched him looking at the crib and sobbing. I wanted to go
to him-- to see if he was okay, but I felt like I'd be intruding."
Nikolas nods. "I saw him there as well. I went to him and he didn't even
respond to my presence. Do you hear that? Someone's coming on the
launch."
Lucky follows Nikolas to the dock and they watch a young woman leave the
boat and head towards them. She smiles as she approaches. "Lucky!
Nikolas!"
In unison they exclaim.."CASSIDY!"
Nikolas hugs her. "You look well, but I was not aware of you visiting."
Cassidy gives Lucky a hug and then replies. "I've got news, but I'd like
to tell everyone together. Stefan called me to town anyway. I just
arrived a little early. This can't wait."
They walk with her into the home and join Stefan in the study. He calls
for Laura and once everyone is settled in the room Cassidy speaks.
"There's news on Richard. It appears we finally have a real lead. This
person contacted me through Cassadine Inc. I doubt they know about our
relationship, but they knew I was the computer expert for the company.
The person had information only the real kidnapper could know."
Laura gasps and takes Cassidy's hand firmly. "So, we can find my baby?"
Cassidy squeezes Laura's hand. "Perhaps, but this person is playing by
their own rules. They sent the info this morning, and said they'd be in
contact in a few days. I think they're enjoying jerking us around on the
anniversary of his kidnapping. They'll contact me via my computer, so
all we can do for now is wait. I tried tracing the email, but it was a
no go."
Stefan nods stiffly. "We have waited five years, a few days.... I just
want our son back. I am glad you are here though. You are invited to a
wedding."
Cassidy looks at him intrigued. "Wedding? Whose? When?"
Laura looks at Stefan. "We're still going?"
Stefan kisses her hand gently. "Yes, as much as I hope this is a real
lead, we have been through this many times. We both need this wedding to
keep our minds from the sadness. Cassidy, the wedding is tomorrow in
Hawaii, and it is for your brother and Lucy."
Cassidy squeals happily. "Finally??? Wait, I just talked to Kevin a
couple days ago. He told me about the Lucy being pregnant but nothing
about a wedding."
Laura smiles. "He and Lucy don't know yet. It's a surprise. So, this is
where you come in. Ask them to meet you in Switzerland. Tell them
they'll be traveling with me and Stefan on the Cassadine Jet. You, Lucky
and Mac and Felicia will meet us at the airport. Nikolas, have you made
up your mind on going or not?"
Nikolas nods. "Give them my regards, but I should stay here and take
care of Lulu and Staci. I need to keep Cassadine Inc. running anyway."
Lucky smiles at him. "All work and no play, man.."
Nikolas smiles back. "Makes me the opposite of you. Have a good time and
please give them both my best wishes."
Cassidy picks up her cell phone and smiling as Kevin answers begins her
part in Operation Second Marriage.
GH2005.49 Forever...
Early in the morning, Lucy and Kevin are packing at the lighthouse.
Kevin zips up his bag and looks at Lucy with a smile. "Lucy, Cassidy
insisted you only bring ONE bag of clothes. That means shoes,
accessories, everything in ONE bag."
Lucy glares at him. "It's not possible. I can not pack everything in one
bag. She's a woman; she should know that!"
Kevin smiles. "Okay, if you need more clothes, we can buy them in
Switzerland."
Lucy's eyes light up. "REALLY?? Even after that talk about no more
clothes yadda, yadda, yadda?"
Kevin laughs. "Really. Now, can we go?"
Lucy nods and zips up her bag. It's a quarter to five, Doc. Was it
really necessary to get up this early?"
Kevin ushers her out of the lighthouse. "Yes, now let's get a move on.
Stefan and Laura are probably wondering where we are."
On the Cassadine Jet: Lucky, Cassidy, Laura, Stefan, Mac and Felicia are
all looking at their watches.
Felicia smiles. "Oops..too bad Laura, your time just passed. That means
you and Mac are out of the running. Lucky, you might as well hand over
your money too; saying noon was a little over the top."
Stefan smiles in amusement. "I don't know Felicia, Lucky might be
right."
Felicia cocks an eyebrow at him. "Oh really? Well, in five minutes your
time is up. Cassidy and I are the only real contenders.."
Stefan bursts out laughing when he hears Lucy and Kevin approach. "What
is the phrase, Felicia... 'Told ya so'?"
Felicia scowls as Lucy and Kevin enter. Lucy looks around at everyone
and gasps. "What's going on? Cassidy, we are supposed to be meeting you
in Switzerland! Lucky, Mac, Felicia, what are you doing here?"
Kevin looks at Stefan and Mac. "I smell a trap."
Cassidy gives them both hugs and smiles happily. "Sit down and buckle
your seatbelts. Stefan and Laura will explain everything."
Lucy and Kevin take their seats and Stefan gives the pilot the word to
take off. Laura turns to the unsuspecting couple. "Okay, we lied. You've
been officially wedding-napped."
Kevin looks at her in confusion. "Wedding-napped?"
Stefan clears his throat. "After witnessing that circus at Robin and
Jason's wedding, I realized it would be even worse for you and Lucy.
With Lucy's condition we felt perhaps as a wedding gift, we could give
you a wedding."
Felicia grins. "And Mac and I are giving you the honeymoon. So, at
sunset tonight you two will being saying your 'I Do's' next to a
beautiful waterfall."
Lucy is speechless and that has everyone else speechless. Finally she
speaks. "OH MY GOODNESS!!! You guys are too much! I haven't planned
anything, I don't even have a wedding gown."
Laura smiles. "It's already been made for you, as has Kevin's wedding
attire. Everything's been planned. Relax and enjoy the trip to Hawaii."
Lucy's eyes become wide. "HAWAII!!!!!"
Lucky laughs. "I'd like to offer my assistance, Luce. Seems you need
someone to give you away?"
Lucy squeals happily. "Would ya??? Oh, you are the best!!!" Lucy turns
to Cassidy. "I would like you to be our best person, if you're willing?"
Cassidy nods with tears in her eyes. "I'd love to."
Hours later they arrive in Kauai and head to the waterfall made famous
in the opening of the television series Fantasy Island. On their
arrival, they're greeted by the Justice of the Peace.
"Welcome to Wailua Falls. Who will be joining in marriage this evening?"
Lucy and Kevin raise their hands as Lucy speaks. "That would be us, not
that we knew it before this morning. These great bunches of friends of
ours wedding-napped us! Can ya believe it! Just said we're getting
married and told us not to worry. And here we are! Not to worry on my
wedding day! As if that is really even possible.."
Kevin gently covers her mouth with a kiss. "Shhh Luce.."
Stefan approaches. "I am Stefan Cassadine, I believe we spoke on the
phone."
The man smiles. "Yes, Aloha Mr. Cassadine. Everything has been arranged
as requested. The band is setting up and there are two rooms set up for
the bride and groom to get dressed. The photographer is over to your
left."
Stefan continues to talk with him as Felicia, Laura and Cassidy usher
Lucy to her dressing room. Lucky and Mac do the same with Kevin.
Lucy looks at the white gown hanging on door and becomes tearful. "Oh,
It's so beautiful."
She puts it on and looks in the mirror. Laura adds some leis of pikaki,
small white fragrant flowers that are traditionally worn by the bride
that fall just past Lucy's waist. Cassidy adds some soft orchids to her
hair as Lucy pulls it up in a soft gibson hairdo.
Felicia smiles. "Okay, you have something new, the dress, something blue
is in the orchids."
Cassidy unlocks her locket and places it around Lucy's neck. "Here is
Something Old. This has been in my father's family for years and I think
it looks lovely with your dress."
Lucy squeezes her hands and Laura hands her pearl earrings. "These are
yours to borrow. They will match your dress perfectly."
Outside Kevin is standing next to the Justice of the Peace, trying not
to look terrified. He has on Black pants and a flowing white poets shirt
opened a quarter way down his chest. He is wearing a lei of polished
brown kukua nuts tied with a red ribbon and a red carnation lei. Lucky
knocks on the dressing room door and Felicia and Laura take their seats
next to their husbands.
Cassidy joins Kevin and squeezes his hand whispering. "I love you."
The Hawaiian wedding song begins to play and Lucky escorts Lucy slowly
towards Kevin. Her dress flows loosely against the soft wind, and the
waterfalls light up like a million tiny rainbows as the rays of the
sunset hits them just right. Kevin's robbed of air as his breath is
taken away seeing his Lucy walking so beautifully, almost like an angel
in a dream, toward him. She joins him and the Justus of the Peace begins
the ceremony. They repeat their vows and after no one objects they
begin their own vows.
Kevin, taking her hand in his: "Lucy, you and I have been through this
before, but nothing has ever felt more right and more permanent than
this does right now. You are the love of my life. You fought for my soul
and won. You ignored others warnings and took a chance with me. I will
love you and cherish you for the rest of my life. You and our children
will always be my entire life. You are my love, my best friend, and my
greatest treasure."
Lucy cries softly as she begins to speak. "I thought that you and I were
over the last time, but of course, we weren't. You're my soulmate, Doc.
The Gods have fought hard for us to be united. Our karma mixes to create
this beautiful love that I so cherish. I want you to remember that no
one on this earth means more to me than you! You see me for who I am.
Not for you want me to be or for who I used to be. We may seem like an
odd match to others, but I know in my heart we are perfect! Forever, my
love, you and me forever."
They are pronounced man and wife and kiss soulfully. She hugs him
tightly and they hold on for dear life to each other as the sounds of
the waterfall echoes through the cove. They are congratulated by their
friends and a thought hits Lucy suddenly. She smiles at everyone.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back. I have to call Serena."
She runs off to the dressing room with her cell phone and Mac looks at
Kevin. "Are you okay, mate?"
Kevin nods. "She loves me, she just has to finish something with Scott
first. I understand that. Now, let's party."
Scott picks up the phone on the second ring. He hears Lucy's voice
trying to explain the wedding quickly. "Slow Down, Luce. I'm not
catching most of this. What are you telling me?"
Lucy takes a deep breath and looks at the wide gold band on her finger.
"I'm married, Scott. Kevin and I are in Hawaii and we just got married.
I wanted to be the one to tell you..."
He cuts her off. "Married? How? No! Luce, you said it would be a few
months till you got married!"
Lucy sighs. "Scott, we weren't expecting to get married. We were
surprised by our friends, and we got married. Nothing's changed. I told
you-- I love Kevin. Scott, you and I will always share Serena, and this
goofy, happy, crazy past together. You're my best friend and I love you.
But, Kevin is my husband. Even before today he was the husband of my
heart. I always knew he would be the man I spent the rest of my life
with. Look Pal, I want to talk to you about this, but I have to go. I'll
call you when I get back and please give Serena my love." She hangs up
the phone quickly and chokes back a sob. She whispers softly. "Goodbye
Scotty."
Scott hangs up the phone and for a moment stands in his living room
motionlessly. Then he turns to a lamp and pulls it out of the wall and
slams it across the room screaming. "NOO! DAMN YOU, LUCY! I WAS
SUPPOSED TO HAVE MORE TIME!"
He begins tossing pillows and other small items around the room and then
approaches the CD player. Looking at an old tape he laughs bitterly and
puts it into the cassette player.. He sits on the floor and rests his
head on the glass of the CD case. As the tears fall over his cheeks,
music fills the room...
What did you think I would do at this moment
When you're standing before me
With tears in your eyes
Trying to tell me that you have found you another
and you just don't love me no more
What did you think I would say at this moment
When I'm faced with the knowledge
That you just don't love me
Did you think I would curse you
Or say things to hurt you
'cause you just don't love me no more
Did you think I could hate you
Or raise my hands to you
Now come on you know me too well
How could I hurt you when darling I love you
and you know I'd never hurt you-oo-wo-oo-o-o-o...
What do you think I would give at this moment
If you'd stay I'd subtract twenty years from my life
I'd fall down on my knees
and kiss the ground that you walk on
If I could just hold you again
Back in Hawaii, Lucy and Kevin dance to the soft Hawaiian music the band
is playing. They look around and see Laura and Stefan, Mac and Felicia,
and Cassidy and Lucky all dancing. Doc strokes her cheek lovingly. "How
did your phone call go?'
Lucy smiles. "As expected. You know, I didn't talk to Serena."
Kevin kisses her cheek. "I trust you, Luce. You owe me no explanations."
Lucy whispers sweetly as she rests her head on his shoulder. "I love
you, Doc."
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