Chapter 44: Little Sister
Laura waves through the front doorway at Lulu and Nikolas. "Bye, bye! Have fun! See you in the morning!"
"Missing her already?" Alexis asks, watching from the living room.
Laura closes the front door. "Yes and no. On one hand I'm relieved that I have 'the night off' so to speak. But I feel kind of lost." Laura's eyes light up at a sudden thought. "How would you like to have dinner with me? Say the Port Charles Grille?"
Alexis grins. "I'd love to. I know what it's like not to know what to do with yourself, even though Cassidy, Jason, and Mike do their best to keep me occupied. It'd be nice to be free of them for a night."
Laura laughs. "They can't win, can they? Okay, make yourself comfortable, help yourself to anything you can find in the fridge, while I go get dressed." Laura goes upstairs
"Thanks, Laura. I think I'll use your phone again." Alexis dials a number from memory; the voice mail comes on. "Hi Cassidy, it's me. I'm going to dinner with a friend. I won't be home 'til late. See you when I get in. Hope you had a good day. Love you, Bye."
Laura comes downstairs in a floral dress. "I'm ready." Alexis and Laura begin to leave when Laura stops. "Wait, I have to do something real quick. Do you mind waiting for me in the car?"
Alexis opens her mouth and shuts it again quickly. "Sure." Alexis leaves to warm up the car.
Laura goes to the hall closet and takes a small blue duffle off the top shelf, rifling through the contents until she finds a small blue booklet. Laura drops the opened duffle on the ground, putting the blue booklet on top. She goes to the kitchen and returns a few moments later with a kitchen knife full of some substance smeared on it. Laura wipes the substance on a few select pages of the book and returns the knife to the kitchen, bringing Foster back with her. "Be a good boy, Foster." She kisses him on the top of his head before joining Alexis.
Stefan beams at Lulu as she runs over to greet him. He crouches to her level and embraces her warmly. "Hi, Angel."
"Hi, Stefan. Did you miss me?" Lulu whispers back. Nikolas watches them with a mixture of surprise and amusement. When did his uncle get so fond of Lulu? And vice versa?
"Too much." Stefan suppresses the urge to kiss her cheek.
The black kitten scampers over and winds herself around Lulu's legs. Lulu squeals with delight. "The kitten!" She scoops it up and squeezes it affectionately. The kitten squeaks in alarm.
"That was the surprise I was talking about on our way over." Nikolas explains. "I'm glad you like her."
"I love her, Nikky! What's her name?"
Nikolas quietly warns her. "Don't forget to be gentle, Lulu. It hurts her to be squeezed. She doesn't have a name yet, would you like to name her?"
"Really?! Can I?" Lulu lets the kitten go when it's wriggling becomes more frantic. "It'll take me a long time 'cause I want the name to be perfect!" Lulu runs off in pursuit of the kitten. Stefan watches her with adoration in his eyes.
Nikolas looks at him speculatively. "Careful. If Lucky sees that look he'll probably kill you. And if my mother does, she probably won't let you see her again."
Stefan winces at the thought before quickly recovering. "I will make sure it never comes to that."
Cassidy is using the phone to listen to the Alexis' voice message at the penthouse when the doorbell rings. She hangs up the phone to go answer it. Her face lights up with surprise. "Hi Kevin! Come on in."
Kevin strolls in, feigning a casualness he doesn't feel. "I'm sorry to stop by unexpectedly. I hope I'm not disturbing any of your plans?"
Cassidy takes his coat, hanging it in the closet. "No. Actually, Alexis just canceled her plans with me tonight, so I'm free. Can I get you something to drink?" She goes to the liquor counter.
"Sure. A glass of wine would be nice." Kevin looks around and notices a copy of his book, 'Raised by Echidna' on the coffee table. He points to it when Cassidy turns around to hand him a glass. "Reading my book?"
"Yeah, Stefan gave it to me. It's fascinating. You're a talented and insightful writer."
"Hoping to learn more about our mother? Or was it your curiosity about me and our brother, Ryan?" Kevin asks as if he's talking about the weather.
Cassidy almost drops her glass. Her face turns white as she sits down suddenly, gulping several times for air. "You know..."
"Yes, I found out for sure today, actually. I took a little look at your personnel record. It's right there." Kevin joins her on the couch. "The question is why didn't you tell me? Why hide the fact at all when you clearly wanted to know me."
Cassidy looks at the floor, ashamed. "It wasn't safe for me to come out of hiding until recently. I decided after Sonny died, I wasn't going to lose the chance to know you. But I was afraid.... I was afraid if I told you, you wouldn't want have anything to do with me. So I figured if you had a chance to get to know me, even come to like me... that when I told you I was your sister, you might accept me into your life."
"Why would I refuse to have anything to do with you?"
Cassidy looks him in the eye as her voice quivers. "What's the phrase? 'Like mother, like daughter'? You must hate me now. Not only am I the daughter of a woman you hate more than anyone else in the world, but I lied about it." Cassidy looks at the floor again.
Kevin lifts her chin with his forefinger, forcing her to look at him. His face softens at the sight of her eyes brimming with tears. "I think I've tortured you long enough. I don't hate you, Cassidy. Yes, there are things about you that remind me our mother.. your eyes, the shape of your face. But that's where the similarity ends. Do you know why I came here tonight?"
"To tell me you knew I was your sister?"
"Yes, that's true." Kevin frames her face with his hands, gently wiping her tears away with the pads of his thumbs . "But more so, I was afraid you'd leave town. Lucy told me about her visit with you today. Please promise me you won't leave."
"I won't leave. Not unless you want me to." Cassidy holds his hands with hers, squeezing them emotionally. "Ever since I was a little girl and my dad told me I had brothers, I've longed to know them. You're the only one left. I want this more than anything."
"You're too young to have a life this complicated. But I'm thankful that you were spared Mother's abuse. I shudder to think what she might have done to you, given the chance."
"She would have killed me," Cassidy replies matter-of-factly. "Daddy said that when I was two, he came into the nursery to find my mother putting a pillow over my face. No damage was done because he got there in time. He said she was insane with jealousy. Both he and Ryan doted on me. She couldn't stand the competition."
Kevin looks stunned and horrified. "Ryan knew?" Kevin whispers. "He didn't hurt you?"
"I don't remember him. But Daddy said that even though Ryan was screwed up, he was very protective of little children, and that included me. I'm sure he didn't tell you because he knew I was in hiding."
Kevin swore as he got up to pace the room, unable to stand still any longer. "She never saw you again?"
Cassidy shakes her head. "No. Daddy took me and disappeared. Apparently Ryan helped by making sure Mother was passed out drunk. I know he turned into a monster, but I will always be thankful to him."
"He saved me too." Kevin sits down again and takes her hand. "For years he took abuse so that I could be safe."
"So where do we go from here?" Cassidy asks.
"One day at a time." Kevin smiles in encouragement. "Once you've told Mike that I know, I want a chance to thank him for getting you out of that nightmare."
Alexis and Laura sit at the PC Grille eating dinner, Alexis is talking. "So I decided enough's enough. I made an appointment with Tom. At first I was sure it wouldn't work, but he's really quite good. I've seen him a few times now and the nightmares have slowed to a couple times a week."
"That's terrific, Alexis! I'm so glad it's working out for you. You know, Lulu's been having troubles sleeping." Laura takes a sip of water. "I spoke to Simone last week. She wasn't too worried but she did say if Lulu continues to have problems, I should get a referral for a children's therapist."
"This has to be hard on you, Laura. Not only do you have to deal with your own grief, you have to be strong to take care of your children. It must be exhausting."
"I was just telling Nikolas how tired I was today." Laura replies. "That's when he offered to have Lulu over for a sleepover. It couldn't come at a better time. I don't know what I'd do if Nikolas weren't helping me. Lucky is so busy learning the ins and outs of the club, I hardly see him. Nikolas makes a point of stopping by for a few hours every day, just to give me and Lulu a break."
Alexis smiles. "Nikolas is that way with anyone he cares about, generous to a fault. He and Stefan take turns calling me every day. They must plan it. Jason's been wonderful to me, too. It's like having a brother around."
"How's the pregnancy going so far? Any morning sickness?"
Alexis groans. "At times it hits me like a ton of bricks and I can't eat anything. Fortunately, in the evening, I tend to feel better. I'm going to have to go shopping soon, I'm starting to grow out of my suits."
"Would you like some company?" Laura asks. "I know all the good maternity shops in Port Charles."
"I'd love the company. I just can't imagine Jason getting into shopping for maternity clothes."
Laura laughs. "No, I can't either."
Nikolas reclines on the sofa as he talks on the cordless phone. "..yep, my sister is in bed. Not sure where Uncle is. Lurking around here somewhere. How was work?"
Gina is lying on her bed at Kelly's. "It was very hectic, a group of twenty came in at one point and we were swamped. I don't think I could have gotten away for a break to spend time with you anyway. I sure am missing you, though. My bed seems so empty without you here."
"And the last place I want to be is in my bed alone. I want to wake up next to you every morning, Gina. And go to sleep with you in my arms every night."
Gina sighs. "I miss you even more if that's possible. I hope we can see each other soon, even if it's just to hold you hand and look at you. I have the day off tomorrow, shall I come to Wyndemere for a visit?"
"I have a better idea. I'll meet you at Kelly's for breakfast. I'm so far ahead in my classes, I can skip them tomorrow. Do you think you can stand to spend the whole day with me?" Stefan enters the room unnoticed by Nikolas and smiles as he listens Nikolas' half of the conversation.
"Are you kidding? It sounds wonderful! I better get my sleep then. What time?" Gina asks.
"How about 9:30?" Nikolas suggests. "My mother"s supposed to be here to pick up LesleyLu around 8:30."
"I'll be ready. I love you, Nikolas."
"I love you, Gina." Nikolas hangs up the phone and looks at the ceiling dreamily.
Stefan interrupts his reverie. "You fall any more in love with her and you will be asking her to marry you."
Nikolas jumps slightly and scowls at Stefan. "Did you ever hear of giving a person some privacy?" Nikolas rises to a sitting position on the couch.
"Not when they are talking on the phone in the living room." Stefan pours himself a drink. "You didn't answer my question."
"I wasn't aware that you asked one. Do you mean, am I going to ask her to marry me? How would you feel if asked her?"
"Ah, evasion in the classic Cassadine style. How would I feel?" Stefan takes a sip as he considers the question. "If you loved her, I would be thrilled. But make sure it is a love that will last a lifetime for both of you. And don't wait too long or you could lose her." Stefan sits down on the couch next to Nikolas. "Should I gather from your question that you are considering it?"
Nikolas ponders the question for a minute before answering. "From the moment we first made love, I've wanted to marry Gina. I feel so complete when I'm with her. Nothing has happened to change my mind."
"Think carefully, Nikolas. Marriage is for life." Stefan notices some cat hair on his pant leg. "More cat hair! Even with the servants cleaning fastidiously, we can't seem to be free of it. It is everywhere! On my clothes, the furniture, even on the mantle! Is there a place in this house the cat does not wander?" Stefan plucks the cat fur off his clothes
Nikolas bursts out laughing. "You think it's bad for you?! At least you wear black and it doesn't show as much. I spent the whole ferry trip this morning brushing the hair off my clothes!"
"I'm willing to bet this is Laura's Timoria." Stefan growls. "I wouldn't even be surprised if that DOG Foster loves cats."
Nikolas breaks into a fit of laughter.
"What's Timoria?" Lulu asks as she trots into the room. Lulu is dressed in a lavender nightgown and is clutching a doll to her chest.
Nikolas pulls her into his lap. "What you you doing up?"
"I woke up and came to find you. What is Timoria?" Lulu asks again.
"Well one of the meanings is to help someone. Another is atonement. We were talking about the cat." Nikolas explains.
Lulu nods. "I like it. I'm going to call the kitten that." Lulu jumps off his lap. "Timmy! Here, Timmy!"
Nikolas calls after her. "Once you find Timmy you have to go back to bed."
Stefan smiles ironically. "Timoria. How appropriate."
Lucky walks in late at night to find Laura curled up under a blanket on the couch watching TV. "Hi, Mom. What are you doing up?"
Laura turns off the TV. "I got home about an hour ago after having dinner with Alexis. I couldn't get to sleep. The house seemed too empty."
"Empty?" Lucky looks at her curiously.
"Lulu is sleeping over at Wyndemere tonight with Nikolas." Laura watches nervously for Lucky's reaction.
"What! You sent her over to that haunted house? Are you nuts?!" Lucky slams his keys down on the table.
"She'll be fine, Lucky. She's with Nikolas. He won't let anything happen to her. I couldn't very well refuse when Lulu's been begging for a sleepover with her brother. And I needed the break."
"If you needed a break, why didn't you just tell me? I could have taken her for a while. Dad would have a cow if he were here! How could you do this when you know how he'd feel?"
"I can't live my life based on what your father wanted. Do you have any idea what it's like here when you're gone all day?" Laura asks. "It's Lulu and me, and I get tired, Lucky. One minute she's okay and the next minute she's a basket case. And I can't ask you to neglect the club. It's your life now. Nikolas has been helping, but sometimes I just need to be alone or to be with other adults. This is the first night since your father died that I had dinner with a friend. Do you know how wonderful that felt?"
Lucky continues to argue his point. "So get Aunt Bobbie to help. Or Mike can run the club and I can take Lulu for the evening. I don't want that vampire anywhere NEAR Lulu! I won't allow it!"
Laura's temper rises. "No Lucky, you aren't the parent, I am. And I see no harm in letting Lulu spend the night with Nikolas. You don't get a say in this."
Lucky voice rises in volume. "Don't you see? This is just a ploy by Stefan to get close to you. It's you he wants and he'll use any means to get you. And that includes using Lulu! You are so blind! If you won't protect her, I will. I'll go over there right now and get her."
"You are my son, not my husband. You don't run this house, young man, as much as you'd like to think you do." Laura yells back.
Lucky starts to pace the room angrily. "Dad left me in charge! It's my responsibility to protect this family."
Laura stands her ground. "No! I am in charge, Lucky. Yes, I rely more on you than I ever have before. But what I say goes. I won't allow you to bully me."
Lucky throws up his hands in frustration. "Fine. Whatever! You're the boss. But I'm out of here! " Lucky grabs his keys and slams out of the house. A minute later, Laura hears the roar of the Cadillac's engine and the screech of tires. She sags into the couch and begins to cry.
