Chapters 95 & 96
Chapter 95: Expect The Unexpected
After his session with Dr Rothchild, Lucky walks past the GH daycare and peeks in on Lulu. Despite what everyone's told him, he's floored by what he sees: Lulu happily sitting in Stefan's lap drawing a picture. Even in his undertaker attire, Stefan looks at ease Lulu amongst the child sized furniture. Lucky leans his head on the window glass and closes his eyes.
A female voice cuts through his misery. "Excuse me, do you need some help?"
Lucky looks up to find a concerned daycare worker looking at him. He nods after a moment. "Yeah, could you tell the man sitting with my sister Lulu that I want to talk with him?"
He watches the young woman approach Stefan. After a few words, Stefan looks up and locks eyes with Lucky, becoming wary. After saying a few words to Lulu, Stefan leaves her to meet with Lucky.
"We need to talk, Cassadine," Lucky says in a bitter tone.
Stefan looks around, noting the stray passerbys. "This is not the place for an argument, Lucky."
"We talk now, man." Lucky demands, refusing to back down.
Stefan crosses his arms in a classical defensive posture. "Fine, we will talk now, but not here. The last thing your sister needs is to see us fighting."
"Don't you dare tell ME what my sister--" Lucky starts, then cuts off his angry words. "Fine, we'll take it to the lounge, for Lulu's sake."
When they arrive in the lounge, Stefan turns to Lucky with an hint of impatience in his voice. "Say what you came to say."
Lucky stands toe to toe with Stefan. "You may have won this round, Cassadine, but I'll be ready for you next time."
"And what round would that be?" Stefan asks, somewhat bemused by Lucky's statement.
"Don't play coy with me! I'm probably the only one that sees you for what you are." By a sheer act of will, Lucky forces the anger down. "So go ahead, 'dote' on my sister. Just know that I'm watching every move you make."
Stefan looks genuinely surprised. "I did not expect this. You won't fight my seeing LesleyLu?"
"Not now, but at the first sign of trouble, I'm on you like white on rice." Lucky advances slightly. "You do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to hurt Lulu or my mother, and you'll have me to answer to. And I won't hesitate killing you. In fact I'm itching to."
Seeing the unmasked hatred in Lucky's eyes, Stefan doesn't doubt it. "My only interest is helping LesleyLu. That is all."
"Don't waste your breath, I won't believe a word anyway. But let me make this crystal clear. I'm only doing this for Lulu. For some sick reason, she become attached to you. I'd sleep with the devil to help her." Lucky stalks away then turns around briefly. "Looks like I already am."
After taking a shower, Alexis ambles around her bedroom wearing a robe, at one point stopping to grimace for a few moments. Her phone rings. "Hello?" She answers.
Stefan is on the other end, also standing in his bedroom wearing a robe. "Alexis, this is Stefan. I have a message that you wanted to speak to me."
"Hello, Stefan, thanks for calling me back so promptly," She fingers a file she has on her dresser. "I was wondering if you could meet me just prior to the dedication to the AIDS wing?"
Stefan frowns slightly. "Is this important, Alexis? I have a dinner date with Emma before the dedication. It would mean leaving her unattended."
"It won't take long but it is vitally important that I see you as soon as possible." Alexis walks over to the bed and lifts her dress off it, shucking it from the hanger. "Please Stefan."
"Very well, Alexis. We will meet in the GH staff library."
After the sun sets, Lucky sits on the bench near the docks, looking out over the water. Remembering all the times he spent with his father there, he pulls a cigar out of his pocket and lights it.."Well Dad, I'm sure by now you're spinning in your grave, I know I would be... " His voice trails off sadly. "I had no choice, Dad. I tried to fight the vampire, but it was just too hard. If it weren't for Lulu, I would have kept fighting...." His voice cracks, his grief welling up, choking him. "I'm sorry, Dad. I promised you I'd keep the family safe and I failed you. I just feel so lost ..."
"Lucky."
Lucky whirls around on the bench to find Emily standing a few yards away.. "How did you find me?" He gets up and walks to the edge of the dock, keeping his back to her as he removes the traces of his despair from his face with the back of his hand.
Emily walks towards him hesitantly. "I just took a educated guess. I know this is where you go to think." Seeing a stray tear Lucky missed on his cheek, her face softens. "Pretty hard session, huh?"
At the touch of her hand on his shoulder, Lucky pulls her into his arms, crushing her against his chest. "It was the worst! Hold me, Em. Hold me and never let go."
Emily's heart breaks at the sound of Lucky's anguish. "I'll never let go. Never."
Emma and Stefan pause outside the GH library; he turns to face her, bringing her hand to his lips. "A lovely evening with a lovely woman."
"I'm having a wonderful time too." Emma sighs wistfully.
Stefan's eyes darken at her sigh; he turns her hand over and kisses the inside of her wrist. "I won't be long, I promise."
In response, Emma leans over to kiss him on the cheek and whispers in his ear. "I know. I'll be waiting."
Stefan watches her walk away before entering the library. What greets him inside stops him in his tracks: Alexis sitting in a chair with Laura standing behind her, both looking ready to do battle.
After a moment's hesitation, Stefan's resumes his entry into the room. "This is certainly a night of surprises. You both look lovely this evening."
"Stefan, have a seat," Alexis orders. Seeing she means business, Stefan doesn't balk at her order. "Let me get right to the point. Laura and I find your constant meddling in our lives intolerable. We are both capable of running our own lives without your continual interference. We want you to stop immediately."
When Stefan starts to protest, Laura stops him. "Let her finish, Stefan."
Alexis continues. "Your verbal promise isn't enough at this point. Both of us have come to you separately and have demanded that you desist your meddling. Yet you continue to interfere. So now we have to employ more drastic measures. If this fails, we will both be forced to sever our relationships with you."
Stefan forces down the feelings of anger and panic. "This is unnecessary. I do not meddle," He protests.
"Yes, you do." Alexis pulls out a pad. "Let's see.... for me, the highlights would be pushing me to move back into Wyndemere, using your friendship with Emma Goldstein to get information about my pregnancy, and finally, sending Tom Hardy out of town as soon as you found out he was counseling me. Shall Laura summarize her list?"
Stefan glances at Laura and notes the steely gleam in her eyes. "Just get to the point, please."
"As a condition of having us in your life, we want you to agree not to interfere in our lives. This time in writing." Alexis hands Stefan a legal document. "It clearly states what the conditions are, including the consequences if you break any of them. This document may not be enforceable but I would love to take it to court and have Judge Markum decide."
Laura and Alexis wait as Stefan reads the document, noting his face getting grimmer the more he reads. He looks up. "It seems that I have little choice. But before I sign it, I want a few minutes alone with Laura."
Alexis looks up at Laura, who agrees. "It's fine, Alexis. In fact, the dedication starts in a few minutes and you need to prepare for your speech."
Alexis stops on her way out to kiss Stefan on the cheek. "It's not that I don't love you Stefan. You know that."
"Yes, I am aware of that," He says with a hint of resignation.
Alexis suddenly pauses in the doorway, bending over slightly and holding the door jam so tight her knuckles turn white. She says nothing and neither Laura or Stefan look in her direction.
After she's gone, Stefan gets up and walks around the room. Laura watches him anxiously, fighting the urge to fidget. "You forced us into this, Stefan," She says finally.
Stefan, who has been deep in thought, looks up. "And what exactly did I do to you that was so horrible?"
Her anger flares. "You went too far this time when you called a psychiatrist in for Lulu. You had no right!"
"Where did you get the idea that I called the psychiatrist?" Stefan looks horrified. "I would never presume--"
Laura cuts him off. "Stop before I catch you in a lie, Stefan. You don't want to break one of the conditions before you even sign it. Gloria told me herself. It's the funny thing about psychiatrists, they tend to tell the truth. But that's beside the point, Lulu is my daughter and you had no right getting high handed and calling someone in!"
Stefan sighs heavily. "I did it for LesleyLu. Were you aware that she called me the day after our disagreement?" He makes his anguish heard in every word he utters. "I had the pleasure of trying to explain to a fragile 5 year old girl why her brother hates me. And then when she became hysterical after I told her we had to obey you, I had to put her back together again! Do you have any idea how hard it was to turn away from her when she was begging for my help?"
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she walks over and puts her hand on his arm comfortingly. "Yes, I can imagine how hard it was for you. It's just as hard for me."
"I couldn't turn my back, Lasha," He replies in a horse whisper. "Despite my promise to you. Not when LesleyLu was in that much pain."
"I can't expect you to." Laura concedes. "But you should have come to me, Stefan. Not gone around my back. I'm her parent, I can't allow you to undermine me."
Stefan acquiesces then changes the topic. "Lucky confronted me this afternoon, ostensibly to announce to me that I could see LesleyLu. Does this mean you have changed your mind as well and I can spend time with her?"
"Yes, with conditions." Laura retrieves the legal document Alexis prepared. "One, you sign this document; two, you never interfere in my rearing of her; and three, you don't abruptly drop out of her life. You break any of those conditions and you can kiss any relationship with her goodbye and no amount of Lulu's protests are going to change it."
Stefan takes the document and pulls a pen out of his pocket to sign it. "Before I sign this, I have a confession to make."
Laura looks at him warily. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"Probably not," Stefan admits. "But since what I have done violates our agreement, I should tell you now. A few times in the last week I have visited LesleyLu at her daycare."
"Oh, is that your big confession?" Laura laughs in relief. "I already knew about it. Miss Smithson already informed me."
"I am relieved to hear you aren't upset about it," Stefan pauses to sign the document. "I trust Alexis doesn't have to witness my signature?"
"No, just having one of us present will do it," Laura says lightly. "We considered having you sign it in blood, but we decided it would be too messy."
Seeing the humor dancing in her eyes, Stefan smiles, handing the document back to her. "It is good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Lasha."
Chapter 96 What An Exit, What An Entrance
Outside the new AIDS wing, Alexis impatiently hits the redial button on her cell phone."Come on, Cassidy. Hang up the phone!" With a frown she turns off her phone.
Jason taps her on the shoulder. "Hey, Alexis. Alan is looking all over for you and Robin's just finishing her speech. You ready?"
Alexis gives him a brave smile, looping her arm through his. "Sure, as ready as I'll ever be."
As they reach the door, Alexis stops abruptly and grimaces from the pain of another contraction, grabbing onto Jason's arm and the door knob desperately for support. "Ooh, damn!"
Jason holds her by the elbows to keep her from falling. "Dammit Alexis, you're in labor!"
"Looks that way," Alexis forces out between gasps. "Of all... the nights..."
"Let's get you up to OB right now," Jason says, taking control of the situation once the initial shock wears off. He pulls her toward the elevators.
Alexis pulls back. "No! I have to give this speech, Jason. I have to do this for Sonny, please." She looks into his eyes pleadingly. "I'm not that far along. As soon as my speech is over I'll go right up to OB, I promise."
Jason rolls his eyes in annoyance at her choice of priorities. "Sonny wouldn't like this one bit. He wouldn't want you to put the child in jeopardy for a flipping speech."
"This isn't just any speech, Jason. This honors both Stone and Sonny. Besides, I'm not putting the baby at any risk, I'm just a few minutes from OB. Please."
Jason surrenders. "Okay, but the minute the speech is over I'm taking you to OB."
"Deal," Alexis answers with a bright smile. "Oh, but there is something you could do."
Jason takes her arm again and leads her to the AIDS Wing. "Name it."
"Have Joseph go to the penthouse and retrieve Cassidy. She's either on the phone or it's off the hook. I've been trying to call her for the past 20 minutes to tell her I'm in labor."
They enter the AIDS wing as Robin is making her final comments. After the applause, Jason escorts Alexis inside and up to the small podium in front of the guests. Alan joins them there, taking Jason's place beside Alexis after Jason returns to his seat next to Mike. Behind Mike sit Stefan and Emma. And across the aisle are Monica, Laura, Bobbie, and Tony. Nikolas and Gina slip into some seats in the back at the last moment. A TV Camera crew lead by Veronica Bowles films the proceedings from the corner.
Alan begins. "Good evening, everyone. I want thank all of you for attending this momentous occasion. As a doctor, I'm used to giving bad news. So it has been a rare pleasure for me to participate in the planning and erection of the Stone Cates Memorial AIDS wing, and now to announce it's opening. This wing was made possible because of the very generous donation made by the late Sonny Corinthos in the name of Lily Corinthos and Stone Cates. In his stead, I'd like to introduce his wife, Alexis Corinthos."
After a brief applause, Alexis begins. "Thank you, Alan." She takes a deep breath and looks out over the guests. "Most of you have been touched by AIDS at some point in your life. Either through a patient you've treated, someone you love who died from the disease, or from a loved one who continues to battle against it. Stone Cates was one, a beautiful young man cruelly taken from this world ..." Alexis bows her head and grips the podium, fighting to keep going despite a strong contraction. Jason, becoming concerned, lurches out his seat until he sees her raise her head. "He was taken from this world when his life was just beginning and filled with promise. My husband Sonny loved him like a brother, and when Stone died, he committed himself to helping find a cure for AIDS so no more young people die of AIDS when their lives are just starting. This wing is not just dedicated to Stone Cates; it's dedicated to all people who live and die with AIDS."
Alan rejoins her at the podium. "Thank you, Alexis. Now that the formal part of this dedication is done, why don't we tour the wing. There are refreshments in the conference room at the end." Alan takes Alexis' arm and leads her away from the podium. "That was a beautiful speech, Alexis. Very inspiring."
Alexis smirks at him. "You're being very kind, considering how short it was. But I thought it best to avoid a scene."
"A scene?" Alan asks in confusion.
Jason walks up with Monica following close behind. Jason takes Alexis by the elbow and starts to lead her away. "Let's go."
"I'm in labor, Alan. Ooooh Looooord..." Alexis doubles over from the force of another contraction. Jason catches her before she falls, wincing as she squeezes the life out of his hand. "Jason, GET... ME... OUT... OF ... HERE!"
The shear volume of Alexis' demand catches the attention of most of the guests. Laura clears a path for Alexis and Jason to the exit, holding the doors open for them. Emma, Stefan, Robin, Nikolas and Gina follow close behind.
Halfway to the elevator, Alexis doubles over again, saying in a panicked voice. "Oh, God, Oh God, I can't stand this pain, I can't stand it! I think I'm going to die, I know I am!" Jason looks around helplessly, trying to keep her from collapsing.
While Emma runs ahead to get the elevator for them, Laura wraps her arm around Alexis' shoulders. "No you're not... you're strong, Alexis. Now just breathe with me." Laura demonstrates Lamaze breathing and after a moment, Alexis follows her lead. Gradually Alexis' panic recedes as the breathing focuses her and the contraction subsides. "Ready to move?"
Alexis nods weakly and they enter the elevator. As the rest try to follow, Emma stops them. "No, just the three of us. Birth isn't a spectator sport folks, go to the OB waiting area."
Cassidy is sitting on the sofa in the living room watching TV when she hears a loud pounding at the door. "MISS CORBIN, OPEN UP!"
"Joseph?!" Cassidy exclaims as she opens the door. "Why are you pounding on the door like the building's on fire?"
"It's Mrs Corinthos.." Joseph says, gasping for air after running up several flights of stair from the basement parking lot. "She's in labor, and she couldn't get a hold of you. Jason just called me and said he thinks she's close."
"Oh, no!" Cassidy's eyes widen and she rushes to find her purse and shoes, hopping on alternating feet to put them on as she dashes for the door. Cassidy grabs Joseph's arm on the way out. "Let's move! I'm not missing this one for the world!"
Joseph drags her in the direction of the stairs. "The elevator's too slow, we'll take the stairs!"
The GH birthing center, Alexis lays limply in the hospital bed after another excruciating contraction. Laura stands over her, mopping Alexis' brow with a damp cloth. A nurse stands off to the side watching a fetal heart beat monitor.
"What is taking Joseph and Cassidy so long?" Alexis asks wearily.
Laura picks up a paper cup full of ice chips and helps Alexis to swallow some. "She'll be here any minute."
"I sure hope so... Oh no, here comes another one..." Alexis says, then immediately begins her Lamaze breathing, with Laura following along to keep her focused. After the contraction, Alexis collapses again and turns towards the nurse begging, "I want to push, please let me push."
The nurse pipes up. "Not till Dr Goldstein's in here, she's scrubbing up right now."
As if on cue, the door opens admitting Emma Goldstein followed by two nurses rolling a large infant warmer behind them. "Okay, Alexis, Cassidy's right behind me so let's see if your baby is ready to be born," Emma says as begins to examine Alexis.
Cassidy bursts in, dressed in scrubs. "I'm sorry I'm so late, Alexis! Joseph ran a few lights to get me here as fast as he could." She takes Laura's place holding Alexis' hand and mopping her brow while Laura slips out of the room inconspicuously.
Alexis squeezes Cassidy's hand. "You're here now, that's all that matters. And Laura did a fine job of standing in. Where did she go.... Ooooh, another one's coming...."
Alexis starts to breathe and Emma looks up. "Stop breathing and push Alexis, push hard!"
Mike and Stefan are pacing anxiously when Laura enters the OB waiting area. Nikolas and Gina arrive at the same time bearing coffee for everyone. Robin and Jason, who have been sitting in the corner, rise from their chairs when they see Laura.They all face anxiously to Laura for information.
Laura answers them before they can ask. "She's still in labor, but if all goes well the baby should be born soon. Emma's there now, and Cassidy too."
"How is Alexis holding up?" Mike asks.
"Like the trooper she is," Laura is practically glowing. "I had forgotten how exhilarating it is to be part of a birth!"
Nikolas offers her a cup of coffee which she refuses. "Thank you for helping her, Mother. She really needed you back there."
"I was honored to. I figure I've had enough kids know how to help." Laura gives him an quick hug then looks at them all hesitantly. "Is it okay if I wait with you until the baby's born?"
"I think you've earned the right," Mike says jovially. "I still can't believe I'm going to be a grandpa! And it's happening as we speak!" Mike sweeps Laura up in a hug. Then suddenly he lets her go, realizing that she might not welcome it. "I'm sorry, Laura. I didn't mean any disrespect.." He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm just so excited."
Laura squeezes his arm comfortingly. "Of course."
"I'm sure you're just as angry and hurt as Lucky is..." Mike begins. "I really loved Luke like a brother. Please believe that. I never meant to hurt any of you."
"I do believe you," Laura replies, giving him a look of understanding and acceptance. "I know all about sacrificing to protect family, I've done it most of my adult life. Stefan told me about the danger you faced to keep your daughter safe. I still consider you one of our family's closest friends."
Mike's eyes water, his heart swelling from her unexpected kindness. "Thank you, Laura. You have no idea what that means to me."
"Okay, Alexis just one more push!" Emma calls out as she holds most of the large squalling baby boy in her hands.
Cassidy mops Alexis' damp brow that's lined with pain. "Come on, Alexis, you can do it. Just one more push."
Calling on the last bit of strength in her body, Alexis pushes. "Come on, Come on!"
"You did it, Alexis!" Emma stands up and puts a crying Stone on Alexis' tummy, his umbilical cord still attached. She assists a shaking Cassidy in cutting it.
Alexis gathers him up into her arms. "Stone Michael Corinthos..." She whispers with tears of happiness streaming down her face. "Welcome to the world, sweetheart."
