(Author's Note: Post-Wedding Events with a little intrigue and mystery added. Follows the current s/l with the exception of Sam- for the purposes of this story she is pregnant with Jason's child and Maxie is played by my fav actress Kirsten Storms)
Edward Quartermaine spent this morning like every other, sitting in his favorite chair, sipping coffee and perusing the Port Charles Herald's financial section, while he waited and waited and still waited for Alice to bring him Cook's famous cinnamon rolls.
"Alice!" Edward yelled, shuffling the pages of the paper and taking another sip of his now tepid coffee, "Doesn't anyone work here?"
"Keep your voice down, Edward," Monica ordered, walking into the living room and pouring herself a cup of coffee, "It's Christmas."
"Christmas. Bah Humbug," Edward responded, turning the page of the paper, as Alice walked in.
"Merry Christmas, everyone," Alice exclaimed, presenting a tray of cinnamon rolls to Monica.
"Thank you, Alice. Merry Christmas to you, too," Monica answered, taking one of the sweet rolls.
"It you long enough," Edward remarked, scowling, as Alice glared back.
Edward waited for Alice to bring the tray of cinnamon rolls to him, but she turned her back and walked toward the door.
"Hey, where is my-"
"Cook made these for Monica," Alice answered, walking out the door, "Merry Christmas, Mr. Q."
"Merry Christmas," Edward scoffed under his breath, rattling the paper, "Doesn't the staff realize who signs their bonus checks."
"Edward you don't give the staff bonus checks," Monica reminded him, biting into the cinnamon roll and closing her eyes in gratification.
"That is why," Edward answered in irritation, pointing toward the door and then peering back down at the newspaper.
Christmas. Everywhere he glanced there it was on the front page of his newspaper. Lila loved this time of year. The tree lighting ceremonies, the hospital gathering of the patients and kids, Alan dressed as Santa Claus.
Edward wiped a tear from his eye and turned the page of the newspaper.
Christmas. It just wasn't the same without his Lila, or Alan. He found himself staring at the Fashion and Style section, his eyes growing large, as he read the bold printed announcement:
Lesley Lu Spencer & Dante Angelo Falconeri.
Crimson Couture Fashion Assistant and PCPD Detective Tie the Knot
"Tracy," Edward shouted, standing suddenly, his face turning a slight shade of red.
"Calm down, Daddy. You're going to give yourself another heart attack," Tracy mentioned, walking into the living room and toward the breakfast bar.
"Did you see-" Edward fumed, folding the pages, so that the fashion section was on top, "She married him."
"Who married-" Tracy asked, grabbing the paper from her father and gasping as she looked down at the announcement, "She didn't."
"She did," Edward shouted, turning to a confused Monica.
"Who did what?" Monica questioned, as Alice returned.
"Lila is turning over in her grave, I tell you. That reprobate. He will do nothing but cause her heartbreak," Edward continued, as Monica grabbed the newspaper from Tracy.
"Oh my god. Lulu married Dante," Monica said, beaming, "That's wonderful."
"Wonderful?" Edward shouted, "He's that mobster's son. She married into the Corrinthos family."
"This must be a mistake. Lulu would never-" Tracy told them, reaching for her coat.
"Where are you going?" Edward demanded, as Tracy pulled on the wool coat.
"I'm going to talk to Lulu. She wouldn't-" Tracy answered, shaking her head, "She just...wouldn't."
"Alice, what are you doing?" Edward shouted, turning to his housekeeper, as she cracked her knuckles, a strange expression on her face.
"Someone needs to do something. Mister Luke isn't here," Alice informed them, raising her shoulders and inflating her chest.
"We'll stop at the police station first," Edward told Alice, following her toward the foyer, "Alice, have Cook get the car."
Lulu Falconeri opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice, pouring a glass. She hated that they had to leave New York so early, but she hated even more that Dante was called into the police station on Christmas Day.
She glanced around Dante's apartment- their apartment -and grinned, smiling as she viewed their handiwork.
Decorating a loft last minute was no small feat, but they had done a great job with what they had. Holiday garland was strung around the branches of a small, Charlie Brown Christmas tree, a few ornaments hanging from the branches.
Their first Christmas tree as husband and wife. It wasn't an enormous tree like the Quartermaines, or even a decent-sized one like the frosted tree that Maxie had insisted on last year. It was cute and simple, Lulu smiled, gently touching the branches. It was perfect. She looked beneath the tree at the two presents that lay under its branches. One for Dante and one for her.
She reached for the small package with her name on it, picking it up and shaking it. The contents jingled.
Why shouldn't she, she thought, an idea coming to mind, as she picked at the tape holding the gift-wrapping together.
He wouldn't know.
"I can't," she told herself, reluctantly placing the present back beneath the tree.
She moved toward the couch, sitting down and reaching for the remote. After a few minutes of random infomercials and church sermons, she turned off the television and grabbed the newspaper on the table. The Employment section of the newspaper was showing.
"Fine," she said aloud, shrugging her shoulders and picking up the pen on the coffee table.
She couldn't see herself returning to Crimson. That was Maxie's dream now, not hers.
"What makes you happy?" Lulu asked herself, remembering Dante's question to her earlier.
She had answered with confidence that it was he that made her happy, but Dante refused to accept that as an answer.
"You know what I mean, Lulu. What do you want to do? You hate going into Crimson-" he had added, as they sat at the table and shared coffee and scrambled eggs.
What did she want to do?
She glanced at the few help wanted ads.
Waitress? No, she thought, thinking back to her attempt at making coffee for Dante at Kelly's and laughing. Waiting tables was definitely not in her future.
Dog Walker. She pictured herself entangled among several leashes, a plastic bag in one hand, while the other tried to control the animals. She laughed at the absurdity of it.
No. Definitely not a dog walker.
Her eyes glanced down further, settling on a recent want ad.
PI Seeks Assistant for Cases.
Temp with Possibilty of Perm
Inquire at Jackal, PI
Spinelli was looking for someone to help with cases while Sam was on leave, Lulu thought, seriously considering.
She had helped Spinelli in the past. It could be interesting, she noted, using the end of the pen and scratching the side of her head. She reached for her cell phone and dialed his number.
"Hey, Spinelli-" she began, stopping short, as she listened to Spinelli on the other end.
"I know. I'm sorry. I should've-"
"It was last minute."
"Spinelli-"
"Maxie's what?" Lulu replied, exasperated, dropping the pen onto the coffee table and standing.
"No, Spinelli. You have to call her. Tell her-"
"What do you mean, no?"
"Well, if it isn't the Port Chuck Chimps Squad," Johnny Zacchara announced, as two officers led him into the precinct.
"Thanks, officers, I'll take it from here," Detective Falconeri stated, gesturing for Johnny to sit in the chair in front of his desk.
"I'll be in the evidence room, if you need anything," Officer Thompson told him, walking away.
"Take a seat, Johnny," Dante ordered, as Johnny folded his arms, "Slow day at the mall, Detective. No drunken Santas for you to haul in."
"It's Christmas Day. The mall is closed. You know why you're here, Johnny," Dante informed him, holding a file in his hand and walking behind his desk to take a seat.
"No, actually I don't, Detective," Johnny answered, sarcastically, sitting down in the chair opposite of Dante, "So, why don't you tell me."
"Sonny's warehouse? A few of your guys were seen around his cargo," Dante continued, as Johnny looked on, pretending to be baffled.
"Maybe they were playing Santa...leaving a few gifts," Johnny replied innocently, "Look, Dante, it's Christmas. I can't be held responsible for a few of my employees dropping off presents here or there."
"Presents? Would those gifts contain drugs, Johnny?" Dante questioned, as Johnny glanced down at his ring finger, stopping what he was about to say.
"You and Lulu-" Johnny asked, commenting on Dante's wedding band.
"Yeah, last night in New York," Dante answered, rotating the band with his other hand and smiling as he thought of their return home and carrying Lulu into their loft.
"Olivia know?" Johnny asked, as Dante replied, "She was there."
"Congratulations," Johnny said, shaking his head, a bit stunned, "Married. I knew you two were engaged, but always took Lulu for the girl that would have a big event with all of PC there."
"You would. Lulu and I wanted something private. Just the two of us. But, that's not why we're here, Johnny."
"For what it's worth, I'm happy for you guys."
"Thanks, now you want to explain what your men were doing sniffing around Sonny's warehouse."
"I don't deal with drugs and I don't know anything about anyone hanging around Sonny's, Dante."
"My sources tell me otherwise," Dante responded, as Johnny stood, "Your sources should get their eyes checked. Shouldn't you be a little more worried about the Quartermaines at the moment? You're not exactly on there Christmas list for Lulu," Johnny commented, as he heard a ruckus behind him and stepped aside.
"Dante Falconeri, I'd like a few words with you," Edward demanded, interrupting.
"I'm, in the middle of something, if you-" Dante started to say, as Alice Gunderson swept toward him, effectively pinning him in his chair, lifting him.
"Take him in the interrogation room, Alice," Edward ordered, as a stunned Dante now found himself carried over a different kind of threshold and through the doorway of the adjacent room.
"What trouble did you get in this time?" Edward demanded, turning to Johnny Zacchara.
"Edward, it's Christmas. I've been a very good boy this year," Johnny answered, amused, as he waved goodbye to Dante,"Play nice, Alice," Johnny shouted behind him, as he walked out of the police station, humming a Christmas tune. "Oh, you better watch out-"
"I can have you arrested for this," Dante told Alice, as she held him down with a hand on one shoulder, until Edward stormed into the interrogation room, pointing his finger at Dante.
"Tell me it's not true. You didn't-" Edward said, looking down at the wedding band on Dante's left hand, "Oh, good god, you did."
"Do you want me to put him in a chicken wing now, Mr. Q?" Alice asked eagerly, grinning.
"A what?" Dante exclaimed, looking from Alice to Edward, as he contemplated how he was going to get out of this situation. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a large robust man, dressed in an apron and carrying a spatula enter the police station.
Where the hell was Officer Thompson.
"Oh, good. You found a parking space, Cook," Edward noted, turning back toward Dante.
What the hell kind of family was Lulu related to.
"Tracy, what-"
"Tell me it's not true, Lulu!" Tracy accused, pushing past Lulu into the loft, "Tell me that you have not lost every sense that God gave you."
"Tracy, I really don't know what-"
"You and Dante. Married?" Tracy questioned, alarmed, as Lulu sighed, pushing her hair behind her neck and bracing for Tracy's tirade.
"It's true."
"What were you thinking?" Tracy shouted, "I had to find out from an announcement in the Herald, Lulu. The newspaper!"
"I'm sorry, Tracy. Olivia must have-"
"Dante's mother. She was there?" Tracy asked, pacing back and forth.
"Tracy, it wasn't planned. We've been engaged for a little while now and-"
"Engaged. You were engaged, Lulu?" Tracy responded, flabbergasted, "I know that I am not your mother, Lulu, but-"
"No one knew, Tracy. I asked Dante not to say anything."
"Because you had doubts," Tracy acknowledged, as Lulu shook her head.
"No...Maybe..It doesn't matter now, Tracy," Lulu answered, as Tracy looked on disagreeably.
"Hasn't your father's marriage to me taught you anything," Tracy scolded..
"I married Dante. I don't regret it. I love him," Lulu told Tracy, knowing it to be true.
"Lulu, he is going to break your heart!" Tracy stated, trying to sway Lulu's decision.
"He won't, Tracy." Lulu responded, "If you could have seen him. The way he looked at me right before I walked down the aisle, his face when he said his vows. You would know-"
"But, I can't Lulu. You chose not to have your family there," Tracy replied, hurt, "I know that we haven't always agreed on everything, but I had hoped-"
"That you could be there on my wedding day," Lulu acknowledged, suddenly feeling guilty, "I'm sorry. I never meant-"
"You could have had it at the house, Lulu," Tracy told her, "waited for your family, for Luke-"
"To what...walk me down the aisle? Dad made his decision when he walked out of that rehab center and Mom, Lucky and Ethan-"
"They're your family, Lulu," Tracy reminded her, as Lulu shook her head, her eyes turning sad.
"Yes, but Dante's my family now, too," Lulu acknowledged, "and I'm sorry if you are hurt, but I wouldn't change anything about how or where we were married, Tracy. It was perfect. There isn't a single part of me that doubts how Dante feels about me, or my feelings for him. It felt right. For the first time in my life, I didn't stop and question it."
"I just don't want you to get hurt, Lulu," Tracy admitted, wanting Lulu to have all of the happiness she deserved.
"I won't, Tracy. Dante's the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I still think that your family should have been there," Tracy told Lulu, hugging her, "And don't think that this changes how I feel about Dante. I still don't think he deserves you."
"Maxie's throwing a post-wedding party at Wyndemere tomorrow. Will you at least pretend to be happy for us?"
"Fine," Tracy replied, "But, make sure Dante knows that if he hurts you-"
"I love you, Tracy," Lulu told her, hugging her.
"I love you, too, Lulu," Tracy admitted, wiping the moisture from her eyes, "Now, show me the ring."
"Would you mind asking your pitbull to release me?" Dante told Edward, who nodded at Alice and reluctantly relinquished her hold on him.
"I'm watching you," Alice warned, folding her arms and standing militant nearby.
"Thank you," Dante answered, feeling the blood rush back through his veins. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed.
"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person-"
"Ha," Alice laughed, folding her arms tighter and scowling.
"You're Sonny's son. His blood runs through your veins. It's as dark as that no-good father of hers- Luke Spencer. Now, Lulu...she takes after her mother. Laura was as honest and good as they come. She got tangled up with that con man and all it got her was heartache. I don't want that for Lulu."
"I would never hurt Lulu. I love her," Dante said, trying to reassure Edward, while he kept watch on Alice, Edward's henchman.
What exactly was a chicken wing? Dante pondered, sliding to his right, putting distance between him and Alice.
"Luke professed to love Laura. Now, look at her. All those years wasted," Edward shared, shaking his head, "It's such a shame."
"I'm not Luke. Lulu isn't Laura," Dante told Edward, standing, walking around toward Edward.
"Look, I can't promise that Lulu and I won't fight. She is stubborn. I love that she speaks her mind. But, I would never do anything to cause her pain."
"No, you won't," Alice reminded, cracking her knuckles.
"Look, Mr. Quartermaine, I understand your concerns-"
"I made a promise to my dear, Lila, son. She doted on Lulu," Edward assured Dante, "Lulu is family. The Quartermaines protect their family."
"Believe me, so do I," Dante replied.
"We will expect you and Lulu at dinner tomorrow night," Edward ordered, not waiting for Dante to answer, "Cook serves at 7pm. Don't be late."
"I'm still watching you," Alice warned Dante, clenching her hands, before leaving the interrogation room.
Dante picked up his chair and carried it to his desk, then dropped into it, a relieved sigh, escaping his mouth, as his cell phone rang and he answered it, "Hey, baby. Work was...interesting. No, I just finished up," Dante answered, grabbing his coat and heading for the door, "I should be home in ten minutes."
Lulu sat on the couch, wearing a white tank top and pajama bottoms and sipping a cup of hot cocoa when Dante arrived home. A huge smile spread across his face, at the realization that the amazing woman sitting on that couch was his wife. He shook his head, expecting the vision to disappear and find this all to be a dream. He had never been happier in his life, as he did at this moment.
"You're home," Lulu voiced, smiling, as she placed the hot cocoa on the table and walked toward the door, placing a kiss upon his lips.
"Mm, you taste like chocolate," Dante expressed, licking his lips and grinning.
"I made hot cocoa. Do you want some?"
He drew her closer, parting her lips and kissing her deeper, "Mm. Sweet chocolate."
"Is everything all right with work?" Lulu asked, as Dante placed his finger over her lips, "I don't want to talk about work," Dante replied, lifting Lulu into his arms and carrying her toward the couch, "I just want to focus on you and me. A lot less clothes."
"Dante," Lulu laughed, swatting at his hands, as he tried to pull the hem of the top over her head.
"This would work a lot faster if you helped, " Dante grinned, his gaze sweeping over her abdomen, one hand tracing the skin revealed, "I love Christmas," he exclaimed with a determined expression, spotting the red bra beneath and exposing her cleavage to his view.
"Dante, don't you want to open your-" Lulu laughed, stopping mid-sentence, as her husband pulled her top over her head, a smoldering expression on his face, "
"Baby," Dante told her, placing several kisses on her shoulder, moving slowly inward, "I have thought about nothing but you all morning."
"All morning?" Lulu smiled, her mouth parting in a silent O, as his lips traced the hollow between her breasts.
Lulu lost her concentration, the feel of his lips against her skin heavenly. Shifting astride him, she assisted Dante with unhooking the clasp of her bra. He pulled the material from between them, tossing it on the floor beside them, before running his hands up and down her back, his fingers gently massaging.
"You are so beautiful, wife," Dante told her, stopping between kisses to take in the vision atop him, before his head dropped between her breasts.
Lulu gripped the back of his head with her hands, a sigh escaping her lips, as he captured one mound between his mouth, his hands moving to her waist, lifting her and settling her higher above his. His hands dipped below the waistband of her pajama pants and cupped her bottom.
"I...Oh God," she cried out, as Dante closed his lips over her, sucking, "Dante we need-"
"You're right," Dante gasped, releasing her breast and gripping her backside, "We should," he said, stopping as he placed a kiss on the opposite breast and stood, shedding her pajama bottoms in one sweep and lifting her in his arms.
"Get you undressed," Lulu interjected, tearing at the buttons on Dante's shirt and pulling the two sides apart.
Dante pulled the throw blanket from the couch and tossed it to the floor, pulling the pillows along with it.
"I want you on that bed, " Dante groaned, his eyes glancing toward the other room, "but I don't think I can make it that far," he said, dropping to the floor with Lulu beneath him.
"Comfortable, Mrs. Falconeri?" Dante asked her, removing his shirt, as Lulu smiled up at him.
She flipped Dante to his backside, her hair falling like a veil, as she sat astride him, "Now, I am."
"I seem to have forgotten where we left off," Dante grinned, as Lulu's mouth pressed against his chest, tugging at one nipple, causing him to moan.
"Well, then, let me remind you," she answered, continuing to place kisses all over his abdomen, before fumbling with the zipper of his pants and releasing him. She lowered herself upon him, her hands resting against his chest, her eyes locked on his, until she was fully seated.
"Lulu," Dante uttered, his hands gripping her buttocks tightly, as she leaned over and kissed him, her hands cradling his head. She moved at a slow pace, the friction from both their bodies causing them to catch their breath, their pulses racing. With every movement, her breathing quickened, her hands pulling at his hair, as her hips continued to move, a sheen of moisture beading against her skin.
"Dante," Lulu cried out, in amazement, shards of light erupting behind her eyes, as he pulled her hard against him, her name a shout in the room, as he found his own release. She collapsed atop him and Dante pushed the blond hair from her face, pressing his lips against hers in a soft kiss. She smiled, her chest heaving still, as Dante held her in his arms, turning to their sides. Lulu shifted, her backside against his front and Dante's hands moved to rest upon her abdomen, one leg scissoring between hers, bringing her closer, as he reached for the throw blanket pulling it over them.
"Maxie is throwing a party for us," Lulu informed him, sighing, as his hands played with her breasts, "at Wyndemere."
Dante placed a kiss on the back of her shoulder, putting a few inches between them so that his lips could glide down the soft skin of her back.
"Edward wants us to have dinner with the Quartermaine's tomorrow night," Dante continued, as she turned slightly in his arms, a questioning look upon her face.
"He and Alice showed up at the station," Dante answered her, placing his finger over her parted lips, as she started to speak.
"He was just concerned," Dante told her, brushing the hair from the nape of her neck and nibbling.
"Tracy knows too," Lulu said softly, as Dante turned her toward him, a concerned look upon his face, "She wished us well."
"Sure she did," Dante grinned, lowering Lulu to the cushion pillow and cradling her head in his hand, as his mouth brushed across hers.
"Has anyone ever told you how soft your lips are, Mrs. Falconeri?" Dante told her, smiling, as he nudged her legs apart, his smile turning mischievous, as he slid downward, "Silky smooth," he said, his head disappearing, "I can't get enough."
Lulu's mouth parted, a soft gasp erupting, her hands gripping the legs of a nearby chair, as her husband continued to show her.
"I said the left corner!" Maxie Jones told the moving guy, shaking her head, pointing in the opposite direction, "Do I have to do everything?"
"Look, dollface, this table looks fine right where it is," the tall blond told her, dropping the table and placing his hands on his hips, stretching the t-shirt and revealing his tight abs.
"My name is Maxie, Ms. Jones to you," Maxie told him, once again gesturing in the opposite corner, "And I am paying you to put the table OVER THERE!"
"Suit yourself, dollface," the moving guy told her, bumping into her, as they moved across the room.
"Hey," Maxie shouted, jumping out of the way, as a tingle shot up her arm.
"Who is that?" she asked Abby, who was taping the last box, smiling as Michael took it from her and carried it to the other room.
"I thought he was with the moving crew," Maxie continued, as Abby shook her head, "No, he said that he is one of the guests."
"He's not on my list," Maxie informed Abby, curious as to who the blond man was.
"He's my guest," Elizabeth replied, as Maxie turned to her with a look of disgust.
"Who added you to the guest list?"
"Lucky couldn't be here, so he asked me to come," Elizabeth answered, keeping an eye on Cameron and Aiden who were occupied in the far corner with Emma.
"Is there a problem?" Patrick asked, placing a box at his feet.
"I suppose you and Robin are on the guest list, too," Maxie added, looking down at the pad of paper in her hand.
"Yes, we were both invited," Patrick informed a confused Maxie, who tossed her pad of paper onto the top of the box.
"Would someone please explain to me what guest list we are using?" Maxie shouted, as the moving guys stopped what they were doing and turned toward her, "Who told you to stop? We have deadlines people!"
"Is she always like this?" the blond man interjected, as Maxie turned glaring at him.
"No," Robin told him, grinning at Patrick, "she's usually much worse."
"Oh My God," Maxie exclaimed, looking at her watch, "we are running behind schedule. These boxes-" Maxie told them, pushing with her hands and losing her breath, "Isn't anyone listening?" she asked, "I need an assistant!" She said angrily, dropping onto the top of a box and staring at the caos around her.
"How can I help?" the blond man asked her, standing beside her.
Lulu awoke, nestled in Dante's arms, her head resting against his chest. She slowly sat up and stretched, smiling, as she gazed down at the sexy guy on her floor. Her husband. In slumber, his face was completely relaxed, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Carefully, she stood, stepping over him and dropping down to her knees to reach for the gifts beneath the tree.
She looked over at Dante, his eyes still closed, before shaking the small package with her name on it. Her fingernail chipped at one side of the box, scraping the tape until a bit of white was revealed beneath.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just tear the paper?" Dante questioned, sliding up behind Lulu, as she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"I wasn't-" Lulu scoffed, "Are you accusing me of something, Detective?" Lulu asked, turning, the gift in question in her hand.
"You're cute when you get caught," Dante told her, his hand brushing the hair from her face, "Open it," Dante continued, pointing at the package.
"You first," Lulu ordered, reaching beneath the tree and handing him a larger package.
"Baby, you didn't have-" Dante started to say, as he tore a section of the paper and saw what was beneath. His smile spread across his face, as he removed the rest of the paper, revealing a framed photograph of he and Lulu at the wedding, his arms wrapped around her.
"It's for your desk at work," Lulu suggested, "I had your Mom get it from the photographer before we left New York."
Dante leaned over and kissed her, his thumb caressing the side of her face, "I love it."
"Open yours," he told her, sitting back, while she acted like a kid at Christmas, ripping the paper from the small rectangular package and sending it in all directions.
Lulu opened the white box within, removing its lid and taking out the black velvet case inside, gently pulling it open to reveal its contents.
"Oh My," Lulu exclaimed, "staring down at the platinum charm bracelet inside, "Dante, it's beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it," Dante said, removing the bracelet from the case and placing it around Lulu's wrist, securing it in place.
"I had them put a few charms on it," Dante told her, gently lifting her wrist and showing her the charms.
"A jukebox," Lulu smiled, tears welling in her eyes, as Dante's thumb stroked the top of her wrist.
"For the first time I met you," Dante answered, "I knew that you were something special."
"A guitar," Lulu laughed, as Dante glanced back up at her, "For my Lady Hendrix."
"A car?" Lulu asked, looking down at the charm, as Dante frowned, "They didn't have a limo."
"Our limo?" Lulu replied, as Dante smiled, recalling the hottest date he had ever had, "Best date of my life."
"A heart?" Lulu whispered, lifting the small diamond encrusted charm, as tears began to fall down her face.
"No matter where I am," Dante said softly, "You just look down at that charm and know that you have my heart," he told her lifting her hand so that the charm rested in the center, "in the palm of your hand. Now. Forever."
"I love it. Merry Christmas, Mr. Falconeri."
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Falconeri," Dante smiled, kissing the top of her head.
Dec. 26, 2011
"I don't know why Maxie Jones invited us to this crypt," Edward Quartermaine commented, adjusting his coat, as Monica stepped onto the dock beside him, her hands adjusting his tie.
"The party is for Dante and Lulu, Edward," Monica answered, looking down at her watch and wondering what was taking Cook so long.
"Why not the MetroCourt, or what about the Haunted Star? That floating casino hasn't seen people in months," Edward shared, as Monica just shook her head.
"We're going in, Edward," Monica informed him, staring up at the monstrosity, as Alice and Cook finally arrived, along with Tracy.
"If you ask me, this night is going to be nothing but trouble," Tracy told them, nearly losing her footing as she stepped off the boat.
"Who asked you?" Monica replied, turning toward them, "Cook, did you remember the gifts?"
"Edward, Monica," Alexis announced, pulling up in another boat, "Tracy."
"Isn't this the most romantic setting ever?" Molly told them, practically beaming, as she stared at their surroundings, "It's so...Wuthering Heights."
"Come on, Molly. Let's go inside before you give Edward another stroke," Alexis stated, walking toward the main entrance of the house.
"It's gloomy," Tracy commented, staring up at Wyndemere.
"Where are the lights? A man could break his neck out here," Edward added.
"Does anyone know if Nicholas Cassidine enjoys wrestling?" Alice asked, scanning the grounds for a potential match area.
"Can we all just pretend to enjoy ourselves?" Monica asked, as Cook followed behind her with two wedding gifts in tow.
Alexis approached the door, the sounds from inside wafting into the night air, as she turned the knob and pulled it toward her.
The entryway within was decorated entirely with Christmas decorations, garland, ornaments and wreaths of all sizes, with two settees, one on each side and a butler with white gloves, one hand outstretched, awaiting their coats.
"It looks so pretty, Mom," Molly exclaimed, handing him her coat and staring at all of the decorations. She raced toward the entry of the study, straight toward Nicholas's large collection of first editions and tales of lore. Books of pirates, princes and damsels in distress, were intermingled with books on swordfighting, Russian and Greek language, Italian and literature. Any other day, Molly would have reached for Jane Eyre, or Mansfield Park, but a few days ago she had discovered Nicholas' family crest on one of the leather bindings hidden among a large selection of Royal Etiquette and Military Armament books. Grasping the volume in her hand, her eyes scanned the room looking for a private area to view her selection. Spying a large chair in the corner, Molly practically ran toward it, nearly knocking over one of the servers in her eagerness.
"Molly," Alexis scolded, her eyes finding her daughter.
"Sorry, Mom," Molly replied, forgetting everyone in the room, as she opened the cover and set eyes on the blond Prince within.
"Stefan Cassidine," she whispered, tracing the photograph with curiosity, as she began to read.
"Patrick," Monica said, entering the room and spotting a fellow colleague.
"Monica, Merry Christmas," he answered, his eyes finding Edward, Alice and Tracy a few steps behind.
"How long are we expected to stay," Edward replied, looking around at the grossly obvious display of ornamentation.
"Mr. and Mrs. Falconeri should arrive at any moment," a blond man told them walking up and standing beside them.
"I still can't believe they are married," Edward voiced, flagging a waiter down, "Where's the scotch. Bourbon?"
"No alcohol, Mr. Q," Alice interjected, sending the waiter away and turning toward the man on Monica's right.
"Dr. Keegan?" Monica asked, recognizing the man from a new-hire file on her desk.
"The one and only," Ewen answered, reaching for a glass of champagne on one of the passing trays.
"You know him," Maxie questioned, interrupting, as she sized up the man beside her, every instinct on alert as her pulse skipped a beat.
"Of course, Maxie. Dr. Keegan, is our new resident psychiatrist on staff at GH," Monica informed.
"A shrink," Maxie replied, dropping him like a hot potato, "That explains it."
"Explains what?" Ewen wondered, intrigued by the small, pixie blond walking away from him.
Cops, surgeons and occasionally computer geeks. But, absolutely- under no cirmcumstance- was a psychiatrist on that list, Maxie thought, silently, releasing a sigh.
"Where the hell are my bride and groom?" Maxie shouted at the room of non-guests, "Are any of my guests coming?"
"Relax, Maxie," Jason told her, as she released the tension in her shoulders and greeted one of her guests, "Finally, where's Sam?"
"Right, here, Maxie," Sam answered, rubbing the slight swell in her belly, beneath her coat.
"Here, let me," Jason told her, gently pulling the coat from her shoulders and handing it to a coat-man who appeared out of nowhere.
"Wow, married?" Sam said to Maxie, who turned back, an equally stunned look on her face, "I know. I couldn't believe it when I read it," Maxie answered, storming off.
"Did she say read it?" Sam asked Jason, who shrugged his shoulders, "I've never understood Maxie. That was Spinelli's job."
"Can I have your attention please?" Maxie yelled, walking toward the middle of the room, just as Sonny and Olivia walked into the room.
"The bride and groom should be here any moment and we have a lot of to go over. I want everything to be perfect," Maxie instructed them.
"Here we go," Jason said, shaking his head and pinching his nose with his finger, as Maxie began her list of demands of the guests.
"It can't be that bad, right?" Sam replied, as Maxie stated the first rule.
"Rule Number One: Do Not Release the butterflies until we are outside of Wyndemere. Are we clear?"
"You're right. It's bad," Sam told Jason, as he wrapped his arms around her.
"We could skip it. You said yourself that Lucky and Nicholas won't be there," Dante suggested, as Lulu walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around him and adjusted his suit tie.
"We promised," Lulu told him, pulling at his shirt and straightening his suit jacket.
"You promised, and -" Dante reminded her, continuing, as he turned toward her, stopping whatever he was going to say lost at the sight of her.
"Wow..You look amazing," Dante remarked, one hand brushing a bare shoulder, as he traced the strapless dress that sparkled like diamonds, "Stunning."
"We could get rid of these clothes, make some hot chocolate, snuggle on the floor with that blanket," Dante suggested, pulling her into his arms.
"Maxie is expecting us," Lulu whispered, kissing him softly on the lips, "We need to hurry, or we're going to be late," Lulu told him, glancing at the clock.
"You sure I can't convince you-"
"Now, Detective," Lulu ordered, as she started to pull on her coat.
"Baby, let me help," Dante voiced, his hands brushing her skin and sending tingles up her spine, as he helped her into the coat.
"Thanks. You ready?" Lulu asked, as Dante reached for his coat draped over a nearby chair."
"No, but I'll be fine. I've got my wife by my side," Dante grinned, his hand cradling the back of her head, as he pulled her in for a kiss.
Thirty minutes later the couple pulled up to the dock, a mist settling over Wyndemere and its estate.
"You sure you don't want to go to the Quartermaine's instead?" Dante asked, the vibe he was getting on this place giving him the creeps. The few times he had been here had always been in the light of day, but at night the place gave off a ghostly appearance.
"Don't worry, Dante. I'll protect you," Lulu smiled, jokingly, her hand cocked like a gun.
"Funny," Dante replied, assisting her from the boat.
"No one has lived here since Nicholas left. It's such a huge place. Sad to see it empty," Lulu remarked.
"You miss him," Dante commented, knowing how much Lulu's family meant to her.
"I do. But, I understand why he had to leave," Lulu shared, as Dante reached for her hand, his thumb caressing the top of it.
"Any regrets?" Dante asked, as they stepped onto the dock and began walking toward Wyndemere.
"Not a one," Lulu answered, honestly, a smile upon her face.
"Good. Now, let's get this over with," Dante told her, leading her toward Wyndemere, "If my memory is correct, there are a lot of hidden rooms in this place," Dante informed her, smiling, "We could get lost for hours."
"They're late," Maxie fumed, as Dr. Matt Hunter arrived, moving up behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Maybe they found a secret room in this place," Matt said, laughing, looking around him at the expansive place, "Did a Prince really live here?"
"What have you been living under a rock?" Maxie said with sarcasm, turning toward him, "The Cassidines have owned this place since as far back as I can remember. Brought it brick by brick from Greece."
"So, it has secrets," Matt noted, grinning, "We should explore."
"No, we shouldn't, Matt," Maxie answered, in irritation, "Where are my bride and groom?"
"Old places like this, " Dr. Keegan told them with an accent, "hold a lot of secrets. Searching for them could be dangerous."
"Well, good thing we have a cop, then," Dante interjected, walking hand in hand with Lulu.
"Finally. What took you so long?" Maxie demanded, as Dante grinned, leaning toward his wife, "I had some trouble fixing my tie."
"I'd like to make a toast," Maxie stated, tapping the side of her glass to get their attention, "I wanted to make this at your reception, but since you didn't-"
"Maxie," Lulu warned, as her best friend sighed.
"I was just going to offer my congratulations to my best friend, Lulu and her Detective," Maxie grinned, turning to the guests in the study.
"They've been through a lot. She was drugged. They nearly drowned. He was shot. He was shot again,"I knew she had it bad when she woke up in Dante's hotel room...drugged," Maxie shared, as Lulu hid her head in her hands.
"Maxie," Lulu started to say, as Dante pulled her closer, resting his head on her shoulder.
"I have a point, Lulu," Maxie informed her, taking a sip of her champagne, "No matter what was thrown at them. They survived. They were better for it," Maxie continued, stopping to look at the both of them, "Lulu and I haven't always been the best of friends, but those obstacles that were thrown at us, well they made us look out for each other. I love her like a sister. I'm glad that she has Dante to watch over her. That she found someone that really loves her. Congratulations, Lulu, Dante. I really wish you the best."
"Thanks, Maxie," Lulu told her, choked up, "I love you, too."
"I'm still mad," Maxie informed Lulu, reaching for another glass of champagne, "You can make it up to me by coming back to Crimson."
"Maxie, I can't-" Lulu told her, as Dante moved from behind her, standing to her right, "I'm not going back to Crimson."
"You're not-" Maxie noted, "Are you crazy? Do you know how hard it is to find a good assistant?"
"I don't want to be your assistant, Maxie," Lulu continued, "or work for Kate. I actually have something else in mind, " Lulu told them, turning to Sam.
"I have a position at my warehouse," Sonny interrupted, "In the coffee import business."
"We all know it's a front for the mob, Corrinthos," Edward yelled, turning to Lulu, "You could work at ELQ. Michael doesn't want the job right now and well, my Lila would have loved-"
"You don't?" Abby whispered to Michael, as he smiled, "I'm going to go back to school. I found a place on campus at PCU. I could use a roommate."
"Thanks, Edward, but I was hoping to speak with Spinelli," Lulu answered, watching Abby and Michael's sweet exchange.
"Spinelli?" Dante and Sonny said in unison, while Sam raised her eyebrows.
"You want to be a P.I," Sam asked Lulu.
"I've assisted Dante with some of his investigations and when he was undercover-" Lulu added.
"Lulu would be an amazing private detective," Dante said smiling, reaching for her hand, "Spinelli would be lucky to have her."
"It would be temporary," Sam told her, "just until after the baby," she said, turning to Jason, "But, if you're sure, I'll call Spinelli."
"I'm sure," Lulu smiled, clutching Dante's hand.
Music started to play in the background, a slow beat that bodies could sway to and Dante pulled Lulu closer, placing both his hands on her waist.
"Dante, there isn't a dance floor," Lulu laughed, as he swayed back and forth, "They're watching."
"That's because you are so incredibly beautiful," Dante told her, kissing her, "Let them watch."
"I still expect you at dinner," Edward Quartermaine told Dante, as Alice danced with him, shooting daggers at Dante, "Watch the chairs, Alice," Edward fumed, as she narrowly missed one.
"Dance with me," Patrick asked his wife, pulling her into the middle of the study and rocking side to side with her, "Daddy. Me, too," his daughter Emma requested, her hands reaching upward. He picked her up and held her between them, the three of them swaying on the dance floor.
"Baby, I am so happy for you," Olivia told Dante, brushing the tears from her eyes, as she walked up to them, "You couldn't make a Ma prouder."
"I love you, too, Ma," Dante answered, stopping to hug her.
"Lulu, I'll be by the apartment tomorrow with my mother's puttanesca recipe."
"I can't wait," Lulu smiled, as Dante pulled her back into his arms, "Late afternoon, Ma."
"I love you, Mr. Falconeri," Lulu whispered, resting her head against Dante's.
"I love you, too, Mrs. Falconeri," Dante replied, one hand stroking her upper back, as he inhaled, intoxicated by her sweetness.
Dr. Keegan stood in the far corner of the room, his eyes glancing to the portrait on the wall and then back to the couple dancing. The resemblance was uncanny. He pressed a button behind one of the novels on a bookshelf adjacent to him and disappeared into the darkness.
Maxie Jones watched from a few feet away. She was a good judge of character, but hadn't been able to figure the doctor out yet. Her eyes widened, as the bookcase slid silently, just a crack open, the doctor vanishing within. Moving quickly, she slipped in behind him, the darkness enveloping her.
Molly still sat huddled in a far corner chair, her eyes occasionally glancing about the room and smiling, as she watched the guests. She imagined each of them in different lives, dressed in dark frocks and the ladies in fashionable gowns, secret plots whispering throughout the room. Glancing back at the page of her book, she stopped on a different photograph. This one of Stefan Cassidine and a young boy. He looked remarkably like-
Molly scanned the room, but could not find the man in question.
"It couldn't be," Molly said out loud, looking back down at the photograph.
"What couldn't be?" Alexis asked, peering over her daughter's shoulder and glancing at a photo of Stefan.
"Molly, where did you-" Alexis began, as Molly looked up at her.
"Do you know who the boy in this photo is?"