Things to know - Spencer is Katherine's son. Way back in 1999 when Katherine said she was pregnant with Nikolas' child... well, she was. So the year now 2015 Spencer is nearly 16 years old. Lucky never returned -dead is dead in my world. Elizabeth has no children of her own... the rest should be explained in the story.

Part I

Spoon Island was awash in activity. Contractors swarmed over the island, readying the grounds for the coming nuptials. Flushed with happiness, Elizabeth stood just outside the front doors of Wyndemere, a clipboard in her hands and a brilliant smile on her face. That was how Nikolas found her, when he brought her coat out and wrapped it around her body. "You must be freezing!"

She leaned back into the warmth of his embrace and sighed. "I'm sorry," she offered, "I completely forgot to take it with me when I came outside. The landscapers needed me to tell them where to put the arbors, and then the gardener wanted me to talk about the flowers..."

Nikolas turned her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You would have stood out here for hours without your coat if I hadn't come out." His laughter was warm and she burrowed into his embrace to press her cheek against his chest to hear the sound vibrate. "If you're not careful, you're going to catch a cold and-"

"We're here!"

Elizabeth pulled away at the sound of Katherine's overly-cheery tone. She had every intention of standing on her own, her chin lifted to greet the older woman, but Nikolas had other plans. He draped his arm over her shoulders and tucked her up against his side.

"Hello, Katherine." His sharp tone softened as he looked at the handsome young man standing beside her. "Hello, Spencer... it's really good to see you."

Elizabeth grinned at the young man and touched her hand to Nikolas' chest, offering him a bright smile before turning back to their guests. "We're so glad that you're here, Spencer. We were hoping you would be able to come to Port Charles and stand up with your father at the wedding."

Spencer looked at his mother before replying. "We didn't have any other plans, although I had been hoping to go to Aspen or St. Barts."

The remains of Nikolas' jovial mood melted as he felt Elizabeth tense beside him. "Well," he sighed, "I believe Alfred is still in the foyer... if you go in he'll show you to your rooms."

Spencer took a few steps, stopping when he was just past Elizabeth.

She brightened, and gave him a smile hoping that he would have something more to say.

He obliged her in one way. Looking back toward the pier he nodded. "I'm sure you'll send someone for our bags."

It was Nikolas' turn to tense. Elizabeth's hand smoothed over his chest, coming to rest at his waist. She answered because she knew Nikolas wouldn't be able to regulate his tone. "As soon as you greet Alfred, he'll send someone for the bags."

Spencer walked inside without any further issues, but Katherine took advantage of the moment. Even with Elizabeth standing beside her fiancé, Katherine sauntered into the house, putting as much of a swing in her step as she could without making it difficult to walk. As soon as she was gone, Elizabeth turned to face Nikolas, and with her fingertips she smoothed the hard planes of his face. When he couldn't really meet her eyes she leaned forward and whispered. "Hey..."

He looked away, the muscle in his jaw flexing.

"Hey," she repeated and leaned up to press a light kiss on his lips, "remember me?"

"Hmm?" He was eager to play the game and keep his tone light... for her. "You would be... who, again?"

Her eyes flashed with a challenge and she smoothed her hands down his arms, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath the wool of his coat. "Me? Oh... I dunno... I must not be very important if you can't remember my na-"

Nikolas silenced her with a kiss, his lips slanting over hers as his hands slid from her waist to her lower back... and then over the curve of her backside. It was a rare show of public affection for the prince, but he'd seen the snap of frustration beneath the flicker of amusement in her eyes. He drew her tight against the hard lines of his body and deepened the kiss.

When he drew back a moment later she gazed up at him with a soft smile on her lips, lips that were slightly swollen from his kiss. He found the sight amazing. A true gift. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. You don't deserve this kind of treatment."

She shook her head. "I think most of it is directed at you. That seems to be the case when it involves Katherine. You forget that I've known her almost as long as you have, and," she paused to make sure he was listening to her, "she likes to get under my skin too."

Nikolas took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the back, feeling a bit of the chill warm away. "I should get you inside and thank you for putting up with this whole..." He searched for the right word.

Elizabeth was able to name it first. "Circus?"

Nikolas laughed and she felt like they had finally come full circle. "Exactly. And I want to thank you in advance for the next few days. Once the reception is over we'll be on our way to-" he stopped short and she leaned toward him waiting for him to continue. "I'm not going to tell you... Don't get your hopes up."

"I was hoping that you'd tell me so I can pack!"

Nikolas brushed a kiss over her nose. "I packed for you."

"You what?" Her eyes widened in shock. "Well Chloe did. She had your measurements, all I had to do was tell her what kind of climate and she took care of the rest."

Elizabeth couldn't find a single valid reason to be upset with him. She moved toward the door, drawing him along with her.

"Just wait," he spoke as they walked inside and shut the door behind them, "I'm sure dinner is going to be so much fun."