Chapter 1

Dr. Kevin Collins was sitting in his office at General Hospital, playing with the wedding ring on his finger, waiting for his daily phone call with his wife, Laura. Laura has been out of the country tending to her injured grandson, Spencer, for almost two months. While he was waiting, he looked at the pictures on his phone of Laura and him on their wedding, on their honeymoon in Mexico, and Spencer with them at various spots around Europe. Kevin has been occupied with his patients, especially his nemesis Scott Baldwin's son Franco, that he has only went to France to visit his wife once in this two-month separation. Kevin missed his new wife terribly. Sure, he had his new project and patients to take care of, but there are moments where he would rather be across the ocean with Laura and Spencer roaming around Europe. Kevin thought back to the quick, three-day trip he spent with them in France.

Two Weeks Ago:

Kevin knew that three days was not long enough to spend with his new wife and pseudo-grandson, but he was going to take what he could get. As soon as he exited the terminal, he saw the two faces he missed most in the world.

"Kevin!", yelled Spencer.

"Hey, Kiddo!"

Before Laura could even move near Kevin, Spencer hobbled over to him on crutches and hugged him.

"Kevin! I have missed you so much! As much as I love Grandmother, these visits aren't the same without you."

"Port Charles is lonely without you too, kid. And you, Laura."

Laura smiled and gave her husband a hug. She whispered in his ear, "I'll show you how much I missed you later." Kevin blushed and grabbed her hand as the three exited the airport.

The three of them spent their short visit roaming around France together when Spencer wasn't in class. They stopped at all their favorite restaurants and fountains. When Spencer was in class, the newlywed couple spent their short time together catching each other up on what was happening in Port Charles and France. The couple also spent some time locked away in Laura's bedroom in her rented apartment. The night before Kevin was due to go back to Port Charles, the newlyweds had a romantic evening. They had dinner at one of their favorite little cafes, and they went back to Laura's apartment to make love. After love making, Laura and Kevin were holding hands and talking nonsense when Kevin decided to bring up a sore subject.

"Spencer seems to get around by himself pretty well. So, when do you think you'll be coming home?", asked Kevin.

"Kevin, you know I can't leave Spencer until he is fully healed."

"Laura. I know, but Spencer is a very independent 12-year-old. I don't think crutches bother him."

"I promised him I would stay here until he didn't need to use crutches", Laura said with an almost annoyed tone.

"I understand, but Spencer did say the doctor told him he could start wearing a walking boot next week. I think that means he is okay to be by himself."

Laura pulled her hand away from his and said, "Spencer is my responsibility. When he is injured or sick, I am the only one who can take care of him. He needs me. I thought you understood that."

"I do. But, I miss you. The house was already empty without Spencer. Now, without you the house is just a building I sleep, eat, and shower in. And sometimes I don't even eat in it."

"I know. I miss you too, but I just feel better knowing that I will be here in case he needs me until he is fully back on both feet."

"Do you even want to come back to Port Charles?", asked Kevin.

Laura was surprised by his question, but she saw the loneliness in his eyes this whole trip. She responded, "I promise you, Dr. Collins, I will be home the moment the doctor tells Spencer he is fully healed. I will be on a plane to Port Charles and back to you in no time".

Kevin smiled and rolled on top of her. He said, "Well, that is good enough for me". They spent the rest of the night wrapped up in each other and let their troubles slip aside.

Current Day:

"It's 12:30pm. Why hasn't Laura called yet?", said Kevin. "We have set this call time for noon every day for the past two months. It's not like Laura to miss our calls."

Kevin was getting nervous. There were only two times when Laura missed their daily phone calls and she texted him when she knew she couldn't call him. Kevin tried calling Laura three times in the last half hour and all he got was voice mail. He knew he only had fifteen minutes left before he had to squeeze in lunch before meeting with one of his patients to hear from Laura. He decided to text her:

Hey Laura, its me. You missed our daily call and you didn't text me either. I hope all is

well. I can't wait to see you when you come home in three days. I have a countdown on

the fridge and my phone! I know, such a nerd. I love you! Xo

Kevin went the rest of his day without hearing from Laura. He tried to keep his mind on his patients, but his mind was constantly thinking about his MIA wife. It was now six o'clock in the evening and Kevin was packing up to go home when Anna Devane came barging in his office near tears.

"Kevin! Thank God I caught you before you left! I have some terrible news!", said Anna.

Kevin nervously replied, "Anna! What is going on? Are you alright?".

"Kevin, I think you need to sit down."

"Why?"

"Kevin, please sit down. This is going to be very hard to hear."

Kevin sat down at his desk. "Okay, I'm sitting. What is it? You are making me very nervous."

Anna, looking very forlorn and devasted, said, "Kevin, I am so sorry. I received a call from my associates in the WSB and they told me that Robert died in a plane crash."

"Oh. Anna. I am so sorry. How is Robin taking it?"

"Kevin, that is not all the fatalities. My associates told me that Robert was flying himself and a friend to Port Charles."

"Who else was in the plane, Anna?"

"Kevin, I am so sorry, but Laura was in the plane with Robert."

Kevin's world came to a complete and utter halt.