AN: thank again to my beta Shelby. I hope everyone enjoys the story
Chapter 2: There's more than one way to heaven
One week before the auction
It's early, 6 A.M. to be exact, when Ric Lansing takes his first coffee. He's always been an early riser. Never known to sleep in, he takes in his first sip. Ric has always believed that one's best work is done in the morning. He wonders what the word exactly "morning" means as he hasn't really slept for days. He's tired; somehow he's afraid that if he sleeps until the truth is known he will die. That's always been his biggest fear: dying just as you learn the truth. The truth, Ric imagines, can not be pretty. The circumstances in which he'll learn that will be serving as proof of that assumption.
The weather outside is grim, but improving. It has been raining steadily for days now, but according to weatherman it should improve significantly during that day. Ric, however, doesn't trust his predictions.
He walks into his bedroom. His suitcase is packed and he's ready to take his flight to Miami. That flight leaves in 3 hours. His private investigator had called him earlier that morning. It had woken him up, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was that his investigator asked Ric to meet him in Miami. Ric had no idea why. It could be a setup, but the voice sounded concerned, not for himself, but for Ric.
The phone rings once again. Ric answers it. The voice on the other side turns out to be his cabdriver. Ric tells the man, he will be there right away and grabs his suitcases to walk swiftly out of his apartment.
The cabdriver turns out to be a friendly fellow which makes the ride somewhat relaxing. The check-in line at the airport is shorter than Ric anticipated and in less then 3 hours he's on his way to Miami.
The flight to Miami gives him some time to consider and possibly reconsider his strategy. He knows that he can trust Elizabeth, but what about Samantha. In the past week things have improved even more. "A common goal and some legal advice have that effect" he thought silently. A lot could be said about Samantha Cassadine; she was a schemer, but so was he at times. She was vengeful, but so was he. They had more in common than either of them would ever admit, especially to one another. Ric had to admit that there was more to her than met the eye.
He understood her to a certain degree and even admired her. She loved her sisters and she'd been willing to help him in his plans to stop Jerry Jacks. He had developed a certain trust and kinship for her.
He'd witnessed that different side on two different occasions in the past week. The first time was at the fair, where they coincidentally met. The second time was when she asked for legal advice. Thinking back, he slowly fell asleep.
The fair, two weeks before the auction.
Ric Lansing wasn't someone who would just go to a fair. As a child he resented them, simply because his father didn't have time to take him. Now, because he's a father, he'd started to warm up to them. As he parked the car he noticed that it was relatively quiet. "One of the advantages of being unemployed" he thought to himself.
Turning his attention to Molly and Cameron he sighed. Things were peachy now, but it's only calm before the storm. They didn't know that, sitting in their car seats. He unbuckled himself, then Molly who sat behind the drivers' seat and finally he unbuckled Cameron who sat behind the empty passengers' seat.
The fair was a lot bigger than Ric had expected. Cameron didn't know where to look and Molly had decided to put her Lansing character traits to good use. She wanted to walk alongside her father and brother, not being pushed around in a buggy. She was stubborn that way. Ric wondered how long it would take for her to give up. "Never" he thought "She's not going to let me know when she's tired. She's a Lansing after all".
The morning went by at the speed of light. Before they'd even rode all the rides that Molly and Cameron could go on, it was time for lunch. After long deliberations, which he lost 2:1, they'd settled on fries and hot-dogs. As they walked towards the restaurant he heard a voice behind him "Daddy Ric". He turned around to see Kristina. As he lowered himself to hug her, she comes running towards him. In her enthusiasm she nearly knocks him over.
"Kristina, sweetie" a voice behind her says, closing in. Ric knew that the voice didn't belong to his ex-wife Alexis. He looked up to find Sam, who finally caught up with the little girl.
"Hello, to you too Samantha" he says friendly. In the past he'd make a sarcastic remark, but now that he needed her help that was no longer an option. He was surprised to find her there, but he was glad that she was able to take that trip with Kristina.
"Are you guys about to eat lunch?" asks Sam. The kids nod their head and Ric smiles before talking again.
"That's right" he turns his attention to Kristina. "And what about you gals? Did you have lunch?"
"We were just about to" answers Sam. "Why don't you all join us? Daddy Ric will pay anyway" she smirks, causing Ric to raise his eyebrows. But one look at the faces of Kristina, Molly and Cameron cause him to cave in. He's no match for their puppy dog faces. This causes Samantha to laugh.
Lunch turns out to be a real party. Ric never thought he'd get along with Sam. "I guess, that this is what happens when people are out of Jason Morgan's orbit" he thinks "they become pleasant company". A year ago he knows that there wouldn't have been a snowball's chance in hell that they would have gotten along. But people change if the world around them does. He of all people knew what change could do to someone.
After lunch they decided to go as one team. Ric was glad for this, because Molly and Cameron could be quite stubborn and persistent. With Sam at his side things were just a little easier. He was surprised that Cameron seemed to know who Sam was, probably due to the fact that Lucky and Sam were dating. Lucky still played a part in Cameron and Jake's life, but more in the role as uncle.
For another four hours they walked around the fair, letting the kids ride on the various merry-go-rounds. The overall atmosphere was comfortable. That was all about to change when they approached the shooting gallery.
The gallery was run by a jolly fat guy. He was 5"2 tall, 220 pounds and he had a big smile on his face. Ric didn't like him from the moment he laid eyes on him. He approaches the counter.
"The family is going to give it a shot?" he smiles as he loads a rifle with some sort of shot round. The same one as they use for the hunt. As much as the guy irritates Ric with his 'family' comment, Ric decides to ignore him and take the rifle. Before he walks to the target range the guys tells him with that signature smile of his "You got ten chances, targets are worth 20 points for every hit." He then points at his prizes, a huge collection of cuddly toys. "The large one requires 160 points per try. The super size ones require the maximum score of 200 points. Best of luck" as Ric hands him the money.
The first try gets Ric a solid 8 out of 10 score. He turns to the kids to ask them which one they want. "Molly and Kristina both eye a toy from the large stack, but Cameron is fascinated by this huge bear from the super size stack. That leaves the girls to choose. Kristina allows Molly to pick first. Molly doesn't hesitate and picks a toy elephant.
In his second try Ric shoots 9 out of 10. Since Cameron toy bear requires a perfect score its Molly's turn to pick. She chooses the dolphin. The next few tries don't go so well. After 2 failed attempt, Sam decides to step in "Trouble, Ric?" No answer. She reaches for the gun "Let me show you how it's done", as she flashes a devilish smirk.
"Trouble in paradise, lovebirds?" the clerk behind the counter asks with a smile on his face. Ric decides to ignore his remark and simply hands her the gun. "You can do so much better than me?" he asks sarcastically. He hands her the gun "Then show me." Sam knows that this remark is to test how her reaction would be. She decides to ignore Ric's sarcasm and to let her actions speak instead. She doesn't disappoint. Her first effort gets her that perfect score and a round of applause from the clerk. Instead she turns her attention to Cameron. "You want the bear, right?" She asks him and he simply nods in return. "I'll take this bear, please" as she point to a bear, two feet tall. The clerk hands her the bear and watches as she hands the bear to Cameron.
"Thank you Aunt Sam" the young boy says and gives her one of those smiles. The same signature his father gives people.
"You're welcome" Sam states.
As they are on their way out the clerk stops them. "Wait, you people. You can still pick 2 of my large pieces." He points his finger at Ric "You may not have had the maximum score, but you had enough points for the large ones"
Sam steps forward "Allow me" she says with a grin on her face. She walks up to the counter and examines her options. It takes her a few seconds, but she eventually decides to pick a snake and a tiger. She walks up to Ric and hands him the snake "This one is yours". She bursts out in laughter as they walk away.
The next few hours go by relatively quickly. A few rides, a quick dinner and a couple more laughs. As they part ways Sam looks over her shoulder. Molly, Cameron and Ric make a nice family, she thought.
"Ric" she says. "I'll call you soon. I need your legal expertise." Ric just nods in return and they go their separate ways.
The courthouse, 2 days later; 12 days before the auction
The phone call came and it was nothing like he expected. Ric had dealt with numerous unusual requests, but this was something else. Her request would not sit well with her mother. Alexis would consider this treason, but Sam had made up her mind and Ric knew better than to question that iron will.
It was 9.25 am; the hearing was in 5 minutes. Filing the paperwork for an emergency hearing had required him to pull some strings. After pushing hard he found a judge who could push him into his schedule.
Just in time, she came sweeping in with Nikolas hot on her trail. She looked very sharp, set for business. Nikolas wore a suite, but no tie.
"You're just in time" Ric said "Before we go in I want to tell you this" Ric frowned and his tone became even more serious "Alexis will consider this an act of betrayal. She'll see this as becoming the one thing that she doesn't want you to be: a true Cassadine."
"She's entitled to the name and everything that comes with it; privileges and obligations" Nikolas interjected.
"True, but that is not what it will look like in Alexis' eyes" Ric said.
"Be that as it may; I've made my choice" Sam said, her voice going straight into business mode "I loved my brother Danny and I cared about my mom and dad. But, the fact remains is that they are all dead. I'm a Cassadine, I can't deny that, it's in my blood. I'm Mikkos' grand-daughter, just as Nikolas is his grand-son. Nikolas and I have grown closer over time and I'm proud to be a part of his family"
"Mr. Lansing" The clerk walked up to them. "Judge Reynolds has you scheduled for 20 minutes in his chamber. If you would please follow me" Nikolas, Sam and Ric follow him suit.
Twenty minutes later they walked out of the judge's chambers. It took some explaining of the bylaws of Cassadine industries. Ric had never heard of regulations of family names within a family business. Not only did the judge have to sign off on it, but the Prince had to sign the documents as well. Nikolas had referred to the bylaws as a way of showing that the Prince would always be in control. They'd not been changed in over 50 years and for some reason Nikolas was not likely to change them.
"It is funny how power works" Ric states "Within 12 days you, Samantha McCall, will officially become Samantha Cassadine. Now if you excuse me, I just have to finalize some paperwork."
Nikolas however stops him "Ric, you forgot something" he hands him a check "This is for services rendered"
Ric looks at the check and frowns "This is way too much."
"No it isn't" Nikolas interjects. "All Cassadine attorneys, even the ones I don't have on retainer, are well compensated for their work. You did a fine job on a very short notice. For that you deserves this check and the amount on it" He turns his attention back to Sam "You and I have a lot to discuss" and like that they walked away. Ric went on his way finalizing the paperwork; Sam and Nikolas on their way to discuss family business.
Ric knew that this would not go well with Alexis. Instead of seeing Sam's point, she'd go on about betrayal and loyalty. The last thing he needed was for Alexis to find out. Not right now anyway. In a few weeks it wouldn't matter what she knew, because by then they would have reached their goals.
Sunrise Plaza Hotel, Miami, 8PM, one week before the auction
"That's everything" The man said "Now that you know it all, what are you going to do?" The man was in his late 50's, wearing a suit and tie, and had silver hair. Anthony 'Tony' Walton was the best PI that anyone could wish for. That was the reason why Ric had hired him. The only problem was that he got so much more that he bargained for. He'd been on the phone for half an hour arranging airplane tickets and a private jet.
When there was no answer Tony tried a different question "Are you sure, you're doing the right thing?" he asked expressing his concern "I know that what I told you in the past few hours pulls everything apart, but do you really think it's wise to call them?"
"Yes" Ric answered, short but effective. "Tony, they are the only two people who can keep me in line" He was on the verge of collapsing emotionally, tears showing up in his eyes. "As different as they are, Sam and Elizabeth are the only two people in my life who can stop me from going over the edge" He took a deep breath, regaining some control over his emotions.
He picked up the phone and dialled the first number. When it was answered he spoke "Yes Sam, it's Ric. Listen, could you come down to Miami right away. It's urgent that I speak to you." He listened for a short while "I wouldn't ask this of you otherwise. There's a ticket ready for you at the airport. Your flight leaves in four hours" he again listened for a moment. "Thank you very much. If you happen to see Elizabeth, don't approach her. Ignore her, act like the two of you are strangers. My father, if he has spies at the airport, can not suspect that the two of you are going to the same destination. A driver will pick you and her up and bring you to my hotel. Thanks, I'll talk to you tomorrow" He closed his phone.
He dreaded the next phone call even more. Taking a deep breath before dialling, he pushed the numbers and pressed the green send button. It rang several times before it was answered, but then he spoke in a relatively calm voice "Hello Elizabeth it's Ric. Listen, I need for you and the boys to meet me in Miami" He listened to Elizabeth questions, but decided not to answer them. He couldn't, not over the phone. "I wouldn't ask this of you otherwise. Pack your bags and go to the airport, please. Then go to the private gate, where a man will approach you. His name is John Stevens, he's a private pilot and he'll be flying the jet. If you happen to see Sam, don't approach her. It's of the utmost importance that the two of you are not seen together" He listened to her words. "Thanks for understanding. I'll see you guys tomorrow" When he closed his phone he looked up to Tony.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd be here tomorrow" Ric sighed "I don't think I can do this alone" he pointed to the stack of files on the coffee table.
Tony simply nodded "I'll be there". He shook Ric's hand and went out the door.
It was silent in the room after Tony left. Ric knew that he'd have to share all of this with Sam and Elizabeth. He didn't like it. Everything he knew or thought he knew everything he'd ever been told, everything he'd believed in, it all turned out to be a lie, an illusion. The shades of grey had been replaced by darkness. Ric knew that every family had their secrets and skeletons in the closet. He had expected to find one or two skeletons. Instead, he got a whole graveyard.
Walking over to his balcony he muttered "If roads lead to heaven, then highways will lead to hell" He'd been through hell and back in the last few hours.
Let's hope that there is more than one way to heaven.
End of chapter