Chapter 3

Coleman reached for two beers, turning and sliding them across the bar, as Dante Falconeri and Ronnie Dimestico entered Jake's. It was a few minutes shy of the end of Happy Hour and the crowd of patrons had begun to exit his establishment. From the far corner, the voices of a huddled group of ladies was boisterous, equaling that of any raucous crowd, as they tossed back shots, their laughter echoing throughout the bar.

"Gentlemen, welcome. Happy Hour is just about over, but I'm willing to make an exception for my man, Dante," Coleman told them, nodding in Dante's direction, "How's it shaking?"

Dante glanced across the room, his eyes locked on the lone figure that separated herself from the rest of the female crowd. He sucked in a breath, his heart stopping a beat, as he took in her beauty. She was breathtaking. He swallowed the cold beer that Coleman gave him, his eyes remaining focused on her, as he stood at the bar.

"Some bachelorette party, huh? The bride is three sheets to the wind, celebrating her soon-to-be jailed groom, while your dove, her maid of honor, sits all by her lonesome, looking as if she just lost her best friend," Coleman informed Dante, grabbing another beer from behind the bar and handing it to him.

"She looks like she could use a little heart-to-heart, pal. A little reminder, as to why she loved that fool in the first place," Coleman suggested.

"Well, what the hell are you waiting for?" Ronnie interjected, "You can't play the game, pal, if you aren't even willing to step on the field."

"Playing games is what got me into this, Ronnie. Something that I promised we would never do. I don't even know where to begin to fix this," Dante answered honestly, taking another swallow of the beer.

"You begin by crawling over there with your tail between your legs. Tell her how much you've been missing her. How you're not complete without her, or some shit like that," Coleman whispered, raking one hand through his mane of hair, while the other pointed in Lulu's direction.

"A fine woman, like that, man," Coleman told him, "she needs to know that you appreciate her, that at the end of the day, it's her you come home to."

"Yo, Dante, pal. I don't know what crap Coleman is trying to say here, but that's your girl over there. You're from Bensonhurst, for crying out loud. Represent, man. Your Ma didn't raise you to be a chicken-shit, so get your ass over there and start winning your girl back."

"It's not that easy, Ronnie. There's been too much said," Dante replied, his voice filled with worry.

"You remember that baseball game where you broke your arm, pal?" Ronnie asked him, as Dante looked up at him, a questionable look on his face.

"Yeah, Jimmy Fatone, the bastard threw a low-ball that nearly tore my arm off, but what's that have to do with winning back Lulu," Dante answered.

"You swore up and down that you would NEVER play another game in your life, that Jimmy Fatone was a punk-ass kid that was out to get you," Ronnie said, gesturing toward Dante.

"He was a punk-ass kid, Ronnie. So, what's your point?"

"My point, pal. Is that not only did you get your ass back on that field, but you kicked Jimmy Fatone's ass so bad, that they can still see his tread marks across that park. You love her, pal. That's something. Now, get over there and start proving to her why you're worth a second chance," Ronnie ordered, shoving Dante in Lulu's direction.

"Now, just how many shots can I get for two bucks?" Ronnie asked, turning to Coleman.

Dante looked over at Lulu, her back toward him, as her eyes seemed glued on the jukebox. Bracing himself, he sucked in a long, deep breath, praying with everything he had that she would give him another chance. A new beginning. Anything. He never realized how much she meant to him, until she was no longer there. Until the very scent of her was missing from everything in his life. He wanted it back. He wanted her back.

He wished they could turn back time, rewind the clocks back all those months ago. He would give anything to see her standing at that jukebox, to jump out from behind that biker and feel his heart stop inside his chest at the very sight of her, to see that smile that changed his life.

He'd once told her that their love wasn't like a lightning bolt striking him, but that it grew slowly, over time. It was partly true, but he had been so wrong. She was every bit lightning bolt worthy. She only had to enter the room for everything around him to stop, for everything to disappear but the two of them.

Taking a breath, he walked toward her, his hands gripping the bottles of beer, as if his very life depended on the next words that exited his mouth.


"Lulu Spencer, you'd better turn that frown upside-down, "Tracy Quartermaine giggled, her eyes red-rimmed and her speech slurred, "This is no way to treat the bride. You're my maid of honor, dammit," Tracy exclaimed, covering her mouth at the expletive and trying to hold back her drunken laughter.

Lulu nearly smiled, as she watched her step-mother, throwing back shots with Maya, Elizabeth, Robin and Siobhan, while Monica sat with her arms folded, a cross look upon her features.

"Sorry, Tracy. I'm just not feeling very happy at the moment. Maybe I should just go," Lulu answered, reaching for her purse.

"What you need is a drink?" Tracy said, staring down into her empty shot glass, "What the hell? Who stole my tequila? Coleman, call the police! Someone's drinking all our alcohol."

"Don't even think about it! You have been moping around for weeks," Maya answered Lulu, rolling her eyes, as Tracy's tirade hit maximum volume.

"Yes, and tonight is about fun!" Tracy replied, a new shot of tequila in front of her, the alcohol sloshing in the glass, as she looked over at Lulu, "I need my maid of honor with me for morale support."

"Great. So, you have Lulu. Explain to me why I am here again?" Monica asked the ladies, the only sober one in the bunch, aside from Lulu, as she sent a disgusted look toward Tracy.

"I just enjoy torturing you," Tracy replied, smiling, as Coleman walked over with more shots.

"Ladies, the next round is on Detective Dimestico," Coleman said, as Ronnie stood along side him, peering down at the girls.

"Good. The police are here. Officer, we have a problem," Tracy told him, with a serious look, "Someone stole my alcohol. We need an APB, stat!" Tracy laughed, as Maya and Robin grinned and Siobhan smiled.

"Have I ever told you how much I love a man in uniform?" Maya told Ronnie with a grin, turning and trying to focus her gaze on Siobhan and Robin, "Policemen, Firemen, the UPS guys."

"It's Detective, Tracy. And you know, miss, I'm pretty sure they have twelve-step programs for that," Ronnie answered, turning his focus on Maya, and returning a grin of his own.

"No way, Detective. I don't have a problem and I don't want a cure," Maya laughed, a hiccup escaping her throat, "Like I said, I enjoy a man in uniform."

"Almost as much as I enjoy a man out of it," Siobhan giggled, as Monica rolled her eyes and Maya busted out laughing, nearly falling off her seat.

"This is by far the lamest bachelorette party that I have ever been forced to attend," Monica told them, shaking her head, "Can't you arrest them for stupidity, or holding me hostage in this dump!"

"Hey, I have it on good authority that Jake's is a respected establishment," Coleman answered, defending his bar.

"Respected? By whom, the local rats?" Monica told him.

"Oh, come on, Monica. Lighten up. Have a shot," Maya told her, sliding the glass toward her.

Lulu Spencer turned her back on the ladies, sitting quietly at the next table over, her eyes fixed on the empty bottle of beer in front of her. She was trying to drown out the ladies' continued raucous, her mind focusing on anything but the hole that had developed in her heart. She'd never felt like this with Logan or Johnny. This emptiness that was expanding in her chest. Both men had cheated on her, why shouldn't Dante be any different.

Because he was different, Lulu thought. At least, she had believed he was. He had made her believe in love again, made her trust him so completely. If he wanted Brenda, she knew that it would devastate her. But, she wasn't the same girl that had thought she knew what love was when she was with Logan and Johnny. She was strong. So much stronger than she ever thought possible. If Dante chose not to trust her, if he continued to keep secrets, their break-up would be permanent. It was the only solution she could think of to make him realize what he was giving up, what he stood to lose. She refused to be second to anyone. If Dante was looking for a damsel in distress, someone who needed to be rescued, then he didn't know her at all and the only thing that stood between them were the wasted months she'd spent, tearing down walls and letting him into her heart. Every part of her was praying that he opened up to her, that he would realize just how important she was to him and vice versa. If he didn't, she wasn't sure what she would do, she just knew that in the end, whatever happened she would be ok, that she would survive.

"Hey," he asked her, standing in front of her, a beer in each hand, "Is this seat taken?"

"What?" she said, a surprised look upon her face, as she glanced up at him, "What are you doing here?"

"I miss you," Dante told her, taking the seat across from her, watching her face, memorizing every expression, "Can we talk?"

"Depends on what you want to say. Are you ready to tell me the truth, Dante. Because if you're not, I can't keep doing this with you," she answered, looking up into the dark brown eyes of the man that she loved with every inch of her heart.

"Why can't you just trust that I love you? Why can't that be enough?" Dante asked, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

"Because I'm worth more. The Dante that I fell in love with, he knows that. That man didn't give up on me. He didn't set me aside like I was yesterday's Crimson issue. He was honest with me, Dante. He didn't hide anything, not how he felt, not what he was doing. You miss me? I miss him, Dante," Lulu told him, with tears filling her eyes.

"I'm the same man I was when you met me, Lulu. I'm doing all of this to protect you," Dante told her, trying to make her understand.

"That is such a lie, Dante. I'm not some fragile vase that is going to shatter the minute you tell me the truth about your past. I get it. You had a past with Brenda. Does it hurt? Yes, but not because you knew her. Dante, you told me that you never told anyone that you loved them before me," Lulu answered, opening her wounded heart for him to see.

"That was the truth, Lulu. I have never told any girl that I loved her. Only you," Dante answered, reaching his hand across the table and grasping hers, "That's not a lie, Lulu."

"But, you wanted to, didn't you? With Brenda?" Lulu whispered, each word like a broken shard, breaking piece by piece from her heart.

"I thought I did. Maybe. But, Lulu, I'm not the same man that I was three years ago. I've changed. You've changed me. I like who I am when I'm with you," Dante told her, his thumb stroking the top of her hand.

"But, you wonder what your life would have been like if you had-" Lulu said, stopping herself, as she stared hopelessly at the bottle in front of her, anywhere, but at his face. She was afraid to see his response written on his face. Terrified, really.

"I am not IN LOVE with Brenda, Lulu. That much I know," Dante answered, honestly, "But, yeah, I wondered. The same way someone questions where their life would be if they had chosen a different path, but Lulu, none of that matters. I'm with you, now."

"Are you, Dante? The funny thing is, I don't think that you are. You haven't been with me for weeks. But, she has. Every conversation, every time we're together, was she in your thoughts, Dante?" Lulu questioned him, growing alarmed, as she saw the look of guilt that appeared on his face.

"Oh God, she was," Lulu exclaimed, standing up from the chair, as she wiped the tears that had slowly trailed down her face.

"Lulu, it's not what you think. I just never expected to see her again, you know? I had accepted that she was a part of my past. That what we did stayed in the past. There is so much that I wish that I could tell you, that I want to share with you. Do I feel anything for her? I don't know. Maybe. But, it doesn't even come close to what I feel for you. Brenda is part of my past, Lulu. You're the future that I want," Dante told her, rising from his seat and moving to stand in front of her.

"And yet, you can't seem to get her out of your mind, can you, Dante? I don't know if I can live with that. I'm worth more than that," Lulu answered, grabbing her purse and rummaging inside, "Here, I meant to give this to you when I saw you earlier. I don't think that I need it any longer," Lulu told him, handing him the spare key to his loft.

"Lulu, please-" Dante begged, reaching for her arm, as she presented her back to him and approached the group of ladies.

"I'm going to leave," Lulu informed them, "Monica, will you make sure that they make it home all right," Lulu asked, clutching her purse tightly to her side.

"If you're leaving, then we're all going, Lulu," Maya told her, "We'll just move this party to another location," she said, noticing Dante for the first time and glaring at him.

He's just trying to get on your good side, Lulu. Don't fall for it! He's just like his father," Tracy told her, attempting to stare him down. Why were there two of him, she thought, squinting.

"He'll break your heart," Tracy continued, pointing her finger at him, as Dante interrupted.

"I love Lulu, Tracy. I know that what you heard looks bad, but-"

"You cheated on her. You're every bit your father's son. You might as well turn in your badge now, Detective and run back to your daddy," Tracy accused.

"He's not Sonny and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't talk badly about him. I love you, Tracy, but this is between me and Dante, no one else. Whether or not, I decide to forgive him is my choice," Lulu answered, as Dante stood behind her, his breath practically on her neck.

"Lulu-"

"I've said what I needed to say, Dante. It's your turn now. You have to decide if I'm worth trusting, not just about your past, but with your heart too. I want my Dante back. Let me know if you find him."

"Wow, you really know how to clear a room," Coleman told Dante, as Ronnie stood by silently, while the ladies departed the bar.

"I think that I blew it, Ronnie," Dante said aloud, staring down at the key in the palm of his hand, "I wanted to tell her."

"So, why didn't you," Ronnie asked him, setting his beer on the bar.

"I don't know. I was scared, maybe. What if after I reveal everything, she decides that its simply too late, that she doesn't want to be part of this relationship anymore? What then?"

"You won't know that until you try, pal. My wife just disappeared with the kids. No warning, not even a postcard telling me where they went. I guess she couldn't handle my life as a cop anymore, but I'll never know, because she wouldn't talk to me, she wouldn't answer my calls. Nothing, Dante. It's as if they never existed. You and Lulu, you're talking. Pal, that's a start."

"You think so. I don't know," Dante answered, taking a swallow of his now tepid beer.

"I know so. Hang in there, pal," Ronnie told him, reaching for his cell phone as he heard it ring.

"Sweetheart, what's up?" he answered, as he heard Claire's voice on the other end.

"I know what you need," Coleman told Dante, as he took a seat at the bar, "Beer's on the house," he said, sliding it toward Dante.

"Hey, Claire's car broke down. Are you ok if-"

"Go, Ronnie," Dante told him, tossing his keys at Coleman, "I'll be fine. I'll get a ride from Michael or my Ma."

"Are you sure? I can drop you off on the way."

"I'm not ready to leave just yet, Ronnie. Don't worry. I'll be ok."

"Thanks, pal. Chin up, everything will work out. You'll see.

Ronnie Dimestico exited the bar and Dante grabbed his beer, taking a seat at a table near the jukebox.

"Hey, I'm going to be in the back for a little bit, Dante. You mind watching the front for me?" Coleman asked, as Dante looked around the now empty bar.

"Sure, why not?" Dante answered, walking toward the jukebox and looking down at the selections. He saw a familiar song, the lyrics haunting. It took him back to that night underneath the stars. The night of Spinelli and Maxie's non-wedding. The ballad spoke in words what he couldn't speak out loud. Placing the money in the machine, he selected the letter and number of the song, reached for his beer and walked toward the bar, taking a seat.

I'm not used to getting things the easy way,

My life has been up and down.

"Hi, this seat taken?" the petite woman asked him, as Dante looked over at her.

"No, it's not. Can I get you something? Coleman's in the back," Dante told her, as she smiled back at him.

"Club soda?"

She listened to the music, her eyes closing, as she let the words fill her.

And all these years,

The price I've paid for honesty

Has been my heart on the ground.

"What a beautiful song? The lyrics are so touching."

But, then you came around

everything was clear

"It's my girlfriend's favorite song," Dante told her, as the chorus began to play and he walked around the bar, taking a swallow of his beer. He placed the bottle on the bar, before reaching for a glass and pouring the club soda, handing it to the woman from behind the bar.

You came around

And all I need is here,

Because you came around

"I'm a sucker for songs that tug at your heartstrings," she told him, as Dante took a seat beside her.

"Forgive me for saying, but what are you doing in a bar if you're drinking club soda," Dante asked her, thinking she looked out of place at Jake's, "You just don't look like the type that frequents this place."

"My family would agree with you. But, let's just say that I'm turning a new leaf. Out with the old and in with the new," she told him, taking a sip of her club soda.

"My name is-" he told her, extending his hand to her in greeting.

"No, no names. I'd like to keep that to myself, if that's ok with you," she told him, brushing a greyish-blond strand of hair from her forehead.

"Sure. So, you from around here?" Dante asked, pulling the bowl of peanuts between them and offering it to her.

"Used to be. It's been a long time though. A lot has changed since I was here last. Old friends have passed, but I still have family here. I'm actually hoping to surprise them."

"Surprise them, huh? My girlfriend used to love surprises," Dante told her, brushing his fingers over the neck of the beer bottle, a sad expression passing over his face.

"Used to?" she asked him, listening intently.

"We're kind of separated, I guess. I've screwed up so badly. I don't even know where to begin," he told her, taking another swallow of his beer.

"I've been told that I'm a pretty good listener," she told him with a cheeky grin, as her eyes sparkled. She looked so familiar. He knew that he'd never met her, but still.

"I've known her for quite some time now," Dante told her, "even though, I can count the number of dates we've gone on with one hand," he laughed.

"She wasn't easy to get to know. Honestly, she made it nearly impossible, " Dante grinned, "But, I didn't give up. I even let her brothers beat me up, just to impress her."

"No, you didn't," she laughed, taking another sip of her club soda.

"I did. I must have used every pick-up line in the book on her, "he smiled, "I would have done anything to see that smile of hers. Her eyes, she has the most incredible golden eyes that I have ever seen."

"You really love her," she told him, her eyes lit with warmth,"Sounds like you're a lucky guy."

"I was," Dante told her, surprised that he found himself sharing his life with a complete stranger.

"So, what happened?" she asked him, sliding closer, her concern evident in her eyes.

"Me. I took the best thing that ever happened to me, for granted. I let my past get in the way of my future. This woman showed up a few months back. I never thought I'd see her again. I thought that she was in my past," Dante answered, confused by the emotions that were tearing him apart inside.

"An ex-girlfriend?" she said, assuredly.

"No, in fact this woman and I, well we got close, but we were never together. She saved my life. She needed to be rescued. She was fragile. I don't think she could have taken care of herself, let alone got herself out of that situation, and well, I guess that I felt star-struck at first, you know? Her being a supermodel and all," Dante said out loud.

"What is it with men in Port Charles thinking that every woman needs to be rescued. That she's weak. I got news for you, my daughter she's the strongest woman I know. She's been through a lot. More than any woman, ever should. But, she is not weak."

"Yeah, neither is my girlfriend. She's a real spitfire," Dante said, stopping himself, as he came to a sudden realization.

"What is it?" she asked him, watching his conflicted expression.

"I thought that I loved her. That model. I had these feelings. But, I just realized that I haven't thought about her in weeks. I've been drowning myself in beers every night, but not about her. I miss my girlfriend. What if I'm too late? I'm such an idiot."

"I'm the last person to ask advice about love. I had a family. A husband, sons, a daughter I barely know. I missed so much of her life."

"I'm sure she knows that you love her. My Ma, she is the world to me. She is strong and independent too. She raised me by herself, you know."

"It sounds like you had a good life."

"I did. Until I met my father," Dante told her, "not exactly who I pictured, but I don't regret it. In his own way, he changed my life. If it weren't for his disrespect for the law, I'd have never met her."

"You sound like a cop. My ex-husband would have hated that," she laughed, "He was always planning one scam or another. But, I loved him. How couldn't I, he was my hero. Out to save the world."

"That sounds like my girlfriend. I was undercover when I met her. She kept my secret when she could have turned me in. I'd be dead right now, if it weren't for her. She was my savior, my anchor through all of that. She kept me grounded. We promised that we'd never lie to each other. We would be different. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that."

"Lies and secrets have a way of destroying the best of relationships. My husband was a master at it. I tried to change him. I didn't realize until it was too late. You can cage an animal, you can take away his freedom, but he will always try to escape."

"You still love him. Here you are giving me advice on a hopeless situation, but you haven't done anything about yours. Why is that?"

"He's getting married. I think it's too late," she told him, "Don't mind this old woman. I've had a good life at a very early age. I don't regret a second of it. Well, except for my baby. I wish that I could take away every bit of pain life has ever caused her."

"It's not your fault. And you're not an old woman. Not even close. The choices your daughter made, the life she led, she owns that. Not you," Dante told her.

"I know. But, I'm her mother, I can't help but hope that she is happy. I wish my daughter would find someone who loved her as much as you love your girlfriend."

"I think you're wrong. I hurt her. I don't think that she'll ever forgive me, or trust me again," Dante answered honestly.

"I can see in your eyes what she means to you. The windows to the soul. You're a good man. She'll come around. Just don't give up on her. You don't want to wake up, years later and wonder if you gave up on the best thing that ever happened to you because you were living in the past."

"It was really good talking to you. I feel like I know you, somehow, " Dante told her, slapping a few bills on the bar and standing, "Thanks for the advice. For what's it's worth, I wouldn't give up on your ex-husband just yet. You still have time. He's hasn't remarried yet, right? I say go for it. What do you have to lose?"

"You should take your own advice, young man. I think that girl of yours is one lucky lady."

"Yeah, I just hope that she gives me the time of day when I tell her everything. Good luck to you. I have a girlfriend to find."

"And apparently, I have a wedding to crash. Too bad we can't work together. I wish you the best, too. But, I don't think you'll need it. If you show her a few minutes of what you just shared with me, no amount of pick-up lines in the world will be greater than that."

"Thanks. I wonder what's keeping, Coleman," Dante told her, as he grabbed his jacket and turned to leave the bar, "Will you tell him that I left my car keys?"

"I can give you a lift," she told him, beginning to stand.

"No, stay. I think the fresh air will do me good. I have a lot of thinking to do. Thanks again."

"You're welcome. I really do wish you the best."

"You too," Dante told her, exiting the bar.

"Hey, Dante, I thought I heard voices," Coleman said, returning from the storage room.

"Well, you're definitely not Dante," Coleman told her, grinning as he stood mesmerized by the woman that sat before him.

"Dante, so that's his name. It has a nice ring to it," she smiled, extending her hand, "I'm Laura."