Chapter 4
Dante Falconeri stood on the pier, his hands buried in the pockets of his brown leather jacket, as he gazed out at Spoon Island. For the last ten minutes he was going over and over in his head the different ways that he could approach telling Lulu the truth about his connection to Brenda Barrett, each one causing his stomach to twist in knots. It would have been so much easier if he would have just told her the truth from the beginning, from the moment that he had spied that picture of Brenda Barrett in the magazine, but he had thought that seeing her again wasn't a possibility and that sharing his past with Lulu would only bring things up that were better left in the past. What he hadn't counted on was Carly's animosity toward him, her driving need for revenge, or the reappearance of Brenda Barrett in his life.
He loved Lulu. She was the one that he envisioned spending the rest of his life with, an image that scared the hell out of him. It had always been he and his Ma. Any previous girl Dante had dated, he treated with respect, but at the end of the night, understood that he wasn't a commitment kind of guy, that he had no intention of taking them home to meet his Ma and the rest of the Falconeri's. But, Lulu was different. She hadn't swooned at his feet over his charming good looks and his cheesy pick-up lines, or dropped everything to catch his every word. No, Lulu had fought like hell to run in the opposite direction, challenged his every move, mistrusted every word that came from his mouth. She had built so many walls around her heart. Walls meant to protect her, to keep her safe. It had taken him months of getting her to trust him, showing her that he would not only protect her physically, but emotionally too. For the first time in his life, he'd found someone that he wanted to take home to meet his Grandmother, his aunts and uncles. His Ma loved her too. So, why was he standing here now, staring out at the water, at a stupid castle, wondering why he had stopped confiding in Lulu.
Fear. He was afraid if she knew about his past, if all his faults surfaced, that Lulu wouldn't see him as the perfect man she'd met all those months ago. The one that could do no wrong, that only saw things in black and white. She'd turn her head away in disappointment, unable to accept the mistakes of his past. He was a cop. He was supposed to uphold the law, not cover it up, not bury secrets only to have them literally resurface years later.
He had felt so justified at the time, his actions warranted. Brenda didn't mean to kill Aleksander, it was self-defense. So, why didn't he report it. Why, didn't he listen to that instinct that had whispered to him that he was breaking the law?
Because he was in awe of her, Dante thought. He was this rookie cop, green from head to toe, who was spell-bound by her damsel in distress facade, a weak woman who needed rescued and he found himself knee-deep in the largest pile of shit that he had ever seen.
She had killed a man and he'd helped her dispose of the body, never knowing the real reason behind Aleksander's sudden appearance in New York. As if that wasn't bad enough, Brenda Barrett was pregnant. A fact she'd kept secret, even to him, her bodyguard, until it was absolutely necessary to reveal. Until, her distress over killing a man had caused her to miscarry, ending the life of the child inside her.
They grew close, her leaning on him during that pain, he star-struck by her fragility. At that moment every instinct he had kicked in, the values that his mother taught him and expected him to uphold. Brenda had shared with him her fear, that if Aleksander's friends learned of his demise that they would track her down. People, really bad people, who could turn her life upside-down, kill her loved ones without blinking an eye and wouldn't stop until they learned the truth.
Then, she'd implied his involvement had put his family in jeopardy. His Ma. He'd spent his whole life protecting his Ma from people like Sonny Corrinthos, from the whispers in Bensonhurst because of his birth. She was his mother and he wasn't about to let anyone cause harm to her. Brenda said that Aleksander's family were known throughout Europe, that they did inexplicable, terrible things. She promised him never to reveal to anyone what happened that night in the alley and the ensuing days afterward. She told him about a man called the Balkan, a European crime lord and that Aleksander was Balkan's son. They made a pact in 2007, to let the secret of Aleksander's death lay silent at the bottom of the Hudson River, and stay it did, until his body resurfaced.
Kicking a stone, watching it sail over the pier and disappear into the dark water, Dante realized that he had made a terrible decision, both now and then. One that like Aleksander's body, had come back to haunt him. Lulu deserved the truth. All of it. Whether or not, she spoke to him after, was irrelevant at this point. The Balkan knew that Aleksander was dead. The Balkan wasn't a harmless stalker, some obsessed fan of Brenda's that sent her gift upon gift and created make-believe connections between the two of them. He was dangerous. A criminal of the worst kind. An International drug dealer. A murderer. That made telling Lulu all the more terrifying, her knowledge of the Balkan, could put her in danger. How could he justify doing that?
How could he not, Dante thought to himself, raking his hands through his hair in frustration. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. A Hell of his own creation. He could keep the secret and lose Lulu, or he could face his fears, tell her the truth and pray that she forgave him and that the Balkan let them live long enough to have a future.
He didn't really have a choice. He knew what he had to do. Bracing himself against the cold, biting wind, he clutched his jacket tighter and left the pier.
Several minutes later, Dante found himself in front of her door, his hand poised to knock, as he heard someone approach from behind him.
"Haven't you done enough damage, Dante? Why can't you just leave her alone? She'll get over you. It'll take longer than the others, but she will," Maxie promised, her face revealing disappointment and hatred.
"I knew from the beginning that you were too good to be true, Dante. That it was a bad idea for Lulu to get involved with you. Before you, she was getting past what happened with Johnny, with me. She was happy, Dante, in her own way."
"Happy? Lulu was the image of her father, Maxie. She was cynical, closed emotionally, afraid to take a chance with anything that didn't involve a game of cards, or one of her father's cons. There was so much pain locked inside. But, you saw that and just like everyone else, you stood by and just accepted it. I know her better than her own father, Maxie. I see who Lulu really is. I can walk into a room and know what kind of day she is having by the tiniest quiver of her lips, the barest sheen at the corner of her eyes, by the clutching of her hands in mine. I know her inside and out, Maxie. She stood by me, when everyone in this town was against me. She trusted me. She didn't give up on me. So, I'm not about to give up on her now."
"But, you broke that trust, Dante. Tell me, were you sleeping with Brenda this time too? You really are Sonny's son, aren't you?" Maxie accused, clutching the purse to her side.
"I am nothing like my father, Maxie. And the fact that you are asking me if I am cheating on Lulu with Brenda, after everything that Lulu and I have been together- well, I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. I love, Lulu. I know that and deep down she knows that too."
"Does she? Is that why she cries herself to sleep every night? It'll fade, you know. Your face, everything about you. In time, you'll be nothing more than a bad memory."
"Look, I get that you don't like me right now, Maxie. But, the truth is, this isn't your battle. It's mine and Lulu's. Now, just let me speak with her, please!"
"You're wrong, you know. Lulu is a sister to me. It wasn't always like that. Not too long ago I hated her. But, all it took was one night to change that. It's funny how life turns what you thought was your enemy into one of your best friends. I love Lulu. Her battles are my battles and I will defend her with every ounce of my strength and every bit of ammunition that I have."
"I don't want to hurt her, Maxie. If you let me talk to her, I promise you everything will make sense. I never cheated on her. I love her."
"She isn't here, you know. She went to Tracy's bachelorette party."
"I know, Maxie. I saw her at Jake's. I know how much this is hurting her, how much it's hurting the both of us. Do you have any idea where she could have gone?"
"No, and if I did, Dante, I sure as hell wouldn't tell you. I'm surprised. I would have guessed that you left at least twenty text messages by now. If you saw her at Jake's, like you say you did, then you know what kind of damage you've caused. If you love her like you say you do, you'll walk away. You'll let her pick up what's left of her heart and move forward."
"I have called her, Maxie. Her phone is rolling straight to voice mail," Dante told her.
"Maybe that should tell you something," Maxie answered.
"I do love her, Maxie. More than you know. I won't just walk away. Not, unless Lulu tells me too. Maybe not even then. I can't. I need her and I think that she needs me too."
"I'm warning you, Dante, if you do anything to hurt her, I won't need Jason to take care of you, I'll fit you for cement shoes, myself, and watch your rotting corpse sink to the bottom of the river.," she told him, unlocking the door to her apartment, "Try the Quartemaines, they started out there, maybe Lulu stopped by to check on Tracy," Maxie told him, entering her apartment and closing the door behind her.
"The Quartermaines," Dante said aloud, taking a deep breath and bracing himself for another run-in with the house mud wrestler. He'd hoped that it would be just he and Lulu. But, this night was turning into one unexpected surprise after another. He reached for his cell phone and dialed her number, his heart dropping, as he heard the recorded voice on the other end, "Lulu, it's Dante."
"What part of you're not welcome, didn't you understand, Mr. Falconeri?" Alice told him twenty minutes later, firmly denying him entrance to the Quartermaine mansion, "The house is for family and guests only. As of, the other night, you are neither."
"Alice," Dante said, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and Mike's famous cheese fries in the other, "I think that we got off on the wrong foot. I'm not your enemy and I may not be a Spencer, or a Falconeri, but I'm family to Lulu. Whether or not, she wants to admit it right now. We're meant to be. I won't give up on that. Not for anyone. Haven't you ever felt that for anyone?" Dante asked Alice, as she fixed her gaze on the wall and an image of her and Mr. Luke throwing Tracy out on her ass appeared before her eyes. "Spanky's history, Alice. You're the only woman, I truly want. Now, just show me the way to Edward's cigars and Tracy's safe and we'll fly this coop, my little Belgium Waffle."
Alice smiled at the vision before her, wishing even a bit of it were true. Mr. Luke deserved so much better than Tracy Quartermaine.
"Fine, you can wait in the library. But, this doesn't change anything. Until, Miss Lulu tells me otherwise, you are not on any Quartermaine guest list. Now, I'll have Cook prepare you a late dinner, you could use the strength," she said, her hands in a fist, as she cracked her knuckles in glee and snatched the cheese fries from his hand.
"Cook loves Mike's famous cheese fries. The kitchen thanks you."
Dante smiled, a look of nervousness on his face, as she led him to the library and closed the door.
He must have fallen asleep, he thought, as he roused much later, opening his eyes to Tracy Quartermaine seated in a chair opposite of the sofa. He sat up suddenly, looking around the room, his eyes searching for her, but they were alone, he and Tracy.
"What are you doing here?" Tracy asked him a bit groggily, her head feeling as if two hands pressed tightly against it.
"You'll need something stronger than coffee," Dante told her, as Alice set a cup of coffee in front of Tracy and a ham and cheese sandwich in front of him.
"Mr. Luke likes a woman that can hold her liquor," Alice whispered under her breath in a scathing tone.
"What did you say?" Tracy questioned Alice, with a haughty expression.
"I said, if you need an escape route, Dante, the garden doors are much quicker."
"That's not at all what it sounded like, Alice. Why don't you dust something? Preferably in the foyer," Tracy told Big Alice.
"Whatever you say, Tracy. It will be so refreshing to have Mr. Luke here once again. He appreciates me," Alice told Tracy, as she turned to Dante and winked.
"And if you even think about meeting up with Luke in the morning, Alice, I'll fire you," Tracy yelled, as Alice grinned, sending a back wave to Dante, as she exited the library.
Dante shook his head, trying to get the image of Big Alice out of his mind, "Do I even want to know-"
"No, you don't, Dante."
"Look, Tracy-"
"Stop, right there, Dante. I know why you're here. If you're looking for Lulu, you're wasting your time. No apology can undo what you did. It's in your blood, Dante. The curse that is Sonny Corrinthos. You're no different than him, no matter how much you protest. I told her that you were no good, that you would deceive her, just as easily as you lied to everyone around you. You're his son," Tracy informed him, practically branding the Corrinthos name on his chest.
"Sonny's blood may run through my veins, but I'm not my father, Tracy. Not in any way that counts. And for the record, I haven't, and I never will, betray Lulu. She's the only woman for me. And not you, and not all of Port Charles, is going to change that. Believe it, or not, Tracy, I'm trying to undo the pain I caused her. I know that it's asking a lot, but I could use your help. I made a promise to Lulu once, that I would be completely honest with her and I can't do that if she remains hidden."
"You're not going to leave anytime soon, are you?" Tracy questioned him, her eyes focused on him, a look of curiosity on her face, "What if she doesn't come here?"
"Then, I'll show up tomorrow and the day after, Tracy."
"You'd crash my wedding?" Tracy asked him, daring him to answer.
"Yes, I would. She needs to hear what I have to say, Tracy. No one, not you, not Luke, not her brothers, or her friends are going to stand in my way."
"You're planning on fighting every person in Port Charles just to say your peace. Why? After everything that was said at the Metro Court, what does it matter, Dante? How is telling her going to change anything?" Tracy asked, puzzled by his determination.
"Maybe it will, maybe it won't, Tracy. But, she needs to know. Not telling her, isn't an option for me. I've had a lot of time to think the last few weeks, you know. About my life. About Lulu. About our future."
"Your future?" Tracy answered, sipping her black coffee, cringing at the bitter taste in her mouth.
"With Lulu," Dante replied, pushing the sandwich around on the plate, his eyes downcast, "If she'll still have me."
"Until the next woman comes along," Tracy accused, distrust evident in her tone.
"I don't want anyone else, Tracy. Only Lulu. You can choose to believe everything that Carly said at the Metro Court, I can't stop you. But, know that I love Lulu Spencer and I can't see my life without her in it. I won't lose her. I can't."
"Hm...We'll see about that, won't we?" Tracy said, taking another sip of her coffee.
"What are you still doing up?" Lulu asked Maxie, as she entered their apartment at nearly midnight, her eyes downcast as she thought about the last few hours.
She must have driven up and down Dante's street a hundred times, trying to get the nerve to go up to the loft, only to realize that he wasn't there. Her mind had gone to that dark place, to images of him with Brenda. His smile, his laughter, his cheesy pickup lines directed at her. The green-eyed monster was taking over every inch of her heart, as she thought of Dante sharing his life with anyone, but her. Spending a single day without him was agony, spending weeks without him was like taking away the very air she breathed.
"I needed to think," Lulu answered, taking a seat opposite of Maxie," a sad, defeated expression on her face, "When you were with Spinelli, did he ever lie to you, or keep secrets?"
"About a woman? Never," Maxie told her, moving closer, "Why? Is Dante keeping another secret?"
"I don't know. Maybe. I saw him earlier. He looks tired. I'm worried about him," Lulu replied, playing with one of the buttons on her coat.
"He betrays you, rips your heart out and leaves it bleeding in the middle of the street and you're worried about him," Maxie said, completely baffled.
"Just because I want to shake him silly, make him come to his senses, doesn't mean that I don't love him, Maxie. Have you been here awhile? Did he stop by?"
"Nope. But, if he did, Lulu, I would certainly give him a piece of my mind," Maxie answered, withholding Dante's visit.
"Well, if he does, will you come get me? I'm really tired, but I want to speak with him."
"Sure, Lulu. If he stops by."
Not a chance, Maxie thought to herself, as Lulu walked toward her bedroom
"I'm doing this for you, Lulu. You're better off without him," she whispered reaching for Lulu's cellphone and listening to the message.
"Lulu, it's Dante. You're probably still out with Tracy. Baby, this thing between us is killing me. I know it looks bad, but I need you to believe in me," Dante's recorded voice said, as Maxie rolled her eyes.
"I love you. I want to tell you what is going on. Look, I'm heading over to the Quartermaine's. Alice is probably going to put me in that chicken-wing thing Edward keeps threatening me about, but I don't care, Lulu. I miss you. I need you. And if showing up at the Quartermaine's doesn't prove that, well then I'll just keep trying. We need to talk."
"The last thing, Lulu needs is to talk to you," Maxie whispered, pressing delete and erasing the recorded message.
Tuesday, Dec. 21, Quartermaine Mansion
Lulu Spencer sat in front of the vanity, her hazel eyes transfixed on the mirror in front of her, eyes luminous, her cheeks reddened from anger.
He didn't come.
She would have bet everything against one of her brother, Ethan's, poker games. Playing legit for once in her life, without cheating. Fully confident that Dante loved her and that he was ready to share everything with her. Apparently, she would have lost, Lulu thought, slamming the makeup brush onto the vanity and staring with absolute hatred at the woman that looked back at her.
Did you really expect anything less, Lesley Lu?
Dammit. She'd waited up all night, she thought, as the first trail of tears began to fall upon her cheeks. She had been so sure. The look on his face, his words, every one of his actions had made her believe that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
All day yesterday had been spent with preparations for the wedding and when she wasn't working on making Tracy's day perfect, Maxie had Lulu running ragged with errands for Crimson. She had barely had time to check her messages, but when she did, her face was crestfallen. No messages from Dante. He wanted to tell her the secret between he and Brenda. Lulu knew this. So, why didn't he call?
"He loves me, I know it," Lulu answered the image in the mirror, "He'll tell me all of this is just a mistake. He doesn't want Brenda. He wants me."
You? Over a supermodel, Lesley Lu? Come on, It's me that you're trying to convince here. Be honest. What do you have that could possibly compete with her?
What do I have? Lulu wondered, shaking her head and staring transfixed at the reflection in the mirror. Her greatest fear wasn't that Dante may, or may not have slept with Brenda in the past. It was that he would tell her that after months of chasing her, getting to know her heart and who she was as a person, that he had made a mistake, that as much as he loved her, it wasn't enough, that he loved Brenda Barrett more. Lulu Spencer inhaled sharply, wiped the tears from her eyes and released one last shudder. She stared at that weak-minded fool in the mirror, that woman who for the past few months had let others lead, while she followed, who had forgotten what it was to be a Spencer, to stand on her own two feet and to own every ounce of her self-respect.
The woman had haunted eyes, with dark shadows underneath, that despite the layers upon layers of make-up still remained visible. An underlying sadness surrounded her, creating an aura that was swiftly turning to anger. She was stronger than this, she thought, reaching for the concealer and dabbing at her eyes. She was through waiting on him to come to his senses, to see what was right in front of him. If he wouldn't value their relationship enough to confide in her, if he couldn't trust her enough with the truth, well then screw him.
"Lulu, they're about to start and Tracy is asking for you. What should I tell her?" Maya asked, as Lulu's reflection looked back from the mirror, a determined glint in her eyes.
"I just need five minutes more," Lulu answered, using her hands to smooth the blond wisps of hair that were escaping her elegant chignon.
"I'll tell her, but she is on the warpath. She is sure that your father is going to leave her at the altar," Maya told her, in all seriousness.
"Dad, wouldn't do that. If he was going to leave, he would have done it days ago," Lulu answered, completely assured of her father's love for Tracy Quartermaine.
"Ethan told me about your Dad's fear of commitment. Isn't it about this time of year that he heads for parts unknown?" Maya questioned Lulu, curious as to whether her father would bolt and leave his kids with the mess he left behind.
"I know that running is my Dad's game, that he's always had a backup plan for escaping domestic life, but this time is different. I honestly think that Tracy has changed him. She made him sign a pre-nup and pay for the entire wedding," Lulu told Maya, convincingly, "that in itself should have made him run for the border. But, he stayed. I truly believe he loves her."
"What about your Mom?" Maya asked, throwing out the question that could put a wrench in Tracy's perfect day, "Do you mean to tell me that if she stood before him right now, that he would turn her down, that he would choose Tracy?"
"My Mom is in a clinic somewhere in France, Maya. And even if she were here, if she showed up and somehow tried to stop the wedding, it's been so long, that I'm not even sure how my Dad would respond."
"Well, let's pray that nothing happens to disrupt this wedding then, shall we? I don't think that Ethan can take much more at the moment," Maya said, grinning.
"Why, what did my brother do now?" Lulu asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer.
"Tracy caught him trying to start up a card game in the back for high rollers- picture smelly cigars, Grandfathers reserve scotch and lots of casino chips. Big Alice was in charge of the bets. It wasn't a pretty sight."
"Oh, No. Poor Tracy," Lulu laughed, applying a last dab of lipstick, "OK, I think I'm all set. Tell, Tracy that I'll be right there."
"I don't know about you, but I'll be grateful once this day is behind us. After my shot-gun Vegas wedding, these things give me the shivers," Maya told Lulu, smiling as she headed toward the door.
"At least you end up with five-hundred grand at the end of your marriage. My Dad had to wave his rights to everything. If my Dad loves Tracy's money half as much as Edward thinks, this wedding will seem like a funeral," Lulu answered, as Maya reached for the door.
"Hurry up. I don't know how much more I can take of Tracy. Please be quick," Maya pleaded, as Lulu replied, "I'll be right behind you."
Dante Falconeri sat crouched in the bushes outside the Quartermaine mansion, recalling his visit just the other night when he had been ushered out of the mansion at daybreak, having awakened to a coffee and doughnut by Alice. He was then practically pushed out the door by a mumbling Edward, who seemed a bit preoccupied with a certain cigar stash and bottle of scotch that had turned up missing, rambling on about Dante using his badge for something good for a change and arresting that no good Luke Spencer.
Dante had returned to his loft, only to find his partner, Ronnie Dimestico camped outside, waiting for him.
"Well, it's about time, pal. Tell me some good news. Did you kiss and make-up?" Ronnie asked with a grin.
"I don't want to talk about it, Ronnie," Dante answered, throwing his keys onto the kitchen counter top and reaching inside his refrigerator for a beer.
"It's a little early to be drinking, don't you think?" Ronnie told him, grabbing the beer and placing it on the table beside him, "Come on, I know what you need. A distraction. I got just the thing," Ronnie replied, dragging Dante out of his loft.
"I told you, I quit," Dante whispered, with a slight edge to his voice, as Ronnie practically pulled him kicking and screaming into the precinct ten minutes later.
"Well, you didn't officially confirm it. So, if you're going to flush your career down the toilet and fuck up what's left of the rest of your so-called life at the moment, then by all means, pal, tell the commish."
"I hate you, Ronnie. You know that right.
"Yeah, pal, I do. But, somehow I don't mind so much, if it snaps you out of this funk you have at the moment. You've stepped so far off the field, pal, you don't even realize that you're not playing anymore. If you want to win the game, you got to want to start playing, pal. Now, get in there and convince the coach that you're still worthy," Ronnie told Dante, ushering him toward Mac's office.
Fifteen minutes later, Dante exited the office, a concerned Ronnie Dimestico, leaning against his desk.
"Well, how did it go?"
"I still have a job. Oh, joy!" Dante, said, smiling mockingly, as he realized that Lulu used to say that all of the time, "Now, what?"
"Pal, today is about regrouping, changing up the roster, getting all of your eggs in the right basket, or some shit like that," Ronnie told him, directing Dante to sit, while Ronnie reached for a stack of files about two feet high,"Paperwork, pal. Tomorrow, you can storm the castle and rescue the princess."
"What if the princess doesn't want rescued?" Dante answered, reaching for the first file and opening it in front of him.
"Well, there's always kidnapping. I just so happen to know someone with a getaway car," Ronnie whispered, leaning closer.
"You're a complete nut job, you know that, don't you, Ronnie?" Dante replied in amusement.
"Yeah, but you love me, pal. Couldn't live your life without me," Ronnie grinned, pulling a chair up alongside Dante, and looking toward the file in front of him, "Now, what do we got? Ax-murderer, arsonist, terrorist?"
"Stolen dog," Dante grinned, tossing the file in front of Ronnie.
Dante smiled, recalling the case files he and Ronnie worked on yesterday, they really were a huge distraction and he owed Ronnie for that one. He was right, although Dante would never tell him that. He missed his job. He was glad that Mac was giving him a second chance. At least something in his life was turning around, now he just had to convince the love of his life that she would be miserable without him.
"Most guests find that the front door seems to work best," she said from behind him, crouching down to his position.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Dante smiled, spying the woman from the bar a few nights ago.
"I could say that I'm admiring Lila's famous roses at the moment, but seeing as how the bushes are covered in snow-"
"Lila? You knew Edward's wife?" Dante asked her, his curiosity peaked.
"Lila was like a grandmother to me. She was a very special woman. I wish that you could have met her. I think that she would have liked you. She was quite the head-strong, adventurous gal in her time."
"Ha, she sounds like my Grandma Falconeri," Dante grinned, his gloved hand resting on the garden door's trim, as he peered inside the house, looking for Lulu.
"Do you know the Quartermaine's?" she asked him, as Dante glanced back at her.
"A little. My girlfriend's family is pretty tight with them."
"Ah, the girlfriend. Is she attending?" she said, curious as to who the girl was.
"She's the maid of honor," Dante gushed, his adoration for Lulu written plainly on his face.
"So, she knows the bride?" she questioned Dante, as he grinned at her.
"Knows her? Tracy is her step-mother. Well, after today, legally her step-mother, I guess," Dante told her, "My girlfriend is Lulu Spencer."
"Lulu? Lulu is the girl that you are trying to win back," she answered softly, pausing between words.
"She's my whole world. I would do anything for her," Dante answered.
"I can see that, " she smiled, "Well, what's the plan?"
"Dammit," Lulu exclaimed, as she snagged her pantyhose on the vanity chair. She set down her flowers and reached for her second pair of hose inside the vanity drawer. Good thing she always came prepared.
"Just a minute," she said, as someone knocked on the door. The knocking continued and Lulu looked up in irritation, "Is there a fire? Did Tracy decide to ditch the groom, because-"
"No, no fire. Not sure about Tracy-" Dante told her, as Lulu stood in the doorway, clutching the door tightly, her eyes wide with surprise, "Miss me?" Dante grinned.
Lulu Spencer's heart beat rapidly in her chest, her eyes focused on the man in front of her. An entire night, she thought to herself, I waited up an ENTIRE night. Glaring back at him, she smiled and responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Not a bit," before slamming the door in Dante's face.
She locked it from the inside, her back resting against the door, as she slowly slid to the floor, every beat of her heart feeling like a jackhammer in her chest. He came for her.
"Lulu, baby, let me in. Please," Dante pleaded, leaning on the opposite side of the door, "I have so much to tell you, to explain-"
"It's too late," Lulu answered, fuming inside. She was sick and tired of doing everything on his time table. This time, he can wait, she decided, folding her arms across her chest and seething with anger, "Go away."
"I'm not going anywhere, Lulu. Not until we talk," he told her, his answer silence, "Baby, I need you. Is that what you want to hear. I'll shout it from the rooftop, if you want me to-"
"You'll probably fall off and break your stupid neck," Lulu responded, softly, her rapid breathing causing her chest to rise and fall.
"Baby, you love my stupid neck," Dante grinned, turning toward the door, "Let me in, please."
"Why?" Lulu asked him with bitterness.
"We need to talk," Dante told her, his hand pressed against the door.
"Whatever you have to say, you can say it through the door," Lulu answered, rising to her feet and turning to face the door, hands folded against her chest.
"Fine. I was wrong. There, I said it," Dante told her, his fist hitting the door in frustration, "I want to explain everything, Lulu, I do."
"Now, you do? Well, maybe I don't want to hear what you have to say," Lulu replied, yelling at the door, imagining his sexy face on the other side. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, pull him closer...and kiss the sense back into his arrogant, stupid head. The door was her shield, the only barrier keeping her from pulling him inside and throwing him to the floor. She missed him so much. But, she would be damned if she was going to let him know.
"Dammit, Lulu, I love you. Was that loud enough for you?" he shouted, as Maya came around the corner, her mouth open in shock, "OK, well, I was going to ask Lulu what was taking so long-"
"Tell them, I'll be right there," Lulu told Maya, opening the door, as Dante quickly inserted his foot into the entrance and grabbed the door with his hand.
Lulu ducked, rushing past him, as she raced down the hallway, Dante in hot pursuit. Lulu quickly moved past the main living area, now lined with seated guests. Each turning in her direction, as she quickly moved past, knocking over a few flower displays in her haste, until she stood cornered, her back to the wall, Dante facing her, with nearly all of the residents of Port Charles behind him.
"You are the most pig-headed, absolute craziest woman that I have ever met in my life," Dante shouted, raking his hands through his hair in vexation, "Since the day, that I saw you at Jake's, I knew that I was headed for trouble. That you were going to turn my life upside-down."
"So, why didn't you turn around, run in the other direction?" Lulu yelled, as if they were the only two people in the room, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Because, baby, you grabbed something inside of me, in that first moment when I saw you-"
"I knew when I met you, Dante. I knew that if I let you in, if I fell in love with you-"
"Dammit, Dante, you lied to me," she shouted, "to me," she said, inching slowly along the wall, toward the hallway.
"Never about loving you. That wasn't a lie, Lulu. Everything that we experienced together, every feeling between us, that was the truth, Lulu," Dante replied, bracing his arms on either side of her, effectively pinning her where she stood.
"Not to interrupt this little Oprah moment," Ethan said, as Dante turned his head, and Lulu peered around him,"but, has anyone seen Luke?"
"Dad's not here," Lulu said in surprise, as Dante sighed in frustration, releasing his hold on her, as she stepped out from behind him.
"Bride is missing too," Maya added, entering the room and standing alongside Ethan.
"Maybe they eloped," Bobbie answered, her pale cheeks emphasized by the dramatic blush line that marked her cheeks.
"Another Vegas wedding? Bloody Hell," Ethan answered, looking at Maya, who sent him a disparaging look.
"I'll search the grounds," Lucky told Ethan, sending a look Lulu's way, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Lucky. Dante and I are just, well-"
"Communicating," Dante answered, with a smile.
"Where is he?" Tracy shouted, rounding the corner in a custom-made dress of satin tinted in an egg-shell white. It hugged her curves, the fabric creating a mock-wrap style in the front.
"Tracy?" Lulu cried out, as the truth hit her, "Oh, My God. I'm so sorry. I thought for sure that he wouldn't run this time."
"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to throw his sorry behind into the darkest, dampest prison I can find and throw away the key."
"My cigars? My scotch? Tracy, did he find the rest of it?" Edward asked frantically, as Tracy sent a sour look his way.
"What? No, father, your precious stash is safe."
"How much?" Lucky asked Tracy, stopping in his tracks and shaking his head in disbelief.
"What?" Dante asked his partner, his gaze drifting back to Lulu, whose eyes shown disappointment.
"My Dad broke into the safe again, didn't he?" she asked Tracy, who looked back with murderous intent.
"He took all the cash, my ruby earrings and the diamond ring he gave me," Tracy told them, as Lucky looked down at her ring finger.
"But, you're wearing the diamond ring, Tracy?"
"This thing? It's made of Cubic Zirconia. I knew he would pull a stunt like this, so I put the real one in the safe. Where is Alice?"
"Alice," Tracy shouted down the hall, "You come here, you thieving, back-stabbing, unemployed housekeeper!"
"Now, would be the perfect time to slip away, Lulu," Dante whispered, as she turned to him in confusion.
"What? I can't leave, Dante. I need to find my Dad. And Tracy-" she thought, wondering how she was going to fix this mess.
"Mr. Luke," they heard, as the sound of elephants running down the stairs echoed throughout the foyer. The guests rose racing toward the hallway entrance, as Alice dressed to the nines in a full-length white laced wedding gown with matching hat came racing down the stairwell toward the main door, "I'm coming."
"What the-" Lucky said aloud, his jaw dropping a few inches.
"Bloody hell," Ethan answered next, as Maya just shook her head, trying to erase the image.
"You! I knew that you were in on this! Where is he? That lying, no-good, thief of a fiancee of mine," Tracy yelled, following Alice out the door.
They watched as the black tail of a suit narrowly escaped the door closing and the limo driver bolted around the car and quickly jumped inside.
"Mr. Luke, wait up!" Alice shouted, bouquet in hand, a look of absolute desolation on her face.
"Luke, when I get my hands on you," Tracy shouted, shaking her fist, the bouquet of roses tossing petals in every direction, as she turned to Alice alongside her.
"Why are you wearing a wedding dress? And if that was his getaway car, why the hell aren't you in it?" Tracy shouted, to a surprised and confused Alice.
"Who's driving the car?" Alice asked, staring down the long driveway, as it disappeared into the distance, practically sulking.
"You start talking," Tracy said with an outburst, "I want to hear every detail of his plan, Alice."
"Mr. Luke got cold feet. Any man would faced with eternity with you," Alice answered, as Lucky intervened.
"Alice, try to stick to the facts. Did my Dad ask you to have the car ready just in case?"
"Yes, but the plan was that I was supposed to drive. Not, that crazy woman," Alice yelled, turning to Dante.
"I think that Mr. Luke has been kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Lulu replied, in confusion, "Why would you think that Alice?"
"Because she shoved me into a room, that's why. I knew that I never should have mentioned driving the getaway car. She tricked me and then she stole my keys," Alice fumed, using her hands to push her hat off of her face, "and she messed up my hair. I spent hours getting ready for Mr. Luke."
"I got news for you, Alice. The only wedding that was going to happen today was mine. Now, you tell me who stole my groom," Tracy shouted, reaching for Alice.
"Ladies," Lucky said, stepping in between them, "let's try to calm down. Now, Alice, what did this woman who you say ran off with Dad, look like?"
Luke Spencer laughed for the first time in hours, collapsing against the black leather seats and grinning from ear to ear, "We did it Alice. I knew that you could pull it off," he said, reaching inside the bag at his feet and finding Edward's good Scotch, "What'll it be, Alice? I say cigars," he smiled, pulling out two and handing one toward the driver.
"No, since when do you start refusing Edward's cigars, Alice? You're awfully quiet. Alice, did Tracy get my diamond ring?"
The car came to a screeching halt, as the driver pushed the button, releasing the partition that was half-way down and sliding it all the way open, "Your diamond ring," she shouted, turning toward him, "That ring was my Grandmother's, Lucas Lorenzo Spencer."
"Laura," Luke answered, completely stunned, "Starry Eyes, you're home."
"You have some explaining to do, Luke. You were going to marry her, weren't you? With my ring!" Laura interrogated him, her voice rising with every word.
"No, sweetness, never. I have your ring right here," Luke replied, grabbing the diamond from his pocket and showing her.
"Alice and I had the whole thing planned. Alice, Oh, damn. She's going to be pissed. But, Honeybuns, you would have been so proud. It was like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I was the kid of course," Luke told her, grinning, "It was just like old times."
"Just like old times," Laura answered, tilting the chauffeur's hat back and smiling, a twinkle in her eye, "We're not kids anymore, Luke. You can't just run away every time you things start to feel...too comfortable."
"I missed this, you know. I missed us," Luke told Laura, really smiling for the first time in years.
"Me too. But, you're about thirty years too late, Luke. That boat sailed a long time ago."
"Then let's find a new one. Come on, Laura, what do you say? One last adventure together," Luke pleaded, reaching for the wads of cash and sending her a devilish grin.
"My mother? She is driving the getaway car?" Lucky exclaimed, "Is everyone out of their freaking mind? She's in France."
"Your Mom. Laura Webber Spencer," Dante answered, looking at Lulu.
"Well, she has been getting better, Lucky. The last time we spoke with the doctor, he said that her progress was remarkable," Lulu replied, completely baffled by the turn of events.
"Remarkable, not criminal, as in aiding and abetting, Lulu!" Lucky shouted, running his hands through his hair.
"You're mistaken. There has to be a logical reason behind all of this," he said, as Tracy looked back at him.
"There is. She stole my fiancee. Mine, Lucky. I love him and I want him back. Do you hear me?" Tracy told Lucky, directing her gaze to Dante and Lulu, "And I don't care how much money it costs."
"Are you saying that you want Dante and I to follow them?" Lulu answered.
"I'm not saying, Lulu, I'm telling. You owe me. The both of you. Lulu, you promised me that what Luke and I have, that it's different. I'm holding on to that. I need him. And you," she told Dante, turning toward him, "You told me to trust that you love, Lulu. Well, here's your chance. The two of you can chase after them, bring back my fiancee...and if it's not too much trouble, get me my diamond. My real diamond," Tracy said, staring down at the fake on her finger.
"Tracy, Dante and I aren't together. We can't go running after my parents on some little adventure," Lulu said.
"I think it's perfect, Lulu. It'll give us the chance we need to talk. I need you to trust me again and if that means traipsing across the globe, looking for your parents. Well, I'm in."
"Well, I'm not. Besides, don't you have to guard Brenda?" Lulu accused.
"Lulu, I haven't guarded Brenda in weeks. Jason is doing that," Dante told her, reaching for her hand, "What's the matter, are you afraid to be alone with me, Lulu?"
"I'm not afraid...to be alone with you, Dante," Lulu replied, as her voice softened to nearly a whisper,"But, you should be. I'm still mad at you."
"Come on, Lulu. We need this. It'll be our chance to get to know each other again. Our own little adventure."
"Fine. But, I'm calling the shots, Dante. You follow my lead. This is a Spencer caper, not a Falconeri one, Capiche?"
"Well, you'll need money. Good thing, Mr. Luke forgot Tracy's credit card. Here you go," she said handing the card to Dante who had a stunned look on his face, "Oh, don't worry, it's completely untraceable. It's linked to an off-shore account for ELQ," Alice whispered, leaning close, "I know people. Tracy wouldn't have ever known the money was missing."
"You realize that you're talking to a cop, right?" Dante told her, a shocked expression on his face.
"I've got a good feeling about you, Dante. Miss Lulu, I get the vibe you'll do right by her. But, just in case I'm wrong," Alice answered, clenching her hands together, "you just remember the chicken-wing."
"For crying out loud, my money is out of the country by now. Are you going, or aren't you?" Tracy shouted.
"We're going," Lulu answered, "but you, you keep your distance. And don't think that I don't remember that you still owe me an explanation about Brenda, Dante. Because I haven't forgotten. Tracy, we'll need a plane. And no touching, Dante. You stay on your side, I'll stay on mine. Deal?"
"Deal," Dante said, his hand behind his back, fingers crossed. She didn't say anything about her touching him. Dante had every intention of winning Lulu back before the New Year arrived. This was just the opportunity he needed.