Chapter Ten

Nikolas stood staring out the window trying to collect his thoughts. The last few weeks had been filled with chaos. It was as if he could never quite get a handle on things. Last night topped them all. Ever since dropping Elizabeth off Nikolas couldn't stop thinking about her.

They had barely touched, but Nikolas ached to feel her skin under his palm. He couldn't decide if he liked the feeling or not. It was difficult for him to give up control especially to something he didn't understand. Groaning Nikolas stepped away from the window. He knew over-thinking the situation was going to accomplish nothing.

Alfred knocked and then opened the door. "Sir, an Ivan Rostov is here to see you," the older man announced formally.

Nikolas hesitated a moment before asking. "Did he say why he's here?"

"Apparently he is scheduled for meeting," he informed Nikolas carefully. Alfred was fully aware of Nikolas's recent moods.

"Well then, I suppose I should see him," Nikolas grumbled in annoyance. He had hoped to finish up early in the day but that didn't seem possible now.

"Mr. Cassadine, it's a pleasure to meet you." Ivan said shaking his hand. He'd never met Nikolas before now and that was part of the reason he was chosen for this trip. Still, Ivan wanted to make a favorable impression.

"I don't know if you heard..."

"About your accident? Yes, sir. I was cautioned that you had amnesia."

Nikolas nodded at the information. He wondered how many people knew of his accident. He didn't like the idea of strangers discussing his life. Brushing aside the thought he told the man coldly, "Then there won't be any problems."

"Of course not, sir."

"Excellent. Let's get started then."

As the meeting slowly dragged on Nikolas's mind kept wondering back to Elizabeth. He glanced at the clock and wondered if it was too early to call her. He didn't really know what time she, or Cameron for that matter, might wake up.

Ivan noticed that Nikolas's mind kept wandering. The prince had not heard a word he said in quite some time. Ivan didn't mind though part of his assignment was to gain Nikolas's trust. "She must be very special."

"Pardon me?" he said immediately defensive.

"I didn't mean to over step but just now you reminded me of when I first met my wife."

This information had Nikolas curious. Maybe this meeting wasn't completely useless after all. "How so?"

"You've been distracted and the clock, you keep glancing at it. Like I said, I didn't mean to over..."

"You didn't." Nikolas said dismissively cutting the other man off. Ivan had unknowingly helped him place the emotions he was feeling. Not that it helped much especially since he didn't know if Elizabeth returned those feelings or not. "And yes she is very special."

"Perhaps our meeting can wait then."

Ivan was right the meeting was about nothing too important. It could wait another day or two. Besides, he was the boss and it was what he said that mattered. "You may be right. These contracts can wait until later. I'll have Alfred show you to one of the guest rooms."

Once he was alone Nikolas checked the time again. Nine o'clock seemed like a reasonable hour to him. Of course so did six this morning. The worst that could happen is Elizabeth not speak with him. He dialed her number and smiled when she answered on the second ring. "Hello."

"Hi. I didn't expect you to call until later."

"Is it too early? I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's fine Nikolas really. I'm just surprised is all."

He closed his eyes and imagined Elizabeth on the other end. He could hear that she was nervous which meant she was probably biting her lip. Nikolas barely resisted the urge to moan. He needed to focus on the reason for his call. "I was hoping you and Cameron would come to Wyndemere for a picnic."

"You want me to bring Cam?" she asked slightly surprised. It was another reminder that this Nikolas was different.

"Of course. He's your son and I would like to get to know him as well. If that's alright with you."

"Of course it is," she reassured. "Cam and I would be thrilled to join you for a picnic."

"Good. Maybe you can show me around the island."

"Didn't Lucky already do that? I swear if he didn't..."

Nikolas laughed cutting Elizabeth off. He couldn't seem to stop himself around. "Don't worry he did but I'd like to see it though your eyes."

"Is eleven okay?"

"I'll see you then."

"Bye."

"Was that Nikolas?" Steven asked as Elizabeth hung up the phone. He was still having trouble dealing with the scene from last night. To be honest, he was stilling having trouble with the fact his baby sister was a mother.

"Yeah," she said thoughtfully, "he invited me and Cam to Wyndemere."

"That sounds... nice."

"Nice? Where did nice come from?"

"I'm not sure what to say here, Lizzie. You and Nikolas are friends and that's great. But what I interrupted last night... that wasn't two friends."

"It was just dinner." she insisted trying to ignore what Steven was saying.

"You keep telling yourself that," he smiled knowingly. "But when Nikolas acts on whatever this is don't be surprised."

"He doesn't even know what he's feeling."

"Maybe," Steven conceded, "he's been though a lot but you don't know. Beside I'm more worried about you. Look I'm not saying don't be with Nikolas just be careful. Okay?"

"I love you too, Steven." Elizabeth said hugging her older brother. She knew what he wasn't saying. There was the risk Nikolas may get his memories back and return to Emily. Was it a chance Elizabeth would ever be willing to take?

Elizabeth had always secretly considered Wyndemere beautiful. It probably went back to her time as an artist. She especially loved the gardens where they had their picnic. She remembered another lunch many years ago with Nikolas. So many things had changed since that afternoon.

"A nickel for your thoughts?" Nikolas asked when Elizabeth became quite something he knew she didn't do much.

"Don't you mean penny?"

"I suppose so, but you look like you're doing some serious thinking, at least a nickel's worth."

"Nothing too serious. I was just thinking how much I love this garden."

"It's beautiful, but not like you." Nikolas said his voice deepening. Seconds later his lips were brushing across Elizabeth's in a sweet kiss.