Chapter 21: "Divine Protection"
July 11th 2004
Three months had passed since Nikolas and Emily found out they were having a baby boy. She is now 7 ½ months pregnant.
Today was one of the weariest days in Port Charles history. Lila Morgan Quartermaine had died in her sleep weeks earlier. Today had been her funeral. Which they had attended earlier that morning, they were now going to the Repast. Emily had to stop at Wyndemere first to change shoes.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Nikolas said looking at his very pregnant wife with concern; she had been through a lot lately.
"I'm fine Nikolas, and I promised grandfather I would be there."
"You know they would understand if you couldn't make it."
"I wanna be there Nikolas."
"Okay, I see I'm not going to win this one, let's go."
The Repast was held at the Port Charles Hotel. Everyone from Port Charles and even some that were not seemed to be attending.
A few hours of mingling with everyone had passed before Emily was dead tired. She sat down at a table where Elizabeth sat looking just as tired as she was.
"You finally gave out I see," Elizabeth said as Emily sat down.
"It feels like my feet are literally on fire and is it just me or is it extremely hot in here." Emily said fanning herself.
"Oh, I'm right there with you."
"Where's Lucky?"
"He got called away on some cop thing, Nikolas?"
"I lost him somewhere between death glares by Lydia and people trying to rub my stomach."
Elizabeth laughed as Zander walked up to them.
"How are you two beautiful ladies this evening?"
"Hot!" They said in unison.
"I just came from the balcony, it feels great out there. Would you two ladies like to join me?"
"Where's Lydia?" Emily asked.
"She wasn't feeling to well, she decided to duck out early."
"Oh I hope she feels better." Elizabeth said as she and Emily stood.
Emily searched the crowd until she spotted Nikolas trapped between Alan and Edward, no doubt discussing the future of their unborn child. She motioned that she was going out. He confirmed he understood with a nod.
Suddenly with a single word the whole night took a turn for the worse, when a single word was shouted.
"FIRE!" Someone shouted, "fire in the lobby!"
Panic broke out as people started to scatter everywhere. The heat that surrounded the room was now explained. There was a fire and it was spreading fast. Emily searched the crowd for Nikolas but didn't see him anywhere in the crowd of terrified people. Zander had grabbed her and Elizabeth and was searching around for a safe way out. They spotted the emergency exit just in front of them, they couldn't believe their luck. They made their way towards the door, when they heard even louder screams from behind them.
There was a big boom and when they turned around a big chunk of the floor was gone. And so were half of the people that had been there seconds ago. They had barely made it to safety. The three made it to the emergency exit, where they were met with smoke.
"Okay try not to breathe in the smoke to much. This is our only way out." Zander called.
"Oh, ow!!" Elizabeth cried as she doubled over in pain. "There is something wrong with the baby. I can't move, I can't go on any more."
"Elizabeth everything is going to be okay, it's going to be fine." Emily said calmly, but filling the total opposite.
"I'm going to go ahead to see a safe way out, then I'll carry you out of here Liz, you two just stay right here." Zander said.
"Okay hurry back please." Liz said through clenched teeth.
A few minutes passed before Elizabeth cried out in pain.
"It hurts so bad Em, I can't take it, I think my baby's dying," she cried.
"The baby is not going to die Liz. I'm going to go after Zander."
"No don't leave me Emily; you can't put yourself and my godson in any more trouble,"
"We are fine Elizabeth; his kicks are still strong. You and my godson are not fine, here" Emily said removing her silver cross from her around her neck and placing it around Elizabeth's.
"You think I need divine protection?"
"It was one of the first gifts Lila ever gave me. I think you need it more then I do right now, you and the baby won't be alone you'll have Lila with you. I'll hurry back" she finished placing a kiss on Liz's head.
Emily searched through the fog of smoke calling out for Zander. As she got father away from Elizabeth the smoke got thicker. She couldn't even see where she was going.
"Now who left a pretty girl like you all alone in this place?"
"Excuse me?" Emily said being startled at the voice that came from the smoke, she did not recognize it.
"The new Mrs. Cassadine I presume," said the man coming into Emily's sight and looking her over with a calculated grin on his face. "I've been waiting for you."