Many hours later Luke rolled over in bed to discover he was alone. He knew Tracy hadn't arrived on her own and couldn't imagine she would leave without telling him, so he grabbed his sleep pants off the chair by the window and walked out to the living room. There he saw her sitting on the sofa curled up in his robe, with her legs stretched out in front of her. The moonlight was softly illuminating her and he couldn't help but think this was an image for poets and composers alike. He just wanted to watch.
As always Tracy sensed his presence and turned to him with a smile.
"How long have you been there, you handsome devil?"
"Long enough to see the most glorious image of womanhood before me."
"My my, the moonlight really does bring the romantic out in you."
"No... you bring the romantic out in me, Tracy."
Smiling at him for a moment or two, she reached out her hand to beacon him to her side. He gladly acquiesced and grasped her hand in return once he stood beside her. Luke leaned over to kiss her then sat down at the end of the sofa so she wouldn't have to move her legs.
"So what is my beauty doing all by herself in the moonlight?"
"Oh, thinking."
"Care to share?"
"I'm wondering what I can do to fix all of this. You need to be home with your family and Lulu needs to be found. Then we can get to the bottoms of this murder and hopefully help her get over John Zacchara."
"Mmmm, that would be nice. I know what she sees in him – it's classic. I just wish those were not the shoes of her mother's she decided to fill."
As they spoke, Luke had casually placed one of Tracy's feet in his lap and was massaging the ball. He knew nothing soothed her like a massage, and he was more than happy to oblige.
"I know. And now with Scotty back all hell is about to break lose. Have you noticed that almost every day he has something negative on the bog for me about you and the rest of the Spencers? He was on a tear before he even learned about Logan's death. About the only thing that keeps him from going over the edge is that he still believes you are in another part of the world on some 'skin diving' trip. If he knew you were actually in a cabin just outside of Port Charles he would be here with every law official he could find.
"Oh, by the way, Lucky said to remind you to keep this secret on the blog. We are still to write to each other as if I don't know where you are. Even as supportive as Diane and Alexis have been, they have to do their jobs.
"Mmmm, that feel good. Don't stop..."
"I won't stop, Mama" Luke smiled at her as he continued massaging her feet. "I kinda figured we were going to keep up the charade when you kept asking where I was and when you'd see me again. Lucky's a smart kid.
"This Logan thing is not making me happy. Are you sure it went down the way Johnny and Lulu have said? I know young Mr. Zacchara is a hothead, but I didn't take him for a murderer. This smells of self-defense to me and that means Lulu is in the thick of it. She took that gun to him in the cop shop, you know. She probably walked right past Bubba without batting an eye."
"Nicholas and Lucky are trying their hardest to find her before Scott or Mac do. I've never seen them more scared for her."
"I hope they come ask for my help if they need it. I feel so damn useless sitting here. I couldn't do the legwork when you were kidnapped by that jerk Lansing, and I can't rescue my own daughter."
"Luke" Tracy said as she leaned forward and placed a hand on top of his, "Lulu will need her hero when all of this is over. She still needs her father to help her cope with everything she's going through right now and you are the perfect person."
"Oh, I don't know about that, Wife..."
"Well I do."
"Last time I tried to help a blonde after a murder, I didn't do so well."
"I know Sweetheart, but this blonde is half you. It will be different this time."
"I hope you're right, Spanky. I hope you're right."
They sat is silence for awhile, Luke massaging Tracy's feet while she rubbed his shoulders.
"What about the lead on Lansing? Where is that going?"
"Well, the good news is that Anthony and Johnny Zacchara have him so busy he hasn't had much time to harass me. I'm still trying to get some time with the Senator to see what I can do."
"I feel so bloody helpless. You are dealing with these phony charges and trying to keep watch over my wayward daughter while the boys are off trying to keep her from being killed. What do I do? Perfect pasta salad. I hate this Trace. It's not what I'm supposed to be doing."
"Well, if I do say so myself, you make wonderful pasta salad and I'll have it any time you want" she paused for effect and awaited the smile to play across his lips before she continued, "and the rest, well we're family so we do for each other. Every single one of us knows you would be there for us in a heartbeat. Lets see if the kids learned anything you taught them."
"Mmmm, I guess I don't have much of a choice. Just know that Luke Spencer is not missing in action just when you need him, okay?"
"Okay."
"Come on, Wife, come back to bed."
"No, you come here Husband and cuddle with me on the sofa. I want to enjoy the moonlight and I want your arms around me."
"I live to serve" he said with a slight bow, then took his place behind her on the sofa.
"Harrumph, that will be the day" Tracy said as she leaned back into his arms.
Tracy just felt his chuckled response reverberate through her head. They would deal with the problems in the daylight. For now she wanted to pretend that it was just the two of them. Sighing in contentment Tracy turned her eyes to look out the window once more.
(For those interested in the blog, it can be found at lukeandtracy.blogspot)
