Carly glared at her reflection. "You would think the morning sickness would
be over by now! Or I wouldn't get them on my wedding day."
"Here." Eve passed her a glass of water and a package of crackers. "It'll
be fine. I would look at this as a blessing. Your biggest problem is
morning sickness. That'll pass. You're fortunate that you aren't showing
that much. Here it is February and you still look damn good."
"Yeah, Sonny keeps asking me if I'm sure." She rubbed her still flat
stomach. "I told him I better be pregnant or I've had the flu since
November!"
"She's just crabby because her parents took the wedding out of her hands."
Emily confided in Eve. The two bridesmaids were with Carly in a little room
off the big church she and Sonny were about to get married in.
The past few months had sped by fast. Carly and Sonny barely had time to
get used to the idea of the baby and the wedding before telling the world
about it. Carly had thought she would have a hard time explaining to
Michael but the little boy was actually excited to be a big brother.
Telling Jason had been hard. When she told him the news he became very
quiet and immediately left the house. She didn't see him for two days and
by the second she was wild with worry. He arrived on her doorstep late that
night and read Michael a bedtime story and told her that he would be there
for her and Sonny every step of the way. Unfortunately now there was a
tension between him and Sonny and Carly was afraid it would never go away.
Christmas had been a large affair. Like Thanksgiving the big family
gathering happened at the Brownstone. There she and Sonny announced their
engagement to the large gathering of family and friends. Everyone had been
ecstatic and Stefan offered to pay for the wedding. At first Sonny and
Carly declined his offer. Sonny had more than enough of money and they
weren't planning a lavish event, just the family and a few friends at a
small church and maybe a dinner thrown afterwards. But both Bobbie and
Stefan demanded that they have a hand in helping with the preparations.
Some how though, what started out as Carly, Sonny, Stefan, and Bobbie
working on the wedding became just Stefan and Bobbie. They ever so easily
pushed Sonny and Carly out of the way and took over completely. Carly did
try reminding them that it was her wedding but she finally gave up and let
them do whatever they wanted.
That's why she was about to get married in the biggest church in Port
Charles and have her reception held at the Port Charles Hotel. She took a
deep breath. "I can't believe they did this."
"They just wanted to send you off in style." Emily said soothingly.
"Do you see how many people are out there? Stefan told me he invited all
the Cassadine relatives. Why? I'm not even used to the fact that my father
is one and now I have to deal with, oh, about a hundred of them!" She
shouted.
"Um…" Emily bit her lip and looked to Eve for support.
"Honey this is just pre-wedding jitters. Everything will be fine." Eve told
her.
"And…and *all* of Sonny's business associates are out there. Coffee and the
other. Can you believe this mix?" Carly stood up and brushed out her full
skirt. "Cassadines in this corner. Mafia bosses in that corner. And Luke in
the middle cracking on both of them! This is a disaster!"
"I checked out some of those bodyguards. Woof." Eve grinned. "Chris who?"
"I am not in the mood to laugh." Carly glared at her.
There was a soft knock at the door and Stefan poked his head in the door.
"Hello, is everything okay in here? I believe it is time to begin."
"It's great." Carly grinned broadly. She touched her neck. "I'm even
wearing my Christmas present."
Stefan had given her a Cassadine medallion. At first she didn't want it but
Stefan softly told her how much it would mean to him if she would take keep
it. She wouldn't have to wear it if she didn't want to but he wanted her to
have it. The final blow was when he told her that he had it made a long
time ago for her. When he first discovered that Bobbie was pregnant. He
would have given it to her if he had had the chance to be a part of her
life back then. Unfortunately that never happened but he still hung onto it
in the hopes that one day he could give it her. Carly had been in tears as
she accepted the medallion.
"So who's ready to get me married off?" Carly laughed.
Eve and Emily exchanged glances. Just two seconds ago she was freaking out
and now? They said it together. "Hormones."
"What are you guys talking about?" Carly turned around.
"Nothing, nothing." Eve hurried to say. "If you're ready we'll take our
places."
"See you later." Emily smiled and they dashed out of the room.
Stefan cleared his throat and stepped inside the room. "You look lovely."
"Thank you." She smiled hesitantly. She wrung her hands together. "I don't
know why but all of a sudden I'm very nervous."
"It is understandable." He assured her then paused. "But if you are having
doubts…"
"No, no serious doubts." She shook her head and pressed her hand against
her stomach. "I love Sonny and I'm having his baby what's so wrong about
that. It's just that there are so many *people* out there. Most of whom I
don't even know!"
She took a deep breath. "Okay, okay, I can't flip out. I am not going out
there a nervous wreck."
Stefan studied her closely. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "I'm great. Feeling fantastic."
"Never asked me if I am proud of you, because I am." Stefan took her hand
and brushed his lips across it in a fatherly manner. Carly smiled weakly
and touched his cheek. "If you make me cry I'm going to kill you. Let's go
before I do."
~*~*~
The Reception
Maxie returned from the ladies room and smiled at Luke and Laura Spencer.
She hadn't stopped smiling since the day Lucky asked her out. It was true
that they only gone out on a few "official" dates since then. Lucky was
practicing what Maxie called "hit-and-run" dating. While Maxie was still
the one who sought him out and cajoled him into doing things with her every
now and then Lucky would show up and ask her out. Maxie would be thrilled
and inside she would smirk over at how hard Lucky was trying to still
resist her.
But she had her hooks in him. Who did she spend Christmas Eve with? Lucky.
Who did she kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve? Lucky. Who invited her to
go to his cousin's wedding with him? Lucky. She chuckled to herself and
shook her head.
Laura gave her a sharp look and Maxie blushed. "Nothing. I just uh,
remembered something funny."
Laura nodded slowly and went back to her conversation with Luke. Maxie
sighed. The last thing she wanted was her boyfriend's mother thinking she
was some sort of loony. She grinned to herself. Her boyfriend. She loved
the way those words sounded. Her boyfriend, Lucky.
Just then Lucky returned to the table with a plate piled high with cake.
She smiled at him. "Hey, is all that for you or did you get me any?"
Lucky had already started shoveling the cake into his mouth. He looked up
cluelessly. "Uh…"
Laura shook her head and admonished him. "Really, Lucky."
"That's okay." Maxie smiled. She reached out and wiped away a dab of icing
from the corner of his mouth. "I wasn't that hungry."
"See?" Lucky raised his eyebrow and continued eating.
**Together—midnight in summer
The air's so much warmer
Falling in love under starlight
Holding on so tight—together**
Maxie began to sway slightly to the music. "Weddings always the best
music." She hinted to Lucky.
"Uh-huh."
Luke chuckled and kicked Lucky under the table. "I think the little darlin'
wants to dance, cowboy."
Lucky glanced at her. "You do? Why didn't you just say so? You usually do."
"I was going for coy." Maxie grumbled.
"Coy doesn't work for you." Lucky stood up.
"Cowboy, don't insult the girl. She'll dump you on the spot." Luke smirked.
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
I won't leave you lonely**
**Imagine—the air filled with jasmine
The breeze blows with passion
You and me dance with desire
The moon is on fire—imagine**
"Remind me on our next date not to bring my father along." Lucky joked as
he helped Maxie up.
"Would you guys like to join us out on the dance floor?" Maxie asked.
"Naw," Luke leaned back and threw his arm around Laura's shoulders. "Us old
married folks are going to have to sit this one out."
"Who are you calling old?" Laura glared at him. She stood up and dragged
him out of his seat. Maxie laughed and she and Lucky followed them onto the
floor.
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
I won't leave you lonely**
Lucky slowly drew her into his arms. She sighed and laid her head on his
shoulders. "I'm having a good time. A very good time."
"I'm glad." He murmured.
"Thanks for asking me."
"Mm-hmm." He buried his face in her hair and tightened his hold on her.
"I always have a good time with my boyfriend." She tossed it out knowing
that he would object to the label.
Which is what he did. He jerked his head up. "Maxie, we only had a couple
of dates."
"I don't know why you have this fear of committing to me." She leaned back
and searched his face. "You did it easily enough with that Stephanie
chick."
"Samantha." He corrected absentmindedly. "And it's not like I'm afraid to
commit—"
"It's just that you don't want to." Maxie finished for him. "Look, Lucky
give it up, okay? We've been dating since December. It's February now. Are
you dating anyone else? No, because a) you don't want to and b) I'd kill
you if you did. Face it Lucky, you're my boyfriend."
**Je t'aime beaucoup mon amour
You are the one I adore**
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
No you won't be lonely tonight**
Lucky shook his head in denial. "Uh-uh. Maxie you are not winning this.
Okay, I refuse to let you win."
Maxie laughed and leaned her back on his shoulder. "Lucky, I already did.
Give up, it's a lot easier."
Lucky groaned but still held her closely to him. He propped his chin on top
of her head. He sighed. "I don't like to lose."
"I know that."
"And I'm not saying that you won."
"Oh of course not." Maxie's tone was indulgent.
Lucky closed his eyes. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"You love it though." She said confidently.
**Na-na-na…
Te amo mucho mi amor
You are the one I adore
Te amo**
Across the room Mac was being held back by his very pregnant wife. "Mac,
sit back down. You'll make a scene."
Mac reluctantly sat down. He glared at Felicia. "Do you see that? Do you
see them?"
Felicia didn't look at the dancefloor. She laid a soothing hand on his arm.
"They are just dancing. They are friends, Mac."
"They are more than friends. I told you they were dating and you wouldn't
believe me."
"And I told you it's just too friends hanging out. I think Lucky is still
seeing that girl. Yes, she does have a crush on him but he's too old for
her and he wouldn't do that. He's a good kid."
"He's a Spencer." Mac stressed.
"He's making her happy. You know how depressed she was when Frisco left. He
makes her smile. And that's okay with me. Lucky's not going to…going to…"
Felicia finally looked onto the dancefloor just in time to see Lucky cup
Maxie's face and kiss her softly. "Oh my God."
"Yeah, he's not going to do anything." Mac smirked. "I'm going over there
to break those two up."
"No. You are not going to embarrass her and us all right? We'll just wait
until we get home."
~*~*~
Nikolas escorted Emily off the dance floor and back to their table. "It was
a nice ceremony."
"Not a single thing went wrong." Emily said. "Though I swear when the
priest said that line about holding your peace I thought Jason or Alex were
going to jump up and say something."
"You're kidding." He laughed.
"I'm not." She swore. "Carly told me about Jason kissing her and I feel so
bad for my brother."
"Do you wish it was him up there today with her?" He said gently and took
her hand.
She shook her head. "I feel for Jason but Carly is truly happy with Sonny,
you know? And they're having the baby and whatnot. Carly says that her time
with Jason is over and I believe her."
"Still it must hurt him to see…" Nikolas trailed off and sat up straight.
He stared over Emily's head. "What the hell?"
"What?" Emily twisted around. Her jaw dropped open. "What are they doing
together?"
At the entrance of the ballroom stood Jason and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was
hanging onto Jason's arm smiling broadly. Jason's face, as usual, was
expressionless but the people who knew him best could tell that he was
hurting.
"I guess he isn't hurting that much." Nikolas murmured. He sat back. "I
didn't know about the two of them."
Emily narrowed her eyes. "Neither did I, something's not right about this.
I'll be right back."
"Emily, where are you going?" Nikolas watched as Emily rose and quickly
crossed the room. She smiled briefly at Jason but stared at Elizabeth. "Hi,
Jason. Elizabeth."
Elizabeth touched his arm and suggested. "Jason, could you get me a drink
please?"
He looked at Emily and could tell that something was brewing between the
two women. Whatever it was, was going to happen whether he was there or
not. He took a step back and nodded. "Emily, you want anything?"
"No." Emily didn't spare him a glance. He quickly took off for the
refreshment. "What's going on here, Elizabeth?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Elizabeth shrugged.
"This…this thing with Jason. You don't know him."
"Uh, then why am I here with him?" She said sarcastically. "Look, Jason
needed a date. I like Carly and I said okay. I know how hard today is for
him. He's tore up about Carly marrying Sonny."
"No there's more." Emily shook her head. "You didn't know him before he
died so how do you know him now? And how do you know what today means to
Jason?"
"Because he talks to me, Emily." She bragged. "He tells me things, he
shares things with me. I guess you were too busy sleeping with my boyfriend
to bother with your own brother."
Emily nodded slowly. She finally got it. "I understand now. You're using
Jason."
"What, you don't like Jason and me being close?" Elizabeth propped her
hands on her hips and smirked.
"Elizabeth, I understand you being mad at me and Nikolas for what we did.
But do not use my brother to get back at me." Emily gritted out.
"Because it hurts your feelings? I don't recall you thinking about my
feelings when you and Nikolas betrayed me."
"We didn't do it on purpose and you know what, I'm tired of apologizing for
it. I can't live the rest of my life beating myself up because I made a
mistake. That's what it was Elizabeth, it was a mistake. It wasn't a *plan*
to ruin your life. It wasn't a *plan* to hurt you. You want to be angry to
be angry with me? Fine, but leave my brother out of it."
"Well you make good points." Elizabeth admitted and she pretended to think
it over. "But I think I'm going to continue with my plan. You know I look
really good on his arm and I like that. He rarely speaks and I've perfected
the art of tuning him out when he does. So I think I'll keep it up for
awhile. Just cause it bugs you."
Emily shook her head and smirked. "I'm glad you said all that. Jason, did
you hear everything she said?"
Elizabeth turned around and saw Jason standing behind her clutching a glass
of champagne. He wore a stormy expression on his face.
"J-Jason!" Elizabeth stuttered. She nervously ran her fingers through her
hair. "Thanks for the drink, I really needed it."
She started to reach for it but Jason held it away. "Is this true? This
friendship, all the talks, it's a plan to get back at Emily?"
"It's not really like that." She said. He stared her down and she finally
huffed. "Well, come on, Jason, don't tell me you didn't bring me to the
reception as a way to rub it in Carly's face that you weren't that hooked
on her?"
"Carly wouldn't notice who I brought and she wouldn't care. I know that. I
don't use people, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Don't you understand? Emily—"
"Is my sister, why would you think I would do something like this." Jason
shook his head. "Don't come near me again."
The girls watched as he threw aside the glass and stalked away. Emily
turned back to Elizabeth. "I wanted to still be your friend but I guess
that's impossible now."
"I don't want your friendship anymore." She tossed back.
"You might want to leave now." Emily told her.
"You can't throw me out. I was invited." She sneered.
"If I tell Carly what you did to Jason, she'd have you thrown out."
"You won't do that. Look at how happy she is." Elizabeth gestured over to
where Carly was making the rounds, greeting some of Sonny's business
associates.
"Then I'll throw you out myself. My family owns this hotel, remember?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Fine, act like a spoiled rich girl. I'll leave
on my own."
She turned and quickly walked out of the hall. Emily returned back to the
table. Nikolas leaned over. "What happened?"
"You know guilt about Elizabeth? Well I'm over that. For good."
"What did she do?"
"She crossed the line." Emily tossed back her glass of wine. "I don't want
to talk about this. Stefan and Bobbie put together a great wedding. Though
Carly's a little pissed that they took the whole thing out of her hands."
"Stefan felt he owed it to Carly. He is determined to make things up to
her."
"I didn't know there were that many Cassadines in your family." Emily
looked around the room.
"Yeah, there's plenty of cousins around. We're all not exactly cousins but
the lines are so tangled and…well it's just easier to say Cousin." Nikolas
was going to say more but an older woman came over. She ignored Emily and
zeroed in on Nikolas. She grasped his hand. "Nikolas, hello."
Nikolas smiled. "Anastasia, I'm so glad you could make it. My uncle would
have been disappointed if you hadn't."
Anastasia beamed under his praise. "Of course I came! I wouldn't have
missed this. It is a very important event for this family. A new
Cassadine!"
Nikolas nodded. He kissed her hand and blatantly dismissing her, said.
"Have you spoken with Stefan yet?"
Anastasia shook her head. "I wanted to say hello to you first but I am on
my way to congratulate him and his daughter."
Anastasia swept away quickly. Nikolas shook his head. "Another 'cousin'.
I'm sorry you had to see that. The perils of being the 'prince'. It gets
very old, very quickly. I know Uncle had good intentions when he invited
them all but they're all running around trying to make deals and hatch
plots and it's insane."
Emily shook her head. "Well I don't know what to say over than it's a
shame."
Nikolas covered her hand with his. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that this
won't happen at our wedding."
Emily took a deep breath and looked around. She pointed out a couple. "Who
is that?"
Nikolas twisted around in his seat. He raised his eyebrow. "Cousins, of
course. Though I'm surprised they showed up. Their father was an avid
supporter of Helena."
The couple was stunning. The female was tall with honey brown hair and
crystal blue eyes. She wore what many had deemed inappropriate for a
wedding, a black leather dress that fitted her like a second skin. She
looked out of place but fashionable at the same time. Her companion was
tall also. He had dark brown hair, deep brown eyes and an easygoing smile.
He carried off his tux with ease as if he wore one everyday.
The woman cradled her champagne glass and looked around the room with a
smirk. "God, Christoph, this is so boring. Which is amazing because it's
wall to wall Cassadine. You'd think someone would suddenly drop dead or
something. Give us some entertainment at least."
"Hush, Nadia, don't let Stefan hear you." Christoph Cassadine warned her.
"Father is already on the outs with him, we cannot afford to displease
him."
"Then Father should have come instead of sending us. I really don't want to
be here. I could be on the Riviera with Jacques and his brother Jean."
Nadia whined to her brother.
"I feel the same way." Christoph slipped his finger in his collar, loosing
it a bit. "But we have to stay on Stefan's good side."
"Why? Nikolas is the prince. We should be kissing his ass." Nadia shrugged.
"Nikolas may be the prince but Stefan is the real power. He still controls
Nikolas. Everyone knows that." Christoph pointed out. "Though some still
back Nikolas publicly like that sycophant Anastasia over there."
"Blah blah blah. Who cares?" Nadia murmured, already bored with the
conversation. Her eyes locked on target and she gestured across the room
with her glass. "Who is that?"
Christoph turned around and started laughing. "Sister dear, you did pay
attention during the ceremony, didn't you? *That* is the groom."
"I had other things on my mind." Nadia licked her lips in a predatory
gesture. "Seems our long lost cousin has damn good taste in men."
Christoph knew that look. He has had that look before many times himself.
"Nadia. They were just married. And beside I heard he's a local gangster.
Didn't you see all those shady looking gentlemen with their tarty wives?
All business associates of his."
"What? I can't admire the man? He is tasty." Nadia's eyes glowed at the
prospect of tasting Sonny Corinthos.
Christoph shook his head and laughed. "You are bad."
"Mm-hmm." Nadia took another sip. "Have you seen our new cousin?"
"Of course, I actually paid attention to the wedding, boring as it was." He
gazed around the room, avoiding various relatives that his father owed
money, favors, or both.
"No I mean close up." Nadia said. "The church was big and we were in the
back."
"Because someone rose late." He sent her a sideways glance.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway…She just joined the husband. It seems the
Cassadine genes worked a miracle on her. Have you seen her *mother*? God."
"Nadia, must you forever be a bitch?" He said dryly and continued to scan
the room. There had to be one Cassadine here that his father hadn't
alienated yet. He caught the eye of Stefan who was talking with Carly and
Sonny. Stefan nodded in his direction and beckoned them over. "Don't look
now but we are being summoned by the great one."
"Hmm, I knew our turn was coming up." Nadia murmured. "How do I look?"
"You don't want me to honestly answer that, do you?"
The sound of laughter rang out over the music and Christoph automatically
looked up. The laugh was coming from Carly. Christoph stared dumbfounded at
her as she threw her head back and laughed again. Nadia smirked and nudged
him in the side.
"She's our cousin."
"Distant cousin." He corrected. "Exactly how closely related are we?"
"And you call me bad." Nadia grinned. "This could be fun. We haven't worked
a couple together in years."
"Really, Nadia. It's their wedding reception for goodness sake. Let's wait
until after the honeymoon." He held out his arm to her. "Come, let's not
keep him waiting."
Nadia smiled. She put down her glass and linked her arm through his. They
strode confidently across the dance floor with their heads held high.
Stefan greeted them with a nod. He said gravely. "I assumed that Ivan would
be coming to the wedding."
"Father was unfortunately struck ill and sent us in his stead." Christoph
said smoothly. He held his breath as Stefan regarded them silently. Finally
Stefan nodded.
" I am that glad that you could attend at least." He turned to Carly and
Sonny. "Let me introduce you, my daughter, Carly and my son-in-law Sonny
Corinthos. Carly, this is—"
"Wait, don't tell me." Carly laughed and held up her hand. "Some more
cousins right?" She smiled at Nadia and Christoph. "Just about everyone he
introduced me to is a cousin. And they all have the name Cassadine."
"We are a large family who cannot help but procreate." Nadia shrugged. "I'm
Nadia, this is my brother Christoph. We are here to offer congratulations.
I hope you have a long and happy marriage."
"Thank you." Carly murmured. Sonny nodded.
Christoph bent over Carly's hand and pressed a soft kiss to it. "It is a
shame. We have only recently gained you as a family member and now we have
to let you go."
Sonny narrowed his eyes at Christoph. He ever so subtly wrapped his arm
around Carly's waist and drew her close to him. Christoph gave him a
tight-lipped smile but his eyes roamed over Carly, still decked out in her
elegant wedding gown.
Nadia pressed her lips together to keep from giggling. She thought
Christoph wasn't going to start the game until later. Obviously he'd
changed his mind. She made eye contact with Sonny and slowly licked her
lips. "I thought the ceremony was beautiful."
"Thanks. Stefan and my mother handled most of the arrangements." Carly
smiled.
"Stefan as a wedding consultant? Hmm, never thought that possible. By the
way, which is your mother? I'm having difficulty picking her out." Nadia
craned her head and looked around.
"She's out on the dance floor with my stepfather." Carly pointed her out.
"Wow, she's beautiful." Nadia gushed. This was another favorite part of the
game. Playing nice-nice with the wife while cozying up to the husband. It
didn't bother that this was her new cousin. It wasn't like she had any
loyalty to the woman.
"Uh, thank you." Carly frowned. She wasn't quite sure what to say to that.
"Speaking of dancing, would you do me the honor of dancing with me,
cousin?" Christoph smiled at her. "I've been told that I'm a very good
dancer."
Nadia grinned. "Oh yes and Cousin Sonny, you must dance with me. Christoph
taught me all my moves so I promise I won't embarrass you."
"Actually," Carly looked around anxiously. There was something off about
the siblings. Or maybe it was just a Cassadine thing. The song in the
background changed and the beginning notes floated over.
**I, I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is all right with me
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you**
**Since, since we've been together
Loving you forever
Is what I need
Let me be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue **
Carly gasped and she whirled around to face Sonny. "You didn't!"
He shrugged and grinned at her, his dimples flashing. "Hey, I had to
contribute to this wedding any way I could."
She smiled slowly and shook her head. She glanced at Stefan. "Don't ever
wonder why I love this man. Come on."
She grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the dance floor, leaving her
father and cousins behind her. The dancers on the floor spread out as Sonny
drew Carly into his arms. They stared into each other eyes and the rest of
the world just faded away.
**Let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad **
**Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad**
At the edge of the dance floor Alex stared at the couple with hooded eyes.
He took a deep breath and quietly slipped out of the room. He headed for
the Grille and the bar. When he got the invitation his first instinct was
to trash it and go out of town the day of the wedding. But he eventually
talked himself into going. At least to say goodbye to Carly and to wish her
happiness. He barely made it through the wedding ceremony and he got
through the ceremony with the help of the open bar. But he couldn't take
watching her and Sonny dance together, so obviously in love.
So now he was escaping for air and a drink. He took a seat at the bar and
loosened his tie. He signaled the bartender for a beer and sighed.
"You look tired." A voice said softly beside him. He glanced next to him
and saw a petite woman with short brown hair and big brown eyes. She smiled
at him. "Hi."
"Uh, hello." He nodded and took a long swallow of his beer. He was stared
down at the bar; blatantly ignoring her but the woman wasn't giving easily.
"So I hear there's this party going on in the big ballroom. You one of the
partygoers?" She arched an eyebrow.
"It's a wedding reception." He murmured.
"Oh." She said. "It must be pretty boring if you escaped so early."
"It was okay." He shrugged.
"Friend of the bride or the groom?" She pressed.
"The bride. She's an ex."
"Wow. That's big of you. I wouldn't be caught dead at any of my exes'
weddings."
"Yeah, well, we decided to stay *friends*." He said bitterly. "Why…why are
you asking me so many questions?"
"Because I'm new in town, in a strange bar, with a very good-looking man."
She faced him and stared into his eyes. "However I've always thought asking
questions were a waste of time. There's a much better, much more physical
way to get to know some one better."
"Oh?" Alex soon found himself drowning in her big brown eyes.
"Oh yeah." She murmured. "You know what they say, 'actions speak louder
than words.'"
"Does it bother you at all that I'm obviously hurting about the fact that
my ex-girlfriend is in the next room celebrating her new marriage?"
"No, why should it?" She sighed. "Look, all this talk is boring me. Do you
want to go upstairs with me or not?"
Alex was slightly taken aback by her boldness. There was nothing holding
her back from going for what she wanted. The same could be said for him.
Carly was going on with her life; it was time he did the same. He finished
off his beer and nodded. "Alright."
"Garcia!" V called out and came over to the bar. "Hey, are you okay? I saw
you leave the reception."
Alex blushed at being caught by V. He knew he never should have confided in
his old friend that day about his feelings about Carly and the wedding. Now
she was determined to look out for him. "V, really I'm fine."
The woman stood up and gaped. "V, is that you?"
"Pixie girl?" V shouted.
"Goddess chick?" The woman shouted back. "Oh my God!"
The two women hugged each other, laughing. V said. "I haven't seen you in
years, what are you doing here?"
"I needed a change of pace and decided to relocate." She smiled.
V caught the look that Alex was giving them. "Oh, Alex, this is my
childhood friend Tara Summers. I used to call her pixie girl because she
looked like an elf when we were young. Tara, this is Alex Garcia, but you
guys probably already know that."
"We haven't gotten to that part yet. Oh, and I called V, goddess chick
because of well her name, duh."
"I cannot believe you are here." V grinned. "This is wild."
"I know! I haven't seen you in years. The last thing you told me was you
were back working with the PCPD after working for some guy named Jax?"
"It's been that long since we talked? Wow. Yeah, I gave it up and now I
work with my *husband* Jax. You know we should get together for lunch
sometime soon. Play catch up. I have so much to tell you."
"That'd be great. I'm staying here at the hotel so call me okay?"
"V, honey, there you are." Jax came over to the bar and wrapped his arms
around her waist. He dropped a kiss to the back of her neck. "What's going
on?"
"Jax, this is my best friend from back home, Tara Summers. Tara, this is my
husband of course." V's smile was incredibly goofy.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you. V's letters did not do you justice." Tara
said.
"Nice to meet you." Jax smiled at her. Then he murmured to V. "Hey,
Jennifer is asleep and I have someone watching over so we can finally get
out there and dance."
"Oh, it's a good thing you came out here looking for me." V's eyes glowed.
"Tara, I'll contact you tomorrow. Alex, you'll be okay right?"
"Right as rain." He nodded.
"Okay, then, later." V tossed over her shoulder as Jax dragged her out of
the Grille.
Tara waited until V and Jax left before turning to Alex. "So you ready to
go upstairs?"
"I was thinking about that. It doesn't feel right anymore." He began.
Tara folded her arms and blew out an exasperated breath. "Why? Because we
find we have a friend in common? Because we know each other names? We can't
have mind-blowing nameless sex now? It doesn't bother me, don't let it
bother you."
"Does anything ever bother you?" He frowned.
"I try not to let things upset me." She shrugged. "You needed it, you
wanted it, and so do I. What is the big deal here?"
"I…"
Tara ran a long fingernail down his chest and said softly. "I'm not going
to beg you. You don't want to come upstairs with me? Fine, I'll just find
someone else who does. I just thought you'd be fun. Obviously you have too
many hang-ups. But it would have been good, baby, oh so good. I'm not
bragging, I'm just telling the truth. Oh and I would have told you my name
regardless. I like it when they call out my name."
She stepped back and blew him a kiss. Then turned and gracefully walked
away. Alex frowned and stared at the bar. She was almost at the door when
he called out. "Tara! Wait."
She smirked satisfied as he hurried to catch up with her. She linked her
arm through his. "I was wondering how long it'd take you."
~*~*~
**Why, why some people break up
Then turn around and make up
I just can't see
You'd never do that to me (would you, baby)
Staying around you is all I see
(Here's what I want us to do) **
Back at the reception other couples joined Carly and Sonny on the dance
floor but neither noticed. They were completely lost in each other. Carly
cupped the back of his neck and brushed her lips against his. "Even though
this wedding became a circus and I've met more Cassadines than I knew
existed, this is still the most wonderful day in my life."
"I have to agree." Sonny murmured as he let his hands drift down over her
hips to cup her from behind.
"Sonny!"
"What? You're my *wife* now. I can do what ever I want." He grinned
wickedly.
"So you're going to throw out that as an excuse now, huh?" She smirked.
"Every chance I get." He promised.
"Mrs. Sonny Corinthos." Carly breathed. "I never thought…not in a million
years."
"Me neither, cupcake." He laughed.
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
Watching from the sidelines was Jason. He was still reeling from the
confrontation with Elizabeth earlier. How could he have been so stupid to
not realize that she was only using him? He knew there was something
strange about the way she just latched herself onto him after their
encounter on the docks but he chose to ignore it. He needed someone to talk
to about Carly and Sonny. He needed a friend to be with when he couldn't
stand to see the two of them together. Like now. He didn't know how he made
it throw the ceremony but watching them snuggle up on the dancefloor was
slowly killing him.
"Daddy." Michael came running over and jumped into his lap. Jason hugged
him.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be running in here." Jason warned him.
"Don't tell Mommy." Michael whispered.
"Even if I did I doubt she'd hear me anyway." Jason muttered as he watched
Carly cuddle closer to Sonny.
"Huh?" Michael looked up at him.
"Nothing." He said.
"Mommy and Uncle Sonny are in love right?" Michael said suddenly.
Jason swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah, they are."
"Mommy says we're going to live with him again and I'm getting a baby
sister or a brother!" He boasted with a big grin.
"Yeah, it's a big adventure." Jason forced himself to wear a happy face for
Michael's sake.
"Are you going to live with us?" He asked innocently.
"Uh, no. It's just going to be you, your mother and Sonny." Jason gritted
out.
Michael nodded. "Brooke's mommy and daddy don't live together either. And
Brooke has a second mommy too! Isn't that cool?"
"Yeah, it's very cool."
"Damn it, where the hell is the bathroom in this place?" Nadia muttered
behind them.
Jason turned around. "Could you not curse in front of my son? And the
bathroom is through those doors over there, just make a right."
Nadia glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. Hello!
Well, she didn't something to play with until Sonny got back from his
honeymoon. She pasted a grin on her face. "Oh, sorry, didn't see the
little…tyke there."
"Hi, I'm Michael! My mommy got married today." He grinned at her.
"I know. I guess that means we're cousins also. I'm Nadia." She told him
but was looking at Jason. Jason however was ignoring her. She followed his
gaze and saw that he was staring at the happy couple. She raised an
eyebrow. Hmm, what do we have here? Looks like things were going to get
interesting.
"Daddy, I want some cake." Michael ordered. He knew that he couldn't try
that sort of thing with his mother so he saved it for Jason.
Jason rose carrying Michael. He couldn't stand to watch them anymore.
"Sure."
"You know I would love some cake myself." Nadia lied. "Mind if I tag
along?"
He shook his head. "Doesn't bother me."
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
"The past year has been a total surprise." Carly continued. "Jason, you,
this baby, Stefan, it's just too much."
"How about I promise that this year will be nothing but smooth sailing. No
big surprises, no big comebacks from death, nothing but you, me, Michael
and baby being a happy little family."
"You promise?" She smiled up at him.
"I guarantee it." He grinned at her.
"You know I love it when you make empty promises." She smirked. "I have a
feeling that something big is going to happen."
He pressed his finger against her lips. "No, I forbid you to jinx our year.
This will be the happy year, do you hear me?"
"Yes, I do, hubby dear."
"Call me that again and I will call you wifey-poo." He threatened.
"Ew." She wrinkled up her nose and laughed. "Okay, never again."
"Repeat after me—"
"Just because we're married, it doesn't mean you'll be ordering me around."
"Right. Now, like I said, repeat after me, this will be the happy year."
Carly rolled her eyes. "This will be the happy year."
"Nothing bad is going to happen."
"Nothing bad is going to happen."
"We're going to be incredibly boring."
"We're going to be incredibly boring. Are you done? Because I would love to
kiss my incredibly boring husband right about now."
"Oh, then I'm done. I'm done." He laughed.
She covered his smiled with a long deep kiss. She finally pulled back and
said. "But you know I'm right. I can never settle for being boring."
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
*song credits* I Won't Leave You Lonely by Shania Twain
Let's Stay Together, Al Green
be over by now! Or I wouldn't get them on my wedding day."
"Here." Eve passed her a glass of water and a package of crackers. "It'll
be fine. I would look at this as a blessing. Your biggest problem is
morning sickness. That'll pass. You're fortunate that you aren't showing
that much. Here it is February and you still look damn good."
"Yeah, Sonny keeps asking me if I'm sure." She rubbed her still flat
stomach. "I told him I better be pregnant or I've had the flu since
November!"
"She's just crabby because her parents took the wedding out of her hands."
Emily confided in Eve. The two bridesmaids were with Carly in a little room
off the big church she and Sonny were about to get married in.
The past few months had sped by fast. Carly and Sonny barely had time to
get used to the idea of the baby and the wedding before telling the world
about it. Carly had thought she would have a hard time explaining to
Michael but the little boy was actually excited to be a big brother.
Telling Jason had been hard. When she told him the news he became very
quiet and immediately left the house. She didn't see him for two days and
by the second she was wild with worry. He arrived on her doorstep late that
night and read Michael a bedtime story and told her that he would be there
for her and Sonny every step of the way. Unfortunately now there was a
tension between him and Sonny and Carly was afraid it would never go away.
Christmas had been a large affair. Like Thanksgiving the big family
gathering happened at the Brownstone. There she and Sonny announced their
engagement to the large gathering of family and friends. Everyone had been
ecstatic and Stefan offered to pay for the wedding. At first Sonny and
Carly declined his offer. Sonny had more than enough of money and they
weren't planning a lavish event, just the family and a few friends at a
small church and maybe a dinner thrown afterwards. But both Bobbie and
Stefan demanded that they have a hand in helping with the preparations.
Some how though, what started out as Carly, Sonny, Stefan, and Bobbie
working on the wedding became just Stefan and Bobbie. They ever so easily
pushed Sonny and Carly out of the way and took over completely. Carly did
try reminding them that it was her wedding but she finally gave up and let
them do whatever they wanted.
That's why she was about to get married in the biggest church in Port
Charles and have her reception held at the Port Charles Hotel. She took a
deep breath. "I can't believe they did this."
"They just wanted to send you off in style." Emily said soothingly.
"Do you see how many people are out there? Stefan told me he invited all
the Cassadine relatives. Why? I'm not even used to the fact that my father
is one and now I have to deal with, oh, about a hundred of them!" She
shouted.
"Um…" Emily bit her lip and looked to Eve for support.
"Honey this is just pre-wedding jitters. Everything will be fine." Eve told
her.
"And…and *all* of Sonny's business associates are out there. Coffee and the
other. Can you believe this mix?" Carly stood up and brushed out her full
skirt. "Cassadines in this corner. Mafia bosses in that corner. And Luke in
the middle cracking on both of them! This is a disaster!"
"I checked out some of those bodyguards. Woof." Eve grinned. "Chris who?"
"I am not in the mood to laugh." Carly glared at her.
There was a soft knock at the door and Stefan poked his head in the door.
"Hello, is everything okay in here? I believe it is time to begin."
"It's great." Carly grinned broadly. She touched her neck. "I'm even
wearing my Christmas present."
Stefan had given her a Cassadine medallion. At first she didn't want it but
Stefan softly told her how much it would mean to him if she would take keep
it. She wouldn't have to wear it if she didn't want to but he wanted her to
have it. The final blow was when he told her that he had it made a long
time ago for her. When he first discovered that Bobbie was pregnant. He
would have given it to her if he had had the chance to be a part of her
life back then. Unfortunately that never happened but he still hung onto it
in the hopes that one day he could give it her. Carly had been in tears as
she accepted the medallion.
"So who's ready to get me married off?" Carly laughed.
Eve and Emily exchanged glances. Just two seconds ago she was freaking out
and now? They said it together. "Hormones."
"What are you guys talking about?" Carly turned around.
"Nothing, nothing." Eve hurried to say. "If you're ready we'll take our
places."
"See you later." Emily smiled and they dashed out of the room.
Stefan cleared his throat and stepped inside the room. "You look lovely."
"Thank you." She smiled hesitantly. She wrung her hands together. "I don't
know why but all of a sudden I'm very nervous."
"It is understandable." He assured her then paused. "But if you are having
doubts…"
"No, no serious doubts." She shook her head and pressed her hand against
her stomach. "I love Sonny and I'm having his baby what's so wrong about
that. It's just that there are so many *people* out there. Most of whom I
don't even know!"
She took a deep breath. "Okay, okay, I can't flip out. I am not going out
there a nervous wreck."
Stefan studied her closely. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "I'm great. Feeling fantastic."
"Never asked me if I am proud of you, because I am." Stefan took her hand
and brushed his lips across it in a fatherly manner. Carly smiled weakly
and touched his cheek. "If you make me cry I'm going to kill you. Let's go
before I do."
~*~*~
The Reception
Maxie returned from the ladies room and smiled at Luke and Laura Spencer.
She hadn't stopped smiling since the day Lucky asked her out. It was true
that they only gone out on a few "official" dates since then. Lucky was
practicing what Maxie called "hit-and-run" dating. While Maxie was still
the one who sought him out and cajoled him into doing things with her every
now and then Lucky would show up and ask her out. Maxie would be thrilled
and inside she would smirk over at how hard Lucky was trying to still
resist her.
But she had her hooks in him. Who did she spend Christmas Eve with? Lucky.
Who did she kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve? Lucky. Who invited her to
go to his cousin's wedding with him? Lucky. She chuckled to herself and
shook her head.
Laura gave her a sharp look and Maxie blushed. "Nothing. I just uh,
remembered something funny."
Laura nodded slowly and went back to her conversation with Luke. Maxie
sighed. The last thing she wanted was her boyfriend's mother thinking she
was some sort of loony. She grinned to herself. Her boyfriend. She loved
the way those words sounded. Her boyfriend, Lucky.
Just then Lucky returned to the table with a plate piled high with cake.
She smiled at him. "Hey, is all that for you or did you get me any?"
Lucky had already started shoveling the cake into his mouth. He looked up
cluelessly. "Uh…"
Laura shook her head and admonished him. "Really, Lucky."
"That's okay." Maxie smiled. She reached out and wiped away a dab of icing
from the corner of his mouth. "I wasn't that hungry."
"See?" Lucky raised his eyebrow and continued eating.
**Together—midnight in summer
The air's so much warmer
Falling in love under starlight
Holding on so tight—together**
Maxie began to sway slightly to the music. "Weddings always the best
music." She hinted to Lucky.
"Uh-huh."
Luke chuckled and kicked Lucky under the table. "I think the little darlin'
wants to dance, cowboy."
Lucky glanced at her. "You do? Why didn't you just say so? You usually do."
"I was going for coy." Maxie grumbled.
"Coy doesn't work for you." Lucky stood up.
"Cowboy, don't insult the girl. She'll dump you on the spot." Luke smirked.
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
I won't leave you lonely**
**Imagine—the air filled with jasmine
The breeze blows with passion
You and me dance with desire
The moon is on fire—imagine**
"Remind me on our next date not to bring my father along." Lucky joked as
he helped Maxie up.
"Would you guys like to join us out on the dance floor?" Maxie asked.
"Naw," Luke leaned back and threw his arm around Laura's shoulders. "Us old
married folks are going to have to sit this one out."
"Who are you calling old?" Laura glared at him. She stood up and dragged
him out of his seat. Maxie laughed and she and Lucky followed them onto the
floor.
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
I won't leave you lonely**
Lucky slowly drew her into his arms. She sighed and laid her head on his
shoulders. "I'm having a good time. A very good time."
"I'm glad." He murmured.
"Thanks for asking me."
"Mm-hmm." He buried his face in her hair and tightened his hold on her.
"I always have a good time with my boyfriend." She tossed it out knowing
that he would object to the label.
Which is what he did. He jerked his head up. "Maxie, we only had a couple
of dates."
"I don't know why you have this fear of committing to me." She leaned back
and searched his face. "You did it easily enough with that Stephanie
chick."
"Samantha." He corrected absentmindedly. "And it's not like I'm afraid to
commit—"
"It's just that you don't want to." Maxie finished for him. "Look, Lucky
give it up, okay? We've been dating since December. It's February now. Are
you dating anyone else? No, because a) you don't want to and b) I'd kill
you if you did. Face it Lucky, you're my boyfriend."
**Je t'aime beaucoup mon amour
You are the one I adore**
**I won't leave you lonely tonight
I want you to hold me all night
It's gonna be alright
No you won't be lonely tonight**
Lucky shook his head in denial. "Uh-uh. Maxie you are not winning this.
Okay, I refuse to let you win."
Maxie laughed and leaned her back on his shoulder. "Lucky, I already did.
Give up, it's a lot easier."
Lucky groaned but still held her closely to him. He propped his chin on top
of her head. He sighed. "I don't like to lose."
"I know that."
"And I'm not saying that you won."
"Oh of course not." Maxie's tone was indulgent.
Lucky closed his eyes. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"You love it though." She said confidently.
**Na-na-na…
Te amo mucho mi amor
You are the one I adore
Te amo**
Across the room Mac was being held back by his very pregnant wife. "Mac,
sit back down. You'll make a scene."
Mac reluctantly sat down. He glared at Felicia. "Do you see that? Do you
see them?"
Felicia didn't look at the dancefloor. She laid a soothing hand on his arm.
"They are just dancing. They are friends, Mac."
"They are more than friends. I told you they were dating and you wouldn't
believe me."
"And I told you it's just too friends hanging out. I think Lucky is still
seeing that girl. Yes, she does have a crush on him but he's too old for
her and he wouldn't do that. He's a good kid."
"He's a Spencer." Mac stressed.
"He's making her happy. You know how depressed she was when Frisco left. He
makes her smile. And that's okay with me. Lucky's not going to…going to…"
Felicia finally looked onto the dancefloor just in time to see Lucky cup
Maxie's face and kiss her softly. "Oh my God."
"Yeah, he's not going to do anything." Mac smirked. "I'm going over there
to break those two up."
"No. You are not going to embarrass her and us all right? We'll just wait
until we get home."
~*~*~
Nikolas escorted Emily off the dance floor and back to their table. "It was
a nice ceremony."
"Not a single thing went wrong." Emily said. "Though I swear when the
priest said that line about holding your peace I thought Jason or Alex were
going to jump up and say something."
"You're kidding." He laughed.
"I'm not." She swore. "Carly told me about Jason kissing her and I feel so
bad for my brother."
"Do you wish it was him up there today with her?" He said gently and took
her hand.
She shook her head. "I feel for Jason but Carly is truly happy with Sonny,
you know? And they're having the baby and whatnot. Carly says that her time
with Jason is over and I believe her."
"Still it must hurt him to see…" Nikolas trailed off and sat up straight.
He stared over Emily's head. "What the hell?"
"What?" Emily twisted around. Her jaw dropped open. "What are they doing
together?"
At the entrance of the ballroom stood Jason and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was
hanging onto Jason's arm smiling broadly. Jason's face, as usual, was
expressionless but the people who knew him best could tell that he was
hurting.
"I guess he isn't hurting that much." Nikolas murmured. He sat back. "I
didn't know about the two of them."
Emily narrowed her eyes. "Neither did I, something's not right about this.
I'll be right back."
"Emily, where are you going?" Nikolas watched as Emily rose and quickly
crossed the room. She smiled briefly at Jason but stared at Elizabeth. "Hi,
Jason. Elizabeth."
Elizabeth touched his arm and suggested. "Jason, could you get me a drink
please?"
He looked at Emily and could tell that something was brewing between the
two women. Whatever it was, was going to happen whether he was there or
not. He took a step back and nodded. "Emily, you want anything?"
"No." Emily didn't spare him a glance. He quickly took off for the
refreshment. "What's going on here, Elizabeth?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Elizabeth shrugged.
"This…this thing with Jason. You don't know him."
"Uh, then why am I here with him?" She said sarcastically. "Look, Jason
needed a date. I like Carly and I said okay. I know how hard today is for
him. He's tore up about Carly marrying Sonny."
"No there's more." Emily shook her head. "You didn't know him before he
died so how do you know him now? And how do you know what today means to
Jason?"
"Because he talks to me, Emily." She bragged. "He tells me things, he
shares things with me. I guess you were too busy sleeping with my boyfriend
to bother with your own brother."
Emily nodded slowly. She finally got it. "I understand now. You're using
Jason."
"What, you don't like Jason and me being close?" Elizabeth propped her
hands on her hips and smirked.
"Elizabeth, I understand you being mad at me and Nikolas for what we did.
But do not use my brother to get back at me." Emily gritted out.
"Because it hurts your feelings? I don't recall you thinking about my
feelings when you and Nikolas betrayed me."
"We didn't do it on purpose and you know what, I'm tired of apologizing for
it. I can't live the rest of my life beating myself up because I made a
mistake. That's what it was Elizabeth, it was a mistake. It wasn't a *plan*
to ruin your life. It wasn't a *plan* to hurt you. You want to be angry to
be angry with me? Fine, but leave my brother out of it."
"Well you make good points." Elizabeth admitted and she pretended to think
it over. "But I think I'm going to continue with my plan. You know I look
really good on his arm and I like that. He rarely speaks and I've perfected
the art of tuning him out when he does. So I think I'll keep it up for
awhile. Just cause it bugs you."
Emily shook her head and smirked. "I'm glad you said all that. Jason, did
you hear everything she said?"
Elizabeth turned around and saw Jason standing behind her clutching a glass
of champagne. He wore a stormy expression on his face.
"J-Jason!" Elizabeth stuttered. She nervously ran her fingers through her
hair. "Thanks for the drink, I really needed it."
She started to reach for it but Jason held it away. "Is this true? This
friendship, all the talks, it's a plan to get back at Emily?"
"It's not really like that." She said. He stared her down and she finally
huffed. "Well, come on, Jason, don't tell me you didn't bring me to the
reception as a way to rub it in Carly's face that you weren't that hooked
on her?"
"Carly wouldn't notice who I brought and she wouldn't care. I know that. I
don't use people, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Don't you understand? Emily—"
"Is my sister, why would you think I would do something like this." Jason
shook his head. "Don't come near me again."
The girls watched as he threw aside the glass and stalked away. Emily
turned back to Elizabeth. "I wanted to still be your friend but I guess
that's impossible now."
"I don't want your friendship anymore." She tossed back.
"You might want to leave now." Emily told her.
"You can't throw me out. I was invited." She sneered.
"If I tell Carly what you did to Jason, she'd have you thrown out."
"You won't do that. Look at how happy she is." Elizabeth gestured over to
where Carly was making the rounds, greeting some of Sonny's business
associates.
"Then I'll throw you out myself. My family owns this hotel, remember?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Fine, act like a spoiled rich girl. I'll leave
on my own."
She turned and quickly walked out of the hall. Emily returned back to the
table. Nikolas leaned over. "What happened?"
"You know guilt about Elizabeth? Well I'm over that. For good."
"What did she do?"
"She crossed the line." Emily tossed back her glass of wine. "I don't want
to talk about this. Stefan and Bobbie put together a great wedding. Though
Carly's a little pissed that they took the whole thing out of her hands."
"Stefan felt he owed it to Carly. He is determined to make things up to
her."
"I didn't know there were that many Cassadines in your family." Emily
looked around the room.
"Yeah, there's plenty of cousins around. We're all not exactly cousins but
the lines are so tangled and…well it's just easier to say Cousin." Nikolas
was going to say more but an older woman came over. She ignored Emily and
zeroed in on Nikolas. She grasped his hand. "Nikolas, hello."
Nikolas smiled. "Anastasia, I'm so glad you could make it. My uncle would
have been disappointed if you hadn't."
Anastasia beamed under his praise. "Of course I came! I wouldn't have
missed this. It is a very important event for this family. A new
Cassadine!"
Nikolas nodded. He kissed her hand and blatantly dismissing her, said.
"Have you spoken with Stefan yet?"
Anastasia shook her head. "I wanted to say hello to you first but I am on
my way to congratulate him and his daughter."
Anastasia swept away quickly. Nikolas shook his head. "Another 'cousin'.
I'm sorry you had to see that. The perils of being the 'prince'. It gets
very old, very quickly. I know Uncle had good intentions when he invited
them all but they're all running around trying to make deals and hatch
plots and it's insane."
Emily shook her head. "Well I don't know what to say over than it's a
shame."
Nikolas covered her hand with his. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that this
won't happen at our wedding."
Emily took a deep breath and looked around. She pointed out a couple. "Who
is that?"
Nikolas twisted around in his seat. He raised his eyebrow. "Cousins, of
course. Though I'm surprised they showed up. Their father was an avid
supporter of Helena."
The couple was stunning. The female was tall with honey brown hair and
crystal blue eyes. She wore what many had deemed inappropriate for a
wedding, a black leather dress that fitted her like a second skin. She
looked out of place but fashionable at the same time. Her companion was
tall also. He had dark brown hair, deep brown eyes and an easygoing smile.
He carried off his tux with ease as if he wore one everyday.
The woman cradled her champagne glass and looked around the room with a
smirk. "God, Christoph, this is so boring. Which is amazing because it's
wall to wall Cassadine. You'd think someone would suddenly drop dead or
something. Give us some entertainment at least."
"Hush, Nadia, don't let Stefan hear you." Christoph Cassadine warned her.
"Father is already on the outs with him, we cannot afford to displease
him."
"Then Father should have come instead of sending us. I really don't want to
be here. I could be on the Riviera with Jacques and his brother Jean."
Nadia whined to her brother.
"I feel the same way." Christoph slipped his finger in his collar, loosing
it a bit. "But we have to stay on Stefan's good side."
"Why? Nikolas is the prince. We should be kissing his ass." Nadia shrugged.
"Nikolas may be the prince but Stefan is the real power. He still controls
Nikolas. Everyone knows that." Christoph pointed out. "Though some still
back Nikolas publicly like that sycophant Anastasia over there."
"Blah blah blah. Who cares?" Nadia murmured, already bored with the
conversation. Her eyes locked on target and she gestured across the room
with her glass. "Who is that?"
Christoph turned around and started laughing. "Sister dear, you did pay
attention during the ceremony, didn't you? *That* is the groom."
"I had other things on my mind." Nadia licked her lips in a predatory
gesture. "Seems our long lost cousin has damn good taste in men."
Christoph knew that look. He has had that look before many times himself.
"Nadia. They were just married. And beside I heard he's a local gangster.
Didn't you see all those shady looking gentlemen with their tarty wives?
All business associates of his."
"What? I can't admire the man? He is tasty." Nadia's eyes glowed at the
prospect of tasting Sonny Corinthos.
Christoph shook his head and laughed. "You are bad."
"Mm-hmm." Nadia took another sip. "Have you seen our new cousin?"
"Of course, I actually paid attention to the wedding, boring as it was." He
gazed around the room, avoiding various relatives that his father owed
money, favors, or both.
"No I mean close up." Nadia said. "The church was big and we were in the
back."
"Because someone rose late." He sent her a sideways glance.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway…She just joined the husband. It seems the
Cassadine genes worked a miracle on her. Have you seen her *mother*? God."
"Nadia, must you forever be a bitch?" He said dryly and continued to scan
the room. There had to be one Cassadine here that his father hadn't
alienated yet. He caught the eye of Stefan who was talking with Carly and
Sonny. Stefan nodded in his direction and beckoned them over. "Don't look
now but we are being summoned by the great one."
"Hmm, I knew our turn was coming up." Nadia murmured. "How do I look?"
"You don't want me to honestly answer that, do you?"
The sound of laughter rang out over the music and Christoph automatically
looked up. The laugh was coming from Carly. Christoph stared dumbfounded at
her as she threw her head back and laughed again. Nadia smirked and nudged
him in the side.
"She's our cousin."
"Distant cousin." He corrected. "Exactly how closely related are we?"
"And you call me bad." Nadia grinned. "This could be fun. We haven't worked
a couple together in years."
"Really, Nadia. It's their wedding reception for goodness sake. Let's wait
until after the honeymoon." He held out his arm to her. "Come, let's not
keep him waiting."
Nadia smiled. She put down her glass and linked her arm through his. They
strode confidently across the dance floor with their heads held high.
Stefan greeted them with a nod. He said gravely. "I assumed that Ivan would
be coming to the wedding."
"Father was unfortunately struck ill and sent us in his stead." Christoph
said smoothly. He held his breath as Stefan regarded them silently. Finally
Stefan nodded.
" I am that glad that you could attend at least." He turned to Carly and
Sonny. "Let me introduce you, my daughter, Carly and my son-in-law Sonny
Corinthos. Carly, this is—"
"Wait, don't tell me." Carly laughed and held up her hand. "Some more
cousins right?" She smiled at Nadia and Christoph. "Just about everyone he
introduced me to is a cousin. And they all have the name Cassadine."
"We are a large family who cannot help but procreate." Nadia shrugged. "I'm
Nadia, this is my brother Christoph. We are here to offer congratulations.
I hope you have a long and happy marriage."
"Thank you." Carly murmured. Sonny nodded.
Christoph bent over Carly's hand and pressed a soft kiss to it. "It is a
shame. We have only recently gained you as a family member and now we have
to let you go."
Sonny narrowed his eyes at Christoph. He ever so subtly wrapped his arm
around Carly's waist and drew her close to him. Christoph gave him a
tight-lipped smile but his eyes roamed over Carly, still decked out in her
elegant wedding gown.
Nadia pressed her lips together to keep from giggling. She thought
Christoph wasn't going to start the game until later. Obviously he'd
changed his mind. She made eye contact with Sonny and slowly licked her
lips. "I thought the ceremony was beautiful."
"Thanks. Stefan and my mother handled most of the arrangements." Carly
smiled.
"Stefan as a wedding consultant? Hmm, never thought that possible. By the
way, which is your mother? I'm having difficulty picking her out." Nadia
craned her head and looked around.
"She's out on the dance floor with my stepfather." Carly pointed her out.
"Wow, she's beautiful." Nadia gushed. This was another favorite part of the
game. Playing nice-nice with the wife while cozying up to the husband. It
didn't bother that this was her new cousin. It wasn't like she had any
loyalty to the woman.
"Uh, thank you." Carly frowned. She wasn't quite sure what to say to that.
"Speaking of dancing, would you do me the honor of dancing with me,
cousin?" Christoph smiled at her. "I've been told that I'm a very good
dancer."
Nadia grinned. "Oh yes and Cousin Sonny, you must dance with me. Christoph
taught me all my moves so I promise I won't embarrass you."
"Actually," Carly looked around anxiously. There was something off about
the siblings. Or maybe it was just a Cassadine thing. The song in the
background changed and the beginning notes floated over.
**I, I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is all right with me
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you**
**Since, since we've been together
Loving you forever
Is what I need
Let me be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue **
Carly gasped and she whirled around to face Sonny. "You didn't!"
He shrugged and grinned at her, his dimples flashing. "Hey, I had to
contribute to this wedding any way I could."
She smiled slowly and shook her head. She glanced at Stefan. "Don't ever
wonder why I love this man. Come on."
She grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the dance floor, leaving her
father and cousins behind her. The dancers on the floor spread out as Sonny
drew Carly into his arms. They stared into each other eyes and the rest of
the world just faded away.
**Let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad **
**Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad**
At the edge of the dance floor Alex stared at the couple with hooded eyes.
He took a deep breath and quietly slipped out of the room. He headed for
the Grille and the bar. When he got the invitation his first instinct was
to trash it and go out of town the day of the wedding. But he eventually
talked himself into going. At least to say goodbye to Carly and to wish her
happiness. He barely made it through the wedding ceremony and he got
through the ceremony with the help of the open bar. But he couldn't take
watching her and Sonny dance together, so obviously in love.
So now he was escaping for air and a drink. He took a seat at the bar and
loosened his tie. He signaled the bartender for a beer and sighed.
"You look tired." A voice said softly beside him. He glanced next to him
and saw a petite woman with short brown hair and big brown eyes. She smiled
at him. "Hi."
"Uh, hello." He nodded and took a long swallow of his beer. He was stared
down at the bar; blatantly ignoring her but the woman wasn't giving easily.
"So I hear there's this party going on in the big ballroom. You one of the
partygoers?" She arched an eyebrow.
"It's a wedding reception." He murmured.
"Oh." She said. "It must be pretty boring if you escaped so early."
"It was okay." He shrugged.
"Friend of the bride or the groom?" She pressed.
"The bride. She's an ex."
"Wow. That's big of you. I wouldn't be caught dead at any of my exes'
weddings."
"Yeah, well, we decided to stay *friends*." He said bitterly. "Why…why are
you asking me so many questions?"
"Because I'm new in town, in a strange bar, with a very good-looking man."
She faced him and stared into his eyes. "However I've always thought asking
questions were a waste of time. There's a much better, much more physical
way to get to know some one better."
"Oh?" Alex soon found himself drowning in her big brown eyes.
"Oh yeah." She murmured. "You know what they say, 'actions speak louder
than words.'"
"Does it bother you at all that I'm obviously hurting about the fact that
my ex-girlfriend is in the next room celebrating her new marriage?"
"No, why should it?" She sighed. "Look, all this talk is boring me. Do you
want to go upstairs with me or not?"
Alex was slightly taken aback by her boldness. There was nothing holding
her back from going for what she wanted. The same could be said for him.
Carly was going on with her life; it was time he did the same. He finished
off his beer and nodded. "Alright."
"Garcia!" V called out and came over to the bar. "Hey, are you okay? I saw
you leave the reception."
Alex blushed at being caught by V. He knew he never should have confided in
his old friend that day about his feelings about Carly and the wedding. Now
she was determined to look out for him. "V, really I'm fine."
The woman stood up and gaped. "V, is that you?"
"Pixie girl?" V shouted.
"Goddess chick?" The woman shouted back. "Oh my God!"
The two women hugged each other, laughing. V said. "I haven't seen you in
years, what are you doing here?"
"I needed a change of pace and decided to relocate." She smiled.
V caught the look that Alex was giving them. "Oh, Alex, this is my
childhood friend Tara Summers. I used to call her pixie girl because she
looked like an elf when we were young. Tara, this is Alex Garcia, but you
guys probably already know that."
"We haven't gotten to that part yet. Oh, and I called V, goddess chick
because of well her name, duh."
"I cannot believe you are here." V grinned. "This is wild."
"I know! I haven't seen you in years. The last thing you told me was you
were back working with the PCPD after working for some guy named Jax?"
"It's been that long since we talked? Wow. Yeah, I gave it up and now I
work with my *husband* Jax. You know we should get together for lunch
sometime soon. Play catch up. I have so much to tell you."
"That'd be great. I'm staying here at the hotel so call me okay?"
"V, honey, there you are." Jax came over to the bar and wrapped his arms
around her waist. He dropped a kiss to the back of her neck. "What's going
on?"
"Jax, this is my best friend from back home, Tara Summers. Tara, this is my
husband of course." V's smile was incredibly goofy.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you. V's letters did not do you justice." Tara
said.
"Nice to meet you." Jax smiled at her. Then he murmured to V. "Hey,
Jennifer is asleep and I have someone watching over so we can finally get
out there and dance."
"Oh, it's a good thing you came out here looking for me." V's eyes glowed.
"Tara, I'll contact you tomorrow. Alex, you'll be okay right?"
"Right as rain." He nodded.
"Okay, then, later." V tossed over her shoulder as Jax dragged her out of
the Grille.
Tara waited until V and Jax left before turning to Alex. "So you ready to
go upstairs?"
"I was thinking about that. It doesn't feel right anymore." He began.
Tara folded her arms and blew out an exasperated breath. "Why? Because we
find we have a friend in common? Because we know each other names? We can't
have mind-blowing nameless sex now? It doesn't bother me, don't let it
bother you."
"Does anything ever bother you?" He frowned.
"I try not to let things upset me." She shrugged. "You needed it, you
wanted it, and so do I. What is the big deal here?"
"I…"
Tara ran a long fingernail down his chest and said softly. "I'm not going
to beg you. You don't want to come upstairs with me? Fine, I'll just find
someone else who does. I just thought you'd be fun. Obviously you have too
many hang-ups. But it would have been good, baby, oh so good. I'm not
bragging, I'm just telling the truth. Oh and I would have told you my name
regardless. I like it when they call out my name."
She stepped back and blew him a kiss. Then turned and gracefully walked
away. Alex frowned and stared at the bar. She was almost at the door when
he called out. "Tara! Wait."
She smirked satisfied as he hurried to catch up with her. She linked her
arm through his. "I was wondering how long it'd take you."
~*~*~
**Why, why some people break up
Then turn around and make up
I just can't see
You'd never do that to me (would you, baby)
Staying around you is all I see
(Here's what I want us to do) **
Back at the reception other couples joined Carly and Sonny on the dance
floor but neither noticed. They were completely lost in each other. Carly
cupped the back of his neck and brushed her lips against his. "Even though
this wedding became a circus and I've met more Cassadines than I knew
existed, this is still the most wonderful day in my life."
"I have to agree." Sonny murmured as he let his hands drift down over her
hips to cup her from behind.
"Sonny!"
"What? You're my *wife* now. I can do what ever I want." He grinned
wickedly.
"So you're going to throw out that as an excuse now, huh?" She smirked.
"Every chance I get." He promised.
"Mrs. Sonny Corinthos." Carly breathed. "I never thought…not in a million
years."
"Me neither, cupcake." He laughed.
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
Watching from the sidelines was Jason. He was still reeling from the
confrontation with Elizabeth earlier. How could he have been so stupid to
not realize that she was only using him? He knew there was something
strange about the way she just latched herself onto him after their
encounter on the docks but he chose to ignore it. He needed someone to talk
to about Carly and Sonny. He needed a friend to be with when he couldn't
stand to see the two of them together. Like now. He didn't know how he made
it throw the ceremony but watching them snuggle up on the dancefloor was
slowly killing him.
"Daddy." Michael came running over and jumped into his lap. Jason hugged
him.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be running in here." Jason warned him.
"Don't tell Mommy." Michael whispered.
"Even if I did I doubt she'd hear me anyway." Jason muttered as he watched
Carly cuddle closer to Sonny.
"Huh?" Michael looked up at him.
"Nothing." He said.
"Mommy and Uncle Sonny are in love right?" Michael said suddenly.
Jason swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah, they are."
"Mommy says we're going to live with him again and I'm getting a baby
sister or a brother!" He boasted with a big grin.
"Yeah, it's a big adventure." Jason forced himself to wear a happy face for
Michael's sake.
"Are you going to live with us?" He asked innocently.
"Uh, no. It's just going to be you, your mother and Sonny." Jason gritted
out.
Michael nodded. "Brooke's mommy and daddy don't live together either. And
Brooke has a second mommy too! Isn't that cool?"
"Yeah, it's very cool."
"Damn it, where the hell is the bathroom in this place?" Nadia muttered
behind them.
Jason turned around. "Could you not curse in front of my son? And the
bathroom is through those doors over there, just make a right."
Nadia glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. Hello!
Well, she didn't something to play with until Sonny got back from his
honeymoon. She pasted a grin on her face. "Oh, sorry, didn't see the
little…tyke there."
"Hi, I'm Michael! My mommy got married today." He grinned at her.
"I know. I guess that means we're cousins also. I'm Nadia." She told him
but was looking at Jason. Jason however was ignoring her. She followed his
gaze and saw that he was staring at the happy couple. She raised an
eyebrow. Hmm, what do we have here? Looks like things were going to get
interesting.
"Daddy, I want some cake." Michael ordered. He knew that he couldn't try
that sort of thing with his mother so he saved it for Jason.
Jason rose carrying Michael. He couldn't stand to watch them anymore.
"Sure."
"You know I would love some cake myself." Nadia lied. "Mind if I tag
along?"
He shook his head. "Doesn't bother me."
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
"The past year has been a total surprise." Carly continued. "Jason, you,
this baby, Stefan, it's just too much."
"How about I promise that this year will be nothing but smooth sailing. No
big surprises, no big comebacks from death, nothing but you, me, Michael
and baby being a happy little family."
"You promise?" She smiled up at him.
"I guarantee it." He grinned at her.
"You know I love it when you make empty promises." She smirked. "I have a
feeling that something big is going to happen."
He pressed his finger against her lips. "No, I forbid you to jinx our year.
This will be the happy year, do you hear me?"
"Yes, I do, hubby dear."
"Call me that again and I will call you wifey-poo." He threatened.
"Ew." She wrinkled up her nose and laughed. "Okay, never again."
"Repeat after me—"
"Just because we're married, it doesn't mean you'll be ordering me around."
"Right. Now, like I said, repeat after me, this will be the happy year."
Carly rolled her eyes. "This will be the happy year."
"Nothing bad is going to happen."
"Nothing bad is going to happen."
"We're going to be incredibly boring."
"We're going to be incredibly boring. Are you done? Because I would love to
kiss my incredibly boring husband right about now."
"Oh, then I'm done. I'm done." He laughed.
She covered his smiled with a long deep kiss. She finally pulled back and
said. "But you know I'm right. I can never settle for being boring."
**Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad**
*song credits* I Won't Leave You Lonely by Shania Twain
Let's Stay Together, Al Green