Chapter 21
Elizabeth Webber wrapped her arms around herself as she descended the stairs into the main part of Luke's club. Emily had disappeared down here some time ago, and Liz wanted to make sure she was all right. Em had been so subdued since finding out that Lucky was alive. Why couldn't she see that everything would finally be all right, Liz wondered as her feet touched the ground of the club?
The place was dim and silent. She could vaguely hear the low rumble of voices outside the door, but it appeared that no one was in the main part of the club. Liz pivoted as her eyes searched the murky interior. As she gazed over the shadows, her heart stopped. There was Emily all right and she looked comfortable in Lucky's arms. They were kissing! A little part of Liz' heart died as she watched their passionate embrace. This had gone on long enough, Liz thought as she cleared her throat.
Lucky heard the embarrassed sound as he turned slowly, expecting to find his father or mother. He hadn't wanted to break his embrace with Emily, but there was so much else going on as well. How selfish was he to focus on the one thing he couldn't have yet.
Then he saw her. The hurt and betrayal were written all over her still delicate features and in that moment Lucky realized that Elizabeth Webber had neither gotten over losing him or had moved on. Lucky flushed in embarrassment and upset. He had never wanted to hurt her.
"Hi Liz." He said quietly. He wouldn't even begin to try to explain his actions because they were his and Emily's business in the end.
"Lucky." Liz' voice was clipped. "Emily." She nodded curtly. "Do either of you want to explain this?" she gestured wildly, allowing her hand to fall to her side as her eyes filled with tears of betrayal.
Emily was no saint. She had loved Lucky too and when he had died, she had used all of her energy to comfort Liz and Nik. Her anger grew as she studied Liz. She was acting like a wronged girlfriend and while that might have been technically true, many things had changed in the ten years the boyfriend in the relationship had been dead. "There is nothing to explain Liz." Emily said in a less than sympathetic tone, wincing as the words came out.
Liz stood still as Emily's words hit it. "Oh." She said faintly. With a weary sigh she slipped onto a barstool. "So is this how I'm supposed to learn that you two are messing around?"
Lucky ran a hand through his hair. "Elizabeth it isn't like that. We're not together anymore, not like we were. We can never get that back. I've been through too much and so have you."
Tears slowly made their way down Liz' cheeks. "So that's it. You decide we're over and we are? Lucky I waited for you."
He moved to Liz, pulled her close and absorbing the tears into his chest. "I don't know what it means for any of us, but I need time to figure out who I am now. But you have to realize that everything has changed Elizabeth. We're not the same people we were when we planned to go to New York and live there forever."
Liz wanted to believe what Lucky was saying but here in his arms she found that all she wanted to do was forget. "You're still the same Lucky I fell in love with." She tearfully asserted.
Emily shook her head in disgust. How had the magical kiss disintegrated into her being a third wheel so quickly? For a moment she thought and really believed that she and Lucky had a future together. Then Liz had come in spouting off about forever and things had changed. "I'll leave you two lovebirds." Her tone was sarcastic as she turned.
"No Emily don't go." Lucky said as he jumped up and moved to her. He had been so rude to kiss her then move to someone else. That wasn't how he wanted to be at all. He looked at Emily's face, reading the hurt there. "I'm so sorry." He said in a low, intimate tone. "Things are so complex here. I meant exactly what I said though. Please don't doubt that and please stay."
First uncertainty then fear passed over Lucky's face before Emily nodded. Like it or not, she was of some help to him and she wouldn't abandon her best friend for anything or anyone.
~*~
Luke Spencer watched his son behind the dim light of his office. He could feel the younger man's conflict as duty and desire collided. What would he do and how would he cope. He rested his head against the cool glass of the door as he allowed himself to just feel. The emotions flowed into him one by one-gratitude for his son being alive, fury for what he had gone through, the sharp betrayal of failure rushing through him. "Oh cowboy how I wish things had been different."
Laura could feel her husband's conflicting emotions as she descended the back stairs that led into his office. After Liz left her, her thoughts had been only on her husband. Laura knew that Lucky would have shared the worst of his experiences and it wasn't good for Luke to be alone through that. She decided to walk down the stairs slowly and peek in. If Luke and Lucky were together she would go upstairs and wait patiently, but she knew on some instinctive level that her husband was alone.
As Laura silently entered the room, her eyes were on Luke. He looked as if he had aged years in a short hour. His worry was written in the fine lines etched upon his face. Laura closed the door with no noise at all and moved to her husband.
"Hi darlin." Luke said in a quiet voice. He had sensed her there all along. Luke turned to embrace his wife. She snuggled into his arms; he drank in the comfortable feel of her, the scent of her hair.
"Hi" Laura said as she snuggled close. His embrace was so warm and familiar to her. "How did it go with Lucky?"
Luke sighed and ran a hand over his head. "He's got some serious problems darlin'. He doesn't really know his own mind anymore and the memories of what he told me are just brutal." He paused for a long moment before continuing. "There is something you have to know. He married Helena."
Laura gasped and looked at her husband with wide eyes. "He what?" The sharpness of her voice cut the air.
Luke's hands made small circles on her back. "He had to Laura. He was trying to survive. When a man is in that position he'll do anything to survive."
Laura buried her head on his shoulder. "It was that bad huh?"
"It was." Luke allowed. "And much worse Angel. He has a lot more inside him that he'll only share with me and a bottle of booze."
"He'll stay though, right?" Laura's voice became unsteady at the thought of her son leaving them again. "I don't want him to go. He has to stay here until we can try to help him Luke. I know we can't fix everything but surely we can help in some ways."
"He'll stay." Luke's voice held a conviction that he did not have in his heart. Still, he believed in his son and he knew that Lucky would never go too far away. "He has roots here Laura and he well knows it. He won't go anywhere."
~*~
Nikolas has been silently looking out the window for most of the time that Bobbie and Lesley had been gone. He had to figure out what to tell his children, both about Lucky and about their mother. He sighed, listening to his grandfather and Stefan chattering about Luke. Both men got a perverse pleasure out of their Luke stories. There was some comfort in their typical behavior, especially as the situation was anything but normal.
As he saw the car pull up, he waved to the two men and dashed down the stairs. Nikolas barely noticed that Lucky, Elizabeth and Emily seemed tense in the main area of the club, and only spared his younger sister a glance. He would have to talk to her about getting involved with older men, he absently noticed as he made his way to the car.
As they saw their father approaching, both children exited the car. Luc dashed to his father and hugged Nikolas in a tight embrace. Even though he was characteristically enthusiastic, Nikolas could see the mantle of sadness about the boy's slender shoulder.
"Hello Luc." He said as he hung onto his child tightly. His son was far by the more sensitive of the two children and he knew Luc was convinced that Katherine adored them. The blow of his mother's death would be a hard one for the little boy.
"Thank you for letting us come here papa." Luke said, his tone warming as he saw for himself that Nikolas was in fine health.
"You're welcome son." Nikolas' tone was gentle as he turned to his daughter. "Hello Steph." he said, pulling the girl into a tight hug.
"Hello father." Stephanie nodded coolly as she allowed Nikolas to hug her. "The grandmothers said you needed us."
"I did. I do." Nikolas said in a reassuring tone.
As Nikolas and his children were talking, Bobbie moved across the parking lot to Lulu and Lucky's friend. "Lu can I see you for a moment?" She said in her most authoritative voice.
Lu gave Michael a longing look before moving out of his embrace reluctantly. "I'll see you inside." she promised, planting a deep kiss on his surprised mouth. When he had turned away, she gave her aunt her most innocent look. "Yes Aunt Bobbie?"
Bobbie gave her a stern look. "We need to talk about that later Lesley Lu, but right now your brother needs you. He's telling the kids about Katherine and they're very close to you."
"All right." Lu said. She had a duty as a Spencer to see to her family's need before her own and she would do that. It was part of the Spencer code after all.
Chapter 22
"No Emily don't go." Lucky said as he jumped up and moved to her. He had been so rude to kiss her then move to someone else. That wasn't how he wanted to be at all. He looked at Emily's face, reading the hurt there. "I'm so sorry." He said in a low, intimate tone. "Things are so complex here. I meant exactly what I said though. Please don't doubt that and please stay."
First uncertainty then fear passed over Lucky's face before Emily nodded. Like it or not, she was of some help to him and she wouldn't abandon her best friend for anything or anyone.
Elizabeth glared at Emily for some moments before wrapping an arm around Lucky. He stiffened at the contact knowing that he had done far too much too soon. He wasn't ready for relationships yet and his actions had just confused and upset everyone.
Lucky stepped back, deftly moving away from both women. When things were calmer he would sit down with them individually and talk things out. But until then, he had so much to tell his whole family. "Liz, Emily I know we have to talk this out, but...I can't right now. There is so much going on in my head and so many things I need to tell all of you. Please be patient with me." He said as he ran a hand through his hair.
His plea touched Liz' heart. "Of course honey. You're having a hard time. We understand." She stepped closer but when he backed away and put his hands up protectively she sighed.
"Are you ok with this Emily?" Lucky turned to meet her eyes. She had such a serious expression on her face. It was unreadable and Lucky desperately wanted to know what was on her mind.
Emily gave Lucky and Liz each a warm smile. "Of course I am. You have a lot going on. Prioritize Lucky." She gave him a long look before turning away. "I'm going upstairs. You two need to talk. Don't rush ok?"
"Yes ma'am." Lucky teased. He wanted so desperately to know where things stood between them but he would have to be patient and wait until things were calmer. When Emily was gone, the tension increased threefold and Lucky found himself rocking from foot to foot.
"So where do we go from here?" Liz asked tentatively. She wanted to believe that they would be ok. They had to be; she had waited so long for him.
Lucky shook his head as he met Liz's eyes. The pain in the blue depths startled her. "I have no idea. I'm just trying to grapple with so much. My marriage, the abuse, the nightmares.... all of it." He didn't even realize what he had said until Liz' gasp of shock reached his ears.
"Your what?" She asked as she rounded on him, poking a finger in his chest. "You got married? Who is she? How could you do that to me?"
~*~
"I have to go see to my brother." Lu said regretfully as she hugged Michael close. "I'll be back to you really soon. In the meantime, why don't you go inside." The deep kiss they had just shared burned her mouth in a very forbidden way.
"Good luck." Michael deposited a kiss on her temple and watched her moving toward the man and his children. She had touched his heart in countless ways already.
"Hi Nikky, Steph, and Luc." Lu greeted warmly. Fury was starting to seep into her bones for her family's treatment of her. Was she expected to do everything from comforting Lucky and her mother to helping Nikolas break the news? "For God's sake, I'm only a kid", she muttered.
"Hello Aunt Lesley Lu." Stephanie said as her brother hugged their aunt.
"What's wrong Lu?" Nikolas asked in a warning tone.
"Nothing Nikky. She replied as she tried not to snap. She was being selfish and she well knew it but she had reached her limits for one day. "Are we going inside or staying out here awhile?"
Nikolas looked at the door and sighed. He couldn't possibly tell his children the news in some parking lot but what would greet them inside? IN a moment of indecision, he met his sister's eyes helplessly.
Lu gave the kids a bright smile. "Let's sneak in the back way. That way we can surprise everyone."
Nikolas nodded. They could also find a quiet alcove of the club to discuss the news that way. "Grandmother Lesley, Bobbie are you coming with us?"
When both ladies nodded, Nikolas escorted the group toward the club.
"We don't get to visit here very much." Luc commented as he took in the whole atmosphere. I want to come here more often papa."
"That is impossible." Stephanie put in as she gave her brother a scorn filled look. "It is dangerous here. Papa was nearly killed here. Luke Spencer is a common thug."
"Don't you say that." Luc's ten year old voice was impassioned. "He is married to Grandma Spencer. You have to respect him."
"Cassadines never respect Spencers." Stephanie sniffed.
Luc started to answer then caught his father's stern look. He scuffed his foot on the ground and pouted for a moment, before shyly reaching for his father's hand. "I like grandma's husband." He said in a firm tone.
"My dad is an ok guy Stephanie." Lulu pointed out gently. This Spencer Cassadine feud would end with this generation. Lulu would see to it that the families lived in peace.
~*~
Sonny watched Carly as she fidgeted in the limo. "What are you thinking?" He asked gently. She looked so nervous at the thought of seeing Lucky again.
Carly leaned against her husband and sighed. "Well, we never really had a relationship did we? I just don't know how it will be for us."
Sonny wrapped his arms around Carly and rubbed her back soothingly. So many things have changed since then. You're both older and even you might be a little wiser." He nudged her shoulder to let her know that he was teasing. "You two are owed a chance. Give each other a try Carly. You can't keep beating yourself up for your past mistakes."
"And I've had plenty." Carly said on a peal of laughter.
"We all have," Sonny reminded. "I thought for awhile that I was the reason Lucky died. He was such a good kid but he was always involved in the business through Luke then through me." His expression took on a darkness that frightened Carly. She hated it when he got melancholy. That was just one step above his depression. His depression scared her; both in its intensity and in the way it just seemed to creep upon them. There had been many days of lightning fast mood changes that would nearly destroy her relationship as well as her beloved husband.
"But you had nothing to do with it. We all know that Faison reject hurt him, though I know Luke always thought Helena Cassadine was in on it."
"She may very well have been." Sonny allowed. "I think it's time we all band together to get that woman out of their lives."
"Talk to Luke." Carly suggested as she leaned against Sonny's arm. "It will really be ok right? Everyone is going to get through whatever happened to Lucky and be ok right?" Her voice sounded very little girl to Sonny's ears, her insecurities rising to the surface once again.
"It will be ok." Sonny replied. "You Spencers are a tightly knit group. You can heal the biggest of wounds as long as you all love each other. And love always seems in great supply when you Spencers are around. Lucky will be fine given some time. How could he not be with all of you around him?"
Chapter 23
Lucky shook his head as he met Liz's eyes. The pain in the blue depths startled her. "I have no idea. I'm just trying to grapple with so much. My marriage, the abuse, the nightmares.... all of it." He didn't even realize what he had said until Liz' gasp of shock reached his ears.
"Your what?" She asked as she rounded on him, poking a finger in his chest. "You got married? Who is she? How could you do that to me?"
Elizabeth's voice traveled and Luke winced as the sound reached his wife's ears. "We better give the cowboy some backup." He said as he threw the door open. He had the same urge to protect his son as he had when Lucky was a child, Laura realized as she followed her husband out.
"Anything the matter here?" Luke asked as he threw an arm around Lucky and Liz's shoulders. He could feel the tension thrumming around them; it hung heavy in the air, electrified between the young couple.
"You're married." Liz said in abject horror. She didn't even seem to notice the elder Spencer as he held her closer. Luke had always felt paternal about the young woman and he hated to think about what she was going through. "Yeah he is." He tried to speak for his son. " But it wasn't as if he wanted to. He had to Liz."
She shrugged off his shoulder and moved to Lucky. "You married someone else. Whatever the cause, you said I do. Lucky we said our vows before you even met her. You pledged yourself to me."
Lucky winced at her words. How could she be so right, yet so wrong? "Liz it isn't as it seems." He said in a pleading tone. He had to make her understand without going into details. His mother didn't know and it wasn't fair to tell either of them in this situation. "I was coerced into my marriage. It wasn't something I wanted to do with my wife."
Liz arched an eyebrow. She wanted to believe him but the thing with Emily, him being married; it was all too much. Liz didn't know this Lucky and didn't think she wanted to. "I don't know you anymore." She whispered. Everything about him was different; the voice was almost unrecognizable, his looks had matured him into a man she never would have recognized on the street, and his heart, well that had changed too. "I can't deal with this tonight." Liz said tearfully. "Call me when things calm down and we'll discuss your marriage and us."
Lucky looked at her for a long moment. The ghost of their relationship loomed between them. He wanted to get back what once was but at the same time he knew in his soul that too much had changed. He had changed in so many ways that he could never be the Lucky Spencer that fell in love with Elizabeth Webber all those years ago. Were they strong enough to make a new start though and did he want that? He just didn't know. "I'll call you." He said as he brushed his thumb over her cheek.
Liz shuddered at his touch. He was someone else's now. How dare he touch her? "Don't." She whispered, stunned that his once comforting touch could repulse her. "I have to go." She said in a mournful tone as she turned to flee.
Lucky took a step after her, then sank onto a nearby chair. "I did this to her, you know. I hurt her so badly. First she found me kissing Emily and now.... this. She doesn't even know the facts." Lucky turned to face his mother. "Mom I have something to tell you."
"No you don't." Laura replied as she pulled her son into her arms. "I already know. It must have been so horrible for you Lucky. Your dad and I are here for you honey, whenever you can talk about it and f if you want to. I have experience with forced marriages honey." She reminded her son. "It appears to be one of the Spencer legacies."
~*~
Emily walked slowly up the stairs to Luke's apartment. It was looking fairly crowded now. Stefan and Dr. Webber stood next to each other, no doubt discussing Luke. Michael was there along with Georgie Jones. Serena Baldwin and Lucas Jones. Emily smiled politely at the teenagers. They were all nice enough but she wasn't up to dealing with them, not when the taste of Lucky lingered on her lips even as her guilt and embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her.
She moved over to a vacant corner of the room and sank onto a long forgotten couch there. As a cloud of dust rose from the long unused piece of furniture, she coughed. A man materialized above him and Emily's heart sank, thinking Lucky was back. She wasn't ready to deal with him yet.
"Hi." Michael said as he looked at the woman. His bandmate had disappeared and he had considered leaving himself. But his relationship with Chance held him there. He knew the other man would need some representation of his other life and above and beyond that, Chance was like a brother to him. Plus there was Lulu....Michael smiled at the thought of his new friend. She had moved him in ways that defied logic. The man who had never fallen in love was falling hard and fast for his best friend's sister hard and fast. And above and beyond that, it felt so right.
"Hi" Emily replied. She patted the couch in welcome to Lucky's friend. "He's downstairs with his girlfriend. He'll be up when he can."
"Thanks." Michael said with a smile. "I sort of got..... distracted." he confessed with a small smile. Emily's open smile had put him immediately at ease.
"Oh?" Emily asked, taking in the dark pink of his blush.
Michael nodded and smiled. "What can you tell me about Lesley Lu?"
Was he serious, Emily wondered? As she studied his expression, she realized that he had no idea about the younger girl's age. She sighed and played with the bottom of her hair for a moment as she considered her answer. She had always cared for Lesley Lu and wanted the young woman to be happy, but happiness would not be found in the arms of a man so much older.
"What exactly do you want to know?" Emily asked carefully.
Michael shrugged, embarrassed for a moment. "I want to know all about her. I can tell she's superwoman where her family is concerned, but I don't know the basics. What kind of job does she have? What does she do for fun?"
Here it was the moment of truth. Why me, Emily found herself wondering. "Well," She began on a huge sigh. "I can start by telling you that she's barely seventeen years old and a full time high school student."
~*~
Nikolas led his feuding children into the kitchen of the bar and sat them on shiny steel chairs. "I need for both of you to stop arguing." He said solemnly. "We have a lot to discuss." He turned to Lesley and Bobbie. "You ladies can go upstairs. Lesley Lu and I can handle this. " Nikolas knew that his children would not open up with an audience around, and cutting their numbers in half was in the children's best interests. He heard the older women leave without much fanfare thankful for their intuitiveness.
"What have we got to discuss?" Luc asked his father curiously. "Is mama here?"
Nikolas winced and got down on one knee to look his children in the eye. "I have some very good news and some very bad news for you both. Which do you want first?"
The children looked at each other for a long moment. Though no words were spoken Nikolas knew that they were engaging in a long conversation. His children had a special ability to communicate nonverbally. He was so grateful for their emotional closeness. Stephanie would be able to help Luc through the worst of his trauma with the force of her love, reaching him when no one else could.
"We will take the bad news first." Stephanie told her father formally. She curled her hand protectively over her brother's and scooted as close as she could to him. Her innate protective nature brought tears to Nikolas' eyes.
"All right then." Nikolas softened his voice as Lulu put her hand on his shoulder in a show of emotional strength. "I have something very horrible and sad to tell you," he said as genuine tears of sadness coursed down his face. He wouldn't miss her, but the way her loss would scar their children broke his heart. "It's about your mother." He began quietly.
Stephanie was an expert at reading expressions. She watched her father's face and paled as she anticipated what was coming. "Our mother is dead?" she asked in a tone that showed her young years.
Chapter 24
"All right then." Nikolas softened his voice as Lulu put her hand on his shoulder in a show of emotional strength. "I have something very horrible and sad to tell you," he said as genuine tears of sadness coursed down his face. He wouldn't miss her, but the way her loss would scar their children broke his heart. "It's about your mother." He began quietly.
Stephanie was an expert at reading expressions. She watched her father's face and paled as she anticipated what was coming. "Our mother is dead?" she asked in a tone that showed her young years.
Nikolas looked away, unable to bear the expression on his daughter's face. The young girl while making a huge effort to be stoic was cracking. Her eyes shimmered with tears and her lower lip was trembling. Nikolas couldn't take his children's pain. "Yes." He whispered in a gentle tone. "Mummy had to become an angel." He knew his heart would break to look at them again, but he had to.
"Papa?" Luc's voice trembled with unshed tears. "Why?" His anguished whisper drifted the short distance between he and his father until Nikolas scooped the young boy up and cradled him to his chest. Damn her for leaving them, damn her for dying instead of fixing her relationship with the children.
"I don't know why. Sometimes God needs his angels, and though we don't understand, we have to let them go." He winced at the explanation of death but it was the best he could do.
"Mama isn't an angel." Stephanie sounded remarkably sober now. She had compartmentalized her feelings as effectively as Stefan, the man she admired, did. Her eyes were clear and expression sober but solid. She reached for Luc's hand and squeezed it in a reassuring manner.
"Why do you say that honey?" Lulu asked gently. She moved to stand very close to the little girl, idly playing with her hair. Stephanie had to deal with her mother's death somehow, but she could tell from her brother's expression that he didn't know what to do any more then she did.
"Because she isn't." Stephanie explained in an exaggerated tone. She never loved us and people who love their kids go to heaven. People that don't go to the other place. That's where mommy is. She did lots of naughty things here."
Nikolas met Lulu's eyes. They'd have to discuss this with Stephanie at some point. "Sweetie, God forgives a lot." Nikolas began. He couldn't go much further as to do so would be to take away from the pain of the little boy in his arms. "Luc, it will be okay."
"No it won't." his son sobbed. "Mommy is gone forever and ever."
Nikolas was strangely comforted by the fact that his son was reacting in an expected manner. "I know son, but she is your very special guardian angel. That is very special."
Luc bit his lip as the tears streamed down his face. "She's not really gone, she's just different?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes." Nikolas said as he grasped onto Luc's hope. "She's invisible but she'll always be at your side son. She's an angel on your shoulder and she will always watch out for you, help you and advise you."
"But I don't want an angel." Luc said as he looked up at his father. "I want a mommy."
~*~
Michael shrugged, embarrassed for a moment. "I want to know all about her. I can tell she's superwoman where her family is concerned, but I don't know the basics. What kind of job does she have? What does she do for fun?"
Here it was the moment of truth. Why me, Emily found herself wondering. "Well," She began on a huge sigh. "I can start by telling you that she's barely seventeen years old and a full time high school student."
"Seventeen years old?" Michael asked in shock. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath before looking at the luminescent woman in front of him. "There is no possible way she can be that young. She's so poised and so in control...." He trailed off.
Emily rubbed his arm gently. "You really care for her don't you?"
Michael nodded. "I do. I really care for her, but this age thing, is it surmountable?"
"It is. It has to be." Emily said quietly. "She's an extraordinary young woman. If anyone can make it through an age change like that she can. You see how mature she is."
Michael smiled in agreement but there was a grim set to his mouth. "She is seventeen years old and her family is putting her through this? Where does it end? Are they always like this with her?"
Emily bit her lip as she considered her response. How could she explain the Spencer family dynamic to one that had never seen it in action? "Yes and no." she began slowly. "Her family has always relied upon her quite heavily, but she also enjoys it. It gives her a purpose in a family that is anything but typical. As the man started to leave, Em grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip. "Ask her before you decide how bad this is for her, ok?"
Michael nodded as he shook her hand off gently. "I have to help her though. I have this need..." He whispered as he met the woman's dark and sympathetic eyes.
Emily could read his need. He really cared for Lulu and that much was obvious. "I know. I can read it." She said as she motioned to his eyes. "You have wonderfully expressive eyes and right now, I see this need to be her rock, so that she can support everyone. Lucky has always chosen his friends well. I'm so glad that despite his loss of memory, that knack stayed intact."
Michael flushed and looked at the ground. In another time, he would have been very drawn to this woman. But that was before he had met Lesley Lu Spencer. "Thank you." He said with genuine affection in his voice. "Let me find her. Maybe we can talk later."
"I'd like that." Emily's voice wrapped around Michael as he descended the stairs.
~*~
Lucky took a step after her, then sank onto a nearby chair. "I did this to her, you know. I hurt her so badly. First she found me kissing Emily and now.... this. She doesn't even know the facts." Lucky turned to face his mother. "Mom I have something to tell you."
"No you don't." Laura replied as she pulled her son into her arms. "I already know. It must have been so horrible for you Lucky. Your dad and I are here for you honey, whenever you can talk about it and f if you want to. I have experience with forced marriages honey." She reminded her son. "It appears to be one of the Spencer legacies."
Lucky ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at his mother. "You know? And you don't hate me?" His tumultuous plea broke Laura's heart and she gathered him even closer. It was easy to imagine that he was the boy he had been all those years ago as she rocked him lightly back and forth. Laura didn't know if the embrace was more or her benefit or for Lucky's.
"How could I the you honey? You did what you had to do to survive. I did the same remember? And it took some time but you and your dad forgave me and understood that I had no choice." She met Luke's gaze for a moment and pulled his hand down to cup the back of Lucky's neck.
Lucky sighed as he felt both of his parents' support as it radiated from their steady forms. "Thank you. Thank you for not making me defend what happened. Thank you for loving me, for missing me. I sometimes acted pretty nasty to you both back then, before the fire."
"It's all forgotten cowboy." Luke's tender rasp was as familiar as his mother's embrace. Lucky leaned back and rested his head in his father's hand. As he looked between his parents, he couldn't stop the tumultuous smile that made its journey across his face. "They say that you can never go home again, but I think you can."
Chapter 25
"Yes." Nikolas said as he grasped onto Luc's hope. "She's invisible but she'll always be at your side son. She's an angel on your shoulder and she will always watch out for you, help you and advise you."
"But I don't want an angel." Luc said as he looked up at his father. "I want a mommy."
Bobbie turned to Lesley and then turned away, the pain causing her eyes to finally overflow. Luc's pain was so palpable and yet so little boy. She couldn't bear to watch the innocent little soul collapse into grief. Lesley gripped her arm gently. "Let Nikolas and Lulu handle it." The older woman advised in a wavering voice as she pulled Bobbie out of the room. As soon as the door had closed behind them, both women sobbed quietly.
"I hated her." Bobbie confessed quietly. "But that child loved her and it will be so hard on him. We can't show our feelings for her. It will make things so much harder on the children."
"I know." Lesley slipped an arm around Bobbie's shoulders and rubbed her back. "Let's get back to our families. Carly and Sonny should be arriving soon and you should be there to tell them all that has happened.
With a nod of agreement, both ladies walked into the main room just as Sonny and Carly entered the closed club. Luke Laura and Lucky were gathered in a corner and appeared to be having a close family moment.
Carly walked in slowly and tentatively, a great change from her former assertive nature. She looked first at her mother then glanced at the far end of the room with slight trepidation. She and Lucky had never been very close at all, but his death had effected her greatly. Now he was back and they had a whole future to consider, a future in which becoming close cousins was a possibility. He had certainly grown and changed both in appearance and attitude. She had no doubt that all the trauma in his life had had a profound effect on the young man that stood in the midst of his parents' loving arms.
Lesley sensed Carly's hesitation and crossed the room. "Honey, I didn't get a hug from my handsome grandson. Can you spare one for an old woman."
Lucky sighed with relief. His grandmother had a way of diffusing a stressful situation. "You're not old." He asserted as he slipped his arms around her still slim form. "You're as beautiful as mom is."
Lesley pulled away to caress her face. "Still a charmer Lucky Spencer. We're so glad to have you back home where you belong, honey." She mussed his light brown hair then moved away, turning her attention to the striking blond woman and dark haired man.
Sonny watched Lucky for a few moments. The young man had changed so much that he barely recognized the facial features. The only thing familiar was the Spencer cockiness that the young man exuded along with sadness and loss. It was a heady combination, one that compelled Sonny to move to the young man ahead of his wife. "Lucky." His whisper was soft as he wondered how the other man would handle his presence there.
Lucky's eyes lit up as he noticed the man with his cousin for the first time. "Sonny, you and Carly?" He shook his head in shock, feeling somewhat lighter in spirit. For now, he would put his pain and anguish aside and just socialize. "I would have never imagined that."
"Yeah well." Sonny began. Carly moved to his side and reached for his hand. Sonny squeezed it gently, rubbing in comfort as she slowly began to relax. "What can I say? Spencers are irresistible." Her expression and voice softened as she studied her cousin carefully. "You look good, Lucky." As the words escaped her, she turned red. "For whatever you've been through I mean. I'm sure it was pretty horrible.' She cleared her throat, feeling more awkward every moment.
Lucky nodded pensively. "It was Carly but I know what you mean too." He said with genuine warmth. He wasn't going to make it any harder on her; this was an awkward time for them all. "Don't worry about it ok?" He moved to Sonny, shaking the man's hand enthusiastically.
"How are you?" Sonny whispered quietly into the younger man's ear. Lucky maintained his poise but a small shudder that Sonny felt rather than saw told the older man al that he needed to know. "Who was it Lucky. I have to know so that I can fix it."
Lucky looked at Sonny and sighed. "Can you sonny? Can you really fix it? I don't think you can. I don't see how you can take away my nightmares, my emotional turmoil that hits me every day when I'm too scared to move. Can you take away the abuse, the pain, the rape? I don't think you can so why do you want to bother trying?" Lucky realized that tears were again coursing down his cheeks and turned away in humiliation.
Carly moved to her cousin and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. When he didn't pull away immediately, she pulled Lucky into a tight embrace, smoothing his hair as she cradled his head against her shoulder. "We'll help you through this Lucky, whatever it takes. If you can tell Sonny, it won't take away what they put you through but we can let them know that they will never hurt you again." She hoped that Lucky saw the truth in her words as she met the incredulous eyes of her mother, uncle and aunt, her husband and Laura's mother.
Lucky raised his head from Carly shoulder. His cousin made him feel safe loved and warm, as if the demons could not touch him there. Shocked and strangely touched by her gesture, he found himself relaxing. While pulling away from her arms may have seemed an option mere moments ago, there was no place he needed to be at the moment. Hr love and concern overrode the pain and anger she was in and Lucky could focus on support instead of vengeance.
"Helena Cassadine and Cesar Faison did this Sonny. She's my wife. Please....bring her to me. I have a score to settle with her before she dies. Him." Lucky visibly shuddered despite the warm embrace. "Make it as painful and as long as possible. What he did to me I can never get over or beyond."
Luke watched his son, wanting to move to him all the while. Lucky's pain was a force that pulsed through the room, a force that brought Luke to his knees emotionally. "We'll fix it cowboy." He offered in a strangled tone. He intended to be in on the torture of the bastard that had destroyed his son.
"We'll make it bearable Lucky." Carly soothed, ruffling his hair as if she might Michael's. "We'll find a way, I promise. I'll be here every step of the way. I might not always say the right things but I do care and I'm helping Lucky. You can't get rid of me."
Lucky gave his cousin a thin smile. "Thanks Carly. I don't know what I would have done..." he trailed off as he watched Sonny. "You chose well." He said quietly, speaking volumes in just a few words.
"I know. " Sonny replied, slipping his arms around Lucky and Carly.
~*~
Lulu's tears started falling as she heard Luc's heartfelt plea. While she wanted to stay and comfort them, a large part of her knew that this was a matter between father and children and that her presence there would pull away from what Nik needed to do. "I'll let you three talk." She said quietly. "I'll just be outside." When Nikolas nodded she knew she done the right thing.
Lulu stepped out of the room and closed the door, leaning against it. Tears poured down her face and while she wanted to brush them away, she knew that she couldn't staunch the flow and they would soon be replaced. As she sobbed for the children's pain, she was unaware of the presence that appeared soundlessly at her side.
Michael had been looking all over for Lesley when he stumbled into her. He watched her, observing the tears that flowed down her cheeks and the pain that clouded her gaze. "Are you hurt?" he asked gently.
Lulu looked up into the now comforting presence of the man she cared about. "My niece and nephew aren't taking their mother's death well." She shared in a halting tone. "I can't stop worrying, racing around trying to fix everything." Her voice rose. "They think I'm a fixer but I just want to be helped too, and I can't. There's no time. There's no energy for me." She turned her crystalline blue gaze upon him. "Please help me. You're the only one who isn't demanding stuff from me. I trust you to help me. Please...."
Michael nodded. The age problem paled in the face of her need to be helped, in the face of her as a person. "What would you like to do? Want to get out of here for awhile and maybe go for a walk?"
Lu nodded. "I'd like that but Lucky...Nik...." She started to turn back to her family when he gently restrained her.
"I can see how much you love your family, sweetheart, but someone needs t look out for you. Do you trust me to do that while your parents and brother work all of this out?"
"They look out for me." Lu said turning defensive. She crossed her arms over her chest as if daring him to fight her on that fact.
Michael shook his head and touched her damn cheek with a fingertip. "I wasn't implying
That they didn't. I know they care about you and adore you. I can see that in the way they look at you, in the way that they rely upon you and in the way they love and respect you. You're the center of their universe, but Lesley as such; you have a lot of pressure upon you right now. Just let me help you as you asked. I mean no insult to your wonderful family. Your brother is like a brother to me and you, well...." He took a deep breath. "I love you as impossible as it seems. Your parents must be amazing people to have raised two of the most special people in my life.
Lu gave him a tentative smile as she considered his words. "You love me?" she asked quietly. He couldn't possibly love her! How could he? What did she have that would pull him in and make him like her? She was just a kid!
"I do." Michael replied seriously. "I really have come to love you as impossible as that seems. I can't explain it or understand it so it's best that we just go with the flow here Ms. Lesley Lu.
Lulu looked into the man's eyes and nodded, feeling a little of the tension and hysteria that was threatening to overcome her slipping away. "Ok I'm yours. Do with me what you wish. We shouldn't be gone long, but I just have to have a break before they consume me."
"I will never again let them destroy your spirit." Michael assured as he stroked Lulu's raven tresses slowly.
Lulu slowly exhaled a breath. It wouldn't do them any good if she were to deliver another snippy comment. "For that, I owe you many thanks." She said slowly as she slipped her hand into his. While Michael didn't understand the way her family worked, he wanted to try and he loved her. He would be hers soon enough, forever. Lulu Spencer played for keeps and she had no intention of letting this man go.
~*~
Helena Cassadine looked speculatively at Luke's club. Reports had come to her that her husband was at first seen at the hospital, then here. "You will return to me, Lucky." She said with a feral smile. "Or you will suffer the consequences. Apparently, you do not recall that I said that your family would suffer if you were to return to your home. Now that you are back, their lives are forfeit."
Elizabeth Webber wrapped her arms around herself as she descended the stairs into the main part of Luke's club. Emily had disappeared down here some time ago, and Liz wanted to make sure she was all right. Em had been so subdued since finding out that Lucky was alive. Why couldn't she see that everything would finally be all right, Liz wondered as her feet touched the ground of the club?
The place was dim and silent. She could vaguely hear the low rumble of voices outside the door, but it appeared that no one was in the main part of the club. Liz pivoted as her eyes searched the murky interior. As she gazed over the shadows, her heart stopped. There was Emily all right and she looked comfortable in Lucky's arms. They were kissing! A little part of Liz' heart died as she watched their passionate embrace. This had gone on long enough, Liz thought as she cleared her throat.
Lucky heard the embarrassed sound as he turned slowly, expecting to find his father or mother. He hadn't wanted to break his embrace with Emily, but there was so much else going on as well. How selfish was he to focus on the one thing he couldn't have yet.
Then he saw her. The hurt and betrayal were written all over her still delicate features and in that moment Lucky realized that Elizabeth Webber had neither gotten over losing him or had moved on. Lucky flushed in embarrassment and upset. He had never wanted to hurt her.
"Hi Liz." He said quietly. He wouldn't even begin to try to explain his actions because they were his and Emily's business in the end.
"Lucky." Liz' voice was clipped. "Emily." She nodded curtly. "Do either of you want to explain this?" she gestured wildly, allowing her hand to fall to her side as her eyes filled with tears of betrayal.
Emily was no saint. She had loved Lucky too and when he had died, she had used all of her energy to comfort Liz and Nik. Her anger grew as she studied Liz. She was acting like a wronged girlfriend and while that might have been technically true, many things had changed in the ten years the boyfriend in the relationship had been dead. "There is nothing to explain Liz." Emily said in a less than sympathetic tone, wincing as the words came out.
Liz stood still as Emily's words hit it. "Oh." She said faintly. With a weary sigh she slipped onto a barstool. "So is this how I'm supposed to learn that you two are messing around?"
Lucky ran a hand through his hair. "Elizabeth it isn't like that. We're not together anymore, not like we were. We can never get that back. I've been through too much and so have you."
Tears slowly made their way down Liz' cheeks. "So that's it. You decide we're over and we are? Lucky I waited for you."
He moved to Liz, pulled her close and absorbing the tears into his chest. "I don't know what it means for any of us, but I need time to figure out who I am now. But you have to realize that everything has changed Elizabeth. We're not the same people we were when we planned to go to New York and live there forever."
Liz wanted to believe what Lucky was saying but here in his arms she found that all she wanted to do was forget. "You're still the same Lucky I fell in love with." She tearfully asserted.
Emily shook her head in disgust. How had the magical kiss disintegrated into her being a third wheel so quickly? For a moment she thought and really believed that she and Lucky had a future together. Then Liz had come in spouting off about forever and things had changed. "I'll leave you two lovebirds." Her tone was sarcastic as she turned.
"No Emily don't go." Lucky said as he jumped up and moved to her. He had been so rude to kiss her then move to someone else. That wasn't how he wanted to be at all. He looked at Emily's face, reading the hurt there. "I'm so sorry." He said in a low, intimate tone. "Things are so complex here. I meant exactly what I said though. Please don't doubt that and please stay."
First uncertainty then fear passed over Lucky's face before Emily nodded. Like it or not, she was of some help to him and she wouldn't abandon her best friend for anything or anyone.
~*~
Luke Spencer watched his son behind the dim light of his office. He could feel the younger man's conflict as duty and desire collided. What would he do and how would he cope. He rested his head against the cool glass of the door as he allowed himself to just feel. The emotions flowed into him one by one-gratitude for his son being alive, fury for what he had gone through, the sharp betrayal of failure rushing through him. "Oh cowboy how I wish things had been different."
Laura could feel her husband's conflicting emotions as she descended the back stairs that led into his office. After Liz left her, her thoughts had been only on her husband. Laura knew that Lucky would have shared the worst of his experiences and it wasn't good for Luke to be alone through that. She decided to walk down the stairs slowly and peek in. If Luke and Lucky were together she would go upstairs and wait patiently, but she knew on some instinctive level that her husband was alone.
As Laura silently entered the room, her eyes were on Luke. He looked as if he had aged years in a short hour. His worry was written in the fine lines etched upon his face. Laura closed the door with no noise at all and moved to her husband.
"Hi darlin." Luke said in a quiet voice. He had sensed her there all along. Luke turned to embrace his wife. She snuggled into his arms; he drank in the comfortable feel of her, the scent of her hair.
"Hi" Laura said as she snuggled close. His embrace was so warm and familiar to her. "How did it go with Lucky?"
Luke sighed and ran a hand over his head. "He's got some serious problems darlin'. He doesn't really know his own mind anymore and the memories of what he told me are just brutal." He paused for a long moment before continuing. "There is something you have to know. He married Helena."
Laura gasped and looked at her husband with wide eyes. "He what?" The sharpness of her voice cut the air.
Luke's hands made small circles on her back. "He had to Laura. He was trying to survive. When a man is in that position he'll do anything to survive."
Laura buried her head on his shoulder. "It was that bad huh?"
"It was." Luke allowed. "And much worse Angel. He has a lot more inside him that he'll only share with me and a bottle of booze."
"He'll stay though, right?" Laura's voice became unsteady at the thought of her son leaving them again. "I don't want him to go. He has to stay here until we can try to help him Luke. I know we can't fix everything but surely we can help in some ways."
"He'll stay." Luke's voice held a conviction that he did not have in his heart. Still, he believed in his son and he knew that Lucky would never go too far away. "He has roots here Laura and he well knows it. He won't go anywhere."
~*~
Nikolas has been silently looking out the window for most of the time that Bobbie and Lesley had been gone. He had to figure out what to tell his children, both about Lucky and about their mother. He sighed, listening to his grandfather and Stefan chattering about Luke. Both men got a perverse pleasure out of their Luke stories. There was some comfort in their typical behavior, especially as the situation was anything but normal.
As he saw the car pull up, he waved to the two men and dashed down the stairs. Nikolas barely noticed that Lucky, Elizabeth and Emily seemed tense in the main area of the club, and only spared his younger sister a glance. He would have to talk to her about getting involved with older men, he absently noticed as he made his way to the car.
As they saw their father approaching, both children exited the car. Luc dashed to his father and hugged Nikolas in a tight embrace. Even though he was characteristically enthusiastic, Nikolas could see the mantle of sadness about the boy's slender shoulder.
"Hello Luc." He said as he hung onto his child tightly. His son was far by the more sensitive of the two children and he knew Luc was convinced that Katherine adored them. The blow of his mother's death would be a hard one for the little boy.
"Thank you for letting us come here papa." Luke said, his tone warming as he saw for himself that Nikolas was in fine health.
"You're welcome son." Nikolas' tone was gentle as he turned to his daughter. "Hello Steph." he said, pulling the girl into a tight hug.
"Hello father." Stephanie nodded coolly as she allowed Nikolas to hug her. "The grandmothers said you needed us."
"I did. I do." Nikolas said in a reassuring tone.
As Nikolas and his children were talking, Bobbie moved across the parking lot to Lulu and Lucky's friend. "Lu can I see you for a moment?" She said in her most authoritative voice.
Lu gave Michael a longing look before moving out of his embrace reluctantly. "I'll see you inside." she promised, planting a deep kiss on his surprised mouth. When he had turned away, she gave her aunt her most innocent look. "Yes Aunt Bobbie?"
Bobbie gave her a stern look. "We need to talk about that later Lesley Lu, but right now your brother needs you. He's telling the kids about Katherine and they're very close to you."
"All right." Lu said. She had a duty as a Spencer to see to her family's need before her own and she would do that. It was part of the Spencer code after all.
Chapter 22
"No Emily don't go." Lucky said as he jumped up and moved to her. He had been so rude to kiss her then move to someone else. That wasn't how he wanted to be at all. He looked at Emily's face, reading the hurt there. "I'm so sorry." He said in a low, intimate tone. "Things are so complex here. I meant exactly what I said though. Please don't doubt that and please stay."
First uncertainty then fear passed over Lucky's face before Emily nodded. Like it or not, she was of some help to him and she wouldn't abandon her best friend for anything or anyone.
Elizabeth glared at Emily for some moments before wrapping an arm around Lucky. He stiffened at the contact knowing that he had done far too much too soon. He wasn't ready for relationships yet and his actions had just confused and upset everyone.
Lucky stepped back, deftly moving away from both women. When things were calmer he would sit down with them individually and talk things out. But until then, he had so much to tell his whole family. "Liz, Emily I know we have to talk this out, but...I can't right now. There is so much going on in my head and so many things I need to tell all of you. Please be patient with me." He said as he ran a hand through his hair.
His plea touched Liz' heart. "Of course honey. You're having a hard time. We understand." She stepped closer but when he backed away and put his hands up protectively she sighed.
"Are you ok with this Emily?" Lucky turned to meet her eyes. She had such a serious expression on her face. It was unreadable and Lucky desperately wanted to know what was on her mind.
Emily gave Lucky and Liz each a warm smile. "Of course I am. You have a lot going on. Prioritize Lucky." She gave him a long look before turning away. "I'm going upstairs. You two need to talk. Don't rush ok?"
"Yes ma'am." Lucky teased. He wanted so desperately to know where things stood between them but he would have to be patient and wait until things were calmer. When Emily was gone, the tension increased threefold and Lucky found himself rocking from foot to foot.
"So where do we go from here?" Liz asked tentatively. She wanted to believe that they would be ok. They had to be; she had waited so long for him.
Lucky shook his head as he met Liz's eyes. The pain in the blue depths startled her. "I have no idea. I'm just trying to grapple with so much. My marriage, the abuse, the nightmares.... all of it." He didn't even realize what he had said until Liz' gasp of shock reached his ears.
"Your what?" She asked as she rounded on him, poking a finger in his chest. "You got married? Who is she? How could you do that to me?"
~*~
"I have to go see to my brother." Lu said regretfully as she hugged Michael close. "I'll be back to you really soon. In the meantime, why don't you go inside." The deep kiss they had just shared burned her mouth in a very forbidden way.
"Good luck." Michael deposited a kiss on her temple and watched her moving toward the man and his children. She had touched his heart in countless ways already.
"Hi Nikky, Steph, and Luc." Lu greeted warmly. Fury was starting to seep into her bones for her family's treatment of her. Was she expected to do everything from comforting Lucky and her mother to helping Nikolas break the news? "For God's sake, I'm only a kid", she muttered.
"Hello Aunt Lesley Lu." Stephanie said as her brother hugged their aunt.
"What's wrong Lu?" Nikolas asked in a warning tone.
"Nothing Nikky. She replied as she tried not to snap. She was being selfish and she well knew it but she had reached her limits for one day. "Are we going inside or staying out here awhile?"
Nikolas looked at the door and sighed. He couldn't possibly tell his children the news in some parking lot but what would greet them inside? IN a moment of indecision, he met his sister's eyes helplessly.
Lu gave the kids a bright smile. "Let's sneak in the back way. That way we can surprise everyone."
Nikolas nodded. They could also find a quiet alcove of the club to discuss the news that way. "Grandmother Lesley, Bobbie are you coming with us?"
When both ladies nodded, Nikolas escorted the group toward the club.
"We don't get to visit here very much." Luc commented as he took in the whole atmosphere. I want to come here more often papa."
"That is impossible." Stephanie put in as she gave her brother a scorn filled look. "It is dangerous here. Papa was nearly killed here. Luke Spencer is a common thug."
"Don't you say that." Luc's ten year old voice was impassioned. "He is married to Grandma Spencer. You have to respect him."
"Cassadines never respect Spencers." Stephanie sniffed.
Luc started to answer then caught his father's stern look. He scuffed his foot on the ground and pouted for a moment, before shyly reaching for his father's hand. "I like grandma's husband." He said in a firm tone.
"My dad is an ok guy Stephanie." Lulu pointed out gently. This Spencer Cassadine feud would end with this generation. Lulu would see to it that the families lived in peace.
~*~
Sonny watched Carly as she fidgeted in the limo. "What are you thinking?" He asked gently. She looked so nervous at the thought of seeing Lucky again.
Carly leaned against her husband and sighed. "Well, we never really had a relationship did we? I just don't know how it will be for us."
Sonny wrapped his arms around Carly and rubbed her back soothingly. So many things have changed since then. You're both older and even you might be a little wiser." He nudged her shoulder to let her know that he was teasing. "You two are owed a chance. Give each other a try Carly. You can't keep beating yourself up for your past mistakes."
"And I've had plenty." Carly said on a peal of laughter.
"We all have," Sonny reminded. "I thought for awhile that I was the reason Lucky died. He was such a good kid but he was always involved in the business through Luke then through me." His expression took on a darkness that frightened Carly. She hated it when he got melancholy. That was just one step above his depression. His depression scared her; both in its intensity and in the way it just seemed to creep upon them. There had been many days of lightning fast mood changes that would nearly destroy her relationship as well as her beloved husband.
"But you had nothing to do with it. We all know that Faison reject hurt him, though I know Luke always thought Helena Cassadine was in on it."
"She may very well have been." Sonny allowed. "I think it's time we all band together to get that woman out of their lives."
"Talk to Luke." Carly suggested as she leaned against Sonny's arm. "It will really be ok right? Everyone is going to get through whatever happened to Lucky and be ok right?" Her voice sounded very little girl to Sonny's ears, her insecurities rising to the surface once again.
"It will be ok." Sonny replied. "You Spencers are a tightly knit group. You can heal the biggest of wounds as long as you all love each other. And love always seems in great supply when you Spencers are around. Lucky will be fine given some time. How could he not be with all of you around him?"
Chapter 23
Lucky shook his head as he met Liz's eyes. The pain in the blue depths startled her. "I have no idea. I'm just trying to grapple with so much. My marriage, the abuse, the nightmares.... all of it." He didn't even realize what he had said until Liz' gasp of shock reached his ears.
"Your what?" She asked as she rounded on him, poking a finger in his chest. "You got married? Who is she? How could you do that to me?"
Elizabeth's voice traveled and Luke winced as the sound reached his wife's ears. "We better give the cowboy some backup." He said as he threw the door open. He had the same urge to protect his son as he had when Lucky was a child, Laura realized as she followed her husband out.
"Anything the matter here?" Luke asked as he threw an arm around Lucky and Liz's shoulders. He could feel the tension thrumming around them; it hung heavy in the air, electrified between the young couple.
"You're married." Liz said in abject horror. She didn't even seem to notice the elder Spencer as he held her closer. Luke had always felt paternal about the young woman and he hated to think about what she was going through. "Yeah he is." He tried to speak for his son. " But it wasn't as if he wanted to. He had to Liz."
She shrugged off his shoulder and moved to Lucky. "You married someone else. Whatever the cause, you said I do. Lucky we said our vows before you even met her. You pledged yourself to me."
Lucky winced at her words. How could she be so right, yet so wrong? "Liz it isn't as it seems." He said in a pleading tone. He had to make her understand without going into details. His mother didn't know and it wasn't fair to tell either of them in this situation. "I was coerced into my marriage. It wasn't something I wanted to do with my wife."
Liz arched an eyebrow. She wanted to believe him but the thing with Emily, him being married; it was all too much. Liz didn't know this Lucky and didn't think she wanted to. "I don't know you anymore." She whispered. Everything about him was different; the voice was almost unrecognizable, his looks had matured him into a man she never would have recognized on the street, and his heart, well that had changed too. "I can't deal with this tonight." Liz said tearfully. "Call me when things calm down and we'll discuss your marriage and us."
Lucky looked at her for a long moment. The ghost of their relationship loomed between them. He wanted to get back what once was but at the same time he knew in his soul that too much had changed. He had changed in so many ways that he could never be the Lucky Spencer that fell in love with Elizabeth Webber all those years ago. Were they strong enough to make a new start though and did he want that? He just didn't know. "I'll call you." He said as he brushed his thumb over her cheek.
Liz shuddered at his touch. He was someone else's now. How dare he touch her? "Don't." She whispered, stunned that his once comforting touch could repulse her. "I have to go." She said in a mournful tone as she turned to flee.
Lucky took a step after her, then sank onto a nearby chair. "I did this to her, you know. I hurt her so badly. First she found me kissing Emily and now.... this. She doesn't even know the facts." Lucky turned to face his mother. "Mom I have something to tell you."
"No you don't." Laura replied as she pulled her son into her arms. "I already know. It must have been so horrible for you Lucky. Your dad and I are here for you honey, whenever you can talk about it and f if you want to. I have experience with forced marriages honey." She reminded her son. "It appears to be one of the Spencer legacies."
~*~
Emily walked slowly up the stairs to Luke's apartment. It was looking fairly crowded now. Stefan and Dr. Webber stood next to each other, no doubt discussing Luke. Michael was there along with Georgie Jones. Serena Baldwin and Lucas Jones. Emily smiled politely at the teenagers. They were all nice enough but she wasn't up to dealing with them, not when the taste of Lucky lingered on her lips even as her guilt and embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her.
She moved over to a vacant corner of the room and sank onto a long forgotten couch there. As a cloud of dust rose from the long unused piece of furniture, she coughed. A man materialized above him and Emily's heart sank, thinking Lucky was back. She wasn't ready to deal with him yet.
"Hi." Michael said as he looked at the woman. His bandmate had disappeared and he had considered leaving himself. But his relationship with Chance held him there. He knew the other man would need some representation of his other life and above and beyond that, Chance was like a brother to him. Plus there was Lulu....Michael smiled at the thought of his new friend. She had moved him in ways that defied logic. The man who had never fallen in love was falling hard and fast for his best friend's sister hard and fast. And above and beyond that, it felt so right.
"Hi" Emily replied. She patted the couch in welcome to Lucky's friend. "He's downstairs with his girlfriend. He'll be up when he can."
"Thanks." Michael said with a smile. "I sort of got..... distracted." he confessed with a small smile. Emily's open smile had put him immediately at ease.
"Oh?" Emily asked, taking in the dark pink of his blush.
Michael nodded and smiled. "What can you tell me about Lesley Lu?"
Was he serious, Emily wondered? As she studied his expression, she realized that he had no idea about the younger girl's age. She sighed and played with the bottom of her hair for a moment as she considered her answer. She had always cared for Lesley Lu and wanted the young woman to be happy, but happiness would not be found in the arms of a man so much older.
"What exactly do you want to know?" Emily asked carefully.
Michael shrugged, embarrassed for a moment. "I want to know all about her. I can tell she's superwoman where her family is concerned, but I don't know the basics. What kind of job does she have? What does she do for fun?"
Here it was the moment of truth. Why me, Emily found herself wondering. "Well," She began on a huge sigh. "I can start by telling you that she's barely seventeen years old and a full time high school student."
~*~
Nikolas led his feuding children into the kitchen of the bar and sat them on shiny steel chairs. "I need for both of you to stop arguing." He said solemnly. "We have a lot to discuss." He turned to Lesley and Bobbie. "You ladies can go upstairs. Lesley Lu and I can handle this. " Nikolas knew that his children would not open up with an audience around, and cutting their numbers in half was in the children's best interests. He heard the older women leave without much fanfare thankful for their intuitiveness.
"What have we got to discuss?" Luc asked his father curiously. "Is mama here?"
Nikolas winced and got down on one knee to look his children in the eye. "I have some very good news and some very bad news for you both. Which do you want first?"
The children looked at each other for a long moment. Though no words were spoken Nikolas knew that they were engaging in a long conversation. His children had a special ability to communicate nonverbally. He was so grateful for their emotional closeness. Stephanie would be able to help Luc through the worst of his trauma with the force of her love, reaching him when no one else could.
"We will take the bad news first." Stephanie told her father formally. She curled her hand protectively over her brother's and scooted as close as she could to him. Her innate protective nature brought tears to Nikolas' eyes.
"All right then." Nikolas softened his voice as Lulu put her hand on his shoulder in a show of emotional strength. "I have something very horrible and sad to tell you," he said as genuine tears of sadness coursed down his face. He wouldn't miss her, but the way her loss would scar their children broke his heart. "It's about your mother." He began quietly.
Stephanie was an expert at reading expressions. She watched her father's face and paled as she anticipated what was coming. "Our mother is dead?" she asked in a tone that showed her young years.
Chapter 24
"All right then." Nikolas softened his voice as Lulu put her hand on his shoulder in a show of emotional strength. "I have something very horrible and sad to tell you," he said as genuine tears of sadness coursed down his face. He wouldn't miss her, but the way her loss would scar their children broke his heart. "It's about your mother." He began quietly.
Stephanie was an expert at reading expressions. She watched her father's face and paled as she anticipated what was coming. "Our mother is dead?" she asked in a tone that showed her young years.
Nikolas looked away, unable to bear the expression on his daughter's face. The young girl while making a huge effort to be stoic was cracking. Her eyes shimmered with tears and her lower lip was trembling. Nikolas couldn't take his children's pain. "Yes." He whispered in a gentle tone. "Mummy had to become an angel." He knew his heart would break to look at them again, but he had to.
"Papa?" Luc's voice trembled with unshed tears. "Why?" His anguished whisper drifted the short distance between he and his father until Nikolas scooped the young boy up and cradled him to his chest. Damn her for leaving them, damn her for dying instead of fixing her relationship with the children.
"I don't know why. Sometimes God needs his angels, and though we don't understand, we have to let them go." He winced at the explanation of death but it was the best he could do.
"Mama isn't an angel." Stephanie sounded remarkably sober now. She had compartmentalized her feelings as effectively as Stefan, the man she admired, did. Her eyes were clear and expression sober but solid. She reached for Luc's hand and squeezed it in a reassuring manner.
"Why do you say that honey?" Lulu asked gently. She moved to stand very close to the little girl, idly playing with her hair. Stephanie had to deal with her mother's death somehow, but she could tell from her brother's expression that he didn't know what to do any more then she did.
"Because she isn't." Stephanie explained in an exaggerated tone. She never loved us and people who love their kids go to heaven. People that don't go to the other place. That's where mommy is. She did lots of naughty things here."
Nikolas met Lulu's eyes. They'd have to discuss this with Stephanie at some point. "Sweetie, God forgives a lot." Nikolas began. He couldn't go much further as to do so would be to take away from the pain of the little boy in his arms. "Luc, it will be okay."
"No it won't." his son sobbed. "Mommy is gone forever and ever."
Nikolas was strangely comforted by the fact that his son was reacting in an expected manner. "I know son, but she is your very special guardian angel. That is very special."
Luc bit his lip as the tears streamed down his face. "She's not really gone, she's just different?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes." Nikolas said as he grasped onto Luc's hope. "She's invisible but she'll always be at your side son. She's an angel on your shoulder and she will always watch out for you, help you and advise you."
"But I don't want an angel." Luc said as he looked up at his father. "I want a mommy."
~*~
Michael shrugged, embarrassed for a moment. "I want to know all about her. I can tell she's superwoman where her family is concerned, but I don't know the basics. What kind of job does she have? What does she do for fun?"
Here it was the moment of truth. Why me, Emily found herself wondering. "Well," She began on a huge sigh. "I can start by telling you that she's barely seventeen years old and a full time high school student."
"Seventeen years old?" Michael asked in shock. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath before looking at the luminescent woman in front of him. "There is no possible way she can be that young. She's so poised and so in control...." He trailed off.
Emily rubbed his arm gently. "You really care for her don't you?"
Michael nodded. "I do. I really care for her, but this age thing, is it surmountable?"
"It is. It has to be." Emily said quietly. "She's an extraordinary young woman. If anyone can make it through an age change like that she can. You see how mature she is."
Michael smiled in agreement but there was a grim set to his mouth. "She is seventeen years old and her family is putting her through this? Where does it end? Are they always like this with her?"
Emily bit her lip as she considered her response. How could she explain the Spencer family dynamic to one that had never seen it in action? "Yes and no." she began slowly. "Her family has always relied upon her quite heavily, but she also enjoys it. It gives her a purpose in a family that is anything but typical. As the man started to leave, Em grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip. "Ask her before you decide how bad this is for her, ok?"
Michael nodded as he shook her hand off gently. "I have to help her though. I have this need..." He whispered as he met the woman's dark and sympathetic eyes.
Emily could read his need. He really cared for Lulu and that much was obvious. "I know. I can read it." She said as she motioned to his eyes. "You have wonderfully expressive eyes and right now, I see this need to be her rock, so that she can support everyone. Lucky has always chosen his friends well. I'm so glad that despite his loss of memory, that knack stayed intact."
Michael flushed and looked at the ground. In another time, he would have been very drawn to this woman. But that was before he had met Lesley Lu Spencer. "Thank you." He said with genuine affection in his voice. "Let me find her. Maybe we can talk later."
"I'd like that." Emily's voice wrapped around Michael as he descended the stairs.
~*~
Lucky took a step after her, then sank onto a nearby chair. "I did this to her, you know. I hurt her so badly. First she found me kissing Emily and now.... this. She doesn't even know the facts." Lucky turned to face his mother. "Mom I have something to tell you."
"No you don't." Laura replied as she pulled her son into her arms. "I already know. It must have been so horrible for you Lucky. Your dad and I are here for you honey, whenever you can talk about it and f if you want to. I have experience with forced marriages honey." She reminded her son. "It appears to be one of the Spencer legacies."
Lucky ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at his mother. "You know? And you don't hate me?" His tumultuous plea broke Laura's heart and she gathered him even closer. It was easy to imagine that he was the boy he had been all those years ago as she rocked him lightly back and forth. Laura didn't know if the embrace was more or her benefit or for Lucky's.
"How could I the you honey? You did what you had to do to survive. I did the same remember? And it took some time but you and your dad forgave me and understood that I had no choice." She met Luke's gaze for a moment and pulled his hand down to cup the back of Lucky's neck.
Lucky sighed as he felt both of his parents' support as it radiated from their steady forms. "Thank you. Thank you for not making me defend what happened. Thank you for loving me, for missing me. I sometimes acted pretty nasty to you both back then, before the fire."
"It's all forgotten cowboy." Luke's tender rasp was as familiar as his mother's embrace. Lucky leaned back and rested his head in his father's hand. As he looked between his parents, he couldn't stop the tumultuous smile that made its journey across his face. "They say that you can never go home again, but I think you can."
Chapter 25
"Yes." Nikolas said as he grasped onto Luc's hope. "She's invisible but she'll always be at your side son. She's an angel on your shoulder and she will always watch out for you, help you and advise you."
"But I don't want an angel." Luc said as he looked up at his father. "I want a mommy."
Bobbie turned to Lesley and then turned away, the pain causing her eyes to finally overflow. Luc's pain was so palpable and yet so little boy. She couldn't bear to watch the innocent little soul collapse into grief. Lesley gripped her arm gently. "Let Nikolas and Lulu handle it." The older woman advised in a wavering voice as she pulled Bobbie out of the room. As soon as the door had closed behind them, both women sobbed quietly.
"I hated her." Bobbie confessed quietly. "But that child loved her and it will be so hard on him. We can't show our feelings for her. It will make things so much harder on the children."
"I know." Lesley slipped an arm around Bobbie's shoulders and rubbed her back. "Let's get back to our families. Carly and Sonny should be arriving soon and you should be there to tell them all that has happened.
With a nod of agreement, both ladies walked into the main room just as Sonny and Carly entered the closed club. Luke Laura and Lucky were gathered in a corner and appeared to be having a close family moment.
Carly walked in slowly and tentatively, a great change from her former assertive nature. She looked first at her mother then glanced at the far end of the room with slight trepidation. She and Lucky had never been very close at all, but his death had effected her greatly. Now he was back and they had a whole future to consider, a future in which becoming close cousins was a possibility. He had certainly grown and changed both in appearance and attitude. She had no doubt that all the trauma in his life had had a profound effect on the young man that stood in the midst of his parents' loving arms.
Lesley sensed Carly's hesitation and crossed the room. "Honey, I didn't get a hug from my handsome grandson. Can you spare one for an old woman."
Lucky sighed with relief. His grandmother had a way of diffusing a stressful situation. "You're not old." He asserted as he slipped his arms around her still slim form. "You're as beautiful as mom is."
Lesley pulled away to caress her face. "Still a charmer Lucky Spencer. We're so glad to have you back home where you belong, honey." She mussed his light brown hair then moved away, turning her attention to the striking blond woman and dark haired man.
Sonny watched Lucky for a few moments. The young man had changed so much that he barely recognized the facial features. The only thing familiar was the Spencer cockiness that the young man exuded along with sadness and loss. It was a heady combination, one that compelled Sonny to move to the young man ahead of his wife. "Lucky." His whisper was soft as he wondered how the other man would handle his presence there.
Lucky's eyes lit up as he noticed the man with his cousin for the first time. "Sonny, you and Carly?" He shook his head in shock, feeling somewhat lighter in spirit. For now, he would put his pain and anguish aside and just socialize. "I would have never imagined that."
"Yeah well." Sonny began. Carly moved to his side and reached for his hand. Sonny squeezed it gently, rubbing in comfort as she slowly began to relax. "What can I say? Spencers are irresistible." Her expression and voice softened as she studied her cousin carefully. "You look good, Lucky." As the words escaped her, she turned red. "For whatever you've been through I mean. I'm sure it was pretty horrible.' She cleared her throat, feeling more awkward every moment.
Lucky nodded pensively. "It was Carly but I know what you mean too." He said with genuine warmth. He wasn't going to make it any harder on her; this was an awkward time for them all. "Don't worry about it ok?" He moved to Sonny, shaking the man's hand enthusiastically.
"How are you?" Sonny whispered quietly into the younger man's ear. Lucky maintained his poise but a small shudder that Sonny felt rather than saw told the older man al that he needed to know. "Who was it Lucky. I have to know so that I can fix it."
Lucky looked at Sonny and sighed. "Can you sonny? Can you really fix it? I don't think you can. I don't see how you can take away my nightmares, my emotional turmoil that hits me every day when I'm too scared to move. Can you take away the abuse, the pain, the rape? I don't think you can so why do you want to bother trying?" Lucky realized that tears were again coursing down his cheeks and turned away in humiliation.
Carly moved to her cousin and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. When he didn't pull away immediately, she pulled Lucky into a tight embrace, smoothing his hair as she cradled his head against her shoulder. "We'll help you through this Lucky, whatever it takes. If you can tell Sonny, it won't take away what they put you through but we can let them know that they will never hurt you again." She hoped that Lucky saw the truth in her words as she met the incredulous eyes of her mother, uncle and aunt, her husband and Laura's mother.
Lucky raised his head from Carly shoulder. His cousin made him feel safe loved and warm, as if the demons could not touch him there. Shocked and strangely touched by her gesture, he found himself relaxing. While pulling away from her arms may have seemed an option mere moments ago, there was no place he needed to be at the moment. Hr love and concern overrode the pain and anger she was in and Lucky could focus on support instead of vengeance.
"Helena Cassadine and Cesar Faison did this Sonny. She's my wife. Please....bring her to me. I have a score to settle with her before she dies. Him." Lucky visibly shuddered despite the warm embrace. "Make it as painful and as long as possible. What he did to me I can never get over or beyond."
Luke watched his son, wanting to move to him all the while. Lucky's pain was a force that pulsed through the room, a force that brought Luke to his knees emotionally. "We'll fix it cowboy." He offered in a strangled tone. He intended to be in on the torture of the bastard that had destroyed his son.
"We'll make it bearable Lucky." Carly soothed, ruffling his hair as if she might Michael's. "We'll find a way, I promise. I'll be here every step of the way. I might not always say the right things but I do care and I'm helping Lucky. You can't get rid of me."
Lucky gave his cousin a thin smile. "Thanks Carly. I don't know what I would have done..." he trailed off as he watched Sonny. "You chose well." He said quietly, speaking volumes in just a few words.
"I know. " Sonny replied, slipping his arms around Lucky and Carly.
~*~
Lulu's tears started falling as she heard Luc's heartfelt plea. While she wanted to stay and comfort them, a large part of her knew that this was a matter between father and children and that her presence there would pull away from what Nik needed to do. "I'll let you three talk." She said quietly. "I'll just be outside." When Nikolas nodded she knew she done the right thing.
Lulu stepped out of the room and closed the door, leaning against it. Tears poured down her face and while she wanted to brush them away, she knew that she couldn't staunch the flow and they would soon be replaced. As she sobbed for the children's pain, she was unaware of the presence that appeared soundlessly at her side.
Michael had been looking all over for Lesley when he stumbled into her. He watched her, observing the tears that flowed down her cheeks and the pain that clouded her gaze. "Are you hurt?" he asked gently.
Lulu looked up into the now comforting presence of the man she cared about. "My niece and nephew aren't taking their mother's death well." She shared in a halting tone. "I can't stop worrying, racing around trying to fix everything." Her voice rose. "They think I'm a fixer but I just want to be helped too, and I can't. There's no time. There's no energy for me." She turned her crystalline blue gaze upon him. "Please help me. You're the only one who isn't demanding stuff from me. I trust you to help me. Please...."
Michael nodded. The age problem paled in the face of her need to be helped, in the face of her as a person. "What would you like to do? Want to get out of here for awhile and maybe go for a walk?"
Lu nodded. "I'd like that but Lucky...Nik...." She started to turn back to her family when he gently restrained her.
"I can see how much you love your family, sweetheart, but someone needs t look out for you. Do you trust me to do that while your parents and brother work all of this out?"
"They look out for me." Lu said turning defensive. She crossed her arms over her chest as if daring him to fight her on that fact.
Michael shook his head and touched her damn cheek with a fingertip. "I wasn't implying
That they didn't. I know they care about you and adore you. I can see that in the way they look at you, in the way that they rely upon you and in the way they love and respect you. You're the center of their universe, but Lesley as such; you have a lot of pressure upon you right now. Just let me help you as you asked. I mean no insult to your wonderful family. Your brother is like a brother to me and you, well...." He took a deep breath. "I love you as impossible as it seems. Your parents must be amazing people to have raised two of the most special people in my life.
Lu gave him a tentative smile as she considered his words. "You love me?" she asked quietly. He couldn't possibly love her! How could he? What did she have that would pull him in and make him like her? She was just a kid!
"I do." Michael replied seriously. "I really have come to love you as impossible as that seems. I can't explain it or understand it so it's best that we just go with the flow here Ms. Lesley Lu.
Lulu looked into the man's eyes and nodded, feeling a little of the tension and hysteria that was threatening to overcome her slipping away. "Ok I'm yours. Do with me what you wish. We shouldn't be gone long, but I just have to have a break before they consume me."
"I will never again let them destroy your spirit." Michael assured as he stroked Lulu's raven tresses slowly.
Lulu slowly exhaled a breath. It wouldn't do them any good if she were to deliver another snippy comment. "For that, I owe you many thanks." She said slowly as she slipped her hand into his. While Michael didn't understand the way her family worked, he wanted to try and he loved her. He would be hers soon enough, forever. Lulu Spencer played for keeps and she had no intention of letting this man go.
~*~
Helena Cassadine looked speculatively at Luke's club. Reports had come to her that her husband was at first seen at the hospital, then here. "You will return to me, Lucky." She said with a feral smile. "Or you will suffer the consequences. Apparently, you do not recall that I said that your family would suffer if you were to return to your home. Now that you are back, their lives are forfeit."