Stefan Cassadine, the tall slender and handsome man who could turn heads, sported a well trimmed goatee and long sideburns, turned to face himself in the mirror that stood so gently against the wall of his estate that he owned on the hills of Port Charles with his Nephew Nicholas, and Sister Alexis who was married to Ned Ashton with whom she shared a teenage daughter.

Stefan spoke to himself harshly but sternly. His voice was full of rage and raspy: "Where do you think you would be with out this family to support you and your dear hearted wife Tea`... Buried alone somewhere in Greece? It is time to put all of this behind me and move on with my new love..I miss you Tea` your arrival is soon to come."

Stefan walked down the long dark cold hallway thinking about his next plan to rule Port Charles and to slip it away from his mothers grasp. Helena Cassadine was an attractive woman, but she could never let go of the past, unlike Stefan.

He stooped at the foot of the stairs and flashed back to when his wife and him made love before her trip to NYC to bury her sisters husbands mother. He stayed behind so he could interview some new interns for the Hospital.

He knew that night that they made love on the stairs they created a baby.

The voice of his driver Price broke his trade of thought: "Is the car ready?" Price said leaving with him: "Yes sir, are we still driving to the Hospital?" He said putting on his coat: "Yes, but after you drop me off, I want you to go to the Florist and pick up 20 dozens of Yellow and Red roses for Mrs.Ashton. Today is her birthday."

After a long hard day at the office. Stefan was getting ready to leave when Alexis came in smiling. She was obviously happy about something. "Hello Stefan, what a pleasant surprise. Stefan smiled warmly, "I wanted to wish you Happy Birthday in person." Alexis leaned over for him to kiss her on the cheek, "you always did know how make me feel like a million bucks. Stefan laughed, "I do try. So what are your plans for the evening?" Sitting behind her desk, "Actually, I am going out to dinner with Ned and Cheryl." Stefan nodded, "Good, all of you can use some time alone, away from the family. Sighing Alexis commented, You can say that again." Things had been rocky at the Cassadine Estate as of late. Stefan hadn't really been himself as of late and Ned and Alexis had been arguing, a lot. On top of all that, Cheryl had been driving her parents even more crazy than usual. Add into the mix the fact that Nikolas seemed to be distancing himself from the family, and it is easy to see why things had been rather strained the last few months for the Family Cassadine. A family with more money than mortals could dream of, but enough turmoil to drive even the most sane person crazy.