Chapter Two

When Lucky, Emily, and Elizabeth finally separated, Emily excused herself to talk to Alexis and Ned. She started to walk towards them, but as soon as Ned turned to her, she ran into his open arms.

"It's so good to see you walking," he told her comfortingly. She started sobbing. "Hey, hey. It's going to be okay."

Meanwhile, Laura approached Lucky and Luke. "We should probably get to the hospital," she told them. Luke looked at each other sympathetically. Lucky and Laura just continued to hold each other.

"Darlin', don't worry about all that right now. You should stay here with us." He started to give her a hug but she turned away in protest. Before she could say anything, he cut her off. "This is a rough time right now, darlin'. We just have to lean on each other."

"No, we have to go to the hospital. Gia is probably going crazy by herself. Why wouldn't we go?"

Luke, Lucky, and Liz just stared at Laura, confused. "Mom, Nikolas just died-," Lucky's voice cracked again and he took a deep breath.

Laura looked at Lucky suspiciously. "Nikolas isn't dead. Why on Earth would you think that? Oh! You saw me over there. No, no, that wasn't Nikolas. Stefan is dead. Nikolas was taken to the hospital just a few minutes ago."

Elizabeth and Lucky both let out relieved sighs. Elizabeth turned towards Emily and saw by Emily's face that Ned had told her. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Lucky demanded.

"Wait. Do you guys think this was really an accident?" Elizabeth questioned. Everyone else just stared at her as if she had just come out of the closet. "No, I'm serious. This would be so like Helena. Today is Nikolas' wedding day to a woman that Helena absolutely despises. This car accident was one block away from the church. Stefan was killed! This is extremely convenient, don't you think?"

Luke and Laura exchanged glances, thinking that Elizabeth could be right. "Okay, that all makes sense," Luke agreed. "But we all know that Helena would never physically harm Nikolas. He was definitely hurt."

"She tried to have him committed!" Elizabeth pointed out.

"We can discuss this on the way to the hospital," Lucky demanded impatiently. Laura nodded in agreement.

"I remember. But he betrayed her and what did she do? Nothing. Nikolas is safe with Helena. This is just a very tragic accident."

"Okay, now that that's settled! Let's get going," Lucky ordered.

Emily came running up to the group. "I'm going to the hospital with Ned and Alexis. Come with us." Elizabeth and Lucky immediately ran with Emily to Ned's car.

Laura turned to Luke. "Could you drive me to the hospital? I don't think I could get myself there safely."

Luke nodded. "Of course, darlin'. Let's go." They hopped into his car.

"So," Luke commented as he turned left at the light two blocks away from the accident. "Crying over Steffin Cassadine?"

"Luke, don't start," Laura snapped. "Of all times." An awkward silence filled the air. In the background, the radio played an upbeat, cheery song. The car was so quiet that the song made a commanding presence. Laura shut it off angrily. "Look," she seethed. "Stefan and I had some really good times. And if he hadn't been on the island with Nikolas and me I would have killed myself. What happened is extremely tragic and I have a right to sad about, got it?"

"You're right, I'm sorry."

The rest of the ride to the hospital was completely silent. As Luke pulled into the parking lot, he slammed on the brakes again. He and Laura raced into the ER on the heels of Lucky, Emily, Alexis, Elizabeth, and Ned.

Upon entering, they all stopped short to see Gia, in her wedding dress and veil, on the ground bawling in Melissa Bedford's arms. Fearful by this site, they all just stared in shock. Melissa looked up to them and shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry. He didn't make it."