Epilogue -Part Two
Summer of 2031
A half hour later, Clark stepped outside to get some air. His hands were shaking. Lulu left the bathroom at the same moment and saw her son slipping out the door.
She found him on the church steps.
"Are you alright, Q?" she asked, using the nickname she gave him when he took Dillon's last name.
"It's normal to be nervous, right?" he asked, the words rushing from him in one breath.
"Perfectly normal. But if you want to postpone?"
"Never."
"I didn't think so, son. She's the one. I can see it. You've never felt anything close to what you feel for her for anyone else."
"How do you know me so well?" Clark asked
"You think I do?"
"Yeah, mom. You are the one who gave me Grandma Laura's ring three years ago and told me Lacey would one day wear it. And you knew I would get that directing job that I didn't think I even had a shot at. Dad didn't pull any strings, did he?"
"Of course not. You are talented, Clark. And even if I wasn't your mom I would still think that."
Clark hugged her. "I love you, mama."
"I love you, my amazing son."
Four years before- Christmas of 2027
Lulu sat in the Quatermaine living room, the Christmas tree sparkled in the corner, presents were spread on every surface and the family was gathered all around.
She started to cry, right there with everyone looking on, when she opened the present from Clark. It was a silver picture frame with a picture of him, Frankie, and Malcolm from Lulu and Dillon's wedding. Engraved on the frame was We love you, Mom.
Frankie scrambled from her spot, sitting on the floor near the seat her Nan was in, and rushed over to Lulu.
She hugged her.
Dillon's heart squeezed at the sight. He had been worried about his kids accepting Lulu, and though it had started slowly, they seemed to grow to love her more everyday.
Malcolm and Clark smiled at each other. They had went to the mall together to pick out the present.
"Thank you, kids," Lulu said "I love it."
Dillon swiped a tear away. Lulu met his eyes and mouthed, "Thanks."
He knew she meant Thank you for giving me these three children to love
Dillon mouthed back, "Thank you, Lu."
Summer of 2031
Morgan slid past the bride and bridesmaid waiting outside the sanctuary doors, saying "Pardon me, ladies, I'm running late." He flashed them his dimpled smile and then slipped inside. He spotted Lila immediately. Instead of sitting in the front with her parents she was in the last row next to some of the other young people like Ashton, Andrea and J.J Jacks. Morgan sat down next to her and asked, "Miss me?"
She fixed him with a pointed stare. "Why would I give you a second thought? You flitter in and out of town and never call in between times. You don't think I sit around dreaming about you, do you?"
He put his hand on her thigh. "That is exactly what I think you do."
She smiled. "Wrong."
He kissed her, "Right."
Sitting a few rows up Jason turned around in time to see the kiss. "Uh-uh." he muttered.
Carly heard his words and asked, "What?"
He nodded and she looked back at her son, who now had his arm around the daughter of Jason's enemy, and added, " I thought they broke up for good."
Carly said, "It's love not business. Don't confuse the two, Jase."
"I hope Morgan knows what he is doing." Jason said
"You taught him everything he knows so I'm not worried." Carly said as she took her husbands hand.
Clark stood at the alter. Next to him was his best man, Cameron, and his brother Malcolm.
Outside the closed sanctuary doors Katie said to Lacey, "You ready to become Mrs. Clark Quatermaine?"
"Never been more ready for anything in my life. I love that man like crazy."
"I know you do." Katie smiled at her as the music started playing.
Spencer and Alexi were ushers so they lead Lulu and Laura down the aisle. They all took seats in the first few rows where the rest of the family was.
Then Katie went down the aisle, followed by Lacey's younger sister Jessica and then Frankie.
Lacey walked down the aisle and the preacher started the service. He spoke of everlasting commitment and then said, "And now the grooms uncle will sing and then his mother will recite a poem."
Ned stood and walked to the front of the church. He sang a song called Destined to Love You. It had been popular all summer the year Clark and Lacey fell in love.
Katie smiled at her boyfriend, who sat in the fifth row on the aisle. She believed that Clark and Lacey were meant to be, and that she was supposed to bring them together, and just as strongly she believed that she would one day marry Marc Jacks.
He had grown out of the gawky teenager he had been at the Haunted Star when he vowed to fight to protect her. Now he was a college graduate who knew how to pilot a plane, drive a yatch, and, best of all, love her with his whole heart.
When the song ended Lulu stood and walked to the front. She said, "I am honored to be able to stand before you today. It amazes me that we are here. My son may live in California half of the year but he has made Port Charles his real home now. And that is because of all of the people gathered here. We all love, support and believe in him and Lacey. Their love is evident to all who see them together. And I truly believe this was all written in the stars from the start. Twenty five years ago this started and it was always meant to lead to today. I wanted to read a poem but couldn't find just the right one. I did find some song lyrics though. And since I can't sing I will read them to you all. I think this song is appropriate because love and marriage are not just about the easy times. In fact you don't know a person's true worth to you until you go through a rough time together." Lulu's eyes connected with Dillon's.
She continued, "That is the true sign of commitment to go through the hard times and come out stronger. I know Clark and Lacey will whether every storm and that everyone in this room will help them. Because that is what family does. And that is what love is.
When
you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening
falls so hard
I
will comfort you
I'll take your part
When
darkness comes and pain is all around
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down ...
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
by Simon and Garfunkel
When the ceremony ended and Clark and Lacey walked down the aisle, Dillon and Lulu were the first people to follow the wedding party out. Dillon hugged his son.
"Congrats, Clark." Dillon said
"Thanks, Dad." Clark looked at his parents, Lacey, Katie, and his little brother and sister.
Clark said "Thank you for... giving me life, my life back, family, love...everything. You all make me feel like the luckiest guy alive."
More family flooded out of the church and everyone started shaking his hand and kissing the cheek of the bride.
Dillon and Lulu held hands and wandered outside first.
"This is a good day." Lulu whispered
Dillon stroked his wife's face. "A very good day, Lu. Our boy is happy."
"All our kids are happy and healthy. And you love me so all is right in the world."
"Did I ever tell you about the best day of my life?" Dillon answered
"I don't think so." Lulu said, not sure what he might be referring to.
Dillon looked in her eyes and said softly, "It all started when the butler told me that Lesley Lou Spencer was standing in my living room after twenty years of being gone..." his voice trailed off as her lips moved towards his.
The church doors opened and the bride and groom came out, holding hands, followed by all the guests.
White Rose petals flew into the air tossed by Elizabeth Spencer, Emily Cassadine, Lulu and Frankie, Tracy Quatermaine, Laura Spencer, Andrea Cassadine, Katie Spencer, and Brooklyn Quatermaine. Each woman would, in the future, be someone Lacey could lean on, cry with, and turn to in times of struggle.
Lacey was a part of the family now. And for these people at this wedding family meant everything.
Clark opened the door to the limo and his bride crawled inside. He turned back and caught the eye of his parents, Dillon's hand was wrapped around Lulu's back, Frankie and Malcolm stood in front of them.
Clark nodded once, a smile on his face, and mouthed "Love you." Then he turned, ducked his head and disappeared into th limo.
Lulu, with tears in her eyes, leaned her head to rest on his husband's shoulder and said, "This is a good life, Dil."
THE END
Author's note-
A million thanks to everyone who left a review and everyone who put this on your Story Alert List. You are awesome for supporting me.
I have a yahoo group I started where I try and do my best to support new writers so I know how much it can mean when you give of yourself to help a fellow writer. Anytime you review my story, make a suggest, or even criticize something you are helping me immeasurably. So thanks again.
I mainly write Jason and Carly fics. The next non J and C one I plan to post is called Somebody's Baby.
Somebody's Baby is about a baby who is abandoned in Port Charles. It is a mystery, because there are at least three possible mothers for the baby, and a drama, because many people want to adopt the child.
I hope some of you might give that story a read. Bye for now,
Sara