As always, thanks to those who take the time to review each chapter. It means a lot to me! Enjoy chapter seven!
Lulu ran until her lungs ached. She stopped, leaned against the nearest handy wall until she caught her breath. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw that she had run just up from the pier to Kelly's.
It wasn't far enough, she thought, bitterly. Nowhere would be far enough where Johnny Zacchara was concerned.
Deciding that it was as good as it got when she was running in heels, Lulu straightened and brushed back her hair. She might as well visit Kelly's while she was here. If she had time, she wanted to bring Amelia there as well.
She took a breath and stepped up to the door. Inside Christmas music was playing and the smell of food wafted out from the kitchen. Immediately Lulu felt as home. She took another breath and walked to a table.
She fiddled with the napkin as her mind ran. She wasn't sure what to do, which was a first for her because she was usually so sure. She needed to avoid Johnny for the remainder of her stay and ensure that even if she couldn't do that, her daughter would not run into him.
Because she had no idea what she would do if Johnny found out about Amelia.
"Lulu?"
She looked up quickly, a little startled. A willowy girl with short dark hair stood next to the table. She squinted up at her, trying to place her. She knew she'd seen her, but she'd been a lot younger. Then it occurred to her.
"Molly? Molly Davis?"
The girl smiled. "Yes. I was wondering if you'd remember me." Then she frowned. "What are you doing here? I thought that you lived in Greece."
"I-I do. I'm back because my dad is in the hospital. He had a heart attack. But yes, I live in Greece," Lulu replied.
Molly's eyes darkened. "Oh no, is he okay?"
Lulu smiled at the girl's sincere concern. "Not yet, but we're praying." She glanced out the window. "Um, in the meantime, can I get a cup of coffee?"
Molly nodded quickly. "Of course. I'll be right back."
Sighing when she was alone, Lulu sank into the chair. For a moment, she was thrown back to the days when she worked here as a waitress or even when she came in every morning for coffee before work at Crimson.
It was all a lifetime ago, she thought, not just in years, but in how much she'd changed.
"Here you go, Lulu," Molly said, setting the to-go cup on the table. Lulu glanced up, smiled and dug through her purse for cash.
"Thank you," she said quickly, laying a few dollars down on the table. "Keep the change." And then she hurried out the door.
Molly stood behind, watching. She shook her head. For someone as successful as she, Lulu sure was a strange woman.
GH*GH*GH*GH*GH
Not really wanting to go back to the hospital just yet and as her first hiding place had been thwarted by Johnny, Lulu decided to just keep walking. She really didn't have any particular place to go. In fact, she felt as though she was here for the first time because she didn't know where to go.
It felt odd to be so lost in a place where she'd spent the first 22 years of her life.
So she walked and after a while, found herself at Sonny's coffee shop. She was half surprised that it was still standing, after all the mob fights over the years. She was even more surprised to have found her way there.
But right now she needed a voice of reason and there seemed to be no one else who could provide it.
She took a deep breath and walked inside. A barista stood behind the counter, giving the image that it was nothing more than a simple coffee shop.
If only its patrons knew what took place behind the closed door.
She headed toward the back wall, toward Sonny's office. But before she could reach it, her path was blocked.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but you can't go back there."
Lulu smiled, realizing that Max obviously didn't recognize her. She stepped back to get a look at the big bear of a man who was Sonny's bodyguard. "Max, don't you recognize me? It's Lulu Spencer."
Max grinned as he gave her a once-over. "Sorry, you've changed. I didn't realize that you were back."
"That's okay. I didn't plan on being back. Is Sonny in? I really need to talk to him."
Max held up a finger, turned and knocked on the door himself. When he was allowed entry, he went inside, closing the door after himself. Lulu counted to thirty before the door reopened and Sonny Corinthos himself stood in it.
"Well, if it isn't little Lulu Spencer, all grown up."
Lulu grinned again. "Yes it is. I'm back."
Sonny angled his head, studied the woman in front of him. She was close to his heart, being the daughter of one of his oldest friends. He could see that she was still troubled, much in the same way she'd been years before.
He tossed his head, motioned to his office. Lulu followed him inside, thanking Max when he placed a latte in front of her. Sonny took a seat on the other side of his desk, waiting to speak until they were alone.
"I heard about Luke. How is he?"
Lulu took a sip of the latte, noting the sweet Vanilla flavor. "He's stable. Right now that's all we can ask for. They're still waiting for him to wake up."
Sonny nodded. "That's good, that's good. And how are you?"
She shrugged. "I'm okay. I'm worried about my father. And about being back in Port Charles."
Sonny said nothing. He'd kept tabs on Lulu over the years. Not only was she the daughter of one of his oldest friends, she seemed to warrant protection with her constant involvement by proxy in the mob. And because he'd keep tabs on her well-being, he was well aware that she was the mother of Johnny Zacchara's daughter.
"I ran into Johnny earlier today. He knows that I'm back in Port Charles," Lulu added quickly.
This time, Sonny nodded. "And you are worried that he could find out about Amelia."
"Well yes. Even if he doesn't realize it at first—which is unlikely because she's the image of him—he's not an idiot. He can do the math and he could realize that she's his." Lulu bit her lip to hold back the tears. "And if that happens, I don't know what I'll do."
"If and when if ever happens, you will have to make a decision," Sonny replied sensibly.
Lulu sighed. She'd known that that was what he'd say. And she also knew that he was right. She would have to make a choice.
And that was what scared her the most.
Lulu rose, dumped her coffee in the garage. "Thanks for the coffee. And the advice."
Sonny nodded, rose. "You're welcome. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more help. But you know my situation. If I were in Johnny's shoes, I would want to know that I was a father."
"I know. But I was trying to protect my child. Am trying," she amended.
"And I also understand that side of the argument. In this case, there is no perfect answer. I can only wish you luck. And that you will keep me updated as to Luke's status."
She smiled. "I can do that. I better go, get back to the hospital."
"Goodbye Lulu."
She reached for the door handle. "Bye Sonny."
And then she was gone.
Okay, so I'm not crazy about this chapter. But the whole story itself was beginning to annoy me so this chapter was mostly a transition. I hope that you will continue to read the updates. Also, please review! Tell me what you liked, what you didn't, etc…thanks!
