-5-

Luke and Tracy walked back into Carmine's amid looks of concern from patrons and staff who saw Luke bolt out so quickly. A member of the restaurant management discreetly walked over to Tracy, "Does your husband need for us to call for a doctor, Ma'am?"

Tracy smiled softly and shook her head, "No, he's fine, thank you."

Luke sighed as he sat down at the table and looked apologetically at Layla, "I'm sorry, I ate something earlier that didn't agree with me and the liquor just wrecked havoc on my stomach."

Layla nodded and smiled gently, "I ordered you some sprite, it may help."

Luke gave her a small, gracious smile as Tracy sat down, "Thank you."

"So," Tracy began, "a cardiologist? Your aunt is a cardiologist as well."

Layla smiled broadly, "Oh?"

Nodding, the other woman's hand slid under the table and rested on her husband's knee. "Yes. Her name is Monica Quartermaine, my brother, Alan, is also a doctor."

Luke squeezed Tracy's hand before adding, "And my sister, Barbara Jean, is a nurse."

"Wow," Layla said, impressed, "maybe the quest for medicinal knowledge does run through my blood."

"Sure sounds like it," Luke smiled. "It's funny to me that your name begins with an 'l'. My previous wife's name was Laura, and my kids names are Lucky and Lesley Lu, but we call her Lulu."

Layla laughed, "Nice alliteration." Glancing at Tracy, she asked, "What are your sons' names?"

"Dillon and Ned," she answered. "You also have a grandfather and two cousins."

"Three." Luke corrected.

"Two," she responded, giving her husband a look, "Skye is not a Quartermaine."

"Alan adopted her," Luke pointed out.

Shaking her head, Tracy smiled, "Not one of his brighter moments, I'll assure you."

Spencer responded with a roll of his eyes and then turned his attention to Layla. "Are you married?"

His daughter shook her head, "Came close once, but walked in on my fiance with another woman."

"Ouch," Tracy said quietly.

Layla nodded, "Yeah, so that ended pretty quick," she laughed. "So what is Port Charles like?"

"Small," Luke said. "A little too small. One of those everybody always knows what is going on towns. It's like living in a damn soap opera there."

Tracy rolled her eyes , "It isn't that bad. We've got a big hospital, some shopping, corporate offices. It's actually very nice."

"It's small," Luke repeated.

Deciding to diffuse the situation, Layla asked another question, "What are your children like?"

"Lucky is a cop," Luke responded. "He's married and has a kid, one on the way and Lu is only twelve, so she's still in school. She lives part time with her mother and with me."

"So then you are close?"

He nodded, "Yeah, fairly. We're working on getting closer."

Layla looked at Tracy, "And are you close with your sons?"

Tracy nodded and smiled, "We are, yes. Dillon and I are very close. Ned and I are also close."

"That's nice," she smiled.

"Um, what about you?" Luke inquired, "Did you grow up with any brothers and sisters?"

Layla shook her head, "I was the only one Colt and Rachel adopted. Rachel got pregnant, but miscarried and later committed suicide. I was eight. It was shortly thereafter that..."

"Colt began abusing you," Luke finished.

The young woman nodded, "Yeah." Taking a deep breath, she looked at her parents, "I want to meet your other children." Tracy and Luke quickly looked at each other and Layla smiled softly, "They don't know about me, do they?"

"We didn't tell anybody," Tracy admitted, "We weren't sure of the outcome of today. Of course we want you to meet our family, but only if you think you are ready."

Layla nodded and smiled, "I think I am. I'm not due to be back in Los Angeles for a few weeks. I took some personal time, so they aren't expecting me."

"What about your seminar?" Luke asked.

"It's tomorrow, so I can attend it and then fax my findings."

Tracy nodded, "Well, you go to your seminar and Luke and I will find something to occupy ourselves with while you are there and then we can head to Port Charles afterwards."

Layla smiled, "Sounds good." Glancing at her watch, she looked at the pair in front of her, "I should probably get going. I still need to unpack."

Luke stood up and put some money down on the table to cover the drinks and then smiled at Layla, "It was wonderful to meet you. We're in the Plaza so feel free to call when you are free."

Layla smiled and nodded, "I will. Thanks for the drink."

Tracy stood up and impulsively gave her daughter a hug, "You take care."

A little startled by the hug, Layla returned it and smiled and left. Once they were alone, Luke looked at his wife, "Wife, let's go back to the hotel. We need to have a talk."

Tracy nodded as they walked out.