AN: Sorry about the delay but I am still writing and still waiting for more KevLaur fanfic! I could watch and entire show of just the amazing Genie Francis and Jon Lindstrom! Thanks for the reviews and enjoy!

The Letter

Chapter 5

Kevin

Love. Such a powerful and yet easily misunderstood emotion. Poets had written books expounding the virtues of love while other artists had attempted to capture its magnitude in love songs, paintings, and letters.

I've been in love so few times in my life that it should be easy in my older years to be more confident and secure in my thoughts and feelings and not be afraid to truly allow myself to feel. And yet, the hurt I endured when the object of my love betrayed me—not once but twice—with the same man, it left enough scar tissue on my heart that I was now finding myself being cautious.

When the truth be told, all I wanted to do was shout it from the rooftops as deep down I knew I was falling in love with Laura Spencer. Perhaps the falling part had even already passed in the blur of the last few months. She had tried to reassure me that Luke was her past and I was her future but the pessimist in me was always expecting her to change her mind and announce to me that she was moving to Amsterdam to live with Luke. Or even more disheartening, Luke would suddenly re-appear and she would decide they were better suited to sort out Helena's clues and I would no longer be needed in her life.

I watched her sleeping now and prayed to the gods of love that they would bequeath her peaceful dreams. She had been through so much lately. I was glad that she had fallen back to sleep. After hastily checking in to my room at The Draycott Hotel we didn't even take time to order room service. Laura also dismissed my attempt to show her the clinical record I received from the mysterious Lloyd and Lucy Johnson. She assured me that we would have time to discuss all of that later and also shared with me that while she originally intended to stay at Lesley's apartment and NOT my hotel room, she couldn't imagine being apart any longer.

I, personally, had no idea what to expect when I arrived in London. I was aware that I had hurt her and broken her trust in me. While I had hoped she would let me hold and comfort her, I was surprised by the sexual tension and passion between us. Our need consumed us and we made love urgently and eagerly. Afterwards, I fell into the deepest sleep and only woke when the smell of the breakfast tray reached my nostrils. I had not felt Laura leave the bed, call for room service, or answer the door. She had known we would both need sustenance. Even now, after another round of lovemaking—this time slower and filled with intention—I was still disoriented by my travels and the time change. I ran my finger over her cheek and moved a strand of hair behind her ear. She was so beautiful.

"Kevin?"

"Yes?" I began to place soft kisses on her forehead and down her cheek to the softest spot of skin on her neck. I was in no hurry to leave this bed or this beautiful creature beside me but I knew we would have to face the reality of the day at some point.

"How long have you been watching me sleep?"

"Not long enough. Did you have sweet dreams?"

Laura moved to sit up in the bed and let the covers pool in her lap. She reached for my hand and then brought it to her lips.

"I'm so glad that you are here with me. I missed you, Kevin."

"I'm just glad that you forgave me and gave me another chance."

Her lips grazed my cheek before she responded again and I moved to hold her hand. My finger traced from one freckle to the next as I marveled at the smoothness of her skin.

"I tried to stay mad at you, Kevin, but it just didn't work. Your determination to explain to me why you had written about me…well, at first I didn't want to hear what you had to say. I guess I was trying to protect myself."

Laura must have seen the confusion in my expression because she moved her finger to stroke my cheek before she continued.

"And it wasn't just about you writing about me without my permission, it was about the past…about my illness. It is just below the surface all the time, Kevin. I do so much to put it out of my mind…to tell myself that I'm better now and that I won't fall into the abyss again."

Now it was my turn to move my hand to her chin and lift her eyes to mine. I was losing her again to that dark place and I saw the fear glinting back at me.

"What did your doctor tell you the last time you saw him?"

Her smile lit up her face as she eagerly told me that I had misjudged the situation for her most recent psychiatrist was Dr. Christine Rothenburg from the esteemed Belle-Idee Clinic in Geneva.

"SHE told me that I was doing fine and had nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, Dr. Rothenburg is not close enough for me to see when the nightmares start up again."

"Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry that my story put you back in that place again."

"I'm okay, Kevin. I had nothing but sound sleep last night. Just having you here with me made all the difference."

I reached for her and felt her relax into my embrace. I leaned in to kiss her cheek and felt her relax even further. Before I knew it we were kissing again. Laura deepened the kiss and our tongues danced for dominance. I moved down her body and rained soft kisses in the smooth valley between her breasts. I felt her reach for me under the covers. Her touch was electrifying and I knew it was still going to be hours before we emerged from my hotel room. Fortunately, we didn't have to be anywhere until tonight when Lucky would arrive with Spencer and the family activities would begin.

Laura

I wasn't sure how Kevin and I finally managed to take showers (separately) and head out from his hotel by late afternoon to do some sightseeing. After all, it had been years since he was in London and there were lots to see and do. We considered going to the Natural History Museum or the National Gallery but I think we both wanted to enjoy the fresh air and be outside in nature. Plus, we agreed to meet everyone for dinner and didn't want to be late. My mother did not seem surprised that I had not returned to her apartment last night and ended her phone call by reminding me to have fun.

I was already anticipating more questions from Lucky, especially if he was in his protective mode. But, it would be good to see him and I was glad that Kevin would get a chance to know him better. I had tried repeatedly to get him to come home to Port Charles, even if only for a few months. The absence of Nicholas made me ache even more for my other children.

Since we decided to stay outside, I led Kevin to my favorite park, Battersea Park, and we strolled hand-in-hand along the water. It was a lovely early fall day and just the hint of color was beginning to show in the trees.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Kevin's question did take me out of my reverie as I had been quite content to just walk and take in the clear air.

"Is that all they are worth? A penny?"

Fortunately Kevin knew I was joking and we stopped to sit on the bench for a few minutes. Other people were enjoying the day as well and an elderly couple sat down on the bench near us. They seemed content in each other's company.

"I was just thinking about how nice it will be to see Lucky and Spencer. I know that Spencer is safe at Le Chesnay but I will feel better when I actually get to see him."

"And we will get to hear about all that he is learning and doing at school," Kevin added. He stood up then and took off his jacket to drape over my shoulders as now that the sun was starting to set it was getting a little colder. Fortunately, the restaurant where we were meeting everyone was close to the park so we still had some time to ourselves.

"So, Kevin, tell me again how my clinical record came to you?"

"A messenger dropped it off to my office at the hospital. Mrs. Martin, my assistant was clearly flustered by his insistence that I see it immediately. I just ignored his request and almost didn't look at it before I left to come here. I'm glad I did but I can't say that I understand much of anything in your file. There are huge gaps in your treatment and there was no Release of Information giving anyone permission to send your records to me. I think our first step is to try and find this bogus Lloyd and Lucy Johnson when we return to Port Charles."

"That's a good idea, Kevin. I really want to just relax and enjoy tonight and tomorrow with my family. Helena has taken enough time away from me and my family over the years."

Kevin squeezed my hand and turned to kiss me. My heart swelled just thinking about spending another night with him in his hotel room. I couldn't imagine sleeping apart from him ever again.

Kevin

The restaurant was very noisy but the sounds were happy sounds. Laughter and soft music as well as toasts with good wine. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Spencer even greeted me with the biggest hug and told me he was glad to see me again. While I had met Lucky before, it had been awhile since I had been around him and Laura was clearly impressed with the man he has become. He is involved in so many humanitarian efforts and dividing his time between Ireland and Paris. He promised his mother that he would continue to check on Spencer at least once every two months or more often when possible. Lucky brought up his famous dad one time during the conversation but only to make sure Laura knew that he had seen Luke recently and he was enjoying his time off the grid. Ironically, it was Lesley who was the most receptive to my presence and made it clear that she approved of my relationship with her daughter. We even managed to discuss some medical research she still found time to review in her retirement. Overall, the evening went better than I could have ever expected. I had been worried about being an interloper when all I felt was welcomed and included. Almost as if I had been a part of this family for years.

I caught Laura's eye across the table and saw her register my presence too. She was talking to Spencer but paused and gave me the biggest smile.

"Thank you." I couldn't tell if she just mouthed the words or said them out loud but realized they were just for me and me only.

A feeling of warmth and admiration for this amazing woman and her family surged through my entire being. And in that moment I remembered my earlier dilemma of whether I was falling in love or already there.

"Kevin, is that your phone ringing?"

Lucky was sitting next to me at the table and I realized that I had been so lost in my thoughts, I hadn't heard or felt my phone ringing. I reached for it and saw that it was Lulu. She was probably just wanting to check in and say hello to her family.

"Hello Lulu."

"Kevin, I needed to call you as I want you to be with my mother when she finds out what has happened."

"Slow down and talk louder, I'm having trouble hearing you."

I stood up and looked for somewhere to stand in the crowded restaurant away from some of the noise and decided it would be best to head outside.

"Okay, go ahead now Lulu, I had to go outside so that I could hear you. What do you need to tell your mother?"

"It's Valentin Cassadine."

"What about him? He is in a prison in Greece."

"No he is not, Kevin. He just moved into Wyndemere."

TO BE CONTINUED