Author's Note: Sorry about the delay. Hopefully you are still following this story. Enjoy!

The Letter

Chapter 8

Kevin

"I feel like someone has withheld important information from me…for all these years. This is the opposite of what I have always imagined."

My declaration was met with silence and I could tell Laura was still trying to slow her breathing and process my words. Her silky blond hair, while still beautiful, spilled haphazardly around her face and I wished I could reach to tuck the strands behind her ears and out of her beautiful eyes. I could see the glisten of perspiration on her skin and knew we were both likely sticky with sweat and other bodily fluids.

"What are you talking about, Kevin?" Laura finally found her voice but she still lay on her side with her head near my feet, clearly satiated and unable to move or utter any other questions. Since she seemed incapable of moving, I decided I would join her at the bottom of the bed, the comforter and top sheet long since abandoned in a heap on the floor.

I hesitated to reach for her, unsure of her reaction, still certain she would taste herself on my lips, so I instead placed a soft kiss on her shoulder and rested my head in my folded arms. I waited until the room stopped spinning and then turned to look at her. I couldn't remember a time I had ever felt this blissfully happy and content. Our passion had ignited earlier as we shared in our admission of love and our new beginning in my—now our—shared living space. I could see the bullet's jagged edge from my vantage point on the edge of my dresser as I marveled at my luck in finding just the perfect little dish for its resting place. Thankfully, I had managed to make us some sandwiches and soup so we had some sustenance between rounds one and two and while certain we could both use some sleep I had a better idea.

"Care to join me in a shower, Ms. Spencer?"

She pulled back her hair and moved to sit up, seemingly unconcerned about her state of undress. I watched as she inhaled deeply filling her lungs in a further attempt to return to homeostasis. Her chest rose and fell and I stared at her left nipple as the memory of the way it pebbled under my tongue washed over me. Laura closed her eyes as she exhaled and reached for my face, her fingers dancing lightly through my hair. After spending so much time together over the last week in London with her family, I learned that she was a "toucher" and preferred to stay connected with light touching or hand holding. She was wearing off on me as I'm pretty much the opposite. After one more deep, grounding breath, Laura was ready to respond to my question.

"Why, Dr. Collins, I think a shower together is an excellent idea."

Now, even more thrilled than before, I was glad my remodeling included in large part my bathroom. At the time the expense seemed superfluous but now I couldn't wait to show off the new marble, two headed shower with built in bench seat to the woman I loved.

I reached for Laura and leaned to kiss her neck while my fingers traced lazy circles along her back. She reached for my chin, her nails connecting with stubble, as she brought my face to hers. If Laura saw my brief hesitation she didn't respond with words and her lips lightly skimmed the surface of my own.

"Do we have anywhere to be tomorrow?" She cooed her question in my ear while placing even more soft kisses on my temple, her fingers snaking again through my hair.

"I don't have anywhere to be until Monday morning when work calls me back to the hospital. But, I do think some grocery shopping is warranted unless you will be content with ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches the rest of the weekend."

"After we sleep in tomorrow you can take me out for breakfast…well maybe brunch…and then we can grocery shop together. But now, show me how to operate that magnificent new shower of yours!"

Laura

I let the warm water continue to wash over me even after Kevin had left, too exhausted and barely able to dry off before going to crash in what was now our bed together. I was eager to join in blissful and contented slumber with him but wanted just a few more minutes to collect my thoughts. I was amazed that we hadn't exhausted the hot water supply, having already taken our time to fully lather and cleanse our sweat soaked and sticky bodies only to both be surprised about a third performance as our desire rose to the surface yet again.

Initially, after our first night together at the Metro Court and even at Kevin's hotel room in London, I had been reserved about being around Kevin fully naked in the light of day. I was shy about the toll age took on my body, not to mention stretch marks and scars, and of course the 20 pounds I continuously struggled to lose. But, mostly due to Kevin's words of admiration and the loving way he looked and touched me, I was finally becoming more comfortable in the intimacy of our shared nudity. As the warm water had rained down on us from his truly magnificent new shower, we had each ran our fingers over the scars on each other's body in a moment of adoration and reflection. Mine had faded more over the last twenty years as compared to the two symmetrical scars on his right shoulder that reminded me every day of his sacrifice and our beginning as friends and now lovers.

I reflected on the events of just a few minutes ago, marveling myself that my body tolerated that much stimulation and release in the span of only a few hours. I was certain I would be sore tomorrow but the pain helped me to feel alive and fully in tune with my body, and my sexuality, for the first time in years. Kevin was an amazing lover and while I was certain we would only use the shower together for its intended purpose, I was surprised when our kisses turned heated again and that I was able to reach for him. He mumbled his surprise and echoed his comments from earlier that someone his age should not have this stamina. I took his comments as a challenge and I reached for him as the warm water spilled over both our bodies. My fingers and nails coaxed out another erection and I watched his surprised smile as his hand covered my breast.

"This can't be," Kevin uttered, struggling to control his breathing.

"Nevertheless..."

"Are you still wet?"

"See for yourself, Kevin. Touch me. Please."

"You're swollen…and tender." His voice was so deep as he reached for me. I lifted my right leg onto the bench seat so that he had more room to touch me and gasped when two of his long fingers slid inside of me.

"I don't want to hurt you," his voice rasped in my ear as I enjoyed the connection of our bodies but still longed for more.

"I didn't intend for us to do this again…I just thought it might be nice to clean up from earlier together."

I saw the bashful expression on his face and almost started to laugh as Kevin seemed concerned that I would think he was too sexual with me when in reality, it felt good to feel so safe and comfortable with someone. The intimacy we shared grew every day and it felt good to express our love for each other in our love making.

"This is our way of making up for lost time because I ran away." I reached to kiss him fully on his lips and reached for him as his fingers continued to thrust inside me. I was making my thoughts and feelings fully known on the current subject through the depth of my kisses. He was growing harder and fuller and as crazy as it seemed, I wanted him just as much now as I had several hours ago.

"Make love to me again, old man." I saw the slightest hesitation in his eyes but watched it fade as I stroked him further and attempted to bring our bodies closer together.

"It is okay, Kevin, you know you want to as much as I want to now. Besides, only our first night officially living together and we are off to a magnificent start in christening various locations in your home."

"Your home now too."

"Stop talking and enter me."

Kevin removed his fingers and thrust inside of me all at the same time that I didn't even have time to register the absence of contact. All of my nerve endings were tingling with the different sensations. His hands on my hips...his lips on my neck...the feel of the water as it encompassed our bodies. I wrapped my arms around his neck and used my leverage to pull him closer. My legs were now wrapped around him and he was using his strength to hold me up while he continued to thrust inside me.

"Kevin, I want you deeper...harder."

"Laura, do you know how much I love you? How much I love this?"

"That feels so good. Don't stop."

Now his thrusts were becoming even more intense and urgent. My back was against the wall of the shower, my legs still wrapped around his waist, and I searched for greater leverage to bring him inside me further with every move of his body.

"Laura, you need to come first. I can't last much longer."

I knew what he was telling me and since both of his hands were around my hips, I snaked my hand between our bodies as the warmth of the water cascaded over us. I was swollen and sensitive but I fought for my release. I kissed his neck and as the first wave of my orgasm washed over me, I realized I might have left a mark with my teeth.

Kevin was oblivious as I felt the spasms in my inner walls and I knew that he would soon follow me in his release. His stamina was amazing and I felt him cry out as he thrust one final time inside of me. We rode out the aftershocks together and only gradually separated long enough for him to utter, "That was amazing." I kissed him softly and told him that I would join him in bed in a few minutes.

Now that I had stayed in the shower with my thoughts, I could finally feel the water start to cool. I managed to figure out how to turn off both sets of controls and reached for the oversize fluffy towel Kevin left on the counter for me. I could feel the slightest tinge in my stomach as I was likely to have cramps in the morning from all the activity. But it was so very worth it.

Kevin

After the slowness and relaxation of the weekend, the frenetic pace and constant emergencies of a Monday morning were a jarring reality. I was feeling utterly exhausted by noon and much to my chagrin realized I still had at least six more hours of work ahead of me. And my exhaustion wasn't because of lack of sleep either. After our marathon round of lovemaking—three times in one night, certainly a life time record!—Laura and I slept like the dead and did not move until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. I felt the corner of my mouth form a smile as I remembered Laura laughing at me that I had never slept in so late before. Clearly, spending time with Laura was opening my horizons to all kinds of new things.

"Dr. Collins?" Mrs. Martin interrupted my reverie as I was using my lunch hour to catch up on progress notes and phone calls.

"What is it, Mrs. Martin?" I didn't mean to sound so harsh to her and took a minute to catch my breath and give her my undivided attention.

"A Dr. Frye is here to see you without an appointment. He said it is urgent and plans to wait until you have a few minutes to see him."

I didn't recognize the name but knew that it could have something to do with my recent contact with Spinelli. I had enlisted his help in locating the mysterious "Lloyd and Lucy Johnson" who had sent the picture of the Ice Princess and Laura's clinical record from their P.O. Box in Port Charles. He had not been able to come up with any leads despite trying a reverse P.O. Box search and had still not been able to provide me with a physical address so that I could go confront them in person. Before I had left to meet Laura in London, I had dictated a professional letter for Mrs. Martin to send to the Johnson's demanding that they contact my office to explain their breach of HIPPA laws by sending me Laura's record. But, not surprisingly, I had not heard anything else from them.

I glanced at the clock and realized I still had some time before my next client and asked Mrs. Martin to send the doctor into my office.

Dr. Frye was an elderly man with a mustache and glasses and the thing that struck me the most was how nervous and impatient he seemed. He seemed hesitant to even shake my hand as he immediately scrambled the combination lock and opened his briefcase to provide me with an envelope.

"Dr. Collins, your father asked me to bring this to you."

"Do you work with my father?"

"That is not important." Dr. Frye's abruptness was clearly all business but still unnerving.

"What is important," he continued, "is that you heed Professor Collins' warning. This is why he sent me in person."

"Was he able to determine anything from the paper I sent him?"

"Please, Dr. Collins, I was asked to bring this to you. And to stress the importance of the potential danger. My job is finished now and I will be on my way."

"Wait, if you work with my father you can tell me more. At least tell me when I will be able to contact him in person."

"Good day, Dr. Collins."

I sat there too stunned to move or say anything as I heard the outer office door close, with no response provided when Mrs. Martin had told the visitor to have a good day.

While Dr. Frye's visit had been strange-and slightly alarming-I had learned that anything to do with my father, Victor Collins, usually was strange and what you would least expect. I had attempted to reach out to him last May after Laura and I had gone to the old Campus Disco to look for clues left by Helena. Ever since Mary's death three years ago, Victor had poured himself into his work and spent most of his time off the grid, working on top secret assignments for the government. Sometimes he would be in one place long enough for a phone call or at least a physical address so that we could stay in touch by writing-the kind that required a stamp. Despite his use of technology for video surveillance or deciphering codes, Victor did not like to use email or texting. When I last saw him several years ago, I had pleaded with him to retire and consider moving back to Port Charles. Needless to say, he needed his work to keep busy and not think about his loss.

I had written to him at the last address I had for him but honestly had no idea where he was living or if he would even receive my letter. I had sent him the blank paper Laura and I found hidden and stapled to the table in the dusty remains of the disco that day. I wasn't convinced that Helena's clue was truly a blank piece of paper. Although, Laura was right in that if Helena's main purpose was to remind Laura of the bad memories of what happened with Luke thirty some years before, that she had indeed accomplished. I remembered being stunned when the realization of what Laura was telling me washed over me that day. But, it was not my place to judge her relationship with her ex-husband and just reminded me even more of how she is a survivor in so many ways.

The alert from my cell phone on my desk told me I had a new text message and that I still had ten minutes until my next client. I reached for my phone, relieved to see Laura's text: Hope your day isn't too crazy. Meeting Lulu for a late lunch at Kelly's. Can't wait to see you at home tonight. Dinner will be ready whenever you get home. I love you.

I cleared my mind of my continued worries about my father and moved to open the sealed envelope given to me by Dr. Frye.

Victor's unmistakable hand writing was on one piece of paper while the other paper was heavier and no longer blank. My father had written the following letter:

August 14, 2017

I'm sorry it took me so long to write you back. It took a long time for your letter to reach me. I can't explain any more than that at this time and I'm not sure when I will be somewhere to call you anytime in the next few months. But, you were right. The paper has Helena's fingerprints on it and as you can see a message on it as well. She wrote such hurtful words. She used the baking soda method to make the ink invisible so it wasn't too difficult to uncover. What are you messed up in, son? Your letter said that you were helping Laura uncover clues but I also got a sense that you were enjoying spending time with her. I just want you to be happy. I know how much Lucy hurt you and for that I am sorry.

October 1, 2017

I did some more digging since I analyzed what you sent me. I really need you to listen to me. Stop digging. Stop trying to solve these clues. The Cassadines will not rest until they hurt you too. Monk, promise me you will leave this alone! Promise me!

Unsettled by my father's letter but cognizant of the time, I allowed myself to only scan the folded heavier paper that was no longer blank. I could just barely read some of the words written by Helena through the purple stain Victor had used to show the handwriting. I felt my eyes welling with tears and I knew I would have to properly look at this later, after my last client for the day. I also knew, without reading any further, that I couldn't show this to Laura. The words were too hurtful…too caustic. After all that she had endured in just the last few months, let alone years of her life, this isn't something she needed to see. She already knows how toxic Helena was and this would only remind her of everything that she had to endure over the years related to Helena and her beloved son, Stavros.

I wasn't sure how I was going to focus on the busy afternoon ahead of me as all I could think about was finding my father. And it wouldn't be enough to just talk to him on the phone as he would just try to protect me. No, I was going to have to find Victor Collins and talk to him in person.

To be continued