The loud echo of a dropped fork clanging against the fine china plate filled the rafters of the grand dining room at Wyndamere, causing four adults to avert their uncomfortable gazes from their dinner to the pair of little girls sitting at the furthest end of the long mahogany table. Kristina smiled up at her fellow dinner guests with a toothy grin before glancing apologetically at her mother. As one of the youngest heirs to the Cassadine fortune, even she understood the importance of table manners. Much like Alexis and Nikolas before her, she had been taught the basics of etiquette from an early age and had come to be known in her playgroups for her proper social behavior in any and all situations. Molly, on the other hand, was much more of a wildcard like her father, forever daring to push the limits until their mother would narrow her eyes at her disapprovingly when she started to act up in public.

"I'm sorry," Kristina apologized politely as she lifted the sterling silver from the plate and brought the small bite of salad greens to her mouth. Nikolas nodded silently across from her before taking another bite of the pasta. "Mommy, I am full. May I please be excused to go upstairs and play with Spencer?"

Alexis looked over at her daughter's half-empty plate, wondering if she should try to convince her to take a few more bites or just allow her to run off and play with her cousin. "Yes, you may," she replied with a firm nod. Molly asked for the same permission, although her question was a little more improper. When both the girls had bound up the staircase, the four adults exchanged amused smiles before going back to their dinner. "Nadine, this food is really quite good. I can't believe that you made all of this from scratch. I can barely boil water, let alone make my own pasta. In fact, before I had the girls, I basically lived off coffee and microwave popcorn. It was only when I started working for Sonny and got to experience his gourmet cooking that I even gained an appreciation for how good food can be."

Nadine smiled at Nikolas' aunt as she served herself another piece of homemade bread. "Growing up on our own like we did, Jolene and I learned to cook at an early age from my aunt. I can show you how to make a few dishes some time if you would like," she offered. "Or if you're not interested, maybe the girls would like to learn something. Spencer has been begging me to let him cook more, so it might be nice if they could all do it together."

"That sounds like a lovely idea,' Alexis reasoned. "I am kind of a walking disaster when it comes to all things domestic, but surely my girls got something from their fathers. Both Ric and Sonny are actually pretty good in the kitchen. I bet they'd love to learn how to cook with you and Spencer."

To her left, an uncomfortable Sam poured yet another glass of dark red wine. As the rich cabernet slid down her throat, she couldn't help but wonder what she was doing here. She was a Cassadine only by birthright. Since her break-up with Lucky, she hadn't exactly been close to her cousin. They had almost had some semblance of a relationship a few months ago when they had been investigating the counterfeit drug ring together, but all of that had gone out the window the more involved Nikolas became with Nadine and the further apart she grew from Lucky. Now that he was going yet another round with Elizabeth, Sam knew that the four of them were spending a lot of time together. She had observed Elizabeth and Nadine whispering across the table at Kelly's yesterday and gossiping idly at the nurse's station the day before. Sam longed for that kind of relationship with any woman – someone that she could call a true girlfriend. Instead, she felt like an outsider sitting around the dinner table with her own family.

"So, Sam, what have you been up to?" Nadine asked suddenly, turning to face the beautiful brunette. She had such a genuine smile on her face that Sam couldn't help but want to open up to her about everything. She wanted to confide that she missed Lucky, that she wished that they were still investigating Jerry Jacks together, that she had liked hanging out with Nikolas and Nadine. "I feel like we haven't really gotten to see you that much since the night of the fire. I wanted to invite you to lunch, but Nikolas kept me on a short leash while I was recovering. I took Spencer to have lunch yesterday with Elizabeth and the boys yesterday, and I think that was really the first social interaction I've really gotten to have. Other than that, I didn't see anyone when I wasn't going to the hospital for check-ups."

Sam blushed sheepishly as she listened to Nadine explain herself. She hadn't asked for an explanation, but the kind blonde had offered one up without even being asked. "I'm sure that he just wanted to make sure that you were 100 percent before he let you be around anyone," Sam commiserated before smiling widely at Nikolas. The handsome prince nodded in agreement as his eyes fluttered from his cousin to his girlfriend. Sam couldn't help but notice the adoration that dwelled in the chocolate pools as he watched Nadine. "Anyhow, I haven't really been up to much. I've been trying to look for some salvage work. Nothing terribly exciting, I'm afraid."

"Are you kidding me?" Nadine shrieked enthusiastically. A slight country twang was apparent in her excited voice as she thought about the wild adventures of life on a big ship. "I always wanted to learn how to captain a boat, but my aunt always thought it was too dangerous. We used to take those tiny speed boats out on the lakes with some of the neighborhood boys back in high school. She'd always get so mad at us."

"Well, if you come out with me some time, I would love to show you how to steer one of those big rigs," Sam offered with a chuckle. Of all the things she thought she could offer to Nadine, the last thing on her mind had been salvage work. Yet, it almost made sense because it was the one place where Sam felt most at ease and like herself. She tried to avoid her mother's taken aback stare as she imagined what it would be like hanging out with Nadine, knocking back beers on the deck while they sailed around the harbor. "It's not the most glamorous thing, but I think it's a lot more fun than shopping."

Nikolas cleared his throat as he pushed his plate away. Nadine knew immediately that he didn't approve and even sooner that she didn't care what he thought. There were very few dreams left that she wanted to fulfill, and learning to drive a boat was one of them. "Don't you even start," she warned him with pursed lips. Nadine jutted her chin defiantly, daring him to forbid her to do anything. Nikolas had learned by then, however, to just keep his thoughts to himself. The last thing he wanted to do was risk her getting hurt, but he knew that he had nothing to gain by protesting her ambition. "I think that sounds like a great idea. I would love to go out and sail with you."

"I have an even better idea," Nikolas proposed. "Why don't all of us take my yacht out into the harbor this Sunday? Sam can still teach you how to drive the boat, and I will feel better knowing that you're on a safe vessel. I know that you are both independent women that can take care of yourselves, but I love both of you. Call me overprotective if you want, but I just don't want to have to go through watching either of you fight for your life in a hospital bed again any time soon."

Alexis reached over and covered her daughter's hand. "Listen to your cousin. He's got a good idea for once," she teased before looking appreciatively at Nadine. She understood that the shift in Nikolas' demeanor could be greatly attributed to the independent streak in the nurse. It had been a long time since she had seen her nephew care about someone so fiercely and unapologetically as he did Nadine. His first priorities were Spencer and Nadine. Not since he'd lost Emily had she seen him so focused on something so positive. "I think that sounds like a great idea. We haven't really been spending very much time together as a family lately. I'd like to get to spend some time with both of my nephews and this beautiful woman over here that they're both so crazy about."

Nadine blushed deeply as Nikolas leaned over and kissed her temple. She turned her head to smile at him before sliding her hand into his. "Nik, can you help me clear the table? I still have dessert to set out. Alexis, you will not want to miss this," she assured the lawyer before rising to carry the empty plates into the kitchen. He followed her obediently with assorted flatware and cups in hand. As the heavy door swung shut to give them some privacy, he quickly discarded them on the counter to pull her into his arms. "I was serious about that food, Cassadine."

"I know you were," he avowed between kisses. She giggled at his boyish affection, allowing herself to relish the moment only slightly, before disentangling from his embrace. "Thank you for not fighting with me about the boat thing back there."

"Thank you for coming up with a compromise that works for both of us," she retorted as she dished out the dessert into the clear glass dishes. Nikolas added fresh whipped cream to each bowl before sliding them onto the serving tray. "I really like Sam and feel bad that she has kind of been left out of everything since she broke up with Lucky. I love Elizabeth, I really do, but Sam is your family, too. I want to be friends with her because she matters to you. More importantly, I like her. She's fun and tenacious. I feel like I can be the country tomboy that I still am when I'm around her. Elizabeth and Leyla get the more girly part."

He listened to her talk about her newfound friendship with an appreciation that had gone unnoticed before. He had always loved the fact that she cared so much about his son, but he was truly beginning to see how she had spread that same care to the other people in his life. She had successfully built friendships with Lucky and Elizabeth, relationships that had actually managed to strengthen his own bonds with them. She encouraged him to keep in touch with Monica. Now, she was reminding him how important it was to spend time with Alexis and the girls, and wanted to become friends with Sam. Not many people had gone so far for him, but he was beginning to fully see that there wasn't a limit to what Nadine would do for him.

Reaching down, he gently pried the serving spoon from her hand and pulled her back into his arms. She went so willingly into his comforting embrace, easily forgetting the task at hand. His chin rested on the crown of her head as she tucked her cheek against his chest. "I want us to go home to Texas," he murmured confidentially. "I want to see all these places that you talk about and what you're like in your natural element. Your eyes light up whenever you talk about home. I want to see all the places behind those stories."

He had talked to her about this before but never in a way where she thought it might actually happen. As a little girl, she had dreamt about having a prince sweep her off her feet in the fields of wildflowers that ran on the outskirts or town. To be fair, her visions had often included faded Wranglers and dusty boots, two things likely to never be emulated by Nikolas Cassadine. "Maybe I could get you a Stetson," she pondered softly as she ran her fingers over his defined chest. "You'd look good in a hat."

Images of Nadine in a breezy sundress and bare feet danced in his head before he brought his gaze back to her beaming face. "If it makes you smile like that, you can count me in," he agreed. "We should get back in there to our guests."

"We should," she concurred but not making a move to go. She wrapped her arms around his body and moved to her tiptoes to brush a kiss over his mouth before regretfully pulling away. She handed him the tray, straightened her slightly askew top and walked back into the dining room. "I hope you like this. It's my own recipe."

Sam eyed the delicious sugary concoction greedily before taking a big bite. She complimented Nadine kindly as the three kids came tumbling down the stairs. Spencer was so excited that he could barely get the words out. "Daddy, Kristina and Molly want me to come over and spend the night. They're going to the carnival tomorrow at Kristina's school!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Can I please, please, please?"

Nikolas exchanged an amused look with his aunt, who only nodded her permission. "If you would like to, that is fine with me," he agreed. "You will have to promise to be on your best behavior though."

The little boy promised that he would as his youngest cousin let out a sizable yawn. Alexis reached down and scooped her daughter into her arms, laying a gentle kiss on Molly's forehead. "Actually, it's getting kind of late, and Molly needs to get some rest if we are going to make it to the school tomorrow," she declared. "Nikolas, just so you don't worry, Viola and Sam will be with us, so we'll be able to more than handle it."

Nadine laid a hand on Nikolas' forearm and spoke up for him. "He isn't worried. Nik, can you help them get their stuff together while I take Spencer upstairs to pack a bag for him?" Spencer reluctantly took the last bite of the chocolate dessert before following her dutifully toward the stares.

Just as they disappeared out of sight, Nikolas saw his son slip his tiny hand in Nadine's. They almost looked like mother and son. Apparently the sight wasn't lost on Alexis either. She watched her nephew for a prolonged moment as he stared after the two of them. Sam excused herself to take Molly and Kristina to the car, giving the two Cassadines a moment alone. "She's good with him."

"Yeah, I told you," he grinned at Alexis. "I love her, ya know? She infuriates me sometimes, she challenges me constantly. I never know what she is going to say or what she's going to do. I'm always striving to be a better person because I want to be the man that she sees in me. Most of all, she loves me and she loves my son. Alexis, I think she might be the one…"

His aunt held her hand up in front of her to slow him down. "Nikolas, you guys haven't been together that long. I am very happy that you are letting yourself feel these things again, but you can't rush it. It hasn't even been a year since you lost Emily. I think it's okay to let yourself have some time."

He shook his head with a confident smile. "Don't you see?" he asked rhetorically. "Emily is exactly the reason that I shouldn't let the time past me by. We thought we had an entire lifetime to spend together, but she died. It sounds so blunt when I put it that way, but that's what happened. I don't know what tomorrow holds for Nadine and me, I just know that I want us to have that. I don't want to give myself time when I know what I need now…what I want. I want to be with her forever, whether that is one more day or fifty years."

Nikolas was stopped short when Spencer burst back in the room. His eyes flew to a sheepish Nadine, her cheeks slightly pink from embarrassment at being caught. He knew that she hadn't meant to overhear him but she had. Rather than addressing the situation right away, he knelt down and hugged his son tightly. "Be good for Aunt Alexis. We'll be over to get you tomorrow afternoon," he promised before hugging him again. "Go tell Nadine bye."

The little boy sprinted over to the blonde nurse and threw his arms around her. She lifted him up and looked him straight in the eye. "You heard your father. I expect a full report of how much you have fun with your cousins tomorrow."

"I will," he promised as she sat him back down on the ground. "Bye Daddy, Bye Nadine!"

"Goodbye," Alexis echoed as she kissed her nephew on the cheek. She tucked her black leather clutch under her arm before coming over to Nadine. The two women exchanged a hug, all the awkwardness of earlier in the evening long gone. "Nadine, it's been a pleasure. I'm not sure what you're doing to put that brilliant smile on my nephew's face but please keep it up. I've never seen him this happy."

Nadine and Nikolas walked Spencer and Alexis to the door and watched as their chauffeured limousine swept out of the gate and onto the winding access road. Once the door was closed behind them, Nikolas called to the kitchen staff to have them take care of the dishes while Nadine retired to the sitting room. He came in to find her curled up in an armchair by the window, an afghan pulled around her shoulders like a shawl. She was staring vacantly out at the water as she lost herself in her thoughts. Nikolas watched her from the doorway for a few moments before coming over to where she sat. "Hey, you."

"Hi," she smiled. She moved over in the chair just enough to let him sit beside her and pulled the blanket over their laps. He wrapped his arms around her instinctively as she leaned into his body. "We don't have to talk about what you said to Alexis."

"We can if you want," he offered. "I meant what I said Nadine, you know that you've changed my life. It's not at all what I thought it would be a year ago, but for the first time, I'm okay with that. This is what was supposed to happen, I think. I won't pretend to understand why, but you were meant to happen to me."

"A year ago, I was just some gawky girl who didn't quite fit in at your grand ball. I was still trying to make up for what my sister did, and I didn't have a friend in this entire city other than Spinelli. Then I met you and my whole world changed," she acknowledged. "It's a scary thing, Cassadine, to see your entire future wrapped up two people."

"Two people?"

"Spencer and you," she retorted. "All I want is a life with you."

"You can have that if you want," he promised. "One day or fifty years, you're my forever."

She blushed again before looking down at their hands. Without her even realizing it, they had entangled their friends together into an intricate web. "I'm not ready to get married."

"We don't have to. I just need to know that I'm your forever."

"I'll do you one better," she declared. "This family is my forever – you, me, Spencer and whatever other kids happen to get thrown into the mix. This is our forever. Deal?"

"Deal," he said as they sealed their pact with a kiss.