Chapter 3
"Don't you just hate line-ups?" came the voice from behind her.
Lulu turned around and was temporarily speechless as she looked at him. Well over six feet tall, his black hair was styled in a faux hawk. His light blue eyes seemed to bore right through her. She swallowed and smiled shyly. "Sorry?"
"Don't you hate line-ups? I do. Every year I swear I'm not going to do late registration but here I am in the never ending line" he grinned.
"This is...this is my first late registration."
"Ah. I swear the experience will make you want to swear off of it. What are you registering for?"
"Huh?" Lulu asked, completely distracted by the expanse of his shoulders and fighting the urge to run her hands over them.
Reaching over, he gently removed her form from her hands. "So..." he scanned it. "Lesley Lu Spencer - Concurrent Education? That's an interesting choice."
She nervously wrapped her hair around her finger. "Well, I...I want to work with kids."
"That's great" he said brightly. "It's great that you know what you want to do."
"Do you know what you want to do...er...I don't know your name."
He smiled broadly. "Ethan - Ethan Young. And I'm not sure what I want to do . I was in Political Science but it's so boring and I'm not sure what I'll do with it, so I'm going to try my hand at International Business."
"Do you like business?" she asked.
"I guess we'll find out." He looked down at her registration form. "There is one thing missing from your form" he said handing it back to her.
She took it, scanning for any unmarked box. She had heard the nightmare stories about arriving at the Registrar's counter only to be sent to the back of the line if the form was incomplete. "What? I don't see it - what's missing?"
Ethan smiled at the slight panic in her voice. He was completely taken by her golden hair and her wise blue eyes. "Your phone number - how I am supposed to know how to reach you if I can't scam your phone number from the form?"
Lulu giggled. "Did you spend a lot of time working on that line?"
"Does it show? My mom always said if I practiced hard enough it would pay off" he grinned.
Lulu smiled back at him. "I'm sorry Ethan Young but I don't go around giving my phone numbers out to strangers."
"Oh" his face fell slightly.
"But I could give you my email address" she offered. His face lit up. Handing her a pen, he stuck out his arm. "You want me to write it on your arm?"
"If you write it on paper I could lose it. If I lose my arm, I have bigger issues than not having your email address."
"Okay." She was keenly aware of how closely he was standing to her as she wrote on his arm. She tried not to be too distracted by the light woodsy smell of his cologne. Finished, she handed the pen back to him.
He looked at the address and then looked up at her. "Lulu? Who is this Lulu person?"
"It's what my friends call me."
"Do I get to call you Lulu?"
"I guess you'll have to wait and see." She winked at him before turning back to the line. College was looking to be more interesting by the minute.
xxxxxx
Noah draped his arm along the back of the couch, lightly twisting Brenda's hair through his fingers. With her legs tucked underneath her, she snuggled in closer to him, her hand linked with his. He let out an exaggerated sigh.
"What?" she giggled.
"Why is there a polar bear? They're in the tropics? There is no way a polar bear could survive there, they are genetically built to..." Brenda cut him off with a kiss. She had been horrified to discover he didn't know what Lost was, let alone seen an episode. The next time she came to his apartment she brought seasons one and two on dvd with her and they were now working their way through the discs.
"Stop trying to be logical about it" she said against his lips.
"If I keep being logical does that mean you'll kiss me again?"
"Maybe" she grinned.
He pushed her bangs from her face. "You are a stunningly beautiful woman, you know that, right?" He nipped at her lips.
"I like hearing you say it."
He ran his knuckles down the side of her face. "So, um...we never seem to get around to talking about what's going on with us."
Brenda looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean? I ask you about work all the time and I always tell you about my shopping trips."
Noah grinned. "That's not what I mean and you know it."
She smiled shyly. "I know what you meant" she said quietly. "I'm your bit on the side - we're having sex - lots of it - lots of really great sex"
"Is that what you want Brenda? Because you're an incredibly special person with so much to offer. You shouldn't ever be anyone's bit on the side and you're certainly not mine."
"I've been the trophy girlfriend Noah, I'm not interested."
"Is that how you think I see you, as a trophy?" he tried to keep the hurt from his voice.
She touched his lips with her fingers. "No. I know you don't. But Noah, you're not the only one who is terrified of relationships. I'm afraid if we define this or try to make it into something, we'll ruin it. I kind of like it as it is."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes" she said softly.
"Brenda, I don't want you to think that there's any reason why I wouldn't tell the world that we've been spending time together. You're beautiful and smart and you make me feel more alive than I have been in years."
"Noah" she pressed her lips into his. Pulling back, she gazed into his soulful eyes that certainly seemed less sad in the last few months. "I have made a series of monumentally bad choices when it comes to men and it's a daily struggle to remember my value or worth. You make me feel less crazy and I just don't want to open that up to people's opinions - not yet anyways."
"Okay" he nodded.
"Ready for the next episode?" she asked.
"Not just yet" he said, laying back on the couch and pulling her on top of him. "I think we need to explore more of this really great sex you were talking about"
Brenda giggled as his thumbs grazed her nipples. "Whatever you say, Original Hottie."
Patrick paced outside the room, reviewing the chart. He always found pediatric cases the hardest from an emotional stand point. Whereas he could be distant with his adult patients, it was nearly impossible to do so with children. They wanted more than information; they wanted someone to play with. Playing with kids led to caring about them and caring about them meant it was devastating if they didn't pull through. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door. "Hi Ellie" he said.
"Hi Dr. Patrick" she said brightly.
Patrick flipped a few pages on her chart. Ellie Matthews was a bright 10 year old girl who had presented with severe headaches. An MRI revealed a fast growing brain tumor and two rounds of chemotherapy had done little to shrink it. Surgery was now the only option. "Are you excited for New Year's Eve?" he asked sitting on the bed. "I hear they're going to have a movie and cake in the game room tonight."
"Will there be champagne?" she asked teasingly. Her hair had completely fallen out during the course of chemotherapy which only served to make her brown eyes seem bigger. Despite how sick she was, her eyes shone and Patrick found that hard to take.
"No kiddo - no champagne. I'm operating on you in two days - we can't have you hungover."
"Dr. Patrick!" she groaned. "'As IF I would be hungover. Will you be hungover?"
He smiled. "On my honour Ellie, I promise I will not be hungover doing your surgery. How are you feeling?"
"Okay" she shrugged.
"How about the seizures?"
"I've only had two today and they were pretty small ones, so it's all good."
"Do you have any questions for me?"
"Nope."
"Are you sure? I'll be back to see you before the surgery but if you have any questions now, I could answer them."
"Nah - you're going to cut into my head and take out the nasty tumor, right?"
Patrick grinned at her. There was no beating around the bush with her. "That's the plan, stan."
"My name is not Stan"
"Bob?"
"No" she giggled.
"Matilda?"
"Dr. Patrick, you know my name!"
"That's right Sally - how silly of me to forget."
"It's not Sally - It's ELLIE!"
"Right! Ellie - that's what I said!"
"You're weird" she said.
"You'd be surprised at how often I get that." He got up from her bed. "Okay - rest up, have fun tonight and we'll see you in a couple of days."
"Okay." Patrick walked to the door. "Dr. Patrick?"
"Yes Ellie?"
"It's going to be a happy new year, isn't it?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"That's the plan sweetheart." Walking out the door, he leaned against the wall and blew out his cheeks. He didn't see nurse Epiphany Johnson until she was beside him.
"Just in with the Matthews kid?" He nodded. "Peds cases get harder when you have kids of your own."
"She's a great little girl."
"And she's got a great doctor - keep your eye on the prize Dr. Drake, everything will be fine."
He smiled gratefully. The straight shooting nurse was not normally one to offer comfort which made it all the more meaningful when she did. "Thanks Epiphany."
"Uh-huh" she smiled as she walked away.
xxxxx
Nikolas slid his arms around Nathalie's waist and dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. "Are you sure I can't convince you to cancel this dinner party and spend the night in bed with me?"
Smiling, she turned around in his arms. Nikolas lowered his head and pressed his lips to the bare flesh at the lowest point of dress. "You make a good argument Mr. Cassadine, but it's New Year's Eve and I've invited our friends to celebrate with us. But we can spend a lot of time in bed later" she promised. Nathalie had been very excited to host a dinner party in her new house for her friends. Though she wouldn't say it out loud, Nathalie was relieved to see the end of the year.
"You look gorgeous" he said, taking in her deep green jersey knit dress. The halter top tied at the base of her neck leaving almost her entire back open and he wasn't sure he had ever seen a more seductive sight. He smiled as he saw the emerald studs in her ears. He couldn't remember a time when he had been happier.
She ran her hands over his shoulders. "You don't look so bad yourself. Though, I think you should make a new year's resolution to wear just a little less black."
"You don't like the all black look?" he said, motioning to his cashmere black turtleneck and black pants.
"Oh I love the all black look" she nipped at his bottom lip. "But you shouldn't be afraid of colour."
"Who says I'm afraid of colour? For example, I like the way that green dress makes your skin glow" he said, moving his mouth to her neck.
"Oh would you two get a room!" Lulu exclaimed.
Nathalie pulled away but Nikolas kept hold of her waist. "You gave her a key?" he asked.
"Yes - why not?"
"I don't have a key" he grumbled good naturedly.
"Yes but Lulu and I are further advanced in our relationship"
He shook his head. "I'm not even sure how to take that. I'll go open the champagne." He kissed her cheek and headed into the kitchen.
"Hey Lu - you look amazing." Nathalie said.
Lulu pulled at her top. "You think so?" Lulu was wearing a short black skirt along with a strapless red top that draped around her beautifully.
"I do" she said kissing her cheek. "This is going to be your year you know - I can feel it."
"Hope so. I got my courses changed at the college so a week from today I start on the new path."
Nathalie wrapped her arms around her. "I am so proud of you!"
"Knock knock!" Patrick said coming through the door with Robin. "Wow - three beautiful women all for me" he exclaimed.
"I can hear you Drake - stay away from my girlfriend" Nikolas called from the kitchen.
"You snooze you lose, Prince"
Nathalie slapped him on the chest. "Play nicely P" she said, kissing him hello. She hugged Robin. "You are stunning" she said.
"Isn't she?" Patrick said proudly. Robin's pale pink pleated silk dress set off her dark hair and golden skin.
"Where's Rian?" Lulu asked, hugging Robin.
"Uncle Mac wanted to take him. Actually I think Maxie and Georgie wanted to take him and roped Mac into it" Robin said.
Nathalie led everyone into the living room as Nikolas came out with a tray of champagne. "Is everyone here?" he asked.
"We're just waiting on Brenda and Noah" Nathalie said, sitting on the arm of Nikolas' chair. He rested his hand on her hip. Robin watched as Patrick measured the dynamic between Nathalie and Nikolas. Despite the fact that they had been dating for months Patrick remained very protective of Nathalie. He was ready to pounce the minute the minute Nikolas hurt her but there were simply no signs of that. Robin slid her hand into his and gave it a small squeeze. His fierce loyalty for those he loved was one of his most attractive traits.
Nathalie slid from the chair as the bell rang. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Brenda and Noah together. "Hi guys" she said brightly, standing out of the way to let them in.
"Look who I found as I pulled into the drive" Noah said, nodding to Brenda. "Aren't I a lucky man?"
"I'll say" Nathalie said, her eyes narrowing. "Hey Bren - how are you?"
"Freezing - tell me again why I don't drive?"
"You didn't walk did you?"
"I somehow thought it was closer than it was. I walk everywhere in Rome."
"Yes but it's a lot warmer in Rome" Nathalie laughed.
"Details, details" she said as Noah helped her off with her coat. Nathalie hung both their coats up and led them into the family room. As they greeted everyone and got settled, Nathalie got Robin's eye and motioned quickly to the kitchen. Robin winked and nodded and followed her out.
"They came together, didn't they?" Robin asked giddily.
Nathalie nodded, grinning. "They tried to act like they didn't but they so did. And they were trying not to make eye contact but you know..."
"They were trying to hard?"
"Exactly!" Nathalie clapped her hands. "I know it's weird that your best friend seems to be dating your father-in-law but I'm kind of happy for Noah."
"Me too" Robin giggled. "It's all kinds of weird but fun at the same time."
"Have you asked Brenda anything about
it?"
"I tried the other day when she came over but she
dismissed me. I am SO going to nail her on this."
"How do you think Patrick will react if he finds out?"
"How do you think he'll react?" Robin asked.
"His head will explode?"
"Pretty much!" Robin rubbed her hands together. "Tee hee! So much fun to be had, so little time." The doorbell rang again and Nathalie turned her head in direction of it.
"I'll get it Nat" Patrick called out as he headed to the door. Opening the door he was shocked as Grace jumped on him.
"Patty!!" she said, grabbing hold of his leg.
"Hi baby" he said. Looking up he saw Nathalie's father standing on the porch with Oliver in his arms. "Ambassador - this is a surprise. I didn't think the kids were coming back until Wednesday." He stepped out of the way with Grace still attached to his leg to let him in.
"Grace was rather desperate to get home" he said stepping inside and setting Oliver down on the ground.
"Gracie?" Patrick asked looking down at the young girl. He picked her up and searched her face. "Gracie-lou? What's going on pumpkin?"
She pulled at her bottom lip. "Did Daddy kill himself?" she asked.
Patrick's chest constricted and he felt the bile rise in his throat. "What did you say?'
"Did Daddy kill himself?" she asked more insistently.
Nathalie appeared in the doorway, her mouth hanging open. She glared at her father in disbelief. "What the hell did you do?"