Chapter 16
LuLu, Laura, and Tracy were in the kitchen preparing dinner for the group of people when Laura and Tracy noticed LuLu seemed off. She seemed distant. Tracy nodded at Laura indicating that she could be the one to ask LuLu what was wrong; she was her mother after all. "LuLu, honey, are you okay?", asked Laura.
Lulu heavily sighed. "How do I tell my daughter that her father is dead? The man I hated most in the world is dead. I want to dance on his grave, but my daughter loved him. Worshiped the ground he walked on. How did I go about telling her before Nina comes barging here demanding to know what happened on that island and demanding to still have custody of Charlotte?"
"First off, you fire that no good mob lawyer, Diane Miller. I will set you up with the best lawyer known to man. Second, screw that womb snatcher. You are this child's mother. You decide what's best for her", said Tracy.
Laura let out a chuckle. Tracy will be Tracy. "Honey, you are Charlotte's mother. You will know how to tell her this news. It will be heart wrenching, but you will get her through this. And then you do what Tracy not so eloquently said. She's your daughter, not Nina's. But, honey you need to tell her soon because knowing Nina, she will be here soon demanding to take Charlotte with her."
"Will the both of you be there with me when I tell her? I need the two women who taught me to be a mother to be there when I break my daughter's heart?", asked a nervous LuLu.
"Are you sure you want us there?", asked Laura.
LuLu nodded. "Absolutely."
Tracy and Laura nodded in agreement. Tracy said, "Well, let's do it. Now."
LuLu entered the living room to retrieve her daughter. She saw Charlotte, the little girl with her Laura's eyes and the Spencer smile, sitting on Kevin's lap telling the group what happened at dance class the other day. Her daughter was smiling and had not a care in the world. In five minutes, LuLu was bound to break her daughter's heart. "Charlotte, honey, can you come with me for a minute? I need to tell you something", said LuLu.
Charlotte jumped off Kevin's lap and walked towards her mother. "Sure Mommy."
LuLu grabbed Charlotte's hand and guided her towards Charlotte's bedroom. Laura and Tracy followed sharing sympathetic smiles for what was about to occur. LuLu and Charlotte sat on the edge of Charlotte's bed while Laura and Tracy remained standing in the doorway. They wanted to remain close but not to intrude on a very difficult mother daughter moment. "Mommy, what's wrong?", asked Charlotte.
LuLu deeply sighed. "Honey, you know how your Papa went out of town for business and said he would be back in a few weeks?"
Charlotte nodded.
"Well, Charlotte, your Papa was in an accident."
Charlotte became worried and anxious. "Will he be okay? When we he be allowed to come home?"
LuLu's eyes began to well with tears. This was the moment she would have to break her daughter's heart. "Sweetie, he won't be coming back. I'm so sorry, but he died, sweetheart."
Charlotte's jaw dropped and tears began to roll down her face. She whispered, "Are you sure, Mommy? Maybe he's just hiding away like he sometimes does to protect me."
LuLu shook her head. "Not this time, honey. He's gone. I'm so sorry."
Charlotte began to cry. LuLu gathered her daughter in her arms and rocked her. She looked up at her mother and Tracy attempting to ask them silently what else she could do. Laura gave LuLu a watery smile, proud of her daughter for handling the situation to the best of her ability.
"Mommy, did Papa go to Heaven?", asked a distraught Charlotte.
LuLu looked to Laura for help. Laura kneeled next to Charlotte and said, "He sure did. He is up there right now looking down watching you. He will be with you wherever you go. All you have to do is look up to the sky and when you see the sun shine extra bright or the moon giving off a huge glow, you know that's your Papa with you."
"Are you sure, Grandma?"
"One hundred percent. That's what I do when I miss my son, Nikolas. It makes me feel closer to him", responded Laura.
"There's no one who can replace your father. Trust me, sweetie. I would know. But, you have a lot of people around you who love you. You have your mom, Dante, Rocco, your Grandma Laura and Grandpa Luke. You even have Kevin, a professional listener. We all love you and will be here for you", interjected Tracy.
Charlotte smiled and hugged both Laura and Tracy. "Mommy, can I skip dinner tonight? I don't feel like eating", asked Charlotte. "I just miss Papa and want to stay in my room. Is that okay?"
LuLu hugged Charlotte tighter. "Sure, Sweetheart. Whatever you need. Do you want me to stay with you? Or do you want to be all alone?"
"Can you stay with me? Please", replied Charlotte.
"Of course. Of course, Honey. Mom. Tracy. Can you guys finish prepping dinner? Please", said LuLu.
"No problem", responded Laura. Tracy and Laura went to leave the room when Laura turned back towards her daughter and granddaughter. She said, "I love you, Charlotte. Your Papa would be so proud of you."
"Thank you, Grandma."
Laura entered her and Kevin's bedroom after preparing herself for bed. Spencer fell asleep about an hour ago after an emotional and exhausting day. Kevin and Laura told Spencer about Valentine's death. Spencer reacted just as they thought he would: ecstatic. Laura warned Spencer about acting joyful around Charlotte. Spencer agreed that he would hold his joy for Valentine's demise on the inside. He understands what Charlotte is going through. She just lost one of her beloved parents, although she still has her mother to rely on, Spencer can sympathize with her.
"So, how does it finally feel to be back to normality?", asked Kevin as Laura got under the covers.
Laura sighed. "Like heaven. I never want to separated from any of you again."
"How did Charlotte take the news? I noticed she or LuLu weren't at dinner?"
Laura frowned. "She was upset, quite naturally. But, she has an excellent mother to help her through this grief. As much as I hated Valentine, I did break my heart to watch Charlotte receive that devastating news."
Before Kevin could reply to Laura, Spencer came bursting in their room to tell them someone was at the door and they seemed really angry. Kevin and Laura put their robes on and went to answer the door. Spencer remained hidden on the stairwell wanting to eavesdrop on their uninvited guest. Kevin opened to the door to find a very pissed off Nina standing on their doorstep. Before Laura or Kevin could question Nina's presence, she shoved herself through the door way past Kevin and Laura and began to rant. "You Spencers have a lot of nerve! My husband is dead and I know its because of this nut case over here and her sick ex-husband!", yelled Nina.
"Hey!", Kevin exclaimed. "You do not have any authority to call my wife a nut. You are the women who cut a baby out of someone else's womb! If anyone is a nut here, and I would know, it would be you!"
"Excuse me! My husband is dead and its because of your wife!"
Laura noticed that Kevin was losing his cool. His hands clenched into fists and his breathing was labored. It was her turn to defend herself. "Your husband did not die because of me. He made a mistake. It's his own fault he died. If anyone should be angry, it should be myself, Luke, and Robert. Valentine had us kidnapped and our deaths faked! If anyone is considered psychotic, it would have to be Valentine!"
Nina let out a deep breath. "Listen, my husband is dead! Gone! You were able to come home to your family and live happily ever after-"
Laura interrupted Nina. "Happy ever after? You think my life is a fairy tale? Listen, Nina, your husband was psychotic. He wanted to take over the world and the only way he thought he could achieve world domination was by kidnapping and faking deaths. My life is not a fairy tale. It sometimes can be considered a night mare. I'm sorry the man you love is dead and your heart is aching, but I am not sorry Valentine is out of my life."
Nina nodded. She pointed at Laura and said, "That's the issue. You still have a husband. You were probably in bed, cuddling, relishing in the fact that you are with the man you love. I can't do that anymore. He's gone. I don't give a damn that he hurt you. I never did. I loved him. I let every horrible thing he did get pushed under the rug because he was the man that stole my heart. I would think you of all people would understand. Two words: Luke Spencer."
Laura replied, "Luke never killed someone's son for fun. Luke never attempted to kidnap an innocent child for fun. Luke wasn't an innocent man, but he was a good man. Was he a brooding Cassadine, which I have to agree I once found attractive? No. You can not compare my love story with Luke to your two-year dalliance with Valentine."
"Luke raped you! He raped you! Did you forget that? You pushed that under the rug and spread your legs for him some months later, like some whore!", Nina yelled.
"HEY! Get the hell out of my house. You do not get to speak to my wife that way," Kevin said with anger in his voice.
Nina moved towards the door and turned around before exiting. "Valentine's blood is on your hands, Laura. Don't you ever forget that."
Once Nina left, Kevin locked the door and joined Laura on the couch. Laura sat with her head in her hands. Kevin began to rub her back soothingly. "Laura, what Nina said about Valentine's blood being on your hands. That's not true. You didn't kill him."
Laura looked up at Kevin with tears brimming in her eyes. "I agreed to it, Kevin. I may not have pushed the button, but I agreed to it. She's right."
"No! She's not Laura. You, Luke, Robert, Tiffany, and Lucky were in a fight or flight situation. The only way you would have made it out of there alive was to stop him, kill him."
Laura sighed. "You are only saying that as my husband. I want your honest, opinion as a human, as a psychiatrist. As anything but my husband. Please."
Kevin grabbed Laura's hands. "Laura, this man took you and faked your death. He was going to kill you if you weren't found by Luke. He was going to kill you if you didn't give him the information he wanted. The only way to break free was to fight. The only weapon was the freeze chamber. As a group, the five of you decided that was the best option. You had a WSB agent agree that freezing him was the best option. You did not murder Valentine Cassadine out of joy or fun. You agreed to the freeze chamber as a way of survival. This is coming from a psychiatrist's point of view, not your husband's."
Laura hugged Kevin. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you. For everything."
Laura, Kevin, and Spencer were sitting in Alexis' office waiting to meet with her. Laura received a phone call during breakfast from Alexis, who happened to be Valentine's lawyer, requesting to meet with her and Spencer sometime today regarding the Cassadine estate. Laura was slightly confused over the request because she just assumed everything would go to Nina and Charlotte.
Alexis entered the room and said, "Hello. So sorry to keep you all waiting. I was on the phone with Molly, and Spence, you know her, once she starts talking she never stops." Everyone laughed. Alexis sat down and said, "Well, I am sure you are wondering why I called to meet with you. So, let's get right to the point. Spencer, you are the rightful heir to the Cassadine estate. Always were. Valentine forged Mikkos' will. The WSB searched Wyndamere after Robert requested a search to be made to make sure there were no other diabolical plans in motion. In a security box, they found a document. It was Mikkos' will. They brought it to my attention. I compared the one currently in Valentine's files and the newly found copy. The one the WSB found in authentic. Valentine forged his."
Laura, Kevin, and Spencer were all in shock. Spencer's jaw dropped at the new revelation. Laura looked to Kevin in utter shock and confusion. "What does the true will say? Are you sure Spencer is the heir? I mean, I am just so confused and shocked. How did Valentine forge one that even you believed? No offense," questioned Kevin.
Alexis responded, "It was Valentine. He covers his tracks. I'm sorry that I never caught on to the fact that the will was fake. I truly apologize. The will states that the eldest son's first-born heir will continue to inherit the estate. The estate would only be able to go to another child in that generation if all of the eldest son's heirs are dead. Stavros is dead, Nikolas is dead, but Spencer is not. It was yours all along, Spence. Wyndamere, the islands, the boats, cars, horses, money. Everything is yours."
Spencer remained silent. He couldn't believe what Alexis just told him. He just got the world handed to him, but he wasn't fully happy. He asked, "What if I don't want all of it?".
Laura, Kevin, and Alexis looked at Spencer in confusion. The idea that the spoiled, rich kid doesn't want the family fortune seemed unfathomable.
Laura asked, "Honey, what do you mean? Are you saying you don't want the Cassadine estate?".
Spencer took a deep breath and explained, "Nothing will bring back my father. Is it great to be told that I inherited everything? Sure, but after being with you and Kevin for the last two years, I changed. I learned stuff like multiple houses and horses and money will never replace my father. Things like that will make me happy for a moment, but not forever. I want some of the estate, like money to put away for college for not only me but all my cousins. I want the house on Lake Como for Nana Lesley because she loved it. But Wyndamere, I don't want to live there anymore. It wouldn't be the same without father. I belong with you and Kevin. Kevin's house is my new home. Maybe I could turn Wyndamere into a new Port Charles attraction where people could ride my horses and do other stuff that I can't think of right now, but do you understand what I am saying? I don't need the whole estate. I would like parts but not all."
Kevin smiled and replied, "I think that is wonderful Spencer. I am proud of you, Kiddo."
"Is he able to do that, Alexis?", Laura asked.
Alexis responded, "I will have to look into the finer details of the will and the estate, but I am fairly certain that you can do this, Spencer. And, I agree with Kevin. I am so proud of you."
Laura said, "Your dad would be too, Sweetheart."
Spencer smiled. "Thank you."
"I can't believe she said that to you. I tried to put up with her for Charlotte, but I always thought she was a crazy bitch, "said LuLu.
LuLu and Laura were in the Quatermaine foyer discussing Laura's argument with Nina before heading into the living room with the rest of the family. LuLu wanted to throw one huge family dinner before Luke and Tracy went off traipsing around the globe again, but soon realized her house wouldn't have enough space for everyone. So, Tracy offered to have the whole Spencer gang over at the Quatermaine's for one final dinner.
"I know. I was two steps away from slapping her, but Kevin intervened and told her she had to leave," replied Laura.
"I can't believe she said that about Dad. How is he like Valentine? I know Dad has done a lot of horrible things, but none as horrible as Valentine."
"Who said what about me?", interrupted Luke.
Laura rolled her eyes. "Were your ears burning, Mr. Nosy?"
Luke chuckled. "No. I was chatting with Doc and noticed two of my favorite girls weren't around. So, I came to look for you."
LuLu said, "Well, I better go check that Cook Two didn't kill Olivia in the kitchen. Or vice versa. You two keep talking."
LuLu left and Laura said, "The one thing our daughter did not get from either of us was subtlety."
"Very true. She's a straight shooter. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't," Luke said.
Laura nodded.
"So, are you going to tell me who said what about me? You know I hate being out of the loop," said Luke.
Laura motioned for Luke to sit with her on the stairs. She said, "It was Nina. She came knocking on our door late at night the other day. She blamed me for Valentine's death. When I told her that I am not sorry that he is dead, she compared you to Valentine. Saying that the both of you are one in the same."
Luke replied, "Laura, that's nothing. So, what she compares me to that bastard. I've been called worse."
"That's not what really bothered me."
Luke saw the change in Laura's eyes. They looked darker and hurt. Luke put his hand gently on Laura's shoulder. "Laura, what did Nina say that bothered you?"
"She brought up the rape. She said you raped me and a few months later I spread my legs like some whore. She also said that I will carry Valentine's blood on my hands forever."
Luke's blood boiled. Who was this woman to say these things to the only angel to walk around Port Charles and steal his heart. Luke gently turned Laura's face towards him and said, "You, Laura, are not a whore nor a murderer. What transpired between us all those years ago is confusing, even for us. You didn't ask for me to rape you. When we slept together at Beecher's Corners, we made love. We became one. Laura, if you asked myself, Kevin, or even Scott Baldwin, we would all tell you that you don't give yourself easily. We have to win your heart. And being a murderer, you are not. You did not kill Valentine. I did. I pressed the button. Not you. There is no blood on your hands, little lady."
"I killed before, Luke. David Hamilton, one of Scully's men. I killed them and got away with it. I have blood on my hands, Luke," Laura said as she began to cry.
"Laura, David Hamilton played with your mind and heart. He played you. And one of Scully's thugs, you shot him before he was going to kill me. You don't kill for fun or because you planned it. You killed out of self-defense."
Laura didn't respond. She kept wiping tears away and trying to avoid eye contact with Luke. Luke said, "Laura, you are the one angel to ever walk into my life. I know you aren't perfect, but your heart is. Everyone in that room over there can attest to the fact that you have a pure and good heart. How do you think you could have gotten three men with totally different personalities to fall madly in love with you and two of them have loved you for over thirty years? Your heart, darlin'. And don't let this psycho bitch Nona-"
"Nina," Laura interrupted with a laugh.
"Nina. Nona. Whatever. Don't let what she said get to you. She doesn't know you like everyone else. She doesn't know the goodness and pureness which is you. She was contaminated by Cassadine thinking."
Laura launched herself into Luke's arms. "Thank you. Truly, Luke. Thank you."
Luke smiled. "Anytime you need a boost, I'll be happy to help, but I think I know a shrink in that room over there that would be more than happy to boost your spirits."
Laura replied, "I know and he did that night. He does every day. I think I just need to hear it from you because no one understands us like we do. Everyone tries, but they aren't us."
Lucky opened the door to the Quartermaine's living room and said, "Hey, are you guys joining the party or not? This might be the last time the Spencer family both near and extended are all under one roof. Come on."
Luke and Laura laughed and Luke helped Laura up off the stairs. "Come on, Angel. Our wacky family doesn't know how to party without the dancing king and queen themselves."