| Chapter 14 Laura had gone for a walk and left Nikolas with Lucky. She was just about to go back into the room when Mac exited the elevator and called out to her. "Laura? I have to talk to you," He called. Laura stopped and walked toward Mac. "You find out what I asked for?" she asked him. "Yes, and you are not going to like it. Helena the sick old witch taped everything that happened in her room that night. I will not tell you everything in detail. I think it would be best that you didn't know what she tried to do to your son. I will say that Luke showed up right on time and she earned her death. I would have same thing, if I was in his place," Mac informed her. "What about Luke?" Laura asked a little unsure if she wanted to hear this information or not. Mac paused for a moment and then said, "I'm sorry Laura. Stefan's story was the truth. Ari stuck up on Luke and shoved him over the railing. Luke did manage to hold but Stefan couldn't get him in time. I know he did try and that does surprise me. He also was the one that killed Ari. It wasn't done to hid the truth or keep things secret. It was because Ari shoved Luke's body out to sea. I know this is hard to take but it's the truth." Laura turned her back and started to cry. Mac placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and stood there comforting her until she regained her composure. "Thanks, Mac," Laura said finally, "I really do appreciate this. I needed to know the truth. They have any word on Luke's body?" she asked in a shaky voice. "No and I am afraid you will never have a body to bury. I wish it would have different and I know he deserved better," Mac said, he was a little unsure on what to say. He knew this was hard on Laura and he was surprised on how well she was holding up. He knew it was only a matter of time before her composer broke down and she fell apart. "I know he did," Laura said as tears fell and she headed off to Lucky's room. She needed to cry and morn Luke but right now, it was Lucky that mattered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Lucky slept for four days and when he woke it was with a start. Lucky looked around the new room and tried to clear the fog out of his mind. He relaxed suddenly when he spotted his mother sleeping in the chair beside him and his brother not to far away fast asleep. Lucky lay in bed watching them for a long time trying to figure out what was going on. When slowly Laura opened her eyes and spotted him. She smiled warmly at her son and asked, "How long have you been awake?" "Not long. Why am I tied down?" Lucky asked moving his arm back and forth. "You had an aversion to being touched. We needed to give medication and those were the only way to do it," Laura said and she reached over and undid the restraints. "Thank," Lucky said and he rubbed his wrists. "How did we get here?" he asked her. "What I want to know is what do your remember?" Laura asked as she placed a warm and comforting hand on Lucky's shoulder. "Did she?" He asked not really wanting to know the answer but Lucky had to face it sometime. "No, she got real close but she didn't finish the job. Your father showed up just in time," Laura said. "How hurt is he?" Lucky asked as the image of Luke falling over the rail flashed in his mind. Laura had hopped that he didn't remember that part and she had talked to the doctors. They were going to hold off telling Lucky about Luke until he was stronger and more mentally ready to deal with the news. "Your father is hurt and he wants you to take yourself. Ok," Laura said smiling a sad smile at her son. "Yeah, when you see him. Tell him thanks that is two I owe him," Lucky said but the smile he had on his face was forced. Laura knew this and gently and lovingly pulled him into her arms. Lucky lay there and cried in his mother shoulders. "It's ok, baby. She is gone and she isn't going to hurt you any more," Laura whispered as she rocked him. The two of them stayed that way for along time and finally Lucky fell asleep. As Laura laid Lucky back on the bed she glanced up and Nikolas. Who had sat and listen to everything that she had to say. She saw the pain in his eyes and she tried to smile at him to give him some comfort but Laura couldn't smile any more. She suddenly ran out of the room to cry. She couldn't sit beside her son any longer and pretend that Luke was alive and that he was going to see his son again. Nikolas watched her go and he felt helpless to help her. He didn't know what to say or how to make it better. He had spent a lot time thinking about his hate for Luke and Luke's hate for him. The guilt was doubled because of the fact that Luke was his grandfather and not just his stepfather. Nikolas was no longer a prince but worse he wasn't a Cassadine either. Helena gave him a taste on how they treated people that was out the family. He was grateful for that because it made hating them easier. He now didn't want to have anything to do with the Cassadines and now he really understood Luke's hate towards them. How do you care for a family that used you like a piece of meat and was willing to throw you away when they were done? He couldn't do that and he couldn't ask Luke to do that. He wanted to talk Luke one more time and tell him this. He wanted on more chance to really get to know his true family. Lucky was the only link that was left. He knew his father better then anyone and one day Nikolas hoped to be able to sit down and talk to him about it. Right now thought, Lucky needed to get over what Helena tried to do and Nikolas was going to be here for him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Laura ran down the hall and headed outside. She was almost to the main door when a hand reached out and grabbed her. She started to fight the person until she realized who had her. Scott Baldwin had spotted her and he wanted to see if he could do something. When he realized that she was crying. Scott wrapped his arms around her and held her. Laura let him and she cried in his arms. She let out all the pain she was holding in and for the first time she dealt with loosing Luke. Scott walked Laura to a seat in the corner of the reception area and they sat for a long time not talking. He was just there for Laura and let her cry until the tears were gone. When he noticed that she was no longer crying as hard he asked, "You feel better?" "Yes, Thank you but I feel like a fool," she said looking in her pocket for something to wipe her face with. Scott smiled at her and handed over his hankie. She took it gratefully and wiped the tears away. "Don't feel that way. I understand your pain. I loved Dominic and I didn't get a chance to mourn her until after Serena was born," Scott told her. "Strange I would run into you. I know you and Luke were not the best of friends. And grieving with you is kind of ironic." She said with a sad smile. "Well, that is the past and what I think of Luke doesn't matter here. He was your husband and from what I understand you two had a good life and that is all that counts," Scott told her. "Thanks. We did have a good life and I have to two great children because of him. You can three if count his grandson," Laura said thinking about Nikolas. "So, Stefan isn't a Cassadine. I heard that it might be possible but I wasn't for sure," Scott said as he tried to think about how messed up things were because of one family. He had his own problems but nothing compared to the Laura's at this moment. "Yes, I just found out today. I haven't heard for Stefan yet because Lucky is my main concern right now. I will look him up later to see if I can do anything," Laura said. "I would hate to be in his shoes. You find out that the man you hated was your father and that you slept with your stepmother. Why does that sound sick?" Scott asked Laura hoping he hadn't offended her. "It is but the one to blame is Helena. She should have told Luke. She should have given Stefan to father but that woman didn't love anyone and only used people for her own gain. I hope if there is a God that she is burning in hell right now," Laura said with pure hate in her voice. "I do to and my thoughts are with you. I do hope that everyone can work something out," Scotty said. "I do to. Stefan is a grown man and he makes his own decisions. I will expect anything he comes up with," Laura said and then stood up. "Thanks again for being here and letting me cry. I have to go back to my son and help him deal with what had happened." Scott gave her a hug good bye and watched as Laura when back up to Lucky's room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Stefan sat at his desk at Wyndomere looking around at once was his life. The blood test came back with the truth. He wasn't a Cassadine but the son of one of Helena's lovers. He now was faced with a decision. What was he going to do? He wasn't a Cassadine but could he face life as a Spencer? He hated them didn't he? And did he? What did Luke really do to him? He killed Mikkos a man that hated his guts and treated him like dirt. He killed Stavros? All Stavros did was laugh at him and walk over him. Luke even killed Helena and look what she did to all of them! Why did he hate Luke so much? Or was that hate gone now, if so what was left? Mrs. Lansberry walked in and said, "You have a visitor." She said not really sure what to call Stefan or if he was her employer any more. "Who is it?" he asked. "Ah, Miss Anderson?" Mrs. Lansberry said. "Send her in," Stefan said taking a deep breath and he waited for Ruby's arrival. "What can I do for you? Stefan asked as soon as Ruby walked into his office. "It isn't what you can do for me but what I can for you," Ruby said and before Stefan could reply she got right down to it. "Bobbie called me and told me of the results of the blood test. I want to be the first to welcome you to the family." "That's a first, I thought all Spencer's hated me," Stefan said with a cynical laugh. "Stefan, sit down. I think you need to know about us," Ruby commanded and her tone of voice took Stefan off guard. He hadn't been addressed in that manor in along time but he did sit down to listen to her. Ruby waited until she had is complete attention before going on. "I know that this hard on you. It is hard on all of us. I know that you did everything you could to save Luke and I'm grateful. You didn't have to and you didn't know then what you do now. That is the past and we push it behind us. Like we do to everything else that has happened. If we held everything that we do to each other to our faces, then Luke and Bobbie would have never talked to each other and Bobbie would still hate her daughter. We are not perfect and we do hurt each other but you can be when someone crosses one of us the rest will be involved as well. Now, I see you several choices. One take your mother's name and start a life, two stay a Cassadine and fight what you think is yours, or take your fathers name. If you take Luke's name, you take all that goes with it. I can't say that Bobbie will openly care for you now but she comes around. I think if you work at it you might even gain Lucky's respect, but if you take Luke's name. You better be ready to stand up with us when someone hurts the other. No matter who it is or what they do to you. We have nothing but each other. I know Luke would have given up everything he owned for one of us. You have to willing to do the same thing," Stefan talked as he slowly digested what she had told him. "You saying you can take me as Spencer?" "You are a Spencer. If we take Carly then we have to take you. She choice to be call herself a Roberts and that we understand. She is still family and no matter what he have to except it," Ruby said with a smile on her face. " I don't know what to say but I think about what you said. I am still trying to figure things out and you have helped me in a lot of ways," Stefan said getting up from his chair. "I didn't expect and answer now. I know that is going to be hard decision but I want to say that if you choice us. We will come a round sooner or later. I just hope that you will not be playing a game with us," Ruby said. "If I take Luke's last name. I will give everything that I have given to Cassadines. I will be a Spencer," he said. "Good. I will leave you to think and when you decided. Come to my dinner and tell me. If you come as Luke's son, you will have a home there just like the rest of them," Ruby said gave Stefan a hug and then left. This took Stefan off guard and he didn't know how to take it. She did make him feel better and he didn't expect that and she had given him a list of possibilities that was more then he had before. ~~~~~~~~~~~~` Stefan headed for the hospital later that day to talk to Nikolas. He knew that whatever decision he made that Nikolas was involved in as well. Nikolas was just leaving Lucky's room when his father walked up. "How you feel?" Nikolas asked. "I'm fine but we need to talk. You have time?" Stefan asked his son. "Yes, Lucky woke up and went to sleep, but Alan said that is normal. I was just going to get some air." Nikolas told him and the two headed down the hall to go outside. Stefan and Nikolas sat around the fountain to talk. "I had a visitor today. Ruby stopped by and offered me a chance to a Spencer. I wanted to get your opinion on this and our other choice," Stefan told him. "What are the other choice?" Nikolas asked shocked to know that any Spencer was willing to take them into the family. "We can go by Helena's last name, Luke's or stay Cassadines," Stefan told him. "Well, I don't want to sound horrorable but being a Cassadine is out of the question. I hate them more then I ever could and in fact, I hope the family kills each other off fight for that money. I don't like the idea of taken Helena's last name after everything she has done not only Lucky but to you. So, I say. If being a Spencer is our only choice lets do it," Nikolas said. "I thought the same thing and I'm glad you see it that way. I guess, I'll talk to Alexis and ask her to make necessary changes," Stefan said. "I see one problem though?" Nikolas said with a smile on his face. "What is that?" Stefan asked. "Stefan Spencer, doesn't have a very good sound to it. What are you going to do about your first name?" Nikolas asked his father. "I haven't thought about it. What do suggested?" Stefan asked. "Well, you are starting a new life with a new last name. Why not pick a new first name. How about Steven or Steve?" Nikolas suggested. "I think I like Steven better and you right. I am making a new life. Ruby said that if I pick Spencer I take the responsible with it. We might not have a lot money and I might have to work on building a life for the both of us but together we will make it," Stefan told him. "I know we will and I'll work with you. We can make our fortune and our own history. We don't need them and I don't them," Nikolas said and he gave his father a hug. "I don't need them either and yes, they will kill each other. The only person I care about in that family is Alexis and I am going to offer her my help. I might not be the heir or the heir apparent but I do know how to deal with them. I can even some of them what happened to anyone who cross a Spencer," Stefan said with a cold smile. "So, you see yourself as Spencer?" Nikolas asked him. "I'm working on it but I see is I life that is ours. I can live the rest and if I put up the Cassadines. I can put up with Spencers," Stefan said and he left Nikolas right then to go find Alexis to get the ball rolling in getting things changed over. Nikolas watched him and thought about became a Spencer. It was different but it was a start. A new start with a new life and he hopped that it was better then his old one. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` "Are you sure about this?" Alexis asked after Stefan told her what he wanted her to do. "Mikkos' will is so full of holes I can have it thrown out in court in less then ten minutes." "Alexis, I know you can but what good would it do. I'm not a Cassadine and to tell the truth. I couldn't live with the name even if it wasn't in Mikkos' will. All my life I have been reminded that I was nothing and that I would amount to nothing. If Mikkos wants only blooded Cassadines to carry his worthless name so be it. I'll make my own life and a life for my son. I don't need or want anything from them," Stefan said as he sat across from Alexis in the office at the hospital. "What about the rest of the family and the fortune?" Alexis asked. "I have no say in that but you do, now. What you decided is your business and if you want my help. I'll give it," Stefan said, as he placed in front of her, the Cassadine ring and his and Nikolas' medallions. "Stefan, I'm sorry. I wish that this wouldn't be happening to any of us. You should run the family not because of the blood that is in your veins but that you earned it," Alexis told him not reaching out for the items in front of her. "Well, it is happening and I have live with it. So, Natasha what are you going to do?" Stefan asked her. "The vultures are demanding their share of the money and I have no choice but to give it. The problem is do I let the courts decided who gets what or do I come of with an idea that we all can life with?" Alexis asked more to herself then Stefan but he did have a suggestion. "Why not give everyone equal shares? No one can say that they got more or less then anyone else," Stefan told her. Alexis looked at him with shock and surprise on her face but she did think about what he said. It did have marrit and at least this way no one had more power then the other and they would have trouble trying to over come the other person. "I like the idea," she said finally. "You want me to suggest that you get your share as well?" "No, I don't want their charity. Nikolas and me will be fine. I do have some money in my account. It is not a fortune and it will not last forever but it will do," Stefan said. "All right, but you need anything don't feel that you can't ask me. I may not be your cousin or sister but I still love you like you are part of my family," Alexis told him and she got up and gave Stefan a hug. "Thank, Alexis. I know you mean it but just do what I asked and the rest is up to me. I have to go pack now. I don't want to be in that house any longer then necessary," Stefan said and he got up to leave. "Where are you going to stay?" she asked him. "I have a room ready for me and Nikolas at the Port Charles hotel. I know we can't stay for to long because of the my finances but it will do until I get a job." Stefan said as he finally realized that for the first time in his life. He was going to have to work for someone else and take orders from them. He knew that this was going to take a lot of adjusting before he really got used to the idea. "Good luck," Alexis said with a smile. "I will need it," Stefan said and he left the office right then and headed back to Spoon Island for one last time. Alexis watched as he left and wished that she could do something. Stefan has only know one life and to find out that you didn't belong in that life and that you are now on your own is going to be hard to deal with. She sat and thought about all the things that she could do for him and then it hit her. She knew how to help Stefan and keep General Hospital working in the same fashion they have been doing sense the Cassadines first arrived. It would take a little work and a lot of wheeling and dealing with the family but she had a feeling that she could work something out. Alexis picked up the phone and started to dial. She might as well get started because she had a lot to do and she saw very long days in store for her as well. The first thing she had to do is call Ned and cancel her date then right to work. Chapter 15 Back to Luke's Secret Past |