| Chapter 17 Three days after his talk to Lucky, Stefan (or "Steven Spencer" as his new passport and other ID's read), walked to the Spencer's back door and knocked. "Come in," Laura called. Steven opened the back door and walked into the kitchen where he found Laura at the table surrounded by stacks books and papers. "What's all of this?" Steven asked as he sat down at the table. "I might not be ready to face Luke's death but the government could careless. I have to get all of these filled out and sent off by the end of the week. And I am not in the mood to do it," Laura said and she dropped her pen in frustration and started to cry. Steven realized that after weeks of putting up a strong appearance for her children was too much for Laura and she was beginning to break. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. I'll finish this up for you. Why don't you go lay down and rest," Steven said as he guided her up the stairs. "I have a lot to do. I have the memorial at Luke's to organize and Lucky is coming home from the hospital tomorrow. I have to get things ready for him," Laura said but Steven didn't listen. He slowly walked her to her room and helped her to lie down. "I will look after Lucky and the memorial. You just rest," Steven said and he gave her one of the sleeping pills that were beside her bed. After making sure that Laura was asleep. Steven walked back to the kitchen and started to look over the papers. He realized that it was going to take more than a few days to get things straighten out and that the Spencers needed more time. So, he picked up the phone and called Alexis. "Alexis?" Steven said as she answered the phone. "Yes, Stefan. I mean, Steven." Alexis said feeling a little uneasy using his new name for the first time. "Its ok, Alexis. I called to ask for a favor. The government wants Laura to close out Luke's estate but it is going to take awhile to do it. She is not up to doing it alone and I am going to try help her. I need a little time to get things worked out. You wouldn't mind helping me get that time?" Steven asked her. "I'll do it and how is the new Steven Spencer doing?" Alexis asked him. "Feeling out place. That isn't helping but Laura needs me and since I am the oldest Spencer now, it is up to me to look after things. How about you?" he asked. "I am almost done with my proposal to give to the courts that is handling the family break up. I hope they go for it. I can't wait for things to be over with. I just wish you would take some money," she told Steven. "No, I don't want anything from the estate. Mikkos was clear in his will for what he wanted me to have and I don't need him to help build my life. I will find a way to make it on my own. I finally am free to be myself and I'm enjoying it," Steven said. "Ok, but if you need anything call me. I might not be family but you are still very important to me," Alexis told him. "I will and thanks for doing this," Steven said and he hung up the phone. Steven spent the next four hours going over the many papers and documents that were laid out before him. Luke's book keeping could have been improved and it took Steven an hour just figure out what was what. He was just about done with one of the many papers that the government sent Laura when Leslie walked in with Lu. "Where is Laura?" she asked surprised to find Steven/Stefan sitting at the kitchen table. "Upstairs resting. Things started to cave in on her. I promised to help her get things straightened up," Steven said and he couldn't help but notice the cold look he was getting at the moment. "Fine," Leslie said in a tight voice. "Lu, why don't you go out and play. Your mommy is resting." "Sure," Lu said, as she gave a small wave to Steven. She headed out the back door with the dog right at her feet. Foster had been watching Steven closely since he walked into the house, but he now was tired of it and figured no harm was going to happen to anyone from him. Leslie waited until Lu was outside and out of ear shot before turning on Steven/Stefan. "What are you doing here?" she demanded pulling the pen from Steven's hands. "I am trying to help. No matter what you think, I do care what happens to them," Steven said. "Don't give me that. A leopard can't change its spots. You are not a Spencer and my daughter is too unstable right now to see it and so is Lucky, but I'm not. I am not going to let you hurt them," Leslie snapped at him. "I know you don't trust me and all I can do is try to show you that I'm not going to hurt anyone. All I want is to help out Laura and Lucky," Steven said. "They don't need it," came a voice from behind Steven. Standing in the doorway was Sonny. "Why don't you let them decide that," Steven said not backing down. "Right now, Laura isn't here and as long as I'm partners in Luke's I will take care of things for them. Now, get out this house," Sonny told him. Leslie had a pleased look on her face and was glad that Sonny showed up when he did, but things changed fast. "No, you leave," Laura said coldly as she walked into the kitchen and moved to Steven/Stefan's side. "Laura," her mother said trying to reach out to her daughter but Laura pulled away. "No, mother. You are wrong and so is Sonny." Laura said and with those words she turned to Sonny. "You said as long as you are a partner's in Luke's you will be part of my life. Well, I'm going to fix that and soon. I am going to buy you out. My husband might have put up with your connections but I'm not. I am not going to lose my son to you or your kind. He is going to have a life that is not connected to the mob and until Lucky is twenty-one I am the owner of Luke's. So, I am going to change the partnership and fast." "Laura, I would never . . .," Sonny started to speak but she cut him off. "Would never what? Put Lucky's life on the line? My son was shot outside that club and all he was doing was standing there. What are you going to do, Sonny, when Lucky walks out that door with you or Jason and gets shot? I lost Luke and I'm not losing Lucky. So, you have a choice. I am going to break the partnership with your approval or without it," Laura told him. Sonny looked in her eyes and knew she meant it. He also couldn't blame her and so, he back down. I'll have the papers set up and you name the price. I'll take any amount you say," He told her. "Good. Now, I don't mean to be rude but I don't want you in my home. You have a way of drawing danger and I'm not in the mood to be a target. I have a little girl and two sons to worry about. So, please leave," Laura told him. "Fine," Sonny said and with that Sonny walked out the Spencer home. Leslie looked at her daughter in shock and said, "Laura, he was only trying to help." "Mother, I don't want Sonny's kind of help. Lucky is not going to be lost to that world. I will not let it happen. I know the draw that it has and I dealt with it for too long now. I am not doing it any more and as for Stef�?�Steven. He is welcome in this home any time he wants. I am grateful for his help and if you don't like it, too bad," Laura said and she looked right at her mother with a very determined look on her face. "Fine, it is your house. I will not bring it up again," Leslie said and she headed out to watch over Lu. Laura shook her head and looked at Steven. "I'm sorry for that treatment," Laura told him. "Don't be. I expected it. How did you sleep?" He asked. Laura smiled at him and sat down in the other chair and said, "Fine and thanks I needed it. I was awake for awhile and I finally cried a little. I haven't done that and I know I need to but I have so much to do." "I'll help. I have most of this figured out," Steven said dropping the book on the table. "Thanks, I know how hard it is to read Luke's short hand," Laura said with a smile. "I survived," Steven said with a smile. "Were you serious about what you told Corinthos?" "Yes, I am very serious. I am not going to have Lucky walk out that door and get shot. I would never survive it. So, I'm going to get Sonny out of the club, but that means I need a partner. I can't run the club. I don't know a thing about it and I was wondering if you would want to buy his share?" Laura asked him. Steven was shocked to hear her say that and it took him a few minutes for it to sink in. "Are you sure?" he asked her. "I'm sure. I need someone that will ensure that the business is still successful by the time Lucky turns twenty-one. The club was Luke's legacy for Lucky. What better person to watch over the operations til that time? I know that running Luke's isn't a big company but it is a start and there is an apartment above the office for you and Nikolas," Laura said. "I don't know Laura. What do I know about running a Blues club?" Steven said. "Lucky can help you with that part of it. He knows just about as much about Luke's as Luke did. And the employees are the best; they all know exactly what their jobs are. All I need is someone to make sure that the books are done and things run smoothly. You will have plenty of time to build a new life as well," Laura said. "Ok, for you. I will do it but I want Lucky to agree as well and work a long side with me. I don't want him to think that I'm trying to run his life for him or take over his inheritance," Steven said. "He won't and thank you. Now, I have one more thing for you but it has to wait. I need to make sure that only me, you and Lucky know about it," Laura said and she got up to fix supper. Steven watched her with a puzzled look on her face and wondered what she was talking about. He wanted to get more information but decided that it would be best to leave things as they were for now. Chapter 18 Back to Luke's Secret Past |