| Chapter 45 Angelic sat in the back of the jet beside her brothers as the Cassadine jet streaked across the sky. The others were sleeping in the front of the plane. Lucky and Bobbie were using Luke�s shoulders as a pillow. Angelic was smiling at the three of them and asked, �How�s things going with Luke?� �I guess ok. I don�t think I�ll ever here him call me father ever again but at least he allows me near my grandchildren,� Mikkos said laughing as Lucky started to hit Luke�s arm to soften it up a bit. �I wonder how many times he went to sleep like that?� Victor asked smiling. �To many,� Mikkos said. Angelic looked at her brother and said in a warning tone. �Mikkos, I know that look. You are planning something!� �Angelic, don�t play Mother Superior with me. I really am not in the mood,� Mikkos warned her. Angelic shook her head and said, �Mikkos, you have a chance to start over. Don�t blow it!� she warned her brother. �Don�t worry. He won�t do anything. I got word that Damion was set to prison just yesterday. He is out of all our lives forever,� Victor said smiling at her sister. �Good. I want you two to say out of trouble just sit back and enjoy your family,� Angelic said. *********************** On the trip home, Mikkos got a call from Alex saying that it was time to wake Stefan up. So, the group went directly to the hospital and sat there waiting for news to see if Stefan was ever going to walk again. Angelic was in the room with him when Stefan first opened his eyes. �I�m not that bad am I?� Stefan asked looking at Angelic kneeling beside him praying. Angelic looked up Stefan and smiled. �No, from what I see. You are great,� Angelic said kissing her nephew on the cheek. It was then that Stefan realized that this wasn�t just any nun but his aunt. Stefan looked at her and said, �It took me almost dying to get you to see us again.� �I�m sorry for that but if wasn�t for Helena. I would have never left you,� Angelic said and she kissed Stefan on the cheek. As she stood up, she asked. �Do you want me to go get the others?� �No, not yet,� Stefan said and he closed his eyes trying to gathered his thoughts. All he remembered about the fall was that he was talking to his mother and then suddenly the world started spinning on him. Stefan raised his hand checking out the tubes that were running from his vain. He missed Angelic�s silent blessing with that. No own knew that Stefan could move any part of his body let alone his arms. The door open and Stefan open his eyes. Nikolas was standing there with tears his eyes shaking. �Father!� Stefan raised his arm and motioned Nikolas towards him. �I�m alright,� Stefan said. Nikolas ran to his father and buried his head in his father�s shoulder. �I thought I lost you,� Nikolas cried as Stefan held him. �You can never loose me,� Stefan said as he patted Nikolas� back. Angelic stood up and walked out of the room giving father and son time to be alone together. Nikolas was just standing up and wiping the tears from his eyes when the door opened again and in walked Alex. She walked to Stefan�s bedside and said, �How you feel?� �Ok, I guess. What happened?� �Don�t you remember?� Alex asked walking to the other side of Stefan�s bed and grabbing his wrist to check his pulse. She was glad to see that his fingers were moving. This meant that he at least had some movement. �No, not much. How bad am I?� Stefan asked. Alex looked at Nikolas and asked, �How about giving me a few moments with your father?� �Sure,� Nikolas said bending down hugging father one more time and said to him. �I�ll be just outside.� After the boy left, Alex looked at Stefan and said, �How you got here is that Helena shoved flight of stairs. You would hit here,� Alex said placing her hand right behind Stefan�s neck. �You would have been dead. You hit a little bit lower then that and you broke your back and some ribs. I�m going to check you out a bit and see how much damage there was.� Stefan didn�t comment. He just laid there as Alex ran her tests and asked him questions. Things went fine until she got to his legs. Alex was at his feet running her pen up and down his foot. Stefan didn�t feel a thing. After a few more tests, Alex looked at Stefan and said, �It looks like the swelling is still there. This doesn�t mean it is permanent. It just means you have some work to do,� Alex told him. Stefan didn�t say anything. He just lay there with eyes closed thinking he was never going to walk again. Alex looked at him and said in a sarcastic voice, �Don�t tell me a Cassadine is going to give up!� �Why not?� Stefan said finally open his eyes and glaring at her with a look of pure frustration. �Because that bitch is dead and so her brother! Helena can�t you or anyone but if lay here and feel sorry for yourself then she wins. She proves that you are exactly what she said you were. Now, you might have to work a bit to walk again but you will walk. That Stefan, I don�t doubt! Now, I�m going to order tests to check out how bad this damage is. When we know that, I�m going to set things up therapy for you. You will do it! If I have to dog you all the way! Now, get your act together and I�ll go get your son. Nikolas has been at your side everyday from the time you feel. I think he earned being with you.� Alex walked out of the room then closing the door behind him leaving Stefan alone to think about what she just said. When Nikolas came back in the room, Stefan asked, �Mother really dead?� �Yes, Luke and her fought right here in your room. He won,� Nikolas said sitting beside his father�s bed and telling him everything that he missed. Stefan shook his head at this. �Mikkos and Ruby are married that means� I�m a,� Stefan couldn�t say the word. He just laid there with his eyes closed feeling like the world blew up on him all of sudden. �It means nothing. Grandfather told me that Merck proclaimed that Ruby was dead. He made it very legal. Helena and Mikkos were married,� Nikolas said grabbing his father�s hand. �Yeah, it doesn�t help at all,� Stefan said. �I know. Luke felt the same way at first. He took off for a few days and no one could find him. Lucky was the one that found his father and brought him back. Luke faced Mikkos and now they get alone to a point. No one has brought up where we go from here. Mother doesn�t want to go back to the island any more. I can�t blame her. I don�t want to be there either. Not after all of this,� Nikolas admitted sadly. �We will find another place for all of us,� Stefan said hugging Nikolas. �I promise!� ************************************ About a week later, Stefan was sitting up in bed using the exercise ball that his physical therapist gave him that day. He was working on building his arm muscles both to regain the strength he lost and build some up for the long fight ahead. While lying there, the door of his room opened and in walked his father. Stefan put down the ball and said, �Afternoon.� �Afternoon,� Mikkos said walking in and placing his briefcase on the table beside Stefan�s bed and pulling out several magazines and puzzle books. �Ah, Lucky helped me pick them out. I had no idea what to give you.� Stefan picked up the magazines and the books and smiled. �They will keep me entertained for a least an hour,� Stefan said as he placed the magazines aside. �Thank you.� �No problem,� Mikkos said. You could cut the tension between father and son with a knife. Neither one of them knew how to act or to respond to each other. Mikkos finally had it and decided as he Lucky say one time. Go for it! �Stefan, this has to stop.� �What has to stop?� Stefan asked in a cool calm even voice. �That! I know you are angry with me. Why don�t you show it? Tell me off do anything but just sit there and look at me with that voided look on your face!� Mikkos yelled. He didn�t mean sound angry but it was madding knowing that Stefan was angry with him and having the young man not respond to it. Stefan smiled an empty smile at his father and said, �What do you want? Do you want me to yell and break things? I can�t. It isn�t in me. You have want father. You have your power back. So, just me alone.� Mikkos shook his head and opened his briefcase placing a file on the tray right in front of Stefan. �Open it!� Mikkos commanded. Stefan obeyed and read the file. When he looked up with at his father with confused look in his eyes. Mikkos went on. �It will read that until I die. You get control of the family. I�m going to hand it over before I�m dead. I didn�t come back for the money Stefan or the heirlooms. I came back because I wanted to get to know my children and grandchildren. I came for you!� �It�s a little late,� Stefan said shoving the file away in disgust. �It might be. I should have told you that I was proud of you sooner! Look what you done! You took on Helena and protected Nikolas from her. I couldn�t do that for you or your sister. I didn�t have the courage to do what you did. You placed this family in better position then I ever did. Hell, this family is better off under your control then mine. You have even broken chain of abuse that ran in this family for over two hundred years. You never once laid a finger on Nikolas. He looks at you with love and respect. So, yes, I�m proud of what you have done and hope one day that I can be half man you are,� Mikkos said. He stood up then and headed for the door. Stefan called out. �Hold it!� Mikkos turned around standing there waiting for Stefan to go on. Stefan paused a moment and then said, �Don�t go. Let�s talk.� Mikkos looked at him and said, �How?� �I don�t know. I never done this before,� Stefan admitted. Mikkos smiled and understand that his son felt the same way he did. He had no idea how to get past this hurt and into a life that could mean so much more. Mikkos took a deep breath thought about his sister and walked forward. Stefan and Mikkos talked for over two hours. Not only about Stefan�s childhood and things Mikkos could have done but they talked Nikolas and his childhood. They talked about Laura and how Stefan felt about her. They even talked about each other�s past crimes and learned they have done just some of the same things for the very same reasons. The nurse had just placed Stefan�s lunch tray in front of him and Mikkos said, �I have a lunch with Ruby soon but I want come back and finish this talk. I want to discuss trading homes. Alex and Victor are willing to turn their home over to Laura, you and the children for Wyndomere. It will help get out of here sooner and get the my grandchildren out of hotel!� Stefan smiled at this and said, �Ok, it is fine with me. Laura doesn�t like Spoon Island any more then she likes the hotel.� �I�ll be back then,� Mikkos said and he got to leave. Stefan looked at his food and then asked, �You wouldn�t mind asking cook to send something over would you?� Mikkos smiled and said, �It will be here with in the half hour.� *************************************** That evening, Stefan called Luke and asked him to stop by. Luke showed up not knowing what Stefan wanted to talk about. All he knew was that it had to do with Laura and the kids. Stefan was sitting in wheelchair looking over a document that Stefan had Alexis set up for him. It was a change of ownership the two homes. �How you feeling?� Luke asked as he walked into the room. �Ok, for someone who hates being place,� Stefan said pointing to the chair beside him. Luke took it and sat down. �What�s going on?� Luke asked. �Father and I made an agreement and we exchanged homes. Before I tell Laura this I needed to talk to you about something,� Stefan said. �Shoot,� Luke said trying to act cool but something in Stefan�s tone of voice set him on edge for some strange reason. �Ok,� Stefan said feeling the same way Luke did even thought he knew what he was going to say. �I know that Lu is having a hard time being a part from you for a long period of time. I don�t think we should hurt the child any more then she already has been. So, I�m inviting you to come live with us but before I do that. We have to talk about our feelings for Laura. I love her. I always have but I know that she has feeling for you just strong as you have for her. I can�t have her pick me out of pity. It would not be right for any of us. So, I have proposition for you.� �What�s that?� Luke asked in tight tense voice. He figured Stefan saw that there was something between him and Laura. He just didn�t feel comfortable talking about it with the guy. �We back down and let decided who she wants. We also do nothing until we are on even ground. I want to be standing when Laura decides on who she wants in her life. If she picks you, it might hurt but for Nikolas. I will just back away. IF she picks me, I hope you will do the same not for me but for Lucky and Lu. I�ll never try to be Lucky or Lu�s father. You are the only one they really want in the roll. So, you will have no fear in that ever happening,� Stefan said. Luke smiled and said, �You act as if this a business agreement.� �It isn�t and I might sound like it is but deep down this hard for me to even get out. I want Laura in my life but I don�t want that to destroy this family either. We didn�t know that we were related. We couldn�t even guessed it. I have one child from Laura that I love dearly. You have Lucky and Lu, who you love just as much. It isn�t fair for them to be put in a battle over love,� Stefan said. Luke nodded and said, �Your right. Lucky, Lu and even Nikolas has been hurt enough over all of this. So, I agree on what you say. I have one thing to add. I have a big problem being under the same roof with you in Laura�s bed. I don�t sleep knowing you are holding her. I can�t help it but it upset me. So, until she decides who she wants in her life. I suggest separate bedrooms.� Stefan smiled. �So, that�s why you don�t sleep.� �Yes, it is. I can�t help it but I love her and knowing what you could be doing behind closed doors drove me crazy,� Luke said looking at Stefan hard not to feel the same hate he felt before. It wasn�t hate really it was more like jealousy. He wanted to be the one holding Laura not Stefan. �I can understand that and you have deal,� Stefan said. �Now, I have one more question. Who tells Laura this?� Luke said smiling. Why didn�t get the feeling that she wasn�t going to like being left out of this conversation. �I will,� Stefan said not understanding what Luke was smiling at. �Ok,� Luke said pitying the guy when she went off on him. Luke figured Stefan�s view of Laura was a little tainted with the passing of time. *************************** That next afternoon after dropping the kids off with their session with Kevin, Laura went to visit Stefan. He was practicing moving from the chair to the bed when she walked in the room. �Not bad,� She said smiling to see Stefan working on getting better. She was worried about him when she first heard that he couldn�t feel his legs. She knew how proud Stefan was and worried that this might destroy him. �Thanks,� Stefan said getting comfortable in the chair and placing a blanket over his legs. �How are the children?� �They are getting there. Lu still clings to Luke lost puppy and refuses to sleep in her own bed but Kevin says give her time. She was really young when Luke was locked away. Luke�s busting and stopping the beating won him a lot of points with her. She is a little afraid that he will just vanish on her,� Laura said sitting down in a chair near Stefan. �I don�t see that happening but I can understand her fear. What about Lucky and Nikolas? How are they doing?� Stefan asked. �Nikolas is pretending that nothing bothering him. Kevin says otherwise thought. All of this has hard on him but talking to Kevin is helping a lot. Lucky isn�t as angry as he was but he still blames himself for Luke going to prison. Kevin things he might always will,� Laura said sadly. �Don�t worry about them. They are strong and they are loved,� Stefan said holding Laura�s hand to comfort her. �I know,� Laura said smiling at Stefan. Stefan decided now was a good of time as any to tell her about what Luke and he decided last night. �Ah, I had a talk with father yesterday. We dealt with a lot of issues. I think things are improving between us,� Stefan said. �I�m glad because strangely I kind of like Mikkos. I mean, he is great with the kids and deals with Lucky better then a lot outsiders do. He takes Lucky�s anger and puts it to good use,� Laura said smiling. �Yes, he does that,� Stefan said. �Father and I switched homes. I now own Victor and Alex�s house and they own Spoon Island. You can move in anytime you want and in fact, do with the house as you see fit. Make it a home for all your children,� Stefan said smiling. �You mean that?� Laura said surpassed. She hated the hotel. She wanted a place for herself and the kids. It was nice to know that she was going to get.� �Yes, I mean it and Luke is welcome as well. I already told him that. Lu needs her father and so does Lucky. It will not fair keeping him out of their lives specially with me like this,� Stefan said running his hand over his legs. �Stefan, I don�t think that is such a good idea. I mean. Luke and you living under one roof wouldn�t that be a little strange for both of you?� Laura asked wondering where this idea came from. �Laura, Luke and I talked about this last night. Neither one of us have a problem with it. Right now the kids come first and when I�m better and Lu can deal with being a part from Luke. You will decided who you want to be with and the other will back down gracefully,� Stefan said. Laura sat there feeling got slapped. She crossed her arms and looked at Stefan and said, �What do you mean you talked about it?� �We talked and agreed that this isn�t fair for you but since I don�t want you to want me out of pity. We will wait for me to walk again and then you will decided who you want to be with,� Stefan said. Laura stood up and looked down at Stefan with her eyes blazing with anger. �You agreed on a business deal treating me like a piece of property. How could you? How could LUKE!� Laura yelled getting right in Stefan�s face. Stefan was stunned to speak. He had preparation for this kind of reaction from Laura. He thought she would be happy about all of this. Laura paced the floor and started to rant. �I have been bending backwards trying to figure out what I�m going to do with how I feel about you and Luke. You two easy at this very moment!� �Angel,� Luke said shoving open the door on that note. �You!� Laura snapped turning on him. �I know it. Look, I know how Stefan made it sound but there is more to it!� Luke said holding his hands up in self-defense. �Ok, talk,� Laura said crossing her arms and glaring at him. Luke smiled and said, �Angel, All of this is so messed up that everything we do is going to sound strange. I can�t change that Mikkos father any more then I can change what happened to you with Stavros. I want to more then you know but I can�t. Lu, Lucky and Nikolas are having enough time with all of this. They don�t need Stefan and me going at because we both care about you. We divorced not because we hated each other but because I was in prison for looked like life. It was better for both of us that it happened. I never stopped loving. I still do and I know you love me. The problem is you have feeling for Stefan but with him in the position he is in deciding who you want now isn�t fair. Waiting is the only thing that is left to do.� Laura slowly put her arms down and looked at him. �Where is the Luke Spencer I know because sure as hell isn�t standing in front of me.� Luke looked at her and walked way. He couldn�t tell her what changed in him. Laura looked at Stefan and said, �I�ll be back.� She then raced after Luke. �Lucas Lorenzo Spencer stop!� Laura said catching up with him. Luke stopped and turned around. �What?� �You know what? You have been acting off ever since you got out of prison. Sometimes I see the Luke I know and love but other times this stranger shows up. What is going with you?� Laura asked him placing a loving hand on his arm. Luke smiled this sad smile and said, �I don�t know how to tell you. All I know is that in prison I learned that I�m not as tough as I always thought I was. I hated every moment of it and letting you go was the worse part.� �They why did you?� Laura asked. �Because it was killing me not being with you or Lucky or Lu! I saw the pain in Lucky�s eyes every time he came to see me. Lu was this total stranger to me. I was this man that she visited with her mother. I wasn�t father. I was a no body to my own little girl. Worse of all, I had to sit by and wait for news that Lucky was found. Do you know what I thought about? I thought about all trappings that were in this world. I thought about what could happen to him. I thought what if Robert came to late and missed one little clue. Lucky would gone forever and I could have stopped it,� Luke said walking away to stand at the window just off to his right. Laura walked after him and said, �I felt the same way. I had no idea how to talk to Lucky. I mean, you were the one that he went to when needed something. I gave love but I wasn�t best friend. How do you deal with angry teenager? I didn�t know. I tried and went messed up. I feared that only part of you that I left was gone for good. I knew why we divorced. I knew it was to hard on both of us being a part like that and not knowing when or if we would ever get together.� Luke nodded and said, �That is why we have do this the way Stefan said. It is the only thing we can do and not make things worse.� Laura nodded and hugged him. �Ok, you got it.� Chapter 46 Back to A Father's Love |