| Chapter 46 Thanksgiving came and went without much fan fair but Christmas was going to be a different story. Stefan was home from the hospital. He wasn't walking yet but Alex keeps telling everyone that he is doing great. Tonight was going to be a big Tree decorating party and Laura was throwing it. She had sent Luke and the kids out for the tree while she worked on getting the house ready. Stefan sat in his wheelchair watching Laura give orders to the staff and work on lining things up. "You know, they could all this for you," Stefan told her as he watched Laura place the lights near other decorations. Laura stood up smiling and said, "Not this. This is Christmas and we do the tree. Lu gets her father for her Christmas that really remembers. I get all my children under one roof being happy for this Christmas and this family gets a new start." "Ok," Stefan said smiling at her. Stefan wheeled over to stereo and turned it on. He had to admit Laura put a new twist on life for him and Nikolas. The staff that worked for them smiled and enjoyed being around them for a change. She also brought laughter into the house. Stefan didn't remember ever hearing that growing up. A car door slammed about that time. Ms. Lansberry opened the door and in walked Luke and the kids. Lu was on Luke's back smiling and singing along with the others. "Jingle Bells Helena Smells " "Luke!" Laura yelled hearing what they were sing. "Not this. Not today," Laura said taking Lu from her father and saying. "Take coat off and hang it up." "Yes, mommy," Lu said and Lucky took his sister hand to help her. They were humming as they walked away. Laura looked at Luke who smiled at her and went to get some eggnog. Stefan shook his head and said, "That's bad."� "'Tis the season," Luke said laughing. The gardener and the limo driver carried in the tree and placed in the stand. "Angel where do you want it?" Luke asked his wife. "Ah, lets see," Laura said and she spent the next fifteen minutes moving the tree back and forth over the oak floor. Luke leaned against the fireplace watching this. Stefan wondered what he was smiling about. He didn't find out until Laura placed the tree exactly where it was the first she had it moved. Luke laughed and looked at the men. "Fork it over boys," Luke said holding out his hand. Each man paid Luke twenty dollars. Laura looked at Luke as the men walked away and asked, "What was that for?" "Oh, I bet them that the tree would end exactly were it started at," Luke said laughing. Laura hit him and then went into the kitchen to check on how cook was doing. An hour later, the others started to arrive and the house was ready full of smells of Christmas. Mikkos arrived with Ruby on his arm and as Ms. Lansberry took their coats. Lu ran up and leaped in her grandfather's arms. "Merry Christmas," Lu said laughing. "Merry Christmas," Mikkos said hugging Lu. "Merry Christmas, Lu," Ruby said hugging her granddaughter. "Thanks, Grandma," Lu said smiling. "Where's your brothers?" Mikkos asked as they walked into the room. "In the kitchen bothering cook," Lu said getting down. Mikkos smiled and he walked into the main living area. Luke walked up and greeted Mikkos and Ruby. "Where's Victor?" Luke asked noticing that Mikkos arrived without his shadow. "He'll be here," Mikkos said as he walked over to greet Stefan. Soon the party was in full swing and everyone but Carly, Jason, Sonny and Alexis had arrived for the party. Mikkos looked at the clock and wondered out load. "Where's Alexis and Carly?" Luke, Robert and Stefan all smiled and said, "They will be a little late." This got Mikkos and Victor's attention and Victor asked, "Do you know why Carly hasn't called me back all week?" "Yeah," Stefan said laughing as wheeled away. "They are up to something," Victor commented to his brother. "Most definitely," Mikkos said crossing his arms and glaring at his sons. Mikkos didn't have time to think about what Luke and Stefan were hiding from him. Laura came back and it was time to start decorating the tree. Luke picked up some lights and handed them to Lucky. "Check these out for me," Luke ordered. "They work," Laura said. "Angel, the last time you told me that we decorated the tree twice. I'm not in the mood to do it again. So, Lucky plug them in," Luke ordered. Lucky smiled at his mother said, "Mom, I love you but I'm not repeating history." He went check out the lights. "My family doesn't trust me," Laura said and she walked away. Lucky was on his knees pulling in the lights when Nikolas asked in his ear. "What was that about?" "Oh, one Christmas mom said checked out the lights and when we got the tree done and pulled everything in one set didn't work. She wasn't happy until it worked. So, we had to take everything off and dad went get another set. Let's just say dad never took her word for it after that." Lucky giggled and he went on checking out the lights. When the lights were working everyone started to sing and enjoy getting the tree ready. Stefan watched and handed out decorations trying to remember when he really enjoyed Christmas? There wasn't a time he enjoyed it. It was strange and nice all in the same time. When everything was up but the Angel, Luke picked Lu up climbed the latter and the little girl placed the Angel at the top. Lucky turned out the lights and Nikolas plugged the Christmas tree lights in. As every one stood around watching the lights chase around the tree, four figures walked in behind them. "Merry Christmas!" Sonny, Jason, Alexis, and Carly yelled. The group turned around and Mikkos snapped. "Where have you been?" Alexis looked at Sonny and they stepped forward. "We went get married," Alexis said holding out her left hand to show off her ring. Mikkos looked at his daughter and asked, "Without telling anyone?" "She told us," Luke said smiling by Stefan. Mikkos turned around and shot them a cold look. "That is what you two were smiling about? You knew she ran off to get married and you didn't tell me?" Alexis walked up to Mikkos wrapped her arms around and said, "Father, I love you. I love all of you but I would never gotten married with any of you around. Luke and Stefan realized this. So, they helped me keep everyone out of it. So, please just be happy for me and let's enjoy the holiday together?" Alexis begged. Mikkos looked at her and said, "Ok, but promise me one thing?" "Anything," Alexis said smiling. "I get to watch my grandchild being born," Mikkos said smiling. "You got it," Alexis said and she hugged Mikkos. Everyone else came up and congratulated Alexis and Sonny. The evening was a success more then one way. Everyone enjoyed just being together and for the first in his life. Mikkos had the people that he loved safe and happy and together! On to Trials of Love Chapter One |