CH 36

Nikolas was a nervous wreck when he stepped into his home, expecting his father to lunge out at him as soon as he was inside. But the house was quiet; it was still fairly early in the morning when he got there. He looked around and didn’t see anyone. He thought that he heard someone in the kitchen so he made his way over to it. He pushed open the door and saw his brother and his father talking. His brother was eating breakfast and his father was sipping from a mug of what Nikolas was sure was coffee. They both stopped talking when he walked in and looked over at him. “There should be some eggs and toast left, why don’t you fix yourself a plate?” Stovros said. Nikolas was shocked. He looked at his father, trying to read him. He didn’t seem mad, but he decided that he would just keep as quiet as possible and if his father suddenly began to yell, to just take it. He walked over and silently served himself some eggs, some fruit, and a piece of toast and sat down next to his brother. Brandon cleared his throat. “Well I’m going to go to school. I’ll see you later Nikolas.” He said as he stood up. Nikolas watching him leave and his heart pounded, now he was completely alone with his father. He looked down at his plate as he ate, but could feel his father’s gaze on the back of his head. He finished his food and got up, he turned and jumped slightly as he saw that his father was indeed staring right at him. He glanced down at the plate in his hand. “Are you not talking to me?” Stovros asked. Nik was taken aback by his question, he didn’t say anything, his father seemed completely calm, and it almost scared him more. “So where did you go last night?” Stovros asked. “I went to go see Gia.” He said boldly. Stovros sighed. “Is there any way of keeping you away from her? Do I have to lock you in your room?” He asked. “I would still fight you, I’d find a way to see her. Why don’t you understand father? Haven’t you ever felt this way about someone?” Nik said, a threat of tears arising in the form of a tightening in his throat. Stovros looked at his son’s desperate face. “Of course Nikolas, what do you think I’m tying to protect from? Love can destroy you son. You’re so young.” Stovros said. He had softened his tone and slowly approached his son. “But I think I need to let you learn that on your own.” He said. “So I can see Gia?” Nik held his breath. “As long as you go to school, you can see Gia. But if you continue to cut school, I’m going to have to put my foot down Nikolas.” Stovros said it in a warning tone but Nikolas was so filled with hope, he didn’t hear it. “I will go to school, I promise. Just as long as I can be with Gia. Thank you.” He said as he walked up and gave his father a hug.

“Are you sure you want to do this Gia?” Taggert asked. Gia looked up at the building she once called home. “We need to get our things Marcus. I’m going in.” Gia answered. “Yeah but we could do it for you. You don’t have to.” Taggert said. Gia shook her head. “No, I can do it.” She insisted. “OK, but if it gets to be too much, we can leave.” Marcus said. Gia nodded her head but her gaze remained on the house. She moved forward in a trance like state, no longer aware of her brother next to her. She brought out her key and put it in the lock, turning it and then pushing the door open. She was hit with a familiar odor that she hadn’t noticed her home had until she spent time away from it. It wasn’t a bad smell, but it made her nauseous because of the memories it evoked. She stepped inside and switched on the light and looked around. It seemed so unlived in. The silence added to the eerie feelings arising, like her stepfather was waiting behind one of the corners of the room and would jump out at her at any minute. She sighed as she walked forward. She gazed inside the kitchen, just standing in the doorway, and her heart began to pound. This is where she almost died, like by the door, in the living room and in her bedroom. But the kitchen was the hardest. That was where she laid on the ground and bled while she watched her brother scream with fear. Tears silently ran down her face and she quickly wiped them away as she continued into the house. When she made it to her room, she moved fast to pack her things. She didn’t have very many clothes. Her uniforms and a few other outfits and things were enough to fit into a large suitcase of her brother’s, and her duffle bag. She looked around again. Most of the other things were bad memories of a life she was longing to forget. She reached for the jewelry box that her mother had given her when she was about ten years old. It was a decent memory so she stuck it in her bag with her jewelry and her makeup and hair things. She glanced in her closet one more time and something caught her eye. She bent over and picked up the little white cotton dress waded up in the corner, she held it out to see the red stain that was splattered on the shoulder and down the front. She let out a breath that she hadn’t noticed she was holding in so intensely. Her breath pushed between her lips in a slight laugh as they formed into a smile. She clutched it to her chest, thoughts of the “jerk” that put it there invading her body and her mind. Quickly, she stuffed it in the bag in her hand and continued with her packing. When she was done in her room, she moved to Jacob’s and smiled as she stepped inside. The smell in his room was comforting. It was an unusual mixture, the scent of a baby, powder and sweetness, but a familiar scent that was so unique. The essence of Jacob, his skin and his hair, it made her want to be with him, holding him in her arms. But she was glad that she decided to leave him with Alexis. As hard as this was on her, she knew it would be much worse for Jacob. Unlike Gia, he probably wouldn’t understand the need to come back here, and would fear it was to stay or be left here. She wouldn’t wish that fear on anyone, let alone her baby brother. With a quick shake of her head to stay focused, Gia went to work packing for her brother. Gia went over to his closet and located the plastic boxes that her mother had used to store his baby clothes in, dumped them on the floor of the closet, and moved over to his drawers. When she was done grabbing his clothes, she went for his changing supplies, and then finally began to tackle his toys. “Here let me get those.” Gia was startled by the sound of her brother’s voice. “I’m sorry.” Marcus said when she jumped. “It’s OK. Yes please, I just have one more box to go.” Gia said nodding. “All right well I already got his booster seat, his car seat, and his umbrella stroller in the car. I’ll need to come back with my friends’ truck to pick up the crib and the changing table.” Marcus said. Gia smiled at him, shocked that he knew to call it an “umbrella” stroller. “Thank you Marcus, for all of this, I can’t even begin to thank you.” She said. Taggert fought back tears as he nodded his head. “You don’t have to thank me Gia. You’re my sister and I love you. You deserve to be happy.” He smiled at her. Gia had tears in her eyes as well as the turned back around to her task. After she collected some of the little cars and small toys, she stood up, glanced at her brother’s room and smiled, there were good memories in this room. Rocking Jake and playing with him were what got her through the toughest times here. The space theme suited him very well, the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling, it was a very cute room and she was a little sad that he had to leave it. She picked up the box of toys and carried it out, glancing around the whole house as she went. When she reached the door, she took one final look around. This was no home. This was a house in which she lived in and nearly died in several time. She was so happy that she wouldn’t have to live here anymore. She stepped out and slammed the door behind her, walking away with assurance.

“I’m so glad that Carol will still be able to watch Jacob. He’s known her pretty much his whole life. It’s a little out of the way but it’s worth it.” Gia said to her brother as they drove to his home. “Yeah.” Marcus said softly. He was starting to come up with an idea but he didn’t know if he should suggest what he was thinking. He stopped the car and they got out. Gia carried some boxes up to her brother’s place, stepping inside and looking around. “Jakie?” she called out. He came running out of the kitchen with Alexis in tow. “Gia!” he shouted. Gia smiled as she put the boxes down and stepped aside to let Marcus in. “What have you been up to?” Gia asked looking down at him. “Made cookies Gia.” Jake said. Gia was amazed at how much her brother had changed in the last month. He was approaching three now so he was starting to talk so much more. She loved the change but at the same time it made her sad that he wasn’t a little baby any more. She was looking forward to potty training him; growing excited with the thought of raising him and teaching him things in a loving home. Gia was so grateful to her brother, and Alexis who continued to want to help with Jake even though she didn’t have to. “I can see that buddy, I can’t wait to try one.” Gia answered her brother. Jacob was covered in chocolate from the chocolate chip cookie in his hand. “Want some?” Jake thrust his hand out to her to reveal a smashed and soggy cookie. Alexis bit her lower lip to hold in her laughter. “Why don’t we go get Gia a new one?” She suggested. “Yeah.” Jake breathed. They took off towards the kitchen. “Hey Gia I’ve been thinking.” Marcus said. She spun around and looked at him. He was rubbing the back of his neck and seemed to be deep in thought. “Why do you go to St. Mary’s when PCH is closer?” He asked. Gia looked at him with her heart pounding, liking where this was going. “Mom wanted me to go to private school. I used to beg her to let me go to public school but I finally gave up. Why?” She asked. “Well it just doesn’t make sense, it’s so much farther. You live here with me now, I’m the one who makes to rules now, how do you feel about transferring?” Marc asked. “Do you mean it? I could go to public school with Zander and Nikolas?” Gia asked excitedly. Marcus nodded his head. “Yeah I think that would just make things easier, you’ll go right by Carol’s house. I’ll make arrangements right away.” Marcus said, he dropped the conversation to grab some boxes but Gia’s mind lingered. She was so excited. She would finally be able to go to school where she wanted to, but best of all, she could see Nikolas all the time now. “Here you go Gia.” Jake ran up to her, distracting her from her thoughts. “Thanks buddy.” Gia smiled down at him as he handed her the cookie. “Well, lets wash up so we can start unpacking your toys Jacob.” Alexis said to Jake. He nodded his head and the two took off. Gia smiled. Life was good. She had both of her brothers with her, she would start a new life at a new school and she had a cookie in her hand made with love by the most precious two year old in the world. Tears of joy ran down her cheeks, it had finally hit her how much her life had changed in the last few months, and it all happened because Nikolas Cassadine decided to save her.