| Subject: Chapter 12 |
Author:
Becca
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Date Posted: 10:14:00 02/24/01 Sat
In reply to:
Becca
's message, "The Path of Thorns" on 09:58:31 02/24/01 Sat
Chapter 12
**St. Timothy’s Church**
Lucky ran up the steps to the church, glancing at his watch nervously before pulling the door open. Once in the lobby he scanned the room for who he was looking for.
“Hey Cowboy, you look good,” Luke said with a grin as he made his presence known.
Lucky nodded nervously at his father, not really sure how to react to him. For how long Lucky had been in town he hadn’t really spent much time with either of his parents. He just couldn’t, not yet, not knowing he had possibly brought with him the war they had been avoiding for years.
“Hi Luke,” he said softly, adjusting the tie on his suit. “How are you?”
“One of my son’s is about to get married today, other than feeling incredibly old I guess I’m fine,” Luke quipped. “What about you? You seem a bit on edge.”
Lucky shook his head, his eyes darting around the tiny lobby, “Me? Nah, I’m cool . . .”
“You looking for someone?” Luke pushed. He may not have been able to read Lucky as well as Landon, but he could still tell the young man was nervous. He was playing with his sleeves and unable to stand still, it reminded Luke of himself when he got anxious.
“Um, yeah, sort of . . . is Maria here yet?”
Luke nodded, “Yeah, she arrived with Liz’s brother and Sonny and Carly about 20 minutes ago. Why?”
Lucky released a deep, relieved sigh. “I just . . .stopped by the penthouse to drive over with her and she wasn’t there. I got worried, I overreacted.”
“Do you have a reason to worry Lucky?” Luke wondered, his sensors suddenly going up. “Do you think Helena is . . .”
Lucky flinched, “I didn’t say that. Don’t worry about it . . . I’m just weird, I panic sometimes. But I’m cool now.”
The truth was, Lucky was terrified. He stopped by the penthouse only to find it empty. He was afraid Helena found out what was going on and did something to get back at him. He hadn’t realized how scared he was until that moment.
“I’m gonna go . . .get my seat,” Lucky excused himself, still not entirely comfortable around his father yet.
“See you later,” Luke said with a nod as Lucky slipped into the church. “After nineteen years we have him back, but he looks at me like I’m a stranger.”
“It’ll get better honey, I promise,” Laura said as she stepped out of the doorway she was standing in. She took her husband’s hands. “Besides, you don’t have to compete with some father figure who has been his only family for years.”
“Angel, did I ever tell you that you are sexy when jealous?” Luke teased, kissing her softly. “Let’s not think about that for today, your youngest son is getting married to the girl he loves, let’s enjoy his happiness.”
**
“I’m absolutely miserable,” Landon groaned loudly as he paced around the tiny changing room.
Emily glared at him for a moment before softening into a friendly smile. “Just because I know this is a sham doesn’t mean I’m here for you to complain to.”
Landon smiled at his friend, “Sorry. But this sucks, you know, this really sucks!”
“I know Landon, but this is what you have to do . . . from what Liz told me, nobody is happy about this.”
“Whatever, let’s not talk about it,” Landon told her with a sigh before the door opened. Sly walked in, glaring at Landon before giving his girlfriend a quick kiss. “What are you doing in here?”
Sly shrugged his shoulders; “Obviously I’m here to say hi to Em. Thanks for asking.”
“Listen Eckert I’m in no mood for your god damn attitude today, understood?” Landon shouted, catching his cousin off guard.
“Whoa, chill man, I didn’t mean anything by it. I suggest you calm down before you let the stress of this wedding drive you nuts. Sure, you’re both young and this is a huge step, but believe it or not I think you two can make it work,” Sly said humbly. “I envy you two, you’ve got the guts to make it legal.”
“What does that mean?” Emily asked teasingly.
“Just that one of us has a seemingly fear of commitment. Not pointing any fingers though,” Sly snickered as he pointed to Emily with a laugh.
“Come on chuckles, let me walk you to your seat,” Emily ordered, grabbing him by the collar of his sport coat. “Good luck Landon, everything will work out, I know it.”
Landon nodded his head. He reached into his suit coat and pulled out his cell phone. Waiting until he knew they were gone, he quickly dialed a number. “Hey, it’s me . . . are you sure that’s where she’ll be? Ok, thanks. Bye.”
He hung up the phone and placed it back in his pocket. Landon quickly glanced at the mirror and adjusted his tie. “Time to get married,” he said to himself before heading out into the church.
**
Alexis approached the stairs of the church, her mind for the first time in weeks, not on Ned. After a pretty tame fight, by Quatermaine standards, the couple decided that it would be better if they ended their relationship. Both were fairly miserable together and Alexis noticed that Ned had begun to spend a lot of time with Felecia. So much time that she believed he was interested in her. Needless to say that after they broke up, Ned was then scene out on his first official date with the single mother. Even though she was somewhat jealous, Alexis was also happy, hoping that Ned would be happy.
“You look lovely,” an all too familiar voice announced from the shadows.
“Andreas! What are you doing here?” Alexis hissed.
He grinned at her sexily, almost breaking her will, but she held firm. “You honestly can’t pretend to be displeased to see me.”
“Try me.”
“We haven’t spoken in weeks, I’ve missed you my dear,” he told her, his dark eyes penetrating into hers longingly. “It’s almost over, I promise you.”
“That’s wonderful, but this is Landon Spencer’s wedding, it’ll be fairly suspicious if my date is . . . what do you mean it is almost over?”
Andreas smiled playfully, “Soon, the threat of Helena will be over and we can get on with whatever this is between us.”
“You know Andreas, you are cryptic and somewhat confusing, when you decide to act otherwise, please tell me. Bye now,” she waved him away as she entered the church.
Andreas smiled to himself and began to walk away. He turned the corner to reach his car when he nearly walked into a young man who stepped in his path.
He was tall and thin, dressed very much like the typical college student in khakis and a light green polo shirt. He had dark hair and vibrant green blue eyes. He smiled softly before turning his face cold.
“What are you doing here?” Andreas snapped as he looked at the young man.
“I’m here to visit you brother, what else would I be doing in this god-forsaken city?”
Andreas clenched his jaw tightly and pushed the young man into the passenger seat of the car. “Andru, listen to me carefully. There is a reason Ari and I have never had you visit us here . . .”
“Yeah, yeah, I know . . .Helena will get it in her head that she wants me to be her next towel boy or something. But let me tell you Drea, I’m eighteen now and I’m not scared of that witch, so if I want to visit my only living family, I’m going to do it,” Andru Andropolis said with a smirk as he leaned his head against the soft leather interior of Andreas’s car.
“Where do you plan to stay?”
“Port Charles Hotel, I’m not totally incompetent Drea,” he told his older brother, using the name only he could get away with.
“I was going to visit you in Los Angeles in a month, why couldn’t you wait?”
“I got bored . . . it seemed like time I finally learned about the mythic Port Charles.”
**
Back inside Emily had taken her seat with Sly when she felt someone tap on her shoulder. She turned around, frowning.
“What?”
“How could you?”
Emily rolled her eyes as she stood up. “What are you talking about Maxie?”
“How could you force Ned to take Dylan on tour with him? Do you really hate me that much? Were you that jealous?”
Emily tried to keep herself from laughing at the accusations. “First of all, why would I be jealous? I’m the one with a serious, committed relationship, with a fabulous practically perfect guy. Secondly, I didn’t force Ned to do anything . . .it was his decision to spend some quality time with his little brother. So get over it Maxie, Dylan wasn’t the guy for you . . .he was just a painful, annoying distraction.”
“That’s what you think! I could have been in love with him,” Maxie nearly shrieked. Lucky, who was standing at the front talking to Nikolas turned to look at them, glaring at Maxie.
“Keep it down ladies,” Lucky said with a sweet smile.
Maxie blushed as Emily shook her head in anger. “You didn’t love my delinquent cousin, ok! Besides, I thought you were in love with Nikolas . . .”
“How do you know . . .no I don’t,” she corrected mid sentence, blushing terribly.
“Emily, Maxie hey,” a male voice chirped up from behind.
Emily smiled at the young man as Maxie turned around, forcing a smile. “Lucas, what are you doing back?”
“Nice to see you too Max,” he smirked with a laugh. Lucas Jones, now sixteen, had grown up quickly. He wasn’t the hyper active little kid anymore, well he probably still was but he didn’t look like it. He was now tall and filling out, his blonde hair combed backwards though it always fell into his deceptively light eyes.
“Emily, how are you doing?” he asked, a pleasant smile on his face.
“Wonderful, so why are you back? Weren’t you in . . .”
“Boston at baseball camp, it was really cool. Ended last week actually. Even though I was going to hang out for the rest of the summer I decided my family situation was sort of exploding back here so . . .not to mention, my mom sort of forced me to come home, just got in twenty minutes ago,” he added with a chuckle.
“Oh that’s right, you haven’t met Lucky yet have you . . .” Emily voice trailed off as she glanced over her shoulder. He was talking intently with Sonny at the moment and she decided it could wait. “I’ll introduce you later.”
“Cool, so how’s the groom doing?”
“Nervous,” Sly spoke up as he stood up. “If it isn’t the real baseball talent in the family,” he added.
Lucas smiled nervously. “Nah, I owe everything to Landon, he taught me the game more than any coach did.”
“Yeah, but you’ve actually got talent, he’s just a poser,” Maxie interjected, her distaste for Nikolas’s brother evident.
“You know Max, I always had my doubts about you but maybe you aren’t all bad,” Sly said with a wink.
“Not to interrupt this bonding or whatever it is, but I know someone who will be thrilled to see you.”
Lucas looked at Emily skeptically. “Who?”
“Your sister . . .I’ll even risk her wrath to take you back there,” Emily explained as she grabbed his arm.
“Back where? With the bride? I thought they hated each other?” he asked in confusion.
“It’s a . . .really long story, come on, she’ll be so happy to see you though.”
“Ditch us why don’t you,” Maxie huffed as she looked at Sly.
He stared at her for a moment, “Go sit down Maxie.”
“I thought we had a moment.”
“Yeah well, it’s over,” he stated with a grin as he turned to go visit Lucky. He punched his cousin lightly on the shoulder, getting the obviously uptight young man to jump. He nearly swung at Sly in response. “Whoa Spencer, back off,” he laughed.
“Sorry Sly, I’m just a little . . .”
“Tense?” Sly teased. “How’s it going?”
“I’m going to kill Maria, she went back to the penthouse alone,” he grumbled, glaring at Steven. “Pretty boy doctor over there didn’t insist he go with her.”
“For shame, what’s with these women wanting to be all independent and such,” Sly gasped with a smirk.
“You don’t understand Sly I just want to . . .”
“Protect her and protect Liz and protect everyone. I understand, just be cool and everything will work out. I’m a little shocked that you are here though.”
Lucky looked at him in shock. “Why’s that?”
“Since I’ve known you I’ve had the distinct feeling that you kind of have a thing for Liz. Not to mention of the two brothers you have, Landon is the one you get along with least so . . .”
“We’re still family Sly …and Elizabeth is just my friend. Excuse me, I have to go. . . I’ll be right back,” Lucky said as he quickly left his spot.
Sly shrugged his shoulders as he looked around, “Well, I really know how to clear a room.”
**
Lucky stood outside the bridal room, staring intently at the door. He wanted more than anything to go inside and hold Elizabeth in his arms one last time before they went through with this charade. But it wasn’t a good idea, he knew that much.
“Weddings are always such a blessed event, don’t you agree?”
Lucky turned instantly at the question. His eyes narrowed in anger and hate. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to enjoy the wedding Lucky, the wedding of your brother Landon to Elizabeth Webber, what do you think I’m doing here?”
“I don’t know Helena, to taunt me? To torture me? To prove that the devil walks among us in pearls and heels? You know this is a church Helena, I heard the devil doesn’t quite like places of worship,” Lucky spat before turning to walk away.
“Such a witty tongue my boy. Do you think it’ll get you through the night though? When you are alone at night and yearning for companionship and the woman you love is at home making love to your brother, do you think your wit will get you through the night then?” Helena asked sharply, watching the back of Lucky’s head as he stopped in his tracks.
Lucky wanted to say something, wanted to leave with the last word, but he couldn’t. He just continued walking, leaving Helena with a triumphant smile.
“What do you want?” Steven asked as he rounded the corner to find a strange woman loitering outside his little sister’s dressing room.
Helena looked up to find what she could easily say was the most handsome man she ever laid eyes on. “Why hello,” she purred, forgetting the fact that she was old enough to be his mother.
“Yeah, hi, now answer my question.”
“And what was that?” Helena replied as she stepped closer to Steven.
Steven swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat, “What can I do for you ma’am?”
“What beautiful manners, nothing like that petulant little Spencer boy,” Helena said bitterly, trying to figure out where she had gone wrong with Lucky.
“Who are you?”
Helena smiled, “You don’t know who I am?”
“Leave him alone Helena,” Lucy snapped as she entered the scene, standing beside Steven as if she was an old pro at handling the Cassadine matriarch. When the truth was Lucy was terrified, though she did get a certain jolt out of facing the infamous Helena.
“Miss Coe, I don’t believe I invited you to converse with us.”
Lucy smiled at her wickedly, “Yes, and I don’t believe you were invited to the wedding. So TA!”
“I’d listen to her,” Steven warned, “Lucy’s a regular hellcat when provoked.”
Lucy smiled up at him as Helena began to leave. She stopped, placing her hand on Steven’s shoulder, “If you ever begin to think for yourself, come see me.”
Lucy shuddered involuntarily as Helena left, turning to Steven. “That woman just gives me the creeps.”
“You seem to handle her pretty well,” he noted with a laugh.
“That’s only because I’m not a Spencer, or a Cassadine . . . then I’d be worried.”
Steven’s face paled. “And my sister is about to enter that mess . . . now I’m worried.”
“Don’t worry, Liz will be fine and happy and that’s all that matters, right?”
Steven nodded. “It is . . . not that I’m complaining about your little rescue, what are you doing back here?”
“Came to check on the bride, but I think I can leave her in the more than capable hands of her big brother,” Lucy said with a smile as she patted him on the shoulder before leaving.
Steven knocked on the door lightly. “Who is it?” Liz asked quietly.
“It’s me,” he said.
“Me who?” she teased as she opened the door. Liz looked at her brother decked out in his tux and smiled, “Don’t you look dashing.”
“Why thanks but nobody will even look at the man walking you down the aisle,” he noted, awed by how beautiful Liz looked. “You look radiant Elizabeth.”
“Really? My hair is all wrong,” she moaned. “Laura went to get someone to help but . . . this is too much pressure.”
“Fixing your hair?” he asked, sitting down next to her by the mirror.
“No, not my hair,” she laughed. “This wedding, the future, everything . . .what if I can’t handle it? What if . . .argh, Steve I’m going to go nuts!”
“You’ll be fine sweetie, you were always meant for greater things. True love and happiness has a way of finding those deserving of it, and you found it,” Steven explained. Liz sighed, she had found it, only she wasn’t marrying the man that came with that true love. “You and Landon will live a long, happy life together. I know my baby sister, she doesn’t just do things impulsively. If you are getting married, it is because you are in love. Don’t worry about the rest, it’ll all fall into place.”
“I hope you are right Steve, because I want to spend the rest of my life with the man I love. I don’t want anything to screw that up, nothing,” Liz lamented sadly.
“You won’t, don’t worry . . . you are far too young to be worrying like this.”
“You know what dad would say? That I’m far to young to be getting married,” Liz noted, trying to change the direction of the conversation.
“Well you are . . . that’s why you are fortunate that I’m here to give you away and not attempt to dissuade you of your decision.”
“I’m so glad you are here Steve,” Liz said softly as she turned in her chair to look him in the eye. She looked into his warm, brotherly eyes, trying to prevent tears from falling. “My big brother . . .I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d do what you’ve been doing for the last four years . . . living your life the way you are meant to live it.”
“Yeah but . . . it’s nice to have some family around.”
**Harborview Towers**
“I can’t believe I forgot the pin,” Maria grumbled as she closed the door to her penthouse, nodding to Garret, the replacement doorman for the day because Johnny and Francis were at the wedding.
“Get everything you need Miss Antolli?” the young bodyguard asked.
“Sure did, thanks hon,” she said with a nod as she rounded the corner to the elevator. She rode the elevator down to the ground level to where her car was waiting.
As she left the elevator and headed for the door she spotted a very attractive couple entering the building. They stopped at the elevator and hit the button for the penthouse floor.
“Um, they aren’t there right now, you won’t get in,” Maria told them, figuring the guests were for Sonny and Carly, because she obviously didn’t know the couple. They looked familiar, especially the woman, but she couldn’t quite place them.
“Really, where are they?” the man asked curiously.
“Sonny and Carly are at the wedding, where else?” Maria asked, her tone somewhat hurried.
“Wedding?” The woman blurted out in total shock. “Their wedding?”
“Heavens no,” Maria laughed. “Liz Webber and Landon Spencer’s.”
“Oh,” the man nodded, his gaze somewhat distant and detached. “When will they be back?”
“Later tonight I guess . . .the reception is at Carly’s restaurant so I’m sure they’ll be the last to leave.”
The couple nodded understandingly, “Thanks, I appreciate the info,” the man said.
“Sure, I’ve really got to run,” Maria said as she glanced her watch.
“Miss, do me favor and don’t let Sonny and Carly know we are here.”
“I don’t even know who you are, how can I let them know you are here?” Maria responded with a laugh as she darted out the door.
Jason looked to Brenda and returned her smile. “Are you up for a party?”
“I’m always up for a party,” she said with a laugh, threading her arm through his.
“I just hope Liz isn’t mad we are crashing her wedding reception.”
**St. Timothy’s Church**
~After The Ceremony~
The bride and groom had already jumped into their limo and headed to the restaurant for the reception. Lucky and Nikolas were straggling behind. Lucky had been talking to Sonny while Nikolas paced in front of the church, waiting anxiously for Andreas to show up with the needed info that would send Helena away for good.
“You’re looking a bit anxious Nikolas, what’s up?” Lucky asked his other brother with a smile. Watching the wedding was the hardest thing he had to do, even if he knew it wasn’t real, he was hoping maybe whatever was bothering Nikolas would distract him from it.
“It’s um, I’m waiting for . . .” Nikolas motioned for Lucky to come closer. “I’m waiting for Andreas, he has something that I plan to give to the cops that’ll incriminate Helena for kidnapping you all those years ago.”
“What?” Lucky blurted out. “And you trust him? One of Helena’s closest assistants?”
“He’s on the level Lucky, I promise.”
Lucky grabbed Nikolas by the lapels of his tuxedo, looking into his eyes angrily. “If he isn’t, if he lied to you and is working for Helena we are all in danger now. Do you understand that? She’ll come after me, she’ll come after our mother, she’ll even target Lesley Lu. You have no idea what you might have done, do you?”
“Calm down Lucky,” Nikolas ordered. “Andreas is on our side and soon Helena will be nothing more than a former annoyance.”
“Annoyance? Annoyance? Maybe that’s all she was to you, but that doesn’t even begin to explain what she was to me. She kidnapped me, tormented me, and . . .you couldn’t understand. If she finds out what is happening before the cops can get her all hell will break loose Nikolas.”
**Pier 21**
Liz sat tiredly at the main table, watching as everyone chatted and danced and enjoyed the open bar. The restaurant was beautiful, the music was great, the food was divine but Liz couldn’t have been more miserable. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Lucky.
She watched as he talked to Emily and Sly, laughing carelessly. She felt a surge of jealousy when he danced with Gina. She wanted Lucky sitting next to her, whispering an inside joke that only they shared, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek, she wanted to be anywhere than where she was.
“Um Liz, I’ve got to . . .um, I’ll be right back, ok?” Landon asked as he stood up suddenly.
“What?” she looked up at her former boyfriend. “Where are you going?”
“It’s not important, I just have to set a few things right. Don’t worry about it,” he said with a wink as he moved away from the table.
Lucky watched his brother’s sudden exit curiously. His instincts were suddenly kicked into gear and he decided to follow his misguided younger brother wherever he went.
“Where the hell is he going?” Lucky whispered to himself as he followed Landon outside and down the docks. “The yacht,” he grumbled as they neared Helena’s yacht.
Keeping his distance Lucky followed Landon onto the ornate boat, wondering if Nikolas and Andreas’s information had reached the police yet.
Back at the reception Nikolas returned to his table triumphantly, having delivered the articles that Andreas had gathered to the police.
“Nikolas why are you smiling?” Sarah questioned as he grabbed her hand to dance.
“I’ve just . . .I’ve just righted the wrongs my family has caused since before I was born,” he said secretly.
“You’ve what?”
“Sarah, must we talk? Can’t we just enjoy this moment? Forget about all the other garbage out there and just dance. What do you say?”
Sarah looked up into Nikolas’s deep brown eyes and sighed. All of a sudden she felt for him what she did when they first started dating. The complacency and boredom that had grown in their relationship seemed to disappear for the time being. Maybe it was the beginning of their relationship again.
Sarah followed Nikolas’s gaze across the dance floor to where Gina was dancing with Landon’s friend Tony.
Maybe it was the beginning of the end of their relationship.
**Helena’s Yacht**
~Twenty Minutes Later~
“Oh my god,” Landon muttered as he stood over the body.
“Calm down,” Lucky ordered as he took the gun from Landon’s hand. “Everything will be alright. It was self defense.”
“Self defense? Self defense Lucky? I shot her in cold blood . . .you shooting the guard, that was self defense but I . . . I just killed her.”
“It’ll be alright, but we’ve got to get out of here Landon, now,” Lucky ordered as he grabbed his brother’s shoulder.
“But she’s dead, and I killed her . . .”
Lucky shook him hard, trying to get him to snap out of it. “Forget Jane, she was a bitch, she deserved to go . . .but right now we can’t deal with the cops and I have the feeling they are going to be here really soon, so let’s go.”
“Where?”
Lucky clenched his jaw tightly. “In the woods, there is this boxcar I found while walking the other day. We’ll go there, call Luke and he’ll help us.”
“What do we do from there?” Landon asked as they made their way off of the yacht.
“Run until things cool down . . . right now we have one guard who escaped and two dead people Landon, we are going to go to jail if we don’t.”
“And leave, everyone? Until when?”
“Until . . . I don’t know Landon, but we can’t stay here,” Lucky told him seriously.
“I don’t want to leave . . . wouldn’t it be better to stay and fight this?”
“Fight what? Murder? Landon, I don’t want to leave, believe me that’s the last thing I want to do. I’m in love with Elizabeth, the last thing I want to do is leave her but we can’t stay . . . we can’t. I can’t be locked up.”
“Either way we are prisoners Lucky.”
“Yeah, but I’d rather be a prisoner on the run than locked in a cage. Are you with me or not?”
Landon looked into his brother’s steely, determined gaze. “I’m in.”
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