CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The next day is bright and shiny. Sunlight streams through the window of Elizabeth’s studio, falling on the bed, highlighting the sleeping couple. Lucky’s the first to wake up. He sighs happily staring at his new wife. She was so beautiful. It was hard to believe that now she was all his, now and forever, and the day after that if possible. He leans down, kissing her gently. She moans as she awakens.

"You awake?" She asks, her eyes half open.

"Yeah. Just wanted to gaze at my beautiful wife before she woke up."

"You’re sweet," She reaches up to kiss him. "This is like a dream come true. Just think, for now on we’ll be waking up to each other."

"Do you think you can handle that? Having my face be the first thing you see each and everyday?" Lucky smiles at her.

She pats his cheek. "I handled worse. Besides, what a handsome face it is. I don’t mind at all."

Lucky smiles and kisses her gently.

"I forgot to ask last night, but how did things go with your father and Stefan?"
"You won’t believe it, but Sonny Corinthos was their alibi. It turns out that he had taken them both to a strip joint. He even brought in the stripper. Can you believe it?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Stefan Cassadine at a strip joint?"

"I know. Who would have thought," Lucky laughed. "But they’re out and that’s the important thing."

"Lucky…if you want, we’ll wait on New York. It’ll still be there after this whole mess is over with. What do you say?"

Lucky looks down at her, love shining in his eyes. "Are you sure about this Elizabeth? We can leave right now if you want."

"Lucky I’m positive. Right now our family needs us. Plus, I can tell it’s important for you to be here for Luke and Laura. Nikolas too."

"Are you sure you don’t mind?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Positive. Besides, as long as I’m with you I’m happy. Last night was all the honeymoon I needed."

"I love you."

"I love you more," Elizabeth smiles, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Nikolas rubs his eyes as he awakens. He stretches and is surprised by how sore and tired his muscles felt. What exactly did he do last night that would make him so tired? He moves to the right ready to get out of the bed when he bumps into the warm body lying next to him.

"Nikolas?" A familiar voice groans. "You awake?"

Nikolas’s eyes widen in shock as his memory returns. Last night He and Beth had made wild passionate love. He didn’t know what had come over him. All he knew was that he needed her more than he ever needed anything else. He groans burying his head in his hands. Lucky was going to kill him.

"Nikolas what’s wrong?" Beth sets up, placing a arm around his neck, placing an affectionate kiss on his cheek.

"Beth…last night…"

"Was wonderful," She sighs happily. "Wasn’t it wonderful for you?"

Nikolas couldn’t lie. "Of course. I never felt this way for anyone before."

"Felt what?" Lucky and Elizabeth appear in the doorway. Both of their eyes widen when they see Nikolas and Beth.

"Is there something you two want to tell us," Elizabeth smiles happily. She was so happy that Beth and Nikolas had gotten together. Not only was Beth his own age, she was sweet, beautiful, all the things Katherine wasn’t.

"So I guess this means old Kat is out of the picture," Lucky smiles, as happy about this as his wife.

"Uh…uh…," Nikolas stammers not knowing what to say. "I have to get out of here," He slips on his old pair of sweats and a t-shirt and leaves the room.

"I think he’s in shock," Lucky watches his brother rush downstairs. "What exactly happened here?"

"It doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to figure out Lucky," Elizabeth steps into the room and goes to Beth. "Nikolas is probably in shock. He’s once again fallen off that noble pedistal of his."

"It’s about time if you ask me," Lucky joins his wife and friend. "Don’t worry Beth. Nik will come around. He’s just in shock."
"Maybe you should go down and talk to him," Elizabeth turns to her husband. "You’re pretty good at helping him sort out his feelings."

Lucky nods. "Don’t worry Beth. I’ll talk some sense into him."

"I-I didn’t mean for this to happen…at least I don’t think I did. It just happened."

Elizabeth places a arm around her shoulders. "He likes you too Beth or he’d never allow this to happen. It’s Katherine. You see Nikolas has this sense of responsibility and Katherine takes advantage of that whenever she can. I believe you’re just the person to wrest him from her claws. You suit Nikolas more."

"I really like him Liz. He’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever known next to Lucky," Beth sighs. "I just hate to think that last night might have ruined our friendship as well."

"I’m sure it hasn’t," Elizabeth soothes her friend. "I’m sure Nikolas is realizing how much he cares for you too."

Meanwhile, in the west garden outside Wyndemere, Nikolas sets on a bench and buries his head in his hands, wondering how he could have let this happen. How he could have been so careless.

"Nikki, want to talk about it?" Lucky comes out and sets next to him. "You and Beth seemed pretty comfy in there."

"I’m sorry Lucky. I never meant to take advantage of her like that. Especially with the mess with Katherine…"

Lucky places a hand on her shoulder. "Hey it’s Katherine’s mess. Not yours. Plus you didn’t take advantage of Beth. She wanted it as much as you did. I think it’s fair to say your attraction to each other is mutual."

"But I’m engaged to Katherine! Not to mention she’s carrying my baby!"

"Yes she is carrying your baby isn’t she?" Lucky strokes his chin.

"What am I going to do Lucky? I like Beth a lot…last night was so wonderful…but I’m with Kat and I don’t see a way out!"

"Nikolas, there’s always a way out," Lucky reassures his brother. "We’ll think of something."

"Nikolas there you are!" Katherine enters the garden, her hand lightly caresses her abdomen. "We’ve been looking for you. That dear Mrs. Lansberry said she saw you coming this way so I decided to save her a trip. Hello Lucky."

"Katherine," Lucky nods, not bothering to smile. There was something not right about Katherine’s pregnancy, but Lucky can’t put his finger on it. He had to figure it out before She marries his noble brother. There was a way for Nikolas to get out of this and he was going to find it.

"Nikolas, today’s the day for the appointment with the baby planner. He’s going to tell us what’s best way to design the nursery."

"Oh I forgot," Nikolas bows his head, his concious playing a number on him. How could he allow himself to cheat on Katherine like he did.

"Lucky there you are!" Elizabeth and Beth comes out. Glancing at Elizabeth and then at Katherine, something clicks. Lucky instantly knew what was bothering him.

"Elizabeth hello," Katherine greets. "I’ve been thinking, with both of us expecting, wouldn’t it be appropriate to arrange play dates for our children. They will be cousins after all."

Elizabeth’s eyes widen in surprise. "Uh…I guess." She shrugs.

"Nikolas and I have an appointment for the baby planners. He’s going to give us ideas on how to design the nursery. You and Lucky should visit him? I hear he works wonders."

"I’m sure he does," Elizabeth stammers, looking at Lucky who’s busy glaring at Katherine.

"Katherine, it’s funny, you and Elizabeth are about the same in development. But she’s showing more than you. Don’t you think that’s abnormal?" Lucky asks, placing a arm around his wife.

"Lucky!" Elizabeth glares at her husband.

"Honey I’m not calling you fat or anything, I just think it’s strange that our baby seems to be developing normally and well…Katherine is still wearing her designer dress from last year."

"Women are all built differently Lucky. Where Elizabeth shows more, I’m not. The doctor says that’s perfectly normal," Katherine snorts, not looking directly at Lucky.

"Well what about sonograms? Elizabeth’s had hers, and we have an appointment for next week for another one. Has Nikolas set eyes on his unborn child yet?" Lucky narrows her eyes.

"Uh Nikolas, is this an interrogation or something? I’m not used to be badgered about my delicate condition," Katherine turns to Nikolas who’s looking at Lucky in shock. He wondered where Lucky was heading with his line of questioning.

"Uh no. It’s not an interrogation. Lucky’s just curious about the development of the baby. That’s all," Nikolas sighs. "Listen we better go before we’re late. I’ll catch up with you guys later," Nikolas leads Katherine out of the garden.

"Lucky what was all that about?" Elizabeth quizically looks at her husband.

"I don’t thing Katherine’s really pregnant," was Lucky’s flat answer. "I think she’s playing my brother for a fool and I’m going to find a way to stop her."

"You mean all this time she’s been lying?" Beth’s eyes widen with hope. If Katherine wasn’t pregnant then Nikolas would be free to leave her.

"That’s what I think anyway. I mean Elizabeth you two are both four or five months along. While you’re sticking out there, Katherine still has the same figure she’s had before I left. You have mood swings, but Katherine never seems to be in a bad mood. Plus she has her hand on her abdomen everytime we see her, but you don’t. There’s no way she can really be pregnant."

"But Lucky, we have no real proof. Besides, she did take a test at the hospital. I saw her the same day I went to reaffirm that I was pregnant," Elizabeth looks at her husband.

"Hmmm…well then it should be on record. I wonder if I can get my aunt Bobby to get those results for us."

"Lucky!"

"Or better yet. Dad. He’d be able to get those results without getting caught!"

"But this is for Nikolas! You father hates Nikolas," Elizabeth points out.

"But he’ll do it for me. If I ask just the right way," Lucky reassures her.

"I don’t know guys. This is dangerous. Plus, Nikolas would feel really foolish if it turns out that she’s not," Beth replied.

"Beth, wouldn’t you rather have him feel really foolish but be free of Kat to be with you, or would you rather him still feel noble, but trapped in a loveless marriage over nothing?" Lucky squarely looks his friend in the eyes.

Beth sighs, remembering the night before, how she liked the feel of Nikolas’s hands on her, his lips against hers. She really did love him and if there was a way to get him away from Katherine Bell, she was all for it. "Ok. Fine. Go ahead with your plan."

"I’ll talk to dad about this when I go visit later. Right now let’s go in and have some breakfast," Lucky wraps a arm around each girl’s shoulders and he leads them into the dining area.

Luke is in his office listing to the latest in his blues collection, staring at old pictures of his family when Lucky enters. His mood brightened instantly at the sight of his son.

"Cowboy! What may I do for ya? I was sure you and Mrs. Cowboy would be heading to the big apple by now."

"We’re holding off on New York for a while dad. We thought it’d be best to stick close to home for a while," Lucky shrugged. "So having another conversation with Robert?" Lucky sets in the big leather chair situated in front of his father’s desk.

"No cowboy. Robert is dead and buried for another year. I’m just setting here, taking in the blues. Rumaging through some old memories. Like that time we managed to take you to magic mountain."

Lucky laughed. "I remember that. That was the best trip we’ve ever taken. I still remember mom’s screams on those rides."

"All you did was laugh. I remember that. You were so happy back then. Nothing ever spoiled that happiness."

"It’s easy to be happy when you’re a child. Complications don’t set in until you grow up," Lucky shrugged.

"And you had to do a lot of that didn’t you cowboy? You had to grow up quicker than most," Luke looks at his son sorrowfully. He had wanted so much more for Lucky. He had wanted Lucky to experience all the joys and freedoms of childhood and adolescence. But he should have known from the moment they took the boy that that was impossible. Lucky had already experienced hardship and living life on the run from the mob was not any better. Then Port Charles, Luke had thought would be good for his son. But that too was a mess from the gambling to finding out about the rape and leaving home. Now the McCoys have stuck their heads in the picture and was ruining Lucky’s happiness at every turn.

"Dad don’t feel so bad. It’s ok," Lucky reassures his father. "I had a happier childhood than most. Plus I have Elizabeth and our child. I really can’t ask for anymore than that."
"You could have asked for a life where you were in one place, a mom and dad not on the run…"

"Dad may I remind you that I did have that and it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I had more love from you and mom than I ever could have gotten from the McCoys. So stop beating yourself up. Now I’ve come to ask a favor and it’s something right up your corner."

Luke laughs. "And what may that be?"

Lucky hesitates. What if he really did say no? Then what? How would he help his brother then? "I need you to break into the hospital and retrieve some records for me."

Luke blinks in shock. He had not expected this request from Lucky. "Whose records are these and for who are they really for?"

"Is that really important?"

"If you want me to do this it is. I only stick my neck out for a handful of people cowboy. Now spill."

Lucky sighs. "The records would belong to Katherine Bell. Perferably her pregnancy test."

"And you want this done for let me guess…Nikolas. Right?"

"Kind of. He doesn’t know I’m doing this."

"Explain Cowboy," Luke raises his eyebrows. He wasn’t planning on doing this. Anything to do with Nikolas, he didn’t want to be involved with. But he can at least hear his son out.

"Well you see…you know about Katherine Bell claiming to be pregnant with Nikolas’s kid right?"

"Yeah. So what does this have to do with you?"

"Well you see…I have some suspicions about Katherine’s claim. I don’t think she’s pregnant at all. I think she just wants to hold on to Nikolas so she can get his money."

"So you want me to break in to GH, nab Kat’s records to prove your suspicions. What if you’re wrong Cowboy? What if she really is carrying a little Cassadine?"
Lucky sighs. "Well then I’ll just have to let it be. But if she’s not dad, I can’t let her get away with it. Nikolas would do the same for me if the shoe was on the other foot. Dad please. Don’t think of it as helping Nikolas. Think of it as helping me to help my brother. Please dad…"

"Ok ok! I’ll do it!" Luke laughs. "Just stop the begging. I’ll break into GH tonight and get Kat’s records. Be here first thing tomorrow to pick them up."

Lucky gets up and hugs Luke. "Thanks dad. This means a lot to me."

"I know Cowboy. I know. Now go and see your mother. She misses you terribly."

Lucky smiles happily at his father before exiting. Luke leans back in his chair. He hopes that Nikky appreciates the lengths Lucky would go through for him and that he was worthy of such brotherly devotion. Then Luke closes his eyes. Of course he was. Look what the kid had done for Lucky already.

*

Elizabeth stands outside her grandmother’s door. It was time for her to spend time with her parents and Sarah and she wasn’t sure if she was looking forward to it. Even thought they had accepted Lucky and everything, she had to wonder if they really accepted her. Opening the door, she steps in to see Gram, Sarah, and her parents all seated on the couch, discussing Steve’s adventures.

"Elizabeth what are you doing here?! You’re supposed to be in New York with Lucky!" Audrey stands up in shock.

"We’ve decided to postpone New York with all the things happeing in Lucky’s family right now. We decided it’d be best to stick close to home. I don’t mind, it give me a chance to catch up with my parents and sister."

"Well come and join us sis," Sarah pats the seat next to her. "So tell me, am I expecting a niece of a nephew?"

"A nephew," Elizabeth smiles, placing a hand on her abdomen. "He’s just began kicking. I guess he can’t wait to get himself born so he can meet everyone face to face."

"Well we can’t wait either dear," Mrs. Webber smiles. "I am planning on spoiling that child rotten."

"So have you two picked out a name?" Sarah asked.

"Nikolas Lucas Spencer," Elizabeth laughs at Sarah’s expression.

"I was shocked to find out Nikolas was Lucky’s best man, now he’s a namesake for his son…the last time I saw them two, they were enemies."

"They worked out their differences and now it’s like they never were any thing but best friends," Elizabeth smiles. "They’d do anything for each other."

"Elizabeth, come set. Your mother and I want to talk to you…about the rape," Jeff seriously replied. "Don’t be mad at your sister. We forced her to tell us and your gram confirmed it when we confronted her."

"…what is there to talk about daddy? It happened…I got over it and now everything is fine," Elizabeth stammered, moving to the couch.

"Elizabeth, it’s okay. You can talk to us," Grace gently takes her hand. "We won’t be mad."

Elizabeth sighs in frustration. They weren’t getting her point. She had gotten over the rape a long time ago. Her focus was no longer on what happened to her, it was now on what was happening with Lucky and her new family. "Mother it’s like I told you, I put the rape behind me a long time ago. Sure the guy’s not in jail for what happened to me, but he is in jail and that’s what matters. I confronted him, told him what I thought of him and I let it go…I don’t even think about it or him anymore."

Grace hugs her daughter. "I am so proud of you Lizzie. You have been through so much and all by yourself. I don’t know if I could’ve been as strong as you are."

"Mom, I’m not strong at all. It was Lucky who was strong for me. If it wasn’t for him being there for me to lean on like he was…I don’t know where I’d be right now. Certainly not here, a newly married woman with a baby on the way. As happy as I’ve ever been in my whole entire life."

"Well you know that we all love you and for now on whenever you need someone…we’re here darling," Jeff pulls his daughter into a comforting hug. "I do wish you had come to us about the rape, but that’s in the past now."

"Yes it is," Elizabeth nods. "And that’s where it’s going to stay."

"Ok. Enough sad stuff. Lizzie we have some baby shopping to do," Sarah grabs her sisters hand and pulls her out the door.

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