CHAPTER THIRTY
It’s been two weeks since the truth about Katherine came out.
Nikolas tried to hide his depression but his friends and family were not fooled.
Lucky and Liz tried to get him to go out with them, but it was no use. Stefan
offered a trip out of the country but that was rejected also. In fact, Nikolas
had isolated himself away from everyone…everyone except Beth She was the only
one who hadn’t witnessed how well Katherine manipulated him. She didn’t come to
Port Charles until he was already fully fooled.
It’s Saturday and Nikolas and Beth are outside on the patio,
sipping ice tea, off in their own little word. Nikolas was wondering what to do
with his life now that there was no baby to plan for and Beth was trying to
figure out when was the best time to tell Nikolas of her condition. She wanted
to tell him as soon as possible but was reluctant. He had already had his heart
crushed by Katherine and didn’t want him to think this was a ploy to get him to
love her.
"So what’s on your agenda today?" Nikolas asked,
deciding now was the time to make conversation.
"I’m going shopping with Liz today. With their due date so
near it’d be wise…" Beth left off remembering that just a couple of months
ago, Nikolas was doing the same thing. "Sorry."
Nikolas just laughed. "Don’t be sorry Beth. What happened
happened. I’m just glad Lucky was here to catch it in time before I did marry
Katherine. I still wonder how I could have been so blind? I mean, it didn’t
even bother me that she wasn’t showing."
"Sometimes we want something so much we don’t see the truth.
I believe you really wanted that baby that you ignored the signs that there
wasn’t any," Beth gently touched his hand. "Don’t feel foolish
Nikolas. You were doing what any expectant father was doing. Plus you were
under the impression that Katherine was being honest with you."
"But I do. I try not to, but I do feel like a big fool.
Walking around here talking about baby this and baby that…"
Beth gets to her feet to go comfort him some more but is struck by
a wave of dizziness. "Whoa," She plopped back down in her chair and
put her head in her hand.
"What? What’s wrong?" Nikolas is automatically
concerned.
"I just got lightheaded. But I think I’ll be ok. I haven’t
been sleeping much. Let me go upstairs and lay down," Beth gets up, just
to fall to the floor in a dead faint.
"Beth! Beth!" Nikolas is immediately at her side.
"Beth wake up! Beth!"
*
General Hospital
Lucky and Elizabeth set on the couch in the waiting room while
Nikolas nervously pace the floor, waiting for word on Beth’s condition.
"I’m sure she’ll be fine," Elizabeth wring her hands,
remembering Beth’s secret. She wondered if this had anything to do with that.
If so, Nikolas was about to find out.
"What’s taking them so long?" Nikolas grumbled.
"It’s been two hours so far."
"Mr. Cassadine?" The doctor stepped into the waiting room.
"I’m him. How is she?"
"Well Mr. Cassadine, your friend needs to start eating more
healthy and start getting regularly check ups. I’ve set her up for a couple of
appointments."
"I’ll make sure she keeps them. But what was the cause of her
fainting?"
The doctor gently smiled. "Why she’s pregnant Mr. Cassadine.
Not very far along though, but from what I can tell the baby is developing
nicely. Come into my office in the next couple of months and I can tell you if
you’re having a son or daughter."
Nikolas was struck speechless. He had no idea what to say. It was
too weird. First he was an expectant father, to not being an expectant father,
to being an expectant father again and this time it was for real. "Oh my
God. Does she know?"
"I told her. She doesn’t seem surprised. You can go in and see her now if
you like," The doctor nodded.
"I’ll be back," Nikolas turned to his brother and
Elizabeth before disappearing through the door to see Beth.
She was fully awake now, setting up in bed, her expression worried
and partly terrified. She had no idea what was going to happen next.
"Beth," Nikolas softly replied as he came into the room.
"Nikolas…you know?"
Nikolas solemnly nodded. "I’m sorry Beth. Now I’ve dragged
you into my messed up life. I’m sorry." He went to her and pulled her into
a hug.
Tears spring to Beth’s eyes for the first time she learned she was
expecting. All her fears were now coming to the surface. "I’m so scared
Nikolas? I don’t know what to do. My parents are going to kill me you
know."
"Shhh, don’t worry. You’re not alone. I’ll take care of you
and this baby. I promise," Nikolas soothed her. "Don’t worry."
"But I do. What kind of mother am I going to be? What if I
end up being just like Paula McCoy?"
Nikolas laughed. "Don’t worry. You can never be like that
awful woman. Beth, I’ve seen you with Laura and Lulu. You’re great with them.
You’re great in general. You’re going to be a terrific mom. It’s me that you
have to worry about. You know I am a Cassadine, murderous tendencies do run in
my family."
Beth laughed. "I don’t think I have to worry. You have too
much of your mother in you."
Nikolas wiped her tears away. "I’m glad to hear you say that." They
smile tenderly at each other as their eyes met. "Beth …I think I love
you."
"You think?"
"I know," Nikolas laughed. "When you fainted out
there…it was like seeing my whole world go down the drain. I was so scared of
losing you."
Tears of happiness leak from her eyes. "You don’t know how
happy I am to hear you say that. Nikolas…I love you too. You’re everything I
could ever want," They hug each other tightly, neither wanting to let go
of the other just in case this was all just a dream.
*
"What do you think is going on in there?" Elizabeth
asked nervously. "You don’t think he’s yelling at her do you?"
"Of course not. Nikolas may be a Cassadine, but he’s not one with a hot
temper. They’re probably just talking about what their next move is going to
be."
"Here they come," Elizabeth and Lucky get to their feet
as Nikolas escorts Kate into the waiting room, his arm tightly tucked around
her waist.
"Well? Don’t keep us in suspense," Lucky crossed his
arms.
"How do you feel about being maid of honor at our
wedding?" Beth smiled brightly.
"Oh Beth! I’m so happy for you!" Elizabeth squealed with
excitement hugging both of her friends. "Believe me, you’re going to love
being married."
"You just make sure you take care of my friend here," Lucky hugged
his brother.
"I owe it all to you. If it wasn’t for you going back to
Kentucky I would never have met Beth," Nikolas sighed. "Plus I’d be
stuck in a loveless marriage expecting a baby that wasn’t coming."
"Well come on Beth, we have a wedding to plan,"
Elizabeth grabbed Beth’s hand and dragged her out of the room.
"It looks like your wife has something to do now,"
Nikolas laughed.
"It sure does. Poor Beth," Lucky joined in on his
brother’s laughter.
"Hey Lucky…I know this is on short notice and
everything…but…how would you like to be my best man? You are my best friend you
know," Nikolas nervously smiled.
"I’m your only friend that happens to male brother
dear," Lucky laughed. "Hey I’d be honored."
"Well let us get started then."
"Now?"
"Lucky you have to understand, I’m a Cassadine. And as you’ve might have
guessed, we Cassadines do things big. Weddings are no exception. Meaning that
we’ll have to start planning now for the wedding. Ok. First thing first…the
guestlist. Now there’s great aunt…"
"Oh no," Lucky groaned, "What have I gotten myself
into?"