19
Lucky and Portia stared at each other, their eyes wide in shock and fear. It was impossible to tell who had shot whom…until Portia slipped down to the ground, her eyes glazing over with death. The last of Helena’s evil was no more.
"Lucky!" Elizabeth ran up and threw her arms around him, holding tightly to his shoulders. She had thought that she lost him. That Portia had succeeded in taking away the only person that loved her unconditionally. "Oh Lucky I thought…"
"Shhh. It’s ok. It’s over. She’s dead. She won’t hurt any of us anymore," Lucky rubbed Elizabeth’s back, trying to calm her tears. Not admitting that he too had been scared. He was waiting for the pain of the bullet, and was shocked when he didn’t come. Looking down at his now newly lost sister, he felt only disgust. She had came into their lives in order to destroy it. She had willingly been Helena’s puppet all the while playing all of them for fools. That talk they had the other day…lies. She was just enjoying her handiwork.
"Cowboy…" Luke groaned, painfully looking over at his son, regret shining in his eyes. He felt horrible about the way he had treated Lucky. About all the things he had accused his son of being guilty of when it was really Portia. How could Lucky ever forgive him? "I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not believing you about Portia. You were right and I’m paying for not listening to you. I’m sorry son."
"Dad…don’t worry about it. What matters is that you know now and that we’re all safe. She can’t hurt any of us anymore. Helena’s evil is now gone forever. "
"Lucky…"
"I forgive you dad. Ok. I understand. She had me snowed too. You’re not the only one. Now let’s get you to a hospital. You need medical attention," Lucky hugged his father before motioning for Nikolas to help him carry his father out of the building.
~*~
Six months later…
It’s been a long six months of recovery for Luke Spencer. Physically and emotionally. He had to go for extensive counciling with Gail Baldwin and Physical Therapy to learn to walk again. But finally it was over and now he was standing outside Kelly’s to bid his son good-bye. Two months ago, Lucky and Elizabeth had gotten married and now they had decided it was time to move ahead with their dream of moving to New York and starting a life together.
Laura stood to the right with Lulu in her arms, trying not to cry. Nikolas stood next to her, his expression also grim. Luke had to smile. He was happy to know that he had been wrong about Nikolas. The kid wasn’t a spawn after all. He was Lucky’s brother and would walk through fire for him. That made Luke happy to know that after he was gone, Lucky would still have a blood relative willing to bend over backwards for him.
"Dad?" Lucky stood before him, looking sad and happy at the same time. If that was possible. He had his arm tightly wrapped around Elizabeth. "Everything’s loaded in the car. All that’s left are the good-byes."
"You take good care of her Cowboy. You hear me? Don’t make the mistakes I’ve made with your mother. Stay honest and understanding," Luke tried to keep back his tears as he gave the advice, prolonging the good-bye as much as possible.
"I will," Lucky sadly smiled, squeezing Elizabeth’s shoulder.
"I promise to take good care of him Mr. Spencer," Elizabeth smiled, also feeling sad about the good-byes. She hated leaving Port Charles. Her family was here. But she knew it was important for them at least to try it out in New York. If it didn’t work out, they could always return. Plus there was always the holidays and a weekend or two.
"Elizabeth, what did tell you? Call me Luke. Mr. Spencer is my father," Luke gave Elizabeth a look telling her she better obey.
She laughed. "Ok, Luke."
"That’s better. Besides, we’re family now. So no more formalities, young lady. Ain’t that right Cowboy?"
Lucky could only smile sadly, again realizing that the banter with his father was no longer going to be an everyday thing. "I’m going to miss you dad."
A tear escaping Luke pulled his son into his arms, holding him tightly, not really wanting to let him go. But he knew he had to. In more ways then one. Lucky was finally a man now. A man with a wife, ready to start a family of his own. It was indeed time to let go. "I’m going to miss you too Cowboy. Take care of yourself. If you ever need anything…just give me a call and I’m there."
Wiping away his own tears, Lucky pulled away and nodded. "I’ll do that." Looking over at his mother, Lulu and Nikolas, he walked over and hugged each and every one of them. "We’re going to miss you guys."
"Just don’t be a stranger," Nikolas patted Lucky’s back.
"Look after them while I’m away. Ok? Make sure my dad don’t get too drunk and that Lulu and mom are happy."
"Sure thing bro," Nikolas nodded, trying not to cry. He couldn’t believe how close he had gotten to Lucky in the past few years. It was like they had never fought. "Take care of him Liz."
"Don’t worry. I will," Elizabeth slipped her hand to Lucky’s.
"Well, we better go,"Lucky led her to the car. Getting in the couple looked one last time at their family, who stood waving at the newlyweds, tears streaming from their eyes.
"Good-bye everybody," Elizabeth waved as Lucky started the car and drove away from the diner.
Luke and company stood and watched the car turn out of sight. Lucky and Elizabeth were gone off on their adventure. There was nothing to do but to go on with everyday life and try to ignore the dull ache Lucky and Liz’s absence caused.
Lucky pulled onto the highway, leading out of Port Charles, the future and the past on his mind. He had come a long way from that angry sixteen-year-old he had been. Now he was happily and married and they were both on their way to a new life in one of the biggest cities in the USA. Looking at Elizabeth, he knew that as long as he had her, everything was going to be ok. He didn’t need the comfortable familiarity of Port Charles. He had all he needed in her.
Taking one last look at the remaining buildings of Port Charles, Lucky said a mental good-bye and continued driving off into the horizon. The Spencers were on their way to a new and exciting life and a bright future ahead.
THE END