CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX EPILOGE DECEMBER 1999: Two years later: Lisa sat in the floor in the Wyndemere game room, putting the finishing touches on a doll house for Anreya. She glanced at her watch, it was close to 2am Christmas morning. Anreya had been very excited about Christmas and it took a while before she had finally gone to sleep. Rebecca didn’t yet quite grasp the whole concept, and was out like a light. Lisa looked up at the large Christmas tree and smiled as the glow from the multi-colored lights danced across her face. She stood up and turned off the small table lamp that had been her earlier light source. She took a pillow off the nearby sofa and laid back in the floor just to stare up at the tree. She saw ornaments that had been in the Cassadine family for generations and others that she had collected in the last couple of years. There were small ornament frames that held pictures of Anreya and Rebecca, and ornaments that Laura had bought because she thought they “looked like” Lisa. Lisa thought about everything she’d been through in her 26 years and sighed. She had everything she could possibly want and more. ***** Stefan sat in his study across from Alexis despite the lateness of the hour. He took off his glasses and rubbed his thumb and forefinger across the bridge of his nose as if deep in thought. Alexis reread through the paper that Stefan had given her. Disbelieving, she asked him, “That’s it? That’s all there was to it?” Stefan nodded, “A doctor who is loyal to us verified it this time.” “But suicide? Stefan, that’s so unlike her.” “What else did she have, Sister? Nikolas is not the heir, not Stavros’ precious prince. He is my son. You and I, Helena’s two outcasts, run the family jointly; with the understanding that if Nikolas still wants the Empire upon reaching his 25th birthday, it is his.” Alexis handed the paper back to Stefan, “Well, whether it be murder or suicide, the point is that she’s out of our lives for good. I can sleep well knowing that Sheila will still be there when I wake up. She hates all the added security we’ve had to have.” Stefan smiled gently, “Your daughter is but one of the ones that is safer with Helena’s demise. Anreya and Rebecca won’t have to live under the shadow of fear that Helena was so adept at casting.” Alexis stood up, “I should get home before Sheila wakes up and realizes I’m not there.” As she started to leave, she turned back to Stefan, “Sheila and I will most likely move back to the mainland now.” Stefan stood and crossed the room to Alexis, “Nonsense. We had the house here specifically constructed for you and your daughter. There is no reason to leave it unless that is what you desire.” Alexis kissed both of his cheeks fondly, “Thank you, Stefan. Sheila and I will discuss our options and let you know what we decide.” Stefan nodded, “Very well. Merry Christmas, Natasha.” Alexis smiled, “And to you, Brother.” ***** Luke sat and stared thoughtfully into the fireplace. He looked up at the pictures on the mantle. There were several assorted pictures of Lucky, Lu, Nikolas, Lisa, Lesley, Anreya and Rebecca all mixed in with pictures of Luke and Laura. Luke wondered how his life had gotten so complicated. There were times he just wanted to give it all up, skip town and forget that Port Charles even existed. But he realized that his family was the most important thing, and his ever expanding family needed him. He may have to live with the fact that Stefan Cassadine was married to his oldest daughter, but he didn’t have to like it. He also didn’t have to like the fact that his only son was living on his own because of something that didn’t even have anything to do with him. Sins of the past always caught up with you sometime, Luke knew. Luke frowned, he sometimes wondered whether his life was really worth that much. He looked over at the Christmas tree with all the presents underneath. He could just picture Lu being the only one of his kids he’d see over Christmas. Laura stood on the stairs and watched as Luke paced around the room. She knew that Luke had been through a lot in the last couple of years. They both had, but they had made it through the hard times. Together. She couldn’t envision a time where they wouldn’t be together. She smiled at the thought of how much Luke would enjoy the surprise she had planned for in the morning. Luke knew that Laura was standing on the stairs watching him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her gorgeous blonde hair cascading down around her shoulders. He knew that one look in her blue eyes and all would be right with the world. Even when things looked their worst, the love Luke and Laura shared for each other was stronger. Laura walked over to Luke and wrapped her arms around him, “What are you thinking about?” “Just about everyone and what they’ll be doing over Christmas,” he said honestly. “I guess Lucky will spend the day with Elizabeth. Annie and Becky will open all the fancy packages Cassadine’s giving them. Lisa’ll call, say she’s bringing the kids over in a couple of days. Your mother will come by, then head out again quickly as she makes her holiday rounds. You, Lu and I will spend a relatively quiet day here.” “Actually,” Laura admitted, “I figured you’d go see Bobbie and Lucas. I thought you might want to see Jessica as well.” Luke shrugged, “Bobbie, Jessica, Lucas, Caroline and baby Michael have taken Jerry Jax up on his offer to have Christmas with his family in Australia.” He walked over and looked at the pictures on the mantle again. “Why can’t life be as simple as it was then,” he asked, handing Laura a picture of their wedding day. She put the picture back in it’s place and gestured to the pictures of the kids, “Would you really want to go back to a time before Lucky and Lu were born; a time when you thought Lisa was dead?” He continued, “Before we even knew the Cassadines existed; when your mother hadn’t lost 10 years of her life and was a great doctor; Bobbie used to really look up to me as the brother that could do no wrong and Ruby was still around, giving us all a hard time.” He looked at his wife of 20 years and smiled, “No, no matter what’s happened, you’re the better part of me, Laura. And I’m a better person for having been with you all these years. I love you, Laura.” She smiled, “I love you too, Luke. And I always will.” He walked over to the stereo and pulled out a CD. As “Fascination” began to play, he reached out to Laura wordlessly. Smiling, she took his hand and they began to slow dance across the living room. ***** Stefan walked past the game room and saw a figure lying on the floor. He smiled as he saw Lisa, facing the Christmas tree, asleep, but smiling. He knelt down next to her and stroked her hair gently. She stirred and looked up at him, “I must’ve fallen asleep.” “That much is obvious,” he said, smiling. “Come on to bed, it’s almost 3am.” As she stood up, she asked, “Remember how I used to love the Christmas tree as a kid?” Stefan nodded, “You spent many a night sleeping under that tree. When you thought no one was around, you would sneak in and just stare at it.” “They were over 10 feet tall!” Lisa exclaimed. “I’d never seen Christmas trees that big, even in the picture books you and Laura bought for me.” Stefan continued, “There were many nights where you would fall asleep under the tree, just as you did here. But you were always gone before the first light of day.” Lisa laughed, “That’s not entirely true. There were mornings that someone picked me up and actually carried me back to bed.” Stefan stared into the lights of the tree, “That’s entirely possible,” he said dryly. Lisa leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, “I’m sorry this hasn’t been the best of years, but hopefully...” Stefan reached over and put his finger over her lips to quiet her. “Don’t worry about it, Leezia. You’ve done more than was expected by standing by me.” As they wrapped their arms around one another, Lisa whispered, “Stefan, there’s no one else that I can see standing by. You are my life.” “And I love you, Sweet Leezia,” Stefan said in a hoarse whisper as he leaned down to kiss her. ***** LATER THAT MORNING Across town, Lucky stirred in his bed. It had been almost a year since he found out that his father had been the one to rape his mother over 20 years prior. He’d moved out on his own, but he wasn’t alone. He picked up a pillow and threw it across the room at his unlikely roommate. “Wake up, Prince Nikky, we promised Mom we’d be there for Christmas breakfast.” Nikolas groaned as Lucky’s pillow hit him in the head. Nikolas and Lucky had continued to bond after Rebecca was born. When Nikolas found out the truth about Stefan being his father and not his uncle, he was devastated by the lies. But Lucky, having gone through the same disillusionment about his father, was very supportive and one of Nikolas’ strongest allies for moving out on his own. The one thing they told everyone they had in common was their mother. No matter how much either one of them disliked their fathers, Laura was still very important to them. “Can we change our minds about going?” Nikolas asked as he sat up. Lucky shook his head, “Spending Christmas morning with Dad and Stefan isn’t exactly my idea of a good time, but Lulu, Annie and Becky would be mad if we weren’t there.” Nikolas sighed, “We wouldn’t want Lesley Lu, Anreya and Rebecca upset for the holiday.” “Besides,” Lucky added, “Grandma and Lisa will be there too.” “Surrounded by all the women in our lives,” Nikolas joked. Lucky smiled, “Especially since Mom told us to invite Liz and Emily.” Nikolas laughed as he sat up, “Like we’d want it any other way.” Joining in Nikolas’ laughter, Lucky said, “You said it, bro!” ***** Stefan looked over at his wife, sleeping soundly beside him. He sat up slowly and smiled slightly as Lisa sighed in her sleep. He reached down and gently caressed Lisa’s face. She looked up at him and smiled, “Hi,” she whispered. Stefan leaned down and kissed Lisa’s forehead, “Merry Christmas, Leezia.” Lisa sat up next to Stefan and snuggled up to him as he wrapped his arms around her, “I can’t believe it’s Christmas already.” “Rebecca and Anreya seem very excited,” Stefan noted. Lisa nodded in agreement, “I can’t say I blame them. I still can’t believe you agreed to go over to my father’s for Christmas breakfast.” “It was either that or spend Christmas morning alone.” Lisa smiled and leaned over and kissed him, “I love you.” Just then, the door opened and 6 year old Anreya came running in with a toddling Rebecca doing her best to keep up. “Merry Christmas Mama and Papa!” Anreya exclaimed as she jumped up on the bed between her parents. “Merry Christmas Princess,” Stefan said to his oldest daughter as Lisa pulled Rebecca up into her lap. “Merry Christmas Angel,” Stefan smiled down at Rebecca as she chewed on one of her fingers. “When are we going to Grandma and Grandpa’s?” Anreya asked. “In just a little while,” Stefan assured her. “I tell you what, Sweetheart,” Lisa told her, “Why don’t you go on and get dressed and it’ll be that much closer to time to go.” Anreya hopped down, “Okay Mama.” She ran out of the room as quickly as she came in. Lisa turned to Stefan, “I’m going to get Rebecca ready, then I’ll get myself ready and we’ll be off.” As she stood up, carrying Rebecca, Stefan said, “I’ll call the launch pilot and have him prepare for the trip.” Lisa smiled, “Sounds good.” ***** Laura was cooking in the kitchen and whistling. Lesley sat at the table, drinking coffee. “You know, Laura, I think this was a great idea you had.” “Thank you, Mother. I just hope that everyone can get along for a couple of hours.” Just then, Luke walked in and looked at all the pans of food. Good naturedly, he joked, “Good heavens, Woman, I know we worked up an appetite last night, but don’t you think all this food is a bit excessive?” Laura blushed, mostly because she heard Lesley laughing, “I was hungry!” she joked back. “Seriously, Laura, why are you cooking for an army?” he asked. Just then, the doorbell rang. “Do you want me to get it?” Lesley asked, standing up. “Sure,” Laura smiled. As Lesley headed towards the living room, Laura looked at Luke, “I have a surprise for you,” she said softly. As the level of noise rose from the living room through the kitchen door, Luke and Laura headed towards the living room. Luke walked in and saw Lisa standing there holding Rebecca and Anreya standing between Lisa and Stefan. Anreya ran up to Luke and jumped in his outstretched arms, “Merry Christmas, Grandpapa!” “Merry Christmas to you too, Annie,” Luke said as the door opened again. Lucky and Nikolas walked in with Liz and Emily. “Somebody said there was a Christmas party here,” Lucky said, smiling. Lesley took Rebecca from Lisa and gave her a huge hug as Lu came running downstairs and flew over to her brothers, “Lucky, Nikky! You’re here!” She looked over at Lisa, “Lisa, you too! You’re all here for Christmas!” Lisa smiled, “Of course we are, Short Stuff, you don’t think we’d miss out on Christmas, do you?” Lu shrugged, “Well, no I guess not.” Laura leaned over and whispered in Luke’s ear, “One big happy family. That’s my present to you.” Luke actually had a tear in his eyes, “This is more than I could have ever hoped for Baby. I love you.” Laura winked at him, then went back in the kitchen to finish preparing breakfast for the family. THE END
