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I always loved the rain, she thought. She gently caressed the small mound that was her belly and conjured up a smile that was half joy half sorrow. "Oh darling," she whispered, "it's just the three of us now, you, Lulu, and me. The three musketeers..."
"Like hell it is."
His voice was so soft, barely a whisper. She wasn't sure he was actually there. But he was. The intensity of his stare belied the calmness of his words. Stefan stood in the doorway of her small cottage bringing in the storm with him. He was drenched but seemed totally oblivious to it. He was also furious.
Laura: "Stefan, why don't you come on in before you flood the place."
Despite the calmness of her tone she was in turmoil. How had he found out? She laughed at herself then. The man had eyes everywhere. What was she going to do? How was she going to stop him? He was on a mission, and her child was it. God help her. Stefan decisively closed the door. He looked around the sparsely furnished two bedroom cottage and on spotting a chair in a far corner retrieved it, hung his coat over the back and proceeded to walk over to the fire blazing in the small hearth. With his back facing her he spoke.
" When were you planning on telling me I am going to be a father, or had you planned on informing me at all?"
He then turned to face her.
" Laura, I will not be denied access to my child, and if that is your intention, know this. You will not succeed."
"Are you threatening me Stefan?" Laura asked, trying to hide the fact that she was shaken by his presence.
" I have no need to threaten you Laura, and you know that. I just want to make it clear to you that I am not going anywhere. I will be a part of my child's life."
"All right." Laura hesitated. "But I get the final say Stefan. I will not allow you to dictate to me or run my life in any manner. "You can visit the child, within reason of course."
Stefan: "That's not enough. I will have my child with me."
Trying to keep the apprehension out of her voice Laura reiterated. "That's impossible Stefan! Be reasonable. How on earth can you expect that when I am no longer a part of your life?"
Stefan: "Easy. You will become my wife."
Laura stared at him in shock. Stefan walked over to the chair, picked up his coat and headed towards the door. Before opening the door he turned and looked at her. Not giving away his thoughts, he spoke.
" I will return in a couple of days after all the necessary arrangements have been made. Just be packed and ready to go when I return for you and Leslie Lu."
And with that oh so incredulous statement Stefan Cassadine left. Laura sat staring at the door trying to convince herself that she had just dreamt the whole thing. She finally gave up and with a moan placed her face in her hands. Just at that moment Leslie Lu who had been taking a nap exited one of the bedrooms in the cottage and climbed unto her mother's lap.
Lulu: "Who was that mommy, was it Lucky? I heard voices."
" No honey, Lucky is in Port Charles with Elizabeth. It was just an unexpected visitor." Laura answered distractedly while caressing the silky hair of her daughter.
Lulu: "What is unaxtepted mommy?"
Laura sighed. "Something you get when you didn't know you would get it."
"Or in my case, should get." She whispered to herself.
Chapter 2
Stefan sat in his car watching the rain pound away at the windshield. His hands were shaking so badly he could not even turn the key. Laura is having my baby. My child. It was true. It was true! His thoughts kept circling in the same pattern and he was overcome with emotion. Then he wept. He wept for the joy in his heart, for all the unfulfilled dreams, for the love that yearned to burst forth, for the pain of the last few months. Pain unlike anything he had ever experienced in his lifetime. It was not like the first time Laura had left him. He had had hope. A hope that one-day they would somehow connect again, and he thought that dream had finally come to fruition, only to have everything fall apart. His hope had finally died because this time when she had left there were no unanswered what ifs? They were together and he had showed her and given her everything that was within him to give, and still she returned to Luke. No fear, coercion or unresolved factors were in the equation. Plain and simple, she had chosen Luke. He allowed everything he felt to come to the surface, all that he had pushed aside in fear he would fall apart if allowed free reign. Now there was no holding back. He had denied himself of too much for too long, even the release of his emotions. He would deny himself no more. He turned the ignition of the car on and with purpose emanating from every pore of him, he drove away from the small cottage that housed his future.
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Laura paced the floor of the small room and tried to think of a way out of her dilemma. She knew Stefan would do anything to take her child if she refused him. He had nothing to loose. She no longer had any influence or hold on his heart, so he would treat her as he treated any other who got in his way. She did not fear harm from him, but she feared his power. He would take her child. Why fight it? She had nothing to loose. Luke had left her for good, even leaving Port Charles in the process. Lucky would probably object, but he had a life of his own with Elizabeth and would respect her right to do as she pleased. Her mother would disapprove, not because of any lingering hopes for her and Luke. Leslie no longer wanted Luke in her daughter's life seeing he proved he could and would not stand by her through the bad times as well as the good. Leslie would never embrace Stefan. There was just too much hurt there. Logic sometimes had no supremacy over emotions. Leslie she could deal with. Nicholas who was now living and handling the Cassadines' business in Europe would approve. There was nothing stopping her, except the knowledge that she no longer owned his heart. Could they truly live together under these new circumstances? Could she see Stefan daily without the love she had come to depend on shining from his eyes? Yes, she would have to. She did not want to raise this child alone and she did not have the resources and strength left to fight Stefan. All she had to do was disregard any unwanted romantic feelings she had for him and forget he once had any for her, and create a family with him. She had had enough of love anyway. Love was no longer worth it. She would pour what she had left into her children and take what they had to give. She went to pack for herself and Lulu.
Chapter 3
"Stefan!" Leslie Lu screamed and threw herself into his arms.
Stefan: "Hello Leslie Lu. Is it possible that you grow ever more beautiful each time I see you?"
Lulu: "Yes."
Stefan laughed. His expression changed when he saw Laura watching them. His eyes swept the living area of the cottage and came to rest on the suitcases by the table. A glimmer of triumph briefly flashed from his eyes. He put Leslie Lu down.
Stefan: "Are you ready?"
Laura: " Do I have a choice?"
Stefan: "You always have a choice Laura, but in this case you are being very wise and I will see to it that you do not regret this decision. I will take those."
He retrieved the suitcases and disappeared through the front door. Laura took Leslie Lu's hand and followed him out to the waiting limousine. Laura paused before entering the car and upon seeing her hesitation Stefan sighed.
Stefan: " We are going to the airport Laura. I have arranged for us to be married in Greece, a new beginning shall we say. I have had enough of the hypocrisy and commonness of the citizens of Port Charles. Our child will not be raised in that boorish society."
Laura: "They are my friends and family."
Stefan: "I am your family now Laura. Make no mistake about it."
Stefan gave the luggage to the driver and opened the car door for her to enter.
Laura was fuming at his high handedness but decided to let it go for now. They had a lot to go over in regards to this new relationship of theirs.
Stefan watched Laura surreptitiously out of the corner of his eyes. She was clearly tense but she was here on his private jet headed towards Greece and that was all that mattered. She felt his eyes on her but pretended not to be aware. His gaze was so intense it felt like it was burning a whole right through her. What was he thinking, why the island, would she ever be comfortable there and how long were they supposed to stay anyway?
Laura: "Stefan?"
Stefan: "Laura?"
Stefan looked up and removed his reading glasses.
Laura: "We have to talk."
Stefan: "I agree, but not until we are on the island and you are fully rested. Do not be anxious. I do not intend to keep you in the dark about this arrangement or anything else."
Laura: "Well it would not be the first time."
Laura was angry. Stefan sighed and placed the report he was reading on the desk before him.
Laura: "I'm sorry. I have no desire to rehash the past. Forget I said anything."
Stefan: "For now Laura, and only as I can see that you are exhausted. As I said, we will talk once you have settled in on the island and have had some rest. Please excuse me as I have some reports to go through."
With that Stefan resumed reading one of the many files before him. Laura went to check on a sleeping Leslie Lu in the private cabin of the jet.
They took a helicopter from the main land to the island, where another limousine was waiting to transport them to the villa. Laura gasped in surprise as they drove up to the main entrance. Before her was not the Cassadine compound she had expected to see. No, this was the most beautiful piece of architecture she had ever beheld. The villa, everything, was different. She turned towards Stefan with a questioning look.
Stefan: "We are not on the Cassadine compound Laura, this is my island. Welcome to your new home."
Stefan did not wait to see her reaction but stepped out of the limousine and reached for her hand. Waiting on the steps leading to the beautiful mahogany doors were a staff of people waiting with smiles on their faces. Stefan introduced her and Leslie Lu to a butler, several maids, a cook, a nanny for Leslie Lu and the one that beat the cake, a nurse for her and their unborn child. Laura took it all in and felt overwhelmed. Mrs. Lansbury invited Laura to follow her up a wide marble staircase that bifurcated into two separate directions at the first landing. Mrs. Lansbury led Laura and Leslie Lu down the marbled hallway of the west wing. She stopped at a door and asked them to precede her. Leslie Lu squealed with delight when she saw the interior of the room. It was decorated with everything a child could ever desire. There were toys in abundance and the most beautiful canopied bed that looked like it was made for a princess. Laura shook her head and smiled at both her child's delight and Stefan's propensity to spoil Leslie Lu. Cora, the nanny, came into the room. She smiled at Laura and went to sit on the carpet beside Leslie Lu. The little girl asked Cora if she wanted to play dollhouse with her. Cora said she would be delighted. Mrs. Lansbury asked Laura to follow her so she may show her to her living quarters. She had instructions from Mr. Cassadine that she was to rest. Mrs. Lansbury opened the double doors to the suite that was a little way down and across the hall from Leslie Lu's room.
Mrs. Lansbury: "This is where you will be staying Mrs. Spencer."
Laura looked around at the very large and exquisitely decorated sitting room and walked over to another set of double doors she suspected would lead to the bedroom. She was right and shocked. This was Stefan's room!
Chapter 4
Laura: "Mrs. Lansbury, you must be mistaken..."
Mrs. Lansbury had conveniently disappeared. Laura slammed the double doors leading to the master bedroom shut. What was Stefan trying to pull? She would have it out with him now and she would not be put off for another second. With the mindset of doing battle with him Laura set out to find Stefan, but before she could reach the doors of the sitting room a wave of nausea and dizziness hit her as if she had walked straight into a wall. Holding her queasy stomach she sought the nearest chair and sat down. She would rest here for a few minutes until her system calmed down. Stefan was crazy. She could not sleep with him. How could she bare to have him make love to her knowing that he didn't love her anymore? He was the most skilled lover she had ever been with, but without his love what would it be like? How could her response not betray her? He could not find out she still had him in her heart. She could not bare the rejection. Then it hit her! Was that how he felt when she left him for Luke not once but twice? How could he even bare to live in the same house with her, much less sleep with her? Then the answer came to her in a blast of cold reality. The baby. He wants the child, and knowing his utter devotion to family he would not let his child be parentless. He did not want the baby to experience the same loneliness Nicholas had. His child would have a readymade family with all the trimmings. But did they have to sleep together? Why not take a mistress and be discrete? As soon as the thought left her she balked at the very idea. She could not stomach the thought of Stefan with another woman. What was she going to do? She would stand up to him that's what. She let out a big yawn. That's it. She would tell him it would be her way or no way. She would just close her eyes for a few seconds then go and find Mr. Control freak and tell him the lay of the landâ...
What was keeping Laura? He had expected her to come chasing after him to set him straight, but there was nothing. Nothing! After all his preparations for a confrontation, this was not like her at all. Maybe she was waiting him out, if it was a trap then he would just have to fall into it because he could wait no more. The suspense was killing him.
He took the stairs two at a time and in doing so managed to startle the house staff that witnessed it. Stefan Cassadine never rushed; he was always calm and reserved. Not laid back, he was too intense for that. No one could deny the aura of power that emanated from the man, but this was surprising to say the least. There must be an emergency they thought.
Stefan cautiously opened the sitting room door and had to allow his eyes to adjust to the slightly darkened room. It was now dusk and heaven's nightlights had not yet pervaded the room. Then he saw her. Laura was fast asleep in one of the armchairs. He crouched down before her and tenderly brushed her hair away from her face. Her head was resting at an awkward angle so he placed his hand beneath her cheek to lift her head. She was so beautiful; his heart ached just to look at her.
"Laura?" He whispered.
When she did not stir he picked her up out of the chair and carried her to the bedroom. Once he got the covers back he laid her on the bed. He then proceeded to take off her shoes. He hesitated about the rest of her attire then decided what the hell, she was already mad at him, this last offence could not get him in any deeper. So he removed her clothes, leaving only her panty on. He stared at her beautiful body and could feel his desire stir. He closed his eyes and groaned. He abruptly reached for the sheet to cover her but stopped when his fingers brushed against her rounded abdomen. Stefan palmed her belly swollen with his child with his large hands and bent down and kissed her there. He thought his heart would burst with love. Was it possible to love this woman more than he already did? She could not know his heart. It was too fragile. Laura had a power that no other human being on earth possessed; she had the power to completely destroy him. He had to keep his heart in safeguard from her; she was too careless with it. Dear God, how he needed help. He had no idea how he would accomplish such a task. Yet he must! It would surely kill him if she were to hurt him again.
Stefan:"No Laura. I will not give you the chance, but I will have you close to me. You and my child."
With a kiss to her forehead Stefan rose and left the bedroom.
Chapter 4
Laura yawned and stretched. Luxuriating in the feel of the silk sheets against her bare skin. Her bare skin! Her eyes immediately popped open at the thought. She sat up and looked around the room in growing apprehension. Where was Stefan, how had she gotten here… Stefan walked into the room out of what she assumed was a bathroom since he had nothing on except a towel loosely tied barely hanging on to his hips and another vigorously drying his hair.
Stefan: "Good morning."
His voice was husky and his eyes were burning a path over her body. That was when she realized she was sitting up in the huge bed with her naked breasts exposed to his hot gaze. She quickly grasped the covers over her exposed anatomy and although her face was an unbecoming shade of red she haughtily demanded,
"What are you doing in here?"
Stefan only chuckled and went into another room. Carefully holding the sheet up to her chin she positioned herself on the bed so she could see where he went and what he was doing. He appeared to have disappeared into a dressing room/closet. When he came back into the room carrying a suit she scrambled back to her former position in the bed. Stefan oh so casually dropped the towel from around his waist and went over to a bureau and took out a silk boxer. Laura gasped and could have bitten her tongue for uttering a reaction, but she couldn’t help it. The man had the most beautifully sculpted body she had ever seen on a human being. It was a sin to be that sexy. Stefan casually continued to get dressed in front of her.
Laura: "Stefan! You didn't answer my question. What are you doing in my room?"
Stefan: "Our room dear and if I were you I would get up so you can get some breakfast before we leave."
Laura: "Leave, leave for where? Will you stop moving around and answer me? Where are you going?"
Stefan: "Not me Laura, we. We're going to get married today and as I formerly stated, if you do not intend on becoming ill during the ceremony I suggest you come downstairs as soon as possible and have some breakfast before we leave. Leslie Lu and I will be waiting."
He then walked away. He was leaving! Laura threw the pillows on the bed at his departing back but they too would not cooperate. They fell without much hoorah several feet away from him. Stefan turned and looked at the pillows then at her and with a shake of his head and an exasperated look he would give to a misbehaving child, he closed the bedroom doors behind him. Laura threw herself down on the bed and screamed into the only remaining pillow. How she hated him! The rumbling of her stomach prompted her to get up and get ready, barricading herself in the bedroom sounded a little dramatic and she would only be hurting herself. Besides she was starving. With that thought Laura made her way to the bathroom.
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"Mommy!" Leslie Lu ran over to hug her mother.
Lulu: "We're getting married to Stefan today. Do you like my dress? Stefan gave it to me."
Leslie Lu twirled to show her beautiful dress to full effect.
Laura: "I love your dress Lulu and you are the most beautiful little girl in the whole world."
Laura kissed her daughter on her cheek.
Lulu: "You look pretty too mommy."
Laura: "Thank you sweetheart."
Stefan: "I have to agree with Leslie Lu Laura, you do look enchanting this morning."
Stefan was standing by the glass doors of the breakfast room, and although he looked magnificently handsome in a dove gray morning suit with a blinding white shirt and a darker shaded gray tie, Laura refused to acknowledge this to him. In fact she planned on not regarding him at all, not until they had the talk he had promised her. Laura went to seat herself around the table, taking care not to wrinkle her powder blue skirt suit in the process. She had taken care with her appearance. Just because she was peeved at Stefan did not mean she would not like to be presentable for their wedding. She had no idea where they were getting married, who would be in attendance, or what to expect. Stefan was really getting on her nerves now, he could not continue to keep her in the dark and expect her full cooperation.
As if reading her mind, Stefan spoke.
"We are getting married in a small chapel on the island Laura. I flew in a minister, and Mrs. Lansbury and Nicholas will be our witnesses. I have decided to keep it simple and private. I knew you would not appreciate anything otherwise. We will all have lunch on the mainland and tonight you and I will dine alone so we may talk, as I know you have been bursting at the seams to do. Does any of this not meet with your satisfaction?"
Having not expected him to disclose anything to her, to say she was surprised was an understatement.
Laura: "Umm, no. That's fine."
She quickly amended. "As long as we do have our talk. You know this has not been easy for me Stefan and just because I went along with your proposal does not give you the right to waylay me the way you have been doing. I feel as if I am blindfolded and you are leading me around in the dark."
Stefan: "I understand Laura, and as I promised, all will be revealed. As soon as Nicholas arrives we can proceed."
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It was a lovely ceremony although there weren't the usual trappings associated with a wedding. She kept her focus on the minister and his words. She could not seem to convince herself that this was real. It seemed so surreal, her and Stefan being wed. They were a secret, even when she was seeing him in Port Charles after Lucky's death; it had an unreal quality to her. She kept expecting to wake up and find that it had all been a dream. They were never meant to have a normal open relationship. She just could not define it, but it's like she found it hard to view him outside of a secret passion. Luke was her normal daily relationship. Stefan was her forbidden, wild, passionate, and clandestine affair. She had loved him, caressed him so often in her dreams. They belonged to the night, a part of her secret psyche. Yet here she was standing beside him pledging the rest of her life to him. It just did not seem real.
"You may kiss the bride."
The minister's words penetrated her private musings and Stefan leant in and softly kissed her lips. She immediately felt a rush of warmth course through her body. Laura pulled away and broke the contact. Lord, would she ever stop wanting this man? All he had to do was look at her with those intense green eyes and she was weak in the knees.
The minister: "I now pronounce you man and wife."
Stefan: "You belong to me now Laura, get used to it because I will never let you go."
Stefan had whispered the words in her ear. They were spoken so softly yet she felt a chill race down her spine. Was it a threat? She had no time to ponder his meaning as Nicholas came over to hug his parents. Mrs. Lansbury smilingly gave them her blessings.
Leslie Lu: "Are we married yet mommy?"
Laura: "Yes we are sweetheart."
Stefan: "We are a now a family Leslie Lu."
Leslie Lu: "Can I get some cake now?"
Everyone laughed.
Chapter 6
Stefan watched the brandy as it swirled around in his glass. He placed it on the table and focused on Laura.
Stefan: "What are you thinking my wife?"
Laura: "It's funny, all this time the top thing on my mind has been my desire for us to talk, to put everything on the table and now I can't figure out where to begin."
Laura stopped playing with the food on her plate and folded her hands in her lap.
Laura: "What do you expect from me Stefan? You have your unborn child in your life. You have also provided him or her with a respectable family to be born into. Now what? How are we to be? We cannot force ourselves to be together, not after what has transpired between us!"
Stefan: "What has transpired between us are vows Laura. We made vows to each other before God. You are now my wife and with that title everything that it entails. You are now my partner, my confidante, my lover..."
Laura's eyes widened at that statement.
Stefan: "Yes Laura. You will be my lover. Did you really expect me to remain celibate throughout our marriage, the rest of my life?"
Laura: "Well, no. No. I, I just assumed this would be a sort of business arrangement. I never expected you to remain celibate. I assumed you would take a lover or whatever people do in these circumstances."
Laura could not look him in the eyes with that boldfaced lie. She just wanted him to think she did not care what he did. Stefan was fuming.
Stefan: "And what about you Laura, had you decided on entertaining a lover once my back was turned? Well it really doesn't matter what your intentions were because they will never come to fruition. Over my dead body will you have someone in your bed besides me! As for your generous offer of allowing me a mistress I just might consider it."
Laura jumped up out of her chair and glared at him.
Laura: "Fine, do whatever you want. Frankly I don't give a damn. This was exactly what I meant. How on earth can we pretend all is well in this contrived relationship?"
When Stefan just sat there looking up at her and toying with the rim of his glass she hissed,
"Damn you," and stalked off.
As she reached the doors that lead out of the dinning room Stefan calmly announced,
"I will join you upstairs in a few minutes my dear bride."
Laura paused on hearing his words then continued on her way out.
She heard him enter the bedroom and forced her breathing to slow. He must never know she was awake, she only hoped the ridiculously loud pounding of her heart could only be heard by her. He disappeared into the bathroom. Stefan donned his robe upon entering the bedroom and dimmed the lights. He sat on the bed opposite to where Laura was laying and feigning sleep. He reached out to her and followed the path of her hair with his hand. She did not stir. Fine, he always loved a challenge. He gently turned her to lie on her back and still sitting on the bed started to disrobe her inch by inch. He bared one shoulder and after trailing a path with his eyes followed with his fingers. When her gown was resting on the tips of her nipples Stefan lathered her there with his tongue. Laura sucked in her breath. The contrasting sensations of the rough lace of her gown, his hot breath and wet tongue was too much, she could no longer keep up the pretense. Stefan smiled with her nipple still in his mouth. He continued on his journey down her body, creating a symphony of feelings so exquisite Laura could no longer think, only feel. She had become all nerve endings.
Laura: "I want to feel you Stefan. I want to feel your body against mine."
Stefan stripped off his robe and straddled her. Laura sat up and buried her face in his chest. She could not get enough of him. The smell of him, the taste of him, she wanted to sink into him, become him. Oh God, she wanted his soul. Stefan wrapped Laura's hair around his fist and holding her fast by her hair proceeded to kiss her with such intensity she thought they would never come up for air again. They didn't need it. They were all the breath they would ever need. Laura lay back on the bed when they broke the kiss and staring intently into his eyes communicated silently to him to come to her. Stefan parted her legs with his knees and still kneeling in the bed, pulled Laura to him. Never taking his eyes from hers he slowly entered her. Laura closed her eyes at the exquisite sensation and unbelievable fullness she felt, but quickly opened them again as Stefan demanded that she look at him.
Stefan: "Look at me Laura. Know who it is that is within you, filling you, becoming one with you. I want you not only to feel but to see exactly what I'm doing to you, with you."
Slowly, so slowly did he enter her that she could not take it any more and sought to speed up the process. Stefan grasped her hips to keep her still. Once he had fully encased himself in her Stefan lay fully on top of her, bracing himself with his forearms. He then started to thrust and withdraw with maddening precision, sometimes on the verge of leaving her completely. Laura was sure he was out to drive her insane. He loved her with his mouth and with his body, changing his tempo to bring her to the brink only to take her maddeningly back to the start again. She started to whimper from the sweet agony of it all and just when she thought she could take no more Stefan whispered,
"Welcome home darling,"
and drove her over the edge. Laura had never climaxed like this in all of her life. She thought she was going to die, the feeling was so overwhelming. Still breathing harshly Stefan pulled Laura on top of him and kissed her deeply. That was when she felt and tasted the tears. She didn't know whose tears they were; all she knew was that she had never experienced so many emotions at the same time.
Laura had fallen asleep on top of him. He cherished the feel of her; he wanted to remain this way for the rest of his life. With that thought he drifted off to sleep. Laura woke to find herself alone in the bed. She refused to think about last night, she would seek out her daughter and decide what to do with her day. Stefan was nowhere to be seen so she figured he was working in his study or he had left the island. She and Leslie Lu explored the beautiful grounds of the villa then made their way to the ocean. That was where Stefan found them. They were building a pile of sand that Leslie Lu insisted was a princess' castle. Stefan obligingly admired it's unique architecture and then told them lunch was awaiting them by the poolside. So their days settled into a routine. Stefan either worked in his office or flew to whatever destinations to conduct his business. Yet not once did he stay overnight. He always returned to their bed at night where they made love as if it were their first or last time together. They were polite strangers by day and passionate lovers at night. Leslie Lu had a tutor but she and Laura often took trips to the mainland during the day to go sight seeing or whatever took their fancy. Laura made a friend on the mainland, a young woman with three little girls of her own who owned a delightful little gift shop. Leslie Lu had become friends with the youngest of the girls, who was also five. Laura sometimes helped out her new friend at the shop. She was delighting in her independence and the life she was now living. Maybe this would work after all; the only cloud on her horizon was the ache in her heart whenever she thought of Stefan. He made love to her nightly, and she could never ask for a better lover but she did not have his heart and it was slowly tearing her apart. Sheila watched her new friend and wondered what the sad look in her eyes could be about. Here was a beautiful young woman with a beautiful child and another on the way. She was married to Stefan Cassadine, and although she had never personally met the man, she had heard about him and seen him in the papers although he studiously avoided the press. The man was a living dream, every woman's fantasy. She lived on her own private island, was wealthy beyond decency, had the most gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring she had ever seen yet she sometimes looked unhappy. Things weren't always what they seemed. Despite her wealth, Laura was a very down to earth woman and Sheila liked her a lot. She seemed to have a genuine interest in the store and was always eager to help with the customers, which Sheila was only too eager to oblige. The customers took a shine to the beautiful blond woman with the hypnotizing smile. She just did not understand her new friend. She was not poor by any means but what would she give to have a man of Stefan Cassadine's wealth and beauty look her way. Not that she didn't love her Theo, he was a sweetheart, but a woman could fantasize now and then, and what better subject than the aloof and mysterious Stefan Cassadine.
Chapter 7
Stefan joined Laura in one of the many sitting rooms and poured himself a glass of water.
Stefan: "What have you been doing with yourself Laura?"
She was surprised to see him at this time of the day.
Laura: "Oh nothing really. I go to the mainland sometimes. I found a delightful little shop there and I have made a new friend."
Stefan looked at her curiously. Her face had lit up as she told him about her friend and the shop so he pressed on.
Stefan: "Tell me more"
So she did and ended it by saying
" I want to work there for a while Stefan. I'm good at it, I have a talent of drawing people out and I find I like being around them. Once I've gained more experience then I think I may open a shop of my own. A gift shop with imports from all over the world."
Stefan: "No Laura. You may visit your friend and the shop whenever you like, but I don't want you working there. It would not seem right."
Laura: "And when did you ever care about what people thought Stefan? I would not broadcast it; as a matter of fact no one would know who I was. I want to do this Stefan. Surely you can't deny me this little?"
Stefan: "I'll think about it Laura, but I can tell you I do not like the idea. You are right, I do not care what others think in regards to my life but there is a safety issue. If an unsavory individual got a whiff of whom you were, your life could be in danger. You could be kidnapped for monetary gain."
Laura: "I understand, and that is why I would keep a low profile and you could have one of the guards I know you have following me on my excursions to the mainland stay close by."
Stefan actually blushed at being found out. He really thought she had not known she was under constant watch and that he knew of all her activities.
Stefan: "As I said, I will think it over. I am giving a dinner party here next week for some business associates of mine. I would very much appreciate it if you would supervise the planning with Mrs. Lansbury and of course I would expect you to host the dinner with me."
Seeing that she had not protested, Stefan continued,
"The guests will be staying over for the weekend so we will need to prepare rooms both in the villa and in the other guest houses on the island."
Laura: "How many people are coming Stefan?"
Laura: "Around twenty or so. Not all are business associates. Some are acquaintances that I am repaying for their hospitality to me. I have been the recipient of dinner invites and parties here and there over the years, I usually try to return the favors now and then. Are you ok with this?"
Laura: "Yes, just tell me what you want and I'll see to it."
Stefan nodded. He was pleased with her reaction. He had had no idea how she would have taken it but it seemed that he had worried in vain.
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The guests started arriving by helicopters and boats by midday Friday. The island was a beehive of activity. Laura was grateful she did not have Leslie Lu to deal with, as she and Cora would be spending the weekend with Sheila and her kids and Laura had the added assurance of a bodyguard watching her. Laura had also promised to call Leslie Lu every four hours, scout's honor. The little girl was over the moon at being able to stay with her new friend for the whole weekend. Laura did not know that Stefan had had Sheila and her family investigated to ensure Leslie Lu's safety.
Laura was dressed in a cool white jumpsuit, which gave her a coolly elegant look. Stefan could hardly take his eyes off of her.
"Stefan, darling!"
The most stunning woman Laura had ever seen in her life had walked up to Stefan and oh so confidently placed herself in his arms and kissed him on his lips. Laura was stunned. Stefan only smiled and placed a casual arm around the woman's waist and introduced her to Laura.
Stefan: "Laura I would like you to meet Countess Ivania. Ivania this is my wife Laura."
Laura seeing red reached out her palm to shake the stunning brunette's hand. Ivania briefly brushed her fingers against Laura's palm and turned back towards Stefan with a pout.
Ivania: "Oh darling, how could you have gotten married and not tell me? I am so disappointed in you."
Stefan laughed. "You'll get over it I am sure."
Ivania: "You are right as usual. How could I ever stay mad at a man as delightful as you? Besides, I would be the one to suffer."
Laura interrupted their sickening flirtation,
"May I show you to your quarters Ivania? I am sure you would like to freshen up after your long journey."
Ivania: "Yes, I would like that very much. Chow mi amore. I will see you later."
And with a kiss to Stefan's cheek she followed Laura to one of the upstairs suites. The married couples were to stay in the guesthouses. Laura chose a room as far away from hers and Stefan's and returned downstairs to greet the other guests.
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Drinks were being served in one of the larger sitting rooms and the room was filled with the chatter of wealthy people bent on having a good time. Stefan was deep in conversation with three business associates but he was always aware of Laura's location in the room at any given time. His wife was simply breathtaking. She was dressed in a silver dress with a halter-top that accented but did not flaunt her curves and her pregnancy made her glow. Laura too was aware of Stefan's every movement, and she was also aware that he followed her with his eyes. She felt the heat of his gaze like a physical touch. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen in his white dinner jacket and tie. There was a lull in the noise and only the sound of the soft music being played by the small orchestra Stefan had hired could be heard. Laura turned to see what everyone was looking at. Standing in the doorway of the sitting room was Countess Ivania looking more stunningly beautiful than possible. Her long straight black hair was hanging loose, providing a perfect backdrop to her flawless olive complexion. She was wearing a deceptively simple strapless jade dress that showed off her limitless legs to their best advantage. Her only jewelry was the glimmer radiating from her slanted green eyes framed in exquisitely long black lashes. Laura felt her stomach fall. How could she ever compete with that? The woman was on a mission. She wanted Stefan. Laura could smell it a mile away. What man could resist such a temptation? Laura turned to look at Stefan and he indeed was looking at Ivania with appreciation in his eyes, but so was every other man in the room. Ivania found her target and sauntered across the room to Stefan. Laura did not know how to hide her dismay and was relieved when one of the wives of Stefan's business associates sought her attention.
"Lovely isn't she?"
Mrs. Gardner commented with a look in Ivania's direction. She took Lauras hand in the crook of her arm and walked them over to a secluded spot away from the other people in the room.
Mrs. Gardner: "Don't let her get to you dear, Ivania thrives on handsome men's attention. She's quite harmless you know, while she'll flirt with them she will not actually let them get too close to her. I think her heart was broken very badly once and so she refuses to risk that happening again."
Laura: "Do you know who the man was?"
Mrs. Gardner: "No, but I heard she loved him desperately. He had to be a very unique man to not only have captured her heart but to actually have been able to walk away from such a beautiful woman."
Laura: "Excuse me if I don't sympathize, for as you can see the man she has chosen to practice her skills on happens to be my husband."
Laura looked over at them. Stefan and Ivania made a striking couple. She had somehow managed to manipulate him away from his previous companions.
Mrs. Gardner: "We were so surprised to hear that Stefan had gotten married, especially after that unfortunate incident with his former fiance what was her name again, I don't seem able to recall..."
Laura:"Katherine Bell."
Mrs. Gardner: "Oh yes. What a tragic turn of events that was, and the rumors of him being in love with another woman the whole time. Oh dear me, I do carry on so. Please forgive me for my lack of decorum. You cannot have much interest in that former tale can you? What's important is that you have managed to capture that delicious man and he does seem enchanted with you. He has not taken his eyes off of you all evening!"
Laura: " Please excuse me Mrs. Gardner. I do need to see to my other guests needs."
Laura excused herself. She had the beginnings of a giant headache and the fact that her morning illness paradoxically made its appearances at night was not helping the situation. She just needed to get away for a few minutes. She made her way to the garden located on the opposite side of the villa away from the party and gratefully sat down in the gazebo. Her ankles ached, she was queasy, she had a headache, and her mind and heart were in turmoil. Was Stefan the man that had broken Ivania's heart? She had seemed a threat because of her familiarity with Stefan and her stunning beauty, but this new development made it much more so. If there was history between them, if Ivania still loved Stefan, she may choose to win him back. The woman wanted him. Laura had no doubts about that. Ivania's lighthearted flirting did not fool her. She saw the raw hunger in the woman's eyes; it was a look she was familiar with. What would she do if Stefan decided to take Ivania up on her offer? He would not allow her to divorce him and she knew she could not live with him if this were to come to pass. It would destroy her. Maybe if she asked him not to be with Ivania out of respect for her and their marriage he would listen. She had to stop it from happening, but how? How could she bear it if he rejected her and her request? She feared this woman; she feared she had the ability to take Stefan away from her. What was she thinking? Stefan was not hers at all. She had made sure of it, when after Lucky's return she had left him for withholding the truth from her and adding insult to injury, she reunited with Luke a mere month after breaking it off with Stefan. Maybe this was her punishment. Luke had left her after her discovery of her pregnancy, declaring he could not be with her. He claimed he had tried but could not accept the fact that she had been with Cassadine and would bear his child. That was when she knew she had made the worst mistake of her life. She had thrown away the best thing she would ever have for nothing. Luke had shown her time and time again that he loved only when it benefited him and she refused to see it. Well she did now, but it was too late. Yes she was Stefan's wife, but no longer his love. How could she have been such a fool?
Chapter 8Chapter 8
"What's wrong Laura?"
Stefan emerged from the shadows and knelt before her in the gazebo.
Laura: " I needed some air that's all."
Stefan: "Are you feeling ill? Do you want me to take you to our room and have the nurse take a look at you?"
Laura: "No Stefan, I'm fine. I, it's lovely out here isn't it?"
Stefan was aware of her obvious attempt to distract his attention away from her.
Stefan: "Yes it is, but that is not my concern right now. Please let me take you to bed. I do not want you overdoing things."
Laura: "Why are you so eager to get rid of me Stefan!"
Stefan: "Is that what I'm doing? Please enlighten me Laura, as to what I would have to gain in doing as you have implied?"
Laura: "Oh spare me Stefan. I will see to the guests and retire when I feel like."
Laura stepped out of the gazebo. Stefan restrained her by gently but firmly grasping her arm.
Stefan: "I have no idea what has gotten into you tonight, but I will not have you getting ill due to share stubbornness. I will handle the guests. Please, go upstairs and lay down and I will have the nurse see to your comforts until I can join you. This is not a request Laura."
Laura challengingly stood her ground, but then suddenly gave up. With a sigh, she pulled her arm out of his grasp. She was too tired to fight and she did need to lie down. She walked back towards the house as Stefan watched her. Stefan rubbed his face with both hands after Laura had disappeared into the house. He gave a bone weary sigh. Why must she constantly fight him, didn't she know by know he had only her best interest at heart? All he had ever wanted to do was love Laura, but she resisted him at every turn. Would it always be this way? Would she ever open herself up to him? Whatever the answer was didn't matter because he would not give her up for anything in the world.
"Stefan! There you are. Why are you out here alone?"
Ivania approached him.
Stefan: "I was just checking on my wife, she was not feeling well."
Ivania: "Stefan, may I ask you a question?"
Stefan: "You may."
Ivania: "Do you, do you love your wife, I mean really love her?"
Stefan: "I don't see how that could be any of your concern. My feelings for my wife are private and shall remain so."
Ivania: "How could you say such a thing Stefan? Of course it's of concern to me. You know how I feel about you, and yes I was bitter for a while but I'm over that now and I cannot pretend anymore that I don't wish to have you back into my life."
Stefan: "I am married Ivania. I agree that what we had was good, but it was also brief and is in the past. I still cannot give you now what I could not give to you then. Let us leave it at that."
Ivania: "Can you honestly tell me that you don't want me, that you haven't thought of me? What is marriage? Just a document that entitles her to half of what is yours. You are too much of a man for her Stefan. I cannot believe you would settle after knowing what it's like to be with a real woman. I know you are a passionate man Stefan. You need a woman who can satisfy you. Let me be that woman."
Stefan: "Enough! We will speak no more of this. Please return with me to the party."
Ivania: "To hell with your party. You may deny it all you want but I know that you want me. I see it each time you look at me. It's only a matter of time before you give in and I'll be waiting."
With that statement Ivania took off in the opposite direction, away from the merriment of the other guests. He did not see the tears that were falling from her eyes.
Laura was asleep when he joined her in bed. Turning her towards him, Stefan gently enveloped her in his arms and made a pillow for her head with his chest. He breathed in the scent of his wife and went to sleep.
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Ivania had seen him make his solitary trek towards the beach, and being one never to waste an opportunity decided to follow him. There was stillness about the moment that only happens before the dawn and she was grateful for the shroud of darkness. He did not have on any shirt, so when he removed his shorts he was completely nude. Ivania sucked in her breath. The man was magnificent. He waded into the dark blue waters and submerged himself with a smooth shallow dive. Ivania removed her lightweight shift and followed him into the water. Stefan felt invigorated with each stroke he took; these early morning swims were almost his favorite activity. Thinking of favorite activities he immediately thought of Laura. He would love it if she would join him one morning …As if his thoughts had conjured her up he felt a feminine hand glide up his calf. He couldn't believe she was here. Smiling, he swam to shallower waters and standing up turned to look for her. Due to the fact that it was still dark he did not see her come up behind him. She pressed her nude body against him from behind and started to kiss him on his back. With a growl he turned and grabbed her to him. She clasped his head and started kissing him before he could do anything. This was not Laura! Stefan stiffened in surprise and grasping the arms of the woman kissing him he pulled her away from him. What the hell! He could make her out now.
Stefan: "Damn it Ivania, what do you think you're doing?"
Ivania: "This."
She proceeded to kiss him again. Stefan yet again pulled her away from himself.
Stefan: "Stop this now! I will not play your games and if you do not want me to hurt you I suggest you quit your foolish behavior this instant."
"Games, games?" She hissed scornfully.
Ivania: "You are the one that plays games. You played a very dangerous one when you toyed with my heart Stefan. What do you think I'm made of? Stone? I loved you. I gave everything to you, yet you walked away from me."
Stefan: "Ivania, we've been through this before. You told me you could handle the kind of relationship I offered you at the time. You knew I had no intention of committing to you or anyone. I made it very clear it would not be permanent, where was the game in that?"
Ivania: "I lied. You knew I was lying Stefan. Fine, that was then but what about now? You seem to have gotten over your disdain for commitments. All I want is a chance for us Stefan. I honestly thought I was over you and even wanted to prove it to myself by coming here; so when I heard Jonathan say he was going to attend a dinner party you were hosting, I offered to be his date. I was wrong Stefan, I am far from over you and the way I feel right now I don't think I ever will be."
Stefan: "I cannot be with you Ivania. I am sorry."
Ivania:"I don't want you to be sorry, I want you to give us a chance. You owe me that much."
Stefan: "I have a family now and that's the end of the story. Actually it has been over for a very long time now. I explained it all to you back then and frankly I don't owe you any more explanations."
Stefan started back towards the shore.
Ivania: "Do not walk away from me Stefan Cassadine! You do owe me. I, I hate you! Do you hear me? I hate you."
She started to cry. Stefan went back to her and reached out his hand to her.
Stefan: "Come Ivania."
She swatted his hand away and dove beneath the water and started swimming out to sea. Stefan called to her but she did not stop her progress. Becoming very concerned he decided to follow her. He soon caught up to her and tried to get her to turn back. When she wouldn't he grabbed her around the waste and using a one arm stroke swam back to shore with her. Once he found his legs he picked her up and headed towards their discarded clothes. She laid her head on his shoulder and sobbed. That was how Laura saw them. Stefan was holding Ivania in his arms and they were both naked. She had her face nestled in the crook of his neck. Laura was so shocked she couldn't even move to protect herself from being detected. Stefan, who was focused on the sobbing woman looked up and saw Laura standing stock-still staring at them. His heart froze. "Laura!" He raspingly whispered. He could barely get her name past his lips. Ivania looked up and seeing Laura cradled Stefan's face in her palms and kissed him. Stefan unceremoniously dumped Ivania out of his arms and called out to Laura but she was already retreating. Stefan hurriedly put on his shorts and chased after Laura. He ran into their bedroom but she was not there. "Calm down," he whispered to himself. "You will find her and explain everything to her. All will be right." He went into the bathroom, took a shower then went downstairs to look for his wife.
Chapter 9
Stefan excused himself from a few of the guests that were already up and about. He had seen no sign of Laura. He contacted the head of his security detail and enlisted him in the search, emphasizing he wanted discretion. No one was to know Laura was missing, besides she could not have gone far; there was no way for her to leave the island without him knowing. He was worried though, how could he have let things get so out of control. He went to his office to make one more call. Ivania was to be escorted off of the island immediately. He would come up with some excuse for her sudden departure to the other guests. Laura was in his office and had heard him make the call. She had hidden there thinking it would be the last place he would think to look for her. Once he left, she slipped from behind the heavy velvet drapes. She had to leave the island, but how? She suddenly had an idea. Laura slipped into the laundry room and rummaged in one of the many closets until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed one of the housemaid's uniform and donned it as quickly as possible. Her sandals were a little conspicuous but she crossed her fingers and hoped no one looked at her feet. She went upstairs in search of Ivania. Laura knocked on Ivania's door. Ivania opened the door and looked at the maid with her head bent in a submissive manner. Ivania sighed and pointed to her luggage in the room.
Ivania: "They are over there." Laura retrieved the bags and asked Ivania to follow her. They made it to the helicopter pad in record time. Ivania could hardly keep up with the mousy but hurried maid. She was speaking to two men by the time she caught up to her.
Laura: "I am to accompany Countess Ivania to the mainland, Mr. Cassadine's orders. I also have some shopping to conduct there. I will take one of the boats back. The security guard was suddenly distracted from what he was about to say to the maid by a call on his radio. He waved to the pilot signaling him to go. Laura was the first one into the helicopter and did not realize she was holding her breath until it took off. Ivania kept her head averted towards the window during the whole flight, which suited Laura just fine. She was having a hard enough time just sitting by the woman who had made love to Stefan under her very nose. She felt bile rise up in her throat at the thought but determingly forced herself to focus on the task at hand. Once they landed, a chauffeur driven limousine was waiting to take Ivania to the airport. Laura, still keeping her head bowed in a shy manner bid the pilot goodbye. She hurried towards the main street in hopes of finding a taxi to take her to Sheila's house.
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She saw the bodyguard Stefan had hired to watch Leslie Lu a few houses down from Sheila's in a yard tending to an already immaculately groomed lawn. Stefan must have rented the house so the guard could be close by. Laura was grateful for her disguise. Sheila's husband Theo answered the door with a pleasant but curious look for the woman standing before him. Laura did not wait to give him an explanation. She literally barged in before Theo could react.
Theo: "What the..."
Laura: "It's me Theo. Laura."
Laura removed the bandana from her head, freeing her golden locks.
Laura: "I will explain in a few minutes. Where are Sheila and Leslie Lu?"
Surprised and confused Theo indicated upstairs to Laura.
Laura: "Thank you."
Laura ran up the stairs in search of them. Theo shook his head and mumbled to himself.
"The rich surely are an eccentric bunch."
Laura: "Sheila?"
Sheila: "Laura, is that you? You are early picking up Leslie Lu aren't you?"
Sheila called Laura into her bedroom where she was putting away clean laundry.
Sheila: "The girls are in their rooms playing."
Closing the bedroom door Laura went over to Sheila.
Laura: "Sheila, listen to me. I need another favor from you. I, I need some time away from Stefan. We had a fight and I need to clear my head before I see him again. Do you understand?"
Seeing Sheila's shocked gaze, Laura rubbed her forehead with her fingertips and sighed.
Laura: "Of course you don't. Sheila, Stefan is looking for me, he thinks I'm still on the island and it's only a matter of time before he realizes I'm gone and comes after me. I, he will find me of that I am sure. I just need some time, you know, just to think. I just need some time away from him. I can't face him, not right now."
Laura started to cry. Sheila came over to her friend and hugged her.
Sheila: "Shhh, of course you can stay here, and no I won't give away the fact that you are here. Take all the time that you need."
Laura: "Thank you Sheila, I don't know what I would do without you."
Sheila: "Laura, that's what friends are for. Come on; let me show you to one of the girls' room. They can bunk together tonight. I can see you want to be alone and no I will not let on to Leslie Lu that you are here. That would be a sure giveaway."
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Stefan was going out of his mind with worry. It was a big island, but not big enough for Laura to have completely disappear. Then a thought occurred to him. Picking up the phone he commanded,
"Get the pilot who took Ivania to the mainland here now!"
He would not put it past Laura to have somehow gotten herself off of the island. That could be the only explanation for his fruitless search.
"Yes sir?"
The pilot stepped into Stefan's office.
Stefan: "Who were your passengers to the mainland this morning?"
Looking puzzled the pilot answered.
"The Countess and a maid sir."
Stefan: "What did this maid look like?"
It was Laura. Stefan was sure of it now.
Pilot: "I did not see her face well because she kept her head hung low, shy little thing, but I did glimpse her eyes once and they were as clear a blue as the Grecian sky."
The man blushed when he realized what he had said. Clearing his throat he continued,
"Umm, other than that I could not tell you more. She had a bandana on so I could not tell what color her hair was."
Stefan asked him a few more questions about the maid's destination then dismissed him. Stefan picked up the phone to call Laura's friend Sheila then changed his mind. Instead he called the pilot and told him to ready the helicopter to take him to the main land. He was bringing his wife and daughter home.
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Laura sat on the window seat staring out at the neat little back yard. Her eyes were swollen from her bout of crying but she did not care. She had no idea it would hurt so much. How could he love her like that every night and still desire another woman? She knew it was a stupid question but that didn't matter. Yes she knew it was a possibility that he could cheat on her but for some reason her foolish heart rebelled against the idea that it could become a reality. It was the way he loved her when they were together that made her think this way. It was too special when they made love, or maybe she was the only one that thought so. No, it was special. It was as if their souls united each night. Oh God, it hurt so much. Just when she thought she had no tears left they came rushing down in torrents again. She felt like she was dying a slow death. She loved him. The jealousy she had felt when she had found out about Luke and Felicia was a joke compared to what she was enduring now. She couldn't bear this pain anymore. She had to find a way to shut down, that's the only way she could face him again.
Chapter 10
The doorbell rang. Sheila opened the door to find Stefan Cassadine standing at her door. Wow! He was even more gorgeous in person.
Stefan: "Mrs. Theodopolos, I am Stefan Cassadine. May I come in?"
Sheila hesitated then changed her mind at the determined look she saw on his face.
Sheila: "Yes, of course Mr. Cassadine. This way please."
She led him into the living room.
Sheila: "Mr. Cassadine, this is my husband Theo. Theo, this is Mr. Cassadine. Would you care for something to drink?"
Stefan: "No thank you, I care only to get my wife and daughter. Would you please let Laura know I am here."
Sheila looked at her husband not knowing what to say.
Theo: "I don't know what would give you the idea that your wife is here Mr. Cassadine. Your daughter is here as you already know, but as for Laura, we have not seen her."
Stefan: "Laura must appreciate your loyalty and I do admire her choices in friends, but your fabrication is unnecessary. The bodyguard I have watching your home witnessed her arrival here today. So before this gets tedious would you please inform my wife that I'm here?"
Theo was clearly outraged at the man's arrogance but Sheila precipitated his reply with a warning look, besides he had no desire to go up against this man. Something warned him Stefan Cassadine was a dangerous man to thwart. Sheila went upstairs to speak to Laura. From the look on Sheila's face when she opened the door Laura knew. He was here.
Laura: "I'll be down in a second Sheila, just let me wash my face and comb my hair."
Sheila nodded and left the room. Stefan was alone in the living room when Laura came downstairs. He searched her face but could see no emotion reflected there.
Stefan: "I've come to take you home Laura. Will you get Leslie Lu so we may leave?"
Laura could not look at him. She simply nodded and went to do as he said. Stefan felt like lead was weighing down on him, he did not like what he had seen. She had shut herself away from him, more so than ever before. He would fix this; he would not let her hide from him. He would tear down those walls. He had not been unfaithful to her and she would listen to him. She had to.
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Once they were home Stefan followed Laura up to their bedroom.
Stefan: "Laura"
Stefan: "Not now Stefan. I'm, I'm tired. I just need to lay down."
Stefan: "Alright, but we will talk Laura."
He stood looking at her as she lay down on the bed. She decidedly turned her back towards him and curling into a fetal position, sought oblivion in sleep. Stefan went to speak to the nurse. He wanted Laura looked at to make sure both she and the baby were ok. All the stress could not have been good for their health. He went to his study and sitting in the darkened room gave thanks to God that she and the baby were not harmed. He sat there for quite sometime before he got up to go and fulfill his duty as host. He explained Laura's absence away with the news of their impending parenthood and that she was not feeling well.
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When Laura woke up it was dark. She turned on the lamp at her bedside so she could see to go to the bathroom. That was when she saw him. Stefan was sitting in a chair facing her side of the bed. He looked exhausted.
Laura: "Why aren't you asleep?"
Stefan: "I was waiting for you to wake up. Actually I was dosing when the light woke me up."
Laura: "Sorry."
Stefan: "We have to talk Laura, I won't have you shutting me out."
Laura: "What is there to say Stefan? You took me up on my offer. I just thought you would have had the decency to be more discrete about it."
He went over to her and tightly grabbed her arms.
Stefan: "Stop it. You just stop it right now. What kind of a man do you think that I am?"
Laura: "One who cheats on his wife Stefan, that's the kind of man I know you are! What was it? Was she good Stefan, did she do things to you that I haven't? I admit she is beautiful, is that it, you no longer want to be with me because my body has become heavier with your child and I no longer attract you? "
Stefan let go of her as if she had burned him. He turned away from her.
Stefan: "I won't let you do this Laura. You may push as hard as you want but you won't get your desired result. I am not going anywhere."
Laura: "I don't care if you stay or go Stefan. You can go to hell for all I care."
Stefan: "I did not sleep with her."
She could not have heard him right. He surely wasn't denying it.
Stefan: "Yes, you heard me right. I have no desire to be with Ivania. She followed me Laura. Her intention was to seduce me and when it did not work she became hysterical. When you came upon us I was forcibly carrying her back to the beach because she was hell bent on swimming out to sea. I could not have allowed that."
Laura: "You liar! You were kissing her."
Stefan: "What you saw was Ivania trying to deceive you. She was crying and when she saw you she decided to take her revenge out on me for refusing her."
She believed him. She saw the truth in his eyes, yet something still bothered her.
Laura: "You were lovers."
Stefan: "Yes, a long time ago. Just before I came to Port Charles actually. I had met her in Europe and we had a brief affair. I never could commit to any woman Laura. I, maybe I was keeping myself free at the time with the unconscious hope of reuniting with you. I made Ivania aware that the affair would not be permanent and she agreed, but she fell in love and that was what yesterday was all about. I am sorry you had to witness that Laura; I would never disrespect you or our marriage in that way.
Laura: "Then why invite her here after all this time?"
Stefan: "I did not. She found out about this weekend and came as one of my business associate's date."
Laura took this all in, she should have felt relief but she was numb. She did not know how to feel. It had been too much for her to endure and she was exhausted. Laura got up from the bed.
Stefan: "Where are you going?"
If she hadn't known better she could have sworn she heard panic in Stefan's voice.
Laura: "I'm going to the bathroom."
Laura stared at her reflection in the mirror for some time. Her face was blotchy from all the crying she had done. She splashed some cold water on her face and spent a long time patting her face dry with the towel. She was avoiding him. She didn't know why, but even knowing he had told her the truth hadn't helped her to start feeling again. Stefan sat on the bed waiting for Laura to come out of the bathroom. When she did he stood.
Stefan: "Let me love you Laura."
Laura stood where she was. She didn't know what to say, what to do. She didn't even know what to feel. Stefan went over to her and just held her. They stayed that way for a while until he started to caress her. When he kissed her that was when it happened. It was like a dam had opened up. She started to cry. Stefan did not stop but continued to love her, and it turned out to be their sweetest union by far. Never was he so tender, never had she felt so cherished. She cried through the whole experience, first for the pain of what she had endured, the fear that she could have lost him, and finally for the exquisite beauty of their joining. They reached a new plateau that night and she knew they would never be the same.
Chapter 11
Things did change. They no longer behaved like polite strangers during the day. Stefan made it a point to spend as much time with her and Leslie Lu as he could. They explored the island together, finding new delights and experiences everywhere they went. Laura's favorite outings were the ones by the seaside where Stefan became a kid again. He and Leslie Lu would always compete to see who was the best sea monster. They were really a family now. She frequently spoke to Lucky, and Nicholas visited them often. She was getting bigger with the pregnancy everyday and although all was not perfect she could safely say she was happy. She did not have Stefan's heart as she once did but she knew he felt something for her. Stefan had relented and she was able to work part-time with Sheila in the shop. It was while she was working at the shop one day that her world spun off its axis. Sheila had gone to make a trip to the bank and Laura was tending the shop by herself. She heard the bell signaling the entrance of a customer. Looking up with a smile readied on her face, Laura was shocked to see the barrel of a gun pointed straight at her head.
Intruder: "Do as I say and you won't be harmed."
Laura nodded and waited to see what the masked man would do. There were two of them. One was standing by the door looking out. Where was her bodyguard? The man saw her glance outside and he smirked.
Intruder: "If you are looking for the goon that usually hangs around the store you won't find him. He has been taken care of."
Laura was truly terrified now. If they knew about the guard they had to have been watching her for sometime now.
Laura: "What do you want? We only have petty cash in the store, you can have it."
Intruder: "I will have what I came for. You."
He pushed her towards the back exit of the store and into a waiting car in the ally. There was a driver ready at the wheel. When the other man joined them they took off. Laura was then blindfolded and had her hand tied behind her back. She dared not to resist in case they harmed the baby.
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Sheila knew something was wrong. Laura was nowhere to be found and Sheila knew she would not have abandoned the store like this. She became more frightened when she saw that the backdoor was open. Something was dreadfully wrong. The bodyguard! Laura had told her about the bodyguard Stefan had insisted on. Sheila ran out of the store but she did not see him in any of the locations he usually frequented. Sheila ran back into the store and with trembling fingers dialed Laura's home number. Mrs. Lansbury went into Stefan's study upon his request for her to enter. Without looking up he asked,
"Yes?"
Mrs. Landsbury: "It's Mrs. Theodopolos on the phone Mr. Cassadine. She sounded very anxious."
Stefan grabbed the extension on the desk.
Stefan: "Where is Laura?"
Sheila: "I don't want to alarm you..."
Stefan interrupted her before she could finish.
Stefan: "Sheila, where is Laura?"
Sheila: "I don't know, I went to the bank and when I returned she was not here."
Stefan: "Where is her bodyguard?"
Stefan was gripping the phone so tightly it was a miracle it did not snap in two.
Sheila: "He's gone too. The door to the back exit was left wide open and, oh my God, I am afraid something very… What has happened Mr. Cassadine?"
Stefan: "I don't know yet, but I will soon. Thank you for calling me right away, you did the right thing. Now tell no one of this, do you hear me? No one can know. Not even your husband. I will handle this."
Sheila: "Yes, I promise. No one will know. Please find her."
Stefan: "You can guarantee that I will."
Stefan hung up the phone. A cold murderous rage overtook him. Laura and their child had better be alive and well. The kidnappers had made the biggest mistake of their soon to be shortened lives. He did not doubt that was what had happened to Laura and he would get them back. He almost laughed, if that were at all possible. The kidnappers thought they had taken a rich man's wife. They were very wrong. They had taken a Cassadine and there was no mercy to be had for them. Stefan called his security team and the most dangerous mercenaries he could contact. There would be no negotiations; the only payment to be made would be in blood.
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They had been traveling for a long time and Laura was very uncomfortable, as she had been sitting in the same position for a very long time. She was tired and hungry. She had to get some food into her for the baby's sake. The car suddenly stopped. Someone pulled her out of the car and led her down some stairs. She must be entering a basement of some kind. She was shoved unto a soft surface and then she heard a door close. Now what? She had to find a way to get the baby some food. She stood up but had to promptly sit back down when a wave of dizziness assailed her. Laura cried out for help.
"Please, I know someone is out there. I need to speak with you. It's about the baby. Hello?"
She heard a door open and then someone loosening the knot on the blindfold. Laura's eyes quickly adjusted due to the fact that the light bulb hanging from the ceiling of the small room was not overly bright.
" How are you feeling Mrs. Cassadine?"
Laura knew that voice! She quickly turned towards the person speaking and could not believe her eyes when she saw who her kidnapper was!
Chapter 11
"Surprised?"
Laura was convinced. The woman was crazy. For a brief second in the car she had thought her kidnapper was Helena but she had disregarded that notion seeing as Luke had killed her during the rescue of Lucky. Did Ivania really think she would get away with this? How did she expect Stefan to react? With passion and gratitude?
Laura: "I don't know what you think you will accomplish by doing this Ivania, but it won't work. You have involved Stefan's child and for that he will never forgive you."
Ivania: "What do you know, you stupid bitch? I am no longer interested in endearing myself to Stefan, he has hurt me for the last time and it's my turn to repay him the favor."
Laura: "I am hungry. May I please get something to eat?"
Ivania looked at Laura's very pregnant belly then abruptly left the room. Laura did not know what to make of this. Ivania wanted revenge and that meant she may harm her, she had to tread very carefully with this woman. Oh Stefan, I need you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There has been no contact and it's been over five days now. That is not a good sign."
The man standing by the big bay windows of the library spoke to no one in particular. The other men in the tense room silently agreed with his assessment. The speaker was one of the deadliest assassins in the world. There were two of Stefan's chief security men, a renowned detective and Stefan.
Stefan: "They are playing a waiting game with me, they want to see me crack under the pressure of the unknown then they will gain the upper hand."
Stefan's whispered words turned everyone's eyes on him. The man they were looking at was not the Stefan Cassadine they knew. This man was a stranger, a deadly stranger. Never had they seen eyes that cold. Whoa be to the person or persons who had taken this man's pregnant wife. They knew beyond a certainty that this person would die if ever caught.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A man brought in a plate of food to Laura and sat in the only chair in the room to watch her eat. She was sitting on a small cot. Placing the tray of food on her knees she began to eat heartily. When she was finished Laura looked up and saw that the man was watching her intensely.
Laura: "What is in this for you? I can pay you far much more than she could ever pay you for doing this."
Kidnapper: "Oh I will be paid handsomely Mrs. Cassadine, don't you fret your pretty little head about this now. I am sure your husband will reward us generously for your return."
Laura: "Why is the Countess involved in this? I am sure she is not doing this for money."
Ivania: "You talk too much Mrs. Cassadine. You may leave us George, and please take the tray with you."
George left the room closing the door behind him.
Ivania: "Trying to bribe my men Laura? Laura. What a very common name. Your bribes won't work. These men are professionals and do not give two cents what becomes of you. They will take the money Stefan will pay for your return and disappear. As for me I get the satisfaction of providing a lucrative hostage and get my revenge at the same time."
Laura: "You will go to jail for this Ivania. Once I'm returned, do you think Stefan will not see to it that you're punished for this?"
Ivania: "How can I be punished for something no one will know I have done? No stupid, stupid Laura. I will not be found out. You see I intend on inducing your labor so that I can take your child and all Stefan will get for his troubles is the dead body of his precious wife."
Laura: "You're crazy! The autopsy will show that I no longer carry the child and Stefan will not give up until he finds the baby."
Ivania: "Such brave talk for a condemned woman. The remains of a fetus will be lovingly placed in your lifeless arms. Brilliant, don't you think? What did he ever see in you?"
Ivania went up to Laura and raising her chin with a finger perused Laura's features. Laura shook her head away from Ivania's grasp. Ivania laughed.
Ivania: "You are so quaintly ordinary. A few men may fall for your blue-eyed golden charms but I don't see anything beyond the norm. Not to capture the fancy of a man like Stefan Cassadine. He likes deliciously provocative women. I should know. I had his past affairs checked out, and you Laura Cassadine do not fit the bill. I thought I could have had another chance with him. When he went to some God forsaken place in the States, he married a woman named Barbara Spencer. I was still bitter so I did not act, besides, she was no beauty and although it was obvious she possessed certain charms I'm sure men find addictive in the boudoir, I knew Stefan would become bored with her soon enough. It takes more than sex to hold a man like him. Then he got involved with the late Katherine Bell. That was humorous but quite unsettling. She was quite beautiful and though common I could see her having more of a hold over Stefan than his former wife. I feared I could have lost him then. There were women Laura, exotically beautiful women before he even met me, so I know his tastes run in a plane far removed from the likes of you. Was it the child? Did you trap him with the oldest trick in the book? I may have tried it if I was able to become pregnant but alas it didn't happen. What I don't understand is why he refused me? Is he in love with you plain Laura? Have you nothing to say?"
Ivania caressed Laura's face and laughing at Laura's obvious disdain for her touch, she left the room. Laura felt tears come to her eyes. The woman was a lunatic. How could Stefan not have seen this when he became involved with her? What kind of effect did he have on women anyway that made them go crazy for ending his affairs with them? Look at the hell Katherine had put them through.
Chapter1 3
"We have your wife. We will contact you as to how much, where and when."
That was all he had gotten from the bastards who had Laura. At least it was something. He had begun to think that maybe, just maybe, he had been wrong and it was a lunatic who had taken her and that he may never see her again. He was running on empty and did not know how much more he could take. He had the most sophisticated machinery at the ready and was able to trace the call to a location in Greece. The call was too short for them to get a more detailed reading but at least he had something to go on. They were still in the country. He went to Leslie Lu's room, the Nanny had said the little girl missed her mother and was becoming despondent. Stefan scooped Leslie Lu up in his arms and sat with her on his lap.
Lulu: "When is mommy coming home?"
Stefan: "Soon darling. She sends you her love everyday and misses you something awful, but she will be home soon."
Lulu: "Why is her trip taking so long?"
Stefan: "Well, it's a very important trip and I know she will not want to have to return to finish up the job so she has to make sure she does it right this time. You don't want her to have to return because she was hurrying to be home and didn't get the job done right do you?"
The little girl shook her head and hugged Stefan.
Lulu: "Would you please read me a story?"
Stefan: "It would be my pleasure Leslie Lu."
Stefan kissed the little girl on her silky head and felt the first crack in his heart. Oh God no, he did not want to feel anything, not yet. Not until he had Laura safely in his arms again. Steeling himself he forced his emotions down and proceeded to read a story to Leslie Lu.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ivania: "It's time."
Ivania came into the room with two of the men. They brought in a tray with all kinds of medical paraphernalia on it. They were going to induce labor. Laura felt a single tear fall from her eye. Stefan I love you. My baby, I love you. Ivania injected Laura with the labor-inducing drug and waited for the contractions to begin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The call finally came in. While Stefan had awaited the call on his island, his men were on another island closer to the location they had pinpointed from the last call. Bingo! They had him. The caller was on another island about 5 miles away from where Stefan's men were located. They radioed the pilot they had circling the vicinity with the location of the caller and the helicopter took off in the direction. Due to the heavy foliage, their ability to see much was impeded but they were able to spot a dark sedan in a small clearing, parked outside a small shack in a remote mountain area. The pilot continued on and did not hesitate over the spot in case the inhabitants became suspicious. Stefan was updated with the information. Good, he thought. The drop-off was scheduled for tomorrow night on the mainland, but little did they know that the showdown would be tonight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The little boy was tiny but breathing on his own. It had been two days since her precious baby had been born and she did not know when the ax was going to fall. She had been prepared to die immediately after they took the baby but she was still alive and was even allowed to keep the baby with her. The waiting was nerve racking but she treasured every second she had with her baby.
Chapter 14
The assassin quickly and efficiently sliced the man's throat. Catching him in his arms he carried him away from the front of the shack.
"One down, two to go," he whispered.
Stefan: "Are you sure there were only three?"
Assasin: "As far as we could see, if there are more we can handle them."
Stefan: "The important thing is that they are not tipped off and kill Laura in the process."
Stefan could sense Laura's presence nearby, he didn't know how but his senses were straining at the brink and all he knew was that she was close. Someone opened a door and called,
"Hey Larry, hurry it up will you?"
The person went back inside. Crouching below the window Stefan carefully looked in and saw two men sitting around a table eating. With a nod Stefan signaled to the other men to proceed. Just as they were about to move they heard the crunch of car wheels. Everyone took cover. Stefan froze with disbelief as he saw Ivania walk up to the front door of the cabin. Stefan jumped up and grabbed her from behind. Clamping a hand over her mouth he hissed into her ear,
Stefan: "How many are in there, and where is Laura?"
Ivania was paralyzed with shock and fear.
Stefan: "Answer me you bitch or I will twist your head off of your neck so fast you won't even know what hit you."
Ivania carefully nodded her head.
Stefan: "Ok, show me with one hand how many are inside?"
Ivania held up three fingers.
Stefan: "Good, you're doing very good so far. Is there another room off of the main room?"
She nodded.
Stefan: "Is Laura in there?"
She nodded yet again.
Stefan: "Where is the room? Towards the back?"
She shook her head slowly to imply no.
Stefan: "Point its direction out to me."
Ivania pointed down.
Stefan: "A basement, Laura is in a basement?"
Ivania nodded yes. The door to the shack suddenly opened and caught everyone off guard. Ivania felt Stefan's hand loosen in surprise and with an adrenaline rush she took off towards the front of the cabin. Stefan's men fired at the man at the door's entrance and at Ivania. The man fell but Ivania had escaped inside. They rushed in after her and were bombarded with gunshots from the remaining kidnapper. He was no match for the thunderous bullets that were aimed at him from Stefan and his team. He was killed in an instant. Ivania had managed to escape to the basement below. They tried to open the door but it was barred from the inside.
Laura had heard the shots and before she could react Ivania had come tearing into the room and locked the door. Breathing heavily she looked around wildly.
Ivania: "The baby, give me the baby Laura!"
Laura held on tightly to the baby.
Laura: "No!"
Ivania: "I don't care if the baby dies Laura, I will fight you, can you fight with a baby in your arms? You will harm him in the process."
Laura quickly placed the baby on the cot just as Ivania lunged at her. Laura was knocked unto the bed by the woman's projecting weight. Taking care to avoid the baby, Laura managed to grasp some of Ivania's hair and pulled as fiercely as she could. Ivania howled with the pain and using her elbow hit Laura in the chest hard. Coughing, Laura let go of her hair and fell back. Ivania took this opportunity to grab the baby and run over to the door. Laura doubled over and coughing begged,
Laura: "Please don't harm him, I'll do anything, anything, please!"
Chapter 15
Stefan managed to get the door to the basement open and running down a flight of stairs encountered another door. He tested it and it too was locked. He heard the scream and launched himself against the door. It did not give way. He backed up and tried again and this time it went flying off it's hinges. He saw Laura on her knees holding her chest. Stefan ran over to her and hugged her.
Laura: "Oh God Stefan, get him, get him please!"
She screamed at him hysterically. Stefan whipped around to look at what she was pointing at, expecting to see another one of the kidnappers. What he saw nearly undid him. Ivania was standing in a corner of the room holding a baby. She was trembling and holding the baby too tightly. Stefan stood up and faced her.
Ivania: "Stay away from me! If you come any closer I'll do to him what you threatened to do to me."
Her words came out tremulously.
Stefan: "Give the baby to me Ivania. If you hand him over I'll see to it that you live."
He said it with such a deadly calm she was confused for a second.
Ivania: "You, you can't, you won't kill me while I have the baby."
Stefan: "I will kill you in five seconds if you do not hand over the baby Ivania, and don't even think of moving a muscle, you would be dead before the first twitch."
With those words Stefan aimed a gun straight at her temple. A malicious look came into Ivania'™s eyes and she reached a hand towards the baby's fragile neck. Stefan shot her and surged forward to catch the baby before he fell. Ivania fell into a lifeless heap on the floor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The assassin conveniently disappeared and Stefan's security men stayed behind to give statements to the police. Stefan went with Laura and the baby to the hospital with a police escort. Stefan had to give his statement while in the waiting room of the hospital. Once the police had gotten their information and left, Stefan was free to look in on his wife and son. He could not believe it but it was true. His son was here, three weeks early but here nonetheless.
Laura lay in the hospital bed thinking about what she had gone through and what she had almost lost. Life was too precious and fleeting for her to continue to let fear and insecurities dictate her actions. She loved Stefan and she would let him know. It didn't matter anymore that he no longer loved her. For as he had loved her steadfastly throughout her doubts and denials of her feelings, so too would she love him. Besides she knew he cared for her, with consistency and devotion on her part he may open his heart to her once more.
Stefan: "Laura?"
Laura opened her eyes to look up at her husband.
Laura: "Stefan how is the baby?"
Stefan: "He is doing fine. They will keep him overnight for observations, but barring any complications we can take him home tomorrow. How are you feeling?"
Laura: "A little sore in the chest but grateful to be alive."
Stefan sat in a chair beside her bed and clasping her hand in his, kissed her knuckles and rubbed the side of his face with her hand. Laura reached up and palmed the other side of his face with her free hand. Tears started to fall from Stefan's eyes. Laura sat up and hugged him.
Laura: "Shhh, we're fine. He was so brave Stefan. He fought so hard to survive, drawing big gulps of air into his tiny lungs. I already see you in him. He has your spirit Stefan. I love him with everything that I am, as I love you."
Laura got up out of the bed and sat on his lap, and holding him let him release all the emotions he had put such a tight reign on during her captivity. They stayed that way for most of the night and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter 16
The Conclusion
Little Steven Stefanovich Laurence Cassadine was christened in the small island chapel surrounded by those who held him dear to their hearts. What had made the day complete for Laura was that Nicholas, Lucky, Elizabeth, and Leslie had attended the christening. She had everyone she cherished most in the world near to her. Life could not get any better in her opinion. Leslie Lu was in raptures over her new baby brother, she was just a little frustrated though that he was too small to attend her infamous mud tea parties. Stefan and Laura had explained to her that Steven could not yet support himself to be seated around her tea table but that still did not satisfy her, so Stefan had to promise to be a guest at each and every party. Grumbling that he stood out like a sore thumb at her parties decked out in his pink feather boa did not get him any sympathy from the others. In fact they seemed to revel in his predicament.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neither Stefan nor the baby could be found. Where were they? Laura had searched every inch of the villa, and the grounds men had not seen them either. This was strange! Laura returned to her bedroom frustrated, was Stefan playing a game with her? She missed them! That was when she heard the laughter coming from the bathroom. Laura went to investigate and came across the most precious sight she had ever seen. Her husband was playing with his son in the Jacuzzi.
Laura: "May I join you boys?"
Stefan, who was dipping the baby up to his waist in and out of the gently bubbling water, looked up. Seeing Laura he smiled.
Stefan: "We wouldn’t have it any other way."
Laura stripped herself of her clothes and stepped into the Jacuzzi. Finding a seat beside her husband she wrapped an arm around his waist and touched her baby's cheek with her other hand.
Laura: "I'm so happy Stefan. I will never understand why I feared to embrace us fully."
Stefan was about to interrupt her but she stopped him.
Laura: "No, let me say this. It needs to be said. I love you. I have always loved you, even when we were apart for all those years. I had just gotten so good at burying anything to do with you to cover up the guilt I felt over leaving Nicholas. When you arrived in Port Charles I was too consumed with worry over Lulu to really ponder what having you around meant to me, but I soon found out. I wanted you. Everything I had tried so hard to bury just came roaring back to the surface. How it frightened me. Luke had been my world for so long, but there you were challenging everything I thought was set in stone. I was so terrified of letting go of what I had known, of what I had secured as my own. Luke was safe Stefan. My marriage was my identity. I could not let go. I didn't know how to be me apart from Luke. Maybe I would never have found out the lie I was living if Luke hadn't left me and you hadn't come to claim your son. But I want you to know this. Heaven and earth could not tear me away from you now. I have finally found my way. I am Laura, not Luke and Laura. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, your lover; I am emotional, stubborn, impetuous, and forgiving. I am all these things and want to be these things, and in your love I have found support, unconditional acceptance and respect. I cherish these things as I do you and want you to know this now and for always. I choose you unequivocally Stefan Cassadine. Luke or any other man could not lure me away from you because I would not be able to leave you. I love you too much; you are a part of me. Through the unexpected I have found my true love."
Stefan was so moved by his wife's statements that he hugged her with baby Steven nestled between them. For the very first time in his life Stefan felt treasured and loved. It was the most unexpected and extraordinary feeling in the world. It was wonderful!
Stefan was so happy he often found himself constantly smiling. It was worth it. All the pain, years of separation, rejections and trials were worth it because it had brought him to this point in his life that he would not have missed for the world. He always knew it was Laura, he knew she would change his life forever from the moment he saw her. This was the dream. It came late with no promise before it and none likely, but it came true. A dream he thought he could never dream had come true. He turned his thoughts from his contemplations and reached for his wife in their bed. Laura swatted away his hand and grumbled into her pillow. Stefan continued to nudge her.
"Go away," Laura complained.
Stefan: "Come on Laura, you promised."
Stefan got up and pulled her off the bed towards him.
"I love you," he whispered.
Laura: "Tell it to me when I'm awake Stefan. I'm going back to bed."
Laura tried to climb back onto the bed.
Stefan: "No you're not."
Stefan threw her over his shoulder and carried her out of the bedroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura: "Stefan Cassadine you're crazy."
Laura held on to him tightly as another wave buoyed their bodies in the water.
Stefan: "Crazy for you."
Stefan nibbled on her neck.
Laura: "It's not even light yet, I will not make this a habit. I unlike you need my beauty sleep."
She complained while giving him more access to her neck.
Stefan: "I don't know, that sounds like a challenge to me. What if I give you an incentive to come swimming with me every morning?"
Laura: "What kind of incentive?"
Stefan: "This."
Stefan started to fondle her. Laura gripped her thighs more tightly around his waist and throwing her head back let out a husky groan. Stefan laughed and walked them to the shore. Laying Laura down on the sand he started to make love to every inch of her body with his tongue. With the cool breeze caressing her bare skin and Stefan's tongue and fingers working their magic on her, Laura felt like a wanton woman. Crying out lustily from her orgasm Laura felt as free as the elements surrounding them. Stefan laid resting on his elbow beside her on the sand and watched her with a smile.
Stefan: "Caught your breath yet?"
Laura: "Oh you wicked man, how dare you laugh at me when you are the very reason for my behavior?"
Stefan: "I haven't even begun to have my wicked way with you my love."
Stefan leaned over and started to kiss her.
Laura: "What about the sunset? You said you wanted to share it with me and now I won't be able to see it because your head is blocking my view."
She smilingly teased him.
Stefan: "My sunset is right before me. I see my soul in your eyes and it's brighter than the morning's light. You are my dawn Laura, can't you see I'm only truly alive when you are near. Look closely my heart. You are my true essence, go far from me and I become dark. You carry my light within you, so stay close Laura. Stay very close."
He kissed her and Laura did see a kaleidoscope of colors burst forth beneath her eyelids that rivaled the most brilliant sunset.
THE END
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