Chapter 33
Gerald rushed around his hotel room waiting for her arrival. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time and have it finally here he could barely contain himself. Fixing the food on the tray one last time he paced nervously suddenly not knowing what to say to her. He had made many mistakes in the past and now to have the chance to make it up to her… Shaking his head he stopped hearing her knock on the door. Saying a silent prayer that all things went right tonight Gerald slowly made his way to the door smiling as he opened the door to her.
Gerald- [smiling] I’m glad you decided to come…
Woman- Of course I was going to come… where else would I want to be?
Gerald- [softly] It’s been a long time…
Woman- [nodding] Yes it has…
Gerald- [gently taking her in his arms] Almost too long…
Woman- [tightly hugging him] Yeah… almost too long…
They stood in the middle of his hotel room hugging each other tightly almost afraid to let go. So many years had passed and so many lives had changed since they had been together and he didn’t want this moment to pass without making a true connection.
Gerald- [softly] I’ve missed you so much…
Woman- [softly] I missed you too…
Gerald- I love you so much…
Woman- [trying to hold back her tears] I love you too…
Gerald- [pulling away from her softly caressing her check] If I could take back the things I’ve done…
Woman- [softly shaking her head] You don’t have too…
Gerald- I do and I will…
Woman- Things happened in the past that neither one of us can take back…
Gerald- I know but…
Woman- Be happy that we have this time now…
Gerald- Yeah…
Woman- Yeah…
Gerald- I have so much to tell you and…
Woman- I have a lot to tell you too…
Gerald- [shaking his head as he slowly stepped away from her] You look so good… I am so happy that you came to see me…
Woman- You look good too…
Gerald- You know the men in my family only get better looking with time…
Woman- [smiling] That they do…
Gerald- [smiling] If I didn’t know any better I would say that was a compliment…
Woman- [smiling] It was…
Gerald- [smiling] Thought so… [softly touching her face] you get prettier and prettier every I see you…
Woman- Thank you…
Gerald- [softly] You are the best thing that happened to me in a long long time…
Woman- [softly nodding] Thank you…
Gerald- I know a lot of the things I’ve done was wrong and it would take the rest of my life to try and explain them away but I want you to believe me when I say you are the best thing in my life…
Woman- I do…
Gerald- Good because it’s true…
Moving to the couch both talked of how much their life had changed and how different they both were since the last time they saw each other. Before they both realized it, it was late in the night and she had to be going. Enclosing her in his arms again Gerald held her tightly praying he would never lose contact with her again.
Gerald- [softly as he whispered in her ear] I love you babygirl…
Woman- I love you too daddy…
Gerald- [pulling away slightly as he stared into her eyes] You called me daddy…
Woman- What else would I call you?
Gerald- [smiling] There are a few words that come to mind…
Woman- [softly smiling] But the most important one is daddy…
Gerald- Always remember that Kyan…
Kyan- [gently kissing his cheek] I will daddy…
Hugging tightly one last time Gerald and Kyan parted ways. Waving goodbye Kyan left going home trying to get some sleep before she had to go into the hospital in the morning. Settling in a chair by the TV Gerald smiled thinking about how his life was slowly falling into place.
Chapter 34
A thousand thoughts going through his head Nikolas slowly made his way on to Helena’s yacht. Knowing that whatever his decisions tonight they would set the course of his life Nikolas wanted to be sure this was the right thing to do. His uncle had always been the one he could turn to if ever he was in trouble and to turn his back on that… Sighing Nikolas slowly walked into the stateroom training his eyes on Helena’s smiling face.
Nikolas- Grandmother…
Helena- Nikolas my darling… I am glad you decided to come see me tonight. I have been unsure of your intentions as of late…
Nikolas- [sighing] Let’s skip all of the usual rhetoric and get down to business.
Helena- [nodding] As you wish…
Nikolas- Now both you and I know I came to Port Charles with several agendas, all of which were to lead to the demise of my uncle, and Luke Spencer but I have since changed my mind.
Helena- Nikolas…
Stopping suddenly as he held up his hand to end her statement Helena watched Nikolas trying to determine if her plans would be ruined by his sudden change of heart.
Nikolas- Do not speak until I have finished with what I have to say or until I have invited you to speak…
Nodding Helena slowly walked towards the couch sitting in the chair adjacent to it. Extending her hand Helena offered Nikolas the chair across from her anxious to know what he wanted to say.
Helena- [softly] Please continue…
Nikolas- [nodding as he sat across from Helena] Re-evaluating my position I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be a waste of my time to go after Luke Spencer. His pettiness and unchanging attitude ultimately will be his downfall. [seeing the look that crossed her face] What is it grandmother… does my choice to cut Luke Spencer loose not agree with you?
Helena- After all that he has done to our family… after what he has done to your father... how can you allow him to continue?
Nikolas- Grandmother… Luke Spencer is a common fool… to waste my time on him is pointless.
Helena- And his family?
Nikolas- What of them?
Helena- Laura…
Nikolas- I have no use for Laura… she too would be a waste of time…
Helena- Leslie Lu…
Nikolas- [calmly] No harm is to come to my sister. Whether through me or outside sources… f Leslie Lu is injured in any way you will have to deal with the wrath of me.
Helena- [softly] I have no plans to harm and/or injure Leslie Lu…
Nikolas- Let me make it be clear… [shaking his head] do not attempt it grandmother.
Helena- Nikolas you have my word on it…
Nikolas- Your word is worthless… if anything should happen to her…
Helena- [shaking her head] Nothing will…
Nikolas- Fine…
Helena- And what of your brother?
Nikolas- We’ll discuss him later…
Helena- Fine... which brings us to Stefan…
Nikolas- You know grandmother I have been thinking about him for quite some time…
Helena- And?
Nikolas- What will be your gain in me removing Stefan from my life? Surely you do not hope to gain control of the estate seeing that in less than a year I will be at the helm.
Helena- That is not my intention…
Nikolas- I would hope not because you will be sadly disappointed if you attempt to go up against me…
Helena- Meaning?
Nikolas- I have no qualms in removing you permanently from my life…
Helena- Nikolas why would you say such a thing?
Nikolas- [looking intently at Helena] Because it is true. I have no time for worthless attachments. If at anytime you think you can manipulate me into doing the things you want done think again… You should first pray for the peace the island once afforded you by the time I would be done with you.
Helena- I understand…
Nikolas- [rising to go and pour himself a drink] Now back to Stefan… what do you hope to gain from his dismissal from my life and as family trustee?
Helena- Nothing Nikolas… I only want the best for you and with Stefan in control of the family you are not receiving that.
Nikolas- [downing his drink] How have you concluded that?
Helena- Stefan has become complacent with things as they are. As I have told on several occasions your best interests are never first in his thoughts…
Nikolas- Helena… grandmother… do you really think I will simply take you word on this? You and Stefan have been estranged for many years. Are you trying to tell me that in my absence you two have again become civil to one another?
Helena- No…
Nikolas- Then how am I to believe you truly know how Stefan thinks of me?
Helena- It is in his actions…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I…
Helena- Nikolas... my darling how many times did Stefan come to you on the island?
Nikolas- [softly] You know the answer to that…
Helena- Whereas I?
Nikolas- Grandmother…
Helena- I was the one who came to you on your birthday… I was the one who cared for you if by chance you were injured and/or sick.
Nikolas- There are reasons behind his absence…
Helena- He did not care… he never has. He banished you to that island as if you were merely a second thought to him. Nikolas I have always loved you. I care most about your thoughts and feelings and I only want to see you happy.
Nikolas- [nodding] I know grandmother…
Helena- And if your happiness is to come at the cost of my son then so be it… Stefan should and will be removed as acting trustee on your word. You need only to petition the courts and…
Nikolas- [slowly pouring another drink] You’re getting ahead of yourself grandmother…
Helena- The longer you wait the less likely it is the courts will agree in your favor. You must strike now when no one is expecting such a move.
Nikolas- I know…
Helena- So will you go to the courts and plead…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I plead for no one. My wants will be met… end of story.
Helena- [nodding in agreement] And what of your brother?
Nikolas- [slowly sipping his drink] Upon my return to Port Charles I wanted to destroy everything he held most dear. I wanted to take from him everything I perceived he took from me.
Helena- Meaning?
Nikolas- [softly] The perfect life…
Helena- I do not understand.
Nikolas- For quite some time I was mistakenly trapped in the “what ifs” of my life. What if my mother had stayed and cared for me as she so clearly cares for Lucky and my sister? What if Stefan had continued to raise me as his son never leaving me to remain in Port Charles? What if you had not returned to the island and filled my heart and head with hatred for the both of them?
Helena- [shaking her head] I did no such thing Nikolas. I merely came and told you the truth. How you took it…
Nikolas- [holding up his hand stopping her once again] Please grandmother… do not continue to insult my intelligence. I knew your reasoning for coming to me then as well as now… that is of little consequence…
Helena- So what will you do with Lucky now? Have you given up your useless…
Nikolas- [slowly raising an eyebrow as he intently looked at her] Useless?
Helena- Have you since changed your mind about your quest to destroy Lucky?
Nikolas- Changed and redefined it…
Helena- How so?
Nikolas- Being in Port Charles have given me new insight. I no longer wish to destroy him per say… I just have my goals set on something else…
Helena- What?
Nikolas- [calmly as he finished off his drink] To find what he loves most and take it from him…
Helena- That is easy… everyone knows of his love for Elizabeth Webber… you need only…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Elizabeth is merely a cover. This “great” love is not there but when I find what has replaced it…
Helena- [slowly smiling] You will claim it as your own?
Merely smiling Nikolas poured another drink allowing Helena to think what she wished. Nikolas truly had no idea what he would do once he learned what Lucky cherished most. Nor did he know what he would do about Stefan. Looking at Helena and the delirious smile plastered across her face Nikolas wondered if he could really do all of the things she wanted him to do. Would he really destroy his brother’s life? Could he really turn his back on Stefan? His cover was slowly cracking and although Helena could not see it yet Nikolas could feel it. When he first stepped foot on the Cassadine jet to return to Port Charles he had set goals and set plans, but the longer he stayed the more he wanted to end everything and return to Greece. Shaking his head slowly Nikolas was not sure if his sudden wavering was do to his heart overweighing his plans for revenge or the image of a bronze seductress that forever haunted him whether woke or asleep.