Chapter 63

Nearing The Port Charles Hotel and Nikolas Lucky’s words came rushing back to her and her confusion concerning his behavior continued to grow. How could he think so little of her that he would say all that he said to her seemingly uncaring how his words would effect her? And more importantly why would he believe that she would allow herself to be treated how he claimed Nikolas was treating her? What she and Nikolas shared was their business and for anyone, whether it be Lucky, Helena, Gerald, or someone else, to question it angered her more than she wanted to say. Nodding to the concierge as he smiled at her on her way to the elevator Gia quickly pressed the up button knowing she was close to Nikolas. The door slowly and safely enclosing her in the elevator Gia quickly typed in the access code for the penthouse floor before leaning back against the wall, a soft smile dancing across her face as scenes from her last elevator “ride” with Nikolas crossed her mind. Reliving the feel of his hands on her and the tenderness of his kisses Gia silently urged the elevator faster her want and need to be close to Nikolas growing. The thought of Nikolas enclosing her tightly in his arms blocking out Lucky’s words and any insecurities she may have was all that Gia thought of. His strength and kindness pulling her through her darkest days Gia’s heart leapt with each thought of him. The doors finally opening to his floor Gia rushed out of the elevator going quickly to his door fumbling with the keys in rush to see, feel, and be near him once again.

Standing still by the huge picture window thoughts of Gia filled his head. From the moment he laid eyes on her something in him seemed to change and whatever it was he did not want it to go away. She awoke feelings and emotions in him he long ago forced himself to stop feeling. The sight of her at his door broken and defeated with tears streaming down her face crumbled what little resistance he had. Holding her in his arms tenderly putting her back together was how he forever longed to stay. Hearing her soft laughter as she pressed close to him, her body wrapped tightly around him, was a sound he could never get tired of hearing. And when she smiled at him there was no image as beautiful than she. The sound of his door slowly opening pulled him out of his thoughts as his heart suddenly began to best faster. Despite all that Helena had said to her she had come back to him. For the first time someone chose to come back to him, someone chose not to leave him alone. His emotions overtaking him Nikolas continued to stare out of the window willing her to be the first to speak.

Gia- [softly] I… I wasn’t sure if your grandmother was still here but I took a chance that she would be gone…
Nikolas- [nodding as he continued to stare out of the window] She’s been gone from some time now…
Gia- [softly] Oh… if I had known I would have…
Nikolas- [softly] You came back…
Gia- [softly] I said I would…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] Yeah but…
Gia- I saw… I ran into Lucky on the docks and…
Nikolas- I’m sure he had several things to say…
Gia- Well yeah but…
Nikolas- But?
Gia- But it doesn’t matter what he said… I…
Nikolas- [looking down] I didn’t think you would return…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas is something wrong?

Continuing to stare out of the window Nikolas locked his hands behind his back as he softly began to speak.

Nikolas- It seems we have much in common…
Gia- What are you talking about?
Nikolas- I understand how it feels for those you love to leave you…
Gia- Where is all of this coming from? Nikolas…
Nikolas- Like you it was never my choice to come to Port Charles. I was content… [slowly shaking his head] I learned to accept life in Greece. I accepted my role as prince…
Gia- [softly] Prince?
Nikolas- I accepted my role as prince with little to no questions asked. I understood from a very early age that my mother had little use for me…
Gia- [softly] How can you say that?
Nikolas- When given the chance to stay and care me or leave she chose to leave and begin a new family. I was never thought of or mentioned until she needed me to save her daughter’s life. And even after that she still had little to no use for me. Gia- Is that why you left?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] No it was my uncle’s choice to return me to Greece… and though I begged for him to come with me he stayed in Port Charles accepting what little attention my mother decided to send his way.
Gia- Why are you telling me all of this?
Nikolas- [softly as he looked down] Because you are the first person who chose to come back to me.

Going to stand behind him Gia gently wrapped her arms around his waist pressing her face up against his back. As his hand gently caressed her arms Gia broke her hold going instead to stand in front of him. Gently caressing his face Gia lifted his head until their eyes locked before whispering softly to him.

Gia- [whispering] I’ll always come back…

A gentle smile playing across his face Nikolas leaned in tenderly placing his mouth on hers. Her mouth opening to his Gia slowly wrapped her arms around his neck willing her kiss to tell him all that she wanted to say. Breaking their kiss Nikolas looked intently into Gia eyes before bringing her flush up against him holding her in a tender embrace. Locked together neither speaking Nikolas placed a tender kiss on the side of her neck thankful that she had indeed returned to him. Whispering softly to her Nikolas continued to hold her until she finally broke their hold.

Nikolas- [whispering] Thank you…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Thank you…
Nikolas- I didn’t do anything…
Gia- [breaking away from him to look up into his eyes] You were here waiting for me…
Nikolas- [softly] I’ll always be here…

Smiling up at him Gia gently moved away from him taking him by the hand as she led him to the couch. Spying her bag Nikolas quickly questioned her about it. Smiling as she explained that she finally got some clothes of her own Nikolas’ expression became serious as he softly began to speak to her.

Nikolas- [softly] I want to apologize for my grandmother earlier…
Gia- [shaking her head] It’s ok…
Nikolas- No it’s not…
Gia- What did she want?
Nikolas- [softly] Me…
Gia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- My reasons for coming to Port Charles had a lot to do with my grandmother but now that I am breaking away from what she had planned…
Gia- [softly] Lucky kept hinting at something along those lines…
Nikolas- What did he say?
Gia- [shaking her head] It doesn’t matter…
Nikolas- What did he say Gia?
Gia- That you were working with your grandmother on something and…
Nikolas- And what?
Gia- And that that was the reason you were with me…
Nikolas- I don’t understand… why would my being with you…
Gia- He claimed that whatever you came to town involved him and that’s why you are with me. In other words you are using me to get to him.
Nikolas- [gently touching her face] Gia I would never use you…
Gia- [her hand covering his] I know and I told him that but…

As Nikolas pulled his hand away from Gia’s face she suddenly stopped talking confused by his sudden actions. And as he attempted to stand and move away from him Gia grabbed his hand pulling him back to her as she softly talked to him.

Gia- [softly] Nikolas what is it?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Gia I…
Gia- What is it?
Nikolas- Lucky was correct…
Gia- [softly] What?
Nikolas- I came to Port Charles with all of these agendas… plans to get back at all of those who I thought had wronged me… including Lucky…
Gia- [whispering] And me?
Nikolas- [quickly shaking his head] What I feel for you has nothing to do with Lucky…
Gia- Is that how you always felt? Did you come after me because you knew Lucky and I were friends and you wanted to get to him through me?
Nikolas- [gently touching her face] Gia… from the moment I laid eyes on you you have been all that I thought of. I haven’t been able to go a day without you on my mind…
Gia- [softly] That didn’t answer my question.
Nikolas- I won’t sit here and lie to you saying that I didn’t have plans to destroy his life and take all from him what I thought he valued most…
Gia- [standing] I see…
Nikolas- [grabbing her by hand] But…
Gia- [softly] But?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] That’s not how I feel now… I mean what I feel for you has nothing to do with Lucky.
Gia- [looking intently at him] What do you feel for me? [softly] How do you feel about me Nikolas?
Nikolas- I don’t know… [gently kissing her hand] but I have never felt this way about anyone or anything before.
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- I look at you and can’t imagine you not by my side. When I hear your laughter I know that it’s the most amazing sound I have ever heard. When you smile at me my heart stops and then it starts beating so fast I’m afraid it might explode. When I hold you in my arms nothing else matters…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- Gia I don’t know what I’m feeling for you but I know that I don’t want it to stop…
Gia- [whispering] I don’t want it to stop either…
Nikolas- How do you feel about me Gia?
Gia- [looking away from him] I…
Nikolas- [gently kissing her hand as he softly spoke to her] Gia look at me… [softly as she continued to look away] please…

Taking a steadying breath Gia slowly turned her gaze back to Nikolas locking eyes with him.

Nikolas- [softly] How do you feel about me Gia?
Gia- [softy] You’re all I think about to… even before everything that went down with Kamar I wanted to be with you so bad but I was afraid.
Nikolas- Of what?
Gia- That you wouldn’t want me or…
Nikolas- How could you think that? Why would you think that?
Gia- I don’t know but I was afraid…
Nikolas- [pulling her to sit in front of him on the coffee table] You didn’t have to be…
Gia- Nikolas I look at you and you are so different from everything that I know. Just being near you or knowing that you’re near makes me feel things I never felt before and it scares me…
Nikolas- [softly] Why?
Gia- Because I’m giving you the power to break me…
Nikolas- I don’t understand…
Gia- Before you came into my life I accepted a lot of things too. I accepted that I would forever be living up to my mother’s expectations, never quite meeting them but always trying. I accepted that I would forever be stuck between my two brothers who was going to pick and bicker over every decision I made. I accepted that fact that I had a father that loved but didn’t know how to show me. I even accepted that I didn’t have many friends who wanted to be around me just for me. But then you came…
Nikolas- Gia…
Gia- I was so stupid around you… I mean even after the accident I couldn’t get you off of my mind and as crazy as it seems I was so happy when you came into the ER that day.
Nikolas- [softly] It didn’t seem that way…
Gia- [softly smiling] I got to see you again… and then that night when we all went out together… when I saw you in Luke’s in all black… I wanted you so bad… [softly] I still do…
Nikolas- [softly smiling] Well you have me whenever you want me…
Gia- [softly smiling] Not just sexually…
Nikolas- [smiling] Oh…
Gia- When I said I wanted you I meant you help my heart from hurting by being gentle and kind and I don’t want those feelings to go away. I like waking up in your arms and watching you trying to cook me something only to end up calling room service. I like going to sleep with my head resting beside your heart and hearing it beat praying that it’s because of me.
Nikolas- [softly] It is…
Gia- [softly] Are you still going after Lucky?
Nikolas- No…
Gia- Me being with you… I’m not destroying the relationship you might have with your brother am I?
Nikolas- Gia I want to be with you…
Gia- [softly] I am destroying it aren’t I?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] No… our relationship was destroyed years ago by the constant lies told by our families. At one time I thought possibly that we could get past all of the hostilities and distrust but I now know that that is not possible.
Gia- What if I was out of the equation?
Nikolas- It still would not change the situation.
Gia- Are you sure? I don’t want to come between you and your brother…
Nikolas- You’re not… [softly as he looked again at her bag] you came back to me…
Gia- [softly as she smiled] I said I would…

Standing Nikolas gathered Gia in his arms carrying her back to their room placing her gently on the bed. Fully clothed he slipped into bed beside her wrapping her gently in his arms. Hugging him tightly in return Gia softly smiled knowing that whatever she was feeling for Nikolas he was also feeling for her. The feel of his lips on hers Gia hungrily kissed Nikolas back breaking away from him placing her head on chest listening closely to his heartbeat. Their arms wrapped around the other they slowly drifted off to sleep content to be near to one another.

Chapter 64

Her head resting lightly on his chest Gia smiled as she slowly ran her hand across his rippled stomach. After all that had been discussed the previous night to still be beside him and held in his arms was more than she could imagine. His hands gently covering hers stilling their movement Nikolas smiled as he tenderly kissed her forehead. Having revealed all that he had as well and Gia remaining with him still left Nikolas not knowing what to say. Her smile warming him Nikolas slowly opened his eyes looking down into her beautiful face before softly speaking to her.

Nikolas- [smiling] Hey…
Gia- [softly] Hey…
Nikolas- How long have you been awake?
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Not long…
Nikolas- [nodding] That’s good… did you sleep well?
Gia- [smiling] Yes…
Nikolas- Why are you smiling?
Gia- [softly] Because I’m with you…
Nikolas- [slightly blushing] Oh…
Gia- [smiling] Oh…
Nikolas- What are your plans for today?
Gia- I don’t know… lying here with you…
Nikolas- And?
Gia- That’s all I planned so far…
Nikolas- [softly laughing] I think I’m liking these plans…
Gia- [laughing] I know you are…
Nikolas- I think I can think of something that will make you like them too…
Gia- [smiling] I bet you can…
Nikolas- [pulling her flush up against him] Come here…

His lips slowly dancing across her skin Gia smiled moving her head to the side offering more of herself to him. His hands cradling her head Nikolas covered her mouth with his own coming alive with the feel of her mouth against his. Opening her mouth to him Gia moved on top of Nikolas as she slowly moved her hands down his body. The feel of her hands moving down his body Nikolas quickly reversed their positions with him now on top of her. Peeling her shirt from her body Nikolas tenderly kissed down her neck extending his tongue as he moved along the swell of her breasts. Fondling gently her rounded mound Nikolas brought her hardened nub to his mouth to taste only to be stopped by the ringing of the bedside cordless phone.

Gia- [breathlessly] Nikolas the phone…
Nikolas- [softly as he continued to kiss and taste her] So…
Gia- You have… [moaning softly] you have to answer the phone…
Nikolas- [worrying her hardened nub still] I don’t care…
Gia- [softly] It could be important…
Nikolas- [slowly licking her nub as he stared down at her] Then you answer it…

Gathering what little senses she had left Gia quickly reached for the phone answering it as Nikolas continued to lick and taste all of her.

Gia- [breathlessly] Umm… yeah… hello…
Flo- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [pushing Nikolas from her] Mama?
Flo- Who else would it be?
Gia- No one… I… I just… [reaching for her shirt] I… I was just about to call you and…
Flo- Really? Why?
Gia- I umm… I wanted to speak to you and…
Flo- Why?
Gia- I just wanted to hear your voice and… [slowly shaking her head] how did you get this number?
Flo- That doesn’t matter…
Gia- [softly] But…
Flo- [softly] Babygirl what’s going on?
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Nothing mama…
Flo- Then why haven’t you been to the hospital or the cottage in over a month? And who is this boy you’re living with?
Gia- [slowly sitting up in the bed] How do you know about Nikolas?
Flo- [shaking her head] That doesn’t matter. Answer my questions…
Gia- [softly] Mama I really wanted to tell you but…
Flo- Tell me what Gia?
Gia- Mama a lot of things happened that…
Flo- First things first… why aren’t you at the hospital any more? I’ve called and called you at the hospital and all I was getting was the run around until Dr. Lewis finally talked to me…
Gia- [softly] Mama…
Flo- All the times I’ve talked to you you never said anything. Why didn’t you tell me you just up and walked away from everything you’ve worked so hard for?
Gia- I didn’t just walk away…
Flo- Then what would you call it?
Gia- Mama I…
Flo- Ok forget the hospital for now… what about your cottage? You haven’t been there in about a month… and now I hear you’re living with some boy now…
Gia- I am but…
Flo- [softly] Baby talk to me…

Slowly rising from the bed wrapping her shirt around herself Gia slowly walked into the living room. Walking slowly towards the couch Gia sat ready to explain all to her mother.

Gia- [softly] Will you just listen to everything I have to say before you jump to conclusions and…
Flo- Of course baby…
Gia- A lot of things happened mama and…
Flo- What kind of things?
Gia- I umm… [sighing] Kamar…
Flo- What about Kamar? Do you want me to call and speak with Kamar instead?
Gia- [quickly] No…
Flo- [hearing the change in her voice] Gia what is it?
Gia- Kamar… [lowering her head as she softly spoke into the phone] umm Kamar hurt me and tried to make me do things I didn’t want to do and…
Flo- [softly] He what?
Gia- He tried… he tried to force himself on me and I had to fight him off of me…
Flo- [softly] Oh baby…
Gia- [tears slowly falling] He ripped my shirt and kept kissing me and telling me that I owed him…
Flo- [softly] Gia…
Gia- But I got… I got away before he could…
Flo- Did he hurt you?
Gia- [sensing Nikolas’ presence] Yes but Nikolas took care of me…
Flo- Babygirl… who is Nikolas?
Gia- He’s umm…
Flo- Where did this boy come from and how do you know he’ll do right by you?
Gia- Because he has been doing right by me since all of this began…
Flo- Baby who is he?
Gia- [quickly wiping at her tears] He’s Lucky’s brother…
Flo- Lucky?
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] He’s more than that…
Flo- Baby tell me about him…
Gia- I don’t know what to say. He just makes me feel… I feel…
Flo- [softly] Do you love him baby?
Gia- [looking quickly in Nikolas’ direction] I…
Flo- Baby how do you feel about this boy? And more importantly does he feel the same way about you?
Gia- [softly] I hope so…
Flo- [softly]Oh baby…
Gia- Mama how did you know to call me here?
Flo- [flatly] Gerald…
Gia- Is something wrong with him? Do I have to…
Flo- No… I went over to the cottage to see you after talking to Dr. Lewis and…
Gia- [softly] I wanted to tell you…
Flo- It’s ok baby…
Gia- I’m afraid… [softly as she slowly shook her head] I don’t want to go back to the hospital…
Flo- But after all you worked for… after everything you sacrificed to get to where you are…
Gia- Kamar is still there and…
Flo- You mean to tell me that that sorry bastard is still walking around like he didn’t do anything wrong?
Gia- Mama…
Flo- [shaking her head] I’m calling your brother and…
Gia- He knows…
Flo- And he hasn’t done anything to him?
Gia- No…
Flo- What about Sonny or Jason? Do they know?
Gia- Yes…
Flo- And Kamar is still walking around?
Gia- I asked them not to do anything to him…
Flo- After what he did to you…
Gia- It’s ok mama…
Flo- No it’s not… what he did to you…[shaking her head as her anger rose] he doesn’t deserve…
Gia- I don’t want Marcus or Sonny or anyone else destroying their life for me.
Flo- Gia…
Gia- Mama it’s ok…
Flo- Babygirl he hurt you and…
Gia- And Nikolas stopped the hurt…
Flo- [softly] Gia…
Gia- It’s ok mama… I’m ok…
Flo- Baby…
Gia- I haven’t told Gerald and I’m not telling Mike about what happened. I want to put everything that happened behind me.
Flo- But…
Gia- I just want to put it behind me and move on with my life…
Flo- Meaning what?
Gia- I don’t know but when I finally figure it out I’ll tell you…
Flo- Gia…
Gia- Mama please… just this once let me handle it my way. Let me…
Flo- Of course baby…
Gia- I love you mama…
Flo- I love you too Babygirl…
Gia- I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when it first happened but I was so…
Flo- I understand…
Gia- [after moments of silence] Mama I have to go and…
Flo- Gia I want you to listen to me…
Gia- What is it mama?
Flo- If you ever need me… even if it’s just to hear my voice…
Gia- I’ll call you…
Flo- And I’ll be here waiting baby…
Gia- I know…
Flo- Take care of yourself baby…
Gia- I will…
Flo- And if I never get the chance tell him… tell Nikolas I said thank you…
Gia- For what?
Flo- Taking care of you when I couldn’t…
Gia- [softly]I love you…
Flo- I love you too and I’ll talk to you again soon…
Gia- [softly] And I’ll be here waiting mama…
Flo- [softly smiling] I know…

The conversation ending Gia hung up the phone thinking of all she told and revealed to her mother. And of everything the one thing that stood out the most was her mother’s question asking her of her feeling for Nikolas. Did she love him? Was love the reason she sought him out when she needed someone the most? Was love the reason she stayed when all begged her to leave? Was love making her wake day after day with a smile on her face thankful to have even another second with him? Locking eyes with Nikolas as he stood by the window silently watching as the thoughts and obvious emotions crossed her face Gia slowly smiled because in that moment she knew without a doubt how she felt for him. She knew that she loved him.