Chapter 21

As she wrapped her in a tight embrace Gia stood shocked at all that was unfolding in front of her. She had come to Port Charles to escape Harvey and instead she stood before not only Nikolas but also the two people she never thought she would see again. From the moment she looked into her mother’s eyes Gia was taken back to the day in the park when her father told her as gently as he could that her mother and brother no longer wanted her. And yet as she held her in her arms thanking the heavens above Gia was unsure as how to respond.

Florence- My beautiful beautiful baby… I never thought… I never imagined I could hold you in my arms again.

Slowly loosening her hold on her Florence lovingly stared at Gia shocked and amazed that her daughter she thought long gone and lost to her forever was standing in front of her.

Florence- I always hoped… [slowly shaking her head] I prayed every night that a miracle would come to me and finally it has. Baby…

Watching as the scene unfolded in front of him Marcus collapsed back against the counter shocked that his baby sister again stood before him. To see her and hold her… Regaining his composure as best he could Marcus pushed himself away from counter Taking an unsteady step in their direction Marcus softly said her name crumbling what little strength she had left.

Marcus- [softly] Peanut…

Hearing him softly whispering her name a single tear slowly rolled down her face. Gia wanted nothing more than to run into his arms in hopes that he never released her again. And yet even as she stood there wanting and craving her brother’s embrace Gia could not escape William’s words from long ago.

William- But they don’t want you baby…

And as he slowly approached her Gia broke free from her mother’s hold slowly shaking her head. Softly speaking as he neared Gia stopped him were he stood.

Marcus- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [softly] No…
Marcus- Peanut I…
Gia- [whispering] I haven’t been Peanut in a long time…
Marcus- You’ll always be Peanut to me…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] No…

Again attempting to reach out to her Marcus stood shocked as Gia completely broke away from Florence turning to run up the stairs away from them. Quickly glancing over her shoulder Gia locked eyes with Nikolas slowly shaking her head before escaping upstairs.

Watching as she disappeared Marcus turned his attention back to their mother going quickly to her helping her to a nearby chair. Grabbing his hand Florence pulled Marcus down beside her. Tightening her hold on his hand Florence quietly spoke still shocked by all that had occurred.

Florence- [softly] Tell me… please tell me that that was real… tell me I just held my baby in my arms once again…
Marcus- [softly] I…
Florence- [tears silently falling] Gia was in my arms again…
Marcus- But they said… [slowly shaking his head] I thought… oh my God…
Carmen- [softly] How can you be sure?
Florence- [softly] She looks like my mother…
Carmen- But…
Florence- [softly] She’s still wearing my mother’s locket… when I gave her that locket I never thought…
Marcus- [whispering] All these years… I should have known… I should have been looking…
Carmen- Marcus you couldn’t have known… you thought that she was gone from you…
Florence- [slowly shaking her head] Why… why would they tell us that they found her when… she’s been alive this whole time…
Marcus- I don’t know…
Florence- My baby’s been alive all this time and I didn’t know…
Marcus- [softly as he slowly shook his head] She turned away from me…
Carmen- [softly] Marcus…
Marcus- I reached out to her and she walked away…
Florence- No…
Marcus- Wherever she’s been… whatever she’s gone through…
Carmen- You’ll find out eventually…
Marcus- If I had of paid more attention…
Carmen- [quickly going to him] Marcus stop it… you can’t take the blame for all the troubles in the world… things happened that you did not cause and Gia was lost from you for some time. But she’s back now… be happy and embrace the time you have again. Let go of your guilt…
Marcus- But…
Carmen- No buts… you’ve been given another chance with your sister.
Marcus- Carmen…
Carmen- Go to her… find out where she’s been… who cared for her… tell her what you’ve been going through for the last fifteen years…
Marcus- [softly] I can’t…
Carmen- Then I will…

Before either could stop her Carmen rose from the table going quickly up the stairs in search of Gia. The emotions from Gia again finally hitting Marcus he buried his face in his hands blocking his pain from all to see. Her emotions in a tale spin as well Florence gently placed her hand on her son’s lowered head softly weeping with him.

Hearing Lucky’s sudden outburst Elizabeth looked from her husband to Nikolas wondering what had occurred. Following Lucky’s gaze Elizabeth looked back at Nikolas once again realizing that whoever this girl was that just appeared in Kelly’s meant something to the both of them. Wanting to know of her importance Elizabeth quickly attempted to question Lucky.

Liz- Lucky what is it? Who is she…

Slowly shaking his head Lucky quickly rose going to Nikolas hoping to usher him out of Kelly’s before he destroyed all that he had once again gained.

Lucky- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [whispering] No…
Lucky- Don’t let her ruin this…

Slowly shaking his head Nikolas turned his gaze to his brother softly whispering to him knowing what Lucky was trying to do.

Nikolas- [whispering] Lucky…
Lucky- Nikolas you’re getting married in less than a month…
Nikolas- But she came…
Lucky- Don’t destroy everything you have because of her…
Liz- Who is she?
Lucky- [looking quickly at his wife] Stay out of this…
Liz- Stay out of what… I want to know what’s going on. Who is she?

Reading the look Lucky sent to her Elizabeth’s quickly covered her mouth realizing finally who she was and why Nikolas was reacting as he was.

Liz- Oh my God… she’s going to destroy everything…
Natalia- This does not concern you…
Liz- [looking quickly at Natalia] Are you just going to stand there acting like her appearance means nothing to you? This is the girl your fiancé is lusting over…
Natalia- You don’t know what you are speaking of…
Liz- I do… Lucky told me everything that went on in that club… he told me how Nikolas reacted over her…
Natalia- That is enough…
Liz- How can you stand there and do nothing?
Natalia- There is nothing for me to do…
Liz- Take Nikolas and get him out of here before you lose everything to her…
Nikolas- [softly] No…
Lucky- Nikolas you’re getting married…
Nikolas- I have to talk to her and explain…
Lucky- There’s nothing to explain…
Nikolas- Lucky I…

Watching as Gia turned her gaze to him once again before disappearing upstairs Nikolas’ heart began to beat faster as he witnessed the look he saw in her eyes that first night so long ago. Attempting to follow after her Nikolas was stilled by Lucky’s hold on him. Looking down at his hands Nikolas pulled free from Lucky ready to go to Gia once again. Grabbing him as he tried to pass Lucky again stopped Nikolas from following Gia. Speaking quickly to him Lucky again attempted to get Nikolas to leave.

Lucky- Nikolas no…
Nikolas- Let go Lucky…
Lucky- I don’t want you to do something you’re going to regret…
Nikolas- [softly] Let go…
Lucky- Don’t throw everything away because of her…
Nikolas- You don’t know what you’re talking about…
Lucky- Don’t lose Natalia…
Natalia- [softly] Let him go…
Lucky- [looking quickly at Natalia] What?
Natalia- Let him go to her and explain…
Liz- How stupid can you be? …
Natalia- [softly] He has to go to her…
Nikolas- [looking quickly at Natalia as Lucky releases him] Thank you…
Natalia- [softly] She’s beautiful…
Nikolas- [softly] She’s more than that…
Natalia- I know… [gently touching his face] go to her and tell her all that is going on.
Nikolas- [softly] Natalia…
Natalia- [softly smiling] Go to her and explain… I will be here waiting if you need me…

Gently touching her cheek Nikolas slowly nodded before moving away from Lucky and going in the direction of the stairs. Calling out to him Lucky again tried to stop his brother from going to Gia.

Lucky- Nikolas don’t do this…
Natalia- [softly] He has to…
Lucky- [looking quickly at Natalia] She’s going to destroy everything you have…
Natalia- [slowly shaking her head] No…
Lucky- I was there with him at the club… I saw how he looked at her and how she looked at him.
Natalia- Then you know why he must go to her…
Lucky- Natalia… this girl…
Natalia- [softly] Gia… her name is Gia…
Lucky- Gia makes Nikolas act in a way I’ve never seen before… she does something to him that I can’t explain… [slowly shaking his head] you can’t let him go to her and expect things to turn out how you want them to…
Liz- The last time you went to the club… did he sleep with her?
Lucky- [shaking his head] Elizabeth…
Liz- He slept with her didn’t he? [turning to Natalia] Why would you let Nikolas go after some girl he’s sleeping with every chance he gets…
Natalia- I did not let Nikolas do anything… and regardless to if I had you do not know of what you are speaking.
Liz- He’s sleeping with her and you’re letting him run up after her…
Natalia- Even if that were true what business is it of yours?
Liz- Nikolas is my friend as well as my brother-in-law… I care what happens to him…
Natalia- If you truly care what happens to him then stay out of this…
Liz- [shaking her head] No…
Natalia- This does not concern you…
Lucky- [softly] It concerns me…
Natalia- No it does not… this concerns Nikolas and Gia and to some extent me. If I have no issues with the two of them meeting neither should the two of you…
Liz- You can’t be that naïve to think that nothing will occur between them…
Natalia- Naïve or not this still does not concern you.
Liz- He’s going to throw away everything…
Natalia- [softly] Perhaps he already has…
Lucky- What does that mean?
Natalia- Leave this alone… allow Nikolas to deal with Gia as he sees fit…
Lucky- [rushing out of Kelly’s] I don’t think so…
Natalia- [turning to look at a smirking Elizabeth] Perhaps you should go after him…
Liz- You trying to act all calm and nonchalant like Gia being here does not bother you… I know better…
Natalia- [sitting as she slowly shook her head] Then you know nothing…
Liz- [smiling] I know more than you think…
Natalia- I doubt it…
Liz- [smirking as she left] We’ll see…
Natalia- [slowly nodding her head] We will…

Shaking her head as Elizabeth left Kelly’s Natalia looked towards the stairs hoping Nikolas’ meeting with Gia to go as he hoped it would.

William- But they don’t want you baby… they don’t want you baby… It’s you and me now baby… me and you against the world… your home’s with me now…

Looking over at a still sleeping Amaya Gia slowly shook her head the mess she was in seeming to pile. In her efforts to get away from Harvey she landed in the one place she should have avoided. Her mother, brother, and Nikolas all staring back at her as she descended the stairs. Nikolas… the look on his handsome face and the familiar beating of her heart was enough to make her want to stay but he was engaged and promised to another. And yet to see him so close…

A knock on her door Gia froze unsure of what to do. Had her mother and brother come after her hoping to explain away what they did? Or maybe it was Nikolas coming to her telling her that it was too late. That he had taken her advice and moved on to another. Closing her eyes as the knocking continued Gia willed her “guest” away not ready to face who ever had come to her. The knocking continuing Gia slowly approached the door inhaling deeply hoping for whatever strength she have left to appear. The knocking increasing Gia called out still not ready to face who was on the opposite side of the door.

Gia- [yelling] Go away! I don’t… I don’t want to talk…
Carmen- [softly] Gia…
Gia- I don’t want to talk…
Carmen- Gia… Gia please…

A silent prayer said Gia slowly opened her door confused by an unknown woman waiting for her.

Gia- Who are you?
Carmen- You don’t know me but…
Gia- What do you want?
Carmen- I’m married to your brother…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I don’t have a brother…
Carmen- Gia please… he and your mother wants…
Gia- They want… I wanted them a long time ago and I didn’t get them…
Carmen- But…
Gia- There are no buts… I stopped being a concern for them fifteen years ago…
Carmen- [softly] No…
Gia- Tell them not to worry… tell them I’m leaving so they won’t have to worry about running into me…
Carmen- [shaking her head] You can’t leave…
Gia- I can and I will…
Carmen- Gia Marcus and Florence are downstairs lost and confused…
Gia- Why? Because the girl they didn’t want came back?
Carmen- Marcus blames himself for everything that happened to you…
Gia- Nothing happened to me… my eyes were just opened to the truth when I was young…
Carmen- What are you talking about?
Gia- They didn’t want me then… they don’t have to want me now…
Carmen- [slowly shaking her head] You’re wrong…
Gia- I don’t think so…
Carmen- I’ve sat with Marcus while he’s crying and blaming himself for what happened to you. I’ve sat wiping his tears as memories and thoughts of you came back to him.
Gia- What are you talking about?
Carmen- For the past fifteen years Marcus and Florence thought you were lost to them…
Gia- Lost?
Carmen- I don’t know how to explain but they thought… they were led to believe…
Gia- Believe what?
Carmen- That you had died…
Gia- [softly] What?
Carmen- That day at the park… you disappeared and…

William- But they don’t want you baby… they don’t want you baby… It’s you and me now baby… me and you against the world… your home’s with me now…

Gia- I didn’t disappear… I was there…
Carmen- Marcus looked everywhere for you… and when he couldn’t find you…
Gia- [softly] No…
Carmen- The police were notified and a citywide search for you took place but they couldn’t find you. Marcus looked and searched for you for two months straight…
Gia- [softly] Why did he stop?
Carmen- The police said they found your remains and…
Gia-[slowly shaking her head] No…
Carmen- He blames himself because he turned his attention away from you for too long…
Gia- [whispering] But he told me that Marcus and Mama didn’t want me… he told me…

William- But they don’t want you baby… they don’t want you baby… It’s you and me now baby… me and you against the world… your home’s with me now…

Carmen- Look maybe I’ve said too much but go and talk to your mother and your brother. Let them tell you what happened and…
Gia- I know what happened…
Carmen- Listen to them… if what you believe is the truth then tell them how you feel and walk away from them then…
Gia- Not now… I’m not… I’m not ready to face them…
Carmen- [handing Gia a folded piece of paper] Here’s my cell phone number… when you’re ready to talk to them or if you just need someone to talk to call me…
Gia- [slowly nodding as she took the paper] Ok…
Carmen- I know this may not mean anything to you but we’re related… I’m your sister-in-law and I want to see you and everyone happy…
Gia- Why do you care?
Carmen- Because I’ve seen the pain that Marcus and Florence endure daily and I see that same pain in your eyes…
Gia- [softly] I…
Carmen- [gently touching her hand] Call me if you need anything…
Gia- [softly] What about Marcus and Mama?
Carmen- I’ll tell them you need some space… I’ll tell them…
Gia- Tell them I’m sorry…
Carmen- You don’t have anything to be sorry for… this is a difficult situation and it will work out eventually as it should…
Gia- Yeah…
Carmen- [slowly nodding] Call me…

Without another word Carmen turned and walked away from Gia’s door. Making her way downstairs Carmen slowly shook her head as she took in Florence and Marcus’ expressions. The look of combined hope and heartbreak almost overwhelming Carmen gently touched her husband’s arm before softly whispering to him.

Carmen- Let’s go…
Marcus- [looking quickly towards the stairs] But Gia…
Carmen- She’s confused and hurting… she’ll call when she’s ready…
Florence- I can’t leave my baby after finding her…
Carmen- [slowly shaking her head] She’ll call when she’s ready…
Florence- What did she say?
Carmen- She’s confused and…
Marcus- She blames me doesn’t she?
Carmen- No… she’s just lost and don’t know where to go from here…
Florence- [whispering] My baby is alive…
Carmen- [softly] Yes…
Florence- Then that’s all that matters… she’s alive and healthy and hopefully happy…
Carmen- She will be…
Marcus- [gently covering his wife’s hand] Peanut’s alive…
Carmen- Yeah…

With only a nod Marcus stood slowly leaving Kelly’s. Helping her mother-in-law to her feet Carmen and Florence walked out arm in arm forgetting about the baby clothes and shopping from before. Looking back at Kelly’s one last time Florence deeply breathed able to relax after fifteen long years.

Thoughts of what William told her long ago as well as the things Carmen told a short time ago Gia did not know who or what to believe. Why would William lie to her telling her all the things he told her if they were not true? And yet why and how could Carmen come to her with a completely different story expecting her to believe it? Shaking her head trying best to clear away the jumbled thoughts Gia stopped as she again heard a soft knock at her door. Thinking it was Carmen coming back to tell her something else Gia rushed to the door opening in only to be stopped as Nikolas stared down on her. Her door partially cracked Gia stared up into Nikolas’ eyes losing herself all over again. His hand against her cheek Nikolas softly spoke her name calmed to once again have her near.

Nikolas- [whispering] Gia…
Gia- [softly] What are you doing here?
Nikolas- Coming for you…
Gia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- [softly] Gia…

Her name falling from his lips once again Nikolas gently pulled Gia into his embrace holding her tightly to him. The feel of his arms around her thoughts and concerns rushed from Gia as she softly told him what was heavy on and in her heart and mind.

Gia- [softly] I missed you…
Nikolas- [softly smiling] I missed you too…
Gia- [looking up into his wondrous eyes] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [softly] Gia why are you here?

As Gia attempted to answer the soft cries from Amaya stilled her and she could only stare up at Nikolas as confusion crossed his face.

Chapter 22

As she attempted to answer the soft cries of Amaya interrupted her once again. Looking at Gia with wide eyes Nikolas softly questioned her knowing already what her answer would be.

Nikolas- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [whispering] Nikolas I…

Amaya’s cries becoming louder Gia quickly looked in the direction of her room before turning back to Nikolas. Speaking softly Gia attempted to explain all to Nikolas.

Gia- That night we spent together…
Nikolas- [softly] Gia…
Gia- That night meant so much to me. I gave you a part of myself that was important to me and you in return gave me the only thing that matters in my life…
Nikolas- What are you saying?
Gia- I gave you my body and my heart and you…
Nikolas- [slowly closing his eyes] What did I give you?
Gia- You gave me my… you gave me our daughter…
Nikolas- [whispering] Our daughter…
Gia- [slowly nodding] She’s beautiful and amazing and…
Nikolas- [softly] Can I see her?

Nodding Gia slowly opened the door to her room. Watching as she walked over to Amaya and gently lifted her from the bed Nikolas held his breath fearful that this moment would disappear before he had a chance to see his daughter. His daughter… shaking his head as thoughts and feelings battled within Nikolas clutched at the door as he entered Gia’s tiny room. Walking to him, a tender smile on her face, Gia came to stand in front of Nikolas with a smiling Amaya in her arms.

Placing her gently in his arms Gia smiled up at Nikolas silently praying her love for their daughter to be returned tenfold. Taking a deep breath Nikolas slowly looked down at the tiny baby in his arms his heart instantaneously becoming hers. Brushing gently a lock of hair that wildly framed her face Nikolas held tight to the tears that threatened to fall. Uncertain of his tears Gia remained silent not knowing what to say to calm him of his emotions. Reluctantly looking away from the miracle in his arms Nikolas glanced quickly at Gia questioning her about their daughter.

Nikolas- [whispering] What… what’s her name?
Gia- [softly] Amaya…
Nikolas- [softly repeating after her] Amaya…
Gia- [slowly nodding] Amaya Nicole Cassadine…
Nikolas- [whispering] You named her after me?
Gia- She’s yours… I haven’t… I didn’t… I didn’t sleep with anyone else…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I know she’s mine…
Gia- [whispering] I didn’t plan to tell you like this…
Nikolas- [whispering] She’s beautiful…
Gia- Yeah…
Nikolas- She’s perfect…
Gia- [whispering] She’s my little princess…

Slowly nodding Nikolas continued to lose his heart to his daughter as she smiled up at him. Memorizing every detail of her Nikolas tenderly caressed her cheek before tenderly kissing her forehead. Moved by the emotion he was visibly showing Gia wiped quickly at her own tears she hadn’t realized she was crying. Wanting to share all with him Gia quickly told Nikolas of Amaya.

Gia- She… she’s six months old…
Nikolas- [softly as he slowly nodded] I know…
Gia- How…
Nikolas- [looking up at Gia] I know of every moment… second… day I’ve been without you.
Gia- I…
Nikolas- I remember that night… [slowly shaking his head] I replay what we shared over and over in my head every night trying to prove to myself that it was real…
Gia- The last time you were at Goldmine I wanted to tell you…
Nikolas- Why didn’t you?
Gia- I didn’t know how to… [softly] and when I heard you were engaged…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I can explain…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] You don’t have to… I didn’t come her to disrupt or ruin your life…
Nikolas- What are you saying?
Gia- I was trying to escape from something and I ended up here but now…
Nikolas- [softly] You’re leaving?
Gia- I…
Nikolas- What is it?
Gia- My mother and brother are here and… I can’t… I don’t know if I can deal with that and…
Nikolas- Please… I can’t lose you and my daughter…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- I know…[slowly shaking his head] I can only assume that you are going through something with your mother and brother but if you allow me I will help you in any way…
Gia- You can’t help this…
Nikolas- [softly] I meant the things I wrote in those letters and…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I never read them…
Nikolas- You read the last one… [as she slowly nodded her head] Gia I don’t know what to say to you to make you stay but we shared something amazing and because of that our daughter was created on that night. Please let us try to find and capture again what we shared…
Gia- [softly] But you’re engaged…
Nikolas- I will explain all to you if you give me the chance…
Gia- [whispering as she looked away] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [slowly approaching her] Gia please…

Holding Amaya securely in his arms Nikolas tenderly placed his hand on Gia’s cheek gently bringing her gaze back to him. Locking eyes Nikolas slowly lowered his head tenderly kissing her. The feel of his lips on hers once again Gia melted into Nikolas only breaking away from him as his name was softly called from her doorway.

Waiting in patiently in Kelly's for Nikolas’ return Natalia sat wondering what Gia’s appearance would do to their engagement. For so long Nikolas talked and dreamed of Gia and to have her so close… the ringing of her cell phone pulling her from her thoughts Natalia quickly retrieved her phone sighing as she saw the number. Sighing again as she squared her shoulders Natalia answered her phone praying silently she was prepared for the onslaught she was to receive.

Natalia- [softly] Hello…
Stefan- [angrily] Where is Nikolas?
Natalia- [cheerfully hoping to distract him] Stefan you called my phone… perhaps if you call his…
Stefan- I tried and he isn’t answering…
Natalia- Then I can not tell you were he might be…
Stefan- Lucky came to me…
Natalia- What ever for?
Stefan- Who is she?
Natalia- I don’t understand…
Stefan- I will not allow this young woman to derail the plans made…
Natalia- What young woman?
Stefan- Lucky told me she was there in Kelly's…
Natalia- I’m confused…
Stefan- Natalia I no more convinced of your confusion as I was of your sudden desire to prolong the engagement. Whoever this young woman is I will not allow her to destroy everything your marriage to Nikolas will bring. I expect Nikolas home within the next ten minutes and if he’s not I will come to Kelly’s to collect him myself…
Natalia- [softly] Stefan…
Stefan- Ten minutes Natalia…

Hanging up before she could comment Natalia sighed realizing that Lucky must have went straight to Stefan telling him of everything that happened when he rushed out of Kelly’s. Shaking her head as she slowly climbed the stairs Natalia prayed that Nikolas was able to tell Gia all that he needed to say. Her door still open Natalia approached softly calling Nikolas’ name.

Natalia- [softly] Nikolas…

Stepping into her room Natalia stopped as Nikolas stood together tenderly kissing. His hand still on her cheek Nikolas reluctantly pulled away from Gia gazing lovingly back at her. Realizing she interrupted a tender moment between the two Natalia softly whispered her apologies as Gia looked at her.

Natalia- [whispering] I’m sorry…

Uncertainty on her face Gia slowly nodded as she attempted to move away from Nikolas. His hand on her arm stilling her movements Gia looked up at Nikolas before turning her gaze back to Natalia. Stepping into the room Natalia approached Gia slowly looked Gia up and down finally face to face to the women who captured and claimed Nikolas’ heart as her own.

Natalia- [softly] You’re everything he said you were…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I…
Natalia- Nikolas used to… [slowly shaking her head] Nikolas talks of you and I see why now. He said you had to most amazing smile and your eyes… the look in your eyes haunted him and kept him up at night.
Gia- Who are you?
Natalia- I told him you would read his letter and come to him…
Gia- [whispering] You’re his fiancé aren’t you?
Natalia- Yes but…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I didn’t know… I mean…
Natalia- No you must understand… did Nikolas tell you…
Gia- I’m sorry….
Natalia- [softly as she turned to Nikolas] Nikolas…

Noticing the bundle in his arms for the first time Natalia slowly looked from Gia to Amaya to finally back to Nikolas.

Natalia- [whispering] What… what is going on?
Nikolas- [softly] Natalia…
Natalia- [whispering] Nikolas what… who…
Nikolas- This is my… this is our daughter…
Natalia- [softly] You have a baby?
Nikolas- [slowly nodding] Yes…
Natalia- What is her name?
Nikolas- [slowly smiling as he gaze at his daughter] Amaya… Amaya Nicole Cassadine…
Natalia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- tenderly caressing his daughter’s cheek] She’s beautiful…
Natalia- [slowly nodding] Yes she is…
Nikolas- Why are you here?
Natalia- Stefan called…
Gia- [softly] Stefan?
Nikolas- [quickly looking up at Natalia] Why?
Natalia- It appears your brother rushed to him after seeing Gia…
Nikolas- What did he say?
Natalia- That either you return to him within ten minutes time or he will come to Kelly’s to retrieve you himself.
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I can’t leave…
Natalia- You can’t allow him to come here… [looking quickly from Amaya to Gia] especially now…

Turning his gaze from Natalia Nikolas lovingly looked at Gia slowly nodding his head as he again approached her. Gently touching her cheek Nikolas leaned in tenderly kissing her smooth skin. Moving slightly away from her Nikolas looked down at Gia locking eyes with her, his hand again on her cheek. A tender smile crossing his face Nikolas softly spoke to her.

Nikolas- I have to leave…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- I know you don’t understand but I’ll explain everything to you when I see you again…
Gia- [whispering] You’re engaged…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] For now…
Gia- [whispering] Nikolas…
Nikolas- Gia… don’t leave ok…
Gia- But…
Nikolas- Wait for me here and I will explain everything to you after I talk to my Uncle…
Gia- [softly] I can’t stay here…
Nikolas- Gia please… just wait for me and I will tell you everything you wish to know…
Gia- All that matters is that you are engaged…
Natalia- [softly] No…

Her gaze leaving Nikolas Gia turned confused eyes to Natalia unsure of her sudden outburst.

Natalia- This engagement is of no importance. You and Nikolas share a child and…
Gia- I didn’t come here to destroy your engagement…
Natalia- You’re not destroying anything…
Nikolas- Wait for me and I will come back and explain all that is going on…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- Gia please… wait for me and I will come back this time. I’ll come back for you and my daughter.
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Nik…
Nikolas- [tenderly touching her cheek] Please…
Gia- Ok… I’ll stay here for now…
Nikolas- Thank you…

Slowly nodding Gia watched as Nikolas tenderly caressed his daughter cheek before kissing her. A smile playing across his face Nikolas momentarily lost himself once again in the beauty of their daughter. Her smile her reply to him Nikolas slowly shook his head not wanting to leave Amaya or Gia. And yet knowing Stefan would make good on his threats to come to Kelly’s Nikolas knew in order to protect them now from all that would come he had to leave. His gaze reluctantly leaving his daughter Nikolas looked up at Gia before leaning forward and tenderly placing his lips on hers. Their lips and hearts connected once again Nikolas tenderly kissed Gia breaking away from her only after hearing Natalia once again calling his name. His forehead pressed against Gia’s Nikolas softly whispered to her before moving away from her.

Nikolas- [whispering] I’m coming back this time…

A slow nod her only response Gia tenderly gathered Amaya in her arms as he turned to leave. Getting as far as the door Nikolas turned going back to Gia and Amaya. Tenderly kissing his daughter’s chubby cheek Nikolas gathered Gia in his arms on last time holding her close to him. A tender kiss on her neck Nikolas again broke away from Gia turning and leaving her room. Rushing out of Kelly's with Natalia close behind Nikolas collapsed against the brick wall still not believing all that occurred. Her hand tenderly placed on his arm Natalia looked up at Nikolas softly smiling as she spoke to him.

Natalia- [softly] I told you she would come…
Nikolas- [softly] I have a daughter…
Natalia- [softly smiling] And she’s beautiful…
Nikolas- I can’t lose her… I can’t lose them this time…
Natalia- [slowly shaking her head] You won’t…
Nikolas- [softly smiling] I have a daughter and Gia… Gia is actually here and…
Natalia- This is your chance at happiness Nikolas… take it regardless to what others think…
Nikolas- I am…
Natalia- Let us go and deal with Stefan so you can come back to Gia and your daughter…
Nikolas- [smiling as he slowly nodded] We have a daughter…

Lost in his euphoric high Nikolas talked nonstop of his plans and hopes for he, Gia, and their daughter as he and Natalia slowly made their way back to Spoon Island. His smile still covering his face as they stepped foot into Wyndemere quickly disappeared as the scene before him came into view. Standing on either side of Stefan was and obviously angered Lucky and a smirking Elizabeth. And yet to say Lucky was angered would be a understatement in comparison to his uncle. As he attempted to speak Nikolas was stopped by Stefan’s furious yell.

Stefan- [angrily] What in the hell is going on?