Chapter 25

Watching as she slowly approached him Nikolas stood wanting to go and wrap Gia and his daughter in his arms. To have a daughter to love and to hold and to have Gia so close to him Nikolas slowly shook his head still not believing how much and quickly his life had changed. She was with him and by him and if it all that he had he would make Gia understand and come again to him. Taking Amaya gently into his arms Nikolas stood nearby as Gia slowly unlocked her door. Following her inside her tiny room Nikolas continued to hold Amaya not ready to release her from his hold. Staring down into her tiny face Nikolas smiled marveled again by her beauty. Speaking softly Nikolas again told Gia what was heavy on his mind. Nikolas- [whispering] She's beautiful…
Gia- [softly] Yeah…
Nikolas- [looking quickly at Gia] Like her mother…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] She reminds me of you. When she smiles all I see is you…
Nikolas- I can't believe we have a daughter…
Gia- I know… she was the last thing I ever thought could or would happen but I can't imagine my life without her.
Nikolas- Not that I don't believe you… [slowly shaking his head] I know she's mine but…
Gia- What are you trying to say?
Nikolas- How? I used protection and you were on the pill…
Gia- [softly] I guess she was just meant to be…
Nikolas- [slowly nodding] We were meant to be…
Gia- [whispering] Nikolas…
Nikolas- I know I can't ask you not to go… and I have no idea of what's going on in your life but…

Her soft cries stopping him Nikolas looked down on Amaya unsure of what to do. Looking quickly up at Gia Nikolas attempted to question her only to be stopped by Gia's smiling face.

Gia- I think she's hungry… it's about time for her bottle…
Nikolas- I… I uhh…
Gia- Would you like to feed her?
Nikolas- [softly] Can… can I?
Gia- [slowly nodding] Yeah…

Retrieving a bottle from her bag Gia handed it to Nikolas smiling as he looked on confused as to what to do. Sensing his confusion Gia softly questioned Nikolas slightly amused by his facial expression.

Gia- [smiling] Is something wrong?
Nikolas- I've never… I never uhh fed a baby before…
Gia- Are you serious?
Nikolas- Though I'm not an only child I grew up as one and I've never experienced… I've never…

Slowly nodding her head Gia moved towards Nikolas and Amaya kneeling in front of them. Showing Nikolas how to hold her in his arms as he fed her Gia smiled up at Nikolas and he was once again awestruck by her beauty. Looking from Gia to his daughter Nikolas' smile grew as the magnitude of what he finally had hit him. He had a family. Someone to love him as he loved them with no questions asked. Someone who cared little if he was the prince of not. Now he need only to convince Gia of what they had and could have together.

Nikolas- [softly] I can't believe you're here…
Gia- [whispering] Me either…
Nikolas- I dreamed of this for so long…
Gia- [softly smiling] I bet in your dreams Amaya didn't quite exist…
Nikolas- [whispering as he stared intently at Gia] Actually she did…
Gia- [quickly standing up] I uhh… do you mind… I uhh I have to go and change right quick…
Nikolas- Go ahead… [softly smiling] my daughter and I can bond…
Gia- I'll be… I'll be right back…

Quickly escaping her room Gia placed her hand over her heart not surprised Nikolas still with a single look had an effect on her. She was unsure of what was going to happen between she and Nikolas but with every look he gave her, her heart told her what she wanted. Having made the sudden decision to come to Port Charles Gia found what she had forever longed for. A family… her family. Her mother, loving and holding her tight. Her brother, tall, proud and protective of her feelings and her heart. A sister-in-law she never knew she wanted but now she didn't want to imagine her life without. And most important of all there was Nikolas. Someone with a single smile and a tender look her way claimed her heart over and over again.

Slowly walking back to her room Gia stood leaned up against the doorway watching as Nikolas smiled down at their daughter whispering and talking softly to her.

Nikolas- [softly] You look so much like your mother… she says you remind her of me but that's impossible. My eyes don't dance like yours, your mother's does. And your smile… [gently smiling down at Amaya] just like your mother's it makes my heart go all funny. You're so beautiful and I'm so glad you're mine… [slowly shaking his head] I'm glad you're ours.

Slowly looking up from Amaya Nikolas locked eyes with Gia surprised to see her standing there.

Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I didn't know… how long… it feels like I've missed so much…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] Not really…
Nikolas- Was she always a good baby? Was your pregnancy hard or…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] No… never had morning sickness except for one time… that's how I found out about her.
Nikolas- What do you mean?
Gia- I wasn't feeling well and never put what we shared and a possible baby together. But one morning I woke up and no matter what I did I couldn't keep anything on my stomach. Just the sight let alone smell of food had me reeling. My neighbor Mrs. Josefina took one look at me and started dancing around her little apartment. She kept repeating that her little bambino is having a bambino of her own. I didn't believe her so I rushed to the corner store and bought a pregnancy kit and it came back positive.
Nikolas- [smiling] So she knew…
Gia- Apparently… but other than that I had no other morning sickness or anything… no swollen feet… no aching back… my little Maya was perfect from the beginning until the end… [slowly shaking her head] she still is perfect.
Nikolas- What about the labor or…
Gia- It was a labor of love… if it hurt I didn't feel it… I just wanted to hold her in my arms and never let go.
Nikolas- Where were you? I came back and you were gone…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] It doesn't matter…
Nikolas- I know but…
Gia- I wrote you a letter when I found out about Amaya… I had no idea where to send it or…
Nikolas- [whispering] What did it say?
Gia- It says everything but…
Nikolas- But?
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I'll let you read it…
Nikolas- You still have it?
Gia- Yeah… I also have a book I made you about Amaya… it has her first picture… my ultrasound… a little lock of her hair, what I was feeling and thinking while I was pregnant… everything is in there.
Nikolas- Thank you…
Gia- I wanted to tell you about Amaya… I never wanted to keep her from you or…
Nikolas- All of that no longer matters… what matters is you and Amaya are here now and I get the chance to love her and know her and…
Gia- [slowly nodding] That's all I ever wanted…
Nikolas- [softly smiling as he looked down at their daughter] She's amazing…
Gia- Yeah she is…
Nikolas- Are you breast feeding her… [quickly shaking his head] I'm sorry…
Gia- For what?
Nikolas- That was too personal a question and…
Gia- It's ok… and the answer is yes…
Nikolas- That just seems so amazing…
Gia- It is… I feel so close to her… [slowly shaking her head] I never thought I could love someone or something this much…

Watching as he slowly nodded looking again at their daughter Gia slowly made her way towards them sitting gently beside Nikolas on the bed. Taking the bottle gently out of his hand she aided Nikolas in placing Amaya on his shoulder rubbing lightly her back as he attempted to burp her.

Gia- [softly] You have to burp her…
Nikolas- Burp her?
Gia- [softly smiling] Yes…
Explaining softly the necessity and reason for burping a baby after feeding Gia watched as Nikolas lovingly stroked their daughter's back. Smiling at the surprised look on his face Gia continued to tell him of her pregnancy and birth of Amaya. And somehow as their talk continued they found themselves staring across at one another as they lay in the bed with Amaya sleeping soundly between them. His hand holding hers, together they gently stroked Amaya's back as she rested. His turn now to speak Nikolas took a deep breath as he began to speak.

Nikolas- I want to explain to you what is going on…
Gia- You don't have to…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I do… Natalia and I… what we share…
Gia- [softly] I'm ruining it by being here?
Nikolas- No…

Taking a deep breath Nikolas thinks carefully about all that he wanted and needed to tell Gia. And yet as he began knocking on her door interrupted all he planned to say.

Nikolas- Are you expecting someone?
Gia- [shaking her head] No…
Nikolas- Then perhaps they have the wrong room.

As the knocking persisted Gia slowly rose from her bed going slowly to her door. Calling out softly she was surprised to hear someone call out to her in return.

Gia- [softly] Yes…
Voice- I'm looking for a Gia…
Gia- [slowly opening the door] Excuse me?
Voice- I'm looking for Gia…
Gia- What do you want with her?
Voice- I have some information for her…
Gia- What kind of information?
Voice- It's personal…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] It can't be too personal…
Voice- What does that supposed to mean?
Gia- If it was so personal why did they tell you?
Voice- How do you know I'm not the one with something to tell?
Gia- What do you want?
Voice- I need to talk to Gia first before I can say…
Gia- [beginning to close her door] This is a waste of time…
Voice- [stopping the door from closing] Not until I speak to Gia…
Gia- You already have…
Voice- [quickly putting her hands on her non existent hips] So you're Gia…
Gia- Why do you need to know?
Voice- Stay away from my brother-in-law… he doesn't need tramps like you ruining his life…
Gia- [softly] What did you say?
Voice- I said stay away from Nikolas… I will not allow you to destroy everything he has…
Gia- Who are you?
Voice- I'm Elizabeth Spencer and I'm Nikolas' sister-in-law and he asked me to come here and talk to you…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] I don't think so…
Liz- I know your kind… you think you can come in here and…
Nikolas- [stepping from behind Gia] Have I ever once asked you to speak for me?
Liz- [surprise clearly shown on her face] Nik… Nikolas what… what are you doing here?
Nikolas- [angrily] I can ask you the same question.
Liz- I came to see Gia and…
Nikolas- Where in the hell do you get off?
Liz- [slowly shaking her head] I…
Nikolas- I've told you on more than one occasion to stay out of my business and yet you attempt to come here and do what?
Liz- She's not right for you Nikolas. Stay with Natalia and…
Nikolas- Once again you are under the assumption that your opinion matters to me… guess what… it doesn't. Natalia and I have made our decision and nothing you say or do will change it.
Liz- You're throwing everything away for her…
Nikolas- Whether I am or not is my business… worry more about your husband and what he is so desperate to hide from you than to involve yourself in what I am doing.
Liz- What is that supposed to mean?
Nikolas- Go ask Lucky and never come here again…
Liz- What is Lucky hiding from me?
Nikolas- Go and ask your husband…

Closing the door in her face before she could speak another word Nikolas turned to Gia ready to apologize for all that Elizabeth said to her.

Nikolas- [softly] I'm sorry…
Gia- You don't have to apologize…
Nikolas- She had no right…
Gia- Who was she?
Nikolas- [softly] My sister-in-law…
Gia- [whispering] Am I ruining your life?
Nikolas- No… without you and Amaya I have no life.
Gia- If people are reacting to me like that how are they going to treat my baby?
Nikolas- [softly] Our baby…
Gia- I don't want to put her through unnecessary pain…
Nikolas- Gia you have to trust me on this… I will not allow anyone or anything to harm our child. I will protect her with my life if need be…
Gia- Is it going to come to that?
Nikolas- [slowly shaking her head] No…
Gia- I just found my family again and I don't want to leave them…
Nikolas- You don't have to…
Gia- She already knows where I live… who's to say she or anyone else for that matter won't come here when you're not around…
Nikolas- I can move you to where you will be safe…
Gia- I didn't come here for a handout…
Nikolas- I know…
Gia- And I didn't come her to ruin or destroy what you and Natalia have…
Nikolas- [softly] Had…
Gia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [gently caressing her cheek] Listen to me Gia… I won't lie to you and say everything will be easy with no troubles or no problems. But if you trust in me I will do right by you and our daughter…
Gia- But I don't want you giving up something because I'm here…
Nikolas- You're what I want Gia…

Slowly digesting his declaration Gia looked into Nikolas' eyes knowing that he was speaking the truth. Gathering quickly her and Amaya things as Nikolas collected Amaya safely in his arms, together they walked out hand in hand going to where Nikolas promised to keep them safe and away from unwanted visitors and advice. Explaining his purchase of the cottage and the completion on the nursery upon his finding out about her Nikolas slowly showed Gia around the quaint little cottage hoping she liked what she saw. Sitting silently beside her on the couch Nikolas looked over at Gia ready to question he sudden silence. And yet to his surprise he found Gia quietly sleeping the days events finally getting to her. Inhaling deeply Nikolas slowly stood over Gia smiling down on her sleeping form before bending and gently lifting her from the couch. Carrying her to the master bedroom Nikolas tenderly laid her on the bed watching as she snuggled into the warm blankets. A thought and decision quickly going through his head Nikolas ventured into Amaya's room staring down on his daughter as she peacefully slept. Gathering her gently in his arms Nikolas returned to Gia's room lying Amaya beside her mother before slipping in bed opposite them both so he could watch them sleep. Watching for what seemed like hours sleep finally claimed Nikolas and he too fell asleep beside his daughter and Gia.

Chapter 26

As the days slowly passed and Gia and Amaya remained at the cottage Nikolas found himself entrenched in their spell. Learning more of them as he spent more and more time with them Nikolas knew that he could never willingly let them go. Watching the clock, knowing that they were visiting her family, Nikolas silently prayed for the time to somehow go faster so he could again spend time with them. Looking again through the book Gia gave him Nikolas closed his eyes wishing and imagining himself beside Gia as she wrote each entry in the book. Oblivious to all around Nikolas did not notice as Natalia entered the room. Her calls to him slowly pulling him from his thoughts Nikolas looked at Natalia as she spoke to him.

Natalia- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [smiling as he looked up at her] Natalia…
Natalia- How are you?
Nikolas- [smiling] Amazing…
Natalia- [smiling] It shows…
Nikolas- [smiling] I never thought I could be this happy. Gia and Amaya are my life and…
Natalia- [slowly nodding] Life is as it should be…
Nikolas- Yes…
Natalia- I was unsure if I should approach you…
Nikolas- About?
Natalia- What should be done… I can’t assume that I can stay here forever…
Nikolas- What is it that you want Natalia?
Natalia- I want not to return to my father and hear of the great disappointment this failed engagement has become.
Nikolas- [softly] I’m sorry…
Natalia- It’s not your fault…
Nikolas- But…
Natalia- Nikolas your heart belongs to another… I do not expect nor want you to turn your back on them…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] I don’t think I could…
Natalia- You don’t have to… [noticing the book] what are you looking at?
Nikolas- Gia gave me a book detailing her pregnancy and the first few months of Amaya’s life…
Natalia- That’s amazing…
Nikolas- Yes… I was so excited to learn that I had a daughter…
Natalia- Then what is wrong?
Nikolas- Though she was only six months when I learned of her it feels as if I’ve missed so much…
Natalia- Does this book explain what you missed?
Nikolas- Yes…
Natalia- Then again I ask you what is wrong?
Nikolas- To have been there as Gia’s stomach swelled with our child… to be there as our child came into existence…
Natalia- Perhaps next time…
Nikolas- [smiling] Next time… before another child is even a possibility I have to tell Gia all that has happened, what is going on now, and what I hope to happen between us…
Natalia- What do you want to happen Nikolas?
Nikolas- [softly as he tenderly touched Amaya’s picture] Forever… I want forever…
Natalia- Tell her that… tell her what you want…
Nikolas- I…
Stefan- [softly] Nikolas…
Nikolas- [slowly standing as he turned towards him] Uncle…
Stefan- I have not seen much of you this past month…
Nikolas- I’ve attended every meeting and…
Stefan- And yet is seems as if you are not still here…
Nikolas- Is there something you want?
Stefan- [noticing the book in his arms] What are you looking at?
Nikolas- Nothing for you to be concerned with…
Stefan- [slowly shaking his head] Nikolas this must stop…
Nikolas- What are you talking about?
Stefan- Since this woman has arrived you’ve changed…
Nikolas- How so?
Stefan- You’ve become defiant and distant and…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] What is this really concerning?
Stefan- I can not allow this to continue…
Nikolas- Allow…
Stefan- This blatant disrespect of the plans made for you and Natalia must be stopped…
Natalia- [shaking her head] I don’t think that this is the time to discuss this…
Stefan- Irregardless… this must be said…
Nikolas- Well I don’t want to hear it…
Stefan- You can not be with this woman…
Nikolas- [angrily] Why the hell not!
Stefan- I know nothing of this woman… what she expects… what she wants from this family…
Nikolas- That is not your concern…
Stefan- If I allow you to turn your back…
Nikolas- You’re not [b]allowing[/b] me to do anything… this is my life and…
Stefan- [yelling] Nikolas this is unacceptable!
Nikolas- I don’t have time for this…

Kissing Natalia gently on her cheek Nikolas turned away from Stefan and his unwanted conversation needing the comfort of Gia and Amaya’s presence. Clutching Amaya’s baby book closer to him Nikolas left the room ignoring Stefan’s steady calls. Watching as he ignored his calls Stefan turned to Natalia speaking quickly his voice now hardened.

Stefan- I will not allow him to destroy all that I’ve put together on his behalf…
Natalia- This is his life Stefan…
Stefan- What does that have to do with anything?
Natalia- He has a right to…
Stefan- He does not have the right to destroy the Cassadines on a whim…
Natalia- Nikolas and I not marrying will not destroy your family…
Stefan- But it may destroy yours…
Natalia- [shrugging] Then so be it…
Stefan- Surely you are not so naive to believe that your father will accept this…
Natalia- My father will have to accept this whether he wants to or not…
Stefan- I think not…
Natalia- Why are you and my father so hell bent on this marriage taking place?
Stefan- Natalia… from the moment you were born you have been groomed for this…
Natalia- You speak as if I’m so type of animal that will do whatever is told of me…
Stefan- That was not my intention…
Natalia- [softly] Don’t you want Nikolas to be happy?
Stefan- Nikolas does not have the luxury of choosing happiness over duty… he is the heir to the Cassadine empire and…
Natalia- [slowly shaking her head] Then I would prefer him to walk away from all of this than to be in a life minus happiness…
Stefan- Natalia…
Natalia- Nikolas may have finally found his life’s cause… do not take that from him…
Stefan- You stand here in defense of Nikolas… where is he now?
Natalia- Where he should be…
Stefan- [softly] Do you love my nephew?
Natalia- That matters little…
Stefan- [gently taking her hand] Love him enough to get him to do what is right…
Natalia- [removing her hand from Stefan’s grasp] If you push this you may lose Nikolas…
Stefan- And if I don’t he’s as good as lost…

Slowly shaking his head Stefan turned and walked away from Natalia. Staring after him as he departed Natalia stood rooted in her spot unsure of what to do. Bending and retrieving a photo of a smiling Nikolas Natalia said a silent prayer that things would go as Nikolas hoped them to be.

Escaping to the tiny cottage Nikolas sat slumped in a nearby chair losing himself again in Amaya’s baby book. Stefan’s words playing again and again in his head Nikolas knew that in order to keep Gia and Amaya in his life that he must own up and face many things. Fearing how the situation may turn out Nikolas was only able to relax as he saw Gia and Amaya slowly walking towards him.