~*~Chapter 89~*~

“Elizabeth! We’re going to be late!” Lucky calls out as he paces their living room. They had reservations at the PC Grille to meet Nikolas and Emily for dinner, and Liz had been getting ready for over an hour.

“I’m coming, hold your horses!” she jokes, appearing a moment later with Like in her arms. “Sorry it took so long, my hair was fighting me.”

He smiles and reaches out to take the baby from her so he won’t do anything to ruin her dress. “Well, it looks like you won. I swear, you look more beautiful every time I see you.”

Liz blushes, reaching for her purse. “I do not, but thank you anyway. Come on, we better get going. We still have to drop Luke off at Betty’s.”

They quickly hurry out of the house and drop the baby off. Bethe is already there, which means that Nikolas and Emily are probably at the Grille, waiting. They rush over to the restaurant and join them at their table.

“Hey, sorry we’re late,” Lucky says, catching his breath. “Elizabeth was having trouble with her hair, although I have a hard time believing she could ever look anything less than perfect.” Liz slaps him playfully and blushes, shaking her head at his constant praise.

“Well, it looks great from here,” Emily says with a smile. “And don’t worry, we haven’t been here long.”

“Thanks for inviting us, it’s nice to get away for a night like this. We haven’t had much of a chance to just hang out since I got back,” Liz says.

“All I have to say is thank goodness for Betty, because if it weren’t for her, this wouldn’t be possible,” Nikolas jokes, reaching for his glass of wine. Luke and Laura are busy that night helping Sergei move into his new apartment, and the rest of their relatives are either out of town or have their own plans, so Betty was their last resort.

Lucky chuckles and grabs his own glass, raising it in a toast. “To Betty.”

The other three laugh and do the same. “To Betty!”

~*~

“Nice digs you found here,” Luke says, admiring the penthouse. During his frequent trips to the mainland back in Greece, he had stashed away money for himself in a Swiss Bank account. Helena had no knowledge of this account, in case he ever needed it. He had always hoped to one day free himself from her, and knew he would need money.

“Thanks,” Sergei says, setting a box down on the coffee table. “I’m not used to this kind of thing, so I hope I didn’t get ripped off with the rent.”

“Oh, in this building, you probably did, but that’s Port Charles for you,” Luke answers with a laugh. He walks over to the window to stand next to Laura, who is admiring the view of the harbor.

“This is gorgeous,” she gushes, turning around to look at her son. “How much money did you save up, anyway?”

“More than enough to live on. Helena had so much money, she never even noticed,” he says proudly.

“Well, if it’s too much for you to handle and you feel like passing it along...” Luke starts, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Luke!” Laura shouts, cutting him off. He laughs and puts up his hands in surrender.

“Just kidding, babe, Now come on, let’s get this stuff moved in here. Your mother’s coming back with Lulu tonight, and I’d like to be there.”

Laura nods, smiling. Lulu had been staying in North Carolina with Lesley for a month, and she had been missing her terribly. She’s nervous about introducing her to Sergei, and explaining how Nikolas could have a twin brother all this time without anyone knowing. Then again, Lulu is a very perceptive girl for her age, so it shouldn’t be a huge problem.

~*~

“So, Liz, is it weird to be back after so long?” Emily asks, trying to start a conversation that didn’t involve their children for once. So far, all through dinner, Luke and Bethie were all they had talked about.

Liz smiles and glances over at Lucky. “It’s funny, we were just talking about that last night. We were comparing what it’s like to come back from the dead.”

“Well,” Lucky says, laughing. “I don’t think you’re truly a Spencer until you’ve been dead at least once.”

“Uh-oh,” Emily says, looking at Nikolas. “We’re in trouble, then!”

“That means Sergei’s more a Spencer than I am,” Nikolas jokes. “Our mother thought he was dead for over 20 years!”

At the mention of his new brother, Lucky’s eyes cloud over and he becomes quiet. Nikolas sighs and shakes his head.

“Sorry, man, I forgot that’s still a sore subject. Forget I said anything.”

“No, it’s okay. He’s your twin, I can’t tell you not to talk about him, But I also can’t help it that even hearing his name makes me ill. Why don’t we change the subject?”

“Fine with me,” Nikolas says, not wanting to fight with Lucky tonight. “So, is that why Luke likes you more?” he teases. “Maybe if I died, he’d come around.”

Lucky laughs and shakes his head. “Yeah, you do that. Go die for about a year, and when you come back, you’ll be his favorite.”

“Well, I’m going with you, then,” Emily says, laughing at their morbid conversation. “I want to be a Spencer, too, and besides, I think it’s probably a Quartermaine requirement, too.”

“No, not as many Q’s have done that, you already passed their test with that whole drug addiction thing. Although, I bet if you murdered someone, then you’d really be a true-blue Quartermaine!” Lucky laughs.

“Oh, thanks. Nice to know you think so highly of my family. Anyway, they haven’t killed that many people,” she pouts.

“They have too! Why do you think Reginald keeps trying to kill people? He just wants to fit in!” Lucky ducks as Emily throws a napkin at him, laughing. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“Keep talking, and I may fill that quota yet,” she grumbles, folding her arms across her chest. “And then you’ll be dead again, so you’ll be the ultimate Spencer!”

“Nah, my mom will still have one on me. Gramdma thought she was dead when she was a kid.”

“What about your sister?” Liz asks in between gasps for air. It had been ages since she’s laughed so hard, and it felt really good.

“Well, there was that whole bone marrow thing, but that probably doesn’t count...” Nikolas starts.

“But she’s young still. Give her time, I’m sure sooner or later she’ll do us proud,” Lucky says, causing them all to laugh again.

~*~Chapter 90~*~

Liz wakes up and smiles as the warm sunlight filtering through the windows hits her face. “Mmm, good morning,” she mumbles, reaching over to Lucky’s side of the bed. When she feels that it’s empty, she opens her eyes and looks around the room.

“Lucky?!”

“It’s about time you woke up,” he jokes, coming into the room with a tray of food. “I was about to eat your breakfast.” He sits on the bed and sets the tray across her lap, then leans over and kisses her. “Oh yeah, good morning.”

Liz giggles and looks down at the tray in front of her. “I’m having serious deja vu right now, you know. You did this the morning I was taken.”

“Well, there is a difference. You aren’t hungover this time, so you might actually eat the food!”

“Oh yeah.” She smiles and kisses him again, then digs into the omelet in front of her. “Mmm, delicious. Thank you, Lucky. This was sweet of you.”

“You’re welcome, but this is just the beginning. Don’t tell me you forgot what day it is....”

She looks up at him in surprise, trying to remember. Ever since returning from the island, she had been having a hard time keeping up with the date for some reason. Lucky watches in amusement while she thinks

“Oh my gosh, it’s our anniversary!” she says suddenly, the date finally sinking in. “How could I forget that?”

He laughs and hugs her. “It’s okay, I know you’re still getting used to being back. I took the liberty of planning the whole day for us, so you don’t have to do anything.”

Liz sits up, nearly toppling the tray on her lap. “I have to get your present!”

He gently pushes her back down. “No, you don’t. Having you back is more than enough for me. Anyway, you gave me our son, what more could I want?”

“That’s sweet, and I agree, being back here with you is all the present I’d ever need, but I know you well enough to know you got me something anyway, right?”

Lucky nods. “Of course I did. But, if you don’t get up right now, we’re not going to have time for everything I planned.”

She eyes him suspiciously as he takes the breakfast tray away. “Lucky, what are you up to?”

“You’ll see. Now, get dressed, and I’ll take care of this.”

She sighs and climbs out of bed, knowing that when he gets like this there’s no arguing with him. A few minutes later, she brings Luke out into the living room and finds Lucky waiting by the door, keys in hand. “Anxious are we?” she asks with a laugh.

“A little, come on. We need to drop him off with Nikolas and Emily on our way.” He opens the door and ushers her out, hurrying her out to the car. They quickly stop by his brother’s cottage to leave Luke with them, then start off to the first destination on his list.

“Okay, are you going to tell me where you’re taking me now?” she asks, trying to sound perturbed. Lucky just shakes his head and keeps driving. After a short trip, he parks the car and leads her out into the woods, finally coming upon the boxcar.

“Wait, don’t move,” he says, holding her back from seeing inside. He hurries into the boxcar, then shouts out at her to close her eyes before he returns. She does so, wondering what he’s up to.

“Okay, open them.”

Liz opens her eyes and gasps when she sees him holding a brownie with a single candle in it. “Lucky, what’s....?”

“We’re celebrating all the holidays we missed while you were gone, starting with your birthday. I thought about starting with Halloween, but it really isn’t a big one, and I wasn’t in the mood for turkey, so Thanksgiv-” he’s cut off when Liz reaches up and kisses him forcefully. She pulls back and smiles.

“You were babbling.”

”Thanks for stopping me,” he replies, flashing his beautiful smile at her. “Come on, there’s a lot to celebrate and less than a day to do it. Make a wish and blow out the candle.”

She giggles and closes her eyes, wishing for them to be as happy as they are right now, forever, then blows it out. Lucky grins, handing her the brownie. While she’s eating it, he pulls out a small box from his pocket.

“You didn’t...” she says, wiping a stray crumb off of her lip before taking the gift from him. She opens it, tears springing to her eyes as she sees the subway token necklace the he had given her for their first anniversary inside. “I thought I had lost this! How....?”

“It was on the floor of your car. It must have broke in the struggle when you were taken. I got a new chain for it, and it’s as good as new.” He takes it from the box and walks behind her to fasten it around her neck.

“There, now it’s back where it belongs.” He comes back around and smiles softly, leaning down to kiss her. “Happy birthday, Elizabeth.”

They part, and he takes her hand, leading her around to the front of the boxcar.

“What did you do?” she asks, laughing as she sees that not only has the boxcar been unlocked, but it’s decorated for Christmas.

“Lucky, you didn’t have to do this!” she exclaims as he helps her up into the boxcar. “It’s beautiful, but you didn’t have to-” This time it’s Lucky who cuts her off with a kiss.

“Babbling?” she asks shyly.

“Yep.” He reaches over and flips on a radio, filling the boxcar with Christmas music, then holds out his hand. “Dance with me?”

“I’d love to.” She takes his hand and sighs happily as he pulls her into his arms. They dance through a couple of songs, then he pulls back and leads her over to the Christmas tree. She looks at it and frowns.

“It looks like it’s missing something.”

“That’s because it is. Here,” he says, handing her a gift-wrapped box.

“Oh no, tell me you didn’t get me gifts for all of these holidays, too!” Liz exclaims, carefully taking the box from him. He grins and nods towards it, motioning for her to open it. She laughs and rips at the paper, gasping as she opens the box.

“Oh, Lucky...” She pulls out a silver guitar, much like the one she made for their first Christmas tree. “I don’t believe this. It’s exactly the same!’

“Well, the first one was lost in the fire, so I figured we should have another one. Here,” he gingerly takes it from her hands and attaches it to the top of the tree. “Much better.”

Liz smiles through her tears and hugs hum. “You’re too good to be true, you know that?”

“Maybe, here, there’s more.” He grins and points to the small pile of gifts under the tree. Liz laughs and shakes her head, amazed that he did so much. She quickly unwraps them, gushing over each one. Some are for her, jewelry and such, and others are toys and clothes for Luke. When she’s done, they take some pictures in front of the tree, then head back to the car so he can bring her to the next destination.

“I thought about taking you to eat where the Bachelor Auction was for New Year’s, but I wasn’t sure we’d have the time, so we’re skipping ahead a lithe,” Lucky says in the car as they pull up to Mt. Hebron. He parks and turns to smile at her, seeing the tears welling up in her eyes. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

He jumps out of the car and hurries into the church, then returns with a bouquet of white roses. Liz sniffs, trying to hold back her tears as she takes them. He then takes her hand and leads her inside, smiling as she looks around in amazement. It’s decorated the same as it had been their first Valentine’s Day together.

“I even thought about digging that dress out of the back of the closet and having you wear it, but I figured you’d give me a hard time,” he says, walking up to the altar with her.

She laughs, nodding. “Good idea. After having a kid, it probably wouldn’t fit me anymore, anyway, and then I’d just be depressed.”

Lucky shakes his head and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re just as thin, and even more beautiful, than you were two years ago.”

“Mm, you’re sweet. You lie, but you’re sweet,” she says with a soft chuckle.

“Hey, I do not lie! We don’t lie to each other, remember?” he says, acting hurt.

“Right, I’m sorry, you’re just sweet, then.” She reaches up to kiss him, pulling away after a moment with tears in her eyes. “You've got my heart. That's a permanent lock. Everything I am is in love with you. My soul, my mind, my body, my spirit. That'll never change. I pledge myself to you Lucky, today, forever.”

Smiling through his own tears, Lucky takes her hands in his and looks deeply into her eyes. “You've got my heart. That's a permanent lock. Everything I am is in love with you. My soul, my mind, my body, my spirit. That'll never change. I pledge myself to you Elizabeth, today, forever.”

They share a tender kiss, then Lucky pulls another box out of his pocket and holds it out to her. She laughs and shakes her head as she takes it.

“Those are some mighty deep pockets you have there.”

“Actually, I’ve been refilling them when you’re not looking,” he confesses, waiting for her to open the latest gift.

“How? I’m always looking. I don’t think I’ve stopped looking at you since the day we got home from Greece!”

“I know, that’s why it’s been so hard for me to do all of this! Now hurry and open it. It’s not for Valentine’s Day, though, it’s for the next holiday.”

“Next?” she asks, confused. She opens it and grins at the small gold charm nestled inside. “#1 Mom?”

“For your bracelet. Happy Mother’s Day!” Lucky exclaims. She laughs and throws her arms around him.

“Thank you, Lucky. This is the most wonderful thing you’ve ever done for me, and that’s saying a lot. This has been the best day.”

“Well, hold on, because it’s not over yet.”

She pulls back and looks at him. “Don’t tell me there’s another holiday?”

“Just our anniversary, did you forget again?” he asks with a laugh. “Come on, we’ve got reservations.”

“For dinner?”

“No, at the Port Charles Hotel,” he says with a sly smile. “I figure it’s tradition by now, don’t you think?”

“I like that idea. So, what’s after that?” she teases, climbing into the car. Lucky gets in and shuts the door, then turns to her.

“The rest of our lives.”

“Now that’s the best gift of all,” she says softly, leaning towards him as they share a kiss full of love and hope for their future, which for the first time in ages, finally looks bright.

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