Chapter 16
Lucky looked over at Elizabeth and laughed at the pained expression on her face. He leaned in and whispered, “It’s just dinner, not an execution!”
She looked at him and smiled. “From what I’ve heard about these people, I’m not sure if I believe you!”
“Come on, the dining room’s this way,” Ned said, waving them on. As they followed him into the large room, Lucky gently rested his hand on the small of her back, sending chills up her spine. The room was empty so far, so Ned directed them to have a seat, that his family should be arriving shortly.
Once they were sitting, Liz turned to Alexis and smiled. Why am I so nervous? They’re going to be your in-laws, not mine!
Alexis chuckled lightly. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty nervous myself.
Really? You look perfectly calm. How do you do it?
It’s something I learned in law school. It’s pretty hard to convince a jury that your client is innocent if you’re shaking and sweating!
Liz laughed and settled back in her chair. Lucky looked at her strangely, wondering what was so funny. “You okay?”
She jumped, forgetting for a moment that he was there. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just nervous.”
Suddenly, the doors opened and a swarm of people came into the room, all of them arguing.
“What’s the big deal? It’s not like he’s bothering us, he’s upstairs!” Carly shouted.
“He’s with my son, that’s what the big deal is!” AJ countered.
Carly rolled her eyes and sat down. “AJ, Jason has joint custody, get over it. If he wants to come here and see Michael, then we can’t stop him.”
“I hate the thought of him being alone with my son like that,” AJ said, sitting next to her.
Liz looked at Lucky questioningly, but he just shook his head and smiled. Obviously, this came as no surprise to him.
“AJ, Jason would never do anything to hurt Michael. I realize you’re concerned, but you don’t need to be. He loves that little boy very much,” Monica said, taking a seat next to Ned.
“How can you keep defending him, Monica?” Alan asked. “Michael is AJ’s son, not Jason’s. This whole thing is just so ridiculous.”
“Dad, Jason raised that boy as his own for over a year. Don’t you think that counts for something?” Emily shouted.
“I still can’t believe that the court is making me allow that hoodlum into my house!” Edward grumbled.
“It’s my house, Edward!” Monica shouted, her face red.
“I gave it to you!” Alan said, shaking his head.
Liz put her hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh. Ned was right, the whole thing really was pretty funny. Lucky kicked her softly under the table, which just made her laugh harder. Luckily, the argument was in full swing now, and no one had noticed her yet.
“Guys, maybe this isn’t the most appropriate place to be having this argument,” Ned said, trying to shut them up long enough to realize they had guests.
“He’s right,” AJ said. Everyone looked at him in shock. AJ never agreed with Ned! “Jason’s attorney is sitting at the table. We wouldn’t want to give her any ammunition, would we?”
Alexis rolled her eyes. “AJ, the custody trial is over. I’m here for dinner, I’m not on a reconnaissance mission!”
Everyone chuckled and fell into silence. Liz nudged Alexis.
Wow, you guys weren’t kidding! What was that all about?
Alexis sighed. Long story. Basically, Carly passed off AJ’s son as Jason’s for a year to avoid him being raised as a Quartermaine. Once the truth came out and AJ decided to fight for him, she had a sudden change of heart and married him. Jason and AJ went to court over Michael and ended up with joint custody. They’re brothers, by the way, but they hate each other.
Wow. They don’t lack drama around here, do they?
Alexis smiled and shook her head.
“All right, Ned. What did you drag us all together for? And are you going to introduce us to the young lady?” Edward asked, motioning at Liz.
Ned took a deep breath and looked at Alexis. “Well, if you had stopped arguing long enough, I would have. This is Elizabeth Davis.” He paused, letting the name sink in.
Monica was the first to respond. “Davis? Any relation?” she asked, looking at Alexis.
“Yes. Elizabeth is my daughter.” She smiled as the room burst into noise again.
“Daughter?” Edward asked. “Oh Lord, not another Cassidine! Since when do you have a daughter anyway?”
“Well, for about 18 years now, obviously. I was forced to put her up for adoption, and she just found me the other day.”
“Wait a minute,” Edward interrupted, noticing Lucky for the first time. “What are you doing here, Spencer?”
Lucky chuckled. This was going to be fun. “I’m her date,” he said simply, putting his arm around her shoulders for emphasis. Liz smiled at the gesture.
Edward nearly choked on his drink. “Date? Since when do Spencers date Cassidines?” He threw his hands up in the air. “What is this world coming to?”
Everyone chuckled and said hello to Liz, trying to make her feel welcome after Edward’s outburst. Carly looked questioningly at Lucky, wondering if Luke knew he was there with one of their family’s enemies.
Ned chuckled and clapped his hands to get their attention. “Believe it or not, that wasn’t the big news.” He turned to Edward and grinned. “Hold on to your hat, Grandfather, you’re going to love this one!”
“Oh no, don’t tell me you’re going to put on those leather pants of yours and start up with that rock music again!” he growled.
Ned smiled and shook his head. “Not this time. One of these days, though, I will, just to spite you.”
Liz nudged Alexis again. Rock music? Now what’s he talking about?
Ned was a rock singer named Eddie Maine for a short time, and Edward hated it.
Liz chuckled softly. I can see that.
“Just get on with it, Ned,” Edward said, growing impatient.
Ned smiled and took Alexis’s hand in his. “Alexis and I are getting married.”
The room was dead silent for a moment while everyone soaked in the news, then it erupted once again in a mixture of congratulations and arguments.
Graphics Courtesy Of:
