Chapter 20
“Okay, why did you drag me down here with this?” Felicia asked, rushing into Luke’s office. She looked around curiously at the odd assortment of people. “Hello Carly, Nikolas. Luke, what’s going on?”
“Please, just play the tape, and we’ll explain in a minute,” Mac said.
She eyed him suspiciously and dug the tape player out of her purse. She set it down on Luke’s desk and hit play.
The arrangements are not complete. Call me later.
“Krieg,” Luke whispered.
“Luke? Are you okay?” Felicia asked, touching his shoulder gently. He looked like he had gone into a trance, and was just staring at the top of his desk. She turned back to her husband. “Mac, what’s going on?”
“They say that Lucien has been claiming that his uncle’s name is Cesar Faison.”
Felicia gasped and looked back at Luke. He slowly looked up and met her eyes. “I know that voice. I called him Herr Krieg. He used to bug me all the time to do business with him, but I never did. Finally he gave up and left me alone.”
“So it wasn’t Faison?” Felicia asked, looking back at Mac in relief. Mac dug a picture out of his briefcase and held it up to Luke.
“Have you ever seen this man?” he asked simply.
Luke nodded. “That’s Krieg. Why?”
Mac dropped the picture and leaned against the wall. Felicia paled and sank to the floor.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Luke asked, picking up the picture.
“Luke, that’s a picture of Cesar Faison,” Mac said, his voice wavering. Luke dropped the photo and stared at him in disbelief.
Carly and Nikolas looked at each other, trying to figure out what they had gotten themselves into. Neither of them had ever seen Luke look this frightened before. Who was this Faison guy, and why was everyone so shocked that he was involved with Lucien?
Finally, Carly spoke up and broke the silence. “Okay, we’re obviously out of the loop here, so can someone please explain why you three are so freaked out all of a sudden?”
~*~
Lucien rushed back to Elizabeth’s room to deliver the good news. She smiled as he entered. “So, what’s the verdict?”
“You’re being released in an hour!” he announced happily. “I’m going to go start making those dinner plans, okay?”
She nodded. “What time do you want to pick me up?”
“Um...how about 8? Will that give you enough time to get home and get ready?”
“Sure. Have you decided where we’re going yet?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t had a chance yet. Don’t worry, I’ve got very good taste,” he teased.
She laughed. “I’m sure you do. After all, you’re a Cassidine.” She hated saying that, but figured it would be a nice touch if she threw it in. He smiled, obviously proud of his so-called heritage. “You better get going if you want to find a place in time.”
“You’re right. So, I’ll see you at 8. Oh, where do you live?”
She wrote down her address, thinking how strange it was to be telling Lucky how to get to her own house. She hoped that going there would trigger some of his memory. After all, he had practically lived there once!
Lucien thanked her and hurried out of the room. She sighed and looked up at the ceiling, wondering how she was going to make it through their date without letting on that she thought he was her dead boyfriend. She didn’t want to scare him off, and knew that if she could pull off the charade of believing he was Lucien, she could gradually help him get his memory back. She just needed to be patient.
“Liz? Are you awake?”
She looked up and smiled. “Sure, Laura, come in.”
Laura sat down next to her bed. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good. They’re letting me go in about an hour.”
“That’s wonderful!” Laura exclaimed, hugging her. “Do you want to come to the house for dinner? I think Audrey has to work tonight, and I’d hate for you to be all alone in that house your first night out of the hospital.”
Liz smiled. “Thanks, but I have a date tonight.”
“A date? With who?” Laura asked, surprised.
Liz giggled. She knew that Laura shared her suspicions, and would get a kick out of this. “Lucien. Or should I say Lucky?”
Laura hugged her again. “Oh, you mean I’m not the only one who saw it? You know he’s Lucky, too?”
“How could I not know?” Liz asked. “All you have to do is look into his eyes. He may not remember being Lucky Spencer right now, but I know he’s still in there somewhere, and I’m going to do everything I can to get him back!”
A tear ran down Laura’s cheek. “If anyone can do it, you can. A love as strong as yours and Lucky’s doesn’t just go away because one person forgets who they are. He loved you with all his heart and soul. I’m sure it’s still in there somewhere, buried under years of Helena’s lies. I just hope we can bring it to the surface before she comes looking for him.”
Liz nodded. “I know. At least we’re not alone. Believe it or not, Nikolas and Carly also think he’s really Lucky.”
“Really? Maybe if we all work together, we can help him remember. I just wish Luke would stop being so damn stubborn and at least admit that it’s a possibility. He’s so hell-bent on denying that his son would ever call himself a Cassidine, he won’t allow himself to see what’s so obvious to the rest of us!”
“Well, I’m just happy to have him back, no matter who he thinks he is. I finally feel whole again, just knowing that he’s alive. I think that even if he never remembers who he really is, as long as I can be with him again, I’ll take him as Lucien. It’ll be weird at first, but I’ll get used to it. I’ll do anything to be with him again, Laura!”
Laura smiled and squeezed her hand. “I know, honey. I don’t blame you, either. I just wish I could do the same, but it’s kind of hard to be his mother when he thinks I’m the enemy.”
They hear a soft knock on the door and turn to see who’s there. “Are you up for another visitor?”
“Emily! Of course, come in!” Liz said, sitting up to hug her friend.
“So, I hear they’re busting you out of here soon,” Emily said with a smile.
“I know. It’s about time, too. I’m getting sick of this room. Oh, could one of you give me a ride home? I have to be ready by 8:00.”
“Ready? What for? Do you have a hot date?” Emily asked, joking..
Liz grinned. “Actually, I do. With Lucien.”
“Lucien? You mean Nikolas’s cousin? Are you sure that’s a good idea, Liz? I mean, he looks so much like Lucky, don’t you think it will be painful for you?”
Liz shook her head. “Trust me, I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.”
“As long as you’re sure,” Emily said, wondering what Liz was up to.. “If you need a ride, I’ll be around.”
Laura stood up. “It’s good to hear you’re better, Liz. I think I’m going to go find my husband now.” She winked at her and left.
“What are you grinning about so much?” Emily asked.
“Nothing. I’m just looking forward to my date, that’s all,” Liz answered.
“Well, be careful. Remember, this guy was raised by Helena Cassidine. He could be dangerous, Liz.”
She shook her head. “He’s not. I can tell, so don’t worry about me, okay?”
“Okay, if you say so. Now, let’s get you packed up. They should be coming with those release papers soon.”
Liz gazed down at the ring that still graced her finger. She twirled it around, remembering the day he gave it to her, how happy they had been. For years now, she was afraid she would never find that kind of happiness again, but now she had a second chance. Her soulmate has been given back to her, and she was determined not to let him go this time, not ever again.
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