Chapter 22
Elizabeth smiled when she saw where Lucien was taking her. “How did you pick this place?” she asked innocently.
He shrugged, turning off the car. “I don’t know. I drove past it earlier and it sort of drew me in. I had to ask Carly to make the reservation for us, though. I guess my being a Cassidine wasn’t enough. It seems to be a very exclusive place.”
Liz shook her head slightly, remembering how Lucky had gotten in through Jason before. It was like their first date all over again. Lucien extended his arm and she took it, smiling as they entered the restaurant.
They approached the maitre’d. “We have a reservation for 8:30. Cassidine, party of 2,” Lucien said. The man checked the list and nodded. “Right this way, sir.”
They followed him to the table as Liz looked around the room. It looked exactly the same as she remembered it. She smiled at Lucien as he pulled out her chair. He went around to his chair and sat down, picking up the menu. “So, do you like it?” he asked nervously.
She nodded. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” She was dying to say something more, but didn’t want to frighten him. She looked at her menu, trying to find something that she wanted. Her stomach was doing flip-flops, and she hoped that she’d be able to eat.
The waiter came to take their orders. Lucien ordered a bottle of champagne and some appetizers since Liz hadn’t made a decision yet. He watched her study her menu, noticing how she was chewing on her bottom lip in silent contemplation. She looked up and met his eyes, startled for a moment that he had been watching her.
“It seems you’re getting along well with Nikolas,” she said, trying to make small talk.
He nodded. “Yes, we have a lot in common. It’s good to finally know more of my family. He even invited me to stay with him while I’m in town.”
“How long will you be staying?” she asked, trying to hide that she was nervous. She was afraid he would leave before she was able to trigger his memory.
“I’m not sure. I like it here. The people have been very kind to me so far. I would like to stay for a while, as long as I can keep my grandmother from discovering that I’m here. If she finds out, I’m certain that she will come at once to retrieve me.”
“Do you think she might find out soon?” she asked fearfully. Helena already took Lucky away once, and she couldn’t bear the thought of her doing it again.
He shrugged and smiled. “I don’t know, but even if she does, I will not go willingly. There are too many people here that I want to get to know better.”
She blushed slightly, realizing that he meant her. The waiter come up to their table with the champagne and took their orders. Once he was gone, Lucien lifted his glass to make a toast. Liz smiled and did the same.
“To friendship,” he said with a smile. She nodded and repeated his words. They fell into a comfortable silence, just looking at each other. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she was, and she couldn’t stop staring into his deep blue eyes. They remained like that for a few minutes, studying one another. Suddenly, Lucien stood up and extended his hand.
“May I have this dance?” he asked formally, causing her to giggle. She nodded and got up, taking his hand. He led her out onto the dance floor and pulled her in close, wrapping his arm around her waist. She felt a chill run down her spine at the familiarity of his touch and smiled.
Lucien was amazed at how perfectly she seemed to fit in his arms. They danced for a while like it was second nature to them. Being here with her felt so right. He twirled her around and she looked up at him, her eyes full of laughter. He smiled, happy that she was enjoying herself. Their faces were very close, and he could feel her breath on his chin. He wanted so badly to kiss her, but was afraid it would scare her so soon in their relationship. He wasn’t even sure if she felt the same about him. For all he knew, she just wanted them to be friends. He cleared his throat as the song ended and loosened his hold on her, stepping back.
“It looks like our food is here,” he whispered, nodding towards their table.
Trying to hide her disappointment, she smiled and followed him back. She had wanted him to kiss her so badly out there, she could almost taste it. She sighed as she dug into her food. This was going to be torture.
~*~
“Even after everything that’s happened, are you still refusing to admit that he could be our son?” Laura asked, frustrated that her husband was being so stubborn.
He sighed. “I’m not refusing to admit anything, babe. I just want to be careful. The boy says he’s a Cassidine. Even if there is a chance that he’s our cowboy, he obviously doesn’t remember. He’s loyal to Helena now, and that’s a very dangerous thing.”
“But, if he’s Lucky, then we can work on helping him get his memory back. I know he’s still in there somewhere. I have no idea what that witch did to him, but it has to be reversible somehow. Maybe we should talk to Gail or Kevin?”
Luke shook his head quickly. “No, we’re not talking to any shrinks yet. We still aren’t sure that he’s Lucky, okay? Let me keep digging right now. If we come up with anything concrete, then we’ll decide what to do about it. All we know right now is that his birthday is the same date as the fire, that Helena is his legal guardian, and Cesar Faison is supposedly his uncle. Now, of course that’s a bunch of hogwash, but we need to find out what they’re trying to do. Until I have solid proof that Lucky wasn’t in that fire, I can’t let myself believe that he’s still alive.”
“Luke, I am already certain that Lucien is our son. There is no doubt in my mind. Elizabeth feels the same way, as does Nikolas. Even Carly sees it! How much more is it going to take for you to give in?” Laura stood up and began pacing around the kitchen. She was still shocked about Faison being alive, and knowing that Lucky had been living with two of the most dangerous people she’d ever known about made her increasingly frightened. She didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Helena found out he was in Port Charles. She couldn’t bear to have him taken away again. Even though he didn’t remember her anymore, he was still her son.
“I know you all believe that he’s Lucky, and I respect that. Unfortunately, I’ve always been a very suspicious man, and it’s not in my nature to put faith in anything until I have proof. Right now we only have coincidences and hazy facts. It’s obvious to me that Helena is up to something, that’s a given. Until I figure out what that is, I won’t be able to relax. I’m sorry if that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but that’s just how I am.”
She sighed and went over to hug him. “I know, Luke. You’re just trying to protect us, and I’m thankful for that. I guess I’m just nervous right now. He’s out on a date with Liz, and I’m dying to know how it’s going. She promised to call first thing in the morning and tell me, but I don’t know if I’m going to make it that long!”
Luke laughed. “Come here, babe. I’m sure I can think of something to take your mind of things.” He stood up and walked over to her, lifting her face to look into her eyes, and kissing her deeply.
“No fair playing dirty,” she muttered, as he lead her upstairs to their bedroom.
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