 |
||
When Cassadines Fall
Preliminary
Nik knocks on Lulu's door. "Half an hour, Lulu. Then you have to leave for school. Grandmother already has your cereal out."
"Okay! I'll be right down." Lulu calls through the door.
Nik goes back down to the kitchen. He hesitates an then picks up the phone. "Alexis."
There is the sound of a yawn at the other end of the line. "Nikolas? Why are you calling so early? Is everything okay?"
"That's just what I was calling to ask you. Dara Jensen's preliminary hearing is today. Do you need anything? Do you want Lucky there?"
"Everything is ready. I already talked to Lucky. This is a preliminary hearing not a trial. If it goes to trial I'll need Lucky probably not before."
Nik jumps onto that one with both feet. "Probably?!"
"I already talked to Lucky, Nikolas. He isn't on my witness list. But he is making himself available nearby in case I need him to impeach a witness. But the Judge may not even let me get that far. It's handled. This is a battle, Nikolas... not the war."
"Now you are beginning to sound like Stefan."
"Ouch. I won't tell my husband you said that."
Lulu comes down to the kitchen. She is dressed for school and carries her backpack. There is a scarf wrapped around her head. She goes over to the table dropping her books at her feet as she reaches for the cereal. "Well if it's all under control. I'll let you go." Nikolas hangs up reluctantly. "Lesley Lu, what are you wearing on your head?"
"It's a 'do rag. That's what Maddy calls it. She said since she leaves before I do and can't braid my hair in the morning... this will protect the braids if she does them the night before." Lulu carefully pours a small amount of milk over the cereal. Too much and it would be soggy city.
Nik shakes out a chewable multivitamin from where Lesley had left them next to the sink and takes a seat across from his sister offering it to her. Well that explained why Maddy liked to wear scarves sometimes. He'd just thought it was a style thing. "Lucky said you didn't have a good day yesterday."
"It's all fixed now." Lulu answers with a shrugs. "Some kids were mean to me. Lucas called last night, one of his friends told him what happened. He says if they are mean again he will beat them up at recess."
Both of Nik's brows go up at that reply. "Oh?! How about before that happens I talk to your teacher this morning?"
"If you want but it's all fixed." Lulu says confidently. Having a sixth grader on her team would make all the difference.
Lesley comes back into the kitchen. It takes her a bit longer to get ready working around the cast so she'd set out Lulu's breakfast supplies before getting changed out of her nightclothes. She takes a step back as she looks at her grandaughter. Unlike her grandson she knows the purpose of the scarf. It reminded her of her mother who'd wear something very similiar to protect her shampoo sets back in the day. Lesley realizes now what had upset Lulu the day before. She bites her lip. Damn. She should have known. As soon as Lulu picks up her bowl and puts it in the dishwasher, Lesley reaches into her purse and pulls out a comb. "Nikky, could you untie the knot on the scarf for me?" Lesley asks as she takes a seat. Nik examines it closely and then unties the knot unwrapping the scarf. "Come here, baby." Taking the comb, Lesley fluffs up Lulu's bangs and examines the two french braids. "There you go. Pretty as a picture."
"Princess Lesley Lu, Your chariot awaits." Nik says with a bow. Lulu giggles but gathers her bag, stomps into her boots and grabs her coat. "Grandmother, I will be back shortly. If possible I want to have a chat with Lulu's teacher."
Lesley nods in agreement. She waits until they are gone to reach for the phone. She sets the receiver on the table and dials a memorized number then picks it up and holds it to her ear. "Yes, this is Lesley Webber. I'm calling to check on the condition of my daughter, Laura Spencer."
"Rita, Haul Ass! I have to get to the restaurant." Cookie calls up the stairs.
"I can't find my English book!" Rita hollers back.
"You were working in your dad's study last night!" Cookie replies with a shout.
"Dang it!" Rita races down the stairs. "I knew that." She runs right by Cookie and into the study. "Got it."
Cookie looks at her watch. They are running late. JD had already left for the courthouse. "I'll make you breakfast at Porters."
"Emily is back today." Rita comes out of the study stuffing the missing book into her bag.
"I know. That's why your brother is taking the day off. Do you have everything now?" Cookie looks her stepdaughter over from head to toe. "What are you doing after school?"
"Dad has some preliminary hearings but he thought he could get off early and take me to the movies. We're going to make an early night of it though since I have that try out tomorrow for the basketball team."
"Well let's meet up at Eli's for dinner after you two do the movie. I know I'm not going to want to look at a kitchen after dealing with Frank at the shift change."
"He's getting better." Rita reminds Cookie.
"He's still an idiot."
"Good morning, Grandmother, Grandfather!" Em strides into the family room.
"Emily Darling!" Lila exclaims the delight in her voice. "Reggie didn't tell me you'd gotten in!"
Edward rises to his feet and gives Em a big hug and smooch. Then stands back. "You'd think in the land of pasta they would have fattened you up a bit. You're still skinny as a rail."
"Grandfather!"
"Edward!" Lila joins Em's protest.
Em reaches over to kiss Lila's cheek and then goes over to the breakfast bar and grabs a roll and some fruit. She takes the seat next to her grandmother and across from Edward. "I got in late last night, early this morning. We dropped Mom off at the Port Charles Hotel so she could see Dad and then Reg brought me home. Reg and I decided to let it be a surprise this morning."
Edward reaches over at pats her hand. "Well it's a good thing that nice surprises don't cause heart attacks!"
"Oh you!" Em grins back at him. "So what did I miss? Did you have a happy Thanksgiving?"
"No turkey." Edward mutters petulantly.
"Nonsense. We had a lovely day, dear. Cookie invited us to join her family. Johnny was missing you of course."
"Boy has been calling every day." Edward grumbles but actually he'd enjoyed his conversations with Johnny knowing they were both missing Em.
"Now that isn't exactly true, dear." Lila corrects Edward. She leans toward Emily and whispers loud enough for him to hear. "Actually your Grandfather has been taking his early coffee over at Porters on the way to the office."
"REGINALD!!!!" Edward bellows. Damn snitch. There was no way Lila could know that unless Reggie told. Reg had been driving him to the office everyday.
Ned helps Alexis on with her coat and then grabs her briefcase before she can. Then holds the door to the gate house open for her so she can exit while he locks up. "So who called while I was in the shower?"
"Nikolas. He's beginning to show a tendency to micromanage."
Ned laughs. "Is that any surprise considering who he hangs out with?" Ned puts a hand at her waist while he escorts his wife to the car.
Alexis sighs. "No. But I was really hoping it would skip a generation." Alexis takes her briefcase from Ned so he can go around to the driver's side. Once her hubby slides into the car. "Kelly's this morning?"
"You're reading my mind again. French toast and then off to the office." Ned pulls out onto the road. "Lois is suppose to call this morning. She's got the new guy whipped into shape and his agent running scared. We should have a deal before the new year. I think she is already planning the tour. How is your morning looking?"
"Not as interesting as my afternoon which is fine. Dara is going stir crazy so if you don't mind I'm going to have her use your office. I have some routine wills and partner agreements she can write up. She and I both know it's busy work but keeping busy and distracted is a blessing until we actually have to deal with the prelim."
"No problem." Ned is careful to keep his face noncommital but inside he is cheering. Yes, yes, Yes! Nikolas and Stefan aren't the only ones who are prone to micromanaging. His wife had proven over and over again unwilling to give up a single motion of her practice. Maybe this is the start of her really looking for someone to split the burden with. "You know I work better at the conference table anyway... or back in the studio."
Stefan raps on the door firmly once before entering. Monica looks up from behind her desk. She is standing going over the bulk of her mail that had come in while she'd been on vacation. Journals to her briefcase to read at home, half of the messages in the round file, memos quickly scanned and then put in a file in her drawer. "Welcome Back, Dr Quartermaine. You were missed."
"It's good to be back." Monica agrees but her radar goes on high. Stefan telling her she was missed? What is the guy up to? Missing her skills maybe-- she'd buy that one. "Chit chat done. What's up?"
Stefan indicates her seat. Monica sits down. Stefan sits in the chair across from her. "I took the liberty of handling the routine paperwork while you were away. I understand you are jumping back in with both feet and have already scheduled surgeries."
Monica's radar goes into overdrive. She is going to have to spend at least part of her day doublechecking what Stefan had done. Not that he would do anything wrong just that he would set things up the way he wanted them. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"None at all." Stefan replies with a small smile that puts the hair up on the back of Monica's neck. "But I am working on a project that will impact your schedule."
Damn control freak. She knew it. Nobody messed with her schedule. "Oh?"
"The headhunter's report has come back as well as the background investigations. I have a list of qualified Neurosurgeons. As Chief of Staff your input on the final selection is imperative and demands your immediate attention." Stefan hands her the file.
"Stefan, you've had this in the works for weeks why the push now?" Monica takes the file and opens it up curiously.
"You are perhaps unaware that Nikolas' mother and grandmother were in a serious car accident over the holiday. Laura is in a coma. It is distressing to me that upon her transfer to Port Charles her care could be compromised by not having the best here."
"My God! No. I didn't know." Monica looks up from the file. "Is Nikolas down in North Carolina?"
"No, he has already returned with his Grandmother and his sister. While Tony Jones is competent for consultations and nonsurgical interventions..." The sneer in is voice is clear. "...if it should become necessary for a more invasive procedure Nikolas' mother will have only the best and I want that person on staff here."
Monica nods. If it were her family she'd feel the same. "I'll review this and have an opinion by the end of business today."
Stefan rises. "Excellent. Your presence will also be needed when the offer is made."
"You mean the seduction." Monica shakes her head ruefully. "What are you planning on offering to get the person on staff?"
"Whatever works. I'll be in the hospital until five. Have me paged when you reach your decision."
Reggie opens the door to Maddy having seen her pull up the drive. "They are in the family room."
"Thanks." Maddy grabs Reg's arm as he turns away. "Reggie, do you know if anyone has told Miss Lila and Mr Q about Laura Spencer?"
Reg shakes his head. "I must be missing something? Laura Spencer?"
"Oh hell." Maddy sighs heavily. "Well stick around then I only want to say this one once. If Em had been home they would already know."
"Is this going to upset Lila?"
"Probably. But I think not telling her would upset her more." Maddy goes into the family room followed by Reg. "Hey Mr Q, Miss Lila."
"Maddy, Look who showed up in the middle of the night." Edward moves out of the way so Maddy can see Emily sitting across from him.
"Hey Maddy!" Emily pops up from the table and goes over to her friend giving her a quick hug. "I couldn't get the hunk thru customs."
"Dang. What good are you?" Maddy kids. She goes over to the breakfast bar and pours herself a cup of coffee and then takes the free seat next to Edward. Reggie stands behind Lila. Em takes her seat again. Maddy reaches out to take Edward's hand. "Sorry to drop this on you your first day home but I think you need to know this one ASAP, Em. Nik and Lucky's Mom and Grandmother were in a car accident on Thanksgiving day."
"Is Laura okay?" Edward demands. He'd always had a soft spot for her despite her lousy choice in spouse.
Maddy shakes her head. "Lulu is fine, Granny Lesley has an arm that was broken in a couple of different places. The doctors repaired the internal injuries on Nik's mother but she hasn't woken up from the surgery... it's been four days."
"Oh dear." Lila starts reaching for her handkerchief. Reggie is already there with his. "Oh dear. What can we do to help? Those poor children... and Laura... oh Laura."
"What is Nik and Lucky's number down in Carolina?" Emily makes the automatic assumption.
"They're both back at the house." Maddy corrects. "They brought back Lulu and Granny Lesley. They are staying at the house too. Mr Spencer stayed in North Carolina until Mrs Spencer can be moved."
"No matter what the cost! I want specialists flow in. Reggie! Get Alan on the phone." Edward pats Maddy's hand. "Don't you worry your pretty little head. Alan might be an idiot where business is concerned, but he is a great doctor."
"Dad will be so glad to know you think so." Em says wryly.
"Lucky already had the top guy in Carolina take a look at their mom. But I know that Nik will appreciate any names Dr Alan gives him."
"You said Lulu is fine. Was she home when the accident happened?" Lila asks. She has wiped the stray tear away. She strives to keep her composure knowing that Edward and Reg are watching her like a hawk ready to confine her to her room if she appears too distressed.
"Oh no. She was there. Fastened up in the back seat. Her mama is out cold and obviously hurt. Lesley is wide awake and in pain. Lulu got the cell phone to her Granny so that Lesley could tell the paramedics where to come and what the situation was. She was a little rock. She had to be out of her head with fear especially when the doctors took both her mom and Granny into surgery and left her there in the hospital to wait alone with strangers."
"That's horrible!" Em protests.
"Luckily the kid knows her dad's cell number. She called him. Jax flew Mr Spencer down as soon as he got the call. Nik and Lucky were right behind them on the Cassadine Jet. I'm still kinda ticked that Mr Spencer didn't get the guys before he flew down."
"And so you should be." Lila tsks. "Luke is... impulsive. Lesley is staying at Nikolas' house, you say?" Lila continues at Maddy's nod. "Reginald, I'll want to go out in an hour... but first I really need to go out to my greenhouse."
"You got it, Mrs Q." Reggie pulls Lila's wheelchair away from the table.
"Lila..." Edward tries to get her to take it easy.
"Edward, you get in touch with Alan. I'm sure he will want to visit with Lesley as well." Lila continues on her way.
Edward mutters to himself. "It's Jason all over again." Then he gets up to make the call.
Maddy leans in toward Em. "What did he mean by that?" She whispers quietly.
"Jason was in a car accident and badly injured. He didn't wake up for a long time after the accident. When he did he wasn't the same. He became a whole different person with the same face. It's taken years but finally everyone has accepted that Jason Quartermaine died in that coma and Jason Morgan was born when he woke."
"Oh Gees!" Maddy protests. "I don't think anyone has throught that far ahead. I hadn't even thought of that possibility. It would destroy the guys."
"Yeah, it isn't easy. Not on the person injured nor the family." Em agrees. "And Tony Jones didn't help. He basically told the family that Jason due to his injuries was an emotional void better off institutionalized. Capable of nothing but anger and violence."
Maddy recoils. "Whoa! He said that?!"
"Oh he was more tactful but that came through loud and clear."
"Okay. I don't know your brother all that well. By sight, to say hi. We do business at the warehouse when I'm picking up for the kiosks. But I'll tell you flat out-- that's bull****. What about everything you told me about Carly... about Michael? About his relationship with you and Miss Lila?"
"Yeah, Dr Jones was a little off on his diagnosis."
"I got to let Niknik know about this." Maddy mutters.