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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Ninety Nine
It's A Party.
Emily beats Sally, the maid, to the door, she's been expecting this delivery all day. Dressed in sweats and her hair in hot rollers, this is the day of the big party over at Wyndemere for Alexis and Ned.
"I have a delivery for Emily Quartermaine." The messenger indicates.
"I'm Emily." Em reaches for the clipboard and signs her name in a quick scrawl. "I've been waiting for this." The messenger hands Em the oversized package from Gary Winslow.
Reginald comes up from behind her. "I would have gotten it."
"I know." Em grins. "I'm going down to the gatehouse. Will you let Grandmother know where I am? This is a present for Alexis for her party."
"No problem." Reg nods. "The old man has been grumbling about this thing all day. You know how much he loves spends time with the Cassadines."
Em winces. "Has he mentioned a party yet?"
"Yeah, it's been brought up. Ms Lila ignored him. She wants Alexis to feel welcomed not overwealmed."
"Good plan. Nothing should be planned until after Brooke goes back to Bensonhurst. I'm sure that Alexis is already pulling her hair out."
"Stoneybrooke here she comes." Reg mutters.
"It's not that bad... yet." Em answers. Gathering the package to her she dashes down to the gatehouse. She enters without knocking. "Alexis?!"
"I'm up here." Alexis calls up out from upstairs. She stares at her closet. Maybe if she stared at it long enough the choices would change. She had her Nurses Ball outfits. The black dominatrix number which is not appropriate for a new bride. Some of her christmas outfits. There was always the long skirt with the white manstyle blouse. Ned knew he wasn't marrying a fashion plate. She's a lawyer damnit! Who the heck has time to shop?!
"Where are Ned and Brooke?" Emily calls as she comes up the stairs.
"He took her down to the docks to check out the crane. Then they were going to go to Kelly's for dinner before he dropped her off at the babysitter."
"Babysitter?" Emily asks from the door.
"Yeah, Leticia volunteered over at Jason's. She's already going to be there with Michael." Alexis looks over to the doorway. "Oh my gosh, you are out of the cast."
"Yep, free at last! Dad xrayed it, and it's healed. So no stinking cast as I hobble up to Wyndemere. Why did I know this is where I'd find you?"
"Cause you know I don't have a thing to wear. This thing's been coming ever since Ned and I got married, and I don't have a thing to wear."
"You've been busy."
"Right. I'm a lawyer, a career woman-- not a fashion plate." Alexis looks over at Em again. "Sorry-- no offense."
"None taken. And luckily you married into a family that has someone with fashion connections." Emily offers the package. "I think there is something in here for both of us."
"You are a lifesaver!" Alexis reaches for the package.
"You haven't even seen it yet." Emily reminds her.
Alexis looks at the return address. "Gary Winslow. Isn't that the guy who did the outfit you're in the picture of over at Deception?" Alexis wonders with some trepidation. Emily had looked wonderful in the portrait but kind of mix of space age/medievel princess in that portrait. Not her style at all.
"Yep." Emily sits down on the bed waiting as Alexis tears into the package. The dresses are carefully packed with tissue so there are no wrinkles. She pulls them out of the package ready to wear. "Gary has seen you in some of the press stuff you've done for the Cassadines as well as some of your court appearances. All I had to do was send him your size. He says it won't fit as perfectly as if he'd actually measured you but he thinks it'll work. Just make sure if anyone asks you tell them who the dress is by."
"Oh my." Alexis breathes out as she pulls out the royal blue strapless gown and holds it up against her.
"I scanned him a copy of the Cassadine Medallion. I figured since it's a Cassadine party you'd be wearing it tonight." Emily leans over the package. "Here is the jacket that goes over it." Emily hands Alexis the jacket. "Try it on. If there needs to be any alterations, Sally is handy with a needle."
Alexis ducks into her walk in closet. Quickly stripping down to her undergarments she slides into the dress and comes out to have Em help her fasten up the back. She makes a conscious choice to not look in the mirror until she can get the full affect. Emily quickly fastens Alexis in. Alexis takes the jacket and shrugs into it. The bolero style jacket is a heavy weight velvet with a narrow band of russian black sable trim at the collar and the cuffs. Parting the jacket reveals the closely fitted heavy satin top in royal blue. The skirt flares out from the waist-- brocaded and beaded in black. Alexis looks in the mirror. "What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect. I think you'll knock them all dead."
"Not the phrase I'd use for a Cassadine gathering." Alexis quips. She turns this way and that. "I like it. What about yours?"
Emily reaches into the package. Gary had planned for her being in the cast. She'd even reluctantly told him what color it was. The nice thing about Gary was that he had been oblivious to how she'd busted her leg and concentrated on how he was going to work around it even while he'd been trying to rope her into modeling for his next collection despite her rebuttals. She'd always been a print model not a runway model.
The outfit is in shades of lavender with a flowing split skirt. Gary had gone with the signature fitted sleeves for her with an off the shoulder top decorated with silver and crystal beading. Alexis reaches into the package and comes up with a small velvet box that has a coordinating choker style silver amythest necklace and dangling earrings. "Oh I like!" Emily coos.
At Wyndemere. Mrs Lansbury makes an adjustment to her uniform glancing in the mirror. The last minute details were handled. The guests would be arriving any time now. The confirmations had come in as each suite had been filled at the Port Charles Hotel. The Quartermaines were going to get rich off this little party. Masters Nikolas and Stefan are upstairs getting ready as well.
"Well they'll have a busy evening, keeping the vultures off the bride." Mrs L mutters. Alexis hadn't endeared herself to the extended Cassadine family. She'd been the bearer of bad tidings to anyone trying to put their hand in the Cassadine trust. Even before it had been revealed that Ms Alexis had been the master's sister and the Prince's aunt she'd been the lawyer for the trust. As soon as Master Stefan had wrenched power from the wicked witch when Nikolas had been only seven, Alexis had been there guarding Stefan's back. Sure, the last few years had been difficult. But they'd put that all behind them.
"Mrs Lansbury, I can't find my cufflinks!" Nikolas hollars down the stairs.
"That boy knows better than to hollar like that." Mrs L mutters. She knew cause she had taught him better than that. She dodges one of the caterers as she goes up the stairs. Knocking on Nikolas' door, she pauses and then enters. "Your cufflinks you said, sir?"
"I don't know why I have to wear the blasted things anyway." Nikolas adjusts the shirt and tugs on the sleeves.
"Because it goes with the outfit and The Family expects it." Mrs L reminds him. Reaching into the pocket of the dinner jacket she pulls out the cufflinks and helps him fasten them. "I think you put them in the jacket so you wouldn't forget them?"
"Oh right." Nik winces sheepishly. "Thanks."
"No problem, sir." She picks a microscopic piece of lint off the jacket before handing it to him.
"How long until everyone starts to arrive?"
"Everyone or Miss Emily?" Mrs Lansbury looks in the mirror from behind Nikolas.
"Yes."
"Everyone will be arriving momentarily. Miss Emily will probably accompany Ms Alexis and her new husband and thus arrive later."
"Damn." Nikolas sees Mrs L's frown. "That was mild from what I was really thinking." He says defensively.
"Yes, sir. If there is nothing else. I should check on the staff."
"And security. I would prefer to not have grandmother attending this evening."
"I'll inform them of your wishes." Mrs L makes a small bow and departs. Once down the stairs she realizes the first of the guests has arrived. "Miss Maddy?"
"Hello Mrs L. Is everything going smoothly? Be honest. You need anything let me know."
"The other boat captain was more than sufficient." Mrs L automatically takes Maddy's coat revealing the silk chinese red cheongsam beneath it-- detailed with dragons and closely fitting her figure. Rather that the traditional black trousers Maddy is instead wearing a full length black skirt. Her hair is pulled back in an intricate twist that leaves a good portion of her hair falling down the middle of her back.
"Is my date ready?"
"Your date, Miss?"
"That would be me." Stefan says from the top of the stairs. "You look beautiful, Madeliene. I hope you weren't offended that I sent the car."
"Not at all. I know you have your hands full. So how soon can we ditch these stiffs and get a rocking game of chess going?"
"You know me too well. But there are appearances to be maintained."
"Yeah, right and you're showing up with a girl young enough to be your daughter."
"As I said --appearances." Maddy bursts into laughter filling the living room. Stefan allows himself a small grin as well. "Can I offer you an aperitif?"
"Something soft. I'm getting the feeling I'll need my wits about me this evening." Mrs L can see that Maddy is going to keep Master Stefan occupied and out of her hair and goes about making sure there are no last minute gliches. "This place dresses up pretty nicely for parties. It doesn't seem quite so...."
"Dark?"
"Exactly." Maddy takes the drink that Stefan offers her and takes a quick sip. "So when do the bride and groom arrive?"
"Knowing Alexis, as late as politely possible. Cassadine gatherings are grim as a rule."
"Well we'll just have to change that reputation. Course we'll have to get Niknik to not be such a stick in the mud; he kinda sets the tone."
"Maddy?!" Stefan and Maddy turn to the stairs where the voice had come. Nik snaps his jaw shut. "What are you...."
"Invited. I've got one around here somewhere or I could have given it up at the launch when I was frisked for weapons. You're looking good, Candy."
"Maddy." Nik shakes his head. "You can't..."
"Oh lighten up. It's a party. And I think the guests are starting to arrive." Maddy moves to the side to check out the scene. The launches are spitting out parties of ten. There is enough time between launches for each of the family members to pay their respects to the prince and his regent. With names and faces being her business, Maddy stays close enough to hear who is who but out of the limelight. After about forty five minutes the Quartermaines arrive with the Bride and Groom. Lila had stayed behind not wanting to risk the docks or the trip up to the mansion. If it was possible the remaining Quartermaines look grimmer than the Cassadines. "I should have gone to Luke's." Maddy mutters.
"I heard that." Stefan says as an aside before reaching to take Alan's hand and greet him. Meanwhile Nikolas kisses Alexis on first one cheek and then the other. Stefan then does the same. Nikolas shakes Ned's hand and then stepping between them does the introduction.
"The guests of Honor-- Alexis Davidovich and her husband Edward Lawrence Ashton." There is a polite round of applause. Alexis and Ned start circulating the room. Emily claps along with Nikolas. "I thought you'd never arrive." Nik mutters to her. "You look beautiful. Let me guess--" Nik looks her over from arms length. "That Winslow guy. And wait-- something is missing.... no crutches, no canes, no cast."
"Not quite up to dancing the night away but I might be able to take a turn or two." Emily teases. "Maddy! Hey I didn't know you were going to be here."
"I was a last minute addition to the guest list." Maddy shrugs. She gives Edward a hug.
"At least you're decently covered this time, young lady." Edward grumbles as he pats her on the back awkwardly.
Maddy smoothes his jacket and makes an adjustment to the boutainere. "I see how you are... stepping out on Ms Lila. She know you're on the prowl?"
"My wife sent me off to this... function with a specific instructions and that is making sure everyone we brought left the island in one piece. I'm adding you to the those instructions. You should have come over with us."
"My date sent a car."
"You date?"
"Madeliene, shall we?" Stefan steps up beside Maddy and offers her his hand.
"Let's. This should set this place arocking." Maddy grins. "Talk to you later, Mr Q."
"Wha... wha..." Edward stutters. "Emily!"
"Don't ask me, grandfather. I didn't know anything about this." Em throws up her hands. Nikolas quickly offers her his hand and they join Stefan and Maddy on the dance floor. "Do you know anything about this? I would have thought that Stefan would bring your mother."
"Laura isn't connected to either Alexis or Ned. Fact is Alexis and Laura have never really gotten along. It wouldn't have been appropriate. I think Stefan is just stirring things up with Maddy." Nikolas looks around the room and sure enough can see the whispers going around the room. This was definitely taking the heat off of Alexis. Maddy and Stefan laughing and dancing in the middle of the ballroom was more of an annomaly than Alexis getting married could ever be. "I think in his own way he's taking the focus from Alexis."
"The bride is supposed to be the center of attention." Emily frowns.
"Not at a Cassadine party. It's healthier to be not in the ..." Nikolas searches for the word.
"Crosshairs?" Em provides the phrase well familiar from practicing it with her own family.
"Exactly."
A hush falls over the ballroom as Helena enters. Maddy looks around Stefan's shoulder to see what had put pause to the party. "Oh my gosh, it's Cruella DeVille."
"Who?" Stefan turns his partner on the dance floor. "No, Madeliene-- that is my mother." He says grimly. Glancing over at Alexis he sees her shrug the nonverbal no surprise there. Nikolas stalks over leaving Emily standing next to Ned and Alexis. His face is flushed with fury. What use was being The Prince if his orders weren't followed?
Mrs Lansbury's mouth is set in a grim line. She could order the guards to bar the old witch but ordering the grandmother of the prince, especially her former lover's wife out, was quite another. "Mrs Cassadine...."
Helena shrugs out of her full length white fox cape revealing the closely fitted white dress with crystal beading. She throws the cape over Mrs L's outreached arm and skillfully sidesteps the blocking move of Mrs L. "Nikolas, my darling...."
"Get out, Helena." Nikolas demands in a low terse voice.
The smooth slow voice as thick as molasses. "Niknik, is that anyway to talk to your Granny?" Maddy cuts between Nik and Helena and starts herding Helena toward the fireplace. "Why you must be chilled clear to the bone! You've got no insulation on you at all." Maddy blends the at all to sound like atall. Stefan allows himself a small smile mentally translating no insulation = scrawny. "And so brave to come out on a night like tonight why if you'd slipped on those stairs, a woman as wise..." {old}"...as you are could've slipped and broken your hip in like twelve places. Granny Martine did that back in N'Orleans. Eight weeks in a cast then straight to a nursing home." Maddy's voice grows sad. "She never did come out. All 'cause of three steps on her porch."
Soon Helena is by the fire sitting in one of the high back chairs. "How about a nice pot of tea? Mrs Lansbury?" Mrs L doesn't even question but flags down a maid. "Now who do you want to talk to? I'll fetch them for you. 'Course if you want to talk to Nikolas it might be a bit since he has to do the host thing." Nik, who had been watching slack jawed as Maddy herded the Scourge of Eastern Europe, disappears into the crowd knowing a clue when he heard one. "Why don't I get Mr Q for you? That sounds proper since you're the bride's stepmama, and he's the patriarch of the Q's. I'll be right back."
Maddy walks over to Edward. "Ten minutes with Helena and I'll tell you what Emily wants for Christmas. Twenty and I'll tell you what Carly wants too."
"Twenty one and you're spending Thanksgiving at the mansion." Edward negotiates.
Maddy groans; she's already heard stories. "From the time your seat hits that seat." Maddy refers to the chair across from Helena.
"Deal." Edward agrees.
Maddy starts looking around from the next victim, circulating the room. Smoothly she slides in next to Nik. "Candy, you're up with Granny in 19 minutes do not be late or I'll skin ya."
"Maddy!" Nik protests.
"Consider it a present for the bride." Maddy keeps moving. If this was going to work she was gonna have to keep the ole witch in that chair and her access to the party extremely limited.