People Will Say We’re in Love-Chapter 11
"I think you were right," Laura told her mother smiling. "This was a good idea, and Lulu is really enjoying herself." She sighed as she spread out the blanket on the ground.
"But, you just wish Lucky was here with you," Lesley said knowingly. "Don’t give up hope, Laura, one day Lucky will be here sharing this with us. You can’t lose faith."
She nodded and took a deep breath. "I know, and I won’t. We will find Lucky. I know that." She looked into the distance at her daughter playing on the swings. She had to be strong, and one day her family would be complete. But, complete with whom, Luke or… "Stefan," she said seeing him.
"Good afternoon, Lesley, Laura," he said greeting them. "I see that you, too, are taking advantage of this pleasant weather."
"Hello, Stefan and Dara," Lesley said smiling. "Yes, we are having a picnic with Lulu. I thought that she might enjoy the fresh air." Laura merely smiled at them
"Well," Dara said laughing. "That seems to be a common idea today. It really is beautiful out here."
Laura raised an eyebrow at what Dara just said. "You and Stefan are having a picnic, too?"
"We are meeting Alexis and several others. I am not quite sure who is coming with her," he informed her. He smiled slightly at Laura’s obvious show of jealousy.
"There they are," Dara said turning around and saw the others coming to join them.
"Hi," Alexis said giving Stefan a small hug and Dara a smile. "So, you’re the guest that Stefan requested to bring?" Alexis said with a mischievous grin.
"Yes, to pay me back for the wonderful time he had last night," she told her laughing. She did not miss the look that Laura threw Stefan. It was obvious that there were still feelings there. "Hello, Jax, Mr. Corinthos," she said. "And, I don’t think that we’ve met," she said extending a hand to Esmerelda. "I’m Dara Jensen."
Esmerelda smiled and switched the basket to the other hand and shook Dara’s hand. "I’m Esmerelda Johnson."
"Nice to meet you," she said. "How did you get mixed up with this bunch?" she teased.
"You know, I asked myself that, too," she said laughing. "But, I’m Sonny’s cousin, and since I don’t really know anyone really well here in town, I impose myself on the people he knows."
"So that explains it," Jax said jokingly.
"Anyway," she said rolling her eyes and ignoring him. "This looks like a nice spot."
"I agree," Alexis said. It would be nice to have Stefan and Laura is such close proximity so that she could tell if Stefan were really through with his Lasha. "If that’s okay with you, Laura and Lesley."
"That’s not a problem. The more the merrier," Lesley said smiling. She, too, wanted to see how her daughter would behave around Stefan. She knew that Laura claimed to be over him, but she really didn’t believe that.
Alexis laughed to herself as she thought about the people gathered at this picnic. It certainly was an interesting collection of people. Sworn enemies were together, as well as ex-lovers. This was going to be interesting, she thought as she helped Dara unpack their meal.
"What’s so funny?" Dara asked her smiling.
She shrugged. "I don’t know, I just think that we have an interesting group here. Just very interesting, that’s all."
Dara looked over at the sound of laughter, and saw Esmerelda laughing obviously at something Jax had just said. She noticed how the two of them were a little distanced from the rest of the group. "What I find interesting is that Esmerelda and Jax are together despite the fact that she’s Sonny’s cousin. I know he must not like that."
Alexis smiled and shook her head. "They’re not together," she corrected her.
"Really, they sure look like they are to me," Dara commented.
"Yeah, it does, doesn’t it. Well, we will just have to wait and see what comes of that. You and Stefan are becoming regular bosom buddies, aren’t you?" Alexis said teasing her.
Dara rolled her eyes. "We just went to a concert together and now a picnic. I would hardly call that becoming bosom buddies."
She shrugged again. "I just call it like I see it. Come on everybody," she called out. "Let’s get started. I paid good money for this."
To the surprise of most of the people there, the afternoon progressed quite well. There were no arguments, and there were no fights. This could be attributed to the fact that the group had basically paired off, so has not to have to speak directly with any offending parties.
Esmerelda ventured outside of that safety circle. "Laura," she began. "You daughter is a very lovely girl," she said looking at the girl, who had returned to her play on the playground once she had finished eating.
Laura smiled and also observed her daughter. "Thank you very much. That is very kind of you."
"Do you have any more children?" Laura became sullen. "I’m sorry," she said. "Did I mispeak?"
"No," she said shaking her head. "I have two sons. You’ll have to meet them; I’m sure they would like you."
"In spite of the fact that I obviously put my foot in my mouth," she said smiling. "That would be great, I would love to meet them." She turned her attention back to Jax. "It’s obvious that there is something really strange going on in this town."
"What do you mean?" he asked although when he arrived, he thought the same thing.
"Look at this group," she said moving closer to him so that no one would hear. "Stefan is avoiding Laura, and she’s avoiding him. Laura keeps giving Dara these weird looks. I know that you and Sonny don’t get along, which for the life of me I still can’t figure out."
"I explained all of that to you," he reminded her.
"I know you did, but I still can’t figure it out," she reiterated. "So, what gives. The only connection I can really understand is that Stefan and Alexis are brother and sister."
He smiled at her. "I’ll explain the innerworkings of Port Charles’ citizens to you later. I’m afraid it’s going to take quite a while."
She laughed. "I believe you. It’s going to take you a long while just to explain yourself."
"Esmerelda certainly is enjoying herself," Alexis noted to Sonny. "I’m glad that Jax thought to invite her."
"So it was Jax’s idea, was it?" Sonny said staring at the two of them. "I don’t trust him, Alexis. If he hurts my cousin…"
"Sonny," she said calming him down. "Esmerelda is not going to get hurt. The two of you really need to get over this resentment of one another. It’s been a long time, Sonny. You both need to talk to each other."
"Why? There is no need to."
Alexis smiled at him. "I don’t know about that. I should say that there is a need to, or rather there maybe a need to. I’ll say that the reason is sitting right over there."
"I’ve said all I need to say to him. I’ve been quiet long enough about him with Esmerelda, but I think there are some things that need to be dealt with on that front, before things get too out of hand." He moved to stand up. "Are you ready to go?" he asked her after she placed a hand on his arm.
She sighed and removed her hand, and he helped her up. The two of them would just have to get along, if she had anything to do about it, anyway. "It has been great, but it’s getting kind of late. Maybe we should start cleaning up," she suggested.
Esmerelda glanced at her watch. "It’s later than I thought it was. Time really does fly. It was really nice to meet some more of Port Charles’ residents," she said smiling as she referred to those present that she did not know before the day. They all agreed and departed.
*****
"What are you doing here?" she asked leaning against the doorframe. "I thought I told you not to come around here. Do you think that Sonny would like to hear about you being here?" she asked smirking as she crossed her arms.
"Sonny doesn’t have anything to do with me seeing my son, Carly," AJ said with some difficulty. "I want to see my son, Carly. You can’t keep him from me."
She raised an eyebrow. "You wanna bet. You know what, AJ, I’m tired of arguing with you about this." She came closer to him and sniffed. "My god, AJ, you’ve been drinking."
He shrugged. "Maybe I’ve had a glass or two, but I still want to see my son. Carly, you can’t do this to me," he informed her.
"I don’t think that you are in the position to tell me what I can or can’t do. He is my son, and I will do what is best for my son, even if it means that you stay away from him," she said gesturing.
"Who’s at the door, Carly," Bobbie asked coming up the door. "AJ," she said flatly and blinking in shock. "What’s going on here?" she asked looking from one to the other.
"AJ was just about to leave," Carly told her going to shut the door.
"Wait a minute," he said placing his hand on the door. "I want to see my son now!!" he demanded. He came to see his child, and he was not planning until he did just that. Carly had kept him from his son for too long.
"Do you think that is the best thing right now?" Bobbie asked trying to appease the situation. "Carly brought Michael over to the mansion. She is trying," she said placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "Now, I suggest you do the same. Stop drinking, AJ," she said softly before pushing the door closed. "Are you okay?" she asked Carly as she rubbed her back.
She nodded her head as she absently rubbed her stomach. She looked up at Bobbie. "AJ is not going to take my son," she declared. "He’s not," she added as she walked away and to her room.