People Will Say We’re in Love-Chapter 13
"Hi, Laura," Liz said when she walked up to the counter. "How are you today?" she asked nonchalantly as she wiped down the counter.
She gave her a small smile. "I’m fine, thanks for asking. I just came in to pick up my dinner order. Lulu really wanted hamburgers today."
"Okay," she said smiling as well. "I’ll go get it." She was glad for the excuse to leave her and get her thoughts in order. It was hard being around Lucky’s mother and trying to keep her mind off of him. Sure, he was found and was not dead. But, he was not there with them, and did not seem to want to be found. She wanted so much to know what happened to him in that year and be there for him. "Here you go," she said handing her the bag.
"Thank you," she said accepting the bag. "You know, he will come home to us," she reassured her knowing what was on the young woman’s mind.
"I guess I can’t hide it can I? I am worried about him. There’s no way that I can stop that. Nikolas says that I shouldn’t worry so much, but I really can’t help it," she admitted.
"You and Nikolas have been spending quite a lot of time together, haven’t you? Well, that’s good, maybe you both can help each other through this. I must admit that I wish that he would come to me about this, but I’m glad that he has you. Well, I better get home before my daughter withers away," she said smiling after she made her little joke.
Liz smiled as she left and then took a deep breath. This was going to be harder than she thought. When would Lucky finally return to them? "Tammy," she said going back into the kitchen. "I’m about to go now."
"Okay," she said drying her hands on her apron. "Are you okay, honey?" she asked concerned.
She nodded. "I’m fine. I’m just going to take a walk and probably go over to my studio for a little while. I’ll be sure to call you when I get home."
"That’s fine. Be careful," she told her. She and Liz had long ago come up with a system. She always made sure to call her when she got home so that she wouldn’t worry too much about her.
"I will," she answered while taking off her apron and hanging it up before leaving.
*****
"See, Mama," she said when she heard Bobbie enter her room. "I tried to work things out with AJ, and it’s not working."
"I don’t understand what the problem is," Bobbie said sitting on her bed. "You took him over there, and you said that Michael was happy, and AJ was doing fine with seeing Michael when you brought him over."
"I know, he was, or so I thought. But, tonight, was a glimpse of the old, drunk AJ. I wasn’t going to let him see Michael in that state. Besides, when he and if he sees Michael again, it will be on my terms. I made that more than clear with him. I guess what they say is true, once a drunk, always a drunk."
"Carly, don’t say things like that. He is that little boy’s father, and it might be good if you were to extend a little support for AJ."
"Extend support for AJ? I don’t think so," she said shaking her head. "I don’t have time to worry about him. If his own family doesn’t care about him, why should I? I’m tired," she said giving Bobbie the cue to leave.
"I’ll take that as a hint," she said as she stood up and smiled. "Carly, just think about what I’ve said. Oh, before I forget, I invited Roy and Hannah over for dinner tomorrow night. I would really like for you to be there."
"I don’t want to have dinner with that woman," she said with a look of disgust on his face.
"Please, Carly," she said. "Do this for me, okay. Roy is going to be in my life, which means that Hannah will be as well. The two of you need to learn to get along. Good-night," she said leaving and closing her door.
*****
"Father," Nikolas said upon entering the living room at Wyndemere. "I wish to speak with you about Lucky," he said before noticing the other person in the room.
"It seems that everyone wants to speak with you about Lucky today," Dara said standing and crossing her arms.
"Ms. Jensen," Nikolas started. "I am sorry; I did not see you. Forgive my manners," he said looking back at Stefan questioning him as to why she was there.
She waved it away. "Not a problem. Actually, I’m going to let you speak with your father. The launch will be here soon, and I think I know my way back there."
"I told you I would accompany you home," he reminded her.
"There’s no need," she said gathering her things. "Thank you for your hospitality, Stefan," she said before leaving.
"Is there more trouble for you regarding Lucky’s kidnapping?" he asked Stefan as he came further into the room.
"The same amount as before. What is it that you wish to discuss, Nikolas?" he asked sitting down.
"Laura says that you are helping to find Lucky. Have you found out anything yet? You would not keep this from us, would you?"
"Of course not, Nikolas. I would not keep any information about your brother from you. Surely, you must know that," he said to the younger man.
Nikolas really wanted to believe his father. He sighed and looked away from him. "We are just all very worried about him," he said softly. He turned to face him once again. "I cannot imagine what he has been through this past year. Do you still believe that Grandmother had something to do with his initial disappearance?"
Stefan nodded. "I am sure of it. Trust me, my mother is not above using children to get to their parents," he put out as a bit of a warning.
Nikolas nodded and crossed his arms. "Which means that she wouldn’t be above using me. Believe me, I know that. I know that I can’t trust her. It’s getting late," he said before making his move to leave.
"I wish you would reconsider staying here," he told him. "It would be much safer with you here on the island."
He smiled slightly. His father would never cease to be over protective. "I assure you, I am safe at my own home. We’ve had this discussion before," he reminded him.
He raised a hand in defeat and smiled at his son. "I will not argue with you about this. I only wished to make my feelings known. Good-night, Nikolas."
"I see you are not objecting to my leaving early," he mused with his hand on the knob. "Could it be because you do not wish to answer any questions I may have about Ms. Jensen being here?" He saw the answer on Stefan’s face. "That’s what I thought. Good-night, Father," he said before smiling and leaving.
*****
Luke looked up and saw a familiar figure standing in his doorway. He removed the cigar from his mouth and stood up motioning for her to come in. "Boy," he said offering a fake smile. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. I heard that you were removed from polite society."
She offered him a smile as she moved to stand behind the chair across from his desk. "If that is the case, then I am in good company with you, aren’t I, Luke? Have you been fruitful in your search for your son? I certainly hope so. I am very concerned about dear Lucky, considering that I did rescue him from Cesar Faison."
He nodded his head, "So you say. Are you sure you didn’t save him from your son?"
Interesting, she thought. "You still believe that my son was involved in that magnificent scheme? You certainly give my son more credit than he deserves. What does Laura believe?"
He shrugged. "Can I get you a drink?" She shook her head. "Well, too bad, because I’m sure going to have one. What do you really want, Helena? I doubt that you give a damn about my son," he said gesturing with the glass.
"Now, that is not true, Luke. Surely you know that I have a special place in my heart for you," she said pausing to finger her necklace. "That feeling does carry over to your son, despite the fact of his mother."
"Yes, his mother. Again the conversation comes back around to Laura. Don’t worry, darlin’, she doesn’t need your help. Your son is offering enough of that," he said sitting down again.
"So, Stefan is helping Laura," she mused and smiled. "That is interesting." She smiled again, and changed gears. "I wish that your son comes home, and you will see that I have done everything within in my power to make things better for him. I’m not as bad as everyone thinks I am," she told him. "I hope that we can be of some service to one another soon," she said before leaving.
"Don’t bet on it," he said under his breath after she left and he downed the entire glass.

