Lucky dialed the penthouse once more. Knowing exactly whose voice would be on his answering machine. Wallace’s…again.

There’d be yet another message saying, ‘Ok, this is the last time I’m gonna call – I’m serious this time. I know you’re out of town, and I’m completely making an ass out of myself…but whatever. Ok…so…call the ass. Ok? Bye. See ya – um…later. Bye.’

And that would be that. He’d hang up, the message would end. And then there would be another slew of messages saying the exact same words.

He listened to the beep-beep once more and as predicted, Wallace began to speak. Yet, Lucky knew from the tone of his friend’s voice this time, that he wouldn’t be saying the same things he had before. He fidgeted on the couch and listened.

"Um…yeah, so I know I said I wouldn’t be calling back again, but Dude I get points for persistence right? I mean this is like…this is like calling some chick up over and over and asking if she wants to go out or something. But totally different because I know when I finally do see you, you’re not gonna be wearing those pumps with the skinny heels or a leather mini-skirt…So do you see how I’m getting the short end of the stick here? You see how I’m getting the total shaft right? Ok…I know you understand that logic, but you’ll pretend not to…Anyway that’s really not what I called to say," he sighed finally. Taking a short breather.

"Look man, I’ve said that I’m sorry about 1000 times in the last few days, and believe me – I KNOW that an apology was very, very necessary after what I did…and I’d say it again right now if I thought it would do any good – but it won’t…because I know you, and I know that at this point no matter what I say…you’re just gonna sit there checking your messages and pondering how long is an appropriate amount of time to make me squirm.

"So…that being said – you go ahead and carry on with what you’re doing. You know my number…I hope you’ll decide to use it…Talk to you soon – I hope."

The message ended and Lucky sighed. Scratching the back of his head as he mulled over his best friend’s words.

Unfortunately it didn’t take much mulling. He was right.

Lucky Spencer didn’t always say that about Wallace McKenzie, but it was true this time. The guy had him pegged. He’d known for days now that Wallace hadn’t initiated that kiss with Elizabeth. In fact something inside of him had known the moment he SAW the kiss.

So why was he stalling now? Why wasn’t he calling Wallace and getting everything straightened out? Was it really because he wanted to make the guy sweat it out?

Maybe. Partially. But what else?

The need to hurt him? Hurt him just a fraction of how badly he’d been hurt by seeing his lips attached to those of the love of his life? He’d never be able to fully banish that image from his mind. And maybe, just maybe he wanted to teach Wallace some kind of lesson. Maybe by not calling he was simply trying to say ‘look, look what you did.’ When he hadn’t really done anything at all.

Sighing again, Lucky closed his eyes. Yep, that was probably it.

After a moment, Lucky licked his lips and took a deep breath. Starting to dial once more on his cell phone. Except for this time it wasn’t his own phone number he was dialing, but that of work…namely Wallace’s office.

He closed his eyes, at the sound of Janice’s voice. If there was one thing Janice always was, it was ‘in the loop.’ Lucky would bet she knew all there was to know about what happened between he and his friend.

What mattered now was whose side she was taking. It would, without a doubt, dictate the way the conversation went.

"Hey Janice," Lucky said softly. Preparing him self for the probability of her, being on Wallace’s side already. He’d had a chance to talk to her. Had a chance to make him self seem the sympathetic party.

Lucky could literally hear her drop her pen on the desk in front of her as she thought over how she’d respond to him. Friendly…not so friendly…stern…

"Hello…Mr. Spencer," she answered curtly. Never having referred to him so formally in all his years with the company. This was bad.

"Oh come on Janice don’t be that way…There’s two sides to every story you know. I mean come on – I’m the one who got screwed here."

"Don’t be what way?" Janice continued. Going about her business at her desk. Wallace and Lucky were both her boys. But Wally was in so much pain. Moping around the office with that…that face.

"Aloof?" She continued. "Stand-offish? I do believe that’s exactly how you’ve been treating poor Wallace is it not? And I’m sure that you’re beautiful mother went over the Golden Rule with you a time or two?…So, you should have expected this sort of reaction from me."

Lucky sighed, and let his head drop against the back of the couch. "Janice…I’ve been out of town. It’s not like I could really –

She interrupted with a rough clearing of her throat. "Mr. Spencer with all do respect – I know how diligent you are about checking those messages of yours even when you are ‘out of town,’ as you say…though going to your parents house ain’t exactly ‘out of town.’…An hour or so away," she grumbled.

He sighed once more. She was right. "Ok…I’ve been an ass Janice."

"Remember that you said it – I don’t get paid to make such sweeping judgements."

Taking a moment, Lucky spoke softly…hesitantly. "Is he in right now or at lunch?"

Damn it. When he asked in that tone of voice it only reminded her of his sweet little baby face and those deep blue eyes. Her girls would be appalled if they knew she was treating him this way. But it was for his own good! He and Wallace were best friends and they needed to remember that! If ya didn’t have friends in this world – what did ya have?

‘A girlfriend that used to be a stripper,’ Janice thought glumly. ‘Probably counts for a lot in the book of red-blooded, 25 year old heterosexual male……But that was besides the point! He should know better than to treat his friend with such disregard!

‘Strippers came and went – but friends…friends were forever.’

She was certain she’d gotten that off of a fortune cookie somewhere.

"Lucky, you know full well that Wallace only goes OUT to lunch if he has you to accompany him," she sighed at last, as if the habit should have been obvious. "Or at least he has you to bring something back to."

Oooh, this time she’d actually called him Lucky – instead of Mr. Spencer. That at least was some small sign of progress. Now if he could only get her to call him Sweetheart.

If he could get that, he was home free.

Lucky bit down on his bottom lip. He hated to do it. Really he did…but it was time to play a little dirty.

"Janice…your girls still like country music right? What’s the name of that group again…the – the Dix –

"The Dixie Chicks" Janice interrupted with a sigh. Wondering how her twin’s musical tastes pertained to the topic. "But what does that have to do with anything Lucky?"

"Oh nothing really," he answered casually – quickly. "It’s just they’ve played at my father’s club before…and you know – he doesn’t really have the appreciation that your girls have, so I was thinking maybe they’d enjoy this signed platinum record more than –

"Oh Lucky you wouldn’t!" Janice exclaimed. "You wouldn’t! They’d love you forever Lucky. They’d love ME forever."

"It’s already in the trunk of my car."

"Oh bless your heart. You want to talk to Wallace? He’s right here in his office, let me patch you through Sweetheart."

Lucky smiled as hold music came on for the briefest of moments. But the next voice he heard was not Wallace’s, but Janice’s once more. She cleared her throat.

"Don’t think I don’t realize that I was just conned Lucky. Janice is no fool – she knows exactly when she’s being played…Lucky thing for you, I don’t mind so much ‘cause you’re cute."

He guffawed with laughter, right before hold music commenced once again.

"Glad to see my misery is amusing to you."

Wallace’s voice broke through the trendy pop music and Lucky quickly cleared his throat. "Hey…Wallace. I’m sorry Man, I wasn’t laughing at…whatever," he sighed. "Hi."

Sighing, Wallace leaned back in his chair. "So, I guess you uh, got my messages, huh? I wasn’t really sure you would check them…"

Lucky grinned slightly. "You knew I’d check them."

"Yeah I knew you’d check them," Wallace admitted. Letting go of his pencil. "I also predicted that it’d be at least another 2 days till you called though…so contrary to popular opinion I’m not always right."

"Not always," Lucky sighed at the joke. "But this time…this time I think you just might be."

Wallace remained silent as Lucky continued. "Listen man, I should have called you back earlier – not let this thing get any bigger than it had to be. But you gotta understand that it was just a tad difficult when a particular image of you and my girlfriend kissing kept playing through my head like some kind of looped video, ya know?"

Licking his lips, Wallace nodded even though his friend couldn’t see him. He didn’t think there would ever be a day when he didn’t feel horrible about what happened.

"I know. Luck, man I’m really sorry. It wasn’t something I planned or wanted or – I mean I shoulda pulled back immediately, but I was just in this state of shock that –

"Elizabeth is good at shocking people…I get that better than anybody," Lucky interrupted. "It was just…really…difficult," he finished.

Wallace bit down hard on his bottom lip and broached the biggest thing that had been on his mind. "I hope…I hope that what happened didn’t hurt you guys – permanently…I mean Lucky, no matter what you two…I mean you two have something that……You know I didn’t see at first, but you two have got something that’s so special and…" Wallace stumbled over his words. "I just hope that this hasn’t done any permanent damage……because she loves you. She does."

If he hadn’t known how much effort it took for Wallace to be so serious, Lucky might have laughed. It was funny but, somewhere in the middle of all this madness, he and Elizabeth had grown closer than ever.

"She does love me."

It was the first time he could say it with absolute clarity and understanding.

"And wonders of wonders…we’re actually ok. In fact," Lucky added guardedly. Ready to knock on the wooden coffee table in front of him at a moment’s notice. "We’re really…good right now. We’ve talked about a lot of things and…I mean I’m not saying things are perfect, because they aren’t. We’ve still got a lot of stuff to deal with…but we’re – we’re solid. Which is more than I can say we were before I left the city."

"Wow," Wallace sighed. The creases in his brow finally loosened. This entire situation was going to cause him to wrinkle early and lose his boyish good looks. "So maybe…maybe I actually done good then?"

Lucky held back a grin. "Don’t push it Wallace."

His friend chuckled a bit. "I had to go for it. Sorry…It’s been so damn somber around here, that if I didn’t crack a joke soon, I was gonna go into some kind of shock."

"Well," Lucky began, easing his hands back and forth atop his thighs. "I guess I should maybe be asking you the same thing…if this damaged you and Lucinda – permanently."

It was Wallace’s turn to nearly laugh at the question. He smiled broadly and let his head fall against one hand on his desk.

No, no… Lucinda…Lucinda and he…were perfection.

"Things are um…" he paused. Laughing indeed when he couldn’t hold back. "Things are good, man. And now that you’ve called…things are SUPER gooood."

Both of Lucky’s eyebrows shot up at once. Well, well, well…

"That good huh?"

"Not THAT good…but good," Wallace explained in the male shorthand for not having sex. "You know…I mean we’re taking things real slow, but she’s…well she’s as awesome as I always dreamed of her being."

Lucky bit his lip. Never in his life had he heard Wallace McKenzie say anything remotely mushy about a girl he was dating. ‘As awesome as I always dreamed of her being,’ was definitely a step in the right direction.

"Well…damn. Good job man I’m happy for you……and I hate to bring this up on such a happy note, but how is our little buddy Jack taking the news?"

Wallace licked his lips and leaned back. "Surprisingly he’s kept his trap shut. Which is very odd. I mean Lucinda and I haven’t really been out and about on the town – at least not in places where we might run into him – but at the same time we haven’t kept the fact that we’re seeing each other a secret either. So…he’s gotta know what’s up by now. I don’t know why he hasn’t come banging on his chest yet – your guess is as good as mine.

"He’s even been kinda low key at work," Wallace continued. "And I expected that as soon as you were gone, he’d be whining and dining our illustrious president."

Lucky reached to scratch the back of his head. That didn’t sound like Jack. Neither one of those things, sounded like the Jack he knew and…loathed.

"Yeah well…keep an eye on him," he advised finally. "A quiet Jack is even worse than a loudmouth Jack. Somewhere licking his wounds…waiting to strike."

Wallace shrugged. "What wounds? The guy considered Lucinda an anchor that weighed him down…I can’t see him really being too broken up about it."

"Maybe not. But I’ll bet ya he’s more than pissed that you’re the reason his anchor is gone."

His friend mulled it over for a second and shrugged once more. "I ain’t worried about Jack’s feelings for Lucinda – or lack there of. I am however, worried about whether he’s gonna decided to move in for the kill with the VP position…When exactly are you coming back to town?"

Lucky turned to smile hello to his father as Luke walked through the kitchen door and into the dining room. He turned his attention back to the phone as his father sat at the table with a sandwich.

"Um…I don’t really know, man. I think – I think we might actually be staying here for a bit. Elizabeth and I need to – sort some things out. And I think we need to do it away from home."

Wallace bit his lip. He didn’t like it, but he knew now was not the time to press the point. "But what about…I mean what about her show? Doesn’t it open in like a week or something?"

A long-suffering sigh escaped Lucky’s lungs. "Yeah…that’s a whole other story, and one that I can’t really get into right now. But…I’ll take a rain check."

"Sure thing," Wallace said nodding. "Hey – listen man…before you hang up…thanks for…you know…for not holding this against me till we’re 80 and drool collected on the phone every time I tried to call."

"What makes you think I’m not gonna hold it against you when we’re 80?" Lucky deadpanned. "I think you…in a little bib…might be kinda attractive…You know…something in a nice shade of periwinkle –

"GOODBYE," Wallace interrupted. Sighing and shaking his head.

Lucky chuckled and it was the only sound Wallace had wanted to hear for days. "Bye man."

When Lucky turned towards his father, he was grinning widely. "I think maybe I’m gonna have to put a stop to your relationship with Wallace."

Laughing, Lucky shook his head and walked over to the table. Sitting down opposite of his father as he stole a potato chip from his plate. "Oh no…nothing to be worried about anymore. I think we kissed and made up."

"Yeah…" Luke grimaced. Chomping down on a chip. "Exactly what I’m talkin’ about," He shook his head and grinned a moment later. "So is it true what you said?"

"Is what true?" Lucky sighed. Eating yet another chip.

"What you just told Wallace - about you and Elizabeth staying in town for awhile? Not that I’ve actually had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Miss Elizabeth yet…I’m startin’ to get a complex, Kid."

Lucky licked his lips nervously. Guiltily.

"Yeah, I think it’s true…and YOU will meet her – today in fact…soon. Mom and Lu had some last minute shopping for shoes or something…so I suggested that Elizabeth go along. I want her to get to know everybody…including you."

Luke eyed his son suspiciously. "Why do I get the feeling there’s some kinda ‘but’ just waiting to happen for that little run-on sentence you just offered?"

His son looked down at the table and then scratched the back of his head. "Because I wanted to talk to you alone first – before you met her.

His father’s brow creased and Lucky continued. "Dad…I don’t know how much Mom has told you about Elizabeth’s past…I mean I’ve barely told her anything…but she…

He tired to find the right words. He thought that by telling Elizabeth about his own parents past he had done the right thing. He’d been open and honest, in return for her openness and honesty. But now he questioning that decision. Maybe everything would have been better left unsaid.

But it was too late now. There was no turning back.

Clearing his throat, he spoke once more. "She went through something as a kid…something very similar to what Mom went through…with you."

Luke placed the sandwich he was holding back down on his plate and laced his hands together before standing up. "I’m sorry to hear that."

And Lucky could tell instantly from his father’s voice – from his father’s stance…that he was sorry. That he felt an intense sense of pity for a girl he’d never even met.

It touched Lucky’s heart and made him ache a little for his father at the same time. A few years ago, he wouldn’t have thought it possible to ache for the man. The man he’d looked at with as much scorn as he would a common criminal…even more because he was his father. Someone he was supposed to be able to admire.

Someone he’d wanted to be just like.

But the man before him was sad. Sad for a girl he’d never met. Sad for him self.

Lucky followed his father’s movements. Looking at his back as he spoke. "It took her a long…long time to actually tell me. To trust me – to trust herself - enough to confide in me……I wanted to give her my own truth.

"I expect her to be in my life for the long haul Dad," Lucky said finally. "Which means I didn’t want her to wind up hearing the truth the way I did…Years later and from someone other than who should have told her. Years later…maybe when she’s already made her choice about wanting to become a part of this family."

And she would be a part of this family. He didn’t know the exact moment that he’d decided for sure. But it had happened some time during their time in the arcade…and it had happened big.

His father had already guessed what truth Lucky spoke of a few seconds before. "I guess," he began quietly turning towards his son. "I guess she took it…ok – then…Or…or is that the reason you two have been shying away from the house? Because of me and –

"No, no," Lucky explained quickly. Standing up. "That’s not it at all. She took it a lot better than I could have ever imagined her taking it. It actually – it actually made her question things about HERSELF, which I don’t understand," Lucky sighed. Shaking his head. "Things about Mom having forgiven you and if she did…than maybe she’d thought it was something that she’d done or –

He broke off. Closing his eyes. He didn’t want to go there. Didn’t want to feel awkward around his father again. Like he had so many years ago now. There was no use pouring salt in old wounds.

"Your mother never did anything to bring it on," Luke said, shaking his head. His voice thick. "And Elizabeth…I mean, my God Lucky, you said she was just a kid – how could she…" his voice trailed away just as his son’s had.

A little girl who blamed herself for something someone else had done to her? He closed his eyes and tried to push away the images he had of Laura…blouse torn…cowering like a wounded animal…

"Dad, I didn’t tell her this to hurt you. You know that right?…I didn’t tell her to make things hard on you again…"

Luke turned around once more and gave his son a slight smile. "I know that son. You did what you thought you had to do. I understand that. I just hope that I’m not the cause for any discomfort or anxiety that Elizabeth might have…coming here," he finished. Clearing the lump that had formed in his throat.

Lucky bit down on his bottom lip. "I told her things about you before this Dad. We’ve been living together for months now…she knows what a great guy you are…she knows you’re a great father."

Luke’s weary smile grew just a bit. "Thank you."

"Actually," Lucky said with a smile a moment later. "I’m a little more worried about she and Lu."

This time, Luke’s brow creased. "Why would you be worried about that? Lu gets along well with others Lucky…her parole officer says so."

Shaking his head, Lucky bit his lip. "Yeah I think maybe Lu’s a little too loyal to me though. And I may have told her a too much about why Elizabeth and I were fighting."

"Ah," Luke said. Nodding. "Well, if she decides to bite…she’s got her shots and everything. Elizabeth should be alright……Which is more than I can say for Cujo over there," Luke sighed. Gesturing towards where Foster drank from his bowl in the corner.

"Did you HAVE to bring Skillethead with you? Was it absolutely necessary Son?"

"What was I supposed to do? Let him starve in my apartment?"

A wicked grin spread over Luke’s face just as Foster looked up at him. He narrowed his eyes at the dog and he quickly returned to his food.

Lucky laughed.

It was a good sound. A couple of days ago, he’d thought that maybe the sound of his son’s laughter was long gone. And if Elizabeth was the cause of such laughter that was a good thing…no matter what she might think about him.

"So…um," Luke began again. Moving towards his sandwich once more. "You just said that you ‘were’ fighting with Elizabeth. That mean –

"It means things are pretty good," Lucky interrupted with explanation. "Not entirely ‘fixed,’ or anything, but I think we came to some sort of bridge in our relationship and we crossed it…Now we just have to see what’s on the other side."

His son was wise beyond his years and always had been. How the heck had he wound up that way?

Luke smiled and spoke softly as a key turned in the doorknob. "Well, as long as you explore the new territory together……I expect everything will be alright."

Laura entered the front door with a smile and Lucky watched as his father’s face lit up. In spite of everything his parents were in love…that had to count for something.

But it was the look on Elizabeth and his sister’s faces that really caught his attention a moment later. A scared looking Elizabeth followed a sour faced Lu over the threshold. Busily pushing strand after strand behind her ear.

Shit…

Before tramping loudly up the stairs, Lulu rolled her eyes at her brother. He narrowed his eyes in return. Already knowing what happened.

"Well hello to you too girl child!" Luke called as the door slammed upstairs. "What’s buggin’ the bug?"

"Me," Elizabeth said lightly as Laura sighed. She placed her purse down on the table and tried to stop Elizabeth from taking the blame, but it was too late.

Elizabeth extended her hand to Luke. "Mr. Spencer…I’m Elizabeth Webber. It’s nice to finally meet you."

Both Lucky and Luke were slightly taken aback by the way she just dove in, but Luke collected himself enough to extend his hand. Elizabeth smiled at him, as Lucky beamed over his father’s shoulder.

Wow…

"I’m so very glad to meet you," Luke said with a smile. The kind of charming smile that Lucky had seen him give plenty of pretty women in his time. At least his father had good taste.

She’d been nervous about meeting him. She hadn’t been at first, but on the drive here it had begun to sink in, and the butterflies had begun to form. But standing there now, holding this man’s softly callused hand, and looking into the reflection of a paler version of Lucky’s eyes…she knew.

Knew that this man had never meant to hurt anyone. Had never set out to purposely wound a spirit or kill a soul.

And after spending just a day with Laura, she knew there was no way the woman who glanced at him now with only love in her eyes, could have endured the kind of day to day trauma that she had.

Elizabeth backed away and tried to collect herself. Holding back the tears she suddenly felt well up. "Well you might not be so happy to meet me after you talk to your daughter. I’m afraid she’s not really as happy with my presence."

Luke shrugged. "Oh no Darlin’ that’s just her usual state of being."

Elizabeth smirked and Lucky shook his head. "Let me go talk to her -

"No, no Lucky," she said quickly. Reaching out for his arm, in an effort to halt his stride. "Lucky, she’s being a good sister. You’d even be proud of her…She didn’t say anything to me that wasn’t completely called for. I mean…if I were her, I’d have behaved the same way…

"It’s just gonna take her awhile to warm up to me – that’s all. No need to call in the Calvary…She’s doing exactly what she should be doing…protecting her brother."

A grin tugged at Lucky’s features and he let his fingers drift slowly through the front of her hair. "I don’t want anybody protecting me from you."

Sheepishly, her cheeks colored as she looked down.

Laura smiled from behind them. Locking eyes with her husband. "Well…I guess I’ll go help Miss Lulu get ready for her dance. She took so long to find a pair of shoes that she liked, that her date will be here in less than two hours."

"Two hours is too short a time to get ready for a dance?" Lucky asked absently. Still too enthralled with Liz’s face to look away.

Simply shaking her head, Laura headed for the stairs. He wouldn’t hear her answer, even if she felt it necessary to give one. He was too far gone…too far in love.

When Laura disappeared up the stairs, Luke cleared his throat. Suddenly feeling as invisible as his wife had. "Well, I guess I’ll finish my sandwich in the kitchen and go clean my shot gun for when the precious Robert arrives…Wouldn’t want to give the impression I don’t keep house well," he muttered.

He walked towards the table, picked up his sandwich plate and turned towards the couple once more before moving into the kitchen. "It was very nice to meet you Elizabeth."

She tore her eyes away from Lucky’s, and found she actually had to move a few paces away from him in order to speak to someone else. "Um – Mr. Spencer."

Luke turned once more.

"I just wanted to say thank you."

His brow creased. What could she possibly have to thank him for?

"For what?"

"Well, I already thanked Mrs. Spencer…but I figure you had a major hand in making Lucky who he is as well. So I feel the need to thank both of you…for putting him here I guess – on the Earth," she laughed. "In my life………and of course for allowing me to stay in your home."

Luke shook his head slowly. "You’re welcome for the last part – any one who is as important to Lucky as you are – is welcomed here. But for that first part…well I’m afraid I can’t take any credit for that. He ended up that way in spite of all the times I dropped him on his head."

Lucky sighed and looked down as Elizabeth continued with a shrug. "From the things your wife has said about you…and your daughter – I’d say that’s not entirely true. But I was taught not to argue with my host."

He could only smile that same weary smile before retreating into the kitchen.

Moving to stand in front of her, Lucky slowly shook his head. "You’re amazing...Thank you for that."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Please. I’m about as far from amazing as anyone can get…but your family – Lucky they’re great. I mean even through all your sister’s scowls and dirty looks I could tell she great. She’s got a killer sense of humor."

"Yeah, well I’m gonna kill HER."

Easing her hands down his arms she shook her head and moved closer. Narrowing the space between them to mere inches before she placed both hands on his face. "I think I’ve got something better for you to do with your time."

With a soft smile against her lips, Lucky tenderly molded his mouth to hers. Definitely in favor of this way of occupying time.

There was something different between them now. A sense of peace and tranquility when they touched, when they kissed, when they even looked at each other.

A sense of knowing each other better than anyone in the world knew them. And it had started just a couple of days ago in that arcade at the Port Charles Hotel.

As they kissed now, they remembered the one they’d shared there. In the midst of bright, flashing colors and weird computerized noises of screens that flashed ‘game over,’ time and time again…their lives had changed.

They also remembered what happened after the change. How they’d acted like two school kids in love for the first time, and completely enraptured by it. Completely entranced with each other when they’d finally made it back to their room.

It was all either of them could do to stop thinking about it…and what had almost been. What could be anytime now…if they let it…

***

It seemed like they’d been kissing for hours…days. And for the life of him he couldn’t stop. Couldn’t seem to disconnect him self from her lips. Her beautiful, sexy, lovely…

She moaned from beneath him and smiled as he pulled away for the briefest of seconds to take one large gulp of air. "I’m so…I’m so…g – glad that we didn’t de – decide to stay at my p- parents tonight," he panted. His lungs trying to bring in all the oxygen he’d been deprived of for the last 30 minutes or so.

Elizabeth licked her lips and he decided it needed to be done again. Touching his own tongue to her bottom lip and then taking it inside his mouth. She giggled and stretched beneath him. Bringing him even tighter against her.

"Why – why’s that?" She finally managed. Her mind, beginning to float somewhere in the air above her. She was getting seriously light-headed.

"Because I wouldn’t be able to…remove…my lips from yours long enough to even introduce you to my sis – sister…and my…dad," he finally managed. Kissing her between words.

She opened to him once more and moaned as his chocolate tongue slid inside. The perfectly controlled temperate of their suite was now sweltering, and never in her life had she been this turned on by kissing.

Well…maybe once or twice with Lucky…but this…something about this was so…so…wonderful – magical.

Special.

Maybe that was because she felt that way. Maybe it was because he’d made her feel so special and important today. He could have stayed mad. Could have blamed her for so many things…but he hadn’t. He’d looked at her with the same love in his eyes and spoken to her with a voice so kind she could barely stand to hear it.

Her leg eased up the side of his, pulling him closer. His hands were everywhere. Sliding up her hip, up her stomach and over her breast, only to meet up with its partner at her face as he kissed her.

Restless as well, her hands traveled from his shoulders to his back, to the butt that was covered by denim. They searched wantonly for patches of skin beneath the hem of his shirt. But she wanted more. She wanted to see him, and knew that if she did see more tonight…that it wouldn’t stop there. That tonight…that tonight would be THE night.

For there was nothing that would come between them tonight. No interruptions from people, or voices in her head telling her not to go through with it. No…the only voice she heard today was his…and it turned her on beyond measure.

Lucky felt himself grow even harder still, between her legs and pressed his hips more intimately against her. Trying to ease some of the pressure for both of them. But relief was short lived and he groaned aloud when her breath caught.

God, he’d promised himself that it wouldn’t be tonight. Not after everything that had happened today. Not in the Port Charles hotel for God’s sake. He’d promised her that when they made love for the first time that it would be perfect…special.

And though making love to her ANYWHERE would be astounding – would be Earth shattering - he wanted it to be in a place that meant something to the both of them. A place that they’d remember for the rest of their lives.

He was going to make it right for her. There was no question in his mind. No room for discussion or thought…God, she tasted good. Like…

The word ‘stop’ resonated through his mind. Stop before he no longer had any ability to think thoughts such as making it ‘special’ any longer. Before he could no longer move another inch unless it included moving inside her.

If he didn’t quit kissing her and touching her at this precise moment, they wouldn’t be quitting tonight at all.

When he pulled back, she rose to meet his open, panting mouth once more. Following him as he sat up. Her lips still attached.

Lucky inhaled and exhaled harshly through his nose. The only way he was able to breath through her frenzied kisses. His hands shook and moved restlessly around her waist. Pulling her closer, toying impatiently with the hem of her sweater. What he wouldn’t give to just…

"I want you," he groaned roughly. Moving his hands to her arms. Pressing his fingertips into the flesh covered by fabric. She was so firm there, and so soft in other places…what her body must…feel like…sure he’d seen her close to naked before, but never…totally and completely…

Elizabeth continued to kiss him senseless. "But you…but you want to….to wait," she guessed. Even as her tongue eased inside his mouth. Tormenting him.

"It shouldn’t…it shouldn’t be here," Lucky managed against her hot, wet mouth. Shutting his eyes so tightly that it hurt.

Other places were beginning to hurt like Hell too.

She nodded as she wove her hands through his hair. Ok, she’d already predicted that he’d say that. She was willing to go along with that. But she just had to have one more taste of chocolate. One more…

"Ok," she panted. Restlessly allowing her lips to travel from his swollen, red lips to his jawline and down to his neck. Lucky’s eyes rolled back in his head as her mouth found his Adam’s apple. "We’ll…we’ll just…st – stop…in a few – a few minutes…"

"Y – you understand right?" He asked breathlessly as her mouth seared his skin. "You understand why I want to wait…why I think –

"Special…a place…yes…" she nodded fervently, pushing her tongue through his lips once more.

"Oh…sweet…L – lord," Lucky mumbled. Trying with all his might to get up the courage to really put on the breaks here. One more second…just one more….

"Eliza – Elizabeth," he panted.

With a gasp, she pulled back. As if coming up from the depths of a deep pool of water. Knowing that she had to for his sake. The state of his arousal, so prominent she didn’t see how he didn’t just burst right there.

God, she ached for him. But the dull ache in a heart that beat solely for him, told her that he was right. And that when they made love it would be the most exquisite pleasure she’d ever experienced.

‘Made love…’

Just the turn of phrase was a new feeling. She’d never thought of it that way before. It had always just been ‘sex.’ But now…

Her fingertips drifted down the sides of his skin. "Maybe…maybe you should –

"Should sleep in the other bed tonight?" He asked calmly. Taking deep, cleansing breaths. "Yeah…I will…right after I take a really long – cold shower," he finished.

Elizabeth bit her swollen lower lip and closed her eyes as he made his way off of the bed with slow movements. She heard the bathroom door close behind him and smiled softly to herself as she lay back on the bed.

As her eyes remained closed…she imagined why the shower would have to be so long…and she imagined him – imagining her while he took his time.

***

Elizabeth felt the reason for that long, cold shower begin to stir once more against her hip as they kissed in the middle of his parent’s family room.

"Lucky," she grinned. Her cheeks reddening to the shade of apples.

"Yeah…backing off now," he whispered gruffly. Before resting his forehead against hers.

She smiled at him and held tight to his shoulders as Lucky let his fingers drift through her silken strands. "I was thinking," he began as breathlessly as he had been that night. "I was thinking that maybe after Lu leaves for her dance, you and I could…could take a ride in Mary…I could introduce you two and show you the town a little bit."

Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded. "I’d like that."

The clearing of a throat behind them, made them both still. Without taking his hands from around her waist, Lucky turned towards the sound.

Laura smiled sheepishly from her place by the banister. Neither of them having heard her come down. She’d been standing there for a few moments just staring at how wonderful they were together.

"I’m sorry to interrupt, but…Elizabeth, would you mind coming upstairs for just a moment. We need your expertise."

Lucky’s brow creased. "Something wrong?"

"No…no…just a girl matter, that I’d like to consult Elizabeth with, Mr. Nosey."

Holding up his hands, Lucky backed away. He knew what ‘girl matters,’ meant and where his expertise wasn’t required. But he did catch the look in Elizabeth’s eyes. The slightly wavering smile that eased over her lips.

When she moved towards the stairs, he smiled back at his mother. Elizabeth had been honored to be included in whatever was going on upstairs.

Laura winked at her son and Lucky silently mouthed the words, ‘thank you.’

~~~~~~~

Leslie quickly shut her VCR off and ran back towards her bed. Sitting down before her mother and…oh jeez – Elizabeth could walk into the room.

"Moooom…" she groaned. Half out of breath.

She gestured towards the girl that stood behind Laura. Why her mother insisted upon humiliating her, she’d never understand. Weren’t mothers supposed to LOVE their daughters? Not embarrass them every single time they got the chance!…In front of x-STRIPPERS no less!

Laura sighed. "Honey, I just brought Elizabeth upstairs because I thought maybe she could help you. Lucky says she’s very good at –

"I DON’T WANT HER HELP," Lulu explained with long, drawn out syllables. Her mother narrowed her gaze to stern slits and Elizabeth glanced between both of them with wide eyes.

She spoke timidly. "Wh – what do you…do you NOT need my help with?"

Leslie folded her arms across her chest in defiance and then just as quickly set about putting on her earrings. What the heck would Robert think when he got here? She wasn’t even CLOSE to being ready! And now her mother was determined to make her even later?!

She’d found out just this morning, that everything her friend had told her had been a big, fat lie! Robert hadn’t cheated on her. And now she really did want to have a good time with him. She wanted to look beautiful and even more than that she wanted to know how to do that damn…grrr…

After a few moments of her daughter’s silent stewing, Laura cleared her throat and regarded Elizabeth. If her daughter had too much pride to admit it, she would have to do it for her. "Lulu would like desperately to learn this dance that –

"Mom!"

"Well Honey, it’s TRUE isn’t it?" Laura squealed back. Elizabeth tried suppress a grin.

She remembered being this young. Not with a mother as cool as Laura of course.

But she definitely remembered it and remembered having the same disdain for it, that Lu seemed to have.

Elizabeth had wanted nothing more than to be older, and to seem cool and to fit in with everyone else. Although she figured that Lulu had no problems fitting in with anyone. She seemed to be her own biggest critic.

Hesitantly she moved towards the bed in which Lulu sat. In a room that looked like maybe a little girl had lived here a year before, but that girl was no longer little. She sighed internally. It was that stuck in the middle age. Who wouldn’t hate it?

"Leslie," Elizabeth began. Shifting her weight nervously back and forth. She’d noticed that when a few of her friends ran into her at the mall that’s what they’d called her, ‘Les.’… Maybe that’s what she wanted to be called. It sounded more grown up.

Just as suspected, she looked up far quicker than she had when referred to as Lu or Lulu. Although the expression she wore was still far less than friendly.

Elizabeth continued. "Is it that new one? The one with that weird hip thing that you’re supposed to do after every step?…God, I’ve been trying to get that for like 2 weeks already," she paused as Leslie eyed her suspiciously. "It’s in that Brittney Spears video?" She continued.

"You know that video?" Leslie asked, slightly taken aback.

Shaking her head vigorously, Elizabeth groaned. "God, yeah. Hate her – but she dances well."

Leslie grinned in spite of herself and gave herself over to a slight chuckle. Catching herself midway. She didn’t want to give Elizabeth the indication that she liked her of course…but what she said was true.

No self-respecting Spencer would be caught dead with a Brittney Spears video in their midst. Let alone in their very own VCR…but there it sat – in hers.

Elizabeth folded her arms and regarded the television casually. "I think MAYBE I might have gotten some of it down the other day…but I think I have to see the tape to refresh my memory…do you mind if I just…turn it on for a sec?" she asked. Walking towards it.

Trying to be as nonchalant and cool as possible, Leslie shrugged. Elizabeth took it as the closest thing to a ‘yes,’ that she was going to get, and walked over to press the ‘play’ button.

She played down her skills of course. As soon as Brittney started to move, she pretended to be a little lost…a little confused. Like she couldn’t outperform the little blonde tart any day of the week.

When the particular step Lu had been agonizing over came up, Elizabeth moved with just a bit more confidence. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Leslie squealed. Jumping off of her bed.

"Oh my God, that’s totally it!" She exclaimed as if someone had just infused a massive dose of sugar into her system. She jogged over to where Elizabeth stood and quickly hit the rewind button. "Show me that! Please! Will you!?"

Elizabeth tried not to smile, and simply nodded casually. The girls blue eyes sparkling with anticipation as the video neared that point once more. "Oh…sure," Elizabeth began. "No problem."

Tugging her closer to stand beside her, Elizabeth moved a bit slower than the video did teaching the younger woman the footwork. As expected, Leslie got the steps down in no time. She was exactly like her brother, Elizabeth decided.

They only THOUGHT they couldn’t dance because they’d never really had someone walk them through it. And they were both so innately good at most things that it must have come as a complete shock not to excel at something immediately.

"Ok," Elizabeth said, a bit out of breath after a few go-rounds. She gave Leslie an encouraging smile. "Now when you do it, just forget about the steps and listen to the music. Just feel it."

Leslie stared at her like she was insane. "Are you crazy?"

Elizabeth laughed and placed her hands on the girl’s hips. "No I’m not crazy. You think I didn’t see the way you put that wiggle in your hips when we ran into Robert at the mall…I KNOW you can do it."

Blushing a tad, Leslie did as she was told. Aided by Elizabeth doing the same.

Laura stood in the corner and watched the two of them. Behaving like sisters already. She glanced to her side for a moment and came face to face with her son’s eyes beaming through the crack in the doorway.

He stood there. Mesmerized.

She’d never seen her son look at anyone that way he looked at this woman. And after spending an entire afternoon with her…she could see why. She was pretty amazing. Exactly the type of girl that she’d always imagined him falling in love with.

As if feeling his gaze, Elizabeth turned around and locked eyes with him. Blushing a bit before turning back to his sister, who danced completely unaware of being watched.

"That’s exactly it," Elizabeth smiled as Leslie started dancing to the music as if she’d always known how. No longer paying attention to what she was doing. Just rocking to the rhythm. "That’s totally it. I think you’ve got it Miss Leslie."

"Really?" Leslie asked hesitantly biting her lip. Elizabeth nodded vigorously and flipped off the video.

Leslie caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair still wasn’t done! And neither was her makeup! And now she felt all sticky and nasty!

"Oh Gosh…ok, I have to take another shower now…and Robert’s gonna be here in like…" She looked at the clock on her nightstand. "Oh my God he’s gonna be here in like 40 minutes….I have to do my hair and…Oh my God."

Laura unfolded her arms and left her place by the door. Elizabeth caught Lucky’s subtle turn and watched as he disappeared down the hall.

His mother’s voice broke her from the spell.

"Don’t worry Honey. You’ll be ready in time," Laura smiled. Tightening some of the rollers in her daughter’s hair. "Just go jump in the shower really quickly…and we’ll be your ladies in waiting."

She took off in a flash, but stopped midway to turn back. "Elizabeth…um - will you…will you stick around and maybe help me – help my mom get me ready?"

Something inside of her wanted to cry, but she didn’t. She merely nodded quietly. "Sure."

When she disappeared from the room, Laura slowly turned to Elizabeth. "Thank you for doing that. That was very, very nice of you."

Elizabeth blinked back the tears that threatened. "Thank you…for including me."

~~~~~~~

Robert sat nervously on the couch. Trying not to look directly at the two men that flanked either side of him. Her father – intimidating enough by himself – sat in the loveseat to the left of him. And her brother – the one he’d never met before – and decidedly more intimidating than Nikolas - sat on the arm to the right of him.

"So…is…is Les almost ready…um…yet?" He asked timidly. Clearing his dry throat when the silence became too much.

Luke glanced up from his task. Looking at Lucky with a stone-faced expression. "Son?"

Lucky cleared his throat. He and his father had discussed the ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop,’ method of playing this situation. He got to be the ‘good’ cop tonight.

"Oh…oh you mean Leslie Lu?" Lucky suggested casually. The boy should be thinking ‘formality,’ as far his sister’s name went. Formality and formality only. Lucky didn’t know who this ‘Les,’ was. "Yeah, I think she’s almost ready."

Robert nodded slowly and grinned awkwardly. Oh Dear God, would someone please get him out of here? What was taking Les so long anyway?

Lucky clasped his hands together and rose. Smacking good old Robert on the back, with a good-natured gesture. Good-natured if you considered shoves good-natured.

"So you excited about tonight? First real big dance right?"

"Right, right," Robert answered quickly. "Really excited."

The kid looked a bit green. He looked like he’d toss his cookies any minute. That was good. That was exactly the reaction they were shooting for.

Speaking of shooting…

Luke glanced up. "A tad overeager there Robert? The dance starts in 30 minutes correct? Any reason you wanna be early?"

Robert blanched. The man was cleaning his gun. A big, huge, rifle…the kind you used for hunting and…but – but he didn’t see any animal…heads…or horns or anything like that on the walls. ‘Maybe that’s because he kills PEOPLE…you’ve heard the rumors Robert…You’ve heard the rumors and now you’re about to be roadkill.’

"I asked you a question boy."

"N - no sir," Robert finally answered quickly. Stumbling over his words.

"You wouldn’t be planning on leaving the dance early in order to go somewhere else would you?"

"No sir," he said again. Shaking his head as if it were the farthest thing from his mind. Heck it WAS the farthest thing from his mind! All he wanted was to get this damn dance over and done with! He hated to dance!

"Oh come on Dad," Lucky said. Cutting in and placing a hand on his father’s shoulder now. "There’s no need to browbeat this nice kid."

Luke shrugged and eased a small piece of cloth down the barrel of his rifle. "Lucky if I wanted to browbeat the boy I’d take him outside. I wouldn’t soil my nice sofa there…" he gestured. Pointing to where Robert sat.

Lucky forced himself to stifle his laughter, and stared poker face when poor Robert turned to him. His eyes wide with fear. Pleading to be shown mercy by some kind soul.

With a sigh, Lucky assumed the role of ‘kind soul.’ "Don’t worry Robert. Dad’s just teasin’…aren’t ya Dad?"

Luke only glared.

"Y – you know…I could – I could just wait outside if that would be – best and –

"Yeah, yeah, you know I think that is for the best," Lucky allowed. Smiling at his father as he beckoned towards Robert. He slung an arm around his shoulder. "Why don’t we go outside Robert…get some fresh air."

Luke almost broke with a smile when Robert sprang from the couch with an audible sigh of relief. So anxious to get out of there he nearly tripped over the couch.

Once they were outside, Lucky smiled and shook his head. "I’m sorry about that Robert. Sometimes my father gets a little…well you know – she’s his baby girl. He really can’t help himself."

Robert nodded vigorously and tried for a smile. "I – I understand. I mean…my dad, he treats my little sister the same way."

"See," Lucky gestured casually. One hand in his pocket as they walked out of the yard and towards the curb. "You know exactly how it goes then…Dad doesn’t mean any harm."

Robert exhaled and nodded once more. Now this he could deal with. Her brother seemed nice…reasonable once you talked to him…Man to man.

And this was the really rich one right? Well, both her brothers were rich…but this one – this one made his own video games…SWEET!

If he could get in good with him he could score an advanced copy of Road Fury 2 before it even hit the market! The guys would flip out!

Lucky slung his arm around the boy’s shoulders again. The kid was pretty damn big for a 14-year-old. What the Hell were they feeding him at home? Steroids with his cocoa puffs?

"So, you’ve got cab fair and all that Robert?"

"Yes sir. Definitely."

"Good, good," Lucky nodded. Chuckling a bit. "You can call me Lucky, Robert…drop the ‘Sir.’

Robert nodded and smiled as if he’d hit the jackpot. Lucky squinted just a tad as he looked up into the sunset. "And you got my sister a corsage?"

The young man’s smile widened. He’d gotten the EXACT kind Les had said she’d wanted. He’d score big points for that. "Yes."

"Oh good…good. It’s a wrist one right?"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean it’s not one of those kind that you gotta get real personal with a lady to pin on is it?"

Robert’s mouth opened and then shut immediately. Suddenly realizing what he was alluding to. "Um…no, No! It’s the wrist kind. It’s the exact kind that Les told me to get."

"Oh good. See that’s good. You listen when she tells you things – that’s good Bob. I’m so glad to hear that. You should keep that up."

"Um, my – my name’s Robert….um, Keep…keep what up?" He finally managed timidly.

Something in Lucky’s eyes had gotten a little less friendly suddenly. Had it gotten colder outside?

"Listening," Lucky said soberly. Turning towards the boy. "Bobbie you should listen to EVERY, SINGLE THING my sister says to you. Especially the simple things…like…like the word ‘no’ for instance. That you should pay special attention to at all times. Girls like that."

Robert nodded vigorously. Approaching whiplash from the amount of nodding he’d done during his time at the Spencer Residence.

"I’ll – I’ll definitely do that."

"Ok, boys!" Laura suddenly called from the porch as Lucky turned to smile at her. Robert looked nauseous. "Lulu’s ready!"

Robert’s sigh of relief nearly made Lucky laugh. But he held back. Digging his fingertips into the boy’s shoulder just before he started for the house.

He eased closer to the boy and spoke in his ear. "I want my sister to have a wonderful time tonight. But I don’t want YOU to have a wonderful time. I want her to come back smiling…but your smile…it shouldn’t be too big…"

Lucky indicated slightly with his own. Making a semi-smile with his own mouth. "It should be just about there…no teeth. Definitely no teeth. Because if you’re showing teeth when my sister shows up on the doorstep, I’ll know you had far too good of a time. That make sense Robert?"

The young man shook his head. "Um…n – not really Lucky."

"Yeah, I thought I was being a little vague," Lucky said scratching the back of his head as if frustrated with his own communication skills. "Let me see if I can make it a little more clear…Bob…Bobbie…Bobo…See, if you touch my sister tonight – or for that matter – decide to touch any other girls while you’re out with her tonight…I’m gonna have to come after you with my father’s shotgun…and when I do…I won’t be busy cleaning it.

"Does that…does that maybe help to clear things up any?" Lucky asked with concern. "Because I want us to be able to talk to each other like this, you know…just – pal to pal here…man to man."

Unfortunately the ‘man,’ next to him was very close to pissing his pants. "Ye – yes Sir – Lucky Sir."

"Oh good," Lucky smiled. Patting the boy on his back so hard that her nearly stumbled forward. "Well whatdya standin’ around out here for! Go on in there and tell my sister she’s beautiful!"

Robert moved quickly. Sprinting up the porch and into the Spencer house. Lucky clasped his hands together and followed.

Mission accomplished.

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth watched quietly as Lulu’s family wished her a good time at the dance. Each of them giving her a quick hug before she and Robert linked hands and headed for the front door. Their cab waiting for them just outside.

They’d finally escaped after a round of about 10 pictures. Laura busy crying all the way through.

And even though Leslie had complained the whole time, she could tell by her expression that she finally felt as grown up as she’d wanted to. As beautiful as she’d wanted to.

The dress she’d worn had been a shimmery sort of blue that matched her eyes, and she’d looked gorgeous.

But it was Luke’s face that had really held her interest. The love and pride that reflected in his eyes as he watched his beautiful little girl, who wasn’t such a little girl any more walk out of the house and down the drive. He closed the door slowly when she disappeared around the house.

Laura moved up behind him and let her chin fall on his shoulder. "Come on old man…dinner’s my treat…in the kitchen."

"Who you callin’ old?" Luke commented with a sigh. Turning towards his wife. Elizabeth felt Lucky’s arm ease around her shoulders as his parents disappeared into the kitchen together. Each of them moving a little slower than they had earlier in the day.

They were so beautiful together.

When they were no longer visible, Elizabeth leaned back against Lucky’s chest. Feeling his hands link around her abdomen from behind.

His voice was soft and quiet when he spoke. "What’re you thinking right now?"

"That your sister’s the luckiest girl in the world."

Lucky snuggled against the side of her neck. "Hmm…I’m afraid she’d probably beg to differ after Dad almost shot him."

Elizabeth grinned. That man hadn’t been about to shoot anybody. Especially not some 14 year-old-kid. From the way he tended to gaze at his own children, Elizabeth would bet the guy still remembered everything Lucky had ever gotten into at the age of 14. Every bump…every scrape. Every rise in hormone level.

"Of course she’s lucky…she’s got you as a brother. Another great brother that I’m sure I’ll meet soon…and wonderful parents –

"And the surrogate sister she always wanted."

Elizabeth eased away from his grasp and turned to him. "Did she say that?"

Lucky shrugged. "Didn’t have to. While you were busy observing everyone else in this house, I was busy observing the way she looks at you when you’re not looking. Like she’s studying you or something…I read my sister pretty well, and even if she doesn’t say it…she thinks you’re pretty damn cool…especially after the dance lessons."

A sheepish grin spread over Elizabeth’s lips. "I think she’s cool too. I had a great time with her…helping her get ready and stuff."

"You are SO beautiful when you dance."

Fishing for compliments had been the very last thing on her mind, but it felt wonderful to be told that anyway. She smiled once more and blushed a little. "Thank you."

Lucky groaned and shook his head as he looked down. "Elizabeth are you sure there’s no way you can get your place in the show ba –

Interrupting him, she placed a finger to his lips. "Lucky, even if I could do that – which I can’t – I don’t WANT to. I wanna be here with you. That’s all…Is that alright with you?…I mean of course when we get back to the city I’ll get another job. I’m not gonna stick you with the rent if that’s what you’re worried –

It was his turn to interrupt hers with a deep, searing kiss. "Does that feel like I’m worried about the rent?" Lucky asked. Pulling away. Her eyes were still closed from the intensity of his kiss and if his arms hadn’t been wrapped securely around her waist she most assuredly would have fallen.

"I’m glad you wanna be here with me," he finished. As her eyes slowly opened to a dazed expression. He spoke directly into them. Directly into her soul. "I never want you anywhere than right beside me…but that doesn’t stop me from wishing I could see you dance the way I know you can, up in a spotlight somewhere and –

"Hey!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Cutting him off, and grabbing his hands in hers. She swung them back and forth playfully. "Didn’t you promise that we’d go for a drive tonight? Just you and I…that you’d show me the sights of Port Charles?"

Lucky narrowed his eyes. She was changing the subject. But just because they were going for a drive didn’t mean he couldn’t ever bring it up again. They were far past the point of not talking about things.

He licked his lips and nodded slowly. "Yes, I did say that."

"Well then come on Mr. Spencer. I wouldn’t want to start accusing my Luckybear of being a deal welcher."

An embarrassed grin covered his face even as he led her to the front door. Opening it for her. "Elizabeth my parents are in the next room…don’t call me Luckybear."

She giggled as she crossed the threshold. His hands snaking around her waist from behind and tickling her stomach until she said ok. But it wasn’t the kind of ‘ok,’ he had in mind.

"Ok, Luckybear!"

When the door closed behind them both, Luke and Laura stepped out of the kitchen. Each of them stopping midstride to glance at one another and saying at once…

"Luckybear?"