Wallace sunk down on his barstool, trying to figure out how he always got roped into these things. If there was one thing he now understood about Elizabeth, it was that she had ways of making you do things for her even when you didn’t want to.

He remembered thinking Lucky was an absolute loon when he’d come back to the city with a virtual stranger in tow. But now he was starting to understand exactly what had went down in Vegas. His best friend claimed it had been HIS idea to bring Elizabeth to the city…but Wallace wasn’t buying it. She’d probably bludgeoned him over the head and forced him into shacking up with her, marrying her, and now…

"I should never sit next to you at a bar…it’s that simple," Wallace said, shaking his head in conclusion. I don’t know why I continue to listen to you or do what you say. Every time I think to myself…..THIS will be the time – she won’t kiss you and she won’t make you do anything stupid that Lucky will later hate..."

"I didn’t kiss you, it isn’t stupid, and WHY on Earth would Lucky hate it?" Elizabeth asked, rolling her eyes at his pained expression. The guy had major issue. "He took you giving me that Jack evidence, VERY well…and Listen, do you HAVE to have a coronary EVERY time I talk to you? Did you stop medicating on the day I met you? This is so NOT a big deal."

"Oh EXCUSE me, is MY mental health is question?" Wallace said, his eyes getting larger by the second. "My mental health…MY MENTAL HEALTH should not be in question here. I think we know who the crazy one is. It’s your MENTAL HEALTH that should -

"If you say ‘my mental health’ one more time, I’m going to –

"FIRST you kiss me, then you STEAL my best friend…now you’re telling me things that you probably shouldn’t be telling me before you even tell him and he’s NOT going to be happy that I…

Elizabeth lifted a finger to interrupt just as she descended on the straw that extended from her tall glass of milk. After a deep sip, she sat up to correct him. "First off – Would you just GET OVER IT already? I was NOT in my right mind when I kissed you. It will never happen again." She pointed to his face. "Obviously."

His eyes narrowed and she continued on with a grin. "Secondly, You can’t steal something that doesn’t WANT to be stolen, Mr. McKenzie."

Wallace gasped. "LOW…even for you – low."

"And THIRD," she said nonchalantly "Lucky won’t care that I told you first when he sees how cute this entire thing’s going to be…You just have to make sure to make it cute. And don’t make that face that you make…Don’t be you – be pleasant."

Wallace grimaced and sighed. "I hardly have time for this. I don’t have anything with me, I don’t have –

"You’ve got your laptop, I’m sure you can find whatever you need right here in Port Charles, and I’ve already told you I’d lend you the money to buy whatever you need."

Wallace rolled his eyes. She’d borrow Lucky’s money to help him make something for Lucky…yeah, that made sense.

"So," she said, sitting up arrow straight with expectance. "Are you in or are you out?"

"Out," he said, folding his arms across his chest like a petulant child. "It’s dumb."

Elizabeth stuck her bottom lip out and forced her chin to quiver and her voice to quake. "Y – you think my idea is…is dumb?" Her eyelids blinked a few times. "I thought it was kinda…kinda sweet."

Wallace opened his mouth and then shut it again. He hadn’t really meant to offend her. Certainly hadn’t meant to make her CRY for God’s sake! They talked like this all the time. Dissing each other continually was their method of conversation. It was the way they were. It was how they showed affection.

Sure, to the outside eye it appeared more like hatred and deep seeded disgust. But really – it was affection or at least Wallace liked to think so.

He reached out for the hand she had on her knee. "Hey listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shoot you down like that….Come on, don’t cr…" His voice trailed away slowly as she started to snicker. Dabbing at her eyes with a napkin.

She was laughing! She was LAUGHING.

"What the HELL IS SO FUNNY?"

"Nothing…I just can’t believe that actually works! Damn, the next 9 months are going to be GREAT!" She said, clapping her hands together. "Fun, fun, fun."

Wallace narrowed his eyes and shot up from his barstool. "Oh you are the DEVIL…fine, fine…" he said, gathering his coat. "I’ll do this for you…but after that, it’s sianara Lizziecara, adios Lizzie-os, au revoir Eliza…roar," he finished…not able to rhyme that last one.

Elizabeth shook her head. What a tool. A fabulous tool. But a tool none the less.

She sighed. "I’m sorry, but Wallace you know…you owe me."

Wallace slowly sat back down on his stool and folded his arms across his chest. "And they call ME the funny one…This oughtta be good for a laugh."

"It’s because of me that you and Lucinda are together…I just think you should know that," Elizabeth said matter of fact.

"I beg to differ," Wallace said shaking his head and pointing his thumb towards himself. "Everyone knows it’s my boyish charm and skilled repertoire of bedroom antics that got us together."

Elizabeth pushed her tongue inside her cheek. "Whatever gets you through the day….Listen, I TOLD her that she should go for you. I pointed out how cow-eyed you got over her every time you saw her."

"WHEN?" Wallace said, narrowing his eyes again. "WHEN did you point out how cow-eyed…I do NOT get cow-eyed," he amended, annoyed by the description.

"Just a day or so after I met you…It was the first time all of us went out together – Sully’s to be exact…and Jack had just said something completely idiotic to me…I didn’t know him then, and I went running into the bathroom like an idiot – all upset. Lucinda came after me…we talked. I told her you had a major case of the ‘huminas’ for her…and she could deny it all she wanted, but she should give you a chance."

Wallace lifted an eyebrow in suspicion. "You lie and you’re not to be trusted."

Elizabeth held up a hand, he didn’t have to know she’d never been any kind of scout or campfire anything. "I swear…I liked you from the beginning Wallace. I told her what an upstanding guy I thought you were."

"You’d known me for like a day." Wallace pointed out, still not buying it.

Elizabeth shook her head slowly and then nodded. "That may be true, but you leave QUITE the impression on a girl Wallace McKenzie…I mean really – how could I not be totally and completely charmed? You said so yourself."

A slight grin pulled at one corner of his mouth. "I did say that didn’t I?…But still."

"She called you her BROTHER, Wallace…I set her straight."

Wallace grimaced. "Aw man! Ok…ok! I’ll do it."

Elizabeth squealed like a little girl and threw herself off the stool and into his arms. "You’ll see! You’ll see! He’ll love it! And I promise I’ll make it up to you!"

She went to kiss his cheek and he put up a hand just in time. Forcing her to kiss his palm.

"Ah-ah- none of that. None of this mushy stuff, I don’t care what your condition is. Your lips shall never again touch this flesh….no matter how irresistible I am. You have to learn to control your self. "

Elizabeth grinned and sat back down on the chair. "Thank you Wallace. You’re a good friend."

"Oh for God’s sake," Wallace said standing up and straightening his shirt. "Say something Elizabethlike. You’re throwing me off my rhythm here."

Elizabeth sighed. "Ok, LUCKY thinks you’re a good friend…I on the other hand, think you’re Supreme Ruler of Planet Supertool."

Wallace smiled and winked. "Atta girl…ok – so tomorrow morning?" He said, slapping down a 10-dollar bill to cover both of their milkshakes because they weren’t friends and he was the Supreme Ruler of Planet Supertool. "The Mammy and Pappy Spencer Abode?"

"Yes sir."

He pushed his wallet into his back pocket and then stopped for a moment. Folding his arms across his chest as if something had finally hit him.

This was huge.

"You know…This is gonna change everything. I mean not what we’re doing in particular…but…you know…" he said, pointing to her stomach.

Elizabeth’s chewed at the inside of her lip and pushed a strand behind her ear.

"I mean you already sorta came in and changed life as we knew it….but now…Wow."

Wallace caught the expression on her face and took a step forward. "No…I don’t mean it like that – I mean it in a good way. A good Wow…and I feel really lucky to be the first person you told," he said, finishing with a grin over his pun.

He didn’t need to know that Laura already knew.

A little part of her suddenly did need the reassurance, though. Just as an old doubt niggled at the corner of her mind. "You’re sure?"

"Positive…Little Wallace is a blessing."

Elizabeth looked down and wrung her hands in response to what should have made her laugh. Wallace put his on top of hers. "Elizabeth, I’m positive…As if he didn’t love you enough already, right? I’d say after tomorrow, ‘worship’ will be a more suitable description. Pure adoration…don’t sweat it."

She looked up and grinned widely at him. Wallace cursed his naivete. "Damn it!" She’d gotten him again!

As soon as he was out the door, Elizabeth started laughing so hard she really did cry. It was going to be a great nine months. She and Lucky had never specifically said they wanted to start a family…but their M.O. was taking chances right?

Now if she could only hold her tongue long enough to pull off the surprise.

~~~~~~~

Lucky smacked a loud kiss on Lucinda’s cheek and then released her from the hold he had on her face. "Thank you SO much! You kick ass. Just want you to know that."

Lucinda shrugged out of her long coat with a smile. "I try."

"Well you delivered," Lucky said, hanging her coat and eyeing the pamphlet that Lucinda had just handed him. "So you were able to get this exact –

"The exact one," she said interrupting. "They had to do a little digging, but with the description you gave me of terry cloth, etc…they were able to put it together. She’s gonna love this so much. I can’t believe you’re doing this for her. What a great idea…All we have to do now is hope it arrives today."

Lucky lifted an eyebrow as she sat down on a stool next to him at the bar. It would arrive today, it had to. He spoke with such nonchalance that he could have been talking about the weather.

"I’d do anything for her…I love her."

Lucinda smiled. "I know it, and she knows it…Man, the whole world knows it."

Lucky smiled. That ‘Man,’ sounded exactly the way Wallace would have said it. It was funny how people rubbed off on one another. He wondered what little things he did since Elizabeth had come into his life. Had his cooking turned bad? Did he suddenly know how to dance?

He could unequivocally answer ‘no’ to both of those questions, but there had to be something. He’d have to start a list.

Lucinda cleared her throat, waking Lucky from his sudden lapse into the world of daydream. "Earth to Lucky…"

"Oh," Lucky said with a grin. "Sorry about that. Listen, thank you again for doing all of this for me. You know…ever since I brought Elizabeth to town –

"Ah it seems like only yesterday," Lucinda quipped with a smile. "Possibly because it was."

Lucky shook his head and raised his voice over her chuckle. "I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU."

She shrugged as her giggle subside. "For what?"

"For instantly becoming her friend when you could see that she needed one…aside from me, and separate from me, you made it your job to get to know her…and I thank you for that."

Lucinda looked down bashfully and he continued. "You were also the only one who never questioned our relationship. You never told me I was crazy, and as far as I can tell you never THOUGHT it either…I just wanna say thank you for supporting me…and Elizabeth – even when it was rough," he said, on a sigh. Remembering the last time he’d visited Port Charles and the reason why. If there were ever a time for Lucinda to give up on Elizabeth, it would have been then.

Lucinda sighed. "It was lonely being the only girl in the ultimate boy’s club, you know? And by the time she kissed Wallace I already liked her a whole lot. It was too late to shut her out."

"Tell me about it," Lucky said nodding. "By the time she kissed him I’d already been ripe for weeks. I couldn’t have forgotten about her even if I’d tried."

His friend laughed. "See…how could I not support that?…You know – if I ever thought she hurt you on purpose though, I wouldn’t think twice about kicking her short little ass…but most of the time she’s only really hurting herself"

Lucky smiled softly. How right she was. "Thankfully, I do believe those days are over…" his smile broadened. "And thank you for the offer by the way…You’re more generous than I ever was."

Her brow knit. "What are you talking about? You want to kick Wallace’s ass for me?"

"If necessary," Lucky joked. "No, listen…I owe you an apology. I should have taken care of Jack long before things got to the level that they did. He treated you like crap and all I could do was pat your hand through it when I should have been beating his sorry -

She held up her hand. "Lucky please. You and Wallace both tried to make me see a billion and one times, Hell even Elizabeth did when we first met…I’m a big girl. And besides all that I’m with a man that I absolutely…" Her voice trailed off and she blushed. "You know how I feel."

Lucky nodded in silent agreement. Wow, what a difference a few months could make. Chances really were worth taking. "Well, it sure took you long enough come around, but I knew you had it in you."

She grinned like a schoolgirl and Lucky continued. "So…you didn’t wanna kill him after the other night do you? Or me, for ruining your evening? Inviting you guys down here in the first place?"

Lucinda thought back to how drunk Wallace had been. Nearly yacking in that elevator. Her grin grew broader when she thought of how he’d made things up to her just a couple of hours ago though.

She shrugged. "Don’t worry about it. Wallace’s drinking habits have officially changed. …Besides," she said with a suggestive eyebrow. "Earlier today he was very, very…ahem – apologetic about the whole thing…The man apologizes extremely well."

Lucky lifted an eyebrow again until her meaning dawned and he lowered it quickly. "Oh - probably more info than I need…but congratulations."

She giggled just as Luke senior came out of the back. "Well, well, well…" he said stopping on the side of the bar. "And who is THIS lovely creature?"

"Her name is Lucinda McCloud and you’re married to my mother," Lucky explained without waiting.

Luke sighed. "I KNOW my boy…did I SAY anything at all suggesting that I’d forgotten that fact…sheesh – the boy gets hitched and he turns into a complete and utter prude. Please excuse him – Luke Spencer," he said holding out a hand for her to shake.

Lucinda rose and shook his hand. "Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard tons about you Mr. Spencer."

"Lies told by Satan’s spawn…and it’s Luke," he said grinning from ear to ear.

Lucky rolled his eyes and Lucinda smiled. "Actually Luke, most of it was very complimentary."

"Well, the quiet whispering of God’s little angel then," Luke said, beaming at Lucky and then back to Lucinda, as he continued to pump her hand well past the point of good manners.

Lucky sighed. "Dad…"

Luke glanced around the tall girl who he now recognized from magazine photos he’d seen. "Son it’s obviously not my fault if my reputation precedes me."

"Of course not," Lucky muttered under his breath. "Why would it be your fault?"

"You," Luke said as he continued his hand still locked with hers. "I’ve seen you before…magazines and such. "You know," he said then. "I’ve been looking for someone to be sort of…you know…sort of the ‘face of Luke’s’ like a Spokesperson or a –

Lucky groaned. "Dad it’s a BLUES CLUB. What do you need a ‘face of Luke’s’ for?" he asked shaking his head in disgust.

"Lucky!" Luke shouted suddenly. "You need to learn to SHARE your friends! FIRST you bring home a stripper and won’t let her strip and now you want to spoil my fun with your supermodel friend as well. I raised a party pooper!"

Lucinda laughed and Luke looked at her and explained in a conspirator’s whisper. "And he calls himself a business man…Lucinda – may I call you Lucinda?"

"Of course."

"Lucinda competition is TOUGH in this town."

"You’re the ONLY Blue’s club in town DAD."

Luke sneered at his son and grit his teeth. "There are OTHER clubs Lucky. Clubs that would just as soon see your old man run out of town and branded a failure, than to see him succeed and move up in the world."

"Dad what the Hell are you talking about? You’ve been in business FOREVER."

"Neveryoumind Simpleton!" Luke countered, still shaking Lucinda’s hand.

She laughed out loud just as Wallace walked through the door. He came to stand at the bar and silently looked down at Luke and Lucinda’s hands in firm handshake. No longer shaking. Just standing there…holdin’ hands.

Wallace turned towards Lucky and lifted an eyebrow in question.

Lucky shrugged. "Sorry…You’re too late. They’re already going steady."

"Wow, you take your eyes away for one minute and look what happens…Mr. Spencer are we gonna have to take it outside or will you just kick my ass in here?"

Luke dropped Lucinda’s hand and met Wallace’s eyes in shock. "Oh you’re kidding me right?….You? Her?" He asked, his eyes meeting Lucinda’s again.

Lucinda nodded with a crooked grin. Wallace shook his head and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. "I wouldn’t kid a kidder, Sir…and I wouldn’t kid you either."

Luke looked down and shook his head. Muttering under his breath. "My son marries a stripper and his nerdy bestfriend hooks up with a supermodel…I better take the ferry on out to Wyndewierd and make sure Steffie hasn’t hooked up with a Playboy Bunny."

Wallace scrunched his face in confusion. Still caught on the first part. "Who’s Lucky’s nerdy bestfriend?"

Lucinda gave him a loud kiss on the cheek and hugged him hard. "Foster, Baby."

"Speaking of that mutt!" Luke said jumping in. "Lucky did you HAVE to bring him down here with you?"

"It’s the holidays…" Lucky said with a wiggle of his eyebrow. "We felt bad about leaving him alone." Or rather Elizabeth had felt bad. He’d been completely fine with it.

"It IS the most depressing time of year for those alone," Wallace chimed in, pouting for a moment. "But then again…" he made a show of dipping his girlfriend and kissing her. "I wouldn’t know anything about being depressed…would I Honey?"

She grinned up at him lovingly. "Nope."

Luke made a gagging sound and took a step back in response to the massive public display of affection. "Oh Dear God….the happiness quotient – I can’t take it…Ok, I have to go now. Lucky you go home and make sure your Dog isn’t getting it on with that French Stripping Supermodel Poodle next door."

Lucky smiled wide as Luke disappeared into the backroom. It would do his confused, jealous dog good to get some action.

He sighed and slid off of his barstool as Wallace and Lucinda continued to engage in an act not suitable for a public establishment. At least the club was closed for the holidays, he thought.

Moving past them to grab his coat near the door, he shook his head. "You know you guys ARE getting a little out of hand."

Wallace pulled away from the mouth he adored for just a moment. Long enough to put Lucky in his place. "Oh PUHLEEZE…if I had a nickel for every time I had to listen to you go on and on and ON at work, about doing nothing but kissing and snuggling with Lizzie and how wonderful…"

Lucinda snickered.

"Ok, ok!" Lucky shouted. Cutting him off before he was further embarrassed. "But listen Wallace, when you’re done here…I need to have a word with you outside."

"I’m never gonna be done," Wallace mumbled against the mouth connected to his.

"Well like…when you take a break."

"No rest for the weary."

"Well when –

He turned to shout. "I’m NEVER STOPPING!"

Lucinda laughed out and loud and pried herself out of her boyfriend’s grasp. "Go talk to Lucky."

"Aaaaaaw man! Come on!"

"Stop whining and go TALK TO LUCKY."

Wallace sighed and dropped his gaze like a wounded puppy. He looked up after a moment to narrow them on his bestfriend. He and his wife were driving him up the wall today.

Oh shit…maybe Lucky knew. Maybe he’d figured things out.

Wallace suddenly hoped this had nothing to do with a certain someone and a certain something they were planning to announce the arrival of a certain someone else.

He tried to make light. Focusing on the fact that he had to leave Lucinda’s luscious lips.

"You owe me Spencer."

"That I do," Lucky said as Wallace grabbed his coat and moved past him. "That’s what we have to talk about."

Wallace’s brow scrunched in confusion as he turned back towards his friend.

~~~~~~~

"So do you always wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping?" Elizabeth asked, grimacing as she dodged her way through a crowd with Leslie Lu. She was starting to feel faint in the busy store.

"Well not always, but I’ve been pretty busy lately…I had some research to do the other day, and then I had lunch with you yesterday…and then we wound up going shopping for ME with Lucky – how am I supposed to concentrate on buying things for others when I’m trying on hip huggers?"

"The spirit of giving is truly a miracle to behold," Elizabeth sighed. Watching two old ladies fight over a pair of tube socks, just a few yards away behind Leslie.

"I’ve only got Lucky left to shop for," Leslie continued, unfazed. "That’s why I brought you – so you could help. I figure you know him best these days, so you could tell me what to get….I mean what do you get for the guy who has everything, right?"

‘Babysitting coupons?’ Elizabeth thought, but didn’t say as she smiled quietly to herself. Rubbing her still flat tummy, Elizabeth was content with the thought of ‘knowing him best.’

Leslie continued to ramble on without a care. "I mean can you believe he had such issue with putting together my database for male research? You’d THINK he’d want to help his little sister find the best suitor possible."

What one thing had to do with another, Elizabeth didn’t know. "You’d think."

But Leslie’s dramatics did spark an idea in Elizabeth’s all shopped out brain. "What if you and Lucky struck a deal? A deal that would get me out of this mall like NOW."

Leslie lifted an expertly plucked brow. Even a professional shopper like herself could not deal if one more person bumped into her. She was THIS close to opening a major can of whoop-ass.

"Spill it."

"What if you offered to go to work for Lucky this summer," Elizabeth began, linking her arm with her sister-in-law’s. "You could serve as his…I don’t know…a Youth Liaison."

She liked the sound of that. "His what?"

"A young executive out in the field," Elizabeth explained, not knowing where the heck the words were coming from. "You’d be his eyes and ears…letting him know what kid - PEOPLE your age into. I mean, he’s got those 7 to 12 year olds in the palm of his hand…but what about the 13 to 17 year old bracket…he needs someone with her finger on the pulse to tell him what’s out there. How to reach a broader audience and make his video games more ‘sophisticated’ shall we say…"

Leslie looked as if she might have to sit down. She placed a hand to her heart. "Sophisticated…finger on the pulse…Oh My God – Elizabeth…THAT’S ME!"

Elizabeth giggled as she steered Leslie away from a rack of bad ties and led her towards the store’s exit. Pleased with her self for saving Leslie from yet another teenage impulse buy.

"I know…I know…See, and this way you’ll be able to prove just how mature you are to Lucky and I’m sure it’ll make him see your dating system in a whole new light."

Leslie stopped right outside of the store and a few people nearly ran her over in the corridor. "Leslie L. Spencer…Project Development - Youth Division at Game One….

"Oh! You know what," Leslie continued before Elizabeth could respond. "I bet I should just initial my first name, right?…L. Lu Spencer. That way I won’t become a victim of sexism. The job market is a tough place for a woman."

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. Lordy, what had she done? She might have thought about talking to Lucky about this first. But he wouldn’t mind right?…Right. She was almost positive.

"I think that’s a great idea…L. Lu it is."

"Maybe I should change the spelling to L-o-u…that’s more androgynous."

~~~~~~~

"Wait…" Wallace said, trying to take it all in. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "You’re what? You’re quitting what? I think what you meant to say was…You’re quitting shaving. Which is fine - not a route I would go, Mountainboy - but hey, to each his own. Grow a mullet too while you’re at it."

"That’s not what I said and you know it," Lucky said soberly. He took a deep breath and slowly said the words again. "I’m quitting Game One. I’m turning in my resignation on the first of the year."

The decision had come as a surprise to Lucky too, but now it felt like the best decision he’d ever made aside from marrying Elizabeth. He was taking another chance and it’d be great…as long as he had his friend with him.

Wallace licked his suddenly dry lips. "That’s in five days…You pulled me away from my girlfriend just to tell me a joke?"

"It’s not a joke."

"Not a good joke – you’re right………Did I tell you that one about J.Lo and the bartender yet?"

"Yes…and I’m not joking McKenzie, so get a grip."

"Yes you are. You are because you’re CRAZY, no doubt…but you aren’t THIS crazy…are you?"

"I probably am insane, but I’m not joking," Lucky said shifting his feet. He pushed his gloved hands into his pockets and let out another breath.

"Yes – yes you are."

"No – no I’m not."

"You can say ‘no’ all you want Lucky…I’m not hearing you," Wallace said, placing his fingers in his ears like a child. He started to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Lucky spoke over the song. "SOOO THEN I GUESS YOU WOULDN’T HEAR ME IF I ASKED YOU TO BE MY PARTNER? TO GO INTO BUSINESS WITH ME? START OUR OWN MAJOR VIDEO GAME CORPORATION?"

Wallace slowly pulled his fingers from his ears. "Ok, this is even less funny than the last joke was."

"Good because I’m completely serious here."

"What? Why?!…Ok…ok," Wallace said laughing as he shook his head. Lucky was delusional. He and his wife were both conspiring to drive him crazy. "So you want to quit the job that made you a millionaire, a NICE…stable job –

"It’s not stable, and I’m the one who made me a millionaire…AND They came THIS close to firing me over this whole Stephanie thing."

"Lucky they thought you were a possible rapist who attacked a board member’s daughter!"

"So be it," Lucky said shrugging. "It doesn’t matter anyway. I was done with this company months ago…I mean I love it, but I’m not willing to sacrifice my life for it. I don’t want to have to come into the office when I don’t feel like it. When I want to sleep in with my wife…I don’t wanna feel guilty about it. The only thing that matters to me is –

"Elizabeth…yeah, I’ve heard," Wallace sighed, scratching his head. They really were driving him up the wall.

"And YOU," Lucky said, widening his eyes. "You matter too man…Part of the reason I wanted you and Lucinda to come down here was so we could discuss this in person. I didn’t want to do it over the phone…but I want to know going into the new year that this is a done deal…I want you with me, man."

Wallace’s mouth pulled to one side. "Sweet talk will get you nowhere."

"You’re cheap and easy. It’ll get me everywhere……So are you with me? Or do I send you back to the city on Foster’s back?"

"Lucky this is crazy…When exactly did you THINK of this massively dumb idea?"

"Oh you mean my massively ingenious idea? On the train ride over…I got inspired."

Wallace knew about Lucky and Elizabeth and how they’d probably use their time on a train. "Yeah I’ll bet….Come on now, how would we even…"

Lucky took Wallace by the arm, leading him around the side of the building. "Listen, the way I see it, WE made the money for that company. We put them on the map…and that’s not being cocky that’s just being realistic."

Wallace nodded. "You’ll find no disagreement here."

"That being said, I figure we can do it on our own. I mean why not?"

"Why not?…’Cause it’d be like…I don’t know…hard and stuff?" Wallace said in all seriousness.

"If ‘hard and stuff’ is the best you can come up with then we’re in business," Lucky said with a grin. "Come on man…you know you want it."

Wallace grinned like a coerced, teenage girl and shook his head. He folded his arms across his chest. "You’re gonna have to convince me, sell me, and pretty much make me your bitch on this one."

Lucky nodded and slipped an arm around his shoulders. That he could do.

"Well bitch…think HUGE arcade in Times Square, think HUGE arcade in Vegas…in every major city in the country…Think Road Fury spin-offs…and if that doesn’t get you going…think of a video game theme hotel in Vegas: adult entertainment that brings them all of us back to being a kid…An entire floor for kids to hang out while Mom and Dad lose the family vacation money."

Wallace looked at him with wide eyes. Staring to salivate. "What’s all this talk about Vegas? I thought you hated Vegas?"

"How could I possibly still hate Vegas? It gave me Elizabeth…and besides, she says she doesn’t miss it, but I know a part of her does…It’d be great to have a place there to stay sometimes. We could go on business and stay to play."

"So is THIS the reason behind your recent purchase of a certain club? Why you decided to buy her –

"It’s only PART of the reason. An added benefit…and you’re still sworn to secrecy about that."

"Along with everything else," Wallace mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing…" Wallace slumped against the brick wall, letting his head fall back. "Listen man, I like Las Vegas…but my home is in New York. I couldn’t like just…relocate – even for you man."

Lucky nodded solemnly. "I wouldn’t ask you too. Nobody’s gotta move. We’ll have to fly out pretty often at first and then we’ll take vacations. My home is wherever Elizabeth wants to be."

Wallace shook his head slowly and shielded his eyes from the son as he looked up at Lucky. "You’re really serious about this aren’t you? You start throwing around pure mush and I know you are."

"You’re as bad as I am so I wouldn’t talk," Lucky said, gesturing towards the club where Wallace had been playing tonsil hockey with his girlfriend.

"I am n…" His voice trailed off and a satisfied grin replaced it. "Listen I gotta get back in there before Lucinda and your dad run away together."

When he started to turn away, Lucky reached out for his arm.

Wallace grinned when he turned back. "Come on Man…was there ever any doubt? Of course. McKenzie Spencer will be a smashing success, countrywide."

Lucky grinned as Wallace turned to walk back towards the club. "That’s Spencer McKenzie! The insane one with the ideas always gets top billing!"

His smile grew as Wallace disappeared. He didn’t care what they decided to call their new venture. He already knew what he’d call it…FUN. And if Elizabeth actually liked it…even better.

Lucky took a deep breath. Yeah, he probably should have mentioned it to her first.

~~~~~~~

Lucky thought it was an ‘interesting’ idea. Especially ‘interesting’ once Leslie Lu announced she may need to take over his home office and get L. Lou engraved on a platinum nameplate on the door. Platinum – not gold. And she couldn’t possibly be expected to conduct all her work in a lowly town like Port Charles. No she needed to be out in the field – out in the big city – to really do her job adequately. And of course, since the cost of living in the city was so much more, she couldn’t be expected to work for minimum wage either.

He scratched the back of his head. Not sure that this was the best time to bring up his new plans. Considering he’d yet to discuss them with Elizabeth, let alone his little sister.

"This was your idea huh?" He asked, pulling his wife close.

He kissed her cheek and Elizabeth cuddled readily into his side. Watching as Luke and Laura put the finishing touches on the Christmas tree. "Not really…I mean Yes - but not the you know…living with us part."

Lucky waved a hand. "Oh why not…I don’t need my office anyway – she can have it. What’s privacy?"

Elizabeth bit her lip. If they stayed in the penthouse, they would be needing some extra space, but she probably should have consulted him first. "I’m sorry…my mouth got away from me. I just wanted OUT of that shopping mall today. I was feeling faint and –

Lucky turned to her, his brow knit in worry. "Why would you be feeling faint? Are you sick?"

Oh crap. Elizabeth scrambled for an answer. Once again, her mouth having gotten away from her. She rubbed a circle on his back and shook her head so she wouldn’t have to meet his eyes. "No…no…I’m fine. It was just so hot in there with all those people and we hadn’t stopped for refreshments in awhile. You know how she can go for like…HOURS."

Lucky nodded slowly and shrugged. "It’s ok that you didn’t bring it up with me first…that seems to be the order of the day……There’s actually something that I need to talk to you about. I think you’ll like it, but -

"Ok Lucky it’s time for the Christmas Angel…would you do the honors Sweetheart?"

Laura’s voice cut through their conversation as Lucky disengaged from her side and walked over to the tree. Taking the angel from his mother and mounting the small step ladder.

Lucky climbed up and placed the angel atop the highest branch. Glancing over his shoulder at his mother and Elizabeth. Both of their eyes were glassy with sentimentality. Typical for his mother. Not so typical for Elizabeth.

Since when did his wife cry over things like this?

It had taken her forever to cry in front of him at all though, so he tried not to make fun of her too much on his way down the ladder. He wrapped his arm around her again and grinned. She was gorgeous as the lights from the tree twinkled against her skin. She glowed brighter than the angel atop the tree.

"Hey Wonder Woman," he whispered into her ear once his mother and father were otherwise occupied with another of their traditions – kissing each other under the mistletoe. "You wanna go check out my super stocking upstairs?"

He needed to tell her some things and he wanted her to hear them in the privacy of his own childhood bedroom. Aside from that, he’d never scored in there…so….

Elizabeth smiled sideways as she watched Luke and Laura kiss and Leslie Lu pick up the phone. She’d actually been away from it for as long as it took to decorate the tree. But now she lifted the receiver as if it were a lifeline. Elizabeth wondered which one of her case studies she was calling and felt another sudden twinge of sentimentality at the scene.

This was her family. Years from now, when Leslie finally picked a ‘case study’ to marry, she’d be around to see it.

Lucky nibbled at Elizabeth’s earlobe from behind. "Come on…come check out my…decorations. They’re better than the ones down here."

"You’re room isn’t decorated Lucky."

"Yeah-huh it is. I got some new balls I want you to see."

Elizabeth giggled loudly and covered her mouth. Slipping backwards with him towards the stairs. "They aren’t new, but I’d love to see them anyway."

With one of his hands around his wife’s waist, and the other on the banister, he called to his family. "Ok guys, Elizabeth and I are turning in…G’night. See you in the morning. Merry Christmas." He rambled the words as he tugged Elizabeth further up the stairs.

Laura turned suddenly away from her husband, as if struck by the absurdity. "Lucky, you two should really sleep on the pull out down here in the living room! It’s so much bigger than your little bed in your little room."

The little bed would do just fine tonight, Lucky thought. They’d just have to sleep single file. Besides, what he had in mind for his bed was not conducive to any public living area.

"That’s ok Mom…we’ll be fine."

Laura sighed. "Lucky, I’m sure Elizabeth would like to sleep comfortably and –

Luke cleared his throat to remind her of certain things she’d forgotten. No wonder the kid had chosen to stay in a hotel the first night. "HON-EY…they’re practically still on their HONEYMOON."

Leslie looked up from her phone long enough to say "gross."

"Well Elizabeth as long as you’re comfortable," Laura gave in reluctantly. She wanted her daughter-in-law and her grandchild to be as cozy as possible. "It’s important that you -

"I’ll be fine Mom," Elizabeth said with a smile and a wink. Laura’s heart swelled at the sound of the title and nodded them towards the stairs.

Lucky stared quizzically at the two of them for a moment and then smiled as he considered their new bond. Finally the love of his life had found a mother. He couldn’t have been happier…even if it could turn out to be a little dangerous.

"See you two in the morning…bright and early."

"Bright and early," they both repeated before running up the stairs together.

~~~~~~~

Lucky shut the door behind Elizabeth and leaned against it with a smile. Elizabeth read the mischief in his eyes and grinned as well.

"I’ve got a girl in my room…this is so cool."

Elizabeth bounced up and down on the bed a bit. Leaning back on her palms, when she finished testing it. "This’ll do…but you know, I can’t believe you’ve never had a chick up here. Mr. Cool himself? Mr. Smoother than Silk?…My White Knight."

Lucky rolled his eyes. "Wallace made up that name for me, and he didn’t know me as a kid…I never, ever scored in this house," he finished, pouting. "And this girl I met in Vegas gave me that last title you said."

"Hmmm…" Elizabeth said, crossing her ankles. "Smart girl. I bet she’d let you score up here."

He pretended to think about it. Scratching the back of his head. "I don’t know…I don’t think it was really meant as a term of endearment when she gave it to me…and besides, I think maybe I’d rather do some reading. I’ve got this fairytale I want to finish up –

Elizabeth pushed herself to the edge of the bed on her knees and found his mouth. Interrupting him, as her hands cupped his face. She kissed him deep and slow.

Lucky’s eyes opened slowly as she drew away from him, and Elizabeth swallowed to find her voice. "White Knight…get ready to score with Wonder Woman, because it’s a term of endearment now."

He grinned like the cat with every intention of eating the canary, and kissed her again, as she moved her hands down to the sweater that he wore.

Elizabeth sized her husband up. His deep red sweater had been turning her on all evening. The color was such a stark contrast to his eyes that they seemed to flicker with every look. Yes, he was about to get very, very lucky.

As lucky as she’d been on the day they met.

Elizabeth dipped her tongue into the crook of his neck and Lucky shivered. He lifted his arms to aide her the sweater’s removal.

Sweater lying on the floor, Lucky took Elizabeth’s mouth roughly. Turned on by both the woman, and the environment. There was something really naughty about ‘doing it’ in your childhood bedroom. Your too small desk in the corner and your pennants still hanging up on the walls.

Elizabeth dug her fingertips into one of the tight biceps that flexed as he kissed her. Gasping into his mouth as his other hand left her face and slid inside her pants.

"I’ve been dying to do this all damn day," Lucky said, growling against her jaw before returning to feast on her mouth. He took her bottom lip between his teeth. Unable to get enough. To taste enough of her. "Make you come…Hear it…"

She was propped on the very edge of the bed, supported by jelly like knees as his fingers sought her out. "Lucky not yet…Let’s wait…your parents are still aw…awake…"

They’d done the ‘waiting’ thing already and he was long past being able to do that. The night he’d first made love to this woman was the day his patience had washed away like sand at the shore.

She panted a weak protest that melted into nothingness at the first glide of his fingers through her moist center. She was already close and Lucky knew it. Her grabbed her by the hair, listening with pleasure as she moaned into his mouth.

He kept kissing her as she came. Smothering the sounds she was afraid of his family might hear. Eating the syllables of his own name as his fingers brought her over the edge again.

Elizabeth broke away from his kiss, blinded by the ecstatic assault on her senses. She tried wiggling her hips away from his probing fingers but he wouldn’t let go. With one hand around her waist, he brought her tighter still. Pressing her to his groin. They both groaned as his erection pressing into her belly. His hand found her again and she dissolved against him. Pressing her teeth into his bare shoulder.

The world swam around her, as she cried out. And her leg lifted on it’s own accord, seeking a place around his hip. Lucky heeded the silent plea for mercy, wrapping his fingers tightly around her knee.

She tugged with liquid like fingers at his pants. Pushing down at the waistband, because she couldn’t reach his zipper from her position.

"Off…please…please…" God, she wanted him so badly. She pressed her fingers into the muscles of his upper back and begged with her hips. Grinding against him over and over. She felt the muscles in his back tense and knew it wouldn’t be long.

Not long at all.

Lucky’s fingers stopped working as he growled into her ear. There’d been something he wanted to tell her up here before they did this…but he couldn’t for the life of him remember what it was.

She wrapped both arms around his neck in surrender, as Lucky made quick work of her jeans. Pushing them along with her damp panties, down to her knees. He listened to her whimper and sigh against his shoulder as he worked his own pants and underwear down with haste.

Swiftly, he gripped her bottom and lifted her, slipping inside her before she had a chance to catch her breath. Tears of pleasure clouded her vision as she clung to his body. Her lower belly against his chest. Her still covered chest, assaulted by the heat of his breath when he pushed his face between her breasts.

Elizabeth leaned back, knowing her lover would support her. Lucky answered the wordless instruction, by slipping his hands beneath her back. Splaying his fingers against the material of her sweater. Her body arched towards his, pulsing towards him while suspended.

Lucky groaned in frustration after a few moments. Unable to stand and support them both as the heat became too much, the fire in his belly boiling up towards the point of no return. He grunted an obscenity and laid her back on the bed. Falling deeper into bliss and muttering a curse again.

Elizabeth stretched beneath him, her fingers tugging at the baseball theme comforter beneath her as he filled and stretched her. Deeping his thrust with every return as he stood with one foot still on the floor. She came around him in a wicked flood of torment. Writhing against the bed, murmuring something about a white knight and how he shouldn’t stop riding his…something…his steed?

Well last time he looked she didn’t resemble a horse in the least little bit, but he’d certainly take that advice for as long as he could. But that wasn’t long at all. Seconds later, his own undoing began. Years of frustration he’d felt in this room, being released inside her. Leaving him forever and finding peace inside her warm, supple body.

Lucky slumped against her. Breathing deep as she kissed his collarbone and sighed. "Well…you obviously knew a bunch of dumb girls when you lived here."

He kissed the side of her face. Even his lips were tired after that, so he left them there as he spoke. "None of them would have compared…So glad my first time here was with you."

Elizabeth curled her leg around him, feeling him still semi-hard inside her. What a marvel. "I’m glad too…I’d be ecstatic to be your second time as well."

Lucky grinned into her neck. "You most definitely will be…In just a few minutes," he said on a sigh. Elizabeth made a face as he pulled out of her body, and he kissed her mouth into a smile. "I’ll be back, don’t you worry…You’re not getting rid of me tonight."

He pulled her sated body with his up towards the top of the bed, and stopped her before she laid down. Tugging at the bottom of her sweater. He found her skin, shiny and slippery beneath it, and he felt himself start to harden again as he unhooked her bra.

He knew he had to start talking if he ever hoped to have that conversation tonight.

Slipping one arm beneath her head he laid her back against the pillows. Following her to lie down. His fingers found one nipple and she shut her eyes, breathing deep through her nose. Lucky stared at her as he fought to remember how he’d practiced bringing up this topic of conversation.

Elizabeth broke the silence first, with her eyes still closed. "What are the chances your parents didn’t hear us?"

Lucky grinned and kissed where his hand had just been. Focus damnit. But how could he do that, when he was busy watching her shiver.

"Oh, their hearing ain’t what it used to be…but even if they did, it’s a chance I’d take again, that’s for damn sure."

Opening her eyes, Elizabeth bit her lip and grinned up at him. "I love the chances you take."

"You do huh?" Lucky asked, hope lifting his voice.

"Most definitely…if you didn’t take chances, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be the first girl you ever screwed in your childhood bedroom."

Lucky laughed and leaned down to kiss her again. She arched towards his mouth, and he told himself he’d suckle her for a moment. His mouth had to do other things…like talk.

Her leg eased over his hip again. His hand quickly found it and held it still, for self-preservation.

"I want to take another chance."

Elizabeth opened her passion-drunk eyes. Her eyelids fluttering weakly before she kissed the center of his chest and mumbled. "Mmm…ain’t no position’s too difficult."

Lucky looked up towards the ceiling and prayed. He’d created a monster for God’s sake. Couldn’t she see he was going against his nature? Trying hard not to give into his baser instincts here.

"Not that…although, I’m happy to hear it." Elizabeth slithered against his body and kissed his ear. "I took a chance on going back to Vegas once…and I found you…and here you are…and…You’ve t-taught….damn…."

Elizabeth lifted up on her elbow, finding his eyes. He looked like he had something serious on his mind. "Sorry…shoot. You just look so yummy, I can’t stand it."

He started to speak again, and her hand wrapped around his shaft.

Good Lord in heaven. "I’m quitting my job," he blurted. "I want to go into business for myself. Wallace and I. Our own video game corp….Maybe an adult theme hotel in Vegas. We could build a house there and you could be near Jillian and Walter. We could spend the rest of the time in New York. I know it’s sudden, but I feel like it’s a chance worth taking and…

Suddenly it wasn’t her hand on his shaft, but something else entirely and Lucky’s words stuck in his throat.

"Uh…is – is that…Y- you like the idea…th- then?"

Elizabeth glanced up and blew something else – her hair out of her eyes. "Yes," she panted. "LOVE IT…now shut up and let me make love to my chance taking husband."

Her mouth returned to its prior engagement, and Lucky leaned back against the pillow. His eyes wide with shock as he tried to process what had just happened. But how could you process when you’d created a monster who couldn’t get enough of you. Who didn’t even care that you’d just made this massive decision without consulting her first!

Lucky smiled as the sound of those words, ‘make love’ echoed in his ears. Calming every fear he’d had.

His wife no longer ran screaming from the word ‘love’ and damn was she good at doing it. Chances were definitely worth taking.