Chapter 3

Nikolas looked out the window of his hotel suite. Lucky had kept in touch with Lulu, he had known that but how she had, he didn't know. He wanted his sister to be happy but she wasn't. Not completely, she wouldn't be unless Lucky was back. Plus Nikolas had to let himself admit that he had missed Lucky as well. Lucky was his brother, and he cared for him. He just wanted everyone in his family to be happy. Which meant that Lucky had to come home. Laura missed him, and as much as it pained him to admit sometimes, she needed him. The problem was there was no way to force him to come home. He was 19, and legally he could stay away forever. He had no way to convince him that he was needed.

There was a knock at the door and Nikolas went to answer it. He opened it and found Lark on the other side, with Lucky carrying her bags.

"Lark! I'm so happy your here," he said as they came inside. "Lucky it's good to see you again as well."

Lucky just looked at him and then spoke, "Listen Cassadine, I don't want to deal with you now. Got it?"

"Lucky...just forget it." Nikolas said.

"Did I miss something?" Lark asked.

"Lark, this is my mothers other son Lucky."

"So you’re the Lucky, I’ve heard so much about from Nikolas, Lulu, Laura, Luke, and others." Lark said.

"I have to go now. Bye." Lucky said coldly as he left.

Lark turned and looked at Nikolas, "My mothers other son? You've always referred to him as your brother, not in that cold, heart-less way as you just did. What's going on Nik?" Lark asked as she walked over to her husband and put her arms around his neck.

"I don't think that Lucky would appreciate knowing that I thought of him as my brother. As he made clear yesterday we did not leave off on the best of terms."

"It must have been quite a shock yesterday to see him again after all these years."

"It was. I almost didn't recognize him. I want to try to convince him to go home, but I don't know how, and I don't think the Lulu card will work."

"No, if you use Lulu to get Lucky to go home, it would probably make him resent you more, and from the looks of things it doesn't look like he wants to go home."

There was a knock on the door and Lark went to answer it. Lucky was on the other side, he had a small green shoulder bag.

"I believe this belongs to you Mrs. Cassadine. It was left at the front desk."

"Thank you Lucky and please call me Lark." She took the bag and motioned for him to come in. He shook his head no and she grabbed his arm and dragged him in.

"What the He...?"

"Nikolas, don't you think it would be a wonderful idea if Lucky stayed for Lunch with us?"

"Lark Madison-Cassadine, there is no way Lucky would want to eat a meal with me."

"Well if you don't want me to I will be happy to leave." Lucky said a little stung.

"You are welcome to stay if you would like. I am curious as to what you have been doing these past four years."

"Lucky you are staying and that is final." Lucky looked in surprisingly at Lark.

"Since it looks like I don't have a choice. I would be happy to stay and eat." Lucky hadn't had a really good meal in a while.

Lulu came home from school, tossed her book bag by the stairs and called out, "Mom? Dad? Anyone home?" She didn't get an answer. She shrugged and went over to the computer. She signed on and read the letter from Lucky. As she was reading the front door opened and Laura came in carrying the groceries.

"Lulu?" she called.

Lulu panicked and froze in place.

"Mom, I'm over here."

"What are you doing honey?"

"Just looking something up for a school report."

"Oh okay. What class is this for?"

"It's for um...Social Studies."

"Oh." Laura walked over to the computer and saw the e-mail for a moment before it was closed. "Who was that from?"

"No one mom."

"Lulu people don't get email from no one."

"It's from this guy at school. We are in the same class."

"Ok Lulu. I won't pry, but if there is anything you want to tell me, you know I will listen." Laura turned and left smiling, could this be Lulu's first crush?

"Thanks mom." Lulu watched her mom walk into the kitchen and quickly read the rest of Lucky's email. She would have to reply later though, because Laura was calling her.

Lucky, Nikolas, and Lark were sitting in the hotel suite eating lunch. Lucky hadn't said much at all. He had answered their questions with short answers. Not really offering much to the conversation. Lark had hoped that she could get Lucky to open up, but that doesn't seem to be working so she thought of a way to leave that wouldn't be too obvious. But when she couldn't think of a good enough reason she made up some lame excuse.

"I have to go to the hotel gift shop and see if they have a magazine."

"Now?" Nikolas looked at his wife incredulously.

"Yes, Now. Bye Lucky nice meeting you."

"You too." Lark left the room.

Lark left and there was silence between the brothers. Neither were saying anything. Finally Nikolas spoke.

"So, what have you been up to these few years?"

"Stuff. Listen, I have to get back to work. Besides, why would you care?" Lucky stormed out of the room before Nikolas could respond.

Lucky got on the elevator and as the doors closed he could feel the pain in his head. The pain was horrid; it felt as though a large truck was running around his brain. He leaned back against the wall of the elevator, rubbing his forehead.