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The
Road Trip Series All Hallow's Eve - October 31, 2003 Part 2 Alexis walked through the gates and along the flagstone path into Wyndemere, Cameron trailing a few steps behind holding Kristina. He suggested they leave Kristina with Zander but Alexis retorted he had his own problems to deal with and she wasn't about to allow her daughter out of her sight. So the three marched into the family castle and headed to the library to face the young man Cameron once sarcastically referred to as "the little Prince." "Hello, Alexis. Dr. Lewis. Hello little cousin,"Nikolas said as he kissed Kristina on the cheek. "You are growing like a weed!" Kristina gave him her toothless grin and happily clapped her hands. Nikolas laughed as his hand was caught by hers and asked his aunt, "What's up? You sounded rather mysterious on the phone." Alexis didn't want to discuss it around Kristina and was about to say something when she heard a sharp intake of breath and turned around to find Mrs. Lansbury standing inside the room staring at her daughter. "Oh, Miss Alexis, she's so beautiful," she whispered. Alexis smiled. Even as a child she'd always liked Mrs. Lansbury, the coldness of their Greek estate disappearing when confronted by her warmth and graciousness. She thought it odd that such a heartwarming woman would choose to serve such a cold and austere family. "Thank you, Mrs. Lansbury," Alexis said as she watched the older woman play peek-a-boo with her daughter. Nikolas cleared his throat to return them to the matter at hand. "What's the problem, Alexis?" She smiled at her daughter and tapped the tip of her nose with a fingertip eliciting a giggle. "I'd rather not say in front of Kristina." Mrs. Lansbury looked at her. "I would be honored to watch her while you have your meeting with Master Nikolas." Alexis hesitated for just a moment but as she looked into the woman's warm hazel eyes, she saw only love and care. So she found herself nodding as she said, "That would be wonderful, Mrs. Lansbury." Cameron watched as he handed over the baby to the housekeeper, Alexis's face only wavering slightly when Mrs. Lansbury raised Kristina's hand to wave goodbye to her Mommy. He was surprised she allowed the woman to take Kristina, she barely allowed him to hold her, but he sensed a warmth between them that surprised him. They all watched as Kristina was escorted from the room. Nikolas put up a hand. "First, before we start I want to invite you to the Masquerade Ball I am holding on Halloween." Alexis was surprised. Parties at Wyndemere always ended in disaster, people preferring to be pushed or jump of their own volition rather than face the Cassadine version of party hats and noisemakers. She recalled the last formal ball held in this house, the Bacchanalia, and how tragically it ended. The parapet became more than a structure after that, it became a conduit of death and deception. "A masquerade ball? Why?" "It was Uncle's idea. He pointed out to me the difficult times we've experienced recently and said we needed to put on our best clothes and show the world the Cassadines are still a force to be reckoned with." She scoffed. "By having a ball? It seems to me our resources would be better served trying to work our way out of our endless money pit." "I know but you have to admit it is a good idea." "I don't have to admit anything," she retorted sourly. He laughed. "Just humor your Prince... please?" She shrugged, she hated dress-up parties. "Fine, you win. I'll come but he's coming with me." She jerked her thumb at Cameron who was standing over by the fireplace trying valiantly not to look bored. Cameron grimaced and shook his head. "I hate dress-up parties. I'll babysit Kristina." "Oh no, pal .... you are coming and so is she. Mrs. Lansbury or Alice can babysit here. I am not being separated from my daughter." Cameron rolled his eyes. "Fine. To use your words... you win. But don't be surprised if I'm suddenly on-call that night." Nikolas
sighed with relief, he wanted his aunt to be with him since she
was the only one he truly trusted at a time when trust and loyalty
was at a minimum in his life. "So, that's settled. Now, what
brought you here?" * * * Alexis and Cameron related everything they knew to Nikolas about their Paris trip but Alexis specifically left out the part about Luke, the Paris apartment and the messages cloaked in her Mother's handkerchiefs. She didn't want Nikolas to worry about her, she just wanted to warn him about his grandmother. The Paris apartment was her Father's business and there must be a very good reason he tried to keep certain things unknown to the family. She would not betray his trust and vowed to piece together that part of the puzzle without family interference. She left Cameron and Nikolas discussing the hospital and went off in search of her daughter. She heard a voice coming from the morning room down the hall and walked in that direction. s she approached the door she recognized Mrs. Lansbury's voice and smiled as she raised her hand to the knob. "You are such a beautiful child, just like your Mama. I know that your grandmother would be so happy if she could see you." Alexis's hand froze on the knob, the blade of betrayal piercing her. She knows how much Helena hates me, she thought angrily, how could she say that to my child.? How could I have trusted her? She took a deep breath and moved to confront her when she detected a change in the woman's voice, a soft wistful longing, and something held her back. "She had the voice of an angel and the newspapers used to say that heaven danced when she sang. Tis true, Miss Kristina, they said that! Your Grandpapa took me to see her perform in London and I truly believe she was an angel in disguise. She was beautiful inside and out and everyone adored her, especially your Grandpapa. You look very much like her when she was a baby and I know she would have loved you very much and your Grandpapa would have loved you too - and spoiled you I'm sure. " She could hear Kristina chattering in her baby language as the woman spoke of her family. Alexis was dumbstruck. "They loved your Mama and your Aunt Kristina... you were named for her and she was named for your Grandmama Kristin, did you know that? There is an old saying, what is born of love will forever be clothed in love. Your Mama was born from love and so were you and that makes both of you very special. Your unt Kristina isn't with us anymore...my, how much she would have loved you!...and she was special too. I miss her very much <voice cracks>... her laugh tinkled like windchimes and her smile was as bright as the sun. She did have some odd ways... all that silly moving around of furniture and those smelly herbs... but when she smiled at you, you felt warm and happy all the way down to your toes." Alexis leaned her head against the door, her eyes welling with tears. "Miss Kristina, you've led a very interesting life your first year. We almost lost you but your Mama never gave up on you, not when you were sick, not when they took you away from her, not then, not now... not ever. She did things that people say are crazy to protect you and to be with you so someday when you hear the stories, just remember she did that for the love of you. She will never let you down and... can I share a secret with you?... what was that?... you can keep a secret... well of course you can, my little love, you are a Cassadine and it is in the blood. So here is my secret...people will tell you that the Prince is the center of the family but the truth is your Mama is the heart and soul of this family and I don't know what we would do without her. Her Mama, your Grandmama, would be very proud of her." The tears streamed down Alexis's face as she walked into the room. Mrs. Lansbury turned and saw the tears and her eyes glistened as she blushed. "Oh my, you heard all that didn't you?" Alexis nodded as she sat down next to her on the sofa. "You knew. All these years you knew about my Mother, about me." Mrs. Lansbury straightened her shoulders, ready to take any criticism. She had the right to rebuke her for keeping secrets, even though it was always for her protection and on the orders of her Father. "Yes, Miss Alexis, I knew everything. Your father trusted me and why he did with such an important part of his life is a story for another time. Yes, I knew your Mother. She was the most wonderful person I'd ever met - warm, funny, beautiful and her voice... pure heaven. I had the confidence of both of them and they had mine." "But I don't understand... no one knew about them." "No one did until Helena innocently stumbled upon your Mother's existence when she attended the opera. From that moment, she started to put the pieces together and in the end she murdered your Mother. To save you, your Father made a deal with the devil and you were raised never to know... no one was to know... that you were his daughter. He asked me to watch over you since he could not and so I did." Alexis recalled the desserts that Stefan would bring confiding that Mrs. Lansbury was his ally, the books that would mysteriously find their way to her room when Helena took hers away, the time the woman found her and cared for her when Stavros hurt her and left her bleeding in the garden. She always believed the woman was just being nice and now... "I don't know what to say." Mrs. Lansbury grasped her hand and brought it to rest over her daughter's. "Don't say anything. Just remember that you were loved very much by your Mother and Father and they would be very proud of the woman you've become." "I doubt they'd be pleased I killed a man." "In self-defense, Miss Alexis, and to protect you and your baby. Your Mother died protecting you and Miss Kristina, you are her daughter. I would expect nothing less." Alexis never before made the connection, that her willingness to die to protect her daughter was the same her Mother was willing to do for her own children. They sat for awhile talking about her Mother and then Alexis suddenly came to a decision - to confide in Mrs. Lansbury about Helena and the threats to her and her daughter. She told her everything about Paris, Helena's visit to Kent, the rifled safe and watched as a worried but grimly determined expression settled on the woman's face. Alexis had no doubt Mrs. Lansbury would be on alert and she felt a sense of relief that there was one more person she could trust with her daughter other than Cameron, Zander and Alice. It also gave her a listening ear in the house and that was never a bad thing given the current state of her brother's disposition. Alexis mentioned the masquerade ball as she rolled her eyes. "I hate these things and I must go to please Nikolas. I intend to bring Kristina and I was wondering..." She smiled as she patted her hand. "Of course I will watch over her." Alexis felt she was asking too much. "But you have to attend to the party." "That is why I have a well-trained and well-paid staff. And if Master Nikolas takes offense, I will have a talk with him. She will be safe with me, have no fear." Sighing with relief, Alexis made a face. "Ugh...I have no idea what to wear." The woman suddenly smiled slyly and chuckled. "We have time. You leave that to me." * * * Wyndemere
was filled with light, the sparkling light of stars that twinkled
and gleamed down from the cloudless sky, the muted light of candles
and torches warm and inviting as they softened the dark sinister
edges that enveloped the estate like bat's wings. A woman dressed in a gold brocade gown with daring decolletage sidled up next to him and purred from behind an ornate mask," William Shakespeare, I presume?" "Yes, and you would be?" he asked. "A simple courtesan, lover to a king," she replied with a curtsy. "Ah... lucky man," he said. "Shakespeare could be considered a king... of literature, yes?" she asked flirtatiously as she locked arms and leaned into him. He was uncomfortable with the invasion of his personal space and the scent of her perfume, intoxicating and vaguely familiar. Alexis wore floral scents so perhaps this was someone who worked at the hospital. He decided to be courteous but slip away as quickly as possible. He noticed Nikolas and Lucky over by the buffet and decided to make his move. "Just a simple wordsmith who wrote for monarchs, hardly a king. If you will excuse me, I must see our host." He bowed and as he walked away he could still feel the woman staring at him. She probably likes my legs, he thought, Alexis where are you? * * * She stood in front of the mirror, completely entranced. The gown was of midnight blue velvet brocade styled from the Napoleonic era and fit her body like a glove, its lines skimming her body down to the elegant fishtail train, its rich fabric revealing all. Puffed sleeves fell off-shoulder enhancing a neckline that dipped deeply to the well of her breasts where an inset of silver lace dropped from the middle of her bodice to the floor of the gown, its intricate pattern of midnight blue rosebuds playing hide and seek with the light of the room. Descended
from royal blood, she felt like a princess for the first time in
her life. The woman smiled and whispered, "It was your Mother's... when she sang the part of Floria Tosca in Puccini's Tosca. " Alexis was curious as to how she came into possession of her Mother's costume. Where did this come from? I thought all of my Mother's things were destroyed. "No... some things survived even Helena's wrath and were secreted away for safekeeping. This is one of those things," she said mysteriously and did not elaborate. Alexis wondered what secrets she was holding back but decided tonight was not the time to interrogate her. "I have some of the recordings of her concerts, those I could find when I regained my memories of her. I am aware she sang Tosca but there are no recordings. I can't believe I'm standing here in her gown," Alexis murmured wistfully as she stroked the velvet with her hand. "Let me help you with your necklace, Miss Alexis," the housekeeper said as put Kristina down and reached for the velvet case holding the sapphire necklace. "Now I know why you asked me to bring Mama's necklace." "Mr. Mikkos commissioned her gowns personally down to the color and fabric. He said that only materials of great substance could compare with her beauty and insisted she wear her necklace when performing. She said it was as if your Father was embracing her when she sang and she didn't feel so alone onstage." She was learning so many things about her Mother and Father that she was overwhelmed but welcomed the tide. It filled in the spaces in the arid desert of her mind, open spaces thirsting for the knowledge that brings the rain of contentment to a heart in perpetual drought. Alexis decided that she'd hid away long enough, kissed her daughter and hugged Mrs. Lansbury goodbye. She wanted to show off for Cameron and expected more than a few grumbling asides about leaving him alone to fend for himself. Well, buddy, just wait until you see your date, she thought wickedly. * * * Cameron heard the low tone tinged with sarcasm and turned slowly around. "Steffin Cassadine as Count Dracula... how apropos." "Merely a nod to your good friend Luke Spencer, current fugitive from justice and perpetual annoyance, and his nickname for me. I thought some humor would be appreciated on this solemn holiday." "Solemn? Halloween? Kids and adults dressing up as ghosts and pirates begging candy is hardly what I would call solemn." "Sadly, your education appears to be lacking. My sister is quite brilliant despite her actions of the last year and she would be very disappointed. She so enjoys verbal jousting and is put out when her partner is not up to the task. " Stefan looked over the crowd with distaste and intoned, "Over 2,000 years ago, the Celts celebrated a holiday called Samhain to honor the God of Death. When the harvest season ended on the last day of October, the God Samhain would allow the souls of the dead to visit the homes they once lived in. The Celts would leave their homes and gather together in the fields where huge bonfires were built to scare away the evil spirits that would be roaming around in the night. Over the years as the Celts were conquered by the Romans and the ancient religion was replaced by Christianity, the old ways died out and were replaced by other rituals. The manner of the celebration may have changed over time, Doctor, to a humorous way of filling one's sweet tooth but the origins of ll Hallow's Eve remain dark, solemn and tinged with evil... as are so many other things in our lives." Cameron worked very hard not to roll his eyes at his all-knowing sepulchral tone. "Fascinating. You must be quite the history buff." Stefan glanced at him, his mask not quite hiding the slyness in his gaze. "I know a great many things, Doctor. You would be surprised. Except perhaps where my dear sister is. No doubt hiding away as she did in childhood." Cameron took offense at the tone and retorted, "Changing into her costume and settling Kristina in for the night." "Ah yes, my niece is in residence. I shall have to make a note to see her." He turned on his heel, cape flowing behind him, and walked away. Where are you, Alexis, Cameron thought with exasperation. And as if by magic, Alexis appeared framed in the doorway to the ballroom, her hair upswept and dotted with seed pearls and midnight blue velvet ribbons, an ornate silver mask gracing her face, the velvet gown hugging her curves. His lungs filled with vacuum as he tried to beg a breath, his eyes drinking in the sight of her as she smiled and glided toward him. "You can blink now and put that tongue back where it belongs... until later," she whispered as she kissed his cheek. Epic poetry would not do her justice and he yearned to tell her how stunningly beautiful she was but the only words to pass his lips were not the ones he envisioned. "Just where the hell have you been?" he asked sharply. She stared at him slack-jawed for a moment and retorted, "Where the hell do you think? A look like this does not happen in a New York minute, pal." He was instantly chagrined, reached for her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry. I've been lonely and uncomfortable here and when you walked in you just took my breath - and apparently my sanity and ability to form words - away. My God, Alexis, you are a goddess!" "Not quite a goddess... just call me Floria Tosca, the passionate diva of Tosca. Mrs. Lansbury somehow squirreled away my Mother's costume..." He looked at the gown and frowned slightly. "How is that possible?" Alexis shrugged as she looked over the crowd and saw her brother walking their way. "Mrs. Lansbury is full of surprises. Uh oh...don't look now but my brother is stalking us from the left." Cameron twirled her into his arms and chuckled, "May I have this dance?" She threw back her head and laughed, her sapphire necklace sparking ice blue flame in the light of the chandelier. "Oh, I insist!" With that they danced across the ballroom as Stefan glared after them. He shook his head and stalked away, brushing past a group of guests including the flirtatious courtesan. He
danced her out onto the terrace, their feet keeping time with music
all their own. He inhaled her perfume and allowed it to embrace
him, the feel of her body in his arms a blessed gift, the gentle
touch of her skin against his always sparking flame inside him.
She was beautiful and maddening and witty and loyal and she got
under his skin in ways no woman ever had before and he doubted ever
would again. The velvet of her dress was soft beneath his hand as
he caressed the hollow of her hip slowly pulling her more tightly
to him until they were as one person. "But not for tonight," she thought as she snuggled within his arms, "tonight we are free." "May I cut in?" her brother asked sarcastically. She rolled her eyes before she pulled away from Cameron. "Stefan, you look... darkly regal." "Sister, you look stunning as always. That is quite a costume, it looks quite old and expensive, not something you would find in this provincial wasteland." Cameron moved to say something but Alexis squeezed his hand in warning. "True. It was something I picked up in a theatrical thrift store in Manhattan. The color reminded me..." "Of Kristin, no doubt. I see you are wearing her necklace." Alexis wanted to get him away from the subject of her dress since she didn't want him to know about Mrs. Lansbury's connection to her Mother. Sadly, she no longer trusted him. "Cameron, I'm a bit warm and quite parched. Can you..." Stefan raised a hand and a waiter walked over with a glass of punch. "For you, sister, so you do not expire of thirst from your... dancing." She frowned as she picked up the glass and took a small sip. She hated punch and this was particularly noxious but she didn't want to insult her brother so she took one more small sip before placing the glass behind one of the stone statues next to the balustrade. She glanced up at Cameron who was staring at Stefan with an odd fascination, as if he was a lab rat. She smiled inwardly at the image of her brother running in place on a wheel and sadly, it was analogous to most of his life as he trod the treadmill of being a Cassadine. Tiredness overtook her as she stifled a yawn and looked over at her brother. Cameron caught the yawn and said merrily, "If you don't mind, I think we'll go in and check out the buffet. Come on, Alexis." He took her hand and they walked into the ballroom. They headed to the buffet table and he stopped short as Alexis stumbled slightly. "Are you ok?" he asked with concern as he grasped her arm. "Yes, I'm fine just a bit tired from all the excitement I guess. That and these damn shoes," she muttered. Truth was her feet felt like lead weights and she needed a burst of energy. She thought about her daughter and smiled. That was just the ticket. "I'm going to check on Kristina and freshen up so I can enjoy this party." "Want me to go with you?" Cameron asked staring into her eyes through the mask. She needed to be alone. "No, you fill up our plates with lots of tasty treats and I'll be back soon." She leaned up on tiptoes to brush his lips and was gone. Cameron stared after her, a worried expression on his face.
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