Alexis held the object delicately between her fingers and eyed it
warily. "Luke, a black silk hood? Very kinky but I'm not going
to wear that in public."
Cameron shook his head as he handed it back. "Me neither...
it wouldn't do for a shrink to be caught in domination gear... bad
for my image."
Luke looked skeptical. "You have an image, Doc? Last time I
looked you desperately needed a major PR redo... not to mention
some major fashion tips."
"Ha! From you, no thanks. My nice full head of lustrous hair
will never see a buzzsaw blade and well, diamond studs in the ears
are so... well…last year."
"What about the shirt selection, man? Didn't anyone ever tell
you except for Amish hermits and the Unabomber no one wears layers
anymore?"
"I'm not wearing layers... it's called a graduated fashion
ensemble."
"Graduated from what? The Queer Eye Hall of Shame?"
Alexis rolled her eyes and snapped, "Will you two girlie men
shut the heck up about layers and studs..."
"Oooooooo, Tash, you said the word studs..."
"I have a few other words I'd like to say but my daughter is
in this car and though I am a firm believer in early childhood education,
I think there is more than enough time in her later years to learn
the words I'm thinking right now."
"Tash, some days you are just no fun."
"So I've heard," she said as she poked Cameron in the
arm.
"Hey! Watch it, I bruise easy. Luke, enough with the suspense.
Just where would we be going in our trendy silk hoods…that
is, if we were actually stupid enough to wear them?"
Luke grinned ear to ear. "Thanksgiving Dinner."
"And why would hoods be required attire? Where are we going…
an S&M convention?"
"Natasha, I'm shocked that thought would even pop into that
stunningly beautiful and very kissable head of yours."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, pal. Don't think I've forgotten
how you operate, all those times my pathologically charming stepmother-from-hell
had you tied to a bed."
Cameron was fascinated. "Helena had him tied to a bed? Funny,
she didn't look like someone who would be that desperate for a man."
Luke snorted. "Heck, she's wanted my tight little behind since
the day I turned Natasha's Daddie-O into a freezer pop… no
offense intended, Tash."
She shrugged her shoulders as she tapped her foot impatiently.
Cameron was interested. "So, Luke, was she as good as she seems..."
Alexis was appalled at the direction their discussion was headed.
"Cameron!"
"Sorry... just asking a question, no need to get huffy."
Luke leaned back against the headrest, a smile of wicked reminiscence
gracing his face. "Helena... all that mannerly glacial coolness
and slithery charm. But just like any other woman... some flowers,
a little cheesecake, a few enticing promises whispered in the ear...
and she's eating out of your hand."
Alexis asked with deceptive softness, "Oh, really... all women
are so… easy?"
"Watch out Luke, I think our resident feminist is about to
give you a lecture."
Alexis laughed dismissively. "Lecture? Why would I bother?
Studies show men on the Cro-Magnon level are incapable of learning,
all involuntary action and no intelligent thought."
Luke pouted. "Doc, I think we've just been insulted."
Cameron innocently replied, "Sounds like it but then again
being Cro-Magnon I can't be sure."
Alexis made a face at him as she sighed. "Look, can we get
this show on the road? My daughter is hungry."
Luke and Cameron look back at Kristina playing quietly. Her sixth
sense alerted her to the observation and she looked up at them with
a gummy, toothless grin from ear to ear.
Cameron nodded sagely. "Yeah, she looks absolutely starved."
"Better be careful she doesn't chow down on old Lambie-butt,"
Luke chuckled as he tried to grab the stuffed animal from Kristina.
Alexis smacked his arm away from her daughter as Kristina giggled.
"Lambie-PIE!"
He nodded as if it was clear as day. "See... like I said…pie...
food."
Alexis feared her eyes were about to roll out into the street. "Can
we please just go to wherever you are taking us, Luke. The suspense
is boring me into a coma."
"Fine, spoil sport, but no dessert for you."
She snorted. "I'll take my chances."
Cameron perked up. "What's for dessert?"
Alexis made a face. "What is it about you, Lewis, and dessert...
always the dessert."
He raised a wicked eyebrow. "Well... dessert can be...a very
tempting concept."
Luke tapped his chin with his finger, deep in thought. "Depends
on the definition of dessert, oh shrinkster pal of mine. Tash, I
bet our headbanger friend here isn't talking cheesecake...
well at least not THAT flavor of cheesecake."
She sighed as she felt her eyes roll down the street and around
the corner. "Luke, don't you ever get tired of hearing the
sound of your own voice?"
"Nope, music to my ears. No need to get all pouty-lipped on
me."
He turned to Cameron. "When she does that sucking-in-the-bottom-lip
thing... doesn't it just get ya right in the..."
Alexis continued to examine her manicure in the streaming light
from the car window. "You better be pointing your finger at
your brain Luke. Oh, wait a minute... sorry… that would assume
you actually possessed one."
Cameron cast a backwards glance at Alexis and decided to go for
it. "Yes, Luke, I have to agree it makes me..."
Before he could finish, she cleared her throat and asked sweetly,
"Cameron, know all those clothes you now have strewn all over
my apartment?"
"Don't you mean OUR apartment since you are paying me to stay
there?"
Luke's eyes widened. "Tash, paying for a man? Tsk...tsk...
why didn't you just ask me, sweetcheeks? I'd have given you a freebie."
Cameron held a hand over is mouth as he snickered. She cast him
a dirty look and tapped Luke on the shoulder… repeatedly. "Can
we just start this car rolling along the merry road to whatever
hell awaits us so I can get this over and go home?"
"Well, Alexis, it could have been worse. You could be eating
turkey with the Quartermaines," Cameron pointed out trying
to keep his smile in check.
She stared at him for a second and burst into a fit of laughter
as Luke joined in chortling so hard his sides hurt. "Doc, Thanksgiving
at the Q's? Oh, you have no idea... every year a disaster, every
year a pizza delivery."
Cameron looked skeptical and just a bit put out at not being able
to join in their shared joke. "You're kidding."
"Nope, ask former almost-a-Q-but-hit-the-ground-running-in-the-nick-of-time
Tash here." He pointed a thumb to Alexis.
"Alexis?"
She tried to speak but was gasping for breath, the laughter from
memories past filling her mind. "Oh yes, quite true, every
year a bigger disaster. It is almost ordained that no matter what
precautions they take, no matter how much security guards the turkey,
it will explode, catch fire, be eaten by dogs, be stolen by burglars…you
name it, they've had it happen. Cook keeps the pizza delivery number
on the refrigerator."
Cameron stroked his beard, the silver glistening in the reflected
light. "Fascinating… the family dysfunction extends to
the preparation of a turkey dinner."
"Uh oh, Tash, he's veering into the Quack Zone. We better make
tracks, don't want him to scare little miss sweetcheeks junior back
there."
Alexis settled in her seat, finally they would be underway. "So
where exactly is this Thanksgiving feast, Luke?"
"It's a surprise."
Cameron smiled as he glanced back at Alexis. "I love surprises."
She sighed. "I hate surprises."
Luke rolled his eyes. "That figures."
They drove out of town, sans black hoods since neither Cameron nor
Alexis would wear them and Kristina didn't need one. They drove
out over the old stone bridge at the furthest edge of town and out
onto the highway that took them north. It was late November but
the weather had been unusually temperate and leaves, now deep burnished
copper, were still to be found on many trees awaiting that final
burst of wind and rain that would tumble them to the ground, a crinkled
blanket to cradle the winter snows to come. They turned off onto
country lanes, crossed over countless covered bridges, ancient creaking
heralds of days gone by when life was simpler. Farmhouses dotted
the side of the road and the fertile land where once corn and potatoes
and wheat thrived in the growing season now lies barren.
They passed what Alexis believed was the hundredth farm and no one
had spoken. She was about to ask if Luke needed directions when
she heard a scream next to her and turned quickly to her daughter.
"Sweet-pea, what's wrong?" she asked with concern as she
leaned toward her.
She was screaming with laughter as she pointed at the cows lazing
in the afternoon sun, munching their cud. She was bouncing in her
carseat and making sounds that Alexis could have sworn sounded like
"moo".
She turned to Cameron and glared. "This is all your fault,
you do realize that."
He chuckled. "Guilty as charged. What is my punishment?"
Before Alexis could snap back, Luke piped up. "Hey! What am
I missing cuz old Luke doesn't like to be out of the loopy."
Cameron tried to reply but he was laughing too hard at the exasperated
expression on Alexis's face.
She gritted teeth and replied, "Cameron purchased a toy for
Kristina that was…"
Cameron spoke up, "Barnyard toy… very interactive."
Luke shrugged. "So what's the deal? Sounds fine to me."
"It's noisy and she seems obsessed with…"
Kristina looked around at everyone, mooed and giggled as she buried
her face shyly in Lambie-pie's soft face.
Cameron reached back and tapped Kristina's nose and laughed, "She
likes the cow."
They drove off onto another country road and Alexis tapped Luke
on the head. He ignored her and she smacked him upside the head.
He turned slightly trying not to take his eyes off the road. "You
rang, slap-happy?"
"I hate to ask but it seems we have been wandering the highways,
byways and circles of farming hell for a good hour or so. Do you
actually know where you are going or is the man in you afraid to
ask directions?"
"I know where I'm going, no need to get your knickers in a
twist."
She looked at Cameron and suddenly got a suspicious feeling in her
bones. "Do YOU know where we are going?"
He shook his head. "No, why?"
"I'm getting a feeling of déjà vu… driving
out into the countryside to nowhere with you in the car."
"But I'm not driving."
"But you look rather complacent and that makes me suspicious.
And I saw one of those white rocks again…"
Luke looked at Cameron with confusion. "White rock?"
Cameron laughed. "Alexis has a white rock delusion… thinks
she sees them everywhere."
"Better get that checked, Tash. I mean, I've been known to
see pink frilly elephants on occasion but there is usually a reason…
of the John Barleycorn variety."
"I don't see white rocks. He just takes me places in cars and
we end up in strange places…"
Luke tapped the windshield with excitement. "And here we are…
Doc told me this is one of your favorite places… barbequed
turkey and hush puppies await us."
Alexis blanched at the memory of her shoes sticking to a dance floor.
"Oh, dear lord, you brought us here?"
Cameron looked sheepish. "I told him you liked the country
western place. I had no idea he'd get it in his head to kidnap us
here for Thanksgiving. Besides, I thought you had some good memories
from our night out."
She thought about it and recalled him singing to her from the stage,
the delicious tingle that suffused every nerve as he told her in
front of everyone, strangers though they were, that he cared for
her. She saw them walk out into the parking lot, her enticing him
into the backseat and making love like there was no tomorrow. She
kept telling herself it was the tangy barbeque ribs that filled
her with heat but she knew it was Cameron's touch.
She looked over at Cameron and smiled a gentle smile and she knew
that he knew and shared her memories.
She looked at the bar and chuckled. "Uh, Luke? Did you bother
to call ahead… it appears to be closed."
He looked over at Cameron, then back at Alexis. "Well to be
honest… no."
"You dragged us all the way out here and now we don't even
get turkey?"
"Guess not. Sorry about this… why would such a fine establishment
choose to be closed on Thanksgiving?"
Cameron laughed. "Guess you need to ask yourself since Luke's
Place is closed too."
"Never mind that… I can scare some wings and cheese fries
up for all of us… bet Krissy la Deux would love 'em!"
he said as he reached back to tickle her chin.
"And start my daughter on the road to cheese fry perdition…
I think not."
Cameron interjected. "Why don't we go back to the apartment,
get our bearings and figure out what we do next."
Alexis was dejected. She was looking forward to this being a special
day and now they just wasted most of it driving around. "Whatever."
They drove back to Port Charles in silence and stopped at Alexis
and Cameron's apartment.
"Where are you going? Haven't you caused enough problems with
your little Thanksgiving dinner gone awry, Luke?" Alexis asked
as Cameron opened the door.
"I was hoping to stick around…"
Alexis's eyebrows shot up in her head. "What is that smell?
Did you leave the toaster oven on Cameron? I told you to be careful…
that thing is dangerous!"
Cameron smiled softly as he took Kristina from Alexis's arms. "I
didn't leave the toaster oven on… that unusual scent is…"
"Oh my goddess, who broke into my apartment?"
"Our apartment…"
She looked into the dining room at a table set with china, fine
crystal and silverware and a centerpiece of baby mums entwined around
three pillar candles inset with fall leaves. A heavenly smell was
coming from the kitchen and she hesitantly entered to find chafing
dishes filled with potatoes au gratin, baked yams and asparagus
tips with hollandaise sauce and a fresh-baked pumpkin pie. She leaned
down and inhaled the scent of cinnamon and spice and saw the note
tucked next to the pie.
Alexis,
Dad wanted you and Kristina to have an old-fashioned Thanksgiving
so he took you away so I could make it happen. It is weird to see
actual food in your kitchen but it brought back memories of the
times that you made a simple meal of popcorn and Pepsi seem like
a feast… because you shared it with me. So this is my way of
thanking you for so much I can never repay… and for being my
friend - and my Dad's. Enjoy your feast and everything else Dad
has planned… and give Kristina a hug and kiss for me.
Love,
Zander
p.s. there is more in the refrigerator
p p.s. it is ok to open the oven… it won't hurt you …ha
ha
She felt warm all over and it wasn't the heat from the oven. She
felt so blessed to have such wonderful people in her life…
even Luke, that sly boots. She checked the refrigerator and saw
it held a fresh garden salad and cranberry relish as well as a few
new bottles of white and zinfandel wines. She turned to the oven
and opened it to find a huge turkey in a covered roasting pan and
a covered dish of stuffing on the other shelf.
"Surprised?" Cameron asked as he lounged in the doorway,
a huge grin on his face.
"Shocked is more like it! What a wonderful gift!" she
said breathlessly as she leaned up on tiptoes to kiss him. He wrapped
his arms around her and kissed her back passionately and yet gently,
a kiss filled with thankfulness … and promise.
"I was hoping you wouldn't be annoyed with me… because
I do know how you hate surprises."
"You have surprised me from the moment we met, Cameron, and
yet you always find more ways to do so," she said as she stroked
his cheek.
"I found from that first moment I always need to keep you on
your toes…because you certainly keep me on mine," he whispered
as he smoothed her hair.
"Zander wrote a lovely note," she said as she handed it
to him.
"He was happy to do it. He loves you very much Alexis, don't
you know that?"
"I love him just as much if not more. Did you see all this
food? I think my kitchen is in shock."
"Why don't we check on Luke and Kristina. You have to forgive
Luke… I needed help with this plan and he is your friend…"
"OUR friend."
"Yes, strange but true. I never thought I would have a friend
as crazy as Luke but I guess karma has its reasons."
"You sound like my sister," she said softly with a hint
of sadness.
He caught the sadness and wanted to wash it away from her eyes.
"Let's go see what trouble Luke is orchestrating with your
daughter."
They heard giggling as they walked into the living room and found
Luke on the floor with Kristina making barnyard noises. Alexis threw
back her head and laughed and out of the corner of her eye caught
sight of something that stopped her heart and brought tears to her
eyes. Draped above the fireplace was the flag with Kristina's picture
that Cameron planted on the mountaintop when he took her to the
woods on Flag Day.
Cameron watched the expression on her face and knew he'd been right
to retrieve that promise he made on a day they stood together and
watched her daughter's smiling face flutter in the breeze. He vowed
that they would climb to the summit together when Kristina came
back to them and bring this flag home. He wanted this Thanksgiving
Day to be so much for her and her daughter and he recalled the promise
of that day.
Alexis put her arm through his and whispered, "I don't know
what to say. You make me believe that I can climb that mountain
and conquer it."
He grasped her hand and held it to his heart. "You will and
I will be right there beside you cheering you on and helping you
when you stumble."
She'd climbed that mountain and now she had her daughter in her
home and in her life, the legalities all that remained to make it
final. He had been there beside her even when she pushed him away
and now life can start to begin for her - for all of them.
Alexis reached for his hand and brought it to rest above her heart
as she whispered, "You brought her back… you remembered."
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "That promise
was never out of my thoughts. Kristina is back where she belongs
and you have conquered the mountain. I hope you don't mind that
I went myself to retrieve it. I wanted to tell the mountain that
when Kristina is older we will bring her there, to her mountain,
to see where promises are made that always are fulfilled when you
have hope and believe."
"It seems I have a great deal to be thankful for today. Happy
Thanksgiving, Cameron."
"No more than I do, I'm blessed today. Happy Thanksgiving,
Alexis."
"Hey you two lovey-dovey birds! Krissy la Deux and I are gonna
go and get dinner on the table before this shindig gets all Donner-party."
Alexis chuckled. "Have at it, we'll just stay here for a little
longer."
"Hey, Doc!"
"Yes, Luke?"
"Don't spoil your dinner with any premature dessert… know
what I mean," Luke winked.
"No worries… I like to cleanse my palate first,"
Cameron replied, winking back as Alexis smacked his arm.
"So, Krissy la Deux, how about Uncle Luke tells you a story.
You are a princess, you know, and I'm gonna tell you a fairytale
about another princess. Her name was the Ice Princess…"
Luke murmured as he and Kristina walked to the kitchen.
"Ice Princess?" Cameron asked puzzled.
"Oh, don't start me," Alexis sighed as she rolled her
eyes once more in a day that demanded it, a day that became more
than she ever hoped.
