At last we met the elusive Cassadine Mother and she was all that we had imagined her to be, but more.'
*~*
The music stopped, the guests turned in their places as Helena descended the staircase in her jaw dropping royal blue evening gown, her golden hair, with a slight wave, cascaded down her open back. Although the dress itself was conservative, it left no curve unnoticed. She took deliberate steps, slowly, almost seductive as her mouth curled into a approving smile at the attention she was garnering for herself. Ivan, despite his dark nature, held his hand out, a solemn expression covering his general boredom. Helena took it and allowed Ivan to lead her into the middle of the room, where Mikkos stood. Mikkos's eyes roved over Helena, amazed at his prize but managed to remain dignified and simply kept his solemn expression, standing tall as Ivan and Helena approached him. Ivan handed Helena's hand to Mikkos. Mikkos took it and both turned to face the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the future Mrs. Mikkos Cassadine," Ivan's voice thundered and the crowd roared its approval with applause.
Mikkos turned to Helena as Ivan passed him the precious gift. Mikkos bowed to Helena before bending on one knee and gently took her right hand in his. Despite his nervousness and excitement, he managed to recite the long Greek passage without fault or pause.
"Helena, take this ring as a gift from the Cassadine family and from myself as a symbol of everlasting unity."
Helena simply smiled as Mikkos slipped the ring onto her ring finger. Mikkos stood and taking both hands in his, he leaned over and gently kissed both cheeks. The two parted and turned to face the crowd once again and again the crowd burst into applause.
As if on cue, the small orchestra began to play the traditional Russian song for an engagement of royalty and Mikkos and Helena began the dance slowly, allowing time for everyone to fix their gaze upon them. Ivan quietly slipped out, to head up to the Master chamber to retrieve Ekaterina. As the music swelled, Mikkos and Helena locked eyes and gazed at each other intently for the first time. Mikkos was immediately taken by her. Her scent was already driving him wild, there was something behind her cool blue eyes that put him in an almost trance-like state. He pulled her close, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, signaling the other couples to join them. Helena enjoyed this attention, this immediate devotion from her future husband. She now took the time to glance down at his frame and smiled inwardly, a strong build, wide shoulders and a chest that she had no doubts had been carefully sculpted and maintained. Her arm that was rested on his shoulder slowly crept its way to his neck where she gently grazed her thumb back and forth along a stretch of his neck. She watched with growing pleasure as he gave a small shudder to her touch, closing her eyes slightly as he gripped her waist, pulling her even closer than before. Both were enjoying themselves immensely until once again, the music stopped. Turning in their places, the crowd immediately parted as Ivan descended the staircase, his arm placed firmly around the slim waist of his fragile wife, Ekaterina.
*~*
******************************
The Brownstone
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Bobbie said as she welcomed Jason's private doctor inside. The man gave her a thin smile and gave Johnny a slight nod as the door shut.
"He's upstairs, he's only stirred a few times, I'm not sure what Jason told you though..."Bobbie's voice trailed off as the two entered Stefan's room. The man removed his coat and fedora quickly before opening his duffle bag and removed a stethescope. After a few moments, he pulled out a penlight and checked Stefan's pupils before examining the rest of Stefan.
"You say he suffered a concusion and some broken ribs?" Dr. Jacobs inquired, still examining Stefan's gash on his forehead.
"Yes, I was hoping we could get a CAT scan as soon as possible," Bobbie said nervously, wringing her hands as she stood uncertainly at the end of the bed.
Dr. Jacobs stood and turned to Bobbie, "he'll need to be cleaned up and we'll have to tape his ribs to allow movement. Mr. Morgan said you were an excellent RN, I trust him on that. Can you have him ready in two hours?"
Bobbie nodded quickly, "of course but what about the neighbours?"
Dr. Jacobs pursed his lips thoughtfully, "I'm certain Mr. Morgan will ensure that no one will see strange men coming in and out of your home."
Bobbie's eyes widened but chose to move on, "I can have him cleaned, taped and ready to go in two hours."
Dr. Jacobs nodded before assembling his bag and putting his coat and fedora back on, "I'll show myself out and Ms. Spencer? Can you see to that gash on his forehead also?"
Bobbie nodded again, "of course doctor," she said automatically, falling into doctor/nurse mode. Shaking herself slightly she headed down the hallway to the bathroom to retrive the items she would need. A few minutes later she was bedside, preparing the needle to numb the area around the gash. She expertly cleaned and disinfected the wound, relieved that it was not deep. She set to work on the stitch up, keeping a careful eye on her sleeping patient. After carefully covering the stiches up with some gauze, Bobbie then saw to cleaning Stefan himself up. Like a Mother washing her child, she wrang the warm water out from the cloth and rubbed it in soap and slowly started with Stefan's left arm. Soon it became almost mechanical as she would lather, rinse the cloth out, wipe, rinse and pat dry.
With the washing came some new discoveries of more bruising but generally, a return to Stefan's familiar former self. Leaving his chest and abdomen area for last, Bobbie changed the water and cloth and began to carefully wash Stefan's face.
Something was pulling Stefan from his sleep, something on his face, first warmth and then a chill. He stirred, his head protesting in vain. Shaking his head slightly, Stefan felt the motion along his right cheek stop suddenly.
"Stefan?"
The voice was soft as her gentle hand caressed the area where the warm cloth had just been.
"Stefan?" The voice, now louder and more concerned, forced Stefan to open his eyes. The image he saw was blurry as he blinked a few times in confusion. Was it really her?
Bobbie frowned as Stefan peered at her, as though he was trying to figure out who she was. Finally he whispered hoarsely.
"Lasha?"
Bobbie took her hand back, stunned. Luke had mentioned, usually in the form of a snide remark, that Stefan had at times called Laura, Lasha. Bobbie sat back, finding herself extremely hurt but shook herself and frowned. Why was she upset he confused her for Laura? She hated the man, she wasn't without compassion when he needed her but still, she knew where she stood in the Spencer/Cassadine feud. Nevertheless, Bobbie couldn't ignore the nagging emotions ringing in her mind. They were familiar to her, old but familiar. Fighting Laura for Scotty and losing miserably had been a painful journey. For some reason, it was now happening with Stefan Cassadine, her ex-husband and sworn enemy.
*********************************
*~*
Ekaterina was a sight to gasp at, and most in the crowd did just that. Her striking resemblance to the breathtaking Ingrid Bergman was no coincidence, one might call them sisters when they were really cousins through the marriage of their respective mothers. She took graceful steps down, with the aid of Ivan, wearing a simple, yet elegant white evening gown with a long shawl draped over each elbow crook. Although at close range, one could see the sickness that was ravaging her body, her natural beauty shone through even now and people were drawn to it. Victor, delighted at her presence, rushed to her side and Ekaterina responded warmly as she bent to kiss his cheek gently, before taking his hand and turning to the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming on such a glorious occasion, the engagement of our eldest son, Mikkos. We trust you will enjoy yourselves immensly and help us celebrate this magnificent day," Ekaterina's voice was clear and strong as she nodded to the orchestra. The music started up and the crowd began to dance again as Ekaterina was lead to a waiting chair.
"Come, it is time for you to meet my Mother," Mikkos instructed as he clutched Helena's hand. Helena reluctantly allowed herself to be guided but inside she was seething with rage. How dare this woman take away HER moment to shine! This decrepid, old and sick woman was sucking up the attention that was to be set aside for HER! Helena forced her most sincere smile as the two approached.
"Mother, this is Helena, my bride to be," Mikkos announced for approval.
Helena curtsied and gave Ekaterina a warm smile, "it is an honour to meet you Mother Cassadine. You and your family have been so kind and welcoming to me, I am proud to have been chosen for such an honour as the wife of a Cassadine heir. I am hopeful that I can live up to your expectations."
*~*
*******************************
Bobbie bit her lower lip before deciding to ignore Stefan's calling her Laura, dismissing it all to deliriousness. She continued her work as she finished his face and made her way down his chest. As Stefan breathed, his chest rose and descended slowly and stopping for a moment, Bobbie watched. The memories of their brief marriage flooded her as she gently grazed her hand across him, feeling her fingers rise and fall along the hills and valleys of his well sculpted chest and washboard stomach. One memory in particular, hit her with unusual force.
*~*
Wyndemere
"You seem distracted Barbara, did something upseting happen today?"
Stefan removed his slippers and walked over to Bobbie as she sat at her vanity table brushing her hair. Bobbie sighed as she placed the brush down carefully.
"I had another run in with Luke today. We traded words and I left in tears. I was late picking up Lucas for school because I needed time to clean up and look decent for him. I don't want Lucas getting in the middle of this."
Stefan nodded as he placed his hands on Bobbie's shoudlers, "I'm sorry the pain for you has not subsided, how is Lucas fairing?"
"Well, he's had a few remarks thrown at him at school by some bullies but overall he's adjusted nicely."
Stefan frowned, "bullies? Who do their fathers work for?"
Bobbie chuckled, "oh Stefan, this will blow over. Things will settle down for the most part. Lucas has found a new companion in Nikolas. He adores the island and the horses and Mrs. Landsbury's cooking suits him just fine. This is his home now, and you've made it happy for both of us."
Stefan's face softened as Bobbie rose to face him, "I make you happy?"
Bobbie smiled gently, "of course you do. I love you, I wouldn't have married you if I didn't Stefan."
Stefan gently pulled Bobbie close, "it pleases me that you are happy," he said softly before capturing her mouth in a searing kiss, leaving Bobbie breathless. Bobbie smiled as she stroked Stefan's cheek gently, her eyes gazing into his and she stopped. A wash of sadness overcame her as she stared into his eyes.
"What are you hiding behind those sad eyes?" she whispered.
*~*
Bobbie blinked as her hand rested on Stefan's stomach. That evening had been more arresting than most. Bobbie had struck a nerve with that question, she felt it and he knew it. He had simply smiled and said he was tired and the matter had been dropped, or so she thought. Dark, pained and almost lost, the image had ingraved itself into her mind, but then so much about Stefan did. She had always been attracted to dangerous men, but the day she met Stefan, something deeper made its way to the surface. Perhaps it was curiosity but Bobbie shook her head, it had been more than that. Turning to look at Stefan again, she was struck with the realization. The eyes, those deep, empty, hopeful but desperately sad eyes, Bobbie recognized them.
Maybe they were her own.
**********************************
*~*
Ekaterina simply smiled and nodded. Mikkos was delighted, Helena had been accepted by his Mother. "Come, we must greet our guests," he commanded as he took her by the waist, leading Helena back to the crowd. Ekaterina's smile vanished as she put her hand on Ivan's forearm.
"Ivan, what do you know about this girl?"
Ivan frowned, "she doesn't please you? We can arrange for another..."
"No-no, Mikkos is clearly enjoying her, I can't take that from him, but her, she bothers me. There is something very ugly about her," Ekaterina said, her voice quivering slighlty.
Helena leaned towards Mikkos, "your Mother doesn't like me."
Mikkos shook his head, "nonsense, she wouldn't have accepted you if she didn't. Calm down and relax, you're going to be MY wife, not my Mother's. The only person you should worry about pleasing is me," he said forcefully.
Ignoring his comment, Helena turned and took another look at Ekaterina and under her voice, her eyes flashing the hatred that was just bubbling below the surface she murmured, "I'd hate the idea of Ekaterina's bad feelings towards me spreading to the others."