Emily tried to watch the scenery as she rode in the back of the cab through the little town she had once home. She never expected to see any of it again. Now that she was looking at the town it seemed so different and yet the same. Kelly’s outside seating area expanded she could see the quaint little tables in front from the road. The hotel looked older, more run down but the sign on top of it glowed like new.
She smiled sadly as she tried to note the changes. She was avoiding thinking about Lucky. It was almost five years from the day he walked through her door. Five years ago he brought hope back into her life. He dashed it a week later when he vanished as mysteriously as he had appeared.
Emily felt responsible. It was her fault. Lucky came back. He fought his way out of the cell, found his way back to civilization, and reached out to Emily. He wanted help. He wanted to heal enough to go home. She should have been able to give him that.
She promised him so many things. She promised she could help. She swore she would stand by him. Of all the promises she made that week she only kept one. Now she was, in a cab, on her way to break that too.
Emily sighed. “Please forgive me, Lucky. I have no other choice.” Emily said softly when she reached her destination. Emily breathed in deeply as she walked through the door. Of all the places in Port Charles this was the one place she dreaded the most. How could she do this? How could she look Luke in the eye and tell him she had known Lucky was alive for five years?
Emily calmed her nerves with a quick drink and a chat with Claude. When she thought of Luke’s she thought of Claude. However, she was surprised to see him. She always imagined he would have his own place by now. It was probably best that he didn’t. Luke needed him.
“Thanks Claude. I owe you.” Emily said as he opened the door to Luke’s office.
Luke looked stunned. The last time Emily set foot in Port Charles was Christmas vacation five years ago. Seeing her brought back so many memories. She and Lucky were inseparable as children. When Lucky grew up they grew apart. Luke understood. Boys rarely ended up living happily ever after with their first crushes. Luke, however, still thought of Emily as family. Not seeing her had been hard. He missed watching her grow up. Seeing her was harder. She was all grown up. Lucky would be too, but he never got that chance.
“Hey Luke.” Emily said shyly. After all these years he still intimidated her a little. He looked older, more warn, but he was still Luke Spencer.
Luke smiled. “Hey Darlin’, are they selling long johns in Hell? I didn’t expect to see you back until then.”
Luke always managed to express himself. “If I were you I would by stock in electricity and gas.” Emily answered with a smile.
Years away from home had made her much more self-confident, Luke noted. “I’ll look into that. In the meantime, what brings you to Port Chuckles?”
Emily sighed. She knew she needed to tell him. That was her whole reason for coming back. However, she hoped she would have more time to prepare for this. Deciding stalling wouldn’t buy her anything she began. “I need help.”
“I didn’t think you were here for the fries.” Luke answered “What do you need, kid?”
Emily smiled. Somehow she knew she would be getting a lot of that. ”I am 21 years old and you are calling me kid? Thanks, Luke.” She said sarcastically.
“You still are to me, Kid. However, since your legal I will buy you a drink.” Luke said with a smile. He had a terrible time thinking of Emily as an adult.
Emily smiled. “I had one with Claude. I shouldn’t have another.” She replied. This whole day seemed surreal.
“Okay enough stalling. What’s up?” Luke asked with a smile. He might as well cut to the chase.
“First of all I need guards.” Emily waited for Luke’s reaction.
Luke looked concerned. “What? What kind of trouble are you in, Emily?”
“Can you get the guards or not?”
“You mean business. I can get you men, although, I think Jason would a better person to ask.” He answered.
“I am asking you.” Emily said. She wasn’t ready to face her family. After leaving Port Charles Emily gave up all direct contact with her family. News from the society page told her of the family’s triumphs and follies. However, that had been her only contact.
Luke nodded. “Done. What else?”
“I need help finding Lucky.” Emily said softly and waited for Luke’s reaction.