TGH * A Light Rhapsody Ch. 2
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Chapter 2: Obligations
**Port Charles Airport Lobby** 8:32 p.m.
“Well Gia Campbell’s back in town. I must’ve missed the welcoming committee,” the man said in a sarcastic tone.
Gia yawned as she leaned back on her seat, waiting for Lucky to get their luggage ready. She looked up at the man. Sighing she said, “You look like shit.”
“And you look like the self-absorbed chic my cousin married, but I didn’t say anything.” Sly shot back, though he was pretty sure that her opinion was true. He had nearly fallen asleep on the five-hour traffic jam he was stuck on and the continuous melody of car horns from every corner of the highway. At Gia’s mildly curious expression, he just shrugged and said, “Gridlock.”
“Where’s Lucky?” He asked.
“Getting the baggage.” Gia turned her head and looked around the people coming into the lobby. “I told Lucky we could’ve just called a cab.”
“What?” Sly sat down on the seat next to her. “You have a problem with me picking you up your highness?” His tone mocking her.
Gia turned to face him. “Well now that me and Lucky are divorced, I find myself not obligated to see your face anymore.” Gia put her arms across her chest and her legs crossed, with her skirt rising up slightly, as she looked at him. Since the day Lucky introduced her to his cousin Sly, he annoyed her. For some reason she could never remember she didn’t like Sly and Sly had always disliked her for what she did to Emily so many years ago. Though she did consider him sexy and good to look at every now and then. But it didn’t matter then, she was happily married. But now that she was divorced and available it didn’t bother her to check him out.
Sly cleared his throat. “Well you and Lucky seem to do allot of things that most divorcees don’t do. Traveling together and all. I bet you still even keep those his and her towels.”
Gia made a small tsk sound. “First of all, me and Lucky don’t mind traveling together because we still get along.”
“Oh is that why you two got a divorce? Gee, what was I thinking.” Sly said while he playfully
spatted his forehead with one hand.
“And besides anyone with good taste knows that his and hers towels are overrated.” Gia arched a brow. “But I can see why you would make a comment like that.”
He shook his head. “You know, now that you and Lucky are over I don’t feel obligated to be nice to you.”
“Trust me the feeling is mutual.” Gia reassured tilting her head in an opposite direction.
Sly gave a crooked smile. He had to hand it that Gia always had a come back whether it was lame or comical, it worked one way or another. A few minutes later, Gia turned to look at him and caught him staring at her legs. She cleared her throat, making him look up at her.
He moistened his lips and with a wily grin he commented, “Nice shoes.”
“I don’t think they’re your size.” Gia groaned. “You know all you had to do was pick us up, smile and say nice to see you again and we would be off. Instead you come two hours late and--.”
“Okay. I got it all, I think.” Lucky said, not realizing the conversation he had just interrupted. Gia turned to face her ex who was setting down their luggage.
“Lucky,” Sly stood up with a smile and patted his cousin in the shoulder, “How’ve you been, man? Sorry I’m late.”
Lucky shrugged. “Its okay. I had trouble finding our luggage anyway.” Looking between Gia and Sly he said, “So I guess you two already bumped into eachother.”
Sly arched a brow. “If that’s how you wanna put it.”
Lucky gave half a smile. “What were you two talking about?”
“Oh I was just telling Gia it’s so good to see her again,” Sly explained easily as Gia rolled her eyes.
But Lucky didn’t believe him. He knew Sly and Gia never really hit it off when they first met, and he was never quite sure whether or not that was a good thing. Noticing Gia’s silence and Sly’s informality, he sighed and said, “Ready to go.”
Sly nodded. “Where to?”
**Luke’s – One and a half hour later-- **
Lesley Lu grabbed her soda before taking a seat in the booth Alexis and Michael sat. They had been staying a little late to finish up some of the decorations for the party. “So Alexis can I go the movies tomorrow night?” Lulu asked.
Alexis didn’t look up from the piece of client information that was practically glued to her hands but instead used her auditory senses. “What movie are seeing?”
Lesley Lu shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought I’d decide once I get there.”
“Well I hope you realize that the choice of being spontaneous in a movie theater usually leads to seeing some abysmal motion picture that’s already being riveted by critics nationally as well as in the tri-state area,” Alexis elucidated to her step-daughter while managing to write down on-going notes.
Lesley Lu looked at her step-mother dumbfounded. It was as if Alexis spoke a different language with her. Looking at Michael, she asked with a pleading look. “Translation.”
“Your gonna see some screwed up movie,” Michael explained bluntly.
“Oh,” Lulu shook her head, “Well I’m not worried about that.”
Alexis sighed. “Its okay with me. Who’s going with you?”
“Just a friend,” Lulu said hastily.
“You’re not going,” Luke said from behind as he came up to his family.
“Why not?” Lesley Lu asked in nearly a shout.
“Because, I know who your going with. That troublemaker from your school. Whats his name? Kyle—something.” Luke snapped his fingers.
“Robinson,” Michael finished.
“That’s the one.” Luke nodded. “He smokes too.”
“What?” Lesley exclaimed, trying to hold back her temper. “That’s his father. Kyle doesn’t even smoke.”
“It probably runs in the family,” Luke said as a matter-of-factly.
“Among many things that runs in ours.” Lesley Lu bit out before storming out of the booth.
Luke sighed and brushed his hands threw his hair before turning to Michael. “Can you talk to her?”
“Whatever.” Michael shrugged lazily as he got out of the booth and followed Lulu.
Luke closed his eyes for a swift second before looking down at her wife at work. “Why is it that your always working whenever I’m going threw a mid-life crisis?” Luke asked as he took a seat next to his wife and laid a hand over her waist.
“You’ve never even been threw a mid-life crisis.” Alexis reminded while keeping focus on her work.
“I thought you said you were gonna cut your hours?”
“I will.” Alexis said promisingly. “Just as soon as I finish up these cases.” She motion towards the pile of papers stacked infront of her.
Luke didn’t bother getting into an argument with Alexis. One, because he knew he would hardly win and two because he was already pretty much exhausted with setting up their anniversary. Instead he nodded and gave her a quick kiss, “If you say so sweet-cheeks.” Alexis smiled at the warm kiss and grimaced at his choice of nicknames.
“I can’t believe him,” Lesley Lu said pounding her fist on the bar stand. “Who the hell does he think he is?”
“Uh, your father,” Michael answered.
Lulu mumbled a few things under her breath before laying her arm on the stand, “Speaking of such, where’s yours?”
“Over there,” Michael pointed to a corner where Carly and AJ stood, obviously arguing about something.
“Figures.” Lulu frowned. “That looks pretty intense.”
“Nah.” Michael shook his head. “That’s just round one. Wait till you see them really going at it. You have to keep all sharp objects hidden.”
“Parents,” Lulu said huskily, “They’re all the same. Everyone talks about how my dads so cool but when it comes to him being a father---.” She sighed and cut herself off.
Michael took the stool next to her. “He had a point though, you know? I know Kyle Robinson and he really is trouble.”
Lulu smacked her lips. “And you’re one to talk. You skipped school a dozen times and dad still lets me hang out with you.”
Michael shrugged. “I’m family. It’s an obligation. I mean Luke wouldn’t bother to know whats going on with my mom if she wasn’t his niece.”
“True.” Lulu nodded putting her hand on the side of her face as it leaned on the counter.
“You should’ve just lied and said you were going out with one of your friends.”
“That’s it.” Lulu’s eyes sparkled up.
“What?” Michael asked.
“I’ll tell him I’m going with Georgie and you.”
“I’m not going to the movies with you two. You’ll probably choose a chick flick.”
“Don’t be so stereotypical.” Lulu said as if it were a warning. “Besides, you can pick the movie if you want.”
“Forget it Lu.” Michael shook his head. “There’s no way I’m going on a double date with you, Kyle, and Georgie. Besides I already have a girlfriend.”
Lulu snorted. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Star Manning kick you to the curb a few weeks ago.” When Michael looked away without a response, Lesley Lu had her answer. “That’s what I thought. C’mon please Michael. What have you got to loose?”
Michael exhaled noisily. “Fine. Whatever. But don’t you think your dads going to be suspicious now that he already knows that you had plans to go out with Kyle.”
“I’ll just change the time around. Maybe in Sunday?” She asked.
Michael nodded. “That’s fine with me.”
“Thank you. Thanks allot.”
Michael looked back at his parents who were waving to him to come over. “That’s my cue. They’re probably ready to go. See you, Lu.”
“Have a good one. Don’t forget. Sunday.” Lesley Lu reminded as Michael went to his parents.
Claude stooped into the bar a few minutes later and held up another can of soda towards Lulu. But Lulu shook her head and said, “Save the caffeine Claude. I’m out of here.”
“Well at least stay for a few more minutes to say hi to your meddling, irresponsible, big brother,” Lucky said with a smile as he came up to her with Luke and Alexis behind him.
“Lucky!” Lulu said excitedly as she ran up to hug him. “You don’t meddle. Irresponsible—yeah.”
Lucky wagged a finger. “Watch it Lady Lu.”
Lulu laughed. “When did you get back?”
“Just a while ago.” Lucky answered, pulling away from their sibling embrace. “Missed you.”
“Missed you too.” Lulu smiled. “How are you doing?” She asked. She heard about him and Gia’s divorced and was worried that he was heartbroken. Lucky was always their for her and it affected her to see her brother in dismay.
“I’m good.” Lucky said softly.
“Are you sure?” Lulu asked, searching his face.
“Really. I’m fine,” he reassured.
“Good. I’m glad.” Lulu smiled.
“So am I.” Luke said from behind. Lucky turned around and hugged his father. “Good to have you back cowboy. How was your trip?”
“For a flight that’s just supposed to be from L.A. to New York--long but—somewhat entertaining.” Lucky patted Luke’s back before looking back at Lulu. “So, have you been taking good care of the old man?” He asked jokingly.
“He’s tough. Personally, I think he needs a little more progress.” Lulu inserted.
“Well I didn’t know I was being graded,” Luke asserted.
Lucky looked past look at his stepmother. “Alexis,” he said as they exchanged a quick hug. After some time had gone by Lucky was finally able to accept Alexis as a second mother and she always knew how to put Luke in his place, which was one thing he had to admire about her. “How’ve you been?”
“I’m good.” Alexis answered. “How about yourself?”
Lucky frowned, he was getting allot of that lately. For a quick second he wondered if every divorced man got that kind of pity after his marriage had fallen apart. Looking back at the booth massacred with papers he nudged at Alexis. “Still working hard, I see.”
“Yep.” Luke interleaved, “That’s my wife for you. Fixing in the puzzles by night, and kicking some D.A. ass by day.” He smiled and kissed her cheek.
Alexis nodded awkwardly. “That’s Luke’s subtle way of saying I’m a lawyer.”
“Ah.” Lucky threw Lulu a comical look and nodded.
“Hey.” Luke said clasping his hands together. “Why don’t we all go out for dinner?”
Alexis, Lucky, Lulu nodded their heads in unison.
“Good.” Luke nodded with a smile. “Its on Claude.”
Email: times2keep@hotmail.com
