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Mr. Immigration Man, Chapter 12
" So, you heard."
" Yes, Barbara, it's wonderful news."
" He's not out of the woods, yet."
" But he will be quite soon. I can feel it."
" And all thanks to you."
" No. It was your love, a mother's love, that kept him from slipping away. I just flew in a doctor."
" The doctor that will most likely save his life. I keep saying this a lot lately, but thank you."
" There is no need for thanks. I am a parent, too. And I know that you would do the same for me."
" Well.....sorry about the hand."
" It's fine. But I think that you should..."lay off" of the weight exercises. They have succeeded."
They both laugh.
" Well, I will leave you here. I have to do some work for the Hospital. If there is anything that you need, just contact me."
"Thanks...I will."
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Stefan leaves Bobbie with Lucas. He finds his way back to the Library. After several minutes Nikolas comes in.
"Uncle?"
" Yes, Nikolas."
" Got a minute?"
" For you. Always."
" I can't believe that Lucas is going to be OK."
" I know. Thank God. Miracles do really happen."
" You are the miracle worker."
" Nikolas...."
" I've been seeing the way that you and Bobbie have been relating to each other since this all began. Uncle, does this rapproachment go beyond being a concerned parent?"
" What do you mean?"
" Uncle. I do not mean to appear to be forward, but I must wonder if you still have feelings for Bobbie."
" Nikolas. How could that be? Barbara tried to drug me."
" I know. But between the two of us, I know that she regrets doing it."
" I would suppose she would. And after all, I thought you were pleased with my relationship with Katherine."
" I like Katherine. We are good friends. It's just that...."
" Just what, Nikolas?"
" This crisis with Lucas. It made me realize how much I miss both him and Bobbie, Uncle. I know that it may disappoint you, but I would like to try and repair my friendship with Bobbie. I miss Bobbie being in my life. And my relationship with Katherine cannot fill that void left by Bobbie. I'm sorry if that upsets you."
" It does not upset me Nikolas. I understand that you must do what you think is right. And I know now, that whatever disagreements were between Barbara and myself, they did not ever include you. You have been a source of strength for Barbara during Lucas' illness. I could see, stripped of pretense, just what you mean to her. Even I could not let my anger blind me to the obvious. I am very proud of you making your own decisions, and for staying close to Lucas. Family is very important."
" The most important thing, you taught me."
" Yes."
" Well, I have to go to work. Will you be at Wyndermere for dinner?"?
" I do not know. But I will make sure that a message is left for you."
" Bye."
" Bye."
After Nikolas leaves, Stefan contemplates their conversation. So, even though Nikolas does care for Katherine, he would not be shocked , nor disappointed if I reunited with Barbara. I would even look better in his eyes, more magnanimous, if I could forgive after all that has happened. Lucas' illness has brought us closer, Stefan thinks. And he is quite pleased. Stefan goes to his computer and does the virus. Well, he looks. He sees that Felica and Mac have indeed arrived in Europe. Their search for the Spencers begins. And he plans to put up as many roadblocks as possiblle.
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"Hey, wait a minute. Felicia!"
" Come on Mac. Hurry up. I think this is the place."
Felicia and Mac arrive in Europe safely. They find themselves in this little town in Germany. Very pictureseque and charming. They have found the shop where the only receipt of the Spencers on this trip. They go in. There is an old man at the cash register. He asks Felicia what she wants...In German. She and Mac take out the German Dictionary and start to ask questions about Luke and Laura. The man looks at them as if they were crazy. They show the picture of Luke, Laura, Lesley and Lulu. That registers. He leaves and comes back in a few minutes with a young man.
" Hello. How do you do?"
" You speak English?"
" Yes. I did a year abroad in Charlotte, North Carolina. My grandfather says that you are asking about some people."
" Yes, these people. Have you seen them?"
" I don't remember the adults, but the child, yes. I gave her some ice cream. She had wandered off and I think this older lady (pointing to Lesley) found her. I usually don't like kids, but she was so sweet that I took to her quickly."
" Will you ask your grandfather if he knows and remembers them."
The young man asks the grandfather.
" Well?"
" My grandfather remember the young lady. He thought that she was charming. Her German was not that great, but he fell for her smile. He says the man in the picture is a rascal. He was flirting shamelessly with my grandmother. And he got my grandmother to sell him some of my grandfather's private stock of cigars."
" That sounds like Luke."
" My grandfather says that they were looking for quaint villages and shops to go to. My grandfather says he sent them to a friend of his about 200 km down the road."
" Is it a store?"
" Well, this friend owns a little inn. And a couple of shops."
" Will you tell us where he sent them? And how to get there."
" Sure. I'll outline it on the map for you."
" I'm curious. How do you do your sales slips here? With the credit cards. By computer?"
" You mean the modern, swipe the card method? No, my grandfather is 10 years behind the times. We do it the old fashioned, place the card on the credit card apparatus, put the slip over the card and pull. We mail in the receipts. My grandfather is quite old fashioned that way."
" Well, thanks. Before we go, can I get that angel set over there?"
" Felicia!"
" Oh shush! I think Mariah would love it."
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Bobbie was in Lucas' room when the ICU nurse came in and told her that she was wanted in the Library. When she got there, she found Stefan there with a sitdown dinner.
"Stefan? What is this?"
" I thought that you and Dr. Jones could use a homecooked meal. I did not know what Dr. Jones ate, but I thought that Mrs. Lansbury could prepare something that would interest him. I know that you are tired Barbara. I also know that you and Dr. Jones would not probably eat unless someone forces you to. And that the best that you would do for yourselves would be cafeteria food, which is less than desirous."
" You're right. But I hate to tell you this. Tony has already left for dinner with Carly."
" I'm sorry, I did not know. Well, I will leave you now to eat in peace."
" Stefan?"
" Yes?"
" I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner."
" Only if it's what you want, Barbara."
" It's what I want. But I warn you, I am not a good conversationalist these days."
" That's quite alright."
Bobbie and Stefan have dinner. In silence. Yet, it was not an uncomfortable silence. It was peaceful. Still. It felt good to be in the precense of someone with absolutely no expectations of you. Stefan counted this as a victory. A small one, but a victory nonetheless.
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