Mr. Immigration Man II, Chapter 13




Stefan is in the conservatory when Alexis comes in.

" I see that the workmen are putting on the finishing touches."

Stefan sees Alexis. Comes over to kiss her. "So, you're back. Your trip went well?"

" Yes. All the Cassadine Inc. Business is done. As is the payment to Bobbie. The money will be placed in the numbered accounts as she requested. As soon as you two are legally married, I will call the banks and have the money transferred to them in minutes. "

" Thank you, Alexis."

" Where is Bobbie? I saw Lucas playing with Nikolas at the docks as the launch approached."

" Barbara is upstairs with the seamstress and Felicia Jones. They're doing, whatever women do on the afternoons before their wedding."

" I wouldn't be too suprised if Felicia isn't trying to convince Bobbie not to marry you."

" I do believe that you are probably right."

" And you aren't worried?"

" No. Barbara wants this marriage."

" That's what we thought last time."

" But, this time, there is no Luke. That man is out of the middle of my marriage."

" Bobbie could decide to forgive him."

" Not anytime soon, Alexis. I watched Barbara very carefully at her daughter's wedding. No, she is a woman full of rage and fury. And bitterness. What should have been a happy occasion, her only daughter's wedding, was a cruel, twisted and hideous occasion. And the only person responsible for that is Luke. No, Barbara won't be forgiving Luke. Not anytime in the forseeable future. And certainly not before I have fulfilled my residency requirement and have my citizenship. After that, she can have all the heartfelt reunions with Luke as she wishes. I will be with Katherine by then."

" And how is Katherine dealing with all of this?"

" She has been quite understanding. She even offered to go along on the honeymoon."

" You didn't!"

" No, Alexis, I would never be that careless. I talked her out of that idea. But, I do believe that she is coming to the wedding."

" For Pete's Sake, whatever for?"

" I don't know. But, she promised to be on her best behavior."

" Stefan, do I need to remind you that if Bobbie suspects at all.."

" No, Alexis, you do not. I almost invited Mr. Danforth to the wedding."

" But, you didn't."

" No."

" Well, that is adviseable."

" I made sure that the announcements were in the paper, and that Veronica Bowles did something over the airwaves about it."

" Very smart of you. So, would you like to discuss the business matters in New York?"

" Sure. But, let us do it outside. I could use a walk around the island."

Stefan and Alexis leave.

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Bobbie, Felicia and the seamstress are in the bedroom. Bobbie is getting last minute adjustments on the dress.

" So, Felicia. What do you think of the dress."

" I think the dress and the bride are outstanding. It's the groom that leaves something to be desired."

" Marguerite, do you need me in the dress anymore?"

" No, Mrs. Cassadine. I can take the dress and go elsewhere to do the alterations."

" Thank you."

The seamstress leaves. Felicia starts in on Bobbie.

" OK, my friend. I think that it's time I talked turkey. What the hell is going on here?"

" Felicia, I am remarrying Stefan. How hard is that to understand?"

" VERY hard. You know Bobbie, if I thought that he was worthy of you, I would have no problem with this."

" Yes, you would, Felicia. You don't like Stefan, and never will. Look who you thought was worthy of me. A man who didn't even have enough respect for me that I found him, in bed, with a kewpie doll, on our anniversary. Yeah, he was really worthy of me."

" Bobbie, do you love Stefan?"

" I did, once upon a time, Felicia."

" And now?"

" Now, I know that it is the right decision for me to marry him. I know that I'm asking a lot of you to be my matron of honor, but I want you to be here today, with me."

" Bobbie, to be blunt, I would rather be rodding my sewers. But, if your best girlfriend can't be there when you get hitched, then when WOULD she be there. I just hope that Stefan knows that he better be good to you, because they'll be hell to pay."

" Thanks."

" So, is Luke coming?"

" He hasn't RSVP'd, but I know that he'll be here. His ego won't let him NOT be here. And Laura, in her 'incredible' generosity, has acquiesced and is allowing Lulu to be a flower girl."

" She must be adorable."

" The dress I picked out, she will be the scene stealer."

" Well, I hope that crowd tonight will be better than the one at Tony's."

" Stefan and I left a bit early, was it that bad?"

" It was like a repasse after a funeral."

They both start to laugh.

" You know, Felicia, that's not that funny. Neither Tony nor Carly deserve that, on their wedding day."

" That's mighty generous of you."

" Not really. So, do you approve of my dress selection."

" Bobbie, I can honestly say that you'll be a beautiful bride. I just hope that you're a happy one."

" Me too."

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Nikolas and Lucas are on the docks.

" Nikolas. I know I'm only a kid, but does any of this make sense to you? First my Mommy and Daddy get divorced, then Mommy and Uncle get married. We seem happy and then one day, we don't go back to Spoon Island anymore. Now, Mommy and Uncle are getting married again. And Daddy and Carly got married the other day. It's like, none of the grownups can make up their minds."

" Lucas, I may be older, but I'm as confused about this as you are. But, it seems like what Uncle and Bobbie want is this marriage. I believe that we can only hope for the best for them."

" I missed you so much Nikolas when we moved off the Island. And then, when you never came to see me, I thought that I had done something wrong."

" No, Lucas. Don't ever think that. You didn't do anything wrong. Never you. You were great. I'm sorry. I was mad at Bobbie and I took it out on you. I was wrong. And if I could, I would take it all back. I missed you like crazy too. So, why don't we make a pact. Whatever happens, we'll always be brothers. Pinky swear?"

" Pinky swear." Nik and Lucas Pinky Swear on it.

" Now, I think that both of us better get back to the house, so that the tailor can outfit us for our Tuxedo's."

" Nikolas, do you like tuxedos?"

" Honestly Lucas, no."

" Glad to know I'm not alone."

Nikolas and Lucas make their way back to the house.

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Stefan and Alexis observe Nikolas and Lucas from a distance.

" Nikolas is very fond of Lucas, Stefan."

" I know that Alexis. I see how his face lights up when he's with Lucas."

" Makes up somewhat for the loss of his baby sister."

" Possibly. Nikolas went to see Barbara the other day."

" About?"

" The marriage. He had concerns about it. I believe that his words were to the effect, that Barbara and I had no right to be playing games like this. That marriage isn't just a piece of paper that the two of you can sign and tear up whenever you want to. That wasn't it sacred? Barbara and I are SUPPOSED to be the ADULTS in this situation. But that each of us talks about ''our reasons'' and '' that we hope that he understands'' and '' that we know what we're doing''. He disagreed profoundly. "

" Well, that was quite a mouthful from Nikolas. What did Bobbie say?"

" She didn't get the chance to tell Nikolas anything because he left. But, we talked afterwards."

" And?"

" And she told me that she was willing to make a serious effort with the marriage. She means it Alexis. She actually wants this marriage. She even gave me the chance to walk away, if I wished."

" But, you couldn't."

" No, I can't. But, I can't help but think that I am placing Barbara in yet another untenable position where she cannot win. Once again, her cards are on the table, and I am playing with a stacked deck."

" Stefan, do I need to remind YOU what Bobbie did to you?"

" No, Alexis. But, something is different this time. Barbara has no stars in her eyes this time. The last time she did, but not now. There are no illusions for her. Finding out about Ms. Roberts has done something that I never thought could happen."

" And that is?"

" Harden Barbara's heart."

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The guests are beginning to arrive. The hair and makeup people are putting on the finishing touches when there is a knock on the door. The servant opens it to reveal Nikolas.

" Mary, Eleanor, that will be all." The servants leave. " Nikolas. What are you doing here."

" I came to ask you a question."

" OK, shoot."

" Did you give ANY consideration as to what I talked about the other day?"

" Yes, Nikolas. You made me think. I even offered to your Uncle that he could rescind his propsal."

" You did?"

" Yes. It's time the adults in yours and Lucas' lives started acting like adults. Nikolas, I know that to you, they are only words, but I can honestly say, that I am in this for the long haul. There is nothing more in the forefront of my mind, than to build a solid home for you and Lucas. It's my top priority. And I know that I have to rebuild your belief in me. And I will do it too. Day after day. Step by step. As they say, actions speak louder than words. I know that."

" And my Uncle agreed with you?"

" Nikolas, don't you know that you're his first priority? That he loves nothing and no one more than you? It's true, even if you don't believe it."

" I guess I do. Well, I wanted to give these to you. I hope you like them."

Bobbie opens the box. Inside are a pair of Pearl earrings. In the center is a diamond, with 3 pearls surrounding it: one black, one gray, one white.

" Nikolas, these are beautiful."

" They were made by the Japanese Pearl Designer Mikimoto. My great- grandfather had these made in the late 1920's."

" And you want to give them to me?"

" I peeked and saw your dress. I thought they would look beautiful on you. And I thought that they could also be used as something old."

" I am so touched that you think enough of me to give me these. I can't tell you what this means to me."

" I just think you'd look good in them. Well, I have to go and check on Lucas."

" Alright. Do you think that you and Lucas will be alright here, with Alexis while Stefan and I go on our honeymoon?"

" I think that between Alexis, the staff and myself, that Lucas will be in good hands. I am curious as to why you don't have him staying with Dr. Jones."

" Tony has a new wife and new baby coming. I thought it would be better for you and Lucas to bond."

" Thank you for that. It would have been lonely around here. Well, see you later."

" See you at the Altar."

Nikolas gets to the door. He turns, "Bobbie?"

" Yes, Nikolas."

" Welcome home."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The guests are there. It is a wonderful evening. Clean, clear, crisp. Wyndermere actually looks pleasant. So, why don't we take a gander at the conversations of the evening:

Edward: Good Lord. I can't believe that I'm actually at a Cassadine wedding. This looks like a cross between Martha Stewart meets The Addams Family.

Lila: Oh, Edward. I think you're being too harsh. They really have gone all out. I bet they even swept out all the cobwebs. It's doesn't really look so bad, in an Edgar Allen Poe sort of way.

Monica: I know that Bobbie is my friend and all, but I think that I should have suggested that she go see Gail Baldwin.

Alan: I wonder if I have enough of my little friends to get me through ?

Keesha: I don't know why we're here, do you AJ?

AJ: Free eats, plus mom said that she might need me to hold her hand if the vampires come out.

Emily: AJ, stop that. Nikolas Cassadine is a very nice young man.

AJ: Yes, Em. But, you got to admit, his family makes the Quartermaines look like the Von Trapps.

Lucy: Doc, why are we here? I can't stand Stefan, and Bobbie and I were never close.

Kevin: I'm trying to pick up my last severance check from the Cassadines, plus, would you really give up the chance to see if Luke is gonna do anything outrageous?

Lucy: Great Point.

Scott (already drunk from the Open Bar): You know...the bride and I go WAAYYY Back. I knew Bobbie back when she would make Carly Roberts look like a Girl Scout.

Ruby: Nice spread. I hope that Webber Twit isn't burning my place down. Hey, that bartender looks familiar. Wonder if he's ever been in Florida?

Lucky: I cannot believe that we are here at this farce.

Lesley: Lucky, this is your Aunt Bobbie's Wedding.

Lucky: No, Grandma, this is her funeral. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cassadines don't already have a coffin waiting for her in the basement, in between Uncle Fester's and Little Nikky's. By the way, where is Lulu?

Lesley: Nikolas came by and wanted to take Lulu for a tour of the house.

Lucky: Grandma, I thought you knew that Mom told me that Lulu couldn't go to her first House of Horrors for another year.

Lesley: Laura, where is Luke?

Laura: Hopefully, dead to the world, passed out drunk.

Mac: Well, Katherine, can you please tell me what I'm doing here with you? And for God's sake, why in the hell would you want to return to this Island.

Katherine: I have a lot of memories on this Island.

Mac: Yeah, one in particular comes to mind....you getting shot!

Katherine: Oh, Mac. Why do you dwell on the negative. There's always something positive that can come from the most heinous of circumstances. Something beautiful, glorious and wondrous, and cosmic.

Mac: Uh, Katherine. What the hell are you talking about?

At this moment, Stefan and Nikolas come out to the Altar. And the music starts playing. First, looking handsome as ever, is Lucas in his tux. Then comes Felicia in a beautiful pale gray chiffon dress. Down to the floor, simple cut. Flea never looked more beautiful. Then comes Lulu, looking so good that you want to just eat her up with a spoon. She walks down the aisle spreading flowers, like a professional. Nikolas absolutely beams looking at his little sister. And now, they play Pachelbel's Canon. And there is Bobbie, looking beautiful in a silvery gray floor length gown. Her hair is swept up, so that the earrings Nikolas gave her absolutely sparkle. Bobbie is the picture of elegance. Stefan is stunned at how she actually takes his breath away. Bobbie must note that Stefan does indeed look very handsome in his tux. Bobbie makes it up to the Altar. Nikolas comes to her and gives her his handkerchief, the same one from the first wedding. "Something borrowed", he whispers.

The Minister begins. The wedding proceeds, as usual, and then we get to our favorite part: " Is there anyone here who can show just cause why these two people should not be joined in matrimony? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

" Ah-hem."

The Wedding Party and Guests all turn. It's Luke.