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Chapter Six

“Lucy I told you I’m busy right now,” Chris explained tightly as her nails began to dig into his arm.

“It couldn’t quite possibly be as important as this is,” Lucy sneered at him, “whatever it is can wait because you and I are going to talk right now.”

“Fine,” Chris sighed seeing the spark of anger behind her eyes as she released him. He adjusted his tie before looking her over for a long, contemplative moment, “what is it?”

“Don’t you give me that,” Lucy snapped at him as she pressed her index finger into his chest sharply, “you know exactly what this is about.”

“No Lucy,” Chris reached for her hand as she poked at him once again, “I don’t have the first clue what it is that got you flying off your handle this time, but needless to say I get the feeling that it has something to do with Kevin, doesn’t it?”

“Don’t you play innocent with me,” Lucy insisted cutting him a glare, “considering the lengths you went to in order to bury yourself back there,” she paused, “although I must say that I really would kill you right now for what you did if it didn’t turn out like it had. What you and Little Evie did was downright cruel, but Doc hadn’t seen that side of her before until today and now that he has, well, perhaps now he’s going to see exactly what I’ve been telling him...”

“Lucy, what are you rambling on and on about?” Chris questioned again watching her waving her hands around in the air wildly, “What did Kevin see?”

“You know,” Lucy looked to him suddenly noting the blank stare upon his face as it hit her and she gasped, “oh my god. You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?” Chris raised his voice a bit capturing the attention of a few people passing by before he reached for Lucy’s arm dragging her down the hall with him.

“Watch it you,” She swatted at him feeling his fingers digging into her arm, “watch the meat hooks there.”

“Meat hooks?” Chris raised a brow before releasing her once they’d stepped into a nearly empty corridor, “now what is going on?”

“Doc saw a tape,” Lucy explained simply.

“Of?”

“Well he was supposed to be seeing a tape of my switching the DNA test results on Eve and Ian’s DNA report, but instead we saw this surveillance tape of you and Eve and I’d thought, well, naturally I’d just assumed that somehow you’d....” she rambled.

“Hold on. Back up,” Chris frowned, “what tape Lucy? What tape did Kevin see?”

“There was one of you and Eve talking about me and how you were going to destroy me,” Lucy continued meeting his dark eyes, “Naturally when I realized that the tapes had been switched, I’d just assumed that somehow you’d managed to take the tape that Mac was given and change it for this other one of you and Eve. Of course as I said I should knock your head off for the ways in which the two of you were trying to destroy me together, but then when I saw Doc‘s reaction I was really worried about him and what‘s going to happen to him now that he knows his little wifey is less than perfect.”

“Wait a second,” Chris frowned, “back up. You saw a tape of Eve and I doing what?”

“Oh don’t you dare even play innocent,” Lucy piped up remembering her anger when she’d seen the tape. She poked him in the chest as she stood taller, “I know what you were up to and don’t think for one second that this excuses any of the wicked, evil, manipulative things that you and little Evie did to make me look bad. In fact the more I think about it the more I am starting to see that I have no reason to trust you at all, you sneaky slimy little.....”

“Hush,” Chris instructed covering her mouth, “I’m not in the mood for this right now. My head feels as though it’s going to split in two and the last thing I want to hear is your babbling about how wronged you’ve been. Neither you nor I are innocent parties in anything and it’s about time we both face that fact. You and Eve are both as manipulative as ever and yes I did help her try to take you down, but I remember you trying to do the same thing when she was in Scott’s life.”

“How dare you defend her?” Lucy snapped at him, “after everything that woman did to me...”

“Lucy, would you stop living in the past?” Chris frowned, “I know the score alright and quite honestly I don’t want to hear it. Eve’s a bitch, yes I know that and it’s part of what I love about her, but whining about Eve is not going to get you back in Kevin’s arms again. What we need to do now is work together and find a way to make the most of this situation that’s been presented before us. Somehow this mix-up will have to work to our advantage somehow.”

“What are you planning?” she gave him a pointed look.

“I’m not sure yet, but we‘ll come up with something,” Chris frowned hearing the sounds of footsteps approaching them as he looked to see Mac Scorpio approaching them.

“Lucy,” Mac cleared his throat, “can I have a word with you...in private?”

Chris stood taller placing his arm around her shoulders protectively, “Whatever you have to say you can say it in front of me,” he asserted as Lucy looked over at him for a moment.

“Chris, really Mac is my....” Lucy began to explain.

“I don’t care how good a friend he is Lucy. He’s still a cop and I refuse to let you go down for something like this. In fact I don’t want him questioning you without a lawyer present. I think I’ll call mine and we’ll get him to intercept this harassment.”

“That won’t be necessary Dr. Ramsey,” Mac threw him a glare as his gaze shifted to Lucy, “you can reserve the right to call your lawyer for the next time you find yourself in a bind,” he paused then let out a sigh, “as for you Lucy, well you’re in the clear.”

“What?” she asked with a slight breath of relief.

“Since we don’t have any substantial evidence to go on here and Eve has decided not to press charges,” Mac explained lightly, “you can go.”

“You mean you’re not taking me to jail?” Lucy felt a smile forming on her lips, “Doc convinced Eve to drop the charges?”

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but Eve let it go,” Mac explained with a nod, “just try to stay out of trouble. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

As Mac walked away, Lucy turned to Chris with a bright grin, “Did you hear that?”

“That I did,” Chris nodded with a light smile, “See I told you she wasn’t so bad.”

“She was only that open to let it go because I’m sure Doc gave her a long overdue talking to. You know he used to get so upset with me when I did something completely off the wall to get him going. With me it was like, ‘Lucy this....Lucy that,’ but with Eve it didn’t matter how sneaky or underhanded she got because she could do no wrong. Eve could lie and hurt others, but that was okay because she was poor Eve and it was alright for Eve to make a mistake, but not me because I, Lucy Coe, could do no wrong without suffering the consequences of it. Why right now if I could see that little twit I’d tell her just how much she had this coming to her. Right now I’d love to stick it to her for....” Lucy rambled on as Chris reached out to her swiftly and pulled her into an embrace silencing her with a kiss.

Feeling the words still escaping from her lips, Lucy felt his mouth against hers urging her to respond to the fire behind him as his hands slid around her waist drawing her in closer to him. Breathlessly she gave in to the kiss for a moment before she withdrew meeting his piercing brown eyes. She opened her mouth to speak when she instinctively followed his gaze across the hallway to see a very frazzled looking Eve and a stunned Kevin watching them with obvious interest.

“That was nice,” Chris smiled wickedly turning his attention back to Lucy as he held her in his arms, “very nice indeed. I hope this means we’re still on for dinner later,” Chris whispered removing a strand of hair from her face offering the impression they had some kind of intimate moment taking place before Kevin and Eve’s intrusion.

“But of course,” Lucy couldn’t help but flash him a tiny grin as she ran her fingers over his chest for a moment allowing her manicured nails to taper over the buttons on his shirt before she circled her grasp over his stethoscope. With a smile, she twisted it beneath her palm circling it for a moment before raising it to her mouth to speak in a light whisper, “after all we have so much to celebrate tonight, don’t we?”

“That we do,” Chris replied tracing the outline of her lips with his index finger, “starting with your freedom.”

“Freedom,” Lucy smiled again as he leaned in towards her and the hallway was filled with the sounds of a loud, irritated groan.

“To hell with it Kevin,” Eve snapped glaring at her husband as the shock of what she’d seen took over, “there is no way I am apologizing to that woman,” Eve barked out despite the obvious tears she’d shed. With that she shot Lucy a scathing look and her fists tightened, “I hope you’re happy now Lucy.”

“Eve,” Kevin called out as Eve stomped off down the hall obviously upset by the day’s turn of events, “Eve wait.”

“Doc?” Lucy questioned breaking away from Chris as she noted something behind his eyes, jealousy perhaps as he shot Chris a drop dead look.

“Not now Lucy,” Kevin dismissed her as he watched his wife disappear behind the doors of the elevator. He sighed before turning back to her, “You know I really hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” Kevin paused his gaze wandering over to Chris as his body grew rigid with tension, “it seems you’ve already endured enough, I’d hate to think of you suffering more than you already have.”

“Don’t worry Kevin,” Lucy stood taller hearing the menacing tone behind his voice as she suddenly found herself spun forward by a sense of power that had long evaded her, “Chris can’t hurt me any worse than you have. After all you seem to be the master at breaking me.”

“Lucy, you don’t mean that,” Kevin sighed with obvious pain behind his eyes, “and if I’m the one who pushed you to this by not believing in you...”

“Don’t flatter yourself Kevin,” Lucy shot him a glare, “I wouldn’t give you that much credit. You don’t have that much control over my life and rest assured you won’t have it ever again. In fact, why don’t you go to your little wifey there? She might be hurting a bit now that her games have finally caught up to her,” she let out an ironic laugh, “and to think you always accused me of being the one who instigated things. Shows just how wrong you are Kevin.”

“Lucy,” he began finding himself at a loss as he reached out to her.

Chris wrapped his arm around her protectively, “Get lost Collins. She’s not in the mood to hear it especially from you.”

“This isn’t over,” Kevin turned his eyes to Lucy, “we have a lot to talk about.”

“Take a number Kevin,” Lucy glared at him despite the feelings raging in her heart pressing her to rush forward into his arms and tell him how desperately she needed him, “because as you can see,” she slid her arm around Chris with great emphasis as she let out a playful laugh, “I’m quite busy now a days.”

“You’re making a mistake Lucy,” Kevin warned as he locked gazes with her again, “I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“It’s too little, too late for that Kevin. Go home to your wife,” she snapped at him despite her desire to tell him how much she still loved him. Kevin Collins had hurt her one too many times and the last thing she was going to do was make it easy for him to come back this time. Chris was right. If Kevin wanted her, he was going to have to work for it and until that point Lucy was going to enjoy twisting the knife. She looked over to Chris, “so what time was dinner again?”

“I’m just about through with my shift here,” He couldn’t help but smile, “what do you say we make a day of it?”

“I say you’re on to something Chrissy,” Lucy teased moving in closer to him knowing full well that Kevin hadn’t taken his eyes off of the two of them as she curled up on her toes leaning in to kiss Chris, “I’ve been thinking about us spending time alone all day and with that jail thing out of the way...”

“I’d say you’re free to be with me,” Chris decided cupping her face in his hands as he kissed her again with a tiny chuckle as he felt the deep, penetrating eyes of Kevin Collins upon them. Time and time again Chris wanted to hurt Kevin for taking Eve away from him and now kissing Lucy he had his chance. Kevin was going to see what it was like to be on the other side of the picture in having the woman he loved in the arms of the man you loathed and truth be told Chris was rather enjoying it. He pulled back from Lucy after a moment as he heard Kevin storm off down the hall. Still keeping his arms draped around her waist he let out an arrogant smile, “that was very nice sweetie.”

“Oh please,” Lucy rolled her eyes before groaning and pushing him away as she straightened out her dress, “that was awful. Did you see the look on Doc’s face? He was so heartbroken. I can‘t believe that I just did that to him.”

“I was rather proud of you,” Chris confessed with a smile, “you’re learning rather nicely.”

“No, I’m just going back to my old tricks,” she frowned ,”something that Doc didn’t like about me.”

“What does that tell you if a man doesn’t like you for who you are?”

“Doc, does like me,” Lucy face him again, “he loves me and we are meant to be together.”

“Then make him see that,” Chris urged stepping towards her, “We’ve already set the wheels in motion and now all we have to do is follow through and we’ll have Kevin and Eve eating out of the palms of our hands.”

“How do you propose we do that?” she asked curiously.

“Have dinner with me tonight,” he suggested.

“Dinner?”

“Sure, why not? We’ll go to the Grille or something and show Port Charles just how good we are together,” Chris smiled wickedly, “it’s bound to get back to Kevin somehow and when it does he’s going to see just what he lost in you especially now that he and Eve are on the outs. The timing couldn‘t be better.”

“You’re right,” she decided with a grin, “you’re absolutely right.”

“Of course,” he answered arrogantly, “I always am.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she rolled her eyes, “something like this takes precision and expertise.”

“Two things which I come highly equipped with.”

“We don’t need your ego getting in the way Chris,” she paused, “this has to be done right.”

“It will be,” Chris assured her, “and after tonight you and I are going to have everything we’ve ever wanted.”

“Tell me why are you so insistent upon me getting Kevin?” she raised a brow.

“Because I want Eve and I’m not stopping until I get her,” Chris asserted with a wicked grin, “it’s time she and I finally find our way together and she’s going to see that I’m the only man she’s ever needed,” he paused, “Sound familiar?”

“I’m going to get Doc back,” Lucy added firmly, “I can’t lose him again.”

“You won’t Lucy,” Chris assured her, “Just as long as we play this the right way. Rest assured by the time we’re through with this scam, Kevin and Eve will be exactly where we want them. Tonight is dinner and beyond that the world is ours for the taking. You just have to believe.”

“Universe beware because tonight,” Lucy grinned feeling hopeful, “destiny will be mine at last. Mark my words, by the time we’re through, I will have Kevin back,” she finished boldly finding herself meaning it for the first time since they’d started this little mission of theirs.
 
 

Chapter Seven

Lucy looked at her reflection in the mirror as she expelled a breath she hadn’t been aware that she’d been holding. It had been so long since she’d been on a date and oddly enough she’d found herself nervous about this. Not so much by the fact that she was going out with Chris Ramsey, but that so much was riding on this interaction between them. If they blew it tonight, everyone would know that they were faking and Kevin would never return to her life. She put in her earring as she shuddered at that thought. She couldn’t lose her only chance with Kevin and if this was how she had to do it, well despite the fact she hated it, she couldn’t stop it from being done. Adjusting the straps on her slinky red dress a bit, she smiled at her reflection. She looked good, better than she had in a long time and this dress in particular had always had a way of making her feel sexy. Kevin had adored her in it and perhaps that was part of the thrill, but the color it made her feel vibrant, alive and ready to take some action. She smiled at herself appreciatively before applying another layer of gloss over her perfectly curled lips. Tonight she was going to knock them all dead and she’d give Kevin Collins a reason to wonder about what he’d given up.

Hearing the knock at the door, Lucy took in a breath bringing her hand over her abdomen as she gave herself one last look before going to answer. She smiled brightly as she opened the door expecting to see Chris standing before her, but much to her dismay she found Scott standing before her.

“What is this?” Scott frowned slightly as he leaned in against the door frame, “Kevin said that you’d slipped off your rocker, but I didn’t want to believe it until I see you like this and...”

“Pal what are you doing here?” Lucy frowned in response, “you really shouldn’t be here.”

“Of course I should,” Scott decided pushing his way past her as he stepped into her hotel room waving his hands around in the air, “Kevin told me he saw you doing some kind of lip lock with Ramsey earlier and while he swore it to be the truth, I’m beginning to wonder if the guy is slipping back into Looney Ville because you wouldn’t do something that stupid,” Scott circled around to face her again with questioning eyes, “right?”

“Pal, what I do in my spare time is really none of your business,” Lucy began taking in a sharp breath.

“Lucy, what do you mean it’s none of my business? You’re Serena’s mother and I care about you,” Scott objected stepping towards her, “I just don’t want to see you get wrapped up in something over your head here when I know how you can get at times when you’re scheming.”

“Scheming?” Lucy raised a curious brow, “who says I’m scheming about anything?”

“Oh come on,” Scott couldn’t help but chuckle, “I know how you work. You want Kevin, Kevin wants you. The two of you slept together while Eve was gone and then he went back to her. It only makes sense that you’re trying to get his attention somehow and you’re using a snake like Ramsey to do it, but I’ve gotta tell you, it’s not a wise decision Lucy.”

“Well excuse me Scott, but the last time I checked you were the reigning king of mistakes there--our marriage being one of them, so I don’t really don’t think you have room to talk about what I’m doing with my life. Come to think of it, I believe your rights to step into my private matters were eliminated the moment we signed the divorce papers,” she crossed her arms in front of her chest, “now if you don’t mind.”

“Actually I do mind Lucy,” Scott objected firmly as he stepped towards her, “you can’t tell me that shacking up with that idiot Ramsey is doing you any good right now. It’s not a smart idea and...”

“I’m not shacking up with anyone right now,” Lucy looked around her room, “if you haven’t noticed I’m perfectly content here at the hotel and I’m getting my life together again without you and Kevin holding my hand.”

“Lucy, I just don’t think....” he began.

“Scott, I don’t really care what you think,” her voice shook a bit before she softened her tone, “look Pal, I know you mean well, but really this is none of your concern. I’m fine.”

“Are you really?” he searched her eyes.

“Scott, if you’re expecting me to break or fall apart, it’s not going to happen again,” Lucy tried to assure him, “I’ve been there, done that and I refuse to travel down that road again.”

“Lucy, I just don’t think that you should be getting in over your head,” he paused reaching out to touch her cheek gently, “I know what it did to you after Eve was gone and you and Kevin found your way back to one another. I know that you love him, that you’ve always loved him and I don’t want to see you destroy yourself in your attempts to win him over. He’s not worth that. He’s not worth sacrificing yourself.”

“Who says I’m sacrificing anything Scott?” Lucy shot him a glare, “because the way I see it, I’m moving forward and taking matters into my own hands which is something that I didn’t do for so long because everyone just expected me to lean on them. Well I have news for you. I am not a fragile flower, nor will I allow myself to be victim again. I’m going to take things a step at a time and face my problems head on instead of shying away from them. I won‘t let myself get in over my head or be bullied around any longer.”

“Lucy, I know that look,” Scott frowned as she stepped away from him, “I know you well enough to know that whatever it is you’re doing, this thing with that snake is only the beginning.”

“Why do you have it so bad against Chris Ramsey?” Lucy turned to face him, “what has he ever done to you?”

“Got a few hours?” Scott frowned seeing the anger spark behind her eyes, “Lucy think about it. His ex-wife stole our little girl from us from right under our noses.”

“That wasn’t his fault,” Lucy defended much to her own surprise, “he can’t be held responsible for Julie’s actions.”

“The hell he can’t,” Scott snapped, “if it wasn’t for that weasel, Julie would be in lock up getting the kind of treatment she deserved rather than be around this world off with our little girl.”

“If it wasn’t for Chris we never would’ve had our little girl Scott,” Lucy explained finding her throat tighten up as she thought of Christina, “he’s the one who brought her into this world and he’s the one who lead her to us.”

“And he’s also the one who helped rip her away,” Scott pointed out.

“No Scott, you did that in allowing Frank to just take off with her against my wishes. You brought this on by not listening to my instincts,” Lucy argued raising her voice a bit.

“We’re back to this again?” Scott groaned, “Lucy, when are you ever going to let it go?”

“Never,” Lucy announced angrily, “I’m never going to let it go Scott because I can’t let it go. It’s a part of me, Christina is a part of me and I will never, ever let go of this pain because it’s all I have left,” she placed her hand over her heart, “it’s all that I have to remind me of my little girl.”

“Lucy, you can’t do this to yourself,” Scott’s voice softened a bit as he approached her, “you can’t lose yourself in the pain.”

“I’m not losing anything Scott,” Lucy tightened her fists a bit, “except the aggravations that you and Kevin have put me through. Scott, I’m tired. I’m sick and tired of laying it all out on the line and just once I want to be able to be me without having to deal with what comes with it.”

“And you think Ramsey can do it for you?”

“I think Chris is a start,” Lucy nodded in response.

“That man isn’t capable of love,” Scott blurted out.

“Maybe I’m not either,” Lucy decided firmly, “or maybe it’s just that people like you and Kevin will never really see what people like Chris and I are about. You can’t look inside yourself to see us, to really view us and see inside our hearts because do to so would be stepping outside your boundaries and expectations for us. That would just require far too much effort.”

“Lucy, I don’t know where you’re coming from with this one,” Scott frowned.

“It’s from years of abuse Scott,” Lucy snapped at him, “time and time again I’ve put my life on hold for the men in my life. I’ve convinced myself that if I was a certain way that somehow, some way I’d end up happy, but you know what all this settling has gotten me? Absolutely miserable and I refuse to allow myself to do that any longer.”

“And what about Serena?” Scott shot out at her as she crossed the room moving towards the door, “what is she going to think about all this?”

“Serena knows I love her,” Lucy turned to face him, “that won’t ever change.”

“I’m not going to allow you to let a man like Chris Ramsey poison her mind,” Scott argued finding himself a bit irrational as he eyed her, “I don’t want him near my daughter.”

“Now you listen here and you listen good Pal,” Lucy approached him her voice stern as she met his eyes, “I love that little girl and I have sacrificed my life time and time again to make her happy and I would do it all over in a heartbeat if I could because she means that much to me. She is my world Scott and I would never, ever let anything hurt her.”

“Then stop seeing that idiot Ramsey.”

“That has nothing to do with Serena.”

“Doesn't it?” He raised a brow, “you’re only going to end up hurting her.”

“Scott, do you really think so little of me?” she questioned with a frown, “I love Serena and I would do anything for her. Hell I even married Rex to protect her, or have you forgotten that?”

“No I haven’t forgotten,” He sighed, “I just....”

“I’m a big girl Scott,” Lucy tried to assure him as she unclenched her fists, “I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” he asked searching her eyes as she saw the concern behind his.

“I do,” she nodded in response as she heard a faint tapping at the door, “that’s my date.”

“Don’t do this Lucy,” Scott began with a frown as he kept his eyes fixed on hers.

“I know what I’m doing,” Lucy explained tightly before letting out another breath. Taking a step back she stood taller as she approached the door opening it slowly as she noted the flower before her.

“For you,” Chris explained with a sexy smile, “I know I’m early but...” he trailed off before his gaze shifted beyond her to Scott in the room, “Well what do we have here?”

“Scott was just leaving,” Lucy replied turning her eyes to Scott again, “weren’t you?”

“Actually,” Scott cleared his throat, “I was just getting warmed up here.”

“No I believe you were on your way out the door,” Lucy informed him with a frown.

“Really Lucy I think that you and I should continue what we started...” Scott objected stepping forward.

“I’m sure you can continue it later,” Chris interrupted holding out the flower to Lucy with a smile, “as she and I have other plans.”

“Thank you Chris,” Lucy smiled lightly, “it’s beautiful.”

“Nothing but the best for you,” Chris informed her leaning in to kiss her cheek gently.

“Chris you are so sweet,” Lucy replied bringing up the sweet bud to take a whiff of it as they parted, “you really didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to,” Chris explained further, “Granted it’s beauty goes unmatched by yours, but I wanted to give you a small token of my appreciation for the time we’ve spent together thus far.”

“Chris,” Lucy smiled again as her gaze shifted from the rose back to his dark eyes, “you really shouldn’t have,” she grinned lightly before lifting up on her toes to kiss him gently, “but thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome,” Chris replied reaching out to snake his arm around her, “being with you is always a pleasure,” he confessed leaning in again to kiss her as Scott let out a groan.

“That’s enough,” Scott snapped stepping forward, “I don’t know what your game is Ramsey, but it ends now.”

“Excuse me?” Chris questioned looking over to Scott with a frown.

“You heard me,” Scott added standing taller.

“Scott, now isn’t the time,” Lucy objected as she stood between them.

“The hell it isn’t,” Scott began to roll up his sleeves a bit, “I think it’s about time that Chris and I have a talk in the hall one on one.”

“As much as I’d appreciate a good sparring match with you Baldwin, Lucy and I have dinner reservations and we can’t be late for them,” Chris turned to Lucy, “are you ready beautiful?”

“Just let me grab my wrap,” Lucy pulled away from him as she approached her nightstand.

Chris watched her finding his eyes drawn to her delicious curves as Scott stepped forward pressing his palm into Chris’ chest before pushing him back into the wall a bit.

“Don’t think you’re getting away with this Ramsey,” Scott warned sharply before shoving him back into the wall once again, “I’ll be watching you.”

“Great, I’ll let my lawyers know I’ll be waiting to file those harassment charges,” Chris answered smoothly coming off as unbothered by Scott’s threats, “I mean hey it’s been a while since you’ve been in jail. I think it’s about time you had your monthly installment down with the boys from PC’s finest.”

“I’m warning you Ramsey, if you hurt her....” Scott threatened as Lucy returned to find Scott pushing him again.

“Scott, stop it,” Lucy huffed rushing over to get in between them, “I told you to let it go.”

“Not when I know that man is up to something,” Scott barked back at her, “he doesn’t do anything unless there’s something in it for him.”

“Well gee Scott,” Chris smiled wickedly, “have you taken a good look at Lucy lately? I’d say there was a great big something in it for me in being with her. The wonders of Lucy never cease to amaze me,” Chris reached out to her nuzzling her neck a bit, “isn’t that right?”

“Damn you,” Scott lunged forward grabbing Chris by the collar before slamming him into the wall once more, “you stay the hell away from her. Do you hear me?”

“Or what Scott?” Chris raised a brow, “you going to hit me again?”

“Hitting you will be the least of your concerns,” Scott seethed with anger, “I have ways to make sure that you never surface again.”

“Idle threats Baldwin,” Chris challenged finding himself a bit shaken despite his cool demeanor.

“Let him go Scott,” Lucy insisted tearing him away from Chris, “I mean it.”

“Mark my words Chris...” Scott growled releasing him as he turned to Lucy, “I still think you’re making a mistake.”

“And I still believe it’s none of your business,” Lucy answered flatly as she seized his arm and lead him over to the door, “now get out.”

“Lucy,” he began as she shoved him into the hallway.

“Goodbye Scott,” She snapped before slamming the door in his face and redirecting her attention back to Chris who was rubbing at his neck, “are you alright?”

“Just peachy,” Chris coughed out a bit before looking to her, “what is wrong with you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she frowned, “I just saved your skin in kicking him out of here.”

“That man is a nutcase,” Chris groaned feeling an ache in his chest, “and to think I thought Kevin was bad. What the hell is wrong with you women that you find that kind of Neanderthal behavior attractive?”

“Scott was just trying to look out for me.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just mark his territory or something?” Chris frowned, “I swear I can’t even imagine flying off the handle like he does.”

“It’s his way of showing he cares,” Lucy half smiled.

“In that case, I guess I care very little,” Chris frowned as he let out another cough.

“Are you sure you’re still up for dinner tonight?” Lucy reached out to him pressing her hand over his shoulder, “I mean because if you’re not....”

“Having second thoughts, are you?” Chris looked to her curiously as his pain became secondary to their plans for the evening.

“No, but you just look like....” she began.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve taken bigger beatings than this,” Chris explained adjusting his tie, “besides word is that Dr. Kevin Collins and the Mrs. are having dinner at the Grille tonight.”

“What?” Lucy questioned in disbelief.

“It seems he wanted to get out with her to ‘fix’ things,” Chris smiled wickedly, “which is exactly where we fit in.”

“Are you saying that Kevin and Eve....” she trailed off feeling butterflies in her stomach.

“Think you’re ready for this?” he asked with a light hearted smile.

“I’ll be fine just as long as you don’t let Kevin kick the crap out of you for touching me,” Lucy half teased looking to him.

“I can take Collins,” Chris thought it over, “and Baldwin too, but I didn’t want to get blood on the suit here. It’s not worth it.”

“You’d better watch that ego of yours,” Lucy warned bringing her purse over her shoulder.

“It’s this ego of mine that’s going to help us get what we want tonight Lucy,” Chris smiled boastfully, “and we will get what we want. Kevin and Eve will take one look at us and they’ll see that we are exactly where they want to be.”

“Where they need to be,” she nodded in agreement.

“Exactly,” Chris smiled eagerly extending his arm to her, “Shall we?”

“Let the games begin,” she decided taking his arm finding herself armed and ready for battle because soon, very soon Kevin would be hers again.
 

Chapter Eight

“You ready for this?” Chris questioned as he extended his arm out to Lucy.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” Lucy nodded in response as she accepted his arm graciously, “you?”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he admitted with a sly grin as they entered the Grille together ready to take Port Charles by storm. As they stepped inside he noticed Kevin and Eve seated at the corner booth near the back.

“May I help you?” The Maitre’d questioned as he approached them.

“We’d like your best table,” Chris insisted bringing his arm around Lucy’s slender waist as she leaned into him.

Lucy felt her eyes drift across the room as she noticed Kevin seated across from Eve. They had appeared to have been in some kind of heated discussion as Kevin’s eyes were narrowed at Eve. Lucy felt her heart racing as she looked him over seeing how he was just as handsome as usual in his dark blue suit. She stared at him, wondering if she would ever get that second chance with the man that she loved with all of her being as Chris lead her along towards their table.

“Remember why we’re here,” Chris urged trying to keep his gaze away from Kevin and Eve as they made their way towards their table.

“I won’t forget,” Lucy whispered leaning in closer to him as she painted on a seductive smile. She tugged at the lapel of his jacket as her smile widened, “I haven’t forgotten for one single moment.”

“Good, let’s keep it that way,” Chris offered up brightly as he led her to the table, “your chair my lady.”

“Thank you,” she smiled as he released her and pulled out the chair for her helping her into her seat as she realized this was just the beginning of their night.
 
 

“Would you look at that,” Eve huffed as a frown crossed over her features, “it’s bad enough that she had to take such pleasure in nearly destroying my life, but now seeing her here with Ramsey like that, she’s trying to get to me.”

“What are you talking about Eve?” Kevin questioned as his gaze shifted towards the direction of Eve’s response trying to keep an air of surprise his expression. Before he’d heard Eve’s complaints, Kevin had known that Lucy was there. He could feel her presence in the room long before Eve had noted Lucy‘s arrival. When she’d walked in with Chris, he didn't have to turn around to know that she was staring at him. He had tried to play it nonchalant at her arrival, but his gaze had drifted towards her looking at her with those mesmerizing brown eyes of hers. Their eyes had met and not a word was mouthed because the way they were looking at each other, they could both tell they were still so many feelings still alive. He saw in her eyes something that he never really noticed before and seeing her with Chris, well he couldn‘t help but feel a reaction.

“Of all the places she had to show up,” Eve huffed once more interrupting his thoughts.

“I’m sure that they didn’t plan this,” Kevin offered up in response as he pushed his thoughts of Lucy aside.

“Of course she did Kevin. If she could track you down twenty four hours in the day she would. She would go to great lengths to destroy us, so why not try to target me by moving in on Chris?”

“Speaking of Chris, you have never really touched on that tape,” Kevin frowned as he thought back to the hospital.

“Kevin, that was a lifetime ago, and Lucy deserved it,” Eve defended herself, “she was so hell bent on making my life miserable.”

“So you thought you’d lower yourself to go down in it further than her?”

“I was just doing what I needed to do to survive.”

“Just like Lucy was apparently,” Kevin began.

“Kevin, she let the world believe I was dead. She kept the truth about my being alive away from you so that she could try to win you back.”

“Eve, you and Chris tried to make her believe someone was going to kill her.”

“We were just pulling a harmless prank, but she was playing god with my life Kevin,” Eve snapped in response at him as her anger bubbled over, “I can’t believe you’re even going to take the time to defend her considering all that she’s done...”

“Neither one of you is innocent,” Kevin sighed in frustration, “hell I’m not even innocent.”

“Kevin, can’t you see she’s trying to destroy what we have together? You can’t hold the past against our future,” Eve pleaded desperately, “that was a lifetime ago and I was doing what was needed to survive.”

“Eve, Lucy was doing the same in her own way,” Kevin began.

“By making the world think I was dead while I was in hell.”

“Eve, she had no idea where you were. She thought....”

“Thought what?”

“She thought that you ran away with Ian,” Kevin finally blurted out, “She believed you were having an affair with Ian.”

“Ian,” Eve wrinkled her nose, “you’ve got to be kidding. Kevin, he’s my friend, but that’s it.”

“Are you sure about that Eve?” Kevin questioned skeptically, “what really happened while you were kidnapped Eve?”
 
 

“Can you see what’s going on over there?” Lucy questioned curiously, “I really wish you’d given me that seat so that I could keep an eye on them.”

“You, my dear,” Chris began reaching for her hand, “would be too obvious, but I on the other hand have this down to an art.”

“That’s because you are a true con artist,” Lucy reminded him.

“Be thankful I am because your obvious nature would’ve blew this out of the water days ago,” Chris insisted pressing a kiss over her hand, “trust me I think it’s working.”

“Why, what’s happening?”

“They look like they’re in a rather,” he paused as his eyes fixed on hers, “heated discussion.”

“Chris, this is pure torture,” Lucy insisted with a huff, “I wish I could get a better view.”

“You want one?” Chris questioned curiously.

“Are you going to stand up and switch seats with me? Wouldn’t that be too obvious?”

“I’ll just go a step further,” he insisted standing from his chair as he extended his arm out to her, “dance with me.”

“What?” she questioned giving him a look.

“Dance with me Lucy,” Chris repeated, “if you’re really that curious...”

“Chris, no one is dancing. It’s far too early to.....” she began as he reached for her pulling her from the chair she was seated in.

“Live a little,” he urged slipping his arm around her waist, leading her to the empty dance floor as he pulled her close to him. He moved his lips close to her ear as her long hair cascaded over the exposed skin of her slender back, “dance with me Lucy.”

“Alright,” she answered with a smile as she placed her arms around his neck, “I’ll dance with you.”

“Good,” he smiled proudly as he encircled her in his arms, “see this isn’t so bad.”

“No I guess it’s not,” she offered up lightly as his arms held her snugly, “of course it would be better if we were able to see them.”

“Are you telling me you’d rather move someplace else,” Chris questioned peering over her shoulder as he noticed Kevin’s eyes now upon them. He leaned down to press a kiss over Lucy’s shoulder as Chris could feel the daggers coming from Kevin’s eyes.

“You’re playing with fire Chris,” Lucy breathed closing her eyes as she imagined being wrapped up in Kevin’s arm.

“Even so,” Chris whispered with a sly grin as his lips trailed over her skin, “I don’t think we’re going to get burned.”

“We’re going to if we don’t play this right,” Lucy answered bringing her hands over his shoulders as her finger tips trailed over the contours of his shirt.

“I think we’re playing this right on cue,” Chris breathed against her tenderly as his lips sought out hers offering up a subtle hint of passion as their mouths met in a kiss. Feeling her holding onto him, he squeezed her against him keeping her close to him as she responded to his kiss tasting him slowly. Their bodies swayed to the music around them as Chris placed his hand on her hip. Parting from the kiss he reached out to her touching her cheek as a smile spread over his features, “you’re so beautiful.”

“Chris, you’re laying it on thick,” Lucy gave him a strange look as he captured her mouth once more in a passion provoking kiss. Feeling herself craving the attention she reciprocated the gesture as his hand slipped over her bottom giving it a light squeeze. She let out a gasp as their kiss continued and he allowed his other hand to taper over her hip crushing her against him, “Chris...” she breathed against his lips in a soft purr.

“Yes?” He questioned lazily in between kisses.

“If you squeeze me like that again, I’m going to castrate you,” she breathed as her fingers traveled up into his thick, dark hair.

“Oh come on Lucy,” he couldn’t help but smile as he spun her around, “it’s working.”

“What,” she questioned as he claimed her mouth again and he turned her to catch a glimpse of Kevin and Eve sitting at the table across from the dance floor. She could feel Kevin’s penetrating gaze as she noticed Eve was trying to get his attention once more.

“What did I tell you,” Chris questioned tracing the curve of her spine with his finger.

“It’s working,” Lucy couldn’t help but smile, “little Evie looks very upset that Doc isn’t paying her any attention.”

“I noticed,” Chris half laughed, “too bad she’s all worked up over you.”

“Oh I’m sure it has to do with my being in your arms too,” Lucy offered up supportively as her hands wandered over him, “but just in case,” she placed her hands over his backside giving him a squeeze before she moved in to kiss him once more, “you owe me.”

“I’ll remember that,” Chris let out a soft moan as his fingers tapered off over her curves as they moved across the dance floor closer to the corner.
 
 
 

“What are they doing?” Kevin questioned with obvious disdain as he watched Chris and Lucy practically making out on the dance floor.

“I have no idea, but she hates Chris,” Eve hissed, “how can she be doing this? Why would he even let her touch him?”

“Her touch him? Eve, the man is a snake,” Kevin snapped at her as he watched Chris guide Lucy‘s leg around his body hugging her closer still to him while their mouths devoured one another, “whatever it is he has over her head, clearly he’s manipulating her.”

“Chris manipulating her? That coming from a you considering that woman tried to manipulate you into believing I was dead?” Eve gasped in astonishment, “she’s probably using Chris to get to me since she knows she can’t have you.”

“What would her being with Chris have to do with you?” Kevin questioned blankly.

“She knows my friend and she’d do everything she could to destroy me.”

“Everything is not about you Eve,” Kevin offered up.

“Where she’s concerned it is. It’s not over for her until she destroys me.”

“Eve, that’s enough,” Kevin snapped at her, “Chris is not the victim in this situation as he’s the obvious manipulator.”

“Lucy is the manipulative bitch,” Eve offered in response.

“I can’t believe you just said that Eve. After everything that’s happened between you two,” Kevin gave her a look.

“Believe it Kevin,” Eve rose from the table, “in fact, I’m going home. If you want to ogle over Lucy that’s your choice, but I’m out of here.”

“Eve wait,” Kevin called out after her as she rushed out of the restaurant angrily. He glanced over at the dance floor wanting to choke the life out of Chris at that very moment as his lips were on Lucy’s, but as Eve rushed out Kevin decided it was time to deal with his wife as he chased after her.
 
 
 
 

“Well, how are we doing?” Lucy questioned dragging her nails over the lines of Chris’ jacket.

“Rather well actually,” Chris kissed her again, “I think we’ve succeeded.”

“Have we?” Lucy questioned as Chris spun her around to reveal the table Kevin and Eve were seated at before were now empty. She looked over to Chris, “Where did they go?”

“Eve ran off rather upset,” Chris admitted, “and Kevin chased her.”

“Oh please don’t tell me that he was trying to apologize.”

“It looked like she was having a fit.”

“Really?” Lucy’s eyes widened, “well in that case, we can’t miss this.”

“Lucy,” Chris questioned blankly as she dragged him along the restaurant, “what are you doing?”

“We’re going to go check things out,” she insisted leading him out behind her into the night as her eyes scanned over the parking lot, “where could they be?”

“I don't know Lucy, but don’t you think you’re making this rather obvious?”

“Obvious would be letting them walk out without getting a reaction.”

“I think we got one Lucy.”

“I just want to make sure,” she insisted as she heard voices raise above the night air as she looked to see Kevin and Eve fighting outside Kevin’s car.

“Looks like we did make an impression,” Chris noted.

“I’ll say,” Lucy smiled as she felt a surge of hope rush through her, “in no time Doc will see Eve for what she truly is and we’ll have everything we’ve always wanted.”

“The great loves of our lives,” Chris boasted as she threw her arms around him in an embrace. He hugged her tightly as her laughter filled the air surrounding them. Holding her close to him, he felt a rush of pride surge through his body as he thought of the future he would have once Eve was freed from her obsession with Kevin. As the two reveled in their moment, there was a screeching sound in the distance, one that took away from their mood as Lucy turned her head to see the headlights heading straight towards them.

“Chris,” she screamed in a panic as he too saw the car coming at them, but alas by the time he’d realized what was going on, it was too late. There was no place left to go.

Chapter Ten

“Lucy, Lucy,” Chris cried out as she laid out on the ground before him, “Lucy, can you hear me? Lucy?”

“Oh my god,” Eve gasped as Kevin rushed over to Chris’ side.

“Lucy,” Kevin screamed out unable to contain himself as he knelt beside her, “no, oh God no,” he reached out to her as Chris tried to distance him.

“Ramsey let me see her,” Kevin began firmly.

“Kevin, don’t touch her,” Chris replied looking around as a crowd gathered around them, “someone call an ambulance.”

“I already did,” one of the bystanders explained as Chris directed his attention to Lucy.

“Lucy, can you hear me,” Chris questioned as Eve approached the scene watching them, “Lucy please talk to me.”

“Lucy,” Kevin reached out to her caught up in the pain he’d felt in seeing her on the ground laid out before him, “oh god, Lucy don’t leave me.”

Eve stepped back into the shadows watching her husband speaking with his ex-fiancee and her heart sank. “Lucy please don’t leave me,” Kevin began the tears glistening in his eyes as he watched her on the ground before him, his heart breaking as she lay unresponsive to him, “Lucy, I’m sorry about before, about the way I treated you...”

“It’s a little too late now Collins,” Chris shot back bitterly at him.

“Chris, let me help you,” Eve stepped forward.

“Just stay back, Eve,” Chris cut her a glare, “you’ve done enough tonight. You’ve both done enough,” he turned his attention back to Lucy as the ambulance arrived and he prayed that she’d be alright.
 
 

Kevin paced around the hospital waiting room as time seemed to drag on. He circled the room as Eve watched him intently. He hadn’t spoken a word to her since the accident and even now she feared the worst as she saw him before her torn up about the situation.

“Kevin, she’ll be okay,” Eve started breaking the silence as her heart sank, “you have to believe that.”

“Do I?” Kevin gave her a luck.

“When I was hit by a car,” Eve began.

“You’re not Lucy,” Kevin snapped at her, “you’re not the one who was hit tonight.”

“No, I’m not Kevin, but in the same respect, I know that she can make it out of this.”

“Unlike you Eve, Lucy didn’t feel she had much to hold onto,” Kevin answered gruffly, “not after I....”

“After you what.....” Eve watched as he looked away from her, “what Kevin?”

“I shouldn’t have treated her like that,” he answered taking in a breath.

“Kevin, you didn’t cause that accident,” Eve began seeing her husband in obvious pain.

“No, but I was the reason she was running away, the reason that she was with Chris Ramsey tonight,” Kevin sighed, “this is my fault.”

“Kevin, Lucy is a grown woman. What she does with her time is not your concern,” Eve frowned slightly.

“Yes it is. Eve, I made a commitment to Lucy and I broke it.”

“Commitment,” Eve watched him, “Kevin, what the hell are you talking about? You’re her friend, but my god you’re not her keeper.”

“Eve,” Kevin spun around to face her, “when I thought you’d died, Lucy was there for me....”

“Only after she discovered that I really hadn’t died and she did all she could to keep you with her....” Eve argued.

“It wasn’t like that Eve,” Kevin shot back, “Lucy and I are....”

“Are what Kevin?” Eve watched him closely, “What aren’t you telling me Kevin? Ever since I returned after the kidnapping I feel as though I’m walking on eggshells with you where Lucy is concerned.”

“She’s been through a lot Eve,” Kevin replied harshly.

“And I haven’t. My god Kevin I was kidnapped.”

“With Ian,” Kevin gave her a look, “but you can’t tell me that I’ve gotten a whole story here.”

“Just what the hell are you trying to imply,” Eve frowned, “you think we planned that?”

“Not you per se,” Kevin answered.

“Nothing was going on with Ian and I,” Eve argued, “he was my friend Kevin, but that’s it.”

“And your reign of terror on Lucy?”

“It was the past,” Eve frowned, “Kevin, my god that was a lifetime ago. Long before you and I.”

“Obviously not long enough,” he muttered.

“So what? Are you saying that tonight was my fault? Are you blaming this on me?”

“No, I’m not blaming it on you, Eve,” Kevin frowned before a sigh fell from his lips, “it’s just....”

“Just what,” she asked her voice pleading as she saw something tugging at him beneath his dark eyes, “what is it Kevin?”

“Eve, there’s no easy way around this,” Kevin took in a breath as he placed his hands upon her shoulders, “but I owe you the truth.”

“Kevin, you’re scaring me.”

“Eve, I never intended for things to happen like they did, but when you were gone, I was so lost.”

“I know Kevin and I was lost too. I wanted so much to come home to you and I was so afraid that I wouldn’t....”

“I know Eve and I don’t blame you for that, but when you were gone, I was so broken, so torn up inside that I didn’t think I’d have the will to make it through another day. I didn’t believe I had it in me to go on and when I finally was at my lowest point, Lucy showed up and she refused to let me give up. She wouldn’t allow me to give in.”

“I realize that Kevin and I’m grateful for that, but I don’t understand why this is something that you’re conflicted about. I know you and Lucy are friends, good friends and while she’s not my favorite person, I know she’s important to you.”

“It’s more than that Eve,” Kevin took in a breath, “she’s more than a friend to me.”

“Granted, I know she’s your ex-fiancee,” Eve felt the words tugging at her as they fell from her lips.

“No Eve, it’s deeper than that,” Kevin sighed, “I love her.”
 
 

“Karen, what do you have for me,” Chris asked as Karen stepped out of the room with the lab results on Lucy.

“It’s not looking too good seeing as she hasn‘t come into consciousness yet and we‘re not sure the extent of her injuries, however,” Karen frowned, “the lab did come up with a few unexpected complications.”

“Complications,” Chris repeated as Karen handed over the lab results. Chris eyed them intently as his breath caught in this throat, “Karen, these are Lucy’s?”

Karen nodded, “Which brings on the problem of surgery should she need it,” she frowned, “Chris, given the state that Lucy’s in, I just don’t....”

“I need to see her,” Chris urged.

“She’s not responsive, Chris,” Karen shook her head, “you know that. You were just in there.”

“You’re right,” Chris nodded realizing that perhaps there was nothing he could do at this point for Lucy, but alas he knew someone who could. He stood taller before handing the chart over to Karen, “I’ll be right back.”

“Chris, what are you doing?”

“Something that needed to be done a long time ago,” Chris explained giving her a look, “in fact, I need a favor and it involves your help.”

“I don’t understand,” Karen gave him a look.

“Come with me,” Chris replied leading her down the hall, “I’ll explain as we go.”
 
 

“Of course you love her, Kevin,” Eve replied with a nod, “I mean it’s only natural given the fact that you two were together in the past....”

“No Eve, you don’t understand,” Kevin shook his head as he realized the weight of the situation, “it’s not that I love her as someone who was once in my life, but as someone I want to share my life with.”

“What?” Eve blinked back in surprise, “Kevin, what are you saying?”

“Eve, when you were gone, well, Lucy and I we formed a bond, we were close, closer than we’ve been in so very long and so many feelings arose in us....” he sighed, “Eve, neither one of us planned on it.”

“Kevin, what are you telling me?”

“I’m telling you that Lucy and I realized that we never fell out of love with one another,” Kevin spoke lightly as his guilt washed over him, “when I thought you were dead, she and I fell into one another...”

“As friends,” Eve half pleaded.

“As more Eve,” he met her eyes knowingly, “Lucy and I made love.”

“What?” Eve blinked back.

“The night you were in the accident Lucy and I were making love. We’d been together and when you were hurt, well I shut her out of my life. When I’d found out what she’d done in lying about you, well, I was just so disappointed in her that I pushed her away.”

“But not out of your heart?” Eve questioned feeling the tears building behind her eyes.

“I wish I could tell you I had, but I’d be lying to us both,” Kevin answered poignantly, “Eve, I never meant to hurt you....”

“Just to waste your time until Lucy was free again, right?”

“It wasn’t like that,” he reached out to touch her as she stepped back.

“Save it Kevin,” she shook her head feeling angry tears slip past her cheeks, “so what was I? Your second choice?”

“I love you, Eve,” Kevin began painfully, “I do.”

“But not like you love Lucy,” she cried harder, “oh my God. Chris was right about you. All this time I tried to make myself believe that we had the perfect fairy tale romance, but all that time you were just dreaming of the day you could be with Lucy.”

“Eve, I’m so sorry.....”

“You’re sorry?” she looked at him in disbelief, “when were you going to tell me about you and Lucy?”

“Eve, I didn’t want to hurt you....”

“It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think,” she asked overcome by her tears as she rushed out of the lobby unable to allow herself to fall apart in front of Kevin after the realization that she’d never had his heart set in.

Kevin stepped forward watching her go as guilt washed over him. Making his way down the hall to follow her reluctantly, he was cut off by Chris Ramsey.

“You’re not leaving yet,” Chris insisted firmly his eyes narrowing at Kevin.

“Like hell I’m not. I need to talk to Eve.”

“Eve can wait,” Chris answered sharply, “but this can’t. You’re going to listen to what I say and for once in your pathetic little life, you’re going to listen to what I’m telling you with no arguments.”
 
 

“You’re sure about this?” Scott questioned as he looked to his daughter.

“Chris thinks it would be the best thing for Lucy,” Karen nodded, “given the nature of the accident, I know it’s just what she needs.”

“Then let’s do it,” he placed his hand on Serena’s shoulder.

“Scott,” Karen paused, “actually why don’t you let me take Serena in there? You can wait here.”

“Karen, I....”

“We just want her to wake up,” Karen gave him a sympathetic look, “just trust me.”

“Okay,” Scott nodded reluctantly as he watched Karen lead Serena into Lucy’s hospital room.

“You know what you have to do right?” Karen asked of her sister as the tiny girl nodded.

“Of course I do,” Serena stepped forward keeping her eyes on Lucy as the tears swelled up inside of her. Standing beside Lucy’s bed, she reached for Lucy’s hand giving it a gently squeeze as Lucy lay unresponsive to her.

“Mom, mom can you hear me?” Serena asked choked up on emotion, “I know you were hurt tonight, but mom you can’t let it bring you down. You’re always telling me that the universe works with you, but I don’t know if I believe that anymore. I thought that when my sister was taken away and my family broke up that it was the worst thing that could ever happen to me, but I was wrong,” Serena cried harder, “I was so very wrong as I know that it would hurt so much more to lose you,” she squeezed Lucy’s hand, “to lose my mom. Mom I love you,” Serena lay her head against the side of Lucy’s bed, “please wake up. Please come back to me mom. I can’t lose you,” Serena cried as Karen stood in silence hoping her little sister’s prayers would be answered by some miracle.
 
 

Eve stepped into the on call room, tears burning down her cheeks as she thought of Kevin’s confession. He’d never loved her. All this time, all the dreams she’d had for them, weren’t their dreams, but his for Lucy. She shook her head as the pain of the situation hung upon her. After nearly dying, now she’d lost the man of her dreams to the woman she loathed. Lucy Coe had once again torn her life apart and here she was in the middle of the on call room feeling sorry for herself, feeling sorry for the dreams that she would never have upon losing Kevin, for the life that was taken away from her because of the love Kevin harbored for Lucy Coe.

“Kevin will never treat you like you deserve to be treated,” Eve felt Chris’ voice taunting in the back of her mind as she recalled the many times he’d told her that she was Kevin’s second choice. Never before tonight had she believed it, but now as she stood all alone in the middle of the on call room, the brutal honesty behind that statement hit her as her entire relationship with Kevin flashed before her eyes. She’d feared losing him to Lucy and now it had finally become a reality and now she was alone. She had no Kevin, no Ian, nothing but the pain associated with ending up in the very place she’d fought so hard to stay out of.

Turning her eyes towards Chris’ office and noting the light coming out from underneath the door, Eve vowed not to feel sorry for herself. She promised that she wouldn’t fall victim to the pity poor me mode that had taken her over. Decidedly she tossed her head over her shoulder determined to face the world as it came towards her. This was one battle that Eve Lambert would not lose, even if it meant going on with her life in not being Eve Lambert-Collins any longer. Clearing her throat, she took a step forward ready to tell Chris exactly where he could stick his theories on Kevin and more so to take a jump start at him before he cut in with ‘I told you so’. Surely if that didn’t make her feel better nothing would, she reasoned as she pushed open the door to his office and cleared her throat as she looked to the desk seeing the shadow upon the wall.

“We need to talk, Ramsey,” Eve’s voice cut out sharply breaking the silence in the room as the black chair spun around and she was met by a piercing pair of dark eyes.

“Indeed we do,” the voice replied waving the gun at her as it motioned for Eve to take a seat.

“Julie,” Eve gasped in surprise.

“In the flesh,” Julie smiled wickedly, “Granted you aren’t who I was expecting as I was hoping to find my soon to be departed ex-husband, but you’ll do.....for now anyways....”
 
 

“Ramsey, unless this is about Lucy, I have nothing to say to you,” Kevin argued pushing past him.

“In that case, I should inform you that this is in fact about Lucy,” Chris snapped in response as he reached out to Kevin, “it’s about what you’ve done to her and the way you treated her.”

“Don’t give me a lecture on Lucy. You don’t know the first damn thing about her.”

“Apparently I know more than you do, Kevin.”

“I sincerely doubt that.”

“I know she is a good woman, with an amazing heart. She’s a charming and beautiful force of nature who just seems to bring life to everything she touches. She’s incredible Kevin and while I may not have the history that you have with Lucy, it doesn’t take much for a man to see just how amazing she is.”

“Is there a point to this?”

“There is,” Chris nodded, “which really sickens me seeing as you aren’t half the man she deserves but for some godforsaken reason she’s hooked on you. She loves you despite the hell you’ve put her through and while I’d like nothing more than to beat the life out of you for hurting her like you have,” Chris sighed, “I can’t.”

“That’s refreshing,” Kevin muttered sarcastically.

“Believe me I’d like to,” Chris grumbled, “but right now Lucy needs you. Despite the fact that you’ve hurt her, you and Serena might be her only hope.”

“Serena’s here?”

“I called Scott over to bring her seeing as Lucy needed something positive in her life,” Chris sighed.

“Despite what you think of me, I do love her,” Kevin began half explaining himself to Chris.

“I don’t want to hear it, but what I do want is for you to listen and listen good. Kevin, you have the power to make Lucy come back and if you care about her half as much as you claim to, you’ll do all you can to bring her back to us. You’ll find a way to reach her and give her hope to come back.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Kevin nodded as he thought of Lucy.

“You’ll have to go above and beyond the call of duty Doctor as you’ll be working to save two lives,” Chris blurted out.

“Two lives,” Kevin repeated.

“That’s right Kevin. Despite the fact you tossed her aside and treated her like dirt, she’s pregnant,” Chris shot back as a sudden sense of shock washed over Kevin.

“You mean she’s.....” Kevin blinked back in surprise.

“Pregnant with your child,” Chris explained with a nod, “while I’d like to claim the honors, she’s further along than I think even she realized.”

“She’s having my baby?”

“That’s right Kevin and now it’s up to you,” Chris paused as he watched Kevin stand before him in astonishment, “the ball is in your court now, so what are you going to do with it?”

Chapter 10
 

Kevin stepped into Lucy’s hospital room, his breath catching in his throat as he saw her laying before him. She looked so pale, weak as the monitors were hooked up to her slender form. He’d never imagined he’d have to go through anything like this with her again, but seeing her laid up in the hospital, brought back so many memories of before, of a time when they’d experienced so much loss together. He thought of the last time she’d been pregnant with his child and the painful loss they’d experienced as their child was taken from them. With tears in his eyes, Kevin took a seat beside Lucy’s hospital bed as he reached for her hand. Unable to mask the emotion that was eating away at him inside, he laced her fingers within hers as she lay before him unresponsive.

“I’m so sorry,” Kevin began his voice full of deep sorrow as he looked to her feeling himself overcome by a great many emotions, sorrow, guilt and regret to name a few of them as he realized the love of his life could be taken from him. Not only could he lose Lucy this time, but he could also lose their child as well. He couldn’t risk that, wouldn’t dare walk away from her again. He’d already failed her and now as she lay helpless before him, he realized that his act of indiscretions had caused him to lose the one thing that truly held meaning in his life, “Lucy please....” he whispered bringing her hand to his cheek, “please don’t leave me. I need you. I need you so much Lucy.”

She said nothing as he held her hand in his. His eyes misted over with tears as he touched her cheek noting the bruising that had formed upon it. “I told Eve about us,” Kevin blurted out wishing above anything that she could hear him, that his words could touch her heart, “I told her how much I loved you and how awful I was to you. I told her that I wanted to be with you, that I needed to spend my life with you because you are the woman for me. You are the only one I have ever known that has loved me, the only one who has ever taken the time to really learn to deal with me, the woman who helped me become who I am however misguided I may have been over the last couple of years,” he took in a breath, “Lucy, I have loved you far too long to just let you leave my life without a fight. I refuse to let you go,” he raised his voice a bit, “Lucy, we have so much to work for. A life together. We have a family between us. Livvie loves you, I love you and most of all our little one on the way loves you,” he paused as his tears overcame him, “Lucy, we have a child on the way. A baby, everything you’ve always wanted, that we’ve always wanted is within our reach and if you stop fighting, if you slip away from me now....Lucy, I don’t know how I’ll go on. I need you. I love you,” He choked up on emotion, “please don’t leave me. Don’t give up on us because I made a mistake. Don’t give up on our love because I was too foolish to see the prize I had before me. Lucy, I love you so much and I would give anything, absolutely anything to see your smiling face, to watch our child grow inside of you, to have you in my arms, to share eternity with you...please just open your eyes and give us that chance. Please Lucy....”
 
 

“Julie, what are you doing here?” Eve gasped as Julie finished with the restraints locking her down into Chris’ chair snugly.

“Do you have any idea what it’s like living life on the run?” Julie asked her voice wild with anger, “do you know what it feels like to have to constantly be looking over your shoulder all for just wanting to provide your child a good life? It’s not right.”

“No, it’s not Julie,” Eve began watching Julie wave the gun at her, “but you shouldn’t have taken Christina.”

“She’s my daughter, Eve,” Julie snapped at her, “my baby and I wasn’t going to let you or Kevin take her from me. There is no way that she would be better off without her mother.”

“Julie, Christina needs a stable home. You said it yourself that she needs a life where she doesn’t have to run away from place to place waiting for someone to hunt her down...”

“She’s going to have that life,” Julie answered tightly, “as soon as she is free from those who tried to keep us apart. Once they’re gone, Christina and I will be okay. We’ll be better than okay.”

“Julie, what are you going to do?” Eve watched her circle around the room.

“Oh Eve, you think you’re so smart. Surely you can figure it out on your own. I mean I am Crazy Julie, at least that’s what you and Kevin wanted the world to believe.”

“Julie, you need help.”

“Help?” Julie questioned with a vicious laugh, “you’re one to talk being the town tramp and all. Tell me something Eve, what did you hope to accomplish by screwing my father and manipulating my husband?”

“What?” Eve blinked back in surprise.

“Oh come on. Like you didn’t try your best to keep Chris from loving me,” Julie shook her head, “you tried every trick in the book to keep us apart. You and Kevin went to the extreme of having me declared insane and an unfit mother in your quest to destroy me, but you just couldn’t take Chris’ heart could you? You wanted to, threw yourself on him, but it didn’t work did it?”

“Julie, I never touched Chris,” Eve began seeing the wild look behind Julie’s features, “I never laid a hand on him.”

“I saw you two,” Julie snapped back, “at his apartment not too long ago, making love in our bed, together...”

“Julie, I swear....” Eve began.

“Well, at least I thought it was you given your compulsion to destroy me, but then to see he and Lucy out tonight all over each other,” Julie shook her head, “my only regret is that I didn’t kill the both of them when I hit that bitch with my car.”

“You hit Lucy,” Eve’s eyes widened.

“I wish you were in front of the car as well,” Julie nodded in response, “it would’ve saved me the hassle of destroying you, although I have to admit I loved Kevin’s reaction to you and Chris the other day. He had no idea just what a bad girl you were, but I showed him. I showed him how manipulative and vindictive you could really be with that tape. He had no idea what you really were, but he knows now,” Julie laughed heartily, “and the best part is Kevin has no desire to rescue you this time,” Julie took a seat atop Chris’ desk, “funny thing is Eve,” she pressed the barrel of gun to Eve’s forehead, “no one does anymore.”
 
 

Chris walked past Lucy’s hospital room seeing Kevin at her side and a slight pang of guilt rushed through him. He and Lucy had been fighting so hard to get what it was they’d wanted out of life, but now as she lay in the hospital bed, Chris even wondered if she was aware of the fact Kevin was at her side. Somehow it seemed as though Lucy’s happily ever after was on it’s way of working out, that was if she ended up coming back. A sigh tugged at Chris, as he forced himself to look away from Lucy’s hospital room. He’d wanted to sit with her, but with Kevin in there, she didn’t really need his support at the moment.

“I hope it works out Lucy,” Chris spoke lightly rubbing his tired eyes as he made his way over towards his office thinking about the hellacious night they’d all had. Opening the door, he stepped inside when he was greeted by the faint luminance of his desk lamp. Turning he saw Eve seated in his chair her eyes wide and fearful as he looked to her. A frown tugged at his lips, “don’t even get started with me. I don’t want to hear it, Eve.”

“Oh she won’t be saying a word,” Julie rose from behind the chair as she looked to her ex-husband. She kept her gun pressed into Eve’s temple as a smile rose over her features, “I’ve actually found a way to shut her up.”

“Julie,” Chris gasped in shock as he looked to his long gone ex-wife.

“Hi honey,” Julie smiled brightly as she gripped Eve’s hair with her fingers tightly, “miss me?”

“Wh-what are you doing here?” Chris asked as Eve let out a tiny wince.

“Oh you know, a little this, a little that,” Julie shrugged, “actually I came to see my dear husband, but well I had a few interruptions along the way,” Julie shoved Eve out of the chair as Eve fell to the ground.

“Eve,” Chris began stepping forward as Julie aimed the gun at Eve again.

“One step further and the bimbo gets it,” Julie warned as Chris noted Eve had duct tape around her wrists and ankles. Though he hadn’t noticed it before Eve seemed to have some kind of gag in her mouth which had prevented any kind of sound from coming out within her. He turned his eyes back to Julie as his heart pounded in his chest, “What do you want?”

“What do I want?” she half laughed, “well, you know when I came here, I thought I wanted to have my family, you know to pick up my husband and have our family. You, Christina and me, but then I get there and I find you’re sleeping with the enemy,” Julie shook her head, “What’s that all about Chris?”

“Julie, Eve has nothing to do with what’s going on right here,” Chris began in an even tone.

“She coerced you into believing that I was crazy. She led you to believe the worst in me.”

“No Julie,” he shook his head, “Eve wasn’t responsible for what happened between us. You told me yourself it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Even so I never imagined you’d be shacking up with Eve or even Lucy Coe for that matter.”

“Julie, I’m not.”

“I saw you tonight,” she snapped back at him, “I saw you with that woman. Holding her in your arms all in an attempt to what? To get Eve to notice you? Did you honestly think that she’d find it in her heart to give you the time of day? That Lucy would be your ticket to happiness? What were you thinking Chris?”

“I wasn’t,” Chris raised his hands in the air, “but I’m thinking now and if you put the gun down Julie, you and I can leave, we can walk out those doors and no one needs to know about this.”

“It doesn’t work that way Chris,” Julie shook her head, “do you have any idea what it was like for me? For Christina and I to leave everything we’ve ever known just because of these people? Because I wasn’t allowed to have a normal life due to their narrow-mindedness. I couldn’t live because of the way they forced me into running, well you know what Chris I’m tired of running and the running stops here. It stops now with getting rid of those who decided to keep me from my life to begin with,” Julie replied aiming the gun at Eve, “any last words?”
 
 

Kevin watched Lucy closely as her eyelids began to flutter. Squeezing her hand gently, he watched her beautiful tired eyes look to him.

“Wh-what happened....” she asked in a weak voice.

“You were in an accident, but you’re okay,” he place her hand to his lips kissing it tenderly, “you’re okay.”

“An accident,” she repeated thinking it over, “Oh Doc the car...it was coming and...”

“It’s okay,” Kevin tried to soothe her.

“And Chris? What about Chris?”

“He’s okay,” Kevin explained, “he wasn’t hurt but you took a nasty spill.”

“I don’t remember,” she frowned slightly, “Doc, I just know I was leaving and then....then the car...”

“It’s over now,” he tried to assure her, “and right now you need to focus on getting back to yourself again.”

“But....but Doc.....why are you here?” Lucy questioned as she noted the way he was holding her hand, “Shouldn’t you be with Eve?”

“I told her the truth. I told her all about us Lucy, about how much I love you and how I was a fool to let you go.”

“But I thought....”

“Lucy, I was so wrong, so very wrong and I know that you may never want to have me back in your life, but I love you, I need you and to deny myself that emotion was like denying the air to breathe.”

“Doc, I.....” Lucy began, “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say that when this blows over that you’ll give me another shot, that you’ll let me prove to you all the love I’d fought to hard to hide from you, that you’ll let me be a father to my son or daughter and even a husband to you.”

“Father,” Lucy gave him a look, “Doc, don’t you think you’re a bit ahead of yourself there....”

“Lucy,” Kevin squeezed her hand, “we’re pregnant. You’re having my baby.”

“What?” she asked in shock as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

“We’re going to have a baby,” Kevin repeated pulling her into his arms.

“Our child,” Lucy thought it over as he held her.

“Our child,” Kevin nodded.

“You mean you and I,” she couldn’t help but feel the tears wash over her, “oh Doc,” she hugged him, “you mean I’m pregnant.”

“Yes, yes you are and we’re finally going to have that fate you kept speaking of for us,” Kevin held her tightly as he vowed to himself he’d never let go of her again.
 
 

“Julie, don’t do this,” Chris pleaded with her as she hovered over Eve, “don’t kill her. If you’re upset with me, then take me, but not her.”

“Take you? Chris, why would you offer yourself in this one’s place?”

“Because I love her,” Chris replied as Eve’s eyes fell upon him, “and even if she’d never find it in her heart to love me like I love her, I don’t want to be the reason for her demise. Don’t make Eve suffer for my feelings towards her. She hasn’t been a part of it and if you’re angry, well then take it out on me Julie.”

“She and Kevin made sure I couldn’t have my daughter.”

“But you have her now and being back here isn’t helping. You should just take Christina and go. If you want me to go with you, I will, but please, please don’t hurt Eve.”

“She means that much to you, doesn’t she?” Julie watched in disbelief as Chris slowly stepped forward, “You would sacrifice your life for her, wouldn’t you?” she asked as Eve kept her eyes on Chris.

“I would,” Chris nodded, “and if it means that’s the only way you’re going to feel any kind of peace, then please,” he moved forward urging her towards him, “Take me. Julie, if you’re angry and you want someone to blame, blame me. I created this mess and I’m the one you should be upset with.”

“Chris, why are you doing this? Why are you taking the blame for all of them?”

“Julie, you don’t want to hurt anyone,” Chris replied trying to keep his voice even, “you never did. All you wanted was for Christina to be happy and you wanted to show her the kind of woman her mother really was. The kind of good hearted woman who was worthy of her love.”

“It’s just been so hard, Chris,” Julie confessed shakily as Chris moved forward, “I’ve wanted to give her so much, but I just...I haven’t been able to. With our running....”

“I know,” Chris nodded, “but you don’t have to run anymore Julie. I’ll help you. I’ll see to it that you and Christina are taken care of. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I promise you.”

“Your promises mean nothing to me, Chris.”

“Fine, then if you truly believe that,” he reached out to her urging the gun towards his chest, “then pull the trigger. Kill me now if you honestly believe I won’t help you.”

“Chris,” she spoke tightly as tears swelled in her eyes, “don’t make me do this.”

“Julie, the only one who can make you do this is you,” Chris reminded her as he watched her troubled eyes, “so if you really want to do this, then now is your shot. Take my life.”

“Chris,” she began again.

“Julie, if killing me is what you truly feel you must do in order to be at peace, then do it. I have nothing to live for anyways,” Chris began with a poignant smile, “all the love I’ve ever felt is gone and if I couldn’t make you happy, well it’s because I couldn’t even do it for myself. I’m sorry I failed you as a husband Julie.”

“Chris, you didn’t fail me,” Julie shook her head, “it was because of people like Eve an Lucy.”

“They were just doing what they felt was right,” Chris began, “they didn’t see how much this was hurting you and neither did I, but I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Julie and if I could I would do anything to erase the pain this has brought to you. You don’t deserve any of this.”

“No I don’t,” she answered firmly, “and neither does Christina.”

“No she doesn’t. She deserves her mother and a chance to be happy. You want that for her, don’t you?”

“It can never be,” Julie replied sadly.

“It can if you just try to let it be,” Chris answered as he took in a breath, “Julie, if I’m really what this is all about, then do what you must, but I beg of you, don’t hurt anyone else for my choices, for my actions. I promised to keep you safe and I failed you. If you want to blame anyone, blame me.”

“Chris, I just wish that things were different, that we could’ve been different.”

“Maybe in another lifetime,” Chris took in a breath as he reached out to touch her, “For what it’s worth Julie, I did care about you and I wish I’d been able to do more.”

“So do I, Chris,” she nodded, “so do I.”

“I guess when it gets down to it we did the best we could right?” he offered with a half smile as her turned his eyes towards the floor where Eve was, “I admit I made some mistakes, but in the end I never imagined I’d leave this world with regrets, but right now,” he looked between the two women, “my deepest regrets are that I never let the two special women in my life see just how much they meant to me. I loved them both in my own way and I’m sorry I didn’t show it,” Chris closed his eyes as the weight of his words sunk in his chest and he felt the barrel of Julie gun placed over the center of his chest. Taking in what he believed to be his last breath, he heard the shot go off as he felt a whisper of a breeze in the air.

“I’m sorry,” Julie’s voice whispered as the silence overtook the room.

Chris stood frozen, waiting for his body to fall, for the pain to wash over him as he thought of the lives that had been destroyed. As he took in what he was certain would be his last breath, he felt another follow, then another and as his eyes opened he found that he was covered in blood, but not his as he noticed Julie’s body crumbled over onto the floor beside Eve. Eve was whimpering a bit as Chris leaned in beside her removing the gag.

“Chris, she shot herself,” Eve explained tearfully as she struggled to move from her restraints, “I was so afraid she was going to kill you, but then she turned the gun on herself....”

“She....” Chris tapered off as he turned to Julie moving out to touch her. He reached over to her bringing her lifeless form into his arms as he noted a sense of peace wash over her features. The blood lined down her temple as her eyes were closed at rest almost and he held her in his arms, the warmth of her body slipping away as he watched her knowing she had been yet another person he’d failed, another life that had been ruined because he wasn’t strong enough. As he held her feeling her life force long gone, tears clouded his eyes as he realized that he’d lost her and while he’d believed himself to be the ultimate loser in love as he held Julie in his arms, he realized that Chris Ramsey hadn’t been the greatest loser of them all, it had been Julie Devlin as the only love she’d ever known was taken from her as her desperation forced her to the point of no return.

SIX MONTHS LATER

Chris rose to the sounds of the soft crying in the night as he realized his nightmare was just that. Making his way out from beneath his blankets, he moved down the hallway towards the nursery as he looked inside to see Cody standing up amidst his Whinney the Pooh blankets and a frown was upon his lips. Making his way forward, Chris couldn’t help but smile as he looked to his son. Each day he seemed to remind Chris of the better times Chris had shared with his mother.

“If only your mother could see you now,” Chris began taking Cody out of the crib and moving him over to the changing table as Chris thought of the day Julie had died in his office. So much had happened in that one day alone and now as he looked to their son, he felt a brief rush of sadness as he thought to the love he’d once had for Julie. Cody was a product of that love as he’d soon discovered upon Julie’s burial. When she’d left Port Charles, she was pregnant with Cody and she’d come back with him and Christina, probably in the hopes of finding happiness, but as she’d given out her last breath any chance for her happily ever after had slipped away. Now as Chris watched the smile upon his son’s face, he promised to himself and to Julie that he wouldn’t allow Cody to know that kind of fate. He’d show Cody all the happiness that Julie would’ve wanted for their son.

“I thought I heard someone up in here,” A voice rose from the darkness as Chris hoisted Cody into his arms before turning to see Eve standing in the doorway in her soft, white robe. She rubbed her hands through her hair as a smile tugged upon her lips, “you know I told you I could get up for this one.”

“I know, but you looked exhausted,” Chris replied with a soft smile, “and besides I needed some time with my son.”

“I see, well don’t let me intrude then,” Eve took a step back.

“No,” Chris shook his head reaching out to her, “Come here. I think it’s time we all had a talk.”

“Alright,” Eve moved forward as Chris wrapped his free arm around her urging her onto his lap as he was seated in the rocking chair beside Cody’s crib.

Chris looked to his son as Eve reached out to touch his tiny fingers. Over the last few months Cody and Eve had managed to really take to one another. Eve had been reluctant at first to approach Chris after Julie’s death, but as soon as she had discovered about Cody, she’d pushed all of her feelings about Julie aside and instantly found her way spending more and more time with the Ramsey men. Chris couldn’t help but smile as he held the two of them remembering what it had been like to want this for so many years, but now as he held them both, while it wasn’t how he’d planned, he found a certain sense of peace.

“You know he has his mother’s eyes,” Eve offered with a soft sigh as she lay upon Chris’ chest, “she’d be so proud of him right now.”

“I know she would,” Chris agreed watching his son closely, “and despite the differences you and Julie had, I know she’d be glad to know that you are here with our son being there for him.”

“I just wish I’d been able to keep his mother with him,” Eve replied sadly as she thought back to the day Julie had been taken from the world, “I know how much you loved her.”

“I did in my own way and a part of that love lives on with Cody,” Chris admitted lightly, “but also I think that my heart was never fully into that love. Cody is my world and Julie was very special to me, but Eve, so were you,” he touched her cheek, “for so long I never thought we’d have this kind of peace with one another and I’d given up on us...”

“I know and I didn’t give you much hope,” Eve nodded, “but now that we’re together and we’re here like this..”

“It seems like anything is possible,” Chris replied.

“It is Chris,” Eve agreed, “and I swear to you that I’m going to be the best to you and Cody. You two are by far the most important men in my life.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that,” he smiled, “because you know I have a proposition for you.”

“Chris, if you’re going to try to sugar coat going to Kevin and Lucy’s wedding for me tomorrow, I already told you I’d go with you.”

“It’s not just that, although it does involve a wedding,” Chris began, “Cody and I were talking and well, we’ve decided we like having you around.”

“I like being around,” Eve admitted with a soft smile.

“We’re glad to hear that because,” Chris reached over onto the dresser for a moment pulling off a baby bottle, “Cody thought you might like this.”

“An empty bottle?” Eve gave him a curious look.

“Not just an empty bottle, Eve,” he frowned giving it a light shake as there was a sound coming from within. Eve looked to the bottle seeing something sparkling inside as she removed the top unscrewing it quickly.

“Chris, what is this?” she asked as she tipped the bottle over to reveal the tiny diamond ring that had been inside, “Chris, is this...” she began her eyes widening as she looked to him in surprise.

“An engagement ring,” he nodded, “yes and you’re only allowed to wear it if you give me the answer I’m hoping for.”

“What was the question again,” she teased lightly as he reached out to touch her cheek.

“Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me Evelyn Rae Lambert?” he asked as Cody gently nibbled on Eve’s fingers and tears clouded over her eyes.

“Yes, oh god yes,” she cried out hugging him tightly as Chris realized that sometimes in being a loser in love, you weren’t such a loser after all. It just took time for the world to come around again full circle and that sometimes the best things in life were the ones worth waiting for, the ones that remained as the dreams you never refused to let go of. After all the years of misery, he had it all, the world in his hands as he and Eve finally were going to have their happily ever after. Kissing her tenderly as he was overcome by emotions, he heard a noise as the phone beside them began ringing.

“Who could that be?” Eve frowned slightly as Chris reached over for the phone.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged answering, “what? When? Right now? Ok I’m on my way.....”

“What is it?” Eve asked concerned as she looked to Chris confused.

“That was Victor,” Chris explained, “he wanted me to come pick up Christina from the hospital. Kevin and Lucy were rushed over there and no one is around to keep an eye on Christina.”

“The hospital?” Eve repeated, “what’s going on?”

“Lucy went into labor,” Chris replied, “and Christina is with them so....”

“Say no more. I’ll get Cody dressed,” Eve decided getting up from his lap and reaching out to Cody, “I’ll get a bag and we can all go over there.”

“Eve, we don’t have to,” Chris began, “you two can stay here....”

“Like hell...I’ve waited long enough to see how this turns out for Kevin and Lucy and if you think I’m going to miss the opportunity to be a part of all of this, well, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“I thought you hated Lucy,” Chris gave her a look.

“Well, you thought wrong,” Eve replied scooping Cody into her arms, “Cody wants to see his sister anyways.”

“Well in that case, who am I to argue?” Chris decided with a tiny laugh as he got ready for the hospital.
 
 

“Oh boy, oh boy.....” Lucy let out breaths as her pulse was racing furiously, “Doc, where are you?”

“I’m right here,” Kevin replied moving in beside her, “just take a breath.”

“What do you think I’m doing?” she asked in a harsh tone, “where’s Christina?”

“Victor has her out with him and Mary.”

“Oh boy, oh boy....” Lucy cried out again, “she shouldn’t be in the hospital at this hour. She has to get up for that early morning fitting and with the wedding....”

“Lucy, I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Kevin explained, “I think the wedding is going to be on hold.”

“Like hell it is,” Lucy shot him a look, “after all that planning we’ve done....”

“Lucy, why don’t you concentrate on our children before you start thinking about the wedding,” Kevin urged as she reached for his tie dragging him down beside her.

“No Doc, it doesn’t work that way and if you think you’re going to weasel out of this wedding, well you have another think coming mister because I refuse to let you get out of becoming my husband when all I want in this world is to be your wife and you have these children have a happy, stable home,” she let out a groan as another contraction hit her, “oh god....”

“Lucy, just breathe....”

“Breathe, what do you think I’m trying to do Doc?” she hissed at him, “I’m doing the best I can, the best that.....oh my...” she seized his tie once more, “Doc, we’re not married, we’re not husband and wife. You and I were waiting until tomorrow, but now that the babies are here first.....”

“Lucy, just try to relax.”

“Relax you say? It’s not your body that’s been torn in two by our daughters and how would you like me to explain to them that their father wasn’t really my husband when they came into this world because they decided that they were going to come into the world a day early.....how should I explain that one?”

“Lucy,” Kevin sighed as Chris stepped into the room.

“Well hello beautiful,” Chris smiled at Lucy as she shot him a look.

“Did you bring me drugs?” Lucy asked as another surge of pain rushed through her.

“No, but I did bring you something else,” Chris moved over beside her, “Kevin had a special request for me and I thought you might like it.”

“Unless it’s a miracle pain killer or a way to speed this up without hurting my little ones, then I don’t want it,” Lucy replied tightly.

“Oh well in that case, I’ll just tell Father Simon to leave...” Chris threw out a teasing smile.

“Father Simon,” she repeated, “whoa wait a second. Freeze Ramsey.”

“Yes?” he turned to look at her.

“Don’t mess with a very pregnant woman in labor. If you thought I was brutal before, then you haven’t seen anything yet. If you have a priest then you get him in here.”

“Are we in need of an exorcism?” Chris raised a slight brow.

“In about two seconds you’ll be needing last rites if you don’t........” she was stopped by a sharp pain.

“Just hurry with it Chris,” Kevin snapped as she squeezed his hand tightly.

“I’m on my way,” Chris replied returning with Father Simon as Kevin’s face turned a bright shade of red.

“Why hello Lucy,” the priest smiled at her, “I take it we’re not going for that traditional approach after all.”

“I’m afraid not. The babies have other plans,” Lucy explained as she looked to Kevin, “are you ready?”

“When you are,” he nodded, “just say the word.”

“Now....” she paused, “wait...wait...I want our family here...”

“Lucy, I don’t know if we have time to....” Kevin began as she let out another cry.

“Chris, go get Christina and Victor and Mary.”

“Alright,” Chris nodded rushing out into the waiting room as he noted Eve beside Victor as she held Cody in one arm and Christina sat on the other side of her reading a picture book.

“Well?” Victor questioned looking up from the floor as he stood before Chris, “what is it? What happened?”

“Lucy wants you, all of you,” Chris explained stepping over to scoop up Christina in his arms as her dark curls splashed around her shoulders.

“Did mommy have the baby?” Christina asked with a smile.

“Not yet, but mommy wants you to be there for her wedding,” Chris explained.

“The wedding’s tomorrow,” Christina reminded him with a tiny giggle, “Even I know that.”

“Well it looks like it’s coming early,” Chris explained as Eve gave him a look.

“How early?” Victor asked stepping forward.

“Try now,” Chris replied, “which would be fine except the babies want to come now too as well, so we need to get in there as soon as possible.”

“You mean....” Victor’s eyes widened.

“We don’t have time to wait,” Chris nodded as Victor rushed towards the delivery room. Chris looked to Eve, “Want to join us?”

“I don’t know if Lucy wants me in there,” Eve started.

“I might need help with Christina,” Chris explained as Eve rose to her feet, “beside I don’t want you and Cody left out of the loop.”

“Well, okay,” Eve replied as they rushed into the delivery room eager to bear witness to Lucy and Kevin’s spur of the moment wedding.
 
 

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the priest explained as Kevin offered up a small kiss to Lucy before Dr. Neumann awaited the final push.

“You’re doing great Lucy,” Dr. Neumann explained as Lucy looked to Kevin finally having become Mrs. Kevin Collins moments before the two greatest miracles of her life came to be in the forms of Madison Elizabeth and Jacob Victor Collins, her two beautiful newborns.

As Lucy let out an exhausted breath of relief, she looked to Chris holding Christina and over to Kevin who’d been there beside her all through the delivery. Doc was now finally hers and the scheming she’d done with Chris had paid off. She’d gotten her heart’s desire as had he and now as Dr. Neumann presented her with her two small children, Lucy looked into their tiny faces seeing that hope and miracles did exist in the world, that they were what life was really all about and as a tear slipped down her cheek, Kevin reached out to her touching her face gently.

“I love you Lucy,” he whispered to her lost in the profound emotions accompanying his children’s births.

“I love you too Doc,” she replied finally at one with the universe at last as she knew in her heart that having spend most of her life as a loser in love only turned out to make her a winner at life in the long run. She finally had it all and nothing would ever take that away from her.

The End
 
 
 
 

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