Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Four:
Family Values

Glennhurst Rehabilitation Center, Oswego New York, a few hours later.

Nikolas follows a few paces behind his brother and grandmother as they walk down the hall of the institution, his hand wrapped around his little sister's. Lulu is trotting next to him in silence. It's been months since Nikolas had been here -- he'd visited right before he'd left... Not something he'd liked to think about. He'd been feeling shaky, scared about what he was about to do. It had been Lucky who'd told him it'd help -- coming here. Nikolas had thought he was nuts. He came to see Laura weekly, but "help" wasn't a word that leapt to mind. Instead he'd stand back, talk to his grandmother, and try not to look at his mother too directly. At some point, he'd walk over to the bed, smooth her hair back from her face and lay a light kiss on her forehead. He was careful not to look into her eyes.

After that night in the woods, Lucky hadn't been his usual detached self. He'd been disturbingly up front -- blunt. And one of things he told Nikolas to do was go and sit with his mother. He hadn't been detailed -- had almost seemed embarrassed by what he was saying -- but he'd finally spit out the words.

"Look. I know it's hard. Sometimes I can't even look at her. But... it's getting better. I don't know. Just go -- you'll see what I mean."

That day he'd arrived and she'd been asleep -- not unusual by any stretch of the imagination. She was in a lot of physical pain, and the doctors kept her pretty drugged up. He'd sat down by the bed, and took her limp hand in his. He'd stared at her skin -- a little yellowish and washed out. He hands were always cold. Not once had he been here when he hands didn't feel like ice. It highlighted how fine a line there was between his mother's situation, and death. He'd sat there, staring at her small hand in his, and tried to figure out what he was doing there. She wouldn't remember he had been there, he didn't feel any better to be sitting there, staring into space. After an hour, he'd put he hand down carefully, and repeated his ritual of smoothing her hair back and then kissing her good-bye. Then he'd left.

He'd wondered, though, in the months since he'd left, what Lucky had meant. Because nothing that he'd seen that day or before indicated that things were changing.

Reaching the door, Lesley turns from her conversation with Lucky and looks back at Nikolas and Lulu. She beams, clapping her hands together.

Lesley: She's going to be so happy to see you all.

Lucky: As opposed to those other visits where she is callous and indifferent. (Lesley pushes Lucky, in mock irritation)

Lesley: Is it possible, young man, that you will ever allow me to make an idle observation without roasting me for it?

Lucky: It's possible, I guess. (Nikolas looks at his brother oddly) Nik: So he does this to you, too, huh?

Lesley: (shaking her head) It's like a compulsion.

Lulu: (speaking up) Lucky teases. A lot. (Lucky glances down at his sister.)

Lucky: Et tu, Lulu?

Lulu: You do. (Lucky kneels down so that they're on the same level. He gives her a soft smile)

Lucky: How you doing, kiddo? You ready for this? (Lulu shrugs. Her hand tightens around Nikolas's)

Lesley: Nikolas, perhaps you would like to go in alone first. Do you think? (Nikolas stares at his grandmother. Does he think? No, he decidedly does NOT think.)

Nik: No, that's fine. (Lucky reaches out, and pulls his sister towards him. Lu lets her grip on Nikolas's hand loosen. Lucky's eyes are fixed on his baby sister's as he talks to Nikolas.)

Lucky: We'll give you a few minutes. You think, Lu? Nik hasn't seen Mom in a while.

Lulu: He hadn't seen any of us.

Lucky: Yeah, but you're going to see so much of him this summer you'll be sick of him. (A slow smile appears on Lulu's face. She turns and looks up at Nikolas.)

Lulu: You're going to visit me, right?

Nik: All the time.

Lulu: (taking his hand again) You go see Mommy alone. Cause she want to talk to you. (Nikolas frowns)

Nik: How do you know that?

Lulu: She always talks to us one at a time. She likes to visit that way. (Nikolas looks at Lulu oddly, then at Lucky)

Lucky: It's easier for her. It helps her focus. (Nikolas nods. Focus. Lucky had said some stuff about Laura last night when they'd been playing basketball, but it hadn't been very specific.)

Lucky: Look. You go in, Lu and Grandma and I are gonna hang out here. We'll come in in a few minutes. (Nikolas frowns. Why does he feel like he's being manipulated here? He lets out a long breath.)

Nik: Ok. Fine. (He looks at his grandmother for help, but she just smiles benignly. He turns to look at the door) Fine. (Nikolas shoots them all another look -- but they all just look at him, even Lulu, with a blank stare. He turns and heads into the room. His focus is on the doorknob first, then on the door, and the floor as he walks into the room. He absorbs everything by degrees, not wanting to think about what is lying ahead for him here. How hard it's going to be to see her again. Nikolas watches the floor as he walks as he closes the door behind him. He stands still and takes a deep fortifying breath before looking up towards his mother's bed.

It's empty.

Nikolas frowns, then catches something out of the corner of his eye. He looks over to see his mother sitting in a chair by the window. She is looking at him, her eyes wide and alert, he hands folded carefully in her lap.

Nik: Mother. (Laura smiles. It's a real and genuine smile -- he used to get a weak version of it when he'd come to see her before. But it's stronger. She moves her hand up -- the 'good' hand, the right one -- and beckons for him to come towards her. Nikolas stays, stock-still at the door. His mind is swimming. He's not sure what he expected, but this isn't it. Finally, he manages to take a step towards his mother.)

Laura: Nik-o-las. (Nikolas shakes his head.)

Nik: (stuttering) They told me you're out of traction. (Laura rolls her eyes and nods)

Laura: Thank... God. (Nikolas laughs, a sharp sound)

Nik: Hey. Words. (Laura cocks her head to one side.) Lucky... he told me your speech had improved.

Laura: (putting her hand out) Come. (Nikolas lets out a long breath. He's being a freak. He knows it. But something about this has completely caught him unawares. He moves over to her, feeling a bit like he's having an out of body experience. He reaches his hand out, and takes hers just as he reaches hers. Laura's hand closes around his and Nikolas is immediately hit -- hard -- with how different it feels. Warm, with a strong grip -- rather than cold and limp. He feels his mother tug on his hand, and finds himself moving almost automatically so that he is kneeling by her, on the small throw rug by her chair. He is still staring at the hand holding his, and feeling discombobulated. Nikolas takes Laura's hand in both of his, and raises his eyes to look up at her. He smiles weakly)

Nik: I... Didn't know you'd made so much progress. It's... I mean, it's only been a few months, and --

Laura: (very carefully) Hard. Work. (She points her hand shakily towards herself, working on something. Nikolas has to bite his tongue to stop himself from asking her not to push herself) Back is better. (The "r" sounds very hard, over pronounced. Her words are clear, but the effort they take is obvious. Nikolas frowns) Easier now.

Nik: (searching her eyes) To... work? To ... To practice your speech? (Laura waves a hand, dismissing this)

Laura: Boring. How... You talk. (Nikolas stares at her)

Nik: Talk... about what? (Laura narrows her eyes at him) I mean... I haven't done much with my life the last few months. I was in Tibet -- they told you, right? I was in a monastery there. I needed... Some rest. So... That's where I went. But there isn't much to tell.

Laura: H... Hhhh... (Nikolas furrows his brow)

Nik: How... How... What do you want to say? (Laura doesn't let Nikolas's inquiries throw her. She closes her eyes and forces the word out)

Laura: Hannah. (Nikolas sits back. He wasn't expecting that.) Worried. I know... It is... Hard. (Nikolas looks away. He feels his mother's hand close around his a little more firmly, then turns and looks back at her)

Nik: I... Who have you been talking to?

Laura: Lucky. Some. Stefan.

Nik: My father comes to see you? (Laura gives a small smile, but makes no effort to clarify anything. Nikolas looks back down at their hands, then back up at her.) You heard about her. (Laura nods). I just... I didn't think you knew much about that. (Laura makes a head gesture that suggests "some") Wow. You don't ease into this, do you?

Laura: Long. Since we talked. (Nikolas gives a slight smile, his eyes moistening) You were quiet when you visit.

Nik: I never knew what you heard and... What it would matter to you. (Laura's eyes widen. She moves one hand, very shakily, from her lap. Nikolas stares at it like it's some magic trick -- the last time he saw her she had little to no movement on her left side. Her hand comes to rest -- though tremulously -- on his cheek. Laura's eyes look directly into his.)

Laura: You matter. (Nikolas registers about ten facial expression in a matter of seconds, and then the facade crumbles. He lowers his head, his hand squeezing his mother's hand tighter than he means to, as he struggles against tears. Laura's left hand comes to rest on his head, softly laying atop his head. Nikolas takes several moments to try to get himself under control, before he lifts his head again.)

Nik: I... (He shakes his head. He what? Missed her? He's not sure that's what he's feeling. There's something here -- something had can't even explain. Something he feels so strongly in the few minutes since he walked through that door. It's not something he's missed, because it's not something he recognizes... you can't miss something you've never had, can you? Maybe. Because that's what he's feeling right now. Like there is something in this room he's never felt before in his life, but always wanted. This is ridiculous. He only walked in the door a few seconds earlier. He forces himself to look back at his mother. Her eyes are fixed on his, her expression one of concern) I'm glad to see you... Better. I hoped... but... I didn't think -- From what Lucky said, I didn't realize that you'd made this much progress. (Laura nods)

Laura: Nikolas. (he looks up at her. She smiles at him, gently.) I. Am not. Leaving you. Again. (Nikolas's eye close. Oh.... She's pulling no punches. The tears well up, and she just shakes his head. He feels her thumb move against the back of his hand.) I am here. I am here. (Nikolas shakes his head. He opens his eyes, finally, and looks at her, letting the tears roll down her face. She's looking at him with great empathy, her own eye moist. They just look at each other for a long moment, neither one speaking. Finally Laura nods) I know.

Nik: I... don't know what to say.

Laura: No... (She smiles at him, sadly) Come here. (Nikolas hesitate a second, then rises on his knees, and move closer to his mother. Laura's good hand comes up to guide his face closer to hers. She kisses his temple, and pulls back, smiling at him with shinning eyes)

Laura: I am happy. You are home. (Nikolas shakes his head, dazed)

Nik: I'm... I'm happy you are, too.

Luke's.

Emily sits cross-legged on the bar, her elbows on her knees and her eyes fixed on the ledger that lies in front of her. She's sucking on her bottom lip, her brow furrowed. The bar is empty -- it's reliably empty of patrons after the lunch crowd, so things tend towards the casual. She hears a noise and glances up to see Luke appear behind the bar from the back room. She gives him a wane smile.

Em: Ok. (She turns the book around and pushes it at Luke) I don't know how, but those are the numbers. I did them five or six times.

Luke: (giving her a look) Five or six times? Good God, woman.

Em: Well, look at it. I knew things were busy, but -- (Luke glances down at the ledger, and breaks out in a grin)

Luke: Well, well. Every once in a while I remember why I opened this place.

Em: Bringing good blues to you, instead of having to go out and actively find it?

Luke: That too. (He closes the book) Well. That should get us through those lean summer months.

Em: I hear the summers are only lean when you leave for them.

Luke: Nah, I'm sticking it out this time. Too much work to be done. I'll be taking off for July, though. (Emily raises her brow)

Em: Really?

Luke: Think so. Gonna introduce Lulu to camping. Never too young. (Emily laughs)

Em: You're kidding.

Luke: No. She's almost six, it's time for her to get her hands dirty. (Luke leans across the bar) Why? You disapprove?

Em: Of course not. (there's a pause as Emily looks at Luke a little warily)

Luke: Oh, I know that look. What's on your mind, valentine? (Emily smiles, looking away. After a long moment, she looks back at him)

Em: Ok. Here it goes. I... (She lets out a long breath) It's been sort of hard this year, watching Lulu deal with all this stuff. I mean, I was twice her age when my Mom died, and I know it's not the same thing, but --

Luke: It stirs the memories. (Emily nods) Yeah, I lost my mom pretty young too, Emily. I know what you're talking about. (Emily sucks in her breath)

Em: I forgot. I mean -- I didn't forget, but -- (Luke shakes his head, brushing imaginary dust of the top of the bar.)

Luke: Yeah, it's not something I bring up a lot. Not much point. (He looks over at her) But I know what you're talking about. (Emily nods. She pushes her hair back from her face)

Em: I just... I remember feeling the way she did sometimes. When she'd get really quiet like that? Or when she was really grouchy and hard to deal with. I understood where it was coming from, even if she was driving me a little nuts. And I felt so awful after that night at the fireworks, cause... I really did want to help make her feel safe. And I know I scared her really badly.

Luke: Couldn't be helped, Emily.

Em: (softly) I know. But it's hard -- when you know that you're hurting a little kid.

Luke: Hey, you bounced back. So did she. Maybe she was a little strung out about it for a little while, but she's pretty good at making her comebacks. That much I've figured out on the Daddy beat. You gotta trust your kids sometimes. Especially when they got a problem you can't solve. (He frowns) Funny, though. I thought with Lulu I'd have a lot more years before I would be doing that.

Em: (after a long moment) Luke?

Luke: Yeah, Lady Q?

Em: (looking over at him) I just wanted to say... I think you're doing a good job with her. I know Lucky's pretty harsh on the Nik thing, but -- he thinks you're doing a good job, too. He just worries about her so much.

Luke: Hey, he's her brother. I got a little sister, I know what it's like. (Emily looks down at her hands. When she looks up, she's smiling)

Em: She's got a lot of people who love her. That helps. And... Laura's getting better. I know it's going to be years yet, before she's really going to be Ok. It's nice, you know? That even if she can't have her mom the way she did -- that she can sit in her lap. Things feel so much better now that her spine's healed. Like... she's kinda coming back. (She lets out her breath) I know you always said she hadn't left, but it's easier to see now. (Luke nods)

Luke: You been up to see her lately?

Em: I go up with Lucky sometimes -- sometimes he really just wants to see her alone. I think it's... You know. God... I shouldn't say this.

Luke: No, it's on your mind. Spit it out. (Emily bites her lip.)

Em: You know, when everything was so bad with Lucky -- last year.

Luke: Yeah?

Em: I used to try really hard to just... Be what he needed me to be. To listen to him if he was willing to talk -- and he never was -- and to just... I don't know. Hold his hand when he needed me to.

Luke: Yeah, and don't think I don't appreciate everything you did for him, sweetheart. (Emily flushes)

Em: That's not why I'm... I'm just... There were things I never said to him. Never really got into, cause I didn't think it would do any good for him to hear me say them. Like... For a really long time I had problems with Laura, because... Well, I knew what was going on. And... I had a hard time with some of the choices she made. I mean, it was hard to watch what was going on with Lucky and not be kinda... angry. (Luke nods)

Luke: Go on.

Em: You know where I'm going with this, huh?

Luke: You had a rough time with me, too -- huh?

Em: Sometimes. Not as much, though. But... It's hard to watch someone you love hurt that much. I didn't want to be angry about it all the time, but... it was hard sometimes.

Luke: Yeah. I hear you. (Emily smiles again and looks up at him)

Em: This is just... It's been really crazy... this whole year, it's been so nuts. And now I'm picking up and leaving today, and I look around at everything and I just feel... (She exhales, waving her hands around uselessly) Like I should SAY something, you know? But I don't know who to say it to. My parents don't really understand my life anymore, and... Lucky's coming with me. So --

Luke: I'm all ears.

Em: See? That's... What I'm talking about. (She takes a long breath) I just wanted to say... Thanks. For trying so hard. And for being so good to me. I don't know, because I'm always kinda around -- but it helped so much that you were always... so... Steady. For Lucky -- and for me. I know all of this has been hard on you too, and I just wanted to say... (She takes a deep breath) That you're doing good. And you've been helping me. Working here, and sort of being a part of your family -- it's been really important to me. And I just... I thought you should know that. (Luke looks down at the bar, absorbing what she's saying to him. he smiles)

Luke: Lucky told me you guys are engaged.

Em: (laughing, looking away) Yeah, he told me he'd dropped that one. (Luke looks up)

Luke: Emily. (Emily looks back at him) If it'd been up to me to pick a daughter-in-law, I couldn't have done any better. You are a part this family -- You were before Lucky even told me he wanted to marry you. And we're honored to have you among us. (Emily feels tears prick at her eyes. She smiles broadly)

Em: See? You're just so GOOD! (Luke smiles back at her)

Luke: That you think well of me, Darlin'? That's one of the best compliments I've ever received.

Em: I mean it. (She lets out a long breath) You really think it's good -- for him to come to New York? You don't think I'm stealing him away.

Luke: I think you're making it easy on him. Anywhere you were going to go, he was going to follow. This just makes the decision a lot easier for him.

Em: I... I wanted to go to Berkeley... Well, for a lot of reasons. But the fact that it was about as far as I could get from Port Charles without leaving the country was definitely an added bonus. (She smiles at Luke, wanly) I guess... I love my family. I do. But things have been so hard with them for so long now -- I think this last year helped me remember why I love them. Why family is a good thing to have. (Luke gives a crooked smile)

Luke: Yeah... They might be crazy, but their yours.

Em: (wryly) Are you talking about my people, or yours?

Luke: I'm talking about the universal laws, Emily. We're all a little crazy. Some of us just dress it up different. (Emily laughs)

Em: Ok. Well. I like the way you wear it. And... I think I'm going to like being a part of it. (Luke smiles slowly)

Luke: I hate to break it to you, Darlin' -- but you already are.

Laura's Room.

Luke leans against the wall watching the scene in front of him. Lesley is sitting in a chair across from Laura, talking away about the weather, the people she's been talking to in town, and what gossip Amy has passed along to her. Laura is sitting with Lulu on her lap, and nodding occasionally. Occasionally Lulu chimes in with some strange miscellaneous fact, and both Lesley and Laura would turn their attention to her.

His mom looks kind of tired today. Lucky would bet good money that she expended a lot of energy trying to communicate with Nikolas. If the fatigue hovering around her wasn't enough indication... the look on Nikolas's face as he sits on the bed and stares into space says it all. Nikolas looks... Shell shocked. Laura's never been a topic that Nikolas has really WANTED to discuss in depth, but Lucky had TRIED to warn him. Ok, maybe he could have tried harder. But Nik kept explaining things away and quoting medical journals, and frankly... that got on his nerves. Besides... seeing it was the only real way to see how things were.

Ok, Ok. And... the topic was always going to be weird for them. Laura was the reason they were brothers. But she was also the reason for a lot of other things. Apart from agreeing on the place to let their mother recover -- Lucky and Nikolas hadn't talked about any of this much. They'd had the all-important conversations regarding existing facilities, and how the Cassadine money might be used to modify them... but that was it. Beyond the practical, this was still a minefield for them. Always would be.

That wasn't why Lucky was standing over by the door while everyone visited. He was hanging back for a lot of reasons. First of all... He still couldn't really communicate with his mother in a room full of people. When he attention got split, her ability to talk went downhill fast. Secondly... He sort of liked sitting back and taking everything in. there was something to be said for the whole picture. And... he felt like he had a pretty good grip on the situation with his mother right now.

Lucky couldn't say HOW he knew this -- but he did. Laura was happy. She was locked out in a lot of ways -- only a fraction of the things she had to say made it passed her lips. But she was working like hell to get back. She couldn't walk yet. Couldn't talk in complete sentences, though her speech was remarkably clear. She'd be here at least another year... Probably more. It was hard to tell. The doctors kept saying that the bulk of her recovery would happen in the first year, and that the rest of it would be far slower and much more arduous. Even after this place had served it's purpose, she'd probably have to go some place else on either an outpatient basis, or something similar. Time would tell, he guessed. As it stood... the core of his mother was now easy to find. And that was a lot more than he'd expected back in Athens.

If she'd ever been depressed, or felt ripped off and angry about this situation -- something Lucky had definitely felt himself -- Laura hadn't shown it. Lucky had spent a lot of time trying to figure that one out. His mother offered no hints whatsoever. He had a theory... but she wouldn't verify it for him. He was pretty certain, nonetheless, that someone... She'd influenced the outcome of things. Josef had died trying to kill her... And Lucky wasn't going to be surprised if he found out one day that Laura's fall had been about taking him out. Prevailing opinion said he'd tried to kill her and they'd both fallen... But Lucky really felt there was more to the story. He could see it in his mother's eyes -- she'd made a choice.

Even if she refused to admit it.

Across the room, people are moving. Lesley is pulling his sister up into her arms, away from Laura. Lu can't sit in her mother's lap for long -- but she seems to revel in the time she gets. Laura can't read to her, can't sing songs with her, can't play any of the games they used to play, but she can still hold her for a little while. It's depressing, watching how desperately Lulu seems to need it. You never really get over the need for a mother, Lucky thinks to himself, glancing over at his brother. No matter how hard you might try.

Lesley: (turning to Nikolas) Nikolas? (Nikolas takes a moment to look up and focus on his grandmother).

Nik: Yes?

Lesley: I'm going to take Lulu to get some Jello from the kitchen. Would you like to come with us?

Nik: (slowly) I've never really understood the appeal of ... (He comes to) Oh. (He looks over at Lucky. His brother is trying not to smile, and it's remarkably obvious that he's finding Nikolas's state of being a little funny. Brat, Nikolas thinks dully. Like he'd expect THAT to change. Nikolas pushes himself up to his feet) Jello. Capital idea. (he looks over at Laura.) We'll... We'll be back to say good-bye. (Laura smiles and nods. Nikolas looks over at Lucky -- his expression a more than a little drained, and this time his brother's not smiling. He just returns the look, then gives a slight shrug. Nikolas moves over to Lesley and Lu.) Lesley Lu. (he puts out his arms, and Lesley dutifully transfers her growing granddaughter to her brother) You're going to have to coach me on the superior flavor choices.

Lulu: Don't pick any with fruit floating in them. They never taste good.

Nik: (moving out of the room, with Lesley behind) Duly noted. (Lucky watches them leave, staring at the doorway for a long moment after they've left. He lets out a sigh)

Laura: Lucky. (The word come out as two distinct and careful syllables. Her children's names are something Laura has worked hard to relearn. Lucky's, with the hard consonants and simple vowels, has proven less difficult for her than Nikolas. The 's' -- messes things up. But with Lucky's name, only the sound of effort in her voice makes it sound any different from it ever did. Lucky pushes himself off the wall.)

Lucky: Right here, Mom. (he moves towards her) Ready for cross-examination. (Laura gives him a look that echoes the one that his grandmother gave him in the hall earlier. Non-annoyance. That "Oh, you!" look. He smiles) Come on. You gotta have some questions.

Laura: How... Are... They. (They are Luke and Nikolas -- established shorthand. Lucky gives this some though as he comes to sit on the chair across from his mother. He leans forward, his elbows on his knees, and looks directly at her.)

Lucky: Sometimes... I can really see where you were coming from. (Laura's eyes immediately tear up. Lucky winces) No, Mom. No, it's Ok. They're working on it.

Laura: I know. You... (She shakes her head. Lucky smiles)

Lucky: You're trying to say something good, right? (Laura nods, waving her hand as she works on the word)

Laura: Proud. (Lucky lowers his eyes a second -- habit -- then forces himself to raise them again and take in her expression. He can see the truth in her words. Shinning pride in her eyes. Same look she had when he made her valentine cards as a kid, with his own bizarre poetry in them. Mother-pride. It's hard to mistake for anything else. It's taken a long time for Lucky to be able to do this. To really come and SEE her. To force himself to listen to the few words she give him, to look at her face when she talks. To look in her eyes. He'd avoided those eyes for years, he'd realized after one visit. He'd always been too afraid of what he'd find there. But now... Now he has to look. It's either that, or miss the most important things she wants him to know. That... she loves him. She respects him. She has never thought ill of him. He nods slowly)

Lucky: (softly) I think you freaked out Nikolas. (Laura makes a face) Not in a bad way. I just... I don't think he was prepared for... having you back. That might be my fault. (Laura shakes her head)

Laura: Don't. (She doesn't have to say the rest. Lucky knows it well -- it's one of the things he does that can get her frustrated. Taking the blame for things. Sometimes she'll just hit the arm of her chair with her hand and say "No" over and over again until Lucky lets go of something. It's a little scary, but it works.)

Lucky: Ok, Mom. It's between you and him -- I know. (Laura nods)

Laura: (emphatic) Yes. (Lucky nods. He runs a hand through his hair.)

Lucky: I'm going away today. You remember that, right? (Laura nods) I'll be back in August. Probably for a month or so, before I gotta go to New York. But, uh... New York's not far, you know? And -- I'm not going to be there forever. But... Right now, it feels like it's where I have to be. But you're still going to see me -- maybe every other week. I'm not sure. I'm going to be in Port Charles as much as I can for Lulu. And... You know, check in on Dad and Nik. Make sure there aren't any bite marks. (Laura laughs, a small sound, but unmistakable) We're going to Greece tonight. (Laura's smile fades. There's a long pause, then she nods) There's something we have to do there. Put everything to rest. But... I want you to know that... We're all getting to "Ok" now. We really are. You don't have anything to worry about.

Laura: (smiling again) I know. (She reaches out her hand. Lucky takes his cue and moves to her, taking her hand in his. He leans down and kisses her cheek. She manages to kiss his lightly before he straightens up) Be safe.

Lucky: Hey. I don't know any other way to be.