Ch. 4
"You do know the only reason why you are still breathing is because my daughter may one day want to know the poor excuse for a man that decided she was no interest to him", Nikolas replied, "I don't want you to think for one moment that with a blink of my eye, I couldn't end your life".
"Yes…how is my daughter with those beautiful green eyes", William said unfazed.
Nikolas smiled, "William…I may not kill you, but I can make you wish you were dead…so you listen to me…stop sending letters…stop trying to contact Gia and Aneres, if you don't…I won't have to kill you, you will be happy to do the job yourself…I can and will make your life a living hell, William Blackwell…I am not above doing whatever I have to, to keep my family safe…remember that", Nikolas replied.
"I'm sure", William smirked.
"We'll see", Nikolas replied standing up from his seat as one of the guards opened the door.
"Blackwell…stand up…you have bathroom duty", the guard said, "and apparently some prisoners ate some bad chili for lunch".
Nikolas smirked, "Oh…and I did bring you a present William…" Nikolas removed a toothbrush from his pocket, "this may help you with your little task".
William glared at Nikolas as Nikolas exited the room. "Ok…Cassadine…you think you've won this one", William whispered as the guard ushered him out.
****************************
Gia sat across from Claudia at the Port Charles Grille going over some of the new advertising contracts that Gia drew up that day. "I swear G, you are a miracle worker", Claudia said signing the contracts shaking her head.
"Well…thank you, I don't want you to think that I just sit in that gigantic office doing nothing all day".
"Yes…well I didn't think that, I heard Nikolas came by this morning", Claudia smirked as she looked at Gia.
"He did…and…"
"And…I just heard that the blinds were closed and the door was closed and…"
"Claudia, are you implying something?" Gia asked.
"I most definitely am…hey…if you and your husband want to get it on in your office, I have absolutely no problem with that", Claudia said holding up her hands.
"Whatever", Gia smiled, "anyway…these contracts will go out to the advertisers tomorrow".
"Sounds good", Claudia said as her cell phone began to ring, "hold on a minute…Hey Jon…what do you mean…ok…fine…we will be there as soon as possible", Claudia closed her phone and looked at Gia.
"What?" Gia asked.
"Jon's been arrested…and Ric's out of town", Claudia sighed.
"Claudia…"
"Gia, you know my little brother is a hot head…but you also know he can't sit in jail, can you just show your face at the station please and I will get Ric back here as soon as possible?" Claudia asked.
"Claudia, I can't do that…I can't mix…"
"Gia, I wouldn't ask you if I didn't need you…please…and I promise this is the only time I will ever ask you for a favor like this", Claudia said taking Gia's hand.
"Fine…fine Claudia, but this is the only time I will do this…understand?"
"I understand", Claudia said as she packed up her things and she and Gia left the restaurant.
*********************************
"Scott…you clearly don't have any evidence that Johnny set that warehouse on fire…all you have is some miscellaneous overpaid security guard that claims he saw a dark haired man light a match", Gia argued as she stood outside of the interrogation room with the District Attorney Scott Baldwin.
"Come now…Goody Cassadine, you know and I know that the Junior Mob Prince in there set Sonny's warehouse on fire…and I don't care, but since that fire also damaged someone else's warehouse…I'm here", Scott replied.
"My name is Gia Campbell-Cassadine…and again, you have no evidence and I am taking my client home", Gia replied.
"Fine…but tell your client not to leave town", Scott replied.
"Yeah, yeah", Gia said as she walked to the door and motioned for Claudia and Johnny to follow her.
When they walked outside of the police station, Gia turned to Claudia and Johnny, "That was a one shot deal…if you want to go around getting revenge on Sonny, do it when your criminal attorney is in town", Gia hissed into Johnny's face.
"I understand…but Sonny overstepped his bounds when he…" Johnny began.
"Save it for Ric", Gia answered, "Claudia, I really have to go…"
"I know…thanks Gia", Claudia said hugging her.
"Right…but remember what I said", Gia replied as she hurried down the stairs to her car.
"She's good Claud", Johnny said watching as Gia got in her car.
"I know…but she meant what she said John, stay out of trouble…Ric won't be back for a couple of weeks and Gia won't come to the PCPD every day to bail you out".
"But Sonny and Jason intercepted our shipment and shot three of our men".
"I know that…but we have to be smart about this Johnny…smart, do you understand me", Claudia replied looking directly into his eyes.
"Fine…fine", Johnny sighed.
*********************************
As Gia waited on the pier for the boat to take her over to Wyndemere, she shook her head-she prayed that Claudia would find another lawyer while Ric's away, because there was no way she could handle their other legal problems after her promise to Nikolas.
"Gia", a voice called from in back of her.
Gia turned around to see Sonny Corinthos and two of his bodyguards walking over to her, "Mr. Corinthos…hello…what a gorgeous night…out enjoying the stars?" Gia asked looking at him.
"Are you the Zacharras new attorney?" he asked.
"I am their corporate counsel…yes".
"My sources tell me that you were at the PCPD with Claudia bailing her brother out of jail…you know Ms. Campbell…"
"It's Campbell-Cassadine", Gia corrected hm.
Sonny smirked displaying the dimples that Gia was sure made half of the women in Port Charles swoon, "Ms. Campbell-Cassadine, you have some really interesting connections around town…your brother the FBI agent, Nikolas…your husband…who turned Jason in a couple of years ago…the Zacharras…you really should be careful of whom you associate yourself with".
"And if I don't?" Gia asked.
Sonny chuckled, "You have spunk…do you know that?"
"Yes…but I like to think of it as spark", Gia smiled, "and Mr. Corinthos, you really shouldn't be concerned about who I associate with".
"Right I shouldn't…but you should be…have a nice night, Ms. Campbell-Cassadine", Sonny smirked as he turned to walk away as the boat arrived at the launch.
Gia watched as Sonny and his men disappeared up the stairs; she felt a shiver run down her spine-something about that talk, didn't sit right with her.
**********************************
Later that night, Nikolas arrived home and walked upstairs. The house was deathly quiet since it was the middle of the night. He was pretty sure that the children were asleep and Gia was either sleep or fighting to stay up. Nikolas slipped his jacket off and opened Dimitrios' bedroom door. He was asleep in his bed with the covers kicked off and Rocky was sleeping next to him on the bed. Dimitrios was starting to become somewhat of a handful; he was becoming more and more Cassadine-like each day. If he wasn't bossing the children around at soccer, he was making subtle demands to Nanny Lynn and Ms. Lansbury, Nikolas planned to spend a day with him and get to the bottom of his new Cassadine attitude.
Nikolas closed Dimitrios' door and made his way down to Aneres' bedroom door. She was sleeping clutching onto her teddy bear and breathing soundly. Nikolas smiled; he would do whatever he had to do to protect that little girl.
As he made his way to the master bedroom, he paused at the door. He knew that he should tell Gia about the letters and his visit to William, but he hoped that William would finally get the message and back off. Nikolas didn't want Gia to worry about William anymore, he was part of the past and that was it.
Nikolas opened the door and Gia was lying in bed. She was dressed in her lounging clothes, which means that she was waiting for him and fell asleep. He slipped off his tie and climbed up next to her kissing her on the neck, "Hey Sparky…were you waiting for me?" he whispered as he slowly slid her t-shirt up and kissed her flat stomach.
"How did your meeting go?" Gia asked stretching.
"Good…good…how was your day, how is it working for Claudia?" he asked.
"It was tame…nothing special", Gia shrugged.
"I see…well…I will let you get your sleep, you have a lunch meeting with Skye tomorrow…"
"Oh yes, I remember for the Bacchanalia and I also have a dress fitting".
"Busy…busy", Nikolas replied.
"Well you know…a Cassadine wife's work is never done", Gia grinned.
"No…you are definitely right…their work is never done…I love you Gia, you know that, right?" Nikolas asked looking into her eyes.
"I do", Gia said as Nikolas' lips touched hers.
***********************************
The next morning Nikolas walked out of the shower to a ringing cell phone, Gia was dressed and downstairs more than likely on her second cup of coffee. "Hello", Nikolas replied.
"Hi Nikolas", Courtney replied on the end.
"Courtney", Nikolas replied sitting down on the bed.
Ever since Nikolas found out that Courtney lied about her child's paternity, he tolerated her at best. He prayed for the day that Dimitrios realized how selfish his mother was, so he could walk away from her. However, Nikolas was well aware of a son's love for his mother. No matter how many times they abandoned you figuratively and literally, you were always there to forgive them. Thus making Nikolas look forward to Dimitrios becoming a teenager, then his communication with Courtney would be reduced greatly.
"I was calling you to let you know that there's no reason to send Dimitrios out here in two weeks", she replied.
"Good", Nikolas replied, "is that all?"
"No…that's not all…you don't need to send him because we're coming to Port Charles".
"Why?" Nikolas asked, "I thought Jason had to leave town to stay out of jail where he belongs".
"Nikolas…" Courtney sighed.
"So why are you coming here?"
"Because Jason has some business to take care of and before you start, it has nothing to do with the mob", Courtney replied.
"Sure…"
"Nikolas…please, I thought things were starting to become cordial between us".
"They will never be cordial after what you tried to do to me…I talk to you because you are my son's mother, that's all".
"I understand that…well…I just want you to know that we're coming and Dimi can stay a couple of days with us", Courtney replied.
"We'll see".
"Nikolas, don't be this way".
"Courtney, I'm serious…if there is any indication that Jason has mended his mob ties, Dimitrios will not be allowed to visit you as long as you're with him".
"Fine Nikolas…I will talk to you when we get in town".
"Bye", Nikolas said closing his cell phone for a minute and then opening it again, "yes, Frederick…I want you to look into Jason Morgan…he's returning to Port Charles, I want to know if he's decided to become part of the mob life again".
"Will do, Mr. Cassadine", Frederick said.
Nikolas closed his phone and slipped on his pants…if Jason was back in the mob, this time he would turn him in.
*****************************
"So Gia…I wrote a schedule for you and Nikolas to study before the Bacchanalia", Skye said handing Gia a folder as they sat in The Grille having lunch.
"Skye…I wasn't aware that there was a schedule", Gia replied opening the folder.
"This Bacchanalia has to perfect, I've heard about the last one and I refuse to end up dead in the courtyard like Stefan's last fiancée", Skye replied.
"Ok".
"And Gia, I think you should be in charge of the guest list...I included it in the folder".
"But I thought you had a coordinator…"
"We do, but I want someone close to handle the guest list", Skye replied, "no one on that list is allowed in the ballroom and I want you to check all the invitations before they are sent out…"
"You are aware I have a career…that doesn't entail planning a Bacchanalia, don't you?" Gia asked looking at Skye.
"Of course…but I know that you are the perfect person to do this job…I know if I request certain things, you will make sure they are done", Skye replied.
"I guess", Gia replied as Skye continued to go on and on about Bacchanalia plans.
******************************
"So I hear congratulations are in order", Nikolas replied walking into Kelly's where Lucky was seated at the counter eating a sandwich.
"So I guess the baby news has made its way to Wyndemere", Lucky smirked.
"Pretty much and I must thank you…my wife accused me of wanting her to be pregnant as well and it turned into a big argument".
Lucky smirked, "Gia is quite the character".
"That she is…but I wouldn't have her any other way".
"Yes…I'm sure, but I have some news for you…Johnny Zacharra was arrested yesterday".
"Ok", Nikolas replied as Penny poured him a cup of coffee.
"And guess who got him released?" Lucky asked.
"She didn't", Nikolas frowned.
"She did…my friends at the station told me that my sister came in and had it out with DA Baldwin over Johnny".
"Gia promised me that she was only the corporate attorney".
"Well maybe it was a one time thing", Lucky replied.
"Maybe…but I'm not so sure…she knows how I feel".
"Well whatever you do…don't tell her I told you, I don't need Gia coming after me", Lucky replied.
Nikolas shook his head, "That woman drives me crazy…and she deliberately didn't tell me about doing that because she knew what I would say".
"Well it was probably that one time", Lucky replied.
"Gia may think so…but I doubt Claudia wants it that way".
"Well in the end Gia will do what she wants", Lucky shrugged.
"Trust me, I know", Nikolas replied, sipping his coffee.
*******************************
When Nikolas walked in the house, Dimitrios was sitting on the couch playing one of his computer games as Nanny Lynn sat reading a book.
"Hello you two", Nikolas replied smiling, "where's Aneres?"
"She's upstairs with Mrs. Cassadine…she wasn't feeling too well and I called Mrs. Cassadine and she rushed home".
"Is it anything serious?"
"No…probably too many cookies", Nanny Lynn smirked.
"Ahhh", Nikolas nodded knowingly, "and Dimitrios, how was your day?"
"Good".
"Well go get dressed so we can ride Sheba, I want to talk to you about a few things".
"Ok", Dimitrios said somewhat guarded as he went to the stairs and started to walk up slowly.
"How was he today?" Nikolas asked.
"No tantrums, he was pretty good", Nanny replied.
"I plan to speak with him about his actions as of late…"
"He's just getting older and he can't help but test out whether his last name actually puts fear in the hearts of people", Nanny Lynn smirked.
"Gia says that he gets it from my Uncle and I…is that true?" Nikolas asked.
Nanny Lynn raised an eyebrow, "Of course not Mr. Cassadine".
"Right…I will take that as a yes", Nikolas smirked as he walked up the stairs to change clothes.
As he walked towards the master bedroom he stopped in the doorway to Aneres' room and watched as Gia lay in bed with Aneres. They both had their eyes closed and Aneres looked a little pale, he made a mental note to call Dr. Simone Hardy over to see her.
******************************
"Daddy…this is fun", Dimitrios laughed as Nikolas pulled Sheba's reigns and stopped the horse on the edge of the cliff overlooking the river.
"I know…I know that we don't do this as much as we used to, but that's going to change…I'm changing jobs and I will be home more".
"Yea…can you coach my soccer team?"
"Umm…I will come watch", Nikolas replied, "but I wanted to talk to you about being a Cassadine male and what it means".
"It means I am important!" Dimitrios declared.
"Well…that's part of it", Nikolas grinned. Dimitrios spent too much time with Stefan, "but you know what else it means".
"I have the power!" Dimitrios replied.
"Dimitrios…having the power means not telling everyone that you have it. Many things can be accomplished if you're quiet and people don't know everything about you, including what you're thinking".
"But Daddy…what do I do if someone's making fun of me…how do I get them to stop?" Dimitrios asked.
"I will tell you how…I will let you in on a Cassadine secret".
"What?" Dimitrios asked looking at Nikolas with wide eyes.
Nikolas leaned closer to Dimitrios and whispered in his ear, "If someone ever talks about you…attempts to make you feel less than a person…you just look at them and smile", Nikolas said slowly as his lips turned into a smug smile.
"Smile?" Dimitrios asked skeptically.
"Yes…and do you want to know why you're smiling?" Nikolas asked.
"Why?" Dimitrios asked in amazement.
"Well there are two reasons…one, because you know that you are soo much better than the person making fun of you…and two, because you know you have the power to make them cry, but you choose not to use it because they're not worth your time", Nikolas smiled.
"Oooooh", Dimitrios said smiling knowingly, "you are so smart Daddy".
"It's in the genes", Nikolas winked as the sun began to go down.
. I love it. I finish Winding road, excellent by the way , and was happy to see a sequel.
