After Steve Hardy's funeral, after Laura's had one more heartbreaking meeting with Stefan (before Luke even knows there is a Stefan, he thinks it's only Helena) Laura comes home for the first time since Lulu's been sick. Lulu is healing, and Laura tells Luke how much she misses him. They laugh a little, he's very afraid.
He holds her, thinking about what comes next.
Laura wants to talk because she thinks he hates her.
Luke has another idea...
He loves her.
This was one of my favorite love scenes between them, too short, but whatever. My mother and I were watching this together, my dad working but listening to us be obsessed. My mother said, "The scene could've shown...just 15 more seconds." I replied, "I'd like to watch until they finish." My mother agreed and my dad immediately said, "Exactly, 15 more seconds." My mother leaned over and says, "No honey, that would be you! Luke is...hello!" LOL! My mother has always been in love with Luke, who the hell do I have to bond with me! I love you Mom!
While Laura has a breakdown, (FABULOUS ACTING GENIE) which is the most sane thing she's done under the circumstances, Luke meets Stefan. They are automatically great pals, LOL! Stefan goats Luke about how often Lasha meets him in secret, how strong Lasha is and how Luke wouldn't want him making decisions for her. Luke replies, "No, I'm making a decision for you!" YES! LOL! Luke tells Stefan to stop punishing Laura by throwing her kid in her face. Luke says it doesn't matter how many times Stefan met with Laura, he trusts Laura. Luke sees the portrait of Laura. Stefan says, "She posed for many happy hours." (Bullshit, Stefan, but I love you anyway) Luke replies, "The artist forgot to paint the shackles on her feet and the tape across her mouth." Right on, Luke. Stefan says, "It doesn't matter," should be placed on Luke's tombstone. Luke replies, "No, that's already picked out. 'This is only a temporary set back.'" Stefan tells Luke he should take him to his brother's grave sometime. Luke says, "Sure, when I feel like dancing." LOL! Ah, men.
Nikolas tells Luke that HE was the one by Laura's bedside at the hospital. Well, of course Luke acts like a jerk and tries to strangle him. Smart Luke. Anyway, Luke comes back to Laura, she's thrilled his safe.
She is still incredibly shaky. She's scared to death understandably, the Cassadines hold every piece of her life in their hands. Her children, her husband, Nikolas, every relationship in town, and her own fears about facing memories of Stavros...and Stefan.
Luke says, "Why didn't you tell me about Stefan?" Laura's face is overcome with fear. What did Stefan say to Luke? What the hell did Stefan mention? It's obvious though Stefan said nothing to Luke about them being in love on the island. Laura tells Luke how terrified she is. SHE knows them! She knows what they're capable of and Luke doesn't! She starts to cry again from such rational fear (I can't believe Laura didn't die from threats and everyone pulling her 400 directions) and Luke immediately tries to comfort her and tell her he loves her.
At Wyndemere, Stefan walks into the living room where the portrait of Laura at 19 hangs...
Young Laura...
The camera lowers with Stefan's point of view and we see Laura sitting in the exact same position right below her portrait, flips Stefan out but of course he very brilliantly holds it in...
I'm as pissed as you, Stefan. And I can play the game of terrifying you too...(Laura's thoughts)
Here I am, not the weak little female...
"I need to speak to you, Stefan." "So much so, you left your hospital bed?" he comments. "Either way, I'll have to do something about my security. I might even be grateful for your efforts had I not just been assaulted by your husband." Laura stands and follows him. "You saw Luke?" "Only long enough to be on the receiving end of his fist. So you'll forgive me if I don't jump for joy at the sight of you!" LOL! I love you, Stefan! "Oh my God, is Luke all right?" "Oh Luke is fine," Stefan replies. "And so am I, thank you." I was on the floor the first time I heard that. Stefan proceeds to tell her he was comforting a crying woman and was assaulted by her brother in the process. (Hence, he was comforting Bobbie, the revenge begins)
Laura, attempting to avoid WWIII tells Stefan maybe he should leave. Stefan, seeing Nikolas entering the room, sets Laura up slightly and tells her to repeat that she wants nothing to do with her son.
Nikolas makes his presence known immediately, startling Laura. She has seen him only twice briefly since he was a baby. She tells him it's not true she doesn't love him or want him in her life right now.
Laura knows he's in pain and hates what she did, desperately wants to find a way to help him.
Laura, who snuck out of the hospital to meet Stefan comes back to the hospital room and Luke's waiting. She knows he knows exactly where she went, and is too damn tired to argue. She tells him she doesn't blame him for what she did, he tells her to rest so she can get out of here faster.
Laura, Lulu, and everyone are home. Laura talks with Luke, he's distant, she wants him to yell at her, he says he won't.
She loves him...
She is beautiful.
At Robin's farewell party in which she chose to have at Luke's club (L&L were her father's best friends), Stefan arrives, stopped by Sonny who has vowed to protect her. Laura comes out anyway, with Luke, and Stefan tells her Nikolas is missing. Though Laura is worried about Nikolas, Stefan has done nothing but treat her like a Cassadine whore and betrayer, and she's not exactly going to jump into partnership with him. Luke tells Laura he'll find Nikolas for her, which he does.
