Chapter 9

"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, speak a little louder, dear," the minister
requested.

Laura turned to him, to the expectant guests, and then back to Luke's smiling face.

Is that the kind of man you want to marry?

The idyllic façade of the extravagant wedding suddenly shattered. Realization hit her like a ton of bricks and left her in a state of panic. What the hell was she doing? She opened her mouth and slowly said, "No."

Luke's smile faded. "Laura?"

"No. I'm sorry, Luke, but... I can't marry you," Laura said.

Luke gave a nervous laugh and took her hand. "Angel, I know you're nervous. Hell, I thought about bolting, too, but--"

She took her hand from his. "It's not just nerves, Luke. I don't want to marry you," she said with more conviction.

His eyes grew cold as he yelled, "Well, this is a fine time to tell me, Laura! Now I look like a first-class chump."

The crowd started murmuring. Lesley and Rick quickly came to Laura's side.

"Laura, what's going on?" Lesley asked.

"Oh, nothing Lesley," Luke said sarcastically, his voice growing louder by the second, "Your daughter has changed her mind again. I'm guessing she would rather be screwing a Cassadine than marry me!"

"That's enough!" Rick yelled, and lunged for Luke.

"Rick, stop!" Lesley shrieked as she placed herself between the two angry men. "I'm sure this is just a misun--"

"You lowlife," Rick shouted over her, "You never deserved her."

The murmuring grew louder and louder. Laura could feel Bobbie's accusatory stare, Lee Baldwin's smug smile. She couldn't face this anymore. She had to get away. She turned and ran, blocking the voices that were shouting her name.

"Want a ride, Laura?" a voice asked.

She turned, startled. She knew it wouldn't be long before they came after her. She nodded, slipped into the car, and they sped off. She didn't see the elegant woman slip into a car and follow them.

They rode in silence for a few minutes.

"I thought you were in México," Laura finally said as she removed her headdress.

"Thought I'd pay a visit to my ex-wife's wedding," he said bitterly, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

She flinched at the tone in his voice, though she wasn't surprised. "I'm sorry, Scotty," she said softly.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, Laura," he said harshly.

She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I know, but what else do you want me to say?"

"I suppose I should be happy," he said with a short laugh, "You couldn't remain faithful to Luke, either."

"I didn't cheat on him," Laura said quietly.

"Come on, Laura, this is me. Your ex-husband. Don't expect me to fall for that lie again."

Laura began to get angry. "Fine, I'm a tramp, just like you said. Whatever. I don't give a damn if you believe me or not, Scotty. You know what? Just let me out, I don't know why the hell you offered to give me a ride anyway."

Scotty pulled over. He turned to look at her. "I thought we needed to clear some things. I trusted you, Laura."

"Well, I trusted you too, Scotty. I trusted that when we had problems... oh never mind." She opened the door and went to get out, but he gently touched her arm.

"We would be able to face them together," he finished for her, his tone softening.

She turned to look at him, surprised. "Yeah. Pretty silly, huh?" She gave him a tentative smile.

"Nah, I don't think so. We were just too young to know that it wasn't going to be all easy to fix. We both had to grow up."

"I'm still working on that one," Laura said.

"Me, too. Listen, I'll take you home..."

She made sure her dress was all inside and closed the door. "Thank you, Scotty. Um, I know I don't have the right to ask you for anything, but I need to see somebody, and..."

"Just give me the address, Laura, I'll take you. After you change, of course," he teased.

She laughed and smiled her 1000-watt smile. "Definitely, I don't want to be in this dress a second longer than necessary."

As Scotty gave her a smile he hadn't given her in too long, Laura remembered why she'd fallen in love with him.