was cut short when Luke was presumed dead in an avalanche. Holly fell in love with Robert, despite Luke revealing he was alive. Increasingly lonely, Luke decided to run for mayor of Port Charles, and won the election. In 1983, Laura Spencer then revealed she was alive and had been kidnapped by the Cassadine family. Mikkos' cousin (later retconned as eldest son) Stavros Cassadine had spared her life since he had fallen in love with her. He forced her to marry him, though the marriage was invalid because she was already married to Luke. Stavros came to town to claim Laura, but was killed after falling down a flight of stairs after a struggle with Luke. The couple attempted to settle into their roles in politics, but found the roles stifling. They decided to leave Port Charles that year in order to see the world. In 1984, Robert helped Luke when he was accused of murder in Mexico so that Luke would be free to be with Laura. When Luke was finally cleared, he returned to Laura, who announced the joyous news that she was pregnant. The Spencers immediately shared their news with their friends. With the revelation, Luke and Laura made what seemingly would be their last appearance on General Hospital. In the following years, passing references to the couple would be made by several characters. Later that year, Laura's mother Lesley appeared to die in a car accident (later revealed to be arranged by the Cassadine family). 1993–2002 Luke and Laura returned to Port Charles in 1993. Frank Smith's mob was in pursuit of the couple and their 10-year-old son, Lucky Spencer. On August 8, 1994, Laura gave birth to a daughter, Lulu Spencer. Mobster Sonny Corinthos killed Frank Smith and took over his territory. Sonny befriended Luke, which almost cost Laura and Lulu's lives in 1995. In 1996, a young woman named Carly Roberts arrived in Port Charles and began working at General Hospital as a physical therapist. Carly slowly insinuated herself into the Spencer family. Lulu was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in May 1996 and needed a bone marrow transplant to save her life. Luke was shocked when 16-year-old Nikolas Cassadine arrived in town and revealed himself as Laura's son with Stavros Cassadine. Laura had conceived Nikolas while the Cassadines held her captive. Nikolas' bone marrow matched his half-sister Lulu's and saved her life. Nikolas and