Chapter 3

Elizabeth laughed as she, Jason, and Elena splashed around in Elena’s mini pool. They spent many of their days laughing and loving without many worries. The ringing of the phone momentarily interrupting their fun.

Jason- [splashing water at Elizabeth] I’ll get it…
Liz- [laughing as she flung water back at him] You sure… because…
Jason- [laughing] Yes… you and Elena stay…

Quickly going to the house Jason answered the phone by the third ring.

Jason- Hello? [no answer] hello? [no answer] Who is this?
Gia- [reluctantly] Can… can I speak with Elizabeth… can I speak to Liz please?
Jason- [quietly] Who is this?
Gia- A friend…
Jason- A friend? Does the friend have a name?
Gia- [softly] I would rather…
Jason- Look unless you give me a name…

Elizabeth and Elena came in soaked from their romp in the pool. Noticing Jason’s expression..

Liz- [whispering] What’s wrong? Who is that?
Jason- [shrugging his shoulders as he continued to speak to Gia] What do you want with her?
Gia- I need… can I… is Elizabeth there?
Jason- Yes she is… what do you want with her?
Gia- I just need… Jason please… I need to talk to her.
Jason- You know who I am… who…
Gia- [softly] I… it’s Gia…
Jason- Gia…

With the mention of her name Elizabeth quickly turned to Jason rushing to him knowing her friend would not have called unless it was important.

Liz- [taking the phone from Jason] Gia… Gia what’s wrong?
Gia- [calmed by the sound of her voice] Elizabeth… I… I just wanted…
Liz- Gia sweetie… what’s going on?
Gia- I just needed someone to talk to…
Liz- Is Nikolas… where is Nikolas?
Gia- [softly] Nikolas… he’s gone…
Liz- Gone… what happened? Do you need…
Gia- He had to go on a business trip… Juan…. He’ll be out of town for a little while.
Liz- [noticing Jason’s confused expression] Juan… what has this got to do with Juan?
Gia- Nothing… Juan’s gone…
Liz- Gone? Gia you’re confusing me…
Gia- I’m sorry… I guess the quiet got to me… I just needed someone to talk to… I guess I called at the wrong time. I’m sorry…

Gia quickly hung up before Elizabeth could ask her more questions. Something was wrong but exactly what Elizabeth did not know. Turning to Jason she wondered how she could explain the phone call. After leaving Port Charles Elizabeth wrote Gia telling her of her condition. Thinking Gia would be hurt by Elizabeth’s lack of trust in their growing friendship she did not expect to receive any response from her. But much to her surprise Gia responded and from then on they remained in contact. And the pictures Elizabeth faithfully took were really in truth for Gia. So now that Gia needed her how could she not respond? How could she not do all within her power to be the friend Gia had been to her? And most importantly would Jason understand her need to do so?

Jason- [softly as he returned from putting Elena in her bed] Elizabeth…
Liz- [looking down] Jason I…
Jason- How did Gia know to call you here?
Liz- I still… I’ve kept in contact with her. It’s… I needed…
Jason- Why didn’t you tell me?
Liz- [continuing to look down] I don’t know… I thought…
Jason- Listen…[slowly wrapping her in his arms] you don’t have to keep things from me. I know you miss home…
Liz- This is my home… [softly speaking as she looked up at him] you are my home…
Jason- [softly smiling] You’re my home too… but I don’t want you giving up everything and everyone just to be with me.
Liz- Jason, I’m with you because I love you. You give me everything I need.
Jason- [smiling] I love you too but…
Liz- [softly laughing] I thought there were "no buts…"
Jason- [smiling] Normally there aren’t… but…
Liz- [smiling] But…
Jason- I know you miss Port Charles and…
Liz- Not really… I thought I would but talking with Gia helps me I guess…
Jason- [nodding] Is everything ok?
Liz- I don’t know…
Jason- What do you mean?
Liz- I could hear something in her voice…
Jason- So could I…
Liz- Something is bothering her… she didn’t say it but I could tell…
Jason- What do think it is?
Liz- [shrugging her shoulders] I don’t know but I’m gonna go and see her and…
Jason- Elizabeth…
Liz- She needs me… she didn’t come right out and say it. But she called me and…
Jason- I’ll go with you.
Liz- [shaking her head] No… I need to do this alone.
Jason- I don’t want you going back alone.
Liz- I’m only going to be there a few days.
Jason- [shaking his head] That doesn’t matter.
Liz- [softly touching his face] I’ll be ok…
Jason- I don’t want anything to happen to you.
Liz- Nothing will. I’m just going to see Gia and then I’m coming back.
Jason- Elizabeth… I don’t know if…
Liz- Jason… Gia was the only friend I had before I left Port Charles and something is hurting her… I have to go to her.
Jason- I know but…
Liz- I’ll be ok…
Jason- What about Elena?
Liz- I’m not taking her. I can’t… I don’t want to have to explain about her.
Jason- [softly] I understand…
Liz- [smiling as she softly touched his face again] This… our family is all that matters to me. I don’t care what people think about you or me… but if by chance I see someone I don’t want their opinions and thoughts about us around her. I love her too much to put her through that.
Jason- I know you do…
Liz- You understand why I have to go don’t you?
Jason- [nodding] Yes… [softly kissing her] come back to me.
Liz- [softly] I will…

Standing quietly embracing Elizabeth preparing herself for what she might face upon returning to Port Charles. Gathering strength from Jason Elizabeth quickly packed determined to help her friend. Softly kissing Elena and Jason Elizabeth departed headed towards Port Charles and all she left behind.

Chapter 4

Elizabeth stood on the porch unsure of his reaction. Would Nikolas forgive her for leaving as she did? Would he understand her reasoning for her departure? And most importantly would he accept the changes in her life? Slowly he had accepted Jason as a part of her life but now she was could not be certain of his acceptance. In time she had hoped to return to Port Charles with Jason and Elena the happy family showing everyone that their love was real. In time she had hoped to return reading to explain to all she loved why she left as she did. In time… unfortunately time was not on her side and after a phone call she found herself returning to Port Charles. Something in Gia’s voice told her that she needed her. Something in Gia’s voice brought her back to the place she long ago called home. Taking a deep breath Elizabeth nervously knocked on the cottage’s door.

Gia couldn’t concentrate. Nikolas had been gone for less than a full day and already she felt alone. She wanted to call her mother asking for advice on how best to quell her nauseous and upset stomach. She wanted to question her on how to limit stretch marks that was sure to come. She wanted to gush over potential baby names but she knew she couldn’t. Until she told Nikolas of their child her mother could not know. Staring into the mirror trying to picture how in a few months she would look Gia thought about what Nikolas’s reaction might be. They had never really discussed children but now that the opportunity to have a child together was here would he want to? Hearing a light knocking on the door Gia quickly went to see who came to visit her.

Gia- [softly as she slow opened the door] Who is it?
Liz- It’s me…[softly smiling] Elizabeth…
Gia- Elizabeth…[shocked to see her] what are you doing here?
Liz- [softly] Is it a bad time?
Gia- [shaking her head] No… no… I don’t… I… [softly as she looked down] Elizabeth…

Sensing her need Elizabeth quickly hugged Gia not knowing what else to do. Gia softly cried realizing Elizabeth came back to Port Charles because of her call.

Liz- [trying to lighten the mood] I can always come back… I don’t have to come in now.
Gia- [as they slowly separated] No… I want… I want you to come in.
Liz- [softly smiling as she entered the cottage] I was hoping you would say that or else this might have been a wasted trip.
Gia- [as the walked to the couch] No I’m glad… I’m glad you came.
Liz- [softly as they sat down] So am I.
Gia- How’s… how’s Jason.
Liz- [smiling] He’s good… he’s great.
Gia- [softly] I’m happy for you.
Liz- I know you are…
Gia- [smiling as she tried best to avoid the conversation that would soon come] And Elena… how is my Goddaughter?
Liz- [softly] She’s good… she’s good too. I brought you some pictures. You should have seen her at her birthday party. Her cake and icing ended up everywhere except in her mouth.
Gia- [softly laughing] You’re kidding… that must’ve… [voice slowly trailing off] that must’ve been something…
Liz- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [slowly shaking her head as she fought off her tears] I’m ok…
Liz- Gia… [gently touching her hand] what’s wrong?
Gia- [shaking her head] Nothing… just having… just one of those days…
Liz- You called… when you called I could hear something in your voice and I came…
Gia- [looking down] I’m sorry…
Liz- Sorry?
Gia- You came all this way… you came all this way and I don’t need…
Liz- [softly squeezing her hand] I came because my friend needed me.
Gia- [softly] I’ll be ok…
Liz- Gia… what’s wrong?
Gia- [quickly standing going to stand by the window] Nothing…
Liz- [softly] Gia…
Gia- [quietly] I’m pregnant.
Liz- Are you sure? I mean…
Gia- [nodding as she continued to speak quietly] Yes… I was late… I was late and I took a home pregnancy test just to be sure that I wasn’t…
Liz- And…
Gia- [laughing to keep from crying] I was.
Liz- What did Nikolas say? Does he…
Gia- I don’t know… [softly] I haven’t told him yet.
Liz- Why?
Gia- [softly as she stared out the window] What if he doesn’t want me to have it? What if he doesn’t…
Liz- [coming to stand beside Gia] What if he does?
Gia- But…
Liz- Gia do you want this baby?
Gia- [looking down as she softly touched her stomach] Yes…
Liz- Then tell him…
Gia- I don’t want to force this on him… After Katherine… because of Katherine I don’t want to put this on him just because it’s something I want. I can’t do that to him.
Liz- But…
Gia- [softly] What if he doesn’t want to have a baby with me. I can’t… I can’t not have this baby but I don’t want to trap him…
Liz- Gia… you have to tell him.
Gia- I know but…
Liz- Don’t make the same mistake I made.
Gia- [looking at her] Mistake?
Liz- Every time I see Jason and Elena together I realize how big a mistake I made.
Gia- What are you talking about?
Liz- I took that time away from Jason. I could have easily gone to Sonny and had him find Jason but I didn’t.
Gia- Why?
Liz- Because I was scared too. I was scared that people… I was scared he would think I was trying to trap him. And I couldn’t deal with that but every time he looks at Elena I see the longing in his eyes. I see what I did.
Gia- What did you do?
Liz- He wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to be there when my morning sickness got to be too much for me. He wanted to be there to go and get my weird food cravings in the middle of the night. And I nearly took all of it away from him by keeping quiet. Don’t do the same thing to Nikolas. This pregnancy is as much his as it is yours.
Gia- But what about…
Liz- No buts…
Gia- His family… my family…when they find out…
Liz- [shaking her head]- Gia… this baby… your baby [touching Gia’s stomach] came from love… yours and Nikolas’s. What anyone else thinks shouldn’t matter.
Gia- [nodding] I know… but try telling that to my mom and brother… better yet Helena and Stefan.
Liz- I’m not saying that it will be easy but your baby is worth it.
Gia- [smiling as she softly touched her stomach again] Our baby…
Liz- [looking at her watch] It’s getting late… maybe things will look clearer in the morning…
Gia- Yeah…
Liz- I’m not trying to run out on you or anything but I still need to find a place to stay…
Gia- You can stay here…
Liz- [looking down] What if Nikolas doesn’t want me…
Gia- Nikolas isn’t here…
Liz- What… where…
Gia- He’s gone…
Liz- Gone?
Gia- Long story short… Juan and Emily broke up, Juan let on some big promotional tour, the producers of the tour are trying cut Juan out of something and Nikolas went down there to handle the situation.
Liz- Emily and Juan broke up…
Gia- Yeah… it came out of nowhere. They seemed really happy together but all of a sudden he just up and left and…
Liz- I can’t believe this… how did Emily react? She was heartbroken right?
Gia- That’s just it… it didn’t seem to bother her.
Liz- It didn’t bother her… that’s crazy. After Zander and everything I thought they would be together forever.
Gia- I know…
Liz- When I left… I knew my leaving would be hard on Emily but I was glad that she had Juan her to look after her but what… who is she with now?
Gia- I don’t know. We’re not really close so her secrets…
Liz- I wonder… [shaking her head] I hope she’s happy.
Gia- Well from what I can tell…
Liz- What?
Gia- I know this is going to sound crazy but you would think Juan leaving didn’t effect her. Every time I’ve run into her or Nikolas and me hang out with… when we hang out with the gang she seems fine.
Liz- [softly] How is Lucky?
Gia- Ok I guess.
Liz- You guess?
Gia- Well it was hard but he and Nikolas have become close… closer since you left so I see him a lot more and…
Liz- And…
Gia- He seems cool. Most times he’s like… he’s Lucky and everything is cool. But other times you see these flashes of some other person.
Liz- What do you mean?
Gia- I know this sounds crazy but… sometimes this look crosses his face and I don’t know… it just gets to me or something…
Liz- [nodding] What about Deanna… are they still together?
Gia- Yeah… but she’s more withdrawn… she doesn’t talk a lot… not that she ever did before but… [shrugging her shoulders] they are still a couple and whenever you see him you see her.
Liz- Well I guess that’s good…
Gia- I guess…
Liz- [looking at her watch again] I really need to call Jason and…
Gia- Come on… I’ll show you what room you can stay in.
Liz- Thanks…
Gia- [softly as she looked down] I’m glad you came…
Liz- My friend needed me.

They quickly hugged before Gia showed her to her room.

Liz- Think about what I said…
Gia- I will…

Hugging again they parted going separate ways to think about the things they discussed that night.