Chapter 7
The cottage
Somehow convincing Gia that it was better if she stayed Elizabeth was happily showing off her latest pictures of Elena to Gia.
Gia- [smiling] She really is beautiful…
Liz- [smiling] Yeah she looks like her daddy.
Gia- [laughing]Well yeah I would have to agree with you on that… he is beautiful…
Liz- [laughing] Gia…
Gia- It’s the truth…
Liz- What about Nikolas?
Gia- What about him?
Liz- [laughing] Gia…
Gia- [laughing] Ok… I love Nikolas with all of my heart… that will never change. But because I love him does not mean that I’m blind to other men. And I’ve seen Jason and a few other guys who…
Liz- Who?
Gia- [looking around whispering] Well…
Liz- [laughing] What are you doing?
Gia- Gotta make sure no one is around who can go back and tell my brother…
Liz- You’re brother…
Gia- Yeah… because between you and me Sonny Corrinthos…
Liz- [laughing as she covered her mouth] Oh my God…
Gia- [smiling] I dare you to tell me he isn’t a hottie…
Liz- [laughing] Ok I can’t…
Gia- [laughing as they high fived] Thought so…
Liz- Well yeah he is…[taking a deep breath] something special but don’t tell Jason I said that…
Gia- [laughing] You don’t tell Marcus...
Liz- [laughing] Or Nik…
Gia- [smiling] Or Nikolas and I won’t tell Jason.
Liz- Cool…
Gia- [smiling] Cool… [looking down] I really have missed you…
Liz- I’ve missed you too…
Gia- I mean after Nikolas there’s no one else I really talk to.
Liz- I’m sorry…
Gia- [smiling] I’m not trying to guilt you into coming back. You have a family and you’re happy so I’m happy for you. It’s just sometimes… sometimes…
Liz- [softly smiling] I know… I rush to the phone too quick to call you and tell you about Jason or something Elena might’ve done but then I stop myself…
Gia- [softly] Jason must’ve thought I was crazy when I called…
Liz- [smiling] Well yeah…
Gia- I don’t blame him…
Liz- Have you told Nikolas… I mean does Nik know we still talk?
Gia- [shaking her head] No… I don’t… I don’t know how to tell him.
Liz- [softly] I know the feeling…
Gia- I know he’s not… he won’t be upset but…
Liz- He’ll wanna know why you didn’t tell him.
Gia- Yeah…
Liz- Jason… Jason asked the same thing.
Gia- When did you tell him about… I mean how did you tell him that we…
Liz- You told him…
Gia- Huh?
Liz- The day you called is the day he found out.
Gia- You mean you hadn’t told him yet?
Liz- [softly as she shook her head] No…
Gia- Why?
Liz- Well…
The slamming of a car door stopped Elizabeth from finishing. Rushing to the window Gia saw as Deanna, Emily, and Lucky slowly made their way to the front door.
Gia- [rushing back by her side pushing Elizabeth in the direction of the stairs] You need.. you need to go upstairs right now…
Liz- Why? What’s wrong…
Gia- Trust me… just go upstairs now.
Liz- Gia… why… who’s… who is it?
Gia- It’s Lucky and Emily and…
Liz- So…
Gia- Please Liz…
Liz- [sighing] Ok… but
Gia- I’ll get rid of them…
Liz- Gia we need…
Gia- [pushing her up the stairs] I know… we need… we need to talk.
Liz- Yeah and…
Gia- Go!!!
As Elizabeth disappeared up the stairs Gia rushed back to the couch making it appear as if she had been resting on the couch answering the door after the third or fourth knock.
Gia- [rubbing her eyes faking sleep] Yeah…
Lucky- Hey Gia…
Gia- Lucky… Emily… Deanna…
Deanna- [softly as she looked down] Hi Gia…
Emily- [walking into the cottage] Mind if we come in?
Gia- [mumbling] I guess not…
Emily- [smiling] Thanks…
Gia- [after they silent for a moment] Well what do you want?
Lucky- [looking around] Oh we… we uhh came to make sure you were ok…
Gia- Ok… why wouldn’t I be?
Emily- [looking as she walked around the room] Well when I called… when I called you this morning I wasn’t exactly sure…
Gia- Well as you can see I’m fine…
Lucky- Yeah well… we just wanted to make sure.
Gia- [noticing Deanna’s uneasiness] Deanna are you ok? You seem… I don’t know…
Deanna- [stammering] Yeah… I’m… I’m fine…
Gia- [noticing the look between Deanna and Lucky] Oh ok…
Emily- [looking at a picture of Elena] Who is this? She looks familiar…
Gia- [taking the picture out of her hand] You don’t… you don’t know her…
Emily- But she looks like...
Gia- She’s… her mother is a friend of mine from Brooklyn.
Emily- Oh… I guess I don’t know her or her mother then…
Gia- No… no you don’t...
Lucky- [smiling] Well now that we see for ourselves that you are ok I guess… I guess we’ll be going then.
Gia- Ok… thanks for coming over and checking on me though…
Lucky- [smiling] No prob…
Gia- I’ll be sure to tell Nikolas that you did you brotherly duty while he was gone.
Lucky- Good…
Deanna- Umm do you… do you mind if I use the bathroom?
Gia- No… you know where it is don’t you?
Deanna- Not really but…
Gia- When you get to the top of the stairs make a left and you will run right into it.
Deanna- Ok thanks… [looking at Lucky] I’ll… I’ll be right back…
Lucky slowly nodded his head as Deanna slowly went upstairs. Although she was against snooping Lucky has persuaded her in the ride over to do so once she went upstairs. Emily and Lucky exchanged a quick glance as they settled on the couch waiting for Deanna’s return.
Elizabeth listened as Deanna quietly but quickly checked each room. As she neared her room Elizabeth braced for the encounter that was sure to come. Outside the door Deanna quietly wished their “visit” to Gia would soon end and all thoughts of Elizabeth and whatever Gia was hiding were forgotten. Coming to the last door Deanna breathed a deep sigh and slowly pushed open the door. Coming face to face with Elizabeth Deanna was unsure of what to do. If she told Lucky of her presence despite his many claims to being fine she knew he would fly off the handle. Yet if she kept her presence unknown what would be his reaction then. Locking eyes they stared at one another unsure of what the other was thinking. Slowly nodding her head Deanna closed the door and made her way back down stairs to Lucky and Emily.
Deanna- [looking at Gia as she went to stand beside Lucky] Thank you… thank you for letting me use your bathroom.
Gia- You didn’t have a problem finding it did you?
Deanna- No… Lucky… Lucky you ready to go?
Lucky- [taking her hand] Yeah come on… I’ll see you Gia ok?
Gia- Ok…
Lucky- Tell Nik… tell Nikolas to give me a call when he gets home.
Gia- Ok… we still… call me later and maybe we can get together and do something.
Lucky- Ok… I’ll see you…
Gia- Ok… bye Emily… Deanna…
Deanna- [softly smiling] Bye Gia…
Emily- [leaving without looking back at Gia] Gia…
Gia- Bye…
Once outside Gia quickly ran upstairs to make sure Deanna did not see Elizabeth.
Gia- Well…
Liz- She saw me...
Gia- And…
Liz- And nothing… she didn’t say or do anything. She just looked at me and then left.
Gia- Are you serious?
Liz- Yeah… what… what do you think that means?
Gia- I don’t know.
Outside Emily and Lucky crowded around Deanna anxious to see if their suspicions were correct.
Lucy- Well...
Deanna- I didn’t… I didn’t see anything.
Emily- Are you sure because the more I think about it the more sure I am that that was Elizabeth I heard in the background.
Deanna- [shaking her head] She wasn’t up there… well at least I didn’t see her.
Emily- You sure?
Deanna- Positive… I didn’t see anyone or anything.
Emily- But I could have sworn…
Lucky- Well maybe I should still talk to Nikolas when he gets here… just tell him to look out just in case…
Emily- Yeah…
Lucky- Well then let’s go… Deanna you mind of I drop you off at home… Emily needs me to…
Deanna- [looking back at the cottage as they got in the car interrupting him] No I don’t mind…
Lucky- Good…
Deanna- [softly] Good…
Assured that they gone Elizabeth and Gia slowly made their way back downstairs.
Gia- Maybe you should… maybe you should go…
Liz- Gia I came here to help you…
Gia- And you have…
Liz- Gia I don’t have to go… I can stay here…
Gia- [shaking her head] Go… we have no idea if Deanna will Lucky and Emily…
Liz- I don’t care if she does…
Gia- I do…
Liz- Why?
Gia- Because… I want… I want to tell Nikolas… I’m going to tell Nikolas and everything…
Liz- What does that have to do with Lucky and Emily knowing I’m here…
Gia- Because when I tell him I don’t want it to seem like I’m forced or…
Liz- Gia…
Gia- [shaking her head] Emily and Lucky will have their opinions as to why I told him and/or how you play into this but from this point on I know I have to face what my lies and untruths might cause.
Liz- I’m confused…
Gia- You being here will make it seem like I’m forcing Nikolas into accepting our baby.
Liz- Gia…
Gia- And you being here without Jason will make everyone think…
Liz- I love Jason…
Gia- I know… and he loves you but to put all of that on Nikolas not to mention his upcoming parentage I don’t know if I…
Liz- I’ll go… but if you ever need me or if you ever just need someone to talk to…
Gia- [softly smiling] I’ll call you…
Liz- [quickly hugging her] Good…
Elizabeth returned upstairs to pack up her belongings and to call Jason to tell him she was returning home. Receiving no response Elizabeth left a message on their machine and returned down stairs to say goodbye to Gia.
Liz- Don’t hesitate to call me… I’m always there.
Gia- I know
Liz- Gia tell him… you might be surprised by what he says…
Gia- [nodding] I know…
Liz- I’ll call… I’ll try and call you when I make it home…
Gia- [looking down] Ok…
Liz- Gia if you need me…
Gia- [looking at her softly smiling] I know you’ll be here in a second.
Liz- That’s right…
Hugging one another tightly not knowing when again they would see each other they stood quietly.
Gia- [after a few moments] Be safe Elizabeth…
Liz- [softly] You too…
Gia- I’ll call you after… when…
Liz- I’ll be there…
Gia- [softly] I know…
Quickly hugging one last time Elizabeth left returning to Jason and Elena while Gia sat quietly on the couch thinking of what exactly to say to Nikolas.
Chapter 8
The stars were brighter then they had been in a while which made tonight the best night for stargazing. Huddled in a blanket on their back porch Jason quietly explained each star of importance to Elena. Slowly opening the door Elizabeth entered searching each room for Jason and their daughter. Leaning against the door rest to the back porch Elizabeth listened as Jason softly spoke to Elena.
Jason- [softly as his daughter slept in his arms] I know you miss your mother but she’ll be home soon. She went to help a friend who needed her but she’ll come back to us.
Jason smiled as a slow smile crept over Elena’s tiny face as she slept. Holding Elena closer to him Jason sighed thinking about how much his life changed. Though he still worked for Sonny their lifestyle never reached him. Being with Elena and Elizabeth it felt as if he had been given another chance at a normal life and this time he would hold on to it and them and never let go. Sensing a presence behind him he smiled again knowing Elizabeth had returned
Jason- [quietly] You’re home…
Liz- [softly as she came to sit next to him] Yeah…
Jason- How long have you been standing there?
Liz- Not long…
Jason- [leaning over to softly kiss her] I missed you.
Liz- [deepening their kiss] Not as much as missed you.
Jason- Why are you back so soon?
Liz- What you don’t want me here?
Jason- Of course I want you here… I always want you here but…
Liz- Gia didn’t need me anymore.
Jason- Did something happen?
Liz- [softly as she looked away] No…
Jason- Elizabeth…
Liz- [sighing] Deanna, Emily, and Lucky came over…
Jason- [looking at her intently] Did he say something to you?
Liz- [shaking her head] No…
Jason- Elizabeth if he said something…
Liz- [softly touching his arm] He didn’t even see him.
Jason- You would tell me if…
Liz- He can’t do anything to hurt me or us. I’m with who I want to be with and no one or nothing can change that.
Jason- [softly] I know…
Liz- [softly smiling] Good…
Jason- Did you see your grandmother while you were there?
Liz- [looking down] No…
Jason- Why?
Liz- When I see her again I want… I want you and Elena with me so I can show her how happy I am.
Jason- That means a lot to you doesn’t it.
Liz- Yeah… next to you and Elena she’s all I really had and I want to show her that I’m in good hands.
Jason- [softly as he gently kissed her again] Yes you are.
Smiling Elizabeth laid her head on Jason’s shoulder as she gently touched Elena’s sleeping face. Leaning forward she softly kissed her careful not to wake her.
Liz- [softly] I missed her…
Jason- [softly] She missed you too.
Liz- How do you know?
Jason- You could see it in her eyes when I said your name.
Liz- Really?
Jason- Yeah… she smiled every time I mentioned your name which by the way was a lot.
Liz- [smiling] So you missed me too huh?
Jason- [smiling] Yes… I was tempted to go to Port Charles to get you and bring you back to us.
Liz- I wasn’t gone that long…
Jason- One day is too long.
Liz- [smiling as she lightly touched his face] Awww…
Jason- [laughing] Stop…
Liz- If it makes you feel any better I was ready for you to come and get me.
Jason- [smiling] Really…
Liz- Don’t get me wrong… I love Gia… she’s a really good friend and she helped me when I needed someone the most no questions asked…
Jason- But…
Liz- She’s not what I’m looking for to keep me warm at night…
Jason- So you’re just using me for my body?
Liz- [laughing] Of course…
Jason- Ok… [rising with Elena] of course huh…
Liz- [laughing] I was only playing…
Jason- We’ll see…
Liz- [following behind Jason and Elena] We’ll see what?
Jason- If you can really handle all of this body.
Liz- [stopping in Elena’s doorway with her hands on her hips] Is that a challenge?
Jason- [a devilish smile on his face as he turned back to face Elizabeth after carefully lying Elena in her crib] Well…
Liz- Well?
Jason- [smiling as he slowly approached her] Well you can take it how you want to…
Squealing Elizabeth took off in the direction of their room with Jason following quickly behind her. Catching her as she reached their bed Jason grabbed her and fell with him on top of her. Kissing her passionately Jason quickly took control of Elizabeth sending her over the edge and back with a few simple kisses. Breaking away they both were panting in need of air before they could continue.
Jason- So… [softly kissing down her neck leaving a trail of fire behind him] do you think you can handle it?
Liz- I uh… [losing herself with each kiss] I’m willing to die trying…
Jason- [kissing the valley between her breasts] What a way to go…
Liz- [quickly tugging Jason’s shirt off of his body hungrily kissing his exposed chest] What a way…
Kissing her again all thoughts of conversation and challenges left as they greedily made love to each other. As they lay in each other’s arms basking in the afterglow of their loving making Elizabeth snuggled up closer to Jason.
Liz- So how did I do?
Jason- Huh?
Liz- [smiling] Your challenge… did I pass it?
Jason- Yeah but…
Liz- But?
Jason- It’ll be harder the next time you have leave me…
Liz- I’m not going anywhere…
Jason- [softly as he positioned himself over her ready to make love to her again] Good…
Liz- [opening her legs to him] Good…