As she lovingly touched Elena’s picture she wondered how much longer she would have to continue to keep this secret. They were happy with a child… why should she have to continue to keep this to herself. She wanted to shout it to the world proving everyone who doubted them wrong. Yet even if she were to tell the people around her they would still question the relationship. She slowly shook her head realizing she was in a no-win situation. She was alone thankfully because she still needed time to think. The time had come again and a lot of decisions had to be made before it was too late. Sighing heavily she tenderly touched her stomach knowing that whatever choices she made would change life as she knew it forever. Wiping away tears she hadn’t realized she was crying she stood silently looking out of their bedroom window yet seeing nothing. She missed them… she missed her more than she could say and as her life slowly took on a whole meaning she wished she could be by her side. She needed her but there was nothing she could do. Taking a deep breath she caressed her growing stomach again as she softly wondered aloud…

Gia- [softly] What are you going to do now Gia?

Nikolas longed to be home. Knowing Gia was there waiting for him made working nearly impossible. He loved her like he had loved no other. She was his life and the possibility of her not being a part of him he could not face. For once he found someone who was his and his alone. Katherine… Sarah… Robin… Elizabeth… At one time he thought that he would love each for a lifetime. Yet the love… or what he mistook for love was never returned, never given to him. As he looked sadly at his past “loves” he slowly shook his head for he knew with he had been living a fantasy. In truth all who he deemed to be in love with loved someone else or had hidden agendas that he was too blind to see. Yet with Gia the love he gave to her was so freely given back in return. She stood by him through the worst his life seemed to offer him never wanting anything in return. And to love him still despite the many objections that faced them gave him reason to hope that finally… finally he had found the love of his lifetime… finally he found his soulmate. He smiled softly as he touched the ring in his pants pocket. In time he would be asking Gia an important question and he hoped her answer would be the one he prayed.

Nikolas- [softly as he fingered the ring in his pocket once again] She’s gonna say yes… she has to say yes.

Jason tenderly kissed her neck as she sat in front of him slowly rocking Elena to sleep. He gently held Elizabeth as she held their baby. They sat this way for hours reveling in the sensations this simple act gave them. Slowly but surely they had created a family from the fractured relationship that was theirs. Though he never said it aloud Jason still regretted his decision to leave Elizabeth in Port Charles. Silently he wished he could have been there when she discovered that life was growing within her. He wished he could have been there to care for her when morning sickness overtook her. To have discovered her again at “Cupid’s End” and learn of their pregnancy marked an important moment in his life and growth. Caring for Michael only to have him taken away because of actions of others hurt him more than he could ever say. And thoughts of being a father was shelved and long forgot about. Yet when he held his ear to Elizabeth’s stomach he knew his life had begun again. And all that he was afraid to hope for was finally within his reach. Watching Elena being born into this world gave his life new meaning and purpose. Never again would he leave things unsaid, never again would he let an opportunity to live and enjoy life pass him. Elizabeth and Elena were his world and nightly he vowed to forever keep them by his side.

Jason- [softly as he gently tightened his arms around her] I love you…

Elizabeth smiled softly to herself as Jason arms slightly tightened around her. Although she occasionally missed Port Charles life with Jason made everything worth it. Loving Jason was easy but to have him love her back in return strengthened her. In life and love Elizabeth was forced to face and accept many things. And the feelings on unwant and disregard plagued her so. And although she knew of his love Elizabeth had unspoken fears that one day like many in her life he too would leave her. Yet somehow Jason’s constant love broke through the wall long in building and for once she was able to love with all of her heart. And like Jason the arrival of Elena placed new importance on and in her life. When Elena was born and she gently held her in her arms for the first time Elizabeth softly promised to love her unconditionally and with all of her heart. She promised her that she would love her and Jason forever and that she would never leave her as her parents had her. Having Jason’s arms around and the touch of his lips on her neck her reminded her of her promises and all that had finally come to her.

Liz- [softly smiling] I love you too.

Something had to give. He was at breaking point and he did not know what he could do to stop it. Something in his was broken and he had no idea how it could be fixed. After Elizabeth left life for Lucky returned to normal… well as normal as expected. He and Deanna started anew and their relationship was better than either could have hoped. He and Nikolas had repaired their relationship as well and life with his brother was as it once was. Yet despite all the good he was experiencing lately… lately even the slightest of things were getting to him. There was an anger boiling in him that more often than not he could not control. The first couple of times it exploded around him he was able to explain it away but now as the incidents occurred more often Lucky was confused as to how to stop and control them. Shaking his head as he watched Deanna in the bathroom mirror trying again to cover his latest explosion Lucky prayed for a sign or clue as to why he was suddenly changing again. Walking slowly to Deanna trying his best to ignore how she stiffened as he reached out and touched her he again attempted to explain.

Lucky- [softly] Deanna… Deanna I’m sorry… I never… I never meant to hurt you.
Deanna- [softly as she tried her best to keep the fear from her voice] I know Lucky…
Lucky- It won’t… it won’t happen again.
Deanna- [slowly nodding despite the numerous times she heard his promise] I know.
Lucky- [softly as he hugged her] I love you.
Deanna- [softly crying fearing she would never escape him] I love you too.