Chapter 61
~ Kelly’s ~
As the days grew longer since Jason’s departure Elizabeth often found herself with only her memories as her companion. Except for the occasional visits from Gia and Nikolas Elizabeth was pretty much alone. Lucky was out of her life, and despite her promises not to leave her alone Emily rarely came around. Elizabeth knew that Emily still blamed her for Jason leaving and until she could get over that there was no point in pressuring her. In time she hoped they could be friends again but when she did not know.
Tammy- Hey hon… if you want you can take a break. We’re really slow right now and I’m sure you don’t want to stand around waiting for the next customer to come in.
Liz- Are you sure Tammy? Because I can stay…
Tammy- [fanning her hand] Oh go ahead sweetie. If someone comes in I can handle them.
Liz- Thanks… [smiling] I’ll just be outside if you need me though…
Tammy- [smiling] Ok…
As Elizabeth settled on the bench outside of Kelly’s breathing in the fresh air thoughts of Jason returned. There were so many things she missed about him not being there but most of all she missed him. After she finally ended things with Lucky for a brief moment she was able to experience what it felt like to be completely Jason’s and he completely hers. Putting her head back she closed her eyes reliving one of their moments.
~ Flashback ~
It seemed as if they were the only two people in the world. For an entire weekend it was just them… no distractions or negativism about them being together. After spending what felt like an eternity on his bike with the wind at their back they came back to her studio ready to christen it their way.
Liz- [smiling] So what are we going to do now?
Jason- [smiling] I got a couple of ideas…
Liz- [smiling] Do you?
Jason- [smiling as he nodded his head] Yes…
Liz- [smiling] What?
Jason- [smiling] In time… I want to see you paint first.
Liz- Come on… I can paint anytime...
Jason- I know…but do it for me… I like the little look that comes across you face when you are trying really hard.
Liz- [smiling] You do?
Jason- Yeah…you’re sorta cute with you face all scrunched up.
Liz- [smiling] Whatever… why don’t you paint with me…
Jason- [laughing] Sorry I’m not a painter…
Liz- [coming over and taking him by the hand] Come on…it’s not that hard.
Jason- [shaking his head] I don’t think this is a good idea…
Liz- I’ll help you…
As Elizabeth attempted to show Jason an easy technique in painting he complained the entire time. Claiming he couldn’t even hold the brush right Elizabeth came and stood behind Jason wrapping her arms around him to help aid him. Hearing a soft laugh escape his lips Elizabeth knew he was faking the entire time. Coming to stand in front of him she dripped her brush in the paint and “accidentally” spilled some on Jason.
Jason- Hey…
Liz- [feigning surprise] I’m sooo sorry. I don’t know how that happened…
Jason- [wiping away the paint] It was a mistake…no big deal.
Liz- [trying her best to hide her laughter] I’m sorry about that…
Jason- I told you no big deal… [noticing her laughter] you did that on purpose…
Liz- No I… [laughing] I…I…didn’t. I swear it was a mistake.
Jason- [laughing] Yeah I bet…
Liz- [smiling] It was…
Jason- [slowly nodding his head smiling] Yeah ok…
[Noticing the devilish glint in his eye] Liz- What are you thinking? You don’t think I…
Jason- [smiling] Of course not…
Liz- [smiling not sure of Jason’s expression] Ok…
Jason- Ok…
Liz- I’ll go…I’ll go get something to clean you up.
Jason- [nodding as he smiled] Ok…
Elizabeth looked at Jason one last time and quickly went across the room to get a towel to clean his hand. As she returned she realized why Jason seemed so calm. He stood there waiting for her paint filled brush in hand.
Liz- [smiling] Come on now…
Jason- [smiling as he approached her] Hey it’s only fair…
Liz- [holding out her hand trying to keep distance between them] That…that was a mistake…
Jason- [laughing] Yeah right…
Liz- [laughing] I’m not…I’m not going to let you put paint on me…
Jason- [smiling] You don’t have much choice…
Liz- Jason…
Jason- Elizabeth…
Liz- [laughing] Ok ok…it wasn’t a mistake you had it coming…
Jason- I had it coming…
Liz- Yes…[moving around the couch as he continued to approach her] you…you weren’t even trying to paint.
Jason- [smiling as he neared her] I told you I’m not much of a painter…
Liz- [smiling] Come on now Jason…
Jason- [smiling as he waved the loaded paintbrush at her] We can either do this the easy way or the hard…
Liz- [surprising him as she attempted to run] The hard way…
With not much room to run around the small studio Jason easily caught Elizabeth as she fell and effectively pinned her to the ground.
Jason- First of all are you ok?
Liz- Depends…
Jason- On what?
Liz- [smiling] On whether or not you let me up…
Jason- [laughing] Not a chance…
Liz- [laughing] Well if that’s the case… go ahead and get it over with.
Jason- [devilishly smiling] Oh it’s not going to be that easy… I have something else in mind…
Liz- Really…
Jason- [smiling] Really…
Jason bent forward and lightly kissed her on her lips. Deepening the kiss as all other thoughts were forgotten. As he began to get off of her to help her up Elizabeth pulled him back to her to kiss him again.
Jason- [breathlessly as their kisses became more urgent] Liz…
Liz- [as her hands slowly began to roam and explore him] Jason…make love to me.
Jason- [quickly losing control] Elizabeth…
Liz- [unzipping his pants] Jason…
Unable to fight his desires any longer he and Elizabeth quickly disrobed and made love on the floor of her studio amid the paint splatters and crumpled papers. As they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking, the tarp a makeshift cover Jason smiled down on Elizabeth.
Jason- [smiling] Wow…
Liz- [laughing] Is that a compliment?
Jason- Yes… [smiling as he nodded his head] wow…
Liz- You ready for another wow?
Jason- [laughing] I don’t know if I can handle it…
Liz- [smiling] There’s no way to know for sure unless…
Jason- [positioning himself over Elizabeth once again] I like the sound of that…
Liz- [kissing him again]So do I…so do I.
They continued wowing each other the rest of the night never once letting the outside world invade what they had created…
~ End of Flashback ~
As she opened her eyes wiping away a tear she saw Lucky and Deanna walking toward her…
Lucky- Deep in thought huh?
Liz- [surprised that Lucky had spoken to her] Yeah something like that…
Lucky- I guess I shouldn’t ask about what…
Liz- No…no you shouldn’t…
Lucky- [angrily] Why are you even wasting your time?
Deanna- Lucky… [he looks at her angrily] come on you promised.
Lucky- But…
Liz- [shaking her head] I don’t want to hear it anyway.
Lucky- It’s for your own good…
Liz- Says who?
Lucky- You should be happy that someone cares enough to say something…it’s obvious Jason didn’t…
Liz- [angrily] You leave Jason…
Lucky- [cutting her off in the middle of her statement] That’s right Jason left. He got what he wanted and left.
[Fed up with his comments about Jason she angrily stood folding her arms readying herself for battle] And just what do you think he got?
Lucky- You tell me… you were the one sneaking around behind my back.
Liz- [looking at Deanna] I wasn’t the only one…
Lucky- [angrily] Don’t bring Deanna in this to cover your guilt…
Liz- [shaking her head] I have nothing to feel guilty about.
Lucky- You don’t?
Liz- No I don’t… [taking a deep breath] Jason and I loved each other and…
Lucky- And he left you… [shaking his head] don’t you get it yet?
Liz- Get what?
Lucky- That you were used…
Deanna- Lucky!
Liz- [shaking her head] Whatever you say Lucky…
Lucky- If you can stop being dumb long enough you would realize…
Liz- [angrily as she unfolded her arms] Excuse me…
Lucky- [shouting] Open you eyes Elizabeth…
Liz- [shaking her head] You know what… I did and I realized that I was better off without you…
Lucky- [frowning] Whatever…
Liz- [slowly] I opened my eyes and I saw that Jason was who I wanted… Jason was better for me…
As Nikolas and Gia rounded the corner Lucky’s and Elizabeth’s "conversation" became louder…
Nikolas- What’s going on here?
Liz- [shaking her head] The usual… your brother giving his opinion where it is not wanted.
Nikolas- Lucky… [pausing as he looked from Elizabeth to Deanna to Lucky] leave it alone man…
Lucky- No… [shaking his head] someone should tell her…
Liz- Not you. You have no right…
Lucky- [shouting as he pointed at her] I have every right! You left me!
Liz- We left each other…
Nikolas- [turning to face Lucky] Lucky…this is not the time or place for this.
Lucky- [shouting] Why not? It’s the truth…
Nikolas- It’s not your place… [reaching out for him] come on let’s go…
Lucky- [shaking his head] No… You feel the same way I do… why are you acting this way?
Nikolas- Regardless to how I feel you can’t keep doing this.
Lucky- But…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Lucky it’s wrong… you have to see that…
Lucky- I’m trying to show her…
Liz- [whispering] By hurting me…
Nikolas- [softly touching Elizabeth on the arm] You’re not going about it the right way. You’re only hurting her…
Lucky- [softly] That’s not my intent…
Nikolas- Nonetheless that’s what you’re doing.
Gia- [softly speaking to Elizabeth] Are you ok?
Liz- [slowly shaking her head] No… but I will be.
Deanna- [softly] Come on Lucky…let’s go inside.
Gia- [looking compassionately at Elizabeth] Maybe we should go some place else.
Nikolas- [nodding] Yeah, that’s a good idea…
Liz- [shaking her head] You don’t have to.
Lucky- [looking at Elizabeth he mumbled] I’m sorry…
Liz- [softly] I know…
Lucky- I really am… [Lucky takes Deanna by the hand and quickly walks away from Kelly’s and Liz with his head lowered.]
Nikolas- [softly] I’m sorry…
Liz- [shaking her head] It’s not your fault.
Nikolas- I know but still… [softly] don’t take what he said…
Liz- [saddened] Don’t you feel the same way too?
Nikolas- Elizabeth… [softly] I only want what’s best for you…
Liz- [slowly shaking her head] Jason is gone now. You should be happy.
Nikolas- I’m not because you’re not… [softly touching her arm] Elizabeth you’re my friend…I love you.
Liz- [speaking softly as she looked down] It doesn’t feel like it…
Nikolas- I know and if I could change things I would… [quietly] I…I sorta miss you…
Liz- [looking up at him speaking softly] I miss you too…
Nikolas- [smiling softly as he held his hand out to her] Come here… [Elizabeth quickly went into his arms. As Nikolas hugged her tightly he spoke softly] I only wanted to see you happy.
Liz- [quietly] Well I’m not…
Nikolas- You will be…
Gia- [smiling] Careful now…I might get a little jealous with all this hugging going on.
[As Nikolas released her she wiped away the tears that started to fall] I’d be almost tempted if…
Nikolas- [gently taking her hand in his] Elizabeth. If he really loves you…
Liz- [nodding her head] He does…
Nikolas- Then he’ll come back to you…
Liz- Thank you…
Nikolas- [nodding] I…we have to go. But…but I’ll see you later ok…
Liz- [smiling] I hope so…
Gia- [hugging Elizabeth quickly] Take care of yourself ok…
Liz- [nodding] I will…I hope…I’ll see you both again soon.
Nikolas- [gently squeezing her hand] You will. [pausing as he looked at her] I’m glad…I’m glad we’re friends again.
Liz- [as she squeezed his hand in return]We always were… and will be.
Nikolas nodded as he hugged again quickly. He kissed her on the cheek as he and Gia slowly walked away holding hands. Elizabeth smiled happy that at least one of her friends came back to her. It seemed as if she had lost both Jason and her friends at the same time and to have at least one back helped her more than she could say. As the dinner crowd slowly filed into Kelly’s Elizabeth took a deep reassuring breath and returned into to help Tammy.
Chapter 62
~ The Deli ~
San Bernardino, California
Leaving never got easier and it never made any situation better. The only thing it made him do is miss the people he loved even more. Jason thought leaving Elizabeth was for the best but he was wrong. Every second of every day thoughts of her flooded his mind. The memory of the look on her face as he pulled away kept him awake most night. Often he would find himself going to the phone to call her when the memories got to be too much. He wanted to see her, love her, laugh with her again. He wanted her again but he couldn’t put her through what being with him would eventually do to her. The way she shined when laughter crossed her face, or the way it felt her body warm beneath his was a marvel he would never be able to explain. It hurt without her near, a pain worse than Robin’s betrayal and the loss of Michael combined. Because for one brief moment in Elizabeth he found everything to live for. Despite everything and every obstacle she still wanted to be with him. Robin, Michael and Sonny showed him how to love but with Elizabeth he finally felt what someone loving you was like. Shaking his head as he sat at his outside table of the trendy Californian restaurant/deli he tried to remove all thoughts of Elizabeth but he knew it was useless. She would always remain there and regardless to how fast he pushed his bike or how much he told himself not to think of her she stayed. So for one brief moment he closed his eyes and dreamed her beside him. For one brief second Jason could almost feel the warmth of her smile and the gentle touch of her kiss upon his face. He could feel her arms wrapped tightly around him when they rode the bike or made love. He could almost feel her.
Waitress- A penny for you thoughts…
Jason- [a small smile spread across his face] Is that all you have to offer?
Waitress- [smiling] I could give you more but they might notice the money out of the tip jar missing.
Jason- That’s ok… [smiling] you wouldn’t want to hear about what I’m thinking anyway…
Waitress- [smiling] You’d be surprised.
Jason- Maybe… my thoughts huh… [sighing] maybe I’ll tell you one day…
Waitress- Just not today huh?
Jason- [slowly shaking his head] No…not today.
Waitress- Ok… [turning to leave] the usual right?
Jason- [slowly smiling] Yeah the usual.
Waitress- [pausing as she leaving she turned and looked back at Jason] Maybe you should call her…
Jason- [slowly shaking his head] I can’t…
Waitress- I’m sorry
Jason- [softly] So am I…
Jason watched as Kallie returned to the counter to help the next customer. She reminded him a lot of Elizabeth and that was the main reason he came to The Deli every day. Seeing her gave him a little piece of Elizabeth and that helped him to go on…it helped him to hope. They looked alike…almost identical but in Kallie there was something missing. She didn’t have Elizabeth’s dancing eyes, or inviting smile. She didn’t make his heart beat faster just by the presence of her whereas just a glimpse of Elizabeth and he knew he was alive. After a few minutes Kallie smiled as she approached Jason with his order in hand.
Kallie- [smiling] Jason can I get you anything else?
Jason- [smiling as he stood] No I’m fine…as a matter of fact I think I’m gonna leave…
Kallie- You sure?
Jason- [nodding] Yeah…
Kallie You didn’t even eat yet…
Jason- I know but I’m not hungry now so…
Kallie- Do you want to take it with you? I mean I can get a food carrier…
Jason- [shaking his head] No…thanks anyway. I left the money and a tip on the table.
Kallie- [quickly retrieving the money off the table] Wow Jason this is a $20.00 tip…
Jason- [nodding] I know…
Kallie- But I didn’t do anything to deserve this… I mean I can see if you ate something and I kept coming back to the table. But even then…
Jason- [smiling] Relax…that makes up for all the other times I didn’t leave that big of a tip…besides I sorta like the waitress.
Kallie- [smiling] Thank you…
Jason- [smiling] Thank you…I’ll see you later ok…
Kallie- Ok…
She smiles as Jason slowly walked away from her. What did he mean he liked the waitress? Was it possible that Jason was starting to think of her like that? Kallie noticed Jason the first time he came into The Deli. He was gorgeous…not that she never seen someone as nice looking as him in California…but when he actually took the time out and had a real conversation with her she was hooked. She found herself watching the door until he came in and only then breathing a sigh of relief. Relief that she had not dreamed him up and that he really did exist. Could it be possible… could he really be liking her like she did him? Walking back to the counter she silently prayed so.