March 22, 2014

This entry is part 3 of 10 in the Life's Little Quirks

Lucky leaned against one of the finished cars in Jason’s garage as he watched the owner work on one of the motorcycles. “So…what’d you think of Lizzie?”

Jason stood and headed for the sink to wash the grease off his hands. “What?”

“Lizzie–my friend…the girl whose car broke down an hour ago…” Lucky frowned. “Or have you blocked her out?”

“Why do you call her that?” Jason asked, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Call her what?” Lucky asked. “Lizzie? It’s a nickname.”

“She hates it,” Jason murmured, trying to get the grease out from under his fingernails. He tossed the towel aside and headed for the office.

“How can you tell?” Lucky asked, following him. “You met her for eight seconds.”

“You don’t see the way her mouth tightens when you call her that?” Jason asked, pulling the door open and entering.

Lucky grinned. “So you were checking her out.”

Jason turned and gave him a glare. “No. Any one who was looking would know.”

“All right, so I won’t call her Lizzie any more.” He shrugged. “So, what did you think of Elizabeth?”

“She’s nice,” Jason said. He looked up then, confusion painted on his face. “It was weird. She looks really familiar–like I’ve met her before.”

Lucky fiddled with one of the magnets on the filing cabinet. “She’s lived here for six years. You might have run into her before you moved.”

“It’s possible,” Jason replied. “Well, I’m closing. You done poking around?” he asked.

“I guess.” Lucky followed Jason to the front of the garage. “So what’re you doing tonight?”

“Dinner with Sonny and Brenda,” Jason replied, grimacing.

“Ah, the great Brenda Corinthos,” Lucky nodded knowingly. “She can be…a little…well…”

“Bitchy?” Jason supplied.

“If Brenda hears you calling her that, she’ll make it her business to make your life a living hell.”

Jason shrugged. “Yeah, well, it wouldn’t take much.”

“You still thinking about Carly?” Lucky asked abruptly. Jason stopped and stared at him and Lucky shrugged. “Well, I just wondered–I mean you dated the girl, you left town for her and she dumped you. I–”

“Drop it,” Jason said sharply. “I’ll see you later.”

—-

Brenda Barrett Corinthos was easily one of the most beautiful women in Port Charles. The former Face of Deception was always recognizable with her big dark eyes framed with long lashes, her long dark brown hair, medium complexion and full red lips.

Right now, the former model didn’t resemble the gracious and poised woman of society she’d once been. She was holding her bleeding hand and glaring at her husband of eight months, Sonny Corinthos.

“If you weren’t so damned anal, I wouldn’t be here,” she snapped.

“If you hadn’t been reaching for a glass while I was cooking,” Sonny Corinthos began, an amused smile on his face which only served to enrage his small wife more.

“You know what, Sonny–” Brenda let loose a string of profanities–mostly in Spanish. Jason stood off in a corner, wincing at Brenda called Sonny every name in the book–he could see the regret Sonny had for even teaching Brenda the language written on the mobster’s face.

“Hello,” a familiar voice said. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Dr. Elizabeth Webber, her long brown hair clipped up and a long white lab jacket covering a pair of jeans and a blue shirt, entered the room. “I’m Dr. Webber.”

“I’m Brenda Corinthos and I seemed to have cut my hand,” Brenda said, her charming smile back in place.

Elizabeth set her clipboard aside and took her hand. She frowned. “I’m going to have to get some antiseptic and clean this.” She turned away from Brenda to head over to a cabinet to retrieve the antiseptic and stopped when she noticed Jason. “Oh, hi.”

“Hey,” he greeted.

Sonny frowned. “You two know each other?” he asked, looking back between his best friend and his wife’s doctor.

Elizabeth turned to him and shook her head. “No. Not really. We just both know the same people.” She continued to the cabinet and fished out the antiseptic she was looking for.

She returned to Brenda and set about cleaning the hand. The second the antiseptic touched her skin, Brenda hissed and tried to draw back her hand. Elizabeth held it in a steady grip.

“I know, it stings.” Elizabeth gave her a warm smile. She started to talk to her as she cleaned. “I always hate having to use this stuff–I keep telling the hospital it’s too harsh on skin.”

“You’re telling me,” Brenda grumbled as the antiseptic bit into her skin. She grimaced. “This is almost as bad as Jason’s cooking.”

Jason didn’t respond to the remark but Elizabeth laughed. “I know how that is–my best friend Nikolas thinks he’s some sort of gourmet, but he nearly blew up my kitchen the last time he was in it.”

“Men,” Brenda snorted. “They think they know everything.” She leaned forward, not even paying attention as Elizabeth finished cleaning the hand. “You know how this happened?”

“How?” Elizabeth asked, opening a suture kit.

“I was getting a glass in our kitchen and Sonny–my husband,” Brenda paused to glare at him. “He was worried because I was grabbing the glass the wrong way–said I’d smudged it. He tried to get the glass, I tried holding it away…and well…as you can see—OW!”

Elizabeth kept her hand steady even Brenda cried out in pain. “Sorry, but I need to give you a few stitches. Try not to concentrate on it.”

Brenda gritted her teeth. “All right. How old are you?”

Elizabeth didn’t look up as she answered. “Twenty-seven.”

“How long have you lived in Port Charles?” Brenda asked, trying to pull her hand back.

“Six years. Try and keep your hand steady,” Elizabeth said. “It’ll make this go faster.”

“Got a boyfriend?” Brenda asked. She looked over Elizabeth’s shoulder at Jason and tilted her head towards the brunette as if saying, she’s cute. Go for it. Jason just glared at her.

“Nope,” Elizabeth murmured.

“Why’d you become a doctor?” Brenda asked.

Elizabeth finished the last suture and pulled out a roll of gauze to wrap the hand. “It’s a strange story actually.”

“Tell me,” Brenda said, now curious.

“Well,” Elizabeth began, “I was a senior in college and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. One day, I had an accident and the surgery that saved my life inspired me to go into medicine.”

Brenda flexed her hand and winced a little in pain. Elizabeth started writing out a prescription. “What sort of accident?” Brenda asked.

“Don’t mind my wife,” Sonny said, speaking for the first time since Elizabeth had entered the room. “She’s naturally nosy.”

“It’s fine,” Elizabeth said, throwing the other man a smile. She looked back to his wife. “I was attacked in an alley.”

Brenda bit her lip. “Oh, sorry.”

Behind them, Jason frowned. Attacked in alley.

“My b-back. I t-think–he’s s-s-stabbed….Oh god…it h-hurts.”

“Don’t be,” Elizabeth said, oblivious to Jason’s memory flashes. “I was stabbed in the back, but someone came along and called 911.”

“That was lucky,” Brenda replied, taking the prescription.

“You’re going to want to take two of those a day, for the pain,” Elizabeth said. “I won’t need to take the stitches out; they should disintegrate by themselves in about two or three weeks. If not, come back and we’ll take them out.”

“Thanks,” Brenda said. She looked up and gave the doctor a bright smile. “You’re nice.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth said, obviously amused. She picked up her clipboard and made a few notations. “You’re nice too.”

Jason snorted and Brenda glared at him. “Quiet you,” she directed pointing a finger at him.

“All right, I’d better get you home,” Sonny said, coming forward. He looked to Elizabeth. “Are there any special instructions I should know about?”

“Nope,” Elizabeth said. “As long as she takes the pills and doesn’t get the stitches wet, she’ll be fine. Of course, I do have a suggestion.”

“Okay,” Sonny nodded.

“Maybe you shouldn’t fight with her over the glass,” Elizabeth said, unable to keep the smile off her face.

Sonny grinned. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Brenda hopped off the bed. “What’s your first name?” she asked, allowing Sonny to drape her coat over her shoulders.

“Elizabeth,” she replied.

Brenda held out her uninjured hand. “Brenda Corinthos. This is my husband, Sonny. And I like you.”

“You sure you didn’t give her any medicine yet?” Sonny asked.

Brenda glared at him. “You know, since Robin moved to Paris, I’ve had just you and that lawyer of yours as a friend. And let me tell you something–Jason ain’t a great conversationalist. Excuse me for trying to make a new friend.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Sonny said, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Nice to meet you, Brenda,” Elizabeth said. “And I know what you mean–I’ve got two brothers for best friends and it’s not easy.”

“Great. Then…” Brenda looked to Sonny. “Give me a piece of paper.”

“What?” Sonny asked.

“I want to give her my number. Give me a piece of paper.”

Elizabeth smiled and tore off a piece from the bottom of her notepad in her pocket. She handed it to Brenda along with the pen. Brenda accepted it and wrote her number. She handed the scrap back to her. “Here, call me when you get time off. I know how crazy these shifts can be.”

“I’ll do that,” Elizabeth said. “It was nice to meet you.”

She watched the trio leave and had turned back to clean up the trash. She didn’t notice the way Jason lingered at the doorway and stared at her for a moment before moving on.

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the Life's Little Quirks

Dr. Elizabeth Webber slid a chart in one of the slots and smiled at a passing nurse. She flexed her arms and rolled her head back and forth, trying to work out the kinks. After a fifteen hour shift, she was finally heading home.

She heading towards the emergency entrance–it was closer to where her car was parked–when they flung open. Automatically, she stepped to the side as a stretcher being rolled by two paramedics rolled past.

She spied her best friend, Nikolas Cassadine, among the two paramedics and stayed back to talk to him. With her crazy shifts, they’d barely had a chance to talk all a week.

She’d met Nikolas six months earlier when she started her internship at Port Charles Memorial Hospital. He’d been rolling in an gunshot wound and they’d started talking. He’d originally hit on her and they’d gone out on a date. Five minutes into the date, they both decided it wasn’t going to work and she’d ended up with a best friend instead.

Nikolas lived with his stepbrother, Lucky Spencer, a firefighter at the station Nikolas worked out of. Lucky was dating a nurse at the hospital, Emily Morgan. Emily worked a lot of night shifts on the maternity ward, so Elizabeth hadn’t had much of a chance to meet her.

She was only waiting a few minutes before Nikolas reappeared. “Webber,” he greeted. He called to his partner, “Hey, Donovan. Give me a few minutes!”

“Hey, Cassadine. Been a while,” Elizabeth said.

“Yeah, how was that fifteen hour shift?” Nikolas asked, grinning. He was constantly ribbing the brunette about her crazy shifts while he only worked the 3-11.

“About as much fun as your last date,” Elizabeth replied. She shifted her book bag higher on her shoulder. “I just wanted to confirm this weekend. Dinner on Friday, right?”

“Oh, I called you but I guess you didn’t get it yet. We’re meeting at Eli’s at 7. Lucky’s bringing Emily, she managed to get the night off, finally.”

“Great!” Elizabeth said. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting her.”

Nikolas hesitated for a minute before continuing. “Lucky invited Emily’s older brother, Jason. They’re good friends–grew up together. He just moved home after a few years away and opened up a bike shop. She’s trying to get him back into a swing of things.” Nikolas leaned forward to whisper confidentially. “He just broke off an engagement.”

Having had a similar experience, Elizabeth just smiled and nodded. “That’s fine. I’ve barely had a chance to hang out with anyone since this internship started. I’ll be glad when it’s over and I can just be an orthopedic surgeon,” she replied.

“You know you love the emergency room,” Nikolas said. He leaned back and looked towards the door. “Donovan’s giving me the look. I’ll see you at Eli’s on Friday if I don’t check you around here.”

Elizabeth fell in step as they walked towards the doors and separated–he went to the ambulance with his partner, Steven Donovan and she headed for the parking lot.

She was looking forward to meeting Emily–she’d lived in Port Charles for six years, but with medical school, she’d barely had five seconds to make any friends. She only knew Nikolas and Lucky because of the job.

She hadn’t had a clue what she wanted to do when she first transferred to PCU, but after her stabbing in an alley, she’d had surgery that had saved her life. She’d become fascinated with medicine.

She still avoided Courtland Street whenever possible–the police had said if the man who called 911 hadn’t found her, she might have bled to death. Elizabeth was grateful, but had never seen him again.

—-

She pushed open her apartment door and her eyes lit up at the sight of her couch. She was so tired she didn’t think she’d make it to her bedroom.

She dropped her jacket and purse next to the door and pushed play on her answering machine as she shuffled to the kitchen to make herself a cup of hot chocolate.

“Webber, it’s me,” Nikolas said. “Dinner at 7 at Eli’s on Friday. Em invited her brother Jason. No, Lucky assured me she’s not setting you up. Not yet anyway. See ya then.”

“Lizzie, it’s Johnny,” the voice of her younger brother came through. “Um…I kinda need some bail money. I’m in this town in Oklahoma and I don’t wanna call Mom and Dad. Uhh…I can’t really tell you what I did, sis…but um, just call Kiki for the details–you remember the number right?”

Elizabeth sighed. Third time this year. She made a mental to note to call Kiki, her brother’s wife. The machine clicked off after Johnny’s message and she sighed in relief. No call from the disapproving parents in Los Angeles. They’d wanted her to stay close and go to Stanford or UCLA, but she’d chosen to leave and go to Boston University.

They’d supported her for three years, but had abruptly cut her off when Elizabeth made it clear that she wasn’t coming back home and marrying some rich little boy. She’d had to apply for scholarships and had won full tuition at PCU. Since then, her mother would call once a week to try and change Elizabeth’s mind.

She wrapped her hands around the warm coffee mug and padded towards her bedroom, grabbing the stack of mail she’d peen piling by the door.

—-

“Okay, let me get this straight,” Emily Morgan began pulling the covers more tightly around her body.

Her boyfriend grinned at her and rolled onto his back, clasping his hands behind his head. “What’s confusing you?”

“Nikolas has an actual female friend that he hasn’t slept with?” Emily asked, her eyebrows raised in amusement. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Lizzie’s not his type. She’s not blonde and she has a brain,” Lucky replied.

“I’ve heard a little about her,” Emily said, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. “She’s supposed to be a great doctor.”

“She’s a great girl–you’re gonna love each other.”

Emily sat up suddenly, her brown eyes sparkling. “Jason’s coming to dinner right?”

Lucky sat up slowly, his blue eyes suspicious. “Yeah…?”

“He needs to start dating again,” Emily said definitively.

“Honey, I don’t think Lizzie is the type of girl that Jason needs to start dating again,” Lucky said, trying to be nice.

Her eyes narrowed. “Why? What’s wrong with my brother?”

Lucky rolled his eyes. “Em. You know Jason and I are friends–there’s nothing wrong with him. Lizzie’s not a casual dater, y’know? She’s more of a relationship girl.”

“Oh.” Emily shrugged. “So, maybe they’ll hit it off.”

“Babe, you haven’t even met Lizzie yet. Wait until you do that before you plan the rest of her life.”

“Fine,” Emily grumbled. “Oh…don’t tell Elizabeth about Jason knowing Sonny.”

“Why not?” Lucky asked. “It’s not like Jason’s in the mob. He just happens to be best friends with the head of it.”

“It’s just scared off some people before and I want her to know Jason before she does that. Besides, how awkward will dinner be if she refuses to talk to him at all?”

“All right, all right. I’ll make sure to tell Nik to keep it on the dl, happy?”

“Happy.”

“Can we sleep now? Because we had two fires today and I’m beat.”

“We can sleep now.”

—-

Elizabeth stared at the gas gauge in mystery. Whenever her car broke down, it was the first place she looked, and she was usually only mildly surprised to find out that she hadn’t filled the tank and she’d run out of gas.

But today, on her way to the grocery store, her car had stalled at a light near Van Ness Street and had died.

And she saw the gas gauge was nearly full–she even remembered filling it the other day. She cursed under her breath as she reached for her cell in her purse. She dug through miscellaneous change, shoved her wallet outside, removed an old piece of string that had somehow made it in there, and grinned in triumph as she pulled the phone out from underneath a pile napkin.

“Hey, Lucky. Is Nik there?” Elizabeth asked.

“Nope. Can I give him a message?” Lucky asked.

“Well…it’s just…my car broke down and you know me and cars. I know Nikolas knows a few things….”

“Hold on, Lizzie,” Lucky said. “Where are you?”

“Van Ness and Jefferson. I’m stalled at the light. The cars are kinda going–hey, you too buddy!”

“Lizzie?”

“Sorry…some guy just gave me the finger.”

“Okay, here’s what I’m gonna do, kiddo. You’re in luck, because I happen to be best friends with the world’s best mechanic and his garage is only a few blocks from there. So, stay put and I’ll get him and we’ll come to you, k?”

“Thanks.”

—-

“There she is,” Lucky said, pulling his Ford truck over and parking a few feet from Elizabeth’s small Honda. “I keep telling her she needs a new car.”

Jason Morgan just shook his head. “Some people get attached to cars. I still have my first motorcycle.”

“Well, some people, like Lizzie…are just too stubborn,” Lucky grumbled, getting out the truck.

As soon as he was visible, Elizabeth shoved her door open and exited. She stopped when she realized she’d only made it out with the strap of her purse–the rest of it had been blocked by the door.

“Son of a…” she muttered, jerking the door open and pulling the purse out.

“Lizzie, Lizzie,” Lucky laughed. “You’re so scatterbrained.”

She glared at him. “You try thinking straight after fifteen hours in the emergency room and then five hours of sleep. Stupid alarm clock. Stupid thing never goes off when I want it to work, only when I want to sleep.”

“Yeah, it helps to turn it off, y’know?”

“Bite me.”

Someone cleared their throat from behind them and Elizabeth leaned around Lucky to catch a glimpse of this mechanic.

And she blinked.

She had no idea they made men like that. Six feet of muscle, topped off with one hell of a face.

Say something. Anything.

“Hi,” she said. “Elizabeth Webber,” she said, extending her hand.

Just before the mechanic’s hand connected with hers, Lucky chirped in, “Dr. Elizabeth Webber.”

She was about to glare at him before the other man shook her hand and she jumped a little.

“Hey, you’ll be okay. Stay with me. Keep talking. What’s your name?”

“Jason Morgan,” he replied, pulling his hand back. “So, what’s wrong with your car?”

Shaking the strange memory away, Elizabeth shrugged. “I haven’t a clue. We were getting along fine until I came to this light. It stalled and then died.” She chuckled. “What I know about cars amounts to what Lucky knows about women.”

“Hey,” Lucky said, clearly insulted.

She only gave him a bright smile before Jason’s name fully registered. “Oh, hey, you’re Emily’s brother.”

“Yeah,” Jason confirmed as he pulled the hood up.

“How did you know that?” Lucky asked. “You haven’t even met Emily.”

“Yeah, well I think the last name tipped me off, not to mention the fact that Nikolas mentioned she had a brother who was a mechanic.” She frowned. “Well, actually he said he opened a bike shop…anyway, I do have brain, Lucky. I’m not one of Nikolas’s bimbos.”

“Okay, okay,” Lucky said, holding his hands up in surrender.

She turned back to see Jason lifting his head from underneath the hood. “Your transmission is shot. There’s no way you’re gonna be using this car for a while.”

Elizabeth glared at the car and kicked the tire. “I should have gotten rid of you last year,” she grumbled.

“Yeah, you should have,” Lucky agreed.

“No one asked you,” Elizabeth muttered.

“Well, normally, people whose cars spend more time in a garage then they do on the street…they buy new ones,” Lucky replied.

“And how am I supposed to pay for a new car?” Elizabeth demanded.”I’ve got rent, I’ve got bills, I’ve got groceries, I’ve got student loans…do you have any idea how much medical school costs?”

“Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t talk anymore,” Jason suggested, eyeing the brunette with amusement.

“Hey, you…you’re supposed to be my friend,” Lucky reminded him.

“Yeah, well, I bet she could take you,” Jason replied, a half smile on his face.

“I could,” Elizabeth said. “Lucky’s a wussy.”

“You know what, Webber,” Lucky began. “I’ll remember that the next time you need help.”

“I’ll just call Nikolas,” Elizabeth said. “He wouldn’t abandon me.”

“Nik? Abandon a woman in distress?” Lucky snorted. “He considers that an invitation for sex.”

“Can we get back to my car?” Elizabeth asked. She turned to Jason. “How much is this gonna cost?”

“Well…I think you’d probably be better off just buying a new car,” Jason said, regretfully. “Because honestly, the transmission is only the immediate problem. You’ll end up spending more to fix this thing than it’ll take to get a new one.”

“I told you that last year,” Lucky reminded her.

“Yeah, well, are you a certified mechanic?” Elizabeth asked. “No. You’re a firefighter. And you only told me that because you’re a mean person who loves to kick me when I’m down.”

“I have never once kicked you,” Lucky said.

“It’s an expression!” Elizabeth said, irritated.

Jason put the hood down and stepped forward. “If you’ll put it into neutral, we can put it on the side of the road until you can figure out what to do with it.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth said. “I really appreciate this.”

Jason shrugged. “Not a problem.” He looked to Lucky. “You think you can stop being an idiot long enough to help me?”

This entry is part 1 of 10 in the Life's Little Quirks

Elizabeth Webber stepped off the city bus and looked around her neighborhood with trepidation. Her first goal was to move out of her apartment on Courtland Street and find some place a little safer to live. She shifted her purple book bag higher on her shoulder and pulled the flaps of her leather jacket closer to protect her from the biting January winds.

She was a senior at Port Charles University with no clue as to what she was going to do after graduation. She knew she had to decide–or she was going to be a screwed college graduate with a liberal arts degree. Some times she thought she might want to teach–but after spending most of her life baby-sitting her younger brother, Elizabeth had decided against it.

Courtland Street was mostly populated by prostitutes and drug dealers, all of whom were out in full force tonight. Elizabeth gripped her book bag tighter. She was only a block from home when someone grabbed her and dragged her into a nearby alley.

At first Elizabeth was too stunned to struggle but she managed to scream. She knew it wouldn’t do any good–residents of Courtland Street learned early to ignore screams.

The guy grabbed her book bag and flung it to the ground. He gripped the bottom of her shirt and started to pull it up.

Elizabeth had been frozen in fear until she felt the bitter wind on her skin. She drove her knee hard up into his groin. He stumbled back and Elizabeth made a run for it.

She barely made it three steps before he grabbed the back of her jacket and she felt a sharp pain explode in her lower back. She screamed again and fell to the ground. She heard footsteps running vaguely but all Elizabeth could concentrate on was the shooting fire in her back.

—-

Jason Morgan was heading towards the bus stop on Courtland Street when a scream ripped through the air. He stopped and waited to hear anything else. When he didn’t, he continued.

He’d walked a friend of his home–he never trusted Carly Benson to get home safely. He kept asking her to move away from Courtland Street, but Carly refused. She couldn’t afford it and adamantly turned down his offers to help with rent on a better apartment.

He was just a block from the bus stop when he heard another scream. He stopped again–it was closer this time. He had only taken a step towards the alley when a man rushed out. He nearly knocked Jason over, but he wasn’t paying attention.

Jason entered the alley and immediately spied a woman lying on her stomach, crying. She was small–he put her in her late teens. She was wearing tight pants and a black leather jacket. He kneeled next to her.

“Are you all right?” he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. It wasn’t the first time he’d found a crying girl in an alley on Courtland Street–walking Carly home as often as he did, he’d found three other girls who’d been raped.

“My b-back,” the girl gasped through her tears. “I t-think–he’s s-s-stabbed…” she trailed off and closed her eyes tightly. “Oh god…it h-hurts.”

Jason’s eyes darted towards her lower back. He couldn’t see anything through the dark jacket. He pulled the jacket up and swore. Her white t-shirt was rapidly becoming with blood. He pulled his cell phone out and called 911.

After hanging up the phone, he turned his attention back to the girl. “Hey, stay with me. The ambulance is coming.”

The girl’s were closed and her breathing was ragged. “Oh god,” she choked. She gritted her teeth. “I’m going to d-die.”

“Hey, you’ll be okay,” Jason said. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Stay with me. Keep talking. What’s your name?”

“L-Liz,” the girl managed to say.

“Hi, Liz. I’m Jason. How old are you?” Jason asked, trying to keep her awake.

“22,” Liz said. She managed to open her eyes to try and focus on the man next to her.

“Really? You look younger,” Jason said. He could hear the sirens. He didn’t want to be here when the police arrived–they’d take one look at him, realize he was a friend of Sonny, and he’d be arrested. He also didn’t want to leave her unless the paramedics were here. “You go to school?”

“Y-yeah,” Liz said. She suddenly arched her back. “Oh, god!”

“Hello? Where’s the girl?”

Jason looked up to see the paramedics starting to flood into the alley. He let go Liz’s hand and stood up. He faded into the background as he waited for the paramedics to concentrate on her. Then he left through the opposite entrance of the alley.

—

Elizabeth was taken to the hospital and had surgery to stop the bleeding. She’d survive–and the only reminder of her attack would be a thin scar on her back. She’d asked everyone about the man who’d stayed by her side until the paramedics arrived, but no one remembered seeing anyone.

She wondered if she’d dreamed his voice–but someone had called the authorities, so someone had to been there. But who was he? And where had he gone?

This entry is part 23 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

Chapter Twenty-Two

November 27, 2003Wyndemere: Kitchen

Sage burst into the kitchen and Alexis immediately tugged Emily in front of her as a shield.

“You killed my father,” the irate teen declared furiously. “And now Carly seems to think that we can just kiss and make up and eat dinner like some Stepford family.”

“Well, Carly was obviously mistaken, but please calm down, Sage,” Emily cautioned. “Alexis, let me go!” she hissed.

“What if she grabs a butcher knife?” Alexis retorted.

“And you want me to be the human shield?” Emily demanded.

Carly flew into the kitchen then. “Sage, please, can we just talk about this–”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Sage hissed. “You were supposed to care about me–and you expect me to apologize to the woman who killed my father?” Her dark eyes were lit in fury and more than just Alexis were nervous about what she might do.

She turned back to Alexis. “How would you like it if someone expected you to sit down and play nice with the person who’s responsible for making you an orphan?” Sage spat. “When all you’d rather do is rip that person’s throat out.”

Carly crossed her arms. “Yeah, Alexis, how would you feel if Nikolas asked you to be the good little girl around Helena?”

Alexis narrowed her eyes. “That’s a low blow.”

“Who’s Helena?” Sage demanded.

“The woman who killed Alexis’s mother–right in front of her eyes,” Carly informed her. “Nikolas’s grandmother.”

Sage hesitated. “You saw her kill your mother?” she asked, her voice a little more quiet, the rage gone.

“When I was four,” Alexis said uncomfortably. “Helena was my father’s wife.”

“Oh.” Sage cleared her throat. “I’m sorry,” she offered, a little insincerely but Alexis recognized the gesture for what it was. She released Emily from her grip and knocked her out of the way.

“You’re welcome,” Emily muttered.

“I’m sorry as well. I didn’t…when Luis came to town, no one knew he had a daughter and I guess…no one imagined he had any sort of family to be honest so I didn’t know…I didn’t understand what I was taking from you.”

“He never told anyone about me?” Sage asked softly. She looked at Carly before looking around at the other women in the room. “Not even…in passing? Maybe when he was in the hospital?”

“I was his nurse and I never heard anything about you,” Bobbie said apologetically.

“Oh.” Sage blinked. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I made such a scene. I’ll just…I’ll go watch the game again, I guess.”

After she was gone, Carly rubbed her head. “Oh…someone tell me teenaged boys are easier,” she muttered.

“That poor girl,” Elizabeth sighed. “How could her father not even mention her?”

“Well, it is Luis Alcazar we’re talking about,” Bobbie reminded everyone as she returned to her cooking. “He doesn’t strike me as world’s best father.”

“Well, we only knew one side of him,” Alexis reminded her. “Obviously, he was someone completely different to his daughter.”

“I should have seen this coming but I honestly didn’t think of it this morning,” Carly sighed. “I’ll just go sit with her and see if she wants to talk.”

“Well, at least dinner is almost done,” Bobbie remarked with mock cheerfulness.

Lorenzo’s Apartment

It was after dark when Sage arrived home, a large paper bag in her arms. “Carly’s mother overcooked so she sent a lot of the leftovers home with me and Carly,” Sage told her uncle as he took it from her.

“Well, that’s good then since neither of us is particularly adept at cooking,” Lorenzo replied. “Carly didn’t come up?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant as he headed to the kitchen.

Sage rolled her eyes and smiled weakly. “Way to be obvious, Uncle Zo.”

“How was dinner?” Lorenzo asked as he unpacked the different containers of food. He took a plate out of the cabinet and started making himself some dinner.

“It was okay.” Sage slid up on the counter and sighed. “My dad…he didn’t love me did he?” she asked softly.

Lorenzo exhaled slowly. “Sage…I can’t answer what was in his heart.”

“He never told anyone here about me,” Sage informed him. “How can that be possible? I mean…everyone talks about their kids at least once in their life right? Carly’s all about the boys and I met Elizabeth Webber tonight and she even talked about her pregnancy as scandalous as it is and all…I just don’t understand why Daddy couldn’t love me.”

“Sweetheart…the lack was not in you,” Lorenzo cupped his niece’s face in his hands. “You are a wonderful, giving person and if he didn’t see that, then it was his loss, his problem. Not yours.”

“But he loved Brenda, right?” Sage asked. “He was always talking about her but he never let me meet her. Why do you think that was?”

“I don’t know,” Lorenzo answered honestly. “I only met Brenda briefly myself.”

“Do you think he told Brenda about me? She was the love of his life and all…he pretty much died for her. Wouldn’t he have at least mentioned me to her?” Sage’s voice was hopeful.

“It’s something you’d have to ask her,” Lorenzo shrugged. “Sage…I just don’t know how I can make this better for you.”

“I guess it’s enough that you want to,” she sighed. “He wasn’t a very good person, was he?” Sage asked. “I heard that he lied to Brenda about her disease and that he kidnapped Georgie and Maxie and that he left Alexis Davis almost dead in the snow…”

“The Davis woman was in premature labor and Luis found her in the park. He left her and she nearly lost the baby,” Lorenzo admitted. “He lied to Brenda because he was afraid she’d leave him and he kidnapped the Jones’ girls to gain leverage on Roy DiLucca. But no–your father wasn’t a good person.”

Sage nodded. “Yeah…I kind of figured that.” She crossed her legs and scratched her ankle. “You are, though. I mean…a good person. And…since I came to live with you…I really love you. I wish…” she took a deep breath. “I wish that you were my father,” she said in a rush.

He leaned over and kissed her softly on the forehead. “That is the single greatest thing anyone could ever say to me,” Lorenzo told her. “And I wish that you were my daughter.”

Sage threw her arms around him then and he hugged her tightly. Whether Lorenzo ended up marrying Carly and they all became or family or not…Sage finally felt accepted somewhere.

She’d finally found home.

December 1, 2003

Port Charles Courthouse

Elizabeth trailed after Ric, a sheaf of papers in her hands. “Sign them, damn it,” she demanded.

Ric turned at the doors of the court room and shook his head. “No. As long as I don’t sign them, you are still my wife.”

“I’m not your wife, damn it!” She shoved them at him again. “Sign them!”

“No,” he said again. He pushed the doors open again and headed down the aisle. “Morning, Scott,” he greeted.

“Mornin,” Scott Baldwin grunted. He glanced at the irate Elizabeth still holding out the papers. “Domestic troubles?”

“Sign the papers, Ric, damn it. We haven’t been married in five months. Why don’t you just end this?” she seethed.

“Because I’m not letting you go that easily,” Ric replied. “You still love me, Elizabeth. And I’m going to make you understand that it’s okay you’re pregnant with Jason’s baby. That doesn’t matter to me. I love you anyway.”

“I don’t want to be with you!” Elizabeth exploded. She slapped the papers down on the prosecution table. “Why does this have to be such an issue with you, Ric? You know if I sue for a contested divorce, I’ll get it. You drugged me–twice, I might add. You sat by and let me drink poisoned lemonade and then–then I find out you’re keeping a pregnant woman locked in our house.” She threw up her hands. “What part of I don’t love you anymore isn’t getting through your thick skull?”

“I made mistakes,” Ric began.

“And then you find out I’m pregnant, you run around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to make sure everyone and their mother knows before I can even get a chance to process it all. How can you possibly say you love me?” Elizabeth slapped a pen down. “Sign them.”

“No.”

Elizabeth made a strangled noise of frustration and dragged her hands through her hair. “I swear to God, Ric, why can’t you just think of someone other than yourself for once?”

“I am,” Ric replied, dropping the charming smile. “I would rather cut off my arm than sign these papers and let you be with that cold-hearted criminal,” he hissed.

“What the hell are you babbling about?” Elizabeth demanded. “I am not leaving you for Jason. I’m leaving you because you tried to kill me!”

“I didn’t try to kill you–that was never my intention,” Ric protested.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You just wanted me to think I was infertile,” she fumed. “And you fed me birth control pills. That’s so much better than trying to kill me.”

“If you two can hold off on the lover’s spat, we have a case to prepare for here,” Scott said.

“If you were any kind of lawyer, this scum would be in prison for what he did to Carly instead of prosecuting other people,” Elizabeth raged. “I don’t know why I even bother,” she muttered. “Sign the papers,” she said again.

“No,” Ric remarked petulantly. “You love me. You just need to remember that.”

“I’ve got to get out of here before I lose my mind,” she moaned. She turned around and started towards the doors of the courtroom only to come face to face with someone she’d rather avoid.

Courtney Matthews-Morgan.

Elizabeth halted in her steps and her cheeks flushed. “C-Courtney.”

Courtney shifted her weight from one foot to the other before looking at the tall dark-haired man next to her. “Hello, Elizabeth. Brian…this is Elizabeth Lansing, Elizabeth, this is Brian Beck.”

“It’s Webber,” Elizabeth corrected, shaking the hand Brian offered. She tossed a heated glance over her shoulder at her estranged husband who just waved and smiled at her. “Just as soon as he signs those papers.”

“I…I didn’t know you hadn’t taken care of that yet,” Courtney said, slightly uncomfortable.

“I’ve been trying to since August,” Elizabeth sighed. “He refuses to sign the papers.”

Brian lifted his eyebrows. “Yeah, he seemed to be the obstinate type when I met him.”

“Yeah, Ric came to Haye’s Landing two weeks ago,” Courtney said. “To, ah, give me the happy news.”

There it was. She’d said the words and they were hanging between them. Two women who’d once been friends and were now as far apart as they could ever be.

“Oh, Courtney, that’s not the way I wanted you to hear it,” Elizabeth said. “I–I am so sorry he’s a jackass and I am even more sorry this all happened–”

“It’s…it’s okay, Elizabeth. I’m–I’m not past it,” Courtney assured her. “But I’m working on it.”

“There should really be a pamphlet for situations like this,” Elizabeth muttered.

“Yeah,” Courtney agreed with a little smile. “Are you–are you staying for the trial?” she asked.

“I don’t think that’d be very appropriate,” Elizabeth replied. “I was just…trying to get Ric to sign the divorce papers.”

“Oh….I was hoping we might have a chance to talk. Clear the air, so to speak,” Courtney told her. “We used…we used to be friends, you know. And I just–I wish there was some way we could work this out.”

“Really?” Elizabeth asked surprised. “I didn’t…I never expected that from you.”

“Well…really, it’s not…it’s not as bad as it all seems. I mean…he was practically your boyfriend when I started seeing him and I never apologized for that and after everything we’ve been through this last year…I just don’t want to fight anymore. I am tired of fighting and feeling like I’m this horrible bad person.” Courtney tightened her hands around the straps of the purse she held in front of her. “So…why don’t you stay? I’m sure…I’m sure Jason could use the extra support and we could get a chance to talk.”

“Okay,” Elizabeth agreed with a wary note in her voice.

Outside The Courtroom

Carly pushed open the door and shut it immediately before turning to Jason. “Okay, I want you remember that you are not the bad guy and that while you are a jerk, you deserve to be happy,” she said in a rush. “Just don’t do anything stupid or say anything stupid.”

Jason frowned. “Carly?”

“Courtney’s in there and I think she brought her friend Brian from Haye’s Landing and well–she’s talking to Elizabeth.”

Jason paled. “She is?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay…then we’d better go in there.” Jason pushed past her and entered the courtroom.

Courtney and Brian turned at the entrance and the already uncomfortable situation became that more unnerving. “Hey, Carly.” Courtney walked forward and kissed her sister-in-law on the cheek. “How are you doing? Are you still seeing Cameron?”

Carly nodded. “Yeah, but with the boys home, it’s been difficult.”

“Brian, this is Carly Corinthos and you’ve…met Jason,” Courtney remarked. “Jason, Carly, this is Brian Beck.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Brian,” Carly said, shaking his hand. “I’m glad…I’m glad Courtney’s doing well in Haye’s Landing.”

“We’re glad to have her there,” Brian remarked, the only one who didn’t seem to be avoiding eyes and staring the floor.

“Well, this is just the oddest gathering of people I’ve ever seen.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. “Ric, go away and sign the damn papers,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Nonsense, darling,” Ric said, putting his arm around her shoulders which Elizabeth immediately knocked away and she backed up into Jason accidentally.

“Ric, why don’t you go somewhere else you’re not wanted?” Carly said coolly. “I think this is already bad enough without your little help.”

“Oh…it can always get worse,” Ric remarked with some false cheer. “Brian, right? We didn’t get a chance to really get introduced when I paid Courtney a visit.”

Courtney glared at him. “Yeah, well, you weren’t welcome then and you sure as hell aren’t welcome now.”

“Well, if you and Elizabeth are going to be the best of friends and I can already see Brian and Jason are going to get along famously, why not just include one more in this twisted group?” Ric remarked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

“Go away,” Elizabeth hissed. “You are just being an asshole.”

“Now that’s no way to get a divorce,” Ric admonished her with a smile.

Carly put a hand on Jason’s arm, seeing the tension in his body. “Why don’t you just give the poor girl her damn divorce already?” she demanded. “She doesn’t want you anymore, Ric.”

“She’s confused,” Ric retorted. “She doesn’t know what she wants. One day she wants Jason, the next she wants me, then she wants Zander. Hell, Courtney, you’d better keep an eye on your new boy toy before Elizabeth decides she wants him.”

“That’s it,” Jason muttered. He took a step forward but Elizabeth found a surprising defender.

“Oh, that’s real rich coming from you,” Courtney spat out. “One day you want Elizabeth, the next you want revenge on your brother, then you want to be this perfect ADA, and then you come over here into a situation that is none of your business and think you can make trouble. Newsflash, Ric, there’s nothing you can say that I don’t already know so why don’t you take your little one liners and your hateful words and take them over to Scott where they might be appreciated.”

“Dear deluded Courtney,” Ric sighed.

“Okay, I don’t really know you and I don’t care to but I believe you’ve been asked to leave us alone about three different times,” Brian remarked. “I’m not going to let you stand there and insult everyone. You’ve got a trial to prepare for so why don’t you go over there and do that?”

“And sign the papers while you’re at it,” Elizabeth seethed.

“Normally, I wouldn’t just slink away but I believe it’s almost to call court into session.” Ric stepped towards Elizabeth as if to kiss her goodbye but she backed up even further, nearly stepping in between Carly and Jason. “Goodbye.”

He moved back to the prosecution table. “We’d better take our seats so that we’re not blocking everyone,” Brian informed Courtney.

“Do you need a ride somewhere?” Jason asked, consciously turning away from his estranged wife and her new male friend.

“Well…I was only here to talk to Ric about the divorce but…”

“I asked her to stay,” Courtney said. “I wanted…to talk to her.”

“Right. If you’re still sure…” Elizabeth hesitated.

“I’m still sure.”

Elizabeth followed Courtney and Brian to the row behind the defense table and Carly frowned. “That’s…odd.”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

“Jason.”

Jason closed his eyes and turned to see Sonny standing behind them with Dara next to him. “Sonny,” he stated.

“I’ve been leaving messages for you,” Sonny remarked coldly.

“I’ve been busy,” Jason remarked. “Dara…do you have a moment?”

“Sure,” Dara remarked. She glanced at Sonny. “Why don’t you go have a seat? Try not to talk to anyone or get into an argument?”

Sonny didn’t answer nor did he talk to his wife. Carly studiously kept her eyes on the ground. Once Sonny was seated, Carly moved into the row behind Courtney.

“What can I help you with?” Dara asked.

“I’m not sure if this is your area and if it’s not, you can recommend me another lawyer but I need to file for divorce.”

+11

This entry is part 22 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

November 27, 2003

Wyndemere: Kitchen

Moments after Elizabeth had returned to her cutting, Jason appeared in the doorway. Immediately, all eyes save Elizabeth’s were on him and he shifted under the intense scrutiny.

“Hey, there,” Emily said quickly. She dumped the last pie on the counter and hustled over to him, trying to push him out the door. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“That’ll have to wait,” Jason told her. “I have to talk to–”

“Oh, you’ve done enough talking for right now. Turn please,” Emily directed. When he just stared at her, she narrowed her eyes. “Now.”

Sighing, Jason moved away from the door and let Emily pull him down the hallway towards the conservatory.

When she was sure Jason was out of earshot, Elizabeth dropped the knife to the counter with a large clatter and sank to the floor, burying her face in her hands, sobs shaking her shoulders.

Alarmed, Alexis and Bobbie rushed across the kitchen and kneeled in front of her. “Honey,” Bobbie sighed, pulling her into a tight hug. “Oh…Elizabeth.”

“It’s not fair,” Elizabeth managed to choke out. “I just–I wanted him to say it for so long and it–it just wasn’t enough…”

Bobbie rocked the hysterical brunette back and forth like she might a small child. “Shh…it’s okay,” she said softly. “You’re right to be upset–and right to be angry.”

“I just don’t understand how he could make love to me and then marry someone else,” Elizabeth whispered, clinging to Bobbie.

“Because men are idiots?” Alexis offered weakly.

“Well…you married someone else too, honey,” Bobbie reminded her gently.

“But Ric was before,” Elizabeth said defensively. She pulled away and wiped her eyes. “Before that night. A-and before he told me it was a mistake.” She closed her eyes. “That it shouldn’t have happened–that it wouldn’t happen again.”

“Oh…” Bobbie sighed. “I have to go with Alexis on this one.”

“Yeah? The men equal stupidity theory?” Alexis remarked. She grabbed some paper towels and handed them to Elizabeth. “Maybe he really thought it was over and just–the night made him realize it wasn’t.”

“I’m sorry.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and pulled herself to her feet. “I’m really–I’m really okay, I promise. I’ve been…I’ve been holding that in for a while and it just–it just came out.”

Bobbie kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “That’s all right, sweetheart. Everyone needs a good cry now and then. God knows you have more than enough to cry about.”

“Okay, that’s really not helping,” Alexis said. “Don’t be so judgmental, Bobbie. It’s not like Elizabeth has done anything wrong here.” She headed back to the counter she’d been sitting on and retrieved her glass of apple cider. “It takes two to tango and from what I hear, Jason started it.”

“And he finished it,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I’m not giving him that power over me again.”

“Do you love him?” Bobbie asked, touching her shoulder. Elizabeth glanced at her.

“Yeah,” she admitted.

“Then you’ve already given him that power,” Bobbie replied. “He’s a good man, albeit clearly a confused one, Elizabeth, and he deserves to be happy just as much as you do.”

Lorenzo’s Apartment

Lorenzo wandered into his living room and sat down. He’d cleared today, hoping that Carly would have dinner at her house and he’d be extended an invitation but when she told him she was having dinner with Jason and her extended Spencer family, he knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to accompany her.

He wanted to be in Carly’s life–part of it. But he would go at her pace now. They’d made significant progress since she woke up from the coma but he wasn’t naïve. There were people who would have trouble accepting him and he knew Carly needed everyone to be okay with this. She wanted her family back and stronger than before.

He’d give her the time and space she needed. As long as time and space didn’t distance them from each other.

The phone on his desk began to ring and he went to pick it up. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me,” Carly said. “I just wanted to check in. I talked my mother into making you a plate that Sage can bring home if you want.”

“That’d be fine,” Lorenzo remarked, pleased she’d thought of him. “How is it going so far?”

“Well, so far it’s okay. Sage is outside with Lucas and Michael. Making snow angels,” Carly laughed. “She’s having a good time–but she hasn’t seen Alexis yet.”

Lorenzo sighed. “Oh…that’s not going to be a good thing.”

“Especially since neither knows the other is here.” Carly shook her head. “I’ll warn Alexis first since she was the intended victim. And I’ll tackle Sage before dinner.”

“So, it’s going well? Everyone’s getting along?”

“Well, everyone except Jason and Elizabeth who are fighting about something he said. I told him to go be honest with her but not ten minutes later, she comes storming down the steps so I bet he messed that up.” She sighed, frustrated. “Why do you men make everything so difficult?”

“You women make it all so complicated,” Lorenzo teased. “See, for us, it’s as simple as how we feel. You guys attach motives and actions to every word we say. Stop doing that and concentrate on how we feel.”

“Well stop doing dumb things for dumb reasons,” Carly replied good-naturedly.

“I’ll work on that. How’s Michael?”

“He’s great, out doing snow angels and snowmen. He actually blurted out the news to Jason about the pregnancy–how did he find out about that?”

“Sage and I were discussing it,” Lorenzo admitted. “And he was there. I believe Sage tried to do some damage control.”

“Lorenzo, I’m sorry…I’m sorry you couldn’t be here today,” Carly sighed. “I wanted you to come but there’s just so much groundwork that needs to be laid first. Not only with my mother and Jason but with Michael and everyone else. I mean–I know it’s right for me but I do love my family.”

“I understand, Carly. Believe me,” Lorenzo assured her. “You’ll just have to come over and let me make you and the boys dinner one night.”

“I think we can arrange that. Listen, I should go and perform the Alexis/Sage intervention, okay?”

“Okay. Have fun.”

Wyndemere: Kitchen

Carly entered the kitchen hesitantly. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Bobbie smiled. “I bet you’re not here to cook,” she teased.

“No…actually…I wanted to tell Alexis something.” She crossed the kitchen to the other woman. “Sage Alcazar came with me to dinner tonight.”

Alexis stared at her. “You’re kidding right?”

“No…she’s been staying with me until her uncle buys a house and…well I’m about to go and talk to her about this. I just really realized the potential problem, I promise.”

“I can’t believe that girl isn’t in jail yet,” Alexis muttered, downing her apple cider like whiskey.

“Hey, you killed that girl’s father,” Carly retorted. “You weren’t exactly happy when Helena killed your mother–try putting yourself in her shoes.”

“You know nothing about what Helena did to my mother,” Alexis said sharply. “That little demon–”

“And you know nothing about Sage,” Carly said softly, her eyes flashing with warning.

“Hey, hey, time out,” Elizabeth stepped between them. “Alexis, I’ve met Sage. She seems like a very sweet–albeit very troubled girl. If she apologized to you…would it be okay?”

Alexis pressed her lips together. “If she apologized.”

“Well, then let me go talk to her,” Carly suggested. “I don’t want to argue with you Alexis. Not today of all days, okay?”

“Okay.” Alexis nodded. “Let’s try a truce.”

“Right.”

Conservatory

“Don’t you know the meaning of space?” Emily demanded, closing the door behind them. “You just sprung the whole love thing on her and you can’t give her five minutes to process that–”

“Carly told me to be honest, I was honest–when does this stop being my fault?” Jason asked, frustrated.

“Okay, big brother, let me give you a clue since you can’t seem to come up with any on your own. One, a woman does not like being told by a married man that they love you. Two, a woman does not like being the other woman and then being told they’re the only woman.” Emily smacked him in the arm. “You sleep with Elizabeth, you marry Courtney, you find out Liz is pregnant and all of sudden, she’s the one you really love? What drugs are you on?”

“That’s not how it happened,” Jason argued. “First of all, I’m separated–”

“If Courtney hadn’t decided to file for divorce, would you still be working out your marriage?” Emily cut in. “Would you still want to be with her?”

“I–” Jason hesitated. “I made vows to her, Emily. I can’t just ignore them.”

“Oh, but you can ignore this love thing you’ve got for my best friend because you made vows to a woman you don’t love?” Emily asked. “Do I need to kick your ass?”

“It’s complicated–”

“It is not complicated, Jason. You either want to be with Elizabeth or you want to be with Courtney. If she walked through the door and said Jason, I want to be with you. I love you and I want our marriage to work, would you go back to her?” Emily pressed.

“Right now? No,” Jason answered. “Because I already told Elizabeth how I feel and I couldn’t go back to Courtney now that it’s in the open.”

“Well at least you have some common sense even if it’s a bit iffy,” Emily snorted. “Next we have to work on explaining to Elizabeth why you would have sex with her and go back to Courtney–”

“It wasn’t sex,” Jason cut in. “Let’s just make that clear right now.”

“Good, you’re catching on quick.”

“I tried to pretend that’s all it was–that it was just a mistake but that’s not true.”

“Did you say that to her?”

“Today, yeah but…” Jason hesitated. “The morning after…”

“Uh oh,” Emily mumbled. “What did you do the morning after?”

Elizabeth shifted in her sleep, reaching out for him even with her eyes still closed. When her hand found empty space, her eyes shot open to find Jason standing near the window.

Fully clothed.

She clutched her afghan to her chest, feeling exposed though all of her was covered. “Jason?”

He cleared his throat but didn’t look at her. Couldn’t look at her. The sunlight streaming through the small window bathed her pale skin in an intoxicating shade of pearl and found the highlights in her hair.

If he looked at her–he couldn’t leave.

“I have to go,” he said shortly. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching out for her. “This–this shouldn’t have happened.”

Elizabeth’s hands started to tremble but she clutched the blanket more tightly to cover it up. “Okay.”

“It was a mistake,” Jason said as if she hadn’t gotten the idea the first time. “I mean–it can’t happen again.”

“Right,” Elizabeth agreed. She closed her eyes. “If you’re going to leave…then go.”

“I’m sorry Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, so am I.”

Emily whacked him upside the head. “You inconsiderate moron! If you weren’t my brother, I’d have Nikolas kick your ass! You’re supposed to be in love with her? You ass!”

“Emily, look, I’m well aware I didn’t handle the situation well–”

“Didn’t handle it well?” Emily repeated. “You’re joking right?”

“How do I fix it?” Jason demanded.

“I’m not even sure you deserve to,” Emily muttered. She stalked across the room and shook her head. “The first thing you need to do is convince her that you were wrong. That if given the chance you would not take Courtney back.”

“How do I do that?”

“Don’t wait for Courtney to file,” Emily suggested. “Do it first. Stop putting other people in front of her on your list of priorities. Sonny, Carly, Courtney, even Michael and Morgan, me–everyone’s gotta come second to her.”

“I wouldn’t feel right filing for divorce. I mean–Courtney’s the one that asked for it–”

“This is what I’m talking about. If you love Elizabeth and you want to be with her, you have to go make some changes in your life, Jason. You used to pride yourself in always being honest, always doing the right thing by you, letting people make their own decisions–that’s the Jason I know, that’s the Jason Elizabeth loves.”

“That’s not who I am anymore,” Jason told her intently. “I haven’t been that person for a long time.”

“That’s bull,” Emily challenged. “You just learned how to be a doormat. You want to be that Jason again? Tell Sonny to go to hell. Tell Carly to depend on herself. Tell Elizabeth that you love her. Tell Courtney that you want a divorce. Be honest with yourself first Jason, because once you do that, everything else will fall into place.”

Fountain

She found the three of them around the corner building a snowman. Sage was currently trying to charm Lucas into giving up his scarf so the snowman could have it.

“Sage, could I talk to you for a minute?” Carly asked, crooking her fingers towards her.

“Sure. I’ll be right back,” Sage told them before following Carly back to the fountain. “Oh my God, you so won’t believe what happened!” she squealed.

“What?” Carly asked.

“Lucas kissed me,” Sage whispered, her eyes sparkling.

Carly blinked. “Wow, I didn’t think–I didn’t see the connection between the two of you. That’s…that’s really great.”

“I really like him, Carly. He’s been so nice this week. I think he might ask me to the Christmas Dance next month,” Sage told her.

“Well, I’m really glad for you and we’ll go get a dress if that happens–but Sage–that’s not why I’m out here.”

Sage frowned. “Why are you then?”

“Alexis Davis is here,” Carly revealed.

Sage’s eyes went flat. “Why?” she spat.

“Because she’s Nikolas’s aunt and we are guests here–Sage, listen to me, I know that you’re angry with her and I understand, but–”

“I want to go home,” Sage said. She jumped to her feet. “Take me home!” she cried.

“Sage, honey–you weren’t here last year–your father left Alexis bleeding and in labor in the snow,” Carly tried to explain.

“She killed my father!” Sage cried, tears gathering in her dark eyes. “Maybe he didn’t love me and maybe he didn’t want me but she still killed him–she took him from me before I could make him love me!”

“Oh…sweetie…” Carly stood and reached for her. “Alexis–she didn’t know–”

“I want to go home!”

Drawn by Sage’s raised voice and the upset tone, Lucas and Michael rounded the corner of the house and Michael ran towards her, throwing his arms around her waist. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

“Nothing,” Sage said flatly. “Go back around the corner.”

“You’re angry. And you’re crying,” Michael said. He shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Sage, is everything okay?” Lucas asked hesitantly. Sage glared at him.

“The woman who killed my father is a guest at this dinner and no one thought it was important enough to tell me. She stabbed him and she pushed him off a balcony,” Sage hissed, “and she got away with it. And what I’m expected to just have dinner with the woman who killed my father?”

“Sage, your father wasn’t exactly a saint,” Lucas argued. “He kidnapped my cousins, he caused Alexis’s sister’s death and nearly caused Alexis to lose her baby–”

“He was still my father!” Sage shrieked. “She killed him! I want to go home. Either you take me,” she told Carly, “or I’ll swim back to the mainland. I’m not staying here.” She stalked past them and headed for the house.

“Oh…I knew this day was a bad idea,” Carly muttered. “Michael, stay with Lucas,” she ordered as she rushed after the irate teen.

Haye’s Landing: Courtney’s House

Courtney removed the plastic try from the microwave and peeled the covering from it. “I can’t believe I’m eating a TV dinner for Thanksgiving,” she muttered, plopping it on the table. She sat down and sighed, pushing at the slightly overcooked food with a plastic fork.

There was a knock on the back door. “Come in!” she called.

Brian entered and flipped on the lights. “Why you eating in the dark?” he asked.

“I thought it would look more edible that way,” she sighed, pushing it away.

“Well, you’re in luck.” Brian set a wrapped plate in front of her. “Home cooked. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce–”

Courtney sat up and smiled at him. “Wow…thanks…this looks so good. I didn’t even realize there wasn’t any food in here until I went to eat something.” She stood and retrieved some real utensils from the drawer. “So I guess that means you ate already.”

“Yeah, I eat with Karen’s family,” Brian told her. “When Karen’s mother heard you were eating alone, she insisted I bring this over and if you’re still here on Christmas Eve, I’ve been instructed to bring you over for dinner.” He grinned and leaned back in his chair. “In fact, she chewed me out for not bringing you with me today.”

“She sounds great,” Courtney remarked as she cut up the turkey.

“She is. Karen’s parents and Bill are really the only family I’ve got left, you know? So it’s good that we all get along.”

“I called Sonny again but he’s still not answering,” Courtney sighed. “I’m going to drive in Sunday night and stay through the trial.”

“Yeah…I’m sure he’ll appreciate your support,” Brian replied. “Have you talked to him since it happened?”

“No,” Courtney told him. “I couldn’t at first because I was here and just talking about his father upset Michael and then…it just got sticky since he found out about Jason, the divorce and Elizabeth. He actually lunged for Jason when he found out.”

“A guy takes his relationship with his sister pretty seriously,” he said. “Bill beat me up the first time I made Karen cry.”

“But Jason and Sonny were like family long before I ever came along and it just…it makes me sad that Sonny would end it over me. I–I really wish I could do this last year over again, you know? I feel like I could have handled it all so much better.”

“The only thing that matters is that you’re doing the right thing now. The right thing for yourself,” Brian told her. “You shouldn’t worry about other people so much.”

“I know…but it’s hard. They’re the only family I’ve got and I hate when they’re in pain,” Courtney replied. “And Sonny and Carly are at the end of their marriage–I know Jason feels like he’s under a lot of pressure with the business, Carly’s recovery, our divorce and Elizabeth’s pregnancy. And I just wish there was something else I could do.”

“The only thing you can really do is be there for them. They’ve got to figure the rest it out on their own.”

“Yeah…yeah, you’re right. I just have a hard time letting go, I guess.” Courtney smiled at him. “Thanks for dinner, Brian. Really. And for coming by. I didn’t realize how lonely I was until you did.”

“I’m only a phone call away, Courtney,” Brian told her. “And when you’re ready–I’ll never leave you alone again.” He covered her hand with his and she flushed.

“When I’m ready,” she repeated.

March 21, 2014

This entry is part 21 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

November 27, 2003

Wyndemere: Living Room

“God damn Rams,” Luke grumbled, reaching for his bourbon glass.

“I told you I was gonna win, Uncle Luke,” Lucas said, grinning. “It’s the Patriots year. Brady’s gonna take them all the way.”

“He’s a young little arrogant hotshot,” Luke argued. “He’ll choke.”

“His team won the Super Bowl before thanks to him,” Lucky reminded his father.

Luke glared at his son. “Luck don’t strike twice.”

“God-given talent,” Lucas argued. “Brady’s the best quarterback the Patriots have had.”

“Ah…” Luke waved it off and sat back.

Sage frowned. “I have no idea what’s going on right now,” she told Michael, who nodded.

“I root for the blue team because that’s my favorite color,” he told her with complete seriousness. “Who do you like, Mommy?”

“He’s cute, who does he play for?” Carly asked, gesturing to the screen where a picture of a player and his stats were profiled.

“That’s Tom Brady for the Patriots,” Lucky said, absently.

“Okay, then I’m a Patriots fan.”

“Hey, Spencers are Rams fans,” Luke told her with a glare.

“This Spencer ain’t,” Lucky said with a grin.

“This one either,” Lucas agreed.

“You both take after your mothers,” Luke muttered. “Hey, Barbara Jean, you got any more of this pigs in a blanket crap?” he called to the kitchen.

“Make it yourself!” Bobbie called back.

“Where did Uncle Jason go?” Michael asked disappointed. “He was supposed to watch the parade with me.”

“He went to talk to Elizabeth,” Carly told him. “Besides, I’m here. Aren’t I good enough?” she teased.

“Yeah,” Michael agreed. “But he promised.”

“He and Elizabeth had a fight and he went to make it better,” Carly explained.

“Oh, that’s okay then.”

Lucky frowned. “What kind of fight?” he asked, concerned. “What did he do?”

“Oh, you know men. Said something he didn’t think was particularly bad and her hormones,” Carly waved it off. “He just went to apologize.”

“I remember when Laura was pregnant with the squirt,” Luke said, gesturing towards the floor where Lulu was studiously brushing and braiding about a dozen different Barbie dolls. “I said cow referring to something on the television and she thought I was calling her a cow–” he whistled. “To this day, I don’t say the word around a pregnant woman.”

Sage rolled her eyes. “I am so not going to be that way when I get pregnant.” She grinned. “I’m going to do my pregnancy in style.”

Lucas laughed. “What? With designer maternity clothes?”

“Of course. Just because you’re having a kid, it doesn’t mean you have to lose all sense of style,” Sage said with a teasing glint in her eyes.

“I feel bad for the schmuck you marry,” Lucas said shaking his head.

She frowned. “Schmuck? Why’s he gotta be schmuck?”

“I dunno, just seemed like the thing to say,” he shrugged. Sage whacked him in the arm with a magazine. “Ow! Geez, sorry.”

“Hey, it’s snowing!” Michael announced gleefully. He ran across the room to stand by the huge window. “I wanna go play!”

Sage grinned. “How much snow is on the ground?” she asked.

“Lots now!”

“Someone promised me snow angels,” she told Lucas. “Come on.” She stood and yanked him off the couch.

“What about the game?” Lucas protested.

“Please–the cute guy will win, I totally predict it.” She turned to Carly. “Is it okay if I take Michael?”

“Sure. Michael, just listen to Sage and don’t wander off,” Carly directed.

“Okay, let’s go,” Sage yanked on Lucas’s hand and drug him into the hallway, Michael running behind them.

“He seems happier away from…everything,” Luke observed. “Michael, I mean.”

“I was sorry to let Leticia go, but…” Carly shrugged. “I think it’s better for them. It’s not like I have this rigorous schedule that I can’t take care of the boys. I’m not going to the club full-time until after the holidays and even then I can take Morgan during the day.”

“Sage seems nice,” Lucky told her. “Hard to believe she’s the same girl that tried to shoot–” he grimaced. “Alexis. She doesn’t know Sage is here.”

“And Sage doesn’t know about Alexis…” Carly trailed off. “I like to think she’s come away from that person she was just a few weeks ago. Maybe…maybe this will be okay,” she said hesitantly.

Luke snorted. “I guess this is going to be a crazy Quartermaine-esque holiday anyway. Good, I thought it’d be boring.”

Elizabeth’s Bedroom

He knocked lightly on her door and Elizabeth–thinking it was Nikolas–told him to come in. “Elizabeth,” Jason began.

“Jason, I don’t have the energy to argue anymore,” she sighed.

“I don’t want to argue,” Jason assured. He sat hesitantly on the edge of her bed. “I’m sorry for what I said downstairs. I just–there are things going on inside my head that you–you don’t know about and–”

“Then tell me,” she said softly. She turned on the bed, tucking a leg underneath her body.

“I just–” he exhaled slowly. “What Michael said downstairs–about things not being black and white, that after we stopped—after you left,” he hesitated, “I didn’t wake up and not feel the same way anymore. That was true and I wasn’t prepared for him of all people to say it.”

“He was just repeating what Sage told him,” Elizabeth said softly. “I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm–he probably just had questions–”

“But she was right and it kind of–it just…it surprises me that people can even guess the reasons…what happened…happened,” Jason tried to explain.

“I don’t–I don’t understand.”

“I used to be able to do it–switch emotions off and on. It made my life more simple. For the job–for survival,” he told her. “When Robin left–when I lost Michael, I had to find a way to shut out the pain. It didn’t always work–but I could do everything possible not to see Michael and Robin was out of the country–” he shook his head. “When you left, I couldn’t do that.”

“I–” she broke off when she realized she didn’t know what to say. “I don’t–”

“There was this–this emptiness inside,” he told her. “Like someone was squeezing me and it was hard to breathe. I tried–I tried to keep my mind off it. I threw myself into work–and Courtney.”

“I don’t want to talk about that,” Elizabeth said immediately. She stood and crossed the room, folding her arms tightly.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I didn’t–I don’t feel like I’m doing this right.”

“Why’d you kiss me?” she demanded suddenly, turning to face him.

He blinked. “What?”

“That night. In the hallway, why did you kiss me?” Elizabeth asked. “Why did you come inside? Why didn’t you leave?”

“Why’d you kiss me back?” he asked instead of answering. “Why didn’t you stop it? Why didn’t you tell me to leave?”

“I asked you first.”

He sighed, drove his fingers through his hair. “I don’t–” he stopped and shook his head. “No, I do know why I did it. When you looked up at me–when I helped you unlock the door–there was just…you were looking at me the way you used to. Before I lied to you–before I hurt you. And I just…I wanted to hold on to that look for as long as I could.”

Elizabeth wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Isn’t that a nice coincidence? Because you were looking at me the way you did before I walked out–and I missed it. You know? And I really didn’t want to lose that again.”

Fountain

“Wow, this has got to be the coolest place ever,” Sage marveled as they found the large out of service stone fountain outside Wyndemere’s main entrance. “I bet this was like the courtyard when the Cassadines had money. And all the really awesome balls and parties they must have thrown.”

She twirled in a little circle and c aught some of the falling snow on her tongue. Lucas laughed. “You think you’d never seen snow before.”

“Did I mention most of my schools were in South America?” Sage asked. “I lived in Brazil and Spain. My father hated snow so I never spent the winter anywhere where there was snow.”

“Wow, so you’ve never seen snow?” Michael asked. He found a bigger pile of it and jumped feet first, sending little puffs of snow everywhere.

“Just dusting the other day,” Sage reported. She tugged on Lucas’s arm. “Come on, you promised.”

“It’s like baby-sitting two kids,” Lucas laughed and he started to search for a place so Sage could do her snow angels.

Elizabeth’s Bedroom

Elizabeth cleared her throat. “We should–should go downstairs.” But she didn’t move.

“Elizabeth–I kissed you that night because I wanted to,” Jason told her. “I don’t know if that’s enough for you but everything that happened that night–it meant something to me.”

“It meant something to me too,” Elizabeth said quietly. She clasped her hands nervously in front of her and stared at the floor.

“I do…I do love Courtney–but it’s not the way I should,” Jason attempted to continue. “It’s not the way she deserves.”

“What’s between you and your wife is none of my business,” Elizabeth said stiffly. She smoothed her hands over the skirt of her dress and licked her lips nervously. “I–”

“She’s filing for divorce,” Jason interrupted her. “Because she knows that–that–” he swallowed hard. “That I could never love her the way I love you,” he finally managed to say.

Elizabeth raised her eyes to his slowly. “What?” she asked–almost scared of the answer. Maybe she’d heard wrong–maybe he meant it in another way.

“I tried–I tried to forget it,” he said, “I tried to bury it, you know? And for a while, I thought I had but–but no matter what–I keep coming back to that.”

“To what?” Elizabeth asked, desperate to hear the words spill from his lips again. “What do you keep coming back to?” There was a note of desperation in her voice and she hated herself for it.

“I never stopped loving you,” Jason admitted. “And the reason I came inside that night–the reason I didn’t leave is because I wanted–for the first time in a long time, I didn’t care what you wanted or what I should do or shouldn’t be doing. I just–I did what I wanted to do.”

Say the words! Elizabeth’s mind screamed. Say them, damn it! “Jason–if–if that’s true then why did you tell me–why did you say it was a mistake?”

“Because it was in a way,” Jason sighed. He took a deep breath. “You deserve better than that night–better than some cold hard floor or an old threadbare couch–”

“That’s my studio,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. “It was my home and none of those things ever mattered to me–you know that. That night was perfect to me in every way. Even if shouldn’t have happened–it was perfect.”

When he said nothing in return, she sighed and started past him. “We should go down stairs,” she mumbled.

He caught her elbow as she passed and spun her back to him. “Jason–” he cut off her protest with his lips. She resisted at first but he kept his grip on her elbow and shifted his other hand to her cheek. After a moment, Elizabeth melted into him, letting the familiar sensations roll over her.

He changed the angle of the kiss, slanting his mouth against hers harder, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth.

A loud crash sounded from the kitchen below them and Elizabeth broke away from him, breathing hard. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

“I–” Jason frowned. “I thought it was kind of obvious.”

“You…you’re married and I can’t–” she shook her head. “I can’t keep doing this, Jason! This whole situation–everything we have been about for the past four years–I can’t do it anymore!”

“What do you want me to do about it?” he retorted.

“I can’t be your second choice,” Elizabeth told him. “And that’s what I am right now. You left my studio that morning and you went home to her. You married her. You stayed with her.”

“I–”

“And I do deserve better than that. You cannot stand there and tell me that you love me in a way you don’t love Courtney when the only person you’ve gone out of your way to be with is her.”

“Elizabeth, I thought–”

She jerked open her bedroom door and disappeared down the hallway. After a moment, he followed her.

Fountain

“Okay, how do I get up without ruining it?” Sage asked, looking up at Lucas.

“Here.” He took her hands in his and helped her stand step away from her finished snow angel. “What do you think?”

“I want to make another,” Sage announced. She looked around. “Where did Michael go?”

“I’m building a snowman!” Michael called from around the corner of the house.

“You have snow all over you,” Lucas told her, brushing it from the top of her hair. “You’re like a kid.”

“Just because I’m spoiled little rich girl, it doesn’t mean I don’t get happy over little things,” Sage remarked airily. She giggled and crouched down, rolling together some snow.

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to make a snowball.” Lucas shook his head and crouched down in front of her. “You’re doing it all wrong–this is way too loose. You can’t use any of the powder.”

“Well excuse me, Frosty,” Sage replied, rolling her eyes. She abandoned her snowball and pushed him playfully. “You know–I could take you,” she boasted.

He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Yeah, okay.”

“I could. I know five ways to cut off a man’s airway,” Sage remarked seriously. “I saw it on the Discovery Channel once.”

“Oh, really?” Lucas said, amused. He pushed her lightly.

“Yeah, I’m totally stronger than I look,” Sage reported. “Bet you can’t catch me!” Her eyes sparkled and she faked a lunge to the left before darting to the right.

Lucas caught her easily. “Please, you’re trying to out run a track star.”

“Ha! You haven’t seen my best move!” Sage hooked her foot around his ankle and yanked, sending him crashing backwards. He still had a grip on her and she went down hard on top. “Okay, that wasn’t what I had in mind,” she grumbled.

“Serves you right,” he replied. She shifted and sat up so he could as well. “How much longer until dinner do you think?”

“I don’t know, it’s like only noon,” she replied. Sage reached forward and brushed the snow from his hair.

“Hey, I’m a growing boy–I need to eat,” he said defensively. She laughed and Lucas suddenly leaned forward and kissed her quickly.

Her eyes widened and she stared at him. “What was that for?”

Lucas shrugged. “Felt like it.”

“Well, okay then.”

“Sage, Lucas! I need help putting the head on!” Michael yelled.

Kitchen

Elizabeth stalked into the kitchen, making a beeline for the counter where she’d been making the fruit salad. She furiously started to slice apples.

“You should never use a sharp instrument when you’re angry,” Alexis said from her perch across the room, sipping a glass of apple cider.

“Honey?” Bobbie asked, setting down a finished bowl of mashed potatoes. “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m feeling much better and yet worse all at the same time,” Elizabeth muttered.

Emily set a finished pumpkin pie on the counter. “Did my brother say something asinine?” she asked, understandingly.

“Oh, you bet.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “He told me he loved me.”

All work ceased in the kitchen–the sounds of the knife cutting into fruit were all that were left.

Emily exchanged sympathetic looks with the other women. “That’s not a good thing?” she asked hesitantly.

Elizabeth whirled around, a knife in her hand and her eyes flashing with anger. “Not when he’s married to Courtney. Not when he chose her over me time and time again. Not when he left me to be with her. Not when I wasn’t enough to be with after that night,” she seethed.

“Well…” Bobbie trailed off and sighed.

“Elizabeth, my brother has got himself into a very deep amount of shit this year,” Emily began with good intentions.

“And he still went from my bed to hers and he married her,” Elizabeth reminded her. “Apparently he loved me enough to tell me that the night we conceived our child was mistake and he loved me enough to marry another woman. Yay for me.”

+10

This entry is part 20 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

November 27, 2003

Wyndemere: Elizabeth’s Bedroom

Nikolas knocked on the open door and peered in as Elizabeth sat silently on the bed, brushing her hair out. “I have to tell you something.”

“What?” Elizabeth asked. She set the brush on her nightstand and stood, slipping her feet into the one inch pair of heels.

“When Bobbie and I were setting up dinner last night–she told me she wanted to eat dinner with Carly. You know–she told her mother she’s filing for divorce and Bobbie just wants to be with her.”

“Oh. Well, then I guess dinner won’t be as edible since you’ve been cooking for yourself,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Maybe we should take a tip from the Quartermaines and do pizza.”

“Well…I suggested we all eat here–in the big dining room,” Nikolas said. “Bobbie’s already here actually–Emily’s downstairs helping her with the turkey and I think Alexis volunteered to help too.”

Elizabeth hesitated. “That means Carly’s eating here.”

“Yeah…she’s bringing the boys–and Sage Alcazar,” Nikolas reported. He managed a weak smile. “She’s leaving Lorenzo at home. Thanksgiving isn’t really his thing or something.”

“Right,” Elizabeth said slowly. “And I get the feeling that’s not the end of the story–although having me, Carly and Alexis all in the same room should be interesting enough.”

“Well, apparently Michael had made Jason promise he’d come for dinner since he’s been so busy lately–”

Elizabeth hesitated. “Why would you think that would bother me?”

“Well…I just thought…” Nikolas shrugged. “Have you seen Carly since she found out the baby? Or do you know if Jason’s told Michael? And let’s not forget who else is on the guest list. Emily, Luke, Lucky, Lulu–” he shook his head. “It just seems like there’s a lot of people that aren’t in on the happy news.”

“Well, eventually everyone will know. And like I said–not a big deal.” She walked past him and headed down stairs.

Kitchen

“Hey, Liz,” Emily greeted with a smile as she struggled with the electric mixer and a bowl of potatoes.

“Hey.” She reached for an apron and tied it over her dress. “Bobbie–what do you need me to do?”

Bobbie checked the timer on the oven. “Fruit salad–can you cut up that pile over there?” she asked, pointing to a section of the counter piled with assorted fruit. Elizabeth washed her hands and got started.

“So, Elizabeth, Nikolas told me the, ah, happy news,” Alexis began conversationally as she regarded the can opener warily.

“Well it’s news–but I don’t know about happy.” She peeled a banana and tossed the peel.

“Well, Elizabeth, I hope you’re prepared for the backlash,” Bobbie sighed. “I really wish you girls would learn to think before you act.”

“I did think,” Elizabeth said defensively. Her cheeks flushed. “I just didn’t care what happened.”

“Besides, Bobbie,” Emily said, finally getting the mixer to switch on. She raised her voice over the loud noise. “My brother’s a good man.”

“A good married man,” Bobbie sighed.

“If you could call it a marriage,” Alexis muttered. She jumped as the can opener whirled to life and started to cut open the can of yams.

Elizabeth popped a piece of banana in her mouth. “What do you mean by that?” she asked.

“Well, they got married in early October and a week later, she was in that little town with the boys. I don’t think they’ve even had a chance to live together since then. And anyway–Liz is due.”

“Due what?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well, he was yours first,” Alexis reminded her.

“He doesn’t belong to anyone,” Emily cut in crossly. She shrieked a huge glob of mashed potatoes flew up from the bowl and landed in her hair.

Elizabeth laughed and abandoned the fruit salad to help her clean it off. After just a few moments, the smell of the potatoes turned her stomach and she felt ill. “I’ll be right back,” she managed to blurt out before running out the kitchen.

“Morning sickness is a bitch,” Alexis said decisively. She wrenched the yams from the can opener.

Nikolas was just leading Carly, Jason and the boys in when Elizabeth pushed past them and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind them.

Alarmed, Jason went to go after her but Carly stopped him. “No, she’s probably just getting sick. It’s normal.”

“I still want to make sure,” Jason said.

Michael nodded. “That’s why you make a good daddy,” he said firmly. Jason frowned, unaware that Michael knew about the pregnancy and Sage clasped her hands behind her back, letting an innocent whistle out of her mouth.

“Sage?” Carly prompted.

“Okay, so I kind of let it slip,” Sage admitted. Bristling under Jason’s annoyed glare, she glared right back. “Hey, if someone had told me it was supposed to be this huge secret maybe I would have been more careful.”

Emily emerged from the kitchen, still cleaning the potatoes out of her hair. “Did Elizabeth run past you guys?” she asked.

“Yeah. What happened to you?” Nikolas asked, fighting a smile.

“Minor disagreement with a mixer,” Emily replied. She tousled Michael’s hair, kissed her brother on the cheek, smiled politely at Carly, pinched Morgan’s cheek and went towards the bathroom. “Liz, you finished puking yet?” she called through the door.

“No matter how old she gets, she’s still as weird as the day I met her,” Lucky said with a grin. “Hey, guys. There’s snacks in the living room. I got the game on in there but you can change it to the parade. I gotta go call in real quick.” He was taking his cell phone out as he headed into the study.

“The living room is through there,” Nikolas said with a sigh. “Just a warning–Luke’s there too and he’s in a mood.”

“Ooh…Uncle Luke,” Michael said cheerfully. He looked up at Sage. “C’mon, you gotta meet him, he’s the coolest.” He took her hand and yanked in that direction.

“Okay, okay, deep breaths!”

“Is there some place quiet I could put Morgan?” Carly asked Nikolas. “He’s due for a nap.”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll show you the nursery. Kristina’s taking her nap, too.” He took Carly’s elbow and led her to the stairs.

Left to his own devices, Jason joined Emily at the bathroom door. “Is she okay?”

She crooked her finger at him and drew him away from the door and out of Elizabeth’s earshot. “She’s been a little sad but Nikolas talked to her the night before last and I don’t know–she was better the next morning. Even made fun of Lucky.” Emily’s eyes softened. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” Jason said. He slid his hands into his jeans pockets. “Really. I–everything’s fine.”

“Emily!” Alexis called from the kitchen. “I’m admitting defeat. Come open this corn!”

Emily shook her head and laughed. “I guess the can opener kicked her ass. Coming, Alexis!” She touched her brother’s arm. “Don’t let Liz back into the kitchen. She’ll just get sick again.”

She moved into the kitchen and Jason went back to the bathroom door. A few moments later, a pale Elizabeth pulled open the door and stepped out. She stopped short at the sight of Jason. “Hey.”

“Hey. You…you okay?”

“Mmmm hmm. Just the smell of the potatoes, I think.” Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked away.

Maybe it’s time you asked him.

Forcing Lucky’s words from her mind, she took a deep breath. “I should get back to the kitchen.”

“Emily said not to let you,” Jason called after her as she started back. “Says you’ll just get sick again.”

“Oh…really?” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “She just hates the thought of someone getting sick. She’s such a weakling How she thinks she’s going to make a credible doctor…”

Michael came running out of the living room. “Uncle Jason, Uncle Jason!” he called. Jason picked him up–even though he was way too old for such measures and the redhead giggled. “They’ve got a Charlie Brown float!” he told him, excitedly.

Not having a clue who Charlie Brown was, Jason just nodded. “That’s great, buddy.”

Michael seemed to notice Elizabeth’s presence then. “Oh, hey, Elizabeth.”

“Hey, Michael.”

Michael scrutinized her carefully. “You don’t look pregnant.”

Jason immediately lowered the boy to the floor and took a deep breath. “Michael, I think we need to have a talk.”

“I’m sorry–I thought it would be rude to ask her why she wasn’t fat,” Michael said dejectedly. He looked back at Elizabeth. “Right?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think that’s what Jason wants to talk to you about,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “I’ll just–”

“It’s okay, though ’cause Sage told me all about it,” Michael said. “I was confused because Mommy told me that only married people make babies and I thought that meant you had to be married to each other but I guess not.”

Elizabeth flushed and really wished she could die on the spot. “I–um.”

“What exactly did Sage tell you?” Jason cut in.

“That you and Elizabeth dated before you liked Aunt Courtney,” Michael began with great relish, eager to show off his memorizing skills. “And that even though you wasn’t together no more, you still loved her ’cause it’s not black and white.”

“What’s–what’s not black and white?” Jason asked, wishing he had Sage Alcazar in front of him to throttle.

“Adult stuff,” Michael said seriously. “See, when I found you was gonna be a daddy, I thought that meant Aunt Courtney was pregnant but Sage said that wasn’t it at all and I figured that because I thought she would have told me if she was pregnant, you know?”

“Yeah.” Jason crouched down. “Michael–”

“So, I asked Sage how come you made a baby with someone that’s not Aunt Courtney and she told me that breaking up isn’t black and white. I don’t know what that really meant–but like…you didn’t wake up and decide you didn’t love Elizabeth, anymore.” He frowned. “Right?”

Jason took a deep breath. “Well–essentially–”

“Okay and then Sage said that you love Aunt Courtney, too and that making a baby with someone else doesn’t make anyone a bad person…” he hesitated. “I think–what did she say?”

“Sage is right,” Elizabeth said unexpectedly. She kneeled down. “None of this makes anyone a bad person. And it’s really important that you always remember that.”

Michael nodded. “But I know Aunt Courtney is sad, but I talked to Brian yesterday and he taught to her ice skate and that she’d fallen and laughed so I think she’s going to be okay.”

Elizabeth frowned slightly but nodded. “Well, that’s good news because we don’t want anyone to be sad.”

“Yeah, ’cause a baby is good news. I remember that my mommy and daddy were really excited about Morgan but you don’t smile like they did,” Michael told his uncle seriously. He looked at Elizabeth. “And you’re not smiling either. So if you don’t want to be sad, why don’t you want to be happy?”

“It’s really complicated, Michael,” Elizabeth said softly. “My grandmother isn’t exactly as happy as you are and it makes me sad.”

“Well, that’s not fair. Because your baby is going to be my cousin since Uncle Jason is my uncle, right?”

“If–if that’s okay with your mother and with Jason and everyone,” Elizabeth replied.

“It’s fine with me,” Jason confirmed. “And I am happy about it,” he told the boy who’d once been his son. “I’ve just been worried about Aunt Courtney, your mom and everything else. But I’m real glad you’re okay with this.”

“Okay, then come watch the parade with me,” Michael said, ending the conversation. “Sage is making googly-eyes at Lucas and that’s no fun.”

“We’ll be right in,” Jason promised. As Michael went back into the living room, they both straightened.

“Well, that was only mildly mortifying,” Elizabeth muttered, folding her arms tightly. “But I guess Sage couldn’t tell a seven-year-old boy the truth.”

“Especially if Sage doesn’t know the truth.”

“Well, what is the truth?” Elizabeth demanded. “What do you want people to say?”

“I don’t care what people say,” Jason said, irritated. “Why do you?”

“Because those people are people who know my grandmother–work with her–and I’m sorry if I don’t want my grandmother to think I’m some kind of whore,” Elizabeth retorted.

“If she knew anything about you, she’d know that’s not true,” Jason protested. “And no one is saying that–”

“You’re not the one who has to listen to it–no one’s going to say it to your face or when you’re in earshot–” Elizabeth broke off suddenly and shook her head. “I don’t want to argue anymore. Not with you, not with anyone. Nothing we say to each other is going to make a difference. It happened, it’s over–now we just have to deal with the consequences.”

Maybe it’s time you ask her why.

Forcing Carly’s words out of his mind and focusing on Elizabeth’s, he narrowed his eyes. “Is that all this baby is to you? A consequence?” he demanded.

The scorn in his voice made her take a step back. Her eyes filled with tears as they searched his own. “I–I just meant…the things around us,” she said softly. “The…people that–of course I don’t –excuse me.” She pushed past him and ran towards the steps, passing a descending Nikolas and Carly.

It took Jason less than five seconds to start after her but Nikolas blocked his path, alongside a distressed Carly. “Oh, no you don’t,” he said darkly.

Living Room

“Sage, I don’t think my uncle is too happy with you,” Michael announced gleefully, flopping in between Sage and Lucas on the couch.

“You didn’t tell him what I told you on Tuesday, did you?” Sage asked apprehensively.

Amused, Lucas sat up. “What did you say on Tuesday?”

“I made some assumptions about his relationship with Elizabeth Webber,” Sage admitted, sheepishly. “Well, I couldn’t just tell him–” she pressed her hands against Michael’s ears. “You know–that guys get horny and any woman will do in that mood.”

“You know…secrets are impolite,” Michael said crossly.

“Well, that’s true,” Lucas agreed. “So, Michael, what did he tell you?”

“Well, not much more than I already knew but did you know that Elizabeth’s grandmother isn’t happy about it? She almost looked ready to cry when she told me that,” Michael said sadly.

“Go watch the parade,” Sage directed, shoving Michael towards the big-screen television and a napping Luke.

“Must be nice to be a kid when every thing is as simple as people being happy or sad,” Lucas observed.

“Yeah. I should probably apologize to Jason but really–Michael had questions and no one else was going to give him a straight answer,” Sage sighed.

“He trusts you though. Looks up to you,” Lucas told her. “He listens when you tell him to do something.”

“Well…I guess it’s because I don’t bullshit with him. I treat him like he’s seven and not three and I don’t ignore him. He respects that and he’s a great kid. Makes me wish I had a little brother,” Sage sighed wistfully.

“Looks like you do now.”

Hallway

“Look–I said something that upset her and I want–”

“I don’t give a damn what you want,” Nikolas interrupted. “You don’t get to hurt her.”

“Hey, we don’t even know what was said,” Carly protested. “Maybe it was accidental–her hormones–”

“No–I know exactly what I said,” Jason interrupted. “I need to apologize–”

“She’s already going through enough hell without you making it worse,” Nikolas cut in.

“I know–”

“He deserves the chance to apologize,” Carly argued. “I’ll ream him out,” she promised Nikolas. “Can you go check on Michael and Sage for me?”

Nikolas hesitated but went down the stairs and disappeared into the living room. When she was sure he was gone, Carly took a deep breath. “Jason, you need to talk to her.”

“I know, so let me–”

“No, I mean you really need to talk to her.” She pressed a hand against his chest. “Jason–you two have enough to deal without fighting each other.”

“I know–”

“Did you ask her?” Carly pushed. “I think you need to. For yourself and for her.”

“Carly, don’t–don’t do this. I don’t–I can’t do this right now.”

“Then what are you going to say up there?” Carly demanded. “Apologize for saying whatever you said, she’ll forgive you…then what? Where does that get you? How does that make anything better?”

“Nothing is going to make this better,” Jason argued. “Nothing I do or say is going to erase what happened–what I’ve done to the people I’m supposed to love–”

“Supposed to love,” Carly interrupted softly. “Since when did you care about things like that? You used to be all about what was–not what wasn’t or should be. C’mon, Jase.”

He took an angry harsh breath. “Carly–”

“Jason, I am way more stubborn than you are. I will win this fight and you know it.”

He exhaled slowly and dropped his chin to his chest. “Yeah. Yeah, I know.”

“So, you’ll talk to her?”

“Yeah…I’ll talk to her.”

+11

March 20, 2014

I updated a story description for the poll, and it’s vastly different than the original one, so I wanted to remark on it here. It’s currently in the lead, so I wanted to be sure people wanted to read it as it’s been plotted. I saw that it was winning so I sat down to jot down some thoughts and then spent an hour plotting it, because once the idea comes, you have to go with it. The Webber family angle is going to be much more minor than I had anticipated. Title may also change at some point.

The Best Thing – Set in 2005. Sam died giving birth to her daughter and left custody to Jason, whom everyone believes is the father. He and Elizabeth reconnect as he struggles with the death of his friend and raising a child. Her family returns to town to attend Audrey’s funeral, while Carly tries to convince Sonny to sue for custody of his daughter, after learning she cannot have more children of her own. Sonny begins to spiral into a dangerous breakdown, leading to a deadly power struggle with Jason that threatens everyone close to them. Jason/Elizabeth, Sonny/Carly, Johnny/Nadine (Because I’m a dork)

This entry is part 19 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

Chapter Eighteen

November 25, 2003

Wyndemere: Elizabeth’s Bedroom

It was late when she woke up. She wasn’t sure what woke her up–maybe it was the discomfort of the floor or the absence of his warm body.

When she saw that he was gone, her heart dropped and she sat up, clutching the yellow afghan to her bare chest. She looked around, her eyes searching for any indication that it hadn’t been a dream–beyond her nakedness.

He was standing at her window, dressed only in a pair of briefs. His back was to hers and she knew what he was thinking.

How in the hell had they gotten to this point?

She reached around for something to pull on and found the maroon shirt he’d been wearing earlier. She tugged it over her head and stood. “Jason?” she said hesitantly.

He turned and sighed when he saw her–arms wrapped protectively around her waist, her eyes down cast. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he told her.

“Well, I’m awake now.” She approached him. “Are…are you leaving?” she asked.

“I should,” Jason sighed. He put his hands on his waist and glanced back to the makeshift bed they’d created on the floor–with a sleeping bag hastily rolled out, a few pillows and her afghan. “Elizabeth…”

“Do we have to have this talk now?” Elizabeth asked. “I mean…in the morning…we can cover all of that but…can’t we just pretend it doesn’t exist?”

“Yeah.” He reached out took her hand, drawing her close to him. “Yeah, I like that idea.” He slid his hand into her dark hair and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “You look good in my shirt,” he breathed.

She flushed. “You kind of ripped the buttons on the one I was wearing.”

“Sorry about that.” His shirt was too big on her–the collar listed to the side and he leaned down to kiss the shoulder left bare. She closed her eyes, her mouth opening in a soundless moan as he moved his mouth to the soft skin of her neck.

“Let’s go back to bed,” he whispered, capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

The knock on the door made Elizabeth blink, breaking the memory. She sat up. “Come in!”

Nikolas pushed open the door. “Hey…just…wanted to make sure you’re not mad at me.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Why would I be mad?”

Nikolas sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Last night…I was a little tough on you…” he trailed off.

“Hence the concept of tough love,” Elizabeth said with a tiny smile. “You didn’t say anything I didn’t need to hear, Nikolas. It’s okay.”

“Still…I know we’re still working on our friendship and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it.”

“Seriously…Nikolas…you made me realize that I can’t be independent about this. This isn’t just happening to me. It’s happening to Jason, too.” She sighed and pulled her legs up, resting her chin on her knees. “I swear…just thinking about it all makes me want to crawl into bed for the next seven months.”

“I’m worried about you,” Nikolas confessed. “I can see you withdrawing into yourself…every time I see you, I see more sadness in your eyes.” He shook his head. “And it was happening even before the pregnancy. Since the moment you found Carly in the panic room…it’s been there–in the back of your eyes.”

“I thought…I thought he was a good man,” Elizabeth said softly. She tilted her head back and tried to swallow the tears she could feel burning her eyes. “I mean…I know he did horrible things but–I thought he wanted to change–I thought he had.”

“I know.” Nikolas slid closer. “There’s nothing wrong with believing the best in people. I saw you with Ric…he seemed better.”

“How could I have spent all that time…loving him…believing in him when Carly was just locked a few feet away?” She covered her mouth with her hand, muffling a large sob.

“You didn’t know–”

“But why didn’t I?” she cried. “Why? All of the signs were there! Jason was so sure Ric had something to do with it–why didn’t I just believe him?”

“Because Jason had about as much credibility with you as Luke does with the police, okay? He’d lied to you, hurt you…how were you supposed to believe him when the only thing he was offering as proof was his word?”

“Because it wasn’t something he’d tell me unless he was sure,” Elizabeth said softly. “God…why didn’t I look sooner? Why didn’t I see the button sooner?”

“What happened to Carly…was not your fault,” Nikolas told her forcefully. “It wasn’t.”

“If I had just…never left the house that night…if I hadn’t been outside…I wouldn’t have fallen,” Elizabeth breathed, her voice shaking. “I wouldn’t have miscarried–”

“Hey, hey…just because you miscarried your baby…that did not make it okay for Ric to kidnap Carly–and it did not make it your fault,” Nikolas interrupted. “Listen to me Elizabeth, No one blames you for this summer. No one. Jason doesn’t–Carly doesn’t–it wasn’t your fault. You were a victim. He took advantage of you–he took your love and twisted into something ugly, into an obsession.”

“But–”

“But nothing,” Nikolas cut her off. “Elizabeth…you have to let go of last summer. You have to move on.”

“What if I can’t?”

“When you start thinking about the day you found Carly, or the day he kidnapped her–whatever…think about your baby,” Nikolas suggested. “Think about what you’ll name it if it’s a boy or a girl. What colors the eyes will be, the hair–what murals you’ll paint on the nursery…if the night of the conception is a good memory–think of that. Whatever good memory you need to think of–concentrate on that.”

“The night…it is a good memory,” Elizabeth assured him. “If I don’t think about the morning after…just the night…it’s a very good memory.”

“Elizabeth…you know I love you, right?” he asked. “I would do anything for you because you and me…we go ways back–I mean…ways that I don’t with Lucky or Emily. We’ve been through hell together.”

“I know,” Elizabeth sighed, thinking of the Cassadine/Spencer war and how she’d faked her death. “I know what you mean. And I love you, too, Nikolas. You’re the only person I can depend on to give me the cold hard truth.”

“You will always have a home with me,” he told her. “No matter what happens or where we go, I want you to know that.”

He tugged on her arm and pulled her into a tight hug. “Nikolas?” she asked, her voice muffled by his shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t let Lucky toss my couch.”

Nikolas laughed again. “How’d you know?”

She smiled. “I know him better than he thinks. Seriously…I love that thing.”

“It’s three threads from falling apart.”

“Yeah…but it’s got history. Don’t let him toss the couch.”

“Okay, your couch is officially under my protection,” Nikolas promised.

Corinthos Penthouse

Carly pushed the door open slightly and entered, a bit mystified at the lack of a guard on Sonny’s door.

“Sonny?” she called.

He emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “Carly…I didn’t expect…”

“I wanted to stop by and see how you were,” Carly told him. She closed the door and set her purse on the desk but made no move to take off her coat.

“I’m okay,” Sonny said. “Glad to be out. How are you? The boys?”

“I’m fine, the boys are great. Michael’s back in school so that’s a relief.” Carly shifted. “Sonny…about Jason–”

“I don’t want to talk about him right now,” Sonny said darkly. “Courtney just called to tell me she’s filing for divorce. I could throttle him–”

“Come on, Sonny, what he did isn’t so bad in the scheme of things,” Carly sighed. “It’s not the first time someone’s slept with a girl they weren’t really over, okay?”

“Doesn’t matter. He was committed to my sister–”

“And Elizabeth was committed to your brother,” Carly cut in smoothly. “People are only your family when it’s convenient. If you were to fake your death today, you would tell Courtney wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. She’s my sister, she’s Jason’s wife–”

“And Elizabeth was Jason’s girlfriend. She was living with him. But that didn’t matter then. People are only real to you when they can do something for you.”

He studied her. “Carly, what’s this about?”

“This is about me taking a stand for myself,” Carly told him. “I’m not taking sides because Jason is my best friend and Courtney is my sister-in-law but I am doing my best to be supportive of them both. They’re both under a lot of strain and pressure–”

“What pressure is Jason under?” Sonny said scathingly. “He wasn’t under pressure when he screwed around on my sister–”

“Come on, Sonny, you know Jason. You have known him longer than anyone involved in this situation. When has he ever done something like this before?” Carly demanded. “He cheated on Robin with me when he didn’t know any better and he entered a rebound relationship with your sister because he was avoiding the reality of his breakup with Elizabeth. He just didn’t know you’re not supposed to stay with the rebound.”

“My sister is no man’s rebound,” Sonny growled.

“And Jason was a rebound for Courtney,” Carly retorted hotly. “But neither of them were willing to admit it. The whole thing spiraled out of control and with me pushing marriage at them at every turn–how could it have gone anywhere but down?”

“Marriage vows are supposed to mean something–”

“Yeah, they mean you don’t send your pregnant wife packing days from her due date,” Carly replied scornfully.

“That was different–I was worried–”

“You made a decision and it affected our entire future. Oh, and then you shot me in the head while I was giving birth to our son.” Carly tossed her hair over her shoulder and focused her angry eyes on her husband. “What did you think I’d do? Run back into your arms? Just say I was sorry? You shot me!” she cried.

“I was–I wasn’t in my right mind–”

“Oh, cut the bullshit. I don’t deny that you need help Sonny but let’s be real clear here. That night you were very lucid and very aware of your surroundings. You saw Lorenzo leaning over me and you either thought he was trying to hurt me or you thought I was doing something I shouldn’t. You tried to kill him and nearly killed me in the process. I can’t live like this Sonny!”

Sonny blinked. “And what does that mean Carly?” he asked in a soft voice. One Carly knew to be wary of.

“It means I’m not coming home,” she told him with a deep breath. “Not today, not tomorrow…not ever.”

His eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists around the towel in his hands. “That’s not acceptable, Carly.”

“I’m not one of your guards. I don’t answer to you. Not anymore.” She yanked her purse off the desk and turned for the door.

But Sonny was quick and slammed it shut before she could leave. “You are my wife, Carly. Courtney is my sister. I will not lose my family. I will do what ever I have to do get them back.”

“Do your worst,” Carly hissed. She yanked the door open and stormed out.

Carly’s House

“C’mere…” Darting a look towards the living where her uncle was still on a business call, Sage lifted Michael up to the counter where he took a long swipe at the mixing bowl with the brownie mix. He shoved it all in his mouth, leaving some of it around his mouth.

“Thanks.” Michael returned to his homework and Sage innocently continued to stir. “Sage?”

“Yeah?”

“Does my mom like your uncle?” he asked.

“Sure, why not?” Sage asked.

“Well…okay, so I know my dad is sick and all–does that mean my parents aren’t together anymore?”

Sage turned and appraised the little boy carefully. “Not right now they’re not,” she told him. “I know that my uncle loves your mother with everything in him and he would do anything she wanted him to do.”

“Would he let her drive me to school all the time?”

“I can’t imagine why not,” Sage responded. “Doesn’t your dad let her?”

“Nope. Leticia takes me and Max drives us. He always said that Mommy liked to sleep late.” Michael fished in his school bag for a pencil sharpener. “I love my dad but he was always kind of mean to Mommy. I heard her telling Aunt Courtney once that he makes her feel stupid.”

“Well that’s hardly fair,” Sage said softly. “Your mother is anything but stupid.”

Michael nodded. “She’s the smartest, most beautiful woman ever,” he said proudly. “Why don’t my dad think so?”

“I don’t know. Adult men are so odd sometimes,” Sage said. “My dad had this one girlfriend that I remember–one of his first after my mom left. She was this tiny little blonde wispy thing–like if you just touched her, she’d fall over, you know? But she was really nice to me. She’d take me to the park or she’d buy me really pretty clothes and I was like ten–I was in heaven.”

“What did your dad do?”

“He accused her of trying to replace him in my life and he kicked her out.” Sage sighed. “Don’t ever be like men like that, Michael. Don’t treat women like they’re objects–or like they’re just around for your entertainment. If you ever get a little sister or a girlfriend…treat them like you’d want someone to treat your mother, okay?”

Michael nodded. “Okay, but girls are still icky.”

She smiled. “Yeah, just wait until you’re like eleven. They’re not icky anymore.”

“Well, you’re not icky,” Michael corrected. “And neither is my mommy. Or Aunt Courtney.”

“High compliments,” Sage teased. She started to pour the brownie mix into the pan. “So, I’ve never met your Aunt Courtney. What’s she like?”

“She wasn’t really fun until we went to Haye’s Landing,” Michael admitted. “She was always with Uncle Jason or talking about him. But then we went there and she was kind of like my mommy only not, you know? She makes great nachos.”

“Oooh…so do I. We’ll need to have a movie night and I’ll make some and we’ll get some popcorn and watch a bunch of gory horror movies.”

“Oooh…” Michael brightened. “You like horror movies?”

“Oh, boy, do I.” Sage handed him the brownie spoon for him to lick clean.

“Sage…I’m not a little kid, you know. I mean…I’m a lot more mature than I look,” Michael told her.

Sage sat down and tugged her history book from her book bag. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Mommy said Aunt Courtney went back to Haye’s Landing but my uncle lives here and they’re married so did they have a fight?”

“Yeah…I think that they did,” Sage admitted.

“And…I’m pretty sure she would have told me she was having a baby, so…how is Uncle Jason having a baby without her?”

“Well, mind you, the information I’ve got is from the news so I can’t really say it’s true,” Sage told him. “But apparently, your uncle had an ex-girlfriend named Elsa or…” she frowned. “Liza? Lisa?”

“Elizabeth?” Michael supplied.

“Yeah, her. You know her?”

“Sure. She works at Grandma’s diner. And she used to live with Uncle Jason.” He frowned. “Then she married Ric.”

“Okay…well, they’re divorced now or in the process of doing that. She doesn’t like him anymore, you know?”

“Because he kidnapped Mommy and made Elizabeth sick,” Michael confirmed. “Mommy told me.”

“Okay, well sometimes when people break up, they don’t do it because they’re not in love anymore. You know, there’s other reasons.”

“But Uncle Jason loves Aunt Courtney.”

“Yeah…but…” Sage hesitated. “Something you’re going to find out when you get older…it’s not always black and white. Once you’re in love with someone…you don’t just wake up one day and decide you’re not anymore and have it be true, you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yeah, okay. So Uncle Jason and Elizabeth broke up but they was still in love,” Michael confirmed.

“Yeah. Sure. That works. Your uncle started dating Courtney and he loves her, too. Only he never stopped loving Elizabeth. That doesn’t make him a bad person–it just makes him a bit confused,” Sage said.

“How do you know he still loves her?”

Sage hesitated. Truth was–she didn’t still know that. But she thought it would make it simpler for Michael to understand rather than explaining sometimes a guy was horny and any woman would do at that point. Love was much easier concept for a seven-year-old.

“Because making babies is something you’re only supposed to do if you’re in love,” Sage told him. “And Jason made a baby with Elizabeth.”

“Oh. But he was married. Doesn’t that mean he’s not supposed to make babies with other girls?” Michael asked, frowning.

“Theoretically but like I said…it’s not always black or white, right or wrong. It doesn’t make your uncle or Elizabeth a bad person but I bet it makes your aunt sad so she’s probably living in Haye’s Landing so she can stop being sad all the time.”

“I don’t want Aunt Courtney to be sad.” His eyes brightened. “I could call Brian and tell him to go cheer her up.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s Brian?” The oven timer started beeping and she went over to pull out the lasagna and then slid the pan of brownies into the oven. She reset the timer and sat down to let dinner cool off.

“Brian’s a sheriff and he’s a good cop. Aunt Courtney told me so. See, not all cops are bad, did you know that?” Michael asked.

Her heart broke for the little boy who’d been raised to distrust the legal authorities much like she had. “It’s been my experiences cops are good more often than they are bad,” Sage told him. “I bet your friend Brian is a great cop.”

“He is. He has this really cool jacket and this car with these flashing lights. He let me play with them,” Michael boasted proudly. “Anyway, he likes Aunt Courtney. He makes her smile.”

“Well, then, I bet your aunt won’t be sad for long then if she’s got such a great friend to cheer her up,” Sage decided.

Haye’s Landing: Town Square

Courtney laughed as she got out of the car. “I can’t believe you actually have a town square.”

“Yep,” Brian nodded. “Every year, just before Thanksgiving, the town council starts putting up the Christmas tree.”

“Wow…” she shook her head. “It’s just…it’s like watching one of those old TV series, you know? With the perfect small town, the perfect family–where everything was just too good to be true.”

“Well, that’s television. Things aren’t that perfect around here,” Brian replied. He took her hand in his and tugged her towards the park where a lake was completely frozen over and several people were ice skating. “Do you know how?”

“How to ice skate? I haven’t…no I don’t,” Courtney admitted. “I lived in Atlantic City my entire life and there wasn’t exactly time to learn in Port Charles.”

“No time like the present,” Brian decided. He lead her over to the stand set up to rent ice skates. “Hey, Bill.”

“Hey, Brian,” Bill replied. He grinned. “Well, who’s this?”

“Courtney M–”

“Courtney Matthews,” Courtney interrupted before Brian could call her “Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you, Courtney Matthews. What size do you wear?”

“An eight,” Courtney told him reaching for her wallet.

“Naw, on the house. Any friend of Brian after all.” Bill handed her the skates with a wink and a smile.

“What does that mean?” Courtney asked as Brian showed her to a bench where she could sit down.

“I have no idea. Bill’s a weird guy–” Brian hesitated. “Actually…he’s Karen’s brother.”

“Oh.” Courtney shifted. “Well, then this has to be kind of awkward, then.”

“No, not really. Bill and I grew up together. He’s a good guy. Likes to mess with me, a lot.” Brian tied his own skates. “You’re going to run into a lot of people who know me or knew Karen…does that bother you?”

“No,” Courtney replied. “I’m used to running into people who know the people I do.” A smile tugged at her lips. “I’m just not used to those people giving me freebies. I can see this is going to be a very beneficial friendship.”

Brian laughed and pulled her to her feet. “Time to get out on the ice.”

Carly’s House: Living Room

Carly entered the house and tossed her purse on the couch. She was mildly amused to find that Lorenzo had set up a makeshift desk on her coffee table. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He stood and kissed her cheek. “How did the meeting go?”

“Not how I expected,” Carly replied. “Dara decided that because of our respective private situations, Jason’s and my testimonies would be more hurtful than helpful to Sonny.”

“She doesn’t want Baldwin or Lansing cross-examining Jason about his marriage or you about me,” Lorenzo deduced.

“Yeah. Which I agree with. I mean, whatever makes it all easier and gets it over.” Carly sat on the couch. “Where are the kids?”

“Sage is handling dinner and making sure Michael does his homework and Morgan’s still sleeping.”

“Good.” She leaned back and closed her eyes. “And then I had an emotionally draining conversation with Jason about Courtney and Elizabeth, I went to see Sonny…” she opened her eyes and sighed. “He’s so angry. At me, at Jason…I hardly even recognize him anymore.”

“I guess that didn’t go well,” Lorenzo said.

“No. Not at all. I don’t belong with him anymore,” she told him. “I’m going to file for divorce as soon as the trial is over.”

Not wanting her to see the happiness the news brought him, Lorenzo just nodded. “If that’s what you think is best.”

She laughed a little. “Come on…I know how you really feel about it.”

“Okay, I can’t deny that it makes me slightly happy to hear that but I know that by no means guarantees something between us.”

Her eyes sobered. “You’re so good to me,” she said softly. “How did I ever deserve someone like you?”

Lorenzo took her hand in his and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You were due,” he replied in the same tone.

Harborview Towers: Hallway

Jason stepped off the elevator and nodded to Marco standing at his door. “Hey, anything happen?”

“Mr. Corinthos stayed in his penthouse all day and his only visitor was Mrs. Corinthos,” Marco reported dutifully. “She left ten minutes later.”

“Okay. I should be in tonight.” He started to push open his door but stopped. “I need someone on Elizabeth Webber’s door at night. Who would you recommend?”

“Ms. Webber, sir?” Marco frowned. “I thought–”

Jason scowled. “She’s important to me and she needs to be protected at all costs. She needs a guard on her door at night when she moves into her new apartment. I’ll ask again–”

“David,” Marco said hurriedly. “He’s got the best record at night. He was on Ms. Quartermaine’s hospital room this summer.”

“Okay, tell him to be over here first thing in the morning.” Jason pushed open his door. Before he could close it, he heard Sonny’s penthouse door shut.

He turned to see his former boss and business partner scowling in front of him. “We need to talk,” Sonny said shortly.

Jason frowned. “You’re no longer in the business and anything else is none of your business,” he replied briskly. “I’ve had a long day and I’ve got another one tomorrow so if you’ll excuse me.” He slammed his door shut and locked it.

+10

This entry is part 18 of 34 in the I Shall Believe

November 25, 2003

Carly’s House

“Wow…you guys call that a mall?” Sage laughed as she pulled off her coat and hung it on the coat rack.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Sorry, Miss European Debutante,” he teased. “But we country folks don’t need eight different types of the same store.”

“Yeah, okay,” Sage hung her scarf up and brushed some snowflakes from the front of her clothes.

“You got some in your hair,” Lucas told her, bringing a hand up to brush them out of her dark tresses.

“I still think you should have let me make that snow angel,” Sage complained. “I’ve never made one of those before.”

Lucas rolled his eyes and brushed his fingertips over her eyelashes where there were a few more flakes. Her eyes fluttered shut and she smiled. “There’s not enough snow on the ground. Wait until Christmas time. You’ll drown in the amount of snow we get here.”

“And then you’ll let me make snow angels?”

“I’ll make them with you if you want,” Lucas replied. She opened her eyes and met his warm brown ones. “I had a good time today, Sage.”

“I did, too.” She hesitated. “I’m glad…you came by yesterday.”

“Me, too.” Lucas cleared his throat and stepped back from her. “Do–do you need a ride to school tomorrow?”

“Sage? Is that you?”

Her uncle’s voice from the kitchen made her blink and turn. When she saw Lorenzo standing in the doorway, she squealed and took off running, throwing herself in his arms. “Uncle Zo!”

“Hey, you’re late,” Lorenzo said, hugging her back. “Carly already left for her appointment.”

“Oh…I completely forgot about that. I was supposed to baby-sit the boys.” Sage pulled away and tugged her uncle over to Lucas. “Uncle Zo, this is Lucas Jones. Lucas, this is my uncle, Lorenzo Alcazar.”

Lucas nodded stiffly, didn’t offer his hand. The memory of being shoved to the ground while two men who worked for Luis Alcazar grabbed his cousins was all too vivid in his mind.

“Lucas,” Lorenzo said politely. He put a hand on Sage’s shoulder. “I guess you two have made up. Carly said that yesterday was a bit rough.”

“He apologized, it’s all fine,” Sage assured him. “Anyway, I though you were supposed to be gone all week!”

“I finished my work more quickly than I had expected.”

There was a moment of awkward silence then. Lucas shuffled his feet. “I should go,” he told Sage. “Did you need a ride tomorrow?”

She opened her mouth to accept but her uncle answered instead. “Sage will have a driver from now.”

“Uncle Zo,” Sage complained.

“Okay, well then I’ll just see you tomorrow.” Not waiting for anything more, Lucas turned and left.

Sage socked her uncle in the arm. “I don’t want a driver!” she complained. “And why did you have to be so mean to him?”

“I was under the impression that he’d been rather cruel to you yesterday,” Lorenzo replied.

“Yes, but he apologized and he’s been really nice to me and I really like him and you chased him off.” She slugged him again. “Don’t be such a jerk all the time.”

“Sage?” Michael’s voice called from the kitchen. The little redheaded boy appeared in the doorway.

“Hey, champ,” Sage greeted affectionately. She walked towards him and tousled his hair. “How was school?”

“Fine. Why are you yelling at your uncle?”

“Because he’s a geek,” Sage said crossly. She poured herself some milk and then stopped as a horrible thought occurred to her. “We…we’re going home tonight aren’t we?” she asked.

“Well…you do live with me, to Carly. You knew this would be temporary.” Lorenzo sat down at the table.

“Well…yeah. But you were supposed to be gone a whole week,” Sage sighed. She sank into a chair across from him.

“I don’t want you to leave!” Michael said crossly. “Everyone’s always leavin’ me. My daddy left, Courtney left, Brian left and Uncle Jase never comes around no more. Why do ya gotta go?”

“Because I live with my uncle and we don’t live here.” Sage propped her chin on her hand. “But I’ll come by and visit you guys. Plus, my uncle’s a guy and they’re idiots. I need to talk to Carly.”

Lorenzo scowled. “That’s not very nice.”

“Well neither is being a jerk to the only person in my school that’s talking to me,” Sage said, irritated. “I don’t want a driver. I want to be normal, Uncle Lorenzo.”

“I like my mommy driving me to school too,” Michael said firmly. He bit into his peanut butter and banana sandwich. “Much better than Max or Leticia. Even if she does go too fast.”

“Sage, it’s all well and good to be want to be normal but there are still some precautions that need to be taken. If you want to be in Port Charles with me, I want you to be safe.”

“Look, the only person in this town you need to worry about is Jason,” Sage told him. “And I really don’t think he’s the type to go after kids. I mean–he’s got one on the way after all. You think he’s gonna hurt me?”

“My Uncle Jase don’t hurt no one!” Michael argued. His brow furrowed. “What’s one on the way mean?”

“It means that your uncle is going to be a father,” Lorenzo said absently as he considered Sage’s words. “There is still Faith Roscoe,” he reminded her.

“Faith is all talk. I can handle her.”

“But doesn’t Uncle Jase need someone to carry the baby?” Michael asked. His eyes brightened. “Aunt Courtney’s having a baby?”

Sage bit her lip and looked at her uncle with some guilt. “Oops.”

“Oops what?” Michael asked.

“Uh…you know what, Michael? Why don’t you talk to your uncle about that?” Sage said helpfully, not wanting to have to explain to the little boy about men and women, sex appeal and good old-fashioned adultery.

Elevator

“Carly…” Jason sighed and shook his head. “I don’t have the time for this conversation.”

“You don’t have the time for a simple yes or no?” Carly asked, her eyebrows raised.

“I’m married,” Jason said defensively.

“Uh huh.”

“She’s married.”

“Yeah…still not the answer I’m looking for.”

“Well…so it doesn’t matter,” Jason said, his eyes trained on the descending numbers of the elevator.

“I remember when I was first encouraging you to be with Courtney. I asked if you were holding back because of Elizabeth–if you were still hung up on her.” Carly shoved her hands into her coat pockets. “And you told me that it was over, that it hadn’t really started.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So that wasn’t answering the question and neither does ‘I’m married’ or ‘she’s married.’ You’re both getting divorced. So, come on Mr. I Don’t Lie, I Omit…answer the question.”

“I…it’s complicated.”

Thankfully, the doors opened and he entered the parking garage. Narrowing her eyes, Carly moved after him. “Look…this is just between us. I told you that I was going to give you my unconditional support in this. That I wasn’t going to take sides–”

“Carly–” Jason stopped at their car and sighed. “That’s not what this is about.”

“Oh…okay, so let’s try something more simple. Why’d you kiss her?” Carly challenged. She put her hands on her hips. “You were engaged and I know that you love Courtney. So why did you kiss someone you told me you were over?”

“I–I told you that already.”

“No, you stated the facts. You walked her to her door, you helped her get the key in the lock, you kissed her, you had sex–more than once. You agreed it was a mistake. And end of the story.”

“Right.”

“Yeah, okay. So…why you’d kiss her? Why didn’t you stop it? Why did you do it more than once? Why was it a mistake?” Carly pressed. She took the keys from him. “We’re not leaving here until you start talking. Because the sooner you face your own reasons, the better off everyone involved will be.”

Wyndemere

“Hey,” Nikolas kissed Elizabeth on the cheek before turning to his brother. “Everything stored at the house?”

“Yeah, Dad says Elizabeth can use the basement as long as she wants.” Lucky grinned. “Says she can have the house if she’ll promise to baby-sit Lulu.”

“The studio’s clean and I cancelled my lease,” Elizabeth sighed. “Where’s Emily?”

“She met her mother for lunch at the hospital. How about an apartment? Did you find something?”

“Yeah, an insanely huge apartment that’s like the size of Jason’s penthouse if it were on one floor,” Elizabeth muttered. She sat on the arm of the couch. “Two bedrooms, an area for the studio, kitchen, two baths–way too much.”

“She showed me the apartment–it’s perfect,” Lucky said. “It’s a few blocks from where the studio was, but in a better apartment. It’s a few minutes from everywhere she needs to be. From Kelly’s, the docks, the hospital, from the station–from Jason.”

“Yeah, so as soon as Jason gets the papers signed, I’m moving in,” Elizabeth sighed. “I’ll have to get Emily to hit some thrift stores with me to furnish it.”

Nikolas frowned. “Somehow I doubt that’s because Jason isn’t going to give you enough money to buy new furniture.”

“I’m kind of tired,” Elizabeth said, trying to avoid another argument. “I’m gonna go take a nap.”

When she was gone from the room, Lucky rolled his eyes. “It makes me want to lock her in a room for like a week. She’s insane. She refused to throw out that horrible couch in her studio.”

“She thinks she’s going to move it to the new place?” Nikolas asked surprised. “It was like five minutes from falling apart.”

“Yeah, I know. So I’m gonna arrange for it to have an accident,” Lucky joked. He sighed. “Anyway, I’m doing the night shift tonight so I’d better go. See ya.”

Parking Garage

“Carly, I have a meeting six–”

“If the answer was no, you would have said so,” Carly interrupted. “So that means the answer is yes.”

“It’s complicated,” Jason repeated.

“Yes, the situation is very complicated,” Carly agreed. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “You are both married–Courtney is devastated, Ric is a psycho, she’s pregnant and I bet the miscarriage is causing Dr. Meadows to put Elizabeth in the high-risk category. Plus, you’ve got Sonny, the media, the trial and not to mention. I get that this is a complicated situation. But the only thing that isn’tcomplicated is how you feel.” Carly took a step towards him. “You’ve never said it out loud, have you?”

He hesitated. “I’m married.”

“We’ve covered that.”

“Courtney and I have been together for a year–”

“You were involved with Elizabeth for three years before Sonny faked his death.” Carly crossed her arm. “Jason, stop avoiding this. There is nothing wrong with it. You won’t be admitting anything I sure as hell don’t know. Because you would have just denied it if you weren’t in love with her.”

Agitated, Jason reached for the keys but she kept them out of his grasp. “What do you want me to say? That yes, I’m in love with her? That the night we were together, it wasn’t sex?” he demanded.

“For starters, yeah. Don’t worry about saying what’s right–doing the right thing. We have all been doing that for the last year–you’ve been doing what you think is right by Courtney and I have been doing it for Sonny. Well it stops now,” Carly declared. “I am not just Sonny’s wife, I am my own person and you are not just Courtney’s boyfriend, husband, fiancé, whatever. You are more than your job and it’s time you started living that way.”

Jason sighed and leaned against the car. “How did we ever get to this place, Carly?” he asked resigned. “I mean…how was I supposed to know that agreeing to fake Sonny’s death would get me to this place?”

“We make the best decisions possible but sometimes they’re wrong. The more wrong they are, the more your life spirals out of control,” Carly sighed. She touched his arm. “Jason, it’s okay. I know that you love Courtney…”

“I do,” Jason said firmly. “I do love her but…” he shook his head. “Elizabeth’s…she’s in me. I spent so much time…thinking about her…wanting to be with her that when…that when it seemed possible I didn’t…it was yanked from me, you know? She just walked out of the penthouse that night and that was it. She wouldn’t listen to me, she wouldn’t let me explain. She just walked away.”

“She was upset,” Carly said softly. “When the whole charade was going on, she was stuck in the penthouse with only Zander for company. She tried to keep busy–kept cleaning my penthouse–making me dinner, making me brownies. She must have cleaned your place a dozen times. She was drowning over there and I didn’t do anything to fix it. I should–Sonny be damned, I should have told her what was going on.”

“I should have told her,” Jason corrected. “If you could be let in on the secret, there was no reason she couldn’t. But I didn’t. And I couldn’t lie to her face. So I just…stayed away. I thought she’d understand but I know I was asking the impossible now. And…I don’t blame her for leaving.”

“But you do blame her for never coming back,” Carly said slowly.

“Yes. If I meant to her as much as she means to me…how could she just say it was over?”

“So…Courtney was a rebound at first, huh?” Carly said.

“Maybe…I don’t know. She kissed me…two weeks after Elizabeth left and that didn’t even faze me because I couldn’t…I couldn’t concentrate on anything except how empty the penthouse was or every time I went into Kelly’s…how she wouldn’t look at me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a rebound relationship,” she assured him. “It’s natural sometimes. It doesn’t mean you don’t love the person you were with before. But sometimes…sometimes the pain and the emptiness is too much and you want to fill it–to forget it.”

“I…I had thought about ending things with Courtney almost from the time it started,” Jason admitted. “For the first few month or so…it felt wrong. Because she wasn’t…she wasn’t Elizabeth. But things just spiraled out of control. With the trial and Ric showing up in town–” he shook his head. “After Elizabeth found out–she was so angry with both of us, I saw how much I’d hurt her and I decided…it had to be over. And Courtney asked me that night if I had been in love with Elizabeth.”

“And you told her no,” Carly said softly. “You lied.”

“No, no…I didn’t lie,” Jason protested. “She asked me if I had been in love with her–past tense. And I hadn’t been in love with her. I was–I was still in love with her.” He exhaled slowly. “It wasn’t a lie.”

“You omitted the truth,” Carly nodded. She smiled and shook her head. “You and your technicalities.”

“It doesn’t matter any more, Carly. How I feel–what I felt then–none of that matters anymore. Elizabeth moved on. She got married–she loved Ric. It’s over.”

“Seems to me that even if you kissed her first–that she kissed you back.” Carly folded her arms. “She could have said no. She didn’t. Maybe it’s time you asked her why.”

Corinthos Penthouse

Sonny came down the stairs, freshly showered and shaved. He’d spent most of the previous afternoon in a drunken stupor but he had things to do. He had to get his life back.

He’d decided that he’d buy the jury. He’d get acquitted on his mental defect defense. He’d take back the business, he’d take back his family.

It would all be okay. He could do it. He was Sonny Corinthos after all.

The red light on his answering machine was flashing. He pressed the button.

“Sonny, it’s Courtney. I…I know that you know about Jason and Elizabeth. I wanted you to know that I’m…I’m okay. I’m back in Haye’s Landing. I’ll be back for your trial, I promise. I just need this time. I’ve talked to Jason a-and I’m filing for divorce. It’s not just about this, so please don’t be mad at him. He–he was wrong but I was wrong too. I love you, Sonny. I’m so glad you’ve decided to get help. It means the world to me. Goodbye.”

Sonny’s eyes focused on a family picture taken after Carly had returned from her hellish summer of capitivity. She had been heavily pregnant but was still cuddling Michael as close as she could. Sonny had his arm slung around her shoulder and his face next to hers.

Courtney had taken the shot. He remembered that much. He’d lost his family once. Nearly for good.

He wouldn’t lose them again.

Author Archives: Melissa

March 22, 2014

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March 21, 2014

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