February 10, 2004

— Quartermaine Estate: Dining Room —

Brianna Audrey Lansing not only survived the next night, she survived the next six days. Each morning, another doctor would marvel at this incredible miracle of the baby who’d only been twenty-four weeks old when she’d been born.

On February 10, the bills started pouring in and suddenly–reality not only hit Elizabeth, it slammed into her.

“The way we lived–I assumed Ric had money…” Elizabeth sat at the Quartermaine breakfast table and stared at the letters in her hand. “But–there’s nothing left.”

Alexis handed Ric’s will back to Nikolas who looked over it himself though he knew his aunt had missed no angles. “It seemed that Ric changed his will after your original divorce was finalized and instead of you inheriting everything–it all goes to charity.”

“The house was in his name,” Elizabeth murmured. “The cars–everything. They’re going to take it from me, aren’t they?”

“I can contest the will but I don’t see how I’d win,” Alexis said regretfully. “If Brianna were his biological daughter–a judge might award part of the estate to her but she’s not.”

“Jesus…” Elizabeth’s hands started to shake. “I can’t–the bills for Brianna’s care are starting to come in–I was counting on Ric’s money–”

“You know I would give it to you if I had it,” Nikolas said urgently. “Alexis and I have gone over everything–we’re hanging on by a thread.”

“And so is my family,” Emily remarked softly. “But we’ll come up with something, honey. Maybe Luke’s got a secret stash.”

“Mmm-hmm…” Elizabeth closed her eyes, trying to stave off the hot fresh tears burning behind the lids. “And if I can’t get the money, I can’t pay for Brianna’s hospital care–she won’t make it without the specialized care–”

“Jason would do it,” Emily said instantly. “Jason would give you the money in a heartbeat.”

“You’re going to have to come up with a short-term plan anyhow,” Alexis said. “The hospital will only hold off for so long. Jason is a good bet–we can take up collections–”

“I just don’t know how to ask Jason for that kind of money–I’m not good at that sort of thing–”

“I’ll ask,” Emily volunteered. “I’ll do it right now.”

“No–” Elizabeth stopped her from rising. “Brianna is my daughter and she is my responsibility. I’ll do it.”

— Morgan Penthouse —

Elizabeth raised her hand hesitantly but dropped it before she’d actually knocked. She didn’t even know how much money she needed–and what if Courtney were there? Jesus.

“Elizabeth?”

Sonny’s voice startled her and she whirled around. “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” he offered. He stepped towards her. “I heard about your daughter and I’m real glad she’s hanging on.”

“Thanks.” Elizabeth folded her arms tightly and looked down at the ground.

“Ric–well I hated the ground he walked on but I’m real sorry that you lost someone that you love. I know how that can eat at you and I hope you’re doing okay,” Sonny continued.

“I–” She closed her eyes. She was going to break and she was so tired of falling apart in front of people. She needed to get out of here, crawl into a room and scream for a while so she could go to the hospital. “I–I have to go–”

He caught her elbow. “Didn’t you need to talk to Jason or something?”

“I–I can’t do this.” Her breath hitched and her body started to tremble. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, God…” her voice faltered and ended on a ragged sob.

“Elizabeth, what’s wrong?” Sonny asked urgently. He put an arm around her shoulders–more to keep her upright and standing rather than to offer her comfort.

“There’s–there’s no money a-and no one I know can spare the kind of money it’s going to take to keep Brianna’s hospital care going–” Elizabeth started to cry then. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

“Shh…” He wrapped her in an embrace. “You’ll have all the money you need, Elizabeth. Any doctor you want, anything you need, I’ll see that you get it.”

“I don’t–I don’t have the right to ask you for that,” she managed to sputter out.

“Your Brianna is only a little older than my son was when Carly lost him–” she pulled away and looked at him–the pain in his eyes was raw. “Four years ago–they couldn’t save him, there just wasn’t enough technology and I had to choose between Carly and my son–it wasn’t a difficult choice in the end, he never would have survived outside of her body–but it was the worst decision I ever made–and I have never forgotten who was there for me that night…” now his voice was on the verge of breaking. “You gave me comfort when few other people would–”

“I called in that favor a long time ago,” Elizabeth shook her head. “I’ve been so cruel to you, Sonny–”

“And I’ve been just as cruel to you,” he interrupted. “That night was not about favors and neither is this. Your little girl can survive where my boy couldn’t and I’ll be damned if that won’t happen because a silly thing like money.”

The elevator doors slid open and Jason stepped off them, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Elizabeth crying in Sonny’s arms. “Did–did something happen to Brianna?” he asked.

She shook her head. “N-no…I just–I came to talk to you actually and Sonny happened to be here.”

“Why don’t I take you to my place?” Sonny suggested. “You look like you’re in need of a good meal and you can tell Jason about our little arrangement while I cook.”

“I should get to the hospital,” Elizabeth said though the idea of a lunch prepared by Sonny was awfully tempting.

“You’ll do Brianna no good if you don’t take care of yourself. Come on.”

— Corinthos Penthouse —

Elizabeth accepted the tall glass of homemade iced tea gratefully. “Thanks, Sonny.”

“I would have given you the money,” Jason assured her. “You know that, right?”

“I–” Elizabeth sighed. “I wasn’t sure–I know you’d do it if Emily asked because she’s family b-but Brianna’s my daughter and I had to do this myself.”

“I would have done it,” he repeated. “I just can’t believe you’re in this position–when we researched Ric last year, he was comfortable financially.”

Elizabeth sighed. “When we married he first time, he changed his will to include me and whatever children we’d have. But after we divorced, he changed it back and everything goes to charity. He never changed it again.”

“Well, that’s just irresponsible,” Sonny remarked. He set a tray in front of Elizabeth on the coffee table. A plate filled to the brim with a chicken salad sandwich, carrot and celery slices–topped off with a homemade chocolate chip cookie. “When Carly told me she was pregnant with Morgan, I changed my will again and I changed it one more time when he was born.”

“I don’t think Ric knew he was going to…” Elizabeth trailed off. “Anyway–none of that matters to me. I’m staying with the Quartermaines because Emily wanted me there and it’s closer to the hospital but–as long as Brianna’s taken care of, I could sleep under the docks for all I care.”

“Who’s handling the estate?” Sonny asked. “Isn’t there something you can do about the will?”

“Alexis looked over everything–if Brianna were Ric’s biological daughter, I would have had a leg to stand on but she’s not so…”

Sonny frowned–he had been unaware of that information and it seemed that Jason hadn’t been as well. “Elizabeth, if you don’t mind me asking–”

“Oh–Zander’s her father.” Elizabeth sighed and bit into the sandwich. She chewed it and a real genuine smile spread across her face. “God, Sonny, if you ever get tired of being the local Godfather, you could really do something with this skill.”

“Yeah–so I’ve been told.” Sonny cleared his throat. “So if Alexis is acting as your lawyer–I’ll contact her to set up the transfer of funds–”

“Sonny, you really–” she broke off. “I appreciate it–especially the fact that you offered despite the fact that I was married to Ric.”

“You’ve always had a gift of seeing what others wouldn’t in a person,” Sonny told her. “You were friends with Jason and me when everyone you knew wanted you to back off and God knows, you went to the wall time and time again for Zander. If you believed there was something good about my brother–then that’s enough for me.” He shrugged. “As such–your connection to him doesn’t bother me. I’m doing this because I like you.”

“And if you need any more money, just let me know,” Jason jumped in. “Or–anything at all.”

“Thank you both–so much.” Elizabeth smiled weakly. “If everyone keeps this up, I won’t know who to pick for Brianna’s godfather.”

— General Hospital: Neo-Natal Unit —

“Mrs. Lansing…” Dr. Meadows sighed and shifted a clipboard under her arm when she found the young mother standing outside the nursery. “I wondered if I could have a moment of your time.”

“She looks even better than she did last night, doesn’t she?” Elizabeth asked hopefully. “Her chances are better aren’t they?”

“She’s surpassed all expectations as of yet,” Dr. Meadows said. “Mrs. Lansing, I want you to be prepared though.”

The smile slid from her face and her skin paled. “Prepared for what? Brianna’s eight days old. Most babies would have died by now.”

“She can still catch an infection–” Dr. Meadows broke off and shook her head. “Yes–she’s eight days old and with every day that passes, she gets stronger. But if she survives, I cannot guarantee that she won’t have some developmental problems–brain damage. She may never lead a full life–”

“That’s what they said about me.” Jason stepped up to her side. “They told the Quartermaines that and they told me when I woke up from the coma. But doctors don’t know everything.”

Dr. Meadows pressed her lips together firmly. “I don’t believe in giving her false hope.”

“Whatever Brianna’s problems maybe in the future, she is my daughter and I love her regardless. The mere fact you telling me things that may happen down the road gives me hope,” Elizabeth replied.

“Mrs. Lansing, there is only so much we can do for her here,” Dr. Meadows said bluntly. “She still lives–but machines are living for her. Breathing for her. Her lungs do not work and we cannot guarantee she will ever live without the help of the machines.”

Whatever color might have been left drained from her face. “Are you saying she may–that she may never breathe on her own?”

“She was never supposed to survive the first night,” the doctor tried to be gentle. “I’m aware that you’re having trouble paying your medical bills from the brief visit you had last week–Brianna’s care will surpass that amount and sky rocket–I just wonder if it’s not worth the effort–”

“Money is no longer an obstacle,” Jason said coldly. “And neither is finding a doctor who’s a little more capable of handling a case as delicate as this one.”

Elizabeth glanced at him sharply–surprised not only by his arrival but now his quick and cutting defense of her and her daughter.

“Mr. Morgan–I am the best trained professional here and I’m saying that Brianna will never be a normal child–”

“I don’t want to hear any more of this,” Elizabeth whimpered. She clamped her hands over her ears.

“You will hear and you will listen. Keeping that baby alive with those machines is cruel and unnecessary,” Dr. Meadows said sharply. “It’d be in the best interest of the child if you just let nature take its course.”

Elizabeth stared at the doctor with barely bridled irritation. “And if I take her off the machines–what? She dies?”

“Or she fights to breathe on her own and we see if we truly have a fighter on our hands.” Dr. Meadows shrugged. “It’s completely up to you.”

“Elizabeth–you need to think about this a little more,” Jason said. He touched her shoulder. “Emily, Nikolas and Lucky are in the waiting room–maybe we should go talk to them–”

“No. I know my daughter will be all right. She’s survived eight days when she never should have survived the delivery. And–if she’s not…” Elizabeth took a deep, bracing breath. “Then I’ll deal with that. But I will not stand here and let you tell me that I’m a cruel person. Give me whatever forms I have to sign and we’ll see exactly what my little girl is made of.”

Fifteen minutes later, Elizabeth stood in front of the nursery window, her arms folded tightly. Every muscle in her body was braced for the possibility she could lose her daughter. While she watched the doctors prepare to move Brianna from the breathing machines, she glanced up at Jason. “You know–I didn’t even ask if there was anything you needed.”

“I just came to let you know that Sonny transferred the money,” Jason replied. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m positive–if she can’t survive even a few moments off the machines, then I know what she’s saying is true.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “And as much as I don’t want to lose her, I can’t let her suffer.”

Dr. Meadows emerged from the room. “They’re going to do it now. If she manages to draw a breath, we’ll put her back on the machines. There’s no reason to wear her lungs out right now. We’ll need to do a surgery to strengthen her lungs and then possibly we can see about her being off the machine.”

“Just–just do it,” Elizabeth said softly.

Dr. Meadows nodded and gave the doctor the nod. Inside, a male doctor removed the breathing tube from Brianna’s throat.

And Elizabeth watched her daughter take her first breath.

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