Elizabeth closed the door behind her and sighed, taking in the guest room of Jason’s penthouse. Her home, she corrected mentally. It was her home for the foreseeable future.
She’d moved her things into the same room she’d stayed in originally and if she closed her eyes, for a few minutes it would almost feel like the last ten months hadn’t happened. That maybe if she wished really hard, it would be that night in September again and she’d get a second chance.
But inevitably, she’d open her eyes and she’d come crashing back to reality. So what was the point of pretending for a moment?
She sighed again and crossed the room to the vanity table. As a wedding present, Carly had redecorated the bedroom in soft rose and beige colors. It was almost like the other woman was making an extra effort to be nice to her, but Elizabeth was willing to take what she could get. Any allies during this period of her life would be welcome.
She sat down and stared at her self for a few moments. Her makeup was faded but still intact for the most part, her hair was still done. She smiled. “Elizabeth Morgan,” she said softly, trying to get used to the sound of the name from her lips. The smile fell after a few moments.
It was ridiculous to try and pretend like any of this mattered. So she lived in his penthouse, had his name and now wore a gold wedding band. They were married in name only. There would be no romantic honeymoon, no silky lingerie…she closed her eyes, letting her imagination drift. They would have gone to Italy, rented a villa by the ocean. The room would have had a balcony overlooking the water with silk curtains. She could almost feel the wind on her skin and see the bed where he’d—
A soft knock startled out of her fantasy. She flushed and took a deep breath. If she allowed herself to think about things like that, she’d never survive this marriage.
She peered in the mirror and saw the door over her shoulder. “Come in,” she called.
Jason entered, his tux jacket long gone and his shirt undone a few buttons. Her mouth was suddenly dry. She licked her lips. “Jason.”
“Hey. I just” He shifted and leaned against the door frame. “I wanted to make sure you had everything you need.”
Not everything. She closed her eyes, forcing the idea out of her brain for good. “I’m fine,” Elizabeth answered. She reached up and started to unclip her hair, letting the curls fall around her neck. “You?”
He watched her take the pins out of her hair and set them on the vanity, her rich chocolate curls surrounding her face. She still wore the silk strapless gown and her lips were still painted a dark red. She was so beautiful
And she was speaking. He shook his head slightly. “I’m sorry—what did you say?”
“Never mind,” Elizabeth replied. She unclasped the locket from Luke and set it on the glass surface.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh…Sonny wanted to invite us over for brunch tomorrow. Emily’s supposed to come too.”
“That’s fine,” Elizabeth answered. She slipped her bracelet off and set it next to the necklace. She glanced down at her left hand with a small diamond engagement ring and a slim gold wedding band.
“Good night,” Jason said finally after an awkward silence.
“Good night,” she echoed.
He closed the door behind him and she let out an uneasy breath. Her eyes fell on the locket and she picked it up. She hadn’t opened it, hadn’t thought about it actually. She clicked it open.
Inside was a picture of Elizabeth taken the summer of the “Dead Ted” disaster. Her hair was worn short—she looked so much younger and happier. She couldn’t remember being happy all that much at that time, so she wondered when Laura had taken this.
The picture in the other side was of Jason. Her eyes widened at the sight—it was an old picture in which he had longer hair and he was young. Why would Laura…what would give the idea to put their pictures together in a locket?
A lump grew in throat and she wished she could call Laura and ask her, to talk to her. She stood and crossed to the nightstand where the phone was.
She dialed the familiar number and waited until his soothing voice came over the line. “Hello?”
“Luke, it’s Elizabeth,” she said softly, sinking onto the bed, the locket still in her hand. “The locket from Laura–”
“What about it darlin’?” Luke frowned. “You sound upset. Is everything all right?”
“Did she ever tell you what was in it?” Elizabeth asked softly.
“Not especially,” Luke replied. “She kind of fretted for a while about what to put in it, and then she told me one day she’d figured it out and that it was the perfect idea. But she didn’t tell me, told me I’d have to wait until the wedding.” Luke hesitated. “What was in it?”
“An old picture of me and an even older picture of Jason,” Elizabeth replied. “So you don’t know why?”
“Well, my angel was always perceptive. It’s possible she saw what was between you and Morgan and went from there. I can’t really help you, sweetheart.”
“I didn’t want to bring up Laura…but I just opened it and it just…” Elizabeth trailed off. “Luke, I can’t do this,” she breathed, the sound of tears in her voice. “I’m not strong enough.”
“Sure you are, Liz,” Luke replied, confidently. “You got that baby inside you. You’re strong enough for anything.”
“What if I’m not?” Elizabeth asked. “What if Ric finds me?” her voice almost fearful. “What would he do if he could get to me?”
“He can’t,” Luke assured her quickly. “Morgan and Corinthos have taken every security measure possible to ensure differently. They’ll protect you and if comes to anything else, I’ve got the resources to protect you.”
“Luke—”
“Elizabeth, get some rest. You’ll wear yourself out worrying about thing that will probably never happen.”
She chewed on her lip. “I’ll see you later, Luke. Thank you for everything.”
“Not a problem. Good night.”
She replaced the phone in the receiver and stared at the open locket again. She touched her still flat abdomen. “I won’t fail you,” she murmured. “I promise.”
Jason was waiting the next morning when Elizabeth came down the stairs. She was dressed in a gray tank top and a pair of jeans, her only jewelry were her rings and the locket. Her hair was thrown up in a careless ponytail. He became alarmed when he saw the pallor of her face.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded and grabbed her purse from the closet. “Morning sickness,” she murmured.
“Isn’t there anything you can do to avoid it?” Jason asked, curiously.
She shook her head, not wanting to share the details of her pregnancy with him. She’d already made her decisions. She would barely mention it, not let him to go any doctor’s appointments. She was refusing to let him be emotionally involved.
“We’d better be going,” she murmured as she slipped past him out the door.
“Good morning,” Carly chirped without looking up from her magazine. She sipped her orange juice. “How was the wedding night?”
“Knock it off,” Emily shot back. She smiled at Elizabeth and Jason. “Hey guys, Sonny’s still cooking.”
Elizabeth groaned as she slid into a seat next to Carly. “Do not even mention food,” she grumbled.
“Ah, morning sickness,” Carly murmured. “I know how that is. You know, Sonny made these really cool smoothies for the first few months. I got all the vitamins and stuff I needed and it was easier to keep down.”
“You think he’d give me the recipe?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“Ha!” Carly replied. “I doubt it. But he’ll probably make you one whenever you want it.”
“Good. Because I don’t know how I’m supposed to survive this morning crap,” Elizabeth muttered. She poured herself some orange juice. “I’m not a morning person to begin with.”
“Who’s your obstetrician?” Carly asked curiously. The two women fell into a discussion about their doctors and different delivery methods while Emily leaned closer to her brother.
“How’s it going so far?” she asked.
He shrugged. “About the same as it’s been going for the past two months,” he answered.
“It’ll all work out,” Emily said, patting his arm. “I’ve got faith.”
“At least someone does.”
Elizabeth was curled up on the sofa in the penthouse reading a book about pregnancy when Jason entered later that day. He’d gotten some weird looks from some of the men at the warehouse and had asked one of the guards what it was about. Johnny told him that the men thought it was odd that a newly married man would be in work at all the day after he’d been married. Apparently, not everyone realized the marriage wasn’t real.
“Hey,” Jason greeted.
“Hey,” Elizabeth murmured, not looking up.
He stood awkwardly near the stairs for a few moments. “Uh, did you want to do something for dinner?” he asked.
“I’m not really hungry,” Elizabeth replied. She turned a page and began reading about the changes her body would be making this month.
“You should eat anyway,” Jason told her. “You’re—”
“—eating for two,” Elizabeth finished. “That’s what Sonny said when he was checking on me earlier.”
“Still” Jason eyed the doorway to the kitchen. “We’ve probably got some frozen dinners in there. I could heat them up,” he offered.
“That’s fine.” Elizabeth bit her lip. “Courtney called. She left the number of her hotel room. It’s over there,” she said, indicating the pad near the telephone. “She told me to tell you she’s having a great time, but wishes you were there. She misses and loves you.”
Jason winced. “Elizabeth—”
“I think I’ll go to bed after dinner,” she interrupted. “I’m tired.”
He exhaled slowly and waited a beat before heading for the kitchen. It was like pulling teeth trying to have a conversation with her. It had been since the day she’d come to Sonny for help in May. They’d just discovered Ric’s connection to Sonny and were discussing their options.
“He’s hell bent on destroying you,” Jason said again pointing out the obvious. “We’ve got to do something to neutralize him.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right.” Sonny sighed and shook his head. “But I just don’t feel right doing it to my own flesh and blood. My mother’s son. My brother, y’know?”
“I understand that, Sonny, but Ric has crossed the line far too many times. With Carly, with Courtney—” Jason shook his head. “We need to do something.”
There was a knock at the door then and Marco opened the door. “Elizabeth Webber to see you.”
Sonny frowned but waved her in. Elizabeth was pale and trembling when she entered. “Sonny, I know this is unexpected, but I really need to talk to you.”
“Sure, what’s up?” Sonny asked. “Are you okay?”
Elizabeth glanced at Jason nervously and licked her lips before saying. “It’s—it’s Ric. He—I—” Tears gathered at the corner of her big cerulean eyes. “I’m pregnant and when I went to tell him, he was on the phone. And II over heard him talking about taking you out and destroying you” She swallowed hard. “He saw me and he knew I’d overheard too much. He—” Elizabeth stopped suddenly.
“What happened, Elizabeth?” Sonny asked concerned. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her to the couch. “Did he do anything to you?”
“He just—he told me if I went to you, he’d kill me and the baby. But he told me that he’d take care of it anyway.” Her eyes searched his dark ones. “He scared me, Sonny. I can’t—he threatened my baby. I knew I had to come to you.”
“You came to the right place,” Sonny told her. “We’ll protect you. You have my word.”
And since that day, it’d been Sonny’s goal in life to protect his half-brother’s ex-girlfriend and her child. When Jason closed his eyes sometimes, he could still remember that haunted look in her eyes that day.
She was four months pregnant now and would be showing at any time. Against his better judgment, sometimes he thought what she’d look like. Her face would be fuller, her breasts heavier, her stomach rounded. She’d probably look more and more beautiful each day.
He knew it’d be all too easy to get involved in her pregnancy and become attached to her unborn child. This child, though half Ric Lansing’s, was part of Elizabeth and he knew he’d love the child.
But this marriage would be over one day and Elizabeth would take her child and leave. He’d lose another child. He couldn’t do that again, so he was going to force himself to stay aloof. Not ask any questions or make suggestions. He was going to make sure she was healthy and safe, and there his obligations ended.
He tossed the dinners into the oven and turned the heat on. He headed for the wall phone, intent on calling Courtney and asking her not to call the penthouse again during the day. She had his cell phone number, there was no reason to disturb Elizabeth.
He stopped halfway through dialing and hung up the phone. Defending Elizabeth to Courtney was the fastest way to screw this all up. He leaned against the kitchen counter and sighed, irritated. How did his life get this complicated so fast? A year ago, he’d been traveling in Europe, his only thoughts of home were Sonny, Carly, Michael and Elizabeth.
Now, he’d been married once to a woman he couldn’t stand, managed to alienate the woman he loved, and gotten involved with his boss’s sister. In his eyes, the only thing he’d done right lately was agree to marry Elizabeth. He’d keep her safe and healthy and love her from a distance. He could do it. He’d been doing it for years, why should now be any different?
He returned to the living room to tell Elizabeth that dinner was almost ready and saw her stretched out on the sofa, her book having fallen to the floor. She was sleeping soundly, her hand resting on her flat tummy.
He sighed and hooked his arms underneath her light body, lifting her into the air. She stirred only for a minute, long enough to tuck her head in the crook of his shoulder.
He set her on her bed and took off her sneakers, placing them at the foot of the bed. It was a warm night, so he left the sheets off. He kissed her forehead and before he knew it, he had his large tanned hand resting on her abdomen.
“I promise to always take care of you,” he said softly. “You and your mother.” He waited another moment to be sure Elizabeth didn’t stir again before he stood and left the room.
When the door clicked shut, Elizabeth opened her eyes and a single tear streaked down her cheek.
Meanwhile somewhere in Europe
Ric Lansing glared at the wedding announcement. “I don’t know what he thinks this is going to solve,” he snarled before tossing it aside.
Faith Roscoe laughed and sipped her wine. “He’s made some sort of deal with the families,” she replied. “No one is to support anything to do with you or I and in return, he’ll let them run some shipments through his territory. It’s actually rather smart having Jason marry the little twit—”
“Watch it, Faith,” Ric warned.
She rolled her eyes and leaned towards him, her blood red lips in a perfect pout. “Don’t tell me you still care about the girl? After all, you threatened to kill her and your unborn child should she run and tell anyone what she overheard.”
“You don’t understand,” Ric muttered. “She was never supposed to get involved. She wasn’t part of the plan.”
“You should have stayed as far away from her as possible,” Faith reminded him. “And now, you’ll probably have to get rid of her.” She sighed. “We should do it as soon as possible. Get it over with.”
“No,” Ric said sharply. “After the baby is born. We’ll take her.” He shoved a folder aside. “Her and the child. She’ll come to me and we’ll raise the baby together.”
Faith smirked. “You really think she’s going to come to you willingly? She went to Sonny to get away from you.”
“I’ll make her see it my way. I’ll make her understand that I never wanted to hurt her, that I was just angry because things had gotten out of control. She’ll understand, Faith.”
“Right,” Faith drawled. “So, we wait for five months to finish Sonny off just so you can have your precious princess?”
“We wait. We let Sonny think he’s got everything under control,” Ric replied. His brown eyes flashed in anger. “Don’t do anything stupid, like you did last month by grabbing Elizabeth. That just pissed Corinthos off more. Why do you think this marriage happened?”
“Fine. We let the little morons sit in peace,” Faith replied. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it, by the way. I hope you know that.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Ric muttered. He stood. “I need some fresh air.”
Emily dropped into a seat across from Lucky. “The photographer dropped off the wedding photos,” she told him, shoving the large manila envelope across the table.
“Why’d they give it to you?” Lucky asked, curiously.
She shrugged. “Because I ordered it. I thought one day, they might want a memento.” She opened the envelope and took out the package. “Here’s one of her walking down the aisle.”
He took it from her. “She looked almost happy,” he mused.
“I think part of her is happy,” Emily replied. “She’s married to Jason, who you and I both know she’s still in love with. Sonny and Jason would do anything to protect her. She’s got her friends and family looking out for her. The only thing that would complete it—”
“Would be Ric’s head on a silver platter and Jason loving her in return,” Lucky finished.
“If I get my way, she’ll get both,” Emily said fiercely.
Lucky raised an eyebrow. “How you going to accomplish that?”
Emily searched through the pictures, handing one to him. It was a picture of Elizabeth and Jason dancing. “Tell me he doesn’t love her,” she challenged.
Lucky studied the picture, the way Emily’s brother had his arms tight around his best friend’s face and his head dipped, his forehead resting in her hair. “Okay, I can’t say that he feels nothing for her.”
She put the pictures back and nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
Comments
No comments yet