Luke Spencer’s Office 

Luke Spencer stared at a family portrait on his desk, his light blue eyes dull and listless. “Aw, Angel,” he said quietly. “What the hell happened to us?” He picked the picture up and held it in his hands.

He leaned back in his leather chair and closed his eyes, holding the framed portrait against his chest. Just seven short years ago, they’d been a family. They weren’t perfect—but they’d loved each other.

“Mr. Spencer?”

Luke opened his eyes and sat up quickly setting the picture back on his desk. “Good morning, AJ.”

AJ Quartermaine lowered himself into one of the two brown leather chairs placed in front of Luke’s heavy mahogany desk. “I’ve got the latest progress report on the club in Seattle,” the dark-haired young man said, holding up the manila folder.

Luke rubbed his eyes. “Anything you can’t handle yourself?” he asked.

AJ shook his head. “No.” He leaned forward. “Actually, I was thinking of putting Nikolas Cassadine in charge of it. You know, send him out there for a few weeks.”

Luke gave the younger man a brief smile. “Purely for his own good? You have no ulterior motives?”

AJ’s cheeks stained with red as he looked down. “No…of c-course not. I think that Cassadine is ready for the responsibility.”

“And he won’t be hanging around Beth,” Luke said, a little sparkle flickering in his eyes as he thought of his youngest daughter.

“I’m sure Beth would appreciate it,” AJ admitted. “She’s told me a few times that Nikolas’s attentions are unwanted.”

Luke sighed. “I wouldn’t mind if I thought Nikolas was genuinely interested her. But I think it might have something to do with the fact that I’m leaving the majority of the company to Beth.”

“It is an attractive inheritance,” AJ agreed. He met the eyes of his future father-in-law. “But I don’t need to marry Beth in order to gain it. I hope you know that, Mr. Spencer.”

“No, AJ. I’m sure your affections for my daughter are real,” Luke told him. “And rest assured that whether or not you and Beth don’t marry, what isn’t being left to Beth is being left to you.”

“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Spencer,” AJ told him, “but with your permission I intend on proposing to Beth this weekend at the company party.”

“It’s awfully nice for you to ask my permission,” Luke said. “Most people think its outdated tradition,” he continued, slightly bitter.

“You mean Sonny Corinthos,” AJ said.

Luke glared at him. “I thought I made it clear that his name would never be spoken in my presence.”

“I’m sorry,” AJ apologized. “It won’t happen again.”

Luke took a deep breath and looked away. “Speaking of Lucifer, the latest report come in?”

AJ nodded. “Taggart delivered it personally this morning. Brenda and the girls are still healthy and apparently happy. He included pictures in the report.”

“And he’s still being discrete?” Luke asked.

AJ nodded. “As far as we can tell, Brenda has no idea that you hired a private investigator.”

“Good, I want it to remain that way.” Luke was silent for a few moments. “You’re a good man, AJ. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather Beth marry.”

AJ’s grin was instantaneous and wide. “Thanks, Mr. Spencer.”

Jason Morgan’s penthouse

Jason Morgan felt the light kisses on his chest and opened one eye lazily. “Knock that off. You know we gotta leave soon.”

Elizabeth Spencer raised her head off his chest and smiled at him. “You in a hurry to get rid of me?” she teased. She sat up fully and threw one leg over his waist, straddling him. “Hmm…” she murmured, shifting a little. “Doesn’t feel that way to me.”

“Elizabeth,” Jason warned. “You’re already late to get back.”

Elizabeth threw her hair back and sighed. “You’re no fun,” she pouted. She slid off him and lay on her back next to him. “How much longer do we have to sneak around?”

Jason rolled onto his side and propped his head on up on his elbow. “Just a few more weeks,” he promised. “Sonny’s trying to negotiate a cease fire with your father. If we can get that, then there won’t be any problem.”

“I don’t know what you’re so scared of,” Elizabeth said, irritated. “You know my father likes you. He’s been trying to get you to work for him for ages.”

“I know. But respecting me and letting me date his little girl are two totally different things,” Jason said. “Besides, isn’t his heart set on you marrying AJ?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “You’d think he would have given up. I mean, I haven’t given him any encouragement. I’m about as bored as can be when we go to dinner.” She met Jason’s cerulean blue eyes. “Your brother can’t take a hint.”

“Half-brother,” Jason reminded her. “And neither can your other boyfriend,” he said without a hint of jealousy.

Elizabeth sighed and stretched her arm over her head. “What can I say?” she purred. “I’m irresistible.”

Jason just laughed and leaned down to nip at her bare shoulder. “I can’t disagree with that.”

She giggled and reached around his neck to pull his head down. He acquiesced easily enough but only for a short kiss. She groaned as he pulled away and rolled to the edge of the bed. “You’re so stubborn,” she grumbled sitting up.

“Hey, we made it this far,” Jason said, pulling on a pair of green boxers. He reached inside his drawer for a pair of jeans. “I really don’t want to get caught now.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she pulled her pink panties over her legs. She reached for the matching bra on the floor. “Caught,” she repeated. “You sound sixteen-years-old.”

“Elizabeth, we’ve discussed this,” Jason said. “And you agreed.”

“I know, I know,” Elizabeth said. She sighed and stood. “Where are my pants?” she asked searching the room.

“They might be downstairs.” Jason grinned and watched her look for her shirt. “I’m pretty sure your shirt is on the steps.”

“We were a little anxious, weren’t we?” Elizabeth said. She wrapped his arms around his jean-clad waist and peered up at him. “I am so sick of having to sneak back into my bedroom like I’m doing something wrong.”

Jason exhaled slowly and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I know. I don’t feel any better about it.”

“Then why do we have to wait for my father’s approval?” Elizabeth asked. “Brenda didn’t. She loved Sonny and she married him. Why don’t I get to make that same choice?”

Jason closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling. “Because I’m not okay with you sacrificing your family for me.”

“My family?” Elizabeth repeated. She pulled away from him and shook her head. “I don’t have a family. I’ve got a father who still thinks I’m twelve and a cousin who’s so screwed up she barely knows I’m alive. I’ve got a sister I’m not allowed to claim simply because she fell in love with the wrong person.” Elizabeth whirled around and pointed at him. “You have two weeks, Jason. I’m going to tell my father one way or another.”

“Elizabeth—” Jason stopped and shook his head. “I thought we discussed this. We agreed that—”

“Are you ashamed of me?” Elizabeth demanded. “Is that it? You don’t want anyone knowing about me?” Her eyes narrowed into little slits. “You just biding your time until Robin comes home from Paris?”

“Stop acting like a spoiled brat,” Jason said, sharply. “I’m not ashamed of you and it’s ridiculous to even suggest it. I’m doing this for you—”

“I didn’t ask you to!” Elizabeth shot back. “You’re the one so concerned about my father and his approval, not me.” She broke off abruptly. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you. I’m just sick of feeling like I’m doing something wrong. I know we talked about this—but that was six months ago. My father is pushing for an engagement with AJ—and I just bet AJ’s already asked my father for permission.”

“You’re not going to say yes, so what does it matter?” Jason asked.

“You don’t understand how my father is,” Elizabeth insisted. “You don’t just say no to something he wants. And he’s got this whole elaborate fantasy about handing the business over to AJ, his son-in-law. I don’t think he’s ever quite forgiven my mother for never having a son.”

“So you’d marry AJ if we don’t take this public?” Jason asked. “What? Is that like an ultimatum?”

Elizabeth glared at him for a second before pulling his bedroom door open and storming into the hallway. Jason waited a beat before following her.

She stopped long enough to pull her blue sweater over her head before starting for the stairs. “I cannot believe you said to me!”

She found her jeans on the seventh step from the top and paused to pull them over her legs.

“Elizabeth, don’t leave like this,” Jason said. He fastened his jeans and zipped them. “Come on—”

Elizabeth started hunting for her black boots. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to live at home these days. Skye’s always moaning about how her mother left her and Dad’s still mourning my mother’s death. Scott Baldwin makes weekly appearances to accuse Dad of killing her.” She found one lodged between the couch and the end table and pulled it over her foot. “Nikolas Cassadine keeps asking me out for dinner and AJ’s pressuring me for a commitment and Emily’s got these problems with Zander she expects me to solve.” She found the second underneath Jason’s desk and jerked it on. “And now I got you accusing me of making ultimatums.”

Jason just stood at the bottom of the stairs, letting her ramble on. When he sensed she was finished, he caught her as she headed for the door and pulled to him.

“Hey, hey,” he murmured into her ear. Elizabeth sighed and relaxed against him. “I’m sorry. I think things got a little heated and I don’t want you leaving like this.”

“I don’t like to fight with you,” Elizabeth said. She rested her hands on top of Jason’s at her waist. “I’m so tired of being my father’s little girl.”

“I know.” Jason kissed her neck and released her. “I’ll see you tonight. You sure you can get away for dinner?”

“Dad’s got a meeting, so he and AJ will be gone for hours. They’ll assume I’m asleep when they get home. Skye probably won’t even know I’m not home.”

“Brenda’s excited,” Jason told her. “Can’t stop talking about it.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too. I can’t wait for Dad to grow up and admit that Brenda did okay for herself.” She sighed. “I better go.” She turned around and kissed him one last time before pulling her jacket on and leaving.

Spencer Estate

Skye Spencer crossed her legs and stared down at her glass of whiskey. “You know…it’s not my fault my cousin isn’t receptive to your attention.”

Nikolas Cassadine shoved his hand into the pockets of his black pants and glared at the redhead. “It’s 9:30 in the morning, Skye. Don’t you think it’s a little early for this?”

“Don’t you think it’s a little early for you to be coming around?” Skye shot back. She downed her entire drink before standing—a little unsteadily. “You’re always lurking around. You know—Beth isn’t interested. So lay off.”

Nikolas shook his head. “You’re pathetic, do you know that?”

Skye set her glass down and shoved him weakly. “You don’t have any right to speak to me like that!” she said, grandly. “Just because you got me into bed—once—it does not mean you get to treat me like garbage.”

“Maybe if you didn’t like—”

“Nikolas!”

Elizabeth’s voice effectively shut him up as the young man turned to the doorway of the sitting room, his head snapping to look at the brunette so fast Skye was sure he’d get whiplash.

“Beth, you’re looking marvelous as always this morning,” Nikolas said, giving her a charming smile and kissing her cheek. Elizabeth—freshly showered and dressed in a light blue sundress—smiled.

“That’s very nice of you. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Elizabeth said, looking to her cousin who’d sat back down on the settee. “Skye, have you eaten breakfast this morning?”

“No,” Skye murmured. She pulled her long dark red hair out of her face and peered up at her cousin. “Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, Skye. I rarely sleep past eleven these days. Too much to do.” She took Skye by the arm and practically forced her to stand. “Nikolas, you don’t mind if I steal my cousin away for some breakfast, do you? I’m sure Daddy and AJ must be expecting you at the office.”

Elizabeth led Skye out of the sitting room and down the hall to the breakfast nook. Once they were safely ensconced in there with the door firmly shut, Elizabeth collapsed into a chair, rubbing her eyes.

“He’s resorted to ambushing me in the morning?” she asked, reaching for the pot of coffee to pour in Skye’s coffee mug.

“That man gives me a headache,” Skye grumbled. “I have enough to deal with without worry about him creeping in and out of here. Why don’t you just tell him you have no interest in him whatsoever and be done with it?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Believe me—I’ve tried. He’s not taking the hint.” She grimaced. “Neither is AJ for that matter.”

“So you’re still not going to tell me about your secret romance?” Skye asked. “Don’t think I don’t know there’s a mystery man.”

Elizabeth poured herself some orange juice. “Dad already at the office?” she asked, deliberately avoiding the question.

“As far as I know,” Skye replied, sipping her coffee. “He said that my mother called last week.”

Elizabeth slid some scrambled eggs onto her plate and reached for the plate of bacon. “Did you speak with her?”

Skye shook her head. “She just wanted some money. I haven’t talked to her in years.”

“You’re better off,” Elizabeth said. “Aunt Barbara just wasn’t made to be a mother.”

Skye sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Scott came by earlier.”

Elizabeth chewed thoughtfully on her strip of bacon. “You don’t think there’s anything to his idea do you?”

“What, that Luke murdered Laura?” Skye snorted. “I doubt that. The man’s been miserable since she died.”

“I know. But I don’t think Scott’s been mooning over my mother for the past thirty years with no good reason. I’m sure at one time they must have been happy.”

“And then Laura met Luke while working at the one of the clubs…” Skye frowned. “Which one was it again?”

“The Orlando club,” Elizabeth said. She reached for a piece of toast. “She convinced Scott to move up here where she and my father began a torrid affair.”

“And she divorced Scott after Luke divorced his first wife,” Skye finished. “Such a romantic story.”

“Such a horrible story,” Elizabeth corrected. “You’ve got two married people cheating on their spouses. It’s ridiculous and I hope the man I marry understands that if he ever cheats on me, he’s going to lose the ability to reproduce.”

“Ouch,” Skye murmured. “I’d hate to cross you.”

“So what am I supposed to do about AJ and Nikolas?” Elizabeth asked. “I have no intention of marrying either of them.”

“Well, I don’t think Nikolas would dare propose without Luke’s consent and the only man that Luke would consent to is AJ.”

“And if AJ proposes?”

Skye shrugged. “Turn him down.” She leaned forward. “Come on, Elizabeth. Tell me about this guy you’re hot for.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “Skye…” She looked away. “He’s incredible,” she finally said. “I’ve never felt like this before. When we’re together, I hate the fact that I have to hide it. And when we’re apart, all I can do is think is about the next time we’ll be together.”

Skye sighed. “It must be nice to have that,” she murmured. She rested her chin on her elbow and stared into space. “To love someone and be loved in return. To feel wanted.”

Luke Spencer’s Office

Luke stubbed his cigar out in the gold ashtray his wife had given him for their tenth anniversary and peered across the desk at the blonde man. “You want me to help you bankrupt Sonny Corinthos.”

Jasper Jacks nodded. “Yes, I do,” he stated firmly, his rich voice tinged with a deep Australian accent. “I want Corinthos put out of business.”

Luke chuckled and jerked a thumb towards AJ. “AJ, you want to fill this guy in on how it works here on the mainland?”

Jasper narrowed his eyes at the slur but AJ ignored the nasty look and started talking. “Sonny Corinthos has been directly competing with Spencer Industries for the last nine years,” he said monotone. “His clubs are second only to ours. He has over thirty night clubs spread across twenty-seven states. He also runs a restaurant chain with fifteen restaurants world wide. They’re located in all the major cities—London, Paris, New York, Vienna, etc. He’s currently trying to get a publishing company off the ground. If he succeeds, he will be publishing both books and magazines. His base of operations was in New York City, but he moved here six years go.” AJ finished his recitation and smirked at the foreigner. “Mr. Jacks, it has been tried. You can’t put Sonny Corinthos out of business.”

Jasper shifted in his seat. “I realize that it’s a risky venture—”

“Better men than you have tried and failed,” Luke cut in smoothly.

Jasper sighed impatiently. “I also realize that it’s asking you to put your own son-in-law—”

“I have no son-in-law!” Luke barked. “We’re finished here, Jacks. Get out.”

“Mr. Spencer—”

“Out.”

AJ stood. “Allow me to show you out,” he said graciously while trying to hide his smirk.

Hallway 

Elizabeth was leaning against the wall when the door to her father’s office opened. She straightened immediately and wanted to groan when she saw AJ exit the office.

“Beth!” AJ said, delighted. He stepped forward as if to kiss her but Elizabeth turned her face so that his lips landed on her cheek.

“Hello,” she said, politely. She looked past AJ to the tall and muscular blonde man behind him. She sighed, thinking of her own muscular and tall blonde.

“Oh. This is Jasper Jacks, a business associate of your father’s,” AJ introducted. “Jasper, this is Elizabeth Spencer, Luke’s daughter.”

“His youngest, I presume?” Jasper asked taking Elizabeth’s offered hand and kissing it. She grimaced and surreptitiously wiped it on her sundress.

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied coolly. “Brenda is my elder sister.”

AJ cleared his throat. “Thanks for coming by, Jasper. We’ll be sure to call you.”

Jasper frowned at the clear dismissal and smiled charmingly at Elizabeth. “Until we meet again, Ms. Spencer?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be too soon,” she remarked dryly. He passed by her and headed for the bank of elevators. “Honestly, what a worm.”

AJ laughed. “Yeah. He wanted to bankrupt Corinthos, but your father turned him down.”

“He did?” Elizabeth asked, eagerly hoping it mean that her father was serious about a cease fire with Sonny and Jason.

“Yeah. Your father doesn’t want to share the credit when we put him out of business,” AJ told him.

“Oh.” Elizabeth looked away. “Is my father busy right now?”

“Actually, we’re on our way to another meeting,” AJ said. “I was just getting rid of Jacks. I’ll see you at dinner tonight?”

“You’re coming over again?” Elizabeth asked.

AJ smiled. “Of course, Beth. Oh, and don’t forget about the party this weekend. It’s important that we be there.” He winked at her and disappeared back into the office.

Elizabeth’s heart sank. Not only did it appear that her father was not going to relent on Sonny or Jason, but that AJ had finally gotten what he’d been aiming for.

Her father’s consent to propose.

Spencer Estate: Sun Porch

“Ms. Spencer?”

Skye sighed, irritated. “What is it, Maggie?” she asked the housekeeper without looking up.

“There is a young woman at the door demanding to speak with you,” Maggie replied.

“Tell her to go away,” Skye murmured, flipping another page without really reading any of the articles.

“She says that she is acquainted with Barbara Spencer,” the housekeeper tried again.

Her head jerked up, sending her fiery tresses flying over her forehead. “What?” Skye asked, incredulously.

“She knows your mother.”

The magazine was thrown to the ground and Skye was across the threshold, striding towards the front of the house before Maggie could even blink.

The woman standing in the foyer was of medium height and average build. She was dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans with a white tank top. A dark suede jacket was slung over her arms. Her dark eyes were examining the entrance shrewdly as if she were trying to ascertain the value of some of the objects.

“Can I help you?” Skye asked, sharply.

The young woman turned, her long honey blonde hair flying over her shoulder. She smirked. “Skye Spencer?”

“Yes,” Skye confirmed. “Who are you?”

“Caroline Benson,” the woman replied. “Barbara Spencer is my mother.”

“I see,” Skye murmured. “And what do you expect me to do? She doesn’t live here. She doesn’t really live anywhere.”

“I know,” Caroline snapped. “But she sent me here. Said I could get what was coming to me here.”

“There’s nothing coming to you,” Skye retorted. “Please leave.”

Caroline’s smirk only deepened. “I think I’ll just wait for dear old Uncle Luke to tell me to get lost.”

“You do that then.” Skye glared at her supposed half-sister for another moment before spinning on her heel and stalking back towards the sun porch.

Sonny Corinthos’s Office

Sonny Corinthos set the phone back on the desk and leaned forward across the oak desk. “Spencer just turned me down,” he told his partner.

Jason’s shoulders slumped and he turned away from Sonny to peer out the window, looking over the buildings, past the houses and towards the lake in the distance. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Look, Jase, I know this is a setback—” Sonny began.

“Setback?” Jason snorted. “It’s more than that. I’m going to lose her.”

Sonny pushed his leather chair back and stood to cross the room. He leaned against the wall adjoining the window. “I don’t see why you should have to. You know Elizabeth isn’t insisting on Spencer’s approval.”

“I know,” Jason replied, reluctantly. “I know that I’m the one postponing on telling him. I just…I know how he’s gonna react. He’s gonna tell her it’s him or me.”

“And she’s already told you she’s going to pick you.”

“That’s the problem.” Jason shook his head and stuck his hands deep into his brown khakis. “You might be okay with Brenda losing her entire family, but I’m not all right with Elizabeth doing the same thing. Spencer won’t survive losing a second daughter. Not to me.”

Sonny shrugged. “He’ll live. He’s got to learn he can’t control everyone.”

Jason sighed and scratched his eyebrow with his thumb. “It doesn’t matter. I know that Elizabeth loves her father. She might think it’s a good idea, but eventually she’ll grow to resent me.”

“What are you saying?” Sonny asked. “That if Spencer doesn’t give Elizabeth his blessing…you’ll end it yourself?”

“I love Elizabeth. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.” Jason’s sigh was wistful. “But, yeah. I won’t do that to her. She’s too proud to back down. So I’m going to have to do it for her.”

“You can’t make that choice for her,” Sonny warned him.

“I’m not making it for her, I’m making it for me,” Jason replied. “I love her, Sonny. And I want her to be happy. And she’ll never be happy if she’s at odds with her father. She’s already lost her mother.”

“I take it you haven’t discussed this with her, have you?” Sonny asked.

“No. I’ve been trying to hold it off. Hoping that Spencer would come around. But I’ve been deluding myself. He’ll never accept me in her life. He’s pretty much made it clear that AJ is the only man he wants for her.”

“But you’re the one she wants. Hell, Spencer dotes on Elizabeth. Even before Brenda left. Maybe…she’ll be able to talk her into it,” Sonny suggested.

“Maybe,” Jason said, but his tone was skeptical. It was clear that the end of his romance with the Spencer heiress was nearing.

He should have known from the first time he spotted her at a corporate party on the arm of his half-brother seven months ago. He hadn’t known her name, hadn’t known anything about her—except that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

By the end of the night, she’d drifted to his side of the room (without AJ) and conversation had been exchanged. She was smart, spunky and had a mouth on her that would shame most truck drivers. She wasn’t like the debutantes Jason had met since coming to work for Sonny over two years ago.

And then she introduced herself. He’d wanted to smack his head up against the nearest wall. Elizabeth Spencer. Elizabeth Imogene Spencer, Luke Spencer’s youngest daughter. Brenda Corinthos’s little sister.

Despite the attraction on both sides, he’d written her off. Everyone knew about the history between Sonny Corinthos and Luke Spencer. They were in direct competition—Luke’s blues clubs were both famous and numerous, more than forty worldwide. He had his fingers in nearly every industry possible—oil, entertainment, hotels, restaurants…you name it, Luke was involved.

He had the perfect family with his beautiful blonde wife Laura, his two daughters Brenda and Elizabeth and niece, Skye. His rivalry with Sonny was strictly business related—Sonny was a close family friend.

And then he’d married Brenda. Almost immediately, Luke had disowned his oldest daughter and cast Sonny out of his inner circle. It hadn’t fazed Sonny—he’d kept building his empire and he and Brenda seemed no worse for the wear. They owned a huge estate on the outskirts of Port Charles with two daughters, Grace and Laura.

Jason had been at the top of his class at Harvard Business School and Luke and Sonny had fought bitterly over getting the younger man to work for their company. In the end, Jason chose Sonny simply because his half-brother AJ Quartermaine already worked for Luke. AJ and Jason hadn’t lived together in nearly ten years, but every time they met, tempers sparked and Jason didn’t want to spend the rest of his life like that.

Jason was the product of one of Alan Quartermaine’s many affairs and initially, Jason had lived with his father’s families. Alan Quartermaine died when AJ was fifteen and Jason twelve. As soon as the funeral was over, Alan’s widow, Monica, had sent Jason to live with relatives in Boston. He’d changed his last name to reflect the maiden name of Alan’s mother, of Jason’s grandmother, the only person in the Quartermaine house that had ever made him feel like he belonged.

He’d heard the rumors and the gossip about Luke’s hatred for Sonny and his resentment that Brenda had chosen Sonny over her family, but he’d never paid much attention to it. He got along with Brenda and Sonny, didn’t really care about the history behind them.

Until he met Elizabeth.

After their first meeting, she was everywhere. She’d sneak to the estate to see her sister, was at all the same restaurants as Jason, at the same parties. She’d inevitably end up near him. Contact would occur and Jason had to admit that he was interested. He’d flirted with the idea of asking her out, but she seemed permanently linked to AJ.

One conversation with Brenda had ended that idea. AJ was being groomed to take over the company. What wasn’t being left to Elizabeth, Luke was leaving to AJ in the hopes that if and when the two were married, he’d finally have the son Laura had never given him. Brenda told him that her sister was too kind to tell AJ otherwise—Elizabeth had no intention of marrying the Quartermaine heir.

Jason made up his mind the next time he saw her, he was going to ask her to dinner. He had, she’d accepted and the rest was history.

And now, their relationship was going to have to end. He didn’t want it that way, but it had become increasingly obvious that Luke Spencer lumped him in the same category as Sonny Corinthos. Enemy. And enemies weren’t allowed to marry his daughter.

“You don’t have to do it this way,” Sonny said, breaking into Jason’s thoughts.

“Yeah…” Jason’s sigh was heavy. “Yeah, I do. I’m not going to let her give up her family just for me.”

Spencer Estate: Dining Room

Skye glanced across the table to Elizabeth. “I can’t believe he told her she could stay a few days,” she muttered, viciously spearing a piece of lemon chicken with her fork.

Elizabeth pushed her food around her plate and checked her watch. Ten more minutes before she was meeting Jason at his penthouse. Ten more minutes to think of a way to get her father to accept her relationship with Jason before Saturday night.

She sighed and decided to concentrate on Skye’s latest crisis. Caroline Benson, or “Carly” as she’d told Luke she was called, had waited for Luke to come from the office. She’d repeated her story and then Luke had called his sister, who was currently somewhere in Texas. Apparently her aunt had confirmed the existence of a second daughter. Unlike Skye, Barbara had actually raised Carly for a few years before leaving her with her father and taking off.

Elizabeth knew that the blonde had already earned Skye’s resentment for at least having met their mother. Skye hadn’t had the privilege since she was two years old and had been dumped on their doorstep.

Luke had agreed to let Carly stay awhile until he figured out what exactly the woman wanted. He’d then taken AJ to his office, and they were holed up working on another deal. Elizabeth was thankful that some new business problem had come up, therefore relieving her of having to be nice to AJ again. A few more days, she told herself, and then you’ll be able to be with Jason.

“Skye, it’s not Carly’s fault that Aunt Barbara raised her,” Elizabeth tried to remind her cousin. It was no use—Skye had already made up her mind.

“She’s tacky,” Skye grumbled. “Probably just a gold digger. Found out that Uncle Luke is rich and decided to cash in on her blood lines.”

“Well, we know where she got that from.” Elizabeth sighed and pushed her plate away. “I’m going to my room. Tell Daddy I’m tired and that I don’t want to be bothered.”

“In other words, you’re going to see your lover and you don’t want to get caught,” Skye murmured.

Elizabeth smirked. “Exactly. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She shoved her chair back and strode from the room.

Skye lifted her eyes to the staircase and glared at it. Carly was sleeping—the trip had taken a lot out of her, she’d said. If it was the last Skye ever did—she’d get rid of the little gold digging wench.

Jason’s Penthouse

“You’re early,” Jason remarked, pulling the door open and admitting Elizabeth. She frowned and set her purse on his nearby desk.

“You sound disappointed,” Elizabeth said. She tilted her head to the side. “You didn’t want to see me?”

“It’s not that,” Jason tried to explain. He sighed and looked away. “We need to talk.”

Fear suddenly choked her, stealing her ability to breathe correctly. “Talk?” Elizabeth strangled. “Talk about what?”

“Your father broke off negotiations,” Jason reported.

“I know. I heard when I was at the office this morning. So?” Elizabeth asked. “We’ve got worse problems than that.”

“I doubt it. Elizabeth, your father is never going to approve of us.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t believe that. He won’t lose me. He already lost Brenda—I know he wouldn’t chance losing another daughter. Not after losing Mom.”

He took a step towards her, raised his hand as if to touch her face but in the end let it fall back to his side. “Elizabeth—”

“AJ’s going to propose,” she broke in desperately. “This Saturday. I just know it. We have to figure this out before he does it. He’s going to do it in the middle of the party—it’s going to be public. I can’t break his heart in front of all those people!”

Jason sucked in a deep breath and looked down at his shoes. “Maybe you shouldn’t,” he said quietly.

“What?” she asked, faintly. “You…you want me to marry him?”

“No!” Jason said, scowling. “I don’t want you to marry him.”

“Then what?” Elizabeth demanded. “What am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t want you to marry him,” he repeated. He averted his eyes—fixed them on a blank spot on the wall across the room. “But I think you should.”

Her face fell and she bit her lower lip. “You think I should marry your brother.” She raised her eyes at him and he was a little surprised by the cold gaze. “You know, maybe I’m a little confused about what’s been going on here.” She folded her arms and glared at him. “See, I was under the impression that you loved me and that I loved you. That marrying AJ was not an option. That it was as laughable as me actually accepting a dinner date with Nikolas Cassadine. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe for you…it was about banging Luke Spencer’s precious baby—”

He pressed a finger against her lips to cut off her angry tirade. “I love you. You know that.”

“Then what’s going on?” she pleaded, dropping her arms to her side. “Why would you even suggest I marry him?”

Jason took a deep breath. “Elizabeth, we can’t be together if your father doesn’t approve.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Jason, we’ve discussed this—”

“Yeah, but I thought your father would see reason. Call off this stupid rivalry. Work out some sort of deal with Sonny.”

“Does my father’s approval mean so much to you?” she asked, surprised. “I thought you didn’t care what anyone else thought.”

“I don’t,” Jason argued. “I care about what losing your family is going to do to you—”

“If my father is too stubborn—”

“I don’t want you to resent me,” Jason cut in. “I know you say that won’t happen, but I’m not willing to take that chance.”

“So, what…it’s his approval or…” Elizabeth couldn’t even continue. She shook her head. “No. I’m not willing to accept that.”

“Elizabeth—”

“We’re going to be late,” Elizabeth said. She grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.

“Wait, we’re not done here—”

“And I don’t want to talk about it anymore!” She ran her hands through her hair, squeezing her eyes shut. “I…I just want to go to dinner with my sister and brother-in-law like we planned, okay? That’s all I want to do right now. I don’t want to discuss the future of our relationship!”

He wanted to get this over with—knew that it would be more painful in the long run to draw it out.

But in the end, her pleading expression won out. Jason sighed and nodded. “All right. Let’s go.”

Corinthos Estate: Kitchen

Elizabeth leaned against the counter and watched her brother-in-law stir the sauce. She was close to Sonny—always had been. But now he was married to her sister, they were almost like siblings. She’d come to Sonny more than once to talk about Jason.

She’d left Jason with Brenda in the living room. He loved visiting with Grace and Laura, Brenda’s daughters. They loved their “Uncle Jason” and jumped all over him the second he was in the door.

“He’s going to break up with me, isn’t he?”

Elizabeth’s soft question broke the silence and Sonny looked up at her. “Honey, I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

She shook her head and looked away. “He would have done it tonight if I hadn’t begged him to drop it.” She closed her eyes. “Why can’t anyone see that I just want the right to make my own decision…like Brenda. She fell in love, she was allowed to be with who she wanted to be with. Why can’t he see that’s all I want?”

“He adores you,” Sonny stated. He used the tip of his finger to taste the sauce and went back to stirring it. “He just wants you to be happy.”

“And I’m happy with him,” Elizabeth replied. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

“Liz, you and Luke were always closer than Brenda and Luke,” Sonny replied. “Jason knows that. He knows that Luke depends on you to keep him sane. He doesn’t want to do anything that you might regret in the future.”

“I know my father isn’t over my mother’s death….but I am so sick of being expected to keep him in line. If I have to hear it one more time about how wonderful it’s going to be when AJ and I are married, I’m going be sick.”

“I know it’s difficult to swallow, but—”

“I’ll just have to convince Daddy that Jason’s the only person I want to be with,” Elizabeth said softly. “Jason doesn’t understand…I’m not marrying AJ. And I’m not going to pretend that this last year didn’t happen.”

Sonny glanced up and frowned at his sister-in-law but she seemed lost in her own world.

“One way or another, I’m going to get my way.”

Corinthos Estate: Living Room

Jason looked up as Brenda Corinthos entered the room. “They asleep?” he asked.

“Dead to the world,” Brenda replied. She sat back on the couch and crossed her legs. She regarded Jason very carefully, scrutinized him as he wandered over to the large bay window that overlooked the pool. “Problems?”

Jason glanced back at her. “What?”

“I noticed Elizabeth looked kind of tense when she came in. She made a beeline for Sonny, which is never good. And you’re even
more silent than usual. So, I can only deduce something is wrong.”

Jason shrugged. “Not really.”

“Uh huh.” Brenda stood and wrapped her arms around her upper torso as she went to stand next to him. “You know if you’d gone to work for my father after college, you could be where AJ is.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “In the position to take over the company and marry his daughter.”

“Probably,” Jason conceded. “But I didn’t want to work within eight feet of AJ.”

“I heard my father broke off negotiations,” Brenda said. “You know that can only mean one thing.”

“Yep.” Jason shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “He’s preparing for another hostile takeover.”

“Not to mention…I heard a little bit of gossip this afternoon at lunch. It seems AJ Quartermaine ordered a large princess diamond in a twenty-four karat gold ring setting.”

Jason looked at her sharply. “What?”

“Yep. I was eating at the Grille and a girlfriend of mine from college works at the jewelry store. Owns it, actually. But she told me that it was perfect example of one of the best-selling engagement rings this year.”

Jason exhaled a harsh breath. “She told me she thought he was going to propose on Saturday. I just thought she was trying to change my mind again.”

“Well, that’s probably true. But now it’s crunch time. I love my sister and I know she’s strong and stubborn, but when it comes to our father, Elizabeth…” Brenda shrugged. “She has a tendency to roll over and do what he wants. She’s been taking care of him since Mom died and I know this is killing her, keeping this from him.”

“See, that’s why I don’t want her to choose,” Jason told her. “I don’t want her to lose him because of me. I know what he means to her. Today, she might be okay with it. She might be okay for months. But it’s going to change one day. And she’s going to resent me for it.”

“Jase, I know you’ve only got her best interests at heart, but this is really a decision only she can make,” Brenda protested. “She just wants to be happy.”

“And I just want her to be happy,” Jason insisted. “But when it comes down to it, is she really going to turn down AJ in front of all those people…in front of your father?”

“She loves you, Jason. I think she might.” Brenda sighed. “I wish my father would just realize that Elizabeth and I are grown women completely capable of making good choices. Look at me. He said that Sonny would be bankrupt in a year. It’s been about six years, almost seven and look at us. Sonny’s just as wealthy as Dad, our house is just as large and we’ve got two beautiful daughters. I think I did pretty well for myself.”

“I think so, too,” Sonny said from behind them. They turned to look at him. “Dinner’s ready. Elizabeth is already in the dining room.”

Spencer Estate: Living Room

AJ wandered into the room and found Skye lounging on one of the large overstuffed sofas, her eyes closed and a hand to her forehead. “Where’s Beth?”

Without opening her eyes, Skye answered in a bored voice, “In her room.”

“Are you sure?”

“No. But I’m not Beth’s keeper either,” she murmured. “Shouldn’t you be leaving?”

AJ scratched his chin. “Nah. I wanted to iron out the details for Saturday.”

Skye snorted. “What’s to iron out? You’re going to the company party, you’re going to propose and she’s going to turn you down.”

AJ frowned and shifted, staring the Spencer niece. “Turn me down?” he echoed, mystified. “Why would she do that?”

“Don’t mind me,” Skye said. She massaged her temples. “Just wishful thinking on my part.”

AJ sighed. “Are you drunk?”

Skye bolted up into a sitting position and glared at the Quartermaine. “Excuse me?” she demanded shrilly.

“Drunk,” AJ repeated. “Are you?”

Skye narrowed her eyes. “I’ve had a few drinks,” she admitted.

AJ shook his head. “You know that’s not good—”

“Oh spare me,” Skye groaned. “Go away and leave me alone.”

AJ shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “Do you intend on making self-pity a career?” he asked bluntly.

Skye rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me the sanctimonious self-serving lecture. I get it. You’re perfect. You’re the white knight. You don’t have to convince everyone in the damned family.”

“Look, I’m sorry if there’s something wrong with me loving Beth,” AJ began. “I want her to be happy—that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. She’s a wonderful woman and I hope she feels the same about me.”

Skye sighed and found herself feeling sorry for the obviously clueless man. He was in for quite the surprise when it became obvious that Elizabeth had no intention of marrying him.

Before Skye could come up with something to say to him, Carly Benson swept into the room, a fashion magazine under her arm and a can of soda in her hand. She flopped onto one of the loveseats. “Hello,” she said cheerfully.

“Oh, go away,” Skye murmured. “I’ve got enough of a headache without you being here.” She glared at the blonde. “I thought you were sleeping.”

Carly shrugged. “I woke up.” She eyed AJ who was looking at her warily. “Well, well, well.” She flicked her tongue over her lower lip slowly and was delighted to see his dark brown eyes follow its movement. “Who do we have here?”

AJ hurried forward to extend a hand to Carly, causing Skye to roll her eyes at his obvious attempts to charm all of Elizabeth’s family. “AJ Quartermaine, your uncle’s—”

“Alleged uncle,” Skye cut in coldly.

“-vice-president,” AJ finished.

“Vice-President, huh?” Carly murmured. She sat up and smiled at him. “Does that work the same way as in politics?”

Skye muffled a groan at the way AJ was eating up Carly’s smiles and doe-eyes. Men. No matter how in love they claimed to be, it never failed.

“Well, I do stand to inherit the company,” AJ remarked proudly.

Skye snorted. “If you can manage marrying Elizabeth.”

“Oh.” Carly pouted and sat back. “You’re engaged.”

“Not yet,” AJ said. “I haven’t asked her yet.”

Carly grinned. “Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

Jason’s Penthouse

Elizabeth set her purse on the desk and took a deep breath, hearing the door click shut after Jason. The dinner had been awkward and stifling. Tension between she and Jason was at an all-time high and it had shown.

“I’m telling my father tonight,” Elizabeth said softly.

“Elizabeth,” Jason sighed. “That may not be the best idea right now.”

Elizabeth turned and glared at him. “You want me to wait until I have to humiliate AJ on Saturday?”

Jason exhaled slowly. “No. I don’t. I just…Elizabeth, you can’t just march into your father’s office and tell him we’re together. It’s not…Luke is just not going to accept that.”

“Damn what he thinks!” Elizabeth cried. “I am tired of feeling like I’m doing something wrong!”

“Look, just give me until Saturday morning,” Jason pleaded. “I know we can come up with an alternative—”

“An alternative to the truth?” Elizabeth snapped. “You, the master of honesty, want to find a way to avoid telling my father the truth? Forgive me if this sounds a little strange—”

“I’m doing this for you!” Jason retorted.

“I didn’t ask you to!” She shook her head. “We’ve been doing it your way the entire time. You wanted me to wait until Sonny negotiated a deal with my father. Six months of hiding how I feel.” She snatched her purse up and headed for the door. “Now, we’re doing this my way.”

“Elizabeth, don’t do this!” Jason called as she slammed the door shut.

 Corinthos Estate: Grace’s Bedroom

“What are you doing?”

Sonny jumped and turned around guilty to find his wife smiling at him from across the hallway. “Uh…just checking on Grace.”

Brenda smirked. “Right. Uh huh. Close that door before you wake her up.”

Sonny muttered under his breath and shut Grace’s door. “Nag.”

“Oh bite me,” Brenda remarked good-naturedly. She leaned against the wall and sighed. “I’m worried.”

“About what? Jason and Elizabeth?” Sonny asked.

Brenda bit her lower lip. “Yeah. She loves him, Sonny. And I don’t doubt that she would go to my father to tell him so.”

“But?” Sonny prompting.

“But,” Brenda continued, “I don’t think that’s what Jason wants. I think that whether he wants to think so or not, for some reason, Luke’s approval is very important to him. He says it’s for Elizabeth, but I don’t think it is.”

“Why would Luke’s approval mean anything to Jason?” Sonny asked as he took his wife by the elbow and led her down the hall towards their bedroom.

“Do you remember when Jason first came out of Harvard? When you and Dad were both competing to hire him?” Brenda asked. “He respects Dad, likes him even. I think it meant a lot to Jason that two of the biggest names in the business world wanted him for their companies. Growing up as the cast-off child…” she shrugged. “I think part of him doesn’t want to lose that. Because even though Dad respects Jason in return…as soon as he finds out about Jason and Elizabeth…it’s over. He doesn’t have a back-up plan.”

Sonny sighed and pushed their door open. “You’ve got a good point. But if Elizabeth were to tell Luke, and he reacts the way we all expect, would she give Luke up for Jason?”

Brenda nodded. “In a heartbeat. I really do believe it. It would kill her, but I believe she’d do it. And you know something else? I think Jason knows that, too. I think he knows that Elizabeth would barely hesitate in leaving that house and I don’t think he wants to give her that choice.”

“I just wish it didn’t have to be this way,” Sonny sighed. “I wish I knew why Luke hated me to be point where he’d cast his own daughter out of the family.”

“My father is a good man,” Brenda said, unzipping her pants and tossing them aside. “He has so many good qualities—but he never thought you were right for me. You are older than I am and at the time, there wasn’t any stability in your business. No one thought you’d be where you are today. I think that worried Dad…not to mention the fact that I did just elope instead of just asking him straight out. He’s got his pride, y’know?” Brenda pulled a soft pink nightgown over her head and sat at her vanity table to brush out her dark brown hair.

“Because I didn’t ask him for permission and because he had reservations about us,” Brenda continued, “I think that led to him deciding that it was you or him. And I wasn’t expecting him to be completely serious about kicking me out of the family. I thought he’d back down.” She met his eyes in the mirror. “I miss him sometimes, Sonny. And I agree with Jason. Elizabeth might think she’s ready to make the same decision, but she’s different than I am. She has always been closer to Dad than I am. I had Mom, she had him. I think losing him, even if she were gaining Jason…it would wear on her after awhile.”

“What do you think Jason should do?” Sonny asked, smoothing his hands over her shoulders and bending down to kiss her collarbone.

“I think Jason should be upfront with my father. Tell him that he loves Elizabeth and wants to marry her. I think if Jason were the one to go to Dad, it might make all the difference.”

“Maybe you should tell him so,” Sonny murmured.

Brenda nodded. “I think I will. Tomorrow. I’ll meet him in his office.”

 Spencer Estate: Luke’s Office

Luke smiled as Elizabeth slipped into the room. “Beth. I thought you were sleeping.”

“Is AJ gone?” Elizabeth asked, taking a seat in front of Luke’s desk.

“He went home a little while ago.” Luke frowned. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”

“I need to tell you something,” Elizabeth said softly. “Daddy, I love you. You know that, right?”

Luke nodded even as a coil of fear began to wind in his gut. He recognized this conversation, was feeling an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Six years ago, Brenda had sat here, confessing her marriage to Sonny Corinthos. “Beth—”

“I would never do anything to hurt you. Not deliberately,” Elizabeth continued. “Daddy, I know you have your heart set on my marrying AJ.”

“Not exactly,” Luke lied uncomfortably. “I want you to be happy, baby.”

She smiled then, a look of relief breaking out on her face. “Good. I’m glad you said that. Daddy, I’m in love. And I want you to know.”

Love. Love was a much better word than marriage. Luke began to relax. He could handle this, it wasn’t so bad. “Well, who’s the lucky man?”

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes turning dreamy. “It’s Jason Morgan.”

Luke lunged out of his seat. “What?” he roared.

Elizabeth blinked and sat back in her chair, startled. “Daddy—”

“You better mean a different Jason Morgan than the one who works for that scum Corinthos,” Luke warned her.

Elizabeth’s narrowed and she shot to her feet, glaring at her father. “I do mean the Jason who works for Sonny and Sonny is not scum!” she declared defiantly. “I love Jason, Daddy, and I’m going to be with him, whether you like it or not!”

“I refuse to give my blessing!” Luke growled. “If you pursue this relationship, you will find yourself in the same position as Brenda!”

“What’s wrong with Jason?” Elizabeth demanded. “You like him, you respect him! The only thing wrong with him is that he works for Sonny!”

“How long has this been going on?” Luke demanded. “How long have you been seeing him?”

“Six months,” Elizabeth bit out.

Luke stared at his youngest daughter and blinked. “That lying little sneaky bastard,” he muttered under his breath. “No wonder Corinthos was pushing for some kind of deal with us. Morgan put him up to it.”

Elizabeth lifted her chin. “For some reason, your approval matters to Jason.”

Matters to Jason. His heart sank a little as he realized the implications of those words. His approval mattered to Morgan, but not to his own daughter. He narrowed his eyes. “End it or leave,” he said firmly.

The seconds ticked by as father and daughter stared at each other, neither willing to back down. Finally, Elizabeth slumped her shoulders. “All right,” she whispered.

Luke smiled in victory but it was quickly wiped from his face as Elizabeth continued. “I’ll be gone in the morning.”

She left the office as quietly as she had come, leaving Luke to collapse back into his seat, stunned and dismayed at the events that had taken place.

Jason’s Penthouse

The knock came only an hour and a half after Elizabeth left. It was quiet and soft, leading Jason to believe that maybe she’d rethought her position and decided against telling her father.

He pulled the door open and was confronted with Elizabeth’s tearstained cheeks and red eyes. She clutched a tissue in one of her hands and a small luggage bag thrown over her shoulder.

He exhaled slowly and drew her into the penthouse. He would wait until she’d calmed down before he explained to her why this wasn’t going to work.

She sat on the couch and let the bag fall to the ground. “He reacted exactly the way we expected,” Elizabeth murmured.

Jason lowered himself onto the seat cushion next to her. “I told you, Elizabeth, that I didn’t want to do it this way.”

“I know. I just…I wanted to believe that I meant more to him,” she whispered raggedly. “He just…he just calmly told me it was you or him.”

Jason pushed himself off the couch and crossed to the balcony. “I want you to go home,” he said quietly. He closed his eyes and forced himself not to turn around. “And I want you tell Luke that it’s over between us.”

She waited. She was sure there was a second part of this plan—how they were going to convince her father they were in love and that no one was going to change that.

She waited.

When Jason didn’t continue, only continued to stare out of the balcony window towards the harbor, she swallowed hard and stood on shaky legs. “I don’t understand.”

“I told you that I wouldn’t let you give up your family for me,” Jason said.

Her lower lip started to tremble and she bit hard on it. “You…you’re breaking up with me,” Elizabeth said softly, her blue eyes brimming over with tears. They streaked silently down her face. “You told me you loved me.”

He still didn’t look at her—knew if he had to look in her eyes, he’d crumble and tell her to forget it. That it didn’t matter if Luke accepted them or not, their love was enough.

But he knew better. He knew that it would only be enough for a little while. One day, she’d look at him and would only see the reason her father had cast her out of his life. And she’d resent him. And one day, she’d hate him.

He’d rather break her heart today than earn her hate a month or two from now.

“I do love you,” Jason admitted. “But it is never going to work like this. You need to go back home and tell Luke that it’s over. I don’t care how you do it, blame me if you want to. But I know how much he means to you, and I’m not letting you do this.”

“It’s not your decision to make!” Elizabeth cried. “It’s mine. I get to choose—”

“And so do I,” Jason cut in. “I won’t do this to you.”

“You’re not doing anything to me!” She crossed the room to him but he sensed her approach and backed away. “Jason, please…”

He closed his eyes and turned away from her again. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up. “Elizabeth, this is the way it has to be. Please.”

“I’m going to Brenda’s,” Elizabeth told him. “And we’ll talk tomorrow.” Her voice took on an almost desperate tone. “I’ll make you understand why it has to be this way, Jason and I’ll prove to you that we can be happy—”

“And my answer will be the same.” This time when he spoke, his voice was cold and hard. He forced himself to sound unfeeling. “Go home, Elizabeth.”

She blinked at the tone and stared at his back for a moment. Elizabeth Spencer only had so much begging in her and she’d reached her limit.

“Fine.” She turned around and headed for the door, snagging her purse and small suitcase on her way. She turned at the door. “You should come to the company party, Jason,” she told him in a clipped tone. “You’ll be gaining a future sister-in-law.”

She slammed the door behind her and Jason’s shoulders slumped. He turned then and looked at the door, letting out a soft sigh.

Corinthos Estate: Front Hall

Brenda hastily tied her robe as she headed towards the front door. She pulled the door open and sighed immediately. “Aww, honey.”

Elizabeth swiped at the tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. “He doesn’t want me,” she said softly. “I—I left home for him and he just told me to go back. That it was over a-and…”

Brenda cut her off and pulled her into her arms. “It’s okay,” she murmured into Elizabeth’s hair. “You know you’re welcome here as long as you want to be here.”

“I love him, Brenda. What am I supposed to do without him?” Elizabeth cried.

“You’ll be fine,” Brenda promised. She smoothed a hand over her sister’s hair. “Come on. Let’s get you in the guest room and we’ll figure it all out in the morning.”

Spencer Estate: Luke’s Office

Luke glanced up as the door opened, a small beam of light showing through. “Get out.”

The door shut and then the light clicked on. Carly folded her arms and leaned against the back of the door. “Hey, Uncle Luke.”

“Get out,” Luke repeated dully as he poured himself another fifth of bourbon.

“So, I hear the princess has escaped from her tower,” she remarked cheerfully.

Luke flicked his eyes up to the caramel-colored ones of his new-found niece. “I threw her out.”

“You do realize that women can do pretty much whatever they want now, right?” Carly asked. “I mean, if a woman wants to marry someone, she can do it.”

“Not Jason Morgan,” Luke muttered.

Carly shrugged and sat down. “So, what’s wrong with him? He kill someone, maim? Embezzle?”

“Worse,” Luke snarled. “He works for Sonny Corinthos.”

Carly frowned. “Who’s Sonny Corinthos?”

“A jackass with no business sense,” Luke muttered.

Carly nodded. “Ah. So he’s a rival. What’d he do?”

Luke glared at her but before he could order her to leave again, the phone rang. Luke picked it up. “Yeah?”

“You insensitive baboon.”

The words meant nothing to Luke, but the voice was music to his ears. Once upon a time, Brenda Spencer had been his eldest daughter and his princess. She’d been beautiful, perfect…everything Luke had ever wanted in a daughter.

But now hearing her was just another reminder of all Sonny Corinthos had stolen from him.

“What do you want?” Luke growled.

“She’s hysterical, Daddy. It took forever to calm her down, she cried herself to sleep,” Brenda told him.

“What do I care?” Luke replied coldly.

“You care and you know it. Jesus, Daddy, this is Beth we’re talking about. She adores you. And this is so unfair—”

“I don’t have the time for this.” Luke slammed the phone down, causing Carly to jump.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Luke grumbled. “You’ll never meet them.” He glanced up at her, as if seeing her for the first time. She looked like Barbara Jean, he could see that now. Carly hadn’t inherited his sister’s fiery red hair like Skye, but her bone structure and her figure resembled Barbara’s.

Carly shifted under her uncle’s close scrutiny. “What?” she asked, warily.

“You really are Barbara’s daughter, aren’t you?” Luke asked reluctantly.

“Uh, yeah?” Carly replied, confused. “I thought we already established that.”

“Never mind.” Luke shifted and sat up. “What is that you want from me, Caroline?”

She shrugged. “What any red-blooded person wants. I need a job and a place to live. Maybe some money, a husband down the line. The normal crap.”

Luke nodded. “Well, Barbara’s daughter is welcome here as long you want to be here. I’ll ask around the company, see if anything’s open. Secretary stuff okay?”

“Sure,” Carly replied easily.

“I can get you a job,” Luke told her, “but you’ve got to keep it. No special favors. I don’t step in when you screw up.”

“That’s fair,” Carly told him.

Corinthos Estate: Foyer

Brenda followed Elizabeth to the door the next morning a little worried. “Honey—”

“This is the right decision,” Elizabeth said softly. Her eyes were red, her hair hung limply in a ponytail. She looked like death warmed over.

“There are other ways,” Brenda tried again.

“Jason isn’t going to change his mind,” Elizabeth told her. “And I…I don’t deserve to beg for his love.”

“No you don’t,” Brenda replied, “but—”

“Brenda, this is what I have to do.”

Brenda sighed and hugged her sister tightly. “I love you honey. I know this is going to work out someway.”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Elizabeth murmured.

Spencer Estate: Breakfast Room

The room descended into silence when Elizabeth entered. She’d showered since returning home and changed.

She still looked like hell.

Luke stood and gaped when he saw her. “Beth.”

“I’m home,” Elizabeth said softly. Her dark blue eyes bore into her father’s. “He didn’t want me. Not without your approval.” Her lips twisted into a humorless smirk. “At least it still matters to some people.”

Skye stood. “Sweetheart, perhaps we should—”

“I’ll do what you want,” Elizabeth interrupted. “I’ll accept AJ’s proposal when he makes it and I’ll be the perfect daughter.”

Luke’s eyebrows knitted together as he studied her. He felt the twinge of guilt knowing he was responsible for his daughter’s unhappiness. But he shoved it aside, reminding himself that Jason Morgan was never going to be good enough for his daughter.

“Okay,” Luke said cautiously. “Why don’t you sit down and have some breakfast?”

“I’ll be the perfect daughter,” Elizabeth repeated. “In public. But while it’s just you, me, Carly and Skye…I don’t want to talk to you and I don’t want to look at you.”

“Beth—” Luke began a little helplessly.

“You didn’t care what made me happy…only what you wanted and I can’t forgive you for that,” Elizabeth continued. “I can’t forget that my happiness didn’t matter when it came to this ridiculous rivalry with Sonny. You threw Brenda out because she dared to love someone you didn’t approve of. You tried to do it with me. Don’t expect me to forgive or forget.” Elizabeth waited a beat before leaving the room.

Skye resumed her seat, placing the napkin back in her lap. She was visibly shaken—Elizabeth had always been vivacious and spirited. To see her so…lifeless…it was almost scary.

Carly sipped her orange juice. “Way to go, princess,” she cheered quietly.

Skye caught her sister’s eye across the table and against her better judgment, she smiled briefly.

Luke stood at the head of the table, his eyes trained on the doorway, his hands dangling at his sides.

Corinthos Estate: Kitchen

Sonny was frying some bacon and Brenda was in the middle of sipping her orange juice when Jason entered through the back door.

Brenda had already put the girls in the car for school and was prepared for a day of lounging around the house, trying to decide how best to approach Jason. She was thrilled when it looked like she wouldn’t have to do it after all.

“You look like road kill,” she said quietly.

Jason didn’t answer, only hesitated in the doorway, his eyes sweeping the kitchen. She knew what he was up to, knew he was wondering if Elizabeth was here.

She sighed and shifted. “Don’t worry. She spent the night, but went home earlier. You got what you wanted, Jase.”

Jason glared at her. “You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to hurt her?”

“No.” Brenda returned the glare full force and then some. “But you knew what it cost her to turn her back on our father and you turned her away anyway.”

Sonny seemed content to let his wife and best friend battle it out while he perfected his bacon. With their tempers and personalities, he knew it was best for them to just rip into each other and get it over with.

“It was better this way,” Jason said firmly. “She would have ended up hating me sooner or later.”

“You don’t know that!” Brenda declared passionately.

“I do know that!” Jason retorted. “I know how upset she was last night when she had the fight with Luke, it would have destroyed her to keep feeling that way!”

“You don’t think losing you didn’t destroy her?” Brenda demanded. “She was inconsolable last night! She cried herself to sleep and even then she didn’t stop crying. Jesus, Jason, you just don’t get it! My sister loves you!”

“You think I don’t know that?” Jason returned. “I love her, too! I hate what I had to do!”

Brenda stared at him for a moment, took in his rumpled appearance, his unshaved face and decided he was suffering almost as much as Elizabeth.

Made her feel a little better.

“All right,” Brenda decided. “You’ve obviously made your decision and Elizabeth has made hers.”

Jason hesitated, looked away. “She’s going to accept AJ’s proposal, isn’t she?” he asked, hoarsely.

“More than likely,” Brenda murmured. “Unless someone changes her mind and gives her a reason not to.”

“It won’t be me,” Jason said. He said it so firmly, he sounded so sure that Brenda had no choice but to believe him.

Sensing the conversation was over, Sonny set a plate on the table in front of his wife and looked to Jason. “Breakfast?”

Spencer Estate: Luke’s Office

Luke was shuffling some papers, trying to find a business deal. He was in a hurry, trying to make it back to the company party out in the garden before AJ made his announcement.

He heard someone clear their throat gently and he looked up. A young dark-skinned woman with long dark hair in thin braids stood in front of him. She wore a dark spaghetti strapped tank top and dark black slacks.

Luke frowned. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”

She smirked and stepped forward. “I’m a little saddened that you don’t recognize me.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Am I supposed to?”

The woman sighed. “Well, I guess every girl hopes that the first time she meets her father, he’ll know her.”