Chapter One:
Making Promises
Elizabeth's tears wouldn't stop falling, her heart wouldn't stop hurting, and her mind wouldn't stop spinning. So many things have happened in the last month and she couldn't believe that God has yet to stop testing her. How much more could a girl take before she just gives up? First she is cheated on by her high school sweetheart, then she makes the stupid move by sleeping with her best friend while she's drunk, and now he's laying up in a hospital bed from getting in the way of a bullet meant for her. Her life was like a sick twisted soap opera.
With no clue on how her life would ever get back to normal, Elizabeth hugged her pillow to her chest and allowed the tears to fall. She couldn't stop them if she wanted to. There was just too much going on in her life, too much pain and uncertainty that she had no plan or solution to execute. It was never supposed to be this hard. She was supposed to spend her life with her high school sweetheart and keep her best friend by her side. This wasn't anything like how she imagined her life would be like. She didn't plan for this.
The sound of her phone ringing through the silent studio has Elizabeth swiping her tears away and reaching for the receiver. Holding it to her ear, Elizabeth hopes that her voice doesn't portray the tears she had just finish shedding. She was trying to be strong for everyone. She didn't want his family focusing on her because they had to be there for him. Taking a deep breath, she spoke and was thankful that her voice didn't betray her.
"Yes, Monica." Elizabeth says as calmly as she can manage. "I'm heading to the hospital right now. I don't mind picking up some food on the way. Is there any change?"
"His condition is stable, but no changes." Monica says regretfully. "Are you sure you don't want Reginald to pick you up?"
"No, thank you." Elizabeth says quickly. "I'll be okay."
"Well, if you're sure, I'll see you when you get here."
Ending the call, Elizabeth lets out a deep breath. She needed the time in the car to compose herself before she gets to the hospital. Picking up the usual order from Kelly's, she loads her car with food and beverages before heading to the hospital. She makes the rounds with the family, giving them their orders, making sure they're okay and that they had everything they needed. She's about to leave when she's stopped by her best friend's sister.
"Did you need something?" Elizabeth asks her, not sure why she stopped her.
"No." Emily shakes her head. "You're so busy taking care of everyone else...I just wanted to know how you're doing."
"Me?" Elizabeth looked at her curiously. "I'm not family. I'm just his best friend. It doesn't matter how I'm doing."
"I think my brother would disagree with that." Emily counters, guiding her to a couple chairs by the stairs. "How're you doing?"
"I'm okay." Elizabeth says simply. "Honestly, you don't have to worry about me."
"I know we're not exactly friends, but my brother really cares about you." Emily explains, looking at her intently. "I know it'll help him to know that you were able to rely on someone while he's in that condition."
"Emily, really, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'm okay." Elizabeth stands up, fixing her outfit. "If you need anything...don't hesitate to call, okay?"
"I will if you do the same." Emily counters. "Just know that I'm here...he's not the only good listener in this town."
"I'll keep it in mind." Elizabeth assures, granting her a nod before walking over to the elevator.
As the doors closed, Elizabeth clasped one hand over her eyes as more tears fell from her eyes. There was just so much wrong with this situation and she didn't know how she'd see the other side of this. Walking out of the hospital, she got back into her car and drove to the one place that she knew she'd get some privacy. Standing in the middle of the bridge that stretched over Black Stone Canyon, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. This was the one place where she could just forget, for a moment, what's going on in her life and just exist.
"What am I going to do, Jason?" she says aloud, the breeze blowing through her hair. "You're my voice of reason, so what am I supposed to do?"
"I'm not Jason, but I can listen just the same." a voice speaks from a few feet away. "Emily called me. She sounded really worried."
"I'm fine, Johnny." Elizabeth says firmly, staring ahead. "You can go...Emily needs you more than I do."
"No matter what you may think, you're not alone." Johnny says seriously, walking over to her. "Yes, Em's my girlfriend, but you're my friend and you look like you need me more."
"I'm fine!" Elizabeth exclaims, although the tears begin to fall on their own accord. "My best friend was shot because of me! Why wouldn't I be fine?"
Johnny pulls her into his arms, letting her cry because he could see that she was hurting deep. He knew that something else was going on with her, but he also knew that he'd never get it out of her. Not knowing what else to do, Johnny just held her as she cried her heart out. Her cries tearing through him so swiftly that he could literally feel her pain deep within his heart.
"Why did he have to get in the way?" Elizabeth sobs, clinging to Johnny. "Why did he have to take that bullet for me?"
"I doubt much thought went into it." Johnny says softly, pulling away slightly. "All he knew was that you were there and he had to protect you."
"I hate this." Elizabeth pulls away completely. "Thank you for checking on me, but I can handle it. I'll see you later."
"Elizabeth, wait!" Johnny calls to her as she walks off to her car. "Elizabeth!"
"Go to Emily." Elizabeth states. "I can handle my own life."
Getting in her car, Elizabeth starts it up and heads back to her studio. She had a few more paintings to finish for her collection and her agent is expecting them in a month. Getting to her studio, Elizabeth locks the door behind her before blaring her music and sitting in front of her canvas. With all the emotions rushing through her, she wasn't going to have any problem coming up with paintings to paint. The outside world miles away, Elizabeth focused her heart and soul on her artwork. It was the only thing keeping her sane through this.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Taking the remote from the side table, Elizabeth glances up at the clock, noting that she's been painting for six hours straight. Dropping her paintbrush into the tin can, Elizabeth wipes her hands on the rag before walking over to the door and looking through the peephole. With a sigh, Elizabeth pulls it open to Sonny, she knew they'd pull the big guns sooner or later.
"Sonny, if you're here to get me to breakdown you can just forget it." Elizabeth says, walking over to the painting to really look at it. "I'm fine. You all need to stop."
"He's awake." Sonny says in a soft tone, knowing that'll get her to shut up.
"What?" Elizabeth looks at him intently. "Repeat that."
"He's awake." Sonny repeats himself. "You weren't answering your phone."
"I was painting." Elizabeth gestures to the painting before walking over to him. "He's really awake?"
"Yes." Sonny smiles slightly. "And he's asking for you. Come on, I'll drive you."
"Okay." Elizabeth grabs her jacket from the counter, following Sonny out of her studio. "Did you see him for yourself?"
"He asked me to look for you." Sonny says with certainty. "Trust me, he's awake."
"With what I need to tell him, that might not last long." Elizabeth mutters, getting into the passenger seat and buckling up.
During the ride to the hospital, Elizabeth was mentally running through her conversation that she's about to have with Jason. Being his best friend, she can pretty much imagine what he's about he'd say to most of what she'll say and she had to pick the right way. Before she knew it, Sonny's parking in the hospital parking garage and she still doesn't know how she'll tell Jason what she needs to tell him. Linking arms with Sonny, she allows him to walk her up to Jason's room.
The moment she walked into the room she had Jason's undivided attention. The family filed out of the room, Sonny included, giving the two of them their privacy. Jason didn't say anything, he could see it in her eyes that she was trying to think something through and he'd let her. He had something to tell her to and he wasn't sure how to phrase. Elizabeth was nervous to her core and she really just wanted to get it out before she loses the nerve to.
"How're you feeling?" Elizabeth asks, not really what she wanted to say, but it came out regardless.
"I'd feel better when you tell me what's going on." Jason counters, patting the spot beside him. "Its just us...talk to me."
"I wish it was that easy." Elizabeth sighs, walking over to sit beside him. "You scared me, you know that?"
"I know." Jason says, reaching out to take her hand in his. "But I'm not sorry. I'd rather be in this bed than for you to be in a morgue."
"I wouldn't have..."
"The laser was over your heart." Jason cuts her off. "If I didn't jump in front of you, you'd be dead and I couldn't handle that."
"You think I could handle you dying?" Elizabeth counters, fighting off the tears. "You're the one person I can't lose. I thought you knew that."
"I'm still here." Jason strokes her hand soothingly with his thumb. "We're both here. There's no need to be scared anymore."
"I guess you're right." Elizabeth shrugs, looking at him intently. "So how are you feeling?"
"I'm sore, but I'll live." Jason tilts his head slightly, trying to figure out what's going on with her. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Yes." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "But you have to promise me you won't be completely freaked out. I swear I didn't plan this."
"You're not making any sense." Jason eyes her intently. "More than usual."
"That's just mean." Elizabeth nudges him before digging for the paper she had stared at for days. "Its all there."
Jason takes the paper in his hands, staring at her as he unfolds it. It was clear by the state of the paper that she had been folding and unfolding it, typical for her when she's nervous or anxious about something. Elizabeth watched as he reads the paper and rereads it a couple times. His eye brows go up questioningly as he stares at the paper. She could see that he's trying to wrap his head around it. Something she's been trying to do since she found out.
"You still alive in there?" Elizabeth waves her hand in front of his face. "Jason?"
"You're..." Jason shakes his head, looking up from the paper. "How?"
"Well, when a man and a woman..."
"I know how, I meant..." Jason really didn't know what he meant. "This is really happening?"
"Its really happening." Elizabeth assures, taking the paper from his hands. "I know you never wanted this. If you don't want any part of this, I can do it alone."
"No." Jason says firmly, without hesitation. "No. We're both responsible for this...I'm going to be here every step of the way."
"I'm not an obligation." Elizabeth says sternly. "I can do this by myself if I have to."
"That's not what I meant." Jason runs one hand down his face. "You know I'm not good with words."
"You were just fine when you told me that you didn't want to ever be in this position." Elizabeth counters. "I'm telling you now that I can do this alone if you're not ready."
Taking a deep breath, Jason knew it was now or never. He had to get his thoughts in order and get his words out in a way that she'd understand. As he stares into her eyes, he can see that she had thought a lot about this. That she was really willing to take care of their child alone if he said so. Taking both her hands in his, Jason made sure she was looking him in the eye before he spoke.
"First and foremost, you're my best friend." Jason says firmly, leaving no room for argument. "What happened between us may not have been planned, but I don't regret it or this baby. I'm going to be here for both of you, not because I have to, but because I want to."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth stares into his eyes. "Are you sure you want to be there for everything?"
"Every single step of the way." Jason says without hesitation. "We'll be okay. I promise you that."
"Okay." Elizabeth shakes her head. "You have no idea how badly I needed to hear that."
"Come here." Jason opens his arms, waiting for her to situated herself in his arms before wrapping them around her. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
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