AN:
Thanks so much to everyone who is taking the time to read this. I'm surprised by the number of people reading this. Although I wish more people reviewed. Oh well. Enjoy!
Chapter Three
As Ric looked around the house, he could imagine the life he wanted with Elizabeth. The house had all the things she had asked for. From the fireplace in the bedroom to lots of windows. He could see her painting and sketching in the living room. Him cooking for her in the kitchen. Them making love in the bedroom and other parts of the house. Their children playing in the backyard. Ric knew if given the chance they could truly be happy here.
"So what do you think?" The agent asked nervously after he had taken a full tour.
"It's exactly what I wanted." Ric said smiling broadly, as he spoke. "My wife is going to love it."
She breathed a sigh of relief. Ric Lansing was her most demanding client. It was not the house he was looking for that was the challenge. It was the time frame he wanted it done in. Fortunately, for her Mr. Lansing was also very rich. "I'm so glad. It's not easy finding a house with a panic room. Especially in the time you gave me."
"It's perfect." Ric said looking in to the small hidden room. It was perfect for his plans. "I'd like to show my wife first before deciding. If that's alright."
"Of course. Here are the keys. I hope she likes it as much as you do."
Ric could imagine Elizabeth's reaction. He knew she would love it. The trick would be getting her to agree to something so extravagant. "I'm sure she will."
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"Come on Lucky I'm supposed to be working. You know my break ended a half hour ago. I don't need this." Elizabeth said as Lucky sat down at the table with a basket of fries. All day she had been distracted, not that she minded really.
"But you know want one." He insisted trying to tempt her in to hanging out some more. It was hard to believe that after everything they had found a way to be friends again.
"No Lucky I don't." She denied shaking her head and laughing.
"You know you do grab a few."
"I shouldn't. Besides if I don't get back to work soon Bobbie is going to fire me."
Lucky rolled his eyes at the comment. "She is not going to fire you."
"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. It would save me from quitting." Elizabeth said quietly. She and Ric had talked about it more than once. And to be honest she was seriously considering it. The problem was Kelly's was like home and she did not want to lose that.
"What? How come?"
"Ric wants me to finish school so I can focus on my art. And he keeps saying there's no reason his wife shouldn't be doing anything that doesn't fulfill her."
"So why are you waiting tables?" Lucky pointed out.
"I don't know."
"I think maybe you do. Are you really that in love with waiting tables or are you just trying to hold on to a part of your life Ric can't give you?" He asked his dislike of Ric bleeding into his voice.
"Lucky I realized you are trying to be helpful and I really appreciate it. I really do," Elizabeth said taking one of Lucky's hands, "but you have to let go of this idea that Ric is pressuring to stay with him. I love him and I am exactly where I want to be. So please stop worrying and be happy for me. Okay?"
"I'll try. But I'll never stop caring."
Elizabeth smiled at Lucky. They had been through so much. In a weird way, they grew up together. She looked up to see Summer hesitantly approaching them. "Hey perfect timing. Lucky has some french fries he'd like to share with you. Sit down." Elizabeth said standing up and moving away from the table. She was glad Lucky was happy she wanted that for him. 'Speaking of being happy.' Elizabeth thought as she saw Ric walk up. "And I have a husband to say hello to." Elizabeth said wrapping her arms around Ric and giving him a quick kiss.
"Hi. How are you?" Ric asked kissing her back gently. "Listen come here I have something to show you." Ric lead Elizabeth into Kelly's making sure to open the door for his wife. Elizabeth loved that about Ric. He always took the time to make sure she felt important to him. Once inside Ric wrapped one arm around her waist pulling her body back to his. He planted a kiss to her neck and asked, "Are you busy?"
Elizabeth almost laughed at the question. It felt like she had not done any work all day. "Pfft. More like shamelessly loafing."
Ric was thrilled to hear Elizabeth wasn't so focused on her work. Maybe he could convince her to quit after all. He held her in his strong embrace not wanting to let her go yet. "Mmm. Okay. Perfect because I have something to show you."
"Honey, this is my shift. I kinda need to work." Elizabeth pointed out as they swayed gently as if to music only they could hear. She leaned back in his arms allowing to plant more kisses to her neck and cheek.
"Yeah but you just obviously admitted you're blowing it off. So, unless you want me to tell your boss you better come with me."
"Do I at least get a hint?" She asked starting to get excited at the idea of a surprise. Normally Elizabeth hated surprises but Ric's she loved.
"Then it wouldn't be surprise." Ric told her with that smug tone he had when Ric knew he was about to get his way. "What do you say?"
"Oh you twist my arm. Let me go get my purse." Elizabeth said teasingly as she headed to the kitchen. Ric allowed her out of his arm but grabbed the string on her apron untying it. Elizabeth giggled and swatted at his hands.
'She is so beautiful.' Ric thought as he watched her walking away. He had no idea how to turn of his body's reaction to her. He was going to have to learn though because nothing was more important to him than Elizabeth's well being.
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Ric loved the look on Elizabeth's face when she saw the house. He could tell she liked as much as he did. "Why don't you look around?"
"Really?" Elizabeth asked nearly bouncing with excitement. He loved seeing her so happy. If Ric had his way, Elizabeth would never feel on moment of pain or sadness again.
"Really. I'll wait here." Ric promised sitting in a chair as she rushed off to explore.
Elizabeth could not believe how perfect this house was. It felt like the house was made just for them. Everything about it was perfect. Not to mention it was mostly furnished. She knew why Ric was pushing so hard. It was because of them losing their baby their. She knew Ric was in just as much pain as she was. Even if he was better at hiding it. He seemed to be so focused on easing her pain that he was ignoring his own. Maybe a new place would be the best thing. It touched Elizabeth so deeply that he wanted to make things better for them both.
"Well what do you think?" Ric asked when Elizabeth returned to the living room.
"I like it." Elizabeth said slowly. She was surprised and a bit confused about the whole situation. She never had anyone cared about her this way before.
"I like it too. We'll move in here as soon as possible." Ric said in agreement. It made things much easier that Elizabeth liked the house too. He got up from the chair and walked over to her. Like always when ever Elizabeth was around Ric needed to touch her.
"What? Just like that?" She asked slightly surprised at how quickly Ric planned for them to move in.
"Yeah. Why not?" Ric asked reaching up to touch her cheek and then running it down her arm. He held her hand gently rubbing his thumb across the back of Elizabeth's hand.
"I don't know." Elizabeth said shrugging as she spoke. Don't you want to look around and see if you like something better?"
"No. What I want is to get you out of that apartment as soon as possible and put all the bad memories behind us. And start our life together." He said gently as he held her hands in his own. Elizabeth was the one thing that could ruin his plans. He had to find a way to convince her. Ric kissed her quickly before continuing. "Besides I have a good feeling about this place."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Elizabeth asked as Ric moved to look out the window.
"Well..." He said running one hand over his chest. "...like here we can finally have the happiness that we deserve."
Elizabeth only hesitated for only a few seconds. "Well in that case when do we move in?" she asked embracing him.
Ric was both thrilled and relieved. "That's my girl." He said spinning her around. Now nothing stood in the way of his plan.
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Ric quietly slipped out of bed as Elizabeth slept peacefully. She was so beautiful and so trusting. Ric felt like he had been given this amazing gift by her being in his life. He knew if Elizabeth ever found out about his plan, her trust along with their marriage would be destroyed.
All Ric wanted was a way to make things right for his wife and for himself. He had never allowed himself to dream beyond revenge on Sonny. That was until Elizabeth and their baby. For the moment Elizabeth told him, Ric loved their child. Now it was gone because of Sonny.
Finally, he had the perfect way to make his brother pay for everything
Sonny stole from him. In the process, he hoped to give Elizabeth a
child to ease the pain of the child they had lost. Then he could move
on, move past everything else and be truly happy.
