Waking up in the morning, Elizabeth blares her music as loud as it can go, taking a quick shower and getting dressed to face the day. She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that it was a special day. Its the day of her birth eighteen years prior. She has her whole day planned. From the first hour to the last before she goes to bed. Today is going to go exactly how she planned it and no one will change that. Singing along to her music, Elizabeth danced around her room, blow drying her hair and fixing it up.

She couldn't tell you how long she's waited to turn eighteen. It was sort of a milestone that she has dreamt of for as long as she can remember. Being eighteen meant she was no longer a kid. She was her own person and she didn't answer to anyone. Not her parents, not her grams, absolutely no one. Of course, she hadn't imagined that she'd be living on her own already or that she'd be in a committed relationship. Those are things she'd gladly overlook.

She's graduated from high school. She has a great job with an awesome boss that is more like a friend than a superior. Her boyfriend is amazing and she has amazing friends. What more could a girl ask for on her birthday? She probably won't even have to make a wish on her candle because she has everything she could ever possibly want. Putting the finishing touches on her makeup, Elizabeth grabs her keys and heads out to face her day.

"Hi, Gram." Elizabeth greets her grandmother with a hug before sitting down at the table in the Port Charles Hotel restaurant. "I'm glad you could have breakfast with me."

"Its your birthday." Audrey says simply. "No place I'd rather be."

"Same here." Elizabeth smiles brightly. "You have been my rock since I've come to Port Charles. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"I am glad we both will never know that." Audrey takes her hand in hers. "Happy birthday, my dear."

"Thank you."

They talked about the usual over breakfast before saying their goodbyes. Elizabeth knew she'd be seeing her that night at her birthday party. Although she really wanted it to be night time for her party, Elizabeth was in no hurry for her birthday to end. She still had a lot that she wanted to do. After breakfast with her gram, Elizabeth made her way to Kelly's for some delicious hot chocolate.

"Well there she is." Tammy smiles brightly, setting down the cup of hot cocoa. "Right on time."

"Hey, Tammy." Elizabeth greets, shrugging out of her jacket as she sits at the counter. "How're you doing?"

"I'm great." Tammy shrugs. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks." Elizabeth takes out her wallet, only to be told that her money was no good there. "Come on, let me pay for it."

"No and that's that." Tammy pushes her money back. "Bobbie's orders. Everything is free for you today."

"Okay...since its Bobbie." Elizabeth puts her wallet away. "Thanks for the chocolate."

"Wave me over if you're ready for a refill." Tammy winks, grabbing the order booklet and walking off.

Jason woke up, rubbing one hand down his face to fight off the fatigue, before pulling himself out of bed. Checking the time on the clock, he realized that he slept longer than he intended to. Rushing through a shower, Jason got dressed, stopping for a moment to look around his room. A small smile touching his lips when he realizes just how much Elizabeth has changed his life. From living at Jake's to the room he rented out to Lucky, after the kid went back to his parents' home, Jason's life has changed a lot.

Elizabeth has brought more business into the shop, she's painted his apartment and even made it look more like a home. To the corner sits a pool table, the bed has a new mattress and comforter, and there's the flat screen television like the one at Jake's. For someone that has been in his life for less than a year, the girl sure made her way into more aspects of his life than most people he knows. Thinking of Elizabeth had him remembering why he was in a hurry. He needed to get his work load done if he intends to make it to her birthday party.

"Not now, Carly." Jason states, grabbing his rag from the cart. "I don't have time for this."

"Well make the time." Carly says, blocking his way from the bike. "Jason, I know things are really complicated right now, but I know you still love me."

"We've been over this more times than I care to count." Jason says firmly. "Whatever we could have had...it ended before it even began."

"I don't believe that any more than you do." Carly moves closer to him. "Why can't you see that we're good together?"

"Because we're not." Jason moves her hands from his body. "I know its hard for you to understand, but this will never happen."

"Why not?" Carly exclaims. "Give me one good reason why we can't be the family we always wanted. And don't you dare say because of AJ."

"Fine...putting your marriage aside." Jason slings the rag over his shoulder. "If I allowed us to be together again, if I let us go there, you would be the end of me."

"What?" Carly eyes him intently. "What does that mean?"

"It means, that if I let this continue, you'll break me and I can't let you." Jason says firmly. "Love shouldn't be about schemes and deception. There was a warrant out for my arrest because you told them I kidnapped Michael."

"You said you forgave me for that." Carly says seriously. "Was that a lie?"

"No. I forgave you." Jason says sincerely. "But that just made me realize what I should have all along. Carly, when things are good they're great between us, but when they're bad...the next scheme you come up with can more than likely break me. Of course you won't mean it, but it'll happen and I can't let you. I'm sorry."

"You're lying." Carly shakes her head. "This is about that girl...that muffin faced brat that's working for you."

"She has a name." Jason states. "Its Elizabeth and she has nothing to do with this."

"As if." Carly scoffs. "She has everything to do with this! She's the reason you won't be with me and Michael."

"I'm going to say this once more and I want you to really hear me." Jason takes hold of her arms, forcing her to look him straight in the eye. "Elizabeth has nothing to do with this. You're not good for me."

"You can't even have the decency to not lie." Carly pushes his arms away. "Lets see how much you love muffin face when I'm done with her."

"Carly, stay away from her!" Jason nearly shouts, stopping her from walking out the door.

"Try and stop me." Carly snaps, looking at him sternly.

"Carly...you don't want to get on my bad side." Jason glares at her. "You do anything to Elizabeth, suffice to say that you won't mean anything to me."

"I knew it." Carly shakes her head. "This isn't over Jason. Not by a long shot."

Elizabeth spent a few hours at the local spa, getting all dolled up for her birthday party, before going shopping for her birthday outfit. She wanted to shop with Emily, but she was busy with Juan. That left her to shop on her own, but she wouldn't let that put a damper on her birthday. Lucky was helping with the set up of her birthday so she wouldn't be seeing him until that night. After a long day of focusing on herself, Elizabeth went home to get ready for her birthday. So far so good and it could only get better.

"Tonight will be perfect." Elizabeth says to her reflection. "You're eighteen now. Nothing can stop you from this point on. Nothing."

A knock at her door had her walking away from the mirror to grab her jacket and purse. After shrugging into her jacket, Elizabeth took a deep breath and opened the door to Lucky. After a kiss in greeting, they walked to the car and he opened her door for her. Him picking her up was the perfect start to her birthday party and she knew that it would only go up hill from there. They drove to the diner where it has been transformed into her birthday party, her friends and family already there waiting.

"Happy birthday, Liz." Emily says as she hugs her. "How does it feel to be eighteen?"

"Amazing!" Elizabeth admits. "I've had the best day ever."

"Liz, can you come here for a minute?" Bobbie calls to her from behind the counter.

"Sure." Elizabeth shakes her head, granting her friends a smile of appreciation before walking over to Bobbie. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course." Bobbie shakes her head. "I just wanted you to know that I have to head home. Lucas has a fever and I need to check on him."

"Oh, of course, by all means go ahead." Elizabeth says without hesitation. "I hope he feels better soon."

"Happy birthday sweetie." Bobbie hugs her softly. "I hope you have a great party."

"I know I will." Elizabeth assures. "Thank you for putting it together."

"Anytime." Bobbie smiles before making her exit.

The party picked up momentum as the music started blaring and people started to dance. The table was opened and the food was blessed before everyone dug in. Elizabeth couldn't help but look around at the people she loved, feeling blessed to have so many people there to celebrate her birthday with her. Just as a certain boss of hers came to mind, she spotted him through the door. Putting her fork down, Elizabeth excused herself from the table before walking out of the diner.

"You made it." Elizabeth smiles brightly, hugging him before pulling away.

"I said I would." Jason counters. "It looks like you're having fun."

"I am." Elizabeth confirms. "How's the shop doing?"

"It hasn't burnt to the ground." Jason smirks, digging his hand into his jacket pocket. "I can manage on my own."

"I know." Elizabeth laughs softly. "I actually can't wait to go back to work tomorrow."

"Well, for tonight, put work out of your mind." Jason says as he pulls out a small velvet box. "Happy birthday, Elizabeth."

"Aw, you didn't have to get me anything." Elizabeth opens the box and looks at him confusedly. "What's it for?"

"A studio." Jason concedes. "I didn't know what else to get you and I remember you saying something about wanting your own studio."

"Number nineteen." Elizabeth smiles as she closes the box. "Do you remember everything I say?"

"Just about." Jason shrugs. "Look, I don't want to keep you from your party. I just wanted to say, happy birthday."

"You're not coming in?" Elizabeth looks at him curiously.

"Uh, no, sorry." Jason shakes his head. "I have to visit my grandmother."

"Oh, okay then." Elizabeth shrugs. "Thanks for coming by."

"Look...how about I come by after my visit and I'll take you to see your studio?" Jason offers, seeing an strange look in her eyes.

"Sounds perfect." Elizabeth says, tucking the box into her pocket. "See you then."

"Count on it." Jason says before walking off to his bike.

Elizabeth watched Jason walk away, looking forward to seeing the studio he's bought for her, wondering what it'll look like. She was oblivious to the fact that Lucky was standing in the window, observing the exchange between her and Jason, not liking it one bit. That statement that his brother said the other night wasn't looking so stupid anymore. She was about to walk back into the diner when Lucky came out, blocking her way from the door.

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth looks at him curiously.

"What did he give you?" Lucky asks, eyeing her intently.

"A key." Elizabeth says simply. "He got me a studio."

"He got you a studio?" Lucky wanted to explode right then. "You can't accept that."

"Why not?" Elizabeth counters. "Its a gift...I can't turn it down. It would be rude."

"I don't like the way he looks at you." Lucky says firmly. "Him giving you a ride on his bike is one thing, but buying you a studio...that crosses the line."

"Jason only got me a studio because he remembers me saying I wanted to have one to do art in." Elizabeth says seriously. "He couldn't think of anything else to get me and its not like money's an issue for him."

"I'm telling you that its not right." Lucky states. "The look in his eyes isn't right!"

"You're imagining things." Elizabeth waves off his concern. "Its just a gift not an engagement ring."

"You're seriously going to accept that gift?" Lucky stares at her in surprise. "We can get you another studio if that's what you want."

"I'm not giving back a gift." Elizabeth says seriously. "I'm sorry you don't like it, but its for me."

"I can't deal with this right now." Lucky shakes his head before storming off.

Tears in her eyes, Elizabeth swiped them away before being lead back inside by Emily and Juan for birthday cake. Standing in front of her cake, ready to make her wish, Elizabeth closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to form. This wasn't what her birthday was supposed to be like, but it is what it is. Making a wish, Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled. Happy eighteenth birthday, Elizabeth, she thought to herself. The start of a new outlook on an already good life and she couldn't wait.


A/N: Let me know what you think.

-ROCkER