Slamming the screen door behind her, Elizabeth let out an exasperated grunt. Things were easier when her brother was around to mediate. She couldn't have one more argument with her grandmother and survive it.
"Mommy!"
"Hey guys, time to come in and wash up. Dinner soon."
After weeks of April showers the good weather had the boys playing outside most of the day. They were walking mud pies. Cameron came to her first and she stripped him down to his Spiderman undies right there on the porch.
"Go on in. We'll get you in the bath and in your jammies as soon as I get your brother to come in." With a pat on the butt she he scooted him off. "JAKE, come on honey!"
Her youngest squatted in the middle of a mud puddle digging for worms. His rubber boots were black but they used to be yellow. His little hands were almost purple from the cold but he was undeterred. Light was fading so he put his face closer to the wet earth. Elizabeth knew she wasn't getting anywhere so she joined him instead.
"Whatcha got there?"
Holding out his filthy fist the ends of his grip squirmed with wiggling worms.
"Ewe, gross!"
Jake looked at her quizzically.
"They're all dirty. Maybe we should wash them off? Do you think they'd like that?
Jake nodded and rose.
"Come on then."
He followed her to a dish left outside where rainwater had collected.
"Here, put them in there."
Fascinated little Jake opened his fists and let the worms drop. He squatted down to watch them squirm in the water. The mud broke away exposing there pink, spineless bodies. "Day swimming." He observed.
"Let's let them take their bath and you and I go in and take a bath? Then we can have dinner. Are you hungry?"
Looking up at his mom he nodded.
"Good. Come with me then."
Before she could avoid it, he took her hand in his little grimy one. She held it despite the muck and worm slime. His little fingers were ice. Tipping the dish with her foot, Jake didn't see his mommy free his wormy new friends.
Cam and Jake splashed in the tub while Gram mixed up some oatmeal for the kids. She knew how they liked it with raisins and brown sugar. Of course Gram didn't think it was an appropriate dinner but decided to not add that to their list of arguments lately.
Elizabeth dried the tikes off and ushered them down to eat. They wore their PJs so she tied kitchen towels around their necks to catch spills. The boys ate the oatmeal with gusto. Cameron was so hungry he didn't even try to bargain for more brown sugar. Gram took the opportunity to step away and talk calmly with Elizabeth.
"You know I love you and the boys. You are welcome here as long as you need. Nevertheless you should consider, right now, this might not be the best place for you. I've been trying to wrap my head around how one girl, such a smart girl, could mess up her life so badly."
"Gram…"
"Let me finish. I know I shouldn't even think about it since it's none of my business. And I know you know what you did was wrong. For some reason I can't turn off my thoughts, as admittedly judgmental as they are. I think I just feel so protective of the boys. I know this doesn't sound like an apology, but it is. I am sorry for being so argumentative."
"It's OK. I understand. This is your house and you should be free to think what you want."
"It's not that sweetheart… I don't know." Audrey couldn't find the words though they sat on the tip of her tongue. So she changed the subject. "Have you made a decision about the Quartermaine's job offer?"
---
Oh so that's it. We are welcome but it's time to go. Gram, I guess everyone has his or her limits, just like Luke said. How does that song go? Mmm Oh, … I would do anything for love/but I won't do that. Shit, what did she ask me? Ah, I remember--"
---
"I've thought about it every day. Remember you even had me do a pros and cons list."
"Yes I remember. And there were more pros than cons. Has that changed?"
"No."
---
No- but then I couldn't tell you all the cons now could I? You and the damn list. Con: Jake is a Quartermaine heir and no one in the house but Monica knows. Con: Monica could slip up and if Edward or Tracy finds out that will be the end of that. Con: How do I explain why filthy rich Q's are suddenly doting on my sons and me? Con: what if I get used to said doting and start liking the easy life? It's all just so… bad. Dangerous. Tempting…. (more cons for the list)
---
The pause was filled with the chatter of little boys. Elizabeth thought about how much fun they had at the Q's mansion. They seemed to be genuinely wanted there. Her grandmother put Jason in the con column. Though, secretly Lizzie put him in with the pros. She liked the idea of him running into Jake more often and crazy Sam couldn't say anything about it. She'd still like to talk to Jason only he was leaving it up to her, as usual.
Sighing, "I guess I will make an appointment with Monica to go over and check out the guesthouse."
"I think it's a good idea dear." Jake dropped his spoon. The clag of metal on polished wood floor drew his great grandmother's attention. "Jake, stay right there darling. I'll get you another spoon." And she did.
Michael Corinthos was at the Quartermaine's when Elizabeth stopped by. She didn't appreciate the way he sized her up. This was the second time but she'd excused the first incident because he didn't know whom he was whistling at then. Did he think he was looking at the Town Slut so it was okay to freely gaze at her breasts and cock an eyebrow of approval?
The exchange happened in the doorway as he was leaving the residence. The whole thing took seconds. Michael didn't say a word to her. To Elizabeth's chagrin, Monica stepped into the foyer just as she was about to say something about it. Michael's Cheshire grin powered up a watt knowing Elizabeth had to hold her tongue.
---
That boy has gotten so cocky! He reminds me of Nik at that age but without the good manners. Are you here solidifying your position as favorite grandchild, huh Michael? Now that you have an older brother to compete with, bet you're rallying the allies. Someone needs to take that kid down a notch. On second thought, if I get one wish it's that he never finds out Jason is Jake's father. Now there is a rivalry no one can benefit from. Jeez, what a mess.
---
"Elizabeth, so glad you decided to come by and discuss the position."
"A job?" the young man's voice questioned.
Elizabeth looked behind her. She thought Michael was gone till she realized the door never clicked shut. Apparently he lingered in the threshold to check out her ass again. She glared at him. Impudent eavesdropper!
"Yes Michael. Ms. Webber is interviewing for a job here. As a nurse. We are so honored she's considering it."
Taking a few steps back into the house, "Are you sure Grandfather's heart can take it? Having such a pretty girl around?"
"Michael…" Monica smiled but used a tone to let her grandson know he wasn't being respectful.
"And I hear she's so easy…. to get along with."
He exaggerated the word 'easy' for Elizabeth's benefit and she got it. Man, the dirtier the laundry the wider in spreads. She was used to snide remarks nowadays. Some times she accepted them from the people she'd directly hurt but this kid? No, she didn't have to take it from him.
"Michael you're so sweet. Isn't it adorable, Monica, what comes out of little boy's mouths? I get this all day from my toddler," crowning her dig with a high watt smile of her own.
Michael clearly didn't like being called a little boy. Elizabeth and he stared each other down. Monica, not being as quick on the uptake, didn't know what to say. She was sure she missed something. All the woman could think to do was separate them and hope nothing her grandson did would sway Elizabeth's decision to move into their estate.
"Yes… yes, we'll be lucky to have her around here. Edward already adores Elizabeth. Come," taking Lizzie's elbow,"let's go take a look at the guesthouse."
"Oh this is perfect." Michael muttered after them. "Perfect." The youth whispered so just Elizabeth could hear, "This little boy knows just where to go if he wants play doctor."
The nurse practically choked on her disbelief. She would have hauled off and slapped him if she'd had the chance. Monica had her going in the other direction. There was one consoling thought. At least she pretty much knew now, Michael was a virgin. She was sure Carly would be so proud.
Used to shaking off people's negativity lately, Elizabeth happily chit chatted with Monica down the path to the garages. The neat garden path led them past a stable of Quartermaine vehicles and around a corner to the guesthouse.
Lizzie loved how the whole complex seemed to be surrounded by its own private forest. The old growth trees probably went back to the start of the Quartermaine family hundreds of years ago.
The two-story guesthouse linked with the garage. Architecturally it looked like an extension of the garage but its shutters and stone chimney gave it away as a house. It was double the size of her last residence.
They went inside and toured around. Upstairs had five bedrooms and three baths. Downstairs had a full kitchen, dinning area, kitchen nook, living room, game room, two baths, one half bath and a study. Alice had already moved back into the house. Besides a few wrestling trophies and posters the housekeeper hadn't found new homes for, the place was bare.
Monica could see Elizabeth was intimidated by the size. "It'll look smaller with furniture in it."
"I'll need an advance just to stock the place!" she joked.
"Actually, we moved all the furniture back to storage. There is a barn opposite the lake house. Edward and I wanted you to be able to pick out your own stuff. So all you need to do is to go down there and tag what you want." Monica rubbed her hands together excitedly, "and if nothing suits you, we'll go shopping."
"So that's where Jason gets his generosity streak from." Elizabeth winked.
"If that's true, and he learned it from me, I'm flattered. Figured out awhile ago, you can't take it with you so enjoy what you have and spread it around."
"Amen."
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think I'd be nuts to turn this down. But what's the job?"
"I was thinking we'd make you Edward's and Cook's nurse. They do need someone to make sure they are taking their medications responsibly. Neither can really be trusted. I'd like you to monitor their blood pressure and the like as well. If you could also encourage them to get out for a walk or even just play with the kids, I think it would improve their health and their disposition."
"If I accept I won't take a salary. The house and the," clearing her throat, "anticipated babysitting is enough."
Dr. Quartermaine smiled, "Are you sure? I can arrange a fitting salary to compensate for dealing with Edward. I can also arrange a leave of absence from General Hospital."
Touching her arm, "Monica, I know how much having Jake here means to you. That's why I am considering all this. People are already going to ask questions so let's not let them see you bending over backwards for me and the boys, ok?"
"I understand. However, here on the grounds, I am going to spoil you, Cameron and Jake. Is that understood? Babysitting is something I'd pay you for."
Laughing at how Monica pulled rank, "Yes ma'am." She appreciated Monica emphasizing Cameron too.
"I am serious Elizabeth. I will open a tab at Jake's, or pre-buy movie tickets and have the popcorn, soda, hotdogs, pizza and ice cream waiting for you if that's what it'll take to get you out of the house."
Elizabeth laughed out loud. "Getting me too fat to get out the door might defeat the purpose."
I'll take that as an acceptance of my offer?"
"Yes. But, "holding up a finger, "one more agreement: this is on a trial basis. In three months let's evaluate how things are going. If either one of us isn't happy, the boys and I move out, no protests. OK?'
Reaching out to shake the hand of her new-hire, "Ok."
Lizzie smiled and didn't take her hand. Instead she gave Dr. Quartermaine a big hug. "Thank you."
They walked out of the house together arm in arm giggling like giddy school girls.
"Now, let's talk about that babysitting," Elizabeth suggested. "Are your free Thursday nights? I wanna sign up for a pole dancing class."
"You can't be serious!" Monica gasped.
"Oh, but I am. In fact, you should come with me one night! We'll have fun." Lizzie's smile was dazzling, "I hear it's a great workout. And it will go nicely with my new image don't you think?"