Chapter 12

Ariel had been through so much and she's still so young. I couldn't lie any longer. "Ariel, I lied."

Ariel who had been lost in her past thoughts said "Huh?"

"Zanier and I have had sex twice since you revealed his presence. I'm pregnant with his child."

Ariel remained silent. She just watched me with those large green eyes. She looked like a young child.

"Ariel, I'm sorry." I whispered.

Ariel blinked "What for?"

"For lying to you. Also for keeping secrets from you." I explained.

Ariel tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, "You're not the only one with secrets. I can't change what's been. You are having Zander's baby."

I understood, "Ariel, do you miss your father?"

That was not the right question to ask. Her eyes flashed with anger, "No. Should I?"

I looked at her confused, "Well he was your father."

"After believing Zander was dead, he willingly walked right back into this hotel to die and he did." Ariel said "It's like he completely forgot about his baby girl wanting so much to come home."

"Do you love him?" I questioned

Ariel once again got that child-like look in her eyes, "I can't not love him. He was my father but I can't forgive what he did to me and Zander."

"I understand." I replied.

Ariel rubbed her eyes. I could see that they were red and bloodshot., "Have you thought of any names?"

I rolled my eyes "It's a little early for names and I think it's time for you to sleep. You look very tired."

"I guess." Ariel whispered. She really looked very dragged out. "Will you be at the hospital tomorrow?"

"Yeah but not until after class at 11." I commented. I gave her a hug "Good night Ariel."

Ariel walked me to the door, "Night Em."

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I sat on my window seat just staring at my reflection in the glass. I had my hands very lightly laying on my belly where Zander and my child was staying. I thought back to that day I married Zander only because I thought I was dying. Tears suddenly began streaming down my face. I wish I had a time machine. I wanted to go back in time and I wished I told Zander the truth from the beginning. Then maybe I wouldn't be in the hell I was. Maybe we would have been happily married because I would have never felt that temptation of Nikolas, and when Ariel was sent back home, we both could have brought her back to Port Charles and she would be in a relationship with a guy both Zander and I knew was right for her. Instead I'm lying to Nikolas everyday. Zander's living a lie and Ariel's a single mother with her heart broken.

I slid off my window seat and went over to my bed. I looked at the calender on my night stand. The Nurse's Ball was in half a month and I haven't even practiced. I decided I would call Nikolas first thing in morning and we would have to start practicing soon.

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The last three weeks flew by. I spent them working on my skit with Nikolas and spending my spare time with Ariel. Zander almost never spoke to me. About a week before the Ball, I found Ariel with a sewing machine. "I didn't know you could sew."

"Any monkey can follow directions." was her response.

"You're not a monkey." I said

"Well, if I want people to pay to like my performance, I should make a decent costume." Ariel told me flinging a piece of purple material at me.

"This isn't silk is it?" I asked, fingering the cloth.

Ariel glanced at me, "No. It's cotton."

I shrugged "Hmm." I noticed a pile of red hair on the couch. I realized it was a wig, "Trying a new look?"

"It's for the performance. It will set me apart from my co-performers." Ariel giggled, "Although my blond hair could do that too."

"What are you doing?" I wondered.

"Kiss the Girl from 'The Little Mermaid'. I asked Liz and Robin to help and we conned Lucky, Zander, and Patrick to join us." Ariel replied. "I've made all the costumes. I just have to finish mine because it's different."

I heard the door open, "I'm back Ara."

"In the bedroom, Zand." Ariel called back.

Zander came in saw me and turned to walk out. Ariel stopped him. "Zander and Emily. I want the two of you to work out whatever problems you have. I'll stay here, you go into the living room and talk this out."

Zander glared at his little sister but grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room. I managed to close the bedroom's door behind me.

"Zander..." I began.

"Shut up!" Zander interrupted me, "Ariel's always been this, 'it's in the past and we can't change it' thing, but I can't deal with that. What you did to me damaged me. I refuse to love again and finding you still here still in love with Nikolas after all he did, really hurts. He goes to jail, has sex with another woman, getting her pregnant, leaves you with a look-alike who rapes you, Helena tried to kill you multiple times because of him and you still love him. So I made a mistake with Elizabeth and kiss Gia and you divorce me. Also why didn't you tell me from the start you had cancer, because you didn't want me to watch you die. That's a load of crap! If I had done that to you, wouldn't you hate me for that? I could never hate you." He began to cry, tears streamed down his face, "I wanted to hate you after everything. Especially after you got me shot. I still want to but I can't. And lord knows I have tried to forget you, but what happens. Ara is so distraught after giving birth she can't think of a name so I choose the woman who ruined my life. Also when was the last time Nikolas gave you purple pixy stix?"

I was silent. I just couldn't talk. Zander had been so hurt by me. Now I'm giving him a child and I'm trying to pass it off as Nikolas's.

Zander started again, "I have to watch someone else raise my son! Cameron will never know that he has another father. To him Lucky will always be daddy. Finally I have another chance but our child will only think of Nikolas as Daddy. Nikolas already is a father, why can't I help take care of my child? Am I that much of a danger?"

I took a deep breath, "Zander how can you claim this child if you want to remain hidden?"

Zander looked right at me, his tears streaking his face, "I always promised myself that I would be a better father than mine. So far I'm not doing a very good job. Emily we made this child together. I want to be part of it's life."

I put my hand over my growing belly (although it was not yet noticeable), "If you want to be part of our child's life, I'll try to do that."

Zander smiled, "Thank you."

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I was shocked the way Ariel looked the night of the Nurse's Ball. Her dress was so amazing. It was a spaghetti strapped apple green dress, with a high waist and came down to just below her knees. Also her blond hair was curled and held back with little green clips that matched her dress. And her platform sandals made her look nearly three inches taller than her five feet two inches.

"You look incredible." I cried. "Where did you find that dress?"

Ariel tucked back a curl that had fallen forward, "The boutique at the Metrocourt. I had to hem it myself though. You look great too."

I had chosen a strapless, classic black dress. I also wore classic black heels, and wore my hair down the way I always do. "You should see what I'm wearing when Nikolas and I do our bit." I told Ariel.

Ariel smiled, "I'll never look good as a redhead."

I figured Zander had made that comment. "Well, it's only for..what...three minutes?"

Ariel rolled her eyes. She then waved, "Liz, Robin! Over here!"

Liz and Robin hurried over. Both looked as shocked as I did over Ariel's dress. Both looked pretty good themselves. Robin's dress was similar to mine, except it was blue and the length was closer to Ariel's. She wore just like me classic black heels, and her brown hair was done in some fancy up-do. Liz had a red halter-type dress that went down to her ankles. She had shoes that matched her dress, and as usual her thick hair was down around her shoulders.

"You both look fantastic!" Ariel cried. "I'm really looking forward to this. So is Alex."

Robin looked confused, "Didn't you say he lived here for awhile?"

Ariel's eyes widened as she thought of an excuse, "Well it was only for a short time...um...he came in 2001 right after the ball, and um...left in June of 2002, again before the Nurse's Ball. Um...He just never got to see it."

Liz glanced over at me. We both knew the truth. Zander and I were on a bus that crashed for his first Nurse's Ball, and since I left soon after he just never felt the need to go. Ariel glanced at me too. "He's really excited about our skit."

"I have to check the sets!" Liz cried and left running, lifting her dress so she wouldn't trip.

Robin glanced around and said, "I have to find Lucy." She also left.

Ariel grinned, "This is going to be tons of fun! Where do we sit?"

"I told my family we'd sit with them." I explained. "Is that okay?"

"I suppose. They want to keep an eye on you right?" Ariel asked.

I shrugged, "I dunno." We walked over to my family, who were seated at one of the tables near the front of the stage. "Hey everyone," I said, "This is my good friend Ariel O'Malley."

Tracey and Luke didn't say anything, but grandfather said, "Hello Miss O'Malley."

"Doctor O'Malley." I corrected.

We both sat down as Lucy and Robin got up on stage. Lucy as usual had on a dress that was closer to a gown. It was gold colour and halter type with a skirt that went down to the floor, and her hair was in a complected up-do. "Hello everyone!" Lucy said, "It gives me great pleasure to introduce our first act."

"Performing Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Georgie Jones and Dillon Quatermaine." Robin announced

"I didn't know Dillon was doing anything." Tracey whispered angrily.

I ignored her. Those two looked so cute together. Dillon even wore wild glasses, hat and a dangling earring. Georgie on the other hand wore a blue tube top and jeans. I wish I had my camera. I wanted a photo of that. I glanced over at Ariel. She was smiling. She really seemed to enjoy herself.

Dillon and Georgie got a lot of applause for their performance. Ariel even let loose an ear-piercing whistle. I don't know where she learned how to do that. I've tried to learn but for some reason can't.

Robin came back out smiling, "Wow, weren't those two adorable together? AIDS can effect anyone. Don't think that you are immune to HIV because you aren't. I never thought I'd be infected, but one moment of a lapse in judgement by someone else and later me, my future and life suddenly seemed uncertain. So I just want to say, do what you can to remain protected, let yourself, not an illness determine your future." Robin then let out a deep breath. "Okay let's keep the performances coming so we can keep getting money toward AIDS research. Now let's give it up for Maxie Jones and Lulu Spencer."

I glanced over at Ariel again. I saw a gleam in her eyes, making them look like emeralds. I knew she had something to do with that.

I didn't recognize the song immediately. Ariel must have seen my face because she leaned over and whispered, "Not Gonna Get Us by Tatu."

I also do have to admit that both girls looked rather cute. They were wearing black shorts, and Maxie had a pink tank top, while Lulu's was blue. Once again I wished I had my camera. Mostly because this was one of the first times they looked happy to be working with each other.

I wondered what Luke thought. I realized I didn't even have to ask. He looked at the stage his face so proud. I wish my dad was here to see my performance. I wondered if despite what Ariel had said about Cameron, she still wished for him to be there.

Just before Maxie and Lulu ended Ariel whispered to me, "I'm up next, I have to go change. See y'all in a bit." She got up and left out the back door.

I clapped along with the rest of the crowd after Maxie and Lulu finished. They were actually very good. I didn't know that Maxie and Lulu had voices like that. I shrugged to myself, good to know that their voices were better used for singing as opposed to yelling.

After a bit, including Nikolas going up and willing to donate an obscene amount of money, I'll have to talk to him about that, Lucy announced, "It is my pleasure to introduce Alex Lewis, Lucky Spencer, Patrick Drake, Elizabeth Webber, Robin Scorpio, and Ariel O'Malley."

As the curtain opened, I gasped. "Wow!"

"What?" Mom wondered.

"Ariel made those outfits herself." I whispered.

They all looked terrific. Ariel was in that ridiculous red wig, and a long skirt in green. Her top was a navel baring purple spaghetti strapped thing. Both Robin and Liz were wearing these blue wigs. Not like bright blue, more like the ocean colour. Both also had on long blue skirts, they had similar tops to Ariel except Robin's was pink, and Liz's was red. All the men had the same outfits, a white ruffled shirt, black pants, and black boots.

When Ariel began to sing the whole place got quiet. I was even in shock. She sounded so much than she did that afternoon in the hospital room. Even though Liz and Robin were accompanying Ariel, she was defiantly the most talented. Also I didn't notice she could dance the way she did. It was a little too sexual I thought, a lot of shaking of the hips. Than I realized that she was trying to follow the culture of the music. As they neared the end, Robin was with Patrick, Liz was with Zander (she didn't look that upset), and Ariel was with Lucky. I knew from what Zander that none were supposed to kiss. I figured that was Ariel's idea. All seemed to be going well, each pair's faces were close enough to kiss, but then while Patrick and Zander restrained themselves, Lucky didn't. He leaned a little closer to Ariel and kissed her right on the lips, and this was in front of most of Port Charles. Ariel's eyes once again became large and I could see tears form in her eyes.

As the curtain closed, in the mist of thunderous applause, I rushed out of the room to check on Ariel. I found Robin and Liz trying to comfort her. "I can't believe he did that!" Ariel cried, "If he's trying to make me love him, that isn't going to win any points with me."

Liz bit her lip, "Lucky's really a nice guy."

"Than why aren't you two still together?" Ariel asked, "I mean he's raising my nephew with you, right?"

Liz glanced at Robin who looked a little confused, but thankfully kept quiet. "He's a good father, and maybe you could give him a chance." Liz explained.

Ariel shook her head, "Never. Let me say this, I will never date Lucky Spencer, so don't try to set us up. You've seen how I get when I'm really angry." With that she grabbed her dress and went off to change back.

The next performances went well. I with help from Robin got into my outfit for my skit with Nikolas. It was a plaid skirt and white shirt, also I wore this huge wig styled from the early 60's (hey I was doing a song from Hairspray), we had decided to sing "It Takes Two." It was mainly Nikolas singing. I'm there making goo-goo eyes at him, and later joining in.

While on stage I could see Ariel trying so hard to not laugh. She kept putting her hand over her mouth and her eyes were watering. The crowd loved us. We got a huge round of applause. As the curtain closed I noticed Ariel get up from her seat.

I couldn't figure where Ariel had gone especially when she didn't enter the dressing room, where I was. I figured she had either gone up to the daycare center to check on Emily, (a lot of children were there, while their parents were at the Nurse's Ball), or to the bathroom.

I was just about to leave the dressing room and return to the main room when I heard Ariel's voice cry, "And what made you think that was a good idea?"

I heard Lucky's voice respond, "I love you. I don't just kiss anyone."

"Well I don't love you. Why can't you accept that?" Ariel cried.

"What is so wrong with me?" Lucky wanted to know.

Ariel screamed, "I have my reasons. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"I told you why." Lucky cried, his voice just as loud as hers.

Ariel screamed again, "I will never, NEVER love you Lucky! Why can't you just accept that? This is one girl you are not going to break!"

"Man, Ariel. It was just a kiss. It's not like I had sex with you on stage." Lucky responded.

Ariel cried, "All Port Charles doesn't need to know who you love. Also I don't approve of PDA's."

I rolled my eyes. I really hoped Port Charles was enjoying their fight.

"Did you hear what you were singing?" Lucky cried.

"It was a song, idiot! I didn't see Patrick kiss Robin, and they are dating. Also Zander made no move to kiss Liz and they have a child together." Ariel seemed to realize what she said because she stopped.

I opened the door and went out to save her. Lucky looked right at me as I went over to Ariel, who seemed to be in shock to what she had just blurted out. "Alex Lewis is Zander Smith, am I right?" Lucky asked, his voice soft.

I looked at Ariel's green eyes, glittering with tears, "Yes. If you claim to love me like you do, you'll keep quiet about it." Ariel whispered.

Lucky nodded, "I'll keep quiet. And I do mean it, I do really love you Ariel." With that said he left.

Ariel slumped against me, "I can't date Lucky. I can't go through all that again."

I understood. Ariel didn't really hate Lucky. She was just too broken over what happened with Shawn. She couldn't bring herself to date again, especially a cop.

"Everything will be okay, Ariel." I said, "As your best friend I promise that. Let's go back to the main room and watch the rest of the performances. I hear Nadine and Leyla are doing, It's Raining Men."

Okay wow 11 pages, in Times New Roman, double spaced though. Finally y'all get your longer chapters. Geez.

This chapter is for my BFF Christine who just got her Master's Degree! You Go Gyrl!

And to all my readers "Happy New Year!"