Rewriting the Stars
Endgame: Liason
Tears frozen in her eyes, Elizabeth stares into the eyes of her grandmother, her heart shattered to see the hurt that has become her family. To think that one person could cause so much damage, so much pain, for relatively no gain, Elizabeth just couldn't see how any of this was fair.
Listening to the words that fall from her lips, she sees where her grandmother stands, hearing the pain in each word and she spoke. As much as it hurt, she couldn't help but feel for her, to live in such darkness is something she'd never wish upon anyone, least of all her grandmother.
"Your siblings shouldn't have to put their lives on hold when there are facilities built for such things," Audrey says seriously. "I know you are not selfish enough to allow this to happen. They deserve to continue their paths towards their future same as you, once you're healed and capable."
"I know," Elizabeth whispers, unable to speak any louder for fear of her voice cracking under the emotional pain surging through her in that moment. "I'll...do...it."
"Thank you," Audrey voices, letting out a breath of relief. "What happened to you is tragic, but it'd be an even bigger tragedy to see two bright young people sacrifice more when it's not necessary."
"Right," Elizabeth whispers, taking in a shaky breath. "Wouldn't...w-want...that."
"Good," Audrey says, rising to her feet. "I will handle everything. The sooner we get things settled, the better."
"Not...t-today," Elizabeth voices once she swallows past the emotions. "Juan...c-concert...after...I'll go."
"Very well," Audrey accepts. "Tomorrow then."
Nodding slightly in acceptance, Elizabeth watches Audrey walk out of the room, her body shaking as the tears finally fall, knowing that she had to do whatever it takes to ensure Steven's and Sarah's futures. No matter what lay in the past or what they see for their future, Elizabeth loves them too much to ever let them put aside their lives for her recovery.
Steven has worked hard, so many long hours and sleepless nights, to get to where he is. He's finally getting somewhere, climbing the ladder, and she refuses to let him give that up for her. He's invested too much into his career, way too much to just throw it away now.
Sarah, despite their past, she's her sister and she deserves the chance to focus on her future. If this summer has taught her anything, it's that Sarah has so much to work on, personally and professionally. Her grandfather always told her that the intermission between child and adult is an important time for someone to solidify who they are as a person and the career path that they will choose. Sarah deserves to focus on herself and the path that she will choose for her future.
"Hey, Liz," Juan voices, walking into the room holding a bouquet, rushing to her side when he notices that she's been crying. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, I-I'm...fine," Elizabeth assures, smiling softly. "Meds...w-wearing...off."
"Ah, well, that's what this is for," Juan says, lifting the button to show it to her. "Just gotta press it."
"It's...o-okay," Elizabeth says, lifting her hand to stop him from pressing it. "I'm...o-okay...for now."
"Okay," Juan smiles softly, setting the button back down, placing the flowers in the vase by her bed before grabbing a baby wipe to wipe her face. "Still tough as nails, huh?"
"I...try," Elizabeth replies simply, appreciating his ability to just let her exist without the weight of her reality on her shoulders. "Zander?"
"He's on his way. The parking is insane today," Juan explains, pulling up a chair. "You didn't hear this from me, but Z's having a hell of a time filling your shoes for the concert. He has a new appreciation for your controlled chaos."
"N-not...so...easy being...me," Elizabeth says with a soft chuckle. "He'll...do...f-fine."
"I know we'd both prefer you to be there," Juan says gently. "But it'll help me to know you're watching."
"I w-will be," Elizabeth assures, reaching out her hand to hold his loosely. "So...p-proud of...you."
"Room for one more?" Zander voices from the doorway, smiling softly when they turn to look at him. "Or am I intruding on your mushy moment?"
"Don't worry, Liz, I got this," Juan says as a smirk touches his lips. "In the famous words of the boss...shut up, knucklehead."
"Ah, I wanted her to say it," Zander counters, walking over to take a seat by the bed, across from Juan. "How you doing?"
"I'm...o-okay," Elizabeth assures. "Juan...s-says...you're s-stepping...in...for me."
"Lord, don't get me started on that," Zander laughs. "It's been hell, but I'm managing."
"T-tell me...about...it," Elizabeth asks softly, taking in this moment, etching it into her memory for always.
Just like that, Zander and Juan fill her in on all that she's missed as they finished preparations for the concert. Laying back with a smile on her face, she listens intently, enjoying hearing them talk about the road leading to the concert. It hurt her to hear that Juan even considered canceling the concert because of her, but thankfully Zander played her part and reminded Juan that he couldn't back down now. No matter what happens next, she knows that they will be okay, the three of them will be forever and that gave her hope for her future.
"Well, I'll get out of your hair," Juan says as he rises to his feet, Zander having gone down to get the car. "Wouldn't want to be late to my own concert."
"D-don't forget...please."
"I got you," Juan assures, leaning in to place a gentle kiss upon her forehead. "I love you, you know?"
"L-love...you," she says wholeheartedly. "T-thank y-you."
"Get better, that's thanks enough."
"I will."
"Good."
Leaning back into the pillow, she watches as he walks out of the room, reaching over to grab the button, pressing it a couple of times, allowing the pain medication to course through her veins. More than anything, she wants to be there for them, to see his very first concert in person, but there was no point in crying over it now. She'll see one of his concerts in person one day, watching it on the television screen will have to be enough for now.
"You can't be serious," Declan voices in disbelief as Johnny stands before him. "You cannot seriously be taking over that man's business!"
"It's done, Declan," Johnny says simply. "This is simply a courtesy visit. The paperwork has been filed and notarized."
"What is wrong with you?" Declan snaps. "Do you know what this means?!"
"It means that I cut all ties to you and the family," Johnny states. "No different than the last few years. Only now, I have my own family and a future to build upon."
"You're my blood, you can't wash that out of you," Declan points out. "No matter what deal was made, you are my blood, Johnny Boy!"
"You hear me saying anything to the contrary?" Johnny counters. "My place is at my daughter's side. Just because I have to cut my ties to our family business, doesn't mean we're not blood, that's forever."
"I wanted you back home, back in our business," Declan states, seeing that the path is set and there was no turning back. "I hope you know that."
"I know," Johnny assures, holding out his hand to him. "I hope we can find a way to maintain peace between our businesses."
Shaking his brother's hand, Johnny grants him a single nod before walking out of the estate with Francis by his side, knowing that it's really unknown whether they'll be able to truly keep the peace. Declan has been trying for years to overtake Fiona's family's business. To have his own brother sitting at the head of the family, there's no telling if Declan will continue to try to push them out of Ireland or if he'll accept the offer of peace and let things be.
"How are we with security?" Sonny asks Jason as they sit down for their meeting. "Lily's been nervous for today. I'd like to assure her that things are set."
"It's set," Jason assures. "They have the place covered, inside and out, she can relax."
"Good, good," Sonny accepts. "Now, as for your request, you sure that this is the only way?"
"The only one I can control," Jason admits. "The guys are back from the city. The business is covered. I'll keep tabs on things while I'm gone."
"Okay," Sonny accepts, knowing he has thought through all aspects and has made the best choice as he always has. "I'll miss you, man."
"I'll miss you, too," Jason says wholeheartedly. "You'll tell Lily?"
"I will," Sonny assures, knowing goodbyes weren't his strongest suit. "She'll understand."
Shaking his hand, Jason makes his way out of the office, smiling slightly and granting Lily a nod before making his way to his penthouse to pack up. He knows that goodbyes are important to Lily, but he just couldn't face her to say goodbye, regarding her in the same light as he regards Sonny. Saying goodbye to Sonny was hard enough, to say goodbye to Lily, well, he just couldn't do that.
Packing lightly, knowing he can buy whatever he needs along the way, Jason checks in with Cody on the security for the event, thanking the man for taking his place. Locking up the penthouse, he grants Ritchie a nod before walking onto the elevator and leaving the building. They'll be okay while he's gone, he's made sure of it, and he'll be back, that much is certain.
"I...w-want to...see h-him," Elizabeth voices, smiling slightly when they stop talking to look at her. "Please."
"Lizzie..." Sarah replies, glancing at Steven before meeting her eyes. "You really shouldn't be out of bed..."
"P-please," Elizabeth says earnestly, knowing they were trying not to tell her what she already knows. "I...I n-need to...see him."
"Okay," Steven voices, cutting Sarah off. "I'll make it happen."
"Steven..." Sarah sighs, following him out of the room when he gestures for her to follow him. "She's so weak and Gram..."
"Liz wants to see him and we're going to make that happen," Steven says seriously. "Do you think you can get Gram out of the room long enough for Liz to visit him?"
"I'll figure something out," Sarah replies, knowing that he was going to do it with or without her. "Probably not for long, so, try not to take too long. She shouldn't be out of bed for that long anyway."
Working together, the siblings are able to get Audrey out of the room and Elizabeth into it before long, Steven standing by the door as Elizabeth sits at Steve's bedside. Reaching out a hand, Elizabeth takes his in hers, her heart heavy at the sight of him connected to so many machines. To see a man as lively as her grandfather reduced to this, Elizabeth finds her hate for Lucky Spencer grow, hating him for the damage he inflicted upon her life, upon her family.
"I know that must have been hard for you to see him like that," Steven says as he helps her back into her bed. "I wish I can say that he'll get better, but I don't want to offer false hope."
"I-It's...okay," Elizabeth voices, smiling softly when Sarah walks back into the room. "I...ha-have...one...last f-favor."
"Name it," Sarah says, walking over to stand at her side.
"G-go...to the...c-concert," Elizabeth says carefully. "B-both of...you. Please."
"You shouldn't be alone," Sarah points out. "One of us can go, but not both of us."
"J-Juan...he wo-worked hard...he needs support," Elizabeth pleads. "I can't...go...I n-need you...both...to..."
"Okay, okay," Steven voices, hating to see her struggle to speak coherently. "We have the tickets. We'll go."
"On one condition," Sarah says seriously, smiling softly when Elizabeth looks at her. "Get some rest. Your body is healing. The more rest you get the better off you'll be. Deal?"
"Deal," Elizabeth smiles. "L-love you...both...s-so m-much."
"We love you, too," Steven says, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Rest. We'll be back after the concert."
Before they leave, Sarah turns on the television, the opening of the concert coming on. Laying back, Elizabeth watches as they walk out of the room, hoping that they will understand why she has chosen to do what she's about to do. Seeing them, seeing the hurt and the suffering they are putting upon themselves for what happened to her, Elizabeth hates to see it.
They are such good people, the best siblings she could ask for, and they deserve their future. She'll heal, she'll rebuild the shattered person that she's become, and she'll come back to them. She'll come back whole and ready to be the sister that they deserve her to be. Hopefully, by then they will forgive her for leaving like this.
"Ms. Webber, hello, I'm Dr. Carter," a man says as he walks into the room. "I hear you're looking for a transfer."
"Y-yes," Elizabeth smiles, glancing at the concert as it reaches intermission, her heart filled with pride as she sees that the concert will undoubtedly be a success. "T-Thank...y-you."
"You're more than welcome," Dr. Carter replies, adjusting her wires so she can be transferred to the wheelchair. "We've got a window, but it's a small one. If you start to feel lightheaded or feel yourself losing consciousness, I'd appreciate you letting me know, okay?"
"O-okay."
"Very good," Dr. Carter says, unhooking the locks. "Then let's get you out of here."
Settling back into the wheelchair, her hand moving to grip the pendant on the necklace Johnny gave her, Elizabeth keeps her head down to prevent her from being seen as the doctor wheels her out of the hospital and around to a waiting ambulance, the hard part over. Once she's loaded into the private ambulance, the doctor checks her vitals, making sure she's still stable. Once he's certain she's still stable, he sits back for the ride, intermittently rechecking her vitals through the drive. From the ambulance, she's transferred onto a private jet, the doctor securing her for the flight ahead.
"J-Jason," Elizabeth voices when he walks onto the plane.
"Hey," he voices before turning to the doctor. "She ready to go?"
"She's set," Dr. Carter assures. "Just be sure to have a doctor in flight for the second leg of your journey."
"It's been arranged," Jason replies, shaking the man's hand. "Thanks for doing this on short notice."
"Of course," Dr. Carter says before turning to Elizabeth. "Good luck."
"T-Thanks," Elizabeth replies, turning to Jason once the doctor deplanes. "Y-You...too."
"You don't have to thank me," Jason says as he takes a seat across from her. "Just being a friend."
...
"Do you really think this is your best option?" Jason questioned her over the phone, having gotten her message from Juan. "You're not in the best shape for travel, Liz."
"I k-know," Elizabeth had voiced, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "W-What...do y-you like...to say? H-Humor...me."
"Fair enough," Jason accepts, swearing he should have seen that one coming. "I'll set it up."
"T-Thanks, J-Jason."
...
"S-sure," Elizabeth smiles softly. "I d-didn't...t-think...you'd actually...h-humor...me."
"What can I say," Jason smiles slightly. "I did owe you for all the times you humored me. Call us even."
"T-Thank you...really...t-thanks."
"Rest," Jason says, moving to help her lay back, placing a travel pillow around her neck. "I'll wake you when we land at our first stop."
"O-Okay," she agrees, feeling the fatigue starting to pull her under.
Settling back into his seat, Jason watches her for a moment longer, amazed at the lengths she is willing to go to lift the burden from those that she loves. Pulling out a guidebook from his bag, Jason adjusts the lights in the cabin so that there's only enough light to read his book but not too much to disturb her sleep.
They won't be in the air for too long, making not having a doctor on board okay, their next flight, however, will be lengthy requiring a doctor on board for that one. Once they get to where they're going, Elizabeth will have all the medical care that she could ever need, lending hope to a successful recovery of her injuries. Physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Author's Note: Not where I thought this was going, but - hey - the muse sometimes has a mind of its own. My heart both smiles and cries for this moment and I can't wait to see where this story will go next. Let me know in the review box below what you thought and felt about this update. Till the next one, take care of you and yours, a million virtual hugs to you all, and the reminder that you are truly appreciated beyond words.