A couple years later
Liz sat quietly and holding Jess and Will's 1 year old daughter Holly and she saw Colin and Lanie come in with their old one year old daughter Natalie, 5 year old Narissa and 3 year old Sean close behind.
"Liz you know you don't have to leave." Jessica pleaded.
"I know everyone wants me to stay." Liz said "But I can't hide from Port Charles forever. It has been almost 5 years since I left. Everyone here has welcomed me and made me a part of the family. I have to go back. Even if it is only for a short time. Who knows I might even be back in a week. But I have to let Em and Nicholas and Lucky know that I am at least alive. And I don't know how long that will be. But you know I will be back. I still have Roses to worry about. Photo shoots and everything. Besides I can't abandon my little goddaughter."
"Aunt Lizzy don't go." Liz watched curly blonde headed Leah and curly dark headed Narissa run up.
"Guys I will be back. I promise. And you guys can always come visit me in Port Charles if you want and if your parents let you."
"Really?" The girls asked.
Liz nodded. "And I will still be able to talk to you on the phone and in email. It will be just like I never left."
The girls reluctantly agreed but they sat contendily in their 'aunts' lap. The girls could pass for twins despite the hair color. Both had deep blue eyes and the same facial features and curls the only difference was Leah's blonde hair and Narissa's chestnut one.
They were wearing clothes from the clothing line that Liz, Jess, Will and Christian ran, Roses. All 4 girls wore a pair of white overall's, Leah in a light blue, Narissa in a pale yellow, Holly in a pink and Natalie in a lavender. Sean wore a pair of blue overall's and a white shirt. As the twins and Christian arrived Liz took note of Caleigh's pink skirt and pale yellow skirt and Christian wore a pair of black pants and blue shirt.
"What's going on?" Liz asked.
"Were having a professional photographer come and take pictures that you can take with you." Will replied.
"You guys are acting like I am never going to come back. And I am." Liz promised.
"We just want to have a picture taken. With all of us." Jess said.
Half an hour later the pictures were taken and everyone was looking at them while they waited for Liz's plane to come. Will, Christian and Colin stood, and on a bench in front of them sat Jess, Liz, and Lanie, Jess held Holly and Lanie held Natalie. Then sitting on the grass sat Caleigh, Leah, Shawn, Natalie and Christina.
Suddenly over the speaker they heard "Flight 107 for Port Charles New York now boarding."
Liz hugged everybody and said "I'll call and email everyone."
"You be careful. If you are unsure about anything than I want you to call me." Colin said.
"Colin I have had this new heart for awhile now. I know how to take care of it, but if I have problems I will call you. And," Liz said rolling her eyes she had heard this speech so often already "if you aren't home then I will call the hospital and they will know where to find you."
"Great." Colin said.
"I'm going to miss all of you."
Somehow, Liz finally was able to calm her nerves and slept for most of the trip. When she woke up the plane was getting ready to land. Liz grabbed her bags and got off the plane.
As Liz grabbed her bags she was relieved to find that she didn't recognize anyone. She grabbed a taxi and made her way to the Port Charles hotel.
Liz decided that before she made her presence known to anyone she was going to sleep and then she had to call Jess and tell her she had made it. Because knowing Jess she would be nervous about everything and Leah would want to talk anyway.
An hour and a half later Liz was finally ready. She walked down to the lobby and asked the person there "Do you by chance know where Nicholas Cassidine, or Emily and Zander Smith are living?"
"I don't off hand. But I can find out for you if you have a moment."
"Yes, thank you."
Minutes later Liz held two papers in her hands. The first one had Emily and Zander's address on it and the second and Gia and Nicholas' address on it.
'I should go see Em first.' Liz thought to herself.
Liz found the house. And knocked on the door. She heard a dog bark in the house and a scramble. Suddenly the door was opened quickly by 4 children. 3 little girls and a boy. One of the girls had chin length brown hair and big brown eyes, the little boy also had brown hair and big brown eyes, the next girl had chin length black hair, large brown eyes and, and the last had shoulder length brown hair and black eyes and they seemed to be ranging from 4 to 2.
"Can we help you?" The girl with brown hair asked.
"Is this the Smith residence?" Liz asked taken aback by the number of children.
"Yes, who are you?" The boy asked.
"Kids who is at the door?"
Liz then saw a very pregnant Emily come into view. "Can I help you?" Emily asked.
Liz didn't think that Emily would recognize her. Her hair was now a blonde color, similar to Jess', and Liz wore a pair of sunglasses.
"Hi Em." Liz said pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head.
"Do I know…Liz? Oh my God is that you Liz?"
Liz smiled. Emily hugged quickly and pulled her into the house "Where have you been the past 5 years?"
"A little town in Pennsylvania."
"Why did you leave?"
"There were a couple things that I had to take care of." Liz replied simply.
"And it took you 5 years to take care of it?" Emily demanded.
"Who are you?" The little boy asked.
"My names Liz. What's yours?" Liz asked.
"Eric Michael Smith." The boy said.
"I'm Judith Paige Smith." The girl with brown hair stated.
"Are all 4 of them yours?" Liz asked.
Emily laughed "No, Eric and Judi are mine and Zander's twins, they are 4. The other 2 are Nicholas and Gia's Olivia and Mikayla. Livie is 3 and Kayla is 2. But where have you been why'd you leave. What have you been doing? You look great. Does anyone know you are here? Does Lucky?"
"I went to a town in Pennsylvania, Llanview. I was staying with some people I became really close with while I was there. I came to see you first. What is going on with everyone?"
"A lot has changed since you have been gone. Naturally Gia and Nicholas got married. Carly and Sonny got married again. A.J. and Hannah got married and A.J. has finally quit drinking. Alexis just had a baby about 6 months ago a little girl. Chloe and Stephan have gotten divorced and married again." Emily went on.
"Lucky?"
"Lucky comes and goes. He spends little to no time in Port Charles anymore. When he is in Port Charles it basically to let everyone know that he is still alive. To make sure Laura, Lu-Lu and Lydia are all OK. He is back now you know. For Christmas. He always comes back to spend the holiday's with everyone. I have got to call Lucky and Nicholas and tell them that you are here."
"Em wait. Can I surprise them? Maybe just show up at a party or something?"
Emily smiled "Sounds like it might be fun to watch. There is a party tomorrow night. You should go."
"I will. Why don't you stop over at my hotel room tomorrow afternoon. You can help me to decide on what I am going to wear." Liz said.
"Sounds great." Emily said.
"I better go. I just got in today. I'm kind of…" Liz suddenly became aware of her watch beeping telling her she needed to take her anti-rejection medication.
"What's that?"
"Nothing. But I better get going. I really am very tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Liz said.
Liz had just finished swallowing her pills when there was a knock at the door. Liz could tell by looking in the mirror that she was pale. But she didn't need to. There were still some days that she didn't feel well, even though it had been several years since she had had the transplant. She quickly blushed a little blush across her cheeks to hide her pale skin and hurried to open the door.
"Hi Em come in." Liz said.
Emily carried a couple bags in with her "I figured you might now have brought anything. So I brought a couple things with. But let's look at what you have first."
"I haven't unpacked much." Liz said knowing very well that she would have something to wear.
"Well let's look anyway." Emily said walking over to the closest and Liz heard her gasp. "Are these all Rose's originals?" With Liz's nod of consent she asked "You must have been doing something that paid a lot for you to have these many originals. Do you have more?" Liz blushed. "So what have you been doing to afford these dresses?"
"Owning a 4th of Roses helps." Liz said simply.
"You own a 4th of Roses?" Emily exclaimed.
Liz shrugged and said simply "Yeah."
"So why did you ask me over? You have gorgeous clothes already."
"I know. I just thought we could get caught up." Liz said.
"Sounds good to me. But what are you going to wear?" Emily asked.
"I don't know. I think this black one." Liz said.
"You know I think this silver silk is gorgeous." Emily said pulling out another dress.
"Which one do you think I should wear?" Liz asked.
"The silver one definitely." Emily responded.
"If you say so." Liz said. "I'll go put it on. I just got out of the shower. I'll be right out."
As Liz slipped into the dress and looked at her reflection she suddenly became aware of the long thin nearly invisible white scar from her surgery. A little of it showed above the neckline of the dress. Liz pulled out some make-up to conceal the scar. She did it easily, she was used to hiding the scar.
When that was done Liz walked out of the bathroom "What do you think?" Liz asked.
"You look great." Emily said truthfully.
When she came to the full length mirror. The dress was body hugging silk was a spaghetti strap and fell straight to the floor.
Emily wore a full skirted purple dress. "Thanks." Liz replied. "So fill me in on this party."
"Um OK. Gia and Nicholas put it on every year. And anyone can go. They get presents for all the kids. The adults dress up but we only do it for fun. You can wear whatever you want. They have a DJ who comes every year and he plays music. Usually Christmas music. But Gia and Nicholas' 2 kids whom you met yesterday will be there and my twins. And a lot of others. But it is a lot of fun. And Lucky will be there with Laura, Lu-Lu and Lydia. You sure that you want to see him?" Em asked.
"Yeah Em. I have to face him some time. And I have missed him so much. But don't tell him that I am here I just want to watch unobserved for awhile." Liz said.
"Sure." Emily nodded "Whatever you want. But you are coming with us aren't you?"
"If you want." Liz said.
"We can just tell everyone that I you are an old friend of mine. And I really used to have a friend named Eliza Johnson."
"Maybe I should just meet up with you at Nicholas and Gia's? I don't want to lie to anyone." Liz said.
"Yeah your right." Emily said.
Liz sat quietly and holding Jess and Will's 1 year old daughter Holly and she saw Colin and Lanie come in with their old one year old daughter Natalie, 5 year old Narissa and 3 year old Sean close behind.
"Liz you know you don't have to leave." Jessica pleaded.
"I know everyone wants me to stay." Liz said "But I can't hide from Port Charles forever. It has been almost 5 years since I left. Everyone here has welcomed me and made me a part of the family. I have to go back. Even if it is only for a short time. Who knows I might even be back in a week. But I have to let Em and Nicholas and Lucky know that I am at least alive. And I don't know how long that will be. But you know I will be back. I still have Roses to worry about. Photo shoots and everything. Besides I can't abandon my little goddaughter."
"Aunt Lizzy don't go." Liz watched curly blonde headed Leah and curly dark headed Narissa run up.
"Guys I will be back. I promise. And you guys can always come visit me in Port Charles if you want and if your parents let you."
"Really?" The girls asked.
Liz nodded. "And I will still be able to talk to you on the phone and in email. It will be just like I never left."
The girls reluctantly agreed but they sat contendily in their 'aunts' lap. The girls could pass for twins despite the hair color. Both had deep blue eyes and the same facial features and curls the only difference was Leah's blonde hair and Narissa's chestnut one.
They were wearing clothes from the clothing line that Liz, Jess, Will and Christian ran, Roses. All 4 girls wore a pair of white overall's, Leah in a light blue, Narissa in a pale yellow, Holly in a pink and Natalie in a lavender. Sean wore a pair of blue overall's and a white shirt. As the twins and Christian arrived Liz took note of Caleigh's pink skirt and pale yellow skirt and Christian wore a pair of black pants and blue shirt.
"What's going on?" Liz asked.
"Were having a professional photographer come and take pictures that you can take with you." Will replied.
"You guys are acting like I am never going to come back. And I am." Liz promised.
"We just want to have a picture taken. With all of us." Jess said.
Half an hour later the pictures were taken and everyone was looking at them while they waited for Liz's plane to come. Will, Christian and Colin stood, and on a bench in front of them sat Jess, Liz, and Lanie, Jess held Holly and Lanie held Natalie. Then sitting on the grass sat Caleigh, Leah, Shawn, Natalie and Christina.
Suddenly over the speaker they heard "Flight 107 for Port Charles New York now boarding."
Liz hugged everybody and said "I'll call and email everyone."
"You be careful. If you are unsure about anything than I want you to call me." Colin said.
"Colin I have had this new heart for awhile now. I know how to take care of it, but if I have problems I will call you. And," Liz said rolling her eyes she had heard this speech so often already "if you aren't home then I will call the hospital and they will know where to find you."
"Great." Colin said.
"I'm going to miss all of you."
Somehow, Liz finally was able to calm her nerves and slept for most of the trip. When she woke up the plane was getting ready to land. Liz grabbed her bags and got off the plane.
As Liz grabbed her bags she was relieved to find that she didn't recognize anyone. She grabbed a taxi and made her way to the Port Charles hotel.
Liz decided that before she made her presence known to anyone she was going to sleep and then she had to call Jess and tell her she had made it. Because knowing Jess she would be nervous about everything and Leah would want to talk anyway.
An hour and a half later Liz was finally ready. She walked down to the lobby and asked the person there "Do you by chance know where Nicholas Cassidine, or Emily and Zander Smith are living?"
"I don't off hand. But I can find out for you if you have a moment."
"Yes, thank you."
Minutes later Liz held two papers in her hands. The first one had Emily and Zander's address on it and the second and Gia and Nicholas' address on it.
'I should go see Em first.' Liz thought to herself.
Liz found the house. And knocked on the door. She heard a dog bark in the house and a scramble. Suddenly the door was opened quickly by 4 children. 3 little girls and a boy. One of the girls had chin length brown hair and big brown eyes, the little boy also had brown hair and big brown eyes, the next girl had chin length black hair, large brown eyes and, and the last had shoulder length brown hair and black eyes and they seemed to be ranging from 4 to 2.
"Can we help you?" The girl with brown hair asked.
"Is this the Smith residence?" Liz asked taken aback by the number of children.
"Yes, who are you?" The boy asked.
"Kids who is at the door?"
Liz then saw a very pregnant Emily come into view. "Can I help you?" Emily asked.
Liz didn't think that Emily would recognize her. Her hair was now a blonde color, similar to Jess', and Liz wore a pair of sunglasses.
"Hi Em." Liz said pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head.
"Do I know…Liz? Oh my God is that you Liz?"
Liz smiled. Emily hugged quickly and pulled her into the house "Where have you been the past 5 years?"
"A little town in Pennsylvania."
"Why did you leave?"
"There were a couple things that I had to take care of." Liz replied simply.
"And it took you 5 years to take care of it?" Emily demanded.
"Who are you?" The little boy asked.
"My names Liz. What's yours?" Liz asked.
"Eric Michael Smith." The boy said.
"I'm Judith Paige Smith." The girl with brown hair stated.
"Are all 4 of them yours?" Liz asked.
Emily laughed "No, Eric and Judi are mine and Zander's twins, they are 4. The other 2 are Nicholas and Gia's Olivia and Mikayla. Livie is 3 and Kayla is 2. But where have you been why'd you leave. What have you been doing? You look great. Does anyone know you are here? Does Lucky?"
"I went to a town in Pennsylvania, Llanview. I was staying with some people I became really close with while I was there. I came to see you first. What is going on with everyone?"
"A lot has changed since you have been gone. Naturally Gia and Nicholas got married. Carly and Sonny got married again. A.J. and Hannah got married and A.J. has finally quit drinking. Alexis just had a baby about 6 months ago a little girl. Chloe and Stephan have gotten divorced and married again." Emily went on.
"Lucky?"
"Lucky comes and goes. He spends little to no time in Port Charles anymore. When he is in Port Charles it basically to let everyone know that he is still alive. To make sure Laura, Lu-Lu and Lydia are all OK. He is back now you know. For Christmas. He always comes back to spend the holiday's with everyone. I have got to call Lucky and Nicholas and tell them that you are here."
"Em wait. Can I surprise them? Maybe just show up at a party or something?"
Emily smiled "Sounds like it might be fun to watch. There is a party tomorrow night. You should go."
"I will. Why don't you stop over at my hotel room tomorrow afternoon. You can help me to decide on what I am going to wear." Liz said.
"Sounds great." Emily said.
"I better go. I just got in today. I'm kind of…" Liz suddenly became aware of her watch beeping telling her she needed to take her anti-rejection medication.
"What's that?"
"Nothing. But I better get going. I really am very tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Liz said.
Liz had just finished swallowing her pills when there was a knock at the door. Liz could tell by looking in the mirror that she was pale. But she didn't need to. There were still some days that she didn't feel well, even though it had been several years since she had had the transplant. She quickly blushed a little blush across her cheeks to hide her pale skin and hurried to open the door.
"Hi Em come in." Liz said.
Emily carried a couple bags in with her "I figured you might now have brought anything. So I brought a couple things with. But let's look at what you have first."
"I haven't unpacked much." Liz said knowing very well that she would have something to wear.
"Well let's look anyway." Emily said walking over to the closest and Liz heard her gasp. "Are these all Rose's originals?" With Liz's nod of consent she asked "You must have been doing something that paid a lot for you to have these many originals. Do you have more?" Liz blushed. "So what have you been doing to afford these dresses?"
"Owning a 4th of Roses helps." Liz said simply.
"You own a 4th of Roses?" Emily exclaimed.
Liz shrugged and said simply "Yeah."
"So why did you ask me over? You have gorgeous clothes already."
"I know. I just thought we could get caught up." Liz said.
"Sounds good to me. But what are you going to wear?" Emily asked.
"I don't know. I think this black one." Liz said.
"You know I think this silver silk is gorgeous." Emily said pulling out another dress.
"Which one do you think I should wear?" Liz asked.
"The silver one definitely." Emily responded.
"If you say so." Liz said. "I'll go put it on. I just got out of the shower. I'll be right out."
As Liz slipped into the dress and looked at her reflection she suddenly became aware of the long thin nearly invisible white scar from her surgery. A little of it showed above the neckline of the dress. Liz pulled out some make-up to conceal the scar. She did it easily, she was used to hiding the scar.
When that was done Liz walked out of the bathroom "What do you think?" Liz asked.
"You look great." Emily said truthfully.
When she came to the full length mirror. The dress was body hugging silk was a spaghetti strap and fell straight to the floor.
Emily wore a full skirted purple dress. "Thanks." Liz replied. "So fill me in on this party."
"Um OK. Gia and Nicholas put it on every year. And anyone can go. They get presents for all the kids. The adults dress up but we only do it for fun. You can wear whatever you want. They have a DJ who comes every year and he plays music. Usually Christmas music. But Gia and Nicholas' 2 kids whom you met yesterday will be there and my twins. And a lot of others. But it is a lot of fun. And Lucky will be there with Laura, Lu-Lu and Lydia. You sure that you want to see him?" Em asked.
"Yeah Em. I have to face him some time. And I have missed him so much. But don't tell him that I am here I just want to watch unobserved for awhile." Liz said.
"Sure." Emily nodded "Whatever you want. But you are coming with us aren't you?"
"If you want." Liz said.
"We can just tell everyone that I you are an old friend of mine. And I really used to have a friend named Eliza Johnson."
"Maybe I should just meet up with you at Nicholas and Gia's? I don't want to lie to anyone." Liz said.
"Yeah your right." Emily said.