Okay, Again I want to thank everyone who has been beta reading this! Thanks for the reviews! A Note To Those Beta Reading This : I STILL WANT YOU TO REPLY! And here's a note for all you lurkers (people who read, but don't reply…. I know your there!!) : Please, try replying. It's not as bad as you may think. It doesn't take a lot of time, and it's painless! I swear! Renee, I can be quite cynical myself, but I hope you like this anyway. Thanks again for everything! Like always, Lots of love!
Sonny looked at the group around him. His family. His wife was on his right, clutching his hand with a death grip. Brenda had been through so much as his wife. Their past was pure magic. Something that would keep people up at night trying to figure out. The day he had married her was the best day of his life. Brenda had suffered her fair share of problems due to his job. But she always survived. Brenda was so strong. His sister was on his left, she had looped her arm through his, and was holding onto her husband. She was being so strong. He knew as well as the rest of the family that Elizabeth was what had saved Courtney. Not the rehabs she had been in, or all the rude awakenings she had gone through. No, it was Elizabeth. Sonny looked towards Ric. His little brother. Ric was being so strong. Ric had given Elizabeth's art career a jump start. She had always been talented, but he had shown it to the world. Sonny turned to look at Jax. His brother in law. The man that had righted the wrongs in his sister's life. Elizabeth had saved her, but Jax had done the rest of the work. He was Courtney's husband. The father of Courtney's only child. The only child she could ever have. Jax had given her that. All of that, and so much more. He had given her everything she had every possibly dreamed of and more. He gave her love. Alexis wasn't technically family. But she was family. Plus, it was only a matter of time before Ric made it legal. Alexis had lied to Ric, and hid his daughter from him. She had betrayed Ric's trust, and withheld the truth. She had let Ned play dress up, and pretend to be Kristina's daughter for awhile. But then she went face to face with Ric, and told him the truth. She had given him the greatest gift in the end. Love and a Family.
Brenda saw everybody in their own thoughts. The pain within her was overwhelming. She had cried all the tears she could possibly cried in Elizabeth's room. Courtney came in a few minutes after she had broken down. Courtney had held her, and let her cry. She seemed to understand that Brenda needed to cry. Courtney had really stepped up lately. She had gone way above the call of duty. She had offered to deal with any paperwork, and doctors from now on. Alexis said that she would deal with any and all legal things. Alexis had apologize profusely to the entire family for any trouble she had caused by hiding Kristina's paternity. Jax told her that he would have people taking care of the penthouse, even though Sonny's men could be. No one was in the right frame of mind to care. Ric was helping with legal things. And Jax offered to fly more doctors in from anywhere in the world. The family was coming together. For Elizabeth.
Courtney blinked back her tears, and closed her eyes. Trying to block the pain out. She wished she could go back in time. She would just pick up drink after drink. She wouldn't think twice about it. Not that it was a bad idea. Not at all, but Courtney had promised Elizabeth that she would never pick up another drink. She refused to carry drinks for anyone else. She would never touch another bit of liquor as long as Elizabeth was alive. Jax was her life line, though. He kept her sane through everything. Especially now. He held her together, and tried to do that for the entire family. He'd let everyone shatter, and he'd pick up the pieces. He was her other half. Her better half. She opened her eyes, and they fell upon her brothers. Ric, and Sonny Corinthos. Ric was a guitar playing lawyer. Loving and soft spoken. Understanding and forgiving. Sonny was king of the mob, and a coffee importer. Strong, and Protective. Insightful, and Charming. They were her brothers, and she wouldn't change them even if she could. Courtney closed her eyes and thought of Brenda and Alexis. Alexis was putting everyone else ahead of herself. A lot like Jax was. As if they weren't truly Elizabeth's family. They were, and Courtney made a note to make sure they knew that. Alexis wanted to make sure everything was taken care of, and that everyone knew she was there to do anything anyone needed. She was so strong, and Courtney knew that she had to be a mess inside. She was pushing her emotions aside, and putting everyone else first. Brenda had been so strong, but she was Elizabeth's mother. She had finally broken, and Courtney was glad that she was letting her in. Brenda was a beauty, and was stronger then she knew. She was lost. They were all lost without Elizabeth.
Jax watched his wife carefully. He knew she was on the verge of crying, and pulled her a bit closer to him. He moved a bit, and wrapped both arms around her. He held her tightly to his body. Courtney was trying to be strong. She wanted to be there. To do something. In the end they were all helpless. All they could do was support each other and pray for Elizabeth. When he had first met Courtney, Elizabeth was 4 years old. Courtney was trying to be good, but Jax could see she was still broken. She was sitting at the bar at Luke's staring into a glass of Russian vodka. She was oblivious to everyone around her. Luke helpfully told him that she hadn't touched, but stared into it for the past 3 hours. She was a Corinthos. Courtney was strong. Always had been. Alexis was playing super woman, just like Courtney. She didn't know her place, but wanted to fix everyone. Jax understood the feeling. He felt it a lot lately. The Corinthos family was complicated. Sonny and Brenda were each falling apart. Jax and Ric had been dealing with a hysterical Sonny, Courtney was comforting a hysterical Brenda. Ric was keeping quiet, and doing what he needed to do. They were all doing as well as anyone could expect of them.
Alexis looked at the Corinthos family. She felt like an outsider. Even though Ric was holding her hand. She saw Jax pull Courtney closer to him. Brenda was beginning to doze off, resting her head on Sonny's shoulder. They were all beyond exhaustion. But Alexis knew that after everyone else passed out each night, Brenda went into Elizabeth's room and cried. She was on the edge, and the smallest thing could push her over. Sonny was being as strong as could ever be expected. Stronger then she would ever be if it was Kristina laying in that bed. She was a big mess as it was. Ric was being protective, and way more loving then usual. Which was saying a lot, because he was usually extremely loving on a regular basis. Jax was being strong, and holding Courtney together. He was the only thing keeping her from breaking into millions, and millions of pieces.
Ric clutched Alexis's hand. She was keeping him together. She was keeping him sane. Not listening to Elizabeth take steady breaths or listening to her heart beat. Listening to Alexis take steady breaths, and listening to Alexis's heart beat. Ric pulled Alexis to his side, and wrap an arm around her waist. No one had spoken in quite awhile. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Sonny was losing it, and Ric knew he couldn't stop it. Sonny had gone over the edge before, but Jason, Ric, Courtney, Brenda, and Elizabeth had always pulled him back in the past. Now, no one was in the condition to do that. No one knew how to do it this time. Brenda was one step ahead of Sonny. Ric didn't know how the strongest family of Port Charles could fall apart so easy. No, wait he did. Elizabeth held the family together. She gave the family strength. Ric focused on his sister, and her husband. Jax was comforting her, keeping her sane. Like Alexis did for him. Courtney was staying strong, and taking charge. She wasn't going to give up. No one could give up. No one.
"Ric? Ric," Sonny's voice snapped everyone out of their personal thoughts. Ric looked up at his brother, waiting for him to continue talking. "Could I talk to for a second?" Ric nodded, and the brothers headed off to a secluded corner.
"What's up, Sonny?" Ric asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets. He looked back at Alexis. She was curled up on one of the couches. Brenda was on one of the ones opposite of Alexis, sleeping.
"I need your help, Ric. If we lose Elizabeth-- It won't just destroy me, and Brenda. It'll ruin my marriage. I can't lose my daughter, and my wife. Ric, what should I do?" Sonny leaned against the wall. Ric realized what Sonny was saying. He couldn't deal with the death of his daughter, and the loss of his wife. It would be to much.
"Pray, Sonny, Just Pray," Ric whispered, patting his older brother's shoulder. They looked up in time to see Elizabeth's doctor approaching.
"Dr. Moon," Sonny addressed to doctor quietly.
"Mr. Corinthos, I need to urge you to consider all your options. I fear that your daughter won't wake up, and you need to be prepared. I don't want you or your family to give up hope. I just want you to realize the severity of the situation," The doctor groaned as her pager went off again. "I'm sorry, but I'm needed downstairs again," Sonny dismissed her with a nod.
"Sonny, listen to me. Don't give up hope. We know Elizabeth better then some doctor does. We know how hard she fights. She'll wake up, I know she will. Pray for her," Ric squeezed Sonny's shoulder, and they went back to the group.
"God, I'll keep this short. I need you to let my niece, Elizabeth, live. You can't take her from us. We all need her. More then I ever realized before. I'm begging you-- I'm on my knees pleading with you to let Elizabeth Corinthos live her life. We've all made mistakes, but she deserves to live. She's suffered so much already. She can't die. Please, Save her," Ric whispered into the empty chapel as he cried. He lit his candles for Elizabeth, and turned around to see Sonny and Jax standing in the back of the chapel.
"I need to forget, Ric. For one night, I need to forget it all. The pain. The decisions. Everything. We're going out. To Jake's, to The Grill, or to Luke's. You guys can pick. I don't care where we go, but I'm getting drunk. Tonight, I'm going to forget. Got that?" Sonny's voice was icy. Ric nodded, he understood. Jax met Ric's eyes, they were both thinking about Courtney.
"Sonny, I think your going about this the wrong way," Ric began softly. Sonny shot him a glare, and shook his head. He quickly silenced his brother.
"I KNOW! I've thought about Courtney, Ric. I know, okay? I need to fucking forget for one damn night! If that was Kristina in that bed, wouldn't you be saying the same thing? What about you Jax? Would you if that was Hope?" Sonny's eyes were wild, as he ranted.
"A few drinks, Sonny. Then, you have to go home and sleep. Okay?" Ric gave in, and Jax nodded. Sonny agreed as well. The men left without another word.
"Brenda? Mind if I sit with you? The guys are gone, and Alexis had to go to Ned's. Something about Kristina. I was hoping you'd like some company. I can listen if you want to talk," Courtney let the door close with a soft click, and leaned against the wall. Brenda looked over her shoulder, and smiled at her sister in law.
"Mind if I vent?" Brenda asked softly. She had so many emotions running through her. She picked to use anger. It was easier. She had to target her anger. The one person who wasn't around.
"Brenda, go ahead. I realize that when you first met me, I wasn't that great of a person. I'm trying to be different. Go ahead and vent," Courtney moved closer to Brenda, and sat on the floor. Brenda nodded, and shook her head.
"This is Jason's fault, Courtney. Don't interrupt me. He promised to protect her. He said to my face, that he would protect Elizabeth. He didn't, Courtney! He didn't fight for her! He let her walk away! He let her go, and he let her get hurt! He hurt her so much, and he left her open to attacks! Then, he just leaves her. He knows that she's laying in a hospital bed-- He knew she was dying, and he went out of town. He's probably lounging on a beach, sipping a beer, and making out with some random girl. This is Jason's fault, Courtney. He did this," Brenda broke down again, and Courtney wrapped her arms around her. She could easily see that Brenda was blaming herself, not Jason. She held Brenda tightly as she sobbed. Jason stood un noticed in the shadows of the room. He didn't realize that Brenda didn't blame him, but was just venting. Trying to stop her emotions. Truth was, Jason blamed himself. To him, Brenda's words rang true.
"Brenda, maybe you should go home and sleep. You really need to rest," Courtney kept her voice soft, but Brenda shook her head 'no'.
"I can't leave her, Courtney. Look at her," Brenda's voice was a mere whisper.
"I know, honey, I know. I hate leaving her here in this bed, but we can't push ourselves beyond exhaustion," Courtney hugged Brenda again. They both turned as the door opened to reveal Alexis.
"The guys finally called. Apparently, they've been at Jake's all evening. Jax and Ric are taking Sonny home as we speak. According to Ric, Sonny passed out at the Bar. I think we should all head home awhile. Come on," Alexis helped Courtney, and Brenda to their feet. The three girls hugged, and each said goodnight to Elizabeth before leaving. Jason waited until he was sure that the coast was clear before stepping out of the shadows.
"Come on, Princess. Time to wake up,"
Okay, here's a nice long chapter to make up for how short chapter 5 was. I hope no one thinks that I am trying to ruin any part of S&B history. This is the first time I have ever put Sonny with anyone other then Carly. I know the magic between Brenda and Sonny. It's so hard to capture it, but I'm trying. I also hope you don't mind that it's mainly focused on Elizabeth. Also, I realize that it's not that cynical, but it's not exactly fluff. Work with me here! Anyway, you all know how special you are to me… Renee, Britt, Reily, Ash, Bernadette, Caraluna, Lisa, Lisa, and Omally. I love you all lots and lots!