His words were a surprise considering that he never really said much regarding his feelings. I was not at all surprised by the sentiment behind them but they caught me off guard anyway. I could feel myself blush as I slowly pulled away so I could meet his eyes. I anxiously bit my lip.

He knew how I felt; did I have to say it aloud? Should I say it? Will he think that I just said it because he did?

He answered my question for me, "I know."

I smiled and watched as his smile spread from the corner of his lips into a full-fledged smile. I leaned forward again and rested my head against his chest.

It was so easy to lean against him, close my eyes, and block out the rest of the world. I listened to his heartbeat for the longest time and just allowed myself to be enveloped in his arms.

But his phone rang, and I jumped back from him startled. He gave me an apologetic look as he pulled the phone out of his pocket. Instead of answering it, he turned it off, and shoved it back in his pocket.

"Don't you have to answer that?" I asked.

"I'm not in town on business." He offered, with a slight smile.

Hmm . . . this was a situation that had not happened before. So I must take full advantage of it. I caught his eyes and could tell he was having the exact same thought.

He teased, "I've got my bike outside."

"That's not the kind of ride I had in mind." I teased back.

His eyebrow rose. I couldn't keep a straight face and let out a small laugh. He gently leaned in and slowly pulled me towards him. My lips came crashing down on his and before we knew it we began the complementing motions that had led us into this situation in the first place.

~*~*~*~

This time there was nothing awkward about laying in his arms. It was as if we were two pieces to a puzzle and we fit each other perfectly.

"Wherever we move, we'll have to bring this couch." I offered.

He laughed a little, "If you want."

"We've just got so many memories here."

"It's lumpy. Maybe we should get a new couch." He offered, playfully.

"No. This couch." I playfully demanded, "And we need a pool table like the one at Jake's."

He nodded, "Anything else?"

"Maybe we should focus on finding a place before we go shopping." I offered, laughing a little.

"I've got . . ." He started, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

He looked at me for what I wanted to do. I put a finger to my lips to motion him to be quiet. Maybe if we weren't heard, whoever it was would just go away.

They knocked again.

"Elizabeth?" Came a muffled voice through the door.

Jason was obviously unaware of whom it was but I recognized the voice instantly. Oh my God! I promised her I'd go to lunch weeks ago! Shit. I couldn't ignore my own grandmother.

I jumped up and started my attempt to locate all my clothing, "Just a second, Gram."

Jason followed suit and searched for his clothes. I got dressed quickly and when I turned to look at him he was still missing his shirt. He was looking around for it but I just walked up, took his arm, led him to the closet.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

He said nothing, and hid.

I felt horrible for having to hide him from my grandmother. I just was not ready for her lecture about the "dangerous types like Jason Morgan" one more time.

I glanced at myself in the mirror, and fixed my hair as much as I could as I walked towards the door. When I opened it she stood there and looked at me quizzically for a long while before walking in.

"Elizabeth, you look flushed. Is everything all right? Are you feeling okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine, Gram. About lunch, I'm kinda busy and today is not the best . . ." I started.

"Nonsense, dear. You and I hardly ever get to spend some quality time together. I'm not letting you get away that easy. Come on now." She said, walking out the door.

"I'll just lock up and get my purse and I'll be down in a minute."

She gave me a look as though she knew I was hiding something but said nothing.

"I'll be in the car, dear. Be quick." She offered and I watched as she left.

I closed the door, let out a sigh, and walked over to the closet. I opened the door and he walked out.

"I'm sorry. I promised her lunch weeks ago and . . ."

"You don't have to explain. I understand."

He always says he understands, but most of the time I can see the hurt in his eyes and I see it now.

"I'm going to tell her, everything, today." I offered.

He smiled, "That's your choice."

Classic Jason Morgan!

I put one hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down to my level and I planted a kiss squarely on his lips. I did not want to pull away but I did. My lips suddenly had a vacant feeling but I ignored it.

"I love you." I offered, turned, collected my purse, and was out the door.

~*~*~*~

The car ride was silent. I did not know what to say and was feeling guilty about lying to her as well as having left Jason at my studio. She was silent as well, as if she were waiting for me to start up the conversation.

She wanted to eat at Kelly's, despite the fact it was only a short walk away and she had brought her car, so the ride was short.

We sat down at the table and as we waited for Penny she began, "You don't need to protect me, dear."

I met her eyes, confused as to what she meant.

She continued, "I know that you are a young woman now. I'm not going to ask about that shirt that was on the floor. We are both old enough to have an adult discussion. You do not have to hide him in your closet. I would have liked to say hello."

What? Oh my God. His shirt! She wanted to say hi to Jason? She doesn't know about Jason . . . oh no, she thinks it was Lucky! I can feel my face getting redder by the moment.

Luckily, Penny came up.

"Elizabeth, it's you're day off! Why eat here?"

Audrey answered for me, "At my request dear."

Penny smiled, "What can I get you two?"

"Just coffee to begin with." Audrey answered.

"I'll just have water." I answered.

Penny walked away. I stole a glance at my grandomother and she was looking directly at me.

"Oh, don't tell me you're too shy to talk to me about Lucky, dear." She offered.

I could not take it anymore, I had to set her straight.

"Lucky is with Sarah now." I offered.

She was startled, "Sarah?"

"Yes. For a few weeks now." I offered, nonchalantly.

She reached over and put her hand on top of mine, "I'm sorry. I know things have been rough between you both."

I was hoping that she would leave it at that and forget about her earlier comment about the shirt on my floor. But I watched her carefully and could easily see the exact moment when she realized.

"Elizabeth . . ." She started, "Sometimes when we are * emotional * over loosing someone we make some careless mistakes . . ."

Oh my God. Please no lecture. Please.

"We jump into relationships quickly and . . ." She continued.

The bell above the door jingled and Nikolas came inside and stopped when our eyes met. My grandmother turned and took notice. He causally walked over.

"Ms. Hardy, do you mind if I borrow Elizabeth for just a moment?"

She sent a look in my direction, "I'll just go freshen up."

She left and Nikolas sat down.

"Nikolas . . ." I start.

He interrupts, "Before you say anything, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I overheard Sarah talking to Lucky. Apparantly she was on rotation the other day and came across your record and took a peak . . ."

I was not at all surprised. That must have been how she found out.

" . . .She told Lucky. She said that when she went to confront you with the information that you were conspiring with Jason to lie and pretend it his instead of Lucky's."

Sarah had gone low before but this was bad.

"That's not the worst part," He continued, "I went down and told her to stop because she had no idea what she was talking about and she convinced Lucky that I encouraged you to do it."

"Lucky would never believe that. He knows how you feel about Jason.

"She said that I broke up with Gia because originally I was going to step in and pretend to be the father."

I could not believe it. This was harsh, even for Sarah. But I forgot all about that when I saw Nikolas' eyes focus on something behind me. I turned, almost expecting to see Sarah and/or Lucky. But it was the most obvious person, my grandmother.

"You're pregnant?" She asked.

I could not lie and did not hesistate, "Yes."

"Whose the father?" She instantly replied.

I had come with the intent to tell her. I had just been waiting for the right moment. I had never expected for her to pose the question. I froze, unprepared for the short and simple explanation she was looking for. I knew if I just blurted out the name she would give me that look, like the look she gave me at the GH Christmas party years ago when I had told her I was leaving with Jason and that I did not care what she thought, or anyone thought. I wasn't ready for it.

"It's a simple question, Elizabeth." She offered, with a somewhat forceful tone.

I wish. It was far from simple.

Nikolas took my hand as if that would help. His presence did not give me much confidence.

"It's not as simple as you'd like to think." I offered.

She caught sight of our clasped hands and I could tell she had already assumed the wrong answer. She said nothing and waited for me to let the name escape my list before she would chime in with her two cents.

"It's not Nikolas . . ." I started and watched as her mind shifted gears, "And it's not Lucky."

Her eyes pleaded with mine for an answer.

But the answer came from behind me, from someone whom had just come in the door, "Jason Morgan."