Who is Elizabeth?

Chapter 23

Elizabeth's Building

As Elizabeth and Dillon worked on the apartment that would be Zander's Elizabeth thought back to last night. After Carly and Courtney's announcement things had been tense. Mike kept looking between his children and her. She knew Sonny's confirmation of Michael's claim of her as his sister had thrown Mike for a loop. Jason was so grumpy after the scene that Elizabeth decided to leave early. When they got home Jason was still overly tense. It had taken two games of pool before she got him smiling. Remembering the bedtime mental struggle she thought of both of their hesitancy. Unsure of the rules since the kisses and confessions of a relationship Elizabeth knew she had to lead because Jason wouldn't want her to feel pressure. Smiling she remembered Jason's face as she had taken his hand and led him upstairs to their room. Wow, it really was their room now. Not because he didn't want her scared or she was scared, but because they wanted to be together. She had known that was the fact since they had awakened this morning cuddled together and everything was peaceful and right. Despite all that she knew they had to talk, this had to stay slow and in her control. She didn't want Jason scared of hurting her or doing the wrong thing because she knew she was in this relationship for life.

Dillon touched Elizabeth's shoulder gently. He had learned quickly not to do anything harshly to get her attention. As Elizabeth turned toward him she smiled. "Hey! Must've been quite the night you've been quiet all morning."

"Yeah, well I noticed you weren't home when we headed for bed. Though you were home this morning and seemed happy."

"Oh, good try on redirecting the conversation. And don't think I didn't notice the we headed for bed part of the statement." Bumping shoulder's with Elizabeth he smiled. "I think despite his best instincts Mac likes me. Georgie and I watched movies until late last night and he was cool about it."

"I'm glad. Mac can be a good guy. Even though he isn't fond of Sonny and Jason he doesn't seem obsessed with making their lives hell like Taggert."

"Tags, that man is a joke. I don't think he could figure out anything if you laid it all out in front of him."

"He still bugging you?"

"Nah! Couldn't bug me if he tried. Seems I've taken after my cousin with the ability to remain silent and annoy the shit out of him."

Laughing at Dillon Elizabeth glanced at the clock, "Wow! It's lunch time."

"Yeah, that's what made me decide to break through your morning long thoughtfulness."

"Smart ass! Okay, my treat..."

"Oh no you don't. You promised I could get lunch for you making brownies for me to take last night."

"Dillon, I would've done that for you no matter what." At his look Elizabeth sighed. "Fine, so what are we having?"

"Let's see, I was thinking something different than the usual. How about Thai?"

"Sounds good, I've been craving Satay and Spring Rolls."

"I'll even try to keep from picking on you about always eating appetizers."

"You are already starting brat! Let's go!"

After eating lunch Dillon and Elizabeth were back at the building to get the last of the work on Zander's apartment done. As they walked into the gallery floor they found Lucky and Summer looking around. "Elizabeth this is going to be fabulous."

"Thanks, Dillon has worked hard at keeping me on task and on schedule." Watching his blush Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. "So what are you two doing back so early?"

"Deception needed to reshoot a campaign and I have to handle it. I'm hoping to go back over the New Year."

Elizabeth didn't miss the glance Lucky gave Summer as he made his last statement. "So do you think it's time to start looking for your own studio?"

"Well if it's an offer to setup shop above the soon to be hottest gallery in New York I think I just may be interested."

"I hoped you'd be interested. I already have a spectacular space for a studio for you."

Summer laughed at the two of them. "Look at the sibling love."

"I warned you we were like that." Looking around Elizabeth seemed puzzled, "Where's my Jamie boy?"

"Geez, now I know for sure who you love more." Smiling at Elizabeth's sheepish look she hugged her best friend. "Kidding! He missed you too. All we heard was squeals of laughter when he saw we were here. But he crashed out soon after, so I put him in your studio to nap."

"Ah Poor Baby! Flying takes it out of me too!"

"Well ladies I have to head to Deception." Sliding his arm around Summer's waist Lucky caught her eye. "Walk me to the door?"

"I will go check on Jamie and then Dillon and I will be in Zander's new place."

"Thanks! Let's go you, I don't want you to be too late tonight. Remember you promised to get some sleep tonight."

Elizabeth watched Lucky and Summer walk to the front door. She was thrilled to see them both happy. Heading for the stairs she thought about her plans for Lucky's studio. She probably better check with Summer on those plans before starting on the studio. As she reached the studio floor she heard Dillon and Jamie. Walking into her studio slash Zander's current crash pad she had to keep her laughter from bursting out. Jamie was currently crawling around sans diaper while Dillon tried to catch him and get him to cooperate with the diaper changing process. Realizing Dillon had caught her in her amusement Elizabeth figured she better rescue him. "Jamie, Auntie Elizabeth wants to play with paint." As Jamie plopped on his butt and reached toward her she grabbed the diaper from Dillon. "First you have to have a dry diaper on." As she finished putting Jamie's diaper and pants on she noticed Dillon's glare. "You just wait next time it will be me chasing him around."

Taking Jamie with them they headed back to Zander's new apartment. Placing Jamie in the silly saucer after Dillon sat it in the kitchen-living room area Elizabeth looked around the room. "All the rooms are done and painted. The appliances are hooked up in the kitchen."

"And the electrical and heat has checked out. The contractor called me this morning to let me know."

"Well, let me do a last check for possible touch ups and then we can move onto the next project."

"This place looks great. You two really have done a fantastic job getting this place ready for Zander."

"Yeah, I am proud of the work we have done. I think we will be starting on Lucky's studio next."

"Really? Elizabeth doesn't want to redo her studio first?"

She hasn't mentioned any redo for her place other than the bathroom area we did at the start of the project. Of course you know Elizabeth her family and friends always come first."

"That's true. Well she has talked a lot about the times Jason and her had at the studio maybe she wants to keep things as they are for now because of that. You know preserve the special hide-a-way so to speak."

"Okay, I think we can show Zander tonight. I think everything is ready and I am excited to see what he thinks."

"I will go call and set up a time with him."

As Dillon walked out to make the phone call Elizabeth studied Summer seriously. "So I am wondering two bedroom apartment with studio attached or just a studio?"

Summer was shocked and it took a moment to respond. "I...I don't think...do you want Jamie and I to move?"

"Of course not! But I want to be supportive of you and Lucky."

"Well, I am not sure we are to the living together stage."

"Studio it is then. So I want your opinion. I was thinking two small changing rooms, a half bath, a dark room, and then the open studio space with hard wood floors."

"That sounds perfect. Plus then he won't be tempted to live and breathe work." Blushing and smiling at Elizabeth's knowing look. "Okay, so we are heading toward the next phase."

Dillon walked in on the end of the conversation. "Oh, don't let her harass you to much. Something's up with Jason and she is doing everything she can to keep it a secret."

As Dillon and Summer both looked at Elizabeth she walked over to Jamie. "Hey, Jamie want to go to the park and play?"

"No way are you using my son to keep me from finding out the dirt."