Who is Elizabeth?

Chapter 26

See disclaimers, etc. in Chapter 1

Sonny's Office

The battle of wills between Sonny and Elizabeth was broken by Elizabeth's cell phone ringing. Turning away from Sonny she answered. "Hello"

"Sorry Luke"

"Luke, stop acting like Sonny."

Trying not to scream in frustration Elizabeth listened to Luke. "I know you love me and want to keep me safe. However, do you remember telling me I'm a Spencer at heart?"

"Exactly, those weren't pretend situations dealing with Helena. I am the daughter of Sonny Corinthos." She turned to face Sonny hoping saying this to them both would help. "We Corinthos' don't back down. They thought I was a helpless girl and it's time Lansing learned the error of his ways."

Sonny rubbed his face. Why wouldn't she be the pleasant girl he remembered? Growling in frustration he realized he was part of the reason Elizabeth was like this now. Sonny's mind was spinning there had to be something to make Elizabeth understand why he needed to handle this his way.

The snap of Elizabeth's phone closing seemed to symbolize the crack of a starting pistol. "Sonny, you know that Luke will only let me be so involved. So don't worry so much."

"I don't want you involved AT ALL."

Rolling her eyes Elizabeth tried to hold onto her last shred of patience. "Sonny, this is my life. I am Elizabeth Imogene Corinthos and it's time people understood I don't let anyone hurt me or my family." Seeing Sonny's face Elizabeth replayed what she said. "Yes, Sonny, I am Elizabeth Corinthos."

"I…are you sure that's what you want?"

"Sonny, we've had rough times, but most of the time when it counted you respected me and stood by me."

Sonny grimaced at the words most of the time. "But I don't want you to feel like you have to…"

"Sonny, I am your daughter, right!" At his nod Elizabeth smiled. "You were and are more like my family than the family I thought I belonged to."

"Elizabeth, I know you want to do this now, but what happens when people turn their backs because you're related to me?"

"Sonny, people already make comments because I date Jason and live in your building. Plus the important people in my life know and accept me no matter what."

Sonny paced his office. "What if…"

"Sonny, it'll be fine." Elizabeth smiled and watched Sonny sink into his chair.

"So what's Luke's big plan?" Sonny's brow crinkled as he thought of the elaborate ruse Luke had probably cooked up.

Elizabeth shrugged. "Who knows? He won't give me a clue. I swear you and he are in cahoots."

"Elizabeth, we just want you safe. You've already survived more pain than should have been allowed to touch you."

"Why won't you understand that this is my fight, too?"

"Because Elizabeth no matter how much pain and agony you are in I won't let you destroy your soul seeking revenge. Please, let me be your father and handle this. Let me be your father and protect you."

Elizabeth stared at Sonny seeing the pain in his eyes. Holding her own tears in, Elizabeth's voice trembled as she spoke. "How can you…why do you care…so much?"

Getting up to walk over to Elizabeth Sonny tried not to think of the ways he and so many others had made his daughter feel so unloved. Kneeling in front of Elizabeth he wiped the tears that started to roll down her face. "Elizabeth for the rest of my life I will regret the part I played in hurting you. I love you Elizabeth and I hope that someday you will see how important you are too my life."

For the first time since Elizabeth had discovered Sonny was her father she was sure that Sonny would be there for her no matter what. She couldn't stop the tears that were now flooding out of her eyes. "You love…you…you really love me?"

Hearing the uncertainty laced with hope in Elizabeth's voice Sonny's heart ached. Bringing Elizabeth to her feet and into his arms Sonny held his daughter whispering words of love and comfort into her ear. After awhile he felt her start to calm. "Elizabeth I will always love you."

Pulling back to look at Sonny Elizabeth smiled. "I love you, too…Dad"

Sonny's eyes lit up with pride at Elizabeth's words, but before he could say anything they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Sonny squeezed Elizabeth's hands before heading to the door.

"Jason."

"Sonny, what's going on?"

"I'll let you talk to Elizabeth for a minute. When your done come meet Johnny and I." With a glance back at Elizabeth to reassure himself she would let Jason and him handle this mess Sonny left the room.

As Jason looked at Elizabeth he noticed the tear stained face. "What did Sonny do?"

Taken back by the anger in Jason's voice directed at Sonny on her behalf it took Elizabeth a moment to answer. Just as she was about to explain Jason turned to head out the door. "Jason, wait! JASON!" Grabbing hold of Jason's arm right as he reached the door Elizabeth managed to stop him. "Please, wait. Sonny didn't do anything wrong."

Jason faced her, his hand stroking her cheek. "Why are you crying?"

"Sonny's my dad." At Jason's confused look Elizabeth knew she had to explain. "Jason, Jeff wasn't even really a father to me let alone a dad. Man, I am not explaining this very well. Ok…let's see how do…I know. You know how Alan's your father, now don't get defensive." As Jason's posture relaxed Elizabeth continued. "He's your father, he tries occasionally but you don't really have a relationship. Jeff and I didn't even have that we had nothing but a common last name."

"I still don't understand why Sonny being your dad made you cry, Elizabeth."

Seeing the confusion still in Jason's eyes Elizabeth hoped what she said would clear everything up in Jason's mind. "Sonny's my dad not father dad. He wants to love and protect me like a real dad would. Even though I want revenge for what those monsters did to me he won't let me destroy myself to get it. He begged me to trust him and let him be my dad and handle it. Sonny wants to make sure I am taken care of properly. My supposed family never did anything like that for me."

Elizabeth's eyes were lit with a happiness that Jason had never seen before. "Jason, I am Elizabeth Corinthos."

Jason thought he understood what Elizabeth was saying. She had finally found her family after waiting her whole life for one. "I love you Elizabeth Corinthos."

Pulling her into his arms Jason kissed Elizabeth gently and held her close sighing peacefully.