Who is Elizabeth?

Chapter 31

Disclaimers see Part 1

New York University Hospital

"Okay Ms. Corinthos it will be twenty-four hours before the results come back, if you are a match we will need you to come in tomorrow for the procedure. You will be available, correct?"

"I will be here Doctor Smith."

"Elizabeth, I don't know what to say. I can't believe Brooklyn got you to come here and do this. I don't know how to explain…"

"Alexis, Kristina is a baby and innocent of course I would do whatever was in my power to help. And you don't owe me an explanation. I have to be honest though I promised Brooklyn before knowing that I wouldn't say anything…"

"Elizabeth, I know you think Sonny and Jason are good men, but they aren't. Do I have to point out where you can see my sister's grave. You would really put Kristina an innocent baby in that kind of danger."

"Alexis, stop! I am not naïve I know exactly what Sonny and Jason are capable of and what happens around them. I never said I would tell Sonny, though I admit that I don't like keeping something like this from him. We are just starting to work on a relationship and this could cause serious problems for us. Despite that I am willing to let you deal with this in your own way."

"I apologize for being pushy, but Elizabeth you have to understand I am doing what is best for Kristina."

"I don't think so Alexis. What if Dillon and Brooklyn hadn't known about Elizabeth? What would've happened to Kristina then? How well would you have protected her?"

"Sonny…"

"Dad…"

"In the flesh it's too bad for you Alexis that you didn't get Jason's promise, not that he would've given it to you. And Elizabeth I don't know what to say."

"You pompous self important bastard, how do you think you have a right to come in here and …"

"STOP, this is a hospital and just in case you two haven't forgotten we are here for one reason only Kristina."

"Not that you were going to tell me…"

"Sonny, I did what I had to do. I was tested and am hoping that I will have the answer to the problem so we can get Kristina healthy. Would you rather I have said I am sorry I can't promise to keep a secret and walked away? Would you rather have chanced your baby girl losing her life because you two are to damn stubborn to admit that you care about each other and let it go to far? Would you…"

"Elizabeth, enough."

"Fine, I will just go see Brooklyn and Kristina and leave you two to bitch and moan about who done who wrong more."

NICU

"Brooklyn?"

"Hey!"

"Are you okay? Okay that was a stupid question. What I really meant was there hasn't been a set back has there?"

"No, I am just sad she is here. Plus Dad and Alexis were fighting about Sonny and what would happen. I just don't understand what is so wrong with Sonny knowing Kristina is his."

"Sometimes people think they are protecting someone they love by keeping them from a potentially dangerous situation, but it doesn't always work that way. Life can be dangerous no matter what you do to protect those you love."

"Shae would agree with you there. She says my mom took me from Port Charles to protect me and I still managed to get hurt because I missed my Dad and resented my Mom for taking me from him. She's been great through all of this, taking care of me and keeping me sane."

"Shae sounds like a great person to have around. It's good to have friends to stand with you."

"Yeah, she drew Kristina that picture to show her what she had to look forward to when she gets out of here. I know it's probably silly I mean she is just a baby, but I think its nice giving her something beautiful to see."

Elizabeth looked at the drawing and was amazed. The picture showed Brooklyn and a beautiful little girl playing in a sand box. The little girl had curly dark hair and sparkling eyes behind little glasses and she was smiling up at her big sister. Brooklyn was drawn so life like that Elizabeth felt like she could reach over and feel her skin. That was what her show was missing, the passion of this unknown girl Shae.

"Elizabeth?"

"What? Oh I am sorry. I just am so amazed at how beautiful the picture is does Shae draw a lot?"

"It's like breathing for her I think." Brooklyn laughed as she thought of Shae and her inability to keep her hands still. "She is always doing something incredible. She has this sketch of Alexis and Kristina that almost makes me cry. There is something so fragile about the scene."

"I know this will sound weird, but do you think I could meet Shae."

Brooklyn stared at Elizabeth seeming to decide whether she was serious or not. "I am sure she will be here in a little while. She usually comes around in the late afternoon early evening to see Kristina and make sure I eat."

"Brooklyn, do you know if Shae would be interested in showing her work?"

"Umm…well, I couldn't see why not, I mean that would be like the best thing ever for an artist right. Do you know someone or something?"

"Did Dillon tell you he worked with me?"

"Yeah, something about renovating a building for art studios, right"

"Well, we do have studios for artists in our building, but what I bought the building for was to open my own art gallery. I wanted to show artists who I liked and who interested me. We are opening on New Year's Eve and I kept thinking my show was missing something. Now I think I've found what was missing."

"Really, you think…I mean you want Shae to do your show."

"What show?"

"Shae this is Elizabeth and she just saw your picture of Kristina and me. She wants you to be in her opening at her art gallery. Wouldn't that be the best?"

"Brooklyn calm down and let umm…Elizabeth explain what you are bouncing around about." Wrapping an arm around Brooklyn's shoulder Shae stared at Elizabeth.

"Hi Shae, I am Elizabeth Corinthos owner of C&M Gallery in Port Charles. I was telling Brooklyn that I liked your picture and thought you were just what I was missing for my first show that opens on New Year's Eve. I know it is extremely short notice, but I was wondering if you would be interested in getting some of your pieces together and letting me see them."

"Why would you want to do something like that? I mean all you've seen is one drawing and you expect me to believe you want me at your gallery."

"Shae frankly I have the luxury of doing what I want with my gallery and if your other work is anything like this drawing, trust me I want it."

"Well, I guess I can't pass up a chance at a show. Are you going to be in town tonight?"

"Yes, I am not sure where Jason will want us to stay though. So is it okay if we go to your place. Will your parents mind?"

The bitter and cynical laugh that Shae released had Elizabeth's heart aching for her. "My parents would have to be around to care what I do, plus I am 18 so we don't need to worry about them. If Brooklyn doesn't mind leaving in about an hour traffic shouldn't be too bad and we could go then."

"Let me go find Jason and make sure there won't be any problems and I will meet you back here."