Pg7

Early hours of the morning, Elizabeth finds herself staring up at the ceiling as she mentally runs over all the things she has learned about herself, not at all sure she's that surprised by the truth bombs that were laid at her feet. Saving her from further contemplation, she instinctively reaches for her cellphone, answering it before the ringing is able to wake Jason from his slumber. Silently untangling herself from his grasp, she makes her way downstairs to the kitchen to take the call.

"Tell me the gallery hasn't already burned to the ground in my absence," Elizabeth says teasingly as she gathers ingredients for a much-needed cup of hot chocolate.

"Still standing, thankfully," Maximus replies with humor. "I'm sorry for calling so early."

"Don't worry about it, I was far from sleep," Elizabeth assures him. "What has you calling?"

"That can wait," Maximus straightens in his seat at the tone in her voice. "Fill me in. What's got you rattled?"

"Nothing..."

"Try again," Maximus cuts her off. "I know you. Fill me in."

"You can't always fix my problems, Maximus."

"Won't stop me from trying," he reminds her. "I'll find out one way or the other, you know."

"I know," Elizabeth smiles softly, plugging in the kettle. "But this is one instance that I can say doesn't require your assistance. Not just yet, anyway."

"Fair enough," Maximus accepts. "I can still be an ear, either way. You know it'll help to talk it out at the very least."

"You're not wrong."

Accepting that he's right and that she could use his perspective as a father, Elizabeth lays out all the truths that have been laid at her feet, not at all surprised by the onslaught of curse words that leave his lips the further into it she gets. In their years together, he has taken on the role of her father figure, regardless of the fact that he had no obligation to do so. To hear the reason behind her conception, Maximus was quite ready to put himself in front of her birth family, not a single thing he plans to do landing on the legal side of things.

"I can see why you'd be troubled by things," Maximus says after he regains control of himself, knowing she didn't need him to do anything, only for his wisdom in the path she should take next. "I know that as much as you denied it, part of you still held out hope that there wasn't always disdain on their part..."

"A fool's hope."

"No, don't you dare say such things," Maximus states firmly. "You are a hopeful being, one of the many things I love about you, don't you dare let them make you feel bad for it."

"I know."

"Whatever way you were brought into this world, Elizabeth, it hardly matters," Maximus reminds her. "You are here as you were always meant to be. Unfortunately for us all, the only way available to you, at the time, was those people. They were merely a means to an end, you know that, don't you?"

"I know the people they are, knowing what I know now only strengthens that belief," Elizabeth assures him. "But to know that they withheld even more than I knew, some of which I can't ever get back, it's hard to accept such vile people are even possible."

"Understandable," Maximus replies gently. "As hard as it is to come to terms with it, all of that is now just another piece of your past...all that matters now is the path you choose to move forward and for you to continue building a life they have no part in. No matter what path you choose, no matter the choices you make along the way, you know that your true family will be with you each step of the way."

"I know...thanks, Maximus," Elizabeth says wholeheartedly. "Before I bring us back to the topic of why you called, can I ask what your thoughts are on the inheritance?"

"You know I'd never tell you what you should or shouldn't do in regard to those people," Maximus reminds her, a little acid in his tone at the word people. "But from what you've said, your grandparents did their best while still striving to keep the peace. From the look of it, this was your grandfather's only way to give you a piece of himself without causing further strife within his family. Don't think of it as taking from them, think of it as honoring a dead man's last wish."

"Yeah...I get what you mean," she says, mulling over his words, finding clarity in his wisdom. "Well, I think we've digressed long enough...lay it on me, what's got you calling at this hour?"

"Right, that," Maximus chuckles, knowing her the way he does and allowing her to let the topic of her past drop, for now, knowing she'll reach out to him if she needs his assistance further. "Do you recall the deal I had you cultivate with one of our partners in Greece?"

"I believe so," Elizabeth confirms. "What about it?"

"Well, a few deals with them are up for renewal and their only availability is today," Maximus explains. "If this deal isn't finalized today, I won't be able to meet with them for another month, and - by then - well, you know how flaky they can get."

"Seeing as you're calling me, I'm assuming they aren't in Greece."

"You assume correctly," Maximus confirms. "Your contact will have already landed in Port Charles. Once confirmed, the meeting will take place this afternoon over lunch, so, what do you say?"

"We both know you already confirmed because you already knew my answer," Elizabeth counters with laughter in her tone. "I'll meet with the contact and send you the results of the meeting once it's complete."

"Knew your answer...no, hoped, yes," Maximus corrects. "I've transferred your usual fees to your account along with your bonus for landing the deals."

"Not putting the cart before the horse with this one, are you?"

"I have every confidence in your abilities," Maximus says simply. "Speaking of which, how's your gallery coming along?"

"Well enough," Elizabeth assures. "I set up a meeting with some renovators for later this week. From what I'm told, you know the owner, Cameron Smith."

"That I do," Maximus confirms. "With that old goat at the helm, you are in more than capable hands. I'm happy to hear it."

"With your endorsement, I'm just as happy about my selection," Elizabeth admits. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to whatever it is that requires your attention and I'll be sure to send the information the moment I can."

"Sounds good," Maximus accepts. "We truly miss you around here, you know."

"I miss you and the guys, too," Elizabeth assures. "Let them know I said so, will you?"

"Will do," he assures. "Take care and stay safe."

"Same here," she replies. "Bye."

Ending the call, Elizabeth takes a glance at the clock on the wall, calculating how much time she'll have before the meeting is set to take place. Finding she has more than enough time to handle what needs handling, Elizabeth turns her focus to breakfast, knowing Jason will be up soon.

With so much to consider and so much to rehash herself on where the meeting is concerned, Elizabeth loses herself in her cooking, knowing that the mundane movements will help ease her mind enough to find the path she'll take. By the time she's done with breakfast, she can hear the sound of Jason's steps on the stairs, signaling a well-timed completion of her cooking.

"Goodmorning," Jason voices as Elizabeth fits herself into his arms, a gentle kiss shared between them before Elizabeth hands him a plate to make his food. "You got up pretty early today."

"Got a lot on my mind, I guess," she explains, taking a seat with him at the table. "Plus, Maximus called, he needs me to take a last-minute meeting for him."

"When?"

"Lunch," she replies simply. "Giving us enough time to talk if you don't have anything needing your attention this morning."

"Already sent word to Sonny," he assures her. "I'm free all morning."

"Good," she smiles softly. "I have Maximus's perspective, but we both know where he comes from with his advice. You, on the other hand, I rely on for honesty regardless of our connection."

"You always have my honesty, you know that."

"I know," she confirms. "Something I'm banking on now."

Something she's learned a long time ago is that Maximus gives her the perspective of a father figure while Jason gives her brutal honesty, giving her two different perspectives and leading her to a balanced decision. Of course, on the rare occasions that they agree with each other, well, that's when she knows there's no other logical path to take. Something she has come to rely on for many years now.

Family has always been a touchy subject with both of them, leading them to create a boundary with each other that neither would step in unless directly instructed to do so or the other is incapable of standing to their own defense, something that has kept them both from being unsure of what they should do in regard to the other's family.

Though at this particular moment, Jason almost wishes they never set that boundary, more than ready to tear the Webbers apart limb from limb, but he knows that it was necessary for the grand scheme of things. This is just another step in their relationship, a situation that they will overcome together, nothing more than that.

No matter what she chooses to do or not do where they are concerned, he will be with her every step of the way, as her shield or as her sword, whichever becomes necessary. Though his favorite moments are when he's able to be both because then there are no limits to what he can do and he makes the most of every second he has of it. For now, he'll simply bide his time until that door opens for him, if that day should ever come.

...

...

...

Though she has never been one to throw money around lavishly, Emily has to admit that her weekly massage therapy sessions that Nikolas booked for her and Sarah as a bonding activity is definitely one luxury she's not complaining about at nine months pregnant. From her swollen feet to her aching back, having a weekly massage to alleviate all of it has definitely done wonders for her.

"You have no idea how much I've missed these weekly sessions," Sarah practically moans as the masseuse works out the kinks in her back. "Remind me to thank Nick again."

"Are you really telling me that your parents booked a hotel that didn't have free amenities?" Emily glances over her in disbelief. "You really expect me to believe your parents went without their favorite form of relief?"

"Their favorite hotel with their favorite amenities was unfortunately low on staff with the high demand this time of year," Sarah groans. "They limited the slots per family and my parents saw fit to take both slots for the duration of the trip. Old age, they cited, as if they'd ever admit to such a thing unless it directly benefited them."

"They didn't even give you one slot on your birthday?"

"Mother insisted that it was more her day than mine anyway seeing as it's a birth day and not a born day," Sarah rolls her eyes. "It's whatever really, seeing as they doubled my monthly allowance for the rest of the year as their gift to me."

"As long as you're okay with it, I guess," Emily sighs as she relaxes into the recliner, melting into the foot massage. "Look, I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but my grandfather could really use some insight where your sister is concerned. The fact that she sent his proposal back the way she did, I just want to know if it's even viable to want to go into business with her."

"Do we really have to talk about it now?"

"Please," Emily insists. "I understand that it's not an easy topic for you and you know that I'd never ask if it weren't important. I just need to know what kind of person she is and if my grandfather is making the wrong decision in trying to pursue business relations with her."

"Saying it's not an easy topic is quite the understatement," Sarah counters. "Can you believe my parents haven't even returned my call yet? As if they don't know what her being here means for me. Seriously."

"I'm sorry that they haven't gotten back to you."

"I appreciate that," Sarah sighs. "But that wasn't what you asked...if it means that much to you, Em, I can tell you what I know. I just don't think anything I have to say will have any effect on Edward's desire to do business."

"Your words alone might not, but he'll listen to me," Emily points out. "Please, I really don't want my family entering into business with someone ill-suited for it."

"I get it," Sarah says with a slight smile. "For whatever it's worth, I hope what I tell you will be of some use to you and your family. Your family has always been good to me and I'll always do what I can when they need it."

Reaching over to give Sarah's hand a gentle squeeze in thanks, Emily agrees to leave their conversation for after their massage session, both retiring to the patio for some tea as they talk. It took some reassurance on Emily's part to get Sarah talking and - once Sarah started - Emily understood why it was so hard for Sarah to tell her. To think that someone so young could cause so much trouble to her own family, Emily doesn't blame Sarah's family for keeping the girl a secret. To think that someone like her could be related to Sarah in any capacity was definitely a hard truth to grasp.

"Hey, you," Emily voices when her husband steps out onto the patio. "I thought you'd be busy getting ready for your business meeting."

"Uncle's going over the paperwork once more and he prefers to do that in silence," Nikolas explains before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "How was your massage?"

"Perfect as always," Emily assures. "Of course, it was nowhere near as good as when you do it."

"Okay, ew, get a room will ya?" Sarah complains. "I'm sitting right here."

"You don't have to be," Nikolas counters, letting out a chuckle when Emily slaps his arm. "Anyway, I just came out to let you know that the launch will be docking soon. You both should head down if you want to catch this trip."

"Is it that time already?" Emily glances at her watch. "Shoot, I'll be late if I wait for the next launch...thanks, my love."

"Of course," Nikolas says, kissing her when she leans in for one. "Alfred will help you down to the launch. The ground's been quite slippery lately. I have someone coming to fix it but until then..."

"No complaints from me," Emily assures him. "Good luck with your meeting."

While Nikolas heads back to talk to his uncle about the negotiations further, Emily and Sarah get ready to head out, Alfred helping Emily along to the launch once they're ready to go. Falling behind slightly, Sarah can't help but think that she could have been in Emily's position had things gone down differently between her and Nikolas.

Though she loves her friends and the love they found with each other, she still holds a little regret that it didn't work out and that's one secret she'll take with her to her grave because she knows the kind of love that exists between Emily and Nikolas. Of course, if she could just get the man that she has her heart set on, all will be right with the world and she'll officially be Emily's sister. Something she looks forward to almost as much as being Jason's wife.

Saying their goodbyes, Sarah heading back to her grandmother's place to see if her parents have reached out yet, Emily waits long enough for her to take off before making her way to her car. It was just as she was about to climb into the driver's seat that she noticed a woman she's never met before making her way to the captain of the launch. Something about her seemed off to Emily, but she chalks it up to being wary of the type of people that Nikolas's uncle does business with and leaves it at that. She just really didn't have time to be curious today.

...

...

...

When she got the email detailing everything this meeting entails and the location for said meeting, Elizabeth had thought it was a joke when Mario put in the sidenote that the place was a gothic palace, she truly thought he was pulling her leg. Standing on the docks, looking up at this massive estate, she realizes he was actually being serious. Who would have thought?

She almost has half a mind to place an offer on the place if she thought for even a second these people would accept it. From what she knows of the contact, the man clearly fits the place and it was too much of a security risk if you really thought about it. Jason would never and where he is, she is. Still a nice thought, though.

"Ms. Webber, it's so good to see you again," Stefan Cassadine, Nikolas's uncle, greets her at the door. "Please, come in, may I take your coat?"

"Mr. Cassadine, I would have thought you'd have a butler for such things," Elizabeth counters as she slides out of her coat to hand it to him. "I should be so flattered that you'd take it upon yourself to do so personally."

"Of course, your presence is of high priority," Stefan gestures for her to follow him. "I was quite pleased when your boss sent word that you'd be taking his place as negotiator. I'm sure that we can reach an agreement that benefits us both."

"We shall see," Elizabeth gives as a reply, used to his embellishments by now. "I'm told that you'll have your successor present in the meeting, as well."

"Yes, my nephew, Nikolas Cassadine, is waiting for us in the den," Stefan confirms. "He's slowly taking over as CEO and it will benefit both parties to gain understanding while I'm still overseeing things."

"Well, if he's as professional and agreeable as you have been, I'm sure my boss will be just fine with the change in leadership," Elizabeth replies simply. "Of course, if he isn't..."

"He is, I assure you," Stefan says before she can even think to finish that sentence. "I trained him myself."

"Good," Elizabeth smiles politely. "Then this meeting should be nothing more than a formality."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Stefan replies, pulling the door open for her and following her in once she walks past him. "Elizabeth Webber, allow me to introduce you to my nephew, Nikolas Cassadine."

Moving out from behind the desk, Nikolas takes that short time to question how he didn't pick up on the name of the person they were meant to be meeting, having sworn that the name he was given was a man's name. Standing in front of this woman, knowing exactly who she is and cursing himself because he knows that he won't hear the end of it from his wife, Nikolas extends his hand in greeting.

"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Webber," Nikolas voices, accepting that this isn't a time for his personal inquisition and that the only thing that mattered at this point was securing the partnership that has benefited his family for decades.

"Pleasure's all mine, Mr. Cassadine," Elizabeth returns, shaking his hand firmly. "Your uncle tells me that you'll be taking over as the CEO soon enough."

"I'm working toward that, yes," Nikolas confirms. "I hope that won't affect your decision here today."

"I'm merely here to negotiate terms, final decisions are Mr. Giambetti's to make," Elizabeth says simply, gesturing for them to take a seat, not liking being towered over, continuing once they're seated. "If your uncle is to be believed, however, I don't see any reason why you taking the seat of CEO will affect a long-standing partnership as the one your company has with Mr. Giambetti."

"Even so, I'm sure that your word carries quite the weight with Mr. Giambetti, given that he appointed you to negotiate on his behalf," Nikolas counters. "So, theoretically, if you deem this partnership no longer viable, you could quite effectively put an end to it, could you not?"

"Speaking theoretically, if I were to find cause for such a thing, I could do as you say, yes," Elizabeth concedes. "Are you seeing a reason for such an outcome that I don't, Mr. Cassadine?"

"Just gaining an understanding of the kind of meeting we're taking part in, that's all," Nikolas replies as his uncle gives him the look not to cross any lines, not that he was intending to. "If you're ready, we can begin negotiations."

"Very well, seeing as I'm the guest, I'll let you choose where to start," Elizabeth says as she places her letter bag down on the table, pulling out the files she had printed out this morning. "Ready when you are."

For the most part, Stefan has taken the lead in almost all negotiations, not entirely certain of Nikolas's abilities in that particular area, but this time's different. When Maximus Giambetti called him to let him know that Elizabeth would be the one taking the meeting in his place, Stefan saw the perfect opportunity to test Nikolas's ability to negotiate against someone equally quick-witted as they are kind-hearted.

Remembering his first negotiation with Elizabeth, he underestimated her abilities, a mistake he rectified quickly after negotiations took a turn he didn't anticipate her being capable of. Now, it's his nephew's turn to learn and hopefully grow from as he steps into the CEO position in due time. Given the way this meeting has started, he's content with his decision, whether or not the partnership continues, well, he'll just have to accept whatever outcome and adjust accordingly.

...

...

...

Getting to her grandmother's house, Sarah is caught by surprise by the number of people that are walking in and out of the place, completely at a loss of what was happening. Trying to get her grandmother's attention, she's simply told to leave until she's done handling things or she can wait in her bedroom until she's called upon, either way, her grandmother's busy.

She tries to take a seat in the living room, but her grandmother was having none of it, ordering her to pick one of the two choices allotted to her. With little to no choice, Sarah decides to go up to her room, using what little time she has downstairs to take in the uniforms of the people crowding the place. Blacksmiths. Movers. Plumbers. Security. And, if memory serves her correctly, her grandmother's lawyer along with some people from the antiquities gallery are thrown into the mix. What a strange ensemble of people.

...

...

...

Taking their usual table outside of Kelly's, they wait for their orders to be brought out to them, knowing they won't be bothered once their orders are set on the table, a pitcher of tea set on the table for their leisure. Once the meal starts, Jason's not at all surprised with where the conversation starts for Emily.

Clearly, the move he made has left an impact on the family because Emily's still going on about it, painting Elizabeth as the aggressor though it was him. Something he'd correct if Elizabeth didn't tell him to let it be for now. Neither of them has any incentive to justify their reasons to any of them, his sister included, and if she wants to make assumptions about Elizabeth, they should let her. To think this all started with a torn-up piece of paper.

"Sorry," Jason says when his phone goes off, answering it when Emily uses the opportunity to go to the bathroom. "Yeah?"

"Just letting you know she's back in town," Sonny voices, not at all surprised when Jason lets a groan slip. "I know it's not the best timing, but her shopping spree wasn't going to last forever."

"Yeah, I know."

"Okay, well, I just wanted you aware," Sonny says simply. "We'll get introductions out of the way tonight."

"After dinner," Jason counters. "We have plans."

"After dinner then," Sonny accepts. "She'll behave..."

"Don't lie to me," Jason replies plainly. "We both know you can't guarantee that."

"Right, well, see you tonight."

"Sure," Jason replies, ending the call just as Emily's returning. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine," Emily assures him. "Everything okay?"

"Carly's back in town," Jason says simply, watching as a look of understanding graces her features. "Yeah."

"Just when I was getting used to things being peaceful," Emily shakes her head. "Guess it was too much to hope she'd never return."

"She is Sonny's wife," Jason gives as an explanation.

"Right," Emily laughs. "I forget that sometimes."

"I think they forget it sometimes, too," Jason replies, unsure about just what keeps those two together, but not caring enough to find out. The last thing he needs is for Sonny to poke his nose into his life, giving him all the incentive he needs to never stick his nose into Sonny's. If only Carly could get a clue and stay out of his life, as well, knowing her, that'd take a miracle.

Finishing their meal in relative silence, Emily says goodbye to Jason before heading back to the island, more than ready to kick up her feet and just relax for the rest of the day. Knowing that Carly's back in town, she just didn't have the patience or energy to deal with the woman on the off chance that she was to run into her. Home. Home is safe.

"What's with the look?" Emily says when her husband greets her at the door with a peculiar look on his face. "What did I miss?"

"You'll never believe who I just had a meeting with," Nikolas says as he helps her out of her coat, hanging it up before facing her.

"Do you want me to guess?"

"If you want," Nikolas counters, laughing when she looks at him a little exasperated. "Okay, okay...none other than, Sarah's sister."

"Shut up!" Emily looks at him in disbelief, ready to kick herself for not approaching the woman she spotted when she was leaving. "I saw her boarding the launch...I can't believe that was her. She looks nothing like Sarah."

"Yeah, it threw me off, for sure," Nikolas admits as they make their way to the living room. "Then I remembered Steven and it wasn't too much of a stretch."

"True," Emily accepts, taking a seat with him on the couch. "Well, don't keep me in suspense, what was she like? Paint me a picture because what I know of the woman right now isn't too flattering."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Nikolas agrees. "But the time I spent with her doesn't really shed much light on that. It was a professional setting, so, it wouldn't truly speak to her character."

"That's fine," Emily assures him. "It would at least give me an idea of the kind of person my grandfather wants to enter into business with. We both know that he'll keep pushing unless he has a legitimate reason and Sarah's word doesn't hold much weight with him."

"If I'm being honest, Sarah doesn't know the half of it when it comes to her sister," Nikolas says honestly. "I've sat across some of the most cutthroat people in my time and I've never once faced someone like her. If Edward wants to enter into business negotiations with her, I'd tell him to come prepared because she has a way about her that I can't even put into words."

"In a good or bad way?"

"Business-wise, she could very well be one of the best, how that translates outside of the business world, I can't say," Nikolas admits. "What I can say is that Edward will definitely meet his match in that woman, that's for sure."

"You're impressed by her," Emily comments when she notices a familiar look in his eyes.

"In a sense, yeah," he replies honestly. "It's not every day you come across someone that can stand toe-to-toe with my uncle and come out on top. When he told me about their initial meeting a few years back, I thought he was exaggerating, as he's known to do, but - after today - I realized he was actually holding back in his description. To be honest, this meeting is very likely to change how I approach negotiations going forward. Something I'm sure Uncle took into consideration when he set it up."

Listening intently, taking in more than just his words, Emily finds herself more confused than ever before where this woman is concerned, uncertain if she really wanted Sarah's sister anywhere around the people she loves. Between what she's learned from Sarah and now her husband, not to mention what she did to her grandfather's proposal, Emily's sure of one thing and that's that Sarah's sister just isn't someone she could get along with. She's not someone she ever cares to get to know.


...

...

...


Author's Note: Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one. Took me a few tries to get it where I wanted it and I hope you enjoy it. The next update will probably take a few days, today being my personal new year #32! WOoHOO! (wink wink personal plug lol) Thanks.