A/N – Thanks for the comments! This week is difficult because I have a management trip Thurs., and Fri, so not sure if I can post a 2nd chapter timely.

Chapter 8

Kelly finished with Elizabeth's exam and then had the nurse get Jason.

"Hey, daddy," Kelly said with a smile, "you can sit or stand next to her."

"I'll stand."

She fired up the heart monitor machine and a quick beat is heard.

"That is your baby."

Jason swallowed hard, not even realizing that Elizabeth is cutting off the circulation in his hand.

Kelly moved the wand around. "There is your baby."

Elizabeth's eyes started to tear. "Wow." The baby is so much bigger.

She had explained to Kelly that she needed to point it out to Jason, so the doctor nonchalantly pointed several places as Jason nodded.

"She's a beauty already."

Liz struggled not to cry. "It's a girl?"

"Yup."

Jason paled.

"Are you disappointed?" Liz asked as fear started to rise.

He shook his head. "I'm just screwed."

Kelly cracked up as Elizabeth giggled.

Once Liz was cleaned up, she left them alone.

"Help me sit up?"

He quickly assisted.

"I don't know what to do with a girl."

Her brow rose.

"You know what I mean."

"You'll be fine."

"If she looks like you, I'm screwed. I'll never be able to say no."

Her eyes filled with tears. "That is the sweetest thing—gah! You're making me cry."

He smiled. "I'm the one who will be crying when you two gang up on me."

"Hope you like playing tea party," she said as she slid off the gurney.

"You're already planning on ruining my reputation?"

"Yup. Suck it up, Morgan."

They went into the hallway and ran right into Alan.

"It's a girl," Liz blurted.

Alan grinned. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"Why does my son look shell-shocked?"

"He's scared of girls."

Alan laughed. "He should be."

"See, I told you," Jason said.

"May I tell my wife and Lila?"

"Sure…" She handed him a sonogram. "I had her print an extra one for you."

Alan's eyes teared. "Beautiful, just like her mother."

Liz slightly blushed as Alan's pager went off.

"I have surgery. I'll put this in my office before I go. Call us if you need anything."

After he was gone, they headed to the elevator.

"Well, at least the room will be pink."

"Are you going to walk right by me?"

Jason and Liz stopped in their tracks and grimaced. He turned around. "I didn't see you."

"Probably because you were too busy celebrating your little girl."

"Courtney…"

"No, Jason. I get to be hurt."

He moved closer. "Don't make a scene or make me say something I'll regret."

Tears fall on her cheek as she glares.

"You hurt me."

"And you didn't hurt me? You lied and knocked me out. Have I not had enough brain injuries?"

She winced.

"You didn't even tell me, Courtney, and then you never listen." He paused to close his eyes as she sucked back a sob.

"So, you're blaming me?"

He eyed her with stormy eyes. "I'm not continuing this conversation. You made your choice, and it wasn't me. I didn't do any of this to intentionally hurt you and you know it. You've already moved on, just let it be."

"Why? Is it so you don't have to feel guilty?"

"I don't. I'm sorry I hurt you, and I know you feel the same way about what you did."

She wiped at her face. "Now I get how Elizabeth felt. You just turn off your feelings like a faucet; like I didn't matter and move on to the next person. I wish you had at least been honest with yourself about her before you returned my affections. It wasn't fair."

When she strode away, he sucked in a deep breath as he closed his eyes.

Elizabeth pressed her hand against his back. "You have a meeting. Milo can take me home."

He turned to face her. "I'm sorry."

She touched his face. "It's okay, Jason. We knew the consequences. Are you alright?"

"Yes."

They silently communicated for a long moment.

"Call me if you need to talk."

He nodded, and then Milo stepped forward to lead her to the elevators.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Stefano eyed Nikolas who doesn't seem quite like himself. "What is going on?"

Nikolas's head jerked up. "What do you mean?"

"You just seem off."

Nikolas rolled his eyes. "I'm fine."

"Need I point out that the business is going well, your grandmother isn't here, and the woman you love feels the same. Don't screw this up."

"Why do you care?"

"Because you look like you're heading back into the darkness, Nikolas. So, I'm going to ask you again. What is going on?"

Nikolas blew out a harsh breath and rubbed his face. "I don't know. I just feel off."

"How off?"

"A little out of control, but I'll be fine."

"It doesn't sound like it. Maybe you should get checked out."

Nikolas stood. "Just let it go. It will pass. It always does."

"This has Helena all over it."

"I'm not Lucky."

"I didn't say that you are, but you have to admit, if you're not acting or feeling normally, that is something right up her alley."

"I'm going away for a few days on business. Are you going to be here?"

Stefan hadn't been in town for long. "I have to go to the City tomorrow, but I'll be back in a few days. I'll keep an eye on her."

"Thank you. She's still healing, and I worry about her."

When he walked away, Stefan moved toward the window, vowing to keep a closer eye on Nikolas because he is underestimating Helena.

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Jason stared at the water in the harbor. The dinner the night before was a little overwhelming, especially his talk with Lila. Leave it to her to know it's all a ruse. Hearing the baby's heartbeat made everything so real. He's going to be a father and it's bittersweet. Part of him is still waiting for Liz to change her mind and the other wishes she had turned to him instead of Zander. Sighing, he rubbed his face and then leaned against the bench. He had defied Sonny to be with Courtney and it had ended badly. He's not even sure he knows why he fought like that. Maybe he is desperate for a win, or maybe he was just sick of Sonny's hypocrisy.

Johnny plopped next to him. Richie is lurking in the shadows since Jason is distracted. "What's going on in that brain of yours?"

"I just think this whole thing is going to end badly." Courtney had left a bad taste in his mouth.

"You mean with you being hurt?"

"Maybe, but that's not just it."

"I think if you don't take a chance with Liz, you'll never be at peace. She got under your skin a long time ago."

"This is different, well maybe in some ways it's not. There's always someone else in between us. First, it was Lucky, then Zander, Sonny, Courtney, and lastly Ric. It's not even just us now because she's pregnant. I worry I won't be able to protect them. Rick is dangerous and people do stupid things for love."

"Are you scared to trust her with your heart?"

"Yes, but I think she feels the same way. I've hurt her too." Jason stood and started to pace. "I spent years wishing she would choose me, and just when I'd think it would happen, something would interfere."

"Your timing sucks."

Jason nodded. "We're trying to heal our friendship and who am I kidding, it won't be long before the lines blur. We're always drawn to each other."

"I think you're overthinking it. Just stay in the present and be there for her. You know she'll do the same for you. The past is over, and you can't control everything in the future. It's how you're used to living."

"I don't want her to be with me because she thinks she has no other choice."

"Liz is deeper than that. Just work things out so you can move forward at least as friends."

"Courtney is so hurt. I hope she doesn't go off the deep end."

"It will be her choice if she does. Her mistakes have cost her a lot. It's not an easy life to handle."

"No, it's not."

"Elizabeth will have her ups and downs with it, that's why you need to have a firm foundation so you can survive the lows. Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah."

"What attracted you to Elizabeth in the first place?"

Jason thought for a moment. "Everything… She's beautiful inside and out and no matter what bad things happened; she came out swinging. She made me wish I could dream. I always wanted her to love me like she loved Lucky. She was so devoted and fought for him. It wasn't a controlling and manipulative friendship like I have with Carly."

"Jason, you don't need other people to validate you in any way. You can't put that on another person because they are going to disappoint you at some point. You are not the same person who awakened from the coma. I think Liz can love you better than she did Lucky. They were kids and the aftermath of the rape was front and center. She is a woman now. She understands that her relationship with Lucky was far from perfect and that she deserves better. Do you think you deserve better than Courtney?"

"Yes."

"Good, because you do. Your dream is sitting in your house. All you must do is make it a reality. I think you both want it, but you're just gun shy. Don't give up, okay?"

He nodded and is determined to not only protect them but make sure they are happy.

"I heard her say that she's been craving some crazy pizza concoction. It's disgusting, but I'll send you a text. You may have to pay a fortune to convince someone to make it. Maybe try that Italian place over on fifth. She is always making goo-goo eyes at you."

Jason shook his head. "She's old enough to be my grandmother."

"And? If you go by yourself and you disappear because she kidnapped you to be her sex slave, at least I'll know where to look."

"You're beyond disgusting."

Johnny smirked. "And you love me for it. Go order it and make her night."

"Okay."

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Sonny sighed heavily when Courtney strode into his house. Thankfully, Carly is out of town, but he knows she'll find out soon.

"Do you know?"

Sonny nodded. "Yes."

"I'm mortified."

"I'm sorry."

Courtney plopped onto the couch. "He's hard to get over. I know you never wanted us together and why, but I thought that since he fought for me, maybe he'd realize he wanted me more."

"Jason is Jason. He likes his job."

"I don't understand. Why doesn't he get to be happy without risking his life?"

"He doesn't think like everyone else. You know that. He couldn't be what you wanted him to be, and you always knew that too if you were honest with yourself."

"I just didn't want to give him up, and now she has him again. God, she's going to have his baby and I get nothing."

"Don't you like Brian?"

"I do, but he's not Jason."

"You're not going to get Jason back. You have to let him go."

She cried as Sonny held her. Things will never be the same between them after what she did. He'll never let her in that deep again. He blames Jason because if he hadn't have gone there, she wouldn't have been so desperate and betrayed them. Jason owes him, and somehow, he's going to get him to comply.

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Elizabeth stared at the takeout menus and sighed, nothing is jumping out at her and she's starving. Giving up, she's about to just call Kelly's and order when the door swung open.

Her eyes grew wide as she smelled the pizza.

He put them on the coffee table as her eyes narrowed.

"Why do you look almost queasy."

"Never again, Elizabeth."

"What?"

"I had to sacrifice to get you what you wanted, and I may never be the same again."

She sniffs and opens the box and then claps her hands. "How did you know?"

"Johnny."

He grabbed some plates, but she already had a slice in her hand and moaned as he watched her with disgust. "I think I lost my appetite."

"It's so freaking good. You have to try it."

"Hell no. I bought a pepperoni and sausage. I'll try not to watch you." He slid the other box out from under her concoction from hell and then took a bite of his.

After she had inhaled the first piece which consisted of sausage, anchovies, olives, peanut butter, pickles, and bananas, it dawned on her that he said something about a sacrifice.

"Wait, what did you have to sacrifice besides your appetite?"

Jason wiped his mouth. "Johnny suggested I go to the Italian place on fifth. The woman who owns it likes me."

Liz's eyes grew big. "Isn't she older?"

He made a face. "Yes."

Her eyes practically bulged. "Please tell me that you didn't sleep with her. I mean, the pizza is outstanding, but I would never sacrifice your body for it—well, I don't think I would, but I do have out-of-control hormones sometimes."

"You're so wrong. No, I didn't sleep with her." He threw his napkin down while she grabbed another slice and put it on her plate and then licked her fingers.

"She wanted to grab my butt and then have me kiss her on the cheek."

"I see." She bit her lip so she wouldn't laugh.

"No, you don't because when I went to kiss her on the cheek, she turned her head, and let's just say, I wish I hadn't gasped."

Elizabeth fell back against the cushion as she laughed so hard that she turned red.

"It's not funny."

It took her a few minutes to get herself under control. "Oh, my God! I can't believe you did that for me. Please tell me she is still alive because I am going to need this pizza again."

He groaned. "I pulled away."

"Was she offended?"

"No. She winked and then shook her hips as she walked to the kitchen."

A new burst of laughter left her. "I wish I could have seen it."

He rolled his eyes.

"Jason?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you deserve something special because I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

"What?" He has to admit, she looks beautiful.

When she tapped her cheek, he smirked. "So, I get the honor of kissing your cheek because I was groped?"

She grinned mischievously. "Uh-huh."

"Unbelievable…"

He leaned forward and at the last minute, Liz took a chance and kissed him on the mouth.

Jason froze, shocked that she is being so flirtatious. Something had certainly shifted between them.

She retreated with a grin and when he didn't move, she gave him a warning. "I suggest you move back so I don't accidentally chomp you because the baby and I are hungry."

He watched her moan as she bit into it.

"Best pizza ever!"

The guard let Emily and Sam in who had come up in the same elevator.

"What is that smell?" Emily said moving closer.

"Elizabeth's disgusting pizza."

That piqued Sam's interest. "What is it?"

Liz rattled off the ingredients making Emily almost hurl.

Sam, on the other hand, is intrigued. "Can I have a slice?"

"Sure…" Liz eyed Jason. "Told you it is good."

Emily headed toward the other box. "Please tell me you ordered something normal?"

Jason nodded.

She grabbed a slice of his. "This is good. Who made it?"

"The lady on fifth."

"Oh, I love their food. Why do you look traumatized?"

"You don't want to know."

When Elizabeth started to open her mouth, he put his hand over it.

"Don't you dare."