A/N – To those commenting, thank you! I look forward to seeing what you think about every post.
Chapter 9
Liz licked Jason's hand, so he'd move it. "Jason had to agree to get groped to get it."
Emily laughed. "I am going to need details."
"You're not getting any and I will take Liz's pizza and run if she says one more word."
Liz's jaw dropped. "You are so mean."
Emily is enjoying them. Liz finally seems more relaxed. It was the only reason Jason hadn't already taken the offensive pizza and thrown it off the balcony.
Sam groaned. "This is outstanding. It's the pizza I never knew I needed."
Emily's scrunched her nose. "I think they need a psych evaluation."
Jason nodded as he ate.
Once they were stuffed, everyone came up for air.
"I might have to roll to Windemere."
Liz chuckled. "That's a great visual."
"What's Windemere?" Sam asked.
"It's where her boyfriend lives."
"It's a creepy island," Jason said right which garnered a nudge from Emily.
"Interesting…" Sam said.
"It even has a witch, named Helena," Liz said.
"More like a bitch…" Emily muttered.
After more slices were inhaled, the girls groaned.
Jason shook his head.
"Don't even say it. I ate too much," Liz said.
Emily chuckled. "Remember when we'd raid the kitchen and Cook would find us practically in a food coma?"
"I think we gave that man several heart attacks."
"He banned us from the kitchen. Why he thought we'd listen, I'll never know."
"Brats," Jason said.
"Oh, please, like you didn't drive your motorcycle into the house to make a point."
He grinned. "That was the highlight of living there."
The girls took turns talking about their outrageous adventures at the Quartermaine mansion.
Emily eyed her brother. "Is this making you want to spend the night there?"
"Hell no," he said before gathering the boxes.
"So testy…" Her attention went to Sam. "So, what are you doing tonight?"
Sam shrugged.
"Well, Nikolas is on a business trip to the City. Want to see the creepy mansion?"
"No fair…" Liz pouted.
"We'll have the next sleepover here."
"Hell no," Jason bellowed from the kitchen.
"Pay him no mind, he is powerless against us." She yelped when Jason pulled her up and carried her to the door.
She laughed the whole way there. "Put me down."
"Ask nicely,"
"Please put me down," he lowered her, "brat."
His eyes narrowed as she yanked open the door.
"Come on, Sam, let's make a run for it."
Sam smiled. "Later."
Liz pouted again. "Later…"
When the door shut, Jason eyed her and smiled.
"It's not funny."
"Just remember, my paranoia has saved you from the witch."
"I'm not afraid of that old bat." She plopped onto the couch, so he joined her.
Jason closed his eyes and relaxed, so she followed suit and she fell asleep about five minutes later. He peeked at her and smiled before arranging her and putting a blanket over her. It's different coming home to Elizabeth. She isn't as needy as Courtney and can sense his moods. His prior relationship had taken a lot out of him. It still hurts. He couldn't have predicted what Courtney ended up doing. It also proves that a lot of people say or do what they think you want to hear. He should have known better. It was all too good to be true. Courtney truly was a rebound and now, he needs to make sure that he doesn't let Elizabeth or her child down.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Liz ran into Sam on the docks. "Hey, how was spooky island?"
"That place would make a great haunted house. We had a good time. I wouldn't have liked staying there by myself either."
"Well, there is staff there."
"Emily has been through a lot."
Liz nodded. "A lot of drama goes on in this small town."
"Too much."
"How are you doing?"
They sat on a bench.
"I guess I'm okay. I'll feel better once I know whose baby it is."
"Well, you only have a few more days."
"Have you gotten used to the thought you're going to be a mom?"
Liz shook her head. "No, but I'm starting to get excited. She's moving around a lot. This pregnancy has been stressful, so it's nice to be able to breathe and just take it all in."
"I understand. I'm used to the chaos. I don't see that changing anytime soon especially due to Carly." She has a feeling the baby is Sonny's.
"She is just awful. We both have our work cut out with that one."
"I don't know how you do it."
"Stand up for yourself otherwise, she'll run right over you."
"Right now, I've been avoiding her, but it's only a matter of time. Have you known Sonny a long time?"
"It's been quite a while. We were friends at one point, but then it kind of fizzled over time, especially after Courtney showed up."
"Is Courtney Jason's normal type?"
"Eh… She acted sweeter, but she needed rescuing and sucked him in."
"Sonny said she betrayed them."
"She knocked Jason out and helped the enemy. Jason doesn't forgive that kind of betrayal."
"I haven't figured him out."
Liz grinned. "He's pretty simple believe it or not, you just have to understand how his brain processes things."
"Sonny said he was in a bad accident."
"He was. It changed everything. I didn't know him before, but his sister has told me what he was like."
"Is he anything like the old Jason?"
"Um, there are some things that still ring true, but for the most part, he's very different. He's had a very rough life since then, that is why it's a miracle he has such a big heart."
"He listens. I like that."
"Me too."
"I think he thinks I'm a pain in the ass."
Liz chuckled. "He hates the situation. Usually, he's neutral unless you give him a reason to tip in the wrong direction."
"I'm just trying not to piss him off."
"Just be you. That's all he ever asks."
Sam nodded. "You guys get each other. You should cherish that."
Liz studied her for a moment. "Do you think you can have that with Sonny?"
"I don't know. He shows me what he wants me to see."
"He had a rough childhood."
"So did I, but at some point, you can't let that control you."
"That's true to an extent, but they say that childhood trauma affects your brain development and your body remembers that trauma. When was the last time that you saw your brother?"
Sam smiled. "A few weeks ago. He's doing fine."
"You seem like you don't have many friends, but just know, I'm a good listener. I learned from the best."
"Jason?"
Liz nodded.
"Thanks. I'll remember that. It's nice to talk to someone in the same condition."
Liz smiled as she touched her stomach. "Give me your hand." She placed it on the side of her belly and Sam grinned when the baby kicked her.
"Does it hurt?"
"Not often, but I feel like I have to pee more. I feel like wearing depends when I go out."
Sam laughed. "Is it weird that I'm starting to look forward to everything?"
"Not at all." She pulled out a piece of paper from her purse. "This is my number, and you should get a copy of this book. It lets you know what to expect. It's my bible right now."
"Thank you."
Sam's guard moved forward. "Sonny would like to see you."
"Okay." She turned to Liz. "Talk to you later?"
"Sure."
She left and Liz kept watching the water and is surprised when Stefan sat next to her.
"Well, you're a surprise."
He slightly smiled. "You look good."
"Thank you."
"How far are you along?"
"I'm in my fifth month."
"It suits you."
Liz smiled. "Thanks!"
"I'm worried about Nikolas."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm going to stay for a while to watch over him."
"You think that it's Helena, don't you?"
"Maybe… Emily has been through a lot, and I don't want to stress her out. Just keep in closer touch with her, okay?"
"Thank you so much for confiding in me. I will. I hope that Nikolas will be okay." Helena just needs to be stopped.
"Me too…"
When he left, Johnny sat next to her. "What was that about?"
"He's worried about Nikolas."
Johnny sighed.
"You know something?"
"Not that I'm allowed to say, but just reach out to Emily. She holds too much inside."
Liz studied him for a moment. "Do you have feelings for her?"
Johnny schooled his features. "I care about her."
"Uh-huh."
He laughed. "Your baby daddy would kill me."
"I'd protect you."
"She's great, but I don't think she'd ever go there either."
"Why not? You're handsome, funny, and smart."
"Do I want to know what you are talking about?" Jason said as he moved in front of them.
"No," they said.
Johnny got up. "Later, gorgeous."
Liz laughed when Jason glared. "How do you know he wasn't saying goodbye to you?"
His eyes narrowed. "He was looking at you and he doesn't call me that."
"Sit."
He moved next to her.
"What's going on?"
"Not much. Sam was just here, and we talked for a bit. I offered my friendship."
"I don't know that I trust her completely, for good reason, but I'll never tell you who you can be friends with. I think she likes you, so just be careful."
"Thank you for trusting my judgment. I don't feel threatened by her. She's been through a lot."
"I agree."
"Sometimes we do stupid things out of hurt. Maybe this child will help her grow up just like mine is helping me."
"Do you see things differently now?" It's hard for him to understand her experience being pregnant since he can't himself.
"Well, I will answer that, but do you feel different now?"
He nodded. "I'm nervous and don't want to let her down."
"Well, that is how I feel. I know it makes it even more special, that the baby is inside me, but also, I think about her future. I want her to have a better life than I do. It makes me want to be more responsible. I was thinking about being a nurse."
"Really?"
She nodded. "It would be hard going to school and taking care of Cameron, but I've done some research and I found some childcare."
"You know I'll help any way I can."
"I know and thank you."
"Are you sure nursing is what you want? You are good at taking care of people, but is cleaning bedpans something you can deal with?"
She smiled. "There are good and bad things. I don't know. I guess I'll have to try it to know."
"What about your art?"
"I miss it, but it's hard to make a living at it."
"Maybe we could figure out a way if that is what you want. Isn't there are art therapy or teaching?"
"Yeah. I hadn't thought about it."
"I know you don't want to take money from me, but please let me help. I don't mind investing in you."
She laid her head on his shoulder. "I know that I'm stubborn, but I'm not stupid. Let me think about it. I'm not used to accepting a lot of help."
"Me either…"
Her hand found his. "This is nice."
"Yeah." He gazed at the water.
"We have to find peace where we can find it."
"Elizabeth…"
She groaned. "I jinxed it."
Jason waited for her to lift her head and then stood and turned around. "You must have a death wish."
Rick ignored him. "Elizabeth, can I speak to you?"
"No."
"I didn't ask you."
When Jason tensed, Elizabeth stood. "Let's go, Jason."
Rick is seething. "I can't believe you let him taint you."
"The only thing tainting me is you. I think you are the biggest mistake I have ever made which isn't saying much. It's one I won't make again. Go find Faith, I think she's more your speed anyway."
"She can't hold a candle to you."
"The fact after that the crazy bitch made me lose our baby and you are still screwing her says it all, doesn't it?"
She grabbed Jason's hand and led him away.
Faith had watched everything transpire. "That bitch is going to pay for that," she said before walking away.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Sam wrung her hands as they waited for the doctor to join them. Sonny put his hand on her shoulder.
"Relax…"
Her eyes welled with tears. "If this baby is Jax's, then what?"
Sonny's stomach churned. "We'll deal with it."
She doesn't think he'll be able to handle it.
Dr. Kelly West entered the room.
"Hello, I'm Kelly."
Jax shifted uncomfortably.
She pulled out the results and then eyed the men. "Mr. Corinthos, the tests that there is a ninety-nine percent chance that the baby is yours. I'm sorry, Mr. Jacks, but there is no way you could be the father.
Jax stood with mixed feelings. On one hand, he feels like he dodged a bullet considering Sam's past, but on the other hand, he realized how much he wanted to be a father. "I'm leaving for Australia in an hour. Good luck. You are going to need it," he said to Sam before leaving.
"Do you have any questions?" Kelly asked.
Sonny is feeling far too emotional to respond, so he shook his head.
"Alright, I have a patient in labor, so if you think of anything later, you can ask."
"Thanks," Sam said.
Once she left, a tear rolled down Sonny's cheek.
"If it's a girl, I want to name her Adela after my mother."
Sam nodded. "Okay."
"You want to pick the middle name?"
"I'll think about it."
He pulled her into a hug. "Thank you."
They kissed languidly.
"I'm not telling Carly. She'll go crazy."
Sam sighed. "Fine, but I can't be a dirty little secret my entire pregnancy."
"We'll tell her before the baby is here."
She held him close as she wondered if they could ever work given his past with Carly.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Jason looked up from a stack of invoices as Sonny entered his office. Elizabeth went to lunch with her grandmother, so he decided to get some work done.
"The baby is mine."
Jason nodded.
"I'm not telling Carly yet. Michael deserves some peace before I drop that bomb."
"What are you going to tell her? Does she know the test was done?"
"Yes, because Jax ran into her."
"And?"
"I'm going to say it wasn't mine or Jax's baby. That will leave the door open."
Jason shook his head. "Even if Elizabeth weren't in the picture, I'm not claiming that baby."
"Jesus, Jason. You owe me. After what you did to my sister—if the truth comes out, then what? You wouldn't be willing to do this then?"
"It's not fair to me or Sam. I'm working towards a relationship with Elizabeth. The only way someone will find out about this is if we or you tell them. I know you told Sam and I'm not happy about it."
"She won't say anything."
"You hope. She was a con artist. She's capable of anything."
Sonny glared at him. "I love her, Jason. Don't disrespect her."
"I'm not. I'm telling the truth. Are you done?"
Sonny cursed under his breath as he slammed the door behind him. As he made his way back to his office, he thought of how he'd break the news to Carly and then distract her from digging into it.
