A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – lol you weren't the only one re: Audrey l

Chapter 24

Nikolas made a strangled noise and then rubbed his face. "You're right, but it still hurts."

She moved closer. "Thank you. This is hard for all of us. I loved him with every fiber of my being and it kills me to know that he is hurting because of my decisions, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to sacrifice myself or my needs when we're not even together anymore. I love him, Nikolas, but I'm not in love anymore and I'm sorry if that hurts you. I hope someday, you'll be happy for me."

He lets out a flustered breath. "Are you with Jason?"

"Well, not officially, but we like each other and when he gets out of jail soon, I'm going after what I want."

"What about what he wants?"

She smirked and then laughed. "Touche."

He pulled her into a hug. "I love you and I'll try to do better. You've got your work cut out with Luke though. I think Laura will eventually accept it. She adores you."

Liz retreated. "I could always blackmail Luke."

Nikolas grinned. "I'd really like to see that. I guess Lizzie is back."

She moved her eyebrows up and down. "Look out world…"

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Emily strode towards Nikolas. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Nikolas nodded. "She's fine. They let her go."

Emily's eyes grew wide. "Did someone pick her up?"

"Yes. I think her name was Nicole."

"I came as soon as could." She had been at the PCU library studying for a test and had turned off her phone.

"You can call her later."

"And Lucky is okay?"

"He's fine. I'm not sure where he disappeared to. Elizabeth and I had a long talk."

"About?"

He grabbed her arm and directed her to a corner. "She wanted my support and for me not to encourage Lucky where she is concerned."

"Wow. I guess there is no going back. She likes my brother."

"Yes."

"And you're going to do what she asked?"

"Yes, even though it will kill me to hurt him when he's suffering."

"I know, but it will be worst if we go behind her back and give him hope."

"So, you're okay with her being with Jason?" That was the hardest part for him given the danger and violence that seemed to surround the troubled blonde.

"I'm worried, but it's her life. She has always been there for me, so I don't want to hurt her especially when we're repairing our friendship." Lucky means a lot to her too which makes the situation complex.

"I'll try, but Jason and I don't like each other."

"I don't think Jason will have a problem with her seeing you when he's not there. You don't have to like him to love her."

"True. How did you get so smart?"

She grinned. "I'm getting old on ya."

He shook his head. Emily had developed into a beautiful woman. "You'll always be that annoying girl with pigtails."

"That you dipped in ink… You were such an ass back then."

His mouth dropped open making her giggle and then she grew serious and squinted.

"Is that a gray hair?" she said pointing.

His eyes grew big and then the devilish glint in her eye gave her away and she made a run for it with him chasing close behind.

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A week later, Diane clapped her hands together with glee and then dialed her phone.

"Hello?" Epiphany said.

"Hi. It's Diane."

"Please tell me you have some good news."

"The judge filed the paperwork for a hearing."

"Yes!"

"As long as the Commonwealth doesn't appeal, we should be able to schedule a hearing in the next few weeks. We'll convince the judge to throw out the conviction based on Hugh's horrible representation and then it may go to trial." They won't be able to present new evidence. Jason pleading guilty has really made it tough to get the plea reversed.

A tear rolled down Epiphany's cheek. "I don't know how to thank you. When are you going to tell Jason the good news?"

"He should be getting the message any time now."

"Praise the Lord."

"Now, on to other important things. What's the status on you and my boss."

Piph grinned. "We are going to try to go on a date in a few days."

"Try?"

"He's a busy man."

Diane rolled her eyes. "He seriously needs to go out and have some fun."

"I'll make sure that he does."

"I knew I can count on you."

"You're just hoping that I can distract him so you can slip some paperwork with a raise on it in front of him and he'll sign it without noticing."

Diane cracked up.

"We'll have to do a girl's night out once all of this is over."

"Damn straight. Without us, they'd be nothing. We rock."

Piph grinned. "Are you dating anyone?"

"Yes, and he is most delicious. Check your phone."

A notification popped up, so Piph put her on speaker and checked it.

"Damn, he's gorgeous. You go girl."

"Lorenzo is delicious. He's a professor and girl when he whispers naughty things in Spanish, it's enough to make your toes curl."

"I can't wait to meet him. Does Francis speak Italian?"

"Yup."

"Well, this has been a most fruitful discussion."

"Girl, I can tell you a lot of things. For example, when he's uncomfortable about the conversation, he does this weird neck thing like he's cracking it and then he bounces his leg."

Piph laughed. "What were you saying to make him uncomfortable?"

"I may have shared too much information about my night with Lorenzo."

Piph laughed. "You're too much."

"You ain't seen nothing and I'll look forward to our drunken night of gossip and debauchery."

"I will never turn down either. I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye."

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Jason eyed Manny warily because he's smiling like a fool. "Are you okay? Do you need to sit?"

Manny laughed. "No. I have a message for you."

Jason sat across from him in the common area. "What?"

"Well, the judge signed the paperwork for the hearing. As long as the Commonwealth doesn't appeal, you're on your way to freedom."

Jason smiled. "That's good to know." It had been quiet since Carter died. No one was in a hurry to follow in his footsteps. They were biding their time until Manny left.

"I don't have much longer. I'm hoping that if the hearing goes well, the trial date won't be far off and once that starts, they might keep you at the PCPD. If not, my bros will look after you, but they don't have the incentive that I do. Fortunately, they can be bought."

"Thank you."

"When we get out, I wouldn't mind it if we hung out from time to time."

Jason slightly smiled. "I don't have many friends, so that will be nice."

Manny is usually a loner. Johnny and Francis would drag him out from time to time, but that was about it.

"What are you in for?"

"Believe it or not, I got caught after stealing a car to escape an enemy. It was dumb luck on their part. Usually, the PCPD can't find their way out of a paper bag."

"How long have you been inside?"

"I got six months. Of course, that seems like six years. I had a clean record too. I really want to kick Joe Scully's ass."

"He's a dick. I wouldn't stop you."

"Trust me, his day will come. What do you miss the most?"

Epiphany and Elizabeth popped into his head. "Besides people, I'd kill for a cold beer and a number seven from Kelly's."

Manny smiled. "I'm with you on the beer. I miss Francis's cooking."

"That good?"

"You have no idea."

"Sonny was a great cook too, but he hasn't done it for a long time. In the beginning, he was good to us and went out of his way and then the darker his mood got, the worst things became."

"He loves the power, in fact, he craves it. To beat him, you need to think like him and anticipate his arrogance. You know him better than anyone. Use your knowledge to your advantage and don't let your emotions rule you."

Jason nodded. Manny is right. Sonny has no patience and is reactive. He'll get sloppy and that is when Jason will strike.

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Ronnie ducked behind some crates as he watched Nicole sit on a bench and then stare at the water. A slight smile edged onto his face as he noted her beauty. "This is unexpected."

He pulled out his phone. "There's a blonde woman sitting on a bench across from warehouse thirty-two. Do you see her?'

"Yes."

"I want her followed. I want to know who she is hanging around with. Be discreet."

"Okay."

He returned the phone to his pocket. There had been rumors that Nicole Corelli was in town, but this was the first sighting. Family is always a weakness and he has no problem exploiting that. It had taken some digging, but he knows the location of every member of the Corelli family, even the hidden ones.

It's time for a little trip.

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Elizabeth opened the door to the mansion. "Hey."

Emily smiled. "Nice digs…"

"It's nice. I'm using you for practice. Grams wants to come over."

"Good luck with that," she said following Elizabeth into the living room.

"I'm babysitting. Nicole went out for an errand, but she'll be back before you leave."

"What is she like." Emily can't help but feel a little jealous given that she and Elizabeth had been attached to the hip before Lucky disappeared.

"She's twenty-seven, very pretty, and nice. Emily, I asked her permission to tell you, but she was raped by several men and it was brutal. She lost it and found out she was pregnant, but luckily, it was Johnny's."

Emily was quiet for a minute. "I'm glad that you have someone you can talk to that understands."

Liz reached out and touched Emily's hand. "I have always appreciated that you listened. It's not easy an easy subject for me to talk about and it's not like we sit around discussing it all the time. Sometimes, it hits me and it's nice to have her as a sounding board, but I hope you don't think I'm replacing you with her."

"I do feel a little jealous, but I get it. You can have more than a few friends and let's face it, I screwed up, but I'm more than willing to make up for it."

Alaina abandoned her musical toy and walked over to them and lifted her hands up, so Liz picked her up and deposited her on her lap. "Ali, this is my friend, Emily."

Emily smiled. "Hey, beautiful."

Alaina recognizes the word her father always calls her and smiles. "Eat, eat?"

They laughed.

"This girl stays hungry. Come on, I'm sure I can dig up a snack."

Emily followed her into the kitchen and helped Liz get Ali into the highchair and then Liz peeled a banana and put some chunks on the tray.

Ali lit up and shoved one into her mouth as she said, "Mmm."

"She's beautiful."

Nicole moved into the room. "I think so. Hello, I'm her mom, Nicole."

"Hi. I'm Emily."

"Liz said that your Jason's sister?"

"Yup. He's the best brother. I can't wait to have him back."

Nicole smiled and then winked at Elizabeth. "You're not the only one."

Ali banged on the tray to get her attention.

"You know, you could have just said mama."

Ali chuckled as Nicole rolled her eyes.

"I'll be right back. I'm just going to grab a bag."

As soon as she turned the corner, Ali yelled, "Ma," and she froze in tracks and then spun around and peeked. "Did she just say what I think she said."

Liz and Emily cracked up. "Yup!"

Nicole threw up her hands. "Yes! That's mommy's baby."

Emily grabbed a wipe and attempted to get the sludge of banana off Ali's fingers.

"She's a messy eater," Liz said.

"We'll blame that on Johnny."

Nicole grinned. "We're going to get along very well."

Emily chuckled.

"I'll take that," Nicole said grabbing the wipe. She chucked it in the trash and then handed Elizabeth a bag."

"What's this?"

"Look inside."

Liz put it down on the table and then gasped as she started taking things out. "Oh my God! You didn't have to do this."

"Well, I wanted you to have some supplies. There are a couple of canvases in the other bag and a portable easel. The lady said it was a good set and I got you some sketch pads and some more pencils too." Her arms are filled with Elizabeth who gripped her tightly before letting go.

"Thank you."

"Since you won't take money for babysitting, I thought I'd pay you this way in advance."

Liz smiled and then went to look in the other bag.

"She's very talented. That was a good thing you did," Emily said.

"I really like Elizabeth and I know that she is closer to your age, but I don't mind being the older sister to you both. I don't want you to feel left out. I know things have been a little tough lately with Lucky coming back, so Elizabeth needs us."

"I agree and thank you for making me feel welcome."

"You can come here anytime. Usually, it's just me and Ali. Eventually, I do want to find a job, but first, I want to make sure that Ali is comfortable here. We have a part-time nanny named Leticia who helps when she can."

"I wouldn't mind babysitting once you get to know me. I used to do it all the time during high school. What kind of work do you do?"

"I was an administrative assistant."

Emily smirked. "My grandfather wants to add another admin for the office. His executive admin wants to retire in two years, so he wants someone to come in and learn. Would you be interested?"

Nicole grinned. "I would love it." She is very much aware of ELQ and their success.

"There's only one bad side."

Liz moved next to them and took the baby out of the highchair.

"What's that?"

"My Aunt Tracy is kind of a pain in the ass."

Liz snorted. "Kind of?"

"I'm sure I can handle it."

"Famous last words," Emily said.

"Well, I'll just have to win her over."

Emily pulled out her phone and a gruff Edward answered.

"Who is this and why are you bothering me?"

"Honestly, grandfather. Suppose I was a client?"

Edward smirked. "I saw your name come up."

She shook her head. "Are you still looking for an admin?"

"Yes. Do you know of someone?" He had interviewed five people and either they were too vacuous or slutty.

"Yes. Her name is Nicole Corelli."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "The Corelli's?" He makes sure he knows all the players in town.

"Yes, but she's not in the business."

Nicole started to gnaw on her bottom lip. That usually meant the kiss of death.

"Does she have a resume?"

"I'm sure she does. She has experience too. How soon would you need her to start?"

"Well, if she passes with flying colors, probably three weeks."

Emily mouthed it and Nicole gave her the thumbs up. "That's perfect."

"Can she come by my office tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.?"

Emily relayed the message and Nicole nodded. "Yes."

"Alright, I'll see her then."

"Thanks, grandfather." She slipped the phone back into her pocket. "Now, I'm going to go over all things Edward and help you ace this interview, but first, what do you have to wear?"

"I have a navy blue suit."

"That would be classic. Make sure the shirt doesn't have cleavage, keep your makeup to a minimum, and cross your legs at your ankles."

"I take it he is traditional?"

"Yes and my grandmother is very classy and smart and the basis of how he judges all other woman. Even though she is pretty much as close to perfect as you can get, she is feisty too and not a pushover. So, he doesn't want a yes person. In fact, he likes to bicker. It's what my family is good at."

Nicole chuckled. "I can banter with the best of them."

"Tracy on the other hand, just stare her down and make sure you don't look away first. Her bark is more than her bite. Don't let her frazzle you and you'll figure out when you should push back and when you shouldn't. Muttering under your breath is a good thing when it comes to her."

Liz laughed. "Your family can be certifiable at times."

"You're telling me? I'm probably going to need intensive therapy someday."

"I haven't interviewed in a long time."

"You'll be fine. Just take a deep breath and be confident—another warning, he'll do a thorough background check."

Nicole grimaced.

"It's almost better to just be candid with him."

"Okay." While she is utterly excited, she's terrified at the same time, but she really does want to get back to work and three weeks will help Ali feel more comfortable with Leticia."

"They have daycare, by the way, unless you prefer the nanny."

"Given my family's line of business, the nanny is probably a better option." She didn't want to scare or inconvenience other employees.

They ventured into the living room and spent another hour going over all things Quartermaine.