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- 2 TWO 2-
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Sitting up in bed, snuggled with the most comfortable covers she's ever used in her life, Elizabeth takes a moment to appreciate her surroundings. To settle into the reality that has become her own. It really happened, she thought to herself, she really did it. She ran away from the family that her parents had left her with and she really made her way to Port Charles. It all really happened.

"Morning!" Emily exclaims into the room before plopping herself onto the bed in front of Elizabeth. "How'd you sleep?"

"Depends." Elizabeth looks at her skeptically. "Is this a Princess and the Pea kind of situation?"

"No." Emily laughed. "Just wondering if the bed's to your liking."

"Oh, then, yeah." Elizabeth assures. "Best sleep I've had in years, honestly."

"Good." Emily replies happily. "Come on, breakfast is about to be served. You don't want to miss out on the first pickings, trust me."

"Shouldn't I get changed?" Elizabeth questions her curiously. "This is the first time they'll be meeting me. I should probably make a good first impression."

"More like a real first impression." Emily counters. "Show them who you really are and the transition will be a lot smoother."

"Okay. If you say so." Elizabeth says before hopping out of bed. "Well, come on, slowpoke. Last one downstairs is a smelly old troll."

"Oh, you're so on!"

Rushing out of the bedroom, the two girls playfully race down to the family room for breakfast, laughing as they both make it to the table at the same time. The usual bickering between the adults is put on the back burner as they take in the two girls' laughter and enjoyment. Its not every morning that laughter greets them at the breakfast table.

"Well, good morning, ladies." Emily's father, Alan, greets them with his wife by his side. "Seems you two have had quite the morning."

"And it has only begun." her mother, Monica, comments. "One can only wonder how you'll top it."

"Challenge accepted." Emily responds with a smile. "Mom, Dad, this is Elizabeth Webber. Liz, this is mom and dad."

"Its a pleasure to meet you both." Elizabeth says softly. "Emily's told me so much about you."

"All nice things, I hope." Alan teases.

"Of course, always." Emily assures.

"Emily, make introductions and then have breakfast." Monica directs. "Once you both are settled, we'll talk more about living arrangements and such, okay?"

"Yes, mom." Emily replies simply. "Grandmother said something about getting her enrolled to PCH today."

"One of our many topics." Monica assures. "Grandmother's feeling a little under the weather today, so, the task will fall upon your father and I."

"All of which will be discussed after breakfast." Alan comments. "Go on. We'll see you both in the den later."

Introductions are made all around before Elizabeth and Emily settle at a table of their own to have a rather delicious breakfast. There were so many choices, it was nearly impossible to get them all onto their plates, but they managed. Elizabeth attention diverts to the family every so often, intrigued by the dynamics shared between them. Though it was clear that they do tend to bicker quite easily with each other, there was still a level of respect and admiration through each encounter. Clearly, they're a family that loves each other, she could tell just from looking at Emily. How wonderful it would be to have a family like this.

"First things first, we have spoken to your grandmother..." Monica begins as they sit down to discuss where they go from there, stopping when she notices the look on Elizabeth's face. "I'm guessing you can see how that conversation went."

"Yes, ma'am." Elizabeth sighs. "I can pretty much guess what they said about me."

"You needn't worry. Your grandmother spoke quite highly of your sister and she turned out to be anything but." Monica explains. "As far as judges of character, I won't be taking Audrey's word on it."

"I appreciate that." Elizabeth admits. "None of my family's quite fond of me, to be honest."

"Yeah, well, that's their loss." Emily says seriously. "They don't know what they're missing out on."

"Thanks, Em." Elizabeth smiles softly.

"To get back to the topic at hand, I have assured your grandmother that we'll be taking full responsibility for you while you're in town." Monica continues. "She's agreed to have your parents sign over legal guardianship for you by today's end."

"If it's alright with you, that is." Alan adds. "We've conditioned it to where it'll only be in effect until you graduate from high school."

"You'd do that for me?" Elizabeth looks at them as tears begin to fill her eyes. "You'd take me in to your family until I graduate?"

"Safe to say that you'd be okay with that?" Monica questions.

"Okay? I...I couldn't even begin to tell you what this means to me." Elizabeth practically exclaims. "I swear I'll help around the house and I'll do whatever chores you want me to. I'll clean all the bathrooms, I'll scrub down the driveways...I'll clean the pool..."

"Whoa, slow down, we have enough staff to do all that." Alan places a gentle hand on Elizabeth's shoulder to silence her rambling. "All we expect from you is that you keep with your studies and abide by house rules."

"And, if you feel inclined to do so, we'd love it if you'd volunteer at the hospital with Emily." Monica explains. "She seems to enjoy it and we believe you just might, as well."

"I'd love to." Elizabeth says without hesitation. "I've tried to volunteer back home, but my parents didn't think it was wise."

"The more I learn about those people, the more I can't stand them." Emily groans. "Come on. Lets go get you signed up now."

"Um...would that be okay?" Elizabeth asks the parents. "Is there more to discuss?"

"No, you go on." Alan assures. "I think everything else will unfold as it should. For now, you two head to the hospital and we'll see you back here for dinner tonight."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Elizabeth hugs both of Emily's parents, thanking them, before rushing out the door with Emily to sign up for the volunteer program at the hospital. Alone again, Monica and Alan discuss the Webbers and the lengths that they believe they are willing to go for this child.

It was clear that her family didn't think her worth much because they didn't fight them on the situation even a little bit. Other than their image, they didn't see any problem with having Elizabeth stay with them for as long as they wanted her. Audrey had even dared to ask them if they were sure they wanted to take on that kind of responsibility. Clearly someone had to since her own family wouldn't.

Whatever the case may be, there must be a reason that this child has found her way into their family, and they will do whatever it takes to see this child has a decent upbringing before she reaches her adulthood. With living arrangements already taken care of, guardianship in the works, the only thing left was getting her enrolled in school and making sure she was well supplied to succeed in her educational career.

"Nikolas, hey!" Emily greets her friend when she spots him as they get off the elevator. "Come here, there's someone I want you to meet."

"Oh, hey, Em." Nikolas replies as he walks over to them. "Who's this?"

"This is my new roomie slash best friend." Emily explains. "Elizabeth Webber, Nikolas Cassadine. Nikolas, Elizabeth."

"New best friend, huh?" Nikolas inquires. "Wouldn't let Lucky hear you say that."

"Yeah, well, he's Sarah-obsessed at the moment, so, blah." Emily counters. "Anyway, Liz wants to sign up for the volunteer program."

"Oh, really?" Nikolas turns to Elizabeth. "That's something I can definitely help you with. We've been looking for volunteers."

"Well, here I am." Elizabeth says simply. "Ready and willing."

"Perfect. Right this way." Nikolas steps to the side, gesturing for her to walk with him. "I've got all the paperwork in my office."

"You coming, Em?" Elizabeth asks her.

"Nah, I'm gonna go check in on some patients." Emily replies. "Don't worry. Nikolas is good people."

"TBD." Elizabeth counters with a slight smirk before walking off with Nikolas.

"TBD?" Nikolas questions her as they head to his office.

"To be determined." Elizabeth explains. "I just met you. What kind of person I think you are is still to be determined."

"Fair enough." Nikolas accepts. "You know, Sarah told me a lot about you..."

"And Em told me a lot about you." Elizabeth counters. "Prince Nikolas."

"Touche." Nikolas replies as he opens the door. "I won't rush to judgement if you won't."

"Deal." Elizabeth laughs softly.

"So, here's the paperwork you need to fill out." Nikolas explains as he hands it over. "I'll need some time to work you into the schedule. Most likely you'll be working the same time as Emily."

"Works for me." Elizabeth assures. "So, when do you think I'll be able to start volunteering?"

"Couple days. Once I rearrange a few things, you should appear on the roster by the end of the week." Nikolas assures. "The fact that you're this eager to volunteer is a major plus by the way."

"The fact that you run this program is a major plus for you, too, Prince." Elizabeth counters with a slight smirk. "Anything else I need?"

"Nope...just that." Nikolas says, amused. "I'm beginning to see why Sarah talks about you the way she does."

"Oh, really?" Elizabeth counters. "Why's that?"

"She sees you as a threat." Nikolas says simply. "You're the fun sister."

"No one's ever said that to me before." Elizabeth replies honestly. "You really think so?"

"Sure." Nikolas shrugs his shoulders. "Sarah's not all too fond of the attention not being on her. Someone like you could really ruin her ego."

"That's one way to look at it, I guess." Elizabeth says simply. "I'll fill this out and get it back to you as soon as I can."

"No problem." Nikolas assures. "As long as you have that in before you start your first shift, it'll be just fine."

"All set?" Emily questions them when she gets back to them.

"Yup." Elizabeth assures. "Got all the paperwork right here."

"Great." Emily smiles brightly. "Lets go hangout at the lake before we grab lunch then."

"Sure." Elizabeth says with a shrug. "I could go for a swim."

"Bye, Nik. Thanks for everything." Emily says to her friend before hugging him goodbye.

"Yeah, thanks, Prince." Elizabeth says before walking off with Emily. "You're right...he's good people."

"Told you so." Emily counters laughingly. "Come on, lets get out of here."

"Lead the way."