A/N – Thanks for the comments! * Kikimoo – It's Jolene instead of Nadine. I liked her better even though they made her a bad girl lol. There's a mention later about Piph's family who she doesn't really talk too much. * NaxieFan48 – John didn't stage anything.
Chapter 22
The waitress put Sarah's drink down.
Steven watched his sister suck down a quarter of it and knew she was going to be in rare form.
By the time dinner arrived, Sarah had ordered a third and was already a little snarky. When she stepped away to use the bathroom, Liz went with her.
"You want to tell me why you are suddenly drinking like a fish?"
Sarah rolled her eyes and grabbed some paper towels. "Sometimes, you just need a drink to get through the night."
"Since when?"
"Since…" She gripped the sink. "I can't tell you why, just know that I have a good reason."
"You disappeared. I know you were upset and now you are drinking. If you are in trouble, then please tell me. I'll help."
"You can't help this time. This is all on mom."
Liz frowned. "Now what did she do?"
Sarah smoothed her hair done. "You'll know soon enough." With that, she left the bathroom and Elizabeth wondered if she even wanted to go back to the table.
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Epiphany pulled her door open. "Patrick?"
He brushed by her, his overnight bag in hand.
"What is that for?"
"I'm staying the night."
She shut the door and faced him. "You don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to. I figured we could watch a movie. I need to do this okay?"
She sat on the couch. "Okay, but I get to pick." She needed him there too, it was just hard for her to admit it.
"Deal, but it better not be a chick flick."
She grinned. "I was thinking comedy."
"Much better. Did you eat?"
She shook her head. "I'm really not that hungry."
"Well, I'm starving. Pizza, Chinese food, ribs—pick your poison."
"Peperoni pizza with garlic."
He pulled out his phone and ordered while she found something for them to watch.
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The Webber family finished eating and Andrea opened some presents. Steve had gotten her the perfume she liked and Jeff handed her the gift he had already bought before their fight. He had contemplated taking it back, but since he had decided he wanted to try to make it work, he decided to move forward.
Andrea gasped when she opened it. "Oh my God."
Sarah threw back the rest of her drink. "And whatever did you do to deserve that?"
Andrea ignored her. "It's beautiful. Thank you." It was a diamond necklace and earrings.
Jeff didn't reply and for the first time that night, Elizabeth could sense tension between them.
Andrea opened the card that Sarah had given her and read it. Her eyes snapped to her daughter who had a smirk on her face. It said, "I know what you did."
"What does it say?" Steve asked.
"Nothing. She gave me a gift card."
"I'm sure you'll enjoy spending it."
Sarah stood nosily, pushing her chair back.
"Sarah, let me get you home," Steven said.
"I don't need your help."
Jeff stood. "Sarah please."
She moved around the table and Andrea threw her napkin down and grabbed Sarah's arm and yanked her towards the balcony.
"What the hell is your problem?"
"I don't have one. All this fake Webbers against the world crap is just doing me in. I know you cheated on dad."
Andrea's mouth dropped open. "Oh—my—God. How?"
"Maybe you should make sure that you shut your office door. We wouldn't want your reputation sullied because you acted like a two bit whore."
Andrea smacked Sarah, snapping her head backwards. Her daughter's eyes filled with tears as she held her cheek.
"That is the last time you will ever touch me. I'm done."
Steve tried to get a hold of Sarah's arm, but she yanked it away.
"Sarah," Jeff said.
"I can't. I have to go." She rushed away.
A shocked Elizabeth, who couldn't believe that her mom had hit her sister, rushed after her. "Sarah! Wait!"
Sarah pushed the elevator button.
"Please, let me help you."
"No. I need time, Elizabeth. I just can't talk about it right now."
"Why did she hit you?"
"Ask her." She slipped into the elevator and Liz spun around and headed to the table. "Are you going to tell us what happened?"
Andrea wiped a tear away. "It's between me and Sarah."
"When it affects all of us, it's not just between you and her. You have never struck her before."
"I lost my temper." Andrea gulped at her wine.
Liz placed her mother's present on the table. "If you're not going to tell me, then I'm leaving. Enjoy the rest of your birthday."
Steven sighed. "I'll go after her."
Jeff watched his son leave and then turned towards his wife. "What the hell happened out there?"
"She knows that I cheated. I don't know if she knows with who, but she threw it in my face and called me a whore and I lost it."
Jeff closed his eyes. "Never do that again. I will pay. Enjoy your dessert."
The waitress put it on the table and Jeff pulled her aside and paid the bill while Andrea sat at the table alone, trying not to cry.
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Epiphany stood and stretched. "Alright, it's bedtime. I'll get you some sheets and a pillow."
"No."
Her head tilted. "Care to explain?"
"I'm sleeping with you."
A deep laugh erupted from her mouth as her body shook.
"I'm serious."
Her expression went from amused back to confused. "Patrick, you are not getting my goodies like you are my dying wish or something. Besides, we haven't even been on a date."
He smirked and rolled his eyes. "We can sleep in the same bed without doing it."
"Have you ever slept in the same bed with a woman before and not sealed the deal?"
He pretended to think. "Of course I have."
Her eyes narrowed, reflecting her sarcasm. "Were you drunk?"
"Now you are just being insulting. Besides, you can't handle this."
She laughed again. "You are absolutely ridiculous."
"You're the one scared to sleep with a white guy platonically."
"First off, you wouldn't be my first one and second, what would you have done if I had expected sex?"
His jaw twitched. "Um…"
"Dear Lord, please tell me you wouldn't have gone through with it."
"Why do women have to ask so many questions?" he asked before walking into her bedroom.
"That is my private domain," she said hurrying after him.
"Not anymore. Are you going to watch me change?"
She shook her head. "That would be T.M.I" Turning around, she folded her arm across her chest. "That's what a bathroom is for, but if you're going to be a pain in the ass, then hurry up."
He quickly changed. "Done. What side do you like?"
"All sides."
"Then I'll—"
"The left," she said before climbing in."
Patrick got in on the other side and then Piph turned off the light.
"If you try anything, I have a knife under my pillow," she said playfully.
He snorted. "Now who is being ridiculous?"
"Thank you Patrick." He meant so much to her. Bantering with him was the highlight of every day.
"Thank you. Did you ever in a million years think you'd go to bed with me?"
"You just couldn't leave it."
He grinned. "Love you."
"I love you too."
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Liz walked into her apartment, finding Jason still in the living room. "Hey."
He met her gaze. "You look upset."
"There was a lot of drama. You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Epiphany has her surgery tomorrow afternoon. We're going to tell the rest of the staff in the morning."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"But that's not the reason you're upset right now. Is it?"
"No. My mom and sister got into and Sarah stormed off. I'm so worried about her. She was drinking a lot and lashed out. My mom smacked her."
Jason was surprised. "Wow."
Liz plopped down on the couch. "She has never hit any of us. We got yelled at, but never hit. I just can't imagine what Sarah must have said to set her off."
"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."
"Yeah. You have an appointment with Patrick tomorrow."
Jason smiled. "I'm getting out of this cast too."
She nodded. "That means you are leaving."
"Yes. Alice will come get my things if that is alright."
"It's fine. I'm going to miss you."
"Me too."
She felt so lonely.
"Talk to me."
"I'm just being silly. I'm fine."
"I think you just lied to me."
Their gaze connected. "Maybe I'm just lying to myself."
"Elizabeth, are you really going to be okay with me leaving?"
"Yes. I understand and as long as you're okay with a million texts of me asking if you're fine, we're good."
He slightly smiled. "I'm okay with that."
"Is your appointment in the morning?"
"Yes."
"I'll go with you."
Elizabeth helped him get back into bed and then she went and took a hot bath before turning in.
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The next morning, Jason was transported to the hospital by Francis. He saw Patrick first and he took some scans.
"Well, you are doing well. The swelling went down a lot and your ribs are healing nicely.
"Can I get out of the cast?"
"Yes. One of the orthopedic doctors will cut you out of it. He'll go over your limitations."
"I can't wait."
Liz smiled. "You still have to be good."
"I know."
"Keep the chair. You still have months of healing to do. If you have to be on your feet a lot, you should sit in that instead of using the crutches."
"Okay."
"Your memory is starting to come back. I have a feeling that in the next few weeks, you'll probably remember everything."
"It's coming in spurts."
"As the swelling continues to get better, you'll remember more."
"Thanks for your help."
"I'm just glad you're doing better. I was a little scared at first."
Jason knew that Patrick admitting to being scared was probably not a normal occurrence.
"I think we all were."
A doctor entered the room and introduced himself. Patrick left and the man explained to Jason how the saw would feel. A nurse came in and Elizabeth watched as they cut the cast off.
Jason was fitted for a boot and told what he could and could not do. Monica and Alan had come into the room and just listened.
"You ready to go?" Alan asked.
"Yes. Can I have a minute alone with Elizabeth first?"
"Of course."
They left and Liz brushed a tear away.
"Don't cry."
"I can't help it. You're like my safety blanket."
He wasn't totally sure what that was, but at least got the gist of it. "You know where to find me."
"Can I have a hug?"
She looked so cute and pathetic that he had to fight a smile. "Come here."
To her surprise, he carefully lifted her onto his lap.
"You're going to hurt your ribs."
"I'm fine." She really didn't weigh a lot and it did hurt a little, but the pain was worth it. He held her tightly. "Better?"
"No."
He chuckled and she smiled through her tears. "I must have lost my touch."
"Your touch is fine. I'm just being a brat."
"You are far from a brat."
"I can pretty much say without question that you have no idea what you just said. Somewhere in this hospital, my sister just passed out and has no idea why."
He laughed. "Now you're just being silly."
"Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did." She carefully got up, making sure not to jar his leg.
Alan walked back in. "You need a push?"
"No. It's electric." He pushed a button and it moved forward.
Alan held out his hand and pulled Liz forward. "Walk with us."
"Thanks."
"You know you're welcome to come over for dinner any time."
"I might take you up on that."
They parted ways at the elevator and Liz waved right before it closed. She went to the chapel to light a candle for Epiphany before going to check on her.
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The staff took their seats and Jeff walked up to the podium.
"I know that you weren't expecting a meeting today, but Epiphany has something she needs to say."
There were a few whispers, but mainly a chorus of blank looks at Epiphany stepped forward.
"I hope you know how much you mean to me. Every day, I look forward to coming in and bossing you around."
Everyone smiled.
"That's what makes this so hard." Her eyes began to tear and everyone was stunned.
Andrew abruptly stood. "Are you leaving us? Jeff! If you let her go, I quit."
"Me too," Felix said standing.
The whole room stood and Epiphany just lost it.
Jeff embraced her as he rubbed her back and Liz rushed forward.
"Do you want me to tell them?" Liz asked.
"No. Just give me a minute."
She took a shaky breath and then grabbed the tissues that Kelly held out. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think this was going to be this hard. Thank you for defending me. You don't know how much that meant to me." Everyone sat down. "Some of you noticed that I've lost weight."
"You always look good," Leo said making her slightly smile.
"Now you tell me."
A light, nervous chuckle filtered throughout the room.
"I'm sick."
There were a few gasps. Jolene and Emily started tear up, knowing that it must be serious if Epiphany was making an announcement.
"I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor." She struggled to keep her composure as she watched her colleagues become overwhelmed with emotion.
Patrick stepped forward. "You know me. I never say never."
"Are you going to operate anyway?" Stefan asked.
"Yes. Amelia and I agree that there is a chance we can save her."
"Is it all or nothing?" Bobbie asked. She had grown quite fond of Epiphany.
"Probably. There is a big chance I won't make it."
Amelia cleared her throat. "But Patrick and I are going to do everything we can to make sure she lives to boss us around another day."
Steven moved forward. "I love you Piph. What do you need?"
"I need you all to know that I push you because I know you are all destined for greatness. I need you to hold your head up and believe that I can survive this. Prayers are always welcome. You are my family and I love you guys." She started to cry and everyone stood and rushed towards her. They embraced in a group hug and then they sat her down and one by one they told her how much she meant to them. By the time the last nurse filtered out, Piph was exhausted, but felt so loved.
"You deserved every one of those compliments," Elizabeth said before wiping her face.
"I don't want to die."
Patrick knelt in front on her. "Believe in me?"
"Yes."
"All I want you to do now, is to take your bucket list and add to it, because you aren't going anywhere—not on my watch."
She touched his face and then Patrick stood and walked out. "Go to him," she said to Elizabeth.
She raced after him as he headed to the chapel. When she got to the doorway, she watched as he sunk to his knees and begged God for Epiphany's life.
"You have to help me. I'm not even sure that I believe in you, but she does. She has dragged me to her church and that woman sung her heart out to you. It was beautiful. There is no doubt in my mind that she believes in miracles and that you have to give her one. Besides, you don't want her coming up there and yelling at you because she has more attitude then anyone I've ever met."
Liz smiled and wiped a tear away as she slowly moved forward.
"I'm not perfect, but I'm asking you to help me be that way. I can't lose her. This world would be a very dark place without her."
"Amen," Liz said as Patrick's head jerked around. "Hey."
She knelt next to him and put her arm around him. "I know this is a lot of pressure."
Patrick made a face.
"We'll love you no matter what."
"I can't fail."
"Look at me."
His eyes were full as tears as he focused in on her. "We slept together last night."
Liz look stunned and Patrick grinned as a tear rolled down his cheek.
