A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you are liking the drama.
Chapter 33
He left and Liz put her hand on Francis's back. "You need to calm down."
"I don't think I can."
Sarah let out a sob as the damn finally burst. She had lost everything and her cries sounded like torture. Liz and Francis ran to her and tried to console her. Leo ran into the room and ended up giving her a light sedative.
"Does she have to stay here?" Liz asked.
"No. I want to monitor her for a little bit and then you can take her home."
"I don't want to go anywhere he can find me," Sarah said softly.
"You're coming back home with me," Francis said.
Liz's brow went up. "That's where you were?"
Francis nodded. "Are you mad at me?"
"No. Thank you for taking care of her."
"Did you tell mom and dad?"
"No. They aren't here. Do you want me too?"
"Can you just tell them what happened later. I don't have the strength."
"I'll take care of it."
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An hour later, Liz walked into Audrey's. Steve and her parents were there waiting.
"Elizabeth?" Jeff said, noting the tears in her eyes.
She started to cry and he jumped up and hugged her. Andrea when to her side and kissed her head and rubbed her back. "Talk to us."
"It was awful. Sarah, was texting me because she was upset and she wasn't looking where she was going."
Audrey gasped. "What happened?"
"She was almost hit by a truck. Francis pushed her away at the last second and it hit him instead."
Jeff's eyes were wide. "Is he hurt?"
"Just some scratches and bruises."
Andrea swallowed deeply. "And Sarah?"
"She hit her head on the sidewalk."
"I'll get my purse," Andrea said.
"Mom, wait! She's not there."
"Then she's okay?" Steven asked.
"Physically, yes. She has a bump on her head. I think you should sit down for the rest."
They sat and a forlorn Elizabeth stood before them, trying to figure out where she should start. "Helena had demanded that Stefan date Sarah."
"What! He was using her?" Steven asked.
"In the beginning. He says that he is in love with her and she did hear him refuse to hurt her."
"Did he know everything she did?" Jeff asked.
"No, at least that is what he said."
"Helena paid someone off to tell Sarah she was pregnant. She's not."
Andrea wiped a tear away. "She must be devastated."
"She was. Stefan showed up and she ended up getting hysterical and they had to sedate her. Francis punched him."
"I'm liking Francis more every minute," Jeff said. "Where is she?"
"She didn't want to go anywhere Stefan would think to look for her, so Francis took her to his place. Apparently, that is where she had disappeared to before."
Everyone was quite surprised.
"I think she just needs some time to process everything."
"If it was Helena, she really needs to be taken down a few pegs," Audrey said.
"Well, then we are just the people to do it," Liz said.
"She is going down," Jeff said.
"Then it's settled. Operation ruin Helena is in effect," Andrea said.
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Francis and Sarah were the walking wounded. They went inside his place and Francis grabbed two beers and sat one in front of her. "I don't know about you, but I need one."
She took a swig. "Good."
He put his feet up on the coffee table.
"Are you sure that you're alright?"
He lazily looked over at her. "Yeah."
They drank a little more and then she got comfortable. He put a pillow on his lap and she laid down.
"I'm glad that you're my friend. I don't have a lot of those."
"Thank you for trusting me."
"I wanted the baby. I never thought I'd ever say that, but the idea had grown on me."
"That's understandable. I know your pride is hurt right now, but do you want him back?"
"Hell no! I need a fresh start. I can't be a part of that family, not after what Helena did."
"Well, you can stay here as long as you want. Mi casa es su casa."
"Thank you." She took comfort in knowing she had him to lean on.
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Jeff sat across from his wife. "You okay?"
She shrugged. "I just feel like a failure, like I let them win."
He got up and sat next to her. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was embarrassed and so ashamed. I just blocked it out. When Liz got pregnant, I was devastated. It was like it was happening all over again and I didn't handle it well."
He rubbed her back. "No more secrets."
"I know."
"It has to feel good not to hide it anymore."
"It does."
"You still need to speak to your mom."
Andrea closed her eyes. "I don't know why she still has so much power over me. It was like I was seventeen again and felt completely powerless. I swear that woman is evil." She didn't want to focus on her right now, Sarah came first.
He pulled her closer. "We'll fight together. Promise me that you'll talk to Gail."
"I will." It was something she knew she needed desperately. "No more running."
Jeff kissed the side of her head. For the first time in a long time, he felt like everything was going to be okay.
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Francis tucked Sarah into bed.
She touched his arm. "Can you stay in here with me? Please?"
"Okay." He went back into the living room and turned off all the lights and then changed into some sweats. It was a little painful, but they were more comfortable than his jeans. He threw on a clean t-shirt and then laid next to her.
Sarah closed her eyes. "You are like the best friend ever."
Francis slightly smiled. "I hope I don't snore."
"If you wake me up, I might have to disown you." Her bones were tired.
He chuckled. "Just poke me in the ribs."
"I just hope you have all the cutlery hidden."
"Ouch."
She yawned.
"Sleep, Sarah."
"Goodnight Francis."
"Goodnight."
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Patrick walked into Epiphany's apartment. She could tell by the look on his face that something had gone down. She moved to the end of the couch and patted her thigh and he laid down and listened while he filled her in.
"The Webbers need a break."
"I know. I'm hoping the worst is over and Jeff can get his job back."
"That is going to be a big battle," Epiphany said as she absentmindedly stroked his hair.
"Someone has to have something on that witch."
Epiphany was not happy. "I'll start making some calls. People owe me favors."
He smirked as he turned over so he could look at her. "Do I even want to know?"
"No."
They gazed into each other's eyes until Patrick closed his. A minute later, he felt her shaking and his eyes snapped open. She was gripping her temple as her nerve ending shot pulses of sharp pains through her head. He sat up and gently touched it. "Piph, talk to me."
A tear ran down her cheek. It had been rough. She was tired all the time. Her attention span sucked and she still didn't feel like herself most of the time. She also slept a lot.
He wiped her tears away. Seeing her in pain was hard. Epiphany was such a strong woman. "Let it go."
"I can't." Her hands lowered. "It's not something I do."
"You can't control your emotions right now. If you want to cry, I'll hold you. If you want to yell, I'll listen."
She started to cry harder and Patrick held her and rocked her.
"I know it seems so hard right now, but a year from now, you'll probably be fully recovered and you won't look back. I'll be there every step of the way."
She gripped his shirt, so grateful for his presence. After several minutes, he felt her grip go lax and he pulled back and leaned her back against the cushions. It was going to be a long year and probably would take a few months before she had the stamina to go back to work part time. That was going to drive Epiphany crazy, but he wasn't willing to take any chances with her health.
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The next morning, Elizabeth got up and showered and quickly got dressed. She was on a mission and hopefully, Jason wouldn't fight her. If she had to knock his door down, she would. The silent treatment was going to end one way or another.
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Jason got out of the shower and slowly got dressed. He couldn't wait to lose the boot. Walking was scarier than it was painful. Every time he put weight on his leg, he anticipated the pain.
He used one crutch to navigate back to the bed and that is when he heard the knocking.
"Jason, it's me. I know you're in there."
His head tilted and then he moved forward.
"I won't go away. If I get arrested, it's your fault."
Smirking, he opened the door to find a perturbed Elizabeth staring at him.
"Well, you're in one piece," she said before stepping into the room.
"This isn't a good time."
"Is it ever? I'm not leaving. We have come too far to walk away from each other. Dammit Jason, talk to me."
His eyes smoldered. "You can't make me talk to you." He swore he heard a growl come from her succulent mouth.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You really don't want to see me pissed off. I won't let you push me away."
"Or what?"
Her eyes narrowed and then widen with surprised as she found herself pushed against the door.
He watched her breath quicken as he fixed her with his stare. "Did you finally decide that you want me Elizabeth?"
She was scared to answer.
"What? Did you lose your nerve? Maybe I could make you talk."
She swallowed languidly. He looked so hot. "Yes."
"Yes, what?"
"I—I like you, more than friends."
His face was dangerously close. "And?"
"Isn't that enough?" she asked after pushing out a frustrated breath.
"No."
"No?"
He shook his head. "I'm done waiting." With that, his lips claimed hers with a punishing kiss. At first, she was stunned and then she gave in and threw her arms around his neck as his body pressed against hers. His crutch dropped and she moaned as his tongue slid into her mouth and his hands swept down her torso. He ravished her mouth as Elizabeth passionately kissed him back. Winded, they finally pulled apart as their eyes locked in battle. After a minute, she bent down and picked up the crutch and slipped it under his arm.
"You should sit down."
He made his way back to the bed and she stood in front of him.
"Now what?"
His hands slid up the sides of her legs. "I would like another kiss."
She slightly smiled. "Okay."
He pulled her into him and Liz placed her hands on his cheeks and nipped at his lips before sliding home. Jason let her control it as he pulled her onto his lap. After a few minutes, he pulled back and then hugged her against him. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"I was rough before."
"That was fine with me." She was starting to get use to his personality changes. He was a little quieter than before and definitely more intense.
"You deserve better."
She kissed his cheek. "I'm not sorry about anything that just happened."
"I just imagined it differently."
"I'm not a fragile doll, Jason. I just want you to be you."
He sighed. Right now, he wasn't sure who he was.
"You're frustrated. I get it. Let me help you."
"I don't know how you can."
"I can be there for you and listen. Please don't shut me out."
"Okay."
She looked lovingly into his eyes. "You're a very good kisser."
"So are you."
"Am I hurting you?" She didn't want to put any extra weight on his leg.
"No."
She leaned her forehead against his. "I'm sorry I took so long to buy a clue."
"I would have waited you out."
"Are you sure you want to deal with all my drama?"
His brow rose. "Do you think I could really judge you?"
She slightly smiled. "I guess you do have enough of your own."
"That's an understatement. Tracy gave me a letter that is supposedly from my mom."
"Did you read it?"
"No. I'm scared."
"I want to be there when you are ready. Will you let me?"
There was no way he could look into her eyes and say no. "I'll try."
They hugged for a little while longer and then Liz got up. Her phone was buzzing in her pocket. "Hello?"
"Hey, can you stop by?" Patrick asked.
"Yes. Is she alright?"
"Not really."
"I'll be right there." Liz turned back towards Jason. "I'm sorry. Epiphany needs me."
"It's okay."
"Can I stop by and maybe we can have lunch together?"
He nodded.
"I'll text you and get your order."
He held up his hand and she took it and then they kissed.
"I don't think that I'll ever get tired of doing that," she whispered against his lips.
"I hope not. I think it's my new favorite thing."
She pressed her lips against his one more time. "I won't be long."
"Wait." He grabbed something off his dresser. "Take my extra key so I don't have to get up."
"Okay."
Once she left, he took out the letter and stared at it before finally prying it open.
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Liz softly knocked on the door. Patrick opened it and they hugged.
"How is she?"
"I think she's a little depressed."
Liz frowned. That was a word that she wouldn't normally associate with her friend.
"She's in the bedroom."
"Okay." Liz made her way to the doorway. Piph had her eyes closed, so she walked around the bed and crawled towards her.
"Don't think I'm giving it up just because I'm in a weakened state."
Liz grinned. "Damn!"
Piph's eyes snapped open. "What are you doing here?"
"Patrick thought you needed some girl time."
Piph sighed heavily.
"Talk to me."
"I'm tired. I know I should be grateful, but I really want to go back to work. The sad part is that I know I'm not ready. I get distracted easily and keep losing my train of thought. My head aches and I have no stamina."
Liz squeezed her hand.
"I'm physically doing better than I was after I got out of the hospital, but I guess you can never plan for how fast you'll progress."
Patrick walked into the room. "I have a shift. I'll cancel if you need me too."
"No. You need to work. I'll be fine."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Text me if you need anything."
"I will."
He left and Liz cleared her throat. "I didn't really think about how weird it must be for you to feel like you're not like yourself. It's going to take time."
"I don't like being a burden."
"Patrick loves taking care of you."
"For now, but that's going to get old."
"You underestimate him."
"I'm broken and…."
"What are you really afraid of? Are you worried that he'll move on?"
Epiphany wiped her face. "Yes. I'm depending on him too much."
"I think you two need to have a talk and clear the air. You need to hear the words."
"Suppose it's not the words that I want to hear?"
"Well, that would suck."
Piph smirked.
"Would you rather just play it by ear? I'm sure things will naturally progress that way too. It's really up to you. If you need some peace of mind and want him to express how he truly feels, then broach the subject."
"I'll think about it."
