Pouring herself a cup of coffee, Emily plops down onto her grandfather's favorite chair, confident in the fact that he's at the office and won't be walking in on her at any given moment. If he saw her in his chair, regardless of the fact that she's his favorite, it just wouldn't be pretty. He loves this chair beyond any of their comprehension. Many have been curious about it, but none dared to question him.
As she gets comfortable, she begins to wonder about her brother and the infamous Elizabeth Webber, two people in all of Port Charles that she had no clue actually knew each other. In all seriousness, a man of her brother's stature hardly mingles outside of his chosen circle, begging the question of how they'd know each other. It just didn't make any sense.
"Hey, beautiful." her boyfriend's voice pulls her out of her thoughts, causing a smile to quickly spread over her face before she flings herself into his arms. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." she whispers before his lips come crashing into hers. "I know I saw you last night, but..."
"You have no idea." he agrees, pulling away to meet her gaze. "Even if I know the answer...do you have plans tonight?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that your plans are almost always the same." he counters simply. "Either you're spending time with your family or you're with the Spencer-Cassadine duo."
"They're my friends."
"Look, I'm not trying to fight with you." he takes her hands in his to calm her down. "I just wanted to know what you're doing tonight."
"Why?" she meets his eyes with a serious gaze. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Its Francis's birthday." he explains. "Me and some of the guys are throwing him a surprise party and I'd really like it if you'd be my date."
"Oh." she chews on her lower lip for a moment. "I wish I knew."
"So you do have plans."
"Lucky has his first real gig tonight." Emily explains. "And I kind of promised him I'd be there, you know, for moral support."
"Right." he voices after a brief moment. "Anyway, I should get going. I only stopped in to see if you'd go with me."
"Johnny, wait." Emily grabs hold of his arm, stopping him from walking away. "If it were any other night, you know I'd go with you. I just...Lucky..."
"Its fine." he replies simply, placing a soft kiss upon her lips. "I'll just see you after."
"You're upset."
"I love you, beautiful." he whispers, kissing her forehead softly. "Don't forget that."
"I love you, too." she voices as he pulls open the door. "I really wish I could go with you."
"You have no idea."
Watching him walk out of the room, hearing the front door open and shut as he left the house, Emily couldn't help the tears that spring to her eyes. For months they have been working to get Lucky a real gig, but nothing every really panned out.
Now, after all the work she had put in, he's finally gotten one and its no longer as amazing as she had thought. More than anything, she wants to go with him, but she made her best friend a promise and she couldn't go back on her word. Something she had learnt from her boyfriend and her brother.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Elizabeth wonders if she's dressed properly for a surprise party, having not been to any kind of party in such a long time that she's forgotten exactly one would dress to such an occasion. Formal? Casual? Casually formal? Its just so confusing.
With a deep sigh, she drops down onto her bed, truly regretting saying yes to Jason when he asked her to go with him. Obviously, he had made a viable point, one that she agreed with, but this was just so stressing. The only person she'll know is Jason and she barely even really knows him. All the makes of a complete disaster.
Turning her gaze to the door as a knock sounds out through the house, Elizabeth feels her pulse quickening, nervous to her core. She can't do this. She just can't. The mere thought of walking into a room full of people she doesn't know, for the birthday of a man she's never even met, makes her sick to her stomach.
"Liz?" his voice sounds off when she only opens the door slightly, not even enough to show her face. "Everything okay?"
"Um, no, not really." she replies, remaining behind the door. "I've been thinking that maybe this is a bad idea. You should just go without me."
"I know it seems scary, but its not." Jason's voice taking on a soothing tone. "You're gonna have a lot of fun. I know it."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Trust me."
"I...I've got nothing to wear." she voices after a long moment. "I thought I did, but I don't."
"Its not the Nurses' Ball." he reminds her. "Anything you wear will be just fine."
"I wouldn't be so certain." she counters, taking a deep breath before pulling open the door all the way, revealing her outfit to him. "See."
"..."
"I knew it! I look ridiculous." she blurts out, moving to slam the door shut. "Just go without me."
"You don't look ridiculous." he assures her as he stops the door from shutting. "You look beautiful."
"I do?" she questions cautiously, peeking her head around the door. "Really?"
"You really do." he smiles slightly, holding out his hand to her. "I can safely say that you'll be the best dressed one at the party."
"If you say so." she concedes, taking a deep breath before linking arms with him. "I guess I'm ready."
"Tonight's about having fun." he reminds her as they get to the SUV. "Just try to keep that in mind, okay?"
"Okay."
Doing her best to keep a handle on herself, Elizabeth finds that the closer the get, the stronger her anxiety seems to become. What are the people going to be like? Will they judge her like everyone else in this entire town? Or, could it be possible, that maybe they'd accept her?
The more she thought of it, the more nervous she became, almost convincing herself to just tell Jason to turn around and take her back home. By the time she opened her mouth to voice it, he reveals that they've arrived, causing the words to vanish from her lips.
"You must be Elizabeth." a man greets her as she steps through the door with Jason. "I'm Johnny."
"Nice to meet you." she smiles softly, accepting the hug he offers. "Let me guess, you're the ladies' man."
"Guilty." he smirks before chuckling.
"He's dating my sister." Jason voices, nudging the man before guiding her further into the party. "Speaking of Emily, I thought she was coming with you."
"She had plans." Johnny states plainly before shaking it off. "Anyway, if you don't mind, I'd like the honor of introductions. Lizzie?"
"Its up to you." Jason assures her. "Johnny's good people."
"Lead the way." Elizabeth voices after a moment, sliding her arm through his. "John."
Jason had to hide the surprise on his face at the fact that Johnny didn't correct her from calling her John. Everyone has tried to pull off calling him that, but no one ever could. His friend has always hated being called that. For her to call him that without a single snap from Johnny surprises him to no end.
While the two make their way through the small gathering, introductions handed out as her laughter rings through the air, Jason becomes content that he had made the right decision in inviting her to the party. As hard as her life has been on her, he just wanted to show her that not everyone is as simple minded as the other residents of the town. That there are actually good people in the world. Regardless of their job choice, each and every one of these men are good people in their own right.
The music blaring all around her, Emily tries to focus on her best friend as he sings his heart out for the crowd, each and every one of them eating him up like an all you can eat buffet. She always knew he was talented, but she never truly understood it until now. Its amazing.
Yet, as she watches him singing his heart out to the adoring fans, all she can think about is how upset her boyfriend had been. Francis is one of the most important people in her boyfriend's life, having saved Johnny's life on more than one occasion. For her to say no, she can only imagine how hurt he had been, regardless of how understanding he felt he needed to be.
"Hey, what's with the long face?" Nikolas questions, clearly confused by her sudden change in mood. "Lucky's rocking it."
"I know and I'm so happy for him..." she sighs, truly wishing he would just leave her be, but that's not in his nature. "Its just that, tonight's an important night for Johnny and instead of being with him...I'm here."
"Go."
"I mean, I know I promised Lucky, but my boyfriend's just as important...wait..." Emily meets his eyes with confusion. "Did I hear you right? Did you just tell me to go to my boyfriend?"
"Admittedly, I detest your boyfriend and everything he stands for, but he is your boyfriend." Nikolas voices with apt seriousness. "If your instinct is to be with him, go. Trust me, this is far from the last show Lucky's going to have."
"I'll make sure of it."
"I don't doubt it." Nikolas smirks. "Go on, I'll explain it to Lucky during intermission."
"You're the best."
Hugging him tightly, she thanks him one more time before rushing out of the stadium to meet up with her boyfriend, hoping that she's not too late. Knowing that Lucky will probably throw a fit later, she finds that she doesn't really care as long as doing this will make her boyfriend happy. With him usually the one to surprise her, Emily's anxious to be the one to surprise him. Hopefully with as good an outcome as his surprises.
Nearly two hours into the party, Jason can't help but find the entire night to be one huge pleasant surprise. The men aren't usually as welcoming as they have been with her. Not even with single, willing women, and that's saying something. When it comes to parties like these, they have been known to be a really tight group, refusing to bring in anyone they don't know on a personal level.
The way that they've welcomed her and continue to go out of their way to make her as comfortable as possible leaves Jason believing that he will have to bring her around more often. If only to keep her happy and smiling, Jason will be certain to invite her to every gathering they have. Including the weekend barbecues.
"Since we're doing gifts now..." Elizabeth slides her hand into her pocket before pulling out a small box. "Its okay if you don't like it."
"Are you kidding?" Francis voices after he opens the box. "This is the perfect gift."
"It used to belong to my father." she admits, smiling softly as he takes it into his hand gingerly. "After Jason told me you broke yours...I don't know...it just seemed like a good idea."
"I can't take your father's pocket watch." Francis voices as he tries to hand it back to her. "Its too important a gift."
"Take it." she insists. "I know my father'll be glad its still of some use."
"Thank you." Francis whispers as he wraps his arms around her. "You've just made this the best birthday I've ever had."
Smiling softly, Jason watches as the two walk off to talk, leaving the rest of the gifts to wait for another time. He has to admit that he never expected this kind of reaction from the men, not in the least. Just as he's about to grab another beer, his sister comes walking through the door, becoming yet another surprise to him. Seeing as she hardly ever wants to be around his group of friends.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Johnny voices as he rushes over to his girlfriend, forcing Jason to look away before he gets sick to his stomach at them kissing.
"Surprised?" Emily counters, fitting into his arms with ease. "I should have said yes."
"God, I love you."
"I love you, too." she whispers as his lips claim hers. "I'm really glad you're not upset with me anymore."
"Hey, since you're here, I really want you to meet someone." Johnny says with excitement that leaves her curious. "Knowing you, I'm sure you're going to love her."
"Her?" Emily's curiosity peaks further. "Who her?"
"Elizabeth Webber." he says simply, gesturing to Elizabeth who's still sitting beside Francis. "She's really cool."
"El...Elizabeth Webber?" Emily could already feel her knees go a little wobbly at the sight of the woman. "Greeeaattt..."
"Come on."