Month Six:

Month Six:

Liza pulls her shirt tight over her stomach looking at the bulge of her pregnancy. How am I going to keep Adam from seeing this? She thinks looking in the mirror. There is a knock on the door. She opens it to a bellboy. "Ms. Elizabeth, a messenger delivered this for you." He hands her a dozen red roses and a card. She tips him and lays the roses on the encounter before opening the card.

"The roses are to apologize in advance for being late tonight. I will see you tomorrow and will try not to wake you when I arrive." She smiles after reading it. "Good that gives me a little time to think of an explanation for the premature pregnancy bulge. Colby didn't show this early." Liza goes about the evening, dinner and a movie, a warm shower and comfy sleep clothes but she doesn't sleep worrying about his reaction.

Adam slowly closes the door behind him. He looks around the moonlit living room, his stomach growls. Carefully, he places his bag next to the couch, and then heads to the kitchen, checking on Liza as he goes. He moves with as much silence as he can while making a sandwich. "Love the roses." She says wrapping her arms around his waist. Adam jumps and drops his sandwich on to the plate.

"Liza! You scared me. Did I wake you?" He asks turning around. She kisses him.

"No. I was awake." She stiffens when he places his hands on her hips. "Please finish eating." She steps away and into the living room. He watches her walk away. He finishes his sandwich keeping an eye on her. She seems a little sad or distracted. Liza walks to the balcony doors, looking out over the city. She hears Adam put his plate in the sink and she steps outside in the cool air. As she walks to the wall, she begins to rub her arms to stay warm. Adam removes his jacket as he walks up to her and lays it across her shoulders. He pulls her into his arms.

"Better? It's cold out here."

"Yes, its better." Liza leans back against him. "Adam…" She can't finish. Adam kisses her cheek and relaxes his arms around her. She is lost in thought not realizing his hands begin caressing her hips then over her stomach. It takes him a minute before realizing that the feel of her body has changed and his hands still over her lower abdomen. He notices her breathing increase and can feel her heart beating faster. She turns in his arms and shyly looks up at him.

"You're pregnant." He states but doesn't know if he wants to know he's right. Maybe she is seeing someone else also. She nods. She watches his mind work.

"It is yours, if that is what you are wondering." He smiles.

"No actually, be careful was the phrase repeating in my head. Be careful not to say something judgmental. Be careful not to say something possessive. Be careful…" She pulls him into a kiss.

"Honest reaction is all I want." He smiles and picks her up twirling her around a couple of times before placing her back on her feet.

"I am very happy." She sighs. Maybe this will get her to come home. "How long have you known?"

"I suspected a few weeks after we conceived and last month I knew for sure. I debated all week to tell you then but I couldn't."
"Why not?" He takes her hands.

"Adam please! Us as parents is a disaster. We are good together, always good together, but adding a child has always caused some sort of problem or situation. Basically, I was scared. Am scared. I just…" He pulls her to him.

"Don't be scared. I am going to do my best to keep us from becoming a tragic parenting story. Why did you say it was mine? Why not tell me it was someone else's?" She smiles.

"I did consider it. I won't lie to you. And a few people offered to back me." She smiles thinking of the friends she is speaking of.

"What friends?" Adam asks partly jealous and partly kidding. Liza snaps back to herself. "I thought we weren't telling anyone."
"They don't know who but they do know about my condition. And they are just friends." He watches her for a minute. "There is no one but you, Adam Chandler." She pulls him close. "No one."

"Ok." He can't help but gently touch her abdomen. "Let's get some sleep and we will talk more tomorrow." She nods. He's changed, she thinks as they walk inside. But I guess we'll see what he's like tomorrow.

Adam watches her sleep. She's pregnant and she is right about us as parents together. I can change it. If I do this right. I can have her and our children. I can have a happy life. I know this is why everything has gone downhill. Losing Krystal to Tad, the TIA I had that left me almost helpless with time to think over and pity myself. Now I'm going to be a father, again. A father to Liza's child, again. But this time, we both know it is mine and I haven't lied to her, yet. No, I won't. I need to trust that she will be honest with me. What was it that she said to me, 'Once we were really together, I would have never lied to you.' That's what she said after Transglobal. Will she give me that same devotion now? Can I give up control over the mother of my child? If I don't she will disappear. And this child won't wonder about me because she won't tell her or him. I have to keep Liza happy and with me. I have to go slow and straight ahead. After making the decision, he slips under the covers falling asleep watching her breathe.

Liza watches him sleep. This man she loved, hated, loved, and hated. She moves around the bed quietly as she hangs up his jacket in the closet. Standing at the end of the bed, she studies him. What do I want from this relationship? Why do I continue to come back? Now I can't disappear. He will search and if he tells Colby, she will know where I've gone. No, this time I can't run. I've run and hid too long. It's time to do what's best for me and our child. Adam will be furious later when he finds out but nothing he can do now. She heads to the bathroom to set out his toiletries.

Adam wakes to the smell of coffee and looks to the clock. She has set out his things and hung up his clothes. How does she do it? I remember when I use to be up for hours before her. When did the roles switch? He goes about his morning but doesn't hear her. When he walks out of the bedroom, she is nowhere to be found. Adam begins to panic. The coffee is brewed but she is gone. He checks the balcony, the second bedroom. He starts to check for her things when the door opens. "Where have you been?" He shouts as she walks in.

"Excuse me?" He notices that familiar fire of anger rising in her eyes and realizes he just went against everything he thought last night.

"Sorry. I'm sorry. I was worried." She softens.

"I left a note lying on my pillow saying that I was going to the gym downstairs." She points to the workout clothes that she has on and he notices that she is sweaty.

"I didn't see it." She smiles at his embarrassment. Then walks over to kiss him on the cheek. "Should you be exercising? I mean the baby, is that ok?"
"Yes, I keep it light but healthy body, healthy baby." He stares into her eyes. "I'm going to clean up."

"Need help?" She turns back to him.

"No." She bites her lower lip and he can't help but pull her close for a kiss. Liza pushes him back. "Not this time."

"I'll fix breakfast." He yells after her.

Liza walks out to the smell of a really cheesy omelet. Adam is setting the plates on the table. "Come on, breakfast is ready." He pulls out her chair. "Unless the morning sickness…"
"No." She sits down and waits for him to sit across from her.

"So, how are you feeling? Is the baby…have you been to the doctor? Is everything alright?" She sets her fork down.

"Hold on." Liza goes into the nightstand then comes back out. She hands him the sonogram pictures. "Yes, I've been to the doctor. Everything is fine and healthy. I actually haven't had a lot of morning sickness this time. And one of my best friends is my doctor, so I won't be able to get away with anything bad. No coffee, alcohol, etc." He is still staring at the pictures. "Adam?" He looks up.

"I'm sorry. Liza, I can't promise that I've changed. I can only promise that I want to try for you and our children. Tell me what you need from me and what you don't, I will do it." She nods. They eat while thinking over the situation. Liza sits back and watches him eat.

"What I need form you…" He puts his fork down. "Is this. I need you to be honest and selfless. I don't intend to make the same mistake twice." She pauses gathering her thoughts. "I will find a doctor here for the duration of the pregnancy so you won't miss any appointments." He smiles. "My friend will be mad but understanding. I will want to keep us meeting only once a month."

"Liza, come home. Let me take care of you there with Colby and your mother…"
"No Adam, I can't. I can't come back to Pine Valley. Not yet, if ever. We have months to really work this out. Can you take this slow?"
"Ok, but when the baby is born we will re-negotiate. I'm not sure I will be able to stay away for weeks from you two." He reaches across the table and takes her hand.

"We will discuss it again when he or she is born."

He watches her pace a small corner of the room while talking on her cell phone. Adam looks down at the paper when she hangs up. "Everything alright?" He asks when she walks back over.

"Yes, just a little contract glitch." She closes his paper and sits on his lap.

"Someone trying to cheat you?" She kisses him.

"No, there was something I wanted in and it was left out. It will get fixed." He brushes her hair back then traces her cheek before kissing her again.

"So momma," She smiles. "How exactly are you supporting yourself these days? What kind of contracts?"

"I am involved in several areas, mergers, media, and print. That is all I'm going to tell you."
"Ok. Listen, I want to take you out today." She tries to get up from his lap but he holds on tighter. "Shopping. You love shopping. We never leave the room. Let's take a walk in the park."

"Adam, if someone sees us…"

"They'll never believe it." He laughs. "Please." He pouts, while she rolls her eyes. "I'll get you an ice cream or a teddy bear."

"Fine!" She groans. "I want chocolate." He kisses her cheek before letting her up.

"I don't remember seeing you eat like this, ever." He says laughing as she has another bite of ice cream. He shifts the shopping bag from one hand to the other. "You had a hot dog from the vendor. The nachos after that and now a double dip of Double Dutch Chocolate ice cream." She licks her lips.

"Adam, I'm pregnant. And it smelled wonderful. This was your idea." He takes her hand.

"Yes, I even bought you that bear." She smiles glancing at the bag.

"I'm pretty sure that will end up the baby's bear." Adam leads her to a bench, where they sit until she finishes. "You bought a yellow and white bear, so what are you hoping for. A boy or a girl?"
"That is a dangerous question."

"No, honestly. What do you want?"
"What do you want?"
"A…boy. But another beautiful girl would be fine."
"I wouldn't mind a little boy." She nods knowing that is what he wanted.

"But what would you name another son? Adam is taken, twice." He scoffs.

"I don't know. But I will think it over."
"I like Banan." He turns to her unbelieving. "Or Lucan." He is still unconvinced. "Sebastian, Roarke, Maddox."
"Like Angelina Jolie?"
"Royce."
"Ok, stop please." She laughs at him. They bask in the warmth of the sun for a while.

"For a girl, I like Charlotte." She looks to him. He is touched.

"Liza, it would honor me if we named her that."
"Good. I know you have wanted to name a child after your sister. If we have another girl, I will happily name her Charlotte." He slides closer to kiss her. They spend the rest of the afternoon in the park.

Liza drops her bag in the foyer and runs to the ringing phone. "Hello."
"Liza?"
"Stuart, how are you?"
"I'm good. Are you doing alright?"
"Yes."
"How is my mother?" Liza sits down on the couch.

"She is sad. She misses you. She is really sorry for cutting you off from us."
"Well, her anyway. Stuart, I know you hate lying to my mother. And I want you to know how much I appreciate you calling me. And that you have never told her."
"I wish you would come home. Someday Marian might find out that we've been talking. And if she knows that I have always known how to contact you since you left…"
"I will not tell. I want you two to be happy. How is Colby?"
"She was a little nervous today. She and JR have some information to give to Adam when he gets back from his trip. JR was livid about it."
"Well, he is Adam's son. It's nothing that will hurt Colby, is it?"
"No. They found out who bought Chandler Enterprises." Liza pauses.

"Oh. Well, I will let you go. I just got back from a trip myself."
"Ok, it is good to…"
"Stuart, darling!" Marian calls out. Liza tries not to feel emotional.

"Marian, I'm in here. Liza, I will call you soon."
"Thank you, Stuart. It is always wonderful to hear from you."
"Bye."
"Bye." She puts the phone down. "I'm in trouble."

"LIZA!" Adam fumes. "Liza bought Chandler Enterprises. Are you sure?" Colby nods.

"The man you identified as the negotiator." JR starts.

"The one that works for Three Brothers, Inc?
"Yes…"
"It is a company Mom created under her umbrella of ELC Enterprises." Colby adds. "Three Brothers runs her financial businesses." Adam paces. All this time I've been with her and she bought it from Zach under my nose. "Dad, what are you going to do?" He turns on her.

"All of a sudden, you're on her side."
"No Dad, I just want…I don't want to…I want out of this." She runs upstairs.

"Liza can't get away with this, Dad. She can't just take your life's work. She is just doing this because Colby came home to us." Adam pours a glass of scotch and sits down.

"I said that I would take care of this myself. Leave Liza to me." He feels wilted. How could this have happened? How did she do it? Have I really lost my edge? Zach got Chandler Enterprises away from me, then to lose it to Liza. Maybe I am getting to old for this. JR watches him confused with his lack of action. Adam looks up to him. "Leave the information in my office, I will go over it." JR takes the file to his office and leaves the house. Adam sits, nursing his scotch, for about an hour before Colby comes back down. "Sorry. I didn't mean to put you in the middle. Things have been happening and I've been doing a lot of thinking. This just him me quickly."

"I understand, Dad. Don't take this the wrong way but when I came to town… I told you lies about Mom…"
"I know, you've told me this."
"Yes, but I told you those lies hoping you would focus on me and leave Mom be. She has a great life going where we were living and I was afraid you would mess it up for her. I knew I was hurting here and I didn't…"
"Want me to ruin it for her." He finishes. She nods. "It is ok. I know my faults and my history with your mother."
"She built ELC from scratch and has kept it a private company. There is a select few investors that she allowed in."
"So she is successful and happy." She nods again. "Good for her. I promise I won't put you in the middle."