Chapter 42

"Huh… but you just said… and… it's…" Elizabeth stumbled on her words.

"I know, don't be angry. I think we both needed to see your reaction to it being negative before you found out it was positive. When I shook my head you looked sad… you want this." He placed his hand in her hair and stroked her head with his fingertips.

Elizabeth stood there silent. They stood in their embrace for a while, her head buried in his chest. A little while later she pulled herself out of his arms and got ready for bed. He followed her lead and climbed into the bed next to her. She immediately folded her body around his, draping her leg and arm over him.

After laying silent for a while she finally spoke. "You know, I do want a baby, and I guess when does not matter. It's just… the wedding and all."

"I know and I want you to have the exact wedding that you want. If you want to move it up, have the wedding you want and can plan it in time then I will marry you as soon as you want… or if you want to wait till after the baby is born then we can wait." He said reassuringly.

She contemplated her options for a little while and finally came to her decision. "Ok."

"Ok what?" Jason asked.

"Let's do this quick, get married as soon as possible… it has to be within a month, before I start to show. I don't want to have to wear a maternity dress."

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes, I do want to marry you and the sooner the better. If Emily can plan a wedding that quick then so can I… I will just have to have some help." She said.

"Well I don't think I am going to be much help but I am sure that Em can help you. We won't be able to have it outside like you wanted."

She lightly smiled, "Actually, I think we can. It is amazing what they can do with those outdoor heaters… and they have really pretty ones that can set quite a romantic mood. I am definitely going to look into that."

"Anything you want… anything."

"Emily leaves on her honeymoon in a few days. Maybe she can come over for a couple hours before and help me go over the basics since she will be gone for a couple weeks."

"I am sure she would love to help." He assured Elizabeth.

"But I don't want to tell anyone about the baby till after the wedding. Well, we can tell Emily, but that is it." She said and he nodded in agreement.

Elizabeth leaned in and kissed him. It was a slow, soft and passionate kiss. She was finally beginning to get excited about the idea of having another baby. She pulled back from the kiss and a smile formed on her lips. "I do want this… I really do."

He smiled at her confidence in her decision. "Me too. I love you Elizabeth."

"I love you too." She said as she leaned in to kiss him again, rolled onto her back and pulled him on top of her.

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Mac stood outside in the frigid night air and knocked loudly on the door. It had been a couple minutes and had yet to get an answer. Finally he saw Alexis through the glass on the door. She was tying the belt on her robe as she peeked though to see who was standing outside. Her face showed worry as she opened the door.

Alexis shivered the instant the cold air hit her body and moved a side so Mac could enter her home. "Mac, is everything ok? Of course it isn't… why are you here in the middle of the night, what is wrong?"

"Alexis, you may need to sit down."

"I'm fine standing Mac."

He nodded his head. Alexis had always been a strong woman but new like this was never easy to give or receive. "It's Sam, she's… dead."

Alexis gasped, stumbled back and was caught by the table. She braced herself against the table and cupped her mouth with her hand as tears trickled from her eyes. "What happened?"

"She was shot on the docks." Mac said hesitantly.

"Shot? Murdered?" Alexis asked in a whisper.

Mac looked away from Alexis for a minute to gather his thoughts. "Not exactly. Detective Rodriguez shot her… in self-defense."

"WHAT!"

"I cannot really give you all the details yet but she and Lucky were apparently involved in something that was very dangerous and now they are both dead." Mac explained.

"That's not right, there is no way… but Sam… she." Alexis could not continue her thoughts, she lost her balance against the table and fell completely to the floor. She did not ask Mac any more questions. He helped her to the couch where she sobbed.

"Can I call someone for you?" He offered.

"Nicholas." She managed to say.

He nodded, "I will call him for you."

"I am sorry for your loss Alexis." Mac said and left her sobbing.

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Twenty minutes later Mac arrived at the Quartermaine mansion. On his drive over he had called Nicholas and told him about Sam and his brother, leaving out the details, he simply told him that they were shot and there was an ongoing investigation. Mac told him that Alexis was asking for him.

Mac rang the bell located next to the large door. He had expected Luke to answer the door knowing that he was a night owl, however he did not.

"Commissioner Scorpio, what brings you over this time of the night?" Alice asked. She was wearing a robe that was zippered from her neck all the way to her ankles.

"Hi. I am sorry to bother you this late but I need to speak with Luke please."

"Mr. Luke? Is everything ok?" she asked.

Mac shook his head, "I'm sorry I cannot tell you."

She gave him an understanding nod and left Mac in the foyer to track down Luke. A few minutes later he descended the steps. He obviously had not been sleeping, he was dressed.

"Scorpio, what bad news do you have for me? Or are you here to arrest me for something?" Luke asked walking past him into the study, Mac followed.

Mac knew that Luke has been recovering from a heart attack and bypass surgery so he was afraid to say it but knew he had to. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this Luke… Lucky is dead."

"Impossible, he was just here a few hours ago." Luke stated plainly.

"Luke, I saw the body, both he and Sam are dead."

Luke looked Mac in the eyes and saw that he was telling the truth and sure of what he was saying. "How?"

"We are investigating the circumstances but it was a gunshot wound. I'm sorry Luke." Mac said sympathetically.

"Thank you Commissioner." Luke said and made his way to the exit of the room. Tracey was standing in the doorway and had apparently heard the entire conversation. Mac took the chance to leave before any more questions were asked.

"Luke, I will contact you tomorrow." Mac said walking past Luke and Tracey who were in a rare embrace.

Once Mac was gone Luke had a realization. "Oh god! Lulu!"

Tracey took Luke's hand, "I think you should wait till the morning to talk to her." Luke nodded and just stood in shock, tears trapped in his eyes. They built until he felt as though his eyes were going to pop, then they finally fell down his cheeks. He was unable to piece together how Lucky could have been at the house hours ago and shot since, how… why?