Chapter 44

"Nicholas" Emily said running up to hug him. She had seen him walking off the elevator as she was about to head down to the cafeteria to meet Elizabeth. She stood holding him for a minute before speaking. "How is Alexis and Lulu?"

"Alexis is ok, she is strong… Lulu is a wreck though. I just dropped her off to be with Luke. We are going to go see our mom in a little while."

"Good. I had Alfred make the arrangements for us to leave on the 4th instead of the 2nd for the honeymoon."

Nicholas nodded. "It looks like the funeral will be Wednesday which was the day we were supposed to leave, I'm sorry Em."

"Hey don't be sorry." She grabbed his hand. "I love you and I am here for you. Can I help you with anything?"

He shook his head, "I have to go pick Lulu back up. I just wanted to come see you for a minute before we head over to see Laura."

"Have you heard anything more on what happened last night?" Emily asked.

"Nothing yet. Mac said he would contact Luke today. I better go."

Emily could tell that he did not want to talk about it. "Nicholas, I love you. I will see you at home when you get back."

"I love you too." He said and gave her a quick peck. She watched him until the elevator doors closed then headed down to the cafeteria to meet Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth had been sitting waiting on Emily who was late for their lunch. She was eating a salad and had to settle for a bottle of water instead of her regular diet soda since she shouldn't have caffeine or the artificial sweetener. Her mind kept trailing back to the memories of her and Lucky. The good memories that exist from long ago. There were so many good times that they shared. She could not believe that he had changed so much over the past couple years. It was almost as though he was a completely different person. While she was trying not to she kept placing some of the blame on herself and kept trying to think about what she could have done differently to prevent everything from happening.

Had things not happened the way they did she would not have Jake and Jason. She hated herself for being so selfish in making light of everything but could not help it. She was brought out of her thoughts when she saw Emily paying the cashier for her sandwich. Emily strolled over to Elizabeth's table and took a seat. "How are you holding up?" Emily asked.

"I'm ok, how about you?"

"You are lying but it's ok, I understand. I am doing as expected. Deep down we both loved him no matter how much he changed over the years." Emily said somberly.

After a few minutes of silence Elizabeth spoke again. "I know the timing is really bad but I was wondering if you could help me with the wedding."

"You know I will. Why even ask, I already told you before that I would help." Emily said.

A mischievous smile appeared on Elizabeth's face, "Well we have kind of moved it up, we are not going to wait till the spring and since you planned you wedding so flawlessly in about a month I was hoping you could help me pull it off as well."

Emily was surprised by the change "Of course, we can get started right away. We are not leaving for Europe for like five days now so we can probably get most of it planned out before I leave. Can I ask why you have changed your mind?"

"Umm, the circumstances have changed a little and waiting till May or June would not be… optimal." Elizabeth cryptically explained.

"Optimal? Yea, Liz… you are not making much sense here. Is it because of everything that happened with Lucky?" she asked.

Elizabeth looked around to be sure that no one was within listening distance and turned back to Emily. "What?" Emily impatiently asked.

"It is not because of everything with Lucky. It is because I… we are pregnant… again."

Emily squealed, "Liz, that's great. I'm going to be an aunt again." Emily was grinning from ear to ear.

"Yep, I know you don't want to hear this but apparently your brother has super sperm. Kind of… last time it was a defective condom, this time I was just defective and cant take a freaking pill regularly." Emily chuckled and Elizabeth continued. "You can't tell anyone yet, not even Nicholas. I want to wait till after we get married, which is why I want it as quick as possible, before I start showing."

"Ok."

"Funny thing is, when we went to Jake's for girls night out, I was pregnant and I did all those shots. You even asked if I was. It was like a subconscious way of telling me that I was stupid and to think about it. Then Carly even asked me too, just to be a smart-ass, but she asked me. Someone was trying to get through to me." Elizabeth explained. "Then last night I was sitting in bed and it was like a light bulb, flick, and suddenly I was like… holy crap."

"Oh my, this is great. What does Jason say?"

"You know Jason, 'whatever you need or want I will do', he is great. He ran right out and bought a bag full of tests because he didn't know which one to get. He is happy, he definitely wants this baby." They both laughed. "Well I decided to move the wedding up rather push it off nine months."

"This is good, it will take our mind off things for a little while. First things first we need dresses, both of us, since I am your maid of honor and all."

"Matron of honor now." Elizabeth corrected.

"Yea, matron, so dresses. Tomorrow?" Emily asked.

"Yea I have off tomorrow and actually I have to go out and get a dress for Carly's New Years party tomorrow night and I was going to go in the morning so maybe we can do both. Are you going to the Metrocourt tomorrow night?" Elizabeth said.

"Nick mentioned it, I am on shift tomorrow night. It is my last shift before we were supposed to leave on the 2nd. Since we pushed the trip back a few days it gives us more time. I'll help you pick out a dress for the party though. Ok, next… questions." Emily pulled a piece of paper from her purse. "Big wedding or small? Where? who do you want there? and when, day or night and date?"

Elizabeth laughed and swallowed her bite of salad. "Ok, small wedding, probably my house, we will work on the guest list, probably under 25 guests. Ummm, I'd like night and the date, when do you think we can have it planned?"

"We will need at least three weeks because of dress alterations and catering, although if it is small catering will not be much of an issue no matter when. So you want it at your house, inside I assume?"

"Actually I was wondering how we could work it outside, with lots of those outdoor fireplace things and the heaters. I think that would make it so romantic."

Emily was writing everything Elizabeth said down. "That does sound good." She pulled her phone from her purse and pulled up the calendar then handed it to Elizabeth. "Now lets set a tentative date."

"Wow, if you ever wanted to change careers. You are good…ummm." Elizabeth laughed then studied the dates on the calendar. "Do you think the 19th is too soon?"

"Today is the 30th so that gives us what… 3 weeks. I think we could do it. We will be back from the honeymoon on the 15th. Run the date past Jason tonight and tomorrow we will work on the guest list and menu."

"Thank you so much Em. I don't know what I would do without you." Elizabeth said.

"No need to thank me but you are welcome. My best friend is marrying my brother and giving me another niece or nephew. I'd say that this news is the best thing I could have heard today. I truly, truly am so happy for you guys. I am so glad it is finally working out for the two of you." Emily said sincerely.

"I love you Em." Elizabeth whispered.

"I love you too… sister-in-law." Emily said with a grin.

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"Have you heard anything?" Jason asked as he entered Sonny's office and closed the door.

"Well Cruz and Mac stopped by my house this morning and asked me some questions but other then that they are being pretty hush-hush about the investigation." Sonny said. "I have our guys nosing around the police station trying to figure out what they can. I also know that Rick's house was searched this morning, he was brought in for questioning and that he has been placed on leave."

"Ok, I have a feeling that Rick is going to walk away clean again." Jason mumbled.

Sonny shook his head. "I don't think so. I think that if they don't charge him then our friends in Miami will take care of him."

"You have a point." Jason said. "I will let you know if I find anything out."

Jason stood to leave. "Is everything else ok?" Sonny asked. "With Elizabeth?"

"Actually everything is great." Jason stated simply.

Sonny nodded, "You just seem a little pre-occupied, just thought I'd check."

"Actually. We have decided to get married soon, January sometime."

"Wow, quick… why so quick?" Sonny asked.

Jason looked at Sonny unsure of how to answer. He did not want to lie to his best friend. Before Jason could speak Sonny did, "She is pregnant huh?" Sonny said displaying his dimples.

Jason nodded. "This is not why I asked her though, I asked her before we knew."

"Hey, I am not one that you have to explain yourself to, Carly on the other hand…"

Jason shook his head, "I can't worry about her right now. Keep this between us for now, I think we are going to wait to tell everyone till after the wedding… and speaking of the wedding. I was umm… Would you mind being my best man?"

The dimples again returned to Sonny's cheeks, "I would be honored."

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Just wanted to thank everyone again for the fantastic feedback. You all definitely keep me motivated!