Okay, I know this chapter is short, but I think you will understand when the next chapter is posted, (within the next day or so)… Anyway, I hope you enjoy this small update, sorry it took a little longer, but life….. Enjoy and check back soon… Thank you again for any and all kind words, you guys are my sounding board and my muse luv's Ya!!!

Chapter Thirty-One

It took Sonny a long time to leave, but when he finally did, Elizabeth felt slightly more confident about their plan. Yes, there was probably a better way to deal with Lucky, for one, they could trust Sonny's men to find him. But that could take forever, and while she had faith in Sonny and his men, she couldn't put off her life, not when this plan held the possibility of victory. Of course, there was also the chance that Lucky was already dead, perhaps he had tried to pickup the wrong person and got himself shot, but that was fanciful thinking, one she could hope for, but knew better than to believe in. If Lucky was going to be handle, their best shots was to follow through with the plan they already set in motion.

It always came back to that, her thoughts rarely strayed from the plan, of course her thoughts also drifted to the great consequences that this plan held, but when those thoughts pushed forth, she turned her thoughts to her unborn child and the life that she and Jason were trying to make for him or her.

The bed she and Jason had picked out had yet to be used, it was bought for the intentions of her having her own room, but she had become so acclimated in sleeping in Jason's bed, that the thought of sleeping in a different room, without him watching her, had just been too much. So they left the furnished room for guests, although, that was rather silly, no one stayed the night at their home.

Now however, she was trying to plan a nursery. There were so many ideas that she wanted to use, but every time she settled on one set of ideas, new ones blossomed and she was once again left wondering what to do.

Sonny had business that needed taking care of, so Jason sadly left Elizabeth alone to do the shopping for the baby. Even though she was barely a month along, she wanted a start on the nursery, it was like affirming the child's continued existence, that fate would not see fit to bring more pain upon her. Fate couldn't possibly smite her for the twentieth time, so there was no chance that this baby would not be welcomed in a little less than eight months.

With Jason's credit card secured in her purse, Elizabeth went from one shop to another. The crib she choose was antique looking, it was a dark cherry wood, with ornate decorations, it honestly looked like something that had been had crafted about eighty years ago, perhaps it was the ancient look of it that appealed to her so much, what ever the reason, she was smitten with it from the get go. She also found a matching bassinet, with satin coverings and a goose down mattress, the bassinet would be located in their bedroom once the baby arrived, and then when Elizabeth was sure, the baby would then be moved into the nursery.

She found a stroller and a carseat as well as a beautiful cherry wood changing table, it wasn't nowhere near as antique-like as the crib and bassinet but it would work wonderfully with the rest of the furniture thus far. Luckily she got to that shop when she did, because just as she was about to leave, a young man who worked their came racing up to her, explaining that a dresser and wardrobe of the set was still in the warehouse, so if she wanted the matching set, he could arrange to have all three pieces delivered. She couldn't pass it up, so feeling slightly guilty, she bought those too. But she knew Jason wouldn't mind, he would want his child to have the best and that was what she was buying, guilty conscious or not.

Exhausted already, but hardly denting what they were going to need, Elizabeth made one last stop. She didn't know if she was going to need blue or pink blankets or whatnot, but figured, she wouldn't tempt fate and bought both colors, along with an array of yellows, greens and whites. She also found so adorable teddy bears that she couldn't pass up, so she added those to her purchase as well. Along with, a breast pump, bottles, nipples, soothers, baby shampoo, lotions and anything else she could think about.

As she waited for the cashier to tally up her totals, Elizabeth didn't notice the form that stood behind her. So shocked was she by this person's appearance, she almost screamed, but found an inner strength and bit her scream off before it could even begin.

"Well, well… What is this?" Audrey asked, scrutinizing her granddaughter with a mere withering glance.

"Shopping, what does it look like?" Elizabeth replied, fighting her emotions. Audrey had hurt her on more than one occasion, she would not give the vindictive woman the pleasure of seeing it again.

"Why in the world are you shopping for baby clothes, don't tell me that abomination has knocked you up!" Audrey said, her vehemence dripping from every word.

"Jason and I are having a child, which would be your grandchild, but I see your bitterness and stupidity still has hold and you will not see this child as a blessing, but a curse. Let's get one thing straight, whether you are a part of this child's life is up to you, honestly, I would prefer that my child was far from your hatred and your shallowness, but you are going to do what you always do. I refuse to fight with you, I love Jason and your ignorance shines bright when you use vicious words to describe him. If you liked Lucky so much or still like Lucky so much, why don't you date him, maybe he can knock some sense into you, God knows you need it." Elizabeth said, taking her purchases and leaving her grandmother and the cashier in stupefied silence.

Unsure where the courage came to speak so boldly to Audrey, Elizabeth took a sad satisfaction that she had finally had the last word, perhaps it wouldn't remain the last word, but for now, it was enough, it was another weight that was cast aside, freeing her a little more.

By the time she reached the car though, she was in tears. News of this magnitude should have been welcomed with tears of joy, not the harsh words that Audrey saw fit to spew at her. She couldn't understand why so many people saw her as weak or pitiful or an easy target. With Jason by her side, she knew that she was no longer going to be that young woman, his love was already giving her so much and the strength to see the goodness within was something that she could never express her thanks for, but knew, she would spend the rest of her life trying to do just that.

It took ten minutes for her tears to taper off, but as she cried for all the love she had so desperately wanted from her family members, her tears cleansed her heart and soul, allowing he the insight, that it was not her they could not love, it was the fact that they couldn't love at all. Bitterness and anger and hostility had taken control of their lives so early on, and her love and passion for beauty and art could not be understood by those who couldn't fathom a love that didn't need to be reciprocated.

She no longer hated those in her family, it was pity she had for them. But in the long run, it was their loss, not hers. She was going to be an amazing wife and mother, if they didn't want to know her, then she could live with that, she had better things to focus her attention on. Like Jason…

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