AN:
Sorry this last chapter took so long. My original story has kind of take over. I hope this end is as good as you expected.
~Kelly~
PS
I hope to update Still the One this week.
Epilogue
two years later...
"Dad!" Molly's voice filtered from upstairs followed by footsteps. It didn't take long for her and Cam to enter the living room. When he and Elizabeth got married Ric made sure to buy a house that could comfortably fit all of them. "Make him stop bugging me," the teenager complained. Ric knew she enjoyed having younger siblings most of the time. When her boyfriend came over to study it was a different story.
"I'm sorry you know the rules. When TJ is over the door stays open and Cam is your chaperone. Unless you'd rather study at your mother's?" he asked looking up from the contracts he'd been working on.
"I'd rather have some privacy."
"I'm sure you would but since that isn't going to happen go finish your homework."
"I can't wait until I start collage next year," she grumbled going back up the stairs.
When she had disappeared Ric turned to Cam. "Try and take it easy on your sister okay? She's nervous about her exams."
"Alright. I'll try but I like annoying Molly," he said honestly. Getting an older sister had been weird at first but he mostly liked it. Especially since he got Ric as a daddy out of the deal. "Where's mom?"
"On the phone with Grandma Laura." Ric said motioning towards the kitchen. Elizabeth had went in there shortly after the phone call began. Curiosity was starting to get to him. "Why don't you go play with Aiden while I check on mom?" he suggested just as the doorbell rang. "Or not."
Opening the door I was surprised to see Alexis standing there. "Is Elizabeth home?" she immediately asked pushing her way inside.
"You know it's very weird that the two of you are friends."
Alexis huffed and rolled her eyes at the statement. While it might not be typical it was best for everyone involved especially the kids. "I can't help if we bonded getting you out of jail. You have no one to blame but yourself. Besides would you rather we fight?"
"Not really. I withdrawal the complaint." Ric countered good naturedly. For all his complain he didn't mind his current wife being friends with his ex. "Elizabeth is on the phone with Laura."
"Then you've heard the news?" When Ric shook his head at the question she glared back at him. "Are you sure?"
"Alexis I have no idea why Laura called. Maybe you'd like to enlighten me?"
"Nikolas is dead. Apparently he choked to death." she stated flatly. "You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"Are you accusing me of something?"
"Should I be?" she asked knowingly. When Ric didn't reply right away she let out a long sigh. "I knew I shouldn't have told you about Nikolas' involvement."
"Then why did you, Alexis? You had to have know I'd want him to suffer. Which, for the record, he was. Every time Elizabeth called him it made him miserable. Nikolas hated that she was happy with me. Why would I want to have him killed?" Ric pointed out sensibly. Knowing Nikolas suffered during Elizabeth's calls was the only reason he continued to encourage their friendship. Of course that really wasn't enough suffering as far as Ric was concerned. Which is why he arranged the younger man's death. Not that he would ever admit that fact to anyone.
"I"m sorry I accused you."
"Thank you. How is Brit and Spencer doing?" he asked trying to sound like he cared. It amused him that Nikolas ended up with some like that. Brit hadn't changed one bit despite the change of address. It would be sweet when she was arrested
for Nikolas' murder.
"Spencer is going to live with Laura for now. Brit... well to be honest I don't care and neither do you."
"True. I have enough to worry about without..." Ric trailed off as Elizabeth entered the room. It was obvious Laura's phone call had upset her. "Sweetheart are you okay?"
"Nikolas is dead. That's why Laura called. She didn't want me hearing about it on the news." she said wringing her hands. While she and Nikolas hadn't been close in years she still cared about him. She especially cared about Spencer. Even if he wasn't the sweet boy she remembered.
"Come here," he said opening his arms out for her. Immediately she launched herself into his embrace. "I'm sorry about your friend."
"Thanks." she muttered hiding her face in his chest. Elizabeth love how safe she felt in his arms. Almost immediately she felt a sharp kick from her daughter. She hadn't planned on getting pregnant again but was thrilled now that she was. There was something about having a daughter with Ric that felt right. "At least Spencer will be taken care of. Maybe Laura can straighten him out."
"I'm sure it'll be fine." he soothed holding her close. Ric hated that his wife was hurting. Especially since he was the one who caused her pain. Still he refused to feel any guilt. Nikolas Cassadine tried to ruin his life. As long as the younger man was alive he was a threat to Elizabeth and their children. Protecting them trumped everything else. "I love you."
"I love you too."
The soft reply made Ric smile. He had everything he'd ever wanted. More really. Being set up by Nikolas was one of the best things that'd ever happened to him. He got a wife and four amazing children out of the deal. He even learned to coexist with his brother. Everything was exactly how is should be.