Sorry about the delay. Moving into my apartment and getting back to school really took up a lot of my time. Anyway, thank you all for your replies and enjoy!

Chapter Four

Her hand clenched around the fork she held in her hand as his mouth teased her throat. She was grateful they were sitting in the back of the restaurant in a dark corner so none of the other lunch customers could see them. At one time she didn't care about the public display; she would be too caught up in kissing him back to care. But there was something about becoming a…mother—she tried to use the term as loosely as possible—that changed that.

She was responsible for someone else now and had to have a respectful appearance.

Somehow, acting like a couple of fifteen year olds making out in the back booth didn't seem too respectful to Elizabeth.

"Pat…" clearing her throat as he nibbled her throat, she tried again. "Patrick, I need to talk to you."

"Talking is overrated." He muttered against her neck, running his lips up to her chin.

She grabbed his hand that was rubbing her stomach and placed it on the table top with a thud, holding it tight when he tried to move it back. Despite her trying to make him stop, she tilted her head to the side, giving him more access to her throat. The man really was wonderful with his mouth.

Coming to her senses, she pulled away, turning her head to face him and finally get it over with only to have his lips cover hers. She gave herself a little time with the kiss, telling herself that it couldn't hurt to stall a little longer, then pulled back. "I really—"

His mouth covered her words.

She pulled back again, placed her hand on his chest to push him away. "I really need to tell you something."

Sighing, Patrick sat back. "You know, when a man is trying to kiss a beautiful woman, it's terribly rude to interrupt him."

Elizabeth smiled at his pitying look then straightened her clothes. When she was in order she began to play with her silverware, took a sip of her water. She couldn't seem to come right out and say that William was living with her now. She knew this was going to be hard, but, damn, she didn't think it was going to be impossible.

Patrick was a man who was set in his ways. A very successful surgeon, ladies man extraordinaire, he had a comfortable life and made it clear that he didn't like changes. Though they weren't an official "couple" Elizabeth knew that he wasn't seeing anyone else, and neither was she. They could, but they just…didn't. Any title scared the both of them to death, though. Neither liked the word commitment.

She liked what she had with Patrick; a very attractive and successful man whom she had a fun time with and great sex with. They had a good thing going and something as small as William could turn Patrick away.

Elizabeth frowned at the thought. For some reason she didn't like that the idea of Patrick being that shallow over someone she loved so much. It must be the tiny motherly side coming out of her, she thought. Having to take care of someone so small changed one's priorities a bit.

She wondered how he was doing in class.

"Elizabeth?"

Patrick's voice broke her out of her concentration. "Hmm?"

He smiled. "If you're done glaring at your water, I'd like to get back to making your toes curl."

Oh yeah, she added, Patrick was also very arrogant.

"Some… things have changed in my life since I last saw you." She started, trying to tread lightly at first.

"Like…?"

"I'm a mother," So much for treading lightly.

"What?" He demanded. "We've been careful, there's no way!"

"Patrick, calm down."

"Calm down? You want me to calm down after you dump that on my plate. How—"

"Shut up and listen." She snapped. Man, she never thought she would see such an arrogant, carefree man panic so much. It made her smile because he lost his cool but it also irritated her because he was reacting the way he was. "I said it wrong. You know what happened to my sister."

"Yes." He placed his hand over hers, his eyes turning from panicked to concern. "I'm still sorry I couldn't be there for you during the funeral.

Not wanting to talk about the awful day, Elizabeth just nodded. "I met with her lawyer the other day. It turns out that… that she changed her Will and left custody of her son to me."

He stared blankly at her.

"I've told you about William." At least she thought she did. "He's my nephew and since both of his parents died, I'm now his guardian."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Believe me," she sighed. "I would not joke about this."

Patrick looked away, took a long drink from his water. He was still looking away from her when he finally spoke minutes later. "So you're saddled with a kid now."

Her tone was short, angry that he would phrase her situation with William that way. "I'm not saddled with him, I'm his family and since Sarah was my sister, it's my responsibility to take care of her son since she can't."

"Don't you have any other sisters?"

"You know that Sarah was my only sister."

"For God's sake, Elizabeth, I'm just trying to digest this. You don't have to snap at me. Didn't her husband have any relatives?"

"You know what; I knew you wouldn't take this the right way." She began to slide out of the booth when he grabbed her arm to stop her.

"I'm just trying to figure this all out. You're the one who told me how you and your sister didn't get along. I'm trying to understand why she would leave her kid to you. You're a young business woman who likes to party and isn't ready for a child."

"Yeah, well, things happen that are beyond anyone's control and I'm just trying to get through this. I had some hope that I could talk to you, but I guess—"

"You can talk to me." He interrupted. "I'm just… shocked." He tugged her closer to him, gave her his killer smile. "I guess that means no more spontaneous sex then, huh?"

Despite her earlier anger she smiled. "Yeah. I got another apartment that's closer to my Gallery and William's school. We should be moving in this weekend."

He used her thumb to nudge her chin up for his lowering lips. "This way you'll be closer to me as well. Things don't have to change too much; you'll just have to hire a babysitter for the kid when we go out." He signaled the waitress for their check, missing Elizabeth's confused look.

William, she thought, the kids name was William.

But, some how, she felt that Patrick would never say his name.

Maybe… maybe everything would change.

Jason spent most of his day thinking about a leggy brunette with the most incredible…

Feeling like he was being watched, Jason looked up from his desk to see Sonny standing in the open doorway of his office.

Damn, he thought, he didn't even hear the door open. He had to stop thinking about her.

"What's wrong with you?" Sonny asked as he strolled in and sat down in one of the chairs Jason had told Sonny he didn't need when they were first brought in months ago.

"Nothing."

Tilting his head to the side, Sonny placed his ankle on his bent knee, leaned back as he studied Jason.

"No… you've got something on your mind."

"It's been too quiet." Jason answered after scrubbing his hands over his face.

Sonny didn't think that was the reason he walked in to see Jason brooding over the same piece of paper for five minutes, but he let it slide. For now. "Nothing's been going on."

"It just doesn't feel right." Jason answered, his eyes narrowed. "When it's quiet like this, when no one makes a move against us… that usually means their planning something big. I think Alcazar has something going on. He's never been this quiet before."

Trusting Jason's instincts, Sonny nodded his head. It was unusual when their enemy was this quiet. "Find out what you can." When Jason nodded, Sonny moved on. "How was Anna when you dropped her off this morning?"

Smiling over the mention of his daughter, Jason's shoulders relaxed. "She was really excited. She couldn't find anything to wear and was practically skipping on our walk over. When we walked into her classroom she left me right away. I thought she forgot about me and was going to leave when she yelled at me and gave me a hug." He laughed. "Then she was off again."

His daughter humbled him. Every time he looked at her, thought about her, he wanted to keep her close and never let her go. But she was growing up on him, too fast for his taste, and already in school. He just prayed that he could keep her safe like he promised her mother he would.

Sighing, Jason shook his thoughts away from Anna's mother; it was too painful to think about her.

"I… uh, I saw Elizabeth Webber today. It turns out her nephew is in the same class with Anna."

"Her nephew?" Sonny's forehead wrinkled. "I thought that was her son, he looks just like her."

"Yeah, from what I heard with her conversation with Epiphany, her sister died and now Elizabeth has custody of William."

"Oh man. That's got to be hard. This happen recently?"

Jason nodded. "I looked it up and her sister and the husband were on their way back from a Charity party when a drunk driver side swiped them. The husband died instantly, but Sarah—her sister—died on the way to the hospital. It happened a week ago."

"Damn." Sonny hissed out a breath. "We should call her about the apartment, the less she has to worry about… the…. What?"

Clearing his throat, Jason shifted in his seat. "I…I already talked to her about that. I told her what you offered and she's willing to take it. She should be moving in this weekend." At Sonny's large smile, Jason shifted again. "What?"

"You told her about my offer?"

"Yeah, and I got her number so we could give her a call to finalize everything."

Sonny couldn't hold back any longer and began to laugh. "Oh man, I haven't been a wing man in a long time."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Hell, man, if I knew you still needed me to get a woman's phone number I would have—"

"Shut the fuck up, Sonny. I didn't need you to get Elizabeth's phone number. I didn't even get it for me." He lied, shifted when he realized he was lying. "I got it so you could call her."

Wiping at invisible tears, Sonny straightened. "Alright, what's her number?"

When Jason began to recite the number without even looking at a piece of paper, Sonny began to laugh again.

"Fuck you, Sonny."

"By the look on your face, I'm assuming it didn't go too well."

"You know what happens when you assume, Lucky?"

"I was right." He clucked his tongue. Cupping Elizabeth's face, he spoke to her as if she were a child. "Tell me all about it."

Swatting his hands away, Elizabeth scowled at him then stormed to her office, Brenda and Lucky following right behind.

"It went how I expected."

"Honey, you're going to have to elaborate a little more." Brenda said, placing her hands on her hips. "We didn't know what you expected."

"If you'd let me talk—"

"That bad, huh?" Lucky mused.

"Oh for the love of—"

Brenda nodded her head at Lucky. "We told you he was going to disappoint you. Patrick Drake is a womanizer and can not be trusted."

"I'm going to ignore you right now because I know you're still bitter over your date last night, but it didn't go as bad as you guys think." Elizabeth sighed, finally able to finish a thought.

"Then what's with the upset face?"

Looking at Lucky, Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm not upset and I don't have an upset face."

"Yes you do." He perked up, Brenda nodding in agreement. "Your forehead creases and your lips form a pout. You're doing it right now."

Stomping her foot, Brenda shifted the focus to what she thought was more important. "So… what happened? And don't give me a half fast answer."

Sighing, Elizabeth rubbed her forehead.

"She's doing the stress face now."

Ignoring Lucky, Elizabeth answered Brenda. "He was upset at first, he actually thought I was pregnant because of the way I said it."

"I bet he didn't take that too well." Brenda muttered, followed by Lucky pursing his lips with an "mmhmm."

Still ignoring them, she continued. "When he finally understood what I meant, he didn't seem too happy. But after we talked about it for a while, he seemed to… accept it."

"You say that like he had to accept a suede green jacket. And we all know how horrible he looks in green."

"Lucky…"

"Sorry."

"No you're not." When he shrugged, she continued. "I don't know. I think it's a lot to take in. I mean, I'm not even used to the idea. I can't blame him for being a little standoffish about the idea. Anyway, like I said, he seemed ok with it in the end."

"Honey, it's just the beginning."

Elizabeth knew Lucky was right but couldn't comment because her phone rang. Everyone looked at the phone and when Elizabeth finally raised her eyebrows at Brenda, the assistant caught on.

"Guess I should do my job."

"It's what I pay you for."

Before she lifted the phone, Brenda scowled at Elizabeth. "Don't have to be a bitch to me because Patrick is a prick." She lifted the phone before Elizabeth could shoot back and answered in her cheery voice.

There was a slight pause before she spoke again. "And who is calling?"

Placing her hand over the mouth piece of the phone, Brenda raised a single eyebrow. "A Jason Morgan for you."

Elizabeth snatched the phone before questions could be asked.

She gestured to the door with her head, hoping Brenda and Lucky would take the hint. They sat down on her plush office chairs.

Sighing, Elizabeth placed the phone to her ear. "This is Elizabeth."

"Hey, Elizabeth, it's Jason, I uh, I was calling about the apartment."

Thinking something was wrong and she wasn't going to get it, Elizabeth sat forward. "Yes? Is everything ok? Did your friend change his mind?"

"No, no." Jason reassured, "Everything's fine. I was just calling to see if you wanted to move in this weekend?"

"That would be great." She sighed, sitting back now that she didn't have to worry.

"I…" he cleared his throat. "I could send a couple of guys over to help you move. That way you don't have to worry about hiring anyone."

"That would be really sweet." She smiled. "Thank you."

"It's no problem."

She could practically hear the blush in his voice. It was somewhat… arousing to know that she could cause him to blush. For such a strong looking man, Jason was really a cute, yet incredibly hot, man.

It was sweet and different and she couldn't wait to see him again.

"I'll just set that up and give you a call with the details."

"Thanks." When she hung up the phone she could just feel the two pairs of eyes on her, waiting for an explanation. Wanting to make them suffer some more, Elizabeth tapped a finger to her mouth, smiled when she heard Brenda's disgusted grunt and Lucky's impatient sigh.

"So…" They said at the same time.

Her look was one of innocence and question. "So… what?"

"Oh don't give us that." Brenda scolded. "Who was the hottie on the phone?"

"How do you know he's hot?"

"For one, his voice could make any woman's knees go weak, and secondly, you're smiling like an idiot."

"His name is Jason Morgan…"

"We know that already."

"… and he is the co-owner of the building that I am going to be moving into. His daughter also happens to be in William's class."

"So he's taken?" Lucky asked in disappointment.

"No, he's not taken. At least, I don't think he is. He wasn't wearing a ring and I could have sworn, in his own cute way, he was flirting with me."

"Taken men always flirt."

Elizabeth gave Brenda a knowing look. "This was different. I don't think he would try anything if he's taken, especially since I'm going to be living in the same building with him." She paused for a moment. "Dammit, now you guys are making me nervous with this. What if he is taken?"

"Well, you're sort of taken, too."

"Lucky, how many times do I have to tell you that I am not with Patrick?"

"Whatever."

"Anyway, Jason's the big, strong and silent type. Sexy as hell."

"You get all the luck." Brenda and Lucky said at the same time.

"Hey." She pointed a finger at Lucky. "Did you not just get a date with Jasper today?"

Smiling, Lucky blushed. "Yeah, I did."

"And you," Elizabeth pointed her finger at Brenda, "You will have your day very soon."

"Yeah, right." Sitting again, she rested her elbows on her knees, cupped her chin with her hands. "But in the meantime, tell me more about this sexy man."

"He's just… sexy. He's got the most incredible eyes I have ever seen, I'd love to paint him one day. His body would make your last boyfriend jealous…"

"Oh, now I'm really jealous." Brenda sighed; remembering the last guy she dated loved his body as much as she did. If Jason's was better, Elizabeth was one lucky bitch.

"And he's really sweet and shy. I don't know if he's always like that, but he was really shy with me and I found it endearing."

"That's it, you are one lucky bitch."

"You sure are." Lucky agreed.

"All I know is that I am going to really love living there. And not because of the beautiful apartment or area."

Yeah, she thought, she was really going to love it there.