AN:

OMG!! I nearly forgot about Ric and Katherine. WTH is wrong with me? Don't answer that. Just enjoy the chapter.

~Kelly~

PS

There's only one chapter left. However depending on who you ask it's the biggie.

Chapter Three: My Greatest Mistake

Nikolas always marveled at how soft Elizabeth's skin was. He sometimes wondered if she did it to torture him. It was a distinct possibility. Elizabeth always found ways to surprise him. Much like earlier today. Nikolas found something he was curious about. Placing a kiss to her shoulder he said, "Liz? Are you asleep?"

"That depends on what you want." she giggled turning to her side to face him. "Because you know I have to sleep sometime tonight."

"I suppose that is true," he agreed nuzzling her neck. Reluctantly he pulled away knowing how easily Elizabeth could distract him. Normally he would welcome it but tonight he needed a few answers. "I accidentally opened your email tonight. I... I didn't know you still talked to Ric."

"Does it bother you?" she asked carefully. Nikolas was very protective over her and the boys.

"Not really. I guess I was just surprised. I never thought about the two of you staying in touch," he admitted honestly. Although he would prefer Elizabeth never speak to any of her exs again, he knew it wasn't possible or fair. "What do you talk about?"

"This really bothers you."

"No." Nikolas denied but knew from the look he got she did not believe him. "Yes but not for the reasons you think. He hurt you so badly and I don't that to happen again."

"It won't."

"How can you be sure?" he asked hating that he needed an answer.

"Because I don't love Ric anymore. I haven't in a very long time."

"Maybe but he's always been a little in love with you."

"Like someone else I know." Elizabeth pointed out causing them both to smile. Nikolas confessed his long held feelings not long after she moved in.

"Yeah. I know what it's like to push those feelings away."

"But that doesn't mean I'll go back to him. Being with Ric, especially the last time, was something I shouldn't have done."

"So why talk to him?"

"Because I'll always care about him. I want him to be as happy as I am with you. Ric and talk about our kids mostly Molly. And his life in LA. Nothing too important."

"I know I over reacted but you forgave him for horrible things."

"Yeah and it was a mistake. I loved the man I thought Ric was but I don't know if he ever existed." she finished quietly think about all the harm Ric had caused.

"But you forgave him."

"I did. Even though I knew, it was a mistake I forgave him. Kinda like you and Katherine."

Nikolas laughed remembering that time. He had been so mixed up back then. "Oh yeah that was a huge mistake."

"So why be with her?"

"Anger and revenge. Two very Cassadine emotions. I was angry with Stefan and I knew that being with her would hurt him. And it did. I don't think we ever got our closeness back after that."

Elizabeth held him close and ran a hand through his hair. "You miss him."

"I do. When he died I was so angry with him but at the same time I still loved him."

"He loved you too. You could see it you know. When he was with you, Stefan was different. You remind me of him sometimes."

"I don't know how to feel about that." he teased Elizabeth laughing when she blushed.

"Stop." she said smacking his chest. "I mean when you're with the boys. He taught you how to be a good father even if you didn't know it."

"At least one of us thinks so." Nikolas mumbled as curled against him. The truth was he was doing better as a father. Having Elizabeth around gave him more confidence. Something he was going to need for their trip to the zoo tomorrow.