Chapter Seventeen

Isabella returned with the boys, they had had a very long day at the park, Cameron never wanted to leave, it was only when he started to get cranky that Declan sweet-talked him into going home. "You know Cam, Jason is home, you will get to see him when you get there, are you sure you don't want to go?"

"Daddy, go see daddy!" Cam said, already rushing to the car, his little legs moving quicker than the rest of him. He would have fallen had Declan not stayed with him, so he caught him deftly and swung him around like an airplane, Cameron screeching, telling him "higher, higher." The entire time.

So the drive home was filled with Cameron's chatter, daddy this and daddy that, it was very cute, even Declan smiled a couple times. But his eyes never strayed from the road, at least not for long periods of time, which is not to say he didn't glance in his rearview mirror on occasion, he was completely taken with Isabella, she just didn't know it.

Isabella carried Alan in with Cam close on her heels, he would have bowled her over if it hadn't been for Declan grabbing one of his belt loops.

"Daddy!" Cameron shouted, when he saw Jason sitting at the dining room table.

Jason barely had time to scoot his chair back before Cameron jumped into his arms. "Daddy, I missed you." Cam said before squiggling to the floor, waiting for his mother to pick him up, he was always more gentle with her, but the big sloppy kiss he have her made her heart swell, everyday they became more of a family.

Isabella handed Alan to his father then retreated to the kitchen to prepare Cam supper. Seeing as how she didn't have to make the adults a meal, this one could be quick and kid friendly, Mac n' cheese for Cameron and she contemplated heating a bottle for Alan, but when she looked at the dining room table she could already see Liz feeding her son.

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"So now what Lucky, do we go and play the happy couple so everyone can see us?" Sam asked, slightly perplexed. She had been married many times before, but to the people of Port Charles, she had never been wed. And that is exactly what she planned on letting them think.

"Well, my lawyer wants us to do just that, we need to make everyone believe that we are in love and in order to do that, we need to be seen." Lucky said.

"Okay, so where do we go to show our undying love to each other, the Metro Court?" Sam asked, looking a little leery.

"Well I suppose that would be the best place, it is always packed, so what better what to spread the news." Lucky replied.

"I am going to go get ready, you do the same and I will meet you back here in a few!" Sam answered.

They arrived at the Metro Court, arm in arm. Those people who knew who they were, looked on in stunned silence, had they known they were more than what they at first appeared to be, the silence would have been deafening.

Carly had seen the two enter, she didn't know what exactly either Lucky or Sam were doing there, but she couldn't help but notice the brunette's ring finger, a small diamond glittered there. she knew it wasn't the one Jason had given her, she had given that back quite some time ago, telling him to give it to her, when he was ready.

Not being one to sugarcoat anything, Carly stepped up to the odd couple and asked exactly what they thought they were doing, "What in the world do you two think you are doing?"

"Carly really, this is none of your business, Lucky and I just couldn't fight it anymore, we knew there was something there, we love each other and our going to enjoy our married life." Sam replied, staring Carly down.

"You and Lucky are married, Sam, you have made a horrible mistake, the two of you are just hurting, nothing more. It can't last…" Carly said, looking horrified.

"Understand this, I am not on the rebound, Lucky and I have gotten closer recently, we couldn't deny what we felt so we took the next logical step, when two people are so in love. Now if you don't mind, my husband and me are here to enjoy the night." With that said, Sam turned on her heel and followed Lucky up stairs to the restaurant.

Carly looked on in dumb wonder, unable to comprehend what she had just witnessed, she went back to her office grabbed her coat and left, this was all just to much.

"Sam, wow, you know how to make things believable. I actually felt everything you said, you are quite the actress, remind me to never get on your bad side." Lucky said with a derisive laugh.

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As soon as Carly got to her car, she grabbed her cell phone, dialing the number that was engraved upon her mind.

"Hey Jason, I know you must be busy, I just had to tell you what I just saw. I can't believe it, but they confirmed it." Carly said, shaking her head. She wondered how she could never have seen what was going on with those two.

"Anyway, before I get cut off, I thought you should know, Lucky and Sam got married, they are claiming they are in love, something doesn't sound right about any of this. Call me when you get this." Carly said flipping her phone closed.

She had to meet Jax so she wasted no more time, driving over to the cottage that she shared with him. Her wedding was just a couple weeks away, Jason and Liz's wedding was in just over a month, she had received the invitation yesterday. she was a little shocked she didn't detest the fact that they were finally together, but she had grown to like Liz, she was a fighter and loyal to Jason to a fault, how could she possibly not like her.

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Liz had been rushing around all morning, Johnny was kind and driving her wherever she needed to go, they chatted continually an easy friendship had developed over all the time they had shared together.

"Hey Johnny, I need to stop at this dress shop, they are specially ordering a few things for the wedding, you wait here and I will be right back." Liz said, hoping he would not argue about her going alone.

The custody case was tomorrow and her insides were fluttering madly. She prayed that things worked out the right way.

"Well, Jason told me to go with you everywhere, he wouldn't like it if I didn't." Johnny replied.

"Jason never has to know, besides, do you really want to be looking at women's under garments?" Liz asked with a smile, knowing Johnny would look mortified even at the suggestion.

"Okay, fine you win, but please be careful, if anything were to happen to you, Jason will have my head." Johnny answered honestly.

"Thanks Johnny, I won't be long." Liz said as she got out of the car, rushing over to store.

Perhaps things would have been different if she had known she was being watched, but she hadn't, so she went about her life as usual. Just as she entered "Wedded Bliss" the dress shop, she looked over her shoulder, feeling a moment's hesitation, but disregarded it as pre-wedding jitters.

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The man moved slowly through the back of the store, each step had a purpose, he stalked Elizabeth without her knowledge, he looked like an animal stalking it's supper.

She was busy looking at the lingerie, obviously for her upcoming nuptials and honeymoon, she disregard numerous items, once she had found a few to her liking, she spoke with the salesman, who directed her to the back room, where the changing rooms were located.

As she stepped into the small cubical, she all of a sudden had a sinking feeling, something didn't feel right, she was about to leave when someone grabbed her from behind, holding her in a chokehold, preventing her from seeing her attacker.

He dragged her out the back door, not engaging any alarms, seeing as how the store was open and awaiting a delivery.

She fought against his restraint, trying to break free, when she slammed her foot down on his, his grip broke for a moment. Taking advantage of the moment, she tried to run away, her attacker was quicker, he grabbed her by the hair preventing her from getting away. Spinning her around to face him, he gripped her by her upper arms, digging his fingers into her pliable flesh, eliciting a cry of pain and fear from her.

"My husband won't allow you to get away with this." Liz said as tears swelled in her eyes, tumbling down her face.

She had hoped her feeble attempt at frightening the man would work, but she could see in those cold blue eyes that it only enraged him more. Before she even had time to think, his fist crashed into her face, the pain was instantaneous, but she felt the blood gushing first, soaking her silk tank top. Before she could even try to recover from the first blow, he landed another and then another, she felt the bones in her cheek give way and before she could stop the next one, it slammed into her left eye, within moments it had swollen shut. She fell to the ground, a definitive darkness broaching her vision.

Feeling completely vulnerable, she curled into the fetal position as his heavy boots kicked her as she lay on the ground. She couldn't remember what happened next for unconsciousness had finally claimed her, giving her sanctuary from what her body now felt.

Johnny had begun to worry, Liz had been gone to long, he understood that women could be distracted when shopping for clothes, but this was ridiculous. So going against her wishes, he entered the small boutique. He went directly to the middle-aged man who was standing behind the counter.

"Excuse me, have you seen Mrs. Webber she came in here about forty-five minutes ago?" Johnny said, a sinking feeling trying desperately to invade his determination.

"I believe so, I think she is in the back, trying on a few umm, clothes." He replied, looking worried all of a sudden.

Johnny headed to the back, before he could search the changing rooms, he heard a commotion from outside, trusting his instincts he headed in the direction of the noise.

His heart broke as he came upon the scene, his mind automatically taking over,

He grabbed the man and flung him away, he crashed into the far wall, crumpling to the ground. Johnny went to her then, stooping over, examining the damage, he pulled his phone from his coat pocket, and keyed in the familiar numbers, 911.

As he was examining Liz, the guy who had done this to her took off, running pell-mell for all he was worth, Johnny wanted to give chase, but he couldn't leave the diminutive form of Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, can you hear me, please hold on." Johnny whispered as he gently tucked a stray curl behind her ear.