Chapter Six
"You're late." Elizabeth told Ric in a teasing tone when he stepped off the elevator.
"I'm sorry my meeting ran late." Ric said giving her a quick kiss. He hated being late especially when Elizabeth was having her ultrasound appointment today. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long."
"Can you forgive me?" Ric asked softly brushing a stand of hair from her face.
"Oh I think I can survive the humiliation of being kept waiting on one condition." Elizabeth said her eyes sparkling at the thought of finally getting one over on Ric.
"Anything."
Elizabeth smiled brightly at the simple word. "We have dinner with Gia and Zander tonight."
"I walked right into that one didn't I?" Ric asked chuckling slightly. After knowing Elizabeth for over a year, she could still surprise him.
"Pretty much. Is that a yes?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.
"Have I ever been able to say no to you?" Elizabeth went to answer but Ric placed a finger on her lips. "Of course we can go."
"Are you ready for the ultrasound?" Elizabeth said changing the subject. She didn't want to give Ric the chance to change her mind about tonight.
"Very. Sweetheart, are you sure you don't want to know what wither it's a boy or girl?"
"What's the matter don't you like surprises?" Elizabeth questioned even though she already knew the answer. The last surprise Ric liked was finding out she was pregnant.
"Sometimes but I also like being able to plan for things."
"Ah. That's what this is." Elizabeth said finally understanding Ric's persistence about knowing the sex of the baby.
"What are you talking about?" Ric asked completely lost. Not that it was an unusual feeling when talking with Elizabeth if fact Ric had gotten used to it. Elizabeth was the first person to ever really catch him off guard and Ric loved it.
"It's driving you crazy that you can't control this."
"Okay. Okay a little bit. Is that what you want to hear?" Ric admitted pulling back into his arms. Elizabeth's head fell back on to his shoulder and her eyes closed. Wrapped in each other's arm is where they both felt at home. Ric knew he was driving her crazy but part of him was still scared he was going to lose all of this. Maybe even more now that Jason and Sonny were free.
"I'm okay and so is the baby. Isn't that all that matters?" Elizabeth told him putting his hand over where their child lay when the baby kicked they both smiled.
"You're right. I just want to give you both everything you need."
"I know and I love you for it."
"I love you too."
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"Wow. That's amazing." Ric said as he stared at the monitor. It was hard to believe what he was seeing. For the first time it really hit Ric that he was about to be someone's father. Fear quickly nearly over road the happiness he was feeling. His own father had been less than ideal and Ric could only hope he would do better.
"Do you want to know what you're having?" Dr. Meadows asked as she printed several pictures for the couple to take with them.
"Elizabeth has decided she wants to be surprised." Ric told the doctor quickly.
Elizabeth wanted to laugh t the look on Ric's face. He looked so cute with that pout on his face that Elizabeth was tempter together give in but instead she said. "Ric isn't big on surprises."
"Most fathers aren't." Dr. Meadows said from experience. "I'm going to check on your blood work."
"Are you ready for this?" Elizabeth asked when they were all alone. She hadn't missed to look of fear that crossed Ric's face. "In a couple of months this whole new person will be depending on us."
"You're going to be an amazing mom." Ric said placing a light kiss to her stomach. He felt so blessed to be with Elizabeth. After everything he had done, she had every reason to never speak to him again and yet somehow she forgave him.
"And you are going to be the best dad." Elizabeth reassured him quietly running her fingers through his curly hair. She wondered if their baby would have curly hair too.
"I hope so." Ric said kissing the palm of her hand. "I'm so happy, Elizabeth. I was never sure I'd have this."
"Because it wasn't in your plans?" Elizabeth asked quietly. It was hard for her to hear that Ric never expected to be happy.
"No it wasn't."
"Isn't this better though?" Elizabeth asked softly after she had adjusted her shirt.
"So much better. There is nothing I want more then for the both of you to be safe and happy."
"That's good to hear." Dr. Meadows said closing the door as she entered the room.
"Is something wrong?" Ric asked immediately worried for his family.
"Elizabeth's blood pressure is higher then I'd like."
"Is that dangerous?" Elizabeth asked before Ric could even speak. She felt a combination of fear and guilt swirling inside her. Elizabeth wondered if she had done something wrong.
"Not really. Mostly it means Elizabeth should take it easy and relax."
"Don't worry Dr. Meadows I'll make sure Elizabeth takes care of herself."
"I'm sure you will."
"Is there anything special I should be doing?" Elizabeth asked unsure what she should do. She really had very little experience with pregnancy and babies.
"Just take it easy for now and I'll see you again in two weeks."
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Emily watched as Elizabeth and Ric stepped of the elevator. Seeing the two of together disgusted her. She had heard what Ric Lansing did to her brother. She was confident the slime would pay not that Jason was free.
It would have bothered Emily that Elizabeth was with a bastard like that except that Elizabeth was the reason Zander left her. Her former friend had slept with Zander, it didn't matter they weren't together anymore. Not only that Elizabeth was the one who told him about her relationship with Nikolas. As far as Emily was concerned, anything that happened to Elizabeth she deserved.
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Ric had noticed Emily watching them. Part of him felt bad about Elizabeth loosing the other girl's friendship. Most of him however did give a damn. The other girl was manipulative and only seemed to care about what Elizabeth could do for her. Ric had somehow managed to keep his opinion to himself. That was until the day Emily cornered Elizabeth on the docks.
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(Flashback)
"How dare you tell Zander about Nikolas?" Emily yelled at Elizabeth when she opened the door to her studio.
"Zander is my friend and I don't want to see him hurt." Elizabeth immediately defended. She almost could not believe Emily's reaction but the fact was Emily could be very selfish.
"He wasn't hurt until you opened your big mouth."
"You know how I feel about lying." Elizabeth told Emily beginning to get frustrated with her friend.
"Then why are married to that snake?" Emily spat back in an attempt to hurt Elizabeth.
"Leave Ric out of this. I'm sorry Zander broke up with you but you did this to yourself."
"No you did this." Emily accused pointing her finger at Elizabeth. "What's the matter Elizabeth Ric not good enough in bed and you want Zander back? Is this baby even Ric's?"
"How dare you?" Elizabeth said slapping the other girl. "Zander should have never have happened. I messed up our friendship but that is over. I love Ric and would never ever hurt him that way." She finished her voice filled with hurt and anger. With one last look at Emily Elizabeth fled the docks.
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"Elizabeth sweetheart what's wrong?" Ric asked immediately concerned when Elizabeth showed up at his office.
"Nothing."
"Don't do that. I can that you've been crying." Ric told Elizabeth leading her to the leather sofa to sit.
"Emily and I got into a fight."
"Oh. About Zander?"
"Yeah she was angry that I told him. He... he broke up with her."
"And Emily blames you." Ric guessed easily. He and Emily would never get along. It seemed like the other girl only cared about what Elizabeth could give her.
"Yeah. She said I told Zander to get him back in bed."
"What? Has she lost her mind?" Ric asked his concern for Elizabeth turning to anger.
"I don't know. I'm so sorry Ric." Elizabeth whispered as she started to cry again.
"Why are you sorry?" Ric asked left Elizabeth's face up so he could wipe away her tears. "You can't control what Emily thinks."
"Thank you for not doubting me." Elizabeth smiled wiping away the last of her tears. She loved the way Ric simply trusted her.
"I have reason to doubt you or our love."
(End flashback)
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"Ric honey where did you go?" Elizabeth asked interrupting Ric's thoughts.
"Sorry I was just thinking." Ric smiled pulling her in to his arms.
"I was just saying we should start getting ready."
"Do we have to go?" Ric asked playing with her hair that was still damp from her shower. She was still in the wearing the midnight blue silk robe he had given her.
"Yes. You promised." Elizabeth reminded him gently.
Ric nodded not really hearing her. He far too busy planting kisses down her neck. "I know I'm just worried about you."
"We're fine Dr. Meadows said so. You worry too much."
"You're right I do." Ric said untying the sash on her robe.
"Ric, we don't have time for that." Elizabeth said trying to slip away from Ric's grasp. "But maybe later." Elizabeth said suggestively before pressing her lips to Ric's. The caste kiss quickly turned passionate as Ric ran his tongue across her lips. Elizabeth opened her mouth allowing their tongues to duel.
When they finally pulled away, Ric continued to, plant kisses along her jaw until he reached her ear. "Later." He whispered before walking away. He was halfway to the bathroom when he heard Elizabeth's frustrated groan. He couldn't suppress the urge to smirk tonight dinner was going to be much shorter than Elizabeth originally planned.