Chapter Seven

"Sorry we're late." Zander said as he and Gia sat down.

"Its fine we were late too." Elizabeth said looking up from the menu. She did not want to think of why they were late or why they nearly didn't show up at all. "How much of a hard time did Zander give you?"

"Not too much. I threatened to make him show up alone." Gia said shooting Zander dirty glare.

Elizabeth laughed at Gia's idea. She had to admit that would be punishment to Zander. "That's creative but it would never work on Ric."

"You two do know we're sitting here right?" Ric asked picking up his water glass. The cool liquid slid down his throat lower the temperature of his body slightly. He wanted to be at home in bed with Elizabeth practically anywhere but here. The fact he was in of itself said how much he loved Elizabeth.

"Of course." Elizabeth said rolling her eyes. The two of them were worse than children sometimes.

"Besides it's not like the two of you talk anyways." Gia told the men with shrug. It was the same thing every time they got together and it was easier to placate them.

"Most people would take that as some kind of hint." Zander mumbled picking up his menu. He hated coming to the Port Charles Gill.

"We're not most people. We're special." Gia said seriously before turning back to Elizabeth. "So how was you're appointment?"

"Pretty good. Dr. Meadows is worried about my blood pressure."

"That's not good. You really should try to relax. You know what we should do go shopping."

Elizabeth shook her head at Gia's idea of relaxing. "Why am I not surprised? How about next week? Ric and I have gotten the all major things."

"Did you find out what you're having yet?"

"No." Ric said trying not to pout about the situation.

"Ignore him he hates surprises. I did get some pictures of the baby though." Elizabeth handed Gia and Zander the pictures. They all oohed and ahhed as Elizabeth passed the pictures around. Ric was finally starting to relax when suddenly he tensed. Elizabeth looked around to see what had caused Ric's abrupt change. When she saw, the people who had just walked in she understood completely.

It was not a secret Ric didn't feel comfortable with Elizabeth's friends. He knew they thought he wasn't good enough for her and to be honest he could not disagree. Zander was the exception however. From what Elizabeth told, him the younger man felt the same way once. As the conversation turned to their baby Ric relaxed somewhat until he saw something that made him to drag Elizabeth out of the restaurant.

He wondered why of all the places in Port Charles Sonny and Jason chose to come here. No doubt, it was in part to make some sort of statement. Ric felt Elizabeth take his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. "Don't let them bother you."

"I'll try." Ric said forcing his gaze from the four people who had just entered the restaurant.

"Don't let who..." Zander asked as he turned around. "Oh. Why am I not surprised they got out early?"

"Because they always do. Even Carly seemed to expect it." Elizabeth said picking at her salad.

Ric's dark eyes immediately narrowed at his wife's words. "When did you talk to Carly?"

"Today at lunch. I meant to tell you earlier but I forgot."

"Are you okay?" Ric asked his hand squeezing hers. He knew the two women didn't get along and more stress was the last thing Elizabeth needed.

"I'm fine. I learned long ago not to let Carly affect me."

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This was the last place Jason wanted to be. He hated this place it reminded him of the Quartermaines. Sonny however had insisted they come here instead of staying in. he convinced Jason that they needed to make a statement. Jason disagreed but knew better than to tell Sonny that. The man was even more paranoid than usual and Jason knew from past experience to simply agree.

What Jason wasn't prepared for was to see Ric and Elizabeth. It was sickening how Lansing had acted as if he had done nothing wrong. The man was a monster and Jason was looking forward to making him pay. All it would take is some time and

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Elizabeth and Gia were finishing their desserts and talking about the baby. After Sonny's group had sat down Ric once again began to relax. Now however his body was reminding him of an earlier promise. "Elizabeth." Ric whispered quietly in her ear.

"Hmm?" Elizabeth said mumbled placing another bite of chocolate cake in her mouth. Luckily, her husband was a very handsome man because he was seriously annoying by interrupting her dessert. 'Hadn't anyone ever told him not to bother a pregnant woman when she was eating?'

"Its later." he whispered suggestively his voice laced with desire. His left hand ran up her leg and just under the edge of her dress.

Elizabeth squirmed in her seat. It surprised her sometimes how with one look or touch Ric could set her on fire. "It is isn't it?"

"Yes and I promise what I have in mind is better than that cake." he assured her placing a quick kiss to Elizabeth's cheek. Ric took the fork from her hand and finished off the cake himself trying not to smirk. He knew Elizabeth couldn't take much more teasing the problem was neither could he. No woman had ever affected him the way Elizabeth did.

Elizabeth blushed at image Ric's words put into her mind. "I bet it is."

"You know what its getting late and Elizabeth needs her rest." Ric said standing up and grabbing the check. Zander and Gia could argue with him another night. The sooner he paid the sooner he could leave.

"Wow you're right it is late." Zander agreed glancing at his watch. He didn't really care what time it was he just wanted the night to end. "Take care of yourself, Elizabeth," he said standing up to give his friend a hug.

"You too and stay out of trouble."

"No promises." Zander told her sticking his hands in his pockets.

The couples parted ways after Gia and Elizabeth made plans to go shopping that Friday. No one noticed a set of cold blues eyes staring at them.