Chapter Nine

"You heard my wife let her go." A deep voice said from the doorway.

Jason looked over to where Ric was standing at the door. The older man was clearly angry. Ric was standing stiffly hand in lose fists at his side. Jason immediately let go of Elizabeth's arm and took a step back. He cursed himself for what he had done. Now Ric would be watching him waiting for him to make a move. "I... I'm sorry Elizabeth. I..."

"You need to leave now." Ric said trying to keep his temper. Despite what he told Elizabeth he half expected Sonny or Jason to come after him. However, he never though Jason would harm Elizabeth. They had been friends once and something more, as Elizabeth had once described it, briefly it made Ric let his guard down just a bit. No more however he was going to make sure Elizabeth and their child were safe.

"Of course. I didn't mean to scare you, Elizabeth. It's just I... I'm sorry." Jason said trying to smooth things over with Elizabeth. He needed her trust if his plans were going to work.

"Please just go Jason. You shouldn't have come here." Elizabeth told him her voice shaky.

Elizabeth's words surprised Jason. He had always thought of this as their special place. He also knew Lansing had twisted her mind so much nothing he said would do any good. Instead, he was going to have to show her. "I sorry." he said once more before leaving.

Ric immediately crossed the room and pulled Elizabeth into his arms. "Are okay? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No. No. I'm fine. Just shaken up."

"What was he even doing here?"

"I'm not sure. He just started attacking and..."

"I'm making things worse." Ric said regretfully. "Dr. Meadows is already worried about you blood pressure and I'm interrogating you."

"You're just worried." Elizabeth said laying her head on Ric's chest. She could hear his heart racing under her ear. She knew exactly how he felt. When Jason grabbed her fear took over her body and now all she wanted was to go home with her husband. And Elizabeth suggested exactly that. "Maybe we should go home."

"I thought you had something to show me." Ric reminded his wife gently. He remembered her excitement form their earlier phone call.

Elizabeth nodded and stepped out of Ric's arms. Before she could mover completely away, Ric took her hand in his. It seemed as if Ric need to maintain a physical connection as much as she did. "I finished the painting for the nursery." Laughing when Ric groaned. "I'll be good this time I promise."

"I'm sure you'll try." Ric said trying not to laugh.

"That isn't nice, Ric." Elizabeth said pouting at his laughter.

"Haven't you learned by now that I'm not a nice man?" Ric said his voice suddenly turning serious and pulling her back to him.

"Maybe you can get other people to believe that but I know you. You are a wonderful man. And you're going to be an even better father." Elizabeth told him immediately disagreeing with his self-assessment. That may have been true at one time but certainly not anymore.

"I hope you're right." Ric whispered against Elizabeth's hair. He hated his doubts and fears. Ric closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath. Let these thought run rampant would only make things worse. "You're right we should head home. We'll order some dinner."

"Can we have pizza?" Elizabeth asked suddenly very hungry.

"We can have anything you want."

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Jason walked slowly from Elizabeth's studio to his penthouse. He had to figure out how to do some damage control. How could he let Ric get to him? He of all people knew better and taking it out on Elizabeth had been the worst mistake yet. Now Ric would be more on guard and Jason would have to be even more careful with his plans.

"Hey Jason we need to talk." Sonny said sticking his head out the door.

"Sure." Jason said turning around and heading into Sonny's penthouse. He was not surprised to find both Carly and Courtney sitting on the sofa. Spread out on the table was several wedding magazines. "What's all this?"

"Carly and I are planning our wedding." Courtney replied barely looking at Jason.

"Now?" Jason questioned trying to remain calm. This was the last thing he needed. Didn't that idiot know he just got out of prison? Why in the hell did she think this was a good idea?

"Yes now. What is wrong with now Jason? You've been away for nine months. Don't you want to marry me?" She asked a frown immediately plastered across her face.

Jason knew he had to think fast to avoid a fight with Courtney. "I know and I'm sorry our plans got put on hold. I just want to do this right. You deserve to have the wedding of your dream and I want to give that to you."

"Really?" Courtney asked tears filling her wide blue eyes.

Jason felt like laughing at how stupid she was. The only reason he hadn't dumped her was because of Sonny. "Really. I do not if you and Carly plan something just don't be in any hurry. Take your time."

"Well I did always want to get married in the snow," she admitted after several moments thought.

Jason breathed a sigh of relief. Winter was nearly seven months away. That bought him a lot of time. "See? I wouldn't want to take that from you. Why don't you and Carly take this over to our place? I need to talk to Sonny."

"Okay." the young blonde said kissing Jason softly. "You've made me so happy. You know that right"

"That's all I want." Jason lied easily. He had always thought it was stupid the way people assumed he could not lie. Of course Jason could lie. Hell, he probably lied easier than most people.

Sonny watched as Carly and Courtney gathered up their things and leave, something was off with Jason he seemed on edge. Sonny had to wonder if it had to do with his plans for Ric. "What happened?"

"I went to see Elizabeth at her studio today. I... I wanted to figure out what she's thinking."

"And?" Sonny prompted impatiently. Sometimes talking to Jason was worse than talking to Elizabeth.

"We started arguing and Ric showed up." Jason said with a shrug. He didn't want Sonny to know how heated things had gotten.

"I bet that went over well." Sonny said sarcastically as he poured himself a drink.

"It wasn't that bad. No one lost their temper. I'm not in jail."

"So nothing happened?"

"Not really. Ric told me to leave so I did." Sonny didn't look convinced however. "Don't worry Sonny. Nothing happened to affect my plans."

"Alright." Sonny said taking another drink of the amber liquid in his glass. "Are you excited about marrying my sister?"

"You know me Sonny I never got the point but if it makes her happy... then I'm willing to go through with it."

"That's good to hear because if you hurt her..." Sonny trailed off leaving the threat unspoken.

Jason turned his back on his friend and partner unwilling to et Sonny see the truth just yet. "Don't worry. I'm going to take care of everything, including Courtney."