Chapter Eleven

Elizabeth sat in the backyard trying to sketch. The last few nights it had been hard to sleep comfortably. It seemed as though the baby thought it should move around all night. So instead of keeping Ric awake Elizabeth came outside.

She knew Ric would worry if he woke up and found her gone. Her husband was so protective especially since Jason and Sonny were released. Elizabeth hated to admit it but Ric was probably right to be worried.

Sonny believed Ric betrayed him. And if there was one thing Sonny could not handle was betrayal. Elizabeth knew the other man wouldn't rest until Ric paid.

Seeing Jason so angry at her studio only served as a reminder. Jason was Sonny's enforcer above everything else. He would be the one to come after Ric.

Part of her was angry with Jason despite knowing who he was. Most of her was afraid. Jason was cold and calculating in a way that scared her. The idea of losing Ric wasn't one she wanted to even contemplate.

It was surprising sometimes how much Ric meant to her. And how quickly things happened between them. From the moment they met it started. As Elizabeth got to know Ric it turned in to something more.

To be honest she never thought she would fall in love again certainly not so soon. Loving Ric however was the easiest thing she had even done. Even when she was angry, it was because she loved him so much. Ric treated her like a woman. Lucky and even Jason had made her feel like a child. While Ric was just as protective, sometimes more so, he also treated her like an equal. That was something she never knew was missing before Ric.

Elizabeth felt a shiver go through her. She looked around the darkened back yard suddenly the feeling of being watched crept over her. Not willing to find out if she was being paranoid or not Elizabeth gathered her things and went inside.

Even though she tried to be quiet, getting back into bed Ric still woke up. "Are you okay?" He asked as she snuggled beside him. She leaned back against his chest and sighed.

"I couldn't sleep. The baby keeps moving around." Elizabeth grumbled softly.

Ric chuckled and kissed her cheek. Elizabeth was just so cute when she was like this. "Want me to sing to you?" He offered already knowing the answer.

"Please." Elizabeth said smiling. She loved the sound of Ric's voice. And the fact she was the only one Ric sang for made it even more special. Elizabeth yawned as Ric's voice filled the room. He had picked one of Elizabeth's favorite songs; 'Come Away With Me.' Ric could feel her relax as he finished the song. He smiled at how something so simple could make him so happy.

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"You have to talk to him." Courtney whined to Carly. They were sitting in the Corinthos living room surrounded by wedding stuff.

"Who?"

"Jason. He's being impossible." the younger blonde huffed. Jason had once again canceled on her last night. She wasn't even sure if he came home.

"Is this about the wedding? Because I tried to warn you." Carly said flipping though a wedding magazine. She loved planning weddings. Maybe she could convince Sonny to marry her again.

"I know, I know. Pushing him into it was not the best idea but it was the perfect opportunity. Jason wasn't going to say no with Sonny standing there."

"Of course he wasn't. So what's wrong?"

"He's so preoccupied with work. I can tell it's something big. He's barely home anymore. I can feel him pulling away."

"Look I'm sure its just this job." Carly said reassuringly. "Once it's done Jason will be free to focus on your wedding."

"You're right. I'm just being silly."

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Today was not a good day. Ric had been running late all morning. So late, in fact he did not notice the manila envelope sitting on his desk.

He finally noticed it after coming back from court. Thankfully, he wasn't questioning a witness because he would have never been able to focus. The contents were a single sheet of paper. Typed on it was his obituary.

Ric's hands shook as he read the paper over and over. Someone had taken a great deal of time to research his life. There were things in in no one in Port Charles knew about. The only question was who sent it and why.