Chapter Eight

"That was tense." Elizabeth said laughing softly.

"She won't be the only person to react like that." Ric warned softly. He knew Elizabeth's friends wouldn't be happy he was back in her life.

"I know but all that matters is us and the kids right?"

"Right." Ric immediately agreed. Cameron chose that moment to open his brown eyes. Ric was taken back how much they looked like his own and cursed himself for never wondering. "Hi there."

"Hi." Cameron said shyly hiding his face in Elizabeth's shirt.

"You remember Mommy's friend right?" Cameron nodded and looked at Ric once again. Mommy's friend had been coming over to see him for a while. The nice man seemed very interested in him. They played together and went to the park. He was lots of fun. Cam had decided like the man who looked like him. "Well he's not just Mommy's friend. When you were born there was a mix up and Mommy didn't know it but Ric... he's your daddy."

"Daddy?" Cam asked confused by the new information. He already had a Daddy. Even if he did not see Lucky much anymore. As far as daddies went, he was a good one.

"That's right, Cam. I'm your daddy." Ric said softly. He felt so bad for doing this to his son. Cameron was so young Ric doubted he understood what was happening. "I know it's hard to understand but for right now it means I'll be around to see you more. If that's okay with you."

"Kay." Cameron readily agreed. As long as things weren't changing too much he was okay with it. "Boo-boo?" Cam asked point at Ric's bandaged shoulder.

"That's right Cam daddy has a boo-boo. He is in the hospital so the doctors can make him feel better. And tomorrow he and your sister Molly are going to come home with us."

"Molly sister?" Cam asked excitedly. He like the little girl Ric often brought with him. Sure, she was littler than him and a girl but she was nice anyways.

"That's right Cameron Molly is your sister. And you two are going to have a lot of fun together." Ric said gently. He hated how unsure he felt around Cameron. Ric already loved him as a son he just didn't want to push the toddler.

"You look tired." Elizabeth said sitting Cam on the bed beside Ric.

"I don't know how that's possible I slept all day."

"It's the medication." Elizabeth said with a knowing shrug. They watched as he happily played with the toy cars Elizabeth gave him. It was nice to just be together the three of them. Elizabeth was happy that Cam seemed to be handling the news well. It was almost forty-five minutes later when Elizabeth broke the silence. "So about tomorrow..."

"You don't have to do this." Ric said taking her hand in his. She had already done so much. Elizabeth had saved his life and gave him a son all in one night. If anything, he should be taking care of them.

"I know but I want to." she firmly insisted.

Ric sighed he had almost forgotten how stubborn Elizabeth could be. "Okay but just until I'm better."

"Right." Elizabeth immediately agreed. She knew having the four them together as a family would be difficult. In fact, that is what she was counting on. She wanted Ric to see what they could have. Then Elizabeth could tell him that she wanted another chance.

Elizabeth and Ric were both surprised when the door opened. They were even more surprised however, by who walked in. "Am I interrupting?" Skye asked looking at the intimate scene.

"No. Cam and I were just getting ready to leave." Elizabeth said collecting Cameron's toys and shoving them in his bag. "Come on Cam time to go. Say bye."

"Bye." he said immediately. Although he didn't want to leave Mommy said, they would be able to play tomorrow. And Mommy always kept her promises.

Ric was surprised when Cam wrapped his arms around him for a hug. He held Cameron close not really wanting to let him go. "Bye." Ric said when the hug was over.

"Well see you tomorrow." Elizabeth said helping Cameron down and taking his hand.

Skye watched the whole exchange with interest. She had never seen Ric so relaxed around anyone except Molly. She knew something about Ric and Elizabeth thanks to the trial. This however seemed like more then two exes talking. Not to mention the fact Elizabeth had saved Ric's life. "You two seem close."

"Yeah I guess." Ric said uncomfortably. He did not expect to see Skye and her visit had thrown him.

Skye realized Ric wasn't going to say anymore. While she understood his need for privacy, she still needed him to release Lorenzo's money. "How are you feeling?"

"Look Skye you don't have to do this." Ric said abruptly.

"Do what?"

"Pretend we're friends. We both know the reason you're here is because of Alcazar's money."

"I never wanted this to happen to you." Skye said defensively.

"And I appreciate that. I am going to release Alcazar's money. It may take some time but I'll set things in motion tomorrow."

"Why are you doing this? What's in it for you?" she asked immediately suspicious.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? I find that hard to believe."

"Look Skye we both know Alcazar is dead. And we both know who is responsible. It makes no sense to keep his assets frozen."

"I just don't get why now." Skye told him. The last time they talked Ric had wanted a cut and now he wanted nothing. It just didn't make sense to her.

"Because I will never prove Jason killed Alcazar. And I'm not going to waste anymore of my life trying." Ric said thinking about his son and the time he lost. Ric didn't want to waste any more time on something he couldn't change.

"This has to do with Elizabeth. Doesn't it?"

Ric immediately stiffened. "Maybe you should go now."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. It's just... you know Jason has been chasing after her right?" Skye said remembering her brother's behavior at the ball.

"Elizabeth would never start a relationship with Jason."

"But they slept together." Skye pointed out gently. She knew Ric was aware of the fact. After all, he had been the one to out it.

"She would never put Cameron in that kind of danger." Ric said after a moment. Elizabeth was an amazing mother. He could not see her bring their son in to Jason's world.

"You seem pretty certain."

"That's because I am. You should go. I'll make sure someone calls you when they money is released."

"Thank you." Skye said as she left.

Ric took a deep breath enjoying the silence. Talking with Skye hadn't been fun but he knew things were going to get worse. At some, point Alexis would come barging in his room. Ric dreaded telling her about staying at Elizabeth's. He knew she would throw a fit about Molly being there. Alexis already complained about the amount of time she spent with Cam.

That would be nothing however to when Ric told her Cameron was his son. She had always been jealous of him and Elizabeth. Alexis knew Ric never loved her the way he did Elizabeth. And she hated it. Looking back, he knew that he should have never married Alexis. However, he could never regret Molly.

Hopefully Cam and Molly would have a better relationship than him and Sonny. So far, they got along well. The test would be, as they got older. He hoped Alexis didn't taint Molly's relationship with Cameron.

The biggest challenge was going to be staying in Elizabeth home and not going crazy. It was hard enough to visit and be reminded f what they could have had. This was going to be pure torture and Ric couldn't wait.