Reliving The Past

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Chapter 6

Elizabeth makes it to her Gram's house around 5pm. She goes in and chats with Audrey about the plan for them to leave. That she wanted to have the 4th BBQ and then have them leave right after. Wanting to spend time with her boys, friends and family.

"Gram, thank you so much for doing this for me. I know it's a lot to ask. But I'm really worried about you and the boys. I just hope my boys can understand why I'm doing this. My parents too. I don't want to send them away. But I have to keep them safe. You too. There is not telling what he will do to any of you."

"It's quite alright dear. I understand. Your parents will and your boys know you love them. Don't feel guilty for some awful creature trying to turn your life upside down." Audrey hugs her.

"You know the last time we sat here and talked like this was when I was 15. I'm so sorry for all the trouble I gave you in my teens. You didn't deserve that. You loved me and I loved you. But I was trying to figure out who and what I was going to be. I guess that's what they mean by growing pains." Elizabeth laughs. Audrey laughs with her, but harder.

"Wait until your boy's rebel. That is going to be priceless!" Audrey laughs some more.

"Bit your tongue. Actually Cam is getting that way somewhat right now. If I say the sun is yellow, he says its mustard. I can't seem to win with him right now. That is why I didn't want to have to send them away. I don't want them to hate me." Elizabeth gets teary.

"Darling, you have to start learning that you are going to do things that your kids will not like. They might even yell at you and say some pretty hurtful things. But they will get over it. You have to do what you think is best. Kids don't come with instruction manuals. But that is also a good thing. Some families do wonders and some lack. But they all shape us into who we are. Just imagine if we were all raised the same way. It would make for a very boring world. I mean I thought that way Luke and Laura raised Lucky was all wrong. But he helped you. So the way he was raised was just out of the blue enough to help heal you. Yet I couldn't. So your boys will be ok. Look how wonderful you turned out. And all the things you have overcome. They couldn't have a better mother then you. Plus, what kid can say they went to Europe on their summer vacation?" Audrey smiles.

"Gram, you are the best pep talk person on this planet. You always seem to calm me down. I will miss you."

"Who is going to watch over you dear?" Audrey looks concerned.

"Well Gram, Dante, Lulu and Roco will come and stay a few days while their stuff is being moved into their new house. And with doing that, he will watch over me and the house. The letter I got today said if there was any cops, that my family and friends would have 'accidents'. Gram, I think he killed a patient at the hospital today. An adorable elderly lady. She just had the flu. I can handle this and myself better if it's just me he can concentrate on. I think he broke into my house and put snakes in a drawer and my bed. It was awful Gram. I also have Franco. I know people think he is so bad. But he's so good with Jake. And he's nice to me. We are good friends. And let's face it, I need a few. All my friends are moving on with life. Or I do something and they are mad at me. Or they die." Elizabeth wipes a tear away.

"Darling, I'm sorry about Nikolas. Maybe with this alone time, you can start to paint again. You need to start doing that more. You were so talented. And I know you loved painting. You should make a painting room in your house. Paint after you put the boys to bed, but before you go to bed. You don't have to do hours at a time. Maybe this friendship with Franco could help you get your art looked at and an art gallery thing. Honey, you need to do somethings for you. I'm sure Franco can help with anything you might have forgotten when it comes to painting."

"Maybe Gram. Maybe. Ok boys! Clean up, it's time to go home." Elizabeth kisses Audrey and start to gather their backpack. Then they leave.

When they get home, Elizabeth notices a light on in the house. She knew she didn't have a light on when she left. It was still light out now. This made her stomach knot up. But she pretends to be happy and good for the boys.

"Ok boys, what do you want for dinner? Spaghetti or tacos?" Jake and Aidan says spaghetti. Cam wanted tacos. "Ok. I normally won't do this. But I will make both. You boys need to stay in the living room when you play. Don't go upstairs without my ok." Elizabeth goes into the kitchen and starts to cook dinner. She could hear the boys playing in the living room. While she's got the water running, she thought she heard a knock on the front door. She is afraid the boys will answer it. In her distracted state, she drops the spaghetti pot with the boiling water and noodles. Splashing a little of the water on her hand.

"Damn it!" She running her hand under cool water. Then puts a dish towel around her hand and rushes off to the living room in a panic. When she gets there, she finds Franco sitting with the boys. "Why didn't you let me know it was you? I was busy and worried. Cam, don't answer the door without me here, ok."

"Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. I know how to answer a door." Cam rolls his eyes at her.

"Cameron Michael Spencer! Don't you talk to me that way. I am the parent here. I know you are not a baby. But you need to do what I say. Why don't you help your brothers clean up and help me set the table? Franco, would you like to stay for dinner? We are having spaghetti and tacos. So you can have one or the other or a little of both."

"Sure. Would you like some help? Maybe I should look at that hand. What happened?" Franco gets up and follows Elizabeth into the kitchen.

"I had the pot of boiling water and pasta in my hands when I heard you knock. Then I remembered I hadn't told the boys not to answer the door. I lost my grip and sloshed some boiling water onto my hand. I put it under cool water and then wrapped it in this towel. I will check it out after dinner is done. I'm already behind because I stayed and talked to Gram. Aidan and Jake want spaghetti and Cam wants tacos. So I thought I would fix both and I would have tacos. My guilt is making me do things I normally wouldn't do." She fiddles with the pot of pasta and Franco chops the burger in the frying pan.

"You have nothing to feel guilty for. You are protecting them. Plus they are getting a trip of a life time. And to add to that, they get to see their grandparents. They are only used to the wonderful Grammy Audrey Harding. Now they get to really get to know the parents that raised you."

"That might be the issue. They need to meet my parents and really get to know them, but my parents don't really think highly of me. What if the boys spend so much time with them that they turn my boys against me? I mean they couldn't come to any of my weddings or births of their grandchildren. When we thought Jake died, they couldn't be bothered to come to the funeral. I mean for cripes sake, Luke came even when he thought he killed him. I just don't trust me parents to be good to my boys. If it weren't for Grams, I would suggest something else." Elizabeth stops what she's doing and puts her hands on the edge of the counter and hangs her head in exhaustion. Franco turns and sees this act of defeat. He puts a hand on her back and tries to get a look at her face.

"Liz, I think we all have issues with our families. Some more than others, but we all have our flaws. Your parent's flaws are they care more for others then their own family. But look how strong they made you. How independent. Raising three boys on your own. Yes, your Gram helps, but you run them to their sports games. You work to keep food in their mouths, a roof over their head and cloths on their backs. Sure, they might want more. But it's good for kids to realize you can't always have what you want. Kids have to learn how to earn things. They appreciate it more. I learned the hard way. But you have to trust your parents a little bit. You are still alive." Franco chuckles. "You made it to your Grams in one piece. How often do you talk or write your parent's?"

"Hmm, let me see. In the past 19 years I have talked to a parent maybe 4 times. I have sent them a total of 10 letters. I called them all 4 times. And never received a letter to me directly ever. The one time my sister Sarah and I got a letter from them together, it was tickets asking for her and me to spend the summer with them. But it was just after my rape. So I was kind of clingy to Lucky. Plus his family was having a meltdown. So I couldn't leave. I couldn't explain to them why I couldn't come because Gram thought it best not to tell them what happened. Didn't want them to feel bad or blame themselves. I think they didn't care. I have told them of it. But the few times we have talked, they never mention it. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I don't want the boys to hear. Plus I need to cut up the tomatoes." She pushes past him and continues to get the dinners together. Franco continues to help.

At the dinner table, they eat, making small talk. They laugh and joke. All except Cam. He glares at Franco. Elizabeth notices and gives him the 'behave' face all mothers have. It doesn't stop, but he lightens up a little. She start to clear the table while Jake and Franco talk about drawing. Cam and Aidan talk about a cartoon that they watch. As she's taking the last of the plates into the kitchen, the phone rings. She jumps so bad that she loses grip on one of the plates and it crashes to the floor. Busting into hundreds of shards.

"Franco, could you get the phone? I need to get this swept up. Boys, stay sitting down. I don't want you to cut yourself on the glass." She squats down and starts to wrangle all the pieces into a pile so she could get to the dust pan and broom. Franco goes to grab the phone.

"Hello, Webber residence."

"Hey, Franco?" It's Dante. I just wanted to let Elizabeth know that Sonny has agreed to issue 4 guards. One for each of them. They will be stopping by in a while. I will try to get there before. So I can meet them and Sonny gave my files on each one so Elizabeth can place the best match for the boys. I have some paper work to file. Then I will be on my way. I will text her when I'm on my way. Thanks." Dante hangs up. Franco goes to tell Elizabeth the news.

"Cameron, you are old enough to help me a little. All I asked is for you to help me clear the table. It's not like I asked you to do the impossible. Where is this attitude coming from?" She really wants to understand what's wrong with her son.

"I don't know. Maybe I get it from my DAD!" Cam rushes out of the room. She stands there trying to figure out what that meant.

"Excuse me Elizabeth, but that was Dante. Sonny has agreed to give you 4 guards. Dante will be here soon. Hopefully before the guards get here. He has the files on them. So you two can figure out who is best with who. Why don't you finish this up and I will take the boys upstairs and get them bathed and ready for bed." Franco gathers Jake and Aidan.

"Thank you Franco. Boys, mind Franco. Be good. Make sure you get behind your ears." She laughs. It's a running joke with the boys.

"Yes mom. Race you Franco!" Jake rushes off upstairs. Franco holds Aidan's hand as they rush after Jake. This makes Elizabeth smile. For a short little moment it felt like a family. Just for a short moment.