Reliving The Past

Chapter 42

At the safe house, Franco and Elizabeth take their belongings to their rooms. Max sets the alarm. Then does the same. Although Max travels lightly. Elizabeth shuts herself in her room and locks the door. She sits down at the desk in that room and decides to start her letter writing. She wanted everyone to know what she wanted in case her plan goes south. And she doesn't make it. She starts with her boys. Cam, Jake and then Aidan. Explaining that she's always wanted them to respect women and always protect them. Be polite but not a door mat. That she will be there on their wedding day and every day. All they have to do is think of her and she will be there. And how proud she is and always will be to have been their mother. And nothing they do will ever change that. She puts a little personal stuff in each letter. And then puts a picture of her with each boy in the envelope. She seals them and writes their names on the front of the envelope.

She moves on to her parents. This takes longer. She wanted to explain what happened and how she doesn't hurt anymore. Not for them. How she was sorry she never called. And never told them about what happened to her. Thanking them for taking her boys and protecting them. For letting her live with Audrey. If she hadn't been there, she would have never met Lucky, Nikolas and Emily. And never would have fallen in love with Lucky. She was lucky to have experienced the best love ever. It might not have lasted, but what time she did was magical. And she has paintings for each other them. It will be on a list that Franco will have. How she was sorry they didn't get to have the time together as adults to really get to know each other. But she wouldn't want any other parents. How proud she was of them for helping people.

She goes onto Laura and Bobby. Telling them that they were her family no matter what. How much they changed her life for the better. Thanking Bobby for helping her through her most awful experience in her life. Making sure she was ok. And then just being a great friend after. And Laura for helping her when Lucky couldn't even understand. Just holding her and letting her cry. Not asking questions. And that afternoon when she explained that Tom really wasn't her first time. At the time she didn't understand. But she did when Lucky and she were together. And apologizing for all the trouble she caused. The pain she put Lucky through. As a mother she knows how hard it is to see your child hurt.

Similar letters to Lulu, Dante, Jason, Sam, Monica, Maxie, Nathan, Sonny, Carly, Jax, Spencer, Robin, Patrick, Emma, Lucky, Kevin, Jackson, Sarah, Steve, Luke, Epiphany, Sabrina, Ric, Doctor Maddox, Griffin Monroe and lastly Franco. She gave them their own personal flair. Telling them that she loved them and was grateful for their help. How they didn't always get along, but she was changed because they were in her life.

Then she wrote a list of names and items next to the names. And wrote out a will. Stating her wishes. Then she sat there and cried. Praying that Audrey would forgive her for getting her in this mess. And for her and Tom to be happy together again. And if she was to join them soon, she would not be afraid to join them. But that she at least took out Tom on her way out of this world. Along with a majority of the cult. Take the numbers that Nathan and Dante have to fight down to a very small number.

She puts all the letters and will with the list in a bag. Then she starts to write out her plan. Her detailed plan. Giving everyone that was to help their roles. Making sure that each person was put in a role that best suits them. She knows that she's going to get a fight with Jason and Franco. And she was ready. She will have to explain the plan. Her part is non-negotiable. Once the plan was down, she prayed that Jessica would forgive her for not being able to help her. And that her family would forgive her. She meditates. Then just as she was about to unlock her bedroom door, her phone rings.

"Hello?" Elizabeth answers.

"Hello. So when are we going to meet? I can't wait to have you again." Tom says, sounding so sure of himself.

"Hello Tom. How was prison? Make any girl friends? Get what was coming to you? Ii hope it hurt like hell too." Elizabeth says, sounding amused.

"I learned a lot of new ways to torture. Why don't you come on over and I'll show you." Tom taunts.

"Well that's wonderful. I hope some of them were used on you. So where are you and Bubba registered? I would love to get you guys a gift." Elizabeth plays back. Not one bit afraid. Voice as steady as can be.

"Oh, I can't wait to have you again. And whisper not a word in your ear. See you freak and tense up. Oh memories." Tom sighs.

"Oh, ok. As long as you expect a few new things to happen too. Like me fighting back. Oh, that's right, I fought you that night. But this time, I'm not the little girl you had to sneak up behind. This time we are going to be face to face. And you are not taking me by surprise. I've lived a lot since then. And I have known some very colorful people in my days. Learned a little as I went. You should see what I can do with a baseball bat. The fear is gone Tom. So it might not be as much fun for you. And I can guarantee that you will never forget me. I have a present for you Tom. I can't wait to give it to you. Tomorrow, I will be at my Grams house. I know you know where it is. Be there at 10am. And we can continue this conversation. Enjoy your time until then." Elizabeth hangs up with a big smile on her face. For the first time, she had not cringed at the words, not a word. She knows she's ready to end this.

Downstairs, Franco is making a lists of his own. Things he wants to do with Elizabeth. And one about the things he wants to do with the boys. And a list of things to do with Liz and the boys. He isn't going to take her for granite. Live every day to the fullest. Maybe even one day marry Elizabeth. He imagines her in a beautiful, heavenly white wedding dress. Hair swept up and a vail. And her being his. It makes his heart flutter and makes him feel warm and fuzzy inside. Then he hears her coming down the stairs.

"How are you doing Liz?"

"I'm fine. How are you?" Elizabeth asks, continuing to go to the kitchen.

"I'm ok. When do you want me to call the others?"

"Soon. I was thinking of talking them over with you first. Because as soon as I tell these to them, I am so going to get so much feedback that I need you to help me convince them this is the only way. Because let's face it, it is the only way. I remember how Tom was that day in court." She stops and stares out the window. "They wouldn't let me testify about him locking Emily and I in his dark room. Holding us at gunpoint. Because they were afraid I would mention the rape. So I sat in the court room as support for Emily. His lawyer said that Emily asked for it. And I lost it. I stood up and started screaming how he raped me. Nearly causing us a mistrial. Lucky took me out to the hallway and tried to calm me down. They stopped court for the day because of me. Then they brought Tom out. He taunted me by saying that he hoped I had a nice Valentine's Day this year. Lucky attacked him. Thankfully Detective Tagart played it off as he didn't see a think. Nikolas said he might have bumped into him. The other officers backed him up. Only because they were supposed to take him through the basement. That right there was when it first came to my attention that Tom loved making himself center of attention. And he would manipulate the situation to his power. So he was in control of everyone and everything. I vowed right then and there to just not go to the trial and never to give the time of day to Tom again. Later that night, the DA called and said that Tom made a plea deal and he was going away for a long time. I felt powerful then. And only thought of him every so often. But I watched how he worked. I studied him. I also saw how cool and collected he was when I went to see him when he was first arrested. He kept using things from the night of my rape to try and get a reaction out of me. Telling me 'Not a Word' on that subject. And how pretty I looked in my red dress. How I dressed up just for me. And that I wanted it or I wouldn't have dressed up and sat there. But always made it hypothetical. Until he said what we had was special. I couldn't listen anymore. So there are two different times I got to study is behavior. And from the phone call I just got, we are both ready for the games to begin." Elizabeth says, without emotion.

"I'm sorry all that happened to you. You never told me anything about what happened to you. Just that you had been raped. But honey, this isn't a game. And why didn't you tell anyone he called?" Franco stares at her.

"I just did tell someone. And I am not dealing with this the way a normal person would. If I do, I won't win. I will die. I'm trying to look at it the way Jason does. The way Tom does. Jason looked at working for Sonny as a way of life. Tom looked at it as a game. So if I look at it as combined, then I have strategy and a game. I owe this to my Gram and Jessica and any other people that his freak of nature group has hurt or killed. I'll be damned if I let them hurt anyone else. I'm going to show Tom that he's messed with the wrong girl and the wrong town. I need my boys to see that when things happen in life we can't just let it happen then let it go. We have to bring whoever to justice and then get closure. I thought closure was putting him in jail. That just held the monster. Now I have to slay it to bring the world to a safe place again. Or a safer place." Elizabeth just stands there and doesn't move. Franco slowly comes up behind her. He puts a hand on her arm. She jumps. "Please don't touch me. Not until this is over." Elizabeth pulls away and rubs where he touched.

"I'm sorry. But this is making you into someone else. Liz, please don't push me away. Let me help you. Tell me about that night. Maybe I can help you see things in it and help you better take on Tom and is pitiful pose." Franco says, working on his control and trying not to let his hands go to her body and hold her so tight.

"There isn't much to say. I was supposed to go to the Valentine's Day dance with Lucky. I asked him and he said yes. But I guess the way I asked it was more a friendly thing. But I of course thought it was a date. So I had my Gram help me pick out a pretty red dress with shoe and a purse to match. I was so excited and that was the first time Gram and I bonded. But an hour or so before the dance, Lucky stopped by to say that he and Sarah were going to the dance as dates. I was so embarrassed that I said that a basketball player asked me and I turned him down. Then I would call him back and accept. That we would just see each other at the dance. I tried to tell Gram I wasn't feeling well so I wouldn't have to go. But she thought I had cold feet. So I had to go. So I went upstairs and got ready. Played it off as I was going to the dance," Elizabeth goes over to the table and sits down. Then continues.

"So I left in a cab. I sent to a movie. And then went walking after. I was eating the rest of my popcorn. I went through the park as I normally do on the way to Grams. But the shoes were new and my feet were hurting. So I sat down on the bench. I was looking at the stars and watching the moon light dance on the snow. I didn't hear a thing. Then all of a sudden there's a gloved hand over my mouth. And a hand around my stomach trying to pull me back off the bench. I grabbed on to the bench as hard as I could. But with bare hands and as cold as it was, there was no way I could hold on for very long. My fingers gave out and he pulled me back into the bushes. I could see the sky tilting above me. Then he slammed me down so hard onto the ground that I just couldn't breathe. He took my coat off and then started hitting me. I was in shock. I didn't know what was going on. Then he ripped my dress and my nylons. His hand was over my mouth. He got real close to my ear and said 'Not a word' and then he removed his hand and raped me," Elizabeth looks away for a second.

"I was so scared that I kind of removed myself from the situation mentally. I could still feel the rocks and stuff cutting into my back. Then before I knew it, he was gone and I was there alone. I tried to find my coat, my other shoe and my way out of the bushes. And that's when Lucky found me. He said I was moaning. But I don't remember that. I tried to stand, but I couldn't by myself. Lucky helped me to the bench that I was ripped off. He tried to help me put my shoe back on. That's when I noticed my Grams bracelet was gone. Then Lucky wanted to call the police. I told him no. He wanted to get me to the hospital and I said no. I wouldn't let him take me home. I didn't want my Gram to see me like that. So Lucky said he would take care of me. He took me back to his house. He called for his aunt Bobby at the hospital. But she was still in surgery. So he left to go get her. Even though he told me not to wash up, I showered when he was gone. I have never felt so dirty. I came down stairs and Luke was at the door. I was so scared that the rapist followed us and he was waiting until I was alone." Elizabeth clears her throat. Franco can see tears building up in her eyes. She stands up and turns her back.

"That's all there is to say about that. I wrote all the letters and my new will. They are in a bag upstairs." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out folder up paper. "Here my plan. Before I show it to you I want you to promise me that you will keep an open mind. I know you care about me and I care about you. But I can never be free if this isn't taken care of now. And I have to do. Yes, with the help of you and the crazy pose. But it's me taking the biggest risk. And that is how it should be." Elizabeth says, looking pretty said.

"Can you wait a few days? You still have stitches in. They could use that as a weakness for you. Just heal. That is going to be my only act of defiance. Actually, people would call it sanity, but I don't get much of those attacks." Franco smiles. Elizabeth can't help but smile too. "There's that beautiful smile I love and treasure so much. It's like looking at the most beautiful sunset. You sure are radiant even after being shot. No wonder you are alone. What man isn't dumbstruck with your beauty?" Franco grabs her hand and kisses her fingers.

"Franco, has anyone ever told you that you put the Bull in 'Bullshit'?" Elizabeth asks, then laughs so hard at his facial expression.

"Ouch!" Franco puts a hand to his chest and acts all shocked and hurt. "That was a blow to this poor man's heart and ego. I have a very soft and gentle ego. Well, not really. But pull the claws back in ma'am cat scratch lady." Franco smiles. Elizabeth laughs harder. Holding her side, she can't stop laughing. Tears are falling everywhere because she can't hold still. Max comes running into the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" He looks around.

"Nothing big guy. Just a little laughing. Or in her case a whole hell of a lot of laughing." Franco says, smiling at Liz's red face.

"What, did you get naked? That's the only way I can see you being funny." Max says, not trying to be funny. But Elizabeth continues to laugh just as hard.

"Well big guy if the body guard stuff doesn't pan out, we can take this comedy duo on the road." Franco elbows him in the side.

"Mrs. Webber, are you ok? Are you chocking?" Max asks, concerned about how red her face is getting and that he has yet to see her breath. Elizabeth finds a little energy to pat Max. Then leans against him as she starts to calm down on the laughing. Max holds her and watches in case she give another sign.

"Oh…Max. You are so funny. Franco is too. But you will have people rolling around. Laughing about what you said. Thank you guys for making me laugh. Oh I haven't laughed that hard in like forever. Now my stomach hurts and I'm sure I'm as red as tomato." She takes a deep cleansing breath. "I will start dinner now. I will do what I do with my boys. Who wants tacos and who wants spaghetti?" Elizabeth looks at them.

"Spaghetti!" Max says, raising his hand and waving it like a little kid would. Franco and Elizabeth start laughing.

"Max, you surprise me. I never thought you had a funny bone in your body." Elizabeth says, chuckling.

"I'm sure Diane has seen his funny bone." Franco says, straight faced. Elizabeth mouth opens big in shock, trying not to laugh.

"Hey! No, that one was good." Max starts to laugh. Soon they are all laughing.

After a few minutes of laughing and calming down Elizabeth says, "Hey, ok you two monkeys, I need to start dinner. Do we want spaghetti and a salad or tacos?"

"Spaghetti is fine. We will get out of your way. Call if you need help. Or just need a chuckle." Franco and Max walk out to the living room talking. Elizabeth smiles. She really did think they were a couple of funny goof balls. And she prayed to her Gram and God to make sure that none of her friends and family got hurt by this. And that she would make it through to be with her boys. All of them.

A/N: Thank to you all for great reviews and your wonderful thoughts. I'll try to get the next one up soon. Sorry if I missed any errors. Take care!