Disclaim any and all recognizable traits, features, characters, and settings recognizable in any way shape or form. This story and others in my collection are merely a way of showcasing my love for the genre, show, and all that may or may not lay in between those verified lines. Reviews are always appreciated and greatly welcomed in all forms as long as they prove to provide actual assistance in furthering the story's potential in every way possible. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and, hopefully, review.
Believe in Me
Its been one month since she begun her studies at the local university and Elizabeth couldn't imagine loving college anymore than she already does. Her professors have opened her mind to so many different techniques that she had no clue even existed. The kinds of things she has learnt to do with water colors alone could probably fill up a couple text books.
Today she is tasked with creating a charcoal sketch showcasing the day to day of Port Charles. She couldn't truly describe it, but a beautiful sunny day in the park had immediately come to mind the moment her professor dished out the assignment. Something about the beauty of nature paired with the families that have come to enjoy some quality time with each other called out to her like a moth to a flame.
Of course, being out in the park in the middle of the day left her open to the undesirable advances of the various men Port Charles has to offer. As if its unthinkable for a woman to be sitting alone in the park on a beautifully sunny day. If she were destined to end up with any one of those boneheads, Elizabeth would surely end up in some kind of monastery, wholeheartedly refusing to fall into the trappings of that kind of life.
Take Lucky Spencer, for example, the most boneheaded of them all. Admittedly, police officers, in this town at least, are boneheaded by nature, but this guy definitely takes the cake. Ever since he made the choice to become a cop, the complete opposite fate from his notorious father, he has taken on this holier than though attitude. Like its some big achievement to have chosen the right side of the law.
If you were to ask her, she'd say that he was over compensating for something or another. If it were any other town or city, Elizabeth would have a little more faith and confidence in law enforcement, but not in this town. Having grown up with most of the newer officers and having grown up knowing most of the more decorated ones, she knows as well as anyone that most of them are just big kids with guns. Quite a few known for abusing their power regularly.
"Hey, good looking." a voice sounds from beside her, causing her to shoot up her eyes when she doesn't recognize the voice.
"Jerk!" she smacks Jason before moving over on the bench to make room for him to sit. "Some best friend you are."
"I was just teasing." he says apologetically, sneaking a peek at her sketch. "I take it you've had a good amount of unwanted guests?"
"Spencer, Jax, and the Cassadine prince himself." she groans, snatching her sketch book and shutting it swiftly. "You know better than to look at it when its not done, Morgan."
"Did they give you any trouble?"
"Just more of the usual." she assures him. "Lucky did up the ante by asking me to dinner."
"You and Spencer, huh?" Jason mulls that over for a moment. "You'd definitely make an interesting couple, that's for sure."
"Bite your tongue!" she snaps, slapping his arm. "The day I start dating Spencer Junior is the day I get myself fitted for a padded cell."
"On that cheerful note, I just received the final paperwork from the real estate agency." Jason smiles brightly. "Its officially mine."
"Are you serious?" she looks at him in complete shock. "But you haven't even settled the disagreement with the bank yet."
"Technicalities." Jason assures her. "We should be able to reach an agreement by the end of the week."
"I have no words." she smiles just as bright as he is, moving over to throw her arms around him in a warm embrace. "I'm so happy for you."
"We should go out tonight." Jason says as he pulls away. "After all its taken to get things rolling, I just want to go out and celebrate. What do you say?"
"Definitely." she agrees without hesitation. "What do you have in mind?"
"You'll see." he counters with a slight smirk. "Pick you up at seven?"
"Sure."
"Great." he leans over, placing a soft kiss upon her temple. "Later, we'll talk about getting you some mace."
"Right." she laughs softly. "I can see the headlines now. Woman wards away unwanted advances with mace."
"I'd read that article."
"Go away, Morgan."
Waiting long enough for him to leave the park, Elizabeth returns her attention back to her sketch at hand, deciding to add the sight of her best friend leaving the park to her image. Things are finally starting to fall into place with her art as well as his architect business, something she hadn't truly believed was possible, and she couldn't be happier.
In spite of her mother's constant disapproval of her chosen career choice and her father's constant disapproval of the company she keeps, she can officially say that she is the happiest she has ever been in her entire life. She truly doubts it could get any better than it already is.
Packing up her things once she has the initial layout of what her sketch will look like, Elizabeth makes her way back to the car that was lent to her by Jason's grandmother, a gesture that had taken her by surprise. Every part of her wanted to decline the offer, but that sweet lady just wouldn't take no for an answer. Proving to be more of a Quartermaine than she had initially presumed.
Glancing at the clock, she notes that she has just enough time to head home for a quick shower and change of clothes before meeting her grandmother for lunch. After a two year sabbatical in places unknown for god only knows what, her grandmother has finally made her way back to Port Charles, only to insist on lunch with the wild child. Seeing as her grandmother is a wild child at heart, Elizabeth rarely ever takes offense with the nickname. Especially since Jason took a shining to it and insists on using it whenever her 'Lizzie' side comes out.
An extremely quick shower and "grandmother approved" attire later, Elizabeth finds herself walking into the Grill where she's asked to give her name and the party that she'll be joining. After which, the snotty waitress that Elizabeth couldn't possibly get along with no matter how hard she tries, Mariah Jones, escorts her to a reserved booth where she'll await her grandmother's arrival.
She barely even recalls what had started the feud between her and the young Jones girl, but she's almost certain it has something to do with either Spencer Junior or the Cassadine prince. Whatever the reason is, she and little Mariah have been at odds for as long as she can remember. As if Elizabeth would be interested in either of those dimwits. She had learnt more than enough from Jason when his sister had been crushing on the Cassadine.
Fortunately for Emily, she was able to see the error in her judgement and dropped those two so fast that their heads spun. Cassadine still tries to work angles as far as Emily is concerned, but has most recently turned his attention to Elizabeth for some unknown reason. Between the two brothers and Jasper Jacks, as well as a few other men around town, constantly making moves on her, Elizabeth has completely sworn off men. With those as her choices, she says good riddance.
"Grams!" Elizabeth rises to her feet to greet her grandmother when she arrives at the booth, wrapping her arms around the elder woman in a warm embrace. "How was your sabbatical?"
"Enlightening." her grandmother, Audrey Hardy, assures as they take their seats. "I'm certain to be able to use quite a lot that I've learnt while I'm abroad with Doctor's Without Borders."
"How long will your stay in Port Charles be this time?" she inquires as they peruse the menu. "I hope you'll be staying for at least a week."
"I wish it could be that long, but I'll only be in town for a few days while the plane refuels." Audrey admits sadly, reaching out her hand to hold Elizabeth's. "I know I'm gone a lot longer than I'm here..."
"Its okay, Gram." Elizabeth assures her. "You're doing amazing work...how can anyone fault you for that?"
"I do intend to spend as much of that time catching up on your life." Audrey smiles brightly before looking over her menu again. "Your letters just aren't as detailed as I'd like them to be."
"I'll try to be more articulate in the future." Elizabeth smirks, gaining that playfully scolding look from her grandmother. "Its really great have you home, Gram. Even for just a few days."
"Its great to be home."