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
Standing outside her father's study, Elizabeth does her best to fight the urge to take off without having the conversation with her father. In spite of her nerves, she finds the courage to open the door and walk inside. Since he's expecting her, she found no need to knock.
"Have a seat." her father gestures to the chair across from him. "We don't have much time before your mother starts yelling for me."
"Are you sure everything's okay?" Elizabeth finds the need to question. "If I'm being punished for something, can you just get to the punishment already? You're really starting to freak me out a bit."
"If anyone is being punished at this point, you can trust that it isn't you." he assures her before gesturing to the chair again. "Now, please, have a seat."
Meeting his eyes for a moment, she wonders what could possibly be going on within her father's mind. Taking what she knows so far into account, she finds that it only adds up to something terribly wrong. Lowering herself into the chair, Elizabeth braces herself for whatever her father is about to say.
"Your grandmother and I have been discussing your future in length these last few days." he says carefully, clearly trying to find the right words to use. "At first, I had been inclined to trust your mother's judgment on art as a career choice opposed to the medical field."
"But..." she looks to him with anticipation at this point, desperate to know if her grandmother had succeeded in changing his mind.
"After the portfolio she presented, among other compelling facts, I am now inclined to give this career path a fair chance."
"What does that mean exactly?" she dared to question, uncertain of what a fair chance means coming from her father.
"It means that I'm willing to support you in your dreams to be an artist."
"Can I get that in writing?" she blurts out, unable to help herself from voicing the first thing to pop into her mind. "Maybe even recorded on some kind of tape or something?"
"Elizabeth." he sighs, knowing that her reaction is valid. Unnecessary, but valid. "Unfortunately, you're just going to have to trust me on this."
"But this is really happening right?" she looks at him firmly. "You're really going to support me?"
"For as long as you prove your mother wrong, yes." he assures. "But, the moment I see that there is no future for you on this path, my support ends. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal."
"As much as I love you, Elizabeth, I must ensure that your future will be stable long after I'm gone." her father elaborates. "As much as I would love to be around for the rest of your life to bail you out at any given moment, the good Lord will eventually take me from this Earth and I'd prefer it if you had a secure future when that happens."
"I promise you, father, I won't make you regret changing your mind."
"See to it that you don't." he smiles slightly before daring to touch on the other elephant in their relationship. "Now...about Jason..."
"JEFF!" her mother shouts from the front door, her voice vibrating through the house. "Where on Earth have you gone to now?"
"To be continued." her father says before rising to his feet. "Tell your grandmother I wish her safe travels."
"I will..." Elizabeth assures before daring to ask. "But, first...how does mom feel about this?"
"Don't forget your coat." her father says simply. "Port Charles is expecting a shift in temperature tonight."
Before she could muster up anything else to say, her father shuts the door behind him, leaving her in pure confusion. Obviously her mother would not agree to this kind of acceptance, not in a million years, not as long as the medical field still exists. Something about her father's demeanor remains with her as she gets ready for her dinner with her gram. A sinking feeling overcoming her that maybe she just might be the one to regret his support.
"Thank you." she whispers to her grandmother as the hug in greeting, unable to voice the true depth of her gratitude for her constant support through every aspect of her life. "I could never truly repay you for what you did with dad."
"I'm your grandmother...thanks and repayment are hardly necessary." her gram counters before pulling away to meet her eyes. "I love you, sweet child. I only wish for your dreams to come true the way mine has."
"I love you, too, Gram." she voices with her whole heart. "More than you'll ever truly know."
Throughout her life, her Gram has always been her solace, the one person to give her a reprieve whenever necessary. Even from the other end of the planet, her gram would always find a way to brighten her day, not a single special occasion forgotten.
As she sits across from the woman that has given her everything and more, Elizabeth finds the courage she needs to say goodbye. Because, after all, her grandmother is right. This is her dream and Elizabeth refuses to be the one to put a stop to something this important to her Gram. Regardless of how much it'll hurt to say goodbye again.
Their goodbye dinner goes on like any other time before, promises being made and assurances put into place. Before they know it, its time for Audrey to be on her way and for them to say their final goodbyes. Not one to endure long goodbyes, Audrey embraces her before whispering her goodbye and taking her leave.
"Goodbye, Gram." Elizabeth whispers as the restaurant door closes behind the elder woman. "I'll miss you."
Rising to her feet after a long few minutes, she slowly makes her way to her car before sliding into the driver's side and taking a private moment. It would be another few minutes before Elizabeth is able to dial Jason's number, but she eventually manages to do so. Finding that she needs to hear his voice now more than ever.
"Hey, Liz." a female voice comes on over the line, throwing her for a loop. "Its Emily...Jason's sister. The family's having the most amazing dessert ever, so, hurry up. You can talk to Jason when you get here. Okay? Bye."
"What the..." she voices as the line goes dead.