February 13, 2014

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the What Would Happen

1

It started out as a one night stand. No names–just incredible sex. So incredible that they’d agreed to meet again–same place, same time the next night. She’d never had a lover like him before–he had a voice that dripped with sensual promise and a body to fulfill it.

During the three incredible hours they’d spent together, she’d never once thought about what her brother might think or what her fiancé would think. All she could think about was his mouth on her body, the way the skin on his chest rippled and tensed when she touched him.

Afterwards, they laid next to each other–the only sound in the room was their breathing. Heavy at first but then even. It was a long time before they spoke. And even then there was no conversation. She told him that it had been incredible–she’d never felt like that before. He agreed and that’s when they made the pact to meet again. She dressed quickly and quietly without looking at him.

If she looked at him, she might not get out of the room without jumping him again. Once she was in the hallway of the second floor of her favorite bar, she slumped heavily against the door, the diamond on her engagement glinting even the dim lighting.

When she’d been inside Room 4, she’d just been a woman who’d had an itch that sorely needed scratching. It’d been months–actually closer to a year–since she’d slept with anyone.

But now, outside the room, she wasn’t that woman anymore. Inside, she could say it was the hypnotic spell that seemed to be weaved the moment she’d laid eyes on him across the room downstairs. But outside…she was herself again.

Elizabeth Corinthos, sister to Mafioso Michael “Sonny” Corinthos. Sister-in-law to former model Brenda Barrett-Corinthos.

Future wife of Nikolas Cassadine, the number one rival to Sonny Corinthos’s empire.

She pulled her jacket over her rumpled tank top and left it unzipped. If she was going to leave at all tonight, now would be a good time.

She told herself she wasn’t going to come back. No matter how good she’d felt during the last three hours, she couldn’t do this again.

But even as she went down the stairs and left through the back alley…she knew she was lying to herself.

2

The first surprise came not the next night but the next afternoon. Elizabeth and Brenda had come into her brother’s penthouse after a morning of wedding errands and shopping. Her brother was standing by the mini-bar with a shot of whiskey in his hand and the man he was sharing the shot with had his back to the door.

“Elizabeth,” Sonny called. He beckoned them closer. “I want you to meet the infamous Jason Morgan.”

He turned then and it felt like life stood still for a moment as Elizabeth came face to face with the one night stand.

She knew who Jason Morgan was–everyone around Sonny knew about the guy he’d met in Miami five years ago. He’d put the younger man in charge of the Puerto Rico operation–entrusting him with more territory than men who’d been working longer for Sonny could believe.

Brenda had met Jason a few times–trips to the island with Sonny had ensured that. But Elizabeth never had.

The bag in her hand slipped through her fingers and hit the floor as she drank in his face–hoping that the saying that everyone had a twin in the world was true.

But there was shock on his face as well and she knew that it was him. That she’d slept with her brother’s business partner in a night of nameless sex.

And worst of all, she’d planned on doing it again.

He recovered quickly and stuck his hand out. Elizabeth shook the hand that stroked her into oblivion the night before and let it go immediately.

“Nice to meet you. Michael talks about you a lot,” Elizabeth mumbled. She gathered her bag from the floor. “I have to go.”

She bolted from the penthouse and it only once she was across the hall in her own apartment that she was able to breathe again.

3

She’d known all along that she’d go back that night. Even now–knowing who he was–she paused in front of his door and knocked softly. They could straighten out this whole thing and agree to put it behind them.

It made complete and rational sense to her as she drove the six miles from Harborview Towers to Jake’s on the outskirts of town. It made even more sense as she gave the owner of the bar a sheepish smile and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

But once she knocked and he opened the door, she couldn’t even remember what’d she come to tell him.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he said quietly.

“I shouldn’t be here,” she confessed. “I should go.”

“Probably,” he agreed. But he opened the door further and she stepped inside. She heard the door click shut behind her but she forced herself to keep her back to him. If she looked at him, she’d jump him.

And that wasn’t what she’d come here to do. Right?

“I saw the ring last night but I didn’t ask.” His voice broke the thick silence and she stared down at the object in question. “I’m asking now–even though I know the answer.”

“It’s part of a merger,” she revealed so softly he stepped closer to hear her. She could feel his body heat against her back and it almost had her dizzy. She closed her eyes for a moment to regain her composure. “They’re merging the territory and a marriage is the easiest way.”

“You don’t love your fiancé?”

She turned then and met his intense gaze. If she’d felt dizzy before, she wasn’t sure how she was still conscious now. Everything was spinning and cloudy now. “Does it matter?” she asked, her voice husky now.

“Does it matter to you?”

Oh dear God, how was she supposed to concentrate on his words when he had the edge to his voice? That deep, gravelly edge? She blinked, trying to clear her vision and keep her mind clear. “No,” she whispered. She pulled the ring from her finger and slipped it into the pocket of her denim blue jeans. “It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

“You’re Sonny’s sister,” he said.

“It didn’t matter last night.”

“I didn’t know that last night.”

Her heart was pounding–she was having a hard time trying to breathe. “Does it matter tonight?”

He stepped closer to her, his scent overwhelming her then. She blinked again. She’d come here to tell him something…what was it again?

“It should,” he answered finally. He lifted a hand and brushed it against the skin just underneath her cheekbone. When the thick calloused skin made contact with the softness of her own, she moaned and her eyes fluttered shut. God, just a touch could undo her. The power this man had over her–she’d never known desire like this–or was it just plain old lust? Did she even care? “But it doesn’t,” he replied.

“Oh, God, I want you,” she breathed or even half moaned, she wasn’t sure. Didn’t even matter.

When he finally kissed her, it was even more intoxicating than the night before but now it had a sense of desperation because it was even more forbidden tonight. Because tonight, he knew who she was–what the penalty could be if her brother ever found out.

The knowledge that she was the sister of Sonny Corinthos should have stopped him but it only made him kiss her harder, pull her closer and he was even more eager to strip of her jeans and t-shirt. He wanted her in his bed again–immediately.

He backed her towards the bed even as he was peeling her jeans off her body. Jason slid his hands to her upper thighs and tugged so that she let him lift her into his arms, instinctively wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.

“Take this off,” she grumbled, tugging at the hem of his black t-shirt. He set her down on the bed and climbed over her, on all fours. She nearly ripped the shirt in her haste to get it off. She ran her fingers over the warm skin of chest, brushing against his nipples.

He was just as anxious to have her shirt off, only he did rip it at the seams in his rush. His hands cupped her firm breasts and she moaned into his mouth. “Please,” she murmured, not even knowing what she was asking for.

He slid down her body, his mouth roving over her porcelain skin, leaving a trail of red marks. His fingers slid under the straps of her panties and slid them down her legs, nipping at the tender skin of her inner thighs.

“Please,” she begged, threading her fingers in his hair and trying to pull him back up. “I need you now!”

He nibbled his way back to her lips before thrusting his tongue past her lips and devouring her mouth greedily. She blindly unsnapped his jeans and started to shove them over his hips, sending his boxers with him.

Jason reached towards the nightstand and found the condom on top–where he’d put it that morning before leaving. He was anticipating that tonight would be as incredible as the night before and he wanted to have it at hand. Now he was glad he hadn’t put it away after meeting Elizabeth.

She took it from him. “You concentrate on getting the rest of your clothes off,” Elizabeth told him breathlessly. He grinned then and kicked off his pants and boxers. Once he was fully nude, she braced her legs around his waist again and rolled them over.

“I think this was the one position we didn’t try last night,” Elizabeth remarked with a saucy smile. She nibbled and licked her way down his chest before reaching his hard shaft. Before he could stop her, she gave it a few licks–almost like she was licking a lollipop. Jason groaned when she swirled her tongue around his tip a few times before rolling the condom over him. She smiled at him mischievously. “Maybe we can try that in full force later,” she suggested as she let him pull her back up his body.

He adjusted her over his shaft and thrust his hips up, impaling her in one smooth motion. Elizabeth arched her back and fisted her hands in her hair. “Oh, God, this feels so good,” she murmured, closing her eyes. His hands slid over breasts and strummed her nipples as she started to lift herself up and down.

After a few minutes of the slow rhythm, he slid his hands down to grip her hips and he quickened the pace and she rode him harder. At first she was chanting his name but as she got closer to the edge, they just merged into one long moan. When he felt her tighten around him, he came to his own climax.

Sweating and shaking a little, Elizabeth collapsed on top of him. They were still connected and she could feel that every time she moved a little. He wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair.

“I’ve never felt like this before,” she admitted softly. “Even as I drove over here, I knew I shouldn’t.”

“I didn’t think you would come,” Jason admitted. “I hoped…but I knew why you might not.”

“You asked me before if I loved Nikolas,” Elizabeth began. “I don’t. I barely know him.”

Sensing the conversation was taking a sharp and serious turn, Jason slid out of her body and disposed of the condom. He slid back into the bed and pulled Elizabeth close to him, covering them with the thin sheet at the end of the bed.

“I wasn’t really paying attention before,” he admitted. “You said something about territories.”

“You know that Michael’s wanted the Cassadine territory for years,” Elizabeth reported. “Helena is getting old and Nikolas isn’t in a position to run it to its full potential so he agreed to merge the territories.”

“And the simplest way to do that through marriage,” Jason sighed.

“I didn’t want to agree at first but Michael’s done so much for me, how could I not do something for him?”

“Marriage is a pretty big favor,” Jason remarked.

“It didn’t bother me until now,” Elizabeth replied softly. She turned more into his embrace. “I know this is just sex but I’m supposed to get married in two weeks and…”

“If this was just sex, Elizabeth, you wouldn’t have come back tonight,” Jason told her gently.

“It’s really great sex,” she corrected. She propped herself up on her elbow. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m not like this usually–I don’t let my hormones make my decisions.”

“If Sonny found out I was sleeping with his baby sister…” Jason trailed off and shook his head.

“Maybe I should just go home and we forget all about this,” Elizabeth suggested quietly.

“We’re going to have to eventually,” he replied. He touched her face. “Because I know it’s even more forbidden when you’re the wife of Nikolas Cassadine.”

“What do you want me to do?” Elizabeth asked. She pushed her hair out of her face and sighed. “Because the longer we do this, the harder it’ll be to walk away.”

“We couldn’t even walk away after one night. You tried and I even made up my mind to turn you away if you did come.”

“Why didn’t you?” she asked curiously.

He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Because the second I opened the door and saw you…I couldn’t.”

Elizabeth exhaled slowly and laid on her back next to him. “So this is going to be a thing huh?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

4

It was definitely going to be a thing.

She stayed over that night, falling asleep in his arms. When he stirred the next morning and saw her curled up next to him, he groaned. How would he get her out of here without being seen? Because all it would take would be the wrong person seeing her leave his room and it would get to Sonny before the day was over.

And once Sonny knew that Jason was sleeping with his engaged baby sister…there were really only two options. He’d be sent back to Puerto Rico or…

He woke up her up quickly and she dressed in a hurry, understand the ramifications it got too late and someone saw her. She left, not making any plans to see him there again but they both knew that they’d be meeting again that night.

When he came home around eight, she was already in his room, curled up on his bed. She was on her side, her shoulders shaking. He quickly pulled his jacket off and kicked his boots to the floor before climbing into bed behind her and pulling Elizabeth into his arms.

She turned to him and he realized that she’d been crying. Within minutes, his shoulder was soaked.

She wouldn’t speak–wouldn’t tell him what had happened to upset her and Jason found himself cradling her as her sobs quieted and she eventually slipped into sleep.

He didn’t pull away or try to wake her. He just held her more tightly and within an hour or so, he fell asleep too.

She woke up around four in the morning and found herself still in his arms. Elizabeth smiled, her face tearstained and she touched his cheek, moved that he’d comfort her like this.

He felt her moving and opened his eyes. “Hey,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just…I needed to get it out.” She laid on her back and sighed. “I was at my dress fitting this afternoon and I guess it really hit me. I’m getting married to a man I barely know…” Her voice caught and she swallowed hard. “Oh, God, Jason, I don’t want to marry him.”

Jason drew her close him again and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what I can tell you.”

“There’s nothing to say,” she said mournfully. “I have to see this through.” She sat up suddenly and pulled her shirt off–tossing it to the floor. Elizabeth slid on top of him and started to kiss him.

He held her away for a moment. “Elizabeth, we don’t have to do anything. I can just hold you.”

Elizabeth’s eyes were soft and she could feel the tears coming again. “I want to,” she whispered. She leaned down and kissed him again. This time he responded.

Their clothes were shed quickly and in lieu of foreplay and different positions, he just slid in between her thighs and entered her slowly.

The whole act was different this time and they both felt it. Where it’d once been hard and fast, it was gently and slow. She locked eyes with him as he thrust and they kept the connection. He never went any faster and she didn’t beg him this time. Instead, they made love for nearly an hour before either of them found release.

And making love was the right phrase, Jason decided as he fell into another sleep with her in his arms. Before, it really had been sex. But this time…they’d made love.

And somehow, that made all the difference.

This entry is part 13 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

The penthouse was dark when he came home from the warehouse that night. It’d been a long day of hauling bags of coffee beans and he’d been looking forward to grabbing something to eat and then crawling into bed next to his wife.

Even if she wasn’t speaking to him.

Elizabeth was always mad at him for some reason–it’d started with one fight about a month after they’d started dating and it had continued during the last year and a half. He was almost always amused by the reasons behind her frequent bouts of silence and moody glares.

Her short temper was part of her and he loved her for it–but something had been different about her these last few weeks. She’d been nervous–jittery even. She never met his eyes anymore and during the last week, he’d even heard her crying in the shower.

It worried him but he knew she’d come to him eventually. Whether Lucky or Gia would prod her into it, she’d do it. Brenda had assured him of that. Brenda was almost his answer to Elizabeth’s friendship with Lucky. She’d always advised him to wait Elizabeth’s little moods out. That at the bottom of it all, she loved him and it would all be okay.

And even though this time was different, he believed Brenda because she’d never been wrong before.

He was halfway to the kitchen before he saw that the terrace door was open. He could see his wife’s dark hair hanging over the edge of one of the lawn chair/recliners she’d stuck out there.

By passing food, he headed towards her instead, intent on picking her up and taking her upstairs. It wasn’t the first time he’d come home to her passed out on the chair.

But Elizabeth was awake and staring out at the view between the wrought iron bars of their terrace. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around him.

She turned to look at him and she frowned. “Did you need something?”

Jason matched her frown and sat on the matching chair. “No. I–it’s after midnight. I was coming to see if you were asleep.”

“And if I had been?”

Her voice sounded strange–almost detached and it made him look at her a bit more closely. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Elizabeth said listlessly. “I was just asking a question.”

“No…something’s wrong,” Jason protested. “Something’s been wrong for a while but I haven’t said anything because when something’s bothering you, you eventually tell me about it and I don’t press it but this time, you’re scaring me.”

She glanced at him before looking back at the view, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth briefly as she considered his words. “You’re right. Something’s wrong. Two things, really and I’m not sure where to start.”

“Just start at the beginning.” He moved to her chair and sat on the end. “What’s been going on for the last few weeks?”

“I’d rather start with the last few days,” Elizabeth told him. “Because one thing doesn’t have anything to do with the other.”

“Okay.” Jason clasped his hands between his knees and waited for her to gather her thoughts.

“Last Thursday night, you were at Jake’s with Jax and Ned and I stopped by to…” Elizabeth sighed. “I don’t even remember why anymore.”

Jason’s shoulders slumped. “You saw Courtney kiss me.”

Her eyes pricked with tears. “Yeah.” She heard the words–Courtney had kissed him. She tried not to let herself hope.

He exhaled slowly. Courtney Matthews had been a thorn in their relationship from day one. She was his boss’s sister and on occasion, he’d looked out for the slightly dim ex-stripper and once, he’d made the mistake of sleeping with her. He’d always been loathed to be harsh to other people so he’d always tried to gently brush off her advances. Elizabeth, however, hadn’t been able to deal with his treatment of the blonde and he couldn’t remember a month that had gone by without them fighting about it.

“She was drunk and she kissed me. I pushed her away and that was the end of it.” He looked at her. “Elizabeth, you’re my wife. Why can’t you just trust that?”

“Because I’m not entirely sure it’s what you want me to be,” she confessed in a tiny voice.

The statement rocked him and all he could do was stare at her. He blinked and looked away after a moment. He heard her breath hitch and he could feel her body tensing.

“Why would I ask you to marry me if I didn’t want you to be my wife?” Jason asked carefully. Elizabeth had some strange ideas sometimes — he wasn’t sure where she got them but she did and he wondered if it was something about their relationship that was lacking to her. He was never sure why she didn’t fully trust in it–in them.

But he loved her and he was willing to spend the rest of his life convincing her that it was safe to trust him.

“Because sometimes I think I guilted you into this,” Elizabeth told him. She rested her chin in the valley between her knees and looked at him through glossy eyes. “After Lucky and Gia got engaged, she kept asking me when you were going to do it and asking me what I’d want the ring to look like a-and I guess I started to think about it a lot. So…I started…leaving ads around the penthouse, business cards for wedding consultants a-and I talked about Gia’s wedding a lot–”

He sighed and shook his head. “Come here,” he told her, gesturing with one of his hands.

Elizabeth hesitated but ultimately scooted forward and he tugged her into his lap. “I have something to tell you.”

She bit her lip and looked down. “Okay.”

“I bought your engagement ring six months after our first date,” he admitted with a sheepish smile. She stared at him with wide eyes.

“But…we hadn’t moved in together yet,” Elizabeth said softly. “We hadn’t said I love you. We hadn’t slept together.”

“I didn’t need any of those things to know that I wanted to marry you,” Jason told her. “I fell in love with you the first time you fought with me.”

Her cheeks flushed and she rested her cheek against his shoulder. “How can you even remember that? It was something so stupid–”

“We’re probably not talking about the same fight,” Jason said. He fought a smile. “You were working at Kelly’s and I came in for a cup of coffee and I knocked it over. It completely soaked your red sweater and you just…blew it. You started yelling at me, I think there were a few threats in there–”

She raised her head from his shoulder and looked at him in complete and utter astonishment. “Jason, that was like the third or fourth time we’d met. That was months before Lucky set us up on the blind date.”

He pushed her hair out of her face and smiled at her. “It wasn’t a blind date–not really. Lucky was tired of me asking about you and tired of telling me to ask you out so he just took care of it himself.”

Elizabeth blinked and tilted her face up to the sky. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“I probably should have mentioned this a long time ago,” he told her. “But I didn’t and I should have. I love you Elizabeth. Not Courtney or anyone else. I don’t want anyone else to be my wife. Just you. I love you, okay?”

“Okay.” She sniffled and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I promise I won’t get mad about her or Carly anymore.”

He snorted. “You will. You’ll get mad and then you stew about it, and you’ll glare at me until you can’t take it anymore and we’ll start yelling and it’ll end up like all of our fights.”

She grinned. “Yeah, with Sonny finding some lingerie somewhere in the couch.”

“You have a short temper, I know this. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t completely turn me on.”

Elizabeth giggled. “Okay, okay. So I will probably get pissed about them again.”

He smiled but he quickly sobered. “What was the other thing?” he asked her.

“Oh. Well, under the circumstances, I think this might end up as good news.” She bit her lip and looked at him hesitantly. “I…I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant,” Jason had to repeat it for it to actually hit him.

“Yeah. I…I’ve known for three months but I didn’t tell you because I had that whole I didn’t think you wanted to be married to me hanging over my head and I was scared you wouldn’t want a kid because we haven’t really talked about it–”

He cut her nervous ramblings off with a hard kiss, cradling her head between his hands. “I love you so much,” he said softly, with a smile. “You’re right–we never talked about it but I very much want to see you pregnant with our child and I want a family with you.”

“Really?” Elizabeth asked tremulously. “Because Lucky pointed out that if you didn’t, your swimmers should have been more careful.”

Jason scowled. “You’re talking about my sperm with Lucky?”

She laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “He wasn’t at all thrilled with the idea either, you should find comfort in that.”

He shook his head. “You and Lucky have the strangest friendship I’ve ever seen.”

Elizabeth snorted. “Like you and Brenda don’t?”

“Okay, fair enough.” He kissed her forehead. “So, you ready for this?”

“I think so. Are you?”

“Definitely.” He tightened his grip on her and stood. “Now, even though t his wasn’t a real fight, I’d still kind of like to end it the same way.”

“Mm…I could deal with that,” she murmured. Elizabeth pressed a kiss to his throat. “Come on, Daddy, let’s go upstairs.”

This entry is part 5 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

“Okay, let’s take one more mental checklist,” Brenda decided. She put her hands on her hips and surveyed the work she’d done on the penthouse.

The second Elizabeth had left for her afternoon shift on Valentine’s Day, she and Jason had started preparing the place for their dinner date. He was determined to make up for the crappy way he’d been treating Elizabeth and she was determined that Jason not be an idiot.

The lights were dimmed and the living room set had been pushed back to make room for a candlelit dinner for two. Jason was in a tux, the box of candy and roses in his hands and she was going to be waiting by the elevator for Elizabeth so she could blind fold her.

She frowned when she saw Jason fiddling with his collar. Brenda smacked his hands away. “Stop that.”

The door opened then and Sonny poked his head in. “Just call a call from the front desk. She’s on her way up.” He grinned. “Well, don’t you look like a freak.”

He scowled. “Get out of here.”

“I’ll bring her in and it’s up to from there.” Brenda smacked his cheek lightly. “Try not to screw this up.”

She moved towards the door and shoved Sonny towards his own penthouse. “Stay out of here tonight, got it?” she warned him. The elevator dinged and Brenda pulled out the black silk blind fold.

Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and immediately halted when it was lowered over her eyes. “What the–?”

“Relax, kid,” Brenda told her, gently pushing her into the open door of the penthouse. Have a good time.”

“Brenda?” Elizabeth twisted towards her voice and reached out only to have her hands in enveloped in Jason’s large warm hands. “Jason?”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said softly, brushing a kiss across her lips. She melted–she hadn’t seen him all day but he’d never said a word about doing something tonight.

“Jason…” she reached for the ties of the blindfold, but he stopped her.

“No, not yet. Go upstairs and get changed,” he told her. She reached out with her hand and came in contact with the fabric he was wearing. She frowned.

“Are you wearing a tux?” Elizabeth asked clearly surprised.

“Get changed,” Jason repeated amused as he steered her towards the steps. She slowly felt her way up to the second floor.

About fifteen minutes later, her soft voice called out. “Do I have to wear the blind fold?”

“No, you can come down,” Jason told her. He watched her face closely as she descended, her curls loose around her shoulders, her body encased in a filmy strapless black dress.

She covered her mouth with her hand and gasped softly. “Oh my God, Jason…”

He took her hand and led her towards the table. “Do you like it?” he asked nervously.

“I love it,” she told him firmly. She raised herself up on her tiptoes to kiss him briefly. “This is…I never expected…”

He reached the heart-shaped box of candy sitting next to the candles and gave it to her, not realizing how warm the box had gotten sitting next to the heat.

She smiled and opened it, making a little face. “Oh. It’s melted.”

Jason grimaced and took it from her. “I’m sorry. I left it next to the candles–”

“It’s okay, it’ll…dry…” Elizabeth shook her head. “Really, it’s okay.”

He took a deep breath and held the chair out for her. She sat down and looked suspiciously at the plate sitting in front of her that was covered with a silver cover. “Did you cook this?”

He shook his head and sat down across from her. “No. I didn’t want to poison you.”

Elizabeth laughed and lifted the cover off to find her favorite meal from the Grille. “Mm…this looks delicious.”

Jason smiled and reached across the table for her glass as if to pour some wine into it but his hand knocked into the candle which felt to the side and quickly the tablecloth burst into flames. Jason swore loudly and stood up, knocking his glass of wine into the fire, causing the flame to jump.

Elizabeth squealed and pushed away from the table. She stood and watched as the table cloth continued to burn even as Jason retrieved a fire extinguisher.

When he put it out, their dinner was charred and so was the bouquet of roses he hadn’t given her yet. The penthouse was a little cloudy with smoke and she coughed.

Jason sighed and moved to open some windows before looking at her. “I’m so sorry. This…I screwed this up so bad.”

Elizabeth crossed to him quickly and took his hands in hers. “No, it’s okay. It was just an accident.” She slid her hands up his chest until she wound them around his neck. “We have the rest of the night,” she told him, lowering her voice.

“I wanted this to be perfect,” he sighed. “I’ve screwed up so many times. I mean, first…going so slow you thought I was gay and then asking you to move into the guest room and what I said on the docks that night…I even asked Brenda to help me set this up.”

“You went to Brenda for help?” Elizabeth asked incredulously. She stepped back from him. “Jason–”

“I told you. Tonight had to be perfect because that’s what you deserve and I was going to tell you I loved you and instead I nearly burned the place down.” He shook his head. “I’m really bad at–” he frowned when he saw Elizabeth’s wide eyes. “Elizabeth?”

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I–you–could you say that again please?”

“Say what?” Jason frowned but then he closed his eyes. “Damn it, I even did that wrong.”

“Jason.” She pressed two fingers to his lips. “Please just tell me again.”

He took her hand and kissed the palm before pressing it to his heart. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

Her eyes watered and she threw her arms around him. “God, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

“I should have—when you said it that night on the docks, I panicked.”

She drew away from him a little. “Panicked?” she echoed. “Why?”

“Because I’d been in love with you for so long that when I finally had the chance…I said the first thing that came to mind.” He shook his head. “When I told Brenda, she smacked me around but she told me that I had…I had to tell you just right and that’s why I wanted tonight to be perfect–”

She cut him off with a hard kiss. “Jason, the second you said it, tonight was perfect.”

“Well…” he reached into the jacket of his tux and pulled out the long velvet jewelry box. “I do have this.”

She squealed and took it from him. She slid it open and glanced up at him. “Jason, this is beautiful.” Elizabeth unhooked the slim silver bracelet and held it out to him. “Put it on me?”

He fastened it and looked at her hesitantly. “Are you sure everything’s okay? I mean…it was okay tonight?”

She nodded eagerly. “It was perfect. Just the way it was supposed to be.” She tossed the box on the nearby pool table. “So what do you say we go finish this night right?”

He grinned. “Works for me.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the staircase.

This entry is part 6 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

Elizabeth sifted through a pile of clothes and winced when she heard something crash from the living room. “What was that?” she called.

“A picture frame fell from the table that was already broken!” Jason called back. He appeared in the doorway. “This place is a wreck.”

“Yeah.” She sighed and stood. “There’s so much to clean up.” She glanced at him. “It’s good thing I wasn’t home. They didn’t take anything so I can’t imagine what they were looking for.”

Jason stepped around some of knick knacks that had fallen from the shelf and peered out the window. She lived adjacent to the docks and he’d always been uncomfortable with her so close. It was a dangerous neighborhood and now her apartment had been broken into and ransacked. She’d been out with him at the time but if she’d been home…

“I think I’m going to stay with Lucky and Gia for a few more nights,” Elizabeth broke into his thoughts. She slid a sideways glance at her boyfriend of eight months. She’d been a little irritated when he hadn’t offered to let her stay at his penthouse but after eight months, they hadn’t even managed to make into the bedroom. Hell, she’d spent a total of ten minutes at his place.

“That’s probably a good idea,” Jason told her. “Actually…” he hesitated. “I think you should get rid of this place.”

“Oh?” Elizabeth’s heart leapt into her throat. Was he actually going to ask her to move in with him?

“Yeah. It’s in a bad location and I…I worry about you here.” He took a deep breath. “If it’s a matter of rent, I could help you out.”

Her heart slammed to her feet and she turned away to start shoving clothes into her dresser. God damn it. Eight months and all they’d done is go out on dates. They hadn’t talked about the future, they hadn’t talked about feelings, the idiot wouldn’t even put a hand down her pants. Had she really expected he’d jump over eight different steps and ask her to move in with him?

Yeah, she had and that made her the idiot. It was clear that this relationship was going nowhere fast and she could either move it along or end it.

And in no frame of mind to do either at that moment, she just shrugged and kept her eyes downcast so he couldn’t see the hurt in them. “I don’t want your money,” she mumbled. “I’ll clean this place up and get a better lock for the door.”

“Elizabeth, I want you safe.”

You want me safe, but you don’t want to sleep with me. Elizabeth closed her eyes and blocked the bitter thoughts. “I’ll be fine, Jase. This kind of thing happen to everyone sooner or later.”

“They didn’t take anything–they might come back.”

“I’m not going to move out of my apartment that I pay for by myself into some place I have to depend on charity to live in.”

“It’s not charity,” Jason scoffed. “Okay, you won’t accept money from me. Will you stay with me then?”

Her head snapped around and she looked at him with wide eyes. “You want me to move in with you?”

He nodded. “I want you safe, Elizabeth. And this apartment isn’t going to cut it.” He shrugged. “I’ve got an extra room at the penthouse.”

She blinked. “An extra room.”

“Yeah, it’s actually the master bedroom but it’s too big for me.” He frowned. “Elizabeth, I–”

She exhaled slowly and looked away. He was willing to ask her to move in but not into his bedroom.

A conversation from the night of the break in came to mind and she closed her eyes. They’d been walking on the docks–probably at the very same her apartment was being ransacked. It’d been an unusually October warm night, the stars were out, the moon was reflecting off the water in the harbor. It was the perfect moment she’d thought to tell Jason how she felt.

“Jason?” she stopped their forward movements and stepped in front of him. “I–I want to tell you something.”

“Yeah?”

She bit her lip and took a deep breath. “I love you.”

The three words hung between them and he swallowed hard. “T-that’s nice.”

She blinked. Stepped back. “Okay.” Elizabeth bit her lip and started to walk, fighting back tears.

He’d never brought it up and she’d prefer to forget it. He didn’t want the same things, didn’t feel the same way. That was fine. She could deal with that.

And not only did he apparently not love her, he didn’t want to sleep with her either so what was she supposed to do? Move into his guest room while she decided on whether or not to stay with him?

“Elizabeth?” Jason pressed.

She turned and sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“But–”

“You know what? I’m late for lunch with Lucky.” She stepped up to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And I think your lunch break is over.”

“Elizabeth–”

“Are you gonna be at the warehouse in an hour?” she asked. “Because I’ll stop by and let you know what I decided.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Just come in and go to my office, okay?”

She nodded and she left the apartment without him.

After her enlightening conversation with Lucky after which he’d provided inspiration for what she was going to call her VS attack, she had a bounce in her step when she came the door of Jason’s office.

It was open slightly and he was sitting at the desk, looking kind of uncomfortable with his boss/business partner Sonny Corinthos.

She knocked. “Hey. It’s been an hour.”

Jason looked up. “Hey. What’d you decide?”

Elizabeth frowned and glanced at Sonny. “We can’t talk about this alone?”

“I’m kind of in the middle of something,” Jason told her.

“No, no,” Sonny stood. “We were pretty much done anyway. Good to see you, Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, uh huh.” She closed the door when he was gone and glared at Jason. “I want to pay half the rent.”

“I don’t pay rent. I own the place,” Jason told her, a little confused about her reaction to the entire question and to Sonny.

“Okay, half of all the utilities,” Elizabeth pressed. “Or I stay in my crappy docks apartment.”

He stood and rounded the desk. “Elizabeth, you don’t–”

“It’s a deal breaker.”

He nodded, not intending to actually use her money for the bills. He’d pay them and put her contribution into some sort of account. After what he’d put her through last week with his very disappointing response to her admission of love, the least he could do was move this relationship along.

Besides, he had something planned for Valentine’s Day.

“You’re going to let me pay?” she asked skeptically.

“If that’s what you want.”

She smiled brightly. “Great. I’ll go pack and do some shopping…to, ah, replace some of my stuff. Pick me up at Lucky and Gia’s around six?”

“Sure.” He kissed her softly. “I’m glad you’re moving in.”

“Me too,” Elizabeth said decisively, already picturing the Victoria’s Secret catalog and picking out her different torture pieces.

Jason Morgan was going to be sorry he’d ever put her in a separate bedroom.

This entry is part 2 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

Jason stood outside the apartment door and ran a hand through his hair. Lucky had been over to his place before he’d left and had spent the whole time teasing Jason about tonight.

Nervous. He was actually freaking nervous. So what if he’d gone into Kelly’s at least four or five times a week just to see her? Purposely sat in her section so he’d have the excuse to talk to her? So what if after three months, he was finally going to talk to her face to face and take her out?

“You could have asked her out ages ago. She would have said yes.”

“Shut up, Lucky.”

“You just like punishing yourself.”

He reached out to knock but drew his hand back at the last minute. What if this didn’t turn out well? What if all they did was argue? Sure, he liked the flush of her skin, the fire in her eyes, and the sharp words, but he’d really rather they get along for at least part of the night.

He shook his head. This was a tiny petite girl for crying out loud. He could pick her up with three fingers more than likely. Why the hell was he so damn nervous?

Resolutely, he reached out and knocked on the door.

It swung open and he came face to face with the brunette terror and he managed a smile. “Hi. I’m–”

“I know,” Elizabeth said shortly. “I’ve only served you a hundred times–” she broke off and flushed. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t exactly a good first impression. Okay, finish what you were saying.”

This time the smile was genuine. “I’m Jason. Lucky’s told me a lot about you.”

“Elizabeth,” she replied. She stuck out her hand and instead of shaking it like she expected, he brought it to his lips and kissed it, bringing a deep flush to her cheeks.

“Good to meet you. You ready to go?” He released her hand and she nodded.

“Let me just grab my purse and we’ll head out.” She reached for the black leather bag and swung it over her shoulder. Locking the door, she pulled it shut behind her. “So, where we going?”

“I wasn’t sure what you’d want to do,” Jason told her as they headed towards the elevator. “What do you like?”

“Well, I’m up for anything other than Kelly’s,” Elizabeth said with a smile as she pushed the button to bring the car to her floor. “I just got off a shift from there an I probably still smell like burgers and fries.”

When she turned to see what floor the elevator was on, he leaned in a little–just to smell her. She smelled like vanilla but he didn’t think he’d mind the burger and fries smell either.

“What do you like?” she asked him instead. She flashed a smile at him. “This is your date too.

“I don’t really go out much,” Jason admitted. “I take a drive up the cliff roads on my bike sometimes–but mainly I just go home after work and play some pool.”

“Pool?” Elizabeth said. “How can you go home and play pool? What…do you have a pool table in your living room?”

“My dining room actually,” he replied. “I don’t have a lot of furniture but that was the first thing I bought.”

She blinked. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who has a pool table in their house.” The doors slid open and they boarded.

“Do you play?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nope. I’ve been after Lucky to teach me for ages but he won’t step foot in Jake’s after Gia caught him ogling some busty blonde last year.” She bit her lip and looked at him. “Speaking of blondes, um…I was under the impression you were dating one.”

He frowned. “Dating who?”

“Courtney Matthews,” Elizabeth clarified. “The one who’s always with you at Kelly’s.”

“No.” Jason shook his head almost vehemently. “She’s my boss’s sister and I’ve helped her out of a few situations but we’ve never dated.” He hesitated but decided bringing up that really bad drunken mistake from a some time ago wouldn’t be a good idea on what he was hoping would be the first of many dates. “I’ve never really seen her that way.”

“Almost like a job?” Elizabeth asked. “Looking out for her, I mean.”

“Yeah,” he allowed. “Kind of like that. Anyway…do you want to go to Jake’s then?”

“Sure,” Elizabeth said. “You can teach me to play.”

Thinking it would give him a good excuse to at least touch her, he nodded. So far, so good. Why had he been nervous?

Three hours and a lot of alcohol later, he remembered. The later it got and the more Elizabeth drank, the more clothing she took off. She’d started the night in a pair of jeans, some strappy sandal things and a long-sleeved maroon shirt of some stretchy material.

But apparently, underneath the shirt, she had a t-shirt of the same material and in a sky blue. And under that, a white tank top.

She’d tugged the t-shirt off twenty minutes ago and Jason scowled as he noticed the stares of some of the patrons centering on her breasts–of which they’d get a tiny glimpse of every time she’d lean over to make a shot.

She’d caught on quickly and he’d been sorry to see that happen–since in the beginning, he’d got to wrap his arms around her tiny frame and help her line up her shots. He’d liked that–liked the way she fitted against him and the way her hair smelled.

But now, they were on their fourth game and she was giving him a run for his money. If he’d been paying more attention to the game and not her and her many admirers, she never would have had a chance but well…he was paying almost no attention to the game.

“If I make this shot, I win the game right?” Elizabeth asked, eyeing the remaining pool balls. She set the pool cue on the table and raised her arms over her head, stretching out the cramped muscles in her back. However, the position emphasized her chest and Jason found himself trying to step in front of her to block everyone else’s view.

“Yeah,” Jason told her. He glanced at the arrangement on the table. “But you’ll never make it.”

She pouted and looked up at him. “I bet if you were helping me…I could make it.”

He took a deep breath and steeled himself for this. First date. He could do this. Just because she was now wearing next to nothing, it didn’t make him one of the horny bastards ogling her.

He stepped behind her and she tilted her face up to look at him. “I’m having a really good time,” she told him in a soft voice.

“I’m glad,” he told her. “I really…I wanted you to.”

“I know you were just doing a favor for Lucky,” she began, “but–”

“I think Lucky did me the favor,” Jason told did her. He slid his hands around her waist, spanning it. She was so tiny…”You wanna make this shot or not?”

She grinned, twisted her body back towards the table and leaned down, thrusting her ass right into his groin. Good God, she was going to kill him.

She won the game.

After the last game, he ordered some black coffee from Jake, the bartender and even though he wasn’t really that drunk, he had three cups of it after she only had one. He wasn’t about to drive her home with even a smidgen of alcohol in his system.

The coffee didn’t do a lot for her, but she was still pretty alert. He’d convinced her to at least put one of the shirts back on and now, most of the horny bastards looking at her had realized she was taken and had wisely moved away.

“I can’t believe I beat you on my first night,” Elizabeth said with a wide grin on her face. “Lucky is never going to believe me.”

“Oh, he will — if only to tease me about it later,” Jason assured her.

She studied him carefully. “Did you let me win?” she asked suspiciously.

“No,” Jason said honestly. “I just wasn’t paying attention during the last game.”

“Uh huh…” Elizabeth frowned. “What were you looking at?” Her eyes darted around the bar quickly, trying to zone in any kind of woman who might have been competing for Jason’s attention.

The quick action both amused him and reassured him that she was definitely having a good time–that maybe if he attempted to kiss her goodnight and ask to see her again, he wouldn’t get a smack in the face.

“You.”

His answer snapped her attention back to him and her cheeks reddened. “Really?” she asked shyly.

“Really,” he echoed. He finished off the last of his coffee. “It’s after midnight, you ready to go?”

She sighed. “No, not really but I have a shift at Kelly’s tomorrow and I guess I should at least attempt to get some sleep right?” She stood and tugged on her third shirt and swung her bag over her shoulder.

She pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled up at him. “I had a really good time tonight. Even if you did let me win that last game.”

“I didn’t let you win,” Jason protested. “I just…wasn’t paying attention, remember?”

“Uh huh.” She hesitated, opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly.

“I want to see you again,” Jason blurted out quickly.

She blinked you. “You do?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Is that…is that a problem?”

“Wow…no…” Elizabeth flushed. “I mean, I’d like to see you again, too.”

He took a step towards her and licked his lips nervously. Damn it, there it was again. Why was her nervous? She’d paraded around most of the night in a thin skimpy tank top–did he reallythink she was going to smack him if he tried to kiss her?

Yeah, definitely.

She tilted her face up to his and drew her bottom lip between her teeth. Was he going to kiss her or not?

He hesitated a few inches from her lips and she frowned, reached for his shirt and twisted her fingers in it to close the distance.

When Lucky had told her that she’d never been kissed properly, boy was he right–because noone’s lips tasted like Jason’s. A mixture of coffee and alcohol, she wound her arms around his neck and sank into the kiss, opening her mouth to the tongue that was tracing her lower lip at that moment.

Jason rested his hands on her hips, spanning her waist and pulling her right up against his body. When he’d tasted her long enough to get him through the next day, he eased back.

She didn’t open her eyes right away, just licked her lips slowly. Her eyes were a bit dazed and unfocused when she slowly opened them.

“So…when are you free?” he asked, a little pleased with himself.

“Um…” she frowned and tried to picture her schedule but right now the only thing she could picture of a naked Jason and that probably wasn’t a good idea right now. “I’d have to check the schedule at Kelly’s.”

“Well, then I’ll come in tomorrow and ask again,” he told her. He kissed her forehead. “Night.”

“‘Night,” she echoed, watching him walk down the hall towards the elevator. He looked back and smiled at her before the doors slid closed.

She made a mental note to thank Lucky.

February 12, 2014

Spent the better part of the afternoon moving over the rest of the series. Everything is here except Heliconia and Clam Chowda. I’m just tired, so I’ll do that tomorrow along with a few other stories, including:

What Would Happen
Rivalry
Rest in Pieces
Come Clean
The Sisters
These Small Hours

These stories are five chapters or fewer, so they shouldn’t take so long.

This entry is part 18 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

“Okay, I usually take the blame when it’s deserved–”

“Yeah, or the credit when it’s not.”

“–but I think Gia is unreasonable.”

“Has there ever been a fight between the two of you where she’s been reasonable and you’ve been at fault?”

“Yes.”

“Name one.”

“That’s not the point here.”

“It never is when I ask you to provide me an example of anything and you can’t back it up. You’re a idiot.”

“I am not. As the godfather of your children–”

“Just the one. It’s Nikolas’s turn.”

“I cannot believe you’d choose him over me! I got you guys together–”

“Yes, but you and Gia are Nicole’s godparents. It’s Nikolas and Emily’s turn.”

“He’s never going to let me live this down.”

“You’re being ridiculous. It’s not like being a god parent is of any use except you know…the actual ceremony.”

“But Nikolas is the Dark Prince, Lizzie. I mean, he’s not any more suitable than Patrick.”

“Patrick’s not suitable at all. He’s a horndog and I don’t want him giving Sebastian any bad habits.”

“Sebastian? Sebastian?”

“It’s a classy name.”

“It’s a stupid name.”

“Says the man called Lucky.”

“It’s a nickname.”

“Right.”

“It’s a variation of Lucas.”

“Uh huh.”

“You know, Elizabeth Imogene–”

“Hey, Imogene is a very classy name with strong roots in history. Lucky is a dog’s name.”

“Oh, that’s just a low blow.”

“Well, it is.”

“If it’s so classy, why didn’t you name Nicole that?”

“If your name is so fabulous, why didn’t you and Gia name your kid after you?”

“Markus is a family name.”

“And there’s only a thousand Lucases in your family.”

“We’re off topic here.”

“Funny how that happens when you know I’m right.”

“You’re not right. Markus a good name and so is Lucas and Lucky is a good name.”

“Uh huh.”

“Anyway, Gia is being unreasonable. She accused me wanting her to get fat.”

“…”

“Ha! No response?”

“Why in the world would she say something like that?”

“I have no idea. She asked me for doughnuts, I brought her doughnuts and then she burst into tears–”

Oh.”

“Oh?”

“Oh.”

“What does that mean?”

“Mood swings, cravings, this doesn’t sound familiar?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, hell.”

“So I guess Nikolas and Emily are going to be godparents twice over.”

“Nah, it’s Robin’s turn. We promised her the next one when she found that flavor of ice cream Gia was craving.”

“Ha! So that means your kid gets the horndog for a godfather. Serves you right.”

“Hey, they are not a package set. She’s got time to come to her senses.”

“That’s what everyone said about Gia before your wedding.”

“You’re unnecessarily cruel.”

“Yeah, that’s me. Lizzie, the eater of puppies and children.”

“It would not surprise me.”

“Big baby.”

“Hey, you’re the one who said it. That’s why I gotta be careful with you, you’re unpredictable. I could say, okay, go kill someone–”

“And you’d think I’d do it? Real nice.”

“No, but you’d have a very wicked retort for me and somehow it would leave into a conversation about sexual positions and I just do not need to hear about that.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just stop giving Gia tips.”

“Well, let’s not be hasty.”

This entry is part 17 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

“You’re nasty.”

“Take that back!”

“I won’t. That’s a filthy habit.”

“From the girl who inflicts pain herself for beauty.”

“You’re still not over that?”

“I will never be over that, Lizzie. You were torturing yourself.”

“I was plucking my eyebrows, Lucky!”

“It’s unnecessary torture.”

“We’re off topic. You’re nasty and you know it.”

“This is not nasty–”

“Ew!! Watch where you’re clipping!”

“Well, get out of the way!”

“I can’t, those things are huge!”

“Well…then go home.”

“I can’t.”

“What did Jason do this time?”

“I hate when you say it like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re just asking me what I think Jason did this time but clearly he did nothing because I’m the hysterical female and I’m overreacting.”

“I would never say that!”

“Because you like your fingers where they are and not ripped off.”

“Well…so do most people.”

“And anyway, Jason didn’t do anything, but I don’t appreciate your tone. I never overreact. I–I’m always perfectly rational.”

“You’re sniffling.”

“I am not.”

“Good God, you’re going to cry. Jesus, Lizzie, Gia’s not here and I’m no good at this. Do not cry! That’s an order!”

“I’ll cry if I want to.”

“I know, I know. Okay, so why the tears?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Again?”

“As opposed to…?”

“Okay, okay, stupid question. So is this a good thing? Is it a bad thing? I can’t tell.”

“I told Nicole and she started crying and she was upset and she doesn’t want a brother or a sister and I was so upset by that I came over here. Jason doesn’t know yet.”

“Oh. Well, you know, Nicole’s seven. She’s been an only child for so long. If we told Markus that Gia was pregnant, he’d have a heart attack after six years of going solo.”

“She was just so upset and I wasn’t prepared.”

“She’ll get prepared. You give her the same speech my parents gave me when Lu was born. You get to boss her around, tell her what to do, be the big sister, etc. It’s fun, kids eat it up.”

“I guess.”

“You do plan on telling Jason, right?”

“No, I thought I’d go for six months and see if he noticed the extra pounds.”

“See…that’s the thing with you, Lizzie. I’m never sure if you’re joking with me or not.”

“Ow! It hit me that time!”

“Sorry–”

“You have the biggest toenails in the universe, Lucky. Christ, I’m going to need a shower after this.”

“Hey, they’re clean.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m just not taking your word for it. Didn’t your mother teach you not to clip toenails in company?”

“You’re not company, Lizzie. You’re family.”

“That’s not at all comforting.”

This entry is part 16 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

“She threw a pie at me.”

“Understandably.”

“I mean–she just launched it at my face.”

“Well, when you insult a girl’s cooking, she’s liable to get violent.”

“It hit me in the face.”

“Since she aimed for her face, I’d assume so.”

“But it was like…lemon meringue.”

“Too bad she wasted it, that’s my favorite.”

“I don’t think you’re taking this very seriously, Liz.”

“I don’t think it’s something that needs to be taken seriously.”

“I nearly died–why are you laughing?”

“Lucky, it was a pie.”

“I almost suffocated from the meringue part of it!”

“It was a pie.”

“I couldn’t breathe!”

“Did you get it out of your nostrils? You know, use your hands for something other than–”

“Hey, we’re in a family establishment here.”

“Yeah, Chuck E. Cheese’s. Why am I here again?'”

“Because your kid loves it. Back to my near death experience.”

“Your near death experience?”

“You’re laughing again.”

“Are you even listening to yourself?”

“Why do you insist on ridiculing me?”

“Did you see a bright light? Because I’ve heard you’re supposed to stay away from the light.”

“You think you’re funny?”

“I think I’m hysterical.”

“Have you ever thrown a pie at Jason?”

“Not for him insulting me. We tend to use food for…other purposes.”

“Oh, ew. Forget I asked.”

“Lucky, come on, you know we have sex right? I mean we have the kid. Did you think it was immaculate conception?”

“Lalalala–I’m not listening.”

“Oh, for–take your fingers out of your ears and finish telling me about your near death experience.”

“Are you going to keep teasing me?”

“Hey, come on, Lucky, this is me. Lizzie. What do you think?”

“I think we should change the subject.”

“Sure. Hey, did you know that strawberries were natural aphrodisiacs?”

“Unless you caught that while watching television or something–I don’t want to know.”

“No, seriously, it was actually really innocent. We were having strawberry shortcake and I was trying to feed it to Nicole but she just kind of knocked the plate out of my hand and it landed on my face.”

“Ha, so you know what it’s like to have a near death by pastry!”

“You’ve lost it, you know that? Anyway, Jason was helping me clean it off my face and wow, the next thing I know, he’s insisting we plant the kid in front of the boob tube and lock ourselves in the kitchen because he wants to lick it–”

“Dude, Lizzie, we are in a family establishment. You want to stop this story now or what?”

“I’m just saying that food adds an interesting spice to your sex life. Not that my sex life wasn’t good before that–”

“Lalalala, I’m not listening.”

“Because, man, Jason is all about equal pleasuring. There’s got to be law against some of the stuff he’s suggested–”

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”

“Hey, Gia and I talk about your sex life all the time but she’s kind of forbidden me from talking about mine anymore.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because, well, she’s jealous.”

“She is not. I happen to be fabulous in bed.”

“Did you really just use the word fabulous?”

“She told me that once.”

“Well, I’m just trying to say if you want to add a little spice to your bedroom, try some strawberries. Ooh, and whipped cream. But not honey. It dries too fast and it can be a bitch to get off.”

“We are not having this conversation. I don’t even know how we got on this topic.”

“Something about death by pastry.”

“Hey, she nearly killed me. I could have her prosecuted for attempted murder.”

“Yeah, Lucky?”

“What?”

“She threw a pie at you, she didn’t give you cyanide or anything.”

“Wouldn’t put it past her.”

“It was a pastry. You did not almost die.”

“I couldn’t breathe.”

“You know what? I can’t believe we’re having this conversation either. I’d much rather being talking about this excellent position Jason suggested last night–”

“Lalala, I’m not listening.”

This entry is part 14 of 19 in the Adventures of Lucky and Lizzie

“Do you think I bought too much?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Lizzie, why don’t you go ask the owner of Wyndham’s, whom you’ve just put out of business?”

“It’s Nicole’s first Christmas and I just want it to be perfect.”

“Lizzie, she’s like ten months old. She’s not going to remember this Christmas.”

“But Jason and I will and we’re a family and families are supposed to have good Christmases and I don’t care if Jason doesn’t care–I’m not going to let his stupid job interfere this time.”

“I know that tone.”

“And what tone would that be?”

“Ooh…and that one too. The first one was Jason’s Done Something Stupid and You’re Going To Hear All About It. The second was Lucky Is About To Die.”

“How about you get another pie in the face?”

“Put that down, Elizabeth Imogene Morgan, I still have nightmares from the last attack.”

“Ha…you think a lemon meringue pie was bad, just wait for Boston Cream.”

“Lizzie–”

“And for your information, you aren’t going to hear about it. I don’t know why I bother with the male species. You’re all about yourselves anyway. Especially Sonny Corinthos.”

“Okay…let me…give me the pie, Elizabeth. That’s it…slowly now–ah, crap. Don’t cry. Gia! Are you home? Damn it all to hell.”

“Jason missed Thanksgiving. Did I tell you that?”

“Yes. With lots of colorful words and violent adjectives. I believe you were going to cut off something Sonny would miss.”

“Well, that self-centered son of a bitch is sending him to Puerto Rico this week.”

“But…Christmas is next week. Will he be back?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know. Damn it, Lucky, why did you set me up with him?”

“Because I was tired of watching him sit in Kelly’s and drool over you and you needed to be kissed properly. None of that matters. Jason’s not going to go is he?”

“Hell if I know. It’s business and therefore it’s not up for discussion. I’m scared Lucky. I mean…before Jason was just a partner in the coffee business but over the last year, he’s been taking on more and more responsibilities and he’s been…he’s been pulling away from me.”

“You think he’s getting involved in Sonny’s other business?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“Well. That would suck.”

“Thank you, Lucky Spencer, King of the Understatement.”

“Did you ask him? Or was it more of it’s business, I can’t talk about it?”

“He can’t talk about it. And it’s been happening more and more. I don’t know why he’d do this, Lucky. I mean, before it was just us but we have Nicole now and that should mean something.”

“Right.”

“And I think he’s being stupid. Just because Sonny’s his friend, it doesn’t mean he has to do whatever he tells him to.”

“Right.”

“And if Jason misses Nicole’s first Christmas, I’m not going to be at home when he does get back.”

“Right–what?”

“You heard me. I can only put up with so much but he’s not going to miss our daughter’s first Christmas. Someone else can go. Someone who doesn’t have a family. And if it’s just for the coffee business, it can wait until after the holidays.”

“Are…are you at least going to warn him about this?”

“Oh don’t be stupid, Lucky. Do I look like I’d just leave him without warning?”

“Well–”

“Shut up. And yes, I’m going to tell him. I just…I’m not quite sure how to.”

“I should think that’d be easy. Jason, if you go to that island, be prepared for an empty penthouse when you get back.”

“Just…lay it out like that?”

“Sure. Why not? You’ve never been a subtle person. I see no reason to start now.”

“How can you manage to insult me and give me advice at the same time?”

“It’s a gift. I think you taught me it.”

“Probably.”

“Anyhow, good news. My swimmers finally got some motivation.”

“Oh?”

“Gia’s pregnant. She’s due in the early summer.”

“Lucky, that’s incredible!”

“Yeah. Only, don’t tell her.”

“What’s this?”

“She doesn’t know.”

“I’m sorry…what?”

“Well…she thinks she might be but the doctor called when I was home and I’m saving it.”

“Lucky…she’s gonna notice. What did you say when I hadn’t told Jason after three months? Something about getting fat.”

“Oh, chill. Just saving it for a week. I’m wrapping the results and giving it to her as a Christmas present.”

“Wow, Lucky…that’s not a bad idea.”

“See…I’m not completely hopeless.”

“Now…I didn’t say that.”