She walks, she runs
She fights, almost as one
And finds her voice
She’ll march
She has no choice
She’s crushed by thoughts
At night of men
Who want her rights
And usually win
– I’m Alive, Norah Jones

---

Thursday, December 11, 2003

General Hospital: Kelly Lee’s Office

“Good morning,” Monica said with a smile as she kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “Is that the sonogram?”

“Yeah, the technician said she’ll have the video ready for us by the time we’re done.” Elizabeth beamed, handing the photo to her. “She said the baby looks great—and it’s a boy!”

“A boy?” Monica looked up from the photo at her, then looked at Jason with a huge smile. “Oh, that’s so wonderful!”

Most of the visit was routine by this point—Elizabeth had a physical exam—her vitals were taken, her blood and urine were tested—and then she completed the pulmonary function tests Monica insisted on—blowing into tubes, sitting in a plastic box with a nose clip — all things that Elizabeth hated, especially the box. Even with the clear walls, the space still felt small and cramped.

Especially since this month, it all seemed more difficult than it had at their last visit. Jason wasn’t allowed into the room for the last round of tests—and it was probably for the best because even Elizabeth could see the concern on Monica’s face.

“Is everything all right?” she asked, concerned. “Monica?”

“A few things we should discuss. Let’s go back and talk with Kelly. Some of your other results should be done by now.”

Elizabeth grimaced but followed Jason’s mother back into the office where Jason was waiting. He got to his feet. “Hey. How—”

“Fine.” She squeezed his hand. “I think.” But her voice trembled slightly, and her voice sounded a bit hoarse, worn out from the breathing tests. Jason put an arm around her, and they sat down, waiting for Kelly to come in.

“Hey—well, let’s start with the good news,” Kelly said with a smile. “I looked over the ultrasound results—you know you’re having a healthy baby boy. He’s developing just fine—everything is just where it ought to be. Blood and urine came back normal. So, you’re still doing fine in that area.”

“But?” Jason asked, looking at his mother. “What about Elizabeth?”

“I’m a bit concerned with some of the results, particularly the lung capacity and airflow tests. I’m not surprised that your lungs might have some damage due to what happened over the summer,” Monica told her. “And, fortunately, it often heals on its own with time and rest, but you told me before we got started you’ve been having breathing problems.”

“Yeah. Um, I’ve had a few dizzy spells. I haven’t actually fainted,” Elizabeth said. “But there’s been a few times when I’ve—I’ve maybe pushed myself. The day of the hearing—I needed my oxygen tank a few times. It was the most I think I’d used it since I came home.” She looked at Jason. “Right?”

“You hadn’t used it since,” Jason confirmed with a nod. He kept his eyes on Monica. “Is—does she have another clot?”

“I’m not ruling it out,” Monica told them. “But I don’t think that would explain some of the results. You’re struggling to take a full, deep breath, and I can see that the oxygen isn’t quite circulating the way we’d like to see in your lungs or your blood. Are you having any chest pain?”

“Oh. No, no. Definitely not. I wouldn’t mess around with that. Jason wouldn’t let me either. I ignored it the last time,” Elizabeth told Kelly. “Because I knew I was in withdrawal from the Valium Ric had drugged me with. A lot of the symptoms were the same—but I’m not having any chest pain. Just sometimes—when it’s hard to breathe, my lungs burn, but it’s not the same feeling.”

“Well, that’s good.” Monica made a note. “And you’ve been monitoring your vitals? The pulse rate?”

“It’s been mostly normal except when she gets upset, then it’s fast,” Jason answered. He squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, drawing it into his lap. “But not irregular. It usually recovers with oxygen and rest. If it’s not a blood clot—”

“It could honestly be overexertion,” Monica told them. “You’ve been through a lot these last few months, Elizabeth. Maybe not resting as much as you should?”

“I…” Elizabeth’s throat felt tight as tears burned in her eyes. “I have been. I mean, when I got tired, and it’s just—it just started—” She looked at Jason. “I promise. It wasn’t this bad until—”

“You’re in the second trimester now,” Kelly said gently. “And it’s very possible that because of your medical history, common side effects just feel worse than they might under normal circumstances. You started this pregnancy with decreased lung capacity. We always knew there was a possibility that would make things harder towards the third trimester. Dizzy spells are normal. Being tired? Normal. We’re just concerned because you are at an increased risk for blood clots, and we want to stay on top of it. To get ahead of any complications.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes, exhaled slowly. “So it could be nothing. That’s…that’s good.”

“What Monica and I are going to suggest is that you really focus on taking it easy these next few weeks. I hear you’re engaged,” Kelly said, with a smile, tipping her head towards Monica, whose cheeks flushed. “And hoping to get married at the end of January. Focus on that. Hire a wedding planner,” she added with a point of her pencil. “But just take it easy.”

“And after Christmas, if you’re still not feeling any better, we’ll schedule an echocardiogram and CT scan,” Monica said. “You’re absolutely right that things have been crazy lately. But now they should calm down, and we’ll see what’s what.”

As they returned to the elevator, Jason laced his fingers through hers. “Are you all right?”

Elizabeth sighed, tapped the button for the elevator, and looked at him. “It’s frustrating,” she admitted. “I was hoping for more certainty, you know? Some sort of declaration that it’s all fine, but I’m trying to focus on the positives. The baby is healthy.” She put a hand over her belly, smiling. “We’re having a boy, and he’s perfect. There might be nothing wrong with me at all. It just—it sucks.”

He put an arm around her shoulder as they boarded the elevator. “I know, but I’m glad Kelly and Monica aren’t that concerned,” he admitted.

“That’s true. And hey, a boy—” Elizabeth’s smile crept back on her face. “You already know a lot about boys. So—at least that’ll be easy.”

Jason drew her closer, kissing the top of her head. “Easy, huh? Just wait until he wakes up in the middle of the night and doesn’t go back to sleep.”

Brownstone: Foyer

Lucas shoved open the door, glaring at the dark sedan parked in his usual parking spot—he knew it was one of his sister’s stupid guards—Carly was back at the Brownstone, and so was all the drama that came with her.

Intending to remind Carly that other people lived here, too, and shouldn’t have to park a block away in the middle of winter, Lucas stalked into the living room, then started down the hallway to knock on the room she used when she stayed at the Brownstone.

“I appreciate you fitting me in—”

Lucas stopped just short of knocking on Carly’s slightly ajar door as her voice became clearer. He hesitated, realizing she was on the phone.

“No, I can wait until after the holidays. It’s so busy, and you should take time with your daughters—Right. No, it’s—I think I’ll be okay until then.”

Lucas frowned—was she making a doctor’s appointment? Who had a daughter?

“No, it’s—that was the worst time, and I don’t really remember it. I don’t think it’ll happen again—I’m just—I’m having trouble sleeping. And the time thing—” There was a long pause. “Okay. Thanks, Kevin. I’ll see you after the holidays. Have a great time in Seattle.”

When he was sure the phone call was over, Lucas gently knocked on the door, some of his previous irritation faded.

A minute later, the bedroom door opened, and Carly was there, wrinkling her face in confusion. “Lucas. Hey. Is—is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I just—” He hesitated. “Your guard—” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Does he have to park right outside like that? It’s just—”

“Oh. Is it your parking spot? I’m sorry. I forgot—” Carly stepped out of her room. “I can tell him to find somewhere else—it’s just—it’s—I’m not used to having a guard here,” she admitted, folding her arms, turning back to face him in the hallway. “I didn’t before. Jason just relied on the security system Mama already had, and things were fine.”

“Ric being out on bail probably makes things a bit worse, then, huh?” Lucas asked. “Uh, if it’s that bad—why are you here?”

Carly bit her lip, frowned. “You don’t know what happened?”

“No,” Lucas drawled, “Mom just told me to pick up the kids from Laura and bring them to the house. I figured you and Sonny had a fight. Again.”

She sighed, looked down at her lap. Lucas grimaced because now he wondered if that was true. Or if there was something else he needed to know. “Carly? Is everything okay?”

“I—” Carly sighed, looked at the ground. “You should probably know,” she said softly. “Last summer, after the panic room, I had some…problems adjusting. Um, being locked up, in the dark…it was a lot.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well…Sonny’s been…very concerned about my safety.” Carly met his eyes. “And the other night, I was angry at him, I told him I was going to leave—and he locked me in the bedroom.”

“He locked you—” Lucas couldn’t finish the statement. “He locked you in.”

“Yeah. Believe it or not, he thought that made sense. So…it was a room with no windows, and I couldn’t leave.” Carly rolled her shoulders, clearly uncomfortable. “I kind of lost it—I, um, thought I was back in the panic room, and Sonny wasn’t…all that kind about letting Jason and Elizabeth get me out. The door had to be broken down.”

“Oh.” Lucas swallowed hard, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’m sorry, Carly—”

“So, I’m here again. And the guard is here because I’m not—” Carly pressed her lips together. “I’m not altogether sure Sonny won’t…come back. I told him I’m not coming home, but he doesn’t always listen.”

Her voice was very quiet by the end of the statement, and Lucas wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen his sister look that small before. “The guard can stay. Outside the house. That’s—that’s the best place for him.”

“You’re sure?” Carly asked, skeptically. “Because I know me coming and going like this—especially after the last few years, the last time Sonny and I separated—not to mention—” She gestured with her hand at the space between them. “All the other ways I’ve messed up your life—I don’t want to make it worse.”

“I can live with walking an extra block. The guard’s fine. I’m—I’m sorry, Carly. I really didn’t know.”

“No, I know. And it’s—it’s fine. Um, thank you. For understanding.” Carly folded her arms. “I’ll try not to make things too crazy here.”

Lucas nodded and then left her standing alone in the hallway as he left his mother’s part of the Brownstone and headed upstairs to his place. Sympathy—even empathy for his older half-sister was a strange feeling, and he didn’t know what to do with it.

Quartermaine Estate: Terrace

Jason stepped out from the family room to find his cousin standing on the terrace, waiting for him. “Hey. Grandmother said you were out there. What’s up?”

“Thanks for coming all the way out here,” Ned said.

“Is this about the Caracas tip? Did Interpol hear anything?” Jason asked. “You could have called—”

“I didn’t want any phone records. You coming here to see family—that’s normal. And no, nothing yet from Caracas,” Ned admitted. “I wanted to tell you that Anna has decided—and I’ve agreed—that there’s not a lot the PCPD can do on the Lansing case. It’s being ruled inactive. All evidence suggests he’s thousands of miles away.”

Jason exhaled slowly and looked out over the darkness of Lila’s rose gardens. It made sense, he knew that. If Ric was out of the country, it wasn’t as if there was a lot the PCPD could even do. After a month with no leads—

“Taggert wasn’t completely on board with it,” Ned continued, “but that’s because none of us want to admit Ric Lansing might get away with everything he’s done.”

Jason exhaled slowly, dipping his head, acknowledging that was the biggest problem. He’d just watched Carly relive the terror of the panic room, and Elizabeth continued to battle physically and emotionally with the legacy of Ric’s crimes.

“She’s not…she’s not giving up,” Ned added when Jason remained silent. “It’s just—”

“It’s not something the PCPD can really handle anymore,” Jason said after a long moment. He nodded. “Yeah. I know. And you’re right. Ric’s probably in South America somewhere. If not Venezuela, then somewhere else. If he was planning anything—”

“He probably would have done it already,” Ned finished. “I’m sorry, Jason. I know how important this was to Elizabeth—and to Carly.”

“Yeah. Thanks for letting me know.” Jason turned to leave.

“Jason—Anna’s connections at Interpol are still investigating any tips we get. I’m not giving up on bringing him in.” Ned waited for Jason to look at him. “What Elizabeth did at the hearing—what she did for those other women, for my daughter, I want her to have this. Are you still in?”

“Yeah.” Jason nodded, thinking of Carly’s face two nights earlier, Elizabeth’s worries about her health— “Yeah, I’m still in.”

Kelsey’s Apartment: Kitchen

“It sucks,” Kelsey said as she handed Lucky his food from the takeout place, “but I agree with Anna. I mean, how much active work are you even doing on the Lansing case?”

“Not a lot,” Lucky admitted. He unwrapped the meatball sandwich, then shook his head. “At least we can say this wasn’t our fault. We didn’t lose him.”

“No, and Scott made sure the press remembered that our office tried to get bail denied for this exact reason.” Kelsey popped open her spaghetti and picked up a fork. “We got a pretty big win this week.”

“Yeah.” Lucky met her eyes, smiled. “Yeah, we did. You got the sentencing date?”

“Mmm-hmm, he’s being sentenced after Christmas. Twenty-five to life, same deal. Scott decided not to press his luck. Elizabeth already testified, and if we went to trial, all the crap Scott was worried about could come back—” She shrugged. “It’ll be over by New Year’s.”

“Those two girls Elizabeth told me about? The new victims? They filed reports.” Lucky wiped his mouth. “I took the statements today and forwarded them to Buffalo in case they decide to go forward with their case.”

“Well, at least they’re not nameless.” Kelsey sighed. “We get to close seven cases at once—don’t get to do that all that often. And he won’t be getting out any time soon. Maybe Ric Lansing gets away, but Vinnie’s going to rot in prison for the rest of his life.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Lucky said. He picked up his beer, sipped it. “Speaking of Christmas—Mom wants you to come over for Christmas dinner.”

Kelsey hesitated. “Oh.”

Lucky frowned, looked across the table at her, but Kelsey didn’t look up from her dinner. “What’s wrong? I thought you and Mom were okay—you were fine at Thanksgiving—”

“No, no, your mom is great. It was obviously silly to be so worried about your parents.” Kelsey bit her lip. “It’s just—” She set her fork down and met his eyes. “Christmas is a thing I do with my mom. Just her. Ever since my dad died, she hasn’t really—I mean, we had the tree and everything, but Dad made just such a huge deal over the holiday—she always gets pretty sad this time of year.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your mom was still…” Lucky hesitated. “I mean, it’s been, what a decade?”

Kelsey pushed her hair behind her ear. “It’ll be ten years in June. I know, and mostly, Mom is fine. But she never got over losing my dad.”

“That really sucks. Maybe your mom might want to come up to Port Charles for a few days?”

Kelsey hesitated. “I don’t know, Lucky—”

“She already knows my parents, remember?” Lucky pressed. “She knew my mom because of Scott. And, well, everyone knows Luke Spencer. Especially if she lived here until 1994.”

“Maybe.” Kelsey pursed her lips. “I can always ask her. I mean, maybe it’s just hard because we don’t have a big family. It’s just us, you know. Maybe Mom would appreciate being part of a larger holiday, and she told me that she likes your mom.” She nodded. “Yeah, okay, I’ll ask her. Worst thing she can say is no, right?” She waited a moment. “But Lucky—if she does say no—”

“You’re going to Buffalo,” Lucky said, and Kelsey nodded. “That’s okay. It’s your mom, and she’s your family. I’d go with you, but—” He hesitated. “Last year, without my mom—”

“She just came home, Lucky. Of course, you should spend the day with her. And maybe my mom will come, so we’re worried about nothing. I’ll call her in a few days and find out.”

Harborview Towers: Hallway

When Bobbie strode around the corner towards Sonny’s penthouse, Max snapped to attention, frowning. “Ms. Spencer, how did you—”

“Carly’s elevator key.” Bobbie held it up. “I took it out of her purse. I didn’t think Sonny would let me up, and I didn’t want to get Jason or Elizabeth in the middle of this. He’s here, isn’t he?”

“Uh, yeah, but he doesn’t really want to see anyone—”

“He’ll see me.” Bobbie walked past the dumbfounded guard and shoved open the penthouse door, stalking inside.

“Damn it, Max—” Sonny spun around from where he was standing by the fireplace. He scowled, finding his mother-in-law in front of him. “You have one job—”

“What am I gonna do—” Max gestured at Bobbie. “How am I—” He threw up his hands and pulled the door shut, going back into the hallway.

“You here to tell me, ‘I told you so’?” Sonny asked Bobbie sourly. He walked over to the mini bar, poured himself a bourbon.

“Actually, yes.” Bobbie folded her arms, lifted a brow. “Because I believe I stood in this very room and told you that if you didn’t get help, if you didn’t do something to fix your problems, Sonny, we would be right here—with you at rock bottom, hurting the people around you.”

Sonny’s fingers clenched around the tumbler, then he forced himself to relax them. “I know what I did was wrong—”

“What you did to my daughter wasn’t wrong. It was abusive. You terrorized her.”

Bobbie’s flat, cold words jolted Sonny like an electric shock as he swallowed hard. “I never meant—”

“Your intentions don’t mean a damn thing. I told you that I wasn’t going to let you hurt my daughter or my grandchildren—and that’s exactly what you did. I knew it was a mistake for her to come back here, but I let Carly make her choices. That’s done. She is not coming back here.”

“You don’t get to decide that—”

“Oh, no?” Bobbie lifted her chin. “Try me, Sonny. You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’m capable of—”

“And just who do you think you’re saying that to?” Sonny cut in sharply. “You think you’re going to take my family from me?”

“I don’t need to take anything, Sonny, you already shoved them out the door.” Bobbie stabbed a finger at him. “You forced her to relive being trapped in that panic room. You did that to her, not me. You locked her up for a month inside this penthouse and lied to her. You repeatedly made her feel like there was something wrong with her for demanding a little respect—and then you traumatized her by locking her in a small room with no windows. Why the hell would she ever come back?”

Sonny glared at her, not sure what to say to that—how to even respond—he was sure he’d come up with something, sure that he’d find a way to make Bobbie understand—

But then the door opened again, and Jason stepped in, warily looking back and forth between them. “Bobbie.”

“Jason,” Bobbie said. Her eyes flashed at him. “What are you going to do about this?”

“Do?” Jason repeated, taken aback. He blinked, looked at Sonny. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Sonny retorted. “Bobbie, leave him out of this—”

“He told me you forgave him for pushing Elizabeth—well, it must be nice to have that kind of empathy,” Bobbie snarled at Jason, “—to be able to forgive someone who didn’t just abuse your best friend but put his hands on your pregnant fiancée—Congratulations, by the way,” Bobbie added with an acidity to her tone Jason had never heard before. “I’m sure Elizabeth is thrilled to be signing up for this life. But my daughter is done. Keep him away from us.”

She shoved past Jason and stalked out of the penthouse. Jason exhaled slowly, turned back to Sonny. “You told Bobbie that I forgave you for what happened with Elizabeth?”

“I—” Sonny blinked, confused by that. “Yeah—you did—”

“Elizabeth is willing to let it go,” Jason said slowly, “because she thinks it will make things easier for me. But that’s not good enough or me. I’ve taken bullets for you. For your family. She’s my family.”

“I—I know that—” Sonny cleared his throat. “Bobbie—she said—did you get engaged? Did I—” He licked his lips. “Did I know that?”

“No. It happened after the hearing. Yes, we’re getting married next month. She’s the most important person in my life, Sonny. You know that. You’ve known that for months. She’s pregnant with our son.” Jason’s eyes burned into his. “And I know you weren’t in your right mind when you pushed her. Elizabeth knows that. But that doesn’t mean either of us forgives you.”

“I—” His mouth tasted like ash. “Jason—”

“You need to get this under control. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep carrying everything on my own.” Jason shook his head. “I came here to tell you that the PCPD is marking Ric as a cold case. Interpol is keeping it open, but as far as everyone is concerned, he’s somewhere in South America and isn’t coming back. It would be better for everyone if you just accepted that and moved on.”

“I—” Sonny swallowed. “I don’t know if I can.”

Jason stared at him for a long moment, then turned and left. Sonny stared down into his bourbon, hoping like hell it was over.

“They all leave.”

He closed his eyes at the silky, familiar sound of his dead wife. He turned to find Lily lounging on the sofa, in her pink dress. “It’s not like that.”

“No? They’re not here. You’re alone.” Lily’s lips curved. “Just the way it’s meant to be.”

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

When Jason went upstairs, he found Elizabeth dressed in one of his T-shirts, sitting cross-legged on the bed, with a notebook in front of her, and a few magazines next to her. She smiled hesitantly at him. “Hey. You’re later than I thought you’d be.”

Jason crossed the room, sat on the edge of the bed, and kissed her. “I’m sorry,” he murmured as he drew back slightly, brushing his fingers against her cheek. “I meant to call—”

“It’s okay.” She fisted her hand in his shirt, kissed him again. “You’d be very proud of me. I’ve been resting all day since you dropped me off.”

“Yeah?” Jason looked at the bed, picked at her notebook. “What’s this?”

“Oh, Emily and I were on the phone, talking through a guest list. Preliminary,” she told him, as he picked it up. He grimaced. “Preliminary,” she repeated. “You can veto anyone—”

“Are you really inviting Taggert and Baldwin?” Jason made a face. “They won’t come.”

“No, probably not,” Elizabeth said, “but I can still invite them. I promise it’ll be the last time I do anything nice for them. After this—” She playfully slashed her hand through the air. “We’re mortal enemies.”

He couldn’t help but smile—until he realized the entire Quartermaine family was also on the list. “Oh, man. Isn’t this supposed to be my wedding, too?” When Elizabeth just laughed, Jason set the notebook down. “Hey. Can I ask you something?”

Elizabeth picked up another magazine, flipped through it. “What’s up?”

“About Sonny. Are you—” Jason hesitated. “Are you mad that I didn’t do more when he pushed you?”

Elizabeth frowned, then focused on him, closing the magazine. “What? Am I mad that you didn’t punch him or something?”

“Yeah,” Jason replied. “He pushed you, Elizabeth. If Bernie hadn’t been right there—”

“I—I don’t know. It all happened so fast.” She bit her lip, pushed her hair behind her ear. “I mean, I was trying to help Carly, and we could hear her screaming—that was more important. And it’s not like I fell or hurt myself. Not that it makes it okay—I just didn’t think about it—Why?”

“Are you worried about Sonny doing worse?” Jason said, not answering her question.

“Are you?” Elizabeth asked, softly, her eyes searching his. “Jason—what’s going on?”

“Bobbie came over to yell at Sonny, I guess, and he must have told her—and Carly about what happened to you. He told them I forgave him, probably to make Carly think she should, too. And Bobbie seemed—she seemed angry about it. Carly told her about the engagement.” He rubbed his finger over the ruby stone in her ring. “She seemed disappointed in me for not doing more.”

“And you were wondering if I was, too?” Elizabeth asked.

He sighed. “Maybe. Justus said almost the same thing.”

“Jason.” When she didn’t say anything right away, Jason reluctantly looked up, meeting her eyes. “The thing about Bobbie and Justus—they’re not living with this day today. Not the way you are. If Sonny was just your friend and he’d shoved me, yeah, I’d be annoyed if you were still talking to him or that you hadn’t—I don’t know—broken his jaw.”

Jason grimaced. “I—”

“But he’s not just your friend. He’s also your family. And he’s Sonny Corinthos. Sonny Corinthos can’t just fall mentally apart.” Elizabeth sighed. “And you can’t let people know that he’s having problems. I agree with Carly— I think he needs professional help. I guess I also understand it’s really not that simple.”

“I can’t make him do it. I wish I could,” Jason admitted. “But I can’t force him. Not without making a lot of problems that we just—” He shook his head. “We can’t afford the distraction right now. I need things to be stable. I need it to stay quiet. The PCPD is shelving Ric’s case. No more active investigation.”

“Because they think he’s left the jurisdiction and isn’t coming back,” Elizabeth finished. She sighed. “Well, I guess we knew that was coming.”

“I’m not giving up,” Jason told her, remembering Ned’s own promise but not wanting to worry her. “But if Ric stays gone—”

“Then Sonny might get his shit together,” Elizabeth said. “Which makes everything easier.”

“I know it sounds like I’m asking you to let go of ever having a trial,” Jason said slowly. “That’s not what I want—”

“But it’s out of your hands right now, so we have to focus on the things we can control.” Elizabeth forced a smile on her face. “You’re right. Ric being gone—staying gone—it might be better than dragging him back for a trial. At least right now. Sonny needs some space to get himself together, Carly needs it—and God knows, it’d be nice to relax and just think about the baby.”

“I’m sorry,” Jason said. He was letting her down, and he knew it. It was worse because she understood it—because she was giving him permission. He hated it. “I just—what Kelly and Monica said about resting, and taking it easy—”

“It would be easier for us to do that if we weren’t constantly worried about what Sonny might do.” Elizabeth nodded. “You don’t have to convince me, Jason. You’re right. I also—I need a break from it all, too. After what we just went through—it would be—” She closed her eyes. “It would nice to just think about the holidays, about getting married, and getting ready for the baby. So—”

She opened her eyes and smiled again—this time, it was more genuine and reached her eyes. “So let’s just put it away. If we need to worry about it, we will, but for now—let’s just get Sonny straightened out, let’s make sure Carly is okay, and you and me—we’ll think about the future.”

Jason just stared at her, not really sure how to process it. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I love you, Jason. And I know how hard you’ve worked to make this happen for me, for Carly. I know how much crap you took from Sonny, how much worse it made things— if it had been in your power, I’d get what I needed—we’d get the trial—but it’s not. It’s out of our hands now, so it’s just—it’s up to us how we deal with it. And I—” Elizabeth touched his lips with the tips of her fingers. “I choose not to give Ric Lansing one more minute of my time. He doesn’t deserve it. We’re a family now. And he can’t take that from us.”

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