September 1, 2006

Elizabeth’s Apartment: Living Room

Elizabeth Spencer had never given motherhood and family much thought, not even as a teenager when she and Lucky had planned their futures together. She’d assumed, of course, that they’d have a family but she’d never given a lot of thought to the actual practice of having a child.

Her first pregnancy had changed her entire life, despite how tragically short it had been. In the two days that she’d known about her child, something woke up inside her. It was the best way to describe the unwavering love that she suddenly felt her in her heart for the child not yet born. She’d never thought she’d been capable of that kind of love, but from the moment she’d decided to keep the baby, she’d loved it.

Cameron Hardy Webber was her entire life. As far as she was concerned, the sun rose and set by his smile. He had a beautiful smile–he’d stretch his lips wide, revealing his full set of tiny white baby teeth. His brown eyes would crinkle up and she’d laugh at him, pressing a kiss to the small dimple in his right cheek. Her son was the most beautiful child in Port Charles, and Elizabeth didn’t care how biased she was.

Her love for her child had been the reason she’d finally filed for divorce. The lies and the distrust hadn’t been enough to break her union, but when she’d walked through that door and seen her beloved child sprawled out on the floor, a pool of blood beneath his dark hair, something inside Elizabeth shriveled up and died that day and not even the brightest smile from her son could fix that.

She didn’t care if Lucky cleaned up his act. She didn’t care if he came home and pleaded with her for a second chance. And she didn’t care if he suddenly morphed into that sweet boy he’d been once upon a time. She had nearly paid too high a price for her love and devotion to her first boyfriend and found it wasn’t worth it.

She’d have done anything to save her son’s life, she’d had broken any laws and gone to anyone for their help but in the end, it had been almost painlessly simple. And she would never be able to repay Robin and Patrick for their part in saving Cameron’s life–though she’d tried when she’d given Patrick the advice to go to Greece. He hadn’t, of course, but that hadn’t surprised her. He was a jackass. A very sweet and kind jackass.

Despite the love she had for her son, right now–in this moment–she would have preferred he’d sleep. It was past his bed time but Cameron was feeling irritable and not at all obedient. He was standing in the middle of living room, buck naked, his tiny hands fisted at his hips as he imitated his mother’s stance.

“Cameron, you have to sleep.”

“No.” Cameron nodded as if this would settle the matter. “I no sleep.”

“You yes sleep.” Elizabeth took a step forward but Cameron squealed with laughter and ran into the kitchen where he’d inevitably climb into a cabinet to hide. Single motherhood was not at all what it was cracked up to be.

The door to her apartment swung open and an irate Emily burst in. “You are not going to believe–”

“Hold that thought–” Elizabeth held up a finger and started for the kitchen. “Cameron’s doing his hide and seek game again.” She raised her voice. “Cam! Auntie Em is here!”

“Auntie Em!” There was a loud crack as the cabinet door flew open and smacked the wall. A little blur of peaches and cream flew past Elizabeth as Cameron launched himself at his aunt and godmother.

“Hey, there…” Emily hauled Cameron into her arms. “Cam’s missing some clothes, huh?”

Cameron giggled. “Too hot!”

“I’m trying to get him to go down for his nap,” Elizabeth sighed, pressing a finger to her temple to simulate a plea for Emily to shoot her. “But he’s in a mood tonight.”

“Hmm…” Emily looked at her godson and smiled. “Cam, would you take a nap for your Aunt Emily?”

Cameron pursed his lips as if thinking over this suggestion with the utmost consideration. “Okay,” he agreed happily. He kissed her cheek with a loud smack. “For Auntie Em.”

“We’ve talked about this, Cam. You’re not Dorothy and I’m not a pudgy old woman,” Emily began as she disappeared into the back bedroom to put Cameron down.

Elizabeth busied herself by gathering Cameron’s toys and tossing them into the box in the corner that Nikolas had given them. Since Cam came home from the hospital and Lucky had been in rehab, her brother-in-law had stopped by daily before his jaunt to Greece for his marriage. And had always brought new toys. He was spoiling Cameron rotten but Elizabeth was past caring. If she’d have had the money, she’d have given him the world at this point.

When Emily reappeared, Elizabeth shot her friend a grateful smile. “You saved my life, you know that?”

“I love spending time with Cam,” Emily murmured. She lowered herself into an arm chair and tapped her fingers restlessly on the armrest. “I should never have agreed to divorce Nikolas. That’s why this is all happening now.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Why what is happening now?”

Emily shot up and paced the tiny room. “Why everyone’s lives have exploded. If I hadn’t filed for divorce, Nikolas and I could have worked through our differences, you know? Jax and Courtney might still be together, she might not have died and Misha would still be John–he’d be Jax’s child and then Carly would never been involved and she wouldn’t have slept with Patrick and Robin wouldn’t have married Nikolas.”

Elizabeth exhaled slowly. “And you wouldn’t have fallen for Sonny.”

“That’s–” Emily looked at her friend’s understanding eyes. “I don’t regret that, Liz. That’s not what this is about.”

“Is this about Robin and Nikolas then?” Elizabeth asked. “Because–”

“It’s just–” Emily huffed. “She wore the Cassadine jewelry–at the wedding. Sam showed me pictures and she’s wearing the emerald ring that’s been in his family for centuries. Every Cassadine bride has worn it, except for Helena. Nikolas bought our rings, he wanted to make a fresh start. But with Robin, it’s like–” She shook her head. “It’s wrong to be upset, it’s wrong to be jealous but I don’t–they’re not married because they love each other, Elizabeth, so why did they do it?”

“I’m not sure,” Elizabeth answered honestly. “I don’t know why he asked and I don’t know why she said yes. But they’re good for each other, Em. After what Carly did to her and what Jax did to Nikolas, I think they both needed someone to count on, someone who isn’t going to let them down. But Em…you filing for divorce, that’s not what brought this all on. Nikolas and Courtney were gravitating towards each other. The divorce just made them a little less guilty.”

Emily sank onto the couch. “It just feels like my life has been on a fast track to disaster for the last year. Each choice I’ve made has been wrong and it’s just…I feel so awful. Because I wouldn’t break up with Sonny, Jason and Sam are over now.”

“I think they had something to do with their own break up,” Elizabeth said, squeezing her friend’s hand. “Jason pushed Sam away and she stopped pushing back. Don’t make yourself out to be a martyr, Em. We can destroy our own lives without your help.” She stood and started arranging a pile of magazines on the table.

“I’m not trying to be a martyr, Elizabeth,” Emily stood, feeling a little stung. “But if Nikolas and I hadn’t divorced–”

“Then Patrick would have found another jackass way to screw things up, Carly would found another lie to be involved in and the epidemic still would have hit so Courtney would probably have died anyway.” Elizabeth sighed. “Em, it’s not healthy to concentrate on what could have been or what used to be. We can only pick up the pieces and move on.”

“Well.” Emily pursed her lips. “That’s twice today I’ve been put in my place. Clearly I know who I can really count on.” She turned and stalked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and reached for the phone. Lulu answered on the first ring and reluctantly admitted to come over and watch Cameron while Elizabeth tried to find a way to get through to her oldest and dearest friend.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Jason Morgan was no longer in the organization. He liked to repeat that to himself at least once a day because then he might be able to get used to the sensation of no longer having to look over his shoulder, to not have to plan every action down to minute details.

His life was still dangerous but not openly and it was a weight off his shoulders that those who were special to him, the select few that he did give a damn about were no longer in danger. The only way they would be in danger is if his cover was blown and the WSB was careful to assign him to assignments that had nothing to do with the mafia and were not located anywhere near New York or the East Coast.

He’d told only one person about his new job and apart from her, only his contact in Port Charles knew about the change though Jason wasn’t sure if he trusted Robert Scorpio entirely.

Though he still loved Sam, he had accepted that she had moved on, that she had embraced her new family and when he saw her now, there was only a pang in his heart. The ache had faded until it was almost a dull throb because he knew she really was better off. She didn’t have a life apart from his when they’d been together and it was healthier all around this way.

There was a knock at the door and then someone hesitantly pushed it open. Elizabeth stepped in and smiled with relief. “Good, I was hoping you were back from…” she waved her hand.  “Wherever you went.”

Jason moved away from the pool table and reached into the duffel bag at the bottom of the stairs, removing a small paper bag. “Germany,” he said, without offering further details. “I brought something back for you.”

Elizabeth grinned and reached into the bag, removing first the postcard. He had picked her up one on his last jaunt to Singapore and she liked that it was their little tradition. “This is really pretty,” she murmured, studying the view of the German country side. After a moment to mourn her lack of time to sketch, she set it aside and pulled out a small cloth bag. Elizabeth eyed Jason oddly for a moment before untying the string and withdrawing a silver chain made of tiny delicate rings. “This is…Jason, this is too much.”

He shook his head and took it from her, undoing the minuscule clasp with ease. “I saw it in a market when I was meeting a contact. I had to buy something in order to keep him talking so I thought you might like it.” He arranged it around her neck and fastened the clasp.

“Well, then, thank you.” She touched the chain and took a deep breath. “I need you to talk to Emily.”

Jason stepped back and frowned. “What’s wrong with Emily?”

“I’m not really sure. She’s taking Nikolas’s remarriage really hard and blaming herself for everything that’s happened this last year.” Elizabeth set her purse on his desk and leaned against the edge. “She saw Nikolas and Robin today, I think, for the first time since they came home from Greece.”

“I saw them at Kelly’s when I grabbed my lunch,” Jason nodded. “But Emily moved on–they both did.”

“I suppose they think they both did. To tell you the truth, Jason, I’m really kind of worried about the whole situation.” Elizabeth sighed. “I don’t doubt that they care for one another, believe me. And Robin’s so good with Misha. I know she and Nikolas could make it work but…” she shook her head. “A week after she ended things with Patrick, she flew off to Greece to get married. You don’t see that’s weird timing?”

Jason frowned. “I knew he was an ass, but I didn’t think he’d hurt her.” He looked away. “I should have shot him.”

Elizabeth laughed slightly. “He’s not so bad. If it hadn’t been Carly, it would have been someone else. He can be very sweet, Jason, but he wasn’t ready for where he and Robin were headed and I don’t blame her for washing her hands of him. I’m not worried about that. I’m worried that Emily’s going into a place that I can’t help her out of. With everything that’s happened this summer…” she lifted her shoulder in a helpless shrug. “I was hoping you could help. Maybe…I don’t know…talk to her?”

“I can try,” Jason offered. “But we’re not really on good terms.”

“Thanks.” Elizabeth reached for her purse. “I should get back home and rescue Lu before Cam wakes up.”

Docks: Pier 43

He knew this was the dock that Nikolas Cassadine used for to commute between the island and the main land. He knew that and still went out of his way to walk by it on his home from the hospital.

Patrick stopped at the top of the steps when he saw Robin standing with Nikolas as they were preparing to step onto the launch. Nikolas maneuvered the stroller on, handing the infant over to the care of his nanny and then turned to Robin, laughing as he tugged her light jacket closed. “It’s getting chilly at night already.”

“Mm…summer’s finally ending,” Robin replied. “I’ve never been more relieved to have a season end. It began and ended with disaster, so you know…I’m looking forward to the fall.”

Nikolas kissed her forehead. “Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas and we’ll be buying out Wyndham’s for Misha’s first Christmas.”

Their chatter faded as Nikolas lifted Robin into the launch and the motor drowned out their voices. Patrick watched as the boat took them towards the gothic mansion that sat five miles off shore.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Patrick turned and found Elizabeth stepped onto the docks from the street. “I could say the same for you. Are you even old enough to be out this late?”

She laughed and started down the steps. He followed her. “I was just on my way home to relieve my baby sitter. What are you doing here? The last time, I checked…” Elizabeth paused on the landing and turned to gesture in the opposite direction. “Your apartment is that way.”

Patrick shrugged. “I knew Robin and Nikolas were meeting to go back to Spoon Island. I just…” he shrugged again. “I don’t know.”

“Mm…” Elizabeth turned back around and took a few more steps. Then she whirled back around and nearly slammed into him. She coughed and took a step back. “You know when you’re all old and alone, you’re going to remember this.”

“Remember what?” Patrick inquired, following her example and taking a step back from the single mother. Now would not be a good time to remember the brief attraction he’d felt for the brunette before focusing his attention on Robin.

“You’re going to remember Robin as the one that got away,” Elizabeth lectured him. “And you’re going to regret not going to Greece.” She pointed a finger at him.

“It’s possible,” Patrick allowed. “Speaking as someone who was feeling all cranky and bitter about marriage this morning, you’re sure on the side of the love right now. What’s that about?”

“Because every time I’m sure that love is a bunch of bullshit cooked up by the card companies, I remember my grandparents,” Elizabeth remarked. “My grandmother and grandfather danced around each other for almost fifteen years before finally making it work and every day they were together, they were happy. And they were in love. And that’s how I know it exists.” Her eyes softened. “C’mon, I know you’re not as cynical and jaded as you like the world to think. What about your parents?”

“My parents,” Patrick echoed. He hesitated for a long moment but decided–what the hell. “My parents were like your grandparents. They were happy and I had a great childhood. But then my mom died. And my dad fell apart. So you know what that taught me about love? It’s nice when it works but when it ends, it destroys you, so what’s the point?”

“Humph,” Elizabeth muttered. “If I were your mother, I’d smack you for that. Do you really think she’d want you to think that way?”

Patrick looked her up and down, his lips curving into a smile. “If you were my mother, I could be arrested for some of the thoughts I’ve had.”

Elizabeth laughed and punched him in the shoulder. “Oh, you are so nasty. No, I’m serious. I would never want my son to think about my marriage with Lucky and think that’s how all love ends up. A lot of the times, it sucks. And I’ve been there. But I’ve seen it work and I just think, with the right person, at the right time, it can be special.”

“Well, maybe I haven’t met the right person,” Patrick replied. He slid her a glance. “Would you like to be my right person?” he teased.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, God, I can’t believe you’re hitting on me right now.” She tugged on the sleeve of his shirt. “Come on and walk me home. I’ll make you dinner and save you from the Metro Court restaurant.”

He followed her but cast one last look at the island. Maybe he’d met the right person, and it’d been the wrong time. Or maybe it had been wrong from the start and he’d just refused to see it. Whichever it was, it was time to move on. Robin had made her choice, she’d gone on her own path and it was time that he set out on his own.

He slung an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder. “So, will you make me some of your famous brownies?” he asked, grinning.

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