Corinthos Estate: Living Room

Jason looked up as Brenda Corinthos entered the room. “They asleep?” he asked.

“Dead to the world,” Brenda replied. She sat back on the couch and crossed her legs. She regarded Jason very carefully, scrutinized him as he wandered over to the large bay window that overlooked the pool. “Problems?”

Jason glanced back at her. “What?”

“I noticed Elizabeth looked kind of tense when she came in. She made a beeline for Sonny, which is never good. And you’re even
more silent than usual. So, I can only deduce something is wrong.”

Jason shrugged. “Not really.”

“Uh huh.” Brenda stood and wrapped her arms around her upper torso as she went to stand next to him. “You know if you’d gone to work for my father after college, you could be where AJ is.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “In the position to take over the company and marry his daughter.”

“Probably,” Jason conceded. “But I didn’t want to work within eight feet of AJ.”

“I heard my father broke off negotiations,” Brenda said. “You know that can only mean one thing.”

“Yep.” Jason shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “He’s preparing for another hostile takeover.”

“Not to mention…I heard a little bit of gossip this afternoon at lunch. It seems AJ Quartermaine ordered a large princess diamond in a twenty-four karat gold ring setting.”

Jason looked at her sharply. “What?”

“Yep. I was eating at the Grille and a girlfriend of mine from college works at the jewelry store. Owns it, actually. But she told me that it was perfect example of one of the best-selling engagement rings this year.”

Jason exhaled a harsh breath. “She told me she thought he was going to propose on Saturday. I just thought she was trying to change my mind again.”

“Well, that’s probably true. But now it’s crunch time. I love my sister and I know she’s strong and stubborn, but when it comes to our father, Elizabeth…” Brenda shrugged. “She has a tendency to roll over and do what he wants. She’s been taking care of him since Mom died and I know this is killing her, keeping this from him.”

“See, that’s why I don’t want her to choose,” Jason told her. “I don’t want her to lose him because of me. I know what he means to her. Today, she might be okay with it. She might be okay for months. But it’s going to change one day. And she’s going to resent me for it.”

“Jase, I know you’ve only got her best interests at heart, but this is really a decision only she can make,” Brenda protested. “She just wants to be happy.”

“And I just want her to be happy,” Jason insisted. “But when it comes down to it, is she really going to turn down AJ in front of all those people…in front of your father?”

“She loves you, Jason. I think she might.” Brenda sighed. “I wish my father would just realize that Elizabeth and I are grown women completely capable of making good choices. Look at me. He said that Sonny would be bankrupt in a year. It’s been about six years, almost seven and look at us. Sonny’s just as wealthy as Dad, our house is just as large and we’ve got two beautiful daughters. I think I did pretty well for myself.”

“I think so, too,” Sonny said from behind them. They turned to look at him. “Dinner’s ready. Elizabeth is already in the dining room.”

Spencer Estate: Living Room

AJ wandered into the room and found Skye lounging on one of the large overstuffed sofas, her eyes closed and a hand to her forehead. “Where’s Beth?”

Without opening her eyes, Skye answered in a bored voice, “In her room.”

“Are you sure?”

“No. But I’m not Beth’s keeper either,” she murmured. “Shouldn’t you be leaving?”

AJ scratched his chin. “Nah. I wanted to iron out the details for Saturday.”

Skye snorted. “What’s to iron out? You’re going to the company party, you’re going to propose and she’s going to turn you down.”

AJ frowned and shifted, staring the Spencer niece. “Turn me down?” he echoed, mystified. “Why would she do that?”

“Don’t mind me,” Skye said. She massaged her temples. “Just wishful thinking on my part.”

AJ sighed. “Are you drunk?”

Skye bolted up into a sitting position and glared at the Quartermaine. “Excuse me?” she demanded shrilly.

“Drunk,” AJ repeated. “Are you?”

Skye narrowed her eyes. “I’ve had a few drinks,” she admitted.

AJ shook his head. “You know that’s not good—”

“Oh spare me,” Skye groaned. “Go away and leave me alone.”

AJ shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “Do you intend on making self-pity a career?” he asked bluntly.

Skye rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me the sanctimonious self-serving lecture. I get it. You’re perfect. You’re the white knight. You don’t have to convince everyone in the damned family.”

“Look, I’m sorry if there’s something wrong with me loving Beth,” AJ began. “I want her to be happy—that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. She’s a wonderful woman and I hope she feels the same about me.”

Skye sighed and found herself feeling sorry for the obviously clueless man. He was in for quite the surprise when it became obvious that Elizabeth had no intention of marrying him.

Before Skye could come up with something to say to him, Carly Benson swept into the room, a fashion magazine under her arm and a can of soda in her hand. She flopped onto one of the loveseats. “Hello,” she said cheerfully.

“Oh, go away,” Skye murmured. “I’ve got enough of a headache without you being here.” She glared at the blonde. “I thought you were sleeping.”

Carly shrugged. “I woke up.” She eyed AJ who was looking at her warily. “Well, well, well.” She flicked her tongue over her lower lip slowly and was delighted to see his dark brown eyes follow its movement. “Who do we have here?”

AJ hurried forward to extend a hand to Carly, causing Skye to roll her eyes at his obvious attempts to charm all of Elizabeth’s family. “AJ Quartermaine, your uncle’s—”

“Alleged uncle,” Skye cut in coldly.

“-vice-president,” AJ finished.

“Vice-President, huh?” Carly murmured. She sat up and smiled at him. “Does that work the same way as in politics?”

Skye muffled a groan at the way AJ was eating up Carly’s smiles and doe-eyes. Men. No matter how in love they claimed to be, it never failed.

“Well, I do stand to inherit the company,” AJ remarked proudly.

Skye snorted. “If you can manage marrying Elizabeth.”

“Oh.” Carly pouted and sat back. “You’re engaged.”

“Not yet,” AJ said. “I haven’t asked her yet.”

Carly grinned. “Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

Jason’s Penthouse

Elizabeth set her purse on the desk and took a deep breath, hearing the door click shut after Jason. The dinner had been awkward and stifling. Tension between she and Jason was at an all-time high and it had shown.

“I’m telling my father tonight,” Elizabeth said softly.

“Elizabeth,” Jason sighed. “That may not be the best idea right now.”

Elizabeth turned and glared at him. “You want me to wait until I have to humiliate AJ on Saturday?”

Jason exhaled slowly. “No. I don’t. I just…Elizabeth, you can’t just march into your father’s office and tell him we’re together. It’s not…Luke is just not going to accept that.”

“Damn what he thinks!” Elizabeth cried. “I am tired of feeling like I’m doing something wrong!”

“Look, just give me until Saturday morning,” Jason pleaded. “I know we can come up with an alternative—”

“An alternative to the truth?” Elizabeth snapped. “You, the master of honesty, want to find a way to avoid telling my father the truth? Forgive me if this sounds a little strange—”

“I’m doing this for you!” Jason retorted.

“I didn’t ask you to!” She shook her head. “We’ve been doing it your way the entire time. You wanted me to wait until Sonny negotiated a deal with my father. Six months of hiding how I feel.” She snatched her purse up and headed for the door. “Now, we’re doing this my way.”

“Elizabeth, don’t do this!” Jason called as she slammed the door shut.

 Corinthos Estate: Grace’s Bedroom

“What are you doing?”

Sonny jumped and turned around guilty to find his wife smiling at him from across the hallway. “Uh…just checking on Grace.”

Brenda smirked. “Right. Uh huh. Close that door before you wake her up.”

Sonny muttered under his breath and shut Grace’s door. “Nag.”

“Oh bite me,” Brenda remarked good-naturedly. She leaned against the wall and sighed. “I’m worried.”

“About what? Jason and Elizabeth?” Sonny asked.

Brenda bit her lower lip. “Yeah. She loves him, Sonny. And I don’t doubt that she would go to my father to tell him so.”

“But?” Sonny prompting.

“But,” Brenda continued, “I don’t think that’s what Jason wants. I think that whether he wants to think so or not, for some reason, Luke’s approval is very important to him. He says it’s for Elizabeth, but I don’t think it is.”

“Why would Luke’s approval mean anything to Jason?” Sonny asked as he took his wife by the elbow and led her down the hall towards their bedroom.

“Do you remember when Jason first came out of Harvard? When you and Dad were both competing to hire him?” Brenda asked. “He respects Dad, likes him even. I think it meant a lot to Jason that two of the biggest names in the business world wanted him for their companies. Growing up as the cast-off child…” she shrugged. “I think part of him doesn’t want to lose that. Because even though Dad respects Jason in return…as soon as he finds out about Jason and Elizabeth…it’s over. He doesn’t have a back-up plan.”

Sonny sighed and pushed their door open. “You’ve got a good point. But if Elizabeth were to tell Luke, and he reacts the way we all expect, would she give Luke up for Jason?”

Brenda nodded. “In a heartbeat. I really do believe it. It would kill her, but I believe she’d do it. And you know something else? I think Jason knows that, too. I think he knows that Elizabeth would barely hesitate in leaving that house and I don’t think he wants to give her that choice.”

“I just wish it didn’t have to be this way,” Sonny sighed. “I wish I knew why Luke hated me to be point where he’d cast his own daughter out of the family.”

“My father is a good man,” Brenda said, unzipping her pants and tossing them aside. “He has so many good qualities—but he never thought you were right for me. You are older than I am and at the time, there wasn’t any stability in your business. No one thought you’d be where you are today. I think that worried Dad…not to mention the fact that I did just elope instead of just asking him straight out. He’s got his pride, y’know?” Brenda pulled a soft pink nightgown over her head and sat at her vanity table to brush out her dark brown hair.

“Because I didn’t ask him for permission and because he had reservations about us,” Brenda continued, “I think that led to him deciding that it was you or him. And I wasn’t expecting him to be completely serious about kicking me out of the family. I thought he’d back down.” She met his eyes in the mirror. “I miss him sometimes, Sonny. And I agree with Jason. Elizabeth might think she’s ready to make the same decision, but she’s different than I am. She has always been closer to Dad than I am. I had Mom, she had him. I think losing him, even if she were gaining Jason…it would wear on her after awhile.”

“What do you think Jason should do?” Sonny asked, smoothing his hands over her shoulders and bending down to kiss her collarbone.

“I think Jason should be upfront with my father. Tell him that he loves Elizabeth and wants to marry her. I think if Jason were the one to go to Dad, it might make all the difference.”

“Maybe you should tell him so,” Sonny murmured.

Brenda nodded. “I think I will. Tomorrow. I’ll meet him in his office.”

 Spencer Estate: Luke’s Office

Luke smiled as Elizabeth slipped into the room. “Beth. I thought you were sleeping.”

“Is AJ gone?” Elizabeth asked, taking a seat in front of Luke’s desk.

“He went home a little while ago.” Luke frowned. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”

“I need to tell you something,” Elizabeth said softly. “Daddy, I love you. You know that, right?”

Luke nodded even as a coil of fear began to wind in his gut. He recognized this conversation, was feeling an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Six years ago, Brenda had sat here, confessing her marriage to Sonny Corinthos. “Beth—”

“I would never do anything to hurt you. Not deliberately,” Elizabeth continued. “Daddy, I know you have your heart set on my marrying AJ.”

“Not exactly,” Luke lied uncomfortably. “I want you to be happy, baby.”

She smiled then, a look of relief breaking out on her face. “Good. I’m glad you said that. Daddy, I’m in love. And I want you to know.”

Love. Love was a much better word than marriage. Luke began to relax. He could handle this, it wasn’t so bad. “Well, who’s the lucky man?”

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes turning dreamy. “It’s Jason Morgan.”

Luke lunged out of his seat. “What?” he roared.

Elizabeth blinked and sat back in her chair, startled. “Daddy—”

“You better mean a different Jason Morgan than the one who works for that scum Corinthos,” Luke warned her.

Elizabeth’s narrowed and she shot to her feet, glaring at her father. “I do mean the Jason who works for Sonny and Sonny is not scum!” she declared defiantly. “I love Jason, Daddy, and I’m going to be with him, whether you like it or not!”

“I refuse to give my blessing!” Luke growled. “If you pursue this relationship, you will find yourself in the same position as Brenda!”

“What’s wrong with Jason?” Elizabeth demanded. “You like him, you respect him! The only thing wrong with him is that he works for Sonny!”

“How long has this been going on?” Luke demanded. “How long have you been seeing him?”

“Six months,” Elizabeth bit out.

Luke stared at his youngest daughter and blinked. “That lying little sneaky bastard,” he muttered under his breath. “No wonder Corinthos was pushing for some kind of deal with us. Morgan put him up to it.”

Elizabeth lifted her chin. “For some reason, your approval matters to Jason.”

Matters to Jason. His heart sank a little as he realized the implications of those words. His approval mattered to Morgan, but not to his own daughter. He narrowed his eyes. “End it or leave,” he said firmly.

The seconds ticked by as father and daughter stared at each other, neither willing to back down. Finally, Elizabeth slumped her shoulders. “All right,” she whispered.

Luke smiled in victory but it was quickly wiped from his face as Elizabeth continued. “I’ll be gone in the morning.”

She left the office as quietly as she had come, leaving Luke to collapse back into his seat, stunned and dismayed at the events that had taken place.

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