No one makes it right
Like you do Like you do
No one makes it right
Like you do Like you do
No one makes it right like you
— Bryan Adams, No One Makes It Right
Carly found Jason sitting down the hall from Elizabeth’s room. She set the bag with a change of clothes next to him and took a seat across from him. “Hey.”
Jason looked up, his face worn and haggard. “Hey. How are—”
“They’re fine,” Carly cut in. “Davie doesn’t really understand what’s going on but Dee keeping him company.” She hesitated. “Dee asked a lot of questions. We didn’t know how to answer.”
“I wouldn’t either,” Jason replied, staring down at his hands. He was still wearing the dress pants and white button down shirt from the celebration dinner the night before. “She’s locked me out of the room.”
Carly’s brown eyes softened with sympathy. “Oh, Jase.” She reached out to touch his hand. “She’s in a bad place right now—I know that you’re sad about the baby, but it’s different for Liz. Women get so attached to the baby when we’re carrying it—it’s part of us. We can feel their little feet kicking and we can’t help but fall in love without even seeing them. Losing a baby so far along in the pregnancy—” A shadow passed over Carly’s face and she twisted her diamond ring. “It’s a devastating blow. And she’s going to try and shut you out. She’s like you, Jase. She just wants to protect you—and keeping you from seeing her in pain—it’s the easiest way.”
“I just…” Jason let out a frustrated breath. “I just want to help.”
Carly looked away. “You know she’s never going to be my favorite person, right?”
“Carly—”
She smiled. “Chill—I’m not bashing her. If you haven’t noticed, since the two of you patched it up, I’ve tried to be nice to her and we’ve even formed a truce. As much as I’d like it to be different…I know how much you love each other. And Dee and Davie. She loves you enough to protect you—and you’ve done it to her a dozen times—don’t try and tell me you haven’t.” Carly rubbed his shoulder. “But no matter how many times everything has been against you…the two of you have spit in all of our faces and been happy anyway.” She gave him a brief smile. “I see no reason that has to stop. So, give her some space. See if she can’t snap out of this herself.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” Jason asked.
Carly smiled again. “You can try what Sonny did.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Kidnap her and take to her the island.”
Elizabeth rolled over in her hospital bed and stared at the window. It was early afternoon and she was alone in the room.
Which was just the way she preferred to be. She wanted to sit in her room in the dark and she wanted to be alone.
She felt twinges of guilt—she had had Jason removed from the room after all. She didn’t know how to make him understand that she needed to be alone.
Her hand strayed to her abdomen to where just this time yesterday, she’d been six months pregnant. It’d been amazing—she and Emily had been due within days of one another. Their children were going to grow up together—be the best of friends.
“I’m going to name her Lila, of course,” Emily said, her brown eyes sparkling with happiness. She flipped through the baby name book she’d brought home from the store. “I just don’t know about a middle name.” She put her feet on top of the coffee table and stretched out.
Elizabeth smiled. “Jason’s not into names—and no amount of threatening is going to work. So, I’ve decided on Steven for a boy and Audrey for a girl. I don’t know about middle names either.”
Emily leaned forward. “Wouldn’t it be wild if they were born on the same day?”
“I think that would be incredible—they could be best friends…just like us.”
And now Lila Paige Quartermaine or Lucas Alan Quartermaine would not have a cousin after all—and wouldn’t have a built-in best friend.
A soft knock sounded on the door. “Elizabeth?”
She sat up a little and sighed. She wanted to see him—she was selfish enough to admit that. “Come in.”
The door opened slowly, letting in a sliver of light. She could see the outline of his figure as he entered the room. “Why is it so dark in here?”
“I want it that way,” Elizabeth remarked.
He closed the door and the room was thrown into blackness. Jason didn’t come any closer—and she was grateful to him for keeping his distance. She twisted the edge of the white hospital blanket between her thumb and forefingers. They hadn’t been this awkward around one another for years—not since their marriage for sure.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” he said finally.
“I know you don’t agree with me wanting to be alone,” Elizabeth said, her soft voice sounding much louder in the quiet room. “But I can’t help the way I feel. And all I want to do is sit in here, in the dark and be alone.” She tried to search his eyes out, but it was too dark. “And I want you to go home and take the kids back to the house.”
“And I can’t help the way I feel,” Jason replied. “And I want to stay here with you until you’re released.”
“Jason—” Elizabeth began.
“I’ll sleep on the chair in the hallway if you don’t want me in here,” Jason replied. “But I’m not leaving you.”
She bit her lip and leaned over to click on the lamp that sat on the small nightstand next to her bed. The room was still dark—but she could see Jason more clearly. She shifted over in the bed and patted it. “Come on.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
She gave him a small smile. “Yeah. So come to bed before I change my mind, all right?”
Carly left Jason at Elizabeth’s door with firm instructions to keep knocking until she at least let him in. She set off for the ICU unit and the private room where Christina Ashton was staying.
Ned was leaning against the wall next to the door, a hand over his eyes. At the sound of Carly’s heels against the floor, he looked up. “Carly.”
She stopped a few feet away. “Hi.” She twisted her ring on her finger and ran a hand through her blonde hair. “How is she?”
“What are you doing here?” Ned asked, ignoring her question.
“Look…I just…” Carly sighed. “I want to tell you that I’m sorry that it’s happening. And if there’s anything I can do, just let—”
“We don’t want or need your help,” Ned said, his tone scathing. Stung, Carly took a step back.
“What’s going on out here?” Alexis asked, leaning around the doorframe. She caught sight of Carly. “Carly.”
Carly took a deep breath. “I just wanted to see how Christie is.”
Alexis shot a look at Ned. “And I suppose Ned was being his helpful self.”
Carly forced down the snappy comeback she was ready to throw at the Ashtons and opted for the mature way. “Ned and I were just discussing an offer I made.”
“I was explaining to Carly that we don’t want her help,” Ned said.
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Alexis said. She looked over her shoulder at Christie’s peacefully sleeping form. She looked back to Ned. “Why don’t you sit with her? Carly and I can get a cup of coffee.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ned asked, taking a step closer to her. Alexis took a deep breath nodded.
“I’m going to do whatever’s necessary,” Alexis replied, keeping her voice low.
“All right.” Ned tossed another look at Carly before entering Christie’s room.
Carly sat across from Alexis in the cafeteria staring into a cup of ugly thick black coffee. She wasn’t sure where to start and for the first time in Alexis’s life, she had a feeling the other woman didn’t know either.
Finally, Carly pushed the cup aside. “Look, I think we’re both in agreement—that Christina’s life is what matters here.”
Alexis looked up startled. “Even if Sonny finds out you knew?”
Carly frowned. “You think I’d sacrifice your daughter because of that? I’m not a good person, Alexis, but I’m a mother first and foremost and my children mean everything to me. I know you feel the same way.”
“I do,” Alexis agreed. She cleared her throat. “Ned and I decided that the truth should come out. That Amanda and Andrew need to be tested as soon as possible.”
“Of course,” Carly replied. “I wish there was a way to get them tested without Sonny knowing. But the procedure—it’s complicated, isn’t it?”
Alexis leaned forward. “Are you sure you want your children to go through it?”
“I don’t want them experiencing any pain, but I don’t think we have a choice,” Carly replied. “Like it or not, Christina is their sister. And I’d like to think they’d make that choice.”
Alexis rubbed her eyes, exhausted. “I can’t believe you’re being so agreeable.”
“I only have one condition,” Carly said.
Alexis frowned. “I knew it.”
“Sonny can never know I knew,” Carly said, her voice just a little tinged with desperation. “Never.”
“He will never find out from me,” Alexis pledged.
Carly took another deep breath. “All right.”
Alexis darted a look around. “What about Michael?”
Carly’s forehead creased in confusion. “What about him? He’s not Sonny’s biological son.”
“Won’t he wonder why he’s not taking the test?” Alexis asked.
Carly looked down at her hands. “Michael isn’t aware that he’s not Sonny’s son. And I don’t want anything to happen to change his mind about it.”
“He can’t take the test and not find out,” Alexis said. “Siblings are usually at least 25% matches—Michael won’t match and the doctors might tell him that.”
Carly sucked in a sharp breath. “I didn’t…I didn’t realize.” She scratched her forehead. “You know what? We’ll…we’ll deal with that as it comes.”
Lu leaned against the bar. “You know, one day I’m taking this all over.”
Michael smirked and twisted on one of the bar stools. “Over your father’s dead body. He’s terrified you’re going to redecorate.”
“Well, look at the place,” Lu said, waving her hand around, wrinkling her nose. “It was sweetly eccentric when he opened the club, but it’s been nearly twenty years and he still refuses to let anyone touch it—I think it’s time for a change.”
“Which is Luke will leave this place to Lucky and not you,” Michael replied, taking another gulp of his soda.
Lu shrugged. “I’ll find a way.” She looked up as the door to the club opened. “Hey, we’re not open–” she started to call out before she recognized the newcomers. “Daddy!” she squealed, taking off and practically leaping into her father’s arms.
“Hiya, princess,” Luke Spencer said, practically lifting his daughter off the ground. Lu let him go and wrapped her mother in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Lu said, pulling away. “How was the trip? Did you stop off in Greece to see Nik, Gia and Markie?”
Laura nodded, excited. “I’ve got pictures and everything.” She took Lu’s arm and the trio headed back to the bar area. “Michael!” Laura exclaimed, seeing the young man sipping a soda. “It’s good to see you.”
“How’s your mother?” Luke asked, grudging. He’d decided it was his job to keep up with his wayward niece and her crazy family seeing as how his sister barely kept in touch. Bobbie had done a complete 180 about three years ago and remarried Tony. They’d uprooted Lucas and they’d all moved to New York City.
“Mom’s good,” Michael said. He hesitated but knowing that Luke and Laura considered Elizabeth part of the family, he continued, “Liz lost the baby.”
Laura gasped and looked to her husband. “Oh, Luke,” she murmured. “Michael, is she okay? How’s Jason? What happened?”
Michael shrugged. “We were eating dinner and she just started having pains. I don’t know why. Jase—he was worried until she was out of surgery. I think she’s okay, but I haven’t been back to the hospital.”
“Where are the kids?” Luke asked. “Are they staying with you?”
Michael nodded. “I don’t think Jason is leaving the hospital until Liz does.”
Luke nodded. “Didn’t expect the boy to do anything differently.”
“I want to go to the hospital as soon as we unpack at home,” Laura said firmly. She turned around and headed back to the doorway.
Luke swung an arm around his daughter’s shoulders as he followed his wife. “So, princess, you weren’t redecorating mentally now were you?”
Michael just shook his head as he followed the Spencer family out of the club.
Emily hung up the phone and rubbed her head wearily. One more month and she was on maternity leave—and once little Lila Paige or Lucas Alan was born, she was going to cut her hours back.
But she still had another month to get through.
She glanced down at the list she’d been making when the conference call from Japan had come through. How To Bring Liz Up with Lucky was scrawled across the top and below it were some ideas she’d had. Emily wrinkled her nose at her stupid idea and crumpled the paper up in her fist.
She rested her chin on her elbow and stared at the digital clock mounted on her wall. Ten more minutes and she could call it a day.
“Em, you’re never going to believe –Elizabeth and I found our way back to each other. We’re going to be happy again, I just know it.”
Emily sat back in her chair and rubbed her swollen stomach absently. Lucky’s words, spoken with such happiness ten years ago, still came to haunt her whenever she seriously thought about discussing her fears with him.
Their reunion had been short-lived, long enough for Lucky to fall in love with her again and for Elizabeth to realize she’d made a mistake and wanted Jason back. Elizabeth had left Jason for reasons Emily had never cared about—she hadn’t returned home yet—and was helping Lucky bring Luke home while Jason had been concentrating on Courtney’s stalker.
Emily could remember vividly the phone call she’d received at her rehab center after Lucky and Elizabeth had exonerated Luke. He’d been thrilled by the latest happenings and Emily had been just as happy for him—until she’d spoke to Elizabeth.
“Yeah. We’re going…we’re going to try again.” Elizabeth’s voice was tired and even a little annoyed.
“I can’t believe it,” Emily said. “After you told me about Sarah in June, I thought for sure it was over.” She lowered her voice a little as if she were betraying someone—namely her brother. “In fact, I thought you and Jason were going to get together.”
“Yeah…well, we didn’t,” Elizabeth said shortly.
Deciding the topic was bad, Emily switched back to Lucky. “So how did it happen?”
She could almost picture Elizabeth, curled up on her couch in her studio, twirling the phone cord around a finger and giving a careless shrug as she said, “It just did. We were in a hotel room and he kissed me.”
“Liz…are you sure…are you sure this is what you want?” Emily asked carefully.
“What I want doesn’t matter,” Elizabeth muttered.
Emily frowned. She couldn’t have heard her friend right. “What did you say, Liz?”
“Of course it’s what I want,” Elizabeth said as if she were repeating herself.
Emily should have warned Lucky then—but she hadn’t. Their relationship had only lasted about a month or so before Elizabeth had made the decision to break it off and try and get Jason back. To this day, Emily had no idea what had spurred her friend to switch tracks so quickly, but one second Elizabeth had been dating Lucky and the next, she and Jason were together—or back together, as Emily later learned.
Lucky had been heartbroken—but had ultimately told Emily that he’d known all along Elizabeth’s heart wasn’t in the relationship, that she’d only been trying to forget Jason. It’d been Lucky who had filled in the blanks of the previous summer for Emily—of Elizabeth’s short-lived relationship with Zander, her brush with death both outside the warehouse and in the hospital, her kidnapping and ultimately her moving into the penthouse. Emily had been stunned that her friend hadn’t told her any of these things and for some reason Emily hadn’t confronted Elizabeth about it. To this day, their friendship was always a little strained from Emily’s side.
And now Elizabeth had miscarried her third child—the child she and Emily had planned on being Lila or Lucas’s best friend. Emily didn’t know what she’d do if she’d had it happen to her and her broke for Elizabeth. It wasn’t as though it was Elizabeth’s fault that Lucky hadn’t let go—and it certainly wasn’t her fault that Emily had talked herself into trusting that he had.
No—the blame rested solely on Emily and Lucky.
Emily chewed on her lip as the clock’s red numbers clicked from 6:59 to 7. She sighed and picked her purse up from the table. She headed out for the night.
Lucky was sitting in the living room of the Quartermaine mansion when Emily entered that night. She stopped and sighed—at this point, Lucky was absolutely the last person she wanted to see. She knew what was going to happen—he’d bring up marriage, they’d fight and she’d end up more convinced than ever that Lucky wasn’t
over Elizabeth.
She knew Lucky was aware of the fact that Elizabeth was never going to leave Jason—not for any reason. After being together for nine years and married for six, Elizabeth and Jason were committed to each other as Luke and Laura Spencer. There was no way in hell Lucky had a chance to rekindle their relationship for a fourth time.
Subconsciously, she knew Lucky knew that. But right now, facing another proposal from Lucky—she wasn’t so sure sometimes. She knew without a doubt that she’d never marry him until she was sure that he loved her—and only her.
“Lucky,” Emily said, injecting her voice with more exhaustion than she actually felt.
Lucky sprang to his feet and turned to greet her. He came around the couch and tried to kiss her. She turned her head at the last moment and his lips only met her cheek. Frowning he pulled back. “Em, what’s wrong?”
Emily pulled her coat off and sighed. “Nothing. It’s just been a long day.”
Lucky nodded and they sat on the couch. “No word on Christie?”
Emily shook her head. “No. No donor found yet.” She hesitated before saying the words, “I suppose you’ve heard about Liz.”
Lucky nodded. “Yeah—poor girl. I know how much her kids mean to her. She must be devastated.”
“Yeah,” Emily replied. Deciding to test his reaction, she said, “She’s even pushing Jason away. She just wants to be alone.” She had to look away and fight back the tears when she saw the way Lucky’s eyes all but lit up at the prospect. Lucky wasn’t over Elizabeth.
Not by a long shot.
Laura Spencer pushed Elizabeth’s hospital door open slowly in case its occupant was sleeping. She only got it halfway opened before she saw Elizabeth curled upon the bed, sleeping in Jason’s arms. She gave a little smile and pulled it shut.
“What’s wrong, Angel?” Luke asked as Laura returned to the waiting area where he and Lu were waiting.
“They’re sleeping,” Laura replied. “I didn’t want to wake her.” A sad smile crossed her face. “I’m so glad she’s got Jason—she’s going to need him.”
“Yeah, he can take out the people who upset her,” Lu said, almost cheerful.
Luke grinned. “What else is the boy good for?” He put an arm around his wife. “Let’s stop by the penthouse—I want to see my grandchildren.”
“Dad,” Lu began.
“Hush. I’m about the only grandfather those kids got,” Luke replied.
“Ain’t that scary?” Lu said, pushing the elevator door.
“Elizabeth’s such a good person,” Laura said wistfully. “She didn’t deserve this.”
“No one deserves this, Angel,” Luke replied as the elevator opened and the trio stepped on. “But Elizabeth is strong—she’ll be all right. She survived this family and its adventures.”
“Yeah, she faked her own death, went up against Helena,” Lu began ticking Elizabeth’s deeds off on her fingers, “Convinced you to come home and even worked to set you free and then convinced Lucky and Nikolas Mom would recover closer to home.”
“A stubborn girl she is,” Luke said, proudly. “Wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t some Spencer blood in her.”
Lu wrinkled her nose. “Dad…that’s illegal.”
“What is?”
“She and Lucky dated, remember?”
“Of course I remember. I just think the Spencer traits rubbed off a little more vigorously with Liz than they did with, say…my biological daughter.”
Lu rolled her eyes. “Just because I don’t like traveling to China at the drop of the hat and I don’t go and save the world every few years…that doesn’t mean I’m not a Spencer.”
“Honestly, Luke,” Laura said, shaking her head. “Lu takes after me.”
“And it’s a good thing, too,” Luke said, kissing the top of his wife’s head. “Because I’d be scared as hell if she took after me.”
“Yeah, one Luke Spencer is more than enough,” Lu quipped.
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