Chapter Eight

"Jason!!!"Sonny yelled storming into the penthouse. Courtney came flying down the stairs.
"Sonny? What's wrong?"She asked as he moved to the kitchen,"Sonny, he's not here. What's going on?"
"Do you know where he is?"Sonny asked putting his hand to his forehand.
"No. He doesn't tell me anything anymore..."Sonny left just as fast as he came leaving a confused sister in his wake.

"Where the hell have you been?!!"Sonny yelled cornering his friend in the garage. Jason looked up from his bike.
"I just got back. What happened?"He watched Sonny literally flip out in front of him. Very unlike Sonny.
"I talked to Casiraghi and von Raven and Hartington and Delmonte, but they wouldn't say anything, they wouldn't tell me anything and I know, I know something is wrong...they’re calling a meeting....it doesn't make any sense. What the hell is going on, I don't have time for this bullshit they're all running me around in circles...And Michael...no one can find him, I've got half the god damn guards out searching for his ass, Carly gave Johnny so many scratched from him dragging her onto the plane...And Courtney, they must have forgot to put her on because they're out all still looking for Michael!!!"Jason absorbed everything Sonny ranted about before hearing another motorcycle enter the garage. Both men looked up and watched as they parked next to Jason's bike. Removing his helmet, Michael looked at the two men.
"What?"He asked,"I told you I was going for a ride this morning."Sonny stared at him.
"Where the hell have you been...Your mother's on a god damn plane headed to the island...Did you ditch your guards again..I've got half my men looking for you...!!!!!"He shouted as Jason put himself between Sonny and Michael.
"Sonny!!!"Jason shouted getting the man to stop,"Calm down."He whispered getting his point across before turning to Michael,"Don't ever ditch your guards again. Now get in the elevator, both of you."The Corinthos men followed Jason's orders before Max came around the corner,"Go get Courtney out of the penthouse and send her to a safe house, the island, just get her somewhere, anywhere, but here."He ordered and the guard nodded biting his tongue. Jason sighed before joining everyone in the elevator.

"Pack your things Michael."Jason told his nephew as they entered Sonny's Penthouse. The teenager stopped in his tracks.
"Excuse me?"Sonny looked up from his place on the couch.
"You'll be joining your mother on the island, Michael. So go pack your things."The teenager remained rooted to his spot.
"I'm not going anywhere."Jason sighed closing his eyes,"I'm a part of this family and I'm not running."
"You're a part of this family?"Jason asked.
"Yes. I am."Michael fired back.
"Then go protect your mother and pack your things so you can go to the island."
"You can't order me to go."
"I just did. Upstairs, NOW!!!"
"NO!!! You can't tell me what I can or can't do!!"
"Do you want to die?!! Michael, if you stay here they're going to come after you. Don't you get it?!"
"Don't you get that I'm 18, stop treating me like a child."
"You're acting like one. Now get the hell upstairs or I'll have Johnny and Francis drag you onto that plane right now!"
"Michael!"Sonny beckoned his son,"Do you have any idea what's happening right now?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you understand that it's going to get bad. You've never seen death, you've never had to see any of it because we wanted to protect you to keep you safe."
"Dad, how can you and Jason think I wouldn't want any part of this. I know you want me safe. But I am staying to fight with you. I will not run."Sonny stared his son in the eye for a moment.
"Jason, give him a gun."He returned his attention to his son,"You listen to what we say, you do what we tell you. If we say run, you run like hell and never look back. You stay close to Jason, don't fire unless we say so and you keep your mouth shut. Do you understand me?"Michael stared his father in the eye before nodding once.
"Here."Jason said holding out the gun,"don't fire unless we say so."
"How can you think I would grow up in this and not know how to use a gun or when to fire it?"Michael stated before tucking it into his pants like Jason,"You guys have so much to learn."
"Yea well you're the one calling your mother to explain why you're not going."Sonny remarked temporarily lightening the mood.
"When did they call the meeting?"Jason asked already in business mode.
"Tonight."Sonny said looking at Michael,"You're coming. Don't forget what I said."He pulled his son into a hug,"I love you, Michael."
"I love you too Dad."He pulled out of the hug to look at Jason,"You wanna get in on this?"The comment made Sonny and Jason laugh.
"Come over here."Jason said giving him a quick hug before ruffling his hair.


"Are you ready for this?"Chris asked leaning on the door jamb to her bedroom. She was staring out the window, her figure engulfed by the moonlight.
"I don't have much of a choice."She replied continuing her gaze.
"That's true. Listen, Eva...I..,”He started moving towards her,"I just wanted to tell you, how proud I am...of you."He added standing close to her,"And...I won't let anything happen to you...ever."He leaned forward and they hugged for a moment before pulling away. He reluctantly let go before she crashed her lips on his, hard.
"I know."She whispered eyes locked with his. He grabbed her hand and they made their way out of the suite. Walking down the hall, Riley followed them, spying their interlocked fingers and smiled briefly.


Jason got out of the limo first and smoothed his suit looking around the dark woods. Sonny was next followed by Michael who's face was as emotionless as his father's. Sonny was the first to enter the house and walked the length of the hall into the large parlor. He took a look around before some of men stopped talking.
"Ah Sonny, you're here."The elder Hartington approached first shaking hands.
"Richard."Sonny nodded. He talked with a few members of the Hartington Family before Anthony Delmonte entered the room. Everything got quiet and Jason felt his pulse quicken.
"Gentlemen, I'd like you to please stand by your seats. The meeting will begin shortly."Jason looked at Sonny who seemed as uncertain as him as to what was happening. Jason stood with Max, Johnny and Francis behind Sonny and Michael. The Hartington's, the Casiraghi's, the Delmonte's and the von Raven's were all fully represented. Time seemed to pass by slowly until they all heard the door open. Jason immediately tensed. A pair of high heels echoed the hall, each step resounding louder and louder. Jason stared at the entrance to his right, prepared at any moment for any surprises....Well...almost any.

Chapter Nine

Eva stopped the second she entered the room. Aside from the Corinthos Organization, the rest of the men nodded in honor at her as she walked the length of the table to be seated at the head of the table. Sonny turned behind to Jason with a smirk as he moved to sit down.
"I would like to thank you all for coming tonight."Eva began staring at the men with forbidding eyes,"I would like to especially thank Mr. Corinthos and his organization for attending tonight."Her eyes locked with Sonny's.
"The pleasure is all mine."He grinned and she nodded.
"I'm afraid we have a problem."She returned her attention to the remainder of the men,"I'm sure we can all think of different ways to be rid of it. Lorenzo Alcazar, Sammy Tagliati and Ric Lansing will be taken care of. The issue is not how, but it is a matter of time. Mr. Corinthos, I'm afraid to tell you that your territory will be under attack within a few weeks. We have proof of Alcazar's men preparing a siege in Miami and Puerto Rico. I'm sure you've noticed Tagliati's growing force in Port Charles. Due to the fact that you have shown nothing, but respect, loyalty, honor to the families here and the fact that I admire your organization's means of conduct, we have men stationed to counter-attack within the next few weeks. Mr. Hartington, Mr. Casiraghi, Mr. de Raven and Mr. Delmonte have all contributed to protecting your territory. I ask one thing in return."She waited before speaking again,"In order for our successful and clean removal of Alcazar, Tagliati and Lansing, we will need to work on your territory. After our mission is complete, you have my word it will all be restored to its original form. Not an inch of your territory will be taken by anyone. Do you agree to these terms?"She asked staring straight at Sonny, who nodded, and her father. Eva gracefully rose and walked around the table to face Corinthos. He and Michael automatically stood. Eva offered her hand and he shook it hiding his smile. She looked to Michael and they shared nods before she turned to her father. She turned around to face the table of men where Sonny was still standing.
"I'm sure many of you not only know Mr. Corinthos, but his partner Mr. Morgan as well. I know them to be good, honorable men which is something I hold in the highest regard."She turned her attention to the men she was speaking of,"You will always hold an honorable seat at this table. One, I might add, that can be passed down to your son, Mr. Corinthos."She looked at her father quickly to mouth - I love you Daddy - before returning to her seat,"Now, Mr. Casiraghi, Joey mentioned a few days ago a very clever way to be rid of our thorns."
After nearly an hour of debating amongst the men as to the intricate details of their plan, Eva sat quiet through most of it. She only interfered every ten minutes to quiet an unruly dispute before the guns were forced out.
"Enough!"She shouted ending one last argument before standing alone,"I will tell you the same thing I told your sons just a few days ago. We are in for a war, Gentlemen. And we will win."Standing straight, the rest of the men immediately rose as well,"Goodnight Gentlemen."The Casiraghis and the Hartingtons were the first to pay their respects to her before leaving. Von Raven was the last as she pressed her finger to her lips waiting to hear the door shut before speaking.
"I'm sure there's a lot you want to know."She started,"I just want you to know that I truly meant every word I said earlier."Sonny reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"It answers a lot of questions."He replied giving her a dimpled smile.
"Please, say something."She whispered looking at Jason whose eyes were steel. Without saying a word, he pulled her into a hug.
"Do you know what you're doing?"He whispered into her ear.
"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you..."She whispered on the verge of tears.
"Shh...We'll talk about it later. I love you too."He finished before kissing her on the forehead.
"Uncle Anthony, Uncle Vince, I'd like you to meet my father, Jason Morgan."Jason shook hands with the two men as Eva stood to the side silently beaming.
"We apologize for everything."Anthony remarked glancing off to Eva,"It was all we could do to keep our word to our sister."



Chris was asleep in his bed across the large parlor when he heard a shriek. Conditioned as a light sleeper, he was instantly awake, gun already in hand. Dressed in a tee shirt and pants, he stood near the door waiting to hear any noise. When he heard a second small cry, he burst through the door into the large parlor. Seeing nothing, he heard the small whimper from her room across from him. Slipping into her room, he found Eva suffering from a nightmare, tossing and turning in her bed. Putting the gun on the night stand next to her, he stood over her.
"Eva.."He whispered.
"No..."She whispered her voice hoarse,"don't..."
"Eva..."He whispered a little louder as he gently touched her shoulder. She immediately sat up, eyes open, heart pounding fast as her breathing tried to catch up.
"It's ok...it's ok..."He whispered gently touching her hair,"I'm here..."
"Chris..?"She whispered between breaths.
"Yea...it's ok, I'm here..."He gently pulled her into his arms and felt her grip on him tighten. He felt her breathing soften. Before he knew it, she had fallen asleep in his arms. Carefully trying to lay her back down, she seemed glued to his body. Smiling a bit, he opted to quietly lay down in the bed with her. On his back, he felt her arms instinctively wrap around him, her hair falling across his chest as she rested her head against him. He kissed her head before leaning his head back and wrapping his arms around her protectively.


Chapter Ten

"Ok, here are the pictures you asked for."Eva said handing an envelope to her father who sat on the couch of his penthouse. She wandered around the room studying the knickknacks here and there.
"You know, Mum, she told me that you always loved her, but not in the romantic sense. She explained to me that you were in love with another woman, a young lady who pulled you out of the snow and has saved your life time and time again...."She stopped when she came across a picture of a young woman,"Is this her?"She asked holding it up to show him. Jason had been trying to concentrate on mesmerizing the faces of the men before him. He glanced at the picture.
"That's Courtney, we're engaged."He stated matter of factly. She stared at the picture remembering her first run in with the woman.
"Courtney?"She whined wrinkling her nose. He placed the pictures on the coffee table and smirked at her face.
"Yes, Courtney. Why does that bother you?"
"Because,"She replied finally turning to stare at him with her dagger eyes,"that's not the name Mum said." Jason swallowed hard unable to remove his eyes from hers.
"What name did she tell you?"She put the picture back, not really caring if it was in the same position.
"I'd give you two guesses, but you're only gonna need one. And besides, you know exactly what you told her."She sat on the couch next to him with her arms folded. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Eva, that was a long time ago. Things happen, things change and I'll always be thankful she saved my life...But...she left. And now, it’s just too complicated."She studied her father's reaction.
"Why did she leave?"He took a deep breath.
"Because, she couldn't handle my life...she couldn't handle the life we live in."She continued to study him.
"And this new girl, Courtney, she can handle it?"
"Yes, she can. She's not a part of it, but she's engaged to me and she's Sonny's sister."She never let her eyes leave his face. Giving a nod, she stood up grabbing her purse.
"Dad, you know I love you,"He gave a slight nod,"But I truly mean it when I say you suck at lying."And with that she walked out the door before he could answer....that is if he could have thought of an answer.




Knock...knock....knock. Reginald came flying from the kitchen to answer the door. He paused for a brief second to admire the young woman before him.
"Hello, I'm here to see Mrs. Quartermaine."She said and he led her into the grand foyer.
"Which one?"He asked following her as she glanced around.
"Well, my father told me I had to come meet a Mrs. Lila Quartermaine, a Dr. Monica Quartermaine and a Miss Emily Quartermaine, although I'm not entirely sure if she lives here." Reginald smiled.
"Well, sometimes she does, in fact, she just moved back in. Now, Dr. Quartermaine is in the parlor with the rest of the family, minus Mrs. Quartermaine, she's upstairs and Emily isn't home yet."He answered before a loud crash was heard in the parlor.
"You have no idea what it's like...!!!" The two looked at each other.
"I think I would suggest you meet with Mrs. Quartermaine first."She giggled a little and followed him up the stairs.

"Yes, Reginald?"Lila called sitting by the window of her suite. He entered followed by the young woman who was dressed in a light pink skirt suit.
"Mrs. Quartermaine, this is..."
"Jason's little girl. I knew it the second you walked into the room. It is lovely to finally meet you, my dear."She greeted and Eva bent down to meet the matriarch.
"Thank you."She replied seating herself in one of the Louis XIV chairs,"Dad would have come with me, but he promised to visit you this afternoon. I'm afraid I couldn't wait much longer."She confessed and the old woman laughed.
"Jason wouldn't know this, but I met your mother just before she had you. She was a radiant young woman, you look so much like her, my dear. I'm sorry to hear of her death."She gently smiled.
"Thank you. You, um...met my mother? She never told me..."Lila softly laughed.
"Of course not. You see, she came here to ask my permission to name you after me. I was thrilled, naturally, but she was here for not even a day."She studied her great-grand-daughter,"Eva Lila Morgan. What a beautiful name for such a beautiful baby, she told me."Eva smiled.
"She named me after her mother, a woman I never had the fortune of meeting. I hope you don't think it much of me, but you truly are everything father said you would be."

"Edward put a sock in it!"Monica shouted at her father-in-law as she stood by the couch.
"That delinquent of a man you call a son is marrying that hooligan's sister, who also, I might add was married to A.J."
"That's not the same thing."Alan fired back.
"Will you be quiet!! You're going to wake Kristina!"Skye shouted in a hushed tone at the others.
"I have to agree with Skye, you're going to wake up my baby over another of your morning disputes."Ned ordered. Reginald snuck through the door and snaked his way over to Monica, whispered something into her ear, and then snaked out of the room.

"Reginald!!!"Monica shouted entering the library. She searched the room yelling his name continuously until he came barreling through another set of doors.
"SHHH!!!He whispered moving to shut the doors behind her.
"What the hell is going on? What did you whisper to me?"
"I told you Jason's daughter was here to mee..."
"Jason doesn't have a daught..."
"Dr. Quartermaine?"Eva asked entering the far corner of the room. Monica stared at her.
"Am I supposed to believe this?"She whispered not able to remove her eyes from the young woman. Taking a few steps forward she continued to study her.
"Dr. Quartermaine, I'd like you to meet Miss Morgan."Reginald introduced before leaving the room.
"What's your first name?"Monica asked hesitantly.
"Eva. My full name is Eva Lila Morgan."
"And who is your mother?"
"Charlotte Grinaldi."Eva replied watching her grandmother circle around her.
"Jason never mentioned her and I certainly haven't heard of her before...Where is she from? Where does she live? What does she do?"Eva drew a sharp breath.
"My mother had many estates. One outside of London, another in Connecticut and the family compound in Italy...."
"Had?"Monica stopped her,"Does that mean she's lost it all and has sent you to come here and claim yourself as another bastard Quartermaine heir?"Eva fought to keep the daggers from seething into her eyes,"Who do you think you are....?"
"Oh my god!!"Emily gasped standing in the doorway. Both women turned to see her put a hand over her face as Reginald closed the doors behind her. Emily took a few steps forward studying her niece.
"You must be Emily...Dad told me you were a model..."
"He's not your father...!!"Monica shouted and Emily stared at her.
"What?!"She stared down her mother,"How can you say that? Don't you see it?"
"See what?"She asked turning her attention back to Eva.
"That!"Emily pointed her face. Eva's irritation was beginning to take over her and involuntarily set her jaw.
"Why, no, it can't...my god."Monica stammered,"I'm sorry, I...I was trying to protect him...Now I see it, I just...my god."
"We've had a lot of people claiming they were Quartermaines...."Emily explained to Eva.
"It's okay, I understand."By then Monica had gathered as much as her wit as possible.
"Eva..Morgan."Monica said slowly,"Well that is a beautiful name."She added,"I'm sorry, allow me to properly welcome you to the family..."She pulled her grand-daughter into a hug.
"And Jason told me all about you..."She pulled her niece into a hug while whispering,"I'm sorry to hear about your mother."Eva gave her a small smile remembering what her father had told her about Emily's mother.
"It feels good to have another woman in the family..."Monica started.
"You are nothing but an irresponsible....!!!!"Edward's voice boomed through the foyer.
"We need all the help we can get."Emily added slightly rolling her eyes and Eva smiled back trying to suppress a giggle.


Chapter Eleven

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the south land
I miss Alabama once again
And I think it's a sin

"So have you decided on a name?"Eva asked sitting across from Elizabeth who sipped from her glass of water. The crowd in Jakes was sparse. She paused deep in thought.
"I have a few ideas."She smiled.

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
One they gave does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you..tell the truth

"I’m afraid the paint fumes could affect the baby."Elizabeth stated holding her glass.
"Do you know what you're going to do?"Eva asked her friend concerned.
"Not really no."She replied slightly laughing at her unplanned life.

You don't gotta be from down here to get along just fine
Being Southern is a state of mind

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I'm coming home to you

"You know, you could always come and stay with me at my penthouse. That way you could go paint when you want, but you wouldn't have to live breathing it in all the time."Eva offered and Elizabeth bit her lip staring at her glass.
"As much as I appreciate it, I don't know if I could live in another...I don't think it would be safe...I mean..."
"Look Elizabeth, I know your concerns and Lord knows I have them everyday, but I do what I do to protect my family and all that other stuff just comes along with it. It's not always convenient, it's not always fun, but I give you my word, on my mother's name that there is no place safer. No harm will come to you or your child."Elizabeth studied her friend carefully before giving a small smile.
"Thanks for the offer, Ev', but I don't know if I'm ready for it, not yet anyway."Eva smiled back.
"Yeah, I don't blame you, but you know, the offer's open."She finished before spotting her father walk through the door,"Hey."She smiled brightly and Elizabeth felt her heart beating faster..
"Eva,"He leaned to kiss her on the forehead,"Elizabeth,"He hesitated unsure of her reaction. She rose from the table gathering her things.
"Jason."Her voice hesitant, but she turned her attention to the girl,"I'll catch you later Eva."She smiled before taking off, but Jason was quick. Grabbing her arm she stopped again.
"I didn’t mean to end your lunch with Eva, but..."He turned to glance at his daughter and she took the cue.
“I’m gonna get a new drink.”Her eyes sent a message to Elizabeth who rose her chin a bit higher.
“After the other night I was nervous about your safety so I...”He started, trying to look her in the eyes.
“I knew it!”She exclaimed,”Max always had a way of making his presence known. Not that he showed himself, I could just feel him,”She babbled and Jason smirked.
“So you’re okay with it?”He was rewarded with a bright smile,”Because I know you had Francis last time, but he’s the only one who can keep up with Michael and Johnny’s on Carly,”He sighed,”I pulled Max from an assignment that wasn’t too important...”He stopped mid air seeing the grin on her face.
“You’re babbling.”She said and he tried to deny it,”oh no you don’t...you were babbling. That’s my thing. You’re the one that’s not supposed to say much.”He softly chuckled relishing the moment they were having, it was almost like she remembered what happened almost two months ago. His mind churned over the thoughts of the night Brenda left town. He wasn’t amused when she had locked him in his own bedroom, especially after liquoring him up. The last thing he ever heard from Brenda was when she opened the door to throw something into the room, which landed with a loud thud, and tell him she thought he should be happy....
“Jason?”Elizabeth asked a bit worried, waving her hand in front of his face. He snapped out of the memory and looked at her with fresh eyes.
“I’m sorry, what?”She smirked.
“I better tell Jake not to let you have anything. Wouldn’t want you to get really drunk. Lord knows you won’t remember much of what happened...”She continued to ramble when it slammed into Jason like an iron curtain. Taking a quick look at her watch, Elizabeth swore loud, again shaking him out of his revelry.
“I’m late. Remember what I said, huh?”She smiled turning away before pausing at the doorway,”Oh and thanks for telling me about Max.”Jason stared at her in wonder as she left. “Holy @#%$!!”His mind screamed. Eva came walking towards him and he shook away his thoughts the best he could.
“Sorry about ending your...”
"Oh, Dad, don't worry about it. She was heading out anyway."She replied sitting back down in her chair and motioning for him to join her.
"Does she know?"
"Well, kinda."Jason gave her an irritated look,"All she knows is that I'm in the business. She knows what anyone else would. I'm Anthony Delmonte's niece. She doesn't know you're my father."
"Ok."
"What did you do to piss her off?"She asked bluntly making him look at the table.
"I lied to her."He sighed realizing she wasn't going to let it go,"I promised her I would respect her, listen to her, honor her. I let her believe Sonny was dead because that was a part of the plan, and it was his plan. I didn't tell her he faked his own death, but by the time she found out..."
"Let me guess, you tried to explain and she didn't listen."
"I walked into the penthouse, ran into her suit case and she ripped into me and then she left."The table fell silent.
"Did you ever make any effort?"She asked and he looked at her puzzled.
"I tried to talk to her, but she didn't want anything to do with me."She shook her head.
"No, I get you tried that and I know you screwed that up, but...did you ever try to make it up to her...did you ever try to fight for your relationship?"Jason was silent,"It just seems to me that for two people who knew each other for such a long time, and who were just beginning as a couple, at your first test, neither of you bothered to fight for it."Jason remained silent,"Things like that, they don't just die you know."He brought his eyes to face hers, but she was staring at something behind him that he didn't bother to look up at.

Chris stood by the bar watching her conversation with her father, the formidable Jason Morgan. It was bad enough dealing with her uncles, Anthony and Vince Delmonte, but he grimaced thinking of the new challenge. Observing the two in the same room, he noticed the similarities in their mannerisms. He'd seen Eva plenty of times acting like a young Katharine Hepburn, eloquent, polite, proper in every way. He'd seen her dark side, the cat like prowess, the power she wielded just by entering a room to handle a meeting or just the intimidation, the merciless avenger rarely uncaged. Witnessing her interaction with Miss Webber and now with her father, it was the comfortable, relaxed Eva. The one who could crack a joke, or bake cookies, or go for ride on a bike, or be content reading a book by the garden surrounded by the bouquets she'd recently picked. He'd first seen the debutante with the spark in her eye. He'd been enchanted by the demure young women who during the day would be fitted for a ball gown and by night racing him on the country back roads on their motorcycles. But those were just memories. Months ago, he experienced her rage first hand when what he needed most was to see her smile. Now, all that was left, was a ghost of the woman he once knew. She was dark, she'd become her namesake in the fullest effect. Nothing was the same, not even her smiles. They were fake and fleeting. God knows how long he'd lay awake at night thinking of how to bring the vibrant sparkle back into her eyes. But he always ended at the same spot....

"Is there anything...anything you have to say that would make me stay?"Eva whispered as tears stung her eyes threatening to spill over. Chris stood beside her on the bridge looking out at the landscape. He was clearly hurting, the pain tearing through his face, through his heart. He looked as though he might lose it and say something, but he tightened his jaw and lowered his head. The wind whipped around them, cool and crisp. She stared at him before noticing he wasn't going to give a response. Biting back the tears as pain wretched through her body, she slowly turned around without a word, tightening the jacket around herself. The fall leaves blew into her hair. He turned his head to watch her walk away, feeling the wind pierce his eyes, he couldn't help, but let a tear fall. She continued her walk away from him, silently crying, the tears chilling in the wind.

       


Chapter Twelve

"Elizabeth!!! Open the door!!!"Elizabeth stayed huddled on her couch in her studio refusing to look at the pounding door.
"Go away Ric!!!"She yelled back and there was a brief pause.
"Let me in dammit!!! We need to talk!!!"Ric shouted.
"No we don't!!"
"Yes we do!! Now open the damn door Elizabeth!!!"
"No!!!"Her voice was chilled and there was another brief pause.
"Sooner or later you're going to have to talk to me!!! If this is my child, I will be a part of this!!!!"He yelled the last line the loudest she was sure everyone in the building heard. She listened as his footsteps moved to the stairwell and she heard the door slam shut. Sighing, she shrunk in her place. She stared around at the dark studio. It was littered with her art supplies and remains of her school work. She continued to stare at the room as her heart sank.

Knock knock knock. Chris stared at the door and watched Eva slam her door shut to her room. He ran a hand over his face frustrated from their recent argument. Dragging himself to the door he took another look at his watch even though he knew the time. 3:04 a.m. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to find Riley and Dean, two of the guards standing before him.
"What?"Chris asked frustrated and he watched as they separated to reveal a petit brunette holding a bag with another strung over her shoulder,"Miss Webber?"He asked blinking. Elizabeth shifted her feet hesitant to be in the presence of the three men.
"Boss, we found her in the lobby....thought we should personally escort her to..."Dean started.
"You did good."Chris cut him off giving a look to Riley that spoke volumes,"Come in Miss Webber."He opened the door and watched as she passed by,"keep me informed."He closed the door and studied her,"Let me take those for you, Miss Webber..."He gently took the heavy bags away from her and moved them into a room down the hall from his. She watched him as best she could with only the moon as her light.                                                
"This will be your room Miss Webber..."
"Elizabeth, please."She simply stated following him,"I'd prefer you call me by my name."
"I don't think that would be a good idea Miss Webber..."
"She asked you very nicely I might add to call her by her name...I suggest you listen."Eva's voice chilled the air and the dagger aimed at Chris hit with full force,"I know this wasn't easy for you, are you okay?"She asked softening. Elizabeth took a deep breath.
"No, not really."She replied her voice hoarse,"I want to tell him, but I....I don’t know what to do....."Her voice floated on tears threatening to fall.
"Hey, hey."Eva gave her a hug,"You're gonna get through this and everything is going to be fine...I promise."
Chris watched the interaction between the two before slipping into his own room. He fell asleep to the sound of girl talk in the parlor and for just a moment it felt he was back in....Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he focused his mind on the more pressing dangers ahead...Like the men tomorrow....And his plan to win her heart back.



Jason and Max walked down the corridor of the hotel until they found Riley standing at his post. All three men instinctively hesitated before they approached one another.
"Mr. Morgan."Riley greeted his boss's father and nodded to Max,"She's running a little late, but she's expecting you."
Jason nodded as he passed through the doorway. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. Max immediately remained by the door watching his boss in amusement. Jason took a few steps forward to the dining room table. Sitting with her legs bended on another chair and eating breakfast was Elizabeth. The headphones covered her ears as she bent over he book reading it diligently. Her baby blue satin pajamas curved around her body. Confused, Jason folded his arms across his chest. The movement was caught in the corner of her eye and she stopped chewing and moving to the music. Closing her eyes, she briefly set her food down to remove the headphones before clutching her book and springing from the chair.
"Elizabeth."His voice stopped her dead in her tracks. She slowly turned around.
"Jason."She gave him a fake smile before back tracking to her room. He watched motionless as she slipped away and saw the book although unable to make out its title. Shaking his head he ran a hand through his hair. Max snickered quickly, but Jason shot him a look. Chris walked out of his room straightening his tie.
"Mr. Morgan."He moved to shake his hand.
"Chris."Jason stated simply before looking around,"Where is she?"He asked as a pair of double doors opened.
"Right here."She answered walking over to give him a hug.
"You're just like your mother,"He whispered and she smiled.
"Have a seat...and we'll go over the final details of the plan."Jason followed her, but turned to where Elizabeth had scampered off to,"I thought you knew her better. She can be trusted and handle a lot more than you know."Jason whipped his head around as she stared back sitting as a duchess. Exchanging looks that could kill, Chris and Max debated whether they should jump out the window or run to the door.
"We have our end completed."He stated handling the situation with some professionalism. She set her jaw like his and prepared for business mode.
"Good. All we need now is for von Raven to counter strike."
"Sonny is expecting the call."
"He'll get it."
"If your plan doesn't work I will end this."He threatened and she rose.
"This is not for you to end."
"Jesus Christ Eva, you're eighteen!!! What the hell could you possibly know about this, all of it!!!"
"We've already been through this. I can and I am. Don't lecture me and don't question my authority...ever."Jason took a step back and Chris lowered his eyes,"you're dismissed."With that Jason turned and left with Max on his heels. The door slammed shut. Chris walked to the same door before stopping.
"Is there anything you need?"He asked and she didn't even look at him.
"No."Her voice was harsh. He didn't pause to rush out the door and slam it behind him as well. She had watched him leave. Picking up a glass sitting on the table she studied it, before heaving it at the fire place where it shattered into a thousand pieces amongst the wood and ash. The flames engulfed the alcohol which fueled its fire. The flames flickered in her eyes as it continued to burn until she closed them allowing only a blood thirsty vengeful tear to slip through.


Chapter Thirteen

Sitting in Kellys, Eva nursed her cappuccino as Elizabeth diligently worked the room. The lunch hours were ending and customers were leaving. Eyeing her friend, Elizabeth finished wiping the table and plopped herself in the seat in front of her.
"Alright...talk."She ordered and Eva set her mug down smiling.
"Can't a girl think?"She asked innocently, but Elizabeth shot her a look to do as she ordered,"I was just thinking about my mother...When I was little, I had these goals, things I wanted to do and become. I never thought it would involve me entering the family business."She paused and smiled,"I was going to go to college, get married, have kids and have a career...I was supposed to have it all."She pressed her fingers to her lips.
"Well what's stopping you from going to college?"Eva looked at her pointedly,"Ok, being involved in the family business doesn't necessarily mean you give up everything..."
"It's too risky...leaves me in the open."
"So you can't have a life?"Elizabeth pushed a strand behind her ear,"That's not exactly fair..."
"Fair?"Eva cut her off,"My life...there's nothing for me to live for. Everything was with my mother, she shared my hopes and dreams. I can't believe in any of it without her."
"Look, I know how you feel. There was a time when I was feeling the same thing as you. I had lost the one person who was there for me. Who believed in me like your mother did. I know the nothing you feel. I can tell you that it will go away and you will believe again, but it will take time."
"Who made you believe again?"Eva asked quietly watching Elizabeth's reaction carefully.
"Someone who showed me how loud the wind can be, that it silences all thought...someone who took me nowhere and...it's amazing how going nowhere can mean so much."
"So where is this someone now?"Elizabeth drew a sharp breath.
"Oh, he's around...."Eva gently smiled.
"Could that possibly be someone in my business...someone I potentially know?"She asked and Elizabeth laughed.
"Yea..."She stopped laughing and eyed her friend,"You know...you never told me how it is you know him."
"Him? Are you referring to Jason?"Elizabeth lowered her eyes,"Okay. That's a fair question. Jason...Well, we have a lot in common..."
"Eva.."Elizabeth interrupted,"I saw him with you and you two seemed awfully close...I guess I'm just.. Are you two together?"She said the last line so quickly Eva didn't hear her at first. With the words processing in her head she burst into laugh.
"Are you serious?!"She gasped between breaths before regaining her composure,"No...Hell no."Elizabeth smiled.
"I didn't think so, but...I don't know."Eva gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Jason and I are...well we're really close and we'll just leave it at that okay?"Eva answered and Elizabeth laughed getting up from her spot.
"Alright Delmonte...whatever you say."Eva smiled, but watched her curiously. "Delmonte?"


"Carly called this morning."Sonny stated walking into his office at the warehouse with Jason on his heels.
"And?"He asked not really caring about the answer. Sonny sat down at his desk.
"Well she's doing fine. Everything is going well with the baby. Although..."Jason eyed him.
"What?"Sonny shrugged.
"Well it's just she mentioned Courtney seemed neglected and you know how Carly felt about that. I mean, Jason, if I'm engaged to a girl I think I'd call her maybe every other day...Not once every two weeks."Jason rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't know what to tell you Sonny."He sighed,"She just hasn't been handling this well...She knew there'd be times when I couldn't talk to her..."
"Jason that's bullshit and you know it."Sonny cut him off leaning back in his chair,"What's really going on?"He studied his friend,"Is it Eva?"
"Did you mention that Carly thinks it's a boy?"Jason asked changing the subject.
"Yes, why?"Sonny asked curiously.
"Good. You don't want a daughter."The words caught Sonny by surprise that he started laughing,"I'm serious. They can't make up their minds with what they want. They'll be all angelic one day needing your protection and the next they push you away, drive you nuts because they do things you know they're not supposed to be doing and they know it too, but they do it anyway...it's like Carly the teenage years."He ranted and Sonny couldn't suppress his laughter.
"She's not that bad. She's a woman. And you're not used to being a father...it's been awhile for you."Jason grinned.
"Yea. Charlotte did a good job. Better than what I could've done."
"She did a hell of a job. But if she was here..."
"She's not and that's why Eva is..."
"You know that's the thing that still amazes me. That little girl of yours...she's a hell of a boss. And what's more...she's a full blood. I mean, how the hell were we supposed to figure out she was not only Delmonte's niece...But the controller of the Big Four. It explains a lot."
"How?"
"There was this myth that about twenty years ago, a blood bath was starting between the families. It involved a lot more than them...it was affecting the whole system."He paused collecting his thoughts,"Then a few years into the war..just like that."Sonny snapped his fingers together,"It stopped. No one really understood why or how...many were just happy it was over."
"What did they think happened?"Jason asked a little intrigued with the story.
"The surviving families formed the Big Four....no one could ever prove it, but it's possible they formed a secret alliance and that it was headed by a woman...The Dona Bella. Of course now we know that it's true."Sonny stared up at his best friend,"You befriended the most dangerous powerful woman known to our business and what's more the child you shared, your daughter took her place. Eva is a true full blooded mafia princess. She has that look...After the meeting, well like I said...It answered a lot of questions."
"Was that supposed to make me feel better?"Sonny smirked.
"Not really, but it was fun for me."He laughed,"I can't believe your eighteen year old daughter is the myth."
"No."Jason cut him off heading to the door,"Her mother was. I'll see you later."



"Danes!! Wait up!!"Riley shouted running to the motorcycle.
"Banks, don't."He start putting on his helmet, but Riley snatched it away.
"What the hell is going on between you two? One second you're holding hands, dancing in the bar...then you can't stop yelling at each other...Christ I almost thought I was gonna have to shoot ya'll back in the limo."
"It doesn't matter."
"You're shitting me."He put his weight on the handles to keep him in place,"In case you haven't noticed, when she's not happy, things get ugly real fast...Now I want Eva to be happy cus I love her like a little sister and you know I won't hesitate to rip the head off any man that breaks my baby sister's heart."Chris sighed,"She's hurting like hell. Now you know she'll act all hard as nails strong, but inside she's just a frightened little doe."
"I know all this."
"Well that stubborn ass brain of yours isn't showin' it. Chris, she lost her mother...you remember how innocent she was before all this @#%$ happened..."
"Innocent...?"
"She wasn't involved in this @#%$. She didn't have to watch her back all the time wondering if someone'll knock her off. Look, she just has a lot on her plate right now."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Be a gentleman for starters. Think about it...You witness your mother getting knocked off....You find out the truth, that the mother you idealized is controlling a @#%$ load of territory and they need you to take her place...you come here to this strange city to confront the father you never met who just happens to be Jason Morgan, the most feared enforcer in the country...and just to top it all off, there's three dumb ass guys trying to kill what's left of your family and you. I really don't think she needs to be having these fights with you."He paused for a second,"She needs us, Danes. Who else is she gonna turn to for help?"Chris sighed closing his eyes,"For a few days do you think you can put this @#%$ aside and just help her deal with this."Chris nodded slowly and Riley smiled,"Good. Now I hate to tell you this, but I thought I'd better warn you. She called in a few guys...here."Chris eyed him carefully.
"Who?"
"You're gonna love this. Damon, Green, Hughes.."He paused.
"Good, it's about time the crew was back togeth..."
"And Metras..."Chris's eyes grew dark.
"Metras? What the hell did she do that for?"Riley shrugged.
"She wants to strengthen our Greek connections...And besides he always said if she needed anything.."
"No @#%$ I remember that son of a bitch..."
"You don't like him do you? Is it because he's Greek...?"
"That bastard slobbered all over her when she was with me..."
"But he's not bad..."
"He's a @#%$ show off."Chris started up his bike,"Thanks for telling me. Keep me in touch."Riley stood back and watched his friend take off.
"This is gonna get good."


Chapter Fourteen

"I'm serious, pick out whatever you want."Eva answered in her penthouse returning from the kitchen with two glasses in her hands. Elizabeth sat on the couch, eyeing a magazine.
"Eva, I'm serious...this is too much..."
"Consider it my baby shower gift...now here's a pen...you pick out anything and everything."Elizabeth gave her friend a smile and eagerly took the pen.
"Excuse me, Boss, but they're here."Peter announced opening the door a crack.
"Okay, thanks, let them in."Eva replied and Elizabeth picked up her things,"Where are you going?"
"Well I..."
"I'd like it if you stayed. It's just some old friends of mine I'd like you to meet."Pondering for a second Elizabeth remained motionless until giving a smile and leaning back on the couch.
"Are you sure you don't have a brother?"She asked laughing with Eva.
"Trust me, the closest I have to a brother are Riley and the guys you're gonna meet."As if on cue, three men entered the room, all over six feet, well built and wearing suits. Elizabeth watched the interaction between her friend and the men. She noticed how Eva's eyes lit up when she hugged each of them. She was content with not being a part of the moment. Riley, her personal guard, entered with Chris and it seemed like a big family reunion. Not forgetting her friend, Eva made sure to introduce Elizabeth to Damon, Hughes and Green, as she was to remember them by. Situated between Riley and Chris, she was laughing with the group...until the door opened. Natural sun kissed blonde hair, a light tan, and a full black suit, standing at well over six feet tall...a man she was to later learn was Nikolai Metras. The young mafioso whose entrance caused the men she stood beside to tense. Eva, however, seemed delighted by his arrival. Something about this Nikolai gave her the same feeling the first time she met Sonny. But it was more than that and in the short time she'd come to trust Chris and Riley, their tense demeanor made her weary of this handsome man.


"Surprise!"Jason's eyes froze as he held the phone to his ear.
"Courtney. Hey, how's it going?"He breathed carefully.
"Desperately missing you, but you know Carly...She has all these wonderful ideas for the wedding. Which is something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Shoot."He said sitting down at the desk.
"Well, we never really got to discuss what we wanted for a wedding, you know the ceremony and reception."
"What did you have in mind?"He felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a smirk.
"I always dreamed of having this big formal wedding, you know me walking down the aisle in a long white dress with a bunch of bridesmaids in front of me."He heard her laugh on her end of the line,"But I know that's probably the last thing you would want.."
"Well if that's what you dreamed of having..."There was a knock on the door,"I gotta go. Just start planning what feels right to you."
"Okay. I love you."
"Bye."He put the phone down and swung open the door. The person immediately walked in as Jason closed the door behind them. Jason folded his arms across his chest.
"Has there been a change?"He asked staring at the person before him.
"No. She's been going more often."
"How often?"His eyebrow arched.
"Almost every other week."Jason sighed.
"Okay, I want you to go in and find out through the records. Just scan them over and see if there's anything out of the normal."The person nodded their head and started for the door,"Remember,"They stopped, turning to face him,"I know it's a hospital, but don't draw any attention."The person nodded before slipping out the door.



Elizabeth sat on her bed staring at the window. She glanced at the door behind her, the voices crashing through every other second. She eyed her room. It was nearly half the size of her studio. Her eyes fell on the bathroom door still open. She wrapped her arms around her stomach. There was a small bulge and for a moment she smiled gently touching the area. Continuing her study of the room, she noticed a few of her finished painting hanging throughout the room. She chuckled remembering how Eva had insisted putting them up. Of course, The Wind was directly across from her bed. Leaning against the pillows, she contemplated the changes in her life since she bumped into her new friend in the elevator. Eva had become her only solace. Other than Ric, she was the only one who she wanted to know of her pregnancy although she'd bet her life on Chris and Riley knowing. She was surprised when the thought didn't scare her. Jerking her head to the door at the sound of a glass shattering, she sighed. Since she had moved in, there wasn't a night that went by when she didn't hear something breaking. She remembered how the first night it had scared the hell out of her. She smiled thinking of the way Chris and Eva had looked at Jakes...dancing together. Elizabeth glanced back at the door, her eyes taking on a sad demeanor. Something was definitely troubling this young woman. She couldn't imagine what it felt like to lose someone as close to her as her mother. Deep in thought, Elizabeth gently touched her stomach. It was exactly the relationship she wanted to have with her child. Shaking her head, she couldn't ever imagine what it was like growing up in the mob, always surrounded by guards. She smiled thinking how much Eva and Michael had in common. She only saw the teenager when he came to eat at Kelly's. A huge smile grew on her face as she thought of the way he looked the last time she saw him. He was the red head version of Jason. She thought she heard a motorcycle when he had pulled up last time. She was shaken out of her daydreaming when there was a knock on her door. Getting off the bed she beckoned for the person to enter. The door cracked open, light pouring into her dark room. A tall figure entered that she immediately recognized to be Riley.
"Excuse me, Elizabeth..."She saw how distressed his eyes were,"Eva has dinner ready."As if on cue, her stomach grumbled and they both smiled. Following him into the dining room, she watched as her friend carried a dish from the kitchen. Staring at the plates of food on the table, Elizabeth smiled.
"You know being pregnant means I'm eating for two, not for twenty."She joked and Eva glanced up at her grinning.
"Oh suit me. And besides, you've seen the way these two eat."She motioned to Chris and Riley who were placing the last two glasses on the table.
"And just what exactly is that supposed to mean?"Chris asked pretending to be insulted,"Are saying I'm fat?"Riley stifled a chuckle and Elizabeth bit her lip. Eva finished putting the plate down when she said something in Italian to him without even looking up. As she was turning back to the kitchen, Chris fired something back in French. Without even turning her head around, she had the last word in Spanish. Riley couldn't contain himself anymore, and burst out laughing having fully understood everything the two had just said. Elizabeth sat there between the boys slightly in the dark. Chris remained rooted to his spot, his mouth slightly open in shock. Noticing the lost look on her face, Riley whispered in her ear the translations. Her eyes growing in shock, she tilted her head back in full laughter. Returning from the kitchen, Eva ignored the two laughing comrades to look him in the eyes.
"Chris, darling, standing like that, one might think you were in shock."He relaxed, but didn't say a word,"Oh you know you trust me."She said giving him a quick kiss before whispering something in Italian into his ear that made them both laugh.
"Sometimes I wonder why I do."He commented picking up the first plate.
"Oh let me count the ways."Eva replied and the couple shared a look. Clearing his throat, Riley put his glass down.
"You do realize there's two other people here..."
"Three."Elizabeth chimed in and he looked around. Chris smirked.
"I thought ya'll said it was just the four of us."Elizabeth giggled.
"Eva, I have to take the title away from you. Blonde here deserves it more."Riley looked down at Elizabeth.
"Who you calling blonde you...brunette."Eva smiled.
"Good one Ri' ..."
"Oh can it half pint."He shot back at Eva and her eyes flew open wide.
"You promised..."
"Shh...he has to think of something good to say...you know it takes awhile."Chris commented.
"All right Danish let's go...."
"Okay now that's getting personal..."
"Chris can you pass me that plate please..."Elizabeth asked but her plea wasn't heard over the boys teasing and after trying a few times, she finally sighed,"Danish!!!"She yelled effectively quieting them all,"can you please pass me that plate."Without a word he did so.
"Well well well, it seems we have a spit fire over here."Riley commented and the three smiled,"I think dumplin' over here needs a nickname..."
"No I don.."She protested.
"Are you apart of this family?"Chris asked and she looked around.
"I don't know, am I?"
"I'd damn well say so darlin',"Riley answered making Elizabeth smile,"now you see, Ev' over here, I've known her since she could walk and talk 'n I call her half pint cus well she is and always has been half my size. And Chris over here, now he's got his name when I met him on a job in Amsterdam and well that story speaks for itself."
"And what's your name?"
"That doesn't matter..."
"I think we should tell her..."Chris interceded.
"She doesn't need to know about that..."
"Ribbons."Eva answered and Elizabeth looked at her.
"Excuse me?"She asked not sure she heard her right.
"Riley Ribbons."
"Awh now you gone and done it."Riley said jokingly.
"One of Riley's jobs a few years back had him going undercover and his disguise was to dress as a women to go into a club..."
"It was one of those kind of clubs."Chris explained as Elizabeth listened to the story.
"Well anyway, he had to wear this whole elaborate dress full of all these ribbons. The damn thing was ugly as hell Elizabeth."
"And of course he had to have an alias. So his name was Virginia."
"I actually kinda liked that name."Riley stated and Elizabeth joined the others in hysterical laughter. It was the perfect dinner that would be proceeded by a formidable night none predicted.

Chapter 54


Elizabeth slowly rocked back in forth in the chair. Her view from the porch was incredible. The yard seemed to stretch forever. From a distance she could see Eva trotting around the tree lined borders, occasionally kicking the horse into a full fledge gallop as she sprinted from the stables across the lawn. Hearing the door open behind her, Elizabeth tilted her head.
“Here you go.”Maddie greeted handing Elizabeth a glass of water. Giving her thanks, she didn’t hesitate to take a sip. Maddie moved across the porch to the chair next to Elizabeth. They sat in silence for a moment, both deep in their own thoughts. It was Maddie’s soft laughter, the first Elizabeth had ever heard from the young woman, that broke the silence.
“She always was the little daredevil.”Maddie commented her gaze fixed on Eva,”Did Riley ever tell you what she did at my sister’s wedding?”She turned to Elizabeth who shook her head,”Well...”Maddie said with a faint smile on her face, leaning back in the chair,”Ev and I were thirteen, flower girls really. We were at the reception and halfway through, she was gone. Of course Charlotte was panicked, sent God knows how many guards after her.”
“Where did she go?”Elizabeth asked curiously.
“The airport.”She caught a look at Elizabeth’s face and nodded,”Yea. Somehow she had conned a driver to take her there. Anyway, Riley figured it out...I don’t know how. He said he found her sitting in the terminal with a plane ticket in her hand, ready to come here to the States. He’s always been able to read her. It’s quite frightening really.”Another moment of silence passed between them.
“Why did she leave?”Elizabeth asked suddenly. Maddie continued her gaze at the yard. Her face was graced with a sad smile. For a moment, she forgot Elizabeth was even there.
“Oh...Eva has always this thing about weddings.”She replied standing immediately, her head perked up towards the door,”I’ll be right back.”Maddie quickly left the porch and back into the house leaving Elizabeth to stare at her curiously. Walking down the main hall, Maddie paused in the entry way. Hearing a subtle noise, she stilled. Only her eyes moved about the room. She remained still, waiting, listening....Suddenly she whirled around grabbing a man by the neck and putting him into a head lock.
“Can’t....breathe....”His voice barely above a whisper. Recognizing immediately who it was she let him go.
“I swear to God Gabriel Riley Banks if you ever do that to me again I’ll...”She lectured watching him lift himself of the ground.
“You’ll do what?”He questioned rubbing his neck,”I see you’ve been practicing.”He looked her over,”You’re not still packing are you?”Maddie rolled her eyes and went to sit on the stairs.
“I don’t need to.”She replied running a hand through her hair and he smirked,”So I take it you’re here to bring Sleeping Beauty and Snow White back home.”
“You really have a thing for cartoons don’t you?”She shrugged.
“No just fairytales.”He stopped massaging his neck.
“That’s right. Sometimes I forget you’re royalty. What are you up to now, duchess, princess...?”
“My mother is the Countess of Holstein thank you very much.”She replied curtly standing,”And what about you...As though you’re not born into privilege...”He grabbed her wrist gently.
“That’s Eva...not me.”His voice was deep,”Whatever it is you’re thinking Maddie...don’t.”He commanded.
“Why not?”She replied as he released her wrist. He sighed.
“Some things are not meant to be told...or discovered. Everything is fine just the way it is...”
“But you are the rightful heir...”
“Maddie.”He growled taking a step near her. The sound of the porch door opening prevented either from saying another word.
“Riley...”Elizabeth greeted with a small smile and placed her hands on her hips,”You have a lot of explaining to do.”



“You ever been to Chicago?”Chris asked as they sat in the private jet. He was looking over documents from his place in the cabin.
“Once, but I was young.”Michael replied staring out the window,”What’s up with you and Eva?”He asked out of the blue. If Chris was bothered by the question he didn’t show it.
“Didn’t we already cover that? We’re dating...”
“Yea, I got that.”Michael replied sitting up a little straighter,”What I mean is, will you be popping the question?”He watched Chris’s reaction carefully, but the man showed nothing.
“Did she set you up to this?”He asked never taking his eyes off of the paper in front of him.
“No.”Michael replied shaking his head,”Just wondering.”The cabin became silent again as Michael returned his gaze to the window,”Who’s this Maddie anyway?”He asked after a while.
“Think of Eva. Then do a one eighty.”Michael frowned.
“So she’s the complete opposite?”
“Not entirely.”Chris replied after a moment of thinking.
“So she’s in the business too?”The blonde looked up from his paper work,”I’m perceptive.”Chris just shook his head,”So what does she do? What’s her position in the family?”
“Member of the Bella Mafia.”A voice answered over the intercom effectively making Michael jump. From behind the curtain emerged Joey Casiraghi with a smile on his face.
“Hello Joey.”Chris greeted without looking up from his paperwork,”Did Morgan and Corinthos set you up to this?”
“No,”Joey replied sitting next to him,”Anthony.”He looked over at Michael,”Why the inquiry on my sister?”Chris’s cell phone rang and he answered it.
“Danes.”He answered. Michael looked at Joey.
“Because she’s with my family.”The red head replied.
“Any problems?”Chris asked.
“You don’t think my sister is loyal?”Joey asked pretending to be insulted. He knew one day the kid would be sitting across from him at the Big Five table, nothing like getting a feel for the other leaders, even the future ones.
“Keep out of trouble and enjoy your vacation. We’ll call you when we’re set.”Chris ended his conversation on the phone.
“I mean no disrespect. I know you understand my concern is for my family.”He answered. Joey just nodded as Chris eyed the interaction.
“Are in with us for the long haul?”Chris asked changing the subject.
“Count on it.”



Elizabeth made her way down the hall to the sitting room. She knew he was there, escaping from the two younger women of the mansion. Standing in the doorway, she studied him. There was no question he was taller than Jason, but had the same build. She took in his high cheek bones, his lightly tanned skin, his brown eyes, his blonde hair.
“You should be sitting.”His voice ended the silence and he looked up from the chair. She gave him the roll of the eye before grabbing the seat near him.
“This place is absolutely amazing.”She complimented with a small smile,”Did you grow up here?”He returned her smile.
“Something like that.”The smile vanished from Elizabeth’s face.
“What is it with everyone lately? All I get is vague answers. First Maddie, now you...”
“What was it Maddie told you or..didn’t tell you?”He asked curiously and inside panicking slightly. Elizabeth refused to meet his gaze, deciding to make herself comfortable in the large chair.
“Something about Eva and weddings.”Closing his eyes in relief, he simple nodded.
“So she told you about the time Eva ditched the reception and....”He trailed off as Elizabeth nodded briefly. There was a fleeting moment of silence in the room.
“Maddie said you can ready Eva well...very well.”
“Don’t remind me.”He groaned rubbing a hand over his face effectively lightening the mood,”ugh...what about it?”He asked training his eyes on her. Elizabeth seemed to deliberate her response.
“Is....is there something about Eva I should know?”Riley and Elizabeth stared at each other for a second before she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear,”You know what? Never mind.”She gave a small nervous laugh. Something from her movements triggered Riley’s mind and he silently cursed under his breath. Reaching into the back pocket of his jeans, he pulled out a small piece of paper.
“This is for you.”He handed it to her and she looked at it questioningly.
“What do I do with this?”She asked pointing at the numbers scrawled in blue. With one of his smiles, Riley pulled out a cell phone from his jacket pocket.
“Make a call.”And with that he left the room.

Chapter 55

Elizabeth stared at the paper in her hand, the phone in the other. Taking a deep, shaky breath, she dialed the number. Her gut clenched as she raised the faltering cell phone to her ear. The deep ring resonated through her ear...only once.
“Morgan.”Elizabeth let out a sigh filled with relief, happiness, longing and comfort. Jason’s voice calmed and soothed her in ways no one would ever understand.
“Yes?”She asked teasingly and her heart soared when he chuckled at her reference to his nickname for her.
“Elizabeth.”The way he said her name made her close her eyes, desperately wishing she was with him.
“I...I miss you Jason..,”The words she breathed echoed through the phone and as she started, she couldn’t stop the admissions from her heart,”...God I want to be with you so much and I’m sorry...I’m sorry for leaving with Eva and not contacting you, but I wanted to keep you safe, I needed to keep you safe..”The tears that had welled in her eyes began to gently fall down the contours of her face.
“Don’t...Elizabeth...I...I know what happened and I’m not angry with you...I love you.”He whispered, his own voice cracking with emotion,”Are you alright? Is the baby okay?”Jason questioned after a brief silence. Elizabeth gently smiled, wiping the tears from her face.
“Yes and yes.”Her smile turned suddenly into a frown,”But, Jason...are you still eating? And I mean at least two meals a day.”
“Yes.”He replied smiling at his end of line,”And before you lecture me, I have been sleeping, but of course it’s hard without you.”Elizabeth bit her lip and felt her heart flutter.
“It goes both ways.”She commented leaning back in her chair. She raised her left hand into the air and twirled her ring around her delicate finger.
“Good.”He replied giving a small laugh,”Because I’ve been going out of my mind here...”
“Oh you’ve been going out of your mind?”She questioned, the teasing in her voice evident,”I’ve only been sleeping half the night because our daughter sees fit to test her soccer skills in the early morning.”
“So you still think it’s a girl, huh?”He leaned back in his own chair, a smile crossing his face.
“Yes, call it female intuition or motherly instinct.”She suddenly straightened in the chair, pressing the phone a bit tighter to her ear,”You’re not...you won’t be angry if it’s not a boy...will you?”
“Elizabeth...you know I love our child already and I’m going to love the baby whether it’s a boy or a girl.”
“God I love you.”She whispered.
“And I love you.”


Riley smiled as he rounded the corner. He knew he would find her here. With her back to him, she was gazing around the room. Her blonde hair casually up in a pony tail, wearing broken in blue jeans and a tank top. Riley couldn’t help, but think this was how she should be. Not dressed in those expensive suits or lavish ball gowns...the real Eva, the carefree teenager, the rebel with a heart of gold, the young woman standing in front of him. He took a few steps forward, but she didn’t turn around.
“Do you remember the last birthday my mom had here?”She asked out of the blue. Riley nodded as he made his way slowly around the room.
“Yea. You burned the cake...twice.”She tilted her head towards him, a sad smile donning her face.
“All my life...There was never one place to call home. Sure we lived in Connecticut and England, but some of my happiest memories were in Italy...or here.”She commented, slowly bring her hand to touch a cloth hiding a painting, but decided against it,”My life is becoming a blur. Everything I know, everything I knew...I can’t differentiate any of it.”She paused, digging her hands into the back pockets of her jeans,”I’m not going back.”Riley furrowed his brows and took a step towards her.
“Back where?”He asked slowly.
“When my father gives the okay, I want you to bring Elizabeth back to Port Charles. Then I want you to round up everyone from my organization and bring them back to Italy and England....”Riley shook his head, closing his eyes.
“Eva this isn’t...”
“My father can keep Elizabeth and the baby safe...”
“You can’t..”
“I’m positive Alcazar, Metras and my cousin will leave them alone...”
“Eva...”Riley growled.
“We’ll all be better off this way.”
“Why?”He asked exasperated grabbing her by the shoulders to face him.
“I’ve made my decision. It’s easier for everyone this way.”
“Leave Port Charles? Come on, Eva..”He said reaching for her as she tried to leave,”...you have family there. Your father, Elizabeth, the baby, Michael, your aunts..”
“Riley, I can’t do it anymore.”Her voice was raw,”I can’t be the person they want me to be. I don’t even know who I am.”
“What about your father?”He questioned her retreating figure. She turned slowly and gave him a sarcastic smirk.
“I highly doubt he’ll notice....and if he does, I assure you, he’ll be relieved.”