Lerdo123
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(3/30/04 6:22 pm)
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Full Circle : Chapter 5 [Liason]
A/N: As always, thanks for your continued feedback. I always appreciate it. Please feel free to leave comments, gripes, or questions. Back chapters are HERE.
Chapter 5
The day had been a roller coaster of emotions for Elizabeth. First Ric had asked her to marry him-that day. Then she’d faced him and discovered that she couldn’t do it. She was a mother now, and she had to get used to acting like one. God only knew her parents had never made her life and happiness a priority. The thought brought with it the echoes of a bone-deep pain. She would fight anything and anyone in order to make sure her child never felt the same pain.
Elizabeth had no illusions about who she was; she hadn’t finished school, and she was just a waitress at Kelly’s. But this, motherhood, she was determined to get right. For she knew how to love-blindly and completely-the way she’d loved Ric. Or at least convinced herself that she did.
Regardless, she would do whatever she had to to be the kind of mother she had never had. Even though she’d be doing it alone…
Suddenly she was assailed by doubts. God, she’d fallen for a man like Ric. What did that say about her judgement? She’d stood by and defended him while he’d systematically tried to destroy people. Maybe she was just fooling herself into thinking she could be a good mother. Maybe her baby deserved better.
Fear, sadness, and guilt crashed over her, sent tears of anguish spilling down her cheeks. She fought them even as they fell, knowing they would change nothing. But they would not be denied. So she surrendered to them, finally, and when Jason’s arms reached out for her, she went into them willingly. It might be selfish, but she wanted this much at least.
A storm of emotions thundered over and through her. Through it, Jason was the only thing that kept her from being washed away. The worn cotton of his long-sleeved t-shirt was soft and real beneath her cheek, anchoring her. It was a contrast to the crisp button down shirts and dark suits Ric wore.
Jason’s hands slid through the curtain of her hair and down her back, stroking, soothing. The rhythm comforted her. The beat of his heart and the rise and fall of his chest as he drew breath gave her something to hold onto. He was big and warm and solid. She shuddered, caught between her pain and an exquisite flash of pleasure at his touch.
She stiffened and started to pull away, ashamed. Jason’s arms tightened around her, though, and she relented and folded into him again. She’d missed him. His quiet acceptance was priceless. If she’d realized she’d be giving it up, would she have walked out on him after learning Sonny wasn’t dead?
She shoved the question away for the moment. Pulling back slightly, she bowed her head and looked down at the garish fabric of the couch. Her eyes felt tight and swollen. Not meeting Jason’s eyes, she said, “You didn’t tell me not to cry.”
He shifted, and she looked up. He shrugged. “It isn’t my place to tell you what to do.”
The matter of fact tone of his voice brought a tiny smile to Elizabeth’s face. The smile faded and she picked at an imaginary piece of lint on her sweatpants. “I’m alone, Jason,” she said, her voice quiet and resigned.
Jason’s hand came to rest on top of hers, stilling her restless movements. “No, you’re not.”
“Yeah, sure, ok, so I have my grandmother. At least until I tell her I’m pre-”
“Pregnant?” he said, completing her sentence.
Her gaze shot up to meet his. “Yes. Pregnant. How did you know?”
“I wasn’t sure. I thought you looked a little…”
“Fatter?”
“…Softer.”
The huskiness of his voice sent a tiny shiver down her spine. What was wrong with her? She was miserable, and yet… She laughed bitterly. “So I’m alone and pregnant.”
“You’re not alone.”
“I’m not?”
“You have me.”
“I lost you a long time ago,” she replied tiredly.
Jason sighed and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “You didn’t lose me. I just went away for a while.”
The brief touch made Elizabeth’s breath catch, and she cursed her body’s weakness. It must be pregnancy hormones.
“Ric’s a psychopath. Doesn’t matter that it’s his baby; I won’t let him get near you.”
“Jason, it’s--”
Her words were cut off by the sound of the door opening. They both turned to face Courtney, who looked none too happy.
“Well, well, fancy running into you here, Elizabeth.” The smile that stretched across her face was anything but pleasant. “What? Decided you wanted my husband instead of your own?”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Courtney…”
“Ric came by Kelly’s looking for you. He seemed pretty worried.” Courtney’s eyes raked over Elizabeth, lingering on the black t-shirt she was wearing. “I didn’t realize you were here seducing my husband.”
“Courtney, we’re separated. You moved out,” Jason said.
Elizabeth snorted. “Seducing?” She pointed at her swollen eyes and tearstained face. “Does this look like the face of seduction?” She rose from the couch, intent on leaving. Glancing at Jason, she said, “Thank you.”
No sooner had the words left her lips than she felt the air leave her lungs as Courtney launched herself at her. “Slut! Homewrecker!” Courtney screamed as she fell on top of Elizabeth, spit flying from her gaping mouth. Momentarily stunned by the heavy weight suddenly on top of her, Elizabeth lay frozen as Courtney yanked her hair.
Elizabeth was just about to scratch her when the weight lifted and Courtney was hauled off her. She rubbed her head and winced at the burning sensation in her scalp. She got to her feet gingerly, her hand rubbing over her stomach instinctively once she was standing.
Jason had Courtney by the shoulders. He gave her a shake. “Have you lost your mind?” he said. His voice was colored by disgust and anger. He turned to face Elizabeth. “Are you ok?” he said, his face and voice softening with concern.
“I’m fine,” Elizabeth said, dusting off her pants.
Sensing an opening, Courtney screeched and lunged across the living room toward Elizabeth, blonde hair flying. “You can’t have him!”
God, she was tired of being a victim. So she made a decision. Everything slowed down. Elizabeth was aware of Jason scrambling to hold Courtney back. She was aware of Courtney’s large, red, enraged face looming closer and closer, her blue eyes wide and vaguely insane. This time Elizabeth was ready for her. She narrowed her eyes. She heard Billy Blanks’ voice in her head, and when Courtney was a few inches away, Elizabeth whipped her arm back and slammed her fist straight into the invisible bull’s eye located on Courtney’s nose.
Courtney’s eyes rolled back as she crumpled to the floor with a thud that seemed to shake the entire building. Satisfied that she was out cold, Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and looked at Jason. He was watching her with sheer amazement writ large across his handsome face. She smirked. “What? I’ve done Tae Bo.”
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