############FOUR YEARS LATER$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Liz stood outside Kelly's where she was still working to help pay her college tuition. Her shift had just finished fro the day adn she was going home.
She glanced around, trying to see if Nikolas was lurking anywhere. Ever since Lucky had died Nik had been there to walk her home nearly every night. She often wondered why he did it, Nik must have better things to do then walk his dead brother's old girlfriend home.
He never treated her as younger. Despite the fact she was in hihg school when he was out in the working world never hindered their friendship.
She realized how lucky she had been to have Nikolas there for her. He understood her loss, he felt it himself. He never pressured her to move on, like Emily sometimes did. Liz knew Em meant well, but she didn't understand there would never be anyone who could measure up to Lucky, not now, not ever.
Liz stood there shivering, wishing she had a car. She couldn't afford one however, her wages at Kelly's were paying her student loan, there was no money left over.
Liz had decided to not attend teh NEw york art institute. She realized waht an opprotunity she ahd given up, but couldn't make herself go. Instead, she was enrolled in art classes here at PCU. She never regretted her decision, but someimes cuaght herself staring outside the window thinking, 'What if...?"
Liz saw Nikolas approaching, "Hello," she called out.
"Hey Liz," he said, walking up to her, "God it's freezing out here."
Liz nodded, "I don't suppose you have the jag."
He shook his head, "Unfortuantely no, it's in the shop."
Liz could see her breath in hte air, "It's at times like these I wish I lived in Florida."
Nik snorted, "Yeah, well at least we don't live up there in Canada. Well, I guess some places are like here. But some are freezing!"
Liz smiled, "Let's go. I don't want to freeze standing here in one place."
{BTW, I live in Canada. When it comes to winter a lot of poeple in the US are wimps. AS soon as it drops below zero...Nothing against you people who do live in the US.}
They walked away from Kelly's chatting idely. Liz felt she could talk to Nik about anyhting. He was her confidante.
When they walked up to Liz's apartment, as alomst always, she felt embarassed. Nik lived in that beautiful house, her apartment was about as exclusive as anyhting you could find on Courtland street. It was weird, but she felt embarassed to live in such a dump.
Nik though, never seemed to care.
Liz noticed Nik hopping up and down, trying to stay warm, adn laughed,"Wnat to come in for some hot chocolate before you have to walk home
"I'd love that," Nik said gratefully, "Anyhitng to warm up."
As Liz unlocked the door and opened it, she was immedaitely turned bright red as she saw her basket of laudry sitting on the couch, her bra right on top. She quickly grabbed the basket, treying to shield it from Nikolas's view.
"Just make yourself comfortable," she called out, carrying the basket to the bedroom.
When she came out Nikolas was settled on the couch, rubbing his hands.
"I'll get started on htat hot chocolate," she said.
AS she set the pot on the stove and set the milk to heat, she glanced over at Nikolas. She was glas she ahd him as a friend, there weren't many other people willing to brave her apartment.
Nik looked up gratefully as she handed him a mug of hot chocolate,"Thanks Liz. This should get some feeling back into my hands."
SHe laughed, and settled beside him on hte couch, "You're such a wussy."
Nik raised his eyebrows, "A wussy? Miss, I won't go outside without my long underwear and everyhitng else is calling me a wussy?"
Liz laughed, "You bet."
Nik gave a mock look of hurt, "I'm shocked at you Elizabeth."
Liz just laughed again, "Come on, yuor curled up on my couch complaining about cold fingers, while I'm just fine. what does that tell you about yoursself."
Ni laughed, "Fine, but you're not exactly miss outdoors women."
"YOu're right I'm not, but I can't see you in a flannel shirt going camping anytime soon."
"You're right about that," Nik agreed, "Camping is not my style."
Nik observed Liz as she sipped her hot chocolate. She was so beautiful. Nik knew she would never return his feelings, well at least not of the magnitude his were. He loved his brother, but he falling in love with Elizabeth. He didn't want to do anyhitng disrespectful to his brother's memory, but he wanted Elizabeth.
*********************************************************
Lucky sat before his computer in his cell. It was the most interestinf thing to do. Time moved so slowly when one wasn't having any fun. Besides, there was also limitations to waht anyone could do for fun on a computer without the internet.
Lucky looked at the picture of Elizabeht that sat on the desk. 'Julius' had been so gracious as to obtain it for him.
She was waht had sustained him throughout these four long yeaars. THe memory of her was waht kept him alive, kept him going. All he knew about her was waht Julius told him and showed him in videotapes. he had watched her graduate high school, unbeknownst to her, and beamed with pride. He had wathced her first day of college.
AS far as he could tell, she ahdn't dated anybody yet, but that could change at any moment. He realized she wouldn't ahng on to his memory forever, but he hated to think of her with another man. Despite what she did, he would never stop loving her.
It still feels like our first night together
Feels like the first kiss and it's gettin' better baby
No one can better this
I'm still holdin' on and you're still the one
The first time our eyes met - it's the same feelin' i get
Only feels much stronger - i wanna love ya longer
You still turn the fire on...
So if you're feelin' lonely ... don't
You're the only one I'd ever want
I only wanna make it good
So if I love ya a little more than i should...
Please forgive me - i know not what i do
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
don't deny me - this pain i'm going through
Please forgive me - if i need ya like i do
Please believe me - every word i say is true
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
Still feels like our best times are together
Feels like the first touch
We're still gettin' closer baby
Can't get close enough
I'm still holdin' on - you're still number one
I remember the smell of your skin
I remember everything
I remember all your moves - i remember you
I remember the nights - ya know i still do
So if you're feeling lonely... don't
You're the only one i'd ever want
I only wanna make it good
So if I love ya a little more than i should
Please forgive me - i know not what i do
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
Don't deny me - this pain i'm going through
Please forgive me - if i need ya like i do
Please believe me - every word i say is true
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
One thing i'm sure of - is the way we make love
And the one thing i depend on
Is for us to stay strong
With every word and every breath i'm prayin'
That's why i'm sayin'...
Please forgive me - i know not what i do
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
Don't deny me - this pain i'm going through
Please forgive me - if i need ya like i do
Never leave me - i don't know what i'd do
Please forgive me - i can't stop lovin' you
Lucky sighed, "No matter what Elizabeth, I will love you. It's all that's keeping me going here."
*****************************************************
Elizabeth observed Nikolas as she sipped the hot chocolate. She was surprised he ahd never got into modeling, he was good=looking.
They sat there in companionable silence, not needing to say anyhitng. They were interrupted though, by a knock on the door.
"Elizabeth, are you home?"
Liz sighed, she recognized the voice. "It's open Gram, come on in."
AS Audrey poked her head in the door, she noticed Nikolas sitting on the couch beside Elizabeth.
"I'm sorry dear, I just came by to drop off some extra blankets. It's cold out, and you don't hvae much....if' you'd like I can leave." Audrey apologized.
"Don't be ridiculous," Liz said, "Come in, would you like some hot chocolate?"
Nik stood up, "I should be going anyway, work starts early in the morning."
"YOu really don't ahve to go on account of me," Audre said, sounding embarassed.
"Trust me Mrs.Hardy, I really should be going. Thnak you for the hot chocolate Liz, I'll see you tomorrow after your shift."
"Ok, see you Nikolas," Liz said, smiling, "thanks for coming up."
"My pleasure," he grinned as he let himself out the door.
Audrey sat down beside her granddaughter on the couch, "I'm really sorry to intrude on you two. I remember when my grandmother used to walk in when I was with my beau at the time, I was so annoyed."
Liz laughed, "THat might be a problem if Nikolas was my 'beau', but he's not. Besides, I wouldn't get annoyed with you, well maybe if you didn't knock first."
"I just assumed you and Nik, were, well..you know. You've spent so much time togehter lately. And besides, neither of you are seeing anyone else."
Liz shook her head, "There isn't, and never will be, anyhitng going on between Nikolas and I. He's Lucky's brother Gram."
<>
Audrey leaned forward, "Liz, it shouldn't matter who's brother he is. I know you loved Lucky, but he is dead. Four years now, you should move on."
Liz stood up and began pacing, "gram, I can't believe I'm hearing this, from you of all people. It's not like you've been dating since Gramps died."
"Elizabeth, our situations are way different. I'm an old woman, you're a 20-year old with your whole life in front of you. Don't throw it away on the past."
Liz was shocked to hear her grandmother say this, "I'm not throwing my life away, far from it. I'm just choosing not to get involved with anyone. Nobody, I repeat nobody, could measure up to Lucky or stir up hte feelings inside of me he did."
"Elizabeht dear, Listen to me. You will never know taht if you don't try. You don't want to miss out on findign happiness with someone else. Even before you moved out and started college, you were continually turning down boys asking you out on dates, and I bet you are still doing the same thing. I know you loved Lucky dear, but he's gone. For good."
Liz wiped away the tears that were forming in her eyes. SHe grabbed her coat from the closet.
"I'm too upset to talk right now Gram. I'm going for a walk, I'd appreciate it if you were gone when I return," Liz said coldly to her grandmother.
Audrey watched helplessly from the couch as her grand-daughter stormed out her apartment. She didn't want to hurt ELizabeth, but seh ahd to see there was life after Lucky.
Liz walked down the street, her hadns in her jacket pockets. When she ahd stormed out, she had even thought to bring mitts along.
She loved gram, but Audrey just didn't understand. Nobody really could. SHe knew Audrey loved gramps, but if she thought Liz could move on, her grandmother and grandfather ahd obviously not ahd the same bond Liz and Lucky had.
She found herself walking towards the graveyard, Lucky was buried there. It was not a consious decision, but she was glad her feet had carried her here.
As she looked down at Lucky's grave, she dropped to her knees, touching the cool tombstone, trying to feel Lucky in it somehow.
"Lucky," she whispered, "Why did you have to go? It's four years after and I can't truly believe I will never see you again."
She fingered the necklace absently, "Gram just doesn't understand. Nobody could measure up to you. And that Nik adn I could ever be involved, that's proposterous."
"I swore to love you forever and I will. Even if I die an oldmaid, it won't matter. I could never love anyone else as I loved you."
AS sob escaped, "I keep thinking, 'why does it still hurt so mcuh, shouldn't the pain have lessened over four years?' but it hasn't Lucky, and I don't think it ever will. What we shared was a once in a lifetime experience, anyhting else would be second rate."
She stroked the cool marble tombstone, "I hope you can hear me, I really do. YOu were my life. I ahve fashioned a life of my own, without you, know, but it is nothing as good. Everyhting that is good in me, you gave to me. You gave me the confidence the live again. After teh rape, if you hadn;t been there, I might have commited suicide, i was that desperate. You gave me back my life, no matter waht type of life it is, at least I'll have one."
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
Liz kissed the tombstone, "I hope you're not to embarassed of my faith in you up there in heaven. You see, I do haev one measure of comfort. I know you're in heaven. THere is no way you couldn't be. You were an angel sent to earth, my angel, and now you're back in heaven with all the other angels."
She stood up, and placed her hands in her pocket.
Liz didn't even have a chance to scream as the golved and flew over her mouth.
She struggled, trying to get a kick in the groin area, but the man was too strong. AS she managed to elbow in in the stomach, he let out of grunt of pain. Immediately, he retaliated with a blow to the side of the head.
Her vision turned black, and the world ceased to exist.
**********************************************************
Lucky was re-reading one of the books in his room, for about the 60th time when Julius entered the room, carrying a tape.
Lucky lept off the bed, trying not to look to eager, "What is the tape? WHo is it of?"
Julius didn't answer, he looked pitying at Lucky. "it's of Elizabeth," he said sadly, "it's not good, are you sure you want to watch it?"
Lucky nodded impatiently, "Of course I do, waht kind of question is that?"
Julius sighed, and put the tape in the VCR. AS he pushed play he said, "Don't say I didn't warn you."
The image came on the screen of his beautiful Elizabeth. He wanted to reahc out and touch her.
She was standing at his graveside. As lucky listened to every word she said, his heart pined to be able to go to her. He wanted to shout, 'elizabeth, I'm alive'.
After she ahd stood up from in front of his tombstone, he saw someone coming up behind her. 'Look out!' he screamed inside.
Lucky watched in astonished slience as the man grabbed her from behind. He felt so helpless as the man fought with her, and eventually knocked her out. The tape ended showing him begin to rip hte clothes from her body.
Tears of rage streaming down his face, he turned to Julius, "Are you responsible or this," he asked in a deadly voice.
Julius shook his head, "No, I ahve no reason to do it. We have determined that the man who raped Elizabeth was hired though. By Helena."
Lucky's head pounded, "Why?" was all he could say.
Julius actually looked confused, "I don't know. SHe knew the arrangement, you behave and your loved ones stay unhurt. She will of course, be retalliated against."
Lucky was crying, he hated to show weakness in front of Julius, but he couldn't help it. Elizabeth was hurting, and there was nothing he could do.
"The man," he choked out, "The man who was taping this. Why didn't he help her?"
"Why didn't help her?" Lucky nearly screamed.
Julius remianed unaffected, "Those were not his instructions. Too many questions would have been asked."
Julius continued, 'Now, even though I feel horrible for waht happnened to your girlfriend, don't think it will make me soft on you. Helena will be dealt with, or at least questioned as to her motives, but everything else remains unchanged. You are my prisoner, and so it will stay."
Julius left the room, leaving Lucky crying as he sat on the bed. Lucky was shocked at the depths of Helena's cruelty. Lucky prayed to the God in heaven Liz would be allright. He now had a new reason to keep going. Not only his love for ELizbaeth, but for an opprotunity to kill Helena.
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