Walking back from Kelly's Elizabeth decided to go see Nikolas, tell him that Lucky had seen her, he didn't have to keep it a secret anymore. She wanted to thank him for everything, and maybe lecture him on not telling her about Jackie. Her heart nearly bailed out on her when she saw Lucky in a tight embrace with the girl earlier that day.
In her thoughts, Elizabeth didn't see the girl walking up to her.
"-Hi, you're Elizabeth right? She asked
-Yeah and I take it you are Jackie, Lucky's half-sister?
-I'm his sister, not half. Mind if we talk for a minute?
-Not at all"
Elizabeth sat on the bench, wondering what she wanted to talk about. It was the first time they met each other, and Jackie was looking at her like if Liz was a bug. What was that all about?
"-Talk! Said Elizabeth
-I just want to know what you want with my brother
-What I want with your brother? What do you mean?
-Don't play dumb with me. I read the letter today, the one you sent to Lucky when you broke up with him. I also know that you've been seeing a lot of my other brother Nikolas since you came back, he told me so when I saw him a couple of minutes ago.
-Nikolas is not your brother
-Not biologically, no, but he is my brother's brother, so we are family. Anyway, I don't think that the way Nikolas and I refer to each other is your business, but Lucky is my business, and I want to know what you want from him
-Jackie, I don't want anything from Lucky, except his friendship. I didn't mean to hurt him, but it was something I had to do. I appreciate you sticking up for him, but like you said with you and Nikolas, what's going on between me and Lucky is not your business
-When someone plays with my brother's heart I make it my business. He told me how your sister hurt him last time, and now you did. Stay away from him, he doesn't need you in his life
-JACKIE THAT'S ENOUGH! The girls heard from behind"
They turned around, only to see Lucky standing there, his arms crossed on his chest. He was mad.
"-What the hell is going on Jackie? He asked
-Nothing, Elizabeth and I were just setting the facts straight
-It is not your place to set the record straight! He answered
-I know and I'm sorry, but you wouldn't have. "
Elizabeth was watching the two of them talking about her like she wasn't even there. Lucky was defending her, her actions, decisions, like he always did. He was sticking up for her even though he didn't understand her reasons. Made her love him more than ever.
"-Lucky, no harm was done, really, Elizabeth said to calm him down
-That is not the point Elizabeth. My sister thinks that she can stick her nose everywhere, but it didn't belong in my business.
-I'm sorry Lucky OK? But after what she put your through last time, I don't want to have take you back up again, just because she thinks she can have a good time for a while.
-JACKIE STOP THAT! God! You don't even know what happened, or what I did OK? Now, Elizabeth said she wanted to be my friend and I want that too so stay out of this!
-Fine, if you are stupid enough to fall for her act again, I won't stop you Lucky, but just know that even though she is not biologically related to Sarah, she was raised with her, and one day, she will do the same, only this time, you won't recover. Just you watch"
Jackie walked away before Lucky could say anything else. Elizabeth was dancing from one foot to the other, not knowing what to say. Lucky apologized for the thousandth time. Elizabeth laughed and told him she was OK, Jackie's words didn't hurt her. That wasn't true, but he was looking like a little boy who got caught stealing candy out of a jar. In a way, Elizabeth admired Jackie, she had guts and she truly cared for her brother, enough to tell a girl to leave him alone, not to hurt him, even though she knew it would infuriate him. And the girl was right. She had no right whatsoever to go after Lucky. She made her choice when she broke up with him, and she had to live with it, for ever. Friendship. That was all she would ask of Lucky. She didn't deserve his love.
"-What did Ruby say? He asked
-Oh, I'm starting next week
-That's great! I'm working there too did you know?
-You are still there?
-Yep, family, can't get enough of them!"
Elizabeth laughed as they started walking. Lucky said he would take her home, like he always did. It was good to be with him. She was dying to take his hand, or to feel his arm around her shoulders. It would be rough working with him, seeing him, going to school with him and not touch him or kiss him. Lucky thought she lived way too close to the park and the ride was soon over. He left her on the porch and went back to his place. Jackie was there, talking to Nikolas. Lucky thought about how close the two of them were. Sometimes they would just sit there, not talking, and still be close. Reminded Lucky about how he was with Elizabeth before she left. They could spend the whole day not saying anything to each other, but still understand one another. That was special, and the same thing was going on between Jackie and Nikolas. Lucky was sure something was going on between them and they didn't want him to know.
"-I understand you saw Liz today? Nikolas asked
-Yeah, she is back. Got into PCU this semester.
-How do you feel about it?
-I'm ok guys, stop acting like the world stopped turning. I'm still in love with her, that is true, but it won't kill me to see her.
-I know Lucky, said Jackie, I just hate to know you'll be crying yourself to sleep again."
Lucky knew his sister was right. With Elizabeth back in town, his tears would start falling down his face again. But, having her near him, not having to worry about her because knowing she was ok was worth more than tears on his pillow at night.
Nikolas pressed a little on his brother's shoulder with his hand, and got up the chair. He had to go to work. He was working at the garage, helping Jason fixing motorcycle. Nikolas was actually quite good with his hands and he loved his job. Being self- sufficient, not having to wait on other people to have money, was like a drug for him. He still had his millions in the bank, but he was just like everyone else, earning his living money, and that made him feel, for the first time in his life, normal.
Jackie walked him to the shop and went back to the park. She needed to be alone to think. Lucky gave her a quick kiss before she left, and he whispered in her ear that he wasn't mad at her, and that he loved her for looking out for him.
Elizabeth was back in the park, looking for her earring. She lost it that afternoon, probably when she was talking with Jackie. The earring didn't really have any value, but it had sentimental value for her. It was her real grandmother's earrings, the one she wore at her wedding to her grandfather. Sergei gave them to her before she left, saying that she would feel more at home. Now, she lost one! She was searching through where she was sitting, when she heard a soft cry not too far from where she was standing. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Jackie, sitting on the next bench, her hands in her face. She looked desperate and Elizabeth re-lived the night she met Lucky.
"-Jackie, what's wrong? Elizabeth asked, sitting next to her
-Nothing, you wouldn't understand, she answered, wiping the tears from her face.
-I don't know if I'll understand, but you look like you could talk to someone, and I'm a good listener.
-Thanks Elizabeth, even though I've been awful, you want to help me. Jackie took a deep breath. I'm pregnant Liz. And I don't know what to do. I am only 19, I don't have a job, I'm not married, I'm still in College. And I don't know how the father feels about being one"
Elizabeth could not believe her ears. Jackie, pregnant? She understood more than she said, but she asked;
"-I don't mean to pry, but maybe you could talk to him about this. If he loves you, he'll understand, and probably help you.
-I know him, he'll want to do the right thing and marry me. He will drop out of College to support me and the kid, ruin his life because of my stupidity! I'm sorry, I don't want to bore you with my problems"
Elizabeth put her arm around Jackie's shoulders. The thoughts going trough Jackie's mind were the exact same one that went through her mind two years ago when she thought she was pregnant with Lucky's baby. Elizabeth didn't have to imagine how she must be feeling, she felt the same way. She knew more than anyone the desperation and helplessness she was feeling at the time.
"-Want to tell me who the father is? Asked Elizabeth. Maybe I know him and can tell you how he would react.
-You know him. He is the most handsome, caring, generous, smart, funny guy I have ever met. He has his own fortune, but that is for emergencies, and I know he will want to use it for me and the baby.
-Who is this guy?
-Your cousin, Nikolas"
Elizabeth was shocked. Nikolas and Jackie, lover? Didn't she say she thought of him as a brother? She didn't know what to say, as Jackie started to cry again. So she did the only thing she thought of;
"-You know Jackie, I understand how you feel.
-How can you? You've never been in my situation!
-Actually, I have. You see, two years ago, as I was ready to go to Russia, Lucky took me to your father's cabin, in the mountain, and we made love all night. Two weeks later, I was late. I know what must be going through your mind. I've been there.
-What did you do with the baby?
-Well, with a little more than two weeks late, I finally had my periods. The doctor told me it was probably because I was nervous and my body was upside down. But it was too late, the damage was done. So I wrote the letter to Lucky, saying I didn't want to see him anymore. I was scared to death Jackie, kind of like you are now, and I thought I was too young to be involved that way with someone. So I do understand. But, if I could go back in time, I would do things differently. There are ways to raise a baby even with school and such, and there are places that can help you. Lucky and I are there too you know.
-Thanks Elizabeth. I'm still way over my head, but I feel better now. I'm sorry about everything I said to you. I understand you did what you thought you had to do. But why didn't you tell Lucky?
-Kind of for the reasons you don't want to tell Nikolas. I knew he would take everything on his shoulders. Jackie, that is not only your doing. Nikolas has the right to know, whatever your decision OK?
Elizabeth took Jackie in a tight embrace. The two young women were bonded. Through rough times. Jackie knew she had find a friend forever in Elizabeth, and Liz felt the same way. No matter what, they would help each other, because they were the same kind of women, the kind who loves with everything, body and soul.
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