Elizabeth stared at the closed door, not believing what had just happened. She'd just gotten him back, and now he was gone again? She was aware of Laura's voice coming through the echo of Lucky's words that were still reverberating in her mind.
"Elizabeth, he just needs to cool off. He'll listen to you, just give him time," Laura was saying.
Elizabeth shook her head sadly. "I hope you're right." She picked up her coat. "I'm going home now. If Lucky..."
Luke laid a hand on her shoulder. "When he comes back, we'll tell him where you live."
Liz wiped away a tear. She knew how stubborn Lucky was, and she wasn't sure he would ever listen to her story about Jason. "Tell him I love him...and tell him I said Happy Valentine's Day."
Lucky found himself on the dock, staring across the water at Wyndemere, just as he had seen Elizabeth doing two nights ago. When he had left a couple of hours ago, he had been in a black rage. Before, when he had seen Elizabeth with Nikolas, the main thing he had felt was hurt. But in the back of his mind he had actually believed that there couldn't be too much to that relationship. He had always considered Nikolas sort of related to Elizabeth through him, even though they weren't married. Sure, he'd been jealous and angry, but it was nothing like he felt now. Jason Morgan was a different sort of person than Nikolas. He was older and more worldly, and, he supposed, exciting someone like Elizabeth. The thought of her living with him, and doing the things that she had sworn she wanted to do with him, but wasn't ready for...that made his blood boil. He imagined that Jason, being so experienced with women had probably been more desirable to her, than himself. He'd never even kissed a girl before Elizabeth, and he knew he was clumsy and inept. No wonder Elizabeth hadn't wanted to be with him...he started at a sound from behind him, and whirled around.
"Well," drawled Sonny Corinthos. "Before today I would have said I didn't believe in ghosts, but here you are."
"Sonny." Lucky held out his hand. "It's good to see you, man."
"Welcome back from the dead," said Sonny shaking Lucky's hand solemnly. He had spoken to Laura on the phone earlier, so he actually wasn't surprised to see him.
Lucky smiled weakly. "Thanks." He sighed and sat down on the bench that he and Elizabeth had sat on so many times.
Sonny joined him. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked. " I know it's none of my business why you're bummed out, but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who's not so close to you."
Lucky considered for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? I'm obviously the only person in town who didn't know anyway." He proceeded to tell Sonny what had happened a little while ago at his parents house. "I just had to get away," he finished. "I couldn't stand to think about..." he couldn't finish that thought out loud.
Sonny rolled his eyes. "Carly. I thought she couldn't surprise me anymore, but I guess I was wrong."
"I know, she's a piece of work, alright. My dad's told me about all the stuff she's pulled, all the lies she's told..." his voice trailed off as he realized Sonny was smiling slightly at him, one eyebrow raised. "I'm an idiot," Lucky moaned. "I didn't even give Elizabeth a chance to explain, I just went off half-cocked, like some kind of...some kind of...."
"Spencer." Sonny supplied helpfully. "You know, Lucky, I can't speak for Jason or Elizabeth, and I don't know what all went on between them, but I can tell you something that might explain things a little bit." When Lucky looked at him questioningly, he went on to tell him how Jason had gotten shot, and Elizabeth had found him dying in the snow, and taken him back to her studio and nursed him back to health. "He didn't want my help, he wouldn't even talk to me. He refused to see a doctor, but Elizabeth brought Bobbie over to look at him anyway. She saved his life, and in return, she had to put up with the whole town talking behind her back, and assuming the worst, because telling the truth would put Jason in danger."
"And I'm no better than anyone else," said Lucky miserably. " I can't believe I listened to Carly."
"Man, if it's any consolation, you aren't the first guy to fall for one of Carly's stunts. Take my word for it." Sonny shook his head, then got up to leave, extending his hand to Lucky again. "Take care, buddy."
Lucky watched him walk away, then turned resolutely toward home. He didn't know where to look for Elizabeth, and there were some things he had to buy before he saw her again. He hoped his dad would float him a loan, because he was broke. He supposed he would have to get a job pretty soon, and figure out what he was going to do with the rest of his life. One thing he was sure of though, and he was going to fix that tonight, he hoped.
Elizabeth was trying to concentrate on the painting she was working on, but it was no use, so she wiped off the paintbrush and went to look out of the window. She couldn't believe all that had happened in the last two days. She had gotten Lucky back, only to lose him again in less than 24 hours. She realized suddenly that today was the two-year anniversary of her rape, and she hadn't even thought about it once. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she went over to answer it. "Who is it?"
"Elizabeth, it's me. I won't blame you if you won't let me in, but--"
Before he got any further, she opened the door. "Lucky, I can explain..."
"No! Stop." He held his hand up. "You don't have to explain anything. I was a jerk today. For one thing I was stupid to believe anything Carly had said, and for another, I don't have any right to question what you did while I was gone. Even if what she said was true, and I don't think it was, it's not my place to judge you for it." He took her hands in his. "So now I'm asking your forgiveness for the second time in one day. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I was just so jealous I couldn't think straight."
She smiled at him and pulled him inside, then closed the door. "Of course I forgive you. Life is too short, Lucky. We found that out the hard way. I do want to tell you about Jason though. He was an important part of my life for awhile, but just as a friend, Lucky. That's all."
Lucky pulled her into his arms and held her close for a moment, then kissed her softly. "You can tell me later. It doesn't matter anymore. I have to go out in the hall and get something. Close your eyes and wait, okay?"
She closed her eyes and he ducked out the door. When he came back in, he was holding a bouquet of red long-stemmed roses. "Okay, open your eyes." When she did, he handed them to her. "Happy Valentine's day.."
"Oh, Lucky, they're beautiful." She buried her face in them and inhaled the sweet perfume. "Thank you."
He came forward and laid his hand on her cheek. "Elizabeth, I love you so much. This last year without you was the worst thing I've ever gone through. I always swore to myself, that if I ever got out of there, and if I ever got you back, I'd never let you go." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a little box. Taking hold of her hand, he led her to the couch and helped her lay the roses aside and sit down. He opened the box to reveal the diamond solitare that was nestled there. Taking her hand, he got down on one knee in front of her. "Elizabeth, will you marry me?"