Part II Oracle of Change
If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were. Kahlil Gibran
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa commune
provincia di firenze . Toscana italia.
"Are you going to hole up on this farm forever? What you need is a dose of fun. Me? I’ve taken on a new lover and highly suggest you do the same…don’t drag out the inevitable its only a matter of time so just jump right in.
After my divorce, I waited almost two years wallowing in self-pity, in hindsight, it was a waste of time. Elizabeth don’t do that to yourself you deserve more and you’re better than that. Why not come to Paris with me and get your feet wet…Milan is so staid and conservative this time of year it only comes alive during fashion week. But in Paris you'll have the pick of the litter.”
Elizabeth burst laughing she surprised herself, “But you love Milan you say, “it’s a place where everybody at least thinks about how they look. Besides, I have three little ones; and can’t go fluttering off leaving them behind.
"Kate is in yellow pleated culottes although it doesn’t quite blend with her skin tone it’s her favorite color. “Bring them with Signora it'll be good for them too.”
“Oh Kate I don’t know.” For Paris her apartment is spacious she bought three teenie ones and merged them into one medium one.
Kate's new campaign is to just get her out of the house its been eight months and she hasn't budged. “You can stay at my place there’s room. and they can even bring that cat," she points to Scuzzy who isn't exactly Kate-friendly he lets out a roaring meow and zips from view.
“and where will you be? You have haute courture to deal with I can’t see you hanging out with me and the kids while we play Jezebels at night .”
“Well I have before its a perfect opportunity to stay at Xavier’s he’s been campaigning to get me to play house for over a year now he’ll be riveted when I say yes.”
Her Frenchman, whose a few inches shorter, according to Kate, is generous in all the right places, that includes his wallet. Not that it matters to her but Xavier Francois LaLanne is well oiled he may sound like a French movie star but he's an industrialist; his stepfather Philippe raised him from infancy when his father was killed in an industrial accident. Philippe is a retired
French aircraft designer just like his bio father who also built military aircraft for decades after WWII with business ties starting back to the French resistance with Leuthère du Pont that remain in place today
Xavier like his fathers and grandfathers before him enhanced his birthright by working hard in his case including techno engineering to the mix not to mention his older sister became a du Pont by marriage a company merger of sorts.
“Well the kids will spend an American summer in Port Charles they’ll be spread out making the rounds.” She has no intention of keeping them away from the Quartermaines they didn’t give a no contact edict. Monica and Alan vacationed here during their marriage she extended the same invitation and hopes to see them soon,
"They’ll be shuffling between the Jacks, and the Cassadines."
"Then its perfect you can't muck around this farm all by yourself just a week or so that's all."
Elizabeth has reverted to not responding to what she has no interest in a trait she started BJ2 ... Before Jason the second time. She does the opposite, "I won't be Georgy lives here." She was happy in Corsica before he came... invaded their space setting up shop. With the way things are, she won't go back to the memories of the place they lived the Morgan Place is right next door to her house "the little house".
“She comes and goes, we could go to the event of the season Emma’s two years old birthday party?”
Kate's no psychoanalyst but she's best friends with one and a good judge of character she's known her for over ten years and has tried everything to get her to start mingling again. She misses the old Elizabeth maybe it is too soon, but she doesn’t think so, this could continue for another year, ten years or forever.
There are positive signs though she’s not as remote like when she first got to Rome with Cameron but she’s back in the zone of a recluse. Only now, she doesn't mention what she's drawing, how she's doing it or what paints she's using. Through conversation there was always discussion on techniques or her newest showing. Its all still good though she doesn't seem to be using the blocking out or avoiding the subject she says, I've lost my muse, I miss it, I haven't been painting maybe I should spend more time around art.
And she's upfront with another one, "I have no desire to see Port Charles even though Emma is adorable; I’ll get the kids there somehow but that’s a few months away something will be figured out by then.”
The fact is she hasn't been inspired by a solitary thing since her breakup not even her children. Her last painting is 'Emma'
a gift to the Drakes for her second birthday. She started it in Port Charles during one of their visits when Michael was in the hospital and finished it in Corsica she intended to bring it herself but now, she isn't so sure. 'Emma' sits on an easel in her Corsican studio she’ll make arrangements with Leticia to let someone in to crate it for shipping she knows the security code Urania can sort out the rest.
have to remember to write that down on the list... "Let’s see what happens."
She's smiling today more than Kate has seen in one visit, a slight improvement.
e she probably never will but has her new routine so down pact it seems she has. Being a single mother of three is an all consuming challenge. When asked by Urania regarding the business of painting she hasn’t made any attempt, she’s scheduled no lectures, interviews. She actually picked up a brush one afternoon only to spend an hour standing in front of a blank canvas willing herself to put paint on it. Why bother? The desire isn't in her to draw.
But she still has desire for her ex-husband she still has the urge to make love, every day, sometimes all day. With the kids in school she started organized exercise, pilates, yoga and martial arts three times a week at the American Academy. To relieve the tension, her body craves long walks, also she began a novel determined to see it through.
Her mind drifts reeling in the times when they read together curled up on one of the mismatched sofas in Corse or on the big pillows in Penthouse 2's media room. Sometimes he’d read to her while she bathed sitting on the floor or in the extra king sized bed cuddled up with the kids. She misses the most mundane, the fun of acting corny with Jason. She's starved for adult male companionship... intimacy, she’s lonely, look what he's done.
You took my hand You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
I took your words and I believed in everything
You said to me
Signora has a week off, Georgy is on assignment freelancing in Los Angeles for two weeks. Their houseman is in his bungalow and the kids are not allowed, so Elizabeth answers the doorbell,
"Elizabeth Webber."
She replies suspiciously thinking about her early days of serious paparazzo, and reporters with their lens men zooming her every move. Her eyes scan around as she steps back inside and closes the door half way. The man is tall, thirty something, attractive in a black suit and tie, "Yes...are you an art collector or something, Why are you at my door Mister unannounced?"
“Heveraux.”
“I don’t like solicitation at our home and I don’t know you well enough to continue this conversation further. If you want anything contact Urania Caruba she will steer you to set up a proper interview." Elizabeth yells backward her pony tail almost slaps him in his face,
"Jake honey bring Mommy one of the cards.”
He hears children voices in the background and a piano, being played fairly well. “I’m not seeking an interview.” A little boy with blond hair runs up his blue eyes carefully examines him before he hands him a card,
"thank you," he says to Jake. "Mrs. Webber, I have a proposition for you.”
“Not standing at my door you don't …whatever you're proposing I'm not interested.”
“O..Oh-kay, sometimes I handle things unconventionally; I didn’t mean to frighten you and assure …."
She shuts the door in the middle of his half-baked apology, its unsettling that a stranger can just walk up and ring their doorbell. What an idiot how can I not be frighten she's adding stepping up security to the list.
Three weeks later, she's doing a web cam thing with Kate Howard who, concludes as she always does, urging Elizabeth to go somewhere, Kate's oversized head looks directly at her disapprovingly,
“you can’t pause your life he’s moved on so should you he's in a relationship.”
Emily flew in to tell her personally, “Yeah I heard about that." She didn't know it was a relationship she thought he was just seeing someone.
“He’s back with Sandra,” says Georgy from the hallway.
Elizabeth jumps up from the monitor; Kate's cut off, ....“WHAT?”
“Apparently he's forgiven her for all sins.”
“Is this some sick joke? He says no contact with his kids and me but he’s taken up with her again? A con and thief who milked his family and friends ...a-a... prostitute."
"A bisexual prostitute, its Samantha now the woman changes her name like underwear,” adds Georgy who just walked in on the conversation, "I apologize; I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“You aren’t eavesdropping entering the living room of your home.”
“Elizabeth I’ve known about it for some time now when I had that layover in New York from LA, Maxi told me, who it is. It seems they’re friends. I couldn’t figure out how to tell you; I asked Robin she suggested to wait for when I felt most comfortable and go for it. This is it.”
She grabs her earlobe, “you’re not the one I’m annoyed with at the moment so she’s out of jail, whitewashed, absolved. No ...no this must have to do with finding out who shot Michael or something I can't believe he's seeing this woman."
Elizabeth knows what she has to do she grabs the list to make additions: check with Maric about those old restraining orders if they're still active and get Gianni here to evaluate security until she can get a hold of Cody, he's on a FBI mission with the Secret Six, a Navy Seals undercover operative squad in Pakistan. Lainey wasn't suppose to tell anyone when she got excited it slipped out its not as secret anymore."
Elizabeth can’t believe he’s seeing someone this soon she's spent all this time grieving her marriage, suddenly, she's not as heartbroken anymore. No contact he erased us from his life. Well Mr. Morgan that's true but I got news for you. She fires up her web cam Kate re-appears larger than life,
"That summer vacation; I want to go adult fun is needed in my life.
"Bravo!" Kate beams in cyberspace.”
And that thing you wanted…. that photo shoot, “I’ll do it. I've been exercising and... well I think I'm in good enough shape.”
“Huh, that's what airbrushing is for besides we have just the right photographer.”
Elizabeth goes on, “and that story for whatever you called it. Do you still want me?”
Elizabeth hadn't appeared in Crimson since the bride issue a year after Jacob was born before then Kate used two of her paintings as graphic textiles for fabric. “You have a choice Rio de Janiero or we'll be in Cote d' Azur. Why the turn around?”
“I’m not hiding out anymore; I'm starting as fast as I can so which place comes first?"
“Atta girl...Cote d' Azur next month.”
"Kate, I don't want to wait that long if I get you something how fast can it be in Crimson with a quote?”
"By the end of the week is good it won't be for the next few issues but we're doing a pre-fall previews on the website we'll include it in the update.
"and thanks you're always there for me Kate since I first got to Rome."
Elizabeth skips back to her bedroom with a pep in her step she hasn’t had since her break up with ex-husband Jason she’s on a roll she calls her assistant,
“Guess what? Its time to be more accessible. Are they still interested in me?”
Urania is taken aback in nearly a decade its only a few times she’s courted publicity she's always been low key. "I give the stock answers.”
“Email what's still on the table... things have changed.”
The next morning after the kids leave for school she’s with Georgy looking through her closet. “This is archaic,” she throws a voile blouse on the bed, then a gray skirt, “boring.”
She’s not big on fashion but she’s going through her closet for one reason or another nothing qualifies for the photograph her clothes are in five places unfortunately not much in this place she wishes Kate was here. She tosses pants on top of the heap, "bland"...she grabs another hanger.
“What are you going for?” Georgie asks baffled and amused she's never seen Elizabeth so stumped.
“A hot not slutty look for a mommy times three.” She sits on her bed,” not old fashioned … not jejune. She looks at her pile, “I wore this stuff when I was married,” she throws an ochre colored dress on the floor.
“Wait, I got a cast off from Maxi …. a vest and I picked up some shoes in LA that might work it doesn’t matter if they’re too big as long as they aren’t too small.” Georgy runs back from her room,
“Lets try this vest with your sheer pinstrip blouse here.... and....," she goes to Elizabeth’s closet, "these shorts, with those boots.”
Elizabeth begins to change.
Georgy yelps another wait...."hair and make up!"
Elizabeth goes to the bathroom returns with mousse that makes hair curl, “it’s been here for at least five years it might still work.” She runs the product through her hair,
“Make up should be easy Kate’s people always say when in doubt less is more."
“I can snap and develop but setting up the picture."
Elizabeth intercedes, “I use to be an artist that spends time with a fashion designer," She takes a chair places it between the two windows, "I’ll put a foot on the ledge. If we wait another hour the sun will be overcast in such a way we may get fractured fractals of its rays on the film depending on how it hits the glass and what your camera picks up. Me in profile is best. I’ll shower the steam will makes the foundation look different and go on smoother.”
“So we’ll make up half your face?”
She laughs, “why not.” Elizabeth knows exactly what she’s going for.
It doesn’t take long to re-arrange her hair and makeup all this prepping for less than a dozen shots…. When Georgy worked for The Chronicle; this is the camera she used sometimes when a crew wasn't available..she took to shooting multiple shots at high speed she’ll try that and hope for the best. After they're done she takes the film to her make shift dark room in the barn’s back rooms the developing tanks are there.
She thought about using a digital camera or a cell phone but this one will give more density and contrast she’s taken pictures of people before so with a bit of luck, one of these shots will look high end ... like a fashion photographer’s.
A few days later Giada visits she's a music promoter with her own label she often stops by traveling for work...they've been discussing Elizabeth's latest venture, " What's this all about it not like you putting yourself out here, Crimson, this Chronicle...Whats going on?
Elizabeth is packing trunks for the kids “Signora could you put this in the toys; I just dragged it to the living room." She hands her Jake’s favorite motorcycle. "I haven't given a Crimson interview since before we got married just a few shots for an issue after Jake was born. .....Ok..alright, I’m furious; I want to slap...and punch him. I admit its a shallow punitive way of acting out but he should be reminded he has children. We’re not staying in the place he put us so its convenient for him…. just disappear."
"So you want to be everywhere he has eyes."
"It sounded like a great idea at the time. Georgy has connections to her old job she sold an interview...nothing heavy just a brief update on a hometown girl."
Giada says sympathetically, “you’re healing but it still hurts.” Eventhough she’s never experienced this kind of betrayal she’s been with Paulo since they were teenagers. She’s happy with two children but they haven’t abandoned their hard partying jet set lifestyle they just take the kids with them since she’s in the recording industry and he’s a race car driver it fits in.
“I wake up sometimes and it doesn’t immediately sink in what happened to me. I still think we're together with me. I feel his presence.”
“How are things with Emily?”
“Gruff. Not with me but its in her voice I'll know more when she gets here she's picking up the kids and Georgy."
“And the rest of his family.”
Elizabeth hunches her shoulders in an I don't know that either motion, "its not their fault they don't know what to do or how to say they're just as confused and bewildered as I am." But Alan and Monica have stopped trying to defend their son who walked out on his kids. Between Emily and Tracy she's sure he's getting an earful.
"Divorce from your husband you’re still in love with is a strange phenomenon. The passage of time doesn’t coincide with the reality that you’re no longer married, that doesn’t conclude with the signing of the decree because your body still screams to be made love to… it doesn’t know he’s an ex..”
Elizabeth Webber
"While you're here, look, I'm shooting Nylon in a month and I'm kinda nervous because ... well.. I've never been interviewed in a magazine like that its a new demo for me...so," Elizabeth takes her hand.
"Yes cherie..." Giada says curiously.
"I was wondering if you can you show me how to look hip, you know...like a rock star with three kids, just a few tips." Elizabeth has never been that interested in clothes but why not take advantage of Giada's expertise. "Seriously, I"m shedding the old image and reinventing myself." Elizabeth's cleft chin lifts up as if its taken on a new mission in life.
Staggered, Giada stands to unbuckle her Stuart Hughs Goldstriker bulleted belt, slithers out of her studded jeans, she lays them on the bed, she peels off her midnight blue tuxedo styled military jacket. Elizabeth keeps the temperature cool in her houses; Giada has always taken to covering up, she points to Georgy's picture on her desk,
"add boots, something like those, and you're good to go as you Americans say; Nylon will do the rest."
"I can't wear these they're two sizes too big," Giada has an curvaceous derriere.
"These are the jeans you want its a unique design bring these things...their wardrobe can fix them around you for a frontal shoot, noone will see the back we do it all the time."
In their six year friendship Elizabeth has never asked a question remotely like this but a diamond embedded in platinum two of a kind belt at £155,995 thats $256,000 American dollars you can't get more serious than that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later, Elizabeth is driving Emily, and Georgy to the airport with the kids, and Scuzzy of course. Princess Cassidine is uncharacteristically tight lipped visibly pissed off at her brother, so much so, she hasn't mention his name. She left Spencer with Nik because she wants to devote every minute to the abandoned children. Finally she refers to him,
"Its not like they were left on a door step Elizabeth but I feel so empty about Jason right now and I haven't seen much of him and don't want to at the moment. My poor niece and nephews we Quartermaines intend to make up for his shortcomings."
"Watch it Em you sound like Edward," they both laugh.
Poor Aunty Em she manipulated, orchestrated, arranged their reunion for years only for it to backfire in a worse possible way... ending badly. He's right back where he started with the mob and Samantha McCall. Elizabeth at least she got Mimi and Jakey out of the deal, she peers into Emily through over sized sunglasses making where she now stands abundantly clear,
"its because of them that I don't regret the waste of time that was Jason Morgan." She doesn't have to think twice that The Quartermaines will keep Sam away from her kids. And Carly? Sam wouldn't dare give her a reason it doesn't matter to Carly in the least that she's aligned with Jason on the hunt for Michael's shooter. She was part of the plot to destroy her family and that's reason enough for Carly Jacks.
After dropping them off she’s immediately more lonelier than ever…on the drive back she goes the long way home, Tuscany's scenic route isn't like Corsica's but its adequate. By the time she settles in its too quiet, for her, its unnatural. Watching a commercial prompts the idea to leave earlier to Cote d’ Azur take in the sights maybe she’ll find her inspiration. She jumps to her closet and grabs the luggage Giada brought some of her Corsican clothes from the little house. She sorts through them its not as bad as she thought it would be having these things around her new life.
She makes a few more decisions since getting kicked in the ass by Jason Morgan if he taught her to be kind to herself well she's about to vary on the same theme... she’s pampering herself right now. She doesn’t feel as guilty as she should being away from the kids for their school break she needs this time its the first step in a long road to re discovery to rescue herself from the ruins. She’s proud that she hasn't given in ..called him begged pleaded…
Maybe I can paint again.
A few days later, she sits in her bedroom. Signora has taken the time while the children are away as a vacation. There are no terraces on the farmhouse, no looking through swaying trees in balmy breezes to the sea front just the profoundness of greenery, vineyards everywhere. Tuscany isn't as aromatic as Corse..the smell of that island is like no place else. She's got the Play book in her lap Spinelli and Stan always kept them current; StaNelli Services Ltd gifted them one of these gadgets last Christmas even little Jakey. They must have gotten them from under their tree and forwarded them when they realized we wouldn't be there for Christmas. We left in November before Thanksgiving its these small things that brings her back to that life she will never have again.
She pours a goblet of St. Emilon to help erase the memory of when Stan brought them over to Penthouse 2, she pecks in Cote d’Azur in Bing’s search there’s so many hits…umm add location hotel...Europe presents itself before her…
oh my which one, where will she go?
She arches a brow...Umm at her desk she re-reads the print out Kate sent. She has ten days before she has to report to the Toulon provence so where can she stay, …she flips a page. Ummm somewhere nearby.
No not a farmhouse she moves the page, an Inn? Nooo…her finger moves another page, shaking her head …no vineyards or chalets or chateaus. Spa?
Mmmm maybe… someplace with people I’ve done remote for nine months..
Marseilles yes this one… she reads further...it’s the second largest city in France and it’s close enough to go somewhere else, "And I've never been there, someplace new for the new me." She cracks her knuckles, “getting close.”
Ugh, these hotels are monstrosities too big she moves another page...no hiding behind castle walls she slides her fingers across the screen again.
…Beaulieu de pais... sixty rooms, isn’t too big but not too small she smiles, just like Georgy’s shoes. Built by a French general for the love of a young Indian princess.
"Aww how sweet wonder if he left his princess with three kids to be with another woman.”
Its on the strip right behind the strip… yeah…this is the one.
She punches out the number the screen dims, in precisely passable French,
“Monsieur, a reservation … for tomorrow evening so only deluxe singles are available that is exactly what I want." She takes out a credit card, "Elizabeth Morg…,” she gets another, "that's Elizabeth Imogene Webber," she spells her name, repeats the number, its expiration date then disconnects.
“Damn it our old one," she gets scissors from her desk cuts the card in tiny pieces.
Hotel Beaulieu de pais
Marseille Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
Bouches-du-Rhône, France
It isn't a long trip from Tuscany to Marseilles its more like a junket, so she ditches the jet and takes a charter plane instead. They arrive at Aéroport de Marseille Provence and already its just like the website says and more. It looks so much like Corse but you know you aren't there if you've ever lived in Corse she didn't realize how much she misses her old home until now. When she arrives at Beaulieu de pias she's loving it already. There's a quirky classic French stereotype checking her in, he resembles a modern version of Napolean Bonaparte'
"Madame I promptly apologize but all of our Junior suites have are booked."
"But I..didn't ..." book a junior suite she didn't get a chance to say it because he's talking right through without looking up,
"when we confirmed your reservation our computer misinformed us it says they are available, SO! we give a complimentary upgrade to the suite at the same price of course. I hope this doesn't inconvenience you in any way."
"Not at all."
Just like when she and Cameron first got to Rome, she gets bumped, she laughs aloud,
"merci"
She settles in her room with a bird's eye view of the Mediterranean, its been nine months since she's been face to face with her muse she opens the drapes as far as they'll go, inhales deeply, "I miss the smell of the sea." She grabs the card out of the welcome bouquet basket with fruit, candies, cheeses a bottle of champagne and a complimentary dinner. She reads over the suite's amenities: sauna and Jacuzzi right off the bath, the hotel has an infinity pool, complimentary Wi-fi, and satellite. No TV she's had enough of that at the farmhouse, she immediately unpacks her bathing suit she's not sure how long she's staying so she takes out the bare minimum. There's a complimentary bikini in the chest drawer. Someone left a hat on the table outside one of the two terraces...Ahhh a terrace again she jumps up and down ..."yes!" She puts on the hat its a man's hat but she doesn't care she cocks it to the side.
Should I? Well it can't hurt to try it on since it probably won't look right on me after two pregnancies; bikinis are Carly and Lainey's thing. But! I'm reinventing myself..ok Elizabeth this is the deal if it fits you not only wear it you own it.
She heads for the pool with the hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and the novel she's found in the suite, turns out its a love story, Water for Elephants.
Its ok for books but not for me.
When she gets there someone is the infinity pool, a few people on lounge chairs, she takes off her cover and wades along the edge hoping that when she swims to the end her top won't come off. The whole while she's dicing through the water in the back of her mind,
What will I do if the top comes off like Carly's did that time?
When she comes up for air its identical to its description overlooking picturesque Malmousque cove in Marseilles.
"I made it."
Port Charles, New York
Jason Morgan unzips his black leather jacket waiting in his dentist office half hour early for an appointment; he's been preoccupied and probably got the time wrong. To pass the time, he looks at the Chronicle from a few days ago, Sunday. There's a byline from Georgy Jones, Elizabeth Webber: Interview with a Hometown Girl Part II. When he gets to Arts and Entertainment there's a picture, not her whole face just a the side. He doesn’t read the paper as much as he use to he doesn’t do much of anything like he use to without her. His life is back to dull and mundane catching a killer the same old s.hit he did eight years ago.
This says Elizabeth is reinventing herself.
GJ: You gave us your take on divorce the last time and we got a big response so lets keep with that How do you recover from an unexpectant break-up? What are your personal healing strategies? Is it the proverbial pint of ice cream? Quality time alone? Going out with friends?
EIW: You you come up with the hard questions, I hope I don’t have to go through another one ever but I would say all of them whatever works to get you through. Its one restless night at a time. Geography is a great solution for a broken heart but mainly being with my wonderful children they keep me busy…my daughter is into her ballet and plays the piano well for a six year old they tell me she's like a prodigy. My oldest stays busy with futbol and drawing cartoons…then there’s the little one he's the quietest he likes to read and is crazy about motorcycles. That's from his big brother anything fast and goes boom.
Jason knows exactly what she's doing by sending some cryptic message directly for him. The first give away she’s never talked about the kids and her personal feelings. But this is the second time he’s hurt her and just like the first time she left Port Charles she hot-footed it right on a plane with their kids...its for their own good. He replays that scene in the courthouse over and over she never said a word just tears streaming down her face.
He's cried too it hasn’t been the same without them. He fell back into Sam McCall by accident during a shoot out she was trapped on the docks when they opened gunfire. Again it’s always Russians with her but circumstances threw them back together she knows how they operate and can help him find who shot Michael he dismissed her at first but decided to use her. He got a lead the next thing he knows they wound up again at the same place, same time. He got shot they holed up in a church in Mexico, feverish, she's wiping his brow, hallucinating he f.ucked her. He barely remembers it except she got upset when he called out Elizabeth’s name. He didn’t apologize he’s married what did she expect? That was the beginning of feeling like slime maybe because he left his kids he wants to punish himself by being with the sleaziest woman he loathes. He's not offering up an excuse to be Sandra whose done vile things to his children but its the only thing he can think of that makes sense.
He looks closely in picture he can't see her whole face but she looks like a teenager not a mother of three. Everything in the penthouse reminds him of their life together and the harsh way he cut her out of it but it had to be done. Michael was shot he’s still in a coma that could be her, Jake, Cam or Mimi. So he made the ultimate sacrifice he removed himself from their lives. He’s reached for the phone a thousand times just to hear her voice. When Cam called he thought there'd be the chance to speak with her…he spoke to Mimi it broke his heart she was crying pleading for him to come home.
She asked if he’s giving the fish their food; that she misses the penthouse when is she coming home she ended saying Scuzzy says goodbye. He heard Cam ask but Elizabeth and Jake wouldn’t talk with him…What could he say? That he wanted to be home with them but he's not coming back?
Elizabeth played hardball with the divorce, pulled all the strings, it surprised him but he couldn’t deny her anything gavein to exactly what she wanted even the last minute inclusion of paying for Mimi’s piano lessons. She really wanted to stick it to him, and he let her, not that he’s ever cared about money but he deserves it.
Jason thinks about Sam McCall who wanted to accompany him to the dentist office he’s like a robot with her she’s needy, clingy and redundant. She doesn't challenge him, too agreeable never says no or take a stand just takes whatever he dishes out like a sponge she soaks it in. She found religion incarcerated in jail four years, or so she says, even wearing a cross around her neck. He's not buying it she’s a con artist, like Elizabeth once said during their fight for Camille, she lies for a living. He hasn’t forgotten what she did with Mimi he just ignores it until he finds who shot Michael he's numb. When he gets sick of her he’ll throw her out of his life, but for now, he’s driven on finding who tried to kill Sonny but missed and hit Micheal instead; he’ll do everything to find who shot his nephew and when he does he’ll kill them if he has to use Sam to do it, he will.
In the meantime, he takes out his Playbook to search for The Chronicle, Part I on this interview with a hometown girl he scrolls back up and opens it.
Elizabeth is back at the infinity pool this time, no bikini, she walks around the hotel buys some art magazines from a nearby stand then takes at taxi farther inland hopped on an excursion bus and did a two-hour tour to Cezanne’s artist workshop. When that was over she went back to her suite for lunch the hotel’s sight seeing autobus was leaving for Mirabeau Court that lasted another two hours. As soon as she stepped inside the hotel the clerk waves messages at her...
"Bonjour Madam Webber. " her first instinct is the children she fearfully reads the messages and releases a sigh of relief, its Audrey and Kate. She should call the kids again she swipes her key card in the lock when she gets inside one of two bedrooms her cell is laying on the bed out of juice. I must have left it when I spoke to the kids at lunch she places it on the charger. Its probably why they left messages at the front desk. She's spoken to the kids daily they seem to be having a good time, but you never know, she wonders how long they'll last before they crack wanting to come home.
In the meantime, she draws a bath and lights votives around the tub to set a mood for tranquility and calm she lingers longer than she should.
After the standard salutations and chitchat it doesn’t take Audrey long to get to her purpose. “Have you seen Gregor?”
"He and Cameron still keep in touch but Grams I haven't seen him since my wedding day," Its odd she brings him up she doesn't mention him as much as she use to.
"Not that, I mean in Marseilles, you're in the same city; I thought you went there to see him." Grams always had a soft spot for Gregor she thinks he's elegant every time he bats those dense curly lashes her heart goes aflutter and her mind goes to mush. "You could bump in to him walking down the street.
"I've only been here three days, why is he here, on business?" Audrey seems to be in the know.
"He lives there sometimes he mentioned it years ago."
"Well that’s another thing he never told me."
Elizabeth always discovers something new about the double life of Astorre Gregorii Marcello she’d known him for years on Corse he was her confident its when he came to Port Charles that she found out he’d been masquerading under an alias. She hasn’t thought of Gregor in a long time he stayed away during her entire marriage he snubbed her and wouldn't stand up for her on her wedding day.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea it’s been … well…”
“I have his numbers he’s terribly charismatic that'll get you out the doldrums he's just what you need right now.” If she didn’t know better she’d think Grams is playing matchmaker.
Elizabeth squeezes the sponge over her two toned legs, “What could've possibly put me in the doldrums," she pokes fun at her impending divorce. “Its best things stay as they’ve been.”
"If you say so," Audrey capitulates.
"I'll talk to you in a couple of days, ciao."
He may confide in her concerning his life but Grams doesn’t know about their dinner in Port Charles … or does she? She’s admitted to herself she’s missed her best friend more than once over the years, but he kept away from her they shared a few brief returned calls but that was it. Under the circumstances she finds herself in, her mind shouldn’t be entangled in a past she can do nothing about. This is her vacation to recommence, kick back, unwind and re-locate her muse. The plan is to meet up with Kate for a couple days work then its back to the bump and grind. She re-reads the invite Meet and Greet in the past she would rarely consider it but this is her present and in her spur-of-the-moment state of mind she’s up for it.
She decides on a dress she picked up at an outdoor market on her tour it’s simple white cotton, for some reason, she finds it beautiful, white sandals and a white straw hat she leaves her hair as is applies tinted lip gloss, bare minerals highlights her cheeks and eyelids, mascara. It’s much too hot for being meticulously made up anyway. Just as she hits the terrace the clerk summons her again, “Madam Webber,” he’s holding up another message she walks tentatively to the front desk.
14 La Canebière, 1er Arrondissement, Vieux Port,
13001 Marseille, France, FR
+33 (0)491 13 8900
It’s from Grams.
The meet and greet is incredibly nice; the evening is warm; the breeze is blowing, the terrace is decorated with flowers and lights against the gleam of the sea its a perfect backdrop for a good time. After a couple of hours, Elizabeth is mingling not forcing a smile but genuinely smiling she doesn't have to work at letting her guard down. A small band starts a new tune when an elderly gentleman asks her to dance. "Madame may I?"
Its not that many people maybe close a hundred or so but the terrace is big enough to make it seem cozy. A couple of hours into drinking and dancing; Elizabeth is ready to sit she finds an empty table she danced two in a row and has worked up an appetite. A woman approaches she’s maybe in her mid thirties.
"You're Elizabeth Webber right… the artist?"
Elizabeth nods yes.
"May I join you?"
“Of course.”
She extends her hand out, “Hi, I’m Cynthia Parrish from Baltimore.”
They got right into it they speak on their kids when she tells Elizabeth she has three children too she doesn’t believe her.
Cynthia is an attractive African American tall with a knock out body; Elizabeth mentions that to look at her she would never believe she has kids.
“Its in the genes, my parents, my mom is bi… not sexual, bi racial.” Her grandfather is from South Africa he came to American escaping apartheid first generation.
Cy pulls out pictures fraternal twins and I’m a foster parent; I hope to keep this one its kind of tricky when you’re single. They spoke on romance she’s divorced too he’s a high school principal who left her for an emergency room nurse after three years its her first trip alone and her first time to Europe. Elizabeth is laughing a lot; Cy is a jokester maybe it has to do with her job she’s an assistant manager and MC at a comedy club franchise ‘All Jokes Aside.’
Their lives are almost identical, she;s laughing a lot Cy is making the evening fun. Elizabeth likes her right off the bat ….and this hotel what a find and she did it all on her own no Urania who usually books for her. The pace isn’t hectic and the people are friendly its easy to be here. They part hoping to see each other soon maybe take in a tour together. “Hey Cynthia, how did you know who I am.”
“I was reading a magazine under the dryer at the beauty shop you were in it, Crimson.”
“I’m meeting up with them for some pictures in a few days in Toulon .. would you like to come?”
“Oh I have to think really hard...if I want to meet Kate Howard. Hell to the yes..I’d enjoy it.” The elderly gentleman comes up and whisks Cy back on the dance floor she makes a funny face and goes with the music she seems like a person who finds humor in the most dismal of situations. Marseilles is a hip hop mecca of France so they dance to the beat to whatever they are saying it being in French Cy has no idea.
When Elizabeth leaves the veranda; a man catches her eye he’s tall over 6 feet dark hair in a suit…,
”no it can’t be.” When she rushes towards him she calls out Gregor when he turns …its not him.
Maybe Audrey makes a point worth taking maybe she should look up her old friend. Seeing that man makes her realize she misses him terribly he's always been her champion and made her feel better. She takes the number out of her handbag there was a time she would call him no matter the hour, but now…maybe she should wait its almost midnight she stifles a yawn. “and I’m tired.”
The the ding of the elevator snaps her eyes wider...better yet I can surprise him. He’s not married Audrey definitely would have said so and even if he is they’re just old friends and business acquaintances. In the spirit of a pleasant evening, she reevaluates that her first response is all shades of wrong it'll be good to see Gregor again after all these years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning Elizabeth calls him bright and early only for his houseman to answer with a thick Italian accent,
"My apologies Madam Mr. Marcello is not in residence."
She gave him the hotel number with a message to please call ASAP that was their code word but when she didn't hear from him after the second day after she calls again in case the message got lost.
"My apologies Madam Mr. Marcello is in residence in Marseilles but in meetings but won't be available until probably the next day. When she returned with Cy from a day trip there was a message he called, only it is his houseman again,
"The procedure to see Mr. Marcello is we give you dates, times he has open then you select and he will make himself available.
Huh? WTH? ...
He proceeds to rattle off dates and times some dates she would have left Marseilles headed for Toulon "by the time he's waiting for a response she's had enough, in fluent Italian, "Tell you what you can inform Gregor.. err...Mr. Marcello never mind it seems this is a bad time for him and I'll try to re-schedule again when its more convenient, arriverderci."
She hung up on him its not that serious to jump through all these hoops but her feelings are a bit hurt she's never called him when he didn't answer himself and he doesn't seem anxious to see her she can tell when someone is stalling and all this in residence crap is just that. As she heads to the sauna her phone rings. Its not Gregor, or the houseman but another man.
"Mr. Marcello accepted your invitation at your leisure there must have been a mishap he begs an apology."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later in the day when she enters the hotel after her evening walk she stops for magazines in English and Italian she doesn't have time to decipher French since she's not that good at it. He's got to be in these somewhere..she enters the room, "Ahhh..."
There's WiFi staring right at her.
After reading, surfing she discovers exactly what he's been up to Gregor is quite busy these days and its not all business.
Cy stops in after another dinner with the elderly gentleman, "What's up Liz? Hey you know him?"
"An old friend we were close once now he's giving me the cold shoulder I had to make arrangements to see him. I'm taking a crash course in catching up with what Mr. Marcello has been up."
Cy moves in closer to the screen and the stack of Forbes and Business Week magazines, " that's Astorre Marcello."
Elizabeth does a double take.."H...How did you know?"
"Honey you're looking in the wrong magazines for the good stuff try the gossip rags he's there sometimes with some model, movie star its a Danielle one can't think of the last name but she's not the only one."
Elizabeth is speechless but her mouth stays wide open.
"I read about it at the beauty salon..."
Elizabeth finishes, "under the dryer."
"Well not all the time sometimes in the pedicure chair. There's pictures of him in some exotic place with some woman."
Cy stifles a yawn, "our elderly gentleman sure likes to dance, I'm pooped; I'll turn in after I soak my feet. Hey whattaya' say we do a salon I got complimentary sessions; I'm taking full advantage of my perks."
Elizabeth can't formulate two more words together she just nods her head.
Cy's dressed in an orange and brown shorts set showing long tanned tawny legs that kind of put you in the mind of Tina Turner's head out the door with shoes in hand,
"Oh he's on those most wanted lists too, not the FBI, the most eligible and those sexiest man, best dressed blah blahs. Liz don't you ever read the magazines you're in? I guess your mouth'll be open like that all night because reading about him is ... well... you'll see for yourself." Her last words,
"gossip.com."
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa commune
provincia di firenze . Toscana italia.
"Are you going to hole up on this farm forever? What you need is a dose of fun. Me? I’ve taken on a new lover and highly suggest you do the same…don’t drag out the inevitable its only a matter of time so just jump right in.
After my divorce, I waited almost two years wallowing in self-pity, in hindsight, it was a waste of time. Elizabeth don’t do that to yourself you deserve more and you’re better than that. Why not come to Paris with me and get your feet wet…Milan is so staid and conservative this time of year it only comes alive during fashion week. But in Paris you'll have the pick of the litter.”
Elizabeth burst laughing she surprised herself, “But you love Milan you say, “it’s a place where everybody at least thinks about how they look. Besides, I have three little ones; and can’t go fluttering off leaving them behind.
"Kate is in yellow pleated culottes although it doesn’t quite blend with her skin tone it’s her favorite color. “Bring them with Signora it'll be good for them too.”
“Oh Kate I don’t know.” For Paris her apartment is spacious she bought three teenie ones and merged them into one medium one.
Kate's new campaign is to just get her out of the house its been eight months and she hasn't budged. “You can stay at my place there’s room. and they can even bring that cat," she points to Scuzzy who isn't exactly Kate-friendly he lets out a roaring meow and zips from view.
“and where will you be? You have haute courture to deal with I can’t see you hanging out with me and the kids while we play Jezebels at night .”
“Well I have before its a perfect opportunity to stay at Xavier’s he’s been campaigning to get me to play house for over a year now he’ll be riveted when I say yes.”
Her Frenchman, whose a few inches shorter, according to Kate, is generous in all the right places, that includes his wallet. Not that it matters to her but Xavier Francois LaLanne is well oiled he may sound like a French movie star but he's an industrialist; his stepfather Philippe raised him from infancy when his father was killed in an industrial accident. Philippe is a retired
French aircraft designer just like his bio father who also built military aircraft for decades after WWII with business ties starting back to the French resistance with Leuthère du Pont that remain in place today
Xavier like his fathers and grandfathers before him enhanced his birthright by working hard in his case including techno engineering to the mix not to mention his older sister became a du Pont by marriage a company merger of sorts.
“Well the kids will spend an American summer in Port Charles they’ll be spread out making the rounds.” She has no intention of keeping them away from the Quartermaines they didn’t give a no contact edict. Monica and Alan vacationed here during their marriage she extended the same invitation and hopes to see them soon,
"They’ll be shuffling between the Jacks, and the Cassadines."
"Then its perfect you can't muck around this farm all by yourself just a week or so that's all."
Elizabeth has reverted to not responding to what she has no interest in a trait she started BJ2 ... Before Jason the second time. She does the opposite, "I won't be Georgy lives here." She was happy in Corsica before he came... invaded their space setting up shop. With the way things are, she won't go back to the memories of the place they lived the Morgan Place is right next door to her house "the little house".
“She comes and goes, we could go to the event of the season Emma’s two years old birthday party?”
Kate's no psychoanalyst but she's best friends with one and a good judge of character she's known her for over ten years and has tried everything to get her to start mingling again. She misses the old Elizabeth maybe it is too soon, but she doesn’t think so, this could continue for another year, ten years or forever.
There are positive signs though she’s not as remote like when she first got to Rome with Cameron but she’s back in the zone of a recluse. Only now, she doesn't mention what she's drawing, how she's doing it or what paints she's using. Through conversation there was always discussion on techniques or her newest showing. Its all still good though she doesn't seem to be using the blocking out or avoiding the subject she says, I've lost my muse, I miss it, I haven't been painting maybe I should spend more time around art.
And she's upfront with another one, "I have no desire to see Port Charles even though Emma is adorable; I’ll get the kids there somehow but that’s a few months away something will be figured out by then.”
The fact is she hasn't been inspired by a solitary thing since her breakup not even her children. Her last painting is 'Emma'
a gift to the Drakes for her second birthday. She started it in Port Charles during one of their visits when Michael was in the hospital and finished it in Corsica she intended to bring it herself but now, she isn't so sure. 'Emma' sits on an easel in her Corsican studio she’ll make arrangements with Leticia to let someone in to crate it for shipping she knows the security code Urania can sort out the rest.
have to remember to write that down on the list... "Let’s see what happens."
She's smiling today more than Kate has seen in one visit, a slight improvement.
e she probably never will but has her new routine so down pact it seems she has. Being a single mother of three is an all consuming challenge. When asked by Urania regarding the business of painting she hasn’t made any attempt, she’s scheduled no lectures, interviews. She actually picked up a brush one afternoon only to spend an hour standing in front of a blank canvas willing herself to put paint on it. Why bother? The desire isn't in her to draw.
But she still has desire for her ex-husband she still has the urge to make love, every day, sometimes all day. With the kids in school she started organized exercise, pilates, yoga and martial arts three times a week at the American Academy. To relieve the tension, her body craves long walks, also she began a novel determined to see it through.
Her mind drifts reeling in the times when they read together curled up on one of the mismatched sofas in Corse or on the big pillows in Penthouse 2's media room. Sometimes he’d read to her while she bathed sitting on the floor or in the extra king sized bed cuddled up with the kids. She misses the most mundane, the fun of acting corny with Jason. She's starved for adult male companionship... intimacy, she’s lonely, look what he's done.
You took my hand You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
I took your words and I believed in everything
You said to me
Signora has a week off, Georgy is on assignment freelancing in Los Angeles for two weeks. Their houseman is in his bungalow and the kids are not allowed, so Elizabeth answers the doorbell,
"Elizabeth Webber."
She replies suspiciously thinking about her early days of serious paparazzo, and reporters with their lens men zooming her every move. Her eyes scan around as she steps back inside and closes the door half way. The man is tall, thirty something, attractive in a black suit and tie, "Yes...are you an art collector or something, Why are you at my door Mister unannounced?"
“Heveraux.”
“I don’t like solicitation at our home and I don’t know you well enough to continue this conversation further. If you want anything contact Urania Caruba she will steer you to set up a proper interview." Elizabeth yells backward her pony tail almost slaps him in his face,
"Jake honey bring Mommy one of the cards.”
He hears children voices in the background and a piano, being played fairly well. “I’m not seeking an interview.” A little boy with blond hair runs up his blue eyes carefully examines him before he hands him a card,
"thank you," he says to Jake. "Mrs. Webber, I have a proposition for you.”
“Not standing at my door you don't …whatever you're proposing I'm not interested.”
“O..Oh-kay, sometimes I handle things unconventionally; I didn’t mean to frighten you and assure …."
She shuts the door in the middle of his half-baked apology, its unsettling that a stranger can just walk up and ring their doorbell. What an idiot how can I not be frighten she's adding stepping up security to the list.
Three weeks later, she's doing a web cam thing with Kate Howard who, concludes as she always does, urging Elizabeth to go somewhere, Kate's oversized head looks directly at her disapprovingly,
“you can’t pause your life he’s moved on so should you he's in a relationship.”
Emily flew in to tell her personally, “Yeah I heard about that." She didn't know it was a relationship she thought he was just seeing someone.
“He’s back with Sandra,” says Georgy from the hallway.
Elizabeth jumps up from the monitor; Kate's cut off, ....“WHAT?”
“Apparently he's forgiven her for all sins.”
“Is this some sick joke? He says no contact with his kids and me but he’s taken up with her again? A con and thief who milked his family and friends ...a-a... prostitute."
"A bisexual prostitute, its Samantha now the woman changes her name like underwear,” adds Georgy who just walked in on the conversation, "I apologize; I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“You aren’t eavesdropping entering the living room of your home.”
“Elizabeth I’ve known about it for some time now when I had that layover in New York from LA, Maxi told me, who it is. It seems they’re friends. I couldn’t figure out how to tell you; I asked Robin she suggested to wait for when I felt most comfortable and go for it. This is it.”
She grabs her earlobe, “you’re not the one I’m annoyed with at the moment so she’s out of jail, whitewashed, absolved. No ...no this must have to do with finding out who shot Michael or something I can't believe he's seeing this woman."
Elizabeth knows what she has to do she grabs the list to make additions: check with Maric about those old restraining orders if they're still active and get Gianni here to evaluate security until she can get a hold of Cody, he's on a FBI mission with the Secret Six, a Navy Seals undercover operative squad in Pakistan. Lainey wasn't suppose to tell anyone when she got excited it slipped out its not as secret anymore."
Elizabeth can’t believe he’s seeing someone this soon she's spent all this time grieving her marriage, suddenly, she's not as heartbroken anymore. No contact he erased us from his life. Well Mr. Morgan that's true but I got news for you. She fires up her web cam Kate re-appears larger than life,
"That summer vacation; I want to go adult fun is needed in my life.
"Bravo!" Kate beams in cyberspace.”
And that thing you wanted…. that photo shoot, “I’ll do it. I've been exercising and... well I think I'm in good enough shape.”
“Huh, that's what airbrushing is for besides we have just the right photographer.”
Elizabeth goes on, “and that story for whatever you called it. Do you still want me?”
Elizabeth hadn't appeared in Crimson since the bride issue a year after Jacob was born before then Kate used two of her paintings as graphic textiles for fabric. “You have a choice Rio de Janiero or we'll be in Cote d' Azur. Why the turn around?”
“I’m not hiding out anymore; I'm starting as fast as I can so which place comes first?"
“Atta girl...Cote d' Azur next month.”
"Kate, I don't want to wait that long if I get you something how fast can it be in Crimson with a quote?”
"By the end of the week is good it won't be for the next few issues but we're doing a pre-fall previews on the website we'll include it in the update.
"and thanks you're always there for me Kate since I first got to Rome."
Elizabeth skips back to her bedroom with a pep in her step she hasn’t had since her break up with ex-husband Jason she’s on a roll she calls her assistant,
“Guess what? Its time to be more accessible. Are they still interested in me?”
Urania is taken aback in nearly a decade its only a few times she’s courted publicity she's always been low key. "I give the stock answers.”
“Email what's still on the table... things have changed.”
The next morning after the kids leave for school she’s with Georgy looking through her closet. “This is archaic,” she throws a voile blouse on the bed, then a gray skirt, “boring.”
She’s not big on fashion but she’s going through her closet for one reason or another nothing qualifies for the photograph her clothes are in five places unfortunately not much in this place she wishes Kate was here. She tosses pants on top of the heap, "bland"...she grabs another hanger.
“What are you going for?” Georgie asks baffled and amused she's never seen Elizabeth so stumped.
“A hot not slutty look for a mommy times three.” She sits on her bed,” not old fashioned … not jejune. She looks at her pile, “I wore this stuff when I was married,” she throws an ochre colored dress on the floor.
“Wait, I got a cast off from Maxi …. a vest and I picked up some shoes in LA that might work it doesn’t matter if they’re too big as long as they aren’t too small.” Georgy runs back from her room,
“Lets try this vest with your sheer pinstrip blouse here.... and....," she goes to Elizabeth’s closet, "these shorts, with those boots.”
Elizabeth begins to change.
Georgy yelps another wait...."hair and make up!"
Elizabeth goes to the bathroom returns with mousse that makes hair curl, “it’s been here for at least five years it might still work.” She runs the product through her hair,
“Make up should be easy Kate’s people always say when in doubt less is more."
“I can snap and develop but setting up the picture."
Elizabeth intercedes, “I use to be an artist that spends time with a fashion designer," She takes a chair places it between the two windows, "I’ll put a foot on the ledge. If we wait another hour the sun will be overcast in such a way we may get fractured fractals of its rays on the film depending on how it hits the glass and what your camera picks up. Me in profile is best. I’ll shower the steam will makes the foundation look different and go on smoother.”
“So we’ll make up half your face?”
She laughs, “why not.” Elizabeth knows exactly what she’s going for.
It doesn’t take long to re-arrange her hair and makeup all this prepping for less than a dozen shots…. When Georgy worked for The Chronicle; this is the camera she used sometimes when a crew wasn't available..she took to shooting multiple shots at high speed she’ll try that and hope for the best. After they're done she takes the film to her make shift dark room in the barn’s back rooms the developing tanks are there.
She thought about using a digital camera or a cell phone but this one will give more density and contrast she’s taken pictures of people before so with a bit of luck, one of these shots will look high end ... like a fashion photographer’s.
A few days later Giada visits she's a music promoter with her own label she often stops by traveling for work...they've been discussing Elizabeth's latest venture, " What's this all about it not like you putting yourself out here, Crimson, this Chronicle...Whats going on?
Elizabeth is packing trunks for the kids “Signora could you put this in the toys; I just dragged it to the living room." She hands her Jake’s favorite motorcycle. "I haven't given a Crimson interview since before we got married just a few shots for an issue after Jake was born. .....Ok..alright, I’m furious; I want to slap...and punch him. I admit its a shallow punitive way of acting out but he should be reminded he has children. We’re not staying in the place he put us so its convenient for him…. just disappear."
"So you want to be everywhere he has eyes."
"It sounded like a great idea at the time. Georgy has connections to her old job she sold an interview...nothing heavy just a brief update on a hometown girl."
Giada says sympathetically, “you’re healing but it still hurts.” Eventhough she’s never experienced this kind of betrayal she’s been with Paulo since they were teenagers. She’s happy with two children but they haven’t abandoned their hard partying jet set lifestyle they just take the kids with them since she’s in the recording industry and he’s a race car driver it fits in.
“I wake up sometimes and it doesn’t immediately sink in what happened to me. I still think we're together with me. I feel his presence.”
“How are things with Emily?”
“Gruff. Not with me but its in her voice I'll know more when she gets here she's picking up the kids and Georgy."
“And the rest of his family.”
Elizabeth hunches her shoulders in an I don't know that either motion, "its not their fault they don't know what to do or how to say they're just as confused and bewildered as I am." But Alan and Monica have stopped trying to defend their son who walked out on his kids. Between Emily and Tracy she's sure he's getting an earful.
"Divorce from your husband you’re still in love with is a strange phenomenon. The passage of time doesn’t coincide with the reality that you’re no longer married, that doesn’t conclude with the signing of the decree because your body still screams to be made love to… it doesn’t know he’s an ex..”
Elizabeth Webber
"While you're here, look, I'm shooting Nylon in a month and I'm kinda nervous because ... well.. I've never been interviewed in a magazine like that its a new demo for me...so," Elizabeth takes her hand.
"Yes cherie..." Giada says curiously.
"I was wondering if you can you show me how to look hip, you know...like a rock star with three kids, just a few tips." Elizabeth has never been that interested in clothes but why not take advantage of Giada's expertise. "Seriously, I"m shedding the old image and reinventing myself." Elizabeth's cleft chin lifts up as if its taken on a new mission in life.
Staggered, Giada stands to unbuckle her Stuart Hughs Goldstriker bulleted belt, slithers out of her studded jeans, she lays them on the bed, she peels off her midnight blue tuxedo styled military jacket. Elizabeth keeps the temperature cool in her houses; Giada has always taken to covering up, she points to Georgy's picture on her desk,
"add boots, something like those, and you're good to go as you Americans say; Nylon will do the rest."
"I can't wear these they're two sizes too big," Giada has an curvaceous derriere.
"These are the jeans you want its a unique design bring these things...their wardrobe can fix them around you for a frontal shoot, noone will see the back we do it all the time."
In their six year friendship Elizabeth has never asked a question remotely like this but a diamond embedded in platinum two of a kind belt at £155,995 thats $256,000 American dollars you can't get more serious than that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later, Elizabeth is driving Emily, and Georgy to the airport with the kids, and Scuzzy of course. Princess Cassidine is uncharacteristically tight lipped visibly pissed off at her brother, so much so, she hasn't mention his name. She left Spencer with Nik because she wants to devote every minute to the abandoned children. Finally she refers to him,
"Its not like they were left on a door step Elizabeth but I feel so empty about Jason right now and I haven't seen much of him and don't want to at the moment. My poor niece and nephews we Quartermaines intend to make up for his shortcomings."
"Watch it Em you sound like Edward," they both laugh.
Poor Aunty Em she manipulated, orchestrated, arranged their reunion for years only for it to backfire in a worse possible way... ending badly. He's right back where he started with the mob and Samantha McCall. Elizabeth at least she got Mimi and Jakey out of the deal, she peers into Emily through over sized sunglasses making where she now stands abundantly clear,
"its because of them that I don't regret the waste of time that was Jason Morgan." She doesn't have to think twice that The Quartermaines will keep Sam away from her kids. And Carly? Sam wouldn't dare give her a reason it doesn't matter to Carly in the least that she's aligned with Jason on the hunt for Michael's shooter. She was part of the plot to destroy her family and that's reason enough for Carly Jacks.
After dropping them off she’s immediately more lonelier than ever…on the drive back she goes the long way home, Tuscany's scenic route isn't like Corsica's but its adequate. By the time she settles in its too quiet, for her, its unnatural. Watching a commercial prompts the idea to leave earlier to Cote d’ Azur take in the sights maybe she’ll find her inspiration. She jumps to her closet and grabs the luggage Giada brought some of her Corsican clothes from the little house. She sorts through them its not as bad as she thought it would be having these things around her new life.
She makes a few more decisions since getting kicked in the ass by Jason Morgan if he taught her to be kind to herself well she's about to vary on the same theme... she’s pampering herself right now. She doesn’t feel as guilty as she should being away from the kids for their school break she needs this time its the first step in a long road to re discovery to rescue herself from the ruins. She’s proud that she hasn't given in ..called him begged pleaded…
Maybe I can paint again.
A few days later, she sits in her bedroom. Signora has taken the time while the children are away as a vacation. There are no terraces on the farmhouse, no looking through swaying trees in balmy breezes to the sea front just the profoundness of greenery, vineyards everywhere. Tuscany isn't as aromatic as Corse..the smell of that island is like no place else. She's got the Play book in her lap Spinelli and Stan always kept them current; StaNelli Services Ltd gifted them one of these gadgets last Christmas even little Jakey. They must have gotten them from under their tree and forwarded them when they realized we wouldn't be there for Christmas. We left in November before Thanksgiving its these small things that brings her back to that life she will never have again.
She pours a goblet of St. Emilon to help erase the memory of when Stan brought them over to Penthouse 2, she pecks in Cote d’Azur in Bing’s search there’s so many hits…umm add location hotel...Europe presents itself before her…
oh my which one, where will she go?
She arches a brow...Umm at her desk she re-reads the print out Kate sent. She has ten days before she has to report to the Toulon provence so where can she stay, …she flips a page. Ummm somewhere nearby.
No not a farmhouse she moves the page, an Inn? Nooo…her finger moves another page, shaking her head …no vineyards or chalets or chateaus. Spa?
Mmmm maybe… someplace with people I’ve done remote for nine months..
Marseilles yes this one… she reads further...it’s the second largest city in France and it’s close enough to go somewhere else, "And I've never been there, someplace new for the new me." She cracks her knuckles, “getting close.”
Ugh, these hotels are monstrosities too big she moves another page...no hiding behind castle walls she slides her fingers across the screen again.
…Beaulieu de pais... sixty rooms, isn’t too big but not too small she smiles, just like Georgy’s shoes. Built by a French general for the love of a young Indian princess.
"Aww how sweet wonder if he left his princess with three kids to be with another woman.”
Its on the strip right behind the strip… yeah…this is the one.
She punches out the number the screen dims, in precisely passable French,
“Monsieur, a reservation … for tomorrow evening so only deluxe singles are available that is exactly what I want." She takes out a credit card, "Elizabeth Morg…,” she gets another, "that's Elizabeth Imogene Webber," she spells her name, repeats the number, its expiration date then disconnects.
“Damn it our old one," she gets scissors from her desk cuts the card in tiny pieces.
Hotel Beaulieu de pais
Marseille Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
Bouches-du-Rhône, France
It isn't a long trip from Tuscany to Marseilles its more like a junket, so she ditches the jet and takes a charter plane instead. They arrive at Aéroport de Marseille Provence and already its just like the website says and more. It looks so much like Corse but you know you aren't there if you've ever lived in Corse she didn't realize how much she misses her old home until now. When she arrives at Beaulieu de pias she's loving it already. There's a quirky classic French stereotype checking her in, he resembles a modern version of Napolean Bonaparte'
"Madame I promptly apologize but all of our Junior suites have are booked."
"But I..didn't ..." book a junior suite she didn't get a chance to say it because he's talking right through without looking up,
"when we confirmed your reservation our computer misinformed us it says they are available, SO! we give a complimentary upgrade to the suite at the same price of course. I hope this doesn't inconvenience you in any way."
"Not at all."
Just like when she and Cameron first got to Rome, she gets bumped, she laughs aloud,
"merci"
She settles in her room with a bird's eye view of the Mediterranean, its been nine months since she's been face to face with her muse she opens the drapes as far as they'll go, inhales deeply, "I miss the smell of the sea." She grabs the card out of the welcome bouquet basket with fruit, candies, cheeses a bottle of champagne and a complimentary dinner. She reads over the suite's amenities: sauna and Jacuzzi right off the bath, the hotel has an infinity pool, complimentary Wi-fi, and satellite. No TV she's had enough of that at the farmhouse, she immediately unpacks her bathing suit she's not sure how long she's staying so she takes out the bare minimum. There's a complimentary bikini in the chest drawer. Someone left a hat on the table outside one of the two terraces...Ahhh a terrace again she jumps up and down ..."yes!" She puts on the hat its a man's hat but she doesn't care she cocks it to the side.
Should I? Well it can't hurt to try it on since it probably won't look right on me after two pregnancies; bikinis are Carly and Lainey's thing. But! I'm reinventing myself..ok Elizabeth this is the deal if it fits you not only wear it you own it.
She heads for the pool with the hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and the novel she's found in the suite, turns out its a love story, Water for Elephants.
Its ok for books but not for me.
When she gets there someone is the infinity pool, a few people on lounge chairs, she takes off her cover and wades along the edge hoping that when she swims to the end her top won't come off. The whole while she's dicing through the water in the back of her mind,
What will I do if the top comes off like Carly's did that time?
When she comes up for air its identical to its description overlooking picturesque Malmousque cove in Marseilles.
"I made it."
Port Charles, New York
Jason Morgan unzips his black leather jacket waiting in his dentist office half hour early for an appointment; he's been preoccupied and probably got the time wrong. To pass the time, he looks at the Chronicle from a few days ago, Sunday. There's a byline from Georgy Jones, Elizabeth Webber: Interview with a Hometown Girl Part II. When he gets to Arts and Entertainment there's a picture, not her whole face just a the side. He doesn’t read the paper as much as he use to he doesn’t do much of anything like he use to without her. His life is back to dull and mundane catching a killer the same old s.hit he did eight years ago.
This says Elizabeth is reinventing herself.
GJ: You gave us your take on divorce the last time and we got a big response so lets keep with that How do you recover from an unexpectant break-up? What are your personal healing strategies? Is it the proverbial pint of ice cream? Quality time alone? Going out with friends?
EIW: You you come up with the hard questions, I hope I don’t have to go through another one ever but I would say all of them whatever works to get you through. Its one restless night at a time. Geography is a great solution for a broken heart but mainly being with my wonderful children they keep me busy…my daughter is into her ballet and plays the piano well for a six year old they tell me she's like a prodigy. My oldest stays busy with futbol and drawing cartoons…then there’s the little one he's the quietest he likes to read and is crazy about motorcycles. That's from his big brother anything fast and goes boom.
Jason knows exactly what she's doing by sending some cryptic message directly for him. The first give away she’s never talked about the kids and her personal feelings. But this is the second time he’s hurt her and just like the first time she left Port Charles she hot-footed it right on a plane with their kids...its for their own good. He replays that scene in the courthouse over and over she never said a word just tears streaming down her face.
He's cried too it hasn’t been the same without them. He fell back into Sam McCall by accident during a shoot out she was trapped on the docks when they opened gunfire. Again it’s always Russians with her but circumstances threw them back together she knows how they operate and can help him find who shot Michael he dismissed her at first but decided to use her. He got a lead the next thing he knows they wound up again at the same place, same time. He got shot they holed up in a church in Mexico, feverish, she's wiping his brow, hallucinating he f.ucked her. He barely remembers it except she got upset when he called out Elizabeth’s name. He didn’t apologize he’s married what did she expect? That was the beginning of feeling like slime maybe because he left his kids he wants to punish himself by being with the sleaziest woman he loathes. He's not offering up an excuse to be Sandra whose done vile things to his children but its the only thing he can think of that makes sense.
He looks closely in picture he can't see her whole face but she looks like a teenager not a mother of three. Everything in the penthouse reminds him of their life together and the harsh way he cut her out of it but it had to be done. Michael was shot he’s still in a coma that could be her, Jake, Cam or Mimi. So he made the ultimate sacrifice he removed himself from their lives. He’s reached for the phone a thousand times just to hear her voice. When Cam called he thought there'd be the chance to speak with her…he spoke to Mimi it broke his heart she was crying pleading for him to come home.
She asked if he’s giving the fish their food; that she misses the penthouse when is she coming home she ended saying Scuzzy says goodbye. He heard Cam ask but Elizabeth and Jake wouldn’t talk with him…What could he say? That he wanted to be home with them but he's not coming back?
Elizabeth played hardball with the divorce, pulled all the strings, it surprised him but he couldn’t deny her anything gavein to exactly what she wanted even the last minute inclusion of paying for Mimi’s piano lessons. She really wanted to stick it to him, and he let her, not that he’s ever cared about money but he deserves it.
Jason thinks about Sam McCall who wanted to accompany him to the dentist office he’s like a robot with her she’s needy, clingy and redundant. She doesn't challenge him, too agreeable never says no or take a stand just takes whatever he dishes out like a sponge she soaks it in. She found religion incarcerated in jail four years, or so she says, even wearing a cross around her neck. He's not buying it she’s a con artist, like Elizabeth once said during their fight for Camille, she lies for a living. He hasn’t forgotten what she did with Mimi he just ignores it until he finds who shot Michael he's numb. When he gets sick of her he’ll throw her out of his life, but for now, he’s driven on finding who tried to kill Sonny but missed and hit Micheal instead; he’ll do everything to find who shot his nephew and when he does he’ll kill them if he has to use Sam to do it, he will.
In the meantime, he takes out his Playbook to search for The Chronicle, Part I on this interview with a hometown girl he scrolls back up and opens it.
Elizabeth is back at the infinity pool this time, no bikini, she walks around the hotel buys some art magazines from a nearby stand then takes at taxi farther inland hopped on an excursion bus and did a two-hour tour to Cezanne’s artist workshop. When that was over she went back to her suite for lunch the hotel’s sight seeing autobus was leaving for Mirabeau Court that lasted another two hours. As soon as she stepped inside the hotel the clerk waves messages at her...
"Bonjour Madam Webber. " her first instinct is the children she fearfully reads the messages and releases a sigh of relief, its Audrey and Kate. She should call the kids again she swipes her key card in the lock when she gets inside one of two bedrooms her cell is laying on the bed out of juice. I must have left it when I spoke to the kids at lunch she places it on the charger. Its probably why they left messages at the front desk. She's spoken to the kids daily they seem to be having a good time, but you never know, she wonders how long they'll last before they crack wanting to come home.
In the meantime, she draws a bath and lights votives around the tub to set a mood for tranquility and calm she lingers longer than she should.
After the standard salutations and chitchat it doesn’t take Audrey long to get to her purpose. “Have you seen Gregor?”
"He and Cameron still keep in touch but Grams I haven't seen him since my wedding day," Its odd she brings him up she doesn't mention him as much as she use to.
"Not that, I mean in Marseilles, you're in the same city; I thought you went there to see him." Grams always had a soft spot for Gregor she thinks he's elegant every time he bats those dense curly lashes her heart goes aflutter and her mind goes to mush. "You could bump in to him walking down the street.
"I've only been here three days, why is he here, on business?" Audrey seems to be in the know.
"He lives there sometimes he mentioned it years ago."
"Well that’s another thing he never told me."
Elizabeth always discovers something new about the double life of Astorre Gregorii Marcello she’d known him for years on Corse he was her confident its when he came to Port Charles that she found out he’d been masquerading under an alias. She hasn’t thought of Gregor in a long time he stayed away during her entire marriage he snubbed her and wouldn't stand up for her on her wedding day.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea it’s been … well…”
“I have his numbers he’s terribly charismatic that'll get you out the doldrums he's just what you need right now.” If she didn’t know better she’d think Grams is playing matchmaker.
Elizabeth squeezes the sponge over her two toned legs, “What could've possibly put me in the doldrums," she pokes fun at her impending divorce. “Its best things stay as they’ve been.”
"If you say so," Audrey capitulates.
"I'll talk to you in a couple of days, ciao."
He may confide in her concerning his life but Grams doesn’t know about their dinner in Port Charles … or does she? She’s admitted to herself she’s missed her best friend more than once over the years, but he kept away from her they shared a few brief returned calls but that was it. Under the circumstances she finds herself in, her mind shouldn’t be entangled in a past she can do nothing about. This is her vacation to recommence, kick back, unwind and re-locate her muse. The plan is to meet up with Kate for a couple days work then its back to the bump and grind. She re-reads the invite Meet and Greet in the past she would rarely consider it but this is her present and in her spur-of-the-moment state of mind she’s up for it.
She decides on a dress she picked up at an outdoor market on her tour it’s simple white cotton, for some reason, she finds it beautiful, white sandals and a white straw hat she leaves her hair as is applies tinted lip gloss, bare minerals highlights her cheeks and eyelids, mascara. It’s much too hot for being meticulously made up anyway. Just as she hits the terrace the clerk summons her again, “Madam Webber,” he’s holding up another message she walks tentatively to the front desk.
14 La Canebière, 1er Arrondissement, Vieux Port,
13001 Marseille, France, FR
+33 (0)491 13 8900
It’s from Grams.
The meet and greet is incredibly nice; the evening is warm; the breeze is blowing, the terrace is decorated with flowers and lights against the gleam of the sea its a perfect backdrop for a good time. After a couple of hours, Elizabeth is mingling not forcing a smile but genuinely smiling she doesn't have to work at letting her guard down. A small band starts a new tune when an elderly gentleman asks her to dance. "Madame may I?"
Its not that many people maybe close a hundred or so but the terrace is big enough to make it seem cozy. A couple of hours into drinking and dancing; Elizabeth is ready to sit she finds an empty table she danced two in a row and has worked up an appetite. A woman approaches she’s maybe in her mid thirties.
"You're Elizabeth Webber right… the artist?"
Elizabeth nods yes.
"May I join you?"
“Of course.”
She extends her hand out, “Hi, I’m Cynthia Parrish from Baltimore.”
They got right into it they speak on their kids when she tells Elizabeth she has three children too she doesn’t believe her.
Cynthia is an attractive African American tall with a knock out body; Elizabeth mentions that to look at her she would never believe she has kids.
“Its in the genes, my parents, my mom is bi… not sexual, bi racial.” Her grandfather is from South Africa he came to American escaping apartheid first generation.
Cy pulls out pictures fraternal twins and I’m a foster parent; I hope to keep this one its kind of tricky when you’re single. They spoke on romance she’s divorced too he’s a high school principal who left her for an emergency room nurse after three years its her first trip alone and her first time to Europe. Elizabeth is laughing a lot; Cy is a jokester maybe it has to do with her job she’s an assistant manager and MC at a comedy club franchise ‘All Jokes Aside.’
Their lives are almost identical, she;s laughing a lot Cy is making the evening fun. Elizabeth likes her right off the bat ….and this hotel what a find and she did it all on her own no Urania who usually books for her. The pace isn’t hectic and the people are friendly its easy to be here. They part hoping to see each other soon maybe take in a tour together. “Hey Cynthia, how did you know who I am.”
“I was reading a magazine under the dryer at the beauty shop you were in it, Crimson.”
“I’m meeting up with them for some pictures in a few days in Toulon .. would you like to come?”
“Oh I have to think really hard...if I want to meet Kate Howard. Hell to the yes..I’d enjoy it.” The elderly gentleman comes up and whisks Cy back on the dance floor she makes a funny face and goes with the music she seems like a person who finds humor in the most dismal of situations. Marseilles is a hip hop mecca of France so they dance to the beat to whatever they are saying it being in French Cy has no idea.
When Elizabeth leaves the veranda; a man catches her eye he’s tall over 6 feet dark hair in a suit…,
”no it can’t be.” When she rushes towards him she calls out Gregor when he turns …its not him.
Maybe Audrey makes a point worth taking maybe she should look up her old friend. Seeing that man makes her realize she misses him terribly he's always been her champion and made her feel better. She takes the number out of her handbag there was a time she would call him no matter the hour, but now…maybe she should wait its almost midnight she stifles a yawn. “and I’m tired.”
The the ding of the elevator snaps her eyes wider...better yet I can surprise him. He’s not married Audrey definitely would have said so and even if he is they’re just old friends and business acquaintances. In the spirit of a pleasant evening, she reevaluates that her first response is all shades of wrong it'll be good to see Gregor again after all these years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning Elizabeth calls him bright and early only for his houseman to answer with a thick Italian accent,
"My apologies Madam Mr. Marcello is not in residence."
She gave him the hotel number with a message to please call ASAP that was their code word but when she didn't hear from him after the second day after she calls again in case the message got lost.
"My apologies Madam Mr. Marcello is in residence in Marseilles but in meetings but won't be available until probably the next day. When she returned with Cy from a day trip there was a message he called, only it is his houseman again,
"The procedure to see Mr. Marcello is we give you dates, times he has open then you select and he will make himself available.
Huh? WTH? ...
He proceeds to rattle off dates and times some dates she would have left Marseilles headed for Toulon "by the time he's waiting for a response she's had enough, in fluent Italian, "Tell you what you can inform Gregor.. err...Mr. Marcello never mind it seems this is a bad time for him and I'll try to re-schedule again when its more convenient, arriverderci."
She hung up on him its not that serious to jump through all these hoops but her feelings are a bit hurt she's never called him when he didn't answer himself and he doesn't seem anxious to see her she can tell when someone is stalling and all this in residence crap is just that. As she heads to the sauna her phone rings. Its not Gregor, or the houseman but another man.
"Mr. Marcello accepted your invitation at your leisure there must have been a mishap he begs an apology."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later in the day when she enters the hotel after her evening walk she stops for magazines in English and Italian she doesn't have time to decipher French since she's not that good at it. He's got to be in these somewhere..she enters the room, "Ahhh..."
There's WiFi staring right at her.
After reading, surfing she discovers exactly what he's been up to Gregor is quite busy these days and its not all business.
Cy stops in after another dinner with the elderly gentleman, "What's up Liz? Hey you know him?"
"An old friend we were close once now he's giving me the cold shoulder I had to make arrangements to see him. I'm taking a crash course in catching up with what Mr. Marcello has been up."
Cy moves in closer to the screen and the stack of Forbes and Business Week magazines, " that's Astorre Marcello."
Elizabeth does a double take.."H...How did you know?"
"Honey you're looking in the wrong magazines for the good stuff try the gossip rags he's there sometimes with some model, movie star its a Danielle one can't think of the last name but she's not the only one."
Elizabeth is speechless but her mouth stays wide open.
"I read about it at the beauty salon..."
Elizabeth finishes, "under the dryer."
"Well not all the time sometimes in the pedicure chair. There's pictures of him in some exotic place with some woman."
Cy stifles a yawn, "our elderly gentleman sure likes to dance, I'm pooped; I'll turn in after I soak my feet. Hey whattaya' say we do a salon I got complimentary sessions; I'm taking full advantage of my perks."
Elizabeth can't formulate two more words together she just nods her head.
Cy's dressed in an orange and brown shorts set showing long tanned tawny legs that kind of put you in the mind of Tina Turner's head out the door with shoes in hand,
"Oh he's on those most wanted lists too, not the FBI, the most eligible and those sexiest man, best dressed blah blahs. Liz don't you ever read the magazines you're in? I guess your mouth'll be open like that all night because reading about him is ... well... you'll see for yourself." Her last words,
"gossip.com."