Robin walks into MetroCourt looking for Brenda. It had been a while since the two of them had seen each other and talked. Robin sits down and orders a cup of tea. Five minutes pass before Brenda strolls in. “Hi Robin!” Brenda takes her leather jacket off, “How are you?”

Robin sips her tea, “I am good. The house is finally all put together and you should be getting an invitation shortly to our party.”

“Great! I told Sonny about it and he and I are going to come together. Ned found out about us so there really is nothing to hide anymore.” Brenda confided.

“You’re kidding.” Robin leaned forward, “Ned must not have been happy.”

Brenda shook her head, “He wasn’t. I told him I want to move out, which is something that Sonny and I discussed.”

Robin interrupted, “You aren’t moving in with Sonny are you?”

“Oh no.” Brenda paused and ordered a tea and a salad, “I want to live on my own with my son. I have tried to talk to Ned about it, but with Alan being so sick, it hasn’t been the right time. I have found a small house that I want to rent. It’s small, just three bedrooms, perfect for James and me. It’s actually near your house.”

Concerned, Robin leaned back in her chair, “As long as you know what you are doing Brenda. I have seen what Sonny has done to you in the past. I don’t want to see him hurt you again.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.” Brenda confided, “But I am older and my priorities are straight.” She took a bite of her salad. “Oh, did I tell you, I have an appointment with Scott Baldwin to discuss custody of James.”

Robin was stunned, “Are you sure you should do that Brenda? Have you talked to Ned about this? Because this just sounds like Sonny talking.”

Brenda waved her fork around, “No, it’s not Sonny talking.” She said succinctly. “Let’s stop talking about me and Sonny. How’s Patrick?”

“I don’t know,” Robin said slowly. “The last couple days he has been sort of weird. Like he’s pulling away. I don’t really know how to approach him about it.”

“What do you mean pulling away?”

Robin sipped her tea again, “It’s like he is a million miles away. I ask him a question and he brushes me off. Something is bothering him and I don’t know what it is.” Robin paused a minute, “Brenda, he doesn’t even want to have sex right now.”

Brenda toyed with her tea cup, “Well, have you asked him about it?”

“I don’t know what to say to him. I don’t know how to start the conversation. I know he loves me, otherwise why would he surprise me with a house.” Robin stated matter of factly.

“All I can say is be truthful. Ask him if something at work happened. Maybe something happened that you aren’t aware of.” Brenda reasoned.

“True,” Robin glanced at her watch, “I have to go meet my father. Did you see the debate yesterday? I promised that I would help Laura so I am meeting my father and going to the Spencer House.”

“I know, that was pretty wild.” Brenda said, standing up and hugging her friend. “Talk to Patrick, it’s probably nothing. Just your imagination. Just talk to him.”

“And you, be careful. Give my best to Sonny.” Robin hugged Brenda back.

Emily walked into Wyndemere in search of Nikolas. She desperately wanted to patch things up with him. She felt that her grasp on her life was slipping away and she needed to control that. She walked through the foyer and into his study, where he sat, his back to her. “Nikolas, can I talk to you?” Emily asked softly.

Nikolas slowly turned around, “What do you want Emily? I thought we said everything that needed to be said.”

Emily walked closer to him, “Nikolas I am sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I said. You are right, I am jealous of Elizabeth. I am angry at her and I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“You’re right Emily, you shouldn’t.” Nikolas walked around his desk and sat down on the couch, “You have nothing to be jealous of. Elizabeth is my sister in law. I am just helping her out.”

Emily dropped her head, her hair flying forward, “I know that in my heart, but I can’t help feeling that she is going to try to steal you away from me. She has Jason at the snap of her fingers. You too. She probably only has to smile pretty and Lucky will take her back.”

“Uncalled for Emily.” Nikolas scolded. “That is completely unfair and you know it.”

“I just don’t know why she has to stay here.” Emily pleaded.

“Emily, where else would she go?”

“I don’t know, the Brownstone maybe? I want to work at getting back together with you but it won’t work with her in this house. If you want to get back together, she has to go.” Emily issued the ultimatum.

Nikolas stood up and said in an exasperated tone, “Seriously Emily, if you want to get back together than you have to change your attitude towards Elizabeth. I don't take kindly to ultimatiums. Don’t you trust me?”

“I do but…”

Emily was interrupted when Elizabeth slowly walked into the room, “Nikolas, I am in labor. My pains are about ten minutes apart and I called the doctor. Can you drive me in?”

“Of course I will. Where is your suitcase?” Nikolas grabbed his keys from his desk, Emily completely forgotten.

“By the door.” Elizabeth grimaced in pain as a contraction racked her body.

Emily threw her arms up in anger. “Oh perfect. Again you run to Elizabeth’s rescue when I need you. You realize that you haven’t even asked me how my father is!” Emily half shouted.

Nikolas apologized, “I’m sorry Emily. Sarah was here and told us how he was and I am glad he is getting better. Now I have to get Elizabeth to the hospital. Can’t you see that?” He turned to Elizabeth, “Alison knows that we are leaving?” Elizabeth nodded. “Good.” With that he guided Elizabeth out the door.

Emily watched the two of them leave and stomped her foot in frustration.

Hours had passed and Elizabeth was in full labor. Jason, Lucky and Nikolas, along with Sarah were in the delivery room with her. Lucky and Nikolas were watching the Super Bowl while Jason paced back and forth. Sarah tried to keep conversation going by discussing baby names. “Liz, since you are probably having this baby today, you should name it after one of the teams or something close to it.”

Jason looked at Sarah and said quietly, “No.”

“If it’s a boy or a girl, I am NOT naming this child Peyton. I hate that name.” Elizabeth said.

One of the doctors came in and examined Elizabeth. “Ok Elizabeth, you are 10 centimeters dilated. It’s time to start pushing. You can only have one person in here though.”

Elizabeth looked imploringly at Lucky who silently agreed to leave. Jason stayed behind and Bobbie came in to help with the delivery. “Ok Elizabeth, once you feel the contractions, we want you to start to push, ok?” Bobbie said.

Elizabeth nodded and when the next contraction came, she pushed hard. “Great job Elizabeth.” Bobbie encouraged.

Jason held her hand and wiped her forehead with a cloth, “You are doing great Liz.”

“Arrgghhhh” Elizabeth grunted as she pushed again. Over and over she pushed for close to thirty minutes before her baby was born.

Elizabeth was crying as the baby was lifted onto her stomach. “Elizabeth, it’s a girl. A beautiful baby girl.” Jason cried, he too wiping away tears. He cut the umbilical cord and Bobbie took the baby to clean her off. “Oh Elizabeth she is gorgeous.”

“I want to hold her.” Elizabeth cried. Soon Bobbie brought her over and Elizabeth and Jason gazed with love at their child. “She is beautiful.”

“Elizabeth we never discussed a name for her.” Jason whispered, kissing her forehead.

Elizabeth cuddled her child to her and leaned back against the pillows, “How about Ava Catherine? She looks like an Ava to me. Ava Catherine Morgan sounds good.”

Jason repeated it to himself a few times and broke into a smile, “I like it a lot. Ava it is. Want me to bring in everyone?”

Bobbie was near the door and overheard Jason, “I’ll do it. Jason, you hold your daughter.” Jason took Ava and kissed her forehead as she let out a howl. Nikolas and Sarah rushed into the room while Lucky stood rooted at the door, taking in the closeness of Jason and Elizabeth. He caught Elizabeth’s eye. His expression glazed over in anger and he turned on his heel and left.

This episode is dedicated to Ava Catherine, born December 28, 2005 and passed December 28 2005. You will always be loved