ALL THIS TIME

Chapter 11-15
 

Chapter 11

Shelly barely remembered making her way back to the apartment after the fiasco she had just witnessed this afternoon.  She was hurt beyond belief about Jack sleeping with Livvie.  How could he have went back to Livvie's bed was unthinkable to Shelly.  She went into the bedroom and looked into to mirror to reveal her disheleved appearance.  What should have been the most important day of her life had become a complete diaster in a matter of a few minutes.  She took off her wedding dress and threw it on the floor.  She looked at her beautiful dress all crumpled on the floor and the tears started all over again for her.  She sank down to the floor beside her dress and held it as she sobbed.

Jack came into the apartment and heard her crying.  Knowing he was the cause of Shelly's distress was tearing him apart inside.  He didn't have a clue as to what he was going to do to make things right again with Shelly.  How could they start a new life together with this pregnancy hanging over them?  He desparately tried to remember the night when he had ended up at Livvie's place, but it was all a big blur to him.  He recalled bits and pieces of him partying with some of the guys from the precinct after he and Shelly had a major fight.  Livvie had come into Jake's with some of her friends from med school and came over to talk to him when she spotted him from across the room.  Since Shelly had become someone special in his life he had tried to distance himself from Livvie after he realized that Livvie still had feelings for him.  Jack had been so pissed off at Shelly that he had let Livvie come over to his table and hang all over him.  He remembered waking up the next morning with one of the worst hangovers he had ever experienced in his life and Livvie sound asleep lying right next to him.   After finding his clothes that had been scattered all over Livvie's apartment and getting dressed, Jack had waken Livvie up and apologized to her about what had happened the previous night.  Livvie had told him she understood that he loved Shelly and she wouldn't say anything about him spending the night with her. 

Now that night had come back to haunt him in a terrible way.  He walked into the bedroom and sat down beside Shelly.  She gave him a look of complete loathing and spoke to him in a cold unfeeling voice, "Jack, now is not the time or the place for you and I to be in the same room with one another.  I've already told you to leave me alone and I meant it.  I'm going to get a few things of mine and go to Eve's apartment for a while until I can figure out what I am going to do."  Shelly rose to go and Jack reached out to her.  She glared at him, "Don't you even think about touching me.  I can't stand the thoughts of you with  being with Livvie and coming back here to our apartment and acting like nothing ever happened between the two of you.  You make me sick."

Jack pled with her, "Shelly, please give me a chance to explain.  I'm so sorry.  Please don't go.  Stay here with me and let's talk.  I love you, not Livvie."

"You have a funny way of showing how much you love me.  I think you and Livvie are the ones who should be talking and trying to decide what you are both going to do in the future.  You have a baby to consider now.  I have to get out of our apartment for tonight.  Please give me some time and space to sort all of this out.  I just need you to back off because right now I am so hurt with you I don't want to be anywhere near you."

Jack watched her walk away from him to get dressed and pack some things to take to Eve's.  She never acknowledged his presence in the room and left the apartment without even a goodbye to him.  When Jack heard the door slam he hung his head down and cried because the woman he loved more than life was walking away from him.

As Shelly walked down the hallway it took all the power she had not to turn around and go running back into Jack's arms.  Her pride would not let her go back to the man she loved.  She left the building bleakly wondering what the future would hold for her now since her dream come true had become a nightmare.

Telling everyone there wasn't going to be a wedding taking place was an unpleasant task but for Eve the hardest part was seeing the disappointment on her daughter's face.  Madison had been looking forward to being the flower girl and she cried when she realized that she wasn't going to be able to do it.  Eve took her in her arms and held her while she cried.  Chris came back in and tried his best to clear everyone out of the church without them asking one hundred questions about what had happened.  He told his sisters he would let them know what was going on when he knew from Jack about everything that had happened.  They hugged him and left to go home too.

Finally everyone was gone except for Eve, Madison, Jessica and Chris.  He looked over at Eve consoling her little girl.  She was such a good mother to Madison.  He walked over to them and sat beside them on a pew.  Madison moved her head away from her mom's shoulder and peeked a glance at Chris.  He winked at her and Madison tried to wink back at him using both eyes.

Eve told Chris, "You better quit flirting with my angel."

"I can't help it.  She is so beautiful.  Why don't we all go get some ice cream before we go home?"

Madison smiled, "Can we go Mommy?"

Eve hugged Madison tightly, "Yes, we can.  I think that would be alot of fun.  I'm sorry you didn't get to throw your flower petals down today.  Maybe we will be able to do it another day."

Chris handed Madison her basket and said, "Why don't we let her do it for us?  We can play pretend and Madison can throw all the flower petals she wants to."

Madison's smile at Chris's suggestion made Eve want to hug him for being so thoughtful of her little girl.  Madison took her basket and went to the back of the church.  When she got to the spot she wanted to be in she said, "Mommy, you and Mr. Chris need to stand up front and wait for me to walk down front.  You have to do this right if you are going to play pretend."

Eve got up and took Chris by the hand and they walked over to the center aisle of the church.  They looked at one another all dressed up playing a game for Madison who started walking up the aisle daintily throwing out her flower petals.  Chris still held Eve's hands and felt lost looking into her beautiful brown eyes.  He was afraid his eyes would reveal what his heart truly felt for her if he didn't look away from her soon.  Eve saw the look of intense longing in Chris' eyes and it made her heart start to race.  She was sure he could hear the pounding of her heart but he just stood there grinning at her before he turned his attention back to Madison who finally had made her way to the front to stand beside Eve.

Eve praised her daughter, "Madison, you did a great job of being the flower girl.  Are you ready to go now?"

Madison looked at her mom and said, "Before we go you have to kiss Mr. Chris like Jack kissed Shelly.  Don't you remember how we practiced last night?"

Chris chimed in, "You are right Madison.  I completely forgot to do that part."  Eve looked at Chris like he had lost his mind but Chris kept playing the game with Madison.  He took Eve into his arms and gently kissed her lips barely touching them with his own.  Eve was so caught off guard  that she reacted to him before she even thought about what she was doing.   She brought her hands around his neck and kissed him back.  When Madison started clapping, Chris pulled away from Eve and they just stared at one another for a few moments.

"Mommy, that was awesome.  You sure know how to play pretend good."

Chris softly added, "You sure do."

Eve turned and picked Madison up.  "I think Mr. Chris owes us some ice cream.  Jessica, do you want to come with us?"

Jessica shook her head, "No, since Madison is spending the night with Karen's kids I am going to go out with some of my friends from school. I won't be home until late tonight."

"Have a good time Jessica.  I'll take Madison by Karen's house after we get back from having ice cream."

"I can take her on my way because I have to go home and change clothes.  I won't be leaving until ater you get back."

Eve replied, "Sounds like a plan.  I'll see you later."

Madison got down from Eve's arms and went over to Jessica.  Chris asked, "Karen and Frank have kids with one another?"

"They have twins, a boy and a girl, and they are Madison's best buddies.  They are about eight months younger than Madison is.  You should see them playing together."

"It's hard to imagine all that.  I guess I have alot of catching up to do on what has been going on since I've been gone."

Eve looked at him and grinned, "Well, if you are nice, maybe I will tell you about everything that has happened around here since you left our exciting town."

Chris laughed, "I guess I won't be finding out anything if I have to play nice."

Eve said, "Chris, you can be nice when you want to.  Look at what you did for Madison today.  You made my little girl's day when you  suggested that we play pretend.  You don't know how grateful I am to you for helping her get over her disappointment about this afternoon."

Chris touched her arm.  "I couldn't stand to see her cry.  She is too little to understand what happened here this afternoon.  If you remember I never liked to see you cry either."

Eve smiled, "I remember how good you were to me.  Let's go since we have a bunch of work to do tonight."

Chris raised his eyebrows, "Work?  Woman, I am on vacation from my job this weekend."

"We have to straighten out this situation with Jack and Shelly.  Knowing my sister, I'll say that we have our work cut out for us."

"If she is anything like you, that is an understatement."

Eve rolled her eyes at him then grabbed his hand as they walked out of the church together on a mission to help Jack and Shelly.

On the way back to her apartment from eating ice cream with Madison and Chris, Eve began to reflect upon the afternoon they had all spent together.  Chris had been so attentive to Madison and she could already tell that Madison adored him.  Eve just didn't want Madison to get so attached to him and then Chris would be gone from their lives.  Who was she kidding?  She didn't want Chris to leave either but she couldn't figure out if she only wanted his friendship or something more.

Chris noted her silence and asked, "Is something bothering you Eve?  You have gotten quiet on me all of the sudden."

Eve shook her head, "Nothing is wrong.  I was thinking about all that has happened today.  I'm trying to come up with a plan to help Shelly and Jack work things out."

Chris said, "Between the two of us I'm sure we can come up with something.  We always could find a way to make things go to our advantage when we worked together."

They went into Eve's apartment to see Shelly sitting on the couch watching tv.  When Shelly realized they came into the room she turned off the television and spoke, "Eve, before you get started on me, I just needed a place to crash and get away from my apartment for a little while."

Eve went over and sat down beside her sister on the couch.  "Shelly, you are welcome to stay here as long as you need to.  I'm sorry you have had such a bad day."

 "Thanks Eve, but I don't even want to talk about anything right now."

"No problem, sis."

Jessica came in and took Madison to Karen's house after Madison gave everyone a hug and a kiss goodbye.

Shelly commented to Chris, "Well it looks like Madison has you wrapped around her finger."

Chris smiled, "She is a sweet little girl.  I guess she didn't take that trait after her mother."

Eve took a pillow from the couch and threw it at him.  "Chris, you are looking for trouble.  You know how sweet I am and Madison is just like me."

Shelly rolled her eyes at the two of them.  "You have got to be kidding.  Since when has a Lambert girl been sweet besides Madison in this family?''

Chris commented, "My point exactly.  Come here Lambert, I need to tell you something before I leave."

Eve got up and followed him to the hallway.  She questioned him, "Why are you leaving?"

"I was thinking if Shelly is here at your apartment, then Jack has to be at their apartment so I will go and try to talk to him and see what I can come up with.  You try to talk to Shelly and we will meet somewhere and discuss what we find out from both of them."

Eve nodded, "Ok, how about we meet at Jake's around 8:00 pm?"

Chris grinned, "I'll be there, just don't stand me up."

Eve smiled, "I'll see you there."

Chris stood there for a minute looking at her expectantly.  Eve asked, "Why are you looking that way at me?"

"I just wondered if you were going to kiss me goodbye.  You know that kiss at the church today was kind of fun..."

Eve pushed him out the door.  "Don't press your luck Ramsey.  You took advantage of me by pulling that stunt in front of Madison.  If I didn't know better I think you would have put her up to asking that today."

Chris laughed, "Oh admit it Lambert.  You loved every minute of it."

"I will not inflate your ego one bit.  Go now Ramsey.  I'll catch up with you later tonight."  Eve shut the door smiling thinking about how much fun she was having with Chris around again.  Chris walked down the hall whistling a tune to himself as he went to check on his brother.

Alison and Jamal were in the bike shop going over the events that had taken place today.  Jamal wrapped his arms around Alison and then asked her, "Ali, what in the world do you think happened today?  I tried to find Jack after Eve told us there wasn't going to be a wedding but he was no where to be found."

Alison shrugged, "I think it had something to do with Livvie.  I don't know what she has said or done but I thought after we talked last night she agreed to leave Jack alone and start over again."

"Maybe we need to find out what is really going on with her.  She has been so out of it lately."

Alison turned around to face Jamal and placed a kiss on his lips.  "I'll go see her tomorrow because tonight all I want to do is concentrate on you and show you how much I love you. I don't ever want to lose you."

"You don't have to worry about losing me Spunky.  I'm yours forever.  Let's go home."
 

Eve walked back down the hall and went back to the living room.  Shelly looked to her sister and inquired, "You and Chris seemed to be getting along better this afternoon.  Am I to assume you might be taking my advice about him last night?"

"And here I was coming to console you.  There is nothing going on with Chris and me.  We were just planning on going out to dinner later, but if you don't want me to go, I'll stay here with you."

"No, I want to be alone.  Eve, I can't believe this is happening to me and Jack.  This was supposed to be the best day of our lives and it was absolutely awful.  I hate Livvie and I am so mad at Jack right now I can't think straight.  How could he have slept with her after we got together?  We should be on our honeymoon now instead of us being apart."

Eve sighed, "Shelly I know you can work this out with Jack.  I know you love him and he loves you."

Shelly cut in, "How about that minor fact that Jack is going to be a father?  I totally didn't expect that piece of news that Kevin threw in our faces this afternoon.  I feel like the world is caving in on me.  This sucks so bad.  It is not fair at all." 

Eve replied, "You need to analyze the situation. What if Livvie isn't telling the truth about this and just wanted Jack back and this was the only way she thought she could do it?"

Shelly pondered Eve's question, "Eve, if I find out she is lying about this I will kill her for ruining my wedding day.  The fact that Jack didn't deny sleeping with her has me thinking that it is true though."

"Well before you write Jack off completely, I think you need to consider all the possiblities.  You know Livvie has always disliked you and me both.  This just might have been some kind of sick game to get back at us and try to make Jack come back into her life."  Shelly wiped the tears from her eyes while Eve came up to hug her.  "Shelly, think about what I said.  True love like you and Jack share is too precious to lose.  Don't let your pride stand between you and the man you love.  I really believe you can work this out with Jack if you try, no matter if Livvie is pregnant or not."

Shelly gave her sister a half smile, "I promise I'll try.  Right now all I want to do is have a hot bath and go to bed.  I'm so exhausted from crying and being upset."

Eve went to get Shelly some towels and handed them to her.  "Make yourself at home.  I'm going to change since I'm meeting Chris at Jake's in about an hour."

Shelly told her, "You say there isn't something going on with you two, but I don't believe it. I saw how you were looking at him today."

"We are just friends, that is all we have ever been Shelly."

Shelly turned to go to the bathroom, "Yeah, right.  See you later. I won't wait up for you to come home tonight."

"I won't be out that late."  Eve went to her bedroom to find an outfit to wear for dinner.

Chris made his way to Jack and Shelly's apartment to find his brother despondent.  "Jack, I came by to check on you and see how you were doing since Livvie's crazy family came to wreck your wedding today."

Jack went to the refrigerator and got out some beers for Chris and him.  He looked like he still couldn't believe what had occurred earlier in the day.  "Well besides the fact that the woman I love hates me right now and the revelation that I am going to be a father by another woman, I guess you could say it has just been one of those days for me that I wished would have never happened."

Chris opened his beer.  "Man, that was so bad today.  Leave it to our family to have the most momentous occasions of our lives wrecked by someone or something.  I am so sorry that happened to you today."

Jack drank his beer and told him, "Thanks for sticking up for me.  If it hadn't of been such a terrible situation it would almost had been comical seeing you and Eve fighting for us today."

Chris smiled at his remark, "Eve and I make a pretty good team to have on your side.  When I think back to the days when we schemed together it was a riot."  He paused then added,   "I'm not here to talk about Eve.  I want to see if there is anything I can do for you little brother."

Jack shook his head no in reply to his brother.  "I guess I have messed everything up once again in my life.  I was so close to having it all today and my stupid mistakes came back to haunt me in a big way.  I never should have slept with Livvie that night.  I honestly can't remember it happening I was so drunk.  I have been trying to replay it in my mind ever since Shelly left but I am drawing a complete blank. Sorry you had to come all the way here for nothing."

"Jack, despite all that happened today, I am glad I came to see you.  I am thankful that we were able to get over all that junk in the past and be brothers again.  Don't give up on Shelly.  If you want her, you are going to have to prove to her that she is the woman you want to be with, whether Livvie is having your child or not.  If you love her she is worth fighting for to get her back into your life."

Jack countered back to Chris, "I think you need to take your own advice too.  Don't let Eve go if you love her.  She is an awesome woman."

Chris sighed, "We are not talking about me tonight.  I want to see you happy.  I've got to meet Eve for dinner.  If you need me, call me on my cell phone."

"Maybe you will admit to Eve your feelings about her and you can be happy too, Chris.  Quit being so stubborn and let her know how you really feel about her."

Chris waved his hand in the air to Jack and walked out the door.  "I'll talk to you later little brother."

Chris walked into Jake's and spotted Eve sitting at a table in the back corner of the bar.  He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her.  She questioned him, "What did you find out about Jack?"

Chris shifted around in his chair and slid up closer to Eve. "Good evening to you too.  What kind of greeting was that?  Have you lost all your manners since I left town?"

Eve narrowed her eyes at him.  "Sorry.  Hey Chris.  Now what do you think is going on?"

"So much for pleasantries.  Can we just sit for a minute before we get into all of this?"  Chris signaled for a waiter to come to their table.  The waiter finally came by and asked them for their drink order.  Chris order two martini's for both of them.

After the waiter left their table, Eve asked, "So you are ordering drinks for me now?  You are one to talk about manners since you didn't even bother to ask what I wanted to drink?  I'll have you know that I don't drink martini's anymore."

Chris looked at her in disbelief, "Since when do you not like martini's?  That was our drink of choice whenever we got together to have some fun or stir up some trouble."

"Things change.  If you really want to know I boycotted them after you left Port Charles." 

Chris inched his way closer to her.  "Now why would you want to do something like that?  A martini is one of the best drinks ever made.  I know you are not getting the priviledge of me making them myself right now, but they are still good."

Eve cocked her head slightly towards Chris.  "I guess it just wasn't as much fun to drink them if I didn't have you to share them with me.  I have to admit there have been no martini nights for me since you were gone."

The waiter brought their drinks to the table and left.  Chris handed one to Eve and picked up his glass.  "That's a shame, but for tonight Eve, you are going to have to forgo your boycott."

Eve looked at Chris skeptically, "Give me one good reason why I should do that."

Chris gave her a sexy grin, "Because all work and no play makes for a very dull evening.  I'd have to say that I've never spent a dull evening with you yet Lambert and I don't intend to start now.  Besides I know you can't help yourself around me since I'm so irresistible."

Eve laughed, "In your dreams Ramsey.  You wish I'd find you so irresistible that I couldn't restrain myself around you."

Chris' eyes met hers, "Is that a challenge you are throwing my way Eve?"

"Maybe.  Do you think you're up to proving me wrong about my assumption?"  She raised her glass to toast with him.

Chris brought his glass to meet hers and gave her a wicked smile.  "Here's to one of the best nights of your life Lambert.  You won't believe how bad you'll want me before this night is over."

Eve smiled a seductive smile back to him, "I think you will be the one in that position buddy.  I'll have you begging for me in no time."

Chris said, "Let the games begin.  We will see who is right this time.  Cheers." and they both took a sip of their drinks as the evening began.

Music from the jukebox was playing in the background as Chris and Eve eyed one another, each trying to contemplate their next move after they had issued their challenge.  Without any hesitation Chris got up from his chair and grabbed Eve's hand for her to follow him.  Eve asked, "Where are we going?"

Chris pulled her into his arms as she realized he was taking her to the dance floor as they started slow dancing.  Eve adjusted her arms around his neck as she moved into the rhythm with him.  Chris said, "I guess some things haven't changed Eve.  We still make great dance partners."  He slid one hand below her waist and winked at her

Eve took her hands from his shoulders and placed his errant hand back to the confines of her waist.  "Nice try Chris.  Next time you should attempt to keep your hands where they belong."

He innocently replied, "I thought that was what I was doing.  My hand just naturally went there."

She finally started giggling slighty at his blatant attempt to draw her closer to him.  Chris raised his eyebrow and asked, "Are you already getting giddy on me Eve?  Don't tell me you can't hold your liquor anymore.  I thought I taught you better than that."

Eve frowned at him, "I am not giddy.  I was laughing at your obvious endeavors to get me closer to you.  By the way, I could out drink you any time, any place or any where.  I can hold my own with you."

"Please don't attempt to embarrass yourself by thinking you can manage that feat.  There is no way you can defeat the master."

Eve raised her head up to look at him squarely in the eyes.  "You are so full of yourself tonight.  I guess I'll have to prove this to you too.  Since Shelly is at my place and she is in no mood for any company, I guess we will have to go to your room.  If that is ok with you since I would hate to embarrass you out in public by drinking you under the table."

"By all means, let's go.  I honestly think the outcome of this venture will be in my favor instead of yours, but believe what you want."  He led her off the dance floor and placed some bills on the table before they exited the bar.  He hailed a cab and they drove off to his hotel.  Sitting in the back seat of the cab Chris thought about how much Eve seemed like she was back to her old self again.  She had that fire in her eyes and that confident independent spirit she had possessed when he had first met over almost ten years earlier.  It was this nature about her that had drew him to her in the first place.  He knew he was in trouble already being so close to her but he was like a moth being drawn into the flame.  He just prayed he wouldn't get burned too badly by her this time around.

They finally made it to Chris' room and settled in the living room area.  Chris went to the bar and found shot glasses  and some other glasses for them to drink out of.  He opened the refrigerator and got some beer out for them.  Eve looked at the beer he was holding, "Are we slumming it tonight?  I thought you were getting out the hard stuff for us?"

"The hard stuff comes later in the evening."  He grinned giving her a knowing look.

"Oh I bet it does."   She sarcastically added, "What is your game plan now Ramsey?"

"I invite you to join me in a friendly game of quarters.  You do remember how to play that game since I used to beat you at it all of the time when we lived together at the apartment."

Eve's eyes lit up, "You're on,  but your memory is slipping.  I used to beat you at this game all of the time.  What do you say we up the stakes a little bit and make the game a tad more interesting?"

"Well, you have got my attention.  What do you propose that we do?  Will it involve taking off any of your clothes because it that is the case I am all for this game."  He questioned her as he sat down across from her on the floor by the coffeetable.

Eve leaned over and placed her hands on the table.  "Get your mind out of the gutter Chris.  I say we play truth or dare since I think that is the only way I am ever going to find out what has been going on with you these past few years.  Whoever makes the quarter shot into the glass makes the other person drink, but then you have to choose to do a truth or a dare.  Do you think you could manage that?  I know how hard it is for you to be honest, but I thought maybe this might do it."

Chris stared into her mischievous eyes, "Of course, I can manage this Eve.  Let's play.  I do think I can attempt to be honest at least for one night.  I'll even be a gentleman and let you go first."

Eve smiled as she took the quarter from Chris, she paused a second then added, "Before we get started we need to get a few things straight."

"Straighten away.  I'm ready to hear what you have to say."  Then he placed his hands behind his head  wondering what in the world Eve would come up with next.
 
 

Kevin came back downstairs from telling Livvie goodnight after she had agreed to stay over night at the lighthouse with him and Lucy.  Lucy was in the kitchen cleaning up after they had ate supper.  She finished up in the kitchen and went to him, "Doc, are you going to be ok?"

"Lucy I'm so upset about Livvie being pregnant.  She just seems so lost and alone.  I can't stand to see her hurting like this."

"We will help her get through this.  I just hope Jack will come to his senses and do the right thing and support Livvie during her pregnancy."

Kevin sighed, "I know I shouldn't have acted so impulsively this afternoon, but when I found out that Livvie was going to have a baby, I just lost it.  All I wanted to do was try and talk some sense into Jack and it all spun out of control."

Lucy replied, "I'm to blame too.  I was being ugly to Shelly because I didn't want anyone to hurt Livvie.  I think of Livvie just like she was my own daughter and I wanted Shelly out of Jack's life, so Livvie wouldn't be hurting anymore.  You know my judgement gets clouded sometimes whenever Eve is in the picture."

Kevin rubbed his tired eyes and said, "I hope we can make this whole situation work out for everyone involved without resorting to fistfights again.  Chris Ramsey just brings out the worse in me, but I shouldn't have let him get to me today."

"Don't you worry about Chris.  He'll be long gone in a couple of days and we won't have to bother with him again.  I promise not to provoke Evie again too."  Lucy promised as she crossed her fingers behind her back to Kevin and gave him an angelic smile.

"I don't know what I would do without you Lucy.  You are what keeps me sane in our crazy world."  Kevin told her as he took her into his arms and held her close to him.

"You don't have to worry about losing me.  I'm not going anywhere unless you are going with me.  We finally have it all Doc and I count my blessings everyday that you are in my life.  You mean everything to me.  I love you so much."  She replied as she leaned in to kiss Kevin.

"I love you too Lucy.  I know we will get through this as long as we are together."

"Now what do you need to clarify for me before we begin our venture this evening?"  Chris asked Eve settling his crossed feet upon the table.

Eve gently reminded him, "We need to see what we can do for Shelly and Jack.  I think that was our main objective for tonight before we got sidetracked."

"How could I not help being sidetracked with you around? You are so distracting sometimes Eve. You are right though, we need to piece together what they both have told us today.  What did Shelly have to say?"

Eve began, "Shelly is really upset with Jack.  The main thing is that she can't get over the fact that Jack actually slept with Livvie again.  She is heartbroken that he has betrayed her trust in him after all they went through to be together in the first place.  Shelly has never been in love before Jack came into her life.  She was always the heartbreaker in her relationships until she met him.  I tried to convince her that Jack isn't as terrible as she thinks he is right now."

Chris responded to her, "I know that Jack regrets what happened with Livvie.  He said he couldn't remember much of what took place with her since he was so smashed.  I told him not to give up on the woman he loves and to do whatever it takes to win back her trust and acceptance.  Regardless of what has occurred Jack loves Shelly.  I know that for certain."

Eve looked at Chris for a moment before replying, "I never thought I would see the day when you actually believed in love and wanting your little brother to be happy.  Some things do change huh?"

Chris shrugged, "I didn't say that I believed in love for myself but I do want Jack to be happy.  I think Shelly is the one for him.  Livvie is just not the right person for him in my opinion."

Eve posed a question to Chris, "Do you think Livvie could be lying about all of this?  I never have been too objective about her ever since I met her, but I have this feeling that she isn't being completely honest about this whole situation. I think there is more to this story than she is letting on about right now."

"It's possible that she could have made this up.  You never know what someone is going to do when they get desparate enough.  I hope for her sake that she wasn't stupid enough to do that."

Eve cut in, "If she did lie about this, she will regret the day she ever laid eyes on me or Shelly.  No one is going to hurt my sister.  We had enough bad times growing up never to have to have them now.  She deserves to be happy with Jack."

"Whoa tiger!  I'm glad I'm not on the receiving end of your wrath.  By the way that was one hell of a slap that you gave Lucy today.  I guess the rivalry came back between the two of you?"

Eve responded, "Lucy and I haven't gotten along with one another since Ian left Port Charles.  She claims I ran him off and she has never forgiven me for that.  I do not want to spend my evening talking about Ian Thornhart.  All that I shared with him is in the past and that is where I want it to stay."

Chris nodded, "You might have to talk about Ian if I ask you about him during our game.  Are you ready to divulge your secrets to me, Lambert?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, Ramsey and remember you might have to tell some of your secrets too.  I wouldn't be so smug if I were you."

"I'm not being smug.  I'm just confident of the outcome.  Let's get started."

Eve smiled as she plopped the quarter on the table and it easily went into the shot glass.  "Drink up Ramsey."  Chris took the already poured glass of beer and drunk it quickly.  Eve placed her chin on top of her hands and asked, "What is it going to be, truth or dare?"

"Dare."  he said and he placed his empty glass onto the table.

"I dare you to go fix us some martini's.  There is no way I want to drink beer."  She offered up as she wrinkled her nose in distaste at the beer sitting on the table.

"I knew you couldn't pass up on my famous martini's, but I was holding out on you so you wouldn't pass out on me."  He admitted as he rose up to go to the bar and fix a pitcher of martini's for both of them to consume.

She exclaimed, "Chris, I will not pass out on you!" 

"I hate to break it to you Lambert, but been there, done that with you.  I don't want you falling asleep on me when things start getting good."  He lightly laughed at her as he was putting the finishing touches on their drinks.  He returned to the living room carrying the pitcher and more glasses for them.  He settled back down on the floor and reached for the quarter to shoot.  He aimed and made his mark.

Eve poured herself a drink and drank until her glass was empty.  She looked to Chris who asked her, "Truth or Dare?"

She studied the empty glass for a moment then replied, "Truth."

"I'm curious to know about this supposedly long dry spell comment that got you so furious with Lucy this afternoon.  My question to you is what did Lucy mean by that remark?  Don't try and pass it off as you don't know what Lucy meant because I know better.  I have never seen you slap someone for no reason at all."

"Lucy was just smarting off to me about my lovelife or rather the lack of one."

Chris' look was incredulous.  "I can't believe what I'm hearing.  You having a shortage of men in your life?  No way is that possible.  You just mean you haven't been seeing anyone lately?"

Eve sighed, "Well, I just haven't had time for romance in my life, being a mom to Madison is a full time job and my job is so demanding at the hospital.  There is no room for anyone else.  I can't put Madison in a situation like I had to deal with growing up never knowing who the boyfriend of the week was going to be and how he was going to treat me and Shelly.  It just isn't fair to her."

Chris said, "Are you saying you haven't dated anyone since you had Madison?"

"No, the time has never been right and I really haven't been interested in anyone around here.  Are you happy?  Now you know why I got so mad at Lucy.  It isn't anyone's business if I am seeing anyone or not."

Chris voice softened, "Eve, I didn't know my question was going to upset you.  It's kind of difficult to imagine you without someone.  Look at you.  You are a beautiful and intelligent woman.  Any may would be fortunate to have you in their life."

"I'm not upset at you.  Thank you for the compliment even though I don't really feel that way about myself anymore.  My life went in a different direction after I had Madison.  I learned to make it on my own and I'm glad I can be independent.  Enough about my lovelife.  My turn to shoot."  She shot the quarter and rung it again in the glass.  Chris smiled and automatically went to refill his glass.  Eve asked, "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Since you have been gone from Port Charles, where have you been living?  Maybe you can solve that mystery for me."

He moved closer to Eve on the floor and said, "After I resigned as Chief Resident at GH, I drove around the country for a while trying to find a place I could start over.  It took a couple of months before I decided to move to a small coastal community and open up a practice there."

"Chris, you have your own practice?  I always thought you would have moved to a big city and worked in a huge hospital.  When I went to medical conventions I hoped we might run into one another but we didn't ever cross paths.  Do you like living in a small town?  It is hard for me to picture you doing that.  It doesn't sound like you at all."

"It's true and you know the most amazing thing is that I love it.  Eve, I wish you could see my office.  I mean it is nothing big but it is mine.  My patients all know me and I'm a part of their lives in the community.  I never thought that I would see the day when it wasn't about the power and the money for me, but I have a whole new outlook on life.  I changed my perspective and I'm so glad I did.  As much as I hated to leave here, it was the right thing for me to do because it changed my life.  I don't think I ever could have decided to change my life if I had stayed here."

Eve scooted over to Chris and touched his forehead, "Alright, I want to know where Chris Ramsey is and what you are doing in his body?"

Chris pulled her closer to him and looked into her eyes, "I'm right here Eve.  Things may be different but change isn't always for the worse.  In my case it was for the better.  You are different too.  I see a caring mother when I look at you now.  I can't say I could imagine you being a parent but you are a great one.  I just wish you hadn't had to go through all of it alone.  I assumed you would be married to Ian in a few weeks after I left town.  I never knew you would be alone."

Eve nodded, "It's ok.  I managed and it made me a hell of alot stronger person for it.  Things happen for a reason.  I'm glad you are here with me tonight.  It's been a long time since I had this much fun.  I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."  Chris moved in to kiss her and Eve looked startled at him.  He pulled back at her reaction and said, "Back to the game.  I'm thinking it's my turn."  Chris shot the quarter into the glass again and smiled at Eve.  She took the glass and drank her portion.  "Truth or dare, Eve?"

 "Dare."

Chris quietly said, "I dare you to kiss me." 

At first he didn't know if she would accept his challenge but then she looked straight into his eyes never once glancing away from him and gently placed her lips upon his kissing him fully on the mouth.