Falling Home by gemblue89

[JRK Archiver]

A/N: Well, I can’t find any more excuses any more to not post this. This has been running around my head for a while ever since I read the book that is titled the same and well I finally decided to start writing, which Mac encouraged. The beginning is similar to the book but after that it’s completely different. Imagine NL as Emily because I just can’t see AT being able to do what Em in this story did in the past. I’m not the best writer in the world so bare with me if you want. Ok I think I should stop rambling and let you guys read.

Thank you Mac, Huma, Kris, and Rhianna for reading the Prologue and letting me know what you thought. It really helped. Any comments of any sorts are welcomed. Ok back to work for me.

Basira




Prologue

The wind grazed her face and the air smelled like oak trees. She didn’t know where she was and her image was slightly fuzzy. Then she heard the laughter. The clear image of giggling children running around far a head of her. As if of their own accord her legs began to move and she was walking toward them. She stopped within a few feet of the children full of joy. She instantly recognized where she was the moment she lifted her eyes.

The house stood as glorious as always. The beautiful white manor with dark blue roofing and the brick coloumns. There was the brick wrap around porch with the wide swing, perfect for late summer nights and the various styles of balconies for the rooms on the second floor.

A shriek followed by more laughter broke her concentration on the house. It was her young self as she jumped around grabbing at her back as a girl and two boys stood around her giggling. Then finally the blonde boy, slightly taller than the others took pity on her. He pulled her sundress away from her body allowing the ice cube to fall out.

Before her young self could react a familiar voice called them to dinner. The children hurried up the four porch steps and into the house. She followed, climbing up the steps to the large white oak doors. She slowly lifted her hand and had just grasped one of the knobs when the shrill ring of the telephone broke through her foggy dream filled mind.

Instantly, Elizabeth Webber shot up in bed and blinked a few times to adjust her eyes to the darkness in her room. She looked around at her room and shook her head to clear it. Finally, fully awake she checked the clock on her nightstand. It was two in the morning. People that called at this hour only had bad news. She grimaced when the phone rang again, sounding like a shrill siren. Reluctantly, she got out of bed and pulled on her bathrobe as she dragged her exhausted feet down the hallway to her living room.

Unfortunately, the phone was still ringing, whoever it was, was determined to get her on the phone, which worried Elizabeth even more. She hesitated before she touched the phone, took a deep breath, and let out a sigh before she picked up the phone.

“Hello” she spoke into the phone after a moment of silence. Elizabeth held her breath waiting for a response and when it came it came it was the last person she expected.

“Hi, Lizzie. It’s me Emily.”

Elizabeth felt her heart beat faster as she tightened her grip on the phone. The silence on the other end of the line cued her that it was her turn to speak. “Emily. How are you?” Her voice sounded cold and distant.

She couldn’t believe that she was talking to her estranged sister of nearly a decade as if she was talking to a colleague. Her sister was the last person she was expecting to call at any hour of the day. When she had woken up she thought it might have Elton or a bride-to-be calling with panic over a gown or show but not her sister. She waited as the silence grew as her mind started to come up with scenarios for her sister calling her.

Then Emily spoke. “Lizzie its Grams…”

That was the last thing she thought Emily had called for but she had. The moment she heard her sister utter Grams she was wide awake and alert and her free hand instantly wrapped around the pendant she wore. “What’s wrong with Grams?” As she spoke the words, fear grew in her heart and started to course through her body making her stiffen. She was afraid of what would come next.

“Gram’s dying. She wants to see you one last time.” Emily whispered into the phone. She heard Emily try to muffle a sniff but Elizabeth still heard it. She knew her sister was crying and trying to be strong at the same time.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and felt a lump begin to form in her throat. She felt the sting in her eyes and she squeezed her eyelids shut when she felt the hot tears form. The image of a woman with white hair, blue eyes, and a bright, warm smile flashed in her mind. Her grip tightened around her chain and she forced her mind to function. Elizabeth took a deep breath and spoke, “I’ll be there.” Then she dropped the phone to sink down to the wood floor and let the tears she held fall.

~*~

The sun was sinking away behind the mountains as she drove past the Welcome to Port Charles! sign. It was the first thing she saw that was a part of her hometown and there was more to come. The sign may have welcomed her but she didn’t welcome it. She wasn’t sure what she should be feeling.

It was in this very town that her heart was ripped out by the person she trusted the most. Her mind slowly wondered back to the past for the first time in a long time. Emily Ann Webber was her sister by blood and at one point her best friend. She was two years older but the age didn’t matter to them. They found comfort in each other when they suffered the loss of their parents and strengthened their bond over the heartbreak.

Emily looked out for Elizabeth and made sure no one pestered her baby sis. Emily was the out spoken, beautiful one that charmed everyone she meet. Then there was Elizabeth the quiet, shy, youngest child of the Webber’s but could be stubborn as a mule time to time. They were inseparable as young girls and as young ladies were quite a duo. Emily would get determined to take action of any sorts while Elizabeth would wordlessly plan out the scheme for her sister to accomplish.

The two siblings had a great relationship but that all ended one fall night. Elizabeth had been sitting in the gazebo behind the house waiting for Lucky Spencer, the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. Lucky was coming home from school and they were finally getting married.

Elizabeth had just turned eighteen two weeks prior and the long wait was finally over. Her grandmother’s only request from them was to wait until Elizabeth was officially an adult to take their relationship one step further. The couple had decided to get married once Elizabeth was of age and the time had come at last.

She was wearing a simple dress with a touch of red that faded to white once it reached the hem. She was glowing with happiness until the actions of betrayal were brought to light by the last person she had expected to see that night.

Lucky and Emily had runoff together leaving a heartbroken Elizabeth in the dust. The next morning she said her goodbye and left Port Charles with a heavy heart. She never stepped foot in Port Charles since that faithful fall six years ago until tonight. Elizabeth kept in touch with only her Grams and her brother, Michael otherwise known as Sonny. They didn’t want her to leave, but in the end they complied with her wishes only because of her stubbornness.

The honking of a horn brought her out of her thoughts. She quickly changed lanes to let the driver behind her pass. She was then left to her thoughts again this time with another person on her mind that she had only returned for.

Audrey Webber, her old, loving Grandmother, the woman that was always there for her. She took Sonny, Emily, and Elizabeth in when their parents meet their unfortunate death on a snowy night. They moved into the white manor that the three of them had spent their holidays and summers in, enjoying their time. It went from their second home to the home that brought them comfort in their time of need.

Elizabeth meet her Grams regularly but it was never in Port Charles. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen her for a few months now because of her Grams’ health and the chaotic schedule she had just become liberated of. She now regretted not trying to set aside time for her Grams. The dread of not getting to her in time began to seep into her, and Elizabeth pressed down on the gas bringing her in front of the house she had dreamed about the last six years.

It looked the same, from the brick walkway to the white archway that the Welcome to the Webbers sign hung from to the beautiful towering old pine cone and oak trees that lined the property.

Elizabeth parked the car parallel to the manor on the opposite block. She hastily turned the engine off and got out of the car. She exited the air-conditioned car to be immediately assaulted by the August heat. Elizabeth had forgotten the heat that remained until late into the night in Port Charles. She was glad to have worn a white cotton shirt with ruffles as sleeves with a V-neck that her heart pendant settled nicely in.

Elizabeth looked down at the heart pendant made of white Venetian glass that hung from a white gold chain around her neck. Her father had given it to her shortly before he had passed away. It was long for her as a three year old to wear but she still wore it and cherished it since. She loved bringing the pendant up to the light of the sun or the moon and watching it sparkle and shine. Elizabeth closed her palm around it and closed her eyes, trying to find some strength to walk into the house that stood dominating the land around it.

Whatever rush she had to get inside died as she watched the lamps outside flicker on and the oak doors open. Four children came hustling out into the front yard like a flash of lightening preventing Elizabeth from getting a clear image from her spot. A man followed the energetic children that she had difficulty identifying. He was tall, lean with broad shoulders, thick thighs, and blonde spiked hair. His head was bent down murmuring to the baby, in a sundress ensemble with hat and all, in his arms. A small golden retriever came after him following him closely wobbling on his feet.

Elizabeth wasn’t sure how but she had ended up under the archway leading to the manor. The wind blew rocking the welcome sign above her head drawing all the eyes of the dwellers of the yard to her, informing those that mattered, she, Elizabeth Imogene Webber was back in Port Charles.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter One

Elizabeth may not have had long curly hair and glasses anymore but that didn’t really change her appearance much—killing any hope that she had that no one recognized her. While she stood paralyzed at the archway all the occupants of the yard gathered at the foot of the steps to stare at her. Elizabeth began to fidget she didn’t know what to do. She had everything planned up to when she got to town but once she got to the house she had no clue what her next actions would be.

She began to nibble on her lower lip in worry as she stared right back at the group. Did anyone besides Emily know she was coming? Did they even want her there? She quickly forced that thought to the back of her mind. Her Grams wanted her here that was all that mattered regardless of what the others wanted. Elizabeth forced herself to be brave and pushed her legs to move to stop a few paces in front of the small crowd.

There was a set of brunette girls and another set of dark haired boys. They all had gorgeous brown eyes that were all fixed on her full of curiosity—even the golden retriever’s. The children looked around the same age and seemed very comfortable with their surroundings.

The most dominating figure in the yard was the other adult. Elizabeth couldn’t help but let her eyes wonder over him. He was nearly six feet tall, with a well built body, had blonde spiked hair, and golden tanned skin. Elizabeth couldn’t help but let her eyes slowly travel from his thick soled boots, up his denim covered legs, and the stretched fabric over his thick thighs. He wore a navy blue t-shirt that molded to his body confirming that he was indeed all muscle. The arms that held the young child was made of well-defined muscles.

She let her eyes wonder up to the stranger’s face to being studying it as well. His lips were firm and set in a straight line. He had a straight nose but his eyes were what made her breathe catch. His eyes were the same blue as the eye but electrifying. As she stared at his eyes it hit her like a ton of bricks of who he was. They were the same eyes she had looked into for comfort six years ago. In the past they were kind and caring but today were cautious and guarded.

As she stared at him, the small girl he held lifted her head and turned around to also look at her. When Elizabeth’s eyes met the child’s, she found herself looking into the same eyes as the man that held her. Her eyes instantly flew to the left hand that anchored the baby to the father and she saw the ring. The silver wedding band that shined under the porch lights. She lifted her eyes and two sets of blue eyes locked.

Slowly, Elizabeth felt the muscles in her mouth came back to life and she whispered, “Jason.”

As the two started at each other keenly, Sonny Webber made his way onto the porch and his eyes immediately landed on his baby sister. “Elizabeth?” he said the surprise apparent in his voice.

Her brother’s voice broke the trance she was in to be able to look any where but at the older man she hadn’t thought of. The site of Sonny in his white flannel shirt and dress pants brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face. She had missed her brother and had yearned for his occasional visits during the last six years.

Elizabeth quickly moved around Jason to walk up the centered porch steps. She threw herself into her brother’s arms and hugged him tight as Sonny lifted her of her feet to twirl her around, making her laugh hard.

“Sonny, it’s so great to see you,” Elizabeth said after catching her breath once Sonny had set her back down on the porch. “I see a few white strands, what happened to Just for Men?” she said motioning to his hair. Elizabeth could feel Jason’s eyes boring into her back, making her nervous. She tried to keep her mind of him but his presence was making it hard to do.

“That tends to happen when you have a troublemaker of a wife that hatches plans with your kids and after my last experience with that product, forget it.” Sonny explained smiling with dimples and all. “It’s nice to have you back kid,” he said swinging an arm around his sister’s shoulders to lead her into the house. “Come back inside kids,” he called over his shoulders to the others behind them.

As Elizabeth entered through the doors into the foyer she had only dreamed of for over half a decade. She took a deep breath, taking in the grand staircase with the wide railings she had slid down well into her late teenage years. She heard the door close behind her with a click and turned to find the others staring back at her. Elizabeth broke free from Sonny to look at the young children before her.

She looked closely at them and faces from pictures began to register in her mind. There was Isabelle, the spitting image of her mother, Brenda. Then there was her older brother Michael—who had been three when she left, a mixture of his mother and father’s features. Elizabeth then shifted her attention to the other children, Jessica with her father’s smile and David the mini-version of Lucky.

Elizabeth slowly kneeled down with a smile and spread her arms wide to embrace the nieces and nephews that flew into her arms. She had heard stories, received pictures, and spoken to them on a few occasions but had never seen them except Michael but she still felt a connection to the little tykes.

They each slowly pulled away with a smile gracing their faces. Isabelle, Belle for short, was the only one that didn’t let go instead looped her arms around her aunt’s neck. “Aunt Lizbeth you look tired. Would you like to have some milk and cookies with me?” asked the child concerned.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile. Here she was worried over how everyone would react to see her and this little girl in her arms lessened her worries. Only after a few minutes of meeting her Belle had begun treating her as family. She took comfort in that and it eased some of the tension in her.

“No thank you sweetie. Maybe later—after I’ve seen Grams,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. She slowly rose and noticed that Jason had been watching her from his spot. She felt the warmth in her skin as her blush bean to form to have him stare at her openly with no shame. Jason had been a constant in her life before she left but she now had butterflies in her stomach from just his presence. Elizabeth turned around quickly in an attempt to hide her ever deepening blush. She took hold of Belle’s hand and looked to Sonny for what to do.

Sonny smiled at her and lifted the four year old David when he tugged on his uncle’s pants. “Well, why don’t you go freshen up and then go see Grams?” he suggested. “I bet you’re tired from the drive?”

“Or she can just go see Grams now,” came a voice above Sonny’s head.

Elizabeth’s back went rigid at the sound of the familiar; she had been dreading this part of her visit. She was at a loss of ideas of what to do and did the only thing she could—she faced who she had run from for so long. There they stood the happily married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lucky Spencer of six years.

“Welcome home Elizabeth,” Emily said with a smile once she reached the first floor.

Emily reached for Elizabeth and tightened her arms around her sister. Elizabeth stood still as her sister hugged her—she wasn’t sure how to react. She still hadn’t come to terms with how she felt about her sister or her husband none the less.

Emily pulled back and took a good look at Elizabeth. “You look good. The straight hair suits you,” Emily said tucking a few loose strands behind her little sister’s ear.

Elizabeth waited for the anger and pain of betrayal to hit her but instead she felt concern rise in her for her sister. Emily still had a slender figure, her brown wavy hair was pulled back, and her smile never wavered. Her sister may have looked the same but her beautiful hazel eyes looked exhausted—the warmth from her smile didn’t reach her eyes. The bags under her eyes were still evident despite the makeup she wore and her shoulders were tense.

Emily’s state of fatigue only proved that their grandmother’s health was indeed poor. Elizabeth shifted her attention to her once fiancé and now brother-in-law and found that Lucky looked spent also. She then noticed that all the adults around her looked worn out.

She hadn’t said anything for a few, she had just stared, and then finally realized that everyone was waiting for her to respond. “Emily, Lucky, it’s…uh…good to see you,” she replied uncertain of what to say. “You look…well the same.”

“It sure has been a while,” said Lucky walking towards Sonny to take David from him. “But it’s nice to see you too,” he went on in an attempt to ease the tension in the room.

“I-I think I’ll go see Grams now and freshen up later.” Elizabeth said quickly to reach the stairs.

“That’s a good idea, sis,” Sonny said. Elizabeth smiled at her brother from the stairs, thankful for his support. He always supported her whenever she needed him and vice versa. She was going to need someone to back her up while she was here.

Their eyes were on her back—she could feel it as she climbed the stairs at a fast pace. Elizabeth stumbled on the last two steps before the landing but regained her balance before anyone could notice. She was a klutz and it didn’t matter whether it was a life or death situation or not for her to stumble around like a baby elephant. Elizabeth didn’t dare look at the crowd staring up at her instead she diverted her eyes to take in the wooden floors and table arrangements for decoration.

Elizabeth turned the corner and slowed her pace as she passed the familiar doors that led to rooms full of memories. She was in the West wing of the house the Webber children had resided in. She made her way to an oak door she had burst through as a child on rainy nights. Elizabeth turned the knob and pushed the door open to welcome the smell of lavender.

She paused at the threshold, her breath tight in her chest. Her eyes traveled to the grand four poster bed that her grandmother’s motionless body laid on. Elizabeth silently closed the door and made her way to her grandmother’s side. She kneeled down beside the bed and took in the woman before her.

She looked fragile—no longer like the strong woman Elizabeth had admired as a child and still did. Her skin was paler than usual; the veins visible in her eyelids, the creases and lines of exhaustion were more pronounced on her face. Elizabeth gently took hold of one of her grandmother’s cold, soft hands and cupped it lovingly between her own warm ones. Her palm was smoother; her skin wrinkled, the blue veins visible, and crisscrossed like a roadmap. Elizabeth bent her head down to let few tears to fall she knew…her grandmother’s time was coming.

The limp hand that laid nestled between Elizabeth’s suddenly tightened around hers, drawing the attention of the dismal granddaughter’s back to the woman that laid in bed. Elizabeth looked up to find the same shade of blue eyes as hers staring back at her—full of love.

“Hi, Grams. I’m home,” Elizabeth said smiling up at her grandmother. She rose and placed a gentle kiss on Audrey’s cheek. Elizabeth sat down on the bed beside Audrey still holding onto her hand.

“It’s about time, dear,” Audrey said. Her voice was low and soft. Elizabeth could see the difficulty she had speaking as she watched her take a few deep breaths. Audrey closed her eyes to open them again before she spoke. “I thought I wouldn’t get to see you one last time,” she whispered.

“Don’t talk like that Grams. A bit of rest and nourishment and you’ll be as good as new.” She knew she was being delusional but she wasn’t ready to let go of one of the few remaining anchors to her childhood.

“I’m so glad to see you again, Grams,” said Elizabeth, cheerfully in an attempt to change the subject.

“As it is to see you dear,” Audrey replied understanding her grandchild’s need to speak of something else.

“I love you, you know that right?” she asked to make sure her grandmother knew. She told her every time she had the opportunity to and this time wouldn’t be different.

“Yes, I do and I love you too, dear.” Audrey replied. She raised her hand to place her palm on Elizabeth’s cheek.

Her grandmother looked at her intently before saying, “You look so much like your mother except your eyes.” She paused to take a few deep labored breathes. “They’re your father’s eyes.”

“I miss them. I wonder…” Elizabeth stopped and then began again. “…if things would have been different.”

“Different? As in they would have tried to stop Emily and Lucky if they had known about them,” her grandmother replied sternly, daring Elizabeth to challenge her. “You need to understand what they did was out of love for each other. Anyone including you can see those two are meant to be together.” Her grandmother said closing her eyes.

“I know but he was mine,” Elizabeth was sounding like a child "it just hurts,” she continued “to know that they couldn’t tell me instead of hiding it from me.”

“I understand sweetheart but its time for you to let go. They have a stable marriage and two beautiful children.” She stopped for air and then went on, “It’s time for you to let go of the hurt and anger to get to know your family again. You held a grudge losing time with not just your siblings but their children as well. Let go my dear—it’s time.”

“I’ll try, Grams. I’ll try,” she said thinking of the time she had lost with her family. The young children she had framed pictures of but didn’t meet until this day. Her brother that paid the consequences because of her stubbornness as well as her sister that she could have tried to heal her relationship with instead of fleeing.

Elizabeth looked up at her grandmother to find her eyes closed. Her eyes were blurry from unshed tears but her grandmother looked clearly peaceful as she slept. She deserved peace after years of taking care of others—even if that meant saying goodbye.

“My dear you can go anywhere, be anyone but the blood that flows in you will always remain the same as your families. If you can’t run from them then you might as well come home to them.” Audrey whispered to the silent young woman besides her before letting sleep over take her.

Elizabeth let her grandmother’s words sink in as she sank down to the floor to rest her head on the bed. She still held her grandmother’s hand as she let her mind cease its function to allow sleep to seep in.

~*~

She was back. After six years of no contact of any sorts she was back. She was back. The thought kept running around and around in Jason Morgan’s mind like a spinning top as he ascended the stairs. It was late at night and he had just come down to warm a bottle and finally his thoughts had caught up with him. Elizabeth was back and from the looks of it she would be staying as long as she wanted.

Elizabeth Webber, his best friend’s little sister, the once curly haired little girl that had welcomed him with a warm smile when the Webber’s had taken him in. The one that had driven him nuts while tutoring her for math and helped accomplish quite a few brilliant pranks some of which against him and the boys. The petite brunette that Jason had fallen for without knowing.

Jason sighed heavily as he thought back to his discovery of his feelings for the brunette beauty. It was during his summer break after his junior year in college. He was nineteen and she was sixteen. They were sitting in the white gazebo watching the reflection of the sunset on the creek.

Elizabeth had found him there reading his favorite travel book on Italy. She joined him just as the sun was bidding its farewell. Her face light up as she confided in him of some day seeing the sunset in Italy, of painting it, traveling on a yacht across the Mediterranean Sea, of just exploring the world. Her smile never faltered while she spoke of her hopes and dreams.

Jason had just sat there listening to every word that passed through her lips. He took in her profile—the dimple on her left cheek, button nose, plush pink lips, flushed cheeks from the heat, raven lashes, and her beautiful sapphire eyes that looked different shades of color time to time. A reason for the late night rides; constant pacing around in his room thinking of her, the protectiveness that came out in him for her, and the need to always make sure she was nearby came to him that night. What he hadn’t understood about his feelings for her dawned on him while he drank in her beauty. He had fallen in love with Elizabeth.

He had come to understand his feelings when it was too late. Elizabeth was in love with Lucky and from the way things looked—at the time—they were as stable as a rock. Jason hadn’t thought of acting on his feelings also for Sonny would have skinned him alive if he looked at her other than a little sister. His heart broke for another two years as he stood by watching Elizabeth with another man despite his attempts to burry his feelings. Jason was left to pine for the brunette to find a stray of hope only for it to be crushed, when she left.

He had been the barer of bad news six years ago when he delivered the envelope from Emily and Lucky to Elizabeth. The blonde had stood by and watched Elizabeth’s face fall and fill with hurt as she read the note. It had broken his heart to watch her in pain. Jason had done what he could that night, comfort her.

Jason held her in his arms as she cried, her body shaking from her sobs. He had taken her to her room to rock her to sleep, enveloped in his arms. She had laid spooned to his side with an arm over his stomach and her head lying on his shoulder. Jason had looked down at her tear stained face and pushed a side a few strands of hair that hid her eyelids. He had stroked her cheek and placed a kiss on her forehead once she had fallen a sleep. Jason’s last thought before he had fallen a sleep was that maybe if he could help her heal then maybe they could have a chance—if she wanted.

Though when morning came he awoke alone to find the brunette missing. He had found a simple note by his side:

Thank you. I’ll see you later. —Elizabeth

After that he had moved back to Boston and eventually started a family of his own and returned to Port Charles to crossroads once again with Elizabeth.

The baby’s cry from the baby monitor broke brought his attention back to the present. Jason never thought back except now and that didn’t sit so well with him. He shook his head, hoping a good jerk would help—it didn’t. Jason then just ignored his thoughts to go check on his daughter.

The baby girl was fast a sleep once her father made it to her room. Jason hovered over her crib for a few minutes before placing a kiss on one of her red chubby cheeks and pulling up the blanket she had kicked away. He watched her sleep like an angel for a few more minutes before heading for the door.

Jason closed the door to turn around and find Audrey’s door slightly open. He decided to check on the old woman he had come to love as his own grandmother. The site that welcomed Jason wasn’t the one he had been expecting. There sat Elizabeth on the floor, a sleep, with her head and hands resting by her grandmother on the bed. She didn’t look very comfortable and would sure to be stiff in the morning.

The blonde decided to take pity on her and silently walked over to her side to kneel down beside her. He hooked her feet over one arm and placed her neck on his other to smoothly raise her off the uncomfortable floor. Once Jason had her in his arms and stood, Elizabeth instantly buried her face into the crock of his neck with a sigh and placed a hand over his heart. This was turning out to be a very bad decision on Jason’s part. Jason thanked his lucky stars that he had thrown on a t-shirt instead of walking around in just his black silk pajama bottoms.

He ignored how perfectly she fit in his arms and concentrated on how light she weighed. The woman was tiny as it was and on top of that had a habit of forgetting to eat. Now that she was here for however long that was maybe Sonny could get her to eat healthy, knowing Sonny he would feed her like he feed his kids. Jason carried her around the bed and slowly laid her down beside Audrey. Then, gently tugged off her sandals and placed them under the bed, so she wouldn’t trip over them in the morning.

Once on the bed Elizabeth shifted to her side and instantly curled up. She looked beautiful as she slept and Jason couldn’t help but slip the hair that curtained her face from him away behind her ear. Her porcelain skin was softer than he remembered and Jason frowned at the thought. He looked at her for another few moments and then retrieved a spare blanket. Once Elizabeth was covered, Jason shifted his concentration to the old woman beside the younger one.

Audrey looked calm and content—she always did when she slept—but anyone looking at her could tell her time was coming. Jason was about to turn away when Audrey’s eyes opened and she winked at him before she closed them again. A faint blush appeared on Jason’s cheek for being caught at being a softy.

Jason smiled as he left the room and quietly shut the door behind him not to disturb the slumbering women. He quickened his pace, the throw rug tickling his bare feet, to get to his room before Brenda or Emily caught sight of him—the questions would start flying and would never end—he definitely didn’t need that to night. Jason reached his room to drop into bed and let sleep take over him before his mind began reeling with thoughts again. He would face life and whatever came with it in the morning.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Two

Elizabeth woke to a cloud hidden sun in her eyes. She quickly shut them with a groan and pulled the blanket over her head to snooze a little bit more. Instead, she opened her eyes again to stare at the blanket covering her—a nice blue cotton blanket—making her still drowsy mind to think. When did she get a blanket or end up in a comfy bed. Elizabeth sat up to discover she was still in her grandmother’s room but not on the floor, like she had initially started out sleeping.

She looked over at her grandmother and found the old woman still calmly sleeping. Elizabeth spent a few more moments etching the image of her peaceful Grams into her mind. It felt like the summer days she had spent waiting for her to wake up and begin their day together. The ache in Elizabeth’s heart began to grow and she quickly but silently got out of bed to stretch.

Her mind kept doing that, thinking of the past and the last few moments she had with her grandmother. Elizabeth then decided, since she had gotten a good night’s sleep thanks to someone, she might as well take a shower. It was just another way for her to take her mind off of the inevitable moment that would occur sooner than she wanted.

The brush of carpet against her feet made Elizabeth look down. She found that the kind stranger from last night had also removed her sandals for her comfort too. They were tucked under the bed out of her way, whoever that had been so considerate she would thank later.

Elizabeth padded her way over to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She threw a splash of cold water on her face and looked up at her reflection in the mirror. She looked better than she had last night that was for sure. There was more color in her face that had been missing for the last few weeks and the bags from late night sketching were gone. A good night’s rest could do that for a person.

Elizabeth slowly slipped out of her clothes to place them folded on top of the towel cabinet. She was left standing in a matching maroon lace bra and panties. Her brain began to slow down its function when Elizabeth gave it a good shake. She needed the shower to wake her nerves, which she needed to be able to face the day that waited for her. With that thought, Elizabeth reached for the clasp of her bra to finish dressing and jump into the shower.

The brunette had just opened the clasp to only re-hook it with a frustrated groan when it dawned on Elizabeth that her luggage was probably in her room. She had no fresh clothes to change into but she was also in dire need of a shower. It was still early in the morning and no one was up yet, which Elizabeth could use to her advantage. She quickly dropped her folded clothes into the laundry basket and grabbed a towel.

The towel was big enough to cover her from chest to mid-thigh, leaving only her bra straps and her legs exposed but that didn’t mean Elizabeth wasn’t still self-conscious. She re-entered her grandmother’s room for a quick glance at the sleeping Webber matriarch. The brunette then made her way to the door to only stop before she opened it.

Elizabeth ran a hand through her silky hair, took in a gulp of air, clutched the towel closer to her body and turned the knob to only pause. She could do this…no she couldn’t, she couldn’t even wear a two piece bathing suit without a sarong and t-shirt before stepping into the water. Elizabeth scowled herself, she was being an idiot. It was seven o’clock on a Sunday morning; she wasn’t going to bump into anyone while in a towel.

Elizabeth bowed her head, opened the door, and stepped into the hallway. For a moment, the brunette thought she was home-free before she barreled straight into someone.

~*~

It was one of those cool summer mornings when the clouds hid the sun and Jason was up and about. The baby was still sleeping and rest of the family was also snoring away. It was one of those rare mornings in the seven months that Jason was back that his morning was calm.

Freshly shaved and showered, Jason was ready for his cup of many black coffees of the day. Silently, the tall blonde made his way into the hallway, sure to make no noise to jeopardize his tranquil morning. He popped his head into the nursery to find his daughter still snoozing away. With a small smile on his face he made his way to the stairs, each stride confident.

Halfway down the stairs, Jason abruptly stopped and bounded back up to the second floor. He had forgotten the baby monitor in his hurry to get downstairs. Jason made it barely past Audrey’s room when the door opened and a petite figure collided with his.

Instantly, Jason’s arm flew out to steady the person, one arm wrapped around a small waist and a hand reached for a waist. His face meet with a mass of hair and a small sniff filled his nostrils with the sweet scent of vanilla. A pair of soft, tiny hands were on his biceps and a face was pressed into his shoulder. Their bodies were touching from the chest to thighs and any movement led to more contact. The blood in his veins grew hot when the elfin body pressed closer and his hands felt bare smooth skin. This was definitely not how he had intended to start his morning.

The towel that Elizabeth held covering her body fell in a puddle around her feet when she let go to reach for a pair of steadying arms. There was an arm around her waist and a large rough hand on her hip, molding her small body intimately to a hard much larger one. There was barely any space left between them and every time either one of them breathed her breasts bumped into his hard chest. It also didn’t help that his skin on her skin brought her nerves to life. Her face was pressed into a solid, cotton covered shoulder, and a muscular smell invaded her nose. This was not how she planned on starting her morning, clad only in flimsy undergarments and a necklace in a man’s arms.

The two stood frozen with their eyes squeezed shut before Jason finally straightened to look down at the woman in his arms. His eyes grew wide when he recognized the hair of the other early riser of the morning. He stood at a loss of words and brain function when Elizabeth finally revealed her horrified face.

Jason watched her face turn scarlet red and her draw her lower lip between her teeth to torture it. His eyes followed, the blush spreading over her flawless skin to only tear his eyes away from her when his eyes reached her maroon bra. His own ears began to grow warm.

Elizabeth stood mortified and scared of what to do next. She wasn’t comfortable in her skin as it was and having Jason see her in a state of near nakedness wasn’t going to help her confidence. Her heart began to gallop faster as his labored breath fanned against her cheek before he pulled away.

The brunette remained paralyzed as the older man slowly squatted down before her and picked up the towel. He carefully pulled it up—making sure to make minimal contact with her skin or look at much of it. Jason pulled the ends of the towel together in front of her and loudly cleared his throat, as a signal for her to take them. When she didn’t take them into her hands Jason began to grow impatient, he really didn’t want to stand around like this anymore. Finally, he took a hold of her tiny hand compared to his larger tan one and placed it on the ends of the towel he held.

Then, pivoted on his heels and walked back stiff—as causally as possible—to the stairs he had just come up of. A calm morning—scratch that it was going to be a morning full of havoc that was for sure. Jason could only imagine how the rest of the day would be.

The same thought ran through Elizabeth’s mind—what mayhem would she have to face later on.

~*~

She was stalling. It had been two hours since the little incident in the hallway and Elizabeth hadn’t left her grandmother’s room since taking a shower and sneaking back with clothes on this time. Her stomach grumbled in a very un-lady like way and a pout formed on Elizabeth’s face. She needed to go to the kitchen for some much needed food but that also meant facing Jason, which she wasn’t ready to do.

“You should just go down there already and please that stomach of yours.” A voice murmured from behind her. Elizabeth turned to look at her very amused Grams. Audrey didn’t know anything but had an idea that something had happened that had her granddaughter hiding like a scared rabbit.

“Um…I’m not hungry…just…” When the look on Audrey’s face didn’t change at her stuttering, Elizabeth sighed and admitted, “Okay so I’m a little hungry.”

“Then go downstairs.”

“But—”

“Elizabeth dear, you’re an adult but I’m telling you to go eat and no buts young lady.”

“Alright, I’m going Grams.” Elizabeth replied and walked to the door thinking of how little their relationship had changed since she was a child.

“That stomach of yours will thank me later.” Audrey said making the exiting brunette smile.

Once in the hallway Elizabeth looked both ways before making her way to the stairs. Nobody was around to bump into her that was good. She made her way down the stairs and voices on the first floor welcomed her. The voices were coming from the kitchen. Her flip-flops made flapping noise as she made her way to the archway of the kitchen.

Elizabeth let her eyes wonder over the enormous brick kitchen. The table that her family sat at was slightly larger than she recalled, they must have changed the length to accommodate the ever growing group. The crackle of eggs frying drew her attention to the stove that Sonny currently was the king of.

Her brother from the moment he was old enough to be near fire had taken over making the cuisine for the Webbers. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, you name it he cooked, letting their grandmother enjoy sometime eating at the table. The Webber women letting the only Webber man take over the kitchen wasn’t a very good idea. He was a brilliant chef but his ego grew along with each delicious dish. He had come to dominate the kitchen and enforce some ridiculous rules, like no microwavable popcorn. Microwavable popcorn was a woman’s best friend and she had done a lot of sneaking around to make her batches, going so far as bribing his then girlfriend, Brenda, to distract him.

A giggle brought her attention to the table. The kids were all sitting and the adults were supervising. Cereal, milk cartons, a variety of jugs full of juice, and every kind of breakfast plate known to man crowded the table. She missed the meals at the Webber’s; you would always leave the table sure to gain at least a few hundred calories from the meals.

Suddenly, all the voices came to a halt the minute each and every member of the family noticed her standing at the entrance. Elizabeth seemed to be able to do that a lot lately, cause silence without doing anything but appearing. Before she could speak or move the air from her lungs were knocked out as a brunette about her size came out of no where and crushed her in a hug.

“Elizabeth, welcome home,” said Brenda tightening her hold on the younger brunette. “I didn’t believe Sonny when he told me you were back. But then I had to believe him when the kids confirmed it. It’s so great to have you back,” the older woman continued all in one breath, still preventing Elizabeth from breathing properly.

“Geez, Brenda let the poor girl breathe.”

Brenda let go of Elizabeth only to turn around and glare at her husband with hands on her hips. “Is there something wrong with me welcoming back my sister-in-law with a hug?’

“No, but if you cut off my sisters circulation then there’s no use, is there?”

Elizabeth’s laughter broke the glaring match the couple had going. Everyone turned around to look at a very amused Elizabeth. It was the first time since she returned that she had laughed.

“God I missed you, Brenda.” Elizabeth pulled the older woman back into a hug but made sure to let go before the older woman could suffocate her with her grip. She never noticed her sister’s hurt expression.

“Ditto, kiddo.” The older brunette hooked her arm with the youngest Webber and without Brenda blocking her view, Elizabeth eyes meet with another pair of blue eyes, Jason’s.

Right away, Elizabeth’s face turned a very nice shade of pink as did Jason’s ears. Elizabeth’s eyes were fixed on her toes and Jason began studying the baby sauce he held. No one else may have noticed the behavior of the two but Brenda did and a mischievous grin formed on her face. Something was going on and she was going to find out.

“Elizabeth, you remember Jason don’t you?” came Sonny’s voice from the stove. He was just being polite and making sure that Elizabeth knew who the blonde man was. His manners only fueled his wife’s suspicion when Elizabeth gaped at her brother and Jason glared at an unsuspecting Sonny. Yup, she was right, something was going on.

“Of course, I do.” She lied, with a small smile to make her answer believable. No one—especially Jason—needed to know that she had failed to remember the blonde that was looking at her skeptically.

“Liz, why don’t you sit down?” Brenda pushed Elizabeth to sit down into the chair directly in front of Jason. The older brunette also took a chair beside her, turned to her fussy children, and watched the uneasy adults from the corner of her eyes.

Elizabeth would just have to ignore the older man across from her that was the only way she going to make it through breakfast. Jason kept his eyes on the baby sauce, mixing more than necessary.

“Here you go, honey. Scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and chocolate chip pancakes. Just the way you like.” Sonny said placing a plate over flowing of food in front of her.

“Uh…this is a little too much. Could you—” She was caught off by her over eager brother.

“Elizabeth you're as tiny as it is. Now eat up before I feed you myself. Need anything else?” Sonny’s words made Jason smirk, he knew the older man would feed her and maybe distract the older man from stuffing Jason’s face.

“Um…no, I got what I need.” What she really needed was a cup of hot chocolate. Before she could look around for the jug a cup of hot, steaming chocolate was placed by her plate. Elizabeth looked up to find Jason leaning back into his seat. A smile spread on her face and she had barely spoke the syllable, “Thank—” to once again be caught off by another member of her energetic family.

“Did you sleep well last night?” came Lucky’s voice from the other side of the table. He was seated next to David, trying to get the boy to stop throwing cheerios at his sister.

She was a little taken a back by his interest in her well-being but recovered quickly. Elizabeth plastered a smile on her face and answered, “I did, thanks to someone. I fell a sleep on the floor and woke up on bed.”

Jason stopped the spoon mid-air to his daughter at the mention of last night. There was no one interested in Elizabeth’s mention of ending up in bed that was good. He didn’t want to explain his actions to everyone. He went back to feeding his daughter, who was sat in her high-chair too fascinated with the spoon she held to pay attention to her father.

“That’s good.” Lucky replied from under the table retrieving the napkins Jessica had thrown at her brother in retaliation for the cheerios. How kids were full of life in the morning was a mystery to Elizabeth.

“Do you plan to stay at the house today?” Emily asked mixing a cup of coffee.

Elizabeth hadn’t noticed her sister until that moment. “I’m not sure yet, why?” If her sister was going to try being kind to her, she would at least return as much kindness as she could.

“Well, me and Brenda were planning on going shopping. Would you like to come?” Emily’s mention of shopping made all the men in the table groan, Jason’s being the loudest. Before Elizabeth could answer Emily fixed her glare on the tall blonde. “Is there something wrong Jason? Last time I checked you weren’t getting dragged to the mall today.”

When Jason just shook his head, grumbled something under his breathe, and took a sip of coffee, Brenda decided to take a jab at Jason. “But that doesn’t mean that we won’t bring back a whole new wardrobe for you.” There was a wicked gleam in her eyes and Jason knew she would.

Jason just stared at her in disbelief, making his daughter laugh at his horrified expression. Before he could comment, Sonny stepped in. “Brenda, Emily leave Jason alone. Elizabeth, do want to join them?”

Elizabeth had been silently sitting back taking in the scene unfolding before her. Same old, Brenda and Emily, even with age the two still loved bugging Jason. “I think I would like to spend some more time with Grams, if that’s okay?” she replied.

“Sure.” Emily was disappointed but at least her sister hadn’t snapped the branch she was extending.

Elizabeth thought it over, should she or shouldn’t she ask. It was now or never. She took a deep breathe and cleared her throat before saying, “Is there anything that can be done for Grams?” She’d done it again, stunned everyone into silence. The adults in the room looked at anyone but her that wasn’t a good sign. “I mean have you considered heart surgery or transplants?” Elizabeth wasn’t sure who she was directing her question to, she just wanted an answer.

“We’ve exhausted all the options.” He had finally spoken out loud in her presence. His voice was deep and full of emotion. Elizabeth moved her head to find herself looking into clear blue honest eyes, Jason’s eyes. “She wouldn’t…survive surgery and at her age, transplants are out of the question. We’ve tried but there’s nothing left that can be done.” Elizabeth had always sought honesty and had always received that from Jason. She was grateful that he hadn’t given her false hope to cling to.

Jason watched tears fill Elizabeth’s eyes before she shifted her attention to the food on her plate. He was sure it wasn’t what she had wanted to hear but he had to say something when no one else would. The children had resumed what they called eating breakfast and the adults remained where they were. Jason watched Elizabeth tighten her grip around her fork and saw a single tear streak down her face.

She wasn’t going to cry. She wasn’t going to cry not in front of everyone. She took big gulps of air and tried to be tough but the tears still came. Elizabeth was going to lose her grandmother and there was nothing she could do. The pain in her heart began to grow and course through her body. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to find her sister with eyes full of unshed tears.

Emily gave her sister a shaky smile and tightened her grip on Elizabeth’s shoulder. Tears began to fall freely down Elizabeth’s face and she didn’t wipe them away. Emily wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her sister and cry with her but she knew it was too soon to offer her comfort. She could only stand by and be there if she was needed by the younger brunette.

Finally, Sonny broke through the strained silence that had formed between the adults. “Elizabeth, would you like to take Grams her breakfast? She should be up and energized by now.”

Elizabeth wiped away some of the wet tears that still remained on her pale face and turned to Sonny. She nodded her head and asked, “Does she get the special?” Her voice was croaky and her nose was red.

“Most certainly, herbal tea, toast, eggs, sunny side up, and oatmeal.” Sonny announced dramatically, revealing the food on the tray with a wave of his hand making the solemn adults smile.

Elizabeth’s hands trembled as she took hold of the tray and made her way into the foyer to go upstairs. She was going to be strong; she needed to be for herself, her family, and especially for her grandmother. The brunette climbed the steps and made her way down the hallway.

Audrey was still sleeping contently with her hands at her side and a small smile on her face. Elizabeth watched her chest rise and fall as she took in air. She had spent hours as a child after losing her parents listening to her grandmother’s heart thump on to make sure it didn’t stop. It was Elizabeth’s way of making sure that if her heart stopped she would be able to wake her grandmother back up. Now, as an adult she couldn’t believe in those naïve thoughts and when that moment came she was going to have to accept it.

The door opened slightly and Emily entered with a small medicine pouch in her hand. She shut the door and came to stand beside the younger brunette. “She looks peaceful, doesn’t she?” she whispered to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth only nodded. She didn’t want to open up to her sister; she wasn’t ready to trust her yet. She walked a few paces away from Emily and stopped beside her grandmother. She looked over at her sister and was about to speak when she felt boney fingers tighten around her arm.

The brunette looked down to find her grandmother smiling back up at her. “I hear your stomachs quiet now.”

The comment made Elizabeth and Emily chuckle. “It’s so nice to see my two girls back in the same room.” Audrey said looking at the two young women standing before her. “Do you remember the time that you two painted A.J. Quartermaine’s car a horrible green color?”

[JRK Archiver]

The two sisters began to laugh and Audrey’s soft laughter soon joined theirs. It was while they were in high school when A.J. had insulted Georgie that the Webber girls had stepped in and gotten revenge for their friend by painting his convertible puke green. They had expected to be grounded for a year but their grandmother had just cackled at their stunt.

“Your faces were about the same shade as the car when I confronted you two.” Audrey continued after catching her breath.

“Well, we didn’t know what you would do.” Elizabeth murmured as moved closer to the older woman.

“He deserved it; the guy was an arrogant prick.” Emily defended her actions.

“I want you two to know that I’m proud of you and who you’ve become. I pray that this family will heal and move forward to the future together.” As Audrey whispered her hopes, Sonny entered the room to catch her last few words.

Sonny smiled his dimples and smile lines all out for his grandmother. A few of the most important women in his life turned to welcome him. He came to stand between his baby sisters and wrapped an arm around each of their waists.

The Webber children gazed down at the woman that had been a constant in their lives. Audrey looked up at the once young children now mature adults that had been left in her care when her only child died. They had come to her with their spirits broken to grow strong and become successful adults full of love. They were together again and had been raised to support each other when they were in pain. She would let faith run its course to decide her future and her family’s.

“This is the way things should be and I wish for it to be this way even after I leave you.” Audrey whispered to the solemn grandchildren that watched her. Hey eyes closed as sleep overwhelmed her senses leaving the siblings to wonder what they’re future would hold without the constant in their lives.

~*~

After her interesting morning Elizabeth spent the rest of the day with her grandmother, reading to her, listening, and savoring every moment she had left. It was dinner time but Elizabeth didn’t have much of an appetite. Her Grams was resting now and she didn’t want to disturb her. The brunette wondered about exploring the house she had been familiar with nearly all her life. She had gone through the wings and was making her way to the backyard.

Her eye sought out the white gazebo that sat beyond the patio, positioned to give the occupant of the spectator area the opportunity to take in the beautiful view of the creek of the property. There he sat watching the sun sink away.

Jason was gazing at the creek with his daughter playing with the dog that sat besides them. Elizabeth was about to turn away when the dog noticed her and began barking. The barking caused the young child and her father to turn her away.

There was no where to go now but to the gazebo. If she returned back to the house it would be rude and she had to face Jason sooner or later, it might as well be now. She just hoped she wasn’t red as a tomato yet.

Elizabeth walked bit by bit to the gazebo and stopped at one of the entrances She began to fidget as Jason just sat stoic, looking at her, his daughter following his lead. She might as well start the conversation since the others weren’t volunteering.

“Hi.” She said twisting her hands with a nervous smile. Her palms were sweating and the feeling of regret began to grow in her stomach when he didn’t reply right away.

“Hi.”

“Can I join you?”

“If you want to.” His answer leaving her feeling unwelcome.

Elizabeth sat down cautiously beside the dog as a barrier to the father and child. The dog seemed to have other ideas and leaped down to amble towards to the creek. An awkward silence formed between them. Jason’s daughter lost interest in her and began to fiddle with Elizabeth’s charm bracelet.

“Hi, sweetie.” She spoke to the child. She was adorable with a button nose, strawberry blonde, hair and stunning blue eyes like her father. The baby reached for her and Elizabeth looked up in silent request. Jason shifted the baby from his lap and placed her on Elizabeth’s.

Once in her arms the baby instantly warmed up to Elizabeth, tugging at her hair and grasping for her pendant as the brunette brushed her hand through the child’s soft hair. “You like shiny things, don’t you?” She kept her hands clasped on the child’s back to keep her on her lap and then shifted her eyes to the father.

Jason sat back watching his daughter become acquainted with the brunette. Looked like his daughter even liked the younger woman. Elizabeth was good with children, she always had been and it was no different with his daughter. The two women beside him paid little attention to him before Elizabeth’s blue eyes looked up to meet his.

“What’s her name?” She asked, genuinely interested.

“Madeline.”

“Hi, Madeline that’s a beautiful name you have. A beautiful name for a beautiful baby,” Elizabeth cooed to the child. The baby was too fascinated with her glass pendant to pay much attention to her. “How old is she?”

“Almost eight months.” He replied looking down at the ground.

She might as well clear up the tense air between her and Jason. “About this morning…” She began already starting to turn red.

Jason looked up from the wooden floor to make her blush darken when his eyes moved away from her face to her body. She wore a cotton tunic and a pair of white jeans but he knew what was underneath it and that was what made her uneasy. “Let’s pretend it never happened,” she finished in one quick breath.

“Okay.”

“Okay. Okay,” she needed to change the subject. “So…a lot has changed for in your life since I last saw you, huh?”

He just simply nodded.

“You got married?”

Another nod.

“You had a baby? Well duh she’s right here.” Elizabeth laughed nervously looking down at the baby in her arms.

Jason gave her another curt nod.

“When do I get to meet the lucky lady?” Elizabeth said with a smile. She’d seen the rest of the family but hadn’t caught a sign of Mrs. Morgan yet.

“She’s gone.” Jason murmured, his head bowed.

That was not the answer Elizabeth was expecting. The awkward silence returned. Jason had always been a private person and that hadn’t changed with time. She was curious but she wouldn’t push and Jason would either tell her or she’d respect his privacy. “Uh…” Madeline came to her rescue when she cooed and buried her face into Elizabeth’s chest. The sound from the baby caught both adult’s attention. She was a sleep.

“We should get her to bed before she wakes up again and keeps the whole house awake for the rest of the night.” That was the most Jason had said at once over the span of two days to her.

Elizabeth stood and cradled the baby in her arms and began walking toward the house, Jason following close behind.

He watched her, taking in the way she carried his daughter close to her body up the stairs. The way she brushed Maddie’s hair away from her forehead and a placed a soft kiss on her forehead before handing the baby gently back to him.

“Goodnight.” She whispered to them before turning for her grandmother’s room. Leaving a silent, pondering, Jason and sleeping baby at the nursery door.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Three

It seemed more like three weeks rather than three days that Elizabeth was back. She had spent hours in her grandmother’s room, avoiding any if at all contact with the others. A normal person would have gone crazy, locked away in a room but she wasn’t normal and enjoyed the time with her grandmother.

Elizabeth sat in the cushioned chair beside the floor length windows and ignored the beautiful view outside to gaze at the older woman in bed. Audrey was a sleep again for nearly an hour leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts. Three days away from her loft, office, Ric and Elton—what felt odd was that she didn’t miss them, well she missed Elton a bit. She had missed Port Charles more than she missed the city in the span of three days. Elizabeth felt no longing to be back in Manhattan like she had expected when she left.

It was nearly, dinnertime and it looked like Sonny wasn’t going to be generous and bring her meal up again. It was her brother’s way of manipulating her into going down to spend time with the family. Sonny had used the method when she was younger but it wasn’t going to work this time. Her brother would eventually feed her, it was morally wrong to him to let someone go unfed. Elizabeth wasn’t hungry; she was going to be just fine.

Once again Elizabeth’s stomach begged to differ. It growled making Elizabeth groan, it looked like Sonny was going to get his way. The brunette made her way to her grandmother and placed a light kiss on her cheek. It felt colder and the A.C. wasn’t on. She took one more lingering look at her Grams before turning away to begin her long descent to the dinning room.

The house was quiet but as usual the threshold leading to the dinning room was buzzing with noise. Everyone was just about to take their seats when she entered. To her great relief no one stopped in their tracks to stare—no one noticed giving her time to view the room.

The mahogany table stood as grand as usual in the enormous room, it was fashionable to have large rooms when the Webber ancestors had built the house. The table was full of food and Elizabeth knew there was more to come. A set of matching buffets with sliding glass doors full of china and a wine rack stacked with expensive wine sat in different corners of the room.

She raised her head to look at the dimmed all-glass chandelier that hung in the center of the room. It was the same one from the time that the house was first built, it was stunning and she had spent hours as a child at the table admiring the twinkling lights. There were candles and flowers on every available surface but it didn’t look crowded but elegant. The ones on the dinning table weren’t lite—for the safety of the children—but the room looked spectacular as it always had to her. The only difference was the growing number of cushioned chairs and stools that were placed in different places in the room.

Elizabeth was brought out of her trance when she felt a tug on her hand. She looked down to find Jessica’s warm brown eyes looking up at her. A smile instantly found its way to Elizabeth’s face. The child was timid and was still to say a word to her.

“Hi, honey.” She squatted down to the young child’s eye level.

“Won’t you come sit with me?” Her words full of uncertainty.

“I’d love to.” Elizabeth let Jessica lead her by the hand to a chair right between her and Belle. Her young nieces were beaming with joy when she took her seat. Belle was to her right, Jessica to her left, Brenda and Michael across from her—there was more than enough distance between her and the Spencer couple.

“Nice of you to join us,” someone whispered into her ear. She turned around to find Sonny standing behind her. He gave her a cheeky smile before he made his way to his seat at the head of the table, which she returned.

Elizabeth settled into her seat and took in the faces of those gathered around the oval table, there was someone missing. Jason was nowhere in site or his daughter.

Sonny had noticed as well, “Where’s Jason?”

“Reading?” was Lucky’s response.

“Swimming?” came Emily’s.

“Riding that deathtrap of his?” Brenda said with a snort.

All there guesses were wrong except the one that came next. “Went to see great-grams?” was Michaels answer, which the adults accepted as the answer.

His father nodded to his response. “Your probably right, Michael. He must have taken Madeline to see Grams.”

That made Elizabeth think had Jason wanted to stop by seeing Grams all day? Did he wait until dinner because he knew that her stomach would win her battle to stay in the room? Was he avoiding her? What she was really curious about was what he had to speak to her grandmother about that he couldn’t speak of in front of her?



~*~



Michael was right Jason was visiting Audrey. The blonde poked his head into the room to see if a certain brunette was around. He was right Elizabeth wouldn’t be able to hold up through dinner and it gave him an opportunity to see Audrey. His daughter began to fuss to see what he was looking at and opened the door wide to enter.

Jason quietly closed the door behind him and made his way to the side of the bed. She was sleeping peacefully, giving Jason time to absorb his surroundings. Memories of loved ones in similar conditions flashed before his eyes. The wounds were still there, some fresher than others. Jason blocked out the ache from the past to concentrate on the woman before him.

Jason had been ten years old when his mother, Monica Morgan, passed away after her difficult battle with breast cancer—leaving him with just a few loving memories and a trust fund to depend on. His mother had been a heart specialist and they had never grown any deep roots anywhere for she was a doctor without borders. It had been just him and his mother for the short time he had with her, hopping from one country to another, which Jason never minded. After his mother was gone he never looked for his father—he didn’t have any respect for a man that abandoned his pregnant wife.

He had been nine when his mother settled them into a small home in Auburn, Maine. Jason had been ecstatic to finally have a home and room he could call his own forever but his spirit was crushed when he learned that his mother was sick. He had stood by her side through the extensive chemotherapy sessions and made sure that she knew she wasn’t alone. In the end, Jason’s strength hadn’t been enough for the both of them for he had to say goodbye.

Jason had stepped into a dim world of his own when Audrey Webber entered his life. Audrey was his mother’s godmother and upon learning of the loss of her goddaughter made the journey to the small town in Maine for Jason. Audrey had welcomed him into her family with open, loving arms, as had her family.

The Webbers were the light that brightened Jason’s life and made him a member of a family all because of the woman that laid in front of him. He would always be grateful for the love and home that Audrey gave him but he understood that when time came he had to let go of another extraordinary woman in his life.

“You think too loud,” followed by Madeline’s giggles drew Jason back to the present.

Audrey was awake and watching him with curiosity. Jason took a seat beside the older woman and placed his daughter next her, who instantly curled up next to the resting woman. “Good evening, Audrey.”

“Yes it is. I’m glad to see you. I was starting to wonder why I have seen so little of you and Madeline.” Audrey murmured with a knowing smile.

“I thought you would want more time with our visitor.” Jason said his eyes fixed on the threads of the bed sheets.

Audrey took note that Jason avoided saying Elizabeth’s names. “I always have time for you and this little one.” Madeline was comfortably resting beside Audrey now, her head nestled on Audrey’s shoulder. “You remind me of your mother, you know that?”

Jason looked up at Audrey interested as to what similarity she had found this time between him and his mother. The memories of his mother were kept alive in his mind because of Audrey. He had spent all his life with Audrey learning about his mother, her habits, silly stories, and what they shared in common.

“You think of others before yourself just like Monica did. You think of the need and comfort of others before your own. Your mother had when she was willing to give up a comfortable office in Manhattan to treat the unfortunate in the world.” Audrey paused, her hand stroking Madeline’s soft hair.

“I know that you like to come see me whenever you can but you stepped aside for Elizabeth. It was very kind of you but my granddaughter would have been willing to allow you to see me. It makes me think that you may have been absent in my room more to avoid Elizabeth then to give her time with me?”

Audrey’s cobalt eyes were full of question but Jason knew that the older woman knew the answer. “I…I…” He didn’t know how to respond.

She decided to take pity on him, “Your mother would be very proud of you, my boy.” That made Jason smile.

“I can only hope.”

“You have. You’ve made me proud to know that you have grown into a wonderful man under my care. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You love without any limits and you’re a dedicated man to your family.” Audrey stopped for a breath and then continued, “You have become the man I know that your mother had dreamed for you to be. She is smiling down on you and always will.”

“Thank you for everything. I…I love you. I love you as my grandmother.” His voice was gentle and full of emotion.

“I love you too. Blood does not make a family, love does. In my heart you are my grandson.”

Jason simply smiled at the woman. One of those rare smiles that softened his feature. He didn’t need to reply for Audrey to know how much it meant to him to be called her grandson.

The comfortable silence grew on before Audrey spoke, “I have a few requests, Jason.”

“What is it Audrey?”

“Promise me you will think, truly think of what you want for your future.” Audrey raised a hand to keep Jason from replying when he opened his mouth. “I am well aware that you don’t think of the future but think of the moments with your wife, your daughter, and those to come with her.”

Audrey’s words silenced Jason as words of not to long ago began to echo in his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut and forced the voice to silence again. The blonde looked into the half-opened cobalt eyes that looked back at him. “I promise.” He didn’t say things that he didn’t mean and this time wasn’t different but he knew he wouldn’t be able to fulfill her wishes right away.

“Thank you. I have one more request.” Her eyes were barely open now. “Make sure that our family remains in one piece after I leave. They will need you the most once they find out…” Her last words were barely a whisper.

Her time was coming Jason could feel it in his heart. Audrey was stark pale and her hands were now freezing. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she took in her air. Before Audrey could utter another word Jason leaped off the bed and made a mad dash for the door. He had to get to the others.



~*~



Dinner was full of tension, only eased by the entertainment that the children provided. Elizabeth was stuffed and wasn’t sure if she would be able to eat a spoon of whatever dessert Sonny had set on the table. She was seated directly across from the entrance to the living room with a perfect view of the eye-catching grand staircase.

Elizabeth would have found an excuse to skip out on dessert but she wanted to give Jason and Madeline the time she had taken way from them with Audrey. She paid no attention to the conversation that the other adults were engrossed in or the chatter of the children. She wanted bedtime to come to be able to get back to her grandmother’s side.

Her glass pendant gained her attention. The pendant glinted under the chandelier’s light that illuminated the room. The pendant was her distraction from leaping out of her chair to get upstairs.

The brunette’s gaze shifted from the pendant to the staircase for a second to only flash back to it when a pair of boots appeared on the steps. They were Jason’s. She watched him fly down the staircase to come halt at the entrance of the room. What she saw in his eyes when their gazes’ meet made her heart thunder.

Fear. The gut wrenching fear Elizabeth saw in Jason’s usually calm blue eyes was enough for her to understand what had the older man in such a rush. There gaze never broke as Elizabeth slowly rose out of her seat to stand, catching everyone else’s attention in the room.

Before, Jason could say a word she broke into a sprint for the stairs. Jason easily moved out her way and she was bounding up the stairs, running without any thought but getting to her grandmother. Everything passed by her in a blur of colors as she ran up the stairs to the second floor and darted for the door to her Grams’ room.

She laid in bed as she had when Elizabeth had gone down for dinner but this time there was an un-welcomed shift in the air. Elizabeth rushed to Audrey’s side, her chest rose and fell and her hand was placed tenderly on a curled up Madeline at her side. The moment she had been terrified of since her return had come.

“Grams, Grams, please speak to me,” her voice trembling, the beginning of tears in her eyes. “Please, Grams wake up.” Her grandmother’s skin felt arctic cold against her warm hands. She cupped her Grams’ face and tried desperately to warm her. The family had gathered into the room now all strong on the outside but withering inside. “You can’t leave us. Please.”

Audrey’s eyelids drifted half open, her eyes loving and more beautiful than they ever had been. The light of life in them was dimmed but a flicker was still there. They had all gathered around the bed. She looked at each of them with a small sweet smile.

“I love you all. I have loved now it is your turn to love.” Her eyelids slowly drifted shut at every word. “Love one another for the love of your family is the greatest gift of all,” her voice now a whisper. “Goodbye my children.” With those words said her eyes shut and the world said farewell to Audrey Webber.

“No. No. Grams wake up. Come back.” Elizabeth’s cries filled the room. Tears streamed down her face, her hands shook. “Grams!” She was gone. Elizabeth’s body shook from her sobs as she fell into a pair of strong arms. “No, no, no,” she shrieked, clinging to the comfort that someone offered. Emily’s sobs, Brenda’s whimpers, Sonny and Lucky’s tear filled voices, and the tears of the children never registered in her mind as her grief consumed her and just wept for tomorrows without her grandmother.

Jason rocked Elizabeth back and forth in his arms. Her head tucked under his chin and hands clutching his shirt as she cried. Tears of his own streamed down his face as he held the brunette enveloped by his warmth in his arms. “I promise.” He whispered. Jason placed a gentle kiss on her temple. “I promise.” He repeated a confirmation of his promise to Audrey’s last wish for her family.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Four

The room felt empty now. The warmth and joy that once encircled a visitor was little by little fading away. The room no longer smelled like her. The sheets, blankets, and pillows now had only a hint of her fragrance left. The changes in her room were only a minor difference with her gone.

It had been three days since Elizabeth had bid farewell to her grandmother. Today, had been the day she last saw her face as the lid was eased down of the coffin that her grandmother’s lifeless body would inhabit forever.

Elizabeth had sat through the wake and funeral lifeless as well. People offered their condolences —nothing reached her ears. She was numb. She felt numb. She had no tears left to cry. Elizabeth had lost the woman she had loved the most and her life was now bleak and cold.

Audrey Webber had always been by her granddaughter’s side. Near or far she was there. Through thick and thin she was there. Now, the young woman felt lost without her constant.

Elizabeth’s sad sapphire eyes were glued to the rug she sat on in her grandmother’s room. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, her arms clasped around her legs, and her chin resting on her kneecaps. She still wore her black suit from the funeral. Elizabeth didn’t have the energy or the need to change. She was also avoiding the mourners that roamed the house.

Everything in the room looked the same but it was different all at the same time. Her eyes began to drift over the room. Photo frames covered the walls, the surface of the vanity, dressers, and bed side tables.

They were pictures of the Webber family. After all this time she still remembered many of the pictures like the wedding ones of her parents and grandparents on the left side of the vanity. There were pictures of her childhood and now of the younger Webber generation.

Elizabeth suddenly, felt the need to see the pictures up close. Her legs were a sleep but she ignored the tingling. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday pictures—you name it lined the available surface. There were new ones that she hadn’t seen. There were the ones with the happily married couples and their children, the baby pictures of her nieces and nephews, and many other snap shots of joyous occasions. She was about to turn away when a sliver frame leaned against the lamp caught her eye.

The photograph was housed in a striking sterling sliver frame. It was a heartwarming scene of Jason holding a small pink bundle of a baby Madeline. A mesmerized Jason gazed down at his sleeping daughter. All his love and hope for his daughter etched in his face. Right below the beautiful picture, in her grandmother’s sprawling hand writing, a name and date was written.


Madeline Lorelei Morgan—February 27, 2005


Elizabeth’s brows knotted in confusion. It didn’t make sense. Her mind was tired and she decided to ignore the questions that began to form. The brunette gently placed the frame back to its original place and moved on to look at others.

Next, she found a picture of a good memory. A memory she had long since forgotten. The setting of the picture was at the creek with the two Webber daughters seating on the swing that hung from an oak tree above the water. There arms were around each other and they were laughing. They had been in elementary school; it was a few years after they had lost their parents.

The Emily in the picture that was smiling up at her was the one that she had loved. Elizabeth didn’t know, which Emily had betrayed her and she may never know.

Elizabeth was so engrossed in her thoughts; she didn’t hear the soft click of the door closing. She wasn’t aware that anyone was there until a soft voice spoke into her ear, startling her.

“Do you remember that day, Lizzie?”

Elizabeth recognized the voice, it was Emily’s. “It’s Elizabeth.” Her answer terse.

Emily choose to look past her sister’s harsh voice. “Grandmother nearly had a heart attack when we got back to the house soaked to the bone.”

She knew Emily was smiling but she couldn’t smile along with her, she just nodded her head. Elizabeth placed the frame back to its place, her hands shaking.

There was that wedge still. That piece of her that still wasn’t willing to let go of the betrayal. They were sisters by blood but they weren’t by heart.

Emily stared at the back of her sister’s head. Elizabeth had been detached from the rest for the last few days. She spent more time in their grandmother’s room than any of the others. The grief she saw in her eyes at the funeral pulled at her heart. Emily wanted to be there for her sister but she kept her at arms length, dodging any attempts that she made to get closer to the brunette. They had both lost a grandmother but they were mourning apart rather than as sisters.

“We should all set a date to go visit Grams together…you know as a family…” Emily realized too late that she had said the wrong thing as she saw Elizabeth’s shoulders tense and her back go rigid straight.

Her grandmother had wanted her family to be a whole but she wasn’t ready to consider Emily as family like she should. She didn’t want to share a moment with Emily at their grandmother’s grave site. She didn’t want to speak to Emily about their grandmother. In away she blamed her. Elizabeth blamed Emily for running away with Lucky, hurting her enough to leave to lose time with her grandmother. She wasn’t ready to open up to someone that hurt her and put distance of land between her and her beloved grandmother.

“I don’t want to visit Grams with you,” Elizabeth murmured before she turned and walked out of the room without a glance at her sister.

Elizabeth never looked back to see the tears or pain in her sister’s eyes.



~*~


Madeline was down for the time being and Sonny was playing babysitter. Jason felt at ease for the first time in three days. He didn’t have to see the tears or hear the cries that tore at his heart.

Jason Morgan’s heart of stone that Marcus Taggert liked to refer to as was aching at the moment. He didn’t know what to do. He had watched the unshakeable Sonny Webber cry for his grandmother. Brenda had broken down before his eyes, breaking his heart for a woman that drove him crazy. What broke his heart most was the scene that he had listened to play out. He had listened to Elizabeth cry herself to sleep with an equally distraught Jessica and Belle in her arms. His family was in pain, their spirits shattered from losing the heart of their family, which made Jason fear their reaction when all was revealed.

Everyone has an Achilles’ heel; the family’s was losing Audrey. They were mourning together but only one of the Webbers didn’t allow herself to get close to her sister. Elizabeth kept her distance from Emily, even during the funeral she placed Jessica between them and stared at her feet for the rest of the memorial service. Elizabeth sooner or later was going to have to face the past, the sooner the better.

The rattling of the gates that lead to the white stone steps leading to the creek shifted his attention to the view above him. Elizabeth still clad in her suit from the funeral made her way down the steps to where the steps and the water meet. The brunette stared past her reflection in the water to the scene before her. There was something wrong, Jason could tell from her body language.

Jason was seating under a tree, hidden from view. He slowly got up, making sure to make no noise that would frighten her. He made his way to stand behind her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Elizabeth.”

The petite brunette turned her head allowing him to gaze into her dim corn flower blue eyes. She bowed her head and stepped away from Jason to take a seat on a step. He followed suit and sat down beside her.

“I forgot how beautiful it is out here.” Jason turned to look at her and saw the agony in her eyes. She had been doing a great job as an actress hiding it all. Jason was sure that she was tired of the front.

“It is.”

“Where’s Madeline?”

“She’s sleeping.” Not one to dance around an issue Jason asked, “Are you okay?”

Elizabeth turned her head to look at him and there eyes meet. “I’m fine—I’m perfectly fine.” A stranger would have believed her but he knew her too well. Elizabeth had diverted her eyes at the last moment giving here away. She was lying.

“You’re lying.” His words confident.

Her eyes grew wide. “What?”

“I could always tell when you were lying and you just lied.”

Her eyes were now fixed on the ground. “I’m not fine. I feel…” Elizabeth looked back up; her eyes now full of unshed tears. “I don’t know what to do without her.” Her chin quivered as she spoke. “She…she is—no was the most important person in my life. I don’t know how to live my life knowing she won’t be apart of it.” Her tears began to fall freely, breaking his heart.

Jason gently placed his arm around her and pulled her to him. Her head fell onto his shoulder and her small fists clutched his dress shirt. “Shhhh,” he whispered into her ear moving his hand in a comforting circular motion.

“Why? Why us? Why did we have to lose her? She never hurt anyone. She…God why Grams?”

“Because it was her time and nothing could have changed that.” He answered her honestly.

“What are we going to do without her? She kept us together.” The brunette was now sobbing uncontrollably. Her tears wet his shirt and when she let out a sob that shook her body, Jason pulled her even closer and placed both his arms around her. “What are we going to do without her? What are we going to do…”

Jason just held her offering his comfort, doing what Audrey had asked of him, and being a friend. “Shhhh. We’re going to figure it out together. I promise.” He looked down at her and gently brushed her wet strands of hair away from her cheek and tucked them behind her ear. “We’ll do it together.” He murmured to the now whimpering brunette in his arms.



~*~


They stayed like that for a while longer. Jason had his chin resting on a now quiet Elizabeth’s head with his arms still securely wrapped around her. Once in a while she would sniff and snuggle a bit closer to him.

The moonlight that streamed onto Elizabeth’s face and the sound of the restless water reminded her where she was and with who. Elizabeth slowly pulled away and looked up at the kind blonde that held her. “I think we should go back inside. It’s pretty late.”

He simply nodded his head.
Elizabeth slowly extracted herself from his arms. Her face was flushed, eyes puffy, and hair a mess. She tugged on her wrinkled clothes and smoothed her hair into place.

Jason waited silently for her to pull herself together. His presence alone comforted her. She never knew how she always ended up in his arms for comfort but she was thankful for it.

The pair slowly made their way back up the steps, past the gazebo to the backdoor of the house. A comfortable silence between them. Once in the house Elizabeth turned to face Jason. She tucked in her stubborn hair and looked up at him to find him looking down at her.

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Elizabeth tilted her head to the side and looked straight into his electrifying blue eyes. Her red rimmed eyes were thoughtful. “You listened. You held me. You let me be and for that I’ll always be thankful.”

Jason stuffed his hands into his pockets and simply nodded his head again. “I’m going to go change,” he murmured, referring to his black attire from the funeral.

“I’m going to go snoop around for some food.” She replied with a kind smile as she walked away from Jason. He stared at her retrieving figure long after she was gone from view.

The rest of the adults were gathered in the kitchen. They were specking in hushed tones when she entered and abruptly stopped when they saw her. Elizabeth gave them a weird look on her path to the fridge.

Elizabeth reached the counter that they were all gathered around with a glass and a milk carton. She avoided Emily’s eyes, which were fixed on her. She cleared her throat and said, “Is something going?’

“Nothing to worry about, sweetie,” was Brenda’s quick response. “We were just talking about the end of summer and what we should do before it ends.”

Sonny hesitated. “Yeah, we…were hoping for maybe… a family picnic…or trip…or something like that.”

“Well, I know you guys will have fun.” Elizabeth went on munching on a chocolate chip cookie that Sonny had made earlier.

“We’ll, have fun.” Brenda said leaning closer to Elizabeth. “It’ll be great. Us as all together again, having some fun, driving Jason crazy. Yeah, that would be great.” Brenda’s words made the quiet couple at the counter shift uncomfortably.

“No, Brenda I plan on heading back to the city in a day or two. As great as Elton is at keeping my clients at bay, I need to go back and get back to work.” Sonny cleared his throat at her words, making Elizabeth look at him strangely. Her brother was acting weird, which was like him but only when it came to food and cooking.

Elizabeth looked around at all the adults; they all looked uncomfortable, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I’m going back soon, I have work to do.”

“Uh…no you can’t kid.”

“What do you mean I can’t Sonny?” Her narrowed eyes stared at her brother, daring him to speak. Sonny stared down at the kitchen floor under her intense gaze.

“Someone should tell her.”

“Why don’t you, Brenda?” suggested Emily.

“Nu-uh. Nope, ain’t gonna to be me.” The older brunette said, stepping away from the counter with her hands raised in surrender. “

Sonny smacked the still to talk Lucky on the back of the head. “Lucky, you’re the family attorney. You do it? You get paid for doing it.”

Lucky gapped at Sonny for a second before clearing his throat and turning to Elizabeth. “As the attorney of the Webber family it is my responsibility to inform you that—”

His business tone was cut off by Elizabeth. “Lucky, skip the jargon and cut to the chase.” Elizabeth said crossing her arms. They were hiding something from her and she deserved to know what it was. She knew it was important since they all were fidgeting but Lucky’s next words weren’t what she had anticipated.

“She left you the house.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Five

“She left you the house.”

Elizabeth’s arms fell limp to her sides. Her chin fell one notch down and she stared at Lucky. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t do this to her.

She was able to un-clamp her jaw, “Repeat that?” This wasn’t happening to her. It couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.

“Audrey left you the house and everything in it.”

It was happening.

Her grandmother had left her the house. The house. The gigantic house that sat in the middle on four acres of land, towering over the rest. The house that had been built and cherished by the Webber family since the early nineteen hundreds. The house, a Webber legacy that was rich with history.

The house was built as a wedding gift to Anna Webber from John Webber. The house was built out of love and filled with love as the years went on. The Webber heart aches, victories, all the memories that made them a prominent family occurred in the very house she stood in—owned to be exact.

Generations of Webbers had stood where Elizabeth was standing today but she didn’t think they had all been given a responsibility that they didn’t see coming or want.

The adults were staring at her now. All their eyes glued on her, waiting for her reaction. “How?”

“It’s stated all here,” Lucky answered reaching for the documents on the counter that she hadn’t noticed. “Audrey also left you the chest that’s up in her room.”

“W-Why would she do that? I never said anything about wanting the house. Heck, we never talked about her will or anything like that.” Her anger was now taking over her shock. She was supposed to be back for a few days, not be settled with a house and not just any house, the family house.

“This is insane. I mean come on I haven’t been here for years now. It should be going to one of you.” She was now pacing back and forth. The other’s followed her back and forth with their eyes. “I live in the city. I work in the city. I have a life in the city. What am I going to do with a house that is miles a way? This is nuts. The house is a family heirloom, why should I get it? This…this is not what I need right now. The whole freaking estate. I don’t need—”

“Okay, stop it. You’re making me dizzy with your pacing.” Brenda’s pleading ceased Elizabeth’s rambling. “Thank god, she stopped.”

“How am I supposed to react? You tell me.” Her hands now planted on her hips and eyes narrowed. All the shock was now gone and replaced by confusion and frustration.

“It’s okay.” Brenda came to stand in front of the younger brunette. She placed her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders and offered her a crooked smile. “Calm down and listen to what everything Lucky has to say, okay?”

Elizabeth gave her a small smile. She was grateful to have Brenda’s support. Even when Sonny and her had begun dating the older woman had always looked out for Liz. It was nice to have he around again. “Okay, I’ll listen.”

The brunettes smiled at each other and then turn to face Lucky. Emily simply stood to the side, fascinated by the tiles of the floor. It had always been hard for her to stomach the close moments between Brenda and Elizabeth—now it was more difficult to deal with, knowing that her sister didn’t see her as a companion any more.

“Sorry, Lucky. Please continue with what you were going to say.”

“The will can’t be contested, Audrey made sure of that. Whatever the will states goes. The… Audrey had a chest she treasured, she left that to you.” He continued only when Elizabeth nodded her head, “Everyone has been left the island.” Lucky swallowed hard before saying the next words, “The house…um…you’re not the sole owner. The house has been left to you and…”

Elizabeth’s eyes were now boring into Lucky’s. “And who? Who else?”

His answer barely a whisper, “Jason.”

She didn’t see that coming. “That’s good isn’t it? I mean now I don’t have to live here or anything, Jason can take care of the house. Right?” None of them answered. They were too awestruck by their feet.

“There are some conditions to the will.” Sonny had stepped up to the challenge. It was either he say it or they face her wrath if they didn’t answer her. “The house can’t be sold unless both owners agree and…” He looked around at the others, hoping for one of them to swoop in already and help him out. The cowards just looked away.

“And?” She was getting impatient. If they were going to say something they should have said it already.

“You both have to live in it for a short time before the house can even be put on the market.”

“How short a time?”

“Six months.”

“Six months?” She whispered. That wasn’t good. She needed to be back in Manhattan in a few days to get her life back to normal, as normal as possible that was. “Does Jason know?”

Sonny shrugged.

“Does he?”

“We’re not sure but we think he may have a clue.” Elizabeth gawked at Emily before she spun on her heel, grabbed the will that Lucky held, and stormed off.

“That went well,” Lucky spoke to the doorway that Elizabeth had exited to. He turned only receive dirty looks from the others.

~*~

Elizabeth was livid. He knew and he had said nothing. He could have given her a warning anything in time to get her to change her grandmother’s mind. But no Jason Morgan was the same old Jason. Say nothing, just let things run their course. Sheesh, couldn’t a guy warn a girl that her life was about to turned upside down by her meddling family.

She didn’t know how but she found her way to the library. She pushed the oaks doors open with everything she had and walked into the room fuming. Seven heads looked up to greet her. She stopped in her tracks once she saw them.

Jason sat in the middle of the floor with a book in one hand and his daughter on his lap, surrounded by the rest of the children and the dog. They were all dressed in their pajamas with teddy bears, ready for bed. Jason was still in his funeral clothes. Some of her anger seeped away at the site of the innocent faces looking back at her.

Jessica flashed her a sweet smile and asked, “Aunt Liz would you like to listen to our bedtime story too?”

“Maybe another time. It’s a little late now.”

“She’s right. Why don’t you guys go drink your milk? It’s almost bedtime.” Jason’s gruff voice was soft as he spoke to the young children. He was standing now. The children were also on their feet.

“But we just got to the good part.” Michael whined.

“Yeah Uncle Jason, the good parts coming up,” Belle added, looking up at Jason.

“I know but you’ll get to dream about it tonight and you’ll find out what happens tomorrow.”

“Promise?” inquired the young child.

“Promise.” Belle squealed and hugged Jason’s leg before making her way to the door.

“Michael please take Madeline to your mother.” The baby was playing with the dog on the floor, amazed by the energetic puppy. Jason easily lifted the young child off the floor. “I’ll be up to tuck you in a few minutes, sweetie,” he murmured into the baby’s ear, placing a kiss at her temple. Madeline giggled, making her father smile.

“Come on cuz. Time for milk and cookies.” Michael made his way to door talking to Madeline. The dog barked and followed the dark haired boy.

Once Michael moved away from Jason, David at 3’ 6’’ came to stare up at a towering Jason. Jason looked down at the boy before kneeling down to his eye level and gave him a reassuring smile. “I promise to read you the story tomorrow and even share some cookies with you tomorrow.”

David’s face glowed at Jason’s words. He threw his arms around Jason for a quick hug before scurrying away with a goofy grin now gracing his face.

The children murmured their good nights, leaving the two adults alone to gaze at one another.

She had watched Jason interact with the children. Would she have had the same the relationship with them if she had stayed? If she had kept more in touch? The children called him Uncle Jason and considered his daughter their cousin. Is that why her grandmother was willing to leave the house to him? Then why her? She wasn’t as close as she once was to her family anymore.

The sound of the closing heavy doors brought Elizabeth out of her trance. He was looking at her now. His arms crossed at his chest. His face expressionless. His eyes locked with hers, there were no emotions in his eyes and none permeated.

Jason broke the silence that had fallen between them, “Is something wrong?”

His words brought back her frustration. “You ask is there something wrong? You wanna what’s wrong?” She took quick strides to stop a few inches in front of him. She slapped the will she had in a death grip against his chest, “This is what’s wrong.”

Jason’s brows knitted when she hit him again with the papers she held. “What’s that?”

Her face was flushed now. Her eyes blazing. “My grandmother’s last will and testament.” She slammed the will against his chest again and said, “Why don’t you take a look at it? It may interest you.”

Jason stared at her a few seconds before prying the will out of her grip.

Elizabeth watched the blonde unfold the document slowly and begin reading. He read the will as if it was a regular newspaper but his eyes grew wide and the shock was quickly masked again. Just as he had slowly unfolded the will, he refolded it at the same pace and gave it back to her. His lack of response infuriated her further.

“Did you know?”

“We spoke of it once.”

“And you never told me?”

Jason simply shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t think she was serious.”

“You didn’t think she was serious?” She was waving her arms around now. He just gave her a blank look. “Hello it’s my grandmother whatever she says you’re supposed to take seriously. Don’t you care? Doesn’t it affect your life? The house Jason. The house. The thing we’re standing in right now. You know this thing made out of bricks and cement. Isn’t any of this fazing you?”

His eyes narrowed. “Yes, yes, and yes. I don’t agree with her decision but we need to respect them.” Each word was spoken with determination, making Elizabeth angry even more.

She poked him in the chest with the will. “This is your fault.”

“This is my fault?” He sounded shock.

Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin. “Yes. If you had warned me then we would never be in this situation in the first place. I could have been able to get her to change her mind. I would be able to go home now instead of being stuck here with a house that I don’t want with you.”

He lowered his head to her eye level. His blue eyes, electrifying. “You never get what you want in life. Whatever you get, cherish it. You never know how precious something is until it’s gone.” With that said he turned on his heel and left an amazed Elizabeth surrounded by rows and rows of books.

~*~

Elizabeth was exhausted. Down to the bone exhausted. She was tired from all the events of the day. She wasn’t going to think of the house or Jason now but drop into bed and sleep. The day was a long but she had a feeling everyday that she was in Port Charles would tire her out.

Freshly showered and changed. Elizabeth lugged her way to her room. It was the first time that she was staying in her room since she was back. It looked the same as she had left it. The furniture was the same, the covers and curtains smelled fresh, and her vanity still had her jewelry box. Her paint box that Sonny had given her for her sweet sixteen sat in the corner. She hadn’t touched a paint brush since she left. She didn’t know if she ever would again.

The only thing that didn’t belong in her room was the wooden chest that sat beside her bed. Sonny and Lucky had brought it into her room right before she had stepped into the bathroom.

There was something about the chest that had always drawn Elizabeth to it. She had spent hours with her grandmother peering over the rim at the treasures it held. The photo albums, journals, pieces of jewelry, and souvenirs from her travels. Her grandmother had treasured it and now it was her turn.

Elizabeth kneeled down beside the chest and unlocked the padlock with the key Sonny had given her. The lid was heavy but she was able to ease it open. Her grandmother’s aroma wafted into the room, brightening her dampened spirit. She maybe gone but Elizabeth was lucky to have her most loved pieces. It was a way for her to hold on to the memories of her grandmother.

Elizabeth tentatively picked up one of the tissue paper wrapped pieces and uncovered it to find a tree ornament that Emily had made for her grandmother. It was made of popsicle sticks with an abundance of glitter. They had made many ornaments and gifts for her grandmother in school and the old woman had treasured them all.

She carefully placed it back to reach deep into the chest for another piece. It was bigger and much heavier than the last. Elizabeth carefully pushed aside the tissue paper to find her grandmother’s letter box. It had been a gift from her grandfather. The initials S.W. & A.W. were engraved on the lid. He had given it to her right after they had gotten married and he was called away on business. Through out their marriage, whenever they were apart her grandmother had written on the stationary of the box and kept every letter that they had shared.

Elizabeth slowly opened the letterbox to find a pile of letters tied into a neat stack with a ribbon. She picked the stack up and was about to place the box on the side when something caught her attention. There was a corner of a paper sticking out from where the sides of the box meet the bottom.

The brunette placed the letters she held in one hand on the floor and took a closer look at the letterbox. There was something off about it. It looked more deeper on the outside than it did when looking in. Elizabeth traced a finger around the edges of the box and her digit meet a bump on one edge. She narrowed her eyes to look closely and found a small hook. She was able to pull on it and the bottom of the box pulled off revealing a secret compartment.

The compartment was full of letters as well. That was odd. Why was there hidden letters? More importantly what were they about and from whom?

Elizabeth cautiously unfolded one letter. It didn’t look very old. The paper was soft but still sturdy. She instantly recognized her grandmother’s handwriting but what was written caused her heart to beat faster.

Each word that she read became blurry as tears formed in her eyes. The words she read registered in her mind and the questions began to form as well as doubts. The Webber family had suffered a loss and was about to receive another blow that may leave them shattered or united forever.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Six

Two days. Two days for her brain to process what she had learned. It was time for her to tell someone—anyone. She needed to. The news had sunk into her brain and now she couldn’t stop thinking about it. It went around and around in her head. It didn’t stop. Even when she slept the thoughts kept on forming.

She needed to tell someone. She couldn’t tell Sonny, it would send him on a frenzy. Brenda would be a drama queen. Lucky wouldn’t be any help. Emily was the last person she would be able to turn to, they—she wasn’t ready to share something of this magnitude with her sister.

The only person she could turn to was Jason. That was if he was willing to listen to her.

“Kid?”

“Huh.” Elizabeth looked up to find a inquisitive Sonny at the door. “Oh. Hey, Sonny.”

“Busy?” He stepped further into the room.

“No, not at all. I was just thinking.”

“Anything important?”

“No nothing at all.” She never looked up instead kept her eyes on the white canopy for her bed. He didn’t need to know. If there were any truth to the letters than she would tell him and the rest.

“I wanted to talk to you.” He gave her a small smile and sat down besides her on the bed.

“What about?” Sonny now had her attention.

“What you’re going to do?” He murmured.

“About?”

“The house and Jason.”

The brunette gave her brother a shrug. “What’s there to do? I’ll just stay and once the six months are over with I’ll leave the house or sell it to Jason or something like that.”

“You don’t sound so happy about it.” Sonny was able to read Elizabeth like a book at times when she her feelings weren’t as well hidden as the brunette would’ve liked.

“I am.”

“No you’re not. Talk to me.” He took one of her hands in his. “What’s so wrong with staying here?”

“Everything. I don’t want to look up whenever someone enters a room and be disappointed all over again when I see its not Grams.” A lump began to form in her throat but she swallowed past it and continued. “I can’t stay here giving Emily false hope that we’re going to be best friends again or be around Lucky and not hurt. I’m going to be building relationships with my nieces and nephews. Their hearts will only be broken when I leave in the end. Jason doesn’t like me very much and if I were to stay…” She was now twisting the canopy, wrinkling it. “I don’t want to stay here and break this family’s heart again and be here when everyone finds out that—” Elizabeth caught herself before she revealed something that she wouldn’t be able to take back.

“Finds out what, Elizabeth?” Sonny asked. He knew she was hiding something. Over the last two days she had left the room when someone would start to ask questions. The questions didn’t even have to be directed at her, she would scamper away at any inquiry even if they were for the children.

“I-I don’t want to be here, Sonny. I can’t stay here. It’s just too hard…”

“I know it’s difficult for you to be here but Grams wanted you here. Just stay for the six months that you have to and if none of your feelings change then Jason and you can make some agreement or something.”

“I doubt I’ll want to stay.” Elizabeth murmured.

“I know but don’t make that decision now. Stay as long as the will says and then decide if you want to stay or leave.” Sonny flashed her a dimple. He hoped she would change her mind in half a year and stay.

Elizabeth nodded her head. There was nothing she could do now, she had to stay and fulfill what the will stated. “Okay.”

“Now are you going to come down? There are some very anxious guests waiting for you downstairs.” The glint in Sonny’s eyes told her their guests were an entertaining bunch.

“Yeah I’ll be down there in a sec. I just need to make a phone call.”

The two siblings rose from the bed together. Sonny gave her hand a squeeze and pulled her into a hug. “I love you, kid. It’s good to have you back as long as you do stay.” He murmured into her ear and kissed her cheek.

“I love you too.” They broke apart. She smiled at Sonny, the smile reaching her eyes. It would be difficult passing the days in Port Charles but they would be easier with her brother around. “I’ll be down in a minute I promise.”

“Hurry up will you? I don’t think I can hold them off any longer.”

Elizabeth giggled; she had a pretty good idea who they’re guests were, “Just unleash Brenda on them that should hold them off for a few more minutes.” Sonny left the room laughing.

It was over a week now that she was back in Port Charles, only a few days left before she had appointments with clients. It was time for her to call Elton and Ric.

Elton Herbert, he was a very interesting character to say the least. Once she had graduated from Copper Union with her masters in fashion, she needed a job and Brenda helped snag her an interview with a fashion designer she had worked with during her modeling days. The woman was a pompous witch with a capital B, which Brenda had forgotten to mention.

After working for the woman with the fake French accent for a few months, never receiving any credit for her designs or any acknowledgement what-so-ever Elizabeth cut her losses. The next person that she had meet through Brenda was a godsend.

Elton Herbert waltzed into the café by her apartment and from that moment on made her life easier as a fashion designer. He became her assistant, helping her set up her business, using his connections to get her the necessary attention she needed, and was a true friend for her to lean on when the going got tough. She wouldn’t be able to through a day of work without the man. He calmed down the hysterical brides, made sure shows ran smoothly, and most of all supported her in the big bad fashion industry.

She punched in the familiar numbers and waited. Within moments Elton answered his cell phone. “Hello.”

Hearing Elton’s voice made Elizabeth smile. “Hi, Elton.”

“Elizabeth! Darling, how are you? I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Brenda told me. If you need anything, anything at all let me know.” Elton could sometimes go on and on.

“Thank you, Elton. There’s a problem. I need your help with.”

"What is it, sweetie? How may I be of assistance?”

“My grandmother left me the house and there are certain conditions to the will. I need to be in Port Charles for the next six months. Is there anyway that you can arrange for my clients to come here for their appointments?” She was ready to plead now.

"Your clients adore you, they’ll make the change or make another appointment. The only obstacle I may have is that skank Benson. She maybe a problem.”

The mention of the name Benson, made Elizabeth groan into the phone. Carly Benson one of her most frequent clients drove her and her entire staff nuts. The blonde was demanding and a tad bit snotty. The only reason any of them put up with her was the business she brought in. “What did the screaming banshee do now?”

“Nothing, except pop my ear drums with her ranting. Darling, don’t worry I’ll take care of it all. Just relax and spend time with your family.” Elton’s words made Elizabeth smile; it was usually her that told him to relax.

“I will. Thank you for your help. Will you be coming up here or staying there?” Elizabeth questioned.

"I’ll be coming up there. Maybe one of the other girls will want to come as well. Remember to call that eau of yours.” Elton blew her a few kisses. “I’ll be seeing you soon. Tell Brenda I said hi.”

“I will. Bye, Elton.” One down, one more to go.

Elizabeth had been seeing Ric Lansing for nearly three months now. He was a corporate lawyer for a company in New York. They meet at a gallery opening that Elton had insisted she go to. They went out on dates whenever they could. He was sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. She knew he wanted to take their relationship to the next level but she wasn’t ready yet. She wasn’t ready to take it to the next level with anyone yet. She cared about him and she knew the feeling was mutual.

The phone rang numerous times before she heard the soft click when the phone was answered. "Hello Ric Lansing’s office. How may I be of help today?” Faith’s cheery voice greeted her.

“Hi, Faith it’s me Elizabeth. I wanted to speak to Ric if his available.” Faith was nice to her but the woman was always at unease around for someone reason she couldn’t put her finger on.

“Oh…hi, Elizabeth. I’ll connect you to him right now.” Her voice serious now.

“Thank—” The line disconnected before she could finish.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering when you’d be calling me again.” Ric said after picking up the phone.

Elizabeth didn’t feel that warm tingling sensation in her when she talked to him but they had just started dating things would eventually change. “Hi, things have been a little hectic here.”

“I was sorry to hear about your grandmother. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral, I got piled with a ton of paperwork for one of the new deals,” he murmured into the phone.

She never knew he was going to come. It was a good thing he hadn’t. It would have been uncomfortable to introduce your boyfriend at your grandmother’s funeral when the family was in mourning. “Oh…I didn’t know that. I was just calling to let you know that there have been…some things have come up and I need to stay here a little longer than I expected.”

“I understand. I’m going to miss you.” He didn’t sound so disappointed to her. “Maybe I’ll come up there to see you sometime or something.”

“Maybe. I’ve got to go; they’re waiting for me downstairs. I’ll talk to you soon bye.”

“Alright bye, beautiful.” When she heard the soft click of the phone on the other end she disconnected the line herself. She had made the calls she needed and now it was time to go deal with what she had learned. Well, eventually that was.



~*~



The sound of laughter greeted her when she made her way to the parlor of the house. The laughter was familiar. It was a deep laughter and a soft one followed it. The gruff voice that she heard next answered who the guests were. She entered the parlor to find the Spencer clan and her family all enjoying the other’s company.

“It’s about damn time you joined us cowgirl.” Luke Spencer greeted her.

Elizabeth’s face broke into a huge grin before she let him pull her into a hug. “God it’s been too long Luke.”

“Yes it has sweetie.” Elizabeth broke away from Luke to meet Laura Spencer’s warm gaze. The woman instantly pulled her into a motherly hug.

The Spencer family had been an extended family of the Webbers for years. After her parents had passed away the couple had been like surrogate parents to the Webber children. If they couldn’t turn to their grandmother for advice Elizabeth and Emily were able to go to Laura. Luke was the father figure in their lives especially for Sonny and eventually in Jason’s. The Spencer couple had loved the Webber children and Jason as their own.

Elizabeth was beaming by the time Laura let go of her. “I thought you guys were still in Europe.”

“Yeah forget about me. That’s really nice Elizabeth. Really nice.” Elizabeth turned to find a grown up Lulu Spencer with her hands on her hip with a disappointed face.

“Oh my, is that you Lulu.” The last time she had seen Lulu she was still in braces, driving her father crazy with her stunts.

Immediately, Lulu’s face broke into a huge grin and reached for Elizabeth. “The one and only.” She gave Elizabeth a bone-crushing hug. “Thank god you’re here; maybe you can get my father to let me stay here instead of going back to Europe with them.” Lulu stuck her tongue out at Luke when he groaned. “Come on dad. Pretty please.” The young brunette was pouting now.

“Let the poor girl stay, Luke. It’s not like if we can’t handle her craziness,” added someone, Elizabeth didn’t recognize. She turned to see a man a few years older than her standing a few feet from an older man. The one that had spoken was tall with jet-black hair and well built, dressed causally, playing cards with Michael. The other was a few inches shorter but more intimidating and dressed more formally sans a suit.

“I didn’t ask for your help, Johnny,” Lulu snapped. “If I needed it I would have asked. Not that I ever would.” She was glaring at him now he only returned the glare.

The stranger was about to respond and Elizabeth had a feeling that it would be a harsh retort. She spoke before he could, “Luke, Laura why don’t you let her stay? I mean we have the space and we would all love to have her here.” Luke was about to disagree when Elizabeth added, “I’ll make sure she stays out of trouble and maybe she can help me with work.”

“Well Luke she is very lonely with just her old parents for company maybe she can stay.” Laura knew her husband was softening, just a little more and she knew he would fold.

“Fine as long as she stays out of trouble.” Luke then turned and pointed a finger at Elizabeth. “And Elizabeth you’ll be the one I’ll be questioning if she does land herself in a load of mischief.”

“I doubt you’ll have to but okay.” Lulu squealed and gave her parents a hug and then Elizabeth, shouting her thank yous.

“Now that that’s settled. Elizabeth that’s Johnny.” Sonny never one to forget his manners, introduced the stranger.

Johnny made his way to Elizabeth and stuck out his hand, “Johnny. Johnny O’Brien. It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Webber.” He shook her hand and gave her a charming smile.

“Please call me Elizabeth.” She doubted that he would but it was worth a try.

“And that’s Francis Coreali over there.” He just shook her hand and made his way back to his spot.

“They’re our guards. There are others but they’re not here right.” At Sonny’s words Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose in confusion. Guards. Since when did the family need guards. She would have to ask someone about that later. “Alright everyone time for lunch.”

Everyone cleared the room except Elizabeth. She hung back. She was stalling. The words of the letter kept flashing in her mind. She needed to talk to Jason already. The secret was eating away at her. She needed to tell him. He was the only one that could help her.

“Cowgirl?” Luke appeared in front of Elizabeth. He was concerned. Elizabeth did zone out from time to time but whatever was on her mind now took her into another world of her own. When she looked up, her troubled eyes meet his worried ones. “Is something wrong, sweetheart?”

“No…no nothing at all.” She looked down at her feet and then meet his gaze again. “Luke, if I knew something that is very…um…very important, should I tell someone or not?”

“It depends on what it is and if you feel that you need to tell someone. Is it anything I can help you with?”

“No but thank you for asking. Why don’t you go ahead of me and I’ll join you guys in a minute? I need to go do something.” She gave him a smile to assure him she would be joining him in a few minutes.

Luke nodded his head and made his way to the dinning room leaving Elizabeth staring after him.

Once Luke was out of site Elizabeth looked down at her glass pendant and thought of her father. She pressed the pendant into her palm and whispered, “I know what I have to do.”



~*~



It was after lunch and everyone was on the back patio enjoying the summer sun except Jason and Madeline. The father and daughter were in Jason’s office enjoying the air-conditioned air. They were seated in the comfortable leather chair enjoying each other’s company.

Madeline was on her stomach on her father’s chest playing with his face. The toddler pulled at his nose, cupped his face, and giggled at the silly faces her father made. It was their ritual when he was home to spend time alone after lunch and dinner. The two would sit for hours in silence or Jason would have one-sided conversations while Madeline once in a while made a baby noise.

Spending time with his daughter allowed him to keep his mind off of things but not today. He was worried about Elizabeth; she had spent the days after Audrey’s funeral trudging around the house with the weight of the world on her shoulder. He thought it had to do with the will and being saddled with the house and partnership with him but after today he knew it was something else. She knew something she was keeping bottled up.

Madeline tugged at his ear pulling him out of his thoughts. His daughter grinned up at him. “Sorry, sweetie I was just thinking.” The baby tucked her head under his chin and sighed. “Daddy’s got a lot on his mind. You’re still young but I know you can sense the feelings around you.”

Madeline wrapped one of her smaller fists around one of Jason’s fingers. The grip was light but still strong. Jason brought it up to her lips and kissed her tiny fist. “There’s a lot of things going on right now but I promise that we’ll still get our alone time.”

The baby cooed and buried her face deeper into his chest. “Daddy loves you. I always will and you’ll always have me.” He looked down to see her eyes drift shut as sleep overcame her. It was her naptime.

Jason kissed her forehead and rubbed her back soothingly but didn’t move. He listened to her steady breathing and thump of her heart. She was a happy kid he knew that. She had everything she needed and he hoped his love make up for the missing love of her mother’s

There was a soft knock at the door. None of the women ever knocked they usually stormed in. One of the men or the kids were probably at the door. “Come in,” Jason said loud enough for the caller to hear but not loud enough to wake Madeline.

The door opened slowly and Elizabeth entered the office. The petite brunette walked silently into the room. She was holding a stack of letters in her hand. She stopped when she saw the slumbering child. “Madeline’s sleeping, I can come back later.” She turned on her heel but stopped in her tracks when Jason called after her.

“It’s ok. It’s her naptime she won’t wake up for a while.” Jason rose silently from the chair, careful not to jar Madeline. He made his way over to the playpen next to his desk and gently set down the baby. Madeline instantly rolled onto her side. Jason pulled a light blanket up to waist; the air-conditioned air could get too cold sometimes.

Once Jason was sure his daughter was comfortable he shifted his attention to the fidgeting brunette in his office. She looked tired and worried. She was nervous he could tell she was nibbling on her lower lip.

“Was there something you needed?” his voice husky.

Elizabeth looked up and he saw all her emotions. There was worry, fear, and most of all pain in her expressive blue eyes.

“I need your help,” she murmured sounding defeated.

Jason’s sandy-brown eyebrows shot up. “What do you need?”

Elizabeth looked up and blue eyes meet blue. There was only pain in her eyes now.

“I need you to help me find my mother.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Seven

“I need you to help me find my mother.”

Arms still crossed over his wide chest, feet apart, and eyes solely on her. He just stood there staring at her. The clear blue eyes that bore into her darker eyes gave away no emotion.

No reaction, nothing at all made the petite brunette to begin to worry. Elizabeth nibbled away on her lower lip, her mind a whirl wind of ideas. Maybe she shouldn’t have told him. Maybe he now thought she was a raving nut. Maybe…

“How do you know?” Jason’s gruff voice snapped her out of her reverie.

Her hands shook as she raised the letters that she held to show him. “I-I found these letters a few days ago. They’re addressed to my mother from Grams. They’re all from different dates and… and Grams wrote of—”

Jason held out a hand ceasing her chatter. She handed them over willingly.

The envelopes were slightly aged and the ribbon that held them together was worn out. Jason silently untied the bow and opened one letter to read what was dated back to 1997.


Dear Adella,

I have written to you repeatedly, hoping for a response or that one day I will walk into the kitchen to find you chatting away with your children but that has yet to happen. I know where you are dear and there is no use pretending that your past does not exist. You have run from it this long and it has finally caught up with you.

The days are flying by and you are losing more and more time with your children. Sonny has found his wife and a date has been set for their wedding. Emily has picked her major to be a doctor and is already thinking of colleges. Elizabeth, your sweet Elizabeth, the girl resembles you more and more everyday, it breaks my heart to look at her. She is full of so much life and her art, my god her art is like a window into her soul. They all have memories of you Adella but your youngest has been deprived of her mother’s love, think of her, come back for her even for a moment.

The children still know nothing of this and I will not tell them; it is not my place but yours as their mother. Years have passed by but there still is time, still time for you to continue your life here and take part in your children’s lives. I am growing old and my time will be coming soon and I would like to leave this earth knowing that my family is whole again.

Love,
Audrey


Jason’s eyes stopped roaming across the paper and she knew he was done but there was still no reaction. He just stood there stoic looking at the paper. Then he raised his eyes and cleared his voice before asking, “What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to track her down, find some proof that there is truth to those letters. I just want to know the truth.” She took a deep breathe before continuing, “The truth of what happened. And why?”

“Have you told the others?”

“No…no I haven’t,” she paused for a second contemplating her next words, “and I don’t plan to.”

That got a reaction out of him. For a second she saw surprise seep into the calm eyes before they became serene again. “What do you mean you’re not going to tell them?”

“I’m not telling them, I can’t. It would kill them.” Panic began to course through her. What if he told them? What if he told them that she knew? Before she knew it she was a few inches apart from. “Please you can’t tell them.”

She reached for his arm, stunning Jason. His eyes snapped to where her skin touched his. When he looked up he found himself looking into blue eyes as dark as the ocean staring at him. They were full of horror, pleading with him. “Please don’t tell them. They…they can’t know, not now. It’s too soon, it would break all there hearts even more if they found out. Please…” her voice was barely a whisper and unshed tears rimmed her eyes.

Jason’s features softened at her need to protect her family from heartache. There was nothing he could do but agree, “I won’t tell them until you’re ready too.”

He watched the tension leave her shoulders and the panic fade away in her eyes. “Thank you. I promise to tell them when the time is right. I promise.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Do you mind if I keep the letters?” He quickly answered her questioning eyes, “to read through them for clues to find her.”

“Oh, okay. Just let me know if you find anything.”

He gave her a half-smile and said, “I will.”

She returned his with a sweet smile that made her eyes light up, “Thank you for willing to do this.”

The pair stood there for moments with barely a few inches separating them with Elizabeth’s hand still on Jason’s arm. Elizabeth began to notice the lines that were etched into his face, the small scar right above his left eyebrow, the way his eyes seemed to change shades, and his lips, his firm lips that were set in a determined line. She began gnawing on lip and when she looked up she found his eyes focused on her.

Before she could continue to explore his face with her eyes the baby’s whimper broke through the trance they were in. The two instantly flew apart and Jason shifted his attention to the playpen. Madeline had kicked off her blanket and was now on her stomach.

“I’m…I’m going to go and…and do something.” Elizabeth made her excuses and made a dash for the door. Jason’s voice made her stop in her tracks.

“I’ll call Benny and have him start looking into to this. Are you sure you don’t want the others to know?”

She never turned back and answered more to herself than him, “Yes, I’m sure. It needs to be this way,” and then walked out of the room.

~*~

Dinner was over, the moon was out, and Elizabeth was restless. It had been two hours since she had made her way to bed but she couldn’t sleep. She twisted and turned, tried to read a book, count sheep but nothing worked. There was still energy left in her body.

Elizabeth was more relaxed now that she had spoken to Jason about the letters and finding her mother. Her mother, Adella Webber, was possibly still alive. She could still be in the United States or in Europe for all she knew but she was still alive. The idea of seeing one of her parents only happened in her dreams. She had listened to the stories about her parents from her grandmother. Their love, dreams, and hopes.

She began to fiddle with her pendant. The only thing she needed now was answers, answers to all the Ws and How to her mother’s fake death. There had to be some reasons as to why her mother stayed away? Why she grew up motherless? The questions began to plague her making her mind even more restless.

Elizabeth slowly pushed the questions to the back of her mind and got out of bed. She threw on her silk bathrobe over her tank top and pajama bottoms and made her way to the hallway. If she stayed another second in her room her mind would explode.

The house was dead silent with no lights on except the ones outside. Elizabeth made her way to the front door. She had loved spending her time on the swing, watching the stars at night with her grandmother. Today though, it would just be her.

She turned out to be wrong. Lucky and a sleeping David sat on the swing rocking back and forth. Lucky was in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt with a Scooby-doo pajama clad David in his arms. The creak of the door caught Lucky’s attention, giving away Elizabeth’s presence.

“Hi,” he greeted her with a smile.

The brunette looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I can leave,” she murmured already turning for the house.

“It’s okay. David’s stomach was bothering him so I brought him out here for some air and he was out like a light.”

Elizabeth slowly made her way to the swing and sat beside him. “Oh, I couldn’t sleep.’

“Something have your mind on overdrive?” He asked sounding genuinely interested.

“No, nothing at all.” She didn’t expect to find him nor was she willing to share her feelings. She watched him with David in his arms. He had the boy against his chest with his arms protectively wrapped around the young boy. Fatherhood fit him well.

Elizabeth didn’t feel any hurt knowing that the child he held wasn’t hers and that surprised her. She had accepted Jessica and David as Emily’s and Lucky’s but she hadn’t accepted them as a married couple yet.

“I never thought I would be sitting next to you again.” Lucky’s voice broke through her thoughts. “After the way you left I thought you would never come back home.”

“I didn’t want to come back but I had to. It was what Grams had wanted.” She didn’t look him in eyes but stared at her bare feet instead.

“I know you were angry. You had the right to send back all our letters unopened and ignore our calls. You had the right, you did but it didn’t change how much Emily and I loved you.”

She didn’t answer him, just continued to stare at the ground.

“I know we hurt you and I can saw sorry a hundred times but it won’t matter unless you are able to put the past to rest. Emily loves you, I love you. The children have come to love you too. Em spends hours telling them about you.”

That caught her attention. “Really?”

“Yeah, their rooms are full of picture of the two of you. When she would rock them to sleep at night she would tell them a story about you or an adventure you two had together.” Lucky chuckled, “They sure were some adventures. You may have left us but Emily kept you alive in our hearts and in our children’s. You mean a great deal to your sister and our family.”

Elizabeth stared at Lucky, astonished by what she had heard. Her sister had told her children about her. Her, their childhood, their life together. She had kept her presence in her children’s lives without her knowledge. The sweet little boy that slept before her knew more about her than she did about him.

“I know that there is a part of you that still blames us but I hope you let go of that some day and maybe we can all get to know each other again. I know I do, Emily does, our children do but it won’t happen unless you do.” Lucky spoke softly as he rose from beside her and shift David in his arms. “Good night, Elizabeth.”

She whispered, “Good night,” to his retrieving back as her mind began to process Lucky’s words.