Viva Las Vegas (Alt. Version) by TheJavaGirls

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty

Waking up slowly, Elizabeth let out a lazy sigh as she stretched her legs and curled up again. There wasn’t anything like an afternoon nap, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d allowed herself the luxury of one. Her hand traveled over the bed . . . to find it empty.

Wide awake now, her blood frozen in her veins, Elizabeth frantically searched the bed, then bedroom for Michael. “Oh God, I lost him.”

“Michael?” Swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, Elizabeth pushed her bed hair from her face with shaking hands as she checked under the bed. “Right, he’s going to be under the bed.”

Hurrying to the hallway, Elizabeth was almost to the stairs before she came to a halt in front of the bathroom door. Clean. Bath mats were in place, and Emily’s decorative towels were hanging neatly as they had been before twenty hands Mikey yanked them down. The disorder from Michael’s earlier bath had magically disappeared, looking as though it’d never been turned into a waterpark.

“Emily.” With a sigh of relief, Elizabeth chuckled at her manic behavior, and headed downstairs to offer a hand cleaning up the warzone. Perhaps, if Emily didn’t push too much, she’d consider telling her conniving and nosy pal that as far as sneak attacks went, this one was one of her favorites.

Pushing up the sleeves of her burgundy sweater, she stopped wide mouthed as she took in the cleaned living room. Emily sure had been busy. All the magazines were stacked in neat piles, pillows had been replaced to their proper places, and Michael’s hoard of toys were packed up.

The sound of running water and Michael’s little voice came from behind the kitchen door. Feeling guilty Emily had been stuck cleaning a mess she hadn’t made, Elizabeth hoped there was something left for her to clean.

“You didn’t have to clean, I was going to -.” Coming to a dead stop, Elizabeth found herself staring at the back view that deficiently didn’t belong to Emily. Standing at the sink, a hand towel tossed carelessly over his shoulder, Jason rinsed a dish before placing it into the dishwasher at his right. “Jason . . . I didn’t. You really didn’t have to . . . what are you doing here?”

Shutting off the water and using the towel over his shoulder to dry his hands, Jason took his time answering her. Instead he gave himself a moment to stare at the charming effects of her afternoon nap. Her cheeks flushed and rosy, her eyes still heavy from sleep were regarding him with caution, and her hair was a riot of messy curls. Her feet were still bare as she shifted back and forth in front of him. She looked absolutely perfect, making him ache even more to make things right.

“Came to pick up Michael and thought I’d clean up while you slept.” Looking down where Michael was keeping himself busy smashing two trucks together, Elizabeth smiled at him when he looked up.

“You didn’t have to.” Wasn’t she the big girl having a stimulating and intellectual conversation? Elizabeth thought darkly. Perhaps she could start banging her head and drooling at the mouth for a follow up act. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

His mouth curled up at the corner before he turned back and finished the dishes. “When was the last time you ate?”

The question wasn’t too terribly hard to answer, except now that she thought about it . . . “I had breakfast.”

“Get your coat and I’ll get Michael ready. I’ll take you to Kelly’s.”

“What?” This wasn’t the conversation she’d been anticipating. She wasn’t behaving how she’d pictured either. And she was starting to hate how lost she felt.

“You said you haven’t eaten since this morning.” Frowning at her, Jason crouched down, balancing on the balls of his feet. Picking up the trucks Michael had been playing with, he rose with little effort. “I thought you might be hungry.”

“Are you asking me if I want to come or -.” Fireworks were beginning to ignite.

Seeing where this was heading, Jason gave himself a mental kick. Holding up his hand when Elizabeth’s pouty little mouth opened, he explained. “I’m offering. Michael and I are heading to Kelly’s. If your hungry and want to, we’d like it if you’d come along.”

Elizabeth didn’t know what to make of the seemingly innocent invitation. Where was Jason Morgan going with this? Why wasn’t he just hitting the topic that was stewing beneath the surface. He looked innocent enough in the invitation, and really what else could possibly go wrong?

“Fine.”

A smile spread across his face. “I hope you don’t have an aversion against hamburgers and milkshakes.”

Picturing the run down dump he’d taken her to in Nevada, Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile. “No, none. I’ll get my jacket.”

~~~*~~~


“Well if it isn’t Jason Morgan.” Barely inside the doors, Elizabeth looked up and found herself looking up into laughing blue eye. His overly polished appearance had international playboy flashing over his head like a neon sign. But his accent gave him away.

Feeling Jason tense at her side, Elizabeth looked up into his face and was surprised to see it void of any particular emotion. “Jax.”

“Are you going to introduce me to the pretty young woman by your side?” With a charming smile aimed in her direction, Elizabeth couldn’t stop the blush that crept upon her cheeks.

“No.”

Chuckling at Jason’s one word response, the blonde Aussie put out his hand and gave Elizabeth a scandalous wink. “Actually I heard all about you when I stopped by the Quartermaine’s earlier today. It’s nice you meet you Miss Webber, or should I say Morgan?”

Feeling as though she’d been pulled into some game she didn’t know the rules to, Elizabeth took the man’s offered hand and had a sudden disliking toward him. “Elizabeth is fine.”

“You’re a lucky bastard Morgan.” Brenda had been right, his accent was to die for, too bad he was full of shit. “Hope you do a better job keeping this one safe. I’d hate to see what happened to Carly happen to her.”

The blood in her veins froze, trying to take a step away from the man in front of her, Elizabeth bumped into Jason and felt his hand rest on her hip to keep her in place. “I suggest you leave.” His voice was soft, but the dangerousness undertone didn’t go unnoticed.

“Merry Christmas.” Jax saluted as he sauntered out of the dinner and into the cold night air.

“Sorry about that.” Leading them over to a table, his hand now on the small of her back Elizabeth tried to block out the memories Carly’s name brought to her. The feeling of helplessness and death crept out of the corner of her mind.

“Why should you be sorry?” Unzipping her jacket with trembling fingers, she took her time draping her leather jacket over the back of her chair while ignoring the eyes that studied her.

“Elizabeth.” His eyes continued to stare, baring down on her, making her remember things, feel things she had successfully locked away.

“Don’t want to talk about it.” Picking up a menu, she couldn’t make out the words. “How are the hamburgers?”

“Greasy.” Settling Michael in, Jason watched Elizabeth over the top of the menu she was trying hard to hide behind. Damn Jax. If it would’ve solved anything and wouldn’t have landed his ass in the PCD on Christmas Eve, he would’ve wrapped his fingers around that Australian’s neck till it popped.

“Elizabeth you can’t do this to yourself.” Taking the menu from her, he wished there was something he could do to wipe away the shadows from her face.

“What about the chili?”

“Greasy.” Reaching across the table and covering her ice cold hands with his, he waited until she looked up. “I want to help.”

He wanted to help. God those words hurt like hell. Mocking her worse than anything else he could’ve said.

“You can’t.” Pulling her hands away, the room closed in around her. He wasn’t going to do this, not here in the middle of a dinner. Waking up in the middle of the night with cold sweats from reliving her worse nightmare was bad enough.

“What does Michael like to eat?” Looking over her shoulder for the waitress, Elizabeth grumbled under her breath about the horrible service.

“The number six. And why not?”

“Because Jason.” Hot under the collar and her stomach queasy, Elizabeth glared daggers in his direction. “The only way I know how to handle this is on my own. Because you weren’t there.” There she’d said it, and amazingly it didn’t make her feel better. “So excuse me if I don’t want to talk about one of the worst experiences of my life.”

“If I could take away what Carly did -.”

“I wasn’t talking about Carly.” Snapping at him not caring who heard, Elizabeth balled her fists in her lap. “I was talking about what you did to me. Carly was sick. But you left Jason. When I needed you most you weren’t there. I woke up to find you gone. I went home alone.” Damn she hated the way her throat would tighten up like this. Making it hard to breath. “I couldn’t sleep at night for the first week, then only if the lights were on. I was almost ready to use a nightlight when the divorce papers came, and again I had to deal with it alone, because you couldn’t find the time to call and talk to me. Explain what happened to change your mind, help me understand. But the joke was on me.”

Sucking air in and wincing back the tears, Elizabeth waited, wanting to hear Jason try and defend himself. But he remained quiet, his face blank.

“From the moment this all started I just followed along and I’m sick of it.”

“Elizabeth, please. I messed up and neither of us can change that. But it doesn’t feel right walking away from this. If you want me to wait until your ready, I won’t want to do it, but I will.” His mask cracked and Elizabeth chocked back a sob.

“I don’t know what I want. I know seeing you hurts. I know what we had in Las Vegas was more real than anything I’ve ever experienced. But your right, we can’t chang what happened and honestly I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you for it.” Getting up from the table and struggling with her jacket, Elizabeth shook her head when Jason started to stand.

“I can catch a cab. I need some time to think.” Hurrying to the door, and out into the night, Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel she’d left a piece of herself behind.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-One

Sitting and watching from the second floor window as the Quartermaine’s snow covered lawns turned into a magical wonderland, Elizabeth rested her head against the cold pane of glass and enjoyed a moment of silence. It wasn’t just the grounds that were in a wild state of unrest, but inside there was a mad dash to get everything done before the first of the guests arrived.

It was amazing how fast time flew by when she was in the middle of a crisis. Between the wedding, Christmas, trying to dodge Jason and brush off Emily and Brenda and their well meaning attempts to help, Elizabeth hadn’t had a moment to think. And now on the day of Emily’s wedding, in eye of the storm she finally found time to just be by herself and think. Even if it meant sneaking off and hiding in an unused room.

Now all she needed was Dear Abby to give her some third party advice, and a fortune teller to confirm if it were right.

Anyone else might wonder why a week long marriage would be allotted this amount of contemplation. But unless they’d felt the connection, the feeling of being home, they’d never understand.

It was those feelings that made Jason’s abandonment in Las Vegas a hard pill to swallow. The divorce papers and tampering with her bills were annoyances, petty little things she allowed to fill the void in her life, but the real issue was the way he’d left her. She’d been afraid of her own shadow. Afraid of the falling asleep and hearing gunfire bounce off the inside of her head. Mostly she’d been afraid of the chasm inside, not knowing if she’d ever feel whole again.

If she felt like that when she barely knew Jason, what would she feel like after several years? But she had to make some sort of decision. What was that horribly crude saying her Grandfather used to say?

“Shit or get off the pot.” Talking out loud, Elizabeth smiled. If there was ever a situation that fit the saying it was this one.

“I really don’t like the way they redecorated this room.” A woman replied from near the door, causing Elizabeth to twist from her position and gape.

Lila Quartermaine, the most elegant and well spoken woman Elizabeth had ever met, was sitting like a queen in her wheelchair just feet away.

“I . . .” Oh god, how loud had she said that? When would she ever learn to keep her big mouth shut.

“Hiding out too?” A smile graced the older woman’s lips, her voice sounding mutinous. “I love my Granddaughter, but her pre-wedding insanity has a way of making those who love her run for cover.”

“I was just catching my breath. I really should go help.” Still feeling mortified, Elizabeth was ready to stand and make her escape. Instead she was stopped.

“Actually I was wanting a word with you.”

Of course she did. All of Jason’s well meaning relatives had a few words to share with her. Actually Edward had more than the rest, and her ears were still ringing. But the message was basically the same. Jason led a dangerous life, one that wasn’t suitable for someone like herself. Or she was young and had her whole life in front of her. Edward though had been a little more thorough and creative in his execution, telling her that under no circumstance should get back together with his ‘degenerate’ of a Grandson.

“About Jason?”

“I take it you’ve already had a few words with a few of the other family members in the last few days?” Pushing a button that had her chair wheel further into the room, Lila stopped the window next to her. “He’s a hard headed, stubborn fool like his Grandfather.”

Apparently love wasn’t blind when it came to this woman.

“But he also amazes me. Jason Morgan has accomplished in his five years of existence, what most men couldn’t dream of doing in forty.” The words were spoke slowly, and at first didn’t register, but as she waited for Lila to continue, Elizabeth knew she was going to learn a piece about Jason’s life no one had yet to share. “I can still remember the day he came home. Angry, scared, lost. No one knew what to do with him. Oh, the family all had their theories and fought over them endlessly. But when it came down to it, Jason was a stranger living in a world he just didn’t fit in.”

Remembering the bits and pieces Emily had shared with her about the tragic accident her brother’s had been in, Elizabeth felt a shudder run through her body thinking of the extensive injuries he’d suffered. Emily had said it’d been a miracle he hadn’t died.

“He’s grown a lot since then. But he’s still learning Elizabeth.”

“You make him sound like a three year old.”

Lila smiled at this. “Do you remember the first boy you ever had a crush on?”

Smiling now too, Elizabeth thought back. “David Owens, fifth grade.”

“Do you remember how you felt around this young boy?”

“Like a giggling fool. I didn’t know how to act around him, or what to say. I made a complete mess of everything.”

“Think of feeling those things in a twenty-two year old male body. When it comes to relationships with females, he’s still learning and will undoubtably make several mistakes. And to be fair, your only the third relationship he’s ever had.”

“So I should -.”

“I can’t give you advice on something big.” Shaking her head, Lila patted her hand. “And I’m sure there’s several things I’m unaware of, which at my age I prefer.”

“Elizabeth?” Emily’s voice came somewhere down the hall, signaling the end of the conversation.

“I don’t know if I was able to help any.”

Elizabeth leaned over and kissed Lila on the cheek. “You’ve shed a light on a few things. Emily’s lucky to have you around to talk to. But I’m sure she already knows that.”

“Elizabeth, Grandmother?” Pushing the door open, Emily looked at the two of them, her face confused. “Why are you two in Jason’s old room?”

Figures. Laughing to herself at the irony of it all, Elizabeth shrugged her shoulder’s.

“The hairdresser isn’t here yet, I can’t find Brenda. I heard Jason’s missing his tie, and the caterer threatened to walk if I didn’t stay out of the kitchen.” Emily looked ready to combust, and Elizabeth felt horrible for neglecting her.

“Oh, Elizabeth?” Stopping halfway across the room, Elizabeth turned around. “ Don’t forget what they say.”

Pausing, Lila smiled brightly. “Third time’s a charm.”


~~~*~~~

After two melt downs and one frantic hairdo redo, the wedding went just as planned. Emily’s winter wonderland wedding was something out of a fairytale. The trees lining the lawn were lit by thousands of lights. And the luminaries that lined the shoveled pathways were beautiful.

Even the Bride’s Maid dress Elizabeth had reservations about fit the mood. Royal blue with empire waists, covered by an old fashioned cape lined with faux fur that clasped at the neck with detailed silver brooches. She felt like a character from a Dickinson novel. Even the men looked handsome in their black tuxes and overcoats. But it’d been Jason who’d stood out among them. Much to Elizabeth’s dismay.

Emily had asked her to witness one of the most important events in her life, and all she could do was gawk at her older brother. Several times she’d give herself a mental shake, lecturing herself on her silly behavior, to pay attention to the ceremony. It wasn’t like she’d never seen him before. Maybe it was the lights or the romantic mood that hung in the air. Or it could’ve been what Lila had said to her earlier. None of it mattered, because in the end she only found herself staring at him again. It wasn’t until her eyes had strayed again and found him staring back. The air had been sucked from her lungs when he gave her a lazy smile she’d never seen before, but knew it did funny things to her.

It was the reason she’d made herself scarce when the ceremony ended and reception began, which was how Emily and Brenda had been able to corner her so easily and drag her out onto the ice against her many protests.

“I can’t believe Johnny and I are finally married.” Laughing up into the night sky and turning around in circleds, Emily nearly lost her footing.

Reaching out to steady the dizzy bride, Brenda snorted. “I can’t believe your spending your time out here on the ice with us instead of taking advantage of your husband.”

“Because. I wanted a chance to skate with my friends before Johnny whisks me off on our Honeymoon.” Looping a hand through Elizabeth and Brenda’s arms, Emily practically pulled them along.

“Did you pack the nighty I gave you?” Brenda’s mouth curved into an evil grin.

“That was a nighty?” Emily questioned innocently. “I thought it was a sling.”

“Ha ha.” Letting go and skating out in front, Brenda stopped and turned. “Oh look. We can’t even skate without our fearless men keeping an eye on us.”

Looking over her shoulder, Elizabeth spotted Jason talking to Sonny and Johnny on the bank of the pond. It wasn’t until his eyes met hers that she whipped her head around and lost her balance, almost bringing Emily down with her.

“Can I be anymore pathetic?” Getting to her knees and taking Emily’s hand, Elizabeth’s face burned with humiliation.

“Well if it’s any consolation Jason looks concerned.”

“Fantastic.” Grumbling under her breath, Elizabeth allowed the two girls to pull her along. “I must’ve looked real graceful.”

“No, not really -.” The joke froze on Brenda’s lips when a loud cracking noise echoed through the night.

Closing her eyes tightly, Elizabeth felt Emily’s body standing ridged next to her. “Em, this is like last time right. There’s nothing to worry about?” When Emily didn’t answer, Elizabeth’s eyes popped open to stare down at the ice. A large jagged line was only a few feet away. “Oh god.”

Instinct had her pulling from Emily’s grasp and trying to retreat. Apparently Brenda had the same idea, and their movement only earned them was another loud ripping noise making the crack in the ice grow like an angry snake.

“Don’t move.” Emily’s voice was barely over a whisper, but loud enough to make the other two girls stay still. “Slowly.” Looking up, she licked her lips. “And one at a time.”

[JRK Archiver]

Authors Note: Hypothermia> Noun The condition in which the temperature of the human body falls abnormally low, generally below 95 °F (35 °C). The normal human body temperature is 98.6 °F (37 °C). Hypothermia usually results from prolonged exposure to cold.

Signals of hypothermia include shivering, numbness, loss of vision, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. If body temperature falls below 90 °F (32 °C), the victim may lose consciousness. In deep hypothermia—below about 80 °F (27 °C)—abnormal heart action may cause blood flow to slow or stop, leading to death.


Chapter Forty-Two

Leading to death. That was the clincher, the side effect to almost freezing.

The part the doctors were having difficulty saying out loud, as they regurgitated medical facts and treatments. Who cared, none of it made sense to a person without a medical degree, only causing a person to become more confused and lost than they already were. Instead the unsaid word inched and crept its way through the halls and waiting room of General Hospital, praying on the inhabitants.

No one dared to speak except in hush tones. The soft voices and hushed tones was enough to make any sane person want to jump up on table and scream. It was exchange two people could make with just their eyes that meant said things they could voice out loud.

Then there was the never ending game of head bobbing. Waiting for any sign of a white jacket or scrubs, heads automatically rising when one entered the vicinity. All in the hopes they’d be spared a few words or update. After several hours it became tedious and it wasn’t surprising when someone would burst out with a sudden bout of anger.

So far no one had been allowed in the small room down the hall, making the situation that much more grave. That more real.

“You should get some sleep.” Hearing the concern in Sonny’s voice, Elizabeth didn’t have the energy to look up. Instead she swung her head side to side. “Elizabeth he’s strong.”

And young and this was nothing compared to what he’d faced in his past. It was the same words of comfort everyone was smothering her with. Oddly none of it eased the pain or the guilt she was consumed with.

Seeing his words weren’t penetrating, Sonny sighed and wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders. She looked so delicate in an oversized pair of hospital issue blue scrubs.“Keeping him from going out on the ice was an impossibility. You were in danger and that is something Jason will never tolerate.”

He’d come out on the ice because of her. God it hurt thinking it, but hearing it said out loud made her physically ill.

“I couldn’t move.”

She’d heard him yelling to her to move it. Threatened to wring her neck if she didn’t start inching off the ice once Brenda and Emily had gotten to safety. But she’d just stood there staring at the break in the ice. Her limbs reluctant to make the move to where everyone was breathlessly waiting.

“This is my fault. Jason wouldn’t be here, he wouldn’t be . . . ”

Oh God , why was this happening? When she’d heard him call out he was coming to get her, she should’ve told him no. Told him to stay where he was, where he was safe. Instead she’d felt comforted, knowing he was coming. Damn her, she’d been fucking relieved.

The ice was breaking and she’d just stood there, knowing his weight could endanger them both. She’d heard the ice protest the closer he got. She all but cried when his hand rested on her shoulder, letting her know he was behind her.

“I never want to hear you say that again.” This time Sonny’s tone was no longer soft and comforting. “You didn’t do anything.”

She’d been ready to turn around, to look into his face and find the courage to get off the ice. But before she could tear her eyes from the growing crack she found herself being yanked backwards. The brooch on her cloak cut into her throat for a brief moment before she found herself on her backside and sliding. Her eyes on Jason the entire time. Well at least until the ice beneath him gave way and he disappeared.

But not before their eyes connected. For that one brief moment. When their eyes met, she knew without a doubt he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. And could see in his he also knew. Then he was gone.

Massive mayhem broke out as she found herself crawling on the ice to the hole that swallowed Jason whole. She could hearing someone screaming Jason’s name while several people yelled at her. But nothing was going to stop her from getting to her destination. Except someone accurately named Lucky, who’d braved the breaking ice to pull her back while his father went to where Jason had been last seen.

Everyone was moving in slow motion. Frantically yelling instructions. The ice still protesting, trying to claim another victim. There was no sign of Jason. He was still in the water.

“Elizabeth.” Sonny leaned in. “I know his is cliched, but you need to be strong and to do that you need to eat and sleep.”

“No.” Finding her voice and looking up around the crowed waiting room, Elizabeth’s eyes rested on Emily and Johnny who were dozing in the corner. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then let me get you something to eat.”

“Sonny, thank you. I’m not hungry.”

“Then something to drink. Can you do that?” This time not waiting for an answer, Sonny stood and headed down the hall to the vending machines.

This couldn’t be happening. There had to be some mistake. Jason wasn’t lying in a bed somewhere a few halls away. His body temperature dangerously low, while the medical staff meticulously warmed him. Monica had explained everything to her after the doctor tried his best to describe Jason’s medical condition. But her voice had been strained, giving away the fears she’d been trying to hide.

This was only after Elizabeth had been forced to change from her damp clothing into something dry. Her fingers were checked for frost bite, and her vitals checked. She’d protested, not wanting to waste the hospital’s staff or their time and energy. Not when Jason needed it more.

“Here.” Looking up at Sonny’s return, Elizabeth decided to appease him. Taking the warm hot chocolate and letting it warm her hands, she felt the wait of Sonny’s stare. “Drink.”

Bringing the paper cup to her lips, Elizabeth sighed as the warm liquid filled her. It tasted better than the aftertaste of coffee, and after a few more sips she felt the muscles in her body relax.

“Where’s Michael?” Her body ridged, and more guilt spilled into her bloodstream. Visions of a one year old, abandoned at the Quartermaine estate assaulted her. How could she have forgotten Michael?

A hand on her shoulder, Sonny forced her back in her chair. “It’s all been handled. The Quartermaine’s butler, Reginald, is keeping an eye on him. He’s fine Elizabeth. Drink the rest of your hot chocolate.”

Complying, because she was too tired to argue, Elizabeth soon found her eyelids too heavy to keep open. “Sonny I feel - funny.”

“It’s called exhaustion.” Sonny’s voice sounded a thousand miles away. “Just go to sleep.”

“I can’t, not until I know Jason’s . . . till I know.”

“He’s not going anywhere.”

Her mind slowly stopped turning the days events over and over again, tormenting her more each time, until it finally just stopped.

“Francis.” Motioning at the man across the room, Sonny ignored the questioning looks he received from the rest of the rooms occupants.

“Yeah boss?”

“Find a room for Elizabeth.” Putting a hand on the guards shoulder, Sonny leaned in. “I don’t want anyone, especial if they’re a Quartermaine, to bother her. Understand?”

“Yes sir.” The look they shared said the same thing. Protect your own


~~~*~~~


“Just so you know, never drink anything Sonny gives you.” Leaning over to brush his hair back from his forehead, Elizabeth watched as her fingers trembled slightly before contact. “The man’s not to be trusted.”

Though she’d been thoroughly put out with the nosy crime lord, she couldn’t stay mad for long. Not when he’d only been looking out for her best interests, being there making sure she was taking care of herself when she wasn’t up to the job. It was like having extended family who really cared. Though his tactics were downright sneaky.

“Michael’s staying with Emily and Johnny. They refuse to leave on their honeymoon until you’ve woken up.” Frowning, Elizabeth shook her head. “The doctors said you hit your head before you went into the water.”

“I also dislike Dr. Jones. His bedside manner bites and he makes you sound like your less than human.” Running her fingers through his dark blonde hair, Elizabeth tried to lock away the memory of how it felt.

“Come on Jason.” Taking his hand in hers, Elizabeth stoked the back of it with the pad of her thumb. “You can’t do this, not like this.”

Sniffing as she lowered herself down in the chair behind her, Elizabeth choked back a sob. “Everything I was so angry about seems almost trivial now and I pray its not too late to tell you. Your home to me Jason. From the warmth your eyes give me, to the feeling of protection I feel when your at my side. I can’t lose that and I don’t care if I’m being stubbornly selfish. It’s just another perk you’ll have to learn to deal with.”

Laying her head on the bed near his side, Elizabeth listened to the medical equipment surrounding them. Long past the danger of hypothermia, Jason was now unconscious, in deep state of sleep as Monica had told her. Apparently this made everything a-okay with her Mother-in-Law. There was no convincing her until Jason opened his eyes.

Then she could put this nightmare behind her. She and Jason would get passed the pain and - if he still wanted her - start their life together. She’d stayed in the penthouse the night before, only because Brenda begging turned to nagging, and thought the place was in desperate need of a woman’s touch.

Or they could find a house somewhere near by. A place with a large yard for Michael to play. She’d plant flower gardens in the spring. Big colorful beds, that would fill the air with wonderful scents.

It didn’t really matter where they lived, just as long as they were together.

That’s how he found her. Her head resting on the bed at his side, a hand holding his protectively, while the other played with his hair. She looked like an Angel keeping vigil. It was one, hell of a way to wake up.

“Still mad?” His voice sounded raw and he waited as Elizabeth looked up slowly. Their eyes met and there was no need for words.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Three

“You are the most stubborn, hard headed fool I know.” Standing in the doorway of Jason’s bedroom, Elizabeth resisted the urge to dump the bowl of steaming hot soup over the fool’s head. “I was gone for twenty minutes, thirty tops. The second I turn my back . . . What part of bed rest did you not get?”

“I’m fine.” Knowing if he were to smile at her mini tantrum it would only land him in hot water, Jason kept his back to her as he held onto the towel draped around his hips and grabbed a pair of jeans from the dresser. It would be wise to take the ignorant approach. Was it bad that he enjoyed her little show of anger? “I thought we’d take Michael to the park then get something to eat at Kelly’s.”

“I . . .” Blinking like a fool at the sight in front of her soup bowl in hand, Elizabeth cleared her throat and mentally reminded herself to stop goggling the goods. Jason was recovering from an accident. He’d almost died because of her and needed to recuperate.

Licking him dry from his shower was not an option.

They still had stuff to talk over. Things to straighten out. Something they’d been tiptoeing around. Not that she was jumping at the bit for that heart wrenching conversation. Having to talk about what had happened was like picking at a scab and watching it bleed. No, actually that would be a whole lot less painful. She’d rather have bamboo shoved under her fingernails than have to pick at those scabs.

Then there was the big question, how in the world did Jason get his abs to look so mouth watering good? Was it exercise? Did he lift weights or maybe he was a punching bag - jogging type. And just how far could that towel drop before she really got an eye full.

Dear Lord she needed help.

“B-Bed rest.” Tearing her eyes away from the sinful picture he made, Elizabeth deposited the bowl of soup on the night stand. Her hands trembled making her spill some of the soup over the rim onto her hands. “You have two more days. I promised Monica you’d take it easy.”

Watching as she busied herself cleaning the spilled lunch, Jason smirked at the tell-tale blush staining her slender neck up to cheeks. He enjoyed knowing he was the one to put the color on her face. He’d entertained himself a time or two the last few days, by seeing how red he could make her.

But the boredom of being kept a prisoner in his own bed - without her - wore thin. At first he followed Monica’s instructions only because Elizabeth had insisted on playing the nursemaid. Allowing her to fuss over him, shoving bowl after bowl of soup down his throat. There wasn’t anything in the world he hated more than soup. But he’d slurped every last drop, just to make her happy.

Then there was her constant chatter. To her it was a way to release some of her nervous energy. To him, it was an education in Elizabeth. Never knowing where her thoughts would go next, he listened as she’d talk of her childhood, school or whatever else popped into that pretty little head of hers.

But it was her sketches that showed him the window to her soul. Emily wasn’t kidding. Elizabeth had talent. And the emotions he felt while flipping through the pages when she wasn’t looking - pictures of him, of the view from the balcony - of Michael. She’d captured him to perfection. Playing, eating, sleeping. It was a story of their time together. And each picture became more detailed, more personal. Where he could almost feel the love pouring off the pages. How much could one person love another?

His favorite times was when she’d bring Michael in and they’d play on the floor while he pretended to rest. Watching Elizabeth and his son rolling around, their laughter made his heart expand until it hurt. This was what family was. This closeness. This sense of home. And he wasn’t going to lose it.

It was time to make some sort of sense of the chaos he’d created. To get them back to the point where they’d been before Carly, before his stupidity. They’d been planning their future. Now he just prayed she still wanted to have a part in his and Michael’s lives once the drama passed. One thing was certain, he wasn’t going to wait around for that moment or waste any more time while he had her with him.

“Elizabeth.” Dropping the jeans on the bed, he reached over to where she was straightening the sheets and laid a hand on her elbow. “I’ve been hurt worse.” Seeing the doubt in her eyes, he pulled her closer to him. “Honestly, I don’t need any more rest. What I do need, is time with my son and my wife. Are you up to that?”

The ball of terror that had been living with in her stomach started to dissolve. She’d been living in fear of the day Jason was able to get along on his own and realize he didn’t really want her there under foot. Of course, something like that would happen only after she realized she couldn’t live without him and there was no need trying to figure out what she wanted out of life. No, everything became a whole lot clearer watching someone disappear beneath a sheet of ice.

Her eyes locked with his and she felt herself getting sucked in. The feeling was like walking off a cliff and feeling the free fall. Plummeting hundreds of feet, while gaining speed. Unfortunately impact with the ground usually never fared well and with only the slightest resistance, Elizabeth let go and allowed him to see past any remaining walls she might have.

“I think I can handle that.” Bringing a hand up to the face she’d been craving to touch, Elizabeth watched as Jason’s pupils dilated. She could’ve stood like that forever. Feeling his flesh beneath her fingers, his towel clad body just inches from hers.

Feeling him shift he buried his other hand in her hair, her heart skip a few beats before leaping into hyper speed. His breath played across her skin, but instead of kissing her on the lips, he grazed her temple. Time seemed to stand still, as he trailed light kisses down to her cheek until he reached her lips.

He hovered there for what seemed an eternity. The first touch was feather soft, both participants memorized the feeling, the emotion the simple connection created. It wasn’t until his hand on her elbow moved to her lower back, gripping her sweater as he pulld her closer, deepening the kiss. His tongue invaded her mouth, skimming hers slowly until her whimper had him wanting more. Fire seeped into their veins making her wonder why they’d waited so long to do this.

Bringing her hand to rest on his chest, she nearly whined when Jason broke the kiss and stepped away.

“We need to talk first before we finish this.” Brushing her hair back from her face, Jason leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Talk.” Nodding numbly, Elizabeth tried telling her hands to stop their exploration of his flesh. “We really need to do that.”

His body taunt, Jason took a deep breath and let it out slow, as he strained against the desire to toss her over on the bed before climbing on top of her. Lowering his forehead to her’s, he squeezed his eyes shut. It wasn’t until Elizabeth’s butterfly touches drifted down his chest to his navel right above the towel line. Her finger nail grazing his flesh, threatening to dip under the towel, that he wrapped his fingers around her hips and groaned.

Capturing her mouth smoothly, he tugged her flush to his strained body, capturing her hands between them. This time there was no gentleness, but pure pent up sexual frustration. Fisting his hand in her hair again, he angled her head and held it in place.

Fighting to free her hands, Elizabeth felt the towel slip a little lower before dropping to the floor. Giving only a moment pause at Jason’s state of undress, she pulled her hands out and wrapped them around his rock hard shoulders.

“Elizabeth?” A voice from far off invaded their world. “Elizabeth?” This time the voice sounded like Brenda’s. Footsteps could be heard on the stairs and with a sigh of disappointment, Elizabeth took a step back.

“Sonny wanted to know if - WHOA!” Brenda stopped in mid-stride and spun around with her hands over her eyes. “Jason, not that I don’t appreciate a good strip tease once in awhile, do you think you could - oh I don’t know - get dressed?” Startled, Elizabeth’s eyes swung over to where Brenda was standing, contemplating if she were to kill the petite brunette would she get off on the insanity plea.

“Or if you guys are . . . busy I could just come back later.” Waving a hand behind her back blindly, Brenda inched forward. “Tell you what. Keep up whatever you two were doing and just send a smoke signal when your done.”

“Brenda.” Jason’s warning was heard loud and clear.

“I’m going.” Taking two steps the impish brunette stuck her head back in the room. “Elizabeth remember he’s still supposed to be on bed rest so no kinky stuff.”

“Out!” This time a smile flashed across Jason’s face as he watched her vanish down the hall. “I hope she didn’t . . .”

“Embarrass me?” She finished for him. “I’m getting used to it.”

“Good.” Watching the muscles play along his shoulders as he looked in the closet for a shirt, Elizabeth swallowed a frustrated groan when he found one.


~~~*~~~

“How is it that men have no concept on packing?” Rummaging through the cardboard box, Elizabeth’s frown deepened. “I can’t find a damn thing.”

Shoving a chip into her mouth and offering the bag to Emily, Brenda smiled. “Someone’s been in a mood lately.”

“True.’ Nodding her head, and shoving a few chips in, Emily chewed and swallowed. “Kinda, uptight.”

“Edgy.”

“You two are aware I’m standing over here right?” Shoving the box over to get to the one behind it, Elizabeth glowered at Fric and Frac on the couch.

“Frustrated.” The two said in unison.

“I hate you guys.” Tearing into the taped up moving box, Elizabeth stared down at it’s contents. “Emily this one is yours. I think it came out of your closet.” Looking around at the boxes that had been delivered by two large and unwashed movers, she felt at a loss as what to do with all the stuff. None of it seemed to fit into the new life she was making for herself, but she didn’t have the heart to toss it in the trash.

“So tell me.” Brenda asked cheekily. “How’re things between you and Jase?”

Like living hell since he decided on becoming a monk.

“Just great.”

Well from the time they woke up until he kissed her goodnight was great. It was the part where he left her alone. By herself. In his bed - without him.

What had he said? They needed time. Or was it he didn’t want to rush things? Perhaps even both. Well she’d give the man an A+, because she’d been going to alone for the last week. While he valiantly slept on the living room couch.

God she hoped it was lumpy and was hurting his back.

“You poor girl.”

“Stop.” Her threatening tone fell on deaf ears.

“Did I tell you that Johnny ran me a bubble bath last night then treated me to a full body message.” Emily sighed. “On a bed of rose petals.”

God she hated her friends.

“Sonny’s more the champagne on ice and candle type. Did Johnny use warm massage oil?”

Her friends were evil.

“Flavored.”

“Will you two shut up.” Hold her hands over her ears, Elizabeth whimpered. “I haven’t had any action since Spring Break - thanks to Brenda and her lousy timing - and I’m ready to . . . to burst.”

“Tell us about it.” Brenda grunted.

Whipping her head around to where her friends were seated, Elizabeth took in their smug expressions. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s just say that the sexual frustration you and Jason have compounding between you is an aphrodisiac for anyone within a twenty foot radius. Yay us.”

“Boo me.”

“Sweetie we feel you pain.” Emily grinned wickedly.

“I can feel it all the way over here.” Giving her friend a one finger wave, Elizabeth dropped her hand quickly when there was a knock on the door and Sonny stuck his head in.

“Last minute plans.” Looking at the three females and seeing their different expressions, Sonny knew it was probably a good thing he’d missed out on the conversation he’d interrupted. “There’s business in Las Vegas and against our better judgement we thought we’d invite you trouble makers along.”

Silence filled the room, one by one the three girls looked at one another with a scary gleam in their eyes.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Four

Looking around the lobby where it all started, Elizabeth felt her insides twist just the slightest. So much had happened here. Her life had changed here in many ways, good and bad. She’d met Jason here. Sure she’d woken up next to him, not knowing him from Adam, and she’d found herself married to a stranger. It just seemed right. And she wasn’t going to allow the nightmare which ended in blood shed interfere with the positive that happened here.

“Well girls I have a feeling that this is going to be one helluva weekend.” Shaking her hair out while they waited for Francis and Max to straighten things out at the front desk, Brenda looked around, a grin from ear to ear.

“Apparently you weren’t given the Las Vegas rules.” Emily grumbled, pushing her sunglasses on top of her head. “I don’t know who was worse. Johnny or Jason.”

Turning her attention from the past back to her friends, Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Jason, hands down. I think we had fewer rules last time.”

“Didn’t we break all your rules last time?” Brenda pointed out. “So how many do you have to ignore?”

“I lost track.” Elizabeth grumbled.

“No ditching the guards.” Emily counted on her pointer finger as Brenda slid an arm around hers and Elizabeth’s waist and slowly guided them toward the casino. Keeping an eye on the two men over at the counter, who continued to argue with the receptionist. “Absolutely, positively no drinking unescorted.”

“Does it count if I’m with you?” Tilting her head to the side, Brenda frowned thoughtfully as they walked into the loud casino on the first floor. “No, I can’t see how I would count. They probably meant themselves.” Motioning to the nearest waitress, Brenda placed their order. “Please continue.”

“No gambling.” A smile tugged on Emily’s face.

“Again, unless we’re escorted.” Elizabeth chimed in as they spotted the waitress hurry back from the bar.

“Chips. We need chips.” On a mission, Brenda grabbed the money tucked in her back pocket and hurried off to the cage. Leaving Elizabeth and Emily to retrieve the drinks from the frazzled waitress.

“You know we’re gonna get into trouble, right?” Sipping from the straw, Emily licked her lips in delight.

Swallowing the piece of pineapple that came with hers, Elizabeth nodded her head. “Yup.”

“And we haven’t gotten through half the rules yet.” Wandering through the sea of slot machines with their loud shrill alarms and flashing lights, both girls wore identical grins. “If you ask me, they’ve had it too easy. I think we should remind them that too many rules can confuse a person.”

“Oh absolutely.” A wicked little grin on her face. Elizabeth had also come to the same conclusion somewhere over Missouri. She and her sexy spouse had been tiptoeing around one another far too long, and it was time to consummate their marriage - again. If she didn’t watch it, Jason was going to think he married little Betty housewife.

Pfft, not likely.

They’d talked everything to death over the last few weeks. Painful- into the early morning hours talks from the soul that mentally exhausted them both. He’d explained several times to her that his job, his life was dangerous, only to have her tell him each time that she was aware of that. But life in itself was dangerous. He’d just recovered from an accident that had nothing to do with his job. Then he’d explained where there may be times he seemed distant, disconnected. She explained she got that way once a month for about five days, but to add bitchy to that list.

He hadn’t been the only one to talk. She’d railed at him for his inexcusable absence in her life. Then there was his unwanted, overbearing interference from a hundred miles away. The one thing she didn’t ‘share’ her feelings on was the divorce papers.

Why bring up something she ended up being grateful for?

Even after all their time talking he still hadn’t done anything more than get to second base. Honestly, she didn’t know if she should be flattered by the sweet way he was treating her, or be insulted because she hadn’t been able to push him over the edge into a wild sex frenzy.

Well he didn’t have a choice. Sometime this weekend they were going to get it on. Whether she had to tie him down just to take advantage of his heavenly body. But before she did she was going to make sure he was as frustrated as she was, if not more.

“Okay.” Rejoining Elizabeth and Emily, her hands overflowing with multicolored chips, Brenda grinned like a lunatic. “ I have tons of chip thingies here, and another round of drinks coming. As an added bonus, I just caught a glimpse of Francis dashing around with his cell phone glued to his ear look extremely frazzled.” Exhaling loudly, Brenda snickered. “God I love being married to the Mob.”

~~*~~

“What do you mean you lost them?” Sonny barked into the phone. Francis started to repeat himself, only to have Sonny interrupt. “All three of them?” Looking up in time to see Jason turn the corner, Sonny shook his head. “You do realize we haven’t even checked in yet?” Snapping his phone shut, Sonny shoved his hands deep into his pant’s pockets and scowled.

What a way to start a vacation.

“Are the rooms ready?” Carrying a package in his hand, Jason took in the dark look on his friend’s face. “What?”

“The girls are missing.”

Checking his watch, Jason smirked. “They lasted longer than I expected.”

Looking puzzled, Sonny cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“I had a little talk with Mrs. G.” Both men headed down the hall where an office had been set up for them. “When they’re not in their rooms, they’ll be followed by the casino’s surveillance camera’s. If there’s one thing I’ve learned. Trouble doesn’t need to find them. They create it.”

“Thinking ahead?”

“No.” A secret smile spread across Jason’s face.

The first one to walk into the office, Sonny turned and eyed his friend. “Okay what gives?”

“Let’s just say I had a hunch they’d attempt mutiny.” Setting his package on the edge of the desk before taking a seat, Jason gave a wicked laugh. “I saw it coming when Elizabeth’s eyes began to glaze over while I was talking to her about staying out of trouble.”

“You know Jase.” Scratching the side of his head, Sonny looked doubtful. “You think you have this all figured out. But I have a feeling you’re gonna end up on your ass on this one.”

Clearly not listening to Sonny’s sage advice, Jason propped his feet on the corner of the desk. “Everything is ready. All we have to do now is wait until tomorrow night and make sure they don’t figure out something’s up.”

Shaking his head while rustling through the paperwork that had been left on his desk, Sonny wished Jason could see the big flashing sign that screamed danger, proceed with caution. But it wasn’t a lesson someone learned by being told. No. This time Jason was going to have to live and learn.


~~*~~

“Em.” Snatching the drink out of her friends hand, Elizabeth apologized to the passing waitress before taking Emily by the hand. “The idea was to break the rule. Not decimate it.”

“I feel a little dizzy.” Holding a hand to her head, Emily stumbled a bit before allowing herself to be guided through the casino back to the lobby.

“You don’t say.” Looking around for any sign of Brenda, Elizabeth caught a glimpse of Max. Her feet automatically started to move backwards. But they weren’t fast enough in their getaway, and apparently neither was Brenda. Who was being led by the hand in their direction by Francis.

“Hey, funny bumping into you here.” Clearly not upset about being found, Brenda patted Francis on the back. “I was having communication issues with the woman at the front desk. Seems -.”

Max cleared his throat loudly. “We should get you to your rooms.”

“Rooms that no one knew -.”

“Dinners at eight.” It was Francis’s turn to interrupt as he led them to the elevator. “Mrs. G and her husband will be joining us.”

“Wonderful.” Elizabeth was puzzled over the enthusiastic grin Brenda sent the two men who were almost cowering in the corner. “Maybe she can spread some light on this ‘last minute’ business crap.”

Perfectly happy with staring at the buttons along the panel, Emily frowned before prying her eyes away. “Huh?”

“The reason these two were having such difficulty with our rooms was because no one knew we were coming.” Looking quiet proud of herself, Brenda folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. “So what gives?”

Instead of answering, both men looked at their shoes as though they’d never seen them before.

“Ladies.” Emily grinned, her eyes sparkling from the intrigue and the four White Russians she’d slurped up. “I believe our men are up to something.”

“Well then who are we to give them a hard time. Making their lives hell, needling, teasing, until one of them give in and sing like a canary.”

“It just don’t sound right when a woman says it.” Francis’s grumbled at Brenda’s use of words.

“What’s wrong if they’re trying to surprise us?” Clearly not following, Elizabeth felt like she was missing something.

Nodding in Elizabeth’s direction, Max grunted. “Listen to Mrs. Morgan. She’s got a valid point.”

Ignoring the man, Brenda looked at Elizabeth with pity. “So young and so much to learn.”

“Well to be fair she’s only had a few weeks.” Sobering up with the promise of some down home fun, Emily’s grin was contagious. “But I promise she’s a fast learner.”

“I agree.” Nodding, Brenda explained. “Don’t get us wrong. Surprises are good. We love surprises. What we don’t like is the gloating male pride that comes along with it.”

“Like they were able to pull a fast one on us.” Emily offered.

“Mrs. Morgan, you really don’t need to listen to these two.” Max’s pleading voice was completely ignored.

“Like it’s all that hard to pull something huge off with Sonny and Jason’s resources.” Rolling her eyes, Brenda looked bored at the thought. “And now that Johnny’s been promoted and has hung around with my husband he’s also starting to get an inflated head.”

“Okay.” Holding up a hand, Elizabeth stopped the conversation. “Surprises, good. Inflated, I’m-the-man-and-surprised-the-weak-minded-wife attitude sucks. I’m I getting this right?”

“Yes!” The two girls said in unison, as the two men shouted the opposite. “No!”

“So what should we do?”

“Well I personally enjoy keeping the surprise hell to keep secret.” Brenda said matter of fact. “Keeps Sonny on his toes.”

“I go with the disinterest routine.” Emily offered. “I find it irritates Johnny. Slightly remedial, but when I won’t pick up on any of his clues he starts to sweat under the collar. Then he tries harder. It’s all rather entertaining. But he’s been nicely rewarded.”

Now looking sick, Francis squeezed his eyes shut. “We don’t need details.”

“I was going to be a complete tease. Make sure Jason remembered I’m a flesh and blood woman. Do you think I should do something else?” Elizabeth knew she was being naughty, but it was a riot the way Francis and Max looked as though they were on the verge of a nervous break down. The kind when a male gets information overload from planet female. But it could be worse. They could be discussing hygiene products instead.

“Oh. I like that.” Nodding her head wisely, Brenda contemplated this. “You’re going to have to stop at the Boutique, I saw this little number that’s sure to make Jason’s blood flow south.”

“What about these two.” Fluttering her lashes at the two guards, Elizabeth enjoyed the way they squirmed.

“Don’t worry about them.” Standing on tippy toes and kissing Francis on the cheek, Brenda left a crimson kiss mark. “They know if they squeal we’ll make their lives hell. . . Won’t we boys?”

The elevator stopped at their floor and three extremely pleased women, and two disgruntled guards got off.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Five

“So?” The question was asked before Sonny had the door closed behind him. Shrugging out of his jacket, he carelessly tossed it to the side. But instead of being answered, Brenda held up a finger to her mouth and hushed him.

“Yes the little black one. Does it come in petite?” Tapping her Platinum credit card on the table, Brenda nodded as the voice on the other end of the line spoke. “That’d be great. Make sure you add something hot for underneath. Oh and that blue number. The one where there’s a piece of material across the chest that twists once, and there’s a little gap between it and the skirt.”

Giving the person on the other end of the line her number, Brenda’s smile turned evil. “No, don’t deliver it here. It’s for Elizabeth Morgan in suite 1145. Do me a favor and place a card at the bottom of the package. Write; May all your dreams come true.”

Hanging up the phone, Brenda giggled as she sank back into the couch, a scary little smirk on her lips. “What’d you do Brenda?”

“Me?” Pressing a perfectly manicured hand to her chest, Brenda fluttered her eyes. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Oh God. I don’t want to know?” Sonny felt a chill run through his body. “Or do I? Am I gonna have to bail you out of jail?”

Pinching her lips together, Brenda looked thoughtful. “Depends.”

“On?”

“Jason.”

“Bren! You told Elizabeth didn’t you. I knew I shouldn’t have told you anything.” Looking panicked, Sonny sat down in the nearest chair. “Bren you promised.”

“First you didn’t tell me anything. I figured it out and got you to admit to it.” Bristling at his attitude, Brenda sniffed.

“You threatened to cut me off.”

“Second I didn’t promise anything. But I wouldn’t consider myself that evil.”

“I never said you were evil.” The conversation had deviated in a direction that Sonny found hard to follow.

“I didn’t tell her anything. Thank you very much.”

“I jumped to conclusions. I apologize.” Waiting until Brenda’s agitated expression faded, Sonny let out a dry chuckle. “So what’s up with the call?”

Not allowing her husband’s behavior to rain on her parade, Brenda regained her shine. “Let’s just say I’m helping Elizabeth out. She has a . . . situation that needs to be seen to.”

“And how does this effect Jason?” Watching the way his wife’s smile brightened the room, Sonny thanked whatever God was looking out for him. He needed Brenda in his life. For her silliness and her mischievousness. Her loyalty and sense of family. She was his perfect match. And studying his wife he knew this was Brenda mischief, not Brenda mayhem. Which meant he could relax and enjoy the show.

“Well, lets just say they have opposite agendas at this very moment.”

“Opposite . . . ?” Sonny’s eyes popped open as Brenda wiggled her brows. “Oh. Well this should prove to be an interesting weekend. Does Emily know?”

“About the secret? Nope. About Elizabeth’s plan? Oh yeah.”

“So this means Johnny . . .”

“Poor Johnny is going to be going through a different kind of hell. See I can keep a secret.”

Laughing at her pouty expression, Sonny rolled his eyes. “You tricked the truth out of me.”

“All’s fair in love and . . .


~~~*~~~


“ . . . war.” Hearing the door to their suite shut, Elizabeth took one last look at her reflection before reaching for the silk robe lying on the bed. She could do this. Heck she could just cut to the chase and walk out there naked and force herself on him. But she had her pride and a bruised ego to consider.

“Elizabeth?” Almost feeling sorry for Jason and the hell she was hoping to put him through, Elizabeth tied the belt loosely around her waist before stepping from the bedroom for her grand entrance.

“About time you got here.” Her fingers shook only the slightest as she ran a comb through her wet hair. Trying to act nonchalant as though standing in front of Jason with nothing but a filmy robe and nothing else was an every day thing. “We have a hour to get ready for dinner.”

Looking up from the folder in his hand, Jason tried say something, but found it difficult when his mouth dried like the Sahara making his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. Blinking became impossible as Elizabeth stood across the room, in a flowing pink robe. The V opening fell just under the valley of her breasts. Leaving her delicate flesh, lots of her creamy flesh, uncovered.

“Johnny called a few minutes ago.” Encouraged by his wide eyed silence, Elizabeth moved further into the room. “He sounded a little testy.” Which only meant Emily was living up to her word.

Poor Johnny.

Clearing his throat, Jason couldn’t believe his palms were actually sweating. His pants felt just a little snug and if his heart didn’t drop down from his throat back into his chest, he was going to have some difficulty breathing let alone carrying on a conversation.

“Jason?” Her voice gave him goose bumps. Those lush lips were moving. And all he could think of was how damn good they’d feel against his -. “Are you alright?”

“D-Did he want me to call?” Forcing words past the tightness in his throat, Jason tried to keep his tone neutral, but even to his own ears he sounded like some pathetic pre-adolescent. Not that it surprised him none. After a few weeks with a raging case of blue balls, he was content by being able to walk upright.

“He didn’t really say.” Moving now to the couch, Elizabeth sat and crossed one leg over the other. Allowing the liquid like material to slip off her leg and leaving a large about of flesh available for Jason’s wandering eye. “I unpacked your suit. You really should get ready.”

He was ready, and it sure as hell wasn’t for some damn dinner party. What he wanted to do was rip that taunting piece of material off her and . . . No. Not yet. He wasn’t some damn animal who couldn’t control herself. Just because he could clearly see the outline of her nipples . . .

Look at him squirm. Elizabeth thought. It’ll do him some good to endure what she’d been feeling over the last few weeks. Having little things, like a tone of voice or a slight movement turn her blood into a boiling chaos of hormones. Lying in bed until the early hours of morning tossing and turning. Knowing that Jason was just ten feet from the stairs, twelve steps down and eight strides to the couch.

A knock at the door broke the awkward silence, and Jason practically leapt at the chance to do something other than be tempted by his wife. Making sure to opening wasn’t large enough for whoever was on the other side to see Elizabeth on the couch, Jason glared down at the bellboy who refused to return his gaze.

“P-Package for Elizabeth Morgan.” Shoving the parcel at Jason, the nervous boy looked at the guard stationed outside the door before gulping and dashing away. Leaving the two men to stand staring at one another.

With a frown, Jason looked down at the box. It was from one of the Boutiques on the third floor. Closing the door behind him Jason set the box on a table. “Did you order something?”

“No.” Curious, Elizabeth stood and went over to inspect the box. “I wonder who sent it?” Reaching out to pull on the fat red bow, Elizabeth was stopped when Jason’s hand enclosed around hers. “What?”

“We should have it inspected.”

“You’re kidding right?” Throwing her head back, Elizabeth turned to her husband and placed her free hand on his face. “Relax. I’m sure no one sent me a bomb.”

Narrowing his eyes, Jason took a step closer. “How can you know that?”

“Jason Morgan, you’re just being silly now.” Keeping her eyes connected with his, Elizabeth used her free hand and pulled on the ribbon till it gave. “Boom.”

“Not funny.” Letting go of her hand, he didn’t back away when she stepped between him and the table.

Lifting the lid of the box, Elizabeth pushed back the tissue paper. Feeling Jason looking over her shoulder, she decided to move back a smidgen, just to ensure some body contact. Why not take advantage of a perfectly good opportunity?

Picking up the first item from the box, the black material unfolded making her eyes widen. Tiny, nearly not there straps held on dangerously by a few measly threads to the richest buttery soft black suede she’d ever felt. There wasn’t much to it, but that was probably the idea.

“Maybe I’ll wear it tonight.”

“Maybe you’ll be staying here.”

“Oh come on Jason.” Holding the dress up to her, it barely covered all the important parts. “I have a pair of shoes that’d go perfectly with this. We could catch a show after dinner.”

“Elizabeth, that wouldn’t cover your -.” Clamping his mouth shut, Jason silently planned the dress’s demise.

Turning her attention back to the box, Elizabeth’s eyes widened. It was the items under the first dress that had her face turning beet red, and wishing Jason would decide to look the other way. A corset like bra and some painful looking underwear were next. It wasn’t that she didn’t wear G-string undies, like most woman she hated panty lines. But the things in the box look down right evil. Not to mention uncomfortable.

“Who in the hell sent you this?” Hearing a warning growl rumbling in his chest, Elizabeth quickly shifted past the undergarments and second dress and found a card on the bottom. Before Jason could reach for it, she tore the envelope open and laughed. “Brenda.”

He was going to kill her. She knew he wanted to wait. Well she did after blackmailing Sonny. And she seemed sympathetic at the time, even supportive. He should’ve been wary when she’d been so agreeable.

Feeling Elizabeth shift in front of him, Jason groaned and jumped back. “I’m going to jump in the shower.” A cold one.

~~*~~



Fastening the clasp of her earing, Emily gloated as she caught her husband’s pouting reflection in the mirror. The poor little baby was really having a rough go of it. She’d have to make it up to him tonight.

From the moment he’d shown up, she had him coming and going. Fist calling him on the ‘last minute trip’ crap, then acting like it really didn’t matter. Having him mistaken her ‘disinterest’ as anger. He’d stammered for an hour before cracking.

“Emily you gotta promise.” Pleading with his wife, Johnny didn’t know what made him feel worse.

The way his pretty new bride was able to play him. Or how he’d gone from a reasonably intelligent man, to the blundering idiot. He could make a grown man cry till he peed his pants. Knew one hundred spots on the human body that with the slightest of touches would bring a giant to it’s knees.

“Don’t worry.” Standing from the vanity, Emily walked over to where he was slouching on the couch. Giving him a coy smile. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Six

He was going to kill her. There wasn’t a grand jury in the continental US that would indite him. Sitting next to his extremely underdressed wife, Jason gritted his teeth each time she shifted, or moved, or did anything that would make her breasts push against the already too tight material of the thing she flippantly referred to as a dress. Worse, he couldn’t erase what she was wearing underneath from his mind.

He’d endured a thirty minute cold shower, before he could trust himself around Elizabeth. For all the good it did, seeing that Elizabeth was Elizabeth was standing in the middle of the bedroom clad only in the smallest G-string known to mankind. A microscopic triangle of black satin that was miraculously held in place by ribbons tied at her narrow waist. She was trying to get her bra fastened and looked to be failing miserably.

Then she asked the impossible. She wanted help. Standing there all innocent like, her beautiful eyes seemed to hypnotize him. Pulling him to her. Beckoning him insanely close. He knew Alexis could convince the jury that she was purposely entrapping him. Little shy gestures, graceful movements that drew his eye stray to certain parts of her body.

What could he do?

He supposed the DA would be prick enough to argue he could’ve just simply helped. Offered a hand. Instead of backing Elizabeth against the bed while at the same time tugging her up against his still wet skin. He could’ve let go, put some distance between them instead of gazing down into her stormy blue eyes, while she trembled in his arms. It was her whimper from her already parted lips that had been the nail in his coffin. Something in the back of his brain clicked off as he captured her mouth with his before bringing her down on the bed.

He’d all but mounted her. Perhaps climbing on top of Elizabeth wasn’t necessarily the correct way of securing an undergarment, but it was a trivial thing, seeing that her bra thingy ended up tossed on the floor. Along with what she considered underwear, only after he loosened the ribbons with his teeth.

God she’d lain there, responding to every one of his touches. Her flesh warm and inviting. And completely off limits for the next thirty hours.

Taking a deep breath, Jason shifted in his chair, trying to clear his mind and pay attention to the conversation around him. Emily was telling a story about one of the misadventures she and Elizabeth had their Freshman year. Johnny sat next to her, looking slightly out of sorts, and refusing to make eye contact.

Which only meant his big mouthed sister knew. Moving his attention from his sister’s husband to Sonny, Jason bit back a groan when Brenda smirked and winked in his direction. How in the hell did the two biggest blabber mouths find out? As far as he knew, when the plane had taken off earlier that day, no one but Sonny and Johnny had a clue about the surprise.

Now it looked like Alexis was going to have to get him off a triple homicide.


~~~*~~~

Jerk. Prick. Freaking tease.

She swore on all that was holy, the second Jason Morgan pulled his head from his anal cavity and gave into his more primal instincts she was going to turn into the world’s largest icicle. She’d give him such a heinous case of frostbite his unused nether region would turn black and fall off. See if he liked being worked up to the point of screaming. Only to find the person who was making you speak in tongues, trampolining off the bed with a handful of lame ass excuses.

Damn him for being so unaffected. For sitting there relaxed as every molecule in her body physically ached. Jason looked totally at ease and it chafed at every one of her nerve endings. Making her want to stab her dessert fork into his thigh and see how ‘unaffected’ he remained.
They’d been so close. His mouth on her breast, while his other hand was doing things she’d been dreaming about. The only thing separating them was a fluffy hotel towel and Jason’s newly found prudism.

But for a few minutes they’d been smokin hot. His fingers found every spot that ached for his touch, ripping moan after delightful moan from her, his mouth worked miracles of it’s own. She’d been able to entice a few groans of pleasure from him too.

He’d been excited. She’d felt his excitement, had wrapped her hand around it in fact. So how was he able to switch his hormones on and off like that? To be glistening with sweaty need one second, grinding his hips into hers, to getting ready for a formal dinner the next.

If she didn’t kill him first, she might think about sticking a set of keys into the nearest electrical outlet and taking herself out.

Forcing a laugh at some story Emily just finished, Elizabeth decided it was a good time to excuse herself from the table. A bathroom break might do her wonders. It didn’t surprise her much when Brenda and Emily rose too, everyone knew women couldn’t pee unless they were in a pack.

“I can’t believe Jason let you out of the suite wearing that dress.” Brenda whispered. Looping her arm through Elizabeth’s. “Do I have great taste or what?”

“He didn’t have much of a choice.” Elizabeth grumbled as they followed Emily down the hall. “Not after what he did.”

Reaching the bathroom door first, Emily rolled her eyes heavenward. “Oh God, what’d he do now.”

Waiting till they were all in the bathroom and checking to make sure it was empty, Elizabeth turned to her two friends.

“Do I smell or something?”

“Ah, no.” Not sure where this was leading, Emily’s brows lowered.

“Is there some repulsive growth I can’t see coming out of my neck or face?”

“Elizabeth you’re beautiful.” Brenda exchanged a look with Emily. “What’s going on?”

“Jason and I were this close.” Putting a inch space between her thumb and pointer finger, Elizabeth felt tears burning the back of her eyes. “And he practically jumps off the bed. No, actually he did jump off the bed because he almost stumbled backwards into the dresser.”

“Elizabeth I’m sure it has nothing to do with you.” Trying to comfort Elizabeth, Emily knew she just uttered the one thing that could only make it worse when her best friend’s face crumpled. “No Elizabeth that’s not -.”

“You think there’s something going on with him? Oh God, I should have known this would happen.” Wiping at her eyes, disgusted at herself, Elizabeth looked in the mirror only to yelp at the mess she was making. If she just learn to grab a tissue, like any normal female, when she felt tears coming so she wouldn’t end up looking like a rabid raccoon. “He’s changed his mind hasn’t he? Be honest. He’s just trying to figure out a way to tell me and I haven’t been helping by throwing myself at him.”

“No!” Pulling a few tissues free, Emily helped her friend fix the mess she was making. “Don’t even think that. Jason loves you. Michael loves you. The three of you belong together.”

“So I’m supposed to live with him platonically for the rest of my life?”

“There’s always other ways to please -.”

“Brenda.” Cutting off the other brunette before she made the situation worse, Emily made a sharp motion with her head. “This has gone too far. His intentions are right on but Jason’s only hurting her.”

“What are you talking about?” Miserable and not sure what Emily was saying, Elizabeth blew her nose. “What’s gone to far?”

“I want it to go on record that I just found out today and I’m technically not the one who’s telling you.” The words rushed out of Brenda’s mouth, as she pulled a tube of lipstick out of her purse.

Emily gave Brenda a look didn’t really say thank you. “There was no last minute business.”

Frowning, Elizabeth shrugged. “We already gathered that.”

“Jason’s never been known for his creativity.” Brenda snorted at Emily’s use of words. “But somehow he’s come up with a doozy all on his own and has enlisted the help of our husbands. Which, if you really think about it is kind of -.”

“Jez Em just spit it out.” Impatient, Brenda practically vibrated with tension.

“He’s planning on surprising you with a wedding. There, happy now?”

Elizabeth blinked a few times, then tilted her head back and laughed. All the pieces fell into place and it felt like a two ton elephant was lifted from her chest. God she could just kiss him. “And he’s trying to hold off till our wedding night?”

“Yeah. You’ve been making a little difficult.” Brenda’s smile spread across her face. “Well, I helped. It was all his idea. He found the original person who married you two last time. Had Sonny help him pick out flowers.”

“Even Michael’s here with Letica.” Seeing the color return to Elizabeth’s face, Emily felt better. “He wants him with you guys at the alter.”

“How sweet of him.” Holding a hand over her chest, Elizabeth smiled wavered. “And stupid. I’ve all but tied him down and took advantage of him . . .” A ghost of a smile returned. “He’s so thoughtful.”

“So will you just go along with it and act surprised tomorrow?” Could she wait until tomorrow? Emily and Brenda waited impatiently for her answer.

“I can do that.”

~~~*~~~

“So how long did it take before Brenda had you ratting me out?” Once the girls were gone and the Gianni’s excused themselves so they could make their rounds of the diningroom, Jason leaned forward and looked his friend in the eye.

“Remember when we went to the back of the plane so Brenda could lay down?” Giving Jason an apologetic smile, Sonny shrugged his shoulders. “She threatened to cut me off for a month.”

“You’re pathetic.” Grunting, Jason swung his attention to his brother-in-law. “Well?”

Looking completely wretched, Johnny frowned. “Em tricked it out of me. I can’t even tell you how she did it.”

“Amateur.” Sonny laughed.

Leaning back again in his chair, Jason contemplated the odds on Emily and Brenda keeping their mouths shut. He wanted to give Elizabeth a wedding she could at least remember, and a wedding night she’d never forget. At first it’d been important for it to be a surprise for some reason. But now, all that mattered now was giving Elizabeth what she deserved.

Where he liked the idea of a surprise, he wouldn’t be too upset if she knew.

But the reception Sonny had suggested was going to have to be rescheduled, because once they said their I Do’s, nothing was going to stop him from enjoying his wife.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Seven

Returning to the diningroom, Elizabeth felt as though she’d been hit by a bolt of inspiration. Coming to a grinding halt, almost succeeding in getting run over by Emily and Brenda as they teetered on their pencil thin heels.

“I have a plan.” With a devilish smile and what could be considered a wicked laugh, Elizabeth pulled them back a few feet by their hands, while ignoring the nervous look that crossed Emily’s face.“And I need help.”

“I don’t know.” Grimacing, Emily hesitated. “I’ve seen that look on your face before and usually we barely avoid getting into some major trouble. Remember that indecent exposer thing.”

“Yes.” Elizabeth drawled. “ And I also remember you weren’t as innocent in the whole mater as you like to pretend.” Narrowing her eyes for a moment, Elizabeth gave her friend a smirk. “We could talk about it more or I can tell you what I’m thinking.”

“Gee. Wow. I’m really of torn here.” Tap her chin with her blood-red nail. “On the one hand I’ve been dying to hear that story. But on the other hand, Elizabeth looks like she’s up to something that’s going to keep me entertained for weeks. I’m always up for a little fun. What’s a girl to do?”

“Choose the entertainment.” Elizabeth answered tartly. “There’s years for me to tell the story in it’s entirety.”

“I just want it to go on record, that when we have to call our husbands from jail, I’m not above telling you I told you so.” Seeing that she was in it whether she wanted to be or not, Emily decided not to fight it. “What’s the plan?”

“Well, since you asked . . .”

~~*~~

“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that much in my entire life.” With a hand to her stomach, Elizabeth let out a deep groan and leaned back against the wall of the elevator. “I’m surprised my dress didn’t rip at the seems.”

“What little there is of it.” Jason grumbled under his breath.

Tilting her gaze up, Elizabeth gave her grumpy husband an innocent smile. “What was that?”

“Nothing.” Running a hand through his spiky hair, Jason let his hand fall to his side before he reaching up to tug at his restricting collar. “I can’t wait to get out of his suit.”

“Me too.” Elizabeth whispered not too quietly. Feeling Jason body go tense at her side making her eyes sparkle with laughter. Leaning against him, Elizabeth hid a satisfied grin when Jason’s muscles tightened under his Armani.

Now that she knew why he was behaving like he was, Elizabeth felt silly for believing Jason was unaffected. Yawning, she snuggled closer as the elevator neared their floor. “ I’m dying for a long, hot bubble bath.”

With perfect timing, elevator came to a halt and Elizabeth chanced a look up at her silent husband who’s jaw was clenched and his breathing erratic. Poor baby. Cause it was about to get worse.

Exiting the elevator before Jason, Elizabeth took advantage of her position and made sure her hips swung a little more suggestively than usual. No sense in letting the immodest length of her dress go to waste. Reaching their suite before he did Elizabeth smiled at the guard who was waiting as she floated past him through the door.

Heading to the couch, Elizabeth waited until she heard the door secure behind her before using the back of the couch for support as she bent over to unclasp her shoes. Too bad the tiny little dress didn’t cover up much.

“So were you and Sonny able to finish your business?” Acting like it were an everyday event, her standing bent over with out a modest shred of decency as she carried on a conversation with her husband.

Not surprised by his lack of response, she straightened and looked over to where he was standing. Frozen in the middle of taking off his tie. God she was going to have to make this up to him when all was said and done. But only after he successfully made it up to her.

Seeming to find the ability to speak again. “There’s just some lose strings.” Thoughts of her panties invaded his head.

“That’s good.” Bending back over, she undid the other clasp before straightening up. “Do you think you could unzip the back for me?” Lifting her hair up out of the way, she peeked over her shoulder to where Jason looked to have taken root to. “I just loved that Death by Chocolate dessert tonight, didn’t you? It was practically orgasmic.”

Never in his life had he felt like crying. But having to stand back and watch as his little vixen bent over, taunting him with her tight bottom in the air. The hem of her skirt just high enough so he could catch a glimpse of the black G-sting she wore. Now she was talking about orgasms. He knew the more he resisted her attempts in seducing him, the more creative she was going to become.

Christ he was ready to break.

He’d been sure the blabber twins would’ve spilled about the pending nuptials, but apparently Elizabeth was still in the dark. Perhaps he could make something up. Tell Elizabeth not to wait up while he bunked with Michael down the hall for the night. It was the only way he could see keeping his hands off the bride until after the wedding.

“Jason?” Looking up at her again, he blinked. “Are you feeling okay?”

Clearing his throat, Jason felt like some thirteen year old just hitting puberty, or he assumed this lack of control was what it felt like. It was one of the perks of having brain damaged and your memories wiped clean. He didn’t have to remember those less then stellar moments most teenage boys had to go through. Luckily for him, he now had Elizabeth to help him with that. “Fine. I’m fine.”

“That’s great.” Clearly amused now, Elizabeth shook her head at him. “My dress. Can you help me.” She turned her back to him again, waiting. Instead of going to her right away, Jason fought against the urge to bend her over the couch and bury himself deep inside her until she was screaming out his name in pleasure.

Taking shallow breaths, he took the three steps that were needed to reach her and careful not to touch her skin he had her unzipped before retreating to the couch like the coward he was.

“So are you going to sleep out here on the couch, or join me in the bedroom like most husbands do?” Keeping her tone light, Elizabeth waited for the answer she knew already by heart.

“I don’t want to rush anything.” Jason really was going to have to find another excuse, Elizabeth mused. He didn’t even sound convincing to her own ears. It was a good thing she was a patient and kind wife. Or she would’ve hit him upside the head with a skillet already.

Rounding the couch Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips and stared down at him. She could only imagine the picture she made. Her dress hanging loosely on her, ready to slip off as she stared down her notoriously dangerous mobster husband.

“Rush? Jason how much longer are we going to wait?” It really was too bad. Elizabeth was sure the wedding he and Sonny threw together would’ve been wonderful. “Are you not attracted to me now?”

Feeling the air get knocked from his chest, Jason stared at her appalled by the thought. Not find her attractive? Yeah right. She turned him on by just breathing. Let alone standing half dressed in front of him, as the straps inched their way over her shoulder and down her arms. Her unbound hair falling in a cloud of mink colored curls ending just beneath her shoulder blades. And those breasts. Just the memory of having his hands on such perfection could keep him hard for days.

“Of course I’m attracted to you.” The last thing he wanted was for her to believe he didn’t want her. But he could see where she might get that idea. Sleeping apart, doing nothing more than kissing and some petting. . . really heavy petting.

“But earlier.” Her voice lowered just above a whisper and thoughts from earlier invaded his head again. Making him instantly rock hard. “You didn’t . . .”

Oh god, no he didn’t. “I just want to take this slow. I can’t lose you again.”

A coy smile spread across her face. “Jason you’re not going to lose me.” Jason’s mouth went as she let her dress shimmy down her tight body, past her hips to pool on the floor around her feet. He would’ve begged her to stop if his heart was beating like a time bomb in his throat.

Elizabeth watched her husband’s barely controlled features and scolded herself for being such a silly little girl. It was a turn on, knowing she could make turn someone like Jason on like this. Closing the distance between them Elizabeth reached out and let the tips of her fingers trace his lower lip before traveling over the stubble on his chin and down his neck.

“Elizabeth.” His tone was pleading as he caught her hand in his much larger one and sucked in a deep breath when her fingers grazed the shell of his ear before curling behind his neck. For the life of him he didn’t know if he was pleading for her to stop or to keep on going.

Dipping her head down, Elizabeth locked her eyes with his and felt a rush from their connection. It was like touching a live wire and feeling the electrical current rushing through her. Flying through her system to each nerve ending. But it was nothing compared to the bolt of lightning she felt zipping through her body, when she lowered her lips to his. It was like the oxygen supply in the room had been sucked dry, leaving her breathless and lightheaded.

But it didn’t compare when something snapped inside Jason. One moment she was teasing him as she ran her tongue over his closed mouth. The next she was under his hard and straining body as his mouth crashed down on hers. His hands were all over her body at once.

Twisting, Elizabeth cradled his body between her thighs and let out a satisfied moan when he jerked his hips against hers. Tearing at the buttons on the shirt he still wore, Elizabeth titled back her head as Jason nuzzled her neck while he snapped the straps from her dress in a fierce pull.

“I. Hate. This. Dress.” His husky voice in her ear sent shivers down her spine. Nodding her head, Elizabeth gave up on undoing the shirt and moved to pulling the tails from his pants so she could touch his flesh.

“Oh God Jason.” Hitching her leg over his upper thigh, as her hands roamed over his flesh.

“Elizabeth.” With a disgusted moan, Jason stilled and bent his head down. “We can’t. God we can’t.” Rolling off her with reluctance, he

Wanting to scream, she had to remind herself that there were people waiting for them. Her husband was sweet enough, or crazy enough to want to wait until they got married, again. And she’d make sure he got what he wanted. “You’re right. We can’t . . . yet. But once I get dressed and we go met everyone I think you’ll be singing another tune.”

“Why would I sing . . .What are you talking about.” Turning his head so he could watch her rise from the floor, Jason narrowed his eyes. “Where are we going.”

“Well to get married Mr. Morgan.” Disappearing to the sound a few off colored phrases, she hurriedly got dressed in a simple sheath.

“Which one?” Leaning against the doorframe, Jason’s dark scowl only made him look like a little boy who didn’t get his way. “Which one told you?”

“Both.” Slipping on a pair of shoes, Elizabeth walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her. “It’s the sweetest, most caring thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“I wanted to give you a wedding you could remember.” Kissing her forehead, he sighed. “That you deserved.”

“Well if we don’t hurry we’re going to miss it.” Drawing in a deep breath, she drank in his scent before whispering into his ear. God she could just stand there like this, pressed up against him, his arms wrapped around her tight. “I estimate, if we don’t mess around we could be back here in under two hours.”

Growling, Jason captured her mouth with his, slipping his tongue past her soft lips. Both took a step closer and wrapped their arms around one another, trying to get as close as possible to the other. Just as abruptly as the kiss started it ended as Jason took a step back. “Lets go get Michael and do this then.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Forty-Eight

“Where are they?” Twisting the ring on her left hand, Emily paced back and forth in the empty hallway. A room full of people waited behind a closed door a few feet away. “I swear to god if their consummating their marriage without going through the second wedding I will kill them.”

“Emily stop wearing out the carpet.” Leaning her head against the wall behind her, Brenda yawned. They'd done a miricle in a little amount of time.

There'd been flowers to get, guests to find. Not to mention the thrown together reception waiting for them a few more rooms down the hall. Now all they had to do was have a bride and a groom to get the show on the road.

“What if they don’t show?” Her pretty mouth pinched into a frown, Emily rubbed at her forehead.

“Will you stop that!" Slapping at Emily's hand, Brenda made a face. "Not only is it annoying and bad for you pours." Brenda folded her arms across her chest. “But it looks as though you're trying to rub a lamp for wishes.”

Dropping her hand to her side, Emily stuck her tongue out. “If they’re not here in ten minutes, you’re going to be the one to go in there and tell everyone the weddings off.”

“Sorry. My powers are only to be used for good.” Smirking at Emily’s growing anxiety Brenda pretended to study her nails. “Why are you wound so tight?”

“Because after what happened last time I want this night to be perfect. Jason and Elizabeth deserve it.”

“I’d think they’d appreciate the irony if it didn’t go off without something happening.”

“You’re kidding right?” Looking almost ill, Emily started rubbing at her forehead again. “Please tell my you didn’t do something . . .”

“Like hire a stripper to interrupt their vows?” Laughing at the horrified look on Emily’s face, Brenda shook her head. “Of course not. I wouldn’t do anything to ruin their wedding. Well their second wedding.”

“Thank God.”

“Not when I have a life time of mischief ahead for us.” Her laughter was cut short with the sound of the elevator bell announced it’s arrival. Both females let out a sigh of relief when Jason stepped into the hallway with Michael on his hip and Elizabeth’s hand in his.

“Where in the hell have you two been?” Apparently Bridezilla was back, and possessing Emily’s body. “There’s a roomful of guests in there who are being tortured by Johnny’s dumbass jokes.” Taking Michael from Jason, Emily hurried down the hall.

Watching everything with an evil smile on her face, Brenda was smart enough to take a step back as Emily passed. Usually sweet and polite, the girl had an evil side to her she hid well. “You know there’s still enough time to go get sloppy drunk. Relive the past.”

“Shut up Brenda.” Jason grimaced toward the door that led to the chapel. The only way he could explain the nauseous, cramped feeling in his stomach was nervousness. For the first time in his life, or at least the parts he could remember, he was nervous. No. He was scared shitless.

He was about to pledge himself, again, to Elizabeth. This time he was going to make sure he remembered every detail. That, and he wasn’t going to fuck it up this time. This version of their marriage was going to be until death do us part. Even then he doubted he’d be pried away from the wonderful woman by his side.

Winking over at Elizabeth, Brenda stepped forward and adjusted Jason’s tie. “Look, you have a big boy tie on. I always thought you used one of those clip on kinds.”

Narrowing his eyes at the tiny woman, Jason felt satisfied when she started to fidget under his heavy stare. Finally Brenda couldn’t take it anymore and snapped. “What?”

“I’m just imagining you with duct tape over your mouth.”

“Ha-ha. Funny.” Giving him a bored look that didn’t quiet travel to her sparkling eyes, Brenda tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Better get in there and take your place. The crowd’s about to get restless.”

Feeling his stomach tighten again, Jason turned to Elizabeth and took both her hands into his. Her skin felt like silk. He felt like a giant standing next to her. He’d made so many mistakes. Had hurt her. Leaving her when she’d been at her lowest. He’d all but kicked her puppy, but after all that she still wanted him. And he was going to spend his life worshiping the ground she walked on.

“I’ll see you in there.”

“Have I told you yet how handsome you look?” Stepping forward and touching her lips softly against his, Elizabeth was about to pull him closer when an angry voice snapped at them from behind.

“What are you doing? There’s people in there waiting and you two are making out in the hallway?” Pointing a finger into Jason’s chest, Emily snapped. “I swear to God if you’re not at the front of the Chapel, standing next to Sonny in two seconds-.”

Leaning over quickly and kissing his baby sister on the forehead, Jason smirked. “Has anyone told you that weddings bring out the best in you?”

“You’ll thank me latter.” Gripping onto his suit jacket in an iron grip, Emily marched him into the room. Leaving Elizabeth alone in the hallway with Brenda.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth nodded.

“You might want to exhale. It works better when you’re trying not to faint.” Smiling knowingly at her, Elizabeth watched Brenda head over to a box sitting up against the wall.

Pulling out a bouquet of soft pink and white lilies, Brenda held them out to her. “There wasn’t much to choose from. Not at this hour.”

“They’re pretty.” Touching the petals gently, Elizabeth smiled softly at the way her hands were shaking. “I can’t believe I’m so nervous.”

“Second thoughts?” Looking amused, Brenda pulled out two more bouquets from the box.

“No.” Shaking her head, Elizabeth’s eyes darted to the door, expecting to see Emily standing there. Ready to become unglued. “You’d think already being married would make me less nervous. But it makes it more real to me. And there’s Michael. I hope I can be the Mother he needs me to be.”

“I think you’re sweating the small stuff.” Brenda said in a seldom moment of seriousness. “I don’t think you have it in you not to be a great Mother. To Michael, or the children you and Jason will someday have. If you weren’t the person you were, I wouldn’t have been rooting for you all this time.” Her soft smile turned into a slight smirk. “Besides, you’re a kick in the ass to get in trouble with.”

“Thanks.” Wiping the moisture from her eyes, Elizabeth hugged her friend tightly. “You too.”

“Okay let’s get this show on the road.” Stepping out into the hallway, Emily paused when she saw her two friends hugging. “I want a hug.”

“Only if you take your medication and bring Emily back.” Sniffing, Brenda tried to keep from bawling like a baby. If couldn’t keep her eyes dry before the bride got down the aisle, her perfectly applied mascara didn’t stand a chance.

Coming over and joining the hug, Emily smiled. “You look beautiful.”

“We all look beautiful.” True to Brenda form, Sonny’s wife pulled herself together with a joke. “Are you ready Mrs Morgan, to become Mrs Morgan. Again?”

“You have no idea.”

~~~*~~~

“I’m sweating like a pig.” Pulling at the collar around his neck, Max grumbled when Francis jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow.

“Will you shut your trap?” Grumbling under his breath, the other man grinned over at the Justice of the Peace when he looked their way. “There’s respectable people here.”

“We’re in freaking Vegas.” Muttering low, Max shifted his large body. “And half the people in this room is connected to the mob.”

“What’re you saying?” Johnny grumbled. “That were a bunch of untrained apes scratching ourselves and flinging poo at one another?”

“That’s just gross.” Making a face, Max had the grace to blush when Sonny sent the three men a look.

“I don’t know half the people here.” Looking around the room, Francis tried to ignore the way his feet throbbed. “Who are they?”

“Don’t know.” Johnny shrugged. “Ask Brenda and Emily.”

“You know, when I finally find the right woman to settle down with, I sure as hell aint gonna let her lead me around by the nose like those girls do.” Max said, and immediately swallowed a groan when his feet where stepped on by the men on either side of him.

“Where is she?” Trying to block out the bickering of two men, Jason kept his eyes glued to the door. “You don’t think she changed her mind?”

“Yes Jason. I think she changed her mind.” Sonny answered sarcastically. “What’s up with you?”

“I don’t know.” Frowning, Jason prayed this uptight feeling would disappear.

“It’s from the lack of sex.” Johnny whispered. The four men standing by Jason swallowed their laughter when the Justice of the Peace looked their way again. When it was good to talk again, Max mumbled under his breath. “I bet it’ll be nice to have your blood travel back to your brain soon.”

Before Jason could answer, the music began to play. His attention was targeted on the door where Brenda just entered. Watching her walk down the aisle, he couldn’t help but wonder why bridesmaids had to walk so slow. Was it to torture the groom? Having to stand there, at the front of the room, while everyone stared.

Emily came in next, and Jason saw Johnny stand up a little straighter out of the corner of his eye.

The tempo changed, and everyone in the room turned. Soon Jason came into view. Her mink colored curls framed her face from where they escaped the up-do she’d fought with earlier. A shimmering ice blue dress kissed her body in all the right places. Shimmering diamonds circled her neck and hung from her ears. But none of those things meant anything to him. It was the bright smile and teary eyes that stole his breath away.

It wasn’t that he could just see the emotions on her face. But he could feel them. Deep inside. Knowing he could cause her such happiness filled him until he thought he’d burst.

Until he met Elizabeth, Michael had been his reason for living. Before he’d been blessed with his son, it’d been his friendship with Sonny. Every year he had more reasons and watching Elizabeth draw near, he wondered how many more they’d be able to add.

What seemed to be an eternity, Elizabeth was standing before him. Handing her flowers to Emily with shaky hands. Bringing her eyes up to his, Jason couldn’t keep the big goofy smile off his face.

Squeezing her hands before turning to the Justice of the Peace, Jason smiled when the man winked at him before clearing his throat.

“Dearly beloved. We are gathered her today . . .”