Full Circle by brooklynkay02

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 46



Jason walked around the garden and looked at the statue of the girl. It had snowed, but the air was warming up. He heard humming coming from the other side of the garden. He walked over to where the row of bushes separated the gardens. As he peered around the bushes, he could see her. He knew is was her. He would know her anywhere. She was wearing a red dress and picking the lilacs off of the bushes.

"Elizabeth......You're really here?"

"Why of course Jason. The lilacs are blooming and it snowed. You always said I smelled like lilacs & snow. Even though I never thought that snow had a smell."

"Elizabeth, will you come away with me? Far away where we can never be bothered or found?"

"Of course I will Jason. Just let me get my things."

Elizabeth walked over to the bench where her things sat. When she turned around her arms were full. She had a coat,
a suitcase, and a baby. Wait! A BABY!

Elizabeth continued walking past Jason. "Elizabeth, where are you going, and where did you get that baby?"

"I'm going to find your bike, and the baby is mine."

Jason stood there, shocked into silence while Elizabeth walked on. As he started to speak his cell phone began to ring. He pulled it from his jacket pocket & tried to answer it. No matter what he did, it wouldn't stop ringing. Ringing....ringing....ringing....


Jason woke from his dream with sweat on his brow. As he wiped it away he felt the ring on his pinkie finger. What a dream.....he had never dreamed so much as he had been dreaming lately. His cell phone sat on the night stand & continued to ring. He picked it up & answered it.

"Morgan".

"Jase, it's Johnny. Tag is heading out of town for a little R & R. My informant says he'll be out of town for a couple of weeks. I'm watching him get on the plane now. "

"Good, who do you have following him?"

"Tommy & Sid are on the same plane & will take over the surveillance as we speak."

"Sounds good. I guess we'll have a few days off then. Go home & get some sleep."

"Thanks Jase, I'll talk to you later."

Jason laid back down & tried to remember the dream. He remembered lilacs a& snow , but that was about all. There was something else though. Something that didn't belong. He tried & tried, but he just couldn't remember.

Jason had slept long enough. He headed into the bathroom & stripped down to his boxers. He started the shower & let it run hot. The searing water felt good on his hard, sculpted body. As he lathered up with the soap he tried again to remember the dream. No luck. It was lost forever. Just like HIS Elizabeth.

He shampooed his hair & thought about what needed to get done in the time that Tag was out of town. Elizabeth's opening was in 2 days. He would probably have to get something to wear. Get his hair cut, it was starting to feel shaggy.

He needed to call Sonny & talk about Tag. Then he remembered that he hadn't thought about Courtney lately. She hadn't called to talk to him either. Something was going to have to be done about their lives after she got back. Maybe she would want a divorce. Jason's mood lifted at that thought. He would gladly give her all of his money if she would divorce him. He would leave this town & never come back. He wouldn't be able to look at Francis & Elizabeth's life together. It would kill him to have to do that.


Chapter 47



Elizabeth had spent the rest of the day sleeping & eating. Francis' sister was a miracle worker. She was feeling great. At least physically she was doing better. Mentally she was still a wreck. Was Francis right? Would Jason want this child? She really knew that he would, but could he? Could they really keep the baby's paternity a secret?


Liz fought this war in her head all day. What would Jason say? He hadn't said anything to her in over a month. She hadn't seen or heard from him. What would her Gram & Emily have to say ? She could tell them that she was artificially inseminated. Tell them that she was tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come along, so she started without him. They would buy that. Wouldn't they?


Francis stayed the night & slept on the couch. He was feeling quite smug about the whole situation. He knew it all along. Knew that something big was going on between the two of them. It was about time. They had sidestepped around each other long enough. He & Johnny were going to have to celebrate this one. And to think that Jake was going to buy their drinks for the rest of their lives. His smug smile turned into a frown. That may be short lived if Sonny ever finds out about Liz & the baby.

That threw a wrench into the whole thing. What could they do about Blondie & Sonny? He would definitely kill Jason if he found out he had cheated on his sister. He & Johnny had some serious work & planning to do. But first of all Liz had to tell Jason.


After Jason's shower, he dressed & went down stairs to get a bite to eat. He ate the sandwich that Maria had left for him and made some coffee to go with it. Then he went to his desk to work on some long overdue paperwork. Benny was probably pulling out his hair waiting for this paperwork. That is what little hair Benny had left.

Jason liked working with numbers, it relaxed him, and he was very good at it. With a pile of it done he looked at his watch & saw he had been sitting there for two hours. He stretched & got up from his chair. He found his briefcase & took it back to his desk. He hadn't opened it since he got back from the city.

When he opened it he found the CD & player that Elizabeth had loaned him. He needed to return it to her. He didn't want to, but he should. He picked up the player & moved over to the couch. He sat down & put on the headphones and turned it to play. He sat & listened to the whole CD. When it was done he sat there & thought about his life for awhile. What he needed most, he couldn't have. He needed Elizabeth and he needed a ride. He WANTED Elizabeth. He NEEDED Elizabeth. He needed to feel her arms around him, needed to HEAR her scream & yell at him to go faster.

Jason got up & headed for the closet. He grabbed his jacket & his keys. If he couldn't have Elizabeth, maybe he could ride her out of his head.

Jason took the highway out of town. He couldn't bring himself to drive the cliff road. He rode for almost 2 hours before stopping at an all night diner. Jason got off his bike & stretched. He hadn't ridden that long a quite awhile.


He walked into the diner & looked around. It was a typical diner, not too many people inside, although it was 1 am. He noticed 4 truckers & a young couple sitting in the booths. Jason sat on a stool at the counter. A sixty-something waitress with jet black dyed hair came over to take his order.

"Hi there doll, my name is Bertha, What can I get for you tonight?"

"Coffee please."

She ambled off to get his coffee & Jason looked over the menu. She returned with the coffee pot & turned over his cup. When it was full she asked, "You need cream or sugar?"

"No thank you."

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll take a cheese burger, no ketchup & no onions. "

"You want fries with that?"

"No thank you."

"Alrighty, I'll get you order in."

He had wanted to order a number three, but this place wasn't Kelly's and the waitress serving him most definitely wasn't Elizabeth.

Jason picked up his coffee & sipped the burning hot liquid. He observed all of the other guests in the diner as he drank. A couple of the truckers were talking trucker talk, and the young couple had their eyes glued to each other. They looked like two people who had to do anything to be together. They looked like each was from a different world. Like Romeo & Juliet. Families disapproving of them being together & then doing anything just to be together.


It made him think of Elizabeth again. Just then Bertha arrived with his burger & refilled his coffee. He ate in silence, listening to his surroundings . When he was done he paid his bill & walked out to his bike. He got on & decided that he was going to make some life changing plans when he got back to Port Charles. Yes indeed it was definitely time for a change.

Jason started his bike & headed back where he came from. It was 2 am & time was running out. He would need to talk to Benny & also to Alexis. He was getting to old to play mobsters. He needed a change.



Chapter 48


As Jason got back into town he drove through the deserted streets towards the warehouse. He thought he would make a quick stop & check on things. As he parked his bike he looked over towards Elizabeth's building. Wouldn't you know it. Instead of Max's car in the lot he saw Francis' ! So now he's spending the night!

Jason got back on his bike & headed home. He needed a drink, and not a beer, a whiskey straight up, and maybe more than just one.


The new day dawned and Elizabeth awoke early to the sounds of birds singing. Spring had sprung and she was feeling better than she had in weeks. She gathered her things for a shower & started for the bathroom. Francis was still sleeping on the couch & snoring so loud she couldn't help but giggle.

She got in the shower & started to wash her hair. She thought about all that she had to do today. The opening night with the chamber of commerce & all of her family & friends was tomorrow night. They had a lot of work ahead of them, plus she needed to go to the clinic & have a pregnancy test & a check up. Most of all she needed to get ahold of Jason & tell him.

When she had finished & dried off, she dressed in old jeans & a t-shirt & zip up sweater. It would probably warm up today, but she was always chilly.

When she returned to the living room Francis was awake & making tea for her & instant coffee for him.

"Thanks for staying last night Frannie. I feel great today."

"I'm so glad to hear that. And you're not looking green anymore. That's a good sign."

They ate toast & drank the beverages & headed for the Canvas. Liz made her appointment for a checkup as soon as they arrived at the store. Her employees arrived & she & Francis directed them to all that needed to be done. At 4 o'clock they locked up & Francis took her to her appointment. He couldn't believe that she had made it at the free clinic down by the waterfront.

"Jason won't like this" Francis stated loudly in the car. "No he won't like this one little bit." "If he knew that you were coming down here even in broad daylight to see a Dr. about his child, well ...he'd kill me. Why couldn't you have made the appointment at GH or somewhere else.?"

"Francis, the Quartermaines all work at GH, my Gram works there too. Besides, I don't have the money right now to see an obstetrician, or any other Doctor."

"Liz, you know I would have given you the money, or even loaned you the money, because I know that you wouldn't take money."

"Francis, this is just a check up & a test. I'll find another doctor next time.''

Francis fumed all the way in to the clinic. And he fumed all the time he waited. 'Yep Jason's gonna kill me, that's for sure, if not for one thing than for another.' Silently he said a small prayer for himself. He hoped that Johnny would help his mother with the funeral arrangements & look after her when he was gone..

Francis was never so relieved to get in the car & leave.
Liz knew that he was upset with her, but also knew that he would get over it.
"So Uncle Frannie, aren't you going to ask me how the test went?"

"How did the test go, .....wait, did you just call me UNCLE Frannie?"

"Of course. You will be the baby's Uncle, won't you?"

Francis smiled, and his chest puffed out. "Of course I will. How did the test go?"

"Great, they confirmed that I was pregnant & said I'm doing fine. They also said that everything that your sister told us to do was good."

"Now all you have to do is tell Jason."

Liz fidgeted in her seat. "I'll tell him. But it will have to wait until after tomorrow. I hope he comes tomorrow night. Then I can talk to him about talking to him."

Francis looked at her & tried to figure out what she just said. He looked at his watch & suggested that they get some takeout & get her to best & rested up for the next day.

She agreed & they headed for her studio.


The next day Jason was up at his usual time. He had errands to do and people to visit. He started with a haircut. He went to Jenny's Chop Shop, his usual place. Jenny, the owner was the only one he liked to cut his hair. She always did a great job of cutting his hair, but not making it look like he just got it cut.

His next stop was to get a new suit. He could always use the suit for funerals too. He went to the Knights Chamber and headed directly for the rack that held his size. He picked out a black coat & black pants. He paid for it & left without even trying it on. He knew that it would fit.

Next he needed some new boots & shoes. He thought that he should wear shoes, but hoped that he could get by with wearing boots with the suit. He got both & figured that he would work something out when he got dressed tomorrow night.

His last shopping errand was the music store. He never went into music stores. He wasn't a music person, but he loved the CD that Elizabeth had lent him. He was going to buy her a new player & a new CD. He was going to keep the ones that she had lent him. They had her touch & her scent on them.

Since he had no clue as to where to start he walked over to the counter where a young high school girl was working.

"Miss, could you help me find a certain CD. ?"

As the girl turned around, she nearly choked on her gum that she was chewing. This man was gorgeous! She didn't trust herself to talk so she nodded her head yes.


"The name of the CD is Reach by Meredith Edwards, and I need a small CD player also."

The girl found the CD, and then helped Jason pick out a player. She had relaxed enough to find her voice, and was now talking up a storm.

Jason paid for the items & headed out into the late morning sun. It had warmed up & Jason had to take off his jacket.

Jason had driven his black Navigator for his errand running. He knew he wouldn't have a place on his bike for all that he needed to buy. He unlocked the doors & placed his final purchases in the back seat. He got in the front & started it up. He pulled out into traffic & started driving to Benny's office.

Once at Benny's he waited for his secretary to inform Benny that he was waiting. Benny had him come in at once. Jason had brought all the paperwork that he had done.

"Benny, I also want you to update a list of all of my stocks, bonds, accounts, & all of my holdings. I want a complete list of everything I own, and what my net worth is. And don't forget my Swiss bank accounts."

"Did you want Miss Webber's account & her store added into that?"

"No, the account for her & her store is just that...hers."

"All of this will take a few days, you understand."

"That's fine Benny , I don't need it for another week or so."

"OK Jason."

"Thanks Benny."
And with that he left & headed for Alexis' office.

Alexis was the only one in when he arrived. "Alexis, I want to put on hold all of what we talked about. But I want you to have it ready to go at any given moment, OK?"

"sure Jason, I have it that way right now. You say the word & we're ready to go at the drop of a hat."

"Thanks Alexis!"

"You're welcome."

Jason headed back to the penthouse. He still had a lot of plans to make. And he wanted to make sure that he had forgotten nothing.


Chapter 49


Liz was up at the crack of dawn the next morning. She was too excited to sleep. The Gala Opening was tonight .........And..............she was pregnant! With JASON's child. She was so elated with happiness & joy. Yet frightened too...what if the store was a failure...what is Jason didn't want this child? She decided she needed to get moving and get her mind off of these things and onto getting ready for tonight.


Francis arrived right on & Liz was ready to go. She had brought everything that she would need for tonight just in case she didn't make it home to change.

"Francis, you mom is going to come tonight , isn't she?"

"Yes she is. She is so excited about getting her birthday gift tonight. Of course she has been gossiping all week to all of her friends about going to the opening to night of a 'real art studio' , and getting her gift from me. She tells me all of her friends are so jealous, although I'm sure they really just want her to shut up."

"Francis you are so horrible." They both laughed & drove off to the Canvas.


Jason was also up with the first light. He was already back on his usual schedule, and had finished all of his personal paperwork. He was standing on the patio looking out to the harbor when the phone rang. He walked across the living room & answered on the 3rd ring.

"Morgan"

"Jason?"

"Courtney, Hi...How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing fine. Sonny thought that I should call you & tell you how good I am doing."

"How good are you doing?''

"I think that I am back to normal. Sonny agrees. We are having a great time, it's so relaxing here. Maybe we could move here instead of living in Port Charles?"

"Courtney my work is here. You can go to the island anytime you want to. Your brother owns it & a plane to get there."

Courtney whined on and on. Jason tuned her out & thought to himself that she really wasn't any better. Not at least that he could see.

Jason started to listen again when he heard her say that they would be staying there for a couple more weeks.

"That sounds good Courtney, is Sonny or Carly around? I need to talk to one of them."

"Carly is here, bye."

"Hello?''

"Hi Carly, Is she still there?"

"No, she just headed back to the beach."

"Is she really doing any better?"

"Maybe a little. Sonny thinks a lot, but she is his sister."

"OK, she said you are all staying for 2 more weeks?"

"At least, I'm having a ball. Shopping, sleeping, eating."

Carly laughed. Jason did too, he knew that Carly lived to do all of that.

"OK, give me a call when you know for sure when you will be arriving home "

"Will do Jason. Bye."

""Bye"

Jason hung up the phone & groaned. Only 2 more weeks of freedom & two weeks to get things done. He looked at his watch. He had plenty of time for stopping at the warehouse, and maybe even a little ride before he had to get ready for Elizabeth's party tonight. He grabbed his keys & was out the door in record time.

The caterers had arrived to set up the bar & serving tables. They weren't serving much, just some hordourves & wine, and an open bar for those who preferred something stronger.

Liz was chewing on her lower lip & contemplating the arrangement. Francis knew that she had everything worked out before & he was sure she was worrying about Jason.

Francis walked over to where she stood. "He'll be here."

"What?" Liz asked as she turned to look at him.

"Jason.....He'll be here. I heard him promise you myself. Remember....Hell or highwater, he'd be here."

Liz smiled at him. He was almost as good as Jason was at reading her mind.

"Why don't you go lay down in your office & rest for a little while. I'll keep an eye on things."

"Thanks Frannie." And off she went to her office. Francis waited until she had shut the door before taking out his cell phone. He dialed Johnny's number. "Hey Johnny, I need you to either call Jason & ask him out for the evening or drop by & see what he is up to tonight."

"Why, I have plans for the evening."

"Because Liz is worrying that he won't be here tonight & he promised her he would be, you need to make sure he get here tonight."

"But..''
"No buts johnny my boy or yours will be in a sling, I promise you that! Just make sure he remembers or remember for him."

And with that Francis hung up his phone without giving him a chance to reply.


Liz woke an hour later & looked at her watch. It was 3:00 and the guests would start arriving at 6:00. She decided to make one last tour of the place & make sure everything was where it should be. Out in the store, it was quiet. Except for the snoring coming from Francis.

Francis woke when Liz stifled a giggle. "Feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you. Did you send the help home?"

"Yes they all went home to change for the evening. They are as excited as you are."

"Did you move a jungle in here while I napped?"

"No, the florist did. People are sending you Congratulations ."

She walked around the plants & flowers. Gram had sent her a huge green plant, and Bobbi had sent some flowers. Em & Nikolas had sent a ficus tree that filled up the bare corner beautifully. Other business neighbors & some of the contractors had also sent something. Liz directed Francis to move things where she wanted, because he wouldn't let her lift a finger.

At 4 o'clock, Max arrived. Liz decided that she better start getting ready. Francis left to go home & get ready himself before going to pick up his mom. Max was left in charge.

Nearly an hour later Liz appeared from her office. Max's jaw dropped and so did the 2 male employees she had hired. Both were young art students at the college. Liz wore a red, crinkled gauze peasant blouse. It had a long ruffle that went around her shoulders & had spaghetti straps that went over her shoulders. It had matching red pants that flowed when she walked.

She had curled her hair & clipped some back. She wore tiny red earrings and the necklace that she had made from the broken red glass that Jason had brought back from Italy. She looked gorgeous! And very artist-like. The bartenders had a hard time not looking at her. Max moved everyone along.

When all of her employees had arrived she gave them all some last minute note everyone moved to their places to await the arrival of the evenings guests.


Back at Jason's, he was sitting on the patio again, drinking coffee & contemplating his life when his doorbell rang. Maria answered it and came out to tell him that Mr. Johnny was here to see him. Jason went in & saw Johnny dressed casually in jeans and a sport coat.

"What's up? Something with Tag?"
Jason asked, concern on his face.

"No, I was just wondering if you had plans for the evening or if you wanted to go out to grab a beer & a steak?"

"Thanks" Jason said crossing his arms on his chest, "But Elizabeth Webber is having an opening for her art store & I said I would be there."

"No problem man, just thought maybe you would want to get out. This is probably better anyway."

"Why is that?" Jason asked.


"I get all of the women, and not your rejects." Johnny laughed, and Jason shook his head.

"Later Jase."

"Bye Johnny."

Jason shut the door & decided to head upstairs to get ready for tonight. Outside his door, Johnny took out his cell phone & called Francis. "The man will be there." He said to Francis. Francis thanked him , and said a prayer for that.


Chapter 50


Jason descended the stairs looking like he just stepped out of the pages of GQ. Of course he could pass for a GQ man every day, but tonight he looked especially handsome. He wore his new black suit with a steele grey-blue shirt that made his blue eyes even bluer. He had left the top 3 buttons undone. Comfort for him, and unbeknownst to him, very sexy.


He had showered & shaved, but had not spiked his hair up. He had combed it over & back, and had added a little gel for a more upscale look. He glanced in the mirror, wanting to make sure he looked appropriate for the occasion, & for Elizabeth. Maybe he would let his hair grow again, a little longer, a change.


Jason looked at himself in the mirror. He took a deep breath and thought to himself, 'You can do this. It's only for a few minutes, go there, say Hi to Elizabeth, and then you can leave.'

He turned quickly & grabbed his keys and left the penthouse before he could change his mind.


Jason arrived at the 6 o'clock starting time, but waited across the street in the shadows of a doorway. When it turned 6:30 he walked slowly across the street. When he arrived he was fashionably late to everyone else. To Jason it was making sure that there were enough people so that he could slip in unnoticed.

He entered the store & was very impressed. He hadn't seen it since it had been a bar, a long time ago. Elizabeth had done so much to it. He could see her touches all around. There were paintings everywhere. He couldn't tell what they were, he never could, even the easiest of landscapes or flowers, not unless Elizabeth explained them to him. When she did he could see the lines & colors turn into what ever it was supposed to be. That was one of the many setbacks of having your head smashed in by getting in the car with your drunk brother.

Jason slipped in found a corner to get his bearings in. He looked around for Elizabeth, but there were enough people there that he couldn't see her. He wandered over to the bar & ordered a beer. "Have you seen Miss Webber?'' Jason asked.

"Yeah, she is over there'' the bartender pointed into the crowd. "She is in the red dress, the one with her boyfriends arm around her."

Jason's head whipped around so fast he thought he would get whiplash. Sure enough, there she was. With Francis' arm around her. Sh** Francis, couldn't you keep your hands off her at her work? Jason turned to the bartender.

"Give me a whiskey, straight up, no ice......make it a double."
He pulled out a twenty & stuck it in his tip glass. As he poured it he realized that this was Jason Morgan. THE Jason Morgan! The bartender knew this was the time to keep his mouth shut.


Jason took the whiskey & the beer & headed back to his dark corner. He took a drink of the whiskey & felt the burn all the way down to his stomach. It warmed his whole body which had turned ice cold at the bartenders words. As he drank , his eyes scanned the room. He saw Audry Hardy & Bobbi looking at the paintings. People from the Chamber, the Mayors aide, and Emily & Nikolas. He sunk a little more into the shadow.

When he had finished his whiskey, he took his beer & started on that. His eyes locked on the back of Elizabeth's head. She looked beautiful. She always did.

Elizabeth had know the second that Jason has set foot in the gallery. She knew that he was taking his time, getting a feel for the place. Probably checking the guests & making sure that none of the Q's were here. Hiding out from her Gram. He would come to her when he was ready. Francis' mom was chatting up a storm, she had been trying to get away & visit with other people for the last 15 minutes. She LOVED the painting of her & Francis. She couldn't believe that she would get to take it home with her.


Emily spotted Jason in the corner & drug Nikolas along with her. She contained her squeal, but hugged Jason so hard he thought she would break him. "You came? I never thought that you would come to an art gallery Jason."

"Why, I like art. "

"But you can't see it"

"So, I still like it."

"Have to seen Elizabeth?'

"No, I just got here a few minutes ago."

Emily could tell that he was afraid, so she took matters into her own hands. "Well then let's go & find her so you can say 'hello'." She took him by his arm & led him over to where she was standing with Francis & his mother.

"Liz, look who I found hiding in the corner."

It was a good thing that Emily was Jason's baby sister, otherwise, if looks could kill.............

Liz smiled her best smile which made Jason's heart melt. She reached out & gave him a hug. "I'm so glad that you made it. "

Their eyes locked & everyone else in the room seemed to vanish. They stood there holding hands for what seeded to everyone else like eternity. She was so beautiful, Jason thought. She always looked good in red. And the necklace she was wearing matched her dress beautifully. It looked like the same red glass that he had brought back from Italy? Emily loudly cleared her throat and brought them back to reality.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners....Jason have you met Francis' mom?"

Jason reached out & shook her hand as he said "Yes we've met before , how are you this evening?"

Francis' mother replied " I'm doing just fine, have you seen the beautiful portrait my son gave me for my birthday? Elizabeth painted it for him."

Francis rolled his eyes , knowing that they were going to hear the story .......again... for what must have been the 25th time this evening.

Emily & Nikolas seemed to have vanished, when Liz looked to them for help. Francis took over & suggested to his mother that they go & get some refreshments.

Left alone they couldn't come up with much to say.

"So, how have you been? " Jason asked.

"Um, I've been really busy getting the store and gallery ready.''

Francis was behind her with his back to hers , eavesdropping. 'Good avoidance of the question', he thought.

"So have you looked around, or would you like me to give you the ten-cent tour?"

"I'd love to have you show me around."

They started in the front & she pointed out all that had been changed & told him about a few of the paintings. She took him into the store so he could see all of the art supplies and then by the classroom & then she started to take him to the office/storeroom. He had turned around when he heard something & out of the corner of his eye he saw it.

Hanging in what was probably the best wall in the place for hanging art, was his painting........The Wind......Everyone who entered the store would probably see it. Jason walked over to it & looked at it. It had only looked better 1 time before. The time that Elizabeth had first given it to him. She had explained it to him in detail & then he could see it. Now he saw everything again. Applejacks, the house of beauty, the ferris wheel at the amusement. It had been so long since he had seen the wind with Elizabeth.

Liz walked up beside him & quietly took his hand. No one could see their hands, holding each other, caressing, loving each other. It was amazing the feelings that they could have just by holding hands. Jason looked at the plaque below the painting. "THE WIND" Not for sale. On loan from Private Collector.

Jason didn't think that he could find the words to speak. The painting brought so many memories flooding back to him.

Elizabeth spoke first. "Jason we need to talk."

Ok, here it came he thought. He cleared his throat so he emotions could get back in order. "OK, what do you want to talk about?"

"Not here"

"Why not?" Jason wanted to make sure he could make a clean getaway out of the back when she told him about her & Francis.

"Jason we need to talk in private, anyone could walk by & interrupt us.....we need....."

Just then one of her employees came by & interrupted. "Miss Webber, sorry to interrupt, but one they are ready to do the ribbon cutting ceremony now."

''Ok, Jessie, I'll be right there." She turned back to Jason, "You're not going to leave yet are you?"

"No, I can wait."

"Good, stay right here, and I'll be right back." She winked at him. Jason was going to need another stiff drink if she was going to tell him about her & Francis.

Jason wandered out to the bar & got another whiskey. He watched her cut the ribbon, and the press from the newspaper was there to take the picture. He sipped his drink and wandered around. He kept her in the corner of his eye as he did. She shook hands with some of the people & kept an eye on Jason making sure he didn't slip out.

When she was done she hurried back to to Jason. She brought him a beer & looked a little shocked when she saw the whiskey in his hand. He smiled at her & set it down & took the beer from her hand. They wandered back into the classroom where they could look out the window at the lights of the city.

"So, you said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes Jason we need to talk, but like I said not here. Would you be able to get away for an hour sometime this week? I know that you have been really busy lately, but this is really important."


Jason just wanted her to spit it out & get it over with. Tell him she was in love with Francis, tell him it was over with him and that she was going to marry Francis.

"Jason?.....Jason are you OK?"

Jason nodded & turned away. He took a long drink of his beer & wished it was the whiskey.

He turned back to her & nodded. "I'll try. Is your first day of the store being open tomorrow?"

"Yes, could we try for tomorrow night or the night after? Around 6'o'clock? We close at 5:30 on those nights."

"OK." He looked at her again drinking in the sight of her, burning it to his memory. He moved in closer & just when he thought he could kiss her on her ruby red lips, he heard Francis' voice calling out her name.

"Liz......" Francis knew what he had just walked in on, Jason was just about to kiss her & he had ruined it ! Yes sir, yes sir, he was surely going to die for this one too. "Liz your grandmother is looking for you."

"Thanks Francis," She turned to Jason, "I'll see you soon ?"

"Yes. Later."

Francis had slunk out of the room and far away from Jason. Jason downed his beer & slipped quietly out of the back. It had been a good evening, but it would have been better if Elizabeth was his.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 51


Elizabeth sat & watched as the caterers cleaned up the plates & glasses. She was tired. She slipped off her heels & rubbed her feet. Max stood by the door, watching the cute little redhead that worked for the caterers. Francis had left hours ago taking his mom & 'her' painting home.

Liz glanced at her watch. Was it really only 9:30. Everyone had left by 8:45. The evening had gone well. She was tired. Exhausted was more like it. That was what pregnancy & opening a business did you you.

The caterers were done & taking out the last of their things. Liz went around shutting off lights & locking the doors. She stopped at the painting of the wind, and looked at it. She had received many compliments on it tonight. But the best one was Jason's. Just having him stop & admire it. She could see the memories spinning in his head as he looked at it. And he had let her take his hand. The jolt was still there. She had felt so much love & joy when she had taken his hand & he hadn't pulled it away. If only it could have lasted.

Liz jumped when Max cleared his throat from behind her.
"Are you ready to go home? Francis said not to let you stay too late."

"Yes, I'm ready Max."

Max led the way out to the car. Locking the door behind them. Liz looked up & down the street. She could feel something. It wasn't Jason. And it wasn't good. She shook it off as pregnancy related & got in the car as Max held the door for her. Max walked around & got in the drivers side, and headed off towards Liz's studio.


Jason tossed his keys on the desk as he entered the penthouse. He took off his jacket & hung it on the chair. Wandering out to the patio he leaned against the railing & looked out at the city. He thought about the evening. How beautiful Elizabeth had looked. Her dress, her hair, her lips. He remembered her necklace, he was sure that was the same glass he had brought back. He stretched out his hand & looked at it. She had taken his hand, he had felt the jolt, had she too? He should have pulled her out the door & out of town. He had her hand in his, it would have been so simple.

Jason went into the living room & got the CD from the player. He took it to his stereo & put it in that. He turned it up enough to hear it on the patio. He listened to it while reliving every moment of the evening that had been spent with her.

When it was done he had his plan formed in his head. Yes it was time for that change.


The next day dawned, and again Liz was up early. She had been so tired last night, she was sure she had fallen asleep before she made it to bed. She had slept like a log. But now she was so excited to get to the store.

The first day The Canvas was open was busy. All the art students were there checking out her prices & supplies. There were a few people looking in the gallery, and quite a few people signing up for classes. When it was almost closing time, Liz looked at her watch & couldn't believe how fast the day had flown. 'It never went this fast at Kelly's' , she thought, looking at the sales receipts.

Jason had parked his bike on the street 15 minutes before. It was taking all the courage he could muster to bring himself to get off his bike. He had brought the new CD & player to give to Elizabeth. Looking at his watch he realized how long he had been sitting there. Finally he got off the bike, and opened the saddlebag. He pulled out the brightly wrapped box and headed into The Canvas.

Elizabeth looked up at the doorway when the bell rang signaling a customer. Her smile lit up the room when she saw that it was Jason.

"Jason, you're here, ....and early too."

"I'm sorry, I can't stay & talk tonight. I just wanted to give you this." He held out the gift.

"Jason, what is this for?" She opened the box, like a child on her birthday. She pulled out the CD & player, and she gave him a puzzled look.

"It's to replace the one you loaned me. I think I wore it out, so I wanted to get you a new one." The truth was he didn't want to part with hers.

"You didn't have to do that Jason. But I'm glad that you enjoyed it as much as I do."

Jason shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and crossed his arms over his chest. They stood there looking at each other, not sure of what to say next.

Jason remembered the check in his pocket & nearly knocked over the plant on the sales counter trying to retrieve it.

"Oh, and I have a blank check from Sonny. He wanted to come but he's on the island with Carly & Courtney."

That broke the spell. Elizabeth's smile faded, "Oh so he wants to BUY something.''

"Yes, he said to get something for his office."

"Something for his office, huh?"

"Elizabeth is something wrong? You keep repeating me."

Elizabeth took the check from him. "So is this pay off money? Trying to get me to forgive him for making you lie to me, and making me feel stupid about helping Carly out when we all thought that he was dead?"

"Elizabeth...."

"It's OK Jason, I'll accept it. So he wants something for the office, a place where CARLY won't see it. Hummmm.........If I remember right he has a really large wall. So let's find something very expensive to hang on it." She smiled an evil smile, and Jason smiled back.

They selected a large one that was a painting of the harbor. It had a price tag of $3000.00 on it. Jason made out the check for $8000.00. Pocket change for Sonny.


Jason was starting to change his mind about having a talk with Elizabeth tonight. He was just about to ask her to get some dinner & have their talk when Francis came out of the storeroom, his head down and papers in his hands.

"Liz, do you know how man....y......." Oh sh**. Francis thought, I did it again. He stopped in his tracks. "Hey Jason", Francis smiled weakly. "I'm sorry , I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No problem Francis, I was just leaving. Next time, when I have more time, I really need to buy a painting too. But I don't want one for my office. I want one for above the fireplace. You said you would deliver that painting to the warehouse for Sonny, right?"

"Yes, and be sure to thank Sonny for me."

"I will, and I will try to get together with you soon for that talk". Jason had his hand on the door, ready to leave, when Elizabeth's voice stopped him.

"Jason, Thank you for the gift."

"You're welcome."

Jason walked down the street & got on his bike. He needed a ride, a very long ride.


Chapter 52


Jason had waited long enough. He parked his bike right out front of Elizabeth's store. He looked at his watch. It was almost 5:30, closing time. He got off his bike & walked into the store.

Elizabeth looked up from helping one of her employees and drank in the sight of him. Jason Morgan stood there, looking drop dead gorgeous in his motorcycle boots, well worn jeans & an azure blue T-shirt stretched across his well muscled chest.

The mouth of the girl she was helping nearly touched the floor. Elizabeth came over to Jason & stood in front of him.

"It's closing time, how about a ride?" She smiled at him, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Sure, are you ready or do you still have things to do?''

"We just have to lock up, it won't take but a couple of minutes."

"I'll wait for you outside."

Jason left to wait outside. Liz & her helper quickly closed & grabbed their things. Liz locked the door & ran over to Jason. He was leaning against his bike, still looking studly, as usual. He helped her on & handed her the helmet.

"Where do you want to go? "

"How about the gardens on the road to nowhere?"

"The road to nowhere it is, hang on "


The ride seemed to take no time at all. Elizabeth screamed at him to go faster, which he did, because it made her hold on tighter to him.

When they arrived the sun was starting to set, they walked to the bench & sat together & looked at the gardens & the statue.

"So..." Elizabeth said.

"Yes...." Jason replied.

"Jason, I just need to say this & get it out. I've been keeping this a secret for too long. "

Elizabeth sat there, but the words didn't come out of her mouth.

Jason looked at her. She looked at Jason.

"OK Jason, I'm just going to come out & say it." She paused.

Jason waited. And waited. And waited.

"Jason, I'm.." But before she could finish, Jason was off the bench & pacing. He walked over to the statue & looked at it.

"I know".

"You know?"

"Yes I know. I know all about it. "

"You don't sound too happy about it."

"You want me to be happy about it? Well I'm sorry, I can't be happy about it. "


"But I thought...I mean Francis said... He said you would be happy about it."

"Yeah well Francis thinks too much."

Liz didn't know what to say. She sat there stunned into silence.

Jason kicked at the dirt, put his hands on his hips and then took his right hand & pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm sorry, I just wish you had been the one to tell me."

"Wait,....you said you knew already, who told you? Did Francis tell you? " Liz muttered to herself. 'That little weasel".

''No Francis didn't tell me."

"But if Francis didn't tell you, then who did?"

"Rick....Rick told me."

"RICK!? How did he know? .......Wait Jason..." Liz rested her elbows on her lap & put her head in her hands.

She sat back up & looked him in the eye. "What exactly did Rick tell you?'

"He told me all about you & Francis."

"What about me & Francis?" Liz was getting angry.

"About you two being lovers." Jason looked at Liz before going on. "About how you two were always together, he said he stopped by your studio to talk & you answered the door only half dressed, and you told him you two were making love."

"And I saw you myself."

"You what?"

"I saw you kissing on the street, your hands all over each other." Jason cringed at the memory.

Liz was hopping mad now. "OK then, RICK, told YOU that FRANCIS AND I are a COUPLE. SO YOU know EVERYTHING. I am SO glad that we had this talk Jason. I'm So glad you know everything. Can you take me home now."

"Elizabeth, if you want to be with Francis then I'll understand, but you don't have to be angry that I found out about it. I was hoping that you would have told me."

"Please Jason, just take me home. I've had a long day."

Elizabeth put on the helmet & waited on the bike. Jason came over & got on & off they went. Jason didn't dare go to fast, because Elizabeth was not holding on to him.

When they got to her studio, she was off almost before Jason could stop the bike. She took off the helmet & gave it to him.

"Thanks for the ride. Have a nice life. Goodbye."
Elizabeth choked on the last words & ran inside the building. Jason thought about going after her, but changed his mind. He wasn't the one to take care of her anymore. That was Francis' job.

Jason started the bike & revved the engine. This was the worst night of his life, this was a night to go & get rip roaring drunk at Jakes. He took off for Jakes and never looked back.


Chapter 53



Elizabeth ran into the building & let the door slam close behind her. As soon as it shut, the tears that she had tried so hard to hold in, started to fall. She ran up the stairs and down the hall to her studio.

Max heard someone coming & was ready for anything. When he saw it was Liz he relaxed. That is until he saw the tears streaming down her face. He quickly opened her door for her, and shut it behind her. He thought that Francis said that she was with Jason. Jason wouldn't have made her cry. Would he?

Max pulled out his cell & dialed Francis' number.

"Hello?"

"Francis, you need to get over to Miss Webber's place, right away." He could hear her sobbing through the door. "And get here yesterday."


Max hung up and stood in the hall not knowing exactly what to do. He only had brothers, so he was a little afraid of women's emotions. He kept repeating, 'hurry up Francis',
hurry up Francis', hoping that it would get him here sooner.


Francis drove like he was going to a fire, to get to Liz's place. He ran up the stairs two at a time & saw Max pacing in the hall.

''What in the he** is going on Max?"

"I'm not sure. Miss Webber came running down the hall crying & went inside. I could hear hear sobbing in there, and I called you."

Francis knocked on the door. "Liz, it's me Francis, can I come in?"

No answer. Francis knocked again. Still no answer. He opened the door & looked inside. He could hear her crying coming from the bedroom. Quietly he shut the door & walked over to her bedroom.

"Liz?"

She didn't answer.

"Honey what's wrong?"

Liz lay on her stomach, face down on the bed.

"Did something happen with Jason. I know you left with him."

"Oh Francis, he doesn't want me anymore. He...he.. he thinks that y...y..you and I are to...to...together." She sniffled. "He.. he... he thinks that we are lovers and doesn't want anything to do with me. " She broke down sobbing again.

"What did he say when you told him about the baby?"

Liz grabbed a tissue & blew her nose. She took another & wiped her eyes. "He didn't give me the chance to tell him. He said Rick told him that we were together & that we were lovers. He said Rick told him he caught us making love. Jason should have known that was a lie. I did the same thing for him when he was shot & staying here. I told Nikolas that we were lovers so he would leave Jason & me alone. He knew I lied for him." Again she started to cry.

"I thought Jason loved me, trusted me. Did he think that I was so fickle that I would fall into your bed only a day after telling him I loved him & would wait for him forever?''

"Liz, honey, you have to calm down, getting upset isn't good for the baby."

She sat up & tried to stop the crying. Francis rubbed her back & she started to calm down. He left the room & returned with a glass of water.

She took it & sipped. "Liz, have you had any dinner yet?"

"No. I don't feel like eating, and I don't think that I could keep anything down."

"I'm going to heat you up some soup & you'll at least try , OK?"

"OK."

Francis was fuming all the time he made her soup.

When the soup was hot, he called her out to the sofa.

"How about watching that comedy you taped the other week?"

"OK, but you don't have to stay, I'll be fine."

"I know you will, I would stay, but I have something I have to take care of, but Max will come in & watch it with you."

Francis went to the hall & called Max in. "Max, take off your coat & sit down with Liz, she has a good movie to watch."

Max had a look of fear in his eyes. Francis whispered to him,
"Don't worry, just watch the movie, & make sure she is OK. She usually falls asleep halfway through anyway. Just keep her safe." Max nodded.

Liz was eating, & pretending to watch the movie.

Francis told her goodbye & left. As he walked down the hall he took out his phone & dialed. "O'Brian? You better get to Jakes & find Morgan. Clear out the place. And you better get there before I do. Why? Because if you don't I will kill Jason Morgan!" And with that he flipped his phone shut & stormed out of the building.


Jason sat in the back corner booth at Jakes. He had stormed in, told Jake he needed the whiskey bottle & had taken it to the table. He was drinking it straight up, hitting it hard. He had confiscated the jukebox and had the same song playing over & over.

Tonight I'm just speechless, you caught me by surprise,

I know that you left me, I just can't believe my eyes,

Now you're gone, nothing can bring you back,

and its tearing me apart,

I'd give all I had for one last chance,

to be sheltered in your arms.

sheltered in your arms,

sheltered in your arms.... sheltered.

Now yesterdays gone, I can't make you change your mind.

Tell me how do I live with, this emptiness inside.

In this world ,you were the one I chose,

to rest my head upon.

And it was your love that made me strong,

when I was sheltered in your arms.

Sheltered in your arms.

Sheltered in your arms..... sheltered




You always gave me, second chances,

when I made mistakes before,

But I know, this time you won't forgive,

you're not giving anymore.

Now you're gone, nothing can bring you back

And it's tearing me apart.

In this world, you were the one I chose,

to rest my head upon .

I'd give all I had for one last chance ,

To be sheltered in your arms ,

Sheltered in your arms.

Sheltered in your arms.

Sheltered in your arms... sheltered.

*(Sheltered in you Arms, by David Cassidy)

Johnny walked in & stopped to talk to Jake.

"Something's bothering him, he never drinks the hard stuff, and other than asking for the bottle, he hasn't said a word."

Johnny nodded and asked for a glass. Jake gave him one & he walked back to where Jason sat.



Jason sat in the booth with his arms leaning on the table. One hand around his glass & the other held a lit cigarette. Johnny sat down & took the bottle. Jason looked right through him. Johnny poured himself a shot & leaned back in the booth. Jason took a long swallow of the whiskey & no longer felt the burn. That had gone away with the first glass. He was on his second or third now. He brought his other hand with the cigarette up to his mouth & took a long drag.

"Jason, I didn't know you smoked."

"I don't." And that was all he said. Johnny just sat there keeping him company. The place was pretty quiet. The were two guys playing pool, and one other sitting at the bar. Johnny got up & slowly went around warning the others that something was up & maybe it would be in their best interest if they left. All three cleared out. Johnny had joined Jason again & wondered what in the he** was really going on.

Just then the door banged open & Francis stormed in. He walked over to where Jason & Johnny sat,

"O'Brian you better be ready to step in, because when I get done with this Son of a B****, he's not going to be able to breath. Jason looked at him & wondered what was wrong with him.

"What the f*** is your problem Francis?"

"No what the F*** is your problem Morgan?"

Jason took a drink & another drag on his cigarette. Get the he** out of here Francis."

"NO. What in the he** did you think you were doing when you talked to Liz that way?"

"Oh, did I hurt you LOVERS feelings, by not letting her tell me to get lost."

"Morgan, you better be careful or I will use that little cement shoe trick, that I taught YOU a few years ago."

Jason pushed the table back & Johnny jumped up between them.

"Guys...Guys..can't you talk this through? I'm sure neither of you know what is really going on." Johnny prayed he would be able to keep them from killing each other.

Francis poked Jason in the chest , "You SOB, you didn't even give Liz a chance to talk to you tonight. NOW, YOU SIT DOWN and LISTEN TO ME, or I WILL SET YOU DOWN ...PERMANENTLY!"

Johnny gently pushed Jason to sit down. He stood between the two of them and Francis sat in the chair across from Jason.

Jason drank & smoked. "First of all, there is nothing and I MEAN NOTHING going of between Elizabeth & me. I am her friend & her bodyguard."

"Yeah, I just but you love to guard her body." Jason replied.

Francis reached out & before anyone knew what was happening, punched Jason in the jaw. Johnny quickly got between them and halted anymore punches.

"Liz is like my baby sister, I would never do anything like that. And she doesn't feel anything like that for me either. She loves someone else & is waiting for that stupid headed jerk to leave his wife & spend the rest of what might be a very short life , if he screws up again, with her!"

Francis reached out & took a long drink from Johnny's glass.

Jason didn't know what to do or say. He sat there. He took another drink & looked at Francis. Francis had never lied to him....ever. He trusted Francis with his life and also with Elizabeth's.

"OK, if she didn't want to tell me she was in love with you, then what was so important that she had to tell me?"

"Sorry man, you will have to talk to her about that. And I'd wait until you're sober tomorrow. And I would definitely do it tomorrow. You two need to talk asap. YOU....need to LISTEN to HER! Do you hear me Jason?"

Jason looked at Francis & nodded.

"Jason, promise me you will go & see her tomorrow, and that you two will talk & you will listen."

"I promise."

Francis got up from his chair. "Because if you don't, and you hurt her again, I will definitely have to kill you."

And with that Francis left Jakes & headed back to Liz's to check on her & Max.

Jason sat there with Johnny. Neither on said anything just kept each other company. Each finished their drink & Johnny drove Jason back to his penthouse. He sat in the chair & Jason sat on the couch. Soon Jason was asleep & Johnny let himself out & headed home. "I wonder if my date is still there or if she left?" Johnny hurried to his car & headed home himself.


Chapter 54



Liz peered out the front window of the Canvas. Francis & Johnny were sitting at the outside tables at the bistro across the street. They had been huddled together for the last hour. "Something must be going on with 'business' ". She stifled a yawn, and looked at her watch. Her first children's art class was starting in half an hour.

She walked back to the classroom to make sure that everything was ready. She was so tired, and her eyes still felt puffy from all the crying she had done last night. 'Damn Jason', how could he have acted that way. 'MEN! They can be so stupid and arrogant sometimes! '

She heard the door bell jingle & looked out to see that her first students had arrived. She pulled herself together & started out to greet them.


Francis poked his head around the corner. Liz was cleaning up from her art class. Boy could those kids make a mess quickly.

"Hey Liz, how did the kids class go?"

"Great, can't you tell?"

"Uh..Johnny is thinking about buying a cabin up at the lake, & wants me to come & look at it with him. Would you like to go along?"

"Today?" She was tired & thinking about taking a nap. Pregnancy & not a lot of sleep, just didn't go well together.

"Yes, this afternoon about 3:00. I think it would be good for you. Get some fresh air, you could take a nap on the way up."

Liz was thinking about it when Francis added, "Johnny said it was on the lake & had a terrific view."

"OK, sounds like a plan."

Francis choked on the coffee he was sipping. "A plan?"

"Yeah, you know, sounds good, let's plan on it?"

"Oh, yeah, like a plan, I get it."

Liz looked at him and thought that he was acting a little strange. Francis took another drink of his coffee, and Liz noticed a purple bruise & a large scrape on it.

"Francis, what happened to your hand?"

"Oh this? It's nothing, just had to take care of a little business last night."

Francis walked out of the classroom & out the front door. He looked around & pulled out his phone. "Johnny, it's a go. Let's get the plan in motion. I'll call when we get close. You take care of 'stupid Jason' & get him there. See you later."


Francis lifted his face to the warm sun & smiled, 'yes it was going to be a good day indeed', then he crossed his fingers & hoped he wouldn't have to kill Jason.


Chapter 55


Johnny looked over at Jason sitting stone faced in the passenger seat of his pickup. It had taken a lot of talking but he had finally convinced Jason to come with him up to the cabin. He told Jason that they needed to take advantage of of this free time & get a little R & R in before Tagliotti returned. A little fishing, card playing & beer drinking for a couple of days would be good for them.

Now as they drove in the truck, Johnny wished he would have had Francis take Jason up. He had barely said a word. And he had taken control of the CD player & was playing the same CD over & over again. He had said something about he should have stayed and talked to her, but didn't know what to say. Johnny assumed that he was talking about Elizabeth, and told Jason he should think about what he wanted to say first. Prepare and when he got back to town he would know just what to say.

Johnny was never so relieved to get out of a vehicle. Jason was driving him insane. They walked around the cabin & Johnny suggested that Jason chop some wood for the fireplace, while he unloaded the food & put it away. Jason agreed. Johnny hoped it would help Jason's' mood, and get rid of some of his grouchiness.

Francis called Johnny when they were about 15 minutes away. Liz had napped all the way up. He shook her gently & told her it was time to wake up. She stretched & rubbed her eyes. She felt a hundred times better.

Johnny found Jason still chopping wood, but in a much better mood. "I think that is enough wood for a couple of weeks, why don't you take a shower and then meet on the deck for a beer before we fish. Oh, & check the weather radio in the bedroom, don't want to get caught in the rain while we are fishing."

Jason agreed & went in the cabin to shower.

When Francis & Liz arrived at the cabin, Johnny was waiting to greet them.

"Liz, would you like to check out the view from the back deck? You can see the whole lake, and then some. I want to show Francis the guest cabin that comes with it , it's just down the path, we'll be right back."

Liz walked out to the deck & leaned on the railing. She looked out at the lake & started painting a picture in her mind. They were right , it is a gorgeous view. She stood there lost in her thoughts & still painting in her head.

Jason grabbed a beer from the fridge & walked out to the deck. When he saw her standing there he froze. He closed his eyes & rubbed them. It couldn't be her he thought. But when he opened his eyes, she was still there. "Elizabeth", it came out a a half whisper that Jason could barely hear himself. He took a step towards her, the deck creaked & she turned around.

"Elizabeth?" He said louder.

"Jason?"

"Are you really here?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing here?"

"Francis said Johnny wanted to buy this cabin & wanted him to look at it . I came along for the fresh air."

Jason chuckled . Liz asked him, "What is so funny?"

"Sonny owns this place, Johnny can't buy it."

Jason sobered & looked at Liz, "Where are they anyway?"

"They said they were going to go & look at the guest cabin down the path."

"Liz there is no guest cabin, I think that we have been set up."

Jason took off towards the front of the cabin, with Liz right behind him. When they got there all they found was the tracks of the vehicles that had left them behind.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 56



Jason looked down the road. They were nowhere to be seen. "Damn! "

"Jason what's wrong?"

"They left us here......with no way home. Elizabeth do you have your cell?"

"No Francis dropped it today & broke it, don't you have yours? Or did you have it surgically removed?"

"I let Johnny use it today, and he never gave it back."


Jason looked around. He saw the old pickup truck that had been there since the 50's. "Maybe I can get the old truck to run." He looked up at the sky & saw it darkening. He ran over to the truck & opened the hood. Then he got inside & tried to start it up. Nothing happened.

Elizabeth could not believe that he was in such a hurry to get away from her.

Jason started working on the engine, trying to get it to start. Liz walked by him on her way back to the cabin. "Don't worry Jason, I'll stay out of your way, and I won't bother you."

Jason reached out & grabbed her arm. "Elizabeth, I need to talk to you & you need to talk to me. I WANT to talk to you, & I WANT to LISTEN to you, but listen to me now........there is a storm coming. It wouldn't seem like a big deal in town, but here on the mountain, in this spot, the heavy rains will wash out the road, and we could be stranded here for a week, and I know that Johnny didn't bring enough food for that long........I'm just trying to get us out of here."

He looked at her with pleading eyes, wanting her to understand he was only trying to keep her safe.

"OK Jason, what can I do to help?"

He smiled at her....."Get in the drivers side & turn the key when I tell you to."

She did as he asked but to no avail. After 10 minutes of trying the rain had started & Jason was getting soaked.

"Jason, it's no use, let's get you inside & dried off."

Jason nodded in defeat. They ran the short distance to the cabin, but when they got inside, both of them were drenched.

"Elizabeth, why don't you go & take a hot shower to warm up. There should be something in the bedroom that you can wear while your clothes dry. Just leave them in the hall & I'll hang them up to dry."


She nodded OK
and followed him down the hall. He showed her the bathroom & bedroom and left, closing the door behind him.

Jason went to the main room & started to light the fire. He couldn't believe what was happening. Couldn't believe that the guys had done this to them. When he got home he was either going to kill them or give them each a raise.

Once the fire was going, he went to the kitchen to heat some water. He couldn't find any hot chocolate so he made some tea for Elizabeth and coffee for him.

He was getting food ready for dinner when he heard her come into the kitchen. "I made you some hot tea, would you like to sit by the fire?" She was wearing a large, white terry cloth robe.

"Yes, thank you. Jason you need to get out of your wet clothes too. I didn't use all the hot water. " Jason nodded and went to shower. Liz sipped her tea & wandered around the room. She went back to the kitchen & saw that Jason had started making dinner, so she thought she would help & make the salad.

She had finished the salad & set the table when Jason returned from his shower. "Thanks for making the salad and setting the table, I'll put the steaks on the grill."

"Jason, it's still pouring out there."

"Yeah, but the grill is protected, I'll stay dry."

Jason had the steaks & potato's done in no time. They sat at the table & tried to make conversation. After they were done Jason sent Elizabeth into the living room while he did the dishes. He thought she looked tired and she didn't argue.

Liz sat on the couch with her feet tucked up under her. She stole glances at Jason & wished she could run to him & hug him & never let him go. She closed her eyes & was asleep in seconds.

Jason came from the kitchen with a cup of coffee for him & more tea for Elizabeth. He looked down at her, asleep on the couch. She was so beautiful, both inside & out. He set the cups down on the table & knelt down in front of her. He wanted to touch her. Hold her. Be with her. He started to reach out to tuck that stray hair behind her ear, but he stopped himself. Slowly he put his hands on his hips & just looked at her.

"Jason , how did you get that bruise on your jaw?"

"You're awake?"

"Yes, but I was asleep. Now how did you get that bruise?"

"Someone was trying to take care of some unfinished business last night. I'm fine, but you should see the other guy."

"I did. All Francis has is a scrape & bruise on his knuckle."

Liz giggled. Jason had a tiny smile. "He caught me way off guard. I never thought that one of my own body guards would hit me."

"Did he hit you because of me?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does."

"Yes, he did."

"Good ! You deserved it."

"Elizabeth!"

She giggled again, and Jason smiled his Jason smile, and her heart melted.

Jason said to Liz. "If you are ready for bed you can sleep in the bedroom, I'll take the couch."

"No. We need to talk & I can't think of a better time or place."

"OK. Who do you want to go first?"

"You."

"OK. I guess first I should say that I am sorry for last night. I never should have jumped to conclusions about you and Francis. I should have listened to what you had to say."

He reach out & this time he did tuck the stray hair behind her ear. They both felt the jolt when his finger touched her skin. She started to melt into his touch, but regained her composure.

"Well, I'm sorry too. I could have told you that there was nothing going on between Frannie & me, but you made me so angry that I thought I would let you think what you wanted to. If you wanted to be pig-headed then I could too."

Jason got up from the floor & sat beside her on the couch. He put his left ankle on his right knee & relaxed on the couch.

"Jason, before we go any farther, I want to know if you think that there could ever be a chance that we could be together? I know not now, but maybe somewhere down the road? I know I'm asking a lot just to even say this to you, so if I'm out of line , please just say so."

"Elizabeth, you could never be out of line with me. I've been praying that somehow, someday we could be together. I've been wishing that for years now. When I thought that you & Francis were together I started making plans for me, for when I was alone. But now that you want to be with me.........you are saying that you want to be with me aren't you?"

She shook her head yes & a giant grin crossed her face. "Jason, can we start all over?''

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I want to say 'I love you! I always have & I always will. I want to be with you forever & ever. And if we ever have the chance to go away together or to be with each other, I want to take it......" She took his face in her hands, and looked in his beautiful azure blue eyes. "I love you Jason Morgan." She places her lips on his and gently kissed him.

Jason couldn't believe that this was happening. He stopped & looked at her. He threaded his fingers through her hair and moved closer to her. "I love you too Elizabeth. And I want all the same things that you do. " He kissed her back and held her tight. Never intending to let her go for a very long time.


When he finally released his hold on her she got up & started to pace the floor. Several times she started to say something, but then stopped. Jason sat there patiently waiting for her to talk. He knew she had something that she wanted to say, but didn't know how to say it.

"Elizabeth, why don't you just say it. "

"Say what?"

"Whatever it is that you want to say."

"OK, well Jason, I've been a little sick lately and.........."

"Oh Elizabeth, what's wrong? Whatever it is we'll get you the best Doctors....."

"Jason, I'm not sick like that."

He looked totally confused.

"Jason, there is no good way to say this other than to just come out & tell you."

Jason steeled himself for the news.

"Jason, I....I...I'm.......um..." She stopped & cleared her throat, stealing some time. "Jason....I'm pregnant.”


Chapter 57


The thunder boomed & the lightning flashed as the words exited Elizabeth's mouth. The lights flickered off & they were left in the darkness.

"Elizabeth, are you OK?"

"Yes Jason, what happened?"

I think that the lightning might have knocked out the power. Stay right here & I'll check out the fuse box."

Jason felt his way to the kitchen & to the cupboard where he knew that they kept a flashlight & candles. He turned on the flashlight & lit the candle. Slowly he walked back to the living room where Elizabeth was waiting.

He set the candle down by her, and looked at her face glowing by the candlelight. 'How beautiful she is by candlelight' he thought as he saw her. "Wait here, and I'll be right back."

Jason went to where the fuse box was. He saw that a fuse needed to be changed & almost changed it when he remembered how Elizabeth always went on about how everything was always more romantic by candlelight. 'This could wait a little while longer', he thought to himself. 'Might as well take advantage of this situation'.

When he returned to the living room Elizabeth was still standing by the window watching the lightning flash.

"As you can see, I didn't get the lights back on." He hadn't tried though either, that way there was no lie, something that he couldn't do.

"That's OK, we have the fire & candles."

He walked up behind her & set the flashlight down. This time he didn't stop himself, he let his feeling go & wrapped his arms around Elizabeth.

"I have something for you." He whispered in her ear.

"Jason, I need to know what you think about what I just told you, you never said anything, and I really need you to say SOMETHING about it?"

"I'm sorry, the lightning & thunder drowned out what you were saying , I couldn't hear what you told me."

Elizabeth turned around in his arms to face him. "Really?"

Jason took her hand & led her to the couch. He sat down & pulled her down next to him. "You have my undivided attention. Please, tell me what you need to. I'm here listening."

"OK..........well as I was saying earlier.........Jason.........I'm pregnant."

Jason stared at her as if she had two heads. "You're what?"

"I'm pregnant." "And before you even think about asking if it is Francis', I'll tell you that it is yours. YOURS----Jason Morgan........yours & mine.......ours!"

Jason stared at her ....he couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Well? ...Aren't you going to say something? "

"I....I.....a....a........a baby? ....My baby?...yours & my baby?''

"Yes Jason.........OUR BABY." Are you happy about it...Francis said you would be happy about it, but I wasn't sure about it...." She rambled on, and on.

Jason silenced her with a soul-searing kiss. She was left speechless.

"Elizabeth, are you sure your pregnant?.....I mean how..?"

"Jason, don't you remember the night we made love 6 times, the only night we ever made love, I was so caught up in the night that I forgot to tell you I was unprotected."

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, I should have asked you & made sure that WE were protected, It's my fault."

Liz took his face in her hands. "Jason, It's no ones FAULT, I'm ecstatic about this pregnancy. Maybe it was fate that helped make this baby. Jason I love you & I want to have YOUR baby. We made this baby from our love for each other. Remember---we are soul mates.............Jason do you want this baby?"

"G** yes Elizabeth, a baby of my...our own! Yes Elizabeth..Yes. I want this baby more than anything. I love you & I love this baby already. Only..........only......" tears flowed from his eyes. "I can't acknowledge this baby as my own. Not yet anyway. I want to, I can't, but I want to . "

Jason cried freely & Liz cradled him in her arms. She knew this is what would happen. He wanted this baby....a baby of his own flesh & blood, one that no one could take away, and yet they still could take it away, by him still being married to Courtney & by Sonny.

"Jason, it's OK, I understand, and I already knew that you wouldn't be able to say it was yours. I just wanted you to know, I can raise this baby Jason. I can do it on my own."

"But you shouldn't have to ...I helped make it & I want to help raise it. I can't do much physically But I want to do it all financially.....and please don't say no....I need to ....and someday I'll be able to say that this is my baby to anyone who asks."

They held each other for a long time. And when they broke apart & looked at each other, the longing for each other over took them & Jason swept her up in his arms & took her to the bedroom to fill each others longing for each other.



Chapter 58


Jason laid her gently on the bed. He looked at her with the help of the flashes of lightning & was in awe of her. He kissed her lips gently . "I'll be right back."

Jason returned quickly with an arm full of candles & a box of matches. He set them around the room & lit them one by one. When he was done he set the matches down & walked back to the bed. Elizabeth was laying on her side watching him. He was still shirtless & the glow of the candles made him look even more Greek-god like.

Elizabeth couldn't believe that this was happening. She had told him about the baby & he WAS happy about it. Jason lay down next to her on the bed & brushed the curls out of her face. "I love you Elizabeth. And I love OUR baby already." He placed his large hand on her flat stomach. He was grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't believe that you are going to have MY baby!"

He scooted down further on the bed & lay his face on her abdomen. He hugged her to him. He turned to face her stomach, "Hi there little one, it's me, Jason. I'm you dad."

Elizabeth felt the tears escape from her eyes. Here was Jason Morgan, the big bad mob enforcer, talking to their unborn child. Loving it already.

He turned to her & pulled her down towards him. He kissed her hard on the lips, and she returned it. "Are you sure Elizabeth?"

"Yes Jason, I'm sure. And don't worry about protection, I'm already pregnant." She laughed out loud, a hearty laugh and Jason smiled back at her.

Slowly he kissed her throat and the valley between her breasts. He untied the tie of her robe and opened it. He kissed her stomach & her abdomen, and kept going down her legs and up to her inner thighs. He took his tongue & trailed it up to her breasts. He took a rosy nipple in his mouth & sucked. He flicked his tongue on it until it became a tight hard bud.

When he was done with one he started on the other. He brought himself back up to her face & kissed every inch of it. He saw her looking at him & he smiled at her. She got a devious look in her eyes & then rolled him onto his back.
It was her turn. She took her time kissing his face and chiseled chest. She kissed his stomach & his manhood. Jason moaned. She kissed his inner thighs & even his toes. She started to trail kisses back up when he wrapped his arms around her & rolled her over. "I can't take anymore of your torture Elizabeth."

Oh how she loved it when he said her name! Especially when he drew it out when they made love. He asked her once again, "Are you sure?"

"Yes Jason, please finish making love to me."

And with that he entered her. He thrust himself in & out, over & over. She moaned with pleasure. Jason went faster and slower , reading her every emotion. Knowing just how she wanted it. Elizabeth kneaded his buttocks, gently scoring her nails across it. She had always enjoyed looking at his tight hard bottom. She now knew that she liked it both in the tight jeans and out of them.

Elizabeth was getting close to the edge. Jason could tell this. He too was almost there. He took his thumb and found her pearl. He rubbed it and brought them both over the edge together.

Jason lay beside her, while they both caught their breath. "I love you Jason, I love both you and our baby more than anything, I always will."

"I feel the same way Elizabeth." He kissed her lips & her forehead. He slid out of the bed and folded the bedding down. He helped her move under the covers and then climbed in beside her. "Jason I'm already falling asleep, it's a side effect of the pregnancy. I'm always so tired."

"Are you sure it's not a side effect of my lovemaking?" Jason asked her with a grin on his face.

"I think it must be a combination of both. Goodnight Jason my love."

"Night Elizabeth."

Elizabeth fell fast asleep. Jason lay beside her and held her close to him. She had snuggled in close. They were in their own world. A world where he wanted to stay forever. He lay there wide awake. He couldn't sleep. He had far too many plans to make. Yes many, many plans to make.

He stopped to look at her. She was a perfect gift. A gift that he didn't deserve, but for once he was going to take. He loved her, she loved him & with God as his witness they were going to share their lives together . And soon. He needed her in his life, he wanted in her in his life. And soon they would have a baby to share their lives with.


Chapter 59



Jason woke to the thunder cracking. They had been asleep for only a couple of hours. He had Elizabeth snuggled in beside him. One of her arms was wrapped around his chest & one leg was thrown over his. He lay there for a long time, savoring the feeling of her in his arms.

He tried to go back to sleep, but he had so many thoughts pouring through his head he had to get up & write down things he had to do in order to clear his brain.

Slowly he slid out from under Elizabeth. As soon as he was out he had a feeling like a part of him was missing. He knew it was Elizabeth. He pulled his jeans out of the pile of clothes & pulled them on. Slowly he made his way through the dark cabin to where the fuse box was. He changed the fuse and turned on a light.

In the kitchen he grabbed a longneck from the fridge & sat at the table with a pen & some paper. He started writing down things he needed to do, and things to get. He had to make a list for Alexis. He needed to have her restart things in a whole new way. Yes, he had a lot of things to do & to change for his new future. A future that would include Elizabeth & their child.

When he felt that he had cleared his head & had most of his thoughts on paper he turned out the light & grabbed another beer. He walked into the living room & leaned against the window frame. He stood there looking out at the storm on the lake. The lightning flashes illuminating the room from time to time.

Elizabeth woke to the clap of thunder. She reached out for Jason & his side of the bed was cold. She grabbed the sheet off the bed & wrapped it around her. Slowly went through the darkened cabin to look for Jason.


She found him in the living room , leaning against the window staring out. The flashes of lighting illuminated his features, the strong chin, the chiseled chest. This was her favorite Jason look. Shirtless & with the top button of his jeans undone.

She walked over to him & wrapped her arms around him. He set down his beer & hugged her back.

"Are you OK Jason?"

"I'm fine. I couldn't sleep. Too many things going on in my head.''

"I'm sorry Jason, I didn't mean to add to your burdens."

He took her chin in his hand & turned her head to look him in the eye. "You could never be a burden. I Love you. And I love our baby too. "

Elizabeth stifled a yawn.

"Let's get you back to bed. You need your rest."

"Only if you come with me."

"OK."

They snuggled in to the bed, Jason spooning around Elizabeth. He put his hands on her stomach, he could hardly wait until he could feel their baby move. Liz was asleep in minutes. Jason lay awake for a long time Making plans & dreaming of a new life. For him and for his new family.


Chapter 60


Elizabeth smiled as she felt Jason's hand on her stomach. She could hardly wait until the baby got big enough to kick. Jason would love to be able to feel that!

Within minutes they were both asleep. Jason could sleep now that he had gotten some of the planning out of his head & down on paper.

Jason woke much later that usual. Although he rally had no usual for the last month or so. He looked at his watch & saw that it was 8:00 am. He lay there for awhile with his arms around Elizabeth. He loved being able to do this. Hold her in his arms. Yes, he was definitely going to have to give the boys a raise. He could hear the rain on the roof. They were going to be here together for a few more days. Just the 2 of them. Yes, he might have to throw in a promotion & maybe even a vacation for those 2!

Jason slowly wiggled out from underneath Elizabeth. He pulled on his jeans & walked out to the living room He retrieved his T-shirt from the drying line by the fireplace. He pulled it over his head as he headed for the kitchen. He measured out coffee & water & started a pot. While he waited for it to brew he checked out the contents of the fridge for something to make for breakfast for Elizabeth & himself.

He got the ingredients out for omelets & started to chop peppers & onions & mushrooms. With that done he poured a cup of coffee & sat down to write some more plans out on paper.

Two cups of coffee later & he decided that she had slept long enough. He made her a cup of tea, & took it to the bedroom. He sat it on the nightstand & gently kissed her head. He whispered her name. Slowly she began to wake.

Liz smiled at him as she opened her eyes. Her smile faded quickly & she scooted of the bed & headed for the bathroom. Jason had never seen a woman move so fast. He ran after her & found her with her head over the toilet. He kneeled down beside her & held her hair back from her face as she heaved into the bowl. When she was done he got her a cup of water to rinse out her mouth. Then he wet a washcloth & held it to her head.

"Jason, I wish you hadn't seen me like this."


"Elizabeth, I'm sorry that it has to be this way for you. You are having to do all the work & have your body go through all of the changes. The least I can do is be here with you."

She smiled at him and he smiled back. Just as he reached out to caress her face she started vomiting again.


When she was done he carried her back to bed & found her robe for her. He tucked her in & gave her the tea that he had made for her.

"Jason, will you get my purse from the kitchen, I think that is where I left it. My pills are in there. I forgot to take them last night."

Jason went quickly & found her purse. When he returned she took out her Dramamine & vitamin b & drank them down with her tea.

"Can I get you anything else?" Jason asked.

"No, nothing right now. How are you this morning?"

"I'm great. I have you, & we are definitely stuck here together for the next few days. What else could a man want?"

Elizabeth leaned back against her pillows & looked at him. She smiled. For feeling so bad she felt great. Stuck here in a cabin, alone with Jason. Yep, he was right. What more could a girl want?"

They sat there together for half an hour. "Jason, I think that I am ready to eat a little something."

"What would you like? I was going to make omelette's but I don't think that would agree with you."

"I think that another cup of tea & just some toast would be fine."

"Coming right up." He kissed her forehead & headed to the kitchen to make her breakfast.


When he returned her found he asleep. He set her toast & tea on the bight stand & covered her up.

Back in the kitchen he made his own breakfast. He ate heartily & finished his coffee. He washed the dished & cleaned up after himself. He made another pot of coffee & poured himself a cup. He took it to the living room & set it on the table while he added more wood to the fire. He browsed the books on the shelf until he found on that interested him.

He sat on the couch & drank his coffee while he read. Jason heard movements coming from the bedroom. He glanced at his watch & realized that 2 hours had passed since he started the book. He set it down & went to check on Elizabeth.

He found her sitting on the side of the bed. "Jason, do you think it would be OK if I took a shower?"

"It quit lightening out so, yes, it would be fine. Do you need any help?" His eyes lit up & he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Why Jason Morgan, I have never seen you so playful. No thank you, I've been bathing myself for a number of years now." She teased him back. "Maybe later though. I'll definitely keep you in mind." She kissed him & wiggled her eyebrows back at him.

Jason watched her from behind as she walked to the bathroom. He enjoyed the view from here. He stretched out on the bed and put his hands behind his head. Eventually she would have to come out of the bathroom, he would wait her out.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 61



Elizabeth quickly took her shower. She didn’t want to leave Jason alone to brood for very long. When she entered the bedroom she saw that Jason had laid out her clothes that had been drying by the fire. She quickly dressed & towel dried her hair. She didn’t bother with makeup. Jason didn’t care if she wore any or not.

As she walked into the living room she saw Jason at the window, staring out at the lake. She walked up to him and enveloped him into a hug.

“Jason, I don’t want to hear any nonsense about how your life is to dangerous for me. I’ve heard that speech of yours enough. You were only playing it safe. There could have been a bomb in there.”

“That’s just it Elizabeth……….If it weren’t for me, you would never be in any danger.”

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here with you now. I’d be back in Port Charles packing my bags, and moving somewhere else…….AND……(she took his face in her hands and made him look at her)….I wouldn’t have you in my life, and OUR baby to love. “ She saw the stone face slide away and his blue eyes warmed with love.

“I do love you Elizabeth, and I only want to keep you both safe.” He placed his hand on her stomach.

“Well Jason Morgan, the first thing I think you need to do for your child is feed its mother, because I’m starving !”

They smiled at each other & with their arms around each other walked to the kitchen.


They made quick work of getting lunch made. Jason warmed up some soup and made grilled cheese sandwiches. Elizabeth cut up fresh fruit & poured them each a glass of milk. They talked about anything and everything as they ate lunch. They caught up on what was happening in each other’s lives as they washed & dried the dishes.

“Jason, I have something I need to ask you. Please don’t say no…”

Jason stopped washing the dished & looked at her waiting for her to go on.

“Jason, could you please put Francis back with you. I don’t need a bodyguard anymore, & he is chomping at the bit to get back with his little friends at the warehouse. He misses the gossip sessions, and his friends.”

She looked up at him, and chewed her bottom lip. Jason looked at her, wanting to tell her no, that even more so now, because she was carrying his child, she needed a bodyguard.

“OK, Francis can go back to his little clique.”

Liz looked at him. That was too easy. “Jason, you’re not going to make me have another bodyguard are you?”

“No, but if you ever feel like you need one, just let me know & I’ll have one for you.” He kissed her cheek & went back to washing the dishes. Liz continued to dry, not sure if he was pulling one over on her or not. Jason knew that she would be safe, he’d have someone watching her from now on, only at a distance & hopefully she would never know.

When they had finished the dishes & the kitchen was clean, they went into the living room; Elizabeth grabbed her sketchbook & pencils. Jason was selecting a book from the shelves, and settled down next to her on the couch. Jason, can I sketch you while you read?”

“What do I have to do?”

“Nothing, just read, and move down to the end of the sofa.”

Jason agreed, & settled in to read. Occasionally he peeked over his book at her. He would catch her chewing on her lip or the end of her pencils. Then she would smile & start in sketching again.

After an hour, Jason felt the need to stretch & get up. “Can I get up & move around now?”

“Sure” She stretched out her own arms. Jason moved towards the window to watch the clouds. It had stopped raining while he had been reading.


“Jason, I want to sketch you there at the window.”

Jason agreed, and leaned against the frame. “But can you do me one tiny favor?”

“Anything for the mother of my child.”

“Can you take off your shirt & unbutton the top button of your jeans?”

He looked at her like she was up to something. “Please……..” She begged. “It’s my favorite ‘Jason look’.” Her eyes begged & he stripped off his T-shirt, and unbuttoned the top button of his jeans.

“You can sit & lean against the frame, or stand & lean your arm on it, whichever is more comfortable.” She smiled at him, and he could deny her nothing. She was his downfall. And he loved her more than anything.

She sketched him quickly one way & then had him do the other pose, and sketched him that way too. She could hardly wait to get back to Port Charles so she could paint him in oils.

Liz was getting tired. She put down her pad and pencils. She yawned & stretched. “You can put your shirt back on now, that is if you want to.” She smiled at him. He came back to the couch and sat down behind her.

“You look sleepy.” He said to her. “I am, I think this mommy needs a nap. Would you like to take one with me?”

“I think I’ll read for a while longer. But you go right ahead.”

She snuggled her back into his chest. “Jason will you read to me, while I fall asleep?”

He started to read his book about the state of New York. Within minutes she was asleep, and Jason was too.


Jason woke slowly & rubbed his eyes. He looked at his watch, it was nearly 4pm. Elizabeth was still sound asleep on his chest. As he tried to slip out from under her she started to mumble. “Yes, I love Jason. Jason is so yummy. So yummy like my own ice cream cone. I could just lick him all up. Yummy Jason.”

Jason couldn’t believe it. He knew she talked in her sleep. And he always got some helpful information out of her. He also used it to torment her. She was always embarrassed when he did. He decided to wait & see if she said anymore.

“Yes…Jason is my very own Ice cream cone, and I am going to lick him from top to bottom while he melts.” She was smiling in her sleep. Jason was getting his own ideas.

Gently he shook her awake. “Elizabeth honey, it’s time to wake up.” Slowly she woke. Jason got up. I’m going to get something to eat from the kitchen, would you like anything? Maybe some ice cream?”


Liz’s head shot up at him. She had just been dreaming something about ice cream.

“How about an ice cream cone?” Jason asked.

Liz’s face went red, she remembered now, she had been dreaming about Jason……..Jason was her ice cream cone and………OH MY! She looked up at Jason. He was smiling at her. Now he started to laugh at her. He knew what she was thing! “Ooooh you! Jason Morgan, you know how I hate it when you get me to talk in my sleep!”

Jason was laughing so hard now. “I didn’t do anything. You started talking & just kept on going. I didn’t pull any information out of you, you handed it all over without being questioned.”

Liz reached up & pulled him down to the couch. “We’ll just see who has the last laugh now, won’t we!”

Liz pushed him down into the sofa, she took her tongue & licked his jaw line. She licked his ear lobe & blew in his ear. Jason wasn’t laughing anymore. She used her tongue to leave a trail from his neck to his chin, where she nipped him playfully. His whiskers were rough, since he hadn’t shaven that day. It was arousing to her. She was also doing a good job of arousing him also.

Next, she moved down to his shirtless chest. Her tongue drew circles around his nipples, and a trail to the middle of his chest. She followed the line down to his navel & stuck her tongue in it & kissed . She followed the trail of hair down to the top of his jeans. She could see just how aroused he was.

Their eyes locked as she took the top of his jeans in one hand & the zipper in the other. Slowly, torturing slow, she moved the zipper down, revealing his manhood. He was more than ready. She stood up & gently tugged them off. Again she started to lick her ice cream cone. She started with his toes, one by one all ten of them. She swirled her way up his legs, keeping eye contact the whole time. When she reached his manhood, she smiled at him & gently took him in her mouth. He started to talk. “Elizabeth, you don’t….” She cut him off, “Jason, I want to, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to. She continued on, taking him in her mouth. She used her other hand to gently caress his testicles.

He could feel himself getting ready, he wouldn’t be able to last much more of this torture. Gently he moved her back. “Jason, I’m not done yet.”

“Neither am I.” He sat up & took the bottom of her shirt & pulled it over her head. She hadn’t worn a bra that day. He could see that her breasts were starting to change with the pregnancy. They were larger, and the tips had gotten to be a darker shade of pink. Slowly he leaned her back into the sofa. He started to lick HIS ice cream cone. Her neck & the valley between her breasts. His tongue swirled around her swollen breasts. He watched her watching him. He took the tip in his mouth & gently nipped it. She moaned. Her breasts were much more sensitive since she had become pregnant. The whiskers on his face & chin grazed her everywhere, arousing all of her. He worked his way down to the valley between her legs; he noticed that when his whiskers touched her she moaned. His tongue worked its magic in the lower valley & she was begging for him to enter her. He ran his chin over the aroused area between her legs & she screamed out. Again she begged for his entrance and this time he relinquished to her & entered her. Jason moved slowly, letting her get used to his size. He started to pace himself. He wanted to make this last. He had been ready for so long, but he had wanted her to be ready too. He had waited for her so they could go together. In & out he moved, slowly, deliberately. Liz moaned his name. “Oh Jason”, again she moaned, only louder, “Oh Jason!” G** he loved this woman; she was his undoing, his reason for living.

“Jason, yes,……Jason….Oh Jason , “ He started to move quicker, he pumped in & out, faster & harder, each time. They were starting to go towards the edge, and they were going together.

“Oh, Jason, Oh, Jason, Yes…Yes…Yes!” And together they went calling out each other’s name as they did.


Chapter 62


Jason reached over to the top of the couch & pulled the blanket down & laid it over them. They lay together & talked about their baby & its future.

“Jason, I hope our little boy looks just like you!”

“Like me? Why would you want it to look like me?”

“Jason, you have got to be the most gorgeous man on the planet, I want him to have your golden hair & your azure blue eyes….your smile, your sensitivity.”

Jason looked at her like she was a little crazy.

“Oh come on Jason, I know you don’t think that you are, but….well….you are! Which do you want to have?”

“I don’t care if it is a girl or a boy, just as long as it is healthy.”

“Jason, that is all any parent wants…we all hope & pray that our child will be healthy, but aside from that, this is just between us,
what do you really want? A boy…or a girl?”

“A girl.” Jason said it quietly. “A girl with your dark curls, your blue eyes, and your laugh.” He smiled as her.

“Jason, don’t you know that you are supposed to have a boy first and then a girl. “

“Why?” He asked wondering what he had missed.

“You are supposed to have a boy first so that they can take care of & protect his little sister. Like you take care of & protect Emily.”

He thought about it for a few seconds.

Elizabeth looked at him. He was thinking. “Maybe”….she said…”Maybe we could have one of each.”

Jason looked at her, with all of the love he had for her pouring out from his eyes. “That would be the most wonderful thing in the world.” He kissed her lips, and her mouth opened under his roving lips. He threaded his fingers through her dark curly hair, & pulled her close as his lips devoured her.

Liz felt the stone wall go up as he stopped kissing her. She looked in his eyes & saw the enforcer mask that he wore. He moved away & picked up his jeans & pulled them on.

“Jason, what’s wrong?”

Jason walked to the window & stared out into the lake. He tried to keep the tears from falling. Even in the enforcer mode, he just couldn’t stop them as they trickled out of his eyes & rolled down his face.

Liz came up from behind. “Jason, please tell me what’s wrong. Did I say something, or do something?”

Jason continued to stare out the window. He tried to speak, but his voice cracked. Liz wrapped her arms around his waist. He held her arms with his hands. When he could speak again he turned to look at her.

“Elizabeth, you didn’t do or say anything wrong. It’s just that when we talked about having 2 kids, I thought ‘This was perfect. You, me, a son & a daughter. The perfect family.’ Only I can’t give it to you. I have to leave this cabin in a few days, and go back to the real world. A world where I can’t see you anytime I want. I can’t be with you, or touch you, or even talk to you. I have to go back to my ….(he choked as he tried to say it) ….my wife. My life, the life that I hate with all that I have.”

“Jason, it’s not your fault….It’s mine.”

“No Elizabeth, it’s not your fault.”

“Yes Jason it is…I should have waited to hear your explanation…..”

“But I should have told you about Sonny from the start. I shouldn’t have let Sonny make me lie to you.”

“You know what Jason? This isn’t our fault; we just let people manipulate us. Lucky told me he loved me & made me feel like I owed it to him to stay with him. I wanted to go to Italy with you, be he manipulated me into staying with him. Sonny used you to save his marriage & his old lover. He made you lie to me about him, made you lie to Carly about Brenda; he uses you & treats you like you are his errand boy.

Liz walked away to the chair & stood behind it, using it like a shield. She braved herself & went on. “When I walked away from the penthouse, I wanted you to come after me & prove that you cared about me. That you cared more for me than Sonny. But you didn’t. I know you were giving me space, but I needed to know that I was more important than Sonny. It was Sonny’s fault too, when I was ready to forgive you, Sonny decided that you needed to guard his sister. Any of his men could have watched her, but he made you do it. And all those times over all those years that we were ‘just about to kiss’, when your damn phone rang, and interrupted us. And who was on the other end of that phone….Sonny. And Carly was no better. ‘Jason, save me from Sonny, Jason save me from A.J., Jason, that little twit doesn’t need you as much as I do.”


Jason looked at her, and she knew that she had gone too far.

He turned and looked back out at the lake. “You’re right.” Liz brought her head back up & looked at him.

“Sonny is an ass. He thinks that he is a god, and that everyone should kiss his feet. He gave me a new life when I needed one. When I needed someone to accept me for who I was after the accident. But I’ve paid my dues. “

Jason walked over to where Elizabeth stood. He took her in his arms and held her there.
“I’m going to get out of this life Elizabeth. I don’t know how long it will take, but I will get out, and we will have a life together…….someday.”

“Jason, I don’t want you to give up your job for me, I would never ask you to do that for me. I love you the way you are…..except for the fact that you have a wife.”

“I have to stay with her until I know that she is stable. I have to get her to want to divorce me without having Sonny want to kill me. It may take me awhile, but I need to be able to walk away, and not have to worry about him coming after me and my family.”

“Jason, I love you, and I will wait forever for you. Just be sure that you keep yourself safe. Your child & I will be there when you are free, and we’ll go wherever we need to go to be with you.” Jason hugged her tight, and she felt safe. She hoped he would be too. And she hoped that he could get away soon.

They made dinner together and the mood had lightened. They were playful and joked with each other. She talked about the store, and told tales about Francis. After dinner they did the dishes & cleaned up the kitchen.

Jason made cocoa for Liz & coffee for him. He brought it into the living room & refueled the fire. Liz sat on the couch with her feet tucked under her. She looked around the room and spied a stereo on the bookshelf. She set her cocoa on the table and wandered over to it. She turned it on & tried to get a radio station.

“You probably won’t be able to get anything up here. I’d loan you your ‘Jason’ CD, but it is still in the player in Johnny’s truck.” She smiled at him. He had remembered that she had called it her ‘Jason’ CD. She looked through a stack of records next to the stereo. There wasn’t much choice, but she picked one & put it on the turntable. She went back and sat next to Jason on the couch. She leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder. She hummed along with the music.

Jason got up from the couch and held out his hand. “Would you care to dance?”

“Why Mr. Morgan, I would LOVE to dance with you.”

He pulled her up from the couch & into his arms. They danced around the room while the singer crooned on the stereo.

Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor & I love you.
You have made me what I am and I am yours.
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say, “I love you”.
Let me hold you in my arms forever more.
You have gone & made me such a fool.
I’m so lost in your love.
And oh, we belong together.
Won’t you believe in my song?
Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you.
You have come into my life and made me whole.
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning.
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear.
In my eyes, I see no one else but you.
There’s no other love like our love.
And yes, oh yes! I’ll always want you near me.
I’ve waited for you for so long.
Lady! Your love’s the only love I need.
And beside me is where I want you to be.
Because my love there’s something I want you to know.
You’re the love of my life. You’re my lady.

*Lady—Kenny Rogers


Jason gazed into Elizabeth’s eyes. Every word the singer sang was what he felt for her. She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. She laid her head on his chest. The top of her head just grazed the bottom of his chin. The kept moving as the next song started.

Girl, there are no words to say
What I feel in my heart
You, you’re on my mind night and day
And it hurts me when we’re apart
When you’re not here by my side
There is nothing in this world for me

I guess I’m crazy, crazy for you can’t you see
And although you may think I’m crazy
This is where I’ll always be
I will always need your love.

Now, I can see every dream
When I look in your eyes
Though, things never are what they seem
There is one thing that I realize
That there’s no doubt in my mind
We can make this love go on forever

I guess I’m crazy, crazy for you can’t you see
And although you may think I’m crazy
This is where I’ll always be
And I need you with me
‘Cause you are the dream
That finally came true for me
And all my life there’ll be no one else
If I looked all my life there could be no one else
And for the rest of my life all I need are you

*Crazy—Kenny Rogers

As the music stopped Jason stopped too. Liz looked up into his eyes, and she thought she could see tears. He took her hand & led her to the couch. He signaled for her to sit down. She did, wondering what he was going to say. Jason kneeled in front of her and took her hands in his.

“Do you remember last night when I told you that I had something for you?”

“No?”

“Well it was the same time you were telling me that you were pregnant and it was storming, so you probably didn’t hear me.”

She looked at him quizzically.

“I have something for you, but before I give it to you I have to tell you the story that goes along with it. When I went back to the city, for the doctor’s report, I had just seen you with Francis, kissing him; I had just talked to Rick. Rick had told me that you and Francis were lovers. I knew that you didn’t take these things lightly. One night Trent & I went window shopping. We looked in one of the windows & decided to go inside. I saw some rings and thought about you. I knew that Francis would probably ask you to marry him soon, and Francis is about the worst gift buyer in the world. I saw this ring and knew that it was perfect for you. I bought it for him to give to you. I always intended to give it to him, to give to you, but I just couldn’t seem to part with it. I took it with me everyday. I felt like it was my good luck charm. Like it was a piece of you I could always have with me, even though you had never seen it or touched it. I would put it in my pocket every morning & take it out& put it on my dresser every night.



He took the ring from his pocket & held it up between his fingers. “I want to give this to you as a promise of my love for you. I promise that I will always love you. I will always love our child. I will always be there for you, and I promise that someday, we WILL be together.” Liz looked him in the eyes; she had tears streaming down her face.

“But before you accept this ring, if you accept this ring, I want you to know that if you want a different ring, one that I chose for you from ME, then I will take this back & get you a different one.”

Liz took the ring and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Jason, you picked this out for me, right?”

”Yes.”

“Because you thought that I would love it, right?”

”Right.”

“Jason, it could be an old cigar band or even a ring from a Cracker Jack box, and I would love it because YOU picked it out with me in mind.”

She kissed his lips. She kissed his eyes and his cheeks. She gave him the ring and held out her left hand. He took her hand in his and held the ring with his fingers. Slowly he slid the ring on her finger. He looked at it surrounding her finger. Then he looked up at her. Tears were running down her cheeks. He kissed the ring on her hand. “I love you Elizabeth.”

“I love you too Jason.” He got up & sat next to her on the couch. He picked her up & sat her on his lap. They hugged and kissed and held each other close. They sat that way for a long time. Liz took her hand and held it out in front of her. She stared at the ring. It was a beautiful ring. It had a ruby in the middle. It looked exactly like the red glass that He had brought back from Italy. “Jason, it’s a beautiful ring. I will cherish this forever.”

“Are you sure that you want to keep this one? You can take this back & pick out anyone you want. “

“No, I love this one.” They sat that way for a very long time.

“Honey, did you hear the words in the songs tonight? “ Liz nodded. “They were exactly what I was feeling in my heart.”

“Me too.” Agreed Liz.

They talked about where they would go someday. How they would travel through Italy with their child. “Jason, have you ever seen the wind in Italy?”

”No, I’ve only time I’ve ever seen the wind was with you.”

“Someday Jason, I’m going to paint you the Italian wind.”

Jason smiled. He knew she would, and the only way he would ever see it would be with her.

Liz yawned and he could see she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. ’’Are you ready for bed?’’

“No. I don’t want this night to end!”

“We still have a couple more days here together. I can guarantee that.”

“But Jason, this is such a special night.” Liz said yawning.

“We can have more “special nights” and days, I promise.”

“And Jason Morgan never breaks his promises.” Liz added.

He helped her up & together they walked hand in hand to the bedroom.


Chapter 63

*Warning: adult situations




The next day dawned bright & sunny. Liz yawned & stretched. She reached out for Jason, but his side of the bed was cold. She threw back the covers, & slowly tested the morning sickness waters. She was feeling OK. She found her jeans & T-shirt, and dressed quickly. She brushed her teeth & put on her shoes. Jason wasn’t in the cabin. She looked out at the lake & saw him out on the deck. She put on her jacket, and went out on the deck to join him.

It was a cool, beautiful morning. Jason was leaning on the railing drinking his coffee. He heard her come out the door and turned to greet her. Liz came over to him & hugged him. “Good morning Mr. Morgan.”

“Good morning my love.” Jason kissed her lips. “I made you a pot of tea.”

He walked over to the patio table & poured her a cup. He refilled his cup & returned to her. She took the tea & thanked him. She took a sip of the hot drink and breathed in the sight of the lake, the fresh air & Jason.

“Jason, do you think that we could take a walk around the lake later on?”

”Sure, we can do anything that you want to. Would you like some breakfast?”

” I’d love some breakfast. Can I make some for you?”

”Have you learned to cook yet?”

She swatted at his arm, as he laughed at her and she laughed too.
“No, but I can make cereal & toast.”

“I’d love your toast & cereal.” He said still snickering.

Liz put her hand in his & they went into the cabin to make breakfast together.


They took their breakfast and ate in on the deck overlooking the lake. Liz was enjoying the fresh air & the view. She wanted to sketch it. She wanted to paint it too. The colors were gorgeous.

Jason started to pick up the dishes, and Liz rose to help him. He gently pushed her back down into her chair.

“Sit down & finish your tea, I’ll take care of the dishes. After I’m done we’ll go for a walk around the lake.’

She sat back down. “Thank you.”

Jason leaned down & kissed her head. “I’ll be right back.”

He took the tray of dishes & headed back into the cabin. He returned right away with her sketchpad & pencils. “I could tell you were sketching the view in your head.”

She smiled a ‘thank you’ at him, and took the pad from him. He smiled back & went to do the dishes.

When Jason came back out Liz had already done several different sketches. “Are you ready for that walk?”

”I need to use the restroom first, it’s a pregnancy thing.” She said smiling at him.

When she returned they started out for their walk. He took her hand in his never intending to let it go. They strolled leisurely around the lake. They stopped to look at rocks & plants & each other. Jason used this time to question her, trying to get answers without her figuring out what he was doing.

“Elizabeth….If I take Francis away as your guard, how will you get to work?”

”I’ll walk Jason, or take the bus. I’ve done it before. Sometimes on nice days, I make Francis walk with me. We both need the exercise.”

“What about when the store is open late? The buses don’t run after 9 p.m...”

“Jason, I can walk, it really isn’t that far from home.”

He waited before going on.

“Do you plan on staying at your studio after the baby is born?”

“Why not? There is plenty of space for me and a child. Besides I like it there.”

“Are you sure that you are ready to go without a guard?”

“Jason, I’ll be fine. No one knows that this is your child, and no one will. I’ll be safe.”

“What about a doctor, do you have an obstetrician in mind?”

“Jason, I thought I’d just use a family practitioner, unless there is a problem.”


They walked in a comfortable silence for awhile. Jason broke that silence with the one last question on his mind.

“Elizabeth honey, what are you going to tell people, like your grandmother, when you start to show?”

“I haven’t really decided yet, either that I was artificially inseminated or that I found the love of my life, only he can’t be with me right now. What would you like me to say?”

Jason stopped walking and looked at her. Really looked at her. “I want you to say whatever you are most comfortable with. I am sorry that you have to do this alone. I will go along with whatever you decide.”

They walked in silence again. Both thinking and hoping that the other would be OK.

When they returned to the cabin it was past lunchtime. “Are you hungry Elizabeth?”

”I’m famished. We must have walked 10 miles this morning.”

“It was more like 3 miles. Are you OK?”

“I’m fine, just out of shape. I keep telling myself hat I need to join a gym & get into shape. Then maybe the labor & delivery will go faster. I read that in a book I checked out from the library.”

Jason made a mental note to check with his mother on pregnancy & working out, and to purchase some pregnancy books for both Elizabeth & himself.

They made lunch together & took it out to the deck to enjoy the warm sunshine. They devoured the lunch of fresh fruit and sandwiches. Jason had a long neck & made Elizabeth drink fruit juice.

The sun was making Liz sleepy. “I wish Francis had packed a swimsuit for me. Then we could go swimming & sunbathing.”

“You don’t need a suit to go swimming or sunbathing. No one else is up here. Just us, and I’ve enjoyed the view before, so I’m sure I would again!”

“Jason! I have never seen you so playful and free as you have been up here. I wish we could get away & come up here together. Away from the rest of the world. I love it here.”

Oh yes, Jason thought, he was for sure going to buy this cabin from Sonny.

“If you feel you need to you could go in your bra & panties. Although it would be a shame to ruin the red lace set.”

“If I go skinny dipping I the lake Jason are you going to strip down to your birthday suit & go with me?”

”I don’t know.” He rubbed his chin and pretended to think about it. “The lake is still pretty cold this time of the year, and there might be slimy, swimmy things in there. Something besides you could bite me.” He remembered Emily using that excuse more than once.

“Then you better go with me Mr. Morgan. You could use your enforcer mode to scare them away. “ She laughed and he joined in with her.

Slowly she walked over to the steps leading to the path that led to the lake.

“Last one in is a rotten egg.” Liz took of running towards the lake, stripping off clothes as she went. Jason never got that, how you could be a rotten egg. He shook his head & ran after her. He would let her win, not just because he loved her & she was the mother of his unborn child, but because she loved him too. Not for who he was or how much money he had. But just for being Jason, the man who had shown her the wind.

Liz squealed as the icy water hit her bare thighs. Jason was right it was freezing. Jason ran & dove in beside her. He swam out further. “Come on Elizabeth, get all wet fast and it won’t be as cold.” She took a brave deep breath & dunked herself under the water & swam out to him.

Her teeth were chattering as she reached him. He took her hand and pulled her to him. He held her in his arms & tried to warm her icy body.

“Jason you were right, it is cold.”

“Well I think that I have an idea that could warm you up.”

“Ooh, that’s sounds interesting. Tell me about your idea!”

“Well first I have to kiss you here.” He kisses her neck. “Then, I have to kiss you here.”

He kisses the other side of her neck. “Then here.” He moved for her ears, and eyes. “And here.” He kissed her lips and continued to cover all that he could that wasn’t under water. While his lips roamed above water, his hands roamed below. He caressed her shapely bottom, and her breasts that were now even fuller from being pregnant. Her nipples were already peaked and hard from the cold water.

“Are you ready for me?” He whispered in her ear.

“Oh yes Jason. Please!” He held her up & entered her. It was such a different feeling than making love on land. “OH JASON!” He didn’t know how long he could last. He had never made love in the water before. It was thrilling & exciting.
Or maybe it was the fact that he was making love to Elizabeth, the love of his life…his soul mate.

When he had finished, Elizabeth clung to him. She was exhausted too. Lovemaking with Jason was always an incredible experience.

“I think we better get you up to the cabin and warm you up.” Jason said carrying her out of the water.


“You already warmed me up. Ohh, you meant with clothes & stuff.” She said giggling.

They gathered up the pieces of clothing and walked hand in hand, naked, back to the cabin.


Liz plopped down in a deck chair. “I’m exhausted. That is a really long walk up.”

“I think you are just exhausted from the walk and run and ‘swimming’ “Jason said.

“I definitely think it was the ‘swimming’. Jason you are an incredible ‘swimmer’.” Liz said batting her eyes at him.

“You better quit that & put some clothes on or I will have to have my way again with you right here & right now.”

“I’m way too tired to put any clothes on. Besides you said that there wasn’t any one else around here. I think I’ll just lay here in this chair & dry off. You don’t mind do you?”

Jason could feel himself getting hard at the thought of her lying here naked. The thought of making love to her here and in every room of the cabin. This truly was a dream come true. He wondered how, after all he had done, after all the lives he had taken in order to do ‘business’, how God could have been so kind to have brought Elizabeth into his life. To give them a child together. He prayed a silent ’Thank You’, and went into the cabin.

He returned two minutes later with 2 glasses of iced tea and a bottle of sunscreen.

“I thought if you were going to lay here naked, you might need some sunscreen. I wouldn’t want any sensitive areas to get too much sun.”

Elizabeth saw the look in his eyes, and rolled over onto her stomach. “Why thank you Jason. I really would love to tan my back so I can wear some cackles sundresses this summer. “She giggled.

‘OK’ Jason thought. You want to play games, I’ll play games. He stood beside her but instead of warming the lotion in his hands before applying it to her back; he squirted it directly on her. She squealed from the cold lotion.

“Jason Morgan you big meanie, how could you do that to the mother of your child?”

”You started it. Laying here ALL naked! Now if you will be nice to me I will be happy to warm the lotion and cover the rest of you!”

“Oh well, if you put it that way, PLEASE cover me!”

Jason took that hint and squeezed some lotion in his hands and warmed it. Then he slowly began to massage it onto her legs and thighs, her stomach and finally her breasts. When Jason reached up to place it on the table by her head, she took charge of the situation.

Liz reached out and gently took Jason’s’ manhood in her hands. She started to massage it and his pouch. This took Jason by surprise and he could offer no resistance. He held himself off of her, but the position wasn’t a good one. Elizabeth could see him straining to keep him off of her.

She let go of his manhood and gently pushed him up. She rose from the lounge chair and made him lie on his back. She kneeled at the foot of the chair and continued her assault. She could see him relax. The sun was warm, there were no problems at hand, and he was enjoying this hand job. When he was fully relaxed, Liz slowly moved up the chair. She looked at him laying there with his eyes closed, and a smile on his face. She kept her eyes on him as she took him in her mouth. He gasped and opened his eyes. He looked at her and she could see his soul. He smiled at her and closed his eyes again. She moved him in her mouth. She massaged him at the same time. She stopped and took him from her mouth. Jason opened his eyes and looked at her again. When she saw him looking at her she took her tongue and licked the tip of him. She saw him shiver. She licked him like her own ice cream cone. She watched him. He was watching her watching him. Their eyes were locked on each other. She alternated between having him in her mouth & licking his tip. She could taste him on her lips & knew it wouldn’t be much longer.

“Elizabeth I can’t last much longer, please, I need to feel me inside you. Liz stopped and quickly moved herself up. She positioned herself over him and guided his manhood into her. She shivered. This had never felt so good before. She started to move herself. Jason felt so good! She was already having an orgasm. She could feel herself starting to come. “OH JASON! Oh g** JASON! , JASON! JASON!, g** JASON!”

Jason was coming with her. “Elizabeth! OH g** ELIZABETH! , OH
ELIZABETH! ELIZAAAABEEETHH!” He helped her ride him hard. She was having the most incredible orgasm ever. She had only ever had them with Jason.

They both came at the same time. When they were finished, she lay exhausted on his chest.

“Elizabeth! That was the most incredible love making I have ever had. Thank You!”
Elizabeth was panting and could barely speak. “Me Too!”

“Are you OK Honey, Is the baby OK? I wasn’t thinking with my head, I could have hurt you doing it that hard.”

“Jason, we are both fine. Just exhausted. What I really need is for you to carry me to bed and take a nap with me.”

“Anything you want my love, anything you want.”

Jason scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed. He lay her down and climbed in beside her. He spooned her from behind. Within minutes they were fast asleep.


Chapter 64


Elizabeth woke with her stomach rumbling. She was starving. She looked at Jason lying next to her. He looked so peaceful. He had a lock of hair hanging over his forehead. She smiled to herself. How lucky she was to have finally found him!

Liz wrapped her robe around her and went to the kitchen. She found some crackers and poured herself a glass of milk. She sat at the kitchen table and thought about the last couple of days. She wished she could lock them up here together, forever & throw away the key. She heard Jason coming down the hall. He walked into the kitchen & hissed the top of her head. “Are you OK?”

”I’m fine, just hungry. You gave me quite a workout Mr. Morgan.”

“I gave you a workout?”

He scratched his beard and smiled at her. He got himself a glass and joined her at the table. He poured himself a glass of milk and Elizabeth offered him some crackers.

They sat together in a comfortable silence. She was amazed at how she didn’t feel like she always had to be talking when she was with Jason. With Lucky, anytime there was a silence she felt awkward, and sometimes just didn’t know what to say.

Jason broke the silence. “Elizabeth, when we get back and you have some time, would you paint me a picture of the cabin and the lake? “ He looked at her knowing that she would say yes.

“Of course I will Jason.”

“Jason, can I stay here forever? I don’t think that I can go back to Port Charles.”

“You can do it honey, I know that you can. Anytime you need anything, call m…..I mean just call Francis or Johnny, they’ll get you whatever you need, and if you need to get a hold of me they can do that too.”

Liz got up from the table. “I think I need to take a shower. I need to get the lake and the sunscreen off. I won’t be too long.” She walked from the room trying to keep her head held high.

Jason could have kicked himself. Could he have been more insensitive! He picked up the glasses & slammed them down on the counter. He threw the crackers back in the pantry. Damn it! They only had another day together & he had gone & ruined it!



He went to apologize to Elizabeth. He could hear the shower running when he entered the bedroom. He opened the bathroom door and he could hear her crying in the shower. He opened the shower door and looked at her. He could see her red eyes.

“Elizabeth honey, I’m so sorry about what I said. I’m sorry I ruined our time together. Please forgive me. He was crying now too. “I was only trying…”

She held out her hand to him. He joined her in the shower. “I know you were only trying to make sure that the baby & I stay safe. But Jason, we don’t have much time alone together. I know that I can always call Francis, he isn’t just a bodyguard, he has become my friend too. He’ll take care of me, don’t you worry about us.”

She washed his hair and put some conditioner on it. She rinsed it out and started to gently wash his body. It was more of a loving wash rather than a lover wash.


When she had finished with him, he washed her hair and her body. They dried each other off with the fluffy green towels she retrieved from the linen closet. Jason sat her on the bed & towel dried her hair and then he gently combed out the snarls for her.

They dressed themselves and went to the kitchen to make dinner. They didn’t speak for quite awhile. They were comfortable with the silence. While they were waiting for the dinner to finish cooking, Jason took Elizabeth in his arms. He pulled her in for a hug and kissed her gently on the lips. “I’m sorry about earlier, please forgive me.”

“Jason, there is nothing to forgive. I love you. You love me. You feel the need to make sure that I am OK. I’m glad that I have someone to worry about me. Please forget about it. Let’s enjoy the time that we have left.’’ She smiled at him, and he returned the smile with his ‘Jason Smile’. The one that melted her heart.

They spent part of the evening talking about all the places that Jason had been.

“Jason tell me about Italy.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Where did you go when you were there? Where would you take me? What was you most favorite place?”

“I went all over, my most favorite time was when I would ride my bike through the vineyard country. It was really nice, quite, I could think. I could think about how I wished you were with me. “

Liz leaned back against Jason’s shoulder. She took his hand & threaded her fingers through hers.

“I went to some museums too. I missed you so much that I thought that I would feel closer to you there.”

“Oh Jason.” Liz said sadly. “I wish I had gone with you. The second you walked away in the park I wanted to run to you and run away. “

Liz continued to look at their hands. She had an idea. She got up from the couch and went to find her sketchbook. She retrieved it from the kitchen & sat back beside Jason on the couch.

“Jason, I want to sketch your hand.”

He looked at her questioningly. “Please Jason, I need to sketch it.”

He smiled at her & laid his left hand on her leg. The smile faded from Liz’s face as she saw the plain gold band on his ring finger catch the light. She tried to recover but not before Jason noticed the frown on her face. Quickly she put on her fake ‘everything is great’ smile.

She got up from the couch & moved to the other side of him. “I think this hand will work better in the sketch.” She started to sketch it and was intent on getting it right.

“Elizabeth-Honey?” Liz stopped & looked up at him. “Can we talk while you sketch?”

“Sure.” She smiled at him. The fake smile had been replaced with a real one.

Liz continued to sketch while Jason cleared his throat. “Honey, do you have a Dr. on mind that you want to use?”

”No, I haven’t had the time yet.” She looked at him; he had concern in his eyes. “But don’t worry Jason; I won’t use one at GH. I really don’t want to have to take the chance of running into Carly. Or my gram for that matter. “

“Would you consider going into the city & seeing an excellent obstetrician?’’

“Well…” Liz answered slowly. “If you want me to I could.”

“Elizabeth, I don’t want you to think about the money. I want to; no I NEED to pay for all of the medical bills. This is my child too. It’s the least I can do. I want you and the baby to have the best medical care. GH is good, but I know that there are excellent OB Dr.s in the city. I would have Francis drive you. You two could catch up on gossip during the drive, since he won’t be your bodyguard anymore, unless you change your mind about that?”

“Jason, any Dr. in PC would be fine, you don’t have to pay for a specialist.’’ She stopped talking & looked at him. “Oh, you don’t want to take the chance of someone finding out. Sure Jason, I understand, I can do that.”

“No Honey…” He started to deny it, but he couldn’t. “Your right. But it’s only for yours & the baby’s safety. And….I do want you & the baby to have the best care. I love you and I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.” He rested his hand on her stomach. His eyes were pleading with her to understand and to do this for him. He was worried about her now. But as she got further along in her pregnancy he wanted her to have the best care.

She shook her head yes. “OK Jason you win this one. But that’s all you are going to pay for.” He kissed her lips and sat back & let her continue her sketching. His heart felt lighter, so did his head. He would do this and sneak in other things along the way. Yes, for once his money would be put to good use.


An hour later, Liz finished sketching. She was happy with the outcome. She would draw in her hand later & after the baby was born, she would add the baby’s too, or maybe just add the baby’s. Either way it would be a perfect gift for Jason. She was sure that she would do it in pencil, but she also thought that it would look good in oils too.

She got up off the couch & stretched. “How about some popcorn Jason? I can add that to my cooking repertoire too.”

“Are you sure you won’t burn it?” Jason chuckled.

“Well I can’t guarantee it, but I’m willing to try.”

She left him on the couch & went to the kitchen to find the popcorn. She found some microwave popcorn in the pantry. She put it in the microwave and while she waited for it to pop, she poured herself a glass of water, added ice cubes and opened up a beer for Jason. When it was done she poured it in a bowl and put everything on a tray to carry to the living room.

When she walked into the living room, she found Jason asleep and snoring softly. She set the tray down on the table & reached for the blanket on the couch. As she reached across Jason, he grabbed her arm & opened his eyes.

Liz screamed. “Jason, you scared me.”

“I’m sorry, it’s a built in reflex.”

“I’m fine” She slapped at his arm. She handed him his beer and set the bowl of popcorn on his lap. Liz walked over to the stereo and put on the same record that they played last night. She went back to the couch & sat next to Jason. They listened to the music while they ate the popcorn. Liz rested her head on his shoulder. “Jason do you think we could steal this record?”

“We could, but neither of us have a record player.”

“Your right.”

Jason had already written down the title of the album & the singer so he could get them both CD’s when they got back to PC.

“Do you think that Francis & Johnny will be here tomorrow to pick us up?”

Jason stopped; the popcorn halfway to his mouth. “Probably. If the roads are dry enough. “ He knew that wasn’t the answer that she wanted, but it was the truth.

Jason stood up and held out his hand to her. This probably was the last night that they could be together for a very long time. He wanted to make it special.

He tugged her along behind him and he took her to the bedroom. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. She looked into his eyes, and she knew what he was thinking. They needed to spend this last night making memories. They both knew it would be their last chance.

Slowly he released her & set her on the bed. He kneeled down in front of her & slowly removed her socks. He gently tugged her t-shirt out of her jeans and over her head. He leaned her back & unbuttoned her jeans. He unzipped them and tugged them down her legs. She lay there looking at him. She still wore her blue bra and floral panties. Jason still liked the red lace set the best. Always would.

Jason took the hem of his own t-shirt and pulled it over his head. He stood there looking at her. He was already loving her with his eyes and burning this into his memory. He moved to lie beside her on the bed. She was leaning on one elbow looking at him. He gently pushed her back on the bed. He looked deeply into her eyes. He memorized the color & shape of her eyes & face. Although her really didn’t need to. He had memorized everything years ago.

Liz took her hands and gently brought his face to hers. She kissed his lips slowly and his mouth opened under the gentle pressure of hers. Their tongues explored each other’s mouths. He longed to feel her hands on his the nape of his neck. It simply drove him insane to have her trail her fingers through his hair and down his neck. Sometimes she gently scratched at his hairline and around his head.



Jason brought his hand up to her collarbone. He trailed his finger along it and down to the valley between her breasts. He kissed her jaw and moved his way down her neck to where he had left a burning imprint at her collarbone. He followed the trail of his fingers with his lips. He moved to her stomach and kissed it too. He made quick work kissing her legs and thighs, even her toes. She was starting to get impatient for her turn.

Jason moved back up and looked her in the eyes. “I love you Elizabeth. I love you with all of my heart, all of my soul, and all that I am. I will love you forever. Please never forget how much I love you.” Tears threatened to fall from both Jason’s & Elizabeth’s eyes.

“I love you too. I won’t forget. I have my memories and my ring to remember with. Every time I see it on my finger, I will remember your love for me.”

Jason kissed her lips and wiped away the tears from her face. He didn’t know which were hers and which had fallen from his eyes.

Liz reached up & dried his face with her fingers. Never had she seen such a loving, kind man, who could hide every emotion, and yet bare his soul to her. She would never love another man. She could never love another man. For she was truly his. Their hearts, souls and minds belonged to each other. Their bodies, at least after tonight, would have to wait.

Jason looked at her, and bent down to kiss her lips. His fingers slid under her lacey straps and slid them down her arms. He reached for the clasp in the valley between her breasts. With a quick flick it was undone and sliding down her arms. She lifted each arm & removed it from her body. Liz took her hands and undid Jason’s jeans. She unzipped them and Jason helped her remove them. His boxers came off with them and he lay there in all his manly glory. Liz sucked in a gasp as he came on top of her. She begged him without words to take her now. Jason smiled at her and kissed her.

He kissed her neck and with his calloused fingers he brought her nipples into hard peaks. The calloused fingers drove Liz insane. She held back, fully intending on waiting for Jason before going over the edge. This was their one last chance to love each other.

Jason took his time loving her entire body. Liz reached out & fondled his manhood. She wanted this night to last forever, but she didn’t now how much more she could take. Jason didn’t know how much more he could take either. When she had taken him in her hand he had just about lost all control.

“Elizabeth…open your eyes & look at me. “ Liz opened her eyes. “I want you to keep your eyes open. I want to watch your eyes when you come. I want you to see into mine when I come too.” She smiled at him and nodded her head. Gently he entered her. He stopped and burned the feeling into his soul. She felt so good. Slowly he started to move. In and out. In and out. He increased the speed and continued to look into Elizabeth’s eyes. He could see she was getting close. He moved with her. She surprised him by continuing to move with him. This was going to last a long time. They moved with each other & took turns being in charge.

Jason felt himself heading for the edge. He reached down and found Elizabeth’s feminine pearl. He took his thumb and rubbed it. Liz immediately started to go with him. And with a final primal scream from each of them they went over the edge together.

When Jason could move again he reached down & pulled up the covers. He snuggled Elizabeth into his arms. He kissed her hair & her neck. “Mmmm…..That’s nice too. Elizabeth murmured. She turned her head towards his face. “Thank you Jason. Thank you for making our last night together so special, so memorable. I love you…..always.”

“I love you too Elizabeth.” They kissed good night and Liz was asleep in seconds. Jason lay awake for a few minutes. He was in love, he didn’t know how soon he could get his plans into action, but he hoped it would be soon. He needed to be with this wonderful woman. This woman who carried his son or daughter in her womb. She was willing to take on his life, and bear his child, to raise it without any help. But he would help her. And she would never see it coming. He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes, and he too fell quickly asleep.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 65

The sun was shining brightly the next morning. Liz woke slowly; she could hear Jason talking quietly. “…And when you are big enough I’ll teach you how to throw a ball. Everybody needs to know how to throw a ball. Even girls. …. You‘ll need to take care of your mom too. She is so beautiful, and she will be a wonderful mom. She can take on the world if she needs to.”

Liz peeked one eye open. Jason was leaning on one elbow with his other hand on her stomach. He was talking to their unborn baby. Telling it about her & him and the world. He had always talked to Michael as if he were an adult. He said that was what they were just little adults.

“And if you ever need anything don’t be afraid to ask your mom or me. We’ll always be there for you. Both your mom & I love you with all that we know.” Jason bent down and kissed her stomach.

Liz moved and pretended to wake up. She smiled at him. “Good morning.”

Jason smiled back at her. “Morning.” He sighed. How on God’s green earth was he ever going to be able to walk away from this woman?

“What are you doing down there Mr. Morgan?”


Jason smiled sheepishly. “I was having an early morning conversation with our child.”

“Did he or she answer back?”

”No, you know that’s not possible.”

She giggled at him, and he moved up towards her. He laid his head on her chest and looked at her. “How are you this morning?”

“I’m good, how are you?”

“I’m fine.” She could hear the tightness in his voice. He too, knew that they didn’t have much time left here in their little cocoon.

As if on cue, Liz stomach rumbled. “I think our child is trying to tell us something.” Liz put on her best face, determined to make the best of what time they had left.

“I’ll go make you some tea, and get breakfast started. You have time to take a shower if you want.”

“That sounds great Jason.” He got up off the bed & helped her out. She kissed him good morning & he kissed her back. He swatted her bottom as she walked to the bathroom. She turned around and glared at him. That didn’t last long. She blew him a kiss and shut the bathroom door.

When Liz emerged from the bathroom, she thought she could hear voices. She had dressed in the bathroom, so she followed the sound to the kitchen where she found not just Jason, but Francis & Johnny too. They were all sitting around the table drinking coffee.

The guys all rose from the table when she entered the room. True gentlemen all the way. She motioned them to sit down. Jason held out a chair for her. As she walked by the guys, who were still standing, Francis spoke.

“Liz, do you still like us? Did Jason take good care of you? “

“Yes guys, I still love you. Jason took quite good care of me.”

Johnny added. “We’re sorry about the way we left you. But it was the only way we could think of to get the two of you together to talk.”

Francis looked at Jason and then at Liz. “You did TALK, didn’t you?”


“Yes Frannie, we talked. I told Jason all about it. Does Johnny know?” She whispered.

“No, he knows something is up, but I didn’t feel that he should know before Jason did.”

“Ok, then. Jason knows now, so how about telling me?”

Jason stared at Johnny. “You know what is said in this room stays between us?”

“That goes without saying Jason.” Johnny said.

“I’m only telling you this because I’ll need help from the both of you. Johnny, Elizabeth is pregnant, and I’m the father.”

Johnny sat there flabbergasted. “Whoa, I knew that there was something going on between the two of you, and I wanted you to get together, but I had no idea that it could be something this wonderful.” Johnny reached out & shook Jason’s hand. “Congratulations man!”


The four of them sat around the table & drank coffee & tea. Finally they decided to make breakfast. Jason & Johnny started to cook. Francis took Liz into the living room.

“How are you doing sweetheart?’ Francis asked Liz.

“I’m doing great.” She answered.

“Jason was happy about the baby wasn’t he.” He sat there with an ‘I told you so look’ on his face.

“Yes, he is ecstatic! He was having a conversation with it this morning.”

“What is he going to do about it?”

“He is going to take care of us. “ She couldn’t keep the sadness from her voice.

“Liz, if Jason said he will be there for you , he will be there for you.”

“But Francis,…” She looked towards the kitchen & listened for the voices, “Frannie he is still married to Sonny’s sister. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

Francis saw the worry in her eyes, and the sadness in her voice; he took her hands in his & looked her in the eyes. “I will never let anything happen to you or to Jason. I will protect both of you with my life. I love you both. I will do whatever is needed to help him be able to be with you & your child.”

Liz threw her arms around him. “I love you too Frannie. But I don’t want anything to happen to you either.”

Just then Jason walked in. He looked at them embracing and cleared his throat. Francis started praying for his soul, and Liz smiled at Jason.

“Breakfast is ready, or do you want a few more minutes to try to make out with my woman.” Jason stared him in the eyes & then looked at Liz & laughed. They got up from the couch & Liz hugged Jason. Jason shook Francis’ hand. They all sat down at the table & ate the breakfast that the boys had prepared.

After eating, Francis did the dishes, since he hadn’t cooked, and Liz went to pack her things. She found a paper grocery bag and started for the bedroom. “Oh by the way Frannie, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your duffel bag is at the bottom of the lake.”

“It’s where?”

“The bottom of the lake.” Jason added. The fish needed a home. Jason, Johnny & Liz all laughed.

Francis huffed & scrubbed hard at a pan. “My new duffel, how could they do that to my new duffel”.

When all was packed & cleaned up, they gathered on the deck. Liz pulled Francis over to the side. “Francis, do you still have your camera in the car?”

“Yes, but we brought one of Sonny’s cars today.” Liz looked defeated. “But Johnny has one.” He said loudly in Johnny’s direction.

“I have one what?” Asked Johnny.

“He bought one of those new fancy, schmancy digital ones. Had to show me all the bells & whistles on it while I was trying to drive.” He scowled at Johnny.

“Johnny, could I borrow it? I wanted to take some pictures of the cabin & lake. Jason wants me to paint it for him.”

“Sure thing Liz. I’ll go get it.” Johnny took off for the car & was back in a minute. He showed Liz how to use it & told her to take as many as she wanted.

Liz took the camera & went off to take some photos.

While she was gone, the three guys talked. “Francis, Elizabeth doesn’t think that she needs a guard anymore, so I told her I would take you off.”

“But Jason, now more than ever she needs one.”

“I know, I’m going to put someone on surveillance of her for awhile, then slowly get you back with her. Maybe you could watch her after she gets off work. I don’t know the details just yet, but we’ll work them out. I want you to pick the best guard we’ve got & train him to watch her without her noticing him. You know how she is.”

“Right boss.” Francis said.

“I’m going to need help from both of you to make sure she is OK. I’ll be asking a lot from both of you, I hope you both will be able to do all that I ask.”

“Anything for you guys.” Said Francis. “Yeah, anything Jason.” Added Johnny.

The three of them all shook hands and then decided on a group hug.

Inside Liz was taking pictures of the cabin. She wanted to preserve the cabin on paper. She wanted to be able to show their child someday. When she finished inside, she went out to take some of the cabin & the lake. The four of them wandered down to the shoreline. Liz took some more of the cabin & the lake. She took some of Francis & Johnny, & a few of Jason.

“Jason, do you know that I don’t have any photos of you?”

You have sketches.”

“That’s not the same. I guess I do have one of you and Emily; it’s really old though.”

Johnny took the camera from Liz. “Hey why don’t you let me take a few of the two of you? Smile pretty Jason!’’

They stood side by side for one. Then Jason put his arm around her for another. She wrapped her arms around him, and then one with both of them with their arms around each other. They looked at the camera, they looked into each other’s eyes, and the world seemed to drift away. Johnny took some more while they were ‘lost in each others eyes’. He even got one of them kissing. Francis cleared his throat and brought them back to the present.

“I hate to be the spoilsport, but we need to be getting back soon.”

“Liz, I’d be happy to print these off for you, or I could come by the store & show you how to do it yourself.”

“Coming by the store sometime would be great! I promise not to take up too much of you time though.”

‘I’ll stop by sometime this week.”

“OK campers, its time to head back to the city.”

The four of them walked back up the path: Jason and Liz holding hands, savoring the feeling.

They locked up the cabin and went to Sonny’s sedan. Francis was the driver, and Johnny rode shotgun. Liz & Jason sat huddled close in the backseat. They all talked about everything and about nothing on the drive home.

The close they got to Port Charles the quieter Jason got. About 15 miles out of town, Jason asked Francis to pull over. He pulled over at a Mom & Pop gas station. They guys got out. Johnny went inside to get a soda. Francis stayed clear of the car, but close enough to be there if needed.

“Jason, what’s wrong? You are all of a sudden so quiet & tense.”

Jason sat forward on the seat and leaned his forehead on his hands. He ran his hands through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Jason please, you’re scaring me.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath & looked out the front window of the car. He was afraid to look at her. Afraid the tears might fall, and never stop.

Cautiously he started to speak. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Liz rubbed his back with her right hand and placed her left hand on his arm. “Do what Jason?”

He took another deep breath to try to control his feelings. “I don’t know if I can go back to Port Charles and leave you there; leave you alone and pregnant with my child.”

He looked at her then, and she could see the tears in his eyes.

“I don’t know if I can see you on the street and pretend that I don’t love you; pretend that you aren’t carrying my baby. I can’t pretend that you aren’t the love of my life, and pretend that every time I see you I don’t want to touch you.” He took his hands and cradled her face.

She placed her hand over his and rubbed her cheek in his palm. “I’ll know that is what you are feeling Jason. You’ll know that too. And you‘ll also know that I’m feeling the same way.” He pulled her to him and hugged her so hard that he thought he might squeeze her into him. He kissed her lips gently & then rested his forehead on hers.

She smiled at him. And he smiled back. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and he wiped the tears from his own. He rolled the window down the rest of the way and yelled out; “OK guys, let’s go.”

Johnny & Francis exchanged looks over the top pf the car. They had never seen their boss so emotional. Everyone else called him ‘The Borg’, because he never showed any emotion. But Elizabeth brought out the best in him. He dared to show his emotional side around her. They got in and Johnny handed Liz & Jason each a bottle of water. Liz took them both. Jason was still having a hard time looking up. She thanked him with a smile. Johnny turned around & pushed the button that put the window up between the front & the back. He thought that they needed a little privacy.

Francis looked at Johnny and said: “Call Max, tell him we have a little errand for him to run.” Johnny saw the gleam in Francis’ eyes and did as asked.

In the backseat Jason and Liz cuddled and held hands. They didn’t speak much. Each knew what the other was saying in their touches and caresses.


Chapter 66

Before they knew it, they were back in Port Charles. It was almost 5 p.m. They went straight to Liz’s studio. Francis drove up next to the door. He got out & went up to check out the studio. They waited in the car.

Francis came back & opened the back door. “Jason, you’d better come & see this.”

They all went up. Jason right behind Francis. Johnny staying with Liz. Francis opened the door for Jason. Slowly he went in. Johnny nudged Liz to enter behind Jason. The windows were open and a cool breeze blew in. There were candles all over the room, just waiting to be lit. The table was set with china and crystal. Jason looked around. Liz was in awe.

Jason had been expecting to find something wrong. But the guys had set them up.

“Who did all this?” Liz asked.

Francis answered. “We did some before we came up, we were hoping that you two would have made up, and we had Max come over and air the place out. Your dinner will be here promptly at 6pm. Antoine’s will be delivering. The champagne is actually sparkling cider. No alcohol for the mama.”

Johnny was trying to get Francis out the door, but he was still talking. “This is your last night together so make good use of it. Max will be guarding the building from outside.”

“Come on Francis, we need to let these lovebirds be alone.”

Liz walked over to the guys and kissed each of them. “Thanks, you guys.”

Jason came up behind her and enveloped her in his arms. “Yeah, Thanks guys!”

They left the room and shut the door. Jason locked it behind them. “Well we have an hour until dinner arrives. What would you like to do?”


“I just want you to hold me Jason. Just hold me like you’ll never let me go.”

He held her close and started to move. “As long as we are doing this, how about I turn on the stereo and we dance for awhile?”

“That would be wonderful Jason.”

He turned on the stereo and found something they could dance to. He held her in his arms and they slowly moved around the room. A familiar tune came on the radio and Jason braved himself to sing it in her ear.


Steel on velvet, silk on stone
Sun-warm leather set against chrome
You’re a contrast to what I’ve become
No one has touched me like you
Like you

Red horizon at day’s end
Brushing scarlet over you skin
Blushing places I long to kiss
No one has touched me like you
Like you

You in my arms breathless and sure
A barefoot ballet on a bare hardwood floor
So much in sync it seems that we barely move
No one has touched me like you
Like you

White lace curtain opened wide
Single candle tremblin’ with light
My bold passion suddenly shy
No one has touched me like you
Like you.

*Barefoot Ballet by Kurth & Taylor



When the song ended she looked up at Jason. It was a true magical moment. He had braved himself to her. He had sung a love song to her. He could always amaze her. Jason looked at her. They had stopped in front of their Christmas tree. It was still up in her window, still alive, and decorated. It was a symbol of their love. A love that would never die.

A knocking on the door interrupted them. Jason went over to it. He signaled for her. She came over & asked the question. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Max. I’ve got your dinner.”

Jason opened the door & let him in. He took it to the kitchen and set it down. Jason shook his hand and thanked him. Liz gave him a hug and he blushed bright red. He left quickly and Jason again locked the door behind him.

They took the food to the table & Liz dished it out while Jason opened the sparkling cider. He poured each of them a glass. Liz started to take a drink when Jason stopped her. “I want to make a toast.”

“OK Jason.”

“A toast to our future together. May it be soon, may it be long, and may we have many years of happiness with our children. I love you Elizabeth.”

“I love you too Jason. She kissed him. That was a wonderful toast. It was a beautiful song that you sang to me too. Thank you. Thank you for everything.” They kissed again and clinked glasses.
They drank and then dug into their dinner. They were both starving. It had been a long time since their brunch.

After dinner they cleaned up together and then sat on the couch. Jason had lit all of the candles that Max had brought. They talked awhile and they also just sat in silence. Both savoring their time together. At 10:00, it was dark and Jason knew that he should be going. He rose from the couch & pulled Elizabeth up beside him. “I should be going now. It’s dark and no one will see me.”

“Do you have to go?’

His voice cracked as he tried to answer. “ I..I should. God knows I don’t want to, but I know that I should.”

Elizabeth took his hand and led him around the room as she blew out all of the candles. She led him to her bed and sat him on the edge. She pulled off his boots and took off his t-shirt. She pulled down the covers and laid him down. She took off her jeans and lay beside him. “Tonight I want to take care of you Jason. One more time before you have to go.” She kissed his forehead and he wrapped her in his rms. Liz was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

Jason knew that it would be awhile before sleep would come for him. He watched her sleep for a while and then started burning things to his memory. He lay there in bed and looked around the room. He saw her makeup and perfume on the dresser. She had some photos on her mirror of her and Emily. One was recent and the other has a few years old. There was one in a frame of Elizabeth, Emily and whom Jason referred to as the old Lucky. The one that once loved Elizabeth. Not the one that caused her pain, the fake Lucky, the one that Helena had brainwashed and had ruined Jason’s and Elizabeth’s chance for happiness a few years ago. There was another in a frame of her Grandmother and one of Elizabeth when she was a child. But the one that caught his eye the most was an old one. It had been blown up to an 8 x 10. It was of him, Emily and Elizabeth. He could barely remember when it was taken. He had his arm around Emily and Elizabeth was off to the side.

He looked over at her sleeping in his arms. He thanked God for this wonderful woman, and soon he to drifted off to sleep.



Jason woke with a start. He had had the same dream again. The one with Elizabeth, a baby, the lilacs & snow. He looked at the woman sleeping in his arms. Elizabeth. He loved her name. He loved to say it. It fit her. She hated it when people called her Lizzy. So did Jason. Although she did let Francis get by with doing it.

He looked at the clock & saw that it was almost 5:30 A.M. He had to leave before it was light. She was sleeping so peacefully, that he hated to wake her. But he knew if he didn’t neither one would be happy. Gently he kissed her forehead. She mumbled in her sleep. He kissed it again. She smiled, still sleeping. “Elizabeth.”

‘Humm?”

“Elizabeth, you need to wake up. I have to go, and I need to talk to you.”

She stretched her arms and looked at him.

“Morning.” She said, smiling at him.

“Morning.” He smiled back. The smiled faded and he looked serious. “I need to leave before it gets light out. “

“OK. Will you still be able to say ‘Hey’ when we see each other on the street?”

“Sure I can. We were friends before. Although if Courtney is with me I may need to just look in your eyes.”

The smile faded from her eyes, but she kept it in place on her face.

“I understand.”

Jason threw back his covers and sat up. He put his feet on the floor and found his socks & boots. He put on his socks & pulled his boots on and stood. He found his t-shirt and pulled it on over his head. Liz watched as his beautiful body disappeared under it. He walked over to her side of the bed and kneeled in front of her.

“I hate having to leave you. I would rather die than have to leave you like this.’’

“Jason, I want you to go. I want you to go & work on getting Courtney to divorce you. I know that isn’t very nice, but I want to be with you. I want you safe though. And if I have to wait forever, I will.”

Jason stared at this wonderful woman. His wonderful woman. He laid his head in her lap & hugged her. She took his head & pulled it up to look at her. “I love you.”

Slowly he stood and pulled her up beside him. Together, with arms around each other, they walked to the door. He held her in his arms one more time, and as he did he whispered in her ear. “I love you too! Always remember that, never forget.”

He took her face in his hands and kissed her. A long and passionate kiss. It reached to the depths of her soul. And she kissed him back with the same passion. Jason unlocked the door and opened it, scanning the hall for any danger. He turned to take one final look at her. He stopped and knelt again. This time he placed his hand and his face on her stomach. “I love you too. Remember to be good to your mom. I might not be able to talk to you for a while. But next time you hear my voice, remember that it’s your dad. I love you little one.”

Jason had tears in his eyes as he took one last look and one last kiss from Elizabeth. “See you later.”

“Yes, See you later.”

He waited for her to shut the door. He waited to hear her turn all the locks. With one last touch of his hand to the door, he turned and walked down the hall. Leaving his life and his soul with his one true love.


When he reached the street he wiped the tears from his eyes. He started walking towards the docks. He wanted to look at the water before he headed home. Home. He thought that was funny. His home was where Elizabeth was. Anywhere she was. The penthouse was just that. A house, not a home. Home was where the heart was. And his heart was with Elizabeth. As he looked out at the water, he could feel her watching him. He turned & looked up at her window. He knew she was there.

He needed to get back to the penthouse & get some plans in action. He started towards the penthouse.

“How many people did you take out tonight Jason?’’

Jason stopped. Rick stepped in front of him.

“No answer Jason? Can’t Sonny’s lieutenant count that high? “

“What do you want Rick?”

“Nothing, just let Sonny know that I’m keeping a close eye on him and his dirty dealings.”

Rick stepped aside & Jason walked away.

Jason nodded a greeting to the night security man as he entered the Harbor View Towers. The ride to the penthouse floor seemed to take no time at all. He unlocked his door and entered the penthouse. In the kitchen he made a pot of coffee and took his Corinthos/Morgan coffee cup and filled it. He went out to the terrace to watch the sunrise. It made him feel good to watch a new day dawn. He leaned on the railing and warmed his hands on the coffee cup. He hoped he would be able to get his plans in action. He wanted to be rid of Courtney and Sonny and the whole enforcer world. He wanted his whole world to revolve around Elizabeth and their child.


Chapter 67

When his cup was empty, he went inside. He looked at his watch. It was 7:15. He took the stairs 2 at a time. He wanted to get the day started. He walked down the hall to the guest room, which he now occupied. He opened the door and saw his bag setting on the floor. Johnny had brought it from the cabin. He quickly emptied the contents and placed the well-written notes on his dresser. He tossed the rest of his clothes in the hamper, and went into the bathroom for a hot shower.

As the hot water cascaded down his hard muscled body, he thought about the last few days. He was still in awe of the whole situation. Elizabeth was in love with him! And they were going to have a child! Jason felt ready to burst with joy! He braced his arms against the shower wall & let the hot water massage his neck. It was going to be hard to get Courtney to divorce him. But he prayed that with God’s help he would be able to make it happen.

He turned off the water and pulled a fluffy brown towel from the bar. He dried his body quickly, and went to get dressed. He pulled out blue boxers and a clean light blue t-shirt and put them on. From his bottom drawer he took out fresh blue jeans. He took his gun and tucked it in the back of his jeans and left his shirt hanging out. It was going to be a warm day and he wouldn’t be taking his leather jacket.

As he headed down the stairs he could hear music coming from the kitchen. Maria was here already. He greeted her as he walked into the kitchen. She was making him breakfast.

“Mr. Morgan, I am so happy to see you back and looking much better than last week.”

“Thank you Maria, I’m feeling much better.”

She placed a plate of food in front of him. It was overflowing with eggs, and bacon and bread. “I hope you like the eggs & bread, they are a secret family recipe.”

He took a bite of the eggs & bread. It was delicious. And he told her so.
He finished his food and refilled his coffee cup. He went back out to the terrace and looked out over the city. A glance at his watch told him he was able to make some calls.

He took out his cell and dialed GH. “Monica Quartermaine please.”

He listened to the musak as he waited for her to come on the line.

“Hello, This Is Monica Quartermaine.”

“Hi Monica, This is Jason.”

“Jason, are you OK?”

“Yes, I’m fine. “ He paused, trying to fill the void. “How are you?”

“I’m good.”

“How is grandmother?”

“She is doing fine too. She would love it if you could come over for a visit. We all would.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. She didn’t need to be scaring him off, not now that he seemed to be opening up to her.

“I’ll try to get over to see her soon.”

“Jason, is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Uh, yes. I have a friend who needs a obstetrician, could you give me the name of one of the best in the city?”

“We have a great OB here at GH, if she is having trouble getting in, I could talk to them and get her in.”

“No….Thank you, she needs to have one in the city.”

“OK…let me think. Dr. Jennings is one of the best, I know her from way back. Do you want me to set up an appointment for her?”

“No Thanks. I’ll just give her the name & number and let her set up her own appointment.”

“The number is 505-555-3681. If she has any trouble getting in, have her use my name.”

“Thanks ………mom, I appreciate it. Umm, maybe you and I could get together for lunch next week?”

“Oh Jason….I would love it. You just let me know & I’ll clear out the time.”

“OK, bye”
“Bye Jason.”


Next he called Alexis’ office and made an appointment for later in the morning, and then Benny to have him get papers ready. He was heading out the door when the phone rang.

“Morgan.” He said as he picked up the phone.

“Jason, where the hell have you been?”

“Hi Sonny.” Jason sat down in the chair & pinched the bridge of his nose while he waited.

“I’ve been trying to call your cell, has Tagliotti come back to town?”

“No, but I talked to Johnny, & it seems that he is on the move again. I’ll let you know when we know he is headed back.”

“Well I wanted to let you know that Michael & the women want to stop at Disney World on the way home, so we are on our way there now. We should be home in a couple of days.”

Jason’s stomach dropped, his world was closing in on him. Only two more days to get his business done, and Sonny & Courtney would be back suffocating him.

“Michael wanted to know if you would come down & go with us?”

“Tell Michael I’m sorry, but I have some loose ends I need to tie up here before Tagliotti returns.”

“OK, you know he is going to be disappointed don’t you?”

Jason sat there with his head resting in his hand waiting for this conversation to end so he could get out of there and work on his future.

“I’m sorry about that, but he has you & Carly to enjoy it with.”

“OK Jason, we’ll see you soon.”

“Bye Sonny.”



Jason was relieved when he could hang up the phone. Thank goodness he hadn’t had to talk to Courtney.

Jason grabbed his file folders & keys & headed for his bike. He needed a quick ride before going over to Benny’s.


Elizabeth walked the short way to the Canvas. She was excited about getting back to work. She had only been gone two days, but it seemed like forever. Forever…it would be forever before she would see Jason again. She unlocked the door to the store and stopped & looked around.
No one was following her but it sure felt like it. She missed having Francis pick her up, but he had his own life to live.

Jason’s ride was fast and quick. He needed to feel the speed to release the frustration inside him. As he was driving back into town he saw the Year-Round Christmas store. The one he had stopped at before & bought the tree for Elizabeth. He pulled his bike into the lot. As he climbed off the bike he removed his sunglasses and tucked them into the neck of his t-shirt.

The bell above the door jingled, as he opened it. Nicole & Brooklyn were stocking shelves, and nearly tripped over themselves trying to get to him first.

“Good morning sir.” Said Nicole

“Morning.” Answered Jason, not noticing the girls drooling again.

“How did your friend like the tree and ornaments?” Asked Brooklyn.

“She loved them. She still has it up and decorated.”

Jason looked around the room. “How can we help you today sir?”

“I need some flowers delivered”, he said looking at Nicole, “And I would like your help (to Brooklyn) with some more ornaments.”

Nicole asked what kind of flowers he would like. “Do you have any lilacs?”

“I’m sorry sir, but those are actually a tree.” Jason knew that someday he would plant an acre or more of lilacs; he would surround them in lilacs…someday.

Nicole showed him several options and he chose a Hibiscus tree, a delicate, tropical flower with a sturdy tree that would flower year round.

While Nicole readied the plant for delivery, Brooklyn helped him get his ornaments.

Two intertwined hearts
A little log cabin
An old time record player
A baby in a cradle
A mother rocking her baby in a rocking chair.

He got 2 each of the baby ones. The second set he would keep for himself.

He paid the girls as they wrapped up the ornaments. He took his with him and was having the others delivered. Again they drooled as he left the store, their heads in their hands as the fantasized about him. Each prayed he would return again!

Jason put his package in the saddlebag on his bike before sitting on it and donning his sunglasses. The bike roared to life and he set out for Benny’s.

After stopping and gathering the papers he needed from Benny, he drove over to see Alexis. Her secretary showed him in and stood there staring at him.

“Jason would you like coffee?” Alexis asked.

“Yes, please.”

“Sharon would you bring us each some coffee please?”

Sharon stood there staring and smiling at Jason.

“Sharon? Sharon!”

She snapped out of her trance at the loudness of her voice. “Yes Ms. Davis?”

“Coffee? Please. For Mr. Morgan & myself.”

“Yes Ms. Davis.” She still stood there gazing at him.

“Sharon!” She looked at Alexis. “Yes maam, coffee, right away.” She said backing out of the room and shutting the door.

“Good grief Jason, couldn’t you wear your ugly face when you come in to my office?”

“Sorry.”

“Now, what can I do for you today? I do have those other papers ready to go anytime you say so.”

“I …” They were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Sharon bringing their coffee. “Here you are Mr. Morgan. Did you need cream or sugar?”

“No thank you, black is fine. “

Sharon left the room still staring at him.

“Sure you get coffee, and she will be in lala land the rest of the day!”

Jason looked truly sorry.

“Anyway, you were saying?”

“I’m glad you are ready to go with the papers, but I do have other things on my list. I want you to draw up annulment papers to have ready at any given instant, and I want you to rewrite my will.”

“Annulment papers? For you & Courtney? Will Sonny go for that?”

“I don’t care what Sonny goes for. Just have them ready for me; I’ll be talking to father Coates about it soon. It may be awhile, but I still want them ready to go. “

Jason stood and walked to look out the window. He stuck his hands in his back pockets. He turned and looked at her.

“Everything that we say in this room, stays in this room, right?”

“Absolutely, I have client confidentiality, and I’d rather go to jail than spill any client information.”

“I want you to change my will, that if anything should happen to me after I leave the organization, I want Sonny to be investigated for my murder.

Alexis ‘ mouth dropped open and she sat there in stunned silence.

And, I want the beneficiary changed.”

Alexis shut her mouth and started making notes. She wasn’t looking at Jason. When he stopped talking she was still writing. Without looking up she asked him who to change it to. He paused. “Elizabeth Webber.”

Alexis stopped writing and stared at him. “Elizabeth? Kelly’s diner Elizabeth?”

“Yes, but she doesn’t work at Kelly’s anymore. She has her own business. An Art studio.” As he said this heart soared with pride.


Alexis got back into her professional mode and started writing.

“So change the beneficiary to Elizabeth Webber.”

“And her child.”

Again Alexis whipped her head up to look at him.

“Her..her child? She has a child?”

“She is pregnant right now… with my child.” Jason stared right through her eyes. Daring her to question him or badmouth Elizabeth.

“Well Jason, you have shocked me to say the least. I knew that you were friends with her, but I never expected this.”

“Alexis I don’t have to explain myself, but I do want you to know that I do love her, and intend to marry her one day when I am free of Sonny and free of Courtney.”

They were silent for what seemed like ages, before Alexis spoke.

“Jason I’ll take care of all the paperwork, and you can trust me to do it right and with discretion.”

“Thank you Alexis, I knew I could trust you. I have all of the information you will need right here. Let me know when your done & I’ll need copies for Benny and for myself.” He walked back over to the desk as Alexis stood. They shook hands and Jason let himself out.



Alexis sat down and rested her head in her hands. She sat there for quite a long time shaking her head and muttering, “I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it!”

Jason looked at his watch as he walked out of the building and into the warm midday sun. He scanned the area as usual looking for any signs of trouble. He pulled out his cell and dialed. “Meet me in fifteen at the penthouse and pick them up on the way.”

He closed his phone and tucked it into his front pocket. He started his bike and took off back to his place.

The guys were already waiting in the parking area when he pulled in. Together they rode up the elevator laughing as Johnny recalled his night at Jakes.

Inside the penthouse they gathered in the living room to make their plans for the upcoming months. Maria made them sandwiches and coffee as the meeting went on. At 3:00 they finished, hoping that they hadn’t forgotten any details. Francis and Max left each having duties to attend to. Jason had asked Johnny to stay and help him with a project on his computer.

Half an hour later Jason had the project underway, but needed material to do it. He was heading to his favorite bookstore when he realized maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. Too many people knew him there. He turned his bike around and headed for the P.C. mall. They had a Barnes & Nobel bookstore there. Ten minutes later he parked his bike in the lot and went in search of the store.

He purchased a black coffee and started his search. When he found the aisle he was looking for he couldn’t believe all the books on that topic. He read the titles and selected several. He found a quiet secluded spot and began browsing through them. He made his selections of books.

‘What To Expect, When You’re Expecting’
‘Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn’
‘The Mother Of All Pregnancy Books’
‘Your Pregnancy Week By Week’

He went back to the aisle and got 2 copies of each of those and a record book of pregnancy, for Elizabeth to record things in, and a fitness and pregnancy book, and an expectant father book for himself. He wanted to know what to she would be experiencing too.
Next he found the travel aisle, he looked at the titles and most of them he already had at home. He wandered around until he found a travel fact book. That was exactly what he wanted. He stopped at the bargain book area too. He found the books needed there too.

He made his purchases there and wandered back out into the mall. He found the music store and luckily they had a CD with the music they had danced to at the cabin. He purchased 1 for each of them and asked the clerk where the gift-wrapping kiosk was. With directions in his head Jason found the kiosk and had the books and CD for Elizabeth wrapped up in pink paper. Feeling unusually happy he headed home. He had a lot of work to do.

Elizabeth was helping a customer select brushes when the bell rang, signaling a customer. The same deliveryman that had brought her tree had entered carrying a huge hibiscus tree. She excused herself from the customer and greeted him.

“Hello.”

“Hi, are you Elizabeth Webber?”

“Yes I am.”

“Then this is for you. Where would you like me to put it?”

“Over there please.” She pointed to the floor near the counter. Carefully he put it down.

“I have another package in the truck for you.”

She admired the flowers as she waited for him to return. He was quick and handed her a green box tied with a white ribbon. “Thank you Miss Webber.” He said as she signed for it.

“Thank You.” She smiled brightly at him. She looked for a card on the tree and the box, but found none.

She set the box on the counter and went to finish with the customer. When the customer had made her purchases and left, Elizabeth took the box and went into her office. She started to open it, but remembered Jason’s constant reminder. ‘Listen first! Just as she was about to do that, the bell jingled again and she left it to go & greet her customer.


Only it wasn’t a customer it was Francis. “Hi Liz!” Francis said smiling.
She smiled a huge smile back at him and came over and gave him a giant bear hug. “Wow! What was that for?”

“I’ve missed you.”

“Missed me? This is the only day I haven’t been around you in a long time, I thought that you would enjoy the peace & quiet.”

“I do enjoy being by myself, but I enjoy your company too!”

Francis leaned on the counter. “So what’s up for tonight?”

“I have an adult art class. I’m so excited!”

“How about if I bring you dinner at 6:00, we can eat together before your class starts?”

“That would be fun.”

“What would you like to eat? Chinese, subs?”

“Whatever you choose would be great. Come with me to my office & we’ll talk about it. I just got this beautiful tree and a package, & I’m dying to find out who sent it.”

Francis stopped her before she could open her office door. “Wait. You don’t know who it is from?”

“No Mr. Safety Patrol, but I was just about to listen to the package before I opened it.”

Francis opened the door & went in first; he cautiously picked up the package & listened to it. He shook it just a little bit. He set it back on the desk & untied the ribbon. Slowly he removed the top of the box & lifted out the tissue paper. He set the paper on the desk. Nothing remained in the box. Gently he opened the paper. Ornaments!

“Francis, what is it?”

“A bunch of ornaments.”

Liz pushed him aside to see them. “Ooohhh! Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Who would send you ornaments in May?”

Elizabeth was looking at them one at a time. Admiring their beauty. She stopped and looked at him as if he was from another planet. “Why Jason of course!”

Francis rolled his eyes & smacked his head. “Jason, of course, why didn’t I think of that.”

“You don’t have to be sarcastic, Mr. Smarty Pants! Look at them aren’t they beautiful?”

Francis looked. “Here is a little cabin, just like the one you two goons stranded us in.”

“I thought you loved us goons for stranding you two there together?”

“I do! And here is an old phonograph; we danced to music one night. And hearts! Well you can figure that one out. Oh Frannie look at the baby ones. Aren’t they precious!”

Francis looked at Liz; she was about to start crying. Yes she certainly brought out another side to Jason Morgan.

He grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and gave it to her. “Before I forget, I have this name & number from Jason.” He took out a piece of paper from his suit coat pocket. “He wants you to call right away and get an appointment ASAP. He said try to get on within a week, and if you have any trouble getting in to use Dr. Quartermaines name. She went to school with this Dr.”

“Jason called his mother?’’

“I guess so. Why?”

“He never calls his mother. Just Lila and Emily.”

“Liz, honey, haven’t you figured out, Jason will do anything for you and I mean ANYTHING!”

Liz started to cry again. “He really loves me doesn’t he?”

“Yes, he does.” He hugged her and she wiped away her tears. “Sorry Frannie, it must be the hormones.”
“Please, let’s not talk woman talk, I don’t want to hear about hormones.”

Liz laughed at him, and he promised to return with dinner later. She looked at the ornaments again. She could hardly wait to get home & put them on their tree.

Jason entered the penthouse with his arms full of his purchases. He grabbed a box cutter, scissors and some rubber cement, and headed upstairs. In his room he laid out all the books. He sized up the bargain books with the pregnancy books. He removed the front covers of the pregnancy books and measured the width. He took his knife and cut through the center area of the bargain book to fit the pregnancy book inside. When it was properly aligned and the fit was good he removed it and put rubber cement on the binding area of the pregnancy book and inserted it into the other. This way he could read his books about pregnancy and no one would ever know that he wasn’t reading about Antarctica. He did this with al of the remaining books.

He piled them up and placed them on his nightstand. He took all of the scraps and covers and placed them in the bookstore bag. He gathered his supplies and the one remaining book and went back downstairs to start his other project.

Maria had his dinner ready in the kitchen and was gathering her things to leave. After she left, he ate her delicious dinner and went to start his project.

Francis showed up at exactly 6:00. He had brought them subs, chips and iced tea. When her students started to arrive, Liz and one of her employees welcomed them and gave each a nametag and sent them to the classroom. When it was time for the class to start, Liz did roll call.

She stumbled on one name. “Francis?”

“Here.” He smiled at her. She walked over to him and whispered. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m taking a painting class. I’ve always wanted to learn. Please don’t make me go. I’m not here spying on you.” He had his fingers crossed when he said the last part.

“You really want to do this? I could have given you private lessons.”

“No I want to do this, now get on with the class, please.”

Liz started the class and before she knew it the time was up and class was over. The class had been a great learning experience for all.


At 9:30 Jason looked at his watch. He stretched and decided he should quit for the night. He rose from his chair and walked out to the patio. He breathed in the night air. The sun had just set and the sky was full with color. He left the patio and grabbed his jacket on his way out the door. He walked out the front doors of Harborview towers and headed for the docks.

There were quite a number of people milling around on the docks tonight. Jason was waiting for a couple to leave ‘their’ bench. He wanted to sit on it and ‘feel’ Elizabeth. Finally they left after being stared at long enough. Jason sat down and thought about Liz.

He felt her before her heard her laughter floating down the docks. He turned to find her in the crowd. She was holding on to Francis’ arm as they walked down the stairs. He knew they would be together. It was part of the plan to keep her safe and under watch without her knowing.

He watched as they walked over to the rail and looked out at the sky. They stood there for 5 minutes, before heading over to her studio.

Elizabeth looked out her window. She had hurried Francis out after he dropped her off. She turned out the lights and looked out to the docks. She knew he had been out there. She had felt him there. She could feel his eyes on her. But now he was gone. She readied herself for bed. It had been a long and exhausting day. She climbed into her bed and stared at the ceiling. She could still smell Jason her in her bed.

The phone rang and she ran to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi.”

“Hi.” She said smiling into the phone.

“What are you doing, are you sleeping?”

“No, I was thinking about you.”

“What if you opened the door?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m standing on the other side of it.”

Liz ran to the door and asked, ”Who is it?”

Jason laughed on the other side. He shook his head at her trying to be funny. “It’s me, Jason.”

“Jason who?”

He leaned his head on the steel door and answered softly, “Jason, the man who loves you and would do anything for you. Jason, the man who can’t get enough of you. Jason, the man whose child you are carrying.”

Liz opened the door and ran into his arms. He moved her inside and shut the door with his foot. He set his packages on the table and wrapped his arms around her. They stared into each other’s eyes and drank in each other’s beauty. He pulled her close and threaded his fingers through her long hair. He couldn’t wait to kiss her. It had been far too long. It had been since early this morning. Her lips burned with the passionate kiss he put there. Her kissed her long and hard. He traced the outline of her lips with his tongue. Her lips parted and the entrance to her mouth was granted. He tasted her, and that was all he needed.

He pulled back from her mouth and looked at her and smiled. She smiled back at him. “I brought you presents.”

“Jason why? All I needed was you.”

“I’m sure you can use this.” He held up a brown paper sack. She took it and looked inside. She took out 3 containers. They were cold. She looked at him. “Ice Cream?”

“Yes. I got all your favorites.”

“Will you join me?”

“Sure.”

She went to the kitchen and got 2 spoons. They sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, in the dark with the moonlight spilling in and the cool breeze blowing over them. Liz lit some candles & placed them on the coffee table in front of them. Before they started to eat Jason gave her the other bag. She lifted out a pink wrapped package. It was heavy. She ripped through the paper like a child at Christmas.

“Pregnancy books?”

“So you can know what is going on throughout the pregnancy. I got the same for me so I would know what you are going through. She saw the CD next. “Jason! Our songs!” She hugged him tight. “Thank you! She let go and looked at him. She smiled. “I almost forgot, thank you for the plant and for the precious ornaments. Jason their beautiful.”

“I wanted to send you flowers, but you always say you hate to see them die. I really wanted to send you lilacs, but I found out today it’s really a tree. Someday Elizabeth, I’m going to plant you a field of lilacs. I bought myself the same 2 baby ornaments. I just couldn’t leave them there. I needed to have them. They remind me of you, and the baby.”

Liz took her hand and ran it down the side of his face. He was so loving and tender. This baby was going to be so spoiled with Jason as his or her dad. “Will you help me put them on our tree?”

“Sure.”

Liz went to her bedroom and got the box. She came back to the couch & reached for Jason’s hand. He took her hand and stood up. Together they walked to the tree, and together they hung the ornaments. His hand over hers. It reminded them of the time he gave her the piece of red glass. They held it up in the light, in this same window.

When they were done he wrapped his arms around her and they stood back and looked at the tree. He could smell her hair and skin. She smelled like lilacs, snow and turpentine. He told her so. She laughed and punched him playfully in the arm. He kissed her quick on the mouth and said, “Elizabeth?”

“Yes Jason?”

“We better eat that ice cream before it melts.”

They sat together in comfortable silence sharing the different flavors. Whenever she would offer him a taste of hers her would kiss her lips and tell her the flavor. She told him about Francis signing up for the art class and about her day. Still he was very quiet. Liz stopped eating and placed her container on the table.

“Jason…..(he looked at her while she spoke. He was just about to take a bite of ice cream when she asked)……Why did you come here tonight?”

He dropped the spoon full of ice cream back in the container. He couldn’t look at her. He stared at a spot on the wall as he spoke. “Sonny called today. They’ll be home in 2 days. My whole world is closing in on me & I needed to be with you. I needed to see you and to kiss you.”

Jason stood and walked to the side of the window. He stared out for a long time before speaking.

“All my life, I needed no one. I don’t know if Jason Q ever needed anyone, but as long as I have been Jason Morgan, I never needed anyone. But that night at Jakes, the one where you said I rescued you? That night changed my life forever. After that night, I felt I needed something. I wasn’t sure what, and I couldn’t figure it out…until I saw you again, and I knew then that what I needed was you. I kept going away thinking I could leave you here, to your own life, but when I would be gone, I would still feel the need for you. Even after you left me at the penthouse, I still needed you. And when you didn’t want me back, I let myself need Courtney. But it wasn’t the same……I needed you.”


She looked at him even though he couldn’t look at her.


“No Jason.” She said as she stood and walked up behind him. “We need each other. I need you to survive. The only thing that keeps me going is that I know that you and I will be together someday. We will be a family.”

He turned and looked at her. Tears forming wet trails on his cheeks.

“Come on, I’m tired and I need you to hold me in order to get to sleep.”

She pulled on his arm but he didn’t move. “Jason? I think you need me too.” And with that said he followed her into the bedroom, intent on loving her and filling their need for each other.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 68

Jason awoke at 5:00 a.m. He was amazed that he had been able to sleep at all. As soon as his head hit the pillow and he had his arms around Elizabeth he had fallen asleep. He wondered if he would ever be able to sleep again without her in his arms. He needed to go. He knew it would soon be light and he couldn’t take the chance of seeing anyone. Gently he kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. He pulled on his T-shirt and picked up his boots, and tiptoed to the living area. He found a notepad and scribbled a quick note for Elizabeth.

‘Elizabeth, my love. I had to leave and didn’t want to wake you. I will call you later. Promise. Love, Jason.’

He set it on the table by her purse & keys, where he knew she would see it. Quietly he unlocked the door and nodded to Max who had been guarding the door. He slipped out the front door and walked over to the docks. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and reached behind his back and pulled out his gun. Rick stepped out of the shadows.

“So Jason, we meet again. You don’t keep bankers hours do you. Tell me Jason, what does Sonny have over your head to keep you killing for him for so many years?”

Jason slowly put his gun away. The stone faced Borg stared at Rick.

“Cat got your tongue Jason?”

“What do you want Lansing?”

“I want to take Sonny down, and I want you to help me do it.”

“Go to he** Rick.”

Jason started to walk away. Rick stepped in front of him.

“Come on Jason, there has to be something you want, something I could give you to help get rid of Sonny?”

Jason stood there silently.

“How about Elizabeth? I know you wanted her once. Maybe I could get her for you on the side. Courtney & your hit man would never have to know.”

Still Jason was quiet.

“You know she is quite the firecracker in bed. I used to have her whenever I wanted. I first thought that she was just using me to get at you, but then I realized she just wanted sex, from whoever would give it to her.”

Jason lunged out at Rick and caught him by the throat. He slammed him into the side of the warehouse. Jason put the death grip on his throat.

“Don’t you ever talk about Elizabeth that way again! Do you hear me you sick bastard! Elizabeth’s never been that way. You took advantage of her when she needed a friend, and then you tried to kill her to get her out of the way. I should have taken you out a long time ago.”

Jason heard voices coming their way and released his hold on him.

“Leave Elizabeth alone or next time I won’t take the time to talk to you, I’ll just have you taken care of.”

Jason walked off towards the penthouse. As soon as he entered he called Francis.

“Get a tail on Lansing. Make sure he keeps away from Elizabeth. If he doesn’t, take care of him.”

Jason grabbed his gym bag from the closet & took off. He needed to punch something right now. He wanted it to be Lansing’s face, but he was going to have to settle for a punching bag at the gym.



Elizabeth woke to the sound of her ringing alarm clock. She ran her hand on the bed next to her. It was empty. She knew that it would be. It was just wishful thinking that Jason would still be there.

She readied herself for work with a shower and makeup. She dressed in khaki Capri pants, an aqua blue summer sweater set and her necklace with the Italian red glass, the glass that Jason had given her that valentines day so long ago. As she went to find her purse & keys, she found Jason’s note. She read it several times and then stuck it in her purse as she went out the door.

The first thing she did after opening the store was to call the Dr. whose name & number Jason had given her. They asked lots of questions. They told her that it would be more than a month before they could get her in. She asked if there was any way it would be possible to get in sooner she was told no. Liz knew she needed to get in soon, so she mentioned that she was a friend of Dr. Monica Quartermaines. With that done they did have a cancellation on Monday morning if she could make it then.
“Monday morning at 10:00 is great, thank you very much.”

Liz smiled. Sometimes it was good to have friends in high places.

The morning went fast as she noted looking at her watch when the phone rang at 10:45.

“Thank you for calling The Canvas, this is Elizabeth.”

“Hi.”

“Hi.” She said smiling into the phone.

“Can you get away for lunch?”

“Not really, it’s been fairly busy this morning.”

“Could you get away if you had someone to take your place?”

“Yes, but I would have to make some calls first. When did you want me to get away?”

“Now.”

“Now? Jason I can’t possibly find someone that quick.”

“Don’t worry, I already found someone.”

“You did? Who?”

The words were barley out of her mouth when the front door jingled and in walked Francis.

“He should be there now.” Jason said.

“He just walked in.”

“Meet me out back. I’m waiting with the Navigator.”

“I’ll be right there.”

She hung up the phone and looked at Francis.


“Are you sure about doing this?”

“I know how to run the store, I may not be able to answer the technical questions, but that is what Mary is here for right?”

“Right. Thanks Frannie!” She kissed him on the cheek, and headed to her office to grab her purse.

When she opened the back door she saw Jason’s Navigator waiting at the bottom of the steps. Quickly she ran down & got in the open door. As soon as she shut it, Jason’s lips were on hers. His fingers ran quickly through her hair as he pulled her closer. He stopped and rested his forehead on hers. Then her looked in her eyes. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.”

Jason scanned the area and put the truck in gear.

As they pulled away neither one of them noticed the shadow lurking in the darkened doorway. The shadow that wrote down the license plate number of the black Lincoln navigator. When the truck was gone the shadow stepped out in to the alley. Rick Lansing tucked the plate number into his coat pocket. He would run the plate later.


“So, what do you have planned for us?”

Jason looked at her and then his in rearview mirror. “Just wait, you’ll see.”

They rode in silence for a few minutes before Jason broke it.

“Elizabeth, I ran into Rick outside your studio again this morning.”

“Again?”

“I had Francis put a tail on him. But I think you should go to the PCPD today and tell them he is stalking you and get a restraining order. Then if he bothers you it’s already on file and the police will take care of him.”

“Do you think he would actually hurt me Jason?”

“He did it before when he poisoned you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know why, but it’s better to not take any chances. And when you do file those reports, make sure you get a copy of everything, the PCPD has a way of ‘losing’ things.”

He looked at her; she had a worried look on her face.

“Do you want Francis back? I know he’d be more than happy to guard you.”

“No, I’m fine. Really.”

Jason pulled into a car dealership. A big closed sign was in the window.
He pulled around to the back where the garage doors were. He stopped the truck.

“Jason, the sign said that they were closed.”

Jason looked at her and smiled. He honked his horn 2 times and the garage doors opened. Jason pulled inside and parked in an empty repair bay.

Jason got out and went around and opened her door. Liz looked at him quizzically. A middle-aged man came over and shook Jason’s hand.

“Good morning Mr. Morgan.”

“Good morning Sal.”

“Jason what are we doing here?” Liz whispered to him.

“I’m buying you a vehicle.”

“Oh no your not!”

“Please don’t argue with me.” He pleaded.

Jason helped Elizabeth out of the Navigator.


“Sal this is E..”

“Emily, I’m Jason sister Emily.” Jason looked at her, surprised by her response.

“How do you do Miss Emily.”

“Fine thank you.”

“El….Emily this is Sal. The owner of this dealership.”

“Well Miss Morgan …”

“Quartermaine…Emily Quartermaine, but you can call me Emily.”

“OK Miss Emily, which vehicle would you like to try out first?”

“Sal could you give Jason and I a minute to ourselves, this is quite the surprise, and I think we need to have a discussion first.”

“Certainly, I’ll go in my office and when you’re ready just call me.”

“Thank you Sal.”

Liz waited until he was gone before turning to Jason.

“You can’t buy me a car, I don’t need a car.”

“Yes I can, and yes you do. Especially if you are not going to have Francis. It’s not safe to walk home after dark from your store. And in the winter when there is ice and snow.”

Liz stood there with her arms crossed against her chest. Jason did the same. “And after you have the baby, you won’t be able to ride the bus with a baby, a stroller, a diaper bag and then try to take home a bag of groceries and diapers.”

Jason looked at Liz, his eyes pleaded with her to understand. Liz chewed on her Monaco red lipstick that was on her lower lip. She knew he was right. He was always right. He always thought everything through so thorough. But that was Jason. Liz remembered some of the times he shouldn’t have thought things through so much. Maybe he would have kissed her sooner or made love to her a long time ago.

“Elizabeth? Elizabeth?”

“Humm?”

“Are you listening to me, you seemed to have wandered off with your thoughts.”

“I did.” she said slyly with a smile. “And you came with me.”

Jason smiled questioningly at her. “Ok then, we are buying you a vehicle.”

“But Jason new cars are all so expensive, couldn’t we get a small used car?”

“These are safer Elizabeth. You know that money doesn’t matter to me. The only thing that matters is the safety my loved ones, my family. You and the baby are MY family; please let me do this for you. For us.”

She wanted to give in and make him happy. So she did. “Alright Jason, just this one time.”

He picked her up & twirled her around. He remembered where he was and set her down. “Sal?” Jason yelled.

“Yes sir Mr. Morgan, are we ready?”

“Yes we are.”

Sal took them around the garage. They had several vans, lots of SUV’s and a sedan. Jason hoped she wouldn’t choose a sedan. They others were safer, but he wanted her to make the choice.

Liz sat in each one and looked around the interior, while the men talked speed, safety, ground clearance, and all the men things. Jason had chosen each of these for their safety, and was giving Liz the chance to find one she liked that was comfortable to drive.

After she narrowed it down to 4, they all went out for a test drive. Liz drove, Sal sat shotgun and Jason sat in the darkened back seat. They drove out to the edge of town and then Jason took the wheel. He put each through a series of driving tests. Each one that Liz had liked was a good choice.

Back in the garage, the choice was hers. She couldn’t decide between the Tahoe, the Durango, or the Yukon. They were all safe and Jason could have anything done to all of them to make them safer. Sal went to his office and brought out the safety reviews and details on each car. He and Jason huddled at the table looking at each one. Jason made his decision based on that.

Liz joined them. “OK, I think the Durango is the choice. Is that OK with you?”

“Sure Jason.”

“It has the fastest engine, the best crash reviews, front and side airbags, and we’ll get it with ONSTAR, in case you get lost on the way to the mall-EMILY.” Liz rolled her eyes, crossed her arms against her chest, and huffed at him. Jason looked at Sal. “She tends to get overexcited at the thought of going shopping and forgets where she is going.” It was true Jason thought, the REAL Emily did do that. But not his Elizabeth.

Jason went to Liz’s side. “I’m sorry. Now…what color do you want?”

Liz looked at him, deciding to get back at him. “I really love the new color School Bus Yellow, Can I have that color?”

Liz watched as he controlled himself. He hated that color, and she knew it. Also, it wasn’t the best color to have if you wanted to go unnoticed.

“Are you sure that is that color that you want? The black is very nice, or the silver, you love silver.”

Liz grinned at him and she knew that she had gotten him. He looked at her and figured out what she had done to him. He smiled back. “OK now really, what color do you want?”

“What color do you want me to have?”

“You can choose what you want, but I’ll suggest, silver, gray, black, gold, white and I’d even let you chose red if you wanted to.”

Liz looked at all the colors. She wandered down the rows to look at each one up close. Sal and Jason took care of some business while she did that.

“Sal, she’ll take the Durango, in which ever color she wants. Make sure you get the extra roll bars installed, the bulletproof doors and windows, tint all the windows and activate the ONSTAR. Put my name on the notify list for that, and here are 2 other numbers as backups.”

He handed Sal 3 cards, his, Francis and Johnny’s.

“Remember this is between us only, just like always.”
“ Of course Mr. Morgan. When do you want to have it ready?”

“Yesterday Sal.” He turned and looked at him. “No, whenever you can get it done safely. Remember the safety of my family relies on you.” He shook Sal’s hand to seal the deal.

‘As does the safety on mine too.’ Thought Sal, he knew what Mr. Morgan did for a job. But Mr. Corinthos and Mr. Morgan were his best customers.

“Sal, I also want to buy a Yukon XL for my associate- Mr. Francis Correlli. Have all the safety features installed in his too, give him the metallic gray. I need his ready by Sunday. Emily’s can be done after that.”

Liz walked up to the men. “OK I’ve made my decision, either the silver or the metallic wine.”

“Which one?”

“That final decision is yours Jason.”

He wanted her to get the silver one because it would blend in more with the other vehicles. And because it reminded him of the silver necklace she used to ALWAYS wear. BUT, the metallic wine reminded him of color, and Liz was definitely color. She was an artist, and her lips were always a luscious red color, even when she chewed off all of her lipstick. Her nails were usually done in some shade of red too. And the necklace that she had been wearing for awhile now was made from the red glass he had brought her back from Italy. He smiled at his thoughts.

“Metallic wine is it Sal.”

Liz hugged Jason. “Thank you Jason, this is the second best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

Sal excused himself to get some papers for Jason.

“What is the first best gift you’ve ever gotten? The tree, or my T-shirt?” He asked kiddingly. Liz answered, “No, the best gift I ever got was YOU!”

She turned to see if Sal was looking, he wasn’t so she kissed Jason quickly on his lips and then his cheek and smiled brightly at him.

“Thank you Jason.”

“For what?”

“For loving me and the baby, and for taking such good care of us.”

“Don’t thank me for doing that, just thank God that we finally found each other.”


Chapter 69


Jason stopped at a take out eatery and bought a salad and juice for Elizabeth and a sandwich for himself, while Liz waited in the Navigator. When he returned with the food he drove to the outskirts of town to a secluded spot. Liz dug in to her salad.

"You’re hungry today." Jason noted.

"I’m always hungry lately. I think your child is going to be a linebacker."

Jason laughed at that.

"I love to hear you laugh Jason, you don’t do it nearly enough."

He looked at her, drinking in the sight of her. She looked beautiful today. She looked beautiful everyday. But her eyes seemed to sparkle even more lately, and the pregnancy made her glow.

"Jason, what are you looking at? Do I have food on my face?"

"No, I was just looking at you and thinking how beautiful you are."

He leaned over and kissed her. But one kiss wasn’t enough. He pulled her closer and kissed her again. Her lips tasted of the salad dressing, and lipstick. He held the back of her head with his hand while his other hand caressed her face.

His lips traced the outline of hers, seeking entrance to her mouth. She granted it to him and their tongues dueled. He tasted of ham and cheese and …Jason. He smelled like leather and…Jason.

He was thinking about pulling her down and making love to her right then and there when…his cell phone rang.

It took all he had to let go of Elizabeth and answer it. Liz fixed her hair as she heard Jason say, "Morgan."

She checked her makeup in the mirror and put the lid back on her salad.

"OK, call me when you reach your destination."

Jason looked at her, "Sorry about that."

"Jason the next time that happens and you are kissing me or about to kiss me, I’m going to take that damn phone and throw it as far as I can." She said with a huff.







"Is that a promise?" Jason said with a smile on his face.

Elizabeth sat there with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Yes!" She said, her face trying to hold back a smile, but not being able to do it.

"I suppose this means I need to get you back to work?"

"I suppose."

Jason started the truck and headed back to The Canvas. The drive was quiet. Jason held Liz’s hand and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. Liz finally broke the silence.

"Jason, Thank you for the Durango. It’s really too much though."

"No, it’s not too much. It’s not enough. You are going through the pregnancy, and everything from morning sickness to changes in your body and everything. I can’t be with you every step of the way. The least I can do is to make things easier for you."

She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. Jason looked at her, then back at the road. "I’m going to have Francis give you defensive driving lessons just in case you should ever need them. And…I’m taking care of all the licenses and taxes and insurance." He looked at her again. "No arguments!"

"But Jas.."

He interrupted her. "No arguments." He smiled.

They pulled in the alley, and stopped behind the Canvas. "Remember to have Francis take you to the PCPD when you’re done with work today."

"I will, I promise." She kissed him quick on his lips, and wished she could kiss him forever. "See you later."

"Yeah, see you later." Hoping that indeed he would.

Liz relieved Francis, and Mary. Francis hung around waiting to talk to her alone.

"Jason said Sick Rick has been hanging around your place at night. He wants me to take you to get a restraining order and file a stalking report."





"I know, he told me to have you do it. You don’t mind taking me do you?"

"Of course not. What I’d really like to do is take that Son…jerk on a little fishing trip. I’d like to see if he could swim."

Liz looked at him.

"Sorry Liz, I know you married the jerk, but…."

"I know Francis. He hid his evil side well. He knew what I needed and gave it to me. I needed someone to love me and listen to me and to not lie to me. He moved in on me when I was at the lowest point in my life. I couldn’t have Jason and he did everything to make me fall in love with him, but it was all a part of his sick plan to take down Sonny & Jason."

"So, I’ll pick you up later and we’ll take care of business and I’ll take you out for dinner when we’re done. OK?"

"OK. Thanks Frannie. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I love you." She gave him a hug and his face flushed a bright red.

He loved her too. She was the little sister her never had. His real big sister had always been able to take him. And took him she did. But she also was always there for him too.

Francis left the store and as he did he took out his cell and dialed. " Yeah, it’s Francis. Are you still on Lansing’s tail? He was where? Why didn’t you call me? Well sorry doesn’t cut it. We don’t take chances with Miss Webber life. You stay with him until I get a replacement." Francis hung up his phone and grumbled as he headed to his car. He dialed again as he got in and made changes for a tail on Lansing. Jason wasn’t going to like this, nope not one bit. He pulled out into traffic and headed for Jason’s.

After dropping Liz off at work, Jason went back to the penthouse. He continued on with his computer project. He was interrupted by a knock on the door. Francis entered. He told him that the tail on Lansing wasn’t working out and he was going to change it. He also told him that the tail had followed him into the alley behind The Canvas. And that Rick had seen Liz leave in the Navigator.

Francis suggested a new guard and Jason ok’d it. When he left, Jason called Emily and asked her to meet him at Kelly’s for dinner. They set a time and Jason picked up on his project where he had left off.



The afternoon’s business was brisk and Francis was back before she knew it. They closed the store and Francis drove her to the PCPD and told her to ask for Detective Capelli. She did and was told to wait on the bench for him. He came out shortly and took her back to his desk. Francis waited out front for her.

"So Miss Webber, what can I do for you today?"

"I want to file a restraining order and a stalking charge against my ex-husband Rick Lansing. He’s been outside my studio the last 2 nights that I know of and he’s been following me around town and coming by my place. I’ve asked him to stay away from me and leave me alone."

"Well Miss Webber, that is an awfully big charge against the assistant DA. Are you sure that you really want to do it?"

"Yes. I’m afraid of what he might do. We didn’t part on the best of terms, and he still wants to get back together."

"OK, then we’ll file the papers." He reached for some forms in his desk.

"Oh, and I would like to have copies of both the charge and restraining order. Just to have on hand, should I ever need it." She smiled sweetly at him.

He made quick work of the forms and she signed them where he told her to. "Miss Webber, we won’t be able to serve him with these papers until tomorrow, but you might want to have someone else around you for the next couple of days, just in case he gets mad and decides to come and talk to you."

She nodded and stood. "Thank you Detective Capelli, thank you for doing this so quickly." She shook his hand. "You’re welcome, Miss Webber."

She took her copies and folded them and stuck them in her purse. Francis was waiting for her outside. "How’d it go?" He asked.

"Just fine. Everything is all taken care of."

They walked towards the docks and Francis suggested Kelly’s for dinner. As they approached the courtyard of Kelly’s they heard a squeal and Liz looked up to see Emily running towards her. Emily and Liz hugged each other.

"I haven’t seen you for a week. Where have you been hiding?" Emily asked.



"I haven’t been hiding anywhere, just busy." She saw a movement over Emily’s shoulder and looked up to see Jason leaning against the archway to Kelly’s. She smiled. "Hi Jason, How are you?"

"I’m fine. How have you been?"

"Good."

"Jason and I were just about to have dinner at Kelly’s, will you and Francis join us?"


Liz looked at Francis and he nodded and smiled sneakily at her.

"We’d love too." Emily and Liz walked off arm in arm towards Kelly’s. The two guys’s smiled and hit knuckles as they walked behind the women.



The girls chose an outside table because it was such a nice evening. The men sat the women across from each other so that each man could have a view of the entrances to Kelly’s. The tables all had a flower in a vase and a tablecloth. Jason liked the tablecloth and was able to inch it slowly until it rested on his leg. He reached over under the tablecloth and found Liz’s leg. He tapped it and she reached out for his hand. Their hands embraced under the cover of the tablecloth.

Emily had been talking nonstop since they sat down. (Note: This is the real-Amber Tamlyn- Emily.) The waitress came out and took their order. Emily asked about the store and went on and on about how wonderful the party had been there the other night.

Their food arrived and Jason had to let go of Elizabeth’s hand to eat. As soon as they had finished he had her hand in his again. Emily was still talking but stopped long enough to answer her phone when it rang. She excused herself to leave and take her call.

"Did you get everything taken care of at the police station?"

"Yes. I have the copies in my purse."

Francis left to go inside and pay the bill. Liz and Jason were talking quietly when suddenly Jason’s eyes clouded over and his enforcer face slid into place. Liz looked in the direction of his stare. Rick was standing by their table.





"So Lizzy, are you slumming tonight? You do remember he is married. And to Sonny’s sister. I thought you were doing the bodyguard. Is it fun sleeping with both of them? A little threesome? Maybe we could make it a foursome?"

Jason stood up and his chair fell to the ground. Francis had come out just in time to hear Rick. Francis came over & punched Rick right in the nose. Rick fell back and crashed onto a chair, breaking it in the process.

"I told you before you little sh**. Leave Elizabeth ALONE! I don’t ever want to hear you speak to her that way again, or better yet, I don’t ever want you to talk to her again.

Francis grabbed Liz’s hand. "Come on Liz, let’s get you home."

"Night Jason, tell Emily goodbye."

Emily returned just in time to see Francis pulling Liz along, and Rick was still lying there on the ground, with his nose bleeding.

"Jason, what happened?"


"Let’s get out of here." Jason grabbed her arm and guided her down to the docks.

They walked down towards the warehouse, and stopped by the loading docks.

"OK Jason, what’s going on?"


"Rick has been stalking Elizabeth, and telling stories about her that aren’t true. She doesn’t know about the stories. Francis took her to the PCPD tonight & filed a stalking charge and got a restraining order against him. He’s been seen outside of her studio the last couple of nights."

"Oh my gosh!"

"So stay clear of Rick and if you see him near her, call me or Francis."

"Sure Jason. Umm, could you walk me over to the Starbucks, I’m supposed to meet Nikolas there."

"Sure, let’s go."



Elizabeth followed Francis into the studio. She set her purse down on the table and plopped down on the couch. Francis came over and sat beside her.


"Are you sure your OK?"


"I’m fine, How about your hand?"

"It’ll be fine. He had kind of a soft nose. Maybe it will improve his looks." Francis and Liz both laughed. Francis stood, "Are you sure that you don’t want me to stay, or at least have Max guard the door?"

"No, I’ll be fine. I don’t think Rick will try anything tonight. I hope he doesn’t try to do anything tomorrow after they serve him with the papers."

"How about if I come and help out at the store tomorrow. That way I’d be close by just in case he did. I’ll pick you up at 8:30 and we’ll walk the long way and get one of those decafe’ _mocha chinos that you love so much."

"OK, you’ve got a deal. I’ll see you tomorrow."

Francis got up and walked towards the door.

"Frannie?"

"Yes?"


"Thanks for defending my honor tonight."

"Anytime sweetie." Francis left and Liz walked over to lock the door behind him.

It was still early, but Liz wasn’t in the mood to paint. She had wanted to start the picture of Jason by the window, but the words that Rick had said still echoed in her head. She was worried that he might try to come by and kidnap her or something stupid like that. She put her feet up on the coffee table and took one of the pregnancy books and started to read.

After 10 minutes she was still on the first sentence. She got up and wandered over to the window and looked out to the docks. She can feel Jason out there. It’s dark but she knows he is out there waiting.





Liz grabs her keys and heads out the door, stopping only to lock it. When she reaches the docks, there are plenty of people around but she can’t find Jason. She can still feel him though. Liz walks over to ‘their’ bench to wait for him to come to her.

Jason had seen Elizabeth come out of her building. He watched her go over to their bench and sit down. He knew that she was waiting for him to come to her. He couldn’t though. He was brooding. He should have been the one to defend her honor, not Francis. Francis hadn’t done it because he was guarding her, but because they were friends. Francis was able to be with her all the time, with no questions asked.

Jason stood there in the dark, feeling sorry for himself. He knew she was still waiting, but he was still feeling…what was he feeling? Jealous? Yeah that was it. He moved closer to her but still stayed hidden in the darkness.

"Jason, I know that you are there. I can feel you."

Jason came out of the shadows and stood at the other end of the bench.

"Hi Jason, how are you this evening?"

"Hi."

"It sure is a nice night out here on the docks."

"If you say so."

"Won’t you sit down and join me for awhile?"


Jason sat at his end of the bench, keeping space between them. Liz looked around. Most of the people were at the other end of the docks.

"Jason, what’s wrong?’’

Jason sat still, not saying a word.


"Jason? Are you worried about Rick? Because if you are, I think Francis scared him enough tonight that he won’t come around for awhile."

Jason stood and stared out into the darkness at the harbor. "I should have been the one to defend you tonight. I should have been the one to punch in Ricks face, and take you home."



Liz stood and walked in front of him. She looked into his eyes. "Jason, I’m sorry that you feel left out. But that ‘s the way it has to be. I know you don’t want it to be that way, and neither do I, but we need to keep this ruse up for just a little while longer." She wasn’t sure how much longer, but she feared that it would be quite a while longer than that.

Jason started to reach out his hand to touch her face, but then remembered where they were and brought it back to scratch his head.

"So are you OK with Francis defending me?"

"No, but I’ll get used to it, if I have to."


They stood there in the dark, neither one speaking, with only the sounds of the waves lapping against the docks. Liz broke the silence.

"What’s that Jason? Why yes, I would love a ride on your bike."

Jason looked at her like she was losing it.


"You know Jason, I thought you would never ask. You know it’s been such a long time since we went for a bike ride."

Jason looked around and then back at Liz. "I don’t have my bike here."

"Well, I’ll wait at Kelly’s. Stop in and get a coffee when you’re ready and I’ll leave and meet you outside."

She walked away slowly and stopped and turned towards him. "It was good to see you Jason, take care." And she started to walk to Kelly’s. Jason turned the other way and started walking to the penthouse. He was halfway there when he realized that he had a huge grin on his face, and it took all that he had to keep it hidden.

He entered the lobby and took the stairs to the parking garage. He hopped on his bike and took off for Kelly’s.

Liz was drinking a glass of water & visiting with Bobbi when the bell jingled above the door at Kelly’s. Jason walked in and over to the counter and sat 1 stool away from Elizabeth.

"Hi Jason, how’ve you been?"

"Fine Bobbi."

"What can I get for you this evening?"

"A coffee to go, please."

"Coming right up." She turned to grab a styro cup and started to pour.

"Well I’ve should be heading home, it was nice talking to you Bobbi. Take care Jason."

"Bye Liz."

"Goodnight Elizabeth."

Liz left Kelly’s and waited in the dark corner of the courtyard.

Inside Jason paid for the coffee and wished Bobbi a good night. Outside he tossed his coffee in the trash and waited for Elizabeth. She stepped out of the shadows and followed him to his bike that was parked in the alley.

They drove the cliff roads fast, but not as fast as he usually did. Elizabeth kept yelling for him to go faster, but Jason would not hear of it. She was pregnant, and he was taking no chances with either her or the baby. He drove out to Vista Point and they parked the bike. Jason helped her off and took her hand in his. They walked to the railing and looked out over the city.

"Jason, are you really OK?"

He took her in his arms and answered, "I am now."

He held her close and stroked her hair. It was getting longer, his book said that hormones in a pregnant woman made their hair thicker & grow faster. He released her and turned her body so she could look at the city. With her back to his chest he wrapped his arms around her and spread his hand out on her belly.

"How’s the baby doing?"


"Good."

He smelled her hair and her skin on her neck. She smelled wonderful.

When they had their fill of the view, they walked back to the bike. Jason turned on the radio and took her in his arms and started to dance. They slow danced to every song, even the fast ones. Jason then led her to the bench and sat her down. He got down on his knees in front of her. He put his hand on her stomach and started talking to the baby. He told it about his sister and about his grandmother. He told it how much those two would both love it, and that it’s Aunt Emily would spoil it rotten.



Elizabeth started to yawn. It really had been a long day. Jason stood and reached out a hand to Elizabeth. He pulled her up and hugged her hard. They walked hand in hand back to the bike. Jason drove back to P.C. and parked in the dark by the warehouse.

"Can you come up Jason?"

"I don’t think I should. I’ll be having a hard enough time not coming by from now on."

"But Sonny and his entourage’ won’t be home until tomorrow, right?"

"Right."

"I was going to make some popcorn and watch a sappy romantic movie. You could hold my tissue box …and me. I’ll even let you laugh at me when I cry."

"I’d never laugh at you Elizabeth."

"I know. Now how about that movie? Maybe I’ll put in a scary one so you can just hold me."

They walked the long way around to the back alley behind her studio. They entered and went up the back staircase. Once inside her studio, the movie was forgotten. Liz turns to Jason as he enters and kisses him.

"I need you Jason. I need to love you one last time."

Jason looks deeply into her eyes. He pulls her close and kisses her hard. The need and want that have been pent up inside of him all rush to the surface. He unbuttons her sweater and pulls it down her arms. Liz reaches for the bottom of his T-shirt and pulls it up and Jason takes it and pulls it over his head. They move together, taking turns removing articles of clothing as they go. Jason grabs the bottom of her sweater shell and pulls it over her head. She is left in her black bra and her khaki pants.

Liz grabs the waistband of Jason’s jeans and pulls him close to her. Slowly, keeping her eyes on his, she opens the top button of his jeans. Jason follows her as she backs towards the bedroom. He stops and removes his boots and socks, her shoes and pants follow. He looks at her with an evil grin and chases her the rest of the way, while she squeals. He grabs her and pulls her onto the bed with him. He looks deeply into her eyes and just as he is about to kiss her there is a knock on the door.

They stay quiet waiting to see if the visitor will leave. Again someone knocks even louder followed by a voice. "Miss Webber…. Miss Webber are you OK? It’s Max Miss Webber. Liz grabs her robe from the chair and runs to the door, calling out

"I’m fine Max."

"Miss Webber, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to answer the door, so I can see for myself."

Liz unlocked the door and opened it.

"See Maxie..I’m fine."

"But I heard you scream."

"Oh there was a big bug."

Max looked over her shoulder and saw Jason leaning against the wall.

"OK Miss Webber, next time you see a big bug, let me come in and squash it for you."

"OK Max."

"And Miss Webber…"

"Yes?"

"Tell Jason I’ll come back later." He turned and started down the hall leaving her standing there with her mouth hanging open.

She turned around and saw Jason leaning there. "What did Max mean by that?"


"How would I know?"

"Oohhh.. Jason Morgan, you have him guarding me at night don’t you?"

"Maybe."

Liz stood there with her arms crossed, staring at him with a scowl on her face. Jason’s grin faded. She sure looked mad.

"Elizabeth, honey, really, it’s for your own safety."

"Jason Morgan, I don’t want to hear it. You promised me no more guards."

"Not exactly."

"Jason….(she held up her hand to stop him from speaking) Thank you for not listening to me."



She walked over to him and put her arms around him. I’m glad you have Max here at night. Now I can sleep without worrying about Rick."

She reached up and cupped his head bringing it down to meet her lips. All forgiven and forgotten, the made their way back to the bedroom. Jason turned her around and gently pushed her down onto the bed, never once breaking lip contact.

Jason slowly untied the tie of her robe and pushed back each side of it. She lay there in her black lace bra and their matching panties. He grinned at her. He felt the need for her not only in his heart, but the growing need between his legs. He slid his fingers under the straps of her bra and slowly pulled them down. He kissed the trail the straps had left and trailed kisses into the valley between her breasts.

His arm went behind her and unclasped the back of her bra. He used his tongue to move the cups of her bra off of her breasts. With his teeth he picked up the bra and tossed it away. He felt he would surely burst his jeans if he didn’t have her soon. But this would be the last time he would love her. He wanted to take it slow.

He stood and unzipped his jeans. As he tugged them down, Elizabeth could see how much he needed her. She needed him too. He stood there in his navy blue boxers looking down at her. He came to the bed and lay beside her. She turned towards him. He stared into her eyes, knowing what she wanted and what he needed. He reached out and took her breast in his mouth. Elizabeth moaned. Jason had also read that a woman’s breasts were much more sensitive during pregnancy.

He circled the areole of her breast, and flicked her nipple with his tongue and nipped at it with his teeth. He kneaded her other breast with his hand. When he looked at her he saw that her eyes were open and she was watching him. She smiled a sexy smile at him and he continued on.

He ran his calloused hands down the side of her hip and across her stomach and down to the valley between her legs. He caressed her there, and then used his finger to find the hidden pearl. When she started to moan he left that area and returned his mouth to her breasts.

Liz reached down and brought his head up to hers. She needed to taste his mouth. He opened quickly for her, for he needed to taste her too. She pushed him onto his back and straddled him. His hands went to caress her bottom, and he was shocked to find that she was wearing a thong! "Elizabeth, what are you wearing?"

"A sexy black thong. I bought it a long time ago, at Vickie’s. Actually it was right after our first night together. I was thinking of you when I got it. I knew you liked the red lacy set, but deep inside I was hoping I would get the chance to show you this someday."



"You like?"

"Yes, very much."

She kneeled over his stomach and returned to his mouth. She took charge and kissed him deeply. She explored every corner of his mouth. She dueled with his tongue and won. She nipped at the corners of his mouth. And trailed kisses over his jaw line and up to his ear. She licked the outside of the tip of his ear and he shivered.

Then while she had his mouth occupied she reached behind her and put her hand into his boxers and took his manhood in her other hand. Slowly she moved her hand up and down. He groaned and grabbed at her bare cheeks. She trailed kissed down his throat and onto his chest. She took her turn using her tongue to lick at his nipples.

Jason had moved his hands down her bottom and was holding her at her inner thighs. Elizabeth released him and slowly backed down his legs. She reached out and took the waistband of his boxers and pulled them off. She grinned at him and stood there in her black thong and no bra, and twirled his boxers on her finger. Slowly and sexily she crawled back up his legs.

When she got to his chest she straddled him and guided his manhood into her. She was still wearing her thong and the movements of her going up and down was so erotic that Jason didn’t think he would last very long. The feeling of the strap of her thong was a new feeling for him. It certainly aroused him more than he had ever been before. Liz felt the same too. It cut her just right and she was starting to have her orgasm. She knew this was the last time and wanted to give Jason a night he would never for get.

"Jason…. I want you to open your eyes and look at me." It took all that she had to brave herself and ask him to do that.

Liz grabbed Jason’s shoulders as he helped her ride him. Both letting themselves be free and primal in their screams.

When they were spent she laid her head on his chest and couldn’t speak. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her.




When he could move again, he gently rolled her off to his side and tucked her into him. He reached over her and pulled the bedspread over them. "Thank you Elizabeth, thank you for giving me a night I’ll never forget. Although I doubt that I’d ever forget any night I spent with you."

"I love you Jason…always."

"I love you too Elizabeth…forever."

Cuddled in each other’s arms he held her close. As she drifted off to sleep, Jason let the tears of loss and frustration overtake him. They left a trail down his face. He whispers to Elizabeth, knowing she is asleep and can’t hear him. "Someday Elizabeth…someday soon, I’ll never have to leave you."



Chapter 70


Jason lay in the dark with Elizabeth snuggled asleep in the crook of his arm. He looked at her nightstand and saw that it was time to leave. He wanted to, no he definitely didn’t want to, but he needed to leave a little earlier than he had been. He was going to check and see if Lansing was watching the building again.
It took all that he had to pull himself away from a sleeping Elizabeth. Gently he placed a kiss on her for-head and heard her mumble in her sleep. He waited but she was only mumbling and not talking. Jason gathered the trail of clothes and laid them on the chair in the living room. As he sorted his from hers he stopped and picked up her sweater. He held it up to his face and breathed in her scent. Ahh…. Lilacs. He put it on the top of her clothes and quickly dressed in his.

He reached for the doorknob and stopped himself. He found the same notepad that he had used yesterday. ‘Elizabeth, I didn’t want to leave you. I love you and I’ll see you later. Love, Jase.’ She had never called him that, but somehow he thought he would like to hear her use it.

Jason nodded to Max and gave him a look of ‘thanks’ as he let himself out of the studio. He went down the back stairs and into the alley. He flattened his back against the brick building and inched his way to the backside. As he peered around the building he could see Rick across the street. Yes Rick really was a stupid man. All Elizabeth has to do is call the PCPD and Lansing would be in jail and out of the way for a while. Sooner or later he would have to take care of him for good.

Jason went back to the front of the building and walked down the street. He found himself wandering the neighborhood and ended up at Kelly’s. They weren’t open yet but Bobbie was inside and let him in when he tapped on the window.

“Jason, what are you doing out so early?”

“I was just out for a walk and saw you here. I thought maybe you had the coffee on?”

“For you I’ll put on a fresh pot.”

Jason drank coffee and visited with Bobbi while she readied the diner for breakfast. When customers started coming in he finished his coffee, paid for it and left. Walking back to his penthouse, he mentally went through his list of things to do for today.

As he stripped down for his shower, his mind traveled back to last night. It had been one of the best nights of his life. All of his best nights had been with Elizabeth. He showered quickly and dressed in his blue T-shirt. He picked this one because it was one of Elizabeth’s favorite colors. He thought really hard. What was the name of the color she called it?


He put on clean jeans, pulled on his boots and tucked his gun in the back of his jeans and took the stairs two at a time. He was as excited as a kid on the first day of summer vacation. He heard Maria in the kitchen and went to say good morning.

Maria had breakfast already started and was pouring herself some coffee when he entered.

“Good Morning, Maria.”

“Good morning to you too, Mr. Morgan. I’ll have your breakfast ready in a minute.”

Jason took his coffee cup and filled it. He leaned against the counter and watched her cook.

Maria started to clean up the kitchen. “Maria?”

“Yes Mr. Morgan?”

“You can call me Jason, and you can call Mrs. Morgan, Courtney.” He hated the thought of someone calling her Mrs. Morgan.

“I don’t know, I …how about Mr. Jason, and Miss Courtney?”

“That would be fine. I thought you should know that she will be arriving home tonight. She should be much better than when she left. They say she is, but if you notice her acting like she was before she left or sneaking around, please inform me.”

“I will.”

Jason finished his breakfast and placed his dishes in the sink. As he started to walk out the door of the kitchen he turned to Maria, “Let’s keep all this between the two of us OK?”

“Of course Mr. Jason”

Jason grabbed his file folders and headed out the door and to his bike. He was halfway to the parking garage when he remembered that he had left it by the warehouse last night. He walked out into the early morning air and breathed in the fresh smell. He looked at the sky. It was the same color as his shirt, almost. Azure. Jason snapped his fingers and smiled. That was it, that was the color that Elizabeth had called it.

Liz woke with her alarm, and smiled as she stretched. She knew Jason would be gone. But the had had a wonderful night. A night to remember. She pulled herself out of bed and sat back down quickly. She waited for the nauseous feeling to leave. She reached over and grabbed some crackers from her nightstand. Darn, she had forgotten to take her pills last night. After the crackers took hold, she headed for a hot shower. After her shower she dressed in a calf length denim skirt and a red tank top with lace around the neckline. She topped it with a white cotton shirt with a red and blue pinstripe. She ate breakfast and was looking for her keys when she found his note. She read it and reread it. ‘Love Jase.’

She tucked it in her purse along with the one he had left yesterday. No sooner had she done that when there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me...Francis.”





“Come in Frannie.” She was putting on her shoes when he unlocked the door and entered.


“You ready?”

“Yep, I can already taste that latte’.”

“I don’t know how you can ruin perfectly good coffee like that.”

“Frannie you should at least try something different. Have you ever had a Grandma’s Frosted Gingerbread latte’.”

“No.” They walked out into the hall, and Francis turned and locked her door.

“How about an iced frappuccino?”

“No.”

Liz put her arm through his as they walked down the hall. “Well then, I think we better start expanding your horizons.”


Liz had just finished ringing up a customer when the phone rang. “Thank you for calling the Canvas, this is Elizabeth.”

”Hi Liz, it’s Johnny. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, and you?”

”Fine. I have some time this morning if you want me to come over and show you how to run that photo program on your computer, I burned the media card to a CD for you.”

“That would be great. How about 11:00?”

”I’ll see you then.”

“Thanks, Bye.”

She had no sooner hung up the phone when it rang again.

She answered it again.




“Hi.”

“Hi.”

“How are you today?”

“I’m great how are you?”

”Fine. Can you meet me in 15 minutes? I know it’s short notice, but this just came up.”

“What do you want to meet for?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Jason…”

“Please?”

She looked around the store. It wasn’t extremely busy, and both Mary and Francis were here. “OK, but I need to call Johnny back, he’s on his way over.”

“I’ll call him for you.”

”Where do you want me to meet you?”

She wrote down the address as he gave it to her. It was only a couple of blocks away, she could walk it quickly.

“OK, I’m on my way.”

She hung up the phone and told Francis and Mary to order in lunch for the two of them. She wasn’t sure when she would be back. Francis had a smile he couldn’t quite keep hidden. She pulled him to the front door with her. “OK. Do you know what Jason has up his sleeve?”

“Now don’t ask me that, because I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

”Because it would spoil the surprise.” He smiled at her. “Just get going and you’ll find out sooner.”



She waved goodbye and practically skipped down the street heading for the address that Jason had given her.

When she was close she pulled out the piece of paper with the address on it. She found it and stopped in front. It was a real estate office. She folded the paper and tucked it in her skirt pocket. As she entered the office the doorbell rang. A short round woman with short blond hair approached her.

“Miss Webber?”

“Yes?”

”Hi, I’m Doris Lee. Come with me please.”

She led them to an office with a closed door. She opened it and showed her in. There seated in the corner was Jason.

“Jason, what’s going on?”

”You said you needed a house, so I had Ms. Lee look for some for you.”

Liz looked at him as if he had grown another head.

“Miss Weber would you like to sit and have a look at the properties?”

”Umm, could I have a moment alone with Mr. Morgan please?”

”Why sure, you just give me a yell when you are ready.” She left them alone, closing the door behind her.

Liz turned to Jason. “What is going on?”

“I want to buy my family a house.”

“Jason you bought me a car, you can’t buy me a house!”

“Honey, you can’t stay in the studio with a baby. It’s cold and drafty in the winter and hot as he** in the summer.” He took her hands in his and looked in her eyes.
“I want to do this for my child and for you…and someday we’ll live in it together as a family.”

“But Jase, the money…”



“Elizabeth, we talked about money yesterday. I have plenty of it. Please…I really want to do this…you’ll be safe and you and the baby won’t freeze or overheat.”
His eyes begged her to let him do this. She hated to make him beg her…unless it was in bed!

“I don’t know Jason…” He was at the door before she could finish and calling for Ms. Lee.

When he turned and looked at her he was smiling like a kid whose mother just told him he could have a pony!




Jason and Ms. Lee had narrowed it down to 3 properties. They drove in Jason’s’ navigator and met Ms. Lee at the first property. It was an old house in an older neighborhood. It had a lot of room, but would need a lot of work.

The next one was a new two story in a nice, new neighborhood. It was very nice, but Liz thought that it was too much house for her and a baby.

The last property was a newer home, in a community on the outskirts of town. Each home had 3 acres with it. The houses were close to each other, yet with the extra acreage there was room enough to feel secluded. Two moms with strollers walked by as they were looking at the front of the house and they yelled hello as they waved to them.


After they looked it over, Ms. Lee left them alone to talk about it. They discussed the pros and cons of the house. “Jason if I chose this one would you be able to come and visit the baby once and awhile?”

“It would be easier in this house than the other one.”

“Is the security good enough for you?”

”I’ll take care of putting in security and any renovations that you would like. I want you to make a list of changes and my men will take care of everything.”

He put his arms around her.

“Do you really like it honey?”





Liz smiled and nodded her head. Jason smiled back and picked her up and twirled her around. They found Ms. Lee talking with a neighbor, and told her that Elizabeth would take it. Jason had already taken care of all of the paperwork and all he needed to do was come in next week and sigh papers with the owners.

Jason and Liz stopped at a pizza joint after leaving the house. They placed their order and Jason sipped on his beer as they waited for their pizza.

They had chosen a table to sit at, so they could be next to each other without drawing attention to themselves. “Jason, I can’t believe that you bought me a house!” Liz whispered excitedly.

“I bought us a house. And I want you to know ahead of time that I’m taking care of all of the expenses that go with a house. Benny will take care of the taxes and insurance.”

“Jason..” Their pizza arrived and the subject was dropped. As they ate pizza Liz told him that she had made an appointment with the Dr. his mother had suggested. “Jason thank you for calling your mother. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted you to have the best. I told her it was for a friend, so none of the Quartermaines know you are pregnant. When is your appointment?”

“I was lucky, someone had canceled for Monday morning. I wouldn’t have gotten in this soon if I hadn’t mentioned that I was a family friend of Dr. Quartermaines.”

“Francis is driving you right?”

“I suppose I’ll let him if his boss insists on it.”

Jason laughed. “He does!”

Liz sobered. “What about Sonny?”

“Francis reports to me…and we’re not telling Sonny.”

They ate in silence for a while.

“I saw Rick watching your building again this morning.”

Liz looked shocked. “That’s 3 mornings in a row.”




Jason answered. “Probably more. Just so you know, I have a tail on Rick, so you don’t have to worry about being safe. If he comes close to you the tail will call Francis. If he bothers you again or if you see him outside your studio, call the police right away.”

“OK.”

They finished lunch and Jason took her back to work. She was so excited that she could hardly contain herself. Francis waited for her to explode before asking her how her meeting went.

“You rat! You knew!”

“Yes, but I couldn’t tell you.”

“Frannie, I hate to ask you this, but Jason insisted that I do…would you drive me to my Dr. appointment in the city on Monday?”


“Why sure Elizabeth, I’d be honored.”

“My appointment is at 10:00.”

“I’ll pick you up at 7:00. We’ll have plenty of time to get there then.”

Liz gave him a hug. “Thanks!”

Francis smiled and was interrupted by his cell. It was Johnny. Liz had Francis ask him to come over if he had the time.

Johnny showed up at 5:00. It took him no time to show her how to use the program. He and Francis left to take care of some business, since Sonny was due in that evening. Liz took care of the store and closed promptly at 6:00. She could hardly wait to see the photos of Jason and herself.

Liz spent and hour printing photos from the CD. She couldn’t believe how good they had turned out. Her fingers itched to start painting the cabin and lake. She went in to the studio and took out a fresh canvas and started. Before she knew it the clock said 9:15 p.m. She knew she needed to go home. She had told Francis that she would take a cab, but it was such a glorious evening that she decided to walk.






She was halfway home when she had the feeling that someone was following her. She started to walk faster and the footsteps also increased their pace. Soon she was running for her building taking the steps two at a time when she stumbled and twisted her ankle. She pulled herself up and ran on the injury to her door. The footsteps were still coming as she opened the door and locked it behind her.

The phone started to ring as soon as she entered. She waited for the answering machine to pick the call up as she listened.

“Elizabeth, are you there? Please pick up!”

Liz ran for the phone. “Jason! Jason someone was following me!”

”I know honey! I know. Are you OK?”

“I fell and twisted my ankle, but I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“I’m already on my way. Don’t open the door for anyone but me.”


Jason was there, pounding on her door before she knew it. “Elizabeth!”
She didn’t bother asking who it was for she knew. She opened the door and threw herself into his arms. He held her tight and kissed her head. He kept asking her if she was OK?



She insisted that she was, but Jason took her over to the couch and sat down with her. He took off her shoe and felt her ankle. It seemed OK, and she said it didn’t hurt, but her left her there and retrieved an ice pack from the freezer. He gently placed it on her ankle and held her in his lap. He had been so afraid when the tail called him while chasing Lansing who was chasing Liz. Jason was so angry that he was having a hard time controlling himself. He was going to kill that SOB! Elizabeth could have been hurt or the baby!

Liz brought him out of his anger. “Jason? I’m OK. Please don’t do anything that will get you into trouble.”

She ran her fingers through his hair and scratched at his hairline. It always seemed to work. She trailed her fingers down his neck and wrapped her arms around him. They were sitting there in their own peaceful world when there was a knock on the door.





“Who is it?” Liz asked.

“It’s Emily and Nicholas.”

Jason lifted her off his lap and kissed her quick on her lips. He told her to stay on the couch and he went to open the door. Emily looked shocked when Jason opened the door instead of Liz. When she saw Liz on the couch with the icepack on her leg she raced over to her.

“What’s going on?”

”I fell and twisted my ankle and Jason came to my rescue.”

“How did you fall?”

Jason answered. “Lansing was chasing her.”

“Liz are you OK?”

”Yes, I’m fine, really.” She looked over at Jason. He stood there with his hands in his back pockets. He cleared his throat. “I have to go, Sonny’s on his way in. Elizabeth, you need to call the police about Lansing. Max will give a statement about seeing him chase you.”

“OK, I’ll call right away.”

“ Emily would you mind staying with Elizabeth until Max gets here. He’s going to watch the door tonight.”

“Sure, how about if I stay over. We can watch a movie here and have girl talk.”

“Sounds great.” Liz said smiling. Only she wished it were Jason that was staying. She looked in his eyes and he knew exactly what she was thinking. He felt the same.


Jason excused himself and told them to lock the door behind him. Liz followed him out into the hallway. “Jason, Thank you. I have something for you. She had her purse and pulled out a manila envelope. She took out a photo and gave it to him.
It’s a photo of us from up at the lake...(she pointed to the photo). You have your arms around me and we are smiling at Johnny taking the picture.”

At first he saw nothing but some colors, but when she explained it to him he saw everything. Her beautiful face and him with his arms around the love of his life.

He smiled at her. “Thank you. I’ll keep it in a safe place.” He tucked it in the inside pocket of his jacket. His smiling face turned sad. “I really have to go now. You better get back in before Emily comes looking for you.”


She put on her fake smile and waved good-bye. Jason drug his feet and tried to keep moving without turning around and running back to her. He had to get on with this charade to get on with the rest of their lives. He needed to keep Sonny in the dark about this until he could be free. Free to be with Elizabeth and their child.

She went back inside and locked the door. Nicholas and Emily were in the kitchen making popcorn. Liz phoned the police and they said someone would be over to take a statement. Soon Max knocked on the door and told her he was there. The evening passed quickly and soon Nicholas left the girls for the night. Liz was tired and fell asleep quickly leaving Emily still talking.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 71

Jason’s mood improved. He smiled to himself. He had been given a reprieve of four days! Sonny rambled on next to him. He tried to listen and it took all that he had to concentrate.

The drive back to the penthouse took no time at all. Sonny and Jason rode the elevator to the penthouse floor.

Sonny started in the door and Jason stood in the hall. “Jason aren’t you coming in?”

“Did you need something?”

“I’m going to order some dinner from the Grille, I thought we could eat and catch up?”

Jason stood there with his hands in his back pockets of his jeans. He looked at the floor and then at Sonny. “I have some business to take care of.”

“Business? What kind of business? I thought that Tagliotti was out of the country?”

Jason looked right through him, hoping it would make it easier. “ He is still out of the country. I have some surveillance and a meeting.”

Sonny looked at him and then headed over to his bar, “Can you stay for a quick drink?”

“No, I need to have a clear head.”

“OK then, take care of business and then come over for brunch in the morning, I’ll cook and we’ll catch up on business.”

Jason nodded and left closing the door behind him. Johnny had just brought up Sonny’s suitcase and he set it down to talk to Jason. “What’s up?”

“We have to go take care of some business.”

“Business? What kind of business?”

Jason put his arm around Johnny’s shoulder. “Surveillance and a business meeting. Meet me at your truck in 15 minutes.” He smiled at Johnny.

Johnny picked up Sonny’s suitcase and knocked before entering his penthouse. He set it by the door and closed it behind him. Johnny couldn’t believe Jason. He actually smiled and was up to something. Yes Liz was definitely good for him. Yet he and Francis were going to have to make extra sure that Jason didn’t screw up and that Sonny never found out about Jason, Liz and the baby.



Jason entered his penthouse and quickly checked his messages. He sat in his desk chair and listened to the messages. A flash of gold caught his eye and he held out his hand and looked at it. His wedding ring. Man how he wanted to take it off. He started to, but then stopped. Before he could do that he needed to tell Courtney that their marriage was over. It had been over for a long time but he needed to end it face to face.

He grabbed his jacket and checked his gun, turned out the lights and shut the door. Johnny was waiting at his truck. They got in and Johnny started it up.

“So Jason, what kind of surveillance are we doing? And who do we have a business meeting with?”

“Just drive to the dock beside the warehouse and I’ll explain along the way.”

Johnny parked the car and quietly they left and made their way around the back of the warehouse. They split up and went around to the front. No sign of Lansing. They walked around Liz’s building and made sure that he wasn’t there either. When they got back to the truck they got in and Jason told Johnny to drive to Jakes. Johnny parked his truck in the lot.

“Jason do I need to call for any backup or did you arrange for some?”

“We don’t need any. Let’s go.”

Johnny was on full alert as they walked into Jakes. Jason greeted Jake and Johnny stood there eyeing the crowd looking for any trouble.

“Beer or the bottle?”

“What?” Johnny asked.

“Beer or whiskey?”

”Jason what’s going on?”

“You and I are having a business meeting. Now do you want beer or whiskey?”

“Are we drinking or are we getting drunk?”

“Whichever it takes for you to keep me from going over to Elizabeth’s.”

“Whiskey.”

“Jake we need a bottle and 2 glasses please.”



Jake handed it over and they took it to one of the back tables. They sat facing the door and Jason opened the bottle and poured them each a glass.

“So Johnny, any word on Tagliotti?”

“No, he hasn’t moved in a couple of days, hasn’t had any meetings, just seems to be enjoying his vacation.”

“How are things going at the warehouse?”

“Fine, everything is going as it should. Benny’s been keeping an eye on the books for you.”

“I want to thank you for everything you’ve done these past couple of weeks. Especially getting Elizabeth and me together.”

They clinked glasses and took a drink. The alcohol burned all the way down their throats.

“OK, the business meeting is adjourned.”

“That’s it? That was the business meeting?”

“Well I told Sonny I had a business meeting and you know I don’t lie, so we discussed business and now we’re done, so here’s to a better life and the future yet to come.”

Jason and Johnny clinked glasses.

They sat and talked while they drank. A pool table opened up and they played several games. Jason won all the games. When the shots got harder and none seemed to go in any of the pockets of the table they gave up on the game. They sat at their table and talked.

“Jason?” Jason looked at Johnny. “Do you know that when you are with Liz you are a totally different person? You laugh and smile. I don’t ever think that I really saw you smile before her. I know that I’m probably out of line when I say this, but I never knew what you saw in Sonny’s sister. Yeah, she had big boobs, and she was blond, and had no brains, you two were total opposites. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that you were going to marry her.”

“I don’t know why I did it either. She said she needed me and I needed to be needed. I loved Elizabeth and I lied to her because Sonny told me to. I lost her and I felt lost myself. Courtney stepped in and that was that. I should have gone after Elizabeth and made her listen to me. I should have never given up. Johnny?”





“Yeah Jason?”

”If a woman you love ever walks out on you, go after her, don’t give her time or space, because it’s not what they want. They want you to come after them and prove that you love them, that they mean more to you and anyone or anything else.”

“Jason, does Liz have a sister?”

“Yeah, but you wouldn’t want to date her.”

“Why not? She couldn’t be a dog.”

“No she is nice looking, but she hit on me in front of Elizabeth once just to be sure that Elizabeth wouldn’t want to date me, and she slept with Lucky Spencer right after Elizabeth broke up with him, and they did it in Elizabeth’s bed.”

“Sh** no!”

“Yeah.”

“How did Liz find out about it?”

”She walked in on them.”

“Somebody should have strung up that Spencer kid a long time ago.”

“Hey, are you two finished for the night or are you going to lock up the joint?” Jake hollered from across the bar.

Johnny looked at Jason and Jason yelled back at Jake. “We’re done Jake, do you need some help closing?”

”No, just bring back the bottle and glasses and we’ll call it a night.”

They carried it back to the counter and Jason tossed Jake a fifty and they headed out into the early morning air. “Let’s swing by Elizabeth’s.”

“No way Jason, you told me to keep you away from her tonight.”

“I just want to make sure that Lansing isn’t around.” Johnny looked at him sideways.
“I promise, I won’t go in the building.”





Johnny drove to Liz’s and they parked across the street. They did more surveillance and found Lansing hiding in the shadows. Jason dialed Liz’s number and it rang 3 times before a sleepy voiced Liz answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi honey, it’s me.”

“Jason? Where are you?”

“I’m outside your building.”

”Are you coming up?”

“No, I can’t, but Johnny and I see Lansing outside in the shadows on the backside of your building. You need to call the PCPD and have them come out and arrest him.”


“OK Jason.”

Jason turned away from Johnny as he spoke. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“Call the police right away, before Lansing gets away.”


“OK…Jason (she had to whisper) I love you!”

Jason scratched the back of his neck as he stepped away from Johnny. “I love you too.”

Jason hung up his cell and turned back towards Johnny.

Johnny looked at Jason. They had been drinking and sharing information all evening. He made kissing noises. “I love you too!”

Jason punched him in the arm and Johnny rubbed away the pain. He had forgotten how hard Jason hit. Jason laughed at him and the moved around the building so they could watch the police as they arrested Lansing.

Elizabeth called the police and reported Rick outside her building. They came over quickly and detained Rick while they took a statement from Elizabeth. When Taggert finished with his questions they arrested him and escorted him to the PCPD.



Johnny and Jason had been in a good mood before, but when they put Rick in handcuffs and hauled him away, they were in seventh heaven. They high fived as they returned to Johnny’s truck. Johnny dropped Jason off and went home to catch some sleep.

The next morning dawned early for Elizabeth. She got ready for work as quietly as she could and left a sleeping Emily on the couch. Max had warned Francis about Emily and he was waiting in the hall for her.

“Morning Liz, are you OK?”

“Good morning. Yes I’m fine.”

“I heard the little bast…I mean Lansing practically attacked you last night and that he’s spending some time in jail. Are you sure you’re OK? The baby too? If you had fallen you could have lost the baby. One of these days honey, Lansing will be a sorry SOB.”


“Thanks Frannie, for watching my back as they say. Let’s go, I mean you are here to escort me to work aren’t you?”


“You bet.” Liz put her arm through his as they walked down the hall. “You are buying breakfast this morning aren’t you?”

“For you my queen, anything.”

“Good because I’m starving!”





The sun shone through the cracks in the blinds, waking Jason far earlier than he wanted. He had forgotten to close them when he got home the night before, or was that earlier this morning. His head pounded slightly from the whiskey. He rolled over and looked at his clock. It read 9:48. He should be over to Sonny’s by 10:30. The thought of that only made his head hurt more.

He undressed in his bathroom and tossed the foul smelling clothes in his hamper. He turned his shower on cold and stepped in. He shivered while the water ran down his back. He stood there with his arms crossed while he woke fully up. He turned the faucets to get hot water. His tight muscles relaxed as he lathered up and rubbed his body clean. ‘Man, I am definitely too old for this job’ he thought as he turned off the water.



He dried himself off and ran the towel through his hair. It was getting a little longer. He liked it that way he thought as he combed it out. He put some gel in it and fingered up. He wondered if Elizabeth liked it too.

He dressed in his usual attire of jeans and today he chose a red t-shirt. He tucked in his gun and walked down the stairs. Maria had the weekend off, so he made himself a pot of coffee. When it had finished brewing he filled his black Corinthos/Morgan mug and sipped at the steaming drink. He went out to the patio and looked out over the city. He was starting to enjoy life a little more. He had someone and something to look forward to.

He wondered what he would say to Sonny. He was going to tell him that he was going to start delegating more of the grunt work to the other employees. They could do it just as well as he could. Besides that was what they were hired for. He was one of the bosses; he shouldn’t have to do work like that. He drained his mug and went back for a refill before heading over to Sonny’s.

Jason nodded to the guard before knocking on Sonny’s door. He opened it and stepped inside. He could hear Sonny in the kitchen, cooking brunch.

Jason sat on the couch and yelled to Sonny that he was here. He sipped on his coffee and rested his head on the back of the couch while he waited for Sonny to appear. Man he was tired. He and Johnny really hadn’t had that much to drink last night. Maybe it was the late nights and early mornings he had been keeping this past week.

Sonny entered the room but Jason stayed seated.

“You look like something the cat drug in.”

“It was a late night, the meeting lasted longer than I thought it would.”

“Are you hungry? The food will be ready in a bit. How about a mimosa?”

“I’m fine with coffee. Do you want to discuss business before we eat?”

“You know you haven’t asked how Courtney is.”

“I asked last night. You said she was great. I didn’t think things could have changed since then.”

The timer Sonny had brought with him went off and he went to the kitchen to check on the food. Jason breathed a sigh of relief. This was going to be a lot harder than he thought. The door to the kitchen swung open and Sonny came in with dishes of food.
There was a knock on the door and Johnny entered. Jason looked at him questioningly and he shrugged his shoulders.

Sonny waved Johnny in. “You were almost late.”

“You asked Johnny to come over to?”

“Yeah, I thought we should all discuss what’s going on with Tagliotti, come up with a plan. You have a problem with that Jason?”

“No, not at all.”


Sonny led the way to the table and they all enjoyed breakfast. Except Jason. He could hardly wait to get out of there. He had plans he needed to take care of. He had a hard time listening and concentrating on what was being said. It was a good thing that Johnny was there. He knew what was going on with Tag and the warehouse. He came off looking like a little bit of a show off in all that he knew but he saved Jason’s butt, and Jason knew it, and was thankful for him.

When the meeting was over Jason and Johnny left together. They went to the warehouse and made calls to the tail they had on Tag. They went over warehouse business and cleared off Jason’s desk of paperwork. Jason thanked Johnny for saving him in front of Sonny and for all of his help.

They parted ways. Johnny having a hot afternoon date and Jason having plans of his own.

Liz’s children’s art class had been a fun time for her. She really enjoyed teaching art to kids. They all were excited to learn. They wanted to paint more than listen, but she made it seem like fun to learn too.

Francis had helped with the art class. He was really enjoying learning too. They closed up the store at 2 P.M. and walked the short distance back to the studio. “I think that it is such a beautiful day that we should go and do something outside.” Francis suggested.

“Frannie, don’t you want to have some time to yourself? All you ever do is guard me. What about your mom or a date or a night out with the boys?”

“I do just fine. If I want time off I take it. Although we will need to have laundry night or day soon. I’m running out of boxers again.”

“Francis for Christmas this year I’m going to buy you a truckload of boxers.” Liz giggled.

“Promises, promises. Now what do you want to do?”




“Let me change first, and then let’s get some lunch and decide while we eat.”

Liz changed into shorts and a t-shirt and grabbed her bag that always held her sketchpad and pencils. She put on her sunglasses and picked up her purse and they were out the door. Francis was already casually dressed in jeans and a polo. They got in Francis’ car and Liz turned to him.

“How about taking some sandwiches and driving out to the house?”

“What house? The safe house?”

“No silly, the house Jason bought yesterday.”

“Oh, that house. Sounds good. Eddies Sub Shop?”

“Let’s go.”


Chapter 72


Jason wandered around the grounds looking just a little lost. He never really felt like he belonged there, but he always felt comforted when he left. He was standing by a fountain when a shadow appeared beside him on the sidewalk.

“Jason?”

“Father Coates.”

“I saw you enter from my study. My it is a glorious day today.”

“Yes Father, it is.”

They started to walk along the path, going nowhere in particular.

“So Jason, how have you been?”

“Fine. Yourself Father?”

”Getting older everyday. But really I can’t complain.”

They stopped walking as they reached the other end of the garden. They sat on a bench and were quiet while the birds talked. “Tell me Jason, what’s brought you here today?”

Jason leaned down and rested his fore arms on his legs. He started talking and Father Coates listened intently. Jason told him the long story that started with what Courtney had been doing. Her stripping, her personality changes. How her mental state was.



Jason ended the long story. “Father, I would like the church to grant me an annulment. Ever since we were married, and even before, we never really were together like a married couple. We have only been together 2, times as man and wife. But after all she has done, I can never accept her as my wife again.”

Father Coates rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Jason, is there someone else?”

Jason looked him directly in the eye. He wasn’t ashamed to admit he loved Elizabeth. “Yes Father there is. Although it didn’t happen until my marriage was over.”

“Do you love her?”

“Yes Father with all of my heart and my soul. She called me her soul mate. I believe she’s right.”

“Tell me about her.”

“Her name is Elizabeth.”

“The same Elizabeth we have talked about before?”

“Yes.” They had talked about her many, many times. Whenever Jason worried about her, or couldn’t understand why she felt she needed to help out Lucky, he would talk with Father Coates.

“Jason, you have been in love with Elizabeth for many years. I too believe that you two were meant to be together.”

Jason smiled and nodded his head.

“She brings out the best in you, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.” Jason got up from the bench and started to fidget.

“Jason, what else do you need to confess my son?”

Jason sat back down beside Father Coates. “I love Elizabeth with all that I am. I’ve needed her love my entire life. We belong together. She loves me too. She’s not ashamed of what I do. She risks her life to keep me safe. We need to be together. We should have been together years ago.”

Father Coates leaned back and listened.



Jason retold the story of the night earlier this spring when they had made up and accidentally ended up at Vista point. His marriage was over. He was tired of the business. He was still in love with Elizabeth. “We made love. We committed ourselves to each other. We knew that I was still married. But we knew that it was right that we made love. We needed each other. I found out that Courtney had many lovers.”

Jason looked down at the ground as he said the last statement.

“Jason, I’ve known you your entire life. I baptized you as an infant as Jason Quartermaine. I watched you grow up in the church. I visited you in the hospital after your accident. I baptized you as Jason Morgan. I’ve been your friend and your confidant for many years. We have discussed Elizabeth many, many times. I believe that she is the one true love of your life and you two belong together.’’

“Father, there is one more thing I need to confess.”

Father Coates nodded. He was pretty sure he knew what Jason was going to say next.

“Elizabeth is pregnant with my child, and I couldn’t be happier. Well I could be, if I was married to Elizabeth,”

Father Coates stroked his chin thoughtfully. This was a situation. He wasn’t sure that he could get the church to go along with an annulment if he had impregnated another woman, even if his wife had been with other men first. It would definitely take some fast footwork and talking to get this annulment through.

Father Coates stood and Jason followed suit. He placed one hand on Jason’s arm and shook his other hand. I will do all that I can to help you my son. I want you to be truly happy, you deserve it, and so does Elizabeth. Come and visit again with me soon, in the meantime I’ll try to work out a miracle.”

Jason shook the older mans’ hand. “Thank you Father.”

“You are welcome Jason.” Father Coates turned and walked back down the path heading back to his study.


Jason sat back on the bench and thought about what he needed to do next. He wanted to hop on his bike and pick up Elizabeth and go for a ride. He needed to go back to Sonny’s and have a talk with him. Maybe today wasn’t the best time for that though. He’d wait a few days and plan a speech.

He couldn’t get Elizabeth. It was still light out and they would be seen. Jason stood up and stuck his hands back in his pockets and strolled down the path. He needed a ride.


A long ride, he needed to get Elizabeth off his mind for a while. If he didn’t he knew he’d run to her and he couldn’t take the chance of Sonny finding out. He reached the deserted parking lot and climbed on his bike. With one last look towards the church he brought his bike to life and drove slowly out of the lot, and roared down the highway.


Liz and Francis arrived at the house and sat in the car looking at the house.

“What do you think Frannie?”

Frannie peered out the front window and let out a long whistle. “It’s nice Lizzie, really nice.”

Liz took off talking a mile a minute. Something she had picked up from Emily. She told him all about the house. She was trying to describe the backyard to him. “Liz, why don’t we just go out and take a peek. You said it was vacant. No one will mind.” He got out and walked around to her side and opened the car door.

They were just starting to walk towards the backyard when they heard a “Yoo hoo!”
They turned to where it had come from. One of the ladies from yesterday and another woman were walking their way.

“Hi there. Are you the new owners?”

“Hi, Yes I am.”

“Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Lynn and this is Barbra. I live over there in the green house and Barb lives in the blue one.”

“How nice to meet you. I’m Elizabeth and this is Francis.”

“You and your husband will surely enjoy living out here. Close to town yet away from the noise.”

“I’m not her husband.”

Barb and Lynn looked at each other. Liz jumped in quickly. “Francis is my (she coughed as she said) brother.”

“Oh, was that your husband with you yesterday?” Barb said looking at Liz’s ring finger and finding the ruby promise ring there.

“Yesterday, no that was my, um, my financial adviser.” Liz smiled brightly.

“Oh, he was a very handsome adviser, maybe I’ll have to get his name from you sometime.”

“So will you be living out here all alone?”

“Yes. It’s safe here isn’t it?”

“Well I was just going to show Francis the backyard. I told him about the house.”

“Would you like the key, you could show him the inside.”

Francis turned to look at her. “You have a key?”

”Yes, the owners left one with me so I could keep an eye on the place. I’ll run home and get it for you while you show your brother the backyard.”

Barb and Lynn took off while Francis looked at Liz and rolled his eyes. Liz laughed at him and they walked to the backyard. They were checking things out when Barb returned with the key. “Enjoy looking around. You can just leave the key in my mail box when you’re done.”

“Thanks Barb. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.”

Barb waved goodbye and Francis whispered to Liz.

“That lock is the first thing that gets changed.”

They entered the house and looked around. Liz was so excited. Francis had checked out everything but the basement. He opened the door and peered down. “Is the basement finished?”

“Yeah it is.” They walked down and Francis couldn’t believe it. It was almost like an apartment. There was a fridge and 2 bathrooms, a living room and 1 giant bedroom and a regular sized one too.

“Man, a person could live down here.”

Liz got an idea. “ Frannie, weren’t you talking about moving out of where you are now and into something better?”

“Yeah, someday.”

“Why not now?”

“What?”

“Why don’t you move in here? I could use the company. It would be almost like having your own place. You could still have do your own thing. As it is now we do spend an awfully lot of time together. What do you think?”

“I don’t know if Jason would like that.”

“Well you could stay until Jason moves in. If Jason ever moves in.”

“What does that mean?”

”I don’t know, it just seems so far off. I miss him so much and it’s only been a day.”

“I’ll have to talk to Jason. It would be fun. And you wouldn’t be alone while you were pregnant.”

“Think about it Frannie, I’d love to have you’re company.”

They left the house and dropped the key in Barb’s mailbox and headed back to town.


Jason had ridden for an hour and decided it was late enough to head over to Jakes. It was early on a Saturday night and the place was pretty empty. Jason sat on a bar stool and Jake appeared from the back. Jason ordered a burger and fries while Jake automatically opened a beer for him. Jake went to the kitchen to prepare his food. Jason turned around and looked over the bar. He yelled to Jake that he was going upstairs and would be right back.

He took the stairs two at a time. When he came to the door of his old room he reached for the doorknob and turned. He stepped into the room and slowly looked around. His old room. How many time had he stayed here. Too many to count. The carpet was worn in a path around the bed and to the bathroom and the door. The furniture was worn too. But Jason had never minded. He crossed to the desk and stopped. He remembered the time Elizabeth had come to him here. Right after she had run away from the photo shoot for the face of Deception. He should have kissed her then. He wanted too and she had wanted him too. But he hesitated a second too long. He should have grabbed her hand and pulled her to his bike and taken off for nowhere. Just as far away from PC as they wanted to go.

Jason turned and left the room closing the door behind him. Jake was waiting for him with his food. She had cooked for herself too and sat down next to him. They visited while they ate. It had been a long time since he and Jake had talked. She poured herself a beer and got Jason another long-neck. Slowly the patrons trickled in. Jake left him to tend to the tables and the bar.





Jason finished his meal and signaled Jake for another beer. He picked it up and went over to a pool table to play a few games. He was just about to sink the final ball into the pocket when his cell rang. He looked at his phone, it was Sonny. He stood there trying to choose whether he should let the voice-mail pick it up or if he should answer it. He waited long enough and the choice was made for him. It quit ringing and a message window appeared. Jason finished his game and sat at the bar. Jake gave him another beer and he sat back and sipped it. He waited until he was done with his beer before checking his messages.

Jason paid his bill and walked out to his bike. He stood there and dialed Sonny.

“Talk to me.”

“Hey Sonny it’s Jason.”

“Where are you?”

”I’m on my bike, what do you need?”

”I’m making dinner, come by and eat with me.”

“I already ate.”

“Well then stop by for a drink. We haven’t talked much lately.”

“OK, I’ll stop by, but I do have some work to do later.”

“OK, I’ll see you soon.”

Jason hung up and kicked at the ground. He shoved his cell in his pocket and roared out of Jake’s lot. The drive to the penthouse took no time at all. He couldn’t believe that Sonny couldn’t be by himself for 5 minutes. The guard saw Jason coming and quickly knocked and opened the door for him.


Chapter 73



Jason entered Sonny’s penthouse and wandered around the living room. The guard had already gone to tell Sonny that he was here. Jason looked at the framed photos on the mantle. Pictures of Sonny and Carly and Michael. One of Michael the day that Jason had him baptized. He picked it up and started to remember that day. He smiled. It had been special to him to have been able to take care of Michael. But the ache in his heart had taken a long time to heal after Carly had taken him away and left to go and live with A.J. and the Q’s.

But now he was going to have his own child. One he would share with Elizabeth. She would never take his child away. He smiled to himself. He was going to have a family. A family of his own. No one could take them away from him, except for someone in the business. He needed to start to break away. Get out of the business and keep his family safe.

Sonny entered the room wearing a dress pants, a silk shirt and an apron. Jason put the photo back on the mantle and turned to face him.

“What’s up Sonny ?”

“Not much, how about a drink ?”

“No thanks I had a couple of beers already.’’

Sonny motioned towards the couch, “Sit down and relax, I have to check my dinner, I’ll be right back.”

Sonny went into the kitchen and Jason sat on the couch. Now what? Was he supposed to keep him company until Carly returned?

Sonny came back in and set his food on the dining room table. He refilled his wine glass and called to Jason to join him. Jason got up and went into the dining room. He sat on Sonny’s left side. Sonny was enjoying his food.

“Are you sure you won’t have some. It’s exceptionally good this time.”

“No thanks, I’m not hungry. Did you have something that you needed me to get done?”

“No, I just wanted to visit with you. It’s been a long time since it was just the two of us, sitting around and talking.”

So Jason sat there for 45 minutes while Sonny ate and tried to make small talk with Jason. He told him about their trip to the island and how wonderfully Courtney had responded to her treatment, she was like the old Courtney. Loving and fun and how she couldn’t wait to get home to her husband.

Jason thought Sonny was giving him a load of bull. He took all that he could and then stood and told Sonny that he needed to get going, he had some things to take care of, calls to make and some paperwork to look over.


Sonny looked at him and then bid him goodnight. He wandered over to the bar and poured himself a scotch and put on another CD. Jason watched as he sat in his chair. He felt a little guilty for leaving, but then quickly remembered all the times that Sonny had called him away from something that Jason had felt was important just to be his errand boy.
He walked down the hall and into the elevator. He pushed the button for the parking garage and leaned back against the wall and waited for the elevator to stop. When the doors opened he found himself hurrying to get to his bike. He sat on it and didn’t have a clue to where he was going to go. He brought the bike to life and drove out of the garage. He wondered where he was headed. The bike seemed to have a mind of it’s own.


Francis and Liz had done their laundry and had gone grocery shopping. Francis and Max had carried all the clean clothes and bags of groceries up to her studio. They wouldn’t let her lift a finger. She laid down on the sofa to rest her feet while they unloaded the car. Francis was putting the last of her groceries away when he noticed that she hadn’t answered his question. He walked into the living area and found her fast asleep. He covered her up with the faded afghan that was always on the back of the sofa and kissed the top of her head.

He turned out the light and shut and locked the door behind him.


Jason pulled into the parking lot of the Corinthos/Morgan Coffee warehouse and cut the engine. He sat on his bike for a few minutes, he needed to go inside and do the things that he told Sonny that he had to do. He walked slowly in the back door and nodded to the workers. He liked all of them, and they seemed to like him too. He went up to his office and shut the door. He stood there and looked at the papers on his desk. OK, he had looked over the papers he told Sonny that he needed to ‘look over.’ “One thing off my list. Next he had phone calls to make. He picked up the phone and dialed. “The time in Port Charles will be 8:58 at the tone“. Beep. “The weather for Sunday will be warm with a cool breeze in the afternoon”. He dialed again. “The time in Port Charles will be 8:59 at the tone.” Beep. “The weather for Sunday will be warm with a cool breeze in the afternoon.”

OK his ‘calls’ were made. Now what to do. He wandered over to the window. He looked towards Elizabeth’s studio. He wanted to go and see her. Not for long, he just needed to see her. He turned and walked out of his office, locking the door behind him. He took the stairs 2 at a time. He slipped out the side door and back to his bike. He brought it to life and roared out of the parking lot.

Liz woke with a start. She had been dreaming about Jason. They had been riding on his bike and having a wonderful time. She lay there listening. She heard Jason’s bike! She ran to the window and looked out. No Jason, and no bike. She could have sworn it was his bike.

She went to the door and opened it. “Max, have you seen Jason ?”

“No, are you OK?”

“Yes, I was dreaming and then I could have sworn I heard Jason’s bike. Good Night Max.”

“Good Night Elizabeth.”

Liz shut the door and locked it behind her, she walked to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. She was drinking it when Max knocked on the door. She walked over to it and opened it. “Yes Max?”

She looked at the person standing there and squealed. “Jason !”

She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight.

“How many times do I have to remind you to ask ‘who’s there’ before you open the door.”

He held her in his arms as he asked that question , twirled around and shut the door with his foot.
He stopped in the middle of the room and let her slide down his hard body. He held her tight in his arms. She stopped and looked at him.

“Jason, what are you doing here?”

“I needed to see you.”

“I’ve missed you and it’s only been 24 hours.”

“I’ve missed you too! I had to make Johnny take me out drinking last night and promise to do whatever it took to keep me away from here. I didn’t want to, but Emily was here and we had to get rid of Lansing.”

He looked into her eyes and they drew him to her. He kissed her softly and her lips melted under his. He traced the outline of her lips and they opened for him. He tasted her mouth and she tasted wonderful. His hands started to roam and they moved down her back and molded her to him. He felt her bottom and ran his hands back up to her neck.

Liz loved to feel Jason’s hand’s on her. They glided down and back up again. “How about a ride on my bike?” He said , bringing her back to reality. “Now?”


“Yeah now.”

“OK, let me grab my jacket.”

Liz grabbed her leather jacket and slipped on her shoes. She ran back to him and hugged him tight. He hugged her back and held her in his arms. With a deep breath he asked, “Ready?”

“Ready!” He took her hand in his and together they walked out the door. He told Max to take a couple of hours off and they ran sown the hall and out the back door to where he had hidden his motorcycle. Jason gave her the helmet and got on his bike. Liz got on behind him and held on tight. He practically melted when her arms wrapped around him. He would never get enough of this feeling.

“Where to?’’

“Anywhere you want to take me.”

He turned around and looked at her and she smiled at him and his heart spun around in circles. “I wish you would have said that years ago.”

“Me too!”

He kissed her quick and started up the bike. They drove to the road to nowhere and parked the bike. Jason helped her off and took her hand in his and together they walked to the gardens. They wandered around for half an hour looking at all of the new plants and flowers that had appeared with the spring weather.

They went to the bench and sat down. “I really think that I should get this bench some padding.”

Liz laughed at him and settled into the crook of his arm and leaned against his chest. She leaned her head back and looked at the stars. “Jason it’s such a beautiful night, the stars are all out and we’re together .”

Jason sighed and looked down at her. “You’re beautiful.”

He bent his head down and kissed her lips. He could never get enough of her. Of touching her, or looking at her, kissing her, making love to her. It was as if he needed her to be able to breath, to be able to live.

Liz ended the kiss and looked into his eyes. She couldn’t see the steel blue color of his eyes, because it was dark. But she could imagine it. “Jason, I don’t know how long I can go on with out seeing you. It’s only been 24 hours and it seems like forever.”

“I feel the same way,” he took a deep breath and looked away. “And it’s only going to get harder.”

Liz thought that she heard his voice crack with that last statement. “Jase?” He looked at her, with a few unshed tears in his eyes. “Jason, I’ll be OK, I promise. I’ll make it through this until we can be together.”

He pulled her close and held her long and hard. “Jase?”

“Yeah”

“I had an idea earlier tonight. Francis and I went out and looked at the house again. Do you think that it would be a good idea for Francis to move into the basement, I thought he could keep me company and I wouldn’t be alone while I was pregnant.” She looked at him not sure of what he was thinking. She was about to tell him to forget it that it probably wasn’t a good idea after all when he finally spoke.

“I think that it would be a great idea. I wouldn’t have to worry all the time about your safety, although I still will, I trust Francis and I know that he would give his life to protect you. But as soon as I move in he’s out of there!” Jason laughed and Liz joined in.

“Jase,…I’m hoping he won’t be there long.”

“Me too!” They laughed again and Jason stood up and pulled Liz to her feet. “I better get you home before you catch a cold.” They walked back to the bike with their arms around each other, savoring the warmth and love that they shared.


Chapter 74



The ride back to Liz's studio took no time at all. Jason was cautious with
a pregnant Elizabeth on the back of his bike, but still he took the curves
fast, just like she liked him to. She screamed at him to go faster and the
faster he did the more she screamed for him to go faster still.

Jason parked in the dark hiding place where he had before and waited for
Elizabeth to get off first. When she had, she took off her helmet and he
placed it on the bike and pulled her close again. He breathed in the scent
of her hair and melted when he smelled the lilac shampoo.

"Jason, what's wrong?"

"Nothing...just don't ever change you shampoo."

She looked at him quizzically.

"You always smell like lilacs and snow, and I can never get enough of that
smell, especially on you. "

They smiled at each other and stood there in the dark of the alley staring
into each other's eyes.

"Can you come up? .....I mean just for a little while. I'm starving and I
thought I'd order some Chinese for us, or I do have frozen pizza and some
beer."

Jason looked around and saw no one. He really wanted to spend some time
with her. He needed to breathe in her beauty to survive the next few days.
That was how he was going to have to do it, day by day.

"Sure, I'd love to share some Chinese food with you."

He smiled his 'Jason' smile that he showed to no one else but her and then
took her hand and led her in the back door and up to her studio.

He took her keys from her and unlocked the door. He opened it and
immediately looked around. Everything seemed normal. Liz entered behind
him and took of her jacket and hung it on the coat tree. She kicked off her
shoes and opened her phone book for the take out phone number. She ordered
for herself and asked Jason what he wanted.

"It will be 15 minutes, can I get you a beer?"

"No, you sit down and I'll get my own beer and whatever you would like to
drink?"

She started to argue with him and then realized that it would be pointless
so she sat on the sofa.

"I'll take one of the caffeine-free diet vanilla cokes please."

Jason took no time at all getting the drinks and returning. They sat side by
side on the couch, Liz nestled in next to Jason's side with his arm around
her shoulders. They gazed at their tree, glistening with all the ornaments.

"Jason?"

"Yes?"

"Have you thought of any names that you would like for the baby?"

"Not really, how about you?"

"I've always had a few in the back of my mind, but now they don't seem
right. I guess I'll have to pick up one of those baby name book at the drug
store next time I go."

Jason slapped his leg. "I knew it!"

"Knew what?''

"I knew when I bought those books for us that I was forgetting something. I
should have gotten us name books!"

"Don't worry about that Jason, you got us all the really important books,
they sell those books for 99 cents at the drugstore, I’ll pick one up the next time I go.”

Elizabeth fidgeted, trying to get up the nerve to ask Jason the next question.

“Jase, are you sire that you’re OK with Francis living at the house, I mean I kind of sprung it on you without any warning, and I want you to be OK with it, I mean I don’t want any misunderstandings like before…” She was rambling on and they both knew it. Jason was having a hard time not smiling or laughing.

Jason sobered and turned to look her in the eye. “I love you Elizabeth…(he looked down at their intertwined hands)..and I know you love me a and only me. I trust you to wait for me and I trust Francis to not take advantage on a situation…I know he’ll be there to guard you and to keep you company…and that’s all.” …(he looked back up at her)…If I ever question anything, I’ll ask before I jump to any conclusions.”

Liz leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you.”

“Meanwhile you two had better be looking for something else for him because I will show no mercy in moving him out while I’m moving my stuff in…and I don’t have very much stuff to move!”

They laughed and they kissed again. They were interrupted by the delivery man bringing their food. Jason moved to the kitchen to stay out of sight and tried to give her money for the food, but she insisted that she was paying.

Liz brought the bags of food to the coffee table and Jason brought out some plates and napkins from the kitchen. They both sat on the floor at the table and Liz filled plates for both of them. Jason was quiet.

“Jason is something wrong?”

“No…I don’t think I’ve ever let a woman pay for my meal before…It’s something I should pay for.”

“Why Jason Morgan I can’t believe that you said that!”

Jason looked guilty and Liz laughed at him. “Jason, all you need to do is say ‘Thank you’.”

“Thank you.”

Liz scowled at him and Jason asked..”What?”

“You forgot my thank you kiss.”

He tried again. “Thank you for dinner Elizabeth.” He kissed her lips.

She smiled back at him. “You are welcome!”

They settled in and ate their food. Liz recounted the story of Barb and Lynn, her new neighbors, and how she had to tell them that Francis was her brother and Jason was her financial advisor. She told him that Barb seemed to have taken a liking to Francis and that she wanted Jason’s’ phone number. They both laughed. Jason seemed so relaxed. Liz offered to get him another beer but he told her to sit down and he would get his own. He took the dishes and empty cartons to the kitchen. He washed the plated and threw out the trash.

When he returned to the living area Liz was fussing with the ornaments on the tree. He set his beer on the table and came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. His fingers splayed over her slightly mounding belly

“Jason, I want to plant this tree in our yard at the house. Somewhere where we can sit in the house and see it through the window. I want to put lights on it at Christmas time and I want to be able to sit on the porch swing in the summer and look at it too. And I want us to plant it together.” She turned to look at him. “Am I asking too much?”

“No, you could never ask for too much.”

They stood there together gazing at the tree and at each other. Liz knew Jason was contemplating leaving.

“How about watching a movie with me? Francis gave me this romantic comedy that he said was really good…will you stay and watch it with me?”

Jason saw the pleading look in her eyes and he didn’t want to leave. “OK...what’s it called?”

Liz was putting the tape in the player. Jason sat on the sofa and took a drink of his longneck. Liz came back and snuggled into him.

“It’s called ‘Serendipity‘.”

Jason’s’ brows furrowed together as he tried to figure that out. He looked at her. “What does that mean?”

“It means ‘a fortunate accident’. Liz looked him in the eyes. “If it hadn’t been for serendipity that night at Jakes, or the day at Kelly’s or that same night at Vista Point, I don’t know where I’d be today.”

“A fortunate accident.” Jason said. Liz could tell that he was thinking. “It was fortunate that I met you at Jake’s and that we made up and talked at Vista Point….otherwise we wouldn’t be in love and having a baby.”

“Oh we’d be in love, because I never stopped loving you Jason. We just wouldn’t be together and we wouldn’t have this baby to love.”

Jason kissed her and the movie started. Jason couldn’t believe that her was really enjoying it. Halfway through the movie Jason asked Elizabeth a question and when she didn’t answer he turned to look at her and she was sound asleep. He used the remote to turn off the TV and the player. Gently he lifted her up and carried her to bed. He laid her down and went to the closet to get a blanket to cover her. He stopped to use the bathroom and when he returned she was awake and waiting for him.

“You’re leaving aren’t you?”


“I was going to...you were asleep.”

“Can you stay for a little while longer?”

“I was having a hard time telling myself that I should go. Elizabeth, I never want to leave you, every time I do I leave a little more of my heart with you.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots. He took the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head and tossed it on the chair in the corner. As he turned he saw a picture on the dresser, a new one that hadn’t been there before. He walked over and picked up the 8 x 10 frame.

It was a picture of Elizabeth and himself. One that Johnny had taken at the lake. He turned and looked at her. She smiled at him.

“I put it out today-after Em left.”

Jason looked at it again-it was different than the one she had given him. In this one they were looking at each other and it had a bunch of little ones surrounding it looking like a border. The little ones were pictures of them smiling at the camera and one of them kissing.

“I used the photo program that Johnny set up for me. This way I get to look at all three.”

Jason sat the frame down but didn’t turn back to look at her. He gripped the edges of the dresser and his head hung down. Liz could see the tension in his back and neck...his muscles flexing.

Slowly Liz crawled to the foot of the bed. She wasn’t sure if she should touch him or not. She slid off the bed and went up slowly behind him.. Gently she rested her cheek on his back and her hand on his bicep.

“Jase, what’s wrong?”

The way she said ‘Jase’ started to relax his body.

“Did I say something wrong?”

He turned into her and pulled her close, burying his face in her shoulder, but he wasn’t quick enough. Liz saw the tears in this eyes. She rubbed his back with one hand and ran her fingers through his hair with the other. After a couple of minutes Jason released her and wiped at his eyes.


He turned and looked at her. “I love you and I want to be able to be with you whenever I want…I want to have a home with you where we can have all the photos of you and I setting out all over the house. I want to come home and eat dinner with you every night, to do the dishes and then go for a walk in the neighborhood with you. I want to help you fold the laundry and go shopping with you. I don’t want to ever have to leave you , to have to hide our photo in my wallet behind the one of the smiling couple that came in it when I bought it.” He pointed to the window. “I want to open this window and shout to the whole world that I love Elizabeth Webber! I want to marry you and be with you forever.”

She walked over to where he stood and held his face in her hands. “Soon Jason, soon. I want all those things too, and it will happen as long as we don’t make any mistakes and get caught before. PLEASE-we can get through this and soon you’ll be up to your armpits in dishes and dirty diapers.”

She smiled at him and he smiled back. “I can’t wait.” He said and he picked her up and lay her down on the bed and he lay next to her.

“Jason?”

“Yes?”

“I’m not sleepy anymore are you?”

“I’m never sleepy...what did you have in mind?”

“OH I don’t know, maybe you could tell the baby and me a story about some obscure place that you’ve been. Remember that Christmas you told me about Ubekistan. Remember it never rains there unless you forget your umbrella.”

Jason chuckled and scooted down to her belly. He leaned his head on his hand and caressed her tummy. “Hi there little one. Your mom thought that I should tell you two a story. She wanted to hear all about the rainfall and climate in Ubekistan. Would you like that too?” He started to talk and Liz smiled at the change in him. They were so good for each other, they always knew what the other needed. She lay and listened to him talk. His soothing voice. The day they could finally be together could not come soon enough.

[kcke2pen]

Such a lovely Liason tale. I'm glad I found it.