CHAPTER ONE

Elizabeth walked down the stairs, only to stop right at the last step. She smiled slightly as she noticed the two people sitting on the couch. She folded her arms and leaned against the wall, happy at the sight before her.

Jason was sitting on the couch with Jake. Their son was telling him about school and what subjects he liked. Jason looked totally enthralled with every word out of his son's mouth.

It had taken a while to get to this point. She was worried it might never happen. Jake had been devastated when he found out that the father that he knew was really his uncle. He wanted nothing to do with Jason. Once she and Drew had spoken to him, explaining what had really happened with Jason, Jake had warmed up to the idea. It had been tense the first few visits, but they were slowly getting to a good place.

She heard her son ask, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," said Jason, "You can ask me anything."

"Why aren't you and my mom together?"

She tensed hearing the question. Jake had a really hard time when he came back from the island, and had taken his anger out on Sam. While they hadn't had any issues for a while, she wondered why he would ask the question at all.

She heard Jason take a deep breath in and let it out slowly before hearing his answer.

"Your mom and I, we have been in each other's lives for a long time. At one point, well, at several I guess, we tried to be something more. Jake, my life is dangerous. My job puts me in the line of fire. I never wanted your mom, your brothers and you to live in fear like that."

"But, you were married to Sam, and she had Danny at the time. What was different about her?"

Jason was silent for a bit. She watched as he looked down, trying to find words. She didn't really know if she wanted to hear his answer. Taking the easy way out, she decided to let herself be known to the other two in the room.

"Hey," she said, walking down the remaining step and into the living room, "I just wanted to check up on you guys, see if you wanted a snack." Her voice was shaky and she was rubbing the front of her jeans nervously.

Jason looked up at her and saw the tension in her stance. He knew she heard their conversation. Instead of calling her on it, however, he decided to let it go.

He stood up and turned toward her, sliding his hands in his pockets.

"Actually, I have to go. I have a meeting with Sonny in a bit."

She smiled and nodded, knowing that he knew she was there, and grateful that he didn't call her out.

"Are we still going for a ride on your Harley tomorrow?" asked Jake standing up and moving between his mother and father.

He looked down at his son and a small smile touched his lips, "You bet. We can ride around the block."

"Awesome!" exclaimed Jake, turning to his mom, "Mom, did you hear that!"

Elizabeth laughed and nodded, "Yes I did. Just don't ask him to steer." She looked up at Jason and grinned.

Jason chuckled and shook his head, "Brat."

Elizabeth laughed, looking at him. He was smiling and his eyes were bright. He looked so happy in that moment. She knew it was about Jake, and how they were beginning to bond, but she also knew if she had the power, she would always make sure he looked that way.

"I'll call you later and let you know what time I'll be here," he said as he turned toward the door.

"Wait!" said Jake. Jason stopped and turned toward the boy.

"What's up bud?" he asked, wondering why his son stopped him.

Jake looked up at his father, and, taking a big gulp, walked over to where the man was standing. Slowly, he raised his arms and slid them around Jason's waist, his head resting on his chest.

Jason watched as Jake slid his arms around him, hugging him. It was the first time for anything like that to happen, and he was floored. His one arm came around Jake's back as the other held his head to his chest. His eyes filled with unshed tears as he looked over at Elizabeth, seeing a tear fall down her cheek at the sight.

Elizabeth's hand was on her heart, her other covering her mouth so a sob didn't escape her lips and disrupt the moment. Jake had been very tentative with Jason. They had been meeting once a week, and while Jake was warming up to Jason, he was still stand-offish. For Jake to reach out like this, meant that he finally trusted the man who was his father. It meant the world to Elizabeth, and she could see how much it meant to Jason.

They stood there for a few moments before Jake pulled away, looking up at Jason.

"I'll see you tomorrow," and hesitated, "Dad," he whispered.

Jason swallowed large lump in his throat as he looked down at his son. He nodded slowly, whispering shakily, "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."

Elizabeth walked over to Jason, as Jake ran up the stairs to his room, Jason's eyes never leaving his son until he could no longer see his frame. She took his hand and squeezed, causing him to look down at her. His eyes were glassy with unshed tears as he took a deep, shaky breath.

"Jason," she whispered, "are you ok?"

He chuckled, looking down at their entwined hands, and squeezed hers, his head shaking.

"He called me Dad. He said it to me. He hugged me. I think I'm so much more than ok right now," he said softly.

She smiled and grabbed his cheek, "He's finally seeing the man that you are," she said smiling, "He trusts you."

He nodded, his hand moving over hers on his cheek. They stood close together, holding on to one another, reveling in what had just happened.

They stood together for a few minutes before she pulled back, suddenly aware of their closeness. She slipped her hands off of him and slid them in the back pockets of her jeans. She didn't want to let him go, but she had to. She was with Franco now, and he was still in love with Sam, even though she had made her choice and married Drew.

She cleared her throat before saying, "Just let me know when you want him ready by."

He felt the shift in her demeanor as she pulled away from him. He wondered what had her pulling away, and not just physically. He felt that maybe she didn't feel comfortable with being that close to him anymore. She was another loss that he had to endure due to his five-year absence.

He gave a short nod and turned toward the door, opening it. He turned around to look at her again, and said, "I'll see you later, Elizabeth."

She smiled and nodded, crossing her arms in front of her, "See you later," she said, her throat raspy from the lump in her throat.