A/N – Here it is! The next part of the series! So, as a recap, remember that Jolu are engaged, but waiting to get married until Johnny gains control of the business and turns it over to Jason. That's pretty much the important things. I don't want to delay you any longer, so I will only say thanks for reading and please leave me a review!
Chapter 1 – The Big Day
"How did you get so beautiful?" Johnny wondered, pressing his lips to the back of Lulu's neck.
"How did you get to be such a charmer?" Lulu countered, turning her head to look at him.
Johnny laughed and caught her mouth in a kiss. They were in the bathtub at the cabin, just holding each other. Today was the day that Johnny was getting out of the business for good. After months of waiting, Anthony was going to give Johnny complete control and Johnny was going to immediately turn it over to Jason. It was only a few hours away and Johnny and Lulu were both excited.
"Do you want a massage?" Johnny asked, breaking the kiss.
"I think I should be asking you that," Lulu replied. "We decided to take this bath so you could relax."
"I'm already relaxed," Johnny smiled. "I'm with you and you always keep me calm."
"Do you think it's all going to work?" Lulu wondered, leaning back against him.
"Yeah," Johnny nodded, pulling her closer. "I've worked hard and so has Jason. Tonight I'll be free and you and I will celebrate."
"How are we going to celebrate?" Lulu questioned.
"You didn't plan something?" Johnny asked.
"Well, I was worried that planning something would jinx it," Lulu admitted.
"You worry too much," Johnny said, kissing the back of her head.
"I know," Lulu sighed. "We've switched roles in that aspect."
"It's sort of funny when you think about it," Johnny chuckled.
"I guess," Lulu said, linking her fingers with his. "I just want it to be over with and for everything to go the way we planned. Then I want to get married and go on a honeymoon that involves discovering a new place together and, of course, some hot sex with my husband."
"We can have hot sex right now," Johnny suggested, kissing her neck.
"No, because you need to focus," Lulu said, pulling away from him.
"I thought you wanted to help me relax," Johnny pouted and Lulu laughed.
"Listen, gorgeous," Lulu replied, turning around to face him. "Tonight, when you get home, I will leave you more relaxed than you have ever been in your life. But only if you come home with news that we can celebrate."
"I'm going to make it happen," Johnny promised. "I had all the motivation I needed before, but those words make me want to get it done even more."
"Good," Lulu smiled, leaning forward and kissing him quickly. "We should get out of this bath before we turn in to prunes."
"Yeah, I wouldn't look too tough with wrinkly skin because I had been soaking in a bath," Johnny laughed.
Lulu laughed as well and climbed out of the bathtub first. Johnny followed shortly after and they both dressed in the bedroom, talking some. Lulu tried to leave the bedroom before Johnny, but he caught her and started tickling her sides. She giggled and squirmed, causing him to pin her on the bed beneath him. Johnny smiled down at her and they stared into each other's eyes for a few minutes, both calming their laughter.
"You're going to be careful, right?" Lulu asked.
"Of course," Johnny nodded.
"And you're going to come home to me tonight?" Lulu continued.
"Tonight and every night for the rest of our lives," Johnny affirmed.
"Well, except for the night before the wedding," Lulu smirked.
"Do we have to be traditional?" Johnny questioned.
"Yes," Lulu answered. "I want to build the anticipation of the moment you see me coming toward you in my dress."
"I'm already anticipating it," Johnny smiled. "I love you so much."
"And I love you," Lulu promised. "So, so much."
"You sure you don't want to show me before I go?" Johnny asked, smirking at her.
"I should have known," Lulu said, rolling her eyes.
Johnny laughed and kissed her forehead before getting up. He helped her up as well and she entwined their fingers and walked him to the door. He paused at the door and turned back to Lulu. She leaned up and met his lips in a slow kiss that told him to be safe and that she loved him. He kissed her back, a promise that he would and that he loved her, too.
"I'll be back before you know it," Johnny muttered, kissing her again.
"I'll be here waiting," Lulu whispered, giving him one final kiss before he left.
Johnny pulled into a parking space at Pentonville and parked his car. He got out quickly and headed inside. The guard searched him before leading him into the visitation room. A few minutes later, Anthony was brought in as well and he took a seat across from Johnny.
"My son," Anthony smiled. "It's been too long."
"I was here last month," Johnny reminded him.
"And I'm supposed to get by only seeing you once a month?" Anthony asked.
"I can't help it if I'm busy running the organization," Johnny replied.
"Very true," Anthony nodded. "And doing a great job, may I add. Which I'm sure is why you bothered to show up today."
"It's time," Johnny said seriously. "I've done everything you asked me to. It's time every account was in my name. I want full control."
"Son, you don't understand how difficult it is to give away everything I worked so hard to build," Anthony said, leaning back in his seat. "That's why it took longer than the six months you wanted for me to really trust you. I mean, for the longest time you swore you wanted no part of this business."
"I didn't want to be a part while you were around," Johnny argued. "I didn't want to be like you and I'm not. I can run the business and still be a good man."
"Maybe in the beginning," Anthony chuckled. "I just wonder how that girl of yours is handling this. Does she even know where you are right now?"
"Lulu supports me unconditionally," Johnny replied.
"You're so naïve, son," Anthony said, shaking his head. "That's another reason it's difficult to turn things over to you."
"You're acting like you're not going to do it," Johnny said slowly. "Are you?"
Lulu paced the cabin, wishing that time would move a little faster for once. She wanted Johnny to be back already. Deciding she needed to do something to get her mind off of everything, she went to her phone and called Lucky.
"Hello?" Lucky answered.
"Hey," Lulu replied. "How are you?"
"I'm good," Lucky said slowly. "How are you?"
"Nervous," Lulu said honestly. "Today is the day."
"Lulu, you promised you would call before you and Johnny got married so we could all be there," Lucky groaned.
"Not that day," Lulu laughed. "Johnny's getting full control."
"Oh," Lucky muttered. "Um...why are you nervous?"
"I don't know," Lulu shrugged. "I just keep worrying that Anthony will find out somehow and do something to Johnny."
"He won't, Lu," Lucky promised. "This is going to work out for you two."
"It's still weird sometimes when you show me and Johnny support," Lulu said, smiling to herself.
"You know, I never thought I would say this, but Johnny is like a brother to me now," Lucky replied. "I want him to have everything he wants, not just because it's good for you, but because he deserves it."
"He really does," Lulu agreed. "Thanks for calming me down, Lucky. I needed to hear all of that."
"Anytime," Lucky offered. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Lulu responded. "Bye."
"Bye," Lucky said, disconnecting the call.
Lulu took a deep breath and tried to convince herself that Lucky was right. Everything was going to be okay.
Jason paced in front of the office door, trying to remember the last time he had truly been nervous to talk to Sonny. He knew his old friend would not like the news that he was about to deliver, but it had to be done. He couldn't receive the Zacchara organization and still be the second in command with Sonny. And merging the two was not an option. Zacchara men were trained to hate Sonny and they would rebel against any order he gave. However, Jason believed it would be different for him. He had dealt with members of the Zacchara organization in the past and they had all shown him respect. He had to break ties from Sonny, which meant he had to gather up the courage and walk inside his office.
"Hey," Jason said, stepping in quickly before he could talk himself out of it.
"What's going on?" Sonny asked.
"I needed to talk to you if that's okay," Jason answered.
"Sure," Sonny said, leaning back in his chair. "What's this about?"
"Johnny and the Zacchara organization," Jason replied.
"Ah," Sonny nodded. "I know you mean well, so I decided that it's okay. We'll just merge the two organizations and you and I won't have a problem."
"We're going to have a problem," Jason argued. "The Zacchara men would never be loyal to you. Merging would never work and I refuse to hang Johnny out to dry."
"I-I don't understand," Sonny said dumbly. "You're saying you want to leave my organization and join up with the Zaccharas?"
"I'm going to lead the Zaccharas the way I promised Johnny I would," Jason confirmed. "And from now on, we'll just coexist in Port Charles. We're not enemies, but we're not on a team either."
"What about the coffee business?" Sonny wondered.
"I'm taking my half and going out on my own," Jason replied. "Diane's already handling all of the paperwork."
"Wow," Sonny whispered. "Turning your back on me, the man who taught you everything you know, for two love struck kids."
"You can see it however you choose," Jason shrugged. "The fact is, we're not doing business anymore. It's for the best."
Jason stood up and walked to the door, turning to see Sonny sitting there, staring at his hands. It was for the best. And it wasn't at all as hard as Jason had anticipated.