This is completely AU/AH whatever…I don't know why this decided it had to be written but I had an idea and none of my other stories would work with it, so…here this is. Hope you guys enjoy and will share your thoughts. This is a short one-shot. Well...not so much a one-shot anymore, I've had requests to continue it, so after Christmas, when I have more time, this will get more love.
Because…
Since Jake's birth six months ago, things had been…complicated. To the outside world, Sam McCall was his girlfriend/ex-fiancé and Elizabeth Webber was none other than a one night stand. The 'outside' world couldn't be more wrong but when you lived your life for other people, it wasn't something that could easily be fixed.
Jason felt like he was teetering on the edge of a knife. Any sudden movement could cause his entire house of cards to come crashing down.
The truth of the matter was simple. He is in love with Elizabeth…but her friends, his friends, her family…they all thought they had the right to dictate what and who the two could see, especially if they showed even the slightest weakening towards one another.
So…how does a feared enforcer, force the issues at hand? How does said enforcer make sure that everyone who thinks they have a say, are where he needs them, at the appropriate time and place to pull off the biggest and quite possibly the most intrinsic plan, he'd ever put forth…simple, he convinces his best friend that she needs to have a charity ball…and everyone, no matter position, needs to be invited and convinced that this was going to be the ball that all other balls aspired to be.
"Carly? Is everything set for tomorrow night?" Jason asked as she rushed into his office and threw herself into his arms. Something that was beginning to bother him more and more, but in order for his plan to go off without a 'fingers crossed' hitch, he couldn't prematurely, rock the boat.
"Of course it is, silly. When have I ever let someone down? I am always on point. The fact that you suggested this though is curious…" Carly said in an overtly loud voice.
"No need to shout, my hearing is as good as it has ever been." Jason said, forcing a teasing smile to his lips.
After receiving a not to gentle slap, right above his heart, he almost couldn't supress the desire to shove the harpy sitting on his lap, to the floor. It was a close thing but knowing it could potentially screw with every plan he had, he clenched his jaw.
"You are so weird…Anyway, the reason I am here is because…well, my florist said that the white roses I ordered are unavailable. On top of that, the menu I had put together…somehow was altered. We were supposed to be having champagne and caviar on toast points, you know the rich-y types all love that shit…instead I was told that the caviar was changed to tapas. Is there anything you can do? I just don't know why everything is going wrong." Carly whined while playing with the collar of his standard black T-shirt.
Deciding that she would sit there forever, Jason calmly settled her into his chair and walked around his desk. "What flowers did the florist say they ordered?" Jason asked factitiously.
"Lilies…like Easter lilies and those calla lilies that people call black but are really purple or whatever…can you just imagine how bland that will be." Carly huffed.
Once again stuck, Jason blurted the first thing that his filter didn't squash. "I think they are rather elegant. They are understated but they smell phenomenal. Everyone uses roses for almost everything, just think; you could be starting a whole new trend."
"Seriously?"
"Truly…as for the other things, caviar is pretentious, not many people like it and for an event that should last hours, caviar won't keep people from starving, while the tapas will, since there is such a wide variety, even the pickiest of patrons will find something to enjoy." Jason offered while pacing in front of his desk.
"How the hell do you know what tapas are or anything about flowers? Whenever you are with a woman, I always have to get them flowers from you because you are clueless." Carly shrieked
Sighing loudly, Jason said, "I read Carly…just because you haven't looked at a book that didn't have checks or money within, doesn't mean the rest of the world doesn't crack a book now and then." Snippier than he meant to be but the continuous idiocy of the people he dealt with on a day to day basis, was more than wearing on him.
"You are in a shitty mood. I'm going to go and hope nothing else changes before tomorrow night…can you just…look in to why all my plans have been altered?" Carly asked but coming out of her mouth, it sounded more demand like.
"I'll do what I can." Jason offered as he escorted her out the door and then closed and locked it behind himself. "Have a good day Carly."
He didn't give her the chance to respond, just rushed out of the coffee shop and jumped on his bike. If he stuck around for any length of time, she'd come back and then there was the issue of Sonny who always had to know everything. Honestly, Jason was shocked Sonny didn't demand a urine and stool sample, just so he'd know the color and density of everything…
'And this is why this shit has to end. You didn't even think that thought with any snark…the veracity of that comment is…terrifying.'
A two hour drive normally helped to quiet the insistent voices that plagued his mind and waking life but there was one voice, almost melodic compared to the others, that piped up on occasion, one he didn't mind hearing.
Checking his jacket pocket for probably the billionth time, Jason felt the three cube shaped boxes. Tomorrow night was either going to be the happiest moment of his life or the absolute worst, there really was no way to gauge things.
He and Elizabeth had been sneaking around the little Port city, seeing each other when time and circumstances allowed it, which admittedly, wasn't often but even a few moments in her presence and he felt refreshed. Like life made more sense with her closer. Just thinking about her brought a smile to his face and lightened the load on his shoulders.
By the time he made it home, his cell had 32 missed calls and 28 voice mails. This is what his life had become as of late. He was a nursemaid to two adults and the asswiper of a young adult who believed the sun rose out of his ass, not to mention all the other hangers on, who all wanted a piece of him, just so he could make sure they didn't screw up. To be truthful, it was ridiculous, he had to literally learn everything over and he didn't have nowhere near the issues that his band of 'friends' did.
Not bothering to listen to a single messaged, Jason tossed his phone on his desk and made his way upstairs. It was early, too early to sleep but he wanted to check his list a few more times, just to make sure he hadn't missed anything. For the last month, he'd been writing and rewriting what he would say when the moment came. Nothing he could come up with, seemed to encompass exactly what he used to feel and what he feels now but if he continued to rewrite it, he'd have forty or fifty different versions dancing in his memory and totally screw everything up and that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Tomorrow night was going to be as perfect as he could make it. Which is why he ordered different flowers and changed the menu and the string quartet…actually he'd changed the invitation too. He wanted all the men in black tuxes and the women in white dresses…well; he wanted one woman in a white dress.
He checked in with Cody quickly, who assured him that he had the packages and they would be delivered right on time. "Remember; say as little as you can. She's too smart for her own good and I don't want her to have any idea of what I am up to. I have a lot of things to make up to her and this is only the beginning." Jason said seriously.
"Not a problem boss. I will take care of everything. Tomorrow will be as perfect as we can make it. I know there are going to be more than a few tantrums thrown but if we are fortunate, you'll get to have your say and then hopefully, you two can make a quick escape." Cody responded, trying to soothe Jason's ruffled mind.
"I won't relax until everything is over and done with but I'll try to keep a lid on my nerves." Jason offered with a small laugh.
"Sounds good. I'll let you know if there are any…issues but I think we've thought of every contingency we could have. Have a good night." Cody said as he disconnected.
XxXxXxX
Elizabeth was a nervous wreck. It was one thing to be sneaking around but using this type of venue to come out to everyone…it made her nerves have nerves.
After Cody had dropped off her packages and taken his…
Elizabeth spent as much time as she could, getting ready but not having the boys underfoot, she managed to get everything done, faster than she had wanted to. As the days had led up to this moment, she'd thought of and contemplated the use of any number of excuses to get out of going to this event. It wasn't that she didn't want to stop hiding her love for Jason; she just didn't agree with him, that their outing needed to be done on such a...large scale.
Not to mention the fact that he also believed that it was in the boy's best interest to be removed from Port Charles entirely. Although, she couldn't disagree that things were liable to get loud and quite possibly dangerous if they had stayed…it was frustrating and ridiculous that two people had to go to such extremes, just because they loved one another and wanted to be together.
Watching the clock slowly tick closer to the time she had to leave, she contemplated having a drink or ten, just to calm her nerves. If the knock hadn't sounded on her door, she probably would have imbibed in a little something.
"Hi…hello…" Elizabeth said nervously.
"Hi, I'm Arlo; I'll be your driver tonight."
'I don't see why I couldn't just take my own car…don't need no damn limo or driver…' Elizabeth mumbled.
"Mr. Morgan wanted to make sure of your safety. I've known him for years. I promised you would arrive safely and should you both need to make a quick escape, I'll be ready." Arlo offered.
Elizabeth blushed, not having meant for him to hear her grumblings.
"I know…just ignore me. I like to complain." Elizabeth said as she grabbed her clutch and waited for Arlo to open the door.
XxXxXxX
'Where the hell is she? She should have been here three minutes ago…' His mind screamed.
Today was, without a doubt, the most stressful day he had ever had. He'd faced madmen, bullets, killers…the wait and what could possibly be waiting at the end of the night, had him so completely on edge, he figured even his hair was standing straighter.
As his mind was about to go on another tear about Elizabeth's lateness, she walked through the ballroom. His breath was promptly stolen. He'd seen many sides to Elizabeth. Model, nurse, mother, ball attendee, motorcycle rider, seductress, lover, friend…before he realized he was moving, he was stood in front of her.
"You are breathtaking. The entire ballroom and its occupants just dimmed, you outshine them all Elizabeth. You are the epitome of beauty and grace." Jason said breathlessly.
She'd heard Jason be sweet before but this… "Thank you. You look amazing yourself. You clean up well Morgan, that blue…it makes your eyes almost glow."
Elizabeth had barely had time to taken in the beauty of the ballroom before Jason approached but it all paled in comparison to his handsome face and boyish smile.
Because this was Port Charles, the idiots they called friends and family, all had radar, because no sooner than they had those few moments, than they were being swarmed.
Jason found himself being pushed back and away but before he could lose sight of her, Jason dug his heels in and forced the people pulling on him, to either stop or rip his arms off, which they almost did anyway.
"Look, I have a few things I need to handle and then and only then, will I come and find you." Jason said, hoping to whatever higher power was listening that he wouldn't have to hold to that loosely offered promise.
Seeing a few of his more stringent friends gearing up to demand something from him, Jason simply walked away. Being held hostage by them was not in the cards tonight. He had a plan and he fully intended to stick to it. After dodging the last grasping hand, Jason made his way behind the curtain where Cody was already waiting.
"As you know, the fundraising part of the night is set to begin in the next ten minutes, so if you are going to get your time in the limelight, now is your best bet." Cody offered while handing him a microphone.
"Thank you. Can you stand watch on the audio equipment, I don't want to go through all of this and be cut off because one of the loons gets overzealous and cuts me off." Jason asked while pulling at his tie in a futile attempt, to get more air. The damn thing felt like it was devouring the last bit of oxygen he was able to pull from the suddenly thick feeling air.
He took a few useless deep breaths before making his way to the center of the stage. The whispering and gossiping began as soon as the first person noticed his presence.
"Sorry to interrupt your evening, I just need a few moments. Could Elizabeth Webber please come up on the stage, please?" Jason asked, switching the microphone to his other hand, so he could wipe the excessive sweat from his other.
Just saying her name had a lot of the idiots gearing up some idiocy. Until this moment, he had never understood the saying 'quaking in your boots' but he was indeed quaking.
He could see the questions in her eyes as she stopped not quite a foot away but he just gave her one of his looks, the one that promised she'd understand but to trust him.
"I know this is highly unconventional and the last thing I want to do is public speaking but if ever there was a reason worthy, this is, Elizabeth Webber is. I don't care what you have to say, I will have my say, so shut up and let me finish." Jason all but hissed into the microphone.
"Jason?!" Elizabeth whispered harshly. "What are you doing?"
Deciding that she'd have her answer shortly, Jason simply lowered himself down to one knee, amid the gasps and groans and shrieks, Jason said, "Elizabeth Webber, I have known you practically my whole life as Jason Morgan. I have loved you almost as long…"
Pulling the first ring out of his inside pocket, Jason continued, "Because I bought this ring for the girl who saved my life, who changed it for the better and who completely stole my heart." As he pulled the second ring out he said, "For the young lady who gave me my greatest heart's desire, a son, although he isn't of my blood, he is my son and a few years later, you gave me a son of my blood." As he pulled the third ring out, he said, "I think the woman who brought my heart back to me, deserves her own ring. The ring that should have always been on your finger, the ring that should, would, will, proclaim to all, you are my woman, my wife, the mother of my sons. You are everything I didn't know I needed and wanted. I won't waste another moment on worrying about others, you, you are what matter. Forever and always."
Her tears were falling so quickly she could barely see his handsome face, her throat so clogged with emotion; she couldn't offer anything but a choked "YES!"
When she collapsed into his strong arms, the whole ballroom filled with both angry and happy shouts.
"I know this isn't how you imagined this but I didn't want anyone to question my devotion. You ready to start our life together? Francis and Johnny have the boys on a jet, just waiting for us. You ready to see Italy?" Jason asked, thumbing the happy tears from her cheeks.
"Yes, a million times yes. I was made to love you. I am ready to begin our life. Let's go, Arlo is waiting for us." Elizabeth said while pressing chaste kisses all over his faces.
Taking her hand, he led her through the curtain and out the back way, Cody following behind to make sure they made a clean breakaway.
"How did you manage this?" Elizabeth asked, a little in awe.
"I convinced Carly that the hospital needed money so she should throw a ball." Jason said with a large smile.
As they ducked into the limo, they both saw the sidewalk filling with their friends and family. "I don't suppose they want to wish us well or good luck." Elizabeth said with a laugh.
"We don't need their well wishes or luck; we have always made our own. This time will be no different but with a love like ours, we don't need wishes or luck or any other superstition, so long as you and our family are in my arms, my life has meaning, it has purpose. You are the diamond in the rough; you've always been too good, too pure for the cesspool that is Port Charles." Jason said sincerely.
Things might not have gone exactly like he planned, considering he had jumped the gun and moved up his plan but he couldn't be sad. The bodyguards he had offered to loan to the ball, worked perfectly, kept everyone away who needed to be kept...It was nice to have a plan come together so perfectly. Patience had never been an issue before...obviously all the waiting over the years had just become too much.
Of course, everything could have gone wrong and still gone right, if at the end of it all, she still said Yes.
XxXxXxX