Elizabeth was sitting in the park thinking about what she was going to do next. She had a chance of living her dream in Rome or she could be the good daughter and grand-daughter and stay in Port Charles. She had accomplished her goals and won a scholarship to Rome for the next four years. Her scholarship covered all of her classes and living expenses. She didn't have to get another job to help pay her bills. She was excited but also sad about leaving her friends and family. She just knew that if she didn't go then she would always wonder, "what if". That is something that she decided she couldn't do to herself. She knew that she would have to tell her family and soon. Her new life was to start in two weeks. She needed time to pack and find the lay of the land before she started classes in Rome.
She left the park and walked over to General Hospital to tell her grandmother the news. She actually knew about for a couple of weeks and only told her best friend, Emily that she was accepted. Emily was happy for her but was sad that she was leaving for Italy. She walked to the nurse's station and saw her grandmother at work. "Grandmother, I have some exciting news for you. I have been accepted at the John Cabot U in Rome. I have a scholarship for their bachelor's program in Art. It is a very prestigious university in Rome. I have been wanting to go there since I started painting in high school. There are only a handful of students in the US that are accepted." Elizabeth talked so fast that her grandmother didn't know what to say.
"Have you called your parents yet? I am sure that they will want you to stay here with me and go to Port Charles University and then to Med School like everyone else did. I am not sure if I am happy about this or not." Her grandmother smiled at her knowing that her grand-daughter had already made up her mind.
"I am not sure if I will call them now or after I get to Rome. I made up my mind and this is something that I need to do for me. I have never really done anything except for what is expected of me. I am an adult and know that medicine is something that the family does but it is not for me. I love painting and all the different areas of art. It is as much a part of me as medicine is to all of you. Please tell me that you are proud of me and that I have your blessing. I love and respect you and this means the world to me." Elizabeth, sat down and was about to cry when her grandmother came over and hugged her. "I will tell your parents for you. I have always been proud of you and your paintings are beautiful. I know you will do well over there. I will miss you though. You better write to me. Don't tell anyone but you are my favorite granddaughter." Audrey hugged Elizabeth and went back to work.
Elizabeth then went over to see Emily. She had to tell her that she made her decision to go to Rome and that she was leaving in a week. "Emily, are you ready? Elizabeth is downstairs waiting for you." "I am Alice. Tell her I will be down in a few minutes." That is when she saw him. He was coming down the stairs looking like he was ready to take on the world. He had a way about him that made her melt. She knew that she wasn't his type because she was his little sister's best friend. Too young and definitely not wild enough for Jason Morgan.
He looked right at her and smiled. "Hi Elizabeth! Emily will be right down. She told me about your exciting news. Congratulations on your acceptance at John Cabot. The boys over there in Rome will be falling all over themselves when they see how beautiful you are. Take care." Jason then walked out of the door. He never knew that she had been daydreaming about him since she was a freshman and he was a senior. Emily, came down the stairs and saw Elizabeth staring at the door that Jason just walked out of. "Come on, Liz. It will be okay. There will be plenty of men chasing you once you hit Rome. You know they love us American women over there. Did you tell your family? I asked my mother if I could go help you move to Rome and she said I could. Do you still want me to go?" Elizabeth hugged her best friend and started to cry.
"What did I do now? I thought you would be happy that I could go. Am I missing something?" "No, I am happy that you can go. I told my grandmother but not the rest of the family. Grandmother said she would take care of it. I am surprised that she is letting you go alone. I mean you will have to fly back alone."
"Mother, took care of that. She asked Jason if he would fly with us over there and make sure that you get settled over there. We actually have a nice townhouse that is never used in Rome and my parents said that you are welcome to stay there just pay the utilities. I know that you are on scholarship but this will be one expense that is taken care of and you would be doing my parents a big favor. They hate having the place closed up all the time. We only get over there a couple of times a year. In the winter it gets really cold, so having you there we know that the pipes won't freeze. At least I think it gets cold in the winter. I don't really pay much attention to all the properties the family has except that one in the islands. Remember last year, we had a blast there." Emily looked at Elizabeth who was in shock now. "Are you sure that your parents don't mind me staying there? That is something that I never expected or could have hoped for." Emily took Elizabeth into the living room where her parents were talking about their day.
"Mom, Elizabeth is not sure about staying at our townhouse. She thinks it is too much and doesn't want to put anyone out" "Elizabeth, you are like a daughter to Alan and myself. I have seen your talent and I know that you will accomplish a lot in your studies abroad. We want to do something special for you because we believe in your talent and also to know that someone is enjoying our place over there. We never get to use it and I know that you will take good care of it. You might have some company over there because Jason is thinking of taking a couple of months off to see Europe. He plans on traveling and deciding whether he wants to go into business with the family or start his own vineyard. He is finally finished with his studies here and his dream in building a villa and starting his own winery. His father and I just want him to be happy. That is one of the reasons why I am letting Emily go because he promised to make sure that the two of you were safe. Also that you are situated in the townhouse and ready for your classes. I did tell Audrey about this after she called telling me your good news. I know she will feel better knowing that you have a safe place to stay. So, can you help us out? We really would appreciate you helping us out." Alan and Monica hugged Elizabeth. "I am so grateful. Thank you for all that you are doing for me. I am not sure if I could ever repay you." Alan looked at Elizabeth and smiled. "I know that you will do wonders there. If you would like to do some decorating then just send us the bills and we will take care of it. I know that it needs some TLC and I have seen some of your decorating work. Namely, Emily's bedroom. That room is a masterpiece." Emily and Elizabeth hugged Alan and Monica and headed to Kelly's for some dinner.
"Did I just dream that or are we both about to go to Rome? This dream of mine is really coming true. I have sent an e-mail telling them that I have accepted the scholarship and that my classes start in two weeks. I figure a couple of days here for us to pack and then a week or so to get ready for school. I just wish you were going to school with me. I will miss you Em." Emily smiled at her best friend and before they knew it, they were at Kelly's.
They got their usual table and placed their orders. Just then Jason walked in with one of his friends from the university. Emily and Elizabeth just stared at them while they got the table next to them. Jason introduced his friend, Johnny O'Brien. "Ladies, this is my best friend, Johnny. Johnny this is my sister, Emily and her best friend, Elizabeth. These are the two young ladies that are going to Rome with us. Johnny is going to help me find my vineyard over in Florence. I am hoping to find a nice piece of property there and take a couple of classes about growing grapes and starting my own business there. I have always loved Italy. I saw the two of you come in here so I wanted you to meet Johnny before I sneak him on board with us Friday. I hope you two don't mind."
"Elizabeth, do you think we should tell my mom or should we just blackmail them for the rest of their lives? I think blackmail is the best way to go." Johnny laughed and then asked her for her number. "I believe that blackmail is a great way to get us to do whatever you want us to do. I give great back massages if you ever need one of them. I just need a ride back with you Emily since the stud here is staying in Italy. If you don't mind?"
Elizabeth told the guys not to worry that they wouldn't say anything and to Johnny that Emily would love to fly back with him. "I think that you totally floored Emily since this is the first time I can remember her speechless in quite some time. Sit down, Em. We will leave the guys alone in peace while we eat our food before it gets too cold. Nice meeting you, Johnny. I am glad that both you and Jason are coming with us."
Jason and Johnny looked at the younger girls and smiled. Jason knew what Johnny wanted to do with his sister and he was going to make sure that it never happened. The two of them grabbed their meals and took off for parts unknown. Emily and Elizabeth finished their meal and decided that they needed to start thinking about what they were going to pack for their trip to Rome. One good thing about the Quartermaine's letting Elizabeth stay at their townhouse was that she knew where to ship her belongings off too. She was going to be there for the next few years and she needed to take a lot of her personal belongings there. Her grandmother and Monica had brought over some boxes already to help with the packing. Emily was only going to be there for a few days since she started at the University the same week that Elizabeth was starting school.