A/N: This story takes place fifteen years into the future from the year 2009 after the Bio-toxin fire at General Hospital. Everything in Jason's history remains the same up to the point in time where Raynor offers him the deal for immunity for Spinelli from treason charges. This is Jason's story, Jake's story, Spinelli's story and Elizabeth's. Read the end note for a bit more on my inspiration for this story. It hasn't posted here in quite some time and it's now been reduxed and I've written up to chapter 33. I'll be posting it here over the next few weeks. I hope you like what I've done, Enjoy, Lisa
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth
until the hour of separation." Khalil Gibran
1
Port Charles, New York
July 2, 2022
Webber Residence
Afternoon, About 3:30 PM EDT
As Jake Webber came home from camp, he brought in the mail. It was one of his daily chores. Right on the top was a large, bulky envelope addressed to him. He hardly ever got mail, except from his Grandma Audrey and sometimes a friend from camp and those were usually birthday cards.
But today wasn't his birthday. As he opened the envelope two brown envelopes fell out. The one labeled with the "#1" had a single piece of paper and three smaller envelopes.
To: Mr. Jacob Martin Webber
234 Cherry Tree Lane
Port Charles, NY 13578
July 5, 2022
Dear Jake,
I hope you do not mind that I am using your familiar nickname. I've known you a long time, although you hardly know me.
I found these letters addressed to you in a box belonging to my oldest and dearest friend. I think it is okay for you to have them now. You are old enough, in my opinion, and knowing him, or of him, can no longer be dangerous for you.
As you will see, the letters (most are just short notes) stop several years ago when my friend disappeared. There are also some notes about you, a personal diary, if you will. I would like to tell you about him and I believe you should know about him, indeed, I've always thought you should.
First, I want to tell you how I became the friend of the man who calls himself "J". It was a long time ago. I was a young and impressionable computer geek who thought the world was one big video game and I was the Master of Cyberspace – Assassin of the Internet.
I was working for a nefarious South American Kingpin. At his bidding and that of the then Dastardly District Attorney of Port Charles, I set up phony computer files to implicate my, then unknown, friend's girlfriend and by extension him in criminal dealings of a heinous nature. J and his girlfriend tracked me down in an effort to clear both their names. Although I put them in great peril, getting J shot and causing his girlfriend to battle the justice system, I did clear their names. Both J and his girlfriend (I nicknamed them Stone Cold and The Goddess) befriended me and took me in to live with them and Stone Cold gave me his protection. Stone Cold has been my best friend for a very long time.
Stone Cold was, allegedly, known to be The Enforcer for the most powerful Crime 'Family' in upstate New York and later the head of the same organization. He was considered by those who knew of him in the criminal world as a stone-cold killer, a respected and practical business man and a deadly force to be avoided at all costs. I tell you this because, Stone Cold always tried to tell the truth and never sugar-coated anything about himself to those he cared about. If anything, he was unrelentingly hard on himself.
Although he had a continuing relationship with The Goddess until she was wounded in his arms. I learned later that his long-time love was for your Mother, the Fair Elizabeth.
The brevity of these notes to you from J is very much in character with my friend. He was a man of few words and those words were usually the most important of utterances. He was a man who thought, always, of those he loved and those who loved them and very little for himself. He was a man widely castigated and belittled for his way of life by foes, family and, often, even those who called him friend. He often put himself at great risk for those people important to him and expected little in return. He was a man of great accomplishment, although, he would be the first to deny that fact.
To those he loved, he was always giving and took only the barest of essentials to meet his needs. He was an open-minded listener who rarely imposed his way of thinking to your situation but let you determine your own path. He laughed and smiled little, but took great joy in the happiness of those he loved. He was a man betrayed by those he loved and valued, but forgave and never betrayed in return.
He was a man who endured much pain, both physical and emotional, with quiet stoicism and in solitude. He was a man many thought void of emotion when, in fact, he was adept at keeping his emotions well hidden from all except those who knew him best or cared to notice. He was a man who loved deeply and in secret, but would allow no one to love him openly. In point of fact, my name for him, Stone Cold, fits him not at all, but it stuck almost as a private joke.
Stone Cold did love a few things openly. He loved riding his motorcycle, and the faster, the better. It was his escape, his salvation, it was the way he battled his own inner demons. But, I also remember him telling me, once, how much he loved riding with the Fair Elizabeth and looking at the stars. When I asked where they went, he told me "nowhere". They just rode and had fun.
He loved playing pool and he was an expert player – no surprise – he was good at everything he tried. And he told me once how much he loved to watch your mother paint and to have her explain her pictures to him for, owing to a previous accident, he had difficulty understanding painted art without her loving explanations.
My dear friend had one serious flaw, and that is that he was afraid of himself and the pain he might unwittingly bring to those around him. He never saw or understood that he could bring joy to those who loved him and wanted to love him openly. And so, he kept himself isolated in order to keep those he loved safe.
I have always been proud to be a member of the very few people Stone Cold allowed into his inner circle. Where I can, I will add my own remembrances to the notes J wrote so that you might understand the historical circumstances. Here are the first of the notes. I hope I am making the right decision.
Another friend, S
Jake opened the first of the three plain white envelopes containing a single piece of plain, unlined paper – the paper was a bit yellow and looked a bit old. The writing was strong, simple and plain. Curiously, he started to read...
May 4, 2007
Dear Baby Boy Webber,
I watched you being born today. It was a great day. It was a frightening day, too. Your Mom had some trouble with your birth, but she was very brave. I'm sure you already know how great your Mom is – she's the best.
I met your mother 8 years before you were born and fell in love with her almost immediately, but your Mom was in love with her first boyfriend who disappeared in a fire. Your Mom and I – we became good friends.
Your Mom and I helped each other through a very difficult time in both our lives. And then, your Mom saved my life. I used to take your Mom for motorcycle rides at night to go fast and see the stars. Your Mom used to say that the stars looked closer and more beautiful after riding so fast.
But, watching you being born today was the greatest thing I've ever seen. You are amazing – and perfect! You came out wailing just like you should and, of course; the first thing I checked was that all your fingers and toes were all there.
I just wanted you to know that you and your Mom and your brother are very special to me and always will be. Cam will be a terrific big brother and I know you will have a great life.
Your friend, J
May 5, 2007
Dear Baby Boy Webber,
I got to hold you today for the very first time. Your Mom is still sleeping after delivering you – she was very tired. You weren't too interested in looking around – you were probably a bit tired, too. After all, being born is hard work – but you did great!
It was really nice to hold you and talk to you. I don't usually talk much, but wait until you hear your Mom ramble, it's funny and usually interesting – you're going to love it. Your brother, Cam does it, too.
You are so small that you fit it my forearm – kind of like a football. You have that smell that adults like to call the "new baby smell" – of baby powder and newness. I can still smell it hours later.
We talked for a while and I promised that I would always love you and that you would have a great life and always be safe.
Your friend, J
May 7, 2007
Dear Jake,
When I came to the hospital today you were with your Mom. She told me that she finally decided on your name and that she was naming you to honor our history together. She has chosen a wonderful, strong name for you, Jacob Martin. Your Mom tells me that she plans to call you "Jake" for everyday.
I stayed while you were having your bottle and held you for a bit. You drank your whole bottle so fast – you were really hungry! Then I was called away on business.
Today you are going home. Cam will be so excited to meet you. I know that you will have a great life.
Your friend, J
In the second brown envelope, not surprisingly, labeled "#2" was a single sheet of typed paper.
Jake –
I remember these three days like it was yesterday. I remember because I was with Stone Cold at the time. I remember how happy he was that you were here and healthy, and that the Fair Elizabeth was safe and healthy. The night of your birth, Stone Cold found the Fair Elizabeth during one of Port Charles' nastier rain storms. She was unconscious and alone. My friend scooped up the Fair One and rode with all haste to General Hospital to insure your safe delivery.
The Fair Elizabeth, your Mother, was delivered of you with great difficulty and peril to her health – none of your causing. Stone Cold stood silent vigil for the Fair One for many hours until he received word that she lived and was in stable condition. He remained vigilant while your mother recovered and waited for her awakening for more than twenty-four hours.
I remember, too, because I was with my friend the day you were born and he knew that he would not be able to be with you in your life. He savored these few days in your presence. He was so happy to have had the pleasure, although fleeting, of holding you and watching as the Fair Elizabeth fed you one of your first bottles.
My friend was honored by your mother's choice of name. I remember, also, my own personal pain as I listened as he promised you that he would do whatever he could to keep you safe. He always looked back on those three days with great fondness and happiness, and not a little regret.
Another friend, S
I love hearing from my readers! Please let me know what you think!
ENDNOTES:
This is an idea that has been niggling around in my head for quite some time. I remember when Jason wrote a goodbye letter to Michael in 2000. He gave the letter to Sonny to give to Michael when the time was right. I thought that Jason just might put his private feelings down in letters to Jake even though he knows that Jake will never see them. I picture Jason keeping the letters in his Box of Pain. You will all realize, quickly, that the writer signed as "Another friend" is Spinelli. I've tried to capture his mode of speech and tone but scaled down to a younger person. I hope I am successful. As I said, this is my first attempt - if you hate it, let me know - no harm, no foul. This was my first Fan Fiction foray. There have been many others since, but this one will be finished. For more you are welcome to join me at my site, The_No_ ?act=idx. Thanks for reading, Lisa
Disclaimer: All characters that are the property of ABC, Inc. and The Disney Corporation are fully acknowledged. No copyright infringement intended. All character identities are merely borrowed for fun. Story Concept and Original characters are the property of the author publishing as CMJavaGirl.
Reduxed 4/2013