This story is about Liz making it on her own in RI. She left Port Charles after high school and meets Jason again when she had finished college and was about to start on her new life as a gallery owner and artist. Jason is going to have his own construction company which his grandfather bought for him. I do not own any of the characters, they belong to ABC and General Hospital.
Liz had always been an independent spirit. She didn't like to be tied down and she didn't like to be told what to do. Her family was never there for her like most of her friends. She left Port Charles and went to Providence, Rhode Island. She accepted a full four-year scholarship to RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). She was very proud of her accomplishments and left without looking back.
She finished school and the world was literally at her feet. She was tops in her class for painting, sketching and working with clay. She knew that she could get a job anywhere but her first professor that truly believed in her, offered her a job as his assistant. She stayed working for the next five years with her professor. He was like a father figure to her and he was going to help her open her own gallery. He found a perfect spot in a little town called Wickford. It is on Narragansett Bay. The gallery was in the perfect spot and Liz fell in love with it.
Jason had been going through a rough break-up with Carly. She lied to him and told him that she loved him but she had been sleeping around with whoever paid any attention to her. Jason and his parents were not getting along because they knew that Carly was using him and they tried to stop him from hurting himself. He was an architect and was the tops at his grandfather's company.
His grandfather had decided that the best thing for Jason was a fresh start. He had a construction company in Newport, Rhode Island. He could design the homes and have the construction workers build them. He could do that with homes or with businesses. Jason decided that the best thing for him to do was to take his grandfather up on his offer. "Grandfather, thank you. I think that I will take you up on your suggestion. Getting away from Port Charles seems like a great idea. I will be able to use my skills and maybe find someone who loves me for me. How soon can I go?"
"The company is already up and running. I bought it a couple of months ago. There is a project that the men are working on. It is a gallery in Wickford. The building is already done but there a few little things that need to be done before it is ready for the new owners."
Jason packed his things and took off for Newport. He didn't tell Carly that he was leaving but he did leave her a note. "I know that you cheated on me. I am leaving Port Charles. J."
Carly was really surprised that he left her. She knew that he loved her and was hurt by what she was doing but she didn't care. That was until he left. She knew that she truly screwed up because the men that she was hanging with could not provide for her like Jason did.
Jason called his family when he got to the family's beach house. It was in Narragansett and he loved it there. He went and put his things away and decided to check in with his new job. He called the manager and he told Jason that they were at the gallery. He gave Jason's directions to get to the gallery and then they both hung up. Fifteen minutes later, Jason pulled up to the business.
He walked inside and the manager knew that Jason was now in charge. Edward had told the man that Jason was taking over but he needed the best and he wanted Mr. Jones to stay there. "Hi, Mr. Jones. I am Jason Quartermaine. I have heard a lot of great things about you from my grandfather. I knew that I just needed to check out the gallery and the town. I heard how quaint the town is and my grandfather was not exaggerating at all."
"Mr. Quartermaine, welcome to Wickford. I would like to introduce you to the young lady that is going to oversee the gallery once we are done. She is standing there in the corner looking out the window. Her boss is helping her buy this shop but she has a lot of talent. I think we could use some of it. She graduated with a Masters in Fine Art at RISD."
Jason looked at the young lady and realized that he knew her. She was friends with his younger sister when they went to high school. Jason walked over to Liz. Liz turned around and was shocked to see Jason.
"Well. I am shocked. A little piece of home has followed me to the littlest state in the states. Hi Jason! I am Elizabeth Webber. I am a friend of Emily's."
"I know. I remember you. What a small world. This shop is very chic and cute, just like you. I am not sure if you know, but I am now the owner of the construction company that is building your gallery."
"I did hear something about the Quartermaine's owning the construction company. I think that I also heard that it was bought because your grandfather wanted you away from a certain blonde named Carly."
"You are right about that. How about you tell me what you want done to the gallery to finish it up. I am just thinking that maybe you want certain look that everyone would know it was your gallery. Maybe a little piece of home or is Rhode Island your home now."
"Rhode Island is the place where I want to spend the rest of my life. At least for now. I did get to travel to Italy last summer. It was always a dream and I went with one of the classes that I was an assistant for and it was wonderful. I have a few of my paintings from then in the back. Would you like to see them?"
"I would love that. Could you also show me around here? I know of some of the restaurants but I thought you might show me to some of the more local joints."
"Sure. Let's go check out my paintings and then we could go out for dinner. I know of a great place to bring that has the best seafood. You do like seafood, right? I mean, living in upstate New York well it is not like a seafood paradise up there but it is here."
"I love seafood. I would also like to see the places around here in your eyes. I see things in a different way than most people do, and I believe that you do the same thing."
Liz went to get her paintings and Jason followed. He was amazed at how beautiful she was both inside and out. He knew her when she was a young teenager hanging out with Emily. The years have been kind to her.
"These are the ones that I did from my time in Rome last summer. I also have been to Paris and to some of the vineyards in both France and Italy. I fell in love with one of the wineries in Italy and I heard that a famous mob family owned it. It made the wine taste so much sweeter and I bet that you think that it is weird. This state here has so much history when it comes to things like that. It is also known for religious freedom. I can't wait to show you some more of this state. We are close to both Connecticut and Massachusetts. I can also show you to some of the cooler places in those states."
Jason looked at the paintings that Liz had painted and he knew that he was falling for her already. He realized that his grandfather knew that Liz was the one that was having the gallery redone. He knew that his grandfather set it up to see her again. He just had to laugh at the set-up.
"I was wondering, do you still talk to my sister? I am getting the strong suspicion that my grandfather knew that you were buying the gallery and that is how I got here. Or am I being paranoid?"
"I do talk to Emily whenever I have a chance. She plans on coming to the opening and so does your family. She told me that you were an architect and that you were tops in your class. So, I guess I know more about you than you do me. I can tell you that leaving Port Charles was the best thing that could have happened to me. I miss Emily but there was no one else that I miss from there. My family has never truly supported me or what I wanted to do in the future. They all expected that I would be a doctor like they were but I felt that I was not a true Webber and that I needed to find out who I truly am and then everything else would fall into place."
"You are amazing. I did hear some stories about you and my sister. I believe she came here a couple of summers ago and the two of you closed Newport. I believe that the store owners were happy when the two of you walked in the doors. I think Emily must have bought up most of the merchandise in the stores. She had crates shipped home and I think that she only wore half of the things she bought."
"Your sister is famous for buying out a store. I was just assisting her. I did get some great clothes out of it so I am not complaining but my feet hurt for days after that. I like Newport but I love Narragansett. That is where I live on the beach. It is close to the gallery. My boss is partial owner of the gallery but it is mainly mine. He wanted me to go back to RISD and get my teaching degree but this is what I love."
"I live on Narragansett Beach too. I might even be your neighbor. Well, let's go check out the restaurant right near my place. I go there all the time." Jason let Liz show the way. Jason followed Liz to her place.
She had a cute little house on the beach. It had two bedrooms and the view was the best. She had a fireplace in her living room and a small kitchen. She had a wonderful master bedroom with a door that led to the deck. The home was two stories. The first floor was where kitchen, living room and utility room was at. The top floor was the two bedrooms and with a bathroom for each. There was a half bath on the first floor.
The second bedroom was where her guests stayed. Emily had been there a couple of times. Her bedroom had a door that led to her outside balcony. She loved to sketch and paint out there when she had good weather. There was plenty of room in her bedroom for that too if the weather was bad.
"You have a cute place. I like it and you are right, my home is three doors down. There is plenty of room if you want to paint or sketch there."
"I know the place. I think you can place four of my homes in there and still have room. Is there still a pool out back? My neighbors used to own that before it was sold to someone from out of state. That must have been your grandfather."
"Yes, to both questions. I think that you will like what has been done, if not, maybe I could require your services and you can help decorate it. I need a woman's touch and my ex will not be trying to pick up the pieces but by now, I am figuring that she will try to come down here and try to get me back. I have been burned by her too many times."
"I am sorry about that. Carly is too stupid to see what a great guy you are and she deserves to be dumped. I am sorry about that, but Emily does love to talk about her two big brothers. She has a great life in New York City but I think she is coming up here in a couple of weeks to help me with the opening. She loves to do event planning. I was surprised that she gave up going to medical school and switched majors. I guess she just didn't have her heart into like she thought she did. Her boyfriend is a major player in the arts. I think he is an actor on Broadway. His name is Tyler, I believe. I even heard he did some soaps on the west coast."
"You know way too much for your own good. I think that you should have been a gossip columnist. Although, after seeing your artwork, I know that you are a great artist."
Liz showed Jason around and then got herself a sweater for when the cooler weather comes in at night. The two of them head out the door and go to the restaurant around the block from them. The restaurant was busy even though it was not the high season for the area. The waitress found the two of them a nice quiet corner and Jason soaked up the atmosphere.
"I think this is the best seafood that I ever had or at least close to it. I am glad that you showed me this little treasure. It is small but the atmosphere is great. I know that my family will have to come here when they go to the gallery opening. My grandfather promised that he would be coming for two different reasons. The first is to see the job that was done on your gallery and see how the construction business is doing and the second thing is to see your gallery opening. I am hoping that grandmother can make it too. She would love your gallery. She adores you and she speaks all the time about you because of Emily. She does love to talk."
"Did you know that it was my gallery or was that a surprise. I didn't know the Quartermaines had anything to do with the company."
"I didn't know but I bet my grandparents both knew because they both wanted me to take the job. It was to help me get over Carly but I also think it was a way for me to see what I could accomplish on my own."
Well, Mr. Quartermaine, do you want to take me home or do you want to show me your place? I can go to either place. It is all up to you."
"I would love to show you my place. I need some suggestions for the master bedroom and bathroom. I have like five other bedrooms if you would like to stay over. I am not trying to put the moves on you but I am a bit tired from the long day."
"You can go home, I can walk to my place. It is late and I live just a few doors down. I have walked over here and home many times."
"You know that I can't let you do that. Just stay over and that way, we could go out to breakfast tomorrow and then to the gallery. It would be nice to have someone else here."
The two of them walked into his new place. The home was huge and Liz knew that she was in trouble. She could feel the excitement building in up in her since the moment she turned around and saw him in her gallery. The room she picked also had a door to the balcony. She opened the door and sat outside looking at the stars and moon glistening on the bay. It was so peaceful out there. It was the same view that she had but it felt closer somehow to what she pictured heaven was all about. It could be because of the man that was in his bedroom down the hall.
She looked out at the bay and fell asleep to the waves crashing on the shore. Jason woke up in the middle of the night and looked out his door and saw Liz asleep on the chair. He walked over to her and picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. He took off her shoes and laid her down on his bed. Then he went to sleep in his bed. Liz had a wonderful dream about seeing Emily's older brother, Jason. She had a crush on him since she was in high school. She felt that her life was going to change in a big way.
She got up from that wonderful dream and woke up in the bed of the man she had been crushing on since high school. She knew that she didn't drink but didn't remember going to bed with Jason. She was shocked but then saw that she was still dressed. Jason looked at her a bit sheepishly and smiled. "I am sorry but you fell asleep in the rocking chair on the balcony. I carried you into my room and took off your shoes and then laid you in the bed. Nothing happened. I just didn't want you to freeze. I also must admit that I wanted to wake up next to you. I was wrong. I am sorry about this."
Liz started to laugh. It is okay. I know that you would never take advantage of me. I was just dreaming about you and then I woke up next to you. I haven't had these kinds of dreams about you since high school. Emily would be laughing her head off about this. She knew that I had a crush on you. You were so dreamy back then but now you are a lot hotter. I think I need to go home and get changed. If you still want to go out to breakfast with me, pick me up in about thirty minutes."
Liz put on her shoes and shot out the door and walked home. She got in and got into her shower. She tried to slow down her pulse and tried to get her feelings under control. Jason was doing the same thing taking a very cold shower. He brushed his teeth and then got dressed. He made himself some coffee and read the newspaper.
He waited about twenty minutes and then drove over to Liz's place and knocked on her door. Liz walked out of her place smelling of lilac and vanilla. He could just look at her beautiful face all day.
"Well, I say it is time to get some breakfast and head to the gallery." Liz got into Jason's SUV and the two of them went to a diner right down from the gallery. The food was good and Jason knew that his grandfather was right about his move.
The two of them bonded over the next several weeks getting her gallery ready for its opening. "My family is coming in tomorrow. I think Em, is coming in tonight. Do you have anyone coming in to see the gallery? I know that your family wanted you to stay in the medical field but I think that they would come to your first gallery opening."
"You would be wrong in thinking that. Just my friends are coming for me. That is okay. I don't need anyone. I am happy that your family and you are going to be here. Do you want to come with me to the airport to pick up your sister? I was thinking that we could go a little early and get something to eat. I am starving."
"I am too. I heard about a new restaurant that is close-by the airport. I think we should try it. It is Italian I believe. It is right around the corner next to the airport." Jason parked his SUV and opened the door for Liz. He knew that he was falling for her but he didn't know how to show her that he wanted her.
When lunch was finished they found a parking spot and then went into the airport. Emily met them near the baggage claim area. She saw her brother and then she saw Liz. She gave them both a hug and they went to get her luggage. "I can see that grandfather's plan for the two of you to meet worked out. I am so happy that I can finally check out your gallery and see your work. Tyler is flying in tomorrow afternoon. He will be there in time for your opening. I just want to make sure that you have everything set up alright for it. I have a lot of experience for gallery openings and I can double check everything for you tomorrow morning."
The three of them made it back to Jason's vehicle and loaded it up. Jason let his sister and her best friend get in and then they headed to Jason's house. It was getting late so Liz decided to let Emily see the gallery the next day. Jason asked Emily where she was staying and she said that she was staying at Liz's house. She knew about his huge house but she felt more comfortable at Liz's.
The three of them got out and took Emily's luggage inside. "I will let the two of you get comfortable. Do you want me to pick you up in the morning or do you want to meet me there around nine?"
"There is so much to do tomorrow, can you pick your sister up around nine. I need to be there for eight. There are a few things that I need to go over with my boss and some paperwork before we set up for the opening."
Liz and Emily hugged Jason and watched him leave. He hated leaving them but he knew that he needed to make sure that everything was ready for his family to come in the next day. His staff would be there around seven to double check all the bedrooms and bathrooms. Jason also wanted to make sure that there were flowers put in all the bedrooms and that flowers were going to be sent to the gallery.
Liz and Emily talked long into the night about their loves and their work. Friday night was going to be the beginning of a new life for Liz and hopefully Jason too.