Chapter 2

I dried him off with a towel. That beautiful body of his. It was mine and no one was going to take him from me again. I will fight for Jason with everything I have. I am so in love with this man. I am almost surprised with myself. But I feel liberated at the same time. For once, I did what I wanted. I wanted to see him, and tell him that I wasn't going to waste another minute being without him. I think I worried him at first. He thought something was wrong because I was behaving so out of character. But I made a promise to Emily to follow my heart and that is what I intend on doing. We made wild, passionate love. I can't believe he knows my body well and we've only been together three times. He truly is amazing. When I suggested that we meet in secret, it wasn't because I am ashamed of Jason. On the contrary. If I could scream it from the top of the Metro Court, I would, but I was still afraid of his dangerous life. I almost died inside when he told me that he didn't want to meet in secret. I thought he was going to push me away again. But when he told me that he was going to claim Jake and would not live another minute without us, I thought my heart was going to explode from my chest. I know Jason will protect us. I know our love is strong and unbreakable. I will do whatever I have to do, to put Jason and my children first. I will support him unlike any other person has ever supported him. He is my man and I will stand by him no matter what.

"Jason," I said as I was drying him off from the shower we just took, "I know this is going might be a difficult transition with everything that is going on right now, but I don't want to spend another night alone without you."

He turned to face me. Those piercing blue eyes could put in a trance. I could see the concern on his face, but knew that mind of his was working overtime.

"Elizabeth," he started, "I don't want to be without you either or spend another night alone. I would have no problem moving in with you and the boys, but your house isn't set up the way it needs to be if I am there with you. I don't want to cause any turmoil for Cameron. I know he is dealing with a lot, with your divorce from Lucky."

I didn't want to be presumptuous, but since I was asserting myself all evening, why not go all the way…

"Well, can the boys and I come and stay with you and Spinelli while we get our house ready?"

He was so overcome with emotion; he stood there speechless for a minute.

"Jason? If it is too much or too soon, we'll wait. It's okay. I understand."

"No, Elizabeth, it's not that. I was just surprised. You have always said you wouldn't want to live at the penthouse. I would love for you and the boys to come and live with me. I know this is going to sound crazy, but when back in September, when you asked me to meet you at the overlook, I had just had a meeting with Max to discuss changes to the security at the penthouse. You and the boys can come as soon as tonight. I will send Max over with Francis and Johnny to get your things."

He pulled me into an embrace. I could stay in his arms forever. Just like that. The two of us. I realized then, that Jason had been wanting this for a while and didn't want to push me. I guess he knows, when I feel pushed, I tend to run. But then, that has been our relationship for the past eight years. Why am I so stupid sometimes? Now, I get to give him another piece of good news.

"Um, do you think you are going to be working all night?" I asked him curiously.

"No, I just have to go meet with Sonny about some business, but then I should be home. I want to check on Spinelli and make sure he is okay. I should be home in time to help you tuck the kids into bed." He said matter of factly.

"Well…I have a split shift tonight and I am off tomorrow. I have to go back to the hospital tonight and do the second half of my shift and I get off at ten. Since I was working late, Gram has the boys for the night. So…" I looked at him and smiled, "I was thinking that we could spend some alone time tonight at the penthouse and continue getting used to being a couple out in the open…what do you think?"

He cocked his eyebrow at me. He smiled and leaned down to kiss me, gently and lovingly. "Well, aren't you the little schemer. You have the boys taken care of already. I would love to spend some alone time with you and get to know you better…like I don't already know you, but I'm sure I can find out some new and interesting things…"

We kissed again. I knew he had to get going and I was going to be late. "Well, do you think I should leave first, or should we go out together? I don't know what to do, I guess, I'm a bit nervous." He said with a grin on his face.

I laughed. I went to him and took his hands in mine. "Baby, we're going to walk out of here together. Okay?"

"I want to thank you for just being with me," he said with so much love in his voice.

"I know I've told you more than a dozen times tonight, and I'm not ever going to get tired of saying it, I love you Jason" I said, needing him to know just how much.

"I love you so much," he said. We embraced and he kissed me lovingly on the forehead.

I went to grab my coat and my purse. We went to the door together. "Well," I said, "this is it." He squeezed my hand to reassure me that we were going to be alright and we would get through this.

As we walked out the door, my heart started racing and I must have been emitting nervous energy because Jason put his arm around me as we walked to the elevator. I had so many different things running through my head and the biggest one was 'Carly is going to freak the fuck out!' Jason snickered as he pushed the down button at the elevator bank.

"Don't worry about Carly," he glanced down at me.

It was amazing to me that he could read my mind. I was not looking forward to running into Carly, but I guess it was better her finding out here than walking in on us at the penthouse. "I know, but she hates me. And she hates me with you. She thinks I'm after your money or something. You should have heard the things she said to me when she assumed Jake was Lucky's."

"I know she can be awful. But she will understand that I am in love with you and there is nothing she can do to change that." He continued to hold me and the elevator doors opened. We walked in. These were the last few moments of relative safety I felt. Once we got to the lobby and the doors opened, Jason and I would be facing his threats together. As much as I loved him, I knew that we would all be safe. He has always come for me and really, when I was with Lucky or Ric, my life was in just as much danger. So what the hell was I always fretting about?

The elevator was approaching the lobby. Jason leaned into me. "This is it. Elizabeth, I promise you that I will do whatever I have to do to protect you, Cameron and Jake. I know you trust me and I will never do anything to break that trust again. I swear to you on my life."

I knew Jason was scared. This was going to be a huge change for him and his lifestyle. But I love him with as much as I can love anyone. "Jason, I know. I love you and I've told you that I trust you. I want to be in this with you. I don't want you to carry all of the burden alone. You have to trust me enough to know that I won't break and I would never do anything to intentionally cause you pain. You, Jake and Cameron are my world and I will do whatever it takes to protect you and our boys."

We held onto each other and the elevator doors opened. The only thing I remember hearing at that point was a screech and a loud crash. Apparently, Carly was waiting to go up in the elevator and caught our moment together.

"JASON! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE WITH HER!" Carly yelled so loudly that everyone in the lobby turned our way.

I instinctively took a step backwards to stand behind Jason for protection. Then I hesitated and moved forward again.

"Car.." he started to say but was interrupted.

"Carly, Jason and I are going to be together. We are in love and we are going to be a family. I know you hate me, but I also know, that you love Jason and want him to be happy. He is happy with me and our boys. Please don't give him a hard time about I; he has enough on his mind as it is." I said trying to hide the fact that I was incredibly nervous.

Jason looked at me at that moment, and I think what I saw was pride, but I couldn't really be sure. As much as Carly was annoying to me, I knew she only wanted what was best for Jason. Well, sometimes what was best.

"Look Elizabeth, don't start speaking for Jason, like you know him or anything. Of course you want to believe that Jason is in love with you. This way, you can mooch off of him and his money and have a father for your boys," Carly huffed. "Jason, you aren't going to let this twit speak for you are you?"

Jason just looked at her and didn't answer right away. When I turned to look at his face, I saw rage building behind his eyes. I had never really seen him that angry before. He took a deep breath before speaking.

"Carly. I've told you once NEVER to speak about Elizabeth like that in my presence. I thought I made myself clear. Was there a part in what I said that needs a translation?! I am going to say this for the last time," he said point blank. "It would make me happy to come home to Elizabeth and OUR boys. I am IN LOVE with her. This will be the LAST time we EVER have a discussion about this. If YOU want to remain in my life, you will either accept Elizabeth and our relationship, or you can find yourself a new best friend."

Carly was speechless. I was amazed. She didn't have a snarky come back or anything to say. She just stood there looking at him. I saw the realization come over her face when she knew Jason meant every word he said to her. Then the demeanor of defeat fell over her body. She started to apologize, but Jason cut her off again.

"Oh, and just so you know, Jake is my son. I have known since February. I will be adopting Cameron so for intense and purposes, both of Elizabeth's sons will be mine."

Jason grabbed my hand. I think I had my mouth hung open. He turned to me, "It's alright. Don't look so surprised. You know I love Jake, but I also love Cameron. He is a part of you, how could I not love him. I know that was a surprise to you because we've never discussed Cameron, but I hope you want me to be his father."

I couldn't help the tears that were building. I squeezed his hand and nodded my head. In the course of the last fifteen minutes, Jason committed himself to my children as well as me. I couldn't imagine that this was actually happening. Then I turned to look at all of the people standing in the Metro Court lobby. They were shocked.

We stepped outside. Jason told me to leave my car in the parking lot of the Metro Court. He was dropping me off at the hospital before he went to his meeting and would have Francis pick it up after they picked up some of my things from my house.

When we got to the hospital, Jason pulled into the parking lot. "Do you want me to walk you in? There were some people that work at the hospital in the lobby and saw our confrontation with Carly. You may want some support because there could be a lot of questions."

"Thank you, but I think I will be okay. I will let you know if there is any trouble. I am going to tell Robin, Lainey and Kelly. They will be happy for me because I am following my heart. Don't worry, I'm a big girl!"

"Uh, trust me, I know you are a big girl…but you're my girl and I don't want you to feel like you have to defend me to anyone."

"Jason, I love you. I don't feel like I have to defend my choice to love you openly and be with you. I will see you at the penthouse tonight. You better be ready for me. I still have a lot of energy you know," as I grabbed his face and looked into his eyes.

"Baby, I will be waiting for you and I may have a few surprises of my own." He leaned over and kissed me. Our tongues met and I could feel the heat rising between us. I wanted him at that moment, but knew I couldn't or I would be really late for work. I grabbed him, he was already aroused.

"I'll see you later. Be careful. Tell Spinelli that I am thinking of him and am very sorry."

"Hey, Elizabeth,"

I turned to look at him as I got out of the car, "yeah babe?"

"I love you and I will see you at home," he smiled and pulled away.

This whole time I had been guarding myself from loving him. What time we wasted. I know I will not regret any of this. My only worry now is telling Lucky and how he will respond. But that can wait until tomorrow.

To be continued…