Chapter Two
Getting to the warehouse, Jason finds himself with some time to spare when he finds out that Sonny is currently in a meeting with Elizabeth's father, Joe Jr. Since taking over his family business, Joe Jr. has done his best to keep the peace between his organization and Sonny's. Something that can only be contributed to Elizabeth's acceptance of her father in her life. If Joe Jr. steps even a fraction out of line, he knows that he'll have hell to pay that will have nothing to do with Sonny and his organization.
Checking in with the coffee warehouse supervisor, Jason does his best to listen to the needs of the workers on the legal side of the business, pleased to find that they were happy with the renovations he had done to the warehouse to make working there a lot safer than it has been in recent years. Making note of the problems that they are facing with the shipments, Jason promises he'll get one of the men on it, assuring the man that it'll be handled before the week's out.
"Have you thought about my offer?" Joe Jr. voices from behind him once the supervisor walks off. "You'd make a hell of a partner."
"I have a job." Jason counters, turning to face his father-in-law.
"Yeah, a job, but I'm offering you much more than that." Joe Jr. counters. "I'm offering you the chance to be at home every night rather than out and about running low level assignments."
"I've already said all I have to say on the subject." Jason counters before shaking his head. "He in with anyone?"
"No. He's all yours." Joe Jr. says simply. "Like I said, if you happen to change your mind..."
"I won't."
"Well, if you ever do, you know my number." Joe Jr. counters. "Before I leave, how're my girls doing?"
"Elle's perfect. She's starting to lift her head on her own more often now." Jason admits. "As for Elizabeth..."
"What?" Joe Jr. questions when Jason's sentence falls flat, not at all liking the look in his eyes. "What is it?"
"She's been having some health problems." Jason admits. "Lately she's been having these headaches that come out of nowhere. At first, she was able to get rid of it by taking in steady breaths, but lately...lets just say its cause for concern."
"Have you spoken to a doctor about this?" Joe Jr. questions seriously. "With everything she went through..."
"She has an appointment tomorrow." Jason assures the other man. "You'll know more when we do."
"See to that." Joe Jr. replies before shaking his head. "Is it just headaches..."
"So far." Jason says simply. "Other than the balancing issue she's been having since giving birth to Elle."
"Well, that's to be expected, given the loss of the belly and all." Joe Jr. explains it away. "She's just needs time to get used to her body, that's all."
"Right." Jason agrees. "I'll let Elizabeth know about calling you after the appointment."
"Thanks." Joe Jr. smiles slightly. "I guess I better get going. You take care of my girl, you hear me?"
"I hear you."
Turning away from Joe Jr., he makes his way to Sonny's office, letting himself in once he's allowed entrance. Since Elle's birth, Joe Jr. has been trying to get him to switch organizations, playing off of his desire to be home for Elle and Elizabeth every night. If he were to really give it some thought, Jason would be able to admit that taking him up on his offer would be the best move for his family, but he just can't think on it. Switching organizations isn't taken too lightly in the world they have chosen to be a part of. Sonny would have to agree to let him go, the whole thing having to amicable, in order for it to work out.
"Hey." Sonny's voice breaks through his thoughts. "Where's your head at?"
"Nowhere." Jason says plainly before shaking his head. "Now that its done, what's next?"
"I'm still waiting to hear back from Puerto Rico." Sonny admits. "Once I get the call, I'll let you know."
"Okay." Jason shakes his head. "How're things with you and Joe Jr.?"
"They're fine." Sonny smiles slightly. "Relax. Everything's handled."
"Just making sure." Jason replies. "If that's it, I'm gonna head out. There's been a string of break-ins on the waterfront."
"Yeah. Okay." Sonny shakes his head. "I'll call you with an update as soon as it comes in."
"I'll do the same."
With nothing else to be discussed, Jason makes his way out of the warehouse to check on the rest of their properties throughout the waterfront. He has the men making sure none of the shipments have been targeted, but he's the only one that can handle going through the warehouse offices to make sure nothing's missing. With the level of sensitivity in play with the merchandise in those offices, he's the only one able to ensure that nothing has been taken and keep the existence of those items unnoticed.
...
Laying Elle down for her nap in the living room, Elizabeth disarms the security system to allow Ritchie to bring in the chiller for the dining area. After greetings and polite talk are exchange, she leaves him to do his job and makes her way back into the living room to be with her daughter. She read somewhere that having a baby lay flat on its back for long periods of time, especially in the first few months of their life, isn't good for the development of their skull. She'll leave her in the crib for an hour, if she doesn't wake up by then, she'll pick her up and carry her for the remainder of her nap.
"Yeah?" she answers the house phone on the second ring, not wanting it to wake Elle.
"Hey." her brother's voice comes on over the line. "Just wanted to check in. See how things are going."
"Things are fine." Elizabeth says simply. "Shouldn't you be focusing on your girlfriend? You are in Paris, after all. The whole city of love or whatever."
"Its nearly seven in the evening here." Steven points out. "I've got some downtime while she's getting ready for dinner."
"And you decided to use that time to call me?"
"Why not?"
"Okay." Elizabeth shakes her head. "So, how's the vacation?"
"I asked first."
"And I said that things are fine."
"Really?" Steven challenges. "Because I just got a call from your dad...something about you having some health issues?"
"Its nothing serious." Elizabeth sighs, wishing that word didn't get around so damn fast, but knowing who was most likely responsible for telling her father. "I've just been having headaches. I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow."
"Good." Steven says seriously. "You'll call me once your appointment's over?"
"If I have to."
"You do." Steven says firmly. "I love you, sis. Don't forget that."
"How can I when you say it almost every single time we talk?" she counters before laughing softly. "I love you back."
Ending the call on a good note, Elizabeth makes her way over to Elle's crib, wanting to watch over her as she sleeps. Laying there so peaceful, Elizabeth swears that Elle had to be the most beautiful little girl in the whole entire world, of course she could be biased on the subject, but she'll swear it to the end. Gently sliding her hands under her daughter, she carefully picks Elle up into her arms, holding her close as she moves to the couch to sit down with her. Though it may not be the most invigorating thing to do, Elizabeth swears there's nothing more she'd rather do that just watch her daughter breathe. Such a simple thing and, yet, so profound.
...
By the time Jason was done inspecting the offices and handling anything that needed to be handled at the various warehouses, it was nearing dinner time. Checking the time to be sure, he lets out a deep sigh, knowing that Elizabeth would have dinner cooking already. By the time he gets back to the house, she should have the table set and ready for him to get home. One of these days, he's going to surprise her with an entire dinner cooked by him. Securing his jacket around him, he straddles his motorcycle and takes off to the house, wanting to wrap his arms around his wife and kiss his beautiful daughter more than ever.
"Hey." he says softly, wrapping his arms around his wife when she meets him at the door. "I missed you."
"Missed you, too." she admits before arching her eyebrow at him. "Did you tell my father about my headaches?"
"I...yeah."
"Next time you want to tell him anything, tell him to keep his trap shut." Elizabeth says seriously. "Steven deserves to enjoy his vacation with Robin without having to deal with more crap from me."
"I doubt he minds..."
"He killed our sister for me." Elizabeth's eyes turn a shade darker as she pulls out of his embrace. "I think he has more than earned a stress free vacation."
"Okay...I'm sorry." Jason says after a long moment, seeing the weight of her words shine through her eyes. "I'll tell your dad to keep his trap shut next time."
"That's all I ask." she laughs softly, knowing that he had only said it that way for her benefit. "Go get washed up. Dinner's on the table."
"Hey." Jason takes hold of her hand and tugs on it to make her face him again. "We will figure out what's going on with you. You know that right?"
"I know." she smiles slightly before leaning up to place a soft kiss upon his lips. "I'm okay. Promise."
In that moment, as she turns away from him to head into the dining room, Jason could feel a sense of déjà vu wash over him, bringing him back to that moment they found out she was pregnant. She was so terrified that she wouldn't be able to save everyone. As much as she tried to hide it, he could see just how scared she had been, and he could see it again now.
The headaches are frightening her, but she refuses to let it show because it wasn't only fear that plagues her eyes. Much like back then, she feels guilt for all that has transpired and he just wishes she'd believe him when he says that she has nothing to feel guilty for. She couldn't have known that Steven would kill Sarah.
Letting out a deep breath, Jason tears his gaze away from the door to the dining room and makes his way upstairs to get washed up for dinner. He'll find a way to get through to her, to get her to believe him, somehow he will find a way to break through to her. Tomorrow they'll meet with the doctor and they'll figure out where to go from there. For now, he'll finish washing up and spend a peaceful night in with his girls. Because, as much as he's afraid for what lays ahead, Jason refuses to lose even a moment with his family.