Chapter 2

1996

Elizabeth bounced up and down as her Grams tried to tie a ribbon in her hair.

"Hurry Grams, Hurry! It's almost time for my party! Jason's going to be here soon!!"

Audrey held in her laugh as she finally tied the bow in the ribbon.

"Elizabeth Dear, don't worry, you'll be ready before young Mr. Quatermaine gets here."

Grinning, Elizabeth pirouetted around her room, laughing as her dress twirled around her. Flinging her arms around her Grandmother, she giggled.

"I can't help it. Jason told me he got me something extra special for my 8th birthday and that he would be here before my other friends. Do you know what Jason got me??"

As Audrey stared at her granddaughter, she couldn't help but smile at the beautiful friendship that had formed between Elizabeth and Jason. Her good friend Lila had just commented the other day that it was like Elizabeth and Jason were soul mates, who found each other way before they were supposed to. Ever since that first day of school, Jason had made himself Elizabeth's protector. They went everywhere together. Of course, so did Sonny and Brenda and the four of them made such a cute group of friends.

Tapping Elizabeth on the nose, Audrey exclaimed, "You'll just have to wait for..

with that the doorbell rang

Jason to get here," Audrey finished. Elizabeth took off down the stairs, with her Grams following close behind. Elizabeth flung open the door and squealed when she saw 11 year old Jason standing on the porch with his parents and grandparents.

"Happy Birthday Elizabeth!" Jason exclaimed, laughing, as Elizabeth flung herself at him. Hugging the small girl, Jason asked, "Do you want your present now?"

"YES! YES! YES!," Elizabeth chanted.

Audrey ushered everyone in and the five adults watched as Jason pulled out a small box, wrapped in yellow paper, with a bright, silver bow on top.

"Happy Birthday Elizabeth," Jason whispered softly.

Elizabeth looked at Jason and then began to pull off the paper. Opening the box, she found a beautiful charm bracelet. It had 3 charms on it. An E charm, a J charm and an easel charm. Elizabeth couldn't breathe; she had never seen anything so beautiful.

Throwing herself into Jason's arms, she cried, "I Love it! It's the most special gift I've ever gotten. I love you Jason!"

Jason softly replied, "I love you too, Elizabeth. I got the E for you, the J for me and the easel is for the dream you have of painting. I know you'll achieve that dream one day."

Audrey, Monica, Lila, Edward and Alan exchanged looks of fondness as they watched the 2 children tighten the bond that was already formed.