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Chapter 9

"So how do we shop here?" Elizabeth asked feeling every bit the ignorant American.

"Well." Francis answered from behind the steering wheel. "It's just like the US. There are three options open to you. Supermarkets, farmer's markets, and artisan shops. There are more artisan shops than in the States. Cheese, butcher shops, bakeries, and bread shops. Since its past lunch I would recommend you skip the farmer's markets. Those are best in the morning." Shopping here was like shopping in Italy.

"I think a supermarket for now. I'd like see the farmer's markets. Maybe we can go in the morning?" She suggested.

"I would recommend this weekend." Francis told his young friend. "Tomorrow you will feel the full effect of the jet lag. The next couple of days will be good for some sightseeing." He was going to do his part to keep her spirits up. "I can take you to one of the local chocolatiers."

Elizabeth smiled wide at that. "I would like that. Jason will you come with us?"

"Yup." He was happy to see her perk up some. "Where can Elizabeth get some art supplies?"

"Near the University there are several art suppliers. We can go there whenever you want to." Francis told Jason.

"I'm not sure how much time I'll have for painting." Elizabeth had no idea what being in this clinical study was going to involve.

"We'll only pick up a few things then." Jason suggested. He wanted her to have some supplies. Art might be a way for her to express herself. To get out her anger and pain when she couldn't find the words.

Elizabeth nodded. "So what are the supermarkets here?" Maybe they could pick up a travel guide so she wouldn't have to ask so many questions.

"The big chains are Coop, which I know about from Italy, and Migros." Francis explained. "Not only can you get groceries at both, but you can get housewares and such as well."

"Like the supermarket back home." Elizabeth liked that. Less stops to make. "Let's go to Coop since you are familiar with them. We can try the other store another day." Elizabeth decided.

"Sounds good." Francis responded changing lanes so they could go to the right area.


Since they didn't make a list, Jason decided that everyone should grab a cart and shop for whatever they wanted. Georgie opted to stick with Elizabeth, Jason, and Francis so she could learn what things Cameron needed. As his nanny for the summer she would be responsible for keeping his supplies stocked. Jason told the younger woman that tomorrow he would have a credit card for her to use. It was easier than dealing with a bunch of receipts.

They shopped for the baby first. Elizabeth needed some help with translating, and Georgie was thinking that she was going to have to shop with Milo. Most items could be picked using the picture on the label but some could not. From the baby aisle they hit the fresh fruit and vegetable section which had a bountiful selection, they bumped into Milo who decided to simply follow them from that point on. Cody they met up with at the butcher case, where Jason placed their order in fluent Italian which was the butcher's native language.

"Most people do speak English." Francis let her know. Zurich was a tourist destination so many citizens spoke multiple languages.

"Good to know." Elizabeth had to force herself to focus on what her friend was saying. Jason speaking Italian was sexy.

"How are we dividing up the chores?" Cody asked, because he decided to just stay with the group too.

"I guess we'll need to make a chart." Elizabeth suggested.

"We can discuss that back at the house." He was planning on getting some staff. Not a lot, and not live in, but enough to make things easier. He didn't want Elizabeth cleaning nor did he want her feeling guilty because everyone else was and she wasn't.

"I'll take the meals until then." Francis offered. He enjoyed cooking.

"I'll split them with you." Milo offered because he also enjoyed cooking.

"I can do clean up." Cody wasn't the greatest cook and he wanted to pull his weight.

"We'll sit down at the house and figure it out." Jason repeated before Elizabeth volunteered to do something.

"Georgie do you speak Italian?" Elizabeth wanted to look at some items without all the guys hovering. "Or German?" Those seemed to be the predominant languages in the store.

"I speak Spanish, but it's a romance language so I can probably figure out what the labels say if they are in Italian." Georgie grinned.

"You guys stay here." Elizabeth said before motioning Georgie forward.

"Thanks." Georgie smiled. "I was trying to figure out how to shop for this without the guys." She said looking at the shelves stocked with feminine hygiene products. "I'm pretty certain they know how a woman's body works, but I'd rather not have them looking over my shoulder while I pick out what I need."

Elizabeth laughed. "I know. If I had more time I would have stocked up in the states." Which made her laugh harder. "Can you imagine the look on the face of the customs agent?"

Georgie started laughing too. "Madame why do you have a suitcase full of these products?"

Elizabeth looked down the aisle and the perplexed expression on Jason's face made her laugh harder still. "The guys think we are crazy." But it felt good to laugh.

"We are women, they will just add this to the list of things they don't understand about us. Come on I'll help you find what you need then I'll grab some supplies for myself. I need to hit the pharmacy aisle as well, because I wasn't sure what I could bring. Without Motrin I may kill one of the guys." Georgie said wiping her eyes.

They all hit the health and beauty section since flying with liquids wasn't the easiest thing these days. It was just easier to get all your personal supplies when you landed if possible. The final stop was to grab some beer, Francis also grabbed some charcoal thinking it would be a good night to grill. With everything paid for they loaded up the car Milo was driving.

"You guys take everything back, we have another stop to make." Jason instructed. Back in the car he looked at Francis. "Sprungli." Was all he said as the older man grinned.

Francis drove for a few moments before parking again. He opened Elizabeth's door while Jason got Cameron. Curious but not wanting to pepper the guys with questions she followed them to a store front. Francis was blocking her view of the main window but the second he opened the door she knew why they had come. "Chocolate."

"I thought we'd try here first. There are several other high end shops to visit. Most give tours." Jason explained. He'd be sure to book a private one for them.

The main display case beckoned and Elizabeth simply took in all the offerings. The labels were in German so she didn't know what she was looking at. But it was still delightful.

"Hallo." The clerk came over to offer assistance.

"Hello." Elizabeth said smiling.

"I speak English." The young lady said smiling. Her accent was perfect.

"Thank you." Elizabeth replied. "Truffles?" She guessed based on the shape of the goods as she pointed to the case.

"Yes. Would you like to sample some?" The clerk offered.

"We may never leave." Elizabeth said smiling wider.

"After a certain amount they are going to charge you." Francis said chuckling. Elizabeth was going to enjoy the chocolate selection the city had to offer.

"I won't be greedy." Elizabeth told her friend. "What would you recommend?"

"A truffle du jour. We make them fresh daily." The young woman removed one for them case. "Today we made dark chocolate with a raspberry cream filling."

"Danke." Elizabeth said taking the treat and popping it into her mouth.

"Very good." The young woman commented. "Most people bite the truffle. Not many know it is meant to be eaten in one bite."

"Mmm." Elizabeth closed her eyes as the flavors exploded in her mouth. "So good." She said smiling. The guys were smiling too.

"We will take a box." Jason placed the order. "Also a Grand Cru." Which would give Elizabeth a selection of the treats to try. And enough to share because he knew she would want to.

"Very good." The clerk began boxing the items up.

"I need to call Johnny." Jason thought this would be a good time.

"I'll take Cameron." Elizabeth hadn't gotten to hold him since they left the plane. She wanted to hold him as much as she could because there was going to be a day when she couldn't. Pushing those thoughts aside Elizabeth smiled at her son who smiled back.

Jason tore himself away and went to stand by the car. "What happened?" He asked when Johnny answered.

"Hello to you too." Johnny said being smart. "Sonny is planning on getting a divorce."

"Really?" Jason just shook his head. "When?"

"He has an appointment with the magistrate tomorrow in the Dominican Republic. He also has another appointment three days from now to get married." Johnny passed along. It hadn't taken much digging to get the info. Their tech guy in South America was really good. Until Johnny had a handle on the situation he didn't want anyone in Port Charles to know what was going on.

"Has he left yet?" Jason wasn't going to try to talk Sonny out of this. That wouldn't work, but he couldn't be allowed to marry Sam. That would be a guaranteed disaster. There was no way she wouldn't try throwing her weight around, and with as many outstanding warrants as she had it would only be a matter of time before someone turned her in. The cops would take that opportunity to investigate the organization.

"Wheels went up thirty minutes ago. He checked in with Max before leaving." Johnny passed along. "Lots of questions about Carly's movements." Johnny hadn't even had to call to find that out. Max had called because the questions concerned him.

Jason had worked with Sonny long enough to know how the older man thought. He also knew how Carly thought. She wasn't going to go quietly, something Sonny would know. The fastest way for Carly to hurt Sonny would be to blab about the business. While he didn't think she would talk the police. She might talk to a competitor. Her time with Alcazar proved that much. It was after Carly remarried Sonny that Jason separated his assets from his partner's.

"Did you read the file I left you?" Jason asked his friend.

"I did. Ms. McCall has been busy." Johnny noted. She wasn't even thirty-five yet, so her list of grifts was impressive.

"One of those warrants is from Interpol." Jason pointed out. Sam had committed crimes in several countries.

"Does she have any information on the organization?" Johnny needed to know.

"Not from me. Anything she knows would be from Sonny." Jason had been careful, never bringing anything home while she stayed there. He also had his files moved out of the penthouse before she arrived. "Since he is with her Sonny will be picked up too." Which might be a good thing. If he was arranging an accident for Carly, like Jason suspected, then he needed it to occur after the divorce was final. Which would take twenty-four hours. So he couldn't make the call until then.

"When do you want them picked up?" Johnny had a contact he could call.

"After Sonny signs the divorce paperwork. While he's walking out of the courthouse would be best. I'm sure Sam will be with him. If not she can be picked up at the same time." Jason gave the order. "They will not hold him for more than a day, and after they let him go Sonny will be ordered to leave the island. Sam they will keep." Which would get her out of their hair.

"Can Sonny do a day behind bars?" Johnny knew the older man was claustrophobic.

"Considering I'm pretty sure he is planning on killing the mother of his children this is the least he deserves." Jason said shaking his head.

"How is Elizabeth?" Johnny shifted gears.

"Scared." Jason told his friend. "But holding it together." Which didn't surprise him. "We go see the doctor at the end of the week. I will make sure you get an update. I have no idea how long I'll be here, will you be able to handle Sonny when he returns to Port Charles?"

"I will." Johnny didn't want Jason worried about anything but Liz. "Sonny has a tail."

"Another family?" Jason hadn't expected that.

"Private investigator." Johnny was grinning. "A good one too. But not as good as our guys. I have no idea if Sonny has spotted him yet."

"That has to be Carly." Jason grinned. "I'm guessing she knows the baby is his. News must have moved faster than I thought." Jason was also guessing that Carly had no clue Sonny was planning on divorcing her in the next few days. There is no way she would have left Port Charles if she did. "Has anyone noticed Elizabeth is not around?"

"No, but Emily was overheard saying she planned on going by the apartment. She has been calling Liz, and not getting any calls back. Apparently your sister and Liz had a bit of a falling out. Not sure why." Johnny passed along.

"I'm guessing Lucky Spencer." Jason wasn't going to get in the middle of that. His girl had her phone which meant she got the calls. She would call Emily when she was ready to talk to her. Now that he knew there was an issue he would avoid his sister's calls for now as well.

"That loser still chasing Liz?" Johnny asked shaking his head. He had damn near fallen out of his chair when Jason said the Spencer boy was alive during his last visit to South America.

"Yup. Did you meet Diane?" Jason wanted to know.

"I did. Jason, why did you not tell me how sexy your lawyer is?" Johnny asked thinking of the red head.

"Diane?" Jason didn't see her that way. "Don't piss her off Johnny. She's the best attorney around."

"I never leave the ladies with anything but a smile Jason." Johnny bragged. Although he was no longer the player he used to be. He was too old for that lifestyle to still be appealing.

"Too much information Johnny." Jason said as Elizabeth and Francis came out of the shop. She was smiling and he had too as well. "I have to go. Send me an update." He meant about Sonny.

"That goes both ways." Johnny wanted to be kept in the loop about Liz. As soon as he could, he would fly over and visit. Unfortunately that would not be any time in the near future. But once he was sure Sonny had learned his lesson, he could leave.

"Yup." Jason said before ending the call. "Ready to go home?"

"I am." Elizabeth knew it was time to tell everyone else why they were really here.


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