A/N – Thanks for the comments! So glad you like the girls!

Chapter 10 - Family

When Jason was finished in the bathroom, Elizabeth helped him back into bed. "How does it feel?"

"Sore."

She looked at it. "We'll need to change the bandage this morning."

"There are supplies in the bag," he said pointing it out.

"What do you want for breakfast?"

"Did our appliances survive?" Jason asked.

The girls ran into the room interrupting them. "Mr. Sonny is here."

Sonny walked into the doorway. "Alexis is heating up your breakfast in the basement."

"The microwave kind of blew last night," Liz said.

Sonny raised an eyebrow. "The girls told me," he said smiling as the girls sat next to Jason. Lily was playing with his hair.

"So, I guess you heard?"

He nodded. "Yes. Carly threatened my life if I didn't come over and make sure you were okay and feed you."

"She only brought me fifty tons of groceries," Jason said.

"Girls," Alexis yelled.

They ran downstairs and Sonny walked closer. "Are they safe here?"

"We're surrounded right now. The problem was that they cut the electricity and by the time the generator cut in, they got on the property. Mac has our tech guy on it," Jason said.

"If you need to use Greystone, you can. We'll be at the other house."

"I appreciate the offer," Jason said.

The girls came back upstairs with Jason's breakfast.

"Thank you," he said as Addie placed a tray in his lap and Lily put a plate down.

They smiled and ran back out.

"It looks like you have a couple of fans."

"Yeah," Jason said smiling.

"Well, I have a meeting downtown. Carly is going to stay on the island for a few more days," Sonny said.

"Okay, maybe I'll give her a call later," Jason said.

"Take care."

"Later."

Liz waited until Jason was finished the crepe Sonny had prepared and took his tray. "I'll be right back so I can change your bandage."

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Alexis smiled and took the plate off of the tray.

"I'm going to change his bandage," Liz said.

"I'll warn you, he has a lot going on under that shirt," Alexis said before she winked.

Liz chuckled. "Oh really. Just how much did you see?"

Alexis smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know…"

Liz laughed loudly. "Later," she said disappearing up the stairs.

Liz went back into the room and Jason was sitting up with his legs off the side of the bed.

"I thought this might help," he said.

She unbuttoned his shirt and Jason sucked in a breath trying not to let the soft touch of her hand affect him. She carefully eased off his shirt and bit her lip. His chest was divine. Trying not to stare too long, she got to work cutting off the bandage. She tensed when she saw the wound and checked it out from both sides. "You're not bleeding anymore but it still looks gross."

"I've had worse," he said.

Their eyes met and Liz swallowed hard. "Where?"

He pointed to a scar on his torso. "I've also been shot in the leg too."

She finished cleaning the wound and got very quiet. Jason grabbed her arm. "What's wrong?"

"I just don't like to think of you being hurt," she said not meeting his gaze.

He watched her wrap his arm up and then he touched her face and pulled up her chin. "Look at me," he said softly.

She tried to fight back her tears and Jason slowly leaned towards her and brushed his lips against hers and then lightly flicked his tongue over them. Liz eagerly responded, matching his intensity as Jason kissed her thoroughly.

Pulling back he licked his lips and blew out a breath. "Talk to me."

"You just made my brain mush."

Jason slightly smiled.

She shook it off. "Jason, later on we need to talk."

"We can talk now."

"You need to rest," she said. "Lie back please."

He got back in bed. "I'm fine Elizabeth."

"Just humor me," she said.

He got settled and watched her leave. There was no way in hell he was letting her go.

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Liz sat down to make the cards with girls. Johnny had finished patrolling the grounds and was going to leave soon.

"Mommy," Addie said.

"Yes baby."

"Is Jason going to be our new daddy?"

Liz almost broke the crayon she was holding. "Why would you ask that?"

Her daughter looked up at her. "Because he looks at you like daddy used to," she said quietly.

"And he's really nice," Lily added.

Diane had just walked into the room and pursed her lips, wondering what Elizabeth was going to say.

"He is really nice baby but I can't really answer your question because I don't know."

"Would you like him to be?" Addie asked as she continued to color.

Liz looked up at Diane who smirked at her as she crossed her arms across her chest.

Johnny thankfully interrupted. "How are those cards going?"

Liz mouthed "thank you" as the girls showed him what they were drawing.

"That looks just like her," Johnny said to Lily.

"She has beautiful hair," Lily said.

"She does," Johnny agreed.

"I want to play with it," Addie said.

Johnny smiled. "I will tell her that you said that."

"How long does she have to be in the hospital?" Lily asked.

"I'm not sure but probably at least a few more days," Johnny said smoothing down Lily's hair.

The girls finished up and Johnny gave them each a kiss on the head and then left.

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Evangeline had been moved to a regular room. She was watching television, trying to distract herself from the dull pain in her body.

Johnny walked in and she smiled. "There's my beautiful girl."

"Hey. He's so cute."

He handed her a teddy bear and then sat down next to the bed. "You look really bored."

"I'm losing my mind already."

"What can I do?" he asked before holding her hand.

"Can you break me out of here?" she asked as she fiddled with the bear.

"You and Jason really make the worst patients."

"How is he?"

Johnny sighed. "Fine. His harem is taking care of him."

Evangeline tried not to laugh.

"The girls asked Elizabeth if Jason was going to be their new daddy."

Evangeline's eyes grew big. "Really?"

"Yeah. The look on her face was pretty funny."

She smiled. "They make a great couple."

"They will. This is for you by the way," he said handing her the two cards. "Addie wants to play with your hair."

Evangeline chuckled as she looked at them. "Awww. They are really sweet." She finished reading them and then looked up at Johnny. "Do you ever want to have kids?"

"I don't know. I love the girls. It's just a big responsibility. Suppose I suck at it."

"You're great with the girls," she said.

"What about you?"

She smiled. "Someday."

Johnny smiled. He had never really thought about having kids but somehow doing that with Evangeline seemed like it had possibilities. In fact, doing everything with her was something he was really looking forward to. "Look, I talked it over with Jason, he wants you to come back to the house to recover."

"Is he worried?"

"Yes and there are plenty of people there to help out," Jason added.

"I'll think about it. Would you stay there too?" Evangeline wasn't really looking forward to going back to her house. Johnny had it cleaned up but she would never forget what happened there.

"Yes. There's a bedroom downstairs. He was going to put two beds in there and I'll stay with you just in case you need anything."

"I'm not used to relying on people," she said softly. She had been on her own for a long time and it would be very different to be in a house full of people.

"Well get used to it because I'm not going anywhere," he said.

She smiled. Johnny was definitely a keeper. How could she say no?

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Jason woke up and went to the bathroom and washed up.

Liz walked into the room as a shirtless Jason walked out of the bathroom. "Why didn't you ask for help?" she asked walking towards him.

"I'm fine," he said as she slipped her arm around his waist making him suck in his breath. Her touch was driving him crazy.

They got back to the bed and he sat down and helped him put on a different shirt.

"What did you want to talk about?"

She adjusted his covers and sat down next to him. "I need to figure out what is next. Do we have to stay here until Carlos is found?"

"I would prefer that."

"Jason, the girls have school soon. I need to make some decisions."

He took her hand. "Would you consider staying? I mean after this is all said and done?"

"I don't know." She wanted to be with him but if she were honest, she was a little scared of her feelings for Jason since they were already so strong.

"It didn't seem like you were very happy where you were. Did the girls have a lot of friends?"

"No," she said. "I'm not totally committed to living there. I only moved in with the Aunts after Dante died and the store is gone. Jason, I just need to know what you want. Regardless of the situation, uprooting my girls is a major thing."

"I want you. I'm crazy about the girls. If I have to sell this house and move where you are then I will do it. But, I don't want to if you can't be happy there," he said sincerely. There was no way he could see his future without her. It was almost overwhelming how deeply he felt for her after such a short time. They were meant to be, spell or no spell. He had never felt the way he did about Liz towards anyone else.

She swallowed hard. "I want you too," she said softly. "I'm just scared. This is a huge step for me."

Jason understood where she was coming from. They hadn't known each other for long and there was the Dante factor, but he wasn't going to let either deter him. "I understand that. I don't know how long it will be before Carlos shows up again or we catch him first. I don't feel comfortable with you going back there. You would be too exposed. My sister Emily has been home schooling her daughter Katie who is four. That is another option. The girls wouldn't have to worry about getting picked on and it would be easier to guard them. She's due back in town in a few days. They went on a family vacation to Florida. Would you be interested in that?"

Liz sighed. "I guess I could talk to her about it. I had never considered it before," she said.

"She has a whole network of mothers and sometimes they switch around for different subjects." Katie had told him all about it one day when he asked.

"Maybe I could teach art," Liz said smiling.

Jason smiled. "See, things are looking up already."

"I can't take advantage of your hospitality forever. If we decided to stay, I want to get a place of our own." Liz said firmly. She would get a job and do whatever it took to pay for it.

"Whatever you're comfortable with but for now, your family is welcome here as long as they want to be here." He had no intention of letting her move out of the house and would definitely hope that over time she wouldn't even consider leaving.

"Thank you."

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The next few days were busy at Jason's house. His contractor came out to do some repairs. There were lots of bullet holes to cover up.

Jason was doing a lot better, but the girls still rarely let him out of their sight. Evangeline would probably arrive in the late afternoon and he wanted the house to be as ready as possible for her. She was going to need a lot of care and rest.

"Jason, there are people in your driveway," Alexis yelled.

Jason frowned. He wasn't expecting anyone. Walking to the door he pulled it open and was shocked to see Monica, Edward, and Alan walking towards him.

"Mom?" he asked as he pushed the screen door open.

Monica smiled. "Hey, we missed you and since we haven't heard from you in ages, we thought we'd stop by."

"Oh."

Alan frowned at his muted reaction. "Are you busy?"

"Of course he's not too busy for us," Edward said scowling.

"Come on in," Jason said, hoping that Edward would be good.

Just as they walked inside, Addie and Lily ran up to Jason. "You have to sit down. The doctor said you have to rest," Addie said. "Yeah, you have to rest," Lily added firmly.

Monica grinned. "Who are these lovely girls?"

"I'm Addie and this is my sister Lily," she said sweetly.

"You are adorable. I'm Jason's mother and this is his dad and grandfather."

Lily smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

Addie took Edward's hand. "It's nice to meet you. Follow me and I will show you where to go."

Edward chuckled and allowed her to pull him along. Lily took Jason's hand and they all went into the living room.

"Who are they?"

Jason cleared his throat. "Well, their family was in trouble so they are staying here. I'm trying to protect them from a very bad man. In fact, he hurt Evangeline."

Monica nodded. "I heard that she was admitted. How is she?"

"She's doing better. I invited her to recover here."

"And what about you?" Monica was very upset when she found out Jason had been hurt, not to mention that he hadn't called.

Jason smirked. That was the real reason they were here because of his wound. "I'm doing great. The girls are taking good care of me."

Elizabeth walked into the room. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you had company."

Jason turned to look at her and smiled. "It's okay. These are the Quartermaines. This is my mom Monica, my dad Alan, and my grandfather Edward."

Liz smiled. "It's so nice to meet you. I hope the girls are behaving."

Monica smiled and shook her hand. "They are just delightful." She was beyond thrilled at the looks Jason was giving the young woman.

Alan just chuckled at his wife.

The girls were sitting on either side of Edward showing them pictures they had drawn.

"Did you need me?" Jason asked.

"I couldn't find something," Elizabeth said quietly. Everything was all over the place as they tried to sort through everything and throw out what was broken.

He stood up. "I'll be right back," he said following Liz out of the room.

"So Lily, do you like staying here?" Monica asked.

Lily smiled. "Yes! Jason and Johnny are really nice."

Addie nodded in agreement. "Jason is going to be our new daddy."

Edward practically choked on his spit and Alan and Monica were stunned.

"Does he know that?" Monica asked.

The twins looked at each other. "Not yet."

Monica grinned. "Does your mommy know that?"

Lila smiled shyly. "No, but we'll tell her at the wedding. I want a really pretty dress."

Alan chuckled. "That's a big secret."

Addie grinned. "I know but we're good at keeping secrets."

Lily nodded. "We saw mommy and Jason kissing."

The girls giggled and Edward chuckled. He was already in love with them and couldn't wait for Lila to meet them.

Jason walked back into the room and the girls smiled up at him sweetly which made Alan have to muffle a laugh with his hands. Those two were going to be handful and he could already tell Jason was wrapped.

He sat down and they went over to him and put a blanket over him and tucked him in.

"There," Addie said smiling.

Jason grinned. "Thank you girls."

"You're welcome," they said at the same time.

He looked at his mother who was grinning from ear to ear. Elizabeth called the girls and they ran out of the room.

"I think I want to steal them," Monica said. Emily was going to go bonkers over them as well.

Jason chuckled. "They are a lot of fun."

"So, Elizabeth seems really nice," Alan said shocking Monica because he normally didn't meddle.

Jason smirked. "She's great."

"We can have the wedding at the house," Edward added.

"Edward," Monica said wanting to throw a pillow at him.

"Aren't you jumping ahead a bit?" Jason asked, amused that the girls had already won over his family in about five minutes.

"And old man can wish can't he?"

Jason shrugged.

Elizabeth walked back in. "Can I get you anything?"

Edward shook his head. "No, come sit down," he said patting the couch next to him.

She smiled and then took a seat.

"So Elizabeth, where are you from?"

"Branbury, Massachusetts."

Edward smiled. "That is a lovely area, very quaint."

Liz smiled not wanting to admit that while it was quaint, she was the town pariah.

Without even thinking, Jason took her hand and squeezed it and her smile grew wider.