A/N – Thanks for the comments! Andrea is complex. Sometimes you will like her and sometimes not. I'll be digging into her backstory later which will have a huge effect on the family.

Chapter 10

Jason turned the television on. There was a red carpet leading into the Metro Court which was close by. He watched couples arrive, recognizing a few. When Brenda came into view, he made a face.

"That good?" Felix asked. "I brought pop corn." He handed Jason a bag.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be there?"

"We can't all go. I volunteered to stick around here. Thank God it is slow tonight."

Jason popped a few kernels into his mouth. "Good."

"I can't believe Epiphany went with Patrick. She looks great." She wore a sheer long thin jacket over a black dress.

"Is that Francis?"

"Yep and he's with Katherine Bell. Her daughter was the one that drew on your cast."

"Interesting."

"Elizabeth wanted them to come, so she played matchmaker."

The Quartermaine's arrived and Jason watched them interact.

"Is that my physical therapist with Emily?"

Felix chuckled at the murderous look on his face. "Yes."

Jason made a mental note to talk to Dante. "Amelia."

"I like her. She has spunk."

"Who is she with?"

"That's Nathan. He's on your construction crew." They had passed in the hallway and Amelia took a chance and asked him out.

He had only met Milo. The guys were really busy trying to clear out all the rubble.

Jason saw Johnny first and then Elizabeth came into view. She looked gorgeous. "Wow." She was wearing a sleeveless baby blue gown that had beading around the bodice. Layers flowed down to the ground and she looked like a princess.

"My girl always looks good."

"Carly."

"Sonny stood her up. He was scared he wouldn't be welcome, so she went with Steven."

Georgie breezed into the room. "I hope you saved me some popcorn."

"I did."

Jason gazed at her curiously. "You took my x-ray."

"That was me. I'm Georgie. You look much better now."

"Thanks."

Robin grabbed a chair from the next room and joined them. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not really."

Kelly walked in. "Mind if I join you?"

"The more the merrier," Felix said.

Kelly sat on the other side of Jason's bed and they chatted until Elizabeth took the stage. It took a while because dinner was served as various entertainment performed.

She played a video of the plans for the hospital and then another musical act came out. Different doctors spoke about the work they were doing. Finally, Elizabeth took the stage again to give her speech.

"First, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here tonight. You are all aware of what happened to the wing last week. It was devastating in many ways. I really hoped to have it finished and we were almost ready to move in the equipment and furniture, but unfortunately, the universe had other plans." She stopped and took a deep breath. "We need your help to make this wing state of the art. It will not only save lives, but we are hoping that with the excellent care of our esteemed doctors, that we will also be able to prolong it. I'm going to share something with you tonight. It has weighed on me for so long. I have never told a soul about it, but if by understanding why I'm so passionate about the foundation it will help you give up your time or money to help us with our challenging vision, then I will put myself on the line."

Andrea put her hand over her heart. "She wouldn't…"

Jeff gave her a look.

Everyone in Jason's room were holding their breath.

"When I was seventeen, I got pregnant."

You could have heard a pin drop.

"It was unplanned. I was kind of a wild child and needless to say, my parents were mortified."

Steve and Sarah's eyes locked. They were clearly in shock. When this went down, they were already away at college. They had lived in Colorado for most of their childhood and moved to Port Charles about four years prior to be closer to Audrey who was currently on a cruise.

"They sent me away to a private facility. I stayed there until the baby was born." Liz's eyes began to tear. "I went through labor and got to hold her briefly. She was so beautiful. She lived for three days. Her heart had grown outside of her chest and they couldn't save her." Tears were streaming down her face. "I vowed that day, that I would dedicate my life to helping children with heart ailments. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my little girl and it helps me to focus on the goals that I have set. I know that some of you are probably disappointed in me, but this is not about my personal choices, it's about the children out there who need surgery or equipment that isn't readily available—that can save their lives. I am committed to seeing this project through. Will you please do what you can to help?"

Johnny stood, he was shocked, but he knew Elizabeth's legs were about to give out. She was shaking. Everyone watched as he jumped up on the stage and then Liz collapsed against him. He picked her up and quickly rushed to the back.

"Wow. I did not see that coming," Georgie muttered.

"She looked so devastated," Robin said.

"That took a lot of guts," Felix added.

Jason closed his eyes. She was hurting and he felt really bad for her.

Johnny sat Elizabeth on a couch and kneeled down.

"Are you mad?"

"No. I'm surprised, but I don't think less of you," Johnny said.

"I couldn't hold it in any longer. I'm not ashamed of having my daughter. I couldn't live with myself if I kept treating her like a dirty little secret."

Andrea stormed into the room. "How could you?"

"Mother…"

"It was nobody's business what happened back then. I don't understand what you were thinking?"

"Do you even care what it was doing to me to keep that secret? It was eating me alive."

"Elizabeth, actions have consequences."

"Andrea!" Jeff yelled. "Don't you dare make her feel bad about this."

She stormed out and Epiphany walked in.

"Elizabeth, we just passed a basket around to collect any last minute donations, do you want me to tell everyone thank you for coming?"

Liz stood. "No. I'll finish it." She walked over to a mirror and then fixed her makeup. Someone was singing which would buy her some time.

"I want you to know that I'm very proud of you."

Liz spun around. "Why?"

"Because it took a lot of guts to get up there and say what you did. I'm so sorry that you've been carrying that around all this time," Piph said.

They hugged.

"I'm walking you out there," Johnny said. No one was going to make her feel bad about this if he had anything to say about it.

"Okay."

Hand in hand they walked back onto the stage, and to Elizabeth's surprise, she got a standing ovation. Once everyone calmed, she spoke. She was deeply moved and wiped a tear away.

A note was passed to her and she smiled. "Thank you all for coming tonight. I've just been informed that due to your generosity, we will make our goal. Congratulations everyone. General Hospital will be the leading hospital for children's cardiac care on the east coast. Give yourself a round of applause."

"She did good," Felix said.

"Yeah," Robin said.

They filed out, leaving Kelly and Jason alone.

Clearly Elizabeth's parents had coerced her into hiding the truth. Jason was deep in thought. He decided that he was just going to be a friend to her for now. There was no way that he wanted Elizabeth's heart to be broken again. If Johnny was her choice, then he would back off.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth was one of the last to leave. "Thank you so much for being here for me. You helped me get through the night."

"Supporting you is not a chore."

She kissed him lightly. "You should go. I'll be fine."

"Elizabeth…" Johnny said.

"I'll go back to the hospital with my dad. I need to put the checks in the safe and I want to go to the chapel. I promise I'll call you when I get home."

He lightly caressed her face. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I need to do this."

"Okay." He lightly kissed her before turning to leave.

Jeff held her tightly. "I love you and I'm so sorry."

They broke apart a few minutes later and Jeff took her back to G.H.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth finished putting the money in the safe and then headed to the chapel to light a candle. She closed her eyes. "You were my little angel. I will always love you Sophie." She fingered the locket around her neck that contained her daughter's picture. "I'll never forget you and you will always be in mommy's heart."

Felix moved forward and put his arm around her. "She was lucky to have such a great mom, even if it was for a short time."

"Thank you for saying that."

"I meant every word. You will be a wonderful mother someday."

"I don't know if I want to be."

"Why?"

"Because I don't think I could take losing another child. It almost broke me."

"You are so strong. I don't think Sophie would want you to not live your life to the fullest because of what happened to her."

She turned into him and he embraced her warmly before kissing her on the forehead.

"I have to go. You going to be okay?"

She wiped her face. "Yes."

He left and then she slowly walked to Jason's room and froze when she got to the doorway. Kelly West was kissing Jason.

Kelly pulled back. "Was that okay."

"Yeah."

It had taken him by surprise, but he liked it.

"I need to get back to my office. I'll come see you before you leave tomorrow."

"Good night."

Liz walked into the empty room next door and Kelly hurried by. She was surprised by the reaction she had when she saw them, but then chalked it up to her nerves being shot.

She walked back into his room.

"I saw what happened. Are you alright?" he asked.

"No."

"Come here."

Liz slowly closed the distance between them. "When I was laying in that rubble with you, I kept thinking that if I died, I'd get to see her again and maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing."

He held his hand out and she took it. "It wasn't your time."

"I've held this in for so long. It just ate away at me."

"I'm sorry that you had to go through that."

"My mom is so mad at me. Was I being selfish?"

"I don't think so."

She sat down and laid her head on his arm. "All this time, I did what they wanted me to do. I pretended that I was the perfect daughter and buried myself in my work. I kept Johnny at arm's length because my heart was broken and I didn't think I could let anyone fix it. I walked around here like I had it all together when inside I was dying."

"And now?"

She closed her eyes. "Part of me feels like I can breathe again. She's gone and I can't get her back, but I can fight in her name."

Jason took a languid breath. "Do you love Johnny?"

Her eyes fluttered open and their eyes locked. "I care about him a lot, but I have never let myself go there."

"Would it be so bad if you did?"

"Probably not. Jason, were you with Kelly before the accident?"

"Not seriously."

"Maybe we both have commitment issues."

"Or maybe we just haven't met the right person for us. I think we were both stuck in the past."

"I'm so glad that we're friends."

"Me too."

She sat back. "I should go home and get out of this dress."

"If having me at your place is too much, I'll go stay with Monica and Alan."

"No. It's okay. I know you don't want to go there. Your room is ready."

She stood and gave his hand one last squeeze. "Sleep well."

"You too."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jeff was livid, he ran up to Andrea's office and threw open the door and gasped. "Oh my God."

Stefan buried his head into her neck. His shirt was open and they had been kissing.

"You're cheating on me?"

Andrea closed her eyes. "I was miserable and you didn't seem to notice or care."

"So instead of talking to me, you turn to him?"

She pushed back from Stefan and he fumbled with his buttons.

"Unbelievable. I can't even look at you right now."

She brushed a tear away. "I was upset and one thing led to another."

"Were you every going to tell me?"

"Yes, but it's not what you think."

"I hope you're proud that you just threw away a thirty-year marriage." Jeff stormed away and Andrea wiped a tear away.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I will talk to him."

Stefan held her as she cried. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but he knew it wasn't going to be good.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Epiphany went to the roof of the hospital. She had just changed and wanted to check on a few patients and then go home. She sucked in a breath of fresh air and took note of the beautiful view. Elizabeth's confession had shocked her, but it also made her love her friend even more.

Jeff threw the door open and she spun on her heel.

"Dr. Webber are you alright?"

Jeff was trying to control his emotions. He looked down and Epiphany made his way over to the man, still looking impeccable in his tux. She always had thought he was so handsome. Softly, she touched his arm. "Whatever you say is between me and you. I will not repeat it.

He nodded and moved towards a chair and sat, patting the one next to him. She joined him.

"I knew things weren't good between me and my wife. She has been distant. We work a lot of hours and unfortunately, didn't take time for our relationship. I just found her in her office with someone else."

Epiphany took his hand.

"It really hurt that she wouldn't tell me the truth. For thirty years, she has run our relationship and I let her. I have no one to blame but myself."

"Why did you let her?"

"It was just easier that way. She's a strong woman, which is part of the reason I loved her, but she didn't really care about my opinion. She did what she wanted to do and I went along for the ride."

"Was it her idea to send Elizabeth away?"

"Yeah and like an asshole I agreed. I kept telling myself it was to protect her, but honestly, it was all about our sterling reputations. Elizabeth wasn't getting enough of our attention and she sought love elsewhere. I get it. She was just so young and she would have had to finish school with a child that we weren't willing to raise for her. She was a junior."

"What was the plan when she went away. Were you going to force her to give the baby up?"

"That is where we were leaning towards doing, but we hadn't gotten that far. When we found out the baby was ill, we flew to the facility and knew she wasn't going to make it. At that point, Elizabeth was so distraught, that we just focused on helping her the best we could. She stayed on another month and got some intense therapy. It was a lot for someone her age to deal with."

"I'm sure. And then you told her she had to keep everything a secret."

"Yes. She came back and saw a therapist here and we never spoke of it. Initially, she wanted to be a nurse, but the experience changed her and she decided to run the foundation. Andrea was upset that she would be the only one not directly in the medical field, but I insisted on letting Elizabeth find her own way. I just wanted her to be happy again and in the end, Andrea agreed. My wife has some issues she has never dealt with. It's the reason she's so driven and sometimes closed off." He didn't even know the full extent of it.

"I see."

"I know we sucked, but I love Elizabeth with every fiber of being. I admire her strength and the fact that she didn't back down and do what we wanted. She did what she needed to do tonight and I have never been more proud of her."

A/N – You'll find out the full extent of what happened from Elizabeth's point a view (along with who her boyfriend was at the time) in chapter 12.