Chapter Eleven

There was nothing sexier, Elizabeth Webber decided, than a man taking care of his baby. As she lounged in Jason's bed the morning after their very first night together, she pretended to sleep while secretly observing the father and son pair, pushing aside her urges to show him just how attractive she found him and settling for a quiet moment or several with the two most important people in her life.

Michael had started fussing twenty minutes earlier, but, before she could get up and go to him, Jason was already up and throwing on his boxers, leaving her to rest while he took care of his son. While she had remained in bed contemplating whether or not she should get up and join them in the nursery, they had, apparently, gone to the kitchen to make coffee and mix formula, because, moments later, they returned to the bedroom laden down with the little boy's breakfast and liquid energy, one cup sweetened with ample sugar, for the two adults. He had fed the baby his bottle, the pair simply watching each other in silence while Michael ate, and, despite wanting to be a part of their moment, Elizabeth had refrained from alerting them to her conscious state, instead savoring the vision they made. She had watched surreptitiously, keeping her long lashes downcast and her sleep relaxed form still, and, when Jason started talking to his son, her efforts had paid off.

"We're going to let her sleep in this morning, because she doesn't get to do that very often between having to take care of you and putting up with the guards, but I was thinking that maybe I'd…not work today, that I'd take the day off. I haven't seen you that much recently, and I thought the three of us could spend the day together. We could go to the park or to the lake. Whatever we do, we'll let Elizabeth decide…eventually, after she has her morning dose of chocolate."

Smiling to herself, she sat up in bed and leaned across the small space between them, placing a chaste but lingering kiss on Jason's stubble covered cheek. "Don't mock it, Morgan. Even super heroes have their one weakness, and chocolate just happens to be my kryptonite. Besides, it's not like you have room to talk." Nodding her head towards his bedside table, she queried, "is that your first cup of coffee this morning, or did you already gulp down a steaming mug full while you were making Michael's bottle?"

He surprised her. Instead of answering right away, he lifted his free hand to her chin and playfully pulled her face towards his, locking their lips together and giving her a proper morning after kiss. "You're in a good mood this morning."

Shrugging the brunette responded, "I slept well last night." As she reached across his body for her own cup of java which had been sweetened beyond recognition, Elizabeth noticed his quirked eyebrow. "Okay, so in between our other nocturnal activities, I slept well in the few hours of respite I was granted."

"I didn't hear you complaining when I woke you up."

"Nor will you ever." After taking a sip of the hot beverage, she continued. "Please, feel free to wake me up like…that…anytime you want you."

"I'll keep that in mind," the mafia boss stated. "However, you're not as good as you think you are, Webber."

"Are you insulting my skills in the…."

"You're not going to distract me that easily," Jason continued as if she hadn't interrupted him. "Like I said, you're in a good mood, but you're never this happy after first getting up. Were you pretending to sleep while I was feeding Michael?"

Feigning innocence, she asked, "would I do that?"

"Yes."

Giggling, Elizabeth changed the subject. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"Well, I don't know," the blonde mused. He was looking down at Michael and letting the baby wrap his tiny fist around one of his much larger fingers, so she couldn't see his face. "I was thinking about changing the oil on my bike."

"That sounds cool," she agreed to accompany him without actually saying so. "Michael and I can watch you while you work and keep you company."

"You mean distracted?"

"Yep, that, too." Sliding closer to him in bed and allowing him to wrap his right arm around her shoulder and hold her to him, the artist pushed. "What else did you have in mind?"

"I should get in touch with all the men, check up on things to make sure everything ran smoothly while I was gone."

"Wouldn't Johnny have told you if something was wrong last night," she questioned.

Jason shook his head in rejection of her idea. "Not necessarily, and, whether I like it or not, I am the boss, and that's just something I have to do."

"And after you get that out of the way?"

"It'll probably be late by then," the father recognized, sounding disheartened by the realization. "I might be able to make it back in time for dinner and to help you tuck Michael into bed though."

"Morgan!" Scampering out of his arms, Elizabeth, forgetting her state of undress, stood up on the bed, fisted her hands on her hips, and glared at her boyfriend. "You're teasing me!"

"About what?" While his face showed no emotion, his eyes were twinkling with mischief and humor.

"You know what," the petite brunette countered. "You told Michael that we'd all spend the day together, and that I'd get to choose what we'd do."

"So you were eavesdropping while pretending to sleep," he questioned.

Stomping her foot, Elizabeth yelled, "Jason!"

"And now you're trying to break my bed as well." Smirking at her gloriously nude form and impassioned countenance, the coffee importer wondered out loud. "Do you have something against furniture?"

"You're impossible," she huffed, jumping off the bed and reaching for a sheet to wrap around her body, but, before she could succeed, he was standing behind her, Michael happily playing with his feet while lying on the bed, grabbing the sheet from her hand and tossing it aside, and pulling her into his body to embrace her.

"And you're not going anywhere."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

Melting quickly, she tightened his arms around her and tilted her head to the side to kiss his bicep. Good-naturedly, Elizabeth asked, "and why's that?"

"Because you have to stay up here with Michael while I go back down to the kitchen to find you some breakfast."

Laughing, the impish pixy of a woman taunted him. "And you're going to cook?"

"No," Jason answered quickly. "I'm going to send Johnny out for some of your favorite donuts and wait around downstairs until he's back so he doesn't get the bright idea to let himself in to hand deliver the food to you. Once I have the donuts, I'll pour you some chocolate milk and join you again as soon as I can."

"Should I get dressed while you're gone," she wanted to know.

"I'd rather you didn't. Just get back into bed and wait for me there. When I come back," he suggested, "we'll talk about what you want to do today."

"It's a date," the art student promised with a wide, content smile lighting up her glowing face. Turning around in his arms, she kissed his jaw before continuing. "But I'm going to need a few hours to myself this morning."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"Nope – I just need to go to the hospital," Elizabeth revealed. The calm expression left his face, and she could tell that he would need to know more. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad," she reassured him. "I just want to make sure that, in the future, we're protected. We didn't use anything, and that's okay, because nothing could have happened, trust me, but I should see my gynecologist and get a prescription for birth control right away so I don't forget. After all, I don't think what happened last night is going to be a one time thing."

"Definitely not." Swallowing thickly, he asked, "do you want me to…come with you?"

Sincerely, she responded, "thank you, but that's not necessary. I'll only be gone for a little while, and, while I am, you and Michael can have some male bonding time. It means a lot to me though to know that you offered, but I can't let you go with me." With a wink, she teased, "could you imagine how bad it would be for your reputation if it got out that Jason Morgan went with his girlfriend to her gynecologist?"

Chuckling, he conceded to her. "You do have a point."

Once again, Elizabeth kissed him, but, by standing up on her toes, she made the clinch deeper and more passionate. Grinning when their lips separated, she ordered, "now go get me my breakfast."

She pulled away from his arms and walked back towards the bed, ignoring him. She had almost made it before she felt him pertly slap her bare derrière. As he left the bedroom, he tossed over his shoulder, "bossy," leaving her in a fit of joyous mirth while she slipped under the sheets and started to play with Michael, realizing that with Jason and his son around, she could definitely become more of a morning person.

"Just have that prescription filled," Doctor Meadows instructed her, "and, unless you notice any unusual side effects, I'll see again for your yearly checkup."

Smiling at the doctor, she replied, "I will and thank you."

"Goodbye Elizabeth."

With a wave as her farewell, the young student went to leave and promptly bumped into a hovering older woman. "Excuse me," she offered, but still the strange lady did not step aside or let her pass. "Can I help you with something?"

"I'm sorry," the blonde responded with a smile, "I'm Monica Quartermaine, Jason's Mom. After the Nurses Ball last night I was wondering when I'd get a chance to introduce myself to my son's…."

Sensing that the physician wanted to know what role she filled in Jason's life, Elizabeth, with a sigh, obliged. "We're dating, and I'm Michael's nanny."

"Is that how the two of you met?"

"I'm sorry, Doctor Quartermaine, but I don't think that's any of your business, and, to be frank, I don't feel comfortable discussing my relationship with you."

"Of course," the older woman readily agreed. "That's perfectly understandable, but I must admit that I can see why you and Jason get along so well. You have similar personalities."

Attempting to walk away, the brunette mumbled under her breath, "whatever you say," but, regrettably, she was not quick enough, and Monica simply followed her as she moved along the hospital corridor towards the nurses' station and the elevators that would allow her to escape and get back to the two people patiently waiting for her in the park.

"I thought maybe we could have lunch sometime," the cardiologist suggested. "I could get to know you better, and you could ask me what Jason was like when he was a child."

"Look," Elizabeth stated, raising her voice and making the polite, fake smile fall from the blonde's face, "we're not going to be friends. I realize that you think I'm your in to Jason, but it's not going to work. I don't want to have lunch with you, I don't want you to know who I am, and, to be honest, I really don't care what Jason was like when he was kid, especially since he can't even remember his life then. If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

"Just one second," the physician stopped her. "Why were you coming out of Doctor Meadow's office? Are you pregnant?"

"Oh my god," a third voice exclaimed as they joined them. "You and Jason are having a baby, but Michael's not even a year old yet!"

"Hello, Miss Spencer," the brunette artist greeted the nurse who just so happened to be her charge's Grandmother. "It's nice to see you again."

"Bobbie, please," she insisted for the second time. "And it's lovely to see you again, too, but what's this about a pregnancy? I don't even want to be there when Carly finds out."

"She left town, abandoning her son and forcing mine to care for Michael on his own," Monica said harshly. "I really don't think she should have a say in this. Besides, Elizabeth and Jason having a baby would be good news. You saw her last night, she's wonderful with him, and we all know how easily Jason has taken to fatherhood."

"Yes, but Carly doesn't even know that he's involved with someone else."

"And whose fault is that," the senior staff member wanted to know, glaring at her friend and coworker.

"That's enough," the youngest of the three women exploded, glancing between the blonde and the redhead with cold, angry, blue eyes. "It doesn't matter what the two of you think and it doesn't matter how Carly will react, because there's nothing to react to. I'm not pregnant."

"Well, I should surely hope not," Audrey pronounced, pursing her lips and folding her arms over her chest as she came to stand in front of her granddaughter. "Now, I'm not blind. I saw that inappropriate display of affection you and Mr. Morgan shared last night, but I know that you're sensible enough not to get too deeply involved with a career criminal."

"That is my son you're talking about there," the cardiologist warned. "I don't appreciate you disparaging against his character.

"I only speak the truth," the elderly nurse argued. "Now, dear, please tell these women what I already know, that you and Mr. Morgan are not," lowering her voice and glancing around to make sure that no one was prying into their conversation, she continued, "sleeping together."

"I can't." Observing the expressions around her, Elizabeth had to stifle a laugh at the pleased smirk gracing Doctor Quartermaine's face, the uncomfortable one on Bobbie's, and the utterly horrified and embarrassed one of her grandmother's. "I didn't want to tell you like this," she pressed with a rather apathetic shrug. "Hell, to be honest, I really didn't want to have this conversation with you at all, but, yes, we are together. We're seeing each other, we're dating, and I'm sleeping with him."

"You can't be serious, young lady," Audrey chastised her. "After everything that I've warned you against, you've thrown your future and your life away for a mob boss!"

Brazenly, she corrected the elderly woman. "Alleged mob boss. He's never been proven guilty of a single crime."

"I can't believe you! Do you have no respect for me or your parents? Are you determined to do everything you're told not to? Is this relationship with Mr. Morgan your latest form of rebellion?"

"Gram, stop it," the brunette artist screamed. "If my having sex with Jason was supposed to be a rebellion, then I would have to care about what you thought of me, but I don't! You stand there and you put your stuck up nose in the air and make up your mind about him, but have you ever taken the chance to get to know Jason? Of course not! You'd rather pass moral judgment on his character, believing what the papers and the corrupt police department have to say about him instead of actually trusting me and my feelings. Well, I'm sorry. I love you, Grandmother, but, right now, I don't respect you. I think it would be a good idea if we didn't see each other for a while, if we both took some time to cool off." Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she turned towards the two other women standing with them. "Bobbie, as I told you last night, you're always welcome at the penthouse. Please, drop by to see Michael anytime, and, Mrs. Quartermaine, I'd appreciate it if you would respect my wishes and not try to corner me again. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

With her head held high, Elizabeth made her way towards the elevators and boarded the first available lift, ignoring the curious and meddlesome hospital employees as they stood watching her, transfixed after witnessing the very combustible scene that had just played out between her and three of the most respected women in all of Port Charles. Apparently, not only could she get used to life as Jason Morgan's girlfriend, but she was also going to give him a run for his money on his status as the most gossiped about member of the small, sleepy upstate New York community. The guards would be so proud…and sorely upset that they had missed her memorable performance.

Jason was reclined on a blanket when she found him in the park, relaxing and reading while an at ease Michael slept peacefully on his chest, the little boy's hand grasping his father's t-shirt. Seeing the two of them together, so content, made her smile as she slowly made her way towards the shade tree they were resting under and lowered her petite form down beside them.

"Hey," he greeted her, setting his book aside and forgetting to mark his place. "Come here," he urged, opening up his free arm for her to scoot in closer and lay down beside him. "You look upset. What's wrong?"

She was surprised that he could tell. After all, she had been trying to mask her annoyance so as not to ruin their afternoon together. "How can you tell?"

"I always can," the blonde replied easily, placing a gentle, soothing, reassuring kiss against her brow. "When you're upset, your eyes don't smile."

"I just…I think we're going to have to switch hospitals. I'm sure there's an equally talented pediatrician at Mercy, and, as long as I get some privacy, I don't care who my doctor is."

Attempting to draw an explanation out of her, Jason prompted, "did you run into someone while you were at your appointment?"

"Try three nosey someones and then, eventually, an entire floor of hospital employees from doctors to nurses to volunteers to janitors." Sighing dejectedly, the young artist lowered her voice. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I was trying to stay aloof so I wouldn't tell them anything that's none of their business, and I was doing a good job until…"

"Wait," he interrupted her, "who were asking you questions?"

"Monica Quartermaine was the first one to corner me," she revealed, glaring into the afternoon sun with just the memory of the older woman. "I swear, she was waiting for me, and, as soon as I stepped out of Doctor Meadows' office, she was right there, in my face, offering me a fake smile, a kind, manipulative word, and an invitation to lunch. She wanted us to become friends, and, after I nipped that ridiculous idea in the bud, it was time for the grand acquisition, and she started questioning me about a possible pregnancy."

"She did what," the once calm crime boss asked rhetorically, his good mood leaving quickly to be replaced with tension and annoyance.

"Oh, it gets better than that," Elizabeth reassured him. "Bobbie Spencer overheard the tail end of our conversation, insinuated herself into it, and started worrying about how the baby I was supposedly expecting would upset Carly. Then Monica started to ridicule Carly, and, before I could set them both straight, my Grandmother joins the discussion and just goes off on you."

Evidently, that amused him. "I can only imagine how well that went over. So, is Mrs. Hardy completing her shift or was she forced to check herself in as a patient once you were finished with her?"

"When I left, she was still standing, but, after my rant where I accidentally announced it to the whole hospital floor that we were sleeping together, she might be having heart palpitations." Before he could say anything to reassure her or ask another question, the brunette continued. "That's what I'm sorry about. I know you like to keep your private life just that, and I agree with you completely. It's no one's business but our own what happens between us, but you have no idea how mad my Gram made me, and, by the time I realized what I was doing, it was too late. I was off and running…as was my mouth…and there was no stopping me until I had said my peace."

"It's okay," he reassured her while running his fingers through her long, dark tresses. She could tell that, in part, his movements were a way to calm her, but he also seemed in need of a way to constantly touch her – not that she was complaining. "Would I have ever told anyone about us myself, no, but I don't care if people know that we're together. Other than that, how did your appointment go?"

"Good, and I filled my prescription before leaving the hospital, so I'm yours for the rest of the day…and night."

She could feel the rumble of his silent laughter moving through his chest as he tightened his grip upon her hip, pulled her closer, and let his hand dip further down her body to possessively cup her bottom. "Then relax," Jason instructed. "Michael's going to be out for a while, and there's no reason why you shouldn't take a nap, too. When you both wake up later, we'll head home, give Michael his bath, order in some dinner, and just…spend some time together."

"And what about bed," she found herself asking. Though her voice was soft with exhaustion, her tone held a firmness that demanded an answer.

"What do you mean?"

"Will we be going to bed separately tonight, or are we going to share one again?"

"Oh, we're sharing," he reassured her, tipping her face up to press a searing, promising kiss to her plump lips, "definitely sharing. I don't care what bed we use, yours or mine, but, from now on, whatever bed you're in, I will be, too."

Embracing him again, she let their mouths linger together for a moment longer than either of them had intended only to withdraw enough to curl herself back into his side and strong hold. "Okay." Just like that, with one playful yet serious remark, he had managed to reassure her not only about their relationship but also her place in her life, and, with that guarantee, Elizabeth fell easily to sleep knowing that when she woke up, the two men in her life would be waiting there beside her. She had never felt so confident or cared for.

There was something surreal about getting ready for bed with another person in the room. Sure, as a child, Elizabeth had shared a bathroom with her older sister, but that was simply annoying and even frustrating at times, but being with Jason, washing her face and brushing her teeth while he showered in the stall beside her, and getting undressed while he openly and covetously watched her sent a thrill of exhilaration through her body. They would communicate through promising glances, looks passing between them that assured the other of both their feelings and the events that would come as soon as they were in bed together.

He would find discreet ways to touch her – brushing aside the curly brown hair hanging loosely down her back and dropping a kiss upon her bare shoulders, hooking a teasing finger in the waistband of her boyshorts and tugging her form against his, and wiping away the excess foam of her toothpaste with the rough, work hardened pads of his thumbs. And she would gladly return his gestures of intimacy.

When he would pass behind her in nothing but a low-slung towel, she would playfully try to pull the terry cloth material away. After she was finished and he was taking his turn to brush his teeth, she stood behind him and trailed her lips up his spine, starting at the dimpled hollow on the small of his back and working her way up to his broad, strong shoulders, tasting him and previewing what they would share in a matter of minutes. As they made their way into the bedroom, she raced him, letting him win so that, once he was lounged on the bed, she could pounce on top of his body and pretend to hold him down.

They playfully wrestled, Jason allowing her to pin him against the sheets before turning the tables and returning the favor, tickling her in the process. Her laughter filled the air, piercing the silence of the penthouse and bathing it in a warmth the space had never experienced before. Her presence seemed to make the house a home, but neither of them realized the differences their relationship was weaving throughout their lives; instead, they were simply living in the moment, as only new lovers can do.

The lighthearted nature quickly disappeared to be replaced by a sensual, passionate awareness. Gone were the mischievous touches and the teasing looks, and replacing them were sultry perusals and arousing caresses. Their clothes rapidly started to disappear, being cast aside with no concern and a wild abandon, their mouths joined together in a decadent embrace, and, just as they were about to make love for the second night in a row, the phone rang, interrupting them.

Groaning, Elizabeth tried to hold onto him even tighter, refusing to let him go. "Do you have to?"

"Stay here," Jason almost pleaded. "I'll make it as quick as possible."

Sitting up in bed, she watched his naked form sash shay across the bedroom, the tight, corded muscles of his fit body tempting her to leave her position and chase after him. He lifted the phone, said hello, and waited for a response, but, without another word, she watched him put the phone back in its cradle and slowly, almost tentatively make his way back towards her.

"Is something wrong?"

"Everything's fine," the mob boss reassured her, sliding back into bed and taking her, once again, into his arms. "And it's not important. You are," he stressed by kissing her.

The diminutive brunette believed him easily, and it wasn't as if he was lying to her. As for all Jason knew, everything was alright, but there was something about an unknown caller having access to his private line and then hanging up as soon as he picked up the phone that made him uneasy, but being with Elizabeth, holding her in his arms, and making love to her long into the night was just the distraction he needed to forget the mysterious person trying to make him notice them. It was the first mistake he had made since taking over the territory, and he didn't even realize it.