Even though the cabin was small it was very comfortable. It sat near a lake, and Elizabeth could a see a boathouse. The three hour drive there had been filled with tense silence. Spinelli had managed to keep Cam distracted and entertained until he fell asleep so that he wouldn't notice. As awkward as things were she was glad to be out of PC and the chaos that was the town. Elizabeth hated that she and Jason couldn't seem to talk to one another anymore. There had been a time they could talk about nearly anything. All that had changed when she told him the truth about the baby. Now it felt like they were strangers.
She knew Jason was determined to talk about their situation and what they were going to do. The truth was they had a lot to talk about, Jason was a wonderful man and would make an amazing father. Their son or daughter would be very blessed to have him as a dad. Elizabeth's only real fear was becoming an obligation. She knew he wouldn't say or use that word. That's just the kind of man Jason was. But she knew what being an obligation felt like though, it was how she spent her childhood. There was no way her children were ever going to feel the same way.
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Jason was exhausted by the time they reached the cabin. He carried a still sleeping Cam into the master bedroom and placed him on the bed. He ran a hand through the boy's messy curls. He could see so much of Elizabeth in him. He wondered if his own child would look like her as well. He pushed those thoughts aside and walked back out to the main room. Johnny and Spinelli had already brought all their bags in. Elizabeth was hiding in the kitchen, busy making them something to eat. Dinner was quiet but considerably less tense then the ride up had been. Elizabeth and Jason were still ignoring one another and the conversation they needed to have though.
Johnny watched them and shook his head, the two of them had been doing the same song and dance for years. Once Elizabeth had gone to bed Johnny started working on his boss and friend. "Hey, Jason you know there's only three bedrooms right?" "Yeah, I didn't really plan on Spinelli joining us. I gave Elizabeth and Cam the master bedroom. You and Spinelli can take the other two." "What about you? I mean, even you need to sleep sometime."
"I'm taking the couch." "You know, Jason, now might be a good time, not to mention perfect oppertunity to work things out with Elizabeth."
Jason shook his head. "She has enough to deal with."
"When are you going to get things setteled then? Your child is going to be here soon. Don't you want to be a least be able to talk to its mother?" "This is between us." "Like hell it is. There two children involved now." "You think I don't know that?"
"Hey, Quick Draw, those two always like that?" "Since they met, it's always been the same push and pull." "How long ago was that?" "Damn near eight years." "Wow. Eight years. Someone needs to... I don't know lock them in a room or something." "You know Spinelli, that's not a bad idea. Of course Jason might kill us when they get out."
"Nah, the Alluring One would stop him." "You mean Elizabeth? Yeah she probably would. Did you know the bedroom doors on this place don't open from the inside? Sonny setup all the safe houses that way." "Stone Cold isn't just going to go in there." "You're right what we need is..." "Hungry."
"Oh, I'll get you something." He lowered his voice then said. "Spinelli, see if he'll help us." "You want to include Little Dude?" "Jason loves kids. There's no way he'd think something was up if we enlisted his help.
"Hey Little Dude, you wanna play a game with us?" "What game?" "Well your Mommy and Stone Cold, I mean Jason are being silly. So we thought we might tick Jason into mommy's room and..." "Like a time out?" "Yeah, something like that. You want to help us?"
"'Kay. Mommy lowves Jase. I heard her tell the baby. I not want her to be sad anymore. Jase make mommy happy." "I know buddy. That's why they need to talk."
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Jason checked the perimeter of the house three times before he had cooled off enough to go back inside. He knew Johnny was right, the longer they waited to talk the harder it was going to be. There was nothing he could do tonight, he wasn't going to jeopardize the chance to get a good nights sleep. Jason was surprised to see Cam sleeping on the couch when he walked in the cabin. He picked the boy up and carried him back to bed. Jason gently laid him back down but when he tried to leave a small voice stopped him. "Stay." he closed his eyes and briefly considered the request. What harm would it really do to stay till he fell back asleep? Jason kicked off his boots and settled on the bed with Elizabeth and Cam. The last few weeks finally caught up with him and soon his eyes drifted closed.
When Cameron was sure both adults were asleep he got up from the bed. He knew his Mommy was going to be upset, but he didn't want her to be sad anymore. He went in to Spinelli's room. "'Nelli. It work." "Yeah? Good job Little Dude. You can crash in here and I'll take the couch."