A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Guest – Thank you! * Virgy15 – I know! * doralupin86 – Glad you liked it! * ilovedana53 - Thanks!
Very grateful to all of you who posted reviews daily. I really appreciate it! The fic that is replacing this is Liason and it's called Metamorphosis.
Chapter 20 - Epilogue
8 Months later
"Johnny, hurry up, she's coming." Claudia whispered as she peeked out his living room window.
Nathan walked Elizabeth up to the door. She had spent all day at the gallery and couldn't wait to just relax with Johnny. She had a major showing in New York in two days and she had been crazy busy.
She pushed the door open and called out Johnny's name. There was no one in the living room so she threw her purse on the couch and headed for the kitchen. Flicking on the light she was stunned when everyone yelled surprise.
"Oh my God." She said grinning. "What is going on?"
"It's a you're fantastic, good luck in New York party." Claudia said smiling.
"You guys are too much."
Johnny stepped out of the crowd and gave her a quick kiss. "Okay, everyone in the living room."
They all went into the other room. Anthony was doing very well and able to walk on his own again. He was really grateful for whatever time he had left.
Kelly gave her a big hug as well as Robin, Maxie, and Emily. It was so good seeing them because for the last month she was always working.
"Hi Jason." She said smiling.
He smiled. "Are you nervous?"
"A little bit but I know I will be really nervous by Saturday night."
They were interrupted when Claudia passed some shrimp rolls.
"There are delicious." Liz said savoring them in her mouth.
They all chatted and ate and then Johnny poured some champagne for everyone. "I would like to propose a toast." He said before handing Liz a glass. "To Elizabeth who just happens to be the most beautiful and talented artist ever."
Elizabeth chuckled.
"New York is not going to know what hit them. Here's to a good and lucrative showing."
Everyone raised their glasses and took a sip.
Elizabeth looked down at her glass. "Johnny, there's something in my glass." She said frowning. "Did somebody lose a ring?"
Claudia grinned. She was so excited.
Elizabeth dug it out and held it up. "Oh my God, that is freaking gorgeous."
Johnny grinned. "I'm glad you like it because it's yours."
Elizabeth looked up at him. "What?"
Johnny knelt down in front of her. "Elizabeth, I love you so much. I savor every moment I get to spend with you. You're beautiful and compassionate. I love and respect everything about you."
Elizabeth finally closed her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.
"Nothing makes me happier than seeing your beautiful smile. You are everything I have ever wanted. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. "Y….yes. Johnny I love you so much." She said crying.
Everyone was clapping as Johnny picked her up and spun her around. He kissed her softly and then took the ring from her and slipped it onto her finger.
"This is the best you're fantastic, good luck in New York party ever." Liz yelled as everyone laughed.
"Now it's officially an engagement party." Claudia said loudly.
Anthony walked over to Elizabeth. "I already consider you my family but I'm excited that it will now be official." He said before hugging her. Anthony and Elizabeth had grown very close and she was already like a daughter to him.
"Are you going to do a hyphen?" Maxie asked.
Elizabeth thought for a minute. "Hmmm. Maybe I'll make Webber my middle name."
"That' s a good idea." Robin said.
"Who's the guard over in the corner?" Kelly asked Elizabeth who chuckled.
"That's Carlos."
"He's yummy."
"You want me to inconspicuous, or don't you care?"
Kelly grinned. "I don't do inconspicuous."
Robin laughed.
Elizabeth walked Kelly over to Carlos. "Hey."
Carlos smiled. "Hi. Congratulations."
"Thank you. I wanted you to meet a friend of my Kelly West. She's a doctor over at GH."
Carlos took Kelly's hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman."
Kelly grinned. "And it's a pleasure to meet such a gorgeous man."
Elizabeth grinned and then yelped as Johnny pulled her into him. "You happy future Mrs. Zacchara?"
She turned and gave him a devilish look. "I'm going to show you just how happy I am once everyone leaves."
Johnny started to yell everyone out and Elizabeth clapsed her hand over his mouth. "Johnny! You can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because the party just started." She said chuckling. Taking his hand she led him over to the couch. "Behave."
Johnny grinned and pulled her down onto his lap. "I love baby."
"I love you too."
liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
6 Months Later
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Everything was drowned out but the sound of their beating hearts as Johnny lowered his head towards hers. Their first kiss as man and wife was soft and loving. They stood and grinned at each other for a minute and turned and looked out at everyone. There were a sea of happy faces looking back at them and for the second time today, Liz felt really emotional. Anthony had walked her down the aisle and she had barely made it without crying. The fact that previously Johnny thought his father wouldn't be alive to see him marry made it beyond special and poignant.
They were pulled out the door for some pictures and then finally made it to the limo. The reception was adjacent to botanical gardens and Liz couldn't wait to get some pictures taken there.
"I love you wife." Johnny said leaning over to kiss her.
"I love you husband." Elizabeth whispered before Johnny's lips crashed down onto hers. Everything was perfect.
liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
1 Year Later
"Let me hold him." Claudia said looking at little Matteo Anthony Zacchara.
"Get your own baby." Johnny said grinning.
Claudia smacked his arm.
"Now honey, you're going to have to learn to share with your sister." Elizabeth said smiling. Matteo had been home for a week. Liz was exhausted but it was a good kind of tired. Johnny would get up and get him in the middle of the night so she could feed him. And he would watch Matteo so she could take a nap during the day. The baby already loved piano music. And Johnny had written a beautiful concerto in honor of him.
"Honey, she needs to have her own." He said kissing his son.
Claudia growled at him and he reluctantly handed the baby over. "It's your auntie again. Your daddy has serious issues but don't worry, you can come to auntie and she will give you anything that you want."
Elizabeth smiled and Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "She's undermining us already."
Anthony walked into the room. "Where is my grandchild?"
"Right here daddy. Johnny didn't want to share." She said kissing Matteo on the head and handing him to her father.
"He never did like to share." Anthony said softly.
"I have such a bad rep." Johnny said.
Claudia flopped onto the couch next to him. "You were such a little pest."
"That's because you wouldn't let me hang out with you."
"You were too little."
"Whatever."
Elizabeth smiled. She was happy; hopelessly in love with her husband and son. Her art was now in demand, and Johnny's career was flourishing.
"Where's your boyfriend?"
Claudia shoved him. "He's not my boyfriend."
"Claudia, you've been going out with him like forever in Claudia years."
"So."
Johnny shook his head at Claudia still not wanting to jinx anything. "I tell you what, we'll have the wedding ceremony and instead of husband and wife you can be the chick he lives with and he can be the guy you sleep with."
Claudia rolled her eyes. "You're so funny."
Anthony piped up. "Seriously Claudia, give it up already. I'm not getting any younger."
"Jason and I are doing just fine. We're happy." She said standing up and taking Matteo from Anthony. "Right Matteo?" She said cooing at the baby who had eyes just like his daddy.
"Fifty bucks says she's knocked up in 6 months." Johnny said.
Nathan piped up. "No way, I'll give it a year. I'm in."
Anthony grinned. "I'm in."
"Maybe we should just get a pool going cause I know some of the guards would love to be in on this." Nathan added.
Johnny nodded. "Set it up."
"Do you hear that Matteo?" Claudia said walking over to the window. "I need you to grow up fast so that you can defend auntie. Can I tell you a secret?" She said smiling down at him lovingly. "Auntie and Uncle Jason got married last weekend. But don't tell anyone, no matter how much milk they offer to give you, because it's a secret." The baby gurgled. "Good, I'm glad you agree. I'll let you gnaw on my finger later."
liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Two and a ½ Years Later
Elizabeth grinned as Matteo ran into her legs and squeezed. "Mama." He yelled.
"Easy Matteo, mommy is still sore." Johnny said walking in with their newest addition to the family. Abriana Rose Zacchara. "Where is your auntie?"
"In dere." Matteo pointed.
They walked into the kitchen.
"Hey." Claudia said putting the plate of cut up hotdogs on the counter. "Welcome home Abriana." She said kissing the baby's head.
She picked up Matteo and put him on his booster seat. "Have at it." She said pushing him closer to the table.
Jason walked into the room. "Welcome home." He said carrying his daughter Kylah Marie Morgan into the room.
"Hi baby." Claudia said as her daughter squealed and went to her. "Did she eat her veggies?"
Jason grunted. "What do you think?" He said pointing to the wet spots on his shirt from flying pea gook.
Claudia laughed. "That is all your fault." She turned around. "You guys hungry?"
"I am." Elizabeth said smiling.
"How's lasagna?"
"Yummy." Liz said.
Johnny took Kylah and Claudia got the lasagna out and put it into the oven. She found out that she absolutely loved to cook and she had taken lessons.
Elizabeth handed Abriana to Jason and ran to get the door. It was Anthony. He was in a wheel chair again. None of them took his health for granted and were just happy with whatever time they had.
"Elizabeth you are beautiful as always. Where's my new grandchild?"
Elizabeth grinned. "Carlos, you can take him into the kitchen."
Johnny walked towards her. "You okay?"
"I'm better than okay."
They hugged and then Johnny kissed her deeply.
"I love our life." Elizabeth said wistfully.
"Me too." He said before kissing her again.
THE END