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Chapter 21

Elizabeth got home, threw up, and then crawled into bed to take a nap. Jason sat in the sitting area of their room reading and watching his wife rest. The door was open and Cameron came to visit while Jake also had a late nap. The curly haired little boy told his dad that Pop-pop was also sleeping downstairs, which made Jason smile. Elizabeth had mentioned the other day that Edward liked to "rest" in the afternoons.

When all the members of the family woke up Elizabeth got Jake dressed while Cameron changed from his jeans and t-shirt into Khakis and a button down shirt like his dad. Elizabeth showered and changed, while Jason sat in the bedroom in case they had a repeat of last night. Even though they would be out in the sleigh she still opted to wear a dress, because she never wore pants to church. That was a lesson from childhood that still lingered. The sea-blue dress with a fold over ascot style collar and slightly flared skirt made her feel pretty, the knee high black leather boots made her feel tall.

Dinner was fixed and consumed after which everyone bundled up to wait for the horse drawn sleigh to arrive.

"Pop-pop have you ever been on a sleigh ride before?" Cameron asked getting more excited as the minutes passed.

"I have but not for a really long time." Edward was happy to be here to share this. Maybe next year he would be invited to join them again, even if Monica or Tracy was home. Being so involved in the lives of his great-grandson was a gift that the older man was grateful for.

"I'll sit next to you so that you will know what will happen." Cameron didn't want his Pop-pop to be nervous. "The horse is big, but you don't have to be afraid."

"I'll keep that in mind." Edward said grinning. It was so like Cameron to want everyone to be okay. The little boy reminded Edward of a young Jason Quartermaine. Protective and caring.

"Mom, how come the horse is able to pull all of us?" Cameron wanted to know.

"The horse is really strong." Elizabeth said tightening his scarf. It also didn't hurt that the sleigh, which looked really ornate, was made of a lightweight fiberglass that weighed very little. Also because the horse was taking them into town Jason made arrangements for the animal and carriage to be driven out to the house. When the driver knocked on the door the large truck that transported them would be gone so the boys would think the horse came by itself. Elizabeth wouldn't enjoy herself if she thought the Clydesdale was being overworked. They also made sure to use a company that underwent regular inspections to make sure they treated their stock well.

The knock came and the family happily left the house. Edward got in first and Cameron sat next to him, Elizabeth got in and Jake was put on her lap, and finally Jason got in and the sleigh door was closed. The entire family got under the blankets provided and when the driver took his place they set off. The guards followed behind in a couple of the SUVs.

Because the Morgan house was at the edge of the city they were able to take a winding route, some of it through the woods, back into the main part of the town. Along the way, they sang songs, the boys drank some hot chocolate, and Cameron kept up a steady stream of chatter pointing things out so that Edward wouldn't miss them.

"You warm enough?" Jason leaned in and asked Elizabeth.

"I am." She promised looking over at him smiling. Feeling good she gave him a quick kiss, and heard her son snort.

"They are kissing again." Cameron told Edward. "They do that a lot." The little boy was not a fan of kissing at the moment.

"When get older you will understand why that is." Edward assured his great-grandson.

"No, I won't." Cameron said shaking his head. "Kissing is gross."

Edward just laughed at the statement. "We can talk again in a few years." He told the small child before launching into another carol.

At the hospital they piled out and headed upstairs to the pediatric ward. For years Elizabeth's grandfather read The Night before Christmas to the children who were patients, and their gathered family members. After his death Alan took over. After he passed away for the first time a non-Chief of Staff did the honors, Edward as head of the hospital board had stepped in. In September Edward had stepped down from the hospital board simply stating that it was time. He had been replaced at the head of the board by the man who was going to read the story this year.

"Nervous?" Elizabeth wanted to know.

"A little." Jason admitted to his wife. "I've been practicing." He told her.

"You'll do great." Elizabeth was so proud of him. She was recording this so that Monica could see it.

"Ready?" Emily walked over and asked her big brother.

"I am." Jason said giving her a hug. He looked at the clock. "It's time for me to read." When he was done, Matt would emerge dressed as Santa to hand out presents. Walking across the room Jason took a seat in the large chair that had been used since he was a young child, he picked up the book before getting comfortable and cleared his throat. "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house." He began reading the tale.

"Well done." Edward was smiling wide as Jason rejoined their small group.

"Thanks. It felt good." He said getting a kiss from his wife.

"You did great." She said softly. "I'm going to go up and check on Kelly. When I get back we can start saying our goodbyes and we can head out." It would take a while. "So that we can get over to the church."

"Okay." Jason said looking around for Cameron, the little boy was standing across the room talking with a friend of his from school whose mom worked at the hospital. "Jake and I will make the rounds."

"Sounds good." Elizabeth walked down the hall to the elevator and Milo joined her.

"The boss did a good job with the reading." The guard said grinning. Three years ago Jason never would not have had such a public role in this celebration. Normally he just donated money to buy presents. Elizabeth was good for him.

"He was great." Elizabeth said feeling proud. "Have you seen the baby?"

"I did. I stopped by earlier." Milo told her. "I gave Cody my gift. A month of delivered meals."

"That is a very thoughtful gift Milo." Elizabeth thought it was perfect for the couple. "One less thing to worry about."

"That was my thinking." He said as the elevator doors opened. He waited while Elizabeth punched in a code to open the locked doors of the maternity ward. "You ladies pretty much covered everything the baby needed at the shower."

"Kelly did get a sizeable haul." Elizabeth smiled remembering the shower. Not only gifts from the hospital staff, but the guys had sent stuff as well. "Hi." She said softly.

"Hey." Cody stood up and came over. He got a hug from Liz and shook Milo's hand. Kelly was sleeping. "Come in." They gathered around the bassinet and looked at the snoozing baby. "He's doing really well. The hearing test was an hour ago. He passed with flying colors."

"Excellent." Elizabeth whispered. "You guys need anything?" She and Milo wouldn't stay for too long. Cody should sleep as well.

"No, we're good. Johnny stopped by, and brought dinner." Cody knew most of the guys would visit tomorrow and the day after. Once they got home everyone would give them some space to get settled. "Kelly's mom is arriving the day we go home, so we'll have some help." Which was good because neither he nor his wife knew about caring for a baby. Kelly had joked her job was over once they popped out.

"You can call me too, if you need to." Elizabeth offered.

"Thanks." Cody would have no problem doing so. He didn't want to screw this up.

"We are going back down. Get some sleep while you can." Elizabeth advised.

"I just put him down before you stuck your head in." Cody told her.

"Bye." She said and Milo waved.

"Cute kid." He said as they walked off the ward.

"All babies are beautiful." Elizabeth said wondering what hers and Jason's newest one would look like. They stepped off the elevator on the pediatric floor and found themselves face to face with Lucky and Maxie Spencer.

"Hello Elizabeth." Lucky said to his ex-wife. "Milo." There was no point in ignoring the guard.

"Lucky, Maxie. How are you?" Elizabeth asked being polite.

"Good." Maxie answered trying to make the best of an awkward situation. They had come to the hospital to visit, but had hoped to not run into Elizabeth. Maxie had visited the doctor who did her transplant along with Monica. They made it a point to not stop by the party figuring the Morgans would be there. "And you?"

"I'm good too." Elizabeth could feel tension rolling off of Milo. She and Lucky had not ended on a good note. Even before she had discovered he was cheating there had been the pills he was taking. He had also treated both her and Cameron borderline abusive.

"How is Cameron and the new baby?" Lucky asked after the children. Elizabeth had been pregnant when he and Maxie left. The fact that he walked away from Cameron still gave him moments of guilt.

"Great." Elizabeth wondered how long it would be before Jason showed up. Just because Milo didn't take out his phone didn't mean he hadn't contacted his boss. So she should wrap this up. "It was good to see you both."

"You too." Maxie knew the couple's history. Lucky had come clean and promised that he would not be repeating the behavior. Maxie believed him, but had been relieved when Lucky suggested they move from Port Charles. She didn't harbor any jealousy towards Elizabeth, but thought the distance would be good for everyone.

"Elizabeth, can I speak with you? In private?" Lucky asked as he gently squeezed Maxie's hand. He had already told her that if the chance arose he planned on apologizing to his former wife. It was long overdue.

At that moment Jason appeared at the top of the corridor. His eyes locked with Elizabeth's as he looked for signs that she was upset. Not seeing any he slowly made his way to where the group was standing. "Lucky, Maxie."

"Jason." Lucky had once been friends with the mob boss, but that was before Helena. Everything had been different before then.

"Hi Jason." Maxie said hoping her husband wasn't about to get beaten up.

"Lucky, I think that I should go." Elizabeth told her ex-husband. "I wish you, and Maxie both, all the best." She said smiling.

"I'd like the chance to apologize." Lucky told her, since privacy wasn't going to happen.

Elizabeth felt a brief spurt of anger, that he would say that after blabbing her business to Johnny. If he was going to apologize for anything it should be that. He shouldn't have stirred up that particular hornet's nest. She figured he was working the twelve steps, one of which was making amends. "I accept." Elizabeth would give them both closure. "Thank you."

"Be happy." Lucky told her as the elevator Milo called opened. The visit was over.

"You too." Elizabeth said taking Jason's hand and walking away.

"Are you alright?" The mob boss asked his wife.

"I am. I had a brief urge to pop him one." She admitted with a rueful smile. "But that passed. I don't expect that we will be speaking again." Even if they crossed paths before he left they would not stop to talk.

"You can if you want. I'm not trying to control you." Jason wanted that clear. He would rather she stayed away from Lucky, but it was her choice.

"I know that." Elizabeth said stopping. "I have nothing else to say to him. Look up."

Jason did and grinned. Leaning over he placed his lips on hers. They were standing under a sprig of mistletoe. A flash made them pull apart and when they looked over Robin was standing there with a camera grinning. "Merry Christmas, I'll send you a copy." She laughed before moving away to find Patrick.

"Let's get the boys." Jason said trying not to blush. "And head to the church."

They sat with Johnny who was a bit quiet. He and Jason had a brief chat before they moved to the pew. O'Brien wanted his friend to know Gia had left the area. After the service he promised to see them tomorrow as gifts were exchanged.

At the house Jason and Edward watched as Elizabeth along with Cameron and Jake put out the snacks for Santa and the reindeer.

"Are you sure reindeer like carrots?" Cameron checked. "Toby is putting out dog biscuits." The little boy told his mother. They could do that because Toby had a German Shepard.

"We looked it up remember?" Elizabeth said as she poured milk in a thermal cup to keep it cold. "Just so we would know what to leave. Okay. I think it's time for certain people to get into bed or else Santa might not come." It was already an hour past their normal bed time. Jake was flagging and so was Cam. "Since everyone had baths earlier its right into jammies."

"Come on dad." Cameron said running out of the room.

"Be back in a bit." Jason said taking Jake.

"I'll make us something to drink." She was looking forward to tea sweetened with blueberry juice. "Are you joining us Edward?"

"I wouldn't miss it. I'm looking forward to watching Jason put out the gifts." Edward was making memories to share in his talks with Lila. He wouldn't stay up too long so that the couple could have some time alone.

"I noticed there is no gift to the boys with your name on it in the pile." Honestly that was making her a bit nervous. So was the twinkle in her grandfather's eyes.

"It's being delivered tomorrow by one of Santa's helpers." Edward grinned. Jason was going to kill him.

"Uh-huh." Elizabeth said trying not to glare. Jake already had the steely gaze down, and Cam did a great version as well. "Have a seat and I'll bring everything in."

"Before I get comfortable I have a request." Edward said taking Elizabeth's hand in his. "In the chest Jason gave you last night, there are a pair of ruby and diamond earrings. Not the long ones, these are in a cluster pattern. Would you wear those tomorrow? Lila wore them every year at Christmas. I'd like to see them again."

Elizabeth couldn't help it, she started crying as she hugged the older man tight. "I will. And you are forgiven in advanced for whatever your gift is." How could he not be, and how could she refuse such a request? "Go sit down."

"Thank you." Edward said kissing her cheek and moving off to the front room.

Elizabeth just took a moment to enjoy the fact that she was here, surrounded by family, and loved. Calming some she wiped her face before setting about making them drinks.

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