A/N – Thanks for your comments. Sorry it's late.

Chapter 21

Emily's phone rang and she sat up. "Hello?"

"It's me," Jax said.

"Where are you?"

"In Port Charles, listen someone wants to speak to you."

She started to object and then Lucky's voice filled her ear.

"Emily?"

"Lucky?"

When Jason saw Elizabeth abruptly stand, he ran towards them.

"Are you okay?" Lucky asked.

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Nikolas called me."

Her breath caught in her throat as her hand found her heart.

"Where is he?"

Jason sat in the sand next to Emily and Elizabeth mouthed Lucky's name.

"I don't know, but he's looking for you saying it's out of protection. I didn't tell him anything. I would have told you sooner, but Jax was in Manhattan."

"Thank you, Lucky."

"Can I speak to Jason?"

"Yeah. He's right here."

Jason took the phone. "What's wrong?"

"You have to protect them. Nikolas is looking for them and he sounded desperate."

"I figured he would. Is there a place you can lay low?"

"Not really. I can't take any more time off."

"If something should happen, find Francis. He'll protect you."

"I can protect myself."

Jason ignored Lucy's anger and continued. "I'm not trying to offend you, but Nikolas is dangerous. You don't know what Helena has programmed him to do. Just watch your back and be careful. He will probably stop at nothing to find her."

Lucky rolled his eyes. "I can take care of myself. You just worry about them. Is Cam okay?"

"He's fine."

"Good. Tell Elizabeth I'm sorry."

"She knows you're sorry." He didn't mean that in the same way Lucky did.

Elizabeth made a face and Jason smiled.

"Bye."

Jason handed Emily her phone.

"What are we going to do?"

Jason sighed. "Helena already knows where we are and has made no moves."

Paul cleared his throat. "Why don't you guys spend the night at my house just in case? You can come back here again tomorrow if you want. I just think my place is safer."

Jason gazed at Emily who nodded and then at Liz who did the same.

Isabella waved towards Arianna and she quickly made her way to the shore with Johnny and they ran to the blanket.

"What's going on?"

"We need to go to the mansion. Nikolas is looking for Emily and we think it's safer."

Cam started to cry. "But I want to play."

Mason rubbed his back and Cam reached for Emily, making Liz visibly flinch.

"I'm sorry," Emily said as she tried to console him. "He's just use to coming to me"

"It's okay, Em, I'm going to go pack a light bag."

Jason followed her inside and caught up with her in the bedroom.

"I haven't even unpacked yet, but I want to get some of Cam's things."

"Elizabeth, stop."

She turned to face him.

"I know that hurt you."

"I'll get it over it because it's my fault that my son isn't used to coming to me." She slammed down the top of her suitcase and zippered it.

"He loves you. Just give him some time," Jason said before walking to his room.

She is grateful that he could sense she needed a few minutes alone and she let her tears fall. Once she had a good cry, she washed her face and finished getting Cam's things ready.

Jason grabbed the bags, noticing her eyes are red and before going down the stairs, he kissed her gently.

Emily walked past him and then handed Cam to his mom and she sat down and gave him some kisses.

"I'm sorry your day got ruined, but you can play with Mason at his house. Maybe we come back to the beach tomorrow for a little while."

"Really?"

She nodded.

"I love you, mommy."

She slightly smiled. "I love you more than anything, Cam."

He hugged her, never wanting to let go as she whispered calming words, never wanting to leave him again.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

It took a while to get everyone settled, but once it was done, they met on the back deck.

"Thank you for having us," Elizabeth said as she watched Cam and Mason play on the lawn.

"It's no problem. We don't get to have guests very often, so it's nice," Isabella said.

Emily slipped away with Arianna and Jason got up to rescue Cam from Johnny, so Paul followed.

"Are you okay?"

Liz nodded. "Yes. It's just…"

"Whatever you say is between us."

"It hurt that Cam didn't come to me. I understand that he isn't used to me being there, but it's hard."

"When Cam looks at you, I can see the adoration. He loves Emily, but not like he loves you."

Liz sighed. "I know that in my head, but heart hurts knowing that he missed me so much. I'm so grateful that he had her, especially since Lucky, my ex-fiance left."

"You are family to her. I envy your closeness. I don't think I've ever had that."

"You aren't close to your family?

Isabella shook her head sadly. "No."

Sensing her pain, Elizabeth sucked in a harsh breath. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Maybe it's good to talk about it. I never do. Arianna has no idea, only Paul knows."

"Then I'll listen."

"I lived in a small village in central Italy. An earthquake ripped apart our house and my parents and little brother were killed."

"Oh my God. How old were you?"

"Twelve. I was forced to live with my Aunt who had been estranged from the family. She and my mother hated each other. Sometimes, I wondered why she agreed and could only guess that it was to make my life miserable. I lived under that roof until I was sixteen and then I ran away from the beatings and emotional abuse. It was hard. Sometimes, I stole to eat and had to rely on the kindness of strangers. I used my looks to get what I wanted."

"Isabella…"

Recognizing the look in her eye, she put her hand up. "I didn't sell my body, I just used it to manipulate. Back then, I was hardened and cold. Anyway, I got a job and slept in someone's barn and saved every penny and when I was seventeen, I paid off a human trafficker to get me on a boat."

Elizabeth is stunned.

"It took a year to get to the United States, but I felt like I had aged a thousand years." She isn't ready to talk about that, so she presses on. "I ended up in New York and saw this very sad man sitting on a bench. He looked even more pathetic than I did."

"Paul?"

She slightly nodded. "Yes. His guards charged me, but he put up his hand and let me sit next to him. I was dirty and I'm sure I smelled, but we locked eyes and maybe he saw my pain and knew I'd understand. I know it's crazy, but I trusted him. So, he brought me to a safe house and I showered and changed into some clothes that didn't fit and joined him for dinner. It was the best meal I ever had and I think I ate his too."

Liz grinned.

"When I told him my story, there were tears in his eyes and he vowed to help me. We were friends at first and then about a year later, he seduced me."

Liz's brow rose.

"For a solid month, he lavished me with gifts and barely ever left my side. He told me that he was in love with me and I admitted that I felt the same, but told him he needed to slow his roll because I was overwhelmed." A fond smile graced her face as she remembered the conversation. "Our courtship was slow because he wanted to make sure that Arianna and I would get along. At first, she was wary, but I eventually won her over and we married."

"How many years?"

"Fifteen years. He's everything to me and taught me what love is and I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him."

Liz reached over and squeezed her hand. "You are so brave and courageous. Thank you for sharing that with me. It gives me hope that everything will be okay."

Isabella nodded. "You have a man who is tough and has a big heart, just like my Paul. Let him love you, Elizabeth. He can't make all the pain go away, but he can give you a future full of love and laughter. You can make new memories that are good and gradually, the bad will fade."

Liz wiped a tear away. "I want that more than anything."

When Jason caught her movement, he was at the table in a flash. "Are you okay?"

Liz grinned. "I'm more than okay."

Jason looked down sheepishly and Isabella chuckled. "I'll be right back."

Liz stood and slid into his arms. "How is my gift from Lila?"

"What gift?"

"You."

His gaze went from bewildered to smoldering. "You are my gift."

"I can't wait until I'm ready for you to unwrap me."

His eyes narrowed. "Don't tease me, Elizabeth."

Her giggles filled the air and he loved the sound. Leaning forward, his lips stopped before they touched her ear and his breath made her tingle. "I will worship your body and make you scream my name over and over."

Her body betrayed her and shuddered as red tinged her cheeks. When he pulled back, his eyes were full of lust and promise.

"Now who's the tease?"

"I learned it from you."

She rolled her eyes and then her son saved him by dragging him back onto the lawn.

Isabella walked by her. "You two smolder."

Liz took her eyes off of Jason's butt and looked over at her. "Did you say something?"

Isabella laughed. "If Harriet was here, you'd never hear the end of it."

Liz cracked up. "I better not catch her looking at Jason's butt."

"You were looking at his butt?"

Liz blushed bright red as Isabella chuckled.

"What did I miss?" Emily asked.

"Nothing," Liz said.

Arianna sat next to her mom.

"Did you bring your sketchbook?" Isabella asked.

"I did. Want to help me pick out what I should draw?"

"Sure, let's go."

They left and Emily grabbed some cheese and crackers.

"So, how's Jax?"

"He's fine."

"He sure is…"

Emily's mouth dropped open. "Arianna!"

"What? Don't tell me you didn't notice."

"You like Jax?"

Arianna frowned. "No. He's just good looking. I googled him, but Johnny is the only man I have eyes for. I was just thinking that you would make a very gorgeous couple."

The shock on Emily's face made her laugh.

"He's just a friend."

"For now…"

Emily shifted. "My life is too much of a mess to go there. I'm sure that he'd rather not get saddled with me and my kid."

"Emily, a man doesn't fly across the United States to see someone unless he's interested. I'm not saying there is always an ulterior motive, but I think he will be willing to go there when you're ready."

She sighed. "He's been good to me, but it's hard for me to think about another man when my heart is breaking over Nikolas. I've loved him for so long and it's hard to let go of that, especially when I'm carrying his child."

"I get it. I'm not trying to rush you, just point out your options."

"Thanks."

Johnny slipped into the seat next to Arianna and then addressed Emily. "So, how's my girl?"

Emily shook her head. "I will assume you are not talking about Arianna. The baby is fine."

"You're naming her after me right?"

She laughed. "Oh, you're right up there."

Johnny smirked. "Hmmmm, Johnna, Joanna, Brie, the list goes on."

"You're just hilarious."

"Why, thank you."

Jason sat next to Emily. "Is he giving you trouble?"

"Yeah, he wants me to name the baby after him."

"Why?"

"Because I'm too cool for school," Johnny quipped.

Jason stared at him with a blank look.

"I can't name the baby after you, because I was thinking about naming her after Jason."

Jason's head jerk towards her. "What?"

Emily chuckled. She loved teasing him. "Jacie, Jaylyn, Sonia—what do you think?"

He blinked a few times. "You should—you don't have to do that."

"I was teasing, but I am partial to Sonia." She is wrestling with the last name. Nikolas doesn't even know he's a father and she couldn't help but wonder if that will change anything.

"How about Emma?"

Emily thought for a moment and then pulled out her phone and added it to the list. "I like it."

Johnny muttered something, making Arianna laugh.

"You're so competitive."

He smirked. "Damn right. Jason just saunters over her and bam—I was going to name the baby after you," he said imitating Emily who punched him on the arm.

Jason's phone rang, making them all jump. "Hello?"

"It's Francis."

"Why do you sound really annoyed?" He got up and wandered onto the lawn.

"Because Sonny and his sister are driving me to drink."

Jason rolled his eyes. It had to be bad if Francis is complaining. The man had the patience of a saint. "What happened?"

"He wants you to come home because Courtney is being stalked."

"And why does he need me?"

"Because he thinks that only you can protect his family."

"Does he know you're calling me?"

"He's probably assuming so." Francis just didn't have the patience for Courtney's overly sweet act and didn't trust her.

"Then say you couldn't get in touch with me. I'm sorry to put you in this position, but I've already told him that I'd probably be gone another month. Put two of the younger guys on her and that should suffice."

"I will."

"If he gets too out of control over it, then call me back and I'll talk to him, but he won't like my answer."

Francis smiled. "I like your new attitude."

"It is a long time coming."

"Is Johnny behaving?"

Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "Does he ever?"

"I miss you guys. If you need anything, let me know."

"I will."

Jason took his seat again.

"What's going on, or is it something you can't tell us?" Emily asked.

"Sonny has a new sister and I guess she's being stalked."

Elizabeth had heard the tail end. "Let me guess, he wants you to guard her."

"Yeah."

She sat in a huff. "You're not considering it, right?"

"Elizabeth, I'm not leaving you or Emily. We stick together. Sonny will just have to deal with it."

Johnny had a grin that went from ear to ear. "I really like NuJason. If only he liked Hawaiian shirts, heavy metal, and Vans, we'd be besties forever."

The girls laughed as Jason glared.

"I like vans."

"Yeah, for disposing bodies, I'm talking about the shoes." He chuckled at Jason's perplexed look. "Um, they don't have shoe strings."

"Well that's just stupid," Jason mumbled.

Liz shot Johnny a look. "Don't pick on my man."

That just made the guard smile even more. "Your man, huh?"

"Yes, Captain Obvious."

Emily snorted and Jason couldn't help it and finally smiled, liking the reference.

Isabella chuckled at she settled in and then caught a glimpse of her husband approaching with the boys. Mason climbed into her lap and Cam onto Elizabeth's.

Jason watched everyone talk and laugh and it felt good to among friends that didn't judge him or try to make decisions for him. He is going to miss California in more ways than one. Despite all the Helena drama, there is an ease to his life he hasn't felt in a long time.