A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you enjoyed Lila, Alice, and Monica.

Chapter 25 – Love is in the Air

AJ sat at a table at Kelly's. He was tired. Edward was doing a little better, but they had almost lost him and it had caught everyone off guard. He ordered some coffee and a sandwich and checked his email.

"Excuse me."

AJ looked up. "Dr. Mir right?"

Leyla nodded. "Yes. There aren't any available tables inside. Do you mind if I sit with you?"

AJ smiled. "Not at all. I was just taking a break from the hospital."

She sat down. "Me too. How's Edward?"

"He's doing a little better."

"Your family has really been through a lot the last six months."

Darlene, the waitress, brought her some coffee.

"I know. It's been difficult to say the least."

"I hope it turns around."

AJ sighed. "Me too. So, tell me all there is to know about Leyla Mir."

Leyla smiled. She filled him in on her family.

"Your mom sounds like Edward."

Leyla laughed. "She is a bit overbearing."

"A bit?"

"Well, she's the only mom I have so I put up with a lot."

He loved her smile. "Just don't let her run your life. You get to have a say in it you know."

"You sound like you speak from experience."

"I had lots of issues. I fell into a bottle and had to claw my way out. I learned to stand up for myself and for the first time, I think my family finally gets me and is treating me with a lot of respect. It makes me feel good you know?"

Leyla smirked.

"What?"

"You and Jason are different. I mean I didn't expect you to be the same, but you just are more raw and down to earth. I don't know how to put it."

He understood. "Jason's a good man. He was just more focused and had more discipline than I did. I was the black sheep of the family much due to my choices."

"And what did you end up focusing on?"

AJ smiled. She could see him come alive and it made her smile too.

"I'm an artist. I like to sculpt. I never would have thought that I would be doing something so expressive, but I love it. I have a show coming up in New York."

"Really? I would love to go."

Darlene put their food down.

"Seriously?"

Leyla chuckled. "You let me know the address and time and I'll clear my schedule and be there."

AJ smiled. She was beautiful, smart, and she liked art. He decided to push his luck. "Only if you'll agree to be my date."

Leyla grinned. AJ was cute and his passion for his art was very sexy. "It's a date."

They ate and chatted and both left with big smiles on their faces.

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Emily collapsed into a chair. She was exhausted. The last few weeks had been one shift after another. She barely went home.

Coffee was dangled in front of her and she grinned and grabbed it. Looking up at Johnny, she took him in. It had been too long since the last time she had seen him and she realized how much she missed him. Johnny had been really busy too.

"Hey stranger," he said, sitting on the bench on the roof of the hospital.

She smiled. "Hi. I missed you."

"Really?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry I've been so swamped."

"I have been too, but we need to rectify this situation so I can get some face time."

She smiled. "I have off tomorrow night."

"Are you sure?"

She chuckled. "Yes."

"Alright, what time am I picking you up?"

"How about six?"

"Sounds great."

They chatted for a while until Emily had to get back and Johnny leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss.

"See you tomorrow."

She watched him walk away and shuddered. The man was all kinds of hot.

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Jason held Elizabeth in his arms as he waded in the pool.

"So, back to our hypothetical wedding."

Liz smiled. She loved that Jason wanted to talk to her about it and never would have expected he'd be this into it. It was like she was oblivious to the fact that Jason would do anything for her. "Yes."

"Do you want bridesmaids?"

"Um, probably a couple. Why?"

"I'll need time to think about who I'd ask."

She grinned. "I want ten bridesmaids and a flower girl—oh and add a ring bearer too."

He looked at her like she was speaking French.

Liz laughed. "You can ask ten of your besties to attend."

"I'd have to pay some people off."

"Who gets AJ?"

Jason frowned. "You'd make him wear a dress."

Liz laughed.

"I'd pay to see that actually. You could have him."

"I think it would mean a lot to him if you asked."

"I know and I will. Johnny would be my other choice."

Liz sighed. "I'd have to go with Epiphany because she's my girl and Felix."

"Felix?"

"Relax, he will be in a tux. He would be called an honor attendant instead of a bridesmaid. And, I wouldn't mind including Emily."

Jason nodded as he moved them in a circle. "Okay, Johnny, AJ, and Francis."

"Perfect."

"Okay, now that we got that settled, you'll be in charge of the rest."

Liz's mouth dropped open and she splashed him.

"What? I thought I just needed to show up," he said, teasing her.

"You haven't even asked me." Realizing what she just said, she got quiet.

He pulled her into him. "Elizabeth Webber, you're killing me. Are you going to make me propose without a ring?"

She slightly smiled. "I don't need a ring for you to ask."

He gazed deeply into her eyes, trying to figure out if she was serious because he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her. "Elizabeth—God, I love you so much. I don't think I've stopped thinking of you since the day we met. You're so beautiful in every way. You're perfection—my perfection. It would make me really happy if you would agree to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

A tear ran down her face. "Yes, I will marry you."

He grinned. "Say it again."

She placed her hands on his cheeks. "Jason Quartermaine, I love you with all of my heart. I want to be your wife, friend, lover, and mother of your children. Yes, I will marry you."

His eyes were full of tears as he processed her declaration. "You won't regret it. I'll do anything to make you happy."

"Just be."

His lips descended until they were connected. Lips and body fused, their passion collided as they celebrated their engagement. Liz pulled back and lifted her hands in the air. "I'm getting married," she yelled as Jason grinned. "You better keep your hands off of the maid of honor."

Jason grinned. "She does have a great tan."

She splashed him again and he pulled back and splashed her back and they laughed as they fought.

"I give," she said, exhaustedly.

Jason pulled her into her arms. "You know I only have eyes for you baby."

She smiled. "Good, cause I considered making Emily the maid of honor because she's your sister." She was not having a repeat of the last engagement, not that she thought Jason would ever do that.

Jason laughed. "You're crazy."

She kissed him passionately and couldn't wait to become Mrs. Jason Quartermaine.

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Laura watched Lucky walk up to her.

"I choose you. I'm not going after Edward." It was the hardest decision he had to make in a long time, because the anger and hate was eating him alive. But, he had been through a lot with Helena Cassadine in his past, so this wasn't the first time he had to rebuild his life because of his father's bad choices.

Laura burst out into tears and hugged him. "I thought I was going to have to go on the run. I know you were there when he had a heart attack. What happened?"

"I don't know. It's not like we were yelling a lot. Maybe he was scared I was there to kill him or it was just a coincidence. He agreed to give you back the five million." Laura gasped. "He said it would give me an opportunity to start over and get help."

"He's right. You do need help Lucky."

"I'm just having a hard time imagining that anything can help at this point. Anyway, he also agreed to burn whatever evidence he had against you and he's going to get me in to see dad."

Laura wiped her tears away. "I'm just scared that it won't end well."

"It's not like I'm allowed to bring in any weapons," he said, smirking.

Laura shook her head. "Trust me. I wanted to strangle him myself."

"Want to order out?"

Laura smiled. "Okay. Let me go get the menus." She felt like Lucky was coming back to her and she wished she could give Jason a huge hug for helping the healing start.

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AJ picked up his phone. "Hello?"

"Hey. It's me."

He frowned. "Jason?"

Jason smiled. "Do you have another brother?"

"You never know. This is Port Charles."

"True. I just wanted to check up on you."

"I'm okay. I just have some artist block."

He looked over at Elizabeth and waved her closer. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It happens. By the way, I spoke to Keesha's cousin. She's showing some signs that she's waking up."

"That's great news."

"Yeah. I hope she'll be okay, but I'm worried she's going to be mortified."

"I know I'm mortified that I let you get in a punch when I wasn't myself."

AJ laughed. "Whatever. I'm older than you which means I'm better."

"Please, you relic. Hold on Elizabeth wants to talk to you."

"Sure, run away like a girl."

Jason grinned and handed the phone over. He'd let AJ think he won that round.

"Hey."

AJ smiled. "What's up beautiful?"

"I'm a totally sloth. I decided that being lazy and lounging around is my new purpose in life."

AJ grinned. "Sounds like a good plan to me."

"What are you doing?"

"Staring at a lump of clay waiting for it to tell me what the hell I'm doing."

Liz chuckled. "Newsflash, it will just stare back."

He laughed. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"I have a date for my next showing."

Liz's eyes grew big. "Get out. Who?"

Jason leaned over. "What?"

She covered the phone. "AJ has a date for his next showing."

"Who did he pay?"

AJ scoffed. "Whatever pretty boy."

Jason pulled back and grinned. "Hater."

Liz put him on speaker.

AJ shook his head. "I have a date with Leyla."

Jason smiled. "She's nice."

"Very and she's pretty," AJ said.

"I'm happy for you. Does this mean no more angry art?"

AJ smirked. "She's already making me lose my mojo."

"Think of Tracy."

AJ laughed. "That might not be a bad idea." They were always butting heads.

"See how helpful I am?" Jason asked.

"Knucklehead."

Liz grinned and took him off of speaker. "Hey, did you hear about that new exhibit?"

Jason got up and went into the kitchen. He was happy that AJ was acting like his old self and hadn't turned to drinking. It would always be something that would tempt his brother, but he was really glad that things were working out for him. He heard Elizabeth laugh and smiled. He had already decided that he is going to ask AJ to be his best man after they announce their engagement. Pulling out his phone, he called Paulie and told him what he needed to set up for the shopping trip the next day. He wanted to find a ring and Paulie would help distract her if necessary.

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Edward opened his eyes and they locked with Monica's.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"It will be that way for a while. You're a very lucky man."

"I know."

Monica stood up. "Are you thirsty?"

He nodded and she helped him hold the cup while he sipped some.

Alan walked in. "Hey dad."

Edward slightly smiled. "I hear you saved me."

Alan walked closer and kissed Monica on the forehead. "I couldn't let just anyone go near that black heart of yours."

Edward laughed. "Very true."

Alan smiled. It was good to see him so full of life. "I hate to tell you, but Lila already has been discussing a heart healthy menu with Cook."

Edward groaned. "I'll have to sneak some goodies in at the office."

"She already called Deborah to make sure she doesn't allow you to cheat.

Edward sighed. "I've been foiled again."

Monica tried not to chuckle at the dejected look on his face.

Alan grinned. "It's good to have you back dad."

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The next morning, Jason and Elizabeth headed to the casino first. There were stores inside and they leisurely strolled down the corridor and Liz saw a bathing suit she liked and popped inside. "I'll be a few minutes if you want to look around."

Noting his opening, Jason nodded and Paulie stayed with Elizabeth. He hurried down to the jewelry store a few doors down and introduced himself to the manager.

"Ah, Paulie said you were coming. I'm Gregory. Follow me."

He took Jason back into an office so they'd have some privacy. He pulled a few trays out of safe and gently placed them on the table.

Jason smiled. There was a couple he already liked.

The man followed his gaze and pull out the ring so he could see. "It's a very good quality. You said she was petite. This would stand out but not be too obnoxious."

Jason nodded. "I like it."

The owner picked up a ring from the second tray. "What do you think of this one?"

It was a little smaller than the other one, but he liked the swirl of diamonds around it. Jason closed his eyes for a moment. "This is harder than I thought."

The man smiled. "Hold on." He stood and went back into the safe and pulled out a small box. "What about this one?"

The box opened and Jason smiled. It was totally Elizabeth; simple but complex. It wasn't really flashy but it was beautiful and wouldn't be too big for her hand. "I'll take it." He pulled out a credit card and handed it to the man.

"I'll be right back." He rang it up and handed Jason the receipt to sign. Jason quickly scrawled his signature. "If you need anything else, let me know. We can have it sized."

Jason nodded and took the box. He couldn't wait to give it to Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth stepped out of the store right when Jason was walking up to her.

"Good timing."

He smiled and gave her a quick peck. "Are you ready to go into town?"

She nodded. Hand in hand, they walked to the car and Paulie took them to an outdoor shopping market.

Elizabeth was in heaven. They had so many little artsy gifts. She picked through them so she could give them out as gifts at work.

Jason was being very patient, so she'd look up at him and smile every once in a while; sometimes giving him a quick kiss to reward him. Before they went to the next vendor, a small restaurant caught Jason's eye and they stopped to get some water and eat.

"How are you holding up?" Jason asked.

"I'm good. I didn't get sick this morning and I have a lot of energy." She knew it was probably a fluke because she slept very well the night before, but she was very thankful for it.

"We'll just make sure that you don't overdo it."

She smiled. "I'll let you know if I get tired."

"We're going to eat at the villa tonight. The cook has something special planned."

"Was it your idea?"

"Yeah, but I did get a second opinion."

"I can't wait."

Jason entwined their fingers and looked down at her ring finger and couldn't wait for her to see what he had bought her.