A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm still quite sick, but I'm on antibiotics, so hopefully, by tomorrow, my throat will feel a lot better and I'll scare up some energy. Of course, I just got bad news about someone at work, so long hours ahead…yea me.

Chapter 34

Sonny snatched the glass out of Carly's hand and threw it across the room. "It's only 10:00 A.M."

"I'm aware of what time it is, Sonny, and you have no right."

"Michael needs you and instead of being there for him, you're drinking. "

"He is my son, so don't pretend like you really care."

He scowled as he moved closer. "You need to get it together. I can't deal with your shit right now. I'm being attacked from all sides."

Her lip quivered. "What? I'm not servicing you right now so you have no use for me? Fuck you, Sonny. I was almost killed because of you and I'm scared out of my mind."

"You don't think I know that?" She is driving him crazy and it's all Jason's fault. "If you don't get it together soon, I'm sending you away. I can't have you ruin everything for me."

Her jaw dropped as tears pricked her eyes. "I hate you."

He sighed as she ran upstairs and pulled out his phone and dialed Ronnie.

"Yes, boss?"

"As soon as Jason gets out of solitary confinement, I want him to suffer."

It wasn't what he was expecting. "Okay."

Sonny tossed the phone onto the couch. If it weren't for Jason, he would have never met Carly and she wouldn't be fucking up his life right now. Someone needs to pay and since Joe Scully is in hiding, the burden falls on Jason.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Monica goes to open the door at Kelly's and Carly almost knocks her over, forcing her guard to steady the perplexed doctor.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. What is going on and why does she smell like a brewery?"

The guard blushed. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that." When Carly's loud voice pierces his ears, he sighs and moves forward. "Excuse me…"

Monica moved away from the door and took out her phone. "Alan, Carly is out of control. I don't even know where Michael is."

"That megalomaniac is probably watching him."

"With everything going on, this could be a perfect time to shoot for custody."

"I have no idea what condition AJ is in."

"It doesn't matter. Michael just needs a stable environment and we can provide that."

He sighed. "It's up to you, but it's a big responsibility."

"Are you up for it?"

"I will do whatever is best for Michael."

"I'll get in touch with Alexis. Call your dad and see if we can get a P.I. assigned to her. We need ammunition."

"Okay." When his wife's mind is set on something, there is no turning back. He almost pities Carly.

"Alan…"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

He ends the call and dials Francis. "I need to speak to my son."

"Is everything okay?"

"Sort of. Carly is out of control and we're going for custody."

Francis grips the handle on his chair. "Alan, Sonny is losing it right now and Carly has been drinking heavily. Michael has been with her mother. I understand you being concerned, but it will also paint a target on your back. Are you prepared for that?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I just need Michael to be safe."

"I'll have Jason call you."

"Thank you."

Francis ended the call and then dialed Jason.

"Hello?"

"Hey. Your father needs you to call him."

"Did he tell you why?"

"They want to go for custody of Michael because Carly is drinking and Sonny is unstable."

"Shit."

"He'll go after them."

Jason sighed. "He might not because he has a lot of other things to worry about."

"True, but he hates you, so he might see it as a way to control you."

"My father was okay with that?"

"I don't think he thought it all the way through. I'll text you the number."

"Thank you."

Francis texted him and Jason made the call.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Alan slipped into an empty room. "Hello?"

"Hi, it's me."

"Hi. First, are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm bored but fine."

"Good. Did Francis fill you in?"

"Yes. It's your decision, but Sonny might come after you. Are you prepared for that?"

"No," Alan said exasperatedly, "but Bobbie is still skitterish about what happened to her and everyone else. Carly is drinking and Sonny, well, God knows but I can assure you that he is probably unstable."

"You're probably right, but that makes him even more dangerous. How about we dig up everything we can for the next few weeks and then make a move. It will give your lawyer time to prepare and hopefully, Francis will be willing to protect you." He hates asking Francis for any more favors.

"Don't worry about that. Edward can afford an army, but I do agree. We need to build an airtight case first."

"What about AJ?"

"He won't be in the picture and honestly, I'm not even sure where he is at and if he is even sober."

"Good. It would get even uglier if he were involved. Just make sure you let me know before you make the move."

"How much longer before we can see you?"

"I don't know, but hopefully it won't be more than a month."

"If you need anything…"

"I know and that goes both ways."

Alan slightly smiled. "Be careful and I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason crept into the back of the church. It's practice time for the evening service, so very little people are milling around. Francis had given him a disguise, so he's wearing a mustache, brown contacts, and a prosthetic nose. Even with all that on, Epiphany gasps when she spots him walking, instantly recognizing his gait.

Eva's eyes narrow and then she realizes who it is and smiles. When another member of the choir asked, she simply said, "He's an old friend."

Jason opens his arms right before Epiphany moves against him. "I know tonight is important to you and I can't be there for the service, but I wanted to show my support. I figured it would be the last place Sonny would show his face." They are doing a special fundraiser for single mothers.

She chuckled. "Elizabeth is going to be pissed that she didn't come earlier."

He is disappointed.

"I can make a call, but by the time she gets here, you'd have to leave."

He nods.

"I really don't like those brown eyes because they don't suit you but I'll take you any way I can get you. I want you to listen to the words of this song. I know you feel so unworthy, but God can use anyone and he used you to help me find joy in my life again. I was sleepwalking and you changed my life in so many good ways. I love you. Sit right here and I'll be back in a minute."

She rushes to the front and when Jason and Eva's eyes lock, she slightly smiled which he returned.

Piph gives out some instructions and then the pianist starts playing and they start to sing a song called Use Me, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. "If you can use anything Lord, You can use me. If You can use anything Lord, You can use me. Take my hands Lord and my feet. Touch my heart Lord, speak through me. If You can use anything Lord, You can use me." Piph sings the first verse and their gaze locks and then the chorus comes back and Eva sings the second verse. They both have very different tones to their voices, but both are beautiful. After all, Piph has done, Jason feels so thankful for her. When the music changes key, Piph and Eva take turns singing with a sea of voices supporting them. A few people come in and Eva hits a very high note and Jason slightly smiles and then stands. Eva smiles and then Piph does too. Jason mouths, "I love you," and then slips out the front door and tears run down Piph's face as she sings louder and grips Eva's hand.

Jason takes a deep breath and slips into a car and he's driven back to the safe house with a lot on his mind. To him, God used Piph to change his life and it's something he'll never take lightly. He had noticed the condition of some of the pews and makes a mental note to talk to Edward about a donation since he can't touch his money right now. While he isn't rich, he has enough to make a difference and he truly wants to.

Once the song was over, Piph started to cry harder and Eva and some of the other women warmly embraced her.

"I know you miss him."

"So much…"

"Even if you can't be around him, you carry him in your heart and vice versa."

"I worry so much."

A woman closed her eyes. "Dear Lord, please watch over Epiphany's friend and continue to show him the miracle of your love and light. Protect him from those who want to hurt him and shield him from his enemies. Amen."

Epiphany smiled through her tears. "Amen. Thank you."

"You obviously have faith in him or he wouldn't have walked through those doors."

"I do."

The choir director smiled. "I think we can move on to the next song. That was perfection."

They continued to practice and then brought the house down during the service and raised some money as well.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Two days later, Francis helps a blindfolded Epiphany to her front door.

"I can't believe you're done already."

"It was important to you, so the men understood the urgency and Diane is a power shopper."

She moved inside and Elizabeth who is right behind her gasps as her eyes lock with Jason's.

He smiles and puts his finger against her lip and she grins widely.

Francis lowers the blindfold and Piph starts to cry. It's so close to how it used to look that she is overcome. Stan embraces her.

"Mom, don't cry."

"It's so beautiful."

"You should have had more faith in me," Diane said.

Piph grabs her and hugs her tightly. "Thank you."

"I can't have my new bestie be upset. I want you to be happy here again."

"Thank you. Everyone—" Her voice cracks when she spots Jason and he she rushes towards him and they embrace. "I can't believe you're here."

"He always has to steal the thunder," Johnny said.

Piph smirked. "Come here, brat."

Johnny squeezed her before pulling back. "Welcome home."

Everyone took turns hugging and showing her love.

Elizabeth grabbed Jason's hands and pulled him into the Piph's bedroom. Her feet left the floor when Jason lifted her and pressed her against the wall as they kissed feverishly.

"God, I missed you," she said softly.

"I missed you too."

"I heard you went to church."

"I did. It was a beautiful service."

"I would have stayed if I could."

"I wish I could sing."

Jason's head tilted. "You can't at all?"

"I can a little, but not good enough to sing in a choir."

"Maybe Piph can give you lessons."

"I don't think she has as much faith in me as you."

He smiled. "You are probably wrong about that. I think she has more faith in us then we probably deserve, but I really hope I don't ever disappoint her again."

Her hand stroked his face. "We all make mistakes. I'm really trying to learn from mine."

"Me too. I think I'm just more hard-headed."

She laughed. "I don't think I can counter that one."

He shook his head. "Do you work tomorrow?"

"Yes." She slid down his body until the tips of her toes hit the floor.

"Be extra careful."

"I will."

Stan and Piph entered the room.

"I wondered where you two disappeared too," Piph said.

"I'm just glad they are clothed," Stan said.

Liz gasped. "What kind of girl do you think I am?"

When Stan pretended to think, Liz gave chase and Stan ran into the living room.

"Are you going to be able to stay here?"

"I'm going to try. I'm sure Francis will agree to accompany me for a while."

Jason's eyes narrowed and he folded his arms across his chest. "That is my bed to break."

She grinned and then pushed him so he fell onto it. "Alright, let's do this." She backed up as Jason's eyes grew wide and she started to run towards him as Francis moved into the doorway.

The look of fear in Jason's eyes made him laugh even though he was trying to look stern. "Seriously, Jason?" Liz said moving beside Francis as Piph skidded to a stop. "You're just going to lay there?"

"I think she hypnotized me," he muttered.

"What are you two doing in here? I was going to call his bluff and try to break the bed," Piph said.

Francis tugged her against his side. "You are only breaking that bed with me."

"Ewww," Jason said.

"Yeah, that was way too much information," Liz said playfully.

"Not in front of the kids, honey. Apparently, they can't handle this," Piph said as she rolled her eyes.

"You want kids?" Francis said, making Jason bolt straight up.

Liz and Piph busted up laughing.

"God, I need to start taking pictures of his expressions. They are priceless."

"You—I mean—You?" Jason stuttered.

Francis cracked up and then patted Jason on the back. "I think you need a beer."

"If his eyes stay that wide, I'm blaming you," Liz said.

"They'll go back—eventually."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Alice pushed Lila towards Epiphany.

"Lila, thank you for coming."

"I just wanted to show my support in more than one way."

"What do you mean?"

Lila handed her an envelope. "Jason called and told me about your funding drive and I want to contribute."

"He did?"

Lila shook her head as she grinned. "I talked to your very lovely pastor and he told me your shortfall and the Quartermaine foundation matched it."

Epiphany is just dumbfounded as she stares at the envelope as a tear runs down her cheek. Everyone claps and Stan steps forward.

"My mom can't talk right now, but if she could, she would say thank you from the bottom of her heart. She always put me first and struggled to make sure I had what she thought I needed to be successful. The fundraiser is to help single moms find housing and jobs so they can support their families. There are so many people struggling and this will really help."

Piph patted her son's hands which are resting on her shoulders. "Well said, Stanford." Her attention went to Lila. "Thank you so much. This means more than I could ever express."

"I believe in paying it forward. You have been there for others. Elizabeth has a pep in her step now and I know that is partially your doing and what you've done with Jason—there are no words. Thank you, Epiphany. If that isn't enough, I'll get you more."

Piph stood and then leaned over to hug her. "You are so wonderful. Does Edward know how great you are?"

Alice cracked up. "Oh, he knows. We never let him forget it."

Lila grinned. "You must come over for tea sometimes."

"I wouldn't miss it," Piph said.