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Chapter 37
Now that Jason was on the path, albeit a sometimes bumpy one just this morning Edward had to be set straight, back to becoming a member of his family it was time that Elizabeth tried to do the same. Her journey would be longer because her family was scattered around the globe. Instead of trying to wait until they were all in one place, something she didn't remember ever happening, Elizabeth started with the member who was in Port Charles.
Jason dropped her off. He offered to stay, but Elizabeth declined. She wanted Audrey to get to know Jason better. Of all her family members it was her Gram she wanted back most, but if the older woman was going to be venomous Elizabeth wanted to protect Jason. She did promise that if things became too heated she would walk away before saying something she couldn't take back.
So now she was standing in front of the door to her Gram's house, trying to work up the nerve to push the doorbell. A car pulled up and Ritchie got out. Turning she gave the guard a quick wave. He had always been nice to her. He nodded giving her a small smile. Jason was meeting with Duke, the only person outside of the family who knew they were coming to visit. It was just a show of respect, but since he wasn't here he sent her back up. Funny now that she knew the guard was there Elizabeth was able to ring the bell.
She should have called first. To make sure her Gram was home, and to tell her she was coming. Just dropping by was rude. Alan mentioned that Audrey was off today. However she could be out running errands. A million thoughts raced through Elizabeth's mind as she stood there before landing on the one she was trying to avoid. That her Gram was in the house, had seen who was at the door and simply chose not to answer.
Peeking in through the living room window would give Elizabeth the answer she sought. If her Gram was in the lamp in the living room would be off. If she was out it would be on. That was because if she got hung up while out and came home later than expected she wouldn't have to walk into a dark house. Elizabeth was too much of a coward to go look. Seeing the light off would possibly break her heart. Instead of moving Elizabeth rang the bell again.
After waiting a few more minutes Elizabeth simply turned and walked to where Ritchie was waiting. "Can you do something for me please Ritchie?"
"Sure thing Ms. Webber." He always liked her. She was really nice to the guys, giving them brownies every Christmas. She even knew which guys were Jewish and they got their treats during Hanukkah. It meant a lot especially since she didn't have a ton of money, and buying all those ingredients had to be expensive.
"Could you look in the living room window, and see if the lamp is on? Please." She knew it was an odd request, but she also knew he would do it.
"Okay." Ritchie walked over and cupped his hands around his face to block out additional light. He walked back over to where the petite brunette was standing. The lamp must be some sort of signal, he hoped the news he was about to deliver was what the younger woman wanted to hear. "The light is off."
Her shoulders slumped.
"Maybe the bulb blew out." Ritchie suggested. Her reaction told him that was not what she hoping for.
"Yeah, maybe." Elizabeth walked over to the garage and rising up on her toes peeked through one of the window. Her Gram's car was parked in its normal spot. Even after all these years she still only parked on the right. Grampa Steve had always parked on the left. Her Grandmother was home. Could it possibly be that she was injured? Elizabeth knew she was reaching but her mind wouldn't stop. Pulling out her phone she dialed the number she knew so well. On the third ring the call was answered, but before the hello could come she hung up.
Walking back to where the guard was standing Elizabeth opened the front passenger door. There was no family here in Port Charles to come home to. While Audrey may have accepted her part in pushing Elizabeth to leave, she wasn't yet ready to talk about it. Or move on from it. Today was only their second day here, so maybe Elizabeth would try again before they left but she wasn't expecting anything to change.
"Where to Ms. Webber?" Ritchie would stay with her until Jason was done. The meeting with Duke was not supposed to be a long one.
"How about Kelly's. I could use a brownie." Elizabeth would wait there for Jason.
"Kelly's it is." Ritchie said starting the car and pulling away from the curb.
While there was probably many things in Port Charles that had changed, Kelly's was not one of them. The diner was exactly the same as when she worked here. Stepping inside had her itching for an order pad. Considering she left without giving any notice, she doubted her job was still waiting. "Elizabeth?"
"Georgie." Elizabeth came forward and took a seat at the counter. "How are you?"
"I'm great. How are you?" Georgie knew Liz well. Maxie had nursed a crush on Lucky for years so they often ran into him and usually Liz. Also the older woman, not by much, was Georgie's favorite waitress at the diner.
"I'm good." Elizabeth said smiling. Georgie was just beautiful now. Liz had always liked her. Maxie not so much.
"What can I get you?" That was not what Georgie wanted to ask.
Elizabeth laughed. "It's okay to ask."
"Where have you been?" Georgie put her pad down. There were no other customers so she could chat.
"Lots of places, but mostly Ireland." Elizabeth told Georgie.
"With Jason?" Georgie didn't know him well, but she heard about him from her best friend Brook Lynn. The two girls had been hanging out last night to study and she mentioned that her cousin was home. Georgie thought it was incredibly romantic to just run away with a gorgeous guy.
"Yes, with Jason." Elizabeth confirmed as Georgie fixed her a hot chocolate. "You remember that?" She asked pointing to the mug.
"Yeah. He gave you that ring?" It was hard to miss.
"He did." Elizabeth was feeling better. It was nice to be remembered in a good way.
"Congratulations. I know you were devastated when Lucky died, and well you didn't seem all that happy after he returned. That's probably rude to say since he's dead again." Georgie gave Liz a rueful smile.
"No, it's not rude and it's very accurate. I wasn't happy, but then Jason came along and I was. I got lost for a little while, but once again Jason was right there and he rescued me." Elizabeth said grinning.
"I think you have that backwards." Jason had gotten a call from Ritchie as he was walking out of Duke's office.
"How so?" Elizabeth swiveled around on her stool. Jason was standing there in his black leather jacket, blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and motorcycle boots. Yummy.
"I clearly remember you rescuing me." He said coming over and kissing her softly. "And my memory is never wrong." He whispered feeling her shiver. He could see the pain from Audrey's rejection in her eyes.
"If you say so." Elizabeth could feel her face heating.
"I do say so." Jason said taking the stool next to hers.
Georgie was watching them grinning. "What can I get for you?"
"Nothing." Jason said still looking at Elle. "I have everything I need." Taking out his wallet he put a twenty on the counter. "Wanna go for a ride?"
"Sounds perfect." Elizabeth waved to the younger woman. "We are here for the rest of the week, so maybe I'll see you again."
"Hopefully." Georgie said sighing as the couple left. Then grinning at the huge tip.
Once again the tea set was out. In fact this particular tea set was now only used when Lila felt the need to correct someone. She had hoped that this step wouldn't be necessary, but after this morning's events that hope had been dashed. During their first talk Lila had urged Audrey to call her granddaughter, but it never happened. Looking across the table at the woman who was sitting so stiffly, Lila tried to figure out what the hell her problem was. Elizabeth was a wonderful young woman who would soon be officially a member of this family. She didn't deserve to be repeatedly hurt by those who claimed to love her.
"Why have I been summoned here?" Audrey wanted to know. She and Lila had never been friends. That wasn't going to change today.
"It's time for you to leave Port Charles." Lila got right to the point. Dinner would be served in a couple of hours which meant the family would be coming home soon. Elizabeth didn't need to run into Audrey.
"You can't tell me what to do." Audrey was not impressed by the Quartermaine name.
"Elizabeth stood on your doorstep waiting for you to answer the door while you sat inside ignoring her. You didn't even have the decency to tell her to her face that you no longer felt she was your granddaughter." Lila said chastising Audrey.
"My relationship with Elizabeth is none of your business." Audrey wasn't going to explain herself to anyone.
"Yes, it is because Elizabeth is going to be my granddaughter, and no one hurts my family." Lila was going to get what she wanted. Which was a Port Charles where Elizabeth could come home without worrying who she would bump into.
"I refuse to acknowledge her as long as she is with a criminal." Audrey wouldn't allow the Webber or Hardy name to be tarnished.
"Jason isn't a criminal. He stopped working for Sonny the night they left Port Charles. He now owns a very successful, and legal, publishing business." Lila saw the surprise register on the other woman's face. "If you had answered the door instead of punishing Elizabeth for the crime of being herself and not what you decided she should be you would know that."
"She abandoned Lucky when he needed her most." Audrey still didn't understand how Elizabeth could be so cold.
"That was her choice to make, and it was a situation you don't have all the facts about. Like how Lucky would only get better after he killed Elizabeth." Lila held up her hand to stop Audrey from talking. "Ask Nikolas Cassadine, since you won't believe me. He's the one who figured it out. Jason taking Elizabeth away when he did saved her life. A life you will no longer be a part of."
"I didn't know that." Audrey had judged her granddaughter quickly and never bothered to find out if she had the whole story.
"Now you do. You will leave Port Charles and go live with Sarah or Steven, they are the grandchildren you are so proud of. But this is my home and my grandchildren will be visiting often." Lila laid out her demand.
"I need to speak with Elizabeth first." Audrey would not be bullied.
"The Ladies Axillary meets next week. I wonder how they would feel to know that you knew Lucky was dangerous and you brow beat your granddaughter into staying with him. How you made her feel like she was worthless unless she was doing what you wanted. How you chose a boy who killed his own mother over your own flesh and blood. I know Elizabeth told you she was scared of Lucky, but you told her that it was her duty to stand by him. That she owed it to him because he rescued her after her rape. But you never mentioned that he was the reason she was in the park in the first place, even though you know he stood her up for Sarah. But Sarah was the one who didn't talk back or wanted a life different from what you approved, so you choose not to think about it. Think about this then. If you stay in this town I will make it my personal mission to ruin you and the reputation you hold so dear." Lila gave Audrey a hard stare.
Audrey simply stood and with her head held high she walked from the parlor. Her hand was shaking as she started the engine of her car. There was no doubt in her mind that Lila would do exactly as she threatened. Audrey held tight to her status as Steve Hardy's widow. People looked up to her and respected her. It was all she had left since her children and other grandchildren had basically abandoned her for their careers. Elizabeth had come seeking reconciliation and Audrey had all but spit in her face. Tomorrow she would begin the process of moving. She would leave before anyone learned what she had done. The Baldwins had retired to Arizona, the weather there was nice and it would be a good place to spend her golden years.
They took the cliff roads and she screamed into the wind. They went all the way to Nowhere, stopping to see if the statues were still there. They were and Elizabeth finally got to see that the little girl had a long skirt on her dress. Back at the bike Jason kissed her senseless saying he always wanted to kiss her in this very spot. On the Harley once more they took a tour of their favorite spots.
First up, the boxcar. It held good and bad memories for them both. Lucky kissed her for the first time here, and she found Jason bleeding here from a gunshot wound. He remembered living here after leaving the Quartermaines and the day he met Elizabeth because Lucky was staying here.
The bench on the docks. The place he saw her sitting and crying after her teacher trashed her portrait she turned in. She remembered the conversation they had just before Lucky returned and her life went to hell. When she told him he was the only person in her life who didn't tell her how she should feel. The only one who didn't feel she needed to mourn her dead boyfriend for the rest of her life.
The studio. She remembered, that December. Buying the globe for Michael. He remembered her feeding him soup and smelling like snow. This was where everything changed for them. Where they went from friends to something more. The neighborhood was improving he noted, but it still wasn't great. She noticed that the windows were no longer painted over. She bet the light was fantastic now. Her studio was the home of someone else now. The Wind was hanging over their bed in Kildare. But in her mind this is where they truly began.
"Ready for another family dinner?" Jason asked his girl.
"I can take it if you can." Elizabeth jutted out her chin.
"Yeah I can take it, we have one more stop to make." Jason told her.
"Yes, we do." Elizabeth agreed heading with him to the bike.
This last stop was the best and the worst. He took her to the park. On two separate nights this park changed her life completely. One was the night Tom Baker raped her, the other was the night that Jason asked her to come with him. Jason was remembering the same thing. When they got home to Ireland, he would tell her that Tom was dead. Johnny had kept his word to take care of that. Tom had been up for parole as a non-violent offender there was no way he was going to be allowed to go free.
"I almost didn't go." Elizabeth admitted.
"I know. I could see it in your eyes. I was expecting to be shot down. I wanted to shout to the heavens when you said yes, but I was afraid of spooking you." Jason told her leading her over to the bench. There was a reason he chose this spot to be last. He knew this wasn't the bench she was sitting on when she got hurt so it was okay to do this here. "I have something I want to give you." Jason was nervous.
"What's that?" Elizabeth felt the hand that was holding hers tremble.
"The last id card that Francis made for you." Jason said smiling wide.
"Oh no." Elizabeth said laughing. "I managed to forget that. Elpida." She said in disgust. "He never did explain what that was all about."
"He deliberately picked names he knew you would hate." Jason finally admitted.
"Why?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"So that you would be happy when I finally gave you this." Jason was holding out a small rectangle of plastic. It was indeed from the same batch as the others. They all had the same picture. Jason's thumb was blocking the name.
She took it and he moved the digit. Looking down she gasped at the name before looking up at Jason. "Elizabeth Morgan." She whispered.
"That's a really nice name." Jason said looking at her with eyes full of love.
"It's the best name I can think of." Elizabeth told him.
He got down on one knee in front of her. "Will you marry me so that you are Elizabeth Morgan?" Jason asked already seeing the answer in her eyes.
"Yes." She said without hesitation.
Sitting next to her on the bench Jason removed the Claddagh ring and replaced it with a sparkling cushion cut three carat diamond surrounded by another carat of diamonds. "I love you Elizabeth."
"I love you too Jason." She leaned forward and kissed him. The day may have started off badly, but this was the best ending she could have hoped for.
"Do you have any idea of when and where? If we have that then the family will probably leave us alone." Jason would do it tomorrow.
"How about the end of the summer, in your Grandmother's garden." Elizabeth wouldn't even need flowers. "If she's agreeable."
"You want to get married in Port Charles? I was thinking Italy. Venice to be more precise." Jason wanted to give her that.
"Emily may not be able to fly." Everyone else would not be an issue. Lila didn't travel much, but they could make her comfortable.
"We can talk with everyone tonight at dinner. You can call Chloe and tell her she has a very short amount of time to design your gown. Then you can protect me from her wraith." Jason said laughing.
"The dress is already done. She's had it waiting because you didn't strike her as the long engagement type." Elizabeth told her fiancée.
"There you go." Jason smirked. "Everything else can be gotten quickly." He knew that the names Quartermaine and Cassadine would have people rushing to make this wedding happen. "Let's go talk with Grandmother."
Looking down at her ring and once more into Jason's blue eyes she smiled. "Yes, let's go talk with Grandmother."
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