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Chapter 49
There were no roses on the bushes but that didn't diminish the peacefulness of his grandmother's garden. If he wanted to see blooms at this time of year he would need to go to one of the hothouses on the grounds. It didn't surprise Jason that his sister would be out here despite the barren bushes and the chill in the air. "Enjoying the air." Autumn was his sister's favorite time of the year.
"I miss the seasons. Although this year you seem to be missing one." Emily smiled at him. That he would come out to find her wasn't odd. During every family gathering he generally took a break. The habit rubbed off on her. She had decided to get some air now because the urge to strangle her aunt was becoming too much to resist.
Tracy was being snarky to Liz, but Emily had enjoyed the fact that Jason's girlfriend had no problem handling it. Their aunt would think twice before doing that again. "I miss the cold and the snow. When it comes time for me to pick a hospital for me to do my Fellowship I think I'm going to pick somewhere that gets snow. Nice coat, and sweater by the way." Emily had been surprised at what he was wearing. "Why the wardrobe change?"
"To keep Grandmother from sending Alice to beat me up." Jason was smiling as he walked over to stand beside his sister. "Don't worry I still have plenty of black t-shirts for work, and I'm not changing who I am just to make my new girlfriend happy."
"I like Liz." Emily knew she was making a snap decision. Realistically she wasn't going to be spending more time with her brother's girlfriend anytime soon. So this first impression was everything. "I really like those pink jeans. I'm going to visit Chloe's website and getting me a pair." Emily didn't actually wear a lot of her cousin's clothing due to the fact that her closet was mostly filled with scrubs and lab coats. Fashion didn't really interest the young doctor.
"I'm glad Elizabeth got your seal of approval." Jason said with a grin. "I really like her."
"Please, you don't care what the rest of the family thinks about who you date. That's something all three of us have in common." Emily said with a wide smile. "Have you heard from Mom and Dad?" The two siblings started walking.
"No." Jason followed his sister on the slow stroll through the garden. "We were not in a good place when they left." He did his best to keep his drama with their parents from sucking in his siblings.
Emily just frowned. Her parents were very smart as doctors, but incredibly stupid in their relationship with their youngest son. In the same breath they went from saying they love him to criticizing every decision he made. While yes she wished Jason did something less dangerous, she didn't tell him how to live his life. She simply loved and accepted him for who he was. "They called me last week, they have been offered tenured positions at the University they are guest lecturing at."
"Are they staying?" Jason briefly wondered if his grandfather had anything to do with this.
Emily debated answering. Her parents really should call home and talk to Jason. The only reason she brought this up at all was because AJ had also gotten a call last week. Even with Jason in Europe, his cell phone still worked. The fact that he was just now hearing about this from her said that call probably wasn't coming. "Yes."
Jason looked around the garden and wondered just how many walks he had taken out here. Since waking up from the coma he'd had more than he could count, and he was guessing there were countless ones that he didn't remember. He also wondered how many of those walks included talks about important topics. This just seemed to be the place to break news to family members. "I'm sorry if that decision hurts you."
"It doesn't. I actually think it's for the best." Emily could tell that she surprised her brother. "You aren't the only one allowed to be protective."
"You watching out for me?" Jason said smiling.
"No. I'm watching out for Mom." Emily's smile widened. "Liz would rip Mom apart the first time she went after you. Did you see how your girlfriend took Aunt Tracy down? Mom wouldn't stand a chance. Might be fun to watch though."
"Behave." Jason was trying not to laugh. His sister was correct Monica would say something to piss of Elizabeth and his girlfriend would be out for blood. Tracy never stood a chance. Jason had been impressed and more than a little turned on watching Elizabeth handle his aunt.
"Life is too short to be good all the time." Emily replied with a snort.
They were silent for a few minutes. "What haven't you told me?" Jason knew his sister well. She wasn't as happy as it seemed, but he could also tell that whatever was bothering her wasn't life ending. Like her cancer returning. They had caught the disease early and it hadn't even interfered much with her schooling. She ended up starting a semester later than planned. He was grateful that she'd been healthy ever since.
"You think you're so smart." Emily could never hide anything from him or their grandmother. "I'm single again."
"Not by choice?" Jason could tell by her voice.
"No." Emily blinked back tears because it still hurt. "He was cheating on me. I found out when she showed up at the hospital to tell me she was pregnant. When the stick turned blue she learned about me."
"She just walked up and said she was pregnant?" Jason thought that took balls.
"With the blood panel to back up her words." Emily leaned into her brother when he put his arm around her. "She said with me out of the way, they could get married. Apparently he was dragging his feet about telling me."
"Why does she still want him?" Jason didn't understand that. Not one bit.
"No clue, but she can have him." Emily kept telling herself she was better off without him. "Since Mom and Dad are not coming back anytime soon, I was thinking of moving back home for my Fellowship." She went to school year round in addition to carrying the largest class load possible, and had not only made up for her late start but ended up shaving a couple of semesters off of her schooling.
"We do have those seasons you've been talking about." Jason would love for her to be back home. He was going to reach out and have her boyfriend talked to. He would still be breathing by the end of that discussion, but he was going to be in pain. "Grandmother would let you stay here until you get a place of your own."
"It's too crowded." Emily just shook her head. "I would consider a unit in the Towers. I don't need a penthouse, and I'm paying rent." Realistically she would be at the hospital more than her place. A one bedroom would suit her just fine for now. If she came home. General Hospital had a highly competitive Fellowship program, Emily had to earn her spot the same as everyone else. She had an application in with Mercy Hospital as well, just in case.
"Let me know. If you come home then I'll have unit ready for you." Even with them in the same building they wouldn't be in each other's business. They both understood how boundaries worked. "And you're not paying rent." They would fight more on that if she did move back.
"If I come home I'll also be on hand to help with wedding plans." Emily said with a slow smile.
"Who's getting married?" Jason asked playing dumb.
"Please. You are done. If you were a turkey, that little thermometer thingy would be backing my statement up." Emily said giggling. "You watch Liz walk around the room. I'm surprised you aren't going through withdrawal just from being out here with me. She mentioned that she has her own place, why is that?" Yes Emily was being nosey.
"We haven't been together very long." Jason told his sister. "I'm trying to show some restraint." Although the small voice that kept him from being dumb was silent on this matter. Every part of him wanted Elizabeth with him as much as possible.
"I know how you met, and how long you've been together." Emily gave her brother a look. "Your girlfriend is a hell of a story teller. Always let her be the one to tell your origin story. That's what we were talking about when we were sitting in the corner laughing. When it's right you know it. Trust me as someone who just had their relationship blow up, I'm telling you don't waste time." Living with her now ex would not have kept him faithful, but Em had to admit that over the last few months things were off. She had ignored it, but on some level she wasn't surprised when his other girlfriend showed up.
Jason just gave his sister another one armed hug. She was hurting and he couldn't do anything about that. "You're pinking up, let's head in."
"Avoidance. I know that tactic. I'll let the subject drop. For now." Emily said with a grin. "You think Aunt Tracy is still here, or do you think she scurried away with her tail between her legs?" Emily was going to cherish that memory.
"She hasn't talked to Dillon yet, so she's probably still here." Jason didn't care, Tracy would not bother him or Elizabeth again.
"More drama to look forward to. I picked the perfect weekend to come home. I'm glad I'll be leaving tonight." Emily followed her brother back into the mansion thinking that some things never changed.
"Where is Tracy?" Jason asked his girlfriend who was making herself another cup of tea. Even during brunch his grandmother served loose tea.
"Why do you think I would know?" Liz asked arching a brow.
"You had words earlier and now she's missing." Jason said doing his best bad cop.
"I imagine that I'm only one of many people Tracy's had words with." Liz said shaking her head. "She's not exactly a ray of sunshine that one." Elizabeth was feeling kind of bad for Dillon and his new girlfriend.
"A quick tip. If the police are questioning you clam up." Jason said grinning. "The less you say the better."
"Good to know. Your sister will be back to visit at some point, and I imagine we could get into a lot of trouble together." Liz said with a naughty grin.
"Poor Hank." Jason had to laugh at the look on his girlfriend's face.
"He'll have a great time before they drag him off in cuffs." Liz took a sip of her tea. He would probably have company because she was guessing Emily would have a guard as well. "Since we are speaking of legal matters, in a roundabout way, should I change lawyers?" She wasn't thinking they would be combining assets anytime soon, but when they did the less folks with access to Jason's information the better.
"It might be for the best. I can't promise you won't end up downtown because of me." Jason thought that might be the one thing to make him talk to the PCPD. Mainly it would be threats about what would happen if she wasn't released. "Diane can take you on as a client."
"I'll talk to her." Liz could call the lawyer at some point this week.
"So where is my aunt?" Jason asked again.
"In the parlor. Ned suggested she take her plate and change rooms. Alice said Tracy is going over what she wants to say to Dillon. Keesha however told Lois that Ned was worried I was going to kick his mother's behind if she said something else snarky." Liz wouldn't do any such thing. Tracy wasn't worth the energy. "I also learned that Georgie blew us off for a boy."
"She and John are spending the day in Rochester. He came over yesterday while you were over at your place." Jason shared what he knew. "He wanted the name of a couple of nice restaurants."
"Were you going to share?" Liz was happy to hear that things were going well for them. "Or does this fall under the not volunteering information?"
"Honestly I thought Georgie would have mentioned it to you." Jason said in his defense. "I'm guessing she was going to tell you tomorrow."
"I may have to withhold cake if she doesn't." Liz took her guy's hand and led them over to one of the loveseats. "I was wondering if we could get together for dinner Tuesday night as well? I was thinking I would cook that time."
"My place or yours?" Jason was going to ask if she didn't. He was becoming addicted to spending time with her. He had no idea how he was going to sleep tonight.
"Yours, that will make the guys more comfortable and your kitchen is like something out a fantasy." Liz wanted to play with all the appliances. Her place was a good size, but his kitchen was huge. He had told her that his former boss was an excellent cook and often had a lot of the guys over to eat.
"Send me a message letting me know what time I need to show up." Jason didn't have a need to stay at the office late. "Or if I need to pick anything up on my way to the Towers."
Alice stepped into the family room. "Mr. Jason this arrived for you."
"Thank you." Jason took the envelope, looked inside and handed it to Elizabeth.
Liz put down her mug and peeked into the parcel. "My car is here?"
"Want to go take a look?" Jason wanted to see how his guys did.
"I sure do." Liz got to her feet and almost danced to the front door. With her coat on she went outside. "Oh, look at him. He looks just like he did when I brought him home. Hi sweetie." She said running a hand over the top. "Your guys did great work." The paint job was exactly the same.
Freddy ran the garage, and he said the damage was extensive. They basically rebuilt the car. All the safety upgrades were added, and Jason was told that no one was wrecking the vehicle again. Not without a rocket launcher. Elizabeth would be safe and that was all Jason cared about.
"I'm sorry he was damaged." Jason said pulling her close and dropping a kiss on her lips. "This won't happen again."
"This wasn't your fault." Liz wouldn't let him shoulder any blame. Nor was she going to let Abby steal this. Liz loved her car, and that hadn't changed. "Let it go." She leaned up and kissed him.
"Get a room." AJ called out laughing. He was escorting Keesha to their car. Things between his sister and wife were still frigid. They decided to head out so that Em could visit with Grandmother. Ned and Lois were only sticking around because of Tracy, but they were in a different part of the mansion now.
"Don't be jealous." Jason shot back.
"My wife is hot, so that isn't going to happen." AJ said laughing harder. If the ladies were not around his brother would flip him off. "Call me this week so we can arrange a get together."
Jason nodded while Liz waved to Keesha. "Ready to go?" They had been here for a few hours now, and he wanted some time alone with his girlfriend before she went home.
"I am. I need to pack up my things that are at your place." She was leaving some items, at his invitation but most items were returning with her. At some point, maybe next weekend, she would bring more things over. She hit the remote to start the car. "Listen to that purr. From here on out will your guys work on Marshall?"
"Yeah, Freddy said a business card in on the driver side visor. Call with any issues." Jason didn't think there would be any. "Get in and I'll follow you over." This would be a test drive to make sure she was happy.
"Try to keep up." Liz said before giving him a kiss and opening her door. She had missed her buddy.
Jason was laughing as he went to his SUV. The Mini Cooper had a more powerful engine now, and he could see Elizabeth challenging Johnny to a drag race. O'Brien kept a couple of cars here for visits. The two of them were going to have to be watched.
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