A/N – I appreciate the comments! I'm glad you guys are still along for the ride! I'll be fast forwarding here and there to move it along.

Chapter 48

The funeral day came quickly. Everyone started to file in and take their seats. Last to enter was Kylie, who was in a transport chair. She was going to go home after the service. Steven parked her right next to Johnny and then took a seat next to Emily.

"Thank you all for coming," Father Coates said. "I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Katherine, but I spent some time talking to a lot of you, asking questions and getting a sense of who she was as a person. Some of the words used were thoughtful, giving, and compassionate. While she only lived in Port Charles briefly, her strength and courage will leave a mark on everyone here. Her love for her niece came before everything."

Johnny reached out and held Kylie's hand and she gripped his tightly.

"We're here today to honor her and while her death was unexpected, her sacrifice was not. Everyone knows that she would have done anything for Kylie." He fixed his gaze on the little girl who was now crying. "I don't want you to feel badly that she died to save you, because that is what any loved one would do. She wanted you to grow up and have a good life and I want you to do your best to honor that. When you feel really sad or miss her, just remember she'll always be in your heart and will watch over you. She loved you."

"I loved her too."

"And she knew that. You had a very special bond."

Kylie nodded.

"First, I'm going to ask Epiphany to come up."

Everyone's head snapped to the back of the room as Epiphany stood and walked forward. Father Coates pulled up a chair and she sat down and took the microphone from him.

"I am so happy that I got the privilege to meet Katherine. She had a great smile and a beautiful soul. If you know the words, please sing along with me." She began to sing Amazing Grace and soon everyone was singing too. Kylie closed her eyes as tears ran down her face and Johnny gently picked her up and placed her in his lap and rocked her.

Jason was next to him, so held her hand to give her comfort.

Once Epiphany was done, Danielle went up and said a few words.

"My sister was the greatest person I know. She would do anything for her family. I'm so sorry that my problems affected her. If I could go back and undo some of my choices, I would."

"She would never want you to beat yourself up," Amelia said.

"I know. That is the kind of person she was. I am going to honor her sacrifice by being the best mom that I can be. I owe that to her and Kylie. I miss her so much." Her voice broke and she took a second to get herself together. "Thank you for singing her favorite song. When I think about how lost I was, it amazes me how unselfish she was about helping to lead me out of the darkness. I am so thankful and humbled." She looked up. "I love you, Katherine—always."

She sat and when it was Johnny's turn to speak, he placed Kylie in Jason's lap.

"Katherine was beautiful inside and out. I'm so glad that she and Kylie came into my life. They took over my apartment. Sometimes, I'd be at work and get strange looks, only to find out Kylie's glitter had somehow made it onto my face. I won't even tell you the things that people were saying I was doing at night."

Everyone chuckled.

"I got used to Katherine cooking me dinner and coming home to smiling faces. It was nice, like we were a family. I wish….." He was starting to get choked up and he closed his eyes to get his emotions under control.

Amelia got up and stood beside him and rubbed his back.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "I will never forget her and to honor her, I will always watch over Kylie. She is my family now." He squeezed Amelia's hand and then stepped back, staying in case she needed him.

"Since I'm up here, I wanted to say that I really did everything I could to save her. I understood how much she meant to everyone and how much she'd be missed. I wish I could have performed a miracle, but unfortunately the damage…." She couldn't finish and her lip began to quiver and Johnny moved to her side and put his arm around her.

"It's okay, Amelia," Kylie said.

"Thank you for saying that. You are so special and I'm so glad you're going to be okay. We might have lost one angel, but we still have you."

Kylie brushed a tear away and Johnny walked Amelia to her seat and sat down.

Several more people got up before Steven finally stepped up to the mic.

"I remember the look on her face when she saw my giant truck. Her head tilted as she tried to figure out how the heck she was going to get in it."

Everyone smiled.

"Once they were finally buckled in and I started to drive, Kylie's excited was contagious. After all she had been through, she felt safe and it's those moments I live for—when I see that a patient is recovering and I know they are going to make it. Katherine was funny and didn't take herself seriously. She was willing to embarrass herself by singing with me and Kylie in the car and do little dance moves when my favorite little girl in world demanded it. I will always cherish those moments. If I had known that they would be fleeting, I would have taught her some of my signature moves."

Kylie laughed, putting a smile on everyone's face. "Dr. Steve! Your moves are silly. I will teach you some of mine."

"You're on!" Steve said smiling. "Never stop smiling, Kylie. Your aunt never did and it something that I will always remember."

He went to seat and Father Coates led them in prayer and then made an announcement.

"We have food in the back. Please feel free to sit at any table."

Johnny took Kylie from Jason and put her back in her chair. Danielle gave her a tissue and she wiped her face. Several people stopped and gave her and Danielle hugs.

Elizabeth walked over to PIph and embraced her. "That was beautiful."

"Thanks. It felt good to sing again. I have a little headache, but Patrick gave me some aspirin."

"He takes good care of you."

"Jason looks like he's doing better."

"He is and he'll probably be out of that boot in the next forty-eight hours."

"That's good. The trial starts in the middle of next week. Right?"

"Yes."

They made their way to the back.

"Piph, you're looking good."

"Thanks. I've been walking with Patrick. I get a little further every day."

"I can't wait until your back."

"Me too. I'm going stir crazy."

They found a seat and Jason joined them.

Johnny pushed Kylie towards them and parked her next to Jason, which made her very happy.

"How's my favorite girl?"

She smiled. "I feel a little better."

"Good. You want some water?"

She nodded so he poured her some and handed her the glass. When she was finished he took it back.

Johnny sat on the other side. "Epiphany, your voice is beautiful."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"What do you want to eat?" Johnny asked Kylie.

"What are my choices?"

"There is mac and cheese, ham, chicken, and mashed potatoes," Liz said.

"Yum. Can I have a little of all of it?"

Johnny smiled. "Of course, I'll be right back."

Danielle followed him and then Liz got Jason's order.

"And what about you?" Patrick asked Piph.

"I'm not that hungry."

"Will you at least eat a little salad?"

She sighed. "Okay."

Patrick left and Jason cleared his throat. "Is he making you eat?"

"Yeah, I need my strength. I'm just not used to eating a lot."

"It sucks being sick."

"Tell me about it. I hear you lose the crutch soon."

"Not entirely. I lose the boot, but they want me to get used to walking in sneakers a few days before I ditch it."

"I know you can't wait."

"I can't. It will be nice to be almost back to normal."

"Amen."

Patrick their plates down. "Jason, Francis tells me you like to play pool. You think you can teach me so I can beat Steven?"

Jason smiled. "Definitely."

"Good. You let me know when and I'll be there."

"Speak of the devil," Epiphany said.

Steven put his plate down and Emily plopped down next to him with hers.

"Hey guys," Steven said.

"Emily, you look happy. I trust that Steven is behaving."

"Piph, are you starting already?"

"I need to whip you into shape."

Steven smiled. "I'm going to look forward to it."

Kylie listened to them go back and forth and she knew she would miss all of them.

Jason had an idea that she was thinking about when she had to leave town so he tried to distract her. Danielle, Elizabeth, and Johnny returned and she pepped up a little bit as she ate.

"Are you ready to go home?" Johnny asked.

Kylie nodded.

"Well, after you're done eating, I plan on making that happen," Patrick said.

Kylie smiled.

"And tomorrow night, I thought we could have our pizza and ice cream night," Jason said.

"That's fine with me. Are you coming to our place?" Johnny asked.

"Do you mind bringing her upstairs?" Liz asked.

Johnny shrugged. "I think that's fine. You have more room."

Elizabeth smiled. "Great. I'll set it all up then."

"Thank you," Kiley said, glad that she had something to look forward to.

Things started to wind down. Elizabeth walked over to Carly's table and stood next to Sonny.

"I just wanted to thank you for your help. I really appreciate it."

Sonny stood and gave her a hug. "It was my pleasure. I'm not a bad guy Elizabeth. I hope you know that."

She slightly smiled. "I'm figuring that out. I'm glad that you came."

"Me too."

John caught her attention and she said goodbye to Carly and then moved over his way.

"Hey." They embraced.

"The food was delicious. I can't thank you enough."

"I'm just glad I could do something for you. It meant a lot that you trusted me."

"Always."

Claudia got up and gave Liz a hug. "You still owe me a shopping trip."

"We'll make it happen soon. Want to help me pick out a suit for the trial?"

"Sure. My schedule is flexible."

"Alright, then we'll go shopping in a couple of days."

"Sounds good."

Liz headed back to the table and they took Kylie back to her room and got her ready to leave.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny carried Kylie into his apartment wishing that Katherine was there to greet them. He sat her on the couch and then grabbed her a bottle of water.

Danielle looked around and then sat in a chair. "Thank you for having us."

"It's my pleasure. Kylie is used to it do it just made sense for you to stay here." He gazed down at the sleeping girl and then continued. "This is your home for the next week. Do you cook?"

"Yes."

"If you need me to pick up anything from the store tomorrow, you can just text me." They had already exchanged numbers. "There is food in the fridge and let me show you the room."

She followed him to the guest bedroom.

"The day bed pulls out into a bed. I had offered them my room, but Katherine refused."

"It's perfect."

"The bathroom is through that door," he said pointing, "and towels are in the closet."

"I've never met so many nice people before."

"Well, I'm glad that we can help."

"I know this is kind of weird to ask, considering that you and Elizabeth were once together, but I was wondering if you would be willing to be Kylie's godparents. She doesn't have any and…."

"Yes. I've grown to love her. It would be my honor and I feel blessed that you asked."

Danielle wiped away a tear. "It makes me feel good that she has people willing to watch out for her."

Kylie smiled from the doorway and then walked over to Johnny and hugged him and then he knelt down.

"I will take my godparent duties very seriously."

"I know you will and I will be the best goddaughter ever."

"That is for sure. I love you half pint."

"I love you too," she said giving him another hug. "You think Elizabeth will be excited?"

"Of course she will."

"Can we call her now."

Danielle chuckled. "We can ask her tomorrow night."

"I don't want to wait."

He took out his phone and dialed.

"Johnny? Is she okay?"

"Yes, but Danielle has something she wanted to ask you."

"Okay."

Johnny put her on speaker.

"Hi. I just asked Johnny and he said yes and I hope you feel the same way."

"Go on." They totally had her attention.

"Well, would you considering being Kylie's godmother? She doesn't have one—"

"Yes!" Liz said as she smiled. "I would love it."

"Awesome!" Kylie said.

"Well I'm glad you're excited."

"I am." She grew quiet after a thought ran through her mind. "Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think that Jason will be upset?"

She bit her lip. "Um, no. He'll understand."

"Okay."

She went back into the living room and Johnny took her off of speaker. "It meant a lot to her that you said yes," Johnny said.

"That was so sweet and I'm so honored. Did you think I'd say no?"

"I didn't think so, but I wasn't sure if you would think it was awkward."

"I'm not going to lie, it was a little weird talking about abs at Grams, but I'm okay being around you. I miss you."

"Me too. By the way, Amelia told me that Kylie plans on marrying Jason."

Liz laughed. "She's going to steal him from me?"

"Yup. She said that you could live with them though."

Danielle chuckled.

"That's too funny."

"She was serious too."

Liz couldn't stop smiling. "Well, I'll share him for the next week, but then she'll have to find someone else."

"I'm glad that you're happy."

"Me too."

"Alright, I better go see what my goddaughter is doing."

"That just rolled right off your tongue."

"It felt good. I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Later." She put down the phone just as Brooklyn came in.

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Jason watched the guys work. They were making great progress and he couldn't wait until they could make Liz's dream come true. Francis wasn't taking any chances and made sure inspectors came out periodically to check that the structure was sound. There was no way they wanted a repeat of what happened before.

"Are you doing alright?" Milo asked.

"Yeah. It will be nice when I can actually work."

"You'll probably be fully back in two or three weeks." Jason wasn't the most patient person and Milo knew that he would probably push himself hard.

"I'm tired of lying around. I can't even take Liz for a ride on my bike."

Milo slightly smiled. "Are things serious between you two?"

"Yes. She's great."

"She brought us brownies and they were really good." Milo was definitely a fan.

Jason smirked. "You're so easy."

"We all are."

Nathan walked over. "Can you look at something for me?"

Jason nodded and grabbed his crutch and followed Nathan over to where the old and new wing were connected and talked safety. They needed to make some adjustments, but overall they were right on schedule.