A/N – Thanks for the all comments. Glad you guys like the chapter. I had so much fun writing it. There are only a few chapters left for this fic.

I'll let you in on a secret. I'm not going to replace this story right away. But, thanks to one of the reader's plot requests, it will center around the Quartermaine's being a mob family. I just want to have more chapters written before I start posting.

Chapter 50 – Mixed Emotions

Elizabeth sat on the deck at the Quartermaine mansion talking to Lila and Audrey.

"I can't believe you did that." Lila said about Cody.

Audrey grinned. "Anything to make my girl happy." She said patting Liz's leg.

"It did. That was the best prank ever and you were a master Grams."

"Well thank you. I'm going to make his favorite dessert today though. He hasn't been able to look me in the eye yet."

Liz grinned.

"My dear, can you go get me some water?" Lila asked.

Liz nodded and left.

"How is she really doing?"

Audrey sighed. "She's great during the day, but Jason said she's still not sleeping well. I think it's her unconscious mind at work. But, she'll work it through. She does a great job hiding her fears."

Lila nodded. "I can see that. But every once in a while she stares off and I wonder what she is thinking."

"It's hard not being able to fix everything for the people we love."

"I agree. Jason hasn't heard back right?"

Audrey shook her head. "Not that I know of. Call me selfish but I'm relishing the little bit of time I know I have left with her. I really don't think they'll come back."

Lila sighed. "I know. That was the hardest thing about encouraging them to leave."

Elizabeth walked back out. "Why all the long faces?"

"Oh, we were just missing you already."

Liz kissed both women on the cheek. "I promise we won't go a long time without seeing you."

Lila smiled. "We know you will try dear."

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Jason sat with Cody as he watched Y&R.

"Damn, Sharon is hot too." Cody said almost drooling.

Jason smirked. "Is it a theme that all the hot chicks on this show are a little crazy?"

Cody grinned. "Crazy can be good."

Jason shook his head.

They were interrupted by Jason's phone. "Morgan."

"Hello, it's Amy."

"Hi."

"They can meet with you in two days at the usual place. Be there at 7:00 p.m."

"Thank you Amy." He said before ending the call. "Two days."

Cody nodded. "Just lay it out for them and be firm."

"I know."

When Jason didn't say anything more, Cody resumed the show.

"Avery's kind of hot too." He said.

Jason made a face. "She's really not my type at all. I'm going to go get some water. You want some?"

Cody nodded not taking his eyes off the screen. Jason chuckled and went downstairs.

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Jason went out to the porch. He had two days to figure out how he was going to approach the five families and he wasn't sure what he was going to say.

Elizabeth walked up behind him and pressed her hand against his back.

He shut his eyes and relished how good it felt when she touched him.

"You look like you're deep in thought." She said softly before laying her head on his arm.

"I meet with them in two days."

She entwined their hands together. He was a like a pillar of strength and God she needed that after everything that happened. But, right now, she could tell that he really needed her too. Looking up at him, she waited for him to look at her. "What do you need Jason?"

He pulled her into his body as he lovingly looked into her eyes. "You." He said huskily. Looking into her beautiful eyes, the quiet faith she had in him made him feel like he was enough. That no matter what happened, she was his. As long as she looked at him the way she was in that moment, everything would be fine. He needed to see all of that; to feel like together they could do anything.

He dipped his head down and captured her lips between his and kissed her almost reverently. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too; always."

He hugged her again and closed his eyes as he thought about how in two more days, he could have everything he had ever allowed himself to dream about.

Audrey walked into the kitchen and they caught her eye. She watched them for a moment as they stood there hugging; immersed into each other and a tear ran down her face.

Cody walked up behind her. "Audrey." He said softly.

She spun around and he saw that she was crying.

"What's wrong?"

"You shouldn't be down here. Why are you out of bed?" She said wiping the tears away.

"I'm fine. My legs aren't broken. I took my time."

He looked up and saw Jason and Elizabeth in their own little world on the porch.

"I feel like I'm losing her Cody. I'm so happy for her. The way Jason looks at her—it's just what she deserves. But, I'm going to miss her so damn much."

Cody gave her a hug the best he could. "It will be okay Audrey."

She pulled back. "You'll still come and visit me from time to time won't you?" She asked.

Cody smiled. "Are you kidding me? I consider you family Audrey. Of course I'll visit."

Audrey smiled. She hoped that life wouldn't get in the way and that would be true. "Well, I better start dinner. And you need to get back into that bed."

"Can't I sit on the couch for a while?"

She frowned. "You kids are going to be the death of me."

Cody smiled. "I'll go get comfortable."

She shook her head and watched him walk towards the living room. If anyone had told her a year ago that her house would be mob central she would have thought they had lost their mind. But, somehow they had infiltrated her life and found a way into her heart and Audrey wouldn't have it any other way.

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There was a knock on Audrey's door and Jason got up to get it. He was shocked when he saw Cooper and Emily standing there.

She jumped into his arms and he hugged her tightly.

"Emily, what are you doing home?"

"What? Didn't you miss me?"

He smiled. "Of course I did." He glanced behind her. "Hey Cooper."

"Hi Boss."

"Come on in."

They walked inside and Emily saw Liz and she grinned and gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you."

"It's great to see you too. What are you doing home?"

"I'm taking a little break."

The truth was that she had called home to speak to Edward, and he told her what happened to Elizabeth and she had to come home and make sure that she was okay. She understood how important the young woman was to her brother.

"Did you eat?" Audrey asked.

"Not yet."

"Good, you'll eat with us then."

Emily smiled. "Thanks Audrey."

"Have you been home to see Lila yet?"

"Not yet. We came straight here."

Cooper looked over at Cody. "Are you okay man?"

He nodded. "Yeah, everyone is taking good care of me."

Cooper chuckled. "You mean Audrey is taking good care of you."

Cody smiled. "Don't be a hater."

"Girls, help me set the table." Audrey said standing up.

Jason waited until they left. "Is she okay?"

Cooper nodded. "She's fine. Truthfully, she was worried about Elizabeth."

Jason nodded. "Cooper, if everything goes well with the families, I'll be leaving soon. I'm going to depend on you to keep Emily safe."

"Jason, your sister is amazing. I'm not going anywhere."

"Good. You want to see something funny?"

Cody groaned.

Cooper looked at Jason quizzically. "What?"

Jason pulled out his phone and pulled up the video and pressed play. Cooper was in tears by the time he was finished.

"Has Logan seen this?"

Cody shook his head. "No, and if you value your life….."

Cooper held up his hands as he continued to laugh. "Hey, he won't hear it from me."

Jason had a devious look in his eyes.

"Whatever you're thinking, please don't." Cody said.

Jason tried to hide his grin. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Audrey walked into the room. "Time to eat."

They got up.

"Come on slacker." Jason said to Cody.

"I got shot. Give me a break."

Jason rolled his eyes. "I've been shot worse than that and I didn't have someone making me sissy desserts. And I certainly didn't sit around watching soap operas all day."

Cooper chuckled. "This just keeps getting better and better."

"Shut it Cooper." Cody said.

Jason chuckled. He was really going to miss Cody and the guys.