A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you guys like Piph/OB and Nik/Carly combos * doralupin – Hope you had a nice vacay!
I feel like we've come very far in this fic. There's still a handful of chapters left. I'll probably post the story with Elizabeth as a Giambetti after this one.
Chapter 49 - Unwrapped
Jason had to run to the office to sign some papers and checks. He had been there for an hour when Cody pushed a man inside and shoved him into a chair.
"He was lurking around Sonny's."
Jason nodded. "Who are you?"
The man shifted uncomfortably. "I can't tell you that."
Jason smirked. "Do you really think that's a good answer?" He asked placing his gun on his desk. "I'm going to ask you again. Who the fuck are you and why are you watching Sonny?"
"I—I was paid to watch him." The man said nervously. Jason's glare was legendary, but being on the receiving end of it, took things to another level.
Before Jason could say another word, an out of breath Edward came barreling through the door causing Cody to draw his gun as well as Jason. One of the other men he had watching Sonny reported that there was a problem and had followed Cody to the warehouse.
"Edward? What are you doing here?"
"Release him now."
Jason frowned. "What the hell is going on?"
"May I speak to you alone?"
Jason sighed. "Cody, take him out back."
Edward looked at Cody. "Don't hurt him."
Cody looked back at Jason trying to not smirk.
"Just take him out back and hold him. We'll be right out." Jason said.
Cody grabbed the man and then pushed him out of the room.
Edward sat down.
"Go on." Jason said impatiently.
"I hired a few men to watch Sonny. After what he did this afternoon, Lila and I were scared that he'd do something rash."
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "Grandfather, I'm handling it."
"Well you shouldn't have to. You deserve to have a break. It's Christmas and you've been distracted."
"I told you that I'm fine." Jason said exasperatedly.
Edward scowled. "Don't you get an attitude with me. You have been through hell. We are just trying to help."
"I know that but we could have killed him. Why didn't you just come talk to me?"
"Because you're as stubborn as a mule."
Jason glared.
"You get it honestly though. Now, why don't we try to work together?"
If the situation weren't so serious, Jason would have laughed. He still might. "I already have three men at the house with Sonny. His driver knows that I will kill him if he assists Sonny in any way or fails to check in with Cody every time Sonny leaves the house. Spinelli has someone watching surveillance feeds and listening to phone conversations. The jet is not allowed to leave unless I sign off on it. I think I have all the bases covered unless you have another suggestion."
Edward smirked at his thoroughness. "What about Christmas day?"
"Carly will drop Michael off. She'll have guards. The visit will be monitored and Sonny's father will be there as well."
Edward nodded. "Honestly, it's after Michael leaves him that I'm worried about."
"You're right to be worried. But as I said, if Sonny does anything that could even be perceived as aggressive, he will be dealt with and held until the facility is ready for him."
Edward sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you Jason. You are obviously very good at what you do. I just wish you could take some time to relax."
"Unfortunately, right now I don't have the luxury. But, I'm planning something for Elizabeth. It's just on hold right now until everything settles down. Once Sonny is dealt with, I'll have to face the other families. If they don't trust me or think I can handle it, I'll be replaced."
Edward nodded. "You've come a long way my boy. If they are smart, they'd recognize it."
Jason studied Edward for a moment. "Why are you all of a sudden okay with what I do?"
"I'm not. I still hate what you do because it puts your life in danger. I like having you around I'll have you know."
Jason smiled slightly.
"But, I know that you will do whatever you can to keep your family safe. To be honest, I've had guards on us since you decided to work for Sonny. I never trusted him. He's brash, selfish, and an egomaniac."
"Well, I can't go back and change anything and frankly, it is what it is and it's in the past. Going forward, after all I've learned, hopefully I'll make better choices."
"That's very mature of you. I hope you do too." Edward said standing up. "Jason, I love you no matter what you do. I was just too stubborn to admit it before." He said clearing his throat. "Now, go to tell Cody to let my man go. I'll probably have to give him a bonus after this." Edward said moving to the door.
Jason shook his head and then followed him into the warehouse.
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Christmas Eve at the Q's was very laid back. They had a nice dinner (which Jason had catered so there were no mishaps. Michael got to open one presents (a new video game). After he was tucked into bed, the adults drank some eggnog and sat around talking and laughing.
Jason caught a yawn from Elizabeth. "Bed time for you." He said softly.
She nodded.
"I have a surprise."
"What?"
"We're staying in my old bedroom tonight. I wanted to be here when Michael woke up."
Liz smiled. "Do we need to go get our things?"
"Of course not, Alice and Cody brought them over."
"Sounds good."
"Just let me get Johnny upstairs."
Jason stood up and walked over to Johnny. "You ready for bed?" He asked.
Johnny nodded. "Yeah, I'm beat."
Jason helped him stand up. Johnny was still a little wobbly which concerned Jason but he trusted that Patrick wouldn't let him out too soon. They slowly made their way up the steps.
Jason got Johnny seated on the bed and Irina took over.
She shut the door and helped Johnny take off his shirt and shoes. He stood up and she got him out of his pants.
Looking up at him, she noticed the smirk on his face and chuckled. "Don't even go there. You can barely keep your eyes open." She said before getting him settled. Covering up his beautiful body was a sin but she figured that it would be worth the wait. Johnny watched her disappear into the bathroom and when she came back out, she had on cute pink pajamas. She barely got into bed before he pulled her into him. "Better." He said softly.
Irina smiled. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
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Jason pulled Elizabeth down onto the bed. She landed on his chest and she shook her head. "You really don't think I'm going to make love to you in here do you?
Jason frowned. "Why not?"
"Jason, whose on either side of this room?"
Jason thought for a moment. "One of them is AJ's room which is vacant, and the other room is empty."
Liz chuckled. "Liar."
Jason's mouth dropped open. "I can't believe you said that."
Liz grinned. "What? You can't handle the truth?"
Jason flipped them over and started to tickle her and she scrambled to get out of the bed but he kept pulling her back.
Liz's peels of laughter filtered throughout the room. Jason stopped with a big grin on his face. "I love you Elizabeth."
"I love you too."
"We better get to bed." He said pushing back off of her. "Michael is going to be up at the crack of dawn."
"He must get that from you."
Jason smiled. He turned off the light and they cuddled into each other with peaceful smiles on their faces.
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Like clockwork, Michael came bursting into their room at 6:01 a.m. "Uncle Jase, Aunt Liz, Santa came." He yelled.
Liz groaned and put the pillow over her head and Jason chuckled. "Give us a minute buddy."
"Don't have a minute—hurry. Don't take a shower. You can go to the bathroom later." He said tugging at Jason's hand.
Carly came into the room in her flannels. "Sorry Jase. Michael Corinthos, come here."
Michael gave his uncle one more pleading look and then he took his mother's hand and they left the room.
Jason turned to this side. "Baby? You want me to go get you some coffee?"
Elizabeth groaned. "Hot chocolate."
He smiled. "You have to come downstairs to get it."
She groaned again and Jason got up and put his shirt on and went to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and then went downstairs.
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Michael ran into Nikolas's room. "Uncle Nik it's time to get up."
A sleepy Nik rolled over and then chuckled; watching Michael jump up and down.
"Sorry." Carly said softly.
He sat up and Carly had to catch her breath. He had no shirt on and she hadn't realized he was so muscular.
"Let him get himself together. Come on, lets go harass someone else." Carly said smiling.
Nikolas winked at her, and Michael the human alarm clock, ran down the hallway looking for his next victim.
He slowly pushed the door open to Irina and Johnny's room and then carefully got on the bed and crawled closer to them. Johnny tried not to laugh and pretended he was still sleeping. They had both been awakened when he had yelled at Nikolas. When Michael got halfway towards him, Johnny yelled boo and Michael jumped and yelped. Irina started giggling when Michael dove into her. "You scared me." He said loudly.
"Well, you shouldn't sneak up on a guy like that."
Carly chuckled. "You need any help Johnny?"
"No, I think I'm okay. My head feels a little better."
"Don't try to be all macho, if you need a pill, take one."
Johnny nodded. "Okay."
"Come on Michael. It's time to wake up Aunt Tracy." Carly said wickedly.
Johnny chuckled.
Michael ran out of the room and then burst into Tracy's room as she screamed.
Carly stood in the hallway trying not to laugh. Jason poked his head out of his room and looked at her and just shook his head.
"Aunt Tracy, it's time to get up, Santa came."
Tracy groaned. "I'm going to make sure you lose your inheritance for this."
Michael frowned and looked up at his mother. "Is that something good?"
Carly nodded yes.
Michael crossed his arms. "No Aunt Tracy, you can't. I will tell Pop Pop."
Tracy smirked. "Tattle tale."
Michael grinned. "Are you coming or not?" He asked dramatically.
"I'm coming." She said taking the sleep mask off of her eyes.
Michael ran out.
"Let's go downstairs and see Pop pop." Carly said.
"Okay. Can we give him his present yet?"
Carly smiled. "Soon."
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Edward looked up and chuckled. Everyone looked like they seriously needed coffee. They were all in their pajamas and Michael was staring at the Christmas tree with glee.
"Dear Lord." Tracy said looking at all the presents. "We'll be here until next Christmas unwrapping all these presents."
"You've never seen Michael unwrap before." Carly said smiling.
Edward started handing out presents. Michael grabbed Irina's and handed it to her. "Open it." He said.
Irina was surprised that he didn't want to be the first one to open a present but she opened it and when she pulled out the necklace, her eyes began to tear. "Oh Michael, I love it."
Michael grinned.
"May I have a hug?" She asked.
Michael gave her a big hug and then took off as Edward called his name. Johnny put it on her and she wiped a tear away.
Everyone laughed as Michael tore through present after present.
There was a knock on the door.
"Elizabeth." Jason said.
She took a quick sip of her hot chocolate. "Yes."
"Your big presents are here."
Everyone stopped and waited and Audrey and Steve walked through the door.
"Oh my God." Liz yelled. Her mouth dropped open as her grandmother grinned at her.
Liz handed Jason her cup and jumped up and hugged her. "I can't believe you're here." She said hugging Steven tightly. "It has been way too long." She said.
He handed her a bag with presents. "I love you Lizzie."
She grinned. "I love you too. Come sit down and don't be scared of Michael, he's in a zone."
Steven chuckled as he watched Michael rip open another present and then throw up his hands and yell "Yes."
Jason gave Audrey a hug and she sat down next to Liz. He took a seat next to Irina so Steve could sit next to Liz too.
He watched her catching up with her family with a smile. He had been planning their arrival for a week. Audrey and Steve were more receptive then he thought they'd be. The reason Jason had moved out of the gatehouse was so that they could move into it and be close.
