A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked their crazy holiday!

Chapter 52 – New Beginnings

It was time for Violet to go back home. Nicole was doing a lot better and they agreed to have face chats over the computer to continue with her therapy. She had come completely clean with Violet about everything that happened in the past and now she felt like she could start to move on from it. It was liked she had purged her soul.

Johnny was doing much better too. He was back in his apartment and had a physical therapist he was working with to help strengthen his muscles.

Everyone decided a meeting was in order, so they gathered together at the penthouse.

"Well, we need to decide what's going to happen in the future," Elizabeth said.

Carly grabbed Manny's hand. "We're going to the City after the New Year." Manny had to get back to his office. The comic book gig was going well and the client was very happy with his artwork.

"I'm really going to miss you," Liz said. It made her sad that they would be separated, but at the same time she knew that Manny needed to tend to his business.

"We'll miss you too," Manny said.

"That leaves living arrangements then."

Nicole spoke up. "I was thinking that maybe you and I could be roommates."

Liz smiled. "I would love that."

The thought of not being with her all the time sucked for Jason, but he knew she needed to find her own way and be independent.

"Johnny told me there is a vacancy down the hall from him. I was thinking of taking it," Jason said. He really didn't want to live in the penthouse by himself.

Liz grabbed his hand. "We'll try to find something that isn't too far. I'd like it if it was within walking distance, but I kind of wanted to be a little closer to school." Getting a place of her own was important to her. Her money was saved up and she was ready to move forward and start her life. In the meantime, she'd worked for Tracy and then take an art history course in the winter session. Her full schedule would start in the spring.

"We'll work it out," Jason said.

Elizabeth was so excited to start her education. Jason's classes were going very well. He was learning a lot and couldn't wait to start building his own bikes. Coleman had suggested someone to do their fabrication work so that they could make some of the bike components in house. The guy's name is Cooper Barret and supposedly, he is really good.

"No matter what, we can't lose contact," Liz said.

"Agreed," Carly said.

Manny told them about New York, and Liz was really looking forward to visiting them.

John was very busy fixing cars. Claudia had agreed to go back to Italy in January and Anthony had actually calmed down a little bit and tried to accept John's profession. Bobbie and Carly were getting along very well.

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Christmas and New Year's Eve came and went. The only excitement was when a drunk Claudia kissed Jason and Liz grabbed her by the hair and punched her. Max had saved the picture of her passed out on the floor as his screen saver for his cellphone. Her parents were going to go back to Africa in January. Liz had started classes the last week of December and they had also found an apartment to move into. Unfortunately, they were all moving at the same time. Patrick and Steve agreed to lend a hand and bring some buddies. Max and Milo helped Jason. He didn't have as much stuff, but he wanted to clear out Jake's and get some of his things from the mansion.

To make matter's worse, it had snowed the night before. Jason had just finished up at his place when he joined them. He walked up to the building and that is when he felt something hit his back and turned around. Elizabeth had a big grin on her face and he realized that he had been hit with a snowball. He chased her as she laughed hysterically. When he caught up to her, they felt to the ground and he rolled on his back so she wouldn't be as cold.

"That was fun."

"Oh you think so?"

She leaned down and kissed him. "Definitely, especially since I ended up on top."

He grinned. "You smell like snow."

She frowned. "Um, snow doesn't smell."

He made a face and she kissed him again.

"Alright you two, you're going to be frozen solid," Nicole yelled from the top step.

Liz grinned wickedly. "You ready?"

"Yup."

They got up and grabbed some snow and cupped it in their hands and before Nicole could move, one hit her in the head and the chest.

Her mouth dropped open. "This is war," she said shoving on her hat.

"Steven!" Nicole yelled.

He ran outside.

"Help me."

He saw Jason and Liz hiding behind a car and he grinned and started throwing snowballs as fast as Nicole could make them.

Liz let out a battle call and charged them, she tackled Steven as Max taped it. Milo was too busy laughing to help. Jason ran for Nicole and threw her over his shoulder and dumped her into a snow bank.

Johnny had come out on the porch. "My body might not work, but my gun does."

Jason grinned.

"Help," Nicole yelled. She couldn't get on her feet. Jason took pity on her and held his hand out and she pulled him top of her then rolled over and starting stuffing snow down his shirt.

He was completely caught off guard, but he quickly got himself together, grabbed her, and then stuffed some snow down her back. She screamed and began jumping around.

"I'm going to pee my pants," Milo said.

Max laughed. "I am filming don't forget. You'll never live it down."

Jeff and Andrea tentatively walked up after witnessing their craziness.

"Elizabeth, what are you doing to your brother?"

Liz grinned and got up off of Steven. "Nothing."

Jeff chuckled and took his wife's hand and they ran into the apartment building before their children got any bright ideas.

Everyone shook out their coats and then trudged inside.

Andrea had dug some towels out of a box and handed them out. "Jason, you need to dry your hair."

Nicole and Liz at least had the sense to have a hat on.

"I'm fine."

Jeff went into the kitchen and found some hot cocoa and made some. Liz had already turned the coffee machine on. They rested for a bit and then everyone pitched in as they unpacked.

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Six Months Later

Elizabeth ran into the towers. She was late and Jason had been so patient with her lately. Her schedule was crazy and she probably was doing too much, but she just couldn't say no when people asked her for help. She was volunteering for a couple of different charities, it was summer so she was working for ELQ full time, and she was taking a couple of classes.

She knocked on the door and then realized a note was pinned to it.

"Had to go. Just call me tomorrow. J."

"Shit," she muttered.

Johnny walked up to her. "Is Jason in?"

She shook her head.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm a shitty girlfriend."

"No you're not."

Liz sighed. "He's not answering his phone. I'm an hour and a half late. I just—can you help me find him?" Jason was the worse with his cell phone.

"Yeah. Let me make a few calls. Come on."

She followed him to his apartment and they went inside.

About a half hour later, Johnny had located him. Jason had stopped by the shop and then Coleman said he went to Jake's. "Come on, he's at Jake's."

"Really?"

Johnny probably should had told her that Jason wasn't alone, but he withheld that information because he wasn't sure what to think about what Jake said.

He quickly drove her over there. She jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped moving and walked inside. Her mouth dropped open. Jason was playing pool with some girl with big boobs. They were laughing and she just felt her heart drop.

"You know, if you were my boyfriend, I wouldn't stand you up."

"It's not like that. She's busy."

"I would never be too busy for you."

Jason took a sip of his beer. "Look, I would never cheat on her, so if that is what you think, you've picked the wrong guy to shoot pool with."

The girl pouted.

Jason looked up and saw Elizabeth. Their eyes locked and the other girl slowly turned to see what had captured his attention and then quickly walked away when it became clear that he only had eyes for his girlfriend.

Liz slowly walked towards him. "I'm sorry."

He looked down. "It's okay."

"No it's not. I've been neglecting you. I guess I'm having a hard time balancing everything."

He motioned for them to sit down.

"I miss you," he said softly.

"I miss you too. I'll do better."

Jason really hoped so because he felt like they were drifting apart.

"All of this is new to me. I just want to experience everything I can. It's hard to fit everyone in, but my heart belongs to you. Never question that okay?"

"Elizabeth are you sure?"

She looked mortified. "What do you mean am I sure? You know how I feel about you."

"You are eighteen and maybe being tied down is too much."

A tear rolled down her face. "No Jason. I want to be with you. Don't you want to be with me?"

"Yes. I love you Elizabeth. I just want you to be happy. I'm all you know as far as men are concerned." She started to cry and he felt like shit. "Maybe this is coming out all wrong. I was just thinking that I'm holding you back and I never want to do that. I don't want you to resent me."

"I don't. God, Jason. I know things have been crazy for a while. Please be patient with me. Don't you know that I would give all of this up for you? I know you would never ask me to do that, but that is how much I love you."

Jason stood up and Liz rushed into his arms. They hugged and Jason kissed the top of her heard. "I'm sorry that I upset you."

"Me too," Liz said. For Jason to be thinking the worse, she knew he must have felt lonely. They sat down again. "I'm sorry if I made you feel like you weren't important."

He held her hands. "I'll be fine. It just gets to me sometimes."

She understood. "You wanted me to come over for something special. What happened?"

"I got my grades back."

"And?"

"I got top in my class."

Liz grinned and got up and sat on his lap and kissed him. "I'm so proud of you."

"It feels good you know? Everyone said I was brain damaged and acted like I'd have to struggle, but I feel like I've proved them wrong."

"You have. Tony did say you were a walking miracle."

"Thank you for believing me Elizabeth. I asked you to come over to thank you. Will you come back to my place with me?"

"Yes."

They left and Jason drove them back to the Towers. When they got upstairs, he told her to close her eyes. She did and he led her inside. "Don't open them yet."

She smiled as she waited, wondering what he was up to. A few minutes later, he finished up. "Okay."

Tears filled her eyes when she saw the display in front of her. "Oh Jason."

There were some flowers in several vases. He had lit candles. The coffee table was pushed back and there was a blanket on the floor with some champagne in an ice bucket in the center. Her eyes grew big. "I get to drink."

He grinned. "Yes."

Then she spotted a wrapped present. "What's that?"

"You'll have to come over and see."

They sat down and Jason poured some champagne and looked into her eyes. "I love you Elizabeth. I don't think I could have made it this far without you. No one believed in me like you did. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you. Earlier you said you'd give up everything for me and I need you to know that I feel the same way. None of this would mean anything without you."

She didn't even know what to say. They sipped the champagne. "I am so in love with you. Thank you for all of this. I might have believed in you, but you did all the hard work."

He handed her the present and she gave him her glass and ripped the paper away. Lifting off the top, she threw it aside and yelled his name. "Jason Morgan!"

He laughed as she pulled out another box. She ripped that open and shook her head. "You are in such big trouble."

He grinned. "That's the last one. I promise."

She opened it carefully, deciding that she wanted to keep the bow and paper. Opening the box, she gasped. "It's beautiful."

"It's Murano glass from Italy."

She picked up the red heart and admired it. "The color is out of this world."

"You'll have to see it in the sun tomorrow."

She leaned forward and kissed him.

"Hold on," he said putting the glasses aside. As soon as they left his hand, she pounced on him, kissing him torridly. They came up for air and he chuckled. "So I did good?"

"Very good, although I feel like I should be giving you a present. Put it on me please."

They sat up and he put it on her and she got up to look at it in the mirror.

"It's perfect."

She pulled off her shirt.

"Now that's perfect."

He kissed her hard, letting her know how much he wanted her. Making her happy, made him happy. In seconds, her bra was tossed aside and he was teasing her nipples. "Lay back," he said softly.

She did and then squealed when he dripped champagne onto her chest and belly. He licked and sucked it off, driving her crazy as she moaned her approval. When he was finished, she helped him off with his shirt and did the same. Quickly, she helped him wiggle out of his jeans and boxers and then she took him into her mouth.

"Elizabeth," he groaned. This wasn't his plan. He was supposed to drive her crazy. He fisted her hair as she sucked and licked him until he was rigid. She stood and took her pants off and climbed on top of him before slowly sinking down his length. Jason watched her as her breasts bounced with each thrust. She had started out slow but soon was crashing down, forcefully meeting his thrusts. Before long, she fell forward onto his chest as bliss permeated her body. He drove into her fast and hard and soon cried out her name as the dam broke.

They laid there for a while, just enjoying their closeness. Elizabeth couldn't imagine ever wanting to be with someone else and neither could Jason.

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Two Months Later

Elizabeth sat across from Jason on his bed. He was only wearing jeans and she had on his shirt. There was a cupcake with one candle on it sitting between them. It was Jason's birthday and as far as he was concerned, she had just given him the best birthday present ever. He loved the way she looked after they were intimate.

She lit the candle. "Make a wish Jason."

"I think I already have everything I've ever wanted."

"Well, you still get one wish."

He thought for a second.

"Hurry, the cakes going to melt."

"You mean before you can eat it?"

She gave him a playful glare. "Hurry up."

He smiled and made a wish and then blew it out. "Happy?"

"Very."

She took the wrapper off. "You get first bite."

He took a little nibble and then grinned as she took a big bite and groaned. After all they had both been through, they were thriving and happy.

There was a loud knock on the door and they hurried to get dressed and Jason answered it.

Violet and Sonny were standing there with goofy smiles on their faces.

"First, happy birthday," Sonny said.

"I didn't know it was your birthday." Violet gave him a hug.

Liz warmly embraced them.

"We're not going to come in, but we wanted you to be the first to know."

Liz's eyes grew big. "What?"

Violet held up her hand. "We're engaged."

Liz squealed and gave her another hug as the guys chuckled. "I'm so happy for you. When are you getting married?"

"Christmas."

"Oh my goodness. We have a lot to plan."

"I'll call you tomorrow."

They rushed off and Liz couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. Her friends were in love and happy and she couldn't wait to celebrate.