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Chapter 51
"There's no cake in the break room." Georgie announced as she walked into Liz's office. Her friend looked amazing today. She was in a new dress, but she also seemed to have this extra glow about her. Georgie was guessing that had everything to do with Jason. "We were promised cake when you returned. There will be riots in the hall if that promise isn't kept."
"It's nine in the morning." Liz was trying not to laugh at her friend. "It's too early for cake. It will arrive around one."
"Too early for cake? How can you say such a thing? That is not true. There are eggs, milk, and flour in cake. That's basically a pancake." Georgie laid out her argument. "Plus chocolate has antioxidants which is like having your vitamins."
"You've given this a lot of thought." Liz was impressed. "I don't order the cake so you are pouting to the wrong person. I do however happen to have this." Liz said opened the large bottom drawer of her desk and took out a tin that her friend would recognize. Everyone knew this tin. It was the one she used to bring in brownies.
"If cake is coming why do you have those?" Georgie wanted to know. "That wasn't a complaint by the way."
"Because not everyone likes cake." Liz always made brownies to go along with the birthday treat. "Want one?"
"Of course." Georgie grabbed a tissue because there weren't napkins around.
"Okay." Liz said with a wicked grin. She opened the lid and then shut it quickly. "First I want details about how you spent yesterday."
"That's not very mature." Georgie pointed out.
"She who has the brownies doesn't have to be mature. She has to be appeased." Liz's smile widened. "Details. After you ditched us for a boy, what did you do?"
"We went to Rochester. John was interested in exploring the larger area." Georgie took a seat and selected a brownie when Liz opened the tin again.
"A good time was had?" Liz was swiveling in her chair. The smile her friend was sporting answered that question.
"It was. I can honestly say this is the best souvenir anyone has ever given me." Georgie said cracking up. She and John had spent the entire day outside of Port Charles. At no point did the conversation stall. He had an opinion on a multitude of topics, but he never came across as a know it all. He also didn't dismiss her when their opinions didn't line up.
The cultural differences were where they had the most fun. John was determined to embrace his new home and all things American. Particularly the food. He had wanted to try everything so that he could create a menu for the club. At the top of his list were Buffalo wings and hot dogs. John was a big fan of the first, the spicier the better, but not so much of the second. Although he planned on giving hot dogs another shot at a later date. The concept of a corn dog had him intrigued.
"I like to give practical gifts. Something folks will actually use. I did consider just brining you a t-shirt, then I realized you could go online and buy one." Liz said helping herself to a brownie. "I'm glad you have a new friend." She wasn't going to pressure Georgie to make more of it than that. "Anymore hanging out in the plans?"
"Next Saturday we are going to Buffalo." Georgie was looking forward to the outing. Despite them both admitting that they were attracted to one another, they weren't rushing things. He just made a major move and a multitude of things needed his attention at the moment. For her part Georgie was enjoying the pacing because she didn't want to have her heart broken again. "So that dress is new." She said turning the spotlight back on her friend.
"It's one of Chloe's. I basically got a new wardrobe while overseas. She helped me to find some prints and patterns I can pull off." Liz had been excited to wear this new outfit. The black and white short sleeved floral print midi dress was just fun. It was work appropriate and could easily been worn to a cocktail party if needed. The challenge had come in when a shoe had to be picked out. Liz didn't have many solid colored shoes, but she did have a pair of black kitten heels. So she went with them. "So there will be new looks coming up. Get your camera ready, I'll be sporting some Crimson worthy ensembles." Liz said making fun of herself.
"Are you going to be getting rid of some things? If so I would like to run through the pile of items leaving." Georgie had no problem admitting she was a fan of Liz's style. Nor did the younger woman have any problem with second hand clothing. "After Sarah of course."
"I will at some point thin out my wardrobe, and my sister isn't going to want to look in my closet. A good number of the things I have won't work for her. Either in coloring or size. My sister is taller than me. Anything that would work, and I know she likes, I would put aside first." Liz smiled as she got ready to share her big news. "I had planned on going through my wardrobe soon to make everything fit, but I now have a huge new closet so I can take my time."
"Where is this new closet?" Georgie wanted to know. She had been in Liz's apartment many times. The walk in closet in the bedroom was a nice size, but there were no other big storage spaces in the unit. "Did you move and not tell me?" Georgie was joking.
"Yes, I did." Liz said smiling wide.
"To where?" Georgie paused with her brownie halfway to her mouth.
"Jason asked me to move in, and I said yes." Liz had already told Sarah and Lila, both of whom were thrilled.
"Congratulations." Georgie was happy because her friend was. She would need to ask Lila if this was a situation that required a gift. Her boss always knew things like that. "That's another reason for cake. To celebrate your great news."
"That was very well done, bringing it back to the cake. Skills like that will take you far." Liz looked over at the clock she had a meeting with Lila shortly. Georgie would probably sit in as well. "You only have to wait another four hours." Liz said with an evil grin.
"Ha ha." Georgie finished her brownie.
Liz just continued to grin. She loved messing with her friend. "Let me check on Hank and then we can go let Lila push us around." Meetings on Monday's were the norm. It was when they planned the week ahead, and checked in on long term projects. The guard was down the hall in one of the smaller empty offices. Lila set up the space just for him.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Jason?" Francis asked grinning. While he was waiting for the answer he opened the box that his partner put on the table. "Liz made brownies. Her being your girlfriend is going to be the best thing ever." He only had them once, last year when Liz gave some to Phillip to thank him for his help with the Nurses' Ball.
"You can't use my girlfriend to get treats." Jason said taking a seat. He didn't normally bring snacks to meeting, but Elizabeth had already packed the box for him to take in. "Mainly because I'll be eating any she makes." Jason was a big fan on the chocolate squares, which he had for the first time last night.
"If you share them it will keep you from having to work out as often." Francis said taking a big bite. His partner also had a bag which he placed by the coffee station.
Jason sat down with his mug and took a brownie. "Where is Diane?"
"Taking a call." Francis said telling himself to not have another of the decadent squares. "The guys are coming as well."
"Snacks." Renaldo said walking through the door. "We are having snacks at the meetings now? Are we all taking turns bringing stuff in?" He asked helping himself to a brownie. "I have an amazing oatmeal cookie recipe. These are great, where did you get them from?" He looked at Francis.
"Jason brought them in. Liz made them." Francis gave up and took another one. There were at least a dozen so everyone would still get one.
"Get a brownie." Renaldo told Marco who was taking a seat. Marco was here to get an update on Ireland and to give a report of his own. Kyle joined them and Renaldo pushed the box towards his friend. Mainly because the more his friends ate the less he would.
"Put those away." Diane said coming in and sitting as all the guys stood up. "I know Liz's brownies on sight. I ate enough rich food while away. I need to get back on my diet and those will not help." Unlike her husband Diane had regular access to the brownies through Lila who shared the treats whenever they were together and she had some.
"You could just not eat one." Jason said reaching for his second brownie. Not eating them in the car was hard.
"I could also let you stay in handcuffs longer, but you don't see me doing that." Diane said giving him the stink eye. "Where are things at? I don't have time to dawdle this morning, I need to pick a new assistant. I simply cannot wait for Gina to return." Diane missed her assistant.
"Abby is now in Shadybrook." Jason had gotten an update from Spinelli this morning. The hacker was sleeping which is why he wasn't in attendance. Spin generally worked overnight. "Where she will be staying for at least the next ninety days. Her initial workup was done by Dr. Keenan, but he is no longer her doctor now that she's been transferred."
"Good. I don't trust him after hearing he is friends with Jerry." Francis had read the report on the doctor. No criminal record, or red flags in his professional life. However they were still keeping him on their radar. Abby would be watched by their inside person at Shadybrook.
"Will you wait until the ninety days are over to make a decision?" Diane was guessing that Abby's file was flagged but the attorney wasn't going to ask.
"Yes. Johnny said that is the best course of action." Jason nodded as he answered. "If she's doing better I'll send her home with a guard." Who would make sure she never returned to Port Charles. "If she's not we'll discuss other options then." More than likely she'd be rendered catatonic and then sent to a long term care facility. "Right now there isn't anything else to report." At least nothing for Diane to hear.
"I'll take my leave then." Diane said getting to her feet.
"Diane." Jason got the second bag that he carried in. "This is for you."
"Thank you." Diane wasn't used to gifts from Jason. He never failed to let her know he appreciated her hard work, but he didn't give presents. She opened it and grinned. "Very nice." She said taking in the shoes. There was no way he picked these, Elizabeth had done so. The note inside was signed by both the petite brunette and Jason confirming that theory. This was a thank you gift for the introduction. "Tell Elizabeth thank you."
"I will. I also need you to call me later please." Jason didn't even know what was in the box. Elizabeth just said that Diane would love them so he signed the card.
Around one?" Diane asked him.
"That's fine. Elizabeth needs the lease on her apartment broken." He said sharing his news.
"Well, congratulations." The attorney said smiling. Jason was not wasting time. If he was mentioning this then Liz was living in the penthouse. "We will need to have the two of you over to celebrate. I'll call Liz." The petite brunette's schedule would be busier.
"Thanks." Jason knew his friends would mention this after business was done. With the attorney gone the guys sat down. "Spinelli knows who helped Abby change her information. A kid named Rafe Kovich."
"His family is high profile." Marco said joining the conversation. "Taking him out will be hard." Rafe's mother was Allison Barrington and his stepfather was Stephen Clay.
"We can scare him off." Renaldo put forth a different option. "Make it so that living somewhere else is more appealing." Part of that would be a warning to stay away from their holdings.
"Or we can hire him, which is what Spin is recommending." Jason had been surprised by the suggestion. "If he's on our payroll he isn't causing us headaches, and he's not working for a competitor. If he screws up again, we'll get rid of him." It would be easier to do if he was on their payroll. They could make it look like he moved to South America.
"How would we approach him?" Francis wanted to know.
"Spin said not to. He wants to handle this." Jason just shrugged. "Considering this is his world that might be for the best. We'll send some guards in case back up is needed." The blonde looked at his partner. They would make this decision together.
"Let's test the waters." Francis figured it couldn't hurt. With a larger territory this would keep them from overworking Spin.
Jason nodded putting that to rest for now before turning to Marco.
"Moreno is back home and he hasn't made any moves. Sorel, has not returned from Europe yet." Marco told everyone what he knew. "He was summoned to Palermo just as the conference ended. He's still alive because he's been spotted several times. No one knows why he is there, but I'm hearing that his territory is prepping for an inspection from either Max or Milo. From what information I could get the visit is expected to happen soon."
"If they go to his territory without Sorel there then that is a bad sign." Francis said tapping his pencil on the table as he started thinking out loud. "An inspection by Palermo might mean that they are going to move him. That would see another restructure of the upper northeastern seaboard." Either the territory would be annexed by an established family, or Maximus would take the opportunity to promote someone and create a new organization. Francis was thinking the latter was more likely. They needed new families to stay healthy.
"I'm going to share what we know with Manny. I told him I would keep him up to date on the Sorel situation." Jason would also see if his friend had heard anything. "Does Shawn know what is going on?"
"I'm going to be briefing him by phone once we are done here." Marco called every few days just to check on his friend, and make sure they didn't need anything.
"I'll do it. I haven't spoken to Shawn since the night we got back." Jason had called to check on the Butlers. He also wanted to alert his friend that a package was coming to the house with some presents. Shawn would meet Elizabeth when he returned to work, and then she could meet the baby. "Do we need to discuss anything else?"
The guys were all shaking their heads no. Kyle hadn't said anything but that wasn't surprising. He was known for being quiet. "Since we were professional and got all our work done, now we can talk about you and Liz moving in together." Francis was ready to get the teasing underway. They would do this now because embarrassing Liz was not an option.
Jason just grinned. "If you tease me there will be no more brownies."
"Hank can get us some." Francis pointed out.
"Do you really think Hank is going to share?" Jason asked getting to his feet. Elizabeth had packed up a box just for her guard.
"I wouldn't." Renaldo said taking another square. If he had any will power he would take one home to his girl. Odds were good though he would eat it before the work day was over. "Congrats."
"Yeah, Congrats." Marco didn't know Ms. Webber well, but that Hank said she was really nice.
"Congrats." Kyle said finally speaking up.
Jason just looked at Francis.
"Congrats. She's too good for you, which you know. I will find another way to irritate you." Francis said clapping his friend on the back. "Maybe I'll tell Maximus you really enjoyed this conference and plan to attend all the rest."
Jason just shook his head. "I'll be in my office." He wouldn't mind going to another conference if Elizabeth was with him. But he had no intention of telling his partner that just yet.
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