A/N – Thanks for the comments! Leasmom – He's upset that they endangered their lives. * ilovedana53, LiasonLuv – Gonna be different then what you were probably thinking. * Guest – lol They do rock! * chawchic – I wanted him to find out in a dramatic way. * doralupin86 – Anger boy is free! * Virgy15 – Thank you! * Kikimoo – lol re: Italy

Chapter 52 - Surprise

As soon as he walked into the living room, everyone yelled, "Surprise."

Jason was completely flabbergasted. Elizabeth walked up to him and drew him into a kiss and completely diffused him.

"They wanted to do something nice for us." She said pulling back.

"Stone cold, this is your official going away party." Spinelli said.

Jason looked around the room. Everyone he cared about was in the room and he was at a complete loss for words.

Audrey walked up to him and gave him a hug. "You are the love of my granddaughter's life. Take care of her Jason. You're a good man."

He swallowed hard. "I will with my life." He said softly watching a tear flow down Audrey's face.

Carly stepped forward. "Jase, you are my best friend." She said as tears flowed down her face. "You have saved me time and time again from the brink of disaster and I want you to know how much I appreciate that. I love you Jason and I'm going to miss you so much." She said pulling him into a hug.

Jason closed his eyes and hugged her back. He was really going to miss Carly.

She stepped back and Michael walked forward. "I will miss you Uncle Jason. I wish you didn't have to go." A teary eyed Michael said quietly.

Jason felt the tears build up in his eyes and picked him up and hugged him tightly. "I love you Michael. We'll see you soon buddy. I promise."

He put Michael down. "We got you a present." He said running to his mom who handed it to him.

Jason looked up at Carly and then looked back down at Michael who was holding the present up to him. "Will you help me?"

Michael grinned and ripped the wrapping paper off. Jason opened the tissue paper. It was a picture of Carly, Michael, and himself having a leaf fight in the park. They were all laughing and he grinned at the fond memory. "Thank you Michael."

"I don't want you to forget me."

"I could never forget you. You're in my heart."

Michael smiled.

Emily walked up and gave her brother a big hug.

"Is this the real reason you came home?" He asked her smiling.

"Can't I have more than one?" She said grinning. "I love you big brother. You always know the right thing to say to me. I'm going to miss you so much." She said suddenly starting to cry as Jason hugged her again.

Monica walked up to them and Emily stepped aside. "I love you Jason. Be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

Jason hugged her tightly. "I love you mom."

Alan patted him on the back. "I love you Jason." He said before Jason hugged him too. "I love you dad."

Jason pulled back and chuckled. "I think I've had more hugs in the last ten minutes then I've had in my whole life."

Everyone laughed.

"We're not done yet." Tracy said walking up to him. She touched his face. "I know I've given you a lot of crap over the years, but I love you nephew. I wish you all the happiness in the world."

Jason smiled. "I love you Tracy." He said giving her a kiss on the cheek and a big hug.

Monica's mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected Tracy to get all emotional.

Spinelli ran towards them. "I'm next." He said grinning like a fool.

Jason shook his head and chuckled. "I'll miss you too Spinelli. You better take good care of Lila and Edward for me."

Spinelli smiled. "I would be honored to look after them."

"Come here." Jason said rolling his eyes as he gave Spinelli a big hug. "I love you Spinelli." He said quietly.

Spinelli teared up. "I love you to Stone Cold."

They pulled apart and Edward yelled, "Everyone grab something to drink."

Alice rushed around make sure everyone had something in their hand.

"To Jason and Elizabeth, may all your dreams come true and hopefully you'll throw in a few grand kids somewhere along the way."

Jason chuckled as they all raised their glasses.

It took a while before things had settled enough so he could have a conversation with Edward and Lila.

"When I walked in here tonight, I was really upset with you both for putting yourself in that kind of danger."

Lila nodded. "We would do anything for you Jason. We love you."

"That's beside the point. They are dangerous men and I can't even believe that you would risk your own safety like that." He said incredulously.

Edward chuckled. "Clearly you have not seen your grandmother in action."

Lila smiled. "Thank you dear."

Jason couldn't help it and smirked. "I love both of you. And I do want to thank you. I don't think they would have let me go if you hadn't intervened."

"You're welcome." Edward said. "You can pay us back by making a great life with that beautiful young lady out there."

Jason smiled. "I'm planning on it." He said before hugging Edward tightly. "I love you old man."

Edward stepped back and wiped a tear away.

Jason knelt down and kissed his grandmother. "I love you so much. Leaving you is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do."

Lila grinned through her tears. "You always were my favorite."

"Grandmother, what a horrible thing to say." Jason said making sure Emily didn't hear her.

Lila chuckled. "I can't help it. You are such a wonderful combination of me and Edward and have such a huge capacity for love. And you have my eyes. I love you Jason. You better call often. I want to hear all about your travels."

Jason put his head down on her lap and she wiped a tear that had escaped his eye.

"Don't cry darling. I will always be with you Jason." She said stroking his face.

Jason loved Lila so much. Elizabeth reminded him of her too.

"When are you going to go?" She asked.

Jason sat up. "Well, I need to settle things with Sonny tomorrow and meet with my lawyer. So, we'll leave in the next few days. I already made some arrangements for the first month."

"I so envy you both. It sounds like a grand adventure." Lila said grinning.

Jason smiled. "It will be. We won't leave without coming by."

Liz came into the room. "Okay, squish together." She said holding her camera up. Edward moved behind Lila and leaned over and Jason just moved over since he was still on his knees. They all smiled and she snapped the picture. "That was a good one."

Alan came up behind them. "Now you get in there." He said taking her phone from her.

Liz smiled and went on the other side of Lila's chair.

Alan took the picture. "Wait, Edward's eyes were crossed."

"They were not." Edward said indignantly."

Alan quickly snapped two pictures, one of which had Edward's scowl and he chuckled.

They took several more pictures, including a group one, and then they headed to Jakes.

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Johnny, Logan, Francis, Milo and Max were there waiting for him. He smiled as they pushed a beer into his hand. They all sat at a table and then Coleman brought Elizabeth a margarita.

"I'm going to miss this place." Jason said looking around.

"I'm sure you'll find another dive with a pool table." Milo said smiling.

"You're probably right."

"I can't believe you're leaving." Johnny said quietly.

"If Sonny gets out, you guys are all going to be free agents." Jason said.

"True." Logan said before taking a swig of his beer.

"By the time all the transferring is done to Maximus, I guess you'll find out if he'll absorb you into the new operations."

Francis nodded. "It won't be the same."

"I talked to my dad and made some suggestions." Max said. "He was open to keeping you guys if you were interested."

"Will you be the underboss?" Johnny asked.

"I don't think so. It's really not my thing." Max said. "My dad gets that. I think he's leaning towards Francis and Cody to be honest."

Francis raised his eyebrows.

"You'd be good Francis." Jason said. "Johnny could be your enforcer. Logan could be a lieutenant."

"We'll see. There's no telling what's going to end up happening." Francis said.

"Are you going to miss it?" Johnny asked.

Jason grabbed Elizabeth's hand. "You guys are like my brothers. I'm used to having you around. So, I'll miss that. The paperwork—hell no."

The guys chuckled.

"To Jason and Liz," Johnny said holding up his beer, "may you have a happy, carefree life."

Everyone raised their glasses. They drank and laughed and then Johnny and Jason played a round a pool for old time sake.