Sitting up in bed, her knees to her chest, a soft smile touches her lips as she admires the sparking ruby that rests atop her engagement ring. Holding it up to the light, she's amazed at the color that shines through, it's the most vibrant ruby she's ever seen. Waking up this morning was like waking up the day after Jason first came back to town. She had to see the ring, feel it in her grasp, to know that it really happened. That it wasn't just a beautiful dream.
"Liz, you decent?" Francis voices from the doorway. "We've got breakfast."
"Decent enough," she responds as she always does, sliding into her robe before walking out from behind the dividers. "John cook again?"
"Not this time," Francis chuckles, shaking his head as he sets the food down on the table. "I took that honor today."
"Francis kept spouting something about it being a special breakfast," Johnny explains as he drops down onto the couch. "I mean, I would have thought yesterday would have been special enough with the gallery and all, but no. Did I get an explanation about it? No. Just a whole bunch of nothing."
"Jason spoke to you?" Elizabeth asks Francis as she helps him unpack the food.
"He didn't tell me," Francis assures her. "We were talking about his business when I got a feeling. So, did he?"
"He did," Elizabeth smiles brightly, showing him the ring. "He asked me last night after his business plans were finalized."
"That's great, Liz, really," Francis says as he hugs her. "I'm glad to see your dreams have finally come true."
"Okay, clearly something's happening," Johnny says as he rises to his feet to walk over to them. "What's the deal?"
"Nothing much," Elizabeth says teasingly before holding her hand out to him. "Just this."
"No way, is this for real?" Johnny questions as he takes her hand in his, examining the ring. "Dang, this is quite the ring. Not bad."
"Yeah," Elizabeth smiles softly, dropping her hand back to her side. "I've been staring at it since I woke up. The color alone is beyond words."
"You knew about this?" Johnny turns to Francis with an accusing gaze. "You couldn't have given me some kind of hint or something?"
"It was just a hunch," Francis says with a shake of his head. "Come on, let's eat."
Sitting together, the three of them enjoy their breakfast, taking the time to just enjoy each other's company. Elizabeth had been itching to tell them since last night. Having them show up this morning, it was like fate, everything falling into place as it should and she couldn't help being thankful for her guys. To think that she could be missing out on all of this if she had just left herself stuck in that box everyone had put her in. The box she had put herself in. Elizabeth didn't want to even think about where she'd be now if she hadn't made those changes to her life. She just couldn't bear the thought.
"What do you guys have planned for today?" Elizabeth questions as they head downstairs.
"Meeting with Sonny," Francis replies as they head to the gallery to drop her off. "That's not until this afternoon though."
"Figured we could help you pack up the paintings," Johnny chimes in as he relaxes in the backseat. "We already had the clean up crew stop by to get the place back in order."
"You didn't have to do," Elizabeth comments, having believed that she'd be doing the cleaning once she got to the gallery.
"No sweat," Johnny assures. "It's on Sonny's dime anyway."
"Sonny okay with it?" Elizabeth counters curiously.
"He pays them a salary," Francis explains. "Might as well put them to work if he's going to be paying them regardless."
"Makes sense I guess," Elizabeth says as they make their way into the gallery, not at all surprised to find Sarah's already there getting the paintings ready for packing. "Hey, sis."
"Hey," Sarah says as she sets the last painting down on the table before walking over to her. "I got the paintings down from the wall and I've brought the shipping cases out from storage."
"What time did you get here?" Elizabeth questions curiously, seeing that she has done more than half the work already.
"I had an early start," Sarah says with a shrug. "These must be your friends you talk so much about."
"Yeah. This is Francis and that's Johnny," Elizabeth gestures to each of them respectively. "They're here to help with the packing."
"That's great," Sarah says happily. "We could use all the help we can get."
"That's what we're here for," Johnny says with a slight smirk. "Between the two of us, we're all the help you're gonna need."
"Right," Sarah laughs softly. "Okay, well, I already situated the cases to the paintings if you wanna get started."
"Come on, kid," Francis says as he pulls Johnny along with him to the tables. "Let's get started, huh?"
"That Johnny guy is really something, isn't he?" Sarah comments when Johnny turns to wink at her as Francis drags him along. "He must get all the ladies."
"You would think," Elizabeth laughs at the thought, turning away from her guys to face Sarah. "While we've got some time, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"Okay, sure," Sarah turns away from them to face her. "What's up?"
"Jason proposed to me last night," Elizabeth says as she holds out her hand to her. "We're getting married."
"The heck?" came Johnny's voice at the sound of Sarah's high pitched squeal, clearly ecstatic at the news. "Women."
"Uh-huh, kid, sure," Francis shakes his head. "As if you're not completely taken by the blonde."
"Shut up," Johnny punches his arm. "Don't we got work to do, huh?"
"Right," Francis laughs at his friend as he moves to pack up the next painting. "Whatever you say, kid."
"This is amazing, Lizzie, I'm so happy for you!" Sarah says as she takes a long look at the ring. "The ring is truly beautiful. He chose well."
"While we're on the topic, there's something I wanted to ask you," Elizabeth says, smiling when her sister looks up at her. "Would you be my maid of honor?"
"Are you kidding?" Sarah looks at her in utter disbelief. "Is this really happening? You're really asking me to be your maid of honor?"
"Yes?"
"I...of course, Lizzie," Sarah says, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm beyond honored that you'd ask."
"I love you, sis," Elizabeth says as she holds her sister close. "Thank you for everything."
"I love you, too, Lizzie." Sarah says with her whole heart, laughing softly when there's a loud bang, pulling away to look at the guys as Elizabeth does. "Maybe we should go help them."
"Definitely," Elizabeth laughs softly, shaking her head as she walks over to the guys with Sarah. Returning their focus to the packing up the paintings and getting them set for delivery.
Packing up the paintings together, Elizabeth had more fun than she thought she'd have, having three people she cares deeply for to help her out. She couldn't help but think that something would build between her sister and Johnny the more that she watches them together. From the look on Francis's face, it was clear he thinks so, too. With the paintings all packed away, Francis and Johnny take off, promising they'll pick up their paintings after they meet with Sonny.
The whole ride to Sonny's office, the guys try to figure out why he would request a meeting with them, but they couldn't figure it out in the least. With Jason walking away from Sonny's organization to create one of his own, it obviously left a hole in Sonny's ranks, but neither of them believe for a second that either of them would fill that spot. If anything, they're pretty certain that Ritchie would be the next in line for Jason's position. Deciding that it was probably a waste of time to speculate, they leave the topic be, knowing they'll find out everything they need to know at the meeting.
"You're firing us?" Johnny blurts out as Francis reads over the paper that Sonny handed them. "Like firing us, firing us? Can you even fire us? I mean, I figured we'd have to eat a bullet to leave this job."
"Kid, did you even read the paper?" Francis counters, handing it back to him. "He's not firing us."
"Can't you just give me the summary?" Johnny counters, getting a headache just looking at all the words on the paper.
"He's reassigning us," Francis says simply, turning to Sonny. "Are you sure about this?"
"Jason made his choice to walk his own path and that's something I'll have to come to terms with," Sonny says simply. "Regardless of that, his safety is still my priority. You two are tasked with joining his organization and keeping him alive."
"But we can't be part of Jason's organization and Sonny's," Johnny points out, remembering that part from their conversation with Jason. "So, technically, we're fired."
"Technically, yes," Sonny concedes. "But that's beside the point. Are you declining?"
"No, of course not," Johnny shakes his head. "I just...I never thought I'd work anywhere else...for anyone else."
"You are my top lieutenants," Sonny says honestly. "And that is why I need you both to do this. You're the only two I trust to have his back."
"You have our word, boss," Francis replies as he shakes Sonny's hand. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe."
"No doubt," Johnny says, still trying to come to terms with the change. "You can count on us, boss."
"Good," Sonny says as he drops his hand back to his side. "Go on."
"Sonny?" Francis voices once Johnny walks out of the room as he holds up the door, continuing when Sonny looks at him. "Thanks."
With a single nod from Sonny, he closes the door and makes his way back out to his vehicle, knowing that he and Johnny had a long talk ahead of them while they drive back to the gallery. A promise is a promise. They'll stop by to see Elizabeth and pick up their paintings before making their way to Jason. Never in his life would he have seen this coming. For Sonny to do this, for him to give them an out and allow them to stick with Jason as he walks his path, it's more than either of them could ask for. As luck would have it, though, they find Jason in the gallery with Elizabeth. A stroke of fate some would say.
"The construction will start next week," Jason tells Elizabeth as they get back from lunch. "The blueprints were finalized this morning."
"That's perfect," Elizabeth replies happily. "I've already worked things out with the interior designer. They assured me that they'll have everything set by the time the building is complete. They estimate about two weeks for them to finish everything."
"Altogether it should take about four months for the house to be finished," Jason says after a moment of calculation.
"Sounds about right," Elizabeth admits. "Which works out perfectly because that's how long it's going to take to plan our wedding."
"Speaking of which, Grandmother invited us to have dinner with the family tonight," Jason explains. "She wants to announce the wedding."
"She called me before you came by," Elizabeth replies. "She seems to be looking forward to it."
"Yeah," Jason agrees. "I got that, too."
"Hey, guys," Elizabeth voices when she sees the guys walk into the gallery. "Your paintings are over by the bar."
"Thanks," Francis says, gesturing for Johnny to grab them before walking over to Jason and handing him the paper from Sonny. "Think you can put us to use?"
"Your answer better be yes because we've already been canned," Johnny points out as he walks over to them with the paintings in hand. "There's no way I'm gonna resort to flipping burgers."
"How do you feel about janitorial duties?" Jason counters with ease, handing the paper back to Francis.
"Seems fitting," Francis adds. "That way he can mop up the crap falling from his face."
"Ha, ha, we all got jokes now," Johnny rolls his eyes at their teasing. "Liz, any input?"
"Sure," Elizabeth smirks slightly. "I've got some supplies you could use. Free of charge."
"Yeah, I had that one coming," Johnny laughs before shaking his head. "But, seriously, we hired or what?"
"You're hired," Jason assures. "Come by the office first thing tomorrow and we'll iron out the details."
"Sounds good," Francis replies. "We'll get out of your hair now. I'll bring the coffee."
"Look at that," Elizabeth says once they're alone, allowing him to pull her in close. "You just got your first hires."
"Looks like it," Jason replies before kissing her softly. "You up for a ride before dinner?"
"Always," Elizabeth says without hesitation. "I can't wait to be your wife."
"I can't wait to be your husband," he replies wholeheartedly, reaching up to caress her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you."
