A/N – Thanks for the comments and hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I have been under the weather with sinus issues, so I laid around all day, but it's getting better and hubby did most of the cooking for me.
Chapter 69
Piph snapped a pic before pulling it together, making everyone laugh.
"You need to shake it off. You've seen all of that before," Piph said.
Liz giggled. "But it's so good."
"Mom!" Jake yelled. "I can hear you."
"Walk away," she said making him laugh.
Johnny stepped up and took his shirt off.
"Double damn," Kelly said.
"My man looks good," Brenda said eying him like a starving woman.
"You're ganging up on me?" Liz said.
"Hell yeah. I have my bro's back," Johnny said.
Liz grinned when Drew sheepishly did the same.
Milo stepped forward and whipped his shirt off just to mess with her head.
"Damn, you look better than the last nurse's ball you attended," Kelly said.
Milo blushed. "Thanks."
"Elizabeth! Focus…" Piph moved closer. "I know that is like a wet dream but fight their hotness. You can do it!"
Liz shook her body and then took a deep breath. "I can do this."
"Milo does look hot though. I miss him."
Liz laughed. "Who needs to focus?"
Piph returned her gaze to her friend. "Okay, I'm with you now—hotness abated. Concentrate on the ball."
Liz avoided looking up at her man who at last glance had one hand on his hip and the other raking through his hair. He is going to pay later. Taking one more breath, as everyone cheered loudly, she started to move her stick.
"Baby, you look so hot," Jason said.
She almost whimpered at his sexy tone but followed through and everyone was silent as they watched the ball travel and when it hit and barely had enough momentum to go in but made it, the crowd erupted.
Jason shook his head.
"Nice try. Clearly, your abs are not as convincing as your big gun," Maximus said patting him on the shoulder.
Jason sighed.
"Can we have shirtless bowling now?" Brenda asked.
Jason rolled his eyes and yanked his shirt back on making her roll hers.
Liz caught him before he could put it all the way down and placed her hands on him, making him jerk.
"You're not mad, are you?"
His eyes narrowed.
"I'm sure I can put a smile on your face when we get home."
"So brazen," Piph said walking by. "Thanks for the memory," she said shaking her phone. "Now, go make me a godbaby."
Jason finally laughed.
"I'm serious. Don't be a slacker. Johnny is probably going to have Brenda knocked up by the end of the week."
Jason groaned.
"Don't torture my man."
Everyone moved over to the air hockey table where Monica and Tracy are doing battle.
Jason watched. "I hope they don't take off their shirts. I'll be traumatized for life."
Jake almost spit out his drink. "Dad!"
Drew cracked up.
Cam moved closer to Jason. "So, can I pay to have your abs, or do I actually have to work out to get them?"
Aidan laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"I like working out," Jason said.
Cam made a face.
A cheer rose when Monica slipped the puck past Tracy.
"This could get bloody," Sarah said.
"You don't know the half of it," Michael said. "I have to fly home with them."
She laughed.
Tracy whizzed one by. "Beat that!"
Monica glared. "Oh, I'll do more than that. Suck on this."
Jason's eyes widened as Liz doubled over.
"God, I hope someone is taping this," Drew said.
Tess pointed to Max who is holding up his camera. "Got it covered."
They were tied at the end, so Jason is concerned. If they come to blows, it won't surprise him. There's a lot of history there.
"I'll stand behind mom. You get Tracy," he said to Drew.
"Why do you get mom?"
"Because Tracy bites and I didn't get a tetanus shot." Jason hurried over there before Drew could object.
It was a fierce back and forth until Monica landed a scathing quip and it threw Tracy off. She threw up her hands and Tracy growled and moved like she was going to get on the table to get to her and Drew grabbed her around the waist.
"Tracy…"
"Let me go Jason lite. She's going down one way or the other."
Cam has tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.
"You always were a sore loser," Monica said smiling.
Tracy glared and then slightly relaxed, making Drew think she was fine, but she had other plans and darted to the left, but Jason saw it coming and grabbed her and picked her up.
"Put me down."
"No. What kind of example are you?" he asked walking away with her.
When he stopped across the way, she smirked and adjusted her top.
"I had to let her think I'd kick her ass. It's what we do."
Jason looked at her incredulously. "Seriously?"
Tracy grinned. "Hell yeah. Don't you know anything about the Quartermaines? We fight dirty. I'll get her back later."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "You are going to drive me to drink."
She giggled maniacally and then walked away.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Jason and Elizabeth slipped under the covers.
"I think I have muscles that hurt I didn't know I had."
Jason smiled. "Bowling is not for wusses."
"You can say that again. I had so much fun."
"It was a good night."
"It was perfect." Her eyes dropped closed. "I'll make it up to you in the shower."
"I'll hold you to it."
She did—twice.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Things got back to normal the week after New Year's. Everyone went back home. Francis, with some help from some mercenaries, took care of the men that had hurt Sarah, so she took her daughter home feeling like she could finally live her life without the fear of Adam and his friend hanging over her.
Elizabeth and Jason got away for a week. He had rented the house where they had first come together, and Elizabeth couldn't be more pleased. It was a beautiful week and it brought them even closer.
Emma and Cam had hit it off and are burning up the phone lines. They are making plans to see each other over spring break. He is still friends with Emiliana who is doing well in her newfound life of freedom.
Before they knew it, it was time for Tess and Max's wedding. It was a small affair and very beautiful. For Maximus, it was emotional, and he wishes that Max's mother could have been there to witness how much his son is loved.
Jason moved onto the porch. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Just a little sad."
"We'll keep trying." She had been this way on and off because she keeps getting her period. She started spotting today.
She smirked. "Yeah, it's such a hardship to try and make a baby."
He grinned. "You know I'm always up for it."
She leaned against him. "I just didn't think it would take this long."
"It will happen when the time is right."
She sighed heavily. Who would have guessed she would have gone from not wanting to have another kid to being sad that it's not happening?
"What are you thinking?
"Loving you has made me want this even more."
"I know how you feel. I want it to but if it doesn't happen, I'll still be happy loving you and boys the rest of our lives."
"And you said I was mushy?" Johnny said walking up the stairs.
Liz grinned. "You came up for air?"
He chuckled. "Yeah."
She got up and hugged him. "I missed you."
"I missed you too."
Jason put his arm around Liz who had returned to her seat. "News?"
"Everything is finalized. We move in a month." That will put them in the middle of May.
Liz clapped her hands. "That is outstanding."
Cam joined them. "Wow, things are really progressing. Mom, can you give notice for me? Maximus won't kill you."
Liz smirked. "He knows better than to hurt you. I've already started packing. If we organize our efforts, it shouldn't take too long."
"I'll help," Jason said.
"Me too," Cam added. "So, do you want me to come later? I can look out for Aidan."
"I'm not sure. Let's talk it over with Jake and Aidan when they get home." She's wondering if Jason should go on ahead or, they could always go there together, and then she can spend a weekend unpacking and then return. She would at least want to get the kitchen and bedroom done for him. Jake and Cam's birthday will be in the first couple of weeks, so they could have a joint party to celebrate it before they go, so they can spend time with the people they care about.
Jason could already tell that she'd feel guilty for leaving them.
"How's Emma?"
Cam grinned. "She's good. She always tells me to say hello."
"I have to admit that I never saw that coming," Jason said.
"Well, I'm warning you, if we're still together in a year, I'm marrying her."
Liz gasped. "Seriously?"
"We just fit."
Liz teared.
"Mom! Don't cry."
Johnny chuckled. There is always something going on in this household.
Liz tried to hold it in which just made them laugh.
"Don't tease your mom," Jason said.
"They are happy tears. All I want is for my boys to be happy. Emma is smart and beautiful. Sophie is a beautiful soul too. With everything that has happened, you could have ended up with some crazy goth mess, smoking cigarettes, stealing cards, and getting in trouble."
Cam busted out laughing. "Mom, you are so dramatic."
"Didn't you smoke cigarettes?" Johnny asked.
Liz's jaw dropped and then she darted, catching him off guard as he scrambled to get away from her. She jumped on his back and he spun her around.
"Johnny!"
He spun her twice more and then let her slide down. When she stumbled and held her head, he steadied her. "What's wrong?"
Jason was there in a flash.
"I just got more dizzy than usual. I'm fine."
Jason picked her up and Cam opened the door.
"You are all over-reacting. Put me down."
"No."
Johnny froze. "Did he just say no to her?"
Cam laughed. "It's rare, but it happens."
Jason sat her on the couch and then crouched in front of her. "You don't look right." On and off the last few weeks, she had been nauseous and tired, which is why she had thought she was pregnant. The exhaustion was worse than with the boys, so maybe all the craziness was just getting to her since she's not pregnant.
"I'm fine, Jason. May have some water?"
Cam held up his hand and ran to get it.
"Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?"
"I'm positive. I'm a little tired because of the move and making so many arrangements, and you know what was coming. I'm sure that's all it is."
He shared a stare with Johnny who isn't convinced either. "For now, I'll go with your explanation, but if anything else happens, the deal is off."
Cam handed her a glass and she gulped down half of it.
"Thanks."
Jake entered the house and stopped when he saw the worried faces. "What happened?" He quickly moved to his mom's side.
"How did you know it was me? Your father could have hit his big head."
Jake grinned as Jason scowled. "Johnny wouldn't be practically crying if that happened."
"I'm not crying."
"You're pouting. What did you do?"
"Damn kids," Johnny muttered. "I spun her around and scrambled her brain."
"My brain is perfectly fine."
"Ugh-huh."
"Really, I'm fine. I'm going to go take a nap."
Jason stood and soon as she was on her feet, he lifted her.
"I didn't even pass out. I can walk."
"Humor me…"
She waved to everyone until Jason disappeared up the steps.
"Is she really okay?" Jake asked.
"I think so."
"She thinks it's aunt flow," Cam said making Jake's face contort.
"TMI."
Johnny shook his head. "Boys…" He moved toward the door. "Cam, give Jake the good news. I have some errands to run."
"For Brenda?" Cam asked.
"Noneya."
Jake smiled and then plopped onto the couch. "What's going on?"
Cam filled him in about the move.
"Aidan's old enough to watch himself and I'll be here. What is he going to do, bake too many cakes?"
Cam cracked up. "He is starting to like girls. He can't be trusted."
"I didn't think about that. His cooking could be a chick magnet."
"Emma wouldn't stop talking about how cool it is."
Jake laughed at Cam's expression. "You are so whipped."
"I learned it from you. How is Sophie?"
"She's good. I miss her though." She had gone to Tuscany to start her job.
"How was your session?"
"It was okay. He thinks we can start meeting virtually once a month after I move."
Cam smiled. Jake is calmer and doesn't have outbursts of anger as he did before. If he struggles, he is good at reigning it in and if you didn't know him, you probably wouldn't realize he was having an episode. "I'm proud of you."
Jake eyed his brother. "Thanks, Camster."
"I mean it. You've worked hard and I'm glad you're going to be okay. Nothing would be right if you weren't."
"I wasn't sure it would happen, but I'm doing well."
"Maximus got Alana a motorized barbie car. She was hilarious waving at us. You want to see?"
Jake smiled. "Yeah. Let's go."
They ran to Drew's house who is amused that two grown men want to play with his daughter. She is like a baby sister to them.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
After talking it over, they had decided that Liz would make the first trip with Jason and stay a week before returning home. That would give her plenty of time to unpack. James and Isabella were taking a lot of the kitchen stuff with them as well as some of their bedroom pieces, but the rest would stay. That meant, it was mostly clothes and other belongings they need to pack. Francis is going to take care of their cars and bikes.
Alessa helped Liz pack up the store, so they could use the appliances for their new space in Tuscany.
When she returned home, Jason put her to bed and wouldn't let her get out until two days later. She was exhausted and slept through most of it.
He eyed her as she came down the stairs. "Still tired?"
"Yeah." Her body is feeling weird, but they had been doing a lot of work the last month.
"I know you'll be glad when we're finished."
"That's for sure." She plopped next to him on the couch.
"Are you hungry?"
"I might gnaw on your arm right now, so yes."
He smirked. "You want an omelet?"
"How about a sandwich?" Eggs just didn't sound good to her.
"Okay. I know what you like."
"Thanks. I feel like I'm getting fat," she said patting her bloated tummy.
He frowned. "You're crazy."
Her mind starts running a mile a minute. Her boobs are sore too. "Holy shit," she muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing." If she wasn't so hungry, she would have made a beeline for the mansion. Grabbing her phone, she texted Tess. "I'm out of pregnancy tests and I need one."
Tess grinned when she saw it. Luckily, Max and Maximus's eyes are glued to the television. "You need an assist?"
"Yes. I'll owe you one."
"No problem. I'll run out. Where do you want to meet?"
"Hmm, how about Alessa's house?"
"Sounds good."
The speed she tore through that sandwich left Jason in a daze.
"Tess texted me. She has an errand she wants me to come on."
"Do you feel up to it?"
"I'm fine." She kissed him on the cheek. "That sandwich was delicious, by the way. Thank you."
She left him staring at the crumbs.
He swears, that he will never figure her out.
