A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 35

Enzo nodded at Edward, and when Emily went to retrieve her coat, the patriarch pulled him aside.

"Here, take the sports car, It's in the garage."

"Thank you, sir."

"Just watch out for her and keep your hands to yourself."

Enzo had to fight to keep from grinning. "I will respect and protect her. You have my word."

Edward pointed his finger. "My Lila likes you and she has always been a great judge of character. Just know that I have eyes everywhere."

"Yes, sir."

Edward walked away mumbling.

"I hope he didn't say anything to embarrass me," Emily said.

"He loves you."

"I know."

They headed to the garage where Enzo is impressed by the car collection.

"What keys did he give you?"

Enzo hit unlock and a slow grin eased onto his face. "Your grandfather bought a Porsche?"

"Actually, it was Jason's before the accident. Grandfather didn't want to get rid of it. Ned drives it sometimes."

He held the door open for her and then got inside. "You ready?"

She grinned. "Go for it."

He backed up and when he got to the street, he floored it making her laugh, something she hasn't done a lot since Jason left them.

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Carly paced inside the room as the doctor examined Jason. "How is he?"

"He's doing better. I want to continue keeping him sedated for a while to give him time to heal."

"How long?"

"At least another week before I wean him off."

"You think he'll be able to walk in a month?"

"Yes, but he will need some physical therapy."

Carly nodded. "I'll get him whatever he needs."

The man nodded. "I'll call you in a few days."

She moved toward the bed and held Jason's hand. In one week, she'll be able to gauge his reaction to her lie. After that, if he agrees to her terms, she'll make the arrangements to get Michael, and then they will disappear. If he isn't agreeable, then she has another plan up her sleeve. After kissing him on his forehead, she hopes that she won't have to go that route because it will take more time.

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Enzo leaned toward Emily. "I'll be right back. I'm taking the keys just in case."

She laughed. "Okay." Once he disappeared, she bit her lip already having a crush on him. Not only is he handsome, but he had been very attentive and a perfect gentleman. As her thoughts got lost in the events of the night, the lights dimmed, and she is shocked to see him onstage.

"Mrs. Quartermaine couldn't be here tonight, but she wanted me to sing this for you, and you all know that Lila Quartermaine always gets her way."

Everyone chuckled.

He sat on a stool and started playing the guitar.

Emily held her breath, and when he started to sing, she is mesmerized. His voice is beautiful.

By the time he finished, everyone gave him a standing ovation.

Music fills the room and people are encouraged to dance. Everyone there had paid a very large premium to attend. It always amazes Emily how people always seemed to come together and give so much due to her grandmother's influence.

Enzo moved behind her. "Emily, would you like to dance?"

She stood and turned around. "Enzo, that was beautiful."

He slightly blushed. "Thanks. I don't get to sing much anymore."

"Well, that is a crime. You could be a total heartthrob."

He scratched his temple, a little uneasy from her praise, and then held out his hand which she quickly grabbed.

She placed her hands on his shoulders as they swayed, and she slightly trembled when his hands settled above her hips.

Their gazes locked. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I was just thinking if I could convince you to come to my senior prom, I could make Ellen and Alison's heads spin."

He grinned. "You don't already have a date?"

She shook her head.

"Are the guys at your school idiots?"

"Edward goes out of his way to intimidate." He chuckled when she rolled her eyes. "Why don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Usually, I work a lot, so I don't meet a lot of people."

She nodded. "I want to ask you something."

"Go ahead…"

"Would you—I mean I am eighteen. If I weren't in high school, would you be interested?"

He sighed. "My immediate response would be that Jason would kill me. If he were okay with it, I think you're pretty and smart, so I would have to be completely vacuous not to notice you."

"I understand." She'd give anything for him to have the opportunity to ask her brother.

"I hoping we find him, and I can ask. If not, then we'll talk."

"I hope we do too."

He lifts her chin. "I'm sorry that I brought him up."

"It's okay. He isn't far from my mind."

"How are you coping?" he said gripping her hand.

"I try to distract myself with her and school, but he's everywhere, you know?"

"I understand. He was great and he and Liz were pretty epic."

"She made him happy. I always worried he wouldn't find that one person who makes everything worth it. Maybe I'm too much of a romantic, but I believe in that kind of stuff."

"It's not bad to believe that. Never settle, okay?"

She smiled. "I won't." He is just, as some of her friends would say, dreamy. The music sped up and she loves the song.

Seeing the gleam in her eyes, he smiled. "You want to dance to this?"

"I'd love to."

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Liz entered the sitting room to find Monica and Tracy drinking some wine.

"Hi. How are you feeling?" Monica asked.

"I slept well for once."

"You needed it. Just listen to your body."

She grabbed some water and then sat. "Where is Emily?"

Monica smiled. "Well, your grandmother sent her on a date to a charity function."

"With who?" She knows Emily isn't dating at the moment.

"Enzo…"

Liz slightly smiled. "Really?"

Monica nodded. "He seems like a nice young man."

"He is the best. Having him, Johnny, and Micah around makes me feel safe."

"I think in my mind I was just convinced he was surrounded by evil. I like them."

"I get it. I'm glad you're giving them a chance."

"I'm learning the hard way that there are different shades of gray and that being judgmental is not always the way to go."

Liz nodded. "Are we celebrating Emily's graduation?"

"Yes. I thought we could have some chocolate cake and we have presents for her."

"I need to buy her something." She hadn't thought about doing anything but crying, so maybe it will help her focus on something else.

"I can take you where you want to go. Just let me know. Do you have any ideas?" Tracy asked.

"There were a pair of shoes she had loved that I don't think she has."

"When you're feeling up to it, we'll do some retail therapy."

"Thanks."

Monica cleared her throat. "What are we going to do about your classes?"

"I don't know. We were almost finished, but I'm not sure that I'm up for it. It's not like I was getting a degree."

"It's up to you. I called your instructors and let them know what is going on. They both tape their classes, so they were willing to let you watch and then do the projects from here."

She perked up. "Really?"

Monica smiled. "Yes." She had made a nice donation to assure that they agreed.

"I think I would like to do that. I'm so tired of crying. I feel a little guilty though."

"Jason wouldn't have wanted you to be sad all the time. Use that baby and your business as inspiration because he'd want you to be happy."

"I know."

They heard a door close. "Emily…"

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Enzo parked and then led her to the front door.

"Thank you, Enzo. I had fun and you're a great dancer."

"My sister would make me dance with her all the time."

"Well, she's a good teacher."

He shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Are you coming in?"

"I need to go get some sleep because I have to be back around 3:00 am."

"Okay."

She bit her lip and looked down and then closed her eyes when she felt his lips on her forehead.

"Sweet dreams…" He had a great time and wouldn't mind getting to know her better.

She smiled. "You too..."

He started to walk away and stopped. "By the way, if you were serious about the prom, I'll go."

"Thank you. I'll give you the details tomorrow."

Rushing into the house, she squealed making Monica, Liz, and Tracy chuckle.

"Good date?" Tracy called out as she ran by the room.

Emily stopped and then stood in the doorway. "It was great. He's great, and I have a prom date."

"He is one of my favorite people," Liz said.

"Can I get a snack and we go to my room?"

Liz nodded. "Sure…" She can tell that Emily is bubbling over.

"Meet you up there…"

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Monica walked by the room and chuckled when she heard the girls laughing. It's good that Liz isn't as depressed. The light still doesn't reach her eyes when she smiles, but it's a start. The baby can feel her emotions but finding balance in this situation is hard. She'll have her good and bad days.

She entered her bedroom to find Alan reading, so she got her pajamas on and crawled next to him. Putting his book down, he lifted his arm so she could lay against him and cuddle.

"Our daughter has a crush on Enzo."

He sighed, not wanting Emily to be around the violence that took their son.

"He's a good guy, better than some of the idiots she goes to school with."

"I won't say anything as long as he respects her."

Her head lifted. "Are you an imposter?"

"No. I just have some regrets."

"Jason wouldn't want you to. He believed in being authentic."

"Even if I was a jerk?"

"Yes."

He eyed her. "Thanks a lot…"

"You said it."

"I want him back."

She stared into her husband's eyes which are now full of tears.

"I just—I feel like such a failure. I need for him to know that I love him and that no matter what, I won't turn my back on him again."

She wiped one of his tears away. "I will say a prayer for him every minute of the day. He's going to come back whether I have to lie, cheat or steal. Jason is coming home."

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Carly began to cry when Jason's eyes blinked open. "It's okay. You're going to be fine. Just rest, Jason. I won't leave you."

He held her stare for a long moment and then he fell asleep again.

Carly texted the doctor the news. It will take several days for Jason to talk and truly come around, but at least she has hope now. She can be patient because the reward will be well worth it. Moving next to him, she stroked his hair. "I love you so much. Thank you for coming back to me. We belong together; you, me, and Michael. We're finally going to be a happy family."

She had prayed so hard and now all her dreams will come true.

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Alice strode into the sitting room. "Elizabeth, there is someone here to see you."

Liz frowned. "Who?"

Enzo's mother Isabel and his sister, Annie, moved into the room.

"Elizabeth," Annie said rushing forward as Elizabeth stood.

She gripped her tightly. "I'm so sorry."

Elizabeth's eyes pricked with tears. "It's so good to see you."

Isabel waited her turn and then warmly embraced her. "I couldn't stay away."

"I'm so glad you're here."

Isabel retreated. "How are you?" Liz looks paler than usual and there are circles under her eyes.

"I'm doing the best I can. Did Enzo tell you everything?"

Isabel's eyes traveled to her stomach. "Yes. Are you happy?"

Liz nodded. "It's hard."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. Please know that we will help in any way we can."

"That means a lot to me."

Liz's gaze went to Lila. "Isabel, this Jason's grandmother, Lila."

Lila smiled. "Elizabeth told me about how wonderful you were to her. Thank you."

"She is welcome to my home any time she wants to visit."

"Your son is quite the favorite around here."

Isabel grinned. "He is quite wonderful. I'm glad it's not just my bias."

Elizabeth left to show Annie the lake.

"Just between me and you, I kind of played matchmaker."

"Really? Who?"

"My granddaughter Emily, who is eighteen, graduates high school soon. She'll be home any minute and I think Enzo is perfect for her. You raised him so well."

"I can't wait to meet her. Enzo was always polite. He has a beautiful heart."

As the two women gossiped, a giddy Emily barreled into the room.

"I got accepted at Rochester."

Lila grinned. "Of course, you did. Emily, this is Enzo's mother, Isabel."

"Sorry, I'm such a spaz."

Isabel chuckled. Emily's smile lights up the room, and she's very pretty. Enzo deserves a nice girl with a little bit of mischief. "Tell me about Rochester. It's where we live."

She sat next to her and gave her all the details as Liz and Annie returned.

"Mom, you'll love the gardens," Annie said.

"Grandmother plants beautiful roses. Hi, I'm Emily, Jason's sister."

Annie smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"I'm hoping Liz will be willing to paint a picture of my roses."

"Just give me a little more time, and I'll work on it," Liz said.

"Take as long as you need to."

"Did Enzo bring you here?" Liz asked.

"No, but he knows I was coming. We can visit for a few hours before I need to get back to my husband. I bought you something."

Liz's eyes lit up as Isabel laughed.

"Here are my special chocolate chip cookies."

Liz opened the lid. "Oh, my God. These look delicious." She swatted Emily's hand when she tried to grab one. "Get your own Isabel."

Emily pouted making everyone laugh, so Elizabeth handed her one.

Enzo entered the room. "Hey, mom."

She got up and hugged him, and Annie wasn't far behind.

"Nice suit…" Annie said.

He pointed to something and when she looked, he flicked her nose making her eyes narrow. "Gotcha…"

Liz sat the cookies on Lila's lap. "Guard these with your life."

Lila noted that she looked white as a ghost and isn't surprised when she rushes off to the bathroom.

Enzo followed and paused at the door. He heard her get sick and then waited a few minutes. "It's me. Are you okay?"

The door creaked open. "Yeah. I hate getting sick." It's not happening much anymore, but sometimes things don't sit well with her.

"Me too. Do you want to lay down for a minute?"

"Yes, but I want to spend time with your mom and sister."

"I have an idea." He led her to the sitting room. "Mom and Annie, do you mind if we sit outside?"

They eyed Liz. "No."

It's a beautiful, sunny day, so they sat on the deck and Enzo arrange the lounge chair so Liz could get comfortable and got a pillow and a light blanket for her just in case.

"Are you feeling okay?" Isabel asked.

"Yes. I don't get morning sickness every day, but it just hit me."

"Is it bad that I just want to kidnap you?"

"No, you don't. She's so high maintenance…paint my toenails, get me a hot chocolate, it goes on and on," Emily said trying not to smile.

Liz's jaw dropped. "Emily!"

Unable to hold it, Emily cracked up.

Annie grinned. "I think I really like you, Emily."

"Don't take her side," Liz said.

"Want to see the boathouse?" Emily asked.

Annie nodded, knowing that her mother wanted to talk to Elizabeth, and followed her.

"It's okay if you're not okay," Isabel said.

"I know. I try not to cry all day, but it's hard not to because everything reminds me of him—even the baby. We are having a memorial this weekend. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through it."

"I'll be there. You just tell me what time."

They embraced.

"Thank you."

"Let all of us give you strength."

"I—I don't think there is enough in the world for me to say goodbye; to stand in front of people and tell them what Jason means to me when there are no words to describe how much we loved each other. I feel like someone ripped my heart out of my body. It will never beat for anyone else."

"Elizabeth…"

"No. I'm done. First Lucky and now Jason… I just can't lose another person that I love. I don't have it in me."