"You know what Jase?"
"Hmm?"
"This is just what we needed."
He rolled over to face her, "I know." He kissed her on the nose as she snuggled into the covers. "Did you check your art room?"
She nodded.
"Everything's ok right? I just wanted to have some things down here, so that we weren't dragging everything back and forth, whenever we come back here."
Liz smiled at the idea of coming back, "Why do we even have to leave?" she teased.
Jason thought for a moment, "I'm not quite sure." He laughed at himself.
A wail sounded from the room across the hall. Jason untangled himself from the sheets and slipped on a pair of sweat pants. "Sounds like someone's hungry. Be right back." He ran his fingers over her toes as he walked by.
Elizabeth sat up in the bed while Jason went to retrieve Lila. She smiled as he returned, loving the way he tended to Lila.
He sat next to Elizabeth as she situated Lila, eager for her breakfast. "So, you're going to go out today, right? Shopping?"
She nodded.
"Good, then I get to spend some quality time with my little girl." He brushed the wisps of hair from Lila's forehead.
"Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?" Elizabeth asked.
He shook his head, not wanting to spoil the surprise.
She looked at him skeptically, "You're sure?"
He gave her a big smile, "I'm positive. Just go out and enjoy yourself. Lila and I will be fine. Ok?" He kissed her before she could protest.
"If you say so." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, catching the grin on his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason checked the details on last time, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth went straight to the last store she had visited the last time she was here. Knowing Jason had planned something, she wanted to be prepared. Nothing seemed to jump out at her though. She was about to resign to defeat when she caught a glimpse of a dress that hadn't been displayed yet. "Excuse me..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth returned to the villa, excitement seeping out from every pore in her body. She'd found a white rose on the bed when she returned from her shopping excursion, tied to it was a note:
Liz,
I know you know I have something planned
so meet me on the beach at 8. Don't worry
about Lila, I've got someone watching her.
Be ready.
Love,
Jase
Elizabeth chewed on her lower lip, smiling in anticipation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason stood on the beach, staring out at the surf, thinking about how he got to this place in his life...
"You left everything just to take care of me?"
"Of course I did. Jason, you were shot. I may have been
able to turn my back on you after the fire, but not now. You needed
me, so I came."
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts Jason. I'm here. That's that."
He smiled, remembering the first time they kissed. He could even feel the heat from her lips...
"Jason, I broke up with Lucky. I broke up with him just before
I received Sonny's call. We're different people than we once were.
I didn't... I don't love him like I did. I love him, but I'm
not in love with him. Does that make sense? No, maybe
it doesn't. We've both changed since the night of his fire.
I've grown up, moved on. I can't cling to what we had, because it's
not there anymore. Jason?"
"Elizabeth, what are you trying to tell me?"
"I'm falling in love with you."
His heart has stopped the first time she said those words to him...
"I'll bet he thinks I have something to do with you're breaking up
with him, doesn't he?"
"But you don't. I did this for me. I didn't plan on
falling in love with you."
"Well, Liz, it's been my experience that no one doesn't chooses
to fall in love. It just happens."
"I know. So, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Well, I think I pretty much said it all with the kisses, don't
you? What's wrong?"
"I never thought it could be like this, I feel like I'm drowning,
but I'm not scared. Does that make sense?"
"Elizabeth, I can think of a thousand reasons why I should put you
on the next plane back to Port Charles and never look back, and only one
reason for you to stay, but so help me, I want you to stay."
"There's no place else I want to be."
He smiled as he remembered those words. There hadn't been any place he wanted to be either. Then or now...
"Elizabeth, there's something I want to give you. A heart,
for the woman who stole mine."
"Jason, I don't - wait, yes I do. Come on."
"Elizabeth, Do I really look like this?"
"I finished this the other day, when you wanted me to paint you,
and you fell asleep. You looked so enchanted, I couldn't help but
wonder what you were dreaming about."
You. You're all I dream about. All I want to dream
of. Don't you know that by now?"
The painting of him sleeping hung in their room at the penthouse as a reminder of that night, the first time they made love...
"Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Are you happy?"
"Elizabeth, I am happier than I thought I could be. Truth
is, I was never really happy until I met you. I thought I was happy
with Robin, and Lord knows Carly isn't a person, she's an event.
And they both loved me, but neither of them were good for me. Robin
because she kept trying to change me, getting me out of Sonny's business.
I didn't know how to function outside Sonny's world. But I did it
to make Robin happy. And Carly, well, the best thing she did for
me was to give me Michael. And for a year that was enough, but she
took him away from me in the end. Elizabeth, you accept me, Jason
Morgan, Sonny Corinthos' right hand man, and all around tough guy.
You're there for me, to listen, to say nothing, to change nothing.
You won't take what I can't give. And I promise you Liz, there's
nothing I wouldn't give you. You let me be me, and that's more than
I could've dreamed for. Please don't cry. I love you Elizabeth
Webber, and that will never change."
"I love you back Jason Morgan."
And the miracle was that she still loved him. After everything she still loved him. The tears fell as he relived the pain he caused her...
"Damn it Sonny! This is the third time! And Elizabeth has no
idea what's going on!"
"She hasn't needed to know Jason."
"That doesn't matter! I know! That's enough!
Sonny, that's it. I can't do this to her. She's been hurt so
much. And, she trusts me. God help her, she has total faith
in me."
"And you haven't let her down."
"Yes, I did. I let her down by letting her love me."
"Jason, you didn't let her do anything. She was going
to love you whether you liked it or not."
"I let her in, Sonny. I let her into my life knowing full
well what would happen!"
"Jason, you are a human being, whether you like it or not.
You cannot be Superman, on call 24 hours a day. There is only so
much you can control. Elizabeth understands that. Damn it man,
that's why you lover her so much!"
"I have to leave."
"Yeah, go see her. You'll feel better."
"No Sonny, I mean leave town. Leave Elizabeth. She won't
be safe unless I do."
"No man, she won't be safe if you leave. She'll be miserable,
but she won't be safe."
"She'll be safer, and that's what matters. I've made
up my mind. I'll leave tomorrow. Make the arrangements."
"Sonny?"
"Yeah?"
"She's going to need you. I know how Carly feels, but please..."
"You never have to ask."
"And let her stay in the penthouse. As little, or as long
as she wants."
"You know she won't leave. She'll wait for you Jason."
"I know."
"Jason? Jason, please don't hang up. Please, there's
something..."
"Listen man. You need to get back, like now. She needs
you. Now."
"Elizabeth you're-"
"Pregnant."
"Elizabeth.."
"Are you staying?"
"Of course."
"Ok, then.".
"Don't you ever do that again, Jason Morgan. Promise me."
"I promise."
"I'm sorry Elizabeth."
Pride for his daughter made his heart swell...
"Push Elizabeth!! This is the last one!"
"Jason, I can't, I can't do this!"
"Elizabeth, you are the strongest woman I know. You brought
me back to you, didn't you? And you can do this. Do you know
how I know? Because I love you, and you love me. And because
we want to love our baby. Push for me babe, push."
"Come... ON!"
"Liz, look."
"It's a girl!"
"A girl, we have a daughter."
"Yes we do."
"What should we name her?"
"Lila Nicole."
"She looks like you."
"If you say so."
"She's got your beautiful blue eyes."
"That they are."
"Jason.."
"Elizabeth, there's something you need to know first. There
were three attempts on your life, before I left. I never told you
because I didn't want to scare you. I thought leaving would make
it better for you."
"Well you were wrong, Jason. You were the only thought in
my head during those seven months."
"But you were safe."
"I'm safer when I'm with YOU. I don't want to be anywhere
else but right her, in your arms, ever. This is the safest place
for me. If you take that away from me, what have I got?"
"A longer life span."
"I don't care! I could die tomorrow from a heart attack!!
As long as you're here to love me, I wouldn't care!"
"But I would."
"Jason, whatever happens happens. You can't control every
single thing! And you sure as hell can't control my life! That's
what Lucky tried to do when he told me to stop talking to you. WHY
on EARTH would I want that again?!"
"Elizabeth, I wasn't trying to control your life-"
"Yes you were!! You didn't give me a chance to choose!
The man I love, or a safe and loveless life. DUH! Jason, I
would choose you. I chose you then, and I choose you now! I
could have a hundred threats on my life, I don't care, as long as I'm with
you. I know, I know. You can't keep me safe one hundred percent
of the time. I understand that Jason, I really do. But you
know what? It's worth it! It's worth the danger, as long as
I can wake up in your arms, and look into those beautiful blue eyes.
If someone held a gun to my head and told me the only way I could stay
alive was if you were gone, I'd pull the trigger myself."
"Elizabeth-"
"I know Jason. I remember what you said that night on the
beach. There's a thousand reasons for you to leave and never look
back. But now you don't have just one reason to stay, you have two.
Jason Morgan, if you leave, I will follow you. I'll take Lila with
me, and we'll find you. You seem to forget Jason, I have your heart.
I won't ask for more than you can give. And there's nothing you can't
give me."
"Except for a normal life."
"Normal is a relative term."
"So we're agreed? No leaving in the middle of the night? And
if I'm in danger, the only one to protect me is you. Ok?"
"I don't agree with it, but do I really have a choice?"
"Jason Morgan-"
"I love you Elizabeth."
"I love you back."
And she had loved him. As much as he loved her. His eyes
clouded over when he thought about the day he almost lost her...
"Sorel's moving men in. Quietly. Really quietly.
Benny almost didn't catch it."
"How many?"
"Too many."
"Get another guard on Elizabeth and Lila. If anything happens
to them, I'll never forgive myself, Sonny."
But something had happened. He choked back the fury that raged inside of him...
"He's got them, doesn't he?"
"Yes."
"Jason."
"Elizabeth-"
"It's not your fault. Jason, you're not leaving me again."
"It is my fault. But no, I'm not going to leave you."
And he hadn't. It had crossed his mind, but he promised her, Lila too. And now he was here, waiting for his life to begin...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth peeked in on Lila, just to make sure everything was ok. She smiled at her sleeping daughter. At least she's young enough so that she won't remember what happened to her.
Look out on the beach from their room, ELizabeth took a deep breath, and walked out onto the beach...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He turned back to the villa, feeling her eyes on him. His breath caught in his lungs as he watched her. The dress she bought was stunning. A simple white slip dress, with a rose design embroidered on the bodice, petals falling down the side, to land at the hem. Her hair was loose, with a white rosebud tucked behind her ear, and her feet were bare. He smiled as he noticed the necklace and pendant he had given her around her neck. She couldn't have looked exquisite if she tried.
She stopped about a foot away from him, to take in the beauty of the evening. The sun was just beginning to set behind him. She looked Jason up and down. His hair had been lightened naturally by the sun, and his skin was a nice golden color, just tan enough. He looked so relaxed in his white shirt with the top two buttons undone and khaki's, rolled up to just above the ankle. She remembered their first night on the beach and smiled.
"You look..." he searched for a word as she did a slow turn, presenting him with a full view of the dress. "Breath taking."
She moved closer to him, kissing him. "You don't look so bad yourself." She grinned.
He took her hand in his as they walked along the beach, the water lapping at their feet. She spotted the small bonfire up ahead of them.
Reaching the blanket he set out for them, he sat down, pulling her with him. They sat like that, Liz leaning against him, his arms around her, as the sun set.
"Are you hungry?" he murmured into her ear.
She nodded.
Reaching for the picnic basket, he set out it's contents. He looked up at her, her face even more beautiful in the moonlight. "Don't worry, I didn't cook any of this," he joked. She smiled, but didn't respond.
He opened the first container, "Chef salad with vinaigrette dressing for two." Opening another container, "Shrimp with cocktail sauce. And the main entree, crab legs with melted butter."
They ate in relative silence, just enjoying each other's company. When they had finished packing the empty containers into the basket, she sat with him again. Staring out at the dark waters, she thought about the first time they had been in that spot.
Jason watched her, everything about her was perfect. Perfect to him anyway. He cleared his throat, subtly trying to get her attention. She turned to him and smiled. Resting her head on his chest, she inhaled deeply, taking in his scent mixed with the salty air.
Running his hand through his hair, he spoke.
"Elizabeth?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you happy? Here? With me?"
She wrapped her arms around him. "Of course I am."
He nodded, licking his lips nervously, he continued.
"You know how happy you make me, don't you?" He felt her nod, and the emotions just started pouring out. "Elizabeth, I've never been so happy. That day you found me in the snow? That day changed my life forever, Liz. This may sound funny, but I'm glad I got shot. If I hadn't, I might never have met you." He paused as he felt her tears soak through his shirt, dampening his chest. Lifting her face to his, he kissed her, running his tongue over her lips to taste the salt of her tears. Kissing her eyelids, anywhere the tears had fallen he kissed her. "Please don't cry," he whispered between kisses. "Please."
He continued once he was certain the tears had stopped. "Elizabeth, I didn't know it then, but my life began the night you took me to your studio. I knew I should stop it, I tried to stop it, but it happened anyway. I should've left and never come back." He looked into her eyes, "But I couldn't. I kept getting drawn back here, no matter how hard I tried to fight it. It was you Elizabeth. I was drawn to you. I didn't want to love you, didn't want you to love me." He chuckled, "but look how that turned out." He slipped his arm from around her so he could reach into his pocket. He watched her, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"Elizabeth, I never thought I would find someone to share my life with. I never thought I could share my life. But here I am, letting you in, and even if I could stop it, I don't want to. Granted there are things you can't and won't know about, but that's the price I pay for being who I am. The thing is, you understand that, and don't fault me for it. You gave me love Elizabeth. Plain and simple. I never knew what I was missing in my life, but I know now. I couldn't live without this feeling. Wouldn't even try, now that I know what it feels like." He laughed, running his free hand over his face, "Am I making any sense whatsoever?"
Elizabeth nodded, "Perfect sense."
He kissed her on the forehead as he slipped his arms back around her. "Close your eyes," he whispered to her. Satisfied they were closed, he opened the box, and set it in her hand.
"Elizabeth? Would you be my wife?"
She opened her eyes slowly, wanting the moment to last forever. "Oh Jason," she gasped, her eyes fixated on the box in her hand.
He took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger, "Marry
me Elizabeth."