Chapter 19
Elizabeth's move to Jason's and Michelle's move to Sonny's penthouse went fairly smoothly. Michelle had had no real objection to the change. She liked and got along well with Carly, and it was certainly less awkward than living with Jason and Elizabeth. Besides, she would be returning to Paris as soon as the Alexander problem was taken care of. Justin had wanted her to stay at the hotel with him, but Sonny and Jason had vetoed the idea due to the increased difficulty in protecting her there.
As Elizabeth arranged her art supplies in Jason's spare room, she thought about their new living arrangement. In a way, they had lived together once before, when Jason was shot, but it was different this time. Now they were more than friends - they were lovers. They had never discussed living together, though, and she didn't know how he felt about it. Circumstances were dictating their actions and she didn't want Jason being pushed into something he wasn't ready for. She sighed.
Jason, watching from the doorway, could tell that something was bothering her. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?" he asked quietly.
Startled, she turned quickly and knocked over the can of paintbrushes she had placed on the table. She bent down to pick them up and kept her face averted so he couldn't see her expression. "Nothing is wrong. I'm just getting settled in," she answered, her voice sounding strained.
Jason kneeled down and stilled her busy hands. Using his other hand, he placed his fingers under her chin and tipped her face up so he could see her. "Are you upset about leaving your studio - about moving in here?"
"No. It's not that," she responded. Seeing the concern in his face, she decided to level with him. "I'm just worried that you're being forced into this situation, just to keep me safe."
Jason took her hand and raised her to her feet. "I don't do things that I don't want to do, Elizabeth." He searched her eyes and saw the uncertainty there. "I love you and I want you here," he stated.
"I love you, Jason," she said softly. She was reassured by the truth in his words. "I want to be here with you, too." She reached up and caressed his cheek.
Relieved, he turned his head and placed a kiss in her palm. What he really wanted, Jason admitted to himself, was for her to never leave him again. With Elizabeth, he wanted forever. Not wanting to push her, he kept these thoughts to himself.
"Good," he responded. "Sonny called and he wants us to come for dinner. Are you up to that? We could just stay here and order something."
"No. Dinner at Sonny's is fine." She paused. "Do you know who's going to be there?"
"I think Michelle and Nikolas' cousin, Justin, will be there. If this is too strange for you, we don't have to go," he reassured her.
Smiling, she responded, "As long as you're there with me, I'll be fine."
Jason took her hand and led her to the door. "Before we go, there's something you should know. We haven't told Michelle that her brother is alive." Seeing Elizabeth's surprise, he explained, "Sonny is afraid that she might let something slip to someone. I know it seems cruel, but it's for her own protection."
Nodding, she asked, "How does Sonny feel about me knowing?"
Jason smiled. "He was fine with it. He trusts you, Elizabeth, and with Sonny, that's the highest compliment you can get."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carly stood in her room, trying on one more pair of pants. She sighed. They were too tight, too.
Sonny turned and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I'm fat!" she wailed. "Nothing fits me anymore."
He walked over to her and held her close. "You are beautiful, and getting more so every day," he assured her. "I guess it's time for a shopping trip." He pulled back and smiled at her.
She chuckled and responded, "You always know just what to say, don't you? For tonight, though, I'll have to settle for one of my looser dresses." She walked to the closet and chose a deep red, sleeveless dress that had almost no waistline to it. "Do you think this dinner is a good idea, Sonny?"
Coming up behind her to help with her buttons, he caressed her skin under the dress and asked, "Are you not feeling up to it? I can handle it on my own, if you'd rather stay up here and rest." He dropped his head and placed a kiss on her bared back.
She shivered and turned to wrap her arms around his neck. "That's not what I meant. I was just thinking that it will probably be awkward for Michelle and Elizabeth, not to mention Jason."
He leaned in and kissed her lovingly. "They're grown-ups. I'm sure they can manage to get along for one evening. Besides, I've already prepared a lot of food, and I think it's a little late to uninvite them." Even as he finished speaking, they could hear the doorbell ring.
Carly gave him a quick kiss and stepped back to finish dressing. "OK, but if there's any bloodshed, you're cleaning it up."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jason and Elizabeth arrived to find Michelle and Justin already seated on the sofa talking. Sonny was just getting their drinks and stopped to ask Jason and Elizabeth what they would like. She asked for a club soda and Jason chose a beer.
"Elizabeth, do you know Justin St. Amant?" Sonny inquired. He gestured for them to be seated.
Justin responded, "We haven't been formally introduced, but I do know who she is." He smiled slightly.
Elizabeth returned the smile. To her, he looked like an older, more rugged version of Nikolas. "I do know your cousin, Nikolas, quite well. In fact, we're friends."
Justin's smile faded. "Oh, yes - Nicky boy. What a privilege for you." An awkward silence followed.
Jason reached for Elizabeth's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. About to respond, he stopped when he saw Carly descending the stairs.
"Hey, everyone," she said into the tense silence. "Sorry I'm late. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find something to wear that fits properly these days." She approached Sonny, putting her arm around his waist.
With her entrance, the tension eased, and Elizabeth said, "You look lovely, Carly - glowing, actually."
Smiling widely, she responded, "Thanks, Elizabeth. I do feel pretty great now that the morning sickness has passed." Accepting an orange juice from her husband, she sipped it, and looked around at her silent guests. Shooting an 'I told you so' look at Sonny, she turned to Jason and asked, "So, have you been to see Lila lately? I take Michael out to see her quite often."
"I've seen her a few times since I've been home," he answered. "She seems to be doing fine. Where is Michael, by the way?"
Carly looked a little uncomfortable. "That's something I've been meaning to talk to you about, Jase, but maybe now isn't the best time." She looked to Sonny and he nodded supportively.
"What's wrong, Carly?" Jason asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Michael is with A.J.," she said quietly. Seeing the shock register in Jason's face, she continued, "While you were gone, A.J. really cleaned up his act. He's been going to AA and he's been sober for a year now. I'm sorry, Jason, but I couldn't keep Michael from him when he was trying so hard." Her look pleaded with him to understand.
Jason was having a hard time taking it all in. Elizabeth clasped his hand and smiled lovingly, causing him to relax a little. "I'll have to take your word for it that he's really changed, Carly," he said sceptically.
"He's trying, Jason, and he always sees Michael at the house when either Monica or Emily can be there, too." She had known that this would be difficult for him to understand, especially with how hard she had fought to keep her son away from A.J.
"I've seen a change in him, too, Jason," Elizabeth contributed. "He seems more grounded and he's acting less like Edward all the time."
Jason smiled at that and said to Carly, "It's OK. I know you'd never put him at risk. Thank you for telling me."
Relieved, Carly turned to Sonny and said, "I'm starving. Is dinner almost ready?"
Grinning at his wife, he responded, "It should be done. Let's eat."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dinner was a big success, or at least the food was. Sonny had prepared sea bass in a ginger sauce and served it with wild rice. The conversation, on the other hand, was stilted and uncomfortable at times. As they finished the fresh fruit tart and coffee, everyone seemed relieved that the evening was almost over.
Suddenly Carly said, "You know what I have a real craving for? Chocolate." Turning to Sonny, she continued, "I could really go for some brownies. Do you think you could make me some, please?"
He flashed his dimples at her and responded, "If you want the ultimate brownie, you should ask Elizabeth to make them. Hers are the best I've ever tasted."
Elizabeth blushed. Michelle rolled her eyes and said quietly, but audibly, "And she bakes, too." Elizabeth flushed even more.
Carly looked at Sonny and teased, "And just when did you have the chance to sample Elizabeth's brownies?"
Jason was looking from Sonny to Elizabeth and wondering the same thing. Sonny glanced at Elizabeth and responded, "It was a long time ago."
"It was right after Jason left town the first time," Elizabeth said quietly. "I brought Sonny some brownies and we talked."
When a small silence followed, Sonny said, "You didn't tell them what we talked about, or should I say 'who'." Seeing her discomfort, he turned to Jason and explained, "You had just left town and we were both missing you, so she came, thinking I might have news of you. We talked about your leaving and the empty place it left in our lives." He shrugged.
Carly smiled sadly in understanding. "That was a pretty dark time for all of us," she said softly. Sonny reached over and stroked her cheek tenderly. "But I guess things worked out the way they were supposed to."
Jason took Elizabeth's hand under the table and rubbed her palm with his thumb. She looked up and saw loving reassurance in his eyes - eyes so blue and deep she felt she could drown in them.
The phone ringing interrupted the moment. Sonny excused himself and went to answer it. "Corinthos. Yeah. OK, we'll be right there." He put the phone down and motioned for Jason to join him. In an undertone, he said, "That was Johnny. Our bird has arrived and Johnny has taken him to the new house. I think we should go see him right away."
Jason paused and glanced at Elizabeth. "OK. Just let me talk to Elizabeth first." He went to where she was sitting and touched her on the shoulder. "I need to talk to you."
She stood and walked with him to the far end of the room. "What is it, Jason?"
"Sonny and I have to go out for a while. That was Johnny on the phone and Philippe has arrived. We need to see him." He reached out and caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Do you want me to walk you across the hall or..."
She brought her hand up to touch the one he was holding to her cheek. "I'll be fine, Jason. You go with Sonny. Thank you for worrying about me."
He kissed her quickly and said, "I don't know how late I'll be, so don't wait up. I'll see you in the morning." He took one long look at her and walked to the door. Sonny, having explained quietly to Carly, was waiting for him. When the door closed behind them, quiet descended on the room and its four remaining occupants looked at each other uncertainly.
Carly, wanting to ease the tension, suggested playfully, "Charades anyone?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elizabeth's move to Jason's and Michelle's move to Sonny's penthouse went fairly smoothly. Michelle had had no real objection to the change. She liked and got along well with Carly, and it was certainly less awkward than living with Jason and Elizabeth. Besides, she would be returning to Paris as soon as the Alexander problem was taken care of. Justin had wanted her to stay at the hotel with him, but Sonny and Jason had vetoed the idea due to the increased difficulty in protecting her there.
As Elizabeth arranged her art supplies in Jason's spare room, she thought about their new living arrangement. In a way, they had lived together once before, when Jason was shot, but it was different this time. Now they were more than friends - they were lovers. They had never discussed living together, though, and she didn't know how he felt about it. Circumstances were dictating their actions and she didn't want Jason being pushed into something he wasn't ready for. She sighed.
Jason, watching from the doorway, could tell that something was bothering her. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?" he asked quietly.
Startled, she turned quickly and knocked over the can of paintbrushes she had placed on the table. She bent down to pick them up and kept her face averted so he couldn't see her expression. "Nothing is wrong. I'm just getting settled in," she answered, her voice sounding strained.
Jason kneeled down and stilled her busy hands. Using his other hand, he placed his fingers under her chin and tipped her face up so he could see her. "Are you upset about leaving your studio - about moving in here?"
"No. It's not that," she responded. Seeing the concern in his face, she decided to level with him. "I'm just worried that you're being forced into this situation, just to keep me safe."
Jason took her hand and raised her to her feet. "I don't do things that I don't want to do, Elizabeth." He searched her eyes and saw the uncertainty there. "I love you and I want you here," he stated.
"I love you, Jason," she said softly. She was reassured by the truth in his words. "I want to be here with you, too." She reached up and caressed his cheek.
Relieved, he turned his head and placed a kiss in her palm. What he really wanted, Jason admitted to himself, was for her to never leave him again. With Elizabeth, he wanted forever. Not wanting to push her, he kept these thoughts to himself.
"Good," he responded. "Sonny called and he wants us to come for dinner. Are you up to that? We could just stay here and order something."
"No. Dinner at Sonny's is fine." She paused. "Do you know who's going to be there?"
"I think Michelle and Nikolas' cousin, Justin, will be there. If this is too strange for you, we don't have to go," he reassured her.
Smiling, she responded, "As long as you're there with me, I'll be fine."
Jason took her hand and led her to the door. "Before we go, there's something you should know. We haven't told Michelle that her brother is alive." Seeing Elizabeth's surprise, he explained, "Sonny is afraid that she might let something slip to someone. I know it seems cruel, but it's for her own protection."
Nodding, she asked, "How does Sonny feel about me knowing?"
Jason smiled. "He was fine with it. He trusts you, Elizabeth, and with Sonny, that's the highest compliment you can get."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carly stood in her room, trying on one more pair of pants. She sighed. They were too tight, too.
Sonny turned and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I'm fat!" she wailed. "Nothing fits me anymore."
He walked over to her and held her close. "You are beautiful, and getting more so every day," he assured her. "I guess it's time for a shopping trip." He pulled back and smiled at her.
She chuckled and responded, "You always know just what to say, don't you? For tonight, though, I'll have to settle for one of my looser dresses." She walked to the closet and chose a deep red, sleeveless dress that had almost no waistline to it. "Do you think this dinner is a good idea, Sonny?"
Coming up behind her to help with her buttons, he caressed her skin under the dress and asked, "Are you not feeling up to it? I can handle it on my own, if you'd rather stay up here and rest." He dropped his head and placed a kiss on her bared back.
She shivered and turned to wrap her arms around his neck. "That's not what I meant. I was just thinking that it will probably be awkward for Michelle and Elizabeth, not to mention Jason."
He leaned in and kissed her lovingly. "They're grown-ups. I'm sure they can manage to get along for one evening. Besides, I've already prepared a lot of food, and I think it's a little late to uninvite them." Even as he finished speaking, they could hear the doorbell ring.
Carly gave him a quick kiss and stepped back to finish dressing. "OK, but if there's any bloodshed, you're cleaning it up."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jason and Elizabeth arrived to find Michelle and Justin already seated on the sofa talking. Sonny was just getting their drinks and stopped to ask Jason and Elizabeth what they would like. She asked for a club soda and Jason chose a beer.
"Elizabeth, do you know Justin St. Amant?" Sonny inquired. He gestured for them to be seated.
Justin responded, "We haven't been formally introduced, but I do know who she is." He smiled slightly.
Elizabeth returned the smile. To her, he looked like an older, more rugged version of Nikolas. "I do know your cousin, Nikolas, quite well. In fact, we're friends."
Justin's smile faded. "Oh, yes - Nicky boy. What a privilege for you." An awkward silence followed.
Jason reached for Elizabeth's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. About to respond, he stopped when he saw Carly descending the stairs.
"Hey, everyone," she said into the tense silence. "Sorry I'm late. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find something to wear that fits properly these days." She approached Sonny, putting her arm around his waist.
With her entrance, the tension eased, and Elizabeth said, "You look lovely, Carly - glowing, actually."
Smiling widely, she responded, "Thanks, Elizabeth. I do feel pretty great now that the morning sickness has passed." Accepting an orange juice from her husband, she sipped it, and looked around at her silent guests. Shooting an 'I told you so' look at Sonny, she turned to Jason and asked, "So, have you been to see Lila lately? I take Michael out to see her quite often."
"I've seen her a few times since I've been home," he answered. "She seems to be doing fine. Where is Michael, by the way?"
Carly looked a little uncomfortable. "That's something I've been meaning to talk to you about, Jase, but maybe now isn't the best time." She looked to Sonny and he nodded supportively.
"What's wrong, Carly?" Jason asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Michael is with A.J.," she said quietly. Seeing the shock register in Jason's face, she continued, "While you were gone, A.J. really cleaned up his act. He's been going to AA and he's been sober for a year now. I'm sorry, Jason, but I couldn't keep Michael from him when he was trying so hard." Her look pleaded with him to understand.
Jason was having a hard time taking it all in. Elizabeth clasped his hand and smiled lovingly, causing him to relax a little. "I'll have to take your word for it that he's really changed, Carly," he said sceptically.
"He's trying, Jason, and he always sees Michael at the house when either Monica or Emily can be there, too." She had known that this would be difficult for him to understand, especially with how hard she had fought to keep her son away from A.J.
"I've seen a change in him, too, Jason," Elizabeth contributed. "He seems more grounded and he's acting less like Edward all the time."
Jason smiled at that and said to Carly, "It's OK. I know you'd never put him at risk. Thank you for telling me."
Relieved, Carly turned to Sonny and said, "I'm starving. Is dinner almost ready?"
Grinning at his wife, he responded, "It should be done. Let's eat."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dinner was a big success, or at least the food was. Sonny had prepared sea bass in a ginger sauce and served it with wild rice. The conversation, on the other hand, was stilted and uncomfortable at times. As they finished the fresh fruit tart and coffee, everyone seemed relieved that the evening was almost over.
Suddenly Carly said, "You know what I have a real craving for? Chocolate." Turning to Sonny, she continued, "I could really go for some brownies. Do you think you could make me some, please?"
He flashed his dimples at her and responded, "If you want the ultimate brownie, you should ask Elizabeth to make them. Hers are the best I've ever tasted."
Elizabeth blushed. Michelle rolled her eyes and said quietly, but audibly, "And she bakes, too." Elizabeth flushed even more.
Carly looked at Sonny and teased, "And just when did you have the chance to sample Elizabeth's brownies?"
Jason was looking from Sonny to Elizabeth and wondering the same thing. Sonny glanced at Elizabeth and responded, "It was a long time ago."
"It was right after Jason left town the first time," Elizabeth said quietly. "I brought Sonny some brownies and we talked."
When a small silence followed, Sonny said, "You didn't tell them what we talked about, or should I say 'who'." Seeing her discomfort, he turned to Jason and explained, "You had just left town and we were both missing you, so she came, thinking I might have news of you. We talked about your leaving and the empty place it left in our lives." He shrugged.
Carly smiled sadly in understanding. "That was a pretty dark time for all of us," she said softly. Sonny reached over and stroked her cheek tenderly. "But I guess things worked out the way they were supposed to."
Jason took Elizabeth's hand under the table and rubbed her palm with his thumb. She looked up and saw loving reassurance in his eyes - eyes so blue and deep she felt she could drown in them.
The phone ringing interrupted the moment. Sonny excused himself and went to answer it. "Corinthos. Yeah. OK, we'll be right there." He put the phone down and motioned for Jason to join him. In an undertone, he said, "That was Johnny. Our bird has arrived and Johnny has taken him to the new house. I think we should go see him right away."
Jason paused and glanced at Elizabeth. "OK. Just let me talk to Elizabeth first." He went to where she was sitting and touched her on the shoulder. "I need to talk to you."
She stood and walked with him to the far end of the room. "What is it, Jason?"
"Sonny and I have to go out for a while. That was Johnny on the phone and Philippe has arrived. We need to see him." He reached out and caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Do you want me to walk you across the hall or..."
She brought her hand up to touch the one he was holding to her cheek. "I'll be fine, Jason. You go with Sonny. Thank you for worrying about me."
He kissed her quickly and said, "I don't know how late I'll be, so don't wait up. I'll see you in the morning." He took one long look at her and walked to the door. Sonny, having explained quietly to Carly, was waiting for him. When the door closed behind them, quiet descended on the room and its four remaining occupants looked at each other uncertainly.
Carly, wanting to ease the tension, suggested playfully, "Charades anyone?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*