Chapter 9:

Cameron and Elizabeth:

After the kids leave for school, Elizabeth sits with Cameron and says, "I'm seeing Kevin tomorrow to talk about Esme. You can come with me, and we can discuss anything you want. Do you want to come, or would you rather tell me now?"

Cameron replies, "mom, I'm not okay with Esme or anyone being my twin. Not only because of what she did to Joss and me but what she's done to you. Maybe it would be different if we had grown up together, but we didn't. I like what we have now. I want her to pay!"

Elizabeth says, "I understand. I've thought a lot about it too. I can't put my finger on it, but if Esme is my daughter and Helena did something to her, I'd want to help. Remember what Helena did to Jake? Would you want nothing to do with him?"

Cameron replies, "when you put it that way, I suppose she deserves a chance to get help, but it doesn't mean I want her in my life unless she can turn it around and make apologies. I'm sorry I couldn't help you. Franco told me to look after you, and I failed."

"Elizabeth holds Cameron in her arms and says, "you will never fail me. You took care of your brothers when I couldn't. I am very proud of you."

Cameron asks, "how do you feel about what she did to you?"

Elizabeth replies, "about the same I felt a few days ago. She's still my daughter, but I was terrified thinking about you, Jake, Aiden, and who would care for you if I was gone. I've been in worse situations, but I was always willing to risk things until I had kids. If it came down to Esme or my boys, Esme would lose. As you said, she didn't grow up with us; I hope she gets help, but not the kind of help we can give. I'll ask Kevin about it tomorrow."

Cameron says, "mom, before I forget, I wanted to ask, can Joss and I go camping this weekend? Ever since that tape, we haven't had time for ourselves."

Elizabeth laughs, "camping? Joss does not seem the camping type. You and Josslyn are 19, but I'm glad you still want to ask me. Yes, If you are both sure and careful, you can go; but only if Carly agrees. Until they find Esme, Sonny has men watching over you and Josslynn, so it might not be romantic, but at least you will be safe." Elizabeth laughs again, "Sonny's men going camping? Please take pictures. Did your dad ever tell you about the time Sonny and Luke took him camping and Luke pierced his ear? He told me that story when we were teenagers. I think Lucky said he was about 13, and they used a fish hook." Elizabeth laughs again.

Cameron replies, "I wouldn't say camping. Joss calls it 'glamping,' glamour, and camping."

Elizabeth says, "I am having coffee with Carly later; has Joss already asked her?"

Cameron replies, "I think so. She said her mom knows a place. Thanks, mom; I'm going to see Spencer." Cameron leaves.

Elizabeth picks up the phone and places a brief call to Jason. "Hi! I wanted to hear your voice. I can't talk long. I'm having coffee with Carly, of all people (she laughs). She wants me to catch her up on my ordeal, and I want to thank her for her help. Cam asked me if he could go away with Joss for the weekend. Maybe if Laura can watch Jake and Aiden, I might be able to get away myself. I could spend the night with you. I'm seeing Kevin tomorrow and will let you know how that goes. I'll call you later. Bye!"

Elizabeth and Carly meet for coffee at the Metro Court.

Elizabeth waits for Carly at the counter, sipping her latte. Carly waves and motions to a table. Elizabeth gathers her things and sits down next to Carly. She updates Carly as much as possible, leaving Jason out of it and telling the same story she told Dante. Elizabeth doesn't know how to explain Esme's reasons for taking her. She will keep quiet until the family is ready to let others know the real reasons.

Elizabeth asks, "has Joss asked you about this weekend?"

Carly laughs and replies, "do you mean about going glamping? Yes, she did. I told her she could go, and I recommended a place. I reminded her that until they find Esme, the guards stay. What did you say?"

Elizabeth replies, "I told Cam the same. I said he was 19 and did not need to ask permission, but it was nice he did. I also reminded him about the guards and laughed, thinking of Sonny's people outside in some tent trying to avoid being intrusive."

Carly says, "Again, there is the elephant in the room. Why is Esme fixated on you and our children?"

Elizabeth pauses and replies, "jealously. If she couldn't be happy, none of us could. After her breakup with Spencer, Esme felt betrayed and wanted to hurt Cam and Joss. She spiked my meds and knew that would hurt Cameron. It was a bonus that I checked myself into Shadybrook."

Carly asks, "you said she seemed familiar and that you felt you knew her from someplace. Did you figure that out?"

Elizabeth knew there would be no way to dig herself out of the hole she dug once the truth came out, lies, and said, "no. I still haven't figured out the connection."

Carly stands up and says, "I'm glad you are okay. I'll catch up with you later. I'll make sure the kids are safe this weekend."

Elizabeth replies, "thanks again for your help, and I'll let you know if anything new comes up" She finishes her coffee and leaves.

Elizabeth returns home, cooks dinner for the kids, and writes notes for her session with Kevin in the morning.

In the morning, Cam cooks breakfast for his brothers and drops them off at school, then drives to his classes and later his shift at Kellys.

Kevin and Elizabeth:

Elizabeth drives to General Hospital and knocks on Kevin's door.

Kevin welcomes Elizabeth and motions to a chair opposite his desk. "Do you have anything to add about your experience with Esme?"

Elizabeth replies, "Kevin, I've thought a lot about it and discussed this with Cameron. I wish I knew more about why Helena did this, and I want to help her if I can, but ultimately the children I raised come first in my life. We may never know what Helena's endgame was. Hopefully, if they catch Esme and she is held accountable for her actions, she can get the help she needs. If that is the case, maybe Helena's reign will be over, and that will be the end of everything."

Kevin asks, "and if it's not?"

Elizabeth sarcastically says, "I guess the Spencer curse will live on, and fingers crossed, we live another day to fight it."

Kevin replies, "for now, I think we don't need future sessions, but if you ever need to talk again, please don't hesitate to call me anytime."

Elizabeths says, "thank you, Kevin." She hugs him goodbye and stops at the Hub to say hello to her colleagues before heading home.

Jason and Elizabeth:

Before the boys are due home, Elizabeth calls Jason. "Is this a good time? I'm sure you are bored and want to return to the land of the living, but would that make it easier for you if I visit?"

Jason smiles and says, "of course, any visit from you would make me happy. How soon before I can see you?"

Elizabeth replies, "Cam and Joss are going away starting the day after tomorrow, and I'm asking Laura to stay with Jake and Aiden. I will need a plausible reason why I'll be away. Would you be comfortable with me telling her the truth about you being alive? I think we can trust her."

Jason says, "if you need to cover your tracks, I trust your judgment. It should only be a few more days, anyway. I can't wait to see you. We still have a lot to talk about."

Elizabeth says, "I'll call you when I'm ready and will replenish anything you want. Bye!"

Jason replies, "bye!" He smiles, and his hand lingers on his phone.

Laura and Elizabeth, and the kids:

Elizabeth calls Laura over for a visit. Elizabeth explains her situation and tells Laura about Jason. She explains she was the one who helped find her with Nikolas and Spinelli's help. Jason feels he is not ready to reveal he is alive, so he's been hiding at the safehouse provided by Anna Devane since his recovery from the tunnel collapse on Cassidine Island.

Elizabeth says, "Laura, I've never gotten over Jason, and he says he's never forgotten me either. We want to try again, and I'm aware there are dangers if we get involved again, but that is what we will try and figure out together. Can you cover for us while Cam is gone this weekend?"

Laura replies, "All I want is for you to be happy; if you find that with Jason, I will support your choices. I will cover for you and come up with why you are away. Promise me to have your phone nearby. I love you."

Elizabeth hugs Laura and says, "I will. I love you too."

Everyone returns home, and Elizabeth explains while Cam is out 'glamping,' grandma Luara will stay with Jake and Aiden. "I love all of you, but everything that has happened recently has been overwhelming, and I want a few days to myself."

Laura stays over, Cam leaves for his weekend trip, and Elizabeth gets ready to see Jason. She buys all the necessary items and packs a few personal things she hopes Jason will enjoy.

Jason and Elizabeth meet again.

They spend the first day and night making love, eating, and sleeping. In the morning, they have 'the talk.'

Elizabeth says, "I realize I can't ask you to change and not work for Sonny, and Carly will always be important to you; all I ask is for you to make me a priority when you can and when you can't; I want protection for my boys and me." Jason agrees.

"Elizabeth, one of the main reasons we didn't work out in the past is the big 'D,' the 'danger' word. I still worry about it, and I couldn't take it if something happened to you or the boys."

"Jason, we have been dancing the cha-cha dance since 2000, 1999 if you count us becoming friends and getting to know each other. It's always been two steps forward, two steps back. I'm not going anywhere this time, and we've already established more 'D' things that happened had nothing to do with you. I've wanted to be with you for 20 years, and I don't want to hide anymore. We need to meet with the boys and have them accept you and if you feel it's necessary, provide security. Kristina, Molly, and Josslyn already have it. Michael has distanced himself from Sonny and doesn't want anything to do with him. Please think about it. Until Sam turned you away, you let her deal with the danger; why couldn't you try with me, even after you had Danny? Did you stop loving me?"

"Elizabeth, I never stopped loving you. I did love Sam, but you've always been in my heart. I can't deny Sam embraced the danger and took risks, but that's not what I wanted. I never felt I could trust her the way I trusted you. Even when we broke up, it didn't tear me apart like when you and I broke off our engagement. When we broke up, you were able to move on, and all that mattered to me was your happiness, so I moved on or moved back to Sam. She wasn't a consolation prize, I did love her, but I couldn't stop loving you. Believe it or not, she was the safer choice for me. Safer for my heart."

"Jason, that doesn't make sense. How was she the safer choice?"

"Elizabeth, she could never break my heart, and I was always afraid of losing myself in you. I don't feel that way anymore. I want to take the chance and want you as my equal. I want to figure out what arrangements we can make for the future."

He kisses her and leads her to bed. She wakes up and steps into the shower as Jason brews a cup of coffee and cooks breakfast.

Her phone rings and Jason brings it to her. She answers, "Laura, are the boys alright? "

Laura's voice is filled with panic, "no, Elizabeth, the boys are fine. It's Audrey. She's in the hospital. There was a home intrusion, and she fell down the stairs. From the description the neighbors gave, it sounds like it was Esme. Audrey needs you. She is in a medically induced coma. I'm sorry to interrupt your weekend, but please come home."

Elizabeth is quickly drying herself off and hastily dressing as she listens to Laura's call. Jason can't hear the other conversation, but he knows it's terrible. "Laura, I'm on my way. Thank you for calling."

As Elizabeth is tying up her shoes, she fills Jason in and says; I've got to get to the hospital. I love you; I'll be in touch."

Jason hugs her tightly and says, "I love you too. I'll find a way to contact you, and I hope Audrey is okay."

Leaving Elizabeth says, "this is the last straw. Even if she is my daughter, I can't save her. I should have realized this is like Lucky. I can't hold on to guilt out of my control, and what happened to her is tragic, but she made her own choices. She could have sought me out years ago. She has to pay for what she's done!" She gets into her car and leaves to get to the hospital.