Chapter 8: Wedding Eve

It's the day before the wedding and everyone is at a rehearsal dinner at Sonny's penthouse. Sonny and Jason are at the ends of the table while Courtney and Carly are on one side of the table, and Emily and Zander are on the other side.

Sonny taps his spoon against his glass and everyone gets quiet. Sonny stands up and starts his toast. "When I first found out that my best friend and my sister were in a relationship, I over-reacted a little bit."

"A little bit? You forced them apart!" Carly playfully yells at him.

"Yeah, okay. I over-reacted a lot." There's laughter around the table. "Anyway, that I see them together, I understand why they stayed together. They love each other. They make a perfect match for one another. And I can honestly say that when I see them together, Jason looks happier than I had seen him in a while. I'm glad that someone could do that to you. To Jason and Courtney." Sonny raises his glass and the others follow suit. They all take a sip from their glasses.

There's a bunch of small talk for a while, then everyone realizes what time it is. "Well now, I think it's time we turn in. It's a big day tomorrow," Carly declares. "Jason, you're staying at Jakes tonight right? I mean, you can't both stay at the penthouse. It's bad luck."

"Yeah, Jake's reserved a room for me," Jason tells her.

Carly seems satisfied with that, walks over to him and gives him a hug. "I'm so happy for you Jason. I'm so glad that you've found someone."

Jason seems a little hesitant but replies, "Me too." He kisses her on the cheek and then Emily comes over and gives him a hug.

"I love you Jase. I'm so happy for you," she says in his ear as they hug.

"Thanks. I love you too." They break their hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye Em." Jason calls after her as she walks out with Zander.

When Emily and Zander are in the elevator, Emily asks Zander, "Did you talk to him about Liz?"

"Yeah, it's been kinda weird giving advice to someone that you don't really get along with."

"Thanks. I like Courtney, but I don't see the love in his eyes, when he's with Courtney, as strong as when I see him with Elizabeth. I didn't want him making a mistake."

"Well, I guess all you can hope for is that they do something about it tonight. You did talk to Elizabeth, right?"

"Oh yeah. I am hoping she makes a move if he doesn't." The elevator opens and they walk out.

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"Bye Jason. I'll see you tomorrow," Courtney says. They kiss for a brief second and then Carly pulls her away and takes her across the hall.

Sonny walks over to Jason after they leave. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here instead of Jake's?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I kind of want to stay there on last time. Besides, I'd probably run into Courtney sometime, and that wouldn't make Carly very happy," Jason says with a chuckle.

Sonny laughs along with him. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you!"

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As Jason is walking along the docks, he can't help but remember the conversation he had with Zander a week ago *Could you be happier with Elizabeth? I guess I'll never know. Tomorrow's the big day. Snap out of it Jason! You love Courtney, and she loves you. You'll be happy together. Why am I doubting myself?* He exhales sharply as he still thinks. *I need to find out once and for all if I still have feelings for Elizabeth.* With that, he heads in the direction of Elizabeth's studio. *Gosh, I hope she's there.*

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Elizabeth is painting in her studio. *It's Jason's wedding tomorrow. Do you think you could be happier with Jason?* She thought about that question that Emily asked her a week ago. *I guess I'll never know. He's getting married, Elizabeth. MARRIED! Come on now. You love Ric. Stop thinking about what might have been.*

She sets her paint brush down and just as she does so, there's knock at the door. She can feel that it's him out there, but she doesn't know if she wants to let him in. He knocks again and calls her name. "Elizabeth? Are you there? I need to talk to you!"

She walks over to the door and opens it. "Hey, Jason. Is everything okay?"

"No. Everything's not okay," Jason says shortly as her walks in the door. Elizabeth shuts it behind him and follows him into her studio. He's looking out the window and Elizabeth walks up behind him. She's about two feet away when he turns around suddenly. He walks two steps and is inches from her face. She can feel his breath on her skin. He leans in suddenly and kisses her deeply. It takes her by surprise, and then she kisses him back.

They kiss for a while, when Elizabeth pulls back. "We shouldn't do this, Jason." They pause for a minute, just looking at each other. "Why did you kiss me? You're getting married tomorrow, and I don't think that was the smartest thing to do under those circumstances."

"I just needed to know if I was over you, and I figured the only way I could really find out is if I kissed you. If I felt something, then I would tell Courtney it's off because I need to make sure that I am marrying the perfect person. If I feel the slightest feeling for someone else, I shouldn't go through with this wedding."

Jason looks far into Elizabeth's eyes. She looks right back at him. "So, what did you feel?"