Shot in an Alley: Wedded Bliss
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-- Morgan Penthouse
Elizabeth tried on her gown for the last time before the wedding the next day. She still couldn't get over it. It had barely been a month, but still, this felt right. It wasn't like they were rushing into things. This had been a four year relationship. Well, Elizabeth thought with a smile, maybe relationship wasn't the right word for a lot of those years.
She smoothed her hands over the bottom of her gown, getting rid of imaginary wrinkles. She hadn't seen Jason in this tux yet, but since he wouldn't be seeing her all night, it was only fair. He was actually spending the night in her studio.
All of the details were set. They were being married on the bridge. Sonny had pushed for a church but neither she nor Jason let themselves be swayed on the matter. Emily and Carly were her bridesmaid and Sonny and Johnny were standing up for Jason. The Quartermaines were coming and, likely for Lila, AJ had said he was going to come. She wanted the whole family together, celebrating something together, and hopefully not fighting.
Michael was going to be their ring bearer. Her Gram and Bobbie were both standing in for her as almost surrogate mothers, which somehow helped calm Elizabeth's nerves. Nikolas accepted the relationship but after a talk with Elizabeth herself decided to come to Kelly's for the reception instead of the wedding - less chance of fighting with Jason. And while Elizabeth wanted Luke to come no one really knew where he was.
In the oddest change of events it was Lucky who would be giving her away. Though they were no longer in love, and the friendship that he and Jason had shared was long since over, there was always going to be something connecting Lucky and Elizabeth. Sort of like friends who had so deep of a past that years could go by between visits, but the comfortable feeling wouldn't go away. She hadn't asked him to give her away, but he'd offered and somehow, it felt right. Lucky had also promised Lulu for the flower girl.
Her parents hadn't gotten invitations to the wedding but Elizabeth had relented and invited them, thru her Gram, to the reception, though everyone had a feeling they weren't coming. Along with her parents she had given invitations to Sarah and Steve, who were much more likely to make an apperance.
Elizabeth was broken out of her thoughts by a knock at the door. "Lizabeth?"
Smiling she went to open the door for her ring bearer. "Hi Michael."
The little boy was in his outfit for the wedding. "Mommy said I should show you my suit."
She grinned at him, this kid could look cute in a paper bag. "You look great Michael."
"Good, can I tell my mommy you like it so I can go get in my pajamas?" he asked. Clearly, dressing up was a girl thing in his book.
"Sure Michael, go ahead." The little boy ran out of the room.
Everything was falling into place.
-- Elizabeth's Studio
"You look great Jason."
His little sister had been sent by Carly to make sure the tux was perfectly fine, as if Carly hadn't helped him pick it out. What he really figured, however, was that Carly didn't want him alone the entire night and had sent Emily to keep him company. "Thanks."
"You ready for this?" she asked him.
Jason sighed. Was he? But before he could continue that line of thinking Elizabeth's beautiful face filled his mind. Yes, he was ready for this. "Yeah."
"Not nervous?"
"No, we have a guard on everyone. No one is getting kidnapped this time around. And I personally made sure that all of the guests knew what was going to happen to them if them spoke at the objection part." His sister laughed at him, but what she didn't know was that with the exception of Elizabeth's and his own grandmothers, Emily, Carly, Sonny, Michael and Lulu, he had talked to the rest of the guests.
He was taking no risks.
Emily sat down on the couch he knew like the back of his hand. "Can I tell you something?"
Jason nodded, sitting down next to her.
"I knew you never loved Courtney." Emily admitted.
Jason was actually somewhat shocked. Hadn't she said that they looked in love when she met Courtney?
Off Jason's look Emily continued. "I didn't want to mess with your life, but I could see it in your eyes. I was actually planning on stopping the wedding at the objection hold you peace part if you didn't do it for yourself. Then Carly went missing and I didn't have to. I could see it when you introduced us, you weren't smiling in your eyes. I mean, to people who didn't know you it would seem like you were in love. And to the people who wanted you and Courtney together, like Carly and Sonny, they didn't want to see it either. I didn't know Courtney before then. I just wanted you happy. And I do know you. So I guess I could see what everyone ignored, or didn't know." She finished, taking a deep breath.
Jason was nearly speechless. "You would have really stopped the wedding?"
Emily nodded. "If I had to." She told him simply.
"Thanks."
Jason leaned forward to hug Emily, something she welcomed happily.
-- Corinthos Penthouse
Carly just finished getting Michael out of the suit and into bed. She flopped down on the couch as Sonny came into the room.
"You ready for tomorrow?" Sonny asked, watching his wife carefully, "This is it Carly. Jason is getting married." Everyone had been worried about her reaction from the start. If she was going to have problems, she'd of likely said something by now, but Sonny didn't want to take any chances.
"I'm ready." Carly said with confidence.
"I'm proud of you. And Jason. I wouldn't have ever guessed he and Elizabeth would be doing this." He informed her.
Sonny came to sit next to her. One of his jobs was food. Bobbie would be making half and Sonny the other half. It wasn't fancy food but things the couple liked. When Elizabeth had suggested soup Jason had gone a shade of green then completely white, then put his foot down on the idea. Carly and Sonny had watched in puzzeled amusment.
This was going to be perfect for them if it was the last thing Sonny did.
-- Graveyard
Elizabeth had convinced Francis to bring her here. She needed to talk to a few people. First stop was Ric's grave.
She kneeled down to the ground, no longer in her wedding dress. "Hello Ric." She greeted him in a light tone. The police had found him in a car acciden - a speeding police car hit his own. The DA didn't want to make himself look bad with the police connection so he ruled it accidental and didn't even suspend the cop. No one in Port Charles besides the Corinthos's, Jason, herself and the people who worked for Sonny knew the truth. The cop had been on Sonny's payroll. The men had made a large shard of glass take care of the gunshot wound. To everyone it had been a terrible accident.
"Jason and I are getting married." She informed her once husband.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and continued. "He loves me. He won't lie to me either. I just wanted you to know that I'm going to be fine. I know you always loved me, Ric. And part of me loved you. We will always be connected thru our baby."
Elizabeth stopped and opened her hand. Her wedding and engagement rings sitting in the palm of her hand. "I won't be needing these anymore, but I want you to have them."
She set them down and walked away. There was still someone else she had to pay a visit to. She slowly walked between the graves and found the one she was looking for.
Courtney Matthews.
Elizabeth once again kneeled down to the hard ground. She didn't quite know what to say to her. There was nothing she could really say by way of being connected, like she could Ric, but there was one thing she could say.
"I will always protect him, I promise."
And with that one sentence she got up and walked back to the car.
-- The Next Day, The Bridge
There was a small tent built for the women to finalize their outfits. It had actually been Sonny's idea. They had closed off the road by calling in a favor, so the tent was before the bridge. Carly had taken off a few minutes ago but now Elizabeth was with Emily and her Gram. "How do I look?" She did a twirl around for them both to see the dress in all angles.
Emily smiled. "Beautiful."
Gram was already tearing up and there was still an hour before the wedding. She didn't need to say anything. Elizabeth could see it in her eyes.
-- The Altar
Monica stood by Sonny and Jason. She could see that Jason was struggling with his bow tie, but he said nothing for anyone to help him.
"You ready for this, man?" Sonny questioned Jason. He was watching the war between the tie and Jason with a small smile on his face.
"Yeah."
Jason finally dropped his hands in defeat. He looked up at Sonny but then turned his gaze to Monica. "Do you think you, um, could you help me with this?" he said almost shyly, as thought he was worried she would tell him no.
That would never happen. Monica smiled at her youngest son and walked over to him. She moved the bow tie around until it was the way that it needed to be. "There."
Jason fully smiled at her and spoke quietly. "Thanks Mom."
Monica's eyes teared up a bit. She could count on one hand how many times he called her mom since the accident. "Anytime."
Carly came running up to Jason before they could talk more. "Jason, are you ready?"
Jason nodded at Carly. "Are you?"
Carly looked confused before she realized what he meant. "Yeah. I'm ready. I can't believe this. You won't be mine anymore."
Jason smiled at her. "I'll always be your friend."
Carly looked down, "Not the same."
Jason smiled again before pulling her into a hug, "You're right, it's going to be even better."
Then she pulled away and swatted him with her flowers. "Get you ass on to that alter, we have to get you married!"
Monica went to her seat next to Alan after giving Jason a smile. Sonny lead him away to the alter. Carly marched back to the tent to get the wedding started. She was on a mission. "I am getting him married even if I have to drag him to the alter." She muttered under her breath.
Elizabeth turned to see Carly walking in the tent. "Let's go."
The music started and Carly sent Michael out, holding the rings, with Lulu holding her flowers. You could hear the people going "aww" over the two.
Emily came up to Elizabeth and squeezed her hand. "Thank you for loving my brother." She whispered in her hear before Carly practically threw her out of the tent.
Emily walked slowly towards the alter. While she was walking Carly came up to Elizabeth. "Look Muffin, I know you know that I will hurt you if you do anything to Jason. And you know that I can let him go. But what I want you to know is that I count you as a friend. Not just because of Sonny and Jason. I admire what you for what you've been through." Carly stopped and gave Elizabeth a sort of affectionate glare, "If you ever mention this again, I'll deny it."
Elizabeth smiled at her. "Thank you Carly. I feel the same way." The two hugged very briefly before Carly made her way down the aisle.
Lucky came up to her and offered his arm. "You ready?"
Elizabeth felt like that question was being asked a lot but she was ready. This was it. "More so than ever."
Lucky kissed her on the cheek and waited for the music to change. The bridal march came to them and Elizabeth took a deep breath. She slowly started with Lucky out of the tent.
Jason heard the music change and glued his eyes to the exit of the tent. After a second he saw her.
She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Her eyes locked with his as she moved closer to him. Soon the alter was right in front of her. Lucky flashed a smile and leaned into Jason's direction. "Take care of her."
Jason nodded and Elizabeth went to stand next to the priest.
The music stopped and the man started to speak.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two unique souls. Jason Morgan and Elizabeth Webber. The two wanted to say their own vows."
Elizabeth looked up at Jason. She had decided to go first. "My whole life I've put on a front for other people. That I was strong, or fearless. That things didn't bother me when they did. I met you during one of the hardest times of my life. You and I have a intresting relationship. You saved me from myself and I saved you in the snow." She and Jason shared their own quiet smile, "I was amazed by you. You weren't like anyone I had met. You did what you wanted. Traditions went out the window when you were around. You're your own person. You don't show how you feel the traditional way, but somehow in a way that's even better. That really became obvious if you look over the presents you've given me. A hunk of red glass from Italy. An industrial door. A baseball bat. But you gave me something else. You showed me myself. And you gave me love. We might have had some problems getting here but now that I have you I am never letting you go. I love you Jason."
Everyone was near tears with her speech, even Jason, but he kept himself nuetral as he spoke up. "Everyone here knows I'm not good with words." Edward snorted here and Jason quickly turned to look at him. "Some more than others." Everyone on the bridge laughed slightly at this, even Edward. "But you all also know that I don't lie. I was lying to myself though. I let myself pretend I didn't need you. That I didn't want to be with you. But I did. I love you more than anything. You understand me when I don't say a word. You accept me. And I can never thank you enough for it. When I woke up I was told that I couldn't love. I would never feel. Robin showed me what love was. She taught me what you need to love someone. I met you and it all became real for me." This would have seemed like the time for him to end it with a declaration of love, but he didn't need to. Elizabeth could read everything she needed in his eyes.
They all turned back to the preist. "Elizabeth, do you take Jason to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer? To foresake all others? To have and to hold from this day froward?"
Elizabeth looked at Jason. "Yes, I will."
"And do you Jason, take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cheris, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer? To foresake all others? To have and to hold from this day forward?"
"I will."
The priest sent a glance at Michael after Jason spoke.
Michael handed Elizabeth Jason's ring at his cue.
"Alright, repeat after me. I Elizabeth,"
Elizabeth smiled at Jason. "I Elizabeth."
"Take you Jason."
Jason grinned at the take part. Just this once he was willing to let the owning another thing go. Besides, he didn't mind having Elizabeth have him.
"Take you Jason." She repeated.
"To be my husband."
"To be my husband." Her voice was starting to waver.
"And with this ring, I thee wed."
A tear fell down her face as she spoke the last part of her vows. "And with this ring, I thee wed."
She slipped the ring on his finger.
The priest turned to Jason, but then he paused, waiting for Michael to hand Jason Elizabeth's ring. When the little boy realized that he was forgetting his cue he giggled a bit and whispered "Oops." Then handed Jason the ring. Everyone laughed a bit, breaking the emotional mood for just a second.
"And Jason, repeat after me. I Jason."
"I Jason."
"Take you Elizabeth."
"Take you Elizabeth." At this part Jason, being the final hold out, felt a small tear run down his cheek.
"To be my wife."
Jason grinned again, "To be my wife."
"And with this ring, I thee wed."
Jason slipped on her ring as he spoke the vow. "And with this ring, I thee wed."
The priest took over yet again. "If their are any objections to this union then speak now or forever hold your peace."
Jason and Elizabeth quickly scanned around the bridge. No one spoke after a second and the priest continued. "Then, with the power invested in me, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Jason was smiling as he leaned in and kissed Elizabeth. The kiss went on even through the priest clearing this throat. Finally Michael could take no more and spoke up. "Ewww, Uncle Jason, Aunt Lizabeth, stop being gross!"
The married couple broke apart as the whole bridge broke out in laughter. Then the two walked down the aisle together.
Francis was holding Jason's bike and the two got on. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his waist.
Jason turned on the bike and speed away to the penthouse to change. After that they were heading to Kelly's.
But right now he had a different destination in mind. Since he had Elizabeth in his life he no longer lived in nowhere. But for now, they were going to visit it one last time.
After this ride they would be in forever.
THE END
Thank you to all who have reviewed this story. You won't ever know how much it means to me. Well, this is it. The story is over. You can all go now. But, before you do, for old times sake, please reivew.
Really, is this fic completely without my plea for reviews? You all have to this time. Even you lurkers (for lack of a better word, I'm stealing Shamira's. Hehe). But we all know the fic can't be over with out this one last thing...
And they both lived happily ever after. In wedded, occasionally mob interrupted, bliss.