Chapter 17

Jason moves in, and Spinelli has news:

Jason quickly settles into his new home. Elizabeth arrives from visiting Audrey. She walks in as Jake sets the table. "What is that delicious smell? Don't tell me you cooked?"

Jason replies, "after take-out and frozen dinners the past few months, I thought a home-cooked meal would be nice. Aiden helped."

Jason helps Elizabeth out of her coat, takes her purse, and sets it on the entry table. Hanging her keys on the hook above the table, she leans over for a kiss and says, I'll change clothes and be down soon."

She joins Jason, Jake, and Aiden for dinner. Jason says, "Cameron said you told him he could go out with Joss tonight. I hope that was alright."

Elizabeth replies, "yes, I told him this morning he could go. Since Esme's tape, my time in Shadybrook, and my abduction, he and Joss haven't had any time together. He was so focused on caring for his brothers and school that he never had time for himself." Elizabeth takes a bite of the pasta and continues, "mmm, this is good. Is this one of Sonny's dishes?"

Jason replies, "yes. How did you know that?"

Elizabeth laughs and quietly says, "you told me the night we made Jake."

Jake and Aiden were talking about school and looked over when Jake heard his name. Aiden says, "Jason told me he usually doesn't cook, but this is delicious."

"Thank you, Aiden," Jason says. "Elizabeth, what was your day like?"

Elizabeth replies, " I was at General Hospital and told them I was ready to return to work. I start back on Monday. I saw my Gram, who is adjusting to the assisted living facility. I think this is a good move for her, and I'm at peace knowing she will be safe. She has already made new friends. She felt isolated at her place, with just a few visits from me, the boys, and occasionally Monica and Bobbie."

Jason helps Elizabeth clear the dishes from the table, and the boys go to their room to play and study. Elizabeth asks, "Jason, are you happy? I know this is not the life you expected when you came back. Is it boring?"

Jason finishes loading the dishwasher, and Elizabeth wipes down the table, and he replies, "no, for years, all I've wanted is to come home to you and your boys. We had this push-pull, two-steps forward, three-steps back relationship. There was always an obstacle that kept us from moving forward. I'm glad we are on the same page now."

Elizabeth answers, "me too. I want to reassure you I am not asking you to change. I only want you to be careful and keep us safe."

Jason takes her hand and leads her upstairs. He replies that's what I want too. I have something to ask you before we go to bed."

Elizabeth changes into a comfortable nightshirt, and Jason strips down to his boxers. She applies lotion to her legs, and he rubs some on her neck and shoulders.

Jason says, "Elizabeth since this is the first time we've had to ourselves outside the safe house, I remembered you had a birthday a couple of days ago. I want to take you out for your birthday. We could go to the Metro Court tomorrow."

Elizabeth asks, "are you sure that's a good idea? Carly could be there. Are you sure she's ready to see us together?"

Jason replies, "she will need to get used to us. We might as well start now."

Elizabeth says, okay! Let's do it!"

Jason takes her in his arms, and they crawl into bed and make love. She falls asleep, her head on his chest. After they wake up and enjoy a shower, they walk downstairs to a breakfast cooked by Cam. Elizbeth asks about his date with Joss, and Cam fills them in before he heads to class. Jason drops Jake and Aiden at school while Elizabeth cleans up the house.

Spinelli rings the bell, and Elizabeth answers the door. "Spinelli, what a surprise. Jason's not here, but he should be back soon if you want to wait."

Spinelli replies, "I called Stone Cold and told him I have results. He told me to wait for him here. I hope that is acceptable."

"Of course," Elizabeth says. She brings him an orange soda. Jason arrives a few minutes later.

Jason says, "Spinelli, you said you had news."

Spinelli replies, "yes. Should Fair Elizabeth hear the news as well?"

Jason replies, "anything you say to me, you can say to her."

Spinelli, folder in hand, begins to read. "I hacked into the General Hospital database. I compared Courtney's DNA against Esme's DNA. Jason, you, and Courtney are her parents."

Jason asks, "what else did you find out?"

Spinelli replies, "some of these are assumptions, and some are facts I traced from Esme's birth to where she ended. I traced funds from Alcazar's accounts paid to an OBGYN, and she told Courtney she had a miscarriage. You thought Courtney had a miscarriage after falling into the water trying to escape from Alcazar's men. I believe Alcazar and his men fished her out of the water, and she gave birth Lorrenzo took the baby and gave or sold her to Helena. I determined Helena gave the baby girl to her daughter Irina to raise. She conditioned her to hate and resent Elizabeth. She is the original Esme."

Jason exclaims, "wow! Is there more? Isn't Irina dead?"

Spinelli replies, "I heard one of Helena's men killed Irina on Helena's orders in 2012, shortly before your first untimely death. Ethan Lovett was there when it happened. Esme was about ten, and Helena shipped her to a boarding school. There are records of Helena making several visits until she died in 2015; Esme would have been about fifteen. Jerry took over after Helena's death. I assume he sent her to another boarding school, and that is where the trail ends."

Elizabeth sighs and says, "Helena did all this to torture me? I guess Esme is still out there and a danger to our family. Jason, please, I know she is your daughter, but I don't know how I can feel safe with her out there."

Jason replies, I understand how you feel, but if I can, I want to help her, get her some help. Spinelli, is that it?"

Spinelli replies, "I am close to ascertaining what happened to your baby Elizabeth. I will be in touch when I know more. I bid adieu." Spinelli leaves.

Jason looks at his watch and says, "Elizabeth, we should get ready for your birthday dinner. She dresses in a light blue tea-length dress with a shawl for warmth; Jason wears jeans, a dark blue dress shirt, and a casual jacket. Cameron offers to watch his brothers.

Jason and Elizabeth walk into the Metro Court, and despite the news Jason is alive, all eyes turn to him. Carly walks over and politely shows them to a table. Carly says, "Elizabeth, Joss told me she had a nice time last night on her date with Cameron. I think it's great that they are trying to put this Esme thing behind them."

Elizabeth replies, "Cameron said the same thing to me this morning. I'm glad we are trying to get along for their sakes."

Carly says, "Jason told me you are not Esme's mother. That was an elaborate plan by Helena to punish you, your family, and mine. I don't blame you for Helena's actions and Esme's intentions, but do you suspect who her parents are?"

Jason answers, "no. We don't know yet, but I'll let you know when we do. Esme still believes Elizabeth is her mother. My goal is to keep her and her family safe."

Carly replies, "when you find out, I want you to do something about it, or I'll ask Sonny to take care of her. No one gets away with hurting my daughter without paying."

Jason looks at Elizabeth and says, Carly, don't ask Sonny to do anything. I know what I am doing."

Carly says, "thank you. Dinner is on me; order whatever you want." Carly leaves.

Jason and Elizabeth enjoy their meal discussing why it's not a good time to tell Carly anything. They return home, relieving Cameron of his duties. He leaves for Kelly's to prep the food for tomorrow.

Jake tries to teach Jason how to play a computer game in his room, and Elizabeth helps Aiden bake cookies for his class on Monday. After they clean up, Elizabeth and Jason see the boys to bed before retreating to their room.

Jerry and Esme:

Jerry meets with Esme. Jerry suggests she go after Jason and his loved ones.

Esme replies I don't care about Jason unless it involves Elizabeth and Cameron."

Jerry says, "my sources said Cameron is at Kelly's now. He is closing and cleaning the diner and preparing tomorrow's food. He isn't alone, but you've been able to slither your way into secure locations. Cameron is not important to me. Morgan is. He needs to pay for everything he's put me through. If anyone catches you, you are on your own."

Esme targets Cameron. Elizabeth returns to work.