Chapter 19- Heartbreak

Jason was still in a little bit of shock. He had expected Serena to throw a fit. He had expected her to completely freak out. Instead, she was sitting on the couch, having an actual conversation with the woman who had abandoned her and left her with an abusive father.

"Alright, this is not what I was expecting" said Kemen coming up to Jason.

"Me neither. It thought she was going to flip out" said Jason.

"I mean, she left us. She gave birth and ran. She didn't even try to take us with her"

"Are you ok with this?" asked Jason.

"I don't know. I almost hoped she would be angry. I wanted her to seek some sort of retribution for her crappy childhood"

"Serena's childhood wasn't all bad" said Jason.

"Yeah? How do you know, you weren't there?" he snapped angrily. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak out on you like that" said Kemen.

"It's ok. And I know that her childhood wasn't all bad because she told me. She told me that she loved living with you"

"I bet she did. It's always great to not be able to afford anything" said Kemen.

"It's not always about money" said Jason softly.

"I just can't help but think that things would be better if she stuck around. Or if she took her with us" said Kemen. "I don't think I can do this" he said, storming out.

Serena heard the door slam and looked up to see Jason now standing alone. Excusing herself from the catching up she was doing with her mother, she ran out to see him. Jason was left standing alone with Dalila.

"So, this is my baby's new home" she said, trying to make conversation with him.

Jason didn't say anything. He just stood there, ignoring her.

"I don't understand why you hate me. Serena doesn't" said Dalila.

Again she just received silence from the man. Sitting back on the couch, Dalila took in her rich surroundings. Her daughter had certainly moved up the social ladder.

"Kem, what's wrong?" asked Serena, flying into the hallway.

"How can you just sit there, pretending like everything's ok?" asked Kemen.

"I'm not pretending like everything's ok. But Kem, I lost my mother once before, and now that I have her back, you'll have to excuse me for hanging on. I don't want to push her away. Sure, she made some mistakes, but who hasn't. Besides, how was she supposed to know that he would turn on us like that?"

"How was she supposed to know?" questioned Kemen, losing his temper. "Because he was like that before. Nobody in their right mind would leave two innocent children with a man like that"

"Maybe she wasn't in her right mind. She was abused too!"

"So was I! But I still took you with me when I left. I would never leave you to that monster, and I was only a teenager!" he shouted.

"Kemen, please stop yelling at me" she begged. "I just don't think I can handle this right now" she said.

"Fine, whatever. I'm going" he said turning on his heel and walking away.

Serena walked back into her penthouse and saw her mother sitting on the couch as Jason shot fire at her through his eyes. Without saying anything, she lightly shoved him up the stairs and sat back down with her mother, desperate to right any wrongs.

A month had passed since Dalila's presence in Port Charles first came known. She had begged Serena and Kemen for forgiveness, citing that their father had done her so much psychological damage that she had hardly known up from down at the time. Kemen was still cold to her, but Serena had embraced her mother with open arms. She had never had a mother, and she was so desperate for one.

Jason, Sonny, and Carly all decided that they didn't like Dalila. There was just something about her that seemed off. But Jason wasn't thinking about Dalila on that sunny Saturday morning. There was something else on his mind.

He walked up to Kemen's apartment and gave a tentative knock on the door.

"Hey man, come in" said Kemen when he opened the door and saw that it was Jason standing there.

Jason felt his palms start to sweat. He was a characteristically calm guy, but not today. Today he was nervous beyond belief.

"Kemen, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for about a month now, but then there was the whole Faith thing, and the shooting, and your mother, and…."

"Jason Morgan, are you babbling?"

"Kemen, can I marry your sister?" he blurted out.

"What?"

"I'm asking your permission to ask your sister to be my wife"

"Seriously?"

"No, this was all just a joke. Yes seriously! Look, I know you want better opportunities for her, but I love her, and I don't know what I'd do without her and…"

"Jason, I would love it if you proposed to my sister" said Kemen with a big smile.

"Look, I was only asking you out of respect! But your opinion means nothing. I will ask Serena to marry me, like it or… wait, did you just say you're happy about this?" he asked.

"Dude, your going to be my brother-in-law" said Kemen with a smile

"I got a ring and everything" said Jason sheepishly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a stunning ring.

"She'll love it" said Kemen.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous. But I just want everything to be perfect"

"How are you going to ask?" he questioned.

"I was thinking I would bring her down to the docks, get down one knee. Afterall, it is where we first met"

"She'd love that" said Kemen with a smile.

"I just want her to be happy" he said.

"I know you do" said Kemen as he patted Jason on the back.

"I'm going to do it tomorrow night. I'm gonna make it like a two day proposal. I'm making her dinner tonight, and then I'm going to even dance with her. And then I'm spending the day with her tomorrow, and right at sunset, I'm going to ask her"

"Who knew Jason Morgan could be so romantic?" asked Kemen.

"Just don't let it get around" Jason warned.

"Just out of curiosity, when you say making dinner… "

"I mean bring in dinner" Jason finished.

"Good" said Kemen. 'I'd hate for a little thing like your cooking to spoil the whole plan.

Serena had no idea just what it was that Jason was planning. Spinning around in front of the mirror in her black dress, she thought she looked perfect. He told her it was a special dinner, and she was slightly confused. Jason had been busy with work lately, as was she. But they were taking some time for each other, and that was good. Serena fixed her hair and makeup and then started down the stairs. She hadn't seen Jason all day. She had spent a good part of the afternoon getting ready, and unless he came up and got changed when she was in the shower, he would still be in his gray t-shirt and jeans. Oh well, at least one of them was dressed up.

Walking down the stairs, Serena was surprised at the pleasant aroma. Also, the lights were dimmed, soft music was playing, candles were everywhere, and flowers littered the floor. Turning toward the kitchen, she noticed that the pool table was pushed against the wall and a table was set up rather than just the usual kitchen table. But the real eye opener was when she saw Jason. Her mouth actually fell open and almost got stuck that way.

"Jason Morgan, what are you wearing?" she questioned.

"What do you mean?" he asked as he looked at her.

She smiled as she saw how handsome he looked in his suit. But it wasn't the suit that got her. It was the tie, bound tightly around his neck.

"I can't believe you're in a tie" she said, taking a step toward him.

"Believe it" he said.

"You look incredibly sexy" she said, pressing her lips to his.

"I better, 'cause it's as uncomfortable as hell" he said, putting one finger by his throat to loosen it.

Serena started kissing his neck in an effort to make him forget about the tie, and he soon did. Pulling back, she glanced at the elegant table with the delicious looking food piled on to it.

"This looks so good. Please don't tell me you cooked it" she said.

"Nope, this comes straight from the kitchens of an Italian restaurant. El café Jason closed down after that horrifying lasagna incident."

"Good thing" she said with a laugh. "That was the most disgusting thing I had ever eaten in my life" she said.

"And nauseating, if you remember correctly" he added.

"Yes, but you were so sweet, holding back my hair for me like that".

"Well, it was my fault that you were throwing up so much"

"Let's not talk about that, let's just eat" she said as she started to pull out the chair to sit down.

Jason stopped her though and went to pull out the chair for her, offering his hand to her as she sat down.

"And he's a gentleman" she said with a little laugh.

"I always promised you that chivalry wasn't dead" he said, kissing her hand, prompting another little laugh from her.

Jason went to his side of the table and sat down, serving her first and pouring her some wine. Serena couldn't believe how romantic he was being. Dinner was fantastic, and for nearly the whole time, Jason held her hand while they ate. There was something different about him that night. Serena knew something was up, but she just couldn't put her finger on what it was. Once dinner was done, Jason went over to her and took her by the hand. Gently pulling her up, he held her tightly in his arms and the two danced. Jason wasn't one for dancing, but having her there made everything better. Any excuse to bury his head into the dark silky confines of her hair. Any excuse to feel her soft skin. Any excuse to wrap his arms around her like he would never let go. Serena buried her head into his neck as well. Her head was cocked to the side, and her lips rested on his neck. Her arms were around his neck as well, her fingers weaving through the hair on the nape of his neck. If someone was to walk in on the scene in that living room, they would have known exactly how much those two loved each other. Jason kissed her neck once and pulled back up, his hands still strong on her back, his arms still wrapped tightly around her.

"I don't know what I'd do without you" he mumbled.

"I don't know what I'd do without you" she countered, and the two held each other closer.

Serena's eyes fluttered open as she felt someone kissing her bare stomach. She knew who that someone was. It was the man that it always was.

"I didn't mean to wake you" he said, pulling his head up as he felt her stir, his cheeks turning pink as he blushed.

She put her hands on his reddened cheeks and told him that she was glad he woke her up. He went back to kissing her and she giggled a little before threading her fingers through his hair. Looking around at the bedroom, Serena saw the remains of the previous night. His tie was lying over the lamp; his shoes were kicked in two separate directions. His suit jacket was hanging off of a chair, and his pants and shirt were on the floor. His boxers were strewn haphazardly near his socks on the dresser. Her shoes were near his, and her dress was stuffed on to the foot of the bed. She hadn't bothered with a bra, but she noticed that her panties had worked their way up to the ceiling, and were now dangling from the hanging fan. Seeing this, she couldn't help but giggle. He looked up at her with confusion in his eyes and she pointed upward. The sight brought a smile to his face as well.

"Looks like things got feistier than I even remember last night" said Serena.

"How did those get up there?" he asked, causing her to giggle some more.

"I have no idea" she answered before the giggles overtook her, and he started to laugh as well.

"I'm going to get us some breakfast" he said, getting out of bed once they both calmed down.

"No, just stay with me" she said, flipping onto her stomach and taking him by the hand and trying to pull him back into the bed.

"I'll be back soon beautiful" he whispered in her ear, his lips dangerously close to her flesh.

"Hurry" she said with a smile.

"Knowing your back here waiting for me; I'll always hurry" he said. "I love you" he said before kissing her once more and then leaving as she called back to him that she loved him too.

Unfortunately, Jason couldn't hurry. There seemed to be an influx of people at Kelly's that morning. Apparently, no one felt like cooking. Serena was lazing in bed, just waiting for him, when she heard a knock on the door. Getting up and wrapping the thin sheet around herself, she walked down the stairs.

"Did you forget your keys babe?" she asked, tearing the door open, only to find that it wasn't Jason on the other side. "Mom, hi" she said, wrapping the sheet tighter around herself. "What are you doing here? So early?" questioned Serena.

"We need to talk" she said, coming in and sitting down on the couch.

"About what?" questioned Serena.

"About Jason" she said, looking dead straight into her daughter's eyes.

"What about Jason?" questioned Serena.

"Baby, I want you to leave him" said her mother with a small smile.

"Excuse me?" Serena asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"I want you to break up with him" she said.

"Mom, first of all, who the hell gave you the authority to suddenly come back into my life and demand that I give up the man I love? And second of all, why would I leave Jason anyway?" she asked.

"Honey, I know this is a lot to stomach. But this is no way to live your life. I see you making the same mistakes that I did. And I want you to get out before it's too late. Move away with me. We can go anywhere in the world, just mother and daughter. Jason is only going to hurt you. He is just going to use you for sex and then leave you" she said.

"No, he isn't. He loves me" she said defiantly.

"Serena, he is going to leave you. You two have been together for a while now, and he still has yet to get down on one knee and propose. He's not serious about the relationship. Honey, you're a pretty girl. He's just using you. I was able to tell from the first second I got here" she said.

"That's not true" said Serena, jumping up from the couch. "He loves me, and I love him. And I know it. He doesn't look at me like I'm just some girl he's screwing around with. He looks at me like he loves me more than anything. And I know that he does" she said. "You have known us for a month. You don't have a say in who loves who and who doesn't yet" said Serena.

"I am asking you, as your mother, to leave him"

"I won't do it. And if you're asking me to choose between you and him, then I will pick him, hands down" she said, her eyes burning with hate for her mother.

"You will break up with him. Or I will tell him about Shelby" said Dalila, her eyes brimming with fire as well.

"How the hell do you know about her?" asked Serena, her eyes filled with fear.

"I know a hell of a lot more than I'm willing to let you in on. Break up with him, or he will break up with you once he finds out what really happened. You have until tonight" said Dalila, letting herself out.

Serena sunk down on to the couch, letting her tears take control. She couldn't believe that she was being blackmailed by her own mother. And now, she was going to lose the most important thing in her life. Her heart.

Jason finally made it back from Kelly's.

"Sorry it took so long" he said, coming back in. "But Kelly's was packed and then… what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as he saw her blood shot eyes.

Abandoning the food on the desk, he sat down on the couch next to her and wrapped his arms around her. Serena's fist instinct was to lean into him and let his comforting touch take away the pain of the world. But then she remembered her mother's words. She couldn't let Jason find out about Shelby. She didn't think she could take the way he would look at her if he knew the truth. But then, she had another change of heart. This would be her last day with Jason. She would have her one last day of happiness. Wrapping her arms around his torso, she burrowed her face into his chest and just sat there in his arms for a few minutes as he soothed her. He planted little kisses atop her head, rubbed her back, and smoothed down her hair. Finally, Serena knew it was time to pull away. She pulled her head back but kept her eyes on him. She titled her head up to look at his face. He seemed genuinely concerned about her. Of course he did, he loved her. But tonight, Serena would have to break Jason's heart. And the idea killed her.

As the day progressed, Jason became more certain that something was seriously wrong with Serena. She had brushed off her tears that morning as a stress breakdown, but he knew that wasn't it. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes all day, and she could hardly look at him. Deciding that the proposal might cheer her up, he became eager for sunset, not knowing that he shouldn't have been willing the day to go by faster.

Finally, it was time. He led her to the docks where they had first met, the two walking hand in hand. They stared at the water for a few minutes, before both breaking the silence at the same time.

"I need to talk to you" she said at the same time that he said "can I talk to you for a minute?"

"You first" he said, wanting to leave the proposal for last.

"Alright" she said, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. This was it. She stood in silence for a minute, but Jason didn't question her or push her. He got the same way, and he certainly wasn't going to be a hypocrite. "I can't do this anymore" she said.

"Do what?" he asked confusedly, and Serena knew that she couldn't sugar coat it. She had to break his heart. Hurt him to save him. If she didn't, he would chase after her. Things would be worse. If he found out the truth about Shelby, he could even be killed.

Taking another deep breath, she said "of course you wouldn't know what I'm talking about. You don't have emotions Jason. You don't know what's really going on with me ever!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face. "What I can't do anymore is be with you! You're damaged Jason, you don't love. You hate. You don't feel bliss and happiness, you feel anger and rage! You're an animal that belongs to be locked away! I won't put myself through this anymore, I have to go" she said, trying to turn and run away. But he grabbed her by the wrist pulling her to him. Looking up, she saw tears welling up in his eyes and she couldn't believe she had just said such horrible things to him. She felt nauseous. She couldn't believe that she had hurt him that way.

"What's wrong, I know this isn't you" he said softly. "Tell me, I'll fix it. Please" he begged.

"You can't fix it. You can't fix it! You're broken and a mess. I didn't feel love for you, I felt lust. Now, let go of my arm you hardened monster!" she cried, jerking her arm away from his grasp and running off, leaving Jason behind. He just stood there, tears filling his eyes, yelling for her to come back. Begging really. Serena made it around the corner before collapsing into a fit of tears. Dalila was there, and she smiled at her daughter before bending down to put her arms around her and pull her close.

Meanwhile, Jason sat down on the bench at the docks and reached into his pocket. Pulling out the ring box, he opened it and stared at the diamond inside. Carly had wanted to come with him to pick it out, but he had refused to let her. He wanted it to be from him and only him.

"Will you marry me?" he mumbled before scoffing at his own words.

But the little laugh he gave hurt too much, and he put his head in his hands, trying to block out whatever the hell had just happened. He stood up and walked over to the water. He clenched the ring box in his hands, ready to throw it over the edge. Ready to chuck it into the water. But he couldn't. Looking down in the ring in his hands, he tried to imagine it on Serena's hand. But he couldn't. Because he wasn't capable of forming those kind of images in his brain. The god damn accident had prevented him from ever being able to do that. She was right, he was a heartless bastard. A damaged monster. She hated when he doubted himself like this. If she was with him right now, she would be wrapping her arms around him, her touch comforting to him. She would be telling him that he wasn't any of that. But she wasn't here, she was gone.

"I can't believe the things I just said to him" Serena sobbed.

"It's for the best darling" her mother cooed. "Now, let's go home" she said.

"My only home is with Jason" argued Serena.

"Well, now it's with me. Your mother my darling" said Dalila with a sinister smile.