Part IV
The harsh December wind bounced off the panel glass windows of Kelly's as Jason stared out of them waiting for Penny to get to the counter. Leaning against the counter Jason watched intently as the wind rocked the colorful Christmas lights outside the dinner back and forth like a swing. It reminded him of a hammock hooked between two trees swaying in the wind. It had been a long day at the warehouse with the PCPD causing the typical unnecessary trouble with District Attorney John Durant playing puppet master. As usual the PCPD came knocking on their door to find nothing out of the ordinary.
When the enforcer had stepped out of the warehouse he had felt the weight of the world vanish from his shoulders. He now waited patiently, drumming his fingers on the counter of Kelly's. As Jason sat entertaining himself playing drums, Penny appeared behind the counter with a pleasant smile.
"Hi, Mr. Morgan, the usual?"
"It's Jason and a cup of coffee and hot chocolate to go, please."
The veteran waitress raised an eyebrow at him with her pen poised to change the order. "Is that all?" she added when Jason said nothing.
Jason flashed her a polite smile. "Yes, that will be all."
Penny turned towards the kitchen puzzled.
Checking his watch, Jason made sure that he wasn't running late.
"Since when did you start drinking hot chocolate?"
A smile touched Jason's face at the voice that came from behind him. Turning around he found his little sister staring up at him. "Hi to you too, Emily." She was dressed in a white coat, her brown hair peeking out from under her cap.
"Hi, big brother," she replied pulling him in for a hug. Pulling away, a mischievous grin blossomed on his sister's face. "Now that we're done with the pleasantries, answer my question."
Chuckling, Jason answered, "The hot chocolate is for Elizabeth and the coffee is for me."
"Ah, I see," Emily responded trying to appear nonchalant when inside she was bubbling with excitement.
Jason being Jason noticed the smile his sister struggled to hide from him. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion he asked, "What is it?"
"What are you whatising about?" Emily played dumb, walking away from her confused brother.
"What?"
"What?" Emily said on an exasperated sigh.
"I give up."
Emily giggled taking a seat at a round table near the counter. "I was just thinking," she started, to only pause, for Jason to sit down across from her looking annoyed. "I was just thinking," she began again to only stop and turn to the kitchen. "Hey Penny."
The Asian waitress popped her head out of the kitchen "Yeah, Em?"
"Take your time with Jason's order, will ya?"
"Sure will."
The two exchanged knowing smiles before they returned to their work on hand.
Clearing her throat, Emily took her time taking off her hat, then her gloves, and then her jacket. She knew that she was aggravating Jason with every pointless movement. When she was done, she smiled innocently up at her glowering older brother. "As I was saying I was just thinking of the little birdies that have been whispering in my ear. They have some very interesting things to say."
Jason arched an eyebrow, his eyes suspicious of what his sister was getting at.
"Like just the other night, Dad was telling me of how you called him, made Mom choke on her cereal by the way, to inform him that Elizabeth was sick and wouldn't be able to make it in for work." The brunette gestured with her hands for Jason to explain, which her brother simply shrugged off.
"She was sick and I didn't want her to have to go in the next day with a fever."
"Ok, I get that part;" she leaned in closer, "What I don't get is why you were the one that called. The last I checked you two barely see each other."
"She was at my penthouse when she got sick."
"Why was she at your penthouse?" Sometimes her brother could be so difficult to get answers from. She felt like she was always playing twenty questions with him.
"I was babysitting Cameron."
Nodding, her head Emily contemplated her next question. "Did they stay over?"
"Yes."
With glinting eyes, she asked, "Did anything happen?"
Jason's eyes widened in surprise, he cleared his throat and replied, "No." His ears growing warm.
"Why do I doubt that?"
Rolling his eyes at his sister he stated, "Because you're my little sister that always questions everything and loves getting on my nerves." A smile softened his features.
"Do you love your baby sister enough to tell her what's going on with you and her best friend?" She added the pout hoping that it would give her the advantage and some answers she was eager to know.
Sighing heavily, Jason looked into Emily's eyes. His cerulean eyes were sincere and honest. "Emily, nothing is going on between me and Elizabeth. We're just friends."
"Pfft. I don't believe it. You and Elizabeth have never been just friends." She flicked her curls over her shoulder. "The whole world knows that," she added, glaring at her brother.
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose as a headache began to form, which always happened when Emily was prying for something from him. "Elizabeth found me after…after Sam's baby's service. She listened to me like she always does." His eyes lowered to the polished tabletop. "I was able to just be without worrying about having to open up. She was being herself. The kind, thoughtful, selfless person, letting me spend time with her and Cameron. She made me see that I had no control over what had happened and that it's supposed to hurt. That's supposed to hurt, but that it also that eventually things will be okay." His eyes grew soft as he spoke of the young nurse with twinkling eyes. "She was just…Elizabeth."
Emily watched her brother's face fill with emotions that she rarely saw him express as he spoke of her best friend. She saw the side of Jason that came out when he was content with his life and those that were in it. The Jason of years ago again sat before her and it was all clear to her now. "Jason," she murmured softly. When her brother's eyes meet hers she saw something she hadn't seen in so long, bliss. Spending time with Elizabeth and Cameron brought peace and stability to her brother's life and he wasn't aware of it. A small smile made its way to Emily's face as she gazed at Jason. "Please don't get upset at what I am about to say." She waited for Jason to comply.
Slowly, Jason nodded.
"I think that," she spoke her words slowly contemplating them before speaking them. "You should, this time explore your feelings for Elizabeth." At Jason's frown, Emily quickly continued. "I mean that you should see where things lead with Elizabeth."
Her brother's frown deepened.
"What I'm trying to say is that if you think about it this is the first time that there is nothing standing your way to be with Elizabeth. You guys would have happened a long time ago if there wasn't someone standing between you." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Even when you guys were friends you seemed like you were in your own world when you were together. I knew it then but, I didn't say or do anything about it."
Scowling Jason cautiously asked, "Knew what?" Knowing his sister she probably had an answer that would make no sense to him.
Looking her brother square in eyes with her confident brown eyes, she murmured what she had known for years. "That you were in love."
Emily sat back and watched with a grin as the shock spread over her brother's face.
"What?" Jason growled.
Calmly, Emily straightened in her seat and took on a professional stance. "Answer these questions and I'll prove that I have a point."
A look of skepticism and some shock, Jason nodded his head.
"Okay," Emily rubbed her hands together and a knowing glint appeared in her brown eyes. "You know what Elizabeth drinks, but how does she take it?"
"What does this have to do with anything?" Jason asked, growing impatient.
"Answer the question," Emily gave him a stern look.
"Fine," He knew the answer, but he wasn't sure of what his sister would conclude if he answered. At Emily's glare, he answered, "She likes her hot chocolate with whipped cream and extra sprinkles."
"What is something she can cook with her eyes closed?"
"Chocolate fudge brownies."
"A habit she can't break?"
"She rambles when she's nervous and blushes the color of a rose."
"What is something she has always dreamed of doing?"
The corners of Jason's mouth lifted. "She always wanted to see Italy. Elizabeth…she once told me that if she could she would take a yacht to the Mediterranean and visit all the little islands there, most importantly Italy."
Swallowing her giggles, Emily asked with as serious as a face that she could muster up, "Name something that she likes to do that only those close to her would know."
"She loves to sing when she paints." A small, but bright smile played out on Jason's face. "When I was staying with her after she found me, she thought I was sleeping and Elizabeth started to sing Come ye to Bethlehem while she was working on a new piece of hers." He chuckled at the memory. "She was off key, but she sang and when I mentioned it later, she turned scarlet red."
Emily watched as her brother smiled, reminiscing about a winter from so long ago. Elizabeth singing while she painted was something, now that she thought about it no one really knew. She was her best friend and she most certainly didn't know that she had an American Idol wanna-be as a friend. She snapped out of her thoughts when Jason waved one of his hands in her face.
"Are you done with the questions?" He checked his watch again. "I don't want to be late for dinner."
"Just a few more and I'll let you go." She thought intently for a few minutes ignoring Jason's glares. "Does she like the bike?"
"She's got the bug."
"Does she ask a lot of questions about your job?"
"Unless she's worried about me."
"Do you have anything against being with a woman that has a child from a past relationship?"
Jason looked Emily as if she was kidding, but his sister looked back at him with a business face that she said she wasn't joking around. "No, of course not."
"Name something Elizabeth once did for you that you would never forget."
"Everything." Jason stared at the white lilies that adorned the table. "Everything that Elizabeth has done for me I can never forget." His voice was hoarse, full of emotion. "Whether I tried to push her away or we were upset at each other, she always there for me. You just don't forget what you share with someone that you've cared about for so long just because you haven't seen or spoken to them in a while."
Emily could do nothing, but blink her eyes at her brother. Being stunned was the understatement, she was flabbergasted that Jason carried around feelings for Elizabeth, but kept them at bay for so long. If she had any doubts about the thought of Jason and Elizabeth ever being in love, she didn't have any now that was for sure. She was really tempted now to hit her brother and best friend upside the head for dancing around each other for so long and for continuing that tango even now when there was no boundary keeping them apart. If hitting them upside the head didn't work she could just bang their stubborn heads together. Emily hoped that it didn't come to down to her having to knock sense into her brother and best friend that they were letting a chance that—they may not know it—they had been waiting for since they meet. Once again, her very anxious brother, snapping his fingers in her face, interrupted her thoughts.
"Last question," she started with a serious tone. "What is Courtney's favorite drink?"
Her brother looked genuinely dumbstruck at the answer. She waited patiently for the answer, when she got none; a pleased smile blossomed on Emily's lips. "Case closed."
Jason sat still in his seat trying to think of the answer to Emily's question. None came to his mind. During the time he had been with Courtney he rarely had meals with her alone. The times he did something either happened or he was called away to do something. He honestly did not know the answer to the question, which was odd since he had lived with her and married her as short as it had lasted. What confused him even more was that he knew all the answers to the questions that had to do with Elizabeth and Emily seemed very pleased by that.
It struck Jason like a bolt of lightening while he sat in his seat in Kelly's. The only logical reason why he was able to remember everything there was to know about Elizabeth was simple, he had never forgotten, he never would forget every second that he spent with Elizabeth Webber. She had staked claim to a part of his heart that no one else would be able to conquer. Spending time with her now only caused him to do something that was so natural to him, falling in love with her all over again.
The young brunette watched the realization that washed over her brother. She said her goodbyes to her brother as he took the white paper bag that a smiling Penny gave him. Sitting back in her seat she watched her brother exit Kelly's with a grin from ear to ear on her face. Jason's feelings for Elizabeth were reawakened and with time the outcome of slumbering feelings would play out. Hopefully this time would be different for Jason and Elizabeth. Maybe Jason, Elizabeth, and Cameron would be that family that they deserved to have. It was just a matter of time.
Jason knocked on the door, expecting for it to fly open immediately instead, he heard her call out, "Who is it?"
He frowned. "It's Jason," he answered, wondering why she didn't just look through the eyehole of her door.
"Come in," he heard her voice barely through the door.
Jason's frown deepened as he twisted the doorknob and opened the door. Why was her door open? He walked in and closed the door silently behind him. It was almost dinnertime that meant that Cameron was taking a nap and would not be a happy camper if he were awakened now. Letting go of the doorknob, Jason turned around to a site he wasn't expecting.
The center lights of the living room were turned off leaving the side table lamps luminating the room and the silhouette of the barefoot, petite brunette that stood on a footstool. The footstool didn't help Elizabeth much with reaching the ceiling; she was still a good foot away from the light fixtures. Knowing Elizabeth, he would only end up with a feisty retort if he offered to help her.
Blowing a few strands of her chocolate locks of her face, Elizabeth rose on her tiptoes and reached higher to the fixtures, but no luck she was still too short. She had come home happy that it was a Friday and knowing that Jason would be stopping by for dinner had her even more cheerful. Unfortunately, when she got home and flicked the lights one there was a loud pop, leaving her and Cameron in utter darkness. She had put Cameron down for his nap and started dinner. The pasta was still boiling; what needed to be sautéed was chopped up, the garlic bread was in the oven, and the salad in the fridge. Then, being the genius that she was she had decided to change the light bulbs and so far she had had no success at doing the simple task. She was vertically challenged, making it difficult to do certain things like change a light bulb.
Now, Jason was here and sitting in the darkness. Once, again she tried again, stretching her upper body higher, causing her shirt rise with her movements. She paid no attention to her appearance as she attempted to do the simple house task.
Jason on the other hand paid attention to her on the stool. His piercing eyes raked over her attire. She was dressed in dark blue jeans and a white knit sweater top, each article of clothes clung to her, revealing all her curves in the right places. When, her top rode up, Jason swallowed a groan at the glimpse of smooth alabaster skin that he received with every effort she made to reach the ceiling.
Elizabeth continued to struggle with reaching the ceiling when the idea went off in her head like the light bulb in her hand would if she could reach a little higher. "Jason?"
"Yes," he answered his voice husky.
"Give me a boost."
"You know I could just change the light bulb." Jason was glad that the room was dimly lit or the brunette would have known that he was avoiding touching her from his expression.
"Jason, just give me a boost," she said firmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Warily, Jason wrapped his arms securely around Elizabeth's knees, pressing them against his chest as he easily raised her off the stool and higher towards the ceiling.
"A little higher, please."
Jason lifted her higher, ignoring the heat that radiated off of her. He didn't dare look up.
She squealed. "I got it."
"Good," he sighed in relief. He didn't move.
The light didn't go on, making Elizabeth frown in confusion while she swayed in midair. She must have flipped the switch off that was probably it. Peering down at Jason, she announced, "You can put me down now."
Instead of placing her down on the footstool, Jason made the mistake of letting her body slide down his and this time he let out an audible groan. Which did not go unnoticed by the brunette in his arms.
Her hands now rested on his bulging biceps and her eyes were fixated on his signature cotton black t-shirt. Her breathing turned labored as warmth pooled in her stomach at the contact between her smaller body and his much larger frame. Keeping her eyes downcast, she tried to maintain her breathing, which she did unsuccessfully.
His large callous hands gripped her hips gently as he stared down at her brown hair, his heart beating furiously. Their legs were tangled, their bodies molded together with her firm breasts pressed intimately against his chest. His thumb began to stroke her soft skin that was exposed by her rumpled sweater. He heard her breath hitch at his ministrations, but he didn't stop he instead continued. Slowly, her head lifted and his piercing blue eyes meet her now wide, dark stormy cobalt ones in the dark. Her skin was flushed; his eyes followed the red stain to the low neckline of her sweater. There was only one word to define her, beautiful. He watched her firm pink lips part on a startled gasp as his thumb traveled higher under her sweater. He searched her eyes for permission, the only thing he saw was desire clouding them.
His head dipped towards her and instead of pulling away Elizabeth raised on her toes, closing the distance between their lips. His lips were firm and soft just like she remembered them to be. He brushed his lips against hers over and over, never deepening the kiss. The feather light kisses stole her breath; there was nothing she could do, but melt into his touch as the warmth in her stomach spread through her.
His fist clenched in her chocolate locks and a strong arm wrapped around her waist holding her securely against his solid body. He nibbled on her lower lip, making her moan, before capturing her supple lips again. Just as he was coaxing her mouth for his tongue to enter, a brisk knock on the door had them both groaning.
Breaking their lip lock, Jason leaned his forehead against Elizabeth's as they both tried to regain their breathing.
"Do we have to answer that?" she whispered, taking in big gulps of air.
"Yes," his breathing steadied. "Unfortunately."
Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, Jason pulled away and moved aside for her to pass.
Pulling her shirt into place and running a hand through her disheveled hair, Elizabeth walked towards her door reluctantly. Taking in a deep breathe, she pulled open the door and found the last person she was expecting smiling down at her.
Lucky Spencer stood in the threshold of her door, clad in his blue uniform. His smile dimmed when he looked up to look eyes with Jason with his arms folded over his massive chest.
Plastering a smile on her face, Elizabeth turned to Jason her hand still on the doorknob. "Can you please start sautéing the chopped onions and garlic?"
The enforcer nodded his head, his steel blue eyes on the officer rather than the brunette speaking to him. The dimmed lighting of the living room made him appear more menacing.
Elizabeth flashed him a grateful smile before walking into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind her.
"Hi," she began to chew on her bottom lip. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I can see that," he muttered. "I was just passing by and thought I would stop by to see you and Cameron."
"Oh, well that was kind of you to do." She leaned against the door.
What she had feared was coming true. Lucky's feelings for her went beyond friendship. She cared about him, but it didn't go past the kind of feelings you had for a really old friend. She could just leave him to hold out hope that something might happen between them, but she couldn't do that to him. "Lucky…" she hesitated. "If I've done anything to give you the signs that I was interested in being more than friends," she spoke slowly, "then I'm sorry. I—"
"Don't worry about it," he waved her off, but his eyes spoke another story. "I get the picture."
"No you don't Lucky—" she reached out to touch him, but he pulled away.
"I do," he took in a deep breath, staring down at his feet. When he looked up, Elizabeth saw the disappointment and the pain there in his eyes. "You're still in love with Jason."
"What!" Elizabeth said more harshly then she had intended. "I'm sorry." She closed her eyes for second, where was Lucky getting this from? Opening her eyes again, she found Lucky gazing down at her.
"You hid it pretty well back then from everyone when someone would mention your feelings for Jason, but now," he trailed off to continue, "Now everything you feel for him is there in your eyes. I told myself in the past that you loved me, but I can't do that now because I know for sure that you don't."
She reached out for him again. "Lucky you don't—"
He moved out of her reach again. "Elizabeth, I want you happy and if being with Jason makes you happy then he's one lucky bastard to have you."
She tried to say something, but Lucky spoke again.
"It's always been Jason. I…" he trailed off again. "I just need to accept it. Goodbye," he murmured, pivoting on his heels. He took long strides away from her outstretched arm.
After the shock of Lucky's words wore off, Elizabeth's brain began to process his words. They couldn't be true. Shaking her head, Elizabeth stepped back into her apartment, her mind spinning. The lamps were still on, the bright light in the kitchen shined into the living room. She walked into the kitchen, expecting to find Jason there, but instead she found it empty. Looking around the small space, she noticed that the onions, garlic, and tomatoes were sautéed with the wine added, the pasta sat in a strainer, the water being drained, and the freshly baked garlic bread on the counter by the skillet. Basically, Jason had done everything she was putting off to do until he arrived.
Lucky's words seeped into her mind; ignoring them she pulled the salad out of the fridge. Then, she added the pasta to the strainer as she tried to wrap her mind around what had just transpired. Yes, Jason woke feelings in her that she didn't know existed and that kiss definitely woke up certain parts of her body, but still was she in love with him? Had she ever been? Adding, the chopped basil and buffalo mozzarella cheese she wondered how Jason felt. Did he feel the same way? Did the kiss mean anything to him? The thought of the kiss made her shiver. Dishing the now complete pasta, Elizabeth walked into the living room with it and the garlic bread, her mind still swirling with her thoughts.
After, setting the table, the brunette went in search of Jason and found him in Cameron's nursery. Opening, the door slightly she found Jason sitting in the rocking chair with Cameron nestled on his chest with the moon shinning down on them. He stroked her son's hair as he stared out at the night sky through the window at his side. The site of Jason with her son among the stuffed toys and baby furniture answered all the questions that ran through her head. She was falling back in love with Jason Morgan.
Flipping through a chart that Bobbie Spencer had handed Elizabeth on her way out, the young nurse sighed in frustration. There was still a good half hour left of her shift and all she wanted to do was go home and curl up with her son on the couch. But, she still had, checking on her watch she saw twenty-nine minutes left before she could clock out.
Tugging a pen into her blue scrubs, Elizabeth pushed away from the counter of the nurse's station and dropped the charts that she had gone over in a bin and decided to go check on some patients. Ignoring the ding of the elevator, she dragged her tired feet down the corridor leading to the intensive care unit. Her mind slowly made its way to the blue eyed enforcer she had barely seen the past few days. She had been running around covering shifts for nurses that had fallen victim to the December colds and Jason was pulling late hours at the warehouse because of some new coffee contract with a European country. When they did see each other, she was either too exhausted to keep her eyes open or Jason was on the phone with Benny or Sonny trying to make sense of a provision of the contract. He would make Cameron laugh, exchange a few words with her and then go running out again. Things weren't uncomfortable between them because of the kiss they shared, but they both were too busy to have a conversation that was longer than ten minutes.
A smile slipped across her face at the memory of the kiss. It was soft and gentle, but powerful. She picked up a chart and tried to pay attention to it, but her mind traveled back to his kiss. The kiss had left her eager for more and skittish where things would lead.
"Penny for your thoughts," a voice came from behind, startling her.
Turning around, Elizabeth came face to face with a grinning Sonny Corinthos. She returned his smile with a bright one of hers. "I wasn't thinking of anything."
"Uh huh," he turned his head to look through the observation window, before turning back to face her. She realized that they were standing in front of Kristina's ICU room. He was in his usual silk suit, but he wore no tie and his friendly dark brown eyes were tired. Looking down at the chart she held in her hands, Elizabeth noticed Kristina's name in black bold letters on the top.
"How is Kristina?" The young nurse asked genuinely concerned.
"She's doing better." Stealing another glimpse at his daughter who was recovering from leukemia, he added, "She's a little confused over what's going on. Alexis can be a little difficult you know.
Elizabeth giggled. "Yes, I do." She had had to deal with a furious and uncooperative Alexis when Kristina was first brought in.
"How is Cameron?"
Surprised by his question, she asked, "You met him?"
"Yes the other day," his dimples made a presence. "I stopped by Jason's when he was babysitting and met Cameron."
"Oh, he's doing well." She chuckled, "He's driving me nuts. He just learned how to crawl and has been a handful."
Sonny laughed along with her. "I remember when Morgan first learned to crawl I had to take everything that was with in his reach and move it"
"I've had to do that, too."
Elizabeth looked over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of Kristina sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "Looks like your sleepy head is awake."
Glancing over his shoulder, a smirk played out on Sonny's lips. "Looks like she is. It was nice seeing you again, Elizabeth."
She smiled at the mobster. "Yeah, you too, Sonny." She began to saunter down the hallway to only glance over her should when Sonny called out her name.
His head was popping out of his daughter's room. "The contract has been finalized." He winked at her, before disappearing into the room.
Elizabeth grinned from ear to ear, it was the end of her shift and Jason was now no longer tied up with the major coffee contract.
Pulling on her white gloves, Elizabeth exited the hospital and looked up at the clear night sky. It was a little past six and she was officially off the schedule. Cameron was with Emily tonight so that meant she had a little over an hour before her babysitter dropped her son off. Elizabeth took in a deep breathe and looked up. A wide bright smile graced her face at what she saw.
Leaning casually against a sleak new edition Harley Davidson motorcycle, Jason Morgan smiled slyly at her. Dressed in his signature black leather coat and black jeans, he looked gorgeous. What she wouldn't give to just lay one on him? Stuffing her hands in the pockets of her long white winter coat, Elizabeth smiled wistfully, walking towards him.
"Hey," he greeted her, his voice husky.
"Hey." Her smile brightened.
Dangling his keys between them, he asked, "Want to go for a ride?"
"I would, but…" she trailed off.
His sandy brows arched in question. "But?"
"Emily will be stopping by with Cameron in a little while."
He grinned like a little boy. "I took care of it."
Elizabeth giggled with joy. "Then what are we waiting for?'
Jason straightened and smiled down at the excited brunette.
"Can I steer?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"No."
"Please, you let me before," she pouted.
"It was a lapse in judgment," he retorted trying to hide a smile as he threw a jean clad leg over the bike.
Elizabeth smacked his shoulder playfully. "Can we go nowhere fast?"
"That I can do," he murmured handing her a helmet.
The brunette pulled on the helmet and climbed on, wrapping her arms around Jason's narrow waist as Jason kicked the bike stand up.
Jason revved the bike and soon Elizabeth's screams of joy reached his ear as they raced after the wind.
Bringing the bike to a halt, Jason kicked the bike stand down and pulled the keys out of the ignition. He felt Elizabeth pull her arms way from around his waist and climbed off. They were at the old bridge. He hadn't been there in a long time and when he saw the path leading to it, he saw no reason to not visit. The brunette beauty with him rushed up to the edge of the bridge and looked over it just like she had the summer he had first brought her here.
"God, I can't believe I went so long without a ride on the back of your bike." She spread her arms out to her side and called out into the night, "The flying images and the wind. It feels so great to go flying without anything holding you back."
"I'm glad you enjoyed the ride." His eyes solely on her.
Elizabeth turned to face him once he took his place besides her. Her cheeks and nose her red from the cold, but her smile never dimmed. Looking back down at the water that shifted restless beneath them, she murmured, "It's so beautiful up here."
"Yes it is," he agreed, gazing at her stunning profile instead of the water.
"I wish I could bring Cameron up here. He would love watching the water." Her eyes fixed on the reflection of the moon.
"When the weather gets better we can bring him here?" He suggested.
She faced him and smiled again. "I'd like that." Turning back to the water she murmured, "What I would give to paint this?"
"Why don't you?"
Turning away from the edge, she leaned her back against the siding of the bridge and sighed. "Because I don't paint anymore."
Jason nodded his head. He understood she gave up her painting to be a nurse to provide for her son and herself. He respected the sacrifice she made for her child's future. "Do you still have the Wind?"
Elizabeth chuckled. "I do. It's actually in Cameron's nursery on one of his night tables. If you still want it it's still yours."
"Cameron should keep it. It's my gift to him."
Peering up at him she muttered, "Thank you."
They gazed at each other intently as if, if either of them looked away the other would disappear.
Soft white snowflakes drifted before them, causing both of them to simultaneously look up curiously.
Elizabeth's delighted laughter soon filled the air as she ran towards the middle of the bridge and twirled around in the snow. The delicate snow flakes sprinkled over her chocolate locks. She looked like an angel in her white coat as she stretched her arms out at her side and continued to whirl in the snow with her face skyward, her bubbling laughter filling the quiet night air.
Jason watched her every movement. He loved seeing her happy, her laughter was like music to his ears. He wondered if being with him would make her happy. His forehead wrinkled in confusion when Elizabeth abruptly stopped and looked at him.
Slowly, she raised her arm and held out a white gloved hand to him. "Dance with me?"
He took her hand without hesitation and pulled her flush against him. He held their clasped hands up to the side and wrapped a strong arm around her hour glass waist. She rested her head on his wide chest, her free hand on his shoulder. Dipping his head he breathed in the sweet scent that only belonged to her as their bodies swayed in perfect synch. He had once danced with her stepping in for Lucky, but this time Elizabeth had asked him to dance and he was enjoying every second of it. He began to caress her waist as they continued to rock in place.
Suddenly, she peered up at him. Jason began to worry something was wrong, but when he looked down into her beautiful cornflower blue eyes he saw the light that shined in them. She was happy. Gently, he cupped her chin as her eyes fluttered shut and leaned down and swiped his lips against her soft plump ones. When, she didn't pull away he did it again, but firmer this time. Her arms hooked around his neck as his hand slipped into her silky tresses. She sighed as she opened her mouth to allow for his tongue to slip in. He caressed her tongue with his as the kiss warmed her body. Soon her tongue joined his in a duel, pulling a low moan from the back of her neck. He lifted her off the ground to get better access to hot cavern of her mouth. Breaking away from the lack of air, both of them stared back at each other contentedly as snow flakes twirled down all around them.
Setting her down, he admired her scarlet blush and her swollen lips. Kissing her cute button nose, Jason murmured, "You smell like snow."
"Snow does not smell," she exclaimed, giggling as he nuzzled her neck. She continued to play with the short blonde hair at the nape of his neck.
"Yes it does," he dropped a kiss on her pulse point. "It smells like you."
In less than two days it would be Christmas and Jason looking forward to it. After being away from Elizabeth and Cameron for two days, he couldn't wait to see them. Plopping down on his sofa, Jason let his eyes drift closed from exhaustion. He had finished up business in Spain as quickly as possible and made one pit stop before rushing home in time for the holidays. He usually wasn't a holiday person, but this year he would be spending it with Elizabeth and Cameron. It was Cameron's first Christmas and he wanted it to be perfect. Their gifts sat in his side bag on his desk. He hoped that they both liked them.
Being with Elizabeth and Cameron felt natural to him and with every second he spent with them the more he fell in love with them. He just hoped he could make them as happy as they made him.
Sighing contently, Jason opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. The ring of his cell phone interrupted the quietness in his penthouse. Slipping out the accessory, a smile appeared on his lips at the LCD screen that flashed a familiar number. Flipping open the phone, he murmured, "Morgan."
"Jason," her panicked voice reached his ears.
He shot up like a bullet into a sitting position. "Elizabeth what's wrong?" Fear gripped his heart. She had to be okay. His heart broke as her sobs wafted through the phone. "Sweetheart, tell me what's wrong?"
"It's Cameron…"