Chapter 23

Leading up to The Future:

To the guest who commented they could not read Chapter 22 as Chapter 21 was posted twice, it has since been corrected.

Elizabeth and Jason are in bed discussing the mail they received. Elizabeth says, "I understand it's important to let the public know Jerry killed Esme. I hope the PCPD issues a press release about eliminating all the suspects. But there will always be people who have questions about who killed Jerry."

Jason replies, "I take it you aren't comfortable keeping Zander a secret."

Elizabeth says, "I've had enough experience to know secrets have a way of coming out, whether you want them to or not. If the government needs him dead or Zander feels safer knowing his enemies think he is dead, I can live with that. He's survived that way for almost 19 years. But it's keeping the secret from Cameron that bothers me. I don't know if he will feel guilty knowing his biological father killed a man, but more so, I worry about him finding out we kept the secret his father is alive and didn't establish a relationship with him."

Jason replies, one day, we should tell him or find Zander and have him get to know his son. What he said in the letter is true. You raised a great young man."

Elizabeth embarrassedly smiles and says, "thank you."

"Zander said he would try to contact Beth in an innocuous manner. He wants to get to know his adult daughter. I wonder if after Zander got out of prison and if he opted out of Witness Protection if he watched Cameron from afar. Maybe Zander tried to have contact with Cameron in some way. Cameron has a picture of what Zander looked like, but after 20 years, he could walk past me, and I might not recognize him in disguise."

Elizabeth continues, "this thing with Zander reminds me of what Lucky and I did to you. I think back to what Ric did to Zander, blackmailing him into giving up his rights to Cameron. I asked you to give your son up for Lucky to raise. You were able to see Jake grow up, but you didn't get to see him take his first steps or when he lost his first tooth. That was so unfair; even worse, I allowed Lucky to pressure me to continue the lie. At least you got to hear about it from me, but Zander never had that."

Jason holds Elizabeth and says, "one, you never blackmailed me; two, you are nothing like Ric; and three, we already discussed that the choices years ago were made for Jake's sake. We can't go back; we can move forward."

Elizabeth replies, "I want Cameron to know about Zander before it's too late or he finds out from someone else. We can leave it up to Zander about what happened with Jerry. We should also tell Robert about his ADA. Maybe Sam can research her background and connect her to Jerry. Robert needs to remove her from office."

Jason says, "no more shop talk. The boys should be asleep; we can make some noise."

Elizabeth laughs and replies, "shop-talk zipped."

Cameron drops the boys off at school and drives to Kelly's to prepare it for the Grand Re-opening tomorrow afternoon. Then he has afternoon classes and has plans for an outing with Joss, Spencer, and Trina.

Jason drives to the coffee house.

Elizabeth is at the front desk, answering calls and filing charts. She is paged for emergency surgery and feels the rush of knowing she is assisting with the hopes of saving a life.

Jason arrives at the coffee warehouse and pulls out the books of the last year of paperwork entered by Sonny's accountants of the month. It was the beginning of the New Year, and he had to review everything because the Feds tend to audit the books yearly. If they can't get Sonny on money laundering or murder, they try to get them on slip-shod accounting that points to laundering to tax evasion. If it weren't for Jason, Sonny's business ventures would go belly-up, or he'd be in jail for something else. How Sonny survived while he was "dead" confounds Jason. Jason chuckles as he notices the first error.

Sonny walks in and comments, "now that Scorpio, that ADA, and my son couldn't find Jerry's murderer, we can focus on other things. I still think you are making a mistake. If you are still intent on a change in your role here, I need you to hire someone to take your place. No one will ever be as good as you."

Jason replies, "Sonny, we have gone over this ad nauseam; I will find you a replacement, but in the meantime, your books are a mess."

Sonny throws his hands up and laughs, "okay, I'll leave you alone to tackle the books."

Jason spends a few hours tackling the books and leaves to find Elizabeth at General Hospital. Elizabeth comes out of surgery and catches her coming out of the OR. Jason asks her how it went. She says they can discuss it over dinner. Jason suggests a new fine dining place outside of Port Charles for dinner, Elizabeth agrees, but she wants to visit her Gram first.

Elizabeth calls Laura and asks if she wants to have the boys for the rest of the afternoon and spend the night. Laura responds that she would love to and picks up the boys after leaving with work from the Mayor's office.

Jason and Elizabeth visit Audrey at her assisted living apartment. Elizabeth asks her if she's had many visitors. Audrey says, "Monica visited me last week, Bobbie a few days before Christmas, Sarah's called me a couple of times, but you've visited me the most."

Elizabeth says, "Esme Prince, the girl who caused your accident, was killed by Jerry Jacks right before Christmas. You don't need to worry about her anymore. Also, Jason and I have other news we want to tell you. On New Year's Eve, Jason and I got engaged."

Audrey replies, "my darling granddaughter, all I've wanted is for you to be happy. If Jason makes you happy, congratulations."

Audrey adds, "Jason, thank you for looking after my granddaughter and my safety."

Jason replies, "you are welcome. I am glad you are adjusting to your new living arrangements, and it is my pleasure to take care of your granddaughter." Jason and Elizabeth leave.

During dinner, Elizabeth brings up a venture she wants to do. "I want to take some courses at the Medical Sciences Division at PCU and get training in Skilled Nursing. I want to help people like my Gram. I still want to be a scrub nurse, but I want to get away from the Hub. I want to work less at the front desk."

Jason replies, "I think that is a great idea, though I'm sure Epiphany will miss you at the front desk."

Elizabeth says, "some of my courses will be at night. Cam stepped up a lot when I was 'gone,' but he has classes, work, and friends. I can't keep asking him or even Laura to pick up the slack. Jake can help during the day, but I don't think he's old enough to watch Aiden at night. Will your work with Sonny keep you away at night?"

Jason replies, "it shouldn't. My work with Sonny will rarely be at night. I can also take the accounting home if you are busy during the day. If you need to be at the hospital or visit Audrey, I'd love to spend time with the boys. I also wanted to ask if, since Jake is 15, I'd like to give him driving lessons to prepare him for his driving test in May."

Elizabeth laughs and replies, "as long as it's not lessons on the bike. You can take him for rides, but that's all. If he decides to drive a cycle, he has to wait until he's 21. Those are my rules."

Jason chuckles and says, "agreed."

As Jason is driving them home, Elizabeth says, "another thing I think is important for me is to continue therapy with Kevin considering all the crap I've endured over the past two years. I know therapy is not for you, but I may need to share some things with Kevin. HIPPA binds him not to say anything, and I promise not to discuss anything illegal."

Jason replies, "to quote your grandmother, I only want you to be happy, and if therapy can help you heal, I will support you."

Epiphany calls Elizabeth and asks her to return to General Hospital. Elizabeth says, "I'm not on call, and I've had a couple of glasses of wine at dinner."

Epiphany asks, "is Jason with you? He needs to come too. It's not for surgery. Dante has questions about a patient in surgery."

Elizabeth replies, "we will be there shortly." She tells Jason what Epiphany said, and it could be serious. She asks, "should I call Diane?"

Jason says, "let's find out what he wants first."

They arrive at General Hospital, and Dante asks, "Jason, where have you been since you left the hospital four hours ago?"

Jason replies, "do I need to call my lawyer?"

Dante says, "I'm only asking a question. If I need to take you in, you can call Diane."

Elizabeth says, "after Jason and I left the hospital, we saw my Gram, then we went to dinner. We were driving home when Epiphany called. Why are you asking?"

Dante replies, "ADA Arden was attacked and poisoned two hours ago. Jerry's letter said he was working with her. Where was your boss at the time?"

Jason answers, "you mean your father? You will need to ask him, Are we done? Can we go home?"

Dante says, "for now."

Elizabeth says, "It's been over an hour since my wine. I'm driving. You are too upset."

Jason replies, "I am not getting involved. Sonny can call Diane."

Elizabeth replies, "are you sure you can do that? Can you turn it off? We don't know what Sonny did or did not do, but you said you would handle the other end of the business. You didn't attack Jennifer Arden. Besides, poisoning is more of a Cassidine thing. You have nothing to worry about."

Jason says, "you are right. We have more important things to look forward to, like meeting your daughter."

The following month the investigation into the attack and now homicide of ADA Arden continues. It also consists of work for Jason, Elizabeth, and Cameron, school, and classes for Elizabeth and the boys. Elizabeth asked for time off to visit San Francisco to meet Marie and Beth. Jason tells Sonny he will be gone for a few days, and Jake and Aiden will return with him, but Elizabeth and Cam may stay longer. Jason says they will be seeing Robin and her family too. Sonny tells him to give Robin his best.

February and travel to San Francisco and Berkeley, and more