Pg1

At his wit ends with the Quartermaines, anger flooding his entire being as he tries to think of a way to get out of their grasp, Jason paces his apartment trying to think of what his next move should be. It was bad enough that they barely treat him like family but to block off employment opportunities from him because the thought of a "Quartermaine" working those types of jobs made each of them want to hurl, Jason was truly sick of their interference.

"What?!" Jason snaps when he pulls open the door to his apartment, growing tired of the insistent knocking. "What are you doing here?"

"You have every right to be upset, but can you find it in yourself to just hear me out?" his birth father, Alan, asks him. "Just a few minutes of your time, that's all I ask."

"..." Jason falls silent, not bothering to give the man an inch into his apartment.

"Are you not even going to invite me inside?"

"..."

"Fine, if that's how it must be, so be it," Alan accepts. "We're not trying to prevent you from finding work, we just want you to take into consideration what your job choices say about the family. You have a place in the company, albeit a starting position in the mailroom, but you'll be well compensated given you're a member of the family."

"Not interested," he states plainly.

"It's minimal work with great pay, son," Alan says seriously. "I don't see why you wouldn't take such an opportunity. Is it really that important to work yourself to the bone on the docks for minimal pay? Think through this logically."

"Not. Interested," he puts emphasis on his words, seeing as Alan clearly wasn't getting it. "Is that all?"

"Jason..."

Growing tired of Alan's repetitive conversation, knowing it wasn't going anywhere, Jason shuts the door in his face and secures the lock, ignoring the onslaught of words thrown at him through the door. He's spent his whole life being Alan's dirty little secret and he was done being Alan's regret. He doesn't care if he ends up homeless on the streets down to his skin and bones, he's done being controlled by the likes of them.

After a sufficient amount of time has passed, he grabs his keys and jacket before leaving his apartment and locking up. He's still got about an hour before the bar downstairs opens, giving him enough time to head out, having made a deal with the owner that he'd stay out of the bar while it was in business, given his age.

"What's this?" Jason questions when the owner, Jake, places a plate down on the bar and signals him over to it.

"Food," Jake says plainly before plopping on a stool behind the bar, a plate of her own in front of her. "Don't let a lady eat alone, kid."

"You'll add it to my tab?"

"If you insist, sure," Jake says with a shrug before digging in. "Best when hot, kid."

"Right," Jason accepts, plopping down on the stool to join her for a meal.

"Call it eavesdropping or what have you, but if you're that strapped for a job, I may have something," Jake voices, not even glancing in his direction as she continues to eat. "It's not for the faint of heart nor the weak. It's dangerous, but it'll get you what you want."

"What do I want?"

"An escape from that side of the world," Jake says simply. "Interested?"

"Sure," he says with a shrug. "I'll take it."

"Good," she says before picking up her phone and placing a call. "I got a recruit for you...Did you hear me ask if you had space on your roster? Make the space. You tell Sonny that'll make us even...That's more like it. He'll be there in fifteen. Pleasure doing business."

"Thanks," Jason says when she slides him a piece of paper with an address on it.

"I got you in, it's on you to make it stick, kid," Jake says simply. "Go on. They don't like people being late."

"Got it."

Accepting that that's about all she felt like talking about the situation, Jason makes his way out to his bike and takes off to the address given to him, not at all sure what awaits him but eager to find just how far out of the Quartermaines reach this job will get him. Arriving at the address, he's met by two guys that pretty much summed up the situation just on their appearance alone, realizing that Jake might actually be right about this.

"I'm Francis Corelli, this is Johnny O'Brien," the bigger of the two introduce themselves. "Don't know how much Jake told you about this job or what you expect from it..."

"Only that it was dangerous and not for the weak," Jason replies when he notices they're expecting an answer to their nonquestion. "As for what I want...just a job the Quartermaines can't touch."

"Fair enough," Francis accepts. "You can't get any farther from that group than us. Come on, newbie, let's get you situated."

"Of course, you'll have to survive the recruitment phase," Johnny chuckles, truly intrigued that a Quartermaine of any capacity would search out the Corinthos Organization for employment. "No pressure or anything."

After getting the paperwork part of the hiring process out of the way, things really kicked into high gear, testing Jason both mentally and physically. The more that the guys tried to push him to the brink, the more Jason learned about himself and all that he's capable of.

No matter how many times he was knocked down, Jason rose again, pushing himself harder each time, learning more and more as he kept at it. It was as he was laid out yet again for the umpteenth time that Jason's resolve was solidified and he made the decision that this was it. This is the job that Jason wants.

"Thoughts?" Sonny Corinthos, the head of the organization, asks Francis on the last day of recruitment training, watching Jason go up against five guys this time.

"You just might end up owing Jake with this one," Francis admits, handing over the notes he's taken through the training. "The guy's a machine. Given his insane ability to adapt and overcome any situation thrown at him, with the right guidance, you just might have your enforcer."

"I just might," Sonny accepts. "Dinner at my place. You and O'Brien. I have an assignment that I need you two to handle."

"Understood."

"Bright the kid," Sonny throws in, handing him back his notes. "This will be the perfect opportunity to test your theory."

"Understood."

...

...

...

Present Day

With summer coming to an end and the start of autumn slowly making its way through town, Jason sits outside of the local diner waiting for his sister, anxious to see her after being abroad for the last couple of months. Feeling the slight vibration in his pocket, Jason pulls out his phone, a slight smile touching his lips before he sends back a quick text.

"Do I dare ask who's responsible for that smile on your face?" Emily voices curiously as she walks over to him.

"You can ask," he counters with a simple shrug, sliding his phone back into his pocket before rising to his feet to wrap his arms around her in greeting. "Was that..."

"Yup, looks like I'm not the only one excited to see you," Emily counters, taking his hand to gently rest it upon her ever-growing belly. "This little one loves you just as much as I do."

"How much longer?"

"Any day now," Emily replies, smiling softly when he pulls out her chair for her. "I can't tell who's more anxious for that day to come, me or Grandmother."

"Yeah," he agrees. "It was all she could talk about over breakfast."

"She's so worried about me that she's got the staff tending to my every need when I'm there," Emily replies, signaling to the waitress inside to let her know they were ready for the food. "Even Aunt Tracy has resulted to giving me tips on how to induce labor in case I end up extending past my due date."

"Sounds complicated."

"It can be," she admits. "But it is what it is."

"When..." Jason looks at the waitress in confusion before turning to his sister once the waitress makes her way back inside. "Did you really?"

"It's your birthday, big brother," Emily says with a shrug. "Don't bother thinking what I know you're bound to think. I paid in advance and threatened Bobby not to fall for your devilish charms."

"You should be focusing on your baby..."

"It's just a birthday meal, Jason, it's not going to break the bank," Emily counters. "Besides, we both know you're bound to spoil this kid rotten, so, it's fine."

"You're not wrong."

"I know," Emily smiles softly. "I'm just glad you were able to get back in time. Lord knows I'm in no shape to go flying out to whatever country you were in to keep to our tradition."

"Right," Jason agrees, starting to say something but is cut off by someone calling his name.

"Jason, hey," Robin Scorpio greets him, a smile on her face as she walks over to them. "Oh, hey, Emily. My goodness, you are absolutely radiating."

"It's all the baby," Emily says as she gently rubs her belly. "Were you looking for Jason?"

"Yeah," she confirms before turning to Jason. "Sonny told me you were back in town. Unfortunately, my schedule is booked all week, so, I'm glad I could catch you to give you your birthday gift."

"Uh...thanks," Jason says, accepting the box from her. "I appreciate it."

"Open it," Robin insists with a bright smile. "I want to get your first impression of it."

"Sure," Jason says, glancing at his sister before he opens the box. "A watch."

"Sonny said that you were in the market for one," Robin explains. "It took me a while to find the perfect one for your job. It's water-resistant, shatter-resistant, and it should keep you from needing another one for a while."

"Thanks, Robin," he replies sincerely, rising to his feet to hug her in thanks.

"It's a nice one," Emily comments when Jason hands it to her. "I just might have to get Nikolas one."

"Wyndham's, you won't regret it," Robin replies before glancing at her watch. "Hate to gift and run, but I have to get going. I'll see you guys later, okay?"

"Sounds good," Emily replies as Jason retakes his seat. "Take care."

"You, too," Robin returns. "Happy birthday, Jason, I hope you have a good one."

"Thanks," Jason replies with a slight smile, turning to Emily once they're alone again.

"In the market for a watch, huh?"

"Not really," Jason says, sliding down the sleeve of his jacket to show her a brand new watch sitting on his wrist. "Didn't want to be rude."

"So whatcha gonna do with this one?"

"Want it?"

"It's a birthday gift."

"It'll just collect dust," Jason says with a shrug. "What do you always tell me...pay it forward...take it. You can gift it to Nikolas."

"Well...if you're sure," Emily replies before sliding it into her bag. "Thanks."

"Sure."

"Okay, call it me being nosey or what have you, but..." Emily arches her eyebrow at him. "What's with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"If I remember correctly, you guys dated at one point in time..."

"We went on a couple of dates," Jason corrects. "We're just friends now."

"Does she know that?"

"Yes," Jason assures. "Can we change the topic now?"

"Sure," Emily smiles in anticipation. "We can always backtrack to who had you smiling when I got here."

"Or..." Jason drags, eyeing her pointedly. "We can finish eating and have some cake."

"Oh, come on, Sarah's not going to be back in town for another week," Emily groans. "I need the gossip. Even just a little one."

"No," Jason shakes his head. "Find your gossip somewhere else. This town is drowning in it."

"None I care about," Emily throws back, throwing her hands up in defeat when he doesn't budge."Fine. Keep your secrets."

"Love you."

"Love you, too," Emily pouts playfully. "Can you at least tell me if you'll be leaving town again any time soon?"

"Don't know," Jason says honestly. "Don't have any plans at the moment."

"Good enough," Emily accepts before allowing a comfortable silence to fall over them, knowing he couldn't exactly promise her anything given his choice in career.

The day that Jason told her and grandmother the path he had chosen for his life, to say that it came as quite a shock would be an understatement, but they both understood why he made the choice and accepted it was his choice to make. Does it stop them from worrying about him? Of course not. But his chosen career is hardly the only career carrying a level of danger to it. As long as he's happy with his choice, they'll support him without question.

"Mystery smile person?" Emily questions as she secures the rest of his birthday cake in a to-go container.

"Sonny," he replies, sliding his phone back into his pocket before pulling her in for a hug goodbye. "Thanks for today."

"Nowhere I'd rather be."

"Love you," he voices, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before laying a gentle hand on her belly to say goodbye to the baby. "Stay safe."

"Always," she replies, stopping him from leaving, and holding up the cake. "You forgot the cake."

"Did I?" he counters. "Or did I leave it for the baby?"

"Oh, you," Emily rolls her eyes knowingly. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

Making his way to his bike, Jason straddles it and takes off to meet up with Sonny at his penthouse, knowing that the next part of his birthday tradition will soon be underway. Breakfast with his grandmother, lunch with his sister, and the rest of the day learning a new dish from Sonny before having a small gathering with the lieutenants, ending the day with Jake and a bottle of tequila. Though repetition isn't that great in his line of work, Jason looks forward to his birthday tradition every year. Having grown up without anyone to really celebrate with, celebrating with his people has become a staple in his life and he's thankful for it all.

"Good, you're right on time," Sonny voices when he walks into the penthouse. "How's your day so far?"

"..." Jason shrugs with a slight smile.

"That good, huh?" Sonny chuckles, gesturing for Jason to follow him into the kitchen. "This year we're going to tackle one of your favorites...lasagna."

"Finally," Jason replies as he takes in the ingredients laid out on the island.

"In that case, let's not waste any time then, shall we?"

Grabbing his apron, Jason listens intently as Sonny breaks down each step of the recipe, being sure to commit each step to memory. He's been wanting to learn how to cook lasagna, but there just never seemed to be enough hours in the day for Sonny to walk him through it. One of the many reasons they made it part of his birthday traditions, cooking being something they both enjoy doing, having been the starting point of their friendship outside of Jason's role as his enforcer. Each lesson being well worth the wait.

"Not too tough, huh?" Sonny says as they pull the trays out of the oven. "Damn near perfection."

"Yeah," Jason agrees, pulling out his phone when he feels the vibration in his pocket. "Give me a second?"

"You're the man of the hour," Sonny shrugs. "Just bring out the pitchers when you're done."

"Got it," Jason assures before turning his focus to his phone once Sonny leaves the kitchen. "Hey."

"Hey."

"Thought you'd be asleep," Jason points out. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just wanted to say happy birthday...so...Happy Birthday, Jason."

"Thanks," he replies softly as he leans against the island. "Sonny taught me how to cook lasagna."

"That's great. I know you've been itching to get that one down."

"Yeah," he confirms. "I'll cook it for you the next time we're together."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"I miss you, you know."

"I miss you, too...soon, Jason."

"I know," Jason assures. "I have to get going, but I'll call you in the morning."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Do that," Jason replies, pushing away from the island. "I love you."

"I love you, too."


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Author's Note: Hey, Hi, Hello! I was reading some stories and noticed that some writers put little notes at the bottom of their stories, so, I thought I'd give it a go. Thanks for giving this one a chance, I hope you liked it. Any advice or thoughts on the update would be nice. Thanks for reading. Take care.