Pg3

Standing in the arrival terminal, Emily gently rubs her belly as she awaits the arrival of her best friend, having truly missed her since she went on vacation for her birthday with her family. As eager as she was for the baby to be born, she's thankful that she didn't go into labor while Sarah was out of town. It's very important to her to have all of the people she loves in town when she has her baby.

"Sarah!" she calls out when she spots Sarah coming through the gate.

"Emily!" Sarah calls back, rolling her bags over to where she's waiting, hugging her earnestly before pulling away to look her over. "You are positively glowing. I'm so glad I made it back in time."

"Me, too," Emily agrees as they make their way out of the airport. "Between you and Jason being out of town, I was starting to worry you'd both miss the birth."

"Right, like either of us would miss such an important day without a fight," Sarah counters. "So, Jason's back in town?"

"Yeah, he's finally home," Emily says with a bright smile before eyeing her questioningly. "Are you really still on that?"

"What?" Sarah questions innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Right," Emily shakes her head, popping open her trunk for Sarah to load her luggage. "You know I love you endlessly, but..."

"I love you, too," Sarah cuts her off, knowing full well what she was about to say, having heard it countless times before. "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling famished."

"Sure," Emily accepts, knowing that she was gonna do whatever she was going to do regardless of her input, one of the many things that Emily has come to accept as her friend. "The Grille?"

"Sounds perfect," Sarah agrees before walking around the car to get into the passenger seat.

Shaking her head, a slight smile on her face, Emily climbs into the driver's seat and drives them to the restaurant, finding herself growing hungrier by the moment the more she thinks of food. During the ride, Sarah does as Sarah always does, not so subtly gaging where Jason stands as far as she's concerned. More than anything Emily wishes she'd drop it, Jason has made his stance quite clear, but Sarah just never seems to truly grasp the weight of his words.

If he could just get to know her, she'd say when he reiterates his position, he'd grow to like her. Between his career and long nights on his bike, she just hasn't been able to get any real time with him, but she's working on changing that. Emily has repeatedly tried to explain that it was a futile point, but - she had to give it to Sarah - she sure has one hell of a persistent streak.

...

...

...

Leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, Jake gingerly dries her hands, her right hand still sore from having to intervene in a fight the previous night. A slight smile on her face, she shakes her head before walking back into the kitchen to grab the food she had just prepared, knowing the kid could use a good meal after all the work he's put in to balance her books. Though she's told Jason that his debt to her has long been paid, he still insists on being the one to help her handle her books free of charge, saying that doing so had nothing to do with owing her. Whatever that means.

"Nuh-uh," Jake says sternly when he tries to pull out his wallet to pay her for the food and drink. "You don't charge me, I don't charge you. Deal with it."

"Thanks," Jason replies, accepting the food. "I'm almost done."

"How's it looking?"

"Good," he assures. "Your profit margin has kept within the mid to late eighties."

"That's what I like to hear," Jake says happily. "So, I hear your sister is due any day now."

"Yeah," Jason says with a soft smile. "From the way they're behaving now, I'm betting they'll be quite energetic once they're born."

"I bet," Jake replies. "You excited to be an uncle?"

"That's one word for it," Jason shakes his head. "Anxious is more like it."

"Could it be that you're somewhat seeing a glimpse into what your future could look like with that little brunette of yours?"

"Funny," Jason counters. "We're nowhere near that."

"You say that now," Jake says with a teasing smirk. "But what happens when you're both living in the same town? Anything can happen."

"You done having your fun?"

"Eh, for now," Jake chuckles. "You better bring that girl straight here when she gets to town or you and I will have words. Understood?"

"Understood," Jason shakes his head, knowing she was just messing with him because she's grown to love Elizabeth over the last couple of years, growing more eager to meet her as the days go by. "She's looking forward to meeting you."

"Can't blame her," Jake says with a shrug. "I'm a peach."

Shaking his head, Jason digs into the food as he finishes going over her books, happy to see that the bar was still doing well. He had been a little put off by a bar opening up a street over, but it doesn't seem like it has affected Jake's business in the slightest. Handing Jake back her books once he's balanced them, Jason makes his way into the kitchen to wash his dishes before taking off.

Being one of the few people that had a huge impact on his life when he first started out, Jason has a deep soft spot for Jake, making him even more thankful for her when she took it upon herself to reach out to Elizabeth. Being not only the owner of a favorite local hangout but one of its few bartenders, as well, Jake has a rare insight into the many residents of the town. Giving her a unique understanding of Elizabeth's connection to the town.

He'll never forget the day that Elizabeth called him to thank him for bringing Jake into her life and how she couldn't wait to meet her in person. Knowing that two people he cares deeply for were able to build a connection all their own, Jason found himself that much more thankful for Jake.

...

...

...

Signing for the last piece set for the gallery show, Elizabeth directs the delivery person where to set the statue down before thanking them and giving them a tip for their hard work these last few weeks. Rolling her neck side to side to relieve some of the tension, she lets out a long sigh, thankful to have the last piece finally in place.

"Another late night, huh?" Maximus voices, eliciting a soft smile to touch her lips as she turns to him, finding him standing there with two cups of hot chocolate. "Figured you could use this."

"You figured right," Elizabeth replies, accepting the cup when he holds it out to her. "Thanks."

"You're really going all out for this showing," Maximus comments as he stands beside her to take a look at the gallery. "Going out with a bang, huh?"

"Something like that, yeah."

"How's the replacement working out?"

"They'll be ready," Elizabeth assures him. "I know I can never truly express my thanks for all you've done for me..."

"No thanks necessary," Maximus says wholeheartedly, turning to face her once again. "No matter where you go in this world, Elizabeth, we are family. As good as blood. If you ever need us, we will be there without question, understood?"

"Yeah," Elizabeth replies with a soft smile, fighting off the tears that are bound to fall as she fits herself into his arms, knowing all too well how hard it's going to be to say goodbye. "Understood."

Though it has been months in the making, they both know that none of them are ready for her departure, having grown used to having each other around. Knowing that talking about it any further will undoubtedly have them both in their feelings, Maximus suggests they talk a quick walk through the gallery before calling it a night. Tomorrow will be her replacement's first gallery showing under Elizabeth's guidance and they both need to be well rested for that.

Morning brought with a feast, her farewell party of sorts, Maximus giving the entire estate staff the day off to join in the festivities. Though she wasn't sure what he had planned for her, she didn't expect this in the least, everyone wished her well while expressing their sadness about her leaving. Just as you would expect a family would do for a loved one. Something she couldn't even dream of from her birth family.

After breakfast came to an end, Elizabeth was surprised to find that Maximus had planned a day out with her and the brothers, wanting to leave her with one lasting impression of what they have now come to deem her true home. Italy will always be her home as it is theirs, as it was Maria's. No matter how far she may go, this is and will always be home.

To tie it all together, the gallery showing that night goes off without a hitch, making her that much more content in handing the reigns over to her replacement. Having put her all into this gallery to bring it to fruition, Elizabeth's thankful that she'll be leaving it in willing and capable hands. Though their time together started off rocky, she has all the faith in the world that her replacement will do right by the gallery and by her family.

...

...

...

Getting to the Quartermaine estate, Emily's curiosity is peaked when she gets to the dining room to find her family in quite a lively conversation, only able to catch some keywords as their voices were overlapping each other. Deciding it was best to not interrupt the flow of conversation, Emily takes a seat by her grandmother, who is simply taking it all in.

"What's got them so lively?" Emily questions her grandmother after kissing her cheek in greeting.

"Their tendency to be quite nosey," her grandmother, Lila, says simply, shaking her head at the lot of them. "The old storefront down by the docks was finally sold. Apparently, there will be an art gallery opening up there, if their intel is any good."

"Don't tell me grandfather greased a few palms to get ahead of things again."

"Then I won't tell you," Lila says teasingly. "As you can see, they've decided to capitalize on the idea of a cultural staple arriving in town."

"Of course they are," Emily chuckles. "Do they know who the owner will be?"

"From what I could make out over the mumble jumbo, the youngest Webber," Lila explains, thankful when the staff starts to bring out dinner. "Of course, it's all speculation at this point, given the source of your grandfather's information."

"That's weird...I just spent the day with Sarah and she didn't mention anything about opening a gallery," Emily mulls it over, confused by the confused look on her grandmother's face. "What?"

"Sarah's not the youngest," Lila informs her, having believed her to be aware of that, but seeing that she was indeed not aware.

"Wait...what?" Emily looks at her in disbelief. "Isn't it just her and Steven?"

"No, my dear, there's a third Webber child," Lila explains. "Albeit the child is estranged from the family if rumors are to be believed."

"Wow...I can't even fathom the Webbers having an estranged child," Emily takes that in as she leans back in her seat. "It's so surreal."

Not that she doubted her grandmother in the least, but it was truly hard to believe that Sarah had another sibling aside from Steven. She's vacationed with Sarah's family just as Sarah has vacationed with hers, never once did she any sign that there were more than just the two of them. No pictures in their house, no evidence at all that there was a third child. Doing her best to listen in on the conversation as dinner begins, Emily can't help but wonder - most of all - why Sarah never mentioned another sibling.

...

...

...

Early hours of the day, Elizabeth's standing at the bottom of the stairs leading to the private jet, her luggage safely secured aboard the plane. Having said her goodbyes to Max and Milo the night before, knowing neither were any good at goodbyes, she finds herself standing with Maximus as she awaits departure. In all honesty, this was easier for her, not being any good at goodbyes either.

"Does he know you're flying out?" Maximus questions, realizing he never asked her about it.

"No," she admits with a soft smile. "It's a surprise."

"You sure that's smart?"

"Simply playing his game," Elizabeth shrugs, reminding him of the time that Jason popped up in Italy without any form of a heads up. "Don't worry. I have everything sorted for when I land."

"Okay, then," Maximus accepts, pulling out a small box from his pocket to hand it to her. "Just a little something to get you started."

"What does that mean?" Elizabeth questions, opening the box to find a set of keys.

"You always spoke of opening your own gallery," Maximus explains. "I took the liberty of purchasing the perfect space for just that. Consider it my parting gift. You'll find all necessary paperwork in the front pocket of your luggage."

"You really didn't have to..." she starts to say before her words fall flat, seeing a knowing look on his face. "Thanks, Maximus."

"I've also had Mario put together a list of reliable businesses to help you get the gallery up and running," Maximus explains. "All of which is detailed in the packet."

"You really think of everything, don't you?"

"I try," Maximus says simply. "I expect an invitation once it's finished."

"Of course," Elizabeth assures. "You'll get the very first one."

"I'll look forward to it," Maximus says before pulling her in for a goodbye hug. "Stay safe out there, you hear me?"

"I hear you."

Staying like that for a moment longer, both not too eager to be parting ways, Elizabeth smiles softly as he kisses her forehead before pulling away. Goodbyes suck. They truly do. But this isn't forever. She knows that. So, knowing that this is the path her life is meant to take her, Elizabeth makes her way up the stairs, turning to wave goodbye one last time before boarding the plane and taking her seat.

If someone were to sit her eighteen-year-old self down and tell her that she would not only willingly but eagerly fly to a place that her birth family originates from, Elizabeth would have told them to take their meds or get on some because that was a delusional thought at best. Doing just that now, Elizabeth hardly cares about their presence in that town, knowing she has a world of her own waiting for her to arrive. A world they couldn't even begin to touch.

"Sonny," Elizabeth voices when she deboards the plane and finds him waiting by his SUV. "I didn't expect you'd pick me up personally."

"And miss out on seeing you myself?" Sonny counters before pulling her in for a hug in greeting. "It's good to see you, Liz."

"You, too," Elizabeth replies in kind, smiling as they pull away. "I gotta admit, I had forgotten how different it is stateside, it'll definitely take some getting used to."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Sonny says as he helps her load her luggage into the SUV. "For what it's worth, I hope you'll come to love this town. It's no Italy, mind you, but it has its charms."

"I'm sure I will," Elizabeth smiles softly. "So, where is that boyfriend of mine?"

"I sent him out on early rounds," Sonny assures her as they get settled in their seats and take off through town. "You should have more than enough time to get things set up."

"Perfect," Elizabeth says happily. "Thanks for this, Sonny."

"No thanks necessary," Sonny replies sincerely. "You're as good as family, Liz. I hope you know that."

Allowing a comfortable silence to fall over them, the radio playing softly as they head to Harborview Towers, they are met by both Johnny and Francis in the garage. She figures she shouldn't be too surprised, given Sonny showing up alone, knowing others had to know where he was going just in case. Getting down, she's greeted with a warm embrace from both men, each truly happy she's finally made it to their neck of the woods.

Sonny says his goodbyes after being sure she has a set of keys to the penthouse, the two guys help her bring her luggage upstairs before hanging out with her as she sets up breakfast for her and Jason, being sure to send them with a to-go plate of their own. Both men assure her that they'll send her a heads up once Jason's on his way up before they take their leave.

...

...

...

Parking his bike in his usual spot in the garage, Jason makes his way into the lobby, confused about why Sonny was so insistent on him making rounds so early. It didn't seem like there was anything to really worry about, noticing nothing much but the usual points of concern and nothing more than that. Whatever the case may be, at least he's done with rounds for today and won't have to be back on rotation until the following week.

"What?" Jason says to the guys at the desk, confused as to why they were both there.

"What, what?" Johnny counters with a slight smirk. "Can't a guy be in a good mood?"

"As long as I'm not footing the bill for it, sure," Jason counters with a shake of his head, accepting his mail from the duo. "Anything happen while I was out?"

"Not that I know of," Johnny shrugs before nudging Francis. "You hear anything?"

"Nope," Francis says simply as he reclines with a good book.

"See, everything's peachy," Johnny says before waving him off. "Get the steps in, huh, we're working here."

"Right," Jason shakes his head before walking off, finding he just didn't have the patience to try to figure out what they were on about.

Making his way to the elevator, he walks on, jabbing the button for the penthouse level before leaning against the wall to wait out the ride. Getting to his floor, Jason's further confused by the look that graces Sonny's guard's face, what the heck is with these people today? Deciding he'd rather not delve into that particular topic, he waves at the man in greeting before unlocking his door and stepping inside, brought to an immediate stop at the sight that awaited him.

This couldn't be real. It just couldn't. Dropping his stuff to the side, kicking the door shut behind him, Jason rushes to her, lifting her up into his arms as the realization hits him and it's made abundantly clear that this was real. She's really there. Not thousands of miles away, not a voice over the phone, not words on a screen, she's there in his arms and Jason just couldn't find the words to express just how badly he has wanted this to be reality.


...

...

...


Author's Note: Thank you all for such kind words. I've been having some trouble with my story saying "Story Not Found" at certain times of the day, I'm not sure how I can fix that, but I'm sorry if it happens when you try to read it. It does come back up on its own but still. My apologies. I hope you enjoyed this update and I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thanks.