Chapter 26
Birthdays, Scorpio-Drake plans, a wedding, and more
Late April/Early May:
The Scorpio-Drake family arrived early in Port Charles. They made several appointments and plans. They arranged to stay at Robin's mother's place, Devane Manor. It has enough space for everyone, and Robin also pre-arranged to hire Amy Driscol to babysit Noah when the adults are out.
Robin and Patrick have dinner with her parents and discuss their new employment opportunities. They also tell them what Emma's plans are. Emma, Patrick, and Robin drive two hours to their destinations in the morning.
Elizabeth, Jason, and Jake arrive at the DMV early on May 4, Jake's 16th birthday. Elizabeth and Jason wait while Jake takes his written exam and watches him leave with the Driving License Examiner in Elizabeth's car. Jason holds Elizabeth's hand while they wait. Jason says, "Jake is going to be great. He's got this."
Elizabeth replies, "I know, and I know he will be a safe driver. It's corny, but our little boy is growing up."
Jake and the tester arrive back, and Jake is smiling and waving the copy of the paper indicating he passed. He waits in line to get his photo taken. Elizabeth hugs her son and tells him she's proud of him. Jason hands him the keys and lets him drive them home.
Elizabeth calls Robin for a Girl's Night Out. Cam is going out with Joss, Spencer, and Trina. Jake passed his driving test, and Jason is celebrating with Jake and Aiden. Patrick spends time with Noah.
Elizabeth invited Terry to join her and Robin at the Floating Rib. Elizabeth says, "Robin, this is my childhood friend from Boulder, Colorado, and she is now on staff at General Hospital." She turns to Terry and says, "Terry, this is my good friend I was telling you about; she used to work at GH before moving to California to take a Chief of Staff job at Berkely General Hospital. Robin and her husband, Patrick, were the ones who saved Jason's life in 2012. He was the topic of the paper published on the protocol Robin developed."
After finalizing the introductions, they order shots of tequila. Elizabeth tells them Cameron's and Beth's birthday celebrations are next. Elizabeth asks Robin about her day.
Robin replies, "Patrick and I want to share the news with everyone. We haven't made a final decision yet, but it would benefit Emma too."
Elizabeth has Roman drive everyone home. Cam, Aiden, and Jake are waiting for Elizabeth to get home.
Elizabeth asks, "Cam, what do you want to do for your birthday next week? Marie and Beth will be here in a few days. We could have a family dinner, and you could make plans with your friends later. Laura called and said your brothers are lending their rooms for Marie and Beth to stay here to give you more time with your sister, and they will stay with grandma."
Cameron replies and says, "I love the idea. I'll ask Joss, Spencer, and Trina for ideas. It's been a few years since Emma was here, and we could go somewhere new for her."
Elizabeth says, "let us know. Roman will take you where you want, but remember you are turning 20, not 21. I don't want a bad example set for Beth and her mother."
Jake jokes about a car. Elizabeth replies, "for now, Roman or one of Jason's other guards will be with you, and you can use my car when I'm not using it. Before you can have your own car, the same rule Cameron had will apply to you too. You pay for half. You need to get a job, help out at Kelly's, or maybe Ava could use some help at the art studio. Cam worked at Kelly's and helped out at home. He didn't get his car until he was 17."
Elizabeth took and passed all her first-semester courses in skilled nursing. She was also working her shifts s at General Hospital and visiting Gram before Marie and Beth arrived in Port Charles. Roman drove her to meet their plane and bring them back to Elizabeth's house.
Elizabeth helps them settle in their rooms, and Jason and Cam arrive to pick them up for dinner in a private dining room at the Metro Court. They meet Patrick, Robin, and Emma and celebrate Cam and Beth's 20th birthday.
Elizabeth says, "Okay, we are together, Robin; you promised to tell us what you and Patrick were doing in Port Charles a few days ago."
Robin explains, "it wasn't in Port Charles. We drove to Maryland. Patrick and I arrived early for employment opportunities. I was interviewing for a teaching opportunity at John Hopkins University. I would be teaching Neuroscience and have a lab for my Neuropathology experiments and developing protocols. If I get the position, Patrick will accept the position of Assistant Chief of Staff and Surgical Chief of Neurology at John Hopkins Hospital. Emma wants to transfer from her senior year at Berkeley University to Princeton and attend Medical School to study Forensic Pathology."
Patrick adds, "after Matt got paroled in 2017, he worked with Noah in Doctors without Borders. He moved to California in 2019 and worked with me at Berkeley General Hospital. If Robin gets the job, Matt will take over for me as Chief Neurologist."
Elizabeth says, "wow! That's great. Those sound like many fascinating opportunities, and I would love to have everyone so close. Emma, why do you want to study Forensic Pathology?"
Emma replies, "I want to incorporate work that grandma does and what mom and dad do."
Robin says, "I told her that is not exactly accurate, but she likes the investigation aspect, the surgical aspect, and the pathology of determining the cause of death."
Jason looks at Marie and says, "Elizabeth told me you want to get a job here in Port Charles or a neighboring town at one of the public schools. Have you started interviewing yet?"
Marie replies, "I interviewed online with a couple of schools, and I have an in-person interview tomorrow. Elizabeth, I looked you up on Facebook, and it's the same grade school your children attended. If I get the position, you can tell Aiden I won't start until next school year, and he would be in middle school. I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes or make him feel like I would be reporting back to you."
Elizabeth says, "thank you for saying that, and it would be nice to have you live here. Beth, your mother, told me you are thinking about transferring too. Where do you want to go to school?"
Beth replies, "I didn't take extra courses as Emma did, so I'll be in the same grade as Cameron and his friends. My GPA from Berkely U is good enough to apply for a partial scholarship and need-based financial aid. I hope to finish my degree at John Hopkins in their undergraduate program. I want to take coursework in DNA and Genetics. Because of my curiosity about my family background, I've written some computer code to help identify familiar DNA. I am also applying for a forensic art degree."
Robin says, "if she gets accepted, she can save money by staying with us instead of campus housing. Cam, it is only a three-hour drive. Beth can visit you and her mother, or you could come to Maryland."
Jason clears his throat. "Cam, I know your friends are waiting for your private celebration, but before you leave, your mother and I have a birthday present for you and Beth. Robin, Patrick, Carly, Sonny, and Nikolas are treating their kids too. For your winter break, we have arranged a ski trip for everyone at a resort in Vermont. Beth, I got approval from your mother." Cam and Beth thank Jason and Elizabeth.
(for the trip: Carly pays for Joss, Nik pays for Spencer, Patrick and Robin pay for Emma. Portia and Taggert come up with the travel expenses, but Trina saves money by bunking free with Joss, Emma, and Beth. Joss lends Trina her old snowboard.)
Cameron, Beth, and Emma meet up with Spencer, Trina, and Joss to celebrate. The adults stay behind, drinking and discussing the wedding.
Elizabeth says, "Marie, the wedding is a month away. Jason and I want you and Beth to be here. Would you be able to return with Patrick and Robin?"
Marie replies, "if I get the job, we can look at temporary housing for the summer and start moving out when we get back to Berkeley. We will be happy to attend. Thank you."
Jason calls an Uber to take everyone home. Marie and Elizabeth head inside while Jason checks with his guard and tells him Cam and Beth will be back with Roman in a few hours. Elizabeth tells Marie not to worry. Cam is responsible and will ensure Beth will be back before midnight.
Marie has her interview and leaves the next day with Beth. Elizabeth and Cameron say their goodbyes and look forward to seeing them next month.
**Updates: Marie gets the job. She and Beth pack, and Elizabeth arranges temporary housing for them. Robin and her family return to California and call everyone in Port Charles with the news they accepted their positions and will move back to the East Coast before the end of the year.
Elizabeth chooses a simple off-white, off-the-shoulder, tea-length dress. She asks Terry to be her maid of honor.
Jason asks Jake to be his best man, and Elizabeth asks Cameron to give her away.
The Wedding
The Guest List:
Audrey
Cameron, Jake, and Aiden
Marie and Beth
Danny
Michael and Willow
Monica
Drew
Terry
Robin, Patrick, and Emma (Noah stays in California with Matt)
Laura and Kevin
Jason's bodyguards are at all perimeters.
Robin, Marie, Beth, and Terry collected wildflowers from the field and fashioned them into bouquets for Elizabeth and Terry. Beth and Robin are bridesmaids. Terry, Beth, and Robin wear tea-length floral dresses.
Jason and Jake wear white dress shirts and dark jackets without ties. Both Jason and Jake are wearing jeans.
Laura stands at the front, and Jason and Jake stand off to the right.
Beth walks towards the makeshift altar first, followed by Robin, then Terry.
As Elizabeth takes Cameron's arm and they start walking towards Jason, Aiden presses play on his phone, and Cameron's voice singing "North Star" begins. Cam shakes Jason's hand and kisses his mother's cheek.
Jason takes Elizabeth's hand, and Laura announces that Jason and Elizabeth want to keep things simple. Laura asks Jason, "do you…" Jason interrupts and says, "yes, I do." Elizabeth says, "I do too." Everyone laughs, and Laura says, "Okay, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jason, you may kiss your bride."
Everyone claps as Jason pulls Elizabeth to him and kisses her. Laura reminds them they still need to exchange the rings. Jake hands his father the ring for his mother, and Jason places it on Elizabeth's finger. Terry hands Elizabeth the ring for Jason, and she, places it on Jason's finger.
Robin hands out plastic champagne flutes, and Kevin pops the cork on several bottles of champagne and pours it into everyone's glasses.
Jason lifts his glass and says, "everyone knows I'm not much for words, but I want to toast to my new wife. Elizabeth, 24 years ago, we met; a year later, you saved my life, and we became friends. It took us another six years before I could admit I was falling for you, at least to myself. Almost 14 years ago, we almost made this happen. Today we did. I love you."
Elizabeth wipes her tears and says, "Jason, I fell in love with you long before you fell in love with me, but over those years, our lives went in different directions. I can't regret those decisions as they brought me my wonderful son Cameron and my newfound daughter Beth. It took us more than 20 years, but I'm glad today is the day you became my husband."
Zander has hidden in bushes a few hundred yards away, watching his son and daughter. He smiled when Elizabeth and Jason toasted each other and kissed again. He turns and walks away.
Jason kisses her again, and as the couple takes their first dance (without any coaxing from Elizabeth), the song "Ours to Keep" by Kina Grannis plays.
How does circumstance
Seem to cost us every chance
At living out the truth in our hearts?
It seems the best-laid plans
Fall just outside our hands
And leave us broken down and far apart
But if faith plays a role
I know someday I'll hold you in my arms forevermore
CHORUS:
So let's love like it's ours to keep
Love like we've always dreamed
And maybe this time
The fates will be kind to us
So let's love like it's ours to keep
I wish there was a way.
That we could somehow stay
In this perfect moment in time
I'd give up everything
'Cause this is all I dream about
Whenever I'm alone inside my mind
I pray faith plays a role
So that someday I'll hold you in my arms forevermore
Epilogue