A/N – Thanks for the comments! Enjoy your weekend!
Chapter 26
Carly pointed her finger. "You think that you have everyone fooled, but I know who you are, Angela, and you need to go find another town to bullshit."
Sam sighed. It's bitches like Carly who think they are so much better than they are that make living in Port Charles a bear. "You don't think Sonny knows who I am already?"
"You think you have it all covered, don't you?"
Sam smirked. "Oh Carly, I'm smarter, more cunning, and kickass than you are, so face it, I'm here to stay."
"I'll show you kickass."
"Carly."
She jerked when she heard Sonny's voice.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm meeting someone in a half-hour and saw you through the window. Why can't you just leave her be?"
"Because she's a blight on my life. Do you know how hard it is for me to see her?"
"Yes. It's about as hard as it was to see you with Alcazar."
She rolled her eyes.
"Leave her alone."
Carly stood. "So, you're going to defend your whore?"
Sonny almost flinched. "Keep your damn voice down."
"I can't believe she had the nerve to call me that when she has scars from lying on her back and being on her knees," Sam quipped.
His gaze went to her. She looks hot all fired up. "You're not helping."
She smiled. "I know."
He shook his head.
Carly stomped back to her table and grabbed her purse. "I've lost my appetite. I'll see you at home."
Once she was gone, Sonny sighed. "Sam…"
"I know, but what am I supposed to do? I can't just keep taking her shit, Sonny."
"I'm sorry. I'll talk to her."
Sam brushed him off. "You should leave before she double backs and sees us talking."
"You okay?"
"I will be."
"I'll bring you something to make you smile later," he whispered.
"Chocolate?"
He almost smirked. "That can be arranged."
"Pizza?" she said devilishly.
He scowled. "Now, I'm going to have to punish you," he said before leaving.
Sam - 1, Carly and Sonny - 0.
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Francis grinned. "You look nervous."
Jason glared.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. You just want things to go right."
Jason pulled on his suit jacket. "I just didn't want it to happen this way." He hated asking her to sign a prenup but wasn't surprised when she didn't even read it. They will be taken care of, probably more than Elizabeth would want.
"I get it, but it's happening, and you need each other. You want this, right?"
He nodded.
"Good. When you get home, it's going to be rough. Don't run from her. You need someone by your side who accept you and stand up for you. Elizabeth can be that person. She's not a fragile flower. Trust her. I don't think she'll let you down."
"I'll try."
"Do."
"Okay."
Monica came into the room and gasped. "You look so handsome. Can I take a picture of you both?"
Jason hates it, but Francis slid right night to him and put his arm on his shoulder.
Monica quickly took it and then texted it to Alan who is aware of the pending nuptials. "Lila is very excited."
Jason smirked. "I'm sure is because all of you are plotters."
Monica chuckled and then winked. "What you don't know, won't hurt you."
"I doubt that."
"She's ready."
"Is she nervous?"
"About the same as you. She said to tell you that if you get up there and say anything about this is your last chance to back out, she'll punch you in the eye and the baby will kick you in the stomach."
Francis laughed.
"So violent…" Jason said.
"She knows you well. Go head out to the living room and wait there."
She kissed his cheek. "I know I don't tell you often, but I'm proud of you. Against all odds, you made a life for yourself."
"Even if you don't agree with it?"
"Yes. Because that is what love is all about. Thank you for letting me back in. Your father wishes he could be here. He's pleased with your choice too."
Jason nodded. His heart had swelled when she said she was proud. He would have never expected it.
She turned, and when she got to the door. "I don't see him when I look at you anymore. I thought you should know."
As she disappeared into the hallway, he swallowed hard.
"That had to feel good."
"Yeah."
"Let's do this."
Jason slightly smiled. "Okay."
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Audrey fussed with Liz's dress and then handed her some roses. "You look so beautiful."
Liz grinned. "Thank you. I feel beautiful." It has been a long time, and she plans on cherishing it.
Monica poked her head in. "Alright, he's ready."
"How did he react?"
"He said you are violent."
She chuckled. "I learned it from him."
Monica laughed before heading inside where she whispered Liz's retort before moving off to the side, making Jason chuckle.
Soft music played as Audrey walked Elizabeth down the aisle.
Jason held his breath. She looks gorgeous. The dress cinches above her waist and flows down. Her hair is swept up with a few tendrils around her face, and tiny flowers accent her hair.
When she stopped in front of Jason, Audrey grabbed his hand and put it on hers. Their gaze is locked.
"Beautiful…" he whispered.
They can't believe this is happening.
The officiant cleared his throat and spoke, but they barely heard the words. After everything they had gone through, their hearts and souls will be joined.
She couldn't look away, and neither could he. Their gaze held trust and promise, and right now, they needed each other to breathe. When Jason lifted her hand to put on the ring, she finally snapped out of it and looked down.
"Three rows, one for each member in our family."
Her eyes welled with tears. Leave it to Jason to know the right thing to say. "It's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you."
Francis grinned. The women are giddy, and he is surprised they haven't clapped, but realized they are gripping their skirts.
Vows are recited, and finally, a tear escapes down Elizabeth's cheek.
Jason wiped it away.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Audrey and Monica held their breath, as Jason gave her a chaste kiss.
Claps fill the room as Cody snaps more pictures.
"Welcome to the family, Elizabeth."
They share a hug as Audrey embraces Jason.
Cody gathers them for more pictures and then Monica checks Elizabeth's pulse.
"I'm okay, but I could use some cake."
Jason grinned. "Come on."
They signed the papers and then cut into the cake.
Jason nicely placed some in her mouth.
"Yum."
Elizabeth wasn't as nice and even though he jumped back, she got it on his cheek.
His eyes smolder.
"Hormones?"
He shook his head as a feral grin lit his face and her eyes widened.
"Francis, protect me," she said scrambling behind him.
"Can't let you do it, Jason."
Much to Francis's surprise, some cake is smeared on his face.
"That is just so rude."
"Hand her over, or Audrey gets it."
Audrey's jaw dropped.
When Cody stepped in front of her, his attention went to his mother who ducked behind the officiant making him laugh.
"Face it, you've been had," Liz said before peeking around Francis, who suddenly darted out of the way.
Jason slowly moved toward her as she laughed and held up her hands and then gasped.
"What's wrong?"
Her eyes filled with tears. "Wipe your hands, quick."
"Is this a trick?"
"No."
He grabbed a napkin and then let her take his hand which she quickly placed on her belly and after a minute, he was rewarded with a kick.
"Wow," he said in awe.
Everyone took turns and then they celebrated, with food, drinks (mostly non-alcoholic), and more cake. When the officiant left, Monica led them to the porch. "Go to the boat."
Liz shot her a look.
"It's romantic. Trust us."
Jason shrugged and then surprised Liz by lifting her.
Cody gets the shot and then takes off and Audrey and Francis join Monica on the porch.
Audrey clucked her tongue. "If you ask me, it's a waste of a good boat."
Everyone burst out laughing, including Cody, who ran by them to assist Jason in getting Liz onboard.
"Audrey Hardy," Monica said.
"You know they aren't going to do anything. Francis dared to leave poker cards like they'd use them the right way. They are exasperating."
"They'll get there."
"I'm still not backing down from my bet," Francis said.
"Double or nothing?" Monica asked.
Francis dug the money out of his pocket. "You are on."
Audrey smirked. "Amateurs…" She handed over some cash.
"Need more cake," Francis said.
"Fine, come on. There's nothing I like more than feeding people."
They went back inside as Jason and Elizabeth got settled.
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Emily wiped away some tears as she flipped through the pictures Cody had sent Johnny. "They look happy."
"Yes, they do."
"I hope they can make it work."
"So, do I."
"They'll need all the help they can get."
Johnny laughed. "For sure…"
When she was finished, she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Do you ever want to get married?"
"I never thought about it. I figured if it happens, it will."
"I don't know if I want to do it."
"Why?"
"I made such a mess of it."
"That's because your taste in men mostly sucked."
She hit his leg and then sighed. "I guess I can't argue with you on that."
"Don't give up on love, okay?"
She gazed into his eyes. "You have more faith than I do."
Two fingers slightly pinched her chin as he moved closer. "May I kiss you?"
She smirked. "Yes, but it will cost you."
His brow rose. "How much? I have some change in my pocket."
She shook her head. "You are the worst. I spotted some junk food in your cabinet with my name all over it."
He grinned. "Really? Because I don't remember seeing it on there when I bought it.
"It's there." She had written it on there when he went to the bathroom.
"Fine, if your name is on there, you can have it."
She threw her arms around his neck, and he let her close the distance. Their lips crushed together as he moaned as she carnally kissed him for a few minutes.
"That was great, but I need my snacks," she said as she pulled away.
"Women…"
When she came back with a small bag of chips and some donuts, he is stunned to see her name written on both.
"Sucks to be you."
"Unbelievable…"
She laughed as she opened the donut package and popped one into her mouth. "So good…"
He tried to grab it and she snatched it away.
"One kiss, one donut."
He gave her a quick peck and she handed him one. "Damn, these are good."
"Told you." When she went to put another in, he snatched it and ran.
"Hey!"
"Sucks to be you," he said before running into his bedroom and shutting the door.
"Men…"
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Soft music is playing as Liz relaxes on the couch. She had changed into the comfortable pajamas Audrey had left for her and Jason had thrown on a t-shirt and sweats.
"You good?"
She smiled. "I'm wonderful. I think all the excitement is hitting me." She tires so easily now.
After sitting next to her, he picked up her hand. "Once, you know, we move forward, I'd like to replace it."
She gasped. "But I love it."
He smiled. "Thank you, but I do have something else in mind. You could wear this one on your right hand occasionally or swap it out."
"True…" She squinted. "Are those poker cards?"
He glanced at the small table across the room. "Francis probably put them there."
"Did he think we were going to play strip poker?"
He laughed. "You never know with those three."
She shook her head. "Come on, I'm gonna show you my best poker face."
"You have one?"
"Of course. Milo taught me."
He chuckled. "Milo?"
"Don't doubt his skills."
He put up his hands and they sat. Once the cards are dealt, he almost lost it again looking at her crazy expressions. "Are you better at this than pool?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
They went back and forth, but he could tell she had something when her eyes briefly widened.
"Check," she said confidently.
"What happens if I win?"
She smirked. "Loser takes off their shirt."
"Oh, so you want to play it like that?"
"Yup. I'm feeling saucy."
"Fine…"
After laying their cards down, she pouts when Jason won.
"Fiddlesticks."
He grinned and then leaned back, thinking she won't do it. "Well?"
"Fine!" She unbuttoned her top, torturing him slowly.
His eyes gave nothing away until she parted the shirt, and they settled on her growing belly.
"My boobs are bigger," she blurted out before turning red.
He held his breath and then chose to ignore it and moved forward. "May I?"
She nodded, hoping she doesn't bite through her lip when his hands glided over her bump.
"Does it hurt when she kicks?"
"Not really, just sometimes there is pressure on my bladder."
The baby moved a little as he gently caressed the spot.
When he kissed it and started talking, tears gathered in Liz's eyes.
She laughed when he told the baby to settle down and she can have more cake.
"She's playing you already?"
He smiled. "She learned it honestly"
"I suppose."
When he was done, he buttoned her shirt making her shiver. "Thank you."
"You can have visitation any time."
"Nice to know."
When she yawned, he led her across the room and turned off the stereo and lights and they headed below, stopping in the doorway at the sight before them. There are rose petals everywhere.
"Your mother is freaky."
He laughed. "It was probably Audrey."
"Ha! I'm starting to have doubts about her too."
"Come on," he said as he tucked her in and then turned out the light.
She is relieved when he slid next to her.
"Comfortable?"
"Now I am."
"Good."
He ended up spooning her as they contently fell asleep.
She can't believe she is now Elizabeth Morgan. Ric is going to have a heart attack. She smiled at the thought and then fell asleep.
