A/N – Thanks for the comments! Some pretty interesting twists in this chapter and the next.
Chapter 34
Jason dropped off Elizabeth at the mansion so she could have tea with Lila and then headed to the office.
Quickly, he made his way inside the conference room.
"What's up?"
Johnny's gaze went from Francis to Cody and then landed on Jason. "I guess I'll just spit it out."
Jason got a sick feeling inside.
"Emily wants to kidnap Nikolas."
Jason's body tensed and then he bellowed. "Are you fucking crazy?"
"Hear me out." His boss looks furious. "This Helena shit is hanging over our heads. Unless we figure out what she is up to, she can catch us off guard. Your sister wants to question him using a truth serum and get us some answers, so we know how to attack this. Helena is not going away. I think things will get worse." They have a contact who created a great concoction of meds that make people spill the truth.
"You are asking for a war with a psycho. Sonny is completely distracted. Ric has one foot in the grave. We have too many irons in the fire."
Francis cleared his throat. "If we do nothing, she will see that as weakness and could end things right away. She doesn't think like us but make no mistake, Emily is her target."
Jason is shocked because Francis is usually so levelheaded. "You want to do this?"
Francis nodded. "We don't think Nikolas wants to hurt her."
"He may tell Helena to gain points. Do you think that he's not capable of that?"
"No, but you're underestimating the power of love."
Jason scratched his head. "This seems insane to me. I mean, I get what you're saying, but I'm just nervous about the outcome." War is the last thing they need right now. Besides, he can't get caught with a gun on bail. Taggert would be all over them once the first shot is fired.
"We have a plan based on his movements which we've been tracking," Cody explained.
Jason stood. "Fine, but if this backfires, your heads will be on the chopping block."
The men nodded.
"Keep me informed once you get him, and don't let him touch my sister."
"You know I won't," Johnny said sternly.
When Jason left, they breathed a sigh of belief.
"I didn't think he'd agree," Cody said.
"No matter how much he's against it when it comes down to it, we have no other choice if we want to protect her. Jason knows that despite his doubts," Johnny said before downing some water. "With that said, yeah, I didn't think he would either."
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Sam eyed Sonny as he entered the room with some flowers, and then put the vase on the counter.
"They are from Lila, Jason's grandmother's, garden. She insisted and said she'd help with whatever you need."
"Wow."
"She's very giving. They are watching the boys."
Sam is shocked. "Well, that's a surprise." She does know that Sonny and Q's don't get along normally and there is lots of bad blood there.
"I know."
"Did you tell Michael?" He's young, but he's smart—too smart.
He nodded. "He knows that you are injured and about the baby." He could barely bring himself to say it. "I also told him that his mother went away. Michael was upset, but I needed to plant the seed because she won't be in their life one way or another."
Sam sighed. "I—maybe we should separate. I mean, there is no reason—"
"I fucking love you. I'm not going anywhere, and we're not finished."
"You can't tell me what to do!"
He took a couple of deep breaths. "Please don't make any life-changing decisions right now. You need time."
"I don't think I can be a mom to them right now. I'm not emotionally together." The thought is overwhelming.
"I know. I wouldn't put that pressure on you. The Quartermaines are helping, and we have the nanny. I'll spend as much time with them as I can."
"I need time to be alone."
"I get it, but Sam, even if I'm not in the room, you're with me here," he said covering his heart. "I know I'm not the best man, but I'm trying to be better for my family and that includes you. Maybe you can't hear that right now, and that's okay. I can wait you out. Just know that I'm here, okay?"
She nodded as she cried. "Can you hold me?"
He quickly went to her side and gently held her as she sobbed, knowing that she needs to cry it out.
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The next day, Alice put Morgan down for a nap and then got Michael some lunch.
"Alright, young man. What is on the agenda today?" Edward asked. He doesn't usually come home for lunch, but with the kids around, he wanted to be there.
Michael smirked. "I thought I'd terrorize Cook."
Edward grinned and then winked. "Good plan but wait until after he makes the cookies. He should be done by 3:00."
"Thank you, great-grandfather," Michael said practically salivated.
Edward isn't stupid, he knows that Michael is kissing up to him, but he doesn't care because the little devil reminds him of himself when he was younger. Hellion doesn't begin to describe him.
Jason shook his head.
Audrey chuckled. "I missed your expressions."
Edward and Michael followed her gaze.
"Jason!" Michael yelled as he ran and then jumped into his uncle's arms."
"Did you get bigger?"
"You always ask that."
"Well?"
Michael grinned. "Maybe a little…"
Jason lowered him to the floor and then put his hand behind him which Elizabeth grabbed.
"Elizabeth!" Audrey said with surprise. "Come tell me all about your appointment.
Liz joined her grandmother as Jason stood back.
"We don't have cooties," Edward said gruffly.
"I think you do."
Michael giggled as Edward scowled.
"Now, dear, don't antagonize Jason. I am so glad he came to see us. What is the occasion?"
"The funeral for the baby is in a few days."
"That is so sad," Audrey said.
"Does she need anything?"
Jason shook his head. "She's struggling. It's going to be a hard day. I wasn't sure if she'd be okay health-wise, but the doctor said it should be okay and they'll give her medicine to manage the pain. Father Coates is going to do the service."
"I won't be able to go to the burial site, but I can make the service."
"I'll send you the details," Liz said.
"Where are they gathering afterward?"
"Sonny's house."
Lila frowned. "I thought he lived in the towers."
"He bought a house, so he got one of his contacts to cater it."
"We can send over some dessert."
"I'll ask him."
"What about her injuries?"
"She's healing," Liz said, "but in a lot of pain. Sonny has her in a downstairs maid's quarters until she can walk upstairs. The ribs bother her."
"If you give me an address, I'll send over a care package."
"Thank you, grandmother."
"It's no trouble at all. She needs to be pampered."
"She was mad about the house, but she said it's not bad," Jason said.
Lila chuckled. "Does Sonny need to slow his role?"
"A little bit," Liz said, "but he just thought it would be more comfortable for her and the kids.
"Did you come to get them?" Edward asked.
Jason is surprised by the emotion in his voice. "As bad as he is, you're going to miss him, aren't you?"
Edward muttered under his breath as Lila grinned.
"The answer is no. Sonny asked if you could give him a few more days. He doesn't think Sam can handle it right now."
Michael is curious. "She is sad?"
Liz turned to face him. "Yes. She will be for a while."
"I'll be good." He feels bad for her. While he doesn't know her, he knows she's important to his dad.
Liz's expression softened. "It's not that, it's just hard for her not to cry and be upset, but she'll get better over time."
"Tell Sonny, they are welcome here as long as he likes," Lila said.
Sonny, who was carrying a small suitcase cleared his throat. "She kicked me out."
Lila hid her laugh behind her hand as Michael ran to hug his father.
"What did you do?" Edward asked.
"She said I was hovering and that I can't come back until tomorrow morning."
Michael laughed. "She put you on a time out. I'm sure I'll be on one by 3:00. We can sit in the corner together."
Sonny tried not to laugh. "What are you about to do?"
Michael winked at Edward. "Nothing…"
Jason shook his head. "Should I have bought handcuffs?"
Michael's eyes widened and then he nodded wickedly. "I could put them on, Aunt Tracy."
Monica, who had just arrived, laughed. "I'd like to see that."
Michael gave her a big hug and then Monica eyed the suitcase. "Did she kick you out already?"
"Yeah," Sonny said sheepishly.
"Sonny will stay overnight. He can sleep in Morgan's room," Lila said.
Monica nodded. "As long as it doesn't cut into my baby time."
Sonny held up his hands. "I wouldn't dream of it."
On cue, Morgan's cry filtered into the room.
"Well, that wasn't a long nap," Alice said. "I will take your bag upstairs and retrieve the little one."
"Thank you," Sonny said.
"She isn't alone, right?" Lila asked.
"There are guards there and one is in the house in case she needs anything."
Lila nodded, wishing Sam had decided to stay here where there are doctors.
"Sit down and eat. Audrey and Cook made some tacos and quesadillas."
"Really?"
Liz grinned. "They are good too. Her secret sauce is delicious."
"I try to learn how to cook many different types of food. I hear you are an accomplished cook," Audrey said.
"I like cooking. It relaxes me," Sonny said. "I usually get Jason to peel and cut the onions because his eyes don't water."
"I'll have to remember that," Liz said.
"You need to take some cooking lessons, so Jason and that child don't starve," Audrey said.
"You didn't learn growing up?" Monica asked.
"Not really, I was too busy eating her food to want to make it. Why mess with perfection?"
Audrey shook her head. "Slacker…"
Liz gasped and her mouth dropped open.
"Michael taught me the word. He's full of interesting slang."
Sonny sighed. "I'm mortified."
Everyone laughed.
"That's what kids do to you," Monica said as Alice placed Morgan in a highchair next to Sonny.
A few minutes later, she returned with two trays and sat them in the middle of the table. "Have at it."
The food was practically devoured as everyone raved about it.
Edward looked around the room. He would have never guessed that Sonny Corinthos would eat at his table twice within a month, but he's not complaining. Jason looks happy and he's spending time with the family. He'd do whatever it took to keep him there, even dine with the devil.
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Ric threw his pen across the room. The charges had ended up being a misdemeanor, but the fact that it's on his record pisses him off. To top that off, his house still smells like manure, he's no closer to getting Elizabeth alone, and his case against Jason is being challenged left and right. He swears that Taggert is working against him.
Today, he has a meeting with the mayor and Mac regarding the video that was taken. If he finds out who posted it, they will pay. He's quite sure he's going to be fired. The media is still stalking him and reporting updates. It was a stupid thing to do, but she looked so much like Elizabeth that he couldn't help it. He won't make that mistake twice. If he's fired, he'll use every ounce of his energy bringing Jason Morgan down.
Carly hadn't called, so that's a good thing. He burned the trail so no one could link them together. Even his old phone is destroyed, and he got a computer geek to clean the records. If that bitch goes down, she'll do it on her own.
Mac took Jason's case away, for now, so he was unable to see whatever Diane has up her sleeve. Now, he needs to reach out to the witness to make sure that he doesn't fold. He has already shelled out a lot of money and wants to make sure the guy is still in town.
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That evening, Richie tracked Nikolas to his office building, and to his delight, he went to Kelly's. His car is in the back, so, they'll grab him in the alley. Stan will cut the surveillance in the area, so if Helena is tapped in, she won't see anything. Richie finally gets to use the dart gun he purchased a while back. It will make things a lot easier.
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A few hours later, Nikolas's eyes blinked open, and he comes face to face with Francis.
"What the hell is going on?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"She'll have your head for this."
"If she can find me."
Nik tried to shake off the drugs. "If you think that I won't tell her, you're crazy."
"Oh, I know you won't."
He feels so weird. "What did you give me?"
The door opened and to his shock, Emily strode toward him with Johnny in tow and sat in front of him.
"You're so beautiful."
There was a time when she would have swooned, but now, it just made her sad.
"I don't feel beautiful right now."
"You always are. Even when you were sick, you still had that light in your eyes that I wanted to dive into and cleanse myself of the darkness of my lineage."
"I can't do that for you. I think you know that."
He glanced away and his eyes landed on Johnny who wants to tear him apart. The man is so unworthy of Emily, and he doesn't understand why she'd turn to that thug. "Do you still love me?"
"I'm not in love with you anymore."
"I'm still in love with you."
She let out a groan. "You call letting Helena treat me like crap, love?"
"I am trying to protect you!" he yelled. "It was the only way I could keep her away from you until I could figure out what she is up to and dispose of her."
"Why should I believe you?"
"God, Emily. You're everything to me. I don't breathe without thinking of you."
A tear glanced against her cheek.
"You don't treat people you love like you have, Nikolas."
"It was the only way."
"And did you think after all the damage was done, that I'd come back to you?"
"Yes—no. I mean I hoped you would, but I knew there was a chance that you wouldn't forgive me."
She leaned back. "So, you were willing to lose me?"
"I was trying to keep you alive!"
Johnny growled. "Don't you yell at her!"
"You are so beneath her and are taking advantage of her."
"No, I would never do that because unlike you, I respect her too much."
The men stared as Emily took a deep breath.
"Nikolas?"
Her voice is soft and breathy, and it made a chill go through him.
"What is Helena planning?"
"She wants you dead, and she wants me to marry someone else."
"Who?"
He looked at the floor.
"Please tell me."
The drugs are still coursing through him, so he can't stop the truth from spilling from his lips.
"Elizabeth."
Francis and Johnny locked eyes as Emily sat there stunned.
"Why?" Cody asked.
"She knows who the father truly is."
"How?"
