A/N Thanks for your comments. I'm going on vacation on the 8th and don't know if I can post the next week, but I'll see what I can do.
Chapter 37
"Do you ever answer your phone!" Diane barked.
Jason sighed. "Sorry…"
"You should be. I've been trying to call you for hours."
"What happened?" He sat on the end of the couch, so she followed. "Can I put you on speaker?"
"Yes."
"Go ahead."
"Hello, Elizabeth."
"Hi."
"Okay, first, by tomorrow, the charges should be dropped."
"Seriously?"
"Yup. You owe Taggert one."
Jason groaned making the women chuckle.
"What else?"
"Ric was suspended."
Jason is impressed. He wasn't sure that Mac would comply.
"I was hoping that he'd be fired."
"Patience… I do think that will occur, but it will take time."
He'll check with Stan to see if he came up with anything else. While helping Taggert is something he wouldn't normally do, he'll do whatever it takes to get Ric behind bars and then he'll get to him and finish this.
"Anything else?"
"Wasn't that enough?"
Elizabeth chuckled.
"Thank you, Diane," he said dryly.
"I have one word for you."
"Shoes?"
"Restraint."
"Why?"
"Because Taggert still would put you behind bars in a heartbeat. Don't mistake his disdain for Ric for liking you."
He rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Diane. We have enough stress to deal with," Liz said.
"I don't even want to know."
Liz grinned.
"Alright, my job is done. I can go enjoy a glass of wine."
"Bye," Liz said.
"Yeah, later," Jason added. He tossed the phone and then grinned when he felt the baby kick his side. "Hungry?"
She nodded. "Sorry."
"It's okay. I'll make you a snack and then…"
She slightly blushed. "Don't tease me, Jason."
"Oh, there definitely will be teasing."
She sighed. "Killing me…"
A grin lit up his face before he got up to go to the kitchen.
After the snack, he went up to use the bathroom and by the time he came back, she was knocked out and he had to laugh. Their timing always sucks.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Johnny shut the door behind him as Emily plopped onto the couch.
"What happened to my life?"
He grinned. "You're about to enter another dimension, full of insane O'Briens and magical leprechauns."
She cracked up. "They can't be that bad."
He faked a choke. "Famous last words. They are going to eat you alive. I almost feel guilty."
"Almost?"
"Well, you did pick the place."
"You could have warned me."
He plopped next to her and shrugged. "Your fate is sealed."
She grinned. "Well, I guess someone is going to have to make this up to me."
"I'll tell your brother he has a lot of ass-kissing to do."
"I wasn't talking about Jason, Captain Obvious."
He smirked. "Are you going to miss me?"
She crawled onto his lap. "Nope, I have your brother to keep me company."
His jaw dropped. "You'd cheat on me with my brother?"
She shrugged. "Maybe…"
"Who are you?"
Her head moves closer. "Whoever you want me to be."
He gripped her hips and jerked her body against his, making her gasp.
"Emily?"
"Yeah?"
"My brother's wife is homicidal if anyone flirts with him."
She giggled.
"Seriously, she has maimed people before."
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm dead serious. The wee woman could take your head off with a pan, and don't trust their oldest. Not only does he cheat at Madden, but he is a pickpocket, and pure evil."
She snorted. "Stop it…" She can't wait to meet his family.
"Emily?"
His breath had skipped across her lips.
"Yes?"
"When you come back, I'm taking you into that bedroom…"
"And?"
"I'm going to throw you into the shower."
She went to hit him, and he kissed her torridly until they were breathless.
Their gaze is heated as they stare.
He dumped her onto the couch next to him as she protested making him grin. "Speaking of showers…" After a few steps, he stopped, and his eyes pinned her. "Be waiting in my bed when I get out."
A sly smile eased onto her face. "Maybe…"
"In that case…" He pulled her feet and then grabbed her and put her over his shoulder. "You should have chosen the bed."
She smacked his butt. "Johnny!"
He moved into the bathroom and turned on the shower and to her astonishment, he put her right under the stream of water as she sputtered.
"You can go first."
Just as he turned away, she gripped his arm and jerked him backward and he stumbled, his butt hitting the edge of the tub before she pulled him on top of her.
He sat there stunned for a minute, and then turned around and kissed the hell of her. "I love you, Emily."
Tears pricked her eyes. "I love you too, Johnny O'Brien."
The doorbell rang and he cursed under his breath before easing his way to his feet and helping her stand.
She quickly handed him a towel and he wiped his face before running to the door and flinging it open.
"Jason?"
"Plumbing leak?" Johnny's clothes are soaked to the bone.
"No, I was in the shower with your sister."
Emily appeared in the doorway of the bedroom with a towel wrapped around her head and a robe on.
Jason looks furious, and she gasped when he swung, just missing Johnny's jaw, who had anticipated it.
"Jason!" Emily screamed before running in between them. "Nothing happened. He threw me in there."
He is breathing heavily and is shocked when Emily shoved him.
"Newsflash, I'm an adult and don't need your permission to make love to the man I loved."
When Johnny's expression softened, Jason gagged. It wasn't that he didn't know they'd end up together in that way eventually, it was the cocky way Johnny had said that pissed him off because it was disrespectful.
"Now, apologize to me and him!"
"Why you?"
"I'm not a ho, Jason."
"I know that, Emily." The conversation had taken a turn that he doesn't want to go down.
"Do I bust into your place and demand that you stop kissing Elizabeth?"
Jason sighed heavily.
"That's what I thought."
"Why are you here?" Johnny said making Jason glare.
"Details…"
Emily crossed her arms. "Where is Elizabeth?"
"Sleeping…"
He made his way to a chair and sat. "Fine… I'm sorry."
"Hug it out?" Johnny asked making Jason shake his head.
"Don't push it," Emily said.
"Cody is going to ride with her."
Johnny nodded. He's glad Jason is sending someone very good. He hates to lose him, but Cody won't stay long. Michael will be there with his brother's men.
"He'll make sure you stay hydrated and eat something."
Emily smiled. "You always take care of me."
Jason nodded. "Use your instincts. If something seems wrong, it probably is. Listen to Ryan's men. They are good."
"Okay."
There is a knock on the door which made Johnny frown.
"Expecting someone?" Jason said before standing.
"No."
"Emily, please go into the room."
She hurried into it and shut the door.
They gripped their guns and flung the front door open.
"What the hell do you want?" Johnny asked.
Nikolas, who is in disguise, shifted. "Are you moving her out of the country?"
Jason and Johnny shared a gaze.
"No," Johnny said.
"So, you're faking it?"
"What do you know?" Jason asked.
"I—Helena is ramping up tomorrow night. You shouldn't fake anything. Get her out of the country."
"How do you know the hallway isn't bugged?" Johnny asked.
Nikolas smirked. "Because I know. Just—it's going to get worse if she is still here. Protect her and Elizabeth."
Jason's eyes narrowed and then he dialed his phone. "Everything quiet?"
Richie scanned the lobby. "Yes."
"Where is Paulie?"
"Outside your door."
"Ping him."
Richie pressed a button on the console. "Check?"
"Mate," Paulie said.
"I'll be right there. Be on special alert."
"I'll round the troops." If Jason wants complete lockdown, it will be done in seconds once the button is pressed. Richie quickly did so. "Done."
"Thanks."
Jason ended the call.
"You're not safe there at all."
"We're fine."
Nikolas shook his head. "Don't underestimate her. It will be your downfall."
Jason's jaw ticked as he watched him walk away.
"Go," Johnny said. They are worried about Elizabeth. "I'll go over the details with Cody."
Jason moved to the bedroom door. "Emily?"
She pulled it open revealing that she had dressed. "Yes?"
"Come here."
They hugged.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Please be good."
She grinned as she pulled back. "Do I have to?"
He almost smiled. "Yes."
"Fine. You are a stick in the mud."
"Am not."
She chuckled. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too."
He hurried out the door and will not feel okay until he's by Elizabeth's side again.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Elizabeth grinned as Jason's eyes blinked open. When his brow rose, a giggle left her lips.
"What's going on?" he asked trying to shake off his weariness. There was a lot that needed to be done overnight to make sure that his sister gets out of town safely.
"Nothing… I like watching you sleep."
"That's my line."
"Not anymore. What time did you come to bed?"
"4:00."
Her jaw dropped.
"I had a lot to get done." His fingertips barely glanced at her cheek before his hand settled at the nape of her neck. "What were you thinking about while you were watching me?"
"Oh, lots of things."
He almost cracked a smile due to her devious expression.
"I see."
"I think I thought of another name."
"What?"
"Well, I like Alina. It means bright or beautiful."
"I like it."
She smiled. "For a middle name, I came across a Spanish name I thought was cute."
"Which one?"
"Mireya. It's different and it means miracle."
"Our bright and beautiful miracle. That sounds nice."
"It has a lot of symbolism. You always say I'm beautiful."
"You are."
"And I think you're beautiful."
He made a face.
"And God knows it's a miracle that I'm lying next to you."
He finally grinned. "Smartass…"
"Made you smile," she said before quickly kissing him and sliding out of bed. "Hate to kiss and run, but Cook is making chocolate chip pancakes and we have to say goodbye to Emily."
He sighed. "Do we have to go over there? I can make Johnny stop by beforehand."
"No time, now come on. You can use the other bathroom. Your daughter is hungry."
"Fine…"
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Helena sipped from her teacup and then eyed her nephew. "What did you find out?"
Nikolas put down his coffee cup. "The charges were dropped against Jason."
Helena rolled her eyes. "That's it?"
"Have you heard from Ric?"
"Not since he was suspended." Her disappointment in that scoundrel grows every day. Not only did he do that rancid video, but he hasn't returned her calls. Luckily, she knows exactly where he is and soon, his next assignment will begin.
"He's a loose cannon."
"Do I look concerned?"
"Do you ever?"
She grinned. "Touche." She sipped some tea. "Emily is being moved today."
His brow went up. "And?"
"I think it's time to step up our game. Don't you?"
"What now?"
"We're going to take a little trip to Palermo."
Nikolas's head tilted. "You're going to leave Ric here alone?"
"The woman he is sleeping with is drugging him as we speak. Once Jason is distracted by his missing sister, Ric will begin the next phase of our plan."
"Elizabeth?"
"Yes. She will fit nicely into the fold after a few tweaks. In a year, you'll have to produce a male heir of course."
"Of course."
Helena's eyes twinkled. "I think you've always fancied her. Emily was a distraction. She is not even remotely cunning enough to be your equal. Elizabeth fooled me. Not too many can do that or are allowed to live afterward. With my tutelage, we can secure our future dynasty."
Nikolas held up his glass to toast, even though he wants to vomit.
"To the future."
He downed the bitter liquid and then leaned back in his chair wondering how the hell he can take her out before she can hurt Elizabeth.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Chloe plopped onto the chair next to Lila. "What's for breakfast?"
The matriarch grinned. "Chocolate chip pancakes."
"Yum"
"Gross," Tracy said before sipping her coffee. "Elizabeth?"
"Yes. Cook is making your usual too."
"Thank God!"
Emily joined them. "I'm starving. Is the Elizabeth special ready?" She had called ahead.
"Almost. They should be here any minute. Where is Johnny?"
"He's on the phone outside."
"You look well rested."
Emily smiled. "I am, but I wish Johnny could come."
"What am I? Chopped liver?" Cody said as he made his way toward them.
"Mr. Paul, I'm glad you could make it," Audrey said. It's not like she and Lila gave him a choice. They wanted him to be well fed before he left.
"We figured that chocolate chip pancakes weren't your thing, so Cook prepared a normal lumberjack breakfast for you and the rest of the men."
He rubbed his hands together. "Sounds good."
Chloe patted the seat next to her. "Take a load off."
Johnny strolled in much too confident for Edward's liking, and when he kissed Lila's cheek, a scoff left his lips.
Lila giggled. "Ignore him."
"That is easier said than done. Like Jason, his glare is boring a hole in me."
"Then be thankful there are doctors on hand."
Monica and Alan joined everyone.
"Jason isn't here yet?" she asked as Johnny sat next to Emily.
"You know he likes to make a grand entrance," Tracy quipped.
"Is that right?" Jason said.
Lila smiled. "Good morning."
He leaned closer before kissing her. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Liz said before doing the same.
Everyone took a seat as Alice and Cook started delivering the food.
"That looks outstanding," Cody said as his mouth watered. There is bacon, sausage, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns on his plate which is the biggest one that he's ever seen.
"Are you trying to get us to pass out?" Johnny asked.
Audrey chuckled. "You need it for energy. Today is going to be stressful and hectic, and you probably won't have time to eat."
Liz groaned after biting into a piece of pancake. "So good…"
Emily chuckled as she tasted it. "Oh, my God."
Johnny's nose wrinkled. The chocolate slash pancake concoction doesn't sound good to him at all, but what is on his plate is delicious.
A bottle of hot sauce was placed in front of him, and he quickly made use of it and then passed it to Jason who did the same.
Alan wiped his mouth. "My heart hurts watching you eat that." He is having a slice of toast and an egg.
Cody chuckled. "My heart and stomach are loving it."
Chloe piped in. "Emily, I bought a bag with me with a few dresses in it and some jeans that I swear by."
"Thanks!"
"Elizabeth, I bought the same jeans for you for after you give birth, but I had one of my designers make you a maternity pair as well. There is a bag for you with other goodies."
Liz smiled. "Thank you!"
Jason nodded his approval. Anyone who puts a smile on his girl's face is okay with him, except maybe Johnny.
After everyone finished, Emily cleared her throat.
"I just want to thank everyone for caring so much for me. I hate leaving, but it's for the best. I'm most looking forward to coming back. This is home and all of you are my family. Now, who is going to keep Jason in line?"
Tracy raised her hand. "Pick me."
Edward scowled. "Nonsense. Even your bitter tongue can't handle the likes of him. You leave him to me."
"Father, you'll just piss him off."
They started to argue as Emily grinned.
Jason shook his head. "You had to do it."
"I needed to hear one last argument to go."
"Fine, but if Tracy starts throwing syrup…"
Tracy had heard him and grinned evilly as she picked it up and then Jason shocked them all by grabbing Emily and pulling her onto his lap to use her as a shield.
Her laughter filled the room, making Lila smile.
She's going to miss her granddaughter but having everyone here is music to her soul. They'll be okay because they have each other.
