A/N – Thanks for the comments! Leasmom he has been looking for Liz this whole time.

I shared some of my artwork on my site under Member Chat in the Welcome area. If I'm not writing, I'm painting.

Chapter 9

Elizabeth blinked back tears as she watched Piph disappear into the terminal. God, she had missed her. She doesn't have any female friends here, so it felt so good to banter back and forth with her. For the most part, she stays to herself. Since Jason hadn't given up looking for them, according to Paulie, she had decided it's better to lay low. Piph coming visit was a breath of fresh air and she wishes she could have stayed for good. Cam's graduation was long but beautiful. She is so proud of him. They had settled on a college nearby for the first two years due to Cam's age and then, he'll finish at a larger university in Rome. Lucky wants Aidan over the summer, so to her surprise, Aidan agreed. He admitted he wants to see Ireland, but she is hoping he can mend things with his father and that Lucky will do right by his son. She is all too aware of the issues abandonment can cause and doesn't want her son to suffer the same fate. Even though she wishes that Jason could see Jake, she can't risk that Sonny isn't tracking him, so she is sticking with the no contact rule until the situation irons itself out.

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One Year Later

Jason sucked in a breath as he got off his bike. He had been gone a year after disappearing when he left the hospital. While he was away, he had done a lot of thinking and decided he needed to stop running and figure out what he wants to do with his life. Elizabeth is gone and he doesn't think she's coming back. That doesn't mean he's going to give up looking for her because he needs closure and to see his son, but at some point, you have to leave the dark place where your heart resides and find some light.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the penthouse. Even though his name is still on it, Sam still lives there with Danny.

She swung open the door and then tried to slam it, but it's stopped by his foot and he pushes his way inside.

"What do you want?"

Fury lights up her eyes and if looks could kill, he'd be dead already.

"We need to talk."

She threw her hands up. "Now you want to talk?" Her finger lifts and she jabs it against his chest. "You left, Jason! Instead of dealing with your past, you walked out on your son. Maybe I should have known better. It's what you do, right?"

He cringed and then swept his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" She laughed. "Wow. Should I fall at your feet or better yet, lay on back and welcome you home properly." She shoved him. "I'm not that easy."

"Sam, everyone was in my face and wouldn't let me process. God, instead of excepting who I am now, everyone wanted me to be him. It was like Jason Quartermaine all over again. I ran and it felt so good to not have the pressure eating away at me, so I just kept going. I know it was irresponsible, but if I had stayed here, I would have blown my life apart and everyone would have hated me."

"You think I don't hate you now? It was a miracle that we got you back and then you took off without a word. Monica was worried sick!"

Jason grimaced.

"You could have called to let us know you were alive. My heart was broken yet again and you were off gallivanting while the rest of us were left to deal with the repercussions."

"Again, I'm sorry. Are you going to keep him from me now?"

She wiped a tear away as she shook her head. "I should, but no. I'm trying to keep my feelings separate from what my son needs."

"Where is he?"

"Monica took him to the arcade. They should be back any minute."

"Do you mind if I wait?"

She shrugged and disappeared into the kitchen and he's surprised when she came back with a beer and handed it to him.

"Thanks." He savored a swig before placing it in front of him. "Beside voodoo on me, what else have you been up to?"

She sighed as she settled onto a chair. "I've been doing the PI thing. It's not the same without Spinelli, but it gets me through the day. There's always drama in my family, so that has been a distraction."

"Your mom?"

"How did you guess?"

Jason smirked.

The door flew open and Danny moved inside the room and came to a screeching halt. "Dad."

"Hi."

Danny's eyes lit up. "You're home." He rushed to Jason and hugged him.

"It's good to see you."

"Are you staying?"

Jason nodded.

"Good."

"Go upstairs and wash your hands," Sam said.

"Okay."

Monica stepped into the room eyes blazing.

Jason tentatively faces her.

"Where have you been?"

"I rode across country and back. I needed to think."

"You needed to think? Well, we needed to know you were alive. Your son needed his father, but I guess it's all about you."

"Mom…"

"No! You don't get to make light of this. Did you ever hear of an invention called the phone?"

"I'm sorry."

"You should be. We lost you for years and then you just left without a word and it wasn't okay. It was far from okay. Even though I'm glad to see that you are alive. I'm so infuriated. I have to go before I say something I can't take back." She quickly left as Jason sat on the couch.

"I screwed up."

"You think?"

Danny returned to show Jason some pictures on his computer. They spent some time together and then Jason stood to leave.

"All your things are in the gym upstairs. Elizabeth's house was sold."

"Thanks. I need to find a place to stay."

"You can grovel to your mother."

Jason smirked. "I will eventually."

"Let me know where you end up."

"Okay."

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The summer went by too fast. Elizabeth is busy helping Cam adjust and the boys had headed back to school. She grabbed some water and went to the porch after baking some brownies.

Francis moved closer and sniffed. "Is that what I think it is?"

She smirked. "Give it a minute to cool off. Aidan needs some for school tomorrow, but I made extra."

He rubbed his hands together. "I won't tell Johnny, it will go straight to his hips."

She laughed.

"So, what are you going to do with yourself this semester?"

"I don't know." Getting the kids into school had required them to get fake ID's and change their last names. She had used March which is her Gram's maiden name. Jake had wanted his father's last name, but that would be too obvious, so she assured him that it's just to get him through his school years and if he wants to change his name when he's eighteen, she won't stop him. By that time, she doubts that anyone would still be looking for them.

"Can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"Why don't you open a café? Jason left you plenty of money and you have barely used it. You could rent a place and sell your brownies and those delicious cookies you've learned to make. Aiden loves to cook, so you can have him work over the summer when he's not with his dad and he'll have a little cash of his own."

She tapped her lip. "That may not be a bad idea."

Francis smiled. He had already picked the place and Maximus of course owned it, so rent would be minimal. He'll never tell her that though. "You could also hang your paintings in there and who knows, maybe they'll sell." She's good but still doesn't see her worth.

"Sold!"

"Want to go see a place I scoped out this morning?"

She jumped up. "Let me put the brownies away."

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Francis parked the car. It's only a few miles from the house. They got out and she perused the street before stepping on the sidewalk.

"It's that one on the corner."

She smiled. "It's been vacant for a month. I walked by the other day and thought it was cute."

Francis made it look good, going to the shop next door and asking about it. The lady smiled knowingly and then handed him the key. They conversed in Italian and then he moved toward the doorway where Elizabeth is gnawing on her lip. She had been taking Italian lessons all year and understood what the lady said.

"Did she just say what I think she did?" The price was way lower than she expected.

"Yup. It's best not to question it. She might change her mind."

Francis tugged her to the door and then they went inside.

"It needs a coat of paint."

"Just tell me the color and I'll have someone do it, after you sign the lease, of course."

She smiled. "I think I'll just go with a cream color. It will offset my paintings nicely."

They moved around and checked out every crevice.

"It's in good shape."

Francis nodded.

"And the ovens are new. I think I'm going to like it here."

"What about the furniture?" It has seating in an area in the back where there is a small garden, as well as in the front.

"Well, we can make use of what's here for now, and then I'll go shopping if I need to."

"I know a few places where you could probably find something."

"Great."

"I'll call the owner and get it set up for you. With any luck, we can start painting tomorrow."

Suddenly, his arms are full of Elizabeth.

"Thank you so much, Francis. This is just what I needed."

"You're welcome."

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One Year Later

Jason groaned as his eyes flickered open. He had gotten drunk at Jake's and has no idea where he is, but there is body pressed against him.

"Shit," he muttered. He hadn't slept with anyone since Elizabeth left and he finally did and doesn't remember it.

A brunette starts to move and then pushes herself up and he's stunned to see a naked Sam.

She smirked at his shocked expression. "Hi."

He jumps up, dumping her unceremoniously to the side as she squeals.

"What is your problem?"

He yanks on his underwear. "We slept together?"

She nodded. "We got drunk and ended up in here."

"Jake's?"

"Yes."

He rubbed his face. "This can't be happening."

She practically growls as she gets up and marches into the bathroom before slamming the door.

Jason curses under his breath. This is the last thing that he needs. They had been getting along and now, this is going to set them back again, because he doesn't want a relationship.

She flung open the door and got dressed, shoving down her shirt as she glared. "You know, you don't have to an asshole about. We had a great time and I missed you, but clearly, we're not on the same page."

"I'm sorry. I just—you know where my heads at."

"Last night, you came onto me."

"I was drunk. I don't even remember."

She cringed. "I pushed you away at first, but I never could resist you."

"Sam…"

"Save it. I'm just glad you never called me Elizabeth, now that would have resulted in some maiming."

He groaned as she walked out on him and swears that he's never drinking again.

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Elizabeth locked up her café and headed towards her car. Café Nowhere is a labor of love. Her brownies are in hot demand, especially with the teens and Maximus's guards. Cam is doing well in school and Aidan is thriving. The only one she can't get a good pulse on is Jake. He's even quieter if that is possible. He's almost like Jason 2.0 with his short responses. Something is going on with him, but she keeps chalking it up to him being a teenager. Johnny had told her that he is fine. Maybe she just misses her little boy.

It seems like an eternity since she had left PC, but she has no intention of going back. This is her home now and she's fine with that. Turning into the driveway, she spots Cam's car and smiles. It's hard to believe he's about to go into his third year of college. His grades are excellent and he's popular.

Sliding out of her car, she hurried towards the house and threw open the door. "Did you get in?"

Cam grinned. "Yeah."

He towers over her as he received his hug and then spun her around. "You gonna miss me?"

She wiped a tear away. "I'm crying already."

He chuckled. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too."

Jake gagged and Aidan giggled.

"I'll be crying all over you soon."

Jake tried to fake some tears.

"Wear a raincoat," Aidan suggested.

"You're such a dork."

Aidan licked out his tongue.

"I'm going to miss you—dweebs," Cam said.

"Sure…" Jake said before walking out of the room.

Cam eyed his mom. "He's fine."

"Sure…"

Cam laughed. "You gonna send me brownie care packages?"

When she looks at him, it's hard to accept the man he is today. He'll always be her Camster. How had he grown so fast? "If you stay out of trouble, then yes."

"Mom, you're supposed to get into trouble in college."

"Are you taking your guitar?"

A grin lit up his face. "Of course, it gets girls."

Aidan gagged.

"You'll be asking me for tips soon."

"Oh God, no. I'm locking him up."

"Mom!" Aidan yelled.

Johnny observed from the doorway. The Webbers had healed a lot in the last few years. Even though it didn't seem like it to Elizabeth, Jake is doing well. He is quiet because he's trying to hone his listening skills, but when he lets his guard down, he's pretty funny. Cam leaving again is hard on him. He loves his brother and wishes that he was closer. Aidan is a good kid and has a big heart like his mom. While he still worries about Elizabeth because she stays to herself and doesn't have any friends which are not her norm, it's her life and choice, so he just hopes that someday she'll stop punishing herself and move forward.

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Three Months Later

Sam marches up to Jason who is sitting at a table at Jake's with Carly, who had invited herself to a seat a few minutes prior.

"Do you ever answer your damn phone?"

He sighed. "Sorry, it died about an hour ago."

She rolled her eyes. "Jason, you have a son that might need you."

"Sam…" He and Danny had come a long way. While he's not perfect, he is trying to be there for his son as much as possible.

"No. I'm so tired of your shit. You are nothing like the man I used to love."

"Um, Sam, maybe you should dial it down a notch. Everyone is staring," Carly said.

"Fuck them," she snarled before slamming something onto the table, concealing it with her hand. "I know our night together meant nothing to you—"

"You slept with her again? Have you lost your mind?" Carly growled.

"I was drunk."

"Yeah, well, congratulations. Maybe you can take that stick out of your ass and start acting like a father." Sam moved her hand away and Carly gasped.

"You knocked her up again?"

Jason looks like he's about to have a heart attack.

"You have ruined everything about us that was good. Without a thought, you walked away from our marriage and your child because you were in love with that bitch, who has done nothing but lie to you."

"Can't argue with that," Carly said making Jason glare.

"You need to decide once and for all if you're in or out because I don't want to do this alone. I'm already taking care of one child mostly on my own. I certainly don't want to make it two."

"Now wait a minute. You willingly opened your legs and invited him in. You knew he was drunk and didn't care that he didn't want you, yet you still went along with it because you have always been addicted to his dick."

Piph, who is sitting at the next table, almost choked on her drink.

Sam shoved Carly who tumbled backward, sending her chair crashing to the floor with her in it.

Piph is shocked.

"If I were you, I'd stay down, because even pregnant I could kick your ass. I'm so sick of your mouth. I don't know, maybe you shouldn't have fucked your step-father to hurt your mother. Maybe, you shouldn't have doused AJ with alcohol and took his son away. I could go on all day, but the best is that maybe you shouldn't have tried to marry a man who hurt your son in the worst way ever. You're a shitty mom and a shitty friend. You don't deserve Jason's loyalty."

A/N – And the fight will continue… I told you that I was going to pretty much follow the shows lead. I just delayed it and will change it around a little.