A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked Monday's humor. It's a bizarre day. It's like the apocalypse here. The sky is dark and orange and my apt is very dark. It's like the sunset. Because the smoke is blocking the sun, it's only 66 right now. SF is even worse cause the smoke is lower to the ground. It has been 3 weeks of smoke, but never this orange color. It's coming from fires to the north in Mendocino and even as far as Oregon.

Sorry, I'm late. Work is just crazy lately.

Chapter 41

The next day, Alice opened the door to the mansion, and Elizabeth and the Cain families piled inside.

"Go to the den. Fresh baked cookies are waiting."

Cam grinned. "You sold me."

Liz led them to the room where Monica and Michael are sitting.

He stood and hugged his uncles.

Monica took Alana and sat while the boys went for the cookie tray.

Elizabeth bit into one. "There is nothing like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies."

"It was always you and Emily's favorite."

"We had a lot of fun in this house."

"Yes, you did."

Everyone got comfortable. Monica is happy to have so many people around. Michael is living with them now because Tracy traveled a lot, so he didn't want Monica to be alone.

"How are you feeling?" she asked Jason.

"I'm fine. For the most part, the pain is gone. I just have to take it easy for a while."

When Monica's brow went up, Liz laughed.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that he does."

"Thank you."

Liz stood. "I want to go see the gardens."

"I'll take you," Jason said. They need to talk.

She sucks in a breath as they move down the hallway, not knowing what to say. It's hot outside, so they sit on the deck under an umbrella.

"So, the kiss…" Jason said.

"It was some kiss."

He learned forward. "Elizabeth, look at me please."

Her head tilted up. "Yeah."

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"Because I practically threw myself at you because not only did you push my buttons, but it had been so long since I kissed someone, you just—"

He smirked. "What?"

"You know what you can do to a woman. Don't be smug."

"I'm not. Don't you think it felt good for me? I've gone longer."

She sighed. "That's true. It doesn't have to mean anything though." He had made her toes curl and wonders how epic it would be to have her way with him once he gets his second wind, because she doesn't think Jason will last long the first go-round.

When she turned red at the thought, he grinned again.

"Would you stop smiling."

He chuckled. "I missed that look on your face."

She rolled her eyes. "I missed your mouth."

Her remark made him freeze and then he is amazed when she winked.

"Gotcha."

"You're evil."

"Maybe it's the mob boss in me."

His eyes sparkle with wickedness. "You had a mob boss in you?"

"Bite me."

A feral grin edged on to his face.

"Not literally." They are both too horny for words. She took a deep breath. "Look, it has been a long time and we were both getting riled up. It's normal. I think we can be adult about it, so it won't be awkward."

He sighed. "I can do that."

"Good."

It's a good thing her fake, pregnant belly had preventing her from feeling just how much she had riled him up. He stood. "Let's go to the gardens."

She smiled and they headed there.

Whether they were willing to admit it or not, something had shifted between them.

When Michael joined them, Liz could tell he needed to talk so she left.

"You okay?" Jason asked.

"I'm sad."

"You lost your parents. I'm sorry."

Michael sighed. "I feel like I'm alone. Dante and I aren't that close, and Avery is young. Kristina hasn't been in the best place." Avery is now living with her mother. Carly had given up that fight when Sonny went missing.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

Jason didn't react.

"I wish you weren't leaving."

"You can visit, but I can't stay here."

"Because of the business?"

"Yes."

Michael nodded. "Are you going to be with Elizabeth?"

"I don't know."

"Jake seems a lot happier. He's smiling more."

A smile eased onto Jason's face. "He is and it feels good to be able to be a father to him."

"He's lucky."

"I think I'm the lucky one. He's great and I'm glad he doesn't hate me."

"Me too."

Jason embraced him.

"I will always love you, Michael."

"I love you too."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Vincent shook Jason's hand. "Mr. Morgan, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise."

"Please, have a seat."

Jason sat across from him in Sonny's old office and then handed him a bag.

His eyes widened. "Brownies?"

"Yes."

Vincent grinned. "Mrs. Giambetti—"

"March…"

"Yes, Miss March is a keeper. Maybe someday she will agree to have dinner with my family. My wife and daughter want to meet her." He wonders if the marriage was a scam, but it doesn't matter now. She served her role well, and no one is questioning it.

"I'm sure that can be arranged."

"Please tell your brother that I do have a property in Tuscany that he can visit if he wants to check out the area."

"I will."

"Now, the families want to make sure that you won't be involved in the business in Italy." Sicily doesn't matter because the Cosa Nostra doesn't do international business but living in Tuscany would change the circumstances.

"I have no intentions of that. If I'm going to work for anyone, it will be Maximus and it wouldn't be full time."

"Understood. I will pass on the message. I heard about the unfortunate incident with Mrs. Corinthos."

Jason tried not to smirk. "Yes. She is in a mental institution. She had a psychotic meltdown." Carly will spend the rest of her life imprisoned in her mind and probably restrained or in isolation for her safety. He had considered taking her life, but knowing she is in a hell of her own doing pleases him. However, she will be monitored, and if she shows any signs of recovery, then they'll take care of it.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

In the morning, Monica visited along with Alice who is going to watch Alana. She fussed over Jason a bit making sure his wound looks good and he's taking care of himself.

They headed to the funeral home. When they arrived, Danny clenched his dad's hand as they entered the church. He had been a little clingy the night before when Drew explained what is going to happen. Alexis had opted for an open casket, so they aren't sure how the little boy will react.

Maxie rolled her eyes as they entered and Liz is shocked to see Lucky and Aidan, who gave his mom a big hug.

"What are you doing here?"

"Lulu called us, and I want to go back to Sicily with you."

She smiled. "Are you sure?"

"I miss everyone."

"Okay."

Lucky stood behind his son and rested his hands on Aidan's shoulders. "Elizabeth…"

"Lucky."

She waited for him to say something snarky, but he didn't.

"You look good."

"Thank you, so do you."

Lulu rolled her eyes. She still thinks that it's Elizabeth's fault that Lucky left town.

"I'll talk to you afterward."

She nodded and watched as Aidan followed his dad and then joined her crew. The service wasn't long. Alexis and the girls spoke about their sister and even Lucky got up and said a few words. Drew's speech was fraught with emotion, and when Danny got up to support his father and ran into his arms, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

Maxie stood. "Sam was a great friend and I will miss her so much." She sniffed as her eyes welled with tears. "She was loved and had a good life with Jason and then Drew."

Liz tried to school her emotions and the only thing helping her keep calm is knowing that she's responsible for Maxie's black eye.

"I look out and so many people who supported and loved her, that's what makes it so hard when people like Elizabeth show up who we all know hated her."

Liz slowly rose. "Keep talking and you'll have matching eyes. This is not the time or place for your vengeful crap and for the record, I hate that Sam's children will have to grow up without their mother. I would have never wished harm on her. Alexis, Kristina, and Molly, please accept my condolences. Sam loved you."

Alexis nodded and then turned to Maxie. "Not another word."

Maxie turned red and then returned to her seat.

"Unbelievable," Cam muttered.

Once the service was over, they went to the burial site. Danny stayed in the car with Jason, Jake, and Cam.

He was quiet—too quiet. He glanced out the window. "Maybe I should go out there."

"It's up to you, squirt. It's a lot to handle," Jake said.

"Am I letting her down?" Tears are threatening to spill as he tries to contain his emotions.

"No. She'll always be with you," Cam said.

"Daddy is all alone."

Jason shook his head. "Elizabeth, Alexis, and the girls are there for him."

"Even Nana is there," Jake said.

Danny's bottom lip quivered. "Will you hold my hand?"

Jason nodded. "Yes."

"Let's go."

They got out and Jason held out his hand and Danny gripped it. Jake moved on the other side of him as Cam moved behind him. Even though Jake isn't a Sam fan, his father had told him that sometimes, you must show respect even when you rather not because that is what family does. Danny and Drew need them.

Everyone's eyes are on the men as they move forward.

"Would you like to throw a rose?"

Danny took one from the priest. "Bye, mommy."

Elizabeth gripped Drew's hand.

"I love you."

He turned and Jason lifted him and held on to him as the boy cried.

One by one, everyone said their goodbyes and went to the limos and got inside. Everyone went back to the lake house where they ate and chatted.

Drew pulled Alexis to the side. "There's no good time for this."

Her eyes pressed shut. "You're going back there with them, aren't you?"

"Yes. Our flight is tomorrow evening. I sold Aurora last night. The penthouse will be sold as well, so you can take whatever you want."

Alexis wiped a tear away.

"I will never keep them from you."

"Like I was going to do to you?"

"You were upset. What is important is that you backed down. Once I get settled, I'll call you and let you know where we'll be. You can visit any time you want. Monica will be visiting frequently, so you can hitch a ride with her."

She started to cry more and Drew held her. "You're a good man. She loved you so much."

"I loved her too."

Alexis retreated.

"They will know you, Alexis."

"Okay."

She went to her room and had a good cry.

He explained things to Kristina and Molly, and they wished him well and spent some time loving on the kids.

When Maxie started up again, Liz took her outside.

"It is woefully apparent that you will never grow up."

"Like you ever did? How many lies did you tell?"

Lucky moved next to her. "Maxie, you need to let it go."

"How can you say that after all, she did to you."

"I did a lot to her too."

Maxie rolled her eyes. "I don't know how you do it. You always manage to have everyone wrapped around your finger no matter what shit you pull."

Jason had enough and got right in her face.

"You don't scare me."

"You should be very afraid. If you think I'm going to stand here and let you run your mouth, you couldn't be more wrong. I have the power to bury you and you won't see it coming."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Call it whatever you want, but you'll be a pariah in this town and the fashion world by the time I'm done ruining your reputation. I don't have to kill you to hurt you, Maxie. So, you have a choice. You let bygones be bygones or continue to be a bitch and suffer the consequences."

A tear fell down her face. "Spine—"

"Don't even mention his name. You led him around by his dick for years knowing that he was in love with you and you used him."

"I did not!"

"Yes, you did. You treated him like he was a third or fourth choice on a good day and he fell for your bullshit, but I never did. You're nothing but a wannabe Carly."

Liz almost choked.

"You keep blathering on and on like you're an obsessed psycho and you might end up right next to her."

She shuddered at his tone and then turned and headed into the house to get her purse, wondering if Jason had some responsibility in Carly's current situation.

Lucky clapped. "That was pretty impressive. Most people can't shut her up." She's hard to deal with sober.

Jason shook his head. "She was giving me a headache."

Liz grinned. "Thanks for defending me."

"You didn't need my help, but—"

"—just like at Jake's?"

He smiled. "Yeah."

She fixed her gaze on Lucky. "Are we good?"

He nodded. At this point, her relationship with Jason is inevitable and he had decided to just let things be. It's not like he could stop it.

"Yes. Unlock the car so I can put Aidan's things in it."

Lucky and Jason worked to get the luggage in the back.

"Be good to her."

Jason frowned making Lucky smirk.

"You two are mind-numbing," he said before going back to the house.

Jason shut the door and sighed. By tomorrow evening, he will be back in Sicily, and at this point, he can't wait.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The next day was spent packing up the Cain's. The kid's last names had already been changed. Once they were finished, they said goodbye to Monica, Alexis, and Audrey at the mansion.

"I'm going to miss you," she said before embracing Drew.

"Me too."

Danny gave her a big hug and Alana drooled and smiled as Monica fawned on her.

Alexis said an emotional goodbye to the kids.

Francis is ready to go back. "I'm hitting the bar on the plane."

Johnny grinned. "Me too."

"Too bad Jake can't," Cam said.

Jake's eyes narrowed. "Start running…" Cam had been teasing him all day.

When he darted to the right, Jake is on him and took him to the ground as everyone watched Cam dissolve into a fit of laughter.

"Incoming," Johnny yelled as Aidan jumped onto the pack.

Not to be outdone, Danny joined them and then Drew hovered the baby over them. "Drool alert."

"No!" the boys yelled, scattering, except for Cam who watched in horror as Alana drooled on his forehead.

The other boys cracked up because Drew quickly deposited Alana on top of Cam's chest so he had to grab her and couldn't wipe it away.

"That's would you get!" Jake said.

"Someone help me before it gets in my eye."

Liz chuckled as she grabbed a napkin and then wiped it away. "You owe me."

"Big time…"

Alana giggled making them laugh again.

Alexis wiped a tear away as she smiled. "If that baby takes after Sam, he's going to have his hands full."

Monica chuckled. "Something tells me they are going to drive him crazy no matter what, but he'll enjoy every minute of it."

Audrey gave all the boys hugs and a present. "You can open it on the plane."

"Thanks, Gram," Aidan said. He is so happy that he got to see her.

Jake and Cam thanked her before heading out to one of the SUV's while Aidan quickly said goodbye to his father.

"Ten bucks those presents will not make it to the airport unopened," Liz said.

Jason grinned. "That's a sucker bet."

Sure enough, when they got in the car, the boys were raving over the new video games they had received. Elizabeth had given Audrey a tip about what they liked.

"Why are they open already?" Liz asked with her brow raised.

"Um, we tripped, and the wrapping ripped," Cam said.

"Yeah, so we had to finish opening them, mom," Aidan said.

She glanced at Jason. "See how they are?"

Jason smiled. "What am I going to be beating you at?"

The boys groaned, but then excitedly took turns showing him.