A/N – Thanks for the comments. The smoke is very bad today and the air is very unhealthy. Can't imagine being closer to the fires. Stay safe out there.

Chapter 42

The boys chatted the whole plane ride which allowed Jason to observe how they interact and get a glimpse of Aidan's personality. He is sillier than the other two, but he reminds him of Elizabeth which he's glad for.

Liz moved next to him. Alana is currently sleeping on Jason's shoulder.

"Do you have a drool spot yet?"

He smirked. "I can feel it."

She chuckled. "I always secretly wanted a little girl. I mean, I love my boys, but it would be cool to have at least one."

"You still have time."

She rolled her eyes. "That would be crazy starting over at this point. I'm not exactly swarming with husband offers."

"You don't put yourself out there."

"True." Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "Although, now that I know Drew can produce girls…"

Jason's eyes narrowed making her laugh.

"I'm just kidding. That ship has sailed."

He is surprised that his mind went to having another child with her. In some ways, they seem so far apart but in other ways, they are closer than they had been for a long time. He'll talk with Francis to get an opinion on things he needs to do to move forward. A second opinion is always good.

"Maximus is going to have a big lunch for us tomorrow. He wants to welcome Drew. Jake has an appointment with his therapist in the morning."

"That sounds good. Will we need to go to therapy with him eventually?"

"It's a possibility. Is it bad that I want him to change his mind about working for Maximus?" She eyed her son who now has his headphones on as he plays a game on his phone.

"No. Honestly, I'm hoping he does too. If he stays, then I'm probably going to have to be involved in Maximus's organization and I don't know what I want to do yet. It would be easy to go back to that, but maybe I need to stop choosing things for the wrong reason."

"You have time. How are you feeling?" She's proud of him that he's willing to look at things differently and consider new opportunities.

"I'm a little tired, but I'll rest when we get there."

"Do you want me to take her?"

"She's fine. If she wakes up, you can."

Liz rolled her eyes. "Only because she'll need a diaper change…"

Jason smiled. "Exactly…"

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The weary group made it home where Maximus had left some food for them in the oven. They ate and then walked Drew to the cottage.

"Are you sure you don't want to sleep at our house so we can help with the baby?" Liz asked.

"No, it's okay. She'll be out for the night soon."

"Okay. Maximus said the guards set up a crib in your room. Knowing him, he overdid it."

Drew smirked. "Let's see."

The moved inside and checked out the larger of the two bedrooms. There are a changing table slash dresser station and a crib with some blankets strewn over the railing. Toys are stacked in the corner.

"It's nice."

Jake put Drew's suitcases off to the side.

"Do you want me to help you unpack?" Liz asked.

"No. It's fine." He doesn't want to rely on them too much.

"Okay, but just know we're here for you. Please think of us like family."

"Thank you."

They moved into the living room and Liz prepared a bottle for Alana.

"Alright, we're gonna go."

They embraced.

"Later," Jake said.

"Yeah, later," Cam added.

Aidan hugged him and they left.

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Jason sighed as he came out of the bathroom. "Are you sure you're okay with me staying in here? I can sleep on the couch." With Aidan back, that meant Liz had to give back his room and she refused to make anyone sleep on the couch.

"We are adults the last time I checked."

"The boys…"

"Will get over it. Jake and Cam just snickered a lot." She rolled her eyes making him smile.

He got in and sighed. "I think I could sleep for days."

"Go for it. You need the rest."

His eyes fluttered shut.

"Just don't try to grope me during the night. Seven years is a long time."

He grinned. "You just don't know when to stop."

"I have no problem with self-control."

"You're the one who sleeps crazy."

She chuckled. "That is true." She turned off the light.

"I remember there were plenty of occasions when you had your way with me, so don't go acting like you are stone cold when it comes to sex."

She smacked his leg. "You're the one that doesn't know when to stop."

He yawned.

"Go to sleep, old man."

He growled. "I'm not old."

"Keep telling yourself that."

He mumbled something as he drifted away.

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Jason's eyes snapped open and he almost groaned when the sunlight blinded him. Elizabeth had forgotten to shut the blinds.

A grin eased onto his face when he realizes that her body is pressed against his.

"Mom! It's time to eat," Aidan yelled in the hallway.

Liz groaned as she threw her leg over Jason's. "Shit," she said instantly awakening.

"What was that about keeping your hands to yourself?"

Slowly her eyes opened. "Ugh, the sun…"

"Don't try to change the subject."

She rolled onto her back and stretched. "I forgot how comfy you are."

"Uh-huh." He climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom while she cat-napped.

Jason sat on the edge of the bed. "Why did he want you to get up?"

"He probably cooked us breakfast. Don't bother showering yet. The sweatpants and t-shirt are fine."

"Alright, I'll go down then."

She trudged to the bathroom as he left.

When Jason got to the kitchen, he smiled when he saw they were still in their pajamas.

Aidan smiled. "Coffee?"

"Yes. Thank you."

A cup is passed over and Jason sips it.

"It's good."

"Mom told me you don't eat breakfast a lot, but you should try my breakfast pastry. It's one of mom's favorites."

It's placed before him and Jason takes a bite. It has sausage and eggs in it with herbs and sauce.

"It's good."

Aidan grinned. "Thanks."

"Don't go getting a big head," Cam said.

"Too late."

Jake shook his head. "We only keep him because he can cook."

Aidan poked his tongue out.

"How was Ireland?" Jason asked.

"It was pretty cool. It rained a lot, but I didn't let it stop me."

"I've been there a few times."

Aidan smiled. "Where else have you been?"

"Pretty much everywhere. I like to travel."

"We didn't get a chance to go to Scotland because Dad was working, but I'd like to go there too."

"It's not that far. We'll have to make it happen."

"Cool."

Liz joined them. "What did he talk you into now?"

"Scotland…"

Her brow rose.

"You'll have to wear a kilt."

Jason smirked. "No, I don't, but nice try."

"I'd like to see Jake in a kilt," Aidan said.

"Never gonna happen."

Cam chuckled at the visual. "By the way, my move is put off for a few weeks."

Liz pouted. "I will be sad to see you go."

"What are you going to do with my room?"

"I'll probably just fumigate it and then make it a guest room."

The boys laughed.

"Did you invite Drew to breakfast?"

"He's on his way," Jake said.

There is a knock on the door and then Danny pushed it open.

"Good morning," Liz said.

Danny smiled. "Good morning." He's doing a little better. The change of scenery is helping to distract him, but he still misses his mom.

"Have a seat next to Jake and Aidan will get you whatever you want."

"Thanks."

Liz moved towards Drew who put Alana down so she could crawl. She can walk, but when she's unsure of her surroundings, she'll drop to her knees.

She went right to Liz who promptly picked her up.

"Lazy…" Drew said poking her. "Hey, guys!"

Aidan gave him a high-five. "Come sit."

He took the seat next to Jason.

"You know, I was thinking about having surgery to get my face back."

"You mean my face?" Jason said.

"Whatever. I figured it would mess with everyone, so the pain would be worth it."

Liz shook her head. "You can't confuse Alana."

"That's true."

"What are you going to do about the mapping?" Jason asked.

"Dr. Romanov agreed to come here and do it. I think successfully doing the map will benefit his career, so he's eager to do it."

"Do you trust him?" Liz asked.

"He knows better than to double-cross me. Jason already put the fear of God in him." The man is lucky he isn't dead.

"When do you want to do it?"

"I was going to wait a month until we're settled."

Liz nodded. "That should work. You can stay here until then so I can help with the baby and your recovery."

"Maximus left me a list of nannies. They are already cleared security-wise."

Jake left for his therapy.

"You know I would have been willing to help."

"I know, but you have your own life. I don't want to be a burden."

Aidan lifted the baby in the air, and she squealed as she babbled.

"You're not, but I'll respect your wishes."

"Thanks."

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Jake sighed as he tried to get his thoughts straight. "I don't know what to do. My dad was hurt because of me and I feel so much guilt."

The therapist had read about the family's travails in the paper. "Do you feel like he blames you?"

"No, but that doesn't change anything. He never wanted this life for me."

"Does that make you want to find another line of employment?"

"Yes and no. I want to please him, but I've been fixated on it for so long that I never allowed myself to picture a different life. It's what I thought I wanted."

"Maybe you should focus on all your options. You mention protecting your family a lot. Do you think they wouldn't need as much protection if you were away from the business?"

"No. I mean, I know I've managed to bring more danger to them, but there were other people out there who had wanted to hurt us that aren't a factor anymore."

"Choices always have consequences. Sometimes we must think about who they hurt the most whether that be ourselves or the people we love. Do you think your father regrets a lot of his choice?"

"I think he regrets walking away from me, but he loved his job. He didn't think he had choices."

"And now?"

"He's going to stay and that makes me happy. I need him."

"I know there are obvious reasons for that, but humor me; what are they?"

"He's that person that you know understands what you've been through. He gets me. I love my mom and she has been through a lot too, but my dad had to start from scratch. People expect things of him that he couldn't give them. I was a mess when I was found. I just love him so much. I love that he fought to come home and that he's willing to try to be a father to me instead of walking away again. He and my mom are healing their relationship and I used to dream of them being back together. I want them to be whole."

"Some things are out of your hands."

"Unfortunately, I know that. My mom wants to move to Tuscany. She has sacrificed so much for me. I want her to go, but if I choose to stay with Maximus, that would mean I'd be staying here. Cam would probably stay too, but I want us all together. I sound like a baby."

"No, you don't. It's your feelings and you get to have them. Sometimes, we make sacrifices, but they should be for the right reasons. You're an adult now. Your mom doesn't expect you to give up your life for her."

Jake nodded. "I don't know if I'll ever get over what happened to me. It's still so painful to think about, but when I'm around them, all I see is love."

"I understand that, but you can learn to heal and that will help you will all of your relationships. You can't run from what happened. Face it and you'll be stronger."

"I don't even know where to begin. I still have nightmares."

"You may have post-traumatic stress syndrome. There are treatments and exercises you can use to lessen its negative affect on your life."

"I don't want to be on drugs."

"You don't have to be. I want you to think it over because it's a commitment. If you decide to let me treat you for it, I want to see you twice a week. You must believe that you're worth the investment. Sometimes, we don't see just how much trauma affects our choices until it's too late."

He had fought this for so long. Maybe it was time to totally surrender and just do what it takes to get through it. Once his head is clearer, he can start figuring out what he wants to do. "How long?"

"That's not predictable, but I can say that if you respond to the treatment and are committed, you'll start seeing changes faster."

"I'm going to talk it over with my parents."

"Let's set up an appointment for Tuesday."

"Okay."

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Liz perused the house to see if she needs to do any cleaning. Jason is in the living room reading and the Cam and Aiden went to the store.

Jake entered the house solemnly.

"What's wrong?"

Jason's head jerked toward the door.

"Can we talk?"

She nodded as Jake sat in a chair across from the couch and she sat beside Jason.

"He thinks I have PTSD."

"I can't say that I'm surprised. What else?"

"If I react well to the treatment, he said I could see fast results."

"That's good, right?" Jason asked.

Jake threw up his hands. "I've been only focused on one thing. With you thinking of going to Tuscany it means we will be separate, so I'm a little anxious." It's not a far plane ride, but he still doesn't want to be without them.

Liz isn't sure how to play this. "What do you want, Jake?"

"I want us to be together. He said if I don't deal with this, then my choices will always be influenced by what happened. I don't want that, but at the same time, it was those experiences that made me focus on being an enforcer. It would be hard to give that up."

"You know my heart and the reasons I was upset about your job choice, but it has to be your choice, or you'll resent us later. Change needs to come from your desire to have a different outcome, not because of my feelings or my convictions. Do you think you can just focus on healing your mind for a while and not your job? You owe it to yourself. If when it's all said and done you feel you still want to do that, then do it. There doesn't always have to be a right and wrong, sometimes there are layers," Jason said.

Jake smirked. "Mom always said you gave the best advice with little words, but I think you've been hanging around her too much."

Jason grinned. "I'm chatty sometimes."

There was a knock on the door, and they are surprised to find Maximus standing there.

"May I come in?"

"Sure," Liz said opening the door wider.