A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you like their family dynamic! leasmom – Thank you so much! I was rushing to get it out and didn't catch that. Good eye!

Chapter 43

Jake and Jason stood.

"Have a seat," Maximus said before sitting in a chair. "I've been doing a lot of thinking."

"About?" Liz asked.

"Jake, I want you to take at least a month or two off to be with your family." He is aware that Jake is going to therapy. "A lot is going on and sometimes, you just need to decompress. Family is too important." When Jake looked pained, he continued. "It's my gift to you, not a punishment. You are young and need to figure out if this life is what you want. The deeper you get in, the harder it will be to leave. I think you're smart and an asset, but you could do anything you want. I would be remiss if I didn't stress that."

"Why did you even train and hire me if you were going to take this stance?"

"You were hurting, and I wanted to guide you. Some of the reasons you got into the business aren't valid anymore. You are like a son to me and will always be a part of my fold. I admire you because of your tenacity and strength. Most wouldn't be standing after what you endured. My sons didn't have a lot of choices regarding the business. I let them go to America and work under Sonny so they could learn, and they wanted to experience life there. Eventually, they came home."

"Honestly, I don't know what to do. I was just telling them that I need to deal with things and dad said I should work on myself first and then make a decision about my future."

"That was good advice."

"What about Cam?"

"He can still be an accountant if he wants. He's not in direct danger. If he wants to move with your mom and we need to meet, Max set up video chatting for me, so we don't have to be in person or I can just fly him in and out. We have trained couriers that can take care of delivering paperwork. Cam is safe."

"Good."

Maximus stood. "Can we hug it out?"

A smile eased onto Jake's face and he hugged his mentor.

"Now, I gave everyone a fat bonus for rescuing me."

Jake grinned. "Cool."

There is a loud rumbling sound and Liz's eyes narrowed.

"What is that?"

"It's Cam's present."

Liz's eyes widened as she raced to the window. "You bought him a death trap?"

Maximus cracked up. "It's safe and it's not a new one. I'm not trying to spoil him."

"It's a freaking red Ferrari!"

Jason fought a grin. Cam is going to lose it.

Sure enough, as Milo got out of the car, Cam pulled up in the SUV and then jumped out.

The whole family went outside.

"Milo! You bought my car?"

Milo laughed at Cam's furious expressions. It's not often you see it. Usually, he is wearing a smirk. "You mean brought, right?"

Cam looked confused as Maximus moved forward.

"Cam, you're doing an excellent job and as an honorary Giambetti, I need you to represent."

Everyone laughed as Cam's jaw dropped.

"This is mine?"

"Yes. Everyone got a raise or gift for bringing me home safely."

For a second, there is no sound and then Cam jumps up and down and picks up his mother and spins her around.

Milo hands him some keys.

"Alright, who is teaching me to drive this thing?"

Jason slightly raised his hand. "I will."

Cam grinned and tossed him the keys. "Let's go."

"Be careful," Liz yelled as they got into the car.

Aidan stood next to his mom. "We're never going to see them again."

Liz laughed. "You may be right. Luckily, I have Cam chipped."

Maximus shook his head and then put his hand on Jake's shoulder as Jason revved the engine and then turned around and sped off. "Check your bank account. I think you'll be happy. Take Sophie on a nice date."

Jake smiled. "Thanks."

"You deserved it."

As Maximus climbed into his SUV, Jake used his phone to view his balance and then dropped to knees.

"Jake!" Liz said as Maximus chuckled and he and Milo drove off.

"I think I'm going to pass out."

She took the phone and yelled, "Holy—"

Jake blinked a few times. "What do I do with all of that?" Maximus had given him a million dollars.

"That is a lot of cake batter," Aidan said as they laughed.

"You buy something you've wanted and then invest or save the rest."

"I have to call Sophie."

Liz smiled as he ran into the house.

"I feel so left out," Aidan said as he pouted.

Liz ruffled his hair. "Would you settle for a new game?"

"I guess… Just remember all of this when it's time for me to get a car."

"You know, I'm getting old. I don't think I'll remember."

"Mom!"

They sat on the porch and about a half-hour later, they heard the Ferrari nearing and stood. It came to a screeching halt, making Liz grimace and she shakes her head when she sees Cam is driving.

Jason got out the car looking a little pale.

"Mom! It was awesome!"

Liz chuckled. "I'll bet. You okay?" she asked Jason.

"He almost killed us a few times, but he's getting the hang of it. For now, he drives it with me."

"That's a good plan."

Cam doesn't care as long as he is driving it. "Where is Jake?"

"He's talking to Sophie."

"I'm right here," Jake said before giving his brother a high-five.

"You look nice." He's wearing slacks and a button-down shirt.

"I have a date with my girl."

Liz smiled. "Be careful…"

He got into an SUV and took off. He thought about taking Cam's car, but he needs some lessons first, something he hopes his dad will be willing to give.

Cam and Aidan went into the house.

"Okay, tell me the truth," Liz said.

Jason smiled as they sat on the porch. "He did okay. After making a few mistakes, he adjusted, but he did speed when he got overzealous. I told him he can't go faster until he can handle the car well. It's not safe."Defensive driving is in all the boy's futures.

"And he listened?"

"Yes, and he agreed. He skidded to a stop just to mess with you."

"Of course, it's his favorite pass time. Do you think Jake will eventually leave the business?"

"I hope so. I want more from him."

"Maximum gave him a million."

Jason's brow rose. "I think he feels guilty."

"I don't want my boys too spoiled. He's been good this whole time and then bam, all his control left, and he got extravagant."

"I'm surprised that he lasted so long."

"I want to take the rest of the money you left for me and put it in a trust for them."

"What about you?"

"I don't need much."

He shook his head. "I'll take care of you."

She smiled. "I think you already have been." She hadn't felt this content in years.

Danny ran into the house and Drew joined them with the baby.

"How's my little pumpkin pie?" Liz asked.

Alana squealed, so Drew handed her over.

"She pooped on me today."

Jason grimaced.

"I may never recover."

Liz rolled her eyes. "Wus."

"Are you going to just sit there and not tell me where that Ferrari I heard came from."

"Maximus gave it to Cam as a bonus."

Drew chuckled. "You're ready to kill him, aren't you?"

"You know me too well."

Drew eyed Jason. "Up for a ride?"

"If you drive like Cam, no."

Drew laughed. "Come on."

Jason handed him the keys.

"How do you know that I don't want to go?" Liz asked.

"You can take my place if you want," Jason said.

She handed him Alana and then raced Drew to the car and stood next to the driver's door.

"Uh—no," he said pushing her to the side.

"Both of you suck—damn memories."

Drew grinned as they got inside.

"I'll have bail money ready," Jason yelled.

"Thanks, bro!"

They took off as Cam ran outside.

"Hey!"

"Drew and your mom took it for a spin."

"I hope he doesn't let her drive," Cam said before sitting next to them.

"I never let her steer. I don't think he will either."

Cam grinned.

Alana reached for him, so Jason handed her off.

"Traitor…"

"She has great taste."

"Uh-huh."

"Mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Would you give Emiliana a chance if you were me?"

Jason sighed. "I think you have to put aside your ego and just look at what is there. If you like her, then you should call her and apologize for being judgmental and be honest with her about your feelings."

"I do like her, I just—I'm young and I'm not sure I want to get serious right now."

"Then don't. She deserves one hundred percent."

"You're right."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to date people. It's how you figure out what you like and don't like, but sometimes, you meet someone that has everything you never knew you wanted and the next thing you know, you become more than friends."

Cam smiled. "Is that what my mom meant to you?"

"Yes."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Jason chuckled. "I guess sometimes adults make things complicated."

"Are you still in love with Sam?"

"This may sound strange, but due to my brain damage, I can compartmentalize things. It's kind of like being able to just shut off your feelings. It doesn't work all the time, but it helps where she's concerned. "

"I get it. Would you have ever considered taking her back?"

"No."

"Do you feel that way about my mom?"

Jason sighed. "Your mom is a complicated subject. I think we should stay friends and fix some things that were broken so we don't make the same mistakes. We're being more honest with each other, which is good."

"You're talking around the subject."

Jason grinned. "I guess I would never say never, but I prefer to let things happen naturally. If we're supposed to be together, then I won't fight it. Having a relationship with her is something I've always wished for, but our timing sucked."

"I kind of feel that way about Emiliana. It's weird calling her that. I've always referred to her as Ana."

"I never call your mom, Liz. I always say Elizabeth."

"I guess I have some thinking to do." He passed the baby back. "She's a big drool monster."

Alana giggled at Cam's disgusted expression making them smile.

"I think you were basically saying to do what I feel is best for me, but at the same time, if she's the one, why run from it?"

Jason smiled. "Exactly…"

"As long as you take your advice," Cam said smiling mischievously as he stood.

"You are a lot like your mom."

He smirked.

"Although, your snarky side reminds me of your dad."

"I forgot you knew him."

"He was a pain in my ass, but my sister and Elizabeth liked him, so I let him live." The fact that Elizabeth chose Zander over him still annoys him almost as much as when she chose Lucky.

Cam laughed. "That was so kind of you, Lethal Enforcer."

Jason chuckled. "It was Port Charles. Most people there are not on my good side."

Cam shook his head.

"He did one thing right—you. I think you're the best of them. You would have been mine if your mom and I had gotten ourselves together. You'll always mean a lot to me, Cam. No matter what happens between me and your mom, I made sure you would be taken care of if something happens to me and that goes for your brothers too."

Cam is surprised.

"Maybe it's because I had such a rough time after the accident. I just want to make sure that you'll never have to worry about anything. I'm not trying to buy you off. You're just important to me"

"I don't know what to say. Thanks just seem inadequate."

Jason stood so he could change the baby. "I know you can take care of yourself and it feels good to make your own money. You'll just have a safety net in case you need it."

"Mom used the money you gave her to pay for my college. Thanks."

"I'm glad that she did. Sometimes, she can be stubborn."

Cam smiled. "I tell you what, if you ever get around to marrying my mom, maybe I'll call you, Daddy Jason."

Jason shook his head. "That was all Zander."

Cam cracked up as he started to head inside, but then stopped when he heard his car. "I can't look. Please tell me it's in one piece."

Jason's head tilted and then he made a face. "Ugh, hmm. Was there a scratch before on the door?"

Cam spun around just as his mom exited the vehicle. "You drove?"

"Damn right, I did. Drew showed me how."

Cam shook his head and then ran down to inspect it, making Drew laugh.

"There are no scratches or dents. I am not an amateur," Drew said.

The baby reached for Elizabeth, so she took her and then frowned.

"I was just going inside to change her."

"You want her back?"

"Hell no…"

Drew shook his head. "Are they calling my baby stinky?"

Alana laughed and held out her arms.

"She's your stinky butt now," Liz said before looking at Jason and giving Drew his child. "Let's make a run for it."

They ran down the steps and towards the lake as Drew rolled his eyes.

"Come on, sweetie. Daddy will change you."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz plopped onto the bench first.

Jason sighed as he relaxed. "Cam and I chatted about guy stuff."

Liz smirked. "I see."

"I think your kids are trying to get us married off."

"That sounds like them."

"It's not a horrible thing to want, but I just told him we are trying to be friends first."

She leaned her head on his arm. "It would be so easy to go back to the way it was, but I want better."

"I agree."

"Good. I'll tell you one thing though."

"What is that?"

"If we're going to go there eventually, I want the whole shebang. After all, we've been through, if we finally make it to that point, I want dancing, drinks, and partying afterward with all my girls."

He smiled. "And who are all the girls?"

"Robin, Kelly West, Epiphany, and maybe by then, Tess too. I might even through in the lady next door to my shop."

"Whatever you want, dear."

She laughed.

"I'm practicing."

"Uh-huh."

"That means I'd need five guys."

He reached over and held her hand.

"Francis, Johnny…"

"Jake, Cam, and Drew?"

Liz grinned. "You would want to include them?

"You'd have to find something for Aidan to do. Would he be upset to be left out? We can figure something out."

She likes that he is concerned because he doesn't know Aidan that well at all. "We'll figure it out. Jason, are you seriously considering it?"

"Let's just say, I'm warming up to the idea."

"Me too. It gives me hope." She had never thought she'd ever end up in this space with him again. It is like the universe had made extraordinary things happen for it to occur and maybe they should take the hint and move forward.

"I agree." There are no guarantees in life, but maybe they owe it to themselves to have a proper relationship and see how it works out.

"So, friend, what's next?"

"I thought we'd hang out and be a family and then maybe sometime soon, we'll hang out with just us."

She smiled. "Was there a motorcycle ride in there somewhere?"

"You drive a hard bargain. I'll have to ask if I'm allowed."

"Yeah, maybe that's not such a good idea, old man."

His brow rose.

"Don't get your knickers all in a bunch. We know you are still Stone Cold."

"First, I don't wear knickers and second, I'm glad you haven't forgotten it."

She playfully pushed his arm and then laid her head on it. "I think your son is going to go stir crazy if we don't find something to occupy him during his downtime."

"True. I'll think about it."

"Thanks."