A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you like the family moments. Lots to come.
Chapter 45
Liz's eyes grew big. "Gelato."
They got in line and Liz got some and they sat at a table.
She moaned. "This is so good. Taste…"
He took a small bite. "Good."
"Are you sure you don't mind going out to dinner."
"It's fine. Do you know anything about him?"
"I've met him. he's probably around your age. I think he is in finance."
Jason just hopes he isn't overly chatty.
"Oh, he likes speed boats."
"Maybe we could go out on the water at some point with the boys."
"I'm sure we could get a charter boat."
"Is Friday an official date?"
She smiled. "Do you want it to be?"
"I wouldn't mind."
"Okay, then it's a date." Her stomach fluttered at the sight of his pleased expression.
A woman approached them and started to speak in Italian.
Jason is shocked by her boldness and tells her he is taken. With a small smile, she backs off and leaves.
"Did she just hit on you with me sitting here?" Liz knew exactly what the woman said, but she is just surprised by her boldness.
"Yeah."
She stood. "Hold my gelato. I'm gonna go put on that red dress and kick some ass."
"Elizabeth!"
She grinned. "Yes, Jason?"
"Behave."
She sat again and licked her ice cream. "If I have to…"
His eyes are full of amusement.
She finished and they started to stroll again. "So, was this a horrible afternoon for you."
"No. It may have been a little torturous. You did look hot in that dress and the gelato…" Watching her lick it was painful.
She smiled mischievously.
"Haven't you teased me enough for one day?"
She tapped her lip. "Give me a minute, I'm thinking."
"You're going to be the end of me."
Laughter filled his ears as they head to the car. There is no other place he'd rather be.
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Sophie opened the door to her grandmother's house to a surprise. "Jake…"
He looks alarmed as she tries to swipe at her tears. "What's wrong? Who hurt you?"
She shook her head. "It's not what you think."
"Then what is it?"
They are interrupted by a middle-aged woman. "You must be Jake. Sophie was just telling me about you."
Jake shifted uncomfortably realizing this must be Sophie's mom. "Yes, ma'am."
She eyed him and then motioned for Jake to enter.
He glanced at Sophie who nodded but tried to convey her apology with her eyes.
Slowly, he moved inside and then the woman brushed passed them and he followed her to the living room.
"Have a seat."
He sat on a chair while they moved to the couch.
"My daughter was just telling me that you are her boyfriend. I asked what you do for a living and let's just say, I was shocked."
"Mrs…"
She held up her hand to stop him. "She tried to explain how much you've been through and what led to your career, but frankly, that still doesn't change the fact that my daughter will be in danger with you and I'm not sure how to feel about that." It's not what she wished for her daughter. Jake is not only traumatized, but his job could get her daughter killed. "I can't control her and frankly, I don't want to, but I'm scared for her."
Jake briefly shut his eyes before meeting her gaze. "I got into the business to protect my family because it was a way for me to feel like I have control. I'm trying to fix what is broken inside me. I want to be a better man for Sophie and myself. My job—I like it because it gives me purpose and makes me feel that no one can ever hurt me or my family again. Your daughter—I care about her a lot. I would protect her with my life. Nothing is a guarantee, but for now, I'm on leave for my job so I can try to get over what happened to me and figure out what is next."
"Do you want to return?" He seems so young physically, but at the same time, there is a level of maturity she wouldn't expect for his age.
"It's complicated."
Sophie's grandmother swept into the room. "Hello, I'm Sophie's grandmother, Marisol. Mira, can you help me in the kitchen for a moment?"
Mira left and Sophie immediately jumped up. "I'm so sorry, Jake. I was going on and on about you and how wonderful you are and then she was asking questions…"
"It's okay," he said grasping her hands. A small smile eased onto his face. "You think I'm wonderful?"
She grinned. "You know you are. Why did you come by?"
"I missed you."
She gave him a quick peck. "I missed you too."
The women move back into the room carrying two plates.
"My grandmother makes great cookies."
Jake smiled. "My mom likes to bake too."
Marisol nodded. "I know. I've been to her bakery a few times. Her brownies are divine."
"I'll tell her you said that."
Mira cleared her throat. Her mother had just instructed her not to be a buttinsky. She has no idea where her mom got that word from, but she threatened to withhold her cooking if Mira didn't comply.
"I'm going to choose to trust you, Jake. Don't let me down."
Jake took a cookie when it was offered. "I'll do my best."
Sophie smiled. "Wait until you meet my dad."
When Jake choked on the cookie, Mira and Marisol chuckled.
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Tess knocked on the door and Liz smiled when she sees her.
"Hey!"
They hug and then move inside.
"Hello, Jason."
He smiled. "Hi. Have a seat. I'll make myself scarce." He grabbed a magazine and went onto the porch.
"So, what's going on?" Liz asked.
"Well…" She held up her hand and Liz's jaw dropped.
"That is stunning," she said as she studied the large diamond ring.
"He asked me last night."
"Congratulations." They embraced. "This is such great news."
Tess smiled. "I'm so excited. We're going to get married in the spring and I'm already planning it."
"What can I do to help?"
"Well, I'm not going the traditional route. I'm sure Maximus is probably going to freak."
"Don't worry about him. What do you want?"
Tess closed her eyes. "I want to get married on a yacht surrounded by the ocean with just a few close friends and watch the sunset afterward and then dance and have some fun."
Liz grinned. "Oh, yeah, he is going to freak. I'm sure he'll want the big church wedding and celebration."
"Well, we can still have a formal reception the next night, but the ocean symbolizes strength, power, life, mystery, and hope. I just—"
"You don't have to explain. I think it will be beautiful."
Tess smiled. "I'm just inviting my parents, the Giambetti men and I hope you and Jason will come too."
"I would love to be there."
Cam entered the house and smiled. "Hey."
Liz giggled due to her son's expression. He still has such a big crush on Tess.
Tess stood. "Hello, Cameron."
He moved closer. "How are you?"
"I'm wonderful." She held up her hand and he's shocked.
"Wow. Congrats."
"Thank you."
He pouted and she chuckled as she moved forward. "If Max wasn't my prince and I was eight or nine years younger, you would be in trouble."
Cam grinned. "You could always be a cougar. I wouldn't mind."
"Cameron!" Liz said.
Tess cracked up. "You are one of a kind. Someday, you are going to slay someone, and I hope she is worthy of you." She kissed him on the cheek and Cam blushed.
"Are you macking on my fiancé?" Max asked. He had been watching from the doorway.
Cam's eyes grew wide. "Thank God, I can outrun him."
Liz and Tess laughed as Max struggled not to smile.
"I was just telling Elizabeth my plan," Tess said.
"Hey, ex-wife."
Jason's eyes narrowed. "Max?"
"Yeah, Jason?" He hadn't realized Jason had followed him inside.
"Do I need to actually say it?"
Max grinned. "No."
Liz shook her head. "Men…" She congratulated Max. She hasn't seen him much because he's been very busy. "It's good to see you."
"I missed you."
Jason cleared his throat and Cam and Max snickered.
"Well, you need to take a break occasionally and relax."
"I know. Dad told me to take off a day today. There was just a lot of cleanup to do after everything happened."
"There will always be something to take care of. You have to find a balance."
Max slightly smiled. "You're right as always. That's why I married you in the first place." He ducked when Jason's hand glanced his head and then moved behind Tess. "You're such a sore loser."
Jason rolled his eyes.
"Don't poke the bear," Liz said. "So, who is breaking the news to Maximus?"
There was silence and then Tess and Max pointed to Liz who sighed.
"Unbelievable."
"Please…" Max said pouting.
"Fine… I'll stop by as soon as I can."
Max grinned. "God, I love you, ex—" He stopped due to Jason's glare.
Cam smiled. "Come on, future wife," he said holding out his hand to Tess.
"You better have meant my future wife."
Cam tugged Tess toward him as he focused on Max. "You're old, so anything's possible."
Jason chuckled as Max's eyes narrowed.
"Sucks being on the other side, doesn't it?" Liz said.
"Want to take a spin in my car?" Cam said.
Tess laughed. "Let's go."
"Don't go far," Jason said.
"I won't."
"I know how to drive one," Tess said as they headed outside.
"Your son is on a timeout," Max said.
"He stays on one," Liz said.
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When Jake walked into the house, Elizabeth slightly smiled.
"Why do you look like you've been put through the wringer?"
He sighed as he sat. "I went to see Sophie and her grandmother and mom were home."
Jason grinned.
"It's not funny. They tortured me."
Liz giggled. "And in the end?"
"I guess I passed. They didn't call the police or hit me with a skillet."
Cam plopped next to him. "Is that chocolate on your face."
Jake's eyes widened. "Where?"
"Did you cheat on me?" Liz asked.
"Mom, I couldn't say no. She made cookies and by the way, she likes your brownies and has been to the bakery."
Liz's eyes narrowed. "Were they good?"
Jake let out a strangled moan making everyone laugh.
Jason's phone rang so he picked it up.
"I got word from the mental institution," Johnny said.
"Go ahead."
"Carly went crazy and bit the orderly and escaped. She was yelling your name and ran up to the roof and—"
"Don't tell me she jumped."
Johnny sighed. "Yup. She's dead. I called Monica and let her know and she said she'd try to find Michael."
"My mom shouldn't be chasing Michael around the town. Can you call someone else to do it?"
"Yes. I'll let you know what happens."
The call ended and Jason quickly dialed his nephew's number.
"It's Jason. I heard. Will you please call me? And Michael, count to ten." It's something he always told Carly and Michael would sometime repeat it.
"What happened?" Jake asked.
"Carly is dead. She jumped off the roof of the hospital."
Everyone was silent, not knowing what to say.
Jason stood. "I'm going to take a walk."
He was gone before anyone could respond.
"Do you think he'll blame himself?" Cam asked.
Liz shook her head. "Not entirely... I'll give him a minute and then go after him."
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Drew signaled for the guard when he spotted his brother by the lake. "Hey, can you watch the kids for a minute. They are asleep."
The guard nodded and stepped inside while Drew headed towards the back.
"Hey."
Jason, who is sitting on a bench, looked up. "Hey."
"What's wrong?"
"I—Carly's dead and they can't find Michael."
"What happened?"
"She jumped off the roof."
"How the hell did that happen?"
Jason shrugged. "It's Carly. She's never predictable."
Drew sat next to him. "What's going on in your head?"
"It's complicated."
"You loved her."
"Carly is the kind of person that makes you feel like you don't understand what love is." The woman's idea of love was mind-numbing.
Drew chuckled. "She tested everyone. Do you feel guilty?"
"I probably do a little but only because I took both of Michael's parent's away."
"They tried to kill someone you love."
"I know. I'm just tired, Drew."
"I can understand why you would be, but most of the bad is behind you now."
Jason sighed. "God, I wish I could just take off on my bike and ride all night. It always cleared my head."
"Are you still under restriction?"
"I don't have that long to go."
Francis joined them. "Michael called."
"How is he?"
"He was upset and wanted to come here. I told him I'd have you call him."
"Thanks."
Francis left and Jason pulled out his phone and dialed.
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Michael is sitting on the back porch at the mansion. "Hello?"
"It's me."
"She's gone." Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I mean, I know in a way she already was but at least I could see her."
"I'm sorry."
Michael pressed his eyes shut. "I need you."
"I can't come home, but you are welcome here."
"Bobbie is going to handle the funeral. Why aren't you coming?"
Jason took a deep breath. "Your mother and I weren't talking before everything happened."
"Why?"
"Let's just say she did something unforgivable."
"So, you hate her now?" His voice rose indicating how much stress he's feeling.
"I don't know how to explain it to you and I also don't want to tarnish your memory of her."
Michael brushed a tear away. "You were her best friend."
"I was until she did what she did. Michael, I can't leave right now. I'm sorry. If you still want to come here, then I'll make it happen."
"I'll think about it."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
He ended the call and Monica moved forward.
"Was that Jason?"
He nodded.
"He's not coming back?"
"No."
Monica sat next to him. "I know that was probably hard for you to hear."
"I don't understand how he could just walk away like that. I thought that maybe he'd come back for me. I need him."
"You're strong and you'll have family around you."
"You know what she did, don't you?"
Monica sighed. "Yes, I do. It's bad. Your uncle has every right to be angry."
"He always forgave her before."
"Yes, he did and that made her behavior worse. Jason loves you. He thought of you as his own when you were a baby and losing you affected him deeply."
"I need you to tell me the truth."
Monica fidgeted.
"I know my mom left me with Jason and that she decided to take me back and ended up with AJ. However, I know I'm missing something with that too."
"Michael…"
"No! I'm not a child. I want to know."
Monica threw up her hands. "Jason went away with you and Carly was supposed to join you, but instead, she concocted this crazy plan and said he kidnapped you."
"What?"
"I know. There was a lot of drama, but Jason eventually gave you back and he was devastated. Your mother was a hot mess back then. When you convince yourself you're desperate, you do very stupid things."
"If you won't tell me what she did to Jason recently, then I'll find out on my own." He rushed out of the house as Monica called his name.