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Title: Never Giving Up

Chapter 3

(Elizabeth was at a standstill with what she just heard. Jake was Jason and vice versa. She always felt a connection with Jake, now she understood why. Elizabeth's mind was processing a mile a second. Her logical explanation coming up blank as to why anyone would keep his identity a secret. Her mind immediately thought of Helena. But, she'd usually taunt the mother of three, not keep it hidden)

"Elizabeth?" Jason softly questioned as he watched her silent conflict. She glanced away focusing on the flower arrangement that had been cast aside – her wedding bouquet.

"How long have you known?" Elizabeth asked quietly and hoping she wasn't the last to know. She knew Jason wasn't cruel enough to hurt her in that way, but given the others he was around – it was a guarantee.

"Carly told me a few hours ago." Jason replied as he looked away from her. Their timing was never right and this was just another example of that. Elizabeth drew in a breath when she heard Carly's name and instantly connected why Carly called her in the first place.

"How– how did she figure out it was you? You didn't match any of the database records." Elizabeth reflected. They went down to the police station to have him crossed databased with any missing persons.

"She had Spinelli run another test or something. She had this inkling or whatever she was talking about." Jason replied turning his attention back to Elizabeth. She still managed to smile at him even knowing what this could possibly mean.

"Well, she is your best friend and would do anything for you. That's why you called earlier." Elizabeth began to mumble as she finally faced Jason. He gave a nod and was about to say something else when the door opened without a knock.

**************************************************************************************(Patrick studied the two people in front of him. He wanted to make it to Elizabeth before Carly somehow got out of Nikolas' grasp. He smiled to ease the tension and tried not to think of the fallout this would cause – Sam and his engagement, Liz and Jason's relationship, etc. There were so many people twisted up in the world of Jason when it crumbled, but now he was alive)

"Carly's here." Patrick explained as he closely watched his best friend's face before shifting his gaze to Jason. He gave a small nod and couldn't lie. It'd take some time getting use to the new Jason Morgan.

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Elizabeth spoke up as she began to think of what needed to be done. The small audience needed to be informed, the boys as well, this dress needed to be returned to Maxie…the list went on. Carly had been invited through Jason as well as Michael and she wouldn't have expected anything short of a Carly invasion.

"I'm surprised she didn't get here sooner." Jason lightly joked as he tried to ease the tension. Elizabeth smiled at his attempt while Patrick didn't say anything – in all his years, Jason didn't seem the light type.

"True, but in true Carly fashion she likes to make an entrance. Thank you for the warning Patrick. I'm going to change then be right out to speak to everyone." Elizabeth walked over to the vanity – she needed to get a jump start. Jason didn't reply but Patrick took that as a cue to leave, but not before hugging his best friend.

"We've been through worse my friend and we will get through this, okay? Do you want me to make the announcement?" Patrick reassured Elizabeth and to take some of the burden off her, would stand up to the guests.

"I think it'd be best if we did it together." Jason answered for her and Patrick nodded in agreement and left – he needed to check on Nikolas and head home.

(He would pass Laura and Sabrina as he made his way out and gave them a smile before nodding. They understood and smiled back as he left the chapel)

**************************************************************************************(Elizabeth felt Jason pacing around behind her as she started packing up her toiletries)

"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked not even turning to see for herself. Maybe it was mean, but she was gearing up for their last goodbye.

Jason stopped pacing and willed her to look at him. He knew what she was doing and didn't blame her. He couldn't tell her what he was going to do about anything at this moment. Heck, he needed a moment himself to figure it all out. "I should be asking you that question." She never ceased to amaze him. Worrying about him - not herself.

"I'm good." Elizabeth quickly replied. He didn't understand how she was completely calm about the truth. When Carly told him, he took off to the bridge. Although, he knew her better than that, she'd bottle it up until the tiniest thing set her off.

"I actually smiled so I say better than good." Jason joked as he began to remove his jacket – he never did like these suits.

"You smiled just not around too many people." Elizabeth replied as she began to remember their last conversation – her revealing that she switched Danny's paternity and him forgiving her before leaving. It was a decision she still regretted, but she was able to make up in the last couple of days.

"What are you thinking about?" Jason questioned as he watched her intently. Elizabeth gave a small laugh thinking of where to begin.

"I'm thinking of lots things, but what are you thinking about?" Elizabeth questioned back as she got up and began to move around the room – she needed to find her casual clothes. She found success when she spotted the bag in the chair Sabrina previously occupied. He didn't reply and she took that as a sign to go change her clothes. He usually didn't open up, but with her he sometimes did.

(Jason sighed as he heard the bathroom door close and repeated her question in his head. He was mainly thinking that today was supposed to be perfect. He, Elizabeth, and the boys were starting a new chapter. Life didn't work like that and he was left conflicted – it was always that way for him and Elizabeth)

(Elizabeth tried to compose herself as she began to carefully take off her dress. She didn't need to break down in the bathroom. She'd save it for when the boys were asleep and she was alone. If she knew anything right now it would be her continued friendship with Jason. It was their one constant between them. She'd be supportive if it killed her when he went back to Sam. Sam, the woman, that at first couldn't stand Jake. How ironic that Sam didn't feel anything for him in the beginning, but Elizabeth did)

"Don't go there." She whispered to herself as the gown pooled around her feet and she stepped out of it. She needed to focus on what was important now – the boys and how they'd feel about it. She carefully retrieved the gown and placed it back on the hanger and got ready herself.

(Jason patiently waited for Elizabeth to come out and began to think of things to talk about. He didn't want the day to end this way, but he needed to get everything figured out. Elizabeth would come out a few minutes later with a smile on her face)

"We should..." (brief pause) "...go tell the guests." Elizabeth softly spoke as she walked towards the mirror and placed the dress back into the plastic cocoon. Jason simply nodded and waited for her.

**************************************************************************************(Laura could tell the family and friends were getting restless with the wedding starting late. Based on the look Patrick gave them, she'd known that it wasn't going to happen. Felix intervened and thought of a game to keep them preoccupied for the time being)

"Maybe we should go check on them." Sabrina asked as she stood next to Laura. She spotted Michael in the third row next to Monica – another one of Jake's invites. He smiled and went back to speaking to his grandmother.

"They need to talk alone. Besides, they should be out any minute." Laura replied as she tried to ease Sabrina's nervousness.

"What's going on?" Epiphany questioned as she walked up with the Webber/Spencer's boys around her. Thankfully, the kids didn't get anything on their white shirts and actually listened to her, unlike someone's kid. Sabrina took this as a way to leave a stoic Laura and gathered the boys to follow her.

"Jake and Elizabeth are talking, nothing big. How were the boys?" Laura replied as she glanced down the hall of any sign of Elizabeth or Jake.

"The boys were good but that's no surprise given who their mother is. Now, what's nothing big and is she still unsure?" Epiphany questioned as she knew all about the previous night's "signs" – Laura had called her over to talk some sense into Elizabeth at ten at night. Needless to say, she spent the night with an anxious Elizabeth and nervous Sabrina.

Laura was about to reply when she spotted Jake and Elizabeth in regular clothes walk their way. She smiled when they both walked by her and she could hear a "Thank God!" from Felix.

(She could feel everyone's eyes on them when they entered the chapel and Felix's saying made her smile. They quickly walked to the front and relieved him of whatever he was trying to accomplish)

"Apologies everyone. In light of recent information, we've decided not to go through with the wedding."

"You're pregnant." Nina casually said as she looked between Jake and Elizabeth. She still didn't know how Nina was invited, but had a feeling she was Franco's plus one – he'd been helping Jake with art therapy. Jake had repeatedly asked if Franco could attend and Elizabeth reluctantly agreed.

"No, I'm not pregnant." Elizabeth immediately replied. Even if she was, they still wouldn't be getting married today. Nina shrugged with the answer she got and was about to leave.

"Actually, it's about who I really am." Jason commented as he tried to ignore what Nina questioned. That seemed to peak everyone's interest and was asked the question by Michael.

(Jason took a breath and felt something warm slip into his hand, he glanced down to see it was Elizabeth's hand. She gave a gentle squeeze to encourage him to say what needed to be said. It was going to be a shock and was glad that most of his family were in attendance)

"Yes, yes." Helena was heard saying as Nikolas made his way back into the living room. He didn't end up staying, but instead keeping Carly on lockdown from entering. It worked and she left after Patrick came back from seeing their friends)

(Nikolas kept quiet as he began to remove his jacket and heard his grandmother began to talk in hushed tones. He waited till she finished before he started to talk to her again. In the meantime, he went to fix himself another drink.

"I suppose she and Jason didn't get married? You were only gone for half an hour," Helena commented as she pressed end on the call she received.

"You are correct, grandmother. They didn't. I was on voluntary Carly watch." Nikolas replied as he brought the drink up to his lips.

(Helena grimaced when she heard that twit's name and hoped what she put in action would work. It involved another enemy of Elizabeth's. The question was…would it succeed? That was unknown)

"I suppose it was for the best." Helena said as she began to delete the call log – the last thing she needed was her grandson to see who she'd been in contact with.

"Yeah, I suppose it is." Nikolas replied as he began to think of ways to approach her newest scheme – given he'd have to figure what it was first.

Chapter 3 done

Thanks for reading. Please kindly review. I don't know how many of you plan on celebrating Halloween or are giving out candy to the treaters with the covid19 still going on. Hopefully I'll still hear from you tomorrow. Take care!