A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you're still with me. It's weird having your birthday during this crisis. My husband was stressing out on what to buy me, so he ended up giving me an online gift cert so I can buy art supplies. Anyway, have a great weekend. I'm taking tomorrow off from work because I need to do some spring cleaning and I've been working crazy hours. Stay safe! Sorry, I'm late.

Chapter 18

Jason almost groaned. "We're only going to be there for a week and then I made some plans."

Liz eyed him as his brow rose.

"You will love it," Edward said.

"Thank you, Edward."

"What are we missing?" Monica said.

"I'll tell you later," he said.

They stayed for a while longer and then Alice showed up and Edward had Sarah come back with him so she could get settled.

"Are you really upset that they are coming?"

Liz shook her head. "No, but they are going to hog our babies. We'll have to pat them down before they leave."

Jason smiled. Her parents travel a lot, so they don't get to see them that often, but they had stayed for a few weeks after the boys were born and call whenever they can.

"Sarah and I have some gossip to catch up on."

"Well, you can talk after you put the boys to bed. I miss that."

The boys love when Jason reads to them. He has such a soothing voice.

Johnny moved into the room. "Hey."

Liz smiled. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. She's doing a little better." The therapist came back again and Eva is responding. "Lisa is with her."

"Sarah is here and my parents are on their way. I guess it was on the news."

"I'm wondering if Helena leaked it."

"Why her?"

"She was here and told me that she knows where Nadine is and to tell her when I'm ready to deal with her."

Jason sighed. "Are you sure you want to leave Eva?"

"It won't probably be for a couple of weeks. If she needs me here longer, then I'll wait." He may be bloodthirsty where Nadine is concerned, but his girl is more important.

Liz could feel Jason tense. "Why don't I give you a few minutes?" She went next door.

"Edward owns the island the kids were on."

Johnny shook his head as he grinned.

"We're staying at the mansion next week and then we're going there. I was wondering if you and Eva would like to go? It's safe and she needs to feel that right now and she can do her therapy via video chat."

"I guess it's something we can consider."

"How long does she have to stay in the hospital?"

"She'll be here at least another day or so."

"Are you taking her to your place?"

He shrugged. "I don't know."

"My family has a cottage on the property. You'll have privacy and can eat with us. Liz's family is staying at the house and it might be good for Eva to be around family. Lisa can stay as well."

Johnny nodded. "I'll talk to them and let you know."

"I'll clear it with my family just in case."

"Thank you."

"Johnny, you know I'm leaving. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you want to come with us and help guard my family, we would love to have you. I also own a bar, so you can help run it. We were thinking of spending most of our time in Italy, but a couple of months during the summer, we'll stay on the island. Eva could visit her family during that time or you're welcome to stay there as well."

Johnny is surprised. "You're going to get sick of me. What about Francis?"

"He already agreed to move to Italy. In the offseason, he's going to stay there to visit his family. We have a guard name Cody who oversees the boys so it will mainly just be you and Francis with me and Elizabeth. She has to travel sometimes for her job, so you'd have to be there. Sometimes, it's dicey, but she takes a lot of precautions."

"You've given me a lot to think about."

Jason watched him leave. He's worried about his friend and hopes he doesn't go crazy about Nadine.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next morning, Johnny brought Eva some eggs and toast and they ate together. She is finally starting to tolerate food again. Her weight is down, so they want to make sure she gets enough nutrition.

"My mom wants us to come back to Pennsylvania with her."

"Funny you should mention that. Is that what you want?"

"I don't know. I haven't lived there in a long time." In ways, it would be going backward.

"Jason and I talked."

"How is he?"

"His arms are working well, but his legs are still weak. They think he'll be walking by the time he leaves the hospital next week."

"Good." She had been worried about him.

"The protocol is working. You and Elizabeth saved him." So many things could have gone wrong. They got lucky.

"So, what did you talk about?"

"He offered his parent's cottage to us and Lisa next week. Liz's family will be in town. Her sister is already here and we could eat meals with them if we want to. After that, Liz and Jason are taking the boys to the island that they were on. It turns out Edward owns it."

"That's random."

"I know. He said you can talk to your therapist via video chat and it's safe, so you could just relax."

"That sounds nice."

"Think about it, we have plenty of time to make a decision."

She let her fork drop. "Is there anything else?"

It's hard to get used to the lack of emotion in her voice. Usually, she is so vibrant, but he ignores it and presses forward.

"He offered me a job in Italy if I want it. They'll be spending most of the year there, but in the summer, they are going to stay on the island."

She didn't respond.

"I need you to know that you are my priority. I'd be out of the business and could even invest in Jason's bar or buy something else. The chance of violence is minimal."

She understands that they could never completely let their guard down. "This is a little overwhelming."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to lie to you. I need you to be happy. You are my home, Eva. We have plenty of time to make this decision. Jason loves us and Elizabeth feels the same way. I think he just wants people around him that he can trust, but I get he's asking us to move far away and you have family here too. It's just an option. For now, we're going to concentrate on your health."

"Okay."

"Eva, I'm hoping that by Christmas, we'll be married."

"Johnny…"

"We can't let James win."

She cringed when he said the name.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

She held up her hand. "Suppose this is it, Johnny. I feel so dead inside right now. I'm just struggling to breathe. What happens if I never get better?"

He kissed her hand. "Baby, I believe in you. You are so strong. I know things seem so horrible right now, but you are so loved and respected. That love is going to help you get through the impossible. You are my future and I'm in completely. That is something you can count on when nothing seems to make sense. Let me be your center. Let me carry you when you feel like you can't even walk. Can you do that?"

She burst into tears and dove against him feeling so thankful that she has a man who loves her so unconditionally. It is making a difference. His love is willing her to fight. "I love you so much."

His heart surges at her declaration. "I love you more than anything."

Lisa wiped a tear away. Eva needs to get away and heal, so she'll encourage her to go. Their love is beautiful and she can't wait to see them say, I do.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Two days later, Eva is allowed to leave and Monica had convinced them to use the cottage. Lisa had made a list and Cook had stocked it with food, but she promised they'd eat dinner at the house. Eva is slow and she figures the evenings will be better for her. Her body had been through a lot, so she tires easily.

Jason is finally able to stand, but not for long. It frustrates the hell out of him, but he is glad to start moving again. They are going to take him to the physical therapy room to get him started the next day and they are hopeful that he'll be moving much better in two weeks, but he'll probably have to use a cane for a while.

His organs are doing well and the protocol is continuing to help. Elizabeth had tweaked it a little with Robin's help.

Carly entered the room. "Well, I need to go see my boys."

"Maybe you can get them on the phone for me."

"I will. They'll be happy to see your face."

She grabbed his hand. "I feel like a shitty friend for leaving you."

"You're not. Thank you for everything."

"I got to kick some ass, so it was my pleasure."

He shook his head. "When are you leaving?"

"I have a flight out late tonight. Where's Muffin?"

"She is at the mansion with her family."

"I'll miss you, Jase." Tears pricked her eyes.

"Come here."

They hugged. "You'll be fine."

She retreated as she wiped her face. "I love Jax and we have a good life. I will be coming to visit."

"I'll prepare the guards."

"I'm not that bad." His brow rose making her smile.

"Take care of those babies."

"I will."

She left and he sighed. They have the most unlikely friendship and she's like a bulldozer, but sometimes, that comes in handy.

Epiphany entered the room. "Why did you make that girl cry?"

Jason smiled. "She's leaving town."

Piph stopped in her tracks. "Did Liz drug or threaten her?"

He chuckled. "No. She misses her kids."

"You don't have much longer before you leave me."

"No offense, but I will be so glad to get out of here. I don't know how you do it."

"The smell?"

"Yeah."

"You get used to it. I'll miss you." She winked and he cracked up.

"You are very bad."

She handed him some water. "I'm usually not, but I don't get a lot of eye candy around here. Besides, flirting with you gets Elizabeth all riled up and that is so much fun."

"I heard that," Liz said entering the room with her mom and dad behind her. "They insisted on seeing you and I stole some dessert."

She put the piece of cake on the table and he couldn't help but smirk because most likely she'll end up eating all of it.

Carolyn caught on and smiled. "Hello," she said before hugging him. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Your daughter and Johnny's girlfriend saved me."

"Well, I'll have to thank them too." The way Jason loves Elizabeth is beautiful and they have a relationship that she had always wished for her daughter.

Jeff shook his hand. "I'm glad you're doing well too. Elizabeth filled us in."

"She's a keeper."

"The boys are so big. I just can't believe how much they've grown," Carolyn said.

"Watching them is one of my favorite things." He eyed his girl. "You know you want to eat that cake."

She laughed. "You're on to me." She grabbed the fork and then took off the wrapping and tasted it. "This is delicious."

"I told you," Carolyn said.

Liz made Jason taste it.

"That's good. Audrey is awesome."

Jeff smiled. "She's in heaven cooking so much and I have no problem letting her. I might gain ten pounds though. You know I try to work on my abs."

Carolyn rolled her eyes as he patted his belly. "I keep telling you that getting up and sitting down does not count as crunches."

"Are you sure?"

Liz chuckled. "Some things never change. By the way, that is Epiphany. I keep an eye on her so she doesn't try to steal Jason."

Piph smiled. "It wouldn't be hard. He is so easy."

"I was unconscious."

"Whatever…"

Carolyn grinned. "Well, it's nice to meet you and thank you for taking care of them."

"You're welcome." Piph leaned closer. "Dad is cute too."

"Please don't say that too loudly, I'll never hear the end of it."

A wide smile lit up Jeff's face and everyone laughed.

They chatted for a while longer and then Liz kissed him and left.

"Three more days," he muttered and he can fall asleep with his wife by his side.

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Sarah sat next to Eva at the table. "I've heard so much about you."

"Liz told me some great stories about you."

"If she said I did something bad, it's all lies."

Liz rolled her eyes. "You are so dramatic, but everyone knows it was you that got me in trouble."

That just started the Webbers going and then Q's joined in with their brand of mayhem.

Johnny looked over at Liz. "See what you started."

She grinned. "My work is done here."

Monica and Lisa started chatting about Lila's foundation. Jake is sitting between her and Alan and Cam is on the other side of Elizabeth because Edward wanted to sit next to one of the boys.

"They are still ridiculously messy," Johnny said.

"That is nothing. You should see them with ravioli and sauce,"

"Why would you do that to yourself?"

Liz giggled. "Bath time is so much fun. I swear Jason gets them messy on purpose."

"I hate that we have to go in a few days. We'll miss Jason leaving the hospital," Carolyn said. She is having so much fun with the boys.

"Well, I'm glad you chose to stay with us," Edward said.

Audrey smiled. "Thank you for having me. That kitchen is wonderful." She just wishes she could have spoiled Jason more.

"Cook insists on having the best."

Liz is a little sad because she'll miss them.

When Jake starts to cry, Eva tenses.

"It's okay," Johnny said before kissing her.

"Can we go?" Suddenly, she's feeling a lot of anxiety.

Liz jumped up and soothed Jake before Cam started.

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little tired."

Lisa stood.

"Mom, you can stay here for a while. Johnny can take me."

"I'll bring you some dessert."

"Thanks."

They left and Monica squeezed Lisa's hand. "It's just going to take some time."

"Your daughter is beautiful," Carolyn said. Liz had told her a little bit about what happened, and she feels so badly about it.

"Thank you. Hopefully, you'll meet her again when she's feeling better. She has a beautiful voice."

"She sang to Jason a few times in the hospital. It was lovely," Liz said.

"I'm very proud of her. This has been hard, but she's healing."

"If she needs anything, we're here," Monica said.

"That means a lot to me." She turned her attention to Elizabeth. "I overheard Johnny talking about your plans."

"Yes."

"I'm going to encourage it. She needs to get away and find normal again."

Liz slightly smiled. "I hope we're not being too selfish, but we'd miss them terribly."

Lisa smiled. "I'm glad that you love her so much. She is so special. You might see me often."

"We would love that. Between you and Audrey, I'll be happy."

Sarah changed the subject and that led to another argument and the girls were cracking up at the barbs between Tracy and Monica.

Liz observed everyone. She couldn't have asked for a better family. It's going to be hard to leave everyone.