A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 19

Johnny threw a blanket over Eva and then handed her a remote.

"I hate this."

"You're going to have good and bad times."

"It just hits me sometimes when I least expect it."

"We'll get through it."

He slipped behind her and threw his arm around her waist. "Better?"

She closed her eyes for a minute, savoring his energy. "Yes."

Lisa smiled as she entered the house. "You look very comfortable. I'll just sit your dessert on the table."

"Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome. I'm going to go watch television. Yell if you need me."

"Okay."

For a few minutes, Eva tried to pay attention, but that cake was calling her name. "Screw it," she said sitting up and grabbing the plate.

Johnny grinned.

"So good."

She slipped the fork into his mouth so he could taste it.

"It is."

He slowly leaned forward as she watched and gently kissed her lips. "You had some chocolate right there," he said pointing.

She slightly smiled. "Liar…"

He grinned. "Do I need a lawyer?"

"Maybe…"

She almost sounded normal which made him happy, but he never looks forward to sleeping because that is when the nightmares come. Last night, she thought she was drowning. He wonders how long it's going to take before those subside.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

It was a sad day when Liz's family left. She cried in Jason's arms for quite a while until she fell asleep. He hates seeing her so upset.

After about an hour, her eyes blinked open.

"Hey."

She snaked her arm around his waist. "Hey."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"You think so?"

She nodded.

"Someone woke up delirious."

She grinned. "Is that your way of calling me crazy?"

"Uh-huh."

"I didn't even ask you how your meeting with Patrick went."

"I'm doing better. Tomorrow I get to try to walk more."

"That's good."

He nodded.

"What's wrong?" He looked a little sad for a second.

"It's just a little embarrassing."

"You don't think everyone already knows what a stud you are?"

"I'm quite sure that Patrick doesn't think so."

She chuckled. "He wishes he were as hot as you."

"My so-called hotness is not helping me walk faster."

"It's certainly helping me."

He smirked.

"Do I need to get a hose?" Piph said sauntering in.

"Do you have Jason hotdar or something?"

Piph grinned. "Don't be a hater because Jason and I connect on that level."

Jason fought a smile.

Liz rolled her eyes. "Again, Jerry Springer, he was unconscious."

"That's just semantics. Honestly, Elizabeth, you should understand connections."

Liz smirked. "I understand alright…"

"I only get a few more days with him. You get a lifetime."

"That is true."

"Although, I do plan on asking for visitation."

"If you get to bring Eva, then I get to bring Piph," Jason said.

Piph grinned. "It's only fair, Elizabeth, and look at that face. Do you really want to disappoint him?"

Liz sighed but is saved when an older man enters the room.

"Dominic…" Jason is surprised to see one of the heads of the five families walk in.

Liz eased off the bed.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said smiling. "You must be Elizabeth."

She held out her hand. "Guilty as charged."

"I'm Dominic. I came to speak to Jason."

"That's our cue to leave," she said turning towards Piph who eyed the man.

"I'll be right in the hallway, so no funny stuff."

Dominic barely contained his smile. "I assure you that I won't be long."

"Uh-huh…"

It was hard for Jason to maintain a straight face too.

"Are they a package deal?"

"Apparently… How can I help you?"

Dominic sat. "Sonny explained to us that you are done."

"Will that be a problem?"

"Well, you can understand why everyone is concerned. Without you, doing business in Port Charles, it could get a lot dangerous."

"There are others who are far more dependable and just as capable."

"But they don't have your reputation."

"Are you blocking me from going?"

Dominic studied Jason. He looks tired and he wonders what toll the medication James used had taken on the younger man. Sonny's indiscretion had cost him a lot and he had lost Jason's loyalty. "No, but Jason, you have to understand our position. We were wondering if you would just lay low and people would be none the wiser that you're really gone."

"If my name is still attached to the business, then my family is a target."

"Jason, you'll be a target for many years."

"Don't you think I know that? They don't need to pay for my past decisions. I understand the implications me leaving will have, but this is on Sonny. How much of this do I have to take?"

Noticing the younger man's chest is heaving, Dominic said, "Breathe, Jason."

Jason slammed his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but I almost lost my life and my wife. Evangeline was mentally and physically tortured because Sonny couldn't keep it in his pants."

"We understand."

"But you have to protect your interests, right? Since the beginning, it has never been about me. Even though we became partners, it was always about Sonny. My life was expendable and I wasn't allowed to have one. I'm done. I'm not going to pretend I'm still around. I'm going to go live and be happy. I'm going to spoil my wife and kids and they will never go without anything. I will surround us with guards and if anyone dares come up against us, I will annihilate them without hesitation. You don't need to worry about me as far as secrets are concerned. That is not my style and besides, I am knee-deep in everything. As a sign of good faith, I own a warehouse on Forty-Third Street. Sonny doesn't even know about it. I will sign it over to you, not him, and we can call it even. It's a prime location and good backup if Sonny decides to forego his meds."

"You've thought this through."

"I know what I want and I'll do what I have to do to get it."

In the hallway, Liz glanced at Piph, "My man is so hot when he's all defiant and grrr."

"I'm ready to go in there and give him a happy ending."

Liz's jaw dropped as Piph cracked up.

Inside, Dominic stood. "I will talk to the others about your offer. For the record, I'm glad that you and your wife and friend are okay. Who do you think will take over for you?"

"Richie is strong and so is Paulie. They'll do well."

Dominic smirked. "I noticed that you didn't include Mr. O'Brien and Corelli."

Jason slightly smiled.

It isn't lost on the Don how much respect Jason garners from his men.

"I'll talk to you soon."

"I'll be in town through the end of next week and then, I'm going on vacation."

"Duly noted…"

As he strode into the hallway, Piph and Liz stopped laughing.

"You can relax. He's in one piece."

"Oh, we weren't worried about him," Liz deadpanned.

Dominic grinned. "Jason chose well."

"Not really, he should have chosen me," Piph said which garnered a shove from Liz.

Dominic's laughter echoed down the hallway as he strolled toward the double doors. Apparently, Jason inspires loyalty from everyone but the one person who should give it to him the most, Sonny Corinthos.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next day, Sonny was summoned back to meet with the families.

He sat across from Dominic and then acknowledged the other men with a nod.

"I went to see Jason," Dominic said.

"I see."

"He wouldn't budge."

Sonny nodded.

"Who were you planning on replacing him with?"

"I was going to ask Johnny or Francis."

"I don't know if their employment is on the table."

Sonny tilted his head.

"Who else do you trust just in case?"

"I guess Richie and Paulie."

Dominic is pleased that at least he acknowledges who Jason trusts. "At first, I was going to fight Jason, but given the fact that he hasn't been around much before this last incident and he does have an ax to grind, I will let him go with a few stipulations.

"Okay."

"He cannot come back into the area unless he notifies us ahead of time. I'm sure he'll have his spies, but if there are problems, I think it best for him to stay away. While I'll allow him infrequent visitations, he can't live in the Port Charles area again which I don't think will be a problem. We've made other arrangements with him as well as a good-faith gesture that is between us."

Sonny knows this is out of his hands at this point. His last hope was that maybe they wouldn't let Jason quit and then he'd work extra hard to mend fences.

"I suggest you try to keep the peace in the area. If there is a threat, you come to us and we will do what we can to help squelch it. Take your medicine and be a good dad. Life is short and you've been given a big responsibility. Don't screw it up," Sal said.

Sonny is a little embarrassed, but he nods.

"After next week, Jason will be leaving and word will get out because of the changes. Pull Richie and Paulie aside to make sure that they are okay with their new positions and swear them to secrecy. They are well respected, but you know some idiot is going to test the boundaries, so you cut his fingers off quickly."

Sonny stood. "Jason was a valued partner to me. He was like a brother, but I respect his choices and understand his position. We have talked and we are good. He has trained the men well and they are loyal to both of us. I don't anticipate much fallout." If Johnny and Francis are going as Dominic alluded to, then there might be some drama, but that can be smoothed over.

Dominic stood. "Just think things through before you react. If you need to bounce some ideas off of someone, call me. I don't mind and I won't see it as a sign of weakness. If you're successful, then we're successful." He moved around the table and shook Sonny's hand.

Sonny met everyone else's gaze and then left with a lot on his mind. He hates change, but sometimes, change is good.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

In the evening, after Eva's therapy, Lisa and Johnny sat down with the therapist to ask some questions.

"Evangeline is healing, but you know it will take time. She's all over the place right now, but the fact that she is functioning and communicating is a great sign of how strong she is and that she will recover."

Lisa nodded. "We wanted to talk to you about Eva possibly going away in another week. Is she stable enough?"

Marty nodded. "That's really up to her, but I think a change of scenery might be good."

Johnny cleared his throat. "It's an island. We'd be there with another couple and their babies."

Marty winced. "How is she with the kids?"

"She has held them, but when one cried yesterday, she did have a moment."

"That is because it reminded her of what happened in the hole. Everyone will have to be patient. Maybe it's good because it will help her get beyond it, but if it's making her regress, you'll need to bring her back. She'll try to grin and bear it, but I wouldn't force it."

"I understand."

"Are you able to do sessions online?" Lisa asked.

Marty smiled. "Yes. I would be willing to do that. It's important that we continue to work through this together."

"After the vacation, the other couple is going back to their villa in Italy. They invited Eva and Johnny to come along," Lisa said.

"I see."

"I spoke to Eva about it but reiterated that we have time to deal with it," Johnny said.

"How did she take it?"

"I think she was overwhelmed by a lot of things, but she was willing to consider it."

"I'll talk to her and see where her head is at." She focused on Johnny. "How are you holding up? I know it's hard to watch someone you love suffer."

Johnny looked down. "I struggle with my guilt because I didn't protect her."

Eva had come half-way down the stairs and is listening.

"I love her so much. I'm not going to lie, I miss her in so many ways because she is holding back, but I'm thankful that she is able to give me anything at this point. I'm marrying her. She is my end game. I will live wherever she wants me to live. I would do anything for her but walk away. I'm trying not to overwhelm her and I'm sure it's just as exhausting as she is trying to hold back and find some semblance of control. When I look at her, I don't see someone who is broken. I see her strength and admire her so much. Most people wouldn't be standing, but she is trying to run. My instinct is to just hold her and try to make everything go away, but I can't do that and that's the hardest part. I would have switched places with her in a heartbeat."

A cry left Eva's lips and Johnny was up in a flash as Lisa wiped tears away. If there had been doubts before about how much Johnny loved his daughter, they would have been banished after that speech.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Alan approached Jason who has his eyes closed.

"Hi, dad."

"How did you know it was me?"

"I can tell because of the way you walk." His eyes fluttered open. "I do a lot of observing and listening."

Alan sat. "So, Edward told me about the island. Maybe someday I can visit so I can be closer to Lila too."

"Okay."

"She was so proud of you, Jason. Instead of trying to make you bend, she let you fly and that is why you developed such a bond with her. She knew what you needed and offered it freely. That is why she is so beloved."

"Yeah."

"Going forward, I want to do her proud. What can I do for you?"

Jason sighed. "I never really thought about it. I guess the most important thing is that I want the boys to know you. I want you and Monica to have a relationship with them like I had with Lila."

Alan softly smiled. "I think we can do that."

"You are always welcome at the villa and on the island."

"Thank you. Cook is already preparing to make your favorites. I'll need a list of what Elizabeth likes and the boys."

"Stock up on chocolate, she'll do just about anything for it."

Alan grinned. "That's good to know."

"The boys like all that yucky baby food. It tastes disgusting. I don't know how they gag it down."

Alan chuckled. "Their taste buds aren't fully developed."

"Yeah, well, I hope they develop soon. Cam likes to try to share. Run if he does it to you. The squash is especially disgusting."

Monica laughed from the doorway. "You are so dramatic."

"I can't wait until he offers you some."

"They are starting to eat regular food, so we'll alternate."

"They are messy, so get some of those plastic things you can put on the floor if you like your carpet."

"Duly noted..."

Jason shook his head.

"What?"

"I never thought we'd be having this conversation."

Monica smiled. "It's nice. I just wish it were for more than a week."

Jason groaned. "You'd wish Edward on me for longer? I thought you loved me."

Monica clicked her tongue. "You know I do. Just don't make fun of me if I cry when you leave."

"You're killing me."

Alan stood. "On that note, you need some rest. They are going to work you out harder tomorrow."

He groaned again. "Fine..."

Monica kissed him on the forehead and then they left.

Jason closed his eyes with a smile on his face. Maybe family isn't so bad after all.

"Ready for that happy ending?"

He laughed which was music to Piph's ears. "Did you come to tuck me in?"

She wiggled her brows as his eyes sparkled.

"Well, come on then."

Her eyes grew wide as she hurried towards him and Jason couldn't help it and laughed again.

She moved the covers and adjusted his pillows. "Get some beauty sleep. Your honey will be back in the morning."

"Okay."

She turned off the lights. "Good night."

"Later."