A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Stay Safe!

Chapter 20

Johnny lifted Eva in his arms and carried her to the couch and held her close.

After a few minutes, Marty spoke. "Eva, how did that make you feel?"

She sucked back a sob. "Loved, but I'm scared I won't be able to be the girl he fell in love with again—not entirely.

"Then I'll love whoever you become. You just don't realize how special you are and I'm not ever going to let you forget it," Johnny said.

Marty smiled. "You're a very lucky woman."

"I am."

"I'm the lucky one. Just don't run, okay? If you're confused or need me to back off, I'll deal or make Jason hold me."

She chuckled as she wiped at her face. "Poor Jason…"

"What? I give good hugs."

She giggled. "You're the only one that can make me laugh when I feel like doing the opposite."

He winked.

Marty stood. "Alright, I'll see you in a few days. I think you're in good hands."

When she heard the door shut, Lisa left the kitchen and moved in front of them. "Johnny O'Brien, God sent you to us and we're not letting you go either. Thank you for loving my daughter so much."

He nodded.

"And Cookie, I love you so much and I'm so proud of you for fighting. Go on the trip and then go to Italy to see what it's like. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you don't like it, then you and Johnny can figure out what you want to do. I want you to live, not exist. I'll be fine. We can take turns visiting."

"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Yes."

Eva's jaw dropped.

Lisa chuckled. "I love you, but I know you need to live your own life and I'm okay with that, as long as I get some grandchildren in a couple of years. You and your sister are killing me."

Eva smiled. She had spoken to Layla the night before after her show was over. She is singing in a Broadway musical.

"Can we get married first?"

"Yes. I can make it happen tomorrow," she said before heading toward the stairs.

"Mom!"

"You know I'm ready," Johnny said.

She gasped. "Don't side with her. I'll never hear the end of it."

"You're not going to make me wait forever, are you?"

Lisa grinned as she paused on the stairs.

Eva gazed at him for a long moment. "No."

"Good. Do you want a big wedding?"

Lisa is beside herself with glee.

"No. Maybe a handful of our friends and family."

He nodded. "Okay." She's going to be wearing his ring by the end of next week.

Lisa goes up to her room.

Johnny brings Eva closer and ravishes her mouth. It's the first time they have kissed deeply since she returned, and he made sure she knows that she is loved.

Out of breath, she gazed at him. "That was—"

"—insanely good." He eyed her deeply. "I miss you."

She touched his face. "Just give me a little more time, okay?"

"I'll let you lead the way."

She cuddled against him feeling loved, safe, and hopeful.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next day, Jason made it down the hallway, but his pace was slow, and it was a struggle.

"You're doing well," Dan, the therapist, said.

"It doesn't seem like it. I have never taken so long to walk such a short distance and I'm out of breath."

Dan smiled. "Stop for a second and calm your breathing for me."

Jason paused. "Jesus, I feel like I just ran a marathon."

"It's going to take a while to get back where you were."

"What would have happened if I wasn't in shape?"

"You don't want to know." At first, he was intimidated by Jason, but he had gotten to know him and is way more comfortable now.

Dan motioned for Piph to bring the chair.

Jason sat and Dan pushed him to the exercise room.

"I just want to do some upper body strengthening."

"Okay."

Jason did some light reps and then he was taken back to the room.

"How was my superstar?" Liz asked.

"He did well," Dan said.

"I walked like I was eighty. Wait, that might be an insult."

Dan chuckled. "He did better than expected."

She kissed Jason on the cheek. "Good job, honey."

Dan helped him back into bed. "Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay."

Liz started to give him a leg massage.

Piph smirked. "I'll leave in case there's a tent involved."

"Epiphany!"

She laughed as she moved into the hallway.

Jason shook her head. "She is one of a kind."

"Yup. I do wish we could take her with us too."

"Yeah."

Liz kneaded his leg.

"That feels so good." He sighed as she continued and a few minutes later, she grins when she realizes he fell asleep. After covering him up, she moves to the next room and makes some calls. She hadn't checked in with her office to give an update on her leave of absence.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The day had finally come for Jason to leave and he couldn't be happier.

Piph pretended to wipe a tear away as she pushed a wheelchair into the room. "I know you won't call or write."

Jason grinned while Liz rolled her eyes. "Come here." He hugged her warmly.

"Hussy…" Liz said.

Piph chuckled. "I didn't grab his butt."

They broke apart.

"Better?" Jason asked.

"Oh yeah."

"I'm going to miss you."

"I know. Right back at ya."

"Thank you for everything."

Liz hugged her. "We'll be sending a ticket to Italy."

"I will look forward to that."

Jason sat in the chair. "Push fast."

She cracked up. "You need to slow your roll. Suppose I crash and you end up back in that bed?"

"I told Johnny to burn it."

Piph shook her head. "He'll have to get past me to do it. How is Eva?"

"She's doing better," Liz said.

"We've been praying for her at church."

"Well, it's helping. Thank you."

Piph pushed the elevator button. "You need to come back on Friday for a check-up before you leave."

"I'll be here."

When the elevator door opened, you couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason walked beside Alice into the living room too much applause. He's using a cane, but it feels good to be able to get around.

Monica hugged him and then the rest of the family and he smiled when Eva came into view. She stood and then emotionally embraced him.

"Don't cry," Jason said softly.

"Happy tears…"

"Now you sound like Elizabeth."

She slightly smiled as she retreated. "It's good to see you."

"I missed you."

"Are you flirting with my girl?" Johnny bellowed.

Jason scowled. "She's our girl." He loves using Johnny's words against him.

Johnny glared.

"Not so great when that is flipped around, is it?"

Liz chuckled. "You two…"

Eva led Jason to the couch. "You need to rest."

"That's all I have been doing."

"Me too."

When she sat next to him, he briefly grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"I'll let that one pass," Johnny said.

Jason shook his head as Johnny put his arm around Liz.

"You two are ridiculous," Monica said.

"We're an acquired taste."

"It must feel good to be home," Edward said.

"It is. I love Epiphany, but I didn't want to spend another second there."

Alan smirked. "You always hated hospitals."

"Doesn't everyone?"

"I don't mind working there, but when I'm a patient, yes, I agree it's not the most pleasant place."

Alice handed him and Eva some water.

"Thanks."

"I'm glad you're here."

He slightly smiled. "I may need your help to get around sometimes."

"You have it. Are you hungry?"

He nodded. "I could eat."

They made their way into the dining room to find Tracy standing there.

"Nephew…"

"Aunt…"

Monica groaned. "Be good."

Tracy rolled her eyes.

They took a seat. "Well, I am thankful that Jason has come to stay with us. Now, if I could just get him into ELQ," Edwards said as everyone moaned and then the Q's started to argue and Jason turned to look at Eva.

"We could try and make a run for it."

She grinned. "I could, but not sure you're up for it."

His eyes grew big. "Did you just insult me?"

Lisa bit her lip. He looks so cute.

"You are practically in a walker," Johnny quipped.

"There's nothing wrong with my finger."

Eva shook her head.

"Dada!" Jake exclaimed.

"See, even Jake knows you're being bad," Liz said before scooping some food into Jake's mouth.

"You're supposed to be on my side," Jason said.

Jake grinned because he got his dad's attention.

Cam banged his spoon and mashed potatoes flew off of it and hit Tracy in the center of her head. No one moved as they watched it drop onto her plate.

After a long moment, as Tracy's chest heaved and a scowl cut across her forehead, Jason put his fork down.

"Tracy, you can't touch my child."

To his astonishment, she quickly loaded her fork and flung some potatoes which hit Jason on his nose.

She got up and stormed out of the room.

Liz wiped Jason's face. "Well, that was mature."

Alice is mad. "Well, Cook made a delicious dessert. She won't be getting any of it."

Monica got Cam cleaned up and Elizabeth did the same to Jake and then handed him to Eva.

"I'll be right back."

Eva put Jake on her lap and then glanced at Johnny. "You can't let her kill Tracy."

Johnny sighed. "Darn..."

Monica handed Cam to Lisa and chased after him.

Liz found Tracy in the sitting room with a smile on her face and a drink in her hand.

"I've waited for years to do something like that to Jason. It was worth it."

Liz rolled her eyes. "I swear, I'm going to forget you are his aunt if you do something like that again. I expect it from a baby, but seriously, Tracy, what is your problem?"

Tracy took a sip of her drink. "It's family business."

Johnny stopped just inside the doorway, almost making Monica crash into him.

"He is my family and I will not have you disrespect him in front of my sons again. Is that clear?"

Tracy moved forward. "You don't get to come to my house and make demands."

Liz snatched the wine glass out of Tracy's hand and threw it on her so fast that Tracy never saw it coming.

Monica slapped her hand across her mouth as Liz slammed the glass on a table.

Tracy's mouth is open as wine drips down the front of her. "You b—"

"You have a choice. Either agree to stop treating Jason like he is dirt on your shoe or you will never be included in family gatherings and you won't be welcome at my house. You can just be a lonely, bitter witch and be on your own. So, you better think long and hard. I want my sons to know you. Despite your attitude, your accomplishments in business are legendary. I want them to know strong women so they are not intimidated by them later. They need good examples so they learn to respect women when they get older and realize that we should be equals."

Tracy is stunned and Johnny can't help but grin. Liz is a force of nature.

"Think about it. Decide if you are in or out. I hate that you made me so angry that I lowered myself to your level, but sometimes, that's the only way to deal with these kinds of issues. You have five minutes to go back in there and apologize to my husband or your persona non grata."

She strode out of the room followed by Johnny.

Monica shook her head. "Honestly, Tracy. I just don't understand you sometimes. Do you even understand how huge it is that Jason is even here? There has been so much pain in this family since the accident. Lila would be so disappointed in you. Forgiveness is the cornerstone of love. I know you have watched this family suffer where he is concerned, but we are healing, and you need to decide if you are in or out. Is holding a grudge worth losing your family?"

Once Monica left, Tracy went up to her room and cried. It's hard to let go of the past when there is so much pain involved. "I'm sorry, mama," she whispered before changing her shirt and heading downstairs.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Liz gripped her husband's hand. Even though everyone is making small talk, she knows he is seething. She is shocked when Tracy returns and sits.

Jason glares.

"I'm sorry. For years, I've watched everyone walk on glass around you."

"Tracy!" Edward said.

"Let me finish."

Jason nodded. "Go on."

He is stunned when a tear rolls down her face.

"Every day you turned your back on us it was like losing you all over again."

Monica shut her eyes.

"I had to watch the toll it took on this family and I know we handled it badly. We made mistakes that you could never forgive even though you forgave others over and over. It was hard and I have to admit that my heart turned to stone. I have to find a way to let go of my anger, but I'm willing to try. If I slip, are you willing to try and let it go?"

Liz squeezed his hand. Even though she is quite certain Jason is very mad right now, he has to learn to forgive too.

"Yes."

"Good. I'm going to go lay down but I want to say one more thing." She focused on Elizabeth. "Thank you for everything you said. There aren't many people willing to talk to me that way. I can be stubborn."

Edward made a noise.

"I get that from him."

Edward's eyes narrowed.

"What you said about being an example for the boys got to me. You were right. I'll do better."

Liz slightly smiled. "Good, because despite their bad table etiquette, they are part Quartermaine and they are so smart already. You could teach them a lot."

"I'm planning on it."

She left and Alan let out the breath he was holding.

Alice started passing out the dessert.

Jason leaned towards her. "What did you say to her?"

"This and that…"

"You're amazing."

She kissed him. "I would do anything for you."

Monica grinned.

"Ditto."

Johnny moved closer to Eva. "Ditto."

She smiled when Jake grabbed Johnny's hair with his kung fu grip.

"Ow…"

"Get him, Jake," Jason said.

"A little help..."

Eva dislodged the baby's fingers. "For the record, I would do anything for you too."

"I'm glad to hear you say that."

He slipped onto one knee and Jason took Jake.

"Evangeline Williamson, I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I swear you are the most beautiful woman inside and out that I have ever met."

A tear slid down her face.

Lisa is beside herself and handed Cam to Edward, so she could take a few pictures.

"I want to spend the rest of my life spoiling and loving you. God made you for me and I'm so thankful you are in my life. Marry me, Evangeline. Let me love you forever." He took out the ring box and put it in her hand. "Will you marry me, baby?"

By now, her cheeks are wet. "Yes, I love you so much."

She kissed him earnestly and then retreated. "I'm scared to open it."

"Trust me?"

She nodded and then gasped. "Oh Johnny, it's beautiful." The three-carat cushion cut stone is flawless and there are several diamonds on the band.

He slipped it on her finger and then they kissed again as Jake clapped.