Jason had just finished looking around the property making sure that Franco was not around. He headed into the house and went straight to the shower. He was scared but he didn't want anyone to know how he felt. He couldn't let his family down. He just needed to be ready.
Franco had stayed at a motel not far from where his fiancée and children were staying. They were his family and not Jason's. He could not believe that he was gone for only a couple of weeks and he lost everything that he loved. He was either going to get what he wanted or he was going to die trying.
Liz and the boys got dressed and headed for the beach. Liz sat down and watched the waves for a few minutes and then went to catch up with her sons. They wanted to find some shells to help decorate the tree for Christmas. It was just over a month away and Thanksgiving was a couple days away, but they wanted to start working on their ornaments. Liz helped them find the right size shells and especially the sand dollars.
The weather was perfect. It was sunny and around 70 degrees. She felt the sunshine warm her up. She called to the boys for them to come back towards the house. She felt like she was being watched and didn't want her sons too far away. When she saw the haul the boys brought in, she was very impressed. She wanted the shells in a pail of seawater on their deck. It was not to go inside. When they had more time, Liz was going to lay them out and bleach them.
This was important to make them like that for the tree. Johnny and Francis had come back from the animal shelter and had two beautiful dogs. They were both German Shepherds and female. They had been together for a while, so Francis bought them that way. The dogs were beautiful and Francis knew where they could be trained to protect Liz and her family.
Jason saw the dogs and were happy with the ones that were picked. Francis told them that they were named Petra and Sage.
Jason and Liz had gone to get Jason's pickup truck from the dealership and they saw a motorcycle that was calling for him to buy. "I think that I will get that once Franco goes back home. The vehicles that we have look like all the others around here, but a motorcycle would give them away. I do want to tell you something. You and I are going to New Orleans for a weekend away. Johnny and Francis will take care of the boys. It will be a couple of weeks before Christmas. We are going to do New Orleans up right and some Christmas shopping to boot. The boys are all happy about it and Johnny thinks it will be no problem. Francis knows better. I just think that we need to find a place that we can blend in and be like everyone else. I plan on having my way with you and Bourbon Street is just the place to loosen you up."
"I don't need loosening, but maybe we should think about getting married. I know that we have been talking about it, but we never set a date or figured where we would get married. I know that your family, well your mother will want to be there and maybe Michael."
Liz laughed and that made Jason smile even more. Liz looked out her window and saw Franco. He was trying to hide but he did a terrible job at it. Jason saw him too. Jason decided that he was going to have to take him around Orange Beach and out to Perdido. Then come back home. The problem is he knows what their truck looks like. "Francis, I have a problem. Franco spotted us. I am going down to the Florida line and then lose him. Can I park my truck at your place for the time being. I don't want him finding out where we live yet."
"Yeah. When you get to Flora-bama, go in for a few drinks. Johnny will pick you up and we will go pick up your truck later on. Just don't make it too easy. I don't want him going in the bar after you and starting something." Jason wanted to say something back, but he knew this wasn't the time.
He made it to the line and saw a perfect place to park his truck. Jason and Liz then went inside the bar and found a table up against the wall. Jason wanted to see all around and not be where someone could come behind them.
"I heard the food is the best here. I want a drink, but I don't know what I want." Then she saw the specials on the tequila. She knew exactly what she wanted. Jason got her a small bottle, salt, lime and shot-glasses. They ordered some fish and shrimp to go with their drinks. Liz saw him enter the bar. Jason knew that he couldn't make a scene, but that didn't stop Franco.
"I see you have my fiancée with you. You should have known that I would be down here to bring you back to Port Charles. You are not going to make a fool out of me. I will get you when you are alone or just with our sons. Then you will go, so I don't hurt the boys or Jason here. Just know it is your fault that you have pushed me to do this."
Liz, knew she should keep her mouth shut, but she couldn't. "Franco, you need to leave. I don't love you and I am not going to marry you. I will let the authorities in Port Charles know that you are here so they can get someone to pick you up and send you back to Pentonville where you belong. You blew up my home. You destroyed my sons' things and mine. You are never getting near me or my family. Your only choice is to get on the road and keep going or turn yourself in. That is the only way this is going to play out."
Franco just lost it then, but he made a big mistake because someone had complained to the sheriff's office and they were heading into the bar. Franco grabbed Liz's arm and hit her. He then tried to drag her out of the restaurant and bar. The first two deputies saw this man yelling at the couple and then they saw the man attack the woman. One of the deputies called for back-up while the other deputy headed towards the table at the back of the restaurant.
"Sir, you need to let the lady go." Franco knocked down the deputy and tried to force Liz outside. Everyone was told to leave the bar until the man was taken into custody. Jason was staying there until he knew that Liz was safe. At about that time, Johnny showed up to pick up the couple. Jason saw him and then he walked back outside to call Francis. Ten minutes later, the place was surrounded by officers. The SWAT team was even called. Franco looked outside and could not believe how many officers were out there because of him. He knew that he would never be able to get Liz at least not today. He just hoped that no one down there knew about the problems up in Port Charles. The officers saw that he was giving up. They handcuffed him and read him his rights. When the statements were taken, Liz told the officers about what he did to her old home. She told them that they could call the Port Charles Police Department to see if they still wanted Franco Baldwin up there.
When the deputies had finished taking their statements, Liz felt like she was ready to collapse. She was so scared that Franco would hurt Jason or her sons. She wasn't afraid for herself, because she knew that she could talk him down. She prayed that he would be booked and then sent up north.
Johnny took Liz and Jason home. Francis talked to one of the bartenders and asked if they could leave the truck and pick it up the next day. He didn't want his friends to have to worry about the truck. The bartender told Francis not to worry. Francis got in his SUV and followed Johnny home. When they got back from the bar, the boys could see how upset their mother and Jason was. Jake went up to his parents and asked what happened.
"Okay. The three of you deserve to hear what has happened. Franco saw us in my new truck. I called Francis and told him about Franco. He sent Johnny to help us out. Franco found us and tried to force your mother to leave. He threatened her and someone ran out and told the deputies on duty that there was a problem. One deputy called for back up and the other one came to our table. The place was surrounded and Franco had to give up. Your mom told the deputies that he is wanted in Port Charles for blowing up your home. I am sure that he will be going away for a long time."
Cam and Aiden went over to their mother and gave her a big hug. "I think that the two of you should go for a walk on the beach and just relax." Liz laughed because Cam remembered that Liz wanted to get their schooling started. They had everything that was needed for their home schooling in Alabama. They were supposed to have started already, but because of the chaos, Liz called the teachers and said it would be a few more days, before everything was ready.
Jason had Francis bring the dogs over to meet the boys. Aiden was a bit shy, but when Petra went over to him, he saw that she wanted him to pet her. Aiden petted her softly and he felt the fear go away. Sage was already playing with Jake and Cam. Liz got out her camera and watched their dogs play with their sons. Jason saw how emotional she was and he knew that she felt safe.
Franco was locked up at the sheriff's office in Escambia County, FL. Chase and Jordan were flying down the next day to bring him back to Port Charles for his blowing up Elizabeth's home there. The day after that was Thanksgiving.
Liz and Jason had all the things ready for Thanksgiving. The boys were excited for their first holiday on the beach. Cameron decided that he was going to video their new home, beach and all the fixings for Thanksgiving. He had everyone say what they were thankful for and what their hope will happen in the next year.
"Mom, let's start with you. What are you thankful for and what do you hope happens this year?"
"I am thankful that Jason has taken us down here to this beautiful home and the fact that the sand looks like sugar. The love that we tried to hide from everyone is still there and you boys are here safe and sound. Francis and Johnny are a part of our lives and Franco is being sent back to Port Charles."
"Jason, what are you thankful for and what do you hope happens this coming year?"
"I am thankful for finally getting my family back together and we are all living in this wonderful home. I miss Danny, and Cameron will show you your room. Johnny and Francis are back in our lives helping to protect us. Franco is being sent to Port Charles and soon he will be in prison for the rest of his life. Oscar, we all pray for you everyday and our main hope is that you are cured of your cancer. We want the family to come down and visit us when you are all up to it."
Johnny and Francis just waved and walked away. Petra and Sage came over to the phone and tried to eat it. "These are our pets, Petra and Sage. Mom wanted protection and she wanted some females to help with all the men around here. Her words, not mine."
"I am thankful that we are all here together. We have a beautiful home to live in and we are on the beach where it is the most peaceful place to be. I want you to all know that we are fine and that we miss you. You need to come down here for a vacation. There are a lot of things to do and we are not far from some great places to chill out at." Jake finished and all Aiden did was agree with his brother. He was still a little more reserved than his older brothers, but having Petra around was helping him come out of his shell.
"Okay. Now, we know that you all want to know what I am thankful for. My family is happy, all of us for the first time in a long time. Oscar, you have a great girlfriend in Joss. She loves you and you love her. Let her help you. I have been in touch with Emma and she is doing great too. I am also sending her this video too. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving." Let me show you around our home. When you walk into our home, you see the living room. You can see straight out to the Gulf of Mexico. The living room is the perfect size for all of us, and that includes our neighbors, Johnny and Francis. Jason is going to figure out where to make a man cave. Mom needs a studio for her art. I think that Jason is going to buy the home next door to our and combine the two somehow. We all want you to know that we love and miss you."
Cameron showed off all of the rooms. He took some more cameos and then he went outside. He took some more photos of the water and of their dogs. It was a really cute video. He sent it to Joss, Oscar, Monica, Laura, Drew and Emma. He knew that if someone wanted to see it, that they could see it from one of the places he sent it too.
Jason was really happy about the way things were going. The day after Thanksgiving, the family was going to go shopping, to make sure that everyone had enough clothing, and things for their rooms. It was a fresh start for all of them and this was just what the Liz, Jason and their sons needed. The beach instead of the snow.