A/N: This story is set in a town over the state line from where I live. I feel that the Gulf Coast is a great place to get away too and live. I hope you are enjoying this story. If there is something that you want to add or have them do, just message me after this chapter.
Jason was in a world that most men dread. He felt like he was in hell. The only thing that keep him going was knowing that his future wife and their three sons were having a ball. Jason wanted to call Johnny and Francis for help, but decided against it. "Jason, look at me. I think that we are just about finished. The rest we can order on-line. You have been my hero and to go with me shopping on Black Friday, that is way too much for me to ask."
Jason looked at Liz and she realized that he didn't have a clue about what she was talking about. "What is Black Friday?" The boys laughed at Jason when they realized that he had no clue about it.
"Dad, this is the big shopping day after Thanksgiving. Everyone has these great deals and you shop to you drop. Then you go eat somewhere and then you collapse. Mom hasn't been able to do this in years because of work. Now, Monday we will show you all about Cyber Monday. We can do the rest of the shopping on-line then. Mom, will make her money go a lot further and she will be our hero."
Jason started to laugh when he realized what Jake and Liz were talking about. Jake, Cam and Aiden were very happy to be living down by the gulf, but they started to get a bit homesick. Cam had been talking to one of his friends from Port Charles and it had already snowed there. They knew that going back to Port Charles would be a disaster for everyone. They just wished they could see some snow.
Johnny and Francis met the young family at their home and had something that would make the boys very happy. It was a surprise for Christmas Eve. They had a snow machine so they could feel like they were back home. Everyone brought in their things and headed to their rooms. That Monday, the boys were going to start their home-schooling. Liz was excited to be just be with Jason and her sons. She didn't have to worry about Franco because he was in jail in Port Charles. Jason had been able to talk to Danny on the phone and he was got to have time on the computer to talk to him. He asked Sam if Danny could come down for Christmas, or at least a few days before the New Year. He wanted Danny to see their place and know that he has his own room.
Sam said that he could go the day after Christmas, but she was going down with him. She said that she is taking Scout and Drew too. Jason asked about Oscar and Drew came on the computer. "Oscar is doing much better. He heard about the beach and knows when he is feeling better, that we are going to take him down there for a visit. Kim and Julian will be keeping an eye on him so I can go. I want to see how my brother lives on the beach. You must be so bored."
Jason laughed. "I have a beautiful woman by my side, three sons who keep me very busy and two German Shepherds that love to go for runs on the beach. The two of them are beautiful. We wanted just one as a guard dog, but these two were a set. Their names are Petra and Sage. They are a handful but they are beautiful. There is a home down the road from me. It is for sale, do you want me to check into it. That way, you will have a place to go too when you are down here. It will make it easier for you and Sam. The area here is beautiful. There is one other house in between, but I thought I would get it for Monica. That way she can be in between both sons and grandchildren."
"You sound like you have it under control. Sam feels bad about the way you all left. Carly still feels like you should have stayed, but everyone else is doing good. Michael found out his son did not die. He has Jonah back and he feels bad for his cousin, Lucas because they all believed Brad and Nelle. Brad is now in Pentonville for fraud and when Julian realized who Wiley really was, he had to tell the truth. It broke his heart to do that to his son, but he had no choice. Send me up the information on both homes and we can split the cost for mom's house."
Jason said goodbye to his brother and son. He thanked them for coming down for Christmas and spending time with the boys.
The next week, the boys got into a routine. They had school in the morning from nine to noon. They would take a break until two. Then they would go back on from two until four. There were some days that Cam didn't have a lot to do, so he spent time practicing his music. His two younger brothers loved to hang out with Cam, especially when he was practicing on the guitar. Cam had shown Aiden some different things on the guitar, but Jake wanted his art.
"Mom, can I take the girls out for a run on the beach. I finished my school work already. I just have to study for a test tomorrow. They look bored and that is bad to have a bored dog, let alone two of them."
"I think you want to go on the run, so you can see those two young ladies who moved in down the beach. Just remember you have to scoop too, if you take them."
Aiden wanted to go with Cam, so the two of them took Petra and Sage and went looking for seashells. At least that is what Cam told Aiden. Jake went over to his mother and asked if he could sketch with her when she goes to sit on the sand. "I know that you are the reason that I know how to sketch, and not Franco, but this was our thing that we did together. Is it weird that I miss him? I love you and dad, but sometimes I feel left out when Cam does things with Aiden."
"Cam has been doing this since you were a baby. He has always loved being a big brother. When you were missing, it was hard for Cam. Aiden was a baby and he didn't really understand what was going on, but Cam did. You were like an extension of him. Where you went, he went. When you came back and were so different, it was hard for Cam to get back what he had lost with you. Aiden was there and so he spent his time with him. I know it is not fair that you are not as close as the two of them are, but you will have that chance now since we don't have all the distractions that we did up in Port Charles."
Liz and Jake went to sit out on the sand. Liz took pictures of the different things she wanted to sketch. "Jake, take your phone and look out at the gulf. Is there something that you might want to sketch? It could be a dolphin in the waves, a bird flying over or the sailboats going towards Gulf Shores. Then take your phone and take pictures of what you want to sketch. This will help you remember what you want to sketch. I can go months, taking different photos and then decide on what I want to sketch. It makes everything easier."
Liz brought Jake to a special corner in their new home that Jake had no clue about because it was a designated mom area. "Okay. I am going to show you something, that your brothers don't know about. I have some of my paintings that I have done over the years. They were delivered a couple days after we got here. I put them in here so no one would find them. I have a couple special ones, that I am going to give to you and your brothers when you are older. I have a few of Cam when he was little. I have a sketch of his father and how he would love to listen to Cam when I would sit down or lay down for a nap. I am not exactly sure how I was able to take the photo, but the sketch is something that I believe your brother would love. I have a couple of you and your dad. My favorite is the one where the two of you are playing with your motorcycles. I have not made that one a painting yet, but I have the sketch if you would like to see it. There are also a few paintings of your father listening to you and feeling your kicks. Aiden didn't really have that with Lucky because we thought that Nik was his father. Then when he found out he was married to Siobhan and then she died. He then went over to Ireland to get over her loss and your loss. I was shocked when he found you. I was so happy, that you were alive. I just wish we could have helped you better when you came home."
Jake was so happy that his mother told him about how she felt when he was gone. He realized that his brothers cared about him and even though he wishes they were closer, he knows that they will be.
The next day, Jason was going to take Liz away for some shopping in New Orleans. He had a great room with a romantic view of the city. It was early December and the weather was a bit on the dreary side. There was mist and light rain, but the temperatures were in the 60's. Back in Port Charles, they were lucky to get above freezing. Jason didn't miss that at all. Johnny and Franco were going to stay with the boys and make sure that they did homework. When their parents got back, they were going to get their home ready for Christmas. The first year they were going to have an artificial tree, but hoped to get a nice fresh one the following year.
Jason packed up their SUV and said goodbye to the boys. "You all be good for Johnny and Francis. Mom and I will call you when we get settled into our room and then later on. We will be back late tomorrow night. If you need us before then, we will be right home." Jason gave the boys a hug and a couple of treats for their dogs. He had already said goodbye to Johnny and Francis. Liz kissed the boys and promised that she would tell them all about New Orleans when she got home. She also promised to take them to a couple of the Madri Gras parades that would be happening in a couple of months.
Liz and Jason set out for New Orleans. They had great directions to their hotel and made great time there. Jason went to park their vehicle while Elizabeth went inside to take care of the hotel room. Jason had gotten them the penthouse suite and taken care of all the arrangements. The lady at the front desk handed Liz her key and the bellboy had their luggage to break up to their room. The room was beyond romantic. There were French doors that led to a balcony where you could look out into the city. They were in the middle of the French Quarter. The hotel was a piece of history dating back to the Civil War. It withstood wars, famines, and Hurricane Katrina.
Liz was already in love with the suite. "We need this for Madri Gras. If it is free, we promised the boys that we would take them. If we got this room, I believe it is on a parade route, then they can get their treasures without being in all the chaos that will be happening on the streets below."
Jason took Liz into his arms and kissed her deeply. She swayed a bit, but she got it back together. "I say we stay right here tonight. We can go for a quick walk on Bourbon Street, but then we will head back for a late meal and enjoy our room. We can have them light a fire in the fireplace if we want and there is your favorite tub."
"Sounds perfect. How did I get so lucky for you to come back into my life at the time I needed you the most. I love you, Jason. Our sons love you so much and I am happy that Danny is going to be coming down the day after Christmas. We have such a great life right now. We just have to figure what we want to do with the rest of our lives. I think that should be our worry, but not until after the holidays. There are a few shops that I want to check out. Let's go so we can come back for some fun later on."
The two of them held hands walking down Bourbon Street, never realizing who was following them. Carly wanted to get her best friend back and she didn't care who she hurt to do that. She followed them down the street and she couldn't wait to come between them. Jason had realized a lot in the past few months. He knew that he was too close to Carly and Sonny and they depended on him too much. That was the main reason why he wanted to take his family south.
Carly followed Liz into the ladies room. "You are going to let me bring Jason home to Port Charles or I will make your life a living hell. You may think you have everything that you have wanted, but I will make sure that Franco goes free and he takes care of you and your family. I don't want to do that, but I will if you don't back down from Jason. Tell him you made a mistake and that you don't love him and never did."
Liz ignored her and saw that one of the waitresses was in there with her. Carly didn't take it very well that Liz was ignoring her. She grabbed Liz and threw her into the mirror above the sink. The glass crashed around her and Liz was left on the floor unconscious with her glass all around her. The waitress screamed and Carly ran out of the ladies room. She thought they were alone. The waitress called 911 and tended to Liz. Jason saw a crazy blond running from the ladies room and realized it was Carly. He ran to the ladies room. The waitress saw Jason and told him what happened.
Jason got on the phone and called Francis. "I don't want the boys to worry but we have a problem in New Orleans. Carly found us and went into the ladies room where Liz and I were having dinner. She got into an argument with Liz and Liz didn't say a thing to her. Carly grabbed Liz and threw her into the mirror and when she realized that someone else was in the ladies room, she fled. I don't know what to do? Should I take her home right after she gets to leave the hospital or should I see if I can take her home now. I don't want Carly to do anything to the boys, but she needs to be caught and taken care of and soon."
"Jason. I will be in a few hours. Text me where she will be going. They will probably keep her overnight. Johnny will keep the boys at our place. The girls will be fine here. That way in case Carly shows up, she will get what she deserves." Francis filled in Johnny what was going on. He promised that he would call him when he got to the hospital. The boys knew something was up, but they knew if they needed to be told, that Johnny would tell them.
Jason went in the rescue to the hospital. They checked Liz out and made sure that there was no brain damage. She was lucky, that she only got a few cuts and nicks. The cops found Carly and arrested her for assault.
Francis got to the hospital just as Jason was about to leave. They decided that they needed to go back to their room and gather their things and go home. They loved their time alone, but being back with their boys was more important. Liz had done some shopping and actually got Jason something without him even knowing it. It was going to be shipped to their place in Orange Beach.
The trip back home was quiet. Francis followed them just to be sure that Carly didn't have anyone else with her. Jason knew that Carly would be let out in a few hours and he wanted to be home before she tried to see him again. Sonny needed to have better control over his wife. Jason did feel bad for her in a way, but he realized that he let Carly control his life for too long and that he needed this distance for both of them.
It was just after two in the morning when they got home. Jason saw that Liz was asleep so he carried her into their home. Francis told Jason that the boys could stay since they were probably sleeping. Their dogs were happily awaiting for their return. Jason brought Liz upstairs to bed and then went downstairs to check on his girls. They were fed and had plenty of water. He took them outside to go to the bathroom. When they were finished, he brought them inside. He then made sure the place was secure and headed up to bed.
The next morning, the boys were excited to see their parents until they saw the cuts on their mother's face. Aiden was a bit scared until his mother let him touch her face. When he realized it wasn't that bad, he relaxed. Cam looked to Jason to make sure they were safe and it wasn't Franco that hurt her. "Okay. I know that you want to know what happened to your mom. We were having a great dinner at a restaurant down the street from the hotel we were staying in when your mother went to the ladies room. Joss's mother, Carly had followed us into the restaurant and then into the ladies room. She wanted me to come back to Port Charles with her and threatened to help Franco out if she didn't tell me that she was not happy. She wanted your mother to say she didn't love me and when your mother didn't say anything to her, Carly grabbed your mother and pushed her into the mirror about the sink. Carly fled when she realized that someone else was in the ladies room too. The waitress called 911. Carly has been caught and she is in jail. I am sorry about that Cam. I know Joss means a lot to you, but her mother needs to take a step back and realize that this is where I want to be. I want to be with you, your mother and brothers. I love you all and I want your mother and I to get married on New Year's Eve. We can get married right here on the beach. That is if you all want us too?"
Liz had already said yes, but they wanted to hear from Cam, Jake and Aiden they wanted it too. The three brothers all agreed that they would be very happy. That afternoon they put up their Christmas tree. Liz had the place all decorated and everything looked so festive. They had a fireplace in their great room. The fire was going and everything was nice and toasty warm. The one thing that the realtor forgot to tell Jason was in the winter time, it could actually get cold at night. It was not unusual for the temperatures to drop into the 30's or 40's at night. The days got up into the 60's. Their place was in an area that got very busy during certain times of the year, but December wasn't one of them. It was a very peaceful place to be.
Aiden had talked to his father and told him about living in Orange Beach. He took pictures of the house and the beach. Lucky told him that it was beautiful. He told him that he was living out his dream in Nashville. He was in a band and that he even played at the Grand Ole Opry. "Aiden, do you think that you would be able to come up here this summer? I would love to spend some quality time with you. I know that there have been a lot of changes for you and your family. I miss you and your brothers. I was also thinking about coming down to check out your place in time for Spring Break if you would like me too?"
"Dad, I love you and would love for you to come visit during spring break. I could show you around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. It is pretty cool here. I am sure that mom will let me visit you this summer. Mom is baking her brownies. I have to go. Love you." Lucky got off the phone with his son and realized that he missed a lot by leaving Port Charles the way he did. He was going to make it up to Aiden.
It was two days before Christmas when Drew called his brother. The two houses next to Jason were now in the hands of his family. Jason had a surprise for his brother and mother. Monica had decided to fly down on Christmas day and was going to stay till the new year when Jason and Liz were getting married. She didn't know that her sons bought her a house. Jason was able to get the keys for both homes and Liz went and decorated both places. The boys helped along with Jason, Johnny and Francis. There were presents under the tree waiting to be unwrapped. Liz had gone above and beyond what a sister-in-law or daughter-in-law would do for her husband's family. There were paintings that Elizabeth had done a long time ago, but were never put up for some reason or other. There were also photographs that were taken along the years. Jake, Aiden and Cam helped Liz frame the photographs and put them up in different places in the two homes. It would take several visits for Drew, Sam and Monica to find them all. Danny had two bedrooms, one at his father's and the other at his mother's home.
Scout (Emily) had her bedroom decorated with things that her namesake would have loved to have given to her. There were a couple of photos of Emily in there and some of Scout and her family. It was a work of art.
Monica had lost so much, Liz tried to bring some of it back in her home. There was a picture of the Lila's rose garden. Pictures of Alan, AJ, Emily, Lila and Edward filled the home. The most precious was one of the last photos of the family together. It was blown up and placed over the fireplace. Jason didn't even know what Liz had done, but the boys knew. Johnny and Francis also helped a lot. It was truly a testament to Monica and Drew. They could see that they were truly loved. Somehow, Cam got a really cute picture of Joss and Oscar when they were not looking. It was perfect and they put it in Oscar's bedroom.
It took two days to finish it, but it was worth the long hours. Jason was not allowed to see it until Monica and Drew did. Everyone said that Jason would tell on them. He did help pick out the furnishings, but the special touches he didn't know about.
Christmas Eve was finally there. Johnny and Francis were staying the night with the family. Jason wanted to make sure that his friends and partners knew that they were family above all else.
The boys woke up first and ran down to see what Santa had left them. They were not disappointed. The home was filled with love, laughter and lots of yelling. Jason and Liz went outside to enjoy the peace when they got a telephone call. "Hey Jason, we are coming down this afternoon with mom. Oscar is doing better and he is coming along with his mother. Are you ready for us?"
"Yes. I am ready, but are you ready. We have your key so there might be a little bit of a change since the last time you saw it. Mom is going to be blown away. I can't wait to see you all and Elizabeth can't too. She put in the last minute touches and wouldn't let me see too. So I get to see it like you do. I can't wait to see you. Just call when you land at the airstrip. We will bring enough vehicles to get you home and then we can rent some tomorrow."
"We are leaving now, so we should be there in two hours or so. Thank you for all that you have done." Drew hung up the phone and smiled. He couldn't wait to see what Liz had done to the houses. He loved them and especially when the realtor showed him virtually what it looked like. He knew that Sam and his children would love it.
The boys picked up their wrapping and helped their mother with dinner. Cameron stayed with his brothers while the grown-ups went to pick up the family. It took about a half hour, but they all made it to Jason's house with no mishaps. Everyone came into their home and fell in love with the area and the beach.
They had a great dinner and then everyone went over to Monica's first and then to Drew's new homes. When Monica walked inside her new home she just about cried. The tree was beautiful, but the sight of her family's picture over the mantle of the fireplace took her breath away. She went into the kitchen, the three spare bedrooms and then to her master bedroom. She saw the painting that Liz did of the rose garden and she felt at home. She walked out to the balcony and sat on one of the wooden rockers and just breathed in the salt air. The waves crashed onto the shore and she realized that she was home. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go back to the cold of Port Charles. She sat there for a few moments and then walked inside. She looked at Elizabeth and started to cry. "I am so thankful for the beautiful job that you and the guys did for me. I heard that Jason had to stay and watch his girls so he couldn't tell me, but what you did is above perfect. I have no words, but know I don't want to go back home. This is like a sanctuary that everyone talks about. I have seen the photographs framed up and put into different rooms and your paintings. I think that your calling is interior design and painting. I have never seen a home filled with so much love. I know yours is like that I suspect you did that for Drew and Sam too."
"Yes, I did. Family has been very important to me even though, I didn't get the family that I wanted when I was growing up. I knew that I would eventually have the family that I wanted back then. Emily has been such a great friend to me and I wanted her to be at peace knowing her family is well loved, even if we tend to fight with each other at times. We always know that the love is there."
Drew was getting nervous about seeing the house. Johnny and Francis decided since they didn't have time to put snow on the home the night before that while everyone was checking out the houses, they would make the snow for Jason's home. They headed over there and took out the snow machine. No one noticed or cared while they were doing it. Then when they were finished they met up with everyone at Drew's.
Drew picked up Sam and carried her over the threshold. The minute that the door was open, they could feel the love and peace in their home. Drew was shocked when he was the tree with all the presents. Liz was even able to get a present for Kim and Julian. Cameron took Oscar up to his room. He wanted to see the look on Oscar's face when he opened the door. He loved his room and when he looked at the photograph on the wall, he was in awe. He remembered where he was when the photograph was taken, but didn't remember Cam taking the picture.
"There are no words for how beautiful this picture is and how I feel about it. Thank you, Cam. This means the world to me. I am going to video this room and see if Joss notices it. She is going to be floored. We both miss you so much. He have left a hole in our group up in Port Charles. Her mother is back home. Joss is really sorry about what her mother did to your mother. Joss really likes Liz and still doesn't understand why her mother would do that. I know it is because of Uncle Jason, but she really needs to let go." Oscar video tapes his room and does a close up on the picture.
Then they took off to check out Scout and Danny's rooms. Jake and Aiden helped their mother decorate Danny's room. Liz thought what Emily would want for a room and used that for baby Emily (Scout). Jason couldn't wait to see what Liz did for Sam and Drew's room. When he saw the room, his jaw dropped. There was a few photos of the two of them together. There was a painting of the Quartermaine mansion on one side and the other side is one of Drew and his Harley with Sam standing next to it.
The colors were perfect for the two of them and the balcony was there for them to look at the Gulf of Mexico. It was perfect and then there was the bathroom. It had a cool mix of both Drew and Sam in it. It was like the home was made for the two of them. Kim took Liz over to the side and asked her about the decorating. "How did you do this in two days? I know that you probably knew about what you wanted to do, but the photos and paintings are absolutely perfect. I want you to decorate a place for me someday. I might have to get a place down here too."
"The more the merrier. When I design, if I don't know the people too well, I try to think of someone who knew that and what they would do for them. I knew Drew, but Sam and I are not close. It was strange, but somehow I was able to do what I knew Drew would love and my best friend, Emily would want. I combined the two. I am not sure about Sam still. I can't tell if she really likes the place or is just playing along and will change everything once I leave here today." Kim looked at her and shook her head no.
Jason and Drew were very impressed with Liz's skills. Jason was going to start his motorcycle shop in January. He had a shop that he knew was for sale and he was going to buy it. Danny loved his bedrooms at both Jason and Drew's homes. Oscar loved his room and Scout was very impressed with hers too. Drew realized how much Liz remembered about their talks when they were living together.
Drew and his family were going to unpack their things while Kim and Julian were going to stay with Monica. The boys and Liz headed towards their home. They got halfway home when they noticed the snow. Cam, Jake and Aiden were so happy to see snow, even if it was fake. Cameron took video of his snow capped home on the beach. He couldn't wait to show Emma and Joss the videos. He also couldn't wait for Joss to see the photo that he had taken of her and Oscar. He hoped that she would love it like Oscar did. It was one of the best Christmas's and they couldn't wait till New Year's Eve.