A/N – Happy New Year everyone. My vacay was a little insane. We missed our connecting because the plane was 2 hours late and got stuck in Vegas. They weren't supposed to give us any vouchers, but the gate lady took pity on us since we had the baby with us and gave us taxi, food, and hotel vouchers, but we didn't get to the hotel until almost 1:30 am and had to wake up at 5 to catch the next flight. Then we ended up in the emergency room with the baby on the 26th at 1:30 am because she wouldn't stop throwing up and then she shared her germs and took out half the family (me included) with whatever viral bug she caught. I was wiped out for 3 days. On the way home, the plane aborted the takeoff due to engine problems and we spent 2 hours on the plane while they fixed it and then had to fly almost 6 hours home. I was exhausted, so sorry for the delay in posting. I had to work 2 days over vacation and had no time to write. Hopefully, your holiday was much better and Santa got you something good lol.

Chapter 46

Piph rolled over and sniffed. "Francis?"

When she got no answer, she sat up and then smiled as she listened to her man sing very well in Italian. "I need to take his ass to church," she muttered as she slipped out of the bed and then grabbed a robe and put it on.

Francis looked up as she sauntered into the kitchen.

"Hey, beautiful."

She smiled. "Good morning, handsome. Why didn't you tell me you could carry a tune?"

He grinned. "A guy has to have some secrets."

A lingering kiss follows and then he points to a chair and she sits and sips some orange juice.

Francis places an omelet on a plate and adds some fresh fruit.

"This is perfect."

"Dig in."

He sits across from her.

"Do you usually eat breakfast?" she asked.

"Not during the week. I grab some coffee usually and come up for air around lunch time. What about you?"

"Well, I usually eat three meals a day. If I have carbs, I usually don't eat them after lunch. I've been pretty strict."

"What is your goal?"

"I don't know anymore. I like my body now and I feel comfortable at this weight."

"You look great, Epiphany."

"Thank you." She got up and grabbed her phone and then handed it to him. "That is me at my top weight."

"You've lost a lot." He studied the picture. "There is one thing that hasn't changed."

"What's that," she said before popping a blueberry into her mouth.

"You have always had a beautiful smile."

She grinned. "Thank you."

"And I know you have always been beautiful inside out or you wouldn't have such loyal friends."

"I have always believed that it's important to have the right people around you and I'm quite sure that you feel the same way."

"I do." He had always made sure that only the best were in his inner circle and the more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that she will make a perfect wife.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth laughed as water splashed onto her back.

Jason grinned. "You okay?"

"I can't feel my legs."

"Me either." He lifted her slightly and she sank onto the edge of the tub as he rested his hands on the wall of the shower.

"We are definitely doing that again," she said as she caught her breath.

"Yeah."

He pushed off the tile and then rinsed before turning off the water and then Elizabeth yelped when he scooped her up and deposited her on the counter.

"I'm meeting with my parents this afternoon. I just want to get it over with."

"I understand."

"I know you want to help, but I'll be fine."

He finished drying her off and then dried himself. "I trust you, but just know that I can be there really fast."

"I know and thank you."

He kissed her gently. "You hungry?"

She nodded and then slipped onto the floor and quickly dropped to her knees. "But not for food." The moment her mouth engulfed his dick, he leaned onto the counter. "Elizabeth…"

She pumped him hard. If she has to face her crappy parents, she wants to do it completely sated. Anytime she is overwhelmed, she'll think about how wonderful her boyfriend makes her feel and know that she is enough.

Jason fisted her hair and started to pump his hips. "God, baby, you feel so good."

She hummed her approval before swallowing once and when Jason's knees buckled, she continued until he yelled her name while she took all he had to give.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Diane knocked on her guest bedroom door and then pushed it open to find Eva sitting on the bed staring at the floor.

"Did you get any sleep at all?"

"A little…"

"His mother called, they are heading over there now. He should be awake soon."

Eva stood. "I'm ready to go."

"Not quite…" She made her way over to the friend. "Come with me."

Diane led her to the kitchen where Lorenzo is waiting.

"You need to eat," he said before putting a plate down.

Eva sighed but obeyed. "It smells good."

"Of course it does. My mama raised me right."

She slightly smiled and then took a bite. "Wow, this is really good."

He watched proudly as she scarfed down his concoction and then Diane gave him a kiss.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"You know I have to keep my girls happy."

"And you're very good at it." She smacked him on the butt and then sat down and drank some coffee.

"I'm moving here."

Diane's brow rose. "Are you sure?"

"I never expected to find someone, but he's good to me and after everything that happened, he clearly can't be trusted on his own. I seriously will kick his ass if he does something like that again."

They grinned.

"I'm sure you will and I'm glad. Can I help?"

Eva nodded. "I need a moving company that can pack up my apartment and then I need to find something here."

"Manny has a house, you know."

"I haven't seen it."

"I helped him pick it out and decorate it much to Luella's chagrin."

"Yeah, she wasn't happy he didn't ask her," Lorenzo said.

Eva chuckled. "Look, Manny and I are just starting to date. Do you really think moving into his house is appropriate?"

"Honey, screw appropriate. How else are you going to take care of him?"

"What makes you think that he'll let me?"

Diane's laughter filled the room. "Seriously? That man is in love with you. The only reason he doesn't hang out at his house is that he thought it was depressing being there alone."

"Then why buy it?"

Lorenzo sat between them. "Francis teaches them to invest their money wisely."

"Look, don't you think that Manny and I should have an actual conversation?"

Diane grinned. "As long as you plan on winning it."

"I never lose," she said before getting up and putting her plate into the sink.

Lorenzo and Diane shared a knowing look as Eva went to get her things and then gave each other a fist bump.

"Nicely played," he said before tugging her against him.

"Thank you."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny paced back and forth as he listened to his contact.

Nicole glanced at him and then focused on her brother. "I'm glad you agreed to stay here."

"Well, I figured you must really need the company after you begged me."

"I didn't beg!"

He laughed. "You're so easy to rile up."

Nicole rolled her eyes and Ali giggled.

"I think she likes you."

"She pretty much likes everyone."

"Ouch…"

Johnny ended the call.

"What's wrong?" Nicole asked.

"No leads yet, look the next twenty-four hours, I'm basically running everything. Francis is going underground for two days."

"Is he going somewhere?"

"Yes."

"With Piph?"

Johnny shrugged. "I think so. Once he gets back, I'm going after Ronnie."

Nicole stood. "Blackie, can you watch her?"

"Sure." He took Nicole's chair as she pulled Johnny into the kitchen.

"I know you need to find him, but if you think I'm going to let you go bonkers over this, you've already lost your mind."

"That made no sense at—"

His words are cut off when she pulls him into a steamy kiss. "Damn, baby."

"Promise me that you'll be careful."

"I will. I just need to handle this."

"We're getting married in a month."

"I know and he'll be gone by then."

They kissed again.

"If he isn't, we're still getting married and we'll be happy because I deserve some freaking happiness."

He smirked. "Yes, you do." And he's going to make sure of that, no matter what he has to do.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Manny tracked Eva as she slowly moved into his room.

His family followed his gaze and then his mother stood and kissed him on the forehead.

"We'll be back in an hour," Hector said.

Luella gave Eva a hug before heading out.

"I'll be back later. You want anything?" Javier asked.

"No, I'm good," Manny said.

He left and Eva sat next to the bed and held his hand.

"I'm not sure whether to beat you or hug you."

He slightly smiled. "A hug would be nicer."

A tear rolled down her cheek. "Watching you suffer was the worst thing—never again…"

"Evangeline…"

"No! Please tell me you'll be more careful."

"There will be times where I have to protect everyone and that means I'm risking my life. Can you handle that?"

His voice is raspy and she stands and hugs him gently.

"I'm sorry. I'm probably upsetting you."

"I'm just worried you'll leave."

She pulled back. "I'm not going anywhere. In fact, I'm moving here."

"Really?"

"Yes."

He shut his eyes for a long moment. "That makes me happy."

"I'm not sure where I'm going to live, but Diane said you have a house that you don't stay at very often and I figured maybe I could stay their temporarily so I can take care of you while you recover."

"No."

She blinked a few times. "What?"

He started to chuckle and then grimaced.

"Are you okay? Should I get a nurse?"

"I'm fine. I just don't think you hear the word no very often."

She slightly smiled as she sat. "I don't. Why no?"

"If you move into my house, that's it. You won't be moving out."

She considered his words for a moment and then sucked in a deep breath. "Okay."

He smiled. "Thank you."

"I just want to be with you and I need to help you."

"Okay."

"Doesn't that feel better than saying no?"

"You are going to give me a run for my money."

"Definitely, because I think you have no idea just how difficult I can be when my mind is made up."

"I think I can handle it. I know how to distract you."

She smirked. "How?"

"Can you come closer?"

She stood and leaned over him.

"Closer…"

She moved again and their lips almost brushed and then he used the little bit of strength he has to kiss her.

When he pulled back, she gazed at him for a long moment.

"See…"

"I guess you told me."

Jason stepped into the room. "Should I come back?"

Eva's head jerked in his direction as she pulled back. "Hey."

"Hi."

The men's gaze locked.

"It's about time you woke up, slacker," Jason said as he moved closer.

"Glad you're here."

"Why? Is Eva threatening you?"

He grinned. "Yes, but in a good way."

Eva shook her head. "I'm going to go chat with the nurse."

Once she was gone, Manny quickly caught Jason up on the good news. "She's going to move into my place and take care of me."

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Where is Liz?"

"She went to meet with her parents."

"And you let her go alone?"

"She didn't give me a choice."

Manny sighed. "We have our hands full, my friend."

"Yeah."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Liz turned in a circle as she stood near the bench that represented the single most horrifying event of her life. Before, she would have dissolved into a quivering mess, but today she is feeling stronger than she ever has.

"Why here?" Jeff asked as he and Carolyn approached her.

"It's the scene of the crime."

Slowly, she pivoted until she faced them.

"This is where everything changed. I mean, you leaving was the start of it, but Tom decided to finish it. At the time, he proved to me that I was unlovable and that I must be a horrible person to deserve what he did, not to mention the fact that you left me."

"You were and still are lovable."

"Really? Because your actions said otherwise."

"This is my fault," Carolyn said.

"Oh, it would be easy to blame you, but then that would let daddy dearest off the hook. His actions have proven where his loyalty lies and it's all about you. I just don't get why you bothered to even come here."

"We were scared for you. I went out of my mind when I found out you were mixed up in the mob."

"Because you thought I was weak as you?"

Carolyn brushed a tear away. "It destroyed me."

"No! Your mental illness destroyed you. The mob fed your paranoia and you ran. That's all you've ever done. Jason is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm falling in love with him and nothing you say can change that."

"I will not watch you throw your life away as I did."

Liz stepped closer to her mother. "Then look the other way because I'm not going anywhere. I would never do what you did. You threw Nicole and Francis away like they were nothing."

"That's not true."

"You could have taken them with you."

"Frank would have never stopped looking and we'd have to live our lives in hiding. I didn't think that was fair to them."

"But you thought abandoning them was the answer?"

Jeff sighed. "Elizabeth, this is getting us nowhere. Your mother was sick and needed me more. I was trying to protect her."

"But don't you see? You did the same thing to me that she did to her other children. You abandoned me after convincing yourself that you were doing the right thing. Well maybe it was the right decision for her, but you have no idea the damage you caused. Nicole and I are lucky we are still standing and frankly, that is mostly due to our strength. I am so happy that I am nothing like you."

Jason parked his motorcycle on the side of the road near the park as he debated if he should stay or go.

Elizabeth shook her head and stared her parents down. "You are both dead to me."

"Elizabeth! Please don't say that" Carolyn begged.

"I never want to see you again. I have people around me who may not be blood, but they are my family now. They love and protect me. You are toxic and both need help. From this moment on, I am free from you and I let go of all the pain you caused."

She walked away as her mother screamed her name and cried and when she made her way to the road and saw Jason pacing in front of his bike, her resolve broke and he looked up just as she broke out in a run and hurled towards him.

He braced himself as she flew into his arms and he gripped her tightly as she cried.

"I need to get out of here. Please, Jason."

"Okay."

He retreated and grabbed a helmet and handed it to her. When he started to move towards the bike, she stopped him.

"Wait."

Their gazes locked.

"I love you. I'm falling in love with you and thank you for feeling as though I'm enough."

He reached out and grabbed her face, kissing her torridly as she returned it. "I love you too."

She smiled through her tears. "Let's go."

They slipped onto the bike and Jason tore away from the park as her parents watched.

"She loves him," Jeff said.

Carolyn nodded. "We've lost her for good."

"I texted Blackie. We'll meet with him before we go. They need each other and I won't stand in the way of that."

"Nicole won't speak to me and I can't blame her. I didn't know I had a mental illness back then, but once I found out, I could have made it right and I didn't."

"Carolyn…"

"No, don't make excuses for me. You've done that our whole relationship and it has cost you yours with our kids. I'm sorry about that. Maybe it's time that I start getting stronger like them and stop being so needy."