A/N Thanks for the comments! Funeral starts today.
Chapter 26
Several hours later, Liz wakes up and jumps slightly when she sees Patrick typing on the computer. She motions for him to follow her outside and he nods. They go next door which is empty and she shuts the door.
"First, how is he?"
"His scans look good. There is slight swelling, but it's already going down. He'll make a full recovery if there are no lung scarring issues. Where do we stand, Elizabeth?"
Fury etches into her face. "Where do you think? I was drugged and you took advantage of me. How could you?"
His eyes filled with tears. "I saw an opportunity to get you back and I took it."
She points her finger as she moved towards him. "God, I hate you right now. You almost destroyed the best thing that has ever happened to me because you make everything all about you."
"I'm dying."
"And what? You thought that you could just use that the ply me back or it's an excuse for your behavior? If you weren't already dying, I'd kill you myself. Did you take all my clothes off?"
"No, just your tank straps. I would have never actually slept with you without your consent."
"But you did kiss me without permission, didn't you?"
He grimaces. "Yes."
"Well I hope that it was good for you because it is the last time you'll ever touch my lips and any sympathy I had for you is gone. Leave, Patrick, just go back to your life because I will not let you ruin my happiness. You are not worth it."
Tears run down his face.
"I didn't set out to hurt you like this. I thought I could make you see that I love you and maybe you would be by my side as I fought for my life."
"You did set out to get me by any means possible. Don't sugarcoat it, be a man and just say it!" Her face is red as she yells at him.
"Fine! I was willing to do whatever I had to!"
"Tell me something, if Anthony hadn't of beaten you to it, would you have drugged me?"
He choked back a sob. "I don't think so. I was just going to get you drunk, that never crossed my mind." While he could say in the moment he wouldn't, his head was not on straight a few days ago.
She stunned that he didn't say no outright. "Don't speak to me again. If you see me, walk across the street, I don't care if you get hit by traffic to do so. We are over in every way possible. It has taken everything within me not to smack the shit out of you right now because of your condition. Don't make me regret it." She storms into the hallway, almost running into Claudia. "Sorry, are you here to see me?" She tries to wipe the tear away, barely holding onto her emotions.
Claudia had heard everything. "Yes, but I can see it isn't a good time. I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm going back to Boston. I just—it's too hard to stay here. Between Johnny moving on and the horrible things my father did, I have to go."
Liz hugged her tightly. "I understand. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself. I'm so thankful that you took care of me that night and came to me and told me the truth. It helped save my relationship."
"I'm glad I could help. Take care."
"If you ever need to talk, will you think about calling me?"
Claudia slightly smiled. "I don't do well with woman friends."
Liz held out her hand. "Then I'll be your first."
Claudia squeezed it. "Later..."
Liz disappeared into Jason's room and Claudia turned towards a distraught Patrick and moved in front of him. "I guess she was that monstrous mistake you were talking about?"
Patrick nodded as he tried to control his tears. "Yes. I saw an opening to get her back and now I've lost her forever."
"Take this advice, give it up. You didn't have her to begin with. There was a point in my life where I would have done what you did to get Johnny back, but you can't force love. Sometimes, you have to accept that the person you love is in love with someone else."
He popped a pill as his head throbbed.
"What are those for?"
"My headaches… I need brain surgery."
"When?"
"Like yesterday…"
"Will you live?"
"It's fifty/fifty."
She blew out a harsh breath. "You were putting it off because of her, right?"
"Yes."
"Call your doctor and schedule it."
He frowned. "Why do you care?"
"I've done far worse than what you did and yes, I want to kick your ass for her hurting her because she seems like a really nice person, but I also get how desperate you were. That's not excusing anything, but from one twisty soul to another, I understand. You were dying and tried to hold onto the only good thing you thought you had a shot of. The problem is that she wasn't yours for the taking."
He wiped his face and took out his phone and dialed.
"Patrick? Are you okay?" Ewan asked.
"Yes. It all backfired like you said it would."
"I'm sorry, mate. Are you coming home?"
"I'm leaving here in an hour. Schedule the surgery."
"I can fit you in tomorrow at 7:00 a.m."
"I'll be there."
He ended the call. "Well, I'm going to drive back to Boston tonight."
"That's where I'm headed."
"You want to help me drive?"
She slightly smiled. "You got it. I can get my car later. Meet you at your place in an hour."
He watched her go, grateful that he didn't have to make the drive alone. Her kindness is more than he deserves, but he'll take it.
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Audrey started to open her car door and then spotted Patrick and hustled over to his car. "Patrick!"
He turned to face her and then his shoulders fell. "Audrey. I supposed you know?"
"Oh, I know alright. How could you? She thought you raped her!" He flinched. "What you did was so reprehensible that I don't even know where to start."
"I know. I couldn't be sorrier. I'm leaving and going back to Boston to have the brain surgery. It's my only chance."
Audrey shook her head. "Even saying that right now is manipulative. I will not go easy on you because of the tumor. What were you thinking?"
He stared at the ground as he shifted his feet. "Elizabeth is a fighter and a beautiful angel. I screwed up and lost her, but I never moved on. When I found out about the tumor, I was devastated and needed her light. I don't have family and friends that care about me. My father; his love is every flavor of alcohol, so I fixated on Liz. I thought she could help me deal with everything and I could make things right. I didn't have anyone, so I tried to get the one person back that I loved more than anything, and once loved me." Before Elizabeth, he had never been in love nor had someone cared about him like that. She had been the only person in his life of substance.
She clucked her tongue. "You don't know shit about love."
His gaze snapped to hers.
"You don't pretend you slept with someone and ruin their relationship and screw with her head and get to call that love. It is not my granddaughter's job to fix you either. You were so pissed that she moved on, that you decided to play god and made everything about you. I swear, you are the most narcissistic man I have ever met. You probably didn't care if she got hurt, because somehow you would make it all better. While I am sympathetic about you not having family, if you had come back here and been honest, I wouldn't have let you suffer alone. What you did is not how love works. Her heart belongs to Jason Morgan and I can guarantee that she is a completely different person with him because he frees her soul. On top of all the damage you did to Elizabeth, I'll also never forgive you for putting that man through so much pain, especially while on the job. He could have been distracted and killed, unless that was your intention."
His eyes widened. "No, I—"
"Can it. I don't want to hear another word from you. The damage was done, but thank God that Jason agreed to listen to her and they are happy once again. He will be the one to get to hold and love her and hopefully, give her beautiful children because he deserves it for treating her like the precious gift she is. If you show your face around Port Charles again, I will make it my mission to destroy you. I will report your unethical behavior to the board and I'm sure Lila will make sure you never work at General Hospital again."
With a deep scowl on her face, she went back to her car, leaving Patrick standing there with tears in his eyes.
She started the car, grumbling to herself. "Asshole," she said before pulling out of the spot. This is far from over.
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A few days later, after being poked and prodded several times, Jason is discharged and even though Monica is sad that he isn't going to be staying at the mansion, she understands.
When they arrived at Audrey's, Jason moved slowly into the house. The headaches have subsided and mainly, he is just lethargic. Although, he still has a little tenderness on his face which is still red.
"You take a seat right there," Audrey said pointing to the couch. Once he is comfortable, she grabs an ottoman and slides it over and he puts his feet up. She adjusts the pillow behind him and studies him. Aside from some bruising on his shoulder and jaw and the redness, he doesn't look to bad.
"What?"
"I'm just glad that you're okay," she said before going into the kitchen. It would have killed Lila if something bad had happened to him and she understands because she feels the same way about Elizabeth.
Johnny carried in Jason's duffle bag and Liz had grabbed a tote with some books. Once everything was put away, they joined Jason in the living room.
"How are the guys?"
"Good. We're back at work, but it's just not the same, besides we miss your breakfast." Even though they were on restriction by Mac and couldn't take fire related calls, they still tried to go about their normal routines. Staying at home would drive them crazy and they had all voted on coming back to at least keep up with their daily chores and basic calls.
Jason slightly smiled. "I have a surprise for you when I get back."
Johnny's brow rose.
Audrey entered the room. "I have a surprise too. I'll come over tomorrow afternoon and prep a dish for dinner. I can teach someone how to make it in case you like it. Someone needs to make sure you guys keep your strength up."
Johnny grinned. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome. In fact, you will have several angels coming to cook next week. If you get a call, you can let me know and we'll stagger the times." Sonny couldn't be replaced, but the men were distracted and probably not eating well, so she didn't want them hurt on the job.
He got up and hugged her. "You're the greatest. I think we'll adopt you."
"Back up—tall, not at all dark, and handsome," Liz said.
Johnny met her gaze. "What?"
Jason wasn't really happy about the reference. He didn't want her looking at anyone else and only Audrey saw his expression which elicited a chuckle.
"She's mine and Sarah's. You and Jason can't keep encroaching on our good arrangement. She cooks and we eat."
Johnny laughed. "Alright, how about you come along with her when you can and eat with us?"
Liz pretended to think. "I'll consider it."
Audrey shook her head. "Come help me in the kitchen, Lizzie."
She scowled and when Johnny started to leave, she called out.
"Not so fast..."
He spun on his heal. "What's up?"
She crossed her arms. "Just what are your intentions with my sister?"
He fought a smile. "Do you really want to know that?"
Her eyes were wide and her mouth slightly dropped open.
"I'm just kidding—sort of. She's great. We've been getting to know each other even more and I'm not going anywhere."
"Just be careful."
"I know and I'm game."
"Good."
"I won't try to steal Audrey, if you let me have an occasional evening out with my bro." They liked going to Jake's to let off steam.
Jason smirked.
"You drive a hard bargain, but I accept your terms."
They shook on it.
"Later, Lizzie..."
She shot him a look and he laughed as he hurried outside.
"I'll show him Lizzie," she muttered before her gaze locked with Jason's. "What?"
"Come here."
She is so damn cute.
"Just for a minute, I have to go help Grams."
He crooked his finger and she leaned over and he kissed her gently.
"What's that for?"
"For being you…"
She smiled. "That was smooth, Morgan."
He grinned. "You haven't seen anything yet."
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Two days later, Liz found herself standing in a crowd as a parade of police officers and fire trucks drove by on the way to the church. The town had basically been shut down as the memorial got underway. The hearse drove by and then Jason's battalion bravely and somberly followed. All the men were looking down as flowers were thrown from citizens who had shown up to show their support, many landing on top of the rig.
Jason closed his eyes as he held onto the truck and a soft wind blew his hair back—Sonny would never feel that again. He is gone and survivor's guilt starts to nag at him, making him almost lose his grip. As a gasp came from the crowd, Liz reaches out her hand, as if she is close enough to steady him, but luckily Johnny is right behind him and clasps a hand on his shoulder giving him strength.
"You're alright," Johnny said loud enough for only Jason to hear.
He nodded, glad that his friend had pulled him back to reality even if the circumstances sucked.
Liz hurried up the street, following the procession a few blocks to the steps of the biggest church in town, Queen of Angels. When she got there, Mac saw her and pulled her to his side.
"You want to go in?"
She nodded and he escorted her inside, pointing to the row behind where the guys will sit and an older man picked up his jacket to allow her to sit next to him. Before long, a bagpipe began to sound throughout the sanctuary and a familiar, yet sad tune began to reverberate off the walls. "Oh Danny Boy...," a rich tenor voice began to sing, making everyone's eyes swell.
Before long, the battalion is inching its way up the aisle carrying the casket of Sonny Corinthos as they struggled not to break down.
The sadness is overwhelming and by the time they sat, the men had almost crumbled to their feet. She watched Jason's body shudder as he took a breath and moved forward and placed her hand on his back near his side, and he reached around and briefly touched it, letting her know he appreciated the sentiment.
Diane is assisted up to the podium by Mac, who stays close to her just in case.
She took in a deep breath before briefly looking up at everyone and then deciding it overwhelmed her too much, so she closed her eyes and began to speak. "I love Sonny Corinthos with every ounce of my being. He was kind, loving, supportive, and he not only loved me and our unborn child, but he loved all his guys. There wasn't a day that he didn't worry or try to take care of them in some way. That is just who he was and we were all blessed to know him. We married secretly the day of the fire." Tears are starting to pour down her face. "We didn't want to wait another second and planned on a formal ceremony later. I will always cherish the vows he made and the time I had with him. This child is going to know how great Sonny was and hopefully," she glanced at the guys, "you'll be willing to share your stories too and be honorary uncles."
One by one, the guys stood as a sign of respect and Francis cleared his throat. "We would be honored."
She choked back her tears. "I love you, Sonny." Mac hugged her and then walked her back to her seat and the guys sat again.
After many speeches were made, praising Sonny's bravery and valor, the service came to an end, but the battalion stayed put until everyone had left and so did Liz. The actual burial is going to be private out of respect for Sonny's family and friends.
A/N – The funeral continues tomorrow.
