A/N: I love that you're still enjoying the story. Thank you for your amazing words.
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Alexis crossed her arms and stared at her eldest daughter in astonishment as she fell back against the kitchen counter for support.
"He remembers? Everything?"
Sam could feel the smile that had planted itself on her face that morning and hadn't wavered, brighten another watt.
"Isn't it wonderful? One minute he's asleep in the middle of the woods, still relatively clueless, the next he's wide awake and remembers everything about his life. No more darkness, no more wondering what important memory or choice was eluding him, no more uncertainty. Mom, he remembers himself, his beliefs, his family, his passions…everything that makes him Jason!"
Alexis moved to join her sitting at the kitchen table, covering her hands where they spread out on the surface.
"Wow. I don't have to ask how it makes you feel that he finally remembers you and Danny - I can see it's like a boulder off your shoulders. I'm very happy for you, for all of you."
"Thanks, Mom. I'm happy for Jason most of all - he's been so lost for so long and now he doesn't have to be…and I'm sooo happy Danny gets to know the Jason I remember - not that who he is now wouldn't have been enough, but our son deserves to know the father who loved him from the moment he was only an idea. When Jake "died" it broke him in two. He was so crushed I thought I'd never see him smile again…and now, he gets to truly appreciate the full magnitude of him coming back. I mean, he was amazed when it happened but as Jake Doe, he didn't remember living the grief, so there was no way for him to have the true appreciation of what that really meant…now he will." She got up from the chair and paced nervously. "I'm so happy I could burst wide open with joy right now."
Alexis half-smiled and leaned back in her chair. "I can see that. So does that mean you pick up right where you left off?"
Sam looked at her mother, stopping mid stride when the question played out in her head. "I don't even know what it means exactly…but that's okay…we'll figure it out. It's just so enormous having him remember…I'd honestly made peace with who he is now, who he's become, but looking into eyes that remember me, seeing and hearing my Jason - it's so surprisingly exhilarating!"
"Why do you think that is?"
Her shoulders shrugged and she stopped at the window to think about it. "I don't know - maybe just because he knows me so well. I've never had to wonder what he's really feeling or thinking either - I knew Jason."
"But you still have doubts about the new him?"
Sam looked back at her thoughtfully, weighing the question before returning to the table to reclaim the vacated chair. "Mom, I believe him when he says he loves me, I do. But he spent the last year in a different life, loving someone else. That doesn't just go away, does it? I mean, I'm right to make it give me pause, aren't I?"
Alexis nodded and drummed her fingers where they rested on the table. "I think you're smart to, yes. Jason's loved you for a really long time, but he had something with that nurse. I don't blame you for wanting to be cautious. What does he say about it?"
"That it's definitely over and it wasn't anything to rival what we had, or have now."
"But you don't believe?"
"I'm…wary."
"Good. Hold onto that! It can't hurt to be sure."
"Sure about what?" Molly entered the kitchen and reached for the green apple sitting at the top of the fruit bowl the women had pushed aside during their talk, chomping on a bite while looking between the two, who had grown silent at her entrance. She gestured questioningly when neither volunteered to clue her in.
Alexis looked at Sam then her youngest. "Jason remembers."
"Remembers what?"
When the women looked at each other again, Molly waited for a juicy tidbit.
"Everything. He's no longer going around with nothing - he remembers it all."
The squeal startled Alexis and Sam, who both jumped at the pitch as Molly dropped the apple to the table and rushed to grip her big sister in the tightest hug.
"Oh my gosh, Sam that's wonderful! Jason remembers? Oh wow!"
Sam could wiggle only one arm free to return the hug, smiling brightly. "It is pretty wonderful, thank you, Molly."
"You must be so excited - does this mean you pick up where you left off that dreadful night? You're gonna get married again, right?"
"Slow down, Sis. We're still getting to know each other again - we're not rushing anything."
Molly looked puzzled, her palms spreading to show her confusion. "What's to know? You and Jason are soulmates, always have been. Now that he remembers that, what are you waiting for?"
"Jason and I aren't romance novel heroines, Molls - we still have things to work out. Everything's going good - we're fine."
"You saw what happened, Sam…one minute you were living your bliss and the next he was just gone! You can't waste anymore time. Love is too precious and fragile. You have it…please don't waste it."
Alexis stood to grip her daughter's shoulder and pull her in to rest her head against hers. "Forever my little romantic. Leave your sister alone, she just received this wonderful gift - give her time to savor it before you bombard her with soliloquy and tales of tragic love. Go on…" she nudged her gently towards the door, "Go on!"
Molly retrieved her apple then followed the direction, looking back at her sister, "Fine. But Sam, please listen to me. Don't waste the time you have left…it's way too short!" She left when her mother shooed her with both hands, taking another bite and squirming at her as she did.
"And wash your fruit, young lady!" Alexis shook her head when her reprimand went unheeded.
Sam grew quiet as she contemplated her sister's wise words. Was she right? Their lives had been one nightmare after another following their perfect, perfect wedding, resulting in them hardly spending any of their married life together before he got shot. Then the very day they'd worked everything out and recommitted to trying again, he went off to work like he'd done countless times before and just didn't return home, unlike he normally always had. Years of anguish and pain filled with regrets had followed that awful night…now here they had a chance to make it count, to do it right, make every second matter…so was she wasting precious time second-guessing everything after they'd miraculously made it back from almost nothing? She had a whole lot to think about!
Walking over to the window again, Sam looked out at Jason and Danny in the backyard making use of the fresh snow. Their snowball fight was over and they were seated side by side on the swings, rocking back and forth, obviously deep in conversation while they kicked idly at the snow below their feet.
"I know." Alexis wrapped her arm around her daughter and joined her staring at the duo deep in private conversation. "That's a sight you once thought you'd never see."
Sam rested her head on her mom's shoulder. "It's beautiful, isn't it, Mom?"
"Yes, it is my baby."
Father and son rose to their feet at the same time and the women watched as Danny took two quick steps to land inside his father's arms and Jason swung him up to hold him tightly and clasp his head to his shoulder. The look upon his face as he held his son close was one Sam would never forget and would forever cherish. Danny had his father back…the one who could remember just how long he'd wanted him…she didn't want either of them missing out on a minute more of that miracle!
Danny drew back to look at his father's head, tiny mittened hands resting gently at each temple. "Does this mean your head's all better now, Daddy?"
"The best it's ever been - you know why?" When he shook his little head Jason told him, "Because now, I remember you. I wasn't here for the first time you walked or heard the first word you said and I'm so sorry for that, Buddy. But I sure do remember the very first picture you took. I was never happier to meet anybody in my whole life, than I was to meet you that day."
"Which picture?"
"I still have it - I'll show it to you when we get home. You were fast asleep inside Mommy's tummy - the most beautiful, tiniest thing I ever saw. I can remember that now and I never want to forget it again."
"You could see me inside Mommy's tummy? How?"
"The doctor has this really cool machine, she just placed it on your Mommy and we could see you so clearly." Jason knocked his forehead to Danny's hat then pulled back so he could see his little face. "You were absolutely perfect…just like you are now!"
"Let's go, Daddy - I wanna see."
The kitchen door opened and Danny led his father in, excitedly greeting his mother and grandma.
"Mommy, Daddy remembers everything from before…he even remembers the fist time he saw me in your tummy. Isn't that cool?"
Sam knelt before her son and removed the hat and gloves before reaching for the zipper on his jacket. "That's very cool." She nudged his nose with hers then pretended to shiver, "Oooh, your nose is freezing - let's get you some hot chocolate before it falls off your face."
Danny laughed and nodded, wriggling out of the coat she was pulling off him. "Can Daddy have hot chocolate too?"
Alexis reached for Danny's hand and began leading him towards the kitchen door, "He sure can, but first, why don't you go warm up by the fire next to Aunt Molly?" She watched him go through the door and join Molly where she was spread out in front of the fireplace with her latest book. "I'll bring your hot chocolate in a few minutes, okay?"
"Okay, Grandma!"
She turned back to face the two in the kitchen who were eyeing each other like there was no-one else in the world, evoking a blush to her cheeks when she felt like she was intruding on a most intimate moment.
"I hate to dampen your spirits with this, I really do - especially now, after…but I feel I must tell you before you get blindsided." She gestured for them to sit, then joined them after they hesitantly did.
"Mom, what's going on?"
Clearing her throat, Alexis decided the best thing to do was dive right in. "Usually I'd be bound by client privilege and unable to divulge what I'm about to, but Lucky thought the news might be gentler coming from me…"
"This is about Jason's custody case?" Sam looked at Jason, growing anxious, given her mother's unease, and wasn't surprised to see his quiet demeanor but knew from experience he was anything but calm underneath. "What happened?
"There's been a…development!" She hesitated again, uncertain exactly how to continue. There was going to be no easy way to deliver the blow.
"Mom, spit it out, please…" Sam knew from her own building anxiety, Jason would be edgy too. "It's obviously bad so just - say it!"
"Okay." Alexis watched both hands spread the table, working out imaginary wrinkles on a nonexistent tablecloth as she uttered the words. "Apparently, Lucky had some doubts about Jake's paternity…"
"What? Why now again?"
Alexis shook her head, "Something about an old photo that looked just like Jake or something, but anyway, he wanted another test done."
"Nobody bothered to tell Jason?"
"He didn't bother to tell anybody."
"Okay, so he confirmed that Jake's my son - what of it?" Jason was still trying to figure out where exactly she was going.
Sam too was sensing more to come. "Mom, what is it?"
Alexis sighed, deciding to rip the bandaid off and get it over with. "The new test says Lucky is Jake's father, not Jason!"
Deafening silence was all that echoed the inherent shock before Jason's chair pushed back loudly and he jumped to his feet to stride over to the window then spin back furiously.
"What's that fool trying to pull? He thinks I'll let him use some fake test to take my son from me?"
"Hmm, it's - it's the real deal."
"Mom, how can you say that? Everybody knows Jake is Jason's - it was proven years ago. Anybody only has to look at them to see they're father and son!"
"There was an early resemblance but the more Jake grows, he looks less and less like Jason and more like…" She trailed off but knew they heard what she didn't say.
"This is ridiculous. Looks aside, Jake was tested as a baby - he has my DNA!"
"That test was fake!"
"Oh, how convenient! Alexis, I know you've always hated me but you can't let him do this! It's unethical, even for you!"
"JASON!"
"No, Sam - they obviously cooked this up together - he's her client! She's trying to help him take my son!"
"My mother wouldn't do that!"
"Yea, you also thought your big pal Lucky wouldn't try to keep my son away from me. You were wrong there too, weren't you?"
"Okay, fine - I was wrong about Lucky, but my mother isn't working some scheme with him. I know you're angry and you've been thrown for a loop but don't take it out on her. Something is obviously going on here and we'll find out what - just calm down."
"Calm down? Your boyfriend is trying to take my son and you want me to be calm? Pfftt!" Next second he stormed out the back door, leaving both women staring after him.
"O-boy!" Alexis rose from the table and got the coffeepot to refill their cups. "This is not going to end well, is it?"
"Not one bit." Sam sat back in the chair and threw her head back in exasperation. "Jesus, Mom - what happened? We were gone for one night - one night!"
"There's more, actually." She pushed Sam's cup toward her, "Here - take a swig - you're gonna need it. Matter of fact, let me get you something stronger - you're gonna need that more!" She moved to get up but Sam stopped her.
"Stop, Mom - just say it. What else?"
Resting back down, Alexis ground the words out, "Elizabeth knew the whole time. It was her doing."
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By the time he got to Spoon Island, Jason had willed himself to calm down. Jake would be home so the last thing he wanted to do was scare him by storming the place like he felt like doing. Mustering the quiet reserve he'd practiced to get him through situations with the highest stakes, he used the heavy knocker to sound the door and waited. He was going to stay calm.
Minutes later, he was shown to the library where Elizabeth was cozied up to the fire, after being told by the Butler that Misters Cassadine and Spencer were out for the rest of the day. Jason's eyes fell on her frame appearing frail and beaten, her gaze fixated on the dancing flames in the fireplace with a book long forgotten on her lap. She looked up when he entered, uncurling her legs to stand from the couch in surprise.
"Jason! You're here!"
"Where else would I be - after receiving your news? This is the new game you and Lucky are playing to keep my son from me?"
Her legs gave way instantly and she fell unceremoniously back to the couch behind her, a sudden loss of oxygen making her lightheaded. She'd hoped this day would never come, had worked everything in her power to prevent it, then Lucky had to go get curious and ruin it all.
"Jason, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
"Any of what, Elizabeth? It's not true - and it's not going to work!"
"I really wanted him to be yours. I prayed for it…when we made love that night, everything was so perfect, we were finally going to be together, and when I got pregnant even though we used protection I was sure it was a sign we were destined. I never doubted in my heart that he was yours - I was pregnant with your child - long before I took the test, I just knew in my soul he was yours!"
"I didn't come here to dredge up old mistakes and fan fantasies - that bastard pushed too far this time and he's going to regret it. Where the hell is he?"
"He's not here." He wasn't listening to a word she said. But he wasn't angry at her either - why wasn't he pissed at her?
"I know that much - where did he go?"
"He went to meet with his contractor at the old Spencer house." When he spun on his heel her hand flew out quickly to suspend midair, "Jason, wait!"
When he turned to face the woman who he'd forever be dealing with because the younger him had been so foolish and trusting, he knew he should demand answers, but she wasn't the one leading the latest ridiculous charge. He'd go straight to the source instead.
"What is it, Elizabeth - I have to go."
"Please - can't you talk to me for a minute?"
"It's not a…"
"Not a good time - I know. That's all you say to me anymore, you know that? We used to be able to talk about anything and no-one treated me as kind and gentle as you did. Please, Jason - can't we get that back? Please?"
He eyed the frail, scared look about her and he remembered a time when he'd seek her out to talk like she said. They were friends. He loved her as one and would do almost anything to make her life better. ..had hated seeing her unhappy and struggling - such a good person with a good heart deserved more, and he remembered a time when he'd happily volunteered to give it. Recent events proved he'd still felt that way, given they'd almost ended up living a life together. Almost.
"I really need to find Lucky and clear this mess up - the sooner the better. I can't let him go around with this fake test causing trouble - what if Jake gets wind of it? Do you know how much more confused this would get for him?"
"Jake is fine, he's resting in his room. His fever's gone and the cough isn't dry anymore - he'll be on the mend in no time."
"I'm glad to hear that - let's keep it that way." He walked back to the chair to stand over her, not taking the time to get comfortable because he wasn't about to stay. "Why didn't you stop him? Why didn't you keep him from broadcasting this ridiculous story?"
"I didn't know, Jason. He tested Jake without my knowledge or consent!"
"Tested him? He actually really tested him - not just fudge some papers? Why would he leave a trail that is going to be so easy to follow and disprove? All I have to do is get Spinelli to get his hands on the real results and this ends now! Or did he pay someone to change the database input too? Just how deep did he take this, Elizabeth?"
She was sweating. Obviously whoever told him about the test didn't tell him her part in the whole thing - maybe they had no idea. She could stall. She could go a little longer before his entire outlook and impression of her changed forever.
"I don't know. He just came in throwing around accusations and lab results - I don't know what he really did." She wiped wet, nervous palms on the leg of her pants, looking down from the eyes scrutinizing her.
"You've always been so passive and placating with him. Always felt like it was your job to stroke his ego and make him feel like a man, even when he failed you. He cheated on your marriage yet you felt responsible for his sobriety, even though he was a grown man who knew right from wrong and knew how much that would hurt you. He failed you as a husband and a father - you were working so hard to keep your family together and what was he doing? Gulping pills and sleeping with Maxie to get them."
Her head jerked his way and something in the way he said the words, something in the way he was looking at her now, seeing her, like he was…
"Jason - are you remembering this? You're remembering us?" The words choked from her throat and watered her eyes when she could see their truth.
"Yes. I remembered this morning. I remember everything about my life."
"Including me? The years and years we loved each other, how close we were? The night we made Jake? You remember how much you loved me and wanted to give us a life together?"
"I wanted so much to give my son a happy, stable, life and a mother and father who cared about each other. The love for him blinded me to a lot, and I made mistakes I'll never be able to take back or undo, hurt people who didn't deserve it, because of how much I love my son."
"And me. You wanted me to be a part of it all - you chose me, from the moment you knew. It didn't matter who you were with - you chose me!"
"I chose Jake! I will always choose my sons' welfare, Elizabeth - which is why I will stop Lucky before this goes any further. You should've stopped this the moment you found out about it - why didn't you?"
"I can't stop Lucky - I never could! But you can, Jason. Especially now that you remember what we mean to you, you can stop him from going any further with this!"
"That's exactly what I'm about to do."
"Then what?" She looked up at him hopefully, clinging to the last of the tiniest bit that still lingered. "Now that you remember us, know that we were never the enemies you seem to believe we are, what will you do?" She couldn't keep the anticipation from her breath, holding it in dire need of his admitting to what she needed him to know. Surely her Jason was back.
He sat down next to her, momentarily softened by the hopeful pleading of her eyes, remembering a time when the gentle side of her was the only side he saw. Jason sighed and allowed that feeling to linger a moment.
"I will always be your friend - we have a history that affords you that - and I will never turn my back on you if I can be of help - as a friend! But I will never let it hurt Sam again."
"What about how it hurts me, Jason? I have to watch you with her, knowing it should be me. How do you think that makes me feel?"
"Look, you and I could've probably been something once, before Courtney, but not since. Our lives were completely different and even though it was nice to escape to yours for a few hours at a time, I could never walk away from mine. It wouldn't have lasted, Elizabeth…I'd have grown restless and resentful and it wouldn't have ended well. And the truth is, once Sam came along, no matter what you and I were to each other before, it wouldn't have lasted. She's the other half of my soul - I'll find her anywhere!"
"That is such bull! You didn't find her after your accident, Jason you found me!"
"No, Elizabeth - you found me! Do you know how many times I sought Sam out when I had no idea who she was? Or how many dreams - what I thought were dreams but were actually memories - I had of her while I was with you? I didn't have a single memory of you and I when we lived together…but I'd go to bed next to you and dream about Sam and Danny!" When she looked even more pained at his words, he sighed in frustration, "I'm not trying to hurt you, but I need you to hear me and understand what I'm saying. You are no more my destiny than I am yours."
"That's not true! I will never believe that!"
"Then you're setting yourself up to be hurt. I don't want to be the one to hurt you, but if the choice is between you and Sam…I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
"Jason, I love you! If you leave me, who will I have left - I have no one! You don't mean this - I've been waiting for you to realize that you made a mistake, that you don't really mean to hurt me like this. I love you!"
Growing increasingly uncomfortable, Jason rose to his feet and looked down upon her, the pity he felt in that moment outweighing anything he once thought was love for her. "I can never return those feelings - you're choosing not to listen to what I'm saying so I don't know how to get through to you. I'm going to leave - my family is waiting for me and I owe my wife an apology."
"Don't call her that - please don't call her that! You married her because you thought your life was too dangerous for me and she didn't have enough sense to know better - it wasn't her you really wanted! She's not your wife - she's not your true heart!"
"Nothing could be further from the truth and the sooner you stop telling yourself those lies the better off you'll be. Goodbye, Elizabeth. Find peace. Find yourself again."
He left, ignoring her strangled cries and words of pleading that followed his exit, heading for the man he needed to set straight, once and for all.
Elizabeth watched in alarm as he left her life, realizing that once he found Lucky and learned the horrible truth, it really would be the very end. She had to stop it. She headed frantically for the door…she had to head off the Chernobyl that was about to eradicate her one true wish and shatter the one thing she'd clung so desperately to for oh so long.
