It took another year but they were finally moving back into their home in New Orleans. The boys were growing up fast and Jake had been running everyone around in circles. He was even able to do that to his older brother, Cameron.
Emily, Liz and Bella had spent six of those months checking out Europe. Johnny was their tour guide and they learned a lot about the history of each of the countries they went too. When they made it to Ireland, Johnny proposed and Emily said yes.
Liz had been taking a ton of pictures from all the places they visited. She was going to use the photos to help with the sketches and paintings that she planned on doing. Emily had invited Elizabeth, Jason and their sons to live with them while their home was being rebuilt but Jason didn't want to do that to them. There was a home for rent a few blocks from where they lived before. It was closer to the park and a street over from Johnny and Emily's place. Spinelli was renting a place next door to Jason. Bella and Rosie moved in with Spinelli when he had proposed to her. Francis was the only one left without someone. He had a beautiful town house that he let Liz decorate for him. He just hoped that he could find someone who could hold her own with his family.
Liz had found a bakery on one of her morning walks with her sons. They stopped there just about every day and the boys had either a muffin, donut or bagel. They also had either chocolate milk or hot chocolate with it. Liz would have beignets and coffee when she went in. She would always get extra beignets to bring over to the guys at work.
The owner of the bakery was quite taken with Francis. She just was too shy to say anything and Francis didn't want to scare her away. Liz sat down with her and asked her if she liked Francis. She said yes, and the rest is history.
Her name is Evie and she came from Boston. She moved down to New Orleans after a wild crazy week with her friends from college. She had been twenty years since her college graduation. She fell in love with the culture and history of the city. The weather also helped a lot expect what had happened in Katrina. She had lost a lot of things but because of that, she started her own bakery.
"Evie, I think that you and I should move in together. My place is so much closer to your work and it needs a women's touch. Liz decorated the townhouse but I want it to feel more homey and I need you for that. Would you care to move in with me?"
"Francis, I would love to move in with you but are you sure you can handle me all the time, I can be a bit expensive when I want to be. It is usually over my shop but sometimes, I like to get away and try new places."
Francis knew that he had met his match. Everyone was happy for him and there were going to be two more weddings besides, Emily and Johnny.
Jason had heard from the prosecuting attorney who put Carly away, he told Jason that she has made a lot of enemies while she was in prison. She has been beaten several times and put in isolation for her own safety. Jason found out that Monica was taking care of Michael and Bobbie was taking care of Morgan. When Carly was put in jail, she didn't have a plan for her children.
Jason talked to Monica and Bobbie to see if there was a way to keep the boys together. It was an important for the boys that they were together. They needed each more than ever because of Sonny killing himself and then Carly trying to hurt everyone and ending up in jail.
Monica had decided that Bobbie would be a better fit for the two of them because Bobbie has always been there for them. Monica would take the boys on weekends that both her and Alan were off. The money that Sonny had put away for the boys were now out of their mother's care but in Bobbie's care. There was not going to be any money for Carly because Sonny had only given the money for both his sons and daughter.
Alexis had control over Kristina's trust until she was twenty-five. Bobbie would have the Michael and Morgan's money in trust until they were 25. Bobbie had put aside money for both of her grandsons to go to college.
Bobbie knew that she was really raising, Morgan because Michael was almost finished high school. She knew that he was going to want to go to school somewhere near where his mother was so he could go visit her.
Bobbie had called Jason to see if he could help Michael find a place to live and a college that would be a good fit for him when he moves down there. "Bobbie, I would love to help Michael find a place to live and go to school. There are many great universities here but I think that the University of New Orleans would be a great fit for Michael."
Jason and Liz were looking forward to having Michael moving down to New Orleans. The only problem was if he was going to the university to see his mother, he might not be able to see her because of what she has done and what risk she would have it she was let out of isolation.
The first wedding that was going to happen was Johnny and Emily. They were planning on having a Madri Gras style wedding. They wanted to have fun and wild colors. His family had met Emily when they were traveling across Europe. They absolutely adored her like everyone adored Johnny.
They were coming in the first week of May. The wedding was the second Saturday of the month. They had planned on getting married in one of the mansions in the city. The one they picked was gorgeous. The gardens around the home was the best part and that was where they were going to say their vows and then the reception was going to be held indoors. It was starting to get humid in May so the time they were getting married was fine for outside but the rest needed to be indoors.
Elizabeth was the matron of honor for her sister-in-law and Jason was the best man. Alan walked his daughter to her new husband and future. The minister asked if they were ready to share their vows with everyone. Emily was to go first. "Johnny, you were such a surprise to me. I have known you for a long time but the past few years, you have shown me what a true hero you are to me. I love your look on life, your colorful history and most of all, I trust you with both my heart and my life. I could never find a man who makes me feel as safe as you do. I feel truly treasured and I know what real love feels like for the first time in my life. You are my life and I can't wait to start our life together as husband and wife. I love you with everything I am and everything that I have."
Johnny had to brush a tear from his eye. He looked at her like she was the only one in the world. "Emily, I want you to know that I treasure everything about you. It was hard at first to stay away from you because you are my best friend's little sister. I had to think of you that way but one day, you took me by surprise and I haven't looked back since. I love you. I love everything about you but mostly your heart and your spirit. You are so beautiful, smart and sexy and I didn't think that I had a chance with you. You are way above me in so many ways but I think that we both help each other in ways that we don't even have to think about. I want you to know that you are my everything. You have been from the start. When we had to go on the run because of Carly and Sam, it was then that I realized that I couldn't live if something happened to you. You make me feel things that I never thought I would feel. I want you to know that my heart is yours for safekeeping. You are my everything and I can't wait till we are officially married and start our new life together."
Everyone had tears in their eyes by the time the vows were finished. The minister exchanged rings and then they finally got to kiss for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Johnny O'Brien. The rest of the day was a blur for everyone. The food was incredible and the music was a mix of blues, jazz and rock. It was something that Johnny and Emily were never going to forget.
Jason had a surprise for Johnny and his sister. Jason and Elizabeth had rented them a villa on the beach in Hawaii. The home was not far from Pearl Harbor. It had its own stretch of beach, pool and beautiful grounds to look at. There was a housekeeper and cook on duty for them, so they could just relax. There was also a driver to take them wherever they wanted to go while they were honeymooning. The plane was ready when the reception was over.
Johnny thanked Jason because he knew that if he didn't take the present, Emily would not be too happy with him. He just didn't want to rock the boat.
Everyone danced the night away and the young couple took the plane and headed towards their honeymoon and future.
They landed at an airstrip near the beach house they were staying at. There was a jeep that they could use to travel around the island. The jeep had the keys to the house and directions on how to get there. Jason had bought the house as a surprise to Elizabeth and Emily was shocked when she saw the information.
Johnny drove the three miles to the beach house. He picked up Emily and carried her over the threshold. The villa was amazing. They spent most of the time in their little piece of paradise.
Emily did want to see the sights and take in some of the history. The one place that she wanted to go was to Pearl Harbor. She loved history and the romance of the time before World War II interrupted everyone's life. It was sad but at the same time, Emily realized how it could happen to anyone at any time. One minute you are having a quiet Sunday breakfast and the next minute you are fighting for your life.
Johnny loved that Emily looked at the world and really saw it for what it was and not all rainbows and unicorns. He loved that she still saw good in the world but she knew that at any time, it could all be taken from them. She saw life and death every day and that she loved life because of that.
They went to beach and laid out every morning. The afternoon was for exploring the island and shopping. The nights were for them just being alone together. They had a great time alone but they were excited about going back home. They missed their family and friends.
They flew back home and when they arrived, Elizabeth was there to meet their plane. "I have a surprise for the two of you. The home that you have been renting is now yours. Jason just finished up the paperwork this morning and now you can have the home designed any way that you want it. I love you both and I am so happy that we were able to do this for you."
Emily was at a loss for words. The four-bedroom home that they were renting was something that she had always dreamed of having but she was a bit shocked to know it was hers and Johnny's. She knew that Johnny was not going to be so excited about it because he wanted to buy it himself. He had the money but never had the time to sit down and talk to the owner's about buying it.
"Johnny, before you say anything about Jason buying the house, he didn't. He got the paperwork going but it was your parents and Emily's parents that bought the home for you. You know that you can't say no to them. There is something that I have that you will love, Emily. Remember when I got the cutting from Lila's rose garden, you have some too."
When Emily and Johnny realized, who bought their home, they knew that they couldn't say no to that. Elizabeth took them home and then went to Jason's shop to see what he was up too.
"I have heard that our beach house is ready for decorating now. I was thinking that we could go this weekend with our boys. We can spend the week out there and finish it up ourselves. Next month, Michael will be graduating from high school and I thought that we could see him graduate and check on Morgan. I was hoping that the boys could come back with us and spend the summer here. Bobbie can pick Morgan up and see where Michael will be going to school and staying at while he is here in New Orleans."
"I love that plan. The boys will love to see their cousins and I will be happy to see everyone up there. Grams will be thrilled to have us around for a few days." Jason called up Bobbie to make plans for the boys and she loved the idea of them both spending time down in New Orleans. They could see the sights and Morgan can feel like he still had a place in Jason's life. He felt that Jason would forget about him because of what his parents did.
Emily loved the fact that Michael and Morgan were spending the summer down there. Monica and Alan planned on visiting during the summer too. The best part of them coming down there was letting her parents see what she and Johnny had done to their new home. The pool was ready for afternoon barbeques and fun times in the water.