A/N – Thanks for the comments and condolences. Glad you like the progress.

Chapter 45

Sarah grabbed a hard hat off a table and made her way down the hallway to the construction zone. She just needed to see Francis after talking to Stefan.

Nathan smirked when he saw her. "Maybe we could get her a pink hat with rhinestones or something," he said making Francis look up.

"She likes purple more," he said before approaching her. "Hey."

She smiled.

His head tilted slightly as he studied her. "Why were you crying?"

"How can you tell?" She had fixed her makeup and hoped no one would notice.

"I just know," he said before directing her around the bend of the hallway.

"I'm fine. Stefan came to say goodbye. He's leaving for good."

He removed her hat and loosely hugged her. "I'm not sure what to say to that."

"You can say whatever you want. It's not a bad thing. I forgave him and wished him well."

He lightly kissed her and then heard someone clear their throat and they quickly separated. "Mr. Webber…"

Jeff pretended to be mad for a few seconds and then a smirk lit up his face, making Sarah roll her eyes. "Francis, you have my approval, but I need my daughter for a consultation."

He let his arms drop and she did the same. "I'll see you later."

"Okay. My Grams is cooking dinner. Can you come?"

"What time?"

"6:30."

"Yes. I have an extra change of clothes here, so I can shower in the locker room."

"Alright, it's a date."

Jeff escorted her away and Francis smiled to himself, looking forward to the evening.

Liz and Jason visited with Kylie and then went back to her place and then the mansion so Jason could change for dinner.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Audrey opened her door and smiled. "Hello Sarah."

"Hi Gram," she said before kissing her on the cheek.

"Francis, it's lovely to see you."

"Likewise. This is for you," he said before handing her a bottle of her favorite wine.

"Oh, thank you. I love this one." She liked that he had inquired and then delivered. Sarah deserved a good man and she was sure that Francis was the answer to her prayers. She was going to have some very cute grandchildren all the way round.

"You're welcome. Thank you for inviting me."

"You are always welcome here."

They moved on and Liz popped into the door frame. "Hey Gram."

"Hello. How is my beautiful granddaughter?"

"I'm tired, but I'm hanging in there."

Audrey figured that she wasn't sleeping very well. "I made your favorite."

Liz's eyes grew big. "Please tell me that I smell pot roast."

"Yes indeed."

Liz squealed and did a funny dance, forgetting Jason was behind her.

"Elizabeth, where are your manners? You're going to push poor Jason onto the porch."

She whipped around, taking in her bemused boyfriend. "He's fine."

"Hello Mrs. Hardy." He handed her some flowers.

"Those are exquisite. Are they from Lila's garden?"

"Yes."

"That woman has an otherworldly green thumb. When I try to grow them, they practically beg me to die."

Liz snickered.

"Oh, by the way, you may call me Grams or Audrey. Mrs. Hardy will not do."

"I think I'll stick with Audrey."

She chuckled. "Come on in. We'll put you in the comfy chair since it has an ottoman."

"I'll take him. Is dad here yet?"

"No. They are running a little late, but they are on their way."

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang and Audrey went to answer it. "Come in."

Johnny and Amelia sheepishly moved into the room. Elizabeth had insisted that they come and have a good meal.

"Johnny O'Brien. You are as handsome as ever."

He shyly smiled. "Thank you Audrey. How are you?"

"I'm good. That cruise did me a world of good."

"I'm glad to hear it. I bought you something," he said handing her a box.

Her eyes grew wide. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes."

She gave him a big hug. "Thank you so much. Go inside." It was her favorite chocolate candy.

"Have you met Amelia?"

"No, I have not, but I have heard wonderful things about you. Alan filled me in."

"Thank you for having me."

"You are very welcome. I know things are rough right now. You would be amazed how a well cooked meal can help you feel better."

Amelia smiled.

"Audrey is the best cook I've ever met."

"Flattery will get you everywhere." They walked to the living room. "In fact, if there is any pie left after the first round, you can have the extra piece." She put the box of candy in her desk drawer. There were too many chocoholics around who would steal it.

Johnny grinned.

"Oh hell no," Liz said with her arms crossed.

They stopped in their tracks.

Sarah giggled. "This is going to be good."

"Elizabeth, there have been plenty of times where you had the last piece. I think Johnny has lost some weight. We can't let him waste away. You always said he abs to die for."

Liz turned bright red and Sarah loudly snorted.

Jason's eyebrow quirked.

"Grams! You're not supposed to tell everyone."

Audrey chuckled. She lived to embarrass them. "What? Did I lie?"

Steven was cracking up in the doorway with Emily by his side. "That was freaking hilarious."

She shot her brother a look. "Can it."

"Make me."

"No fighting," Audrey said sternly.

Johnny winked at Elizabeth and sat down on the couch.

Emily sat next to her brother.

"What did we miss?" Jeff asked.

"Grams was just embarrassing Elizabeth," Sarah said.

Jeff grinned. "What about this time?"

"Johnny's abs."

Jeff frowned. "How come you never talk about mine?"

"Because you haven't seen them in twenty years," Audrey quipped before leaving the room.

Andrea was trying not to laugh, but ended up losing the battle.

"I've never heard you complain," Jeff said.

"TMI!" Liz yelled. "For the record, Jason has abs to die for too. Now, can we change the subject?"

"And how would you know that dear?" Audrey asked entering with a tray.

A flustered Liz gave her a look and everyone started laughing.

"It was a valid question."

"Yeah Elizabeth," Steven said fanning the flames.

"We can have an ab contest later," Amelia said.

"Not helping…" Liz said.

"We should make it before dinner then. I made pot roast and roasted garlic mashed potatoes which will surely ruin the presentation."

Everyone's mouth watered.

"Sarah, how are Francis's abs? If they are not up to par, he can sit it out," Audrey said.

Francis didn't know what to say.

"Mother!" Jeff said.

"What? Steven, you've been slacking off at the gym lately, you can keep him company."

Steven's mouth dropped open as Emily giggled. This was better than the Quartermaines. Well, lately.

A timer went off.

"Saved by the bell," Liz muttered.

"For the record, my abs are just fine," Steven said.

"And so are mine," Francis added.

"Now, let me walk you into the kitchen before you get carried away again," Steven said before his grandmother's arm.

They left and Amelia wiped her eyes from laughing. "God I needed that. Your family is great, Elizabeth."

"Sure….. They are just getting started. You wait until they corner you."

"I have nothing to hide."

"Famous—last—words," Johnny said.

"My abs are just fine," she said saucily before walking towards the dining room.

"I guess she told you," Sarah said before approaching Jason with his crutch. "Here you go absalicious. I hope you've been doing some crunches while you've been watching Real Housewives of New York and eating cheese curls for the last few weeks."

He frowned. "How did you know that—about the cheese curls."

"I know Carly gave you a care package and she's an addict. Anyway, hope you're still in good shape because the other guys might give you a run for your money. I'm betting on Francis."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Please…"

Sarah grinned and walked away.

"Sorry about that," Liz said.

"I'm fine," Jason said.

"You have to have tough skin around here. There is never a dull moment," Andrea said.

"If I can survive the Quartermaines, I can survive the Webbers."

"It's a different kind of crazy," Liz said.

"That's true," Andrea said.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Patrick finished the home cooked meal that one of the ladies had prepared from the church and rubbed his belly. "Dear Lord, I don't think I could move if I tried."

Epiphany smiled. "That was really good."

"That was amazing." He looked at her plate, while she had eaten more than usual, she still had left a lot untouched.

"I know what you are going to say, but I'm full."

"Okay. I just worry about you."

"I'll be thankful for the day when you don't have to."

"I'll always worry about you, Epiphany."

"She sent dessert."

Patrick moaned. "I thought she was supposed to be a Godly woman, not the angle of death by carbs."

"Patrick!" Epiphany said.

"Was that to over the top?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Sorry," he said before grinning.

Piph shook her head.

"You know you can't stay mad at me."

"Don't make me regret making you swoon."

"I love you."

"I'm trying to remember that."

He got up and gathered the plates.

"I love you too…."

He smiled and started to whistle while he cleaned up.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason put his napkin down. He was stuffed.

"So good," Liz said.

"You sure you don't want to move in with us?" Jeff asked Audrey.

The look on Andrea's face was so priceless that Audrey was hitting the table with her hand as she laughed and that got everyone else started.

"Good one, dad," Steven said.

"You're on a time out," Andrea said.

Audrey wiped her face. "So, Amelia."

"Yes."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No."

"Hmmmmm."

"Stop right there," Liz said. "You need to slow your roll today, Gram."

"What?"

"I'm scared to even ask who you are thinking of setting her up with."

Amelia groaned, making Johnny chuckle.

"Well, she's a beautiful woman. Why should you get all the abs?"

Liz's mouth dropped open and she looked over at her father. "How much wine do you think she sipped while she was making that roast?"

Audrey rolled her eyes. "I have a boyfriend, by the way."

Liz's eyes grew narrow. "Who?"

"Someone I met on the cruise."

"Mother! Did you pick up a man?" Jeff asked.

"Heavens no! He picked me up."

Andrea snorted.

"Way to go Grams," Steven said.

"When do we get to meet him?"

"He lives in Pennsylvania."

"And?" Liz said.

"He's been married nine times."

Liz's mouth dropped open. "Grams!"

Jason fought a smile. The look on Liz's face was so funny.

"What? There were a couple of repeats in there."

Jeff had choked on his water and Andrea was patting him on the back.

"People make mistakes. I'd like to think that he's a little older and wiser."

"Who is this person?" Sarah asked.

"His name is Asa Buchanon."

Johnny's eyes bugged out. "The Asa Buchanon?"

Audrey grinned. "That's right."

"Isn't he worth millions?"

"He has money."

"Grams, please don't tell me that you plan on being wife number eleven," Liz said.

"I can't promise you what the outcome will be, but he's fun and cantankerous. I had a blast."

The Webbers were too much in shock to even reply.

"Can't you just be happy for me? It's been a long time since your grandfather died. Do you think you can trust me a little?"

Liz sighed and threw her napkin down. "I guess."

Audrey smiled. "Good. Now, who wants some pie?" Everyone raised their hand. "Johnny, you come help me."

He got up and followed her into the kitchen.

Liz looked at her sister. "You can convince Spinelli to check him out, right?"

Sarah smirked. "Yes."

"Tell him I'll buy him an endless supply of orange soda and chips if he does it extra fast," Jeff threw in.

Francis started to laugh. The family was crazy, but he was loving every minute of it.

Jason grinned.

"This family has lost its collective mind," Andrea said before sipping some wine."

"Don't be a hater because Grams got her groove back," Steven said.

Liz groaned. "I don't want to know anything about Gram's groove."

"Yeah, that falls deep into T.M.I. territory," Sarah said.

Emily was loving it. She got Jason's attention. "Makes you wish Tracy was here, doesn't it?"

"I wouldn't go that far."

Audrey handed Johnny a pie to carry. "I'm glad that you agreed to come tonight."

"Me too." He needed to take his mind off of the status of his life and this did do that trick.

"You're a good man, Johnny. You treated my granddaughter very well. I just want you to find some happiness."

"Me too."

"Come on."

He followed her back into the room.

"Grams, that looks delicious," Liz said.

"It's freshly made."

"Yum," Emily said.

She had already sliced them and everyone started passing plates around. "Johnny, don't you want one?"

"I was going to ask you if I could get mine too go. I was going to take it Kylie and Danielle."

Grams smiled. "While that is very noble, I have one more pie in the kitchen. I'll make sure they get one. You enjoy a piece."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth handed him a plate. "Did you forget how good her baking is?"

"No. I just wanted to put a smile on their faces."

"I seem to remember you locking her in the bathroom upstairs one Sunday when Grams only had one slice of peach cobbler left," Steven said.

Johnny laughed. "I did, but that was only because she had stolen my piece the Sunday before."

"I did no such thing," Liz said before taking a bite.

"You keep telling yourself that," Johnny said before tasting a bite. Elizabeth was a little different than before and he figured she was finally starting to settle and be herself.

"This is really good," Jason said.

"Thank you, Jason. You're welcome here any time."

"Thanks. I'm going to take you up on that."

Only the sounds of forks hitting plates could be heard until the last one hit the surface with a clank.

"I'm going to need to hit the gym tomorrow," Steven said before rubbing his belly like a Buda.

"You don't see me arguing with you," Liz said.

Steven shook his head. "Come on, I'll roll you out of here."

Jason gave him a look.

"That's right, Jason. You put him in his place," Andrea said.

"Mom….."

"Don't you dare say she started it."

Steven pouted and Emily planted a kiss on his cheek.

Liz looked over at Jason. "I think we should make a run for it."

"Whatever you want."

"He's definitely a keeper," Andrea said, making Elizabeth smile.

Liz still felt a little awkward with Johnny and Jason in the same room. "Well, it's been real. Grams, thanks for the awesome dinner."

Audrey stood. "Thank you, sweetie."

They hugged and she lightly tapped Jason's cheek. "Take care of her for us."

"I will. Thanks again."

"You're welcome." Audrey loved it when family filled her house.

One by one, they said goodbye and left. Jeff and Andrea stayed behind to clean up and Audrey put two slices of pie in some foil and handed them to Johnny.

You make sure you get her home safely," Audrey said as she watched Amelia talking to Jeff.

"I will."

"She's hurting and I know you are too. Maybe you could help each other and be friends." She knew it was too soon to go there romantically, but she thought they would make a cute couple.

He smiled. "We agreed to do that."

"Good. There are only so many people that you can count on in this world. You've been through a lot. I always liked you and I trust my instincts. When you have time to process all of it, don't stop living. She wouldn't want that."

"Thanks. I just need to get through this next week or so. Kylie will probably be leaving and that will be hard on me."

"She is a resilient little girl. She'll adapt and you'll need to as well."

"I'm trying."

"I know. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

"Thanks!"

"You're welcome, dear."

He left and dropped Amelia off before heading back to G.H., with a lot on his mind.