A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm so glad you came along for this journey with me. There are two more chapters after this one and I will be posting tomorrow and Friday. I need to wrap this one up. One last bit of drama, because you can never have too much drama! lol

Chapter 61

The next two months went by fast. Epiphany was doing much better. Her stamina was back and she was a force to reckon with as usual. Her and Patrick had sex whenever they could, feeling like teenagers—they just couldn't get enough of each other. Steven and Emily were doing really well. Amelia and Johnny were on fire and spent every free hour with each other. Everyone had been surprised by their union, but Elizabeth wished them well. Francis and Sarah were in love and spent all their time together too. John had gone back to New York, but visited as often as he could. Jolene was hanging in there, but was seriously considering transferring so she could be with him more. Andrea was healing and her relationship with her husband and family were thriving. Elizabeth and Jason had taken a small vacation with Monica and Alan to a private Caribbean island. It was a beautiful getaway and it gave Jason more time to bond with his dad and stepmother.

When they got back, it was time to cut the ribbon on the wing. Everything was finished and it looked beautiful. They were all standing outside on the grass, in the crisp October air, so Elizabeth could break a champagne bottle on the edge of the building. There was a pretty garden near the door and a play area that had trees, swing sets, a slide, and picnic tables. Lila had taken care of all of that and Liz couldn't believe how nice and relaxing it was. The kids would love it. Not all of them could go outside, but their siblings and family could. She had thought of everything. There was even a playroom inside if the weather was bad that was filled with donated toys and supplies. The whole community had come together to make sure it was perfect.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Thank you all for coming today. I'm so happy that the wing is ready and really appreciate the outpouring of community support. This is going to save lives and make such a difference for so many children. To my right is Francis Corelli and his crew members, Nathan, Milo, Jason, and Cody. They made sure the wing got rebuilt to spec and I can't thank them enough."

Everyone cheered as the guys bashfully accepted the praise.

Before she could continue, Jason walked towards her, surprising her. When she saw John, she was downright stunned.

"What's going on?"

"We have a surprise for you," Jason said.

They led her over to a small tree and Emily handed Jason a mic.

"We planted this tree in the name of Sophie Webber Zacchara. It will always be here so she will never be forgotten." There was a plaque with Sophie's name on it right behind it.

Tears started streaming down her face. "Beautiful."

John took her hand and kissed it. "It will be a memorial and a place where we can go so you can feel closer to her."

"Thank you." She hugged him and then looked up at her wonderful boyfriend. "You never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much."

They embraced as everyone stood and clapped. She eventually let him go.

"I'm a mess."

Emily handed her some tissues.

"Thanks!" She quickly wiped her face. "Let's cut that ribbon!"

A cheer went up and Liz smashed the wrapped champagne bottle against the building and then cut the ribbon and everyone waited in line to get inside so they could tour it.

Trevor had visited for the festivities and gave her a big hug. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks! Want to see the wing?"

"I would love it if you were my tour guide."

They went inside and Elizabeth proudly showed him around. Her dream had finally come true and you couldn't wipe the smile off of her face.

A week later, Ric stood trial and was convicted and was found guilty of negligence and a whole slew of other charges. After they were added up, he got five years, multiple fines, and lost his license. Diane was working with Hugh to get his assets liquidated and Jason would get his first lump sum before Christmas if all went well.

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Thanksgiving came quickly. The Webbers gathered at Jeff and Andrea's house since it could hold everyone. Trevor and his parents were staying at the house and they immediately loved Andrea and the family.

"Jane, will you pass me the oven mit?" Audrey asked.

Trevor's mom quickly grabbed it. "Here you go."

"Thanks!"

"It smells delicious in here," Calvin, her husband, said.

"It's a labor of love," Audrey said.

"So tell me about this Felicia person," Jan said.

Audrey chuckled. "She's pretty and has two daughters who are in Florida right now on a trip. I thought they were a good match."

Trevor had finally told them of his plans to move the next month. Gloria got sentenced for brandishing a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats (one year). Also, a charge for arson in the fifth degree was added (one year). In addition, due to information provided by Trevor, she was found guilty of tax evasion and most of the money she got from her husband in the will was taken by the IRS and she was sentenced to three years in prison.

"Felicia seemed nice at dinner," Calvin said.

Audrey had introduced her to Trevor the month prior and the couple had hit it off.

"I would never steer him in the wrong direction. He's family and so are you."

Jane smiled. "Thank you Audrey. I'm very glad this all worked out so well."

"So am I."

They went back into the living room where raucous laughter was heard every few minutes due to Steven and Trevor's bantering.

Elizabeth was in her own little world with Jason as she sat on his lap with their gaze locked. They couldn't be more in love if they tried.

Steven threw a nut at her and she grabbed it and whipped it back at him, hitting him in the head.

"Behave!"

He smirked. "You guys are nauseating."

"Said the man who threw two gutter balls last night because he was distracted by Emily's hotness."

Emily cracked up and Steven rolled his eyes.

"Face it brother, you're whipped."

"She has a point," Trevor said.

"Uncle Trevor, again, you're supposed to side with the guys," Steven said.

He smiled. "You have so much to learn."

Jeff chuckled.

Sarah straightened her top as she walked back into the room with Francis.

"Were you making out somewhere?" Steven said.

"Steven!" Jeff said.

Sarah glared at him.

"What?"

"Don't make me withhold dessert," Audrey said.

"Grams," Steven whined.

"Stop picking on your sisters. Honestly Steven, sometimes you still need a time out. Emily, if you're going to have children with him, they are going to need obedience school."

"They won't be puppies."

"They might as well be. I can't wait until you learn about karma."

Emily frowned. "I might have to rethink this relationship."

Steven's head yanked to the right. "What?"

"Just kidding."

Liz smiled. Emily at least kept Steven on his toes.

They all went into the dining room and had a wonderful meal. After they were thoroughly stuffed, they sat around and laughed and talked. It was a great day and Elizabeth was looking forward to Christmas.

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Elizabeth pulled Jason through the Christmas tree lot. She was on a mission to find the perfect tree and Jason had no idea what that entailed. All he knew is that he wished he was inside somewhere warm with a nice cold beer. Anything was better than having to dodge kids and get poked by trees as people tried to haul them to their cars. Liz dropped his hand and moved forward and Jason stopped and looked at the kid who was now standing in between him and a Douglas fur. His arms were crossed and his brow was furrowed.

"This one is mine."

Jason fought a smirk. "I don't see your name on it."

Liz turned and looked at him, shaking her head.

"I called it."

"I didn't hear you."

"Why are you messing with that little boy?" Liz asked.

"I'm just finding out some information. Now, how much do you want for it?"

The little boy fought for a moment. "Mister, you couldn't afford it."

His mother was now standing behind Jason, trying not to laugh.

"I have a lot of money. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

His mom moved closer. "Kyle, let's go. I found a tree over there."

"Aw mom….."

"We can't afford this tree, now let's go."

Jason watched the dejected boy walk away with his mother and then he quickly made his way over to the cashier. "Look, I want to pay for that ladies tree, not the one she is looking at though. The little boy wanted the first Douglas on the right over there." He pointed.

The girl smiled. "Okay. I'll head her off and tell her we'll tie it up and put it on her car."

Jason slipped her a one hundred dollar bill. "Tell her she won some kind of lotto and the tree is on you."

"That's a good idea. I'll tell her she can pick any tree she wants and I'm sure he will run to the other one."

"I'm counting on."

Jason hurried back as the girl told the surprised family the tale. He heard the yelp of the boy before he started to run and Elizabeth looked over at him curiously. He folded his arms and waited.

The boy skidded to a stop in front of him. "Hey mister, I've come to get my tree."

"I don't think you can afford what I'm selling it for."

The boys head tilted. "They said I could pick any tree I want."

"And you want this one?"

"Yes."

"Let me think for a minute."

The boy watched impatiently as Jason pretended to think.

"Well, have you been good?"

The mom was standing there now and she made a funny face like that was debatable.

"Most of the time, but I have my Damian moments, that's what mommy calls them."

Liz turned her head so he wouldn't see her laugh.

"Well, if you promise to be mostly good for your mom the next year, you can have this tree."

"Deal!" he said holding out his hand.

Jason shook it and moved out of the way. A man lifted the tree into a cart and began to push it as Kyle followed him excitedly.

The woman walked up to Jason. "Why do I have a feeling you had something to do with this lotto win?"

Jason feigned surprise. "Me?"

"Yes you. Thank you. This means so much to him. His father died in Iraq a few years back. Just—thank you for being so nice." She hugged a surprised Jason and then took off.

"For that, I'm going to make you scream my name later," Liz said.

Jason turned to look at her. "Really?"

"That was very sweet."

"Maybe this Christmas spirit thing is rubbing off on me."

"Good. Now, I want that one over there."

He frowned. "Why? It's hideous."

"Shhhhh, he might hear you and no one else is going to pick him."

"Elizabeth….."

She tugged his upper body closer and whispered what she was going to do to him later and Jason blew out a harsh breath.

"Fine. We'll get the tree."

She grinned. "Let's go."

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Christmas was a big affair. They visited both Audrey, the mansion, and also celebrated with friends. Patrick proposed to Epiphany in the middle of dinner at Audrey's and she said yes. Then something happened that took them all by surprise.

"We have an announcement," Francis said.

Sarah moved over to him and Francis slipped a ring on her finger.

"Oh my God, you're engaged?" Andrea asked.

"No, mom—um—."

"We went to the City and we were married last weekend," Francis said.

Everyone froze as they stared at the couple. Andrea didn't know whether to cheer or cry. Sarah had always said she wanted a big wedding, so she was truly shocked.

"Mom—dad?"

Jeff stood. "I'm sorry. You completely stunned me. Congratulations." He hugged his daughter and waited for his wife who hadn't blinked. "Andrea."

She licked her lips. "Why?"

"It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We're in love and didn't want to wait any longer."

"I'm a little disappointed because I didn't get to be there, but I've never see you this happy so I wish you both happiness and so much love." Andrea got up and hugged Sarah and then everyone gathered around them to congratulate them.

"If you want to have a small ceremony at the house, I'll agree to it."

"We would love that," Audrey said.

Liz pulled Jason aside. "I know we haven't spoken much about the future, but I think we both know what it's leading too."

He nodded. Marriage was something he very much wanted with her.

"I'm sorry, but we're going to have a full blown wedding or I think my parent's heads will implode."

He grinned. "I don't care as long as it's me and you standing there saying our vows at the end.

"Thank you. I'll throttle my sister later." Truth be told, an elopement sounded simple and great to her.

"Let's go tease Francis and pretend we're mad," Jason said.

Liz chuckled. "Okay."

After the new year, things settled down and that's when Liz's world was blown apart.

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Liz stared at the apparatus in her hand. It just couldn't be right. She looked at another one and it had the same result. She was pregnant and the panic started to build.

Sinking to the floor, she started to hyperventilate and put her head between her knees until she calmed down a bit. "What am I going to do?" She struggled to get up and then took all the tests and put them in a bag before running into the bedroom. After throwing a few things into a suitcase, she grabbed her phone and made some travel arrangements. On her way out, she scribbled a note to Jason and then left.

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Jason walked into the penthouse with Steven. "Elizabeth! Your brother is here."

There was no answer.

"That's weird. Her car was in the garage."

Jason went into the bedroom and was surprised to see clothes strewn around. He ran back into the other room where Steven was holding her note.

"Did you guys fight?"

"What? No." He grabbed the note and read it.

"Jason, I'm sorry. Something happened and I just need a few days to myself to get my head on straight. I promise I'll call you tomorrow. I just need some time. Love, Elizabeth."

There was a knock on the door, so Steven answered it.

"Hey, is Elizabeth home? I was in town and wanted to say hello."

"No. She isn't here."

"Oh. Can I wait?"

Jason sat on the couch.

"Now is really not a good time."

John frowned and then pushed his way into the apartment. "What did you do?"

"He didn't do anything."

"Then where is she?"

Jason looked up at him. "I don't know. She left and I don't why or where she went."

"That doesn't sound like her. Have you started looking?"

"I just found out and I don't know where to start."

Steven whipped out his phone and called Sarah, but she hadn't seen her since earlier in the morning.

Jason called Epiphany, but got the same answer. "Where would she go?"

Steven called Johnny, but he hadn't seen her either. "Let's split up. I'll go to the bus station. Jason, you go to my parent's house."

"I'll take the airport," John said.

"We'll meet at Audrey's in forty minutes."

Jason nodded and they headed out.