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Chapter 32

"I'm kind of excited in case you couldn't tell." Liz was grinning as she and Max walked up to her boutique. Not even three weeks after the house was done, the shop was completed. The fresh coat of white paint on the exterior gleamed in the sun. Cody assured her that this was the best brand on the market and it would hold up to the weather in the region. She wouldn't need a touch up for a few years. When she did he would send out a crew.

"Nope, never would have guessed." Max said grinning. "Am I going in with you?" He remembered that she wanted to go in alone first the day she bought the building.

"You can come in." Liz looked over at her friend. "I need someone to catch me if I pass from too much happy."

"Are we waiting for Jason?" Max wanted to know. At the moment they were just standing in front of the new store.

"No, I'm just taking it all in." Liz was fixing the memory in her brain. "He'll be arriving with everyone else. I just wanted to come and do the walk through first."

She had gotten the keys two days ago. Just like with the house it was requested that she do a walk through. Unlike the house, she found a couple of things that needed to be changed. She made it clear to Cody that his crew hadn't failed. The fault was on her. What she selected wasn't working like she thought it would. Liz expected that after the store opened she might find more things that needed adjustment. These types of mistakes showed her inexperience.

Today her friends were gathering to help her set up shop. Literally. The shelves were on the walls already, the crew had done that. They were putting together the racks for the floors, and putting out inventory. A truck would be arriving from the warehouse right after lunch with items from her current spring/summer and fall/winter lines. Also before leaving the mannequins that would be in the big front window would be dressed and positioned. Then the paper covering those windows was getting removed. When folks strolled down the street there would be something new to look at.

Tomorrow the plan was to come back and do a walk through. Displays would be fussed with, and the interior mannequins would be dressed. Two days from now she would be conducting training for her newly hired staff. The application she posted on a local employment site had gotten more responses than Liz had been expecting. There was a good sized pool to pick her associates from. She hired six employees, one of whom would be her manager. Even though she would be on site most days her working on the floor wouldn't be ideal. It was all coming together nicely.

Liz pulled the keys from her pocket and walked over to the front door where Audrey March was written in the same lettering and color as her sign. While many of her neighbors had those metal grates protecting their establishments, she did not. It wasn't necessary. No one was breaking any of the windows.

"I love the smell of floor wax." She said as they walked in. "I'm strange."

"The good kind of strange." Max said grinning. "You need my handkerchief today?" The last time they were here she had cried. Happy tears, but they still made him slightly uncomfortable.

"No." Liz looked around and let the sunshine warm her. "Are you guys required to carry handkerchiefs?" All the guys had them.

"Yes." Max confirmed as the stood in the middle of the large empty room. "Even if Sonny didn't say we had to Milo and I would carry them because our dad made us do so growing up."

"Do you miss Palermo?" She wanted to know. The question was asked as she reviewed the changes she requested. Everything was looking great.

"Not really." Max answered the question. "I miss my family, but I actually prefer living here. If you get the chance though you should visit Sicily. It is beautiful."

"I've seen pictures." Liz was checking out the changing rooms at the moment. This was the area she had messed up the most. Deciding to be different she had the walls painted a vivid shade of yellow. Which altered the colors of her clothing when she was standing in the small room. Clearly there was a reason that every store she'd ever been in had white walls in their fitting area. "It looks stunning. I'm guessing that Jason will need to go at some point, and I'll just beg to come along. I'm willing to whine if necessary."

Max just laughed. Jason would no doubt take Liz to Italy if he had to go, which meant Max could probably visit with his mother. Milo too if he was still on this current detail. Which probably wouldn't be the case. Max was thinking his brother would get reassigned at some point. Having siblings guarding a couple generally didn't happen. It could potentially be too much loss for one family, and he didn't see himself being transferred. "How does it look?"

"Amazing." Liz said with a wide smile. 'It was never the work of the crew that was the issue. I made the mistake which I explained to Cody." She said walking into the large back area. Here there was storage for anything on the racks, and a nice area for the employees. Including their own bathroom, there was a lavatory for customers in a separate area. She looked at her watch. "Everyone should be here shortly, so we need to get back out front."

"I'm looking forward to the party tonight. It's kind of funny how much socializing Jason does these days." The big guard said laughing. "We didn't know he had it in him."

"You make him sound like a shut in." Liz responded while laughing. "Hanging out with you guys is something he always did. If he starts going to parties outside our social circle, then you all can be gob smacked. I'll be right there with you. Are you bringing Clarice tonight?" Max had asked her out for the first time a few weeks ago. So they had a new couple to celebrate.

He grinned at how quickly she came to the boss's defense. "She is." Things between them were going great. Like Liz and Jason, he and Clarice had been friends for a while before making the jump. "I'll be going to get her and then following you guys over to the restaurant." Polluzo's was closed for the party to celebrate the boutique's opening next week. His phone rang. "The guys are here."

Liz walked through the storage area to the back door. Behind the store was an area for deliveries, it was also where she and Max would be parking. The employees and customers would use the parking lot at the end of the block. It was free, as the city wanted to encourage folks to come down, walk around, and shop. Out front Liz had decided to also install a bike rack, in case folks wanted to come down that way. "Hi!"

"Hey kid." Francis had driven everyone over. Him, Johnny, and Cody piled out of the car. Behind them another car was parking, that vehicle would contain the crew that was helping them.

"The racks aren't here yet." She told her friends as she got hugs. That truck wasn't due for another fifteen minutes. It was just going to be her and the guys because all the gals were working, or in Em's case in class. Her friend was taking the last class of her college experience. By the end of August she would be a college graduate. In December they were all going to gather to watch her walk across the stage.

"How did the repaint go?" Cody wanted to know.

"It's perfect." Liz assured him.

"This space is huge." Francis said looking around. He knew that once the racks and clothes were here it would shrink the room.

"Where is Jason?" Johnny asked looking around.

"I didn't invite him. I don't want him to see the space until it is finished." Liz explained to Johnny. "The two of us will do a walkthrough by ourselves once it's all set up. Sonny isn't coming either."

Johnny just grinned. The two of them were really cute together. "Sonny not being here is for the best. He doesn't do well with tools."

"Which is hilarious when you consider what he can do with a knife." Francis pointed out. Sonny had made more trips to the hospital trying to fix things around the house then for any other reason. Jason finally went over and confiscated all of his partner's tools and told Ritchie that Sonny wasn't allowed to buy any more. Cody knew that as well.

"The truck is here." Cody was closest to the back door. He and Johnny could be here because Sonny and Alexis were both at home, and staying there for the time being. So it made sense that Jason was absent because someone had to run things. "We'll get everything put together and then you can tell us where it all goes."

"Thanks guys, I appreciate this." Liz would also be helping with assembly. "Karen is coming over in a couple of hours to help me place the clothes." She had been happy to help, especially since no one else was free. "So the more racks we have ready to go the better."

"Let's get to it then." Francis said moving out of the way as boxes were brought in.


"That is probably Karen." Liz said putting down her screwdriver and looking at her watch. Her friend would be a little early but that was fine. The racks were coming along nicely, so if she stopped and moved onto something else it would be fine. "Johnny will you be able to focus with your girlfriend here?" She asked joking. "I don't want you losing a finger."

"I think I'll be okay." Johnny promised her, although he would be enjoying the view of his girlfriend. Things with them are going great.

"We'll keep an eye on him." Francis said being cheeky.

"Oh my goodness!" Liz said throwing open the door and hugging her friend hard. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I said I would be back in time for your opening." Carly said hugging Liz tight. "I'm so proud of you. The outside looks amazing."

"Come see the inside." Liz stepped back and pulled Carly into the main room.

"Nice. It looks chic and classy. In other words expensive." Carly took it all in. "I can't wait to send our guests over to spend their cash, and of course coming in to spend my money too." Her friend was going to own the fashion scene in no time flat. "How can I help? What can I do?"

"I'm expecting Karen shortly so that we can start putting the clothes on the racks and the mannequins. You can help with that." Liz wasn't going to turn down someone who wanted to help her.

"Karen is coming." Carly had heard good things about her. "I'm looking forward to meeting her. Em likes her."

"You'll like her too." Liz assured her friend. "You've actually met once. She was one of the models that came to the hotel when you let me use the ballroom terrace for a shoot." There had been a power outage and her building didn't have electricity. So she didn't fall behind schedule Liz had called Carly who said to come on over.

"Which one?" Carly prided herself on never forgetting a name or face. It was a bonus in her line of work.

"Shorter of the two brunettes. Brown eyes. Long bob, at the time." Liz told her friend.

"I remember her. She was nice." Carly had only spoken with her briefly, but the model had zero attitude. Plus if Liz said she was cool, then Karen would fit in well with the group. "Want me to get started, or should we wait?"

"We'll get started with the racks and Karen can start on the mannequins when she gets here." Liz decided. "She started a personal shopping service." It had only been a few weeks, but she already had a few customers who were raving about her.

"Really? I'll need to look into that. I like to shop, but honestly sometimes I just don't have time." Carly was busy most of the time. "Plus if Karen is any good I can tell my guests at the hotel." Carly was always looking for more VIP services to offer.

"Come on, we'll get some clothes and you can tell me about London while we work." Liz was also hoping to see some new pictures of the hotel. Carly had been sending them all updates.

"That I can do. Then you can update me on the goings ons in Port Charles. Who found out they have a long lost sibling, who is having an affair, who returned from the dead. I've been gone long enough for all those things to have happened." Carly was laughing as she followed her friend into the back of the store.


"You look amazing." Jason said twirling his girlfriend around. "One of yours?"

"Nope." Liz smiled at the compliment. "Just something I saw and fell in love with. I have been waiting to have somewhere that I can wear this dress to. I was thinking a wedding, since everyone we know will do something formal. Only no one else has gotten married since I bought it. I need to remind them that it's all about me." She commented while smiling. "I don't think that it is too much to ask that someone get married so I can wear a dress." She was being outrageous and knew it.

"You'd more than likely be in the wedding party." Jason pointed out. "Like with Carly and Diane. And now Nadine. You could wear your nice dresses to the engagement parties." He said playing along.

"That is true." Liz ran her hand down the garment. "Also if I'm going to be completely honest this dress is too showy to wear to someone else's big day." The bandeau jacquard floral dress was certainly eye catching. The metallic gold and pale peach print shimmered every time she moved. It was an outfit that was made to be the center of attention, in the best possible way. With it being strapless as well as boasting a shorter skirt it also showed a fair amount of skin. This was a dress to party the night away in, which is what they were about to do.

"We will need to go out again, so that you have another excuse to wear the dress." Jason knew his girlfriend had no problem recycling outfits.

"I'm not going to turn that offer down. Especially since you will be in a suit." He was in a deep charcoal suit, and to her surprise a patterned tie.

"Ready?" Jason asked holding out his arm. They were making a stop before joining their friends at the restaurant. Earlier he called Max and told him to just take his date to the party, and then Jason called Rory to tell him that he was working as the primary guard. Max had more than earned a night off.

"I am." Liz said letting him lead her outside where the limo was waiting.

"Ready?" It was her turn to ask.

"I'm actually really excited." Jason let her know. They were standing in front of the rear entrance to the boutique. This afternoon a good portion of the store had been set up in preparation for the grand opening this weekend. According to the information she had read the slowest day for the business district was Sunday, so that was when she opening. It would give the staff a chance to get their feet under them, and her a chance to see what was immediately not working. Then make changes.

"Okay." Liz had butterflies in her stomach as she let them in. Having him here meant everything. She wasn't seeking his approval on what she had done, but she did need to share this with Jason. "This is the stock room. I'll have more inventory upstairs but this is where the ladies will come to restock the shelves after closing or when merchandise is low." She started the tour. "Over to the left is the employee break area, lockers, and restroom. On the right are the stairs to the second and third floors. I'll be working on setting up those areas during the rest of the week and probably part of next week as well." Everything from her studio was on the third floor, it just needed to be taken out of the boxes.

Jason nodded as she opened the door that divided the employee only area from the store front. That sense of pride and awe he always got when talking about her work was very much present. To just know that his girlfriend had created enough clothing, beautiful and amazing clothing, to fill an entire showroom left him seeking words.

They stood at the back of the main room, next to the area where the cash register was stationed. The crew that was over had gotten a lot done. Liz had learned that both Johnny and Francis had really amazing styling skills because they ended up helping put out the clothes. Cody declined saying he could barely dress himself which wasn't true. She reached over and turned on the lights so that some of the overheads were on giving the room a glow.

"Wow." Jason hadn't ever seen this much of her inventory in one place at once. He knew that she had enough product to fill a warehouse, but he couldn't imagine how many pieces that were. Even now he got that this was just a fraction of what was available. "You deserve this success." Jason took her hand in his. "You've worked so hard, and this is just another stop on every good thing that is coming your way."

"Thank you." Liz stretched up and kissed him before leaning her head on his shoulder. "I feel such a sense of accomplishment looking at this room. I remember hanging my flier in the student lounge in high school saying I would make dresses for the different formals that were coming up. I didn't expect anyone to call." She admitted softly. "Then the phone rang and someone wanted me to make a dress for the sophomore hop."

"Hop?" Jason asked frowning.

"It's another term for a dance." Liz looked over at him. "I have no idea why they call it that." Knowing him he'd probably look it up. She didn't really care enough to do so.

"Sorry, continue with your memory." He kissed the tip of her nose.

Liz laughed at him, he was too cute. "I got a call from someone I didn't know. She was on a budget and asked me what I could do. I made her this pretty purple dress. Her words not mine. Then when the junior prom rolled around I got six calls. Six." She said shaking her head. "Then the senior prom happened and I dressed ten girls. My Gram had to help, which was a good lesson in not over extending myself. She wouldn't let me pay her, so I took her out to dinner at the Grille. We got all dressed up and everything. That was the beginning of this. There were some really hard times, but I didn't give up. I kept going, and now I'm here."

Jason smiled over at her. "I'm glad you are taking time to enjoy this. I know you have so many more plans you want to put into action, but if you don't stop once in a while to appreciate what you've accomplished then what is the point."

"Did Lila tell you that?" Liz thought that sounded like Grandmother.

"She did." Jason smiled and nodded. "She was trying to point out that I worked too much, without just coming out and saying so. Monica had mentioned being worried I was going to work myself into the ground. Lila apparently agreed. She helped me understand that if I didn't stop and look at life when I finally did raise my head I would have missed everything of value." Jason could be stubborn but he had heard what his grandmother said that day.

"How did you respond to that?" Liz wanted to know.

"I tracked you down and asked you to go on a bike ride with me." Jason shared something he hadn't ever told her before. "That was the first of what became our almost weekly rides."

"Really?" Liz let that warm her.

"Really." Jason look around the store again. "Can I see upstairs?"

"Sure." Liz took his hand and they went to the stairs. On the second level the rear of the floor was more inventory. Like the storage area it resembled a large walk in closet. The front portion of the floor was where her desk was going to be set up for now. Long term planning had her hoping that someday she would need this level for shopping as well. On the third floor there were unpacked boxes, her work table, and her sewing machine. She was going to be working here on Sunday, to keep herself from running downstairs every ten minutes. "That's everything." They were standing by the large front windows which perfectly framed the view of the park and the Port Charles Hotel.

"I know I've said it before, but I want to say it again while we are standing here. I'm proud of you. I'm proud to stand beside you while you are pursuing your dreams. I also want to say that I love you." He had both of her hands in his.

"My dreams are coming true. Not just the store, but having someone who loves me just as I am. Having you here means everything." Liz squeezed his hands. She believed that she would have gotten here even if she was on her own, but having someone to share this with made it that much better.

He used their joined hands to pull her forward and let his lips linger on hers. The kiss was short because he didn't want to get carried away. Nor did he want to mess up her makeup or hair. While it was true they would just be with friends, he still knew that she had taken care putting this look together. Lots of pictures would be getting taken to commemorate the store opening, so the ladies all wanted to look great. "We should get going."

"Yeah, the guys have been downstairs waiting for us for a while now." Liz was ready to party, now that she had shared this with Jason. He had wanted to come help set up and when she explained why she'd rather he wasn't there, he understood. He always gave her what she needed. Always. "I'm ready to party."

"Save a dance for me." Jason said escorting her to the stairs. It was time to go celebrate.

"You got it." She dropped him a wink as she got out her keys to lock up.


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