Thanks once again for all your wonderful feedback, I only hope I can continue to be worthy of your wonderful words. I know this chapter has been long in the coming, but real life seems to think I have better things to do that write, I don't agree, but alas, things have to get done. But I can say with great satisfaction, my muse is back and demanding that I write… (Yay!!!)
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emanuel paced the small confines of his room, wondering, not for the first time, what he was getting himself into. It was one thing to contemplate working for Sonny Corinthos, but is was something entirely different when the job was just waiting for you to take it.
There were many things that flashed through his mind, weighing the good with the bad, because, he had no doubt there would be much of both. Whatever lay ahead was something he was going to have to deal with, besides, getting to work near Elizabeth would be a pleasure. She was such an amazing person, kind, loving and one couldn't forget beautiful. But the question really was, was one person worth taking the chances, that working for Sonny Corinthos demand…
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Elizabeth fell quickly to sleep, for once she felt safe and didn't feel like prying eyes were always watching her. She had tried to fight off the drowsiness that suddenly over took her, but even with Jason downstairs, she could still smell his distinctive smell, it was thoughts like those, that drifted down with her, allowing her a reprieve from all the terrible moments this year had wrought on her.
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Jason worked with swift hands in the kitchen, delighting in the preparations. Small things like this made everything worthwhile. A simple smile gave him the strength to do what needed to be done without thinking about the repercussions, it was Elizabeth, fully, completely. She filled his heart and soul and because of that simple gesture, one which he was sure she didn't even know she was offering, he knew he was a better man for loving her and being loved in return.
With a tray laden with delectable treats, Jason ascended the stairs, enjoying the smallest things, all because of her. As he entered the room, he noticed that Elizabeth had drifted off to sleep, momentarily saddened by the sight, he took enormous joy, knowing that finally, Elizabeth had found peace to fall asleep without him sitting near at hand.
He wasn't delusional enough to believe that one night of love-making was enough to heal all old scars, but it was obvious, it was a beginning and that alone was something to celebrate. On the heels of that thought, Jason had another, a celebration was exactly what they needed, a night out on the town, a night where they could enjoy the company of one another, but also that of friends. Perhaps a night at Jakes was needed and maybe a few good games of pool, for he was always up to re-teaching her the joys of the sport, but really, was pool a sport?
Jason laid the heavy tray on the night stand, allowing his eyes to scan her becalmed sleep. She wasn't hiding within anymore, or should he say right now, whichever it was, it really didn't matter, he planned on enjoying this small moment, knowing that things would not always stay so simple.
He lowered his body down on the bed, never taking his eyes off her beautiful form. But no sooner did he lay down, than she shifted in her sleep. Her body spooning his, her head resting trustingly on his chest, while all the while her hand gently played with the taut skin of his chest and abdomen. Her beautiful chestnut locks fanned out beside him. Never before had he seen a sight so breathtaking, he was after all "The Borg"…
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Time passed quickly, almost as if someone had pressed the fast-forward button, skipping all the mundane tasks of everyday life and going directly to the more intimate moments.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye, tension was still a part of everyday life, but the moments that stood out in both of their minds, well those were the moments when they were alone, more often than not delighting in the joys that their coupling brought, but even when not making-love, the small trivial things compounded, allowing them a reprieve from the outside world that seemed to want to drag them down.
Francis and Marco took quickly to the job, neither unhappy about their position, Emanuel however, never even showed up for the first day. He had left a note for his friends and from what they heard a note to both Jason and Sonny and oddly enough, one to Elizabeth as well.
Sonny was still alone, Carly had yet to come back, for that matter, she had not even bothered to check in on Michael. The first month was a bad one for Sonny, he moped around the house continuously and was always in a foul mood. But as a month turned into two and then three, his grim mood began to change. He still loved Carly, but he had reached a point in his life, where he wasn't sure he could ever forgive her. She hadn't left because she was sick, physically or mentally, but out of spite and loathing. If she did ever come back, neither Jason nor Elizabeth were sure that Sonny would take her back, of course, stranger things had happened before, and this was Port Charles…
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Elizabeth lounged around the living room, fingering through a magazine that she didn't really care for, but just looking to kill some time. Two minutes didn't seem like a long amount of time, but ever since she left the bathroom and began paging through the magazine, the second hand on the clock seemed to slow to a crawl. Moving one space every hour or thirty.
She understood that time had not really slowed down, it was just her desire to know, the desire to understand. Things were good with her and Jason, but would the next two minutes shake all she had and destroy the one thing that seemed to, no, that was the best thing in her life. Because for her, there was no question, if she was, then…
Elizabeth launched herself off the couch, absently tossing the defenseless magazine across the room. Sitting was doing nothing for her nerves or her state of mind, so she decided to try pacing, even though she knew that was going to be as pointless as everything else. Something had to work, she still had a minute and a half to wait, forcing every neurotic desire to march back into the bathroom and yell at the offending object, she instead walked towards the kitchen, her throat suddenly parched. Wow, and she had thought being with Lucky was stressful, he didn't have the market on that, this here, had to be the most stressful thing she had ever gone through and that was saying a lot.
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Jason had finished business early, so he stopped by the Flowering Romance and picked up a dozen white calla lilies. There was no reasoning for this odd purchase, not saying he didn't buy Elizabeth flowers often, but today just seemed like the right day for the purchase and of course there was a jewelry box burning a hole in his pocket, perhaps the time had finally come to give it to her.
He unlocked the door and entered his home, their home. Ever since her whirlwind presence had been introduced, his home had never been the same, and for that alone he was grateful, she didn't only liven up his house, but she made the space a home.
No sooner had he shut the door and locked it, than he seen her small profile disappear into the kitchen and the unmistakable worrying of her bottom lip. Remaining quiet, Jason followed her into the kitchen, hoping he wouldn't scare her, but merely surprise her.
As he entered the small room, he had the flowers held out before him and before he had a chance to speak, Elizabeth turned on her heel, swing back in his direction. A small startled gasp escaped her lips, but before anything else could, she clamped her lips tight, praying that she didn't look as, was it guilty, no, suspicius…
"Hi" Elizabeth said, her voice slightly high and squeaky, "You startled me."
"Hi yourself, what's up?" Jason asked, looking at his girlfriend, questions filling his eyes.
"Up, why would anything be up?" Elizabeth replied, trying very hard to keep eye contact, but failing miserably.
"Because, I have been home for a few minutes, you have said nothing about the flowers in my hand and I have yet to feel your lips on mine!" Jason said, smiling mischievously.
Elizabeth forced her feet to move forward and gently placed a loving kiss to his lips, with him distracted, she darted around him, heading for the bathroom, hoping he wouldn't follow her or at the very least, she hoped she would beat him to the bathroom and be able to lock the door.
Jason however was not fooled, he allowed her to distract him, but as she dodged around him, Jason quickly followed, and as luck would have it, pushed his way into the bathroom before she had the chance to lock it. Once inside, he locked it, securely making sure she could not escape.
"Okay, what's up?" Jason asked, clearly perplexed but trying very hard not to show it. His eyes drifted around the small room and then all of a sudden, his eyes fell on the small stick that sat on the sink. His heart began to beat wildly and now his throat was drier than that of any desert. His eyes widen, the question lingering deeply in his blue eyes.
"Umm." Elizabeth squeaked, suddenly not knowing where to look.
Jason took her hand in his and directed her to the toilet seat. So, not very romantic, but there was something he wanted to give her, now more than ever and the time seemed perfect. Jason knelt in front of her, first handing her the flowers, then slowly withdrawing the small box from his pocket. His nerves were trying to take hold, but with great effort he forced all emotions that were not helpful or pertinent down, right now was not the time to turn into a Nancy-boy.
Elizabeth looked from the box to Jason's face and back again, trying to understand what was going on, but seemingly coming up blank.
"Jason?" Elizabeth asked, once again her throat had gone dry.
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