A/N: Thanks so much for all the great reviews! You guys are amazing! Now, on to the chapter you've been waiting for. I really worked hard on this chapter, so I hope you guys like it!

"A boyfriend?", Jason repeated with a stunned expression on his face. Marissa nodded. She knew that her father probably wasn't going to take this very well. But she had to tell him eventually.

"Who is it?", he demanded.

"Aiden."

"Aiden Spencer?", he asked in disbelief. But they were just friends. At least, that was what Marissa had told him.

"Yes", she said quietly.

"No. No, Marissa! You're too young to have a boyfriend!"

"No I'm not! I'm going to be sixteen soon!", Marissa pointed out.

"But you aren't ready for this!", Jason protested.

"Yes I am. Dad, you know I love you. And I respect your opinion more than anyone. But you have to trust me to make my own decisions. You raised me right, you know."

"I tried my best", he sighed. There was no point in arguing with Marissa when he knew that nothing he said was going to change her mind.

"And you did an amazing job. I couldn't have asked for a better dad", she remarked. "I'm actually meeting Aiden at Kelly's in a few minutes, so I should probably go."

"Marissa?", Jason spoke before she walked out the door. She turned to look at him.

"I love you."

"Love you too, Dad", she smiled knowingly as she shut the door behind herself.

Then he was alone. He had a feeling it was something he should start getting used to. His daughter was growing up. What on earth was he going to do when she eventually left? Jason wouldn't even let himself think ahead that far. Marissa still needed him. Even if she didn't realize it. And he wasn't about to let her down. Especially now that she thought she was in love.

Of all the boys that she could have picked, she had to fall for Elizabeth's son. That only complicated things. How could he even dream about a future with her when their kids were together? That just seemed…weird. Why was he even dreaming about a future with her to begin with? She could be married for all he knew. How could a woman as incredible as her not be taken?

Lost in his thoughts, Jason almost didn't notice the slight rapping at the door. With a heavy sigh, he got up and opened it. But he never expected to see her. Still so beautiful. He was almost speechless.

"Elizabeth?"

"Hi, Jason", she breathed. After all these years had passed by, her heart still skipped a beat when she stared into his eyes. Those gorgeous blue eyes. She never thought she would get to look into them again.

"Uh…come in", he finally spoke. She reluctantly followed him inside and he shut the door behind her.

"I bet I'm probably the last person you expected to see", she remarked.

"Yeah. But it's good to see you again. You look great."

"So do you. I heard you were back in town. I had to come see for myself", Elizabeth stated.

"Word travels fast around here, doesn't it? I thought about coming to see you when I got back. I just…", Jason trailed off.

"Oh, moving is stressful. I get it. This place looks a lot different than I remember. More…what's the word I'm looking for?"

"Colorful", he suggested. "That's what happens when you let your mother and daughter decorate your house."

She laughed. He let himself give a slight smile. He had missed that laugh so much. He had missed everything about her.

"So, how is it? Being a dad?", she wondered.

"It's tough, but I wouldn't trade Marissa for anything", he admitted.

"I met her yesterday. She's a beautiful girl. You know, I never pictured you with a daughter. I can't exactly see you playing dress up and setting up tea parties."

"I never pictured that either. It's almost scary the things you'll do for your kids. What about you? How are the boys?", Jason enquired.

"Good. They're doing good. Cameron's in medical school, you know?", Elizabeth informed him.

"Really? Wow. That's amazing."

"Yeah. I'm so proud of him. I miss him though. The selfish part of me can't help but wish he would just come home. Get a job at GH. But I'll support him with whatever he wants to do", she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"He's lucky to have such an incredible mother", he said in admiration. "So, what about Aiden? Is he a good kid? I mean…should I be worried about Marissa?"

Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably. This subject was bound to come up eventually. She still wasn't really sure how she felt about it. But this was Jason's daughter. She knew he probably wouldn't be happy about her dating any guy.

"Jason, I realize this is an odd situation. I know you're probably not happy about it. But I raised my son to respect women. I don't think he's going to hurt Marissa."

"I hope you're right", he sighed. "I just don't know if I'm ready to deal with this."

"It hurts to watch your kids grow up. But they have to. All we can do is love them and hope that they make good choices", Elizabeth pointed out.

"They're our kids, Elizabeth. That fact alone dooms them."

"Did you ever tell Marissa about us?", she asked curiously.

"No. What about Aiden? Did you tell him?", Jason wondered.

"No. I think it's probably for the best that they don't find out about everything. It all happened before they were born. And that was so long ago", she remarked.

"Yeah, it was. So, what ever happened with you and Lucky? Did you ever work things out?", he enquired. That wasn't really any of his business, but he just had to know.

"I haven't seen Lucky in years", she said sadly. "I guess he's still in Ireland, but I really don't know."

"He never came back?", he asked with a surprised expression.

"No. I guess he was just tired of dealing with me. Not that I can blame him. When I think of some of the things I did…"

"Hey, everyone makes mistakes. Don't beat yourself up. I can't believe Lucky would just abandon the boys like that. You've been raising them by yourself this whole time?"

She nodded. "I know losing Lucky hurt them, especially Cam. Aiden doesn't even remember him. I'm not really sure which is worse."

"That's his loss", Jason pointed out.

"I know. But it hurts me to see them hurting. They covered it up well, but I could see the pain in their eyes", Elizabeth sighed.

"And you would do anything to make their pain go away", he finished what she was thinking.

"Did Marissa take it hard when you and Sam divorced?", she wondered.

"Not really. It was a bad situation. One that should have been ended a long time ago. Marissa saw that we were both unhappy. It was for the best."

"I just don't understand. You both seemed so happy when you left town. What happened? What changed?"

"We just weren't happy anymore. I really don't know if I ever was. Maybe I just wanted to be. I wanted to love her. I wanted things to work. And they just didn't.", he admitted.

"I'm sorry", she said with sincerity.

"It wasn't meant to be", he said softly as Elizabeth felt her phone vibrate. She pulled her phone out reluctantly and read the text.

"It's the hospital. They need me", she explained as she put the phone back in her purse. "So, I guess I'll see you…around?"

"I'm always around", he said with a slight smile as he watched her leave.