[quote author=ecompassion board=inspireus thread=2028 post=63656 time=1305296468][b]Chapter 4[/b]
In the park, Elizabeth and Sarah along with the four guards were watching as the boys chased after one another. Hearing someone behind her, Elizabeth turned and saw Siobhan standing there. "Can we talk?"
Looking at her sister, Elizabeth led the red head off. "What is it?"
"I have spent the last few days getting at the truth, or at least what I am coming around to accept as the truth." said the Irish lass. "I owe you an apology for a lot of the crap I believed."
"Thank you but-"
"No, because I am sorry for what I said and how I acted. You should know, I have been deported." with a slight laugh she said "The man believes me that I went into the marriage loving Lucky, that I meant my vows. Lucky clearly didn't. I was to be a placeholder until you were suitably cowed and returned to him. I heard him admitting as much to that cousin of his."
"For your sake, I am sorry." said Elizabeth when she saw how upset the woman was. Then seeing Lucky coming across the park, with tears, she said "Lucky is here, I need to speak to him."
"I will go this, I can't face him." said the woman as she walked the other way.
"What did you say to Siobhan." asked her ex who was glaring.
"She came to apologize to me. We need to talk Lucky." she said pointing at a nearby bench.
As he started to say he forgave her for marrying Jason, then that they would be one big happy family if she would only divorce Jason, Elizabeth said "I should change that. I will talk, you will listen."
"But-" Lucky tried to override what she was saying.
Looking at her guard she said "If he says one more word without my permission please take him out of here."
Shutting up and glaring at the guard, Lucky started to cry.
"Stop the sobs, all they are doing is annoying me." she said with a sigh. "Jake and Cam don't want to see you. I am in agreement with their wishes. Now, as to Aidan."
"He is my son."
Elizabeth let that go then said "Biologically yes, he is your son. But from the moment you sold that sperm you had no rights to him. You have no choice to agree to my wishes. You will not be seeing him; you will stay at least fifty feet away. If you were smart you would go to Siobhan, she truly loves you. Go to Ireland Lucky. Let this idea you have of us go, because I did years ago. I wanted this perfect family for the boys, forgetting that in order to have it, you have to start with love between the parents, that it has to be an equal partnership. That was never us."
When he went to protest she said "I am going to talk to Laura, allow her to spend time with her grandson. Luke on the other hand is a drunken fugitive and I won't allow him near my children. Lulu is going to have to obey a whole lot of rules and would only have limited supervised visits."
"Elizabeth, he is my son, MY flesh and blood." Lucky had no intention of letting her talk to him this way; she was not going to keep him away from the boys. He wouldn't let her, after all Aidan was his son.
"And that is all that matters to you, isn't it." she said looking at him. "Too bad, like with Sam, I wouldn't trust you in our lives, Jason doesn't either. We agreed that nothing is going to be allowed to come between our family, so move on Lucky. Let Aidan go."
"I will sue. Sam and I are his parents, we have rights." he said feeling a sense of doom, like he was going to actually lose, but he knew that would never happen, at least never again.
"No, you don't. Sam is going to prison for what she has done. You should be there too but you got lucky." she said standing. "Lucky, if a few years down the road, you have shown yourself to have matured, I might be willing to send you photos but this, this is the closest you will ever be to your son."
Storming off, he went straight to the station and demanded to be allowed to speak to Sam. Seeing the brunette being lead into the room her head down, clearly upset, he asked "What the hell happened to you?"
Looking up at Lucky she said "I have talked to eight different attorneys, all have told me I have no chance of getting my son. Jason is in town and sent a message via Diane. All it said was that if I get out, I should run and look over my shoulders that someday he is going to be there and kill me."
"What about Spinelli, he helped us before." said the desperate man.
"I heard two of the guards. Spinelli was kicked out and hauled off by the WSB. Then Robin Drake's mother came to visit me. Told me that they have enough charges to be filed against me that I will never spend one single day outside of a prison cell."
Lucky had an idea, then looked at the woman. "What about Sonny and Carly, surely they will help."
"Carly won't. She was here as well; she has nothing but money and is blaming me for Jason marrying Elizabeth." Sam felt the tears falling then looked at Lucky "What did I do that was so wrong. Jason and I were meant to be, how does she always win?"
Thinking the same thing about Morgan, Lucky walked out, feeling dejected. At the Haunted Star, he sat down and looked at Ethan. "Have you heard from dad?"
"No, don't expect to. I am thinking on one last take down then heading out of town. Why don't you come with me?" he asked.
Lucky thought about it then said "Mexico?"
"Nah, cops can find you there. I was thinking either Australia or New Zealand."
Lucky thought about it, then said he might meet him there in a couple of months. Making a few calls, he found what he was looking for. Smiling at finally finding a way to win out over Jason and over Elizabeth. Heading home, he saw the papers ending his marriage, signed them then went to see Sam.
"Lucky what is it, I can't keep doing this, I have nothing, nothing at all left." she said looking out the door dejectedly.
"I want us to get married as soon as my divorce is final." Seeing her dead eyes, he said "I did some checking and we have a chance but you can never come back here, ever. No contact with your family, no contact with Morgan. He has to be let go of, completely."
"Why are you doing this, why are you getting my hopes up. Besides, deep down, Jason loves me. He is only with her for the kids. At some point he will get over his anger and come looking for me." she said.
"Sam, it's simple, it's either Aidan or jail." he retorted then left giving her hope.
Jason rejoined his family at the park then listened to the boys as they drove home. Settling in as they cooked dinner together for the boys, Jason told her what was going on; she gave him the news about Lucky. "What about Sam, should we see her?"
"No, at least I am not planning on going to see her." Jason said. "I owe you an apology. I can't believe I sat here telling you that I knew Sam better, that she wouldn't do that. Turns out, I was trying to see what I wanted."
"Jason, know what I saw?" she said softly. "Sam was whatever each man in her life needed. She was adventure girl with Jax, the girl on the run with Sonny. With Lucky she was all about how badly she wanted out of your life. Look back at your time together, she was always turning herself inside out to be what you wanted."
"I took that to mean she loved me." he said with a sigh. "I was accepting because it was easy. She didn't ever question anything I did. I should have been questioning that if nothing else. Then after all she had done... to take her back. I was lazy and getting my ego stroked."
"We both just let things happen, Jason. I was the same way. Nik was about dealing with my anger at you, at Lucky. Nik and I killed what used to be a great friendship. I heard Bobbie talking while leaving the hospital, Nik fled town, hurt at learning the truth about Aidan. Things will never be the same."
"Maybe they weren't meant to be. We both are going to have to face that our lives were little more than making other people happy instead of ourselves. That is going to be in the past." he replied just as the doorbell rang.
Opening it to see an annoyed Robin, he asked "What is going on?"
"I hate to bother you, but someone came to see me and was insisting on talking to you, to Elizabeth I didn't want to bring her at first, but..." Robin gestured to where Brenda was getting out of her car.
Jason shook his head no and started to return to the house when Brenda called out. "Please, just listen to me a few minutes, then I will leave you alone. Please Jason, I owe you an apology."
Not wanting to but worried she would create a disturbance that would bother the boys, Jason came out on the stoop and closed the door. "You have five minutes."
"I followed you, to the park today." said Brenda hiccupping as she looked at Jason, clearly searching for something in his face. "I know, I know, I shouldn't have, but I did. I saw you, with the boys and Elizabeth."
When Jason only looked bored, Robin sighed then said "Tell him the rest of it, Brenda. Just say what you wanted to say."
Flushing a bit, Brenda said "I uh, I was watching all of you, and was shocked, know what I saw? I didn't see Jason Morgan, I saw the Jason I knew before the accident. The Jason who clearly is a part of you. I have seen it a few times over the years, but only rarely until today."
"I am not going to help you, Brenda." he clipped out.
"I know, I so know that." she said with a slight smile. "Jason, I came to tell you I am sorry, for a lot of things. Uh, I ran into a couple of people got the story of your history with Elizabeth. When I came home last time, uh, it created trouble for the two of you. The man I saw, who was cold and abrupt, that was my lasting impression when I left town."
When she saw him standing there silent, she said "When I came back this time that was who I saw. Oh, you have moments, flashes of Jason Q, but only flashes. It was why I acted the way I did regarding your son. To me, you didn't seem to care; I honestly forgot how as either Morgan or Quartermaine you hid things deep down. I am sorry for the way I reacted, I truly am. I am very glad you got your son back. That Elizabeth got her son back."
"Thank you, for that." said the brunette in the doorway as she looked at Robin and said "Turn your phone on; Patrick just called looking for you."
Jason encircled Elizabeth's waist and looked at Brenda who said "I was so determined to be whatever Sonny needed me to be, I was so sure we would work out this time. I never noticed how I was patterning my behavior on Carly's. I am talking or rather am planning on talking to someone, getting some help. I also will hire someone to find Lucian's parents, find out how my son ended up hurt like he did. I just came to say, once more. I am so sorry."
Her head down, the former model went to the passenger side of the sedan, then called out "Jason, do one thing for me. Please!"
Seeing his glare, she gave a ghostly half smile and said "Be happy, and at least once a month go annoy Edward, I think that is all he has left."
Nodding, Jason watched as Robin hung up her phone after talking to Patrick then said "He wants me to bring home a pizza for dinner, men! Elizabeth, see you at the hospital hopefully soon. Jase, thank you... She truly means what she said."
Back inside, Elizabeth was wrangling the boys while Jason was trying to get them seated at the table. Once that was done, dinner commenced as they ate together enjoying the peace and quiet.
Carly was sitting on the bench, watching the water when she heard footsteps. Turning to see her mother, she snapped at the sad looking woman, "Don't start."
"Carly, you went too far. I have tried to warn you for years, but you just refused to see it." she said sitting near her child. "What happens now?"
"Nothing, I just give it time, things always go back to the way they should be." she said confidently. "I have nothing to worry about, Jason won't abandon me."
Bobbie stood then walked away, at the diner, she was going over the books when she heard something. Going to the hallway, she searched the empty diner but found no one. Back in the office, she saw the note and the missing money.
"Aunt Bobbie, something has come up. I am sorry but I cleared out the safe." Lucky had signed it before heading out. Furious that the man had stolen over five thousand dollars, she slammed the safe shut and went home.
Dante got the call from the hospital and was let into his father's room. "You asked to see me?"
"Yes, sit down." said Sonny, his mind on his latest screw up and how he had gotten what he had deserved. "It's about Brenda, please; tell me they didn't press charges. She didn't intend to shoot anyone; the gun really went off..."
"I arrived at that moment, I saw it hit the ground then the bullet hit you." he said quietly. "Carly is going to be fine; it hit her in the fatty part of her rear."
For some reason that made Sonny give a chuckle in spite of how weak he was. "I screwed up, big time. I was so angry that she had a child with Jax... yet I of all people had no right to be mad about it. Drake told me I was lucky to be alive. He is right, I am. Look, I was thinking a lot when I was out, as crazy as that sounds."
"I need to make changes. Not say I am going to make changes, real change. Brenda is going to divorce me, I knew that when I woke up. I get that. I deserve that. What worries me is my children... I uh... I am giving up, everything."
"You have done that before." said Dante. "At least twice that I know of."
"No, the last time, it was only the appearance of letting go. I lost two women that way. First Kate who didn't deserve what I did to her, the lies I told. Then Brenda, the first time I walked away it was out of guilt for the death of Lily. There is too much death and destruction in my life. The children I have lost the women and the friends who I have either pushed away or used. I can't do it, not anymore. I feel old for the first time."
Dante didn't say a word, not sure there was anything to say. "I know you don't trust what I have to say. I heard you talking. I know you lost your job. Can I make a suggestion? Become a PI, get your license. Marry that girl, if you love her. Me, I am going to do what is right, for the first time in years."
Sonny then asked "Would you please do me a couple of favors. Have Michael stop in, but first talk to Mac, have him be here. Then Jasper Jacks, I need to talk to him."
"He might not come." replied his eldest.
"I know, but I need to at least attempt to speak to him. Is Carly still in the hospital?"
"No, she was released." reported Dante.
"Good, that should give me a few hours of freedom." he said stiffly. "What about Jason? Where is he?"
"With his family." Dante said.
"Good, good, that is the way it should be." replied the man, then asked "One last favor, Father Coates, could you arrange for him or Father Mateo to stop over."
The first to show up was a belligerent Jasper Jacks. "Stop, wait, just listen, please."
That got his attention; Jax sat down across from the man and glared. "I uh, as crazy as this is going to sound, getting shot like that, was my last straw. I am putting a plan in place. Doing what is right for once. If I arrange for it, would you make sure that Carly can't get near Morgan?"
"What are you up to Corinthos?" asked the blond with the narrowed eyes. Sonny had known this was going to be hard, so letting his anger go, he leaned back and started to talk.
Jax didn't believe what he was hearing, not at first but when Sonny started talking about seeing his mother when he almost died, about how she talked about his atoning for his sins... Jax got it, Sonny was serious.
"I will talk to Alexis, but I would like you to step in for Kristina as well." replied the dark haired man.
"Sonny, maybe you should take some time, think about this." replied Jax still shocked at what he heard.
"That is another thing, Sonny; Sonny was the name I chose when I went down this road. Michael, Michael Corinthos from now on." said the man. Jax agreed then left, at first certain this was a set up, but he arrived home and had a call from Alexis who sounded wired and calm all at the same time.
"I gather he talked to you?" she asked. "I almost don't believe it, but something... something inside of me is saying it is true."
"We need to talk to the kids, he said he is going to speak to them, one at a time." said Jax who heard a knock on the door and let in Dante. "I have to go Alexis, but let me know what Kristina thinks."
"I was astounded at first, but it is real." said the younger man going over and pouring himself a glass of water. "I gather you said yes."
"I did." Taking the paperwork, his eyes widened and he said "Surely he didn't do this, this quickly."
"He had his new attorney call Diane; get a hold of the trust papers he set up for each of us, and this was just added to it." Dante stood and said "Joss, Morgan, Kristina, possibly Michael, are you sure you are up to this when you are ending your marriage to Carly?"
"Yes, I get the reason he asked." said Jax. Making another call, he asked "Have you talked to So- Mi- Sonny?"
"No, but I have been asked to come and see him at the hospital." said Brenda who after hanging up, wondered why that was the fourth person to call and ask her that. Dante, then Diane, Alexis and now Jax had called.
Michael was shocked to be let in the room where Mac Scorpio was shaking hands with his father. "I will leave you two alone."
Michael listened to his father, then said "Is this some sort of plan, Dad?"
"No, this is me, facing up to whom I have become." he said softly. "Michael, I did so many things wrong with you, with your mother, with my whole mixed up life. This, this is the right thing to do, it's what needs to be done."
"But dad, don't you think that is a little extreme?" asked the blond.
"No, I look at it as giving back what I have taken out of this world. I want you to help Jax, listen to him, He is a good man. I have spent years hating him for that fact, but when he was here, we talked, he agreed without question to take care of all of you, in spite of how things ended."
"Dad, are you sure?" he asked weakly.
"Yes, I am." he said looking into the skeptical eyes of his son, then with a quick smile said "Do you want to be here when you mother hears?"
"No, I would prefer a bunker out on Spoon Island." he said dryly. "What… what about Uncle Jason dad?"
"He will be fine. I am going to make sure of that. I owe him so much and have done nothing to respect him. I am the reason his life is such a mess right now. Elizabeth was once my friend, until I tossed her away because I didn't want to anger your mother or my sister Courtney. I threw away a lot of good people over the years; Olivia and she were the ones I did the most damage to. I can never make up for what I did, but I am going to try as I make these changes."
Michael hugged the man in the bed, then walked to the door. "So what happens next?"
"Can you handle calling me Michael, or would you prefer I took a different name?"
With a wry smile, Michael said "No, after all it was your name first."
When his son had left, Michael looked at the bland walls and heard the light footsteps. "Thank you for coming."
Monica looked at the man in the bed, the man she blamed for what she had lost and saw something was different. When she left the room flummoxed, then turned around to see him shaking his head yes from the doorway, Monica said "Then, if you are being honest, god be with you, Michael."
Various others came and went, Alexis with Kristina who took it hard; she had lost her sister, mainly because the curtain on all of Sam's bad behavior had been yanked; now she was losing her father. "Dad, please don't!"
"Kristina, I HAVE to do this, it was why I was given another chance." he replied then when she left he asked Alexis for a small favor. Getting the number, he made the hardest call of his life. The man on the other end, thought it was a joke at first, then there was silence. "Yeah, no joking around. Ric, I forgive you for all that happened, hopefully some day you will feel the same way about me."
When Brenda showed up the next morning, Sonny and she talked. Forgiveness was given and offered then there were a few moments of peace before she said "I saw Jason with his family yesterday. I get what you mean, seeing how relaxed, how happy he was, it cleared the fog I have been living in since returning to Port Charles."
"Brenda, I know you don't want it, but there is a bank account, do some good with it, okay?" he asked then heard the purposeful footsteps of his soon to be former partner.
"Sonny." Jason said nothing, because there was truly nothing to say. Both of them knew they were at the end of the road traveled together, but only one knew what God's plan was.
'Michael' saw even Jason's stone cold continence shaken with the news. "It's no joke; no I haven't lost my mind. I saw my mother, Jason. I saw my life through her eyes; this... this is the right thing to do."
"You requested my presence." drawled John Zachara as he came into the room. Hearing the news, convinced that Corinthos was as insane as his father, he was soon convinced that the man was telling the truth.
Hearing the offer, he took a long hard look then said "Offer up, both territories. If Morgan and I can agree to a deal with them, I will take it."
Nodding, 'Michael' then said "Zachara, I owe you an apology, for what I did, for the way I treated you. For what happened to Claudia. I know forgiveness needs to be earned, but you at least deserve the words even if you can't believe them, just yet. I am sorry."
John walked to the door, then saw Jason shaking So- Michael Corinthos hand, then saw the older man look at the blond, he saw the friendship and the part that shook him, the regret. This clearly was no con.
Outside, he waited for the blond then said "How are things going, at home?"
"Don't worry, Zachara. Things are fine. Elizabeth and I are working on our problems, working through things a little at a time." he said with a smile. "She brought the boys in for their checkups; I have to meet her down there."
John left and went to Claudia's grave. Telling his sister the news, he knew that someplace, where ever she ended up, Claudia was laughing hysterically at the news.
'Michael' talked to all his children, dealt with his friends, donated a lot of his money to various charities, from AIDS to abuse victims and to art students, then made the call he was dreading. "Carly, can you come to GH, we need to talk."
The blond hurried up to the correct floor, entering she was already saying how they needed to work together, to get Jason back. How Elizabeth... "NO… ENOUGH CARLY!"
Carly pulled back, affronted then saw Sonny holding out some papers. "This, this is ownership of my estate, I bought it for Michael, but since you lost the hotel as a result of your bad behavior and as big as it, you can turn it into a bed and breakfast."
"Sonny, why would you give me your home? Don't worry, things will..."
"Carly, no they won't." he said looking at the woman in front of him. He couldn't help debating with himself if their first child had lived, if they would still be as tied together as they were. He really doubted it.
"Carly, when I was out, I saw my mother... dreamed about her, really. Saw my life through her eyes."
"So, Sonny you have a good life, our children, they have a good life. The only thing that will make our lives better is to get Eli-"
"Elizabeth Webber isn't the boogie man, Carly. All you are trying to do is stop the tide from coming in. Jason and Elizabeth, they are fate. We all spent too long trying to keep two halves of the same whole apart. No, you need to let this go. They are truly the definition of the term soul mates."
"NO! NO! I-, I am Jason's-" Carly was shrieking when a hand suddenly covered her mouth.
"Now, let's use our inside voice, okay Carly?" mocked the man. Her eyes widening in shock, Carly could only nod when she was let go.
"Carly, Jason and you were a couple of nights, tied together by your running off and leaving your son with him. He fell in love with Michael and got stuck with you." said the man. "Sonny, why am I here?"
"You are another person I owe atonement to." he said holding out his hand. "Johnny, I know that my lawyer told you what is going on, I have a job for you. One I am certain you will enjoy. That job is to make sure that Carly doesn't interfere, along with Spinelli or Sam McCall in Jason's life ever again."
"Jason got rid of the geek already; he is in the hands of the WSB, after getting immunity on all past crimes. Sam is facing prison time for all she has been doing the last few years, including a few things I cued Mac Scorpio into that you didn't know about. Carly babes, she will have to learn the hard way."
"Protect him, be his Jason." said the man who then gave Carly the news. "I am joining the Catholic church."
Blinking a bit, Carly said "You are already catholic."
Lowering his head to hid his smile for a moment, 'Michael' said "No, I leave for the seminary to heal then begin training when I am well enough."
"Training for what?" she laughed. "Priesthood?"
"Yes."
That simple answer shocked the blond who said "No way, there is no way that Sonny Corinthos is going to go the rest of his life without sex, without fine clothes, without all the things that make you, you."
"Carly I am entering the church as Michael Corinthos, son of Adella. The man you knew as Sonny Corinthos died on the operating table." he said calmly. "Carly, I forgive you, I hope you can someday forgive me but more importantly, I hope that someday you can learn to grow up..."
"Wait, what about your children, our son?" she shrieked. Johnny O looked at the self aware man in the bed, then at the woman as he dragged her out of the room.
Carly wretched her arm out of his hand, then went to find Jason. Not finding him, she called everyone including Brenda only to be told to accept his decision. "NEVER, IT WAS MEANT TO BE, Sonny, Jason and me. We were meant to be together, this, this is all her fault, she did this."
John Zachara listened to the report then said "Let them go, but I want to know where they end up. Regarding Carly, well she will end up in ShadyBrook, soon enough."
Jason and Elizabeth took the boys home, then talked with Cameron who had overheard Molly asking Alexis about Aidan. "Mommy, why was that loud girl claiming that Aidan belonged to that mean woman?"
Sighing, Elizabeth looked at her son and said "Do you remember when Mommy's belly was large? Mommy gave birth to Aidan that means he is my son."
"Okay but someone needs to tell that loud girl that." he said getting up and heading to the playroom.
"At some point I am going to have to find a way to explain this to him but for now, as long as he is reassured that Aidan isn't going any place, it should be fine." she said looking at Jason who seemed transfixed by something. "Jason?"
When he didn't answer she said in a dangerous tone. "Jason, what is going on?"
With a sigh, he looked at her and said "I am just thinking of all the damage Helena did and we still don't really know why she did it. She knew that the baby's biological father wasn't Nik, yet she set you up to run tests, then there are the eggs. Why use eggs that might not work?"
"I honestly don't know. I am going to have to talk to Alexis about things." she said with a sigh. "This is such a mess, but I can't let Molly upset Cameron like that, nor can she continue to say that Aidan belongs to her sister."
"She is just a kid, Elizabeth." he reminded his wife. "A crazy confused kid who has no idea who her sister really is. That is partly my fault as well. I let things ride, didn't deal with things. She truly believes that Sam and I are characters from these romantic books she is reading."
"She is barely a preteen what sort of books is Alexis letting her read?" she asked.
Shrugging he said "I don't know, but Kristina and her were always talking about them. When I asked Sam, she said she had no clue."
"Why am I not surprised." she said rolling her eyes. "Jason, how on earth can Alexis have two children, who are intelligent, then there is Sam, she has the brains of a turnip."
"That isn't very nice." he said.
"That woman called me names like bitch, slut and those were the nicer ones. I can say she is dumber than a box of rocks, Jason. Don't you dare go there with me." she fumed.
Starting to protest, he said "I am not defending Sam; I am shocked that you would descend to her level."
"The old Liz wouldn't, but then the old Liz got stomped on by you, by your friends all in the name of danger. Funny, how the danger was only to me, to my children. When Jake was thought dead, I would hear you talking to Sam, To Carly. You acted like I was the only one bringing up the danger. Jason, you were the one who pushed us away time and time again."
"What does that have to do with me being disappointed at you taking pot shots at Sam?' he asked confused.
"As low as you made me feel, as low as she and the rest of the coterie that surrounded you made me feel, I can say whatever I want." she said then stalked up the stairs leaving him alone in the living room.
"What the hell just happened here?" he asked himself unaware he had a witness.
"Uh, wow, you still are an idiot, aren't you?" asked Johnny O. "Morgan, Elizabeth is bitter, rightfully so. You have equal right to be angry and I have heard you making comments about Spencer, about Ric. Yet for Elizabeth to do so, it makes her what Petty in your mind?"
"It's not the woman I have always loved." he said quietly.
"True, but you aren't the man she loved. That man would have never done things you have over the last few years. I know you two are talking, but let me tell you, criticizing her justifiable anger, pushing aside her pain... you two have been doing that to each other for years."
"I am trying... I just worry about her."
"Now, that is a rather condescending attitude." said the Irishman. "Get over it, make her feel reassured, that you aren't going to bail in five years, that you are going to be a full partner in this marriage, Make her do the same, things will work out fine if you do."
"I just don't know how to do that, everything always comes back to what has happened in the past. Elizabeth has always been able to move on, to forgive."
"Jason, that was when she was the victim at the hands of your friends and enemies, though how you tell the difference between those two groups has always made me a bit confused. This time, it was her children who were victims of your walking away, of her cowardice. She dealt with her anger at herself while Jake was missing. You are only reaping what you sowed."
""What?" asked the man.
"Jason, seriously... you KILLED for Michel, for Sonny's other kids. To Elizabeth it looks like you didn't care one iota about Jake, about Cam. You honestly made Lucky Spencer the putz look like father of the year and that was before your idiotic move of asking for what she thought was Jake's kidneys. Both of you are screwing this up, now is the time to be the bigger man, like you were for Courtney when you forgave her, for Sam, when you forgave her, for Carly when you forgave her. See the pattern?"
Jason sighed then said "She still doesn't get it, does she?"
With a slow smile, Johnny said "No, and the reason she doesn't, is because you have always used words or actions but never both at the same time. You need to step up, be the man, Jason. Show her; prove to her that you love her."
"She hates me... deep down she hates me." he admitted hoarsely. "I get that, she is right to hate me."
"No, you are still not getting it, Jason." said the other man. "If you want forgiveness for what you did, you need to face it head on, then forgive yourself. Elizabeth will come around, because you are right now at where she has been for the last few months since the hit and run."
"How do I face things?" he asked.
"I don't know you need to figure that out yourself." he said. "It's the only way you will heal. Now, I didn't come here to play marriage counselor. I am here to talk to the two of you about Lucky."
Going upstairs, John saw Jason at the mantle looking at the family pictures. Dragging a stubborn Elizabeth down, he said "Lucky stole a large sum of money from the diner then fled. My people traced him to Spoon Island where he did the same then have a meeting with a paperman."
"AT Spoon Island." asked Jason surprised. "Papermen tend to be rather squirrelly, how did that happen?"
"Money, lots of money. He got two sets of papers, he gave them the names, said he would provide the pictures." said Johnny who added. "He originally called for a set for a child, then canceled them."
"Oh god, Aidan." cried out Elizabeth in fear. "He was going to try and grab Aidan."
"Yet, we think that was the plan. He had made repeated visits to Sam at the jail. Then he went to the airport, left with his wife." There was a bit of surprise to that news then Johnny continued. "He cleared out the diner as well. Siobhan was scheduled for Dublin but they flew to Wellington instead."
Elizabeth felt a sense of relief that got deeper when Johnny told them that Lucky had confessed to Siobhan his plan to run away with Aidan and Sam. That he had stopped himself when he decided he didn't want to live without his Irish lass.
"Elizabeth, here." Taking the note like it was poisoned; she read it out loud and then saw Jason relax.
John had slipped out the door as she looked at Jason and said. "You were worried, weren't you?"
"I was afraid of what he would say. That it would be about how much he loved you, or blaming you. You always take a lot of the blame for everything he has ever done wrong."
"I know." she said quietly. "I was a fool, but when Jake died, my guilt ate at me. I faced that I let Lucky and my past, blind me to a lot of things. That I tended to fall back into a rut."
The rest of the evening between playing with the boys, Elizabeth made an appointment with Diane and Alexis, heard about Sonny and was a bit giggly at the idea of Sonny becoming a priest.
Getting ready for bed, Jason didn't think about it before sliding between the sheets, shocking Elizabeth because since they had moved in, Jason had slept on the sofa. "Jason?"
"We can't keep avoiding each other. Good night." he said then closed his eyes, knowing she wouldn't be happy. He listened as she sighed in annoyance then soon fell asleep.
In the morning, they were curled up with one another. Jason slid out of bed, got ready for the day then woke up the boys. When he heard her getting ready, he entered the room and announced. "The boys are ready. I am going to drop them off with Monica. Are you sure you are okay with that?"
"I was happy she called. I felt bad that she never got to know the boys." Elizabeth was dressed and ready to head out the door. "Jason I am going to stop by GH, talk to Epiphany about going back on the schedule."
"Why?" he asked bluntly. "It's not like you need to work."
"I love being a nurse, Jason. I want to go back at least part time. I heard what you were saying about more time with the boys, I agree but I need more in my life than that." she said firmly.
Jason drove the boys to the mansion, seeing Edward looking longingly at the boys, he took a count of ten then introduced boys. "This is Edward. My grandfather."
Seeing the tears, Jason felt the old man's age for the first time. "Edward, no games."
"I promise no games." he said then sat down on the sofa and was talking to Cameron while Monica was corralling an excited Jake. Elizabeth, put Aidan in his travel pen, then spoke softly to the woman.
"They will be fine, Elizabeth." Elizabeth hugged Monica and apologized about her only now learning about Jake. "I understand, if any one does, I understand what you were dealing with."
Jason went to talk to John Zachara while wishing Elizabeth would allow him to be there during her meeting but she assured him that this had to be mother to mother in order for Elizabeth to get through to Alexis.
Meeting first with Diane, they called Laura who said that Nik had stopped in to see her. "Elizabeth, are you sure that there is no way you and my son can't raise these boys together. After all he is Jake's father."
"Laura, Jason and I got married. He is Jake's father, you know that. Lucky and I, we are over. There is nothing left. Hopefully he finds peace with Siobhan." Hearing the irate loud cough, Elizabeth just let it go until Laura went on about what she thought they should do. "Laura, if you can't let this go, then we have nothing to talk about. I am done catering to your family. Jason and I, we are dealing with our lives, someday, when you can get past this idea that Lucky and I belong together you are more than welcome to visit your grandson."
"That was a waste." said Diane when she had hung up on the blond. Looking at Elizabeth, she said "Are you ready to deal with Alexis?"
"Yes. It's time." Elizabeth moved to the window while Diane let in the attorney. "Alexis we have a lot to deal with, but first you need to know, Aidan, is my child. Molly needs to stop claiming otherwise. I don't understand how she even knows about this."
"I told her." she said. "She deserves to know that Sam has a biological child out there."
"Why on earth would someone as young as Molly have any rights in this?" she asked.
"Elizabeth, Molly loves her sister." Alexis tried to explain. "She is having a hard time with all that is going on, I thought it might help?"
"How?" she asked baldly. "Sam doesn't have a child, I have a child. Molly needs to get that Aidan isn't Sam's. You need to put a stop to this. I am not going to deal with anyone attacking my being Aidan's mother. I GAVE BIRTH to him, Sam's part was accidental."
"Elizabeth, no matter what, Sam is a part of this. I understand, trust me. I get why you wouldn't want Sam involved but Molly? What possible problem can you have with Molly?"
"Alexis, we are going around in circles. I have no problem with Molly, just her belief that Aidan is Sam's. My sons are confused enough..."
"Whose fault is that?" she snapped.
"Don't go there." she said dangerously. "Your daughter Sam, is culpable in a lot of this mess. You know that. While I had my own fair share of screw ups in this mess, your family, your daughter, and Helena created this mess."
Sighing, Alexis asked. "I would like to spend some time with my grandson."
"Alexis, he isn't your grandson." snapped Diane. "You know that legally. Now Elizabeth was going to be kind enough to talk to you about this situation but I am going to recommend this come to an end. You are being deliberately obtuse."
Her thin lips pressed together, Alexis said "I am as much of a victim in this mess."
Elizabeth agreed to Diane's request then told Alexis. "Thank you for what you did, regarding Jake."
Frustrated, Elizabeth thought about it and decided to confront Sam. Calling Mac Scorpio, she was let into the room which had Sam handcuffed to the table but it was clear it wasn't needed. Sam looked completely downtrodden. "What, come to gloat?"
"No, that is more your style." she said. "I don't know why I came."
"I hate you. I loathe you, why can't you lose? I mean, look at me and look at you. You are nothing; you look like a skinny little waif. Have nothing going for yourself. Why? Why did he marry you?" she cried out as she let the tears flow.
"Sam, you don't want to go there regarding what we look like. You don't want to have a comparison. Regarding what I have going for me. Sam, I don't quit. I graduated college twice, have two different degrees and don't spend my day on the sofa doing nothing. You just... well I feel sorry for you, because you make whatever man you are involved with, your life. I have my own."
"Really? What life do you think you have that is so great?" she sneered.
"Sam, I have friends, true friends. I have my boys, I have a grandmother, a brother and I understand you have become acquainted with my sister." she said. "I have a past that isn't littered with crimes, with cons. I have connections in this town that go back generations."
"I am a Cassadine." she said.
"Sam, that is truly sad. That that is all you have." Standing, Elizabeth walked out. Stopping she turned and saw the dejected woman and frowned. Walking away without another word, she was leaving the station when she saw her sister.
"I have been looking for you." she said with a smirk. "Guess what?"
"You won the lottery?" she asked.
"Funny, Lizzie." she said glaring. "No, nothing like that. I am going to be staying in town. Working at General Hospital, I am looking at finding a place to live since Grams' isn't a good idea."
The two sisters walked toward the park, talking about how things were doing. "It's difficult, to trust but we are working on things."
"I'm glad if that is what you want. Being happy, I have spent years looking for Mister Right, but I keep finding Mister right now." she said. "How hard is it to find a guy that loves kids, doesn't mind a woman who has her own career and is able to support himself?"
Hugging Sarah, Elizabeth said "Don't worry, there is always Matt Hunter, or how about..."
"No!" Sarah protested. "I refuse to be Mom and Dad and marry someone in the medical profession."
Carly watched her eyes narrowed as the two sisters sat down on a bench giggling then were joined by Robin Scorpio who was holding out something to each of them.
Elizabeth took the candy bar then asked. "Hitting Emma's leftover Easter candy again?"
"Oh course not." she said innocently then looking around said, "I hit Epiphany's secret stash in the fourth floor supply room."
The three women discussed the hospital. "Epiphany said you called, wanting back on the schedule part time."
"Yes. I can't sit home all day. I couldn't imagine doing nothing all day." she explained. "There is a room in the new house; I am going to turn it into a studio."
"Brenda said Jason is selling the penthouse, and I saw the for sale sign in front of the cottage."
"I also let go of the studio." she said. "Robin, have you heard about Sonny?"
"I still can't believe it. He is serious about this." she said then mentioned "He made a large donation to the AIDS research association, to several other charities. I just can't imagine, Sonny as a priest."
"Excuse me?" asked a shocked Sarah who stopped talking and stood. Looking at the blond she said "Why are you eavesdropping on us?"
"I wasn't, I was just walking by." she protested. "But I can't believe you, look at all of you, gossiping, you act like you are so much better than the rest of us, yet listen to you."
"Carly, none of us have ever thought we were better than anyone else. That is you; you are now learning that isn't true. You had chance after chance and didn't take them. You get no sympathy from me. From any of us." Robin wasn't happy; she had come to the park, planning on enjoying time with her friend. "Elizabeth, I have to head back, I will see you later this week."
Sarah and Elizabeth went one way, Robin the other while Carly sat down, feeling alone. Calling over, she was a bit upset to be told that Joss was asleep but that she was more than welcome to come over that afternoon.
"I can't believe you are forcing me to make an appointment for my own child." she said. "I want to speak to Morgan, too."
"Carly, you can come over and see them anytime you want. You just need to understand that I am not going to let you upset the children." Jax thought back to his visit with Sonny, then about his promise to protect the children. Who would have thought he would ever be in agreement with that man over anything.
Hanging up and welcoming Brenda. "I heard you are moving into one of the penthouses."
"I uh, Jason is selling his penthouse." she said a bit awkwardly. "I needed a place to stay. I uh, should tell you. I am going to be working for Kate Howard, doing a few articles while I remain in town."
"Good for you. I did some research, I have found out how our son ended up at the hospital. He was in an accident; they switched the boys when they saw Jake wasn't hurt as bad. I asked Elizabeth, she is going to let me rebury him. Do you want a service?"
"Yes, please, a private one, just the two of us. Please." she asked her voice breaking.
"I will take care of it, but Elizabeth asked me if she could attend." Jax told her.
"I can't deal, please, just the two of us." she begged.
"Brenda, I really think that it is equally important for her to be there. Elizabeth and I have been friendly for quite a while. I can't think of anyone else I would want making those choices for our son. I know that if she made the decision, it was the best choice for our son."
"T-that's not it." she said sighing. "I just feel so guilty. Our son was buried once and I wasn't there, I was happy, having a party."
"Brenda..." Jax looked at the woman he had once loved. "I will agree to think about it, but he was my son too."
Ducking into an alleyway, Michael avoided his mother who seemed to be stalking around for some reason. Hearing her answering her phone, he grinned when he heard her complaining about the park and headed there to avoid her.
He had had his third session with the court appointed therapist and was actually for the first time in a long time feeling free and good about himself. They had been working on his letting Abby go and he had homework, he was to find a nice girl, then ask her out for lunch.
Looking around, Michael saw no one his age, then snickered when he saw Diane Miller limping his way. "Ms Miller, is everything okay?"
As the red head muttered what sounded like death threats against some man named Jimmy Choo, he had an idea. "Since you are having such a bad day, why don't I buy you lunch. You know, as an attorney you of all people should know better against making death threats in such a public place."
Getting the green eyed glare, he just offered to take her briefcase. "My car is about a hundred feet away."
Glaring at her foot, then at the teenager, she said "Lunch does sound good. How about some Sonic and we can eat in my office?"
"As long as you don't bill me." he cheekily said. Diane sat in the passenger seat as they went through the drive thru then took pleasure in drinking her first milkshake, saving her root beer for lunch.
When Michael and she had finished eating, and discussed his father, he asked "Do you think my therapist would consider you an A or a D? I had homework, was to ask a nice girl to lunch."
"An F, young man." she said then suggested he find someone a little closer to his age for lunch the next day. "You can look at me as a practice assignment."
Heading to his rehab center, Michael was reading the newspaper when he heard his name being called. Downstairs, he saw his sister, with tears in her eyes, crying. "May I use a private area?"
"In here, but only for a half hour, Corinthos." he was told. Drawing Kristina in, he listened to what she had to say about being teased regarding Molly's overwhelming hero worship of Sam, he could only advise her to talk to Molly.
"I tried, but Mom keeps me from telling her the truth. She doesn't get it, what Molly is telling people. She told Mr. Quartermaine about it today and he was rather abrupt, suggested she go home and read something other than romances because they were giving her a warped view; then called mom. It was ugly; she accused him of trying to steal her grandchild."
Michael thought about what he had heard, then said "You do know, Uncle Jason is married to Elizabeth that does make him Aidan's grandfather. I know what happened; I also know that your Mom knows the whole story. Yes, Sam's egg was used, but Aidan is Elizabeth's."
"But biologically has to count too. Aidan is Sam's son." she insisted. "Our nephew."
"From the unique prospective of someone who was adopted, Kristina, biology doesn't matter. What your sister did, was horrible, you know that. Remember Faith Roscoe and what she did to us?"
"I was a baby, but yeah, I have heard. So what does that have to do with anything?"
"Do you think Faith or her family should have anything to do with a child, if she had one with say...? I don't know, dad."
"Not but..."
"What your sister did, it was equally as bad. Kristina she SAW Jake's first kidnapping. Hired men to threaten..."
"No, she hired them to threaten Elizabeth." she said earnestly. Michael just looked at her and she protested weakly "No, she didn't know the boys would be, there she couldn't have."
"She did, Kristina, She also led the kidnappers to Jake's house, the Russians knew about them because of Sam. Add that to knowing Jake was alive and not telling anyone, I know she is your sister but she is no better than Faith or AJ."
Kristina left went home and was quiet the rest of the evening as what Michael had said started to really sink in. She got why Elizabeth didn't trust her family, they were all acting like she was guilty of something when she had been the victim.
Hearing Molly talking to her mother in the hallway, Kristina listened as her mother told Molly that no, Aidan didn't belong to Sam. When her sister coldly snapped at her mother that she had never loved Sam, that she couldn't have if she didn't do something so that her big sister could have her son, Kristina made a call.
Talking her mom into letting her take Molly for a drive, Kristina talked to her the whole trip over. When they were let in, she said "Robin, thank you."
Seeing Maxie, the teenager was worried but she shouldn't have been as Molly listened to what the doctor and her cousin had to say with big eyes, then said "No, Sam wouldn't do that."
Robin and Maxie nodded at one another then Maxie took Molly for a walk. On the porch swing at the Webber house, she gently explained that yes, Sam would do what she was being accused of. "Molly, have you talked to Jason, I will call and see if he will speak to you, I think you need to hear it from him."
At home, Alexis was in her room when the girls said good night and went to theirs. In the morning, she got rid of the newspaper which announced as a headline that McCall had taken the DA's offer.
Elizabeth woke up first that morning since she had to go to GH for her first shift. Watching Jason sleep, she felt a pang of pain for all they had lost, then reminded herself that they did have a future.
Things were tough, they were arguing things out, talking things out, painful things that made her face her own responsibility for the mess. Yes, Jason had put others first, but she had let others tell her what to do, to put Lucky first when he had never deserved to be there at all.
Going to get dressed, she checked on the boys, and had to laugh at all three of them asleep with their covers kicked off to the end of the bed. Frowning a bit at finding the mark growing darker on Aidan's leg, she made a reminder to ask his pediatrician about it.
Kissing and covering them up, she went to drink her tea then head out just as Jason came downstairs. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
Smiling as she watched his yawning and pouring himself a cup of what she was sure he thought was coffee, she said "You looked tired, besides you sleep just like all three of the boys."
Leaning down he kissed her then growled. "You wake me up next time. Or I will have to kiss you senseless."
"Now that sounds like a good reason not to wake you." she said with a flirty smile that turned to outright laughter when his face scrunched up. Kissing his cheek, she rushed off saying "It's black tea, it's good for you, Jason."
Out the door, she hurried to the hospital, still getting used to her new vehicle. Entering along with Regina, they were discussing patients when she saw Sonny leaving the hospital in a church ambulance. Nodding at the man, she bowed her head for a moment then went to work.
Meanwhile Jason was dealing with Aidan's diaper, Jake's determination to eat only a banana for breakfast and Cam's giggles for some reason. When Aidan was changed, and Jake had eaten his cereal with the banana cut up in it, he went to ask what had Cam so happy when the doorbell rang.
"Maxie, how did you find out where we lived?" he asked frowning at the blond who pushed her way.
"Later, right now, you need to talk to Molly. She is in the car; I refused to let her come in since I was sure Aidan was here. I promise not to emotionally scar the kids, go talk to her. Please, I know delusional when I see it and that kid, she is delusional."
Jason was about to head out when Maxie said "Wait, first you might want to wipe the lipstick off your cheek."
When Cam rolled off the sofa laughing, Jason said teasing the little boy "Was that why you were laughing this morning? Wait until I tell your mom, something tells me you will be the one with lipstick all over the face."
"Nope, because lipstick is for girls." he said then ran off to play. Maxie sat down, pulled her notes out just as she felt her skirt being tugged. The blond boy in front of her handed her the bright blue bike and said "I like the yellow best of all."
"Okay, thanks kid." she said going to stick the bike in her purse.
"NO, you are supposed to play with the bike, on the floor with me?" he announced.
"On... the... floor?" she asked horrified. "Can't we play on the coffee table?"
"Nope, toys aren't allowed on the table in here, only the other room." he announced as he crawled around and made motorcycle noises. "Come on, let's play."
"The things I do..." she muttered as she sat down and drove the bike around herself only to be told she didn't make the sounds right and that the track was on the other side of the room.
Thankfully Jason came back in, then told Maxie thank you, that he got through to her. "You're welcome."
As she left, she said "I was wrong and I am sorry. I interfered in your life, in Elizabeth's out of blind anger for losing Lucky. This was part of making that right."
Dante had proposed, Lulu had accepted then she broke down as she got her family wasn't coming home for the wedding. Lucky had called their mother, said he was going to be off the grid for four months in New Zealand with Siobhan. Nik was refusing to come back to Port Charles and her father was a wanted fugitive.
"Who is going to walk me down the aisle?" she asked Dante before having an idea. Stopping over, she asked the old man who said "No, I am sorry but Lulu, I won't do it. Best of luck on the wedding, but I think it is safe to say that the Quartermaine family has done its last favor for a Spencer."
Calling Carly, her cousin told her she had enough problems but that she would be happy to help her plan her wedding. "What about having Mike walk you down the aisle?"
"I don't want some drunk, I want my dad." she whined.
Thinking to herself that there wasn't much of a difference between Luke and Mike when it came to drinking, Carly said "Well let me know who you are going to have as an attendant."
Lulu sat down, then called Maxie who said she didn't think it would be such a good idea. Kristina said she was leaving for summer camp in a week. Scraping the bottom of the barrel, Lulu called Elizabeth who said that she wouldn't be attending. "I know you helped your father escape, no, Lulu. Even if it wasn't Jake, a little boy died and your father is off traveling the world and you helped arranged that."
Hear head down on the desk, crying, Lulu then called Carly back and grudgingly asked her to be her Maid of Honor. Carly wanted to snap no, at the tone but agreed wanting a way to keep close to those she had in her life. "Who else is in the wedding?"
"You and I think Dante asked Ronnie to be his best man." she said with a heavy sigh. "What am I going to do Carly; no one wants to be in the wedding."
Jason had the two little boys down for a nap. Aidan because he needed one, he thought Jake was taking one because Aidan hadn't wanted to. Hearing Cam reading, he asked "Do you want me to read to you?"
"Jason, I am big enough to read to myself." he said rebuffing the offer. Returning to the living room, Jason thought about all that Molly had said. Then knew that he had to fix things for a night out with Elizabeth.
Molly's recitation of his life with Sam had taught him a couple of things, that others had had no idea what was really going on, how he had been living in the moment since losing what he had wanted and that he hadn't done anything really at all for Sam without someone prodding him into it.
Comparing that to his relationship with Elizabeth and he was at least relieved to realize that what few romantic gestures he had made, had been on his own, on things that they had enjoyed, moments that had meant a lot to them.
With that in mind, he had made a call and arranged for a picnic basket so that they could take the boys up to Vista Point and watch the sunrise as a family. He had no intention of leaving without reliving their first kiss.
Arriving home, Elizabeth saw the boys were waiting and Jason had a grin on his face. "Okay what is going on?"
"We are having a picnic." announced Cam as he dragged his mom by the hand up the stairs. "Mommy, you have to change clothes. Hurry, come on, please?"
Changing into jeans and a t-shirt before grabbing a light jacket since the boys jackets were on the back of the sofa, she returned downstairs and was laughing as Jason loaded the boys.
During the familiar drive, she looked at Jason and asked "Vista Point?"
Nodding, he had them there and then handed Elizabeth the ball while he said he would take care of the unloading. Calling over to where she was playing with Jake and Cam, then were soon feasting on chicken salad sandwiches and carrot sticks.
Jason then tired the boys out before they all curled up in the cooling night and watched the sunset. "I will take the boys to the truck, one at a time."
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