Chapter Seventy-Three
Jason, Liz and the boys arrived early, wanting to spend a little time with the family before everyone else showed up, but also because Liz insisted they go early, so she could at the very least help Monica, she didn't need to be saddled with all the work.
And even though Jason tried to convince her that Monica probably had people handling the function, she still insisted. He chalked it up to her undeniable generosity, she was not able to take anyone for granted, just one more thing he loved about her.
Instead of knocking to announce their presence, they walked in. The last time they had come they were told they were family and family never knocked where they were always welcome.
Monica met them as she was coming out of the kitchen, heading upstairs. Forgetting all about her previous destination, she quickly walked over to them, "I am so glad you guys are here, it is truly wonderful that Alan is back where he belongs."
We're glad to be here as well, thank you ever so much for doing this, it wasn't necessary, but it is greatly appreciated. I am sure this night will be special beyond words." Liz said cryptically. Noticing the look that both Jason and Monica favored her with.
"Is there something I should know?" Monica asked.
"Don't bother mom, I tried without success all day to get her to spill, but for some reason, her lips are tightly sealed, so to speak." Jason said with a grin.
"I am not exactly sure I want to know. Go into the living room, I just need to get changed and then I will be back down. By the way, you both look amazing." Monica said, hurrying up the stairs.
Jason looked at his wife beseechingly, hoping she would spill her secrets. He found in his line of work, secrets were never good. But the way she was positively glowing alleviated some of his concern, nothing bad could happen when she looked positively radiant.
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Emily and Nikolas arrived next with a few other people coming in behind them. Some of those people Jason and Liz knew, others, they were familiar faces but neither knew their names.
"Emily, you look beautiful, how are you this evening?" Elizabeth asked, wondering if her best friend had been able to keep her secret.
"I am good and thank you, you look amazing, as always. You too Jason." Emily said, giving an almost imperceptible shake of her head, alerting Elizabeth to the fact that Nikolas didn't know.
"Nikolas, you are looking good, how are you?" Elizabeth asked, her hand instinctively searching for and finding Jason's, drawing strength from their connection.
"I am as good as can be expected, but Emily is right, you look fantastic, you are glowing." Nikolas said, trying not feel the animosity that always arose in him whenever he was near her. She had had every reason to leave his brother, and perhaps the friendship they had once shared was gone, but perhaps now they could work on finding it again.
Elizabeth tried to give him a hug, but it came off more as struggle than anything. But after a few moments, he returned the hug and with a warmer welcoming. There was something in his eyes though, something she couldn't rightly place, like there was a secret he was hiding as well.
For the time being, Elizabeth cast the thought aside, tonight was about happiness, friends and family, petty differences could be settled at a later date.
"I truly am happy that Alan was found safe, he is a special little boy. But I know how it feels, I thought I was going to die when Spencer was taken" Nikolas said, knowing better than most, how traumatic a kidnapping could be.
Carly, Jax, Michael and Morgan strolled through the door, not bothering with the niceties, Carly rarely did.
Right behind them were Robin and Patrick and to Elizabeth and Jason's surprise, Stan and Kelly.
Lainey was not alone either when she breezed through the door, another shock to the group was her date, it was Max. Elizabeth looked to Jason for some kind of explanation, but a discreet shrug of his shoulders told her he didn't have a clue either.
Sonny and Brenda walked into the house holding hands, looking all the while like they were the only two in the room, they had eyes only for one another.
Carly was amicable, which at first concerned Elizabeth, but she was coming to understand the whirlwind that was Carly. And the one thing she understood, was that she had finally found something that occupied her completely, a man that she loved without thought.
The large group slowly made their way into the living room, it had been transformed from the regular sitting room to an elegant, sophisticated ballroom. All the furniture had been removed and a wet bar set up in the corner by the entrance.
"Jason, your mother really has out done herself, she needn't have gone to all this trouble." Elizabeth said, slightly perplexed at the ease with which they spent money.
"Nothing is too good for my mother, and when she believes in something or someone enough, it is always an extravagant ordeal. Trust that my mom did this just as much for us as she did for everyone else. But honestly I think it has everything to do with showing off her grandchildren." Jason replied, taking joy in his wife's obvious astonishment.
The men excused themselves and headed straight for the bar, each one not really caring for the large group of people this night would produce, and deciding that some liquid courage could just be the thing to make the night a little more tolerable. If only they knew, but then again, a few of the men had a few surprises up their sleeves as well. Like Elizabeth had said, not long before, tonight was going to be something spectacular, the surprises that had been planned, was truly going to make this party go down in the history books.
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Lucky paced the small confines of his cell, antsy beyond belief. When he had first been taken into custody, he had believed one night in a cell and then he would be released, but it seemed like the world was against him.
He looked to the cell that had held his father, Luke was no longer there, in his place a large burly man dominated the small space.
To Lucky's dismay, the man would not stop looking at him, and this alone began to grate on his nerves, causing his pacing to stutter and stop from time to time.
When he could handle it no longer, he spoke, "Is there something I can do for you and if not, quit staring at me. Take a picture, it lasts longer."
"Aren't we a snot nosed little…" The gruff man said, but stopped when he noticed he no longer had the other mans attention.
Audrey could take no more, she had been privy to the large mans obsession with Lucky, and in her opinion had done a really good job of not bringing her noticing it to the attention of either man, but when the large man spoke, Audrey couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips.
"Don't worry darlin', he is not all that special, besides you would grow tired of him after a short period of time, he has a tendency to turn hot and cold.
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Spinelli's entrance was less grand than some of the other guests, but his date was a conversation grabber.
She looked strikingly like Lulu, but this woman held her self with a more mature grace. The similarities were somewhat strange, but really, beyond the long blonde hair and the striking blue eyes, that was pretty much where the comparison ended.
He knew he was likely to get grilled about his date, and really he did deserve it, because while he knew the question of why she was with him, would be on all minds, he had also thought that same question about a million times since they had met.
The group of friends would soon discover her name, a simple name, but a name that nonetheless was beautiful. Lilliana Roberts, a new girl in town, she had met The Jackal one night in a cyber chat room and before either knew it, they were falling for one another. And even though he was still smitten with Lulu, he also saw the futility of his pursuits, he was not the man she wanted and as if to prove that, she walked in arm in arm with Logan.
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Luke had intended to stay away from the party, knowing his presence was going to be anything but pleasant, also knowing many people would prefer he stay absent, but seeing as how he married Tracy, he needed to put in a showing, otherwise he might once again find himself keeping company with the sofa or even worse, some strangers doghouse, considering the Q's had no pets.
So he made as little commotion as possible as he made his entrance, when the brief but blood chilling looks and whispers began to die down, he quickly hastened his step to the bar, asking for a clean scotch. Adding ice to the drink would only dilute the drink and make drinking it in one fell swoop, near impossible.
No sooner did he finish the first and second drink, than he was ordering another. He had promised Spanky though that he would keep his drinking in check, but he knew what the town was saying, how they felt about him and his son. So if a drink would take the edge off, he planned on keeping the liquor flowing.
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Monica looked as if she floated into the room, looking resplendent in a beautiful dark red dress. It was modest yet still entirely breath taking, for a woman of her age, she looked like a million bucks.
She was slightly surprised to she how many people had arrived since she had run upstairs to prepare. She had specifically told Alice to fetch her when more guest arrived, but it seemed like her order had been taken lightly or not at all, discarded as shenanigans.
Glancing at the small item that adorned her wrist, she briefly found herself cast back in time, to a memory of Alan and her spending long nights making sweet passionate love, in all areas and positions in the living room. She visibly had to shake her self to get her mind to stop turning traitor, almost as if her heart and mind were revolting, ready to call a mutiny against her current thoughts.
Speaking to herself, she tried to rationalize, that tonight, even though she missed her husband, she knew now was not the time to be thinking such thoughts. Today was a happy day, one meant for rejoicing. She would never forget Alan, but tonight she could allow his haunting spirit a moments reprieve, and herself.
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The flow of people coming in finally started to slow down, which was a good thing, Elizabeth wasn't sure how many more people the room would hold, of course it helped that the outside had been decorated as well and the doors between the two were open, allowing people to mill outside, the weather was actually cooperating and helping their cause.
Elizabeth found herself being approached by people she had never met, but for some reason they knew who she was. She spent a better part of an hour talking to these strangers, longingly looking for a lull so she could dash back over to Jason.
Jason was having the same problem, but the people never stayed around long, Elizabeth had to laugh at that, it seemed her husband was claming up, so to speak.
Noticing another group of people headed her way, she feigned ignorance and dashed to Jason's side, quickly taking his hand in hers.
"What's with all the people, I don't even know half of them, yet they won't stop. They ask some rather inappropriate questions at times as well, any way we can slip out early?" Liz asked with a smile, knowing Jason was thinking the same thing.
"As much as I would love that, I think we are stuck here till the very end." Jason said with much regret.
"I figured you'd say that." Elizabeth said, her palm grazing his cheek.
Jason took her cue, settling his lips on hers for a moment before they were interrupted by more well-wishers.
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Cameron had run off with Michael and Morgan, but the older boy had been told to look after both of the younger boys. He agreed and before you knew it, they were gone. Most likely playing outside, or getting into some kind of trouble, it was after all what boys did best.
Leticia had come to keep an eye on the boys, but when Alan started to fuss, she had offered to feed him for Elizabeth, which she happy accepted. With his belly full, Leticia handed the boy back to his father.
Jason couldn't help the pride that surged inside himself, when he looked at his son's, but tonight, Alan looked so happy and peaceful that he couldn't help the smile that shone on his face.
The waiters were busy handing out champagne, Elizabeth took one, along with all her friends, they sipped at the beverages. One drink was not going to hurt the babies, so they enjoyed what little they could have. Elizabeth thought briefly of girls night out and figured it was going to be awhile before anyone could indulge like they had before.
Just as Elizabeth was planning on finding Cameron, Monica's voice floated into the room, amplified by the microphone in her hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family. We gather tonight in celebration at the wondrous homecoming of my grandson Alan. While I am sure there are other reason's why we have gathered tonight, that is the main reason. We can't explain how happy we are to have him home again." Monica said, as she handed the mike over.
The cheers were almost deafening, but the child in question, some how slept through it all.
Robin looked at her friends for support, she had not expected to want to do this right this moment, but now that she had the microphone and everyone's attention, she knew this moment was the right one. "Good evening everyone, as you well know, I am Robin Scorpio, and for starters, I would like to take this moment on congratulating the happy couple, Jason and Liz and Alan's speedy return."
Taking a moment to get her thoughts in order and not missing the strange look on Patrick's face, she plunged ahead with the rest of what she said. Noticing a few more people had come to start a line, waiting for the mike.
"And seeing as how this is such a happy time, a time for good news and good friends, I figured I would share a little good news of my own. Patrick Drake, we have been living together for some time now and I have to admit, I am so in love with you, that sometimes I can't think straight." She paused, wondering if this was really a good idea, before she could change her mind, she plunged ahead, "Patrick, you are going to be a father. I'm pregnant!" Robin admitted, trying to gauge his reaction, but the big dumb goofy smile that played on his lips was answer enough for her. She walked quickly up to him, kissing him briefly as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Jason looked at his wife, knowing that had to have been the secret she had been unwilling to divulge, but as Robin left the stage and Carly took it, he wondered how far off the mark he was.
"Jason, Liz, we are all happy to know that Alan is where he truly belongs at home with you, you are wonderful people and great parents. No two people could love their children more. Congratulations Robin and Patrick, I am sure you are going to have your hands full. And seeing as how I might as well stick with tradition, Jax, you are about to become a father as well, I too am Pregnant." Carly exclaimed, the thunderous applause were loud, but Carly took joy in being the center of attention for a moment.
Emily was about to go up on stage to offer her congratulations, when Nikolas stole her opening. Wondering what in the world had gotten in to him, Emily stood beside Elizabeth, waiting her turn.
"I know things have been rough the past couple months, but I would have to be a fool not to see the love you two have. Your devotion is without limit and your kindness without price, it is truly a good thing to know that Alan has found his way home, because with you as his parents, he will never want for anything." Nikolas said, finally casting aside the large chip on his shoulder.
Emily was about to go up on stage for a second time when Nikolas spoke again, "Emily, my love, my life, my very breath. I know things have been… hard to say the least, but I hope you have never doubted my love for you or my devotion to seeing us make it. I realize I have not done or said the right things throughout, but I love you more everyday and know now, I want you, need you, as my wife, will you marry me again?"
She couldn't think straight, but her legs seemed to carry her where she needed to go. Tears shimmering in her eyes, she hastily answered taking the mike, "Yes, it would be my honor, to become your wife again." Absently wiping the tears from her face, she took a deep breath, then continued, "Nikolas, I hope you don't have anything against becoming a father again, I'm pregnant!" The utterly foreign look on his face caused her a moments hesitation, but the smile that followed was breath stealing. He picked her up and swung her around the room, taking special care not to hurt her. The cheers of the crowd were loud, but Emily could still see and hear her mother's sobs, but the smile she graced her with, alleviated all worries that Monica wasn't happy about it.
Nikolas didn't give Emily a chance to walk anywhere, he scooped her into his arms, kissed her with a passion he rarely showed the world, then carefully sat down on a chair, with her in his lap. His own tears of happiness running steadily down his face.
Jason nudged Elizabeth, while she was trying to do the same to him, when he refused to take the mike, she took it with a scowl directed at him. He did however stay beside her, her hand locked tightly in his own.
"Seeing as tonight is a night of happy surprises and even better news, Jason and I would like to tell you of our impending child, I too am pregnant. I, we, sorry, would like to congratulate everyone on their happy news, I am sure Port Charles will never be the same again." Elizabeth said smilling, unable to stop her hand as she smacked Jason on the bicep. There was a smug look on his face, almost as if he was saying, 'Shuck's I'm just doing what I do best.'
The crowd cheered, but the voice that carried over the cheers was one she couldn't mistake. "AGAIN!!" than voice roared, causing the room to break into laughter. Sonny couldn't help the smile or the dimples that accompanied it. Actually he was rather shocked, he was very happy for everyone, even Carly, he still loved her, but at some point she had ceased being his entire world. His world now stood next to him.
Jason was a little uncomfortable but he took the mike all the same, Alan held safely in his arms, "Elizabeth, you gave me something greater than just our son's and this new baby that you are carrying. You have given me a new lease on life, you have opened my eyes to so much, I don't know if I will ever be able to explain just what you have done for me, but I promise I will spend my life time and everyone after it, trying to prove just what you mean to me. I can't promise you bad things will never happen, but so long as we stand strong, with our family and friends, we will be able to get through anything. You taught me that, it is because of you I discovered what home really was and that you could love without thought or reason, my love, our love defies all logic, it is not something that needs to be defined, because it is indefinable in its entirety, it is life, it is eternal." Jason said, absently brushing a few lone tears from his eyes.
Elizabeth was speechless but found herself tongue tied when Jason knelt in front of her, bestowing a simple kiss to her not yet swollen stomach. Everyone cheered, taking delight in all the announcements but also in the uncharacteristic show of affection from Jason. Yes, this truly was a wondrous night.
Sonny not really wanting to make this public a declaration, nonetheless stepped up to the plate, so to speak and took the mike from Jason. Clearing his throat, he suddenly felt very exposed, "My best wishes to Jason and Elizabeth and the safe return of Alan and congratulations to everyone else as well, you have made a night to be remembered. No night could surpass the announcements that have been shared tonight, for they have all truly been grand. So that is why I will swallow my distaste for public speaking and say what I truly need to say."
He took a quick pull from his drink, giving his nerves a little more liquid courage then began, "Brenda, we have tried numerous times to get things right, yet it always seemed like something was aligning against us. We have been given another chance, and while this may very well be a little quick, please never doubt my love for you, and it is because of this love that I ask you to be my wife. You make me a better man and I could not imagine my life without you in it."
Brenda looked like she was ready to cry, but as Sonny slipped a ring from his coat and placed it on her extended hand, she grabbed the mike and spoke, "We have been through much, our love challenged, our loyalty discussed, but we always seem to find our way back to one another. There is no doubt in my mind, I have always been destined to be Mrs. Sonny Corinthos, so it is with great pleasure I say yes."
Edward scoffed slightly, wishing that Brenda would find someone else, but even he had to admit she looked happy and so did Sonny. Besides why should he worry, Elizabeth Morgan was giving him another heir, and Emily too was pregnant. His usual dourer mood was dispelled, he couldn't help but be happy, it truly was a monumental night.
Sonny laid the mike aside, making his way back to his friends. The large group stood in shocked silence for a moment, then everyone broke, handshakes and hugs were given, many congratulations were extended, it was like all past angers had been set aside or forgotten, even Jax hugged Sonny, Brenda and Carly visibly palled, but the hearty laugh that followed was enough to set them at ease.
With many hours still to enjoy, Jason and Liz slowly slipped away for a moment, Monica had taken Alan, dying to show him off more.
Jason pulled her into a small room off the kitchen, devouring her lips as soon as the door closed, after several moments, Elizabeth pulled away, panting. "I wanted to talk to you alone, my news was not meant to be shared with the group, we can tell others at a later date, but not till everything is settled."
Elizabeth looked at his beseechingly, "What exactly are you saying Jason?"
"Sonny and I have spoken at length about our lives and how the business effects them, I have discussed it with him at length and he agrees that it is time for me to get out of the business. It will not be easy, but Sonny is taking care of everything, he believes if we go away on our honeymoon, by the time we get back, I will be out. That doesn't mean someone won't try to retaliate or whatnot, but we will live a more normal life, guards will probably still be away of life for sometime, but no late night calls to rush off and no secrets. What do you think?" Jason asked.
"Are you sure you want to do this, really? This has been your life for so long, I won't ask you to give up something that you enjoy, I can't do that. I married you, I married Sonny's enforcer, if you still wish to be that, I will stand by your side." Elizabeth exclaimed, not wanting to be his reason for leaving.
"I have no urge to remain in the business Elizabeth, I cannot fathom my life without you or our children and in order to take steps to guarantee your safety, this is something I need to do, this job means nothing, it is you and our family, it always will be." Jason said, taking her in his arms.
"I love you!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"I love you too, my dear." Jason replied, feeling good about his choices.
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A.N. Thank you everyone for the great replies. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter, it is longer than most, because there was more to tell..