Six weeks of therapy, the relentless inquiry into her heart and mind, had worn Monica down and rebuilt her all at once. The drive home, like the drive there, had been accompanied by Jeff and she was too consumed by her inner voice to notice her whereabouts until his vehicle came to a halt. "I promised Lizzie I would keep schtum but you may want to brace yourself for the crowd you're about to walk into," he prompted her to exit the vehicle and Monica overlooked her family home with uncharacteristic nervousness. "Say the word and I will clear the room," Jeff tenderly placed his hand on the small of her back.
She opened the double doors from the foyer to a circle of her beloved family and friends, "Surprise!"
"Welcome home, honey." Bobbie was the first to step into the breach, the waft of her favourite perfume a physical comfort when Monica peered over her shoulders at the many expectant faces. Her son stood out from the crowd, a pleasant if unfamiliar vision in the Quartermaine residence. "We are all so incredibly proud of you."
"Welcome home, Monica," Lulu followed her aunt's lead, hand-in-hand with Cameron who sweetly offered forward a colourful piece of paper as rehearsed. "Cam drew a picture for you and this is from me and the step-monster." The absence of Luke's name indicated he had performed yet another disappearing act from Port Charles; Monica found an odd comfort in the knowledge that some things never changed.
"She already received her present from me when I dropped the malpractice suit, huh, Monica?" Tracy raised her flute of Champagne in a celebratory gesture. Her satirical remark propelled Edward from his chair and he furiously chased Tracy from the room with another chastise for her lack of consideration, not least her refusal to remove any trace of alcohol from the house.
"Ceasefire didn't last," Monica chuckled underneath her breath, as Audrey and Gail rallied round her. "I'm not sure how well sobriety will stick in this madhouse."
The hint of low esteem in her voice and the way in which her head lowered stabbed at Gail's heart, and she raised Monica's chin with a gentle pinch. "My darling girl, there is a fire in your soul. You have a capability and willfulness stronger than any person I have ever known, and you have every single one of us in this room behind you."
"Absolutely. We believe in you and love you," Audrey supported the sentiment with a delicate kiss to her cheek.
After Monica received well-wishes of support for her return to the fray, she followed Jason's subtle departure into the den where he surfaced for air from the unbearable claustrophobia. She watched him intently from the doorway. "I appreciate you being here but don't feel like you have to stay. I know this must be torture for you." It was his unique display of love and it meant the world to her.
"I wanted to see you," he murmured, shyly. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Monica curled into his embrace, reminiscent of Alan in the ability to make her feel safe. Their lines of communication had narrowed significantly, perhaps in his attempt to allow her space to heal. They had shared one or two telephone conversations, primarily about Michael and his physical recovery out-of-state, but Monica had also written Jason a letter to atone for her sins; the way in which she banished him from Emily's funeral, first and foremost.
"Jake wanted to come say hi," Elizabeth reluctantly interrupted the moment with Jake in her arms and Cameron in tow.
"Well, hello there," Monica stroked the little boy's cheek, still in awe of him. "To have you all here has been the most wonderful welcome home present. Thank you," she smiled at Elizabeth, undoubtedly the woman responsible for Jason's presence. "Thank you too, Cameron, for my lovely drawing." The picture was of their family of four and 'Grandma Monica' who lived nearby. It was a symbol of hope for the future that she would treasure, always.
"He spent all day yesterday on it, didn't you, honey?"
When Elizabeth ruffled his brown curls, Monica spied the petite diamond on her hand and Jason nodded his head as if in confirmation. "Can I ask whether you have a date in mind?" Elizabeth brushed the wisps of hair from her eyes and silently shook her head, still not acquainted with her new title of fiancee. The residents of Port Charles had processed their engagement with relative ease and the revelation of Jake's paternity appeared less of a shock to those closest to them than Jason and Elizabeth had expected.
"Not yet," Jason looped his arm around Elizabeth's waist. "But we would like to have the ceremony here; in Lila's rose garden." The location matched their intention of an intimate day, even with the likes of Edward in attendance, and it ensured his grandmother's presence would be infused. "If that's okay with you?"
The familiar phenomenon of tearfulness returned and Monica smiled weakly, "I think that's a beautiful idea." Almost choked by the emotion, Monica crouched down to Cameron's level, "Hey, Cameron, why don't you help me find somewhere to put your picture?" Hand-in-hand, they wandered away on their mission to proudly display Cameron's artwork.
"Thank you," Jason whispered once they were finally alone. "I don't think I could have done this without you."
Elizabeth planted her lips on his cheek, "I promise you'll never have to do anything without me again."