Chapter Eighteen

He watched in fascination as the brunette beauty, squatted down and adjusted the hem of her four-year-old charge's green sundress. Elizabeth lingered a moment to whisper something into the golden haired child's ear, making the young girl giggle and smile brightly. She was always good with children. It came to him as a no surprise when she had informed she was going to study child psychology. Pressing a loud kiss on Lil's cheek, she straightened and shared one last conspiratorial grin with the girl. Flashing her one last smile, Elizabeth shifted her weight and faced him. The natural twinkle in her cobalt blue eyes brightened and the corners of her curved into a sweet smile as Elizabeth regarded happily.

Dr. Steven Webber winked playfully at his sister and then the young four year old that had at first observed him with suspicious glances. Both the older brunette and young blonde laughed at his childish antics. Hooking her arm through his, Elizabeth smiled at him again.

"I can't believe you're here, big brother," she repeated, awestruck for the umpteenth time.

"Believe it," Steven countered, tucking one of her stray curls behind her ear. "Little sis."

The soft humming of the elevator came to a pause and a sharp ding replaced it, indicating their arrival at the penthouse level. The metal doors slid open and two bodyguards in similar gray Italian suits came into sight. One was taller than the other with dark brown hair and a leaner figure. The older one had jet-black hair and a harder look to his appearance. Both their faces were void of all emotions. They regarded Steven with cold, distrustful brown eyes before they caught sight of Elizabeth on his arms. Looking past them, they paused for a moment, searching for something, and then quietly stepped out of the way. Turning around to see what they were looking for, Steven realized they were seeking approval from the silent blond, dressed in a simple white t-shirt and dark blue jeans, looming over them in the back of the elevator.

"This is my brother, Steven," Elizabeth announced, dragging him out of the elevator. Facing the two bodyguards he watched them exchange confused glances before they turned back to him and surprisingly smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," the older one greeted him, sticking his hand out in politeness. "I'm Max."

Shaking his hand in a daze, Steven stuttered, "It—It's nice to meet you too."

"I'm Adam," the younger one introduced himself. The two bodyguards looked like two teddy bears now with their big smiles and manners.

Shaking his head in amazement, Steven allowed Elizabeth to lead him past the two bodyguards and to penthouse four. He looked around taking in everything that he could in the small entrance outside the two penthouses. The bodyguards were back in their posts and now arguing quietly about last night's baseball game. When Steven's brown eyes landed on the young blonde he knew was Elizabeth's employer, he paused and immediately as his brotherly instincts kicked in.

Jason Morgan appeared unapproachable with his dark brooding face and guarded blue eyes. But there was something about him since Steven first caught sight of him over Elizabeth's shoulder in the diner. He was gentle with his daughter during lunch and even now as he lifted her into her arms and gave her ticklish kisses. Father and daughter laughed together as they entered the penthouse. At the door, the young father placed Lil down and waited until Elizabeth and he entered, before Jason closed the door behind them.

Steven watched as the tall blonde placed his keys back in the drawer of his oak desk and then proceeded to the closet near the stairs of his penthouse. He automatically pivoted to see what his daughter needed when the four year old tugged on his jeans. Kneeling down in front of the golden haired child, the young father helped her take off her flip-flops and anklet that she scratched at. Exchanging a few words with the child, he rose and turned to Elizabeth seeking instructions.

"Do you need any help making dinner?" he asked his softened eyes solely on Elizabeth.

The young doctor's brown eyes pinged off of the blonde and onto his sister. She closed the distance between herself and her employer. She smiled gently, a light in her eyes that he'd never seen before.

"I'm not exactly sure, what to make," she mumbled, tucking her hair behind her ear nervously. "I was thinking just a simple meal, but since Steven is here, I thought we could order out?"

Steven's eyes bounced back to Jason for his response.

Jason contemplated Elizabeth's words for a moment before shrugging. "If you don't want to cook, I could cook?"

She scowled. "Nope, that would mean you would never leave the kitchen and have an excuse to stay mum all evening." She flashed him a smirk. "Nope, not going to happen."

He smiled shyly. "I never need an excuse to keep quiet. I do it all the time."

"Uh huh, well tonight you're going to speak even if I have to stick Lil on you."

Jason shrugged.

"Or better yet, Brenda," she threatened him playfully.

He shook his head, a smile on his lips. "How about we go over to Sonny's to eat?"

Elizabeth began to nibble on her bottom lip. "Would they mind? I mean I know that Sonny loves entertaining people, but this would be last minute and I don't want to intrude and—"

The dark haired doctor watched closely as Jason reached out for Elizabeth's arm. He gently caressed her arm and grinned at her. "If I know my best friend as well as I say I do, I know he won't mind at all. He loves showing off."

Instantly, she released her bottom lip and reached up to press a soft kiss onto Jason's cheek. "Thank you," she murmured.

"Don't worry about it," he said, avoiding Steven's gaze.

Steven suppressed a smirk at the soft coloring that he saw appear on Jason's cheeks.

Clearing his throat, Jason rubbed the back of his neck and reached for his daughter's hand. "I'll go take Lil upstairs to wash up for dinner."

"It's alright, I'll do it," Elizabeth told him, taking the young child's hand and leading her up the stairs. "We'll be right back."

Swallowing his laughter, Steven scrutinized the young father before him. The man didn't waver under his gaze or flinch. He simply stared back and observed. Clearing his throat, Steven finally extended his hand. "We weren't exactly introduced formally," he said. "With Elizabeth squealing like she did," he smiled.

The young father shook his head and laughed, taking his hand. "I'm Jason Morgan. Elizabeth's boss."

"It's nice to meet you," Steven said, shaking his hand. "Thank you again for making it possible for me to be here. I hope there's any way I can repay you."

"Please don't. You made Elizabeth happy, that's enough payment for me."

Jason retreated further into the penthouse until he was sitting on the edge of the pool table. "I hope your flight went well," he said sincerely.

Steven nodded his head. "It was great." Rubbing his chin, Steven looked over the blonde standing before him. "Just out of curiosity, how did you get your hands on a private plane on such short notice?"

The tall blonde smirked. "My company owns it."

"That makes sense."

"When is your appointment with Alan?"

"Tomorrow morning. Thank you again for setting that up."

"Once again, no, thanks needed," Jason shrugged. "I knew that Dr. Henderson was retiring and GH was in need of a new Head of Pediatrics. I just made sure that Alan got your resume," he smiled slyly.

Steven laughed. "Well, I'm thanking you for it anyway. It was very nice of you."

"Elizabeth mentioned your work with Doctors Without Borders and I looked into it. You're a perfect candidate for the position."

"I'll keep that in mind when my interview starts," Steven muttered, stuffing his hands into the front pockets of his khakis. He watched the younger man, sit on the edge of the pool table and watch him. From Jason's actions to help him, Steven knew he was kind and helpful, but something nagged at him telling him there was a hidden agenda stashed away somewhere. "If you don't mind me asking," he started without wavering. "Why are you helping me?"

"To be honest," Jason sighed. "It's the only way I'll know for sure that Elizabeth won't leave Port Charles when she's no longer my nanny."

Before, Steven could question Jason's motives, footsteps echoed on the stairs. Both men looked up to see Elizabeth come down the stairs, a wide smile on her lips.

"Lil is ready to go with Mr. Floppy," she announced. "She's just getting something for David."

"I'm going to go wash up myself," Jason said, pushing away from the pool table. He smiled at them politely and dashed up the stairs.

Stepping furthering into the penthouse, Steven observed his surroundings. Coming to stand in front of the pool table that he found interesting, Steven concentrated on the arrangement of the equipment and not on his sister, who bore curious eyes into his back. Running his eyes past the pool table, a small white toy box caught his attention. On top of the closed lid a stack of books sat nestled between two white book ends. Walking over, he picked one of the bigger hard cover books and looked it over.

"One Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns of Italy," he read the title out loud. Turning the book allowing for Elizabeth to see the cover, he asked "Isn't Lil a little too young to be able to read this on her own?"

"It's one of Jason's old travel books, he has a ton. He reads them to Lil," she supplied stepping towards him. "That's actually one of Lil's favorites," Elizabeth murmured, taking the heavy hardcover book from him.

Steven watched Elizabeth gaze down at the book with a soft smile on her lips. "They have a ritual," she explained. "Jason and Lil sit in this rocking chair that was a gift from Sonny and Brenda when she was born. He reads from the travel book of the week and then they chit chat about whatever is on Lil's mind, which is usually something amusing and uncomfortable for Jason to explain," she chuckled. "Then, he tucks her into bed along with Mr. Floppy, her trusted side kick, answers any other questions she might have, and kisses her goodnight." A light sipped into her eyes as she spoke of the young father and his daughter, a light Steven barely saw.

"Jason seems like a good father," Steven declared.

"He is," Elizabeth said confidently. "Jason's kind, gentle, caring, and loves Lil with everything he has." Her voice dropped an octave and she hugged the travel book to her chest. "It's not with just Lil. He's fiercely loyal and honest to his best friend, Sonny and there is nothing that Emily or Brenda can't go to him for. He never holds anything back from the ones he loves."

There was something about the way Elizabeth spoke of Jason and the way she looked at him.

She turned to him and smiled. "He's just a wonderful person inside and out."

Gazing into Elizabeth's cobalt eyes, Steven realized what he wasn't able to put a finger on when he saw his sister. There had been something very different about her. It showed in the way her skin glowed, in the intensity of her dazzling smiles, and the way she went about her actions. It all made sense to him now. The words left his mouth as quickly as they had formed.

"Does Jason know you're in love with him?"

Elizabeth's shocked cornflower blue eyes stared at him. Her lips parted slightly and she stared at him.

A small smiled tugged at Steven's lips, when he realized his little sister had no idea she had fallen in love.

"What—what…do you mean?" she stuttered.

"Does Jason Morgan know that you're in love with him?" he asked more specifically.

"Funny," Elizabeth scuffed, shaking her head, chuckling dryly. "Why would you ask that?"

Steven simply cocked his head and his eyes danced.

"You're serious," she exclaimed. "You can't be serious."

"Of course, I am," Steven said folding his arm over his chest.

"What—" She stopped abruptly and gawked at him again.

Steven laughed and unfolded his arms. Cupping his sister's heat shaped face; he gazed into her startled blue eyes and murmured. "You're in love, little sis. You're glowing with happiness right now and I can tell that the feelings run very deep." Elizabeth's gaze fell from his as her cheeks heated under his palms. "I'm glad you found happiness again. After everything you've been through you deserve it."
"I'm not in love with him. I can't be," she muttered stubbornly.

Pulling Elizabeth into a hug, he held her tightly, her head tucked under his chin. "I see your stubborn streak still exists."

"Oh shush," she murmured against his chest. "You're more stubborn than me."

"Not as stubborn as you are when it comes to love," he retorted.

Groaning, she buried her face deeper into her brother's chest. "I don't love him. It's not possible."

"Of course it is," he replied. "It's already happened; you just don't want to accept it."

She sighed. "I don't want to get hurt if he doesn't feel the same way about me."

"Life's about taking risks," Steven murmured, stroking her back. "You're the only one that can decide if they're worth taking or not."

Again a heavy sigh slipped from her lips. "I'm not in love with him."

"The choice is yours," Steven told her, drawing back to cup her chin. "You can love him or let him go."

His sister stared back at him with confused eyes, the corners of her mouth pulled down. He saw the conflict in her eyes as she processed his words. The young doctor wanted her to be happy and to have a home full of love, which she had been deprived of as a child.

"Liz!" Lil's voice traveled to the living room as the three year old rushed down the stairs, her father behind her. "I'm ready," she announced, twirling for everyone to see.

"You look lovely," Elizabeth murmured, catching the child in her arms.

Jason came up behind them, wrapping his arms around Elizabeth's small waist. "You both look lovely," he said, gently kissing Lil's soft golden locks.

Steven watched as Jason peered down at his sister and Lil. They looked like a perfect family already, full of laughter, happiness, and love. He knew Elizabeth and found something she had never had. A home of her own.