A/N – Thanks for the reviews! You know, I could have easily killed off Courtney, but I decided to make it more of a challenge, so you're stuck with herؙ—sorry. And I know I'm evil for making you like AJ. You know I'm not a fan.

Chapter 23 – Wide Awake

The next morning Liz woke up to the most beautiful eyes staring at her.

"Jason?"

"Love you," he said softly. When he woke up and felt her next to him, it was the best morning of his life.

She started to cry and kissed him twice on the lips before jumping out of bed and knocking on Monica and Alan's door.

Monica opened it.

"He's awake," Liz said gleefully.

Monica rushed past her and when Jason saw his mother, he smiled.

She kissed his forehead. "Welcome back, my son. I love you so much."

"Love you, mom," he said weakly.

Adeline had heard the commotion and she and Harry rushed upstairs.

Harry moved over to the bed. "How are you feeling, Prince Jason?" He felt his forehead, noting that it is less warm.

"Thirsty and tired…"

"That is to be expected. You are very weak."

Adeline had run downstairs and fetched some water and a mint leaf.

She gave him the water and broke off a piece of the leaf. "Chew that. It will calm your stomach before I feed you some broth." She rushed out of the room.

Jason chewed the leaf for a few minutes.

"Are you okay?" he asked Liz.

"I'm fine. John took good care of me."

"So, Anthony didn't hurt you?"

"No, Jason, I am well and in one piece." She moved to the other side of the bed where she sat and gripped his hand.

"We'll stay here a little longer and then we'll get you back to the castle," Monica said wiping his forehead. "And since we are staying another day, I'm going to go shopping for some more food."

"Take some guards," Jason said.

Monica nodded and left the room.

Alan sat next to him. "You should know something."

"What is it?"

"Courtney is pregnant, and I think when you're up to it, AJ could use your brotherly advice."

Jason nodded. AJ is probably losing his mind. "Okay."

Alan stood. "Take care of my boy," he said smiling at Elizabeth.

"I will."

They watched him leave and then their gazes locked. "Come here."

She moved closer to him and he tried to tug her against him, but he didn't have the strength. She leaned down and they gently kissed.

"Those lips are all I thought about."

Liz chuckled. "Just my lips?"

"And the rest of your mouth too. Sometimes I'd see your eyes or hear your laugh. You know I love everything about you."

"I missed you so much," she said emotionally. "When they told me that you were shot, I passed out cold."

"I'm sorry I worried you. I had to find you and I got a little careless."

"It doesn't matter. You're here now and I refuse to let you out of my sight. I love you so much."

Jason swallowed hard. They didn't realize they have an audience. Harry and Adeline are standing in the doorway. "Elizabeth, I love you with all my heart and soul and I can't live without you another day. Will you do me the honor of your hand in marriage?"

Liz gasped. "Yes!" she said before kissing him several times on the mouth. "A thousand yeses."

Adeline started clapping and Liz looked up and grinned.

"Good. I have witnesses, so he can never take it back."

Harry laughed. "I see the way he looks at you, milady. I don't think that will ever happen."

Monica was just about to leave her room to go downstairs when she heard the clapping. "What is it?" She hurried inside.

"Prince Jason just proposed, Your Highness," Adeline said happily.

Monica grinned. "This is the best news. Hold on." She ran to her room. She had been sure that Jason would awake and want to marry Elizabeth right away, so she brought something special with her.

She carried the box back into the room and handed it to Jason. "This was your grandmother's. Ask her again."

Alan entered the room and Monica shushed him.

Jason smiled. "Elizabeth, will you marry me?"

She grinned. She'll never tire of those words. "My answer, milord is still yes."

Jason opened the box and Liz gasped. "Oh, my Goodness," she said loudly which made everyone chuckle.

"You don't have to keep it, but we can't have you walking around without a ring right now. I will take no offense if Jason prefers to design something especially for you, at a later date," Monica said smiling.

Jason pulled out a ring that has small diamonds surrounding a ruby heart in the center. He slipped it onto her finger as her face lit up.

She glanced at Monica. "It's absolutely beautiful. Thank you for trusting me with it."

Monica couldn't wait another minute and hugged Liz.

Alan embraced her next. "I'm proud that you will be a part of our family."

Jason made a noise, and everyone looked back at him.

"In all my excitement I forgot about your father. He forbade us to be together. I fear I should have waited to speak to him again."

Monica reassured him. "It's okay, my son. I have spoken to Jeffrey and he feels horrible for being so upset. You will meet no resistance from him."

Jason breathed a sigh of relief.

Adeline, who had disappeared momentarily, returned with the broth. "Alright, Prince Jason, you may be newly betrothed, but you still need to eat." She smiled as she placed the bowl on the table next to the bed and Liz got up.

They adjusted Jason's pillows and Liz began to feed him.

Monica smiled and then glanced at Adeline. "You ready?"

"Yes."

Everyone left the room as Liz rambled on and on. Jason dutifully ate his broth as he listened. He smiled at her as the realization hit that she will really be his wife. He has no intention of making it a long engagement. He'll make her his in every sense of the word as soon as possible.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

When Liz appeared downstairs, AJ came up to talk to his brother.

"Hey," Jason said studying him. "You okay?"

AJ shrugged. "I'm fine."

"I heard about Courtney."

"Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be shocked that I got my wife pregnant."

"What are you going to do?"

"Make the best of it, I guess. I'll take care of them," AJ said sadly.

"Brother, maybe you and Courtney need to have a heart to heart. You need to tell her how you feel. Maybe with a little give and take you two could make it work."

"You have met Courtney, right?"

Jason laughed and then grimaced in pain. "Don't make me laugh."

AJ chuckled. "I guess I have never given her a fair chance. I know she loves me."

"That she does…"

Even though Jason thinks Courtney is a little crazy, he can always tell that her love for his brother knows no bounds. She'd even stand up for him if someone challenged him.

"I'll talk to her when I get back."

"AJ, you can't do this halfway. It wouldn't be fair to her. If you are in, be all the way in. Don't toy with her, you might get cut," Jason said smirking.

AJ grinned. "She is rather feisty."

"Please tell me that you haven't slept with Samantha."

"No, I haven't cheated in quite a while."

"Good."

Liz joined them. "AJ, your father is looking for you."

He smiled. "Thanks, Elizabeth. Congratulations, by the way."

When he was gone, Jason motioned for her to come closer. "So, tell me all about your adventure."

Liz smiled. "Where should I begin?"

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They finally were able to get Jason back to the castle where Liz was reunited with her father.

"Elizabeth," Jeffrey said tearing up. "Please forgive me."

Liz ran into her father's arms. "I love you so much. I'm sorry that I took off. I just wanted to help Emily."

"I know, my child. I was a bit hasty. It's just that I'm not used to the in-love Elizabeth. And frankly, my heart is breaking that I will longer have you under my roof."

Liz touched her father's face. "Your little girl is growing up."

Jeffrey nodded.

"Father, while we were away, Jason asked for my hand in marriage."

Jeffrey smiled. "I figured that would be so. Congratulations." He hugged her again. As much as he wanted her to be happy, he is devastated to lose her. She is his life. After his wife died, he was completely devoted to his daughter and her happiness. "So, where is Jason?"

"He's lying down. The queen insisted. She dotes on him as you have always doted on me."

"I wouldn't let you out of my sight either."

"Father, I want you to know that I'm okay with you finding someone to spend your life with. I don't want you to be lonely."

Jeffrey sighed. "I'm afraid my heart was taken by your mother and I don't know if there is room in there for someone else."

Liz's eyes filled with tears. After finally finding love, she is starting to understand the deep love her father had for her mother. "I just don't think she would want you to be alone. She would understand and want you to be happy."

"I promise you that I will consider it."

"Father, would it be okay if I stayed on a few more days? I just don't think that I can leave him yet. I want to take care of him."

"Only if someone rides with you when it's time for your return. I don't want you to travel alone."

"Okay, I will talk to Jason about it."

Jeffrey smiled. He is beyond proud of his daughter.