A/N - Thank you for the reviews and the Christmas wishes! * Liasonisthebomb – Thank you! * Doralupin86, Virgy15, Kikimoo – lol. It's a Christmas miracle

Chapter 25 – Coming Together

Liz strode into Jason's room as her chaperone followed.

"There you are." A smile lit up his face.

She sat next to him. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good."

"Good."

"I wanted to talk to you about Courtney."

"Funny you should mention that. Emily and I just had a chat with her."

"Really?"

Liz nodded. "We're going to help her with AJ."

Jason smiled. "Good. I also spoke to him. He doesn't like her temper and some of the things she says."

"Well, we didn't talk to her about her temper, but we did address thinking before she speaks."

"You know you are quite wonderful."

Liz smiled. "Thank you. You do realize that we will probably be socializing more with them now."

"I will handle it."

"Now, when are we going to tie the knot?"

Jason grinned. "Well, I'm guessing that my parents will want to have a betrothal party as soon as possible. Will one month after that be agreeable?"

Liz smiled. "Yes!"

"I would do it right now, but that would go against protocol."

"We'll pick a date soon. I'll speak to your mother."

Monica walked into the room. "Did you need me?"

She had brought some tea for Jason to drink.

"Yes."

"I scheduled your betrothal party for this Saturday."

Liz smiled. "Good, that will give me an excuse to stay here longer."

"We want to get married a month afterward."

Monica is pleased. "That will be fine. I'll work with Elizabeth on the arrangements. We need to find you a dress."

"I'm going to have Courtney help design one," Liz said.

Jason almost groaned at the thought, but then remembered he was trying to be good and bit his tongue.

Monica, however, was not as tactful. "Have you lost your mind?"

Elizabeth and Jason laughed.

"Mother, that is what I wanted to talk to you about; Courtney, not Elizabeth's mind."

"What?"

"We are trying to make her feel like she fits in with the family. AJ is going to try and mend their relationship and I need you and father to be nice to her."

"Yes, I do feel rather bad for her. She has never felt wanted and if we are going to help AJ fall in love, then we all need to pitch in," Liz said.

Monica started to speak and then took a moment to gather her thoughts. She had never considered Courtney's feelings before. "Okay, I will speak to your father, and we will do our part."

She figured if AJ can find happiness then she will do everything to encourage it.

"Now, about the dress."

Elizabeth smiled. "Just trust me. It will be fabulous. I will be there every step of the way and if I don't like it, then I'll have no problem in voicing that."

Monica smiled. She likes Elizabeth more every day. "Very well then... I'm going to go talk to the cook about your party."

Everything is falling into place.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Monica beamed as Nikolas carried Emily to the dinner table. It is the first time she had joined them since she had fallen ill. AJ escorted Jason who is doing well, but Monica still insisted that he be accompanied due to the length of the staircase.

Courtney breezed into the room and sat next to AJ while Elizabeth smiled at her knowingly.

Before the dinner was served, Courtney spoke. "Monica, that color looks wonderful on you."

"Why thank you, Courtney, I hardly ever wear green."

Courtney smiled. "Well, it suits you."

"That it does," Alan said gazing at his wife lovingly.

Courtney glanced at Liz who winked at her.

"Is that a new dress, Courtney? It's rather lovely," Monica said.

"Yes, it is. I helped design it."

Monica is shocked. "Really?"

Courtney held her tongue and just nodded.

"Why, I had no idea you had such talent."

AJ cleared his throat. "You should see her at the marketplace. She has a knack for piecing together material. I think she could spend all day there creating things."

Courtney blushed. AJ never complimented her. He squeezed her hand under the table as Courtney eyed him. He smiled and while she is very pleased, she thought it better not to make a big deal and just listened to the conversations around her.

Jason grinned. Score one for AJ, he thought to himself. Emily was proud of Courtney for showing so much restraint. Initially, she was a little wary of the whole plan but after seeing the way AJ had looked at Courtney, it might have a chance.

They chatted merrily as they ate and AJ smiled most of the dinner, pleased with the turn of events.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The week before the party was a plethora of activities. Jeffrey went home to retrieve Ruby, Alfred, and Georgie while Elizabeth was busy planning for her wedding.

She glanced at Courtney, who was making notes about the dress.

"I want to ask you something but I'm kind of embarrassed."

Courtney put down the paper and joined Elizabeth on the sofa. "What is it?"

Liz blushed. "It's about the wedding night. I don't have my mother to talk to and Emily would be of no help. I'd also be mortified if Queen Monica said anything to me."

Courtney smiled and patted her on the leg. "Fear not, ask me anything. It will not leave these four walls."

Liz averted her gaze. "Well, I'm a little nervous about the wedding night."

"Ah, I see. Are you nervous about it hurting or just about everything?"

"Jason and I have plenty of passion, so I'm not worried about our connection, but does it really hurt that bad? I don't want to be a wreck and hurt his feelings."

"I see the way Jason dotes on you, so I don't think you'll hurt his feelings. You just need to trust him."

"I do."

"Then don't fill your head with worries. Look, once he starts preparing you, the only thing you will be concentrating on is how good you feel. It might hurt a little at first, but your body will adjust." She suddenly shuttered. "I'm sitting here telling you not to worry and look at me." She moved her hands over her belly. "The thought that something as huge as a baby could pop out of my nether regions, is quite disconcerting and perplexing."

Liz started to laugh at the funny look on her face and Courtney joined her.

"What are you two laughing about?" Jason asked walking into the room.

That made them start to laugh even harder.

"Courtney, AJ was looking for you. I believe he went to the garden."

Courtney stood. "Thank you, Jason." She chuckled as she left the room.

Liz jumped up and rushed into his arms.

"So, you're not going to tell me what that was about?"

Liz blushed. "Heavens no. It was just girl talk."

Jason kissed her passionately.

Liz pulled back and touched her lips. "Dear Lord, that was absolutely sinful. Did you think you could kiss it out of me?"

Jason grinned. "It was certainly worth the try."

"That it was."

"Have I told you how much I love you today?"

Liz chuckled. "At least a few times, but I'll never grow tired of hearing it."

"In that case, I love you more than life itself, milady."

Liz sighed wistfully. He is so incredibly desirable when he speaks of his love for her. The look in his eyes almost makes her melt. "I love you beyond reason, Jason." She licked her lips as she stared at his. "Do you think that we can make it a whole month?"

Jason grinned. "It's going to be rather painstakingly grim, but I'm hoping that the time will simply fly by."

He is definitely worth the wait.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

AJ smiled at Courtney as she approached him.

"Please, have a seat."

Courtney sat on a bench. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" They rarely see each other for any length of time during the day.

"I thought maybe we could spend some time together."

Courtney started to blurt something but quickly counted in her head and then licked her lips. "I would very much like that." She placed her hand over his.

AJ studied her for a moment. She is barely showing but she does seem to glow. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm okay. The hormones take a bit to get used to though."

"I was thinking that maybe we could go away the weekend after the party for a little vacation."

Courtney smiled. "That sounds rather adventurous."

"We haven't been anywhere together in quite some time."

"Very true." She is staring up at him and suddenly has the urge to lick every inch of him.

"What's wrong? You kind of look funny."

Courtney blushed. "I seem to be feeling a bit amorous."

AJ grinned. "Really? Is this something I should come to expect with the pregnancy?"

"Perhaps… Would you object to that?"

AJ chuckled. "I will never object to that." His hand slid down her cheek, and then reverently kissed her before standing. "Come on."

Courtney rather enjoys their lovemaking and couldn't wait to get him to their quarters.