As some of you have already guessed, we are winding down. After this chap, there are only two left. There are already a few stories floating around thanks to the wonderful creativity of my co-writer Deb! We are actually anxious to finsih here so we can get started on the next:)

Chapter 39

Jason Morgan found his changed life to be surreal. He kept waiting for something to happen, for the ball to drop, but it hadn't yet. Every morning he woke up with Elizabeth in his arms just as he had fallen asleep the same way. They would make their way downstairs and have breakfast with Cameron, his son. Reluctantly he'd leave most mornings for work but he tried to keep shorter hours and be back home in time for dinner. Sometimes a problem or shipment would interfere with him getting home at a decent hour, which never bothered him before. Over the years he'd stay out until everything was handled but now he found himself delegating the work to his men. Max especially had stepped up and taken a bigger role in the organization.

***Flashback…about 2 weeks ago***

"How do you want to handle this?" Jason asked as they climbed into Sonny's limousine outside the meeting with the five families.

"It needs to be handled tonight."

Jason nodded in agreement.

"Do you not want to take care of it?" Sonny asked, noticing the pained expression on Jason's face.

"I guess but…" he trailed off.

Sonny reached for a bottle of water from the car's minibar, "Jason, what is going on? I can tell something is different. You seem to be pulling away, do you want out?"

"You know that is not possible." Jason sighed.

Sonny nodded, knowing the torture he was feeling, "I know how you feel, a family changes the game. Is that what it is?"

Jason shrugged but then followed with a nod.

"Take a step back then." Sonny said, so easily that Jason almost began to think it was possible.

"I wish it was that easy."

"Baby steps, Jase. I'll start by asking Max handle Alcazar. We definitely have enough dependable men to handle the more risky and dangerous situations." Sonny looked up at Jason, "I see things, I know that this thing with Elizabeth is more permanent then originally planned. You love her?" Sonny asked but did not get an answer from Jason. "I know you do. So you step out of the more dangerous areas." Jason remained silent but Sonny could tell that he agreed. Sonny smiled, showing his famous dimples, "I'm glad we talked." He said in a teasing voice.

"Daddy!" Cameron squealed, shaking him from his thoughts. "Weady?"

Jason gave the boy a pat on the top of his head, "Ok, see this little button here?" Jason asked, pointing to the pad that his foot sits on. "You push your foot on it to make it go and as soon as you pick your foot up it will stop, ok?"

Cameron nodded and eagerly climbed onto the small motorized motorcycle. Jason will never forget the smile on the boys face when he brought it home. Of course it rained for the next couple days and today was the first dry day that he could ride it. For a kids toy Jason thought it went quite fast. Before Jason could react, Cameron slammed his foot on the pedal and took off.

"Hold on to the handles!" Jason yelled, running to keep up. He easily caught up when Cameron managed to steer the bike into the wet grass. The back wheels spun and Cameron reached down to push down the lever below the handlebars. That sent the bike moving backwards into Jason, knocking him onto his knees in the muddy grass.

Elizabeth, who was watching from the step on the porch, busted out laughing as she saw Jason stand with large brown marks on both knees. Jason, however, seemed unbothered by the incident and pulled Cameron back onto the driveway to ride. After a few minutes Cameron finally got the hang of it and Jason felt comfortable enough to go take a seat beside Elizabeth. "You find that funny?" he asked

She giggled again, "Maybe a little bit." Then leaned against his side, "You know we are never going to get him off that thing."

Jason nodded.

"Don't you have to head into work?" Elizabeth asked, looking down at her watch.

"Nope."

She flashed him a toothy smile, "Really?"

"Yep, I'll be home all day and shouldn't have to go in tomorrow either."

Elizabeth let out a satisfied sigh and they sat for a while watching Cameron riding around the driveway. "So I was thinking about the trip that Sonny gave you… gave us." Jason mumbled.

"Mmm hmm."

"Well he has us set up at his villa on the island for a week but I was thinking that we could make the trip longer and go somewhere else also." He said, linking his fingers with hers.

"Where else?"

His mouth curved up in a smile, "I was thinking we could fly down to the island for a week then from there I'd like, I'd like to take you to Italy."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes wide.

Jason nodded, "If you don't think it is too much doing all that traveling with the baby and Cameron. We can always wait a year or two…"

"No!" she interrupted. Leaning in she brushed her lips against his, "Italy with you has been my dream for longer then I can even remember. I don't want to wait, the baby will be a month old… as long as she is born by the due date."

Jason leaned in and kissed her again. "Jason." She said, her voice almost a whisper. "This is real isn't it." He looked at her and waited for her to elaborate but she seemed to be struggling with what she wanted to say. "I mean umm, us… the marriage. It's been a couple weeks since Alcazar, uh, passed and technically we don't have to be married anymore to keep him away. I guess what I am saying is that, before we go on this honeymoon we can get the marriage annulled or whatever and we can just call it a vacation… if that is what you want. I just, I don't want you to feel obligated. I'm rambling… sorry… I love you Jason and I am happy being your wife but if that isn't what you want or if you aren't ready for it to be real I will understand and still be happy just to be with you." She sucked in a deep breath after her rambling.

Her eyes closed and when she finally opened them again she found his crystal blue eyes looking at her. "Elizabeth," he said, bringing a hand to cup her cheek, "I don't want…" he paused and she felt her heart stop beating for a few seconds. "I don't want to change anything. I love you and I love being your husband."

"You do?" she grinned. "So we are going on a honeymoon to the island and Italy… and this all for real?"

"Yes Mrs. Morgan, it is."

Elizabeth had a burst of energy. After spending the day with her two favorite guys, she had run out to the grocery store to buy supplies to cook dinner. She was feeling brave and had called Sonny on the way to get a detailed list of what he had used in his sauce, or as he called it, gravy. He seemed amused that that she was finally going to try to cook an entire meal from scratch. Once she unloaded the groceries she called Sonny again to double check that she hadn't forgotten anything. An hour later there was a large pot on the stove that was full and simmering with 'her' sauce. She was afraid to try it because after an hour of putting it all together if it was bad there wasn't enough time to make something else. They'd have to order a pizza or Chinese. Who knows, Jason knew what she was doing and maybe he already had some take-out ordered just in case.

Elizabeth cooked the package of fresh spaghetti she picked up while she was out and called Jason and Cameron down for dinner. They quickly appeared in the kitchen and took their seats at the table. "It smells good." Jason said, taking a deep breath. She made their three plates and set them on the table. "I'll be right back." When Jason looked at her, confused she continued, "Go ahead and start, small bladder." She explained.

Cameron picked up his fork and scooped a long noodle into his mouth then sucked it between his lips until it disappeared. Jason watched as he quickly shoveled another in, seeming to like what he was eating. Taking a forkful and twirling it, Jason took a large bite and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. He continued bite after bite until Elizabeth returned to the kitchen. She was gone for quite a few minutes and their plates were already half gone. "Elizabeth, this is delicious." Jason praised but she didn't move from the doorway.

"Uh, my water broke."

The only sound in the room was Jason's fork falling out of his hand, landing on the table.