Switching Places

Chapter 61

Audrey hung up on her daughter in law, Carolyn had been calling repeatedly demanding Elizabeth apologize to her sister for the practical joke that had been played on Sarah.

Apparently Audrey's request that Sarah do the same for calling Elizabeth's husband brain-dead had been ignored. Also her request that Carolyn apologize for abandoning her daughter, for not visiting or sending letters or presents, or even money to help Elizabeth go to school.

Carolyn had huffed and puffed saying that the girl had her. Reminding her the girl had a name, and that it wasn't Lizzie had been ignored as well. Unfortunately her remark that at least Jeff seemed to have come to understand his past mistakes hadn't.

Audrey got the sinking feeling that Jeff had done his usual avoidance tactics and hadn't told his wife about coming to peace with his mistakes and apologizing to his daughter. In fact, she would place bets on Jeff getting an earful when he returned home today.

Seeing Steven entering, she told him what was going on.

"Carolyn has spent years jealous of Liz and trying to beat her down emotionally, I think finding out she is happily married and to a wealthy man at that must be eating at her insides like acid. Trust me for her it wouldn't matter how Jason made his money, just that he has more than whomever Sarah is dating."

"Jeff made a mistake all those years ago, by not letting Monica and Alan adopt Elizabeth. Instead of wanting a reminder of Anne, he should have done what was best for his daughter."

"Grams, what are you talking about?"

Audrey looked up and realized that Steven didn't know. "Steven, I think you need to sit down, I have quite a tale to tell you."

An hour later, he said "Does Elizabeth know?" Seeing her shake her head no, he asked "Why not?"

"For the simple fact that I promised not to tell her until she was safe. Annie was trying to help these families and never realized the danger she was putting her own life in. Then when I finally accepted last year that she was old enough to know, she was pregnant. How could I tell my granddaughter, that her mother died in childbirth, then there was the miscarriage?" She said helplessly shaking her head.

"I get it, but at some point you need to tell Elizabeth the truth."

Jason watched from the stairs as Elizabeth danced around the room decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music. Seeing a shadow across her midsection, he felt pride in knowing that was his son or daughter there.

"What do you want to do for dinner?"

"I was thinking Adella's. Sonny could probably use a friendly face right now. What was Mike thinking?"

"It's an addiction. You know AJ is blaming himself, Mike had been lying to him about attending meetings."

"At least Sonny doesn't blame AJ." AJ had been the one to find Mike, worried when the man had taken off from work for a week, he had tracked him down to Atlantic City. Two broken ribs, a broken kneecap and concussion later, Mike had been found at the hospital. The men he had owed had no idea he had been under Jason's protection.

Carly was 'helping' Bobbie and Lulu bake Christmas cookies, while discussing plans for the day.

"So anyhow, we are going to the Q's the night before. Then here for the morning. Michael will be spending the night at Sonny's."

"What about his harem?" Asked Bobbie.

"They will see him at the hospital." She said. During the trip to New York, Michael had spent the night in one suite with the girls, while the two younger men had ended up with AJ. Michael had been in seventh heaven, but the best part had been the next day.

Georgie who loathed shopping had grabbed Max and him, taking him to the Natural History Museum and the Zoo. Meanwhile Carly and taken the girls to Fifth Avenue while AJ had gone with Lucas and Dillon to the Intrepid and onto a Movie Marathon at Virgin Records.

Poor Milo was still not recovered from chasing after them in the crowded stores while Max had spent the day enjoying the leisure time at the museum and zoo. As a result, Georgie had replaced Sage as Michael's current favorite person. Not that the younger girl was too upset. One the train ride back, Dillon and her had started dating again, something Lulu had not taken too well.

Alexis directed the girls in helping her wrap the last of the presents. "So that is it. Now we just have to deliver them. Maxie, can you take the ones to your dad's office, Georgie the ones to the Q's, and I will handle the rest."

"Okay, but I have something to do this afternoon." Said Georgie.

"Good, Viola took Kristina over to the Brownstone, so that she can visit with Leticia. Now did we forget anything?" She asked as they walked out the door. Maxie was loading the cars, when Alexis realized that she had forgotten her cell phone.

"Go ahead, I will see you later. Maxie don't forget to stop and sign your papers for classes next semester."

Shaking her head in agreement, the girls drove off. Alexis regretted it, but there was something she had to do before they returned. Entering the house, she went to both of the girl's rooms and picked up their rings. Placing them on a piece of paper, she went to trace them.

No ink, shaking the pen, she tried again. Finally looking around, she saw the caddy that Georgie kept her on desk. Grabbing one quickly, she knocked them all over.

Stepping back and taking a deep breath, she went over and traced the rings, returning them to their respective jewelry boxes. Kneeling she gathered the pens, pencils and highlighters, returning them to the wood container she started to organize them like she was sure that Georgie did.

Grabbing the edge of the dresser to straighten up, she found herself instead pulling down the matching wooden box, only to have a bunch of notes and postcards fall all over the room. Picking them up, she was surprised to see they had no writing on them. Returning them, she went back to get the notes.

Seeing the words and some of the quotes, she stiffened. The letters were new, at first she had assumed they were items from Frisco to Felicia like the boxes they were in, but from the dates, she soon realized they were Georgie's.

Finally replacing them, she had no idea what to do. How could she ask her stepdaughter about them without revealing how she knew? Sitting down, she tried to think who to ask. Not Bobbie, she would be sure to let Felicia know.

Finally she came up with a plan. Hopefully she could help her. Straightening the comforter, Alexis left the room, closed the door and went to deliver presents.

Stefan hung up the phone, not regretting for one minute what he had just done. Instead he would just buy Lulu a very nice present and have it sent to her from Luke. That way they would never guess that he had him in a Bolivian jail along with that waste of space son of his.

"Stefan, here are the sizes, thank you for doing this."

"Alexis, when that young girl stepped in front of you, with Helena threatening you, there was no doubt they are family. Not that being part of this family is such a good thing." He said.

"Mac was a little worried about Felicia's reaction, but as far as I am concerned, she isn't here, in fact she has not called more than once a month to talk to the girls since our marriage."

"The signet rings, make a claim, one that I find to be a good idea." He said. "Now what color stones?"

"Something dark, like her eyes for Georgie, but white for Maxie."

"How about a black pearl, one with a few veins for purple and a white pearl. Since we no longer use diamonds."

"Perfect, will they arrive in time for the holidays?"

"Yes, now let's get these loaded to the boat. I don't understand why Nik had them brought here, instead of to your house." He said before ordering one of the gardeners to help him carry them.

Jason entered through the side door, not wanting to deal with Edward. His grandfather was haranguing Skye for the money she spent to upgrade the fire systems at the hotel. She was holding her own, but Jason didn't want to be a witness in case she gave into the urge to pick something up and bash his head in like she had threatened.

"Grandmother, how are you?" He asked bending down to kiss her check.

"Very well, I am just enjoying as someone gets the better of Edward."

"Elizabeth and I are stopping in tomorrow evening, but I wanted to give this to you today."

Taking the small flat package, she opened it up to see a copy of the sonogram. "Oh how lovely, and I completely understand why you are giving it to me today. How is Elizabeth doing?"

"She decorated the tree today; I was kicked out of the room for trying to balance out the color bulbs. She claims it looks much nicer with them just jumbled around." He said trying not to smile at the memory.

"She is correct, I think our tree looked much nicer when it had all the ornaments that you children made hanging on it. Now that you are grown and Monica has separated them and gave them to Emily and AJ, it makes the tree so much duller. You know, Jason Q's are here still."

Getting the hint, he offered to go and get them. Stopping to knock on Monica and Alan's door, he was invited in. "Jason? I thought you were Brooklynn. She was wondering around earlier looking for a pin. What can I do for you, that has you here without protection?"

"Grandmother mentioned some homemade ornaments from Jason Q, I was wondering if you still had them?"

Monica found herself tearing up like she frequently did when Jason brought up his younger half. "Of course, do you want to see them?"

Returning downstairs with the heavy box, Jason joined the two women as they showed him the occasionally lumpy objects covered with glue and paint. "May I take these?"

"Jason, of course, they are yo-I mean of course." Said Monica.

Jason kissed both women, and still hearing the twosome in the study going at it sat down the box as the doorbell rang. Caught between answering it and yelling at Edward, he stood there as Monica went into the study and Alice the door.

"EEDDWARD!!! Enough, this is why no one in this family wants to have ANYTHING to do with ELQ. Now just tell her she did a good job and shut up." With that Monica slammed the door shut, smiled at Jason and turned to greet Georgie.

"Here, let me help you with those." She said as the younger girl tried to juggle all the bags. "What is in here?"

"These are for under the tree, the blue bag is cookies and a fruitcake. And the rest is what Brooklynn promised to help me wrap in the basement."

"Do you want some help carrying those?" Jason asked.

"No, I have it, but could you grab the paper from my trunk. It was too awkward to carry."

Jason did that, but had to wonder why anyone needed five different types of wrapping paper wouldn't one do?

Carly entered the penthouse to the smell of brownies and found Elizabeth growling about oven space. Seeing Carly she said "this is why last year I borrowed the oven at Kelly's."

"I have an idea." Carly took out her key to Sonny's old place, pranced into the kitchen and tried the oven. Grinning she returned to Elizabeth and said "We can use Sonny's. The gas is still on in the penthouse."

Two hours later, Elizabeth slapped her hands, saying "I don't have any more flour, so no more!"

"What kind of Mom refuses a child a cookie? She teased the small brunette.

"You are not my child; you are my slightly insane friend who has eaten enough cookies. Carl-" Elizabeth found herself hugged tightly. "Are you feeling okay?"

"No, in fact I think I need to visit with Dr. Winters." Carly had often thought of Elizabeth and Alexis as her friends, but neither of them had ever said it out loud. She found she liked hearing it. Besides, the cookie she grabbed was an added bonus. Still playing around, she looked around Sonny's former kitchen, and grinned. Picking up her cell phone, she called him and left a message "Hey Sonny, Elizabeth and I needed to borrow a kitchen so we used yours. Sorry about the mess."

Sonny was showing the new dessert girl around. Explaining how things worked and why it was set up the way it was. "Any Questions?" He asked then said excuse me while answering the cell phone.

Listening to the message, he turned white, my god Carly was in a kitchen. Calling Jason he asked "Who do you have on Elizabeth today?"

"Why, what is going on? Do you know something I should?" He asked his mind going to all the ways she could be hurt.

"Just that she is at my house, cooking with Carly." He said. Jason thought about it, picked up the phone at the warehouse and called Francis, who assured him Elizabeth was home.

"I just helped her carry back some cookies from Sonny's old place where she was using the over. Carly was supposed to be helping but Elizabeth banned her from touching the cookies."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jason told Sonny who told him about the message.

"I will call my wife. See you tomorrow." He said before calling Elizabeth who assured him she was fine. "We are boxing up the cookies and brownies so that I can deliver them. Did you take care of everything you needed to?"

"Yes, but I still don't get why we are giving Diane a pair of shoes and a purse as a present, money would be better."

"Diane would prefer the shoes and bag. Trust me."

"When are you headed out?" He asked as he gestured for Johnny to enter.

"Soon as I pry the last few cookies out of Carly's hands and put them into their containers."

Audrey heard the sound of the door, opening it she was surprised to see Alexis pacing back and forth on her porch. "Alexis, what is it?"

"I have a problem, a really big one." With that she entered and continued pacing, walking around straightening books, leveling out pictures and fluffing pillows. Audrey didn't know whether she wanted to find out what the problem was now or after she handed the woman a dust cloth. Alexis had finished most of her chores for the day while walking back in forth in the room.

"Alexis?" She asked. As the neurotic woman sat down, she stood back up. "I don't know what to do, I mean I didn't mean to read them, well that's not true. I did want to read them, but I thought they were her parents, I mean, not that I am nosy."

Audrey debated offering her coffee but decided she was wired enough. "Alexis, tell me what is going on."

Listening to her explanation, Audrey said "First you tell Georgie that you knocked over her stuff while looking for a pen. Then if she mentions it, you bring up the notes, but otherwise, just watch out for her. No matter what you say about the notes, she will either be defensive about the content or embarrassed about whoever wrote them. You had no idea she was seeing anyone?"

"No, I mean, there have been indications. The night at the country club she disappeared for a while. The part that worries me is the tone of the letters. Audrey, I just had this idea in my head, this was something Maxie might do."

"Alexis, all we can do is let our children be and hope for best. I spent so many years telling Elizabeth to stay with Lucky you know that. Mainly because I was terrified after what happened when she was born. I worried that being with Jason was a mistake. I have to admit that it was the right decision for her. Not that I am still not worried about her safety, but I have to trust that Jason and his men keep her safe."

"I get what you are saying but what do I tell Mac?"

"That you knocked some stuff over in Georgie's room. If you think things are getting dangerous, then tell him. Until then, you keep an eye on her. If you don't want to keep secrets, find away to say it without worrying him. Mac raised Robin, so this isn't his first time being a parent."

Georgie went into the old cannery and waited. Seeing Johnny O'Brien she asked why was she here.

"I found the sender of your cards. It is the same person who sat with you that night in the park."

"Why is he keeping it a secret?" She asked.

"He is not settled Georgie; he spends a lot of time traveling." He said wondering how to fulfill his promise to her yet keep the one to Johnny Zachara. The young man had made him swear not to tell her who he was. Having met his father he could understand the caution.

"Why is he sending me these postcards and notes?"

"He didn't say, but I think you and he connected on some level that day. If you want him to stop, let me know I will tell him."

"No, I just hate that I have no idea his name, his age or even what he looks like."

Elizabeth dropped off the last batch of cookies hoping to arrive home before Jason, so that she could sneak in his Christmas present. When they arrived at the towers, she crossed the lobby and asked Kevin for the mail.

"Mr. Morgan took it up earlier, ma'am. You guys sure get a lot of Christmas cards." He said. Handing over a package, he said "Security checked it, do you want me to arrange for someone to carry it up?"

Francis took the box, shaking his head, great another one. This was getting worrisome. Kevin never so much as exchanged a smile with the other tenants, with Elizabeth he seemed to want to sit down for coffee. So much for being taciturn and scary.

Making a mental note to keep an eye on the lobby guard, he escorted his charge up the elevator and into their penthouse. Calling Johnny he asked about Kevin.

"Young, no girlfriend and a very good shot, why?"

"We might have to move him to the warehouse?"

"Francis we can't move every single man that smiles at Liz, you have got to realize that."

Elizabeth saw the lights were out downstairs and sticking the bag in the closet followed the noise to see Jason changing upstairs. "Wow, too bad I didn't come in ten minutes earlier." She said as he was tossing the towel into the hamper.

"I have a surprise for you from Lila and Monica." He said bringing her back downstairs. Sitting her on the sofa he went over and turned of the tree lights.

Oh Jason" she said getting up and walking over. She lifted the various ornaments charmed to realize they were his. As she walked around and touched each one, Jason could not help observing "I really hope our children inherit your artistic talents."

Elizabeth picked up a lumpy piece of painted clay and asked "Did they tell you what each one was?"

"That was supposed to be a snowman." He said showing her the various items and repeating what he had been told.

Christmas Eve dawn bright and cold, as they various residents finished their rounds. Mac meet with Taggert and Garcia, a former detective he had brought back to replace Capelli. "So are you sure you can handle this?"

"Mac, enjoy the holidays with your family. I will spend New Years with Gia, so I am rather glad to be here tomorrow." As he opened the cookies, and offered them he asked Mac who had baked them.

"Elizabeth Morgan. Justus tried to claim they were a bribe and confiscate them."

"He already got some from her. I saw them in his office. Didn't even offer me one." Said Taggert as he finished off the cookie.

Mac just offered up the canister. "Georgie and Maxie baked some as well. At this rate I won't need the stuffing to play Santa."

"Who is it going to be at GH?"

"Tony Jones." Mac said then announced to the officers that Bobbie had arranged for a ham and fixings to arrive the next day for those working before leaving to head to the hospital to join his family.

Edward was stalking the halls, looking for his granddaughter in law. Elizabeth had disappeared someplace and he had to find her. She was supposed to be making sure that Lila was kept occupied. Carly had shown up at his office insisting he make this the best Christmas ever, so he had done his best.

Seeing the artist/nurse, he went to talk to her about the surprise, only to realize his wife was with her. Listening in, he could not help wondering why Jason and her had given Lila a copy of the sonogram but not him. Pouting as he walked away, he went to see Alan. "Did you arrange it with your staff?"

"Father, I have no idea why you are suddenly Mr. Scrooge the morning after the ghosts visited, but calm down before you have a heart attack." He said taking out his stethoscope and checking his heart rate.

"I fine, get that foolish thing away from me. Why is it so hard to get this family together?" He said rushing off as Alan stood there shaking his head. Seeing Audrey coming with the Bible, he thanked her.

"They are all gathering in the hub. I just saw Jason and Elizabeth with Lila. She had no idea about any of this does she?"

"I had no idea until father showed up demanding my staff help." He said.

"What got into him?"

"I still think grandfather fell asleep reading Dickens last night." Said AJ as he walked down the hall with the last of the packages. "I want to get back to Morgan and Michael before you start so take your time."

Alan walked over to the chair; sitting down he glanced around the room at the candy stripers in elf costumes, the normal horde of young men surrounding the girls. At his children. Emily and Nik, who were kissing, Skye who seemed to be relaxing around this Alcazar. Seeing him take her hand and pull her close, he smiled at them. Seeing Sage watching as well, he softly chuckled at the teenage matchmaker.

Jason and Elizabeth who were talking to Lila while holding onto Michael's hand. The youngster looked excited beyond measure. Then finally AJ returned and Carly offered him Morgan and took Michael back to their chair.

As they settled down, he saw Jason and Elizabeth whispering to each other, Jason's quiet laughter and finally his kissing her. Realizing that this time next year there would be another member of that small family as Jason wrapped his arms around her waist and held her.

"It happened...." When Alan finished reading, they soon heard the sound of Santa arriving. As he opened the bag and passed out the present, Tony seemed to be in his element. Soon all were opening their gifts, when he came to Lila.

"So little girl, were you good this year?" He asked.

"A lady never tells." She said.

"I have a very special present for you this year."

Lila took the envelope from him and read. With tears in her eyes she looked at Edward and said "My dear."

As the others in the area wondering what it was all about, AJ whispered to the rest of the family. "Edward arranged for plants and presents for the various patients who can't get out. Then for the staff to have dinner here. But the piece de resistance, he donated the money for the new children's wing."

"The one Lila had been trying to arrange funding for?"

"Yes, Edward, out of his personal funds donated it."

Later after returning to their penthouse, Jason was still dazed at what Edward had done. Placing the bags in the closet, he sat down holding Elizabeth as she called her grams and Jeff.

"Your father isn't available." Carolyn said hanging up.

Grimacing, she called his cell phone and reached him. "I'm outside. I am sorry about that Elizabeth."

"Don't be. She isn't going to change, ever. I just called to wish you a Merry Christmas. Are you working today?"

"No, I offered but was told to spend it with my family." He said thinking about the stepdaughter inside and the mistake he had made years ago.

"Well, Steven and Grams are home; they joined us at the Quartermaines. Edward donated the money for the new wing they have trying to build."

"That's great, sweetie. How are you feeling? Your grams told me about the baby."

Hearing Carolyn, calling Jeff told Elizabeth he loved her then hung up after hearing her answer that she was feeling great.

"My mother will never change." Said Elizabeth shaking her head. "You know I used to envy Lucky for Laura and Emily for having two moms that loved her. There is no way I will ever treat my child the way that my mother has treated me."

"That is because you are a loving person, who wants to be a mother." He said before drawing her into his arms. "You know the best part about all of this?"

Looking up at him she just said "What?"

"We can stay here all day tomorrow. Not leaving unless we WANT too.

"I say we turn off the phones, and lock the door."

"Sounds good." Listening as the church bells rang out Elizabeth kissed Jason and said "Merry Christmas."

Carly had finally calmed down Michael, who was excited that "Santa" had come. Dressing for church, she found herself enjoying the day spent with AJ as they opened presents as a family.

"Where is Bobbie?"

"GH, Momma offered to work so that some of the parents of little kids could be off."

As they Scorpio family opened presents, Alexis waited until the girls had opened the rings and casually told Georgie about knocking over her stuff.

"I thought it had to be you. I mean my caddy has never been that organized since I started using it." She joked.

Kristina just chewed on the ribbons, totally disregarding all the presents. "Dad, can we eat breakfast soon?" Asked Maxie. "I'm starving."

Skye slipped out of the house and over to the Alcazar residence. "Morning." She said and found herself being kissed.

"Good morning," said Lorenzo. "According to Sage, we had to kiss; we are under the mistletoe."

"Sounds good to me. Do you want to do this now or later?" She said indicating the skates.

Rushing into the room, hoping it was Dillon, Sage kicked herself when she realized that she had ruined the moment. "Merry Christmas Skye."

Dillon was nervously standing outside the Alcazar residence. Finally he walked up and knocked.

Sage leaned out to kiss him, then said "What is she doing here?"

Nik and Emily put on their skates and joined the others on the rink. "So I was thinking, we should start planning our honeymoon."

"How do you know I don't already have it planned?" He asked.

"I think we should consider a little more than how little clothing is needed and what size bed we want." She replied.

"I promise it is all taken care off. Now what do you think of your present?" Nik loved how excited she got when she thought of the very fast red car he had gotten for her.

Kissing him, she said "I love it, like I have told you repeatedly."

"I loved it better when you showed me how much you liked it."

"Nik, thank you, but if you don't behave I am going to have to tell my big brother on you."

"Emily, I doubt that Jason is here."

"Really, so that must be his double." She said pointing to where Jason was helping Elizabeth put on her skates. Gliding over, she hugged her brother and his wife. "Merry Christmas, I love that coat, Elizabeth."

"It's a present from Jason." She said showing off the bright red peacoat with the blue accessories. "I talked him into coming out so that I could show it off."

The two women skated off, Jason standing at the railing and Nik skating behind them. Hearing them giggling as they discuss their respective presents, he knew the minute Elizabeth found out about the Jag.

Skye and Lorenzo arrived soon after they left. "Are you sure that this is safe?"

"I promise to protect you." She said laughing.

As the younger crowd got together at Kelly's, all admired the rings of the Jones girls, Lulu grimaced at the idea of them being connected to Nik. Sage drew off Georgie complaining about Lulu crashing her date.

"I warned you. Dillon isn't going to grow a backbone anytime soon. You might have to accept that he thinks of her as a friend."

"She wants to be way more than friends." Fumed the raven-haired girl.

"She is a Spencer; they don't understand the concept of the word no. So how did it go?"

"Good, they went ice skating together. I overheard them talking the other day but didn't get a chance to tell you, she was discussing her relationship with Jax and he told her about his late fiancee Sophie."

"Wow, so they are truly talking. Now what?"

"Since they can't be together on New Years Eve, I was thinking maybe on Valentines Day."

Georgie offered to clean up and after everyone had left, opened the small box she had found in her stocking from HIM. Inside was another postcard, this time of Christmas Trees in Maine. Unwrapping the tissue, she found a charm bracelet, with a small crystal snowman and two figures dancing.

"Merry Christmas, mystery guy." She said before closing up unaware of his slipping out the back.

Elizabeth waited until they were home, then asked Jason what Gail Baldwin had said.

"That her husband needs to talk to me, that it's important. Also that I should not wait too long. He has Alzheimer's."

"I had no idea they would be at Grams." She said as they took off their layers of clothing.

Jason hung up his coat, then reached for hers. Finally he joined her on the sofa saying "All I know about her husband is that he was Edward's attorney."

"It's strange, did you see the way my grams reacted when he called me Annie. Dr. Drake thought I was her daughter and now Lee Baldwin. I can't help wondering why everyone reacts the way the did."

"Who is Annie?"

"A nurse who worked at GH a long time ago. She dated my dad and Dr. Drake. Left town on some mysterious mission, according to Bobbie. I think my Mom knew her too."

Monica took the call from Gail, then went up to bed. "Alan, Lee called Elizabeth Annie tonight."

"Why is all of this coming up now?" He asked sitting up in bed.

"I have no idea. Maybe it is the result of Jeff's visit, or maybe because Liz became a nurse."

"This is not good. I keep hoping it will wait until she delivers before becoming public news."

"I know when she was hurt last year. I lost it; I almost gave it away my self.

"Secrets have a way of coming out, you know that."

Monica did that was why she had hoped that Carly would get curious, but the blond had been occupied by plenty of the other things over the last year.

Sonny was sitting by himself, wondering why. Picking up the phone, he looked at the clock and realized it

Was too early to call Brenda, but he needed to talk to the former model. Something that Michael said tonight had resonated. About lost love and taking a chance.

Was she the one who got away? Or was it Carly. While he knew that they were bad for each other, some part of him would always love her. Then there was Lily; he would always regret his mistakes there. Then there were the two women further back in his past. Connie and Olivia.

Every time he was in New York, he went to Bensonhurst and found himself wondering what had happened and if they had ever repaired the relationship he had strained. He had loved Connie, her innocence had kept him away, but he had burned for Olivia and her fiery passionate nature.

Much like his relationships with Carly and Brenda. Carly was fire, but Brenda was much more. The stuff you didn't dare make into a relationship.

He envied Jason. Elizabeth and he had passion, but they still had that gentle side. The part where honest hearts touched. He had closed his off so long ago, that now he found himself not wanting to chance it. But he was tired of being lonely, and it was time to move on to a future.