As they walk in the garden, Elizabeth glances up at the sky.
Its so clear, barely any clouds above, giving her clear view of the beautiful stars twinkling above.
She stops for a moment, just admiring the beauty of the sky.
Elizabeth loves star gazing, imagining all the loved ones that have taken residence in its beauty.
Jason stops to see her staring up at the sky.
He couldn't help but admire the way she stares up in fascination.
He remembers when all the little things fascinated him to no end.
The sky was what captivated him most of all.
The endlessness of it, the vastness as well.
Looking at her, he found himself truly captivated by her admiration of the stars.
Jason unconsciously moves over to her, taking her hand in his and thus gaining her attention.
"Lets sit." Jason gestures to the bench by the old oak tree. "The party's not going anywhere."
Elizabeth smiles at him before following him to sit down.
She thinks that he'll let go her hand once they sit, but is pleased that he doesn't.
Instead, Jason holds her hand in both of his.
Playing with her fingers like he's trying to memorize it.
As she watches him with fascination, Jason has a million thoughts running through his mind.
He has never wanted to kiss someone so much in all his life.
Jason can't remember ever wanting to kiss someone just because he's close to them.
Her leg flush against his, the heat flowing from both their bodies, Jason just couldn't believe the kind of feelings that were flowing through him.
"When I was little, I used to climb onto the roof of my home in Boulder, Colorado and just stare up at the stars." Elizabeth whispered, not really sure why she was saying anything at all. "I would imagine that I was all grown up and living in Italy pursuing my dream of being an artist. I'd stay up there for hours and hours until someone finally realized I was up there."
Jason looked up at her. She wasn't looking at him.
She was looking at the stars now.
A small smile touching her lips.
"Of course the only person that ever noticed was my brother Steven." Elizabeth shook her head. "He would come up with a cup of cocoa. Sit down with me and we'd make a wish on the same star before going back down. It was nice to be remembered. To know I wasn't completely invisible."
Laughing softly, Elizabeth looked at him, seeing that he didn't really understand what she was going on about.
"The stars are a lot more beautiful here though." Elizabeth smiled softly. "Port Charles is definitely the place to be."
"You can talk to me about anything." Jason rubbed small circles against her palm. "I may not understand some things, but I can listen."
"I appreciate that...really I do." Elizabeth probably couldn't explain what it means to have that in him. "But I doubt you want to know about my messed up parents and my equally messed up childhood."
"You're wrong." Jason could see the wall falling from around her. "I want to know everything about you. Everything."
Elizabeth could see that he wasn't lying. She could see pure emotion in his eyes and wondered if he ever showed this side to anyone before.
She wondered if he knew just what he was doing to her.
What his words really meant to her.
Emily walked around the ballroom.
Glancing every now and then at the door that her brother and best friend had walked out of.
"Keep this up and you won't need to workout for a good month." Zander commented, just watching as she now paced back and forth by their table.
"This isn't funny Zander." Emily said seriously. "She can't be with him. They can't be together."
"Like you can stop it from happening." Zander shook his head before downing his drink. "You can't stop them from being together so you might as well just get used to it."
"How can you be okay with this?" Emily countered. "You're supposed to be my friend! You're supposed to side with me on this and they're not good for each other."
Zander gave up the pretense that he actually cared about who Elizabeth's dating and stood up to stop her from pacing.
"I'm your friend and I'm hers." Zander said carefully. "You're not thinking clearly right now and that's probably because you're only sixteen, but sooner or later you're going to have to wake up and realize that love happens whether anyone can understand it or not."
With that, Zander grabbed his jacket from his chair and started walking to the front door.
Emily was stunned for a moment before she ran after him, catching up with him as he pulled the door open.
She was so surprise that he was leaving that she ignored the fact that he pretty much called her an ignorant teenager.
"Wait! You're just going to leave?" Emily looked at him confused. "I don't understand."
Zander sighed, walking back to her and standing in front of her.
She really didn't get it.
Reaching up a hand to brush away her bangs that fell over her eyes, Zander leant in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
"You really don't." Zander whispered, staring into her eyes. "But when you open your eyes and realize that life isn't a fairytale...that sometimes the real thing really is better...come find me. I'll be waiting."
Having said his piece, Zander granted her a single nod before walking out of the house.
His night officially over.
Emily couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. Zander's not supposed to walk away.
He's the one she relies on to never walk away.
"You know he's right." Skye came walking over to her after sending her husband into the ballroom. "Love isn't a fairytale...but it doesn't mean it isn't beautiful."
"He says I don't understand because I'm sixteen." Emily turned to look at her sister. "Do you think that's true too? I mean, he's only nineteen. How much more can he possibly know?"
"Age doesn't necessarily judge a person's ability to understand." Skye knew she had to tread carefully with this. "I think what Zander was trying to say is that, because you're only sixteen, you still have a rosy view on life. I'm not saying to grow up and face reality, but when it comes to love...you still have a lot to learn."
Emily accepted her answer and decided to return to the party.
Even though her mind was anywhere but, Emily knew she had to be there for Lila.
Skye watched her little sister walk into the ballroom, silently hoping that Emily will see that life really wasn't a fairytale.
They all have to grow up and face that.
But if you're really lucky, life turns out to be better than any fantasy your heart can create, and Skye finally had that.
"Everything okay?" Lorenzo asked his wife as she walked into his arms. "Is Emily okay?"
"She will be." Skye assured, staring into the eyes of the man she loved so immensely. "She just has a lot to learn in regard to life and love."
"Don't we all." Lorenzo kissed her softly. "You ready to call it a night?"
"A little longer, my love." Skye glanced through the ballroom, spotting Edward making his way over to Lila. "I have a feeling a certain brother of mine will be needing assistance."
Edward placed a soft kiss upon his wife's lips.
Taking a glance around the room before sitting beside her.
"Is that ruffian still here?" Edward grumbled. "I just came back from checking on my Jag and I want him to personally have it cleaned."
"Oh Edward, hush." Lila shook her head. "If it bothers you so much, I will have your car detailed tomorrow and returned as good as new."
"You're not the one that..."
"I was the one that leant the car to Jason." Lila cut him off, not having any of his foolishness. "You will not bother that boy with any of it. I will have Lionel take it to the cleaners and have your car detailed in the morning."
"What is father grumbling on about now?" Alan walked over to sit by his mother. "Warn me now if we'll be removing the priceless items from the room along with the sharp ones."
"You just shut it Alan." Edward grumbled. "That ruffian of a son of yours, soiled my Jag and I want him to have it cleaned out."
"If it'll make you happy father, I'll have it cleaned out for you." Alan shook his head. "Must you make everything into an issue with my son?"
"Edward, I won't hear anymore about it." Lila said firmly. "You will leave that boy alone and stop going on about something that is easily fixable."
Grumbling something incoherently, Edward dropped the subject before focusing on the reason for the ball.
His wife's birthday.
Its all that should matter right then anyway.
Jason couldn't help but admire the way she looked in the moonlight.
A part of him didn't want to go back inside.
Mostly because he was sure that the only thing waiting in there for him was a major headache.
But she was right.
It's getting late and she'll probably be called in to work in the morning seeing as miss I'm sick was inside dancing with AJ.
Taking her hand, Jason guided her inside to Lila, hoping to avoid any drama.
"A word." Sonny stopped him halfway to Lila.
"Go ahead." Elizabeth smiled softly when Jason looked at her. "I'll let Lila know we're leaving."
"I'll be right there." Jason assured before releasing her hand and letting her walk away. "What's up?"
"We're heading out." Sonny said as they walked off to the side. "Tomorrow, I'm going to need you to oversee the shipments that are coming in. The moment they dock I want it moved...we're expecting a surprise visit by noon."
"I'll handle it." Jason said without hesitation. "That it?"
"That's it." Sonny shook his head. "You really like her don't you?"
"Goodnight Sonny." Jason said before walking off to Elizabeth.
"I'll take that as a yes." Sonny chuckled before leaving with his wife and son, anxious to go home and spend some time with Morgan.
Walking over to Lila, he found most of the family by her side.
Just what he needed before leaving.
"Grandmother, thank you for inviting me, but I should head out." Jason said as he kissed her cheek. "I hope you had a memorable birthday."
"It was the moment you showed up." Lila assured. "You be sure to get her home safely."
"I will." Jason promised, slipping his hand into Elizabeth's.
Skye noticed that Jason and Elizabeth were on their way out and could literally see Edward's wheels turning.
So being the dutiful troublemaker she is, Skye walked over to the family with Lorenzo by her side.
"Speaking of leaving, we'll be heading out too." Skye kissed Lila's cheek. "Your ball was lovely. I'm glad we could make it."
"So am I, dear." Lila smiled brightly, knowing just what Skye was up to.
"Jason, Elizabeth, why don't we walk you out?" Skye said softly, gesturing for them to walk, and Jason gladly took the opportunity.
Jason and Elizabeth got out of the estate without any hassle and thanked Skye for the save.
Walking over to his bike, Jason held out the helmet to her.
"Trust me?" Jason asked, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Definitely." Elizabeth assured, strapping the helmet on before hiking up her dress and straddling the bike behind him.
Once her arms were secured around him, Jason started the bike and took off out of the driveway.
Elizabeth had to admit that the feeling of the bike rumbling beneath her, the wind blowing hard against her, it was perfect.
It felt like the world was exploding around her.
The ride was sadly over before she realized it.
Jason carefully helped her off the bike before walking with her up the walkway to her front door.
They stood in front of each other for a moment. Just taking in the other.
Jason couldn't help but reach out and brush her hair from her face.
It was something that he has realized about being near her.
He can't help but touch her. To feel her smooth skin against his own rough one.
"I had a great time tonight." Jason breathed, watching the blush touch her cheeks. "Maybe we can hangout again...on purpose next time."
"I'd like that." Elizabeth assured, breathing in as his hand slid down her arm to pull her closer by wrapping his arm around her.
"I look forward to learning more about you." Jason whispered, leaning in closer. "Everything about you."
With that Jason claimed her lips in a soft, innocent kiss.
Simply tasting her, not deepening it or pushing too far.
Elizabeth's eyes slid closed as she took in the feel of his lips on hers.
It wasn't the kiss she had expected, but she found that she enjoyed it more than the one she imagined.
Pulling away, Jason placed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight Elizabeth." he whispered, caressing her cheek softly.
"Goodnight." she whispered, letting out a soft breath. "Jason."
He waited long enough to be sure that she got inside safely before getting back on his bike and heading home.
Elizabeth stuck in his thoughts the whole way.
He was definitely looking forward to learning more about her.
Everything about her.
Author's Note: Once again, thanks for the reviews.
Truly means a lot.
I hope you enjoyed the update and if you have suggestions, don't be afraid to make them.
Till next time...