The day has come for Audrey's memorial and Elizabeth finds herself walking through her grandmother's home. Flowers from friends and coworkers alike are all over the place. Her heart aches as she walks through the house, looking at pictures in frames, wondering what life will be like now. Jason is outback seating the guests and helping Steven greet people. She knows he hates that, but he's doing it anyway and she appreciated it more than she could ever explain.
Sarah and Lucky are what they are. They're already outside along with everyone else, but Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to go outside just yet. As she walking through the living room, a certain picture captures her attention. Its the one of her, Audrey, and her grandfather. They were happy and smiling. The two people that were more like parents to her than Jeff and Carol ever were are now gone. It wasn't fair, but it is what it is and she'll accept that.
"Hey." her friend's voice tears through her thoughts. "Its about to start."
"Okay." Elizabeth turns to look at Maxie. "Thanks for coming."
"No place I'd rather be." Maxie assures, walking over and hugging her. "How're you holding up?"
"Not that good, but I'll be okay." Elizabeth assures. "Jason asked me to marry him."
"Seriously?" Maxie snatched up her left hand and smiled brightly. "That's amazing! Congrats."
"Thanks." Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself. "Its something to look forward to."
"You're telling me." Maxie linked arms with her, guiding her to the back door. "How about we start planning it tomorrow?"
"Sounds good." Elizabeth agrees. "Now to get through this."
"You'll be okay." Maxie assures, walking her to her seat. "Just remember to breathe."
"Okay." Elizabeth laughed softly. "I will."
Jason takes her hand once she sits down beside him. She accepts his strength as she sits there while the priest begins the sermon. The tears find their way to her eyes as the memorial goes on. She listens to the priest as he prays. She listens as people go up to say something nice about her grandmother, but she remains seated. She couldn't handle it. Going up there and talking about her grandmother. Steven does and she appreciates him taking her place in the line up. Her heart just wasn't strong enough for that.
"I need a break." Elizabeth whispers to Jason. "Come with me?"
"Sure." Jason stands up, taking her hand and walking with her into the house. "You okay?"
"I just needed a breather." Elizabeth admits, taking a deep breath in as she sits on the couch. "Its harder than I thought it'd be."
"I know." Jason gets her a glass of water from the wet bar. "Just take your time."
"The only reason I'm sitting through this is so it can sink in that she's really gone." Elizabeth sighs, taking a drink of water. "Its all a little overwhelming."
"No one would blame you if you ducked out now." Jason kneels in front of her. "We need to keep your health in mind. If you're done, I'll take you home."
"Thank you, but no." Elizabeth shakes her head. "I can handle this."
"Are you sure?" Jason strokes her cheek with his thumb as he caresses her cheek. "We'd both rather not have you in the hospital again."
"I'm fine, I promise." Elizabeth kissed him softly. "I just needed a break."
"Okay." Jason sits next to her, pulling her into his arms. "You know she loved you."
"I know." Elizabeth lays her head against his chest. "Its just hard because I keep imagining everything she won't be here for. Our wedding for one...the birth of our first child. There's a lot she'll miss."
"I know its hard, but try not to think about it." Jason strokes her hair soothingly. "Ready to go back out?"
"Yeah." Elizabeth shakes her head. "I love you!"
"I love you!" Jason kisses her softly before hugging her close. "Come on."
As the memorial came to an end, people came up to Elizabeth giving their condolences. Jason stood by her through it all, knowing that it was even more overwhelming for Elizabeth with so many people coming up to her. After the day was out, Elizabeth sat in Kelly's with her circle of friends and family. Jason held her close as they talked and laughed, just enjoying some down time with friends and family. When they finally got home, Jason and Elizabeth curled up together on the bed, just holding each other.
"Maxie's gearing up to plan the wedding already." Elizabeth admits, taking a deep breath. "She might go overboard if we're not careful."
"I want you to have the wedding of your dreams." Jason says softly. "If you want something big, then do it. Its your wedding, I'm sure Maxie will do what you want."
"Are we talking about the same Maxie Jones?" Elizabeth eyed him intently. "I'm just going to have to be there every step of the way."
"As long as you don't stress yourself out." Jason counters. "You've been under a lot of it lately and I don't want you adding any more."
"Contrary to how I've been lately, I'm stronger than I've ever been." Elizabeth assures. "You don't have to worry about me so much."
"Yes, I do." Jason sighs, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You're still under a lot of stress. I know that what's going on with Em is still bothering you."
"Do we really have to talk about it?" Elizabeth really wanted to avoid anything dealing with her ex-best friend.
"If we're going to get you to stop stressing, yes...we need to talk about it." Jason wasn't any happier about talking about her, but it was necessary. "Talk to me."
"I honestly don't know how to feel about it." Elizabeth sighs, shutting her eyes tightly. "We were the best of friends and now Maxie has taken her place while Emily's just completely against me."
"She's not against you...she's just against us being together."
"Same thing." Elizabeth countered. "Being with you is what I want...which means she's against what I want."
"I wish I could fix things with the two of you." Jason admits. "I hate what this is doing to you."
"Emily chose to do what she did." Elizabeth opens her eyes to look at him. "I choose to be with you. I won't give you up for her."
"Same here." Jason smiled slightly. "I kind of pushed her out of my life."
"You what?"
"I wasn't intending to, believe me, it was the last thing I wanted." Jason sighed, running his hand down his face. "She just wouldn't give up and I couldn't take it anymore."
"I understand." Elizabeth nestled into him. "I just wish she'd see how much this was hurting you."
"And you." Jason adds. "Skye's trying to talk Monica and Alan into sending Emily to see Dr. Collins."
"The shrink?"
"Yeah...the shrink." Jason wasn't too happy with being sent to him, but it might help her. "Skye seems to think that there's more going on than her wanting us apart."
"If there is something wrong with her, I hope Dr. Collins can help." Elizabeth closed her eyes. "Can we sleep now?"
"Sure." Jason laughed softly. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Maxie was getting dinner for herself since she has moved into Elizabeth's studio. Mac didn't approve until Jason stationed a rotation of guards at her door. Now that she's been living on her own, Maxie felt more content with her life. She met a guy a few days ago and she was really starting to like him. Even though she was in a good mood, she couldn't help but rub Emily's face in her misfortune.
"Go away, Maxie." Emily sighs, really growing to hate the woman.
"Funny, I don't recall you being at Audrey's memorial." Maxie ignored her demand. "How does it feel to be on the outside, Emily?"
"They'll forgive me once its all said and done." Emily stated. "Stop acting like you're going to be around forever."
"Oh really?" Maxie scoffed. "So you know that Jason and Elizabeth are getting married, huh?"
"You're lying." Emily stood up, anger swallowing her whole. "They're not ready for marriage and definitely not to each other."
"Keep telling yourself that madam delusional." Maxie smirked, her grip on her dinner tightening. "We'll see who's right and who's insane soon enough. I'd get used to being on the outside if I were you...its where you'll be staying."
Author's Note: I know its not that long, but I hope you liked the update.
I really appreciate the reviews and condolences.
sashahailee, I really do appreciate and enjoy your reviews.
Till next time...