A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you like the couples!

Chapter 19

After breakfast, Jason had some tests done and is allowed to sit in a chair.

"I bet it feels really good to get out of that bed," Edward said as Epiphany rolled him toward his grandson.

"Yeah. You okay?"

"I've seen better days, but I'm healing."

"Good."

"Where is Elizabeth?"

"She went to a take a shower and get breakfast with her friends. I made her go."

Edward tried to hide a smirk but was unable too.

"What?" Jason asked.

"She seems really nice."

"She is."

"You've been through a lot considering you just met. That had to be stressful."

"It was."

Ric walked inside. "Hello Edward."

"Ric Lansing. It's been a while." They shook hands.

"How's the patient?"

"He's a man of few words as usual."

Ric grinned. "I could call Brenda. She usually gets him talking."

"Unless you want me to start cursing in front of my grandfather…."

Edward chuckled. "I think that may have worked."

"Alright, I need to get you to your test," Epiphany said.

"I'll visit you later."

Ric pulled up a chair. "Nathan was awake when I left. He asked about you."

"I'm glad that he's doing better."

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm good. Hopefully, I can leave tomorrow."

"And Elizabeth?"

"It was hard for her to watch the building collapse around me. She thought that I had been killed."

"She cares about you."

"I know. I guess I'm just a little nervous that now that we're back and Gabriel is gone that things will change."

Ric crossed his legs. "Jason, she likes you. I could already tell that from when you were with us. You have such confidence when it comes to every other area of your life, but when it comes to love you just think you're not good enough. Just take her out on a few dates and get to know her better."

"Okay."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth laughed at a joke Jim had just told. They are sitting at a table at Kelly's with a couple of guards outside and one at another table. Her father is not taking any chances. "I really missed you guys."

"We missed you too," Doreen said.

"Are you going to have to leave soon?

Jim reached out and squeezed her hand. "I'm afraid I have to get on the road and Doreen has clients that are waiting."

"I understand," Liz said as tears welled in her eyes.

"Elizabeth…," Doreen said moving next to her so they could embrace. "We're not far away. We'll come back over as soon as we can. I promise."

Jim and Doreen shared a knowing look. "She's right. I only have a couple of deliveries over the next two weeks, so you'll see us soon."

"Thank you. I just—this is so hard." It comforted her to have them around.

"You don't have to explain. I get it."

Jim got up and went to use the bathroom.

"You want to tell me why you look so worried?"

"I guess I'm wondering if things will change now that the trouble has died down."

"Well, it can only get better right?"

"I hope so."

"You and Jason just fit. You'll just have to connect in a different way. You can relax a bit and not have to look over your shoulder every five minutes."

Liz sighed. "I don't know if we can ever truly relax given my family and Sonny's business."

"True, but that will be part of the journey. Focus on that handsome man you have and all will be right with the world."

Liz smiled. "You are an optimist."

"I am because I have seen the way that man looks at you. He is in it to win it."

"I miss him."

Doreen leaned closer. "Honestly, you two are like the walking wounded right now. Take it slow and really get to know one another and enjoy it Elizabeth, because there is nothing like your first everything."

"You're right. I'm over thinking this. Let's go see my man."

Jim smiled and sat. "You weren't going to leave me here, right?"

"Of course not," Liz said as she stood.

"Uh huh."

"I wouldn't have let her leave you, babe."

He kissed his wife. "Thanks, baby."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Ric was just getting up to leave when they walked in. Liz rushed into his arms and gave him a big hug.

"I missed you," Ric said cherishing their closeness.

"Me too. Are you alight? Have you been eating?"

Ric's laughter filled the room. "Yes and yes. What about you?"

"We just fed her. Hi, I'm Doreen Thompson and this is my husband Jim."

"I'm Ric." They shook hands.

"Are you headed back to Nathan?" Liz asked.

"Yup. He misses you."

"Can I come see him?"

"I'll have Sonny make the arrangements, but get that big lug home first and let him rest so you can drag him with you."

She hugged him again. "Deal."

He looked up and caught Jason's glare. "Are you jealous?"

Jason rolled his eyes.

Ric whispered into Liz's ear. "He is so bent over backwards for you, lucky girl."

She grinned. "You just know how to push his buttons. Don't you?"

Ric chuckled.

"I'm right here."

"I have an idea." He dialed the phone and Brenda answered.

"What's up? He didn't kick you out yet?"

"No. Is Nathan awake?"

"Yeah. He's a little drowsy though."

"Can you bring up face chat please?

She smiled and walked over to the bed and carefully laid next to Nathan. Liz did the same with Jason.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing." She held up the phone.

"Brenda, I look horrible. We can take a selfie later."

His eyes widen when he saw Liz and Jason.

"You alright?" Nathan asked as he looked at Jason's bandages.

"I'm doing fine," Jason said, glad to see Nathan with his own eyes.

"You look tired," Liz said. "I miss you."

Nathan smiled. "I miss you guys too. They have me on meds that make me sleepy."

"You need to get your rest. We'll come see you in a few days."

"I'd like that." His eyes closed and Brenda trained the phone on her.

"Jason, if you missed me, you could have just said so instead of using Nathan as an excuse."

Nathan slightly smiled.

Ric moved the phone so she could see him. "Why are you in bed with my man?"

"Because he's hot. He already said I'm a better kisser."

Nathan's eyes slightly opened. "You're bad."

Brenda giggled.

"I'll get you back, Brenda."

"Now that is something I want to see," Jason said.

"You would. Hanging up now, I need to go cuddle with your man."

Ric shook his hand. "Just for that I'm not bringing you ice cream."

Brenda gasped.

"Sorry, bad connection," Ric said ending the call.

Jason had a big grin on his face.

"Glad I could make your day," Ric said before winking at him. "Later, and don't give her a hard time."

"Some interesting friends you've got there," Jim said.

"They'll probably give me gray hair."

Liz started to get up.

"Don't go." He liked having her next to him.

"Has Patrick been in?"

"No."

"Are you in pain?"

"Maybe a little."

Her eyes narrowed and Doreen pressed his button for the meds.

"Jason, that medicine is there for a reason. Your head needs to heal and if you're tense from pain, that is not helping you."

"I know you want to get out of here, so take the meds," Jim added.

"Okay."

Patrick walked in. "Well isn't this just cozy. I bought someone with me to consult."

Robin slipped around him. "Hey."

Jason smiled. "Hey."

She looked him over really quick. "I'm glad you made it."

"Me too. How is your mom?"

"Traumatized, but she's doing okay." Like most of the patients from the hotel, they were requiring medicine to sleep well.

"She tried to help me. I'm so sorry about Maxie."

Robin struggled to hold her tears back. "I—I just can't believe that she's gone."

"If there was some way I could have stopped it, I would have."

"My mom said she freaked which didn't help. I don't want you to blame yourself."

Liz slowly got up so she wouldn't jostle him.

"You were fine," Patrick said.

"It's okay. I know you have to examine him."

"Elizabeth, this is Robin."

Robin smiled and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise, I'm really sorry about Maxie and your mom." Liz felt so guilty. "We'll go for a walk and come back."

They left and Patrick busied himself reading some of Jason's brainwave data."

"She seems nice."

"She's great. Are you seeing someone?"

"No. I'm so busy, but I like it that way." She took his hand. "Do you always have to get hurt?"

"It kind of seems that way."

"Well, for her sake, I hope you stay safe. I missed you."

"Me too and not just because you could always could get Brenda to shut up."

Robin laughed. "That's because I had to drag her from the room. She's strong for being so little."

"But you have super spy genes."

"Did you just take pain meds?" She likes it when he is chatty.

"Yup."

"Hmm, so I can ask you anything I want?"

"You can ask, but there is no guarantee that I'll answer."

"Do you love her?"

Jason looked at their joined hands. "We haven't been together that long, but I think it could definitely lead to that."

"I'm happy for you. You deserve to be loved Jason."

"I'm trying to accept that."

She gave his hand a little squeeze. "I know everyone thinks that Stone was the love of my life, but you were right up there in importance. Thank you for loving me and showing me that I could still have a good life."

"You're welcome."

Liz had heard that last part and backed up and almost ran into her friends.

"What's that look for?" Doreen asked.

"They were still talking, so I didn't want to intrude. Do you mind if I go see Edward?"

Doreen shook her head and then watched her walk away. "I think she's worried that Jason might want his ex-girlfriend back."

"I wasn't getting that vibe, but let's go be nosey," Jim said. They walked back into the room just as Robin laughed loudly.

"I better go see my mom. Take care and I'll stop by later."

"Bye," Jason said.

Doreen sat down.

"Where's Elizabeth?"

"She went to see Edward."

Jason frowned. "Really?"

"So, what's the deal with you and the doctor?"

"You're so subtle honey," Jim said making Jason smile.

"She was my girlfriend, we were serious, but she couldn't handle my lifestyle. We're just friends now."

"Does she know that?" Jim asked.

Patrick chuckled. "As Epiphany would say, they are all up in your business."

Doreen smiled.

"They are watching my girls back like good friends should," Jason said.

"She is beautiful. You're a lucky man," Patrick said.

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Edward smiled as Elizabeth walked into the room. "Well hello there."

"Hi."

"What brings you by?"

"Jason was catching up with a friend, so I thought I'd make myself scarce."

"Who?"

"Robin."

Edward noted a flicker of jealousy. "I see. Robin was Jason first girlfriend after the accident. They were serious, and I had hoped that maybe he'd give up the violence for her, but he didn't. She had his back and he had hers. Robin's first boyfriend died and she never thought anyone would want her because he gave her HIV."

Liz gasped. "That's horrible."

"It was very tragic, but Robin has lived a good life. She takes her protocol and has been healthy. Jason wasn't afraid of the disease and didn't judge her for it. He loved and accepted her. We didn't think that he'd be able to feel that deeply."

"I guess they helped each other."

"Definitely, but in the end, she wasn't the right one for him."

"Well, that's subjective."

"True, but they didn't stand the test of time. I think he might have a better chance with you."

"I hope so. How is your son and his wife?"

"They are recovering nicely. Alan and I will be released tomorrow morning and Monica the following day."

Liz smiled. "I'm happy for you. I'm sure you'll be happy to go home."

"I hate hospitals almost as much as Jason. Trust me, if I could pay you to help me escape right now, I would."

Leyla pushed Alan into the room.

"You'll do no such thing."

Edward smiled. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

"Thank you, father. I'm feeling much better."

"Alan, this is Elizabeth."

She shook his head. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"Me too, but I'm glad all the bad stuff is over."

"I hear your surgery went well."

"It did. I feel like a new man."

Edward chuckled. "Wait until you see the new menu Cook is preparing. I hope you like bland food."

Alan groaned. "I may have to run away from home."

"And go where, like anyone else would put up with you."

Alan shook his head as Liz stifled a laugh. "I think I'll go visit my son. He doesn't talk as much."

Edward scowled.

"Come on Alan, I'll take you."

"Thank you, my dear."

"Don't go to fast, he just got that new ticker," Edward said loudly. Before they could make it out the door, a woman walked into the room.

"Carole?" Edward asked.

"It's me. I heard what happened and wanted to check on you. I had my son drive down with me."

"Oh, my goodness, it's been years. Come sit down and give me all the gossip."

She smiled and Liz looked at Alan and they exchanged a look.

Liz pushed Alan through the doorway.

"He's an interesting man," Liz said.

"You don't know the half of it. There is never a dull moment in our house. Lila, my mother, used to keep him under control, but now he has no sensor."

"There's always duct tape."

Alan laughed. "That is a splendid idea."

Jason watched them enter the room.

"Look who I found," Liz said pushing Alan forward. She introduced him to Doreen and Jim first and then Alan put his hand on Jason's arm.

"Thank you for trying to save me."

"I would do it again. You're my son. I will always feel the need to protect you."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. The pacemaker is in and I feel a lot better."

"Good. Have you seen Monica?"

"I'm heading there next." Since he wants to sit with her the longest, he saved her for last.

Jason was quiet for a moment. "Tell mom that I said that I'm glad she's going to be okay."

Alan slightly smiled. "I will. Once you're up to it, you'll have to bring Elizabeth over for dinner."

His brow creased. "Do you want her to break up with me?"

"Of course not, but I would like to get to know her a little better. I'll make sure that Edward is on his best behavior."

"Does he even have a best behavior?"

Doreen chuckled.

"I think I'll need drugs to get through the dinner."

"I'll make sure Cook picks up some of your favorite beer."

"I'll think about it."

"Carole is visiting him right now," Liz said.

"The Carole from the shore?"

"Yup."

Jason is surprised.

"I think she likes him, likes him."

"How does he do it?" Jason said softly.

Alan laughed. "I don't know, but if she keeps him distracted, I think I might be okay with it." He loves and misses his mother, but he knows Edward is lonely. Even if Carole doesn't like him romantically, it will still be a friend that his father can reach out too.

"I don't think he's ready to move forward."

"Me either. Losing my mother was harder on him than any of us could imagine."

"I really miss her."

Alan squeezed his arm. "I know. You two had a very special relationship. I'm glad that you let her in."

"I know that you want to be in my life more. I need a little time to process that, but just know that I'm not completely against it. Elizabeth has been helping me reconcile my feelings."

Alan looked over at her. "Thank you."

"We all make mistakes. It's just a lot better to forgive and move on," she said.

"Amen," Jim added.

"Well, I need to go see my wife."

Jim took a few steps towards him. "I'll take you."

"Thank you. Take care, son."

"I will—dad."

"That must feel weird to say it, but just the fact that you're trying means everything to me. I love you Jason, as you are now. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like you weren't enough."

Jason is moved by his words. It is hard for him because he tends to think love and acceptance is the same and he is learning that isn't the case. After they disappeared from the doorway, Doreen spoke.