A/N – Thanks for the comments! * Guest & arcoiris0502 – I mentioned that Doreen is 40. I didn't really say how old Jim was, just that Liz thought he was around her dad's age. He's 48. * Wendi – Nope. No baby. I realize that there was a lot of baby talk lol. Sorry. The Robin convo w/ Liason had to happen and Liz would want to talk to a friend about it (Doreen). So, no ulterior motive there. It's funny, at first I had no intention of making J&D pregnant, but then I kind of fell in love with them and wanted to do something nice. * trini12180 – The person asking for the info to be destroyed is one of Gabriel's partners that thought Gabe betrayed him.

Chapter 27

Julian watches a sleeping Carly who is snuggled into his side. Michael is probably drooling on his leg and the mob boss really didn't mind. They are the perfect fit and he plans on spoiling them beyond reason.

Carlos approaches them with a smile and picks up Michael and puts him in the guest room. A few minutes later, he came back down. "Let me take her." Julian is still healing and he doesn't want him to overexert himself.

"Okay."

Carlos gently lifted her and Julian moved her cast against her chest and they went upstairs and she was laid next to Michael.

He had been surprised to find her at the house when he came home, but he was glad. After the confrontation, it was nice to have Michael's chatter filling his ears. They helped him relax and wind down. He'd do whatever it took to protect them and his daughter. Whoever the threat was would be destroyed. Julian wasn't known for being ruthless. He usually flew under the radar, but after the hell Gabriel put him through, he was done.

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Elizabeth fell back against the pillows. Her body ached in an exquisite way. Jason is sprawled half way onto her body as he tries to calm his breathing.

"I need to get back to the gym."

She chuckled. "I need to start."

"You're perfect."

"I'm glad you think so. It takes some of the pressure off when I'm binging on chocolate very soon."

"Why?"

"Unfortunately for you, I'm starting to cramp."

Jason pouted.

"Nature, there's nothing I can do about it. If I get snippy, don't take it personally and just throw a bag of chocolate at me or get me a shake."

"Kissing won't help?"

"No offense, but no."

"Then I better make up for it right now." He kissed the hell of her, making her moan loudly.

When his lips finally left her, she sighed.

"Maybe it will help. That was just—" She looked around. "We can't let the word out that your kisses can wipe away moodiness. I'll never get you to myself again."

He chuckled. "These lips are only for you. They'll just have to take some midol."

She laughed. "I'm surprised that you know what that is."

"I did date. Johnny is always telling Max to take some and there's Emily too."

"You don't talk about her much."

He thought for a moment. "She was extraordinary. You would have liked her. She always had my back and she was just a good person. Even when everyone else wanted nothing to do with me, she made me feel like I deserved to be loved. I'll never ever forget that."

She raked her fingertips against his scalp. "She sounds like a very special person. You were lucky to have her in your life."

"I was."

"And I bet she thought that she was lucky to have you."

"She did."

They kissed languidly.

"I think I should be able to take my bike out by next weekend."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes. Are you up for a ride?"

She squealed. "I'm so excited."

"I can't wait to introduce you to it."

She pried her lips away from his. "Do I need a special outfit?"

An image of her naked flashed through his head and Liz laughed.

"Seriously?" He had the sexiest look on his face.

"It's tempting, but then everyone would see your body and it's mine."

"It's definitely all yours."

His mouth found hers again in a demanding kiss, taking her breath away.

"I will never get tired of your mouth."

"You say that now," Jason said playfully.

"I'll be saying that forever."

He slightly smiled. "You keep talking like that, and I might have to make it happen."

She tore her gaze from his lips and their gaze locked. "Would that be so bad?"

God, she is beautiful. "No."

His phone rang, snapping them out of their trance. Reaching over, he growled as he answered it. "Somebody better be dying."

Johnny grinned. "That good?"

"Talk."

"A man approached Julian on the docks. He was representing the guys that took Gabriel down."

"Is he okay?"

"Yes. He was given a warning that someone is trying to take him down and that he needs to handle it or they will handle Julian."

Jason closed his eyes. "Should we come back?"

"You can keep your time table. I sent a few extra men to stay with Max. They should arrive shortly."

"Okay."

Jason put his phone back.

"What happened?"

He explained and she was silent for a while. "Talk to me."

"I was just thinking how great it would be if we weren't surrounded with all the violence."

"I don't know who I am without it."

She turned on her side. "You are the man that I've been making love to and having a perfectly awesome weekend with. You are the one who makes me feel like nothing else exists. I'm not asking you to give up your lifestyle, but I do need you to see that it doesn't have to define you."

"I guess I didn't think of it that way."

"I need to know that you aren't addicted to it and won't always put it first. Right now, I know we're just dating, but I think it's safe to say that we are both crazy about each other. If someday the goal is to have it all, then I need to know that your priorities won't just be the business."

Jason pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and lovingly stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I have a feeling you will be my first, last, and always. I need you to help me. I don't process things like normal people, so you'll have to put me in a check from time to time and help me see things in a different way. Can you do that?"

She nodded. "Yes, as long as you're willing to consider changing your perspective."

"I am. You're all I can think about most of the time anyway. How you feel when you shatter around me, the way you bite you lip, and how you talk to me with no words. I already love you, Elizabeth and I know that our connection will just get stronger every day."

A dear ran down her cheek. "You love me?"

"God, yes!"

She kissed him with everything she had, devouring his lips as Jason moaned. Pushing him back, she straddled him, her lips never leaving his. After a few minutes of frantic kissing she pushed back as her chest rapidly rose and fell. She wrapped her hand around his girth, making Jason inhale sharply, before slamming herself down as she smothered him. Her gasp filled the air as they stilled, relishing it. "I love you too."

His eyes snapped open and met her hooded gaze. She pulled up and then slammed back down again for what seemed like an eternity.

"Say my name," she said as her speed and ferocity increased.

He grunted, his jaws clenched as he used her hips to help her move faster.

"Say it!" she yelled as Jason began to jack hammer into her.

"Elizabeth!" he yelled as his cock twitched and she let out a keening cry as they both exploded in ecstasy. She fell forward as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his body, both savoring their love for each other.

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The next morning, they gathered together for breakfast. Chloe looked downright pathetic, like she knew they were leaving.

"She gets this way when we pack," Doreen explained.

"It's like she thinks we're leaving her behind."

Jason looked over at Chloe. "She certainly has that face down. It reminds me of Max when I tell him to do something."

Max shook his head.

"Did you get sick this morning?" Liz asked.

"Yeah, but it wasn't that bad. I'm not going to complain." She had finally gotten everything she wanted. Jim squeezed her hand.

"I plan on spoiling her rotten."

Liz laughed. "I have a feeling you try to do that regardless."

He leaned over and kissed his wife. "She brings it out in me."

Carole couldn't help but smile. The couples are beautiful together and she is really going to miss their company.

Once everyone was done, Jason and Liz said goodbye to Carole and walked Doreen and Jim back to their house. They showed Chloe some love and then gave their friends some hugs.

"I better get a picture of the ultrasound."

Doreen laughed. "I can already tell you that we are going to be like one of those obnoxious couples that sends pictures of every little detail. Prepare to get a lot of texts."

"I will love that," Liz said.

"You be careful," Jim said to Jason.

"I will."

"Maybe we can do a face chat once a week so you and Chloe can talk."

Jason grinned. "She's kind of like me and doesn't have much to say."

"Then you can stare at each other," Doreen said.

"It's a date."

Chloe barked, sealing the deal.

They walked back to their house.

"I so don't want to leave, but I'll go pack."

"We can come back whenever we want."

"I know. It's just better than reality, so it's hard to give it up."

He followed her into the bedroom and got the duffle bag out of the closet and they gathered their things in silence. When the last item was thrown in, he zipped it up and carried it to the living room.

"Am I dropping you off at your dad's?"

"Yeah."

He nodded, suddenly feeling sad.

"Want to have dinner together?"

"Yes." That made him feel a little better.

He took out the garbage while Liz made sure they hadn't forgotten anything and then headed out.

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Carly woke up and frowned. She is not in her bedroom. In fact, she is not even in her house. "Julian," she muttered. Sliding out of the bed, she went to the bathroom and rinsed her mouth, before smoothing her hair and going downstairs. Laughter is coming from the kitchen so she makes her way there.

Michael has flour on his face and is mixing something in a bowl. Her eyebrows shot up and Julian turned and gave her a sexy smile.

"Good morning."

She returned it. "Good morning."

"Mom!"

"Yes."

"Come eat. We make pancakes."

"I think you got more flour on your face than in the bowl."

He laughed.

Julian flipped a few on a plate and handed it to her and she put some syrup on it and took a bite. "Yum."

Michael smiled proudly.

"I take it we fell asleep on you?"

"Yup and I'm not complaining."

He got Michael situated with some pancakes and then flipped a few more.

"And how did I get upstairs?" She didn't want him to hurt himself.

"Relax, Carlos insisted on doing it."

She took another bite.

"It's nice having the house fuller.

"When is Elizabeth due back?"

"Probably around lunch time."

"I hope they had a good time."

Julian sat beside her. "I'm sure they did. I'm glad Elizabeth is gaining some friends. I think she's happier when she's more social."

They ate and then got Michael and the kitchen cleaned up.

"Where's Millie?"

"Shopping. I told her not to worry about breakfast."

"That was nice of you. I better take him home and give him a bath. He has a play date later."

"I'll have Carlos drop you off."

She turned to face him and then gave him a gentle kiss. "Thanks for taking such good care of us."

"I enjoyed it."

He accompanied them to the car and watched as it drove away, feeling very good about where they are headed.

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Milo walked into Kelly's. It is Georgie's last day.

She smiled when she saw him and went to get him some coffee.

Tammy patted a stool and he slid onto it.

"Can you believe that after today, I will no longer have to wear this apron?"

Tammy chuckled. "We can burn it in the parking lot if you want."

She grinned. "That would be cool."

Milo watched her for a while and then put some money down on the counter. Elizabeth and Jason are close and he needs to go over to the Jeromes in case she needs to run errands.

"Milo, we're all heading to Jake's tonight for a little going away party for Georgie. You're more than welcome to come."

"Thank you. What time?"

"Eight."

"I'll be there." He';; have to switch off with someone, but it is doable.

Georgie waved to him and Milo happily left, knowing he'd get to see her later.

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After Jason dropped off Elizabeth, he headed back to the penthouse. Johnny was waiting for him with Stan so they could come up with a game plan

"Any leads?"

"Not really. Whoever is doing this is taking their time, like they are playing with us," Stan said.

"Do you think it's related to Gabriel?" Jason asked.

"I do. I can't explain why, but there are too many coincidences," Johnny said.

"I trust your instincts. Someone might be trying to get revenge. Gabriel could have set it up before he died."

"Well, this person is a little sloppy, which to me implies some kind of emotional involvement."

"Maybe, there usually is whether it be anger, hatred, or love." Jason said. "Make sure we have cameras on all our buildings in town. Work with Julian's men to make sure his are secure as well. If anyone suspicious drives past his house, I want it investigated. Elizabeth is there and I'm not taking any chances."

"I have someone camped out at her gallery, making sure no one messes with it."

"Thanks."

"Julian put extra men on Carly and Michael."

Jason sighed. "I hate that they are even involved."

"She's happy," Stan said.

"Maybe it will keep her out of trouble," Jason said.

Johnny stood, "I'm going to the hospital and talk to Epiphany. She needs to keep an eye out for Monica and Alan. I know they are going back to light duty this week at some point."

"Already?"

Johnny smiled. "You know your parents. They are probably going stir crazy."

Jason shook his head.

"Alright, we're out of here. Enjoy the rest of your day off."

"I'm going to go check on Carly."

"Good luck with that."

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Julian embraced his daughter. "I missed you."

"You're lucky I didn't hold Jason hostage and stay for a few more days. If it weren't for Georgie coming to work in the morning, I may have."

"How are your friends?"

Liz grinned. "Doreen is pregnant."

"Really?"

"Yes. She didn't think she could have kids so it came out of left field, but you should have seen her face."

They moved to the couch. "Well, maybe we should send her something."

Liz's eyes grew big. "I think they have baby arrangements you can send," she said before jumping up and grabbing her computer.

Julian watched her plop back down and leaned over to look at the screen.

"This one looks good," she said pointing.

"I like the other one. It's neutral, has more useful items, and look at that slogan."

Liz chuckled. "I have the best Auntie in the world. I like it. Sold!" She purchased it and arranged it to be sent overnight.

"She'll love it."

"She already texted me that the word has spread and she's had so many visitors already." Doreen had sent her a picture and she had to laugh at Jim's expression.