A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 43

Carly strode into the room and put some food on the nightstand and Liz's eyes popped open. "Breakfast time."

"You are way too cheery," Jason said.

"That's because Brenda just left. She said bye."

"Did you fight?"

"Not really."

Liz sat up.

"How ya feeling, buttercup?"

"Sore and hungry."

"Your dad made you an omelet with toast and jam."

"Yum." She took the tray and some juice from Carly.

"And you get some kind of Chorizo or something. I don't remember."

Jason took the tray. "Looks good."

"Millie made yours. I'm going to go see my son."

"Tell him I said hi."

"I will." She kissed him on the head. "Be good and rest. I will know if you don't."

Jason shook his head and then began to dig in. It is spicy, just like he likes it.

"I think I can get used to breakfast in bed."

"You have too many clothes on."

She grinned. "Do you really want Milo to see my goodies?"

"Hell no."

"Then the clothes stay on."

"I'll let it slide this time."

"I won't complain about the scar you're going to have this time because you saved me, but you really have to stop marking up your chest. It's just so wrong."

He wiped his mouth. "I will do my best."

"Good. And if you listen to Brenda and cut your hair, we're going to have a problem."

"I would never cut it short without talking to you first."

She winked at him.

"And you're not allowed to cut yours either. I like it."

"I probably look like a crazy person right now."

"You're beautiful. Deal with it."

They went back and forth until they were finished.

"I feel a carb coma coming on," Liz said.

Millie collected their plates.

"How big do you want the house?"

"Not crazy big, I was thinking it would be great and if we could have a studio on the property."

"That's easy. Done."

"Do you want a pool?"

"I guess it would be nice. I'm told that we always swam in the lake."

"Yuck," Liz said.

"Pool it is then."

"Are you basically going to give me everything I want?"

"Uh huh."

"What you want is important too."

"I'll make sure I have a man cave."

"As long as I'm allowed in it, then that's fine."

"Oh, I'll make sure you're the first one in it. We'll definitely be christening that room."

She grinned. "You have a one track mind."

"Because you are irresistible."

"You're pretty irresistible yourself."

Their eyes closed as they enjoyed each other's company and soon fell asleep.

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Jason tolerated the room for two days and then decided he had enough of resting.

Julian frowned. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Am I prisoner now?"

"You need coffee."

"He needs an attitude adjustment," Carly said.

"No one asked you."

"Seriously Jase, you're alive. Your girl isn't seriously hurt. You should be smiling."

Jason sat on the couch. He had just taken a hot shower which felt really great.

"Are you leaving today?"

"Uh no," Liz said as she strolled towards them. "He's still on lock down today."

Carly smirked. "I guess she told you."

"Don't you have somewhere you need to be?"

"Nope. I'm right where I should be."

"Everything is calm, right?" Jason asked.

"Yup."

"Maybe you should knock on wood or something," Carly said.

"She has a point," Liz added.

The door opened and Tracy strode inside.

"I can't leave you two alone for a few minutes and you get into trouble."

"We're fine. The soreness is going away," Jason said.

"Please tell me that all the craziness is over."

"It's quiet."

"Good. Now, it's been hard keeping Edward away. He's getting a grumpier by the minute. What are you willing to do about it?"

Jason rolled his eyes. "The old man can wait. I might pop a stitch if I have to deal with him."

There is a knock on the door. "Jason! I know you're in there."

Tracy and Jason groaned. "He probably followed me, the stalker."

"I won't go away!"

Liz chuckled. "I've got this." She went to the door. "Edward. What are you doing here?"

He smiled and handed her a bouquet of gorgeous flowers. "I had to see that you were okay with my own eyes. How is my favorite future granddaughter-in-law?"

"He's really laying it on thick," Tracy said.

"I might gag," Jason added.

Carly cracked up. "This is awesome. Come on in, Edward."

"I'll pay you back for this," Jason growled.

"Don't mind if I do," he said walking past Liz. "How is my grandson?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good to hear."

Liz walked by. "I'm going to go put these in some water."

Julian got up. "I'll help."

Edward notices that Carly is grinning. "You look very happy. Where's Michael?"

"My mother has him."

"You know, he's more than welcome at the mansion."

"I will keep that in mind."

Liz sat next to her man.

"Elizabeth, I was wondering if I could commission you to paint Lila's rose garden."

"I would be honored too."

"You don't have to say that if you'd rather not."

"No. I would love to."

"I want to put it up in my office. We'll talk price later. I enjoyed your new gallery and understand you're going to start some type of kid's program."

"I am. I'm still working it out, but it's been something that I've wanted to do for a long time."

"My Lila loved doing charity work. Did you know the Quartermaine's have a foundation?"

"Why don't you tell me all about it?"

Edward was beaming with pride when he spoke of it. Jason actually was paying attention. He didn't know a lot about it and since it is Lila's legacy, he is interested. "We have money set aside for worthy causes. If you need some sponsorship, all you have to do is ask."

"That is very generous of you. I tell you what, I'll figure out a way to include it. Jason and Sonny have already offered to buy supplies."

"We have wall space at ELQ. Maybe you could have a contest and we'd display the winners or each student can choose their best work," Tracy suggested.

"I like that last idea," Liz said.

"You know, the space under your gallery might not be big enough," Jason said. There is a good chance that the program will be very popular.

"I'm not sure how many kids will actually be interested."

"I think there will be more than you think," Julian said.

"Will it just be painting?" Carly asked.

"No. I want to expose them to all different kinds of art like clay building and sculpture, anime, cartoon drawing, and sketching."

"You'll need a kiln," Julian said.

"Yeah, I've been shopping around."

"Let the foundation get that," Edward said.

"I think you're going to need more space too," Tracy said.

"We can find out who owns the building next door."

"You don't have to look any further," Edward said proudly.

"What did you buy it for?" Jason asked.

"Pickle Lila. It was going to be a storefront, but it never happened."

"Well, you just got yourself a tenant."

"You don't—"

"Edward! You are not giving me a building."

"I'll have our lawyers write up a contract," Tracy said.

"Thank you."

Edward glared at Tracy.

"She's right. I can certainly afford it, and I like that it will honor Lila. Maybe you can show me the space tomorrow morning."

"I would love too. I'm gonna get right on this."

Liz walked him to the door and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Edward."

"You're very welcome, my dear."

She shut the door and Tracy stood.

"Well, some of us have to work. Enjoy your day, slackers."

"I need to get going too. Tracy, can you drop me off at the Metro Court?" Carly asked.

"Sure."

They left.

"You'll need to give it a name," Julian said.

"I've been thinking of that. How about the Faith Jerome Community Art Studio? We can use the abbreviation FJCA."

Julian smiled. "That's a lovely name. Your mother would have been very proud of you. I have to go to the office." They are rebuilding and he wants to make sure it is going well."

"Bye daddy," she said before giving him a hug. The door shut and she looked at Jason. "Does he seem like he's doing better?"

"It's hard to tell. He's been quieter. I think he's trying."

"What happened to Ava's body?"

"It's taken care of."

"I guess my family is pretty complicated," Liz said.

"Aren't all families?"

"Maybe, my dad had it hard growing up. My grandfather was a tyrant."

"He did the best he could."

She laid her head on his arm. "Do you think I should try to get him to talk?"

"Guys like to mull things over. I think he'll come to you."

"I hope so."

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It is dinnertime and Julian hasn't called or come home.

"Did you call Carly?" Liz asked.

"Yes. She hasn't heard from him."

"That is not like him."

Jason pulled out his phone and left the room. "Johnny."

"Yeah boss. What's up?"

"Julian is missing."

"Shit."

"I think I might know where he is. Can you come pick me up?"

"I'll be right there."

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Georgie moaned against Milo's lips. "Thanks for dropping me off."

"No problem."

"I'm going to get some coffee and go to the gallery."

"I'll see you later. Your guard is outside."

"Later."

She walked inside and Tammy hung up the phone. "What's wrong?" Her friend looks really upset.

"Your mom isn't answering her phone and she hasn't shown up for work."

Georgie swallowed thickly. "I don't know even know where she is staying."

"I do."

Tammy wrote down the address. "I know this is asking a lot, but can you please go over there?"

Georgie grabbed the paper and ran to the car.

"Enzo, I need to go to this address. My mom is missing." Despite all their problems, Felicia is still her mother and deep down she loves her.

"Okay."

They quickly got into the car and he took off. When they arrived at the apartment, Georgie pounded on the door. Felicia could hear her, but she couldn't move. "Help!"

"Did you hear that?"

"I think so. Step back." He took out his lock pick. "I hope there isn't a chain on the door."

Georgie watched curiously. "You really need to teach me how to do that."

Enzo smiled. "Later." He pushed the door open and then ran into the apartment.

"Mom?"

"In the bathroom."

When they ran towards the voice and threw the door open, Georgie's mouth dropped open.

Felicia is lying on the floor in a towel.

Enzo turned away. Her mom is definitely hot.

"What happened?"

"I think I broke my ankle. I tried to get up, but I couldn't. Moving is excruciating."

"How long have you been in here?" Enzo asked.

"Since last night."

Enzo ran to the kitchen and found a water bottle and handed it to Liz.

"I'm going to have to call 911."

"Okay."

"How exactly did you trip?"

She pouted. "Rubber ducky."

Georgie started to giggle.

"It's not funny."

"It kind of is."

Enzo smiled. "I'll make the call."

"Maybe we should get you a medi-alert bracelet."

Enzo and Georgie cracked up while Felicia looked pathetic.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Sorry."

She sat on the floor. "You want to get dressed?"

"I don't even want to breathe right now."

"Be glad it's me that found you and not Maxie. She would have taken video."

"I'd give anything to make that happen."

"They are on their way, so I'm going to wait for them outside."

"Thank you, Enzo."

"He seems nice."

"He is. Why are really staying here. Are you feeling guilty?"

"No. I wish it hadn't taken us losing Maxie for me to realize what a horrible mother I was. I just couldn't leave you. I know you had Mac and Robin, but I just thought you deserve more. I'm not perfect, but I want to try to be a better person and mom to you. I look at you and you're so beautiful and smart, but on the inside you are hurting. You have experienced so much loss and I want to know everything about you even though I know I don't deserve it."

Georgie wiped a tear away. "Will you go to therapy with me?"

"Yes. I will do anything for you, Georgie Jones."

"Thanks."

She could hear the clank of the gurney and got up and went into the hallway. They stabilized Felicia's ankle and when she cried out at one point, Georgie grimaced.

"She's going to be fine," Enzo said.

They got her on the gurney and covered her up.

"I'll meet you there," Georgie said.

"Thanks."

Enzo led Georgie back to the car and they headed to G.H."

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Johnny pulled the car off the side of the road and parked next to Julian who is sitting near the edge of the cliff staring down.

Jason got out and walked up behind him. "We were worried when we couldn't find you."

"What time is it?"

"Six."

"Shit." He hadn't realized how long he had been gone. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"I'll let Elizabeth and Carly know that he's fine," Johnny said before walking away.

"I just needed to be here. I don't know how to explain it."

"Ava made this choice and forced your hand. I hope you really know that."

Julian sighed as his shoulders dropped. "I failed her."

"If there is one thing that I have learned, it's that there's always a choice. Ava could have handled this situation better. I think she knew it would end with her death. Your father ruined her, not you."

"My logical side knows that, but my heart…"

"You could beat yourself up for the rest of your life and that won't bring her back."

"To go on like nothing happened doesn't seem right either."

"Then do something in her name. Maybe you could give to a charity for abused women or something like."

Julian took a deep breath. "That's great idea." Doing something good in her name would make him feel better. "What did you do with her body?"

"It's on ice. I thought you might want to bury her."

"I do. I don't want it to seem like she didn't matter. I know she tried to hurt me, but mentally I know she had issues."

"Then we'll have a funeral."

"We'll bury her on the back part of the property."

"When?"

"How about the day after tomorrow?"

"I'll make it happen. Let's go home."

Julian followed him to the car.

"You okay to drive?"

"Yeah. I'm good and I feel better. Thank you, Jason." It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted.

"Anytime."

Johnny followed Julian back to the house and dropped Jason off.