one week later
"Mom, are you sure it's real," said Lucky.
Lucky had flown down right away when he had gotten his mothers messages. He had been tracking a treasure with his father. But nothing was important now. His boys needed him. It didn't matter that as soon as landing in Port Charles, he felt a sense of dread. Could he really be a father to his kids? He had been clean for 4 years. No drugs, no booze, nothing.
"I'm sure Lucky," said Laura, "You didn't see her at the wedding. As soon Jason found out she had know the entire time who he was, it was like Liz just went firmly into her delusion that she would be with him. According to Kevin she's been going between hours of lucidity, talking to herself, and unresponsive vegetative state."
Lucky still wasn't sure he could believe her. The last time she was in Shadybrooke, she had faked a breakdown to try to manipulate him to come back to her. Was she doing the same to Jason?
"Has Jason gone to see her?" said Lucky.
"No," said Laura, "He has been by to spend time with the boys, and bring Jake over to stay the night. But he won't see Elizabeth. He's decided to live at the penthouse with Sam, Danny and Jake,"
Lucky remembered the look on Liz's face as she insisted it would be fine. As she insisted she and "Jake" could take care of little Jake and be a family.
"Does Jason know we knew?" said Lucky.
"Yes and no," said Laura, "Well, he knew Liz had been talking to me recently about it because Jake had overheard us,"
"Jake knew?" said Lucky.
Lucky ran his hands through his hair and before running them in front of his mouth. Hadn't Jake been through enough damage for a lifetime?
"About two weeks ago when I was trying to talk Liz into telling Jason the truth, Jake overheard Liz saying that big Jake was his father," said Laura, "Liz tried to convince him he misheard, but Jake is the one who came out and told everyone at the wedding that Liz had known. Liz slapped little Jake,"
"What?" said Lucky.
Lucky couldn't believe Liz would ever hit her own child, despite all the lies she told. Had she changed so much? Was she that far gone?
"It was horrible," said Laura, "I stayed with him and iced his cheek. He was was very quiet for the first few days. He seems better now. But he still doesn't want to see his mother yet. Jason thinks it will just take time,"
"So you're on speaking terms with him? I wouldn't think he would be so quick to forgive in any incarnation," said Lucky.
"Well," said Laura, "I didn't think it would do any good for Jason to have reasons to stay away from here- so I changed the story a little,"
Lucky had really had enough of lies. Lies had gotten them all into this mess.
"I said that I had overheard Nikolas and Liz two weeks ago and confronted them. That I tried to get them to tell the truth. Which is all true. I just changed the timeline a little. Jason has no idea you knew at all," said Laura.
"Are more lies really the answer, Mom?" said Lucky.
"Well, the alternative is that the two people watching Jake don't speak, and I don't think that's good for him," said Laura.
"How did he take it?" said Lucky.
"He was upset," said Laura, "But he understood that I was trying to get people I loved to do the right thing. I apologized, which was true, I really am sorry I kept the secret,"
"Fine, fine. I guess what's a small lie compared to the mountain of ones Liz and Nikolas created," said Lucky.
"Lucky," said Laura, "This situation is bad enough. I don't know if Liz realizes her life is falling apart. With Hayden Hornsby's case against your brother and her, and now I don't think GH in going to keep her on,"
"So you're saying that even if she gets better, she might not have her life to come back to?" said Lucky.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying," said Laura, "Her best friends want nothing to do with her. Cam and Aid-"
Cameron and Aiden barrelled down the stairs.
"Dad!" said Cameron, "When did you get here?"
Cameron and Aiden jumped all over Lucky on the couch. He had forgotten what it was like to be the focus of all this love.
"Daddy!" said Aiden.
Aiden just kissed him and then settled on Lucky lap.
"Hey guys," said Lucky, "I had to come see you again,"
"How long are you staying?" said Cameron.
Lucky thought about it. He had only planned on staying for as long as Liz was sick. He didn't think it would be long….but now, it seemed this might only be the beginning.
"I'm here for as long as you need me," said Lucky.
"Always," said Aiden.
Lucky felt a pang in his heart. How had he left them? In this moment, he felt as if he couldn't leave them alone even if he tried.
"When's mom coming home?" said Cameron.
"Oh, Cameron," said Laura, "We talked about this. You're mom is sick and just needs to get better,"
"I'm not stupid," said Cameron, "I know mom lied to us and Jake."
"What do you know?" said Lucky.
"When Jak- I mean Jason came over he told us he was Jason, and had a different family. But that he would always love us and because Jake was really his son we would all always be connected," said Cameron, "But then I talked to Jake, and he told me the truth,"
"What truth dear?" said Laura.
"That mom is a liar," said Cameron.
"You shouldn't say that dear-" said Laura.
"But it's true," said Cameron, "It all happened so fast at the wedding, I didn't understand. But then when Jason and Jake came to visit. Jake and I talked. He told me he heard Mom telling grandma the truth, and that he overheard Sam and his dad talking. He heard them say that Mom knew who Jason really was, but she chose to lie instead to make him a our dad."
"Cam," said Lucky, "It's true. Your mom did lie. And it's not good to do that. She got sick because she couldn't tell the difference between the truth and the lie. That's why she's away right now. She's getting help from doctors, so she can get better."
"Jake's still mad about her lying," said Cameron, "He said he doesn't want to see her ever again."
"Jake's angry right now," said Lucky, "He might change his mind when he's not angry. What about you and Aiden?"
"I don't think Aiden really get's it," said Cameron.
"I'm not a baby," said Aiden.
"We know kiddo," said Lucky.
He tucked him closer. Maybe Aiden was the lucky one.
"I'm mad mom lied, but I don't hate her. I want to see her soon. I want her to get better," said Cameron.
Lucky's heart broke a little. Their lives just kept breaking up, but here they were resilient as ever.
"I have an idea," said Lucky, "Your Mom isn't well enough to see you guys yet- but I'm sure she misses you a lot. Can you guys go through some picture albums and get her the best ones,"
"I know which one's she likes best," said Cameron, "Let's go Aiden,"
Cameron ran towards the games room in the basement with Aiden in tow. Cameron paused at the staircase.
"Dad can you stay for real this time?" said Cameron.
"Yes, I'm really staying," said Lucky.
He didn't even think those words through, before they left his lips. Could he stay here in Port Charles? Could he be back?
—-
"Jason, I want to make it clear, after all that has happened I have no expectation for you to return to the business," said Sonny.
"That means a lot," said Jason, "I know from Carly and Micheal that I've always been there for you,"
"You died protecting me and my business," said Sonny, "I think you've given more than enough. But if you change your mind, you always have a place beside me,"
"Thank you," said Jason, "But right now my main concern is spending time with you and my family. Just being grateful for every memory I get back, and try to figure out who I am now,"
"You are a brother to me Jason," said Sonny, "Even if you can't remember it, I'm always here for you,"
A knock at the penthouse door startled them. Jason was still getting used to this being his home. Jason answered the door. Michael smiled on the other side.
"Just need to pick my dad up for his physio appointment," said Michael.
"You don't need to pick me up," said Sonny, "I can do this on my own,"
"I want to be here for you dad," said Michael.
"You have your own life, and you have a child on the way," said Sonny, "I don't want you disturbing your life-"
"Sonny," said Jason, "I think Michael just wants to support you. It makes him happy- do you really want to take that away from him?"
Sonny was annoyed. Jason was right, but he still didn't like feeling helpless.
"Fine," said Sonny, "But you drop me off, I don't want you there, I need to do this alone you hear. I'll see you soon Jason, I really am so happy you are back in our lives,"
Sonny rolled out the door and past Michael. Michael just smiled at Jason.
"We're all really happy to have you back in our lives," said Michael.
As Jason shut the door. He let the smile he was keeping on his face drop. He felt like he had to be a support for everyone. He liked it, but… at the same time there was this expectation to be Jason. He didn't remember being Jason.
He knocked a chair over, and it crashed against the wall. Sam rushed downstairs.
"Is everything okay?" said Sam.
"No. I'm just so frustrated. Everyone I see expects me to be the Jason they knew- but I don't remember him," said Jason, "I may never remember him,"
"Jason, it makes sense you're frustrated. We know you don't remember, but it's only natural we're all going to hope you remember," said Sam.
"It's only sometimes I think that every moment I spend with Monica, Sonny, or Carly they keep waiting for me to remember," said Jason.
"Not me?" said Sam.
"You- yes and no," said Jason, "I don't think you mean to- but-"
"But I would be happy if you could remember us," said Sam, "I would be so happy if we could start our lives as if nothing happened, with all of our shared experiences between us. But I also understand that may never happen. I'm trying really hard to accept every day we have as new and I think this week has been amazing. But I would be lying if i said I wasn't hopeful that one day you might remember,"
"It's just too much pressure. I just don't want to let you all down, what if I can't be him-" said Jason.
"You are him, Jason," said Sam, "As Jake, parts of Jason were always shining through. You are loyal, kind, resourceful, persistent, and fierce. And usually lash out on furniture instead of people when you are upset,"
Jason righted the chair that was on the ground.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper," said Jason, "Do I have that kind of violence in me? What if I do something stupid while Jake or Danny are around?"
"Now you don't be stupid," said Sam, "You know you wouldn't do that. You know you can do what ever you need to do. If you need space you can take it-"
"I don't want to leave Jake and Danny," said Jason.
Or you. Jason had grown attached to Sam over the past week. They had been spending most nights talking, and most days running around with Jake and Danny. There was something between them, he felt it. But it didn't help that Jason was just moving past Elizabeth, or that Sam was still dealing with the pain of ending things with Patrick. He had been understanding when she had moved out, and returned his engagement ring. But despite all Sam's passion and hope for them, he could tell the week had been weighing on her.
Jake and Danny were spending the day with Monica and Alice at the Quartermaine mansion. Jason was glad they had space today. As much as he wanted to avoid it, he had to sign the papers.
"I know it's complicated," said Sam, "But we'll figure it out together,"
"I know," said Jason.
"My mom is coming by to pick up the papers in about an hour," said Sam, "I know this is hard, but you need to decide if it's what you want to do?"
The papers had been staring at him all day. Was he ready to take Liz to court and take away her son for her?
—-
"As you can see Kevin," said Liz, "I'm fine. I'm better than fine. I should be able to go home,"
"We've had three sessions," said Kevin, "And while I see improvements, I don't think it's the right time yet,"
"I'm fine," said Liz, "I've accepted that Jason has chosen to be with Sam- what more do you want from me,"
"Let's not talk about Jason today," said Kevin, "Let's talk about other men in your life. Let's talk about where it started. Let's talk about Lucky,"
"Lucky?" said Liz, "Why would we want to talk about Lucky?"
"He was your high school sweetheart, ex husband. He's also the father of your youngest, and adoptive father of Cameron," said Kevin.
"He was and technically is all these things," said Liz, "I just haven't seen him for while. He talks to the boys weekly online,"
"Does that make you angry?" said Kevin.
Of course it made her angry. Liz wasn't without emotion. He was suppose to be here, not running all over the world. But she had to accept it.
"I understand that he can't be with us," said Liz, "He is a recovering addict, and he didn't- couldn't handle being here,"
"And if he did would you want him too?" said Kevin.
Lucky. She hadn't really thought about him for years. At least not in that way. She had closed that door long ago. Or maybe it had been nailed shut by Lucky years ago. She had cheated on him with Jason… and with Nikolas. She didn't deserve his forgiveness. She kept messing things up. But she would get out of here soon and figure out her life. And she was sure Jason would forgive her. Jason was the answer to everything getting better again. Not Lucky. But she smiled to Kevin.
"The father of my children is always welcome in my life," said Liz.
Kevin took down notes. What was he even writing?
"I really don't want to talk about Lucky," said Liz, "I get why you want to start at the beginning. You want to figure out why I'm so messed up? You want to figure out why I lied?"
"If you think so," said Kevin, "Since you brought it up, why do you think you lied?"
"I keep telling you, Sam was with Patrick and I was with Jason. I didn't want to ruin their happiness too," said Liz.
"You you did it for Sam?" said Kevin.
"Sam is in love with Patrick!" said Liz, "Patrick loves Sam. There is no reason for that to end. Just like there was no reason for Jason and I to break up,"
"Interesting," said Kevin, "I think that's all for our session today, but I'll see you bright and early for tomorrow's session."
Liz was tense and nervous. But she didn't know what they wanted from her. She was an innocent. She didn't really do anything wrong. She acted because of love. She just wanted her, Jason, and Jake to be a family. She wanted her boys to have a father.
When she was back in her room she grabbed the frame of her and Jason and the boys from behind her armour. She didn't want them to take it from her. She would be out soon, and they her and Jason could start over. He just needed to time to figure out that him and Sam are truly over. She could wait.
She loved him and that's what you do for people you love.