For those sticking in here with me I want to thank you because the last three months or so have been hard. Things aren't exactly easy right now, but I'm trying to get back to writing. I love to write! Hope this was worth the wait!
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With Carly, Cam, and Bailey headed over to the penthouse ahead of him; Jason went over to the Elizabeth's to pickup his stuff and some of the kids things. He knew that with the van it might take a few trips at the most, but he wasn't going to take everything even after what Elizabeth did. Plus he knew the kids might have to spend some time in the house. Pulling in the driveway Jason spotted Elizabeth on the porch waiting for him. He hadn't expected her to be out on bail just yet. Still Alexis had already got him cleared to keep the kids until the temporary custody hearing. Not about to back down Jason killed the engine, and got out getting some boxes to put his things in. Then he headed towards the house to get what he came for. "Where are the kids?" Elizabeth questioned him as he passed her.
"They're with Carly at my new place across from Sam," Jason told her as she followed him inside.
"What's this hearing about custody," Elizabeth demanded of him.
"I'm suing you for custody of the kids," Jason answered her as he put his boxes together.
"You think they'll give you custody; when you're in bed with the mob," Elizabeth smirked as she thought she was so clever.
"Actually it belongs to Danny which his mother is holding in trust for him. She's renting it to a friend in need," Jason replied as he headed with a box in hand upstairs with Elizabeth on his heels.
"You won't take my children from me," Elizabeth spat at him.
"A judge will decided what going to happen next," Jason grabbed his clothes putting them in the box quickly.
Just then Jason heard a knock at the bedroom door.
"Mom asked me to come by," Michael said as Jason and Elizabeth looked his way.
"You weren't invited," Elizabeth started to say.
"The door was wide open when I got here," Michael told her.
"Whatever!" Elizabeth stomped off leaving them.
"Jason," Michael questioned him softly.
"Yeah, it's weird for me too," Jason nodded as Michael helped him gather the rest of his clothes.
"Mom was worried Elizabeth might try something to make you look bad if you were left alone with her," Michael explained why his mom sent him.
"I'm not sure who Elizabeth is anymore, so I can't really blame Carly. Who knows what she might pull cause I never thought she'd hide something like this." Jason sighed as he knew wondered if he ever knew her.
"Don't worry about work for the time being; just take care of yourself and the kids, alright? Your job is waiting for you," Michael promised him.
"Cam, Jake, and Aiden go back to school tomorrow. I want to get them back into a routine as soon as I can. Although I'll need time off for a temporary custody and then the regular custody hearings," Jason explained to Michael.
"Whatever you need, and I'm behind you all the way," Michael replied as he looked at the man who had been like a second father to him.
"I appreciate that more than you know," Jason smiled at Michael as they put the last of his clothes in the box.
"I know you don't remember before, but I owe more than I could ever repay you for," Michael thanked Jason hoping he could accept it.
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From the moment Danny and Aiden woke up they talked of nothing but living next to each other. Sam notice that Jake was quiet for the most part unless asked something directly. Jake was a smart little boy who took after his dad in so many ways. When Carly arrived Danny and Aiden followed her and Cam to Sonny's old penthouse; while Bailey stayed with Sam and Jake.
"Bailey is so lucky to have you guys as brothers. She is going to be so protected and loved," Sam smiled as she sat down next to Jake on the couch with Bailey on her lap.
"Do you hate me?" Jake asked her.
"No, never! Why would I?" Sam asked him confused.
"My mom took Danny's dad because of me coming home," Jake mused to Sam.
"Baby, you did nothing wrong. I love you so much because just like Danny is a part of your dad so are you. All these years you and Danny were all I had of the person I loved so much. You are extra special to me just like Danny is," Sam pulled Jake into a hug with her and Bailey who decided to give wet kisses to them both.
"Bay," Jake pulled back wiping his face.
"Your sister doesn't like you blaming yourself either," Sam replied to him softly.
"I'm going to go help Aunt Carly," Jake said as he got up.
"Alright, us girls will hang out here," Sam agreed as he needed a little space.
"Later, Bay," Jake whispered as he kissed her cheek.
With a smile Sam watched Jake leave to go across the hall. She hated that Elizabeth had made Jake feel like it was his fault that she lied. Hearing something going on out in the hall; Sam put Bailey in Danny's old bassinet she found. Slowly Sam went to check out what was going on; to find Elizabeth being restrained.
"Call off the goons! I have a right to see my children," Elizabeth growled at Sam.
"These are bodyguards, and you shouldn't be here," Sam told her calmly.
"I don't want my children around the mob," Elizabeth spat at the two men holding her back.
"Michael's security firm sent these bodyguards; they've been with me for over a year now. Both are ex marines who have stellar records. So why don't you show some respect for them and yourself by leaving now," Sam giving a final warning.
Suddenly Sam spotted Cam coming out of the penthouse.
"Cam," Elizabeth pleaded almost.
"You need to go... I think you've done enough," Cam said flatly and coldly.
"I did this for our family," Elizabeth begged him to understand.
"No, you did it all for you, and didn't care who you hurt in the end. Danny needed his dad, and you stole years from him. How can you justify that on any level?" Cam frowned as he spoke.
"Cam," Elizabeth teared up.
"Get her out of here, please," Cam spoke to the guards; not wanting his sibling to see her.
With a nod the guards ushered her into the elevator as she shouted for Cam.
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Bringing Cam back into her penthouse Sam could see that pain in his eyes. Without saying a word Sam took him to the couch getting him to sit down. He didn't need her to do anything more than sit there until he was ready to open up. One thing Sam had learned over the years was to watch and wait. It wasn't the best thing to rush into something trying to fix it... In the end if Sam rushed in there she could do more harm than good for Cam.
"Sam," Jason came into the slightly open door.
"We'll be right outside," Sam spoke to Cam; as she got up.
Slowly Sam went over to Jason walking him out into the hall closing the door behind them.
"What's going on?" Jason asked her concerned.
"Elizabeth showed up just a little while ago. Cam came out seeing the guards stopping her," Sam told him.
"Cam," Jason sighed as he worried about his son.
"He told her off... There is so much anger in him that is right below the surface. That anger is dangerous," Sam warned him softly.
Only days ago Jason would of never believed Cam could be so angry with anyone. This boy was the most level headed kid he knew... He could see that Sam was right, and all this anger wasn't good for his son.
"What do I do?" Jason mused aloud to no one in particular.
"What about working out or boxing? Once upon a time; both helped you clear your head. It was a way for you to focus and redirect your anger," Sam suggested to him.
"What else?" Jason asked knowing she was holding back.
"I think he could use a safe place to talk," Sam beat around the bush a bit.
"A psychiatrist," Jason questioned her.
"Maybe Kevin Collins could help or could recommend someone. This kid is dealing with being a teen, the breakup of his family, his mother is the cause of said breakup, and that right there is a lot. Cam isn't the only one either," Sam trailed off at the end.
"What?" Jason asked looking her in the eyes.
"Jake is blaming himself for what Elizabeth did. Although I did my best to tell him that wasn't true; I don't think he was able to accept it from me. He is internalizing all of this, and it can't be healthy for him," Sam got really honest with Jason about what she knew.
Jason hoped that the younger kids would be too young to understand any of this. The fact that Jake might be old enough; hadn't crossed Jason's mind at all in this short time.
"How," Jason started to say.
"You have been struggling to keep your head above water. Jason, you just became a single father of three children not to mention Danny. You don't have Elizabeth in your corner to help pick up the slack. However you've got friends and family who are going to make sure you all make it," Sam replied as she took him by the hand.
"I guess I need to talk to Dr. Collins," Jason sighed as he looked at Sam's door.
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At Kelly's Jason sat with Cam as they waited for their order to be ready; Carly had ordered enough food for an entire army for them to pick up. Jason left a little earlier than they really needed to give him a chance to talk with Cam on his own. The one thing Jason was banking on was his oldest son being the great big brother and good example to his brothers and sister.
"Let's have it... Sam had to tell you that I freaked on mom," Cam frowned as he spoke.
"Parents have to stick together. However Sam wouldn't squeal on you; unless she was concerned about what was going on with you. I can't say that I'm not worried about all my kids right now," Jason talked to his son man to man.
"I just wasn't ready to see her there," Cam said after a few minutes.
"The hurt is still fresh. I get it... I do.. I also know this is bigger than what I can help with," Jason started to say.
Shaking his head Cam didn't want to hear what he knew was coming.
"No, I don't want to go see no shrink. I'm fine... Just fine," Cam refused knowing what his dad wanted.
With a deep breath Jason waited for Cam to calm down a bit. He knew that it was hard for him to talk about things. In some ways Jason knew they were a lot alike in that way.
"Cam, you don't see how angry you are at your mom. It's not just talking to someone about it, but I've talked to Michael about teaching you boxing too. You're not the only one who needs to talk to someone. Jake will be seeing someone too," Jason said as he looked at his son.
"Jake feels guilty every time he sees Sam or Danny. It's written all over his face," Cam sighed as he had seen Jake's face change when Sam or Danny was there since they found out.
"For a long while we're all going to need help with stuff even me. I got to have help from my friends and family," Jason told him softly.
"Let me think about it," Cam asked his dad.
"Okay," Jason agreed not wanting to force Cam.
Silence seemed to fill the space between them as they were still waiting on the food. Now Jason was really wondering how much exactly did Carly ordered for them. With the four boys, Jason knew a lot would be eaten by them alone when given the chance.
"Aiden is asking about when we're going home," Cam said braking the silence.
"He misses his mom... I hate that things are like this right now," Jason admitted to Cam.
"You didn't start this... If it was just me who she hurt I could forgive her easier, but she hurt a lot of people who I love very much. Aiden, Danny, and Bailey don't understand what she did fully... I just can't make nice. Not now or maybe ever," Cam told his dad.
"I know," Jason said understanding where he was coming from.
"I don't want to be so angry, so I'll talk to whoever you want. Just don't think it will fix my relationship with mom in the end," Cam reluctantly agreed to go see someone.