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Chapter 23

"So what are you guys doing today?" Jason asked sipping his coffee. Breakfast was finished and Cameron was watching television. Since Elizabeth was off he didn't know what they had planned. The construction would be starting up soon and it was going to get loud. Today was the last day of heavy work, tomorrow was the sanding, painting, and the floors.

"We are going shopping. I've been putting it off." Shopping was not her favorite thing, but with a growing child it was a regular activity.

"Can I come?" Jason was off too.

"You aren't needed at work?" Elizabeth was surprised he wanted to tag along.

"My schedule matches yours whenever possible. Johnny's is the same with Em's." Jason wanted to spend as much time as he could with his family.

"What happens when we are both off like tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked leaning against the counter.

"If something important pops up we get a call and whoever answers first takes it. Otherwise Marco is in charge." Jason explained. "He is our top LT."

"I haven't met him yet." Elizabeth was trying to keep the names straight.

"No, you'll meet almost everyone in June at the company bar-be-que." Jason told her.

"You have company events?" Elizabeth hadn't expected that.

"We do, and a really good 401K plan." Jason grinned. "It's a business just like the hospital, just in a different area of expertise."

She wondered if people realized how smart Jason was. From the overheard conversations a lot of folks just thought all he did was beat people up. From Emily she had learned that Jason basically ran the business when he was partners with Sonny. The older mob boss had been too busy threatening people, and sleeping with women who had angry boyfriends. A lot of the people Jason beat up were because Sonny was being stupid. "Do you have a Christmas party?"

"We do, and it's a formal event." He was looking forward to seeing her in a gown. "I usually show up to say a few words and leave, but this year I think I'll have a reason to stay longer."

"If we stay I expect to dance. I'm not gonna get all dressed up in some slinky number and then just sit there." She warned him flirting just a bit.

"If we dance I expect a kiss under the mistletoe." He said flirting back.

"One for every sprig." She promised him.

"I'm gonna make sure the entire place is covered in it." He said totally serious. His body was already reacting to her teasing. Like Cameron she was coming out of her shell more every day. "So shopping where?"

"I guess Wyndhams." Elizabeth said shrugging. Almost anywhere she went was going to be expensive. Along with a lack of a food bank, there were not many thrift stores in Port Charles. The only one she knew of was on Cortland Street and the area was too scary for her to go to with Cameron.

"Okay." Jason was not a huge fan of shopping still it was a necessity. Maxie had offered her services as a personal shopper but he could not ask her to buy him underwear. Since he was going to get that he may as well get anything else he needed. So once a year he went in grabbed everything he needed and left. Things were going to be changing. He wanted to shop with his son. "Hold on." He walked out of the kitchen into his office, noting that Cameron was dancing to the Chuggin Charlie music.

"What's this?" Elizabeth took the envelope. Inside were three credit cards. The two big ones, and one for Wyndhams. All for Elizabeth Morgan.

"Are we going to fight about it?" He asked his wife.

"No." Elizabeth knew this came with the territory. She was just surprised he waited to give them to her.

"Will we fight if I tell you that I don't want you worrying about price tags?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the island.

"We won't fight, but that's because I'm still going to look. I didn't marry you for shopping sprees. I don't feel the need to have jeans that cost two hundred dollars, or eighty pairs of shoes. That's just not me." Elizabeth told him.

"I just don't want you feeling guilty buying something if you want it." Jason got her point and appreciated it. He had money and yes he did spend it, sometimes on high ticket items. At the same time he didn't buy something just to have it. He watched Sonny buy ten Rolex's at once when the man could only wear one at a time. Nine of them were still in the boxes three years later when he died.

The wording on his part was deliberate and she knew it. He didn't say need, she had no problem getting the necessities but it was the wants that would trip her up. She wanted a bread maker, but didn't really need one. They made bread all the time using their hands. Still the sight of Zojirushi Bread Maker stopped her in her tracks. "I will try." Elizabeth said meaning it.

"Good." Jason would leave it at that. "We should get going. We'll grab lunch out. Have you eaten at Kelly's much?"

"We've never eaten there, that day we sat in the courtyard was the first time we'd been, I only ordered coffee. A lot of the staff at the hospital talk about it." Buying lunch was not something she could do before.

"We'll go for lunch today." Jason grabbed his jacket. "Hey buddy let's go."

Cameron turned off the television and walked over letting his mom help him put on his jacket. "Jason is going shopping with us." Elizabeth explained. It wasn't one of Cameron's favorite activities either. "Would you like to ride in his car today?"

Cameron nodded. Jason had a big black SUV and it looked really cool. Ben said it had a TV inside it. That was something Cameron wanted to see for himself.

"We can move the car seat." Elizabeth grabbed her jacket as well.

"No, need. I have a seat in my car." Jason told her. "I'd like to have one of the guys pick up your car and put in the DVD player since I'll be driving."

"Okay." She handed him the key. "I don't need it until Friday."

Jason just nodded. Her car would be back in its spot by dinner time.

Shopping with a child turned out be a lot of fun. Elizabeth had planned on getting a few pairs of jeans to tide Cameron over until it was shorts season. Then she would come back and get his summer stuff. Jason figured if they were here may as well get it all. She was used to shopping on a budget. That was not an issue anymore.

To both the delight of Jason and Cameron there was an entire section of Chuggin Charlie clothes. They got the needed blue jeans before pulling Elizabeth over. She hung out with Kyle and Milo while father and son picked out items.

"The only time I've ever seen the boss this happy to shop was the time I went with him to the Harley dealership." Milo said grinning. "Took us hours to get out."

"It may take them hours to get out of this section." Elizabeth deadpanned. "Jason there are only so many clothes Cameron can wear." She pointed out.

"We won't get that much." He said holding up another shirt. When his son nodded he added it to the growing pile. There were twelve different printed tees and his boy was going to have them all. Plus all eight of the shorts. Socks and underwear with the little blue train was also a must. Jason grabbed a pair of overalls.

"No." Elizabeth said coming over. "Those are a nightmare when it comes to the bathroom." Cameron was potty trained but he like to wait until the last minute to say he had to go. The now infrequent nighttime accidents were from him being afraid to get up at night. That was on Lucky. "I think you have enough." Cameron would be fine over the summer. "He needs sneakers."

"Okay." Jason took Cameron's hand and they went to the shoe department, where two pairs of Chuggin Charlie sneakers, both with Velcro, and a pair of sandals were selected. "Now you." Jason said to Elizabeth.

"Me what?" She said shaking her head. Cameron was about ready to explode from excitement.

"You need new sneakers. Yours are forming a hole." He pointed to her right foot.

"You noticed that?" Elizabeth asked surprised.

"I did. Get a good pair, with plenty of support. Do you have boots, for the winter?" He asked her.

"It's almost May." Elizabeth pointed out.

"Your feet don't grow." Jason then appealed to her practical side. "They are on sale now."

"That is true. Let me go look." Elizabeth walked over to find a pair that would keep her feet dry and warm.

"When we get to register, I need you to distract Elizabeth." Jason said to the guards. "She might pass out if she sees how much we spent." Chuggin Charlie clothes were not cheap.

Both guards managed to keep from smirking. "We'll try, but she's cagey." Kyle told his boss. This may be the most fun he had since becoming a senior guard. This side of Jason was funny.

"Do your best." Jason told the guys.

The guys didn't have to do anything. Distraction arrived in the form of Dr. Diane Miller. "Well hello Morgans." The stylishly dressed doctor smiled at the family. Cameron was holding Jason's hand and not Liz's she observed. "What brings you out?"

"Growth spurt." Elizabeth said rummaging through her bag. She found her eyeglass case. Slipping her sunglasses on she held out her hand. "I'm ready."

"Noticed it did you." Diane beamed.

"The astronauts on the international space station can see this." Elizabeth grinned as she took in the huge diamond. "I see he went for subtle." There had to be at least eight carats on Diane's finger.

The doctor laughed. "I don't do subtle." But she got the joke.

"It truly is stunning. Congratulations." Elizabeth gave Diane a hug. "So when are you tying the knot?"

"Later this year at the earliest. I've seen the gowns this season. They won't work so I need another collection to go by. I want what I want, but I still need to be current." Diane was here today to pick up a pair of shoes that needed the heel repaired.

"You could always set the trend." Elizabeth pointed out. Looking over she saw Jason was paying. She thought about asking how much he spent, but squashed that urge. She wasn't going to make him feel guilty for buying his son clothes.

"I am fabulous enough to do that. But it's a lot of work." Diane was totally serious. "I need to hurry so that I still have time to eat. I'll see Cameron on Friday."

"See you then." Elizabeth waved as the guys came over carrying a lot of bags. "Time for lunch. Are you hungry? Jason is taking us somewhere new."

Cameron nodded. He had a lot of cool new Chuggin Charlie clothes that he couldn't wait to wear. They even got Charlie swim trunks and Jason said they could go to the pool later if Cameron wanted. He hadn't ever been to an inside pool before so he wondered how big it was going to be. He was still wondering about the pool when his mother strapped him in.

Behind the steering wheel Jason was doing some thinking of his own. Elizabeth had a wedding band and an eternity band but she didn't have an engagement ring. That wasn't surprising since they had decided to get married and had the ceremony all in the same day. Still she should have something to show off. Diane got a great amount of joy from having her ring noticed. He'd have to give this some thought. A ring as big as the one that Diane had would be gaudy on Elizabeth's small hand. So carat weight wasn't what he needed. Clarity was. He needed a pure diamond. If she liked diamonds. Some women didn't. He'd need to find that out first.

"Does Kelly's have milkshakes?" Elizabeth asked buckling her seat belt.

"They do. Thick ones." Jason wasn't a milkshake fan, but Cameron would probably like one. "Also really good burgers and sandwiches. I think you guys will like it."

"I'm sure we will. Right baby?" Elizabeth looked at her son who nodded. "After that its home for nap time."

"Will you be napping too?" He asked to be smart.

"I have been known to nap occasionally." Elizabeth gave him a sassy smile. "I was hoping that maybe you would show me the construction that's going on. As long as we aren't in the way."

"Shouldn't be a problem." The crew would most likely still be at lunch.

"Cameron asked about meeting Monica and Alan, so when everything is done we should have them over, but you need to prep them first." Elizabeth told Jason.

"I need to talk with my Grandmother. I was going to do it tomorrow afternoon. I was hoping you two would go with me to meet her. I think Cameron will like her." Jason knew it would be love at first sight for both of them. "I'd also like to show you her roses."

"I carried some on my wedding day. I sent a thank you note." Elizabeth told Jason.

"Really?" He wasn't aware that she sent a note.

"Your Grandmother sent me a note welcoming me to the family." Elizabeth had been pleased to receive it. Lila Quartermaine was well respected and almost universally liked. "Emily says that I should come to tea one afternoon, but I will wait until I'm invited."

Jason figured that would happen tomorrow. Lila was going to adore Elizabeth. "We're here." Jason told Cameron who was watching a cartoon.

"How wonderful." She said smiling. The courtyard was filled with tables that had colorful umbrellas. The day they sat here the umbrellas weren't out. "Can we sit outside?"

"If you like." Jason often ate outside. Sometimes it was just too loud inside.

"Who owns the diner?" Elizabeth asked getting Cameron out.

"My former partner's father. Mike Corbin. He's a good guy." Jason genuinely liked the older man. Sonny had not had a good relationship with Mike most of his life, because Mike walked out on him and his mother. Just before Sonny's death the two had been doing better. It had surprised Jason but made him happy. Mike had battled some demons when Sonny was a child. It ended with him leaving his family. He could have handled it better, but seemed honestly contrite now. When Sonny died, Jason bought the diner for Mike and told him it was what Sonny wanted. "You'll like him. If he's working he'll take our order."

Sure enough after they were seated an attractive older man came out. "Jason."

"Hi Mike." Jason stood up and shook Mike's hand. "I want to introduce you to my wife and son. Elizabeth and Cameron."

"Welcome and congratulations." Mike heard Jason had gotten married. He had hopes for the younger man and Courtney, but his daughter messed that up. You don't marry a man like Jason and then try to change him.

"Thank you. Cameron is shy." Elizabeth said to explain her son hiding behind her legs.

"Understood. Sit down and let me get your order." Mike pulled out a pad. He noted how Jason kept looking at his family and smiling. It looked like he had finally found what he had been looking for. Mike wished them all the best.

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