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Chapter 26

He took her out through the terrace doors telling her how he used to sneak in this way to see his Grandmother. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh when he mentioned how much it irritated his Grandfather. Jason's unrepentant grin said that was what he was trying to do.

Lila's rose garden was extensive and broken up into several sections to accommodate the different types of roses. While his grandmother no longer was able to get onto the ground and spread mulch she still personally groomed the bushes. Jason had a few spots he wanted to show Elizabeth before they went back inside.

"These are Bishop Darlingtons." Jason pointed to a large white bloom with gold stamens in the center. "Grandmother likes them for their fragrance."

Elizabeth leaned in and took a sniff. "Wonderful and very beautiful."

"My Grandmother and I sat out here the night I decided to move out of the mansion. I lived over a bar before I started working for Sonny." Jason told her. "It was a pretty good time for me but I really should have stayed home. I wasn't equipped to be on my own."

"Is the bar still here?" Elizabeth was enjoying this peek into his past.

"It is. I own it." Jason couldn't let it close when Jake retired. "It's a dive bar near the docks. I'll need to take you there some night." He had a feeling she would like it. They walked further into the garden and came to a different group of roses.

"These are Del Rios." Jason stopped by a grouping that consisted of large fuchsia toned blooms that had spread leaves on the outside and tight grouping of leaves in the center. "We sat here the night I told my Grandmother that I was working for Sonny. She was disappointed in my decision, but unlike everyone else she never tried to talk me out of it."

"She loves you and accepts you." Elizabeth knew what that was like. She had that with her parents.

"I'm so grateful for her. She got me at a time when no one else did." Jason reflected. "She is also the reason the rest of the family and I were able to find our way back to each other."

Together they walked further into the garden. "They are gorgeous blooms." Elizabeth said touching a silky petal.

"These are Diane Graces. They bloom year round." Jason sighed remembering the conversation associated with these. "My first marriage. To Courtney. Disaster from the start." Jason shook his head. "She wanted me, and Sonny made sure she got me. She ended up hating us both because I wouldn't leave the mob."

"She's the one who died during the epidemic?" Elizabeth had heard about that from several staff members. Not the Courtney part, but how hard it was to watch so many patients die.

"She was. Courtney was married to Jasper Jacks at the time." Jason had been surprised by the marriage, but they seemed happy.

Elizabeth didn't really have anything to say so she kept quiet.

"Sweet Briar Roses." He said pointing.

"Really, that's an actual flower?" Elizabeth looked over smiling. "I thought it was just part of stories."

"From England, where my Grandmother grew up. Their blooming cycle is almost over." Jason noted that there were not many on the bush. "They smell like apples."

"Hmm. Wonderful." Elizabeth said taking a whiff.

"Sam." Was what Jason said. "Huge mistake."

"Why did you make it?" Elizabeth asked him.

"Because I thought I deserved her. Sonny encouraged me because he wanted Sam close." Jason had clued onto that early in the marriage.

"Okay, that's just wrong." Elizabeth said frowning.

"Yup, but that was Sonny." Jason wasn't making excuses. It was a simple fact that Sonny felt everything he surveyed was his. He made no apologizes for taking what he wanted.

"Did she sleep with him?" Elizabeth wanted to know.

"Not to my knowledge, but that was because Sonny's last girlfriend Carly would have killed Sam herself. Then Sonny and Carly were killed and Sam died." Jason believed that if the events hadn't played out how they did Sam would have slept with Sonny. It was just how they both were. Users. "Lila intensely disliked both Courtney and Sam, had I been paying attention that would have told me I was making mistakes."

"What happened to Sam?" Elizabeth asked her husband.

"Officially car accident." Jason looked at the woman who was better than he deserved. "Unofficially, she hired someone to kill Emily."

Elizabeth was shocked. "You did what was necessary to protect your family." She knew he was worried about her reaction, but he was still honest. It made her respect him even more.

Jason just nodded and looked away.

"I don't see my roses." Elizabeth said looking around. They were at the far end of this section of the garden.

"It's not out here." Jason smiled and pointed further onto the property. "The third greenhouse houses your rose. I sat in the parlor and told Lila about you and Cameron. She asked me to take her to the hot house when I was done."

"What's my rose called?" Elizabeth asked softly. She was currently pressing one for her wedding album. Milo had taken pictures for them.

"Awakening." Jason thought the name was highly appropriate. "You are the only bride of mine to carry Lila's roses."

"Really?" Elizabeth felt such pleasure at that.

"That flower was Rose of the Year last year. It's Lila's own personal creation." Jason said with pride.

"She gave us her blessing." Elizabeth got the message. All the other decisions Lila had not been the happiest with, but still loved Jason and accepted his right to make those choices. This one she embraced and celebrated. The tears came suddenly and Elizabeth wiped them away.

"She did." Jason said pulling his wife closer. "That moment made me so proud."

"I was proud to marry you." Elizabeth leaned into his strength. "You Jason Morgan are such a good man." She whispered looking up at him.

Unable to find the words to give her he leaned down and kissed her softly. "In a few weeks more roses will bloom, I'd like to bring you back then." He wanted to share his family with her.

"It's a date." Elizabeth was enjoying standing outside with her handsome hubby. "We should head back inside." She was getting a bit chilled.

"I need to speak with Lila about a project I'm starting, would you sit with us?" Jason was doing this because of her and he wanted her input.

"Okay." Elizabeth was curious, but didn't ask any questions. Stepping back into the house they found Lila in the parlor. "I'll go check on the boys and come right back."

"Okay." Jason said smiling, he watched her walk from the room before turning to his Grandmother. "Elizabeth enjoyed the roses."

"Good, I'll have some boxed up for you to take home." Lila believed in sharing her flowers. "More will be blooming soon."

"I mentioned it and Elizabeth is excited to see them." Jason said sitting on the couch. "How are you Grandmother?"

"Happy because you are." Lila told him smiling. She had worried about Jason especially during his first two marriages. Both women were unsuitable for the tender heart that her grandson possessed. Many people did not take the time to get to know Jason. If they did they would know he had a very gentle soul. In Elizabeth he found someone who would appreciate and care for him. "I very much like my new granddaughter and great-grandson, bring them to visit me often."

"I will." Jason would never deny Lila any request. When Elizabeth returned he stood until she was seated. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Monica and Alan both had to go into the hospital, but Cameron is having fun with Ben and Alice." The maid was on the floor building a fort with both boys.

"Alice has a young spirit." Lila said laughing. "We will get down to business so that you can enjoy the rest of your day."

"I'd like to start a food bank here in Port Charles." Jason said as he reached for Elizabeth's hand.

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Lila over saw the charitable wing of ELQ. "Where were you thinking? Elizabeth dear, would you mind taking notes. I'd ask Jason but he has horrible handwriting." Lila said eyes twinkling.

"It's not that bad." Jason instantly protested.

"I've seen prescriptions that are easier to read." Lila said arching an eyebrow.

"It's not that bad." Jason mumbled again.

Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing at this pout. "I'd be happy to."

"Thank you." Lila waited while Jason got a pad and pen.

"Morgan and O'Brien Incorporated owns a building down by the docks that might work. Two stories with refrigeration. I think it was a store at some point." Jason would need to pull up the specs.

"That's good. It's a neighborhood that could use a food bank. We won't help people if they can't get to us." Lila pointed out. Most families wouldn't have cars at their disposal.

"We will provide the building and do all the necessary repairs." Johnny was as excited about this project as Jason was. "We are also willing to split the startup cost with ELQ."

"Good. ELQ will also provide funds to make sure the pantry stays stocked for the first two years." Lila added on. By the time the initial funds ran out she will have others lined up to offer assistance. When she called people responded. "We will need staff and volunteers if we can get them. I will handle that."

"We will handle making sure the building is secure." Jason told both women. Elizabeth was taking it all down. "I'd like to move quickly on this. I can have Francis start applying for work permits today." After that they would need to get the building inspected once more since it had been sitting vacant.

"I will be appointing Emily as the ELQ representative for this project." Lila had already spoken to her granddaughter, Emily was looking to do more charitable work.

"Johnny and I were hoping that Elizabeth would be our representative." Jason said grinning at his shocked wife.

"Me? I've never done anything like this before." Elizabeth looked between grandson and Grandmother.

"Business experience isn't a requirement. It might actually be a bad thing in this instance." Lila reached for the younger woman's hand. "Having a large heart and compassion is. You are more than qualified in that regard." Jason hadn't actually said he was doing this because of his wife, but Lila knew that was the case.

"I'd be happy to help in any way I can." Elizabeth told them both still not sure exactly what she had to offer. If nothing else she could paint walls and stock shelves.

"Call Francis and tell him to get started." Lila told Jason. While ELQ was working to make this a reality, it was Morgan O'Brien that would be the lead partner. Lila wanted people to see the Jason she knew. When her grandson stepped onto the terrace to make his call the two women shared a moment of silence.

"Jason told me that you know why we got married." Elizabeth didn't want there to be lies between her and Lila.

"He has not shared your story with anyone else." Lila assured her new granddaughter.

"I know, he wouldn't tell just anyone." Elizabeth wanted that clear. "He is the best man it's been my pleasure to know. From the first time we spoke I knew that he was someone we could trust. Even as scared as I was, I knew Jason was what we needed."

Lila couldn't help but smile. Jason had mentioned feeling connected to Elizabeth and Cameron. Clearly the young mother was feeling it to. "He will not let you down."

"I never thought he would." Elizabeth let the warmth that came when she thought of Jason spread through her. "I still feel guilty for putting him in the middle of my problem."

"Nonsense. We take care of our own. Even if you didn't know it at the time, you and your son belong here." Lila wondered if either Elizabeth or Jason realized that they were falling in love with one another. It would be wonderful when the knowledge finally sunk in. Jason had not loved either of the women he had previously been married to. Elizabeth was the one his soul was waiting for.

"Thank you for accepting us into your family. It's been so long since we had that." Elizabeth missed it.

"There will be times when you wished you never met us." Lila chuckled. "The Quartermaines are not always the easiest group to deal with. But based on this morning I think you will do fine." Lila had been impressed with Elizabeth's handling of Tracy.

Elizabeth just blushed. "I'm small but scrappy."

"Me too." Lila said laughing. "When Jason comes back you'll be taking the boys out?"

"To the science museum." Elizabeth was looking forward to it.

"Good, they need to get out and run around. Maybe even learn a thing or two." Jason walked back into the room. "I will call to confirm our tea and I will send the roses to the house. Have a good time my dears." Lila beamed at the couple. Jason kissed his Grandmother's cheek and Elizabeth did the same before they went to round up Cameron and Ben.

In her parlor Lila smiled thinking of all the future great grandchildren she was going to get to spoil. Between the two couples she was hoping for at least six.

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