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Chapter 27

They had a great afternoon at the museum. The interactive exhibits were perfect for keeping two inquisitive almost four year olds entertained. They even had exhibits where Elizabeth and Jason were enticed to try things out. For lunch Jason took them to a nearby waterfront restaurant where the boys were able to watch the freighters bringing in their cargo. Several ships that were owned by he and Johnny passed and Jason made sure to point them out.

From the restaurant they headed home and when the elevator opened on the penthouse level the guards were amused to see each adult carrying a sleeping child. Ben was in his uncle's arms and Elizabeth had Cameron. They got them settled in Cameron's room before heading down to the kitchen.

"I thought for sure they would make it home before passing out." Jason said as he poured them each a glass of water.

"It's been a busy day full of playing." Elizabeth smiled at Jason. Today she had learned more about her husband. The closeness she felt with him was wonderful, every day they built on that a little more.

"Tired?" Jason asked leaning against the sink just enjoying the private moment they were sharing.

"A little, but it will pass." Elizabeth finished her drink and walked over to put the glass in the sink.

"It doesn't have to. You can nap if you like. I'll keep an ear out for the boys." Most likely after they woke up they would go right for Cameron's toys.

"Not sleepy." Elizabeth moved closer and when Jason's arm came around her waist she leaned into him. "Thank you for this morning." She said softly.

"I was terrified of making the situation worse." Jason admitted looking down at her. He liked the way she fit against him.

"You care too much about Cameron for that to have happened. He needed you to be calm and steady. Thank you for last night as well." Elizabeth snuggled against him rubbing her cheek against the soft cotton of his shirt.

Jason had to take a deep breath. Having her so close was messing with his control. "I just hope I'm always there when you need me to be." His voice was husky because her light vanilla scent was arousing him.

"You have been so far. You were there before I was ready to admit I needed you." She told him.

"Why did you trust me? What changed your mind?" Jason wanted to know.

"You won't laugh, because honestly it will sound a bit odd." Elizabeth only felt a bit self-conscious telling him this.

"I won't laugh." He gave her a little squeeze.

"I felt it. Inside." She touched over her heart. "When we were sitting at the table at Kelly's and I looked into your eyes I knew that I could trust you. It just took me some time to trust that feeling."

Jason just nodded. "That was the longest week of my life. Every time he had a shift at the hospital Max would tell me if he saw you and how you seemed. More than anything I wanted to put a guard on you and Cameron without telling you." He admitted.

"Why didn't you?" Elizabeth was relaxed leaning against him. She was starting to re-think that nap.

"Because Cameron would have known, which would have alerted you. I didn't want to break your trust before I had it. The last thing I wanted was for you to do was run." Jason told her. "That would have been your first instinct."

"Your right. I would have taken Cameron and left." Elizabeth was glad he followed his instincts. He would have spooked them badly.

"Then I would have had to find you." Jason said looking down at her. Them looking for Elizabeth and Cameron could have tipped off Spencer.

"You would have looked for us?" Elizabeth asked surprised. "Why?"

"Because I knew inside too that you and Cameron were supposed to be with me." Jason saw her eyes widen. She was so expressive. "I have no idea why. I already told you I was attracted to you." She nodded. "After we talked I knew we were supposed to be a family. I told Johnny." Jason said grinning.

"Did he think you were crazy?" Elizabeth grinned too. What were the odds that they would both feel this connection? One that got stronger every day.

"No, he told me to do what was necessary to make sure you didn't walk away. That if I felt that strongly I should fight for the both of you, even if the person I ended up fighting was you." Jason explained.

"He's a good friend." Elizabeth would have to thank him.

"The best." Jason said putting his glass down and wrapping his free arm around her. "If I lay down with you will you go rest?" He was worried she was still run down from last night. He knew you couldn't catch up on sleep, but she could take the opportunity to rest.

"You could just admit the boys ran you into the ground." Elizabeth giggled.

"That's not manly. Admitting I was done in by two small children. I have a reputation to protect." Jason mock glared at her.

"I won't tell anyone." She said with a mischievous grin.

"Yeah right." He said knowing she would never betray his confidence. Without warning he bent over and scooped her up. "We are going to go lie down."

"Whoa." Elizabeth grabbed his bicep to steady herself. He was carrying her like she didn't weigh anything. It was sexy. "I wasn't expecting that."

"You want me to put you down?" He didn't want that but didn't want her to be uncomfortable.

"No." She said softly. Elizabeth put her head on his shoulder and let him take her to her room.

They were spooned up on her bed, fully clothed and on top of the covers. They both napped briefly and woke to the sound of giggling on the monitor. "The boys are up." Elizabeth wasn't facing Jason, but she knew he was awake.

"You want me to go check?" Jason offered so that she could rest more.

"Nope, let him come look." Elizabeth knew that Cameron needed to see her in her room when he checked. Sure enough the door, which she had left cracked, slowly opened and her son peeked in. Seeing his mom lying down with Jason he waved and smiled before ducking back out again.

"What will he do if you are not here some morning in the future?" He was happy that seeing them together on the bed didn't seem to upset the little boy.

"He will most likely look for you." Elizabeth rolled to her back and looked up at Jason. "Don't be surprised if he starts trying to peek in on you some morning. Since you get up so early he probably won't find you in bed, but you might want to sleep in pajama bottoms just in case." He had last night but she didn't know if the was normal or if he put them on to answer the door.

"I normally sleep in them anyway. I liked your shorts." Jason said giving her a sexy grin. "I haven't had a chance to tell you before now."

"I normally sleep in longer pants but it's really warm in here." Elizabeth said blushing.

"Is it too warm?" Jason asked frowning some. He didn't want her uncomfortable.

"No. It's wonderful. I don't like to be cold." Elizabeth told him. "And I'm going to warn you when I get cold everyone has to put on long sleeved shirts." She said laughing at herself.

"Feel free to adjust the thermostat so that you and Cameron are comfortable." Jason told her. "What time will the boys expect dinner?"

"I'm going to fix them a snack." At daycare they got snack after waking up. "That will hold them over until dinner at six. Ben is staying right?"

"Yeah. Johnny and Emily are having dinner out. They will pick up Ben by eight." Jason had told them Cameron had his appointment with Diane early tomorrow and they planned accordingly.

"It will be nice having both boys at the table." Elizabeth was hoping that this friendship they were forming would last their whole lives.

"I'll make my stir fry." Jason knew Ben liked it and he wanted to see if Cameron liked it too.

"Want me to be your sous chef?" Elizabeth offered.

"Nope. I want you to make some brownies." Jason said being totally shameless.

"Only because you ate all your lunch." Elizabeth teased as she sat up. "Come on. If I don't make snack soon it will get ugly." She joked.

Jason stayed put and enjoyed the sight of his wife walking from the room. He was still thinking about how they both felt the connection and what that would mean in the long run. He'd love a little girl who looked just like Elizabeth.

The stir fry was a hit with Cameron. He and Ben laughed throughout dinner which made Jason grin. The brownies, with vanilla ice cream were of course a hit. Johnny and Emily showed up seven and took Ben home. Tentative plans to have the boys spend the day with Em and Johnny in the next week were made. Elizabeth was hoping it worked out. She and Jason would stay in the area just in case.

"Ready for your bath?" Elizabeth asked her son.

He looked up and smiled before nodding.

She noticed he was smiling more often. Just another sign that he was healing. They went upstairs leaving Jason on the couch. At the top of the stairs Cameron stopped them. "Can I have a bath in Jason's tub? I like the bubbles."

Elizabeth just chuckled, Jason may have created a monster. "Let me go ask him."

"Mommy?" Cameron asked stopping her. He was going to be brave. Jason had been nice to him all day, so Cameron was pretty sure that he wasn't mad about this morning.

"Yeah sweetie?" Elizabeth turned on the steps.

"Do you think Jason would come too?" Cameron tentatively asked.

"Why don't we go ask him together." Elizabeth knew Jason was going to love that. She could go ask alone, but the more Cameron communicated with Jason the more he would see how patient the older man was.

"Okay." Cameron walked back downstairs with his hand tucked into mommy's. When they reached the bottom Jason looked over.

"Everything okay?" Jason asked sitting up and muting the television.

Elizabeth looked down at Cameron.

He let go of her hand and walked over to where Jason was sitting. Placing his hand over Jason's bigger one Cameron tugged gently. Wrapping his fingers around the ones of the man he so wanted to be his dad's hand he pulled a little more forcefully, hoping to convey his wishes.

Jason smiled before putting the remote on the table. Leaning over he put his hands under both of Cameron's arms and lifted the small child as he stood. With Cameron secured in his arms he walked over to where Elizabeth was standing. He could see her fighting back tears.

"Why don't you grab Cameron's pajamas and I'll fill up the tub." Jason suggested as they headed upstairs.

"Okay. He wants to have a bath in your tub." Elizabeth told Jason.

"Not a problem." The mob boss shifted his son so that he was lying over his shoulder. "Want some bubbles too?" The soft laugh gave him the answer. In the bathroom Jason filled the tub and got the bubbles. "Okay. Push this button here to start the jets."

Cameron did and watched as the liquid solution foamed up. When it was high enough Jason turned the jets off. Cameron got undressed and carefully stepped the water. When he sat down the bubbles came all the way to his chin.

"That's a lot of bubbles." Elizabeth said grinning as she came in with the clothes and lotion. "I guess we should be careful or we might lose you in there."

Cameron just shook his head and giggled.

"I've got some boats if you want." Jason went to the closet and removed the bath toys. Coming back over he plopped them into the water creating holes in the bubbles. Cameron had to dig around a bit but he found the toys and bath time began.

Jason watched as Elizabeth soaped Cameron's hair. She explained that she only washed it twice a week because otherwise his hair got brittle. The only exception was when Cameron got really dirty or sweaty. He noted that she used the no tears solution. From the tub she lathered him up with lotion explaining that Cameron suffered from dry skin that left him itchy. Once the little guy was in his sleepwear Elizabeth told him they'd meet him in his room for story time. "Did you have fun?" The answer was already on Jason's face.

"I did." He confirmed. "I wasn't expecting to be invited up. Thank you for that."

"It was Cameron's decision." Elizabeth said placing the towel on the rack.

"I just want to make sure this is okay. My helping. It's been you and Cameron for so long I know you aren't used to sharing." Jason would understand if she felt he was intruding.

"It was us for a really long time, and if it had been good or easy I might feel that way. Honestly it is sometimes a little odd when I realize I don't have to do something myself. I know we've only been together a short amount of time, but I've already come to count on you. We've come to count on you. I don't resent your presence, I welcome it. I never wanted to be a single parent. I don't know how anyone does it for years on end." Elizabeth said shaking her head.

"Your situation wasn't exactly normal." Jason pointed out.

"I know, but Jason there are women and men who do this every single day for years. With more than one child. There were days I didn't think I would make it, and that was before Lucky went completely crazy. Those first few weeks without Sarah I just didn't have enough hours in the day to get anything done. Knowing that if I have a bad day I'm coming home to you is a huge burden lifted." Elizabeth wasn't sure she could make Jason understand.

"Thank you." Jason got it. Even if he wouldn't ever truly walk in her shoes he got what she was saying. "Should I do anything differently where Cam is concerned? I had it pointed out to me that I'm being watched carefully these days." He said smiling.

"You are doing great with Cameron." Elizabeth assured him. "I'm not trying to change you."

"But?" Jason grinned.

"Would you consider wearing a helmet when you are with us? When you are out alone you don't have too. It's just that Cameron is a bit fascinated with the bike, and I think eventually he will want to ride on it. He'll need a helmet and if he sees you wearing one I won't have to fight with him." Elizabeth knew that was years from now, but Cam seeing Jason in a helmet would make him want to wear one too.

"I can do that." Jason smiled wider, Francis had been right.

"Thank you." She appreciated that he would make that change. "Now, I think there is a little boy who is getting impatient for a story." Elizabeth grabbed the container of lotion.

Stepping forward Jason dropped a soft kiss to her lips. "Then we better get going. After I'll make you a cup of tea."

"It's a date." She whispered softly wondering what they would talk about tonight.

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