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Chapter 61

"Come on upstairs and I'll run you a shower." Jason said as he locked the door behind their departing family members.

"That sounds wonderful." Elizabeth had cleaned up at the hospital but the soap there tended to be harsh on the skin. Plus here at home they had shower heads with massage settings.

"What do you want to sleep in?" Jason asked as they walked into the bedroom.

"Your shirt." Elizabeth responded kicking off her shoes, and pulling her scrub top over her head. Her street clothes were in police custody. She didn't ever want them back again. In her underwear she walked into the bathroom and started the shower.

Jason came in and enjoyed the view of his wife's bottom in her underwear. "I got you a shirt." He said letting her know he was in the room.

She saw the folded cotton on her vanity. "I meant the shirt you are wearing."

"Baby, I've been in this all day. It's dirty." Jason told her. He had only been doing paperwork at the warehouse and when he got home he hadn't done anything messy. He thought she'd be more comfortable in a clean shirt.

"It smells like you." Elizabeth told him. She needed that right now. Even though he'd be right next to her she wanted his shirt too.

"Okay." Jason wasn't going to argue. He was just grateful that she was here and unharmed. "Want some company?"

"That would be nice." She said removing her remaining bits of clothing and stepping under the water. A few minutes later Jason joined her wrapping his arms around her.

She was still trembling and he shelved his plans for making love. That wasn't what she needed. Pouring some of her body wash in his hands he tenderly cleaned her before urging her under the spray. When all the soap was gone he took his turn. "Let me get some towels." He said turning off the water. Quickly he dried off before holding open the fabric for her. After she was dry he lathered her skin with lotion. She could do this, Liz wasn't hurt, but he just needed his hands on her. With that done he pulled his shirt over her head. "I'm going to put you in bed then go downstairs and make you something to eat."

"I'm not that hungry. Something light." She requested.

"I can handle that I just don't want you skipping meals." Jason said as he ducked into his closet for sweatpants. "Be right back." He told her before heading downstairs.

In the kitchen Jason rummaged through the pantry. He wanted something that would make his girl smile. Something to put her in a good mood before she went to sleep. He knew how the body handled situations like this. She be would fine and then exhaustion would hit and she would pass out. He grabbed the tray and put what he prepared on it, grabbed a napkin, and headed upstairs.

Elizabeth sat up as he came back in the room. She had been fighting the impulse to call and ask for a status update on Kyle. If his condition changed they would call. Jason put the tray down and she laughed at the sight before her. "This looks wonderful." A peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich, a glass of chocolate milk, and a small bowl of vanilla wafer cookies.

"Want to watch television while you eat?" Jason reached in the nightstand and grabbed the remote. He found them a movie and they settled in for the night.

Elizabeth bolted upright her heart was beating hard in her chest and her breath was coming quickly. She was shaking and her skin was clammy. Before she could throw the covers back and get out of bed Jason's arms were coming around her. "It's okay." He said holding her close. "It was just a dream baby." He said kissing her temple.

"Sorry." She replied leaning back into him before turning to snuggle. "You're going to be exhausted tomorrow." This was the third time she had woken up.

"At least you didn't scream this time." Jason said running his fingers through her hair. The first nightmare had left them both shaking. Elizabeth's high pitched scream had made his blood run cold.

"A sign I'm getting better. You want me to go sleep down the hall?" She offered for the third time.

"No." Jason declined for the third time. "Ready for the sleeping pill?" He hadn't offered before now.

"I guess so." Elizabeth hated sleeping pills mostly because they left you so groggy the next day. "You'll keep a listen for the phone?"

"Why don't you call and check on Kyle while I get the pill." Jason said as a compromise.

"Thanks." Elizabeth picked up her phone. "I wish I hadn't told you to cancel with Georgie."

Jason just smiled at his lovely wife. "She'll be next door at 8:30."

"You think you're so smart do you?" She stuck her tongue out before calling the hospital.

Jason laughed as he headed downstairs. Coming back up he sat next to her hip, handing her the pill first then the glass of water. "How is Kyle?"

"No change." Elizabeth said stretching back out. "His labs look good though."

"Good." Jason pulled her close running his hand up and down her back.

"Talk to me." Elizabeth requested.

"What about?" Jason hoped she didn't want to talk about tonight. He'd rather do that in the morning.

"How is the rehab on the food bank building going?" Elizabeth was starting to relax.

"Good. It should all be done next week. The building didn't need much." Jason told her. "You can head down and figure out how to set everything up."

"I was thinking aisles like in a supermarket or convenience store. Baskets in the front to carry things around. Cooler in the back for fresh items. Lila contacted a local orchard and they are excited about partnering with us to provide fresh fruit to the kids." Elizabeth not only liked hearing that, but she thought a trip out to the orchard to pick fruit would be a fun trip for her and Cam. Maybe Ben would come too.

"There is space out back for a garden if you wanted to grow tomatoes or something." Jason said thinking out loud.

"We should look into setting up some community gardens." Elizabeth was getting sleepy. "We could teach people how to grow things at home."

"Would you like a garden?" He thought the penthouse was great, but maybe she wanted something else. He knew Emily was talking about eventually getting a house. Although he figured Monica would leave her the mansion. Neither he nor AJ wanted it.

"Can't grow stuff." Elizabeth said unable to keep her eyes open. "I like it here." She said softly.

"You let me know if you change your mind." Jason said pitching his voice low.

"Don't let go." Elizabeth requested before slipping into sleep.

"I won't." Jason promised even though he knew she couldn't hear him. "Not ever."

After taking the pill Elizabeth slept for another seven hours. However even the medicine couldn't make that sleep peaceful. Jason kept his word and didn't let her go. He did find that his talking to her helped her relax. So even though he was no longer sleepy he stayed in bed with her.

When Elizabeth opened her eyes again they were spooned up together. It took blinking a few times to bring the clock into focus. "It's only eight? How is that possible?" She felt like she had been sleeping for days.

"You took the sleeping pill at one." Jason told her. "How do you feel?"

"Exhausted." Elizabeth honestly answered. "I need to get up." Sleeping longer would really mess her up.

"Breakfast?" Jason wouldn't push.

"Maybe some toast. Did the phone ring?" She said not moving.

"Yeah, Kyle's condition has been upgraded to critical." Jason had been happy to hear that. It meant the guard had passed a good night. "Alan said he would call again later."

"Did he stay?" Elizabeth hadn't expected that.

"He did. The family is grateful to Kyle. So am I." Jason told his wife.

Elizabeth rolled to her back so that she could look at Jason. "Will this make the guys not want to guard me?" She thought the guys who worked for Jason and Johnny were incredibly brave. Their presence was not something she would ever take for granted.

"No." Jason told her. If anything it was going to be the opposite. The guys would most likely be volunteering for the duty. Everyone was hoping that Kyle would eventually be back on the job.

As if she read his mind Elizabeth spoke up. "Will Kyle be able to return?"

"If he wants." Jason told her.

"What happens if he isn't physically able to return?" Elizabeth just wanted to know he would be cared for.

"We have options for him that don't require him to be a guard. One of those is retirement if that is the best thing for him." Jason told his wife. He liked that she cared about the guys. Emily was the same way. "We will cover all the cost of his rehabilitation if that is necessary."

"Thank you." Elizabeth rolled over to her side and hugged Jason. "I'm going to get a shower and try to get rid of some of the cobwebs."

"I'll go start the coffee." Jason just watched her go. It had been too close. Every time she woke up last night after she went back to resting he took a moment just to say thank you. It had also dawned on him that Taggert had been sitting there waiting for them, and if Liz had left at her normal time Cameron would have been with them. That thought had left him shaking. He would be sure to tell Kyle personally how much his actions meant.

That night the two families had dinner at the Morgans. Jason made stir fry because both boys wanted it. After Elizabeth and Emily took the kids into the den to play a game so that Johnny could talk with Jason. The two men moved into Jason's office but didn't start talking right away. They were waiting for Marco and Cody to join them.

"Sorry I'm late." Their LT. said when Jason answered the door. "There was a detour due to a burst pipe. It apparently made people lose their minds. Cody is behind me."

"It's fine. Coffee is in the kitchen we are in my office." Jason told both men. When they came into the office the meeting started.

"How is Mrs. Morgan?" Cody wanted to know as he took a seat.

"Good." Jason told his guys. "She's good."

"Kyle is in a private room, and I've got a rotation of guys to sit with him." Marco told his bosses. No one wanted their friend to wake up alone. "He's technically still in ICU so our guys have to stay in his room and be quiet. I went by to see him and he was still out. Your dad says that will most likely be the case until tomorrow."

Jason had gotten the same information when he spoke to his dad. Johnny had also spoken to Alan. But reports were given a certain way so that nothing was missed.

"What is the status of the police investigation?" Johnny asked Marco.

"Closed." The LT passed along. "Kyle's shooting was ruled justifiable by the DA's office so he won't be facing charges. Unofficially the guys in the PCPD are saying it was a hell of shot." Marco was proud of his young friend. "His first bullet took Taggert out."

Cody couldn't help but feel proud at that. He trained Kyle personally.

"Are the Feds coming to town?" Johnny wanted to know. Since Taggert violated a federal restraining order they could investigate.

"They have declined." Marco passed along.

"Who is going to be guarding Elizabeth? She is returning to work tomorrow." Jason asked Cody. Jason could not change her mind about that. While he had the final say he wanted to know what Cody thought.

"Well considering every single senior guard, with the exception of the Giambetti brothers, volunteered I'm not sure who to recommend." Cody said laughing. "And for the record I think the only reason Max and Milo didn't put their names forward is because they are already guarding your son and sister. If you want to send a statement I could shadow her for the next three days while you give it some thought."

"I think Kyle sent enough of a message." Jason told the guys, he knew Johnny felt the same. The other families were no doubt paying attention and had made note of the response. Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "What do you think of Lee?"

"He worked hard to become a senior guard, but I'd say he was still too new for this assignment." Cody would give his honest opinion. "He'd make a good back up for Milo if Cameron would be okay with that."

"That will work." Jason gave his approval. "How about Chris?"

"He would work. He's a solid guard." Cody concurred.

"I want you working with Lee." Jason told his enforcer. "If Kyle is unable to return then I'm going to have Milo guard Liz and put Lee with Cameron. Make sure Chris knows that this is not a permanent assignment." The blonde mob boss liked, and trusted, Chris but he had to make these choices based on what was best for his family. Cameron was comfortable with Milo and Lee. "Have a name to back up Chris in case Liz doesn't like him." It happened.

"I'll let him know." Cody said finishing his coffee. "And I'll go through the guys."

"I'll be at the warehouse tomorrow." Jason told Marco.

"You want me to bring some rope to tie you to your chair?" The LT joked.

Johnny snorted from his spot on the couch. He also knew there was no way Jason wasn't going to end up at the hospital checking on his wife. "At least when she hurts him for hovering Emily will be there to stitch him up. If of course she isn't being treated for the same thing." Elizabeth was going to have a lot of eyes on her tomorrow.

"Is Georgie going to be at the penthouse?" Cody wanted to know.

"The boys will not be returning to daycare." Johnny told the two men. He and Jason hadn't discussed it, but Johnny knew how his partner thought. "We will need to set up a regular guard for Georgie. She will be watching the boys while Liz concentrates on the food bank. Is Lee sharp enough for that?" They could start getting him more training. Since Milo and Adam would be around it was a good chance to do that.

"Lee would be good for that." Cody agreed. "Too bad Jesse quit. That would be a great assignment for him." The enforcer grinned. Johnny and Marco both laughed.

"What?" Jason asked clearly he was missing something.

"Jesse only wanted to work for us to impress Georgie." Marco told his boss.

"Georgie doesn't date mob guys." Jason told the guys.

"Why do you know that?" Johnny was surprised. Jason wasn't known for keeping up with folks personal lives.

"She said so." Jason said so. "During a conversation at last year's company picnic. I'm guessing that's why he quit?"

"Yup. They've been out a couple of times and he got permission to visit while Georgie was taking care of your cat." Marco told Jason.

"Permission from who?" Jason asked and then grinned. "My wife." She would have been happy to encourage the romance.

"Francis is happy." Johnny told Jason. Jesse was a good guy. "Okay, that's everything."

"We'll let ourselves out." Marco said as he and Cody stood. "Good night."

"Night." Cody echoed.

"Let's go see what our girls are up to." Johnny said standing up. Tomorrow he'd check on Jason to make sure his friend was doing okay with Liz being at the hospital.

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