Alright guys Here it is Christmas Special. It is a very difficult chapter. I needed to say so much that was going on with the characters. I know some you guys are die hard Liz and Lucky fans and others are Liason fans. This is the story of AJ and Elizabeth and I for one think that both Lucky and Jason both treated Elizabeth shabbily. Okay, so we have some other things developing as well expect to read some more exciting things in coming chapters. We have New Year's still to come. As always keep the reviews coming. I should have the next Chapter up soon.

Everything was going wrong. Lucky was late bringing back the boys. Elizabeth still had to get them bathed and changed to go to the Quartermaines'. AJ was picking them up. The brownies she had made to take with them were cooling on the counter and she didn't have time to get the boys ready and pack the brownies up. The good thing was that she was dressed. And that all the things they needed to take with them were all packed up by the front door except the brownies which were still on the counter. Elizabeth started for the kitchen to take care of that nagging problem when the doorbell rang. She was hoping it was Lucky. It was Matt instead.

"Wow. You look incredible." Matt said from the doorway.

Elizabeth smiled back at him. "Thank you. I feel like I have been running around all day."

"Well you have been." Matt said matter of factly "But you don't look like you have been. How was work this morning?"

"Long" Elizabeth said as she gestured him into the room. "Britt is acting weird. She may be up to something but I don't know what and I really don't have the time to give to that woman."

"How much stuff do you have packed up here?" Matt asked a little disbelieving at the stack of things piled by the door.

"Not enough, unfortunately. What brings you by Matt?"

"Emma." He said. "She forgot her doll that Robin gave her when she was over yesterday. She refuses to go to the hospital Christmas party without it."

"The hospital Christmas party isn't for a couple of hours."

"I know it's just, well Patrick and I knew you were going to AJ's and when we realized the doll…"

"Oh yeah right, sorry" She said with a smile.

"Plus, I wanted to see how you were doing with you-know-who back in town."

"Lucky. Right. I guess I am not sure how to feel about it." Elizabeth picked up the doll that had Emma had left and handed it to Matt.

"He did come back for you this time, right?"

"He says he wants to try again. He says that all the soul-searching and finding himself that he did led him right back to me. That he wants to try to be a family again."

"Please tell me you aren't buying it again." Matt said remembering last Christmas when Lucky said the same thing and then left within a day.

"I don't know. He seems to want to start over. He took the boys for the day instead of me putting them in day care. He genuinely seems to regret leaving"

"Come on Elizabeth. He lied to you. He told you everything you wanted to hear and then he took off. He hasn't talked to the boys really since he left. He's just setting you up again."

"I don't know what to think." Elizabeth sat on the couch.

"Look" Matt said sitting down beside her. "You have a good thing with AJ. Yeah the man has a past but so do I and you still like me." He was trying to make her feel better.

"It's a little different. I just don't trust my judgment anymore. Look what happened with Ewan. Look what happened with Jason. I don't know what to do. I know AJ invited us over for Christmas. I know we are staying the night with the Quartermaines'. I know we are going to the Christmas party at the hospital. Beyond any of that, I don't know."

"But you and AJ are together?"

The doorbell rang again saving her from answering the question. Matt was the one to get up and answer the door. Elizabeth was a little lost in her thoughts. It was Lucky at last with the boys. Cameron was sullen and Aiden still looked as confused as he did when Lucky picked them up that morning. Cameron ran up to his room and Elizabeth took Aiden from Lucky.

"Sorry we're late." Lucky said handing over Aiden. "Lost track of time."

"It's fine." Elizabeth said Matt's question still burning in her mind. Was she with AJ? "I have to get them ready. I'll be back down in a bit. Will you two be okay?"

"We'll be fine." Matt measured a look at Lucky. The animosity between the two had not lessened one bit. "I'll just hold the fort down for you." He said.

Elizabeth gave them one last look before heading upstairs. Matt and Lucky continued to stare at each other. The tension crackled through the air. Elizabeth didn't have time to soothe their male egos and carried Aiden upstairs.

"So you're back." Matt said.

"I'm back" Lucky replied.

"For how long this time?"

"You know, Matt. If you have a problem with me why don't you just come out and say it."

"I have a problem with you." Matt was as blunt as he could be. "I have a problem with how you treat Elizabeth. I have a problem with how you treat her boys."

"You mean our boys." Lucky interjected.

"This is crazy. Why are you even back in Port Charles?"

"I don't know. My family is here?" Lucky's sarcastic tone was not lost on Matt.

"Look. Elizabeth had a really hard time the last time you left. You told her everything she wanted to hear and then you took off. You left before Christmas even. She was devastated. She even went through therapy. Then she almost died because her therapist was a psycho."

"And how is it my fault that this guy was a psycho."

"Look if it weren't for the way you treated Elizabeth, the lies and the back and forth, immediately after she almost died in the harbor and then again from complications of pneumonia, she wouldn't have had to go to Shadybrooke in the first place. She never would have met the guy that helped Jerry Jacks poison the whole damn town."

"I know what I did a year ago. I know how it went down. I have spent the last year trying to figure out what is important to me and it always came back to her."

"Really? Oh I am so happy for you. For the last year Elizabeth has been picking up the pieces of the life you shattered when you took off on her and the boys." No one had anything on Matt when it came to sarcasm.

"Why are you even here? Why is it every time I come over here some guy is answering Elizabeth's door? She doesn't seem to be pining away."

"Watch it Lucky." Matt was pissed at the implication in Lucky's tone. "I came to get Emma's doll. Elizabeth is my friend. I don't like the way you treated her and I don't like the way you are talking about her now."

"So you don't have designs on my ex-wife?"

Matt laughed at that. "Do you even listen to yourself? 'Designs on your ex-wife' Elizabeth is her own person. She can be with whoever she wants. I will back her up no matter what she chooses because that is what friends do. They stick around." Matt shrugged his coat back on and headed for the door.

"You really think AJ. Quartermaine is the right guy for her?"

"Yes, I do." Matt said turning around. "He's good to her. He's good to her boys. He listens to them. He talks with them. More importantly, He listens to Elizabeth."

"He's a criminal"

"Look, all I am saying is this. Elizabeth is happy. She has finally moved on from your toxic relationship and found someone who genuinely cares about her and treats her right. And it would be nice if you backed off and let her be happy. Walk away, Lucky. It's what you are best at."

Lucky was devastated by Matt's words but he was still going to get the parting shot. "Shouldn't you be in jail?"

"Maybe." Matt replied. "But the governor doesn't think so." With that Matt shut the door to walk back to his brother's house. He could only hope that Lucky would for once do the right thing a leave Elizabeth alone.

When Elizabeth came back downstairs with the Aiden, she didn't expect to see Lucky still there with Matt no where in sight. "Where's Matt?" She asked him. Sitting down on the couch with Aiden to help him put on his shoes.

"Umm He had to go. Elizabeth we need to talk."

"Lucky we talked yesterday. I told you; I am not going to discuss this now."

"Then come to Lulu and Dante's with me. Steve will be there."

"I told you, Lucky" Elizabeth said struggling with the toddler. "The boys and I are going to the Quartermaine's for Christmas. AJ and Monica invited us to stay with them for the night. We are going." She finished tying Aiden's shoe and set him up with a few toys. Lucky followed her into the kitchen where she was finally packaging up the brownies.

"Why him?" Lucky asked. "Elizabeth you know what he's done. He's not some hero. He is still the same guy. People don't change"

"They don't? So you haven't changed?" She said turning to him. "Everyone changes Lucky. I believe in AJ. Yes, he has a past. Yes, he's made mistakes. If we never gave anyone another chance where would we be?"

"Can't you give us another chance?" Lucky said taking her by the arm and turning her to face him. "We have so much history. We have been there for each other since we were fifteen."

"We were kids, Lucky." She said looking into his eyes. "We were kids. We grew up. We have done nothing but hurt each other. We made mistakes, yes. If it is one thing I have learned this last year, it's that you can't go back. You can only move forward."

"But we can move forward together."

"Lucky. I have loved you since I was fifteen years old. I am not fifteen anymore. I am a grown woman; I have the boys to think about now. I have myself to think about. I am not a weak little girl anymore."

"Elizabeth, you were never weak."

"I was. I was weak. I made the worst decisions of my life because I was weak. I am not that person anymore. I have spent the last year coming to terms with who I am and the mistakes I have made. I am not about to dive in and ruin everything."

"Please, Elizabeth. It's Christmas. We don't have to go to Lulu's we can go somewhere else or we could stay right here just us as a family."

"Lucky" Elizabeth pulled away from him and closed the lid on the brownies. "We don't have a family anymore. It's time for you to go. AJ will be here to pick us up any minute."

"Why, Elizabeth? Why won't you give us another chance?"

"For every reason I just told you, Lucky." Elizabeth went through the swinging door calling out to Cameron as she did so. Someone knocked on the door and Elizabeth opened it as Lucky came through the door from the kitchen.

"I am not giving up on us, Elizabeth. I refuse to let you throw what we had and could have away on some…" His words died off as he saw AJ standing in the doorway.

"Lucky." AJ nodded to him. He slid an arm around Elizabeth's waist.

"AJ" Lucky nodded back. He grabbed his coat on the way to the door. "We'll continue this conversation later." He said to Elizabeth before brushing past AJ.

The Quartermaine mansion was beautiful. Decorated for Christmas, it was breath-taking. Alice led Elizabeth, AJ and the boys into the parlor where Monica and Tracey were bickering about going to the Hospital Christmas Party.

"Well, Tracey, if you don't want to go, then stay home I am sure no one will miss you." Monica was saying.

AJ leaned into Elizabeth and whispered. 'I told you this would be fun."

Monica noticed the four of them and smiled at what a lovely picture they made. She was happy that AJ and Elizabeth were getting closer. She wanted her son to be happy. She knew Elizabeth made him happy. She had been so wrong for so long. She had forgotten that Elizabeth and Emily had been the best of friends. That she had been by Emily's side all through her scare with breast cancer. That she had even stood by Jason despite his faults. It was awkward that she had had a son with Jason and was now seeing his brother but Monica truly believed that Sam was the right woman for Jason and that Elizabeth was more suited to AJ. She believed that Elizabeth's qualities were exactly what AJ needed.

"Hello. Welcome. Please have a seat. We were just getting ready to decorate the tree." She walked over and gave Elizabeth a warm hug and then AJ.

"Hi Mom."

"Hello Monica Thanks for inviting us to join you guys. The house looks amazing."

"Well thank you very much. Alice has kept the staff working hard to make this place feel less empty without Edward. I am afraid it's just reminding us more of his absence."

"Well, she did a beautiful job and I am sure Edward would have appreciated it."

"Hah!" Tracey said from across the room. Monica had already threatened to throw her out again if she was rude to AJ or Elizabeth.

"Well" Monica said looking at Cameron and Aiden. "How would you two like to help decorate the tree? And I think Alice is bringing in some hot chocolate and cookies."

"Yeah!" Cameron said excitedly. He took Aiden by the hand and the two went off to play in the decorations. Tracey rolled her eyes and got up to get herself another drink.

"Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Mom, relax okay" AJ said with a laugh. "We'll be okay." He put his hand at Elizabeth's waist and they sat down on one of the couches close enough to keep an eye on the boys. Monica joined them. They talked about Christmas and the boys. Monica asked where Audrey was and Elizabeth said she would be along. She wanted to drive herself over. Alice brought in refreshments. The conversation continued punctuated by snorts and eye rolls from Tracey. The doorbell rang again and they were joined by Audrey Hardy. Elizabeth's Gram. Shortly after that, Michael arrived with Starr. Once everybody was there the party went into full swing. Alice was in and out refreshing people's drinks and bringing in a spread of hors d'oeuvres.

Elizabeth was standing by the tree when Michael came to stand by her side. "Hello, Michael, how are you?"

"I'm great." He said with a smile and a look back to Starr who was playing with the boys and AJ.

"I'm glad to see you so happy. Starr is very sweet and my boys just love her."

"Thank you." Michael said with a smile.

"How are things with the gallery? It's nice to see you working with AJ. I can't wait to see it when it opens."

"Well, thanks. I don't know where the idea came from. I saw the building just sitting there empty and thought what it could be used for. The remodel is going great and I have a few resumes on my desk from some of the best people to run it."

"It's a beautiful building and when it's finished it is going to look fabulous."

"Look I know I shouldn't even be bringing this up at Christmas time, but have you given any thought to what to AJ's question?"

"About?" Elizabeth was confused.

"About being our featured artist. It's just I've seen your work. Jason has a couple of pieces and I saw the one Emily gave to AJ" Michael was a little awkward and Elizabeth thought it was adorable. "I just think that you are really talented and I think the opening would be a success with your art displayed."

Elizabeth was touched by Michael's words. She had given a couple of paintings to Jason but she never thought anyone else ever saw them. "Michael, I think your gallery will be a success whether I am part of it or not."

Michael smiled. He had always liked Elizabeth. She was a loyal friend. He may have been young but he remembered. Ever since he'd woken up he remembered her being his nurse and how sweet and caring she was. He like the way AJ lit up when he talked about her. It had been a lot of fun setting up their date the other night. "I hope that it is as successful as you believe but I still think it would be better with you as our main attraction. Will you at least consider it?"

"Of course, Michael. And I think it's wonderful that you are giving AJ a chance. It means the world to him." She smiled up at him. "When he talks about you, he isn't as tense as he was before. It really makes a difference."

"Thank you and if it means anything I think you make a difference in him too." The two smiled together and then looked over at AJ sitting on the couch with Audrey. Michael moved to play with Starr and the boys and Elizabeth moved to help Monica with some of the higher decorations.

AJ was on the couch watching everyone decorate the tree when Audrey sat down next to him. She watched Elizabeth over his shoulder. "She's a very special girl, my granddaughter." AJ turned to face Audrey. "She's been through so much in her young life."

"I know she has. She's a strong woman"

"Yes, she really is but she still won't believe it." Audrey sipped her wine and looked at AJ. "She doesn't believe in herself anymore. She's always questioning her own judgment. She's afraid of being left behind. And she won't admit it but I believe she questions why it is so easy for people in her life to walk away. She always thinks it's something she did."

"I don't know how anyone could walk away from her." AJ glanced over to Elizabeth who was now talking to Monica.

"AJ. I am going to be honest with you. You have a terrible past_"

"Audrey, I-"

"Wait. I'm not finished yet." AJ gave Audrey his full attention. He was used to people being down on him since he had come back. He did deserve some of it but he was trying to show people that he had changed. "You have a terrible past. You have done abominable things. I don't entirely trust this new and improved AJ, but Elizabeth does. And her boys trust you. Since you have become a part of her life, she smiles more. She is more confident. Don't screw that up. Be the man I hope you have become."

AJ nodded in response it meant a lot that he had Audrey's support if not her trust, yet. "I am falling for her. Everyday. The feeling grows. I don't know if I would have been able to accomplish some of the things that I have since I have been back if it wasn't for her."

Audrey smiled and the two continued talking discussing the upcoming Nurse's Ball. They all went in for dinner when Alice came in to announce that it was ready. It was a delicious meal and the conversation was fun and relaxed. Even Tracey was pleasant to be around. After the meal they went back to the parlor for dessert and they talked about the Christmas Party they would be leaving for shortly.

He sat in the shadows. How dare she? She went too far. He knew what she was doing she was teasing him. She would pay for her mistakes. She would belong to him and NO one else. Nothing mattered. The rage built inside of him. It burned like a fire. He had to find a way to tamp it down. He needed a clear head so he could plan. He was about to walk away when the terrace doors opened and she was there. Standing there in the cold. For a moment he thought she saw him. The bastard came outside. The rage grew as he put his hands on her. HE would pay as well they all would. HE watched them for a few minutes before they went back inside. The fire was too much. It burned inside of him. He headed down to the docks looking for a way to hold the flames at bay.

Elizabeth walked outside. She needed a moment to think. It was cold but she didn't mind. It was bracing. She thought back to the confrontation with Lucky the other day. After he had interrupted her and AJ. She had sent him home. AJ knew that the moment was gone. They talked for a while and then he had gone home. She had been disappointed. It was such a magical night between them.

Lucky had come by the next day before Elizabeth had left for the hospital. He told her that he wanted another chance. That he had come back for her and the boys. He wanted to start fresh. Elizabeth told him no. That she had moved on with her life. He asked about AJ. She told him it was none of his business. He went on and on about all the things AJ had done. The kidnappings, his marriages to Carly and Courtney. Elizabeth reminded him that sometimes people did horrible things.

"Lucky, He's changed. He's been gone a long time. He lost his sister, and his father. And he wasn't even allowed to come home to say goodbye to them."

"He's a bad person Elizabeth, and I don't want him around our boys"

"You don't get to make that decision. You left. You left and you didn't even call them. You never called me."

"I knew they were okay. Lulu told me."

"That's because you called Lulu. You never even called your own boys."

"I couldn't. I just couldn't. I knew you would answer. I knew I couldn't talk to you until I figured it all out."

"You knew. You didn't want to talk to me, but now you want me back."

"Yes"

"Lucky, my life has changed. I've changed."

"But AJ-"

"AJ is good with Cam and Aiden. They adore him. Cam talks to him. Did you know that Cam blamed himself for Jake's death? Did you? No! He told AJ. He told AJ and AJ listened to him and helped him"

"I didn't know!"

"That's right you didn't know because you walked away from us without looking back. They don't know you anymore! Aiden was so little when you left I doubt he remembers you."

"Elizabeth please, I just want a chance."

"Lucky, our chance has passed."

"Can I at least see my sons?"

"Yes, Lucky, you can see them, You can pick them up tonight after I get off work and they can stay the night with you, but they have to be back by three. We have plans for Christmas Eve."

"I was hoping we could spend Christmas as a family."

"We are going to the Quartermaines' with Audrey. Monica and AJ invited us and I accepted."

"But I am here now."

"You are here now but you haven't been here Lucky. Things have changed and you are going to have to get used to that."

"I am not giving up on you. On us."

The whole thing had thrown Elizabeth for a loop. Lucky was her first love. Where did that leave AJ? What was she supposed to do? She felt warm arms come around her from behind.

"It's cold out here"

"I was just thinking."

"About Lucky" It wasn't a question.

"He says he wants his family back."

"And how do you feel?" AJ was sick to his stomach with dread. He wondered if this was where they ended things. Should he be the better man and walk away?

"I don't know. He walked away from us. He made his decision."

"But now he's changed his mind."

"Yes." Elizabeth turned in his arms and looped her arms around his neck. "But that doesn't mean I want him back. I am happy. I am happy with you." She leaned up and pressed her cold lips to his.

He kissed her back tenderly. And when he pulled back she was smiling up into his eyes. His fears were put to rest. "Can we go back in now? It's freezing out here."

Elizabeth laughed and he picked her up and spun her around. "This is by far the best Christmas I have had in a long time." She kissed him again. This time it was more relaxed.

"Oh please do we have to watch this lovey-dovey crap!"

"Tracey! Leave the two of them alone!"

"Monica stop telling me what to do. I don't care if you own the house or not it's still my home and I don't want to watch these two make-out like teenagers on the terrace I drink my morning coffee!"

AJ and Elizabeth laughed and went back inside with their arms around one another. Elizabeth moved to sit and talk with Audrey who was holding Aiden. AJ noticed Cam sitting next to the tree. He was playing with some toy but he seemed sad. AJ walked over and asked Cam if it would okay if he played with him. Cameron shrugged his shoulders so AJ folded himself down next to the little boy.

"What's up, Cam?"

"Nothing." The boy knew how to do sullen.

"Come on Cam we're friends right?"

"Yeah."

"Well friends help each other out when something is wrong."

"They do?"

"They do. But you have to tell them what's wrong so they can help you"

Cameron looked up at AJ with eyes that were more innocent than AJ had ever been, "Can you make my Daddy go away?"

AJ was blown away. He thought the boys would have been ecstatic that Lucky was back. Elizabeth had told him that Cameron had sulked for months after Lucky had left. How he had blamed her for Lucky leaving. He didn't quite know what Cameron was asking him.

"Why do you want your dad to go away? I thought you would be really happy that he was back?"

"He made Mommy cry. And then I made Mommy cry cause I thought it was cause of her that he left. But he never came back for us. For me and Aiden. He just left us. I thought he was gone like Jakey." When he paused AJ encouraged him to continue, stealing a look to Elizabeth. She looked concerned and gestured if she should come over there but AJ shook his head letting her know without words that it was serious and that he could handle it.

"I thought maybe he went to heaven where you can't call or talk to anyone anymore. I heard him tell Mommy that he was back and that he wanted to be a family again"

"Wouldn't that make you happy? To be a family again?" AJ's heart was tearing out of his chest. This little boy was so hurt and confused by the decisions that were made by the people who were supposed to care about him first. AJ remembered the feeling all to well from his childhood. Lost in his memories and the words of this little boy AJ didn't notice that Elizabeth had crossed the room and was standing on the other side of the tree.

"I thought I did. I don't know. I just don't want him to leave again. I don't want him to hurt Mommy again."

"He may not leave Cam. He may really want to be here. He loves you, kiddo."

"I'd rather you just stayed with us. You make Mommy smile. You said we big brothers have to take care of people. We have to take care of Mommy. You said you were my big brother and that you wouldn't leave. If Daddy comes back then he'll make you leave. And you promised." AJ pulled Cameron into his lap and hugged him tight. He pulled back and said the hardest words for him to say.

"Cameron. Remember when we talked about adults and why they go away." At his nod AJ continued, "Well sometimes adults go away for what we think are the right reasons. But sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes people get hurt that we don't intend to get hurt. Do you understand?"

Cam nodded, "Daddy made a mistake and he didn't mean to make me cry."

"That's right. See, Cameron, your daddy loves you and your brother so much that he flew around the world to be with you guys. He knew he made a mistake and wanted to tell you. He wants to tell you that he's sorry. And when someone is truly sorry for what they do then you need to forgive them. Sometime people just need one more chance to prove that they have learned from the things they did wrong."

"So I need to give Daddy another chance?"

"Cameron, that's up to you. I can't tell you if you should forgive him or not. But I think you should listen to what he has to say and make your own decision."

"But I heard him tell Mommy that he didn't want you around us"

That hurt. Tears moistened AJ's eyes. He didn't care one way or the other about Lucky as long as he could have Elizabeth. But these boys deserved a chance. They deserved to know their father loves them.

"Your dad loves you Cam. We'll always be friends no matter what."

"You mean you'll always be my big brother?"

"Always" Cameron hugged AJ's neck tight and picked up his toy to take to his brother who was playing with Michael and Starr. AJ continued to sit on floor after he left his emotions tormenting him.

Elizabeth had tears running down her cheeks. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She hadn't known Cameron was listening to her and Lucky talk. She had thought he was in his room with his toys. He must have snuck over to the top of the stairs. She couldn't believe the things he had said to Cameron. They were so generous. So insightful. He could have turned Cameron against Lucky, but he didn't. He spoke honestly and from the heart. He encouraged Cameron to listen to Lucky and maybe give him a chance. He hadn't treated him like a kid though. He talked to him in words that he could understand but also like a man.

"I guess that makes your choice easier. And mine as well." Elizabeth looked back at her Gram. She was smiling. She nodded past Elizabeth to where AJ sat on the floor. Elizabeth turned to look she saw the sadness and doubt in AJ's eyes and realized Gram was right. She smiled back at her and turned. She walked over to AJ and sat down in front of him and laid her head against his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him tightly. It took him a second but he caught on and wrapped his arms around her as well. They stayed like that for a while content just to hold on tight when Alice came in and announced that it was time to head to the hospital. Elizabeth and AJ disentangled themselves and got up to bundle up the boys and then each other. Everyone was laughing and smiling as they headed to the hospital.

He was pacing the docks. The rage building inside of him. He couldn't calm down. He couldn't stop his racing heart. It was then he saw her. Walking towards him on the dock. She stopped and tried to walk around but she wouldn't get away from him that easily. He easily tangled her long dark hair into his fist. Her glasses fell off and landed on the pier but he kept dragging her away with his hand over her mouth. He saw though her disguise. She thought she had him fooled but he saw passed her ruse. She wouldn't stop screaming though. He finally pulled her away and struck her hard. She went unconscious and her threw her over his shoulder he carried her to his home like that. It was close by. No one noticed. They were all to full of revelry for the holiday. Some idiots even waved to him. He had pulled his hood up far enough that they had no idea who he even was. He finally got her there and dragged her into the basement. Throwing her on the dank mattress he walked over to his wall to light the candles. The woman would be out for hours. HE had time.

The fourth Floor Nurse's station was the place to be on Christmas Eve. All the doctors gathered to tell stories and hand out the presents to the children in the wing. All the children that could be moved were brought to the big room in the center that was decorated for Christmas. Sabrina and Felix had spent all day decorating the tree and getting everything ready. They finally had a chance to run home to change. Felix walked off of the elevator to find one of his favorite people in the hospital. "Why Nurse Webber how beautiful you look out of scrubs."

Elizabeth turned around with a laugh and immediately gave Felix a hug, "Merry Christmas, Felix! Have you met my boys?" Elizabeth introduced Felix to Cam and Aiden and Felix shook AJ's hand. "Where's Sabrina?"

"That girl isn't here yet?" Felix said looking around. "We left at the same time and I know I take forever to look this good so I know she should have been here first."

"I'm sure she just got held up. I'll give her a call in a little bit see if she's okay"

Felix nodded and said his farewells as the ped's nurse was there and he wanted to say hi.

Patrick and Emma arrived next and everyone said their hellos and decided to move to a quieter part of the room to talk Cameron, Emma and Aiden were allowed to go play with the other boys and girls. They all sat comfortably on the couches and Steve and Olivia joined them. They relayed past Hospital Christmas stories. Elizabeth pointing out the Edward and Alan both had read the story of Christmas to the children right before they passed out the presents. Steve said they would be missed this year. The conversation continued Patrick noticing that Sabrina still wasn't there. Felix came over concern on his face.

"I tried calling, Brina. I didn't get an answer. That girl always answers her phone."

"I hope she's okay." Elizabeth replied. They all began to discuss the matter.

"Maybe she decided not to come because of Dr. Westbourne." Olivia said.

"No, Brit's not here. I think she said something about going back home for Christmas to see her folks when she left today"

"Sabrina definitely said she was coming." Felix said. "We spent all day on that tree and she was excited. She said it's her favorite time of year."

They were so wrapped up in their concern that no one noticed the elevator doors open and the people approaching them.

"What's going on, guys?"

The group breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw Matt and Sabrina standing there with curious looks on their faces. Their relief was so apparent that only a couple of people noticed that the two of them were holding hands. Felix and Elizabeth exchanged smiles and the Christmas party continued. The kids were all gathered around the center of the room. AJ stood next to Patrick who was holding Emma. Matt sat on his other side with Cameron. The others gathered around. Steve and Olivia. Lulu and Dante. Beside them Lucky stood holding Aiden. Luke stood by a disgruntled Tracey. Sam stood by Monica who held Danny.

Epiphany took center stage telling the children gathered around about Christmas and how they were celebrating the birth of Baby Jesus. She told them they were going to hear a very special Christmas story. She motioned behind her and Felix and Sabrina carried out a chair and set it down in front of the children. Elizabeth looked up at AJ and took his hand. She looked into his eyes.

"Merry Christmas, AJ"

Bemused he kissed her lips softly unaware that everyone in the room was watching them. He pulled back and she tugged him forward. Confused, he followed her to the center of the room. She gently nudged him into the chair and handed him the book Sabrina had brought with her. It was the book his father and grandfather read the Story of Christmas from.

"A Quartermaine always tells the Story of Christmas."

AJ was deeply touched. Monica's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Jason, having walked in as Epiphany was speaking, stood to the side and watched his brother tell the story of Christmas. He realized he had been wrong. AJ had changed. He saw the way he was with Elizabeth and it reminded him of how Elizabeth made him feel. He realized that what they had wasn't love but friendship and how he had indeed taken advantage of that friendship. He thought about his brother and Jake and remembered the things he said to AJ's tombstone. He had been wrong and he had only himself to blame. He saw Sam off to the side next to Monica. He felt a longing like he had never known. He wanted his family back and he would do everything he could. Starting right then. He walked over to Sam. She looked up at him. His eyes were full of regret and sorrow. And in the language of only people that are truly in love can speak. Sam put out her hand and Jason took it and held on tightly.

Lucky was also thinking about his family. He saw how beautiful Elizabeth was. How her eyes sparkled. He remembered how happy they'd been. How it had been Elizabeth who had pulled him from the coma he had fallen into all those years ago. He remembered when she told him that Aiden was his son. He remembered all he had put her through from his leaving for Ireland, to his marriage to Siobhan, to his leaving last year. He had a lot to make up for but he would get her back. He had to.

Elizabeth sat down next to Patrick and Emma. As AJ read aloud in his clear voice, she thought of his conversation earlier with Cameron. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Audrey standing at her side. It truly was an amazing Christmas. When the story was over Michael came in dressed as Santa with Starr, Spinelli and Ellie as his elves and passed out the Christmas presents to all the children. When the presents were unwrapped, everyone headed home. The boys were tucked into AJ and Jason's bed's in the old nursery. Monica and Tracey had taken themselves off to bed. They stood at the bottom of the grand staircase already dressed for bed.

"Thank you for tonight."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said smiling up into his eyes.

"You know it's after midnight. It's technically Christmas." AJ said and pulled the small box out of the pocket of his pajama pants. "I know it's cliché but I thought of you when I saw it."

"AJ" Elizabeth said shocked. "You shouldn't have." She opened the small velvet box and what she saw there melted her heart.

"Go ahead." AJ said encouraging her. Elizabeth opened the heart-shaped locket and saw a picture of her three boys together. Cameron holding Aiden and Jake sitting next to them. It was the one portrait she had managed to have done of all three of them.

"How did you?"

"Steve" He responded simply.

She wrapped her arms around him and just held him. He brought his face into her hair and breathed her in. He swept her up and carried her upstairs. He stopped in front of the door to Emily's room where Elizabeth was given to sleep. He questioned her with his eyes.

"Do you think tonight we could just sleep?" She asked him. He kissed her gently and continued down the hallway to his room the one he had slept in as an adult. He gently laid her in the bed and crawled in beside her. She rested her head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arm protectively around her. She fell asleep listening to the gentle beat of his heart. AJ fell asleep with a smile on his face thinking this was the best Christmas ever.