A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – re: the breakup I don't think Jason and Liz care what everyone else thinks. Everyone who loves them already knows that she isn't second choice and that's all that matters. Even Sam knew she was on the way out. The scene isn't finished anyway. Wink wink.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I didn't want to go really slow with their relationships because they had already wasted so many years. Hope you don't mind.

Chapter 20

Monica looked at her phone and answered. "Are you watching?"

Alan cleared his throat. "He's going to be hurting."

"I know."

"We'll just have to be there for him."

"You think he'll go to Elizabeth?"

"No. I think he'll disappear for a few hours to be alone."

Alan nodded. "Well, if I hear anything, I'll keep you posted."

At the hospital, a stunned Sonny watched the drama unfold, and he couldn't believe how badly he was played. He looked over at Carly who is finally showing signs of recovering and touched her stomach, thankful that this time, his baby survived. Things had been tense between them and he hopes that they will survive the rough patch.

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Jason started to walk away and Sam ran after him and grabbed his leg as she fell to her knees. "No, no, no, please don't leave me. I love you, Jason. You're everything to me. I'm so sorry. At first, I was just trying to survive. Once I accepted that I was pregnant and you were so kind, I saw a way out and then everything started to change as I fell in love with you."

He cringes as his chest heaves and stares at her with disgust. "It's too late because I don't love you. I haven't for a long time. I just couldn't get beyond what you did with Ric and now this... If you see me, turn and walk the other way. I don't want you near me or anyone else I care about it."

She gripped him tighter as she sobbed loudly and he tried to pry her off of him, but couldn't because of the angle. Two security guards helped him out and left her on the floor in a heap as Jason stormed out to his truck.

"It is official, Samantha McCall, aka Angela Monroe is no longer and employee of this studio. I'm sorry that she duped so many people into believing that she is a good person when she has done such harm. I can't bring my father back, but I at least hope he's resting in peace now."

Lucky smiled as the broadcasted ended. Now, after being humiliated, maybe Sam will reconsider joining forces in his plans to bring Jason to his knees.

Sam screamed Jason's name at the top of her lungs.

"You knew this was coming," Amelia said. "Jason was already done with you and from what I hear has already moved on with Elizabeth. My job is done here." She grabbed her purse and strode away as a furious Sam looked on.

"You are going to pay, bitch," she muttered before taking off.

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Liz brushed a tear away. "I have to find him."

Her declaration snapped everyone out of their haze.

"I'll go. You need to stay with Cam," Emily said.

Alfred stopped her. "Wait, I'll drive you."

"Thank you, Alfred."

They took off and Audrey and Liz eyes locked.

"I can't believe he did that," Liz said. While she was glad that he was free of Sam, Jason usually kept his personal life private.

"Elizabeth, he was probably in shock and hurt. I don't think he really thought it through."

"Alexis…" He is going to be mortified and she just wants to find him and hold him.

"I know, but Nikolas will take care of her. Maybe it's a good thing that Ric was exposed for the louse he is considering I hear he is going for custody of Molly."

Liz rolled her eyes and then typed Jason a message. "Please let me know that you are okay." She needs to hear his voice.

"Where would he go?"

"Maybe nowhere or for a ride."

"He'll come to you when he's ready. He just needs some time."

Liz sighed. Hopefully, things will calm down after this.

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Jason paced in front of baby Lila's grave. "I have to say goodbye. I'm sorry. I just can't live in the past anymore and just wanted you to know that I loved you and I will never forget you."

Rain started to pour from heaven like it was cleansing him and soon he was soaked and aimlessly wandered towards his car, not making it inside. He didn't care that he was drenched because he was hurt that Sam had lied about so much and he felt like a fool for letting her lure him in because of the baby. Sliding to the ground, the water formed a puddle around him and he didn't care as the rain mixed with his tears. Sam is a just another on a long list of people who tried to use and hurt him and didn't care about his feelings. All he does is try and fix things for everyone else and most don't care what that costs him. It's hard to see yourself as not damaged when almost everyone around you treats you as such; like you don't feel things deeply so your pain doesn't matter. This is the last straw—no more.

A lot of people are trying to hunt him down and when he isn't at his usual haunts, Spinelli tracks him through the sensor on his car. It was a last resort and when Johnny pulled up and he and Francis ran to his side, he just stared ahead, lost in a haze of anger and exhaustion.

They hauled him to his feet and got him settled and then Francis followed Johnny back to the Hardy residence where Elizabeth and people who loved him were waiting.

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Elizabeth threw the back door open and gasped. Jason is soaked to the bone and she'll never forget the haunted look in eyes. Alfred grabbed a chair for him to sit on and Johnny and Francis lowered him onto it while Audrey and Emily fetched some towels. Liz pushed his hair off of his face. "Jason, please talk to me."

He closed his eyes, embarrassed that he was even in this frame of mind. It was really more about the baby and being used again then any feelings he had for Sam which were long gone. She had taken something so pure, his love for that child, and tainted it forever. Considering all the heartache he had experienced losing Michael, it was just too much.

Monica took his pulse and felt his forehead. "He's really cold."

Emily removed his boots and socks and put them aside as Liz took off his shirt. Johnny pulled him up and everyone but Liz turned around and she tugged off his jeans and wrapped a huge towel around him and secured it. "It's okay," she said softly.

Alfred put a blanket around his shoulders and then they made him sit again and Liz dried his hair the best she could.

"Leave us alone for a minute and then we'll get him upstairs."

One by one, they left the room and then Liz stepped between his legs. "Talk to me, please. You're scaring me."

The devastation in his eyes when he finally meets her gaze totally threw her. "Jason."

"I feel like such an idiot. I loved that baby and to find out that it definitely started on a lie..."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry."

He grabbed her and held on tight as she lovingly soothed him.

"You always had such a big heart and I know that you loved Lila. Maybe it all wasn't a lie. I think Sam did love you."

"I hurt Alexis and the kids. I didn't even realize I was driving there. I didn't mean—"

She smoothed his hair. "You were in shock. I think we all are."

"I thought I knew Sam and she played me for a fool."

She kissed his forehead. "What can I do for you?"

He shivered. "Just keep holding me."

After a few minutes, he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped the blanket around them and then stood and took her upstairs as everyone watched.

"I'll watch out for them tonight," Audrey said.

Cam had fallen asleep on the couch, so Johnny gathered him up. "Which room is his?"

Audrey pointed and he followed her upstairs.

Emily hugged her mom. "I think I'll sleep here. There's one more room available."

"Okay. Call me if you need me."

"I will."

Francis came inside with some clothes for Jason. "I'll run these up." When he got to the door, he knocked softly and Liz answered.

"He's in the bathroom taking a hot shower."

"Here are some clothes."

"Thank you Francis," she said before taking the bag.

"I'll be on the porch."

"Okay."

She was glad that he will stay and make sure that they were safe. Opening the bathroom door, the warmth instantly surrounding her, she put the bag on the floor and then got into bed. Several minutes later, Jason returned with a pair of sweatpants on and climbed in beside her, loving it when she snuggled against his chest.

"Thank you for earlier."

"You have always been there for me. It's my turn to be there for you."

"Cam?"

"He's sleeping, like you should be."

Jason smirked and then closed his eyes, listening to her breathing for a while until he finally drifted off.

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Cam crept into his mother's room and realized she wasn't alone. As usual, the night light is on in case he wants to join her. When he saw Jason's face he grinned and then stood next to him, jumping and then giggling when Jason's eyes opened.

"Cam?"

"I missed mommy."

"I can't blame you. Come here."

He pulled Cam next to him and waited for him to fall back asleep before doing so himself.

That is how Audrey and Emily found them the next morning, looking like the family that she hoped they'd become.

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Liz watched Kelly cue up the monitor. Jason's hand is shaking so much, that she turns her head to check him out. She has never seen him look so nervous before. They had just taken the DNA test at Mercy and then here.

Their eyes jerk to the monitor when Kelly clears her throat.

"Here we go."

The room is filled with a sound Jason can't quite describe and he stares at Kelly with bewilderment.

"That's the baby. The heartbeat is a little fast, but that is normal."

A very overwhelmed Jason looked down to try to contain his emotions and the Kelly looked at Elizabeth in awe. It was rare to see him so emotional.

Kelly gave him a moment and then continued. "Let's find out what you're having." Even though Jason didn't know if he was the father, she can see that he is committed to Elizabeth and the baby. "It's a boy."

Jason stared at the screen as Kelly pointed out where the baby is located and a tear threatened to fall.

"He is developing nicely. Elizabeth is in her second trimester and is starting to show. You just need to keep your stress levels down and make sure you're hydrated and eat."

"I'll make sure she does."

Kelly smiled. Jason is so cute in daddy mode. "Do you have any questions?"

They didn't reply as just stared at one another. Kelly chuckled. "Alright, call me if you need me."

After a long moment, Elizabeth spoke.

"Are you sure you're okay with this—if the baby is Lucky's?"

Jason stood and kissed her gently. "We'll handle it together. I'm not going anywhere."

She lovingly gazed at him, only seeing the beautiful man he is in all his glory, willing to love a baby who might not be his. "I love you so much."

His eyes seemed to sparkle. "I'll never get tired of hearing that."

"Then I'll make sure that I say it often."

"I love you too."

His eyes always said more than anything he ever uttered and today is no different. In his eyes, Jason is giving her the world and for once, she is going to take it.

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A week later, Jason is in his office when Alexis shows up. She can tell by the look on his face that he feels badly for what he did.

"Alexis…"

"No, I understand. Monica came to talk to me."

Jason is surprised.

"She loves you and wanted to make sure that I am okay. I know that you were in shock."

"I was."

"And even though it's over between you two, Jason, Sam has disappeared and I'm so worried."

Jason ran his hand over his face. "I'm sorry, but…"

"Please. Can you help me find her? I'm not asking for you to talk to her. I just need to know that she is okay."

"After all that she has done?"

"I'm her mother and whether you want to admit it or not, you know she loved you. I have no idea what my relationship will be with her in the future, but she could be hurt."

Jason thought for a moment. "Okay. I'll put Stan on it." Sam could be a problem and it was probably better that they know where to find her.

"Thank you."

She left and he made the call. There is one stop he wants to make before he goes home.

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Lucky is already after Sam. Per his sources, she had showed up a few towns over and stayed several days in a drunken haze, trying to pick fights like she was trying to get someone to put her out of her misery. He needs to get to her before she pisses off the wrong person. They had work to do.

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Cam jumped into Jason's arms and hugged him. The little boy had associated his new friend with being safe and had formed a tight bond with the enforcer in the last week. If Jason wasn't working he was with Cam and/or Elizabeth, but they still hadn't talked.

He put Cam to bed and joined Elizabeth on the porch downstairs. Tears were running down her face and he rushed to her side.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

She handed him the slip of paper and he read it twice just to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat and he didn't even realize that tear had escaped. Slowly she eased her way onto his lap and put his hand on her belly. "You're the father, Jason."

Their gaze locked for a few seconds and his lips crushed against hers and he kissed her passionately, before it turned gentle and soothing. Burying her head into the crevice of his neck, she waited for him to speak.

"I'm so happy."

"Me too."

"I know we've been kind of avoiding our talk until the test came back."

"I just—it mattered to me that everything was out there before we did."

He rubbed her arm. "I know."

"It's been great having you so close. I know that because of the Carly situation, Sonny has been all over the place and you'll need to focus on the business soon."

He sighed. Sonny still didn't know the truth about the baby and Jason didn't want to say anything until he knew Carly, who had just come out of a coma, was out of the woods. Hopefully, she would come clean and he wouldn't have to be in the middle. "Elizabeth, I'm falling in love with you. I just—you and Cam and this baby mean everything to me. Even if I wasn't the father, I'm too far gone to care."

Tears sprang into her eyes. "I love you too. I wasted so much time when all I ever needed, I'm holding right now in my arms."

He kissed her forehead. "I want us to be a family and eventually, I'm hoping you'll let me adopt Cam."

"Really?"

"I love him like he's my own and he's been through so much. I want to show him how to treat a woman with respect and be a good man. Maybe I'll have Sonny give him cooking lessons when he gets older and the guys can help me teach him some sports—I just want to be there for him every step of the way and teach him what's important."

A tear traveled down her cheek. They had come so far and all she knew for sure is that she loved him with every ounce of her being. Never before had she felt so complete and there is no way she is going to take it for granted. "Marry me." The words tumbled from her lips before she could sensor them.

Jason palmed her cheek as his eyes searched hers. "What did you say?"