A/N –Thanks for the comments! * Kcke2pen – You can't force someone into counseling and a lot of people don't go when they should. Sometimes it's the cost and others just don't believe in it or I think with Liz, when you're raped, you want to have some amount of control and she didn't want to go. Do to her age, Audrey could have forced the issue, but she didn't.

Sorry, but the site has been having issues, so I don't think it's sending email notifications.

Chapter 30

"What's going on?" Jason asked.

Sonny sighed heavily. "I apologized to your wife for being a blockhead back then and a bad friend."

He is surprised. "I think we were all very stupid."

"True. I was hoping we could have lunch tomorrow. I want to go over a re-org with you. I think you'll like it."

"Okay."

Sonny patted him on the back. "Come on. Wait, do I smell brownies?"

Jason smiled. "Yeah and they are really good."

They headed towards the living room.

"Jason, my boy, Cameron is amazing."

"I know."

Cameron grabbed Morgan's hand. "Want to see my motorcycles?"

"Yeah! Come on Michael."

Michael made a face at this dad and then followed them.

Tracy sat next to her father. "He is cute for a rug rat."

Monica gave Jason and Liz a hug. "Do you need help with anything?"

"No. Everything is done. Once everyone is here, we'll go into the dining room."

"Well at least get off your feet," Alan said.

Liz smiled. "That, I am willing to do."

She got comfortable and Jason sat on the ottoman in front of her.

Epiphany breezed into the room with much fanfare. "I know you said don't bring anything, but here is a six pack for Jason to go with his abs and some chocolate for you. There is a plant in my car." She kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and Jason got up and took the bag from her.

"Don't I get a hug?"

Jason slightly smiled and then embraced her. "Better?"

"Much."

"Flirt," Liz said.

Epiphany chuckled and leaned closer to whisper, "After seeing him without a shirt, there really is no turning back."

Liz laughed.

Emily approached them with a present in her hand. "Oh, this is so Lila," she said as she perused the room.

"Isn't it? I love it."

"This is just a little house warming gift. I'll just sit it over there in the corner."

"We have something for you too," Edward said.

"Really guys, you didn't have too."

"Nonsense," Edward said.

Claudia walked in and was introduced to those who didn't know her. "Did you make brownies?"

Half the room stopped talking and Liz busted out laughing. "Only if you've been good."

Claudia's face contorted, making her laugh harder. "I hope it's okay, I brought John."

Liz peaked around her. "Hey." She gave him a hug and he handed her some flowers.

"They are beautiful. Thank you so much."

Jason took them. "I'll put them in some water. "John, you want a beer?"

"I'd love one."

"Follow me."

Once that task was done, there was a loud thud from upstairs, so Jason handed John the beer and went to check on the kids.

When he entered Cam's room, Morgan is crying while Michael tries to sooth him.

"What happened?"

"I fell."

Jason picks up the six-year old sits on the bed as he checks his knee. Cam's lip puckers out.

"Cam, it's okay. It's not your fault," Michael says soothingly.

"It was an accident," Jason says.

Liz rushed into the room and Cam holds his arms out. "What happened, baby?"

"Morgan fell."

She kisses him and gives him a hug and then moves over to Morgan and checks out the scrape. "I think I can fix that. I'll be right back." She disappears into the bathroom and then comes back and Sonny watches her work her magic from the doorway.

"No…," Morgan whines when he sees the peroxide.

"It's okay. I promise it will be all better in a minute." She dabs the cotton ball and swipes as Morgan hisses and then she blows on it and he calms down. "See, all better." After affixing the bandaid she kisses it. "How's that?"

He wipes his face. "Better."

She kisses him on the forehead and then hugs him. "See, I told ya."

"Mommy gives the best hugs," Cam said.

Michael snorts as Liz sits next to Jason.

Her eyes narrowed making his widen. "Are you doubting my hugging abilities?"

Michael grinned.

"Come here."

He looked over at his dad who nodded. "Fine."

Liz pulls the nine-year-old onto her lap as he giggles and hugs him and then to his surprise, she lays a kiss on his cheek while he yelps and then yells, "Uncle."

Liz chuckled. "See, wasn't that the best."

"But, I have cooties now."

"The best cooties in the world."

Michael laughs and then slips off her lap.

"Alright boys, no more running okay. I don't want you to get hurt. We'll be eating soon."

"What's for dinner?" Morgan asked.

"Well, Grams made some chicken mcnuggets and fries."

Morgan smiled. "Yummy!"

"And Michael, you can either eat that or have roast beast and smashed potatoes."

He grinned. "Can I try both?"

"You can have anything you want, but I'm going to tell you, Grams makes the best smashed potatoes in the world."

Michael's eyes grew big. "Awesome! My dad can cook really good."

"I know and I plan on having him do some cooking in my kitchen really soon."

"Any time you want," Sonny said.

"Alright, I have go, but play nice."

"We will," they said.

Jason followed her and Sonny downstairs.

Audrey appeared with two trays of snacks. "This is to tide you over. It will be another ten minutes or so."

"Now, don't eat too much and ruin your appetites," Liz said.

Emily threw her arm around her friend. "I love this house. Lila did a great job."

"We hardly changed anything. She always had style."

Edward smiled at their musings.

Johnny walked in with some ice and put it in the freezer. Claudia slid behind him and they embraced.

"By the way, I'm staying at your place tonight," she said.

"Really?"

"I'm planning on being your dessert."

He grinned. They had come a long way and he really enjoyed spending time with her. "But I have plans."

She pinched him.

"Ow."

"You deserved that."

He watched her sashay away.

"And you call yourself a ladies man," Francis said.

"What? I like makeup sex."

Sonny rolled his eyes. "Haven't I taught you anything?"

Johnny choked on his beer. "No comment."

Jason chuckled. "John, the first thing you need to know is that Johnny is full of shit."

John laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

"They are just jealous because the ladies love me."

"Keep telling yourself that," Sonny said.

"Hey guys," Elizabeth said before placing a tray on the counter.

"Hello, Elizabeth," they said.

"I don't even know what you were talking about, but I don't think I want to know."

"It wasn't bad, they are trying to say that women don't like me," Johnny said.

She smirked. "Maybe it's your funny accent."

Francis cracked up.

"I thought you liked my accent." It was mild compared to when he had first moved to the states.

"It's a wee bit Lucky Charms, but eh, it will do."

Johnny's mouth dropped open as Elizabeth left the room with a big grin on her face.

"That's my Lizzie," Francis said.

"Are you going to cry? Should I get Claudia?" Jason asked.

"You guys suck," Johnny said before leaving the room to his girl.

The remaining guys chuckled.

"Maybe he went to find his gold," Francis said with a fake accent.

"I heard that," Johnny said loudly.

"Those leprechauns have super hearing," Sonny said as they laughed.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Robin sat across from a despondent Maxie. "I'm not sure what to say to you."

"Mac is mad at me."

"Do you understand why?"

"This is all Elizabeth's fault."

Robin glared at her. "No! This is all on you. I can't believe that after all that has happened, you are still harping on that. Just stop it, Maxie! We know what you did and there is no excuse for it!"

Maxie started to sob. "I'm sorry."

"I think you're just sorry you got caught. God! Maybe we babied you too much because of your heart. I can't believe you've turned into such a miserable person."

"Please… I can't take it. Mac already yelled and cursed at me."

"Do you get how much you have hurt him? He tried to be a good dad to you and look what you've done. You broke him."

Maxie swiped at her face. "I love Lucky. You just don't understand. I need him to love me."

"Why? Lucky is such an asshole. Why him?"

"He gets me."

"No he doesn't because you have to care for that. I think you latched onto him because you knew you couldn't have him. You were punishing yourself and took all your anger about Jessie and Georgie out on Elizabeth."

Her tears stopped and she grew silent for a moment. "Everyone leaves me—even Lucky."

"Lucky couldn't leave you because he was never with you. He was using you for drugs. Stop lying to yourself."

"I'm going to jail. Isn't that punishment enough?"

"Not if you're not truly sorry for hurting an innocent child, for helping to destroy a marriage and a woman who you set out to wreck that did nothing to you. She sacrificed so much for Lucky that she lost herself in the process. If you can't see that, than there is no hope for you."

"But I want to be a mom."

"That baby doesn't deserve what you have to offer. I'll take her."

"What?"

"I'm going to love that baby, because I believe that even though you and Lucky are beyond screwed up that with enough love, it will have a chance. I'm moving to Paris. If you ever get out, you can't see her. I will adopt her and you will do the unselfish thing for once and sign off willingly. If you have any love for her, you'll let her go because you have nothing that she needs." Robin wiped a tear away as Maxie cried. "Will you do it?"

"I don't have a choice."

"Actually, you can choose to do the right thing so something good can come out of this situation."

"Fine."

"Promise me that you'll eat and take your vitamins so you're giving the baby a fighting chance. Can you love it enough to do that?"

Maxie nodded. This is going to be the hardest thing she has ever done, but she will do it so that if she ever did get to see her child again, at least it will know that she loved him or her enough to do the right thing.

Robin stood. "I'll come visit you until the birth."

"Thank you."

Robin left without another word and then walked out the door straight into Mac's arms where she finally broke down while he tried to do his best to comfort her.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Everyone gathered at the table and there were lots of laughs and smiles. When they started to dig in, they fully concentrated on the yummy meal in front of them.

"This is so good," Liz moaned.

"Very good," Sonny said.

"Can you teach me how to make these potatoes?" Emily asked.

Liz's fork dropped onto the plate. "Emily Quartermaine! You know that recipe is coming to me in the will."

Emily laughed. "I was hoping I could convince her otherwise."

Audrey chuckled. "Did I actually say I was leaving it to you in my will?"

"Yes! I taped it so you would never forget."

"Smart girl," Edward said before taking another bite. "I might have to fire Cook III."

"It's Cook IV. You fired the one before at Thanksgiving because he accidentally set the table on fire when he tipped a candle and almost burned us alive," Tracy said bitterly.

Jason looked over to Monica to confirm since Tracy can be dramatic on a good day.

She nodded. "It's true. I think Tracy lost her eyebrows."

"I looked like a painted harlot for months."

Audrey lifted the bowl of mashed potatoes. "You get an extra dollop for that."

Liz grabbed it first. "I'm eating for two."

Alan chuckled.

Tracy eyed her and then took the bowl. "Give me those. They have a date with my hips."

It is rare that Epiphany saw the Q's outside of the hospital, so she is enjoying the show.

Claudia is ready to stab Johnny with her knife because he put his hand on her leg and his touch is driving her crazy.

Sonny wipes off Morgan's mouth and hands him a drink while Emily groans and sits back in her chair. "I'm stuffed."

"Did you remember to leave room for dessert?" Audrey asks.

Several people drop their forks making her laugh.

"We don't have to eat it now."

Johnny wiped his mouth and then took a sip of beer. "I'm ready."

Claudia chuckled. "You are ridiculous."

"I've heard about these brownies since before Cam existed. I'm getting me some."

Jason shook his head as Elizabeth grinned.

Audrey and Alfred got up and retrieved the trays while Jason and Nikolas cleared some space.

"I don't think anyone would believe that we'd be clearing tables together," Nikolas said.

"True."

"Elizabeth looks really happy."

Their gaze met. "I plan on keeping it that way."

"Good. She deserves some happiness and actually you do too."

"Thank you."

They sat and Sonny took a bite.

"These are even better than I remember."

Johnny groaned. "I'm moving in."

Michael chuckled. "They are really good. Can I have some to go?"

Liz laughed. "I have a secret stash. I'll sneak you some."

"You're awesome."

"Thank you."

"Awesome—awesome," Morgan said.

Cam was humming as he ate, making Jason chuckle.

"I wonder who he gets that from?" he said.

Emily grinned. "One guess."

"Jason," Claudia and Liz said together."

Everyone laughed.

A full Cam sighed and Jason stood. "You want to go watch a movie?"

He nodded.

Jason lifted him in his arms. "Come on Morgan and Michael."

The boys followed him to the bathroom and he got them cleaned up.

"Uncle Jason, how come you haven't visited much?" Michael asked curiously. "I know mom probably misses you."

"It's complicated."

Michael smirked. "You mean you and mom are fighting?"

Jason tried not to smile.

"Is mommy on a time out?" Morgan asked as he plopped down next to Cam.

They had put pillows on the floor and a blanket.

"Sometimes people drift apart."

He started the movie and the younger boys fixated on the television.

"Meaning you're not going to forgive her?" Michael knows how important Jason is to his mom and he is scared that he won't get to see his Uncle anymore. "Didn't she say she is sorry?"

Jason studied Michael for a moment while he tried to think how to explain it to him simply. "She did, but she made a big mistake and this time, it's harder to forgive."

Sonny listened from the doorway.

"I just need you to know that I love you and I'm not going to disappear. You can visit or have a sleep over here. Do you like Elizabeth?"

Michael smiled. "She's nice and makes good brownies."

Jason ruffled his hair.

"And you know what else?"

"What?" Jason asked.

"You smile a lot around her."

Jason scowled playfully. "We can't have that."

Michael grabbed his cheeks, trying to make him smile. "Mom says smiles are good."

"They are, but I have a reputation. Do you know what that means?"

"That means people won't be scared of you if you smile?" He is old enough to understand that his uncle can be intimidating to people who don't know him.

Jason chuckled. "Exactly. So don't tell anyone that I smile okay?"

Michael laughed. "You're just teasing me." He jumped on him and then Morgan crawled over to them and dove on too. So of course, Cam had to get in on the action and sat on Jason's legs.

Sonny laughed and then grabbed Morgan as Jason yelled for help.

"Daddy!" Morgan screamed as Sonny tickled him.

Liz and Emily chuckled from the doorway as they watched the men wrestling with the little boys.

"Mommy help!"

Liz pointed to her belly and Emily stepped around her.

"I've got your back, Cam!"

Emily tried to grab Jason's arms and he easily flipped her onto her back and pinned her down with one arm and Cam with the other as his sister cracked up.

"What the heck is your arm made out of?"

"You need to go to the gym."

"Are you saying I'm fat?"

Jason pretended he is thinking and Emily's mouth dropped open.

"Jason Morgan! You unhand your sister and son right now," Monica said.

Michael laughed. "Oooh, you're in trouble."

Morgan followed his brother's lead.

"You're on a time out!" Cam said.

"Yeah! What he said." Emily said.