A/N – Thanks for the comments! I appreciate it and glad you like the lightness. Will be posting tomorrow so keep an eye out. This fic has 40 chapters btw.

The site is having issues. This was posted on 5/8/17 and I posted on Thursday and Friday, May 4th and 5th as well.

Chapter 31

Monica tried to keep her stern expression, but the looks on the boy's faces were priceless.

"Put him on a time out!" Morgan said.

"I think that is a great idea," Johnny replied from the hallway.

"You would."

"Come on daddy. You have to sit in the time out chair.

Jason looked at Elizabeth. "You put my son in a time out chair?"

Liz's head tilted. "When he doesn't listen, I do."

"Where is it?"

Cam pointed to the corner.

"Buddy, I don't think I'll fit in that," he said eying the tiny chair.

Emily snorted. "You can try."

Jason crawled over there and sat in front of it.

"No, you have to face the wall," Morgan explained.

Sonny can't believe Jason is playing along. "Johnny, we might need a cleanup crew."

Jason started to talk, but is shushed.

"You can't talk for three minutes," Michael said.

"This is Jason. Maybe we should make him talk for three minutes," Johnny said.

Liz chuckled.

Cam sat in Emily's lap. "You okay?"

"I don't know. His arm did weigh a lot."

He giggled. "Yeah. Mommy, check her for cussion."

Liz grinned. "Okay." She got on the floor and basically messed up Emily's hair.

"Hey!"

"She has a cussion alright. What should we do Cam?"

He rubbed his chin like Alfred does sometimes when he thinks. "Um, owie medicine and a band-aid."

"They don't make band-aids that big," Jason said as he turned around and the boys screamed when he jumped up and started to chase them.

Johnny helped Liz stand and then Emily, but Jason got to her before she could escape and picked her up.

"I think her cussion needs some water on it."

"You wouldn't dare."

He smirked. "Try me."

Michael's eyes grew big as he watched Jason leave the room.

They ran downstairs right as Edward opened the front door to Mac standing there.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak to Jason."

"We're having a family dinner," Emily said.

"It won't take long. He's not in trouble."

Jason held her gaze as he put her down. "You should thank him."

She licked her tongue out and hid behind her dad.

Jason stepped out onto the porch. "What's going on?"

"I arrested Maxie."

"I see."

"I want to apologize to you and Elizabeth. I did the best I could raising her and I don't know…" Mac rubbed his neck. "She's just so messed up and Cam almost got hurt because of it."

Jason understood that it took a lot for Mac to say what he just did. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's not your fault. Maxie knew what she was doing and allowed herself to be manipulated."

"She can't see that she is wrong and it's beyond disturbing. She's lost and needs to pay for what she did."

Elizabeth had crept up behind them. "Mac."

He turned and then slightly smiled when he saw her belly. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, but I'm sorry that you are hurting. I don't understand where Maxie's head was at, but I do know that I allowed myself to enable Lucky for years. I also know what it's like for your parents to abandon you. It screws up your head. I'm not making excuses, because I agree, she needs to be punished and I just hope a good family adopts the baby. You did your best with her, but she wanted her parents and they are who failed her."

Tears welled in his eyes and Liz pulled him into a hug and rubbed his back.

Jason wasn't sure what to do. Mac is kind of his nemesis since he's a cop, so he squeezed his shoulder on the way back in the house.

"Wait," Mac said before trying to suck in his emotions.

Jason pulled Liz into his side.

"She mentioned that you were there before Luke was taken away and this is me warning you that she could bring it up in court. Of course, I don't think most people will believe her, but it could put some doubt in the juror's minds. I don't care about what happened to Luke. He sold his soul and the minute he touched Cameron, he was a dead man. Just watch your back. We don't know where Lucky is because he lost our tail, but if you're going after him, cover your tracks." He walked down the steps, leaving them both in a state of shock.

After his car was out of sight, they turned towards each other.

"I can't believe he said all of that."

"Sometimes, people go too far. Luke and Lucky allowed his daughter to take part in a dangerous situation and I think he partially blames them."

"I do too. Maxie is stuck on stupid. I don't feel guilty that she's going to jail at all. Who knows, maybe she'll grow up in there."

Jason hugged her. "I don't care about her. With all of them gone, Cam will be safe and that's all that matters."

Edward opened the door. "Is everything okay?"

Jason nodded.

"We are going to leave soon and would like you to come inside for a moment to open presents."

Liz smiled. "Okay."

They followed him into the living room and Liz and Jason sat in the center of the room while they were handed various presents. Audrey had given them some accessories for their kitchen. Then, they received a lovely picture of Lila and Jason after the accident.

"That will look nice over the mantle."

He scratched his head and Alan chuckled due to his son's discomfort.

Liz smiled. "We'll negotiate later."

"Why do I feel like I've already lost?"

"Get used to it," Tracy said. "This one is from me."

Jason took the package and then held it to his ear.

"I'm not going to blow you up—at least not here in front of witnesses."

He rolled his eyes and opened it and took out a very nice frame.

"You can take a family picture once the baby is born and put it over the mantle instead."

"Thank you."

To her surprise, he got up and gave her a hug which she cherished.

"Next!" Emily yelled. "This is from us."

Nikolas smiled. "I was going to wrap up a cherub or gargoyle for the outside of the house, but Emily wouldn't let me."

Liz laughed. "Yeah, that would have gone over well."

She pulled out a plaque and laughed harder and then showed Jason who smiled.

"Villa Nowhere?" Alfred asked.

"One day I asked Elizabeth if she wanted to take a ride on my bike and she asked me where—"

"—and he replied, "Nowhere." It was our place to go hide, think, and just be."

Audrey wiped a tear away as Elizabeth hugged Nikolas and then Emily.

"You guys give the best gifts!"

Claudia handed her a package. "They are hard to follow. This is from me and John."

Liz opened the envelope and then glared at her friend.

"Before you get all upset, you are going to be really busy and this house is big. They don't have to clean everything, but at least let them scrub the kitchen floors and do the bathrooms. We arranged for the people who do my house do yours so you know you can trust them. They've been with the family for years."

Jason is happy because he doesn't want Elizabeth to get overwhelmed, but he can tell that she is struggling with it. "Just like you want to be here for me, Claudia is trying to be there for you. Like she said, they don't have to do everything unless you like cleaning toilets."

Liz sighed. "Fine." She got up and hugged Claudia. "Thank you for having my back."

"Always."

Jason gave her a hug. "You're growing on me."

She laughed. "I knew it was just a matter of time."

He returned to his seat and Edward stood.

"I don't know if you have noticed, but I'm getting older."

Alan chuckled.

"Getting?" Tracy said.

Edward ignored her and continued. "Lila gave you this beautiful house and I wanted to do something for you as well to remember me by besides all the bad. Your father and mother pitched in and well—here."

Jason took the large envelope from him.

"Please don't be upset. I never got rid of your trust and you would never take it from me. I know you can take care of yourself, but just humor an old man for once."

Jason glanced at Elizabeth and she was surprised to see a little fear in his eyes.

Carefully he opened it and then pulled out a stack of large photos.

"Oh my God!" Liz said as Jason flipped through them. "You didn't!"

Mixed emotions overwhelmed Jason as Liz pointed some things out. He and Edward didn't have the best relationship over the years. He refused to have anything to do with him until recently and never wanted any money from him. The fact that he took the trust money and bought them something so huge just left him speechless.

"What is it?" Epiphany asked.

Liz wiped a tear away. "It's a Villa in Italy. Jason has always wanted to take me there and we just never got the chance."

"It has beautiful light for your art," Monica explained.

"It has a pool for the kids that gated and it's located on a hill, so there isn't anyone too close," Alan said, knowing how important security is to his son.

"And you're right on the lake with your own docks for jet skis and boats," Monica added.

"The view of the mountains is going to be phenomenal," Liz said softly.

"There are plenty of places outside that you can paint and there is an art room," Edward said proudly as he watched Elizabeth grin. "The kids will have a play room and there is plenty of extra rooms for friends, family, and more kids."

It is breathtaking and not overly garish. Even though it had a hint of sophistication, it had a comfortable vibe as well.

Jason handed Elizabeth the photos and stood as his eyes locked on his grandfather who stared back. After a long moment, Jason moved forward.

"We don't always see eye to eye, and in the past, I probably wouldn't have accepted this gift, but I can tell how happy Elizabeth is and for once, you managed to do something right."

Tracy wiped a tear away when she saw her father break down.

Jason hugged him. "Thank you."

Edward gripped him. "I love you, Jason. You don't have to say it back, but you are family and now, so are Cam, Elizabeth, and this baby. I want to be a part of your life for as much as you'll allow."

Jason nodded. "I'm willing to try."

Emily ran up to them and gave Jason a kiss on the cheek and then hugged her grandfather. "That plaque is for the Villa. Maybe we can get you one for here that says Casa Nowhere."

Liz laughed and then warmly embraced Edward.

Jason hugged his mom. "Thank you. This means so much."

"We furnished it a little, just so you had beds and a comfortable living room set. We didn't want to be pushy."

"I'm sure it will be fine," he said before kissing her forehead.

Jason hugged his dad. "Thanks!"

Sonny, Francis, and Johnny stepped forward. "One more gift."

Jason turned around. "Really?"

"It's for the Villa."

Jason smiled and took the envelope from Sonny's hand.

"It was my idea," Johnny said making Francis and Sonny roll their eyes.

Jason opened up the envelope and his eyes grew wide. "Wow! This is fantastic." He couldn't make out all the details, but he knew that body style anywhere.

"What is it?" Liz asked.

"A Harley."

Liz grinned. "It's beautiful. I can't wait to ride on it."

"Look at the second picture," Francis said.

Jason moved it aside and Liz squealed and did a funny happy dance, making everyone laugh as he groaned.

"I got my bike!"

Emily laughed, knowing Jason was dreading it.

Liz put her hands on her hips. "Why do you look so miserable?"

He sighed. "Because I like it when you're on the back of my bike."

Epiphany grinned. Jason looked too cute with a semi-pout.

Liz bit her lip. "We'll split time. I can't wait to steer." She gave Sonny a big hug and then Francis and Johnny.

Jason shook hands with them and thanked them.

"I want a motorcycle," Cam said with a pout.

Jason knelt in front of him. "Well, I guess you're going to have make a birthday list since it will be here soon."

His eyes grew big and then he turned to Michael and pulled him towards the stairs. "Help me."

Michael chuckled. "Okay Cam, I'll write it for you."

They kids went back upstairs.

"Sonny, why don't you let the boys stay tonight? I'll bring them to the house in the morning. They are having fun," Jason asked.

Sonny rubbed his chin. "Are you sure?"

Liz moved forward. "They'll be fine and we'd love to have them."

"Let me go talk to them."

He left and Liz and Jason kissed.

"Are you happy baby?"

"More than you'll ever know. We are going to Italy after this baby is born."

"Definitely and you have some decorating to do."

She grinned and was kissed again.

"Well, it's time for us to go," Monica said before hugging them. "Thank you so much for inviting us."

"You are always welcome here."

"Does that go for me too?" Edward asked.

Liz kissed him on the cheek. "Edward, without you, I wouldn't have gotten the best gift ever."

"You really like the house?"

"I do, but I didn't mean that. Without you, I wouldn't have Jason."

In that moment, Jason felt so loved.

Epiphany gave her girl a hug. "I'm going to take off too. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks! I'll let you know when I'm coming back to work."

"Take your time and enjoy your family."

"I will."

One by one their friends left until Audrey and Alfred were left.

Audrey pulled Elizabeth to the side. "The more I see you two together and hear about the past, the more I realize just how much you mean to each other. I always thought Jason was some hardened criminal, but now…" She grabbed Elizabeth's hand. "The way he looks at you and Cam and seeing his vulnerability, I get why you love him. He clearly is devoted to you and I'm so happy that you are finally unconditionally loved by a man because you deserve it."

Liz's bottom lip quivered and she embraced her grandmother as she cried. It meant everything that Audrey understood their relationship and can see the good in Jason. "Thank you."

Alfred handed them a box of tissues and they chuckled.

"Audrey, I want to thank you. I'm not used to all of this, but I like it. For a long time, I limited the people I had around me and that did a lot of damage. It's nice having people care about me that I didn't think ever would."

Audrey approached him and touched his arm and then his heart. "You are a good man with a big heart. Life can make us hard, but proper love can heal old wounds. I didn't realize how similar you and Elizabeth are as far as your insecurities and painful experiences. The fact that either one of you can let that go and find love with one another is a miracle. I'm sorry that I didn't see or get you before."

"I hid things well and my job—"

"—doesn't define you. I truly hope you know that your heart is safe around me. I'm not Lila, but if you need to talk or vent, I'm here for you too."

"Thank you. I think your pretty amazing."

Audrey smiled. "You just like my cooking."

"I can't deny that, but it's more than that."

Surprising her, he gave her a warm hug. "Thank you for believing in us."

"You are very welcome."

Jason looked over at Alfred. "Do I need to do a background check on you?"

Alfred laughed. "You could try."

Elizabeth's head tilted as her imagination went wild and she wondered if Alfred is really his first name. Super spies usually change them. Jason chuckled when he saw her expression, realizing that Alfred had probably just stoked her curiosity to an impossible level.