A/N – Thanks for the comments! Baby came this morning, everyone is healthy i got about 2 hrs of sleep. Glad you appreciated the emotion of the last chapter. Happier times ahead! guest I posted on 5/16 make sure u didn't miss it!

Chapter 39

Once Leya left with Cam, they ventured downstairs and lounged on the couch as Liz flipped through television channels.

Right before someone knocks, Jason ran upstairs to get Jake who is fussing. Elizabeth opened the door, surprised to see a very pregnant Carly and Jax.

"Hi," Jax said. "Sorry for barging in, but I didn't think you'd let us visit if we didn't."

Carly took a breath. "I can go wait in the car, I just wanted to give you this and say congratulations. I know I'm supposed to stay away and I will. It's just—it's a peace offering."

Jason could hear her and wasn't sure what to think. Carly glanced up and saw the baby in his arms. "He's beautiful."

Liz took the basket of baby things from her and watched as she waddled back towards the car. "Thank you."

"Look, I know she screwed up royally, and she's not asking for anything. There are going to be times when we'll have to be around each other for the boys and I just wanted to clear the way for that. She won't go out of her way to talk to you or anything, but the boys will sense the tension."

Jason sighed. "You're right."

Liz put the basket down. "Do you mind if I go speak with her?"

Jax shook his head and Jason motioned for him to follow him so he could put the baby down. "I like your house."

"Thanks."

"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person and that goes both ways, but we both love the boys. Carly is actually going through therapy and is doing well. She has changed a lot and—"

"Jax, what she did can't be forgotten."

"She knows that and understands. Every time she sees your family, it's a reminder of how much she screwed up and maybe she deserves that to a degree, but people change. Even you have changed and I know Elizabeth had a lot to do with that."

"I don't know if I can forgive her."

"That's what love is all about. I know that you and Elizabeth had to forgive each other for things. You forgave Edward and the Quartermaines. I'm not asking you to become best friends with her again. I'm just asking that you be open to being cordial eventually."

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Carly's eyes widened as Liz slipped into the car.

"You can't force him to forgive you."

"I know. I just—next week Sonny is having a party for the boys and I'm going to be there. It's the first time we'll be in the same place and I didn't want it to be totally awkward, so I thought I'd drop a gift off and show that I'm trying to be a better person. I'm going to therapy and I'm so happy with Jax. I'm over my obsession and the baby—I need to be a good mother to my kids."

Liz could see the sincerity. "You know, I always thought that somehow Jason would forgive you, so the fact that he hasn't continues to surprise me."

"I went too far."

"Yes, you did. I'm glad that you are doing better and aren't a threat to us, but I don't know if it will ever be the same again between you and Jason even if he does let it go. And by the way, I told him that if he wanted to be friends with you again that I wouldn't stop him as long as you respected me."

Carly brushed a tear away. "Hormones. I didn't do anything to deserve you saying that. I just don't know how to be around him and not cry. It's so hard because I know I hurt him so badly, but we're all going to be with the boys from time to time."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, I can be civil. We got Cam back and you did try to make that happen in the end. I can forgive you, Carly, but forgetting it would be impossible. I'll also support Jason and have his back. If he decides that he wants you in his life again, then we'll talk again and figure out a way to make it work."

"Thank you, but I don't think that will happen. I will try to stay out of your way next weekend and not make it harder than it needs to be."

Liz looked at her stomach. "The baby is fine?"

"Yes. We're doing really well."

"Good."

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Jason took Liz's place. "Thanks for the gift. I'll try not to glare at you next weekend, but I'm not ready to talk to you."

"That's fine. Just go back in there and enjoy your family."

She gasped as the baby kicked her in the ribs.

"You okay?"

She nodded. "Her feet are up here and I think she's going to play soccer when she gets bigger."

Not even thinking, he touched her stomach and the baby kicked and their gaze connected as he pulled back his hand.

"Thank you for being there for the boys. They love coming here and they needed to be around you."

"I love them."

"And they love you. Take care of yourself."

He got out of the car and passed Jax and went back into the house and headed straight upstairs. God, he hated her for ruining everything the way she did and hated himself for still caring.

Elizabeth touched his back and tried to sooth him. "Talk to me, baby."

"It's just—I felt the baby kick and it just hurt. I won't ever be around her. I loved Carly through all the dysfunction and hurt we caused each other and I hate myself for caring."

"Love doesn't just go away, even though you think you can flip a switch. Do you want Carly back in your life?"

"I don't know. I don't think I'm ready to go there."

"Then don't. Next weekend, you just be yourself. Play with the kids and don't worry about her. Actions have consequences and she knows that. If you stand around looking all twisty and hurt, then the boys will suffer for it."

"You're right. I'll try. Are you going to be okay with it?"

"Carly and I have an understanding. She's showing me respect, so I'm good."

Jason embraced her. "I love you."

"I love you too. Can we go to the villa soon?"

"Yes."

The party ended up being okay. Carly kept her distance, and they were cordial when they had to face each other. A few months later, they headed to Italy and stayed for two months. Elizabeth made it their home away from home and even Edward, Monica, Audrey, Alfred, and Alan joined them for a few weeks. It was heaven and Elizabeth painted for hours as she took in their beautiful view. It was just what the family needed to relax. Jason took Elizabeth out on his new bike and they were gone for hours. A few days before it was time to fly back, she got to drive her bike and had a blast. Jason was so nervous, but she did a great job.

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Two Years Later

Jake held up his arms when he saw his mother lying in the hospital bed.

Elizabeth smiled. "Hey, baby."

Cam ran to her side and tried to take a peek.

"Isn't she beautiful?"

Cam smiled. "For a girl…"

"Cameron Morgan!"

He laughed and she couldn't help it and joined him.

Jake tried to wiggle out of Jason's arms.

"Remember, be careful with the baby."

Jason stared into eyes exactly like his own as he waited for Jake to respond. After a long moment, he seemed to give in and nod. His father gently placed him next to his mother and Jake climbed higher so he could kiss her.

"Thank you, Jake. This is your sister, Jaelyn." They had used initials from Jason, Elizabeth, Audrey, and Lila.

He gently touched her fingers. "Little, mommy." Jake sized up his competition, not sure what to think.

Jason watched a knocked up Claudia waddle towards him and smirked.

She rolled her eyes. "Baby maker is out in the hallway with Emily."

He chuckled. When Claudia had found out she was pregnant, she had punched Johnny in the eye and didn't speak to him for two weeks. His friend was miserable and had slept at their house. Finally, Liz had talked her down off the ledge and she admitted she was happy, but hated that they weren't married. So, they fixed that with a small ceremony at Queen of Angels church and now she is Mrs. Johnny O'Brien. There had been a brief fight about her changing her last name, but Johnny had put his foot down and Claudia had agreed to it.

She smiled at the baby. "She's beautiful."

"We are wondering if you'd be the godmother?"

Claudia grinned. She is having a boy, so she is excited to dote over a little girl. "I would love it."

"Johnny will be the godfather."

Sonny and Emily are Jake's godparents.

"I'm sure that he'll like that."

Emily had a little girl six months prior named Anya who already loved her Uncle Jason.

John is engaged to Leya's niece, Marissa and Carly and Jax married right after Josslyn's birth.

Things were going better between Jason and Carly. While they weren't friends, they were able to chit chat when their paths crossed which gave them some closure.

Unbeknownst to her, Sonny had bought a ring for Leya. The business was now totally legit and things were going well. After a year, there were some problems once the families were notified, but they managed to put out fires and rid themselves of their enemies. Now, it is quiet and the business is flourishing.

Jason couldn't believe how perfect Jaelyn is and couldn't wait to bring her home.

Emily watched the family from the doorway with tears in her eyes. They had been through so much and now, everything is perfect.

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A seven-year-old Jaelyn pouted as her father watched.

"We're going to be late. Please put on the outfit your mom left."

She crossed her arms and began to cry.

God he hated when she cried. "Please don't—Jaelyn your mother is going to be really mad if we're not at that field in ten minutes. Now put on your pants and shirt."

She cried louder and Jason counted to ten in his head. They were at a standoff and he already knew what that meant, she is going to win.

"Put on the dress, but you're not getting ice cream after dinner and no movie tonight."

She pouted, but jumped up and ran into the bathroom. Two minutes later she emerged in a dress with a tulle skirt, her favorite, and then ran to the closet and slipped into some flip flops and grabbed a small purse.

This child is going to be the end of him. "Let's go."

They got in the car and Jaelyn stared at her handsome father. "Don't be mad, daddy."

"I am mad because you didn't listen and cried to get your way. This has to stop Jaelyn. If you won't listen to me, then you're going to have to be punished. I know you want to take swimming lessons with your friends. If you can't behave, then no lessons." God, her pout is killing him.

She sighed, knowing she had pushed him too far. "Sorry daddy."

He didn't reply. Elizabeth is going to have his head.

Lucky for him, someone was leaving and he quickly parked the car and they ran towards the stands. It is Cam's first soccer game of the season.

Liz watched them with a scowl. "He is a dead man."

Claudia, Leya, and Monica snickered.

"I mean seriously. Why can't he say no to her?"

"You know how she is," Johnny said.

"I do. He should have just put on the clothes I laid out for her. I swear this child is karma."

"Lizzie has been reborn," Emily said.

Liz eyed her daughter who gave her a huge smile.

"Hi, Mommy."

"Why aren't you wearing what I left on your bed?"

"Because I didn't want to wear them."

"And I don't remember asking you."

Johnny bit his lip.

Jaelyn sighed. "I'm sorry Mommy. Daddy already punished me."

"What this time?"

"No movie and ice cream tonight and if I don't start listening, no swimming lessons."

Her eyes snapped to Jason, surprised he had finally taken a hard line. She almost smirked at the miserable look on his face. He was the worst disciplinarian ever. "You're holding her in your lap when the bench gets too hot to sit on."

He nodded and then tried to find Cam on the field.

Jake ran up to them and Nikolas volunteered to walk with him to get a program.

Cam did really well as everyone cheered him on except Audrey and Alfred who are on a cruise. At half-time, most had gotten up to get snacks, so Liz and Jason were left alone.

"Are you mad at me?"

"A little, Jason you have to stop giving in to her."

"I know. We were running late or else I wouldn't have."

They watched her spin around and do a dance as people in the stands clapped and cheered her on.

She rolled her eyes. "She has them all fooled."

Jason chuckled. His daughter is one of a kind. Day dreams filled her days and she had to be one of the most creative children he had ever seen. And even though she had him wrapped, she always looked out for everyone. Even at school, she defended Jake and adored her brother Cam. If it weren't for her evil Lizzie side, she'd be perfect.

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One week later

"Daddy, drink your tea."

Jason sighed. Thank God he was out of the business because if anyone saw him right now, he'd be laughed out of town.

He pushed one of the many tea bags on his hat aside and pretended to sip from the tiny cup. Yeah, someone had gotten their revenge on him by making him have a girl.

Johnny secretly snapped a picture of his friend and tried not to laugh aloud. This is priceless. The little girl had him wrapped around her finger so tight, it was almost pathetic, but he totally understood, because he would do just about anything for her too. It was like getting taken in by Elizabeth all over again.

"Is it good?"

"Very?" he said softly. His knees were starting to hurt from this position. Damn, he hated getting older.

An ear piercing scream filtered through the house and then a crash.

Johnny ran to their bedroom and threw the door open. He could see Elizabeth passed out on the floor and ran to her and tried to get her to wake up.

Jason and Jaelyn followed and the little girl was practically inconsolable as they tried to wake up her mom.

Her eyes finally fluttered open and when Jason came into focus her eyes darkened and she pushed him away. Stunned, he grabbed Jaelyn and took a few steps back.