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Chapter 22

"We are in Milan!" Liz said smiling wide as she looked out the window of their rental. "I almost can't believe it."

"What would you like to do first?" Jason asked his awestruck wife.

"I made a list." She said looking at him before looking out the window again. "The Duomo!" She pointed out the clear glass.

Jason just laughed, and so did the guys up front. "You want to do that first?" He knew that wasn't an answer to his question.

"Okay. We can see the Last Supper." Elizabeth would have no problem with starting their adventure there. "Can you get us tickets for today?" She knew that it was a must see stop in the city, and figured it would be crowded.

"Getting tickets will not be a problem." He assured her. Jason wasn't sure that his wife realized just how much pull he had in this region of the country. "That won't take all day so what else would you like to do? We can make this an entire day devoted to art if you like."

"I would love that." Liz said leaning back in the seat. Art was a passion of hers and she loved visiting the museums back home, or taking classes. Pottery was something she really enjoyed. "Where are we staying?"

"We have a penthouse apartment in the city." Jason let her know. The building was owned by a friend of his, so he knew they would be safe. "We will all be staying there, but it is large enough that we will have plenty of privacy." It would be similar to the arrangement on the island.

"I can't wait to see it. Is this where you normally stay when you come to Italy?" Elizabeth was looking forward to having her own very sexy tour guide.

"Normally I would stay in a hotel, like we did in Palermo. I have however on occasion stayed where I am taking you now. " Jason explained looking out the front window of the car to see where they were. In less than ten minutes they should be pulling up to their accommodations. "I want more privacy now that I have you."

"Will you be looking into purchasing a villa here?" Elizabeth wanted to know. She was surprised that he hadn't already.

"I have been considering it. Now that I have you I think I will wait to see what you think of the city first. We will be exploring Italy for the next few years, and you may wish to purchase something somewhere else." Jason told her his thinking on the matter before she looked out the window again. With a plane at their disposal if they put down roots in another region they could still visit Milan. "We are here." He said as they pulled into the private parking area behind the building.

She was excited to see their temporary home and let him lead her into the building. They took the stairs up to the penthouse suite and she smiled when they walked inside. "It is more modern than I was expecting." White walls, hardwood floors, and the kitchen dominated by stainless steel greeted them. "But I love how airy and open it feels." From the door she could see all of the main living space, as well as the enormous terrace.

"Want to go outside?" Jason saw where she was looking.

"Yes please." Elizabeth let him lead her over and stepped out into the warm afternoon. "That view is stunning." Milan was spread out below her. They were above the tree tops and the city beckoned. In the background the Duomo dominated the skyline. "I can't wait to see this at night."

"We can have dinner out here." Jason let her know.

"Breakfast too." She said smiling. "I figure for lunch most days we will be out in the city."

"That is a safe bet. Come on, we need to unpack and I need to call about getting us tickets to see a certain painting." Jason was looking forward to playing tourist with her.

"I will at some point need to get a dress. Margareta gave me the name of a boutique, so I will have to block off a few hours to shop." Elizabeth was less than thrilled about that. Buying clothes was not why she came to Milan.

"Or you could call the boutique and ask them to send over a selection of gowns. Pick the one you like, and send the rest back. Then all you would have to do is go in for a fitting." The last name Morgan would make that happen.

"Really?" Elizabeth liked the sound of that. "After I unpack, while you are calling about tickets, I will check in with the boutique."

"That's a good plan." Jason said linking their fingers and ushering her back into their apartment.

They were standing in the rectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie looking at what was considered one of the greatest artistic pieces in the world. A canvas that was priceless and the work of a genius. "How do you say it in Italian?" Elizabeth asked softly. It seemed wrong to speak louder.

"Il Cenacolo or L'Utima Cena." Jason said in that same tone. "Either one is acceptable." During his multiple trips to Milan, he hadn't ever stopped to view this painting. There was no point since he couldn't see it. Elizabeth had spent the first five minutes of the visit explaining in detail the image in front of them.

"I know this is just a representation of the original, but I still am in awe." Elizabeth said smiling. The painting that Leonardo di Vinci created had started to deteriorate almost immediately after he finished. The humidity of the area kept the paint from properly adhering to the thin wall it was placed on. Not even sixty years after the finish date it was considered to be ruined. Over the centuries there had been numerous restorations and of course with each one minor changes occurred. Everything thing from the positions of the bodies to the color choices now came under criticism. Liz didn't care, the painting was still something she wanted to come see.

The guard nodded indicating their visit was over. You were required to book in advance of a visit, and normally visitors could gaze upon the painting for fifteen minutes. Jason's connections not only got them tickets, but as the last group of the day they got to stay for thirty minutes. "Did you enjoy that?"

"I did. Thank you." Elizabeth said smiling. They had spent the earlier part of the day at The Pinacoteca di Brera viewing one of the largest collections of Renaissance art in the country. Then they had lunch before visiting Museo Poldi Pezzoli where they got to view various works by Botticelli before heading over to see The Last Supper.

"Now it's back to the penthouse where you can pick a gown for the opera." Jason said grinning. He knew she was going to be stunning.

"I'm only going because the sight of you in a tuxedo is too good to pass up." She said as she got in the backseat of the car.

"I do look good." Jason said before laughing at the face she made. "It's not my fault I'm hot. I was voted one of Port Charles's most eligible bachelors." He reminded her. Up front Cody snorted. Jason just grinned. His friends had given him grief for months after that article came out.

"Hearts across the city must have broken when we got married." Elizabeth deadpanned.

"I imagine so." Jason said on a heavy sigh. "Now they have to find someone to replace me. Really big shoes to fill." He said smiling wide.

"I'll send them a picture of Johnny, with his shirt off." Liz said smiling wide too. "That should do it." When Jason's head snapped around she burst out laughing. "Don't mess with the master Morgan. I'm the youngest child in my family believe me I know just what buttons to push for the maximum effect. You can ask Steven when we get back home. I was a terror growing up." She said proudly.

"Johnny isn't even in my league." Jason said narrowing his eyes. He loved it when she got all spunky.

"Someone's ego is working today." Liz said laughing. Not many people saw this side of Jason. He had a wicked sense of humor, and a really sharp wit. That they could banter like this was just another side of their relationship.

He gave her a wink, as they pulled into the courtyard.

"Take a walk. I don't want you to see my dress until the night of the gala. Milo and Cody can keep watch." Liz knew being alone with whoever the boutique sent over wasn't going to happen.

"Would you like me to pick up items for supper?" Jason would be happy to cook for the group tonight.

"Okay. Surprise me." She knew whatever he made would be delicious. Sonny had taught him to cook, Jason just rarely did so because he ate a good many of his meals alone or at the warehouse.

"Behave." He said giving her a kiss before walking off.

"Not gonna happen." She called after him. "Come on guys, I have to get a dress." She almost asked Milo if he would give her his opinion but she didn't think he wanted to the guys to know he helped her on the island. He did have a reputation to uphold.

"That's a lot of dresses." Liz said as the boutique representative wheeled in the rack. There had to be a dozen dresses to pick from.

"We don't have much left." The woman said in rapid Italian.

Milo translated and then looked at Liz. "That means what's left is either too bizarre for anyone to consider wearing, or boring by Milan fashion week standards." He knew how this worked.

"Great." Liz said almost afraid to unzip the garment bags. "Here goes nothing." She said pulling the first tab, to reveal an orange and green floral nightmare.

"No." Milo said looking over her shoulder and shaking his head. "That's hideous."

Liz just grinned at him. "The guys are going to tease you."

"Who do you think they come to for advice about how to dress?" Milo said grinning. "It took me years to get Max to understand you don't wear brown shoes with a blue suit. My mother was crying when she called to thank me."

Liz was laughing as she moved onto the next dress. "Okay then." She unzipped the bag and her eyes bugged out wide. "Um."

"Jason will shoot someone if you pick that." Milo warned, knowing she wouldn't.

"It's sheer. The whole thing is sheer." Liz said looking at what was essentially a floor length negligee. "Would some actually pick this?"

"Every year someone arrives in something like this. Generally an actress who is prettier than she is talented." Milo answered shrugging one shoulder.

"I know that the human body is not that big of a deal over here, but really leave something to the imagination." Liz said still looking at the gown.

The seamstress spoke in another string of Italian.

Milo was grinning when he translated. "She said that you can't wear anything under the dress. It will disrupt the line."

Liz just zipped the bag closed and moved on.

Five dresses in she found her gown. After bag number four which was a feathered creation that Alexander McQueen would have rejected Liz told herself to pick the first gown she came to that was even remotely normal. She was willing to settle, but ended up not having to. "I like this."

The seamstress spoke up once more.

"She said that dress is very boring for the event. You won't make the papers." Milo translated. That wasn't true, Liz would make the papers because she was the guest of his parents. Not that her objective of the night was to be photographed. And she was going to look fantastic in the pictures. The dress was perfect for her.

"Will I embarrass your parents if I pick this?" Elizabeth wanted to know. She knew Jason wouldn't care what she wore, but she did not wish to reflect badly on her hosts.

"Not in the least. My mother is wearing solid blue." Milo let her know. "In fact my mother is known for choosing classic lines for this event. She doesn't do extreme fashion."

"Then I will take this one." Liz decided and Milo translated.

"You need to try it on so she can pin it for alterations." Milo let Elizabeth know.

That didn't take long at all, and one hour after starting the seamstress was on her way. Just as Jason walked in. "I guess my timing is good."

"You're timing is the best." Liz said greeting him with a kiss before following him into the kitchen. "I picked a dress, and I think you will like it."

"The only thing that matters is that you like it." Jason said unpacking his groceries. Cody joined them to help his boss cook.

"Would you like a hint about what I picked?" Elizabeth asked opening cabinets to find plates. She would set the table, and someone from the crew would probably help. Clean up would be handled by whoever didn't help with prep.

"I would rather you surprise me." Jason knew she was going to be beautiful. "My tux will arrive tomorrow. Do you need to shop for accessories?"

"Yes." Milo answered before Liz could. "Shoes."

"Not jewelry though. I will call and have some pieces sent over." Jason let her know. They could borrow anything Liz would need for the evening. "You can pick whatever you like that will work with the dress."

"How sparkly do I need to be?" Liz wanted to know. This was formal on a whole different level than she had done before.

"As little or as much as you want." Jason said smiling.

"Has Diane come to this event?" Liz asked her husband, she should call and check on her friend. "Because it seems like it would be her cup of tea."

"Diane usually comes." Jason said chopping vegetables. "This year she isn't here because we are."

"Actually she isn't here because Patrick wouldn't clear her for a flight that long. Diane is still technically in recovery. That isn't the time to travel." Liz let him know. "I will set the table."

"Dinner in twenty minutes!" Jason yelled so everyone would know. They were keeping it simple tonight. Fresh pasta with fresh vegetables in a garlic white wine sauce. Chocolate mousse cake for dessert. The perfect meal for the first night in Milan.

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