A/N – Thanks for the comments! chicki'62 – Well I guess if Sam can't change than neither can Liz or Jason. What in this fic or on the show has it been shown that Sam hasn't changed? I know you don't want her to and don't like it, but she has. * Guest – Who is protecting Sam? I'm staying true to the writing good or bad. It's the hand we were dealt and there is no going back. You want to crucify Sam? Then feel free to write your own fic. I've done so in the past. Everyone in this fic has been trashed at one point or another due to horrible writing. So, my personal opinion will stay out of it. Character growth is not white-washing. It's what I wish for Liz and Jason. By your words then Liz should be ashamed for loving Ric and taking him back three times when he is worse than Sam but funny you never call her out. They all have things to be ashamed of. It's difficult plausibly writing my way out of this crap lol.

Toyshellme – Thank you so much for pointing out my timeline error with Jason/AJ's convo. I think I fixed it before most people read it. Hard to keep so much history straight.

Chapter 30 – Getting Ready

Sam plopped down on the couch. "I'm sorry. I tried to explain that you were just trying to do the right thing and told her not to be mad at you. If you need for me to tell her what I did, then I will." She really didn't want Emma hating her dad.

A tear ran down Patrick's face. The situation sucked and the one person he had tried to protect after making a few prior mistakes was now hurting again. He felt like he just couldn't get it right.

Liz sat down. "You know, I've taken stock of my life and I've decided not to live in the past anymore. I have everything I ever wanted, especially now that Jake is back. Patrick, if you want to be with Sam then do it. It's your life and you have to do what is best for Emma. I will never forget what you did Sam or truly be okay with it. That isn't what forgiveness is. It doesn't absolve anything. I needed to let go of that resentment so I didn't become a bitter person. But, considering that I have overlooked what Ric did, Lucky, and AJ, I would be kind of a hypocrite if I totally thumbed my nose up at you when I didn't at them. At least you haven't repeated your mistakes. So, with that said, I don't want to be the reason Emma is miserable and I want to take me out of this equation. It really isn't about me. It should be about the actions you took and who you are fundamentally. I'm not going to feel guilty either way." She just didn't care to waste her time thinking about Sam. She was done with the angst. "So, it's up to you two." She got up and walked away. Aside for making sure that Danny was well cared for, she wasn't going to dwell on Sam. All she really wants is to concentrate on her sons and Jason. They are everything and this time, she isn't going to lose them.

Patrick sighed. "I'm sorry you have to deal with Emma. I'll talk to her when we get home."

Sam wiped a tear away. "She was the last person I wanted to hurt. I'm sorry. I better go see how she is."

"Thank you Sam."

She nodded and ended the call. Patrick sat there for a long time, wondering how his life got so fucked up.

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Elizabeth couldn't find Jason and smiled when she saw Jake on his lap in the sleep room listening to Jason reading to him. Nikki had sent them a care package for Jake via Victor. It was filled with books, a couple of trucks and some smaller motorcycles. Jake was over the moon when he got it.

She sat down next to Jason and laid her head on his arm and Jake smiled. When he was finished Jake wanted to get down and play. But before he did, he kissed Elizabeth and then stood up and kissed Jason on the cheek.

"Thank you Jake," Jason said as his voice cracked.

Jake smiled and jumped down and ran out of the room.

"I love him so much already," Jason said quietly.

Liz kissed him. "Give him time and he'll love you right back."

Jason tried not to let his mind slide into what he had missed and instead concentrated on all he had to look forward too. "I had a deep talk with AJ."

"That's good right?"

"Yeah. It was about Carly and Sonny. He didn't understand why I chose to stay friends with them. It was hard to try and explain."

"I think I understand because I did the same thing. You just grab onto what you have because you think it's better than having nothing. The truth is that sometimes nothing isn't so bad and it would have been a much better choice."

Jason nodded. "I never want to shut off like that again."

"I won't let you and your love for your family won't let you either. We'll give each other pep talks and hold each other's hands. We'll have bad days Jason, but that won't define who we are anymore."

"I like how that sounds. If I do something wrong, you'll tell me right?"

Liz chuckled. "I'm a woman. I'm sure you'll hear it."

He grinned. "We can do this."

"Yes we can."

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The next day, Patrick gave everyone physicals and they started to pack up what little they had.

Robin took her notebook, not having decided if they should burn the notes or what. Part of her wanted to keep them under lock and key in case anyone else turned up. With Helena, you just didn't know. She loved the game.

Patrick walked up beside her. "Emma is very upset about my breakup with Sam."

Robin looked up at him. "How bad?"

"She ran off. She doesn't understand why I can't forgive Sam."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll talk to her when we get back."

"Are you sure you're through with Sam?"

Patrick sighed. "For now, I think I made the right decision."

"Just make sure you stick to a decision either way because you can't go back and forth."

"I know. I wouldn't hurt Emma like that or Sam."

"Emma will get beyond this. She loves you."

"I know."

"How about I come with you to pick her up? Maybe that will help her," Robin said.

"Okay."

Robin was staying at Mac's for now. "We can eat dinner at Kelly's and it will take her mind off of it."

"Thank you Robin."

"You're welcome."

Patrick went up to the roof and thought about his choices the last few years. He realized he was rushing his relationships, getting caught up with the feeling of being in love. He needed to pull back and figure out what he really wanted.

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Dylan sat in front of the computer and after a few minutes he saw Nikki, Victoria, and Katie. "Hey."

"Hello," Nikki said smiling.

"Hey bro. Katie wanted to say hello to her Uncle before we left."

Dylan smiled. "Hello Katie."

Victoria pointed to the screen as Katie sucked her hand.

"Yeah, she looks real interested in me."

Victoria laughed. "I'm going to go, but take care and hopefully, we'll see you soon."

"Count on it," Dylan said.

She kissed her mom goodbye and took Katie's hand and waved to Dylan.

Nikki smiled. "How are you things going?"

"Good. We're flying back tomorrow."

"I know. Elizabeth told me. She let me meet Jake so he could say thank you."

"That was very sweet of you. He's a good kid."

"Are you looking forward to going back?"

Dylan sighed. "Yes and no. I just know there will be drama and I'm not big on that."

"Well, at least you have good friends around you. Are you and Elizabeth okay?"

"We're fine. I'm happy that she's happy."

"Are you going to let yourself find some happiness too?" Nikki asked.

"Well, since you mentioned that…."

Nikki grinned. "Tell me. I love gossip."

Dylan chuckled. "Her name is Georgianna. Georgie for short and let's just say we are taking it slow and getting to know each other."

"Jacob Martin," Georgie yelled as she ran into the room chasing Jake.

"Um that would be her."

Georgie had Jake trapped and she finally grabbed him and tickled his stomach.

"Have a seat," Dylan said.

Georgie plopped down. "Hi."

"Hi again," Jake said.

"Hello again."

"Georgie, this is Nikki Newman, my mom."

Georgie was surprised. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too."

Jake pretended to eat Georgie's nose and then jumped down and ran.

"You are so gonna get it. Sorry, I have to go," she said running off.

Nikki chuckled. "She's very pretty and seems nice."

"She is and she's very nice."

"Well then I'm happy for you."

They chatted a little more about the family and then Dylan got up and went to look for Jake and Georgie with a big smile on his face.

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Liz went up to the roof where Jason was standing looking out over the city. She slipped in front of him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I can't believe we're going home in the morning."

"I know. It's been quiet. Victor just called and told me there still was no movement from Helena and Victor."

"She's not going anywhere. Knowing Helena, she'll sit back and watch her plans unfold."

Jason rubbed her arm. "She made a big mistake when she messed with my family."

"I'm counting on that. She needs to die for good this time. I'm sick of that old goat."

Jason's phone rang. "Diane?"

"Is Elizabeth with you?"

"Yes."

"Put me on speaker."

Jason did so and they waited for her to speak.

"Here's the deal. I found out some good news. The adoption never went through. Apparently, there was a clerical error and Lucky never followed through. Therefore, Cam is still a Webber."

Liz grinned. "He'll be really happy to hear that."

"Does he still want to change his name back?"

"Yes but he said he would wait. I think he wants the last name Morgan," Liz said as Jason smiled.

"Brilliant. You aren't going to make me wait that long are you?"

"Nope. We just need to get settled and for Jake to get in a routine and then we'll start planning for it."

"That is amazing news. She better get a beautiful ring."

Jason smiled. "I already have her ring. I bought it a long time ago."

Liz was surprised. "Really?"

He nodded. He already had it planned where he was going to propose.

Diane smiled. "That's very romantic big guy. I'll see you in New York for the hearing."

Jason put his phone in his pocket. "I'm going to have to give her a nice bonus."

"Shoes, she loves her shoes."

"As I've heard many times…"

"I'm looking forward to seeing our house."

"I'm looking forward to seeing how you decorated it."

She smiled. "I have a surprise for you too."

His eyes narrowed. "Hmmmm. Does it involve a swing in our bedroom?"

She laughed loudly. "You are ridiculous. I'd probably break my neck. And you're not getting it out of me."

He grinned. "Fine but I have ways to torture you," he said laying kisses down her neck.

"That feels so damn good, but I'm still not telling."

He pulled back and scowled and then kissed her passionately leaving her breathless.

She touched her mouth. "Wow, that was scorching hot but sorry Cassinova, not going to work." She walked away from him trying to act like she wasn't affected. "And by the way, the walls of our bedroom were soundproofed."

Jason tilted his head and gave her a sultry look. "Will that be a problem with the kids?"

"Nope. There's an intercom and I can flip a button and hear what is going on in their rooms. We will teach them to knock before entering as well," she said all proud of herself. It was really Diane's idea.

Jason grinned. "You've thought of everything."

"I tried."

"Hmmm…," he said thinking of how he could get her secret out of her.

She saw the look on his face and started to run for the door and Jason gave chase, catching her right before she could escape. He tickled her until tears ran down her face. "I give," she yelled.

They were both laughing and he kissed her again. "I love you baby."

"I love you too."

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Dylan put down his fork and wiped his mouth. "So, does your new place have a pool?"

Jason nodded. "Yup. It has a slide too."

Jake grinned. "Jake wants to go on the slide."

Dylan chuckled.

"Well, we'll just have to make that happen then," Jason said.

"It has quite the outside entertainment setup. We'll have to have a party," Liz said.

Georgie smiled. "I think we could all use a party."

"Get a bouncy mommy."

Liz laughed. Jake could jump around in a bouncy tent for hours. "We'll get one for your birthday okay?"

Jason smiled. His fourth birthday was in two months and he was already planning on going crazy. It was a celebration of his life and it would be even more special than usual.

"Dylan, you're more than welcome to stay with us for a while or at least the first night," Jason said.

"I really appreciate it. Maybe for one night."

Liz smiled. "Good."

"You can have the second bedroom in the cottage," Johnny said.

"Georgie, you can sleep in the guest bedroom."

Georgie smiled. "Sounds good."

"Diane went shopping for you Georgie."

Her mouth dropped open. "You've already done so much."

"Don't even worry about it. Shopping is her favorite thing to do," Jason said. "Let me do this for you Georgie. You've been through a lot and I want you to be comfortable."

"Let us help you get back on your feet," Liz said.

Georgie fought back tears. "Thank you. You don't even know how much that means to me."

Liz smiled. "You're family now Georgie."

"GG is my sister," Jake announced.

Everyone laughed.

"I thought you didn't want a sister," Dylan said.

"I changed my mind. Mommy said I could."

Liz grinned.

"She still has cooties though," Johnny said.

Jake giggled. "GG has cooties."

Georgie licked her tongue out at him. "Well Jakey has cutie pie cooties."

"Ewwwww," Jake yelled.

"I hope that isn't catchy," Jason said.

Georgie laughed and stood up and ran over to Jason and wiped her hands on his shirt as Jake laughed.

Jason got up so fast, Georgie almost lost her balance, and he threw her over his shoulder as Jake squealed. "I'm going to throw Georgie in the shower and wash her cooties off."

Georgie was laughing loudly as Jason pretended he was dropping her.

"GG, I'll save you."

Jake got up and ran over to Jason, "Put GG down Jason." It had taken two days to get him to stop calling him Mr. Jason.

"But she has cooties. Don't you want to wash them off?"

Upside down Georgie was shaking her head no and Jake was laughing.

"No."

"Okay, but don't blame me when she gives them to you."

Jason put Georgie down and she grinned and wiped her hands all over Jake who stood there with his mouth open.

"Get her," he yelled.

Georgie ran with Jason and Jake chasing her.

Liz chuckled. "They are crazy."

"It's a good kind of crazy though," Johnny said. It was nice seeing the new Jason albeit a little freaky at the same time. "Let's break out some chocolate while they are gone."

"Now you're talking," Patrick said.

Liz grinned and jumped up and ran into the kitchen and grabbed a batch of brownies she had made. Robin and Liz grabbed the first ones and the guys dug in.

Jason came back with Jake on his shoulders and Georgie following behind. They stopped when they saw everyone gorging on the brownies.

"Hey," Jake yelled.

Jason lowered him and he ran to his seat and sat down and waited patiently for Liz to hand him one.

Dylan handed Georgie a brownie. "I saved you one."

She smiled and took it.

Robin smiled. Yup Mac was going to have a cow.