Disclaimer…I do not own GH or any of the characters…..No copy write infringement intended…..Entertainment purposes only….

Chapter Forty-Two

Johnny hung up the phone before glancing around the seating area of the jet. Baylor was sitting between Milo and Logan, chatting away about how much fun she'd had and all the different things they had seen while in Italy. Wilson appeared to be texting, the music from his I pod blasting away through ear buds. Swinging his gaze over to Georgie his lips curved upwards even as he worried over the fatigue clearly visible by the dark smudges under her closed eyelids. Thankfully she'd finally given into the exhaustion, falling asleep about four hours ago.

"Morgan sending a couple SUVs to pick us up?"

"Actually I think him and Elizabeth are going to be there. He also said that O'Brien and his wife were planning on joining them as well."

"Sarah's coming?" Baylor bounced excitedly, clapping her hands. "I've missed hers!"

Georgie eyes fluttered at the childish squeal before opening fully. Sitting up and stretching she sleepily smiled. "If Sarah's there don't get in Bay's way when she hits the ground. She'll knock you down to get to her favorite person."

Joining her on the bench, he rubbed her back when she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I take Bay bonded with her."

"Oh yeah. Her and Sarah are like two rambunctious kids when together."

Logan handed over his phone when Baylor asked to play with it before looking over at them. "She's Elizabeth's sister, right?"

"Uh huh, but you wouldn't know it to look at them. Sarah's a tall blond with hazel eyes. When they were younger their personalities were complete opposites too. But I think being married to OB mellowed her some."

"I can't picture O'Brien being with someone who's uptight or serious all the time," Milo said with a chuckle. "The stories about him before he left were full of trouble making pranks."

"He's always been like that since I can remember." Pulling her legs up and curling up on the bench seat, Georgie yawned again.

Johnny kept rubbing circular patterns on her lower back, noticing her eyes were partially closed again as her body started to relax. "Go back to sleep, Georgie. We still have another hour and a half before we're scheduled to land."

Abandoning the phone, Baylor moved over and climbed up on the other side of Johnny. Poking her head around him she stuck her lower lip out in a small pout. "Momma sick?"

"No, sweetie. She's just really tired."

"But she nevers sleep during the day."

"I know, Bay, but it's been a long trip." Johnny shifted slightly so he could press a kiss on the top of the little girl's head. "She'll be back to normal tomorrow."

"Oktay," she responded softly before getting back up and rushing over to her previous seat.

Logan waited until she was engrossed by in a game before moving closer to Johnny. "Does anyone else know we're coming back early?"

"No. I told Jason not to let it slip. I don't want Maxie bombarding her right away. Or Alexis," he added with a frown. "I still don't get her insistence on demanding we return. She's made it clear from everything I've been told that she doesn't approve of Georgie's choices since coming home."

"Go figure. She's an uptight bitch," Logan sneered. "I don't know why Helena doesn't get along with her better. They're both insane."

Silently agreeing, Johnny glanced back down when Georgie muttered incoherently. Hoping she didn't start screaming with Baylor so close, he looked back over at Logan. "I wanted to move them to the penthouse until things settle down but she's resisting the idea. Just be prepared for the move if anything happens," he warned.

"She's so freakin stubborn."

Johnny smirked. "Isn't that the truth. Hey," he stopped Logan from getting up and lowered his voice so that it didn't carry to the others. "Um, I wanted to say thanks for what you said to Georgie."

Dropping his eyes to the sleeping woman, Logan grimaced. "She's been through hell, Zacchara. Even without knowing the details you know it had to be bad. Georgie's whole personality's different from before. You're good for her, Bay too. I only spoke the truth, so you don't gotta thank me. I just hope she listened. Going back after all the shit that's come out, Georgie's gonna need you more than ever. Maxie's gonna be like a rabid dog when Georgie doesn't fall right into line and let her bitch and moan. You haven't seen how vindictive Maxie is yet. But I have feeling you're about to."

Brows drawling together, he sighed before admitting, "I'm worried about Maxie pushing her to the point she breaks."

"It's a possibility. Georgie's never not been one hundred percent in Maxie's corner. There's a message on my phone from Lulu too, bitchin and complaining about Georgie not supporting Maxie. Be prepared for there to be one hell of a blowup before it's over."

"After the scene at the Quartermaine's I expected Lulu to try something eventually. Why, I don't know. Clearly Georgie isn't going to take her shit. But if they start trouble be prepared to drag Georgie away. I honestly think she'd happily knock the hell out of Lulu again if given the chance."

Georgie watched from the stairs of plane as Baylor raced across the asphalt and jumped into Sarah's outstretched arms. Laughing as they talked over one another in their excitement, she slowly joined the waiting group who were all staring in amazement at the twosome, all except for O'Brien who winked at her.

"At least I can still understand them," he teased. "You and Sarah tend to switch to languages you know I can't speak."

"Bay only knows Spanish and Portuguese so far," she responded with a laugh.

Jason shook his head as the three women moved off to the side after introductions and started talking softly amongst themselves with Baylor still clinging to Sarah. "It still blows my mind Bay's fluent in Spanish and Portuguese."

"Why? Georgie's multilingual. Not to mention they spent a lot time in South America while she was learning to talk. It's natural she picked those two up. It's when Sarah and Georgie switch to one I don't know that I start getting worried because they're usually up to something."

Filing that piece of information away, Johnny rubbed his neck. "Anything I need to know before we meet tomorrow?"

"I'm so happy you decided to come!" Georgie hugged her friend before turning to Elizabeth. "How are you feeling? I see you're starting to show."

Grinning happily Elizabeth patted her belly. "Yep! It popped out overnight. I'm great. Did you enjoy Milan?"

"We did. To be honest I didn't want to leave."

"Who would with all the crap going on here," Elizabeth answered with a frown. She knew the next couple days would be filled with unfriendly visits from Georgie's sister.

"Lunch tomorrow?" Sarah asked, noticing how pale and tired Georgie appeared. Flying tended to exhaust her too. And while she really wanted to catch up with the younger woman, she had relaxed at seeing the softening of her features whenever she looked at her husband. Georgie was clearly happy.

"Sure. Where? Kelly's?"

"Let's meet at the house," Elizabeth interjected. "We can let the boys and Bay play in the pool while we all catch up."

Sadness briefly crossed her face before she schooled her expression. "Elizabeth, I refuse to hide. I'm planning on visiting Maxie tomorrow whether I go to Kelly's or not. I've put it off long enough."

Sarah shook her head behind the brunette's back when her sister started to protest. Georgie needed to get the meeting out of the way so she knew what to expect from her sister. "Wherever you want is fine."

"Kelly's," Bay piped up as she fought to keep her eyes open.

"Come here, baby. Let's go home."

"Nos! Go with Sarahs."

"Bay, baby, you're sleepy. You can stay with Sarah another night."

Tears gathered in the huge dark eyes and her lips quivered. "I wanna stays with her. Please!"

"Georgie, let her stay with me tonight," the blond softly spoke as the little girl sniffled pitifully. "Otherwise you're going to be dealing with a crying and very tired child. We'll meet you at the diner."

Too tired to argue, she gave in. "Fine. Let me go get her med bag and some clothes."

"I already got them." Winking at the little girl clinging to his wife, Johnny smugly grinned at Zacchara. "Told you. I knew the rugrat would demand to go with us."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Admiring the statue in the moonlight Elizabeth longed for her sketchpad. Every time they visited the crumbling marble she wondered why she never remembered to bring it. Sketching it in person would add more details than what she did from memory. "For some reason she calls to me."

Jason understood the feeling. This place was one of a very few where he felt at peace. "Do you remember the first night I brought you here?"

She smiled fondly. "I do. It seems so long ago now."

His arms surrounded her. "Sometimes. But right now it feels like just yesterday."

"There were times I thought we'd never get here, Jason. It's been an unbelievable journey to finally reach where we are now."

He could hear the contentment in her smooth voice but also a slight hesitation. Stepping closer, he nuzzled her neck. "What's on your mind, Elizabeth? Why did you ask to come here tonight?"

"I don't want to wait anymore, Jason. Life's too short and filled with uncertainty. Neither of us needs the flare of a big ceremony. We're simple at heart." Turning in his arms, she rested a hand on his cheek and stared into his beautiful eyes. The only eyes that made her feel complete and bare at the same time. "I want to get married now. I don't want to waste another minute."

"Right now?" He'd give her anything she wanted. She was correct. The big ceremony was for their friends and family, not them.

"Well, as soon as Diane can get a license. I do want it to be legal," she answered cheekily.

Lifting her off the ground in a huge hug he laughed. "I'll arrange for the paperwork first thing in the morning. Are you sure you don't want to tell our families first?"

"All I need is you there, but I might let you convince me to hold off at least a couple days. Edward and Monica will happily let us use the gardens and keep the boys for a couple nights."

"Nice compromise," he teased after kissing her deeply. "The honeymoon will have to wait for a bit thought," he warned.

"All I need is you, a bed, and privacy, Jason. We can get that right at home. After I have the baby we can go away for a more traditional honeymoon. And no suit," she ordered with a sparkle in her vibrant eyes.

"But I really like the way you reward me for wearing a tie," he growled before dragging her back into his arms. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Jason. I've loved you forever and I will continue to do so for eternity."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Unable to sleep, Georgie gingerly slipped from the bed and padded silently down the stairs. After pouring a glass of milk, hoping it helped to ease her queasiness, she curled up in the oversized arm chair. Napping on the flight home had been a mistake. Now her mind whirled with memories and dread of what could be. Nearly sick with worry, she pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees as she stared vacantly at nothing.

Fear for Maxie ate at her. Losing her sister could very well be the outcome of Cooper's sick and twisted actions. She shuddered at even thinking his name. Between him and Spinelli they'd cost her so much. Each man forever changed her future but Cooper continued to haunt her.

Nausea had her doubling over as if in pain. It wasn't fair! Hadn't she suffered enough for two lifetimes? She didn't know if she could look at Maxie without seeing him. They'd been together for years and her sister loved him, was mourning him at this very moment. And Georgie's skin crawled and flashes from the Ball plagued her at even his name. How was she supposed to help Maxie if all she wanted to do was be violently ill at the thought of the father of her child?

The stairs creaked and she jumped, startled by the noise.

Johnny slowly approached her, recognizing the mixture of emotions staring back at him. "Georgie?"

The dam broke as she flung herself into his arms.

Stumbling backward at the momentum driving her forward, Johnny tightened his arms around his sobbing wife. "Let it out, Georgie. I'm right here," he murmured hoarsely. The sight of her finally breaking down physically hurt him.

"I hate him! How could he do that! Why, Johnny? Why?"

Sinking to the floor, cradling her close, he smoothed a hand down her back while cursing Cooper Barrett to the deepest bowels of hell. If it hadn't been for wanting Baylor to avoid growing up with the stigma of being the daughter of a serial killer, Johnny would have tortured Barrett for days before finally killing him.

"Maxie's gonna blame me, Johnny! You know she is! Lucas is dead because of me! Oh, God! Maxie's baby isn't going to have a father! My baby died because of my stupid decisions! And Diego's been through God knows what because of me!" Burying her head into his chest, Georgie choked on the sobs wracking her slender frame. "Everything's all my fault, Johnny! I should've just let them kill me! I ruin everything!"

"NO, Georgie! You know that's not true, baby."

"But it is! Somehow or someway I end up causing those I care about pain."

Forcing her head up, he locked eyes with her. "You need to listen to me, Georgie. You are NOT responsible for Barrett's fucked up actions or for what anyone else did. You did the best you could after Diego disappeared and no one can fault for you that! Do you hear me, Georgie? You're not to blame for anything you just mentioned. And Maxie's baby is better off without that son of a bitch in his life. You know that, deep down you know I'm right."

"But…"

"No buts. You survived, baby. Don't hate yourself for living when Lucas and your son didn't. You did what you had to. The WSB created this entire fucked up situation. You never asked for any of this."

"Maxie…"

Johnny placed his fingers over her lips, silencing her once again. "Maxie's an adult, Georgie. Yes, the hand she's been dealt sucks. But you survived worse. She will too. And before you say it's your fault, it's not. All that guilt you're drowning in, that's all on Barrett." Tenderly thumbing the tears from her pale face, he leaned close and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "Your sister's emotional and reacts without thinking about the consequences. She might blame you in the beginning, Georgie, but you can't let that destroy you. All you can do is be there when she finally accepts the truth. Focus on Baylor. Your daughter needs you, Georgie. And she's the only person you should put above yourself. You can't save the world, baby."

"I just feel like I'm falling," she admitted shakily. "Something bad is coming, Johnny. Anytime I finally feel like I'm doing okay, something terrible happens." Biting her lip, she swallowed back more doubts as her tears slowed at his reassuring words and comforting presence. "I'm afraid."

Shifting so he could hold her more securely, Johnny released a long breath at finally reaching the underlining problem bothering her. Buried under the layers of facades she used to protect herself Georgie was terrified. He didn't even need to hear her say what she feared because she'd already admitted it. He just hadn't comprehended the depth of that fear. "Oh, Georgie, I love you. You and Bay are never going to be alone again. Nothing on this earth will separate us. I need you to have faith in us, baby."

Letting him scoop her up as he stood, she prayed Johnny was right but deep down she felt something dark closing in. As soon as he sat her on the bed her stomach rebelled the anguish flowing through her. Barely making it to bathroom before emptying her stomach's contents, she felt his warm hand brushing back her hair before his deep voice rumbled soothingly nearby. Physically and emotionally exhausted she didn't fight as he stripped them both and led her into the shower.