A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you are still with me.

Chapter 51

Kelly made her way into the waiting room, shocked to find so many Quartermaines as well as Sonny, Sam, Ryan, and many guards.

"How is she?" Lila asked. When Monica told them everything that had gone down, she was horrified that so many had suffered due to Helena's insanity.

"She's stable and the baby is fine."

They breathed a sigh of relief.

"Were there any complications?" Sam asked. She was scared that there had been internal damage.

"I was able to stop the bleeding and she'll heal and be able to become pregnant again if she chooses."

Lila wiped a tear away. "Thank you."

Tracy slightly squeezed her shoulder.

"The baby girl is 6 pounds, five ounces. They are checking her out now. Elizabeth is resting."

"Thank God," Edward said.

"We'll keep her overnight and then see how she's doing tomorrow. Due to the cesarean, she'll need help."

"We're hoping she stays at our house because Jason will probably end up there and it will be good to have doctors in the house," Monica said as she joined him.

When Sonny's brow rose, she chuckled.

It's hard for him to imagine that Jason will agree to that.

Audrey wants Elizabeth to come home with her, but she gets that Jason may have major issues, and the more support, the better.

"You know, you would be welcome to stay as well," Lila said to her.

"Thank you. I'll think about it." It may be nice to do that for the first week.

"Any update on Jason?" Ryan asked. Johnny had been burning up his phone.

Monica nodded. "They are still preparing for surgery, but that won't happen for a couple of days."

"Why?" Tracy asked.

"He's still critical but stable and vented. They need time to shape the plates. He will be more stable in a few days and the drugs will have worn off. It's better this way. His body has been through so much stress."

Edward squeezed her hand. Jason being this traumatized is killing the family as well as his friends.

"I have to go, but if you have questions, just have Monica call me."

"Thank you, Kelly," Lila said.

Someone cleared their throat, and everyone's attention went there. Tracy groaned when she spotted Taggert.

"We gave you some space," Mac said, "but I think you know that we need some answers." Jason and Elizabeth's resurfacing is interesting enough but the fact that fifteen minutes ago Cassadine Island had blown to kingdom come was giving him pause as well.

Ryan stepped forward. "I think I can answer them."

Diane moved closer. "Not without me." She held out her hand. "Diane Miller." She can tell that Johnny is his brother.

Ryan shook her hand. "Ryan McCarty."

Diane slightly turned. "I will be representing him."

"He's not under arrest."

"You know the deal. We'll come down to the station."

"Fine," Mac said.

Ryan nodded at Sonny and then followed Diane to the elevator.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth's eyelashes fluttered, making Audrey move to her side.

"Gram," she whispered.

"You're okay. Everything went well."

"No damage?" She's concerned that something had been seriously wrong with her.

Kelly moved forward. She had stopped in to check on her. "Nope. You're okay."

"Thank God."

Audrey smiled, knowing where her mind went. She's happy that Elizabeth wants to have more babies with Jason.

"How is she?"

"She's doing well," Kelly said before showing Elizabeth a picture.

A tear pricked her eyes. "She's beautiful."

"Do you have a name for her?"

Liz sighed. "We talked about it, but never decided. Is he conscious?" She was scared to ask.

"No. They are keeping him sedated. He woke up briefly, but they need to keep him calm. The surgery will be in two days."

"I guess I may have to decide without him."

Monica entered the room while Kelly slipped out. "What names do you have?

"Alana, Kaleigh, Cameron, Abigail, Lily, Kyra, and Myla."

"They are all good names."

"I like Lily."

"Lily Kaleigh or Lily Abigail is pretty," Monica said. "I don't think Jason will mind if you make the final decision. He's going to be in love regardless. She's beautiful."

Liz nodded. "I'll look at her and decide."

"She's doing very well. You'll probably be able to see her very soon."

"Have you been with him?"

"Yes. He's critical but stable."

"Do you think he'll make it?"

"Yes. The surgery will make it so much easier for him to recover."

"I'm scared."

Audrey gripped her hand. "We'll help him. He's a fighter, and he loves you so much."

"How long will I have to stay?"

"You can probably go home tomorrow afternoon if you're still stable."

"Can the baby come with me?"

"Yes."

Liz is relieved.

"I want you to come to the mansion. You'll have all the support you need there and we can keep an eye on Jason too," Monica said.

"Okay." She doesn't want to be alone or be a burden to her grandmother.

"I'm going to take them up on their offer and stay there with you for a week."

"I would love that."

"Then it's settled. I'll have Alice prepare Jason's old room." She had already put a bed in there that can be dual adjusted to make sure they'll be comfortable and baby items. "You still have a lot to open for your shower."

"I'm looking forward to it but want to wait for Jason."

"I understand. We'll make it happen while you're there. We may have Stefan stay as well. He doesn't have anywhere to go."

"I guess he wouldn't want to go back to the castle."

"He can't. It's gone."

Liz is surprised to a degree, but it would make sense that they cover up what happened there.

Monica dialed her phone and then turned on the camera, and when Emily appeared, Elizabeth began to cry.

"Hey, don't cry," Johnny said.

That just made her cry harder.

"I'm so glad to see your face," he said softly.

"I'm glad that you're going to be okay."

"I have a hard head like your husband."

"Thank God."

The nurse came in with the baby, making Elizabeth gasp.

Emily and Johnny watched as the baby is laid on her chest.

"Hi, Lily."

Emily grinned. "Is that her name or are you trying it out?"

"I think she looks like a Lily. She's so tiny and perfect."

The baby is staring at her.

"I can't wait until your daddy sees you." She has a shock of dark hair on her head and hazel eyes with flecks of blue.

Emily wiped a tear away. "She's so beautiful."

"I can't wait for you to meet her." She is going to talk to Jason about making Emily and Johnny the godparents.

Maggie peaked. "She is so precious. I'm Johnny's mom."

"Hi. I'm Elizabeth."

"Jason chose wisely."

Liz smiled. "I think we both feel very lucky."

"Well, I look forward to meeting you and holding that baby."

Johnny's brow rose.

"You don't think I trust you to get back there on your own, do ya?"

"She has your number."

When the baby sucked on her finger, Elizabeth focused on her friends. "I'm going to try and feed her. Can I call you later?"

"Absolutely," Emily said. "I love you. Tell my brother that I love him too."

"I will." They won't allow the baby in the ICU, but Elizabeth will stop by his room before they leave.

They said goodbye and then a nurse came in to teach Elizabeth what to do. It took a little bit, but the baby finally latched on.

"You're going to be such a great mom," Audrey said.

Liz smiled. "I'm scared and excited at the same time."

"That's normal."

"Oh, Grams. I'm so happy," If Jason were okay, it would be perfect, "but I need him by my side."

"And I have faith that he will be."

She nodded and said a prayer in her head as she watched the baby in complete awe.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Ryan sat on a chair in the interrogation room.

"So, want to tell me where Elizabeth and Jason were?"

They had given him a minute with Diane, so they went over what to say. Francis is already speaking to Stefan and Elizabeth about it to make sure their stories are consistent.

"We found out that Helena Cassadine had them."

"Go on."

"We went there and battled to get them back and found Stefan as well. It was bad."

"Where is she?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. She disappeared after threatening to blow us up."

Taggert is not sure whether he buys the story or not. There is no way to corroborate it. He is aware of the damage that Helena did to Jason. Luckily, Elizabeth seems to have escaped with just an early delivery. Stefan is worse for wear too and he was family.

"What about Nikolas?"

"I don't know. I never saw him."

"Why didn't you call the police?"

"That would have exposed you to a lot of danger. There wasn't a lot of time to react."

"Is there anything else that you can remember?"

"I don't think so." He had purposely thickened his accent and could tell Mac was having problems understanding him.

"So, you think Helena blew up her island?" Taggert asked.

"Why not? She wanted all of us dead. Doesn't she live somewhere else anyway?"

Mac nodded. "Greece… The explosion was catastrophic, and the island is burning and compromised from what we can see." They can't use a helicopter because of the smoke but used a boat to try to survey the damage.

"Well, then I'm glad that we escaped before she set it off."

Mac doubts they'll find bodies due to how obliterated the island is. "Don't leave town for a few days."

"That's fine, but I will need to go home soon."

"Give me a few days to finish interviewing." They have no proof that they did anything bad, but he suspects the story is a coverup to a degree.

"As you wish."

They allowed him to leave and then focused on each other.

"You know they probably blew up the island, right?"

"Probably… I guess in ways it will make things easier for us. I just got a text and the island is sinking."

Taggert shook his head. "Hopefully, Helena was blown to bits."

"I don't think she's alive. They'll never admit it, but good riddance." The woman had caused too much death and destruction already. However, he figures that Laura will be devastated if Nikolas isn't found.

"Let's go back to the hospital."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth watched as Taggert and Mac entered the room.

"Congratulations," Mac said before handing her some flowers."

"Thank you. They are beautiful."

"I'm sorry that we have to bother you."

She nodded.

"I'm sure talking about it isn't pleasant."

"You will be the first person to ask me for details. I was kind of busy having a baby after all."

"True. What can you tell me?"

She sighed as her emotions started to get the best of her. "I remember our car dying and gunfire. Johnny got out and they hit him and then grabbed me and took me to the island. I was so scared."

"Did they hurt you?" Taggart asked.

"No, I was just so stressed. I was put in a room and Helena came in."

"Why did she take you?"

"She wanted me for Nikolas."

Mac and Taggart's gaze locked. "So, they were going to kill Jason?"

"Yes."

"Jesus…" Taggart mumbled.

"They took care of me and made me eat. I didn't see anything else. When the gunfire started going off several days later, I went into labor."

"How did you get out?"

"Francis found me."

The men wrote notes.

"Did you see anything as you left?"

"No. I was in no condition to do so. I don't remember much."

Liz wiped some tears away.

"I'm sorry. I know this is upsetting. If you remember anything else, please let us know."

"I will. Thank you."

They left and she sighed heavily.

"You did well," Cody said from the doorway.

"I hope so." It wasn't like she had to lie a lot. Francis had told her to go with it since she had been locked away the entire time she was there. She's just glad it's over.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

A tired Ryan opened the door to the cottage at Sonny's compound and is in shock.

Siobhan grinned and dropped her nightgown to the floor and he suddenly got a second wind, reaching her in a few steps and lifting her against his body. They kissed frantically for several minutes before they retreated for air.

"What are you doing here?"

"Your ma thought you needed me."

"She did?"

Siobhan nodded. "She's worried about you, but not more than I am." She knows her man very well. This kind of operation is stressful, and he probably hasn't been sleeping well. "Let me love you."

He's almost overwhelmed with emotion. She is so beautiful and perfect for him. "Okay."

They passionately made love and he finally gave in and slept with her in his arms.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Sonny tried to slow his breathing. Sam had just rocked his world and he can't believe that she's lying next to him.

"I missed you," she whispered as she cuddled against him.

"I missed you more."

"I know we need to talk."

"It was a good start."

She smiled. "Are we going to be okay?"

"Yes, because I refuse to let you go."

"I don't want to go. I need you."

He gripped her tighter. "You okay?"

"Not really. I don't think everything has hit me yet. It was stressful."

"It was hard not being able to help you."

"I don't think you could have looked your sons in their eyes after doing what I did. It will be hard enough for me to do it."

"Is it wrong that I just want to protect you?"

"No. Sometimes, you just have to do it yourself. Now, I can grieve and let go."

"Then I'll hold you and be there for you."

"Thank you."

She woke up twice, jarred by the memories of her experience. The second time, she cried and couldn't stop. Sonny held her until she fell asleep and then tears overwhelmed him because she's in so much pain and he can't do anything about it.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Alan sat next to Jason and held his hand. He's on call, so he decided to sit in the room for a while.

"You have a beautiful little girl now. Knowing you, she's going to think you're larger than life. Elizabeth is fine. You're going to be a good father, Jason. Just hang in there."

Epiphany stood in the doorway. "He's a fighter."

He glanced at her. "True…"

"Edward didn't raise wusses."

Alan grinned as Piph checked Jason's stats.

"Everything is stable."

"I hate leaving him."

"You have an early surgery. You need to get your rest. You know I'll watch over him. I sing to him a lot."

"You have a beautiful voice."

"Thank you. My church is praying for him and your family."

"Thank everyone for me." He stood and stretched. "I'll be back in the morning."

She nodded. After he was gone, she wiped Jason down and made sure that everything was hooked up correctly, and then she said a prayer and hoped to God that Jason will survive the surgery and pull through.