A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 21

About five hours later, Amelia slightly stirred making Johnny's eyes snap open. They held a gaze before he grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."

She chuckled. "You are too much," she said before getting up to use the bathroom.

There is a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Alice entered. "Audrey thought you might be hungry."

Johnny perked up quickly. "You had me at Audrey."

Alice chuckled. "We covered our tracks so Cook, who is at the store, wouldn't know she was in his kitchen."

Johnny grinned as he rubbed his hands together and got up. They had set up a small table in the corner, so Amelia didn't have to go downstairs until she was ready to.

Amelia came out of the bathroom. "Hello."

Alice smiled. "I hope you're hungry. Audrey prepared a feast." There is bacon, eggs, toast, potatoes, and bacon and sausage.

"You think Audrey would marry me?" Johnny asked.

"I'm not a cougar," she said from the doorway.

Amelia cracked up.

"Damn," Johnny muttered.

Audrey grinned. "Mr. O'Brien, what brings you by?"

"I was checking on her but secretly hoped you'd feed me."

"Well, today is your lucky day."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." She likes Johnny. He always makes everyone smile. Jason needs someone lighter around him.

"This is wonderful. Thank you for taking care of us."

"Patrick said we need to fatten you up."

"I'm willing to help you," Amelia said before digging in.

"I'm going to take a nap now. Enjoy."

Alice left them alone.

"So, tell me about yourself," Amelia said.

"Can't—mouth is full."

She chuckled.

Johnny came up for air a few minutes later. "What do you want to know?"

"How did you meet Jason?"

"Francis got me a job working for Sonny and eventually Jason came on board and the three of us just fit. Jason mostly glared and Francis hit my head way too many times. He probably knocked something loose in there."

She laughed. "So, you like your job?"

"I do. We're family and Sonny doesn't allow drugs and some of the dark side of the business to enter our territory. I'm good at what I do and get paid well."

She nodded. "I get the appeal of family and loyalty."

"I like speed and have a few fast cars, but for the most part, I invest my money wisely. Jason taught me that."

"Tell me about your cars." She listened raptly as he described them and told her about some of the crazy things he had done. He's an interesting man and he had her crying from laughing and it was just what she needed.

Monica smiled from within the hallway. Audrey had texted her, so after making sure her patient was okay and then checking on Jason, she had come home to get a quick nap. They have good chemistry. It just might work.

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Elizabeth woke up with a smile on her face. "You're watching me, aren't you?"

Jason grinned. "Am I that predictable?"

"Yes. How are you feeling?" she asked as she stretched.

"Head still hurts but not as bad."

"It's going to take time."

"I dreamed of you."

She pushed up on her elbow. "But you don't dream because of the accident."

"Maybe he did something while he was in there, but it happened."

"Interesting…"

"It's a good thing." He used to hate that he couldn't dream. It's a normal thing that most people probably take for granted.

She nodded and then rested her head back on his shoulder. "I need to go see the boys for a few hours."

"That's fine. I'm not going anywhere."

"Call me paranoid, but I feel like I just want to Velcro myself to you so I can make sure you're okay."

"Was I that accident-prone?"

She grinned. "Yes and no."

Paulie peeked in. "Johnny said you are high maintenance now." He moved inside carrying a big bag.

Elizabeth perked up. "What's that?"

"Your grandmother made you something to eat." He had checked with the nurse. They want Jason to eat to help get his strength up.

"Oh my God. I love her so much."

Paulie chuckled. "She is outstanding." Audrey had insisted that he eat something first. "Sonny will handle dinner. You don't have any restrictions."

Elizabeth sat Jason up and then got him situated before taking the bag from Paulie. After opening the containers, she sniffed and sighed. "Did I mention how much I love her?"

Jason smirked. "Yeah."

Elizabeth finished hers off and noticed Jason had eaten about half. "Is it making you feel sick?"

"For some reason, I'm full."

"That's okay. You'll get your appetite back."

Paulie pretended to type on his phone.

"What are you doing?" Jason asked.

"I'm telling Miss Audrey that you are wasting her efforts."

Jason's eyes widened.

"Psyche," he said after snapping a picture. "Johnny is going to love that one."

"You're as bad as he is," Elizabeth said.

"I had a lot of training."

Jason slightly smiled as the guard left. "I remember some more."

"What?"

"Bath time."

She smiled. "That's a good memory."

"Cam got you soaked."

"He's a menace in that tub and he knows it too."

"Can I see him?"

She nodded. "They are moving you out of the ICU in about an hour," she said before glancing at the clock. I'll leave and go see the boys and bring them back."

"Sounds good." For some reason, he's a little nervous.

Liz could sense it. "Don't worry. I'll explain things to Cam. He'll be so excited to see you. He was having problems adjusting to you not being there."

"Like how?"

"He was acting out. My ex left town and he had been the only father that Cam had known, and Cam was hurt. You were so great with him. His biological father is dead."

Jason swallowed hard. "I guess I need to make some things up to him."

"Just seeing you will be the best gift. I can't wait to see his face."

Jason smiled slightly.

They chatted some more and then Elizabeth headed home.

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Nikolas greeted her at the door. "Welcome home," he said before hugging her.

"That was a great hug."

"How is he doing?"

"He's doing okay. They are moving him to a regular room."

Emily breezed into the room carrying Jake and handed him off.

"I missed you so much." She kissed him as Jake smiled.

Cam ran down the stairs as fast as he could.

"Slow down, buddy," Nikolas said.

"Mommy!"

She knelt and hugged him. "Oh, I missed you so much."

"I missed you too! Nikolas played soccer with me outside."

"He did?"

Cam nodded. "Will you play with me?"

"Soon…"

Cam frowned.

"There's a good reason."

"What's better than soccer?"

Emily grinned.

"Well, we found your daddy."

Cam's eyes lit up. "Where is he?"

His yell was so cute, and he couldn't hold still and was bouncing.

Jake made a noise and slightly giggled making Liz's eyes grow wide. "Oh, my goodness, that was your first laugh."

Cam was jumping up and down clapping which excited Jake.

"Okay, it wasn't a full-out laugh, but it was close enough."

"He's so darn cute," Emily said.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Cam chanted.

"Well, Mommy is going to shower and change while Emily picks out an outfit for you."

He zipped away making her crack up.

"He's happy again."

Emily grabbed Jake when she stood. "I'll put him in something cute."

"Your brother won't care, but all the nurses will fawn over him."

Nikolas shook his head. "Don't let Patrick know that Jake's a chick magnet."

"I'm sure he already rents babies to pick up girls," Liz said.

"Why does that sound just like him?" Emily asked.

"All right, I'll be back." She is so excited.

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Once Cam had calmed, Elizabeth sat him on the couch.

"Daddy hurt his head, so Dr. Patrick had to fix his owie."

Cam rubbed his head. "Does it hurt?"

"A little bit, but he takes his medicine, so he feels better."

Cam pouted.

"It's okay, Cam. He's doing much better," Emily said.

"He just doesn't remember everything yet."

"Does he remember me?"

"Yes."

Cam clapped. "Okay Mommy, when we bring him home, I will show him where everything is."

Emily grinned. "You are the best!"

Cam grinned. "Let's go, Mommy. Hurry up."

Liz laughed as she grabbed her purse. "Are you coming?" she asked Emily.

"I would love to."

"I'm going to stay here and make some business calls," Nikolas said.

Emily kissed him. "I'll be back soon."

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Johnny walked into the mansion carrying some suitcases. The rest of Amelia's things are in storage until she moves. He used the elevator and then knocked on her door.

"Come in."

When she saw them, she smiled.

"These are your clothes from your dresser and boxes and then everything in your closet, Kyle will bring them by later."

"How long do you think I'm staying here?"

He grinned. "I'm guessing at least a week or two."

Her brow raised.

"If you think they are letting you go before that, you're delusional."

"You're going to let them hold me hostage?"

"I don't know. What do I get if I rescue you?"

When she crooked her finger, he moved closer until his face was in front of hers. She flicked his forehead, stunning him.

"Ouch."

"That's what you get for trying to blackmail me."

He shocked her by grabbing her and tickling her. Her laughter rang out until she cried, uncle. They had fallen on the bed, and she held her breath when his fingertips glanced at her cheek.

"Go out on a date with me."

"Seriously?"

"Do I offend?"

She grinned. "Not at all."

"Is that a yes?"

She pretended to think. "I don't know. What do I get if I go on a date with you?"

He smirked. "The best freaking night of your life."

She cracked up. "Well, a girl can't turn that down."

He got up. "That settles it. I'll give you another day to rest, and then, I'm going to fatten you up. Any preference?"

"I like Eli's and the Metro Court."

"Eli's sounds good." When they had re-opened a year ago, everyone in the town was happy.

In the hallway, Monica grinned and went downstairs to tell Audrey.

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By the time they got to Jason's room, Cam was almost losing his mind.

"Are we there yet, Mommy?"

Piph grinned. "Well, hello, Cameron."

"Hi, Miss Piph."

"How are you today?"

"I'm great. I'm gonna see my daddy."

"That is great." She held out her hand. "I'll take you."

He grasped it eagerly and they went down a hallway and she pushed the door open.

Hearing the sound, Jason took a deep breath as Cam came into view.

"Daddy!"

Jason grinned. "Hey, Cam."

Piph picked him up and then placed him on the bed.

"Mommy said I have to be gentle." His little eyes perused Jason as his daddy did the same thing. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." He's the cutest thing Jason has ever seen. While he might not remember everything, he remembers enough to know how lucky he is to have them in his life. "Hug?"

Cam nodded vigorously and then carefully put his little arms around Jason's neck as they both savored the contact.

"You give the best hugs," Jason whispered.

"Mommy does too."

Jason's eyes went to Elizabeth whose eyes were glassy.

She moved closer, waiting for Cam to move back before saying, "This is Jake."

After he's handed over, Jason studies him. "He has my eyes."

"And you have our grandmother's eyes," Emily said.

His gaze went to Emily.

"Do you know who I am?"

Jason waited a minute and then said, "I think you're family, right?"

Emily smiled. "I'm your little sister, Emily."

"My memories are off."

"It's okay. They'll come back. You're remembering more every day."

He nodded. Jake patted his face, making him grin. "Hey, Jake."

Cam began to tell him all about what he had done while Jason was gone, and Jason loved every second of it. Having them around made him feel normal.

When Jake laid his head on Jason's chest, he just about melted.

Things quieted and then Cam said, "You can't leave again."

Jason's gaze went to Elizabeth first who he can tell is worried. "I will have to go back to work, but I'll always do my best to come home to you."

Cam's eyes teared. "Suppose the bad man takes you away again?"

Johnny had stopped by and entered the room. "You know how the guards are there to protect you?"

Cam nodded.

"Well, for now on, your dad will have a guard too."

Cam thought for a moment. "He needs to be big and scary."

Johnny grinned. "Okay. Anything else?"

Cam nodded. "Can he be a superhero?"

"I'll work on it."

Cam held out his hand, so Johnny shook it. "Deal."

Johnny chuckled before eyeing Jason. "He's a great negotiator."

"I see that."

"And don't think about arguing about it because you'll lose Mr. high maintenance."

"Whatever…"

"Don't pout. I'm gonna go figure out who looks the biggest and is scary too. Max doesn't count."

Elizabeth pinched the back of his arm.

"Ow."

"Don't be mean. Max is a sweetheart."

"Which is exactly what your son doesn't want."

"Cody might know someone."

Johnny nodded. "I'll send him a text. Until we get someone here, I'll be your shadow when you go out."

Jason groaned.

"You won't be going anywhere for weeks, so you have time to figure it out," Liz said.

"The boss has spoken. Later, Diva," he said on his way out.

"What's a Diva?"

Liz smirked. "Ask your Auntie Emily. She was born one."

Emily scowled. "Don't listen to her. Diva is her middle name."

"No, Auntie, it's Imaween."

Jason grinned.

"You mean Imogene."

"That's what I say."

"What don't you both say it louder so the whole ward can hear."

When Cam yelled it, Jason couldn't help it and laughed.

"Fine, laugh at the woman who is middle name challenged."

Emily giggled.

"Did I miss the party?" Sonny asked before moving inside.

"Shouldn't you be cooking?" Elizabeth asked making him laugh.

"It's simmering. How's the patient?"

"He has an owie," Cam said.

Sonny tried not to smile. "He's going to be okay, right?"

Cam nodded vigorously. "Yup and when he gets home, I will show him everything, so he'll remember."

"That's very nice of you."

"Mommy said I could help."

"Well, that deserves a surprise."

Cam's eyes lit up.

"I was going to have your mommy bring them home to you, but I'm sure you can have one now."

Liz's brow rose as Cam lifted his arms and Emily lifted him and placed him in front of Sonny who handed him a bag.

Cam reached inside and pulled out a stack of cookies wrapped in plastic. "Cookies!"

Liz shook her head. "You can have one, but you have to sit on the couch to eat it."

Cam quickly sat as Emily opened them.

"Thank you for including him," Liz said.

Sonny shrugged. "Are you going stir crazy?" he asked Jason.

"Yeah. They are holding me hostage."

"That's right and there is no escape."

Jason eyed Sonny like he was his last hope, making Sonny laugh.

"It's not funny."

"Just do what they tell you so you can get out of here."

Jason sighed. "Some friend you are." Jason frowned. "You are my friend, right?"

Sonny nodded. "Yes, although sometimes I'm sure you question that."

Jake made a cute sound, making everyone smile as Cam chomped away as he hummed.

"You have a great family, Jason."

A smile slowly graced his face. "I'm a very lucky man." If he didn't already know that, the smile that lit up Liz's face would have reminded him.