A/N – Thanks for the comments! One more chapter to go!

Chapter 23

As word of the engagement spread, the couple celebrated with their family and friends. Over the next few days, Jason was doing much better and finally decided to go see Ric.

As the door opened and then slammed shut, Ric's head slowly lifted.

"Come to finish me off."

Jason smirked. "I have plans for you."

"I should have killed you."

"Sucks to be you."

He moved closer and studied Ric's injuries. Francis had given him a run down and he was impressed with their thoroughness. While he hated that Elizabeth had been there, he understood why she needed to do what she did. "We're engaged."

Ric almost gagged.

"Despite all the shit you tried to do to us, our love is even stronger than before. Amelia is doing well too."

"Go to hell."

"That's reserved for you."

"Can you just shoot me and get it over with."

"No. You're going to suffer. Put him in the car."

Ric is dragged across the floor as he yells in pain and then thrown into the trunk. He yells as the lid is shut and then Francis hops in and drives while Jason and Johnny follow.

"You're brilliant sometimes."

Jason smirked. "Sometimes…"

"It's a great plan."

"I thought so."

"Did Elizabeth threaten you about overexerting yourself?"

"Maybe."

"I'm glad you're handling it this way. It's cleaner."

Jason nodded. "As much as I'd like to have him die by my hand, I'm not one hundred percent yet, and I need to get better so I can be there for my family. They are more important than being obsessed with revenge."

"True. This is a new side of you."

"Having a family makes you want to be a better man."

"Cam seems a lot better. He needs you."

"It feels good to be needed. He's a great kid. I want to adopt him."

Johnny smiled. "Have you talked it over with Elizabeth?"

"Not yet. It's next on the list though."

"I think it will make her happy."

"Cameron Morgan has a nice ring to it."

"Agreed."

They parked the car and then watched as Francis drove into the garage. They joined him and then a few guards dragged him into the house and then to the backyard.

Ric is starting to get the picture. "No, you can't do this."

Jason smiled. "But I can. Consider fate that you die in a prison of your own making."

Ric doesn't have the strength to fight it as they drag him down the stairs. Most of the lawn had been fixed and just the hatch rectangle was amiss. The access from the office, that they had discovered later, was sealed off as well.

Once he was situated in the empty room that had been fixed so a second door was added where they had knocked out the wall. There would be no comfort. They had ripped out the toilet and removed the piping so he'd have no outside air.

Everyone left but Jason.

"You're going to die in this room, just like you intended for me and Amelia. You should run out of air within the next few days. Once you die, I will have your body removed and incinerated." He won't take the chance that someone else finds the room and the police eventually find Ric. Once he's cremated, his ashes will be dumped into the harbor. There will be no trace of him anywhere.

As Jason turned to go, Ric started to yell obscenities and talk about Elizabeth.

Jason slightly turned. "I'd save my air if I were you. Even if you did have her first. I get to be with her forever while you burn in hell. I think I can live with knowing that you can't hurt anyone else that I care about."

The door is sealed as Jason makes his way up the stairs.

"I'll take it from here, Francis said."

Jason headed home with a lot of weight off his shoulders. Sonny had been fine with the solution.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth watched Jason enter the house. He looked lighter and she was happy about that.

"It's done," Jason said.

When he had confided in her about his plans, she thought it was a perfect way for Ric to die.

"Good." It's a relief to know that Ric cannot hurt them anymore.

They warmly embraced.

"Can we run away and get married?"

Liz snorted. "Our families would hunt us down and kill us."

"I think we could dodge them."

"I'm convinced that Edward had you chipped in the hospital."

Jason retreated, so he could see if she was joking. When she grinned, he shook his head.

"Okay, maybe we all thought about it."

"No chipping…"

"Fine, be that way."

Jason frowned. "Did I just hear Cam outside?"

Liz nodded. "Yup, he's choosing your new guard."

His head tilted and then he headed out back.

Cam has his hand on his chin as he thinks. Two men are standing in front of him. They are large and look scary.

"That one looks scarier."

The man tried not to smile. It's a good gig and he's looking forward to proving his worth.

Sonny tried not to smile. The men were both equally good, so they'll be hiring both. "Alright, then I guess Kent gets the job."

Cam clapped and then realized his dad was standing there watching. "Daddy!"

"Hey Cam. What are you doing?"

"I picked your guard."

"You did?"

Cam nodded as he grabbed Jason's hand. "This is Kent. He swears he will keep you safe."

Jason shook the man's hand. "What experience do you have?"

Kent rattled off several of his accomplishments which impressed Jason.

"Well, Cam, good job."

Cam gave him a high five before running back inside which prompted Kent to finally smile.

"Should I be more afraid of him than you?"

Jason nodded. "He doesn't realize how much power he has over all of us."

"He's a cute kid, and very serious about protecting you."

It makes Jason feel good that Cam is so protective, but he wishes that the little boy didn't have to go through him being missing. Events like that can change a person. If Cam needs to feel more secure by looking out for his dad, then so be it.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Three Months Later

Jason watched as Elizabeth danced with Francis. She is now officially his wife, and Cam is now a Morgan too. She looks radiant and wonders how the hell he managed to steal her heart.

Piph plopped next to him. "Having second thoughts? We can have the marriage annulled and be on a plane to the Dominican faster than you can say Johnny is touched."

Jason grinned. "I glued the ring to my finger and hers."

Piph rolled her eyes. "I can get them off. I'm a professional."

Johnny sat next to her. "Are you messing with my bro?"

"Am I breathing?"

He laughed. "Want to dance?"

"Yes, but if you grab my butt, just know that I'll grab yours back."

Jason shook his head as Piph pulled Johnny onto the dance floor.

Diane sat next to him. "You wear happiness well. I'm glad you finally found it." While Jason is complex in some ways, he's simple in others. She has seen him at his worst, and the way his eyes practically worship his wife is probably his best. Family has tamed the beast and she has never seen him this much at peace.

"Thank you."

"Without getting mushy, I've been rooting for you and Elizabeth."

He slightly smiled. "Really?"

She nodded. "You compliment each other very well."

"She's everything."

Diane sighed. Jason in love is a beautiful sight to behold. "I think she feels the same. Cherish her, Jason."

"I plan on it."

Emily pulled him up for a dance. "Now I know it's truly love."

"How?"

"You didn't even complain."

He smiled. "I was going to fake you out and run."

She laughed. "You will do no such thing."

"She's beautiful," he said staring at his wife.

"I know, Captain Obvious."

He chuckled.

"I know you want to ditch me, so steer us over there."

Jason jerked and then lifted Emily with one arm, and she was crying from laughing.

"Jason!" Liz said grinning.

"Help," Emily said between laughs.

He put her down.

Emily smoothed her dress. "You didn't have to go all caveman."

"I was in a hurry," he said before pulling Elizabeth against him.

"I've been Liz-jacked," Francis said.

Elizabeth laughed as Jason steered her away. "What has gotten into you."

"Love."

Her smile disappeared and tears pricked her eyes. "I don't think I could ever be more in love with you, but every day, you make me love you more."

"That is the sappiest thing I've ever heard," Johnny said before he got a smack upside the head.

"You didn't even have to ask," Piph said as Johnny rubbed his head.

Amelia is dancing with Patrick. "What did he do?"

"Take your man. He has serious issues."

Amelia laughed as she switched partners. "Did she rattle anything around in there?"

"Baby, I thought you were on my side," he said before pouting.

"I am on your side," she said with a wicked grin.

He leaned forward. "I am going to rock your world later."

"You better."

Never in a million years did she think she'd date someone involved in the mob, but Johnny treated her like a Queen and was fantastic in bed. She loves spoiling him because his smile is all that.

His stare almost made her tremble. "I love you."

She blushed. "I love you too." It was the first time they had said it.

"I think you managed to do the unthinkable."

"And what is that?"

"Looking at you makes me speechless, and Jason says I never shut up."

Jason rolled his eyes. "No wonder you've been single for so long."

Liz and Amelia cracked up.

"You worry about your own game."

"My game is fine."

"Oh, it definitely is," Amelia said making Johnny freeze with his eyes wide.

She couldn't hold it in any longer and started laughing.

Liz laughed loudly because Johnny hadn't moved, and even Jason was laughing.

"Well played," Jason said before leading Liz away.

Amelia winked and then snapped her fingers in front of Johnny's face.

His eyes narrowed. "You are getting spanked for that."

She grinned. "Bring it, playa."

"Oh, it's gonna get brought," he said jerking her against him. He can't wait to get her back to their apartment to teach her a lesson. When she agreed to stay in town a month ago, he knew nothing in his life would be the same. She is fun and smart and makes him so happy. If he gets his way, in a year, they'll be married too.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

One Year Later

Johnny and Amelia are engaged and Emily and Nikolas are expecting a little girl.

Jake toddled towards Jason and gripped his pants leg.

"Hey," Jason said before lifting him.

"Da da," Jake said with a serious expression.

"Yes?"

He pointed to the kitchen.

"Is Jake hungry? You want food?"

Jake smiled, so Jason headed there.

Elizabeth looked up and smiled. "What's going on?"

"Your son is hungry."

"Put him in the chair."

Jason got his son situated and then sat a bowl with banana slices in front of him.

Jake smiled and popped one into his mouth and started humming as he ate.

"He's so cute," Liz said.

"Yeah. Where is Cam?" He had been working out, so he missed what was going on.

"Johnny and Amelia took him to the park."

"Maybe I wanted to go."

Liz grinned. "You'll have your chance tomorrow." She is working again but only part-time. She didn't want to get out of practice. "Sonny is coming over for dinner."

"Who is he bringing this time?"

"Reese Marshall."

Jason is aware of who he is. "Let's hope she doesn't cause any trouble." They have done a lot to change their security in the last year, so they run checks on anyone new in town that gets their attention. Reese is FBI, so Jason is suspicious. You would think Sonny would learn his lesson after Hannah.

"She seems nice. Do you think she'll turn on you?"

Jason shrugged. "I don't know but we're watching her."

"Good." Things have been calm and she hopes they stay that way. A lot has changed in the last year. Jason shares enforcer duties with Cody now, so he has more time with his family.

A frazzled Carly rushes into the room, grabs Liz's hand, and leads her upstairs.

Jason eyes Jake. "That is even more crazy than usual."

Jake grinned and yelled, "Da!"

"Okay," Jason said giving Jake some baby hot dogs. "These are disgusting, but knock yourself out."

Upstairs, Elizabeth is dragged into the bathroom.

"Carly, what is going on?"

"I took a test this morning," she said before setting a brown paper bag on the counter.

"Okay."

"I'm pregnant."

Liz grinned. "That's outstanding. Wait, why are you upset?"

"Jesus, Muffin, how many kids do you think I want to pop out?"

Liz bit her lip so she wouldn't laugh.

"My last pregnancy was awful," Carly said as she folded her arms across her chest. "If Jax wants to keep his family jewels, it better be a girl."

"What's in the bag?"

"I was going to take a second one, just in case."

Liz shook her head. "All right, I'll be in there," she said pointing to the bathroom. As she took a few steps, she got dizzy and grabbed the doorframe.

Carly smirked. "What's wrong with you?"

"I probably just need to eat something." In her haste to make sure everyone else was fed, she hadn't eaten anything.

Carly pushed past her and shoved the paper bag into her hand. "How about you take the test and I'll wait out here?"

Liz's jaw dropped as she calculated in her head. "Shit…"

Carly grinned. "Hurry up. I need to know if I'm going to have a partner in crime."

Liz sighed as she peed and then sat the test on the counter before sitting next to Carly on the bed. "I wasn't planning on having another one so soon, but your bestie is freaking irresistible."

Carly chuckled.

"Don't worry Liz, we'll be fine. Fine my ass," Liz said as Carly laughed.

"It's not funny. Jake will be in his terrible twos."

"Jake is the most well-behaved child ever. Does he even cry?"

"Not a lot.."

"You'll be fine. You can get a nanny."

Liz frowned.

"Go in there and see what it says."

Liz sighed. "Fine…" she said before muttering the whole way. A gasp left her lips as she read the test. "Holy Shit."

Carly stood. "Congrats, Muffin. I'll send Jason up."

When Carly got to the kitchen, her grin was a mile wide making him almost shudder.

"What did you do this time?"

Carly rolled her eyes. "Nothing, I'm pregnant."

Jason smiled and then hugged her. "Congratulations."

"Thanks. After I leave here, I guess I'll tell Jax."

"Good luck with that."

"By the way, Liz needs you upstairs. I'll watch Jake until you get back."

Jason grinned. "Fine with me." He ran and then heard her gasp when she got an eye full of a messy Jake.

"Your daddy sucks."

Jake grinned. "Da da."

She went to get something to clean him up with as Jason ran into his bedroom to find a crying Elizabeth.

"Baby, what's wrong? Are you upset about Carly?"

She blew her nose and then sighed. "No."

"Then what is it?"

"Go look on the bathroom counter."

Jason ran in there and then just stared. "Holy shit."

"My sentiments exactly."

He spun around. "Are you upset?"

"I'm just feeling overwhelmed. Jake is small and then to add a baby to the mix," her voice trailed off. "I just thought we'd wait another year before trying."

He swallowed her up in his arms. "You know I'll help and everyone else will too."

She sighed. "I know. I guess it was meant to be."

"I love you and I'm excited."

"This better be a girl, Jason Morgan."

He grinned. "And what if it's not?"

"You'll be missing your family jewels like Jax."

He retreated. "Do I want to know what that means?"

"Ask Johnny…"

She headed downstairs to relieve Carly while Jason texted his friend.

Johnny saw the message and cracked up and then typed, "Your balls. Is Liz threatening you? Do you need help?"

"Shut it," Jason said before shoving his phone in his pocket. He'd rather leave his jewels out of it.