Chapter 9

Thank you to chicki'62, guest, and trini12180 for your reviews.

A/N: The reason why Laura doesn't 'guilt-trip' Elizabeth is because Laura understood when Elizabeth told her Lucky couldn't stay with her and the boys. Elizabeth is also the head nurse, and Jake is leaving soon. Elizabeth has Audrey and does not have the time, all of which Laura understands. Lucky doesn't, but don't worry, Liason is endgame.

September 17 afternoon-evening.

Elizabeth leaves the Hardy house where she lived for her first four years in PC. There was that brief period where she 'claimed her independence' after her Gram laid into for having Jason at her studio. It became her occasional refuge to return to when she lived above Kelly's and sometimes with Lucky when he went off the rails because of Helena. Audrey was there for her when she had to leave Ric. Audrey took her in when Elizabeth left the small apartment she shared with Lucky when he was hooked on drugs. When she moved in with Lucky into the Spencer House, her Gram was there for her. When Elizabeth finally got the courage to leave Lucky, she stayed with Audrey. After Emily found the house Elizabeth loved, Gram was a call away to watch Cam and Jake. Life was never the same after Emily died, but Gram was there. After Sam 'accidentally' caused the gas leak, which destroyed her dream home, Audrey was there for Elizabeth. Elizabeth replays all this as she drives to Kelly's. Her grandmother was her primary family since she was fourteen. She thinks, "I don't know how long Gram will be around. I want her to know how much everyone in PC loves her." Elizabeth parks her car in the back and nestles her car between Jason's bike and his SUV. She enters from the back and climbs the stairs.

Elizabeth taps on Jason's door, and he pulls her inside and quickly closes it. He embraces her and claims her lips. "How is Audrey?" Elizabeth smiles and recounts the memories she had on her drive over. Jason laughs, "When you 'claimed your independence,' I was confused as hell. I didn't know if you were sticking it to your grandmother or were protecting me from Carly or Nikolas."

"A little of both. I also didn't understand the need or desire to be near you."

"It's almost 25 years later, and I have this intense desire to be near you right now. We only have a couple of hours before we are due back to your place. Are you here for the reason why I want you to be?"

"Do you remember when you came to see me last spring after your charges were dropped for Dante's shooting? I said, 'Maybe the timing was just right.' Well, I still feel that way. After all these years, I believe the timing is right for us."

Jason grasps Elizabeth's arm, pulls her to him, and unbuttons her shirt. She pulls his T-shirt over his head. He turns her around and unclasps her bra, letting it fall to the floor. He kisses the nape of her neck and turns her to face him. Elizabeth grabs his belt and pulls him closer. She fumbles with the belt buckle. She whips it off his jeans and shoves him onto his bed. Jason thinks, "I like aggressive Elizabeth."

They use up pent-up passion from missed opportunities from 15 years ago. They lay on the bed, sweat glistening on their skin. Elizabeth sighs, "We have 20 minutes before Jake and Danny are due home." Jason sighs and throws his legs to the side of the bed. Elizabeth sits and wraps her arms around him. "Jason, are we going through with this, or is this an afternoon delight?"

Jason unwraps Elizabeth from him, turns to face her, and says, "Afternoon Delight?"

Elizabeth laughs, "Right, you're not interested in social norms."

"No, I know what that is. You are more than an afternoon delight. You are who I thought of while I was away. You, Jake, and Danny occupied my dreams."

Elizabeth starts to dress, "But you stayed away to protect Carly. You were thinking a lot about her."

Jason pulls up his jeans, pulls up the zipper, and buttons it. He loops his belt and says, "I know that choice hurt many people. I intend to make it up to you and my children. Sonny and Carly have been part of my life for almost 30 years." Elizabeth has dressed, adjusted her jewelry, and fixed her makeup. He continues, "Sonny has been a brother to me, and I will always be indebted to him, but he took advantage of me. I felt the need to clean up and fix his messes since he took me in. I told him I want out and only wanted the legitimate businesses. I have a stake in the coffee warehouse and a partial interest in Pozzulo's and casinos in Puerto Rico. Pozzulo's is a front. I'm going to ask him to buy me out of that. I want to be a better person for you and my sons. If you will let me, I want you to be first."

Jason has his hands around her waist. Elizabeth says, "I can't put you first; my sons will always be first. After them is where I want you in my life."

"I understand. Children should come first."

"Speaking of children, they are waiting at home."

Elizabeth leaves, and Jason follows on his bike. They arrive home to find Jake and Danny preparing dinner and setting plates on the table. Danny wants to see Sam in the morning, and Jake wants to see Lucky before he is discharged from GH. Jason helps with the dishes, and Jake puts the finishing touches on his tribute to Audrey. The boys head to bed, and Elizabeth and Jason look at each other forlornly before heading in opposite directions.

September 18

Jake says goodbye to Lucky and sits with Danny, who is visiting Sam. Elizabeth helps with the discharge papers and hands Laura a list of instructions for caring for him. She includes a limited supply of pain medications. Elizabeth instructs Laura on the importance of watching his med intake due to his addiction issues. Laura thanked Elizabeth and understood why Elizabeth couldn't do more. Elizabeth explains that Jason and Danny are staying with her and Jake.

Jason takes Jake and Danny to the throwing club, and they take turns throwing axes. Elizabeth continues her shift before driving home.

Elizabeth wheels Lucky to LuLu's room and allows him to visit her before leaving GH. She checks on Sam and records her vitals. Leaving Sam's room, she places a call. "Hi, it's Elizabeth. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Sam was shot, and she is in a coma. The doctors here are not as brilliant as you. Her scans are in your inbox. Can you review them and maybe come out and examine her? Alexis already agreed."

"Sure, Elizabeth." The voice on the other end replies. "Of course, I'll see what I can do. I'll get back to you."

Elizabeth fixes dinner and turns the oven to warm. She goes to the shared art studio she has with Jake. She flips through her sketch pads, searches for the one she wants, and sets it aside to show Jason.

After dinner, the boys watch a baseball game in the den, and Jason helps Elizabeth with the dishes. Later, Elizabeth shows Jason her sketch pad. He says, "Elizabeth, this is amazing. Are you sure you only came out a couple of times a year?" Jason flips through the images Elizabeth sketched of the road to nowhere. She envisioned a new estate, updated the statues, and included gardens. Her rendering of the girl and a horse were as he remembered.