Chapter 14
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Elizabeth has the day off. She's cleaning up after Jake's party and putting the mementos from Audrey's party into a box. Jason finishes the dishes from breakfast and sees Aiden and Danny off to school.
Jason looks at his watch, "We have to be there in two hours. It's about an hour's drive to Rochester. Do you have time to get ready?"
"I have my bag packed. I'm putting the finishing touches on my make-up, but I'm ready. Are we really going to do this? Last chance to back out."
"Uhna, not going to happen. I'll get dressed."
Elizabeth carefully packs her bag. She zips up her jeans and boots. Jason helps her with the necklace he gave her. She reaches into the closet and finds her old leather jacket from 1999. "I'm ready."
Jason puts their bags in the motorcycle box and hands her the helmet. "Are you ready?" Elizabeth climbs on the bike and asks if she can steer. "Maybe on the way back. We are going to go really fast; people are waiting for us."
Jason parks his bike to the side of the courthouse. He takes the bags from the back of the bike and hands Elizabeth her bag. As they enter and she walks toward the ladies's room, she is shocked to see Sonny shaking hands with Johnny. Jason's lawyer, Diane, and her best friend from Boulder, Terry, await Elizabeth. Terry hugs Elizabeth, "Surprise. I hope you aren't mad. Jason said since this is a secret, you couldn't tell many people."
"Thank you. I'm glad you could make it. Diane, did you get what I asked for?"
She taps the envelope in her hand, "Signed, sealed, and delivered."
Terry helps Elizabeth change, and Diane joins the men. Jason has changed into a light blue shirt and a sports jacket. Terry exits and announces five more minutes. Elizabeth joins Terry outside the closed door to the judge's office. Terry says, "Elizabeth, you look beautiful."
Elizabeth is wearing a white lace bodice covering a white shirt. Her tiered lace tea-length skirt is light pink. Terry knocks before opening it to announce that Elizabeth is ready.
Jason gasps at how amazing his bride-to-be looks. He extends his arm, and Elizabeth takes his hand, joining him before the judge. Terry is beside Elizabeth, and Sonny is beside Jason. Johnny and Diane take their seats.
The judge asks if Jason or Elizabeth wants to recite any personal vows. Jason laughs, and Elizabeth smiles. "Jason's a man of few words. We can skip to the end; Johnny, Diane, and even Sonny laugh.
The judge asks about the rings, and Elizabeth shakes her head. Jason interrupts her and says, "I have the rings." He whispers, "We can keep them in a box at home until we tell everyone." He hands the rings to the judge. Jason holds an engagement ring he bought 17 years ago before his last proposal. He places an Imperial Topaz ring, surrounded by diamonds and emeralds, on her finger. "I'll explain what it represents on our way home."
The judge interrupts, "Can we continue?" They nod. The judge hands each ring to Jason and Elizabeth and asks them to repeat after him. Once they say 'I Do,' they place the rings on their spouse's finger. After a long kiss, the judge announces them as husband and wife.
Sonny, Diane, and Johnny clap. Jason and Elizabeth sign the marriage license, and the judge certifies it. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. My clerk will file it at the Rochester court.
Johnny offers to return to PC in time to meet Danny and Aiden home from school. He'll tell them Elizabeth and Jason will be back soon. They change into their street clothes, and they ride to the estates.
Elizabeth looks at her finger, "This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. I can't believe you've kept it all these years. What does it signify?"
Jason wraps his arms around Elizabeth from behind. He holds up her hand, pointing to her ring finger. "The Imperial Topaz represents your birth month and reminds me of the red glass I gave you. The emeralds represent Jake's birth month. The diamonds represent purity, faithfulness, and innocence."
Elizabeth runs to face Jason, "I love you. I have something for you." She hands him an envelope. Jason opens it and looks confused. "Jason, this document Jake signed before he left. He wants to change his last name to Morgan. When we get home, we can video chat with Jake."
Jason's eyes tear up, "Jake wants to change his name? It means a lot. Later, I want to discuss this estate."
Elizabeth climbs on the motorcycle. "I get to steer, right? I am your wife now; you need to please me."
Jason laughs and kisses her neck, "Fine, but I'm holding onto you."
-XXX-
Two days earlier
Jason met with Sonny to discuss their business arrangement and lay down some ground rules. He tells him about Johhny. He confesses that Johnny is alive. Johnny was working with Alcazar to get inside information on him, which helped take Lorenzo down. Jason says, "Before you start yelling, Johnny wanted out. His girlfriend was pregnant, and he wanted to raise his daughter in a safe environment. We staged his betrayal and death. He only came back for me because his wife died, and his daughter is grown. Johnny is working for me, not you. Francis is back and joining Johnny and me. As I mentioned, I only want the legitimate side of the business. I'll take my half of the coffee warehouse. You can have Pozzulo's. I'm taking over half of Sam's PI business and will run my bike shop. I'm raising two sons and want to protect Elizabeth. I want out. I deserve it after all these years."
Sonny says, "What about those guns you destroyed? You still work for me when I call."
"No! That was to protect you, Alexis, and Kristina. I'll handle Ric, but then I'm on my own. Johnny and Francis work for me. The rest is yours. I'll have Diane draw up the papers." Jason turns and leaves without looking back.
-XXX-
Flashback: 9/27-30
Ric hides in a safe house. He contacts Molly, who blasts him and confronts him about whether he killed her sister. He had already tried to turn her against Kristina. Sam's death brought them closer together. Molly says, "Dad, don't represent Ava. Why are you in hiding? The police are looking for you, and I work in the DA's office. I should turn you in."
"Sweetheart, I'm innocent. I want to prove that, and when I do, I'll turn over all the evidence to clear my name." Molly kisses her father and leaves.
Ric's benefactor comes out of hiding. "
"Dad, I thought we'd be farther along by now. I want Sonny and Jason Morgan dead. Killing Jason's ex wasn't part of the plan."
"Flynn, all in due time. Is Lila Rae on board?
"Yes, she will arrive soon. People are looking for you."
"If something happens to me, you complete the mission. Your sister and Elizabeth Baldwin are off-limits; everyone else is fair game."
"What is your obsession with Elizabeth? She's with Morgan. Mom despised her. She's not worthy."
"Listen to me, you are my son, and I love you. Elizabeth was my chance to be a better person. Morgan and his ilk ruined that. You never knew your mother. You only know what Justus and Lorenzo told you through letters. The only good thing that came with her was her money. Faith tried to kill Elizabeth. She killed your unborn sibling. I may never get Elizabeth back, but Morgan does not deserve her. If I'm gone, you free her from him!"
A/N The dates and timeline are different than the OG history. Ric and Faith had another ONS, and Flynn was born in September 2004. Faith had Ric's baby (Flynn Roscoe), and Justice Ward helped deliver her child while he hid her in the Quartermaine basement. With Sorasing, Flynn is 23. After Faith's death, Lorenzo financed her child until his death. Skye Chandler-Quartermaine secretly took him in. Faith's son teamed up with Lila Rae. After many years and months of research, he was ready for revenge, and Daddy was just the person to do it.
Summary:
October 5-7
Jason lays ground rules for Carly. "Carly, I've severed most ties with Sonny. I'm going legit. Diane is filing paperwork to ensure that I get full custody of Danny. I don't want Alexis to fight for custody. Elizabeth and Jake signed papers for Jake's custody. He is now Jake Morgan. I want to be present for my family, including Elizabeth. She is in my life, and we are raising our children. I love you, but my family comes first."
Carly laughs, "It's about time you claim your children. Elizabeth and I made peace a few years ago. She may not be my first choice for you, but I've seen how you've looked at her since your return. If you are honestly serious about her, don't fuck it up."
October 8-11
Ric goes missing for real. Flynn waits for Lila Rae to arrive. They change safe houses and discuss Ric's disappearance. Lila Rae says, "Mom told me Ric is unreliable. Sorry, Flynn, but your father is an idiot. He's more vengeful than you. Did you read Skye's notes about Daddy's involvement in the Metro Court hostage crisis, how Lorenzo worked with Jerry Jacks, and how your father helped him destroy evidence? Or that he faked his death? For all we know, he's done it again to frame Jason or Sonny. Then he expects you to take revenge for him while he's on some island drinking rum."
If that's the case, Sonny and Jason will pay."
The PCPD receives the enhanced hospital footage showing Ric Lansing running away from Sam's room, holding a syringe. A warrant is out for his arrest. Molly reluctantly discloses her father's last known location.
October 12-30
Lucky leaves town…again. Lucky says goodbye to his mother and sister. He visits Nikolas in prison before he leaves. Lucky takes Aiden to Bobbie's and explains that he has recovered from his surgery and is returning to his relief work. Aiden is disappointed, but Jason and Elizabeth comfort him.
Portia is sentenced to three years in prison and a $75,000 fine, and Brad is sentenced to one year and a $50,000 fine. They are sent to Spring Ridge.
Lucas Jones returns to PC and GH.
Nikolas is released from Flatland.
October 31
Ric's body is found.