Chapter 24

One week later, in June 2003

Sam's boat

A bucket of water is thrown on her and she coughs and wakes up. He sees the recognition in her eyes quickly but she puts on a confused look. " Who are you? What do you want?" She asks. " Nice try Sam but I know it is you. That scar you have is still there and besides the other version of you is currently elsewhere. She was made an anonymous offer to secure a painting that is of course a fake but it will keep her away from Port Charles and as far as that dead man's hand we made sure that will never be found. As far as Alexis is concerned we left her breadcrumbs on who you are and it is up to her to decide if she wants to know the other you. Because I believe there was once decency in you but that left the moment you came here and killed Courtney and framed the mother of my children for it. You were going to try to recruit the Ruiz family to start a war but that has been handled. I can't let you go and I am sure the other me won't miss you either. He is too busy with the woman he has always loved but you knew that didn't you. Your plan failed and now you will pay for that." Jason says as he stands back up.

" You can't do this. Don't let her come between us." Sam says. " I am doing this and there is no us. There never should have been an us to begin with and everyone knows that by now. You, Courtney, and Carly tried to hurt the woman I have loved for years because you were jealous that I never put you first like I did her. They will never find your body. We are over some shark-infested waters and as we speak my men are dumping so chow into the water to get them water for you. Goodbye, Sam. Burn in hell." Jason says.

" Damn, that looks like it hurts," Johnny says as he sits there with his popcorn and Francis sips his beer. " It is a work of poetic justice honestly. She gets by what she was, a shark." Francis says. Mark drives their boat away into the night as Sam's boat sinks into the ocean and Jason feels no remorse. She came to destroy his family and now it is time to put Carly in her place. She won't see it coming; it is how he likes it. He took a shower at his gym and worked off some much-needed steam beforehand. It has been a long time coming but he knows he has to be done. Elizabeth made her mistakes but she never warranted the actions of vindictive and down right evil women. He hopes the other version of him is doing right by Elizabeth.

The other timeline, August 2007

The Morgan House

" Hey, what's wrong ?" Jason asks. " Come sit with me please,"Elizabeth asks. He takes her hand and joins her on the couch. She gets up and sits in his lap. " I know I haven't talked about what happened to me because it was a lot. But I had a flash of my life and I didn't like what I saw. It was a lifetime of fear, regret, and pain. One thing we need to discuss is that Diego Alcazar is alive and he wants revenge for Lorenzo. I don't know where he is but he goes on to kill Emily and Georgie. We can't let that happen, Jason. It happened at the black and white ball that Emily is starting to plan." Elizabeth says softly. Jason intertwined their fingers and kissed her hand. " Ok, I will find him and make sure he doesn't hurt Emily. We almost lost her once and that scared me. I just got you back and I can't lose you or her ever. I love you so much and it broke me in ways I didn't know possible when I thought you were gone. So promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks and trust me to save Emily." Jason whispers. She kisses his forehead and says " I am sorry you had to go through that and as long as you promise not to take unnecessary risks and go with backup. I can't take it if something were to take you away from me and the boys. I love you always."

The other timeline, August 2003

" We the jury find the defendant guilty of first degree murder." The juror says. " This is bullshit, innocent." Carly says. " Order in the court. Take the defendant away and we will proceed with sentencing shortly." The judge says. " It's over. It's really over." Elizabeth mutters. "Yes,let's go home." Jason holds out his hand and she looks down and takes it. Sonny offered to watch the kids while they waited for the verdict and that is how they found them. Elizabeth has to laugh because it is the cutest thing. " Do you need help Pops?" Elizabeth snickers. " I have everything under control. Well, I did until Emily left because Micheal hid their pampers somewhere and we couldn't get it out of him." Sonny says as Connor is wrapped up in a towel and Jake is wrapped up in an old t-shirt. The door opens and it is Emily. " Sorry it took longer than expected because someone hid my wallet and I had to make one of the guards pay for it so one of you guys needs to pay Paulie back for his troubles," Emily says. " Micheal Morgan Quartermaine," Elizabeth says. Micheal rocks back and forth. " I am sorry Mama here is your wallet Aunt Emily and the pampers are hidden in the horse stables in Midnight's stable," Micheal mutters. " Micheal, what is going on? You know better than to go into the stables unsupervised." Elizabeth asks. " I just wanted everyone to laugh today because I was scared. I know you said you weren't going anywhere and I am really sorry." Micheal says. " Come here sweetie." Elizabeth holds out her arms and he hugs her. " I love you and I am not going anywhere. You are stuck with me until you are all grown up and even then I will be the annoying mom." Elizabeth says. " Does this mean you aren't leaving Daddy Jason? I was scared too because I heard yelling and yelling is never good." Micheal says. Jason gets down one knee and looks Micheal in the eye. " We are sorry if we scared you but sometimes adults yell. Mommy and I are just going through a tough time right now but it has nothing to do with you or your brothers. I love her and you and your brother more than anything. We are a family and nothing can change that." Jason says.

Jason's room

Elizabeth enters after knocking with her hands behind her back. " Can you close your eyes for me?" She asks. He puts his book down and does as she asks. " I know things have been tense between us but I realize that you have everything you can to make up for what happened. We lead somewhat crazy lives and I know you have made a lot of sacrifices and I shouldn't hold it against you for something you literally had no control over. I know you love me completely so I forgive you and I want to open your eyes so that you see me ask you to marry me?" She asks. He opens his eyes and sees a simple ring that is 100 percent him. Jason gulps and opens his bedside drawer and pulls out her engagement ring. "Yes, I will marry you," Jason whispers, and they both slide the rings onto the other's finger and kiss for the first time in what feels like forever and it feels like home.