Chapter 8

Thank you to guest and trini12180 for your reviews. I've hit a wall with writer's block for this story, but I will try to finish it soon.

It's been three months since Monica's passing. Jason and Danny live in the furnished basement of the Brownstone and share their meals with the Webber family. Jason helps with the cooking, and Danny is growing closer to his brother. Jason and Elizabeth spend one evening out a week for themselves.

One morning, they are enjoying breakfast without the boys. Jake drove Danny and Aiden to school and went to his studio to work on his art. Sonny approaches as Elizabeth and Jason finish their breakfast at Kelly's.

"Jason, I've given you time and tried holding off asking for help, but Jenz Sidwell has become a problem."

Jason sighs, "Sonny, don't you have other people to handle Sidwell?'

"It's not just me. He's coming after you and Elizabeth."

"I get why he'd come after me, but why Elizabeth?"

"Other than Elizabeth is important to you, he's hoping to bring Lucky back if he thinks Elizabeth is important to him too."

Jason silently curses that he should have killed Sidwell when he had the chance; instead, he lets Lucky Spencer talk him out of it. It's different now. He promised his sons, but if Elizabeth is in danger, would Jake understand if he takes matters into his own hands? "Sonny, thank you for the heads up. Provide Spinelli with all the information on how you found out about it. I will discuss how to proceed with Elizabeth."

"Jason, did you hear me? Sidwell is a threat."

"I heard you. Now, hear me. Elizabeth and I will decide any action I take. I told you times have changed. Please allow Elizabeth and I to finish our breakfast." Sonny storms out. Jason looks into Elizabeth's blue eyes, trying to determine if they are giving him permission or disapproving.

Elizabeth wipes her face, stands, extends her hand, and leads him outside. They walk hand in hand in silence until they reach the bench where they once spent days and nights discussing nothing and everything. She touches his cheek, "Jason, I accepted what you did for Sonny long ago. Then, I had children. That changed things, but if this Sidwell guy threatens our family, I won't sit idly by and let it happen. You warned Jake this might happen. I won't keep secrets from the boys. We will tell them together and send them to a safe house if necessary until Sidwell is neutralized."

Jason is surprised. "Are you sure?"

"I hope there comes a time when we are safe, but you went to Africa to bring Lucky home. Anna pleaded with you to go. She guilted you, and then Lucky asked you to spare the man who tortured him. Maybe this could have been over months ago, but would that stop the next person wanting your attention? We promised Jake and Danny the truth, and they would come first. We must present the options, and we hope they agree. Can you live with that?"

"Elizabeth, it's hard to do nothing when my family is in danger. I promised to put Jake and Danny first. I promised you they would take priority over Sonny and Carly. That is what I am doing. You and my family are first, not them. I'll have Spinelli check if Sonny's concerns are valid or if he's overreacting. Either way, we should look at a more secure place to live. The Brownstone is too open and easily accessible. We must find a new place."

Jason drops Elizabeth at GH and agrees to tell the boys tonight. Elizabeth is so immersed in scheduling that she doesn't hear Carly sneak up on her. "Elizabeth, do you have a moment?"

Startled, Elizabeth raises her eyes to face Carly. "I can take a break. What do you want?"

"Jason isn't returning my calls. Could you ask him to call me?"

"Carly, I am not his keeper. He must have a good reason if he's not calling you."

Carly is about to rattle off an insult but stops herself. "Could you pass along a message? It's about Sonny

"Sure."

"I think something is going on with his health. He won't say anything but keeps clutching his chest. Has he seen anyone at GH for anything?"

"Carly, you know I can't discuss medical information with you. I won't even bother to do a computer search. What is this really about? You mention Sonny, and you expect Jason to come running?"

"Well, he won't come for me, I thought if it were Sonny, Jason would care, but if you are going to be a bitch about it, I'll tell Michael that his father is sick, and you won't let me talk to Jason. Jason won't be happy if he knows you are keeping him from talking to Michael."

Elizabeth laughs, "Whatever, Carly. Your threats won't work on me. I'll relay the information. Tell Michael about big bad, Elizabitch. I don't care."

Jason picks Elizabeth up, and they ride to Vista Point. She fills him in on Carly's visit. Jason says, "Sonny has had some heart issues; he's gone to a doctor in California. They want to put in a pacemaker. He's worried about his enemies seeing him as weak."

"That's ridiculous. People know about his bipolar, and he manages that. He gets the pacemaker, takes medication, and continues running the organization. Maxie had a heart transplant as a child, and she's running Deception."

"Sonny is old school and views his health as power."

"What will you do about it?"

"Obviously, I'm concerned about his health, but as far as the organization, I told him I wouldn't take over if something happened to him."

"You should tell Sonny what Carly said. She won't give up. She's like a dog with a bone. She will find out the truth if she keeps pushing. It would be best for Dante, Michael, and Kristina to know the truth. Imagine how upset they'd be if they found out from Carly or someone else. I'd want my kids around me if my health were compromised."

Jason takes Elizabeth's hands, "Should that ever happen, I will be there for all your children. I'd want you there for Danny if something happened to me. Would you agree if I asked Diane to have documents so we could be each other's power of attorney?"

"I'm not sure Alexis or Lucky would agree to the custody part of the contract."

"You are probably right. Jason pulls Elizabeth to him. Holding her face in his hands, he kisses her deeply. "Let's get home to tell our children about Sidwell and deal with the custody later."

Elizabeth nods and calls in an order at the PC Grill. She calls Jake to pick up dinner. "It should be ready in 20 minutes. Your dad and I will be there soon. She takes the helmet Jason offers her, and they ride back to PC, taking the Cliff Roads.

After dinner, Jason and Elizabeth warn the boys about Sidwell. Jason says, "His name is Jenz Sidwell, and when I was in Africa with Lucky, Anna Devane, and Holly Sutton, he threatened us. We barely escaped. He lives at Wyndmere now and claims to be abiding by the law. The authorities can't prosecute him since his crimes were not on US soil. He continues to tell everyone what happened was a misunderstanding, but I don't trust him. Elizabeth and I want to keep you boys safe."

Danny says he understands but wants to help. Jake says he will support his mother, but Danny is a fool if he thinks he can go up against Sidell. "Danny, let Dad and my mom handle this. They know what to expect. Sonny is probably involved, too. Dad warned us. I don't like it, but I trust them."

"Spinelli is tracking Sidwell's movements. I've called in a favor, and a few old guards are returning. Until I know his intentions, I always want one of them with you. Elizabeth, do you remember Cody? He will be your guard. Francis will be with Danny and Aiden when they are at school. Jake, Milo will be your guard when you leave the house. I'm aware of the imposition and hope to resolve things soon. I also want to look at more secure places to live."

Jake grabs Danny to argue about the options, and Elizabeth asks Aiden if he has any questions."Is my father responsible for any part of this?"

Elizabeth gently says, "Lucky is out of the country, so it's a moot point. We will be prepared if Sidwell goes after you because he can't reach your father. Please stay with your guards." Aiden hugs his mother and promises to listen to Francis.

Jason follows Elizabeth to her room. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. This is why I broke things off years ago. It will never be safe for us to be together. I don't want to bring harm to my sons. I'll walk away when this is finished."

"Like hell you will. I'm breaking the cycle—no more bailing. We will go through this together and overcome it, whatever happens. I'm not giving up again or letting you leave to protect me. I'm older now, and so are my children; it's time to take action."

Jason claims her lips. "Something to think about for when it's the right time for us to be together."