So here is the original plot outline through the end of the story. I decided to rewrite Shadows for a number of reasons — I didn’t particularly like how I handled the Michael situation. If AJ were actually dead at this point, it’d be fine. But as long as AJ is alive, he should be an option for Michael.

I also didn’t think the Elizabeth/Ric stuff was true to either character, so I’m glad I chose to rewrite it.

Anyway though, here is how I originally planned to end it.

Chapter Sixteen

Mac questions Jason regarding Elizabeth and leads Jason to understand that Mac is focusing on Liz for this case. He also finds out that Ric has disappeared. Jason pays a visit to Sonny who wants to know just how long Sam’s been making a fool out of him.

Nikolas and Emily pay a visit to Elizabeth and coo over Andi while Elizabeth explains the situation. Emily think she’s a real idiot for doing this but also understands that it would be an impossible choice for Jason to make and accepts Elizabeth’s decision.  Nikolas says he’ll make the arrangements immediately. Elizabeth wants to do this so that eventually, even Nikolas won’t know where she is.

Michael reluctantly tells Carly that something was weird about Liz when she left and Carly wonders if maybe the muffin has something in mind.

Chapter Seventeen

Nikolas and Emily return from their trip and Mac pays them a visit–they’ve officially been cleared him. Also, Alexis has been asked to be interim DA as Ric has not yet been located — and strangely enough, Sam is gone too.

Sonny wants a chance to apologize to Michael and Jason grants it. The three make their peace but Michael makes it clear that he wants to stay with Jason–that Jason is his father. Sonny agrees and tells Michael that the happiest Jason has ever been is when he’s playing that role. After Michael is gone, Sonny confides to Jason that Ric and Sam are no longer a problem. Sam has been paid to leave town and he’s taken care of Ric the way he should have a long time ago.

In Spain, Elizabeth packs everything and leaves the place she’s lived in for five months. She stops to mail some letters to people back home before driving away.

Chapter Eighteen

Jason is concerned when he continually can’t get Elizabeth on the phone and after a few days go by without any call back, he prepares to fly back. Michael brings in the mail as Jason is packing and reads his letter from Elizabeth. He starts to cry and Jason finds his in the pile.

Elizabeth tells him that she loves him, that she will always love him but doesn’t want to put him in the position of having to choose. Michael needs him so much and he’s so important to Jason.

Knowing that his sister had recently been out of town, Jason storms over to Wyndemere and demands answer. Nikolas refuses to give them. Elizabeth has made her decision.

A letter arrives for Mac from Elizabeth. She explains the situation and what happened to Zander. She doesn’t want him to focus on any other innocent people. She left town because she was pregnant and she was scared and she’s staying away now because she’s a mother and wants to protect her daughter.

Mac is shaken by the letter, unsure where to go from here.

Chapter Nineteen

Mac pays Jason a visit and informs him of Elizabeth’s letter. Jason remains mum but isn’t surprised. Mac tells him that he’s not sure what he should do. If Elizabeth had stayed in town, it would have been a clear case of self-defense but once she ran, things changed. Mac leaves Jason with that notion and Jason renews his efforts to find Elizabeth.

Elizabeth has settled in a small city in Italy. She knows that Jason may look for her there but can’t resist finally seeing the country of her dreams. She spends her time sketching and drawing and caring for Andi. A convoluted process gets her letters from Nikolas without letting him know where she is and she finds out that Jason and Sonny have made their peace, Ric has disappeared, believed dead and Mac is still investigating, though not with the same fervor as before.

Carly wonders if maybe Jason should stop trying to find Elizabeth. She did a noble thing, a very big sacrifice and Jason shouldn’t screw that up for her. Jason tells her that unless she has something helpful to add to shut up. He’s not about to let Elizabeth think she doesn’t matter to him by not going after her.

Chapter Twenty

Mac has finally made a decision regarding Elizabeth and files the case in the cold cases section. He makes sure that Jason is aware of this development. It’s nearly winter and Mac decides they’ve all suffered enough. If he had put the mother of his child in the position that Zander had, he’d want her to defend herself and having known Zander, he thinks Zander would have been okay with the outcome.

Jason tells Nikolas that Mac has closed the case and now demands Elizabeth’s location. Nikolas won’t give it without Elizabeth’s consent and it may be a while before the letter gets to her. It’s the way Elizabeth wanted it and he’s not going against her. Annoyed, Jason leaves. On his way out, Emily finds him and tells him that she thinks Elizabeth is in Italy.

Jason tells Michael that he’s going to go bring Elizabeth home.

Epilogue

On the day that Elizabeth receives Nikolas’s letter letting her know that she is free, Jason finally tracks her down. He tells her that he can’t decide if he should be angry with her for leaving him or be grateful that he didn’t have to make that decision.

Elizabeth says that she’d rather skip all of that and start the rest of her life.

0

Carly had never killed anyone before, never been directly responsible for anyone’s death, but she knew what she was doing when she called Sonny and told him about Ric’s affair with Sam.

She told him about Elizabeth, how she’d killed Zander in a panic to save her child, she’d confirmed what Sonny had suspected all along–that Jason and Michael disappeared to visit Elizabeth, though he hadn’t known the circumstances behind her absence from Port Charles.

She’d told him about the precious relationship that had grown between her son and Elizabeth and how much Michael cared for her, cared for his new cousin. She told him that Jason had finally found someone that he could count on and build a life with.

And then she’d told him about the choice Jason was terrified to consider–leaving Michael or leaving Elizabeth. And she’d informed Sonny that if he ever wanted her forgiveness for what he’d done to Michael, he would have to find a way to fix it so that Ric didn’t complicate matters.

And to cement the deal, she’d informed him that his half-brother and his whore were making a mockery of him.

She’d known it would lead to his death and it would be the first time in her checkered past that she would really have destroyed a human life. It had bothered her for a few moments–she’d been married to a man capable of violence, she’d loved a man that she knew for a fact had killed before and would probably kill again. But she’d been able to rationalize that away by telling herself that it was always business and that the men whose lives were taken had chosen to be in that business. So it was okay to love them. To give Sonny a child and to share her eldest son with Jason.

But she herself had never killed anyone and that was what she had done noq. But then she’d remembered the life that was taken–the man that had pretended to sleep with her, that had tried to destroy her family and had chained her to wall, pregnant and scared. The man that had sat and watched as his wife drank poisoned lemonade. The man that had drugged said wife so she would not conceive.

Ric may have been a living breathing person, but to Carly, he was expendable. It had come down to Elizabeth’s freedom or Ric’s life and as far as Carly was concerned, Ric had been long past his expiration date.

So she had put the decision behind her. They would never find Ric’s body but Port Charles had already moved on in the three weeks since Ric had vanished on his way home from the office. Alexis Davis had been sworn in as district attorney and Elizabeth’s divorce from the man had been quietly pushed through the last of the red tape.

All that remained was the investigation itself and Carly felt confident that Jason would find a way to turn Mac off Elizabeth’s trail. He’d move heaven and earth for the woman and though Carly didn’t understand the attraction, she certainly understood the sentiment. If Elizabeth was who Jason had chosen, she would do her best to protect them both.

Summer drew to a close and it was time to return to Port Charles, time for Carly to go home to her club, for Michael to begin school but leaving was hardest on Jason. He had been present for nearly every waking moment of Andi’s life and now he would have to leave for her what could be months. And if things went badly, he might never see either Andi or Elizabeth again.

So during their last few days, Carly took Michael and Morgan to the beach more often and let the tiny family have their moments together, to create memories that might have to last a life time. She wished that time could stretch, that these days could last forever. She couldn’t remember being more peaceful or content then she’d been this summer in Spain.

“When can Aunt Liz come home?” Michael asked, digging his shovel into the sand.

Carly sighed. “I’m not sure, kiddo. I’m hoping she’ll be home for Christmas but it’s not really up to me.”

Michael pursed his lips. “I miss her when we’re not here,” he said. “And so does Jason. And I’m gonna miss Andi a lot. What if she start talking or does something else cool?” he glanced toward his ten-month-old brother. “How am I supposed to protect her if she’s all the way over here?”

“The older you get, the tougher the questions,” Carly sighed. “All I can say is that distance doesn’t change things. You’re still gonna love her all the way in Port Charles, and Elizabeth and Andi are still gonna love you from here.” She combed through his messy red hair. “You’re always going to be a family, Michael, no matter where you live.”

“I know,” Michael sighed, with the wisdom of a child that wasn’t quite mature enough to handle all that he already knew. “It just sucks.”

“Yeah,” Carly agreed with a sad smile. “It really does suck.”

“Do we have to leave tomorrow?” Michael asked. “Can’t we stay a few more days?”

“Sorry buddy, we should have left last week but you start school on Monday and you know Elizabeth would be the first person to put you on the plane back home. It’s important to learn.”

“I guess. But we can come back for Thanksgiving right?” he asked. “If they’re still here.”

“It’s up to Jason, Mr. Man.” She sighed and glanced back towards the house.

“This has been probably one of the best summers I can remember in a long time,” Elizabeth said as she put Andi down for her afternoon nap. She closed the door to the nursery and headed for the back porch.

She waited for Jason to sit next to her on the bench and she scooted closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He slid his arm around her. “Michael wants to stay another few days,” he said after a moment.

“Mmm…I wish you could,” she replied. “But school starts in a few days and he’ll need to settle back into the time zone. You probably should have gone home last week.”

“Probably,” he admitted. He changed the subject because neither of them wanted to discuss the reasons why they had prolonged the visit. “I talked to Carly about Michael wanting to change his last name.”

“And I bet she thought it was a great idea,” Elizabeth replied.

“She did,” he confirmed. “She didn’t even hesitate and she thinks it would be good for Michael, for him to be able to believe that this is permanent.” Jason hesitated. “And we’re going to finalize the adoption when we got back, Carly talked to Sonny a few weeks ago. He’s going to sign the papers.”

“Jason…” Elizabeth pulled away, her eyes sparkling. “That’s incredible news! I mean, it was wonderful that you were appointed his guardian but now…”

“Michael doesn’t understand we need to sign all the paperwork,” Jason continued. “He said that he chose me and I chose him and that should have been enough for everyone.”

A smile tugged her lips and Elizabeth couldn’t contain the small chuckle. “He sounds so much like you, Jason. The sensible advice, the confusion at why things have to be more complicated than they should be. It’s like listening to you speak.” She took his hand and held it between both of hers. “I wish that I could be there when you sign the papers,” she said softly.

He stared at their hands, at how his hand was still larger than both of hers together. His tanned skin next to her pale complexion. The slim soft fingers against his calloused skin. It shouldn’t look right, she was so much smaller and more delicate than he was, so beautiful and graceful. He was so much bigger than her, thicker and rougher. He wondered why something that shouldn’t suit was such a perfect fit.

“I wish you could be there, too,” Jason admitted. “But we can call you after we sign them.”

She smiled sadly and looked away, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “It won’t be the same.” She bit her lip. “Nothing is ever going to be the same.”

Not wanting her to be more sad than necessary on their last night together, Jason used their joined hands to tug her closer and kiss her. “Maybe they’ll be better,” he said after they parted and Elizabeth smiled, but there was something about the look in her eyes in that moment that worried him. Some piece of melancholy, resignation that hadn’t been a few moments ago.

But it disappeared almost as soon as it had surfaced and she squeezed his hand, pasting a smile on her face. “Maybe they will,” she replied.

Neither of them believed it.

The next morning, Jason rose early and packed the car. Carly was giving Elizabeth last minute advice as she brought Morgan out to the car. “People say you should let them cry,” she remarked, “but I think that’s bullshit–”

“Mom!” Michael gasped, scandalized. “You can’t say that!”

“Sorry, Mr. Man, I’ll put a dollar in the jar as soon as I get home,” Carly promised. She turned back to Elizabeth. “Take care of my niece.”

“Take care of Michael and Jason.” Elizabeth kissed Morgan’s cheek and embraced Carly awkwardly. “Thanks for all your help. It was nice to have a woman here.”

“Well, it was nice being here,” Carly admitted. “But I have to go before I do something crazy and start thinking we’re friends.” She slid her sunglasses over her eyes and stepped down towards the car.

Elizabeth knelt down and tugged Michael into a fierce hug. “I’ve gotten so used to having you around,” she said, trying not to cry.

“Don’t let Andi forget about me,” Michael told her. “I’m her cousin and it’s important that she remembers that.”

“She will never forget you, Michael. I’ll tell her stories so the next time you see her, it’ll be like you were never apart,” Elizabeth told him, wishing she could keep that promise. She pulled back and ran her hands down his arms to grasp his hands. “Now, listen to me, Michael, because this is very important. I want to you take care of Jason for me. I love him very much and I need you to promise me that you will look out for him.”

Michael frowned–there was something about her tone that sounded wrong to him but he nodded. “I always protect him,” he boasted. “That’s what families do. We protect each other.”

“Right. I love you, Michael. I want you to remember that.” Elizabeth embraced him again. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will.” Michael pulled back from her, kissed her cheek and went to the car, a little confused. That hadn’t been Elizabeth’s normal goodbye.

Jason waited until Carly had belted Michael into the car and had stepped into the passenger’s seat before approaching Elizabeth on the porch. He knew there was a very reach chance that the next time he saw her, he would have to say goodbye for real.

“I’m going to do my best to bring you home,” he told her. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“I know you will,” Elizabeth said softly. She rose to her tip toes and pressed her lips against his. “I love you,” she told him. “I just–I needed you to know that.”

Jason cupped her cheek in his hand, letting his thumb trace the shell of her ear. “I love you, too.” He kissed her again, long and hard. Separating from her was difficult and it took all of his strength to leave her on the steps, to go to the car. He pulled open the door but turned to look at her one last time before getting inside. “I’ll see you later,” he called to her.

Elizabeth waited until they were halfway down the drive before she touched her lips and smiled wistfully. “Goodbye,” she murmured.

She went back inside to call Nikolas. It was time to make her plans.

A Week Later…

Mayor Garrett Floyd wasn’t entirely unhappy to be rid of Ric Lansing as the district attorney. The man hadn’t been his first choice for the position and he was far from the best, with his blood connection to Sonny Corinthos. He’d long wanted to put Alexis Davis in the role–she had knowledge of the Corinthos organization, of the man himself that other attorneys didn’t.

So he’d been somewhat relieved that Ric Lansing had disappeared. But one had to keep up appearances so he made his weekly visit to Mac Scorpio to get the progress on the investigation and of course, to find out what was happening on the Smith case. He wasn’t all that worried about finding that killer either but the public wanted someone to pay for Brian Beck’s shooting and he was hoping that they could close the case right before election day. That would be a great head line.

“No charges on his credit card, no sign of life,” Mac sighed, repeating the same line that he had since the day Ric had failed to show up for work a month ago. Like Floyd, he wasn’t that concerned. Ric had been a poor excuse for a DA and he was already more satisfied with Alexis’s work than he’d been with the two previous DAs. But it was important to play his role.

“I wonder if Corinthos finally got rid of him,” Floyd mused. “Remind me to send that man a bottle of wine.” He shrugged. “Ah, well, keep the investigation going for at least a few more months before we give up. Must look like we give a damn about the son of a bitch.”

Politicians, Mac thought sourly. Not a heart in one of them. “As for the Smith case, I do have a suspect in mind, but it’s a weak one. Elizabeth Lansing–she was pregnant with his child, trying to get him to give up rights to the baby. She left town shortly after the cause of death was reported and I’ve been having trouble tracking her down with her parents in Europe.”

“Elizabeth Lansing is the artist, right?” Floyd asked. “Tiny little brunette that didn’t look like she could hurt a fly?”

“She’s a good kid–shady taste in men, never really had much luck in that area,” Mac admitted, “but I have a hard time imagining her attacking Zander. But she was pregnant and strikes me as being a mother that would kill to protect her own.”

“What about the grandmother?” Floyd asked. “Can’t we get some contact information from her?”

“Her information for her stepson was outdated and apparently Jeff Webber and his wife move around a lot. I’m working on it but…” Mac sighed. “How much do I want to push what might have been a case of self defense?”

“Self defense or not, if she fled possible prosecution, it makes her a fugitive.” The headlines in Floyd’s head had changed and he didn’t think this one would fly. “I’d prefer to close this case, Scorpio, and no one wants to put a mother in jail. But it’s only speculation now. Find her and figure out what role she played.”

“There’s something else that keeps me going back to Elizabeth,” Mac admitted. “Jason Morgan.”

Floyd perked up. Morgan was always good for a headline. “What about him?”

“The two have a history and he’s been unreachable most of the last six months. In and out of town on mysterious vacations that all seemed to start when Elizabeth left town.”

“Jason Morgan helping a fugitive run from justice, now that’s a good headline.” Floyd nodded. “Find her. Question him. I don’t want this going to the cold case files if we can avoid it, Scorpio.”

He nodded to his aide and swept out of the office. Mac glared after him. “Self-serving prick,” he muttered.

0

The sun was setting over the horizon when Elizabeth joined Jason out on the back porch. “Andi finally drifted off,” she murmured as she curled up next to Jason on the bench. He curled his arm around her and she could feel the tenseness in his muscles.

“I think she smiled at me today,” Elizabeth said, deciding to distract him. “A lot of people will say its gas but I know a smile when I see one.”

“They used to say that about Michael,” Jason said. “They’d tell me it was just gas but I knew he was smiling at me.”

“Michael can’t get enough of Andi, it’s all Carly could do tonight to convince him to go his own room,” Elizabeth remarked. “He’s so sure she’s going to do something incredible while he’s out of the room.”

“That’s how it is usually,” Jason mused. “The first time Michael raised his head and actually looked at me, like he recognized me…I wouldn’t trade that moment for any meeting in the world.” He squinted out over the ocean view. “He wants to change his name.”

Elizabeth looked up at him. “To Morgan?”

“Yeah…” Jason exhaled slowly. “It still says that on his birth certificate you know, I never knew that until the judge told me that I was still listed as his father. They never changed it to AJ, never changed it to Sonny.” He hesitated. “Having him live with me again, being his father, it’s something I could have never imagined happening. But now that it has…” he shook his head. “I don’t know…”

“You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Elizabeth said simply. “Because it’s too good to be true. You’re like me–you can’t believe something good can happen to you so you spend your time waiting for something bad and when it doesn’t, you start looking for it.” She trailed her fingers down his arm. “You didn’t used to be like that.”

“Life used to be simpler,” Jason said simply.

“Yeah, you’re not kidding,” Elizabeth sighed. “But at least when I panic about knowing why she’s crying, I can just look at you for help.” She fell silent after that, remembering that this would probably not be happening. That soon, she and Andi would be gone and without Jason.

She cleared her throat. “You remember that day in the park? After that night in Jake’s, when we talked about Michael?”

“Yeah,” Jason said slowly. “What about it?”

“I said that at least you knew that Michael was still around, that you could hear about him and watch him grow up from distance and maybe someday…you’d be closer to him.”

“I remember.”

“I have never been happier to be right,” Elizabeth said. She closed her eyes and she and Jason sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the evening.

Audrey Hardy opened her front door and frowned when she saw the commissioner standing on her front step. “Mac, it’s nice to see you.”

“Audrey…” Mac scratched the back of his neck. “Can we talk? There are some questions I need to ask you.”

Audrey’s eyes narrowed but she stepped back and allowed Mac to enter. She gestured for him to take a seat. Mac withdrew a small notepad. “I’ve been investigating Zander Smith’s murder.”

“I can’t imagine what you think that has to do with me,” Audrey said after a long moment. “I barely knew him.”

“That’s true,” Mac said slowly, “but your granddaughter Elizabeth not only knows him, but she’s pregnant–”

“She had the baby you know,” Audrey cut in. “I just received the letter from her yesterday. A little girl named Alexandria.”

“That’s good–Alexandria for Zander, I imagine.” Mac cleared her throat. “It’s come to my attention that Elizabeth left town shortly after we made the announcement about Zander’s cause of death.”

Audrey bristled at the notion that one had anything to do with the other. “She’s had a rough time of it–she made a mistake remarrying Ric Lansing and she left town to deal with that. They’re divorcing now and I’m not sure my granddaughter will ever move back.”

“So she left town due to her marriage,” Mac said.

“She wrote me a letter after she’d gone saying that she needed some space from Port Charles, some time. A few months later, she told me that she was filing for divorce.” Audrey hesitated. “Mac, you’ve known Elizabeth for years. You can’t possibly think she had anything to do with Zander’s murder.”

“I know that Elizabeth would do anything to protect her child,” Mac said after a moment. “Audrey, if you know anything–”

“I don’t know anything about Zander Smith’s murder. Elizabeth is staying with her family in Europe–”

“I thought she was in Colorado,” Mac interrupted. “That’s what Ric said–”

“Ric misunderstood. Elizabeth told him she was staying with family and he knows she grew up in Colorado,” Audrey remarked simply. “He made that connection on his own but if he’d ever bothered to ask, he would have known that my stepson and his wife have been living in Europe for the last six years.”

“I’ll need their contact information to confirm that,” Mac said. He made a note and slipped it into his jacket pocket. “Audrey–”

“You seriously think that my granddaughter could have murdered Zander Smith?” Audrey demanded incredulously. “You’ve lost your mind, Mac! Elizabeth is five foot two and pregnant! Zander was so much stronger and quicker on his feet–”

“Audrey, right now all I have are questions,” Mac said blandly. “I have no suspects which is why I have to run up all the loose ends. Elizabeth, the mother of the victim’s child, is a loose end.”

“Well,” Audrey huffed. She stood and stalked the door. She yanked it open and turned back to glare at him. “If you have nothing else…?”

“Audrey, I’ll expect you to contact my office with Jeff Webber’s contact information. I need to get in touch with Elizabeth,” Mac told her.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Audrey said reluctantly. “But you had better not repeat these accusations — Elizabeth has a great many friends and loved ones in this town who will not stand for it. Powerful and influential friends.”

Used to threats such as this after years of dealing with Cassadines and Quartermaines, Mac just smiled at her, thanked her for her time and left.

Towards the end of August, Carly began to prepare to go back home. She’d be sorry to be parted from Michael again but if nothing else, this summer had proved that her son was in excellent hands with Jason and Elizabeth. Michael flourished and thrived like he never had with Sonny.

“When do you think Elizabeth will be able to come home?” Carly inquired as she folded a tank top and placed it in her bag. “Will you guys be staying in the penthouse or finding somewhere else?”

Jason glanced out Carly’s open bedroom door and when he found no one listening (Translation: Michael wasn’t hanging around), he closed it and sat on Carly’s bed. “There’s something that we have to discuss.”

Carly looked at him oddly. “What?” She continued packing.

“I’ve had some reports from Port Charles that Mac is asking questions about Elizabeth. About the timing of her departure from town, about her relationship with Zander.”

Carly paled and sank onto the bed. “He’s focusing on her.”

Jason nodded. “And he’s been asking Audrey questions. She doesn’t know anything but if he questions Ric too closely…”

“He’ll spill.” She bit her lip. “Okay, well no one knows where she is–”

“But I’ve been visiting. And there have been letters. Audrey’s are all postmarked from Europe. It’s not an easy trail to follow and it would take Mac a lot of time, but he’d find it eventually. Having Elizabeth here, visiting, allowing contact–it was just a way to keep her out of Port Charles. She’s not hiding yet and technically she’s not a fugitive. But if Mac starts pursuing her as a suspect–”

“You’ll have to move her.” Carly swallowed her. “And you won’t be able to see her or Andi again.” Her eyes were sympathetic as she touched his forearm. “I’m so sorry Jase–”

“There is another choice.” Jason swallowed hard and stood. He restlessly gravitated towards the window where he watched Elizabeth play with Michael in the sand. “Elizabeth would never ask me to, but it’s a choice all the same.”

“You would join her,” Carly said faintly. “You would leave Port Charles and go with her.”

Jason didn’t answer, didn’t look at her but he didn’t need to. There were few people who knew Jason as well as Carly Corinthos. She stood and studied him for a long moment. “You wouldn’t take Michael. Not from his home or his family. And that’s why Elizabeth would never ask you. It would be asking you to choose between your son and her.”

His voice was rough when he finally spoke. “I have to consider it, Carly. I don’t want to, but I have–”

“I understand why you’d want to do it. It’s taken so long for you and Elizabeth to find your way to each other again, it would be a tragedy if you had to leave her now, especially with Andi, whom I know you care about as well. It would be like ripping your heart out. I understand that, Jason, I really do.” Carly took a deep breath and her voice shaky, thick with the tears that glistened in her eyes. “But Elizabeth is an adult. Michael is a child who needs you. You need him, too, Jason. You can’t leave him, not when he depends on you so much.”

“I know that, Carly,” Jason said. He closed his eyes. “I know that and if I had to leave Michael, I don’t–” He licked his lips and looked out again at Elizabeth. “But I’ve waited so long for Elizabeth–”

“I know,” Carly bit her lip to keep the tears from sliding down her cheeks. “I know that, Jason and that’s why this all sucks so bad. Because no matter what you choose, you rip out your heart all the same.”

Jason closed his eyes. “It might not come to that, Carly. Mac could still drop the case. He could still–”

“But if he puts out a warrant for her arrest, you won’t have the time to think. You’ll have to make your decision. So you have to decide.” Carly folded her arms. “She’d never ask you to leave him, Jason. And Elizabeth would be the first to tell you to stay.”

Jason exhaled slowly. “I know. But I have to consider it. It’s not about Elizabeth. It’s about me. And what I want. And if this goes down the way it looks like it’s going to, I can’t have them both.”

Carly sniffled. “Okay, well–it all sucks. I just want that known.” She took a deep breath. “We have to fix it so that Mac never finds out where she is. And that means we have to take care of Ric. I’ll call Sonny. I’ll tell him about Sam and Ric and that’ll take care of that.”

“Carly–”

“I will fix this for you, Jason. I promise,” Carly swore. “And I don’t mean my usual fixes that blow up in my face. I really will fix it.”

Jason just closed his eyes and chuckled softly. “Well, it’s doubtful you can make this much worse.”

With Carly’s words still ringing in his ears, Sonny stood outside the apartment Ric had shared with Elizabeth.

“Sam is sleeping with Ric. You have to fix this. You have to take care of Ric once and for all.”

Sonny used the old tricks of the trade to unlock the door. He swung it open and grimaced when he heard the sounds coming from the bedroom. He looked at Johnny who just screwed the silencer on to his gun and nodded to Sonny.

Carly was right. It was long past time to take care of his brother and after all the damage Ric had done to Carly, to Elizabeth, to all of them–he hoped his mother would understand.

0

Five Weeks Later

Mac slammed the folder down on Ric’s desk. “Inconclusive. If there were any prints, they’re long gone and the blood is too old to get any decent evidence from.”

Ric sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Maybe it’s time we faced the facts, Mac. Zander Smith had a lot of enemies in Port Charles. One of them bashed him over the head. We might never know who.”

Mac shook his head. “I don’t accept that. I can’t let another murder in this town go unsolved–the mayor will have my ass and you know it. Especially Zander Smith–he was wanted for questioning in the shooting of Detective Brian Beck and even if Beck died from unrelated injuries, we still can’t let it go unanswered–”

“It’s beating a dead horse, Scorpio.” Ric shook his head. “We’d never get enough evidence to prosecute and nobody is going to miss a useless human being like Zander Smith. His last link to this world was his father and he died in the fire too. What exactly are you trying to prove here, Mac?”

Mac dragged his fingers through his hair. “I don’t even know anymore,” he muttered. He shook his head and his eyes fell on a wedding photo of Ric and Elizabeth. “Elizabeth was due this summer, wasn’t she?”

Ric coughed. “Uh, yes. She’s away with family right now.”

Mac narrowed his eyes. “Her baby–I heard some gossip that it was Zander Smith’s.”

Ric tensed. “That is…they were friends once, Mac. But Elizabeth was out of his life long before Zander was killed in that fire.”

“Of course–I didn’t mean to speculate. Did she have the baby?” Mac asked.

“Ah…we’re actually separated,” Ric admitted. “She’s filing for divorce.”

Mac blinked. “That was awfully sudden.”

Ric smiled faintly. “You’re telling me.” He glanced at his calendar. “I’m actually flying out to join her in Colorado to try to work things out. If you’ll excuse me…?”

“Oh, right.” Mac picked up the lab report and left, feeling slightly unsettled about the news that Elizabeth Lansing, biological mother of Zander Smith’s child had suddenly filed for divorce from her husband and remembered that she had disappeared from town only a month after Zander Smith died.

Something didn’t add up.

Ric coughed lightly and peered at Johnny, the guard on the door. “If he doesn’t want to be dragged downtown to answer questions, he’ll see me,” he said confidently.

Johnny rolled his eyes but opened the door. “DA Lansing,” he called in.

Sonny, who was sipping a glass of water at the mini bar sighed but waved for Ric to enter. “What do you want?” he demanded.

“Oh, just to drop in on my darling brother,” Ric remarked smoothly. “Where’s your family?” he asked with a smirk.

“Where’s yours?” Sonny returned with the same smirk. “Oh, right–Elizabeth left you. No surprise there.”

It was clear that Sonny had no clue about his affair with Sam, Ric concluded as he thought about the best way to hint about where Carly, Jason and the kids were. If Sonny had known, Ric wouldn’t have gotten three words out before a bullet would have been between his eyes.

“Elizabeth is away visiting family,” Ric lied. “I’m going to join her in Colorado in a few weeks to see her and the baby.”

“Good luck in Colorado,” Sonny said, “since her family has lived in Europe for the past decade or so.”

That made Ric pause. Elizabeth had only mentioned she’d grown up in Colorado but now he realized she’d never really spoken about her childhood. He cleared his throat. “Her immediate family may be in Europe, but her mother’s family is still in Colorado–”

“Cut the bullshit, Ric. You and I both know that Elizabeth has barely spoken to her parents or anyone in her family for years.” The corners of Sonny’s lips curved into a mean smile. “Of course, you probably don’t know. Elizabeth doesn’t talk about her family with people she doesn’t trust.”

“Oh, and she trusts you,” Ric scoffed. “After you chased Carly and your kids away. Please.”

“Maybe not now, but she did once,” Sonny acknowledged, “and she will always trust Jason.” He saw the sudden clench of his half-brothers jaw. Direct hit. “She and Jason have a friendship that goes beyond your understanding–you’ve never been able to change that and it must eat at you.”

“And you were never able to control it,” Ric retorted. “That must have killed you. So, what? You think my wife is off somewhere with your sister’s husband?”

“No,” Sonny said slowly. “Jason is not my sister’s husband. He is my partner and he is my best friend. And I think that where Elizabeth is, she’s safe. From you. She made the right choice in getting away from you because you would have only broken her. And she’s been broken enough.” He sipped his water.

“Since when are you my wife’s biggest fan?” Ric demanded. “And the last time, I checked Jason had custody of your son.”

“Jason has custody of his son,” Sonny corrected calmly. “Michael has always and will always be Jason’s son where it counts. Look, Ric, I’m not going to tell you where they are so you might as well just leave.” He raised his voice slightly. “Johnny, the DA is leaving.”

Ric glared at him before storming out. Sonny waited until the door had closed before reaching for the phone. He dialed a familiar number and waited for the intended party to answer.

“Dr. Winters? I was hoping you had time for a session today…”

Jason slipped his cell phone into his back pocket before stepping out onto the sun porch. Elizabeth was curled up in a lounge chair, Andi in her arms as they watched Michael chase Carly around on the beach. She glanced up when she heard his foot steps. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He took a seat next to her and looked out over the ocean. “Are you feeling all right?”

“Mmm,” Elizabeth smiled and looked at her daughter. “Never better. Now that it’s been a few weeks since Andi was born, I’m feeling stronger and just so…happy. I never knew it could be like this.”

Jason nodded and then bowed his head. “I was talking to one of my sources at the PCPD, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth tensed and her grip on Andi tightened. “Jason…”

“Mac’s looking into the case with a little more urgency now. Apparently they found the pipe in the wreckage the hotel. It had some dried blood on it that the lab tests say they’re not able to conclusively link to Zander’s, but the blood type matches. There are no finger prints, though.”

Elizabeth exhaled slowly. “Well, that’s okay then. Without something like that to tie me to it, then…” she shook her head. “I should have confessed,” she murmured. “I should never have ran.”

“Don’t worry about what you should have done or what you could have done,” Jason stated. “I still think you made the right decision.” He looked away. “But apparently, there’s a lot of pressure on Mac to solve it because Zander was wanted for questioning regarding Brian Beck’s shooting. A cop shooter is always going to be hunted. So he’s looking into things and my source says that he overheard Mac questioning someone about you.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened and there was a glaze of fear in their depths. “B-but…why?”

“Because Mac heard the gossip that you were pregnant with Zander’s baby and he realizes that you left town rather abruptly.” Jason stood and went to the railing. “When I go back later this month, I’ll look into it and gauge the danger, okay? If we need to move you, we will.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and turned away from her. “But it would be different. If we had to move you, Michael wouldn’t be able to come visit you. I wouldn’t…” he trailed off.

Elizabeth knew what he wasn’t saying. Her time in Spain had almost been a vacation with Michael and Jason coming and going, Carly and Morgan visiting, the idea that Nikolas and Emily could pop over whenever she asked Jason to arrange it, but if she were to actually have to be on the run from murder charges, she would be alone. Her daughter would be alone.

Unless Jason joined her. Elizabeth wasn’t stupid–the words hadn’t been spoken, but Carly was right. The decision had been made that they would try to build something together. If Elizabeth had to run, that would change unless Jason went with her. She put the idea out of her mind immediately. Jason had Michael to think of and she would never ask him to abandon his son, not after all that he’d gone through and he could never bring Michael with him because it was no life for a boy who already lost enough family.

But Jason would tear himself apart with that choice, Elizabeth realized.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come it,” Elizabeth said softly. She stood and joined him at the railing. “If we have to take those steps, we’ll think about those possibilities then. There’s no point in worrying if there’s nothing to link me to it yet.”

“Okay,” Jason said quietly. He met her eyes. “You’re right. There’s no point in thinking about something that might not have to happen.”

But it wouldn’t stop him from thinking about what he might have to do. Elizabeth squared her shoulders and realized that she would have to be the strong one here.

She would have to take the next step on her own.

Later that night, when Andi had finally drifted off to sleep and the rest of the house was silent, Elizabeth slipped out her phone.

“Elizabeth–it’s in the middle of the night over there,” Nikolas said with surprise.

“Is that anyway to greet your best friend?” Elizabeth said with a false sense of humor.

“I’m sorry, I was just–nothing’s wrong right? Everything is still okay with Alexandria?”

“Everything is fine, she’s absolutely wonderful. That’s why I’m calling.” Elizabeth hesitated. “How would you like to come over for a visit in early September?”

There was a long pause. “Elizabeth, what is wrong?”

“I need…I need you to fly over when Jason and Carly go back to Port Charles,” Elizabeth finally admitted. “There’s something that I have to do that Jason can’t…he can’t be a part of. Will you do this for me?”

“I don’t even know what it is yet,” Nikolas remarked. “But whatever you need, Elizabeth, you know I’m here for you, right?”

“I know.” Elizabeth sighed. “I’ll call you back when I can give you more details. Thanks, Nikolas. I really appreciate it.”

0

“Mrs. Morgan?” Carly repeated. “Did I miss the ceremony?”

“Yeah, it was lovely, Carly,” Elizabeth panted. “Flowers, cake–best of all, you weren’t there. Can we concentrate on this right now?”

Jason glared at Carly and belatedly, the blonde remembered that this was supposed to be a hideout for Elizabeth and of course the locals would think he was her husband with all the time he was spending here.

“Sorry, I just can’t believe you got married and didn’t invite me,” Carly grumbled. “Is she close?”

“Another push should do it,” Paige remarked.

Michael hopped from foot to foot outside Elizabeth’s bedroom door. At first, he’d been worried about the sounds coming from the room but Jason had come out briefly to assure him that all was well.

He sure hoped so, anyway. He liked having Elizabeth around and it was going to be so cool when his cousin was born. He’d have both Morgan and Andi to look after, to boss around when they got older.

After what seemed like his whole life, the door finally opened and his mother stood there with a funny smile on her face. “Michael, there’s someone you can meet now.”

He dashed into the room and found Elizabeth propped up against the headboard, exhausted but smiling. A bundle was perched in her arms and Jason was at her side, his hand around her shoulders as if to keep her propped up.

“Michael, meet Alexandria Audrey,” Elizabeth said quietly. Michael went to the other side of the bed and climbed up beside her. “Andi, this is your cousin Michael.”

“Wow, I can’t believe how tiny she is,” Michael said. “I mean, Morgan’s small, but she’s really small.”

Paige packed up her things and hoisted her bag over her shoulder. “They make a nice picture, don’t they?” she asked Carly.

“I suppose,” Carly sighed. “She’s not good enough for him.”

“No one ever thinks anyone is good enough for their brother,” Paige remarked. “I know that from experience. I’m gonna go. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on them both but Mr. Morgan has all the instructions for care.”

“Thanks for everything,” Carly said. “We’ll call if we need anything.”

“Her fingers are so small, too,” Michael said. “Look at her little fingernails.” He looked up at Elizabeth. “Why’s she so red?”

Elizabeth laughed shakily and closed her eyes, feeling the adrenaline start to fade from her body. Jason took Andi in his arms and gestured for Michael to follow him. “Let’s let get Andi cleaned up and put her down for a nap. Then we can come in here and help Elizabeth to another bed so she can sleep.”

“A nap?” Michael wrinkled his nose. “She just got here, why’s she wanna sleep more?”

“Because babies like to get all the energy they can so they can grow up to be kids that never have to sleep,” Carly directed as she hustled the three out of the room. She turned to Elizabeth. “Is there anything I can get you?”

“She just assumed we were married, Carly,” Elizabeth murmured. “He’s here so much and I’m pregnant and it was easier than explaining why I was really here.”

“It’s okay,” Carly sighed. She perched on the edge of the bed. “I might as well get used to the idea now. Whether I like it or not, you’re part of this family now. You and your daughter. You matter to Jason, which means you matter to me. I never liked you, Elizabeth,” she said bluntly. “I’m not entirely sure that’ll ever change.”

“Well, I never liked you either Carly,” Elizabeth said with a faint smile. “I’m not entirely sure that’ll change.”

“But I respect Jason and I respect his choices. I didn’t always, but I do now. He has been the best friend a girl could ask for and I know you and I just want the best for him. He seems to think that’s you.” Carly shrugged. “So, I just want you to know that I’m going to work on accepting that.”

“Carly…” Elizabeth shook her head. “Jason and I haven’t made any decisions…”

“Maybe not officially, but you know better. You might need the words to define it and I can understand that but in Jason’s heart and his head, the decisions have been made and I don’t even need to ask you if that’s true for you, too.”

Elizabeth bit her lip. “No, I guess you don’t.”

“I always wanted a little girl,” Carly confessed quietly. She looked at Elizabeth. “I love my boys, but I wanted a daughter so I could give her all the things I never had growing up. So I could teach her love and compassion so she wouldn’t have to go searching for it.”

“Well, it’s not like it won’t ever happen for you,” Elizabeth said. “But in the meantime, I’m sure that Michael would love if you felt like Andi was your niece.” Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “I think every kid needs someone who loves like you do–without any boundaries or regards for polite behavior.”

“Well, that’s certainly true,” Carly stood. “I think we’ve just had a whole day of and night of civilized conversation. I don’t know about you but I think that’s more than enough for me.”

“Carly…I love Jason just as much as you do and I’ll do my best to make him happy.”

“You’d better,” Carly nodded, “or there won’t be a place on this planet you can hide from me.”

“Carly,” Jason scowled as he returned to the room, sans the baby and Michael. “I thought you were going to be nice.”

“Relax,” Carly patted his shoulder. “The muffin and I came to an understanding.” She straightened her shoulders. “Now, I think I’ll go check in on Morgan and then go see my niece.”

“Niece?” Jason questioned but Carly waved him off and disappeared towards the nursery. “Niece?” he repeated to Elizabeth.

“You don’t think Andi deserves an Aunt Carly?” Elizabeth asked as she started to get out of the bed. Jason stopped her and then lifted her into his arms.

“I don’t think anyone deserves an Aunt Carly,” Jason remarked dryly. “Let’s get you settled in the other room.”

“You don’t have to carry me,” Elizabeth mumbled, clasping her hands around his neck.

“You’re tired and this is faster.”

“Does she look like anyone?” Michael questioned. He looked up at his mother than back into the bassinet at his new cousin. “They’re always saying Morgan looks like you and I look like Grandma Bobbie.”

“She has Elizabeth’s features, I guess,” Carly said. “That hair color, I think it’s Zander’s though.” She tucked the little lacy blanket in more tightly around Andi’s body. “She and Morgan are going to grow up together. It’s a little weird to think about.”

“It’s awesome,” Michael said enthusiastically. “I can’t wait until they’re old to do the stuff I tell them to.”

Carly rolled her eyes. “Yeah, there’s no doubt you’re my kid. I remember when you were this small.” She looked away. “You were sick when you were born, I was so scared we’d lose you.”

“But I’m here, so it’s okay.” Michael slid onto the bed in the room and looked up at his mother. “Sonny said he regretted adopting me. Do you ever regret having me, Mom?”

“Never,” Carly promised. “You are my everything.” She sat next to him on the bed. “I did a lot of stupid things before you were born and maybe one day I’ll tell you about them but of all things I’ve done in my life, having you and Morgan will always be the best.” She hugged and kissed the top of his head.

Back in Port Charles, DA Ric Lansing was working on a case and trying to avoid thinking about the impending divorce. He would fight it, he already knew that but it was offensive to him that Elizabeth would divorce him for doing exactly what they’d agreed on. And besides, she would have understood about Sam.

“We’ve had a break on the Smith case,” Mac Scorpio strode in without knocking. “We found a pipe in the wreckage of the hotel–it has dried blood and brain matter–it’s down at the lab for testing but I think we’ve found our murder weapon.”

0

When Jason’s car pulled into the driveway, Michael was standing on the porch with Elizabeth behind him, her hand on his shoulder. “I bet Morgan’s grown a whole inch in the last month,” Michael said, bouncing back and forth on his heels. “He grows really fast.”

“I know what you mean.” Elizabeth squeezed his shoulder. “I remember when you were no bigger your brother and now look at you.”

“It’s gonna be so cool having everyone here,” Michael continued. “My whole family, all in one place with no yelling or throwing stuff.”

Carly pushed open the door and Michael flew down the steps to launch himself at her. “Mr. Man!” she wrapped him in a tight bear hug.

Jason got out of his side and went into the backseat to unstrap Morgan. He lifted the baby in his arms and went over to Carly and Michael. “Let’s get you guys in the house and then Michael and I can come get the bags.”

As Carly came up the stairs, an arm wrapped possessively around her son’s shoulders, she slid her sunglasses up. “Elizabeth.”

“Carly.” Elizabeth shifted. “I’m glad you’re finally here,” she said after a long pause. “Michael’s been chattering on about inviting you here practically since day one.”

“Yeah?” Carly brightened and grinned down at her son. “Missed me, did you?”

“Totally,” Michael said. He tugged on Carly’s hand. “Come see my room!”

Carly followed Michael inside but Elizabeth waited for Jason and Morgan. “He was so small in April,” Elizabeth said as she followed them in.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen him as much as I’d like with everything that’s going on.” Jason set Morgan in the playpen and turned to her. “You all right with Carly while Michael and I unload the car?”

“I doubt we can get into much trouble in fifteen minutes,” Elizabeth remarked

“Maybe you can’t,” Carly said from behind them. “But I can get into serious trouble in less time than that.” She touched Michael’s shoulder. “Go help Jason unload the car and Elizabeth and I will get caught up.”

Michael darted out the door and Jason gave Carly one last look of warning before following him.

“Good God, what does he think I’m going to do?” Carly rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “If I got into as much trouble as Jason seems to think I’m capable of…” she shook her head and focused on Elizabeth. “Michael’s been talking about how great it is to have his family in one place and he can’t wait until his new cousin is born.”

Elizabeth bit her lip. “He thinks of Andi as his cousin, I hope you don’t remind.”

“Of course not.” Carly shrugged and wandered over to the windows to peer out at her son and his guardian. “Michael’s been happier and doing better in school in the last three months than he has his whole life. I know a lot of that is Jason’s doing but I won’t ignore that you’ve had your own influence on him as well.” She eyed her old nemesis. “For example, when you first came here and Michael had just been kicked out Sonny’s…I know you were there for him and I know what you mean to him, to Jason.”

Elizabeth flushed. “Carly–”

“Michael is my number one priority. Both my sons are.” Carly paused and took a deep breath. “And Jason’s right up there with them. If there’s anyone in my life that deserves to be happy and get exactly what he wants, it’s Jason.”

“I agree,” Elizabeth said softly.

“There’s nothing that’s going to take Michael from Jason this time,” Carly continued. “There are no lies, no threats to his guardianship. He is Michael’s…” she fumbled for the right word.

“He’s his father,” Elizabeth supplied. “In every way that really matters and I’m glad that nothing can change that this time.”

“Good. I’m glad you understand that because a lot of women wouldn’t. They would resent a child that shares no blood with him and neither of them deserves that. I’m glad that you can understand and appreciate that.” Carly folded her arms. “So, when are you due?”

“Any day actually,” Elizabeth said. She touched her abdomen and sighed. “I just hope it all goes well.”

“Has Jason arranged for any drugs?” Carly asked. The door opened before Elizabeth could answer. She turned to Jason who was carrying three suitcases over the threshold. “Have you arranged for any drugs for the delivery?” she demanded of him.

He frowned. “What?”

“C’mon, Jason, this is heavy!” Michael complained from behind his guardian as he lugged yet another of Carly’s suitcases up the stairs. “Don’t stop in the doorway!”

Jason moved aside to let Michael enter. “What drugs?” he asked.

“For the labor,” Carly clarified. “Epidural, pain meds, stuff so Elizabeth doesn’t break your hand.”

“The pain is really that bad?” Elizabeth swallowed hard.

“It’s not my favorite way to pass the time,” Carly shrugged. “So?” she prompted Jason.

“The doctor said he’d arrange for all that.” Jason started down the hall towards Carly’s bedroom. “I’ll give him a call to confirm it.”

“Drugs are bad,” Michael said as he passed his mother and Elizabeth. “That’s what Mr. Mackey always says.”

“Yeah, just wait until you have to push a watermelon through a lemon,” Carly muttered. She went off to examine her new room.

Elizabeth sighed and sank onto the sofa, watching Morgan chew on the ear of a stuffed rabbit. In a matter of days, she might be holding her little girl in her arms. She touched her tummy and closed her eyes.

Jason entered the room and saw her sitting there–her eyes closed, her hand clutching at her middle and immediately assumed the worse. “What’s wrong?” he demanded. In two quick strides, he knelt at her side and looked at her, panicked. “Is it the baby?”

Elizabeth shook her head and opened her eyes, smiling. “No, no. I was just thinking about what it would be like to hold Alexandria for the first time. She’ll be here any day now and I just…” she exhaled slowly. “I almost can’t wait anymore.”

“Oh.” Jason sat back on his heels. “I just–I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she reached out and took his hand. “Jason…I just want to thank you–”

He shook his head, not wanting to hear her gratitude. “You would have done the same for me,” he cut in.

“No…that’s not what I was going to thank you for,” Elizabeth told him. “Thank you, for being here with me, especially these last few weeks. I was feeling sorry for myself before you and Michael came, thinking about the lonely life I had to look forward to before you gave me the courage to file for divorce. When I go home, it won’t be to a marriage that makes me miserable but to a family that means more to me than anything in the world.” She touched his cheek. “Thank you, Jason, for being one of the people that I trust more than anyone else.”

He wasn’t sure what to say to that and he could tell she wasn’t expecting an answer. Instead, he sat next to her on the sofa and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She tucked herself into his side and fell asleep, her breath warm on his neck.

Carly came into the room to ask about something but went unnoticed at the entrance to the living room. She watched Jason tenderly tuck Elizabeth’s hair behind her ear and kiss her forehead. She backed away and went to her room, uncomfortable with the idea that she may have been wrong about Elizabeth all along.

By the time Michael set the table for dinner, Carly and Morgan were all settled in the guest rooms. Jason had cooked a simple dinner and had been trying to talk Elizabeth into taking an early night.

“I had a nap this afternoon,” Elizabeth complained as she lowered herself into one of the chairs. “I’ll go to sleep when I’m tired.” She rubbed her lower back and fidgeted in the chair.

“Leave her alone,” Carly said. “Did you call the doctor?”

Jason nodded. “He’ll have the whole range available but if you want an epidural,” he told Elizabeth who grimaced, “you have to call him in as soon as the labor pains start.”

“So, Michael tells me you’re going to name her Andi,” Carly remarked as she spooned some potatoes onto her plate. “That’s a cute name.”

“It’s short for Alexandria.” Elizabeth shifted again. “Alexandria Audrey.” She reached for the plate of chicken but Jason beat her to it and shifted some pieces onto her plate.

Carly nodded. “For Zander,” she said softly. “That’s real nice.”

“I know it might seem hypocritical…” Elizabeth shrugged uncomfortably. She sipped her water and grimaced a little, reaching to rub her lower back again.

“I don’t think so at all,” Carly remarked. She glanced at Michael but he was seeming engrossed in building a mashed potato fort. “Zander was good friend to me too at one time. And speaking as a mother, I can understand doing whatever it takes to protect your children.”

“I think anyone who knows you knows the lengths you’re willing to go for your kids,” Elizabeth replied. She fidgeted again and this time when her hand strayed to rub her lower back, Carly focused on it.

“Has it been hurting more than usual today?” Carly asked.

Eliabeth hesitated and thought about it. “I guess,” she shrugged. “Why?”

“What’s wrong?” Jason asked. His worried eyes fixed on Elizabeth. “Are you in pain?” he demanded.

“Chill, Daddy,” Carly quipped. “Because labor pains usually start as lower back aches. I think you’d better call the doctor–just to be on the safe side.”

Michael perked up. “Liz is having the baby?” he demanded with glee. “It’s about time!”

Jason leapt up from the table and went to the phone hanging on the wall by the refrigerator. Carly smirked at his unusual demeanor as she helped the bewildered mother-to-be out of her chair. “Let’s go set you up in the bedroom,” she said. “It’s going to be a long night.”

Elizabeth bit her lip. “You’ll stay with me right?” she asked Carly. “Because I don’t think I can do this alone.”

“Can I watch, can I watch?” Michael danced after them. “Pretty please?”

“Absolutely not,” Carly remarked. She pushed Elizabeth’s bedroom door open and pushed her towards the bed. “Go watch cartoons, okay? We’ll call you if we need you.”

“Aww…that’s not fair,” Michael grumbled. He left the room and Carly helped Elizabeth change into a nightgown.

“You’re awfully calm about this,” Elizabeth remarked suspiciously as Carly propped a pillow behind Elizabeth’s head.

“It’s always easy to be calm when everything’s going right,” Carly shrugged. “You had a healthy pregnancy, you’re in good physical shape, the doctor is on their way and you caught the labor pains early enough to get an epidural. It shouldn’t be that difficult at all.

Carly would wish she could take those words back six hours later as Elizabeth’s contractions were slamming into each other one after the other and the epidural had long since worn off. Her hair was soaked and shoved off her forehead and she was clutching Jason’s hand so tightly he thought he felt the bones crack.

Carly twisted her fingers together as she stood at the foot of the bed with Elizabeth’s doctor. Maybe she’d tempted the fates by saying Elizabeth would have a relatively easy delivery. Since when had women from Port Charles had an easy time of any thing?

“Should it be taking this long?” she hissed.

Dr. Paige Huma glanced up at her nervous companion. “It can take more than twenty-four hours sometimes.” She leaned back and reached into her bag for a bottle of pills. “Crush two of these into a fine power and put it into a glass of water for her to drink. It’s the only kind of meds I can give her right now.”

Carly rushed from the room to carry out her task and stopped only to assure Michael that everything was going okay. She wasn’t sure if he believed her but then again, she wasn’t sure she believed herself.

“Nothing’s wrong with my baby, right?” Elizabeth managed to gasp out between pains. She gripped Jason’s hand harder but the only outward indication of his own pain was a slight tick of a muscle in his jaw.

“Nothing at all,” Paige replied with a bright smile. “Some labors take longer than others.”

“But she’s in so much pain,” Jason said. “Is this normal?”

“Sure is,” Paige said cheerfully. “Shouldn’t be too much longer though, Mrs. Morgan. The baby is finally crowning so let’s give it one more push, okay?”

Carly stopped in the doorway. “Mrs. Morgan?” she demanded.

0

Later, after Michael was asleep for the night and Jason had called Alexis to begin the process, he sat down with Elizabeth in the kitchen while she ate one of her late-night craving snacks–pickle and peanut butter sandwiches.

“Michael’s been making noises about wanting Carly to visit,” he told her.

Elizabeth frowned and set her sandwich on her plate. “Is that…a good idea?” she asked. “I mean, you know Carly more than I do but I just…with everything she’s going through with Sonny…”

“It’s part of the reason I’m bring it up,” Jason remarked quietly. “Losing custody of Michael was hard even when she saw how much it meant to him. She’s been scared of losing him since the day he was born and now it’s almost as if she has.”

Elizabeth peeled the crust from her sandwich and nibbled on it absently. Since the day she’d arrived in Port Charles, she’d heard about Caroline Benson Corinthos. She’d heard stories of how the blonde had ruined Bobbie’s life, stories of her feud with Robin Scorpio, tales of her many plans that had gone awry. Carly had always been someone on the peripheral edges of Elizabeth’s life but since the birth of her friendship with Jason, the two women had been thrown into each other’s spheres more often than they would like.

Elizabeth would never understand why Jason put up with Carly but she was Michael’s mother and Michael always spoke highly of his mother and if there was one thing Elizabeth could say about Carly with any certainty–it was that she loved her boys. Her agreement not to fight Jason for custody spoke volumes.

This trip to Spain was to have been her escape from Port Charles but she realized this house was turning into more. This place was no longer just her haven but Jason and Michael’s too. They came here when life back home became too stressful. They came here when they wanted some time to just be.

This place had healed something in Elizabeth that she hadn’t even realized was still wounded. How could she deny Carly that opportunity?

“If you think that Carly spending part of the summer here is a good idea, then I trust your judgment,” Elizabeth answered. “I think it would be good for Michael to spend some time with his mother away from Port Charles and the stress of the custody battle and the divorce.”

Jason exhaled slowly. “Thank you,” he replied. “I don’t know how long she’d be here but it’s good…it’s good that you’re okay with this. It means a lot to me.”

Elizabeth reached out and covered Jason’s hand. “Michael is important to me,” she told him. “You are important to me. I want to do anything I can to help you. To support you.” Her smile twisted. “Even if it is asking Carly to visit on purpose.”

Jason sat back and resolved to call Carly in the morning. “Michael got straight A’s for the year,” he said after a moment, unable to control the smile that stretched across his face. “He wanted to surprise you with his report card.”

“That’s wonderful but I’m not surprised you know. He’s so smart.” Elizabeth bit into her sandwich. ”

“There was this conference at the end of the year,” Jason continued, “and his teacher wanted to tell me that she’d never seen a student improve so fast. Michael missed so much time during the beginning of the year that he almost failed but once he came to live with me, his work turned around, his attendance was up, he was behaving perfectly–she told me that he was one of the brightest and most well-adjusted boy she’d ever taught and that living with me was the best thing that could have happened to him.”

Elizabeth grinned. “I could have told you that,” she teased. “In fact, I think I did.”

“I know…” Jason shrugged and looked away. “It’s different hearing that from someone who had real contact with Michael before the divorce and saw him everyday, someone who can really see the difference. It’s like…” he hesitated. “Validation.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I think that I’ve never seen Michael as happy as he’s been these last few months. When he used to come into Kelly’s with Leticia, he’d be kind of withdrawn and silent but he’s just bursting with energy and enthusiasm and he’s starting to really act like every other eight year old I know. He’s talked about being an archaeologist one week and a circus performer the next.” She propped her chin on her fist and smiled at him. “You’re a wonderful father, Jason, but I’ve always–” she stopped abruptly and set her hand on her abdomen. “Whoa.”

“What’s wrong?” Jason stiffened and then stood. “Is it the baby? Elizabeth–”

She reached for his hand to press it against her tummy. “Can you feel her?” she asked. “She’s kicking like a soccer player tonight and she just delivered a solid one to my ribs, that’s all.”

He felt the press of something against his hand, almost like a bubble. Almost in awe, he knelt down and waited for the movement again. “Does she do this often?”

“More often now than before,” Elizabeth answered. She closed her eyes and smiled. “It’s getting close, Jason. I can just…I can just feel it. It’s going to happen soon. I can’t wait to hold her.”

“It’s hard to believe that this time next year, she’ll be here.” Jason shook his head. “I’ve never…I’ve never felt this before. Carly wasn’t around during this stage and things were just tense at that point. And when she was pregnant with Michael, she wasn’t…really into the motherhood thing. She just knew she didn’t want anyone taking her baby away.” He stared at Elizabeth’s tummy, fascinated by the kicking. “It’s just…incredible to me that there’s this whole life waiting to start.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Elizabeth said softly. “I’m so happy that I get to share this with you, that you’ll be one of the first people to meet my daughter.” Her eyes were soft and wet with tears as she touched his cheek, caressing the skin with her fingertips.

Jason covered her hand with his and closed his eyes. “So am I,” he murmured. His eyes opened and met hers. Almost in slow motion, he drew closer to her, never breaking the contact.

Her lips were softer than he remembered, her breath tickled his lips just before he kissed her. And he heard the small gasp of surprise before she melted under his mouth. She curled her fingers in his hair and pressed closer.

When Jason pulled away moments later, her cheeks were flushed and her still closed–a smile on her face. “Should I apologize?” he asked softly.

Her eyes opened, revealing the slightly dazed look in them. “No.” Elizabeth licked her lips and shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. “No.”

Carly was lukewarm about the idea of visiting the house in Spain. She still had her reservations about spending time with Elizabeth or the amount of time that Elizabeth spent with her son but she wanted to be with Michael and she wanted her boys to be together so she agreed to fly in.

Jason was glad she’d decided to come. The atmosphere in the house had changed since that early June night when he’d kissed Elizabeth in the kitchen. It was tense somehow–not in a bad way but in a way that made Jason all too aware of the fact that she was pregnant and not in the position to really pursue anything.

Their discussions were different–they no longer had the tone of tentative friendship and support but of something…more. She spoke about the night she’d left the penthouse and the reasons she’d remarried Ric. He told her about Courtney and the way things really were at home living across from Sonny.

“Why don’t you just move?” Elizabeth asked towards the end of June as they sat on the back porch and kept an eye on Michael building a sand castle on the beach.

“Because it’s familiar,” Jason replied. “I don’t want to push Michael into making any more changes than he has to right now.” He stared at his hands for a moment before meeting her eyes. “But if I’m honest with myself, I want Sonny to be the guy he used to be.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Elizabeth murmured. “Maybe he just needs time and space away from…” she stopped and flushed.

“Carly?” Jason finished. “Maybe. I wish Michael hadn’t had had to go through this.” He focused on Michael in the distance. “Spending time with his mother and Morgan will be good for him.”

“I suppose.” Elizabeth leaned her head on Jason’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “It might be okay having Carly around. I mean, with my due date approaching so quickly, I suppose it would be helpful to have someone around who’s been through it twice.”

“Are you scared?” Jason asked, squeezing her shoulder.

“A little,” Elizabeth admitted. “I want this so much but I think about what I know Carly went through with Morgan and with Michael…” she sighed. “And when Alexis had Kristina…when I think about those things, I do get scared.” She bit her lip and looked up at him. “There’s a hospital nearby isn’t there?”

“It’s a twenty minute drive to one,” Jason said hesitantly. “When I arranged for this place, I didn’t realize you’d be here so long. We can move somewhere closer–”

“No, no–” Elizabeth shook her head. “No, I shouldn’t be worried. Everything has been normal, there’s no reason to panic and move house. I want Lexie born here. I just…I’m looking on the bright side of Carly’s visit,” she said, followed by weak laughter.

“I’ll leave it up to you,” Jason said. “But if you’d feel better closer to the hospital, just let me know.”

“I will.” Elizabeth squeezed his knee and struggled to her feet. “I’m going to go take a nap–what time do you have to pick Carly up at the airport tomorrow?”

“Early.” Jason stood and crossed to railing, leaning against it as he kept one eye on Michael and the other on Elizabeth. “I’m leaving Michael here so you’re not alone, okay?”

“Mm…okay.” Elizabeth kissed his cheek before disappearing inside.

—

Carly stepped out of the customs, pushing Morgan in his stroller. Max was behind her with her luggage cart. She stopped in front of Jason and slid her sunglasses over her eyes. “Where’s Michael?” she asked immediately.

“Hey, Carly,” Jason greeted. He nodded at Max “Michael’s at home with Elizabeth. She’s too close to her due date to be left completely alone. Besides, I thought it would be better if we…talked before you and Elizabeth saw each other.”

Carly sighed impatiently and pushed the stroller towards the ext. “I’m going to play nice with her, you don’t have to worry.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about…though that is a good point,” Jason said as he followed her. “Look, Elizabeth is close to her due date and the most recent pregnancies she’s been around haven’t always ended well–including her first one.”

Carly sighed and slid her sunglasses back up. “So she’s a little scared, huh?” She pursed her lips and nodded. “Can’t blame her. I had two really bad experiences, we’ve both had miscarriages…” she sighed. “So I guess you want me to play more than nice with her, huh?”

“I would appreciate it if you could possibly be more than nice to her,” Jason confirmed. “I might even go as far as to suggest that you be supportive. She’s having her baby without any of her family or friends present and I don’t want her to be scared.” He stopped at the car and unlocked the trunk. “She means a lot to Michael and you know what she means to me. This is important to me, Carly.”

“Okay,” Carly agreed. “I mean, it’s not going to be easy because the muffin and I don’t get along living in the same town. I can’t guarantee things won’t be any easier in the same house but I will give it my best shot.” She held out her hand, her pinky finger sticking out. “I pinky swear.”

Jason looked at her oddly but wrapped his own pinky around hers. Whatever it took.

After Carly had waved goodbye to Max–who was headed back to Port Charles–and she’d strapped into Jason’s car, she asked, “Did you tell her?”

Jason started the engine. “No.” He backed out of the parking lot.

“Why not?” Carly asked. “She’s emotionally vulnerable right now, you know. It’s perfect.”

Jason glanced at her, annoyed. “It’s exactly why I’m not telling her. She just filed for divorce, Carly. And she’s got enough going on without me…telling her that.” He shifted in his seat. “Anyway, it’s too soon for that. We’re…we’re getting back on track, Carly. Don’t try to help, okay?”

“But–”

“Don’t try to help,” Jason repeated firmly. “I know you. You’d want to make it better faster and you’d concoct a plan–and you’d mean well, I know you would. But it never ends well, Carly and you know why?”

“Because I don’t think my plans out,” Carly muttered. She folded her arms and glared at him. “I’ll have you know that I can make them work when it counts.”

“Uh huh.” Jason glanced at her again. “Name one time.”

“I wanted to seduce Tony away from my mother and ruin her life,” Carly pointed out. She frowned. “I suppose one could argue my plans work when I’m actually setting out to ruin someone’s life.”

“Yeah, so don’t help.”

“Fine,” Carly slumped back in her seat. “But if I have to watch you two tip toe around each other for another five years, so help me God…”

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