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Chapter 33

Audrey didn't understand why Elizabeth had called and said they needed to talk, and was also insistent that she was not up for a fight. The older woman didn't set out deliberately to fight with her granddaughter, but she couldn't hide her disappointment with the younger woman's choices. Her multi-year association with Jason Morgan had never been smart, or safe, and the grandmother had done her best to impress that on Elizabeth. The younger woman's recent injury, acquired while she was working on Michael Corinthos' case, was proof Audrey was right. But Elizabeth had insisted on accepting Jason Morgan's guards, and there had been tension between the two ever since her granddaughter had ordered the older woman out of her house after the grandmother had expressed her disapproval over seeing Jason there the other day.

So it was certainly a surprise, and a rather unpleasant one, to open her door and find Elizabeth and the boys on the porch. Along with Jason Morgan. He looked entirely too comfortable with the family, holding Jake in his arm and holding Cameron's hand. Guards were obviously positioned around her house, even while politely avoiding the grass and flowers.

"Elizabeth, boys," she said with delight, even while showing her confusion. "Mr. Morgan; I didn't know you were joining us today."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Gram," her granddaughter said, "but I wanted to avoid a major argument over the phone. May we please come in?"

Audrey opened the door wider and let them in, biting her tongue and biding her time. Cameron and Jake were immediately distracted by the familiarity of her home and seemed unaware of the tension between the three adults. Jason put Jake down and the two boys ran off to play with the toys they knew were in the other room.

Once they were out of the room, Elizabeth looked at her grandmother and said, "I know things have been tense between us lately, especially after the last time you were at my house, but there's something I wanted you to hear from me and not someone else."

"Alright," she nodded warily, not liking Elizabeth's tone or words. "Would you like to sit down?"

"Thank you," the younger woman nodded. "The cast gets heavy after a while."

Jason spoke softly to Elizabeth as she maneuvered around the coffee table, his hand at her elbow to help her if she needed it as she sat down. Once they were sitting, him perched on the other side of her, Audrey took a seat in a floral wingback chair across from the sofa. Elizabeth took a deep breath and then said, "We've filed to have Jake's birth certificate changed; to list Jason as his father. It's been expedited and there will be a hearing soon."

"What?" the retired nurse asked as she looked between the two sitting across the room. "You...you said that Jason wasn't Jake's father. In court-"

"I know," the younger woman admitted. "I lied because...because we were protecting Jake, and I was protecting Lucky."

"I-I don't understand, Elizabeth," she shook her head. "You lied under oath."

"I did," her granddaughter admitted, not flinching away from Audrey's disapproval. "Everyone was telling me that it was my job to save Lucky and I was afraid he would dive back into a pill bottle if I confessed he wasn't Jake's father on the same day he found out that I slept with Jason. And Jason and I had already worried about Jake's safety. I didn't want to announce Jake was his son when Jason might be facing going to prison."

"You lied, Elizabeth," Audrey argued. "What if the D.A. charges you with perjury?"

"I'll explain and I'll face whatever comes," the younger woman said calmly.

"Then why didn't you just tell the truth?" she demanded.

"Are you more upset that I lied, Gram, or that Jason is Jake's father?" Elizabeth asked with a curious lift of her brow. "I will face whatever charges come, if any. Why are you going off on me? This is why I didn't tell you the other day about Jake. I meant to, but then you started in on Jason being there and how foolish and reckless I was and why was I acting so stupidly and I told you to leave instead. I came here before you read in the papers or hear from someone else and then accused me of not telling you myself."

"I raised you better than this," the older woman crossed her arms.

With a sigh, her granddaughter rubbed her forehead and looked away. "I'm sorry I'm such a huge disappointment."

Shaking her head, she continued, "I don't want to fight, Gram; I really don't. We just wanted to tell you the truth about Jake."

"But why now?" Audrey asked. "Is it because Lucky's dead and he can't fight you? Do you really think it's safe to tell the truth? People around Jason are dying. Lucky died because of him."

"No," Elizabeth shook her head, her eyes snapping in anger as she looked back at her grandmother. "It's Helena, Gram. She's going after the Spencers. We're doing this to protect Jake."

"By saying he's Jason Morgan's son?" she demanded. "That will keep him safe?"

"Helena thinks that Jake is Lucky's," her granddaughter stated simply. "Carly, Lulu and Lucky are dead. Carly's children were attacked. Helena hates the Spencers, as well as Alexis Davis and it's believed that her daughter Sam was killed recently. We are doing this to protect him from her."

"And what about the people who hate Jason?"

"I will do everything in my power to protect Elizabeth and the boys," Jason spoke for the first time, his voice soft but firm. "I have loved Jake and Elizabeth for a long time; Cameron as well."

"Love," she scoffed.

"Gram," Elizabeth snapped.

"I do love them, Mrs. Hardy," he stated with quiet firmness that unnerved her. "I thought it was better that I keep my distance from them, but I realized that distance doesn't always work. I don't want Jake to ever doubt my love for him. We aren't perfect and Elizabeth and I are doing our best, but we know we've made mistakes. But we are always trying to do our best for the boys."

"This isn't just about keeping Jake safe," her granddaughter joined in. "It's about loving the boys and thinking about their future. We are living at Jason's right now for safety because of Helena, but even afterwards, we will be a family."

Audrey pursed her lips and asked, "So that's it? You've replaced Lucky in their lives."

"Lucky already wasn't in their lives," the younger woman countered, her anger rising sharply. "Or did you forget that he never saw the boys when I was in the hospital? He left you to take care of them, just like he left me to take care of them before I was hurt because he was too busy to bother seeing them. He never saw them after I got out of the hospital because he wanted it his way and wasn't happy when I told him we wouldn't be getting back together. He wasn't thinking about Cameron or Jake or what would make them happy or what was best for them."

"But Jason was letting him raise his son," she countered back.

"And I was wrong," he spoke. "He used the boys as weapons; he didn't love them and truly care for them. I will do all that I can to ensure they know they're loved and protected."

"I don't like it," Audrey shook her head. "I worry about you, Elizabeth. You and the boys."

"I know," the younger woman said softly. "But I've decided not to live in fear anymore."

"I don't like it," she repeated, "and it's still a shock. However, I...I don't want to fight with you either, dear, but I need to think about it all."

"I understand," Elizabeth said. "The boys and I want you in our lives because you're family. But Jason is our family as well, and we will be with him. And I don't want the boys to hear him spoken about badly."

"I understand," she acknowledged the clear warning. "And I promise, whatever my differences with Jason, I will not disrespect him to the boys."

Beyond that, she just couldn't promise anything yet.

Jason looked up when the door opened and Max stepped into the room. The mob boss was sitting at the glass dining table in Sonny's old penthouse, paperwork spread out before him. After spending the day with his family visiting Monica and Audrey, he needed to catch up on some work, so he'd come over here after helping Elizabeth get the boys to bed. Sonny had left so much furniture behind when he'd moved to Greystone; money was no object and he'd just decided to get new furniture for a new place. Now that Elizabeth and the boys were living with him, Jason had a ready-made place to be able to come over and work at so he wasn't bringing his business into their new home. He wanted to keep it separate from them as much as he could.

Until this current situation was resolved, he had a feeling this place would be used more, as it was now, and proving very useful. Max was obviously here with a report, and Jason was glad it wasn't being delivered in his penthouse.

"What's new?" he asked the other man.

"Diane and Bernie asked me to bring these contracts to you to sign," the guard answered, handing over several folders. "And Bernie wanted your final approval on the shipping schedule."

"Thank you, Max," he told the man. He stretched his hands out on the glass tabletop and asked, "What's the mood of the guards? The men at the warehouse?"

The taller man paused for a moment and then said, "It's good, Jason. The men believe in you and what you're doing."

He sighed and then continued, speaking fast as if he had to rush the words out in order to say them. "You're more stable than Mr. C. and many are glad for it. Even though there's unrest right now with the killings, they're confident you'll handle it."

"Thank you, Max," Jason told him. "You can go for the evening."

The guard left and the mobster pulled the folders to him, looking up when Cody stepped out of the kitchen. The former soldier approached the table and raised a brow. "He seems to realize that things have changed, and he also wants to prove to you he can still work for you. He understands that stunt he pulled with his father and choosing Corinthos over you didn't put him in a good light."

Lifting a brow, the older man asked, "He understands that...or you helped him realize that?"

"We had a...conversation when he asked why I was giving him orders," the enforcer replied evenly. "Since then, he's kept his head down and does the work he's given. Maybe if you give him an attaboy later on he'll feel like he still has a place in the organization and he won't worry so much that he's going to be fired. Right now, he's trying to show you he does want to be here and he won't screw up again."

"Good," Jason nodded. "I know he hated choosing, and he has been helpful in the past. I don't want to make him feel like he doesn't belong."

"He's got a place here," Cody stated in agreement. "But he also needed to realize this is a new organization now."

Jason nodded, ready to move on. "You're right. So no more talks with him, okay? You help me manage the men, but I make the final decisions. Max is fine."

"Okay," the younger man nodded.

"Alright, now what about Jax, Bobbie and the boys?"

"Michael has gotten settled in," his enforcer said, taking a seat at the table and detailing the latest report the guards had sent. The private facility that Jax and Bobbie had selected was well-regarded and they had accommodated the safety protocols that they'd all felt were necessary to protect the young teen. The house the rest lived in was secure and they seemed to be settled in as well as anyone could be given the circumstances. Jason was glad they were out of the country, but all the guards had been alerted to the threat possibly coming from Helena, and Jax and Bobbie were aware of it as well.

"And what's going on with Alexis?" Jason asked. "She's told the guards that Nikolas is thinking of moving all of them to a place where they'd be more protected from Helena."

"He's not thinking about it," the younger man stated. "He moved them."

"What?" he asked, his brows furrowing. "When?"

"Two nights ago," Cody said. "We just found out because our guards were drugged. They had been discussing the move with Cassadine's security team and were prepared to travel with them."

"But Alexis didn't want that," the mobster shook his head scornfully. "She blames my guards for not protecting Sam and me for not treating her right. She's mad Ric took off with Molly and she's frightened by the thought of Helena coming after her. So she's lashing out and seeking control however she can."

He blew out a breath hoping to expel his anger at the lawyer and then asked, "Are the men alright?"

"Yeah," the other man nodded. "They made their way back to the mainland; Cassadine didn't really help them much."

Jason's eyebrows rose. "Nikolas didn't go?"

The enforcer shook his head. "Sent everyone off; our tech guy can't find any trace of them."

"He's probably hoping Helena can't either," the older man stated. "He's probably trying to keep her in Port Charles by staying here. Whatever Helena does...it's always centers around her grandson."

"That's pretty much what Cassadine said when I talked to him," his second said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his ankle over his knee. "Said he was protecting his family, and no offense to you, but he only trusted his men. So he didn't want your men tagging along with his family, and he doesn't want our help searching for dear ol' granny."

"He knows we're going to look for her, despite what he says, right?" the mob boss asked with a lift of his brow. "I frankly don't care what Cassadine wants."

"I made it perfectly clear that we were," Cody assured him. "Changing Jake's birth certificate and making it known that he's not a Spencer is not going to cause you to ease up. She's the threat and you're going to look for her because you're not taking any chance with anybody that she might still go after."

"How did he respond?"

"How do you think?" the other man asked with a scoff. "Not happy, but I told him you really didn't care if he was happy or not. Since he wasn't cooperating, you were going to do your own thing, and it would be best if he stayed out of your way."

With a shake of his head, Jason said, "He won't. But I'm not fighting Nikolas, I'm making sure Helena doesn't hurt anyone."

Besides, it wasn't like he was going to be out there personally leading the hunt. The days where he was out on the streets were diminishing. He was the boss now, and as Cody had told him one day, it was not his job to go out on every assignment. He was to direct men and give orders, and stay alive. While Jason understood that, he was also determined to not end up like Sonny and never deal with anything personally unless it was erratically. But he knew that right now, his place was here.

Because he needed to be there for the boys; to help them adjust to all the recent shocks and changes in their lives. It was an adventure to play in and explore his penthouse, but there were times they were unsettled. It was those moments that he was glad he was with Elizabeth, because he got to deal with the most important task - though some might consider it mundane or troublesome, he certainly did not. He got to be a father to his children and wipe their tears and calm their worries. It was why he even did not mind getting up to ease their fears after they had bad dreams; which they unfortunately had almost every night.

He hoped, though, with time and assurance they would ease, just as Elizabeth's worries would as well. Ever since the kiss at the Quartermaine's, things had been both peaceful, and tense, between them. There was an ease between them as they seemed to find comfort in their love and declarations. It was almost as it was before, yet to Jason it was better because they weren't hiding their feelings. Yet there was a tension as well because they were still adjusting to being thrown together after forcing themselves to stay apart and forcing their feelings down.

He felt they would find their ease and comfort soon, if their early morning encounter in the hall outside the boys' room today was any indication. Her sleep shirt was large to accommodate her cast, and her hair was beautifully mussed. He was sleepy and bare-chested and they'd stared at each other in silence as he closed the door behind him. He'd fallen asleep on the floor with them curled up beside them after he soothed them in the night from a bad dream. When Elizabeth had looked in on them he'd woken up, and after putting each boy back into bed, he'd exited to find her waiting for him.

There was nothing more he'd wanted in that moment than to kiss her and carry her to bed - his or hers didn't matter. But he'd held himself back and wrapped his arms firmly around his chest to keep from touching her. She'd twisted her fingers in the hem of her shirt, unknowingly raising it higher over her thigh, while biting her lip between her obviously flustered stammering. She had been affected just as he had, and he knew that the tension would build. Build until they finally expressed their love again, but with their past and her injury they were holding back.

Forcefully he pulled his mind away from that path of thought and brought up a new subject with his employee. "There's something I want done," he told Cody. "I want some changes done to this place. Sonny's house was sold and the proceeds split among his children, but the Towers are mine; which means this apartment is mine. I want it changed."

"You want to make this into an office where you can work and stay close to Ms. Webber and the boys?" the younger man asked.

"In a way," he said. "I-I need to talk to Elizabeth, but maybe we can turn the downstairs into a place for Cam and Jake to play and run. It wouldn't be like outside, but they'd have some space. We can renovate Sonny's office down here for me to use with the men with needed. Of course, they'd never come in when the boys are here."

"Of course," his second agreed, instantly.

"But it might be possible, so that means this stuff," he said with a sweep of his hand to the décor, "needs to go. It's too dark, heavy and not kid friendly. Get a crew working in here. All the furniture removed and donated or thrown out. Take the paneling off the wall, paint it something light. White unless Elizabeth picks something else. Make sure the terrace doors latch up high and it's safe."

He lifted a brow and said, "Make sure someone does the same to my place first. Today. I should have done it already; the boys' safety is important. They haven't gone towards the door because Elizabeth told them not to, but I don't want to take any chances."

"I'll get someone on it right away, Jason," Cody assured him. "We'll fix a place where you can work, and where your boys can play."

"Thank you, Cody," he said, pulling the folder delivered by Max to him. He wanted to finish working here and then get back to his family. "It's important to me."

The ex-soldier smiled slightly, softening his features. "I know, and so do the men. And that makes it important to them."

Jason nodded and dismissed him; he needed to work, and Cody knew his assignments. They each would work and discuss things later, but for now, all Jason wanted to do is finish here and get back home.

Chapter 34

"What do you think?"

Elizabeth lifted her brows as she gazed around the room. "I..."

Blowing out a breath, she admitted, "I don't know. I'm completely overwhelmed."

"It's too much."

Turning around she shook her head, "No, Jason, I'm just...surprised. I just hadn't expected this when you said you had something you wanted to talk to me about."

With a laugh she continued, "Plus, I was a bit surprised when we left the penthouse. I'm just trying to picture it."

"So you don't hate it."

Reaching for his hand she looked at him seriously. "No. It's...it's so thoughtful, Jason."

Tugging on his hand, she led him to the overstuffed couch and they sat down. Late at night it was tiring to stand for a long time. "I know you worry and you want the boys to be happy. You're concerned that they won't have room to run or be able to be little boys and you're trying so hard."

"I just don't want them to be unhappy," he told her.

"Jason, did they sound unhappy when they went to bed tonight?" she asked him as she lifted her brow pointedly.

A smile touched his lips and he shook his head. He had to be remembering their giggles the boys had when they were supposed to be getting into their pajamas. They'd run around upstairs, hiding in rooms and closets as Jason and Elizabeth searched for them. They'd shrieked in delight as Jason carried them into their room, one tucked under each of his arms. They'd thrown their arms around his neck and kissed him when they finally agreed that they'd played long enough, had enough stories and it was time for the lights to go out and then to go to sleep.

"No," he answered.

"No, they were happy. And maybe they can't go into the backyard as easy as they could before, but they aren't deprived." She squeezed his hand and implored him, "So please stop beating yourself up about this, Jason. I've explained to them that we need to be safe and they've heard enough about the killings and they see my cast; they understand things are different right now."

Tilting her head to the side, she asked him, "What can I do to help you, Jason?"

His brows furrowed and he shook his head. "I'm fine."

"No," she said softly, "you're not. You're worried, and it's not just for our safety."

They were silent and she licked her lips as she thought for a little while. "Are you afraid the boys and I will leave because we're unhappy?"

"No."

"I think you are," she countered softly, "and I can understand, because I've walked away before and I've worried about our safety with you before."

He squeezed her hand and shook his head. "No, I believe you, Elizabeth."

"But you're still worried."

"I always worried about being in your life because I never wanted your boys to be restricted like Michael and Morgan."

"They're our boys, Jason," she told him. "And you're not giving them enough credit to be happy. They're adjusting to their changes, and having you in their lives. I think, after a while, if you asked them if they wanted a house with a backyard or a house with you in it, they would choose a house with you because they are coming to love you and depend on you being there. That makes them happy; not some giant backyard."

"I want to be a father they can count on," he said with such seriousness she knew how much it weighed on him.

"I know, and they're beginning to. And the more time we're together, the more they will. And they will feel how much you love them, and that will mean more to them than anything else."

Looking around at the walls she said, "But I also know they would love a big place like this to play in."

"So what do you think?" he asked her again, his voice a little less tense than before.

"Well, the paneling definitely has to come down. Maybe even take out the carpeting. Paint the walls bright colors; maybe even put chalk paint on one of the walls so they can draw with chalk." She could begin to see it in her mind; toy bins, maybe even an art station and shelves of books along one of the walls.

"You're picturing it, aren't you?" he asked.

Elizabeth laughed and nodded. "I am. And I think it's a wonderful idea, Jason."

"I'm glad," he said with relief.

Turning so she could shift on the couch and move closer to Jason, he seemed confused at first until she lifted his arm and put it around her shoulder; then he helped her settle back against him. His fingers twined with her and he pressed a kiss against her temple.

"We're going to figure this out, Jason," she promised him. "Because we love each other and we want it to work. Our home is us together, and right now that is the penthouse. Once Helena is dealt with then we can figure out if we'll go back to the house or do something different."

Giving his hand a squeeze she said, "But we will be together because the boys and I don't intend to leave."

"And I'm not leaving you," he promised her, tightening his arms around her.

Drawing in a deep breath, she held it for a moment and then let it out before speaking. "Then I have something I wanted to ask you, Jason."

"What?" he asked, brushing his fingers over her arm, sending tingles down her spine.

"Will you marry me?"

She felt him stiffen and she was cowardly glad that she wasn't looking at him. She knew she would shock him with asking him, but she knew she was the one who had to do it.

"Eliz...Elizabeth..."

She pushed out of his arms and turned to face him. "Jason...I know it's not conventional-"

He shook his head. "That isn't-"

"You asked me three times already," she cut in. "Four, actually...if you count when we moved in with you. Five, actually, if you also count the one at your family's."

"I didn't-"

"Not with those exact words," she countered, "but you told me you loved me; you told me you would never walk away again, that we were a family and you wanted us to be together always."

Reaching out, she touched her fingertips to his cheek and then cradled his jaw. "I heard the promise, and I heard what you were asking, but you knew I wasn't ready to hear it yet. I've asked you for time to adjust, and you've patiently given it to me."

"And...and you're ready now?" he asked.

"When we were talking tonight...suddenly it all just changed for me," she tried to explain to him. "As we talked about changing this room and what we might do when Helena is caught...I knew what I wanted."

Bringing his hand up to cup her cheek, Jason's tender voice asked, "What do you want, Elizabeth?"

"It all," she answered. "I want us to all be together, sharing our love. I know we are a family...but I want us together in all ways. And I wasn't going to play games or drop hints to get you to ask me; I was going to be as brave as you and ask."

Looking at him, she asked in full sincerity, "So will you marry me, Jason?"

"Only if you'll marry me, Elizabeth," he replied.

"I will," she promised him with a smile. "I will."

Leaning forward, he captured her lips, pouring his love into the kiss. He moved forward, wrapping his arm around her, pressing his broad hand against her back and tilting her forward.

"Ow."

Immediately he pulled back, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Bumped my arm," she said with a regretful smile. "This cast is bulky, and most definitely in the way right now."

"I'm sorry," he sighed softly. Then he gently ran his fingertips over the cast until he reached her fingers sticking out. "But this cast is helping you heal, and that is the most important thing to me. I don't want you to be uncomfortable...or self-conscious."

Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him. "This is why I love you. Maybe...maybe when I get a smaller cast. Or maybe not on a couch, but some place where we have more room."

"We'll know when it's right," he said with sensual promise. "But for now...will you share my bedroom?"

"I just want to explain it to the boys first," she told him, "but yes. I'm not afraid anymore."

She was ready for all the future brought them.

It had been a while since he'd been here. There were changes to the town, but not so many that he didn't recognize the place or wasn't comfortable walking around. He'd been happy to leave Port Charles years ago, because he hadn't liked the people of the town. Or more accurately, one person.

Sonny Corinthos had been someone that he hadn't liked anymore, hadn't liked being around. The mobster had become despotic and tyrannical and he had a hard time being in town and following his direct orders. It was Jason who asked him to go to the island and help run the operation down there. While he remained in the organization, mostly because he was too old to find a new line of work, he was no longer in direct contact with Sonny. And he'd liked it that way.

"Took you long enough."

He stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. "Forgive me for not being in a hurry to rush to the side of a dead man."

"Jason knew I was set up and Sonny was out of control." Johnny quirked a brow and then continued, "It's probably the same reason he sent you down to the island. You couldn't respect Sonny anymore because he was out of control."

Francis shrugged. "Maybe."

"Look, Francis," the former guard said. "You came. Are you interested in what I have to say, or do you just want to act pissy like a jilted lover?"

"You didn't betray Sonny?" he asked.

"No."

"Jason believed you, so I guess that's good enough for me. So what did you call about?"

"How's your lung?" Johnny asked first. "I heard about the knife."

"I'm fine," he said with irritation. Not at the question, but because the injury had kept him from being able to come to Port Charles. If he'd been able to travel he would have been here to help protect Elizabeth and her children. "So tell me why you contacted me and had me come."

"Helena Cassadine."

Francis scowled at the name, with some anger at remembering how the old woman had tormented Elizabeth years ago, but also with a fair amount of confusion. "What about her?"

"It's likely that she's behind the killings," Johnny answered.

Intrigued now, but still confused, the older man said, "Johnny, lay it all out. I'm not going to come after you for being alive, and I'm curious. So explain it all, and tell me why exactly you asked me to come back to Port Charles."

With succinctness, the former guard explained what he knew. He talked about Sonny ordering Jason's death and John taking the contract because he intended to keep Jason alive. Francis felt no anger towards the other man when he confessed he killed Sonny; Sonny Corinthos had long ceased to be the man Francis had known. He didn't care about bi-polar excuses; Sonny had lost all honor and valor if he thought it was justified to order Jason's death. Francis was glad the man was dead and Jason was now in charge. The younger man had always been a better leader, and the organization would be better now.

Then Johnny admitted that his next information contained a lot of speculation because he only had Jason's brief mumblings and what the former guard had been able to glean from information on the street. Carly, her mother and children, Lulu and Lucky Spencer and Sam McCall had all been killed or attacked. Everyone first thought the killings were connected to Sonny and his wife's and were therefore done by the mob, until Johnny set Jason straight. That's when John stayed in town and began watching for signs of Helena. Especially because Jason had been worried about Elizabeth and her son Jake who everyone thought was Lucky Spencer's son.

"Thought?" Francis asked.

"His birth certificate's been changed; Jason has a son," the other man answered. "They thought it was safer if people thought Lucky was the father. But now he's claimed his family and moved Elizabeth and her children in with him."

He paused and then said, "Helena, or her people, are around. I've snuck out onto Wyndamere, and I'm sure that it's not just all Nikolas' men moving around out there. And I think Cassadine knows it. He's talking about Jake being Jason's, not Lucky's, and that his grandmother would be foolish to go after Jason Morgan's son."

"He's trying to help Miss Webber?"

"I think in a way," Johnny shrugged. "He's more focused on keeping his mother, aunt and cousin safe. His siblings and cousin were killed, and one of Alexis' daughters was taken by her ex-husband so he's searching for her. He's not really focused on Elizabeth, but he's making it known she didn't have Lucky's son."

"Probably figures that's good enough because Jason will protect them," Francis reasoned. He never had much use for Nikolas Cassadine, especially because he never protected Elizabeth as much as he could have or stood up to his grandmother. It wasn't surprising that he was more focused on his family, but the older man thought the prince was rather callous in his concern for his long-time friend.

"Probably," his former co-worker agreed. His distaste for the Russian was clear as well. "So that's why I called you. Jason's men are looking for Helena Cassadine; his enforcer told Nikolas clearly that Jason will do whatever he has to in order to protect his family. He won't play games like Luke Spencer; he will kill her if he finds her."

"You've been searching for her," Francis said in understanding. "And you want help."

"I do," Johnny nodded. "Jason's men are good, but they're known. You and I...we won't be noticeable. Jason spared my life...twice...and I will do whatever I can to help him, and protect Miss Webber and her children."

Nodding along with the other man he said, "I'll do whatever I can, too."

"Then let's go to work," the younger man declared. "I overheard something the other night when I was out on Wyndamere. Luke Spencer and his previously unknown son took off after Lulu's funeral...and Helena's looking for him. For whatever reason, she is determined to wipe out the Spencers and she's decided to find him."

"So look for Spencer and we find her?"

The sandy-brown haired man lifted his brows. "You know that they've got a weird relationship, and she'd probably go after him personally instead of just sending someone else. So I figured it's a good of place as any to start. I don't get the impression she's here right now."

"Then we start searching for Luke," Francis stated. "And see if we can't find that evil witch who's been terrorizing this town. If we can help Jason and Miss Webber, then let's do it."

Chapter 35

"So you're gonna marry Mommy?"

Jason poured pancake batter on the skillet and put some blueberries in the uncooked dough, then he turned to look at Cameron who had blueberry juice around his mouth. He sat down across from the boy who was still hungry after the large breakfast they'd already had and had asked for more pancakes after Elizabeth took Jake off to get cleaned up and dressed.

"I am," he nodded. "I love her very much, just like I love you and Jake and I want everyone to know that. To know that you're my family."

"Even me?" the little boy asked curiously. "Mommy said you're really Jake's daddy, not Daddy Lucky."

He frowned briefly and shook his head, "I don't really understand, but I think it's okay. My other daddy...well, both my daddies are dead. Sometimes...I wondered if Daddy liked me and Jake. He said he did, but he yelled a lot and he wasn't there very much."

Jason turned the pancakes, sliding the cooked ones onto a plate and turned off the skillet, then sat back down. He knew this was confusing for the boys, and he couldn't help feeling anger at the way they'd been treated by Lucky, but he knew Cameron didn't need him to express that right now. He needed reassurance and calm. Jason cut the pancake and put syrup on it, then put the plate in front of the little boy.

"I know you and your brother and mom have had a tough time," he said. "And you were hurt by Lucky. And I'm very sorry for that. I want to promise you, though, that I'm here now, and I will not leave you guys. I didn't always do things right in the past, but I will from now on. That means marrying your mom because I love her; and giving you and Jake my name because you're my sons."

Cameron looked up at him eagerly. "Even me?"

He nodded his assurance. "I knew you when your mom was pregnant with you. I felt you kick and saw her excitement and love because you were inside her. I met you after you were born and you were the most amazing baby. You're my son, just like Jake is."

"And you won't go away and you get mad at us or Mommy?"

"No," he promised. "I won't yell at your mom because I love her, and I won't leave my family."

The little boy fell silent as he ate the last of his pancake. He licked his lips and said, "Okay. You helped Mommy and you say you love her, and she says she loves you...so I guess it's good you're getting married."

A smile tugged at Jason's lips, but he didn't want Cameron to feel that he wasn't taking this conversation seriously so he fought it back. "Thanks, Cam," he replied. "So you'll be okay with your mom and me getting married?"

"I remember the times when you were around before," he said thoughtfully, "and Mommy was happier then. She's happier again now, and I like it when you're around."

He looked up at Jason cautiously and said, "It's kinda scary right now, but you and Mommy talk to us and then it's not so scary. You don't yell or tell us we're too little to understand and I...I like that. And so I want you to stay."

His eyes were pleading as he then asked, "Will you stay?"

"I will," the father promised solemnly.

Cameron slipped off his chair and came around to hug Jason. His fingers were sticky with syrup and it went into the older man's hair, but Jason didn't care. The little boy had been scared that he would leave like Lucky had done long before he died, and it seemed like his fears had been eased. Jason cradled him close and closed his eyes as he felt his son cling to him.

"Thank you, D-daddy."

He swallowed thickly and replied, "You're welcome, Cam."

Blinking to clear the tears from his eyes he forced a smile on his face as he pulled back and said, "Now…let's get you upstairs and dressed. Your mom and I want to show you something and you can't have syrup fingers."

"Okay!" he said with excitement, his demeanor restored with assurance.

Jason picked up the excited little boy and headed towards the stairs. Cam shrieked with glee as they raced upwards and Jake laughed as he dashed out of his room to find out why his brother was laughing. A sock was flopping off his foot as he laughed simply because Cameron was. Jason bent down and picked up the younger boy, causing him to laugh even harder as they went back into the boys' room.

This was what he wanted and was looking forward to. These wonderful moments of everyday life with a family he loved more than anything. He was so grateful he was no longer turning away from it, and was very grateful Elizabeth had accepted him back into her life. She had shocked him last night, but he was in awe of her strength and courage. And while their engagement might not have been conventional, he was determined to do one thing right. He was going to buy her an engagement ring; he just had to find the time to go out and get it today.

"Barbara Jean."

She spun around when she heard the unmistakable voice of her brother. Despite his attempts to disguise it with one of his ridiculous accents, she would have known it anywhere. Plus he gave himself away by using her full name.

He stepped back into the alley and motioned for her to follow him and she rolled her eyes even as she stepped forward. She didn't go far, though, because she wasn't in the mood for her brother's game. After glancing over her shoulder and knowing they couldn't be seen from the street, she stopped and demanded, "What are you doing here, Luke?"

"Barbara Jean."

She shook her head angrily. "No. I can't believe you. You leave, once again...it's not such a huge surprise because you're an overgrown child who runs instead of facing anything you don't want to. But you left before your son's funeral; you couldn't even have the decency to stand beside your child's mother despite the many times she's stood by you. No, instead you run off with your son you fathered when you cheated on Laura.

Shaking with pure rage she advanced on him. "And now...now you show up here. Don't tell me you really believe that it's the mob that killed Lulu and Lucky. The moment you heard Lucky's body was found under Helena's picture you knew. Didn't you?"

He looked away and she demanded, "Didn't you?!"

"I...I suspected."

"You didn't suspect," she sneered at him. "You knew! You knew it was Helena and you ran. Maybe you thought she wasn't really in Port Charles, or maybe you really couldn't stand to be there in the town where your children...where your children died."

She swallowed thickly and forced back her grief as she licked her lips. Taking a deep breath, she looked at him with anger and fury. "So what were you thinking Luke, to come here?"

"I came to see you, Bobbie."

"Why?!" she demanded. "What could possibly be so important that you came to see me? You disappear and you never give any thought for anyone you leave behind. What great familial pull suddenly came over you that you showed up here? In the neighborhood? Regret for your callous treatment of Laura and you want me to plead your case with her?"

She shook her head with disgust. "Did you ever think that maybe Helena might follow you from Port Charles? So what do you do? You show up in a town where my daughter's children are living. Children who Helena already came after; after she killed their mother. Michael will never recover because of what he was injected with. How stupid can you be, Luke? Why in the world would you come here? Do you want all the Spencers dead? Even if you take off...did you think she might decide to go after two little helpless boys before she continues on?"

"Bobbie," he said, approaching her with his hands out to the side. "Bobbie...you know I don't want anyone else to die."

"No, Luke," she shook her head. "I don't know that. Because I can't understand anything you do; especially this. How dare you do this? How dare you endanger my grandsons with your flippant behavior?"

She stepped back and said with contempt, "I don't even care why you came here. If it was truly important, you could have gotten in touch with me some other way than stopping me on the street. This was just another one of your stupid, selfish acts. And I'm not going to do this."

"Barbara Jean," her brother tried to wheedle his way out with his usual smirk he thought was charming.

She gasped the moment the slap echoed off the close buildings. She hadn't meant to hit her brother; hadn't even realized she was moving until she felt the sting in her palm. Yet, she didn't regret the action because she was tired of burying her anger towards him.

"Go away, Luke," Bobbie said through clenched teeth. "I'm leaving; I'm going back to my grandsons and I'm praying your stupidity doesn't end up costing them."

Then she turned and hurried back out onto the street, cursing her foolishness. Even after Jason's men called Jax and told them that it might be Helena Cassadine behind the attacks and murders, she still had thought she didn't need a guard to come with her to the market. Now, she felt like an idiot. If Luke had found her so easily, then Helena could as well.

Glancing over her shoulder as she pulled out her phone, she hoped all was well at home. They needed to get more guards around them and Jason needed to know about her brother's stupid move. After losing her daughter to the enemy who hated who family, she was not going to lose her grandsons. Not because of anybody.

"Thank you."

She looked at Jason through her lashes, too sated and tired to open her eyes completely. He smiled at her and moved his fingers again, teasing her with continued pleasure.

"You truly are a man of many talents," she said, a laugh in her voice. "You truly spoiled me today, but a foot rub...I never would have expected it. You cook, you clean, you give amazing foot rugs...I think I'll keep you."

"You know you have me," he told her, his voice serious and low.

Curling her toes she nodded. "I know."

"You deserve to be taken care of," he responded.

"Well, I have to admit I'm flattered by that," she responded with an almost embarrassed laugh. "I'm so used to taking care of myself and others...having someone take care of me...it might take some getting used to."

Holding up her good hand she said, "No guilt. I love taking care of the boys and being a mom, just like I love being a nurse. But I have to admit that having a little pampering at the end of the day...it could be very nice."

"Do you think about giving back to work," he asked her, tilting his head. "I don't know," she confessed with a shake of her head. "I know that I wouldn't have to work now if I didn't want to."

"But you want to do something," he said with understanding. "It's who you are."

"I've loved being home with the boys and spending time with them. Sometimes I felt so guilty that I was working double shifts and the boys were in daycare or with my gram. And I can't wait to get my cast off and be able to really play with them. I'm selfish enough to admit that I want some time with them, to take them to the park and museums and amusement parks. But after a while..."

"You'll want to do something more." He frowned uneasily and said, "But you could have done those things with the boys, Elizabeth. Your house was paid for, and there was a trust fund for the boys-"

"That was for their future," she shook her head. "College, grad school...whatever they wanted to do. And it was there for an emergency. What if they got sick? What if I got hurt and couldn't work? It wasn't for me to sit around doing nothing when I was perfectly capable of working or just wasting it on frivolous things."

"Yes, it was," he told her earnestly. "It was so you didn't have to work so hard and so that you could be with the boys. Did you think I wouldn't have helped out if something happened to you or if one of the boys got sick?"

"But the trust was supposed to be from Emily," she said sadly, thinking of her lost friend. "You stepping in would have gone against everything we were doing to protect Jake."

"I wouldn't have left you alone," he vowed to her. "I never would have left you alone if you really needed me."

"I believe you," she told him because he desperately needed her to. "And thankfully, we will never have to face that. We both realized that what we were doing wasn't working, and now we're together."

"We are," her fiancé breathed out. "And I hope that you will take the time that you need to heal, and I really hope that you will take the time that you want to be with the boys. You don't have to rush back to work...not that you ever did. But now I hope you slow down."

He smiled at her tenderly and said, "I know that you are the kind of person who needs to do something. You want to feel useful and I love that about you."

"But you're thinking about the logistical nightmare about keeping me safe at the hospital, aren't you?" she asked. She wasn't angry or accusatory, because she had been thinking about it as well. And she would show Jason she was taking her safety seriously.

He let out a breath and admitted, "I have thought about it. And if you really want to continue as a nurse, we'll make it work."

"But it would be difficult," she pressed, and he finally conceded with a nod.

"Well," she shrugged. "We don't have to worry about that for right now because I am on medical leave. And so I guess we have some time to figure it out."

Jason tenderly ran his hand up her leg, letting his hand rest on her knee and asked, "Do you ever think about your art? Doing something with that?"

She looked down at her toes as she licked her lips. "Not really. Sometimes I think of my art as part of my life before becoming a mom. I love being a mom, and it made me realize that I had to grow up and be responsible now. Trying to sell my art, hoping I would make enough money, didn't seem responsible when I had a little baby to take care of."

"Things are different though, now," he pointed out. "So I hope you'll think about it. You helped me see your art and made me think differently. You were so different from anyone I'd known and so bright and vibrant and alive. I love that you felt you needed to be responsible as a man, but I hope you don't feel like you have to put that side of you away forever."

"Well," she with a laughing smile, "right now I feel like being responsible and figuring out what we'll do for our wedding. I am, after all, newly engaged."

She laughed as she continued, "And I'm supposed to be excited and thinking about colors and flowers and how I can make sure that my wonderful fiancé is happy and comfortable with the day."

"As long as you're there, I'll love it."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "You would hate it if I chose a black tie event with a huge, formal dress, a sit down dinner with multiple courses and a fancy menu along with a small orchestra to play for our first dance."

His eyes twinkled and he said, "But you would hate it as well and so you'd never plan something like that. You'll choose something beautiful and elegant, yet simple and uncomplicated without a lot of fuss or pretention. It won't be t-shirts and jeans, although I know you would offer it to make me happy, and it won't be black tie, although I would wear it to make you happy. You have classic style and beautiful vision and you will plan a wedding for us that we will both love."

"Thank you," Elizabeth whispered, her voice tight with emotions. She was so moved by his words and fighting back tears.

"I have something for you," she said, reaching behind him into the cushions of the couch. She frowned, wondering what he was doing, but then her eyes widened when she saw the velvet box he emerged with.

She gasped out, "Jason."

"I never asked you properly," he said, "and I should have. So I wanted to make sure I did it right this time."

He opened it the box and turned it to show her. She knew without looking that the diamond would be flawless, but it wouldn't be so big that she would be afraid to wear it. Simple and beautiful, once she finally lowered her eyes to the box, Jason had proven how well he knew her by choosing something she absolutely loved.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed out. "But when did you get it? You were here all day."

"You napped with the boys," he smiled at her, pleased with himself. "And I had explained to the jeweler what I wanted, so he had selections already picked out for me to look at."

"You are amazing," she told him.

"And you are beautiful," he told her as he slipped the ring onto her finger. "And I love you so much."

He kissed her fingertips and then stretched out over her and kissed her neck, peppering soft kisses up to her cheek and then to her lips. Then he stood and surprised her when he picked her up, cradling her in his arms. He turned for the stairs and she held on as best she could. He was careful, but determined, as he made his way upstairs, and she was glad because she was ready for what she knew was coming.

Chapter 36

"Good morning, Daddy."

"Good morning, Tracy," he said, not looking up from his paper. "Have you heard from your worthless husband yet?"

Her voice was frosty as she replied, "No. Thank you so much for asking, Daddy."

Folding down the paper, he looked at her and glared. "The man is a degenerate and you and I both know it. He conned his way into this family and sadly, I think he conned his way into your heart. I don't know whether he's all you think you deserve, or whether this is yet another way you're acting out trying to catch my attention, or just another example of your appalling bad choice of men."

"You know, Daddy, I don't do everything hoping for your approval," she sniffed disdainfully.

Edward laughed and countered, "Everything you do, Tracy, is hoping for my approval. I've been tough on you and I won't apologize for that. I will not hand you something just because you think you deserve it. You will earn it on your merits."

"No, I won't," she countered, her voice now tinged with anger. "Because you will never acknowledge my merits. I will always be second-rate in your eyes; incapable of doing anything. So I cheat and steal and do whatever I can to get ahead because I learned it from you and you force me to act this way."

"So I suppose stealing from your dead brother was something I forced you to do?" he asked, lifting his eyebrows.

She blanched, though she tried to cover it. "I don't know what you're talking about, Daddy."

"Then it must have been your cheat of a husband who changed Alan's will and stole Jake's rightful inheritance."

"Jake wasn't even born," she scoffed. "Jason was with Sam McCall and you know that tramp had dollar signs in her eyes whenever she looked at him and this family. If Alan's will had been read she would have done everything in her power to get pregnant and then we would have been stuck with her forever. She married men for their money and even killed one of them."

Pointing an accusatory finger at him, his daughter leveled, "You are so desperate for any connection with Jason that you would have bought out an entire baby store if she'd confused heartburn with morning sickness. It's why you so ridiculously hired her, hoping it would somehow soften Jason and bring him back to the family. I was the one who had to get rid of her by letting her know I knew about her past and I would expose her if she stayed. That was the woman you would have accepted a child from just on the hope that Jason would come back to this family."

Tracy shook her head in disappointment at him and said, "It will never happen; even with Elizabeth Webber as the mother of his child. I'm glad I changed Alan's will. I don't regret that Sam McCall was kept from being given a ready-made con. And as for Jake Webber-"

"Morgan," Edward interjected.

She waved a hand in annoyance. "Whatever. He doesn't need Alan's stock; Jason will provide for him and Elizabeth's other son."

"That other son's name is Cameron," he told her. "And it matters because it is what Alan wanted and you didn't just cheat Jason's children; you cheated Monica."

His daughter laughed bitterly. "You're getting soft, Daddy. You've always hated Monica and thought Alan should have never married her. Don't go getting sentimental on me, Daddy, or I'll have to wonder whether you're getting senile. Maybe I'll have to find a doctor who will declare you incompetent...just like you sent me off to Shadybrook."

He smiled in pure delight and chuckled. "Senile?"

Moving the paper completely out of the way, he saw Tracy's eyes narrow in on the tape recorder sitting on the desk. "I had enough forethought to be prepared and enough cunning to trick you into confessing and snare you into my trap."

Switching off the recorder, he smiled malevolently at his daughter. "I own you now, Tracy."

He watched as she folded her arms over her chest, trying to look imperious and unruffled as she ran her tongue over her teeth. "And what exactly do you want me to do, Daddy?"

"You have a choice," he told her sweetly. "You can discover Alan's original will in Luke's belongings while cleaning out his room. Then you'll distance yourself from him and his criminal actions and let him face the consequences of his actions."

"So I throw him under the bus and disavow all knowledge of his actions."

"Yes," he said simply. "Or I will claim that Alice found the will while cleaning your room and brought it to me; then I taped you and elicited your confession."

"When do you suggest I discover my husband's duplicity?" she asked steely. "Shall I set up the disgruntlement I feel is building and then I decided to kick him out because I'm finally tired of him abandoning me?"

Edward put the tape recorder in his suit pocket and stood. "I'll leave that for you to decide, my dear. But I would like it begun by the end of the week."

He picked up his briefcase and straightened his tie while saying, "Well, I have a meeting with my lawyer."

Tracy stood defeated as he walked past her, a spring in his step. As he reached the door, he paused and turned back and said, "Oh, and Tracy dear, one more thing; your time as CEO is over. Decide how you want to exit with dignity, but do it by the end of the weak as well."

Nikolas Cassadine was not happy when Cody was shown into his study. The mob enforcer strolled in behind the butler who had tried to keep the younger man out, but then was resigned to the intrusion when the former soldier pushed past him. Irritation was clear in the prince when he stood at the unwanted, and most definitely unwelcome, arrival.

"Thank you, Alfred; that will be all," he said with ice in his voice. Once the older man was gone, he turned a fierce eye on Cody and demanded, "What are you doing here?"

"You haven't been taking my calls," he said, walking over to the coffee service and pouring himself a cup. He took a sip and frowned, "this isn't Morgan Coffee blend."

"No," the other man said with pleasure. "It's not. But are you really here to criticize my beverage choices?"

"No," the enforcer shook his head, abandoning his china cup. "Just commenting on it. You'll forgive me, though, if I don't finish this; I despise inferior product."

Sitting down and leaning forward, he raised his brows and said, "I know you would rather not have anything to do with us, but don't forget...my men can press charges against you for being drugged and detained."

Shaking his head he laughed, "You Cassadines think that you can do whatever you want, but Jason isn't really happy that after he provided guards to help Alexis and her children that they were treated this way. Nor is he really happy that your men are interfering with his in Port Charles."

"I'm looking for my grandmother," the other man replied simply.

"And your men are holding our men at gunpoint in the streets of Port Charles and telling them to leave the area," Cody countered. "You didn't find us here on Wyndamere-"

"But I have no doubt your men are here on my property," he charged.

"We're in Port Charles and your men are holding Jason's men at gunpoint," the mobster continued evenly. "That's a very stupid and dangerous thing to do. If your men continue to interfere with Mr. Morgan's men...well, we can't guarantee that bad things won't happen."

Nikolas shook his head imperiously. "Always resorting to threats."

"Better than claiming to be a friend but turning on a person simply because she doesn't do what you want her to," he countered with a lifted brow. "I've read the news reports about Miss Webber and I've piece together how you've turned on her over the years, but then want her help when you feel it's convenient or you think she owes you.

"And now," he said, "your granny, who has tried to kill Miss Webber before, is killing people in town. Jason is doing everything he can to protect not just his son but anyone deal ol' psycho decides to go after, and your men are fighting us."

The younger man looked away and Cody lost his temper with the man's arrogance. Standing, he reached over the desk and grabbed the prince's lapels, jerking him up and forward. "Listen to me you pompous prick," he growled. "I don't care that you're a prince or you're rich. You are interfering with my men."

He lifted a brow and said, "I think you don't want your grandmother stopped. I think you don't care that she's murdered so many people."

"She killed my brother and sister," the other man growled, trying to get his hands up to push Cody away. "She killed my cousin."

"So why are your men fighting us?" the enforcer demanded, shoving Nikolas back and taking satisfaction that he almost fell as he stumbled into his chair.

Straightening, the former soldier leveled a lethal look at the man across from him. "This is your final warning, Cassadine; if your men ever pull guns on our men again or interfere when we're working towards the same purpose, we will retaliate. Jason's done dealing with you."

"She is my grandmother," the dark-haired man said through clenched teeth.

"And you've done a fabulous job of protecting the rest of the populace from her," Cody sneered. "You don't stand up to her, and you're too cowardly to ever truly stand up to her. But you don't want anyone else to stand up to her, but you especially don't want Jason to because you know he isn't Luke Spencer and he won't play games with her. Make up your mind, Prince, but stay out of our way while you're doing it. Because Jason will not stop doing all that he has to in order to make sure his wife and son's are safe."

"W-wife?" Nikolas questioned. "Elizabeth married him? Lucky barely died."

"Your brother was not involved with Miss Webber before his death," the enforcer stated. Seeing the other man's look he said, "Yes, she's Miss Webber...however, they are engaged. But the timing of your brother's death doesn't matter because it was not about him."

"He was those boys' father."

Cody chuckled dryly. "Your sibling care is touching, but misplaced. He ignored those boys when he couldn't control Miss Webber. And you certainly didn't show much familial concern for them, but you're acting outraged so that you can change the subject. It won't work. We will continue to look for Helena and we will not put up with interference from your men. If you're so worried about what we'll do, then find her yourself and stop fighting us."

He stepped back, ready to leave and left one last warning. "If your men pull another gun on us, threaten us or interfere in any way again, Jason will consider you his enemy and treat you accordingly."

Then he turned on his heel and exited the room. More men would be sent to the island tonight and more would spread out through the city as well. While nobody wanted more people to die, the sudden cease in murders had them worried. Helena had been escalating, and then suddenly stopped. It made everyone wonder, and nervous, waiting for her next move and worrying how big it would be and who would be hurt. They were determined to find her and stop her, and they would let nobody get in their way.

It was late when Jason opened the door to Sonny's old penthouse, pushing back the plastic that covered the floor. The workers had been busy and the furniture was gone, the paneling was down and the carpets had been ripped up. He knew, though, that Cody hadn't called him in the middle of the night to come over and inspect the remodeling. Three AM calls were never good, no matter the line of work, but he hadn't expected to come over here and find this.

"They said they knew you," his second said, "and that it was important they talk to you right away."

"Johnny, I thought you would have moved on," he noted. Then he looked over at the other man and said, "Francis. I didn't know you'd left the island; that you were cleared to travel."

"Once you heard I couldn't come, you probably didn't check back often, and with everything happening here, it's not surprising," the older man said guilelessly. "I got a strange call that intrigued me; so I came."

"I stuck around after we talked," Johnny said with an unapologetic shrug. "I always liked Miss Webber and you rushed off in a panic worried about her and her children. I listened, I dug a little and I thought about what we talked about. Helena Cassadine was targeting people and you were worried about Miss Webber."

With another shrug he continued, "I didn't know the men here, and wasn't even sure if you'd want my help. But I wasn't going to sit back and do nothing."

"He knew I'd guarded Miss Webber before," Francis took up the narrative. "And he called me and asked me to come. Once he told me what he knew, there was no way I was going to walk away."

"Thank you, Francis," Jason said, touched at these men and their devotion to not just him, but especially Elizabeth. "And thank you, Johnny. You didn't have to do this."

"We did," the man replied. "And we found something."

"What?" Cody demanded.

"We know Helena's obsessed with the Spencers, and Luke made like a rabbit and bolted, after Lucky was found dead," the former guard began. "I know you're worried about your son, Jake, but you've made it very clear he's yours, and Nikolas made it clear as well."

Jason immediately frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm no stranger to Wyndamere," the other man said. "I was there one time when Alexis' ex-husband came and told her that he thought Helena was behind the murders. He was worried about Miss Webber's child with Lucky Spencer, since Spencers seemed to be dying. Cassadine suddenly pitched his voice louder, looked beyond the people he was with...he looked at the tunnel I was hiding in and I thought for a minute maybe he'd heard me there. Then when he said that Lucky wasn't the father of Miss Webber's son, but you were and Helena would be a fool to go after him...I realized that he thought maybe she was hiding in the tunnels and he was telling her."

"He was protecting your son?" Cody asked with disbelief.

"Who knows what Cassadine was doing," the mobster shook his head. "Maybe he was in his own way; it doesn't matter. I want to know what you found."

"We didn't know if Helena knew Jake wasn't a Spencer, or whether her fascination with Luke overrode her desire to go after a kid," Francis stated. "But John suspected she wasn't in Port Charles so we thought we'd search for Luke's trail and see if she followed after him. Maybe we could track her that way."

"He went to Switzerland."

"We know," he told Johnny. "Bobbie's guards told us he'd talked to her. Jax hired men to supplement our guards and I sent some more over; we're not leaving Michael and Morgan vulnerable."

"Well, we followed Luke and found out we weren't the only ones doing it," he continued.

"Helena?" the former enforcer asked.

"Yeah," Francis nodded. "She followed him to Germany, and then he disappeared into some town and she did as well. We weren't sure if she made us, but we didn't look for her; we thought we needed to get back here."

Cody stepped forward and asked, "Why? You really think she'll come back here and go after Miss Webber and her kids?"

Johnny shook his head. "No. There's something you need to know. Helena Cassadine doesn't look good; she looks ill."

"Ill?" Jason asked.

"She's always been thin," Francis stated, then shook his head. "But now...it was like a looking at a walking skeleton. Thin, gaunt face, hair looks dull and like straw despite her attempts to continue to look regal like she always does. Odds are, she's sick."

"That's interesting," he said, looking at the other people in the room. "Do you think she could be dying?"

"I think so," the younger guard nodded. "She has the same look as terminal patients."

"So she's dying and she...what?" Cody wondered.

"Decides to get rid of everyone she's ever hated before she dies?" Francis offered with a shrug. "She's always toyed with Luke Spencer; it's always been like foreplay with them without any desire for the other one to really be gone. But if she's sick, then maybe she wants to finally end their game. Prevent Luke from winning when she died."

"That might fit for Spencer," the bald enforcer stated. "But what about everyone else?"

"Simply people she hates...if she takes out one, why not take out everyone else?" Johnny offered. "Does Helena really have to have a reason? She's part of a family that tried to freeze the world with a big diamond. To me that says psycho."

Jason let out a breath and scrubbed his hand over his face. This whole family and situation frustrated him and gave him a headache. Once again, a Spencer created a mess because of their ego, and now he had to clean it up.

"Thank you," he said, looking at Johnny and Francis. "I appreciate you two doing this, and I-I would like it if you continued. I'd really like all the help I could get on this."

"We'll do whatever we can, Jason," Francis said immediately and Johnny nodded. "We like Miss Webber and want to do all we can to keep her and your family safe."

"Thank you." He paused and then knew the men would be happy to hear, "We-we're getting married, and I want them safe. I'm sure Elizabeth will be glad you're back."

"Congratulations," both men said. Then Johnny smirked, "It's about time you snagged her."

Ignoring the remark, Jason continued, "Cody's told Cassadine we're not going to put up with his men stopping us. I want you guys to talk with him. Tell him everything you picked up, and he'll tell you where our guys are going to be searching and you can decide where you'll search."

Cody nodded his agreement with the order and the other men nodded as well. Letting out a tired sigh he stood and knew that the men would do all they could to search for Helena. While he wanted to be out there searching for her, he knew his place was here. Not just as the boss, but because Elizabeth had a doctor's appointment and there was no way she was going to it alone.

Chapter 37

"Are you okay?"

Elizabeth smiled lovingly at Jason and nodded. "I'm fine. It feels so good to have that big, heavy cast off. The sling is a little restrictive-"

"But you'll wear it," he cut in. "Just like the doctor told you. You shouldn't even have the cast off yet; Dr. Williams wanted you to wear it longer."

"I agreed to another week when I went to my last appointment. The x-ray showed that the bone was healing very well."

"You had surgery," he said softly, his eyes clouding with concern as he looked at her arm. They had frequently become that way after he saw the scar from her surgery when Dr. Williams took off her cast. "I listened to the doctor talking; the bone was sticking out of your arm, Elizabeth. I-I've...seen that before; it takes time to heal."

"And it's had time," she replied softly, scooting closer to him on the couch.

"You're pushing yourself too hard."

She laughed at his gentle admonition. "Jason, who was trying to lift weights only a few weeks after getting shot in the side? And who was running around chasing people and popping stitches in his leg? How many times have you refused to go to the hospital or pushed yourself because you just had to do something and ended up risking your recovery?"

"That's different," he shook his head.

Lifting her brow she asked for clarification. "Because you're a man? Or because you're a mobster? Or was it because you refused to slow down and think about the people who really loved you and didn't want to exploit you for their own selfish purposes?"

Her fiancé's eyes widened and she covered her face with her good hand. "I'm sorry," she said. "That was an unfair jab at Sonny and Carly. I know they were your friends and of course you would do everything you could to help them because you cared about them."

Jason pulled her hand away and then tugged her gently closer to him. "It's okay. You're right; I pushed too hard sometimes and wasn't always completely healed. I felt I had to in order to keep Sonny or Carly from doing something stupid and making a bad situation worse. And Sonny ended up putting a hit on me."

"I'm sorry," she said softly as she stroked her hand over his chest.

He pulled her closer briefly to press a kiss to her temple. "It's alright. But I do have experience with not listening to my nurse, and I don't want you pushing yourself because you think you need to."

"What about what I want?"

"Your family wants you to be healthy," Jason told her. "We're glad the bulky cast is gone, but we want you to wear the smaller one and sling like the doctor told you to."

He let out a troubled breath and said, "You were hurt so badly, Elizabeth. The scar...the break...the surgery...I read about your injury...others told me about it, except for you. You downplayed it; wouldn't let me thank you for saving Michael."

"I was doing my job to help my patient."

"Yes," he nodded. "I knew you would say that. But I need to tell you how much it affected me to see just how badly you'd been hurt. I know you didn't do anything extra just because it was Michael; you would have charged in just the same if it had been a grandmother of four. I know your heart and how compassionate you are, but I hate seeing you hurt. Knowing I wasn't there to help you...I hate that I was so foolishly staying away. So I will do everything I can now to make sure you recover and heal. So I will make sure you wear your sling and don't push yourself."

With a chuckle he admitted, "I know I'm being overprotective...and maybe even irrational-"

"No," Elizabeth cut in on a whisper, turning her head and kissing his jaw. "You're showing me how much you love me, and you're taking advantage of the fact that you can show it. Do you know how hard it was for me those times you were in the hospital and I was supposed to act like I didn't love you? Or to watch others around you and have to stay away?"

"Probably the same way I felt when I wanted to stay by your side when you were in the hospital but I acted like I wasn't bothered," he said ruefully.

"Exactly," she agreed. "So expect me to practically smother you the next time you get hurt. Eventually we'll settle down and not go so crazy. For now, though, I kinda like it."

She shrugged, "And I'll try not to fight you and push myself too hard."

He chuckled and admitted, "I know I'll push too hard the next time I'm hurt, but at least I know you'll be there to get me to slow down. Just like I'll help you slow down."

He let out a regretful breath and said, "I hate to go, but I need to. I need to meet with Bernie and Diane and go over some stuff at the warehouse. Are you going to be okay here?'

"I'll be fine," Elizabeth assured him, knowing it probably wasn't just warehouse business he needed to look in on. "My gram is going to bring the boys back soon, and the guards are outside if I need anything."

She fisted her hand in his shirt and pulled him close to brush her lips over his. What she meant to quick, playful peck left them both breathless when they finally parted. Her eyes were cloudy as she pulled back. "You have a meeting you need to go to. Everyone's been good about letting you have time with us, but I know you need to take care of things yourself."

"I do," he agreed, his tone as regretful as she felt. She hadn't meant to start something they couldn't finish. "Diane's supposed to have information on Alan's will as well."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in remembrance of that surprise. Luke Spencer now had a warrant out for his arrest for fraud after it was discovered that he'd forged Alan's will to leave everything to Tracy, along with a substantial portion for himself. The original will had been found by her when she finally had enough of her husband's constant abandonment and decided to kick him out of the house and file for divorce. Elizabeth and Jason didn't entirely believe that version, not after learning she was stepping down as CEO of ELQ, but they weren't interested in pursuing it too closely or pressing charges against her.

It wasn't that they felt Jake had been cheated; if the will had never been discovered Jason would have provided for him and Cameron more than adequately. They didn't need Alan's ELQ stock - Jason had some and Sonny's shares had reverted back to Jason - but it was the gesture of the will that touched both of them. Alan had died just as Jason learned he was going to be a father, and the older man had shown that he did love his son.

The revelation of the will and its contents had dredged up old memories and shame for both of them; Jason for running off and chasing Mr. Craig instead of seeing his father, and her for asking Jason to give up his child on the day of his father's funeral. Together, though, they moved past the pain and the shame they felt and instead focused on the fact that Alan had loved Jason no matter the distance between them. For that reason, and for the peace Monica had found, they were grateful the real will had been brought to light.

"Okay," she nodded. "Good luck with it."

"And good luck with your grandmother," he said with a kiss.

"She took the boys when we asked her and offered to bring them home," she said with a tilt of her head. "So maybe it won't be so bad."

At least she could only hope.

Audrey stepped out of the elevator, listening to Cameron babble happily. The little boy was not bothered by the armored vehicle they rode in, or the armed guards that accompanied them, or the bulletproof glass in the windows of his house. No, he didn't care about any of that. What mattered to the little boy was that his mom and dad had turned Sonny Corinthos' old penthouse into a play area for him and his brother.

"Maybe we can show you after we see Mommy," he said excitedly as he turned for the penthouse. "I want to see Mommy without her big cast on. It was hard for her to give hugs, but she still did it. Of course, Daddy always told us to be careful with her so we didn't hurt her. But Daddy plays with us; he picks us up at the same time and runs around, stomping his feet.

Jake giggled and she couldn't help smiling at the thought of Jason Morgan stomping around in play with the boys. They clearly enjoyed it, though, and were obviously very happy.

The guard stationed outside the penthouse smiled at their approach. "Hey, Cam and Jake; welcome home," he greeted them. Then he dipped his head towards her politely, "Hello, Mrs. Hardy."

He turned to open the door before she could reply. "Mrs. Hardy and the boys are here."

Jake insistently wiggled out of Audrey's arms and she set him down so he could run after his brother who had charged into the room. He joined in a chorus of 'Mommy!' with Cameron and flung himself into her arms. The nurse couldn't help wincing, knowing the boys had jostled the cast and sling, but Elizabeth didn't seem to mind. She was too happy to see them to care about any discomfort she might have. She told them about the new cast and the sling she had to wear, helping them understand it, and emphasizing that she was definitely getting better.

It was a relief to Audrey to see the bulky cast off her granddaughter. The younger woman's spirits were improved and she relished in being able to get close to her sons, even if she still only had the use of one arm. Elizabeth may not be able to do everything she wanted to do, but she was able to move easier. It made them all happier to see it.

"Were you good for Grams?" Elizabeth asked once the excited greetings were over and they were sitting down. "Did you help put away the toys before you left?"

"Yes," the boys answered enthusiastically.

"They were very good," Audrey told her as she sat down as well, unable to stop smiling at the scene on the couch. The boys were clamoring over Elizabeth, fighting for space on her lap to be closer to her. "They were very helpful and listened to what I said."

Not that the boys were ever really disrespectful because Elizabeth had done her best to teach them how to behave. However, Audrey had noticed a difference in the way the boys acted today. They were happier, laughed a little easier and seemed less tense than she had seen them recently. She almost hadn't noticed the changes in them as they became quieter, more cautious and anxious not to upset the adults around them. Now they seemed happier and lighter and she realized what she hadn't seen.

Elizabeth had been right; Lucky really hadn't cared about the boys. He didn't act as a real father should. Jason had obviously made them feel safe and secure. Even though they were living behind bulletproof glass and didn't even complain when they only played a few minutes outside in her backyard under the watchful eyes of their guards, they had been happy and carefree as little boys should.

"Can we show Gram the new room?" Cam asked his mother with excitement.

Jake bounced on the couch. "Can we?"

"Do you think Gram would want to see it?" her granddaughter asked her boys, but looked at Audrey in clear question.

"The boys have been talking about a special surprise their dad and mom have been working on," she answered. "I admit I'm very curious."

"Then let's go," Elizabeth said with a relieved smile.

They all stood and the boys clamored around their mother, making Audrey worry for a minute they would trip her up for a minute. However, Elizabeth got them moving forward and out the door to go across the hall without any problems. Opening the door to the other penthouse, they all stepped inside.

"This used to be Sonny's penthouse," Audrey heard her granddaughter explain while she looked around at the bright colors on the wall and the colorful rugs on the floor. "We had to make a few changes."

"I imagine," the older woman murmured.

Walking across the room, the younger woman cautiously reached out to touch the chalk wall. "It's dry," she smiled. "They painted it this morning. The boys will be able to draw on the walls with this now."

Crossing the room to stand by her granddaughter, Audrey said, "This looks amazing, Elizabeth. It looks like a place the boys will have a lot of fun in. You and Jason came up with this?"

"It was Jason's idea," Elizabeth answered. "He is so worried about the boys not being able to go outside and play easily like they could before. He wanted them to have plenty of space to run and play and be little boys. He would have remodeled our penthouse to give them that, but decided to change this place."

"It's a very good idea," she replied, nodding as she continued to look around. "He's very thoughtful...and it's very clear just how much he loves them."

Elizabeth looked over at her and she continued, "And I see just how happy Cameron and Jake are now. I hadn't realized how subdued they'd become until I saw just how happy and bright they are now. They really weren't happy with Lucky, were they?"

The mother looked over at the boys and when she saw they were across the room stacking brightly colored bins she replied in a low voice, "Not really. They didn't fear him and they didn't try to avoid him; they loved him as their dad. But he was erratic and disappointed them so many times that it hurt them. He wouldn't see them just because he was mad at me, even though they asked to see him. He would say he would come, but then he wouldn't."

"It hurt them," the older woman said sadly. It was hard for her to realize just how wrong she'd been about Lucky Spencer. That he had hurt her granddaughter and great-grandsons with anger and neglect and she had defended him so many times, pressuring Elizabeth to forgive him and go back to him. No wonder the younger woman had resisted her so much.

"It did," Elizabeth agreed. "They would try to hide it, but it hurt them."

"And now Jason is there for him and he's giving them an emotionally safe environment," she admitted. "They are happy and...and they are thriving."

Her granddaughter nodded, graciously accepting that Audrey was admitting her error without gloating. "That's why the boys are happy that Jason and I are getting married. We are going to have the paperwork drawn up for him to adopt Cameron, too."

The older woman was surprised by the news and her initial reaction was to object, but she didn't give voice to it. Because she had just admitted that the boys were happier living with Jason and were emotionally safe from the whims and instability of Lucky. Their physical safety still worried her, but both she and Elizabeth had learned that safety wasn't guaranteed anywhere.

Reaching out, she hugged her granddaughter and said, "Congratulations, my dear. I have seen how much he cares for you...loves you."

Elizabeth brought her arm up around Audrey and the grandmother could feel the relief in the younger woman that she hadn't objected. "Thank you, Gram."

Pulling back, she cupped Elizabeth's cheek and said, "You're welcome, darling. And I will help you however you need with the planning. You are still recovering and two very active boys will be demanding your time. So if you need me to do anything, I will."

"Thank you, Gram," the younger woman said again, her eyes misting over. "Thank you, very much."

"You're welcome, my dear," she smiled. "Now, why don't you sit down once we get back to your apartment, and I will fix us all something to eat? You know these two growing boys are always hungry and you've had a busy day already."

"I'm doing better, Gram," Elizabeth stated with a pointed look.

"I know, darling," she said with a pat of her granddaughter's hand. "But I want to spoil you."

Wrapping her arm around Elizabeth's shoulders, taking care not to jar her arm, she called to her great-grandsons. "Cam and Jake; come along, boys. We're going to let Mommy sit down and I'm going to fix something to eat for everyone."

The magic words had been spoken and the boys happily abandoned their play and exploration in the promise of food. They went back to their home across the hall and sat down on the couch beside their mother, telling her everything they had done while at Audrey's house. The older woman went into the kitchen to get them some food, grateful for the moment alone. Surprised as she had been by Elizabeth's announcement, she was determined to support her granddaughter. She had finally understood that this was Elizabeth's life to live, and Audrey was not going to fight her anymore. Life was too precious for that; especially after she'd gotten her test results back.

Chapter 38

"You know, I know that Helena Cassadine is just one woman who, granted, is an evil psychopath, but in reality she's just a woman who thrives on the aura she's created," Johnny said as they slowly inched their way through the tunnels underneath the docks. "But I have to confess; this gives me the willies."

Francis gave him a look, but then confessed, "I know what you mean. We've stood in firefights, nearly been blown up in buildings and faced down some seriously dangerous mobsters, but sneaking around these tunnels...I'm expecting some monster of mythological proportions to jump out at us while she floats in the background."

He was about to respond when he heard a sound ahead of them and held up his hand to stop the other man. Looking back, he knew Francis had heard it as well. The older man nodded, and then they proceeded forward with great caution. While they had come across evidence of people in the tunnels before, they hadn't actually ever encountered anyone. John was glad they both had worn rubber-soled shoes as they stopped near the end of the tunnel and looked around the corner.

The junction was wide, almost a room instead of simply a cross-junction. Previously it had probably been a small storage area, but right now it currently housed a completely different cargo. Helena Cassadine, and a small group of minions, had turned the area into their own little hospital room. Helena was in a hospital bed, monitors attached to her, and a nurse was currently taking her pulse. The old woman looked bad; much worse than she had when he had seen her in Europe. He and Francis had been correct; she was definitely sick.

Looking over at his companion, he pointed back towards the way they'd come and the other man nodded. There was no cell reception down here and somebody needed to call Jason's enforcer so they could get more people down here. While they could handle the frail woman in the bed, and probably the nurse, there were six other men in the room. All to ensure her protection. Johnny wasn't going to go against those odds; not when they wanted to get out alive.

His friend pointed to himself and then down the tunnel. John nodded in understanding, and then watched the guards carefully as the older man walked away. The people in the room didn't react or give any indication they heard anything. Yet John knew he wasn't going to rest easy until he was no longer outnumbered and outgunned.

Cody didn't really know Johnny O'Brien or Francis Corelli, although Jason had explained about the men's past when he introduced them. The former soldier believed his boss when he said the two men were loyal and trustworthy, and that was really all he needed. He could believe that the other men had fallen victim to the megalomaniac nature of Sonny Corinthos. Cody had read the files on the men and felt comfortable enough to work with them. He did agree with Jason's assessment that if they called and said they found something, that they would use guards who hadn't been around when they had been in Port Charles.

So when they actually did call, saying that they had discovered Helena Cassadine on their search tonight, Cody immediately redirected the guards who were out searching and had them go to the rendezvous spot Corelli had indicated. Now, he was on his way to pick up Jason so that he could be part of tonight. While Cody didn't know exactly what would happen tonight, he knew it would end with the elimination of Helena Cassadine.

As he pulled into the garage underneath the Towers, he saw Jason was waiting by the elevators, not paying any attention to the guards as he anxiously paced near the elevators. He yanked open the door when Cody stopped, and clipped out a terse, "Let's go."

He didn't speak until they were out on the street and then he demanded, "Tell me again what Francis said."

"He and John were exploring the tunnels under the wharf and they found Helena," the enforcer replied. "Some wide junction; she's in a hospital bed, got a nurse there and six guards just sitting around protecting her."

"John's watching her and Francis is waiting for us?"

The ex-soldier nodded as they neared the coffee warehouse. They wanted to minimize attention, so they were parking at the warehouse and would enter the tunnels near there. Approaching the waiting guards, Jason greeted them and thanked them for getting there quickly. "Now, we just need Francis."

"Right here, Jason," the man in question stated, melting out of the shadows. "I hustled to get here after your guy suggested we meet at the warehouse; so we need to hurry back. I don't want to leave John alone too long."

"Then let's go," their boss said decisively and swept his hand in front of him to motion them all along.

They set off quickly, their rubber-soled shoes whispering over the dusty concrete floors. Jason was up front by the older guard he'd wanted to come up from the island and it was clear there was a history and respect there. Plus, there was no way the mob boss was going to be in the back when they were off to potentially confront the person responsible for the death of Mrs. Jacks and the attack on Miss Webber and the Corinthos children. Cody understood it, but sometimes it made it difficult for him to ensure Jason stayed safe.

Cody appointed himself to the position right behind his boss and quietly instructed the other guards to be vigilant as they traveled. They didn't know how many people Helena Cassadine might have around the area, and they didn't want to have anyone come up behind them.

"We're going down," Jason commented softly.

Francis nodded and spoke out of the side of his mouth. "I think we're actually going under the harbor. There are rumors of tunnels that go under it all the way to Wyndamere."

"The island?" Cody couldn't help asking.

The older guard looked back and briefly nodded. "The Cassadines love their secret tunnels. Helena had a sub-basement...way under the hospital where she had her dead son thawed out and brought back to life."

The former soldier raised his brows as they continued to walk along. He'd read the file on the family and what happened in Port Charles and believed it because he knew Bernie was honest and approved the information; it was still fantastical and hard to believe, though. It was clear everyone else took it was pure fact as well, and didn't believe anything was impossible.

Francis held up his hand to slow everyone down, and then they all proceeded forward in single file. A solitary figure was ahead of them and he looked back when they neared, then returned to watching the room and let his hand drift back to his side off his gun. There was no way for all of them to be able to see into the area John was watching, so they hung back and waited while Jason talked to the other two men.

"Any changes?" Jason asked.

The other guard shook his head. "They haven't moved and Helena's been asleep most of the time."

"Guards aren't out making patrols?"

Again another shake of his head. "They must feel pretty confident they're hidden here."

Jason turned his head and said, "Cody, look at the room. Figure out the best way to take out the guards as quickly as possible."

He and Francis stepped back so the former soldier could step forward to observe the room. Quietly stepping up next to the man who had been studying the room the longest, he appreciated when the man flattened himself against the wall. Bending his head near the other man while simultaneously assessing the room he asked, "What do you think?"

"The men nearest the old bat have had their hands on their guns the entire time."

Meaning they were the most diligent so they needed to go first. "And the others?"

"Man by the monitor has dozed several times. Others have yawned and tried to hide their fidgeting."

"They're bored," Cody murmured to himself. "They'll be slow and sloppy."

His eyes continued to rove the room, working out the best angles of the room and determining that between the four of them they could quickly take out the guards. The other guards would be back-up, in case other of Helena's men came towards the shots. He also knew someone would have to cover the nurse, but he would take that task himself. He didn't have quite the same sentimentality that Jason sometimes displayed, plus he'd seen children aim guns at him and knew that threats weren't always obvious.

Once he was ready to give the assignments he nodded and tapped John's arm to have him follow. However, they all tensed when they heard footsteps echoing through the tunnels. The ex-soldier knew without looking that the guards behind them were alert and ready to deal with the threat if it came from that way. But Cody didn't think the person was behind them; whoever it was, was approaching from one of the other tunnels that emptied into this junction.

John stepped back without orders and was immediately replaced by Jason. "Can you see him yet?"

Cody shook his head and they continued to listen. Helena's guards were now on alert and the older woman was stirring, sitting up in her bed. They were obviously expecting the approaching person, or at least were not worried about the individual who took no pains to disguise his footsteps. So when Nikolas Cassadine stepped out of the tunnel directly opposite them, Cody was both surprised and not.

"Nikolas," Helena said, her voice weak and frail. Cody didn't know what it normally sounded like, but her frailty and illness were clear.

"Grandmother."

"Thank you for coming back."

The bastard had contact with her and hadn't told Jason or their men. It didn't surprise the ex-soldier, but it still angered him. He was protecting the person responsible for so many deaths and the threats against Jason's family.

"You said you had information on Luke and his son," the prince said. "Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. I told you; you can die down here and I won't care. But my mother deserves to know so she can close this chapter of her life."

The older woman shook her head and made a sound of disgust. "Your mother. You are too attached to those who are inferior to you. The Spencers have always been inferior...a blight on humanity. I simply rid the world of them. It was for you, my darling."

"I never wanted them to die; I never wanted anyone to die."

She laughed derisively and it might have been evil had it not ended in a horrendous cough that sent the nurse into a flurry of activity. The grandson stood by, watching with only mild concern until she began breathing again. Then he almost looked disappointed.

"Did you think I would leave you alone in this world with only Spencers around to influence you?" she asked scornfully. "You are a Cassadine."

"So Luke is dead," Nikolas stated.

"You must embrace your destiny," she told him, trying to make her voice as strong as she could. "Rule as a Cassadine unfettered by sentimentality or anyone."

"There is still my mother," the young man pointed out defiantly.

Helena feebly waved her hand. "Mere formalities. My orders will be carried out; even after this illness takes me. The world will be rid of all Spencers."

"We move now," Jason said softly, almost startling Cody with his voice. Turning, the mobster quickly told orders to Francis and John and the men nodded.

Looking at his second he asked, "Ready?"

Cody nodded and at Jason's signal, the two men moved into the room in a crouch, firing their weapons. The other two guards followed instantly and the noise was deafening as it echoed off the concrete walls. The guards went down with single kill shots and the nurse was dispatched as she reached for a weapon. Then it was just them and the two Cassadines.

"Fan out and make sure nobody else is coming," Jason ordered and the guards immediately moved through the room into the other tunnels. It wasn't until they passed through that he lowered his gun, knowing the three other men would protect him.

"What are you doing?" Nikolas demanded of him angrily, looking shocked at all that had transpired.

Countering, he asked, "What are you doing? You heard from your grandmother, but you never contacted me or my men."

"She is my grandmother."

"And she ordered the deaths of your brother, sister and cousin," he pointed out, unable to believe the man was still defending the woman in the bed. "She threatened your aunt. She just threatened your mother and you stood here and did nothing. You did nothing when Elizabeth's boys were threatened."

"I declared Jake was yours," the younger man tried to say.

"Hoping your grandmother might be listening in from the tunnels," the mob boss sneered in disgust. "Beyond that, you did nothing. You showed where your allegiance lay, and it was with the woman you claim to hate."

"I've never been able to stop my grandmother," Nikolas said weakly. "I can only try to contain the damage. I never approved of her murders."

"You've never tried," Jason said dismissively as he walked forward to where Helena was watching them with twisted delight. "But let's hope you try now."

Leaning over Helena's bed he growled. "I won't demand you call your associates and tell them to stop; because I know you won't. But I will put an end to your terror."

Raising his gun, he heard a scuffle behind and Nikolas shouted, "No! Jason, no!"

The old woman's eyes widened in fear as she realized his deadly intent. "You've murdered so many, yet you fear your death? I'm not Luke Spencer; I don't play games. You killed my friend, you hurt children I care about and you hurt the woman I love. You are a threat to her and my sons and I will never let anyone hurt them when I can prevent it."

Putting the muzzle of the gun under her chin, he pulled the trigger, then reached out and turned off the machines that began to sound her death. Turning around, he faced Nikolas who was straining against John and Francis' hold while cursing him loudly.

"Shut up," Jason ordered, his voice full of death. "You sided with her when you cared more about her than your brother and sister or your friend who helped you even when she was in danger. You don't get to claim outrage because I eliminated the threat to my family. You didn't care about Elizabeth; no matter what you claim."

Stepping forward, he narrowed his eyes and said, "The only reason I'm leaving you alive is so you can find your grandmother's men and stop them. I will not let Elizabeth or our children or Carly's boys and Bobbie live in fear. You are a weak, pathetic little boy who pretends to be a man. You better hope you succeed in this because I will punish you for every week that passes and you haven't stopped Helena's men."

Trying to act defiant, but failing, the younger man demanded, "And what will you do?"

"I will take one of your holdings every week I don't hear results from you," Jason stated simply. "And I will start with your house. Tomorrow."

When the prince's eyes widened and he protested that he hadn't even started looking, Jason shrugged indifferently. "Think of it as incentive. I start with your house and the island; rendering you homeless. Every week after today, I will take a business, or a house, or a holding from you. You may think you have deep pockets, but it's nothing to what I have. And I'm not just going to take a car or a building; I will go after major assets so that their loss will hurt you. I will break you."

The younger man sneered. "If you bankrupt me, how will I search for my grandmother's men?"

"Because your two new best friends," he smiled as he nodded to Johnny and Francis, "will go with you everywhere. They will follow you wherever you go. You won't take a piss without one of them being in the room with you. If you aren't searching for Helena's men you'll find that they can be very...persuasive. And they will continue to persuade you until you prove that you've found and stopped ever last one of Helena's killers."

Patting Nikolas' cheek he said, "Until then...you have two brand new shadows."

"It's going to be great," Francis smiled in a way that wasn't warm and friendly at all. "Of course, with the three of us...you'll need to find more than a one bedroom apartment for after tomorrow. Watch out for John, though; he's not as easy-going as I am."

Johnny wrapped his arm around the younger man's shoulder and turned him, steering him toward the tunnel that would lead back to Wyndamere. "Let's go, Nik. Francis will join us later. But you've got work to do, and I'm going to be right there every step of the way."

As they walked off, Jason looked at his friend and said, "Sorry. But it's the only way."

"It is," Francis nodded in agreement. "And we'll do our best to make sure he finds them."

Then he left and the mobster turned to look at Cody. His second stepped forward immediately and said, "We'll clean this entire area; nobody will ever find them or any evidence to link us to this place. Give me your gun, change your clothes at the warehouse and clean up, and then go home to your family."

"Thank you, Cody," he said, looking over at Helena's body.

He didn't have any regrets; he was protecting the people he loved. Helena was dead, and he hoped they would soon find her men. Until then, he would be vigilant in protecting his family. But tomorrow when they woke up, there would be a little less evil in the world and a little less danger.

Chapter 39

Elizabeth didn't know what happened last night, but she remembered Jason leaving some time after they went to bed, and then vaguely recalled him returning hours later. He was still asleep when she came to awareness in the new day and she wanted him to remain so; despite what he may sometimes claim, he did need rest. She brought her sling with her as she left the bedroom and she was still struggling with it as she came downstairs, but she got it on by the time she reached the bottom.

"Cam," she said in surprise she when she saw him on the couch watching cartoons. He was not normally her first one up; Jake was very much like his father and was usually up early. Looking around she asked, "Is Jake up?"

Her oldest shook his head, looking over the back of the couch at her. She came around to sit beside him, smiling when he curled up against her good side. Brushing a kiss over his short curls she asked, "Are you okay, Cam?"

"Uh-huh," he nodded.

"How come you didn't wake me up?"

"I wanted to watch cartoons," her son answered. "Plus, you need your rest so you can get better."

Elizabeth pulled him close and kissed him. "You are such a thoughtful boy. Thank you, but I bet you're hungry and ready for breakfast."

He nodded eagerly, turning off the TV. "Can I have apple oatmeal?"

"Sure," she smiled, standing and reaching for his hand. They walked into the kitchen where he helped her make some instant apple oatmeal with some extra apples on top that steamed in the microwave. Cam smiled as he dug into his food and they talked about the cartoons he'd watched and a variety of other things.

"Can we go play in the other room?" he asked as he finished. He looked at her hopefully, eager to go to the other penthouse and explore the new place.

"How 'bout we see if Jake's awake and wants to go, too?" she suggested, glancing at the clock. She couldn't believe how late it was and that her youngest wasn't downstairs yet asking for breakfast. Maybe he'd gone her bedroom and was with Jason.

"Besides," she smiled at him, "you need to get out of your jammies, first."

"Okay," he agreed, putting his bowl into the sink and then running for the door.

Elizabeth followed after him and was surprised when she went upstairs to find both bedroom doors were closed. When Cam opened the door to his and Jake's room, she saw Jake roll over, but settle back down and remain sleeping. Reaching out, she put her hand on Cam's shoulder to get his attention and quietly said, "Why don't you get your clothes while I check on Jake?"

Sitting down beside the younger boy, she brushed her hand over his hair and frowned when she felt he was a bit warm. "Hey, Jake," she said softly. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

His eyelids fluttered as he struggled to wake up and she tilted her head. "Hey, pumpkin."

"Momma."

"Not feeling good?"

He shook his head and she frowned again. "Probably a bit of a cold. Feeling stuffy? Achy?"

"Is Jake sick?" Cam asked as he walked over, his clothes in his arm.

"I think he has a bit of a cold," she replied as her younger son sniffled, sounding very congested.

"I'm going to get Daddy," Cameron declared and turned and bolted from the room before she could stop him. With one ear she listened as Cam banged her bedroom door open and called out for Jason.

"Daddy's coming," she smiled at Jake when she heard Jason's hurried footsteps rushing down the hall. She turned to look over her shoulder as he entered the room, a worried look on his face and holding Cam. "He's okay," she told him. "It's a cold."

She watched as he visibly relaxed and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Elizabeth nodded. "He's stuffy, a little warm, he slept late...it's just a bit of a cold."

"He needs juice," her oldest declared. "And movies."

When Jason looked at her question she explained, "It's a tradition we did when we could. Juice, applesauce, cuddles on the couch in pajamas and blankets while we watch TV. Just a day of snuggles and love and taking it easy."

"Ah," he said in understanding. "Does he need any medicine?"

"Some ibuprofen to make him comfortable, some vapor rub on his chest and we'll pull out the humidifier for when he goes to sleep," she answered. "Sit with him and I'll get it."

Once that was taken care of, Jason carried both boys down to the couch while she brought their blankets. He told her to sit down and he put the boys beside her. Then he went into the kitchen and came back with juice, toast and applesauce. He sat down, moving Cam to his other side so Elizabeth's healing arm wasn't bumped by the boys, but protected by him. She started the movie Jake had picked and they all settled in. Even though Cam had already eaten, he ate some applesauce, which helped entice Jake to eat some as well.

The boys watched the movie and Jake curled up against her, pulling his blanket closer. Elizabeth looked down at him, then over at Jason. She spoke softly, but knew the boys were engrossed in the cartoon. "Sorry Cam woke you; I was hoping you'd get some sleep."

"I'm not," he answered softly, but completely sincere. "I'm glad I could be here for this. I'm sorry Jake doesn't feel good, but to spend time with you, to be a part of this tradition…"

She reached her hand out, smiling as he brought his up and twined their fingers together. "I'm glad you're here," she told him.

"So am I." He brushed his free hand over Cam's head, then over Jake's. "Being here for this...I wouldn't miss it for anything."

"It's amazing how wonderful a cuddle can be, even when it's because of a cold."

Jason looked down at the boys, then back at her and the look in her eyes made her furrow her brows. "Is everything okay? With last night...you leaving...is it all okay?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'll tell you about it later."

She looked down at the boys and nodded her understanding. It wasn't something he was willing to talk about in front of the boys. "Okay."

"Juice, Daddy," Jake said, bringing their attention back to him. "Please."

Cam chimed in. "Me too, please. And toast."

"Toast and jam," Jake added, his appetite likely prodded along by his brother's.

"Okay," he smiled down at the boys. "Juice and toast for everybody."

"I can't believe Cam fell asleep as well," Jason said, walking into their bedroom with Elizabeth.

"I don't know how early he got up," she said. "But he's a good brother and he knows that if he lies down it helps Jake rest."

Smiling at him she said, "He didn't stand a chance once you started reading. You have a very soothing voice; in fact I wanted to curl up on your lap and fall asleep as well."

The thought of her on his lap was a very enticing though, but he didn't want to get too distracted. He wanted to tell her about Helena while the boys were asleep and he also wanted to check in with Cody before they woke. If it was at all possible, he was not going to be away from his family today. Elizabeth was still recovering; she didn't need to push herself caring for Jake. That was his job right now, and he was going to do it.

"Come sit down," he said, bringing her towards the bed so she could get off her feet. She'd gotten up before him because she wanted to let him sleep, and if Cam hadn't come to get him, she would have let him sleep while she dealt with Jake's cold. "I want to tell you what happened last night."

He told her about Cody's call in the middle of the night and how they met up with Johnny and Francis. He told her how they'd found Helena in the tunnels leading to Wyndamere and how sick she'd looked. Then he took a deep breath and told her about Nikolas' arrival and the older woman's declaration that she'd been doing all this before she died so that her grandson would be free.

"Wait," she interrupted trying to make sense of everything. "She was dying, so she was going to kill all the Spencers before she was gone?"

"It sounded like she wanted all other influences gone," he replied.

"She was out to wipe out all Spencer, and then Alexis and her daughters so that he would be the lone Cassadine and what?" she mused. "Not be tempered by kinder people? She wanted him angry and alone so he would be her perfect Cassadine?"

With a shake of her head she said, "It seems absolutely crazy...but it's crazy enough that it would be something she would do. She hates the Spencers and sees his attachment to them as weakness."

"Yeah," Jason said softly.

"She won't give up," his fiancée said pensively, her brow furrowing as she obviously continued to think. "There are still Spencers left. She'll want everyone dead."

Jason let out a breath and confirmed her worries. He told her about Helena's declaration she made before her death. She had people with orders to continue on because she knew she would be dying soon. Even before he put a bullet in her. Elizabeth took the news of the old woman's murder with hardly a flinch; it was clear she was worried about Helena's intentions.

"Michael, Morgan...Alexis and her girls...Laura and Leslie...what if..." She couldn't finish, but he knew what she couldn't say. What if Helena wasn't stopped by the knowledge that Jake was his and not Lucky's?

"We have people searching for her men. We've doubled the guards on Michael and Morgan, we've got men all around the Towers and we've increased our search for Ric and Molly and where Nikolas sent everyone else."

"But wouldn't he help you?" she asked him. "He heard her. He knows everyone is still in danger even if she's dead."

"I know," he sighed heavily.

Then he had to explain to her that Nikolas has tried to stop them, and then was upset with them and didn't sound cooperative. Jason then continued on to tell her about sending Francis and Johnny with Nikolas and the incentive he gave the reluctant man.

"You bought Wyndamere?" she asked in shock, her eyebrows disappearing under her bangs. "How is that even possible?"

"I have very good people who work for me," he dodged slightly. He wasn't going to tell her about putting Nikolas' mortgage into default and draining a few of his accounts to replenish the accounts he'd emptied to purchase the island. There were some things he wasn't going to tell her simply to keep her safe from questioning. "And Nikolas is having some problems."

"I see," was all she said with deeper understanding than the two simple words conveyed. "So you now own an island."

"We own an island?"

She shuddered. "If I'm going to own an island, the last one I'd ever want to own is Wyndamere. I'd rather just blow the place up."

"We'll deal with Wyndamere later," he promised her, "but for now, it means that at the end of the day Nikolas will be homeless."

"And now he knows you will continue," she said. "You aren't going to back down and you will do whatever you have to in order to protect our family."

He wrapped his arms around her and vowed, "I will. I always will."

"I know," she told him softly. Then she was quiet, but he could sense a pensiveness about her. He simply held her, not speaking; just giving her time to think and process all he'd told her.

"It's almost hard to believe she's dead," Elizabeth said after a heavy sigh. "I don't regret that she is, though. I don't blame you, Jason."

He was glad to hear it, but he'd never thought she did. She let out another long breath before continuing. "Her specter has hung over this town for so long; always threatening, always messing with people's lives...and now..."

"She's dead," he told her. "She's dead."

"But her threat is still there," she shook her head. "She's got people in place to carry out her threats and plans. There is still a danger to so many people."

"We're looking for them," he promised her, pulling her into a reassuring hug. "And Johnny and Francis will make sure Nikolas is very motivated to help find Helena's people. And I will continue to protect everyone as best as I can."

She smiled up at him with love and complete trust. "I know you will. You are doing so much, and I know how hard you're working."

Reaching out, she caressed his cheek, her fingers brushing lightly over his stubble that he hadn't shaved today. "That's why it's so wonderful to have you with us. Cam and Jake has loved you joining us today. It helped to have another arm to help, because they both get really clingy when one of them's sick."

Jason closed his eyes as he recalled each moment of this morning. "I love when I can be here with you and the boys. To learn your traditions, and help make new ones. We've been apart too long as a family and I won't walk away from these moments unless it's an emergency. You don't have to thank me for being a father to our boys."

She placed her finger over his lips. "You don't have to apologize for not being here before; you're here now."

"And Jake will be fine, right?"

Elizabeth nodded at his understandably worried question. "He will. He might feel uncomfortable for a few days, but he'll be fine."

"And I'll be here," he promised her.

She hesitated a moment before asking, "Will you?"

"Yes," he promised her. "My men took care of the scene and Helena will not be found."

"What about the island?" she asked, her brow furrowing. "Won't it raise suspicions for you to suddenly purchase Nikolas' home?"

"The PCPD isn't going to check county clerk records," he shook his head. They couldn't. While the PCPD might want to constantly monitor him to catch him in something illegal, they couldn't. They could only investigate him when they suspected him of something. Nobody would know he'd purchased Wyndamere until much later from now.

"What about Nikolas?" she asked.

"He may be upset, but he doesn't really have a choice," he said, keeping his voice lighter than he felt. He really didn't care what happened to Nikolas; not after he'd interfered with the hunt for Helena. "He didn't own Wyndamere outright and he's having financial troubles with some of his businesses and the bank was starting foreclosure on it. I paid their full price and bought it. If he's upset about that, then he shouldn't have mismanaged his businesses and not paid his mortgage."

"And he shouldn't have protected Helena," his fiancée said simply. "He tried to play it both ways; which guarantees a loss. I did it with you and Lucky and I always lost. Nikolas claimed he was upset about Lucky and Lulu, but then he didn't want to stand up to his grandmother. So he lost. You got the job done and protected the people around you better than he did. And as long as you've created your alibi and cover, I don't want to worry about it anymore."

Once again, her simple understanding and acceptance awed him. She wasn't judging him, she wasn't walking away from him; she was accepting of him and his actions. He didn't expect her, or want her, to become a champion and cheerleader like Carly, or turn a blind eye to everything he did. However, she was supportive of him today and didn't turn away from him for what he'd done.

Leaning forward, he kissed her, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Thank you, and thank you for trying to let me sleep this morning. But you should have had me help you."

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "I can handle breakfast for the boys. I didn't know Jake was sick until later. And Cam was off to get you before I could even think about anything beyond assessing his symptoms. When you came in I was very glad to see you."

"Then I'm glad Cam scared me when he slammed the door open," he chuckled. "And I'm glad I'm here with all of you. And I can't wait to marry you and adopt Cam. I want it all official, for everyone to know that I love you and you're my family."

"What kind of wedding do you want?" she asked him, tilting her head to the side curiously. "Do you want to get married in a church? Here at the penthouse? At the courthouse? The island?"

He'd mentally rejected each place until the last one. Not that he didn't believe in church wedding, or believe she didn't deserve it, but he'd seen the look on Elizabeth's face and knew it wasn't her first choice. The penthouse was too much like what Sonny had done so many times and he wanted something different for them. The island actually appealed to him.

"The island," he said and she lifted her brows. "The island. When you get your sling off. We'll take the boys; it will be safe, and we can get away for a little while. The boys will love the villa and the beach."

Elizabeth had a faint smile on her face, but it had faded as she asked. "Could my gram come? And Steven? I-I'd like to have my family there. My gram seems to be trying, and she said she would help with the wedding. I...I'd like to have her there."

"Then we'll invite them," he promised her. "If they want to come, we'll fly them down there and put them up in the hotel."

And he would get along with them for Elizabeth, but he wasn't gong to postpone his honeymoon for them. Not when he'd waited so long for his life with Elizabeth.

Chapter 40

Nikolas Cassadine was not a happy person. His home was gone, his employees had packed his belongings and accompanied them to Greece, leaving him without a staff around to take care of him. And because a week had passed and they hadn't found Helena's men, he had just lost a business.

"What is this?!" he demanded as he stormed into the room and flung a file down on the table.

Francis arched a brow and pushed the file back, wiping up the water that had spilled when the folder slammed into his glass. "Problem?"

The younger man scoffed, "As if you didn't know. Your boss took my publishing company."

Johnny reached out and pulled the file towards him, flipping it open. After a quick glance he said, "You owned forty-two percent; you didn't own it."

"I owned the most shares," he countered.

"Yet it seems like the other owners have lately been banding together and voting in a block against you. So while you own the most shares, you don't hold a majority and you aren't real popular with the rest of the other owners.

"Well now they don't have to worry about dealing with you anymore," he shrugged with no care to his words. "Sounds like a win-win situation."

"Win?" the prince demanded. "I lost my shares."

"Yes, but the company can thrive without you," Francis smiled, letting malevolence seep into it. "And when they improve, Jason will make a healthy return on his investment."

"Plus," the other man in the room said as he stood and wrapped his arm around the younger man's shoulders, not letting go despite the prince's attempts to shake Johnny off. "You're upset. Actually, you're probably pretty pissed right now. Which makes you motivated. You've lost your home, now you've lost a business, one that despite your mismanagement of it was actually giving you a decent income…and you know Jason will keep going. Unless you want to lose something else you better stop moping about how unfair this all is and get working harder."

Nikolas finally pushed John away, but only because the other man allowed it, and growled. "I am working. You've been here; you've seen what I've been doing."

"And I've seen what you haven't been doing," Francis stated pointedly. "You're reluctant to really get your hands dirty. There are people you can talk to, reach out to...but you haven't because you don't want to. You're either afraid to...of them, of what you think you'll do, or become...or you simply don't care. You don't care that your siblings were murdered, or that your aunt and mother are in danger, or that Elizabeth and her children are targeted for murder."

"I do care!" he snarled. "I don't want Elizabeth or her boys killed."

John clamped a hand on the younger man's shoulder and pushed him into a chair. Francis slid the phone across to him and growled, "Then make the call."

His partner leaned own and said with wicked delight, "Or the next thing you lose will be that place in Aspen. Elizabeth is from Colorado; it will be a nice little place for her. Plus, I like to ski; maybe she'll let me use it if I'm a good boy."

Francis tapped the phone and repeated, "Make the call. Now."

"Are you sure, Elizabeth?"

She laughed as she answered, "Of course I'm sure, Gram. I asked you."

"Yes," the older woman nodded. "But you…you could just be polite. Asking me because you think you should."

"Gram," Elizabeth said softly. "I'm done doing something just because someone else thinks I should. I was ready to cut ties with you if you couldn't accept Jason and that he was Jake's father."

Licking her lips she looked down. "You know I was."

"I know," her grandmother said heavily. "And I regret that it nearly came to that. But are you sure you want me there?"

The younger woman swallowed thickly as a thought occurred to her. "Do you not want to come? Steven expressed some reservations when I asked him, but he's putting in a request for time off. Is the thought of going to So-Jason's island too much? Are you more comfortable interacting in Port Charles, but you aren't...comfortable traveling to the island or staying at the hotel?"

"There is partly that," the retired nurse admitted. "But I want to see you get married to the man you have loved for so long. Unfortunately, I don't know if I can come. I wasn't saying anything because I didn't want to worry you, but I don't want you to think that I don't accept you or your choices."

Elizabeth's brow furrowed deeply and she blinked in confusion. "Gram, what do you mean? You don't know if you can? What's going on?"

She looked at her grandmother, her gaze switching from confused granddaughter to nurse assessing the woman before her. Her grandmother had always been thin, but in a healthy way. Now her cheeks were starting to take on a hollow look. Her skin was no longer soft and supple looking, but looking dry and drawn.

"Gram?" she questioned softly. "What is it?"

"I'm having some tests run," the older woman said. "I was feeling tired, had a few concerns...my blood counts are low and there are a few things he wants to look at."

"Oh, Gram," Elizabeth said on a strangled whisper as she brought her hand up to cover her mouth while her eyes burned with tears. "What can we do? How can I help you?"

"No," her grandmother shook her head. "No, you are recovering; you don't need to do anything."

She protested, "You're sick, but you're here helping me."

"I'm tired," the other woman countered with a firm sharpness that surprised Elizabeth. "You had a compound fracture and major surgery. Do not feel guilty for one second. I am still doing well."

"We'll postpone the wedding if we need to," she said. "If we find out you can't come, then we'll wait. Or we'll get married here."

Her grandmother immediately shook her head. "No. Absolutely not, Elizabeth. You will not postpone your wedding or give up your dream."

"You're my family, Gram."

Silencing her protest, her grandmother said, "Jason and the boys are your family as well, and they are the ones you need to focus on."

Her eyes welled up again as she said, "But you are important, too. And how am I supposed to get married if you're in the hospital?"

The other man laughed, even as she frowned. "Elizabeth, dear, it's a few tests. You've suddenly put me in the hospital on my death bed. We don't know what the tests will show, but if I need treatment or am simply feeling too tired, then I expect you to carry on. Then come back and tell me all about it."

"Gram," Elizabeth said softly, her voice laden with protest and concern.

"No," her grandmother shook her head. "No, I will not allow you to postpone your wedding or feel guilty for going forward with your life. My sweet darling, I have watched you. I really watched you and I've seen just how happy you are. Your love radiates off you. You aren't hiding it or denying it; you are living in your love and I will not stifle that again."

With another shake of her head she added, "Nor will I deny my great-grandsons what they so desperately need. They are happy in this family and they want their mom and dad to get married. So how can I deny them that? Or the cake they're so looking forward to?"

Elizabeth's chest felt tight, but she was able to laugh as well. The older woman reached out and to take her hand. "Besides, there is no point borrowing trouble and assuming the worst. We will plan that I am going to come...and we are going to plan this wedding."

"I've discovered that there isn't that much for me to actually do," she said with a nervous laugh. "Once we decided to get married on the island, Jason made a call to the manager of the hotel and she's on it. I think I've talked to her at least twice a day and she sends me e-mails with pictures for my approval or disapproval or suggestions."

"I suppose marrying the boss has its advantages," her grandmother smiled. A bit uneasily, but not judgmentally.

Elizabeth laughed. "She is certainly eager to please. We've discussed colors, flowers, and the merits of beach versus garden versus indoors. I think we'll begin the menu next and then talk cake."

The older woman looked wistful and pleased. "It sounds wonderful, darling. What did you decide? Beach or garden? I can't imagine you'd choose indoors when you're down on an island."

"It's back-up in case of rain," she answered with a grin. "The picture of the garden looks beautiful...perfect. Green, and flowers...near the beach without actually being on the beach and therefore having to deal with the sand issue."

She lifted her brows in excitement. "Do you want to see the pictures? They're lovely."

"I would love to," her grandmother answered, "but our shopping time is limited and the one thing I hope to be able to do is help you pick out your dress. As capable as the hotel manager is, I don't want to leave your wedding dress to her."

With a smile, the bride-to-be said, "Me, neither. I was really hoping we could do that. Jason's lawyer, Diane, is completely into fashion and she told me about a store and talked with the manager. I caught Jason telling them to take the price tags off when we came."

"He knows you well," her grandmother laughed. "But it also shows how much he loves you. So let's go talk to this manager and find you a dress, Elizabeth."

"Look, Daddy."

Jason looked up from the file he was reading and looked at the tower of blocks Cameron and Jake had built and smiled along with them. They had been building towers for a while now, and while Cam was pretty good and able to build them high, height wasn't their goal. They built towers with one purpose in mind; destruction. Jake giggled as he held a truck in front of him and his brother did the same. The older brother counted and on three they pushed their trucks at the tower which went crashing down with a wonderful noise.

"Yay!" Jake cheered and Cameron laughed and clapped with delight.

"Good job," the bemused father said, playing his role as they wished him to.

"Again," Jake declared and the two set to work again.

There was a knock on the door and Cody stepped into the playroom. Jason looked over at his second, wondering what had brought the man here.

"Forgive me," the bald man said softly, looking over at the boys who were engrossed with their current tower. "There's an update from Johnny and Francis."

Jason looked over at the boys and then said, "Ask Leo to come in."

He stood and walked over to his sons, crouching down beside them. "Boys, I'm going to talk to Cody in the office; Leo will be in here with you. I won't be long."

"Okay," Cameron nodded, his concentration on the blocks he was stacking.

"Okay," Jake nodded.

Jason stood and acknowledged the guard, then followed after Cody. The two men stepped into the office and the former soldier once again apologized, "I'm sorry, Jason."

"It's okay," he shook his head. "Let's get through this so I can get back out there. Obviously you have something important because you showed up. You said Johnny and Francis called?"

"The prince was rather unhappy to lose his publishing company," the younger man sneered without remorse. "They got on him, telling him he wasn't really working and they didn't let up. John threatened his place in Aspen and the spoiled brat finally decided to get his hands dirty."

Jason raised a brow in question and the other man explained, "There's someone he didn't want to contact, but he finally did. Someone who knew his grandmother and his uncle; he most likely knows who Helena would have given her orders to."

"They going to go with him?"

The enforcer chuckled, "The only time he's alone is in the shower. He doesn't go anywhere without them. And if he can't get the man to cough up some information, they'll be there to help persuade the guy. Nikolas claims he doesn't want anyone hurt, but he's too timid. So I'd get Diane started on that place in Colorado."

"Why do I think you've already called her?" the older man asked with a slight grin.

"'Cause I don't trust Cassadine," Cody shrugged unapologetically. "He may have finally reached out, but he doesn't command the same power or loyalty that the old woman did. Who knows if this guy will help him or even give accurate information, or if they'll be able to stop Helena's assassins in just a week? So my money's on you presenting your fiancée with a place in Aspen next week."

Jason let out a breath and said, "I hope you're wrong. I want this over, and I want people safe."

"So are you going to tell me?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Jason. "You are as bad as the boys some times. No, I am not going to tell you. You aren't supposed to see me in my wedding dress, and I'm not going to tell you about it, either.

"Mostly," she admitted, "because I didn't actually pick one out today."

Instantly he frowned, "Why not? It's our money, Elizabeth. You don't need to-"

"That's not why I didn't choose anything," she interrupted him. "I couldn't decide between two dresses. I need to go back with fresh eyes and try them on again in a couple of days."

She sighed as she stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes. "I was tired and my arm was hurting because I'd taken my sling off. Plus, I noticed my gram was looking tired."

He must have noticed the worry that creased her brow because she felt him stretched out beside her and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"She's having some tests," she answered, looking up at him. "She wasn't sure she could travel with us because she's not sure what the doctor will find. But there's something there to warrants tests…and I noticed she's looking thinner...paler."

Jason brushed his hand over her cheek, and then brushed her hair back to place a kiss on it. "I know you're worried, and I won't tell you not to be. She's your grandmother; I would worry about Lila when I would see her and could tell her health was starting to fade. But don't assume the worst; let's see what the doctor says."

"I know that's the logical thing to do," she frowned. "But it's hard to feel logical right now. I was ready to say we'd get married here if she couldn't travel, but she wouldn't hear of it. She wants us to be happy and says we chose the island, so that's where we should go."

He slid down beside her, hugging her to him in comfort. "We'll see what the doctor says," he told her. "Then we'll figure it out."

Elizabeth nodded her head against his chest. "I know. I just have to tell myself she's got good doctors, and focus on the fact that she seems genuinely happy for us. And the boys are happy, and they love you."

"And I love them," he said, lifting her chin so he could kiss her. "And I love you."

"I love you, too," she smiled up at him, finally feeling some of her tension relaxing away. "And whatever comes, comes."

"And we'll face it together."

"Together," she nodded, stretching up to kiss him. Whispering against his lips as he now hovered over her she said, "Always together."

To Be Continued...

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