I’m gonna love you ’til
My lungs give out
I promise ’til death we part like in our vows
So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows
Finally it’s just you and me ’til we’re grey and old
Just say you won’t let go
Just say you won’t let go
– Say You Won’t Let Go, James Arthur

---

Saturday, January 31, 2004

Port Charles Hotel: Conservatory

“It’s been a good day so far,” Lucas said as they watched the photographer rearrange the bridal party yet again. Carly had to laugh as Michael’s irritated expression matched his uncle’s. Michael didn’t often look like the Quartermaines, but sometimes he reminded her so much of Jason—

“Yeah,” Carly said, smiling as Elizabeth leaned down to adjust Michael’s bow tie. She whispered something to him, and her son started to laugh.

“Mommy!” Michael said. “Elizabeth says you can be in the pictures, too. I want one with my mom,” he told the photographer. “She’s like Uncle Jason’s best man only she’s a girl. I don’t know why that matters, but it’s something about pants.”

Carly snorted as she left Lucas and edged around Sonny to join the bridal party. “Just one, Mr. Man. I’m not really in this—”

“No, we want one with you and Michael,” Elizabeth told Carly. “Jason will just scrunch up his face—” She pointed. “Yeah, like that—”

“I told you,” Jason said, “whatever you want, but—”

“You want me off my feet. Just one more photo,” she promised. She looked at everyone else still gathered — Emily, Bobbie, Nikolas, Sonny, Justus, and Bernie, furrowed her brow. “I think.”

“Elizabeth—”

“Two more photos,” Elizabeth corrected. She beamed at him. “You and Carly and Michael, and then with Bobbie, oh—” She looked around and waved Lucas forward. “Lucas, do you want one with Bobbie?”

“I’m good. I’m gonna keep this plant company—”

“Oh, no—” Bobbie took her son by the arm. “I never get to see you all dressed up. You’re just lucky I don’t go grab Felix and get all my fun at once.”

“What about Daddy?” Michael asked. He looked hesitantly at his father, who had remained somewhat apart from the rest of the bridal party. Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip, looked at Carly.

“Yeah, sure,” Carly said, forcing a smile. “We haven’t had a family picture in a while.”

“So how many more photos is this?” Jason asked with a sigh.

It ended up being six more photographs before Jason firmly cut Elizabeth off and sent the photographer into the Renaissance Room to take pictures of the reception. But he was good-natured about it, and Carly enjoyed how relaxed and happy he looked.

Maybe this was the start of something better—

“I was thinking,” Sonny said as Jason posed for the final picture Elizabeth just had to have—one of him with Michael by himself. Michael held up the empty satin pillow and pointed to Jason’s finger, which now had a silver band.

“He’s getting so big,” Carly murmured, pressing a fist to her heart. “Look at him.”

“‘I’m taking Elizabeth to sit down,” Jason told Carly. He glanced at Sonny for a moment. “You coming?”

“No, I’ll be there in a minute,” Carly said. “Michael is going home with Lucas—” She looked at her half-brother. “Thanks again for hanging with him.”

“Yeah, no big deal. He owes me a match up in Mario Kart,” Lucas said.

“You did such a great job,” Elizabeth told Michael.

“I practiced a lot,” Michael said, seriously. “But I don’t like the shoes. They hurt.”

Elizabeth laughed, and Jason finally managed to drag his new wife into the ballroom so he could get her to sit down. Emily and Nikolas followed, as did Justus and Bernie, but Bobbie hung back, waiting for Carly since Scott had left the wedding after the ceremony.

Sonny eyed Bobbie warily for a moment before focusing on Carly. “Listen—” He scratched his nose. “I was thinking maybe Michael could come to my place for the night. You know, a guys night.”

Carly’s fingers tightened on Michael’s shoulders. “Michael—”

“I’m playing Mario Kart with Uncle Lucas,” Michael said in a small voice. He twisted his head up to look at Carly. “Do I have to go with Dad?”

“We’ll make dinner,” Sonny said. “Watch movies. Or play—you still have a lot of things—”

“Sonny,” Carly said softly. “You know how I feel. Don’t do this. Not today. In front of Michael.”

“He’s my goddamn son, Carly. I want to spend some time with him,” Sonny bit out.

“Mommy—”

“Lucas—” Carly didn’t take her eyes off Sonny, nearly terrified that Sonny would snatch her son from her. “Why don’t you take Michael now?”

“Sure.” With an easy smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Lucas strode forward, reaching out for Michael’s hand. “Let’s head out—”

“Get your hands off my son—” Sonny took a step forward, then Michael shrank back against Carly, sniffling. “Why the hell do you do this, Carly? I don’t deserve this—”

“Let’s get out of here, big guy.” Lucas picked Michael up in his arms. “I’ll call you when we get home,” he told Carly.

“Get back here—”

But Lucas wasn’t remotely intimidated by the mobster who took three steps after him. He tucked Michael’s face in his shoulder and left the observatory without looking back.

“I told you from the start. You get supervised visits with the boys,” Carly said evenly, her pulse racing. Her skin felt itchy, and she just wanted to run, to hide—especially when Sonny swung his angry eyes back to hers. “If you don’t like it, then make an appointment with a therapist. Or take me to court.”

She took a step back, grateful when Bobbie slipped her hand in hers, bolstering her. “Please. Don’t ruin this day. Don’t make this about you. This day isn’t about you or me. It’s about Jason and Elizabeth. Come on, Mama. Let’s go inside.”

Port Charles Police Department: Commissioner’s Office

Taggert tugged at his tie as he followed Ned and Scott into Anna’s office.

Anna got to her feet and flashed the trio of men a smile. “Well, don’t you all look charming. How was the mob wedding of the century?”

He winced. So much for getting in and out without anyone noticing. He glared at Scott. “Did you dime me out?”

Scott scowled. “You? I still don’t know how I got suckered into going.” He threw up a hand at Ned. “How the hell did we all end up there?”

Taggert sighed, looked at Anna. “None of us went to the reception, we’re not in photographs—well maybe the cousin is—” Ned rolled his eyes. “I know it looks bad. It’s just—”

“A unique set of circumstances,” Anna said with a nod. “Elizabeth Webber is something of a public figure at the moment with Lansing and Esposito, and I know that her public support of the department went a long way to shoring up its reputation.”

“Exactly. Esposito didn’t appeal his sentence,” Scott said, “but he still might. We don’t want to do anything to mess up that relationship.”

Ned snorted. “Uh huh. Sure. Better than admitting you both got bamboozled by a tiny brunette—”

“Shut up,” Taggert muttered. “You called this meeting, Mayor. What’s the problem?”

“I know you didn’t want to hear any more sightings, but—” Ned hesitated. “Ric Lansing contacted someone in Miami, looking for passage back into the country. My source doesn’t know if he got through, but it’s a more direct sighting than the others.”

“Someone actually spoke to him?” Anna’s brow lifted. “You’re right, that’s very different from a few random sightings out of the country. Interpol might not be interested, but I’ll let them decide for themselves. I’ll also pass it on to the FBI and ring Frisco at the WSB to cover all my bases.” She paused. “Does your source think it’s more credible than the others?”

“Yeah, how does Morgan feel about it?” Scott said with a smirk.

Ned leveled a glare at the DA. “My source,” he said, his teeth clenched, “isn’t convinced, but he thinks it has more legs than the others. He thinks it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“Whoever your source is,” Anna said, with a look in her eye that told Taggert she knew exactly how Ned was getting this information, “he’s right. Those other sightings might have been purposely vague to throw us off the trail. I don’t want to brush this off and find out the hard way we were wrong. I’ll make the calls. You said Morgan was taking Elizabeth out of town?”

“They’ll be isolated where they’re going,” Ned said with a nod. “Two weeks. Monica, Bobbie, and Justus have the contact info, but no one else can reach them. So Elizabeth is safe.”

“Then, we’ll check with Carly and make sure she has what she needs.”

Port Charles Hotel: Renaissance Room

Luke sipped his whiskey and watched as his sister and niece walked into the ballroom. He wasn’t happy that Barbara Jean looked pale or that Carly’s eyes were a bit too wide. A moment later, Sonny slunk in and headed for the bar.

That did not bode well. Luke had heard through the grapevine about the visits his old friend had made to the Brownstone, and it was lowering to know that his sister was struggling and hadn’t come to him. He only knew because Lucas had told Lulu, and his gumdrop thought this was information Luke needed.

He scanned the ballroom, looking first for Elizabeth, but she was surrounded by a gaggle of women, including his wife and daughter, all of them beaming like sunshine. Luke continued his search, then finally found the groom, leaning against a nearby column, a bottle of Rolling Rock in his hand, watching his new wife.

Luke sauntered over. “Hey, Junior. You look like you’re drowning,” he said. Jason looked at him, his brow slightly raised in response. “These parties—” he gestured with his glass. “They’re not for you.”

“No,” Jason said, with a half smile as he watched Elizabeth’s smile grow even larger as Emily said something. She threw back her head and laughed. “No, but this one isn’t so bad.”

“I did enjoy see Ruby’s chili as an option. That girl—” Luke studied Elizabeth for a long moment. “She would have made a hell of a Spencer. Sometimes, I thought about chucking Cowboy and keeping her.”

Jason narrowed his eyes slightly, but Luke just grinned. “She looks good, though. Insanely happy all things considered. Thanks for the invite. I like seeing my angel all dolled up, looking good. Happy wife, happy life. You learn just that one piece of advice from me, I’ll have done my job.”

“Elizabeth made the guest list,” Jason said. He made a face. “She never made it to dinner with Laura,” he continued, “and I know that bothered her.”

“A lot going on these last few months.” Luke studied Sonny at the bar, remembering how long he’d known the man. They’d once been as thick as thieves, and Luke knew where a lot of the bodies were buried.

Literally.

Luke turned back to Jason. “You’re heading out of town for two weeks, Laura tells me, but, uh, I’ve noticed that my sister’s humble abode is regularly visited by our mutual friend over there. Is Corinthos gonna handle you being out of town well? Or should I be worrying about my sister and her family?”

Jason hesitated, stared down at his beer, so Luke continued. “I’m not asking to get involved. I can’t. Not with my boy making a name for himself with the PCPD and moving in with an ADA—” and it went without saying that Luke didn’t want to stir up too many old ghosts on that front— “I can’t be getting myself into trouble like the old days, but Bobbie’s my sister, and Carly’s like a fungus I’ve grown attached to. I just want to make sure they’re safe.”

“They’re—” Jason sighed. He nodded his head towards the back doors of the ball room. “Let’s go somewhere.”

A few minutes later, Jason had pulled Luke into the corner of the observatory where they’d taken photos. “For reasons I can’t get into, Carly left Sonny in September. She only went home in November because Ric jumped bail.” Jason paused. “It didn’t last long.”

“For reasons you can’t get into,” Luke repeated dryly, and Jason inclined his head. “But Sonny still thinks this Lansing jackass is out there.”

“He does. We’ve had some sightings, but nothing I’d want to point to as credible.” Jason scratched his temple. “He’s not handling the uncertainty well. There was a thing in Puerto Rico I never even passed on to him because—” He looked away, a shadow creeping into his expression. “Because I didn’t. And it didn’t pan out. But Sonny wants Carly to come back to the penthouse. He’s using the threat to guilt her,” Jason told Luke, “but the Brownstone is as safe as I can make it, and Carly has guards.”

“I remember the drill.”

“The reason I’m even bothering to tell you any of this is that—” Jason paused. “I think it might get worse while I’m out of town. And I’m not canceling this trip.”

“You think Lansing is going to make an attempt?” Luke asked skeptically. “Listen—”

“No, I don’t. At least not in the next two weeks. Up until today, I was pretty sure that Ric had disappeared for good. I still mostly think that,” he continued with a sigh, “but we got some news out of Miami that makes me wonder if we know what’s really going on. I didn’t pass this to Sonny today because—”

“He’d have made a scene and ruined the wedding,” Luke said. He pursed his lips. “But you’re gonna tell him.”

“Yeah. After Elizabeth and I are out of town,” Jason told him. “But his first stop might be the Brownstone, so…” Jason shrugged a shoulder. “You might want to be on your guard. Justus and Bernie are going to keep an eye on Sonny, but I’d appreciate if you’d keep an extra eye on Carly and Bobbie. Because I don’t doubt Sonny is going to lose it if he thinks Ric is closer.”

“Interesting,” Sonny drawled as he sauntered out from behind one of the large plants near the entrance, his dark eyes glowing like ignited coal. “Why don’t you tell me about this ‘thing in Puerto Rico’ and ‘the news out of Miami’, and we’ll find out together.”

Port Charles Hotel: Renaissance Room

Elizabeth wasn’t sure exactly when she lost sight of her husband, but it was around the time Emily told her that cocktail hour was nearly over, and it was going to be time for their first dance and dinner.

She got to her feet, scanning the room—then noticed Sonny had left his position at the bar. Damn it.

“I’ll be right back,” she told Emily. “I’m just going to get Jason—”

“But—”

“Wait here,” she told her best friend and started to weave in and out of family and friends, smiling tensely at everyone who tried to stop her until she found Carly standing next to Bobbie. “Hey. Jason and Sonny are both missing—”

“I saw Jason with my brother—” Bobbie frowned, started to scan the ballroom. “Laura—” she called over to another group. “Have you seen Luke?”

“Oh, I think he and Jason went to talk somewhere,” Laura said. “I saw them leaving the ballroom about ten minutes ago.”

“Let’s go,” Elizabeth said. She grabbed her skirt with both hands and started for the door.

“I knew Sonny was in a bad mood,” Carly muttered as she followed the bride. “I should have just let Michael go with him—”

“Carly—”

By the time the trio of women left the ballroom, they could hear the raised voices from the observatory next door — the raised voice of Sonny, that is. Jason and Luke were more muted.

Carly strode forward, irritated beyond the speaking of it, bursting into the room, startling the trio of men who all turned to look at them. “Sonny, what the hell are you doing?” Carly bit out through clenched teeth. “Whatever you’re pissed about—it can wait—”

“Ric’s back in the country,” Sonny snapped, “and Jason lied about it—”

Carly stared at him, blinking rapidly as she tried to take the words in. As she tried to absorb the idea that the man that had kidnapped, held her hostage, threatened to kill her, and had haunted her nightmares for nearly a year—

She was vaguely aware of Jason crossing the space and going over to Elizabeth. He said something to her, but Carly couldn’t quite process it — couldn’t order her thought.

Focus. Had to focus.

“What do you mean back in the country?” Carly said slowly. “Where? When?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Sonny wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. “You and the boys — you’re coming back to the Towers. End of story.”

“Where? When?” Carly repeated. “How long did Jason know—”

“Five hours,” Jason’s quiet voice came from behind her. “I found out today, Carly.” He took Elizabeth’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together. “I was going to tell you,” he murmured to her.

“When?” Sonny snapped. “When Ric had already taken her? When he’d killed Carly this time?”

“I understand,” Elizabeth told him. “And thank you for letting me having most of the wedding, but Carly and I—” She looked at Carly, their shared trauma one of the few things they had in common. “We should probably know.”

“It’s not much,” Jason told her. He looked at Carly. “It’s not. Someone we don’t really trust out of Miami talked to Ric yesterday..”

“Don’t really trust,” Bobbie repeated. At her side, Luke had put his hands into his pockets, taking in the whole scene like a stranger driving past an accident.

“C’mon—” Sonny growled, but Carly ignored him, focusing on her best friend who would never ever lie to her about her safety to make her feel better.

“No,” Jason told her. “We’re checking it out, but it might not be any more reliable than the sightings in Caracas or Puerto Rico. None of the sightings have been verified—”

“Bullshit—”

“Stop!” Carly threw up her hands, startling Sonny into silence. “Just—stop! Jason isn’t going to put me, Elizabeth, or the boys—any of them—” She spared a glance for Elizabeth, who had a hand curled protectively around her abdomen. “He’s not going to put us in danger just for a ceremony. If there’d been any real danger, we would have postponed or something. Why can’t you just be reasonable—”

“He’s only doing this so she won’t leave him!” Sonny stabbed a finger at Elizabeth who’s eyes widened, startled by the accusation. “That’s what she did the last time business got in the way—”

“Sonny—” Elizabeth began, but Jason sliced a hand through the air cutting her off.

“No,” Jason said flatly. “You got a problem with me, Sonny, you tell me. But you’re done disrespecting Elizabeth.” He angled his body slightly so that he was standing between Elizabeth and Sonny. “I don’t want Ric out there any more than you do—”

“Bullshit,” Sonny repeated, but some of the anger had left his voice. “Ric is still a threat. You need to bring the boys to the Towers,” he said, swinging his eyes back to Carly. “Now. They’re my kids, too, and I don’t want them—”

“I have security at the Brownstone,” Carly said, the fatigue settling in her bones. “Taggert lives upstairs, so there’s a cop on the premises—” When Sonny snorted, Carly glared at him. “Don’t you dare—you know that he wouldn’t let anything happen to me or the kids. He only hates you, Sonny. Not me.”

“You think the cops are going to protect you?” Sonny demanded. “They couldn’t even protect Elizabeth—look what a cop did to her—”

“And Vinnie Esposito got past your security,” Elizabeth snarled, stepping around her new husband, her cheeks flushed. “You have no right to demand Carly go anywhere after what you did to her! After the way you’ve been treating Jason—”

“Oh sure, blame me—” Sonny glared at her, and Carly just blinked. When the hell had Sonny and Elizabeth declared war on each other? She knew tensions were high, but she’d been so removed from all it since leaving the penthouse—

“Hey,” Jason murmured to her. He touched her shoulder, left bare by her strapless dress. “It’s okay—”

“No, I’m tired of this. No one is perfect. Not you, not Sonny. Not the police. All we can do is try our best—”

“They’re my kids, and this is none of your business—”

“You make it my business every time you storm into my home—”

“It’s Jason’s home, you’re just freeloading—”

Carly’s eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets as Jason took his best friend by the lapels of his jacket and shoved Sonny back away from Elizabeth. “What did I just tell you?” he demanded.

“Jason—” Elizabeth grabbed at his elbow. “Come on—just—”

Sonny wrenched himself out of Jason’s grip, his nostrils flaring. “What the hell are you doing—” But before he could take a step towards Jason, Luke put a hand on his elbow, and Sonny seemed to come back to himself slightly, looking around.

“Sonny—” Carly began, but she didn’t know what to do. How to handle this—

How was everything so bad? How had it fallen apart like this?

“Everyone is upset,” Luke said gently. “Why don’t we all take a minute and just—just relax. Before we say something we can’t take back.” He nodded at Elizabeth. “We got a lovely bride over here on the verge of tears, so I think we just need to cool down.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, the flush from her cheeks fading, leaving her cheeks stark white. “I’m going back inside,” she said. “This is my wedding day, and I’m not—I’m not letting anyone take that away from me. ” She turned and stalked back inside.

Jason stared after her, then closed his eyes and shook his head, obviously frustrated with himself for losing his temper. He looked back at Sonny, who lifted his chin defiantly.

“That’s the last time you’re going to talk to Elizabeth like that,” Jason warned him, his voice quiet. “Stop pushing me.”

“Or what?”

“Shut up,” Carly hissed, whacking Sonny in the arm. “What is wrong with you? Like it or not, it’s their wedding day, and she’s pregnant. Stop it! Jason, go back and check on Elizabeth. I can handle this, I promise.”

Jason hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Carly said. She lifted her brows. “Mama and Luke are here. Go.”

Jason looked at Bobbie and Luke, then sighed and went back into the ballroom. Bobbie folded her arms, glaring at Sonny. “You never learn—”

“Damn it—” Sonny bit out.

Carly counted to five, praying for the patience to reason with her husband one more time. She was so tired. Months of having the exact same argument. “You couldn’t protect me last year. And that scared you. It scared me. It was horrible. But you refuse to give an inch—”

Sonny dragged his hands through his hair. “You don’t trust me. Jason doesn’t trust me. The guards—they’re looking at Jason—” He met her eyes, and she felt herself weakening—just slightly. Sonny was losing control—he was losing the respect of everyone around him, and she knew how much he needed that to survive, to function.

“I need you to come home,” Sonny told her, pleading. “You and the boys. I need my family—”

“I wish I could do that,” Carly murmured. She closed her eyes. “But nothing has changed. You’re not listening to me. And you just want to lock us up. Like before. I’m not doing it again. I spent a week locked in the dark, Sonny. The penthouse is just a larger panic room. The bedroom—how can you refuse to accept what you did?”

Luke scowled. “What is she talking about?” he demanded. “What did he do?” he asked Bobbie.

“Of all people—” Her voice broke. “You put me back inside that room—I’m done fighting you, Sonny. I’m done hoping something will change. I’m not coming back.”

“They’re my kids, too,” Sonny said, roughly. He glared at her. “If you won’t come back, then they will. I’ll make you do it. I can file for custody—”

“And you’ve already been told over and over again. You’ll lose,” Carly promised. “So why even fight?”

Sonny stared at her for another long moment, then stalked away, storming out of the observatory—and hopefully the hotel altogether.

Carly wrapped her arms around herself and took a deep breath. She felt her mother embrace her from behind. “Hey, Mama.”

“You okay?”

“I’m okay. I’m just sorry we made a scene at the wedding. I really wanted this day for Jason—for Elizabeth, too, but mostly for him—”

“And they had a good day. It’s a wedding in Port Charles, people expect the drama. Let’s go inside and finish it off.”

Carly turned and managed a watery smile. “Mama, it just—it feels like it’s never going to be over. I’m never going to be rid of Ric Lansing.”

“One day, you will,” Bobbie promised. “One day.”

Carly walked away, and Bobbie felt a finger tap her on the shoulder. She turned to look at her very irritated older brother.”

“What,” Luke began, “the hell is going on?”

Port Charles Hotel: Renaissance Room

By the time Jason reached Elizabeth at their table, Emily was sitting next to her, pressing her fingers to Elizabeth’s wrist. His heart began to race as he closed the last bit of distance between them. “What’s going on?” he demanded.

“Couldn’t—” Elizabeth closed her eyes. He knelt down next to her, knew she was counting. “Couldn’t catch my breath.

“Mom went to get the oxygen tank,” Emily told Jason quietly. “Maybe you should take her home—”

“No—” Elizabeth’s voice broke as she opened her eyes, looked at Jason. “No—we didn’t—we didn’t get to dance. We didn’t—You didn’t get to eat anything.”

Jason forced himself to speak past the lump in his throat. “I know. But you should rest. If we stay, you need to go somewhere and use the oxygen tank.” He paused. “Do you want to do that? We can. We’ll get a room, and you can take a minute—”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother out of the corner of his eye and discreetly set a black case down next to him—the portable tank they’d brought with them. “How’s her pulse?” Monica asked her daughter.

“Slowing down,” Emily said, “but she still can’t take a full breath.” She looked at Elizabeth. “Honey, I know this sucks. It absolutely does. And I’m sorry. But you need to take care of you. Right?”

“I know. I just—” Elizabeth shook her head, sat up slowly. “I just wanted today to be perfect.”

“It was,” Monica assured her. “You looked so lovely, and you’re married. That’s ninety percent of the battle.”

“Jase, Mom, can you give us a minute?” Emily asked them. Jason scowled, but Monica touched his shoulder, and he stood up.

“I’m going right over there if you need me,” Jason said, pointing to a spot five feet away.

“Yeah, yeah—” Emily waved them off. When she was sure they were out of earshot, she focused on Elizabeth. “Sweetie, I know how important today is.”

“Em—”

“But you told me that the best chance for the baby to be healthy is for you to stay healthy. If you have a health crisis, it’s going to shorten the amount of time the kid gets to bake.”

Elizabeth nodded, then sighed. “Right. I know.”

“So, if you go home now, I’ll make sure everyone remembers you’re pregnant and just got tired. People will keep drinking, and it’ll be fine. I’ll get food packed up and sent over. Jason will still get the food you picked out for him. You’ll go home, and then tomorrow, Jason’s going to take you on a honeymoon where Sonny does not know how to find you.” Emily smiled at her as Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Do you want to be tired and worn out on your honeymoon just so you can dance tonight in front of people?”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth apologized again as Jason closed the door behind them, then helped her sit on the sofa. She sank into the cushions, her dress frothing around them. She allowed the exhaustion to sink into her bones. She’d wanted to enjoy her perfect day—and it had been perfect, but then—

She’d insisted on going to looking for Jason and Sonny, then she’d fought with Sonny, making things with Jason worse—again.

“Hey—” Jason sat next to her. He touched her face, brushing her tears away with his thumb. “Why are you sorry?”

“I wasted all my energy on Sonny—I pushed myself—” She closed her eyes as the tears continued to slide down her cheeks. “And we didn’t even get to dance.”

He drew her back against his chest, wrapping an arm around her waist, his hand resting on her belly, just above where their son was sleeping for once. “It’s okay. We can dance some other time—”

“It’s not the same—” Her breath hitched, and she felt the tightness in her lungs again. Damn it. No! No, not tonight!

“Elizabeth.”

“It’s not—” She bit down hard on her tongue. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not. C’mon,” Jason murmured. He pressed his lips to her temple. “Let’s just take a minute. We’ll do your breathing exercises.”

Elizabeth inhaled, counted to fifteen, then exhaled, repeating the process until she could fill her lungs more fully. She felt Jason’s chest rising behind her, in time with her own. It was the quickest way to avoid going for the oxygen—

“Better?”

“Yeah.” And he’d been right, of course. She’d needed to take a minute, to give herself a chance to settle down. Elizabeth sat up and slowly turned, so she was facing him. “I’m sorry about Sonny,” she repeated. “I shouldn’t have gone out there. Or I should have let Bobbie and Carly handle it. I was just worried—”

“I know. And I’m sorry, too. When you interrupted us, I should have just gone back with you into the ballroom, but once Sonny told Carly about Ric, I thought—”

“You thought Sonny might do or say something to upset her. Maybe even trigger another episode,” Elizabeth finished. “And to make sure he didn’t lie to her about Ric. Because Sonny isn’t above lying to Carly to get her to come back to the Towers.”

“No,” Jason admitted. He looked down at their hands, sliding his thumb over the silver band he’d put on her finger that day, joining the ruby engagement ring he’d given her the day she’d testified against Vinnie. “If I thought there was any danger—”

“Sonny’s wrong,” she told him. He met her eyes. “If you’d told me before the wedding that we had to cancel or postpone because there was danger, I would have been okay with it.”

“You deserved this day,” Jason told her roughly. “I wanted it for you. For both of us,” he added. He tilted his head, his eyes soft. “You looked beautiful. You still do,” he added. “But just—in the church—taking the photos—you were so happy.”

“I am happy,” Elizabeth promised him. She leaned forward, their lips brushing softly at first, then harder. His tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips, then dipped inside. She moaned, tried to press herself closer to him, her fingers digging at the buttons of his tuxedo shirt—

Then her lungs seized, and she drew back, gasping for air. Jason didn’t even blink. He reached behind them for the tank, fitting the mask over her face. “Look at me,” he told her. “Focus on me—”

She managed to keep the tears at bay until the spell had passed, until she could draw a full breath. “I’m sorry—”

“I know—”

“I’m useless—”

“Hey—” Jason framed her face in his hands, his thumbs sweeping across her cheeks, brushing away her tears. “Stop. You’re not disappointing me. You couldn’t.”

“I just—” Elizabeth forced herself to keep her breath even. She couldn’t even get upset anymore, couldn’t even really let go.

Everything took more energy than it used to. She’d have good days where she felt almost normal, and then there be days where she’d be tired—She’d just hoped—she’d really wanted it to be different today.

“I just wanted it to be normal,” she told him. “I just wanted us to have a wedding night. You know?”

“I do.” Jason got to his feet and drew her up, bracing her with his hand at her waist. “And we will.” When she looked away, he pulled her face back towards him, cupping her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I know we weren’t going to talk about it today, but you need to know that all I wanted was to be married to you. I have everything I need right now.”

She let her head drop to his chest, feeling some of the pressure leave her—not only physically, but mentally. He meant every word he’d just said—she was the one putting all the pressure on this day, on the things that came along with it. Jason would have married in her middle of the woods with no one around.

He’d done this for her, even though he’d worried it’d be too stressful, that it would demand too much of her.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I’m okay. I feel better. I do,” she added when he didn’t look convinced. “Can you do me a favor? Can you—can you put on the stereo? I left a CD in there—um—” She wrinkled her nose as he went over to the table at the base of the stairs, across from the pool table. “Track 3. I think that’s the right one.”

With a shrug, Jason pressed play.

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now

“I don’t think I could manage a full dance,” Elizabeth told him as the Pretenders echoed in the quiet, dark room. She walked out into the open space at the bottom of the stairs and held out a hand. “But maybe just a little while?”

Don’t be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
‘Cause I’ve seen the dark side too

“Okay.” Jason took her hand, drew her close. She rested her hand against his chest, closing her eyes.

When the night falls on you
You don’t know what to do
Nothin’ you confess
Could make me love you less

“Was this what you’d picked out for us?” Jason asked, his breath rustling through her hair. “It seems a little sad.”

I’ll stand by you, I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you

“It was on the short list,” Elizabeth told him, “but Emily agreed with you, and I didn’t think anyone else would appreciate it.” She raised her head to look at him. “But I love this song.”

So, if you’re mad, get mad
Don’t hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now

“I’m sorry I keep doing this,” she said as they gently swayed, barely moving from their spot. “I keep making everything bigger than it is. Wanting today to be perfect.”

“It’s okay—”

“It’s not, and I love you for thinking it is.” She smiled at him. “Thank you. For today.”

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too
Well I’m a lot like you

“It was a good day,” Jason replied. He kissed her hand. “Don’t worry about Sonny. Or Carly. I’ll take care of it.”

“I know you will.”

When you’re standing at the crossroads
And don’t know which path to choose

“Do you remember the first time we danced?” she asked him. “This is better,” she continued without waiting for him to answer. “I’m not pretending that I’m pretending you’re someone else.”

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you

“Wait, you weren’t pretending I was Lucky? I thought that was the plan—”

She laughed, then looked up at him again, her chin resting on his chest, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “It was. But you know—you’re not Lucky.”

“I noticed.”

And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You’re feelin’ all alone
You won’t be on your own

Elizabeth laughed again, and he grinned. “Anyway. This is for us. No one else but us.” They drifted for a while, gently swaying, letting the music wash over them.

Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you

As the song faded away, Elizabeth took a deep breath and met her new husband’s eyes. “I know we said we would try not to make plans—”

“Elizabeth—”

I’ll stand by you

“But I want to make one, okay? Just one.”

“Okay.” He tipped his head to the side. “What is it?”

“A year from now,” Elizabeth said, “when the baby is born, and I’ve had my surgery, you and I will dance to the song I actually picked for us. Just you and me. Okay? I just—I want to make that one promise to each other.”

“Okay,” Jason said. “A year from now. On our first anniversary. That’s a date.” He leaned down to kiss her again. She gripped his shirt in her hand, then reluctantly drew back. “I love you,” she told him.

“I love you, too.”

Miami, Florida

The Setai Miami Beach Hotel: Grand Suite

Claudia Zacchara sauntered out of the luxurious bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around her, glaring at the man lounging on the king-size bed who barely looked over at her. “I could dance naked, and you’d still be looking at that whale,” she muttered as she stalked over to her suitcase.

Ric Lansing glanced over at her, setting aside the laptop computer. “I’ve seen it before,” he said coolly. “And I’ve told you not to call her that.”

Claudia sniffed, tugged out a black lace teddy. She let the towel drop, then turned back to Ric, a hand fisted on her naked hip. “Why didn’t you hit the wedding? It was perfect. We could have grabbed the little waif at the church. Poetic justice.”

Ric scowled, shoved himself off the bed. “They would have been expecting it. I didn’t lay low for the last three months to screw it up now.” He looked back at the website for the Port Charles Herald with the wedding headline and a photo of Elizabeth with Jason at one of the hearings she’d attended.

His blood boiled again as he reached for the laptop, studying the way Jason’s hand lingered at the small of Elizabeth’s back like it had any right to be there.

“They’ve heard by now from Javi that you’re back on the mainland,” Claudia said, dragging Ric’s thoughts away from Elizabeth and back to her.

“What does your so-called secret weapon say?” Ric said with a sneer. “You’ve had a guy on the inside for nearly two weeks—”

“Jason and Sonny are avoiding each other like the plague,” Claudia said coolly. “Which is why we let it slip that you’re in Miami. We made sure that Javi’s people contacted the business adviser. My guy will know how the message gets filtered. Sonny went bonkers every time my father planted a sighting.” She smiled at the thought of her idiot father and his lawyer.

They thought they were in control, but they’d never know what hit them.

“If you want to grab your one true love,” Claudia told him, sliding into a tight black dress, “we should grab her before we set up the Philly sighting. By then, they won’t be able to pretend it’s not happening.”

Ric grimaced, then looked back at the photo again. “No,” he murmured. “I don’t think we’ll grab her after all. She’s pregnant.”

“All the better—Morgan will be desperate—”

“But something might happen to the baby.” Ric shook his head. “I don’t want to risk it.” Everything had gone wrong when Elizabeth had lost that baby. If he’d just killed Faith when he’d had the chance—it would all be different.

“What do you care?” Claudia demanded. “It’s not your kid—”

“I said we’re not grabbing her,” Ric snapped, his eyes flashing as he locked eyes with hers. “Not yet.”

Claudia shrugged, then sat down to put on a pair of black heels. “Suit yourself. But once they actually think you’re coming back—” She arched a dark brow. “You won’t get near her again.”

“You underestimate me,” Ric murmured. Claudia snorted, then went back into the bathroom to apply her makeup. He shook his head.

Everyone underestimated him. They thought he was weak or stupid. They’d all find out soon enough what Ric Lansing was capable of.

Elizabeth would live long enough to regret betraying him. For lying to him, pretending to love him. He’d make her beg for her life before he killed her and took her child for his own.

She’d promised him a family. She had promised him until death did them apart, and he was going to make sure she kept those vows.

You see colors no one else can see
In every breath you hear a symphony
You understand me like nobody can
I feel like my soul unfolding like a flower blooming
When this whole world gets too crazy
And there’s nowhere left to go
I know you give me sanctuary
You’re the only truth I know
You’re the road back home
– Safest Place to Hide, Backstreet Boys

---

Saturday, January 31, 2004

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

When the alarm buzzed, Elizabeth mumbled a curse and pressed her face into the pillow. She waited for Jason to turn off the alarm and leave her in peace so she could go back to sleep. Elizabeth had never been a morning person and was unlikely to develop that quality at this stage of her life.

When the alarm didn’t stop, she blearily opened one eye and glared at his side of the bed. His empty side of the bed. At the alarm clock on his side of the bed that was not….buzzing.

“Oh. Hell.” She wrinkled her nose and rolled onto her other side, carefully. It was her alarm clock.

She propped herself up on her elbow, shoved her hair out of her eyes, and studied the irritating object, trying to remember why it had been set for six in the morning on a Saturday.

“We can always cancel our plans for the day.”

At the amused voice of her fiancé, Elizabeth rolled onto her back and hissed at the bright light filtering in through the open bathroom door. She pressed a hand over her eyes. “What? What’s going on?”

Jason chuckled and walked into the bedroom, rounding their bed, and turning off her alarm clock. “I mean, I think some people might be disappointed, but I’m sure Father Coates will understand—”

“Father Coates—” Elizabeth’s eyes shot open, and she rose herself up on both of her elbows. “Oh my God, we’re getting married.”

“Yeah.” He leaned forward and gently brushed his mouth against hers. She could taste the flavor of his toothpaste, which hopefully made up for her morning breath.

“Mmm, minty.” Her eyes drifted closed. “We’re getting married today, and tomorrow, we are escaping this insane asylum for two weeks of complete isolation.”

“Well, not complete isolation,” Jason reminded her. He rubbed his thumb against her bottom lip. “We agreed to give Bobbie and Monica the contact information. And Justus.”

“Oh, I know. But they won’t interrupt us unless the world is exploding.” Elizabeth swung her legs over the side of the bed, rolling her eyes as Jason pulled her to her feet. “Thank you for that.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. “I know how hard you had to work to make it happen. I’ve barely seen you.”

“I just have a few more things to do this morning, but after that, I’m all yours.” Jason’s fingers slid through her hair, brushing it away from her face. “Are you sure you’re okay with Seneca Falls?”

“Yes,” she insisted. “The Finger Lakes are gorgeous in the winter, and I love the cabin Bernie found for us.” Her forehead dropped against his bare chest. “Italy—it’ll be there when we’re ready.”

“I know.” He kissed the top of her head, but just closed his eyes. They stood there for a long moment, trying not to think about whether or not Italy would ever be a reality for them.

Elizabeth forced a smile on her face and stepped back. “We said today we were going to be happy, remember? I’m going to spend the day getting ready to marry the perfect man—” She laughed as he rolled his eyes. “And you’re going to make sure that nothing interrupts or ruins our day. We’ll get married—finally—and then we’ll spend the next two weeks all by ourselves.”

She stepped away from him, switching on the lamp on her side table.

“And you don’t have to worry—everyone in my bridal party is a medical professional.” Elizabeth turned back to him and smiled. “Except for Nikolas, but he’s not invited to the getting ready part.”

“I know. And I know Monica will take care of everything.”

“Exactly. So, go have breakfast with Lila, go to the warehouse, and whatever else is on the list. I need to be ready because Emily is coming over with the dress and you—” She poked his chest. “You need to be gone. She’s already annoyed that I refused to spend the night somewhere else.”

“You could have—”

“Being with you could never bring bad luck.” She pressed herself on the tips of her toes to kiss him again. “But I’m not willing to risk Emily’s wrath, so you’re not seeing the dress until I’m walking down the aisle.”

“Fair enough.” He framed her face in his hands. “We’re going to be okay,” Jason told her. “Whatever we need to do.”

“I know. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Brownstone: Kitchen

Carly hung Michael’s tuxedo on the back of a chair and sat down, accepting the cup of coffee her mother handed her. “I had a moment,” she said, “when I woke up and realized what today is. This is the second time in less than a year that I’m going to Jason’s wedding.”

“Carly—”

“No, no…” Carly shook her head, swirling her spoon in the coffee. “No, it’s more just me marking the moment. I remember going to the church that day to finalize things. Courtney had changed the flowers at the last minute, and I was so annoyed because I knew it had cost the florist double to get a different color at the last minute, and there were more of them than we planned—” Carly sighed. “I looked at Jason, going over the security one last time, and he wasn’t the least bit interested in any of it.”

“Well, interior design and floral arrangements aren’t his thing,” Bobbie said dryly. She sipped her coffee. “He didn’t really get involved this time either—”

“No, and I know there’s been other things going on since he proposed. I just—I was thinking about those flowers the other day when I was at Kelly’s, and Emily was talking to Don about the menu. That Elizabeth wanted to make sure everything was really fresh, and that Jason’s pastrami on rye was the best one he’d ever had—”

“She gave me a bit of a scare,” Bobbie admitted. She leaned against the kitchen island. “Canceling the caterer at the last minute, cutting the decorations in the church—I think Emily said Elizabeth tried to cancel the reception, but the invitations had already gone to business associates.”

“Jason doesn’t care about flowers or menus. He’d eat whatever you put in front of him,” Carly said. She looked at her mother. “But she went insane at the last minute to make sure their wedding day reflected him. I knew last year that Courtney was the wrong person for him. I just didn’t see it in time. And I wonder—”

When she broke off, Bobbie lifted her brows. “You wonder what?”

“If I had been more supportive or just a better friend in general,” Carly murmured, “if I had fought back when Jason wanted to tell Elizabeth about faking Sonny’s death, and Sonny said no—if things would have been different. Ric got a hold in all our lives because Jason was distracted. He’d married Brenda, the affair with Courtney, the murder trial—how much of that didn’t have to happen?”

“Carly—”

“And look, I know it doesn’t do any good to think about that stuff most of the time,” Carly said. “But I just—I could have been a better friend.”

“Maybe that’s true. Jason also could have told Sonny to go to hell and told Elizabeth anyway. He did not have to marry Brenda or date Courtney. And Elizabeth didn’t have to date Ric. You are not responsible for their choices,” Bobbie told her.

“No, I know that.” Carly smiled, got to her feet. “I need to get Michael out of bed so that he can start getting ready. Lucas and Felix said they’d take him out for breakfast.” She rubbed her chest. “It should be Sonny. He’s Jason’s best man because that’s how this goes. Sonny and Jason should be spending this morning together, playing with Michael, getting ready. They did that last year.”

“Carly—”

“It’s so strange,” Carly continued, “to think of what’s changed. What can’t ever be the same again. But Jason’s getting married today, and to make up for nearly pushing him into marrying the wrong woman, I’m going to try to get along with Sonny today and not start a fight. Jason deserves this. And even though I’m not entirely sold on Elizabeth being the one—”

Bobbie rolled her eyes. “Honestly—”

Carly grinned. “Hush, Mama, I’m just kidding. I don’t have to like her to accept that he’s happier with her than he ever was with Courtney. Will you help me get Michael up? It’s a weekend, so he’s not going to be happy about being awake before noon.”

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

“I really hope it still fits,” Elizabeth said. She braced her hands on Emily’s elbows as she stepped gingerly into the dress. Emily worked the jeweled halter top up and over her waist, fluffing the tulle skirt as they went. It took almost five minutes before the dress had been sorted onto Elizabeth—and that was before Emily turned to begin buttoning the long line up her back.

They were only trying on the dress now because Elizabeth had had a terrible dream the night before that she’d burst out of the dress. When Emily had arrived that morning, Elizabeth had insisted Emily drag it out of the garment bag instead of changing into it at the church.

“It’s a good thing for you that having nimble fingers is part of my job description,” Emily said, grunting slightly as she finished the last button. “Well?” She turned Elizabeth towards the full-length mirror attached to her closet.

“Oh—” Elizabeth pressed her hands to her mouth, tears stinging her eyes. “Oh, it’s perfect. It’s exactly what I wanted—”

“You look so amazing,” Emily said with a wide grin. “Just wait until Maxie gets her hands on your hair, and Lulu is coming over later to do your makeup. Plus, Jason left a bracelet for you because you didn’t want to buy something new and we didn’t have anything to match—don’t give me that look, he loves giving you things, and I like spending money—”

Elizabeth’s shoulders started to shake. She pushed away from Emily and went to the bed, sitting down in a cascade and swoosh of tulle. “Emily—”

“Do you need your oxygen—”

“No, no—” Elizabeth closed her eyes. Counted to fifteen. “I’m okay. We had an appointment yesterday. As long as I’m careful.” She slid her fingers over the skirt. “I just want today to be perfect.”

“It will be,” Emily assured her. She sat next to Elizabeth, folding up pieces of the skirt. “Your dress is perfect. I personally approved the jewelry, and Maxie and Lulu are great at what they do. I also made sure Jason’s tux looks perfect—he bought a new one out of nowhere, which I thought was weird—”

He’d bought a new one after that day at the church when he’d found Elizabeth standing in the bridal suite, Elizabeth knew that. She’d found the receipt in his pocket when sorting laundry last week.

“But it’s perfectly fitted. I also called the wedding planner—the hotel is done, the church is getting the flowers as we speak. Oh, and I threatened Don at Kelly’s—”

“I really love you.” Elizabeth reached for Emily’s hands, squeezed. “You know that, right?”

“I love you, too. Elizabeth—”

“I just—I want this so much. This dream. And I’m terrified,” she admitted in a soft voice. “Because I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to everything I want. The best friends in the world. The best family. The perfect guy. A beautiful baby. And I’m so scared because I could lose it all—”

She sucked in a sharp breath, ignoring the burn in her lungs at the motion. “I’m trying not to think about it. I told Jason I didn’t want to think about it.” Elizabeth swiped at her cheeks. “But it’s hard not to.”

“I’m sure it is.” Emily waited for Elizabeth to look at her again. “Your appointment yesterday was good. You’re still okay. Your vitals are steady. We have oxygen tanks everywhere. Jason personally delivered them to the church and the hotel.”

“Of course he did,” Elizabeth said with a rueful laugh. “And I’m sure Monica has one in her car—”

“And I have one for the limo. We’re the oxygen squad.” Emily squeezed her hand. “You have been my best friend for years, Elizabeth. Whenever I needed you, you were right there, ready to do battle. I can’t always do the same for you. Your dragons—” she sighed. “Sometimes they were too big for me to slay. But I’ve always been right behind you. That’s not going to change. You’re my sister now. And that’s my nephew.” She touched Elizabeth’s belly. “That’s my baby, too, you know. And if anyone comes after my baby, I’m gonna do some damage. There’s so many people who love you, Elizabeth. You, Jason, and this precious miracle. We’re not giving up without a fight.”

“I know.” Elizabeth laid her head on Emily’s shoulder, closed her eyes. “But if something happens to me—”

“Elizabeth—”

“It helps to know you’ll be here. I couldn’t have found a better aunt if I’d made you myself. And you know—” She forced a smile on her face. “You know that’s how I feel about you. When you and Nikolas stop pretending no one knows you’re dating—”

Emily narrowed her eyes. “Who told—”

“And when you have your first child, I’m going to be right there, fighting every battle. Even if it’s not—” Elizabeth paused. No. No maudlin thoughts today. “Thank you. For being my friend. And my sister.”

“This is a much better wedding day than the last one,” Emily declared, and then for some reason, they burst into laughter even though it wasn’t really that funny. “Let’s get you out of this dress before we mess it up.”

Quartermaine Mansion: Living Room

“I am so pleased that you invited the whole family,” Lila told her grandson as Jason finished his cup of coffee and smiled at her. He’d promised to start this day with her, to have breakfast with her since she couldn’t join the festivities at the penthouse with the others. Then he and Elizabeth would be stopping by between the ceremony and reception to take photos with her.

Jason wanted Lila to feel included. He knew the day was coming when she wouldn’t be here at all. The skin that stretched over the hand she held out to him felt thinner than he remembered at Christmas, and she looked tired already despite it barely being ten in the morning.

It shook him slightly to see his indomitable grandmother who always seemed immortal fading away in front of him, and whatever he had to do to make her happy in the time she had left—he would do it.

Including inviting the majority of the Quartermaines to his wedding.

“Well, Elizabeth insisted on Edward,” Jason admitted, but he hadn’t put up much of a fight.

“He adores her, you know.” Lila beamed. “As do I. And you’ve invited your father as well, which brings me such joy, Jason. I know we haven’t been the best of family to you since your accident—”

“You have always been perfect,” Jason argued.

Her eyes shined. “But we do love you in our own way, especially Edward and Alan. Thank you for having breakfast with me this morning, my dear.” She closed her eyes. “I think I will rest so I can be at my best when you and Elizabeth come back. I want to enjoy every moment of this.”

“Of course. I’ll go get Reginald to take care of you.” He held his grandmother’s hand for another moment, then kissed her cheek before he stood up to go find his grandmother’s devoted manservant.

Reginald was hovering in the foyer and hurried into the living room to take care of Lila while Jason started to put on his coat, intending to head over to the warehouse and put out last minute fires.

“Oh, Jason, I didn’t realize your breakfast was over already.” He turned at his father’s voice as Alan emerged from the front room, his reading glasses in his hand. “Is Mother all right?”

“She wanted to rest,” Jason told him. He looked towards the living room where he had just left her. “Monica said she’s getting worse. Even since Christmas.”

“She sleeps more than she used to,” Alan admitted. “Father isn’t handling it well, but then, I never imagined he would.” He cleared his throat. “It was good of you to come this morning. Ten years ago, I think she might have been able to make the trip to spend the day with Elizabeth—maybe even five years ago. Thank you for making her part of this day.”

“Yeah.” Jason shifted the weight from one foot to another. He’d accepted his relationship to these people, largely because of how they’d handled the press and supported Elizabeth last fall, but that didn’t mean he was comfortable with it. “Well, I have some things to do before…”

“Of course. Thank you again for including me in the invitation,” Alan told him. “We’re all looking forward to it.”

“Yeah, sure.” Jason started for the door again, but Alan spoke again.

“I also wanted to let you know—” Alan walked towards him, his voice a bit quieter now as if he were being careful not to let his voice echo in the foyer. “Monica spoke to me about Elizabeth’s case to make sure that when she was ready for surgery, we’d have the surgeon and operating room equipped. There’s a lot of paperwork,” he added when Jason furrowed his brow. “And Monica wanted to be ready whenever you are.”

“Oh. Okay—”

“I—I can’t pretend to know—” Alan pressed his lips together. “Well, Monica had breast cancer, you know that. So I have a little bit of experience watching someone you love deal with a health crisis.”

Oh, man, Jason hoped that Alan didn’t expect him to get into this right now. Jason did not want to think about this today. He wanted to follow Elizabeth’s lead and try for an entire day where he wasn’t thinking about any of this.

“Okay.”

“And you don’t want to talk about this. That’s fine. I suppose I just—I know Monica is Elizabeth’s doctor, and you’re closer to her. But if you ever have any questions about—well, I just thought you might want to know that I’m here. If you don’t want to trouble your mother.”

“I—” Jason exhaled slowly. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” He didn’t quite feel the same pull towards Alan that he did towards Monica, but he wondered if it was just that he’d given his mother more opportunities to support him. Would he change the way he felt about Alan or even Edward if he gave them the chance?

“I’m sure you have a lot to do,” his father said, “so I’ll see you at the church.”

Harborview Towers: Elevator

Bobbie’s chest tightened as the guard from the security desk followed them into the elevator to turn the access key. “Thanks,” she told him, pressing the button for the penthouse level. He nodded at her, then returned to the security desk.

“They put that in after September, didn’t they?” Monica asked as the doors closed. She glanced at Bobbie, who sighed, then nodded.

“Only a handful of people have a key. You can’t get on the top floor without one.” And Sonny had refused to give Carly one during the handful of weeks she’d returned to the penthouse. Jason had had to surrender his own copy—

But Bobbie wasn’t going to think about any of that now. Not today. “Monica,” she began, “I know Elizabeth had some tests a few weeks ago—”

“Bobbie—”

“And that whatever the results were,” she continued, “Jason and Elizabeth have decided not to share them outside of a few people. It’s okay,” she assured her old friend who looked stricken. “I’m not angry or anything. I’m just worried. Is there anything I can do today to make things better? Or easier?”

Monica pressed her lips together. “Medically, no,” she finally said. “Elizabeth wanted everyone to be happy for her. To think about the wedding. That’s why—” She shook her head. “I can’t say anything else.”

“So focus on today being perfect,” Bobbie said. She nodded, faced forward, and watched the numbers climb towards fifteen. “I can do that. She deserves it. They both do.”

“They absolutely do. She’ll tell you soon, Bobbie,” Monica said softly. “She loves you.”

“I love her, too. Every stubborn inch,” the redhead muttered.

Corinthos & Morgan Warehouse: Jason’s Office

Justus set his briefcase on the floor, then sat down. He looked over at Bernie, and the two of them came to some sort of silent decision before Justus met Jason’s eyes. “We have a problem.”

Of course they did. Jason was literally finishing the last thing that needed to be done before he went to the church to get ready. Before he left this warehouse and all of this behind for two weeks at the lake with Elizabeth.

Of course there was a problem.

“What is it?” Jason asked, sitting back in his chair. “Is this something Sonny needs to know?”

“Uh, well, we’d thought we’d leave that up to you,” Bernie admitted. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but did you ever tell him about Puerto Rico?”

Jason hissed under his breath, looked away. “No,” he muttered. He scrubbed his hand over his face. “No,” he said in a stronger voice. “I didn’t want to deal with it that day, and by the time I was paying attention again, Johnny said they didn’t have anything backing it up, and Tommy was getting raided—”

And Elizabeth had received her diagnosis.

“I haven’t wanted to pry,” Bernie said after a moment of silence, “but I’m concerned about what you told Tommy a few weeks ago. About Elizabeth. I know this isn’t our business—”

“How bad is it?” Justus demanded, clearly irritated with Bernie’s attempt at diplomacy. “You’re dumping all of this on us for two weeks, not telling Sonny about sightings of Lansing—Jason—I want to help, but you can’t leave us blind—”

“I’m not—” Jason shoved himself to his feet. “I’m not leaving you blind. Johnny is coming up to take point on anything I would normally do. As long as you keep him away from Sonny, it’ll be fine. We don’t need to tell Sonny about Puerto Rico because it didn’t go anywhere. None of these sightings have been verified—” Interpol wasn’t even taking them seriously.

“This one has been,” Justus cut in, and at that, Jason focused on him. “Miami. Yesterday. Javier Ruiz said he got a call from Ric Lansing, wanting to arrange passage back into the country. The Ruizes are old Alcazar connections.”

“He—” Jason sat back down. “Javier spoke to him. To Ric?”

“That’s what he says. He also says he didn’t help Ric since he knew his family was sending a representative to your wedding. That’s why he called. But if Ric is trying to get back into the country—”

“I also know that the Ruizes like to play games,” Bernie said with a shake of his head. “My brother said there was something a few years ago. After Lily’s—the car bomb—”

“Yeah. Yeah, uh—” Jason took a minute, tried to concentrate. “Hector gave us a false lead on Rivera—Lily’s father. He’d planted the bomb—” He blinked. “You think this is a false lead?”

“I don’t know,” Bernie said. “I just think that it’s another sighting coming from the syndicate. From someone who is supposed to be, at least nominally, an ally. I talked to DiLucca—he thinks Javier is only mildly more trustworthy than Manny, and that he wouldn’t honestly trust any of the family.”

“Not even the priest?” Justus asked dryly. “What do you want us to do with this, Jase? If we tell Sonny today—”

“He’ll want to cancel everything.” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “Bernie’s right. You can’t take Ruiz at face value. He’s either flat out lying, and this never happened, or he’s lying, and he helped Ric into the country. Or he’s telling the truth.”

“Only one of those is good news for us,” Justus said. “The other options mean Ric is trying to get back into the country.” He paused. “Maybe you want to think about canceling this trip, Jase—”

“Not on the table,” Jason said with a shake of his head. “But—” he saw Justus’s impatience. “The last thing Elizabeth needs  is to be across the hall when Sonny finds out about Miami.” He stared at his hands. “You’re not stupid. You know that we had tests done at the beginning of the month.”

“I know it had to be bad for you to show even a hint of it to Tommy,” Bernie said. “What can we do?”

“What’s wrong with Elizabeth?” Justus pressed. “Jason—”

“We weren’t going to tell anyone until after the wedding,” Jason continued. “She didn’t want anyone to worry about her, but if this Miami thing—you need to know why it’s not important to me. Not right now.” He looked up, met his cousin’s eyes. “Elizabeth had these blood clots in her blood vessels—the ones in her lungs. They left scar tissue. It’s hard for her to breathe. Especially when she gets upset or stressed out. Like the day of the hearing.”

“What’s—” Justus swallowed. “She can’t breathe—what happens to the baby?”

“Right now, nothing. Elizabeth is managing, and her vitals are strong. She’s just tired a lot. She needs to rest. She needs to be away from all of this. Especially if and when we tell Sonny about Miami.”

“Right now,” Bernie echoed. “But later?”

“Later—” Jason’s mouth tightened. “It’s rare,” he muttered. “No one knows for sure, but there’s never been a single successful delivery of a baby to a mother with CTEPH—not one where both survive.”

Those words hung in the office for a long moment as Bernie stared at the floor, and Justus just tried to process it.

“But—”

“She could deliver early,” Jason said after a moment, “but there’s no guarantee the baby would survive. And the longer she waits, the more damage she risks to her heart and lungs. There aren’t any easy choices. And the only thing I can do is to keep all of this from touching her. I can’t do that if she’s in Port Charles across the hall from Sonny.”

“Of course not,” Justus murmured. He cleared his throat. “Of course not,” he repeated. “And she comes first. We’ll keep Miami to ourselves. At least for today, until you’re out of town. Sonny will probably go insane,” he admitted. “But maybe by then, we’ll have more information.” He looked at Bernie. “We can handle this. Johnny can handle this. He’ll be here tomorrow anyway.”

“Right, right.” Bernie squared his shoulders. “And maybe this Miami thing will be the break we need. We’ll get Ric dealt with, and things can go back to normal.”

Jason sighed. “Maybe. But while I’m gone—I’ll check in once a day,” he promised Justus. “But I’m not coming back unless it’s life or death. And this was my idea,” he told them. “She keeps trying to make it shorter. If it were up to me, and I thought I could manage it—I wouldn’t bring her back until the baby was born.”

“I’d do the same for Mikki,” Justus told him. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Take care of Elizabeth and the baby. Bernie and I will deal with this.” He checked his watch and winced. “Now, we need to get you to the church. Elizabeth is heading over there right now according to the timeline, and Emily will actually kill me if you accidentally see each other before the ceremony.”

Harborview Towers: Hallway

Elizabeth was still laughing as she left the penthouse, waiting as Cody locked the door behind them. “I’m not sure Emily was joking,” she told Bobbie. “When she told me she threatened Don about the bread—”

“He called me,” Bobbie told her with a grin. “Asking if I knew how to bake bread because if it wasn’t fresh, he was afraid Emily would go after him with her scalpel—” She glanced down at her bag. “Are we sure we have everything?”

“Yes,” Cody assured them. “I had Richie and Marco help Miss Jones and Miss Spencer down to the car with everything you’ll need at the church, and both Doctors Quartermaine are already waiting for us. And yes, they have the wedding dress.”

“It’s almost like you’ve answered these questions before,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Cody. We’re driving you nuts today, aren’t we?”

“Not at all, Miss Webber.” He nodded at Max, who came around the corner. “We all want this day to be perfect.”

“Yeah, Jase deserves a little fun,” the other guard said with a grin. “And you look so pretty, Miss Webber. He’s gonna swallow his tongue.”

“Oh, thanks, but—” Elizabeth saw Bobbie’s glare. “Right, I’m not supposed to do that. Thank you, Max. I feel great today—in fact—” she turned to the redhead. “There’s something I wanted to ask you—I wanted to ask you before any of this, but I also wanted us to be alone—”

“Elizabeth,” Bobbie said. “Just ask.” She patted Elizabeth’s arm. “Whatever I can do to make this day as special as you both deserve.”

“Well—” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I know I asked Nikolas to walk me down the aisle, but I really—I really wanted to ask you. I didn’t because I didn’t want it to be weird and I didn’t want Carly to get annoyed, but—”

“Oh, Elizabeth—” Bobbie pressed two fingers to her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. “You’re going to ruin my makeup. Sweetheart—”

“I love Nikolas, but you’re—you’ve always been there for me. The night I was—” She paused, conscious of the guards who were trying to look like pressing an elevator button was very difficult work that required all of their attention.

“That night, even with Luke and Lucky—if you hadn’t been there, I’m not sure I could have survived. And then later—when I wasn’t sure if something like this was even possible—if love and a family—if I could do it—you gave me the courage. I know you’re not my mother, but sometimes—” She couldn’t keep going.

“Sometimes I pretend, too,” Bobbie finished. She embraced her as tightly as she dared, not wanting to muss Elizabeth’s curls or her makeup. “And absolutely. I can’t wait to walk you down the aisle. You have made my entire day.”

“Thank you—” Elizabeth hugged her back. With a broad smile, they turned towards the elevator — and then stopped.

They should have seen it—the minute Max had appeared—Elizabeth should have realized it meant that Sonny was still here.

But it wasn’t until Sonny came around the corner, dressed in his tux, a heavy coat slung over his arm, that Elizabeth put the two things together.

“Elizabeth.” Sonny took a deep breath, swept his eyes over her. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Elizabeth put her hands in the pockets of her white winter jacket. “You look great. You always looked good in a tux.”

“I clean up well enough.” Sonny looked at Bobbie, who lifted her chin, then focused on Elizabeth again. “All things aside,” he said slowly, “thank you. I think we both know that if you’d said one word, I wouldn’t even be invited today.”

“You matter to Jason,” Elizabeth said softly. “You always will. And you—” She managed a smile. “You matter to me, Sonny. We both want you to be part of this.”

“I can’t always promise to be a good man,” Sonny said, “but I’m honored to be a part of this, to stand up beside Jason. I wish you happiness. I really do.”

“Thank you.”

The elevator doors opened, and Sonny gestured for Bobbie and Elizabeth to board first. “After you.”

Elizabeth smiled at him again, traded a look with Bobbie, then stepped on board. Maybe this would be the way the entire day would be—maybe Jason would get his best friend back, and Sonny would see how happy they were.

Maybe it would all be okay.

But Elizabeth wasn’t arrogant enough to think everything would be perfect today, and she was afraid that this glimpse of the old Sonny was just that — a flash. Temporary. She prayed she was wrong, squeezing Bobbie’s hand tightly. “I’m getting married today,” she said to her. “It feels like the first time.”

“Because it’s the first time that’s mattered,” Bobbie assured. “The first time it’s been right.” She put an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders, squeezed. “Nothing else matters today but that.”

Queen of Angels: Chapel 

If anyone had told Taggert that he’d be sitting in a pew at Jason Morgan’s wedding, he would have told them to go flying off a building, but here he was, waiting for Anger Boy to exchange vows.

Taggert tugged at his tie and looked at his watch, hoping the ceremony would get over with quickly and that he wouldn’t end up in the background of any pictures.

“Stop fidgeting,” his date murmured as she placed a hand over his. Portia clasped his larger hand between hers and drew it into her lap. He looked at her, and she flashed a smile. “You’ll survive. And in a few more months, everyone will remember Jason Morgan is a bad guy.”

Taggert rolled his eyes. “Knowing this town, that might never happen. But everyone still hates Sonny. I can live with that.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Justus grinned at his old rival over his wife’s head. Tamika arched one dark brow, and Justus looked away, hiding his smirk behind his hand.

“How much longer—” Taggert began, but then, at the front of the church, Father Coates emerged from a back room and nodded at the pianist to begin the music. “Thank God.”

“God is gonna strike you down, you keep that up,” Portia muttered.

Jason strode out from another side door, followed by Sonny and their business manager, Bernie. He took his position at the front, to the right of the church. Taggert scowled. “Damn it, Justus,” he hissed. “I’m sitting on the groom’s side—”

“Hush,” Portia said mildly, and Taggert subsided, still irritated that he hadn’t realized until now what side he’d been dragged to. He’d never live this down if it got out.

Monica came first, with Alan escorting her down the aisle, looking like the proud parents of the groom. That was a point in Morgan’s favor, Taggert thought grudgingly. He was starting to drift away from Corinthos back towards the Quartermaines. Maybe Elizabeth would be a good influence on him after all, instead of him corrupting her.

Stranger things had happened in Port Charles.

“I can hear you judging from here,” Portia murmured. “Can’t you just try to enjoy yourself?” She glanced back at him. “There’s no point in you being here if you’re just gonna glower.”

“I didn’t say anything—”

“You said you that you wanted to be here for Elizabeth. That she deserved to be happy, and you would support whatever did that. So, suck it up, fake a smile, and don’t be scowling in the background of the photos.”

Taggert wrinkled his nose but forced himself to follow her directions. Portia was right—just like always. But he was still gonna try to duck any photographer who tried to aim a camera at him.

Emily was next, escorted by Nikolas. After they’d made it to the end of the aisle, both of them went to the bride’s side of the church, standing opposite Jason. Michael Corinthos furrowed his brows as he walked down the aisle, careful not to let the satin pillow in his hands shake even a little. Once he’d reached the end of the aisle, he gave the rings to his father, then went to stand next to him.

The music changed to the traditional wedding march, and the congregation got to their feet.

Then Elizabeth was standing at the doorway, a bouquet of some sort of white, pink, and peach flowers in her hands. Her arm was wound through Bobbie’s, who was also beaming. He was sure that Portia would tell him later about the dress, but it just looked like Elizabeth wearing a jeweled cloud.

“She looks so beautiful,” Portia murmured. She squeezed Taggert’s hand. “Aren’t you glad you came?”

He was, Taggert realized, as he watched Elizabeth walk down the aisle. Even if she was walking towards one of Taggert’s least favorite people in the world, he was grateful to have this picture of her to add to the ones in his mind.

He’d met her as a pale, wan sixteen-year-old, shattered by the brutal rape that had nearly destroyed her life. He’d watched her grow up, regain her confidence, only to be broken all over again the night he’d held up a burnt subway token. He’d never forget that picture of her—the way her body had simply crumpled, and she’d fallen to the ground as if all her bones had vanished.

Taggert had seen her drugged and battered this summer, pale and unconscious. He’d seen her determined to stand up for all the other women Vinnie Esposito had raped, and the system had thrown away. At the press conference, at the hearing in Syracuse and the sentencing—

He’d known Elizabeth Webber for years, and now he got to add a new picture to all the ones he’d collected since their first meeting.

Because this might be the first time he’d ever seen her delirious with happiness, her smile somehow getting brighter as she and Bobbie reached the front of the church, Elizabeth practically floating down the aisle. Bobbie squeezed Elizabeth’s hands, then kissed Jason’s cheeks before taking a seat next to Carly in the front pew.

Taggert watched as Elizabeth handed her bouquet to Emily, then Jason took both Elizabeth’s in his to help her up the steps to Father Coates, Jason carefully making sure that she didn’t trip on all the floaty material of her dress.

He’d never seen Jason with that particular expression on his face—he’d seen the anger, the disdain, and of course— the famous blank stare.

But he’d never seen the man look at anyone that way.

Taggert swallowed hard as Father Coates began the service, then exhaled. “Yeah,” he murmured, answering the question Portia had asked him earlier. “Yeah, I’m glad I came.”

Quartermaine Estate: Foyer

Elizabeth was laughing as Jason pulled her inside the front door. “Whose idea was it to get married in the middle of winter?” she teased, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She looked back out towards the driveway where the car was parked, squinting at the flurries that had begun to fall.

She started to unbutton the thick winter jacket she wore over her wedding dress, but her fingers were chilled from the brief walk to the door and fumbled. Jason brushed her hands aside to do it for her.

Elizabeth took his face in her hands and kissed him. Distracted, Jason slid his arms around her waist to draw her against him. “Hey,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Hey,” Elizabeth whispered back. She smiled up at him dreamily. “We’re married.”

“Yeah, we are.” He kissed her again, then rested his forehead against hers. “You’re so beautiful.”

Elizabeth giggled, ducked her head. “It’s the dress—”

“It’s nice, but it’s you.” Jason slid the backs of his fingers down her cheeks. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

There was slight coughing from behind them, and they turned to see Reginald stepping out from the family room, his cheeks flushed with red. “Uh, sorry to interrupt, but the photographer got here just before you, and Mrs. Quartermaine is ready when you are.”

“We’ll be right in,” Jason told him. Reginald nodded and disappeared back into the room. Jason helped Elizabeth off with her coat, then hung it up behind them.

Lila was sitting by the sofa, her face lighting up when Jason walked in just ahead of Elizabeth, his hand in hers. “My darlings, look how lovely you look.”

Jason was happy to see that she looked better than she had that morning, and she’d even dressed in one of her formal dresses and put some jewelry on. “You look beautiful, Grandmother.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek.

“Well, I couldn’t look dowdy in our photos,” Lila said, preening under Jason’s praise. She looked at Elizabeth. “And my dear, that dress looks even more beautiful in person.”

Elizabeth grinned, twirling in her dress, the full tulle skirt floating around her like a cloud, the jeweled beading on the top flashing in the light. “I know. I’m so glad Lois and Emily convinced me to get it at Christmas.”

“I have something for you.” Lila looked at Reginald, who came forward with a small, silver-wrapped box. He handed it to Jason, who gave it to Elizabeth. “It’s been passed down in my family for several generations.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth blinked, holding the box more tightly. “Than it should be for Emily or Tracy—”

“I’ve put aside pieces for them,” Lila told them. “But this is something I wanted for Jason’s bride. You’re carrying on my family name, dear, so it seems right that you should have something from me.”

Elizabeth smiled, and Jason helped her to sit down, arranging her skirts, so they billowed around her. “Does it ever stop?” he teased as he fluffed up a section so he could sit next to her.

She stuck her tongue out at him, then unwrapped the box, extracting a blue velvet jewelry case. Inside was a filigree silver necklace with a moon and star pendant set with rubies and sapphires. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” she murmured. She looked at Lila, tears stinging her eyes. “It’s perfect. I want to wear it in all the photos.” She turned, swept her hair from her neck. “Can you?” she asked Jason.

He unclasped the necklace she already wore, then fastened the new one. “It matches my engagement ring,” she said to Lila.

“I thought it might when I saw your ring.” Lila smiled at them, her eyes misty with tears. “I’m so happy, darling. For both of you. For the life you’re bringing into the world. I know I might not be here much longer—”

Jason tightened his hand around Elizabeth’s reflexively. “Grandmother—”

“But I’ll be able to go with peace, knowing my family is happy. Take care of each other. And always remember that you love one another. It won’t solve all your problems, but it isn’t such a terrible place to begin.”

And I don’t wanna let this go
I don’t wanna lose control
I just wanna see the stars with you
And I don’t wanna say goodbye
Someone tell me why
I just wanna see the stars with you
– The Fault in Our Stars, Troye Sivan

---

Thursday, January 8, 2004 

Corinthos Penthouse: Living Room

Jason found Sonny sipping coffee and standing by the window, overlooking the city. Sonny turned at the sound of the door, then cleared his throat when he met Jason’s eyes. “I was expecting to see you last night,” Sonny said, setting his coffee cup on the table.

“You nearly did.” Jason closed the front door on Max’s concerned face. “You have a problem with me, with the way I’m living my life, you bring it to me. You stay away from Elizabeth.”

“I didn’t—” Sonny hesitated. “I didn’t mean to upset her,” he admitted. “I didn’t think she’d—” He looked away. “I didn’t think she’d listen.”

“You went there to pick a fight because you thought she’d fight back. Because I won’t. Because Carly won’t. You need someone to blame, and I’m done with it being Elizabeth.”

“I don’t—” Sonny rubbed his chest. “Fine. Okay. I blame her. I’m trying not to. I know it’s not all her fault—”

“None of it—”

“She is the reason Ric is still alive,” Sonny snapped. “If she hadn’t asked for it, he’d be dead. So, yeah, Jason, that is her fault. And it’s your fault for listening to her.”

Jason curled his hands into fists at his side. He very nearly reminded Sonny that if either of them had killed Ric back in April when they’d learned he’d pretended to sleep with Carly after someone had slipped drugs into her drink at The Cellar, but whatever momentary satisfaction he’d get wouldn’t be worth it in the end. “I am done with this argument. We’ve been having it for months, and it doesn’t change anything. You went to my pregnant fiancée three weeks before the wedding and called her selfish.”

Sonny winced. “I—”

“I came home, and she was talking about it being too late to cancel the reception or the church, so all she could do was cut the guest list and cancel the caterer—You made her cry.” Jason stared at his boss, at his partner—at his best friend and family. “You know what she’s been through. You know what she means to me, and you decided to go after her about something that doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter if Ric comes after this wedding—”

“You don’t even believe what you saying right now,” Jason bit out. “You don’t like that you’re not in control. That no one is listening to you. That Carly left and refuses to let you see the boys. That I didn’t listen about Ric — and you don’t like that I have my own life.”

“I don’t—” Sonny scowled. “I don’t give a crap about any of that. And I know what Elizabeth means to you—I knew before you did, jackass! I knew years ago—”

“Then why?” Jason challenged. “Why would you do that to her?”

Sonny stared back at him. “I didn’t think she’d listen,” he repeated. “I was just—I was angry. You’re right. You weren’t listening. Carly won’t forgive me, so I went to yell at Elizabeth about Ric —and I saw all that crap on the coffee table—it’s not you, man. Just like last year—”

“It’s nothing like last year,” Jason cut in. “I don’t care what I eat. What I wear. Where we get married. How many people there—I don’t care who she invites. None of that matters to me. I just want her. And whatever she wants—if I can get it for her—that’s what I’m gonna do—”

Sonny growled, but Jason didn’t wait for him to respond. “And I’m sorry if you think that makes me weak. If you think loving her, putting her first, giving her what she needs and wants makes me less — then that’s your problem, not mine. I don’t need to cut people down to be strong, Sonny. That’s you.”

Sonny’s burned as he stalked towards him. “What did you just say to me—”

“You might have lost control in the minute you locked Carly in that room, Sonny, but that’s not an excuse for what you did yesterday. For the way you’ve been treating Carly or Elizabeth. Or me.” Jason put his hands at his waist, then with a shake of his head, looked at the floor. “You think it makes you weak to ask for help. It’s not worth it to you. Carly and the boys—they’re not worth it.”

“You have no right—”

“I was going to bring Michael to see you today,” Jason told him, and Sonny pressed his lips together. “I told Carly I’d find the time because I thought it might help.”

“But now you won’t do that because I made your girlfriend cry,” Sonny said sarcastically.

“She’s not my girlfriend, Sonny. She’s Elizabeth. The woman who stood in front of you, barely lucid, demanding the chance to help you find Carly. She saved my life, lied for me—lied for you—” Jason reminded him. “Elizabeth has never given you a reason not to trust her. And you went to our home where she’s supposed to feel safe, and you made her feel like crap because she wanted to have a big wedding.”

Sonny exhaled slowly. “I know all of that,” he said, his voice quiet. “I know who she is. I just—I forget sometimes.”

“And that’s why you can’t come near her when I’m not there,” Jason told him. “Because I don’t trust you. She and the baby are my priority, Sonny. That’s my family. After everything I’ve done for yours, I’m asking for you just to respect that. You have to be my best man because Elizabeth invited business associates, but if you do anything to mess this up for her again—” Jason didn’t finish. He just shook his head, then left.

General Hospital: Conference Room

“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth told the other survivors. “But, this going to be my last meeting for a while.”

“Oh?” Renee folded her arms across her chest. “Why? Because you’re getting married? I-I saw it in the paper—”

“Yeah, and—” Elizabeth paused, looked around the room, into the eyes of other women who had been through the same nightmare. “I found out last week that I have a pretty serious pregnancy complication. I have to rest and keep my stress down. I might even have to deliver early to protect the baby.” And myself. But she wasn’t going to think about that. Couldn’t think about that.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Veronica said, sitting up. “That sucks. You talked a lot about how much you want this baby.”

“Yeah. And while I really think this group has helped, I’m not sure my blood pressure would appreciate this right now,” Elizabeth admitted. “But I hope you will continue to meet. As long as you need to. And I’ll—I’ll be back,” she said, a bit faintly. She wasn’t sure that was true, but she wanted it to be.

“Will we get someone else to lead the group?” Dana asked. She bit her nail. “I don’t know if I want someone new—”

“Well, I talked to Gail about that, and she said as long as someone over the age of eighteen signs for the room,” Elizabeth said, “she’d be happy to keep sponsoring the group. She offered to take over, but she wanted that to be up to you all.”

Dana exchanged a look with Veronica, then shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, I can sign for the room if you want. We’ll see.”

“Thank you, by the way,” Renee said. She picked at the sleeve of her sweater. “I—they ran a video of you at the hearing. And it was—it meant a lot. And I don’t care if he appeals —” She swallowed hard. “It meant a lot that you wanted him to pay for us, too.”

“I was okay with the plea just being for you and the DA,” Veronica admitted, “but, yeah, I think a part of me wanted more. I’m glad I didn’t have to testify,” she added, “but knowing he’ll be in jail for at least fifty-seven years—That makes me feel better. I’ll be able to sleep at night.”

“I used to tell myself that what happened to me that night in 1998,” Elizabeth said, “that it was over. That I made it over a long time ago. And I guess it’s true now in a way it wasn’t before. It’s legally over. The man responsible is in jail. Scott told me that he’s not appealing his sentence. He can’t hurt me again. But I also think it’s not fair to say that to myself. Because telling myself it’s over — it only makes me feel weak when it does come back.”

She paused. “It will always be part of my story. For a long time, it defined me. One day, the nightmares will go away again, but it’s okay if they come back sometimes. Once in a while, I get reminded of what happened. It doesn’t make me weak. It doesn’t make me anything except a survivor. Because it’s a memory now, and memories only hurt you if you let them.”

She reached over to take Renee’s hand, smiled at her. “And I am done letting them.”

Kelly’s: Diner

Taggert shifted nervously in his chair as Portia Robinson hung up her jacket and scarf on a hook next to the door. She turned and flashed him the same smile he’d seen at Luke’s a few weeks ago.

“Hey, you got here first.” She sauntered over to the table and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I was trying to beat you, but you’re always early!”

Taggert squinted. “Early? You’re five minutes late.”

Portia arched her brow as she reached for the menu. “That’s on time for me.”

“Fair enough. Uh, I had a question for you.” He picked up a napkin, then set it down before he ripped it into small pieces. He just wanted something to do with his hands. “I got invited to this thing in a couple of weeks, but I don’t want to go alone.”

Portia put her hand on her chin and fluttered her lashes at him. “What am I saving you from?”

“It’s this wedding. Just the ceremony,” he added. “I can’t go to the reception. I shouldn’t even go to the ceremony,” he muttered. “But the bride—she just has a way of—” Taggert cleared his throat. “You probably know the name. Justus works for him—”

“Oh, the Morgan wedding? Tamika said it’s going to be gorgeous—except, apparently, the bride went crazy and canceled her fancy gourmet menu—” Portia frowned at the menu. “It’s going to be catered by this ribs joint and Kelly’s.” She put the menu down, stared at him. “Jason Morgan. You got invited to his wedding?”

“No, I got invited to Elizabeth Webber’s wedding,” Taggert said carefully. “She happens to be marrying him.”

Portia drew her brows together. “Uh—”

“Listen. Elizabeth—she was just a kid the first time I met her. She—you probably saw it in the news. What happened to her.”

“Yeah, my sister said that was your case.” Portia tipped her head. “You’ve known her that long?”

“Yeah. And she’s had a lot of hard hits. A year after her attack, her boyfriend died in a fire. Well, we thought he did—it doesn’t matter. She grieved hard and then got put through hell when he came back—then she was kidnapped, and the Lansing cra[—” Taggert sat back. “She’s a good kid. And she invited me to the wedding because she thinks she owes me something.”

“Well, you helped catch the guy who attacked her. It’s nice of her—”

“And if she were marrying anyone else, I’d go without complaint, but—” He winced. “Does it have to be Jason Morgan?”

“Well, I don’t know her. Or Jason. But I know my sister and Justus, and they both seem excited for them. Do you not want to go?”

“I don’t.” Taggert winced. “But I do.”

“Ah. You want the bride to be happy,” Portia said slowly, “but you are very conflicted because you would not mind if the groom ended up doing a long stretch in Sing Sing—which would then make the bride unhappy again.”

“Exactly.” Taggert grinned. “You get me.”

“You’re overthinking it, Marcus.” Portia folded her arms on the table, leaned forward. “It’s a wedding. You’re gonna watch someone you like get married to someone she loves. You’ve seen her go through a lot of bad stuff. This will be a nice balance to all of that.”

He sighed, leaned back against his chair. “I tried to tell her no,” he admitted. “Me and Baldwin—the DA—but she just—” Taggert wiggled his fingers. “I don’t know. Whammied us.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Portia told him.

“Sweet, huh?”

“Yeah. And it’s probably what makes you one of the only good cops I’ve ever met.” She smiled at him. “So, yes, if you’re asking me to be your plus one, I would love to.” Her grin turned wicked. “We can sit with my sister and Justus.”

Taggert winced. “Do we have to?”

General Hospital: Cafeteria

“I can’t believe you wanted to have lunch here,” Emily said, setting down her tray with an anemic ham and cheese sandwich, a bag of potato chips, and a bottle of water.

“I feel bad I couldn’t go to lunch with you guys at Kelly’s yesterday,” Elizabeth told her as she unwrapped a plastic fork and started to mix together her salad. “And since I had an appointment today—” She shrugged. “Did you get my voicemail about the catering changes?”

“I did,” Emily said slowly, “but I thought you were having some sort of nervous breakdown. Are you really having chili at your reception?”

“Yes.”

“And am I allowed to ask why? Or is this a Bridezilla episode that we’re just going to whistle past?” Emily asked, with a wiggle of her fingers.

“I realized that you and I had been planning this wedding for me. Jason said he doesn’t care, and I know that’s probably true—”

“It really is—”

“Except he does hate formal events. He hates getting dressed up,” Elizabeth told her. “And he agreed because I wanted this. So the least I can do is make sure the food he eats is something he wanted.”

Emily pursed her lips. “Uh huh. I mean, sure, but couldn’t you have figured that out two weeks ago when we chose the menu in the first place?”

“I could have. I didn’t. I made a mistake.” Elizabeth pushed her food around on her plate. “I’ve only been thinking about myself, and Jason gets enough of that from Sonny. He doesn’t need it from me. Not when this is something I can give him.”

Her best friend looked at her for a long moment, then took a deep breath. “How bad were the test results?”

Elizabeth’s hand stilled, then she set down the fork and met Emily’s eyes. “Em—”

“I know you don’t want to talk about it. I’ve enjoyed planning the wedding, and I disagree that you’ve only planned it for yourself, but that’s not the point. Mom’s been very quiet, Dad looks worried. And you’ve said nothing. So I’m just—” Emily paused. “I am someone you can count on, Elizabeth, to do whatever you need me to do. Let me be that person today. Tell me what we’re dealing with, how I can help, and then we’ll put it away.”

“Why does it matter if I tell you now or later?” Elizabeth asked dully, staring at the wilted lettuce.

“Because I think part of the reason you went a little crazy last night and thought about canceling your entire wedding is that something is going on. Something big and terrible. I understand if you and my brother want to keep it quiet. I really do. But ignoring it won’t make it less real.”

“It’s hard to ignore it,” Elizabeth said slowly, “when it’s taking over my life. I’m stepping back from the support group — I’m going to more doctor’s appointments—and Jason is always looking at me like I’m going to stop breathing at any minute. I can’t even be mad at him about that because he’s—” She closed her eyes. “He’s right.”

“Elizabeth—” Emily sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes flaring. “What—”

“That sounds so dramatic,” Elizabeth muttered. She swiped at an errant tear as it slid down her cheek. “I have something called CTEPH. A bunch of letters that basically means that I had more blood clots a few months ago that dissolved on their own but left scar tissue in my lungs. No—the blood vessels in lungs,” she corrected.

Emily sat back, exhaled a long slow, and careful breath. “Scar tissue in the lungs,” she repeated softly. “Which makes it harder to breathe.”

“And more difficult for oxygen to circulate in my blood, which can lead to heart issues, along with other terrible things. There’s a surgery that can correct it, but I can’t have it while pregnant.”

“Elizabeth—”

“Right now, I’m okay. I have a portable oxygen tank. My vitals are steady, and my oxygen levels are normal,” Elizabeth told her. “Monica and Kelly tell me I’m as healthy as can be expected. If I can maintain this level of health, I could get to maybe thirty-two weeks without any health crises.”

“But if you don’t?”

“Then, my heart and lungs could be damaged permanently, and the baby could get hurt.” Elizabeth placed a protective hand over her son. “Right now, the plan is to avoid stress and to rest as much as possible. To monitor everything very carefully. Because I made it very clear I am not delivering until the baby’s health is in danger.”

Emily was quiet for a long time. “Until the baby is in danger,” she said. “Not you.”

“Your mother and Kelly would like me to deliver early. They suggested twenty-eight weeks. I said no. I want to wait as long as I can. I don’t want the baby in the NICU—”

“And I imagine Jason is in favor of any plan where you get to live without needing a double transplant.”

“Probably. I—” Elizabeth looked at Emily. “I haven’t really let him have a say. I know that. And he’s trying to be okay with that. For me—there’s no choice.”

“Okay.” Emily two fingers across her lips. “Okay. Well, okay.” She cleared her throat. “I, uh, guess if you’re healthy right now, there’s no point in having this argument.”

“I think that’s how Jason feels,” Elizabeth admitted. “The condition is rare. Not a lot of pregnant women have had it, and those that were diagnosed around this stage—there’s only two. Neither ended all that well. Um…” She stopped. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

“I knew it wasn’t good when you didn’t tell me,” she admitted. “I’m sorry. I wish this wasn’t happening. I wish I could make it stop.”

“Yeah, well, I chose to stay in that house even after knowing Ric was drugging me, so this—” Elizabeth forced herself to continue. “I made that choice. And I’m not going to let my child pay for it.”

“That’s—” Emily pressed her lips together, then shook her head. “No, I said we’d talk about it, and I’d put it away. You’re in good health, for now, so we’ll just concentrate on that. But if that changes—”

“I know.” Elizabeth smiled faintly. “But for now—I’m marrying the man I love in a few weeks, and I just—I want to let go of the rest of it.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Harborview Towers: Elevator

It had struck Jason as he sat in the office at the warehouse earlier that day with a pile of contracts to sign, three meetings with warehouse managers, bookies, and other men who ran pieces of Sonny’s sprawling organization that he was running everything and still trying to do his old job.

He had been a silent partner when Sonny had approached him about the coffee export front four years earlier — Sonny had been in charge, delegating and overseeing the gambling, the smuggling, and the legitimate business. Jason had been the troubleshooter, enforcing orders that Sonny issued.

He couldn’t remember the last time Sonny had given an order to anyone that wasn’t about Ric Lansing.

When Jason had to skip a doctor’s appointment with Elizabeth that day because of a missing shipment somewhere in the Caribbean, he’d been irritated. As the clock crawled towards six, Jason knew he had three more hours of work before he could go home.

And Sonny was in his penthouse, probably draining another bottle of bourbon. He was separated from his family by his own choices, his own lack of accountability—

Jason would be missing dinner with Elizabeth again because Sonny refused to step up.

He’d looked at Bernie, who looked as tired as he did and told him abruptly to cancel anything that was left. He’d deal with it in the morning, then he’d called Elizabeth to find out what she wanted for dinner, and left.

Now, as the elevator climbed towards the penthouse, Jason knew he had to make changes. He had to either force Sonny to get his head out of his ass and get back to work or delegate more authority to someone else. He couldn’t keep going like this.

Neither of those options were good. He didn’t want to fight with Sonny anymore, wasn’t even sure he knew how to get through to the other man. Maybe if Jason could deliver Ric’s head on a spike to him — that might help.

And for Jason to delegate authority to people under him sent a signal in and out of the organization that there were serious problems between Jason and Sonny—that was the last thing he needed.

The elevator opened, and Jason stepped off, turning towards home. He just wanted to stop thinking about all of it tonight and have dinner with the woman he loved.

Instead, he heard a door open from behind him and Max’s murmured question. Jason stopped, locked eyes with Cody on his penthouse, then turned to face Sonny as his partner came around his corner.

“Jason—”

“What is it?” Jason asked flatly. “I want to get dinner to Elizabeth while it’s hot.”

“I—I, uh, was thinking about this morning. I don’t want to fight,” Sonny said. “You’re right. We keep going around in circles, and we’re getting nowhere.”

Surprised, but cautiously optimistic, Jason nodded. “Yeah. I know.”

“And I’m sure you got a lot to do in the next few weeks with the, uh, wedding—” Sonny scratched his temple. “So I was thinking maybe we just figure out how to get back on track after that. After the wedding, we’ll focus on finding Ric and getting rid of him for good—”

Still not sure how they’d manage that without breaking his promise to Elizabeth and Carly, Jason nodded anyway. “Yeah, when I get back—”

“Get back?” Sonny furrowed his brow. “From where?”

“I’m—” Jason squinted. “I’m getting married, Sonny. And then I’m taking Elizabeth out of town for a few weeks.”

“Weeks?” Sonny scowled. “How long? Where? Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe two.” Jason would prefer to get her away from this town until the day she gave birth, but that would definitely be pushing it. Elizabeth deserved a break, and he wanted to be alone with her for longer than a few hours when they slept. They both deserved some time after these last few months. “And I don’t know where yet. We haven’t talked about it—”

“You can’t go away for that long,” Sonny snapped. “Two weeks?”

“You’ve run things without me for years,” Jason retorted, hoping to break Sonny out this insanity. “Bernie and Justus have things organized. Just go into the office. Do what they tell you to—”

“You didn’t even ask—”

“This isn’t a corporate job, Sonny. I don’t apply for vacation time—”

“You answer to me!” Sonny exploded, his voice reaching a new pitch of anger. He slapped a hand against his chest. “You go where I tell you to—”

“The hell I do—”

The penthouse door opened behind him, and Jason turned as Elizabeth stepped out, concern on her face. “What’s going on?” she asked, folding her arms. “Is everything okay?”

“Do you ever stay where you’re supposed to? This is business!” Sonny roared, as he started to step past Jason. With the hand not holding the paper bag, Jason shoved Sonny back.

“In the hallway?” Elizabeth said dubiously. Then she winced. “‘I’m sorry.” She stepped back, started to close the door, but Sonny wasn’t finished.

“Do you think everything is about you? That we need your opinion on everything—”

Jason shoved their dinner at Cody, then looked at Elizabeth. “Go inside,” he told her, then turned back to Sonny without waiting to see if she’d listen.

He heard the penthouse door close behind him. “If you ever talk to her like that again—”

“What are you going to do?” Sonny taunted, tipping his chin up, defiant. “Nothing? You need to put her in her place—”

Jason’s muscles tensed, and he curled his hands into fists at his side. “Go home,” he said flatly. “We’re done.”

Then he walked away from him, grabbed their dinner, and shoved open the door to the penthouse, slamming it behind him.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth turned away from the window when Jason stormed in, tossing the paper bag on the desk. She bit her thumbnail as she slowly approached him. “I’m sorry. I should have stayed inside.”

“Yeah, you should have—” Jason looked at her, then sighed. Shook his head. “No. I’m sorry. It’s—you heard yelling, and I know you wanted to help.”

“I just made it worse—”

“You didn’t. No one could,” he added on a mutter.” Jason stripped off his leather jacket, then grabbed Elizabeth’s jacket she always left on the desk chair. He hung both up in the closet. “Do you mind if we don’t talk about it right now?”

“No, it’s fine.” She cleared her throat. “I’m hungry anyway. We’ll just eat dinner.”

“Okay.” Jason picked up the bag, carried it to the coffee table, and started to unpack. As he handed her the plastic container with the chicken she’d ordered from the Grille, he said, “You haven’t asked about a honeymoon.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth frowned. “I didn’t really think it’d be possible right now. I mean, I got those tickets to Italy for you, but I knew we couldn’t use them. I figured we’d take one in the summer—” She pressed her lips together. “But, I guess maybe we shouldn’t plan anything that far out.”

His breath hitched as the meaning sunk in. Making plans for after the baby was born felt different than they had at Christmas. Were they actually plans or just hopes? Dreams that might never happen?

Jason handed her a set of utensils. “You need a break from Port Charles. You need to be away from stress and time to rest—”

“Jason, I understand,” Elizabeth told him. “Things are crazy with Sonny—and if we left, he might take it out on Carly or the boys. Not that I want to be in the middle of it but better us than her—”

Jason shook his head. “I need a break,” he said softly.

She was quiet for a minute. “Okay. Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know yet,” Jason told her, relieved she hadn’t pressed him for more. “I’ll look into some places nearby. You can’t fly, and I don’t want to be driving for hours. But I want—I want time. With you. Maybe two weeks, if I can manage it—”

“Two weeks—” Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “That’s—I was thinking maybe a weekend—”

He exhaled, leaned back against the sofa, and reached for her hand. He traced his fingertips over her engagement ring. “You don’t want to be alone with me for two weeks?” Jason asked her.

Elizabeth smiled, leaned forward to kiss him. “I want to be alone with you all the time,” she told him, her smile deepening. “But I understand it’s not always possible.”

“I’m going to make sure it’s possible.” He cupped the back of her head, drawing her back for another kiss. “How was the hospital?”

She wrinkled her nose and shrugged as she speared a piece of chicken with her fork. “Good. I felt like I spent the whole day there. I had a good meeting with the group—I’m going to miss them, but I know it’s important to take a break from that. And I told you on the phone — Kelly said all my levels are still normal. Monica was happy with my blood pressure. It came down a little.”

“Really?” Jason said, his brows rising. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“Well, it was only two points, so not a drastic improvement, but she was still happy with it.” Elizabeth hesitated. “I had lunch with Emily. And I told her. About…” She cleared her throat. “And I was thinking—” She looked at him. “Do you think it would help if Sonny knew? And you could tell Carly. I think—I think if you want—”

“Carly knows something is up,” Jason admitted, “but I’m going to wait to tell her,” he said. “Because if I tell her, she’ll feel bad about Bobbie not knowing. And you’ll feel bad about it, too—”

“Right. And then I’ll think — well, if Bobbie knows, then I should tell Nikolas. And before you know it, I’ll be right where I didn’t want to be. Everyone worried.” Elizabeth sighed. “Still—”

“I’ll think about it, but Carly seemed okay with waiting. And I don’t know—” He paused. Elizabeth was right — if Sonny knew what was going on with her health, he might back off. He might get himself together.

But he also might not. He hadn’t backed down about Carly after all these weeks, despite what he’d put her through—despite knowing the trauma he’d caused her—and Carly was Sonny’s wife.

And Jason wasn’t sure he was ready to know exactly how Sonny would react to the news about Elizabeth’s health. If he wanted to face the reality of how far away their friendship felt right now.

“I’ll think about it,” Jason repeated. “But for now—I think you were right. You’re doing okay so far, and I just—let’s focus on right now.”

“Right.” Elizabeth smiled at him. “Right now isn’t so bad, right?”

“Not bad at all.” He kissed her again, lingering over her mouth. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Come on and we’ll sing, like we were free
Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us
Come on and we’ll try, one last time
I’m off the floor one more time to find you
And here we go there’s nothing left to choose
And here we go there’s nothing left to lose
– Nothing Left to Lose, Mat Kearney

---

Wednesday, January 7, 2004

Quartermaine Estate: Family Room

Elizabeth was determined that she wouldn’t let her medical problems take over her whole life. She didn’t want to be obsessing about her breathing, about her pulse, about her blood pressure all the time— she just wanted to live.

And if sometimes that meant pretending she wasn’t sick — well, Elizabeth was just fine with doing that, too.

“Hello, darling,” Lila said as Elizabeth kissed her cheek. “It’s so sweet of you to come by like this.”

Elizabeth sat on the sofa next to the chair and took photos out of her purse. “Well, I know you couldn’t come to the fitting,” she said to Jason’s grandmother, “but Emily said you were hoping to see what the dress looks like, so we took a lot of photos.”

“Bless you, dear.” Lila took the first photo. “Oh, it’s lovely—I thought this would be the dress when Emily showed us the choices.”

“Yeah, I was on the fence,” Elizabeth admitted. “It’s more expensive than I wanted the dress to be, but Emily convinced me to try it on, and—”

When the stylist had helped her step up in front of the three-way mirror—she’d just known. This was the dress she wanted to wear the day she married Jason. “It seems silly to spend so much money on a dress you wear once,” Elizabeth admitted.

“That’s not silly,” Lois said as she entered the room. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to eavesdrop—” she said when Elizabeth and Lila looked at her. “I—I just wanted—I wore my mother’s dress when Ned and I were married. The second time,” she added when Lila raised her brows. “We got married at Coney Island.”

“That sounds like it was fun,” Elizabeth said, turning slightly and smiling at Lois. “And you didn’t mind your mother’s dress? I mean—”

“Well, I had a few alterations to update it, but yeah, I thought it would be a good omen. My parents were devoted to each other forever—” Lois paused. “Well, anyway — this is a beautiful dress, Elizabeth. You’re going to look lovely in it.”

“Thanks. I guess maybe I could save it,” she said slowly, then something inside her clutched. If something went wrong — there’d be no daughter to pass the dress to. Would her little boy want it?

“Elizabeth?” Lila asked gently. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “There’s just been a lot of details to deal with these last few weeks. And I’ve been more tired than I was before.”

“Of course, dearest.” Lila patted her hand. “But these photos are so lovely, and I look forward to seeing you and Jason start your life. You’re so wonderful together. I couldn’t be happier for you.”

“Thank you. And—and we’re going to stop here after the ceremony,” Elizabeth promised her, pleased when Lila’s eyes brightened. “I know you can’t come, but it’s so important to Jason and I that you’re part of this day. We love you.”

“That would be wonderful. I look forward to it.”

Later, as Lois walked Elizabeth to the door, she smiled. “You’ve made her day, you know. It breaks her heart that she can’t get around the way she used to.”

“It’s hard for all of us to see her fading,” Elizabeth admitted. “I know how much she means to Jason. She should get to be part of this in any way we can. I thought about having the ceremony in the rose garden, but then I thought—”

“Having the party here might be too much for her,” Lois admitted.

“And there’s other reasons it has to be a neutral place,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “Not everyone we had to invite could come to the mansion. And Jason wouldn’t want them here.”

“Ah. Understood.” Lois paused. “Are you all right? You seem—I know you said you were tired, but—”

“I’m fine,” Elizabeth told her. “I just need to go home and relax. I’m going to take a long bubble bath, I think, and try to think about something else.”

“Okay. Well, you know where Ned and I are if you need anything.”

Corinthos & Morgan Warehouse: Jason’s Office

Jason grimaced as Bernie set a stack of contracts in front of him. “How? How is there this much paperwork?”

“You think this is bad, think about what I have to do,” Bernie told him as he sat down. “That covers last week and next week’s coffee exports from Colombia and Venezuela. It also takes care of a customs investigation because of a hold-up in Caracas—and the building permits to finish the renovations on the coffee shop—”

“I’m sorry I asked,” Jason muttered as he reached for the first stack. He looked at Justus. “Can I give you the power to sign this stuff?”

“Uh, you could, but when I embezzle everything and run off with my girls to Tahiti, you’ll regret it.” Justus flashed a grin, and Jason’s shoulders relaxed. There were sometimes when coming to this office didn’t feel like a chore, and it was largely because of Justus and Bernie.

He didn’t use to hate his job, but since Sonny stopped even pretending to work after the hearing, everything had been dumped on Jason.

“I also finalized the security for the church,” Bernie said. “After you sent over the final figures yesterday, I talked to Francis, and he’s got it handled.” He paused. “There is one thing we should probably talk about—”

The door to the office slammed open, and Sonny stalked in, shoving between Bernie and Justus, who both got to their feet, warily. Sonny slapped something on Jason’s desk—

Jason sighed, looking down at it. “Is there a problem?” he asked after a long moment, raising his eyes to Sonny’s dark ones. “You knew we were engaged—”

“You’re having a wedding at Queen of Angels,” Sonny bit out. “And a reception at the hotel? Are you insane?”

Jason cleared his throat, picked up the invitation. He’d barely read it when Elizabeth had shown it to him, but he didn’t see anything that would set Sonny off like this — “Are you mad because it’s not the No Name? I—”

“You’re having the ceremony at the same church my wife was abducted from,” Sonny snarled. “You’re marrying Ric’s wife—are you trying to taunt him? Trying to get him to come out in the open?”

Jason stared at him for a long moment, not trusting that he was serious. “Do you really think I’d use Elizabeth like that? Put her in danger—put our child in danger—I’m not the one obsessed with Ric—you are—” He flung the invitation back at Sonny. “We’re having the wedding at the church that I attend, and that allows our guards. If you don’t like it, you can stay home—”

Bernie winced, and Jason glared at him. “What?”

“Uh, not that this is any of my business nor do I want it to be—” the advisor added, “but Sonny can’t stay home—”

“Why the hell not?” Sonny demanded. “You think I want to be part of this?”

His chest tightened, twisted, and Jason didn’t even recognize the feeling at first as hurt. Despite all their issues, all the fights — Sonny was supposed to be his family. He’d even seemed almost happy for Jason a few weeks ago when he’d found out about the engagement.

He’d once thought of Elizabeth like a member of his own family —

Now Sonny didn’t care that Jason was marrying her—that he was having a child—

“Because if you don’t go,” Bernie continued, with an apologetic glance at Jason, “it sends a message to people that there’s an issue. Is that—is that something we want?”

“No,” Sonny said flatly. He took a breath. “No. I just—” He looked at Jason. “Why? Why are you waving a red flag at Ric like this? You could just get married at the courthouse if it’s so damn important to do it right now—”

“This is how things are,” Jason said. “And it’s not up to you.”

Sonny scowled, then stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Jason exhaled slowly, looked at Bernie. “Is that what you were going to bring up? Sonny at the wedding?”

“Yes, well—if you were to scale back the ceremony — a private ceremony,” Bernie said, “then you could get around not having Sonny there.”

“Which I completely understand,” Justus muttered. Bernie shot him a dirty look. “What? What has Sonny done to earn even being invited? He should be worshipping the ground Elizabeth walks on for even inviting him or did you put her up to it—”

“Yes, she did run the list past with me,” Bernie retorted. “As soon as she’d decided to have something larger, she wanted to make sure she’d invited everyone she needed to—”

Surprised, Jason stared at him. “Why didn’t she ask me? I would—”

“You’re running around putting out fires all the time,” Bernie said. “She didn’t want to bother you, and I took care of it, so no, Justus, I didn’t make her invite Sonny. He was already on the list.” He paused. “In the bridal party.”

“The bridal—” Jason winced, then sat down, put his head in his hands. “He needs to be the best man.”

“He does. That’s what I wanted to bring up. Elizabeth already had him listed that way, but I wanted to make sure you were on the same page.” Bernie paused. “If you’re determined to have this large of a wedding—”

Jason frowned, looked up, then looked at Justus. “That’s the second time you said something like that—what’s the problem?”

“The problem is,” Justus said with a sigh as he sat back down, “is that Sonny isn’t wrong. Marrying Ric’s wife—”

“Ex,” Jason snapped.

“Not to Ric,” Justus said calmly. “Marrying his wife, after he went after her about an affair with you—knowing she’s pregnant—the same church—if Ric is paying attention—”

“I thought about that,” Jason said. “You think I didn’t?”

“Of course not—”

“We’ve doubled security. Elizabeth will have two guards that day—one to stand right next to her, and another to follow her inside. I also don’t think—” Jason shook his head. “I’m aware of the risk. I don’t agree it’s as serious as you obviously do, but if you looked over the guest list, then you know Elizabeth invited the Vegas. And the Tagliattis.”

“And the Ruiz family is sending a representative,” Bernie said. “She did not reach out to the Zaccharas, but I followed up with Anthony. He wasn’t expecting anything less with the bad blood.”

“Courtney—” Jason grimaced. “She didn’t want all those people at the wedding last year, and I didn’t push her on it.” He hadn’t cared about the guest list. Or the wedding. Or about marrying Courtney at all, which should have told him something. “But they’ll be there this year. With their security.”

“He might want the challenge—”

“Or he might not. Am I supposed to tell Elizabeth after everything she’s been through that this is one more thing Ric Lansing is going to take from her?” Jason demanded. He shoved the contracts aside. “No. We have the security we need, and Elizabeth gets this. Is that understood?” He glared at the both of them, waiting for them to complain.

“Of course.”

Jason left the office, and Justus winced as he slammed the door. “This building is going to come down again if this keeps up,” he muttered.

“That went well,” Bernie said pleasantly. “I’m sure we glad we decided to do this today.”

“Shut up.”

Kelly’s: Diner

Emily grimaced as she leaned back in her chair. “Why did we have to grow up?”

Nikolas frowned, then traded a look with his brother before looking back at their best friend. “Because that’s how the body works?”

“And time,” Lucky said, with a serious nod. “It—you know—marches forward.”

“I will pummel the both of you,” Emily muttered. She played with the straw in her drink, then sighed. “No, I just—I liked it when our problems were easier.”

“Whose childhood are you remembering?” Lucky asked. “Because I got shot when I was thirteen—”

“Eighteen,” Nikolas said with a nod. “I was definitely shot when I was eighteen—oh,” he pointed at Lucky, “and you shoved me down the steps when I was—what, sixteen?”

Lucky snapped his fingers. “I moved out at that age—”

“Is this a comedy act the two of you have put together?” Emily said, narrowing her eyes. “Because it’s closing on opening night.”

“We’re just messing with you,” Lucky told him. “Well, I am—you know Cassadines—there’s no sense of humor there—”

“Listen, I picked a very funny picture of you for the Spencer dartboard,” Nikolas told him. “You’re making a weird face, I think you’re sneezing—”

“That is the second time he’s mentioned Spencer dartboards,” Lucky said to Emily. “I think they’re real.”

“I wouldn’t try to find out. You could catch me in the middle of a practice session, and I might get confused—”

Emily growled, and the brothers tried to cover their snickers. “Sorry, Em,” Nikolas said, putting his hands up. “You just—you looked upset. And we wanted to cheer you up. What’s wrong?”

“I know we’ve all been through a lot,” she said. “I know we did not have a normal childhood. But I just—I miss when we could see each other all the time. This is the first time the three of us have managed to grab lunch since September. And Elizabeth can’t be here. I just—I miss it. I miss us making time for each other. And if Lucky weren’t living here, I wouldn’t even see him half—” Emily paused. “Why are you making that face?”

“Well, if you’re counting Kelly’s to keep us together,” Lucky said, wincing, “then you’re going to be really mad. Because I’m moving out at the end of the month—”

“Wait—wait—” Emily put up her hands. “Are you talking about Kelsey? Are you and Kelsey moving in together? Because that’s awesome!” She grinned. “Lucky!”

“Mom will start planning the wedding when you tell her,” Nikolas told Lucky. “You ready for that?”

“I’m not telling her until the last minute, so no—but, yeah, we just decided last night. I gave Aunt Bobbie my notice this morning.” Lucky wiggled his shoulders. “Talk about growing up. The last time I lived with someone, it was just Elizabeth and I sharing a room upstairs. And that—” He whistled. “Did not turn out well.”

“Pfft. Don’t even count that,” Emily told him with a shake of her head. “You were brainwashed, and Liz was barely there.”

“Oh, man, that hurt.” Lucky wrinkled his nose. “I mean, yeah, it’s true, but still. Speaking of my ex-fiancée—” He looked at Nikolas. “You get an invitation to the wedding of the year?”

“I did, but I’m also supposed to be giving the bride away. I wasn’t sure if you’d go considering she’s marrying Jason.”

“Eh, I’m in Major Crimes, not Organized. I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Also, Luke Spencer is my dad, so…” Lucky shrugged. “Kelsey might sit it out, though, I think. She doesn’t really know either of them, and I don’t think she’s as comfortable with the blurry lines in Port Charles yet.”

Nikolas tipped his head in agreement, then frowned at Emily. “You just got that look on your face again. What’s up?”

“Oh—it’s—it’s nothing.” Emily hesitated. “It might be something, but I don’t know if I should say anything—”

“Oh, man, we’re going to be here all night.” Lucky raised his brows. “Em—”

“Elizabeth was supposed to have these tests last week,” Emily admitted finally.

“Tests?” Nikolas repeated, leaning forward. “Wait—”

“She’s been having some breathing problems,” she continued, “and she was supposed to find out a few days ago, but she keeps dodging the question, and I finally stopped asking—” She shredded a napkin into small pieces. “I guess I’m wondering if no news is good news or if no news is the apocalypse—”

Nikolas, looking a bit uneasy, glanced at Lucky, who also looked worried before focusing on Emily again. “I think we should just let Elizabeth set her own pace,” he said finally. “She’s been dealing with a lot. She’ll share whatever it is when she’s ready.”

“I know. I know. I just—I’m just tired, you know, and I want some good things to happen.” Emily pasted a smile on her face. “So let’s just concentrate on the good. I’m really excited for you and Kelsey.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth sat down on the sofa and reached for the remote. A long soak in the bath and a nap had been all she’d needed to get some energy back. She flicked through the channels, then settled on Oprah. She dragged a pillow in front of her, holding it against her chest, and prepared to relax.

Around ten minutes later, she heard some muffled voices outside her door—and she sighed, recognizing Sonny, Cody, and Max. Elizabeth got to her feet and shuffled to the door, pulling it open.

“Miss Webber, I got this—” Cody told her, but Elizabeth frowned at him, looking at Sonny standing in the doorway, glaring at her with a beleaguered Max just behind him.

“Got what? What’s wrong?”

“He’s trying to tell me I can’t come in without Jason here,” Sonny bit out. “You think I’m going to slap you around or something?”

“Uh…” Elizabeth blinked. “I’m not—I don’t—” She looked at Cody oddly, then sighed. It must have something Jason said. “No, come in, Sonny. It’s fine.” The least she could do for Jason was to do whatever she could to relieve tension with Sonny.

“Miss Webber—”

“It’s fine, Cody.” Elizabeth stepped back, and Sonny stalked through the door. “I’m sorry, Sonny,” she said, determined not to make any waves with Jason’s best friend. She was putting Jason through enough — she could at least try to make nice with Sonny. “I’ll talk to Cody.”

“I know—” Sonny took a deep breath, turned to face her. “I know I was wrong. I’m sorry. I apologized. I didn’t mean to hurt you—”

“Sonny, we’ve been through this. Really. I don’t think you’d hurt me.” At least not today. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me you were throwing this huge wedding?” he demanded. “The same church where Ric kidnapped Carly? A party at the hotel? Did you even think about her before you did this?”

Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest, looked at the floor, feeling the tendrils of shame curl in her throat all over again. “Jason talked to her over Christmas. I’m not really into church the way you and Jason are, so I didn’t think about it after he said it was fine. When Emily and I started talking — she just said Queen of Angels, and I didn’t think about it—”

“Of course not.” Sonny shook his head. “I thought you understood Jason. I really thought you got it this time.”

Elizabeth blinked, stared at him. “What? What are you talking about?”

“When Courtney told me about that huge wedding—I knew it then—I knew she didn’t get him. Jason—” Sonny gestured towards the coffee table, and Elizabeth looked at it. Covered in wedding magazines and invitation samples. “I mean, do you think Jason wants any of this?”

“He told me—” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “He didn’t tell me no—” Which wasn’t the same thing.

“When has he ever told you no?” Sonny demanded. “What? Once?”

“I—” Elizabeth exhaled slowly, feeling her lungs start to burn. She pressed her fist against her chest. “But he talked to Carly,” she said again. “He said it was okay—”

“What is she supposed to say? And what about me? What about Michael? You think any of us want to go back there?”

“I—” A tear slid down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think—”

“No, you don’t. You never do. It’s always about you, Elizabeth. You think that I don’t see that? It’s always about what you need. How many times did you play with Jason? Shoving Lucky in his face? Zander? Ric?” Sonny shook his head. “I thought you were different this time. I thought you’d grown up. But you’re still the selfish little girl who runs away when things get hard.”

“Not like that—” She closed her eyes. “That’s not—” Elizabeth tried to take a deep breath, but her breath caught in her throat, and she almost choked on it. She turned away from Sonny.

Inhale slowly. Count to fifteen. Exhale. Inhale slowly—

“I’m sorry,” Sonny said after a long minute. His voice was quieter. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You’re right.” Hot tears snaked their way down her cheeks. “You’re right. I didn’t think at all. I just—I was so happy when he asked, and I wanted to be married to him. And it just—I just thought about what I wanted. I am selfish.”

“Elizabeth—”

“I didn’t mean to forget about Carly.” She turned back to Sonny. “I know you think it’s my fault this is happening—all of it—”

Sonny blinked rapidly, put his hands up. “Listen—”

“Maybe it is. Maybe I do just think about myself too much,” she murmured. “I should think more about Jason. I shouldn’t be making his life harder.” And that wasn’t that all she’d done for months? For years? Give him one more thing to worry about?

“Uh—” Sonny scratched his temple. “I didn’t expect you to agree—”

“I just—Jason goes to church almost every week,” Elizabeth told him, desperate for Sonny to understand that she’d just made a mistake. “He still goes, so when Emily asked where I wanted to get married—I thought he’d want that. I mean, was I wrong?”

“Well, no—but—” he paused. “I guess I just don’t know why you’d want something big. After last year. He nearly married Courtney in that church. Less than a year ago. Why would you want it there?”

Because she didn’t think about Courtney, Elizabeth thought to herself. Until she’d gone to the church the day before, had seen that folder — Courtney had seemed like a bad dream. A nightmare that was over.

“I shouldn’t have come over like this,” Sonny said when she remained silent. “I’m sorry. I just—I was angry. And I wasn’t thinking. I have to think more,” he said more to himself. “I have to stop.”

“It’s okay,” she said faintly. She looked at him. “I know you love Jason, Sonny. He’s a brother to you. I don’t want to come between you.”

“You’re not. Christ—” Sonny scrubbed his hands over his face, seemed to look at something in the distance. “I think sometimes I just—I want to scream at the world,” he said finally. “I don’t always have a reason. Everything is wrong. And I don’t know how to stop it.”

Elizabeth rubbed the side of her face. “It’s fine. Your delivery might leave something to be desired, but you’re not wrong. This wedding—it’s not Jason. And he deserves it to be about him. I’ll—I’ll fix it.”

“He’s going to kill me,” Sonny muttered. “Don’t—damn it.” He spun on his heel, jerked open the door, only to see Cody standing there. “Get out of my way,” he said, shoving the guard back and stalking around the corner to his penthouse.

“Miss Webber?”

“I’m fine.” Elizabeth brushed at her cheeks, looked at the concerned guard, and forced a smile on her face. “I’m fine. Thanks, Cody. Did—did Jason tell you Sonny couldn’t come in when he’s not here?”

“He did—”

“Okay. I’m fine,” she told him again, and this time Cody got the message and closed the door, leaving Elizabeth alone.

The Cellar: Office

Jason knocked lightly on Carly’s door, and she sprang up from her desk. “Jason! I’ve been thinking about you all day.” She dragged him into the office, closing the door behind them.

“Is this going to make my day worse?” he asked with a sigh as he walked over to look at Morgan in the bassinet. He adjusted the infant’s blanket before turning back to Carly, who was scowling at him. “You usually mean well, but—”

“You wish all we had to deal with were my plans,” she muttered, folding her arms. “No, I was thinking about you because the invitations came, and Mama found out from Taggert that Elizabeth talked him into going to the ceremony. Did you know?”

“I did,” Jason said, blinking with surprise. “I knew she was inviting Taggert and Baldwin. I didn’t think they’d go—”

“Well, they’re softies,” Carly said. “Seriously, Jase. Sonny is going to flip—”

Jason winced, looked away, then scratched his temple. “Too late. He’s not happy about any of it. The size of the wedding. The church. He thinks we should get married in the courthouse.”

“He would. He .” Carly lifted her brows. “I was surprised when Elizabeth talked to me about the guest list. She thought I should know if there were people who should be invited since I’ve planned a few of these—”

“A few?”

“Don’t start.” But she was relieved to see him cracking jokes—even at her expense. “She didn’t want to mess anything up—but Sonny’s never cared about any of that crap. I told her to talk to Bernie—since his brother was who I usually asked.”

“Thanks. He helped out—”

“So, what brings you by?” Carly asked. “You only come here when you’re avoiding something. Is it the wedding? Do you want it to be smaller? Because, listen, it’s probably too late for that—”

“I don’t care about any of that,” Jason told her. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t. Elizabeth can plan whatever she wants. As long as we’re married at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want her to be happy.”

“Okay,” Carly said slowly. She didn’t buy that for a second. “Then—is it about the tests I’m not supposed to know about?” Jason’s head snapped around to look at her. Whatever lightness she’d inspired earlier had disappeared.

“Yeah, after you came here last week, I might have said something to Mama about things not being okay. She got worried and went to talk to Emily. Apparently, Elizabeth was waiting on some test results and went radio silent after they were supposed to come in.”

Jason stared at her, then looked away. “I can’t get into it, Carly.”

“Okay. Is that another reason you’re on board with this wedding? Because Elizabeth is sick, and you want her to have whatever she wants?” Carly asked, hesitantly. “I’m not sure that’s a great way to handle it—”

“I came to check on you because Sonny’s been aggravated a lot lately, and he tends to take it out on you,” Jason cut in. “So—”

“He came by yesterday, wanting to see the boys. I told him not without therapy or you.” Carly sighed. “And I did that knowing full well he’d never ask you and I didn’t want you in the middle of it. I was thinking maybe I was too hard on him.”

Jason frowned at her, drawing his brows down with a shake of his head. “What do you mean? Are you having second thoughts about leaving—”

“No, I needed to be out of that situation,” Carly admitted. “I know I made the right choice for me. I just don’t know if I’m doing the right thing with the boys. With Michael.”

“I don’t know. Maybe it would help if he saw them.” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “Let me look at my schedule this week. I could bring Michael over to hang out for a few hours—”

“Jason, I don’t want to add any burdens—”

“You’re not. You didn’t ask. And my life would be easier if Sonny got himself under control, so—” Jason nodded. “I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Jason. I just—I wish we could skip to the part where this is all over, but it never seems to be finished, does it?” Carly asked.

“No,” Jason said on a long breath, “it doesn’t.”

“You’ll let me know if I can do anything for you or Elizabeth, right?” Carly asked.

“We’re fine—”

“Jason.” Carly waited for him to look at her. Meet her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. I can take the hint, but don’t lie to me, either.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll call about taking Michael to see Sonny.”

Harborview Towers: Hallway

Jason frowned when Cody stepped in front of the door, blocking him from going inside. “What’s wrong?” he asked, dreading creeping up his spine. “Did Sonny try to come over?” Damn it—

“He did. And Miss Webber heard us, so she came to the door and insisted on letting him in.” Cody paused. “I didn’t hear much, so they didn’t argue, but she looked like she’d been crying when he left.”

Jason closed his eyes, then nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“I’m sorry—”

“No, it’s—I know what I told you, but Elizabeth is her own person, and her orders come first. You get that, right?” Jason asked the guard. “She will always come first.”

“Yeah.” Cody nodded slowly. “Yeah, I got it, boss. I remember.”

“Good. You’re done for the night, thanks.”

Jason pushed the door open, frowning when he saw Elizabeth pacing from the fireplace to the window by the pool table, then back as she spoke on the phone. The coffee table was exploding with papers—her wedding binder, he realized, his stomach sinking. With papers pulled out and sections strewn out on any available surface.

She looked at him, and he could see the faint tear stains Cody had mentioned. “I’ll be done in a minute,” Elizabeth said to him, before turning back to the phone. “Yeah. Yeah, I appreciate it. I know it’s last minute, but it’s important. No—no, I promise, I’m not turning Bridezilla on you. You did a great job. I was the one who was wrong—”

“Elizabeth—”

She shook her head, then passed him to grab her purse from the desk. She took out her wallet. “Yeah, let the vendors know that if there are any change fees—” She reeled off her bank card—the bank card he knew was attached her own checking account, not one of his. Jason removed his coat, wondering if she’d just canceled the entire damn wedding—

He was going to kill Sonny.

He picked up her jacket, slung as usual over the desk chair, and hung it up with hers, wondering how he was going to handle this.

“Okay. I appreciate it,” she repeated. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Elizabeth snapped her phone shut and looked at him. “Don’t get mad.”

“I’m not mad, I’m worried—what did Sonny say to you?” he demanded.

“Don’t be mad at him either. I can’t fix everything. I thought about it,” she admitted. “But you already went to so much trouble at the church for security, so I can’t change that unless we reschedule the whole thing, and I don’t want to do that—”

She was still planning to marry him, so some of the muscles in his stomach unclenched. “You don’t have to change anything—”

“But I canceled the caterer. I threw around Edward’s name to get that done, so I think we might not get screwed on the contract too much. He’s always telling me to do that, so—” She took a deep breath — and he watched her pause, knowing she was counting to fifteen.

“Sit down—” Jason said, taking her by her hips, steering her backward to the sofa. “You were supposed to relax today—”

“I did. I took a nap, and I had a bath. I’m fine. I’m just tired,” Elizabeth told him. “I thought maybe I could just cancel the reception—”

“Hey—” Jason took her hands in his. “Sonny doesn’t get to have a say in our wedding—”

“No, but you didn’t either. And I know you’re going to tell me you don’t care,” Elizabeth said when Jason opened his mouth. “And I know that’s true. But I care. I want you to have a good time—”

“I will—”

“Jason—” She pressed her lips together. “I canceled the caterer,” she repeated. “I kept the cakes, though, because I really wanted that chocolate fudge.”

“Elizabeth, what are we going to eat?” Jason asked with a laugh that was threaded with more nerves than humor. He didn’t know what to do with this side of her. “You can have whatever you want—”

“What I want is for this to be our wedding. Not mine. So I’m going to tell Taggert and Scott I appreciated them agreeing to come to the ceremony, but that I was trimming the guest list. I can’t cut all of the guests,” Elizabeth continued, “and because I invited business associates, we can’t cancel the reception altogether, but I got rid of a lot of the decorations and some of the flowers in the church—”

Jason leaned forward, cut off her stream of words with his mouth. She sank into him, curling her fist in his shirt. “I love you. You don’t have to cut anything or anyone you want to have there—”

“It’s too late. I called Eli’s, and they were a little surprised,” Elizabeth admitted, “but they agreed to cater. And Bobbie said that she can get Don to whip up things from Kelly’s—chili and sandwiches—I made sure he’s going to have your usual. Plus, I also talked Edward into letting me use the Grille’s kitchen for all of that, and I’m grabbing a few things from their menu because of the chicken and fish options I put on the RSVP card—”

Jason just shook his head. “I wouldn’t have cared about any of it—what did Sonny say?”

“It doesn’t matter—”

“It does to me.”

She hesitated, then sighed, staring at her lap. “He just reminded me that sometimes I make things all about me. And that’s true—” Elizabeth frowned at him when he swore, “Don’t shake your head. You know that’s true. I can’t—I can’t fix that. I can’t go back in time and not hurt you—”

“Damn it, I’m going to kill him—”

“He was trying to help in his own, really aggravating way—” Elizabeth grabbed his hand as Jason started to stand up. “I can’t. We both know that the scales aren’t balanced. I hurt you more than you ever hurt me—”

“I don’t give a damn—”

“But I do. And it’s important to me that I make sure I put you first when I can.” She bit her lip. “I can’t—I can’t change my mind about the baby. I’m sorry. I know you want me to—”

“Elizabeth—”

“And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the sentencing. That wasn’t fair. And I definitely should have believed you about Ric. And Lucky. And Zander,” Elizabeth said, with a wince as Jason just shook his head. “I can’t do anything about all of that. But I can—at the very least—make sure that the happiest day of my life is not a day you have to wince and get through.”

“It was never going to be like that,” Jason told her. She pressed her lips together in a mutinous line and glared at him, he sighed. “But if you’re telling me you went to all this trouble so I could have a pastrami on rye on our wedding day, I guess I can’t be that mad.”

Elizabeth sighed. “You get it.”

“No,” Jason said with a shake of his head. “I don’t. But this is important to you, and I’m not going to argue.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “You don’t have to cut guests. The menu—that’s fine.”

“You don’t really want Taggert and Scott at the wedding. You told me that,” Elizabeth said, “but I didn’t care—”

“Did you want to invite the Vegas?” Jason asked. “The Tagliattis? Did you want to check the guest list with my business manager to make sure you invited the right people and didn’t insult anyone?”

“Jason—”

“Thank you. For doing that. I didn’t think about it,” he admitted. “It does make things easier. Sonny and I should pay more attention to that kind of thing. Especially now that we have kids.” He paused. “So, if you’re inviting my people, I want you to have your people there.”

“Even if they’re a DA and a cop?” Elizabeth asked skeptically. “I only invited Lucky because of Emily and Nikolas—Oh, God, I invited my ex-fiancée—How do you put up with me?” she asked, putting her head in her hands.

“Well, technically, Carly’s my ex, and you invited her,” Jason said, amused now that the storm seemed to have passed, and the worst thing that had happened was he would actually get to eat the food he liked. Most importantly, she was still marrying him.

She wrinkled her nose. “Oh. Yeah, right.”

“As long as you don’t drag Zander back from wherever he disappeared to, I think we can say it’s even—” Jason waited, relieved when she smiled. “Thank you. For going to this trouble for me. You didn’t have to.”

“Yeah, I did.” Elizabeth brushed her fingertips against his cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Lately, things been getting so crazy
I’m feeling like my heart hates me
It’s racing
I just wanna stay in the dark
Turn off all the lights
Come hold me tight
Where we going?
– Stay in the Dark, The Band Perry

---

Tuesday, January 6, 2004

Queen of Angels Church: Anteroom

The strange feeling had settled over Elizabeth as she and Jason had approached the church, walking through the courtyard lined with gravel. She glanced around, tightening her fingers around his hand.

She hadn’t been here that night, but now she wondered—

“When Emily offered to call Father Coates,” Elizabeth said with a sigh, “I didn’t think about the church. I should have—”

Jason stopped, turned to her with his brows drawn together. “Because of Carly? I talked to her.”

“Right,” she said with a nod. “And I know she’s going to come through a different entrance, but—” She hesitated. “It’s not going to cause more trouble with Sonny? This feels like the kind of thing—”

“I don’t care.” Jason shook his head. “This is our wedding, and Father Coates has always been understanding about security. If Carly had an issue, maybe that would have changed things.”

She knew he was right, and security was important, of course, but Elizabeth couldn’t quite shake the feeling tugging at her that something just wasn’t quite…right.

Inside, they greeted the priest that would preside over the wedding. Father Coates gestured for them to join him in his office to finalize arrangements for the end of the month. As he turned to point in the direction of his office, the folders in his arm became visible.

And she saw it. Two folders, one just slid behind the other so that both their labels were visible. Morgan-Matthews, 6/19/03, and Morgan-Webber, 1/31/04.

This wasn’t just the church where Carly had been kidnapped, where the entire nightmare had begun—

It was also the church where Jason had nearly married Courtney—would have married her if not for Carly’s kidnapping.

So much of that night was a complete blur to her, but Elizabeth had flashes, and she’d known Jason and Sonny had been in tuxes—both ties had been untied by the time they’d reached the house—

“Elizabeth?”

Blinking, Elizabeth focused on Jason, who had started to follow Father Coates. “Oh. I’m gonna walk around the church if that’s okay. There were a few things the wedding planner wanted me to look at it.”

When Jason hesitated, Elizabeth gestured at Cody standing behind her. “I’m fine. You know the security stuff better than I do.”

All right,” Jason said finally but looked at her one more time before following the priest into the office.

“I’m just going to walk down the hall,” Elizabeth told Cody. “Can—” She sighed. “Can you go clear the room at the end of the hall and give me a minute?’

The guard studied her for a minute, then nodded. “Sure thing, Miss Webber.” When he came back, he gave her nod, and Elizabeth decided that it was better to get the whole thing over with. Exorcise all the demons.

She went to the bridal suite. The room where she’d complete any final touches—where she would wait with her wedding party—The room Elizabeth knew Courtney had waited for her own wedding to Jason to begin last year. In her wedding dress.

Elizabeth didn’t even know how long she’d been standing there, seeing the other woman waiting to marry Jason in her mind.

Had Courtney had any doubts? Had she known when she called the PCPD that night that it would lead to all of us—

“I didn’t think about it being the same church,” Jason said from behind her. Elizabeth frowned, turned to him. She hadn’t even heard him approach.

“It’s fine. I mean, I knew you were supposed to get married that day. And I can’t—” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I was already married.” But it felt different, and she couldn’t quite understand why—because Jason had started dating Courtney before Elizabeth had even really understood they were over? Had really accepted it?

“You married Ric because you were pregnant and alone,” Jason said slowly. “I don’t have that excuse—”

“Jason—I’m not—” Elizabeth paused. “It’s not that.” Except — “Maybe it’s that a little bit. I’m sorry. We decided a long time ago we were done talking about before—” She rested her hands on their son, the flutters in her belly. It steadied her, remembering all the reasons they were here today. It really didn’t matter.

It shouldn’t matter.

“We’re standing in the church where I nearly married another woman less than another year ago,” Jason cut in, and she was relieved to see he wasn’t irritated or upset by the turn in her thoughts. “The fact we both rushed into new relationships after everything that happened between us—” He brushed his fingers down her cheek. “I didn’t want to think about you. About you with someone else. I wanted to be over it. So I told myself I was.”

“After you married Brenda—and I found out about Courtney—I definitely—” Elizabeth sighed, wistfully. “I definitely didn’t want to mess up my next chance to be happy. I’m sorry, Jason. Sometimes I think about that night in Luke’s when you told me you were getting divorced, and I wish I’d said something else. Anything else.”

“It’s okay.” Jason leaned down, kissed her gently. “I didn’t marry her. And Ric’s almost out of our lives. We’re right where we should be. Where I want to be.” He paused. “We can get married somewhere else—”

“It’s just a building,” Elizabeth smiled up at him. “We’ll get married here at the end of the month, and it’ll be beautiful. Then, in a few months, we’ll have our son—” She watched his face tense. “I know you’re still mad—”

“I’m not mad,” Jason said. He shook his head. “I just—” He paused. “Do you really want to talk about this?”

“No.” Elizabeth exhaled slowly. “No. It won’t change anything, and I just—go finish your meeting with Father Coates. I want to look at the chapel.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It was just—a ghost I didn’t know I needed to exorcise or something. Last year—we went through a lot. But we’re done with it now. And—and we’ll get through the rest of it.” She smiled at him, and they walked out of the bridal suite, Jason closing the door behind them.

Brownstone: Foyer

Carly scowled at Sonny. “How many times are we going to have the exact same conversation? No, you cannot see the boys until you either schedule an appointment with a therapist or Jason is with you.”

“Damn it, Carly, you have no right to keep my kids from me!” Sonny shot back. He slapped his hand against the stone wall of the Brownstone’s exterior, then put his foot in the doorway to keep Carly from shutting him out.

“Then take me to court, Sonny,” Carly retorted. “Go ahead. File a custody claim. Pay all the judges you want — you’re not getting near my boys until I’m satisfied they’re safe.” She stomped on his foot, and Sonny winced—but moved his foot long enough for her to slam the door.

She leaned against it, closing her eyes as her mother lifted her brows from the living room. “Don’t look at me like that, Mama. I’m doing the best I can.”

“I’m wondering if it might be time to try something different,” Bobbie said slowly as she joined her daughter in the foyer. “Sonny’s going to wander over here every few days or so to scream at you about the boys. Have you thought about asking Jason to arrange a visit—”

“Absolutely not. Jason has enough going on in his life right now. Something is wrong with Elizabeth—” Carly shook her head. “I don’t know what it is. But he came to the club a few days ago and looked really distracted and upset. He said they’re not ready to talk about it.”

“Something wasn’t right at the fitting,” Bobbie admitted. “But I thought maybe she was thinking about the church. They’re meeting with Father Coates today,” Bobbie explained when Carly frowned. “And I know Jason talked to you about Queen of Angels. It’s just—I’m not sure if they’ve thought about it also being the church where—”

“Where Jason nearly married Courtney.” Carly rubbed her chest. “No, it’s not that, Mama. She isn’t talking to you either?”

“She didn’t say a word—” Bobbie sighed. “Well, I’ll just have to drag it out of her—”

“Don’t say anything, I’m not supposed to know anything. I don’t think she’s told Emily either. It’s not the wedding. The twit isn’t that dumb—”

“Carly—”

Carly closed her eyes, winced. “Sorry. Reflex. Jason knows what’s going on, so I’m sure we will eventually. Let it go for now.” She rubbed her temple. “I’m just tired, Mama. Am I being too hard on Sonny? Should I let him see the boys?”

“I don’t know,” Bobbie admitted. “At first, I was on your side. I still am—I don’t want you to go back to him. Or take the boys to stay with him. But, baby, he’s not going to get help. And if you’re not willing to ask Jason to do you a favor—”

“I just—I’m scared of what might happen with the boys. With Sonny. Michael already saw him in the middle of a bad panic attack. They’re just babies, you know? I have to protect them.” She bit her lip. “I just don’t know if I’m doing it right.”

“You know that Sonny has talked to Justus,” Bobbie said slowly. “Maybe it’s time we talk to a lawyer, too. Elizabeth’s divorce attorney was good—”

“Mama—”

“Carly.”

“Mama,” Carly said again. “Let me handle this. I’m not ready to pull that trigger yet—and even if I was—I know who I need to talk to.”

“Well, Carly, you can only stick your head in the sand for so long—”

“I—” Carly shook her head. “I know. But if I go and file for divorce, Sonny is going to absolutely lose it. And Jason does not need that right now. I’m safe. I’m out of it. And so are the boys. I got myself out. For once, Jason deserves for me to think about him first.”

Blue Moon: Office

“Tommy,” Jason said, walking into the manager’s office, Bernie on his heels. Tommy stood up, and Jason leaned forward to shake his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t come down sooner—”

“No, no, I told your guys there was no need.” Tommy sat down behind the desk. “Sit, sit,” he said with a wave of his hand. “The raid didn’t do much damage. We don’t keep anything around this office anyway. And you called—”

“I did. I just—I didn’t tell Sonny, and I should have. I’m the reason he didn’t come to see you,” Jason told him. “I’m sorry about that, Tommy. You’ve worked with him too long—”

“Jase—” Tommy leaned forward. “You know I like you. Always have. Even when you ditched us and sold out to Moreno—”

Jason winced, and Tommy shook his head. “I knew why you did it. You were too young back then, and I didn’t want you in charge anyway. Too young,” he repeated when Jason frowned at him. “But we got problems with Sonny. He’s not the man he used to be—”

“He’s going through some things,” Jason began, but Tommy just looked impatient now.

“He’s not doing the work,” Tommy retorted. “He dragged this organization back from Moreno, took on Sorel—and for a long time, we managed. But ever since he got married to this new wife—”

New wife. Carly and Sonny had been together for three years, but to a guy like Tommy, anything less than ten years —

“Tommy—”

“Some guys — they do better with family. You—you’re gonna be okay this time. You got your head on straight, and I like your girl. I hope she’s okay.”

Jason hesitated. “She’s fine, Tommy. You’ll see her at the wedding.”

“I like her better than the last two you hooked up with,” Tommy continued. “But Sonny can’t hack it anymore—”

“There’s no Moreno or Sorel anymore,” Jason said softly. “No local competition. So Sonny’s the only option, Tommy. Unless you’re telling me something.”

“If I wanted to take over for Smith,” Tommy said with a frown, “I could have crushed Sonny like a bug. I could have stepped on you when Sonny left you holding the bag. I didn’t do that, did I? Don’t question my loyalty—”

“That’s not what I’m doing, Tommy—” Jason lifted a brow. “You either work for Sonny, or you go into retirement—”

“He’s not the only option, Jase.” Tommy got to his feet. “But you’re not ready to see that yet. Loyalty’s a good thing, but it only goes so far. It’s gotta be earned.”

“And Sonny’s earned yours—”

“He did. Once. But anything earned can be lost. You make sure Sonny gets his priorities straight.”

“Tommy—”

“I’m not planning to make any trouble, Jase. And neither is my crew,” he continued. “Not now. We know what you’ve been through this last year. I watch the news. I saw what your girl was dealing with. No one is gonna make a move with your wedding coming up.”

Jason closed his eyes. He absolutely did not need this right now. “But after?”

“You be straight with me, and I’ll be straight with you.” Tommy met his eyes. “Elizabeth and the baby. They okay?”

Jason hated this. Hated the idea of using Elizabeth’s condition, using his son as a shield, but — “No,” he admitted finally, taking in Bernie’s look of concern. “But it’s not something we’re talking about, Tommy. It’s—it’s a complication that—” He shook his head. “I’m asking you to hold the line until she has the baby. I’ll plug the leaks, I’ll deal with Sonny. I’ll get it under control.”

“I’m with you, Jason,” Tommy promised. “But you get Sonny together. I can give you a few months. Through April, maybe. But the problems we’re having—they’re not new.”

“I know that. Thanks.”

“I’ll see you at the wedding. And Jason? I’m sorry. I hope everything turns out.”

“Yeah.” Jason pulled open the office door. “Yeah, me, too.”

Harborview Towers: Lobby

Scott shoved the front door open, then frowned when he saw Taggert waiting in the lobby, glaring at an envelope in his hands. “Oh, hell, did she get you, too?”

Taggert looked up, then sighed. “What am I supposed to do with this, Baldwin?” He held up the envelope. “I can’t open this. I know what it is.”

“This is ridiculous,” Scott muttered. He went over to the security desk. “Is Elizabeth Webber home? I need to talk to her.”

“Uh—” The guard blinked at him. “You need a warrant—”

“Really?” Scott slapped the wedding invitation on the desk. “Here’s my frickin’ warrant—”

“Scott?”

He turned at the sound of Elizabeth’s hesitant voice. She had just left the elevator attached to the parking garage, and her guard was next to her. “Is everything okay?” She looked over at Taggert. Saw the invitation in his hand. Looked at his face again. “Oh. I guess you’re saying no.”

“Uh—” Taggert scratched his temple. “Listen.”

“Um, do you mind if we go upstairs?” Elizabeth asked. “I’ve been on my feet for a little while, and I need to sit down.”

Scott scowled, but he and Taggert followed the brunette into the residential elevator. Her guard slid a key into an access panel, then pressed the button for the penthouse level. He felt a flicker of guilt — he knew that piece of security hadn’t been there before September.

Before a cop had attacked and nearly raped Elizabeth again in her own home. He exchanged a look at Taggert over Elizabeth’s head, knew the lieutenant had seen the action as well.

“Cody, I should be in for the rest of the day,” Elizabeth told the guard as she unlocked the penthouse. “I think Jason said he wouldn’t be home until late—”

“I’m with you until he gets back,” Cody promised. “I already took my lunch.”

“Okay, but don’t forget to get someone up for dinner,” Elizabeth told him. “You always do, and I don’t want you waiting until Jason and I eat—”

Cody promised, then Elizabeth gestured for the DA and lieutenant to walk into the penthouse. Scott cast a look towards the Corinthos penthouse, then huffed and followed Elizabeth in.

“Elizabeth, it’s not that I’m not—I’m not, uh, flattered to get the invitation,” Taggert began as she removed her coat and set it over the desk. “It’s just—you know—conflict of interest and whatnot.”

“Yeah. That—” Scott pointed at him. “That’s what I was gonna say. Very touched to be included, but it’s just—I’m the DA.”

“I know.” Elizabeth smiled at them, but Scott frowned — he’d spent a lot of time with Elizabeth in the last six months, and he liked to think he knew her pretty well.

And something was wrong.

“I guess — when I was making the list, I should have edited it more. Jason wasn’t exactly wild about it either,” she said. Her smile this time felt more genuine, but there was still a sadness there. “But he told me I could invite anyone I wanted. And I guess—I don’t know.” She hesitated, looked at Taggert before focusing on Scott. “I know how Ned found out about the false lab report in my case—”

Taggert lifted his eyes at Scott. “Really?” Scott waved at him, dismissing it.

“And I know you both risked a lot asking Jason to go on that trip to see Tom Baker a few months ago,” Elizabeth continued, as Taggert frowned, and Scott looked away. “I know you both just did your job, but I felt a lot safer knowing you were both working on the case. Both cases,” she clarified.

“Listen—”

“And I know you couldn’t come to the reception. Because that really would be too much,” Elizabeth continued. “But I understand if you can’t come. I don’t want to cause either of you any problems. Not after everything you’ve done for me.”

“Oh, well—” Scott shuffled. “Listen,” he repeated. “You’re right. The reception—” He sliced his hand through the air. “That’s out, you know? But, uh, I guess—I mean—” He looked at the baffled Taggert. “We could—we could manage the ceremony.”

“Really?” Elizabeth brightened, and Scott was relieved to see that she did look happier. He drew back his shoulders, feeling ridiculously proud of himself. “Because I invited Lee and Gail, but they’re in Arizona for the month.”

“Oh—yeah, they’ll be disappointed, but me and Taggert—it’ll be fine.” Scott looked at the cop. “Right? If the mayor can go—”

“Right,” Taggert said faintly. “Sure. Uh, just the ceremony. Thanks for understanding.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “I mean that. I feel like a lot of the reason I’m still here, that I’m getting married, and that I don’t have to worry about Vinnie Esposito—I can have this new star all because of you—both of you.”

“I’m happy to see you happy,” Taggert said. “So mark me down for the ceremony. And, uh, maybe a plus one,” he muttered.

Scott frowned at him, but cleared his throat, looking back at Elizabeth. “Uh, yeah. But I don’t have a plus one. I think she’s in your bridal party.”

“Oh, yeah, Bobbie. I wanted to ask her to walk me down the aisle, but I was afraid that it would be too weird,” Elizabeth admitted. “Carly and I just started getting along, so I don’t want to mess that up.”

“I think Bobbie would be pleased as hell to walk you down the aisle,” Scott told her. “We’ll see you at the end of the month.”

“I’ll see you then.”

Back on the elevator, Taggert glared at Scott. “How the hell did you let that happen?”

“Me?” Scott huffed. “You’re taking a freaking date—”

“I can’t go to a wedding and not ask the woman I’m seeing,” Taggert retorted. “And hell—how the hell am I going to explain to Anna Devane that I’m going to Jason Morgan’s freaking wedding?”

“Listen.” Scott took him by the shoulder, pointed a finger at him. “Don’t ask, don’t tell. That’s the policy. We’ll slip in, we’ll slip out, and that’ll be it—and we’re not going to Morgan’s wedding. We’re going to Elizabeth’s—”

“They’re the same thing—”

“Nope.” Scott shook his head. “I’m picturing a faceless groom. I just—” He grimaced. “She made me feel like I’d be doing her a favor, Taggert. How was I supposed to say no?”

“I know.” Taggert sighed. “I know. Thank God she didn’t take up a life of crime. We’d never be able to arrest her.”

General Hospital: Monica’s Office

Jason hesitantly stepped inside his mother’s office and closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry for just showing up like this—”

“No, no, it’s fine.” Monica came around her desk and gestured for him to take a seat on the sofa. “I can always find the time for my kids.” She hesitated after the statement and then smiled when Jason didn’t seem to flinch at the thought. “How are you? How’s Elizabeth?”

“Physically fine.” Jason sat down, and Monica perched on the cushion next to him. “We’re not—” He paused. “You can talk to me about Elizabeth, right? Without her being here?”

“I can—” Monica squinted, suspicious now. “You’re her power of attorney, and she’s given us permission, in any case. Why?”

“When we came in last week, you told us that you and Kelly had talked to any doctor who had worked with a pregnant CTEPH patient.”

“It took some time, but yes.” Monica tipped her head. “Does Elizabeth know you’re here?”

“No—I—we’re not talking about it,” he admitted. “In her mind, she’s made the decision, and unless something changes medically—” Jason couldn’t sit still. He shoved himself to his feet and walked across the room. “The other cases. How did they turn out?”

“Well, as I said in the meeting — this is a rare condition. We weren’t able to find all that many cases at all. We found five women with CTEPH in pregnancy. Three of them were diagnosed before the twelfth week, and terminated the pregnancy.”

“The other two?” Jason didn’t look at her.

Monica pressed her lips together. “The other two women were diagnosed later. In weeks eighteen and twenty-two. Both elected to keep the baby.”

“And what happened?”

“Jason—”

“Monica—” He paused. “Mom,” he said softly. “I need to know. I need to be ready.” Jason met her eyes. “I don’t know if I can get Elizabeth to change her mind or back down about waiting as long as possible. So if I need—” His chest was tight, and he could hardly speak. Couldn’t even manage to form the words on his lips.

“One of the women,” Monica said, slowly, rising to her feet, “was forced to check into the hospital after twenty-five weeks and delivered at twenty-eight weeks. She successfully had the CTEPH surgery.”

“The baby?”

Monica sighed. “Lasted a week in the NICU.”

Jason paused but then forced himself to ask. “And the other?”

“The patient had been diagnosed at eighteen weeks and was relatively healthy until thirty weeks. Then she had a heart attack. She died. They delivered the baby, and he survived.”

Jason closed his eyes. The only two known cases of this condition — “And does Elizabeth know that? Does she know there’s never been a known case of both the woman and baby surviving delivery?”

“Jason—”

“Does Elizabeth know that?” Jason bit out, then winced. “I’m sorry—”

“Don’t apologize, Jason. These are terrible choices, I know that. No, she doesn’t know about the cases we found. And these two cases aren’t predicting the future. They had different medical histories — Elizabeth was in stronger health going into her pregnancy and maintained a healthy first and second trimester until now. That matters —” Monica put a hand on his forearm. “Look at me.”

He met his mother’s eyes. “She’s not going to choose anything that might hurt the baby. I could beg her until I’m blue in the face, but she won’t deliver him a minute earlier than she has to. She’ll kill herself if it means the baby will be okay.”

“I know that—”

“She blames herself for the miscarriage—it doesn’t matter that Faith pushed her, that Ric drugged her—” Jason dragged his hand through his hair. “Okay. You don’t have a lot of CTEPH cases. I get it. But it’s a kind of hypertension, right? That’s more common—”

“Jason—”

“What’s the fatality rate on that?” he pushed. “For other cases of pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy—you’re too good a doctor not to have those figures—”

“Sit down, Jason—”

“I can’t—”

“Jason,” Monica repeated. “Sit down.”

He sat in the chair, put his head in his hands. “She blames herself for not protecting that first baby,” he said in a quiet voice, so faint that Monica could barely hear him. “What are the fatality rates? Please.”

“It varies,” Monica said quietly. “From thirty to fifty percent.”

“Thirty to fifty—” Jason looked at her, his eyes almost wild. “Are you—how—” He took a deep breath. “Elizabeth’s blood pressure has been elevated since the beginning. I haven’t been to all the appointments. Have you ever talked to her about this?”

“About hypertension? Yes. Kelly and I both counseled her shortly after she was attacked in the penthouse. It was important that she rest.” Monica paused. “Yes. Elizabeth knows those numbers, and she got her blood pressure down in October. It’s been elevated, but it’s always been in the normal range—and Jason—”

She waited until he looked at her. Until she could see his eyes and knew he was listening. She took her son’s hand. “Her blood pressure is still in the normal range. Yes, it’s elevated. But not dangerously. Yes, she’s had some issues breathing. I’m concerned about her oxygen intake, but her levels are normal. If she can avoid stress — I don’t expect Elizabeth to have any serious issues for several months. She might even make it until the eighth month without a crisis. I’m not counting on it, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

He leaned back. Looked at the ceiling. “So, she’s okay for now.”

“For now. Avoiding stress. Resting. Regular vital checks. Jason — those other two cases — they don’t have to be Elizabeth’s fate. She’s stronger than she looks. And you know that your father and I will move mountains to get her the care she needs right here at GH so you won’t have to take her anywhere else.”

“I—” He nodded. “Yeah. I know that. I just—” Jason shook his head. “When does it end?” he asked softly. “When does she get to stop fighting?”

“It’s terribly unfair for this to be happening to her after last year,” Monica agreed with a nod. “After the miscarriage, the embolism, her attack — I want this to be done, too. We’ll get her through this.” She squeezed his hand. “You haven’t told Emily yet.”

“Elizabeth doesn’t want to tell anyone,” Jason said, almost numbly. “Until after the wedding. She wants people to be happy.” He looked at her. “I don’t know if I can put it out my head. She wants me to, and I want to do it for her. But I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Well, when it gets to be too much, you just come to talk to me,” Monica told him, her chest aching for her little boy who had always taken on the weight of the world and tried to fix it. “We’ll take this one day at a time, Jason.”

Kelsey’s Apartment: Living Room

Kelsey wrinkled her nose and looked at Lucky as he trudged through the door. “Hey. I was beginning to think you weren’t coming over tonight.”

“I got stuck at the station.” He stifled a yawn as he removed his coat. “And then I had to go to Kelly’s and grab clothes. The stuff I have here is dirty, and I forgot to take it to the laundromat—”

He collapsed on the sofa, his eyes closed, his head back. Kelsey folded her legs underneath her, twisting to face him. “Bad day?”

“Paperwork,” her boyfriend grunted. “I should have crashed at Kelly’s. I’m not up to—” His eyes were barely a sliver of blue as he looked at her. “Uh, my usual performance.”

“Poor baby.” Kelsey tossed her legal pad on the table, then crawled over to him, swinging a leg over his body and straddling him. “One of my cases plead out this morning, so I didn’t have to spend all day in trial.”

Lucky’s hands rested on her thighs as he sat up slightly, opening his eyes more. “Are you mocking me?”

“No,” she drawled. “I was offering to do most of the work, but if you’re not interested—” She started to stand up—but Lucky’s hand snaked out and grabbed her arm. She giggled as he   her onto her back, and he loomed over her. “Hey — second wind?”

“You know why I didn’t crash at my place?” he asked, settling into the cradle of her hips. Lucky smoothed her hair out of her face. “I didn’t want to miss seeing you today.”

“I’m glad you came over,” Kelsey murmured. She tugged his face down to hers. “You’re on a month to month at Kelly’s, aren’t you?” she asked after a long, lingering kiss.

“Yeah—”

“You think your aunt would mind if you only gave three weeks notice?”

Lucky squinted. “What are you—”

“February 1. Move in here,” Kelsey said. She nipped at his mouth. “We’ll keep all our dirty laundry together.”

“Are you sure—”

“When was the last time you spend more than a night there?” she asked. “Why pay rent on a room you barely use? Let’s be real grown ups. Move in. You’re here all the time anyway.”

“I’ll call Aunt Bobbie tomorrow. But first —” Lucky wiggled his brows, and she giggled as he leaned down and kissed her neck.

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

Elizabeth frowned when Jason came home that night — she knew he’d be late and she’d eaten dinner on her own, but she was surprised when he came into the room, then went straight to the bathroom. Without a word.

She heard the shower turn on a moment later. Curious—even worried, Elizabeth shoved back the blanket and padded across the carpet to knock lightly on the door, still partially ajar. “Jason?”

“Yeah?” his voice floated out towards her.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Okay.” She didn’t want to lay back down, so she sat on his side of the bed and waited. He didn’t take long showers like she did, so within five minutes, Jason had exited the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Jason—”

“When you got out of the hospital,” Jason said, turning to her as he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a cotton gray t-shirt. “Last October— you had a follow-up appointment with Monica and Kelly. I didn’t go.”

“No, something came up at the warehouse—” Elizabeth squinted. “You don’t always go. Or you didn’t before. What’s wrong?”

“I went to see Monica today,” he admitted. He leaned against his dresser, and she was starting to get irritated with him. If he had a problem, why wouldn’t he just say something — “I had a few questions that didn’t get answered last week.”

“Jason—”

“Did you remember what they told you back then?” Jason asked. “When you talked to them about your blood pressure?”

“I—” She frowned, drew her brows together, and got to her feet. “I don’t know. My blood pressure was normal—well, I mean before the attack. And it was high for a while after, but they said if I rested—”

“They talked to you about pulmonary hypertension,” Jason said flatly. “Monica said they did.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth’s expression eased. “Oh, yeah, I do remember that. Monica said if my blood pressure didn’t go down by the next appointment, I might become hypertensive. But it did go down. Remember? I stayed in and spent most of the month on the sofa.” She tipped her head. “Jason—what exactly do you think I found out at this appointment that’s making you so angry?”

“The fatality rates for pulmonary hypertension. And I’m not—” Jason scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m not mad.”

“Then you’re doing a pretty good impression of someone who is.” She paused as his words sank in. “The fatality rates? Wait.”

“I went back because I realized we never let Monica or Kelly tell us about the other cases of pregnant women with CTEPH,” Jason said slowly. “They only found five other patients. Three were diagnosed early in the pregnancy and terminated.”

Elizabeth sat back down. “And the other two?” she asked softly.

“In one, the baby died. And in the other, the mother died.” Jason sat next to her. “And the fatality rates for pulmonary hypertension in pregnant women can be as high as fifty percent.”

“Fifty—” Elizabeth curled her hands into fists, stared at them in her lap. “There’s no case where both survived?”

“No. At least not that they know of. It’s too rare.” Jason took one of her fists in his hand, gently pulled her fingers apart. “I’m sorry. I thought you remembered.”

“You thought I remembered hearing that half of women with hypertension die and didn’t—” Elizabeth yanked her hand away from him, jerking back to her feet. “You thought I was keeping it from you? How? Why?”

“You didn’t want to talk about any choice that wasn’t waiting as long as possible. Even when Kelly and Monica both made it clear—”

“Jason, I didn’t—” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t keep this from you. I wouldn’t. And I—I can’t believe you thought I would. Why didn’t you say anything? We could have talked to Monica together—”

“I—” Jason bowed his head. “I’m sorry,” he admitted. “I’m not—I’m handling this well,” he confessed. “I can’t seem to wrap my head around any of it. You don’t want to talk about it or think about it because the decision’s made, and I just—” He looked away. “I have to deal with it. I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth’s eyes stung with tears. “You make it sound so terrible. Like I didn’t even think about you—”

“Did you?” he asked, fastening his gaze on hers, his own eyes burning into hers. “You didn’t ask me what I wanted to do—”

“Because I know what you want to do. What you wanted to do months ago when I found out I was pregnant,” Elizabeth said quietly. “You want me to put myself first. You were the one who brought up abortion first.”

“Don’t—” Jason shot up. “No. Don’t say it like I still want that. I love this baby, Elizabeth. Of course I do—”

“I’m sorry—I know—” She rubbed a hand against her chest. “I know you love the baby. But you still think this is a situation where there’s a choice. And I can’t—I can’t see it that way. I can’t see a life for myself if I do anything that puts my son at risk—”

“Elizabeth—”

“I can’t—” She turned away, pressed her hands to her face. “I’m sorry. I just can’t. So you can either be okay with it or not, but I can’t do it—”

“All right.” Jason came up behind her, drew her back against him. “I’m sorry,” he told her, his breath warm against her temple. “I’m just trying the best I can.”

“I know.”

“Monica reminded me that you’re okay right now. So, let’s do what you wanted me to do in the first place. We’ll put it away. We’ll go to the doctor appointments, but let’s just think about the wedding.”

Elizabeth turned in his arms, resting her hands against his chest, and searched his eyes. “Can you do that?” she asked. “Jason—”

“If that’s what you need me to do, then yeah—” He rested his forehead against hers. “Yeah, I can do that.”