So at the time I abandoned Mad World, I had started Chapter Twenty-Three, and outlined the story through to Chapter Twenty-Six where I had decided to end it in favor of a sequel to carry on Brianne and the East Side Rapist, but if you’ve gotten to this point, you’re probably as ready to strangle to Jason and Elizabeth as I am and you’re way less interested in all the other moving pieces.

So the rewrite is going to take back the original story and make it a true ensemble piece — with less annoying Jason and Elizabeth nonense. 

Until then, here are the original scenes and outlines for the final four chapters of Mad World.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Friday, December 10, 2004

Kelly’s: Dining Room

Once you make the decision to throw yourself into something–to really put your heart on the line and go for what you want, you’d be surprised at suddenly how easy it all really seemed.

She’d made that phone call on Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning, Jason was sitting in the living room and they were talking. Really talking–not skirting issues or denying anything but being completely honest in ways they hadn’t been months ago when she’d come home from California with Cameron to tell him the truth.

Not everything had been solved and it would probably never be completely perfect, but she could never say she hadn’t given it everything she had. Jason wasn’t moving in but they were going to see each other. There would be dinners, and there would be bike rides–if the snow ever stopped–and of course, there would be the kissing. She had really missed that.

After two days of hashing everything out and coming to a conclusion, she and Jason were ready to start what they had decided would become their routine. They would meet for breakfast before each of them had work and Jason would get to start his day with his family.

They had only just ordered when Carly approached them, plopping into an empty chair as though she had been invited. “I’m telling you that kids are exhausting,” she sighed, signaling for a cup of coffee.

“Carly–” Jason began, intending to inform his friend that this was a private meal but Elizabeth waved a hand at him, indicating it was all right.

“Well, a small boy with as much energy as Michael and a baby Morgan’s age, I’m surprised you’re still standing,” Elizabeth remarked not without sympathy. “What did you in this morning?”

“Math homework,” Carly said, disgusted. “You would not believe the world war we had to have before Michael would finish it. Sonny is gonna have to crack down on him and insist to see the homework instead of just taking Michael’s word for it, because Michael always just tells us it’s done.”

“Yeah, that’s how I handled it with my parents,” Elizabeth said. “I was such a brat that poor Cameron is never going to get away with anything because anything he can think of, I’ve already been there and done that.”

“Exactly,” Carly nodded. She thanked Mike as he set down her coffee. “So what brings PC’s resident Romeo and Juliet together this morning?” she asked, dumping sugar into her coffee.

Jason just blinked at her and Carly decided he wasn’t going to give her any information so she turned her attention to Elizabeth who just raised her eyebrows at the blonde. Carly huffed. “You two aren’t any fun at all.”

PCPD: Conference Room

“Bri, we received some information,” Mac sat across her, a folder in his hands. “It’s about what we expected but it opens up some interesting possibilities.”

“And it also leads to a possible conflict with your prosecution of Diego Sanchez,” Ric remarked.

Brianne frowned and looked from one man to the other before turning her eyes to Lucky. “What did you say to them?” she demanded.

“Bri—” Lucky shook his head. “Our concern here is making sure Diego does the maximum and catching the pig that did this to you.”

“What does one have to do with the other?” Brianne demanded. “I know that Diego claims to know information and happened to know a few…” she swallowed hard. “A few details, but—”

“We have proof that Diego knows more than he’s alluding to,” Mac told her. “He sent you the flowers.”

Brianne blinked. “W-What?” she asked, her heartbeat accelerating. “How can you…why would he…?”

“In addition to you, three other victims of the rapist also received flowers,” Ric told her. “The phone calls scheduling the deliverie—including the ones made to Brook Lynn—were traced back to a motel that Diego was staying in.”

“How would he know that kind of information?” Brianne asked. “I’ve moved since the attack, I imagine the other women have as well. I don’t understand—”

“That’s what concerns us,” Lucky said. “It means our perp has access to that kind information—and the fact that he can get the whereabouts of an ADA…”

“We think Sanchez has had direct contact with the perp,” Mac finished, “and that the perp has been keeping track of his victims. We worry that this recent bout of activity might mean that he has started to target new girls.”

“Or that he might try to attack the old victims,” Brianne said softly. She was silent for a minute. “You think I would make a deal with Sanchez because I was a victim and he could help me put the guy away.”

“It’s crossed my mind,” Ric admitted. “But any deal would have to come through me and as much as part of me would like to make a deal, Sanchez’s terms are a full walk. That’s not an option even if Brook wasn’t a Quartermaine. However, her being a member of a family that basically put the mayor in office makes this a sticky situation. I don’t think I could make a deal at all and not have them come down on my head hard.”

“You say no deal, no deal,” Brianne assured him. “I want to see him behind bars for what he did to her as much as anyone else and I promise you I won’t let anything compromise that. You can’t take me off this case, Ric. I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

“It’s not a matter of punishing you, Bri,” Lucky huffed. “This case puts you in the spotlight. That’s the last thing any of us wants.”

“That’s not my problem,” Brianne argued. “I’ve worked hard not to be a victim. You can’t make me into one again.”

“All right,” Ric agreed reluctantly. “You’re still on the case but I want Lucky to continue in his current capacity after the trial. If that’s all right with you, Spencer?”

“No problem,” Lucky pledged. “I’ll do whatever’s needed.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station
Robin asks Patrick to the wedding.

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office
Ric and Mac discuss East Side rapist, Brooke and his wedding.

Brownstone: Carly’s Apartment
Sonny comes by. His divorce from Carly has been filed and is now final.

Gatehouse: Living Room
Ned and Lois talk about Lorenzo. Lois wants to take Brooke back to Brooklyn.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Saturday, December 19, 2004

Port Charles Hotel: Bridal Room
Alexis and Elizabeth have a moment before the ceremony.

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Carly is there with Steven and Sonny is there with Sam.
Audrey and Jason briefly discuss Elizabeth and Cam.

Port Charles Hotel: Lobby
Patrick and Robin spar, he remarks she’s nothing like her father.

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Brooke and Lucas dance, she wants to be just friends for a while. He agrees.
Alexis throws the bouquet and Brianne catches it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Friday, December 31, 2004

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Brianne is nervous about the case. She and Elizabeth bond.
Sam and Jax discuss her plan, he is intrigued.
Robin wants answers: How does Patrick know her father?
Steven thinks he and Carly should define their relationship. She balks at commitment.
Lucky, Nikolas, Emily and Elizabeth share a moment. They catch up.
Sonny and Ric share a civil moment.
Brooke and the rest of the teens commiserate about being underage.
Lorenzo brings Maria to the party. Lu takes her under her wing and the teens accept her.
At midnight, all couples kiss: Dillon/Georgie, Lucas/Brooke (cheek), Jason/Elizabeth, Nikolas/Emily and Brianne surprises Lucky by planting a kiss on his cheek.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Wednesday, January 5, 2005

Wyndemere: Conservatory
Jason discusses his job with Nikolas. He’s willing to give it six months before making his final decision.

Kelly’s: Dining Room
The teens have a tense breakfast. It’s Brooke’s first time back. Lu shares some good news.

PCMB: Brianne’s Office
They arrive to find two dozen roses on her desk with the usual attached. Brianne refuses to let it bother her.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Living Room
Jason takes Cameron for the day, Elizabeth is going to the trial. They discuss moving in together but table it for a while.

Port Charles Hotel: Jax’s Office
Jax calls Sam into his office. He likes her idea, he thinks they should do it together. Sam hesitates but agrees.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B
The trial begins. Jury selection goes quickly, Brianne opens her case and Lucky, Mac, Mike, Ned, and Steven all testify before lunch.

Kelly’s: Dining Room
Liz joins Brianne and Lucky for lunch.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B

Brooke testifies. Hartman has only Diego for a witness, who gives the expected testimony. Both lawyers make their closing arguments. The jury goes to deliberate.

PCMB: Brianne’s Office
Brianne barely has time to sit down before she gets the call the verdict is in.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B
He’s guilty.

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Gardena Suites: Jason’s Apartment

“So do I get to be Aunt Sam or what?” Sam asked as she gestured for Cameron to crawl towards her.

“I have no idea,” Jason said absently as he went over the notes he’d made in London to improve the security at the Cassadine Industries building. “You’d have to ask Elizabeth.”

Sam wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure she’s over that you were going to be Addy’s dad thing. Maybe you could ask her.”

“That situation was my fault, not yours. But if you’re afraid to ask her–”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Sam scowled. She scooped Cameron up in her arms and joined Jason at the small table. “So I got a job.”

“So you said.”

“At the Port Charles Hotel.”

Jason frowned and glanced up at that. “What do they need a salvage diver for?”

“Well, they don’t.” Sam hesitated. “But they did need a receptionist, so I applied for that.”

Jason squinted his eyes at her. “A receptionist?”

Sam narrowed her eyes. “Yes.” One more person smirked at that job choice and she would not be responsible for her actions. Was it so difficult to believe that she was ready to leave her old life behind?

“They have answer phones and be…polite, right?” Jason questioned further. “Are you sure you can–”

“Hey, I am sweetness and light, buddy,” Sam said through clenched teeth. “The next person who insinuates differently is going to get smacked, I swear to God.” Cam cooed and batted Sam’s nose with a tiny fist. “That’s right, Cam. Sam is just going to bap ’em.”

“Sweetness and light, got it,” Jason said dryly. “I must have caught you on an off year.” He set his notes aside and reached for his son. “What’s the reason for the life change?”

“Nothing,” Sam said breezily. “Except I figure I’ll make a better mother that way and I’m not sure if you have to be certified or found acceptable to get a sperm donor.”

Jason frowned. “A what?”

PC High: Foyer

Brooke Lynn stepped up to her locker and chanted the combination in her head, pretending that she didn’t notice the stares behind her. She had only made it to second period on her last attempt to return to school but she was determined today would be the day.

If she couldn’t face the stares of her classmates, how would she expect herself to get up on the stand next month and face Diego? She couldn’t afford to let herself crumble–she needed to be strong and she needed to focus on the rest of her life.

So what if her skin felt too tight or her hands were trembling as she tried to spin the dial? No one could see that, no one would know what was in her head. They wouldn’t know the way she woke up every night at 3 AM., gasping for air because she could feel his hands on her…

“You look like you’re ready to do battle.”

Brooke glanced to her side and saw Lulu Spencer leaning against the next locker. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Lulu nodded. “So you’re back to try again, huh?”

“Subtlety is not your strong point is it?” Brooke muttered under her breath as she shoved her calculus book in her bag.

“Nope,” Lulu chirped. “I’m Luke Spencer’s daughter. We missed the day the gene for subtlety and tact was handed out.”

“Clearly,” Brooke mumbled. She took a deep breath. “If I can’t get through a day of school, how can I expect to get on the stand in a court room and–”

“Hey, you don’t have to explain to me,” Lulu interrupted. “I understand what you’re trying to do. And I think you’re real brave, Brooke. I just wanted to offer my help.”

“Thanks,” Brooke countered. “But I don’t need any more help, I don’t need any more pitying glances or sympathetic eyes, okay? I’m fine. I can do this.”

“Right,” Lulu drawled. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.” She shrugged and disappeared into the throng of students. For a moment, Brooke wished the younger girl had stuck by her but she shook it off.

Eventually, she would be forced to face these halls on her own. Better to get it over with now rather than later. She squared her shoulders and headed for her first class.

Port Charles County Jail: Visiting Room

Diego Sanchez looked nothing like Tom Baker but sitting across from the prisoner, Lucky couldn’t but find some of the similarities. Both had the same smug smile, the same superior look in their eyes, the confidence in their shoulders.

But Tom Baker had been broken, Lucky recalled. Not for the rape of Elizabeth, but for blackmailing Emily, holding her and Elizabeth hostage and then attempting to kill all four of them. He wished that Tom had been convicted of raping Elizabeth, but had been content with the fact that the man would rot in jail.

And then when he got out, he would receive whatever justice Jason Morgan had waited to give. Lucky knew that Emily had made her brother promise not to do anything–she had wanted to testify and see him put away. Jason had agreed but Lucky was neither stupid nor naïve. The other man was just biding his time–whether he was out of the business or not.

Tom Baker had paid for his crimes–would continue to pay–and Lucky was determined to see that Diego Sanchez did the same.

“I have to admit,” Lucky remarked casually, “I’m surprised that you stuck around Port Charles after going to the trouble of jumping bail.”

Diego snorted and shrugged, his eyes amused. “I’m surprised they didn’t teach you better interrogation techniques. That’s weak, man.”

Lucky smirked. “It wasn’t a question, merely an observation. Now, a smarter man would have headed for Canada. The border’s only a few hours away, you could have been gone before Maria ever reported you missing. So it’s just surprising that you stayed. Not to mention going to the trouble of giving the state more evidence against you, what with the harassment of Brooke Lynn Ashton.”

“Joyce can’t prove a damn thing and it’s Brooke’s word against mine.”

Diego’s lawyer Christopher Hartman sat up at this and frowned. “Sergeant Spencer, I’m going to have to ask you to get to your point. Otherwise, this interview is just a waste of our time.”

“Diego’s not going anywhere and you’re getting paid to sit here so really,” Lucky shrugged and leaned back in his chair. “No one’s time is getting wasted. Come on, Diego, do you really think anyone is going to believe a street rat over a clean cut girl like Brooke? She’s a Quartermaine heiress and you’re not worthy to lick the dirt from her feet–”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that,” Diego snarled. “Keep thinking that Brooke’s rep is gonna fix this. She wanted it and ain’t no one gonna convince me different.” His lips curled into a feral grin. “She likes it rough, kinda like your girlfriend.”

Lucky’s shoulders tensed but his face remained impassive. “Oh, really?” he drawled.

“Diego–” Hartman began.

“Yeah, you know who I’m talking about,” Diego nodded, ignoring his lawyer. “The blonde bitch. I heard all about her.”

“Yeah, I know you have, Diego,” Lucky replied, careful to keep his tone even and not give into the urge to shove Sanchez’s face into the nearest cement wall. “You sent her flowers and everything.”

Diego just shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about man. I just hear stories in the lockup. You know, about the pretty little birthmark on her tit–some of the guys have pictures–”

One day, Lucky promised himself, he would slug that smile right off the little shit’s face. He forced himself to remain casual. “I figured you’d heard it second hand. You wouldn’t have the balls to send her those flowers.”

“Oh, I got the balls, Spencer,” Diego sneered. “You got no idea what I’m capable of. Ask the pretty ADA if she still goes to the church to light a candle on June 12. Go ahead, ask her.”

Lucky rose to his feet and rolled his eyes. “It’s obvious you’ve got nothing to add to the case. Do me a favor, Sanchez? Don’t pass off your cellmates’ stories as your own. It just makes you look like the ass that you are.”

“Ask her, Spencer–see if the pretty little bitch still cries!”

Lucky left the room quickly before he could turn around and give into the urge to slam Diego’s face into any surface he could find.

Rose Lawn: Laura’s Room

Lulu tapped her fingers nervously against her jean-clad thighs and watched as Kevin Collins led her mother into the room. She’d asked her father if she could visit alone this first time and he promised he’d wait in the lobby.

“Laura, Lulu’s here to see you,” Kevin said with a smile. “You know Lulu, right? We talked about her today.”

Laura’s soft blue eyes focused and she met Lulu’s apprehensive eyes across the room. “Of course. Lulu’s my daughter. Are you her baby-sitter? Where is she?”

Lulu inhaled sharply and looked at her mother’s therapist who sighed. “Laura, no–this is Lulu. She’s fifteen now. Not eleven.”

Lulu took a deep breath. “Everyone says I look just like you, Mom,” she said tensely. “Grandma says it’s like looking in the mirror.”

Laura frowned and tilted her head to the side. For a long moment, neither Kevin nor Lulu thought she’d acknowledge Lulu but finally a smile spread across her face and awareness entered her eyes. “You look so beautiful sweetheart.” She held out her arms. “Come here and let Mom take a look at you.”

Lulu closed the distance between them and Laura’s hands gripped her daughter’s shoulders. “Hm, you’re a bit taller than I was but I suppose that’s your father’s influence. But your grandmother’s right, it is like turning back the clock.” Her hand slid up to cup Lulu’s cheek. “Fifteen, hmm…I bet Luke has to beat the boys off with a stick.”

Lulu laughed thickly, tears splashing over her lashes and spilling onto her mother’s hand. “No, no yet. But Dad says I’m not allowed to date until I’m at least thirty.”

Laura nodded. “Sage wisdom.” Her own eyes glossed over and she suddenly engulfed Lulu in a tight hug. “I want this moment to last,” she whispered fervently. “I don’t want you to disappear.”

“You either, Mom,” Lulu buried her face in her mother’s neck and clung to her. “You won’t go away again, will you? You’ll come home and you’ll stay?”

“Soon,” Kevin interjected. “But not today…” He guided them apart. “Laura, Lulu’s here to take part in your therapy today. Does that sound okay with you?”

Laura nodded. “That sounds wonderful.”

Gardena Suites: Jason’s Apartment

“I think you’ve gone round the bend,” Jason said, somewhat amused after Sam had finished explaining her grand plan to him.

She narrowed her eyes and set her hands on her hips. “Look, bub, I don’t need your approval to do this. I already got the job and that’s step one.”

“Sam, if you want kids so much, why don’t you just adopt?” Jason remarked. He closed a folder on the security team at the Hong Kong branch of Cassadine Industries and reached for the file on the Rome building. “Or try a foster kid–”

“So I can get a Diego Sanchez?” Sam snorted. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. No, this is my chance to turn my life around. To really go straight. I’m going to have a stable job, I’m gonna get my GED so my kid won’t be ashamed of me. And I’ll get an apartment and then I’ll visit the sperm bank.”

“It’s almost like listening to one of Carly’s plans,” Jason remarked to Cameron who gurgled and batted his fists at his father.

Before Sam could rip Jason’s throat out for that remark, there was a knock on the door. “Expecting anyone?” she asked.

“Elizabeth, she’s picking Cam up.” Jason lifted Cameron into his arms and stood to open the door. Instead of Elizabeth, there was a slightly taller, somewhat older version of her staring back at him. “Ah…” Jason searched his memory for Elizabeth’s mother’s name but she’d never mentioned it.

“Andrea Webber,” she extended her hand and Jason shook it gingerly. Andrea stepped into the apartment, raking her eyes over the simple furniture, the desk covered with paper and Sam standing in the background, surrounded by toys. “Hello, there.”

“Uh, hey,” Sam said, shoving her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I’m Sam McCall, a friend of Jason’s.”

“Elizabeth’s mother,” Andrea nodded politely, resolving to grill her son about the young woman. She turned her attention to Jason. “Elizabeth was delayed at the hospital and asked me to pick him up.” She stroked Cameron’s cheek. “I’m taking them out to meet with a realtor on the house her father and I are looking to purchase.”

“House?” Jason echoed.

“Mm-hmm,” Andrea nodded. “We’re moving here after the New Year. With Steven in town, it just makes sense to stick around. And since I intend for Lizzie and Cam to spend as much time there as possible, I’m looking for their opinion.” She held her hands out for her grandson.

Jason reluctantly settled his son into the woman’s arms. Cam squirmed for a little but settled into Andrea’s embrace.

Sam handed Andrea the diaper bag, “Ah, here.”

“Thank you.” Andrea looped the strap over her shoulder and smiled at Jason again, a polite and cold smile that told Jason exactly where he stood with her. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Jason. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

After she was gone, Sam’s breath came out in a rush of air. “Oh, man, she’s gonna think you’re–” she gestured. “You know.”

“No, I don’t know,” Jason said, his chest a little tight watching someone take his son from him. “What are you blathering about?”

“It is not a good idea for Elizabeth’s mother to think you and me are…” Sam glared at him. “I know you’re just being obtuse but even you have to realize that Andrea Webber thinks we’re having an affair.”

“Well, we’re not,” Jason sat back at his desk and avoided looking at the various stuffed animals scattered across his living room floor. “Elizabeth knows that, so what’s the big deal?”

“Well, clearly, I’m just tired of being the town slut,” Sam grumbled. She made quick work of cleaning up Cam’s toys and storing them out of sight. “I’m going to go–I’ve got an appointment with Sonny to look for an apartment. It makes him feel better to think he’s got a say.”

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“I’m sorry about lunch,” Mac said, spreading his hoagie across his desk. “I know the last place you feel like eating is my office.”

Robin reached across his pencil holder and snagged a napkin. “Nah, it’s cool, Uncle Mac. I know how busy you guys are right now.” She popped a chip in her mouth and chewed slowly. “How are Maxie and Georgie doing with what happened to Brooke?”

Mac sighed. “They’re handling it, I guess. Georgie’s smiling all the time, pretending it’s going to be okay and Maxie’s been withdrawn–she didn’t talk to Brooke for the first few weeks, I guess she didn’t know what to say.” He bit into the hoagie, chewed and then swallowed. “Have you seen Ned since you’ve been back?”

“I went to dinner with Ned, Lois, Jax and Alexis last night,” Robin answered. “They’re doing better than I would have thought but I guess the knowledge that Diego’s behind bars and there’s little to no chance he’s going to get off helps.” She narrowed her eyes at her uncle. “He isn’t going to get off right?”

“The ADA has a strong case and Diego’s only defense is that it wasn’t rape.” Mac sipped his soda. “So when you start at the hospital?”

“Tomorrow, I had my orientation this morning and met some of the people I’ll be working with.” Robin crumpled her empty potato chip bag and tossed it into the nearby trash can. “I’m looking forward to working in the ER, it’s going to be a change of pace from the research labs.”

“You glad you moved back?” Mac asked.

Robin nodded. “I mean, yeah, I’m going to miss seeing Brenda on a daily basis and Mom being an hour plane ride away. But I miss you guys. I miss the girls, you, Felicia…” she leaned back in her chair. “I miss my family and my friends. Living in Paris was a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world but there’s no place I’d rather be than with my family.”

Port Charles Hotel: Jax’s On-Site Office

Sitting across from Courtney, listening to her explain the reasons that she couldn’t possibly stay in Port Charles any longer–that New York was really the place she wanted to be, Jax wondered if things could have been different. If Diego Sanchez had never entered their lives, if he and Courtney would have had a chance at something.

“I was hoping you might consider coming with me,” Courtney ended her speech. She waited for a long moment for Jax to answer and then frowned when he didn’t answer. “I guess–I guess that’s a no.”

Jax exhaled slowly and wondered where he’d gone wrong in his life. Had karma cursed him when he’d left Skye for Brenda? Should he have, perhaps, given his marriage to her a real chance? Was he being punished for this now?

“No,” Jax said, almost in an absent matter. “No, Courtney, I’m sorry. I understand why you think you have to leave and I support you but my life is in Port Charles. I’m opening this hotel, my friends are here. This is where I belong.”

A little stung–she hadn’t expected him to say yes outright but she hadn’t expected an automatic no–Courtney sat back. “I understand that, I just thought–” she bit her lip. “I thought we were building something together.”

It was time for some honesty, Jax decided. “Ned Ashton is my best friend in the world, Courtney. And Lois is one of my favorite people. Their daughter was brutally raped and beaten. And then you bailed Diego out. And you lied to the police. I can’t respect that, Courtney. So even if you weren’t leaving, whatever we were building–you ruined any chance of that the second you gave Maria Sanchez the money to bail out the son of a bitch that raped Brooke Lynn.”

Courtney pressed her lips together. “He was my foster son. I had a responsibility to believe him, to look out for him, Jax. I’m not going to apologize for that.”

“And I’m not asking you to. I’m only explaining why I no longer intend to see you.” He started to examine some invoices for the hotel, clearly dismissing her.

“Well, that’s just fine.” Courtney stood and squared her shoulders. “Thank you for proving again to me that all men are scum.” She stalked out of the trailer, the door slamming behind her.

Cottage: Living Room

Elizabeth had just settled Cameron down for his nap after spending the afternoon with her mother, looking at houses. It was still unfathomable to her that her parents, after being abroad for seven years, were choosing to move back stateside to be with their children. So long as Sarah stayed where the hell she was, Elizabeth thought darkly, still unwilling forgive her betrayal. Pain in the ass.

Her mother had mentioned something about Sam and Elizabeth had glossed over much of the pain, telling Andrea that Sam was just a friend of Jason’s. She was choosing not to tell her mother that Jason had once claimed paternity of Sam’s child and had been planning on raising that child as his own. It would probably not be conducive to foster any future warmth between them.

Her mother had gone back to her hotel and Elizabeth was alone with her thoughts, wondering how in the hell she’d arrived at this place in her life.

She’d just settled onto the sofa with a sketchbook and a cup of hot chocolate when her doorbell rang. She peeked through the window and was startled to find Sonny standing on her snow-covered front stoop. “Hey…” she pulled open the door and gestured for him to come in quickly so she could close the door.

“Hey, I hope this isn’t a bad time,” Sonny said, “we just haven’t really–I haven’t had a chance to stop by and see you in a while.”

Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Sonny, it’s been about four years since you’ve stopped by.”

“Yes,” Sonny admitted. “But that’s wrong. You and me, we’ve always been friends and now we’re family. So I hope you’ll let me apologize for what I’ve done wrong.”

Elizabeth hesitated for a long moment but then finally held out her hand. “Here give me your coat.” He peeled off the black overcoat and handed it her, before sitting on the couch. “So what’s on your mind?”

“First of all, I want you to know how happy I am about Cameron,” Sonny remarked. “He’s beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth twisted her fingers together. “I know I’ve said it before, Sonny, but I am so sorry about Adella. It’s just–it’s awful.”

“Sam and me, we’re getting by. We’re moving on, I guess. It’s not easy, but we’re getting there. She’s got this grand plan to fix her life–” Sonny stopped and grinned, amused by the idea. “And me, I’m just divorcing Carly again and concentrating on my boys.”

Elizabeth leaned back against the back of the sofa. “So you’re okay with Cam being Jason’s son?” she asked softly. “Because you’re so important to Jason–”

“After all the things I have done to Jason, I have no right to judge him. I am sorry, that he felt that he had to keep this from us and if that decision led you two to be apart like you are now…” Sonny shook his head. “There are no words to make it better, Elizabeth–”

“Jason and I brought us to where we are today,” Elizabeth corrected quietly. “We’re having some issues getting it together.” She stared at the dark fireplace. “More specifically, I’m having trouble getting it together. We’ve had such a complicated relationship–we’ve never really been together. We went from friends to not being friends to being parents–” she shook her head. “I don’t know what we’re doing anymore.”

“It’s good that you’re being cautious,” Sonny nodded. “Because you’re putting your son first and that’s important but, I hope you don’t mind me meddling a little bit–I used to be pretty good at it.” He smiled at her and for the first time in so long, Elizabeth saw her old friend in his eyes. “There is something about Jason that is just–different when he’s with you. A part of him of him that lights up and switches on. You make him happy when he’s around you. And you always have. All that other stuff? It’s important, Elizabeth. Taking it slow, getting it right, you can’t rush it. But you and Jason have something special. Even after all these years and all the things that’ve gone wrong. You’ve still got that spark, that connection.”

“I know,” she replied. “It makes me thing we can get through anything.” She reached out and squeezed Sonny’s hand. “It means a lot to me that you’re here. Jason has such loyalty to you, such faith in you. It’s good to know it’s reciprocated.”

“Jason is my brother,” Sonny responded. “And that makes you family. You and Cameron, if there is ever anything that you need, I want you to know that I am here for you.”

Later after Sonny had gone, Elizabeth picked up her phone and stared at for a long moment before dialing Jason’s cell. His voicemail picked up and she bit her lip. “Jason, it’s Elizabeth. Ah…can you call me when you get this? Or come over? It doesn’t matter what time it is. I’ve changed my mind about something.”

Monday, December 6, 2004

Ric and Alexis’s Apartment: Living Room

Kristina Davis watched her mother as she paced back and forth across the living room. Her brown eyes were glued to the nervous woman as she began muttering to herself. Kristina giggled–her mommy was funny.

Alexis had progressed to full blown panic state by the time the door opened and Ric entered. He set a duffle bag by the door and his briefcase on the table in the entry way. “What happened?” he asked automatically, feeling the desperate need for some caffeine. He’d stayed the weekend at the office, getting caught up on paperwork and finally felt like he’d put enough away to warrant the one week vacation he would be taking after the wedding.

“Sonny called on Saturday night.” Alexis cracked her knuckles together. “He wants to talk…” she glanced at Kristina before mouthing to Ric the words custody arrangement.

Ric was too tired to comprehend that but at the frantic glances his wife kept shooting at his stepdaughter, he got the general gist. He put aside his exhaustion and checked his watch. “Okay, I have an hour in which I need to shower and go back to the office so why don’t we let Kristina get some cereal and we can talk about this for twenty minutes.”

“Twenty minutes isn’t long to decide what to do,” Alexis stopped in her tracks. “What if he wants full? What if I were wrong?”

“You’re never wrong,” Ric murmured automatically. He kneeled in front of the three-year-old girl watching her mother with obvious enjoyment. “Hey, Princess. Why don’t we go get some Lucky Charms?”

“Candy!” Kristina declared. She wrapped her arms around Ric’s neck and he lifted her in the air. “Candy, right?” she asked. “With lollies and kisses and marshmells right?”

“Well, you got the marshmell part right.” Ric carried the toddler into the kitchen and set her in her booster chair. He fixed her a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice and rejoined Alexis in the living room.

“Okay, let’s calm down. Why didn’t you call me at the office?” Ric asked. He drew Alexis down to sit next him on the couch. “He called on Saturday, you said. This is Monday morning.”

“You were busy,” Alexis said, “And then I decided maybe if I just ignored it, it wasn’t real.” At Ric’s incredulous look, she sighed. “We’ve barely been married a month, I didn’t…” she cleared her throat. “I’m new to this marriage stuff–the real marriage deal, not the fake and I just want to be sure that I’m not…” she blew out an irritated breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I don’t want to scare you off, okay?”

He was definitely too tired for this conversation. “Alexis, there is nothing you could do that would scare me off,” he said. “Can we table that for another time?”

“Yeah, sure.” Alexis checked her watch. “I have to take Kristina to daycare and go over to the hospital in about ten minutes anyway. So about Sonny–”

“We’ll call him and meet him for dinner or something somewhere where we can see what he wants and whether we can deliver it.” Ric brought her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. “It’s okay, Alexis. He’s not going to take her from us, I promise.”

She wasn’t sure if she believed that promise but since it was all she had to go on, she would believe it for now.

Cottage: Foyer

“Okay Cam, I’ve got ten minutes to get that oatmeal off the wall, get you changed and to the baby-sitters and be at work.” Elizabeth studied her son. “Which of those is actually going to happen I wonder?”

A doorbell interrupted her diatribe and Elizabeth sighed, lifted the oatmeal covered infant and went to answer it.

“Mom.” Elizabeth blinked. “I thought you weren’t going to be back until later this week. Is Dad with you?”

“Nope.” Andrea tugged three large suitcases in and closed the door before taking her grandson into her arms to coo at him. “I had to clear a few more things from my schedule before coming to Port Charles. Darling, don’t you have work this morning?”

“Yeah–but–I thought you had cleared it until after the new year?” Elizabeth asked, bewildered.

“I did, but after meeting this adorable boy and seeing you and Steven again, I decided I don’t want to go back to Spain after all.” Andrea chattered baby nonsense at Cameron for another moment.

Elizabeth blinked again. “I’m sorry…?”

“General Hospital has been trying to get your father to come back on staff for months, since Steven joined and they lost a few doctors last year. They offered a nice package to the both of us and we’re taking it. We’ll be moving here after the new year.”

“Ahhh…” Elizabeth shook her head. “You and Dad…and me and Steven in the same city?”

“Yes.” Andrea hoisted Cameron higher in her arms. “Now, get to work and leave Cameron all to me. I’ve got presents for him anyway.”

“But the oatmeal in the kitchen and the on the walls–” Elizabeth gestured, her head still spinning.

“I’ll take care of it. Go,” Andrea urged. “You don’t want to be late.”

Port Charles Hotel: Administrative Wing

“We’ll begin training on Monday, December 13,” Lea Murphy told Sam as she led the new hire out of her office. “It’ll be a two day thing–just get you introduced to the software and familiar with the switchboard.”

“It sounds fine,” Sam said–of course she was lying through her teeth. It sounded boring, but boring equaled stable in her mind so it would be just fine for her master plan. “I’ll probably be moving out of my current residence after the new year. It’s a friend’s place and I was just staying there after I…” she shrugged a little. “That won’t be a problem right?”

“None at all,” Lea said warmly. “We’ll file the paperwork when the time comes.” Her eyes lit up and she gestured to someone behind Sam. “Mr. Jacks! Come meet our new receptionist!”

Sam grimaced. Dear God, she had to deal with him today, too? She took a deep breath and turned to smile at her ex-boyfriend, whose interested look faded into irritation and confusion at the sight of her.

“Samantha McCall, this is the hotel’s owner, Jasper Jacks,” Lea introduced.

“We’ve actually met,” Jax offered with a thin smile. “Sam, I had no idea you were interested in a job.”

Sam clasped her hands behind her back, counted to ten. “I can’t sit around forever and wait for my life, right? You’ve got a nice hotel here, Jax. Good improvement over the old one.”

“Yeah, the old one was a little outdated–a lot of things happened there that I think everyone would rather forget,” Jax remarked with a charming smile for his assistant manager, who looked rather confused by the entire exchange. “I have a meeting–it’s nice to have you on board, Sam.”

He passed by them and disappeared around a corner. Sam exhaled slowly and met Lea’s curious gaze. “He’s, ah, an old friend,” Sam said lamely. “So, December 13, right?”

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“You’re telling me that you now have more evidence against Diego than you did before he was let out on bail?” Lorenzo lowered himself into the chair across from Mac’s desk. “How is that possible?”

“He sent threatening notes to her, a piece of her skirt. The notes had his finger prints on them. He also called the Quartermaine mansion and hung up a few times, left some dead flowers on their doorstep–also with some fingerprints on the box. ADA Joyce says she probably won’t use this in court unless she’s forced.” Mac smiled thinly. “She’s got a good case, Lorenzo. I’d recommend talking your son into some sort of deal.”

“He won’t listen to me, he refuses to accept my visitation and I won’t pay for a lawyer that will get him acquitted.” Lorenzo rubbed the side of his head. “You’re just going to have to go through with a trial.”

“Probably better for Brooke if it did go to trial, I think it would be good for her to get on stand and testify against him. It’s helped other girls in other cases.” Mac shifted some paperwork around. “I ask you to come in because ADA Joyce wants to interview Maria.”

“No,” Lorenzo said immediately. “She’s gone through enough. She can’t add anything helpful.”

“Be that as it may, it’s not your job to decide what is or is not helpful. Brianne doesn’t want any holes, any cracks.”

“This Joyce woman is good then?” Lorenzo asked. “I haven’t been able to find much on her.”

“She’s done a lot of low-profile work, this is her first chair actually but she’s got a knack for this kind of work. I think Lansing will transfer her to the SVU unit before long.”

“But I did find some information about her that I find troubling,” Lorenzo said. “That shed some curious light on her motives–information that Diego’s lawyer does not need to find out or he could use it against her.”

Mac exhaled slowly. “You’re talking about the East Side case–it has nothing to do with this, Alcazar and I won’t have Brianne badgered about it.”

“I certainly don’t intend to use the information,” Lorenzo assured him. “But if Hartman got a hold of it, it could be damaging. I’m only suggesting you and ADA Joyce think about the possible outcomes.”

Wyndemere: Nikolas’s Study

“I have to say that I was surprised to hear from you,” Nikolas said. He leaned forward and set a pile of papers to the side. “Is this a business meeting or is it about Elizabeth?”

Carly sighed. “It’s not about Elizabeth, I would never traipse all the way over to speak about her; I do have a life, Nikolas. This is a business meeting.”

“Okay, then what can I do for you?” Nikolas asked.

“Well, it’s simple really. I’ve heard you’ve bought a lot of property up in downtown Port Charles,” Carly began, “and the word is that you’re going to be doing a lot of development work in the next year or so.”

Nikolas nodded. “That’s my intention anyway. What does that have to do you with you?”

“I run The Cellar and it’s doing good brisk business,” Carly began, “but I want to open a second club–an under 21 club and I thought that you being both interested in development in Port Charles and having a sister under that age, you might want to invest.”

“Why not get Sonny to invest?” Nikolas asked. “He’s done so before.”

“Yes, but I want to make a life separate from Sonny.” Carly sighed. “Look, if you’re going to say no, then just say it but–”

“Nikolas,” Emily poked her head in the door. “I’m sorry to interrupt but I need to make sure you’re making time for dinner tonight or I’ll just head into town and grab something with Elizabeth.”

“Emily–come in for a second,” Nikolas waved her in. “Carly was just asking me to invest in an under 21 club in Port Charles.”

Emily joined Nikolas and leaned against his side. “Sounds like a good idea–if we’d had one of those, maybe we wouldn’t gone to the rave,” she said. “And that whole…thing wouldn’t have happened.”

“What thing?” Carly asked curiously.

“Never mind,” Nikolas said hastily. “I was just thinking that you said you were feeling bored–”

“Not bored,” Emily argued, “restless. Jason, Lucky and Elizabeth won’t let me meddle and I don’t go back to med school until late January. I suppose I could spend more time at the mansion but then they just get into the whole I shouldn’t marry you spiel so I’m back to hanging around here redecorating.” She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe I should volunteer at the hospital, I can’t do too much damage there.”

“Okay, well how about this for a suggestion,” Nikolas said. “I’ll put up half of the money, Carly, if you and Emily will go in as partners.”

Carly squared her shoulders. “Over my dead body.”

“I’d rather eat dirt,” Emily agreed. “Sorry, Nikolas, I don’t love you that much.”

“No, it’s perfect–you’re just looking for a way to meddle in Jason’s life and I’m sure…” Nikolas grinned at Carly, “Carly’s always looking for a way to meddle.”

“I don’t meddle,” Carly said haughtily, “I help.”

“Exactly,” Emily replied. “That’s what I keep telling Nikolas but he doesn’t get it. It’s not meddling when you want the best for the people you love.” She perched on the edge of the desk. “And if you ask me, Jason and Elizabeth are begging to be helped. And Lucky too–you know he’s never going to act on this thing with Brianne if we don’t give him a nudge–”

“And since you and Carly have that in common, I thought you could help each other,” Nikolas said. “And once you go back to school, it would only be in name only really.”

Emily hesitated and looked suspiciously at Carly. “You agree they belong together right? Because there’s no point in helping if we don’t have the same goal.”

“She’s not who I would have picked but she’s not Sam or the Saint or, God,” Carly shuddered, “the Bitch, so I can live with it.” She looked at Nikolas. “And why would you put the two of us together? I thought you were one of those goody goody types.”

“I am,” Nikolas smirked. “But if anyone deserves the pair of you, it’s Jason.”

Emily frowned. “I bet that’s insult but I’m going to choose to think of it as a compliment.” She hopped off the desk and crossed to Carly. “What do you say? Partners for six weeks?”

“Sure, why not?” Carly stood and smiled at Nikolas. “You’re going to give me my independence from Sonny, the least I can do is give your little princess something to occupy her time with.”

Nikolas hesitated. The combination of Carly and Emily…”Maybe this isn’t such a good idea–”

“Oh, no,” Emily said, shaking her head. “The more I think about it, the more I like it. I can’t possibly be bored around Carly. If she’s not destroying one life, she’s destroying another. I’ve always wanted to see how she worked.”

Carly frowned. “I don’t destroy. Not intentionally. It just seems to happen on its own.”

PCPD: Squad Room

Brianne put her coat over her arm and waded through the various desks before reaching an older man in the corner. He was seated at his desk, scribbling something. “Sergeant Beaudry?” Brianne asked.

Ryan Beaudry set his pen down and looked at the ADA. His lips curled into a smile that made Brianne wish there were at least another six feet of space between them. “What can I do for you, honey?”

Brianne cleared her throat. “The commissioner tells me that you took over the bulk of work on the Sanchez case from Detective Spencer.”

“Well, once Spencer decided do the guard detail twenty-four seven, someone had to do the grunt work.” Beaudry’s eyes stayed level on hers but she felt the weight of his gaze slide up and down her body. Nausea pooled in her stomach and she swallowed hard. “So he’s staying at your place?”

“On the couch,” Brianne confirmed primly. She sat in the wooden chair adjacent to Beaudry’s desk. “It says in your file that you’ve been on the force for twenty-five years, the last six of which were served in Atlanta. Why’d you transfer back?”

“My son–” Beaudry nodded towards a cluster of patrolmen near the door. “He was assigned to Port Charles, I thought it would be a good time to revisit my old stomping grounds.” He licked the corner of his mouth and Brianne tensed. “What does this have to do with Sanchez?”

“I just like to have complete notes,” Brianne fumbled with the clasp of her briefcase and removed the file. “There’s not much left to do regarding Sanchez. A few depositions and making sure that someone’s keeping an eye on his sister, Maria. I made a list of people who still need to be followed up with and next to each, I have a list of questions I need more information with–”

“Why bother with the middle man?” Beaudry asked. He sat back in his chair. “Why not just take care of this yourself?”

Brianne frowned. “Because it’s…” she looked towards the doorway, hoping Lucky would reappear to take her to dinner at his family’s house. She wanted to be away from this man, from his eyes, from his voice, she wanted this over.

She took a deep breath. “Because the commissioner has promised me all the help I can get on this case. I don’t have to remind you that Brooke Lynn Ashton has ties to certain high-ranking members of the community that could make life a living hell for us all if we fumble on an portion of this case.”

“Fine,” Beaudry shrugged. He reached for the list and made sure to let his fingers brush hers as they passed it between them. His fingertip slid down her ring finger and Brianne actually felt bile in her throat.

Lucky appeared in the doorway and Brianne almost leapt from the seat in her haste to get away from Sergeant Ryan Beaudry. Had she backslid so far since this had began that she was getting panicked by an old man making a pass?

Kelly’s: Courtyard

She should have seen this coming, Carly decided as she stepped out of Kelly’s Diner and saw Robin Scorpio entering the courtyard. Her day had been going too well.

“I’m going to ignore you,” Carly told her. “Today is a good day and good days do not include you. You’ll go back to Paris eventually and–”

“Oh, I’m so glad that I get to be the one to tell you this,” Robin interrupted with a bright smile. She clasped her hands together and tilted her head to the side. “Brenda’s going back later this week but I was offered a staff position at General Hospital.”

Carly stared at her. “You’re staying in Port Charles.”

“I’m having my things shipped from Paris so I won’t have to leave at all,” Robin continued in a cheerful tone. “In fact–I think the apartment I’m looking at is just down the street from your house or so my uncle tells me.”

“I feel nauseous.” Carly touched her stomach. “I think my life is flashing before my eyes.”

“Don’t worry, Carly, I can’t imagine that we’ll have any reason to be near each other’s lives,” Robin told her. “You’re not sleeping with my boyfriend, any of my friends or currently destroying their lives, so we should be able to keep our respective distances.”

Carly tossed her hands up in air, disgusted. “I was right about that apocalypse.” She stalked out of the courtyard, muttering under her breath.

“It’s good to be back,” Robin decided.

Sonny’s Penthouse: Living Room

Justus put the divorce papers in his brief case. “I’ll just file these at the courthouse and it should be final.”

Sonny sipped his water. “Has Carly filed hers?” he asked quietly.

“Lainey and I are going to file together before we head out to dinner,” Justus answered. He snapped his brief case shut. “One of the benefits of dating your opposing counsel.”

Sonny frowned. “What’re you doing dating her?”

Justus shrugged. “She’s a beautiful lady, Sonny. I’m sure I don’t have to give you my reasons.” He hesitated. “It’s not going to effect the job I do for you, Sonny. Not as your divorce attorney or as your…” he cleared his throat. “Lainey’s a good woman and I’ve been seeing her almost since that first meeting in your office. I didn’t realize it would be an issue.”

“It’s not–I just hope you’re being up front with her about what you do for a living.” Sonny refilled his water glass, wishing like hell it was bourbon. “Better to find out sooner rather than later if she can handle it.”

“There’s nothing to handle,” Justus said quietly, “I handle your legal problems, I do some research. There’s nothing illegal in it, Sonny.”

“And there wasn’t when Alexis did it either,” Sonny told him. “But she left because she couldn’t handle it. You did that once, too. It takes a strong person to come to terms with the fact that you might not be breaking the law, but you’re aware that your client is. All I’m sayin’ is–it’s better to know now.”

“I’ll take that into consideration.” Justus buttoned his long overcoat over his suit. “Have a good night, Sonny.”

Adair Suites: Lorenzo’s Penthouse

“It’s time we talked.”

Maria looked up nervously from her place on the sofa and watched her father cross from the fireplace to the spot in front of her. “Talk about what?” she asked innocently.

“Where your foster parents think you are, what you’re doing in Port Charles and what you’re going to do now.”

Maria twisted her hands. “Well, my last set of fosters were in Chicago,” she said. “But we didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things so when I got the letter from Diego, I sort of took off and came right here, so my fosters don’t know where I am. I came to Port Charles so that I could help Diego and I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

Lorenzo exhaled slowly. “Well, that’s putting it succinctly. I’ll call your foster parents and I’ll get in touch with the social service agency. My name is on your birth certificate, I’ll tell them you’ll be staying with me.”

“But–” Maria bit her lip. “Diego said that we shouldn’t–that we should make you pay for leaving us and for leaving Mama.”

“Maria,” Lorenzo kneeled in front of her. “I didn’t know about you and by the time I did….I thought you didn’t want me. I did what I could to make your lives comfortable but I would have rather you both came to live with me years ago.”

“But Diego…” Maria shrugged. “Why would you want me around after what he did? Papa Rocco didn’t like him, said that he was sneaky and wouldn’t turn out good. He said I was the same way.”

“He was wrong.” Lorenzo took her hands in his. “If you don’t want to live with me, Maria, that’s fine. I’ll make other arrangements for you. But I wish that you would.”

“We could try it,” Maria said hesitantly. “For a little while and if you get tired of me, you can just send me away like the other fosters did.”

“I can make you a promise right now,” Lorenzo said. “I will never be the one to send you away.”

Gardena Suites: Brianne’s Apartment

“Thanks for coming over for dinner,” Lucky said as he helped Brianne out of her coat. He smiled a little when she didn’t tense at the light brushing of his fingers against her shoulder blades. Progress.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Brianne said, smiling faintly. “Your dad’s a trip, was he really the mayor?”

Lucky sighed dramatically. “He’ll never live that down.” He hung their coats in Brianne’s hall closet. “Yeah, he and my mom had quite the number of adventures.”

“He wasn’t looking at me weird tonight like he did when I was at the first family meeting.” Brianne picked her bag up and walked into the living room. “What did you say to him?”

Lucky followed her and turned the television on, tuning it to the local news. “I told him most of the truth. We met through the Sanchez case, things got a little intense and Mac thought I should keep an eye on you. I told him that you had been involved in a case that was recently reactivated and until it’s closed, I’m staying with you to keep you safe.” He eyed her as she emptied her work out onto the coffee table. “I would never tell him what happened to you if you didn’t want me to.”

“I don’t…I guess I wouldn’t mind,” Brianne flipped through some of her witness statements. “It’s not like it’s a huge secret and he’s…I know you’re close to him. He deserves to know why you’re dragging a stranger around all the time.”

“Brie, you’re not exactly a stranger anymore.” He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I care about you, you have to know that.”

She licked her lips nervously and met his eyes. “I–I–” she looked away nervously and tugged her hand away under the guise of flipping through some pages. “You’re lucky to have such a large family. It was just me and my parents and my mom lives out of state now, so it’s weird being around so many people.”

Lucky sat back and let the moment pass. “It wasn’t that way for a long time but something happened to my dad on this last little adventure. I guess with my mom making real progress, he wants her to have a home to come back to.”

They fell into silence for a long while as Lucky watched the news and Brianne worked on her case files. When the credits began to roll for Jimmy Kimmel Live, Brianne cleared her throat. “I want to know how Diego knew about…about me,” she said softly.

Lucky clicked the television off. “What did he know exactly?”

“He knew…he knew details he shouldn’t have.” Brianne wouldn’t meet his eyes. “About…about my body.”

Lucky’s hands fisted. “I’ll find out, Brie. I promise.”

Cottage: Living Room

Elizabeth was just checking on Cameron when she heard the door open and shut below. Her hands froze and she listened for the footsteps.

It was Jason–home from London. He appeared in the doorway. “Is he asleep?”

“Mm-hmm,” Elizabeth murmured. She stepped aside to let Jason come in and touch his son’s forehead and smooth down the blankets.

They stepped into the hallway and stood in silence for a long moment. “How was London?” she asked finally.

“It was okay–I’m sorry I wasn’t here for the baby shower. Did it go okay?”

“I had fun,” Elizabeth answered honestly. “Especially when Carly was being nice to me and in walked Brenda and Robin. She thought it was her punishment for doing something nice.”

Jason chuckled. “Typical Carly. So Brenda and Robin?”

“Came home to see Cameron. Robin said she was happy for you,” Elizabeth stepped closer to him. “And Brenda was, too even if she hid it under her sarcasm and insults.”

“Sounds like Brenda.” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “Elizabeth, I did a lot of thinking while I was gone. You know–it makes things clearer sometimes.”

“I know,” Elizabeth murmured. Her eyes met his. “I did some thinking, too.”

“Okay.” Jason swallowed hard. “I want–I want to have dinner. Tomorrow night or–whenever you’re free.”

“Dinner?” Elizabeth repeated. “Like…a date?”

“Sure.” Jason shifted. “A date.” He frowned. “What kind of thinking did you do?”

“I–” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I love you, Jason. I just–I need some time. Away from this. Away from you.”

Jason hesitated. “I don’t–I don’t understand. If you love me–”

“We’re different people than we were when we fell in love and other than a few times last year and the last few months, we haven’t really…had a chance to find out if we love who we used to be or who we are now. We owe it to ourselves and to Cameron to get it right this time. So, can you give me some time?”

Jason exhaled slowly and looked away. “Yeah,” he agreed. “But it’s beginning to feel like we’re never going to be on the same page at the same time.”

“Just a few weeks,” Elizabeth said. “Maybe even less. I just–I don’t know yet, but I feel like I need this.”

“Then I can do this. I love you, Elizabeth and it’s taken me too long to admit that just to give up on us now.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re going to get this right, even if we spend the rest of our lives trying to.”

“Well I hope it’s not that long,” she teased. She brushed her fingers across his cheek. “You look exhausted–do you want to crash here tonight? Wake up with Cameron and give me him breakfast?”

“That sounds…” Jason nodded. “That sounds perfect.”