Chapter Ten

Elizabeth had fallen asleep not long after Jason's call. Just knowing he had Cam was all she needed to relax enough to get the sleep her body desperately needed. She slept better than she had in over a year. It was Jake's soft cries that finally woke her. She sat with Jake, talking to him softly.

Jason entered Sonny's without knocking. He knew Sonny was probably awake. Cameron was still asleep in his arms. Part of him hurt for the toddler. He had been through hell, even if he didn't know it. Jason intended to make sure Cameron was never put through this again. "Sonny?"

"In here. How did things go?"

"Smoothly I think. I left Max and Milo to finish up."

"Was that wise?"

"I didn't want be the one to kill him. I love her. I'm not sure we could get past it."

"It's your call. How Cameron?"

"That bastard... He told Cam that Elizabeth and Jake were dead."

"He what? I can't believe he would... it's a good thing he's gone."

"Yeah. That alone was enough to kill him. I'm going to put Cameron down. Maybe talk to Elizabeth."

"You have any idea what you want?"

"Everything. I love them. They are my family."

"You think Elizabeth wants the same thing?" Sonny asked thinking about the plans she had already made.

"I don't know. I asked her to marry when we were trapped in the Metro Court elevator."

"I take it she said no."

Jason nodded. "I practically ordered her to marry me. Elizabeth doesn't like being told what to do."

"Just give her sometime Jason. All of you have been though a lot."

"I'll try. Thanks for taking care of her while I was gone."

Jason had placed Cam on the bed Elizabeth was using and headed to the room he had set up for Jake. He could hear her soft voice talking to their son. God he loved her. Part of him knew Sonny was right. The other part knew that if he didn't do this now he might never have the nerve again. "Elizabeth?"

"Jason you're back." she said quietly, putting Jake in the crib. "Where's Cam?"

"I put him in your room. I assumed you would want him nearby."

"Thank you. I do. I don't think I'm going to let him out of my sight for a long time. Jason, what did Lucky tell him?" Jason looked at her pleading with her not to ask him. "Jason I need to know."

"He told Cameron you and Jake was dead."

Elizabeth's eyes widened then filled with tears. "How could he be so cruel?"

Jason pulled her in to his arms and rubbed her back, trying to sooth her tears. "I don't know. Elizabeth please look at me." He waited till their eyes met before speaking again. "I promise he will never hurt you or the boys again."

"So you killed him?"

"No."

"Oh. I thought..."

"I had Max and Milo handle it. I thought it might be better that way."

"But he is gone right?"

"Yes."

Elizabeth took a deep breath then said. "Ok. Good."

"Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"It's too late not to be."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"I'm not sorry he can't hurt us anymore but, Lulu is going to be devastated."

"We will just have to make sure she's okay then. I don't regret anything that has happened." Jason told her brushing his lips against hers. He took her hand and led her to the room Sonny kept for him. After they were settled on his bed he gently touched her face. "I... there's a lot of things I want to, need to tell you. Things I should have said years ago. Maybe things would be... I don't want to think about what could have been. Only what we could have now. I love you, Elizabeth. I'm in love with you. I want to be with you. With Jake and Cameron. I want us to be a family." Elizabeth had tears running down her face. She never thought Jason would say those words to her. "Shh. Don't cry. I just want to make you and the boys happy. I love Cam as much as I love Jake. I just want to take care of you please let me."

"I… I love you too. I always have. That night last August it just made me remember. When I found out Jake was your son part of me ached for more."

"Then why didn't you marry me?"

"I didn't want to ruin your life with Sam. I didn't want to be an obligation."

"You could never be an obligation. I love you. I love those boys. I want this. Please, marry me."

Elizabeth bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She loved Jason; there was no doubt in her mind about that. She dreamed of the things he was offering her. Her heart begged her to say yes. Her head thought back to all they had been through in the last year. Neither one of them was ready to start a new relationship. "I love you too Jason. I love that you love Cam. It means so much to me. I can never explain how much."

"But?"

"I can't."

"Why?" Jason still couldn't understand why they couldn't be together, be a family. Especially if they loved each other.

"I need time. You need time. This last year has been hell. I have to put the boys first."

"I would never…"

Elizabeth placed a finger to his lips. "I know but Cam he's going to be confused and ask questions. Then there's going to be the fallout from keeping Jake's paternity a secret."

"I want to help you with all of that."

"And you can. We don't have to be married for that."

"I need to know you and the boys are okay. Where are you going to live?"

"Sonny's old penthouse. This way you're close enough to help but we still have some space. Plus you know it's safe."

Jason smiled softly. It seems she and Sonny had been busy while he was gone.