Chapter 69
Cupid’s End

It had been close to six months since she last saw Jason. She had so many things she wanted to show and to tell him. He once told her if ever she needed him he would know and he would come to her. As he put it “his heart would tell him and he would come to her”. Maybe his heart was ignoring her because he certainly was not answering her call. When she left Port Charles it hurt more than she could ever have imagined but being on her own somehow made her stronger. And if ever she returned to Port Charles she would be able to go there with her head held high. After she left Port Charles she moved around constantly for a new place to call home. Port Charles taught her a lot about how life was. It showed her how with the love of those around you, you could survive anything. She met people she thought would be forever in her life but when it was time to leave she knew she was making the right decision. These people, Lucky, Nikolas, Emily, Gia, Sonny, Deanna, Gram, Laura, Luke, even Carly to an extent, came into her life when she needed them most. And she missed them all. Many nights as she cried instead of sleeping she would wonder how they were doing. What were they doing? What new things were they experiencing? Did they truly understand why she had to leave? Did they ever think about her? Did they miss her?

Lately the simplest things seemed to tire her out. She couldn’t do all of the things she wanted to do but thankfully she still had her drawing. Her every experience, her every discovery, her every thought she kept documented. She felt herself changing and this was the only way she could show it. Since leaving Port Charles she saw and did things she never thought possible. She was becoming the person she always wanted and dreamed she would be. When she left Port Charles she had no place in particular she wanted to go. When she bought her bus ticket she picked the first name, the first place that sparked interest thus deciding where she would go. And now she somehow came full circle. It was almost fitting that she ended up at “Cupid’s End”, this was the place stated to change. This was the first place she felt what it was like to be alive again.

As she stood in front of “Cupid’s End” feelings and emotions rushed to her. She realized her love for Jason while dancing in his arms. And when he held her in his arms that night soothing away her pain, her feelings grew. She was not sure if she was strong enough to face the memories of that night. Taking a deep breath she slowly pushed open the door and like the first time all heads turned her way. Self-consciencely her hand instantly went to her stomach, protecting what was most important. The waitress from her first visit came over to Liz and softly smiled welcoming her again.

Gianna- [smiling] Welcome to “Cupid’s End”. How many?
Liz- One…one…I…uh…I’m by myself this time.
Gianna- This time?
Liz- [slowly walking to table] Yeah, I came in here about…a while ago with a…a friend and you were our waitress then.
Gianna- Really…a while ago huh…was your friend a man or a woman?
Liz- Man…I uh think we embarrassed ourselves on the dancefloor that night.
Gianna- Dancefloor…oh yeah I remember now. You were with that really cute guy right? His bike broke down and you two ended up staying the night.
Liz- Yeah that was us.
Gianna- Well how are you and where’s the cutie?
Liz- [managing a small smile] I’m fine things…things are good and Jason…Jason is doing ok I guess… [noticing strange look on Gianna’s face] Long story that takes even longer to explain.
Gianna- That’s ok, I’m sorry if I said something…
Liz- [softly smiling] That’s ok…Jason is a really good friend that I just lost touch with. I guess I was missing him more than I realized.
Gianna- Oh…but I am sorry. You guys looked so…would you like to order?

Liz softly smiled as she placed her order and watched as Gianna hurried away embarrassed by the reaction her questions caused Liz. Liz noticed a few curious looks in her direction and wanting to avoid any unwanted company like before she quickly rose to request a song or two from the jukebox by the dancefloor.

Chapter 70
~ "Cupid’s End" ~

Searching for songs that might help to lighten her mood Elizabeth kept coming back to the same song. And despite herself she placed two coins in the jukebox and slowly pushed M~13 and listened as the song she tried so hard to forget softly began to play.

I try but I can’t seem to get myself
To think of anything but you

This was the song they danced to. This was the song she realized she loved Jason. She could still feel Jason’s arms around her and how alive she felt. Sadness quickly came to her as she relived the dance that changed her life. Despite herself tears gathered and she gently placed her forehead on the jukebox momentarily resting her head. Tears for the moments spent with Jason that she no longer had. Tears for the moments she longed to experience once again.

Your breath on my face
Your warm gentle kiss
I taste the truth
I taste the truth

Liz felt his warmth all around her for that was all that kept her going most days. She relived their dance everynight in her dreams, remembered how it felt to be near to Jason. She still felt the warmth of his breath on her neck as it sent a thousand shivers down her spine. She tasted still the softness of his lips as they shared their first kiss. She still longed for the security of his arms that she felt as he held her through the night.

We know what I came here for
So I won’t ask for more

As Liz quietly wept by the jukebox the door to “Cupid’s End” slowly opened as Jason came inside. Something drew him here and he finally knew the reason. He watched as Liz stood near the jukebox with her head lowered and he knew she was thinking of him. Thoughts, memories, longing for Elizabeth were the only thing that consumed his days. He had vowed never to hurt her but as the situation in Port Charles escalated he thought his leaving would lessen any extra pain she was experiencing. In short he thought though it may hurt him it was still the best thing to do. But now that she was within arms reach he knew this time he would never let her go.

I wanna be with you
If only for one night
To be the one whose arms in your arms
Who holds you tight

Fighting his urge to run Jason slowly walked over to Liz. She could feel him behind her but she could not turn to face him. As he entered "Cupid’s End" her heart began to dance and she knew that fate had led him back to her. Jason knew Liz was aware of his presence but still he waited. Hoping that she would turn and look into his eyed so he could see if the love they shared still existed. He wanted to hold her in his arms again, letting the music slowly fade as they listened to the rhythm of their heartbeats.

[Leaning in behind Liz speaking softly] Jason- Can I have this dance?

Afraid of what his reaction might be she slowly shook her head. If she saw disappointment in his eyes she was not sure if she could handle it.

Jason- [pleading] Please…

Liz slowly turned to Jason and he instantly noticed her very pregnant stomach. As his eyes widened she quickly lowered her head unable to read what she thought she saw in his eyes.

I wanna be with you
There’s nothing more to say
There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you

Liz was beautiful. His dreams of her hardly compared. He didn’t realize until he saw her again that his dreams did not capture the true essence of her. How her eyes sparkled when the faintest of light touched them or her gentle smile that would forever cause his heart to dance. He gently placed his hand under her chin and slowly lifted her chin until they were again face to face. Silently praying that he would again see in her eyes the same love he held for her. As a single tear slowly rolled down Elizabeth's cheek Jason softly smiled and he gently reached out to lovingly wiped away her tear.

Jason- [softly whispering] Shh…don’t cry. Remember my promise…I’m here now…you don’t ever have to cry again.

So I’ll hold you tight
Like I would if you were mine
To hold forever more (for ever more)

Jason slowly leaned forward and tenderly kissed her face. Careful to kiss away the pain and tears that may have remained. He pulled her to him to hug tightly. As curious and bemused face looked on Jason vowed to never to let Liz go away from him again.

And I’ll savor each touch that I wanted
So much to feel before (to feel before)
How beautiful it is
Just to be like this

They stand arm in arm embracing never wanting to let go again. She was in shock for Liz was not sure when she would see Jason again. She had convinced herself that raising their child alone would be enough because she would still have a part of him near. And that alone would sustain her. No one knew of her pregnancy in Port Charles because she could not face the disappointed looks or the hushed whispers that she would be forced to endure. She loved Jason with her whole heart and in her mind carrying his child gave her the love he willingly gave her in their short time together. But Jason was in her arms again and that was all the mattered.

I wanna be with you
If only for one night
To be the one whose arms in your arms
Who holds you tight

Nothing he remembered about Liz could have prepared him for when he saw her again. He knew that he had loved her from the moment she had come into his view. And when she cared for him never asking for anything in return his heart became hers. And when he first held her in his arms kissing away her tears Jason prayed that in some little way she felt the some of what he felt for her. He watched her sleep that night listening closely to her heartbeat wondering if she could ever think of him as he did her. And when they made love Elizabeth claimed what little was left of his heart and soul. Leaving her was the hardest thing he ever had to do. He thought it would take away the hurt and pain being with was bringing her. The days that followed was filled with a pain he had not known. Liz touched something in him that no one before had been able to find.

I wanna be with you
There’s nothing more to say
There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you

As the music continued to play they slowly parted staring again at each other. Jason gently reached out to touch her face happy to have found her again. The softness of her face, the gentleness of her mouth, the love in her eyes all drew him in as he tenderly kissed her again. This kiss was not urgent like before. With this kiss they without words proclaimed their love for one another over and over again. This kiss was sweet gentle and reaffirming. Not hurried or rushed, just a constant remainder that where her heart was so too was his. This kiss spoke volumes, it affirmed that when her heart sang his too hummed the melody. When her soul moved it was because his did too. Liz slowly covered his hand with her own felling again the strength within. These hands wiped away her tears when she cried and held her when she needed support. They brought forth a passion that only he could. Those hands soothed her when hurt and released her when she was ready to fly.

Oh baby
I can’t fight this feeling anymore
It drives me crazy when I try to

She clasped his hand in hers and slowly guided it to her stomach to touch the life they had created. His eyes widened as he felt their miracle move beneath his touch. Liz smiled knowing their child felt Jason’s presence as it moved to acknowledge it. It’s movement a welcoming to Jason.

So call my name
Take my hand
Make my wish
Baby, your command

A single tear slowly rolled down Jason’s cheek as he lowered his head realizing that his dream had come to be. Now her turn Liz tenderly kissed away his tears. As their child moved again Jason slowly kneeled in front of Elizabeth. On bended knees he gently placed his ear to her stomach as if he could hear his baby’s heartbeat. Hugging her tightly around the waist he continued to listen to the beating of his child’s heart. “Cupid’s End” fell silent as they witnessed the reunion and introduction of mother, father, and child.

Yeah
I wanna be with you
There’s nothing more to say
There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way
I wanna be with you

Jason, Liz and baby continued to stand on the dancefloor as the song ended and began again never once saying a word. Speaking loudly through their hearts. Jason slowly rose to tears flowing freely down Liz’s face. Once again he gently reached out to wipe them away.

Liz- [whispering] How did you find me?
Jason-[shaking his head as he slowly placed his hand on his chest as he whispered] I didn’t find you…my heart did.
Liz- [softly smiles as she covered his hand with her own and whispers] Your heart found me…