“Ladies and gentlemen, our sponsors for this evening…” Lucy Coe began.

“Bella,” Sonny said, trying to get her attention away from Jason. “Bella.”

“Sonny Corinthos, Elizabeth Corinthos, and Jason Morgan,” Lucy finished.

The spotlight found their table where Elizabeth and Jason were still caught up in their kiss. The applause abruptly stopped and people were unsure of what to do.

“Um, Jason?” Johnny said, tapping his shoulder.

Elizabeth pulled away from Jason and, seeing all the people staring, buried her face against Jason’s shoulder, blushing.

Jason cleared his throat and nodded at the crowd. The applause started again and Jason and Elizabeth joined Sonny, standing.

When the applause died down, Elizabeth kissed Jason’s cheek and caught up with Emily, Larissa, and Gia to prepare for their skit.

“That was so embarrassing,” Elizabeth said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Gia said. “people see that you’re in love. That’s not a bad thing.”

“But now it’s gonna be on the front page of every tabloid tomorrow,” Elizabeth said. “I’ve been trying to stay out of the news lately, not get into the headlines.”

“Elizabeth, breathe,” Emily said. “Grandfather made sure that no press was allowed in because he knew you were coming tonight. No photographers were here snapping pictures of your make-out session with my brother.”

The girls dissolved into laughter as they walked towards the stage entrance.

******

Lucy, who was wearing another new dress, walked back onstage as the crew set up the set for Elizabeth and the girls’ skit.

This evening we are so pleased that Elizabeth Corinthos took time out of her busy touring schedule to perform with her friends at this year’s Nurses Ball. No stranger to the stage, Elizabeth is joined by Emily Quartermaine, Larissa Spencer, and Gia Campbell. Please give them a warm welcome.”

The lights went down as a spotlight went up on Elizabeth, sitting on a bed, wearing a pale blue negligee.

Jason, Sonny, and Mike’s jaws dropped. Johnny, Francis, and Nikolas joined them when the lights found Emily, wearing a similar green one, Larissa in purple, and Gia in red.

Strutting across the stage, the girls went through various articles of clothing from the bed, laughing, singing, and dancing around.

During a musical break, the girls hurried backstage and exchanged their negligees for their gowns and ran back onstage to finish the skit.

As Elizabeth opened her mouth to finish the song, her eyes fell on something in the back of the room. Instead of lyrics, a gasp escaped Elizabeth’s lips. From the table, Jason could see the fear in her eyes.

“Did you miss me, honey?” a voice asked.

“Yo…you…you’re in LA, in prison,” Elizabeth stammered.

Jason, Sonny, Johnny, Francis, and Mike turned to see Lucky walking towards the stage, towards Elizabeth.

“No, see a friend of your boyfriend’s helped me get out and out someone else back in, in my place,” Lucky replied.

Johnny and Francis stood to stop Lucky and Sonny, Jason, and Mike went to the stage to get Elizabeth and the girls off of it.

The crowd remained still and Emily, Larissa, and Gia sat on the stage. Elizabeth stood, frozen in her spot.

By the time Johnny and Francis reached Lucky, he had pulled a gun. Sorel and two men walked casually into the ballroom, past Lucky, and to the stage.

Things had just gone from bad to worse.

Jason pulled his gun and had it trained on Sorel. Lucky hadn’t moved; he was waiting for just the right moment.

Francis turned to see Sorel’s men fire at Jason and Sonny. Jason returned fire and Francis let off a round. Together they took out both men and Sorel ran, his fear of death overwhelming him. He’d worked to hard to die without a fight, especially in front of so many people.

Jason started to run after him, but Sonny held him back.

“Let him go,” Sonny said, turning towards Lucky. “We have other problems.”

Catching everyone off-guard, Detective Taggert and several officers stormed the ballroom. Seeing that everyone’s attention was occupied, Lucky knew this would be his last chance before the cops grabbed him.

He took one unnoticeable step and fired two shots in Elizabeth’s direction. Johnny tackled him and hearing the noise, Mike dove towards Elizabeth, pushing her out of the way.

Taggert and the officers apprehended Lucky and Taggert, not yet knowing the extent of the situation, radioed for an ambulance.

Mike was lying in a growing pool of blood, Elizabeth a few feet away.

“Sonny,” Jason said. “Mike was hit. It’s bad.”

“Damn it,” Sonny said. “How’s Elizabeth?”

“Johnny, stay with Mike,” Jason said.

“What happened here?” Taggert asked before Jason and Sonny could reach Elizabeth.

“Not now, Taggert,” Sonny said. “My sister’s hurt.”

Taggert turned to see Emily, Larissa, and Gia kneeling by Elizabeth, eyes closed, not moving.

“Alright,” Taggert said, stepping out of the way.

Jason rushed to Elizabeth’s side, but Sonny turned back, momentarily.

“Thank you,” he said to Taggert.

Taggert nodded and Sonny knelt beside Jason.

“Was she hit?” Sonny asked.

“There are no entrance or exit wounds,” Jason said. “She might’ve hit her head when she fell, but I don’t know. Either way, she’s out cold.”

“No bullet wounds, thank God,” Sonny said.

“That doesn’t mean she’s okay,” Jason said quietly.

Several of the doctors had begun working on Mike, but it was hopeless. The second shot had killed him instantly.

Sonny knelt beside his father’s body with Jason standing behind him.

“We were finally getting somewhere,” Sonny said. “You didn’t deserve this.”

He shook his head and rose to his feet.

“He saved her life, you know,” Jason said.

“He was a good man,” Sonny said. “Better than I ever gave him credit for.”

“They’re moving Elizabeth,” Johnny said.

******

“How is she?” Sonny nervously asked Alan.

“She has a bump on her head. She must have hit it when your father pushed her out of the line of fire,” Alan said. “However, her body had a very unusual reaction to the trauma of the event. She appears to have just shut down.”

“So she’s in a coma,” Sonny said.

“Yes,” Alan replied. “And the longer she remains in that state, the less likely it is that she’ll ever come out of it.”

Sonny fell into a chair and let his tears come. He cried for his father and for his sister and for himself and everyone outside in the waiting room, waiting for news.

Sonny was a strong man, a powerful man, but this was too much to handle. He’d lost his father and his baby sister was slipping away. And on top of it all, he had to go out there and tell everyone what Alan had told him. And that everyone included Jason.

How could he tell his best friend, his brother, that the woman he loved more than his own life might never wake up?

“Sonny?” Jason said, his voice, hopeful, when he saw Sonny enter the waiting room. “Sonny, how is she? Is she awake? Can I see her?”

“Elizabeth is…” Sonny said, his voice cracking.

Carly got up and stood beside him, taking his hand. Sonny thanked her with a weak smile, cleared his throat and started again.

“Elizabeth is…” Sonny began again. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”

Jason knew from the way Sonny was acting that something was very wrong. He saw his father and hoped that he could tell him about Elizabeth. On the other hand, Jason wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear it.

“Dad,” Jason called.

“Oh good,” Alan said. “Sonny, I was looking for you.”

“Has there been a change? Is something wrong?” Sonny asked, rapidly.

“No change,” Alan said. “But you can see her now.”

“Thank you,” Sonny said.

“Why don’t you all sit a minute and I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Alan said, knowing that Sonny hadn’t been able to speak about Elizabeth’s condition.

“Is it bad?” Jason asked, cautiously.

“Elizabeth’s body reacted to the trauma of the event by shutting down. Medically put, she’s in a coma,” Alan said.

“Is she going to be alright?” Jason asked.

“What we’ve seen so far is that the longer she remains in this coma, the less likely she’ll ever come out it,” Alan said.

Jason didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t lose Elizabeth; he couldn’t live without her. Leaning against the wall, he slid down it, sitting on the floor.

“I’m sorry, Jason,” Alan said. “There’s nothing we can do to treat her. We just have to wait.”

“I have to see her,” Jason managed.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t,” Alan said. “Hospital policy allows for family only with critical patients.”

“Dr. Quartermaine,” Sonny said. “Please let him see her. I consider him family and I think he should see her. He may be the only one who can bring her out of this. Please.”

“Alright,” Alan said, knowing that Sonny was right. Jason’s love for Elizabeth may be enough to bring her back. “Don’t be afraid to talk to her. Unconsciously, she can hear you.”

Jason nodded and he and Sonny followed Alan to Elizabeth’s room.

******

“Elizabeth,” a voice said. “Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth, dressed in a white satin dress that fell to the floor, was standing alone, bathed in bright lights and clouds.

“Daddy?” Elizabeth called, softly.

“I’m here, sweetie,” Mike said, appearing in front of Elizabeth.

“Why did you leave me, Daddy?” Elizabeth said in a child-like voice.

Mike closed his eyes and when he reopened them, a scene flashed before him.

“Where are we?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m here to save you,” Mike said. “It’s not your time to be with me and your mom yet. You have to go back. There are so many people there who are waiting for you to wake up, praying that you’ll be okay.”

“No Daddy, I don’t want to leave you,” Elizabeth said.

“You have to go back, sweetie,” Mike said. “What about Sonny? And Jason? They need you. They’re barely holding it together now. You have a whole life ahead of you. With Jason.”

Elizabeth was standing with Mike outside her own hospital room. Jason had been crying, as had Sonny and they were standing in Elizabeth’s room, watching her.

“Sonny, I can’t lose her,” Jason said. “I don’t know how to live without her.”

“Talk to her, Jason,” Sonny said. “Tell her how you feel. Tell her how much you love her, how much you need her. I’ll be outside.”

“Liz, baby, it’s Jason,” he said, taking her hand and sitting on the bed carefully. “My dad said you could hear me if I talk to you, so I need you to listen. I love you, honey. You can’t leave me here. I can’t live without you and I don’t want to. I know you’re scared, but it’s over now. Lucky can’t hurt you anymore. Please come back to me.”

Jason broke down and cried. He slid his arms gently around her and rested his head on her chest.

“I can’t do this alone,” Jason said, leaning up to whisper to her again. “I don’t know how. Please baby, come back. There’s so much we still have to do together. I want you to be my wife. I want us to start a family. I can’t do any of that without you. I need you, baby. I love you more than life itself. I know you can hear me so now it’s your turn. Tell me you love me. Open your beautiful blue eyes and tell me you love me.”

******

“He needs me,” Elizabeth said looking from Jason to her father.

From watching Jason and Sonny, Elizabeth knew her father was right. She could hear Jason’s voice and how much love was in the words he was whispering to her. There was a hint of desperation in his voice and she knew that Jason refused to let her go without fighting for her life. But she also knew that she needed to be with Jason as much as he needed her.

She had to go back, she knew that much.

“Will I see you again?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’ll always be with you, Elizabeth. Watching over you in the sun and in the wind. I’ll be everywhere,” Mike said. “I love you, sweetie.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” Elizabeth said. “You saved my life you know. Twice.”

“I had to,” Mike said. “I’ve done so many wrong things in my life; especially with you and Sonny. I had to make up for it. I couldn’t let you be taken from Sonny and Jason and your friends, even if it meant that I would lose you.”

“You’ll never lose me,” Elizabeth said. “You’re always with me, remember?”

“You better go,” Mike said.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “For everything.”

“Take care of your brother for me,” Mike said before kissing her forehead.

“I will,” Elizabeth said. “Say hi to mom for me.”

“I promise,” Mike said.

“I’m going to miss you,” Elizabeth said.

“I’ll always be with you,” Mike said, his voice becoming more distant.

******

“Elizabeth?” Jason said, when her hand that he was holding flinched.

A groan escaped Elizabeth’s lips and Jason smiled, his eyes filling with tears.

“She’s waking up,” Jason yelled to anyone who was in earshot. “Liz, can you hear me, baby?”

“Jason?” Elizabeth said softly, a little groggy.

“Hey,” Jason said. “Welcome back.”

“I was with my father,” Elizabeth said. “I saw you with Sonny. I knew I had to come back to you. I love you, Jason.”

Jason smiled and kissed her gently. He didn’t quite understand what she was saying, but he didn’t care. She was alive and that was all that mattered to him.

Several months later…

After a well-deserved break from performing, Elizabeth once again took the stage, doing a sold-out show at the Garden, performing all her ballads. The show was televised live on MTV and Elizabeth planned the whole thing, down to the set, which consisted only of her family and friends gathered on various couches on the stage.

“Good evening New York; everyone here in the arena and everyone all over the country watching at home,” Elizabeth said. “Thank you all of sharing this evening with me. It’s great to be back on the stage, performing for my fans. Tonight it’s all about the ballads, all the songs I’ve written over the years that hold a special place in my heart. For those of you wondering who these people are onstage with me, why don’t I introduce everyone?”

The crowd applauded, but quickly quieted, all interested in the people who’d arranged themselves on the couches around the stage.

“Sitting over here, are Ned Ashton, Chloe Morgan, Alexis Davis, and Jasper Jax,” Elizabeth began. “And hiding off to the side is my manager, Matt. Matt, you can come out here you know.”

The crowd laughed as Elizabeth moved down the line.

“This next group of people have become a second family to me,” Elizabeth said. “Edward and Lila Quartermaine, Monica and Alan Quartermaine and their son AJ. Next to them is their other daughter Emily, one of my best friends. Sitting with her are the best friends I could’ve ever asked for. Johnny O’Brien, Larissa Spencer, Francis McNeilly, Gia Campbell, and Nikolas Cassadine.”

Everyone smiled and waved at the crowd as Elizabeth continued to walk across the stage.

“And last, but certainly not least, my big brother, Sonny Corinthos, his wife, Carly, and their son, Michael,” Elizabeth said. “Michael, do you want to come with me and sing our song?”

Michael nodded excitedly and scooted off Sonny’s lap. Elizabeth smiled and leaned in a bit to whisper to Sonny.

“Where’s Jason?” she asked. “He was here before, but I don’t know where he went.”

“He’ll be back,” Sonny said. “Don’t worry.”

Slightly relieved, Elizabeth took Michael’s hand and they walked slowly to the center of the stage. She sat Michael on a stool so he was a bit closer to her height and began to sing Hanging on For Dear Life as she’d done months ago the night her tour began.

******

After several numbers, Elizabeth went offstage to change and came back out in a shimmery, silver dress. What she noticed first when she walked across the stage was that Jason was standing there, waiting for her. When she looked further, she realized that he was no longer in jeans and a tee shirt that he’d had on earlier, but in black slacks, a black tee shirt, and a black sports coat. She smiled and her eyes brightened as she walked across the stage to meet him.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Something that I’ve been waiting to do since the moment you woke up in the hospital,” Jason said. “Maybe even before that.”

He kissed her hand, and reached behind him to turn on the wire-microphone pack that he’d put on so he wouldn’t have to hold one.

“Elizabeth, from the moment I saw you on the docks when you first came to Port Charles, I knew you were the one for me. The first time I kissed you, I knew I was in love with you. And when I almost lost you, I knew I couldn’t live without you. You’re the most important thing in my life and I never want to be without you. When you walk into the room, my heart skips a beat. When you kiss me, my knees go weak. You have a power over me, that leaves me breathless,” Jason said.

Her eyes tearing, Elizabeth smiled as she recognized words that she’d written months back on her bus with Brian and Nick. She followed Jason’s eyes to stage right and watched as Brian, Kevin, Nick, AJ, and Howie came on the stage. Music started and they began to sing.

Elizabeth listened as the Boys sang. She had never imagined it sounding like that. There was so much love emanating from their words, her words. By now, Jason had pulled her into his arms and they danced. Even though there were 20,000 in the Garden and an infinite number of people watching at home, being in Jason’s arms, she felt like they were the only two there.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to the Boys when the song was over.

“That’s how you make me feel,” Jason continued. “I’m surrounded by your love everyday and it takes over me. It keeps me alive. Every breath I take, I feel you and how much you love me. And I want you to know that I love you just as much. When I think that I can’t love you anymore than I do, my feelings grow. I love you more everyday and that will never change.”

Slowing down a bit, Jason dropped to one knee and reached into his pocket.

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, showing you how much I love you every single day. Elizabeth Corinthos, will you marry me?” Jason asked.

Elizabeth was speechless. Jason’s whole proposal was more than she ever could’ve imagined. She glanced around and saw Emily, Lila, Monica, and Carly crying. Gia and Larissa were filling up as well. The moment was perfect.

She turned back to Jason and saw in his crystal blue eyes, how much love he had for her.

“Yes,” she said.

His smile widening, Jason slipped the ring on Elizabeth’s finger and somehow ended up on his feet, kissing her.

The entire crowd had gone wild as the Boys went into one more chorus of Drowning.

“You do know you’re crazy, right?” Elizabeth whispered to him as she walked him to his seat on the couch.

“Only for you, honey,” Jason said.

She softly kissed his lips and made her way back to center stage.

“Congratulations,” Sonny said to him.

“Thank you,” Jason replied. “And thank you for your help. It went perfectly.”

“That it did, Jase,” Sonny said.

******

“Wow,” Elizabeth said to the crowd. “That was definitely a big surprise. I’m not really sure how to get back into the show from here.”

She laughed a little as the crowd settled down again.

“This last set is the one that definitely means the most to me. I chose to put it last because it’s closest to my heart and I wouldn’t it to leave a lasting impression,” Elizabeth said. “These songs all have a very special meaning. The first, as most of you already know, was written shortly after my mother died. I know she’s watching tonight so I want you to know, Mom, I love you and I miss you. I hope I’ve made you proud.”

Jason watched his fiancée as she sang. He knew how much the song meant to her. He’d never heard her sing it like this before though. There was a newfound emotion in it and the message was being clearly conveyed to everyone in the audience.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, over the applause. The lights went down, leaving the arena dark, and Elizabeth made her way over to Sonny.

“Can you do this?” Sonny asked, knowing what was coming next.

“Would you stay with me?” Elizabeth asked, nervously.

Sonny nodded, took his little sister’s hand and walked with her back to center stage. The lights went back up and Elizabeth raised the microphone to her mouth.

“My big brother, Sonny is going to help me get through this next song,” Elizabeth said. “As many of you know, several months ago my father died saving my life. Before I said good-bye to him, he told me something that stuck with me. And to remember him, as I did my mother, I put it to music.”

When she began the second verse, Sonny walked her over to Jason, who took her hand and walked with her around the stage as she continued to sing. Elizabeth smiled. Sonny had known that the second part of the song was inspired by her love for Jason and how much she had missed him when she was on the road.

Elizabeth and Jason settled on the couch with Sonny, Carly, and Michael as Elizabeth finished the song. She had tears streaming down her cheeks and didn’t know how she’d gotten through it, but she had. She felt Mike’s presence with her and knew then that what he’d said was true. He would always be with her.

Elizabeth stood and bowed as the lights went down again. A sheer curtain dropped and Elizabeth took Jason’s hand and led him offstage.

“This is the last number,” she said. “But I needed to talk to you first.”

“What’s the matter?” Jason asked, concerned.

“Nothing, but I was going to address the crowd at the end of the show and I wanted to tell you something first,” Elizabeth said.

They talk for a few moments and Jason hugged Elizabeth tightly. No one around them knew what they were talking about, but the couple had just gotten engaged so they let them be.

Back onstage, Elizabeth smiled brightly at her fans.

“It’s been a truly wonderful evening and I’m so glad I could share it all with you,” Elizabeth said. “Before we close the show tonight, I just wanted to say a few words. It has been a pleasure sharing my music with you for the past four years. To my band, thank you for everything, it’s been great to work with you. To everyone on my team, security, wardrobe, stylists, crew, you’ve made my job so much easier by keeping things running smoothly. And to my management team, Matt, we’ve had a rough couple of months, but I’m glad we worked passed our differences. I think that’s everyone, but if I did forget anyone, I love you all too. Anyway, my point. I’m taking a break, an extending vacation. I’m not retiring, I’m sure I’ll be back eventually, but right now, I need some time off to prepare for family life. Thank you all for supporting me for the last few years and for sticking with me through everything. It’s been a great ride.”

While she sang, Elizabeth’s mind drifted back to what had almost been the end for her and Jason.

******

After the concert, all of Elizabeth’s friends and family had gathered at Planet Hollywood, which they’d taken over for the evening. Jason was at Elizabeth’s side the whole time.

“Congratulations,” Emily said. “Sis.”

“I’ve always wanted a sister,” Elizabeth said, hugging her best friend.

“Elizabeth,” Carly said. “You haven’t touched your food.”

“I’m just not hungry,” Elizabeth said.

“I was like that when I was pregnant with my Michael in the beginning,” Carly said. “Which reminds me, your little speech early about family life. Were you implying something?”

“Liz, honey, my Grandmother’s looking for us,” Jason said.

Elizabeth took Jason’s hand and he led her to Lila.

“Welcome to the family, dear,” Lila said. Elizabeth and Jason crouched next to Lila’s wheelchair and each kissed her cheek.

“Thank you, Grandmother,” Jason said.

“It’s nice to see you so happy, Jason,” Lila said. “And Elizabeth, I must say, you are absolutely glowing. When did you find out?”

“Find out about what?” Elizabeth asked, confused.

“The baby, dear,” Lila replied.

“How did you…” Jason and Elizabeth said, dumbfounded.

“It’s a grandmother’s job to know these things,” Lila said. “Congratulations, you’ll both make wonderful parents.”

******

“I guess we should tell them soon,” Jason said when he and Elizabeth walked to an empty corner.

“Carly’s suspicious too,” Elizabeth said.

“We’ve got some time,” Jason said. “I kind of like having this little secret right now.”

“Me too,” Elizabeth said as Jason rested a hand on her still flat belly.

“I love you, Liz,” Jason said. “You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“I love you too, Jason,” Elizabeth said. “My heart was saying it from the beginning.”

Jason smiled and lowered his head to kiss his fiancée. Life was perfect. He had a future wife that he loved more than anything and they were having a baby. After everything they’d been through, they couldn’t have asked for a happier ending.