Part I There will be no contact Page 2
The next morning she's still out of it but somehow pulls it together enough to have a small breakfast. Her stomach has bottomed out when she chews its no taste..she smells the food but can’t distinguish what it is. What a dilemma she’ll be almost thirty two with three kids and a broken heart she can feel its pieces cutting inside her chest constricting her it’s a feeling as if she can’t breathe…she sucks in more air.
Her thoughts are bouncing off the wall in no particular order. Ok I’m fine now this feeling should last for a few hours…I have to put on a happy face for the kids
She hasn’t thought about how to tell them she doesn’t want to get into it right now….maybe a few days…when…he doesn’t talk to them…what does he mean he never will? He's isn't going to ever talk to me and the kids? Ever?
The twins headed out when they slam the door it jolts her back to attention. Felix will start picking up the kids they should all be here by afternoon. The plane is scheduled for a night time take off its always been easier on the kids she'll put them in their jammies and hustle them straight to bed by the time they wake up, dressed and fed she can hustle them right off...
Callie was kind enough to request the rental to arrange a car for them. She checks her list and everything has been done with two changes. In the light of day, she realizes it may be a good thing for her but not the kids to be in a new place their whole life is about to be turned upside down they need some familiarity she called Callie to change their destination to the Tuscany farm in the Florence province of Italy. They’ll land at an airstrip near the province of Siena she was kind enough to have the rental agency arrange for a car. Le Pensione' is not really a working farm there’s a few pickers hired to keep it up, a few animals, horses for the kids, some fruit orchards with a very small vineyard…there’s one other thing to add.
4. Divorce.
She writes the word so she can see it. Is he divorcing me? She erases it quickly it hasn’t come to that… or has it? She presses the end of the pencil harder she doesn't want to see the word anymore. Whether Jason is depressed, making sense, or whatever he hasn’t called to ask about the kids or to find out how she’s doing…he said no contact obviously that’s what he’s doing Thank goodness Scuzzy is with Jake; I won’t have to get him at ….the penthouse. Suddenly I’m numb and excused myself, how did I get back up in the bedroom …I can’t remember my short term memory is gone… Where is that damn list? She's thinking about him …whether he’s depressed, not making sense, or whatever reason he reverted straight back to that damn danger speech. She checks her messages out of habit maybe he spoke to soon and has misgivings about leaving her. Michael has been shot in a coma surely he isn’t thinking clearly Rosanna’s right he’s scared for us and overreacted. She twists the cell in her hand willing it to ring he hasn’t even called about the kids ...or me…he said no contact obviously that’s what he’s doing… for now. She throws the cell across the room.
Two days later
This time Rosanna and Felix takes them to the airport in her SUV she tried to explain as best she could to the kids they are leaving Port Charles and they aren’t going back to Corsica but staying at the farm for awhile they're excited because they don’t go there often. Cameron is to the point as always full of questions,
“What about dad isn’t Jason coming.”
“Well honey he’s staying longer with Michael.”
“What about school?” He asks.
Damn what about school … how can I forget and Mimi just started a new school of fine arts that specializes in music. Cameron is enrolled in the Corsican International school. For five years, thanks to Tracy she’s had a working arrangement with Port Crest when Cameron is in residence as they put it in Port Charles but now she has to enroll the kids in a school in Florence. Jacob goes to a day school a few times a week so he’s ok she takes out her list from her art bag:
5. Schools
6. Grams
who is on another Las Vegas trip at almost seventy-three she’s still traveling up a storm. She doesn’t want to tell her right now maybe she should be more positive Rosanna could be right…he could come back to them and it won’t be necessary to get into all of this with her and the kids. Rosanna looks back at Elizabeth deep in thought the drive to Port Charles’ airport is silent. The highway isn’t crowded even the kids are quiet Jake who is the fussiest lays across the seat with his head in her lap strands of blond hair from under his cap glows in the moonlight.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Asks Rosanna.
“Just thinking how you seem to always take me to the airport and how I can’t thank you both enough for being in our corner,” she’s trying to lighten up from the muddled mess she's been the past few days leave on a high note.
Felix has been relatively quiet, “we always will be.”
Elizabeth assesses the reality of her present they flew in for a few weeks mainly because of Michael and his trial on the way over they decided to stay through Thanksgiving instead of leaving with her husband she’s alone fleeing Port Charles again not with one child but three because of Jason Morgan.... just like before.
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa commune, located about 25 km south of Florence. provincia di Firenze.Toscana Region, Italia.
“we stay in a province right between Florence and Siena. I think Georgy will like it, a hill top surrounded by a valley of trees and vineyards every where the eye can see.” The Path of Love
Three months later….
Mimi and Jake runs after Scuzzy through her bedroom the havoc wakes Elizabeth not that she got much sleep she groggily responds to her children's usual Saturday and Sunday morning banter,
“Mom she won’t stop pulling his tail…Mommy I want… can you get me…then the daily question, “Where’s daddy?”
The housekeeper trails right behind them they're clearly too much for her but sometimes they are for her as well. Jason is the parent who intervened. Cameron helps out by keeping them occupied he's a wonderful big brother always patient, and still takes it quite seriously. He still eats Honey Bunches of Oats nor has his love affair with oranges waned; neither has his appetite for cartoons only now its not just Superheroes, he's expanded his repertoire. Sorry to say Sponge Bob was dropped quite a few years ago replaced by comic books.
“Signora I’m sorry did they disturb you?”
“No its fine.”
Its not like she’s been sleeping its more like passing out, waking up, running herself ragged until she can pass out again. She enjoys the kids but its been tough on them whatever she can do to make it easier she goes the extra mile. After a couple of months, Cameron is oblivious to his disappearance from their lives he stopped asking, undoubtedly taking it hard. Mimi at six is daddy’s little girl she wants him constantly, never one to cry, she’s had a few tantrums, nothing serious but for being such a mild-mannered child it is, she’s cried herself to sleep few nights and sleeps with her more. She asked one night
“Where’s Jason?”.
Then Jake who is the spitting image of his father acts as if he doesn’t give a flying … She didn’t do the right thing sugar coating it to make it easier for him it came a time where she was out of excuses,
“Your father says he doesn’t want to live with us anymore.”
“That means you’re getting a divorce.”
Surprised by Cameron’s candidness, “its possible."
He's a mature nine year old, “but we aren't even talking about that we can hope for the best if you're disappointed in us I understand because I'm disappointed too. Jakey is too young to understand and Mimi well...I don't want to say anything unless its absolutely necessary...but you're a big boy that asked a question and I won't lie to you." Elizabeth doesn't want to give either of them false hope. His brown eyes glazes over he doesn't say anything else. She kisses her son's cheek, "I love you."
But by the end of the day she's angry and is definitely not taking the fall for Jason's decision let him explain it. Oh, that's right he can't because there’s no contact he left it all on her to meander though the maze of their muddled life. But a week after their discussion, Cameron tracked him down he's even more adept using his cell and texting, she didn’t ask him what they spoke about but she could tell he wasn’t satisfied with whatever Jason said. He spoke to Mimi who cried and begged him to come home she wants to see him. Jacob wasn’t interested.
I'm glad he didn't turn Cameron away and spoke to Camille. She vacillates from extreme anger to missing him sometimes within seconds. But the one constant is sleeping without him its the worse. When the urge for making love became so all consuming…. she called Lainey.
“I don’t want to fall back in that black hole the kids keep me centered but I feel myself slipping.” Before the end of the next day, Dr. Elaine Anise Paul Chief of Psychiatry is sitting on her sofa giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation in therapy…she knew the prognosis before she got to Tuscany but she wants to be here for her friend….. ”depression.”
When Elizabeth meets her at the Aeroporto di Siena-Ampugnano a day later she’s barely recognizable. Lainey expected her gaunt and drawn with circles around her eyes instead she’s in a sleek black sports convertible, khaki shorts, white sandals and blouse under a wide brim straw hat with a ravishing sun tan.
“You look wonderful .. looking at you, you're the same.”
She puts on black oversized sunglasses, “not on the inside I feel differently each and every day.” She shifts out of neutral until she reaches fifth gear. Elizabeth use to drive slow… not anymore.
When they get home she throws her hat on the table pushes her sunglasses on top of her hair like a headband,
“How about a glass of wine can’t be in wine country without it.”
They settle down in the modest living room that's furnished similar to her house in Corsica. For an artist, Elizabeth rarely shows interest in home decor. The house on Clover was furnished she kept the furniture, the house in Corsica was sort of a mish match of finds along the way ..the rest she ordered on line and this furniture she also kept from the previous owner. Eclectic is what an interviewer called it whatever that means. Lets say Architectural Digest never came calling. The Penthouse she had a surge to put her stamp on it she changed around a few things painted their bedroom walls brown. But it stayed the same for the most part until Jason redid the upstairs when they got Mimi and repeated the process in their Big house on Corsica; Mimi misses her fish tanks. All this is playing through her head while Lainey explains her psyche.
“Elizabeth its understandable and expected with all that’s happened but from what I can see its not like last time, yes some things are similar you high tailing out of Port Charles, but you aren’t hiding by avoidance, you’re talking about it recognizing the pain, before, you tucked it away.
“He hasn’t called once Lainey not one fucking time we could be dead for all he cares.” Lainey is surprised she thinks this way. “I know this may be weird but I’m glad you’re angry its good letting it all out.”
“Damn right I’m angry who knows how long it'll be before the press get a hold of it. I don't want the kids dragged through the mud with this."
She's kept a low profile but some over zealous reporter can turn it all around. She shakes her head, "his only solution to a problem I knew nothing about is to up and leave me; I’m just a statistic abandoned woman with children."
There was a time Lainey's husband of three years was her protector when he became one of Sonny's top lieutenants. With Cody's extensive military background in undercover surveillance Agent Jagger Cates offered him an out with the FBI and he took it with Sonny's blessing.
“I’m sure he has eyes on you; I can’t imagine him doing otherwise he’s watching over you.” If that was supposed to comfort her it only enraged her to another level, she replies bitingly,
“Yeah and I couldn’t imagine him walking out on us.”
You're a loaded gun
There's nowhere to run
No one can save me The damage is done
Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
By month four, she’s tired of being weary and forlorn but can’t seem to get in sync. They were together seven years straight this time, five married. now they're in limbo..he says no contact but what does that mean?
She hasn’t picked up a paint brush since he walked out on her all decisions for Galleria de Roma is left to Urania she can’t deal with it. The pensione suits them thanks to Giada she’s found the perfect housekeeper to help out with the kids and a music coach for Camille she's disappointed she can't return to her school although she’s been taking piano lessons for two years; Elizabeth arranged formal training until she can figure something out. At seven years old all Camille understands is she'll miss her friends. Now the visitors are coming nonstop some aren’t aware of exactly what is going on like Leticia and Dr. Graham, who dropped in for lunch. Giada, brought her two kids on the ferry and spent a couple of days which was tricky; Jason is friends with her husband its how they met Enzo is on a racing tour but sends his love. At the beginning of month five word began leaking out somehow maybe Jason extended stay in Port Charles alone raised suspicion…it didn't take long for Emily to put it together..she grilled Jason and got it out of him. Robin and Kelly flew in for four days one look at her and a melt down later they knew and commiserated in her misery by promptly getting zonked. After the hangover wore off she felt pretty much the same, miserable. Strangely enough Carly has been most supportive she thought for sure she’d be all for Jason, on the contrary, by the end of month five, she jets in with Morgan and Joselyn. “That bastard.” …. she had more than enough to say. The Jacks swung by as if to borrow a cup of sugar on their way home from Seville, Spain vacationing with the DeSotos.
The life of an upcoming sculptress suits her. Carly took her offer of using Urania as her European agent a few years ago when she needed help. Its Carly who suggested to Urania when her mentor renowned sculptor Carlo DeSoto use her when his broker of forty years suddenly died. Urania ’s business expanded with two additional clients but DeSoto put her in a whole new category she’s now in the elite echelon of old school traditional art dealers. She hired Robbie Wentworth from Elizabeth Webber's Front Street Studio as her American / European liaison for Galleria de Roma which is still her main office. Urania made it clear she doesn’t want to leave her home there. Carly also uses 19 she has a floor specifically for sculptors sort of a modified Brush and Chisel the school Elizabeth founded on Corsica. Carly re-decorated the whole place with the artists in mind she’s known for years now…she has the pulse of the place down pact and its quite a showpiece…Elizabeth didn’t mind …Carly is good at decorating… even though she didn’t ask her upfront but then that’s after the fact Carly. They speak on Michael and his progress,
"19 has been a godsend it’s a place I can get the kinks out and feel free to express myself. Joselyn loves it there the residents, dote on her.”
Elizabeth breaks down hearing about the place Jason bought for her; she misses it, the big clock window he designed especially to bring in more light, her little sanctuary that connects to the massive gallery all designed specifically for her needs.... that's when Carly spilled the beans.
“So he chose Sonny over his own kids.”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth takes Joselyn off her lap she runs to Camille…take care of her honey….Signora please look after them thank you,” she says in Italian.
“He’s back in all that shit with Sonny to avenge Michael. Don’t get me wrong, I damn well want to know who shot my son and for them to bust a cap in their ass but not at the expense of Jax, Morgan and Josselyn. And bitch Sandra isn't getting off the hook for Timothy, Leticia. my Jax and all the shit she caused here with her gang of thieves that's what she's going for redemption."
Carly changes the subject she can tell its upsetting Elizabeth, "I didn’t realize it, even though Jax was telling me, but I hardly left that hospital day or night the whole time he was there, even when he was moved to a long term care facility; Elizabeth I rarely left his side. It’s why I finally agreed to Jax’s coaxing going to Spain to see Carlo."
“I know because I saw you there every time I visited.”
“Did I ever thank you for all you did for us.” “Many times, and it wasn't enough."
She notices the necklace, "its beautiful, you still wear it.”
Carly clutches her necklace of topaz she later had redesigned to add the jasper stone to it “its my good luck piece it led me to find Jax and Leticia when they were kidnapped and it’ll lead Michael out of his coma. I just know it.”
Carly hugs her and tops off their glasses, “By the time I found my way out of that fog I hadn’t worked on anything new … just finishing a few things to keep my sanity. I looked at Morgan one day and he’d grown a few inches it was time to think about him. I realized he was neglected, not by Jax, he was all there for him. But I hadn’t been around enough; Micheal was away in a coma. When we had Joselyn we were all into her it wasn’t intentional but it made me realize how depressing all this is for him… I had to give some special attention to Morgan..well Jax and Joselyn too but I still feel guilty. Taking this vacation leaving Michael, does it make me a bad Mommy?”
“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth answers. Its good to talk about something else more depressing for a change, but then "Carly I haven't been able to paint since Jason left suppose this is permanent."
Carly takes her hand, "I remember how my so called talent came about all because of you. I don't think I ever would have became a sculptor otherwise. Elizabeth you've suffered a great shock these gifted hands won't stay idle for long its too much art in left in them. It’s my fault that he left you its strange all those years I tried to break you up now this.”
“Carly someone shot your son aiming for Sonny that's not your fault; Jason left his family for whatever reason is his own doing. I hope you don’t feel this way.” “But you resented another choice he made when he took me to Sonny and Kate’s wedding we talked about it.”
“Yeah he said so you wouldn’t do anything stupid.” Carly laughs for a change, “What do you mean like wave papers during the ceremony?” “That’s all water under the bridge we were younger.... different then.”
“He hasn’t filed for divorce.” Carly states.
“No.”
“He’s waiting for you to do it.”
Elizabeth smiles she’s no longer in hand to hand combat with Carly for Jason’s history that stopped on her wedding day she can’t deny she knows her husband well; currently, she knows more about him than she does. ”I said the same thing. Come on lets get out of here and get some of that artistic cultured Tuscan air we should stumble on Jax and Morgan somewhere with Cameron.”
She grabs her hat, its your first time here let me show you around Le Pensione."
Audrey arrives for a few weeks it isn't that she's not pleased to see her she tried to dissuade her from making the trip, but she insisted, so she arranged her pilot Callie to bring her over. Grams is just as upset as she expected so she put on a brave things aren't as bad as they seem face.
"After Micheal he must have gone a little crazy." Its her only defense. She carefully steers the topic away from Jason by using Steven Lars' appointment as General Hospital's Chief of Staff instead. Its a nice pause to the chaos of her life to look out for someone else's feelings, besides the kids, it gives her something different to do. Grams hadn't traveled to Tuscany often she visited them on Corse so showing her around is a diversion that helps lighten the load.
--------------------------
By the sixth month in, she’s had it with the “oh honey I’m so sorries followed by the things will get better mantras. Guess what? They haven’t. Oh and can’t forget “get some rest, seems sleeping is the cure all for what ails her. Its hard to determine which is worse people feeling sorry for her…or feeling sorry for herself doubting if he ever truly loved her. The test came when there is no contact on Jake's birthday not only does it infuriates but embarrasses her. She thinks she covered her emotions fairly well; she wouldn’t say she's glad Gram's leaving but its been hard playing the role without breaking down.
After another week of sulking she comes to a conclusion. Ok Mr. Morgan you had your say loud and clear now its my turn, “lets cut all ties” she can still see its outline on her list she fills back in the word she refused to consider d.i.v.o.r.c.e. Elizabeth hasn't held a great fondness of courts; especially after Camille’s custody battle one they would have lost if Sandra McIntire hadn’t been brought up on a host of other charges. According to her long time attorney, Mr. Maric, whose specialty is not divorce its been relatively smooth he's a consult to a divorce attorney from his firm.
”The papers were filed in American and French courts, served in Port Charles and returned rather promptly he’s not contesting anything and is preparing a settlement package. When the particulars are finalized…we’ll get them to you straightaway and go over it together.”
Maric and Co Solictors
26/27 Great Sutton Street
Clerkenwell London
A few weeks after their conversation, she lawyers up. For Mr. Maric to be the senior partner he has a tiny office its full of paper even though he's a very organized man. Mr. Maric dressed in English summertime tweed informs her of Jason Morgan's package but when he tells her the figure,
“Five million for all our kids?”
“And the properties in Corsica for you Elizabeth this is a very generous offer.
“No its not, not by a long shot . Is he kidding me? This is pocket change for him its not acceptable.” Elizabeth counters, “Five million for each child. I don’t want his fucking house so include it for the kids. Also, all expenses for school, medical, until they each turn 18 which continues if they're in college to be terminated upon graduation… and…include caretaking until its no longer required."
Stunned by her tirade Mr. Maric explains, “he didn’t offer alimony because he knew you wouldn’t accept it.”
Elizabeth’s face reflects her total disdain for Jason Morgan’s package, “Wrong again, I want alimony every single penny fairly calculated based on five years of marriage" She holds out her hand and hits a finger, I also want the Port Charles Front Street properties, Elizabeth Webber studio and Nineteen, " She hits another finger, " and all his Corsican holdings not just the house included in my alimony. The money will be held in an account and split between our children when they inherit his package. These accounts are to be set up by him in both our names in individual irrevocable trusts to Cameron, Camille and Jacob. I will decide how the properties will be disbursed between the kids in my will."
Elizabeth takes off her reading glasses, “This should cover it, Oh … and be sure to include a no contact clause with the children since his life is so damn dangerous therefore I will have sole custody and there'll be no visitation rights. It’s of the utmost importance this is separately claused and signed off by Mr. Morgan. I want that ironclad Mr. Maric.”
Its not only that she wants him to revisit the words that ended their marriage, exactly what he said should be re read and in print for all eternity. So now we're no more than a package to him. "Do the same for their names legally, the children's surname will be as mine, we're Webbers now. Cameron Andrew Webber, Camille Atalanta Webber and Jacob Martin Webber."
Mr. Maric hasn't seen her like this since the Sandra McIntire days, "Our firm is at your disposal and will do as you request."
"This is non negotiable its the only package I will accept so don’t bother coming back to me with anything else. Any amendment can be rejected right on the spot then I'll see him court ....Understood?” Elizabeth smooths down her penciled skirt he helps her slide an arm into her matching brown plaid coat.
"Yes." Mr. Maric opens the door, "we understand."
Today she looks more like she did before, before two years of living together, five years of marriage and seven months of desertion by Jason Morgan. She's hasn't dressed in Kate's designer duds but today seemed like a fine time to do it.
Her thoughts are bouncing off the wall in no particular order. Ok I’m fine now this feeling should last for a few hours…I have to put on a happy face for the kids
She hasn’t thought about how to tell them she doesn’t want to get into it right now….maybe a few days…when…he doesn’t talk to them…what does he mean he never will? He's isn't going to ever talk to me and the kids? Ever?
The twins headed out when they slam the door it jolts her back to attention. Felix will start picking up the kids they should all be here by afternoon. The plane is scheduled for a night time take off its always been easier on the kids she'll put them in their jammies and hustle them straight to bed by the time they wake up, dressed and fed she can hustle them right off...
Callie was kind enough to request the rental to arrange a car for them. She checks her list and everything has been done with two changes. In the light of day, she realizes it may be a good thing for her but not the kids to be in a new place their whole life is about to be turned upside down they need some familiarity she called Callie to change their destination to the Tuscany farm in the Florence province of Italy. They’ll land at an airstrip near the province of Siena she was kind enough to have the rental agency arrange for a car. Le Pensione' is not really a working farm there’s a few pickers hired to keep it up, a few animals, horses for the kids, some fruit orchards with a very small vineyard…there’s one other thing to add.
4. Divorce.
She writes the word so she can see it. Is he divorcing me? She erases it quickly it hasn’t come to that… or has it? She presses the end of the pencil harder she doesn't want to see the word anymore. Whether Jason is depressed, making sense, or whatever he hasn’t called to ask about the kids or to find out how she’s doing…he said no contact obviously that’s what he’s doing Thank goodness Scuzzy is with Jake; I won’t have to get him at ….the penthouse. Suddenly I’m numb and excused myself, how did I get back up in the bedroom …I can’t remember my short term memory is gone… Where is that damn list? She's thinking about him …whether he’s depressed, not making sense, or whatever reason he reverted straight back to that damn danger speech. She checks her messages out of habit maybe he spoke to soon and has misgivings about leaving her. Michael has been shot in a coma surely he isn’t thinking clearly Rosanna’s right he’s scared for us and overreacted. She twists the cell in her hand willing it to ring he hasn’t even called about the kids ...or me…he said no contact obviously that’s what he’s doing… for now. She throws the cell across the room.
Two days later
This time Rosanna and Felix takes them to the airport in her SUV she tried to explain as best she could to the kids they are leaving Port Charles and they aren’t going back to Corsica but staying at the farm for awhile they're excited because they don’t go there often. Cameron is to the point as always full of questions,
“What about dad isn’t Jason coming.”
“Well honey he’s staying longer with Michael.”
“What about school?” He asks.
Damn what about school … how can I forget and Mimi just started a new school of fine arts that specializes in music. Cameron is enrolled in the Corsican International school. For five years, thanks to Tracy she’s had a working arrangement with Port Crest when Cameron is in residence as they put it in Port Charles but now she has to enroll the kids in a school in Florence. Jacob goes to a day school a few times a week so he’s ok she takes out her list from her art bag:
5. Schools
6. Grams
who is on another Las Vegas trip at almost seventy-three she’s still traveling up a storm. She doesn’t want to tell her right now maybe she should be more positive Rosanna could be right…he could come back to them and it won’t be necessary to get into all of this with her and the kids. Rosanna looks back at Elizabeth deep in thought the drive to Port Charles’ airport is silent. The highway isn’t crowded even the kids are quiet Jake who is the fussiest lays across the seat with his head in her lap strands of blond hair from under his cap glows in the moonlight.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Asks Rosanna.
“Just thinking how you seem to always take me to the airport and how I can’t thank you both enough for being in our corner,” she’s trying to lighten up from the muddled mess she's been the past few days leave on a high note.
Felix has been relatively quiet, “we always will be.”
Elizabeth assesses the reality of her present they flew in for a few weeks mainly because of Michael and his trial on the way over they decided to stay through Thanksgiving instead of leaving with her husband she’s alone fleeing Port Charles again not with one child but three because of Jason Morgan.... just like before.
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa commune, located about 25 km south of Florence. provincia di Firenze.Toscana Region, Italia.
“we stay in a province right between Florence and Siena. I think Georgy will like it, a hill top surrounded by a valley of trees and vineyards every where the eye can see.” The Path of Love
Three months later….
Mimi and Jake runs after Scuzzy through her bedroom the havoc wakes Elizabeth not that she got much sleep she groggily responds to her children's usual Saturday and Sunday morning banter,
“Mom she won’t stop pulling his tail…Mommy I want… can you get me…then the daily question, “Where’s daddy?”
The housekeeper trails right behind them they're clearly too much for her but sometimes they are for her as well. Jason is the parent who intervened. Cameron helps out by keeping them occupied he's a wonderful big brother always patient, and still takes it quite seriously. He still eats Honey Bunches of Oats nor has his love affair with oranges waned; neither has his appetite for cartoons only now its not just Superheroes, he's expanded his repertoire. Sorry to say Sponge Bob was dropped quite a few years ago replaced by comic books.
“Signora I’m sorry did they disturb you?”
“No its fine.”
Its not like she’s been sleeping its more like passing out, waking up, running herself ragged until she can pass out again. She enjoys the kids but its been tough on them whatever she can do to make it easier she goes the extra mile. After a couple of months, Cameron is oblivious to his disappearance from their lives he stopped asking, undoubtedly taking it hard. Mimi at six is daddy’s little girl she wants him constantly, never one to cry, she’s had a few tantrums, nothing serious but for being such a mild-mannered child it is, she’s cried herself to sleep few nights and sleeps with her more. She asked one night
“Where’s Jason?”.
Then Jake who is the spitting image of his father acts as if he doesn’t give a flying … She didn’t do the right thing sugar coating it to make it easier for him it came a time where she was out of excuses,
“Your father says he doesn’t want to live with us anymore.”
“That means you’re getting a divorce.”
Surprised by Cameron’s candidness, “its possible."
He's a mature nine year old, “but we aren't even talking about that we can hope for the best if you're disappointed in us I understand because I'm disappointed too. Jakey is too young to understand and Mimi well...I don't want to say anything unless its absolutely necessary...but you're a big boy that asked a question and I won't lie to you." Elizabeth doesn't want to give either of them false hope. His brown eyes glazes over he doesn't say anything else. She kisses her son's cheek, "I love you."
But by the end of the day she's angry and is definitely not taking the fall for Jason's decision let him explain it. Oh, that's right he can't because there’s no contact he left it all on her to meander though the maze of their muddled life. But a week after their discussion, Cameron tracked him down he's even more adept using his cell and texting, she didn’t ask him what they spoke about but she could tell he wasn’t satisfied with whatever Jason said. He spoke to Mimi who cried and begged him to come home she wants to see him. Jacob wasn’t interested.
I'm glad he didn't turn Cameron away and spoke to Camille. She vacillates from extreme anger to missing him sometimes within seconds. But the one constant is sleeping without him its the worse. When the urge for making love became so all consuming…. she called Lainey.
“I don’t want to fall back in that black hole the kids keep me centered but I feel myself slipping.” Before the end of the next day, Dr. Elaine Anise Paul Chief of Psychiatry is sitting on her sofa giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation in therapy…she knew the prognosis before she got to Tuscany but she wants to be here for her friend….. ”depression.”
When Elizabeth meets her at the Aeroporto di Siena-Ampugnano a day later she’s barely recognizable. Lainey expected her gaunt and drawn with circles around her eyes instead she’s in a sleek black sports convertible, khaki shorts, white sandals and blouse under a wide brim straw hat with a ravishing sun tan.
“You look wonderful .. looking at you, you're the same.”
She puts on black oversized sunglasses, “not on the inside I feel differently each and every day.” She shifts out of neutral until she reaches fifth gear. Elizabeth use to drive slow… not anymore.
When they get home she throws her hat on the table pushes her sunglasses on top of her hair like a headband,
“How about a glass of wine can’t be in wine country without it.”
They settle down in the modest living room that's furnished similar to her house in Corsica. For an artist, Elizabeth rarely shows interest in home decor. The house on Clover was furnished she kept the furniture, the house in Corsica was sort of a mish match of finds along the way ..the rest she ordered on line and this furniture she also kept from the previous owner. Eclectic is what an interviewer called it whatever that means. Lets say Architectural Digest never came calling. The Penthouse she had a surge to put her stamp on it she changed around a few things painted their bedroom walls brown. But it stayed the same for the most part until Jason redid the upstairs when they got Mimi and repeated the process in their Big house on Corsica; Mimi misses her fish tanks. All this is playing through her head while Lainey explains her psyche.
“Elizabeth its understandable and expected with all that’s happened but from what I can see its not like last time, yes some things are similar you high tailing out of Port Charles, but you aren’t hiding by avoidance, you’re talking about it recognizing the pain, before, you tucked it away.
“He hasn’t called once Lainey not one fucking time we could be dead for all he cares.” Lainey is surprised she thinks this way. “I know this may be weird but I’m glad you’re angry its good letting it all out.”
“Damn right I’m angry who knows how long it'll be before the press get a hold of it. I don't want the kids dragged through the mud with this."
She's kept a low profile but some over zealous reporter can turn it all around. She shakes her head, "his only solution to a problem I knew nothing about is to up and leave me; I’m just a statistic abandoned woman with children."
There was a time Lainey's husband of three years was her protector when he became one of Sonny's top lieutenants. With Cody's extensive military background in undercover surveillance Agent Jagger Cates offered him an out with the FBI and he took it with Sonny's blessing.
“I’m sure he has eyes on you; I can’t imagine him doing otherwise he’s watching over you.” If that was supposed to comfort her it only enraged her to another level, she replies bitingly,
“Yeah and I couldn’t imagine him walking out on us.”
You're a loaded gun
There's nowhere to run
No one can save me The damage is done
Shot through the heart and you're to blame
You give love a bad name
By month four, she’s tired of being weary and forlorn but can’t seem to get in sync. They were together seven years straight this time, five married. now they're in limbo..he says no contact but what does that mean?
She hasn’t picked up a paint brush since he walked out on her all decisions for Galleria de Roma is left to Urania she can’t deal with it. The pensione suits them thanks to Giada she’s found the perfect housekeeper to help out with the kids and a music coach for Camille she's disappointed she can't return to her school although she’s been taking piano lessons for two years; Elizabeth arranged formal training until she can figure something out. At seven years old all Camille understands is she'll miss her friends. Now the visitors are coming nonstop some aren’t aware of exactly what is going on like Leticia and Dr. Graham, who dropped in for lunch. Giada, brought her two kids on the ferry and spent a couple of days which was tricky; Jason is friends with her husband its how they met Enzo is on a racing tour but sends his love. At the beginning of month five word began leaking out somehow maybe Jason extended stay in Port Charles alone raised suspicion…it didn't take long for Emily to put it together..she grilled Jason and got it out of him. Robin and Kelly flew in for four days one look at her and a melt down later they knew and commiserated in her misery by promptly getting zonked. After the hangover wore off she felt pretty much the same, miserable. Strangely enough Carly has been most supportive she thought for sure she’d be all for Jason, on the contrary, by the end of month five, she jets in with Morgan and Joselyn. “That bastard.” …. she had more than enough to say. The Jacks swung by as if to borrow a cup of sugar on their way home from Seville, Spain vacationing with the DeSotos.
The life of an upcoming sculptress suits her. Carly took her offer of using Urania as her European agent a few years ago when she needed help. Its Carly who suggested to Urania when her mentor renowned sculptor Carlo DeSoto use her when his broker of forty years suddenly died. Urania ’s business expanded with two additional clients but DeSoto put her in a whole new category she’s now in the elite echelon of old school traditional art dealers. She hired Robbie Wentworth from Elizabeth Webber's Front Street Studio as her American / European liaison for Galleria de Roma which is still her main office. Urania made it clear she doesn’t want to leave her home there. Carly also uses 19 she has a floor specifically for sculptors sort of a modified Brush and Chisel the school Elizabeth founded on Corsica. Carly re-decorated the whole place with the artists in mind she’s known for years now…she has the pulse of the place down pact and its quite a showpiece…Elizabeth didn’t mind …Carly is good at decorating… even though she didn’t ask her upfront but then that’s after the fact Carly. They speak on Michael and his progress,
"19 has been a godsend it’s a place I can get the kinks out and feel free to express myself. Joselyn loves it there the residents, dote on her.”
Elizabeth breaks down hearing about the place Jason bought for her; she misses it, the big clock window he designed especially to bring in more light, her little sanctuary that connects to the massive gallery all designed specifically for her needs.... that's when Carly spilled the beans.
“So he chose Sonny over his own kids.”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth takes Joselyn off her lap she runs to Camille…take care of her honey….Signora please look after them thank you,” she says in Italian.
“He’s back in all that shit with Sonny to avenge Michael. Don’t get me wrong, I damn well want to know who shot my son and for them to bust a cap in their ass but not at the expense of Jax, Morgan and Josselyn. And bitch Sandra isn't getting off the hook for Timothy, Leticia. my Jax and all the shit she caused here with her gang of thieves that's what she's going for redemption."
Carly changes the subject she can tell its upsetting Elizabeth, "I didn’t realize it, even though Jax was telling me, but I hardly left that hospital day or night the whole time he was there, even when he was moved to a long term care facility; Elizabeth I rarely left his side. It’s why I finally agreed to Jax’s coaxing going to Spain to see Carlo."
“I know because I saw you there every time I visited.”
“Did I ever thank you for all you did for us.” “Many times, and it wasn't enough."
She notices the necklace, "its beautiful, you still wear it.”
Carly clutches her necklace of topaz she later had redesigned to add the jasper stone to it “its my good luck piece it led me to find Jax and Leticia when they were kidnapped and it’ll lead Michael out of his coma. I just know it.”
Carly hugs her and tops off their glasses, “By the time I found my way out of that fog I hadn’t worked on anything new … just finishing a few things to keep my sanity. I looked at Morgan one day and he’d grown a few inches it was time to think about him. I realized he was neglected, not by Jax, he was all there for him. But I hadn’t been around enough; Micheal was away in a coma. When we had Joselyn we were all into her it wasn’t intentional but it made me realize how depressing all this is for him… I had to give some special attention to Morgan..well Jax and Joselyn too but I still feel guilty. Taking this vacation leaving Michael, does it make me a bad Mommy?”
“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth answers. Its good to talk about something else more depressing for a change, but then "Carly I haven't been able to paint since Jason left suppose this is permanent."
Carly takes her hand, "I remember how my so called talent came about all because of you. I don't think I ever would have became a sculptor otherwise. Elizabeth you've suffered a great shock these gifted hands won't stay idle for long its too much art in left in them. It’s my fault that he left you its strange all those years I tried to break you up now this.”
“Carly someone shot your son aiming for Sonny that's not your fault; Jason left his family for whatever reason is his own doing. I hope you don’t feel this way.” “But you resented another choice he made when he took me to Sonny and Kate’s wedding we talked about it.”
“Yeah he said so you wouldn’t do anything stupid.” Carly laughs for a change, “What do you mean like wave papers during the ceremony?” “That’s all water under the bridge we were younger.... different then.”
“He hasn’t filed for divorce.” Carly states.
“No.”
“He’s waiting for you to do it.”
Elizabeth smiles she’s no longer in hand to hand combat with Carly for Jason’s history that stopped on her wedding day she can’t deny she knows her husband well; currently, she knows more about him than she does. ”I said the same thing. Come on lets get out of here and get some of that artistic cultured Tuscan air we should stumble on Jax and Morgan somewhere with Cameron.”
She grabs her hat, its your first time here let me show you around Le Pensione."
Audrey arrives for a few weeks it isn't that she's not pleased to see her she tried to dissuade her from making the trip, but she insisted, so she arranged her pilot Callie to bring her over. Grams is just as upset as she expected so she put on a brave things aren't as bad as they seem face.
"After Micheal he must have gone a little crazy." Its her only defense. She carefully steers the topic away from Jason by using Steven Lars' appointment as General Hospital's Chief of Staff instead. Its a nice pause to the chaos of her life to look out for someone else's feelings, besides the kids, it gives her something different to do. Grams hadn't traveled to Tuscany often she visited them on Corse so showing her around is a diversion that helps lighten the load.
--------------------------
By the sixth month in, she’s had it with the “oh honey I’m so sorries followed by the things will get better mantras. Guess what? They haven’t. Oh and can’t forget “get some rest, seems sleeping is the cure all for what ails her. Its hard to determine which is worse people feeling sorry for her…or feeling sorry for herself doubting if he ever truly loved her. The test came when there is no contact on Jake's birthday not only does it infuriates but embarrasses her. She thinks she covered her emotions fairly well; she wouldn’t say she's glad Gram's leaving but its been hard playing the role without breaking down.
After another week of sulking she comes to a conclusion. Ok Mr. Morgan you had your say loud and clear now its my turn, “lets cut all ties” she can still see its outline on her list she fills back in the word she refused to consider d.i.v.o.r.c.e. Elizabeth hasn't held a great fondness of courts; especially after Camille’s custody battle one they would have lost if Sandra McIntire hadn’t been brought up on a host of other charges. According to her long time attorney, Mr. Maric, whose specialty is not divorce its been relatively smooth he's a consult to a divorce attorney from his firm.
”The papers were filed in American and French courts, served in Port Charles and returned rather promptly he’s not contesting anything and is preparing a settlement package. When the particulars are finalized…we’ll get them to you straightaway and go over it together.”
Maric and Co Solictors
26/27 Great Sutton Street
Clerkenwell London
A few weeks after their conversation, she lawyers up. For Mr. Maric to be the senior partner he has a tiny office its full of paper even though he's a very organized man. Mr. Maric dressed in English summertime tweed informs her of Jason Morgan's package but when he tells her the figure,
“Five million for all our kids?”
“And the properties in Corsica for you Elizabeth this is a very generous offer.
“No its not, not by a long shot . Is he kidding me? This is pocket change for him its not acceptable.” Elizabeth counters, “Five million for each child. I don’t want his fucking house so include it for the kids. Also, all expenses for school, medical, until they each turn 18 which continues if they're in college to be terminated upon graduation… and…include caretaking until its no longer required."
Stunned by her tirade Mr. Maric explains, “he didn’t offer alimony because he knew you wouldn’t accept it.”
Elizabeth’s face reflects her total disdain for Jason Morgan’s package, “Wrong again, I want alimony every single penny fairly calculated based on five years of marriage" She holds out her hand and hits a finger, I also want the Port Charles Front Street properties, Elizabeth Webber studio and Nineteen, " She hits another finger, " and all his Corsican holdings not just the house included in my alimony. The money will be held in an account and split between our children when they inherit his package. These accounts are to be set up by him in both our names in individual irrevocable trusts to Cameron, Camille and Jacob. I will decide how the properties will be disbursed between the kids in my will."
Elizabeth takes off her reading glasses, “This should cover it, Oh … and be sure to include a no contact clause with the children since his life is so damn dangerous therefore I will have sole custody and there'll be no visitation rights. It’s of the utmost importance this is separately claused and signed off by Mr. Morgan. I want that ironclad Mr. Maric.”
Its not only that she wants him to revisit the words that ended their marriage, exactly what he said should be re read and in print for all eternity. So now we're no more than a package to him. "Do the same for their names legally, the children's surname will be as mine, we're Webbers now. Cameron Andrew Webber, Camille Atalanta Webber and Jacob Martin Webber."
Mr. Maric hasn't seen her like this since the Sandra McIntire days, "Our firm is at your disposal and will do as you request."
"This is non negotiable its the only package I will accept so don’t bother coming back to me with anything else. Any amendment can be rejected right on the spot then I'll see him court ....Understood?” Elizabeth smooths down her penciled skirt he helps her slide an arm into her matching brown plaid coat.
"Yes." Mr. Maric opens the door, "we understand."
Today she looks more like she did before, before two years of living together, five years of marriage and seven months of desertion by Jason Morgan. She's hasn't dressed in Kate's designer duds but today seemed like a fine time to do it.