Jason had reservations about going to see Sonny, but it was what Elizabeth wanted and a small part of him wanted if not permission, at least recognition that he was in his daughter's life and made her happy.

The island had been hard to get to and he hated being away from Elizabeth, but he had to do what was right.

After a driver dropped him off at the casino, Jason waited hours before finally receiving a green light and being allowed up to the main office where Sonny sat nursing drinks and smoking Cuban cigars.

Jason took off his shades and faced the darker man, surprised that they were left alone in the large office. He took in a deep breath before he spoke. "Sonny, I came to ask-"

Sonny without so much as a glance in Jason's direction, picked up his glass and downed a shot of bourbon. "I know why you're here. You want my permission to marry my daughter." Finally he turned and his eyes were blacker than coal. "Well, you might as well go home now, because I won't allow it. Not now! Not ever!"

Jason clenched and unclenched his hands at his sides, trying to control his anger for nothing else but the woman he loved. So he could go back to her and be honest when he told her he didn't beat the man to a bloody pulp. "What about what Elizabeth wants?"

Sonny waved him off. "Elizabeth doesn't want you, she just thinks she does. In time, she'll get over it."

Jason's anger burned in his eyes and his nostrils flared. "Like hell she will. You don't even know her! You don't know what she wants and you sure as hell don't know what she needs. I'll marry Elizabeth, with or without your permission. I only came because Elizabeth wants you there. If you're any kind of father...if you're any kind of man, you'll be there. You've broken her heart enough, don't be a bastard and do it on the happiest day of her life." With that, Jason turned and left with so much as a look back. He'd come for Elizabeth and had said his peace.

How had he worked for a man like that for so long? Sadly, it looked like Elizabeth would once again be without daddy dearest for an event she not only wanted him to be there for, she needed him there.

____

Days went by without hearing from Sonny, Jason was positive there was a hit on his head, but didn't give a damn. He loved Elizabeth and would be with her as long as he breathed. Now, the day of the wedding was upon them and there was still no sign of Sonny Corinthos.

Elizabeth paced the small bridal chamber as Johnny watched standing a few feet away.

"He'll be here Elizabeth," Johnny assured her.

Stopping her fidgeting for a minute to look up at the taller man, she asked,"how can you be sure?"

"He's your father," Johnny stated nonchalantly.

Elizabeth snorted. "You say that like it's supposed to mean something."

"It does mean something," he assured her.

She laughed but there was no humour to it. "Not to him. I've never mattered to him, so what makes you think I'll matter now?"

Johnny struggled for the right words. "At least you have Jason, isn't that something?"

"It's everything! You know that Johnny. You know I've loved him since I met him."

"Then don't let the fact that your father is an ass -oh, pardon my language, but he is- ruin your day. You and Jason love each other and if your father doesn't understand that he makes you happy, then he doesn't deserve to be your father. If I were him," he said softly, tilting her chin so she looked up at him, "I'd be proud to call you my daughter, mighty proud."

Sniffling, Elizabeth wiped her nose with a tissue and took a deep breath before she spoke again. "Thank you, Johnny. Could you do something for me?"

"Anything Miss Webber," he said, wiping the tears from her eyes to keep her make-up from running.

"First, the name's Elizabeth and second, c-could you walk me down the aisle?" She looked up at him shyly before looking down at the floor. "I'd understand if you didn't want to, I mean it's not your kind of thing, but I'd really like it. I've known you all my life Johnny O'Brien and you've been more of a father to me than anyone my whole life. Maybe just for today, we could pretend. Maybe for today, I could have a real dad and if you wouldn't mind, you could have a daughter."

Tears clouded Johnny's vision. Maybe it was the Irish in him that got him so emotional or maybe it was that looking down at little Elizabeth Webber, he realized she wasn't so little anymore. She was a woman and beautiful at that. It hit him hard and he realized he'd always thought of her that way. Always he'd been there for her scraped knees and broken dolls that he'd patiently fixed while she sniffled next to him. He'd tucked her in at night and sat up with her when she cried for her father, a man she barely knew. Was there for her when she got her first period and when she went to her first school dance. He'd always been there and suddenly he realized from now on he wouldn't be. "I'd be happy to call you my daughter any day of the week, Elizabeth. I'd be honoured."

And so Elizabeth took Johnny's arm and let him lead her down the aisle and toward her future.

The vows were read amongst tears of joy and rejoicing. Johnny stood proudly and watched as the couple devoted themselves to each other, even he let a few tears escape him, but would never admit to it. After they kissed, they turned to leave the church and quick as a flash Elizabeth spotted movement from the front doors to which they were heading.

"Daddy?" Elizabeth called, and took Jason with her when she jogged to catch him.

Sonny tuned at the door, smoothing down his starched suit. His eyes rested on her and his dimpled smile lit his face. "You look beautiful. I-I wish your mother was alive to see you. You look so much like her, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth's eyes clouded with tears. Jason, watching as she spoke to her father for the first time in a long time, felt himself get choked up as well.

Sonny turned his gaze to Jason, who stood firm. "It was wrong of me to deny my daughter happiness I see that now. You were right, I don't know her and maybe I don't deserve to, but I'd like the chance."

Jason took a deep breath and looked down at Elizabeth. "I'm not the one you should be asking, I don't own her and neither do you."

Sonny turned his attention to his only daughter and took her hand. "I've made a lot of mistakes, Elizabeth. I've stayed away too long because it was too painful for me to even look at you. You remind me of your mother so much, and I-I know I can't change the past, but if you'll let me, I'd like to get to know you."

She smiled a watery smile and squeezed his hand. "That's all I've ever wanted."

The End