A Christmas Memory

by Jules

Sorry it took so long! I hope everyone had a fun & safe holiday season and New Year!

-Chapter 11-

Courtney woke up to see the snow falling outside her window. She turned over to see a tray full of steaming pancakes and a small box wrapped up with a bow. She smiled and shook her head as she picked up the small card that was carefully placed on the tray.

Courtney,

everything I need. I love

you. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Jason

She put the card down and looked up to see Jason enter the room, holding Caroline. She had her Christmas pajamas on and was smiling so brightly.

"Mommy's awake!" Jason said as he walked towards the bed.

"Merry Christmas," said Courtney as Jason leaned down and kissed her. "Mmm-these pancakes look delicious," she continued. "Thank you, Jase."

"Well, open the present," he said as he moved the tray over and sat next to Courtney, placing Caroline right in the middle of them.

Courtney reached for the small box and carefully unwrapped it. She opened the box to see a gorgeous necklace with a white diamond "C" hanging from the chain. Along with the necklace were a pair of beautiful matching earrings.

"Oh, my God," she gasped. "Th-they're beautiful!"

"So are you." Jason reached over and kissed his wife until they heard their daughter pipe up below them. Courtney picked her up and held her tiny hand, smiling.

"Oh, Caroline, your daddy gave Mommy the best, most beautiful present," she said as she turned to Jason. "Thank you so much, baby."

"I love you. And I have a feeling you're going to love these pancakes, so eat them. Or I will," he joked.

Courtney gave their daughter to Jason as she took a bite of the pancakes. "These are so good! Where did you learn how to make these?"

"Sonny actually taught me," said Jason, also taking a bite. You know how men can't look at food without taking some for themselves. Courtney rolled her eyes, but smiled on the inside. She sat up.

"Well, we better feed our beautiful little-"

"Done," Jason interrupted. "You forget we've been up longer than you!"

"Oh, thank you sweetie. But I've got to heat up that oven to start making those-"

"Done-again."

Courtney put her hand on Jason's face. "You really are the best thing that's ever happened to me. And no, not just because you did all that. But because you care."

"I'll always care. Because I love you so much."

Courtney leaned over and kissed him. They sat together listening to their baby girl's gurgling and watching the falling snow that was making for a white Christmas that had hardly begun.

- - - - -

Caroline's little baby noises brought a smile to her father's face. She had been staring at the "Baby's First Christmas 2004" Christmas tree ornament for 10 minutes, and it seemed as if she'd never lost interest in it. Courtney walked out of the kitchen untying the apron that was over her pajamas.

"Well, the pies are cooling so I'm going to take a quick shower," she told Jason. He stood up and placed Caroline in her carrier.

"OK. Hey, uh, do you think it would be OK to maybe-you know, go to the Quartermaine's this morning? Just to say Merry Christmas?" Jason was nervous asking this question to his wife who had neither patience nor friendly thoughts about the Quartermaine family.

Courtney was more agreeable than he thought she would be. "OK, I guess. I mean, Monica and Alan would want to see their granddaughter and Emily would love to see her so, sure. What the hell." She winced immediately after saying that. "Caroline, don't follow Mommy's bad example!"

Jason laughed as he watched his wife walk upstairs.

- - - - -

Courtney came down one hour later looking gorgeous. Her hair was blow dryed and straightened with a soft flip at the end. Her makeup was flawlessly applied. She had a slim-fitting black skirt on that fell just below her knees, and a beautiful dark red sweater. Her shoes were elegant yet casual at the same time, black stilettos with a perfect point at the toe. She had also put on the beautiful white diamonds Jason had given her.

"Mrs. Morgan, you look absolutely amazing," Jason said as he took her hand and led her down the last few steps of the stairs.

"Why thank you, Mr. Morgan," Courtney replied in a flirty tone. "You don't look too bad yourself!" She gave him a quick kiss and walked over to her already-dressed daughter. "As do you!" Courtney smiled, knowing that little Morgan was wearing the same exact outift. They were so cute - little red dresses with green sparkles and a green bow - she and Carly couldn't resist buying them for their daughters.

Jason bundled the baby up and put her in her carrier. "Ready to face them?" He helped Courtney into her coat. She grabbed her purse as the three of them walked out the door and gave him a sideways smile.

"I sure hope so."

- - - - -

They walked into the Quartermaine mansion right in the middle of a family argument - about Christmas dinner. Reginald, who had opened the door (and the only sane person around the place), just rolled his eyes and wished them a Merry Christmas. Then he proceded to leave the room with his fingers in his ears.

Emily, the only person not taking part in the insane yell-fest, walked over to Jason, Courtney, and the baby.

"Hey you two," she said spiritedly. "Merry Christmas!"

After the three exchanged hugs and kisses, Emily picked up her beautiful baby niece. The baby squealed for a minute, bringing the family "discussion" to a halt.

"Oh, my God, she is beautiful!"

"She is gorgeous!"

"How adorable!"

The family clustered around the baby, who was still in Emily's arms. After Skye gave her congratulations to Jason and Courtney, Monica approached them. "She is the perfect mix of you two. Gorgeous." She gave them both a kiss on the cheek and a "Merry Christmas," and they did the same in return.

"Thanks, Monica," said Jason.

Monica nodded and walked back towards the crowd around the little girl, stating that she wanted to hold her because after all, "she is her grandmother."

Jason walked over to the baby. "I think I should take her before she suffocates." Courtney nodded and sighed.

"Thank you."

The family slowly headed off in different directions and AJ walked up to them. Jason noticed Courtney stiffen.

"Merry Christmas, you guys. And congratulations. She's uh, she's really somethin'." He walked away. Jason and Courtney just looked at each other, neither believing that the person who hated them most had actually been nice to them.

They said their final goodbyes and "Merry Christmases" to everyone and left the mansion, mentally making sure their bodies were intact. They didn't notice AJ standing in the corner, watching with jealously.

- - - - -

Since it was too early to head over to the Corinthos penthosuse for Christmas dinner, the Morgan family decided to walk through the park. It was beautiful. The snow was falling gently onto the ground and many happy families walked by. Some even stopped to mention to Jason and Courtney what they already knew - how beautiful their baby girl was all bundled up from the cold. Jason pushed the baby in her stroller and Courtney looped her arm into his. They came upon Elizabeth, who had been walking the opposite direction. When they came to each other, they both stopped.

"Merry Christmas, Elizabeth," Courtney said with a smile. This caused Elizabeth to smile, as well.

"Merry Christmas, you guys," she replied, looking down at the baby. "Oh, my gosh, she is beautiful!"

"Thanks," Jason said. "She's really pretty good, too."

"Oh, she looks it," said Elizabeth, laughing. "Congratulations. Well, I better be going - can't be late for work."

A funny feeling came over Courtney. "Liz, are you eating Christmas dinner with anyone?" she asked.

Elizabeth shook her head. "Uh - no."

"Well, if you want, you're welcome to come join us," Courtney replied. Jason stared at her.

"Um-thanks, really, but I have to work so I..." Elizabeth's voice trailed off.

"Oh, OK. Well, Merry Christmas!" Courtney felt genuine sympathy for anyone who had to work on Christmas.

"Merry Christmas," Elizabeth said as she walked away.

"Merry Christmas," said Jason. Then he turned to Courtney. "Who are you and what the hell have you done with my wife?"

Courtney smiled. "Holiday spirit, I guess."

- - - - -

As they walked out through the gates of the park, they heard little voices. "Misletoe! Misletoe!" They came upon a group of boy and girl scouts selling bundles of misletoe. One young girl with pigtails approached them.

"Excuse me, but you're under the misletoe. You know what that means," she said matter-of-factly, looking at Jason and Courtney.

Courtney and Jason looked up at the gate over their heads. Sure enough, there it was. They looked back at each other and smiled. Then they leaned in together for a long kiss. Jason wrapped his hands around Courtney's back and her hands went up around his neck.

"OK, OK! I'm only 9! Geez," said the little girl.

Jason and Courtney laughed and paid for some misletoe as they walked away.

- - - - -

They entered the Corinthos penthouse an hour later, only to hear loud voices from the kitchen.

"CARLY! GET OUT! You're bad luck just being in here," Sonny yelled.

"My GOD, would you calm down?" Carly walked out of the kitchen with her hands up in the air, shaking her head. She smiled when she saw the three Morgans standing right in front of her.

"Merry Christmas! Court, honey, that outfit is gorgeous!" She gave Courtney a big hug, then turned to Jason.

"Merry Christmas, Jase," she gave Jason a hug and she looked down at her niece. "And Merry Christmas to you, too, sweetheart! I love you! Yes I do!" She took Caroline out of her stroller and the baby automatically nestled into her arms silently. "Uh-oh, looks like someone's tired. How about I put her down for a nap with Morgan? You two can see Sonny in the kitchen - I'm pretty sure his hostility only gravitates to me."

"Thank you so much, Carly," said Courtney, taking off her coat.

"It's no problem at all," Carly replied starting up the stairs. "Now you be a good girl for your Aunt Carly! Because not many people are! OK, so maybe I don't belong in the kitchen, but..." she was talking softly to the baby girl.

Courtney laughed and Jason shook his head as they went to find Sonny in the kitchen. He wasn't having the best time, though.

- - - - -

"Dammit!"

Courtney and Jason looked at each other, then back to a flustered Sonny. "What's wrong?" Courtney asked.

Sonny looked startled to see them. "Nothing - it's just this damn stove. But, hey - who cares! Merry Christmas, you guys." He gave Courtney a hug and shook Jason's hand.

"Can we - uh, help you with anything?" Jason asked.

"No, no, no. I'm fine - this piece of shit's working now, so we should be all good." Sonny returned to stirring whatever was in the pot on the stove. "So, how's Caroline?"

"She's very good, thanks," replied Courtney. "And how's your beautiful little girl?"

"She gets more and more like her mother every day," said Sonny, laughing. "She'll scream and cry if there's no attention around her!" They all laughed as Carly walked in, her hands behind her back.

"Before you freak out about my being in here, I just wanted to say...I HEARD THAT!"

- - - - -

"Aunt Courtney! Uncle Jason!" Michael ran into the kitchen, jumping on them and giving them hugs. "Uncle Jason, come look what I got for Christmas!'

"OK, let's go take a look," said Jason, as Michael dragged him into the living room. Carly followed.

"Jason is so good with Michael." Courtney sighed, thinking of how wonderful he was. Sonny nodded.

"Yeah, he is. And he's great with Caroline, too." Courtney nodded in agreement. Sonny sat across from Courtney at the counter. "Hey, I just wanted you to know something. Uh, I know Carly probably wouldn't tell you right away because she'd get, you know, emotional, so I just wanted to tell you that it, uh, it really means a lot to us - especially Carly - that you named your daughter after Carly and Charlotte." Courtney smiled.

"Sonny, I couldn't be prouder that my daughter is named after my sister-in-law and best friend, and someone who is important to her. Because she's so important to us."

Sonny gave his sister a hug. "Well, let's go see what's going on out there!"

- - - - -

Jason and Carly were watching Michael play with his train.

"Wow, buddy - that thing moves fast," said Courtney, sitting on the couch next to Jason.

"Yeah," Michael replied. "Daddy got it for me."

"Well, you're very lucky," said Jason. "Lots of little boys would want a cool train like this for Christmas."

"I know," Michael said.

Carly stood up from the couch. "Well, I'm gonna go make us some coffee."

Courtney looked at her. "Uh, maybe I should!" Everyone laughed.

"It's not time for coffee yet," said Sonny. "Who's up for a martini?" Everyone nodded, and he and Jason returned to the kitchen to make them.

Michael ran upstairs with his toys, and after a warning from his mother not to disturb his little cousin and sister, he was gone, leaving Courtney and Carly in the living room by themselves.

"So," Courtney started. "What time did Sonny wake up this morning to start making that food?"

"Geez, Michael woke us up at about 5:30!"

"Damn, that's freakin' early! I woke up to some delicious pancakes - and these." Courtney touched her earrings and necklace.

Carly gasped. "Those are beautiful! Jason got them for you?" Courtney nodded. "Oh, wow! They're completely gorgeous. You know what? We are so lucky to be married to the two best guys in the world."

"Hell, yes!" Courtney exclaimed, making them both laugh.

"And I don't even have to mention that they're both easy on the eyes," Carly said.

"Um, yeah," Jason said as he walked in carrying two martinis like Sonny was, right behind him. He handed one to Courtney then sat down on the arm of the couch right behind her. Sonny sat on the coffee table, right in front of Carly, and handed her a martini.

"I would like to propose a toast," he said. "To our family. We've come through so much, and we've gotten through it all just by having each other, like we always will."

They all nodded, clinking their glasses together.

"And also to having a happy, business-free Christmas," Carly added.

They didn't know that the rest of their wonderful Christmas would be the only day that was 'business-free' for a while.

- - - - -

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