"A Christmas Memory"

by Jules

-Chapter 2-

Shot.

The word rang through Courtney's head again and again, over and over until she felt she couldn't take it anymore. She fell to her knees in the middle of the hospital waiting room, her blonde hair falling around her face and getting stuck in her tear streaks. Carly bent down next to her sister-in-law and tried to console her, miraculously making a successful effort and pulling her back up onto the couch. Sonny sat there, not knowing what to say, not being able to bear the scene playing out in front of him. He had sent his sister's husband - his best friend - out on an "errand" and was the reason that he might die. His sister was seven months pregnant with Jason's child - his death and her grief would be a burden that Sonny would carry forever. Now, they all sat patiently waiting for Jason - husband, best friend, almost brother, almost father - to come out of his surgery. The bullet had pierced through his left lung, and if it wasn't taken out in the next two hours, he could die.

"Mrs. Morgan, your husband just came out of surgery." Tony Jones came up to the threesome and bent down before Courtney. "Unfortunately, he is in a coma right now. We don't know when he will wake up."

Courtney felt tears stream down her face for what seemed like the billionth time that night. "C-can I see him?" she asked in a meek voice. Everyone looked at her, she had barely spoken a word since Carly had explained the news to her, except to allow the surgery to take place.

"Yes," replied Tony. "Talking to him will probably help him come out of his coma and begin to respond to his surroundings."

Courtney stood up slowly, and with help from her brother, walked down the hall to Jason's room. Sonny made sure she sat next to him safely, then quietly shut the door and walked back to Carly.

"He doesn't look good," he said to his wife, exhausted from trying to keep Courtney calm.

"He'll be fine," said Carly, tears forming in her eyes. "H-he has to be." The tears flowed freely down her face as Sonny enveloped her in a hug.

- - - - -

Courtney cautiously sat next to Jason and took his hand in hers.

"Th-they said that they didn't know when you would wake up. Please, please wake up soon. Just follow my voice, or just fight, please - just come back to me." Courtney buried her head on Jason's bed and just cried.

- - - - -

Sonny and Carly walked down to Jason's room two hours later only to see a distraught Courtney sleeping on the chair next to his bedside. Sonny walked over to Courtney and gently shook her awake. After much persuading, Sonny had a nurse set up a cot in Jason's room so Courtney could be next to him.

Before she went to bed, she once again attempted to talk to Jason.

"Jase, I just wanted to let you know that - you have made me the happiest person in the world. This baby-" she patted her stomach. "This baby is going to have the best father. I have the best husband - I couldn't ask for anything more. You saved me from AJ and you saved me from - from myself. I love you so much, please come back to me."

- - - - -

*More to come*
*Feedback greatly appreciated*

A Christmas Memory

by Jules

-Chapter 3-

One week later

Carly walked into Jason's room for the third time that week, seeing still the same scene. Jason lying lifeless in his hospital bed, and Courtney just sitting next to him, staring. This was too much for Carly, she knew it wasn't healthy for Courtney and the baby. She knew she had to do something.

"Hey, sweetie," Carly said quietly, being careful not to startle her. "How about you come get some tea at Kelly's with me?"

"No, Carly, I can't leave," replied Courtney, turning to Carly with her large blue eyes, almost hidden by the bags that were underneath them.

Carly took Courtney's hand. "Yes, yes you can. You just don't want to."

Courtney didn't reply, so she continued. "Courtney, you need to get out of here. You haven't seen the outdoors in a week - that's not healthy for you and the baby. And Jason will be fine for an hour by himself."

"Only an hour?" asked Courtney.

Carly sighed. "Yeah, an hour. We'll be back by eight."

Courtney nodded her head in agreement, and after putting on her coat, let Carly help her out of her chair and out of the hospital.

- - - - -

Courtney felt the warm night breeze on her face as she looked up at all the glimmering stars.

"This reminds me of when Jason and I went to the Caymans a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant," she said.

Carly smiled at her best friend, glad to see that she was coming out of her state of silence. "And you two will go again, as soon as Jason wakes up and this little one is born," she said, patting Courtney's stomach and smiling.

A small smile crept over Courtney's face as she thought of everything she and Jason would do when he woke up. The smile fell from her face when she heard a cool voice behind her.

"Good evening Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Corinthos."

- - - - -

Carly's head snapped around, and Courtney's followed, both seeing the face that ruined their night.

"What the hell do you want, Alcazar?" demanded Carly. Courtney just stood and glared at him.

"Well, I heard about your husband," he said to Courtney. "I am truly sorry and I hope he recovers --"

He was stopped short when a feeling of piercing pain went through his face. Courtney stood there, her hand still in mid-air, while Carly's mouth stood open.

"YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT MY HUSBAND!" Courtney yelled. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SHOT HIM! LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY THE HELL ALONE, YOU FILTHY BASTARD! LEAVE!"

A cocky grin spread across Alcazar's face. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you. Good night," he said as he walked away from the two women. Courtney turned to Carly. Carly was expecting her to break down and burst into tears, but oddly enough, she stood strong and proud. It was almost as if the slap had brought her out of a daze, as well.

"Well, Carlybabes, you promised me some tea. So where the hell is it?" she asked, a smile returning to her face as she realized that everything would be OK, if she just believed.

- - - - -

Chapter 4 probably later tonight or tomorrow :)

A Christmas Memory

by Jules

- Chapter 4 -

Tony Jones had encouraged Courtney to speak to Jason about everyday things, update him on what was happening around town. So, she tried, as hard as it was to pretend nothing was wrong and just go on about the day. As if her husband - her soulmate - wasn't lying in a coma in front of her, almost dead, shot through the back.

"I, uh, I had an appointment with Dr. Meadows today," Courtney started, taking Jason's hand in hers. "The baby is probably going to come out in 3 weeks, she told me. She also knows its gender, but I didn't want to know yet. I want it to be a surprise." She continued. "Carly brought me shopping yesterday - she was yelling at me for being in here too long. Oh, Jase, if you could see Morgan - she is beautiful. She's almost a year old - her blond hair is all fuzzy, and she has the darkest eyes. I can tell that the guys will be all over her when she grows up!"

"Yes, she will!" Carly said from behind Courtney, startling her. "My daughter is gonna be a killer - like her momma."

Courtney laughed. "I'll let you talk to him for a few minutes," she said, getting up from her chair and walking outside.

Carly took a seat next to Jason. "Hey, Jase. We need to have a serious chat - even though it only consists of me talking to you. But, hey, I'm used to that anyway! Jason Morgan, Courtney needs you. She is in here constantly. I'm worried - about her and the baby. You need to come back and help us all. We all need you. You're the best friend I've ever had. Even though I'm a serious pain in the ass sometimes, you know I can't help it. I need you here to drive me crazy, and I need you here so I can drive you crazy! All I know is that there is no way in hell this family will make it without you. You are our rock, Jase. Please, fight for us - we're all fighting for you. You need to step in and do your part. I love you." Carly stood up, kissed the top of his head, and turned to walk out of the room.

"C...Carly?"

- - - - -

More later :-)

A Christmas Memory

by Jules

- Chapter 5 -

[Carly took a seat next to Jason. "Hey, Jase. We need to have a serious chat - even though it only consists of me talking to you. But, hey, I'm used to that anyway! Jason Morgan, Courtney needs you. She is in here constantly. I'm worried - about her and the baby. You need to come back and help us all. We all need you. You're the best friend I've ever had. Even though I'm a serious pain in the ass sometimes, you know I can't help it. I need you here to drive me crazy, and I need you here so I can drive you crazy! All I know is that there is no way in hell this family will make it without you. You are our rock, Jase. Please, fight for us - we're all fighting for you. You need to step in and do your part. I love you." Carly stood up, kissed the top of his head, and turned to walk out of the room.

"C...Carly?"]

Carly's head whipped around. She could've sworn that she heard Jason's voice...coming from Jason's bed. "Jase? Is that you?" she rushed over to his side, but his eyes were still closed. "Courtney! Courtney, come here!" she yelled. "Holy shit."

Courtney rushed in the room. "What - oh my God, what happened?" Panic ran through her.

"No, no...I thought I heard...I mean, he did - Jason said my name!"

Courtney stood with her mouth opened. She pushed past Carly and took Jason's hand. "Jason, if you can hear me - um - uh...squeeze my hand!"

She felt the smallest squeeze in her hand and she shrieked with joy. "GET A DOCTOR!" she yelled to Carly. Carly, flustered and excited, ran out the door. Courtney leaned down next to Jason's ear.

"I knew you'd make it, baby. I knew you would."

- - - - -

Carly rushed in less than a minute later, Tony Jones and a nurse in tow. "He-he said my name and squeezed her hand," she finished explaining to them. They ran over to Jason and started making movement around him.

"Jason, can you speak any more?" asked Tony.

"Wh...where's C-Cour..." the softest voice came from Jason's mouth, very slowly.

Courtney rushed over to his side. "I'm right here, sweetie, I'm right here!" she half-laughed, half-sighed with joy and relief. "I'm right here."

"I came back for you and the baby," he said.

Tears glistened in her soft blue eyes. "I know you did. We missed you!"

Carly stood in the back of the room, tears pouring down her face. "I'll be damned." she said quietly, a smile on her face.

- - - - -

After Jason was completely awake and the doctors had thoroughly examined him, he was still told he needed to stay in the hospital for at least another week.

"I want to get out of this hell hole as soon as humanly possible," he told Courtney after the doctor had left. She smiled.

"And I want you to get out as soon as humanly possible! But you need to rest," she said.

"You know, when I - when I was in the coma, I kept dreaming - about the baby and you," said Jason. "The baby-she was a girl. She was beautiful. She had your eyes and smile. You were holding her and standing next to me, saying, 'We need you, we all do,' and I knew I had to come back to you. Then I saw Carly yelling at me, believe it or not--"

Courtney laughed. "Oh, I believe it. I was wondering what she said to you when she came in here!"

Jason smiled and continued. "I couldn't really understand what she was saying - probably because I didn't want to - but I got a feeling that I really needed to pull through. So I really quickly saw her, and I just built up enough courage to say her name-as a sign to you that I was here. Then I got strength from you to squeeze your hand and let you know that I really was going to come back to you."

Courtney smiled. "Thank you for coming back," she said.

Jason smiled. "I love you."

"I love - oww..." Courtney winced and doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach.

"C-Courtney!" Jason tried to hold her, but she sat on the floor, crying out in pain.

"Th-OW! This baby is coming...NOW! OWWW!!"