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Title: Full of
Grace Chapter One the winter
here's cold and bitter Courtney stared
out watching the rain run down the window.
With her palm against the glass the day before played over and over in
her head. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Guilty” Jason whipped his
head around to look at her to make sure she was all right but as their eyes
locked he knew. She could hear
the rush of the blood in her head becoming louder and louder. Then she heard Jason say her name but he
sounded so far away. Her eyes rolled back up into her head and she heard him
yell Sonny’s name as she slipped from her chair into unconsciousness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A bailiff hustled
Brenda and Jason taken out of the courtroom at Baldwin’s insistence. He was ranting that Courtney’s faint was
just a distraction so Jason and Brenda could escape. “Someone call an
ambulance for my sister. Hurry!” Sonny
yelled. Carly grabbed Courtney and held
onto her. It all happened so fast no
one saw Jason being led away. Or how he struggled, his face full of fear, to
see if Courtney was going to be okay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Courtney kept
insisting she was fine but Sonny agreed with the doctor’s that she should stay
in the hospital overnight just to be sure.
When everyone left her alone to rest she got dressed and just walked
out. A freezing rain
fell as she walked home from the hospital.
She was soaked through by the time she got to the loft and opened the
door. She thought, ‘Home is where
the heart is.’ Except her heart was
in prison. She didn’t feel the cold air
on her skin as she stripped off her wet clothes and put on the blouse and jeans
she wore yesterday. All she felt was
empty. And guilty. I feel just
like I'm sinking She knew she
should call her brother. She was sure
they were worried about her but she couldn’t make herself go to the phone. She couldn’t bear to hear his voice knowing
how she had betrayed him. Betrayed him
and Jason. She had sentenced Jason to
prison with her love. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sonny and Carly
frantically searched for Courtney. They
went everywhere they thought she might go.
Sonny kept insisting that Courtney must have a concussion from the fall
in the courtroom but Carly knew better.
She knew that Courtney’s heart was broken. Carly flew into
Kelly’s yelling for Bobbie. “She’s not here.”
Elizabeth said coming out from the kitchen. “Have you seen
Courtney? Has she called?” “No, why? What’s
wrong?” “She walked out
of the hospital last night and no one has seen her since.” “She never went
home?” “No. If she calls or comes by please tell her to
call us.” Carly moved towards the door. “Carly,
wait. I think I might know where she
is.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carly ran all the
way from Kelly’s to the building Elizabeth had indicated. She pounded on the door yelling Courtney’s
name. Carly knew she was there. She could feel it. It took a few minutes of yelling and knocking but Courtney
finally opened the door. When she did
Carly was shocked. Courtney looked at
Carly for a second and then walked back to where she had been standing for
hours. Courtney’s hair hung limply on
either side of her face. Her skin
looked gray in the dim light coming in through the window. If Carly hadn’t known better she would have
sworn she was looking at Courtney’s ghost. “Courtney,
honey. What is this place?” Carly asked. When Courtney
didn’t answer she started to look around the loft. Food in the refrigerator, a dog bed in the corner near the
fireplace, plants, candles, magazines. “Courtney, how
long have you been living here? How could you afford this?” Then it hit
her. Carly opened the closet and there
were both Courtney’s and Jason’s clothes.
Jason had gotten this place for her … for them. So Courtney would feel safe from AJ and
Coleman and they could be together in secret.
‘This is where he has been every time he disappeared,’ Carly
thought, ‘He and Courtney made a home here away from the rest of their
world.” At that moment Carly felt
her heart break for both of them. “Courtney, let’s
go back to the penthouse, okay?” Carly pleaded. “Sonny is really worried about
you.” “NO!” Courtney
shouted. “I can’t … I, I just can’t.” “Courtney,
please? He’s out of his mind worrying
about you right now. He can’t lose you
too.” “I have to stay
here. Jason will be picturing me
here. I have to keep everything the
same so he can picture it the way it was last night … the last time we were
here together. I have to stay.” Carly sighed and
then got her phone out. “Sonny, I found
her. She’s safe but …. She refuses to come back to the
penthouse. I think you should come
here.” Chapter 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 The confusion on
Sonny’s face disappeared when Carly gestured to Courtney at the window. He went to her and wrapped his arms around
her and finally Courtney began to cry.
She cried in his arms for what seemed like eternity and then exhausted
she let him lead her to the bed. He
leaned down to kiss her forehead and when he pulled back she was already
asleep. He walked back to
the couch where is wife was waiting for him and sat down. “Carly, what in
the hell is going on? What is she doing
here?” Carly looked at
him trying to decide exactly how to tell him what had been going on with
Courtney and Jason. She knew he would
be upset but concern for Courtney’s well-being had to come first now. Courtney and getting Jason out of jail. “Sweetie, Jason
got it this apartment to make it easier.
So he could keep Courtney safe.
So he could stay married to Brenda and concentrate on clearing up the
Alcazar mess.” “That doesn’t
make any sense. Why would he need to
get her this apartment? He could have
just told Marco or Johnny to watch her place until this was all over with.” “Sonny, Jason
would never trust Courtney’s safety to anyone else, you know that. But that’s not why he did it. Look around. There’s food in the refrigerator. Their clothes are here.
They had a life together no one knew about.” “No, that’s
ridiculous. Jason would never betray me
like that.” “Betray you? By falling in love with your sister? Are you crazy?” Carly hissed at him. She wanted nothing more than to yell at him
so she could get it through his skull but she was afraid to wake up
Courtney. “Jason has given
up everything for you. He’s in jail
because he was protecting Brenda … for you.
And he’s betrayed you by falling in love with Courtney? Sonny, I love you but you expect too much
from people. You pushed him at her.
‘Guard her, protect her, take care of her.’
Did you expect him not to notice how wonderful she is, how sweet and
kind and beautiful? Did you expect him
not to want her? How could he not fall
in love with her?” The truth was, he
had seen it but he didn’t want it to be true.
Partly because he was worried for Courtney’s safety but mostly because
he didn’t want to share her. Not even
with his best friend. “She’s my
sister. I don’t want to lose her. I just found her.” Carly grabbed his
hand. She hated the sad look on his
face. “Sonny, look at
it this way. No one will ever love her
better than Jason. He will never take
her away from you. He will never let
anything happen to her. He would give
his own life for her. Don’t you think
they both deserve to be happy?” Sonny looked at
his wife. Tears were now streaming down
her face. He kissed her once then
twice. Hard. “Watch after
her. I’ve got to go see Jason.” “Sonny?” He seemed all
right but Carly was still worried. Her
husband could be very stubborn. “No, I need to go
see him first.” They both looked
up in surprise to see Courtney standing just outside the bedroom. They hadn’t heard her get up and walk out to
the living room. “Courtney, you
need to rest. You should be in the
hospital not wandering around town.”
Sonny’s voice was gentle but he was still annoyed with his sister for
scaring them all like she had. “He needs to see
that I’m okay. Has anyone even told him
that I am alright?” Sonny and Carly
looked at each other guiltily. They had
both been so worried about Courtney’s whereabouts that they hadn’t even thought
about visiting Jason. “That settles it
then. I’m going. You can either get me a car or I’ll walk.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason thought God
had answered his prayers when he saw Courtney walk in. She looked beautiful but pale and
tired. He hated that he had done this
to her. “Are you all
right? What did they say at the hospital?
Why didn’t anybody come to tell me what was going on?” Jason spoke so
fast Courtney could barely hear him but she understood what he was asking. “I’m fine,
really. They say it’s very common …
when you’re pregnant.” “When you’re
what?” Jason could have
sworn that she said pregnant but … “Pregnant,
Jason. With child. Are you stupid?” Courtney spit the words out to him. Her face was cold as she looked at him. “AJ was right. You’re
nothing but a killer. It finally hit me
when I heard the guilty verdict.” “What are you
saying? Courtney, I didn’t kill
anyone. You know that, don’t you? “I know that I
threw away my marriage because of a physical attraction to a thug. I was so stupid. Hopefully, I haven’t ruined it completely. Maybe AJ will take me back when he finds out
I am carrying his baby.” “AJ’s baby? Courtney, I don’t understand. I thought … I
thought the baby was mine. ” “Well, I guess
that’s the brain damage. I’ll leave you
to your prison sentence. Maybe you and
your bride will get the death penalty and I can forget that I ever let you
touch me. It makes my skin crawl just
to think about it.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tears started
the second Courtney walked around the corner.
She did what she had to do and now Jason hated her. Now maybe she could make AJ love her again. She just hoped she could find a way to put
everything back to the way it should be.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason felt like
his heart had been ripped out of his chest.
He couldn’t breathe. He had
never felt this kind of pain before in his life. Not after the accident.
Not when he was shot. Not even
when Michael was taken away from him.
He had nothing left. They might
as well execute him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Courtney walked
right out of the PCPD and past the car her brother had sent her in. She couldn’t take Sonny’s limo to the
Quartermaines. That would just annoy
AJ. She had to go unencumbered by
anything that would remind him of Jason or Sonny. As she waited on the corner for a cab she could smile for the
first time in 2 days as she thought of her child. ‘Don’t worry,
baby, I am going to get your daddy out of jail and I will never let the
Quartermaines raise you. Never!’ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4 Reginald led
Courtney into library where Monica sat at the desk. “Monica, I need
your help.” Monica looked up
to see the woman both of her sons loved.
She had been calling around trying to find Courtney and here she was
standing in front of her. Monica got up
and walked around the desk to stand in front of her daughter-in-law. “Courtney, are
you all right? Jason is very worried
about you.” “I’m fine. I just visited him at the jail.” “That’s
wonderful. Courtney, I don’t think I’ll
ever understand what happened between you and AJ. Frankly, I don’t think I want to know. Now you have brought Jason back to me, thank you. I don’t know what else to say except thank
you.” “What do you mean
I brought Jason back to you?” Courtney
had her own agenda but what Monica had just told her made her forget herself
for a moment. “I also went to
visit Jason earlier. You must have
arrived shortly after I left him.
Courtney, he was … changed. He
called me mom. He hasn’t called me that
in years. He reached out to me, held my
hand, asked me to help him.” “Jason wanted you
to help him get out of jail?” “No.” Monica
smiled at Courtney and led her to the couch. “All he wanted me to do was to
find out if you were okay. He was so
worried when he saw you faint. No one
could tell him anything about your condition.” Courtney sucked
in her breath when Monica used the word condition. ‘Oh God, does she know
already?’ Courtney thought. ‘She could just look it up in my chart.’ “I told him you were
fine and he was so relieved. Joyous
really. I know my son did not kill that
man or help anyone who did kill him. We
are going to find a way to get his name cleared, I promise.” Courtney wondered
if she could tell Monica the truth.
Maybe she didn’t have to go through with the disgusting alternative of
pretending to love AJ. Could Courtney
trust Monica to plot with her to save one son at the expense of another? ‘Yes, Jason
life is at stake. The worst that could
happen to AJ is jail but they won’t execute him.’ “Monica, I have
some things to tell you that you aren’t going to like hearing. I think I know a way to save Jason’s
life. But you may have to ruin AJ’s to
do it.” “Ruin AJ? I don’t
understand.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Courtney told
Monica the whole story. She started
with AJ marrying her to try to blackmail Sonny into giving Michael back to the
stalking to what she overhead Coleman telling Skye and AJ at the courthouse. Monica sat
starting at Courtney for a few moments.
Courtney worried that she had made a mistake. She wondered if she should have just gone with her earlier plan. “I wish I could
say this surprised me but I know AJ is capable of everything you’ve told
me. No wonder you left him. I am so sorry my son did this to you.” “Monica, you
aren’t responsible for AJ. He’s an
adult and he made his own choices. His
jealousy has warped him. He has always
been jealous of Jason and now I am afraid he won’t stop until Jason is
executed.” Those words
brought back what she had done to Jason.
The horrible things she said to him.
The love of her life was in jail and she had cruelly lied to him. How could she ever look at him again knowing
that she had called him a killer? “Courtney?”
Monica could see the tears in Courtney’s eyes and knew how much she was
hurting. “I have done the
most awful thing. I thought I could
trick AJ into believing that I still loved him and get him to admit to me that
he paid Ida off to lie to the police. I
was going to tape him and then take the tape to the police to get Jason
cleared. When I went to see Jason
earlier I was awful to him. I had to
make him believe I hated him. I called
him a murderer.” “Everything is
going to be fine Courtney. We’ll just
go see him and you can explain.” “No, Monica,
there’s more. I told him I was pregnant
with AJ’s baby.” “Are you?” Monica
thought she knew the answer but she needed Courtney to tell her. “No.” “Good.” Monica was relieved. “We’ve got a lot to do right now and a baby
would complicate everything so much.” “No, Monica. I am having a baby but Jason is the
father. And I’m thrilled.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 Sonny looked in
the cell to see his best friend slumped on the bed crying. “Jason? What’s
wrong? Hey, man, I’m going to get you
out of here, I promise.” Sonny had never
seen Jason cry. It scared him. What Jason was about to say scared him even
more though. “I don’t
care. Leave me in here. Let them execute me. It doesn’t matter.” “How can you say
that? Don’t talk like that. What’s
happened?” “Courtney was
here earlier.” “I know. I wanted her to stay home but she insisted she
had to come see you.” “I guess she
wanted to tell me herself before I heard it from anyone else. She’s so decent and good. I don’t know why I thought I deserved her. All I‘ve done is hurt her.” “Jase, it’s
okay. We’ll get you out of here and
then you can get on with your life.” “I don’t want to
do this anymore, Sonny. What I made
after the accident isn’t a life. It’s
an existence. You have a life with
Carly and Michael. You’re a
family. I’m just a hired thug.” “What? I don’t understand. You do have a family. You are part of my family. You’re like a brother to me. And what about Courtney? You two can have a family together. We’ll make some changes in how we run the
business.” “NO! It’s too
late. She says I disgust her. She’s going back to AJ. She’s having his baby. I’ve lost her.” Sonny was
confused. “This doesn’t
make any sense with what happened earlier.
I thought Courtney wanted to see you because …. How could she possibly go back to AJ? Wait … did you say she’s pregnant?” “Yes, he did.” Both men looked
up to see Monica standing in the door to the hall. “I brought
someone to see you, son.” “Mom? Who?
What’s going on?” Courtney came
around the corner but she couldn’t look Jason in the eye. She walked over to Sonny and gave him a hug. “Courtney, Jason
said that you are pregnant. Is that
true?” “Sonny, can we
talk about this later? I really need to
talk to Jason for a minute, okay? Sonny looked into
his little sister’s eyes and for the first time he knew everything about
her. He saw into her soul and he knew
everything would be okay for his family.
All of them. Carly would be
thrilled. She loved being right. Sonny walked
towards Monica and the both disappeared into the hall. When their footsteps had faded away Courtney
turned to Jason. She was trying so hard
not to cry but it had been a very emotional day. It seemed crazy that less than 2 days had passed since Jason was
pronounced guilty. “Guilty” “What? I couldn’t hear you, Courtney?” “I said, guilty.” She still couldn’t look him in the eye. “I know I’m
guilty. I ruined everything. I don’t blame you for leaving me. I never deserved you but even though you are
going back to AJ I want you to know I love you and I always will.” “You do?” Courtney was almost afraid to believe it was
true. He had never told her before and,
now, after everything she said to him earlier he still loved her. “What does it
matter now? You were right to go back
to AJ. I’m sure he’s learned his lesson
by now and you can keep him in line.
You’re strong.” “I would rather
keep AJ under the rock he came out from.” “What? Courtney, I’m really confused. I thought you were going to build a new life
with AJ. You said … “ “I know what I
said. Now, shut up and listen to me.” She was looking
him straight in the eyes now determined to tell him the truth – all of it and
make amends for what she did to him earlier. “I lied to
you. I lied because I wanted you to
hate me and I needed you to think I hated you.
You had to believe I was going back to AJ so he would believe it too.” “Why? What’s going on?” That was just
like him to cut through to the heart of the matter. “I was stupid,
okay? I know you told me you’d leave me
if I tried to rescue you again but I didn’t think I had much to lose
considering you’re in jail.” “Courtney, what
did you do?” “Nothing, all
right? I went to the Quartermaine
Mansion with the intention of tricking AJ into admitting on tape that he framed
you and paid off Ida.” “Oh God, what
were you thinking?” Jason couldn’t
believe her. She was so stubborn. Just like Sonny. Whether or not she believed it AJ was dangerous. He wanted to be
mad at her for putting herself in harm’s way but he was too thrilled that she
didn’t hate him. “I was thinking
how to get you out of jail and not executed.
Look, I know it wasn’t the best plan.
I realized that when I saw your mom.
She told me about her visit here earlier and I took a risk and decided
to tell her the truth. She knows you
didn’t kill anyone and so do I. She’s
going to help us.” “Courtney, I
don’t want either of you involved.” “Well, that’s too
bad because she’s talking to Sonny right now.
You can’t stop us so let the people who love you, help you.” “You love me?” “God, help me, I
do, Jason Morgan.” “So it was all a
lie … everything? Thank God, I was just
being noble. The thought of you being
with AJ makes me sick.” “Me, too!” “But how did you
think you’d pull it all off? Eventually
I would have found out about everything.
Don’t you think Sonny would have gotten suspicious?” “So, you’re not
mad?” “Well, I would be
but you did good telling me.” The both smiled
remembering her last attempts to save him. “Courtney, I
don’t understand how you thought AJ would buy that you were pregnant. That’s something that even he would have
figured out after a while.” She smiled at him
and started laughing. Chapter 6 When Monica and
Sonny heard Courtney laughing they knew it was okay to go back. They had discussed their options and a plan
was forming. When Sonny stepped back to
let Monica through the door first she smiled at the man she had hated for
years. She could no longer blame Sonny for the rift that had occurred with her
son. Maybe if she had been more
understanding and expected less Jason would have trusted her more. She was not going to throw this chance
away. She was going to do whatever she
had to in order to get her son out of jail. Sonny impulsively
grabbed Courtney and gave her a big hug.
So much had changed the past few days and despite the fact that Jason
was still in jail Sonny was happy. The scene Carly
walked in on was about as bizarre as she could have imagined. Courtney was laughing while Sonny hugged
her. Monica stood with her hand through
the bars of Jason’s cell with her hand on his shoulder. “Hey, does
someone want to tell me what the hell is going on here? Hi, Monica.” “Carly.” “What’s everyone
so happy about? You know, Jason’s still
in jail.” Everyone started
talking at once. “Whoa, whoa, one
at a time. Jason, you first.” “Courtney loves
me.” He smiled at his girlfriend. “Well, duh, I
have been telling everyone that for weeks.
Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?” In unison, Jason,
Sonny and Courtney parroted, “You were right, Carly.” Carly laughed and
said, “I just love hearing that. Okay, Sonny?” “We might have a
way to prove AJ, Skye and Coleman paid Ida to lie. If we can do that we can get Jason’s conviction overturned and,
at the very least, get a new trial.” “That’s
great. Monica, go.” “Well, I don’t
really have anything to say except I’m glad Jason is letting me back into his
life. And … well, I think it’s
Courtney’s turn now.” “Go ahead,
sweetie. I can see you are about to
bust soon.” Carly urged. That started
another round of laughter from Monica, Sonny and Courtney. “Okay, what? You know I hate not knowing
everything.” Carly was getting
annoyed. She looked at Jason who just
shrugged. Courtney
hesitated, “Maybe, we should just wait until this is all settled and Jason is
free.” “JUST SPILL IT!”
Carly was practically yelling now. “Okay, you know
what, you all are going to have to leave now.”
Taggert came into the corridor.
“We can hear your little party all the way upstairs and the other
criminals are getting jealous that they weren’t invited. OUT!” “I’m not going
anywhere until Courtney finishes, so stuff it, flatfoot.” “Mrs. Corinthos,
do you want me to throw you in the cell next to Morgan?” “Lt. Taggert, I’m
sorry this is all my fault. We’ll be
quick, I promise.” Courtney was
feeling a little silly now that Taggert was here but she had tell Jason
everything. She took a deep
breath. “Well, you see … um, okay
…” She shot Monica a desperate look. “I think what
Courtney is trying to say is that she and Jason are going to have a baby,
right?” Monica looked at the mother of her grandchild. Courtney nodded. For once in her
life Carly was speechless. “I should have
known when you started laughing. It all
makes sense now.” Jason reached out and
gently touched Courtney’s face. She looked at him and smiled so sweetly. “Hey, are you
okay?” She had wanted to tell him when
they were alone but this felt right somehow.
With their family all around them. “Okay? I’m going to be a dad.” He smiled at her wanting so badly to hold
her. Taggert took pity
on them and opened up the cell ushering Courtney in to be with Jason. “Thank you,
Taggert.” Jason could never say to the
man how grateful he was. “No one should
start their family this way. Just for a
few minutes, okay?” “Okay, everybody
out, let’s give mom and dad a few minutes alone.” Taggert swept everyone out to
give Courtney and Jason some privacy. “No one will ever
take this baby away from you, I promise.”
She vowed. Chapter 7 Taggert had given
them more than a few minutes. Closer to
a half hour but it still wasn’t enough time to say and touch and be enough to
last all night. Courtney went
home to the loft exhausted. It had been
a very long day and all she wanted was to take a bath and get into bed. When she walked in the door she was
surprised to see Carly waiting for her. “How did you get
in?” “Please, have you
met me?” Carly snorted at Courtney’s question. Courtney took off
her coat and hung it up. She turned to
her brother’s wife and studied her. She
noticed that there was a stack of books on the coffee table. “What’s all
this?” Courtney asked gesturing to the table. “Well, after I
left you and Jason at the PCPD I picked up a few things for you.” “Books?” “Well, yeah. And some food from Kelly’s. Monica also called in a prescription for
some prenatal vitamins for you. Marco’s
going to pick them up tomorrow.” “Carly, I, I
don’t know what to say. Thanks but …
I’m not really hungry and I am really tired.” “Courtney, you
may not be hungry but you need to eat something. You probably haven’t had anything substantial to eat in 2 days,
right? “No, not since
night before last. When Jason and I had
dinner here before …” Courtney’s eyes
filled with tears as she remembered the last night they shared and how they may
not get the chance ever again. She had
been so happy and hopeful earlier but the exhaustion was tearing it all down. “Look, you need
to eat. You have to take care of
yourself. Babies take a lot of energy
to grow and that has to be our first priority right now. You go take a bath and I’ll heat up some of
this soup Bobbie sent.” Courtney whipped
her head around, “You didn’t tell her, did you?” “No, I know we
have to keep this a secret for a little longer. As a matter of fact, Monica had a little chat with Taggert about
personal information not being disclosed to the media and he agreed that it
would be in everyone’s best interests if he kept his mouth shut.” “Oh God, Carly,
this is getting so complicated. I just
wanted a normal life.” “Well, it’s too
late for that. No one’s life is normal
in Port Charles.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Courtney
had gotten a bath and had finally eaten something she felt better. They sat on the couch both sipping some tea
Carly had made, “decaffeinated, of course.” “Carly, why don’t
you go home? I’m sure Sonny and Michael
need you. You don’t have to stay here
and baby me. I can take care of myself.” “Courtney, you
have had to take care of yourself for far too long. Besides I’ve never had a sister before and I’m enjoying being
bossy and taking care of you.” Courtney just
smiled at her ‘sister.’ She knew how
families came together in all different ways and you didn’t have to be blood to
love someone as a sister. “Well, then
what’s your excuse for bossing everyone else around?” Courtney shot back
causing both women to laugh. “Okay, now, what
are all these books you brought me?” Courtney flipped
through the stack Carly handed her reading the titles out loud: “The Unofficial Guide® to Having a Baby; The Mother of
All Pregnancy Books; Your Pregnancy Week by Week; From Conception to Birth: A Life Unfolds; Preparing for Birth With Yoga; Okay, The Expectant Father?” Courtney started laughing “I figure you could give it to Jason when you go visit tomorrow.” Courtney leaned over to give the other woman an impulsive
hug. Carly was a little taken aback but
pleased. They had been getting closer
over the past weeks and she had been telling the truth when she said that she
thought of Courtney as her sister. “Carly, thanks, this is great, really. It looks like you bought every single pregnancy book at the store.” “Well, actually, yeah, I did.” “I guess I’d better getting reading then. I didn’t realize having a baby would require so much homework.” “Tomorrow. It’s off to bed with you now.” Carly got up and walked to the door. Opening it she turned and spoke to the man outside leaning against the wall. “Jimmy, can you call for the car, we’re ready to go now.” “Absolutely, Mrs. Corinthos.” “Okay, babe, get your stuff. Your brother is insisting you stay with us until Jason is out and I agree so move it.” Courtney knew better than to disagree so she just grabbed her coat. As they walked out Carly called to the guard, “Can you grab those books on the table, Jimmy? Ms. Matthews has a lot of reading to catch up on.” Chapter 8 Over the next several weeks, Courtney became a familiar sight at the PCPD. Her sweet face and cheerful manner charmed everyone there. She was very careful to visit both Jason and Brenda so no one would get suspicious that she was spending too much time with Jason. Taggert arranged for her to visit everyday and even allowed her to bring things from home for both of them – some chocolate chip cookies, Brenda’s fancy shampoo, a quilt Courtney made for Jason. Taggert may have hated Sonny but Courtney was different. She even brought a cake one day although he had no idea how she had found out it was his birthday. When he asked she just smiled. He felt in his heart that both Jason and Brenda were innocent. Scott Baldwin’s behavior during the trial was more than enough to convince him of that fact and he knew Sonny was working overtime to find the real killer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Hey, sweetie.” Jason looked up to see his girl. She looked so beautiful. She really did have that glow people always said pregnant women had. “Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. How did it go at the doctor’s this morning?” “Great. We’re both doing really well.” “Good. I worry about you … both of you.” God, that sounded so strange to him and yet not strange at all. “Hey, you know how Carly is always fussing over me? Well, it was so funny. Yesterday she busts into my room with a package that had just come in the mail. She was all excited and insisted I open it right away. Actually, she said it was for you.” “What was it?” “Okay, close your eyes.” Jason closed his eyes and then heard a click. A rapid Whooshing noise filled the air. Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh “Courtney? What is that?” “That’s the baby’s heartbeat.” “What?” Jason eyes popped open. “Yeah, that was what was in the package. Monica told Carly that she could order this machine that would let us listen to the baby’s heartbeat at home. We taped it last night.” “For me?” Jason was touched. “Yeah. I was telling them both how much I wanted to get you involved. I mean, you can’t come with me to the doctor’s visits or anything. So Monica and Carly came up with this idea.” “Dammit, I wish I could be with so you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.” “I know but it wasn’t any trouble. It was nice. The two of them were telling me all about when they were pregnant and how they didn’t have this kind of stuff then.” “So, you enjoy spending time with Moni … my mom, huh?” Jason was happy that Courtney and his mother liked each other but it was still weird calling her ‘mom’ after all the years of calling her Monica. “Yeah, she’s great. And she’s really excited about being a grandmother. Carly thought it would be nice if she got to spend some time with Michael too, you know, now that things are different. Monica said she didn’t want to disrupt his life so they just told him that she was your mom. You two are a lot alike, you know.” “I know. So you’re feeling okay? You’re not sick or anything?” Courtney laughed, “You’re reading that dad’s book again, huh?” “You know”, Jason started getting serious again, “we need to figure out something soon. You’re going to start showing before too long.” “We have a little time still but you’re right.” Courtney sighed. Then she started to cry. The stress and all the hormones just got the better of her and soon she was sobbing. “Courtney?? Hey?? What’s wrong? Did I say something?” The guard from down the hall heard the commotion and came rushing in. “Are you alright, Ms. Matthews? Can I get you something … some tissues or water?” The guard glared at Jason, “What the hell did you do to her, Morgan?” Before Jason could answer Courtney rushed to assure the guard it wasn’t Jason’s fault. She actually had an idea. “No, I’m okay. He didn’t do anything. My … my grandmother just died and so I’m a little sad. The guard looked at her skeptically. “Are you sure?” “Yeah, Jason was just telling me something his grandmother, Lila Quartermaine … have you heard of her? Well, he was saying how she wished she could visit him but she can’t get down the stairs in her wheelchair. I just thought it was really sad. Especially now since I can’t even see my grandma again. Do you have a grandma, Billy?” Courtney looked up at him. ‘Billy?’ Jason though, ‘She knows his first name? What is she up to?’ “Well, Ms. Matthews … “ “Please, Billy, I’ve asked you all to call me Courtney. I see you every day.” “Um, sure, Ms. Matthews … I mean, Courtney.” The young officer blushed and stammered. Jason chuckled trying to hide it behind a cough. She really had this guy wrapped around her finger. ‘Poor sap.’ “I’m sorry, what were you saying about your grandma, Billy?” “Well, just that she lives in Kansas and I haven’t seen her in few years. You know how it is.” “I do. Billy, listen, I was wondering if there was any way … any way possible to arrange a visit for Mrs. Quartermaine. She really would love it. And you know her health isn’t good.” It took everything in him for Jason not to laugh out loud. Courtney was actually asking this cop to arrange a way for Jason to leave jail. Too bad he had no idea that’s what she had in mind. He’d probably lose his badge when it all came out that he promised her … “Sure, I’m positive something can be arranged. Why not?” “Oh, Billy, that would be great. Listen, I’ll have Reginald, he’s the butler at the Quartermaine mansion, call you tomorrow. You’re the best.” As the guard walked out crimson from head to toe from Courtney’s flattery he almost bumped into Skye. Jason shook his head and was starting to laugh when he saw his half-sister. Her appearance made his blood run cold. “Hey, baby brother, how’s prison?” She slurred. She was drunk. Jason and Courtney just looked at each other. What in the hell was Skye doing here? Chapter 9 “Skye, what are you doing here?” Jason was more than a little annoyed that the short time he had with Courtney was interrupted. “Um,” Skye looked around confused, “I was coming to see that home-wrecking slut. See how she feels now. Where is she?” Courtney glanced at Jason. “Brenda is in the women’s wing.” “Well, how the hell do I get there?” Courtney looked at Jason again. Silently, they agreed this was their opportunity to get some information out of Skye. “Skye, why don’t you sit down for a minute? You don’t look so steady.” “Listen, little Miss Know-It-All, I’m fine.” “Okay. I just thought we could talk.” “Right, about what?” “About what Jax and Brenda did to you?” “Right, like you care?” “Actually, we do. Remember Brenda did the same thing to Jason?” “Yeah, she, uh, she broke my heart.” Jason stumbled over the lie. He really wasn’t used to deceiving people. Keeping information hidden was one thing but lying was something he hated doing. “Uh huh, right. So much so that you just moved on to our brother’s wife.” “Skye, I left AJ because he hired someone to terrorize me so he could make himself look like a hero. Never mind what it did to me. There was never anything going on between me and Jason. It was just AJ’s way of excusing what he did. The divorce may have hurt him but he brought it on himself. What Jax did to you is different.” “Yeah?” “You know, I’m sorry that AJ’s hurt but he made choices that led to what happened. He lied to me and married me under false pretenses. You’re an innocent victim. You fell in love and two people’s selfish act destroyed you.” Courtney could only hope that Skye would buy into their act. Truthfully, Courtney did feel Skye was an innocent victim. Jax had vowed to be with her until death and then discarded her when Brenda came back to town. She knew it was a little more complicated than that but it was close enough to the actuality for her sympathy to be real. Skye looked guiltily at her soon to be ex sister-in-law. “I tried to talk AJ out of marrying you, Courtney, I really did. I wish I had told you what he was doing. Maybe things would be different now.” “It’s okay, Skye. I know you’re a good person.” “AJ is always yelling at me now. Stop drinking so much, keep it together, keep your mouth shut.” She lowered her voice so only Courtney could hear what she was about to say next. “Sometimes I think he only cares about himself.” “It doesn’t sound like he’s being very understanding. Your heart is broken. How else are you supposed to feel?” “I understand how you feel Skye.” Jason spoke up at last. “I know what is feels like to have the person you love taken away from you.” Skye didn’t have to know he wasn’t talking about Brenda. “You and I are in the same boat. Well, except for the jail part.” He smiled sheepishly. Skye looked at him for the first time. She didn’t see the evil mobster that AJ had been warning her about but still. She looked back and forth from Courtney to Jason suspiciously. “If nothing is going on then why are you here visiting him, huh?” Courtney had to think fast. ‘A good excuse, what’s a good excuse?’ “Sonny.” “Huh?” “Sonny can’t come. You know how the cops hate him. They stopped letting him in so now I come for him.” “Oh, well, I guess that makes sense.” “So maybe you and I could go get some coffee and talk more. You know, girl talk. Just because I am divorcing AJ doesn’t mean when can’t still be sisters, right?” Courtney held her breath. ‘Did I go too far?’ She fretted. “Right,” Skye replied, “screw AJ. He doesn’t understand anyway. Look at what he did to you. Men!” Courtney smiled at Jason as she and Skye exited. ‘Be careful,’ Jason mouthed to her and watched his family walk out of view. Chapter 10 It was a slow night at the Oasis. Slow wasn’t the word for it – dead, was more like it. Not one customer had come it since they opened. After the first girl Coleman told them to just hang out. No point in wasting their energy. Coleman sat at the bar with a drink. “Is there a religious convention in town I don’t know about?” “Maybe it’s those guys outside.” The bartender replied. “What guys?’ Coleman asked getting up to go look. When he opened the door he saw the men in the parking lot. Big biker types standing in front of the door. He saw them turn one then two guys away. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but he knew what was going on. “Corinthos.” “You called?” Coleman turned to see Sonny leaning against the wall right next to the door. “I thought you could use some help with security. Jason said it could get a little rough sometimes. I know you’d hate for anything to happen here.” “Heh, thanks, Mr. Corinthos.” “No problem. I’m going to have these guys out here every night to make sure there aren’t any problems. And don’t you worry about anything. They are very well paid. No one is gonna be able to bribe them.” At the word bribe Coleman went pale. Coleman knew that was Sonny’s way of letting him know that he was onto the scheme. Sonny could see the fear in Coleman’s eyes. ‘Let the games begin.’ He thought as he walked back to the limo. “Hey, Coleman, you give me a call if you need anything, all right?” Sonny yelled to him before he got into the limo and sped off. Coleman looked around the parking lot at the biker’s and, not for the first time, wondered ‘What have gotten myself into with the Quartermaine brats?’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monica sat at the dining room table pretending to read the paper but watching both AJ and Skye. AJ kept trying to make conversation with Skye and she kept brushing him off. Finally, Skye got up and left with AJ right behind her. Monica got up and went to listen at the door. “Skye … Skye, wait. What’s going on? Hey, why are you so mad at me all of the sudden?” “You know, AJ, I don’t answer to you. I am a grown woman.” “Well, then start acting like it. Now is not the time for you to get snippy with me.” “Oh, it isn’t?” “I don’t think I like your attitude Skye.” “You know what, AJ? I don’t give a damn what you don’t like. Is this how you treated Courtney? Ordering her around, telling how to feel and what to think. Of course you did. That was you plan all along, wasn’t it? Suck her in with your concern and caring and then turn on her when she trusted you. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. I knew what you were going to do to here but I was so stupid to think I could trust you.” “Skye, you can trust me. I’m your brother.” “Half-brother, AJ. Half. Just like Jason’s your half-brother, you were raised with him, and look what you did to him. I don’t think anything has ever been going on with Courtney and Jason. I think deep down you knew it too but you used it as an excuse to blame all your mistakes with Courtney. You know all of this started before Jason even came back to town so how could it be his fault? You and I aren’t the same AJ. My husband was stolen from me by a home-wrecking slut. You pushed your wife away with your lies and need to make yourself seem better than you are.” Skye walked up the stairs to her room to leave AJ chewing on her words for a while. AJ walked back into the dining room. “Skye certainly seemed angry with you. I could hear her all the way in here.” “Yeah, well, drunks get testy. I’m going out.” ‘Dissension in the ranks, hmmm. It looks like Courtney did a good job yesterday.’ --------------------------------------------------------------- In the library Reginald handed the phone to Lila. “Commissioner Scorpio, yesterday, one of your officers told my granddaughter that a visit could be arranged. She listened as Mac explained something to her. “Just because she is divorcing my grandson does not mean she is not still a part of the Quartermaine family nor does it change the fact that she was told something could be arranged.” “Well, Commissioner, I am sorry that your facility is not wheelchair accessible but that is not my problem. I have spoken with the mayor and he agrees that a visit outside the PCPD is possible.” “Mr. Scorpio, this is not an attempt on my part to “bust” my grandson out of jail as you so eloquently put it. I wish to see him and your superior has consented. Please make the arrangements. Reginald will be available to discuss the date and time with you at your convenience. Good day, Commissioner.” Lila handed the phone back to Reginald with a smile. “That went rather well, I thought.” Chapter 11 Their plan was falling nicely into place. Sonny had Coleman, Courtney took Skye and Monica and Lila were working on AJ. Monica and Courtney brought Lila in after Courtney’s idea at the PCPD. It was brilliant really. Even Sonny was impressed at her quick thinking. Coleman and Skye were both ready to crack. Business at The Oasis was so dismal Coleman didn’t try to open it anymore but the bikers kept showing up anyway. Skye was so mad at AJ now she wouldn’t even let Courtney say his name when they met for coffee or shopping everyday. AJ, on the other hand, was like a rock. He wasn’t about to give anything away and Jason’s visit to the mansion was just days away. -------------------------------------------------------------------- “Hey Jase, you ready for the big show?” Carly inquired. “Where’s Courtney?” He asked anxiously. “Is she all right?” “Yeah, she’s fine, jeez. How about - Hi Carly. Nice to see you. How you doing?” “Sorry, I just hate that I can’t be with her, take care of her … and the baby.” “Well, they are both just fine so relax.” “Did Sonny get the proof?” “Oh yeah, you know what though, Courtney wants to let Skye off the hook.” “She does, huh? I had a feeling that was coming.” “You did? Why does she care if that witch gets in trouble?” “I think she feels sorry for her. Skye was always nice to Courtney up until Jax left her. After Courtney left AJ Skye tried to get them back together but she really believed AJ loved Courtney. Now she feels guilty that she didn’t try harder to stop AJ from his schemes. Courtney wants to give her a second chance.” “And how do you feel about that? I mean, you’re the one who’s suffering because of what the three of them did.” “We don’t really have any proof Skye had anything to do with the payoff so if it makes Courtney happy I’m willing to let it go too. Courtney says Skye only believed what AJ told her about me and you know how manipulative AJ can be.” “Well, I still don’t like it.” “As long as we get Coleman and AJ I’ll be happy.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “I’ll have to announce you, sir.” Max told the visitor. “Coleman. Mr. Corinthos knows me.” “One moment, sir.” Max knocked on the door and then opened it. “A Mr. Coleman to see you, sir.” “Show him in, Max.” Coleman stepped into the penthouse and looked around. ‘Damn, this is what real money buys.’ He thought. “What can I do for you, Coleman?” “I have some information I’d like to give you. You know, to, uh, thank you for all your help at The Oasis.” “Really? About what?” “About Ida Warren and her statement to the police.” “I see. Can I offer you a drink, Coleman? I understand how thirsty a man gets get when he has a lot to say.” “No, I just want to get this over with.” “All right. Have a seat.” -------------------------------------------------------------------- “Skye, can we talk?” Skye looked up surprised to see Courtney standing in the library. “Courtney, what are you doing here?” “I have some things that I need to tell you and there are some things that I think you need to tell me. Am I right?” Skye got up to fix herself a drink. Nervous, she sloshed some brandy over the rim of the glass and onto the tray. She walked back to the couch and sat down across from Courtney. “Okay, then I’ll start. We know who paid off Ida Warren to make a statement about seeing Brenda kill Alacazar and then say that Jason paid her off to keep quiet. We even have the bank records to prove it.” “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “I think you do. I hate this Skye. I don’t want to be accusing you of this but what else am I supposed to think? Jax identified the jewelry Ida was wearing when the police found her. He said it was yours. How would Ida have gotten your jewelry if you didn’t give it to her?” Skye started to cry. She turned her face to Courtney and pleaded with her. “I swear, I didn’t have anything to do with the payoff for her statement. You have to believe me. I gave her the jewelry when she came to see me and said that if I didn’t give her money she would tell the police that she saw me on the balcony with Alcazar and not Brenda.” “Were you on the balcony with him?” “Yes, we were having drinks. He kissed me and I dropped my glass over the railing then we went in. I swear.” “You didn’t push him? Not even by accident?” “NO!!! No, I didn’t. After we … after, I woke up that was when Brenda was there trying to stab him.” “But you didn’t see her push him, did you?” “No.” “Why did you give Coleman the money for Ida?” “I didn’t. That was AJ.” “Skye, the money came out of your account.” “No, it was AJ, I swear. I didn’t even know until after it was done. He was so angry thinking that you left him for Jason that he just went nuts.” “I believe you, Skye.” Courtney turned towards the door to the hall. “Was that enough?” Mac Scorpio walked in with four uniformed police officers. He nodded his head. “Yeah, it was plenty. Skye Quartermaine, you’re under arrest.” Skye had been too stunned to say or do anything but as Mac put the cuffs on her she turned to Courtney. “You little bitch, I thought you wanted to be sisters still. What a joke!” Skye hissed at Courtney. “You should be thanking her, Ms. Quartermaine. She made sure that you only incriminated yourself for obstruction of justice instead of witness tampering and bribery.” “What?” “Coleman and AJ are both under arrest. We had enough evidence to charge you the same as the two of them but Courtney insisted that you were just taken along for the ride. She stood up for you. This whole scene was staged so you could get yourself off the hook. In my book, that makes her one hell of a sister.” Scorpio turned to two of officers and said, “Take her to the PCPD. I’ll be there when we’ve finished.” “Well, Ms. Matthews, looks like you got Jason out of jail but Brenda is still on the hook for the murder.” “I know but I think I have a little Nancy Drew left in me.” She smiled at the commissioner. “You ever want a job at the PCPD you let me know. You make one hell of an undercover operative.” Mac turned to the remaining two cops and gestured to the hall. “Okay, you can release him.” Jason was led into the library and uncuffed. He just smiled at Courtney. “Look, Morgan, you may not be guilty of this crime but I’ll be keeping my eye on you. By the way, congratulations, Taggert told me the news.” The Police Commissioner of Port Charles reached his hand out to the number one man of the local mob boss and shook it. “For their sake, keep out of trouble, okay?” The police filed out of the room. Jason was stunned by the gesture. He looked at Courtney and marveled at her ability to charm people without trying. He knew she was responsible for Mac’s overture. It was as if by her loving him people saw him in a different light. Not a vicious killer or a brain-damaged idiot but a man who loved and was loved. “Hey, Courtney … Just then Monica, Sonny, and Carly filed into the room behind Reginald as he wheeled Lila in. “Jason, I am so thrilled you’re free. Come give me a kiss.” Jason leaned down to gently kiss his grandmother on the cheek. She was so tiny and frail but she had so much life in her. It was something he had always admired about her. “I do so enjoy adventures, don’t you?” Everyone laughed. Monica and Carly both came over to give Jason a hug and kiss. Sonny reached out to shake his hand. “Jason, we just wanted to congratulate you on being exonerated but I think it’s time you and Courtney had a moment alone, we’ll give you some privacy.” “No, that’s okay, I want everyone to hear this. Courtney, I …” “What is that criminal doing in my home? Reginald? Lila? Will someone please tell me what in the hell is going on?” Edward came bellowing into the room. Chapter 12 While everyone was fighting in the library Jason grabbed Courtney and they slipped out the door to the garden. He held her tightly almost afraid to let go. It was almost over and when they finally pieced together who killed Alcazar Brenda would be free as well. But he wasn’t thinking about Brenda or anyone else at that moment except Courtney and their child. “You did really good today?” “I know …” Courtney looked up and he saw the tears in her eyes. “What? What’s wrong? The good guys won.” “I know. It’s just … everything.” “Let’s get you home. You need some rest.” “Not yet. I have something else I need to do first.” --------------------------------------------------------------- “AJ?” Courtney looked at him sitting in the very same cell Jason had been in that very morning. She looked at him and tried to feel something for him. Disgust, anger, even pity but nothing came. She looked at him and felt nothing. “Did you come to gloat? Here I am, take your best shot.” “I didn’t come to gloat. I came to say goodbye. The divorce is final.” “I see. Well, now, you’re free to be with Jason.” “I was always free to be with Jason. I wasn’t tied to you with legal papers, AJ. I know you don’t believe this but I was always faithful to you. I was never with Jason until after I threw you out.” “Courtney, that night, I came to see you about the divorce … it was that night wasn’t it? “Yes. I invited Jason over for dinner to thank him for his help and … AJ, I … I …” “Please, Courtney, I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know about the happy life you are going to have with my brother. Please just go.” Jason walked around the corner and stood behind Courtney his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. “AJ, let her tell you. You owe her that much after everything you did to her.” Jason wanted to rescue Courtney from this moment. He knew she was hurting and why. After everything AJ had done to her she didn’t want to cause him pain. “AJ, that night, Jason and I made love. We didn’t plan for it to happen but it did. We just got lost in each other.” “Spare me, Courtney, I don’t want to listen to explain your adultery with my … “SHUT UP!!” Jason growled at AJ. “Let her finish.” Courtney put one of her hands up on Jason’s to calm him. “It’s okay, Jason.” “AJ, that night Jason and I made love and we also made a baby.” “You’re pregnant?” “Yes, and we are going to be a family. Something you and I could never have been. Families are built on love and trust and sacrifice. Families are about honesty and a commitment to doing what is best for the other person not what is best for yourself. I hope you can learn to do that one day, AJ.” “Goodbye.” She looked at him for a moment and then turned away to leave. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- “I am so tired, Jason. I don’t think I could take anymore right now. I just want to go home and sleep forever.” “Oh God, of course, you do. Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything?” “No, just take me home, please?” “Right. I’ll just go get the car and we can head back to the penthouse.” “No, Jason, I want to go home. To our home. To where it’s quiet and safe and no one can hurt us. I know that we have things we have to do but I just want to make the rest of the world fall away … for a little while. Is that okay?” “Anything for you. Anything.” “I love you, Jason. I love you with all my heart. Forever.” Epilogue – The 4th of July “Are you sure it isn’t too loud for the baby? Maybe we should go inside.” “Don’t be ridiculous.” Courtney laughed and hugged him. “The baby is fine.” “But the fireworks are so loud and it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we be headed for home now?” Jason looked at her with concern “Jason, your grandmother planned this especially for us at great personal expense.” They both looked over to the other side of the patio where Edward was still whining about the party. Lila just smiled at them and raised her glass of champagne in a silent toast. “Besides we can’t leave our own party so early.” “I’m sure everyone would understand. I mean look at you. You’re huge and it’s so hot out tonight.” “Jason, did you just call me huge?” She glared at him. “Oh, honey, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant with all that extra weight … oh, I didn’t mean that either.” “Do you want to spend our wedding night on the couch, Mr. Morgan?” she asked. Courtney looked at him. His face was colored crimson from the light of the fireworks but she was pretty sure it would have been red anyway. “Um, no.” “Well, then I guess you’d better kiss me quick before you say anything else stupid.” She grinned at him. “Anything you want, Mrs. Morgan.” Jason smiled and then leaned down and kissed his wife. |
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