~ Miracles ~

~ By Vicky ~

~ Chapter 7 ~

It had been two weeks since Jason and Courtney's trip to the island, and for once Sonny and Carly were right.  The trip did them good, but now it was back to their lives and the stress of trying to have a baby.

Today was Courtney's last blood test before in-vitro.  It had been six months since they started this process.  If Courtney didn’t get pregnant this month they would begin the next phase… in-vitro fertilization.  Both Jason and Courtney had gotten accustomed to the disappointment of a negative pregnancy test each month.  Secretly though, Jason really hoped this month took.  He didn't want to see Courtney put through an even more intensive procedure.  Plus the idea of making love to a plastic cup didn't exactly appeal to him.

The couple now sat in Dr. Meadow's office, awaiting her return with the results.  Both were aware of the extra pressure and anxiety that came with these results but neither mentioned it. 

Dr. Meadows walked in, carrying Courtney's file and a stack of papers.  She sat down and smiled at the couple.  "Congratulations."

Both Courtney and Jason's eyes went wide and tentative smiles graced their lips.  "What?" Courtney whispered in shock.

"Congratulations, Courtney you're pregnant," Dr. Meadows announced.

"Oh My God…Jason."  Courtney looked at her husband, her face mixed with an array of emotions…shock…joy…love.

"I know, it's incredible," he leaned in to kiss her.

Dr. Meadows cleared her throat lightly, "I'll give you two some time to digest the news, and then I have some important things to discuss with you."  The duo nodded and the doctor walked out.

"I can't believe it!  We're having a baby!  I love you."  Courtney took his face in her hands and kissed him.

"I love you," Jason stroked her hair and then put his hand on her flat stomach.  "Hi baby."

Courtney giggled and placed her hand over his.  "We love you too…so much."

It wasn't long before Dr. Meadows was back ready to talk to the beaming couple.  "So I have some pamphlets for you on high-risk pregnancies.  Even though the tough part of getting pregnant is over, you have to remember this is still a very high-risk pregnancy.  Our primary concern for the next 9 months is keeping you healthy then making sure you carry to term.  Courtney I know we discussed this before, the chances that you will carry this baby to term are not in your favor, so we have to be very careful and monitor this pregnancy closely." Courtney nodded.  "Our biggest concern, is placental problems, mainly placenta previa and placenta abruption.  Your extensive amount of scar tissue increases your risks for these problems.  So there are a few precautions we are going to take.  Absolutely no strenuous activity.  I'm afraid you are going to have to give up the kickboxing and your other daily exercise regimens."

"But aren't there exercise plans that are safe for pregnant women?" Courtney asked.

"Yes, there are, but honestly, your uterus and placenta are in such a delicate state, I really wouldn't recommend it.  So no heavy lifting or strenuous activity.  The normal amount of walking and daily activity will be enough to keep your body healthy.  Understood?" Dr. Meadows asked pointedly.  She knew how obsessive Courtney was about exercise.

"It's going to be a long nine months, but it'll be worth it," Courtney smiled.

"We're also going to be doing frequent ultrasounds to monitor you and the baby.  Other than that, just read the pamphlets and I am going to write you a prescription for prenatal vitamins.  If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to call."

"Thank you," both Jason and Courtney said as they stood up to leave.

~ Harborview Towers ~

Jason and Courtney rode up the elevator with his arms wrapped protectively around her midsection, which now held their child.  "Sonny and Carly are going to be thrilled," Jason said as he nuzzled her neck.

She quickly pulled out of his embrace and faced him.  "Jason! We can't tell them!"

"What?  Why not?"

"Because it's bad luck to tell anyone before we're three months along," she explained.  "And we are not taking any chances with this baby Mr.!" She paused for a moment.  "Plus, there is still a possibility I won't carry this baby to term, and I don't want to get everyone's hopes up too early." 

Jason took her hand.  "They knew about our appointment.  They're going to ask," he pointed out.

She thought about it.  "Ok fine.  If they ask, we'll tell them, but only if they ask!"

He gave her a quick kiss.  "They're going to ask."

Naturally, Jason was right.  As soon as they stepped off the elevator, Jason and Courtney didn't even make it to their door before, Sonny and Carly stepped out of their penthouse.  "How did the appointment go?" Carly asked.

Jason looked at Courtney and smiled.  He opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by Courtney.  "Very well, thanks for asking!"  She made a move towards her penthouse.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Carly stopped her.  "Does that mean what I think it does?"  Jason and Courtney looked at each other.  "Are you pregnant?"

"Now they definitely asked," Jason said.

"I know," she mumbled, but Courtney couldn't keep her smile or her excitement in much longer anyway.  "We're having a baby!"

"Eeeeeee!" Carly squealed, as she pulled Courtney into a hug.

"Congratulations man," Sonny said, patting Jason's shoulder. 

"I'm gonna be an aunt!"  Carly moved over to hug Jason.

Sonny then hugged his sister.  "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Sonny."

"We have to celebrate!  We'll have a dinner party.  Sonny will cook…or maybe we should go out?  We'll invite Mike and Bobbie…"

"Carly…" Courtney tried to stop her.

"And Emily and Nikolas…"

"Carly…" Jason gave it a try.

"And Stan! And Justus…Oh if we invite Justus does that mean we have to invite Faith too?"

"Carly!" All three yelled.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"No dinner party."

"But Jason…"

"We're not telling people yet," Courtney explained.

"If you're worried about Faith, we don't have to invite Justus."

"We're not telling anyone," Courtney emphasized the 'anyone'.  "You and Sonny are the only ones who know."

"Not even Mike?" Carly asked.

"Not even Mike," she repeated.  "You know it's bad luck to tell people this early."

"But we've waited soooo long for this."

"Not a word Carly!" Courtney warned.

"Fine, but we're still celebrating!  Even if it's just the four of us."

~ Miracles ~

~ By Vicky ~

~ Chapter 8 ~

Jason and Courtney got to bask in the glory of being pregnant for about a week, before Courtney's morning sickness set in.  Jason remembered waking up to find Courtney missing from their bed.  He soon found her hunched over the toilet, hurling her guts out, and now a month later, she hasn't stopped yet.  Every morning without fail, Courtney would wake up with the urge to vomit, and that she did plenty.  Jason had started calling her the porcelain goddess because she spent so much time in the bathroom.  It wasn't just the morning either.  For a while, Courtney couldn't put anything in her mouth without puking it up soon after.  It was a rough first week, but soon they found a select few foods Baby Morgan liked and Courtney could keep down… crackers, toast, Kelly's chicken soup, and Jason's scrambled eggs oddly enough.  Not her own, not Sonny's, only Jason's.  It was the oddest thing.  So every morning, Jason would fix her eggs and every evening he would bring her home soup from Kelly's.

Today though, she was meeting Carly there for lunch, and was just hoping the aroma of real food wouldn't do her in.  Courtney came into Kelly's and saw Carly already sitting at a table, so she made her way over to her.

"Finally!  I'm starving!" Carly waved for their waitress to come over.

"What can I get you?" the waitress asked.

"I'll have a bowl of chicken noodle soup, crackers on the side, and a glass of water," Courtney ordered.

"And I'll have the bacon cheeseburger deluxe, fries extra crispy, hold the coleslaw, chips on the side instead, and a chocolate shake," Carly handed the menu to the waitress, and then looked to Courtney who was staring at her.

"You're a bitch you know that," she glared.

"What?"

"I've been craving a cheeseburger like something fierce."

"So have one.  You shouldn't deny your pregnancy cravings.  It's not healthy," Carly told her matter of factly.

"Yeah right, not unless I want to spend the rest of the afternoon experiencing it all over again but in reverse."

"Have you talked to Dr. Meadows about this?  My morning sickness was never this bad."

"Yeah I had an appointment with her.  She doesn't see anything physically wrong that's causing it.  She just hopes for my sake it doesn't last the whole pregnancy," she laughed.

Soon their food was placed down in front of them.  "Mmmm," Carly opened up her bun and placed a few of the chips atop the burger.  Then she poured on a healthy amount of ketchup, putting some on the side to dip her fries.  She placed the bun back on and cut the burger in half.  She held up one half in front of Courtney's face.  "Come on one bite, just to quench the craving.  Who knows maybe this thing has passed and you don't even know it."

Courtney eyed the burger, cheese melted over the sides and ketchup dripping in all the right places.  She tentatively took the burger bringing it up to her lips.  One whiff of the greasy mess in front of her caused the bile to rise up within her.  She dropped the burger and made a beeline for Kelly's bathroom.

Mike watched his daughter turn an unflattering shade of green and came over to Carly's table.  "Is Courtney alright?  She didn't look so good."

"Ah…yeah she's not feeling too well lately the flu or something," Carly covered.

"Has she seen a doctor?" Mike asked concerned.

"Um…I think so."

"Well, what did she say?"

"Not sure Mike, you'll have to ask her…Oh look here she comes!"  Carly caught sight of her friend returning to their table, shooting evil glares her way.  "Hey Court!"

"Honey Carly told me, how are you feeling? You should be home in bed letting Jason take care of you." 

Courtney looked at Carly wide eyed.  Carly shook her head indicating she didn't say a word.   "Yeah really Court, if you have the flu you should not be here infecting all of Kelly's."

"She has a point," Mike added.

Courtney smiled, "You're right Daddy.  I thought I was over it, but turns out I'm not."

"Don't worry Mike, I am going to get her straight home and into bed!  Mind wrapping this up for us?"

"Not at all, I'll be right back."  Mike left with the girls' lunches.

"Thanks for covering," Courtney said once her father was out of earshot.

"Aren't you proud of me?" Carly boasted with pride at her ability to keep her mouth shut for once.

Courtney laughed, "Very!"

Once Mike returned with their food, the two headed out for their cars. 

"So Jason and I have another ultrasound with Dr. Meadows next week.  She says this time we will actually be able to see something," Courtney announced.

"That's so exciting!  Can I come?"

"No!" Courtney just laughed and shook her head. 

~

A week later, Courtney laid on Dr. Meadows examining table with Jason sitting by her side.  As Dr. Meadows applied the clear jelly to Courtney's abdomen, she gave Jason's hand a squeeze of both excitement and being uncomfortable with the coldness. 

"Alright, let's find your little one," Dr. Meadows said as she moved the transducer around Courtney's stomach.  "There he or she is…hear the heartbeat?"

"Is that what that is?" Jason asked amazed.

"Yup, and there is your baby," Dr. Meadows announced.

"Oh Jason it’s so…" Courtney breathed caught up in emotion.

"Beautiful.  Most beautiful thing I've ever seen."  He looked down at her and kissed her forehead.  "Thank you."

She smiled up at him and looked back to the screen, not being able to keep her eyes off their son or daughter.  "I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."

"Well it's too soon for that, but there is it's head…its little arms…look he or she is waving.  Hi Mom and Dad."

"Really?" Jason asked and Courtney giggled.

"Yup…see there's it's little hand," Dr Meadows pointed on the monitor. 

Jason turned his head to the side, "Oh ok…cool…Hi baby!"

Courtney laughed.  Sometimes she couldn't believe how adorable her husband was.

"Well, so far so good.  Everything looks normal, healthy, and progressing on target."  Both Jason and Courtney let out a breath they didn't realize were holding.  "Are you still experiencing the morning sickness?"

Courtney nodded, "Unfortunately."

"Ok keep drinking water.  I want at least 8 glasses in you a day, more if you can.  We don't need you getting dehydrated," Dr, Meadows warned her. 

"Will do," Courtney gave the doctor a little salute.  She wasn't taking any chances with this pregnancy.

~

An hour later Jason and Courtney were back in PH2, Courtney on the couch with her feet on Jason's lap as she stared at the photo of their sonogram.  They had just settled in, and of course there was a knock on the door.

"Come in Carly," Court yelled, knowingly.

Carly came right in with Sonny on her heels.  "Ok, where is it?"  Carly held out her hand.

"Where's what?" Jason asked.

"My copy of the sonogram picture!" she demanded.

Courtney laughed as Jason rolled his eyes and dug into his pocket pulling out two sonogram pictures from his jeans.  Carly quickly grabbed one up and Jason held the other one out for Sonny.  "I don't see why you would want it, it's just a gray blob."

Carly gasped.  "Jason Morgan this is your child's first snap shot!  Don't act like you don't have one tucked safely away in your wallet!"

"What was it you called that gray blob…'the most beautiful thing you ever saw'" Courtney teased.

Jason glared at her, not liking that she revealed his mushy side to Sonny and Carly.  Courtney just smiled and blew him a kiss.

"Oh guys, she's adorable!" Carly squealed.

"What makes you say it's a she?" Courtney asked, looking hard at her own picture to see if she had missed something.

"I just know."

"Nuh uh. If Dr. Meadows couldn't tell, neither can you." Jason told her.

"Yeah Carly, I think Jason's right," Courtney agreed.

Carly leaned down to Courtney's ear.  "Excuse me, but if you haven't noticed we are severely outnumbered here, so this baby has to be a girl.  HAS to be."  Courtney rolled her eyes at her best friend's logic.

Sonny looked down at his own copy of the picture.  "Did the baby wave at you?"

"How did you know?" Jason asked shocked.

The other three laughed.  "They always do," Sonny told him sarcastically.

"No…he really did wave!  I saw it," Jason said a little disappointed at the possibility Dr. Meadows lied to them.  He looked as though Sonny just told him there was no Santa Claus.

"Of course it did honey," Courtney patted Jason's arm and gave Sonny a stern look, upset that he ruined her husband's image of their baby waving.  "But hey what's all this about a he?  I knew you wanted a boy!" Courtney shook her head.

"No, I didn't mean it that way…I swear…I just said he…you know cause it's easier and more personal than saying it.  Yeah more personal.  That's all."  Jason tried to cover but failed miserably. 

"Sure…" the other three mumbled.

"I'm serious!" Jason insisted.

Courtney laughed and pulled him closer for a kiss. "I love you."