Journey Online

Sonny raced into the ER with Carly following closely behind him. He saw Monica standing at a desk, writing in a chart.

"Monica," Sonny called. "Has Jason been brought in yet?"

Monica turned to look at Sonny. "Yes. He's in room 143. It's right down the hall. Courtney is with him now."

"Is Courtney okay?" Carly asked.

"We had her checked out and yes, she's fine. Aside from a few cuts and bruises, she's perfectly healthy."

"Thank you, Monica," Sonny said. He took Carly's hand and hurried towards Jason's room.

They found Courtney sitting on the side of Jason's bed, holding his right hand in both of hers. She looked up as they entered and smiled.

"He's sleeping," Courtney whispered.

"Is he okay?" Carly asked softly.

"Yeah. He'll be fine. He needed a few stitches and they put him on some medicine for the pain that made him fall asleep." Courtney informed them.

Sonny walked over to her and hugged her. "I'm glad you're okay," he whispered.

She tightly wrapped her arms around him. "Me too," she told him.

Courtney walked in the door with Jason following closely behind. After about an hour and a half, he had woken up and been released from the hospital. Courtney looked around and turned back to Jason. "It's good to be home," she said.

He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her arms closed around his neck and she pulled him close. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent. He laid gentle kisses on her neck and cheeks.

Slowly pulling away, he looked into her eyes. "Courtney, I was scared for you today. I love you, and I don't want to lose you. But this is my life. You need to know, this could happen again. Enemies of Sonny and me are going to use you to get to him, and to me. I trust you enough to make your own decision. But you have to know if you stay with me, something could happen to you."

Courtney reached up and took Jason's face in her hands. "I love you, Jason. And I want to be with you. I understand your life. I know it is dangerous, and I know there are things you can't tell me. And I know that there is a danger for me as well. But I accept that. Being with you is worth dealing with the danger. I left work today without a guard. That was my decision, and it was a bad one. But I learn from my mistakes, and I won't do that again. I want to be with you, Jason."

She slowly drew his face down towards hers, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. He caressed her lips with his, taking in all of her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as his hands rested on her lower back.

Jason pulled back, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'm so lucky to have you," he whispered.

Jason and Courtney sat next to each other on Sonny's couch, his hand in hers. Sonny had asked them to come over because he had to talk to them. His voice gave no clues as to what and Courtney had an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Carly walked into the room with Sonny. She was smiling, and Sonny looked equally happy. "I'm glad you guys could come over," Carly said. She looked over at Sonny, who smiled at her and nodded for her to continue. "We have an announcement to make."

Sonny took Carly's hand in his and smiled. "Carly's pregnant."

Jason and Courtney looked at each other with expressions of cheerful surprise. Courtney jumped up off the couch and made her way to Carly.

"Congratulations, you guys!" She exclaimed, pulling Carly into a hug. "This is so exciting! I'm going to have another niece or nephew to spoil!"

Jason laughed. "How far along are you?"

Carly looked up. "About 5 weeks."

Jason looked at the smiles on Courtney, Sonny, and Carly's faces. He loved seeing his family so happy. "I'm so happy for you," he said, taking Carly in a hug and kissing her cheek.

[Fast-forward about 6 months. Carly is 7 months pregnant. Sonny has slight paranoia about losing the baby but Jason is keeping him from becoming unreasonable. Michael is thrilled about the prospect of a new sibling. Courtney is still working at Kelly's but is also taking some classes at PCU. Ric recovered fine from his gunshot wound. He was found guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder. He is in jail. Benny died of a heart attack about three months ago. Courtney's divorce from AJ is final. Emily and Courtney have become good friends. She and Jason are happy and in love.]

Jason awoke and looked down at the woman sleeping beside him. He couldn't help but smile to himself. He couldn't remember a time he had been this happy. He watched Courtney sleep for a while. She was so beautiful, inside and out. He knew how lucky he was.

Courtney opened her eyes and saw Jason watching her. She knew he watched her sleep whenever he could. "Morning," she whispered.

"Hey," he said, reaching out to smooth her hair.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked him.

"Only a few minutes. I was just--"

"Watching me sleep," Courtney finished for him, sitting up. He smiled at her and leaned towards her. Their lips met as his hand came up to caress her cheek. His mouth caressed hers gently, taking in all of her. He was slowly leaning her into the pillows when his phone rang. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.

"Never fails, does it? Go answer it, it might be important," Courtney told him.

He apologized to her with his eyes and rolled over to grab his phone. "Yeah?" he answered.

"Jason, it's Carly. I'm sorry to bother you but Sonny isn't home and I can't reach him. I need you to come over right away." She sounded upset.

"Carly, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Just--just come over, please?" she begged.

"I’ll be right there," he promised and hung up. He turned to Courtney, who looked concerned. "That was Carly. Something's wrong, I don't know what. She can't get a hold of Sonny and needs me to go over there."

"Go, Jason. It might be important. I'll get dressed and meet you over there," Courtney told him.

Jason nodded, getting out of bed. He pulled a shirt over his head and took off to Carly's.

"Carly?" Jason yelled as he walked into the penthouse. "Where are you?"

"Jase, I'm upstairs. Please come quick," he heard Carly call.

Jason thundered up the stairs and found Carly bent over, supporting herself on a table in the hall. "Carly, what's wrong?"

"Something with the baby," she said. "The pain--oh god Jason it's really bad."

"Okay, um--come on. We'll take you to the hospital, I'll call Sonny on the way." Jason picked up Carly and carried her downstairs. He walked out the door past an alarmed Max. "Max, call Marco to get the car ready. We gotta take Carly to the hospital." Max nodded and reached for his phone.

Jason pushed the elevator button, still holding Carly. "Courtney!" he yelled, hoping she would hear him. The door to their apartment flew open to reveal a worried Courtney.

"Jason? Oh my god, what happened?" She asked, hurrying over.

"Something's wrong with the baby. We're taking her to the hospital."

Courtney took Carly's hand as they stepped into the elevator. "Everything's going to be okay, Carly. Trust me."

Carly groaned in pain and clutched her stomach. "Someone, please, keep calling Sonny."

Jason looked at Courtney. "My phone is in my pocket."

Courtney walked over and took Jason's phone out of his pocket. She dialed Sonny's cell phone number. "He's still not answering. I'll keep trying."

Courtney tried calling Sonny the entire way to the hospital. For some reason, his phone was off and she couldn't get a hold of him. Jason sat with Carly's head in his lap, smoothing her hair and trying to comfort her.

"Jason, oh my god, oww!!" Carly moaned. She doubled over with the pain.

"It's okay Carly. Here, take my hand. You know I'd take the pain away from you if I could." Jason said soothingly.

They arrived at the hospital and Jason carried Carly inside. He spotted Monica and called her name. "Monica! We need help. Something's wrong with the baby."

Monica turned around and saw her son carrying Carly into the ER, his face full of worry.

"This room over here is open, Jason. Bring her over," She told him. "Somebody call Dr. Meadows!"

Courtney stood outside the doors and dialed Sonny's cell phone again. This time, he picked up. "Corinthos."

"Sonny, thank God, I've been trying to reach you for awhile. Jason and I brought Carly to the hospital."

"Something with the baby?" Sonny asked.

"Yeah. You need to get over here."

"I'm on my way." The line went dead and Courtney ran into the hospital. She spotted Jason pacing in the waiting area. He looked over at her as she ran towards him.

"Sonny's on his way," she told him, slightly out of breath. "How's Carly?"

"They think she might be going into labor, but it's so soon." Jason was wracked with worry.

Courtney reached out to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms came to rest around her as he rested his chin on the top of her head. “She’ll be okay, Jason. I know she will.”

Sonny rushed into the hospital and looked around. He spotted Courtney and Jason. "Jason!" Sonny called, making his way over to them. "Where's Carly? What happened? Is she okay? How's the baby?"

Jason broke apart from Courtney and walked over towards Sonny. "The doctors are taking care of her. They kicked us out; she's right over there. They think she could be going into labor."

"But it's so soon," Sonny said, the look of worry increasing on his face. "What happened, exactly?"

"She called this morning. She said she needed me to come over, something was wrong and she couldn't reach you. I went over and she was in the hall, holding her stomach. I carried her downstairs and we brought her here. Where were you?"

Sonny sighed, running his hand over his face. "I went down to St. Timothy's. I needed to think for a while. There were other people there and I didn't want to disturb anyone by my phone ringing."

Just then Monica came out. "Sonny, I'm glad you're hear. Carly's in labor, and she wants you."

"She's in labor already? She's not due for another two months!" Sonny exclaimed.

"Well, the baby decided to come early," Monica told him. A nurse came up behind her carrying scrubs and a facemask. Sonny followed her towards the delivery room.

"Monica," Jason called. "Carly and the baby, are they--are they going to be okay?"

Monica smiled at him as she walked towards over. "They are both going to be just fine. She's seven months along. The baby is formed enough to live outside of its mother."

Jason ran his hand over his face. "Thank you," he said, gripping her hand slightly as she turned to walk away.

In the delivery room...

"Oh god..." Carly moaned as she squeezed her husband's hand.

"Breathe, Carly, come on, you can do this." Sonny answered.

"Okay, Carly. Push on three, ready...one, two, three," Dr. Meadows said.

Carly pushed and squeezed Sonny's hand hard. "You can do this, Carly. I love you."

They heard a cry as Carly fell back onto the bed.

"It's a boy," Dr. Meadows said.

Sonny kissed Carly's forehead. "We have another son, sweetheart."

"And possibly another," Dr. Meadows said, as Carly groaned again in pain.

"What? What do you mean?" Sonny asked.

"There's another baby. It must have been hiding behind its brother on the ultra-sound." Dr. Meadows sounded surprised but calm. "Okay, Carly, push on three...one, two, three."

Carly pushed and another baby made it's way into the world.

"It's a girl," Dr. Meadows said. "A beautiful baby girl."

A few hours later...

Jason and Courtney stood in Carly's room. Carly had slept for a while, as Sonny paced the halls, waiting for word on their children. They were being observed in the ICU because they were two months premature.

"Jason?" Carly asked. He turned to her. "Will you get Sonny in here, please?"

Jason nodded and went out to the hall. "Sonny, Carly's asking for you." Sonny turned to go in when Jason stopped him. "Sonny, wait. Before you go in, you have to relax a little. I know you're upset and I know you're anxious to know about the babies, but Carly needs you to be strong.

Sonny nodded. "Thanks, Jase."

Jason followed Sonny into the room and motioned to Courtney. "Let's give them a minute alone," he said.

Courtney followed him outside to the waiting area. "God, Jason, this is so nerve wracking."

Jason wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. "It'll be okay, Courtney. They're Sonny and Carly's children. Strength is in their genes. I'm sure they are fine."

Courtney rested her head against Jason's chest. "How do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel better?"

Jason smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head in response. Over his shoulder, Courtney saw Dr. Meadows enter Carly's room. She pulled away from Jason and took his hand in hers as she hurried into the room. She stuck her head in the door and Carly waved her inside.

Dr. Meadows smiled at them. "Everyone here? Okay. Your babies were most likely premature due to the fact that there were two of them. Multiple births are not usually carried full term. I would like to keep both mother and babies in the hospital for at least a week for observation. But as far as we know, you have two beautiful, healthy babies."

Everyone in the room sighed with relief. Sonny wrapped his arms around his wife, a huge smile on his face. Jason smiled at Courtney and squeezed her hand. Sonny stood and walked over to Dr. Meadows. Taking her hand, he spoke. "Thank you so much, Doctor."

"You're welcome, Sonny. I'll check in in a few hours, okay?" Dr. Meadows waved to Carly and left.

"Well," Courtney said. "I'm so happy for you guys!" she hugged both Carly and Sonny. "Now what are we going to name those children?"

Everyone laughed. Carly looked around and spoke up. "I have an idea. I want to name the boy Morgan, after Jason."

Sonny looked at her. "Morgan Corinthos? My son is named after the warehouse?"

"Yes, your son is named after the warehouse. And I was thinking, for his middle name, Benjamin."

The room quieted for a moment while everyone remembered Benny. His passing away had affected them all.

"Morgan Benjamin Corinthos. I like it," Sonny said. "Jase? Courtney? What do you guys think?"

"I love it," Courtney said. Jason nodded in agreement.

"I would like to name my daughter after her amazing mother," Sonny said.

"Actually," Carly said. "I had a different idea for her first name."

"What's that?" Sonny asked.

"If you don't mind, sweetheart, I would like to name her Lily."

Sonny's eyes misted as he looked at his wife. She knew how much he loved Lily, and how much the loss of her and their unborn child had hurt him.

"Lily Caroline Corinthos," Sonny whispered. Carly nodded. Sonny rubbed his eyes. "Thank you."

Courtney rummaged in her purse and came out with a package of tissues. She distributed to Sonny, Carly and herself as they all wiped their eyes. Jason stood silently behind them, watching his family. He was so happy.

Jason and Courtney walked into the penthouse. They had left Sonny and Carly completely and happily absorbed in their children. Michael was spending the night with Bobbie, and Jason and Courtney had returned home to get some rest.

Courtney flopped down on the couch. "What a long day!"

Jason sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Wrapping his arms around her waist he kissed the top of her head. "I'm so happy for Carly and Sonny," he whispered to her.

"I know. How great is that. Two healthy babies. And naming them after you, Benny, and Lily? I could tell that meant a lot to Sonny."

"Yeah, it did. He-he loved Lily. Her death shattered him, especially with the loss of the baby too. Carly knows that. And honoring her memory by naming the baby after her..." Jason trailed off.

Courtney turned to look at him. "I could tell it meant a lot to you, having one of the babies named after you."

"Yeah it--it does. Carly and Sonny have been my family for a long time, you know. And now with the babies and everything...my family just keeps getting bigger."

Courtney leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. He cupped her face with his hands and deepened the kiss. Her hands rested on his stomach as she returned his kiss. His lips continued to caress hers as his tongue parted her lips and met hers. Their kiss became more intense. Jason gently laid her down on the couch and rested his body on hers. Her hands began to roam his body when he pulled away.

He sat up and moved to sit on the coffee table in front of her, taking her hands in his. She looked at him quizzingly. He brought her hands to his mouth and lightly kissed her fingers. He looked into her eyes, remembering the conversation he had with Sonny a few days ago...

Jason focused back on Courtney. She was sitting across from him, staring into his eyes, confused. Jason took a deep breath. "Courtney, you know that I love you. More than anything. I love your smile, I love your laugh, I love to comfort you when you're upset. I love watching you sleep. I love the way you tuck your hair behind your ear when you're nervous. I love everything about you. I can't--I can't imagine living without you. So I guess what I'm saying is," Jason paused to turn and take a small velvet box out of his pocket. He opened it and looked her in the eyes. "Courtney, will you marry me?"

Courtney stared at him, shocked. "Jason, I don't--I don't know what to say."

Jason reached out and touched her cheek. "Say yes."

"Yes, Jason, yes of course I'll marry you!" Courtney exclaimed, a smile on her face and tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Jason slipped the ring onto her finger. She looked at it on her hand for a moment. "Jason, it's--it's beautiful." She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's perfect."

Jason returned her hug. He gently smoothed her hair. "You're perfect," he whispered into her ear.

Courtney pulled back and smiled at Jason. "This is the perfect ending to a wonderful day."

Jason reached forward and cupped her cheek in his hand. "This is only the beginning," he said as he drew her closer and brought her lips to touch his. He kissed her sweetly. She had filled the void inside of him with her love and understanding. Now he would never feel empty again. He was so lucky to have her. She completed him. And he would never be alone again.