The Witness

Summary: Courtney Mathews has everything she's ever wanted. A baby that's a miracle, a fiancé who adores her and vice versa and a family she's only dreamed of having but when she sees something that puts her life in grave danger, the men in her life, past, present and future, must fight to protect her.

Chapter One:

Courtney Mathews Soon-to-be-Cassadine sat on the examining table in a very unflattering hospital gown and waited for Dr. Meadows to come in to do a sonogram. She was six months pregnant with her miracle baby and she was finally going to find out the sex . She tried to hold off on knowing but it was driving her nuts-well, even more nuts than the hormones are causing her to be.

She felt her fiancé take her hand and she looked over to smile at him. Nikolas Cassadine. She loved him so much. He proposed to her three months ago. At first she thought it was because of the baby but he pointed out that they didn't know that the baby was his yet, having to hold off on the paternity test until she was four months for extra precaution. Points for him, but she still hadn't been sure. She told him she needed more time and he graciously agreed.

The next morning, he came to see if she wanted to have dinner with him and held her hair when she lost the breakfast she just ate. After he helped her clean up, he spent the day going through junk from her loft, making room for the baby, even though he wanted to marry her and have her live at Windermere. If she tried to lift a box, he'd gently push her out of the way and lift it for her.

Then he took her on a very romantic date and pampered her with flowers and dessert. She definitely took advantage of the dessert part, eating three pieces of Double Chocolate Decadent Cake. They went back Windermere and danced to unbelievably romantic and weepy music. After dancing, they topped it off with watching movies that Nikolas rented.

Then something happened that made her change her mind about marrying him. She was dozing off and Nikolas thought she was sleeping. He bent his head and kissed her stomach, saying, "I love you," to the baby! And he didn't even know if it was his! Man her heart just melted and she fell in love with him completely. The next morning over pancakes and bacon with extra syrup on both, she told him that she knew her answer to her question and that she would love to be his wife. He nearly tipped the table over, surging to his feet to pull her close. In his arms, she knew she made the right choice.

Now, three months later, she's falling more and more in love with him.

Nikolas smiled at her and brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles, "I love you."

"I know, I love you, too."

The door opened and Dr. Meadow's came into the room. She smiled at the couple, "Hello. So you caved and want to know the sex, huh?

"Yes, I'm weak," Courtney laughed.

"No you're not," Nikolas said back.

"Thank you," she kissed him.

"Okay, let's get started," Dr. Meadows said.

She brought a blanket up to her waist and lifted the gown to show her rapidly growing belly. She squirted the always cold gel on her tummy and Courtney giggled, causing a smile to grace Nikolas' lips.

"Okay," Dr. Meadow's ran the wand to search for the baby. After a few moments, she said, "There she—wait."

"What? Is anything wrong?" Nikolas said anxiously, squeezing Courtney's tensed hand.

"Here, listen," she turned a knob and the sound of the heart beat filled the room.

But wait, there was…two? Courtney smiled and looked over at Nikolas, "Twins."

"Wow…" was all Nikolas could think to say. Undone, he rested his forehead against the side of her temple and watched the sonogram monitor with her.

"Yep, the second baby must have been hiding behind the first during your first ultrasound. It happens sometimes," Dr. Meadows informed them, "You're having two babies. One boy and one girl. See?" she pointed at an area of the screen to indicate her statement but Nikolas and Courtney hadn't a clue at what she was pointing at. All they did was stare.

"Everything looks perfect," Dr. Meadow says as she gave Courtney some paper towels to wash the gel off with. "Their sizes are on the mark for twins at six months. Remember, get your rest, no stress and don't skip meals. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Nikolas shook Dr. Meadow's hand before she left, then sat down next to Courtney and wrapped his arms around her. "We're having twins," he said in wonder, his breath warm against her cheek.

"I know," she squeezed his arms to her and smiled. "So, Mr. Cassadine. When we get home, we are finally going to name our children."

"It's a date. How about we pick up some food at Kelley's? That way we can tell Mike the news and get enough food to feed the army."

"Sounds like a plan but you're missing one thing."

"What?"

"Your brother and his wife. How about we get enough food to feed the army AND the navy and ask them and Cameron over for dinner."

He kissed her forehead, "I'd love that. I love you."

"I love you, too. Now help me get dressed, I'm starving."

Nikolas wisely hid his chuckle.