Part Three

Carly and Jason stopped at Windyms Department Store to purchase a crib and a few other baby necessities for their son. They made arrangements for the crib and other items to be to delivered to their new apartment. As they were walking back toward Jake's pushing the baby's carriage, Jason dropped a bomb on Carly.

"Hey, there is something I have to tell you," he said cautiously. "But I am afraid you're probably not gonna like it."

"That's usually my line," said Carly as she looked at him in surprise.

"I had help when it came to my search for you in Florida," he admitted. "Like I said before, I didn't know your given name was Caroline, only that you lived in Florida and your adoptive mom's name was Virginia. I would have turned the world upside down to find my best friend, but thankfully, I didn't have to."

"What did you do?" she asked, breathless as she looked into his eyes.

"Someone approached me... and they were looking for you, too. They had a lot more information than I had and because of their help, I found you."

"What? WHO?"

"Luke Spencer, your biological uncle," Jason revealed. "He offered me a job at his club. I took the job, because I didn't want to work for Sonny anymore. I wanted a more stable life and a safer job... and I'm glad I have it now. We have a kid to think about; it's not just about us anymore."

"Luke?!" Carly gasped. "Jason, he THREATENED me. He's part of the reason I hightailed it out of town."

"I know. He told me. He said he only did it to protect his sister, just like I'd do anything to protect Emily if she needed me to."

"But he told me to get out of town or I would wish I was dead. Those were his exact words."

"That's because he thought you had designs on his sister's husband. He thought you were trying to ruin Bobbie's life... in which you were, you can't deny that, Carly. That was your plan, wasn't it?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"Luke was trying to keep Bobbie from finding that her long-lost daughter was trying to get down and dirty with her husband. Later, when he realized you and I were a thing, he had a change of heart. He wanted me to find you and bring you back to Port Charles. In fact, it was Luke who told me where to find you. He financed my trip - even gave me an advance on my wages so we could find a place to live-."

"Ohh my God, I can't believe this! How KIND of him!" Carly said sarcastically.

"He asked only one thing in return."

"What the hell does the jerk want?"

"He said when we got back to Port Charles, he wanted me to bring you by the club to see him."

"Screw him! I don't want to see him! I want nothing to do with him...OR my biological mother!"

"Carly, calm down," Jason said as he stopped in his tracks. "You're going to upset the baby."

Jalin lightly fussed in his baby carriage, clearly becoming a bit unsettled by Carly's loud exclamations. Hearing her little son's whimpers, Carly caressed his little head, whispering soft words of comfort. "It's okay, baby boy. Mommy's upset... but not at you."

"I know you probably don't think much of Luke," Jason went on to say. "But all I ask is that you give him a chance. He helped me to find you. We wouldn't be together right now if it wasn't for his help."

"Alright, Jason, but I don't like it," Carly said with a heavy sigh. "I don't trust Luke anymore than he trusts me. Nothing he says is going to make me like him OR his sister, the woman who gave me away."

"You know you were in the same situation. You were pregnant and you almost gave up our baby, even though that wasn't what you really wanted," Jason said gently. His words were not accusing or hurtful. He was just stating the facts. "Bobbie was only sixteen years old when she gave birth to you. I am not making excuses for her actions; you know I am always on your side no matter what, but what if she felt like she had no other choice?"

Huge tears filled up Carly's eyes and started to spill. "Ohhh Jase, I can't believe I almost did that - gave up our son. I didn't want to, but Virginia had me convinced I wasn't good enough to be his mother."

Jason pulled Carly into his arms as he held her close. "I will never blame you, because you were only doing what you thought was best for our son. I am just glad I got there when I did... and everything worked out like it did and the three of us are together. Without Luke, that wouldn't have happened."

"How exactly did he know where to find me?"

"I don't know. Why don't we stop by the club and talk to him? I am sure he'll explain everything."

"Okay, Jase, for you. Only for you, because I hate Luke...and I will never call him my uncle."

"Thanks for giving him a chance...and for not killing me, considering I didn't tell you about Luke and his part in finding you."

"I still might," she said as she took his hand and gave it a little warning squeeze. "Just you wait, I will get you back when you least expect it..."

XxxOoo

Luke was setting up for a night at the club when Jason and Carly walked in pushing the baby carriage. "I see you're back in town, Caroline," Luke said. "How was your trip to Florida?"

Carly glared at Luke as he peered into the baby carriage to get a glimpse of his sister's grandchild. "I wouldn't have been so quick to run off to Florida if you hadn't have threatened me."

"I didn't have a choice. You came to town on a mission - to hurt my sister. The only reason I didn't send you to the moon was that you have her eyes."

"I met Jason and plans changed. You're right. At first all I wanted was revenge, because Bobbie gave me up for adoption and abandoned me. I wanted her to hurt just as much as I hurt... but meeting Jason changed all that. There was no way I could sleep with Bobbie's nasty husband after Jason and I-."

"My sister's husband brought upon his own downfall when he created a little love shack where he was going to wine, dine, and '69 you, amongst other things. He also had an elaborate scheme planned out to kidnap his own kid. My sister kicked him to the curb, but in the process, she became lonely and heartbroken. All she wants now is a chance to meet her daughter, the child she had no other choice but to give up when she was just a kid herself."

"But you told her that her daughter died."

"Yeah, I did that to protect Barbara, but it's time she knew the truth... and she needs to meet her grandson."

"What makes you think I want to see her and that I want my son to meet her?" Carly objected. "How was it that you found me in Florida anyway?"

"I've been in contact with your adoptive mother, Virginia Benson. She likes to tell a lot of stories about you, Caroline...like for example how you stole your high school friend's name following a car accident - Carly Roberts."

"I had my reasons. And living with Virginia was hell!" Carly exclaimed. "She never understood me. No one has ever understood me, except for Jason. I don't need Bobbie! I don't need you! I only need Jason!"

"Wow, that's the Spencer fire coming out. Jason, how are you gonna deal with all of that? You better be careful. She could burn you and consume you in an instant."

"Shut up!" Carly growled at Luke.

The baby started to fuss, so Jason picked up his son. "Hey, little guy, it's alright," Jason soothed as he cuddled the baby. "You're probably getting hungry, aren't you?"

"The kid wants to go meet his Grandmother Bobbie," Luke said as he stared into Carly's eyes. "Think about it. You're going to need all the family you can get. I hear it takes a village nowadays."

"Jason, kindly tell your boss to shut his mouth or I am gonna..."

"Carly," Jason said as he did his best to calm her. "It's been a long day. I think we should go back to my place and get the baby to bed. We'll talk about everything later, then we'll..."

Carly gave Jason a glare as she strode out of Luke's club in a burst of fury. "I don't envy you, pal...dealing with that," Luke said to Jason.

Jason tucked the baby back into his carriage. "Carly's mad right now, but she'll be alright. Thanks for everything, Luke. I am truly grateful. Without your help, I never would have found Carly and had the opportunity to be a father to my son."

"The baby is an added bonus."

Jason nodded. He knew Carly would be waiting for him right outside, but he wasn't sure how furious she'd be. He said his goodbyes to Luke, then he stepped outside.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked as he approached Carly.

"Uh huh."

"How bad?"

"You're in big trouble, Jason Morgan!"

"Yeah, but I am good in bed and I am your best friend."

"Don't try to sweet talk me," she said as she sulked.

"You'll get over it eventually," Jason spoke. "You have to."

"No sex for you... not for at least six weeks!"

"The doctor already told you that you needed that extra time so you could heal from the baby's birth. What kind of punishment would that be?"

She stopped in her tracks, suddenly throwing her arms around him. "Okay, then...I forgive you already."

"That was fast," he said as he held her in his arms.

"You found me... and you wouldn't have without Luke. How can I be mad; I love you, too much, dammit."

His lips lowered to hers in a hot kiss, taking her breath away. She was exactly where she belonged - with Jason and their son. All of the rest would have to come in time.