~XI~
.
"What are my options for fighting this, Diane," Jason questioned as he scrutinized the legal paperwork in front of him. "Why is she stepping forward now?"
"You're options are extremely limited, but you do have some options open to you. As for why Sarah Webber has decided to step forward now? Your guess is as good as mine," Diane stated as she pulled out several documents. When she didn't look Jason in the eyes, both Jason and Carly knew that she was withholding some information.
"Diane?" Carly probed refusing to back down.
"The only reason that Carly has custody of your son is that there were no other viable options at that time. Now that Sarah is here and is willing to take custody of her nephew… while you're in here she has a higher chance of obtaining custody," Diane explained while looking Jason directly in the eyes.
"What?" Carly demanded softly as the gears in her head started to turn.
"Carly's not biologically related to Jake and you, his father is currently sitting in prison. As long as Sarah presents a decent case, the judge have problem with granting custody to her," Diane clarified as she started to fidget with her papers. "The judge only gave Carly custody because she was the best option at the time. Elizabeth's sister Sarah is requesting custody of Jake only because she can't get custody of Cameron."
"Why can't she get custody of Cameron?" Jason inquired.
"We had Elizabeth sign away her rights to both boys. Lucky adopted Cameron and he has worked out visitation with Sarah. But the same can't be said for Jake. Jason, you're in prison! Even if you allowed Carly to adopt Jake, Sarah will still have a strong case. The only way to secure his well being, is to not only allowing Carly to adopt Jake, but to marry her also," Diane explained bluntly.
Turning her head, Carly looked directly at Jason. 'I hate it when he shuts down.' Placing one hand on his forearm, she waited for him to come to a decision while she silently let him know that she would follow his lead. Smilingly softly at the question in his blue eyes, she nodded her head.
"How soon can you arrange it?" Jason inquired not taking his eyes away from Carly's.
"It can be done within the next few days," Diane informed them.
"Can you arrange for our son to be there also?" Jason requested. Carly leaned closer to Jason, her eyes tearing up just a bit at his request.
"I can try, that's all I can do," Diane stated as she packed up her things. "I'll have the legal papers ready by the time of the ceremony."
"Thank you Diane," Jason whispered as his forehead touched Carly's. "I didn't get you a ring."
"You already gave me one," Carly whispered back softly. "Just think, shortly we will be married. Would you consider adopting Morgan?"
"I would be honored to adopt Morgan," Jason stated softly.
"Thank you," Carly choked as tears slipped from her eyes. "I'll have Diane add that to the paperwork."
"Are you ready to get married?" Jason laughed.
"Beyond ready," Carly smiled delighted. 'I'll need to speak to Diane about pushing up the hearing so that we can secure Jake's safety.'
~II~
.
"Well?" Carly inquired as she followed Diane out into the prison yard. 'I've never been out this way. Why are we going outside?' Looking around she noticed that the yard was nearly empty. "Why are we going this way?"
"Jason has a little surprise of his own for you," Diane humored as she shook her head, but her smile stayed in place.
Looking around the court yard, Carly instantly spotted Jason. Turning towards him, she started to walk his way, when she felt a hand on shoulder. Twisting around, Carly brighten at the sight of both Michael and Morgan smiling at her.
"May I have this walk?" Michael requested as he enfolded her hand in his arm.
"You may," Carly whispered brokenly. Smiling at him brightly, Carly felt her eyes tear up.
"Hey, no crying on me," Michael joked as he squeezed her hand. "You get to cry all you want on Jason, from now on."
"Behave Michael," Morgan ordered as he stood on the other side of his mother. "Now Mama, we're not giving you away, but as Johnny said we're forging stronger ties to the ones we love."
"Johnny said that?" Carly questioned flabbergasted. "Johnny?"
"He's a trip, I think he's having the time of his life. Where did Jason know him from?" Michael wondered as he kept his mother's attention while slowly walking her towards Jason.
"Who gives this woman away?" Father John asked startling Carly.
"No one gives her away, she goes freely and of her own accord," Michael answered as he placed his mother's hand in Jason. Michael stepped back then around her. With a gentle hand placed on Morgan's shoulder, Michael led him to the side.
Carly looked over to where Michael had led Morgan and saw all of the boys gathered along with her mother and Lucas. She even spotted Lucky standing within the crowd. Turning towards Jason, Carly smiled widely at him.
"We gather here today to celebrate the long waited union between Caroline and Jason. Many of us despaired that this day would never come, but the faithful knew better. Alone they are incomplete, together they are whole. With the blessing of their eldest son, to the cooing sounds of their youngest daughter, they are merging two divided households into one," Father John spoke passionately. Pausing he looked around the gathered crowd, "If anyone feels that this couple before me, should not be united in Holy Matrimony….speak now or forever hold your peace."
Holding her breath, Carly waited for someone to speak but as the seconds ticked by she slowly released her breath. Looking at Jason, she just knew that he was amused by her antics. A soft goofy smile light up her face, when she saw how happy Jason was.
"If I may have the rings," Father John requested as he held out his hand. Morgan moved forward and placed the rings in the outstretched hand. "O' lord bless these rings that Caroline and Jason, who give them, and who wear them, may ever abide in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives." He first handed the ring to Jason and then the other to Carly. "With the exchange of these rings," Father John instructed as Carly and Jason gently exchanged rings, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Looking deep into his crystal blue eyes, Carly couldn't control her wide smile. Leaning closer to him, she felt Jason's soft lips touch hers. Seconds later she opened her month to allow Jason's tongue entrance.
Loud wolf calls and shrill whistles rang in her ears, before Carly became aware of where she was. 'I'm finally married to Jason! And all of our family was here to witness it!' As Jason's tongue slid out of her mouth, she moaned softly as he started to laugh. Pulling back she saw his blue eyes twinkling away.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…Mister and Misses Morgan!" Father John announced happily.
TBC
