Chapter 11

The doctors kept their word, and Michael was able to go home after being in the hospital for a few weeks. When the doctors told us this, I think a huge cloud was lifted from our of our shoulders.

Carly was ecstatic, of course, but she wouldn't be Carly if she didn't worry about something.

"Jason, do you think he'll be okay walking up and down the stairs? Maybe he should stay downstairs? Or what if—"

"Carly, he can walk fine. He just needs to take it easy, but he can manage the stairs," I said. "You're something you know that?"

"That better be a good something."

"Oh, it is," I said, pulling her into my arms. I put my hand on her stomach, something I had been doing frequently ever since we found out that Carly was pregnant. We hadn't told anyone except Bobbie about the baby partly because we wanted to surprise everyone, but also because I knew Carly was worried about having another miscarriage.

Michael was wheeled out and the doctor said he was all set to go home. He gave us the instructions for his out-patient care. Michael was still going to see a physical therapist 3 times a week for a while to keep him strong.

"I don't need this wheelchair. I can walk," Michael insisted.

"It's hospital policy," the doctor said.

"I'll tell you what," I told him, "as soon as get out of the hospital, you can get out of the wheelchair and walk the rest of the way to the car."

"Okay," he said.

"Hey," Carly said, "I don't know if that's a good idea."

"Carly, he'll be fine."

"Yeah, mom, I'll be fine," Michael said.

"So, is this what it's going to be like? The two of you ganging up on me?"

"Why?" I asked. "Don't think you can handle it?"

"I look forward to it," she said.

"Can we go now?" Michael asked. "I'm really tired of being in the hospital."

"You bet. I thought that we could go get something to eat to celebrate."

"That sounds good, but can Morgan come, too? I was it to be our first meal together was a family."

"That's already been arranged," I said.

"What?" he asked.

"You'll see."

Carly, Michael, and I arrived at Kelly's, and Michael was welcomed by the whole town of Port Charles. Everyone that we knew came out to celebrate Michael's homecoming. Everyone loved him.

"Jason," Carly said, "you did all this? For my son?"

"For our son. And yes, I did. When you and Michael were asleep yesterday, I made some calls. I wanted him to feel loved."

"Thank you," she said.

Morgan ran over to Michael, excited that his big brother was finally with him again. "Michael, I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Morgan. But I'm going to be home from now on."

"Good!"

Michael enjoyed his party, spending time talking to each and every person that showed up. Then, Sonny walked in.

"What are you doing here?" Carly asked.

"I just came to tell Michael that I'm happy he's home. That's all."

"Carly, don't make a scene," I said, instantly regretting it.

"Don't make a scene? Don't tell me that I can't make a scene. This man almost killed my son."

"I'm sorry. I just want you to relax."

"I can't rel—ow!" She screamed, putting her hand on her stomach.

"Carly, what's wrong?" I said, worried.

"Jason—it hurts!" she said, doubling over.

"Okay, come outside," I said, calmly. I didn't want Michael or Morgan to get scared.

I put one arm around her back to support her, and my other hand was being squeezed by hers. I helped her walk outside and sat her down on a bench.

"Is it the baby?"

"Yes. Jason, oh god," she said, doubling over again. "This can't be happening. Not again."

"Calm down. I'm going to get you to a hospital and get you checked out, okay?" She nodded.

I helped her to the car, and then I drove as fast as I could. I prayed that she wasn't losing our child. I didn't know if either of us could bear anymore loss.

When we got to the hospital, I told the nurse what was wrong and that we needed Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee got her into a gown, and then told Carly that she needed to examine her.

"Will you wait in the hall?" she asked me.

"Yeah." I squeezed Carly's hand. "I'll be right outside, okay?" She nodded.

After a few minutes, Dr. Lee told me that I could come back in.

"It looks like everything is okay, but I'm going to do an ultrasound just in case."

I sat down next to her, and put my hand in hers. Dr. Lee put the gel on her stomach and then we waited for what seemed like forever.

When Dr. Lee didn't say anything, I got worried. "Is there something wrong?"

"It looks like your babies are perfectly healthy."

"Good," Carly said, relieved. Then it hit her, about the same time it hit me. Babies?

"Babies?" Carly asked.

"Yes. Congratulations, you are having twins."

"We're having twins," Carly said, trying to comprehend this."

"But they're okay?"

"Yes, but I have to urge Carly to be very careful. With Carly's history of miscarrying and with this being a multiple baby pregnancy, this is considered a high-risk pregnancy. Carly needs to rest and be as stress-free as possible."

"I will take very good care of both Carly and my babies."

"Okay, now that that's taken care of, do you want to see your babies?"

"Yes," Carly said.

Dr. Lee turned the ultrasound picture toward us and pointed out both heartbeats. "I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes."

"Jase… those are our children," she said, smiling and crying at the same time.

"I can't believe how small they are," I said, starting to cry myself. "I can't believe we're going to have twins."

I leaned down and stroked her hair, and gave her a kiss on top of her head. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for making me a father."

She nodded, unable to speak because of all her emotions. I wiped away a tear, and I kissed her, this time on the lips.

"Let's tell everyone about the babies."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I don't want to wait anymore."

"Okay."

When Carly was released, we went back to Kelly's. Most of the people had left, but there was still a small crowd there.

"Mom," Michael said, walking toward us, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Carly, what happened?" Bobbie asked.

"I'm fine," she said. "Actually, I'm more than fine."

"Everyone," I said, "Carly and I have an announcement."

When the crowd was quiet, she said, "We were wanting to wait a little while longer, but we were so excited so… A few weeks ago, we found out that we were pregnant!"

People started to talk again, when I interrupted them, "And about an hour ago, we found out that we are having twins!"

We were bombarded by people wishing us well and congratulating us. It made us feel good, but it didn't matter what anyone else felt. What mattered was that we were happy, and that Carly and the babies were healthy.

After everyone had left and we went home, Morgan and Michael couldn't stop talking about the idea of new brothers or sisters.

"Mommy, when will the babies be here?"

"Well," she said, pulling him into her lap, "the doctor said that the babies will be here in May. So when things outside are blooming, and it's sunny and beautiful outside, you will have two new siblings."

"Will they be boys or girls?"

"We don't know that yet," I said. "It doesn't matter, though, because they will be loved, no matter what."

After Morgan went to bed, Michael sat down on the couch between Carly and me. "Mom, I'm so happy that you and Jason are going to have two babies. But can you imagine what it's going to be like having four kids?"

"It's gonna be complete chaos!" she said, laughing. "But it's going to be wonderful."

"Here," she said, grabbing Michael's hand and putting it on her stomach.

"I don't feel anything," he said.

"You will soon, though. The babies are going to grow, and you'll feel them kick. Before you know it, they'll be here."

"When you feel the baby kick, it'll be the most amazing thing ever," she said.

"I can't wait," I said. "I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. She looked like a wheelbarrow, but when you kicked, it was amazing."

"I did not look like a wheelbarrow, she said, throwing a pillow at me.

"Those were your words, not mine," I said.

"I'm excited," Michael said, interrupting. "I hope that you have a girl. I mean, a boy would be great, too, but I think I would really like to have a baby sister."

"I want a girl, too," she said. "But I love all my boys, so another one would be okay, too. As long as they're healthy."

"Okay, I'm tired so I'm going to go to bed. I'm really happy for you all."

After he went up, I decided to talk to him for a minute. "I'll be right back," I told Carly.

"Hey Michael," I said.

"Hey Jason," he said. "I really am happy about the new babies. Are you excited?"

"Yeah, I am excited. But, I need you to do something."

"Anything."

"The doctor told Carly that she needs to relax and not be under any stress. I know that you're going to be busy with physical therapy and starting school again, but can you help me keep your mom calm?"

"Sure. I'll help take care of Morgan, and I'll do anything that you need me to do. She's not going to lose the babies like the last one, is she?"

"Dr. Lee said she and the babies are healthy, and I'm going to do everything in my power to keep it that way."

"Good. Me, too.

"Night, Michael."

"Night, Jason."

I went downstairs and Carly was sprawled out on the couch. "I think I'm going to go to bed, too," she said. "I've had a long day."

I sat down next to her and said, "I can't believe we're going to have two babies!"

"But having four kids is going to be complete chaos.

"Like you said, it'll be wonderful," I said. "But right now, Carly, you have to relax and rest. You can't have another episode like today. You were scared to death, and honestly, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"I'm sorry. I promise that I will do my absolute best to be calm and not get stressed out. No matter who I have to encounter."

"Promise?"

"I promise."