Chapter 36

A/N: Sorry it took forever and a day yet again. But, hey, there are worst things in the world … like Alexis giving birth to the demon spawn …

Within weeks, Courtney had quietly eased herself into Jason and Marie's life. It wasn't nearly forced though or even contrived. It was quite natural actually. Jason was happier than she had seen him in a long time. Marie had taken a liking to her … and, of course, Carly was thrilled.

But Carly was the last thing on Courtney's mind. Between late-night dinners, talks on the docks and even early morning breakfasts at Kelly's, Courtney and Jason were spending nearly every free moment they had in the presence of one another. And both enjoying it a little more than either would have admitted.

It was somewhat like old times … only with a baby –the way Courtney had wanted it to be.

Most days were spent playing Nanny though, while Jason was out, like the day Carly decided to pop up unexpectedly.

"Oh, I knew you'd be here," Carly announced plopping down on the couch. "This is getting serious. Like my new dress?"

Courtney rolled her eyes. "I don't actually. And nothing is getting serious. Jason and I …"

"… Have sex when Marie falls asleep …"

"No! Jason and I are simply … sharing parental duties." Courtney looked over at the infant. "I mean, think about it, Carly. She doesn't have a mother. Jason is hardly home and Leticia has enough on her hands. I'm just helping out."

"Anyone ever tell you that you're a shitty liar?" Carly replied kicking her shoes off. "You can tell me."

"That's all," Courtney answered. "This arrangement is strictly platonic. I'm here to help. That is all."

"Sure you are," Carly grinned. "For now. But, look at you. You're attached to that child and pretty soon she's gonna be calling you Mommy. Look around. There's not one trace of Sam in this house. You're not going to be content just being Courtney, the help, for too long."

"I'm happy …"

"You're falling back in love and this time, you're getting the guy and the baby. An instant family! You're not fooling anyone. Just get him to marry you and make it official. Plus, you get a brand new ring and wedding presents. How long do you expect this to go on?"

"However long she wants."

Carly's eyes widened as she and Courtney both turned towards the door to see Jason standing there.

"I was just … you know …" Carly started.

"Helping baby-sit?" Jason asked, walking in and shutting the door behind him.

"Or just leaving …" Courtney said.

Carly looked at the both of them and smirked. "Right. Just leaving."

She grabbed her things and walked towards the door, humming "Going to the Chapel" as she walked out.

"I'm really sorry if you heard any of that conversation," Courtney said with a nervous laugh. "You know how Carly is."

Jason shrugged. "Don't worry about it." He looked down on the floor which was partially covered with a baby blanket and had pieces and crumbs of graham cracker strewn here and there. "What's this?"

Courtney's eyes followed his to the floor as she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Oh, nothing. I was just experimenting with Marie …" She watched as Jason's eyes widened. "Okay, that didn't come out right. I was …" She sighed when a grin spread across Jason's face. "I was trying to get her to crawl by … bribing her with pieces of graham crackers."

"Graham crackers?"

"Graham crackers. I was on the phone and we were both sort of down on the floor and she looked like she was going to crawl, I swear. But she didn't, well, not really. Every time she looked like she was coming towards me, she would just topple over or stop so I got this idea and went into the kitchen and I grabbed the crackers and then I crumbled them up because I realized that she didn't have any teeth so how could she chew and why are you about to laugh at me?"

"I want to see this," Jason said going over to his daughter. "I want to you to show me."

"No …"

"Yeah. I do." He gently picked up the infant and placed her on the pink blanket.

Courtney reluctantly followed. She watched as the tot looked at her then Jason and then spontaneously toppled over on her side.

"Good job," Jason said turning to Courtney.

As he did, Marie regained her balance, turning over on her stomach, seemingly getting in position to crawl.

"See! Look!" Courtney cried, pointing. But as soon as she got Jason's attention, the toddler paused. "You've gotta be kidding me."

Jason laughed. "Its no big deal. So, why did Carly stop by?"

"Typical Carly. Bored. Nosy. Meddling." Courtney shook her head. "She has this crazy idea that we should get married."

"What's so crazy about it?" Jason asked nonchalantly.

Courtney stared at him. "You don't think its crazy …"

"No." He dug into his pocket and placed a tiny box into her hands. "If I did then I wouldn't have bought this."

Courtney slowly opened the velvet box revealing a sparkling ring that would put the one that Jax had bought her to shame.

She thought back to Carly.

"You're falling back in love and this time, you're getting the guy and the baby. An instant family! You're not fooling anyone. Just get him to marry you and make it official. Plus, you get a brand new ring and wedding presents. How long do you expect this to go on?"

Apparently not too long.