Epilogue
*So I am loving the Michael and Willow relationship, and since Nell would not have a reason to come after Carly in my universe, I am just going with they somehow met another way and ended up having Wiley together. Completely unexplained and improbable, but it's my story, so I get to do what I want. :P
1997
Carly stood dazed in the doorway of the bathroom, staring down at the plastic stick in her hands that had a positive sign in the little window. In a shell-shocked voice, she said, "I'm pregnant." Then, tearing her eyes away from the stick, she looked up at Jason with tears in her eyes and amended, "We're pregnant."
Looking at her in concern, Jason asked, "Are those happy tears or sad tears?"
With a teary laugh, she softly said, "Happy." Then, in a much louder voice, she said, "Oh my God! We're going to have a baby."
Walking over and wrapping his arms around her, Jason let the smile light up his face. Talking into his chest, she asked, "Are you happy about this? I mean we haven't exactly talked about kids. If you…"
Hearing her begin to work herself up, he said, "Hey, calm down. Just count to ten and breathe." Feeling her body shudder as she drew in breath, he told her, "I am really happy. You know I can't really imagine things like that, but I love that there is going to be someone that is part you and part me."
"Oh God! The baby is going to be part Spencer and part Quartermaine. Do you think if we just let it around Emily and Lila, it will be as crazy as they are? But, no, Edward is never going to leave our poor baby alone." Carly started to get worked up again.
Rubbing his hand up and down her back, he said, "Yes, and Luke is going to convince the baby to chase after and kill Cassadines."
"Oh God! You're right. Our child is doomed to this family's insanity."
Chuckling, Jason said, "Maybe he or she will be the best of both sides."
"Maybe. You want to hear something crazy?" She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I think it is going to be a boy. I can picture him. He is going to look just like you. And he is going to be a good man, just like you. But we are also going to have a blonde haired little girl, and she is going to have your heart, and my crazy plans. See, crazy, right?"
Looking down at her fondly, he said, "Yes."
She laughed, her whole face lighting up. "But you love me anyway, right?"
Resting his forehead against hers, he cupped her cheek. "I love you. I love every part of you, even your crazy."
The tears entered her eyes again. "We're a family now." Wiping the tears from her cheeks as they fell, she said, "Sorry, must be the hormones."
Wiping her cheeks, he said, "You are already my family."
Pulling her back into his arms when this caused her to start crying again, they stood for several minutes holding each other. Jason rested his head against her shoulder, and said, "You want to hear something crazy? I can imagine them both. I already love that boy and girl. I can't usually imagine things, but you make me hope for them. And with you and me together, I think anything is possible."
Wrapping her arms tightly around him and burying her face against his chest, she said, "Me too."
2020
"Mom? We're here!" Michael called out into his parent's house. The house was decorated to the nines for Christmas. Carrying the baby inside in his baby seat, Michael looked around. "Mom? Dad?"
Hearing a noise in the kitchen, Michael walked in to see his parents making out against the refrigerator. Uncomfortable, but used to his parents public displays of affection, he cleared his throat loudly, saying, "We're here. Your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson will be in the other room when you are finished making out like teenagers."
Carly buried her burning face against her husband's chest as Michael walked out of the room laughing. Jason shot his son a look that Michael completely ignored.
Taking his wife's hand, Jason asked, "Why did we have kids again?"
Laughing, Carly said, "I'm not sure, but it probably started with us making out like teenagers."
Smiling down at her, he said, "I guess that explains four kids, then."
Her face glowed as she leaned up to give him a soft kiss. "Just remember, I am done. No more kids. I'm a grandmother, for heaven's sake. No more kids."
Nuzzling the top of her head, he said, "I get it, and I agree. As long as we can still make out like teenagers, and everything that leads to."
"You better believe it, buddy. Over twenty years of marriage and you are still as sexy as the day I met you. Just try to stop me from keeping my hands all over you." She flashed him the grin that he had long thought of as his smile, the one that somehow seemed to express joy, desire, mischief, and unconditional love with a single look.
By the time they got to the living room, most of the immediate family had already joined. Michael had pulled Wiley out of his car seat and was standing with his arm around his wife Willow, while talking to his little brother Spencer and Spencer's girlfriend Grace. Josselyn had the newest addition to the siblings, Lila, in her arms and was talking animatedly to her current boyfriend Cameron. Standing in the doorway, both stood staring contentedly at their children. Carly had been right, they had had that little boy that she pictured, Michael was the spitting image of his father, in looks and in temperament. And Josselyn was somehow the best of both parents, with Jason's giving nature and Carly's fire. But this was more than even Jason could have hoped for that day all those years ago. They had four beautiful children, who, though all different, were the best of both of them. Michael and Lila were more calm, like Jason, while Spencer and Josselyn were mischievous mini hurricanes, just like their mother. But they were all centered because they had grown up with the example of unconditional love in their parents.
They were broken out of their peaceful moment watching their children when Luke burst into the house with Lucky and Emily and their three kids in tow. He exclaimed at the top of his voice, "Now the party can begin! Your patriarch is here!" This caused Lucky and every Morgan in attendance to roll their eyes, while Emily and Willow giggled.
Within the hour, their house was filled with family. Bobbie and her newest boyfriend, Lucas and Brad, Lulu and her little boy and new boyfriend rounded out the Spencer clan. Even the Quartermaines, who Jason had finally accepted into his life, were in attendance. Monica and Bobbie cooed over their newest granddaughter and great grandson. Sonny showed up with his latest wife, who no one was very fond of, though they had long learned to keep it to themselves.
The group was loud and boisterous. There was occasional yelling and a great deal of laughter. They had all been through so much in their lives; Port Charles always seemed to come with a revolving door of drama. Yet the feeling in the room was not pain and loss, but love and joy.
Awhile later, when the party was dying down, Carly sat cuddled up on the couch with her husband. "Do you think in another life we could have been this happy?'
Kissing the top of her head, he said thoughtfully, "I think in any circumstances one thing would always be true. I know you would be my family." Rubbing her back, he added, "Thank you for giving me this family. When I woke up from the coma, I had never felt so alone. But you swept into my life and gave me all of this."
Looking up at him, she studied his face for a moment. After all these years, she still felt amazed that the best man she had ever known had picked her. Her eyes began tearing up as she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss. Pulling back and beaming his smile, she said, "I love you," and then curled back into his arms, basking in the contentment of being in the arms of her soulmate, surrounded by their children. She thanked God for giving her this life.