For the next couple of weeks, Carly and Jason got used to living together. They melded their lives together over breakfasts and dinners, Carly pleading with Jason to watch movies with her, and when he gave in, cuddling together on the couch. When Carly would get stressed and overwhelmed, Jason was there to hold her until she calmed down. When Jason would get too focused on work to have fun, Carly would beg, plead, nag, and bat her eyes until he would take time to do something fun and relaxing. Jason had been nervous that he and Carly living together would be a disaster, but instead, he began to enjoy his life again. He hated leaving for work, and rushed to get back home at the end of the day. For the first time, he began to understand the difference between somewhere you slept and a home. And he started to dread the day that she would leave.

When Carly had a doctors appointment with her OB for her check-up and ultrasound, Jason convinced Carly to let him come with her. His protectiveness made him want to be reassured that everything was okay with her pregnancy.

"Hello Carly." Dr. Lee said as she came in the room. Looking at Jason, she asked, "And this is?"

Carly gave her a bright smile as she said, "This is Jason. He's the baby's father."

She gave him a curious look, having thought that Dr. Jones was the father, but she accepted Carly's answer. "Okay, if you will lay back and pull up your shirt, we will begin your ultrasound."

When Dr. Lee found the baby on the monitor and the heartbeat became audible, Jason walked closer, taking Carly's hand. They both looked at the monitor in awe.

"Jase," Carly whispered.

Not wanting to take his eyes away from the baby, Jason squeezed her hand, and whispered, "Yeah."

Dr. Lee smiled at the two and then asked, "Do you want a picture of the ultrasound?"

"Yes, please," Carly answered.

She printed two up, giving one to both Carly and Jason. Jason continued staring at the picture with a soft smile on his face. As Dr. Lee gave Carly reassurances that everything looked good, Carly only half listened instead she watched Jason. The way he was looking at the picture made her wish desperately that her lie was true. She wished her son had a father as wonderful as Jason. If she could make any wish for her child, it would be that.

When the appointment was over, Jason took Carly's hand as they exited the room, running straight into AJ.

Carly's happiness immediately evaporated. Great! What are the chances?

AJ scowled at the couple. "Carly," he sneered. "So, it's true what Tony is saying Jason? Carly is really claiming you are the father of her baby?"

"Yes, AJ! Jason is my baby's father. So, you can scurry off." Carly taunted.

Giving her a nasty look, he said, "I wasn't talking to you, Carly. I was speaking to my brother. So, Jason, you had sex with Carly? I know you can't lie."

Jason looked at him and said, "Yes, I had sex with Carly."

"And what amazing sex it was. Throw me up against the wall, best sex I ever had sex." Carly said, smirking at AJ.

"Wow, you really are a slut. Three possible baby daddies. Even if it is Jason's kid, what judge would give a child to the brain damaged mobster and the slut who doesn't even know who the father of her child is? I bet they can be convinced that growing up with the Quartermaines would be a far better life for that kid." AJ shot back.

Seeing the fear in Carly's eyes, Jason stepped forward until he was standing in front of Carly. "Don't you talk to her like that. I am this baby's father. You are getting nowhere near this child. If you don't leave Carly and our baby alone, you will regret it. Do you understand?"

"You're really threatening me for her. Can't you see what a conniving viper she is? She's toxic, Jason."

"Then you shouldn't have a problem staying away from her."

Looking stubborn, AJ shot back, "This isn't over. I want a paternity test when that baby is born. I'm going to take that baby away from you both." With that he turned around and stomped off.

Jason looked down at Carly and asked, "Are you okay?"

"He can't take my baby away. If I have to run away, I will. I will run for the rest of my life if it keeps this baby away from him." She turned into his arms and cried. He led her to an empty room and just held her. After a minute, she asked in between sobs, "Do you think the Quartermaines could take him away?"

He tilted her chin up, his heart breaking at the tears streaming down her face and the fear in her eyes. "We won't let them. Whatever we have to do, we will keep them away from this baby. I won't let them do what they have done to me to a child."

Burying her face against his chest, she took reassurance in his strength. When he said it, she believed it. Her faith in Jason was complete.

"Thank you. I'm sorry you had to lie. I know you hate that."

Jason ran his fingers through her hair as he thought about what she said. "I think I am finding out that I will do anything to help you and this baby."

Overwhelming love and gratitude welled up in Carly. She had never had someone treat her the way he did, not her mother and father, not any boyfriends, and definitely not Tony. She placed her hand on his cheek, and told him softly, "Jason, I really wish you were this baby's father. Any kid would be lucky to have you as a dad."

A smile lit his face, and he leaned down to rest his forehead on hers. Looking overwhelmed himself at her faith in him, at how she saw someone who did everything right, even when he was sure he was doing everything wrong, he whispered, "Me too."