Second Chances

Chapter 2

Jason was at the Metro Court in one of the many suites that Carly had reserved for him; as well as other guests. If it were him making the decision, he would have stayed at the house, Carly's house, actually their house he reminded himself, to get ready. But Carly had made it a point to tell him that he couldn't see the bride before she arrived at the altar. This of course had been after they had seen each other a while ago and confessed their true feelings for one another. So, what was the big deal? Everything was out in the open. They could arrive together for goodness sakes.

However, Carly knew him so well; she had sent him a text while he was still at the hospital stating that his suit would be at the Metro Court and that the presidential suite was all his to get ready.

J – Why can't I just change at the house?

C – Because you can't see me anymore till I am walking down the aisle.

J – That's ridiculous.

C – Is it?

J – Yes.

C- Humor me. Remember…you can't say no to me.

Jason had rolled his eyes at that. He had a feeling he was going to pay dearly for that confession to Carly. But all right. She could have her way. Besides, all he needed to do was shower, shave and change and if it made Carly happy, what was the harm in it?

J – Fine.

C – You're the best!

Jason was looking at himself in the mirror and as he saw his reflection, he thought back to the time he had lived upstairs from Jake's. He had been so confused back then, and when he saw Carly from across the room, he instantly felt like a thunderbolt had sliced through him. She was drop dead gorgeous. But it was her confidence, in her dancing, in the way she played pool that had him intrigued to no end. Jake's had been his go to place. And as Carly told him it had been her paradise – her safe haven; from her lies, manipulations and deceit. From the beginning he had provided protection for her. And he would not change that for the world. He was honest with Carly when he had told her today that he didn't know where he would be if he hadn't met her. That he was just lucky that he had.

Jake's had been gone a long time. When they had told Jason that Carly was at Jake's he wasn't surprised. After they had decided – to get married – she had been torn. He had told her as much so he wasn't surprised she wanted to go back to Jake's and think. Carly had been fighting with herself since they decided to get married. But he had been wrong as to why. He thought that Sonny was still between them and while he was in some way, it hadn't been what made Carly doubt. It had been the fact that she thought she was falling in love with him and once again she would be all alone in that love. He had to shoulder a lot of that blame. He had pushed her aside and made her doubt his love for her.

But every single time that he allowed himself to think of a future with Carly, back then, one of her plans had to go and ruin it. Until she did the unthinkable and he had to leave town to forget her. To heal his heart that had been broken into a million pieces. He knew that if he had only reached out prior and told her how he felt maybe she would have had some faith in them when she saw him dance with Liz. It had been what made Carly go insane and her imploding what they had fought so hard to maintain. Even after all this time, just thinking about it made him go right back to that pain. But they had a chance now to get it right. After so long, they needed to get it right and he would do everything he could to convince Carly of his feelings for her.

"Why so pensive?" Spinelli spoke up as he peeked his head through the opening of the bathroom door. "You're going to be late if you don't get a move on."

Jason nodded his head and cleared his throat: "Just thinking about things." Jason admitted.

"Having second thoughts?" Spinelli questioned, concerned.

"Not at all." Jason said and for the first time meant it. "This is good all around."

"Michael shouldn't be long."

"I know." Jason said, as he made his way to the bed where his suit was laid out.

"The fair Carly and you are making it official. Like I said at your disastrous bachelor party, perhaps it's fate, destiny, and if so, how wonderful that it's Carly."

Jason felt himself start to smile. "Yeah. You're right Spinelli." How lucky indeed. After many nights with an ache in his heart, he was going to finally live with Carly as husband and wife. He didn't even know that's what he had wanted all along. But now that he had let those thoughts and feelings in, there was no stopping them.

"I mean from what I hear, the both of you have been in each other's lives for more than you guys have not. Especially for you, right? Since you have no memory before meeting her."

"She's been the one constant in my life. Her and Sonny. But Carly would fight for me against insurmountable odds. She always would defend me and in her own way protect me. Everything Carly has ever done – right or wrong - has in some way been to protect or defend me."

"I think Sonny would approve. I mean you love Carly and now you're marrying her and you would die for her. I know you would. Isn't being in love what follows next?"

"Spinelli is right." Michael offered as he made his way through the door of the suite. "There was a time that you and mom were actually in love with one another if the story I hear is correct."

Jason turned to look at Michael. "Yeah. When you were a baby." Jason nodded. "But things got complicated and Sonny and your mom fell in love."

Michael nodded his head. "And you gallantly stepped out of the way. Because you wanted what was best for my mom and you thought that it would be my dad. Jase, you have been my hero and my rock for as long as I can remember. Sonny became my dad but you were the first one that I interacted with and loved. You were the first one that protected me when my mom couldn't. I know that. And I also know the price you paid by giving my mom up."

"I was happy to take care of you and it was my privilege to do that."

"Now it's your turn to be happy with mom. I know why you both claim you're doing this. I know that it's to keep the peace and for the business but I can't help but think that if it were anyone else Jase…you wouldn't do it. You're getting married because it's mom. That's the only reason."

Jason closed his eyes briefly and nodded slightly. Michael was right. In no way shape or form would he ever agree to marry anyone else but Carly. He had married Brenda long ago and that had turned out to be a disaster. He would not make that same mistake again. But he had done it because of Carly. It all boiled down to Carly for him. Back then and even now, it was always going to be about her.

Robin, Liz and Sam had always told him that the reason they didn't work out was because of Carly and they blamed her. They should have been blaming him as well because he wanted Carly in his life – as disruptive as it was – because he needed her like the air he needed to breathe. He did choose her more times than not over them and truth be told he would do it again. It was just a fact of his life and one he wouldn't change. He had tried. Tried really hard to make it work with them but in the end, Carly had superseded them. He had told Britt that it wasn't loving her more or less than them, it was just there and that was true. Carly held on to him so fiercely he had no option but to hold on to her as hard and as fierce. But not to his detriment, on the contrary, he felt lucky to have her. He wasn't lying when he asked her to think of all the things, she had done for him. Carly had saved him more times than he could remember. Maybe not from danger primarily but she had saved him where it counted: with her love and her devotion to him. How could he not fall for her again? Had he ever stopped being in love with her?

"I do love your mom, Michael. And I am halfway to being in love with her again." Jason confessed.

Michael smiled and genuinely opened his eyes in astonishment. I mean he knew that Jason and his mom were inseparable and at times he did wonder about the closeness of their friendship but he never had the guts to ask – and besides it was none of his business. He valued his privacy and learned long ago if he wanted it, he had to give it as well. But now, he could ask the question. Actually, he didn't have to. He already knew. Jason had never once stopped being in love with his mom. It was written all over his face. It was funny. People said that Jason was emotionless and quiet and so hard to read. Right now, he was the easiest person to read. His love was worn on his sleeve for all to see. Good for him, Michael thought.

"But I would never have said or done anything if your dad had been alive. I swear to you…" Jason started to say.

Michael stepped forward and grasped one of Jason's shoulders, squeezing it. "You don't have to tell me that Jason." Michael assured him. "I know that you would never be disloyal to my dad or to my mom for that matter. I know you never would have pursued or even acknowledge to yourself the feelings you had for mom if dad were still alive. But he's not Jase. He's gone and you and mom deserve to be happy. You are the only person in this entire world, I bet, that can make my mom as happy as my dad made her. And who knows Jason, maybe even more. It pains me to say it but mom and dad sometimes were too much together. You calm mom down. You understand her the way that dad sometimes couldn't. You see her. The real her. The person that she is inside and out and she could truly be herself with you. So, for that, Jason, I love you and I love that you love my mom so much to put her first – always."

Spinelli laughed out loud and put his arms around both Jason and Michael. "Aww….this is great!"

Jason turned to Spinelli and said: "I actually do have a favor to ask you. You don't have to do it today or next week but I need you to start researching the building where Carly and I used to hang out when we first met. Jake's."

"Okay. What for?"

"I want to buy the building and rebuild Jake's and give it to Carly as a wedding present."

"You what?" Spinelli sputtered. "You want to give your future wife a bar?"

"Not just any bar Spinelli." Michael added, as he laughed out loud. "The place where it all began for these two. Grand gesture if I may say so myself."

"Your mom was outside of Jake's today. I found her there. And I have a feeling she goes there on occasion when she wants to think and go back to a time where she was fearless and happy. And there's nothing there. It's just a boarded-up building. She probably stands in the parking lot or at the boarded-up entrance for hours. I want her to be able to go inside and have it be like it used to be. Give her the paradise she says she had at Jake's."

"It's important for the both of you." Spinelli stated.

"It is. But I think it holds more meaning for Carly." Jason said, truthfully. "I really enjoyed Jake's and lived on top of the bar for a while but I have other places I go to and to be honest, I can do the same thing at the Metro Court bar. With the exception of the pool table and jukebox."

"Anything to make my mom happy." Michael pointed out.

Jason nodded his head. "Absolutely anything."

"Okay, okay, okay…" Spinelli sputtered. "Consider it done. But for now, you need to go and get changed because you're the man of the hour and you need to get there before the bride to be."