Sonny woke to find Carly curled around him. He smiled at the way she used
his body as a pillow and mattress. He smoothed a few strands of hair back
from her forehead. Once again he felt silly for worrying about Jason. Carly
had long since gotten over Jason. Sonny was sure of it. Her heart belonged
to him now. Nothing was going to change that. Now if only he could convince
her to move back in.
The sudden loud ringing of the phone next to the bed shook him out of his
thoughts. Sighing, he reached for the phone before it could wake Carly.
But it was too late. Carly moaned slightly and slurred. "Huh?"
"You will never be a morning person." He commented with a smile. He kissed
the top of her head. "I got it. Hello?"
A soft hesitant voice came through. "Sonny?"
He sat up against the headboard. "Hi, Emily."
"Uh…Sonny, I…I know this may sound stupid but is…" Emily quietly trailed
off. It hurt to get the words out but she had to know.
Sonny understood. "Yes, Jason is here. Do you want to talk to him?"
"No." Emily quickly said. "I just wanted to know, that's all. Thanks."
Emily quickly hung up and looked at Nikolas. He was patiently waiting. She
sighed deeply. "It wasn't a dream."
That morning when he had gone to the guest room Emily stayed in all, she
had done was agonize over whether or not Jason was alive. Even when he
tried to convince her that last night was real she continued to deny it.
Finally he forced her to call up Sonny. Now Nikolas refrained from saying
'I told you so'. Instead he opened his arms for her which she flew into.
He rested his chin on her dark head. He murmured. "Do you want to go over
there?"
She took a deep breath. "Yes. But first I need to go home and get a change
of clothes."
"Uh, that might not be a good idea…" Nikolas thought about what was waiting
for them back at her apartment.
Emily noticed the change in his tone. "What are you talking about?"
"Elizabeth and Sly know." Nikolas said. Emily didn't even have to guess at
what he meant.
She gasped and closed her eyes. "Oh, no. How? When did Elizabeth get back?
How!"
Nikolas shook his head. "I don't know how they found out. All I know is
that they told Lucky and he told me. That's why I brought you to Wyndemere
instead."
Emily walked away from him. She started to pace around the room. "What are
we going to do? This was not how it was supposed to happen."
"I don't like the way this happened either." Nikolas began. "But I'm glad
it's out in the open already. I don't want to hide this anymore."
"I know you don't but we needed more time to…I don't know, get our stories
straight or something."
"Our stories? They don't need to explain anything other than the first
night which *at the time* seemed like a mistake to both of us. Anything
that happened after that is none of their business."
"We owe them an explanation." Emily stopped her pacing.
"They will get one and an apology for the first time but I won't apologize
for everything after. I am not sorry for that or for the way I feel about
you." Nikolas touched her face lightly. "And neither should you."
~*~*~
Jason was seated at the dining table eating a large breakfast he'd prepared
himself when Carly and Sonny came down the stairs. He muttered. "I was
wondering when you were going to wake up."
He didn't want to dwell on the fact that it was obvious that they had slept
together. Images of Carly in bed with Sonny flashed through his mind. His
hand tightened around his fork and clenched his jaw.
Carly was right when she said he'd changed. When he lost his memory and
made his new life in Florida he became a new man. When he got his memory
instead of the old Jason taking over, the old Jason and the new Jason
merged. He had his memory back but he also had a new outlook on life. The
way he felt about certain people was changed.
For four years Carly's face had haunted his dreams, tantalizing him, giving
him something to cling to. Who was the beautiful woman that made love to
him night after night? He never knew her name but she'd always be there in
the back of his mind, waiting for him to fall asleep. And then she would
come to him.
It killed him that he could never remember who she was. But then he finally
got his memory back. Only to return and find her involved with his best
friend.
The irony of it all made him sick.
"Did you make that yourself?" Sonny frowned. He pointed at Jason's plate.
"Yeah." Jason shrugged. He stared down at his plate.
"Oh my God, you cooked in Sonny's kitchen?" Carly laughed. "You think
coming back from the dead gives you all sorts of privileges."
Jason lightly hit her hand when she snatched a piece of bacon from his
plate. "Get your own. I made plenty."
"Looks like you had a very productive morning." Sonny commented.
He shrugged. "I was up early."
Carly slipped into the seat across from Jason and once again reached for a
piece of bacon. This time she was successful. She laughed triumphantly.
"Sonny, if you're going into the kitchen, make me a plate. Thanks."
Sonny arched his eyebrow. "Yeah, right. You heard the man, get your own."
Carly sneered at Sonny while she nibbled on the bacon. A thought occurred
to her. She frowned. "Does this seem weird to you two at all?"
"Weird?" Jason repeated. "What's weird?"
"This." She waved her hands around. "You making breakfast, us bantering
around the table. It's like the past six years didn't happen. It's like you
were never dead."
"I wasn't." He pointed out.
"You know what I mean. This whole normal thing is weirding me out."
"You're waiting for the other shoe to drop?" Sonny guessed. When she nodded
he came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders. "Don't worry about it. It
won't."
"That's what you say now." Carly said with worry in her voice.
"Look, what can go wrong now?" Jason asked.
As soon as the words left his mouth the door to the penthouse opened and a
frazzled Johnny announced with a wince. "The Quartermaines are here."
Jason wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. "All of them?" He said with
disbelief.
"All of them." Johnny said seriously. "I've been trying to keep them out
but they aren't going away."
"Poor Johnny." Carly said sympathetically. She threw Jason a smug look.
"You said nothing could go wrong."
Jason sighed. He should have known that sooner or later he was going to
have to deal with them. "Who told them?"
"Bobbie? Ned?" Sonny suggested. "Anybody at the club could have called a
newspaper or television station. Jason Morgan back from the dead is big
news."
Jason rubbed his face. "I was hoping to have more time…"
Carly frowned. "You can't hide away from them forever. They missed you just
as much as we did. Let them in Johnny."
Johnny nodded and opened the door. Edward didn't hesitate before barreling
in the penthouse, a solemn Alan and a sobbing Monica followed at a more
sedate pace. "You won't keep me from my grandson you muscle bound goon!"
"He didn't, Edward." Carly said. "He just let you in."
"I'm not talking to you." He pointed at her. "You probably knew about this,
didn't you? You and that criminal Corinthos hid him from his family!"
"You are in my house, Edward." Sonny reminded him. "So if you're going to
insult me, take it outside. And we didn't *hide* from you. We found out
last night like everybody else at Luke's."
Before Edward could counter him Monica hugged Jason tightly. She cried.
"Thank you God. You're not dead."
Carly moved over to Alan who hadn't spoken. She lightly touched his arm.
"Are you okay, Alan?"
He looked at her, tears glistening in his eyes. "My son is alive…I can't
believe—" He broke off and Carly soothingly rubbed his arm.
Monica froze when she realized that Jason wasn't hugging her back. She
stepped away and looked into his eyes. She saw the same blankness, the same
lack of feeling that she'd hoped would be gone for good one day. She felt
her heart drop to her stomach. "It's just like before isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Monica." He said regretfully. He was never going to be Jason
Quartermaine again and it was time for her to accept it.
She laughed bitterly. "I should have known. I thought God was giving us a
second chance…"
"Maybe he is." Alan said. "You don't know if—"
"Balderdash!" Edward said turning all attention back to him. "Who cares
about second chances. I want to know where he was for the past six years.
Where he was when his grandmother went to her grave wishing he was still
alive."
A voice drawled from the doorway. It was Victor. "Am I interrupting?"
Carly stepped around Alan and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing
here?"
"Who is this?" Jason frowned at the interloper.
"I am Carly's father. And you are Jason Morgan. Aren't you supposed to be
dead?" Victor frowned. Higgins had obviously missed something in his
research. He will have to pay for that.
"Well he's not and you're not my father." Carly snapped. "Now get out!
You're ruining the mood and that's Edward's job."
Edward snorted loudly at the comment.
Instead of waiting for him to see himself out, Carly marched over and
grabbed him by the arm. She tried to drag him out the door. Johnny helped
her when he saw that she wasn't succeeding. Sonny followed them.
"I suggest you take your hands off of me." Victor ordered Johnny once they
were in the hall.
"And I suggest you stay away from Carly." Sonny said.
Victor turned his gaze to Sonny and said softly. "I don't like you, Mr.
Corinthos. I don't want you around my daughter and the fact that you are in
the Family is something I don't want my grandson growing up with.
Unfortunately my daughter likes you and for that reason I can't kill you.
You would be doing yourself a favor if you would remove yourself from her
life."
Carly stared at Victor open-mouthed. "Are you insane? You are *not* my
father!"
"Have you been talking to Stefan again?" Victor said soothingly. "Don't
take anything he says to be true. He's just…jealous."
Frustrated, Carly ran her hands through her hair. "Stefan and I took a
blood test. He *is* my father. Even though it's not like I want either of
you to be my father. But at least he's sane. I think."
Victor smirked and ignored her insults. "You took a blood test? He could
have easily fixed the results."
"But he didn't." Carly said.
She didn't know why she was so positive but she knew she would rather
believe Stefan than have Victor Cassadine as her father. The look in his
eyes scared her. The story of she came to be was disgusting enough but his
part in it made her ill. And there was something fishy about why after all
these years he'd finally stepped up and claimed her as his daughter. At
least she knew Stefan's reason. She didn't know Victor's and she had a
feeling that she wouldn't like it.
Victor gave her a chiding look. "If you believe that, my dear—"
"I'm not your dear." She snapped. She pushed the button for the elevator.
"I believe it and I want you to leave me alone for now on. Unfortunately we
*are* related but not the way you want. I can't change that and I wouldn't
want to."
The elevator opened behind Victor. He backed into regarding her coolly.
"You'll come around. I still have time."
Carly scowled at him. "Whatever, *Uncle* Victor."
"Have your fun, daughter." He said as the elevator slowly closed.
"Argh!" Carly growled and kicked the elevator door. She turned to Sonny who
was watching her with a bemused expression. "I don't know him well but what
I do know is: I don't like him. To think his blood flows through my
veins..."
Sonny had to laugh at her theatrics. "He *could* be your father after all."
"No. The test proved beyond a doubt that it's Stefan and that's what I'm
going to believe. Even if it could be rigged." Carly sighed and cast an
apprehensive look towards the door. "I wonder how it's going in there."
Sonny arched his eyebrow. "You want to go in and check?"
Carly shuddered. "I'd rather not."
"Me too."
"I should go pickup Michael from Betty's. He's probably driving himself
crazy trying to figure out what kind of surprise I have for him. He's going
to flip when he finds out."
"Maybe I should come with you. At least give you a lift." He offered.
"Uh-uh." Carly shook her head and grinned at him. "You are going to go back
in there and help support Jason. Make sure the Quartermaines don't tear him
apart."
Sonny made a face at the prospect but reluctantly agreed. "Fine."
"Tell Jason that Michael and I will meet him at Kelly's in an hour or so.
Okay?"
"No problem." Sonny said.
Carly gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks!"
~*~*~
Emily took a deep breath before she turned her key in the lock. She could
feel the tension vibrating off of Nikolas who stood behind her. Both knew
that they weren't prepared for what was about to happen. The upper hand
that they had on the situation had been ripped away. They no longer had
control. They had no idea what was waiting for them on the other side of
the door.
Nikolas touched her shoulder. "You ready?"
She laughed nervously. "Not really."
Nikolas placed his hand over hers and slowly helped her turned the
doorknob. Waiting for them on the couch was Sly and Elizabeth, both wearing
twin expressions of fury.
Sly sat back. "Well, it's about time."
Elizabeth sprang up off the couch and stalked over to Elizabeth. "Did you
enjoy yourself last night? Did you have fun laughing behind our backs?
Betraying us?"
Emily quickly started. "Elizabeth, we can explain. It wasn't like that."
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "I bet. I should have known that you would
betray me like that. Even when were younger you were always panting around
Nikolas. But he didn't want you then. He never wanted you."
"Elizabeth…" Nikolas said warningly. He knew they were in the wrong but he
wasn't about to stand there while she attacked Emily.
Elizabeth swung around to him. "You shut up! I can't believe you did this
to me."
"I didn't do anything to you. It was all a mistake." Nikolas began.
"A mistake. Right." Sly drawled from the couch. He slowly stood. "How long
has this been going on, Emily? A couple of months? A year?"
"How did you find out?" Emily just had to know. She thought they'd been so
careful.
"Who cares how we found out." Elizabeth lashed out. "All I know is that
you're a slut who tried to steal *my* fiancé."
Elizabeth shocked them all by reaching out and slapping her. Emily stared
at Elizabeth for a second before slapping her back.
Emily narrowed her eyes and said. "I know you're angry but don't you *ever*
slap me again!"
Nikolas curled his hands around Emily's shoulders and brought her back
against him. Emily didn't notice but Sly did. "How cozy." He murmured.
Emily said to Elizabeth. "Nikolas is *not* your fiancé and he never was."
"And that makes okay?" She snapped.
"No, it just makes it different. You didn't want to marry him, you didn't
want to commit to him, you turned him down, and you broke up with him. Did
you really think he was going to sit around waiting forever for you to
change your mind?"
"What about us, Emily?" Sly said snidely. "We weren't broken up, we *were*
engaged."
Emily moved away from Nikolas, finally noticing his hold on her. She took
Sly's hands in hers and pleaded with her eyes for him to understand. "I'm
so sorry. Sly, I didn't mean to hurt you…"
Nikolas had to look away when Emily tenderly brought one hand up to caress
Sly's face. Elizabeth caught him.
She hissed. "Hurts doesn't it? She'll never love you, you know that. She'll
always love *him*. Was it really worth hurting me?"
"Elizabeth," Nikolas closed his eyes, "You and I were through, okay. You
didn't want me. You turned down my proposal and claimed you wanted time
apart."
"When I said space I didn't mean for you to go fuck my best friend." She
spat out, surprising Nikolas with the strength of her anger. "You were the
one who was so gung-ho about us getting married. You were the one who said
you loved me and wanted to grow old with me. You didn't have any doubts
about us but the second I say it's over you go running to Emily. Someone
who I trusted! I poured my heart out to her and she was probably laughing
behind my back."
Emily looked at her. "That's not how it happened."
Sly yanked his hand free of Emily's and stepped away from her. "Then how
did it happen?"
"It was all a stupid mistake. It was the night Elizabeth broke up with
Nikolas. He called me, he was drunk, he needed to talk…"
Sly groaned as he remember that night and the fight they'd had when he
tried to stop her from going.
Elizabeth stared at Emily in horror. "That morning when I told you about me
hoping that the break up would help Nikolas and me, you were coming from…"
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
Tears sprang up in Elizabeth's eyes as she finally let herself believe it
was true. Until that point she'd been hoping that Sly had it wrong. "When
were you going to tell us?"
Sly said with a clenched jaw. "After you got back in town."
"How did—"
"I heard you." Sly glared at her. "I heard you two being so sweet and
cutesy in your room. Fighting about your bra and shirt, I think it was."
"You eavesdropped on us." Nikolas accused.
"I didn't have to!" Sly shouted. "You two were being pretty loud. Did you
ever get your 'four' kisses?"
"Oh God." Elizabeth pressed her hand to her mouth and dropped onto the
couch.
"So was that first time you fucked him in the same bed you fucked me? Huh?
Was it that good you had to come back for more even at the threat of
getting caught?" Sly jeered.
Nikolas hauled back and was about to punch Sly but Emily caught his fist.
"No, Nikolas, don't."
"Yeah Nikolas, don't." Sly mocked him. He walked over to Emily and slowly
hooked his finger under the gold chain she wore. He dragged it out from
under her shirt to reveal her engagement ring. "Did you wear this with
him?"
Emily closed her eyes and trembled. "Sly…"
"You know I now understand what you were talking about on Thanksgiving. The
way you said you loved me and always will confused me. And then the apology
from out of nowhere, it finally makes sense." Sly studied the ring for a
second. He closed his hand around the chain and yanked, breaking the chain.
Emily gasped. Sly took the ring off and pocketed it. He tossed the chain on
the floor. "I'll pay to have it fixed."
He strode towards the door. Once there he glanced back at them. "I think
it's best for us all if we don't see you for awhile, maybe never again.
Elizabeth, are you staying here?"
"No." She flew off the couch and too his side. She too had parting words
for the couple. "I think I hate you."
~*~*~
Lucky was behind the counter giving a customer his change when Maxie came
in. Lucky tensed at the thought of another Maxie confrontation but she
seemed very cheerful as she bounced over to him. She sat down at the
counter and smiled.
"So the town is buzzing about Jason Morgan being back."
Lucky frowned at her. He had been expecting at least an acknowledgment of
what happened between them last night. For her to start in on how she was
more determined than ever.
"Maxie?"
"Yeah?" She continued without waiting for him to answer. "It's weird to
think that's he's alive now. I didn't really know him that well. I met him
a couple of times when he was dating Robin. Mac hated him. Did you know
him?"
"Kinda." Lucky answered. He was still waiting for her to make her move.
Maxie tilted her head to the side. She finally noticed that he was looking
at her strangely. "Something wrong, Lucky?"
Finally she was going to say something. "Actually there is—"
Maxie cut him off by leaning across the table and cupping Lucky's face in
her hands. She brushed her lips across his. Lucky didn't know it but this
was what he was really waiting for. For her to make the first move instead
of him. At the touch of her lips he groaned and slipped his hand into her
hair to hold her still. Maxie opened her mouth slightly when she felt his
tongue probing against the seam of her lips.
Someone cleared his throat behind them causing the couple to break apart.
Lucky guilty ran a hand through his hair while Maxie licked her lips with
satisfaction and sat back down. Lucky looked up at the person and broke out
into a wide smile. "Jason."
Jason nodded. "Hey. I was hoping to get a little service around here…"
"How are you, man? Welcome back." Lucky said. "What happened to you?"
"Amnesia, long story." Jason shrugged. He narrowed his eyes at Maxie and
said. "Maxie, is that you?"
Maxie tossed her hair. "Yup, I'm surprised you remembered me."
"You look different." Jason admitted. "Actually everything looks different.
Lots of things change in six years."
"Lots have. Somebody's going to have to fill you in." Lucky said.
"Like uh…" Jason pointed at Maxie and Lucky, indicating the kiss he
interrupted.
Lucky immediately said. "Oh, we're not—"
Maxie jumped in with. "Oh, yes we are!"
"Maxie don't start." Lucky warned. The last thing he wanted to do was get
into it in front of Jason.
"Who put whose tongue in whose mouth?" Maxie smack the counter with an open
hand and glared at him. Lucky rolled his eyes. He couldn't compete with
that and he knew it. Her eyes shined with triumph. "All right then."
Jason resisted the urge to laugh at the odd couple. He instead turned the
conversation into another direction. "So you work here?"
Lucky nodded. "Actually I manage the place. Aunt Ruby died and Bobbie and
Dad own it now. After high school I started running the place for them
while taking a few classes at the college. It was only supposed to be until
they got a new manager. The last one stole a bunch of cash and ran out in
the middle of the night. However they never did find a new manager and what
was a temporary job somehow became permanent."
"But that's not all he does." Maxie said proudly. Her earlier annoyance
with him easily forgotten. "He also has a very good singing career. Last
night he was headlining at Luke's and L&B signed him."
The sound of the door opening distracted Jason for a second. He said
vaguely. "Is that right?"
Lucky noticed. "Are you expecting someone?"
"Carly." Jason said. "She's bringing Michael to see me."
"Michael's a great kid. Carly did a good job with him." Lucky told him. He
looked over Jason's shoulder at the customer that just came in. It was
Alex. Lucky called out. "Hey, Garcia, I have that order for you."
Lucky disappeared into the kitchen leaving Jason and Alex to stare at each
other. Maxie, feeling the strange vibes coming off of them, strategically
moved down the counter, away from them.
"Jason." Alex looked him up and down. It was a shock to see him walking and
talking. He was used to thinking of him as being dead. Even though his
presence could be felt all during Alex's relationship with Carly.
"Garcia." Jason said coolly. There was something about the way Garcia was
staring at him that bothered him.
Alex wondered how Sonny was taking this. The man strutted into Luke's club
last night with Carly on his arm looking like he won. Too bad that didn't
last because Alex knew now that Jason was back in the picture it was all
over for Sonny and Carly. If Alex were still in it, he would throw in his
towel and give up.
Because no matter what Carly felt for either man it couldn't equal what she
felt for Jason. Since she had been with him for only such a short time and
he died so tragically she put him on a pedestal. She remembered all the
good things he'd done and none of the bad. Alex was sure that he was
perfect in her eyes. Sonny and Alex would never measure up to the way Carly
had built up Jason in her mind.
The door swung open again. This time it was Carly and Michael. Carly held
open the door for him so Michael could run in ahead of her. Carly called
after him.
"Slow down!"
Jason stared at amazement at the bundle of red-haired energy that hurried
into the diner. Jason couldn't quite believe that this was the same baby
from six years ago. He'd grown so much and Jason wasn't around for any of
his first achievements. Jason was suddenly saddened by the thought of how
much he missed.
Alex froze at the sight of Carly. He was sure that over time it would get
easier but right now it was still hard to see her.
"Alex!" Michael squealed. He launched himself at the man who readily caught
him and swung him up into the air.
Jason's stomach twisted at the sight of the obvious closeness his son and
Garcia shared. A closeness they would probably never share. It was just one
more thing to regret about the past six years.
"Where you been Alex?" Michael asked. "Mommy said that you won't be coming
over anymore. Why not?"
Alex cleared his throat. "It's kind of complicated, Michael."
"Does this mean you won't be sleeping over and making pancakes for
breakfast?" Michael asked innocently.
Jason's eyes flew to Carly's face. He silently asked if this was true.
Carly smiled guilty looked away. She reached for Michael and put him down
on the ground. "Okay, that's enough Michael. I told you already that Alex
and I aren't special friends anymore."
"Uh, Carly. I left some things." Alex began hesitantly. He gave Jason a
quick look. "Since you're here, I'll run over to your apartment."
"Fine, that's fine with me." Carly nodded quickly and hoped it would hurry
him out of the restaurant. This whole encounter gave her weird feelings.
"Okay." He narrowed his eyes. He could tell that she was uncomfortable.
Lucky came up to him, carrying his order. "Here you go, Garcia."
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of bills. He counted
out the amount and handed it to Lucky. He reached down and ruffled
Michael's hair. "You be good for your mother."
"I'm always good!" Michael grinned.
"Right." Alex laughed. He nodded at Carly. "I'll uh, I'll see you around I
guess."
He turned to Jason. "Jason. I don't know what to say. Congratulations?"
Jason frowned. "Thanks."
Alex gave Carly one last look before heading for the door.
Jason waited until Alex had left before saying to Carly. "*Garcia*?"
"Yes, *Alex*." She stressed his first name. "Alex and I were happy but we
weren't suited for each other."
"And you and Sonny are?" Jason murmured to himself.
Carly had been shrugging out of her coat so didn't catch what he said.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing." He lied easily.
"How'd things go with the Qs?"
He shrugged. "They went okay I guess. Monica wants me to have lunch with
her."
"You should." Carly said. "I hate the woman and vice versa but she loves
you and she missed you so much. Don't completely cut her out of your life."
Michael finally noticed Jason. "Who are you?"
Carly laughed. "This is the surprise I was telling you about."
"Hi, Michael." Jason crouched down to his level.
Michael clung to his mother's leg and peered at Jason curiously. "You look
like my daddy."
Carly said softly. "That's because he is."
Michael gave her a confused look. "But I thought he was in heaven with
Grandmother Lila."
"So did I." Carly crouched down also and smoothed back his red hair. "But
we were wrong. It was just a big mistake."
Michael frowned. "A mistake?"
"Uh-huh." Carly nodded.
Michael screwed up his face as he concentrated. "Does…does that mean
Grandmother Lila isn't in heaven either?"
Carly sadly shook her head. "No, honey. Lila is still in heaven."
Jason held his breath during the exchange and watched as Michael struggled
to understand what was happening. "Oh…This is good right?"
Carly laughed and hugged him to her. "Baby, this is real good!"
"Mom!" Michael protested and tried to squeeze out of her embrace.
"Sorry." Carly said with a smile. She guessed he was putting on his macho
act to impress Jason. "So Michael, say hello to your father."
"Hi." Michael said subdued. Even though he accepted the fact that his
father wasn't dead anymore, he was still wary.
"Michael, I know you can do better than that. I saw how you greeted Alex."
"Don't push him Carly." Jason said. "He doesn't know me really."
Carly bit her lip. This wasn't going how she expected. Michael wasn't
normally so shy. He even hit it off with Stefan at Thanksgiving. She racked
her brain trying to think of something. "Michael, why don't you tell Daddy
about Detectives."
"Detectives?" Jason repeated."What's that Michael?"
As always the mention of his favorite game got Michael excited. "It's the
best game! Me and Lulu and Brooke play it all the time."
"Michael's very close to his cousins." Carly supplied. "They're like the
Three Musketeers."
"Is that right, Michael?" Jason smiled at the boy.
Michael nodded. "Once we were playing and Brooke found…"
As Michael began to ramble on about his adventures with his cousins Carly
stood up. She whispered into Jason's ear. "I'll leave you two alone for a
little while."
The only indication that Jason heard her was his slight nod. He was careful
to keep his complete attention on his son. He wanted to know everything
about him.
his body as a pillow and mattress. He smoothed a few strands of hair back
from her forehead. Once again he felt silly for worrying about Jason. Carly
had long since gotten over Jason. Sonny was sure of it. Her heart belonged
to him now. Nothing was going to change that. Now if only he could convince
her to move back in.
The sudden loud ringing of the phone next to the bed shook him out of his
thoughts. Sighing, he reached for the phone before it could wake Carly.
But it was too late. Carly moaned slightly and slurred. "Huh?"
"You will never be a morning person." He commented with a smile. He kissed
the top of her head. "I got it. Hello?"
A soft hesitant voice came through. "Sonny?"
He sat up against the headboard. "Hi, Emily."
"Uh…Sonny, I…I know this may sound stupid but is…" Emily quietly trailed
off. It hurt to get the words out but she had to know.
Sonny understood. "Yes, Jason is here. Do you want to talk to him?"
"No." Emily quickly said. "I just wanted to know, that's all. Thanks."
Emily quickly hung up and looked at Nikolas. He was patiently waiting. She
sighed deeply. "It wasn't a dream."
That morning when he had gone to the guest room Emily stayed in all, she
had done was agonize over whether or not Jason was alive. Even when he
tried to convince her that last night was real she continued to deny it.
Finally he forced her to call up Sonny. Now Nikolas refrained from saying
'I told you so'. Instead he opened his arms for her which she flew into.
He rested his chin on her dark head. He murmured. "Do you want to go over
there?"
She took a deep breath. "Yes. But first I need to go home and get a change
of clothes."
"Uh, that might not be a good idea…" Nikolas thought about what was waiting
for them back at her apartment.
Emily noticed the change in his tone. "What are you talking about?"
"Elizabeth and Sly know." Nikolas said. Emily didn't even have to guess at
what he meant.
She gasped and closed her eyes. "Oh, no. How? When did Elizabeth get back?
How!"
Nikolas shook his head. "I don't know how they found out. All I know is
that they told Lucky and he told me. That's why I brought you to Wyndemere
instead."
Emily walked away from him. She started to pace around the room. "What are
we going to do? This was not how it was supposed to happen."
"I don't like the way this happened either." Nikolas began. "But I'm glad
it's out in the open already. I don't want to hide this anymore."
"I know you don't but we needed more time to…I don't know, get our stories
straight or something."
"Our stories? They don't need to explain anything other than the first
night which *at the time* seemed like a mistake to both of us. Anything
that happened after that is none of their business."
"We owe them an explanation." Emily stopped her pacing.
"They will get one and an apology for the first time but I won't apologize
for everything after. I am not sorry for that or for the way I feel about
you." Nikolas touched her face lightly. "And neither should you."
~*~*~
Jason was seated at the dining table eating a large breakfast he'd prepared
himself when Carly and Sonny came down the stairs. He muttered. "I was
wondering when you were going to wake up."
He didn't want to dwell on the fact that it was obvious that they had slept
together. Images of Carly in bed with Sonny flashed through his mind. His
hand tightened around his fork and clenched his jaw.
Carly was right when she said he'd changed. When he lost his memory and
made his new life in Florida he became a new man. When he got his memory
instead of the old Jason taking over, the old Jason and the new Jason
merged. He had his memory back but he also had a new outlook on life. The
way he felt about certain people was changed.
For four years Carly's face had haunted his dreams, tantalizing him, giving
him something to cling to. Who was the beautiful woman that made love to
him night after night? He never knew her name but she'd always be there in
the back of his mind, waiting for him to fall asleep. And then she would
come to him.
It killed him that he could never remember who she was. But then he finally
got his memory back. Only to return and find her involved with his best
friend.
The irony of it all made him sick.
"Did you make that yourself?" Sonny frowned. He pointed at Jason's plate.
"Yeah." Jason shrugged. He stared down at his plate.
"Oh my God, you cooked in Sonny's kitchen?" Carly laughed. "You think
coming back from the dead gives you all sorts of privileges."
Jason lightly hit her hand when she snatched a piece of bacon from his
plate. "Get your own. I made plenty."
"Looks like you had a very productive morning." Sonny commented.
He shrugged. "I was up early."
Carly slipped into the seat across from Jason and once again reached for a
piece of bacon. This time she was successful. She laughed triumphantly.
"Sonny, if you're going into the kitchen, make me a plate. Thanks."
Sonny arched his eyebrow. "Yeah, right. You heard the man, get your own."
Carly sneered at Sonny while she nibbled on the bacon. A thought occurred
to her. She frowned. "Does this seem weird to you two at all?"
"Weird?" Jason repeated. "What's weird?"
"This." She waved her hands around. "You making breakfast, us bantering
around the table. It's like the past six years didn't happen. It's like you
were never dead."
"I wasn't." He pointed out.
"You know what I mean. This whole normal thing is weirding me out."
"You're waiting for the other shoe to drop?" Sonny guessed. When she nodded
he came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders. "Don't worry about it. It
won't."
"That's what you say now." Carly said with worry in her voice.
"Look, what can go wrong now?" Jason asked.
As soon as the words left his mouth the door to the penthouse opened and a
frazzled Johnny announced with a wince. "The Quartermaines are here."
Jason wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. "All of them?" He said with
disbelief.
"All of them." Johnny said seriously. "I've been trying to keep them out
but they aren't going away."
"Poor Johnny." Carly said sympathetically. She threw Jason a smug look.
"You said nothing could go wrong."
Jason sighed. He should have known that sooner or later he was going to
have to deal with them. "Who told them?"
"Bobbie? Ned?" Sonny suggested. "Anybody at the club could have called a
newspaper or television station. Jason Morgan back from the dead is big
news."
Jason rubbed his face. "I was hoping to have more time…"
Carly frowned. "You can't hide away from them forever. They missed you just
as much as we did. Let them in Johnny."
Johnny nodded and opened the door. Edward didn't hesitate before barreling
in the penthouse, a solemn Alan and a sobbing Monica followed at a more
sedate pace. "You won't keep me from my grandson you muscle bound goon!"
"He didn't, Edward." Carly said. "He just let you in."
"I'm not talking to you." He pointed at her. "You probably knew about this,
didn't you? You and that criminal Corinthos hid him from his family!"
"You are in my house, Edward." Sonny reminded him. "So if you're going to
insult me, take it outside. And we didn't *hide* from you. We found out
last night like everybody else at Luke's."
Before Edward could counter him Monica hugged Jason tightly. She cried.
"Thank you God. You're not dead."
Carly moved over to Alan who hadn't spoken. She lightly touched his arm.
"Are you okay, Alan?"
He looked at her, tears glistening in his eyes. "My son is alive…I can't
believe—" He broke off and Carly soothingly rubbed his arm.
Monica froze when she realized that Jason wasn't hugging her back. She
stepped away and looked into his eyes. She saw the same blankness, the same
lack of feeling that she'd hoped would be gone for good one day. She felt
her heart drop to her stomach. "It's just like before isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Monica." He said regretfully. He was never going to be Jason
Quartermaine again and it was time for her to accept it.
She laughed bitterly. "I should have known. I thought God was giving us a
second chance…"
"Maybe he is." Alan said. "You don't know if—"
"Balderdash!" Edward said turning all attention back to him. "Who cares
about second chances. I want to know where he was for the past six years.
Where he was when his grandmother went to her grave wishing he was still
alive."
A voice drawled from the doorway. It was Victor. "Am I interrupting?"
Carly stepped around Alan and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing
here?"
"Who is this?" Jason frowned at the interloper.
"I am Carly's father. And you are Jason Morgan. Aren't you supposed to be
dead?" Victor frowned. Higgins had obviously missed something in his
research. He will have to pay for that.
"Well he's not and you're not my father." Carly snapped. "Now get out!
You're ruining the mood and that's Edward's job."
Edward snorted loudly at the comment.
Instead of waiting for him to see himself out, Carly marched over and
grabbed him by the arm. She tried to drag him out the door. Johnny helped
her when he saw that she wasn't succeeding. Sonny followed them.
"I suggest you take your hands off of me." Victor ordered Johnny once they
were in the hall.
"And I suggest you stay away from Carly." Sonny said.
Victor turned his gaze to Sonny and said softly. "I don't like you, Mr.
Corinthos. I don't want you around my daughter and the fact that you are in
the Family is something I don't want my grandson growing up with.
Unfortunately my daughter likes you and for that reason I can't kill you.
You would be doing yourself a favor if you would remove yourself from her
life."
Carly stared at Victor open-mouthed. "Are you insane? You are *not* my
father!"
"Have you been talking to Stefan again?" Victor said soothingly. "Don't
take anything he says to be true. He's just…jealous."
Frustrated, Carly ran her hands through her hair. "Stefan and I took a
blood test. He *is* my father. Even though it's not like I want either of
you to be my father. But at least he's sane. I think."
Victor smirked and ignored her insults. "You took a blood test? He could
have easily fixed the results."
"But he didn't." Carly said.
She didn't know why she was so positive but she knew she would rather
believe Stefan than have Victor Cassadine as her father. The look in his
eyes scared her. The story of she came to be was disgusting enough but his
part in it made her ill. And there was something fishy about why after all
these years he'd finally stepped up and claimed her as his daughter. At
least she knew Stefan's reason. She didn't know Victor's and she had a
feeling that she wouldn't like it.
Victor gave her a chiding look. "If you believe that, my dear—"
"I'm not your dear." She snapped. She pushed the button for the elevator.
"I believe it and I want you to leave me alone for now on. Unfortunately we
*are* related but not the way you want. I can't change that and I wouldn't
want to."
The elevator opened behind Victor. He backed into regarding her coolly.
"You'll come around. I still have time."
Carly scowled at him. "Whatever, *Uncle* Victor."
"Have your fun, daughter." He said as the elevator slowly closed.
"Argh!" Carly growled and kicked the elevator door. She turned to Sonny who
was watching her with a bemused expression. "I don't know him well but what
I do know is: I don't like him. To think his blood flows through my
veins..."
Sonny had to laugh at her theatrics. "He *could* be your father after all."
"No. The test proved beyond a doubt that it's Stefan and that's what I'm
going to believe. Even if it could be rigged." Carly sighed and cast an
apprehensive look towards the door. "I wonder how it's going in there."
Sonny arched his eyebrow. "You want to go in and check?"
Carly shuddered. "I'd rather not."
"Me too."
"I should go pickup Michael from Betty's. He's probably driving himself
crazy trying to figure out what kind of surprise I have for him. He's going
to flip when he finds out."
"Maybe I should come with you. At least give you a lift." He offered.
"Uh-uh." Carly shook her head and grinned at him. "You are going to go back
in there and help support Jason. Make sure the Quartermaines don't tear him
apart."
Sonny made a face at the prospect but reluctantly agreed. "Fine."
"Tell Jason that Michael and I will meet him at Kelly's in an hour or so.
Okay?"
"No problem." Sonny said.
Carly gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks!"
~*~*~
Emily took a deep breath before she turned her key in the lock. She could
feel the tension vibrating off of Nikolas who stood behind her. Both knew
that they weren't prepared for what was about to happen. The upper hand
that they had on the situation had been ripped away. They no longer had
control. They had no idea what was waiting for them on the other side of
the door.
Nikolas touched her shoulder. "You ready?"
She laughed nervously. "Not really."
Nikolas placed his hand over hers and slowly helped her turned the
doorknob. Waiting for them on the couch was Sly and Elizabeth, both wearing
twin expressions of fury.
Sly sat back. "Well, it's about time."
Elizabeth sprang up off the couch and stalked over to Elizabeth. "Did you
enjoy yourself last night? Did you have fun laughing behind our backs?
Betraying us?"
Emily quickly started. "Elizabeth, we can explain. It wasn't like that."
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "I bet. I should have known that you would
betray me like that. Even when were younger you were always panting around
Nikolas. But he didn't want you then. He never wanted you."
"Elizabeth…" Nikolas said warningly. He knew they were in the wrong but he
wasn't about to stand there while she attacked Emily.
Elizabeth swung around to him. "You shut up! I can't believe you did this
to me."
"I didn't do anything to you. It was all a mistake." Nikolas began.
"A mistake. Right." Sly drawled from the couch. He slowly stood. "How long
has this been going on, Emily? A couple of months? A year?"
"How did you find out?" Emily just had to know. She thought they'd been so
careful.
"Who cares how we found out." Elizabeth lashed out. "All I know is that
you're a slut who tried to steal *my* fiancé."
Elizabeth shocked them all by reaching out and slapping her. Emily stared
at Elizabeth for a second before slapping her back.
Emily narrowed her eyes and said. "I know you're angry but don't you *ever*
slap me again!"
Nikolas curled his hands around Emily's shoulders and brought her back
against him. Emily didn't notice but Sly did. "How cozy." He murmured.
Emily said to Elizabeth. "Nikolas is *not* your fiancé and he never was."
"And that makes okay?" She snapped.
"No, it just makes it different. You didn't want to marry him, you didn't
want to commit to him, you turned him down, and you broke up with him. Did
you really think he was going to sit around waiting forever for you to
change your mind?"
"What about us, Emily?" Sly said snidely. "We weren't broken up, we *were*
engaged."
Emily moved away from Nikolas, finally noticing his hold on her. She took
Sly's hands in hers and pleaded with her eyes for him to understand. "I'm
so sorry. Sly, I didn't mean to hurt you…"
Nikolas had to look away when Emily tenderly brought one hand up to caress
Sly's face. Elizabeth caught him.
She hissed. "Hurts doesn't it? She'll never love you, you know that. She'll
always love *him*. Was it really worth hurting me?"
"Elizabeth," Nikolas closed his eyes, "You and I were through, okay. You
didn't want me. You turned down my proposal and claimed you wanted time
apart."
"When I said space I didn't mean for you to go fuck my best friend." She
spat out, surprising Nikolas with the strength of her anger. "You were the
one who was so gung-ho about us getting married. You were the one who said
you loved me and wanted to grow old with me. You didn't have any doubts
about us but the second I say it's over you go running to Emily. Someone
who I trusted! I poured my heart out to her and she was probably laughing
behind my back."
Emily looked at her. "That's not how it happened."
Sly yanked his hand free of Emily's and stepped away from her. "Then how
did it happen?"
"It was all a stupid mistake. It was the night Elizabeth broke up with
Nikolas. He called me, he was drunk, he needed to talk…"
Sly groaned as he remember that night and the fight they'd had when he
tried to stop her from going.
Elizabeth stared at Emily in horror. "That morning when I told you about me
hoping that the break up would help Nikolas and me, you were coming from…"
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
Tears sprang up in Elizabeth's eyes as she finally let herself believe it
was true. Until that point she'd been hoping that Sly had it wrong. "When
were you going to tell us?"
Sly said with a clenched jaw. "After you got back in town."
"How did—"
"I heard you." Sly glared at her. "I heard you two being so sweet and
cutesy in your room. Fighting about your bra and shirt, I think it was."
"You eavesdropped on us." Nikolas accused.
"I didn't have to!" Sly shouted. "You two were being pretty loud. Did you
ever get your 'four' kisses?"
"Oh God." Elizabeth pressed her hand to her mouth and dropped onto the
couch.
"So was that first time you fucked him in the same bed you fucked me? Huh?
Was it that good you had to come back for more even at the threat of
getting caught?" Sly jeered.
Nikolas hauled back and was about to punch Sly but Emily caught his fist.
"No, Nikolas, don't."
"Yeah Nikolas, don't." Sly mocked him. He walked over to Emily and slowly
hooked his finger under the gold chain she wore. He dragged it out from
under her shirt to reveal her engagement ring. "Did you wear this with
him?"
Emily closed her eyes and trembled. "Sly…"
"You know I now understand what you were talking about on Thanksgiving. The
way you said you loved me and always will confused me. And then the apology
from out of nowhere, it finally makes sense." Sly studied the ring for a
second. He closed his hand around the chain and yanked, breaking the chain.
Emily gasped. Sly took the ring off and pocketed it. He tossed the chain on
the floor. "I'll pay to have it fixed."
He strode towards the door. Once there he glanced back at them. "I think
it's best for us all if we don't see you for awhile, maybe never again.
Elizabeth, are you staying here?"
"No." She flew off the couch and too his side. She too had parting words
for the couple. "I think I hate you."
~*~*~
Lucky was behind the counter giving a customer his change when Maxie came
in. Lucky tensed at the thought of another Maxie confrontation but she
seemed very cheerful as she bounced over to him. She sat down at the
counter and smiled.
"So the town is buzzing about Jason Morgan being back."
Lucky frowned at her. He had been expecting at least an acknowledgment of
what happened between them last night. For her to start in on how she was
more determined than ever.
"Maxie?"
"Yeah?" She continued without waiting for him to answer. "It's weird to
think that's he's alive now. I didn't really know him that well. I met him
a couple of times when he was dating Robin. Mac hated him. Did you know
him?"
"Kinda." Lucky answered. He was still waiting for her to make her move.
Maxie tilted her head to the side. She finally noticed that he was looking
at her strangely. "Something wrong, Lucky?"
Finally she was going to say something. "Actually there is—"
Maxie cut him off by leaning across the table and cupping Lucky's face in
her hands. She brushed her lips across his. Lucky didn't know it but this
was what he was really waiting for. For her to make the first move instead
of him. At the touch of her lips he groaned and slipped his hand into her
hair to hold her still. Maxie opened her mouth slightly when she felt his
tongue probing against the seam of her lips.
Someone cleared his throat behind them causing the couple to break apart.
Lucky guilty ran a hand through his hair while Maxie licked her lips with
satisfaction and sat back down. Lucky looked up at the person and broke out
into a wide smile. "Jason."
Jason nodded. "Hey. I was hoping to get a little service around here…"
"How are you, man? Welcome back." Lucky said. "What happened to you?"
"Amnesia, long story." Jason shrugged. He narrowed his eyes at Maxie and
said. "Maxie, is that you?"
Maxie tossed her hair. "Yup, I'm surprised you remembered me."
"You look different." Jason admitted. "Actually everything looks different.
Lots of things change in six years."
"Lots have. Somebody's going to have to fill you in." Lucky said.
"Like uh…" Jason pointed at Maxie and Lucky, indicating the kiss he
interrupted.
Lucky immediately said. "Oh, we're not—"
Maxie jumped in with. "Oh, yes we are!"
"Maxie don't start." Lucky warned. The last thing he wanted to do was get
into it in front of Jason.
"Who put whose tongue in whose mouth?" Maxie smack the counter with an open
hand and glared at him. Lucky rolled his eyes. He couldn't compete with
that and he knew it. Her eyes shined with triumph. "All right then."
Jason resisted the urge to laugh at the odd couple. He instead turned the
conversation into another direction. "So you work here?"
Lucky nodded. "Actually I manage the place. Aunt Ruby died and Bobbie and
Dad own it now. After high school I started running the place for them
while taking a few classes at the college. It was only supposed to be until
they got a new manager. The last one stole a bunch of cash and ran out in
the middle of the night. However they never did find a new manager and what
was a temporary job somehow became permanent."
"But that's not all he does." Maxie said proudly. Her earlier annoyance
with him easily forgotten. "He also has a very good singing career. Last
night he was headlining at Luke's and L&B signed him."
The sound of the door opening distracted Jason for a second. He said
vaguely. "Is that right?"
Lucky noticed. "Are you expecting someone?"
"Carly." Jason said. "She's bringing Michael to see me."
"Michael's a great kid. Carly did a good job with him." Lucky told him. He
looked over Jason's shoulder at the customer that just came in. It was
Alex. Lucky called out. "Hey, Garcia, I have that order for you."
Lucky disappeared into the kitchen leaving Jason and Alex to stare at each
other. Maxie, feeling the strange vibes coming off of them, strategically
moved down the counter, away from them.
"Jason." Alex looked him up and down. It was a shock to see him walking and
talking. He was used to thinking of him as being dead. Even though his
presence could be felt all during Alex's relationship with Carly.
"Garcia." Jason said coolly. There was something about the way Garcia was
staring at him that bothered him.
Alex wondered how Sonny was taking this. The man strutted into Luke's club
last night with Carly on his arm looking like he won. Too bad that didn't
last because Alex knew now that Jason was back in the picture it was all
over for Sonny and Carly. If Alex were still in it, he would throw in his
towel and give up.
Because no matter what Carly felt for either man it couldn't equal what she
felt for Jason. Since she had been with him for only such a short time and
he died so tragically she put him on a pedestal. She remembered all the
good things he'd done and none of the bad. Alex was sure that he was
perfect in her eyes. Sonny and Alex would never measure up to the way Carly
had built up Jason in her mind.
The door swung open again. This time it was Carly and Michael. Carly held
open the door for him so Michael could run in ahead of her. Carly called
after him.
"Slow down!"
Jason stared at amazement at the bundle of red-haired energy that hurried
into the diner. Jason couldn't quite believe that this was the same baby
from six years ago. He'd grown so much and Jason wasn't around for any of
his first achievements. Jason was suddenly saddened by the thought of how
much he missed.
Alex froze at the sight of Carly. He was sure that over time it would get
easier but right now it was still hard to see her.
"Alex!" Michael squealed. He launched himself at the man who readily caught
him and swung him up into the air.
Jason's stomach twisted at the sight of the obvious closeness his son and
Garcia shared. A closeness they would probably never share. It was just one
more thing to regret about the past six years.
"Where you been Alex?" Michael asked. "Mommy said that you won't be coming
over anymore. Why not?"
Alex cleared his throat. "It's kind of complicated, Michael."
"Does this mean you won't be sleeping over and making pancakes for
breakfast?" Michael asked innocently.
Jason's eyes flew to Carly's face. He silently asked if this was true.
Carly smiled guilty looked away. She reached for Michael and put him down
on the ground. "Okay, that's enough Michael. I told you already that Alex
and I aren't special friends anymore."
"Uh, Carly. I left some things." Alex began hesitantly. He gave Jason a
quick look. "Since you're here, I'll run over to your apartment."
"Fine, that's fine with me." Carly nodded quickly and hoped it would hurry
him out of the restaurant. This whole encounter gave her weird feelings.
"Okay." He narrowed his eyes. He could tell that she was uncomfortable.
Lucky came up to him, carrying his order. "Here you go, Garcia."
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of bills. He counted
out the amount and handed it to Lucky. He reached down and ruffled
Michael's hair. "You be good for your mother."
"I'm always good!" Michael grinned.
"Right." Alex laughed. He nodded at Carly. "I'll uh, I'll see you around I
guess."
He turned to Jason. "Jason. I don't know what to say. Congratulations?"
Jason frowned. "Thanks."
Alex gave Carly one last look before heading for the door.
Jason waited until Alex had left before saying to Carly. "*Garcia*?"
"Yes, *Alex*." She stressed his first name. "Alex and I were happy but we
weren't suited for each other."
"And you and Sonny are?" Jason murmured to himself.
Carly had been shrugging out of her coat so didn't catch what he said.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing." He lied easily.
"How'd things go with the Qs?"
He shrugged. "They went okay I guess. Monica wants me to have lunch with
her."
"You should." Carly said. "I hate the woman and vice versa but she loves
you and she missed you so much. Don't completely cut her out of your life."
Michael finally noticed Jason. "Who are you?"
Carly laughed. "This is the surprise I was telling you about."
"Hi, Michael." Jason crouched down to his level.
Michael clung to his mother's leg and peered at Jason curiously. "You look
like my daddy."
Carly said softly. "That's because he is."
Michael gave her a confused look. "But I thought he was in heaven with
Grandmother Lila."
"So did I." Carly crouched down also and smoothed back his red hair. "But
we were wrong. It was just a big mistake."
Michael frowned. "A mistake?"
"Uh-huh." Carly nodded.
Michael screwed up his face as he concentrated. "Does…does that mean
Grandmother Lila isn't in heaven either?"
Carly sadly shook her head. "No, honey. Lila is still in heaven."
Jason held his breath during the exchange and watched as Michael struggled
to understand what was happening. "Oh…This is good right?"
Carly laughed and hugged him to her. "Baby, this is real good!"
"Mom!" Michael protested and tried to squeeze out of her embrace.
"Sorry." Carly said with a smile. She guessed he was putting on his macho
act to impress Jason. "So Michael, say hello to your father."
"Hi." Michael said subdued. Even though he accepted the fact that his
father wasn't dead anymore, he was still wary.
"Michael, I know you can do better than that. I saw how you greeted Alex."
"Don't push him Carly." Jason said. "He doesn't know me really."
Carly bit her lip. This wasn't going how she expected. Michael wasn't
normally so shy. He even hit it off with Stefan at Thanksgiving. She racked
her brain trying to think of something. "Michael, why don't you tell Daddy
about Detectives."
"Detectives?" Jason repeated."What's that Michael?"
As always the mention of his favorite game got Michael excited. "It's the
best game! Me and Lulu and Brooke play it all the time."
"Michael's very close to his cousins." Carly supplied. "They're like the
Three Musketeers."
"Is that right, Michael?" Jason smiled at the boy.
Michael nodded. "Once we were playing and Brooke found…"
As Michael began to ramble on about his adventures with his cousins Carly
stood up. She whispered into Jason's ear. "I'll leave you two alone for a
little while."
The only indication that Jason heard her was his slight nod. He was careful
to keep his complete attention on his son. He wanted to know everything
about him.