Chapter3: Cinderella and her Prince
Belle shoved the food into her mouth despite her mothers' warnings that she would choke, if she didn't slow down. Taking a deep breath and a final sip of her milk, she sat back in her chair, waiting impatiently while her parents finished.
"Why don't you help me bring the dishes into…" Courtney Watched as the little girl disappear, with her dishes, before she could finish the request. Courtney could not help but laugh as her and Jason cleaned off the rest of the table taking dishes towards the kitchen. Belle grabbed her parent's hands pulling them back towards them couch. Sitting in between her mother and father, Belle looked up expectantly awaiting the rest of the story that had been started.
"Well it was New Years Eve around an hour before the wedding and I was dressed and ready in my tux…
"Ya right Carly said you needed her help with everything, in her words she practically had to dress you" Courtney stated laughingly while Jason stared at her, showing he was not amused.
"Who is telling the story me or you" He asked when Courtney's laughter finally subsided.
"You"
"Okay then where was I? Before your mother rudely interrupted" Jason stated watching as Courtney stuck her tongue out in response, Belle began to giggle in response settling further into her mother's arms.
"New Years Eve…
Emily helped Carly place her bracelet on, both women already dressed and prepared for the upcoming nuptials. Carly wore the simple pink strapless dress she had chosen, while Emily wore the identical dress with spaghetti straps, being the only difference. The two women took one last look in the mirror adjusting their updos' to make sure the pale pink roses above their ears stayed in place. With an hour to go Carly began to wonder what Jason and Sonny were doing. With a smile, she thought of how they would probably be fumbling with their tuxedos. Excusing herself from the room, she walked towards the clubs' other backroom turned dressing room . Max stood obediently at the door, he too was dressed to the nines for the occasion and stuttered slightly when Carly entered his line of vision. Kissing her hand like a gentle man, before announcing her to the occupants of the room. Carly tried to hold back her laughter as she took in the three disheveled men before her. Mike and Sonny both tried hard to bury their problems for Courtney's sake, but with the pressure of the event looming over them, the verbal spars were a nasty sight. Jason stood in the middle attempting to diffuse the situation whilst he fidgeted with his tie. Carly coughed drawing the men's attention onto her, all three looking rather childish as they prepared to point at each other and say, "He started it". The dark blonde shook her head instructing Mike to check on the guests; once he left, she could not help but glare at her husband.
"Can you give me a minute with Jason please?" Carly requested looking towards Sonny a small smile appearing on her lips. He nodded kissing his wife's cheek and whispering a term of endearment in her ear before making his way out. Jason struggled to get the bow tie tied correctly and Carly pushed his fidgeting hands aside, choosing to help him before he ripped thin material.
"You look great, who knew you cleaned up this good huh? Carly stated watching the slight smile appear on Jason's face.
"You know at one time… who knows might have been me walking down the aisle towards you" The dark blonde added finishing with the bow and busying herself with dusting imaginary lint from Jason's jacket.
"Your marrying the right girl, she's going to make you real happy, she already does" Pausing Carly took a deep breath. "You deserve to be happy Jase, enjoy this because nobody can take this day away from you, not now, not ever". Jason nodded watching as Carly blinked back tears her smile never slipping. She pulled him into a hug which he returned closing his eyes briefly to savor the moment. She was the one woman who infuriated him more the Brenda, she would meddle into his life and attempt to learn all his secrets, but she only wanted the best for him. She knew more about the sacrifices he had made then anyone, which is why he could not help but love Carly, and why she would always be his best friend.
Emily smiled at Courtney when she finally excited from behind the changing screens. Her hair was half up in a ponytail, loose tendrils falling beside her face, while the rest flowed freely to just below her shoulders, curling softly at the ends. The sleeveless halter gown swept against the ground, a small train lying behind her. The gowns ivory color making her eyes appear a more piercing blue then Emily thought possible. The brunette took a pink rose from her bouquet placing it in Courtney's ponytail watching it softly accent the platinum blonde color. Courtney smiled, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles on the gown, as a distraction to her growing nerves. The knock on the door drew her attention and she watched as Emily opened it halfway, poking her head outside to check the visitors' identity. She opened it wider letting sonny walk in.
"What you aren't going to card me?" Sonny inquired watching as Emily shook her head, laughing softly.
"I'm going to check on Jason, I'll be back in five, k?" Emily asked receiving a nod in response from Courtney; she grabbed her wrap and left the siblings to talk. Sonny took Courtney's hands in his own, backing up so he could take in her beauty, he smiled showing of his dimples.
"You look like an angel" was the simple statement that summed up Sonny's thoughts, bringing tears to Courtney's eyes. She enveloped Sonny in a crushing hug. He couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped his lips, wrapping his arms around the sister he had only known for a short time but loved more then he thought possible.
"So, you about ready to become Mrs. Morgan?" Sonny inquired, tucking a tendril of hair behind his sister's ear.
"Ya, you ready to have your best friend become your brother in law?" Courtney smiled as Sonny hesitated before nodding silently.
"I still remember what a hard time you gave him" She stated looking sonny in the eyes briefly, before he ducked his head.
"I know I ordered him to break up with you"
"Didn't work so well did it"
"No and you convinced me of that after a 2 hour screaming match"
"I don't think Carly ever got all the shattered glass and stains out of the carpet" Courtney replied smiling, beginning to fix his bow tie, which lay crooked. Her smile growing larger as she remembered dreaming of this day, Sonny's presence only making it better then anything she could wish for...
Carly picked up her rose bouquet and wrap ready to leave, when Emily walked in, nearly crashing into her. The two women smiled at each other Carly taking one last look at Jason before leaving. Emily stood, taking in Jason's clean and polished look. Reminding her of the Jason she knew before the accident. .
"So you are finally getting married…," she stated watching him look up ready to contradict her.
"To someone you love" Emily finished earning a smile.
"Ya, I'm glad you could be here" Jason replied. Emily looked into his eyes seeing, the sincerity of his words, her smile grew wider.
"I'm glad I could be here too".
Emily wrapped her arms tightly around her brother, pulling away after a while and making her way back towards Courtney's room.
"You ready?" Carly inquired placing a hand on Courtney's shoulder. She received a smile and nod in response and the two made their way into the hallway meeting up with Emily. As the band began to play, Jason glanced up past the pathway marked in red carpeting, towards the stairs at the front of the club. Where a second later, Michael bounded down, carrying a pillow where two simple gold bands were nestled. While Rosie walked beside him a basket of rose petals in her mouth. The adorable pair earned laughter and awe from the many guests seated in fold out chairs facing the make shift podium. Michael, took his place by Jason, Rosie sitting at their side obediently. Emily was next to walk down the stairs smiling as she passed her family. Taking her place on the base of the two-step stage, she glanced up watching Sonny and Carly make their way down the isle, glowing as they laid eyes on their son who proudly balanced the precious ring set. Splitting apart, the couple took their respected places beside the groom and bride. Carly stood on the second step waiting impatiently until Courtney would take her place on the top. As the bridal march began and Courtney stepped into view, Jason swore he stopped breathing. The sound of his heart- beat speeding up was all he heard, watching as Mike helped his daughter down the stairs and towards the alter. Jason could not help the fact that his jaw dropped, he couldn't believe he was lucky enough to be marrying the beautiful and sexy woman walking towards him. Courtney smiled her eyes connecting with Jason's' for the first time in a day, her gaze stayed locked with his content to forget that other people even existed. Mike kissed his daughters cheek placing her hand in Jason's and watching as he led her up to the top of the podium. Jason mouthed 'I love you' receiving a large smile and the same words in response.
"We are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony…
"Skip that part, go to the vows, those were really interesting" Courtney demanded looking at Jason with a sparkle in her eyes, observing his perturbed look at being interrupted.
"Ya daddy go to the vows" Belle agreed receiving a smile from her mother.
"You always take your mothers side" Jason whined, causing Courtney to laugh.
"Poor baby" She stated rubbing his shoulder in a mock comforting motion.
"Okay so the vows…
Courtney smiled taking a deep breath to steady her self before she dared to speak, Jason ran his thumb over her knuckles to help encourage her.
"I came to Port Charles looking to stop my mother from doing something crazy, I then found out I had a brother, that my father was alive and married a man who lied to me. All these gifts and mistakes led me to the one person I never expected to find, my true love. My life has never been easy and I have always believed that trusting people and letting your guard down will only get you hurt. So I put up the walls, gave you attitude and made your job a living hell, or so you claim. I never thought you would make me feel safer and more loved, than anyone I have ever met. You are my family and no matter what happens in the future I will never be able to love someone as much as I love you" Courtney finished smiling at Jason as their gazes once again connected. She could swear she saw tears begin to well up in his eyes. The preacher indicated to Jason it was his turn to speak and he tensed visibly, glancing downwards and then back into the blue eyes that he looked too for his daily survival.
"I'm…a, not good with words, you know that so I got you something that could begin to describe how much I loved you"
Jason pointed down the aisle where a woman stood in a simple red dress, her blonde hair pulled back, and a micro phone in her hand.
"He got her Leanne Rimes" Emily whispered to Carly, who stared down the aisle blinking in attempt to make sure the scene was real. Courtney stood in shock looking at Jason for confirmation that she was not dreaming. Her attention was drawn back to the woman as she began to sing.
I don't need a lot of things
I can get by with nothin'
With all the blessings life can bring
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want when it comes to lovin' you
You're my only reason, you're my only truth
I need you like water, like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy from Heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms, that carries me through
I need you
You're the hope that moves me
to courage again (oh yeah)
You're the love that rescues me
when the cold winds rage
And it's so amazin' 'cause that's just how you are
and I can't turn back now
'cause you've brought me too far
Courtney could not help the tears that began to slide down her cheeks, as she listened to the words that came straight from Jason's heart. He brushed a tear away with his thumb smiling at his wife to be.
I need you like water, like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy from Heaven's gate,
There's a freedom in your arms, yeah, that carries me through
I need you.
As Leanne ended the love ballad, she placed the microphone down looking at Courtney with a smile before walking into the background. The rest of the ceremony seemed to fly by. Michael smiled proudly when he was finally, called on to deliver the rings. When Courtney heard the minister pronounce her as Mrs. Morgan, she felt the tears well up in her eyes all over again, while Jason was happy, to finally be able to kiss her. The couple kissed softly almost forgetting the family members who watched on. The future was brighter for both of them then they thought it could ever be, together they were stronger happier then they thought possible and the happiness was just beginning.
"That was a pretty story daddy" Belle commented through a yawn smiling up at her parents.
"Why don't you go get ready for bed, we'll be up to tuck you in soon" Courtney stated watching the little girl nod in response before climbing the stairs towards her room. Jason looked up his gaze catching his wife's' who smiled at him warmly.
"What" he asked looking at her suspiciously, as she moved to lye against his chest.
"Did I really make you stop breathing cause I was so beautiful?" Courtney inquired biting her lip as she looked up at him innocently. He chuckled entwining his fingers with hers, resting his cheek on her head.
"You still do" Jason replied, watching as Courtney pulled back, looking him in the eye.
"I love you" She stated pulling his head down to capture his lips in a passionate kiss.
"Mommy, Daddy, I'm ready for bed" Belle screamed from upstairs forcing her parents to pull apart. Jason groaned as he rose from the couch, while Courtney couldn't stop the giggles that escaped her lips. Jason wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and the two ventured up the stairs to tuck in their daughter.
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