I'm not really sure about this chapter but I hope you guys like it. Thanks for all the great feedback!
Chapter 5: Princess Isabelle
Courtney smiled at her daughter as she watched her run ahead, dashing back and forth between different trees trying to decide which was the biggest and most pretty, in her own words. Jason entwined his fingers with Courtney's', never taking his eyes of the Belle's form, laughing when she ran into a woman. Smiling Carly picked Belle up placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Does this munchkin belong to you?" Carly asked laughing as Belle squirmed in her arms, reaching out for Jason to pick her up.
"Where's Michael and Sonny" Courtney inquired, as Carly joined the hunt for the perfect tree. She could see the sadness cross her features despite the dark blonde's attempt to hide it with a smile.
"Sonny had some business and in Michael's words he's too old for all this tradition stuff… So I brought Max with me, to pick out a good tree" Carly stated, eyes roaming over the tree lot littered with excited children and happy couples. Courtney placed a comforting hand on her sister in laws shoulder, taking a seat next to her on a nearby bench. Jason continued to carry Belle further into the lot, listening to her awe at the trees and babble about which one she had to have. Courtney turned her gaze back to Carly, seeing the faraway look in the dark blonde's eyes, she knew she was thinking of all the times Michael had done and said the same things.
"She's quite a kid still can't believe it's been four years since she was born" Carly commented, smiling at her sister in law.
"Ya I still can't believe how lucky I am, Belle is all I could wish for and more" Courtney stated softly, the pride in her voice evident.
"You know if you hadn't convinced Sonny to back of me and Jason we might have never been able to be as happy as we are" The blonde commented, watching as Carly's smile grew wider.
"Well thank you that means a lot, I better grab Max so he can carry the tree home" Carly made a move to get up when Courtney grabbed her arm lightly.
"Why don't you come over to our penthouse and help us decorate the tree" Courtney suggested, watching her sister in law hesitate, before she gave in and nodded her head.
"Mommy, look at the tree I chose" Belle smiled up at her mother, showing off the large green shrub that Jason pulled behind her. Courtney smiled at her daughter, pulling her up into her arms, before glancing back at Jason who looked a little wobbly as he attempted to carry the tree by himself. Carly signaled Max, smiling at him as he picked up the other end of the tree dutifully; they made the short trek back towards the car and onto the penthouse.
The Penthouse that evening
Courtney and Carly sipped their coffees in silence listening as the chipmunks Christmas songs played lightly in the background. The two women watched as Jason lifted Belle up to place the star on the top of the tree. The little girl began giggling gleefully as the lights twinkled in the darkening penthouse. The toddler ran to help her father place Courtney's gift beneath the tree, looking at her mother secretively. Courtney smiled, threatening to tickle the information about her gift out of the child but to no avail, the toddler refused to give up the goods. Before Courtney could try again, Jason swept Belle into his arms twirling her around.
"Now it's time for bed" Courtney stated, when Jason finally stopped swinging Belle around. He laughed as the little girl shook her head, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, burying her head in his shoulder.
"Belle how is Santa going to come bring you gifts if you're awake?" Carly said, looking the little girl in the eyes.
"Will you tell me a story Aunty Carly?" Belle pleaded, giving her aunt the puppy dog look, usually reserved for getting her father to play.
"That's not fair, I taught you that look and told you it was only to use on your daddy… oops," Carly commented, smiling sheepishly as Jason eyed her suspiciously.
"What it's a right of passage that every woman takes, having your father wrapped around your little finger" Carly smiled towards Jason, shrugging her shoulders at his continued distrustful gaze. She took Belle from his arms carrying her up the stairs.
Courtney glanced towards Jason, laughing at the confused look that crossed his face as he watched Carly's retreating form.
"It's not funny my daughter's only four and Carly's already managed to corrupt her" Jason stated over Courtney's growing laughter. Wiping tears from her eyes, she glanced at Jason who attempted to pout, appearing more confused then ever. Smiling she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I have a confession I was there when Carly taught her that look" Courtney said, watching Jason shake his head trying to appear angry, before he started to laugh.
"Okay what story do you want to hear?" Carly asked Belle as she settled deeper underneath the covers.
"When I was born" Belle whispered, placing her thumb in her mouth while her other hand gripped at her teddy bear. Carly nodded the events of that day still as fresh in her mind, as if they had happened a week ago.
"It was valentines day…
Courtney tried to push her body up with her hands, she faltered before falling onto the couch again. Sighing the blonde attempted to stand up again only to roll back.. Jason couldn't help but laugh from his place at the base of the stairs. Earning a glare from his wife.
"It's not funny I' am as big as a house and I can't get up, plus I haven't seen my feet in a couple of months" Courtney stated pouting, as she tried to get comfortable.
"You look…"
"Don't even say I look beautiful or that I'm glowing, cheap flattery will get you no where" Courtney commented, raising her hand to silence Jason.
"You know what I'm in the mood for some ice cream" Courtney looked up at her husband expectantly.
"We have some vanilla in the freezer, I'll go grab some"
"Jason, I feel like chocolate chip cookie dough" Courtney smiled sweetly, watching Jason look towards the kitchen deep in thought.
"We don't have any"
"I know that's why you have a motor cycle so you can drive places, like the grocery store" Courtney settled deeper into the cushions, satisfied with her answer.
"It's 11 at night Courtney, couldn't you just have…" Jason was silenced by the glare he received from the blonde in front of him.
"I'll be back in a few minutes" Jason placed a chaste kiss on his wife's lips before leaving.
Carly paused momentarily before raising her hand to knock on the penthouse door. Tapping her foot impatiently the dark blonde waited for some response from inside.
Grasping the gold doorknob Carly turned it, surprised to find it unlocked, she walked in.
"Courtney, honey, what happened?" Carly inquired, falling to her knees beside her sister in law who was seated on the floor, looking at her uncomfortably.
"I tried to get off the couch, and then I decided maybe sliding off it would work. My water broke and I couldn't reach the phone to call anyone. Crawling isn't my strong suit these days" Courtney let out a deep breath as another contraction hit.
"SONNY" Carly screamed, she could hear her husband rush from their penthouse, clad in his silk pajamas and slippers.
"What's going on?" He inquired, looking around the room before seeing Courtney.
"Labor, duh" Carly retorted, rolling her eyes.
"I, uh, what do we do?" Sonny looked at Carly helplessly.
"MAX" Carly screamed, watching as the guard appeared in the doorway. looking in upon the scene with a slightly bemused expression.
"Can you bring the car around and help me get Courtney down there" Max nodded, obeying Mrs. Corinthos' orders.
"Sonny why don't you go get changed and call Jason" Carly suggested, watching her husband nod, sparing glances in Courtney's direction as he left.
"Okay, sweetie you just got to hold on for a few minutes then we'll get you to the hospital" Carly brushed a few strands of hair from the blondes eyes, smiling in reassurance.
Jason stood in the empty frozen food isle staring at the endless cartons of ice cream.
The shrill ring of his phone startled him; he pulled it out listening as Sonny said a curt hello.
"Thank god Sonny, I need your help"
"Jason…"
"There are 5 different kinds of chocolate chip cookie dough. Do you think she wants the non-fat kind, she has been complaining about gaining weight. But that wouldn't be good for the baby, so should I go with the most expensive, it probably has the most cookie dough. Then again, Courtney always talks about how the expensive kind jibs you and that it's some sort of conspiracy, the higher the price the better you think it is. I'm confused." Jason took a deep breath looking up to see the stock boy staring at him in amusement, about to break into fits of laughter. Jason's expression hardened, his ice blue eyes glaring at the boy. He watched until the teenager turned around, almost running from the isle in fear.
"Jason she doesn't need ice cream she's in…"
"Don't tell me I have to go to another store, Sonny I'm tired do I really have to trek to some distant land to get her something. Can't she please just eat what we have at home?"
"Jason, Courtney is in labor, were taking her to GH"
"I'll meet you there" Jason stated, ending the conversation and rushing from the isle.
Jason paused at the hospital's reception desk, preparing to ask the nurse for his wife's room number. A high-pitched scream pierced the air, alerting him to the fact Courtney was down the hall. Trying hard not to skid against the slippery floor, he ran towards the origin of the sound. Sonny sat quietly outside the room, nursing his swollen hand. When Jason finally reached his boss's side, he could hear another scream exit the room, hesitating, he entered the doorway, looking down at Sonny's most likely sprained hand. When he finally made it through the thresh hold, nurses rushed around him, sparing glances in his direction briefly before they busied themselves helping the doctor. Carly stood at Courtney's side attempting to coach her sister in laws breathing, while keeping her hands far from reach as the contractions hit. When Carly finally spotted Jason, she ushered him to Courtney's side, seating herself on an empty bed further in the room.
"Hey I'm here" Jason stated, stroking Courtney's hair in an attempt to offer some comfort through the contractions. The blonde smiled at him before another wave of pain coursed through her body and she grabbed Jason's hand into her own. He tried not to let the pain show as Courtney squeezed his hand so hard he swore he heard the bones break. Carly winced, as she watched Courtney do the same thing Jason's hand as she had with Sonnys'. Men they never learn thought Carly shaking her head. Jason thanked god when the contraction ended and Courtney's grip on his hand loosened, though he had lost all feeling in it.
Courtney panted for breath while the doctor encouraged her to push.
"Come on baby you can do it just keep pushing" Jason attempted to encourage her when he was met with two cold blue orbs staring back at him.
"Why did I ever let you touch me, It's all your fault" Courtney managed to say through ragged breaths, as she continued pushing.
"Don't touch me… ever again" Courtney said, when Jason attempted to stroke her hair. Instead, he stayed back, quietly urging her on without making any sort of contact, touching or otherwise. Courtney felt tears begin to fall down her cheeks as the pain surging through her body became more painful by the instant. Exhaustion began to invade her body, wishing she could give up she vaguely heard the doctor tell her to push once more .Tiny cries pierced the air and the doctor finally informed Mr. and Mrs. Morgan of their beautiful baby girl. Courtney let her head fall back on a pillow closing her eyes as the past hours began to overwhelm her.
The next day
Courtney's eyes slowly opened and she squinted as bright white lights assaulted her. After a few moments, she glanced up to see Carly at the end of the bed holding a cooing new born in her arms. The dark blonde smiled at Courtney, making a path to her side, all the while smiling down at the baby.
"Hey there, we were a little worried you were gonna sleep through this little ones fist birthday" Carly stated quietly, trying to keep the child calm. Courtney smiled, pushing herself into a sitting position in order to get a better look at her daughter. Carly handed the newborn over. Watching as Courtney supported her as if she had been a mother forever, and not a day. Sonny and Jason made their way into the room holding coffees and a vase of flowers sent by Lila. Courtney smiled up at Jason and he felt his breath hitch in his throat as he laid eyes on the two beautiful angels in his life. He took his place at Courtney's side placing a chaste kiss on her fore head, staring down at the new addition to their family. Carly looked at the couple and couldn't help thinking they cornered the market on the perfect family, after Sonny, Michael and her, of course.
Sonny took a seat beside his wife observing his glowing sister, husband at her side and child in her arms.
"Jason we have to give her a name we can't call her baby forever" Courtney commented, looking up at Jason, trying to think of the perfect name.
"I've always been a fan of Caroline personally" Carly piped in with a smile. Sonny shook his head, rolling his eyes at his wife, who only shrugged in response.
" How about Isabelle Emily Caroline Morgan. I know it's long but I want our daughter to have the names of two woman who are going to be a big part of her life" Courtney said, locking gazes with Jason who looked clearly moved by the use of his sisters' and best friends' names. He nodded a smile gracing his lips as he once again focused on Isabelle.
"So we can call her Belle for short" Carly suggested, earning three approving glances.
"I would like that" Courtney stated simply
"I would also like it if you and Sonny could be Belle's god parents" Courtney suggested her eyes filling with hope as she regarded Sonny and Carly. Carly glanced at the newborn remembering the feeling of holding her and her heart ached for another child of her own and now in a way she did have one.
"We would be honored sis" Sonny answered, observing Carly's sudden silence. The dark blonde nodded blinking back tears. Sonny entwined their fingers and she smiled reassuringly as the couples fell into comfortable silence, thinking of the beautiful future that lay ahead.
"And that's the gift your mommy and daddy got for valentines that year" Carly finished, chuckling softly at the dead to the world toddler who still clutched her teddy bear tightly. The dark blonde smiled, rising from the bed and sitting at the edge, observing the little girl sleep soundly.
Courtney and Jason quietly left the doorway, heading towards their room.
Jason leaned down placing a soft kiss on his wife's lips as he pushed the door closed with his foot.
"Didn't take you long until you let me touch you again" Jason stated, as he recalled that scene in the delivery room. Courtney laughed softly, burying her head in the crook of his neck.
"Well I couldn't resist your charms, Mr. Morgan" She replied, pulling him down for another passionate kiss.
Jason pulled away, leading Courtney towards their bed.
"Jason, there is something you should know" Courtney couldn't conceal her smile.
"What" Jason pulled her close placing a kiss on her lips, giggling she pulled away.
"I'm pregnant"
Please review and tell me if u want me to continue!
