Disclaimer:  I don't anything.  The characters belong to GH and the song "Angel's Son" belongs to Sevendust.

Summary:  Set a few years in the future.  Jason and Courtney's relationship ends on a tragic note.

Angel's Son

Life is changing
I can't go on without you
Rearranging. I will be strong
I'll stand by you

            Cancer.  Its ridiculous how one little word can change your life so profoundly, but it does in the most indescribable way.  Courtney Morgan was only twenty-eight with a loving husband and twins waiting patiently at home for her.  Surely she was too young to succumb to such a deadly disease.  How was she going to be able explain it to Jason or her own children for that matter?

            "Courtney?" She noticed the look of sympathy in Monica's eyes as she rested a soft hand on the young woman's shoulder.

            "It was only a few headaches," her daughter-in-law mumbled.  She had been getting migraines off and on for the past few months, but had accredited it to the fact that the twins were in their terrible two's.  It was Jason who forced her to come to the hospital for a check up and now she was going home with worries of an incurable disease clouding her mind.  

            "Do you want me to call someone for you?" The older blonde was obviously worried about Courtney's state of mind and wondered if she would be able to make it home without running her own car off the road.

            "I'm fine," she assured, but could tell that she wasn't fooling anyone.

            "There are plenty of options to explore, dear.  Please don't give up hope…" the doctor advised, but they both knew that the young woman was a goner.  The cancer had spread so quickly and before long it would engulf her youthful body.
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            The ride to the penthouse had been hazy; she was lucky to make it in one piece.  She entered the brightly lit parlor to find her husband lounging on the couch.  He never was able to keep up with Cadence and Justin's insatiable energy.  Speaking of the kids, she searched the room and was unable to come up with her two bundles of joy.

            "Little early for nap time, don't you think?" She managed to get out and grab his attention. He looked over his shoulder to find her standing uncomfortably in the entrance and could tell immediately that something wasn't right.  He tried desperately to ignore the butterflies in the pit of his stomach.

            "It's never too early for nap time." He replied motioning for her to take a seat next to him, but she remained stone-like in her position. "What's wrong?" The question was unsteady as he mentally prepared himself for her response.  They had been through so much already and there was nothing that could tear them apart, he was sure of it.   

            "I'm leaving you," she uttered through the tears that were now rapidly pouring down her cheeks. It was for the best, she decided somewhere between the doctor's office and home.  She didn't want him to have to watch her die slowly nor did she want that for her kids.  She could go away and die quietly and alone without burdening any of her loved ones with the tragedy.  They would never have to know about the illness and the inevitable mourning would be substituted with hate. Hate would make it easier for her husband to move on and she wanted that for him.  He deserved to be happy with someone who can keep him company for the rest of his life, which unfortunately was no longer her. "I don't want this life anymore.  I…umm…I need to get away from…" she stuttered, but could not get the statement from her shivering lips.  Jason was up in a heartbeat to wrap his arms around his hysterical wife.  "Oh god, I'm not going to make it," was all she kept whispering quietly into his shirt. 

            "I need you to tell me what's going on." He pleaded almost in tears himself, but was met with sobs.  "You know that I'm not going anywhere and neither are you." 

            "It'll be easier on everyone," her response came out at as a strangled cry, which only forced Jason to hold on tighter. 

            "Tell me, Courtney." He pulled back to enable himself a clear view of her crystal blue eyes.  She tried to avert his gaze, but was unsuccessful.

            "Cancer…" she answered before falling back into his arms.  He could feel his heart drop to floor. 

You were fighting everyday
So hard to hide the pain
I know you never said goodbye
I had so much left to say

            Jason entered General Hospital with a disconcerting look his face.  It had been exactly six months and two weeks since Courtney had been diagnosed and her health steadily deteriorated.  Every possible option had been exhausted and there was no longer any sign of hope along the horizon.  When she was checked into the hospital close to a month ago, everyone knew that it would probably be the last time, except of course for her. 

She had started out so discouraged, but soon morphed into a stronger woman than the one he married.  She was so sure that she could beat this thing, because her family needed her.  There was no talk of death in front of her and the "what if's" that plagued his mind as well as Sonny and Carly's went unspoken.  It stung to watch her hold on steadfast to the hope of some cure, which was probably never to be found.  

            "Jason," he looked up to see an obviously bewildered Alan with Monica a few feet away.  The look of uncertainty as well as remorse stopped his heart instantly.  He wanted to collapse right where he stood, but knew for the sake of everyone involved that he had to remain strong. 

            "What happened?" He didn't even realize that he spoke until he heard his own words float through the air.

            "She's slipped into a coma, Jase." Monica squeaked out as she reached out to him, but was met with a violent shrug.

            "Can she pull through?"

            "It's very unlikely.  The cancer has taken such a toll her that I don't believe she has the strength to wake herself up.  And even if she does regain conscious, there is a good chance of severe brain damage.  It's best just to let her go," Alan explained quietly.

            "Can I see her?" Both of his parents nodded and watched as he stalked quietly towards her hospital room.

The potent smell of chemicals and flowers invaded his nostrils as he entered the place that his wife had been calling home for the past month.  He carefully treaded over to the cushiony chair that had been placed strategically next to her bed. Even in her sleep-like state, exhaustion was evident.  Her face was gaunt and black bags covered most of the space underneath her eyes.  She had lost most of her hair during the chemo, but the strands that were growing back resembled straw.  He reached down to cover her bony hand with his own.  She had lost so much weight that she was literally down to skin and bones. 

            The fact that she was no longer in pain brought some solace to him.  She never complained, but he could tell when the severity of the headaches increased to the point where she could no longer stand.   The endless struggle had beaten her body up very badly, and he was sure that there wasn't one part of her that wasn't in a constant ache.  The pain medication had helped, but not enough to wipe away the grimace that graced her face with every movement.  In the next breath, though, she would offer a huge smile to whoever was in her presence.  Courtney was a fighter, but unfortunately the cancer was more than a worthy opponent.

            "What am I going to do?" He asked gently.  "It wasn't supposed to be like this.  I need you, Cadence and Justin need you.  Emily beat this, why can't you?"  His anger was slowly turning into rage, which he then directed at himself.  Do you really think this is her fault?  Do you really think she wants to leave her children behind? His mind asked in annoyance. He could feel the tears threatening to fall and for once he didn't try to force him back.  "I'm sorry, I know this isn't your fault.  I just don't know what to do without you.  There were so many things that we were going to say and do, but now… I wasn't ready for this." He tried to regain his composure.  "You never even gave me the chance to say goodbye…"

One last song
Given to an Angel's Son
As soon as you were gone
As soon as you were gone

Jason watched Carly and Sonny's faces fall the second he entered the Penthouse.  Carly immediately ran into his arms trying to soothe his grief with her own.

            "I'm so sorry, Jase…" she mumbled through her tears, but it was too much for the young man to take in.

            "Where are the kids?"

            "They're upstairs," Sonny replied taking his weeping wife off of his best friend's hands.  He headed to the children's room with the difficult task of explaining why their mom was no longer going to be around.  When he entered the play area he noticed his son and daughter fast asleep, arms around one another.  The image broke his already tattered heart.  Not knowing what else to do, he carefully lifted them up, one in each arm, and made the short trek to their bedroom.  He placed Cadence down first and while she stirred slightly, sleep quickly overtook her once again.

            "Dad…" Justin greeted looking up at his father through squinted eyes.

            "Hey," he whispered before depositing him down in his bed across the room from his sister.  "Why don't you go back to sleep, buddy?"

            "Momma?" Jason felt a wave of nausea settle in as curiosity entered into his son's huge blue eyes. 

            "Momma can't be here right now, but she is watching over you…" was the best response he could come up with. The explanation seemed to suffice as the young boy curled up and drifted into slumber.    How does one explain death to a two year old? 

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            The funeral and memorial service had occurred and went rather smoothly.  Sonny had handled mostly everything, considering the fragile state his best friend was in.  People from all over Port Charles and Atlantic City had shown up to honor Courtney as well as the foundation she worked tirelessly to keep afloat.  AJ had crawled out from whatever rock he was under to attend the services, which was a shock to everyone, including the Quartermaines, who were also out in full force.   Jax and Brenda sat in the back in quiet mourning, each one with their own separate memories of the blonde beauty.  Jax's mostly centered on their fledgling relationship which later turned into one of the strongest friendships in his life. While Brenda remembered Courtney and Jason's fairytale love. 

Everyone had their own view of what Courtney Matthews-Morgan was, some were accurate, but none could compare to the crisp image that was settled in her husband's mind. Most everyone steered clear of the grieving husband, except to offer condolences.  He seemed untouchable due to the sadness that engulfed his once clear eyes.  The twins stayed dutifully by their sullen father's side, trying hard not to worry their already distressed parent.  It was miraculous that the two years olds had any concept of the proceedings, but they seemed to understand more than the adults. 

            The burial was the hardest part of all.  The priest offered some words before turning the ceremony over to Jason.  Why he chose to speak there instead of the memorial service was a mystery to everyone and no one really wanted to question his motives.  Jason took a stand next the priest, peering out into the sea of mourners that had crowded into a semi-circle around the casket.

            "Courtney was the purest soul I have ever known and it was an honor just to be a participant in her life.  Why she deemed me important enough to love is something I'm unsure of, but will forever be grateful for." He took a deep breath blinking back the tears that were fresh in his eyes.  He refused to cry in front of these people.  "I can stand up here and explain to you how genuine and sweet of person she was, but anyone who knew her for longer than ten minutes could attest to that.  I know that she would not want us to wallow in sadness for her, because she would never wish that kind of pain on anyone.  Instead I ask of you, on behalf of my wife, to live your life to fullest.  I know how trite that sounds, but I truly believe that is what she would want for everyone who cared about her.  She embraced each day and even taught me to do the same.  She taught me not to take things for granted, especially the people you love.  I will forever be grateful for the lessons she so graciously bestowed on me and plan to instill them in our children, because they are the greatest gift she ever gave me.  So please don't let a day go by without telling someone how you feel about them, because unfortunately tomorrow is never guaranteed…"  He finished and the audience was taken aback.  Never had Jason Morgan spoke so candidly to any of them individually, never mind to them as a group.

            The casket was slowly lowered and a quiet sob escaped Cadence, who was being held tightly in Sonny's arms.  Jason immediately reached for her and the little girl climbed quickly into her Dad's embrace.  It was their son who crawled/walked over to the casket to drop one last rose onto his mother's final resting site. 

I have a new life now
She lives through you
What can I do
I feel so alone now
I pray for you
We still love you

            Jason stood still in front of the chiseled granite stone, the image of a tiny Justin bidding a final farewell to his mother was replaying in his mind on a loop.  It was hard to believe that it was close to the fifteen years ago that it occurred.  His life was drastically different, but yet eerily the same.  He kept his family close, but could no longer live in the penthouse; instead he optioned to buy a little home a few blocks away from Sonny and Carly.  His children were his life and there was no way that he would offer them any less than his complete attention during their youth, but now they were growing up and moving away.  They had college and careers to start, which were taking them far away from Port Charles.

            He always knew that it would happen, but could not prepare himself for the empty home that he was now faced with.  He found himself coming to the cemetery more and more often in an effort to feel close to Courtney.  Emily had instilled in him a habit of going to church once a week to light a candle for his deceased wife. "It helped when I thought that I lost Nikolas," she explained in hopes of bringing peace to her brother and it did ease him slightly.  He wanted to move on and had somewhat when Robin returned to Port Charles a few years ago.  Their romance was not passionate, but more of a mutual partnership, neither wanted to spend their lives alone. Cadence had originally been on guard towards her, but let up slightly when she noticed the comfort that Robin brought her father.  Everyone knew that there was no one who could ever fill Courtney's spot in his heart, but that didn't stop him from trying to get on with his life. 

            "You alright, Dad?" Cadence came up next him with a look of worry etched on her angelic face.  She was the spitting image of her mother, right down to the long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. 

            "I'm fine, babe…" he whispered.  His daughter reached over wrap a comforting arm around his waist and offered a small smile.

            "Aunt Carly said I reminded her of mom…"

            "That's probably the best compliment you'll ever receive." Her father responded and was met with a nod.

            "Do you really think I'm like her?"

            "Yeah, you have her kind heart and I know that she would be proud of the work you've been doing with the foundation," he responded.  When Cadence turned sixteen she gained control of the floundering foundation that her mother tried so hard to keep alive.  Within six months, the Courtney Matthews foundation was back on track helping battered and abused children.  Justin did his fair share, organizing the books while his sister set up events. 

            "You know I have one memory of her…" Jason looked at her with a raised eyebrow.  "It's pretty cloudy, because I was so young…I just remember her standing over me and Justin singing some lullaby and she was making all these goofy faces trying her hardest to entertain us…" She finished with a far away look.

            "Yeah, well she would have done anything to make you guys laugh…" His voice hitched slightly as remembered how well motherhood suited his wife.  She did some of the craziest things to make her children smile, like spilling milk on herself in an effort to stop Justin from crying. It worked.

            "You can tell me if you don't want me to go.  I could stay behind a year." Cadence offered quietly.  She had dreaded the day that she would have leave her father behind.  He had devoted his whole life to her and Justin and it hardly seemed right to walk away from that.  "After all, who wants to live alone with Robin?"

            "First of all, you're going to college and Justin is going to start his job in Detroit, because you are both to smart to settle here in Port Charles." Jason replied forcefully.  "And Robin isn't so bad."

            "Yeah, but…"

            "Not buts.  Plus, it's not like you're never going to see me again." He assured.

            "I know." She agreed softly.  "I'm sorry that you miss her so much…"

            "I'm sorry that you never really got to know her," he returned.

            "I kind of feel like I do I know her." Cadence replied.  "I mean the way that you, Uncle Sonny, Aunt Carly, and even Michael speak of her…I have a pretty clear picture." She elaborated and was met with silence.  "I know it's going to sound awful, but I'm kind of glad that I don't have very many memories of her, because I wouldn't want to remember her sick."

            "I understand that.  I wish that I never had to see her through that…" His statement tapered off when he saw the tears forming in his daughter's eyes.

            "It hardly seems fair with everything that you two went through and then have it snatched away." She said referring to all the stories she had heard about her parent's star-crossed love affair.

            "It's not, but there's nothing I can do to change it.  So, I accept it and take comfort in the memories that we made together.  And when that's not enough, I have you and Justin to remind me of her.  There was nothing that she loved more than you two."  He brought his daughter close to him and both stood in quiet memoriam of the woman that was Courtney Matthews-Morgan: a mother and wife to some, but a friend to all.

You were fighting everyday
So hard to hide the pain
I know you never said goodbye
I had so much left to say

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A/N:  So what did you think?  I know it's kind of sad, but I really like the song and wanted to find a way to incorporate it into a fic.  Okay, so I promise that the next installment will have …gasp… a happy ending and hopefully it will be set in the time frame of the show, instead of the future.  Thanks for reading…