Chapter 7
The End of Love's Beginning
"Are you ready?" Dr. Abernathy asked Jason as he stood by Courtney's life machines. Jason looked around at the stricken faces surrounding her bed. His eyes drifted from her brother's, to her father's, to her surrogate sister's, and then to Lucky, who wasn't any of those things, just a man, who was losing yet another person he cared for.
"Ready? READY? Are you asking me if I'm READY to lose my baby girl? To watch her fade away without me by her side? Ready to know that I will never see her beautiful face again? READY?" Mike screamed through his tears falling to his knees.
Jason watched as his wife's father spoke everything Jason's heart was screaming, but he couldn't voice. He turned to the doctor, who's face was wet with fresh tears and nodded.
"Oh God..Not Court, not Court, not Court.." Carly muttered and turned and buried her face in Sonny's chest as tears slipped down his face. Mike, still slumped on the floor cried loudly, and Lucky stood, his eye's glued to Jason's hand. He was still grasping her hand.
Dr. Abernathy's hand moved towards the button. Jason itched to reach out and tell her no, never to pull it, but he didn't want her to suffer any longer, not because of him, not again.
Her hand was now an inch away from the button and everyone stopped breathing. The clock refused to tick, the hospital was silent, the cars were noiseless, the only thing beeping was Courtney's heart with the help of the machine.
The doctor pushed the button.
A long button sounded but Dr. Abernathy turned off the machines. Everything was still. Dr. Abernathy laid a hand on Lucky's shoulder as she moved out the door.
It was over.
Courtney Matthew Morgan's life was over.
Jason still held Courtney's hand in his, his eyes still focused on her face. He suddenly felt a slight movement from her fingers. He jumped and yelled.
"DOCTOR! COME QUICK!" Sonny, Carly, Lucky, and Mike all began to ask questions. Jason felt another squeeze.
"DOCTOR!" He yelled again. He turned back to Courtney and said, "Sweetie, it's me, come on baby..come back. We're all here." Another squeeze, harder this time.
Doctor's swarmed into the room, waiting for an explanation.
"She's alive! She squeezed my hand!" All of the other doctors noticed the distraught air of the room and sympathetic looks spread across their faces.
"What the hell are you waiting for? Do something!" One doctor named Dr. Cass stepped forward out of pity. 'Why don't they believe me?' Jason thought. The male doctor crouched over her and took his time checking her heartbeat. He straightened back up and frowned.
"I'm sorry Sir, but there is no heartbeat." He started to leave but Jason grabbed his collar. The other doctor's began to move forward, but Dr. Cass held up his hand.
"There is a pulse. Check again." Jason's voice got venomous and the doctor checked again, halfheartedly. Dr. Cass's face showed he thought it was pointless, but he continued.
"Sir, I'm sorry-wait a minute. There's a pulse! She's alive!" The other doctors rushed forward, forcing the speechless Mike, Carly, Sonny, Lucky, and Jason out of the way.
"Yes! I knew it!" Jason's eyes became alive again, and his heart felt lighter.
The machine was hooked up again and they could all hear the Godly, steady beeping.
Dr. Cass removed himself from the mass of doctors and appeared in front of them.
"She's alive, and you sir, you saved her life. The heartbeats were so far apart and silent that no one could make them out. But there was a strong surge of one right when you told me to check it. She's alive, and I know she'll be just fine." Mike stood up and hugged the doctor fiercely.
"My baby, My baby's going to be fine." The doctor laughed and patted his back.
Sonny and Carly embraced tightly and Jason hugged Lucky. Dr. Abernathy came through the door and a tear of joy slipped down her cheek. Lucky saw her and hugged her. When they pulled apart she blushed and he smiled.
"Everything's going to be okay." Jason muttered more to himself then anyone else.
All but one doctor removed themselves from the room. Jason moved to stand beside his wife, grasping her hand once more.
Her eyes stayed closed, but she whispered, "I'm home."
Jason smiled through the tears.
"Yes baby, you are."
EPILOUGE
"Court! I'm home!" Jason announced as he entered their two story haven.
"Jason! Did you pick up Cassie from Sonny and Carly?" Her voice floated down from upstairs.
Jason looked at the bubbly blonde, one and a half year old in his arms and smiled.
"Sure did!" He yelled back up.
"I've missed my little girl." Jason turned around and saw his wife with her arms folded and a small smile on her face. She stood still clothed in her working attire. She had started a shelter for battered women and was there from 9-5, so Cassie stayed with Carly some days.
Courtney held out her arms and Jason handed over their child and put his arm around her waist.
"She's tired. Morgan tired her out." He laughed.
"Mommy." Cassie exclaimed drowsily. Courtney smiled.
"Daddy." Cassie added.
"Baby I love you so much." Jason said.
"Which one?" Courtney asked playfully.
"I love you equally Courtney. Don't make me choose!" He laughed as she gave him a mock jealous stare.
"God I love you." Courtney said softly as she kissed him. He kissed her on her head and then kissed Cassie on her nose. She gave him a toothy smile and closed her eyes.
She didn't want much.
Just a husband and family that adored her. Just a career that made her important and respected. Just a few things from life. She didn't want all that much. She didn't ask for absurd things.
She just wanted life.
She just wanted love.
