A/N: HA! told you i'd upate!

Ch. 48 Hopelessly Blissful

The spray of hot water dwindled down to a simple drip as she twisted the knob. After wrapping the thick towel around her, she stepped out of the shower into the steam filled room. On her way out, she found herself pausing in front of the fogged up mirror.

With a cautious hand, she reached out and wipe away at it until her face was visible in the glass. Gazing at the pale eyes that looked back at her, she couldn't help but think back to the dream. The eyes that shone brilliantly with their bright coloring; that appeared to have a never ending depth. Were her eyes supposed to look like that? How many times had she stood in front of that same mirror and looked at her reflection?

"Hey." the voice greeted, causing her to jump in place. "I scare you?"

"Surprised me, that's all." she said, offering a small smile to the man. "Did you need something?"

"Besides you?" he teased, leaning down and giving her a quick kiss. "Actually I just came from talking to Carly."

"Oh. Stay on your feet this time?" she joked, remembering his performance earlier.

"I did." he replied with a smile. "She wants us to go with her and Sonny to The Cellar tonight."

"The Cellar?"

"Yeah, it's her club." he informed, surprised that he'd forgotten about the situation. "Do you want to go?"

"I don't know." she answered, unsure. " Do I have anything to wear?"

"Carly can help you find something. Besides, you look beautiful no matter what you're wearing." his eyes wandered down to the towel covering her body. "Or not wearing."

She couldn't help but smile at his flirtation. A night out did seem like a good idea. But honestly, she was slightly afraid of what going out would do. What if she freak out again? If it was worse then before? This time it would be in a room full of people. She sighed, knowing that no matter what the possibilities were, or what could happen, she didn't want to stay hidden inside the penthouse for the rest of her life.

"Sounds fun." she responded, hoping she would be right about it.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "We don't have to go."

"No, I want to." she assured. "Plus, it's a chance to see you all fancied up."

"Well, I don't do fancy very well." he said truthfully. " But I'll try to make sure you're not too embarrassed to be seen with me."

"It's settled then…we're going." she said, poking her finger against his hard chest.

"Alright." he answered, leaning forward once more and catching her with a soft kiss. "I'll go tell Carly. She'll be excited. Way too excited if you ask me."

He left the bathroom and then the penthouse to deliver the answer to her sister-in-law. She sighed after his departure. No doubt about it, Courtney felt absolutely terrific in his presence, but once he was no longer around, she felt all the questions and worries creeping back into her skull. She turned back to the mirror and once again locked eyes with the image before her.

"It'll be fine." she spoke to the glass, trying to calm any nerves. "It's going to be fine."

Just as Jason had said, Carly had helped her. But not just with finding the right outfit to wear. The woman had gone on a rampage, insisting that she do her hair, make up, everything. The way she'd carried on, it was more like they were getting ready for a wedding rather than a simple night out.

Even so, Courtney was grateful for the assistance as she felt completely clueless about it all. But now, after being Carly's personal, life size Barbie, she was standing in front of her as the woman judged her completed work.

"Oh, honey you look beautiful." she gushed, from acting as if she were ready to start crying.

"I don't-I don't feel beautiful." she answered. It was the truth. She didn't feel beautiful. What she felt was awkward. It wasn't what she was wearing. The simple black, sleeveless dress Carly had brought for her felt like it was made just for her. It wasn't the clothes, it was just her. She didn't know how she was supposed to feel about it all.

"Well you are." Carly returned knowingly. "And Jason will think so too."

"Yeah?"

"You're going to knock him off his feet." she assured.

"I don't know about this, Carly." she admitted, after hearing Sonny's voice from downstairs asking if they were ready. "I mean, what if we something happens that makes me freak out again? What if I eat something I'm allergic to? What if Jason wants to dance? Oh God, do I dance?"

Her scenarios flew out at a mile a minute, she didn't know until that moment exactly how many worries she had or what they were. But now it seemed that since they were on the brink of their evening everything was coming to the surface in one big blow. The woman in front of her grabbed her hands trying to catch her attention and calm her down.

"Ok, first off, I think I've seen Jason dance a whole two times and that was only because it was what you wanted to do. He's not a big fan of it, so if you don't want to, so you have nothing to worry about." she told her with a smile on her face. "As for the rest; stay away from pistachios and you'll be fine."

"What about…you know."

"Ok, listen to me," she instructed placing her hands on her friends shoulders. "if something happens, and I'm not saying it will, but if it does then we're all going to be there. You'll be fine, ok?"

"Ok."

"We're going to have fun, right?" she asked, getting a nod from her. "Alright. Now let's go."