Chapter 6
"What in the world happened to you," Carly said trying to stifle a laugh.
Jason, Sam, and Courtney all turned to see a giggling Carly set a fussy Morgan down as she walked toward the group. Carly was trying her hardest not to laugh, but it wasn't working. It was just too funny to see Sam covered in food.
Carly had yet to notice Courtney as she continued to walk towards Jason, Michael in tow, and Morgan had run ahead.
"So," Carly said, "What happened to you."
"Shut up Carly," Sam said snottily.
"Well obviously someone wanted you to shut up, they threw food at you," Carly smugly replied.
"Carly," Jason said warningly.
"It's fine Jason," Sam said, "I wouldn't expect anything less from Carly. She is a child isn't she?"
"Why you..." Carly started.
"Child. I think you've mistaken yourself with Carly here," Courtney said with a laugh, "I mean you were the one who chased a three year old."
Courtney had remained quite as Sam and Carly stared each other down. She knew that Carly hadn't seen her, and it would be best if they didn't let on that they knew each other. She just hoped that Carly would get that it was best to keep silent.
At hearing the voice Carly whipped her head to look in the other direction. She got white as a ghost. She really hadn't expected to see her, and especially not here. It had been so long since the friends had set eyes on each other, and this was just strange.
Jason watched as Carly turned to look at Courtney. He didn't like Carly's reaction to seeing the woman. It was like they knew each other, but they couldn't. It wasn't possible. Was it?
Courtney watched as the recognition of who was in the room washed over Carly's face. It was what Courtney had expected. She knew Carly wouldn't be thrilled to see her, with the past they had it was a miracle that they still talked every now and then. Hoping to avoid exposure Courtney spoke.
"Hi. I'm Courtney. Just moved to town, and this is my daughter, Cali."
"Hi," Carly said softly, as she was in a bit of a daze.
"This is Carly," Jason said as he looked at his friend strangely, "Do you two know each other?"
"NO," Both women said at once with a bit too much force causing Jason to jump a bit in due to shock.
"What I mean is that Carly looks like someone I used to know," Courtney quickly covered.
"Same goes for me," Carly said as she regained some of the color in her face.
Jason just looked at the two. There was something he was missing he knew it.
"Oh my God, what a cutie pie," Carly said as she went to brush a few strands of hair from Cali's face.
"She's a little brat," Sam snapped.
"Weren't you leaving," Courtney said as she shot Sam a dirty look.
"She doesn't listen very well," Carly commented, as she reached for Cali.
Cali cautiously went into Carly's arms after a small nudge from her Mother.
"Just go Sam," Jason commented before Sam could say another word.
"Fine, but can you walk me back," Sam said as she attempted to guilt trip him, "With this new threat out there, I just don't feel safe."
"I'm sure Max can take you," Carly said as she played with the giggling three year old, "I'm here with Jason, and it doesn't look like he's done, So he can wait with me until Max gets back."
"Fine," Sam rudely replied as she stormed out the door and past Max, who looked up, and after a nod from Jason followed Sam.
"Well that was fun," Carly said not yet taking her eyes off of Cali, "So what's her name?"
"Cali, It's short for Caroline Rae," Courtney said as she watched the two-year-old boy run around Jason's legs.
Carly's eyes lit up at this. She knew that Cali had been named after her, and she felt touched.
"That's a great name," Carly said as she set Cali on the floor.
Jason had just stood and watched the two women interact. It was interesting, it seemed like they had there own secret language.
"Mommy," Michael whined, "I'm hungry. When are we going to eat?"
"I'm sure Jason can help with that," Carly giggled, "He is covered in syrup and waffles."
"Thanks Carly," Jason replied as something latched onto Jason's legs. "What in the world," was all Jason said as he looked down.
What he found was a little boy latched onto his leg. Bending down Jason picked up the two year old Morgan and looked at him.
"And what were you doing," Jason questioned as he looked at the young boy.
All Morgan did was shrug his shoulders as Jason set him back on the ground. Morgan ran back behind Jason at being set down again, causing Cali, and Michael to laugh.
"What's so funny you two," Courtney asked as both kids pointed to Morgan.
Carly and Courtney both laughed, as Carly picked Morgan up again.
"Yummy sticky stuff," Morgan replied as he licked his lips
"Maybe you should go get yourself cleaned up," Carly commented.
"Why," Jason asked already knowing that he was a mess.
"Because, Your nephew might think that he can eat you for breakfast every morning," Carly laugh, "And how if Sam hugged your front did you get the back of your legs sticky?"
"You should ask a certain messy little girl," Jason said, as he looked at Cali trying to remain serious.
"Not me," Cali said innocently as Courtney picked her up.
Jason just laughed.
"Well we should be going. I have to organize my apartment, and do some shopping," Courtney said.
"Shopping," Carly perkily replied, "I'll come with. We can talk, and I love to shop, and decorate."
"What about your boy's," Courtney questioned eyeing Morgan and Michael.
"Jason can watch them," Carly replied as she passed Morgan to him and began to reach for Cali, "And he can watch Cali. We can have a girls day out."
"Carly," Jason said warningly, "I have work to do."
"Please Jason. I never get to go shopping with anyone but Max, or Marco. Court here needs to get moved in," Carly said with a pouty face, "It's hard to shop with kids."
"Fine," Jason reluctantly said. He knew Carly was lying, she would go shopping anytime with anyone even her kids, but he did want to spend time with his nephew's, and Cali seemed like a sweet girl.
"Great," Carly said as she handed Jason Cali and Dragged Courtney out of Kelly's, "We'll call later."
With that Jason was left standing in Kelly's covered in food with three young kids to look after.
