Disclaimer: Checking, checking... Still checking. Okay, nope don't own the characters on General Hospital.
Summary: See Chapter #1
Author's notes:
"" Dialogue, '' thoughts
C.O.S.: Change of Scenery
Italics an email or letter
I will in this chapter attempt to make Courtney just a touch less annoying (if possible)
Chapter #3:
"You're pregnant." Dr. Meadows informed Courtney. Courtney breathed deeply, as she grinned contentedly, closing her eyes and savoring the moment. She opened them again, to be met by a more serious gaze from Dr. Meadows.
"Wh-what else?" Courtney asked instinctively.
"Because of your recent history, specifically that your miscarriage caused some scarring in the uterus this pregnancy will be a high-risk one. I need you to promise me that you will do everything I instruct you to do, even if that means bed rest." Dr. Meadows answered.
"Yes I will." Courtney promised. Dr. Meadows handed her a prescription for pre-natal vitamins, and Courtney left the inner-office. She paused and made the next appointment for three weeks later. Dr. Meadows stood in the doorway watching her leave:
"Courtney one last thing:" At the sound of her name Courtney turned her head:
"Congratulations," Dr. Meadows said. Courtney hurried back to the penthouse she shared with Jax.
She decided she would tell him the second he got home. She settled into the plush beige couch to wait, lying back against the dark green pillows. She tried to picture what their baby would look like: his piercing blue-eyes and her hair. Maybe a little boy that would have his dad's business sense. She pictured Jax teaching their child to tie their shoes, to ride their bike, and saw herself kissing all the scrapes and boo-boos all better. She knew that whether this kid would be a boy or a girl, they would be loved, and have all of their needs met, and all of their dreams fulfilled. She yawned, and settled back into the pillows. Before she knew it, she fell asleep picturing Jax's face once she told him. He would be so happy.
She awakened to the smell of roses, and treated to the sounds and smells of Jax humming away while cooking in the kitchen. Courtney stretched contentedly and stood up to go into the kitchen. She opened the door and stood quietly taking in the site of him at the stove, stirring one pot. She smiled as Jax finally noticed her presence and came to gently lead her into the kitchen and sits her down on a chair, then moved back to the stove.
"So how was your business trip?" Courtney started with small talk.
"Very prosperous, made a few deals, came close to acquiring a few more properties. I never stopped thinking about you all day." He said, smiling with a twinkle in his eye. He paused to taste what he was cooking.
"How was your day?" He asked.
"Very worthwhile. I continued with the setup of the foundation. It shouldn't be long now before it's fully functional." Courtney replied. She paused to take a deep breath before sharing her news:
"I've suspected for a while now that I might be pregnant. So I made an appointment first to see my regular doctor for a blood test. It came back positive, so I went to see Dr. Meadows today, and she confirmed my suspicion. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get your hopes up." Jax came back towards where she was sitting and looked at her with fresh awe in his eyes. Then he kneeled in front of her and began talking to her stomach:
"Hey there little guy. I'm your daddy." Courtney laughed.
"Babies like to hear their parent's voice." Jax responded in earnest.
"This baby isn't big enough yet, they are just a little tiny speck right now." Courtney replied. Jax straightened up and moved back to the stove. Courtney gathered her thoughts and continued in a more serious tone:
"That's not all Jax. Dr. Meadows also told me, that because of the fact that there is still scarring from my miscarriage it would be a high-risk pregnancy."
Jax took the pot off the stove, and turned it off. He was silent as he dished out the stew he had made, and brought two bowls to the table. He methodically got silverware out and finished setting the table. They started to eat in silence. Courtney, afraid to fathom what he was thinking broke it:
"Jax, please say something." Jax put his fork down, and reached across to take her hand. He met her gaze and said:
"Anything you need I will provide. Anything you want I will get for you. I want this baby Courtney, but not if it means losing you…"
"It won't come to that. All Dr. Meadows mentioned was bed rest, and I believe it won't be more serious than that." Courtney replied. There was silence as they finished their food. Courtney attempted to get up, and Jax motioned her to sit back down and proceeded to clear the table.
Courtney gave a heavy sigh as she thought about how Sonny would react. He hadn't reacted well when he found out she was in love with Jax, or that they were moving in together. She understood why though- there was a pretty bad history there- they fought over the same girl, who eventually left them both heartbroken. Now though, Sonny and Jax live in tolerable neutrality. As for Sonny and Courtney, Courtney believed that they had put whatever problems they had been having behind them and had come to an understanding. Sonny respected Courtney, and let her make her own decisions, and Courtney let him do the same.
In an ideal world, Courtney knew that Sonny would be thrilled for her. She was getting what she wanted most: a child to love, and he would love the niece/nephew, just as he loved Michael or Morgan. At the same time, Courtney considered the more realistic possibility that he would allow his feelings for Jax to colour the way he felt about the child, and Courtney hoped that wouldn't happen. She hoped that with time to get used to it, he'd eventually be okay with it. With that in mind, she started the next conversation:
"I want to go see Sonny tomorrow and tell him about the baby."
"Are you sure that's wise, I mean isn't the tradition that you wait until you're three months along to announce it?" Jax asked.
"Normally, I'd agree with you. But it's my unpredictable brother we're talking about. So I'm thinking the sooner we tell him, the more time he'll have to get used to the idea." Courtney answered.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Jax asked, thinking that if Sonny should react badly, Courtney shouldn't be there alone.
"I think it would be best if I went alone." She replied.
"Alright, but call me afterwards." Jax instructed.
"Yes daddy." Courtney replied, and laughed.
C.O.S.: Next Morning- Sonny's house.
Courtney knocked at the door of her brother's house, and Max opened it, she greeted him, and he held the inner door open for her:
"They're out on the terrace eating breakfast."
"Thanks." Courtney smiled, as she considered, who the other half of the 'they' was. She opened the door and entered the cozy terrace, and was greeted cordially by the answer:
"Good morning Courtney, we were just about to start eating breakfast. Would you like some?" Reese motioned for her to take the remaining seat between her and Sonny. Courtney smiled:
"Thanks but I'd rather stand, I just came to talk to my brother for a moment."
Sonny's ears perked up, as he put down what he was eating. He turned his full attention onto his sister.
"Well…" he prompted. Courtney awkwardly glanced at Reese. Even though the feelings between Reese and Sonny were clear, Courtney still didn't quite trust her.
"It's kind of personal." Courtney said.
"Whatever you have to say to me, can be said in front of Reese." Sonny said.
"It's alright, I'll leave. Besides, coffee's ready in the kitchen, I'll go bring it out." Reese gently diffused the growing tension, as she rose and went inside the house. Courtney sat down in her vacated chair, and began nervously playing with the tablecloth. She made up her mind to just go ahead and say it:
"I'm pregnant." She took a moment to watch her brother's body language, as he tensed up and his expression became shuttered.
"I suppose it's his baby." He said, as a cold statement of facts.
"Yes. We love each other, and both want this baby with all of our hearts." Courtney became defensive. Sonny became cordial:
"Congratulations, I know you'll make a wonderful mother." Courtney gave him a sad smile, and left him and Reese to eat their breakfast together.
It had not gone as well as she'd hoped, but it didn't go poorly either. She waited until she was through the gate to dial Jax's number.
"Hey, just the voice I wanted to hear. How'd it go?" Jax asked in a gentle tone.
"He didn't take it as badly as I thought he would. But he wasn't exactly thrilled about it." Courtney answered.
"He'll come around." Jax assured her.
"I hope so." Courtney answered.
"I'll see you later." Jax told her.
"Okay, bye Jax."
"Bye, and I love you." Jax responded.
And there it is, another chapter in the books.
Will Sonny eventually be happy about the baby?
What will happen in Carly's divorce/ custody case?
For the answers to these questions and more, you need only to review.