A/N: Alrighty, time for another update, woohoo!
Riker15- Glad you love it. Jason as a father is my weakness, lol. It's just too damn sexy.
Pureevil230- Yes, it definitely is a yay. And let's face it, sometimes, fighting is inevitable.
luvthemorgans- For some reason, you only update when I'm hyper or just did something really stupid. I usually don't have fantastic stories. You on the other hand... well, you're constantly doing something stupid, so I always get great stories. Lol, j/k.
Seth Cohen's girlfriend- I'm glad you worked out all of your computer issues and you're now caught up. I missed you!
Jennifer- Are you aware that you left me 5 or 6 reviews? That totally threw me. I came home on saturday and my mailbox has 32 unread messages. That's a hell of a lot of mail! And then I got confused, but I figured it out. So thanks for loving it that much to review so much! Lol. And as for Meg's age, I can't get into a whole explanation now but if you look back in the chapters (I think it was the last one) I went on for a bit about how old she was to someone (can't remember who). That should explain it.
emmalee05- Hey, I won't hurt you! I am the one who wrote it, so I am willing to accept that certain truth.
LoLogirl28- I love Carly plans. They are only the greatest plans ever!
Samantha- AJ is still an ass, but he's an ass for a reason. I've been watching a lot of older GH clips and I've developed a soft spot for him. He used to be such a great character, but the writers kinda destroyed him.
brittneyx- Welcome to the story! (or reviewing at least). I'm so glad you like it.
middiegurl08- Yay! A Jess favorite. Oh, and I need to tell you something. I know I gave you a 'haha' in Tangled Secrets by almost making Ava's middle name Jessica. So, to make it up to you, I named a character with a small role in the sequel to this story Jessica. Just for you! I'll point it out again when we get there, but I just wanted to let you know.
caseybutler70- You and Jennifer should talk. She knew what was coming last chapter, and you're kinda able to forsee this chapter. Hope I didn't give too much away!
ImJustKidding89- That was an excellent point. I may be a fan of the happy ending (usually, but not necessarily), but I'm an even bigger fan of heartwrenching angst.
britchic- If it makes you feel any better, my school "football" (soccer) team had a 0-15 season. I don't actually care about soccer, but it's a running joke around school that our sports teams (with the exception of girl's tennis) can't win anything. And for future reference, I'd just like to let you know that me and Arron Davies are totally getting married. That is one beautiful, beautiful man. And Milesy is kinda cute. He reminds me a lot of Heath Ledger, and that guy, with the right hair, can be pretty nice to look at. And if me and Arron don't work out, I'm totally marrying Maurice O'Donnell. Lol, j/k. But he's a cute little grandpa.
DaniBabez- No, it's not a dream, don't worry. I'm glad you like it!
anon14- She is certainly a smart little baby indeed. And I'm glad you love her.
Serena- I'm glad you like it. And you're right, Meg truly belongs with Courtney and Jason.
SuzieQ8487- She did abandon the baby once before. She's just a crappy mother. Some people are not meant to be parents.
vanessapc05- Yes, I love the happy family thing too.Chapter 18- Happy Reunions
"Walk me through this one more time" said Jason as he rubbed his temple with his hands.
"Jason, what's to walk through? Meg was being neglected there. So she's with us now. Why are you acting like this?" asked Courtney from her seat on the couch. "Aren't you happy that Meg's home?"
"I am happy! But Carly, Sonny, what the two of you did was technically kidnapping!" he said in a frustrated tone.
"I'm sorry, but since when are you concerned about technicalities?" asked Carly as she sat down on the couch next to Courtney.
"I'm not! But Courtney and I were just talking about how we're trying to keep the people we love out of jail, not the best ways for them to get thrown in it!"
"Jason, you didn't see that place. It was horrible. There was no way we could leave her there" said Sonny.
"Come here, hold your daughter" said Courtney as she passed Meg to Jason.
"Da!" she cooed happily as Jason held her.
All of his reservations were forgotten as he held her tightly to him and heard her coo.
"Hi baby. I missed you" he said. "Uh-oh. Seems like you have a wet diaper" he said with a frown. "I'm going to go change her" he said as he went upstairs to Meg's still set-up room.
"So what do we do about legal rights?" asked Courtney.
"I think we should find Paula and get her to sign over parental rights to you and Jason" said Sonny.
"How?" asked Carly. "She probably loses AJ's money if she does"
"We threaten her. We tell her we're going to go to the authorities and tell them about what she did if she doesn't do what we say. She could go to prison for a long time for child endangerment like that" he explained. "I've already got men at the house taking pictures"
"I just can't believe we got her back" Courtney gushed, and Sonny smiled to see his sister at the happiest she had been in a while.
"All changed" said Jason as he came down the stairs with a happy Meg in his arms, holding tightly on to him. "But she had some diaper rash. I put some of that stuff on her" he said with a frown.
"Some of that stuff. The descriptive styling of Jason Morgan" joked Carly.
"Don't you wonder why she had diaper rash Jason?" asked Sonny. "I'm sure it has something to do with her sitting in a dirty diaper for god knows how long when she was left alone with no one to take care of her"
"Alright, I get it" he said. "Believe me, I understand now. After seeing how happy she was just to get her diaper changed, and seeing the rash, I won't let my daughter go back there. I'm going to protect her, no matter what" said Jason as he held Meg tightly as though he would never let her go.
"Good, I am glad you are finally seeing things the right way" said Carly.
Courtney just smiled at him as she got up from the couch. Walking over to him, she took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. Carly and Sonny just looked on with smiles on their faces. They looked so happy. All three of them. The perfect little family.
"Say it" said Carly as she looked at Sonny.
"Say what?" he asked her.
"Say that my plan worked, and I was right, and you were wrong"
"But we ended up not going with your plan, remember? We just kinda took the baby and ran"
"Sonny! My plan was what got us there! Why are you fighting this?" asked Carly.
"Fine, if he won't say it, I'll do better" said Courtney as she broke away from Jason's kiss. "TGIC"
"What the hell does that mean? How is that thanking me?" asked a confused Carly.
"It's short for Thank God for Carly" said Courtney with a smile.
"Ooo, I like that. I can totally see it catching on" said Carly with a huge, power-hungry smile.
"And thank you for that one" said Sonny to Courtney as he watched his wife repeat the phrase to herself, her look of glee getting even more gleeful.
They had decided to keep Meg's return under wraps for now. The last thing they needed was the PCPD banging down their door. However, they still decided to throw Meg a welcome home party. Sonny provided the food, Carly provided the entertainment by trying to help with the food, and Courtney and Jason provided the guest of honor. Michael and Morgan were so glad to have their baby cousin home. The three kids were perfectly content playing on the floor of the Morgan living room together as Sonny chased Carly out of the kitchen and Courtney and Jason looked on laughing. They snuggled together on the couch and watched Meg play. It was amazing, getting her back. Getting back to their happiest times.
"Jase" she said softly.
"Hmm?" he said as he continued to stroke her hair.
"I can't help but keep thinking about our fight" she confessed.
"Courtney" he said softly.
"I can't help but keep thinking about the terrible things we said to each other" she said as she sat up a little so that she was looking into his eyes.
"I love you, so much" he said as he cradled her face in his hands. "And none of that matters. We were upset, our daughter was gone. But she's back, and it's all going to be alright" he told her.
"You're right" she said with a smile as she laid back down, burying her face in his chest, clinging to his shirt and getting comfortable. "It's all going to be ok" she said into his chest. "I love you, and I love our daughter, and you both love me. Can it get any more perfect than this?" she asked and he smiled, holding her as tightly to his body as he possibly could.
"I managed to salvage much of what Carly tried to ruin" Sonny told them as they sat down to dinner.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not even here!" she protested.
"I'm not dear, don't worry" said Sonny as Courtney and Jason smiled and rolled their eyes at them. "Now, for the adults, we have filet mignon, chicken Florentine, and pasta in my famous white sauce"
"Wow, you really went all out" laughed Courtney as she looked at all the food on the table.
"Yes, anything for my niece" he said with a smile towards Meg. "Now for the kids, we have my gourmet chicken nuggets and some pasta con formaggio"
"For those of you who don't speak Sonny, that's Macaroni and Cheese" clarified Carly.
"Thank you darling" said Sonny sarcastically.
"Anything for you baby" she said back to him in the same tone, a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Court, I think we need to get some new friends" said Jason as he leaned back contently in his chair.
"Hey, you can't get rid of us that easily. We're family. It's not like you picked us, you're stuck with us. Wait, I don't know how that sounds any better" said Carly as she realized what she said.
"Yeah, I agree with you babe" said Courtney to Jason as Carly tried to figure out what words had just come out of her mouth and Sonny served the kids their "gourmet chicken nuggets and pasta con formaggio".
Everyone was perfectly content and happy as they ate Sonny's delicious cooking and carried on with their light conversation.
"She looks so happy to be home" said Carly as she pointed at Meg.
Everyone turned to look at the little blonde angel. She had one of Sonny's chicken nuggets in her hand and she was gumming at it, being as she still lacked teeth, short of the beginning of her first one.
"She does look happy" agreed Courtney as she watched her daughter.
"And you two look happy" pointed out Sonny.
"How could we not be?" asked Jason. "We have our daughter back"
"Can we take Meg to the park tomorrow Mom?" asked Michael.
"I don't know Mr. Man" said Carly. "Meg needs to stay inside for a few more days" she explained.
"Oh, ok" said Michael, a disappointed look on his face.
"But you can come over here and play with her all you want. You and Morgan" said Courtney as she tried to brighten up her nephew.
"Alright!" he agreed, instantly forgetting about the park.
"Roni!" yelled Morgan loudly.
"Sonny, your son needs more macaroni" said Carly pointedly.
"He's only my son when he needs something and Carly's eating" grumbled Sonny as he got up to help his son.
"It's true sweetheart" she said with a smile as she continued eating.
"I feel bad. Sonny cooked and did the dishes" said Courtney as they got ready for bed that night.
"I think he wants to make all the missed days up to us and give us some time with Meg" explained Jason.
"It's not his fault" said Courtney. "Whatever" she said as she brushed it off. "I'm just glad Meg is home safe and sound"
Jason climbed into bed and opened his arms for Courtney to join him. Climbing in next to her husband, Courtney felt at peace with the world. She snuggled into Jason's arms and checked the baby monitor once before closing her eyes and falling off into a deep sleep.
It was around 2:30ish when they were awoken by the sounds of Meg's cries. Both eagerly jumped out of bed and rushed down the hallway to her room.
"Ma! Da!" she cried out, the tears streaming down her face.
When she heard them enter, she pulled herself up and reached out for them, still hysterically crying. Jason took her in his arms and held her close, rubbing her back as he did.
"Shh, it's ok Meg. We're here" he said as he held her close while Courtney held her hand.
"Ma, Da" she cried again, holding even closer to them.
Jason checked her diaper and found that it was clean. She didn't want a bottle, nor did she feel like she had a fever.
"What do you think's wrong?" asked Jason.
"Maybe she's having nightmares" said Courtney quietly. "Afterall, she was left alone in a crib for god knows how long"
"I think you're right" he agreed. "Come on Meg, I think you need to sleep in the big bed tonight" he said as he led her and Courtney into their bedroom.
The three settled into bed, with Meg snuggly inbetween them. They fell asleep with their arms crossed over her, both planting little reassuring kisses on her as they drifted off to sleep. Meg woke up once more in the night, but when she saw that Courtney and Jason were right there, she quickly fell back into a peaceful sleep. That wasn't t say Courtney or Jason did though. They were both up most of the night, watching their daughter, upset by her tears and nightmares. They were worried about her, and they were sure that they were never, ever, going to give her up again. By whatever means necessary.
"You two look tired" said Carly as she looked at her best friends.
"Yeah, I would have thought you would have gotten a good night's sleep last night" said Sonny.
"Us too. But Meg was having nightmares all night" explained Courtney.
"Oh, I'm sorry" said Carly as she hugged Courtney.
"What Paula did was disgusting" said Jason. "Using her daughter to get AJ's money, and then neglecting her like that"
Courtney put one hand on his arm to calm him down a little, and it worked.
"Why don't you leave Meg with Leticia and get some sleep" suggested Carly.
"Yeah, she'll be fine" assured Sonny. "Michael and Morgan will keep her entertained"
"I guess" said Jason as he looked at Courtney.
"It's not a bad idea" she said.
"Great, I'll bring her across the hall" said Carly as she lifted her up and carried her off, but not before Courtney and Jason both kissed her goodbye and assured her it was fine.
Courtney and Jason were just saying goodbye to Carly and Sonny who were leaving them so they could get some sleep when a pounding was heard on the door.
"Open up! Police" came Taggert's voice.
"What the hell?" asked Carly as Sonny wearily opened the door.
"What do you want Taggert?" asked Sonny angrily.
"Sonny and Carly Corinthos, Jason and Courtney Morgan, you are all under arrest for the kidnapping of Meg Richards…" said Taggert as he read them all their rights and some officers put them all in cuffs.
"Leave Carly and Courtney out of this Taggert!" protested Jason as the officers went to cuff the two of them.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" said Taggert with an evil smirk towards Jason and then towards Sonny as he ignored them, happy to finally be getting what he had been wishing for.
A/N: Did you all really think I'd let them be happy? Come on, this is me we're talking about. Kk, so "TGIC" belongs to jordananne. I don't know if she reads/reviews anymore, but she put it in a review in one of the first chapters and I asked her if I could use it. She said yes, and here it is! Anytay, you've all been so great with the 15 reviews, that I've decided to spice things up. I'm asking for 18 again! I know you can all do it!