Chapter 3

Jason sat on his couch feeding Katie...it was three in the morning and this was the fourth time she had woken up. He didn't mind staying up with her, after all Sonny had already given him as much time as he needed free of work. So while he had this "vacation" time as Sonny called it he was going to find Courtney. He had to know what it was that made her so insecure as a mother. She had only had Katie for 2 weeks and of course she would have some doubts but leaving Katie at praying she's taken care of just wasn't Courtney. "Finally" he sighed as he noticed she had fallen back asleep. As he began the Journey up to his daughters new nursery (compliments of Carly) to put her to bed his thoughts remained of Courtney.

It had been 2 weeks since she had left everything in Port Charles. She was adjusting pretty well to life back in Atlantic City, but she still couldn't help but wonder if she did the right thing. She desperately wanted to know that they were ok and that they were doing alright without her. Of course they were doing alright they had Elizabeth. She sighed as she put on her vest and headed to work.

Just as Jason finished dressing Katie there was a knock at the door. He quickly set her in her carrier and opened the door to reveal Elizabeth. Not knowing what else to do he let her in. "What do you need Elizabeth?" he asked as he headed back over to his daughter to continue to get her ready.

"I just wanted to see how you guys were holdin' up." Elizabeth smiled sweetly as she went over to examine the baby. "Oh she looks adorable" she commented taking in the little pink teddy bear onesy Jason had just put on her.

"Yea" he said as he rummaged through the diaper bag making sure he had everything. Once he was satisfied theat they were already "Well We gotta ..." he started as he turned to see Elizabeth picking up Katie. "No Elizabeth don't pick her up she just fell asl..." to late. He sighed.

Elizabeth started twirling the baby around and bouncing her around "Aww don't cry sweetie." she said in her baby voice.

"Elizabeth she just ate I wouldn't bounce her around..." he tried, again, to late his daughter had already spit up all over Elizabeth's white outfit.

"Eww" she squealed as she shoved the baby into Jason's arms and headed towards his bathroom.

Katie started to cry harder as Elizabeth squealed. "Shhhhh...It's alright" he tried to Consaul his daughter. He had to laugh they way he saw it Elizabeth had gotten what was coming to her. "Did you spit up allover Miss. Elizabeth...did you..." he smiled as she started to settle down. "You wanna smile sweetheart...smile for daddy..." funny how such little things as talking in a special voice and referring to yourself as daddy became habit so quickly. Just then Elizabeth walked out from around the corner. She didn't look to happy.

"Well I better be going" she said in the most polite voice that she could muster. She couldn't believe that damn kid had just ruined her brand new white cashmere tanktop. Did she know how expensive this is? She thought to herself as she gave Jason a quick smile before leaving.

"Bye" he said as she brushed by him. He then looked at his daughter who now was all smiles. "You know your mommy and aunt Carly would be so proud right now." he laughed as the little girls smile, if possible, got bigger. He quickly grabbed the diaper bag and her carrier and headed for Sonny and Carly's.

Courtney sighed as she walked into the casino. "Another day, another group of pathetic gambling addicts." As she walked further into the casino she noticed that not to many people were around compared to normal. A little confused she walked into the security office to see Jackson.

"Hey shortstop" he smiled as he looked away from the t.v.'s.

"Anything good" she asked nodding toward the t.v.'s as she took the seat next to him.

"Naw we're not gonna have to much ruckus today." he said almost disappointed. He enjoyed watching the security television...there was always something to laugh about god only knows you give people money and liquor and your sure to be in for a good show.

She nodded "what's going on we're not very busy today." she asked

"Nobody told you" he asked slightly astonished.

"No what?" she said casually not understanding his reaction.

"We are closed to the public for the next week because we have a few bands staying here and they want their privacy so basically it's the members and the crew you know that jazz." he explained

"Ok well who are the bands?" she asked a little excited that she was goign to meet famous people. She never really into bands or any type of pop music but she still had that little twinge inside of her that it was famous people staying in the casino.

"Well we have Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, and Reliant K. You know any of them." he asked

"Nope never heard of them remember I listen to country music." she laughed as she shoved him lightly. "So I guess it's time for work I'll talk to you later." she smiled as she left.

"Have a good day" he called after her, and returned to watching the monitors

As Jason walked in the door of Sonny and Carly's penthouse he set the carrier and diaper bag down on the desk and proceeded into the kitchen.

"Hey" Sonny smiled as he flipped another pancake.

"Hey where's Carly" he asked looking around.

"Right here" CArly said from the entrance. "Morning Guy's...and beautiful girls." she added as she saw Katie.

"Elizabeth dropped by this morning" he said nochalontly as he handed Katie off to Carly and got himself a cup of coffee.

She took her attention of the gurgling baby just long enough to give Jason a threating look. "What did she want?" she said aggetated.

"She was just stopping in to see if I needed any help with Katie." He answered as he sipped his coffee.

"Yea I bet that's what she wanted." she sneered asshe rocked the baby back and forth.

"Yea I had just gotten Katie to go back to sleep after feeding her." he said with a twinge of amusement in his voice.

She looked up "What's so funny" she asked hearing the amusement in his voice.

"Nothing it's just that she had a nice cashmere outfit on" he said smiling "well at least it was nice until Katie."

She gasped "are you saying that Katie spit up on Elizabeth" he nodded nonchalantly as Sonny started to laugh. She looked down at the little girl "You know your mommy would be so proud of you. I think you and I are going to be the best of friends." she laughed as Katie cooed.

Both men started laughing hysterically as Carly made shopping promises and girl's day out dates with the little 4 week old baby. "Carly you can at least let her turn 6 months old before she starts turning into you."

As Courtney gave the woman her order she looked around. She had agreed to waitress in the restaurant in the casino since they were short on staff. "Excuse Me" someone called behind her. She sighed and headed for the table in the far corner.

"Hi can I get you any drinks?" she asked not even looking up from her order pad.

"Actually Courtney Matthews I would like a hug." the woman said brightly.

Her head jerked up at her name. Only then did she realize that not just anyone sat before her, it was her highschool best friend Levi Johnson. "Levi" she squealed as she threw her pad on the table and hugged her best friend.

"How ya been girl" she asked after finally letting Courtney go and standing up.

"Good" she said as she looked over her friends slightly changed appearance. She now sported black hair about shoulder length with hot pink tips, she was still a medium size except now along with her blue eyes she had a sapphire diamond engagement ring with a matching wedding ring. She also notice her nicely rounded belly that fit so perfect with her tan complection. "Oh my gosh look at you" she said holding both of levis hands "Your married and your pregnant. Oh my gosh."

Levi smiled. "Thank you, you haven't changed a bit." she smiled. "Oh and it's Mrs. Levi Desrosier." she said as she turned to the table she had just been sitting at "This is my husband David and our friends Pierre, Chuck, Jeff, and Seb" she smiled as she went around the table pointing everyone out.

"Hi" she smiled "Oh it's been so long"

"I know..." Levi smiled as she glanced at Courtney's left hand. She then grabbed her hand "What is this? There is no way I am married and your not." she said in a playful tone.

"Yea...no marriage...it's just not really my thing." she said a little uncomfortable.

"So are there any gorgeous kids floating around here that belong to you?" Levi asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Levi leave the girl alone for god's sake...your badgering the poor girl." Seb chirped up, catching Courtney's eye.

"Oh shut up me and Courtney go way back father than the 5 of you go." Levi smiled as all five looked at her doubtfully.

"No actually my daughter is with her father." Courtney answered Levi's question. It broke her heart talking about Katie but she couldn't lie and say that Katie didn't exist. She just wished that she had her there with her, but it wasn't possible.

"Ooooh do I get to meet him...is he cute?"Levi asked excitedly

"Well geez Levi" David said acting hurt. "Don't mind me I'm just sitting right here." he smiled as she slapped him playfully on his chest.

"Oh shut up you, Now you know I need to approve him." Levi shushed her husband and then prodded Courtney.

"Levi...she already has a child with him do you really think she'll care if you don't approve." Jeff laughed pointing out a fact that Levi had just danced around.

She laughed. Levi defiantly hadn't changed a bit always the center of attention and always needed to know more but that's why she loved her. "Actually we're not together and Katie lives with him I don't see her."

"Oh her name is Katie how cute...wait minute your not together...you don't see your own daughter?" Levi continued her mouth going a mile a minute.

Sensing that Levi was going into a sensitive spot Pierre decided to get everyone back to their meal. "Well we'll all have beers and Levi will have an Lemon Ice Tea." he said.

She nodded. "Ok I'll be right back with those." she smiled thankful that the guy Levi had introduced as Pierre had saved her from going into a painful conversation. As she walked away she could hear her friend scolding Pierre.

"What did you do that for?" Levi asked confused as to why Pierre had cut her conversation short.

"Levi?" he asked astonished "You were chewing the poor girl's ear off and pushing her way to much."

"I was not...we're old friends in... highschool we were practically like this" Levi said holding up her crossed fingers. "Besides I was onto something...there's something wrong I know it."

"Sure Levi" Pierre said as he flipped through the menu.