Carly and Jax were sitting her living room talking about John and the progress Jax was making as a father.
"I think you pretty much have it down now," Carly teased. The doorbell rang and Carly jumped out of Jax's playful punch to answer it.
"Hi mom" Carly said as she stepped back to let her mother inside. She reached out and embraced her mother, as she always did. Bobbie held Carly very close for a moment, feeling the need to protect Carly at that moment.
"Hello" Ms.Wilcox said. Carly looked at her with a pleasant but confused smile.
"Hello" Carly said questiongly.
"Carly, this is Ms.Wilcox. She works for Children's welfare in the state of Florida" Bobbie introduced her. "She has some questions for you"
"Ok" Carly said, she motioned of everyone to sit down.
Jax stood up and touched Carly's arm. "I guess I will be going. I will call you later"
"No, please stay" Carly implored her friend. Jax looked at Carly for a moment before asking,
"Are you sure, this looks like a personal thing, I don't want to introduce."
"Jax" Carly whispered, "Please"
Jax nodded solemnly, sitting back down on the couch. Carly perched beside him, she looked right at Ms.Wilcox. "Please, go on" she prompted
"You were involved with Wayne Lowery, is that correct?" Ms.Wilcox asked.
"Yes, I was, when I was 14." Carly confirmed, "Why?"
"Mr.Lowrey was arrested last year for murdering his girlfriend" Ms.Wilcox replied. "When he was taken into custody, his 16 year old daughter was put into the care of the state"
Carly gasped. "Daughter" she repeated, "He had a daughter, 16 years old"
"Yes" Ms.Wilcox confirmed. She paused for a moment, seemed to be collecting her thoughts. "Her name is Helen, according to our records her mother died during child birth"
Carly gasped again, she paled considerable and started to mumble incoherently. "He told me she died"
"What?" Bobbie asked gently, stroking her daughter's arm.
"He lied to me" Carly cried tears forming in her chocolate brown eyes. Instinctively Jax scooted closer to Carly, putting a strong arm around her shoulders." he told me she died"
"I am so sorry to be the one to deliver this news but your daughter is alive" Ms.Wilcox advised her then quickly but gently filled Carly in on everything she knew. Jax was furious. The guy, Lowery was 20 years old when he slept with Carly, that in itself was illegal.
"How did this happen?" Jax asked harshly. "How did the state of Florida allow this man to take Carly's daughter?"
"I really don't know" Ms.Wilcox mumbled. "It was mistake a horrible mistake"
"What do we do from here?" Bobbie asked.
"Well- that is up to Carly" Ms.Wilcox started. "If she wanted to get custody of Helen, she would need to come to Florida and we can file a case, take it to court. If she chooses to relinquish her rights, I can leave here tonight and Helen will remain in the care of the state"
"Carly, do you need some time to think about this" Bobbie asked.
Carly was sobbing uncontrollably in Jax's arms. "No" Carly moaned. "I want my daughter, I want her now"
"Well, I will be leaving ion the morning." Ms. Wilcox informed Carly. She handed her card to Jax. "When you get to Florida call me, we will get this started as soon as we can". She looked as if she wanted to say something more but she simply picked up her briefcase. "I am so sorry, I will let myself out"
An hour later Jax had helped Leticia put the children to bed. He went back into the living room and found his friend still sitting in the same place.
"Carly" he called gently and approached her slowly. She looked at him her face blotchy and stained with tears.
"I thought I was something else" Carly started. "I was dating an older man, when he pressured me to have sex, I didn't know what to do. I just gave in" Jax reached over and took Carly's hand, he was surprised and anxious to find she was shaking. "When I found out I was pregnant, he wanted to get married. I said no and he broke up with me."
"Carly" Jax started but Carly continued as if he she has hadn't heard him.
"When I went into labor he wasn't there, no one was, I was completely alone. When I woke up they told me she died. I was crushed but I went home and pretended nothing had happened. I never saw Wayne again"
Carlyss stood up and started to throw things, "That son of a bitch" she screamed. Jax jumped up and grabbed Carly, holding her close as she screamed and cried. "He stole her from me. That bastard." Within a few minutes Carly had calmed a little bit and Jax maneuvered her to the couch.
"I guess I need to call and make reservations for my trip" Carly said dryly. Jax shook his head.
"My private plane will be at the airport at 9:00 am for you" Jax replied. "I also made hotel reservations at the Hilton"
"Thank you" Carly whispered. "You are a great friend"
"You have done a lot for me and for John" Jax reminded her.
"Can you take me to the airport?" Carly asked as she stood up.
"I will do you one better" Jax replied. "I will go with you to Florida"
"No, Jax, I am not going to inconvenience you like that" Carly started but Jax cut her off.
"You can't go alone"
"Goodnight Jax" Carly said before climbing the stairs.
