Chapter 14

By dinnertime Jason and Carly were back at Sonny's, hand in hand, to pick up the kids. Jason nodded at Marco, who was guarding the door, and then entered the living room.

They found Sonny and Ric sitting on the couch, both with a drink.

Ric was saying, "That is exactly the way I would play this, brother, you have-" he stopped when he noticed they had walked into the room.

"Are the kids ready to go?" Carly asked Sonny

Sonny answered, "They're in the dining room eating dinner with Max and Leticia. Why don't you go join them and let the men talk business?'

Carly was way too used to his attitude to take the bait and go off on him.

She said to Jason, " Come get us when your done." and left the room with a smug smile on her face. It felt like winning a battle every time she didn't try to save Sonny from his own darkness or react to his rude comments.

Jason said, looking at Ric, "Don't you have somewhere to go?'

"I'm comfortable right here." Ric answered from his seat next to Sonny.

Jason gave him a evil glare then said to Sonny, " Bernie has all the information he needs for while I am away. I'll call in daily. Frankie is running things at the warehouse. Marco is at the door here and with you when you leave. I'll take Max with me. The kids are most comfortable with him."

Sonny stood, narrowed his eyes, and said in a low voice "Have it all worked out, huh?"

Jason met his eyes. All the conflicting emotions he warred with for years boiled up in him. He wanted to be loyal to Sonny, understanding, to make this whole situation okay for everyone. But if Sonny tried to stop them from leaving Jason knew this would be the time he disobeyed Sonny's orders.

Years ago, Jason stepped back and let Sonny and Carly be whatever they were going to be without his interference now he felt it would only be right for Sonny to do the same thing for him.

"It's decided," Jason said.

Sonny chuckled he gave Ric a can you believe him? look.

Ric laughed.

Sonny said, "Well, don't let me slow you up. You know you're probably only going to get about 15 minutes of happiness with Carly and the clock is already ticking."

He'll get over it in time, Jason thought to himself as he left the room. Within a second his mind switched from concerns about Sonny to anticipation over seeing the boys for the first time since he went to look for Sam. Today he was determined to get on a plane with Carly and them and leave this town.

There's a world outside every darkened door

where blues won't haunt you anymore.

Where the brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore...

Rascal Flatts Lyrics

He stepped into the dining room and immediately Morgan was flying across the room to hug him calling "Unc' Jay!"

Michael walked over, trying to be cool, and said "Hey, good to see you."

Jason picked up Morgan and then stepped closer to Michael and said "I missed you, Michael."

Michael's face softened. He quickly hugged Jason then headed back across the room to where Leticia and Max were at the table.

Carly and Jason shared a look. She said, "You ready?"

He said, "You know it."

Through all these cities and all these towns

It's in my blood and it's all around

I love you now like I loved you then

This is the road and these are the hands ...

Knock me down get back up again

You're in my blood, I'm not a lonely man...

I'll be there when the light comes in.

Just tell 'em we're survivors!

Life is a highway

I wanna ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I wanna drive it all night long

Rascal Flatts Lyrics