CHAPTER SIX

When I return I'm relieved to see Jason still sound asleep in my bed. I shed my coat quickly and climb into bed next to him. He surprises me when he kisses the back of my neck.

"How's Michael?" He asks quietly.

I sigh. I should've known. "There's no change. I just…needed to see my baby." The tears flow over and I can't help it. Jason just gathers me in his arms and lets me cry until I have no tears left. When I look up I see the tears streaming down his face. I cling to him and let him draw the strength from me that he so freely gives.

When we're both cried out and red eyed, he kisses me. It's not rough and passionate. It's loving and soft. It's not a kiss meant to spark something; it's a kiss that just is. When he draws away I want to tell him about the baby but I don't. A part of me is scared something will happen and I'll lose it. I decide to wait until I'm farther along because I do not want to cause him any more pain. We've both lost a lot this year and anything I can do to spare him further pain, I'll do.

A Few Weeks Later

"Hey you." He kisses the top of my head as he moves the Pepsi I'm drinking from in front of me.

I look up and smile from ear to ear. "Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you for lunch."

"I know." He takes the chair across from me and immediately digs into my cheese fries.

I snatch my plate away. "Hey buster get your own." I reach for my drink but he moves it again. I give him a look of frustration. "Stop playing Jase."

"Have lemonade or better yet a glass of milk." He directs as he takes my fries again.

My eyebrow arches. "Since when do you tell me what to drink?"

"Since you're having my kid." He pops a fry in his mouth with a smirk.

I swear my jaw must have hit the table. "How do you…?"

"I know how a woman's body works Carly and I can count." He shrugs.

I have to smile. I can't help it. "So…?"

"So…?" He challenges. "Why didn't you tell me? I assume you know how your body works and you must've known for a while now."

I look away. "Yea, I found out the night I went to see Michael. I wanted to tell you but…we both know what can happen with this pregnancy Jason."

"Whatever happens we're in this together." He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. "Don't hide anything from me again."

I tear up. Damn hormones. "I won't." I feel his hand tense around mine. "What's wrong?"

Sonny and Kate make their way over to our table. Sonny looks at our joined hands. "Um, how've you been?"

"We're good." Jason says shortly.

Kate snuggles closer to Sonny. "Well Carly, I see it didn't take you long to move past Jax."

"And I see it didn't take long for you to forgive Sonny for our tumble in the limo." I shoot back at her. "So much for that if he sleeps with me again rule huh?"

She bristles. "I forgave Sonny because I know it was a moment of weakness. We can move past the…incident…because we have trust. I know he will never make a mistake like that again. I trust he respects me."

I can't help it, I laugh. "You two are perfect for each other."

"Oh Carly, just grow up." Kate shakes her head. "Just because your relationship with Jax isn't as strong as mine and Sonny's is no reason to be rude."

Jason and I exchange looks. Kate is a whack job, seriously, and I have absolutely no use for her. To think of all the time I wasted letting this drab piece of fluff make me crazy. I will never ever forgive her for taking Michael to that warehouse…period. I don't have to forgive her. I can simply forget I ever met the fashion-less shrew name Kate Howard.

"Goodbye." Jason speaks to them both. "And for future reference if you see Carly…go the other way."

Sonny huffs up. "Jason, if I didn't know better I'd think that was a threat."

"It's not." He says flatly. "Kate and Carly have no reason to talk to each other. They're not friends and you know Carly still blames her for what happened to Michael. If Kate feels a need to press her, I will press back. Keep her away from Carly." He picks up another fry and completely dismisses their presence.

I look at him with a wicked smirk. "You are so getting laid for that."

"I was getting laid anyway." He smirks back at me.

Kate mutters under her breath. "Slut."

"You do not want to start with me." I warn her then roll my eyes. "You know what? Today even you can't get to me Kate. Why are you still here? Why don't you and Sonny go enjoy your…love and leave us alone?"

Sonny places his hand at the small of her back and leads her to the elevators. Jason and I continue to eat and tease each other. He asks if I've made an appointment with Dr. Lee yet.

"Yes." I admit guiltily. "I have my first appointment at 3."

He closes his eyes and blows out a breath and I know he's ticked. "And you weren't going to tell me."

"Not about this one, no." I admit. "I just wanted to make sure everything is okay first."

He checks his watch as he stands. "I have a meeting but I'll pick you up at 2:30."

"Okay." I give him a hug and turn my cheek to accept his kiss. He turns my chin and kisses me lovingly on the lips. We've hugged and held hands in public but this is the first time he's ever openly kissed me. I can only imagine how quickly the rumor mill will start to churn. I guess I better call mama before she hears it from someone else.

When he draws away, we see Sonny staring at us from across the lobby. Jason doesn't speak but his eyes hold a devilish gleam as he winks at me. It doesn't take long. Sonny's beside us instantly.

"How long has this been going on?" He demands to know. "Where you together when you decided to take my business?"

I roll my eyes. "He decided? Didn't you blackmail him into it Sonny? Don't rewrite history here okay. You wanted out. You wanted to go play coffee importer in your new life with Kate and you begged Jason to let you out." I feel Jason's hand on my back and it calms me…a little bit.

"Carly and I are together." Jason says simply. "It's happened. Find a way to deal with it."

"Jason did you lie to me?" Sonny wants to know. "When Carly told me the baby was yours…was it possible? Have you been sleeping together all this time?"

Jason's jaw clenches tightly. "I don't owe you any explanations. I told you that day at the penthouse. I shouldn't have to tell you again."

"I can't believe you'd betray me like this." Sonny shakes his head sadly.

I see it coming but Sonny doesn't so he has no time to duck.

"Son of a b…" Jason roars. "I'm betraying you?!"

I quickly move into Jason's path to block him from hitting him again. "Jason, there's a lobby full of people. You don't need to be arrested for assault." I urge as I place my hands on his chest. "We have important business at 3, remember? You don't want to be in lock up."

His eyes catch mine and he calms…slightly. He nods as he runs his hand through his short spikes. I step closer and run my hand down his cheek.

"I love you."

He closes his eyes. "I love you too." He looks down at Sonny. "Stay away from me and stay away from my woman. I won't tell you again." He leaves and I sigh.

Sonny brushes himself off as he stands. "So you've finally done it. You finally came between us."

"Why don't you take a page from your Precious Kate's book and grow up Sonny?" I shake my head and walk away. I won't play the game with him and I will not be sucked back in. I have the man I want. I'm almost happy. Screw Sonny.