Jason guides Carly into Diane's office looking determined. He will breathe a little easier knowing his best friend is no longer tied to Jax. That she's a step closer to free, a step closer to being a real family with Jason if his plans go accordingly.
Carly has been quiet today, still reeling from the utter destruction of her life, with two big blow ups in as many days. She feels very much like a failure coming to start divorce proceedings, again. She was so sure Jax was going to be her last marriage. He was perfect on paper: rich, handsome, not a dangerous mobster with mental health challenges. And she couldn't even make it work with him. As much as there were cracks in the relationship, she was the one who blew up this marriage.
She doesn't know what she would do without Jason here supporting her. But, is it fair, moving in with him and loading him down with a pregnant woman and two young boys. All of this is bouncing around in her head like a ball in a pinball machine.
"Jason, Carly, how can I help you today?" Diane asks. The red-headed lawyer was rather fond of Jason, and while she found the blonde at his side rather exasperating and trying at times, she brought in a lot of business. Besides, the two of them definitely made life interesting. She wonders how tax attorneys stand it. Being a defense attorney for a mobster and his hurricane of a moll is where the action is at.
Jason leans forward, looking intent. She knows that look. He's preparing for battle and whoever is on the other side is about to pay. She tilts her head, her eyes eager, as he explains, "I want you to get a divorce for Carly. Jax is going to be out for blood, and I need you to protect Carly's interests."
"Why is Jax out for blood?" Diane asks.
Carly is blunt as she answers, "Because I'm pregnant with Jason's baby."
Diane sits back at the news, surprise lightning up her face. "Well, that would do it." She gets a calculated look as she considers the situation. "That will give Jax favor in the court that Alexis will use to their advantage."
"Could the fact that he's been gone for more of the marriage than he's been here help us at all?" Carly asks.
"It possibly will give you some sympathy, but I'm concerned it will be overshadowed by your… condition. The evidence of your, forgive me for the phrasing, um unfaithfulness is going to be your biggest obstacle." She looks between the two, then, leaning forward, she continues with a matter of fact tone, "Right now, Jax and your marriage could be considered the victim of, well, your connection, however you choose to define it. Our job is to change that perception. We are going to show the court that you are not the villain of the story, but just a lonely mother trying her best."
Jason asks her intently, "What do you need us to do?"
Diane leans back in her chair, "Some opposition research wouldn't hurt." She looks at Jason and Carly critically. "The way we frame your relationship will also have an impact on the court's opinion of this situation. A one night stand or friend with benefits situation will not read well. It makes Carly appear careless and willing to throw away her marriage for a momentary thrill. If, however, this is something serious and committed, that's a story I can sell. A lonely wife whose husband is not around falling for the best friend who is, that could swing some compassion our way."
Carly gives Jason a concerned look, "I'm not sure…"
Jason keeps his eyes on Diane as he cuts in, "We can do that. Carly and the boys are living with me, so we can show them we're serious and committed."
"Excellent. Then, I will get started with the paperwork, get everything in motion." Diane says.
"I'll work on the opposition research, see if I can find anything that can help the proceedings. I'll let you know if I find anything." Jason adds.
He stands up to leave, finally looking at Carly. She remains seated, her mind racing as she replays those words, serious and committed, coming out of Jason's mouth.
After a long moment, he asks her, "Carly? Are you coming? Was there something else you wanted to talk to Diane about?"
Her eyes jump to his. Shaking her head to clear it, she says, "What? Oh, um, no, nothing else."
Standing on knees that are a little shaky, she rises and walks to Jason's side. He reaches his hand out to her, clasping hers protectively as he leads her to the door. She turns around, looking back at the red-headed lawyer who is watching the two with open curiosity, telling her, "Thank you, Diane. We appreciate your help."
Giving Carly a genuine smile, she responds, "It's what you pay me for. And life's never boring with the two of you as clients."
When Carly and Jason are in the car, she looks at him, concerned, "I know you are agreeing to that whole committed thing because you want to help me. But, Jase, you don't have to do that. As long as I get my half of the hotel, that's all I really care about getting. We don't have to put on a charade. I know how much you hate that."
He looks at her silently for a long moment. He doesn't think she's ready to hear that for him it won't be a charade. That he is serious about their relationship and could have kissed Diane at the suggestion. So, instead he tells her, "I am not letting Jax leave you with nothing. You are only in this situation because you were there for me when I needed you."
"So, now you are going to sacrifice having your own life just to help me get a better divorce settlement? That's silly, Jase." She argues.
Taking his eyes briefly off the road to study her, he counters, "You are having my baby and living with me. I would argue that's pretty serious and committed."
She scoffs, "You know that's not what Diane is talking about. It would be a pretense that we are more than friends."
"Once again, I can make the case that we are more than friends. Friends is not a deep enough word for what we are. I consider you my family."
She gives him a tender look, "Me too." Then, she shakes her head, "You are being difficult. We are friends, we are family, but we are not in a committed romantic relationship. And I'd like to remind you, you are the one who has been the most adamant about that fact. You hate having to lie and pretend to be something you're not. I don't want to force you to do that. There's nothing I want from Jax enough to make you do something you hate."
He drives silently, desperately searching for a reason she would accept. Diane's suggestion was a perfect way to ease Carly into building something real with him, letting her see that he can be the man she wants and needs, and he refuses to let the opportunity slip away. When they pull into the parking garage at Harborview Towers, Carly reaches to take off her seatbelt. Jason puts his hand on hers to stop the movement, "I want to do this," then with a look of determination, "I am going to do this for you. Please let me."
"Why?" She asks him, confused. "Why are you so set on doing this?"
Softly, he gives her a partial answer, "I want to take care of my best friend and the mother of my child."
She searches his face, her eyes looking for answers that are elusive. After a long moment, she relents, "Okay. But, Jase, you can change your mind at any point. If you hate it, if it gets to be too much, we end the charade. Agreed?"
Giving her a relieved smile, he says, "Agreed."
"You always go above and beyond for me. Thank you." She leans over to kiss his cheek, but he turns his head at the last second, meeting her lips with his. She freezes for just a moment, then gives his lips a soft, tender kiss. His hand goes to the back of her head, holding her mouth to his for a long moment. When he pulls back, they stay close enough that their noses are almost touching. Carly watches a look of satisfaction cross his face.
Her brows knit and her eyes become more intent. She looks like she's trying to solve a complex puzzle, but some of the pieces are missing.
Pulling back, Jason tells her, "You're thinking too hard." He takes her hand, "It'll all work out. How are you doing? I know today was hard."
She leans her head back against the seat, letting out a deep breath. Her voice quivers as she answers, "I feel like such a failure. I'm like a hurricane that just leaves destruction behind me. Why can't I get the happily ever after? I don't even want some picture perfect relationship, just for a partner who stands beside me through all the crap. But this time… I wrecked this one. Just like I wrecked us back in the day."
"Hopefully, I'm not getting lumped in with hate-sex with Sonny," his tone is teasing, but his eyes are serious.
"Never. Jase, that night with you was amazing. And, honestly, part of the reason I feel rotten is that I blew up my marriage to an arguably good guy, and I don't regret it. If I went back to that night, even knowing how it would turn out, I'd do it again." She confides. "Does that make me awful?"
He gives her a soft look, a gentle smile on his lips, "You are not and never could be awful. And you are not a failure, or if you are I'm right there with you. I prefer to think we're just waiting for the right relationship. Because love is hard, and it's even harder with the wrong person. And just so we're clear, though I am sorry you're struggling, I don't regret that night either." He places his hand on her stomach, tenderly, "I wouldn't change a single thing."
She places her hand on top of his, with misty eyes. "I love you, Jase. How did I ever get lucky enough to have a best friend like you? And since I know you won't say it, I know you love me too."
He gives her a look that's intent and full of emotions, as he confesses, "I love you too, Carly."
She gives him a megawatt smile, clasping his hand in hers. With Jason beside her, maybe she would be okay.