Carly wakes up warm and comfy. She has to fight her way out of dreamland, but when she does, she finds her reality much better than her dreams. She is the little spoon to Jason's big spoon. He has one arm wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against him, his hand resting over her still flat belly, their legs tangled together. Her butt is nestled against his groin, and the feel of his morning wood nestled against her backside has all the wonderfully sore places in her waking up.
They had made love twice last night. The first time was desperate, the month since they were last together had left them both too needy to take their time. The second time though… Carly's breath catches as she thinks about it. It can only be called making love. It was slow and sweet. He was almost reverential in the way he worshiped her body. He had kissed and touched every part of her, and by the time they found completion, her whole body felt like liquid sunshine. She shivers as she remembers the look in his eyes, and the way they stayed connected to hers as they found their bliss.
Just thinking about it brings tears to her eyes again. No one has ever looked at her the way he looks at her, or touched her the way he touches her. It has her longing for a real family for her child, where he has a mommy and daddy who love each other. It's a literal ache in her chest, she wants it so badly.
However, she's decided she's not going to pressure him about it. The last time she fought for more with him, in admittedly the stupidest way possible, she had lost him. This time, she's going to enjoy what they have, and try not to be clingy or demand more.
As he awakens, Jason's hand begins caressing her, starting at her stomach, then moving to cup her breast, his thumb stroking her nipples until she lets out a moan, pressing herself more firmly back against his hard length. He lets out a groan, turning her so she's laying on her back, with Jason settling between her legs propped up over her.
"Good morning," he tells her sweetly, his morning voice scratchy and deep. He has a smile on his face that is somehow both predatory and adoring at the same time. She tries to concentrate on what he's saying, but all she can focus on is not moving her hips. The feel of his hardness pressed against her center combined with the look in his eyes has made her needy. She wants to rub herself all over him, like a cat begging for affection.
"Morning." She tells him, but it comes out as more of a moan.
Seeing her neediness, he feels his desire blazing full force as he leans down and kisses her deeply, finally giving her the friction she needs. Before he gets carried away, Jason pulls back, looking down at her in concern. "How are you feeling? If you're too sore…"
Her nails claw into his back as she tells him, "Jason, I swear to God if you don't get inside…"
She lets out a moan, arching as he does just that. His eyes watch her face as it contorts in pleasure. "God, you're beautiful." He whispers in awe. Then, he proceeds to prove it to her as he brings them both to ecstasy.
Afterwards, they lie cuddled together, letting their hearts settle. Still breathing hard, Carly's head is resting on his chest, her hand caressing his skin. She has a soft, content smile on her face. His smile is wide and proud. If Carly were looking, she would see an expression of such love and possessiveness nakedly blazing in his eyes.
When he can finally speak, he says with awe in his voice, "That was amazing. You're amazing." He buries his hand in her hair, cupping her head. His thumb rubs against her cheek, as he studies her face. She is giving him a smile that wraps around his heart.
"You were pretty spectacular yourself." She tells him. Then, with an adoring look of her own. "You are the one who's amazing, and not just between the sheets." She gives him a sexy smirk, "Though, no one's better. There are no words for how damn impressive you are in that department." She leans up to give him a soft kiss, and when she pulls back, her face is tender. "When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. I already love our baby so much, but I know I can't do it alone. It's too much, too scary. And… I felt so alone. But now…" there are tears in her eyes, "I don't feel alone, and it's all because of you, Jase." The words 'I love you' are on the tip of her tongue, but she holds them back. "I… I'm so glad I have you, so grateful. Our baby has the best man I know as his father."
He kisses her deeply. He feels a wave of love that is so intense it's painful. Most of the world looks at him like he's broken, or if not broken, less capable than everyone else. Only the people on this floor treat him like he's capable, Carly, Sonny, hell, even Brenda never treats him with kid gloves, like people tend to do once they hear about the accident.
But the way Carly is looking at him, like not only is he not broken, but like he might be her hero, it fills him with a burning desire to be the man she sees when she looks at him. It also fills him with joy and a sense of peace. The feeling of being so much more than simply accepted for himself, with no lessons or expectations of change is freeing. It takes away a pressure he didn't even realize was there.
Pulling back from the kiss to breathe, he rests his forehead against hers. He almost tells her he loves her, but decides the moment isn't right. She deserves something more special than a post-sex declaration of love. He wonders how many times men have told her they love her after sex, a meaningless statement thrown out and taken back in the next breath.
Her family and Dr. Jones have given her issues a mile deep, and he never wants to be on the list of people who let her down. When he tells her he loves her, he wants her to be sure, to never have a reason to doubt his love. Where he is concerned, he never wants her to feel insecure.
His face is so close, their noses brush and their breaths mingle. She allows herself to savor this moment. It's so intimate, so vulnerable it makes her chest ache. As sweet as it is, it's also terrifying, this feeling he creates in her. She never allows herself to need anyone. It gives someone else power over you. She had learned young that men are to be used, but should never be given the power to hurt you.
But it doesn't work with Jason, she yearns for him more than the junkies jonesed for drugs back in the trailer park. It's more than the incredible chemistry, the sex that's so intensely sweet and mind-blowingly hot. It's the fact that he sees the real her, the liar, the scammer, the mess, and somehow he still wants to be around her. More than that, he treats her like she's special and worthwhile. It makes her fall deeper in love with him. Being here with Jason like this is the closest she's ever come to Heaven. "I'm happy." She tells him.
He gives her a smile, his eyes smoldering, "What time is the appointment?"
Getting distracted by the look in his eyes, it takes her a second to respond, "Hmm? Oh… uh nine thirty. Why?"
He pushes up, and when he is standing, he pulls her until she has her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist. Picking her up, he gives her a deep, possessive kiss. Carrying her into the bathroom, he says between kisses, "Plenty of time for a shower. I'll get you dirty, then wash you clean."
She shivers at his words, then grabs his head and pulls his mouth back to hers. And suddenly talking is the last thing on their mind.
Later, they are getting dressed for the appointment, with Carly in front of the mirror putting on makeup, and Jason shaving in the other one. He's wiping the foam off his face as he turns his eyes to watch her apply some sort of eye makeup that just confuses him. Hesitantly, he informs her, "When we go out… when you go out, Sonny has decided to give you a guard. It's just a precaution. It's so we can make sure you're safe, both of you."
She stops putting on makeup, standing up and looking at him in confusion, "Why? Other than Luke, no one is coming after me. I'm nobody."
He moves to stand in front of her, his hand reaching for and entwining with hers. Pulling her into his arms, he confesses, "What I do for Sonny… we have enemies who would hurt you to get to me. And after Lily, Sonny is really vigilant. I think with you being pregnant, it's bringing up some stuff for him."
"Wait, who's Lily? And what happened to her?" She asks with a frown.
"She was Sonny's wife, his pregnant wife. She died in a car bomb meant for Sonny." His voice is somber.
"Oh, God." She's glad she's in his arms because her knees shake a little as she asks him. "Do you think someone will…"
"Hey, if I thought anyone was going to hurt you, I'd end them. I'd bury them so deep they could never get to you." His voice is fierce. Then, he tucks her hair behind her ear, and gently reassures her, "This is just a precaution. If there's ever real danger, I will let you know. But, Carly, this is a situation where we don't have a choice. Sonny made the decision, and I follow orders. It's how my world works. I hope you understand." He sees her look down and bite her lips at this. Cupping her neck, his thumb tenderly caresses her face. "Honestly, Sonny may be the one who ordered you guards, but I don't hate knowing you will have someone watching out for you."
She nods, "Okay. I guess that's fine. At least I know Luke won't be able to kill me now."
He tells her seriously, "Luke has been warned that you have mine and Sonny's protection. So, if anyone tries to hurt you, including Luke, they will meet a swift and brutal end. Feel free to lord it over him if you want," he says with a grin, hoping to ease the tension.
She grins up at him, her hand going to cup his cheek, "Thank you for giving me your protection and getting Luke to back off. No one has ever stood up for me like you." She gives him a soft kiss, a kiss of gratitude.
He pulls her tighter to him, deepening the kiss for just a moment, before pulling back. "As much as I would enjoy standing here and kissing you all day, or taking you back to bed and making you come apart all over again, we have an appointment to get to."
She looks up at him in surprise, "You're coming to the appointment with me? I thought you'd be too busy."
Taking her hand, he smiles tenderly, "I'll always make time for you and our child. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Walking into the hospital, Carly groans seeing Bobbie standing at the nurses station. Jason feels her tense, and wraps his arm protectively around her. He guides her reluctantly up to the desk. His eyes cautiously look between the two women.
Bobbie is watching the pair curiously. Tony had shown up on her doorstep after everything and told her what happened, that Carly had cheated on him, and that she and Jason were having a baby. She personally thinks it's excellent karma for her ex-husband. The old saying 'you lose 'em how get 'em' feels a little like vindication. She's still not a fan of the blonde, but she secretly wants to congratulate her on knocking her cheating ex to the curb.
Carly, on the other hand, feels the longing for her mother she always feels when she sees Bobbie. It's at war with the hurt and resentment, like an irritant under the skin, never letting her forget how easily she was thrown away. Though, this baby has also shifted something inside her. She wants everything for this baby that she never had, a family surrounding him so he never feels insecure or alone. A grandmother to turn to.
It's probably a moot point. She's not sure she could give up her hurt and anger to let Bobbie have a place in her life. And even if she could, she doubts her mother would be interested after everything Carly had wrecked. But, maybe she'd want a part in her grandbaby's life, a little voice whispers.
Jason breaks the tense silence by informing Bobbie, "Hi, Carly has an appointment for the OB. Does she need to sign in?"
"I can sign her in. You're here to see Dr. Winters?" She asks Carly.
The blonde nods, "I think so. I don't really remember the name. It's my first visit."
Bobbie's face remains professional as she tells them, "I have checked you in. Have a seat, and we'll call you back when it's time."
She watches the tender way Jason leads her to a seat. A guard standing in the door catches her eye, one of Sonny's men. She raises her eyebrow in surprise. She knows that Jason isn't the one being guarded, having picked up enough about Sonny's organization from his friendship with her brother. The fact that Carly is being guarded says a lot. Very few get that sort of protection from Sonny.
When Carly is called, it's Bobbie leading her into a room. "I have a few questions before I take your vitals. I have some questions about you and your family's medical history. For example, are there any genetic conditions that run in your family? Any history of heart problems or hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or seizures?"
Jason shrugs, telling the nurse, "I don't, but you would know that better than I would with the Quartermaines."
Bobbie smiles at him kindly, "I can find that out for you." She turns her attention to Carly, who is quietly looking down at her hands. "Carly?"
Finally making eye contact, she says hesitantly, "I don't know. I've never had any health issues, but I'm adopted, and I don't know my birth parents' history."
Bobbie and Jason both look at her with different expressions. Bobbie looks compassionately at the young woman, seeing the pain she's trying to hide. She wonders what caused that pain, and why she'd never noticed it before.
Jason, on the other hand, has pride and surprise in his eyes. He had expected her to lie. He knows that's who she is; just as he knows she never lies to him. He wonders sometimes why he gets the privilege of seeing behind the veil. Because for Carly, lies are an armor, a way to keep everyone at a distance. But for some reason, with him the walls are completely down. And, in this moment, she's also choosing to let her mother glimpse behind the mask she's so brilliant at wearing.
Bobbie clears her throat, "I understand. No worries, there are tests we can run that will check for that. When was your last period?"
Carly watches her mother move around the room getting supplies and setting everything up as she asks questions. Her mother is putting on the blood pressure cuff as she tells her, "About six weeks ago."
She pauses long enough to get her readings and writes them in a chart. Then, she's setting up a blood drawing kit. As she unpacks her supplies, she asks the expectant mother, "Have you had any spotting or heavy discharge?"
Carly feels a little embarrassed answering some of these questions in front of Jason, but he stands there so solid and steady that she pushes through it. "No. Nothing like that."
Then, in her practiced nurse voice, she warns as she's about to stick in the needle, "Slight pinch." As the needle painlessly goes in, Carly's surprised, having expected her mother to use the moment to get a little revenge. If she was in her shoes, she's pretty sure she wouldn't be as gentle. An evil smile flashes on her face as she imagines jabbing Robin with a needle. Bobbie breaks her out of her thoughts when she asks, "Are there any other symptoms you've been experiencing?"
"I've been really tired, and my breasts have been tender." Jason looks at her in concern. He knew about the tiredness, but her having tender breasts is new information. Had he been too rough last night and this morning?
Bobbie gives her a reassuring smile, "That's completely normal, and very uncomfortable." She gives her a look of understanding, surprising both women. To hide her discomfort, Bobbie moves on, "Have you had any nausea or changes in your eating habits?"
"Not really. Other than being tired, I feel fine."
"Good. Make sure to include more resting and naps into your day. You and the baby need more of it right now. Also, I'm going to give you a list of foods to steer clear of or limit. Things that can hurt the baby's development. We will send it home with your discharge papers." Bobbie tells her kindly. Finishing up her blood draw, she puts some gauze on the tiny wound, raising Carly's arm up to slow the bleeding.
Jason has been watching with cautious eyes and hanging on every word spoken, making a mental note to make sure she is resting enough and to ask Sonny about the food. He begins to understand what Sonny meant about the weight of protecting his family. He is suddenly aware of all the dangers lurking that could hurt Carly and his child. The thought of anything hurting them feels like a vice around his heart.
Bobbie is talking when he focuses back in, "…just leave the urine specimen cup on the tray in the restroom and put on the gown. Dr. Winters will be here shortly."
Carly goes into the restroom, and when she comes back, she's wearing the thin hospital gown. His eyes heat up, at the same time as he wonders how she can make a hospital gown sexy. He walks to stand in front of her, his eyes vulnerable as he asks, "Why didn't you tell me you were feeling tender? Did I hurt you? Was I too rough at all last night or this morning?"
She is moved by his obvious concern for her. She cups his cheek tenderly as she reassures him, "You were nothing but perfect. You never have and never would hurt me. I know that. And, honestly, I didn't tell you because most guys don't want to know that kind of stuff. It grosses them out."
He looks confused, "Why would your body gross me out? If you are feeling anything, I want to know. How can I take care of you if you don't tell me? I could have hurt you without knowing."
"How are you real?" She asks him in wonder. She leans forward to give him a sweet, tender kiss, pressing her lips to his for long moments. A tear drips down her cheek. As she apologizes, he reaches up to wipe away the tear, "I'm sorry. I will let you know how I'm feeling. I didn't mean to keep it from you. I'm just not used to anybody caring."
He rests his forehead against hers as he rasps out, "Get used to it."
Dr. Winters walks in, giving an awkward cough at the intimate scene. "Hello. Carly Roberts? I'm Dr. Winters. So, congratulations are in order. According to our tests, you are officially pregnant. I'm guessing you're the father?" She asks Jason.
"Yes. Jason Morgan." He gives her a head nod in acknowledgment.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan. I promise to take excellent care of them. Now, let's get you an ultrasound and see how everything is doing." Carly gets up on the bed, her feet in the stirrups. She somehow makes it through the vaginal exam, with embarrassment pinkening her cheeks. The only saving grace is Jason's matter of fact attitude about the whole thing. However, there's no getting through a vaginal exam gracefully.
Then, Dr. Winters is putting cold gel on Carly's stomach, and what looks like a fuzzy out of focus image comes up on the screen. After the doctor points out the tiny bean-like shape in the center of the screen, both feel overwhelmed seeing proof of the fragile life growing inside her. Jason reaches for her hand, holding it tightly clasped in his. He vaguely hears the doctor say they both look healthy and that she's approximately four weeks pregnant. However, the pounding of his heart and a rushing in his ears makes it sound like she's speaking from miles away.
Before this moment, the baby had been an abstract idea to Jason. His focus has primarily been on Carly, how to take care of and protect her. But looking at proof of the life growing in her, a second, equally important focus rises within him. For the first time, he can see his child, someone he already knows he will do anything for, absolutely anything to protect. But as much as the responsibility is a weight to carry, he has never felt such joy and love. Looking in Carly's eyes, he sees that same awe mirrored back. Kissing her forehead, with tears in his eyes, Jason feels a hope and excitement for the future like he's never felt before.