Carly Returns Home

Jason's bond with the baby continued to deepen, but it wasn't that easy for Carly. She avoided the nursery and only went in to see baby Michael on rare occasions. "Are you sure it's okay if Bobbie stops by to check on Michael after he's released from the hospital?" Jason asked as Carly sat up in her hospital bed.

"Sure. If you think it's what's best for Michael. I only want what is best for our son," Carly stated.

Just then Bobbie walked in. "I have your release papers right here, Carly. All I need you to do is to sign them," she said with a smile.

"Release papers? I am getting released?" Carly said, becoming agitated. "I can'tbe released. There is no way Michael's well enough to come home. He's still hooked up to all those tubes and wires."

"That's right. He is, but you're ready. Michael will have to stay a little while longer, but you can go home," Bobbie announced.

"No. No! NOT without my baby," Carly cried out.

"Carly, calm down. You and I will go home and get everything ready for Michael's arrival. We haven't even taken down the Christmas tree yet," Jason said in a soothing voice as he reached for her hand.

"Jason, you need to stay here at the hospital with Michael. He needs you. Our little boy needs his daddy." Tears slowly slid down Carly's face. Everything lately made her so emotional. The fact that she hadn't held her son yet made her feel like the most horrible mother in the world. Sometimes she felt like she didn't deserve to be little Michael's mom.

"Hey, Bobbie, would you mind to give Carly and me a few minutes alone?" Jason asked.

Bobbie nodded. "Sure. I will be right outside in the hallway if you need me."

Looking at Carly with tenderness, Jason wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I know Michael needs me, but you need me, too. You've been through a rough time. You almost died. I will divide my time between being home with you and staying here at the hospital with Michael. When I can't be here, the medical staff will be with Michael. He's going to be okay. He just needs to get stronger and grow a little bit bigger, then he can come home with both of us."

"When will you sleep, Jase?"

He shrugged. "We are about to become full-time parents. We'll never sleep again."

Carly laughed. "You always make me smile again, no matter what." She was beaming. Her cheeks were rosy as she gazed at Jason. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Now will you sign the release papers? I am ready to take you home."

"Okay," she agreed.

A few minutes later, Carly had signed on the dotted line. A nurse helped her get dressed as she prepared to leave. Jason was waiting in the hallway. "Let's go home," he said.

As Carly was pushed down the hallway in a wheelchair, her eyes fleetingly landed on the nursery window. "Michael," she whispered. Her son. He was her baby, but she hadn't even held him yet.

*Some mother I've turned out to be,* she was thinking. *I'm so glad I did one thing right. Jason's his dad.*

She was unusually quiet on the ride back home. Jason held her hand as they neared the penthouse. "Are you alright?" he asked in concern.

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm just tired."

"You should rest up all you can," he suggested. "Because once we bring our son home, neither one of us will sleep again."

Carly really liked the sound of that. Our son. She squeezed Jason's hand. They were about to embark on an amazing adventure together - raising a son. She only hoped she'd be a good mom to Michael. Despite the fact that she was struggling, she loved that little boy so much.