Carly, Jason, and the boys are cuddling on the couch watching a movie, curled up under a blanket. She had given a sad, pouty face to convince them to pile onto the couch with her. When they are all snuggled in next to her, Carly gives a happy purr that has Jason's eyes heating up.
He gives his head the slightest shake. He definitely wasn't thinking about that right now with Morgan curled into his lap.
Jason feels conflicted. Sitting here with Carly and Michael is bringing back all the longing for this family, back when they still lived together in this penthouse. Some of his happiest days were when they were raising Michael together, just the three of them. And here they are again, building a family. Only this time, she is pregnant with his child and it's infinitely more complicated.
But complicated doesn't mean he wants her any less. The memories of their night together are always close to the surface, tempting him with how good they could be. When they are together, it's a fire that burns hotter than with any other women he's ever been with. And there was so much more than sex this time around, a trust and tenderness that had been missing when they were younger. It's a fire he could easily get addicted to, get consumed by. In the past, he has run away scared, scared of what she makes him feel and scared of having it ripped away. Is he willing to risk his heart again? The last time he longed for a family with this woman, opening his heart to her, he got pulverized.
With a bang that makes all the people on the couch jump, the penthouse door slams open. "What the hell is going on here?" Sonny demands with a dark look.
All four heads pop up at the intrusion. Morgan is the only one who doesn't look concerned.
"Hey, Daddy! We're living with Uncle Jason now! Isn't that cool? And I'm gonna be a big brother!" He looks excitedly up at his father, expecting him to be as happy about the news as he is.
Carly sees his brows lower, his expression turning ugly and dark. Wanting to spare her sons another blow up, she tells them, "Hey, why don't you go up and get your pjs on and brush your teeth. Mommy and Uncle Jase are going to talk to Daddy, catch him up on everything that's happened."
"Do I have to?" Morgan whines.
"Yes, you have to. Michael, will you help your brother get ready for bed?" Carly commands.
Michael looks hesitantly between the adults in the room, reluctant to leave his mother. Jason puts his hand on his shoulder, reassuring him, "It'll be okay. I'll watch over your mom."
He finally nods, but turns to his father with a serious expression and says, "Be nice to Mom. She doesn't feel good."
Sonny gives his son a tight nod. When the boys leave the room, Sonny booms out, "You're pregnant and living with Jason? What the hell did I miss?" His face gets darker, "Did Candyboy do something to hurt you?"
"Sonny, why don't you sit down?" Jason asks. He is watching his friend like he's a bomb about to explode.
"Don't coddle me. Just tell me what the hell's going on!" Sonny argues.
Carly tells him, "Jax and I are over. Mainly because I am pregnant with someone else's baby."
Jason sees a fleeting look of joy cross Sonny's face when she admits her marriage is over, quickly replaced by fury at the news of her pregnancy. "Whose baby?" He demands.
Carly looks at Jason, who clears his throat, and says, "Mine."
Sonny picks up a clock sitting on the side table, throwing it at the wall. As it shatters all over the floor, Jason steps in front of Carly, putting himself between her and her ex-husband. "Sonny, calm down. Let us explain. It happened the night I found Sam in bed with Ric. I was a wreck, and she came to make sure I was okay. It just happened."
"I told Jax this morning, and… well, it's clear how he took it." Carly adds.
"It just happened?! That's your explanation?! What, you fell and accidentally impregnated her? Are you kidding me right now?!" Sonny rages.
Carly lights up in fury, "How does this have anything to do with you? What gives you the right to have a say in who I have a child with?"
"You are the mother of my children! I have the right! And, Jason?! Haven't you screwed up his life enough already?" Sonny asks snidely.
"She is not screwing up my life, Sonny," Jason argues.
Sonny acts like he doesn't hear Jason, directing all his attention to Carly. "So, you guys made a stupid mistake, and you decided to move you and the boys into his home? Why don't you come stay with me, and let Jason have his life back."
Jason's voice gets hard, demanding Sonny's attention, "She doesn't need to go anywhere. She and the boys are fine here."
Sonny finally turns his attention to Jason, "Don't you talk to me. How could you do this to me? She is off limits and you damn well know it."
"Excuse me?!" Carly yells. "You do not get to dictate who I can have sex with! You get absolutely no say in my love life. And the audacity of you saying that to Jason; we were his family first!"
"You were my wife! You are the mother of my children, so what you do impacts them. I get a say!" He steps closer, pulling himself to his full height.
"I know you aren't suggesting that Jason is somehow harmful to our children. No one is better for our boys, better to our boys than Jason. You trust him with your life, Sonny! And when you talk about our children, remember that one of them was also Jason's first. So be very careful with what you say! I'm not going to let you imply that Jason or I are hurting the kids in any way! You don't like it, that's fine. You. don't. get. a. say." She grits out, each word a punch. She's so angry her hands are shaking with it.
Jason is watching her carefully, and sees the moment she is overcome with a wave of nausea. Her hand flies to her mouth, and she rushes to the downstairs bathroom.
Turning to Sonny, Jason gets right up in his face, "I know you want her back, that's what this is all about. You have to back off! You know what her pregnancies are like. You know the danger she and that baby are in. I'm asking you, as my friend, as my brother, to leave her alone. And if not for me, do it for her. Don't put extra stress on her right now!"
"Your friend?! Your brother?! A friend or brother wouldn't stab me in the back. How could you do it? You know how I feel about her!" Sonny pushes forward as he yells until the two men are chest to chest.
"Don't. You knew how I felt about her and you slept with her anyway. I forgave you even though you ripped my heart out and killed the chance for us to be a family. But, you don't get to take away my family again! I won't let you. If I have to fight you, I will." Jason's voice is deadly as he pushes back against Sonny. "Now, I am going to go check on her, and when I get back, I want you out of my home."
"Jason, they're mine." Sonny says desperately.
As he walks out of the room, he fires back, "Not anymore."
Sonny gives his back a look that is filled with violence. "Don't count on that," he threatens before slamming out of the apartment.
Sitting down beside Carly on the bathroom floor, Jason uses a washcloth on her face. She leans against him, looking miserable. "I don't think our daughter is a fan of Sonny."
He chuckles, "Apparently not. Are you okay?"
"Yes. No…" Her face crumples, "I don't know. I'm tired of fighting, with Jax, with Sonny. Can we just hide in here and keep everyone else out?"
"Here in the bathroom?" He teases, "I don't think we'll be very comfortable."
"I bet I could make it comfortable." She says looking around the bathroom.
Hugging her to his side, he admits, "I bet you could." He lays his head on hers, "I'm sorry. I wish I could take it all away for you. I'd carry it all if I could."
"You carry enough," she tells him with a yawn, patting him on the arm.
He stands up, then leans down to pick her up. She lays her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. As she snuggles into his arms, he feels that old longing welling up in him. And he gives in, finally admitting to himself that he wants a family with this woman. That it's worth the risk. But with her sick in his arms, with the risks that come with her pregnancies, he knows he has to be patient and strategic. He isn't going to risk losing her all over again.