Chapter 41: Bring Me to Life
Note: Never been to family court; never part of a custody hearing. Thank the Lord. So any mistake is mine and mine alone.
Also the address for Jax’s new place should be next door to Elizabeth if the Web reporting of Elizabeth’s address is accurate. So for all purposes, let’s say it is. I doubt Carly would recognize the address, but Jason should.
Early Monday morning
Monday came a little too soon for Carly Corinthos.
She had spent the entire weekend, closed up in her house with Josslyn and Morgan.
Of course, her son Morgan had locked himself in his room and refused to speak to her. He wouldn’t even come out for meals. Carly knew that Morgan had wanted to go to the sleepover at a friend’s house on Friday night, but Carly didn’t like the boy’s mother, so she had refused to let Morgan go to the party.
She had shrugged and told Mercedes that Morgan would get over it. She had more important things to worry about. Like how Jason was going to work it so that she got to keep custody of Joss. Carly had been so positive when she left Jason’s penthouse on Thursday night that Jason would help her.
Now, she was beginning to have doubts.
She had tried to reach Jason all weekend and couldn’t. Late Sunday night she went to his penthouse, but he didn’t answer the door, she tried her key. Her key didn’t work. It seemed Jason changed the locks. Carly hoped that changing the locks was a sign that Jason had kicked Sam out the door.
The reason Carly tried to talk to Jason after he had told her to go home late Thursday night was that she wanted him at court to support her on Monday. She really was starting to fear that Jax was going to win and she was going to lose.
Social services had called Carly late Friday at the MetroCourt and said to have both Morgan and Joss ready by seven Monday morning. Social service would pick up both of her children and bring them to court. Once the judge ruled, social services would hand the children over to the parent who had primary custody.
Carly still hoped that Jason was able to do something to turn things in her favor.
She knew Sonny had the jet ready, she knew she could have disappeared with Morgan and Joss, but she hadn’t wanted to disappear. She wanted to stay in Port Charles. If she took the kids, she would be a fugitive and that wasn’t the life she wanted.
She had a hotel to run and an image to protect. She was in charge of the hotel until Jax got a buyer for his shares. Diane had informed her when she handed the divorce papers to her that Jax had offered his shares to Nikolas first and then Jason.
The last resort was some Italian family, the Bellinis. While Carly knew that she could work with Nikolas, she wanted him to refuse. She wanted Jason to buy Jax out. She could see it now – she and Jason together, running the MetroCourt.
Social services picked up Morgan and Joss and Carly promised them, she would see them in a few hours. She told Morgan not to worry, everything would be fine. He ignored her.
Carly called Jason one more time and told him again, she needed his support. She expected to see him at Family Court.
***
Jax was nervous. He had spent the night at the new house. He hoped that Morgan would be comfortable here. He wondered what would happen if he lost. How he would handle it. He had a spy planted near Sonny’s jet. He would, at least, be able to stop Carly if she ran.
Everyone – Kate, Matt, Elizabeth – had assured him that he would win. He had to hold onto that. Still he was scared. He had no Plan B.
As he walked out of the house to his car, he looked over at Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth, Kate and Cameron helped keep his mind off of today’s decision during the long weekend. It was so good to have friends like Kate and Elizabeth, especially Elizabeth.
Last night, he had watched Elizabeth with Cameron and he could only hope and pray that he would be as good a parent to Joss and Morgan as Elizabeth was a parent to Cameron. She had left early last night to put Cameron to bed, while Kate had stayed. They had shared a bottle of wine from Jake’s winery – Elizabeth had decided to call the winery Jake’s – and conversation.
Kate was a smart and astute businesswoman, he had bounced ideas for his new hotel off of her and she had shared her plans for the boutique. They made a good team, Jax was beginning to realize.
Time for court, Jax sighed as he drove away without a glimpse of his new neighbors.
***
Carly, hoping that Jason was already at the courthouse waiting for her, arrived at the courthouse and looked around. No Jason, no Diane, she noted, walking into the courtroom. She sat down at the table and sighed. She couldn’t believe it all came down to this. Carly Corinthos sitting alone in an empty room.
She pulled out her cellphone and looked to see if Jason had called her back. Nothing. She tried Jason’s number one more time and got voice mail. She refused to leave him one more message to be ignored.
***
Jason was out on his motorcycle, trying to clear his brain.
He had left his Penthouse around three in the morning, just after he awoke shaking from his latest dream. He had dreamt of Elizabeth locked in the crypt. Every night this past weekend, he repeated the same dream.
Elizabeth was locked in the crypt, locked away from him. And he couldn’t get to her. Someone or something got in his way and delayed him. Sonny, Carly, Sam, Spinelli all tried to block his way to Elizabeth. All of them wanted him to put them first; told him that Elizabeth could wait, they needed him more.
But he knew deep down that despite what they said, Elizabeth did need him. She needed him. She needed him to put her first. He finally got to the crypt where Elizabeth was locked away from him. He couldn’t get the lock open at the crypt.
He struggled and it wasn’t enough. He couldn’t break the chains. He panicked just like he had all those years ago.
He prayed and no one answered his prayers.
And then, the crypt exploded. And Elizabeth was gone forever. He didn’t save Elizabeth. He lost Elizabeth forever.
And he had woken up each time, screaming. And he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was too late. That it was all too late.
Jason has spent the early morning, speeding on his motorcycle, hoping to see the wind. Hoping to keep another connection to Elizabeth.
Now, it was time to return to Port Charles and face the fallout.
Jason rode back into Port Charles and stopped to look at his cell phone, to see if Paulie or Herman or EJ had called with updates or information. It was already past nine in the morning, they should be at work. He wondered if he should drop by their office for an update.
Looking at his messages, he saw that he has missed a call from Carly, just a few minutes ago. He knew Carly wanted him to show up in court this morning, if the thousands, OK, hundreds of messages were a hint.
Jason just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t support her in this custody battle.
He didn’t want to be her best friend any more. He wasn’t going to be her go-to guy. Let her understand what it means to stand on her own. And let it start with the mess she had created with this custody battle with Jax.
Jason believed that this all could have been settled if Carly hadn’t been such a nasty, vindictive bitch. If Carly knew how to put someone else’s happiness above her own.
Jason figured that not supporting Carly in her hour of need was going to be a problem for Carly. He expected sooner or later that she would track him down and expect him to do something.
He was just glad he had had Herman change all the locks at the Penthouse after it had been swept. He had had Herman install a new security keypad that even Spinelli wouldn’t be able to bypass.
He really needed to call Spinelli and make arrangements for the Jackal to come to the Penthouse and move his stuff out. The little geek hadn’t been at the Penthouse in about a week and Jason had liked the peace and quiet.
Jason had liked knowing his penthouse was his and his alone. He liked that his Penthouse was now a Carly-Sam-Spin-Free Zone.
Going back to Carly, Jason knew the bigger problem would occur when she was informed that he had turned down Jax’s offer to buy the half-interest in the MetroCourt. He knew Carly expected him to be her partner. He wasn’t a hotel magnate. And he didn’t want to be partners with Carly in any way.
***
The first thing Jax saw when he walked into the Family Court building with Matthew Thorn was Cameron Webber dressed in his Sunday-best button-down shirt and chinos with shoes, not his beloved sneakers.
“Yo! Mr. Jax,” the little scamp waved and ran to wrap his arms around Jax’s legs. “We’re here to take you and your family out to brunch at Kelly’s,” Cameron informed his friend and neighbor.
He pointed to the two women sitting on the chairs near the courtroom door. “There’s my momma and Katie Kate.”
“I see,” Jax said with tears in his eyes. “It sounds like a plan,” he told Cameron, swinging him up and carrying him over to Kate and Elizabeth.
The two women stood and waited to give Jax a hug of encouragement and support.
“You didn’t think we would let you do this alone, did you?” Elizabeth whispered in Jax’s ear as she hugged him. The words only made him hug her tighter.
While Jax and Elizabeth were in mid-hug, Diane Miller walked down the hallway.
“Mr. Thorn,” Kate greeted Jax’s attorney. “Mr. Jacks,” she said with a nod as Elizabeth broke from Jax’s arms.
“Hi, Diane,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
“Morning, ladies,” Kate said to both women.
“Diane,” Kate murmured.
“I see we are all on time,” Diane stated the obvious. “Has anyone seen Carly?”
Carly popped out of the hearing room and took in the inhabitants of the hallway. She searched again and realized that Jason wasn’t there.
Carly, ignoring the others, walked over to Diane and quietly asked her attorney if she had heard from Jason.
“No, sorry, Carly,” Diane said. “I called him Friday after the judge’s office notified me. He got the message.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did he say anything about showing up this morning?” Carly asked, close to tears.
“Sorry, no,” Diane shook her head and motioned to Carly to go back into the room. Jax and Matthew turned to follow. Kate gave Jax two thumbs up before the door closed.
Carly and Diane sat down at their table, while Jax and Matt sat at Jax’s table. The judge’s clerk came in and told them it would be a few minutes. The clerk also informed all parties that Social Services had the children in the judge’s chambers awaiting the ruling.
Once the judge issued the decision, the parent who had primary custody would be able to pick up the child and once the papers were signed, would have custody. The clerk expressed the hope that this conclusion to the custody case would be without theatrics.
Shortly after the clerk took a seat, the judge walked in and sat down, wishing everyone a good morning.
“Before I issue my decision, I have to acknowledge that I received addenda filed by Mr. Jasper Jax’s team on Friday prior to the deadline. This is correct, Mr. Thorn?”
“Yes, it is, Your Honor,” Matt stood and verified.
“And,” the judge turned to Diane and Carly, “there were no further petitions, statements or addenda filed on behalf of Ms. Carly Corinthos?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Diane said, standing. “No paperwork was filed other than what was previously in the judge’s hands.”
Carly whispered to Diane after she sat down. “Jason didn’t ask you to file any paperwork?”
Diane shook her head at her soon-to-be ex-client. “Carly, I haven’t heard from Jason at all. He didn’t ask me to file anything. In fact, he didn’t say anything when I called him. I’m sorry.”
Carly just took a deep breath and turned to focus on the judge.
“For the record, the addenda had no bearing on my decision. And for clarification, Mr. Jasper Jacks filed a change of address for his place of residence from the MetroCourt to a house at 456 Lexington Avenue in the Queen’s Point section of Port Charles. According to the paperwork filed, Mr. Jacks is leasing the house, correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Jax stood and then clarified, “It will be my residence until my condo in The Docks is ready. Till then, that will be my primary residence.”
“So noted,” the judge nodded. “The other paperwork submitted was a notarized statement by Mercedes Juarez that she had agreed in principle if Mr. Jacks was awarded custody, she would continue her duties as nanny. Again, this agreement had no bearing on the decision. But it was nice to know that if Mr. Jacks was awarded custody, the one constant in the lives of Morgan Stone Corinthos and Josslyn Jacks would continue.”
“That said, this was not an easy decision. Deciding custody when both parents are seeking full custody is a little like playing Solomon. My mission is not to do what is right for the parent but to do what is right for the child. In this case, two children.”
“Whatever is decided, someone is going to be hurt, someone is going to be upset. I have a question for the parties before I issue my ruling.”
“Was any overture made from the end of testimony till now by either party for a compromise?”
“No, Your Honor,” both attorneys stated.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I would have preferred that Mr. Jacks and Ms. Corinthos would have come to an agreement and I would not have to issue a ruling. So be it.”
“My decision is thus. Morgan Stone Corinthos, though not the biological child of Jasper Jacks has stated his preference to live with his step-father Jasper Jacks. His wishes weighed heavily with the court and at this time full and sole custody of the eight-year-old minor child Morgan Corinthos has been awarded to Mr. Jasper Jacks. His biological mother Carly Corinthos is awarded visitation as Morgan Corinthos deems acceptable.”
“Do you understand, Mr. Jacks?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Are you prepared to accept full custody of Morgan Stone Corinthos at this time?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“So noted. I would like to revisit this ruling in nine months. At that time, further petitions will be entertained. Do you understand, Ms. Corinthos? That at this time, Mr. Jacks has sole and full custody of Morgan and that you have limited visitation in that you may see Morgan only when he wishes or when he requests visitation.”
“The priviso is that in nine months this order will be evaluated and, if circumstances have changed, the custody order may be revised. Do you understand, Ms. Corinthos?”
Diane jabbed Carly with her elbow.
“Yes, Your Honor,” a subdued Carly agreed to the ruling.
“In the case of the minor child Josslyn Jacks, this court awards sole and full custody to Mr. Jasper Jacks. The court allows for a period of six months, no contact and no visitation rights to Ms. Carly Corinthos.”
“Ms. Corinthos, do you understand this ruling? That you have no rights to your minor daughter and that for the next six months you are to have no contact and no visitation. After the six-month period is complete, I would like to see both of you in my office and at that time I would like to re-evaluate the ruling.”
“Ms. Corinthos, you have six months to change my mind. So I would suggest you make some changes. Clean up your act. Take a parenting class. And maybe, just maybe I might change my mind in six months and award you limited visitation.”
“Ms. Miller, at this time I would like to warn your client, Ms. Corinthos, that failure to abide by the no-contact rule for the next six months can and will result in a restraining order keeping her from her daughter. Ms. Corinthos, I want you to understand that repeated offenses will see you being charged with child endangerment. Right now, Ms. Corinthos, you are a detriment to that child’s development. Do you understand my ruling, Ms. Corinthos?”
“You are taking my daughter away from me for six months,” Carly said. “I don’t understand why.”
“To make it clear, this court has found you to be an unfit mother. This court is taking steps to ensure the safety of your minor child Josslyn. No access to that child is the preventative measures that this court has deemed necessary.”
“Now, do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Carly replied in a quiet voice.
“So noted,” the judge said with a nod and a warning look to Carly.
“Mr. Jacks, are you ready to take sole and full custody of your biological daughter Josslyn at this time?
Yes, Your Honor,” a smiling Jax stood and said.
“Court is recessed.”
Carly moved to Jax with tears in her eyes. Looking at her daughter’s father, all she said was, “Jax” with tears in her voice.
Jax hardened his heart and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Carly. You brought this on yourself with your actions.”
Jax made a move to follow the judge so that he could pick up his children from the woman from Social Services, who was in the judge‘s chambers.
“Jax,” a humbled Carly stopped him. “Can I at least go with you and kiss Joss good-bye?”
“You heard the judge, Carly. There is to be no contact for six months. I’m sorry. I’m not starting my new life by ignoring the judge’s order. I’m not going to endanger my child. I’m sorry. Take care of yourself.”
And Jax walked away leaving Carly standing in the courtroom, alone, by herself.
Jax called Mercedes to inform her of the judge’s decision and told her to take the week off so he could spend the time getting Morgan used to his new home. And then he picked up his precious baby girl to take her home. He smiled at Morgan and told Morgan that he would be living with him.
And for the first time in a long time, Jax saw the boy with a real smile on his face.
Jax walked down the hall to where Matt was waiting with Elizabeth, Cameron and Kate. Jax had Joss in his arms and had Morgan by his hand. When Cameron spied them coming, he went running to greet them.
“Yo! I’s hungry. Are we going to have brunch at Kelly’s now? Cause I am dying for a chocolate milkshake,” Cameron informed Jax before turning to Morgan. “Hey, Morgan, did you know you are going to be living next door to me and my momma and Katie Kate? We have Super Soakers and my mom said if I behave at lunch and don’t get my good clothes messy we can have a battle today. Do you want to play with us? You can be on my team. It‘ll be us guys against the girls. But,” Cameron said in a big stage whisper, “you gotta watch out for my mom and Katie Kate, they can be reeeeaaaalllly sneaky.”
Morgan looked up to Jax for permission. Jax just nodded his head and said, “Cam will be living next door and if you don’t play today, you can play tomorrow.”
“No, uh-uh,” Cameron interrupted. “We play today. And today, Morgan, you get to pick out which room you want to have as yours at Mr. Jax’s house. And you get to pick the colors and the decorations on the walls and stuff. My momma said you can sleep in my room with me tonight. We can have a sleepover, just the two of us. I’m sorry you missed the one Friday. It was real fun. And we play today cause tomorrow we paint the walls in your room and you and Mr. Jax get to buy you a bed and furniture and other stuff.”
Cameron, Morgan, Jax and Joss had reached Kate and Elizabeth, standing with Matt, who had given them the good news.
“So, everyone, ready for breakfast, lunch or just chocolate milkshakes at Kelly’s?” Elizabeth asked.
Matt begged off, saying he had to get over to the MetroCourt and check out before he got thrown out. But he would stop by the house before he left town.
“Well, I guess it’s just the six of us. Ready for Kelly’s?” Elizabeth pronounced.
Morgan just smiled and said that it would be nice to see Grandpa Mike since he didn’t remember the last time he had visited with him. So the group just turned to go to Kelly’s, hoping to get out of the building before Carly exited.
“You have a grandpa?” Cameron asked Morgan. “You’re really lucky. I don’t. What’s it like? I have a Grams, but she’s in Florida now, you know where Mickey lives. So what’s it like having a Gramps?” Cameron asked as he grabbed Morgan’s hand and started pulling him toward Kelly’s. He stopped, turned and looked at his mom and Katie Kate and Mr. Jax, who was still holding the baby, to make sure they were following.
“Yo! Let’s goooooooooooo!!! Morgan and I are hungry!!!! Right, Morgan?”
Morgan, who had only eaten what Mercedes had snuck upstairs for him, turned to Jax and said, “Cam’s right. I’m starving. So, Yo!!!”
“Yo! Let’s go,” Kate laughed and scampered to catch the two boys and take each by a hand.


