Jason looked at the clock. Who was calling at three in the morning? He picked up the phone. "Morgan?"
"Jason I need your help."
"Where are you?" Jason wrote down where she was and hung up the phone telling her he'd get there as soon as he could. He had met Rachel a month after leaving PC. She was a friend and that was all she would ever be. She was a few years older then him and had three kids. She was on the run from an abusive husband. Jason had promised he would go to her whenever she needed help. But this was the first time she had called since he last seen her a year ago. What was he going to do with Josh?
By morning Jason had packed some stuff for himself and a couple of suitcases for Josh. The kid was a sound sleeper and he was able to get most of the things he knew Josh would want with him. "Dad I just went to play my game and my Nintendo is-" Josh stopped short when he saw all the bags. "What's going on?"
"Rachel needs my help buddy and I can't take you with me."
"Where am I suppose to go?"
"I'm going to put you on a plane to Port Charles."
"Sonny?"
"Yeah. Just tell him who you are and show him this." Jason handed him the old key to Sonny's penthouse. "If he sees this he'll know you are who you say you are."
"I don't want to go dad. You haven't seen these people for years."
"I was planning on going for a few weeks this summer but now is as good as time as any. I'll be there with you soon. I packed your Nintendo, and your drawing stuff. In the backpack I put some CD's, your Walkman, and a few other things for the plane ride. I put an envelope full of money and a letter to give to Sonny in there too. I booked you a flight that will leave an hour before mine."
"What about Wolf?" he asked as his dog came into the room. "I ain't leaving him here."
Jason smiled, he knew the kid so well. "We have to pick up a cage for Wolf at the store on our way to the airport. He's going with you. All you have to do is convince Sonny to let you in."
They got to the airport ten minutes before Josh had to leave. Wolf was put in the cage which the pup definitely didn't like and put on the plane. They were standing by the boarding area when the first call went over the intercom. "You'll be there soon right?"
"I promise. Listen Josh, Sonny's address is in your backpack. When you get off the plane you get your bags and go to the front of the airport. You get a cab and then tell them the address."
"Dad I'm not dumb I got it okay. Be careful please. Tell Aunt Rachel and the kids I said hi."
"I will." Jason hugged his son who was trying to look so brave to be doing this by himself. "Sonny will take care of you. Stay out of trouble."
"I will." Josh gave the lady his ticket and started to board the plane. He turned towards Jason and said, "I love you dad."
Jason nodded, "I love you too. I'll see you soon Josh." Jason watched the boy until he couldn't see him anymore. The flight attendant smiled at him and before she shut the door she said, "Don't worry we'll take good care of him."
Jason checked his own bags in and within an hour he was on the plane to California. He just hoped that she would be okay when he got there.
Josh looked up at the Harbor View Towers. It was a big place. Jason had written to get onto the elevator and press P for penthouse. He lugged his bags inside and a few people looked at him awkwardly as the dog followed him. He got onto the elevator, "Come on Wolf." Wolf got onto it and the doors shut. "Here we go, let's hope this guy is as cool as dad said he is." The elevator door opened and Josh pulled his stuff out. Wolf followed him to the door and Josh said, "No boy. Go over there and sit." The dog did it. "I'll get you in a minute Wolf."
He knocked on the door. His two suitcases were on the side of him and his backpack was slung over his shoulder. The door opened and he was looking at a lady. "Uh I'm lookin for Sonny Corenthos. Do I got the wrong place?"
The lady looked at him awkwardly. "No. Hold on a second." She shut the door. "Sonny?"
Sonny came into the room, "Who was at the door?"
"Honey you don't have any long lost kids I don't know about do you?"
"Of course not." Sonny looked at Hannah like she was from another planet.
"Well then did Lilly have any more children?"
"Hannah what's going on? Who was at the door?"
"A kid. He's still there. I told him I would get you. Sonny he has a backpack and two suitcases."
"What!?" Sonny went to the door and opened it up. Hannah hadn't been lying. He watched as the kid sized him up. He had never seen this kid before in his life.
"Are you Mr. Corenthos?"
"Yeah. Who are you? Who sent you here?"
"My dad did."
"Who's your dad? What's your name kid?"
"Joshua Morgan and my dad is Jason." Josh watched as the guy started looking mad. Jason had known that he wouldn't believe him.
"Jason hasn't been gone long enough to have a kid your age. What kind of game are you trying to play kid?"
"He said you wouldn't believe me so he told me to give you this." Josh unzipped his backpack and pulled out the key and the letter with the money in it. He handed it to Sonny.
"Come in." Sonny told him as he grabbed one of the kid's bags. Josh came in and stood near the door-watching Sonny as he looked at the key. "This was Jason's key." He opened the letter.
Sonny, I know this is strange but I need your help. A friend of mine is in trouble and I had to go to her. I had no where else for Josh to go and I didn't want him alone. I don't know how long I am going to be but Josh is a good kid, mostly. Please take care of my son. It seems like I am always saying that to you doesn't it? I'm sorry if this is an inconvenience but I don't trust anyone else to watch out for him. Please take care of him and I'll see you as soon as I can. Sorry about Wolf.Your friend and brother Jason
"What's it say Sonny? Is he really Jason's son?" asked Hannah. Sonny handed her the letter. She read it and said, "Wow. Um Joshua how is Jason your father? He's only been gone six years."
"He adopted me when I was eight. Can I stay here cause if not I want to get back on the plane and go home."
"Your not going anyway." Said Sonny finally. Jason asked him to dot his and he would. "What did he mean sorry about Wolf?"
Josh put his head down and went to the door. He opened it and said, "Come on."
Sonny and Hannah watched as a dog ran into the house and stopped by Josh's side. "This is wolf? It's not a real wolf is it? Does it bite?"
Sonny laughed at Hannah who looked scared, "It's a Siberian Husky." He said to his wife. "Right?"
"Yeah and he's not an it. He don't bite either. Dad got him for me two years ago. If I stay then so does he."
"We aren't supposed to have dogs here." Said Sonny. Then he thought about it and said, "Hey I was never one for the rules."
"Cool!" said Josh. This guy was all right. "Wolf go say hi." He said and the dog went and sat in front of Sonny and stood on his hind legs and put out a paw. He did the same to Hannah.
"Oh he's so adorable." Said Hannah leaning down and petting him. She stood up and said to Josh, "I'm Hannah by the way."
"Hannah's my wife. Listen kid I hope you're up for meeting people cause it's my daughters sixth birthday today and I can't miss the party."
Josh shrugged. "Do they know my dad?"
"Yeah they do. Do you know about Michael?"
"His son. His other son. He said that he left Port Charles cause him being here hurt Michael to much."
"Yeah. So he told you everything huh?"
"Yeah we don't keep no secrets. He told me about his family and how he don't like many of them, the accident, Carly, and you. He said you were the closest thing he ever had to a brother. Thanks for letting me stay here Mr. Corenthos."
Sonny laughed, "You can call me Sonny, or Uncle Sonny which ever you want."
"Dad says it's not polite to call old people by their first names so I guess I'll call you Uncle Sonny." Josh replied. He liked the thought of having an uncle he didn't have any family other than Jason.
Jason hugged her close to him. She looked terrible. "So where are the kids now?"
"Stephie and Tony are at the shelter with a friend of mine. Lisa is here, well in the cafeteria. I have to disappear again before he gets out of jail."
"I know a place I can take you. You and the kids will be safe there. I wish you'd let me take care of this guy."
"And risk you going to jail? No way Jason."
"Okay. Hey Lisa."
Rachel's daughter had just walked into the room. "Uncle Jason!" The thirteen-year-old ran to him and hugged him. "Are you going to help us again?"
"Of course. Why don't you come with me to get your brother and sister? Your mom is being released tonight and you guys can stay at the hotel with me while I make arrangements for you."
Jason was holding four-year-old Tony and holding seven-year old Stephie's hand. He was bringing them to his room at the hotel. When he got there he said, "Lisa you watch out for them I'm going to get your mom."
When the kids went into the bedroom to watch TV Jason sat down on the couch and Rachel sat beside him. "Did he rape you again?"
"Not this time. He hasn't done it since Tony was conceived. Where are you taking us?"
"Pourto Rico. I know some people down there and they'll make sure he never finds you. It's a beautiful place to live Rachel."
"That sounds fine. Where is Josh?"
"I sent him to Port Charles."
"What? That means your going back?"
"I was going to anyway. I miss my sister, and I miss my grandmother and my friends. I wanted Josh to know his family even if they aren't blood related legally they are his family."
"You're my family and your not blood related. I will never know how to thank you enough for all that help you have given me over the years."
"You and the kids being safe is all that matters to me. I'm going to make some arrangements why don't you go lay down."
Sonny felt all eyes on the kid when they entered the brownstone. He looked at Josh who had his backpack slung over his shoulder and his dog behind him. Josh had refused to make Wolf stay outside. Bobbie and Roy walked up to him. "Who are your friends Sonny?" asked Roy.
Sonny looked at Josh and he shrugged, "This is Wolf and Joshua Morgan."
Bobbie started to smiled and then stopped, "Morgan? You mean…he can't be."
"I was adopted."
Bobbie nodded and said, "Well it's nice to meet you. Jason was a very good friend of mine."
"Sonny have you been in touch with Jason this whole time?" asked Roy.
"No the kid just showed up. Jason had to do something and asked me to look out for him until he picked him up."
"So he's coming back?" asked Bobbie.
"Apparently." Said Sonny. "Listen I'm going to go talk to Carly. I don't want to surprise her with him."
Carly took the cake from the freezer. She had bought a huge ice cream cake because it was Hayley's favorite. She still couldn't believe her little girl was going to be six years old. That meant it had been six years and seven moths that Jason had been gone. Almost seven years. He was never coming back. She had given up wishing for that a long time ago. "Sonny, your finally here. Have you seen Hayley yet cause she's been asking for you?"
"No I haven't. Carly sit down a minute."
"Oh God what happened?"
Sonny smiled, "Don't worry it's nothing serious I mean no one was hurt." Carly sat and Sonny did too. "A kid showed up at my door today. He told me his name was Josh and he was Jason's son."
"What!?"
"That's what I said. It was the truth though. He's thirteen years old and Jason adopted him when he was eight. Jason had to help a friend so he sent Joshua to stay with me. He's uh…he'll be picking him up when he's done."
"He's coming home?"
"Just to get the kid."
"Oh." God she had just been thinking that Jason would never come back. "A kid."
"Yeah I no. Uh Carly…you still love him don't you?"
Carly looked down and then got up and made herself busy. She wouldn't answer him. "Go see our daughter Sonny."
Josh hated this. All these people looked at him weird. He was Jason's son and practically none of them believed it. He was sitting in the backyard throwing Wolf's ball to him. He had come outside almost an hour ago. He had on his Walkman and was listening to his favorite singer Juan Santiago. When he first bought the CD Jason had told him that Juan lived in Port Charles and used to date his sister. Josh jumped when someone lifted his headphones off. "Hiding out?"
"I guess. Who're you?"
"Lucas. I live here."
"You Carly's kid?"
"Nah I'm her brother. You really Jason's son?"
"Yeah. I mean not blood or anything but he is my dad. Did you know him?"
"Yeah he was my nephew's father. He used to play ball with me when I would see him in the park with Mike."
"Cool. Is there anything to do around here?"
"Yeah some things I guess. We ain't got beaches like Florida but there's this pond behind this mansion that me and my cousin Lulu sneak to, to go swimming. You should hang with us sometime. How old are you?"
"Thirteen."
"Cool. I'm fourteen but Lulu is thirteen too. Want to meet her? She's inside."
Josh shrugged, "Your mom don't like my dog."
Lucas laughed, "That's cause my cousin Lucky's dog used to come over all the time and he was always chewing something."
Josh laughed, he like this kid. "Wolf don't chew anything anymore. Can we leave him back here?"
"Sure you just got to clean up any mess he makes."
"Cool. Stay Wolf." The boys went into the house.
Carly watched as Jason's son, her brother and cousin sat on the steps leading to upstairs talking. They seemed to be getting along really well. She went over to them and said, "hey you guys can go down to my place if you don't want to hangout with the little ones."
"Cool thanks Carly." Said Lucas. "Josh did you meet my sister?"
"Nah."
"Hi Josh I'm Carly."
"You were my dad's best friend. He was right you are hot."
Carly smiled as the kids went through the door and down the stairs. Jason had told the kid she was hot. That had to count for something. She wondered if she would see him when he came to town, would he stay for a few days? Or was he just picking up Josh and then leaving again?