Chapter 13 Carly stepped out of the elevator and told Michael, “We're almost there, you ready to see Uncle Jase?” Michael cried, “Yeah!” and grinned at her. Carly couldn't help grinning back. She loved this little bundle of energy so much. She walked Michael over to the penthouse door. “Hey Renaldo. You stuck with door duty today, huh?” “Heya, Naldo!” Michael said happily. He could never say Renaldo's name right so he came up with the nickname. “Hello Miss…” He wasn't sure what her name was anymore. “It's Spencer this year. You gotta keep up with these things. Is Jason home? Alone?” “Ms. Scorpio is still here.” Renaldo said stone-faced. Carly tried not to show her disappointment. The one time she asks Jason to put her wishes before Robin's, he doesn't. “Oh, why don't you announce us, Naldo.” She said with false cheer using Michael's nickname for him. Renaldo knocked on the door once. They all heard Jason yell “Enter!” Renaldo opened the door and said, “Ms. Spencer and son.” Michael skipped ahead of Carly. When he saw Jason he said. “Uncle Jase!” and ran for him. Jason caught him and swung him up for a tight hug. “Hey buddy!” Carly went over to the couch. She laid down her purse on the coffee table and sat down. She smiled at the sight of Jason and Michael. It was obvious the two had missed each other. She was happy that they finally had some time together. She watched as Michael whispered some secret into Jason's ear and was glad that he took it seriously. “I wanna see the water.” Michael announced. Jason put him down and let him run over to the large windows that overlooked the docks. “He's full of energy today.” Jason said as he watched him. “He's been up since five, terrorizing Leticia and Mrs. Landsbury. He was so excited when I told him that we were coming today that he didn't sleep at all last night, I'm sure.” They watched as Michael waved to people who couldn't possibly see him. “Jason, Nal-I mean Renaldo told me that Robin was here.” Jason tried not to sigh. The last thing he needed or wanted was Carly accusing him of going back on his deal. “I told Robin that you two were coming over and that she shouldn't be here. She was supposed to be at L&B but she came back for some papers she forgot.” Likely story, Carly thought. But it did prove that Jason thought of her feelings sometimes. “Hmmmm.” was all she said. “Oh, hello, Carly. I didn't know it was four all ready.” Robin said from the top of the stairs. “Four o'clock on the dot.” Carly held up her watch. “Well, I was just getting out of your way.” Robin said as she came down the stairs. I hope she falls, Carly thought. Robin stopped in front of Michael, who had turned around at the sound of her voice. “Hi, Michael. Remember me? Robin?” “Wobbin?” Michael said innocently. “No, Rrrrrobin.” She corrected him, stressing the r. “Slobbin?” Michael said with a mischievous grin. Carly tried not to laugh. Her boy was a true Spencer. Robin gave up. “Cute, kid. I'm going back to work now, Jason. I'll be back in time for dinner. I've planned a nice romantic dinner. For two.” Robin said directly to Carly letting her now that she expected Michael and Carly to be long gone by then. Jason sighed. “Whatever.” Robin came over and gave him a kiss on the lips then left the penthouse. “So what do you have planned for today?” Carly asked as Jason wiped away Robin's lipstick. “We're going to the park. Graciella packed a picnic for us. I gotta go upstairs and change.” Jason started up the stairs. “So you've learned it's not wise to go to the park in a business suit?” Carly smiled. “Yeah, I learned my lesson after the last time I went to the park with Michael. He dumped sand all over my suit and had the gall to laugh at me.” Carly laughed. “That's my boy. Okay, go on up and change. But be quick about it. Mikey's anxious to get a move on.” ~~~~~~~~ Carly sat on the picnic blanket and smothered a giggle. Michael was running both Jason and Johnny ragged. Renaldo stood quietly behind Carly. After demanding that both Jason and Johnny play in the sandbox, a plea neither could resist, he had Jason push him repeatedly on the swings. Now he was trying to coax Jason into going down the slide with him. “Aw, go on Jase!” Carly called out. This I gotta see, she thought. Jason shook his head. “It's too small.” He told her. Michael looked up at him with his big blue eyes and his mouth set in a pout. “Pwease, Uncle Jase, Pwease!” Jason muttered. “I can't believe I'm doing this. All right let's go.” “Yea!” Michael yelled. He climbed up the ladder and waited for Jason to come up behind him. Carly whipped out her camera and aimed it at the. “Say cheese!” She yelled happily. Jason, who was trying to get Michael and himself situated, held up a hand. “Wait!” Unfortunately that caused him and Michael to slide down and they ended up a jumbled mess in the dirt. Michael laughed and clapped his hands. “Again!” Jason groaned and made his way over to the blanket. He dropped down next to Carly. “That child is dangerous. Just like his mother.” He smiled into her eyes. Carly laughed. “Hey, we Spencers are one dangerous lot.” Michael flopped down on her other side. “I want juice.” He demanded. “What do you say?” Carly asked in that voice she used to hate when Virginia used it on her. Michael said. “I want juice, Mommy. Please?” “Okay but first let me clean you up a bit.” Carly whipped out the wet naps she always carried now. She wiped at his hands and mouth. She gave him a juice box and a cookie. She noticed Jason smiling at her. “What are you smiling at?” Jason lounged comfortably on the blanket. “You. And Michael. You're very good with him.” Carly moved Michael's hair out of his eyes. “I love him so much.” “It shows.” “How about I get a picture of you and Michael. Mikey go sit next to Uncle Jason.” Jason sat up and plopped Michael on his lap. Carly told them, “I want big smiles!” They gave her big grins and she clicked the camera. “I got an idea. Johnny!” Jason called. “Take a picture for us. Carly come over here.” Carly gave Johnny the camera and moved over to Jason's side of the blanket. She sat close to him and pulled Michael onto her lap. Jason threw his arm over her shoulders and pulled her in closer. Carly smiled and gingerly laid her head on his shoulder. Johnny took the picture and gave Carly the camera back. Carly said softly. “Thanks.” Jason pressed a quick kiss to her temple and said. “No, thank you. For today.”