"Wow, talk about the rocky road to true love!" Carly C. said as she carried a plate of crackers, following Carly T., who had a bowl of melted cheese in her hands. "So what you're saying is that Julia, who tipped off your wacko ex-husband as to where you were and ruined your wedding day to Jack, was forgiven for everything she did, yet Jack can't give you another chance, when you did it all to save him and your son's life?"

"That's pretty much the story," answered Carly T. She set the bowl of melted cheese on top of a folded cloth on Sonny and Carly's coffee table and flopped her body on the couch.

"It doesn't seem right to me, after everything that happened between you and Jack, that you aren't together. I mean, look at the plans you made-the land he bought for your dream house, the family you both wanted, and the passion that you share. I don't understand why Jack would want to stay with Julia when he could have the best life with you," offered Carly C.

"Thanks, Carly, you don't know how much it means to hear someone say that, especially when the person knows some of the horrible things I've done in my past, like trading love for money."

"Well," said Carly C., "the stuff about the $50 million trust, and how a baby by December 31, 1998 would ensure that money; I can't say that I wouldn't have been itching to do it too. In fact, as Jason and Sonny would say, it sounds like a Carly plan all the way!"

"Jason? Um, am I missing something here?" inquired Carly T.

"Jase…oh, where do I start? You're not the only one with a baby story-and after you hear mine, your $50 mil story will seem like something you'd tell Parker at bedtime. I guess I have to go back to when I first came to Port Charles…" began Carly C., but she was distracted by the boat that was sitting on the floor by the fireplace. "Oh, Michael will be so upset if her realizes that boat isn't in his room! He loves that boat-Sonny gave it to him, and he always wants to play with it. I better bring it to him before Leticia starts searching the entire house for the thing."

"Oh, Carly, why don't you let me go upstairs and bring the boat to Michael? Then you can go make sure we cleaned up the kitchen enough-didn't you say that Sonny would be home soon?"

"Yeah, he will. Thanks, Carly, you're a real friend."

"Not at all," said Carly T., smiling as she walked over to the fireplace and picked up Michael's boat. She then began to walk up the stairs as Carly C. got up off the couch and sauntered back into the kitchen. Within a minute, there was the sound of keys at the front door and Sonny opening the door. "Carly?" he called out. "Carly? You home? Carly!"

"Just a sec," Carly yelled from the kitchen.

"Carly, what are you doin' in there? Are you messing with my pots and pans?"

"No, I'm not messin' with your pots and pans," Carly said as she came out of the kitchen and went directly to Sonny, squeezing his chin when she got there.

"Come here, you," Sonny ordered as he took Carly in his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. She responded to his kiss with one of her own and the couple embraced. "I missed you," he said when they finally broke away from each other.

"I missed you too. How did things go today-you didn't work too hard, did you? I mean, you're still recovering, and I don't want you to overdo it."

"I'm fine, Carly, really. And you know I'm not going to tell you much of anything, because I do not discuss business with you. Now, where is Michael?"

"He's upstairs with Leticia, and…" Carly started to tell Sonny about Carly T., but decided to wait until she could introduce her husband and her new girl friend to each other face-to-face.

"And what? Carly, what are you not telling me?" Sonny asked.

"Well, oh, good, here's the perfect opportunity," responded Carly as she saw Carly T. come down from visiting with Michael and Leticia. "Sonny, I want you to meet my friend, Carly Tenney, from Oakdale, Illinois. Carly, this is my husband, Sonny Corinthos."

"Carly, Carly, huh? It's a pleasure," Sonny said, firmly shaking Carly T.'s hand and flashing his dimples at her.

"You too, Sonny. Carly has told me so much about you, and I just love this place that you have," Carly T. replied.

"Thank you. So, how did you and my wife meet?"

"It was very simple, really," interjected Carly C. "I was at the Grill, and I saw Carly just sitting there looking at a picture of her son Parker-he's two, with red hair, a lot like Michael's-and we got to talking about children and being home…and I invited her to come stay here while she's waiting to hear from the airlines about getting back to Illinois, because our house is a lot better than the Port Charles Hotel."

"Yes, Sonny, Carly has been nothing but extraordinarily welcoming to me, and I certainly appreciate the hospitality. I'm not exactly the most popular person in town back home."

"Well, my wife can certainly understand that sentiment, and if she likes you, then you will have a friend for life, because Carly doesn't let go of the people she cares about without a fight. Right, sweetheart?" Sonny said as he looked directly at Carly C. She glared back at him half-menacingly and he kissed her on the cheek to let her know he meant it only in the most loving sense. "So, what do you say to a nice dinner, maybe a little wine, and some fabulous dessert? I'm sure that it will be better than whatever it was that you two were up to in there."

"See, Carly, what did I tell you about Sonny and his control-freakish ways with cooking?" said Carly C., her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm sure it's going to be fabulous, and I thank you both for your kindness; maybe landing in Port Charles wasn't so rotten after all!" replied Carly T.

"After this meal, you will definitely be glad you ended up in Port Charles…and besides, you'll get to see how long it takes my wife to open up the wine bottle," offered Sonny and he and the two Carlys took a walk from the living room into the kitchen…