Family Ties
by Susanne

Chapter 3 - Sonny's Funeral

A few days later the day of Sonny's funeral had arrived. Alexis still hadn't told Kristina about her father's death in fear of the child completely closing off like Alexis had when her mother had died. Alexis was sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hands at the breakfast table just staring into thin air.

Cameron: "Hey…You OK?" He asked entering the kitchen.

Alexis: "Yeah…Considering today is the day my daughter's father get's buried. Have you checked in on Kristina yet?"

Cameron: "Yeah…She's sleeping like an angel."

Alexis: "Not knowing that her entire life is about to change in ways she can't even imagine."

Cameron: "So - I take it that you haven't told her about Sonny yet?"

Alexis: "How can I? Every time Sonny used to walk in the door Kristina would light up - something in her eyes would just shine, and now I'm about to put out that light - for good!"

Cameron: "I don't mean to seem like a selfish jerk, but is it at all possible that Sonny has faked his death? I mean…It isn't like he hasn't done it before?"

Alexis: "Jax was telling me the same thing the other day, but I know that Sonny wouldn't do this to his daughter - he wouldn't put her through this kind of pain for no reason other than his enemies have gotten too close."

Cameron: "He did leave Brenda standing at the altar due to the dangers surrounding him, and he did fake his own death, while you were carrying Kristina!"

Alexis: "He wouldn't do it Cameron - he wouldn't!" She exclaimed looking at him with fire in her eyes.

Cameron: "OK - let's change the subject, huh?"

Alexis: "Let's…" She replied quietly taking a sip of coffee.

Cameron: "How do you feel about it?"

Alexis: "Trying to play psychiatrist again?" She asked playfully.

Cameron: "You must have some feelings about Sonny's death, and I don't think that this is the time for you to close yourself up!"

Alexis: "I'm not closing myself up Cameron - I'm just deciding not to talk about it. The only thing I can focus on right now is to make this transition easier on Kristina."

Cameron: "I know that Alexis, but…"

Alexis: "And if I'm going to be successful in that I need you more than ever. Can you be there for me, and stop being suspicious towards Sonny's death?" She asked placing her hand on top of his.

Cameron: "You know I can!" He exclaimed putting his other hand on top of his promising to be there for her.

Kristina: "Mommy?" The little girl asked rubbing her eyes from sleep.

Alexis: "Good morning sweetheart!" She exclaimed, as Kristina walked over to Cameron and Alexis, and sat down on Alexis' lap.

Cameron: "How did you sleep Squirt?" He asked tussling her hair a little.

Kristina: "OK!" She yawned.

Alexis: "Would you give us a little time to talk?"

Cameron: "Sure - I'll head upstairs to get ready!" He exclaimed getting up from the chair before kissing Alexis on the lips, and Kristina on the forehead.

Kristina: "What is it mommy? You look sad!"

Alexis: "I need to talk to you about something very important sweetie, and I need for you to listen, and ask questions afterwards if you don't understand, OK?" She asked, as she carried Kristina into the livingroom, and sat down with her on her lap in the couch.

Kristina: "OK." She promised, as she looked at her mother.

Alexis: "First you need to understand that your daddy loves you very, very much and we've both been blessed to have him in our lives."

Kristina: "Especially when he makes me Grandpa's pancakes!"

Alexis: "Right…But honey…When daddy isn't around uncle Jax is here, or uncle Cameron, or Grandpa - and you love them too!"

Kristina: "Not more than daddy or you."

Alexis: "Off course not! Honey…God! This is so hard! Do you remember when we talked about auntie Kristina, and how she's in heaven with God looking out for us?"

Kristina: "Yeah…Just like both my Grandmother's!"

Alexis: "Well honey…A few days ago God decided that daddy needed to come to heaven…Do you understand?"

Kristina: "NO - MY DADDY'S NOT DEAD!!!!" She screamed trying to get out of Alexis' hold on her, but Alexis was holding her tight knowing that this had to come sooner or later.

Alexis: "Baby - listen to me, OK? Daddy was in an accident, and he died. And we're going someplace today to remember daddy, OK? He needs to be remembered because of the great man he was."

Kristina: "I don't wanna…" She immediately began sobbing, as Alexis grabbed her, and held her full force into her chest, rocking her daughter letting her know that she wasn't alone in mourning the loss of Sonny Corinthos - the only question that remained was: did Alexis mourn the loss of her daughter's father, or the loss of a lost love? Only time would tell.

After the funeral the guests, which consisted of Ric, Elizabeth, Jason, Courtney, Carly, Michael, Cameron, Jax, Alexis and Kristina had gathered at 'Kelly's' to have some food, and remember the lost life of Sonny Corinthos. Kristina hadn't talked one word since this morning, and the only person she allowed to touch her was Alexis.

Alexis: "Honey? Do you want some pie?" She asked turning to Kristina sitting at a table together with Cameron and Jax.

Jax: "Krissy?" He asked trying to get eye contact with his Goddaughter.

Alexis: "Honey…You have to eat something!" The little girl simply shook her head in a way of saying 'no thank you'.

Jax: "When was the last time she uttered a word?"

Alexis: "This morning when I told her. Maybe it was a mistake?"

Jax: "Off course not, and besides this is an awful side effect of being Sonny Corinthos' child."

Cameron: "Doesn't Carly seem pretty together? I mean…Her husband just died, and I don't think that I caught her shedding a tear!"

Alexis: "That's Carly for you! Listen…I need to go and thank Ric and Elizabeth for putting this together so soon - come on you!" She exclaimed placing Kristina's hand in hers.

Ric: "Alexis…How is it going?"

Alexis: "As well as it can I guess - and you?"

Ric: "OK - I just can't believe that he's gone!"

Elizabeth: "It almost seems unreal, and to judge by Carly's appearance it wouldn't seem as if he's even dead. How is she doing?" She asked referring to Kristina.

Alexis: "She hasn't spoken a word since I told her, and won't let anyone but me touch her. But I'm sure that a good nights sleep will fix that. I actually came to thank you guys for putting this together so quickly - one less thing for me to go and obsess about."

Ric: "We were happy to do it - call if you need anything, OK?" He replied hugging her tightly.

Alexis: "I will, thanks!" She exclaimed, as she and Kristina returned to the table, and sitting down.

Jax: "Isn't it about bedtime for you Munchkin?" He asked smiling.

Cameron: "It is getting late! Maybe we should head on home?" He asked getting up.

Alexis: "You're probably right! Come on sweetie!" She replied, as she got up from the chair with Kristina's hand in hers.

Jax: "Take care, OK?" He replied hugging Alexis goodbye, and shaking Cameron's hand before they all turned their noses homewards.

When Alexis had put Kristina to sleep, she returned to the livingroom where Cameron was sipping a cup of coffee reading the day's paper.

Alexis: "She's finally asleep!" She exclaimed sitting opposite Cameron on the couch.

Cameron: "Has she accepted Sonny being gone?"

Alexis: "Nope! She said one word to me before closing her eyes."

Cameron: "And that was?" He asked intrigued.

Alexis: "Daddy's not dead! And she kept on insisting on it!"

Cameron: "I talked to Jax about my little theory, and…"

Alexis: "How many times do I have to tell you? Sonny hasn't faked his own death! He wouldn't do that to me, and he sure as hell wouldn't do that to his daughter!"

Cameron: "There are factors to consider here, Alexis!"

Alexis: "Such as?"

Cameron: "Sonny leads a dangerous life, he's cheated death at numerous times, he's faked his death before, he's got the resources to do it, Carly didn't seem like the mourning widow, and today's paper even states 'was the murder on Mr. Sonny Corinthos of Port Charles staged or real?'".

Alexis: "My God! How can you sit there, and believe a paper more than me? I know that Sonny wouldn't put his only child through this after everything he went through to get access to her!"

Cameron: "I remember the trial!"

Alexis: "Good! Then you might also remember Judge Farmer's final words." She replied going back in time to the custody battle that had nearly cost Alexis her daughter.

*** FLASHBACK ***

Judge Farmer: "I know that neither one of you are perfect, but you are the only parents that Kristina has got so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I know that everything you've done for your daughter Ms. Davis has been out of love, but I can't willingly cut Mr. Corinthos out of Kristina's life just because of hearsay of his profession. That being said Mr. Corinthos I do believe this hearsay but because there's no hard evidence of your profession I'll give you some slack. But…If you at any time get caught or tried for anything criminal linked to your profession sole custody of Kristina Chloe Davis will be given to Ms. Davis - no questions asked - got it?"

*** FLASHBACK ***

Alexis: "He would not give up the child he's been waiting for due to some enemies of his having gone amuck! He loves Kristina far too much to do so."

Cameron: "You know him better than me - I guess I'll take your word for it!" He replied looking doubtful

chapter 4