On This Father's Day
by temo

Alexis worked the brush through her hair. Her hair. God, it felt good although it didn't look particularly good. It had grown back in odd spurts so it was different lengths and almost completely gray, which was a total shock. Sure, she had dyed her hair for years, but there had only been a few dozen or so strands of gray. It was short, too short to even try to style, but she loved being able to brush her own hair again.

Kristina was at a barbeque with her dad. Sonny had invited her too, but she had declined. She wasn't in the mood for celebrating sperm donors … Oh God, what an awful thing to say. Okay, she hadn't said it, and she truly didn't think that of Sonny. She didn't think it of Ric either. Ric was far worse than that. No … she wasn't going there today. By this time next year Ric would be begging to get their daughter for a few hours on Father's Day. She was working quietly on a reconsideration appeal.

She wasn't announcing it to the world, in fact she hadn't told anyone, but she was now officially in remission. She hadn't even told Kristina, but somehow the little one knew.

"I'm so happy, Mommy … I'm so happy you're better."

"Better?"

Kristina nodded.

"I guess I am feeling a little better," Alexis replied. She was deathly afraid that the remission would be short-lived.

Kristina smiled up at her. "You're all better. Everything will be okay now."

And things were better. She had no intention of telling Ric she was back. She didn't want to be D.A. again, but she was gathering evidence with the help of Cruz and Lucky and even Sonny. Ric was corrupt, and he was one deal away from not only losing his job, but winding up in jail. Alexis had no intention of letting that happen. She didn't want Molly having to visit Daddy in prison, but things were going to change radically.

Sam laid the daisies down on the grass.

"Hey, Dad," she said quietly. "Happy Father's Day."

She eased herself down and sat cross-legged. "Sorry I haven't been around much … it's been hard … a really hard couple of years. I miss you though. I know, it surprises me too."

Sam could almost hear Cody's disbelieving laughter.

"Why didn't you tell me? I don't get it. You knew it killed me that Evelyn didn't love me … why … why didn't you just tell me that I was adopted. I mean, it's not like you would have been afraid of losing me … more than once you made it clear, your life would be easier without me. So why the mystery?

"Yeah, like I'm gonna get an answer. I wonder if you knew who I was. If you knew that I was a Cassadine when you set your sights on them as a mark? Mikkos … my maternal Grandfather … told Alexis he hand-picked the family to raise me … and no offense, but I can't picture him choosing you and Evelyn … maybe he just lied to her? I guess that's probably it.

"Well, anyway, I found my biological mother last year. Things didn't go well. Um … they couldn't have gone worse actually. It's mostly my fault. I'm still a major screwup. But before I go, I want you to know that I love you … and I'm grateful that you did your best with me; I know you did. Bye."

"I'm glad you're having a good time, Kristina. Can I speak to your dad for a minute?"

Alexis looked at her reflection and played with her hair. A couple more weeks and she'd call Josef and have him work his magic, but for now the wig was staying.

"Hey, Sonny, I was just wondering when you were bringing Kristina home."

"Well, sure … but she has camp in the morning … Okay, just send one of the guys over and I'll have her backpack ready … Yes, I'm sure I don't want to join you and Carly and Jax for a barbeque … Okay, I'll talk to you later."

The doorbell rang.

"Wow, he's good," she said, chuckling.

"Hi." Sam waved through the screen.

"Sam, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't need to knock or ring the bell, unless you lost your key?"

"What would that matter; you never lock the door." Sam smiled back. She let herself in.

"Happy Father's Day …"

"Right," Alexis answered. She pulled Sam in for a quick hug, and then held her at arms length. "Why are you here?"

"I … um … you said it was okay … I'm sorry, I …"

"Sam, it's okay, I'm glad to see you … but you seem …"

"Oh, I was at the cemetery. It's sort of depressing … how much of my family is in one."

Alexis took her hand and pulled her to the couch.

"I know the feeling. You visited Cody?"

"Uh huh …" Sam studied her nails.

"Sam?" Alexis placed a hand on her chin and forced her face up so that their eyes met. Sam closed hers. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing … I … forget it …"

Alexis took a deep breath. She'd been dreading this moment, but it had been over a year … it was long overdue. "Is there something you need to ask me?"

Sam scrunched her face and squinted her eyes. She looked for all the world to be six years old.

"Could you tell me about my father?"