Part II

"Do you think the Dog Lady will be there? She's pretty and I like her dog Rosie. Are you sure Grandma is going to be there? Is Mommy going to meet us? Do you think Santa will bring the video game I asked for?" Michael asked, words tumbling over themselves.

Sonny sighed and said, "Michael, I told you. Your Aunt Courtney will be there - please stop calling her the Dog Lady - and no, Rosie won't be there because dogs aren't allowed in the hospital. Yes, Grandma will be there, she never misses a party. Mommy said she had something to take care of and would meet us there and I wouldn't be surprised if Santa will wait until Christmas to bring your present - that is if you are very good and stop asking questions. He knows those things. Ok?"

"Ok," he called as he ran off to play with the train Jason brought him.

Sonny shook his head and laughed - kids with questions. Michael was growing up and asking more of them and the answers soon would not come easily. He shook his head again, went to the bar and lifted the stopper on the decanter. He looked down at his hand and what had become an unconscious habit - reaching for a drink. Since May he spent more time standing here with a drink in hand and that said something and it wasn't positive. He could almost hear Alexis's voice asking him if that drink was really necessary and what was he hiding from. Loaded question, old friend, loaded question.

He was looking forward to taking Michael to the GH Christmas party where he could spend time around other kids. Listening to his and Carly's fight/reassurance/fight cycle was an almost daily occurance for Michael and for just a little while he wanted him to stop worrying about them and have some fun. But he most of all wanted to attend hoping to see Alexis and her baby. He found out from Bobbie that Kristina was going home tomorrow and Alexis was excited about taking her to her first GH Christmas party. The last time he saw her was in NICU when, in his ham-handed way of trying to make sure she was okay, picked the first excuse that came into his head - the old can-you-recommend-a-lawyer ploy - and knew the instant he looked at her tired and anguished face he'd made a mistake while in that same instant knew he was exactly where he should be - with his best friend. Before they could even begin to talk, the monitors went off and so did Alexis with a slap that made the inside of his head roar. It wasn't how he wanted it to be but he was forced to walk away when all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and do everything within his power to make everything right - baby Kristina's life, their relationship, everything. Silly to even try but something inside him kept a tiny flame flickering in front of hope's altar that someday they would be together again - in every way. He still clung to the fantasy, in the still of the night when reality suspends itself and dreams come true, that little Kristina was theirs and they would be coming home to him. Something in his heart told him all was not as it seemed but he chalked that up to resentment that his dream had been snuffed out, Ned replacing him in Alexis's life. Most of it was his fault, all the wrong decisions and mislaid good intentions, but Alexis too was at fault, closing in on herself and making decisions for him when they should have done what they'd come to do so well together - work through a problem and resolve it. Sonny thought, perhaps the problems were too insurmountable, the dreams too unrealistic to make happen.

He hoped he would hear something from her after sending the gardenia when Kristina was released from NICU. He worded the card in just a way that was very neutral yet promised so many things. But Alexis experienced first hand how much his "promises" could be relied on so he shouldn't be surprised it meant nothing to her. She probably threw it away the minute she knew who sent it. He knew both Johnny and Benny visited her often but neither of them indicated she'd mentioned anything to do with him. Johnny said she focused only on her little girl. Little Kristina… named after that firebrand of an aunt, an aunt she would never know because of what his world caused. Even if I didn't set that bomb, it was what surrounded me that caused it, he thought bitterly. He missed his friend, he'd messed up so much in the months since they'd fallen out, he needed her calm focus, he needed her back in his life. Nothing was right and no matter how much he tried to make his life with Carly work, he knew he was pushing a rock up a hill and life had to be more than that. Alexis had slowly started to show him life could be fascinating and enjoyable and he missed their shared quiet moments sipping cappuccino and playing cards. He felt peace in those days and now all he felt was a rough undertow pulling him down, drowning in his own excuse for a life.

"Ready to go, Michael?" Sonny asked as Michael ran the train off the tracks and it crashed into the wall.

"Yep!" cried Michael, running to the door.

Audrey Hardy arranged the last candy cane on the Christmas tree, turned off the conference room lights and stood silently, a serene smile on her face. Her mind could almost hear the children, their high-pitched laughter, the oohs and aahs they would cry as they saw the tree lights twinkle, candy canes filling the branches, whispering Santa's name, eyes glistening. She walked over to the large red velvet chair - Steve's chair - and ran her hand over the plush surface as if she were once again caressing his face. Steve Hardy had always loved Christmas, the hustle and bustle of shopping, the scent of pine trees as they walked to the tree vendor to choose just the right tree, sugar cookies and making his special eggnog, even untangling the Christmas lights made him happy. But, most of all, he loved watching children at this time of year, their simple joy and anticipation always made him think of all he had and all he was thankful for in his life. But of all the children, he'd loved the children of GH the most, the sons and daughters of staff and most especially the ones who clung to life, the season giving them a lift, a small respite from worry. He'd started the annual Christmas party for those special children and it was his happiest moment each year as he told the Christmas story from the Gospel of St. Luke, watching the children's luminous eyes, their awestruck smiles as he told of a child born in humility but surrounded by love, a child whose cry brought the angels out to dance and sing and proclaim joy to all the world. He never tired of sharing that story and showing the children that the same love that surrounded that tiny baby so long ago still lived in their hearts. Audrey sighed and closed her eyes, her mind on Steve and the feeling of loss she still carried. But on this day, at this party, she always felt him standing by her side smiling at the joy that a simple story, Santa and the kindness of others can bring to the heart of a child.

She had one more stop to make before heading to her office to get ready for the party. Little Kristina Davis was going home tomorrow and she wanted to check in with her and her Mother. After the dust-up in NICU, which would not have happened were she here instead of away at a conference, she tried to stop in often to visit with Alexis and her daughter. The trauma of Kristina's premature birth made the early days fearful for Alexis and Audrey wanted to be a reassuring presence for her. Truth be told, with her children and grandchildren away and Elizabeth always busy with her own life, it felt good to give away some of the love she had inside, to be needed. She picked up the gift she bought for Kristina and strolled down the corridor to the nurses desk heading for the elevator.

"Audrey, is everything ready for the party?" Bobbie asked as she completed a chart.

"The room is ready, candy canes are plentiful but is Tony ready to put on his Ho-Ho-Ho voice?" Audrey smiled as she stopped by the desk.

Bobbie laughed, "I heard him practicing in the on-call room. He's almost got it, just a few more octaves lower to go. Playing Santa for the children always makes him happy. I do believe if he wasn't playing our Santa he'd need to take a job at the mall to get his yearly Santa fix."

Audrey laughed and with a wave headed off to see Alexis. As she approached the room, she noticed the door was open. Odd, Alexis usually closed it for privacy. The sound of singing, low and melodic, came to her and she smiled. Alexis was singing to her daughter. No, that can't be right, thought Audrey, she can't sing. So knocking gently, she peeked around the corner to see Lucky Spencer sitting next to the bassinet, strumming his guitar as soft as a whisper, singing as he gazed at Kristina. That seemed to be standard operating procedure as everyone who looked upon that beautiful face with matching dimples just fell in love. Alexis confided to her that she was already worried about the effect of those dimples on the male members of the planet. Audrey listened as he finished, put down the guitar and gave Kristina a kiss on the cheek.

"That was lovely, Lucky, I'm sure Kristina has already fallen in love with you," Audrey said with a smile.

"She is a beauty, like her Mom. Looks like I'll just have to wait until she grows up - I hope she likes older men," Lucky laughed as he stroked her tiny hand.

"Where's Alexis?" Audrey asked, looking around the room.

"I stopped by on my way to pick up Nicholas for the party and she asked me to babysit while she stopped down to the gift shop. She'll be back in a few minutes," replied Lucky.

A few minutes later, Alexis rushed into the room, her arms filled with bags. Dropping them on the bed she turned to Audrey.

"Hello! Ugh! Christmas shopping! I haven't been able to get away so my options were quite limited but I had to do some shopping with Christmas happening tomorrow," Alexis said, still huffing. She walked over to the bassinet and gave her daughter a kiss and then planted one on Lucky's cheek as a red blush slowly suffused his face.

"Thanks, Lucky, my troubadour! You are the only person whose singing doesn't make her cry. Heard me once and that was it for Mom," she snickered, "and she makes a face like she's passing gas when Ned sings to her which I find quite amusing."

Lucky chuckled at the Ned comment since he disliked Ned and didn't reply. He liked Alexis alot, she'd done so much for him and for his Dad even when neither of them wanted to be helped and pushed her away. She just pushed back even harder not giving up and that made him want to give her something back.

"Well, gotta go and pick up Nicholas. We'll see you at the party," Lucky said as he leaned over to kiss Kristina. "Good-bye girlfriend, see you on the flip side."

"He's quite a young man," Audrey said thoughtfully. "I was sorry to see Elizabeth break it off with him."

Alexis said quietly, "Sometimes the decisions we make are not the ones we want but ones that are best for the other person. They are never easy but are often necessary."

She thought of the gardenia, now dried but still fragrant, sitting in her dresser, the card resting beside it. Each time she inhaled the scent, she felt a door long unused creak open just a bit more, beckoning her to step inside. Sonny sent her that as a message, a message he knew she would understand even given the chasm that yawned between them for so many months. So much anger and bitterness, their friendship tested beyond anything they ever could imagine and still, knowing each others hearts as they did, he approached her in a way that was very Sonny, tentative and unbearably sweet. That was the Sonny she knew and loved, the Sonny she wanted to share her daughter with knowing what it would mean to him. To her the gardenia was a remembrance of what was and perhaps a suggestion, a way for it to be regained. Each day as she watched Kristina thrive she thought more and more about taking that step, sharing this secret gift with him regardless of consequences, devising scenarios, an endless mediation of the tug-of-war between her mind and her heart. She knew what her heart wanted but her mind kept trotting out reasons to remain as she was. She'd stopped listening to Ned wax on and on about The Evil That Was Sonny and banned him from speaking about it in front of her daughter. Her daughter, Sonny's daughter.

Audrey stepped over and lightly touched Kristina's cheek, so baby-soft. Such a little fighter against odds stacked against her and here she lay, healthy and smiling the smile of innocence. If only we could remain that way all our lives, Audrey thought ruefully.

"Well, tomorrow is the day. Are you and Kristina ready to leave our little nest?" Audrey asked with a smile.

Alexis laughed, "And HOW! Not that I haven't come to appreciate some of the finer things GH has to offer but to sleep in my own bed, to lay Kristina in her own room surrounded by angels and puffy clouds and stuffed animals, well Audrey it will do my heart a world of good." She picked up Kristina still marveling at the beauty of the handmade outfit Cameron gave her. She looked just like a Christmas angel.

"What a beautiful holiday outfit, Alexis. Hand crocheted? It looks as if was made with love," Audrey murmured as she touched its creamy warmth.

Alexis smiled shyly and replied, "It is… Cameron gave it to Kristina… a Christmas present to wear to her first party." Alexis recalled the look of happiness on his face when he gave it to her and saw her obvious pleasure.

"Well, everyone is going to adore her. I wish Steve were here, he would have been crazy for her," Audrey said wistfully.

Alexis touched her hand, looked into her eyes and said, "He is here Audrey, in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him. He's there when the children laugh and pretend they don't recognize Tony in his Santa suit, when Alan reads the story, he's in every nook and cranny of this hospital, his legacy still lives and breathes. And I just know my daughter would be just as crazy about him."

Audrey struggled to hold back tears. She'd come to know Alexis over the last weeks not as a high-powered lawyer or a Cassadine but as a woman and mother. She was an amazing person and this little girl was truly blessed. Still, despite her happiness at bringing her daughter home, Audrey sensed something unsettled within her. It wasn't overt but she would see flickers of sadness in her eyes and an uneasy contemplative look rest on her face when she thought people weren't watching her. Audrey had the impression it had nothing to do with Kristina but something else, perhaps Ned. He wasn't here as often as most new fathers and they certainly did not seem as close as two people who shared a child but it wasn't her business. If Alexis wanted to talk, she knew where to find her.

"I couldn't allow your little one to leave without giving her a Christmas gift. Now she's not to open it until Christmas morning in her own home," Audrey smiled as she handed Alexis a package wrapped in shiny green paper covered with laughing Santas.

Alexis smiled and looked at this lovely lady who'd come to mean so much to her. Audrey Hardy was very wise, unbelievably non-judgmental, and knew just how to rock a crying baby to sleep. Alexis liked her very much and was looking forward to inviting her over to spend time with Kristina.

"Thank you, Audrey not only for this but for all you did for us. I want you to come and visit us as often as you can - you will always be welcome. We'll see you at the party, I'm sure you've been very good this year so Santa must have something special for you," Alexis said with a grin as she hugged Audrey goodbye.

Alexis couldn't wait until she saw her later at the party. She knew the significance of the Christmas story to Audrey and an idea formed in her mind a few weeks ago. She'd contacted her friend Gregory in his little curio shop in London and asked him to locate an item. He had connections everywhere, some places best not scrutinized too closely, and if anyone could find what she wanted it would be him - especially when she told him price was not to be a consideration. He called her a week ago item in hand and, after a minor negotiating tussle which wasn't really necessary but seemed to be expected and, she thought, looked forward to, he shipped it to Audrey Hardy c/o General Hospital. Audrey's secretary alerted Alexis that it arrived and was waiting on her desk. Alexis wasn't the best at picking out gifts but she felt this one was just perfect.

Audrey arrived at her office, her eyes still tearing from her visit with Alexis and Kristina. Her secretary was already gone, probably checking on last minute details. She looked at her watch and found she was running late. She turned on her light and in the middle of her desk was a large flat brown mailing box with a London return address. Running late but piqued, she opened the box to find a package wrapped in shimmering silver paper, a frilled silver and gold bow with curling ribbons cascading down the front. A small envelope was affixed to the wrapping and she opened it and read:

Audrey,

We all have special touchstones in our lives - memories that we wrap around to warm us on cold nights and to bring us peace when times are unsettled. You have helped build happy memories for us these weeks and we want to give you back something to treasure as much as we do you. We hope that this brings to your heart memories of happiness and joy and how a story in the right hands and heart can touch generations.

Christmas Love,
Alexis and Kristina

She carefully removed the wrapping, gazed at the antique gold-tipped frame and started to cry. The frame contained a medieval illuminated manuscript, bordered in gold and hand-lettered in what Audrey recognized as Benedictine scriptoria, illuminated scrollwork used by Benedictine monasteries since the sixth century, historical events and texts transformed into lasting works of beautiful art. A rendering of the Nativity, its pigments and swathes of color almost bringing it to life rested on the left side of the manuscript. On the right side, in hues of gold and blue, was the sacred text from the Gospel of St. Luke - the Christmas Story. She smiled through her tears as it was the most wonderful gift she'd ever received and she knew somewhere Steve was smiling too.

Everyone was gathering by the nurses desk, waiting for the grand march into the conference room and it was pandemonium. There were children everywhere - children playing hide-and-seek in the lounge, children playing tag up and down the hall, children in wheelchairs, on crutches, children shyly hiding in corners or behind their parent's legs, peeking out at elves and Santa's helpers as they sang Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was utter chaos and Alan Quartermaine loved every minute of it. Every year he felt the weight of responsibility since Audrey asked him to read the story after Steve passed away. He still didn't feel it was his place but when he looked out at the faces of all the children and even the staff he knew that this was a tradition that went far beyond telling a story and having Santa give out presents. He looked around and chuckled at Amy in her elf costume with Maxie, Lucas and Georgie helping out. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Cameron Lewis standing out of sight, arms crossed, watching intently as if he were amused but also couldn't get enough of the energy.

Sonny exited the elevator with Michael and promptly was knocked over by two little girls in colorful fuzzy robes. They blushed, mumbled "sorry" and ran down the hall. Laughing, he took Michael over to where Bobbie was standing talking to Elizabeth.

"Grandma!" Michael yelled as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Hello Michael, are you ready to meet Santa?" Bobbie asked as she tried to unwrap his arms from around her waist.

"You bet, I wrote him a long letter and I'll just bet he has my present," Michael said, squirming and looking around.

Georgie ran over, grabbed Michael's hand and said, "Hey, Michael, want to be one of Santa's helpers? It'll be fun!"

Michael's eyes grew wide, turning to Sonny he asked, "Can I, please?"

Sonny smiled and said, "Sure, you go have fun."

Sonny watched Michael as he ran off with Georgie, both talking a mile a minute and laughing. It was good to see him have fun.

"Is Carly coming?" asked Bobbie as the desk nurse motioned for her to come to the phone.

"She said she had something to do but she would be here eventually," Sonny replied quietly.

"Well, duty calls, see you later".

Sonny moved over to the lounge and watched from a distance. He'd never seen so many kids in one small place before. He looked around, hoping to see Alexis but figured she'll probably go directly to the conference room to avoid this madhouse. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a bearded man observing the riot that was going on in front of him. He studied everything and everyone intensely and when someone greeted him, he recognized the name. So this was the shrink who was treating Luke for his dip into the crazy end of the pool and who, per Johnny, visited Alexis nearly every day. Johnny didn't think it had anything to do with her mental state since everything calmed down once Kristina was out of danger. No, Johnny said it seemed to be more of a friendship as he caught them laughing and joking as they walked with Kristina down the hall. He felt a momentary rush of jealousy and then just as quickly brought himself up short. They were so torn apart, who was he to be jealous that she had a new friend. So the guy was a doctor, handsome and witty - she had a right to a life. But it still nagged at him. Ned he could deal with because no matter what anyone said - including Alexis - there was no "there" there. He'd been with her throughout the whole saga of Ned - Part I, he knew she loved Ned as a friend but she wasn't in love with him. Rebounding from what they shared, if that is what you want to call it, would not have put that idea in her head. Whatever was going on it certainly wasn't love - or at least that is what he wanted to believe. This guy, thought Sonny, is a different kettle of fish all together. He didn't know much about him but as he stood there he decided a little investigative work was in order.

Audrey walked up to Alan and whispered in his ear. He smiled, gave Amy the signal and she and her troop of motley Santa's helpers started to sing Jingle Bells and guide the children down to the party. The grownups followed and the roar suddenly became silence. Sonny noticed that Dr. Lewis didn't head toward the party but to the elevator. Strange, thought Sonny, maybe he's just not a party kind of guy. Shrugging his shoulders, Sonny strolled down to the party.

Alexis was leaving for the party when Ned arrived. She sighed and waited for yet another argument to start. He didn't think she should take Kristina to the party and was fairly verbal about it last time he stopped by. She'd pretty much told him, in what she thought was the nicest way possible way given she wanted to go Cassadine and strangle him, it was her baby, her decision and to butt out. He wasn't happy about it then and knowing Ned, that wouldn't have changed unless there was a discount on lobotomies at GH today. She picked up Kristina and watched him and waited for - whatever.

"I see you haven't changed your mind, Alexis," Ned said as he saw both of them dressed to the nines in their party clothes.

"You know Cassadines never change their minds, Ned, about anything because invariably we are always right," Alexis snarkily replied.

"Well, if you are insisting on taking her - as fragile as she is - we can at least go together and try to look happy," responded Ned.

"First of all, she's been through a tough time and come out the other side a trooper. She's strong and thriving and going home tomorrow to celebrate Christmas. She's a fighter, just like her Mom and I can only assume she will possess her Mom's attitude about being "handled". We'd be happy to go with you to the party if you adjust your attitude. If not, thank you, we'll pass," Alexis replied, steel in her eyes. Kristina made a sound and as Alexis glanced down at her, she swore she saw her smirking, her dimples popping. She and her Mommy, thought Alexis, were going to get along just fine.

Ned was about to issue a snide reply when Cameron knocked and popped his head around the door. He'd come to check on his girls, heard most of that interplay and it pretty much explained a few things about Ned's absent father syndrome.

"Alexis, I stopped by to see if you and Kristina had an escort to the party. I just came from the party floor - a complete child riot like something out of Oliver Twist - but they are now ensconced in the conference room ready for treats, stories and songs so you may safely venture forth without concern that you will be tackled by an over-stimulated six year old," he laughed as he innocently looked at Ned.

Ned, looked at him, and said to Alexis, "So, are you ready to go?"

Alexis was amused. She'd been under so much stress these last weeks that at times she thought she would go mad. Her friendship with Cameron enabled her to start to regain some of her perspective, he was helping her without professionally helping her, if that made any sense. She'd come to some realizations about Ned, the lie he started that became a runaway train she did nothing to stop, the guilt she was feeling about keeping the secret from Sonny even given her fears about his life. She felt like her head was getting back to the place it used to be, where she could make decisions coolly and without emotional upheaval swirling around her. Going home with Kristina, she would now be able to think without being interrupted and maybe, just maybe, answer some of the questions she kept locked inside her heart. In the meantime, she decided to have a little fun - at Ned's expense.

"Cameron, I'm glad you made it past the youth riot, it does get wild at party time here. Come and look at Kristina, she looks beautiful in the outfit you gave her. I'm already worried how many dates she'll get today," Alexis grinned.

"Better to start early learning all the phrases to turn them away without bruising their male egos," Cameron grinned right back at her.

Ned cleared his throat and they both turned. "Well, what are we doing?" he asked, impatience written all over his face.

"Oh, I think Kristina and I will take up Cameron's offer, if you don't mind. You just seem… well… out of sorts. Perhaps you are coming down with something and would do better going home and getting some rest? He works too hard running the empire, Cameron, he really does and you know what happens to those kinds of people - eventually it just catches up with you. Ned has expressed concern about Kristina's fragility, Cameron. We both know she is getting stronger everyday but to be safe, Ned, you probably shouldn't be around her until you are feeling up to par. Sorry you'll have to miss the party, I know how you love swiping those candy canes!" Alexis said as her eyes glistened with unspoken laughter.

He looked at both of them, Alexis with a faux concerned look on her face and Cameron with a serious but amused one on his. Ned knew he wasn't going to win this and didn't want to air their messy laundry in front of Dr. Lewis. He merely mumbled "goodbye" and left.

After a few minutes, Alexis looked at Cameron and burst into peals of laughter.

"Boy that felt good," Alexis chuckled, tears falling from her eyes.

Cameron looked at her and tried to remain serious. He saw dangerous waters ahead for her, a vibe from Ned Ashton that didn't give him much comfort and hoped she wasn't letting herself open for trouble. But he had to admit it was pretty funny. She must be a wonder in the court room, all the wordy razzle dazzle getting up and under you before you even knew she was there. He'd have to remember that.

Alexis laughed at the look on his face and merrily said, "Let's get this party on the road before all the cookies are gone."

Part III (Finale)