It was finally over. She had full custody of her daughter, much
to the chagrin of Judge Farmer, Skye, Ned and the rest of the Quartermaines.
Alexis decided to make a fresh start. She took Kristina and moved
back to the city. Her old law firm had welcomed her back with open
arms, thanks in part to Les taking that payoff from Carly when she
tried to run her out of town over a year ago. Blackmail had got
her a more than generous salary, great medical benefits, plenty
of vacation time, and a very plush apartment on the Upper West Side.
Kristina and she had settled into the perfectly peaceful life of
single mother and her beautiful little girl. They'd take long walks
through Central Park and shopping trips to FAO Schwartz, and Baby
Gap. Normal stuff. Alexis loved the way her daughter's eyes lit
up as she took in all the sights and sounds that New York City provided
in abundance. She was finally happy, they both were, but one thing
was missing. Loath though she was to admit it, she missed Sonny.
In spite of everything they had done and said out of fear, anger,
and pain he would always be it for her. Cameron came around a few
times a month when he could get away from his practice for their
conjugal visits. He was good company, and took the edge off. She
was a woman with needs after all. She never met with him at home.
Alexis never wanted to confuse her daughter as to what role he or
any other man played in their lives. Kristina only had one father
and until it was possible for him to be that, there would be no
one else filling his shoes. Alexis owed him at least that much.
December 2009
"Hello?"
"Hey Alexis."
"What can I do for you Jasper?"
"You can get my mom off my back and come join us for Christmas.
Sam is dying to see you again, and Kristina would have a blast with
her cousins."
"I don't know Jax."
"Can we Mom? PLEEEEEASSEEE!" Kristina begged into the
phone.
"Kristina Davis what have I told you about eavesdropping. Hang
up the phone right now. And you can stopping laughing anytime mister."
"Come on Alexis. It'll be fun, and besides it's your turn to
come here."
Seeing Kristina walk by and run into the kitchen she whispered,
"I don't know Jax. I'm just not comfortable with this. I really
don't want to run into Sonny," she said.
"You won't. I didn't invite him to Christmas dinner."
"That's not funny!"
"Yes it is. It will be fine just come please," Jax begged.
"Alright fine. We'll see you next week."
"YEAH!" Kristina's happy squeal pierced their ears.
"Kristina!"
"Bye Uncle Jax!" she said quickly, hanging up the phone
in the kitchen.
"See ya soon Lex."
"Yea see ya." Alexis hung up the phone and went in search
of her daughter. The quick closing of her bedroom door gave her
away. She took a deep breath, and opened it. Alexis tried to hide
her smile as she saw her daughter in bed with the covers pulled
up just under her eyes. Those mischievous twinkling brown eyes so
much like her father's.
"Don't be mad Mommy."
"So it's mommy now is it? And I'm not really mad, but I would
like you to do as I ask the first time."
"I promise I will from now on Mommy." Kristina sat up
and put her arms around her mother's waist and hugged her tight.
"Mom who's Sonny and why don't you want to see him?"
Alexis closed her eyes and sighed heavily. "Sonny was a friend
of mine a long time ago."
"Is this him?" she asked, pulling the picture from the
drawer of her nightstand.
"How did you get this?"
"The other day when you asked me to go get your new black Manolo's
out of the closet. You only have like fifteen pairs so I had to
look real hard for them. I didn't see them right away, and then
I saw a shoebox at the back of the closet that said Manolo Blahnik
so I opened it. No shoes, just a bunch of papers and this picture.
He's cute Mom. Was he your boyfriend?" Kristina asked.
"No he was not my boyfriend. I was his attorney."
"And?"
"And what Kristina?" Alexis tried not to sound frightened,
but if her daughter asked for the truth she knew she would give
it to her.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want too Mommy. Please
don't cry," she said looking up at her mother's eyes shimmering
with tears. Kristina didn't let on that she knew her mother cried
at night in bed when she thought she was sleeping.
"I'll tell you whatever you want to know sweetheart. I'm sure
you have questions."
"So this man in the picture is he my Dad?"
"Yes baby he is."
"I look a lot like him."
"You look exactly like him," she clarified. The only thing
she's seemed to inherit from Alexis was her smile, and the dimples
that were mutually inevitable.
"Did he die? Is that why you're sad?" Kristina asked as
she took hold of her mother's hand.
"He didn't die sweetheart. He doesn't know you are his daughter,
and that makes me sad."
"Why doesn't he know?"
"Because I lied to him. When he asked if you were his child,
I told him that someone else was your daddy."
"Why?"
"Because Sonny's job is very dangerous, and you could get hurt.
He's a good man, but the people around him are very bad, and would
try to hurt you."
"Why?"
"They just would, and I couldn't take the chance with your
life. I love you too much."
"I love you too. Would he love me if he could?"
"Yes baby he would. He would love you so much," Alexis
cried as she held on to Kristina for dear life.
"Are we still going to Port Charles for Christmas?" she
asked.
"If you want to we will."
"I do. It'll be ok Mom. Try not to worry so much," Kristina
said as she rubbed Alexis' back.
"I'll try. Promise me that you'll come to me if you want to
know anything else about your father."
"Will you introduce me to him, I just want to see him once.
I promise I won't tell him he's my daddy."
"Honey if he takes one look at you he'll know your his daughter,
and he doesn't like me very much anymore."
"Why wouldn't he like you? Everyone likes you."
"He got very upset when I told him you weren't his. This was
before you were ever born."
"So he wanted me to be his?"
"He wanted that very much I think."
"That means he really liked you mom, if he wanted your baby
to be his baby. I bet he doesn't dislike you as much as you think."
"I'd rather not find out."
"Can you at least point him out to me if you see him?"
"Yes I'll do that much."
"I only have a few more questions," Kristina said.
"Ask away."
"Does he have other kids?"
"Yes, he has two sons. Michael and Morgan."
"I have brothers! That is so cool."
"Last question?"
"Is he married and do you still love him?"
"That's two questions, and no to your first. To your second
that's none of your business."
"You must love him Mom. You told me most babies are born out
of love, and that I was born out of love."
"Geez you're persistent. If I tell you I loved him will you
drop this please?" Alexis asked.
"So you do love him! Ok I'm dropping it now."
"Thank you. Now I don't know about you, but I could go for
a big hot fudge sundae. What do you say we head to Serendipity,
and then go find you a new dress for Christmas dinner?"
"How about we go shopping and then to Serendipity. Oh yeah
and the most important thing about this shopping spree.....no dresses."
"Well I tried," she said as she kissed the top of her
dark haired little tomboy's head, and brushed her hand over the
unruly cascade of waves and curls Kristina had pulled back into
a ponytail.
~~~~~~~
"I'm going to have to rent a U-Haul to take all this stuff
back to the City with us. You spoil her too much Jax, but I'm not
going to tell you to stop." Alexis told him later that evening
as they sat around the fireplace after putting the kids to bed.
"Well somebody's got to do it."
"Kristina asked me about Sonny, Jax."
"I'm not surprised. She very inquisitive, and too smart for
her own good."
"I like her that way," Alexis said in daughter's defense.
"What did you tell her?" he asked.
"The truth as best I could. She's curious Jax. She'll want
to know more, and eventually if not sooner want to know him. She's
eight years old. She needs her father, but never having one she
doesn't know what she's missing."
"There's always Cameron. He loves you and Kristina."
"He loves me. He barely knows Kristina. When he comes to visit
I don't bring him home if you get my drift."
"Why not?"
"Because Kristina has a father, and it's either going to be
Sonny or no one at all."
"That's a little selfish. Kristina has the capacity to love
more than one person, and feel the difference between each kind
of loves."
"Maybe I am selfish, but I've taken so much more from Sonny
than he has from me. It's the least I can do." Alexis said
taking a sip of her coffee.
"I beg to differ. You've yet to recover half of what he took
from you Lex," Jax said, becoming angry.
"I'm fine. Kristina's fine. We're fine!" she sniped.
"Ok let's back up. I'm sorry."
"Me too. Just let this go Jax. She's my daughter, and I'll
handle things my way."
"You always do, just be careful," he said as he kissed
her chastely and headed for bed. "Good night Lex, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Jax."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Please don't make me go Jane," Alexis whined.
"It's the day after Christmas. Everything is half-off! Don't
be silly, we must go."
"Take Sam and Kristina. They love to shop. I would like to
stay here and play catch up with Jax."
"Alright you party-pooper. If I see anything that just screams
"YOU" I'll grab it right up." she said.
"You do that. Thanks for taking her. She's getting a little
touch of cabin fever since everything was closed yesterday."
"Nonsense I love my granddaughter. It's no trouble at all,
and I love you." Jane said, thoughtfully kissing her forehead.
"I love you too."
"Sam! Kristina! Let's go before all the good bargains are gone!"
she exclaimed. In a whirlwind all three were out the door with a
few hollered good-byes.
~~~~~~~~~
"Grandma,
can we go in the Learning store next?" Kristina asked as she
gazed through the glass case at all the jeweled rings, bracelets,
and watches. They were very pretty, but she was becoming bored.
She already had a pretty necklace of diamonds and sapphires. Everything
here paled in comparison. She smiled as she remembered all the times
she and her mom had sat around in their fluffy white bathrobes,
with their necklaces on eating popcorn as they watched a movie after
bath time.
"Of course we can dear. I just want to pick something out for
your mommy. She looks like she could use some cheering up."
"She'll tell you it's too much."
"Yes, but she'll accept it in the spirit in which it's given."
"I guess so," Kristina said as she held on to the edge
of Sam's shirt so she wouldn't get separated from them in the crowded
store. "Ummph." Sam stopped abruptly when she bumped into
a solid body. The chain reaction stopped with Kristina.
"Pardon me I'm so sorry...Mr. Corinthos," Sam said as
she met his eyes. Kristina peered around Sam and looked up quickly,
but averted to stare at his shoes. She bit her lip to keep from
calling out to him.
"It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. Merry Christmas
Ms. Jacks," He gave a nod and was gone.
"Jane are you about ready?"
"Yes dear the man is ringing me up now."
"Good. We'll wait for you out front," she said.
Kristina didn't let on that she knew they had literally bumped into
her father. It was clear that Sam knew who he was by her nervous
reaction. "Sonny Corinthos. That was my dad." She thought
happily.
Sam and Jane discussed the brief encounter with Sonny, and figured
that since Kristina didn't know about him that they were safe. They
went on about their day of shopping, buying as much as the SUV would
hold.
"We're home!" Sam called out as Jax and Alexis emerged
from the kitchen.
Kristina ran to her mother and threw her arms around her waist and
hugged the daylights out of her.
"Hey. Are you ok kiddo?" Alexis asked as she returned
her daughter's hug.
She nodded and hugged her tighter. "I love you Mommy."
"I love you too. Why don't you go get washed up? Dinner will
be ready soon."
"You didn't let her try cooking again did you Uncle Jax?"
"Never. I learned my lesson last time. Good thing you dialed
911 or she would have burnt down the whole hotel," he said
as he teased her.
"I know. Who knew you could blacken Macaroni and Cheese?"
Kristina said with exaggerated drama as she quickly kissed Alexis'
cheek and went to clean up.
"You two are funny. You should take your act on the road …
permanently," she said dryly.
Kristina headed for the bedroom she was sharing with her mother.
She paused for just a moment to contemplate what she was about to
do. She reached into her mother's purse and pulled out her cell
phone. She searched through the copious numbers that were listed.
It was there plain as day. "Sonny." This was too easy.
She took a deep breath and hit send.
When the read out flashed Alexis, he did a double take. There was
no way it was she who was calling. It had been almost eight years
since she had dialed the number that only a few others had in their
possession. His heartbeat rapidly, "Hello?" No response.
"Alexis?"
"Um no sir. You don't know me. My name is Kristina Davis. Alexis
is my mother."
"If you're playing on the phone Kristina I need you to hang
up right now ok."
"I'm not playing. I just wanted to call and wish you a Merry
Christmas … Dad," she said slowly.
"Look if this is some kind of a joke it's not funny."
He heard Alexis call out to her that it was time for dinner. Sonny
hadn't heard her voice in such a long time. He closed his eyes at
the flood of memories the mere sound of her voice conjured up.
"I have to go now! She's coming. Bye Daddy!" she said
quickly as she hung up. Kristina turned off the phone and put it
back where she had found it.
"Daddy?" Sonny held the phone in his hand not believing
that the call that had only lasted twenty seconds had just turned
his world upside-down. He needed answers and an explanation. Alexis
had no choice but to give them to him.
~~~~~~~
"You're
awful quiet. Anything wrong?" Alexis asked as the drove back
into the city.
"I'd rather not."
"Alright well if you want to talk you know where to find me."
"Thanks Mom."
Dante the building's doorman loaded their numerous bags of presents,
and luggage onto a cart and promised to bring it up post haste.
It felt so good to be home. The ride up the elevator was quiet,
and after a week with the Jacks' some peace and quiet was more than
welcome.
"Are you sure you're ok?" she asked Kristina again.
"I'm fine. I promise," Kristina said as she reached out
and took Alexis' hand.
"Ok."
Alexis would let it rest for now. Something was definitely weighing
on her Little One's mind, and she intended to find out what that
was.
<Ding>
"Here we are home sweet ho..Sonny!" Alexis squeaked.
"Alexis. Kristina."
"Is this what you didn't want to talk about?" she asked
looking down at Kristina.
"Yes ma'am."
"I just want to talk Alexis. I'm not here to cause trouble
for you or your daughter."
"Come in," Alexis fidgeted with the key in the lock. He'd
been in her presence thirty seconds and already her nerves were
shot.
"Need some help?" he asked.
"I can get it!" she said turning around to glare at him.
Kristina tugged on the sleeve of his coat, and extended her hand
to him. He took hold of it feeling a rush of love for the little
girl, as she smiled and looked at him expectantly. Sonny now had
no doubt she was his.
