The Long Road Home
by Terry

Chapter 18

As Alexis, Joy and Johnny awaited the arrival of Kevin Collins, Johnny began thinking about Sonny. He received a call from Max earlier that morning letting him know that Sonny was out of the country, but would be calling when he got back in to check on Alexis. Johnny couldn’t help but wonder what Sonny was up to. What could be so important that he would leave town when Alexis was in trouble? It didn’t make sense to him. But then again, he didn’t know that Alexis had awakened.

With Alexis on shaky ground given that she now knew she was pregnant and seemed to have lost a considerable amount of her memory; Johnny was unsure about what Sonny needed to know at this point. When Sonny wanted something, there wasn't much that could stand in his way of obtaining it. If Sonny knew Alexis was back and wanted to see her, it was going to be up to Johnny and Kevin to stop him if need be and it could get ugly.

While his mind was working out ways of handling Sonny, Johnny absently took hold of Alexis' hand and began caressing the child. Meeting resistance he recognized what he had done and froze. He shot a quick look up at Alexis. Seeing the shock on her face he ducked his head in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry, Alexis. I didn't mean... It was just... habit."

Seeing his discomfort and trying to process what he had done she raised her other hand to cover his that lay frozen atop hers across her abdomen.

"Johnny, is there some connection here that I don't know about?"

Without an immediate answer coming from him, Alexis started putting two and two together on her own. Coming up with what she felt was the obvious answer she quickly moved away from him.

Not knowing what to do, Johnny stood and looked quickly at Joy who sensing Alexis’ confusion moved quickly toward Alexis.

Watching her two companions begin to move into a protective mode, she took a couple of steps away from both of them and lifted her hands to stop them from coming any closer. Looking into the petrified eyes of Johnny she addressed him.

"Why didn't you tell me, Johnny? Why didn't you tell me you were my baby's father? Why don't I know you?"

She watched him slowly sink to his knees as his eyes misted then looked up at her with a mask of guilt and horror for how his unconscious familiar touch disturbed and frightened her. Her heart was hurting for him, but the fear she felt for herself was so much more tangible than what she felt for him in that moment. As he started to answer her it was impossible to miss the fear, the pain, and concern for her in his voice.

"Alexis, please believe me, I am not the father of your child. I am your friend. I only did what I needed to do to make sure your baby was ok. I would never have done anything to hurt you."

Joy drew closer to Johnny, kneeled beside him and kissed him on the cheek. She felt the tremors of fear in his body brought on by the damage he worried his touch may have caused Alexis by not thinking before he acted. From talking to him and hearing him speak of his background she knew that the thought of disrespecting a woman and especially Alexis was tearing him apart inside right now.

"Let me Johnny. Let me explain it to her."

Alexis watched Joy approach Johnny and seeing the bond the two of them shared became even more confused.

"Joy, what's going on here?"

Rising and walking back to Alexis, Joy took both of Alexis' hands into her own and led her back to the couch and sat down beside her.

"Alexis, about a month ago, Johnny began visiting you every day. There has not been one day that has passed without him coming here to visit you. Before you arrived here, you and Johnny were only passing acquaintances. But, he admired you for the woman he knew you to be. So, he wanted to do something for you. He wanted to do what he could to help you return to your life. When Dr. Collins found out that Johnny was making himself so available to you, he called Johnny in to talk to him and presented Johnny with a plan for your recovery. Johnny agreed to it without hesitation. The only question he voiced was what would happen to you if he failed you. Part of the program that was set up for you included what also needed to be done in regards to the health of your baby. With your inability to care for the child, it was up to Johnny to provide what you couldn't. So, Dr. Collins told Johnny that the best way for the child to get the sense of being loved and protected was for Johnny to begin talking to and caressing the child as much as possible. Johnny tried to do that but he felt so intrusive in touching you so personally that he came up with the idea of taking your hand and forcing you to caress the child. And it has worked, because the latest test results we have of your little girl is that she is completely healthy and her growth schedule is right on track. Don't be upset with him, Alexis. He has done all he can to see to the well-being of not only you but your little girl as well."

Understanding the enormity of the sacrifice Johnny was making for her, Alexis stood and went to Johnny. Taking his hands in hers she pulled him from his knees and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you, Johnny; for taking care of us... of me... and of my child. Thank you. I promise I will never doubt you again. And you have my undying love and loyalty for the rest of my life. And I'll make sure your god child knows the sacrifices you have made for us."

Letting go of the fear that gripped him, Johnny put his arms around Alexis and held on tightly.

"My god child? That suits me just fine. Just don't go taking a jump off the high dive again. I'd like us to walk out of here together and very soon."

Laughing at his attempt to ease the tension in the room, Alexis took his face between her hands and kissed him on the cheek.

Releasing him she took a step back and looked from him to Joy and back again.

"You two have something to tell me? I mean it's a little hard to miss."

Ducking his head shyly and reaching to take Joy's hand into his he glanced over at her.

"Well, yeah. We're kinda seeing each other."

"Johnny, how do you 'kinda' see someone?"

"Well... uh."

Alexis correctly put the pieces together this time.

"Oh, I get it. You haven't left my side so having any kind of a normal date has been impossible. Well, that just won't work. Tomorrow night you two are going on a real date. Joy, I'm sure we can get another nurse to baby-sit me. No arguments - that's final."

Hearing the door open all three of them turned to see Kevin Collins enter the room.

"Kevin?"

Alexis couldn't believe it. A familiar and comfortable face finally, in a world of chaos and uncertainty.

Kevin starred at the woman he had been so concerned about for so long standing there regal as ever, looking at him as though he were a ghost.

"Hello, counselor. Took you long enough."

"Are you my doctor?"

"Guilty as charged, at least this time."

Alexis looked at Johnny and smiled, took his hand and then took Joy's. As she drew them together she placed Joy's hand into Johnny's then looked back up at Johnny.

"Take your sweetheart for a walk. I'll be fine. Kevin will look out for me while you're gone."

Johnny did not want to leave Alexis. He was afraid she would need him and he wouldn't be there. Opening his mouth to protest, he held his breath as she brought her fingers up to cover his mouth.

"No arguments, Johnny. I need to talk to Kevin; I'll be fine. Tell you what, give me thirty minutes and you can come running back to check on me. But please, go... spend some time with Joy. You both deserve it."

Putting a hand on both of their shoulders she turned them toward the door and gave them a slight push. As Johnny left her sight, she felt a sense of panic come over her and forced herself to calm down.

"You'll forgive me if I seem a little out of sorts, but it seems my new best friend just left the room and I seem to be missing at least the last year of my life. Care to explain that to me, Kevin?"

Kevin smiled and walked over to Alexis. Gesturing toward the couch he looked pointedly at her.

"Care to sit down, counselor? Looks like you've gotten a head start on me in the answers department. Tell me, what did you threaten Johnny with to get the answers you wanted?"