The Long Road Home
by Terry

Chapter 64

Awaking early the next morning, Sonny rose from his bed and walked out onto the balcony to watch the sun rise. The previous evening proved itself to be quite interesting and one that he planned on mimicking in the future. He was surprised to find Courtney waiting for him outside his penthouse door when he arrived home from Ferncliff. He saw once again her kind and loving smile as she told him Alexis called asking her to come because he needed her. Standing on the balcony he let the surprise of the previous evening come back to him. He smiled absentmindedly remembering the wonder in Courtney’s voice when she told him Alexis called for her help.

"She's always taken care of me... even when I didn't know it. Come on in, Courtney. I'm glad you’re here. I made a promise to her, but I wasn't particularly looking forward to having to deal with... well, you know."

"It's ok, Sonny. What can I do to help? I don't really know what's going on so I'm not entirely sure why Alexis called me."

"I made a promise to her that I would talk to you tonight. Look, can I get you anything. Have you eaten... something to drink, maybe?"

"No thank you, I'm good. I've already eaten."

"I hope we didn't interrupt anything for you."

"Relax, big brother. Tell me what it is that I can do for you."

"It's a pretty big request... I mean coming from someone who was always trying to run your life for you. Think you can handle it?"

Smiling up at him as she sat down on the sofa she teased him a bit.

"I don't know. You're a pretty hard sell for the average street grinder. Give me a hint and we'll see what happens."

Sitting down across from her, Sonny marveled at her willingness to come even though he messed things up so badly with her. Her smile made his heart jump. He had a sister. He had a real family.

"You have a pretty smile. Anybody ever tell you that?"

"Thank you and no, not recently, but you're stalling. Come on, tell me what's going on."

Sonny sighed heavily and leaned forward resting his arms on his knees.

"Did Alexis tell you anything else when she called?"

"No she just said you needed me and asked me to come."

Sonny rose and went to the bar. Pouring himself a glass of water, he stared at it a moment before downing it.

"This must really be something for it to cause so much trouble for you. Are you sure I'm the one you need here? Maybe we ought to call Alexis back... or maybe dad."

Turning around to face her he let grinned haphazardly then went back and sat down. The trouble he was having was the fact that he was fixing to open himself up to someone. Alexis told him to talk to Courtney like he would talk to her. It wasn't an easy thing to do.

"You know, Alexis tried to tell me how to deal with the fact that I had a new sister. She even unplugged her phone once to keep me from calling one of the guys to follow you and watch out for you."

"You're kidding?"

"No, looking back on it now... it got quite comical there for a while if you were an outsider looking in. I was so damn intent on making sure you were safe that Alexis had her hands full trying to protect you from me. All I could see was that you were family and it was my responsibility to make sure you were protected from getting hurt. It's how I've always been for the people I care about."

"Why didn't you just tell me that? Why didn't you just talk to me instead of ordering me around?"

Shrugging his shoulders once he tried to explain.

"It's how I show people I care about them. I don't know any other way. At least I didn't then. I've had a hard life and I blamed a lot of it on the circumstances of my youth. You remember... Alexis told you. I let all of that garbage tie me up so bad that it kept me from seeing things the way they really were. I looked at everything by how it affected me... what I could gain or lose."

"That must have been bad. No wonder you're so hard to get to know. Alexis is really the only one who does know you, isn't she?"

Sonny smiled as a vision of her suddenly appeared in his mind. She was smiling at him in her own uniquely quiet way.

"Yeah. It took a while. She says it took a lot of hard work for us to become friends. She worked hard. She worked harder than I ever did. Everything she did for me, she did it because she saw something in me worth saving. She saved my life... more than once. And I'm fixing to lose her... again."

Courtney, finally understanding why she was called, reached across and lay her hand on his arm.

"Tell me... tell me what's going on. Talk to me... I want to help in any way I can. If that just means sitting here and listening then you got it. I'm here for as long as you need me."

Looking across at his sister, for the first time Sonny finally understood what Alexis had felt for her sister. He finally got a small glimpse of the loss she must have felt in losing Kristina and his heart grieved for her. Taking Courtney's hand in his own he looked for some hint of resemblance to his own. He wanted... needed to connect with her. Finding none he looked into her eyes. What he saw made him feel ashamed of himself. She loved him... after all he put her through, she was here and she loved him. Reaching toward her he ran his fingers down her cheek and smiled at her.

"Thank you, Courtney. Thank you for coming. Care to hear your big brother tell you a story. It gets pretty ugly at times... but I can pretty much guarantee you won't get bored."

She sat beside him quiet and patient as Sonny told her how he met Alexis and the history they shared. He told her what happened to Alexis and what he was going through himself in order to reclaim his own life from the grip his past held on him. She listened compassionately, interrupting only twice when she became confused by the ups and downs of his relationship with Alexis. He told her about Kristina and how much Alexis loved her. As he concluded his story with what was expected of him the following morning, he heard Courtney sniffle and looked up alarmed. He wondered whether it was something he said that may have hurt her or was it simply that she couldn't deal with having a brother who had been so callous toward a woman who loved him.

He was stunned as she moved closer to him and put her arms around him and her words left him speechless at the generosity woman who sat before him; the woman who was no longer a child.

"I'm sorry you've been hurt, Sonny. I wish it hadn't been so hard for you. But, it made you strong. Whatever happens tomorrow, you can handle it. Alexis may walk away at first, but she’ll come back. Don't you give up... you fight for her. If she needs time... give it to her. Like she tried to get you to do for me, remember? This time, big brother, listen to the women in your life who love you. Now get up there and get some sleep. Don't worry about me... I'll stay in the guestroom. And tomorrow... no arguing with me... I'm going with you. I'll stay outside and wait. But you are not going there alone. Now go."

She shoved him up from the sofa as he laughed at her. He looked down as she sat there waiting for him to obey her and on a pure impulse he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Wanting to ease the worry he could see in her eyes, he teased a smile from her.

"So, I take it you forgive me for being such a jerk?"

"I'm considering it. I'll let you know in the morning."

Smiling absently as he remembered the evening, Sonny walked back into his room from the balcony just as he heard a knock on his door. Opening it, he found Courtney standing there with a breakfast tray filled for him. Looking it over he realized he couldn't have done it better himself. And the coffee smelled wonderful.

"What's this?"

"It's breakfast. I made it all by myself. So you see, you're not the only one who knows how to turn an egg. So here, eat your breakfast and I'll be waiting downstairs for you when you're ready to go."

"No."

Courtney stopped instantly and Sonny saw a flicker of fear in her eyes before she ducked her head. He recognized and accepted responsibility for putting that fear of him in her. He regretted not listening to Alexis when she tried to enlighten him on how to get to know his sister. Leaning forward he took the tray from her and kissed her on the cheek.

"You forgot something."

Looking at the tray again, Courtney couldn't imagine what she could have forgotten. She glanced up at him confused.

"You forgot yours. I'm not eating alone this morning. If you insist on following me around today, then it starts with breakfast. Now take this back downstairs. I'll jump in the shower and meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes. Then we'll eat together."

Sonny was rewarded with a radiant smile and chuckled softly as she clumsily returned his affection by kissing him on the cheek. He watched as she fairly skipped back down the stairs. His smile faded as he remembered Alexis and Kristina... and again his heart grieved for her loss.

Walking downstairs fifteen minutes later, he found Courtney waiting patiently for him at the table and his heart warmed at the sight of her. Sitting down next to her he picked up the coffee cup that sat in front of him and tasted it. Grinning widely he winked at her and watched her face light up again. Returning his cup to the table he grew serious.

"I never realized just how much Alexis lost when Kristina died until you came here last night. It makes what I have to do today that much harder. Thank you for staying with me last night and for going with me today."

"You're welcome, Sonny. I think I'm going to like having you for a big brother. You say 'Thank you' so nicely. Who taught you how to say that so well... oh yeah... I know."

Laughing together they answered in unison. "Alexis."

An hour later they were on their way to Ferncliff. Sonny kept trying to swallow the lump in his throat that threatened to suffocate him.

Courtney slid a sideways glance at him. She knew what he was thinking about and wanting to support him she took hold of his free hand and just held on. Feeling him tighten his hold a bit, she smiled at him then left him to his thoughts.

Pulling into the parking lot and stopping, Sonny looked at his watch and found he was early. Reaching into his pocket he pulled his cell phone free and dialed Johnny's number. Waiting for him to answer, Sonny reached over and reclaimed Courtney's hand. It was comforting to know someone else loved him and cared enough to help him get through the tough times. As much as she was comforting him, Sonny could tell by her face that she was not only concerned but a little frightened as well. Just as he was about to speak to her Johnny answered his phone.

"Hey, Johnny. How's Alexis?"

"Better than I was expecting her to be. We had quite an interesting conversation after you left last night. She'll tell you about it someday. Where are you?"

"In the parking lot. I know I'm a little early. But, I was hoping that I could talk to Alexis for a few minutes before we have to do this."

"Hang on and I'll see. Things are a little up in the air right now."

Sonny heard Johnny call to Alexis then at the muffled sounds that came next realized Johnny’s hand was covering the mouthpiece. He waited a moment more then heard a rustling sound. Becoming concerned he looked over at Courtney who was watching him and shrugged. He smiled in relief as he finally heard Alexis’ enchanting voice fill his ear.

"Sonny? Johnny says you're outside. Why don't you come on in?"

"I have someone with me, Alexis. Could you come out here for a minute, please?"

"Well, since you asked so nicely, how can I refuse. Be out in a minute."

Sonny turned to Courtney as he disconnected the call.

"I wanted you to see her and for her to see you before we do this. There hasn’t been a lot of visitors, but I know that you mean a lot to her. And I think it will help for her to know that you and I are okay. Do you mind?"

"No, I don't mind. I want to see her. I want to thank her for calling me. Look, there she is. She looks wonderful, Sonny."

Turning around he saw Alexis approaching and as he opened the car door to greet her he called back over his shoulder loud enough for Alexis to hear him

"She looks beautiful this morning... just like always."

Closing the door behind him as she came close he took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you."

"Hi. I missed you too. So who have you got with you?"

Sonny was suddenly overcome with a bit of shyness. He was not used to his ‘new’ relationship with his sister yet and was unsure about how to handle himself around others where she was concerned. He didn’t want to mess up this second chance he was given with Courtney. But, the smile on Alexis’ face calmed his fears.

"It’s Courtney. She came with me... she insisted and I let her. She's going to stay out here while we do what we have to then she'll go home with me. Thank you for calling her, Alexis. She stayed with me last night. Do you feel like talking to her?"

Letting go of him Alexis started around the car to the other side grinning as she went. Reaching the door she opened it and kneeled down by Courtney.

"Hi, Courtney. It is so good to see you."

Courtney moved to get out of the car and Alexis rose and stepped back. Closing the door behind her, Courtney put her arms around Alexis and hugged her.

"Thank you for calling me. He talked to me... just like he talks to you. I couldn't believe it was the same guy. He told me enough about what is going on today that I made him bring me with him. I didn't want him coming here alone. Is that okay with you?"

"It’s fine and I’m glad you’re here for him. Thank you for coming, Courtney."

Sonny watched the two most important women in his life connect and he regretted having to interrupt them, but it was time for he and Alexis to go inside. Walking around to them he smiled at Courtney and again kissed her on the cheek then turned to Alexis.

"It's time, Alexis. You go on ahead, I have to make one stop before I get there. It won't take but just a minute and I'll see you inside. Courtney, I'll be with you as soon as I can one way or another. If Joy is inside, I'll see if she can come sit with you until we're done. If that's okay with you, Alexis."

"Well actually, there's been a change in plans. Why don't you two come on in and I'll explain."

Sonny reached for her with concern.

"Alexis, are you ok? Did something happen?"

Taking his hand in hers, she put her arm around Courtney and started leading them toward the building.

"Yes, to both questions. It's nothing to worry about. Johnny thinks I need to talk to Kevin before we do anything else. Something happened last night that he thinks Kevin needs to be aware of before we proceed any further. Now come on and stop with the questions. I'll tell you all about it later."

Sonny couldn't help but worry a little. Considering how much she wanted her memories, for her to put it on hold again didn't make sense to him. Something pretty big must have happened. He glanced over at her with concern and halfheartedly grinned as she gave him a reassuring smile. Ok, so they waited. Whatever she wanted he reminded himself.

Courtney eyed Sonny and Alexis discreetly as they walked along. She hoped and prayed that the love they shared was strong enough to weather the storm they were headed into. And as far as her brother was concerned, she would wait for him, no matter what happened. She was finally allowed a glimpse of the man Alexis fell in love with and she wasn't willing to lose him now. She needed him and today... just maybe... he would need her.