Love Endures
by Susanne

Chapter 3 - The Following Morning

The next morning Alexis was standing in the bedroom putting on some ear studs, while Sonny was getting ready in the bathroom. When Sonny entered the bedroom wearing a suit, Alexis was sitting on their bed trying to close the lock on the bracelet she'd decided to wear today.

Alexis: "DARN!" She exclaimed when the bracelet avoided the lock for the 10th time that morning, as Sonny walked to her and asked

Sonny: "Need some help?"

Alexis: "NO! I'm fine, OK?" She replied, as she went to her dresser, and placed the bracelet there instead of wearing it to work.
Sonny: "OK! We need to talk. Is this attitude of yours because I didn't make it to dinner last night?"

Alexis: "My attitude? And what's exactly wrong with my attitude?"

Sonny: "You've got every right to be mad towards me because I kinda stood you up last night but…"

Alexis: "But what? I told you yesterday morning that I needed to see you, and then to make things worse then you lie to me!" She exclaimed infuriated.

Sonny: "I lied to you? About what?"

Alexis: "Oh please…Can't you at least tell me the truth when you've been caught in it? You know? I actually thought that when we got married this foolishness of lying would end."

Sonny: "What lying? Tell me what happened last night!"

Alexis: "You called and told me that you were going to be caught up due to Courtney, but the funny thing was that Courtney had already called me earlier, and told me that you and Jason were at 'L&B' talking to Ned. So why don't you cut the crap, and tell me the God damn truth!!" She ended yelling at him because they'd once before almost been ruined by lying, and Kristina had died because of both Alexis and Ned lying to Sonny about the baby's paternity.

Michael: "Are you guys fighting?" A little voice asked from the doorway.

Sonny: "Of course not Champ. Why don't you join your sister and Marie in the kitchen and have some breakfast, huh?"

Michael: "OK!" He replied, exiting the bedroom as Sonny closed the door behind him.

Alexis: "So I guess that closing the door means that you'll finally tell me the truth about last night?"

Sonny: "I know I shouldn't have lied to you last night, but I think that we agreed on the fact that when I did something you didn't want to hear about I wouldn't drag you into it."

Alexis: "What have you done to Ned, Sonny? I thought we were finally past all this?"

Sonny: "I told you that I'd protect you, Michael and Kristina with all my power, and that's what I'm trying to do here, and you're not making that easy!"

Alexis: "What are you saying? Has Ned made any threats? Has he threatened Kristina or me? Sonny?!" She asked when Sonny didn't respond.

Sonny: "He's been working together with Faith Roscoe; as in Roscolnikoff's widow. Do you see now why I couldn't tell you?"

Alexis: "I understand why you needed to talk to Ned, but not why you felt like you had to lie to me. Now if you'll excuse me I've got two children, whom I've got to get in school." She replied, picking up her briefcase and handbag and exited the bedroom, while Sonny sighed heavily.

Marie: "Mrs. Corinthos Michael and Kristina are ready to go to school and kindergarten!" She replied, as Alexis entered the kitchen.

Alexis: "Good! Let's go Michael!" She replied, as she gathered both Kristina and Michael's hands in hers.

Michael: "Can we say goodbye to daddy first?" He asked when they reached the livingroom.

Alexis: "Sure!" She replied, as Sonny descended the staircase, which led upstairs.

Sonny: "Have a good day at school son! And you ms. Kristina you have a good day at kindergarten, OK?" He asked, as he hugged both Michael and Kristina at the same time.

Michael: "We will daddy! Come on Krissy!" He replied when they walked hand in hand to where Alexis was standing.

Sonny: "Why don't you two go out to Johnny and have him follow you down to Max and Adam, while I talk to mommy, huh?" He replied walking to stand opposite Alexis.

Michael: "OK!" He replied, as he helped his little sister out into the hallway.

Sonny: "Listen…I don't want us to part mad. I know now that what I did last night was wrong because I completely disregarded your feelings, and I apologize. Friends?" He asked, extending his hand to hers.

Alexis: "Sure!" She replied extending her hand to his, which he kissed, followed by a long, passionate kiss on the lips, which Jason interrupted coming charging into the livingroom from the hallway.

Jason: "I was just born with great timing, huh?" He asked, as Sonny and Alexis dislodged their lips due to the interruption.

Alexis: "It's OK Jason! I was on my way out anyways. Tonight then?" She asked kissing Sonny shortly on the lips.

Sonny: "Tonight! And I promise to come this time!"

Alexis: "Good! Have a nice day Jason!"

Jason: "You too!" He smiled, and closed the door after Alexis had exited the penthouse.

Sonny: "How is Elizabeth?" He asked, as they sat down on the couch.

Jason: "Fine. We talked about her insecurities after I came home from 'L&B' last night. Did something happen between you and Alexis?"

Sonny: "She knew that I was lying about talking to Courtney last night when we were at 'L&B'. But we worked it out, and we're having dinner tonight."

Jason: "That's good! Benny is watching the safe house together with Sal so everything should run smoothly if Ned and Faith are dealt with soon."

Sonny: "And they will be! I'd just wish that I knew what those two were planning. There's not only Alexis to think of because if Ned has his way he'll snatch my daughter away from me, and I won't let anyone do that not even Ned Ashton and Faith Roscoe."

Jason: "I completely understand that you and Alexis have a family with Michael and Kristina now but that fact only makes it even more easy for Ned to hit you where it hurts."

Sonny: "I know! I got the feeling that what I said to Ned last night didn't sink quite in so I think that I'll try it one more time."

Jason: "Are you sure that's wise?"

Sonny: "What do you mean?"

Jason: "Alexis will probably find out about this, and I don't think that she'd want to know that you've been interrogating Ned about your family."

Sonny: "I'll make her see that what I do is for this family's best. Alexis knows that I love her, Michael and Kristina more than anything, and she's begun to understand this business."

Jason: "She's not going to be this understanding if you push Ned too far!"

Sonny: "What do you know?"

Jason: "Sonny…Alexis left Ned standing at the altar, then she fell in love with you, and you two made love, and then to top it all Kristina died because of the secret Ned and Alexis were keeping from you concerning the baby's paternity. He's not all that fond of you at the moment. You and Alexis have always had a very special relationship, and Ned has always been jealous of that, and so has Jax."

Sonny: "I know that Jax isn't a member of my fan club but he's helped us with Ned and Faith."

Jason: "Only because of Alexis, Kristina and Michael. A man like Ned is like a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. You've got to tread softly otherwise you're not only risking your family but you're also provoking Ned, and provocative people are bad news in this business of ours."

Sonny: "You're right! But I still can't let this thing between Ned and Faith go. I'm going to talk to him, and warn him. I'll try not provocative, but what this comes down to is the fact that I won't let anyone tell me what to do certainly not Edward Quartermaine's grandson!"

Jason: "I see what you're saying Sonny but has Alexis ever really cut all her ties with Ned? As far as I know Gia is handling all the 'L&B' cases, and Gia does work for Alexis."

Sonny: "Alexis feels that Gia is the best suited person to take care of Ned's 'L&B' legal situation, as Gia's education has directly been directed at these huge label lawsuits. Alexis doesn't want to deal with Ned that much so it's only good that Gia's willing to do it for her boss."

Jason: "So…Ned hasn't seen Kristina since Alexis was living down town with her and Grace?"

Sonny: "Not as far as I know, why do you ask?"

Jason: "I just don't buy that Ned would let you marry Alexis plus live like a family with Alexis, Kristina and Michael. It seems too staged from Ned's side. He's in the last couple of years been one to take what he wanted. He's not the Ned Ashton I remember anymore."

Sonny: "That's precisely why I don't want him to be anywhere near Alexis or Kristina. He's a loose canon, and I don't know what I'd do to him if he ever hurt either one of them."

Jason: "If we all watch our backs then it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Sonny: "Probably not, but when Ned is involved with Faith Roscoe one has to ask himself; 'what's next?'."

Jason: "I'm sure that Ned wouldn't harm Alexis physically on purpose!"

Sonny: "I know that he wouldn't either - on purpose. But sometimes you're careless when you're not using your head. I mean…I have Michael, Kristina and Alexis with me, and they're all my family now. That has got to be difficult for him to handle especially when you think of the fact that he 'played' father for Kristina for the entire time Alexis was pregnant with her, and then those months in NICU. My gut's telling me something Jason, and it's not good!" He replied worried.