The Quiet Before the Storm
by bcandylandgirl

Part 6

As Alexis entered her apartment building she did so with a decidedly happier step than when she left. The session with Cameron had gone well today, and the night air had done her some good on her walk home. As spring always did, it gave her a sense of hope and a feeling of truly being alive. Even with the dreary day that had loomed overhead all day, and the dismal state of her personal and professional life, she still could find joy in one fact, and one fact alone; her baby girl would be coming home soon. “I just have to stay strong and get through this a little longer. I can do this. Stay calm and don’t let unimportant things upset you. Nothing else matters right now accept little one.”

As the elevator reached the 8th floor, Alexis stepped off the elevator. Content to finally rest after the emotionally filled day. Alexis, walking down the hall, head down; looking for her keys didn’t notice the person standing beside her door.

“Hello Alexis. Session go well today?” Carly asked with a decidedly snotty undertone.

As Alexis' head finally snapped up at the voice speaking to her, a look of utter surprise came across Alexis’ face. “How did she know I have been going to therapy? No ones supposed to know. I guess the little sneak found out like she always does; hiding in places she shouldn’t be, looking and snooping into things that are none of her business.” Alexis, wanting to do anything but be bothered by the little termagant slowly took in a deep breath before making eye contact with her. “I won’t give her the satisfaction of getting to me. Not after all the progress I have made. The last thing I need is Carly’s death on my conscious,” she said to herself with a slight laugh.

Seeing that Carly was none too happy about the smile on her face she promptly put her smirk back into hiding for Carly’s benefit. It would only make Carly wonder what she was laughing at.

“Although it would serve the little witch right if ‘Kristina’ came out of hiding and pummeled the little cretin.”

Choosing to handle the situation herself she dug in with both heels to get in a jab of her own. “What do you want Carly?” Alexis said in an exasperated tone. “Need a lawyer to bail you out of something? Sorry, not available. My services to you and your kind were severed a long time ago. Whatever it is you have done I suggest you plead guilty and serve your time. It might do you some good, as well as everyone else you come into contact with. Who knows, maybe you’ll find that ultimate love your always ranting about. I’m pretty sure your cell mate will give you all the attention you need,” Alexis said with a smug look on her face.

“Like I’d ever ask for your help!” Carly said with a bitter laugh. “You’re as crazy as they come. I always knew something was wrong with you.”

“Is that why you came here Carly? To go over the fine details of my sanity? Believe me, if that was your intention then you can just drop it. I believe you did a stay at Ferncliff yourself not so long ago. So I’d be careful pointing fingers if I were you. Remember, while your pointing me out on the finer points of insanity there’s three fingers pointing right back at you.”

Turning back to her task, Alexis tried to ignore Carly and her look of furry. Reaching for her keys again she found them and attempted to put them in the lock.

“Hey! You know what!” Carly said, yanking Alexis’ arm away from the door.

As the keys fell to the carpet Alexis closed her eyes, willing herself not to let the little cretin upset her. “Remain calm Alexis. You knew you’d have to face her again some day.”

Taking a deep breath, she once again steeled her nerves and tried to remain calm. “Carly, I really haven’t the slightest idea what you want, and I can see that your not going to leave until you tell me what it is. I make no promises to help you in any way. I’ll only listen since that seems to be the only way to satisfy you. Go head! Get it over with if it will make you feel better.”

“Why so testy Alexis? Has little old me upset you? I heard about your little problem controlling yourself. You had to come up with someone else to do your dirty work for you ‘cause you couldn’t handle it, could you? I always knew you were the little mouse Helena said you were. Just goes to prove my point. You’ll never get anything because you’re too afraid to go after what you want. And even if you tried, you would still fail. Look what happened with you and Sonny. He used you for one night and then pushed you aside when I came back.”

Seeing the look of hurt show in Alexis’ eyes for a brief moment, Carly knew she had hit her target. She pressed on.

“You think that just because Sonny helped you that you’ll have a chance of getting him back. Well let me tell you, that will never happen. You won’t keep him long even if you do. Once he finds out that he’s the father of your baby and that you lied to him, he’ll never forgive you. He’ll hate you and take your baby away. You’ll never see that brat again.” Carly pressed on with a smug smile. “I can’t wait for that to happen. Poor Alexis might check out on us and ‘Kristina’ will emerge. You might even do something to land yourself back in the mental ward, never to see your precious daughter again.”

Massaging her temple Alexis slowly and with as much control as she could muster looked into the eyes of the woman she had grown to hate.

“Carly, doesn’t someone with supposedly everything she could ever want have nothing to do besides make up imaginary threats to her happiness by badgering innocent people? Weren’t you in the room when the test results were read? Besides, even if Sonny was Kristina’s father, and I’m not saying that he is, you would have nothing to worry about. He has the family that he has always wanted. And you say Sonny helped me? With what! He wouldn’t lift a finger to help me and you know it. I haven’t spoken to him in months since your ‘blissful reunion.’ He chose you! He loves you. Deal with it. Let it sink in. Marinate it in your twisted little thoughts until it sticks. Now if that’s all cleared up I’ll ask you to leave. Go home to him and leave me and my child the hell alone!”

A look of shock momentarily graced Carly’s face, but she hid it well, being replaced by an evil and hopeful smile. Her mind working in overdrive at her next plan of action. “So the little twit doesn’t know that Sonny and me broke up. I would have thought he would be bowing at her feet by know, asking the mighty Alexis for a second chance. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Sonny did only want to help her. Maybe I still have a chance with him. I wonder where he is?”

Seeing the twisted wheels of Carly’s mind turning she brought Carly back out of her reverie.

“What are you up to Carly? I swear to God you’ll pay if you do anything to me or my daughter!”

Feigning ignorance, she looked at Alexis as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Smiling sweetly she answered, “Calm down Alexis, sheesh! You sure have become even more neurotic than your old usual self. I would have thought therapy would have done you some good. Don’t worry, I’m done with you now. I’ve said my peace.”

Alexis, not liking the look on her face, acted cooler than she felt. “I can’t let her upset me anymore. I’m too tired to even think about what could be going on in that warped little mind of hers. Hopefully I’ve convinced her that I’m not going after Sonny and she’ll leave.”

“Are we done here Carly?”

“Sure thing Alexis. Just remember, stay away from Sonny. He’s mine and he always will be.”

As Carly walked away, Alexis closed her eyes taking in a deep breath. Gaining her composure for the time being she turned towards the door again. As Alexis picked up her keys she noticed an extra key on her key ring that she hadn’t seen before.

“I wonder where this came from?” she asked herself. “Who cares, just get inside before hurricane Carly comes back for round two.”

As Alexis entered her apartment she dropped her purse and keys on the desk and plopped down on the couch for some much-needed rest from the events of the day.

“Well, I guess that’s that. Looks like Carly’s engines are revved up and she’s ready for battle. But who am I kidding? I couldn’t steal Sonny away if I tried. Besides, the little harpy was right.”

Carly’s words floated through her head taunting her over and over again.

“…Once he finds out that he’s the father of your baby and that you lied to him, he’ll never forgive you. He’ll hate you and take your baby away. You’ll never see that brat again.”

Emotion overtaking her she screamed, “I can’t let that happen! I can’t stand the thought of losing my baby. Carly will have everything that’s important to me within her grasp and I’ll have nothing! She’ll have Sonny AND my daughter. I can let her have Sonny. He isn’t mine to take. But she can’t have my child. I won’t stand for it!”

Felling herself becoming dizzy with emotion her thoughts of fear faded away. “Kristina” suddenly sat up straight with a clear head, full of determination, minus the tears her sister shed a moment ago.

“My, my, my. I can see that Carly has once again come along and slowed down our progress. I can’t let Alexis get upset like that anymore. I can’t let Carly win. Sonny and Alexis belong together, but Alexis is too scared to go after him herself. I guess its little sister to the rescue again. This means war. No holds bar. I can’t keep sneaking into Sonny’s apartment at night, though I know that’s what Alexis secretly wants to do. We have to take more drastic action. I can see how much she loves him by the way she looks at him, touches him, and kisses him when she’s with him. Even if she does think it’s all just a dream. It’s real, their love is real. Time to make the dream a reality. Sonny makes her happy. She deserves happiness and that’s what I’m going to give her. Time to get the show on the road.”

Crossing over to the desk she grabs Alexis’ keys and runs out the door heading for the parking garage. As she reaches the car and gets behind the wheel, she starts the engine, peeling out of the garage at breakneck speed.

Finally reaching the highway she grabs Alexis’ cell, breathing in the cool night air, which is full of the promise of rain. Coasting down the highway as her hair billows in the wind, she dials a number she has recently put to memory. As the phone rings on the other end, she patiently waits for the caller to answer.

“Yeah.”

“Sonny?”

“Alexis? Is that you? Is something wrong?

Trying her best to imitate her sister with as much emotion as possible, she continues, “Sonny, I’m in trouble. I need you.”

part 7