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Family
Reunited Chapter 7 Alexis had walked back to the villa. Her heart was a little lighter because Sonny now knew the truth, but the fear was still present because she didn't know what he was going to do with the knowledge. She went into the bathroom to wash her face and then went into Kristina's room where she lay on the bed, Kristina cuddled in the crook of her right arm, Kristopher cuddled in the crook of her left arm, as they watched the animated movie. As the movie ended, Kristina raised her head and smiled at her mother. "Where's Sonny?" the little girl asked. "He had to leave," Alexis answered. "Will he be back?" Kristina asked. "I like him. He's nice." "I think he'll be back," Alexis answered as she hugged both of her children tightly to her chest. "Hungry!" Kristopher stated, as he gave his mother that dimpled grin. "I guess it is dinner time," she said as she looked at her watch. "What will it be..."Alexis began to ask when Kristina interrupted. "Pizza...please Mama we want pizza," Kristina said in her sing-song voice. Alexis got up from the bed and walked into the living room to check the phone book to see if she could find a place to get pizza in Puerto Rico. As she opened the phone book the doorbell rang. "Pizza's here," Kristina screamed as she ran down the hall into the living room. "No...we haven't even gotten that far yet..."Alexis told the girl as she went to the door. Alexis pulled open the door and saw Sonny standing there. "Hey," he said holding a box out to her. "I remembered...that before we went to lunch...Kristina was saying she wanted pizza for dinner...I wasn't sure you were gonna be able to find any...so...so I had my chef at the hotel fix one up for you...pepperoni with extra cheese...I didn't know what the kids liked...but...you know...I remembered what you liked...so here." Alexis stepped out of the way and extended her hand inviting him in. "Alright...pizza...told ya..." Kristina said as she turned to her mother with a smile on her face. She the turned to Sonny, grabbed him around his leg and hugged him tightly. "Thank you. I like pizza," she told Sonny. "Let's eat," Sonny said as Kristina led him by the hand to the kitchen. Alexis and Kristopher followed. Sonny placed the box on the table while Alexis removed some plates and glasses from the cabinet. Kristopher went straight to his chair and climbed in while Kristina went to the refrigerator and tried to remove a pitcher. "No, Kristina. Let me get that," Alexis told her. "I really can do it Mommy," Kristina said with determination. "I'm sure you can but why don't you let me get it this time?" Alexis responded. "Okay...if you must," Kristina sighed as she sat down. "She thinks she has to do everything herself," Kristina told Sonny. Sonny chuckled. "Yeah...she's like that," he told Kristina. "Okay...I see how this is going to be," Alexis said with a smirk. "I'm already outnumbered two-to-one. Go ahead and make it three." Sonny placed a piece of pizza in front of Kristina and one in front of Kristopher as Alexis poured drinks. The four sat around the table eating in silence. "Kristopher wants more drink," Kristina announced. "That's nice," Alexis responded. "Well, aren't you going to get it for him," Kristina said in exasperation. "No. You know the rule Kristina. If your brother wants something he has to ask ME for it. Not have you ask for him," Alexis replied. Kristopher looked at his mother, looked at his glass and then back at his mother. "That may work with your sister but it doesn't do it for me,"Alexis told him. "ell me in words what you want." " want more drink,"Kristopher said as he ducked his head and displayed his dimples. "See, I told you," Kristina said. "And I've told you, your brother needs to learn how to tell ME what he wants and not depend on you," Alexis explained for the thousandth time. "I'm his big sister. I am supposed to take care of him," Kristina replied. Alexis sighed. "I don't know if it's because they are twins, but they have this way of communicating," Alexis explained to Sonny. "He looks at her and she knows what he's thinking...what he wants." "Almost like they are having a conversation with their eyes," Sonny said sadly. "I think I understand that...I remember...never mind. Who wants more pizza."
Kristina slid from her chair and helped her brother down. "Okay, lets go," she said holding a hand out to Sonny. He took her hand and reached for Kristopher's hand with his other hand. Alexis watched as the three walked from the kitchen hand-in-hand. "This is so not going to be easy, but I think we've gotten off to a good start," she told herself, as she placed the plates in the dishwasher. "My room first," Kristina announced as she pulled Sonny through the doorway. Though they were only vacationing here, Alexis had made every effort to make sure the twins felt at home. The room was filled with toys, books and stuffed animals. "Mommy reads to me a lot," Kristina explained as she pointed to a bookshelf filled with books. Sonny reached over and picked up a silver picture frame from the nightstand. "Mommy," Kristopher said with a dimpled smile. "Yeah it is," Sonny responded as he looked at the woman in the picture, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a pink sweater. At that moment he realized he saw something in that picture he had never seen before - true happiness. It was there, in her eyes and her smile. "Maria took that picture in the park by our house. That's so when Mommy's at work or something she is still her with us," Kristina explained. "My room," Kristopher stated. Sonny placed the photo back on the nightstand and followed Alexis' children, his children...their children, across the hall. Kristopher's room was filled with the same love that his sister's had been. "Kristopher likes cars and dinosaurs. He plays with me in my room a lot," Kristina said. "But I don't always let him play with my things. When he gets mad he breaks things." "I guess there are some things that are genetic," Alexis stated softly from the doorway. "I guess so," Sonny said, a half-smile on his face. Alexis placed a small box on the child-size table in the room. "Why don't the two of you play your new game while Sonny and I talk in the other room," Alexis stated. "Okay, Mommy," Kristina said as she took the box and began removing the pieces. Kristopher walked to his mother, smiled and reached up for her to pick him up. She did as he requested. He placed a big wet kiss on her cheek as he threw his chubby arms around her neck. "Down," he said, as he walked over and took his seat at the table with Kristina. Sonny followed Alexis from the room. He stopped in the doorway, looked back and smiled in awe at the sight before him, his children. Alexis walked to the French doors and stared out at the beach. "You wanted to talk?" Sonny asked. "Sonny, don't make this any more difficult than it is," Alexis said with a sigh, as she dropped her chin to her chest. Sonny walked over to her and stood in front of her. He reached out and placed a finger under her chin, bringing her eyes to his. "I'm angry with you. I'm hurt...How could the one person I trusted more than anyone or anything do this to me?" Sonny said. "And as much as a part of me wants to yell and scream and break things, another part of me is saying that you did the one thing I always wanted my mother to do for me." Sonny saw the questions in Alexis' eyes. He looked away as he tried to fight the tears that were pooling in his eyes. "All I ever wanted was for my mother to chose me over Deke. He hurt her badly, so many times. I always felt bad because I couldn't protect her. But...but...Alexis...it wasn't my job to protect her. It was her job to protect me...she didn't do that...and granted he would have beaten her worse than he did, and maybe killed her sooner, if she had tried to help me when he locked me in the closet...but the bottom line is...she didn't protect me. "You didn't do that," Sonny stated softly. "I'm not saying that what you did was the right thing but you did it for the right reasons. You put your children first, above everything and everyone else in your life that meant anything to you. I never did anything but take...you never did anything but give..." he said, as he brushed to back of his hand across his wet cheek. "Lily...Carly...they didn't put my children first...and neither of them were born..." "Sonny, please...don't make me out to be something I'm not," Alexis pleaded. "There isn't a day that has gone by that I haven't felt guilty keeping your children from you...keeping them from their father..." "I told you...I'm a different person now," Sonny said as he turned to look at Alexis again. He reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Do you think that things would have worked for us if Carly hadn't come back?" "No," she whispered softly. "For some of the same reasons you told me at lunch." "You know, I might have changed for the better...then if you told me...but...it's not like I had ever made an effort in the past to do that when I found out I was going to be a father," Sonny said. "I hate that things ended so badly between us. I hate that I couldn't be there for you. I hate that I couldn't be there for me and for them. I hate that I missed three years of their lives...But in the back of my mind...I can't help thinking that...if it would have been up to me...they would never have been born...or wouldn't have lived this long..." "What are you saying, Sonny?" Alexis sobbed. "Thank you for putting them first, Alexis...thank you for giving them what neither of us ever had...thank you for giving me two beautiful children," Sonny said as he placed his arms around Alexis and pulled her to him. "I'm not saying that this is going to be easy. It's going to take a lot of work...but I'm willing to work through it...I owe it to them... I owe it to me...and I think most of all...I owe it to you." Alexis and Sonny both jumped as the doorbell rang. "Who could that be?" Alexis questioned as she wiped her eyes. Alexis opened the door and gave the man in the white jacket, with the silver tray, a confused look. "Room service," he stated. Alexis blew out a puff of air. "Tip the man, Sonny," Alexis said in frustration as she took the tray from the man and went into the kitchen. Sonny handed the man a tip, thanked him and closed the door, as he turned to look at Alexis. Alexis returned a few minutes later. "What's going on?" Sonny questioned. "She
is so your daughter!" Alexis said in exasperation. A look of shock crossed his face as Alexis demanded his daughter's presence by using her full name, her middle name...his mother's name. Kristina came bounding into the room. "Good the ice cream is here. Sonny...do you like chocolate or vanilla...I like chocolate...Kristopher likes vanilla," Kristina said to Sonny. "Kristina Adella, front and center, now..." Alexis said pointing to the spot directly in front of her. The little girl's chin dropped to her chest as she turned and took slow, small steps until she stood directly in front of her mother. "What have I told you about ordering room service?" Alexis asked. "I know I'm supposed to ask...but you and Sonny were talking...you always tell me it's rude to interrupt..." Kristina explained. "You don't get to break one rule in order to follow another one," Alexis sternly told Kristina. "Now go to your room." "Mama? The ice cream is gonna melt...We aren't supposed to waste," Kristina returned the tone. "Ahhhhh...KRISTINA! Go! Now," Alexis said in a raised voice as she pointed to the hallway. Sonny watched as the little girl crossed her arms over her chest, turned and stomped off down the hall. Sonny stood watching Alexis and Kristina. He had placed his hand over his mouth to try to hide the smile that he couldn't stop from forming on his lips. As the little girl disappeared down the hallway he turned to Alexis. "So, what about the ice cream? It's gonna melt." he chuckled. "The ice cream was placed in the freezer for later," Alexis stated through clenched teeth. "And for the record, she comes by that genetically, I don't want you encouraging that behavior or teaching her to expand on it..." "Me? Never!" Sonny stated in mock horror, displaying his dimples to Alexis. Alexis saw two eyes peaking around the corner. She smiled, knelt down and held her arms out. "Come here, Little One." Kristopher ran to her and threw his arms around her neck. "Ice Cream?" he asked. "In a little while. Sit with us," she said, as she sat down on the couch. She then placed Kristopher between her and Sonny. Sonny ruffled the boy's curls as he displayed his dimpled smile to both his parents. Sonny displayed an identical smile to his son and the boy's mother. "What now?" Sonny asked. "Let her spend a little time in her room brooding...sound familiar," Alexis said with a smile on her face. "At least she doesn't break things." "I don't brood...I never did...and I don't break things...anymore...that is," Sonny responded with a smile. "Yeah, right. I'll believe it when I see it," she stated. Sonny reached out and ran his finger along Kristopher’s cheek. The young boy responded with a dimpled grin.
"I wondered about that myself. The doctors said they were always where they should be in terms of development...but Kristina just did things that he didn't. To ease my mind...the doctor tested them...and the good news is that they are both of above average intelligence. They say all kids don't do things at the same time." "So, she's just a little more advanced?" Sonny asked. "That...and...well..." Alexis laughed softly ruffling the boy's curls as he gave her a big smile. "It seems that with twins, one can become dependant on the other. I wasn't sure I believed the doctors so, I put them in separate mother's day out classes...just to see how they interacted separately." "And?" Sonny questioned. "Kristina is as strong willed as ever in dealing with others. She likes to be in control," Alexis laughed. "Sound like anyone you know?" "You can't put that all on me!" he said in mock horror. "Point taken," Alexis responded with a laugh. "Kristopher is able to function on the same level with other kids his age," Alexis said. "So, he does what he needs to do when he needs to do it. When he and Kristina are together, she is in control and he doesn't have a problem with that, usually. But, don't get me wrong, they do have their moments." "He's quiet. He's shy. He says what he needs to say. Nothing more, nothing less,” Alexis laughed, hugging the boy close to her. "I'm just trying to encourage him to be more independent, while encouraging Kristina to relinquish some control," Alexis said. "Needless to say, it has been a challenge." "He's just going to have to learn how to do things on his own and not depend on her, need her so much," Alexis added. "I hope he has an easier time of it," he stated as his eyes darted to his lap. His eyes rose to meet Alexis' eyes. "That's something I've never learned to do," he said softly, as tears glistened in his eyes. Later Alexis called Kristina back into the living room. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Alexis asked sternly. "I'm sorry?" Kristina asked. "And she responds with a question," Alexis said in exasperation. "I'll try not to do it again, Mommy," Kristina said, giving her mother puppy dog eyes. "You'll try? How about you won't do it again?" Alexis asked with a raised eyebrow. "Well...Mommy...if I say I won't and I do it again then that will be a lie...and you said it is bad to lie...so...I'll try not to do it again," she said giving her Mother a dimpled-grin. Alexis rolled her eyes and looked at Sonny. Sonny contained his smile behind the hand he had placed over his mouth. He could only imagine what their future held with Kristina. "Is she too young for Harvard...cause...I think she can give you a run for your money," Sonny laughed. "You are so funny," she said as she rolled her eyes. "I've decided you can have ice cream," Alexis told Kristina. "Goody..." Kristina began. "But there will be no movie and popcorn tonight...and no staying up past your bedtime," Alexis said. "Mommy...you are not being fair," Kristina stated. "Good...I was hoping you would say that...then you get no ice cream either and go to bed now," Alexis stated. "Does that make things fair?" "Why do you always win, Mommy?" Kristina asked. Kristina placed her hands on her hips and turned to Sonny. "She always wins," Kristina stated in frustration. "I know how that is..." Sonny said with a smile remembering some of the arguments they had during their friendship. The four had enjoyed the ice cream. They bathed the twins and then Sonny read a bedtime story, at Kristina's insistence, of course. Alexis and Sonny walked back into the living room and stood in silence. "I'll go make some coffee," Sonny said as he pointed toward the kitchen. Alexis shook her head and sat down on the couch. "What a day!" she thought to herself. She turned and smiled as she heard the padding of little feet in the hall. Her smile grew wider as he rounded the corner and jumped in her lap. "Hello, Little One," Alexis said softly, as she kissed the boy on the forehead. He snuggled into her chest. His head under her chin and his arms locked around her neck. "I love you so much," Alexis whispered. "You are my heart." The boy smiled and raised his head. He placed his small hands on her cheeks and leaned his forehead to hers. This was a nightly ritual for the mother and son but each time it seemed so much more special. The boy stared intently in Alexis' eyes. She willed the unshed tears to stay in her eyes but lost the battle as one escaped down her cheek. The little boy with the deep dimples, curly black hair and mocha skin took his tiny finger and wiped it away. "Don't cry Mama. It's all gonna be okay," he said. Alexis gasped at his words, the words his father had spoken to her on the night he was conceived. Things had been far from okay after that night. But, this night, Alexis couldn't help but feel hope for the future. How could things not be okay?
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