The Convenient Wife
by Kelly

chapter 46

Was there anything better than playing hooky and spending the whole
of your stolen afternoon in bed?

Justus sighed contentedly and drew Dara's lush body closer to his. He
so enjoyed these quiet lazy times when they could just hide away from
the world together and not be combatants. They could just do ordinary
stuff. Like watching the early evening news as they were doing now.

He was about to channel surf when the shot switched to a local
reporter for the Port Charles locality. Dara gasped and grabbed his
arm. "Wait, Justus, look! It's AJ!"

He looked up at the television in amazement and indeed saw AJ
Quartermaine on screen standing on the courthouse steps.

The reporter's voice over explained, "This was the scene today as
Alan Quartermaine, JR made an appeal to the public on behalf of a
case he desperately wants prosecuted."

AJ's voice intruded. "It is common knowledge in legal circles that
Sonny Corinthos, mob boss, contracted an assassin to have me killed
two years back. The hit man has come forward to tell his story to the
authorities. But for some reason…because of cowardice most likely…the
federal prosecutor, Jack Grayson, and the local DA, Ric Lansing…may
back away from this case. They've let Sonny's guard--who had first
hand knowledge of the contract--recant his testimony! This is an
outrage. I ask you, do you want to live in a town where a man like
Sonny Corinthos can decide he doesn't like you and plot to take your
life…with no punishment? I urge you to call the prosecutor and the DA
today and compel them to take on this case. Believe me, you won't be
safe unless Corinthos goes to trial and then to jail!"

The picture switched to one of a young female journalist. "DA Lansing
was asked to comment on Mr. Quartermaine's statement, but he
declined. When Prosecutor Grayson was contacted, he called the
statement bizarre and hung up on me. Stay close to the WLPC News for
more details on this developing story."

Justus clicked off the set and sat open-mouthed staring at the blank
screen.

Dara shook her head. "I don't believe Corinthos' luck!"

A wide grin spread over Justus' mouth. "Luck, thy name is AJ," he
jibed. "Could he be any more sanctimonious? Could he be more
melodramatic?"

"Only if he were Edward," she quipped.

"In one moment, that idiot poisoned the local jury pool and released
details of the case that were supposed to be kept under wraps. I will
bury this thing in motions until the cows come home…or more
accurately until Jack and Ric get tired of even bothering with it.
The case is a lame duck now."

She looked across at him. "Think AJ realizes he shot himself in the
foot?"

He smiled knowingly and lifted the receiver from his bedside
table. "No, but I'll be glad to call his hotel and give him the great
news."

She grinned despite herself. `You're evil!"

He shrugged. "I know."

***

"Mama?"

Sonny smiled down at Krissy as she woke from her nap, rubbing her
eyes. "No, Mama's out. But Daddy's here."

Krissy popped one arm around Lamby and the other hand stole up to
rest against Sonny's cheek. "Sonny?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'm Sonny. And I'm your Daddy."

"You're Daddy?"

"Yes," he answered, drawing a finger affectionately down her cheek.

"Daddy," she repeated, her hand warming his cheek and his heart.

"Daddy," he whispered and had to swallow hard to get the word past
the lump in his throat.

My first born, he thought. My only daughter. Beautiful and strong and
smart as a whip. Loving and affectionate and trusting. Her heart open
and unafraid.

Her life peaceful and safe.

Safe.

Just as Alexis had prayed and hoped and wished and worked for…a life
unlike her own. Unlike his own. One that this angelic creature
deserved.

Something twisted in his heart. How could he be angry at her mother…
how could he hold on to this wretched hurt…when the reason for her
lie stared up at him with trusting beautiful eyes untainted by the
agonies of his world? When he looked at this perfect child laying
before him?

Alexis' face came to his mind, so hurt and wounded when he'd pulled
away from her after they had made love. Her eyes, filled with tears
as they had been since yesterday, stared at him in his imagination.
Was she somewhere now regretting her decisions, punishing herself as
she always did for her wrongs, wondering if he loved her enough to do
what he swore never to do…forgive?

A piece of him softened. He fought it valiantly, banished her face
from his head. But then her scent came to him. That gardenia scented
bubble bath that seemed ever present in the apartment. He could
almost smell it now. He frowned and concentrated on his rage and was
able to dim that sense memory in his mind. But then there was the
softness of her skin. Like silk. The feel of it was on his palms. He
rubbed them futilely against the jeans he'd pulled on. He couldn't
erase the feel of her.

She was all over him. She was inside him. She was under his skin.
Part of his life. Part of his world. Part of him. And no matter how
much he raged and warred with her, he loved her and would always do
so. Now was the time to decide whether that was enough.

And as the thought flitted through his mind, he heard the front door
open. Krissy's eyes lit with excitement. "Mama?"

Sonny's eyes mirrored his child's. "Yes, Mama."

And he stood to go greet his wife.

chapter 47