A/N: I swear this idea just ended up writing itself; I tried to stop it. It was born listening to the Joni Mitchell song "Both Sides Now." Feedback would be appreciated; I am not even quite sure I should continue. Anyway, Sonny and Carly got back together February 2007, and Alexis and Sonny's friendship is totally rekindled...this story begins in November 2007...Nikolas is throwing a big birthday party for Kristina and Molly and a celebration of Alexis' cancer being in remission...Alexis and Jax have decided to cut their losses and try their hands at a relationship. Neither Sonny nor Carly know...until the night it begins. The story starts out with little soliloquy's from each of the main players...there are other couples: LuSam and Liason for sure.

Maybe I saw the end before it began and just didn't want to believe it. She was so different than the woman I had loved before...she was fiercely independent..she didn't need the white knight routine I had perfected. But all along I knew that he was there in the shadows, and that he could take her back if I let my guard down. I left Port Charles with a fiancee and came back with her another man's wife. She hadn't needed to explain; it was written right there in those blue eyes I had loved so much. I wish I could hate her; it would be much easier that way...and the old me, the me before I loved her..he would have made her suffer...instead I sit here and suddenly I realize everything I know of love...it's a lie. So I go to the one person who has loved me in spite of my faults, my best friend.

It's hard to remember a time when I haven't loved him...in that explosive way we do. I keep saying how we aren't good together, but we love each other...that's enough. We are a family again...half of the town would call us crazy, and the other half thinks us crazies deserve each other. So what if another one of our marriages was built from lies; this time it will be different. This time he won't keep stuff from me, and this time I won't lie anymore. I guess if I say it enough times I may believe it...I may believe that this time he will respect me, that this time we won't destroy each other and everything in our path...I have to believe it because I made my choice. I chose our family over a man who respected me, who loved me warts and all...I have to believe this is true love.

Love sucks. Not the love you have for your children, or your family...no, that love that Hallmark created holidays for. Sure it starts out nice...with the beating fast of the heartbeat...I guess it's appropriate since it usually ends with your heart ripped out laying lifeless on the floor. Maybe I am being melodramatic, but I haven't had much luck in love lately. There was the wedding I ran away from by hitching a semi, the husband who slept with my daughter in my house, and then there was him. My best friend, one night lover, the only time I led with my heart. That is how I know the heart is a fool...because my heart led me to him only for the feelings not to be reciprocated...I don't regret it though...because it gave me the kind of love that doesn't suck. He made me a mother...and because of that I am okay...and I have my best friend, my ex-husband in name only...I will be okay.

I finally got back what I wanted...my family all under one roof. I knew it was only a matter of time until she came back to me. Candyboy and his overtures were no match for what we have. We are passionate people and we belong together. She is my destiny; because she is what I deserve. How many times has she fought for me...she has fought the hardest for me...this is where I am supposed to be at. We will be happy this time; I will be truthful this time so she doesn't have to lie. We won't destroy each other this time...I will be content...I have to be.

November 2007

She smoothed his shirt out for the party tonight...his daughter's 7th birthday party. It had been nine months since they had decided to make their marriage work. It had been filled with their fair share of ups and downs. This time both were committed to making it work...she had given up too much for it not to.

She was roused from her thoughts by Morgan running up the stairs, "MOM-MY" he cried exaggerating.

"Yes sweetie" she turned to her youngest son.

"Mikey says we gotta go; or we gonna be late...and I don't wanna miss cake"

She beamed at him, "alright let's go" she said walking out the bedroom door.

Sonny watched her go...the only time she smiled like that was with the two boys. He tried to think nothing of it as he grabbed the small wrapped gift off the dresser; the bigger presents having been sent ahead. He smiled because he was off to see his favorite girl.

OooOoOoOo

Alexis walked into the Metro Court's grand ballroom that had been turned into a pink oasis. She eyed her nephew who twinkled at her.

"Too much?" he asked walking over.

She twirled around looking at the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, "perfect" she said kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey, hey, what about me...the pink was my idea" her oldest daughter said walking over in her party dress.

Alexis smiled at Sam glad they had finally come to this place, "well thank you sweetheart" she said embracing her.

"When are the birthday Princesses' coming" Nikolas asked.

"Jax is bringing them in an hour" she said smiling at the thought of one of he best friends...maybe more. She remembered the night he had told her he wanted more; she wasn't quite sure what he meant until he placed his lips on hers. It was then she had thrown caution to the wind and hoped this time she would be lucky in love.

OooOoOoOo

They arrived just as the party was swinging into motion. Carly knew the party plans since she had offered Nikolas the room at the Metro Court; her hotel...a month after she told him about her and Sonny he had the paperwork sent over to her giving her the hotel. She hadn't wanted it, and went over telling him she would give up her share...they fought and ended up in each other's arms...she relished in the feel of his kisses...but then he let her go...and goodbye was the last word he had said to her; tears in both of their eyes. As the kids ran off she automatically scanned the room for him. Where she found him made her heart sink.

Sonny walked in the room and immediately his eyes went to the dark haired little girl with the Princess crown on.

"Daddy!" she cried out tearing away from the other kids to run and jump into his arms.

He smiled as he smelled her hair, "Happy Birthday Baby Girl" he said kissing her nose.

"Thanks daddy" she said her front teeth missing.

"Where's mama" he asked.

He watched her turn, "over there" she said pointing by the massive pink cake.

When he looked she was standing with Luke laughing; he was glad to see those dimples again...she was skinnier than he had ever seen with black long sleeve dress hugging her slim figure, a wig still adorned her head...he knew she was still self conscious about her hair. He made his way over to her, and what happened next made him gasp for breath.

OooOoOoOo

Luke was making some joke about the length of her legs, but she was too happy tonight to be mad at him...and then Jax's arm came around her waist, and she felt her heart flutter. He had kissed her temple and she felt eyes on her. When she turned Sonny was there...with a slightly shocked expression on his face. At that moment it made her want to pull away from Jax; until she reminded herself there was no reason to. Sonny was her friend, Kristina's father...and that was it.

Carly saw him, and she felt that familiar butterfly that flew about every time they were in the same room...she watched as he glided across the room...and she watched in slow motion as his arm snaked around Alexis' waist and as his lips found her temple. For a moment she felt light headed and she turned around running right into Jason.

"Hey" he said looking into her eyes. When he saw the tears he wondered what had happened, but instead of questions he took her in his arms and looked across the room where Jax was draped over Alexis protectively.

Carly had pulled away from him, "I'm okay...I just need a couple of minutes"

Jason nodded letting her run off when he spotted his other best friend staring at the couple his mouth set in a tight line...Suddenly things became very complicated.