Chapter Two
The closer Alexis was to the lake house the lighter she felt. Up before sunrise made her day longer than most people's and by the time she left Kristina's it seemed like she was doing so with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She had narrowly, blessedly, escaped further diagnoses of her shortcomings but not without feeling humiliated and disgusted with herself. Determined to overcome the feelings of failure she contacted her sponsor before leaving Kristina's parking lot and headed to their agreed upon meeting place.
After a lengthy exercise in introspection, encouragement and recommitment Alexis parted ways with the one who had become her godsend feeling empowered and optimistic. And with her home now within sight she was almost giddy at the prospect of literally laying her burdens down for the night.
But her mood shifted suddenly when she pulled into her driveway and found Sonny's car parked in her space. Alexis rolled her eyes and scoffed at the depths of his hubris as she cut the engine and exited her own vehicle. Not only did he have the nerve to show up uninvited, the time of night wasn't the most decent for receiving even expected company and he had already inconvenience her before she'd had a chance to lay eyes on him by stealing her parking spot.
Alexis made her way up the pathway with her head bobbing from side to side in disbelief though she really shouldn't have been surprised in the least. The man had swept right into the middle of her life like a tornado decades ago and helped alter its course for all time. While she walked and tried to figure out how to maneuver her way through his surprise ambush, she saw him sitting unfazed on her porch swing.
She didn't know if it was the sight of him; unexpected, unbothered or unprotected that confused her more. "What, no big guns tonight? Or is your entourage hiding in my bushes?"
He flashed an enigmatic smile and said, "Oh, I never leave home without my big gun. But to answer your question; the guys had the day off. Figured I'd give us all the gift of space from one another on my birthday."
"Ah, okay. Nice," Alexis cooed, "Well, thanks for playing. Good night."
"Not so fast."
His command stopped Alexis' steps but not without a grumble of protest. "Seriously, man. Do you have no inkling of the hour?" she wondered.
"I do. That's why I was hoping you'd invite me in for a nightcap; a cup of coffee," Sonny clarified in response to her raised eyebrow.
"I'm sure your machine and selection are far more superior to mine."
"Are you not getting your regular supply of the Corinthos blend? Because I can have some sent over first thing in the morning."
"That's quite thoughtful, but I manage." Alexis informed him as she turned the key in the lock to open her door.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?"
"Sure, come right on in and help yourself," she suppressed the urge to scream to reply sarcastically after Sonny strode past her and entered her home.
Although his mug was near empty Sonny brought it to his mouth once more to smother the smile that continued to form under Alexis' sharp gaze. The intensity of her stare hadn't wavered from the minute he'd sat on her couch and she took a seat in a chair opposite him.
He'd been made aware long ago that his presence in any setting unnerved her to no end, but truth be told he still enjoyed ruffling her feathers whenever the opportunity presented itself. When he noticed the slight irritation turning to open hostility he slowly placed his drink on the saucer resting on the coffee table in front of him.
"Ah," he gasped before crossing his legs, "you were right, Alexis. That coffee wasn't half bad if you know how to work with it. But there's no need for you to go through all the trouble. I'll make sure your pantry stays stocked with the best of the best."
"My hero," she said with a drawl and batting lashes that caused Sonny's laugh to reverberate loud and long. "Seriously though, what do you want? You can't really be here for tips on mediocre coffee. And I highly doubt that the tie I got you for your birthday made a blip on your radar, let alone moved you to deliver a personal thank you."
"But it was a touching gesture and I appreciate it." He treated her to a smile that was quick and brilliant.
Alexis nodded her acknowledgment. "You're welcome. Now spill."
"Honestly? I just didn't feel like being alone. Kristina said I deserved a break so she's keeping Avery for the night. That made the house so quiet and empty, and I just couldn't stand it for long. And I couldn't stop thinking about you either, wondering if you were okay. You were on my mind, Alexis, so I decided to come over and see how you were, but you weren't here."
"Yet you stayed…"
Sonny shrugged. "It's nice out, I didn't mind. So, where were you? Are you okay?"
"I'm a hell of a lot better than I was in Krissy's kitchen. I went to my sponsor, talked some things through; thought some things through."
"That's good. You know, I don't want you to think I'm sticking my nose in your business, you know, but if you umm…ever need someone else to talk to I'm around."
"Thank you," her voice matched his sincerity as she searched his face. "You know the sentiment works both ways. So, if you need an ear or two, I'm here. Birthday worship aside, how are you doing?"
Sonny's shoulders shot up again and he frowned. "I guess it's something like one day at a time for me too. I miss my boy with every bone in my body, with every breath that I take."
The raw anguish in his voice tugged at her heartstrings and tear ducts. It prompted her to wipe moisture from the corner of her eyes as she spoke. "I'm so sorry. I know that I miss him coming around or seeing him around town or hanging out with the girls, so I can't even begin to imagine the extent that you're feeling it. Krissy misses him like crazy too, all of us do. If there was anything I could do to take the pain away or bring him back to you all, I would."
Sonny nodded. "I know. Thanks for that."
"You're very welcome. Do you want more coffee? Some popcorn?"
"Nah, I'm good, thanks."
"Well suit yourself but I'm getting popcorn. How about you make yourself useful in the meantime? Fire up the tv and find us something to distract us from reality."
"Anything particular you have in mind?"
"Not really, I'm pretty easy. Just, no mob flicks."
Though it pained him, Sonny chuckled. "Of course not. We're escaping reality, right?"
"Exactly!" Alexis pointed and winked. "Make some room for me over there, why don't ya? I'll be back in a flash."
Despite Sonny's objections, Alexis returned with a tray loaded with snacks and drinks. His eyes scanned the bowls of popcorn, potato chips and nuts before they landed on slices of his leftover birthday cake. With the addition of more coffee, glasses of water and either juice, soft drinks or both, Sonny eyed Alexis skeptically and wondered just how many more were expected to join them.
"Just in case," she explained, as if she'd read his mind. "So, what'd you decide?"
"I've got some contenders, but the final decision is all yours."
"Smart man," she remarked, impressed.
Ever the lawyer, Alexis briefly considered and then dismissed any content that had violent, morose or political themes. Although they couldn't fill the void of Morgan's absence, she felt no need to have anything resembling death shoved in Sonny's face. Nor did she want their time together overshadowed by politics that would surely leave her angered and ranting. So, with his approval she settled on a classic tale of love deferred. By the time the story was over, and the main characters were living in their happily ever after, Alexis was slowly removing herself from Sonny's embrace.
Throughout the movie there had been laughter and tears and intense concentration on the plot, so she couldn't exactly remember when or how she'd ended up in Sonny's arms. But now that the credits rolled she was feeling vulnerable and foolish as she dabbed at her eyes and attempted to put distance between them.
Finding her presence even more comforting than he could have imagined, Sonny wanted to protest the second he felt Alexis begin to stir. She had been soft, warm and relaxed against him and it had calmed his spirit. With his body and soul mired in the devastation that came with losing a child, he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so close to someone or allowed someone to get so close. The intense grief that accompanied Morgan's death left him feeling like a man stranded on a deserted island. And even though companionship wasn't something he sought after, finding solace in Alexis was a welcome but surprising development since their personalities seemed to mesh with all the success of oil and water these days. As he contemplated her effect on him, her scent, he remembered a time in their lives when although things were never not complicated, it was somehow much easier, simple, between them. And he missed it.
Sonny's trip down memory lane must have been deeper, longer than he imagined because when his mind flipped back to the present, Alexis was staring down at him with her face knitted in confusion.
"Yeah?" he wondered, slightly embarrassed as he shifted on the sofa until he sat up straight.
"I asked if you were okay. Are you?"
"I guess as well as I can be."
"Do you want to tell me where you were just now?"
"Thinking about some things, everything. You and me."
"Alrighty then."
"Do you ever think about it, Alexis?"
"I feel like my mind never does rest, so I think all sorts of things."
"Okay. But more specifically does that include me and you?"
"In what context? Because you are the father of one of my kids, so you do cross my mind on occasion; especially when I wonder whose 'tude Krissy while be exhibiting that day; yours or mine?"
"Fair point. But I was thinking about another night, another one of my birthdays years ago."
"Oh god," Alexis gasped and shook her head. "You've gotta be kidding me, right?"
"Not at all. Not about this. Not tonight. Do you ever let yourself remember it?"
"Truth be told it's not really one of those things I can forget no matter how hard I try. It changed my life in a lot of ways. It changed who we were to each other, but you gave me one of my greatest joys." Alexis shook off memories and the conflicting emotions that were making her feel like a basket case. "Must we do this now?"
"Well tomorrow won't be my birthday…" Sonny joked before his face turned sheepish. "But really, I was just thinking about my life, the decisions I made that have led me to where I am today."
"You're not alone in that. Certain life events beg for us to examine ourselves, our choices."
"They do,' he agreed. "And to think I'm doing some of it sharing a sofa, popcorn and coffee with you. Funny how things shake out sometimes, huh?"
"Yeah it's a real laugh riot." Alexis deduced flippantly and then grew serious. "Well, Mr. Cortinthos, are there any epiphanies you'd like to share with the rest of the class?"
Allowing silence to take the lead, Sonny used the quiet time to study Alexis and weigh what he saw against his thoughts. "Nah."
Unsure of how to interpret the cryptic reply, Alexis narrowed her eyes on Sonny as the atmosphere got heavy. Her instinct was to press but since she had no clue what she'd set in motion, she opted to keep things simple with a little honesty of her own. "Don't let this go to your head or anything but I'm glad you came to see about me. It helps knowing you're thought of."
"Hey you're family. Don't you ever forget that you're not alone."
"Back at ya." Alexis acknowledged with a smile. "Well with all of this truth telling, bonding and gorging you'd think a girl would be passed out somewhere but I'm wired. How'd you feel about another movie?"
"I'm up for it. Just no chick flicks this time."
"Deal. I think we're long overdue for more than a few laughs anyway."
Awakened by various aches and pains, Alexis slowly came to consciousness with memories of how she'd ended up asleep on the sofa in the first place soon following. She'd been so gung ho for their second film and had the pleasure of experiencing several gut busting laughs before she had finally succumbed to fatigue and drifted off. But what surprised her the most now that she had her bearings was the fact that Sonny remained by her side.
His rest seemed to be peaceful and she imagined it was a feat that didn't occur too often these days, so she moved with caution when she separated her limbs from his and rose from the couch. As she stretched and worked out the kinks in her body she caught her reflection in the mirror and realized she was in need of a real good night's sleep. While contemplating her big comfortable bed, Alexis' gaze traveled to her watch, Sonny and then the view outside her windows. With her mind made up she went to the closet, retrieved a blanket from the top shelf and began to cover Sonny with it.
Although she worked as gently as possible her actions had him waking with a start. His quick response had her on the verge of jumping out of her skin until his hand covered her wrists and her heartbeat slowed.
"I'm sorry," she explained, "it just gets cold out her most of the time and I wanted you to have a little cover from it."
"What time is it?" he wondered as the fog slowly lifted from his brain.
"Just a few hours until dawn. So, I didn't see any reason to wake you up. Now, go back to sleep."
"Bossy."
Alexis saw the sleepy smirk on Sonny's face and sharpened her eyes on it. "What?"
"How are you gonna feel; what you are gonna say if somebody spots my car outside your place?"
She shrugged lazily. "What normal human being is really going to be out this far at this ungodly hour? But if they just so happened to be, I don't really care. I mean, the mobster and his former lawyer together? It's not like we haven't given the town more than enough to talk about through the years."
"I know but…"
"Sonny—"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up. Stay."
Finding concern, resolution and caring in her demand, Sonny nodded.
Alexis mimicked the action and after breathing a sigh of relief she planted a kiss on Sonny's cheek. "Good. Now sleep tight, Pa."
Smiling at the stubborn wave he gave her, Alexis got up and turned off all the lights before she headed to her bedroom.