A/N: We are nearing the end as it all starts to come to a head. Thank you for your constant support!
The car ride was quiet, so much simmering under the surface of both of their facades. It was enough, right now, for him to know that this was his future and he wouldn't give up on it.
His house looked big, lonely, a shell of what it was supposed to be. It was a symbol of his status, his power, but it had never really been a home. No, his home was across the city, surrounded by a lake, with three toffee eyed girls who drove him crazy and made him sane.
She slowed to a stop in the circular drive and their gazes met, "I need to talk to her" he said.
Nodding she fought the emotion in her voice, "I know, and I think she needs you to…but I also think you need to go take a shower and try and sleep some before you do. Emotions are high"
Smiling slightly he shook his head, "You're right" he said before grasping the handle. Stopping her turned back to her, "Thank you for believing me"
Moisture pooled in her eyes, "I never really stopped"
It meant more to him then she could have known and he had to swallow the own lump in his throat before climbing out of the car and going inside. It wasn't until he was in there that he let the lone tear slip out onto his cheek, he would make this right.
OoO
He had slept, fitfully but he managed to get a couple hours of rest in. Jason's call had from wakened him…another missed shipment…another problem he didn't want to have to deal with anymore. There was a time the business, the power and everything that had come along with it had been the most important thing in his life…but not anymore.
"We just need to find out who's behind it" he explained, "I don't want a war right now…with Kristina, and now this Kiefer situation"
Looking out onto the water he sighed as he listened to Jason, "No, Alexis came and got me out…but it wasn't me, and I don't know if it was someone trying to set me up…but I'll figure that out, you work on the Zacchara's"
Throwing his phone on his bed he looked in the mirror, his mother wouldn't be proud of this man.
OoO
The sun was beginning to dip from its place in the sky as he headed over to the lake house. He figured they could talk before dinner, take a walk down the edge of the water and he could try to explain to her.
She was sitting on the couch when he got there, no makeup, the bruises steadily fading but still a grayish green that made him sick to his stomach. When he knocked her neck snapped up and their eyes met. Slowly she got up and walked towards the door opening it to greet him, "Hey"
"Hey"
There was a silence before she opened the door wider for him to come in and he cleared his throat, "Actually, I was thinking we might take a walk by the lake and talk"
Her eyes widened but she nodded, "Let me tell Mom"
"Okay"
OoO
A peace settled around them, the pine trees emanating a sweet smell as the water lapped gently on the shore. They walked for awhile until they came to a small dock. Walking to the end they sat, legs dangling above the water, "I did not hurt Kiefer" he started out, "And I know you may not believe but I swear on the grave of my mother that I wasn't behind his attack"
She didn't speak for a long time and before she did she let out a sigh before she looked at him, "I believe you"
It was a shocking moment and he didn't quite know how to respond but she just kept speaking, "I spent all night awake thinking about it…and at first I just assumed you had…and I understood why but I was still so upset…but the more and more I thought about it…but I believe you" she rambled in a way that was so similar to her mother.
"That means a lot to me" he told her reaching out for her.
Scooting across the wooden planks she wrapped her arms around him and his chin rested on her head, "I really want to be the kind of dad you deserve" he admitted to her.
"I love you dad"
"I love you too"
OoO
They walked back towards the house hand in hand, both smiling. As they came inside they were greeted by Molly, Morgan and Michael.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here" he asked happily.
Alexis came out with boxes of pizza, "I thought you might appreciate a nice night with all your kids"
Their eyes met over the small gathering and he nodded his thanks, "Alright who wants pizza" she asked to a chorus of yes'.
OoO
He was hoping to have a moment alone with her after the kids left and went to sleep but the frantic text message he got from Olivia had him racing across the city and back towards his own home. When he arrived at his home she was there pacing, her hands trembling.
"What's the matter?" he asked rushing towards her.
Her big round eyes were filled with tears and she shook her head, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I was just trying to protect everyone" she said.
Johnny.
It had to be and it made the vein in his forehead pulse in anger, "What did Johnny do?"
Brows furrowed together she shook her head, "John? No not John"
"Then what?"
Sighing she grabbed his hands, "I thought I could do this; I could take care of all of it…but it's just not working and I have to do this. Sonny, Dominic…he's a cop"
His blood ran cold in his veins and a million thoughts ran through his head. He had been infiltrated…he had trusted this kid…this had to be taken care of.
Letting go of her hands he contemplated his next move. He would have to call Jason; they would figure out a way to take the kid out quietly; have it look like an accident.
"You have to go" he ordered turning back to her.
"Sonny, listen"
"Olivia go!" he yelled turning to her and then grabbing his phone to dial Jason.
The glass shattering on the floor made him turn to her. Her mascara was streaked down her face, "Listen to me now"
"What?"
"You can't hurt him" she told him.
"Olivia"
"LISTEN TO ME. You cannot hurt him…because Dominic Perelli's real name is Dante Falconeri…he is my son" she explained.
For a moment it was as if the world stood still and he felt sick to his stomach and it wasn't even the worse of it until she uttered the next statement that changed everything, "And he's not just my son, Sonny, he's your son too"
