A/N: As a heads up this chapter is quite long, covering a number of conversations Kellie has with different people, Lucy Coe, Kevin Collins, Molly, Lorenzo, Sage, Zach Slater, Jason, Claudia, and Sonny. Also, while I'm not sure that Sonny and Lucy ever crossed paths too often in the past history of the show, for all intents and purposes I'm assuming they had at least enough to warrant Lucy wanting to take Kellie under wing just because she's Sonny's daughter. I've also fudged on Kevin and Lucy's history assuming that they are still married or got remarried since they were on Port Charles. Also in this chapter, Tyler gives Kellie back her wedding ring and Sage, Sam, and Lulu planning to surprise for Kellie. This chapter ends with Kellie seeking out Tyler to consummate their marriage. My original plan for this was for Tyler telling Kellie that he wanted to wait to consummate the marriage to be light, fun, romantic part. However, as you'll read it didn't quite turn out that way. I have to admit that more than any of the other stories in the Kellie Corinthos story, Crossing Into Dawn has written itself and taken turns I wasn't expecting when I planned it out. I do have some of the action stuff coming up but more of the natural disaster kind, and with the next chapter, Sage's past will start presenting some mysteries. Don't forget Lorenzo has his secrets too. I hope you are enjoying this part of Kellie's story even though it has turned out different than expected so far. And Happy Holidays, everyone!
Kellie sat on the beach, staring out at the waves. She fiddled with Tyler's cell phone before dialing.
"Hello," a female voice said after a couple rings.
"I'm looking for Dr. Collins," Kellie said.
"He's currently unavailable at the moment," the voice said, "Could I take a message?"
"I'll call back at a better time," Kellie said, "It's nothing important. I just wanted to thank him and apologize to him for coming to deal with my issues on Christmas."
"Is this Kellie, Sonny's daughter?" the voice said.
"Who wants to know?" Kellie replied, cautiously.
"I'm Dr. Collins' wife, Lucy," the voice answered, "Your dad and I go way back. This is really great. I was telling Kevin we should have you over for dinner. I'd love to hear how Sonny's doing and meet you. You and I could get together for lunch, maybe go shopping."
Lucy rambled on until Kevin took the phone away from her.
"Hello, can I help you?" Kevin said as Lucy protested in the background.
"Dr. Collins, this is Kellie Corinthos…Scott," Kellie said, slightly confused, "I just wanted to apologize for screwing up whatever plans you had Christmas day. If you could pass those sentiments on to your wife and family, that would be great. I would have apologized to your wife when she was on the line, but she um..yeah, she's interesting."
"I apologize for Lucy's over-excitedness," Kevin said, "She's been on me to invite you and Tyler to dinner. She's mostly curious about meeting you since you're Sonny's daughter. You are under no obligation to fulfill Lucy's requests if it makes you uncomfortable. I will keep her at bay for you."
"Thank you," Kellie replied, "Do you know my dad as well? I knew you were from Port Charles. It just never occurred to me that you and my dad would know each other."
"Yes, I'm acquainted with Sonny," Kevin said, "Is that a problem for you?"
"I don't think so," Kellie said, "I should go. Thank you again. Give your wife my apologies and I will see you next week."
"I will, Kellie," Kevin said.
"Bye, Dr. Collins," Kellie said.
Bye, Kellie," Kevin said.
"Invite her to dinner," Lucy said in the background as Kevin hung up the phone.
"Lucy," Kevin said, "Give the girl some breathing room. I know you're curious about Kellie. But you can't push yourself into her life just because she is Sonny's daughter. She has a lot of emotional trauma to deal with, some which Sonny has caused, not all of it but some of it."
"She's all by herself in a foreign country," Lucy said, "All I want to do is help take care of a friend's daughter. I'd certainly hope that if my daughters were by themselves in a foreign country that my friends in that country would reach out to them."
"Lucy, Kellie is not by herself. Her husband is with her," Kevin said, "And it's her uncle's island she's staying on."
"Invite him to dinner too," Lucy said, "Since when does Sonny have a brother?"
"Kellie's uncle on her mother's side," Kevin said, "Though Sonny does apparently have a brother. But that's a whole other story….Lucy, Kellie is not your typical girl. Her file's thick, Lucy. From mobster bloodlines and rapist stalkers to working for the WSB and crossing Helena Cassadine, I'm kind of surprised Kellie hasn't been institutionalized already. But she's resilient. She really doesn't need well-meaning but kind of meddling friends of her father's to take care of her."
"But….but.."Lucy said.
"Lucy, you need to leave Kellie alone," Kevin said, "You can look her up online and satisfy your curiosity about her that way. But I want you to promise me, you will not invite Kellie and her husband to dinner or contact them. You won't try to find out anything about her other than what you can find on the internet."
Lucy glared at Kevin.
"Lucy, I want to you promise," Kevin said.
"I promise," Lucy said, grudgingly.
"And you are not allowed to get in touch with Sonny about Kellie," Kevin said.
"I'm sure Sonny would appreciate knowing we're taking care of his daughter or at least you are." Lucy said.
"Lucy, he doesn't know where Kellie is and it needs to stay that way," Kevin said, "Kellie and Sonny have a very stormy relationship. What she needs and what Sonny likes to insist she needs are two different things. If he knows who is treating her, he'll be here trying to drag Kellie back to Port Charles."
"Kevin, Kellie's his daughter," Lucy said, "Shouldn't he have a say in her treatment?"
"Normally, I would agree," Kevin said, "Kellie left Port Charles, her husband, and therapy behind when her brother Michael took a bullet in the head meant for Sonny. Michael's in a coma. Sonny has since married the woman who is suspected of being behind the hit."
"Oh," Lucy said, "No telling Sonny anything about Kellie."
"Kellie deals with Sonny on her terms," Kevin said.
"You're no fun," Lucy said.
Back In South America
"Note to self. Google Dr. Collin's wife," Kellie said. Then she dialed another number.
"Merry Christmas, Kellie," Molly answered, "So did Tyler sweep you off your feet when he showed up to declare his love for you."
"Something like that," Kellie said, "I was literally speechless. Molly, what are you doing with my uncle's phone?"
"This is the best Christmas ever," Molly said, "You and Tyler are back together. My mom and Sam's dad are…hey, I'm not done talking to Kellie. She hasn't given me the details about her romantic Christmas with Tyler."
"Molly, you're too young for those details," Lorenzo said, taking the phone from her.
"But.."Molly said.
"Molly," Lorenzo said.
"Fine, I'll go read Romeo and Juliet or Jane Austen," Molly said, her voice getting fainter, "Killjoy."
"Merry Christmas, Kellie," Lorenzo said, "You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Uncle Lo," Kellie replied, "I take it my sibling-cousins have no clue about…"
"The only ones that know anything besides me are Alexis, Diane, Jason, Lainey, and your father somewhat." Lorenzo said, "I wouldn't be surprised if Sam and Sage know as well."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Lo," Kellie said, "For screwing up Christmas with my drama."
"Kellie, you have nothing to be sorry about," Lorenzo said, "You needed some help. There's nothing wrong with that whether it's Christmas or not. I'm sorry for not realizing what was really going on with you."
"Uncle Lo, you've always been great to me," Kellie said, "You let me do what I need to do even if you don't agree and take care of me even if I don't want it. I'm kind of glad you sent Tyler after me."
"You're welcome," Lorenzo said, cracking a smile.
"I know I'm difficult, Uncle Lo," Kellie said, "But thank you for not giving up on me and being nothing like Sonny. I love, Sonny, but he's…I don't know what he is. He tries, I know he loves his kids, and he comes through when it really counts in the extremes, but sometimes I feel like you're more like a dad to me than he is. You actually listen to me where Sonny hears what he wants to hear."
"Sonny tends to be the center of his own universe," Lorenzo said, "You and Sage got the raw end of the deal when it comes to your fathers. I want you and Sage to be able to come to me just like Sam and Lila Rae can. I hope you know that."
"I'm starting to figure that out," Kellie said, "It means a lot that you'll do that. So you and Alexis, huh? I wondered when you'd get around to asking her out."
"It was just a date," Lorenzo said.
"I screwed up your date with her too," Kellie groaned.
"None of that," Lorenzo said, "I'm glad she was with me."
"I hope it works out between you two," Kellie said, "Molly probably has the whole romance planned out."
"She convinced Alexis to take the date," Lorenzo said.
"Are we going sledding or what, Mr. Alcazar?" Molly asked in the background, "Danny's ready to go."
"I think that's your cue," Kellie said, "Lucky for you. We can discuss the step-nut later."
"Don't worry about Claudia," Lorenzo said, "Jason and I are handling it."
"Well, I still want a piece of her," Kellie said, "If she did hurt Michael."
"Fair enough," Lorenzo said as Danny started screaming, "Grandpa Lo sled."
"You better go," Kellie said, laughing, "Grandpa Lo."
"I can't get used to that," Lorenzo said, "I'll talk to you later."
"Bye," Kellie said, "Have fun sledding."
The called ended and Tyler's phone rang.
"Hi Sage," Kellie answered.
"Kellie," Sage said, "Wow, so you're like back among the living coherent so to speak. I was calling Tyler for an update."
"Yeah," Kellie said, "I busted my cell phone. So I'm using Tyler's cell phone."
"Did you call Uncle Lo?" Sage asked.
"Just before you called," Kellie said, "He was getting ready to go sledding with Molly and Danny."
"He and Alexis went on a date," Sage said.
"I know. I interrupted it," Kellie said.
"Oh, right," Sage said, "How are you, I mean really."
"I really don't have an answer for that," Kellie said.
"It's just been intense for you, hasn't it?" Sage asked.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "The way I've been coping, it's not."
"Doesn't work so well anymore," Sage said, "That's probably a good thing. You need to start calling your girlfriends. Girl talk is a perfectly acceptable form of coping."
"Really, Sage," Kellie said, "I don't do girl talk. You know that."
"You won't do girl talk," Sage said, "You of all people need to start. No arguments."
"Sage," Kellie said.
"I've said my piece," Sage said, "You're no longer allowed to shut us out. You haven't called anyone but our Uncle since you left. Just call me or Sam or Lulu every once in a while. It won't kill you."
"I'll try," Kellie said.
"You will," Sage said, "Now I have to go. I'm meeting Sam for lunch. Bye."
The call disconnected. The phone rang again. An unknown number displayed on the screen.
"Do I really want to answer this?" Kellie asked herself and then answered.
"So what's this I hear about you trying to get out of our deal where you make things work with your husband," Zach said.
"I tried," Kellie said.
"And bailed when things got tough," Zach said.
"I should stop answering my husband's phone calls," Kellie said.
"We all want to talk to you anyway," Zach said.
"My social skills are being severely taxed," Kellie said.
"They wouldn't be so rusty if you hadn't isolated yourself from the rest of the world," Zach said.
Kellie groaned, "My brother got shot in the head thanks to my father's stupidity and."
"So life sucks. Did you bail when things got rough and lives were on the line?" Zach said, "No. You can't bail on relationships just because life gets messy. Things get tough you stick with it. Let the people that care about you be there for you rather calling for flights out of town on Christmas Eve and throwing temper tantrums, trashing bathrooms."
"Just stop, Zach. Please just stop," Kellie said, "Just apologize to your wife for me."
"I already did," Zach said, "She feels kind of bad about the way she talked to you when you called. Well, only in that you apparently had a meltdown following it."
"Zach, I'm going to hang up now," Kellie said, "Since I'm pretty sure you just wanted to make sure I'm coherently speaking and functioning like a so called normal person more or less."
"Think about what I said," Zach replied, "No bailing when things get tough."
"Bye Zach," Kellie said and hung up. She briefly considered throwing Tyler's cell phone in the ocean.
"It's not the cell phone's fault you don't like people today," Tyler said, coming up behind Kellie.
"I've talked to a lot of overly social people and not by choice," Kellie said, "Dr. Collin's wife, Molly, and Sage and Zach Slater who are rays of annoying sunshine."
"And probably right about a lot of things. You scared them and they care," Tyler said, noticing the ring on Kellie's finger, "Although I can see how that much optimism might grate on you. What's with the ring on your finger?"
"After I left you I couldn't get used to not wearing a wedding ring on my finger," Kellie said, "I…I bought a ring to wear in place of my wedding ring."
"Well, then Kellie Riley Corinthos Scott," Tyler said, pulling her wedding ring out of his pocket, "I think it's time you took the real one back."
"You kept my wedding band," Kellie said, amazed.
"Why not? You still wear your original engagement ring on a chain around your neck," Tyler said, putting his hand out face up to Kellie.
Kellie let Tyler take her hand. He pulled the ring she had been wearing off and replaced it with her wedding band.
"This ring can hang on the chain with your old engagement ring," Tyler said, pulling Kellie against him and kissing her forehead, "And one day after you've had time to heal and are ready, I will come to you and propose and you'll say yes and we'll have a real wedding."
"Tyler, we don't have to." Kellie said.
"Yes, you're going to get an actual proposal and a real wedding one day," Tyler said, "You've been cheated twice out of a real wedding day. I think it would help to renew the vows we didn't intend to be permanent originally."
"I know," Kellie said, "I've always been able to keep one foot out the door because of that."
"It's going to take some time," Tyler said, "but we're going to do this right. We'll be able to trust our relationship through anything."
"Tyler, I was wondering," Kellie said, "When I'm ready to leave here, find our own place, you won't mind if we don't go back to Port Charles. I know you've done really well with Alexis's practice."
"I'm not going to make you live in Port Charles if you don't want to," Tyler said, " In fact, Alexis wasn't expecting me to come back. She wrote me letters of recommendation already. I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you."
"Okay, I'll visit eventually," Kellie said.
"But going back won't help you right now," Tyler said, "I know. You need to make your life separate from all the drama and danger."
"Thank you," Kellie said.
Tyler smiled, "Do you still have phone calls to make?
Kellie nodded.
"Good thing you didn't throw the phone in the ocean," Tyler said.
"It still might end up there," Kellie said, "My dad's one of them."
"You don't have to call your Dad if you're not ready," Tyler said.
"I want to," Kellie said, "Even if it's a screaming match. I'm going to call Jason first find more about his marriage if you can call it that to Claudia."
"From what I understand he married Claudia to take over the Zacharra holdings and get back into the business," Tyler said.
"I'm sure she married him to cover herself if we ever find proof she's was behind my brother's shooting," Kellie said, "I'm just hoping she doesn't get knocked up. Of course, My dad has knocked up almost every woman he's ever slept with."
"It's a business marriage," Tyler said, "Do you really think he'd sleep with her?"
"Yes," Kellie said, "Considering he was probably screwing Kate Howard and my mother within months of each other and slept with his 1st wife which was a marriage like the one to Claudia, he'll sleep with her. My father has a weakness for women, even ones that are enemies."
"Claudia's not your responsibility," Tyler said.
"I know. I've done what I can without going back to Port Charles," Kellie said, "My investigators haven't found anything."
"Well, when you're done," Tyler said, "We'll have Christmas dinner out here on the beach."
Back in Port Charles
Kelly's Diner
Sam and Sage were sitting at the table waiting for their orders.
"Have you talked to Kellie yet?" Sage asked.
"Not yet, but my dad's the only one she's really talked to since she left," Sam said, "I can't believe that she broke like that. She's always seemed so resilient."
"But Michael's shooting threw her for a loop," Sage said, "The way things happened interrupting her wedding night with Tyler. I wish we hadn't of pushed her the way we did to consummate the marriage. Maybe."
"You can't think like that," Sam said, "She still might have bolted. Have you spoken to her?"
"Actually, yeah,' Sage said, "I was trying to reach Tyler for an update and Kellie answered the phone. She's okay, I think. But she's raw and doesn't know how to process right now. I told her she should call us, you me, or Lulu. Girl talk would probably help her."
"Girl talk and Kellie are polar opposites," Sam said, "Haven't you watched her when we all hang out. She doesn't know how. I don't think she's ever had a close group of girlfriends to do that with. Since she was raped, she's lived a cloak and dagger life where girl talk and trusting people can get you or them killed."
"So you're saying, she literally has to be reprogrammed," Sage said.
"Something like that," Sam said, "And it's not like she had a mom growing up to do girl things with before this all happened. While you and I didn't really have our mom's growing up, we've had people who showed us that. Kellie has had more male influence in her life than female. Carly and Alexis do what they can for Kellie, but they have a lot to handle raising their kids in our world."
"Well that settles it," Sage said, not noticing Lulu enter the diner, "We have to get Lulu and go to South America for New Year's. Bring some girl time to Kellie."
"She might not be ready for it," Sam said, as Lulu stood behind Sage listening.
"She's isolated on an island with the staff and her husband for company," Sage said, not noticing Lulu's presence, "Hardly, the environment for her to break out of her shell in. Sam, she's done so much for us. Maybe we can do this for her. I know it's not death defying and life saving…"
"I will talk to my dad and see if her therapist thinks Kellie could handle it," Sam said, "So don't cancel your plans with Milo just yet."
"Well, Tyler's going to need company," Sage said, "I figure Milo and Jason should come too and they can have a guy's night out."
"I think it sounds great. I had no plans for New Year's. If we can find me a South American hottie, it's perfect." Lulu said, joining the conversation, "When do we leave?"
Port Charles Hospital
Monica's Office
"Lucy, this is a surprise," Monica said as she answered the phone.
"Well, I was looking for information on a Port Charles resident I've kind of crossed paths with," Lucy said.
"What do you mean kind of crossed paths with," Monica asked.
"She's one of Kevin's patients," Lucy said, "Sonny's daughter, Kellie. Kevin won't tell me a lot because of patient confidentiality mumbo jumbo and I'm curious about her."
"You want to take an old friend's daughter under your wing," Monica said, "And help her if you can."
"I feel like I should do something for her," Lucy said, "I'd hope someone would do the same for my daughters."
"Have you talked to Sonny?" Monica asked.
"Kevin made me promise I wouldn't talk to Sonny," Lucy said, "I guess she and Sonny don't get along."
"That is an understatement," Monica said.
"That bad," Lucy asked.
"Lucy, you are asking me to explain a woman who cannot easily be explained," Monica said, "Sonny's daughter has been through a lot. She was raised by a single mother who overdosed when she was five. She grew up in the foster system. She faked her death to get away from a man who kidnapped and raped her. I believe that caused her to miscarry her fiancee's child. Her rapist got off."
Lucy gasped.
"Are you sure you want me to continue?" Monica asked.
"Where was Sonny during all this?" Lucy asked.
"He had no idea Kellie existed until her rapist chased her into town and stabbed Sonny's son, Morgan. She donated her blood to Morgan which got Jason looking into her parentage. Lo and behold, she's Sonny daughter."
"What happened to her rapist?" Lucy said, "Did Sonny send him to swim with the fishes?"
"He died in a bizarre police bust," Monica said, "Kellie left town and worked for the WSB. Her work brought her back to Port Charles because Sonny was self-destructing. She took over the business. Her fiancée who thought she was dead came to town; found out she wasn't so dead. It also turns out that Kellie's mother was the illegitimate sister of his enemy, Lorenzo Alcazar. Lorenzo's brother, Luis, came back from the dead and wanted to use Kellie in a mob war. Helena Cassadine got mixed up in this at some point. Luis made everyone think his daughter and Kellie's fiancée was dead for awhile. Helena and Luis had kidnapped Jason's son and Alexis's daughter at some point. One of Alexis's other daughters turned out to be Lorenzo's. "
"This is turning out to be some family tree," Lucy said.
"Kellie and her old fiancée got married to get information from a priest to find the kids," Monica said, "Eventually, Helena held her, her husband, and her cousins, Sam and Sage hostage on what was Spoon Island. Helena tried to brainwash Kellie who made it look like it worked. Everyone thought Kellie had gone evil. She made everyone think she killed her cousin while getting both cousins off the island."
"Sounds pretty elaborate," Lucy said, "Pulling something like that over on Helena Cassadine. What do you mean by 'what was Spoon Island."
"Luis rigged the entire island to explode. Luis died for good this time we hope," Monica said, "Kellie's husband took a bullet which somehow ended up with them trying to make the marriage work. It seemed to be working until her brother got shot."
"At which point she bolted and ended up being treated by my husband," Lucy said, "Wow, and that's the cliff notes version."
"You asked," Monica said, "Don't get me wrong, Kellie is a lovely girl. Her past through very little fault of her own is probably a case study for a lot of things. If you want more information, you should talk to Jason. He knows more than I do, working for Sonny. He tries to watch out for her like a sister, well a sister with a lot of his skills."
South America
"How's Kellie? Is there anything you need from me," Kellie heard Jason asked when she called.
"Hey Mob Boy," Kellie answered.
"Kellie…" Jason said, slightly surprised, "I hate that nick name."
"Deep down you know you like it," Kellie said.
"If it means you aren't holed up in the room crying, having a break down," Jason said, "Then I might like it a little. So Dr. Collins is treating you?"
"Yeah. Do you know him?" Kellie said, "I know he knows my dad and so does his wife, Lucy."
"You've met the infamous Lucy Coe then," Jason said.
"Not really, she answered the phone when I called to apologize for interrupting Dr. Collins's Christmas," Kellie said, "She was kind of a whirlwind."
"Lucy is definitely a little ostentatious, but she has a good heart," Jason said, "If you need help and it's within Lucy's power to do it, she will move heaven and earth to make it happen. She's a good a person to have behind you."
"Really," Kellie replied.
"Yes, really," Jason said, "I don't think she'd hesitate to help you knowing you come from Port Charles and her acquaintance with your Dad. I don't know how good of friends Lucy and Sonny were in the past. I think a lot of their acquaintance was through Robin and the nurse's ball. And Dr. Collins is one of the best in his field. You can trust both of them."
"That's good to know I guess," Kellie said, "How is everyone?"
"Same," Jason said, "Getting through Christmas without Michael was hard."
"Yeah, Christmas kind of blew right by me," Kellie said, "What was Sonny thinking marrying Claudia?"
"Sonny's not thinking Kellie," Jason said, "You already know that. I don't understand what Sonny is doing."
"Jason, I'm not in a position to be able to help with whatever Claudia's up to," Kellie said, "My investigators have come up with nothing."
"I'm on it, Kellie," Jason said, "You don't even have to ask. If she was behind Michael's shooting, no one wants her to pay for it more than I do."
"I know," Kellie said, "I just needed to."
"Kellie, you have protected your family every time you've had to in the past," Jason said, "And never failed at it. But this time, this thing with Claudia is not your responsibility. Sonny is not your responsibility either. You don't have to do anything more than you already have."
"All I've done is run and protect and whatever else for so long," Kellie said,
"But with the shape you're in emotionally right now, Kellie," Jason said, "You're so burned out on survival mode, you'd be hard pressed to protect yourself if push came to shove. Tyler could probably do a better job than you right now and I don't think he knows how to use a gun."
"That's not funny," Kellie said, "I should teach him him some self defense moves at least especially since I don't think he's going anywhere."
"Good," Jason said, "He is so far gone in love with you. It was torture watching him mope around town after you left. If Alexis, Sam, Molly, and Kristina hadn't intervened I think he'd still be here moping."
"Was he that bad?" Kellie asked.
"We had to clean the penthouse after he left," Jason said, "I don't think he had thrown out the garage since you left. Which speaking of your penthouse, what do you want to do with it?"
"Nothing with it right now," Kellie said, "I'm not planning to return to Port Charles. But I'd like to keep it in case I ever come back to visit."
"Does Sonny know you don't plan to come back yet," Jason asked.
"He's my next call," Kellie said.
"Good luck," Jason said, "Don't be a stranger."
"Say hi to Sam for me," Kellie said, "And spoil Danny for me."
"I will," Jason said, "Take care."
"Bye," Kellie said, hanging up.
Before she could hesitate, she dialed Sonny's number.
Claudia picked up the phone, "Mrs. Corinthos speaking."
"You sound pretty sure of that title, Claudia," Kellie said, "Aren't you little bit worried you might be playing with fire marrying Sonny especially if you have any connection to his son being in a coma?"
"Who is this?" Claudia demanded.
"Your worst nightmare," Kellie laughed, "Think about this one Claudia. I don't have to be anywhere near you to be your worst nightmare. I just have to wait for you to screw up all on your own."
"Claudia, what are you doing answering my cell phone," Sonny said in the background.
"What's yours is mine right sweetheart," Claudia quipped.
"Claudia, just put my father on the phone," Kellie said.
"Apparently, it's your vagabond emotionally distant offspring that calls herself your daughter only when she wants something from you," Claudia said.
"Don't ever speak about any of my children that way again," Sonny said, grabbing the phone from her.
"She threatened me," Claudia said.
"Be grateful that's all she's done," Sonny said, "Kellie, are you still there?"
"I'm still here, Dad," Kellie said, "Merry Late Christmas."
"What happened down there?" Sonny asked, "It sounded like you really kind of lost it."
"Something like that," Kellie said, "Everything that's happened to me just kind of caught up to me. I couldn't run anymore I guess."
"Is Tyler with you?" Sonny asked.
"He's here," Kellie said, "He's been really, really great."
"He should think about coming back to Port Charles with you," Sonny said, "When are you coming home?"
"Dad, I'm not coming back to Port Charles," Kellie said.
"You need to be close to me and the rest of your family," Sonny said, "Let us take care of you."
"And how long is going to be before the next crisis comes along and I bottle everything up again in the name of protecting my family," Kellie said, "If I come back, I'll end up right back where I started."
"You won't let that happen," Sonny said, "You're strong."
"Sometimes too strong, Dad," Kellie said, "I don't even know how to deal with the fact that you married the woman who might have hurt Michael."
"You haven't been around, sweetheart," Sonny said, his voice level rising slightly, "You don't understand."
"I do understand," Kellie said, "All too well. I can't save you this time, Dad. I just hope that no one else gets hurt."
"Kellie, I'm your father," Sonny said, gruffly "I know what's best for all of us."
"Dad, you're not thinking," Kellie said as Sonny started to protest.
"Dad, I don't want to fight with you," Kellie said, "I just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas and let you know I'm doing better. Give Morgan and Kristina my love."
"Kellie," Sonny said as the line went dead.
"That went well," Claudia said, "Look I hate seeing you like this; upset over a daughter who really doesn't appreciate that you want to help her."
"Claudia, don't pretend you care," Sonny said, "Not about Kellie. Don't think I don't realize that you would rather she be God knows where since she's made it clear she doesn't approve of our marriage. You better pray if you did hurt Michael, she never finds out."
Back in South America
Later that night, Kellie stared out the window of the room she'd been staying in after her breakdown. She could kind of see the beach where she and Tyler had enjoyed a Christmas dinner. It had felt more like a date. Something they really hadn't done in who knew how long.
"Once a week, you and I are going to have a date night," Tyler said during dinner, "Even after we have a wedding ceremony."
Tyler wouldn't let Kellie protest. He kissed her before a word could get out of her mouth.
"I took it for granted that we were married," Tyler said, "I didn't romance you like I should have."
Tyler grinned, "Every other week, you have to plan the date."
Kellie wasn't sure about the part of his plan where she had to plan the date. She wasn't sure of anything at the moment, including the fact what the sleeping arrangement was. Tyler had called it a night before she had.
After staring out the window a few seconds longer, Kellie left the room and made her way to Tyler's room. He didn't even hear her pick the lock and enter the room. Entering the room, Kellie shut the door and re-locked it.
Kellie found Tyler with the covers thrown halfway off, wearing only a pair of pajama pants. She sat on the bed next to him and lightly ran her fingers through his hair and down his face.
Tyler stirred and cracked his eyes open, "Kellie, what are you doing?"
"I'm not sure," Kellie said, running her hand down Tyler's chest, "I was confused about the sleeping arrangements. Back in Port Charles we slept in the same bed, even though we hadn't…
Then Kellie stopped talking and leaned in closer to Tyler. Time seemed to stand still for a moment until finally Kellie kissed Tyler.
Tyler pulled Kellie closer to him and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her back. Kellie pushed back from Tyler long enough to take her shirt off.
"Kellie, I should explain something," Tyler started to say when Kellie laid on the bed and pressed right up against his body.
Tyler lost his train of thought when Kellie kissed him again. He responded, forgetting as Kellie's lips found his neck his plan to wait. Somehow in the tangle of arms and legs, Tyler managed to yell, "Stop."
"Tyler, I don't want to think about this," Kellie said, "I'm tired of thinking."
Tyler put space between him and Kellie.
"Can you honestly tell me that if we made love tonight and some horrible family drama endangered us all, you wouldn't run off on your own and shut me out?" Tyler asked.
Kellie stared at Tyler, unable to answer.
Finally, Kellie started to bolt muttering something about this being a mistake. Tyler grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving.
"I should have explained sooner, I guess," Tyler said, "I didn't expect you to come to me like this. I want nothing more to make love to you, Kellie girl. But when I said I wanted to do things right, I also meant this."
"What are you saying?" Kellie asked.
"We're not consummating the marriage until we renew our vows," Tyler said, "I need to know you're in this for the long haul before I can be with you that way."
"You don't trust me," Kellie said, "I guess I can't blame you. I should go."
Kellie yanked her wrist away from Tyler and ran from the room, leaving her t-shirt behind.
Tyler sat up on the bed for some time before getting up to look for Kellie. After searching the house and finding no sign of her, he went down to the beach. He found Kellie lying in the sand, sobbing and slugging Tequila out of a bottle.
Without warning, Tyler yanked the tequila bottle away from Kellie and hurled it across the beach. The bottle shattered when it the ground.
"You had no right to do that," Kellie said, attempting to stand.
"You, alcohol, and emotions don't mix well," Tyler said, trying to steady Kellie, "I thought I threw all the alcohol in the house out. Tomorrow when you're sober, you're going to show me where you keep the rest of it."
"Just leave me alone," Kellie said, falling back into the sand.
"No," Tyler said as Kellie scrambled to leave.
Tyler grabbed Kellie around the waist and lifted her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.
"Put me down," Kellie yelled, pounding her fists against Tyler's back.
"The only place I'm putting you is to bed," Tyler said, "You're drunk, hurt, angry, and about to crash."
"That shows how much you know, City Boy," Kellie said.
Tyler carried Kellie up to the house where the butler having heard the commotion was waiting, holding the door open. He carried her back to his room and laid her on the bed.
Kellie tried to get up. Tyler blocked her.
"You don't want me and you don't trust me," Kellie lashed out, tears still streaming down her face, "So why are you even still here?"
"I'm not trying to hurt you, Kellie," Tyler responded, "But you're raw and looking for anything to numb the pain right now. I want you but not like that."
"I just want to stop hurting all the time," Kellie sobbed, "Is there something wrong with that?"
Tyler stroked Kellie's hair, "No, only if you're hell bent on self-destruction to stop it."
Kellie collapsed against Tyler, sobbing until she fell asleep.
Tyler laid himself and Kellie on the bed. Kellie, still asleep, pressed her body as close against Tyler as she could, wrapping her arms and legs around him.
All Tyler could think as he drifted off to sleep was that he should invest in some ice packs. A lot of ice packs.