Here's this Monday's edition of Stronger Than Pride. The plot thickens. Hope you enjoy, replies are appreciated.

Stronger Than Pride – Chapter 10

Alexis carried a sleepy Molly, while he held Kristina and Morgan's hands. Penthouse Two was home sweet home for their expanding brood and he for one would be glad to be back. The ride up on the elevator seemed to take an eternity. As the elevator announced their floor, Jason breathed a sigh of relief. After an eight and one-half hour flight and a two hour drive from the airport, he couldn't be more excited to see their home.

Their honeymoon had been amazing. He'd had two weeks of her and of their family. It had been the best two weeks of his life. She'd gotten under his skin even more, which he hadn't even thought was possible. However, real life called back in Port Charles called and they had to answer.

As soon as the elevator door opened, Jason saw Sonny waiting; so did Kristina and Morgan. "Papa!" they screamed, suddenly awake.

The noise woke Molly who scrambled in Alexis's arms until she hit the ground. She also screamed, "Papa!" Jason knew that at three, she only wanted to do anything Kristina and Morgan did. Still, he knew Ric would blow a gasket if he heard her call Sonny, "papa."

After a few minutes of being engulfed in little arms, Sonny extended his hand toward him. "Welcome Home."

"Thanks man."

He watched as Sonny moved toward Alexis. "Hey."

"Hey yourself." She smiled.

They stood there a bit awkwardly; almost reminding him of young teenagers who had their first crush, but maybe he was misreading things. Suddenly, he began to question whether it was a good idea for the two to work together. Then Sonny spoke. "Why don't I take the kids, so you and Jason can get some rest? Tiger's already next door."

"Please, please," pleaded the little voices.

He noticed the way Sonny looked at Alexis, though he knew it was unintentional. His wife was beautiful, even after a ten hour day. The pregnancy made her glow. He used to wonder how Sonny and Alexis had gotten together in the first place. Now, he wondered what pulled them apart.

Alexis smiled, "That would be wonderful."

Seconds later, Sonny and the little ones disappeared into Penthouse Four. He studied the way Alexis watched the door to Penthouse Four, even after Sonny and the kids had gone inside. He tried to shake it from his mind.

Sneaking up behind her, he swooped down and picked her up.

"Jason, what are you doing?" She laughed, all of her previous preoccupation vanishing instantly.

"Carrying you over the threshold. It's how you're supposed to end a honeymoon." Once inside he placed her gently on the sofa and then sat beside her. "How do you feel?"

"I'm good," she relaxed into the sofa. A moment later, she popped up. " You're not asking because you want to…"

"No," he chuckled. "It was a long flight and you're pregnant. You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Jason, I'm fine." She maneuvered herself until she was resting against his body. "You know this is going to take some getting use to."

"What?"

"Being pregnant and not alone." She sighed. "Ric was present for Molly's birth, but he was missing for most of the pregnancy. His obsession with Sonny's woman of the moment, kept him from focusing on his family."

"What about Sonny?"

"I don't think he knew they were having an affair."

Jason stroked her hair. "That's not what I mean. What I'm asking is why you chose to have Kristina without Sonny knowing about it?"

He felt her back stiffen just before she sat up. "I was scared of his lifestyle. Kind of ironic that I'm living it now and he's out, don't you think."

"So, how can you do it now?"

"Because it's much easier to live this life knowing you love me. I knew Sonny still loved Carly and I knew I couldn't live with him as his obligation and face losing him to either resentment or violence."

"Did you love him?"

"Yes, but sometimes love isn't enough, particularly when it's one-sided."

He wavered as he considered whether he should tell her it wasn't one-sided. Sonny loved her, then. He'd known it when he came back to town and saw the way Sonny looked at her. Sonny denied it at the time, but he really wasn't surprised when he admitted it later. He wondered if telling her the truth might give her a sense of relief or cause her more pain. Ultimately, he decided it was a door he didn't want to risk opening. "And now?"

"Now life has taken a totally unexpected turn and given me a husband that is more wonderful than I could have ever dreamed." She touched his face. "And now, my heart is so full of love for you that sometimes I feel like I could burst."

"Good answer." He kissed her tenderly. "By the way, you don't have to worry about having this baby alone. I'm won't leave you, ever."

"Promise?" The tears floated to the rims of her eyes.

"I promise." He placed his hand on her lower belly, which was still completely flat. He kissed her again.

The door burst open. Carly slapped her hands on her hips. "Oh my gosh! Is that all the two of you do? Tell me you didn't subject my son to your constant groping."

He smiled. Carly was joking, sort of. Over the last seven months, she'd softened to the idea of their marriage; particularly, since it was Alexis who'd encouraged Jax to give her a second chance.

"Hello Carly." Alexis deadpanned.

"Hello Alexis." Carly offered equal enthusiasm.

"Morgan's next door." Alexis turned to him. "Baby, the present you bought Carly is in my carry-on by the door." She kissed him on the cheek and headed toward the stairs.

"What did you buy me?" Carly sat on the sofa and waited for Jason to deposit the present they'd brought her. She unwrapped the package to reveal the hotel's exclusive perfume. She inhaled deeply and smiled. "I hate her, you know."

"I thought the two of you were getting along."

"We are…as much as that's possible. But I hate how happy she makes you." Carly laughed to herself. "Witch."

"Carly."

"I'm kidding." She poked at his cheek. "At least she's beyond child-bearing years. I don't know if I could handle it if…"

"Alexis is still young enough to have more children, in fact…"

"No. Jason, tell me she's not carrying your child." He remained silent for a full three minutes. Finally, Carly spoke. "I guess I should have expected this with the two of you going at it all the time. You have to know I hate this."

"I know. But I know deep down you're happy for me."

"I guess." She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a slightly somber hug. "Love you."

"I know."

She socked him in the arm in response. With her words, he relaxed at the idea of Sonny living across the hall. Yes, Sonny still loved Alexis, but Alexis loved him. Sonny would move on just like Carly moved on after him and again after Sonny.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, the doorbell rang. As soon as Alexis pulled the covers over her head, it became clear that he was assigned the task of answering it. He opened the door to find Claudia standing on the other side.

"Hi ya, handsome." She pushed past him and walked into the living room.

"Claudia, you need to leave, now." He kept the door open. He remembered how Claudia's last visit had sparked an argument between he and Alexis.

"Is that anyway to talk to your business partner?" She sat on the sofa and crossed her legs. "I was thinking of an art gallery. That way we would have a reason to receive out of the country shipments, if you know what I mean. Dual purpose, it's a good idea, right? Your ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth, could paint the pictures and your step-daughter, Sam could captain the freighter and then if we got busted your wife could get the charges dropped. It could be a family business."

"We need to talk about this later. And you need to go, now." He lifted her by her elbow until she stood.

"Fine." She walked toward the door. Just before she left, she stopped in her tracks. She spun around and faced him. "Oh I forgot. As a belated wedding present, I made nice with my father and got him to call off the hit. So, it's safe to ride your motorcycle again." Claudia smiled slyly as she looked toward the stairs. "Good morning Mrs. Morgan. Welcome back." She closed the door behind her.

Jason turned to see Alexis at the top of the stairs, still in her pajamas, with a confused look on her face.

"Jason, what did she mean?"

He didn't know what to say. The truth was bad, but lying to her would be worse.

"There was a hit on you and you knew about it?" She sat where she was on the stairs. "The night of your motorcycle accident; that was an attempt on your life wasn't it?"

He dropped his head.

"And it's been over your head for months? You knew there was a hit and you didn't tell me? You put yourself, me and our children in danger."

"I did my best to keep everyone safe."

"You did your best? You did your best? Jason, this isn't a high school exam or a tryout for a play. Someone was trying to kill you and all you can say is you did your best? I want you out of here."

"What? No."

"What do you mean, "No?"

"What I mean is just last night, I sat beside you and promised you I wouldn't leave you. I'm not going to do it just because you tell me to."

"You can't be serious. You are going to insist on staying here even though I'm asking you to go?"

Once more he remained silent.

She turned and headed upstairs. Thirty minutes later, she reappeared with a small suitcase in her hands.

"What are you doing?"

"If you won't go then I will."

"Lex," he practically whispered. "Can't we talk about this?"

"I don't want to talk. I don't want to listen. I just want to go."

She moved toward the door, then she looked back. "Goodbye Jason."

The door slammed behind her.

He punched the wall. "Damn it."