Turning to Stone -Chapter 12

Sonny quickly made his way to Alexis and Jax. He was about to throttle Jax until he heard Alexis call out, "Sonny! Jax was just helping me. I got a little dizzy."

Sonny's face softened. "Baby, are you okay?" Sonny insinuated himself between Alexis and Jax

.
"You married Corinthos?" Jax repeated as confusion echoed in his voice. "Are you trying to keep him out of trouble? Did you see something you weren't supposed to?"

"No." Alexis fought back a giggle as she sat up while Sonny rolled his eyes. Sonny took his place at her side. "Yes Jax, I married Sonny. No, I didn't marry him to keep him out of trouble. I married him because I love him."

"Alexis, what were you thinking? He puts the welfare of everyone he cares about in jeopardy."

Sonny bristled at Jax's comment. "And women stay safer around you? What about Miranda and Brenda?" Okay, so Sonny knew Brenda was alive. So, technically, Jax hadn't allowed her to die. Still he was such a sanctimonious bastard; Sonny couldn't help but give him a dose of his own medicine.

"Sonny," Alexis interrupted. "Why don't you go make us some lunch so I can speak to Jax alone?"

"Because I'm your husband, not Candyboy. You obviously don't feel well and I don't want to leave you alone."

Sonny sensed Alexis could see through his jealousy. "Sonny, I think I'm about to have an argument with my dearest friend in the world. I really don't want to argue with my husband, too. So, please do me a favor and let s finish our conversation in private, please."

Sonny rubbed his chin. He hated that Alexis knew him so well, but he loved her strength and straight-forwardness. "Fine." Sonny kissed her on the cheek and honestly, it was more possessive than affectionate. He went into the kitchen, but made it no further than door, which he left cracked open wide enough for him to hear.

"Have you lost your mind?" The Aussie questioned. "Do you want Corinthos to get you killed?"

"Of course not, Jax. But I'm a Cassadine. My life has been in danger since the time I was born. I used to pretend that putting on a suit and changing my name could keep me safe. It couldn't. Remember last fall when Helena and Stavros had me kidnapped? I was in danger then and Sonny had nothing to do with that."

That may be true but why would you make your life more dangerous by being with Corinthos. Brenda was shot at in the shower. Lily was killed in a car bomb. My goodness Alexis, you were shot on the steps of the police station not that long ago when you were just Sonny's attorney."

"Honestly, I was never just Sonny's attorney." When Sonny heard her say that, it warmed his heart.

"What about your family? What if you have children?"

"Every member of the Cassadine family is at danger as long as Helena is breathing. As for Sonny and I having more children in the future, I'm already 37 years old and I think that ship has passed."

"What do you mean by 'you and Sonny having more children'? Are you pregnant?"

"Of course not."

Sonny chuckled, a little too loudly causing Alexis and Jax to lower their voices further. Sonny strained harder to hear.

"Jax, when I was a teenager I was involved with a boy named Tony Cerullo?"

"Lois's brother?"

"Nope, it was Sonny using an alias. I got pregnant and Mikkos made me give the baby up. When we actually started talking this week, I discovered Sonny was the father of my daughter. I don't know, maybe I always knew."

"So, you have a 21 year old child with Sonny?"

Alexis nodded.

"Don't you think it's a little late to get married for the sake of the baby?"

Alexis began to laugh. Jax laughed too. Soon they could barely control themselves. Sonny found himself becoming very annoyed.

"So, do you know where your child is?" Concern returned to Jax's face.

Alexis shook her head, "no." "Mikkos made me give her up after I held her. The hospital where I gave birth may have some records, but honestly I'm sure Mikkos covered his tracks."

"What about Stefan?"

"I think Sonny wants to explore that angle." From the kitchen, he nodded in agreement. If Stefan knew something he was going to find it out.

"Of course, you can count on me to help you in anyway possible." Jax rose to his feet. Alexis stood as well. "You know I hate this," Jax began. "But I love you and if Corinthos makes you happy..."

"He does."

"Then I'm happy for you."

From the crack in the door, he could see the two embrace.

"Love you." he heard her tell his rival. Why was it so easy for her to tell this man she loved him? It had taken her years to be able to tell him the same?

"Love you too." Jax ushered himself to the door.

Alexis sank back on the sofa, "Sonny, I know you were listening at the door. You might as well come out."

Sonny walked out of the kitchen, he stood near the sofa where Alexis sat and he stared at her.

Alexis stared back at him anger tainted her expression. "After you insisted you be allowed to tell Carly about our marriage alone, why did you not allow me the same courtesy with Jax?"

"Because if I had I wouldn't have been around to hear you tell Jax you loved him."

She paused for a moment before she let out a chuckle. "Are you jealous?"

"Course not." He looked away from her, though he could feel her continue to stare.

"Sonny, you know how I feel about you. You know I love you. It's just I don't do vulnerable very well. And until a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't sure how you felt for me whereas, Jax's friendship has always been a constant."

Her honesty would take some getting used to again, at least on intimate matters. He kept a slight frown. He ran his hand across his chin then examined the band on his left finger, twisting it a bit. He remained standing; though, he kept his distance. "So, why was Jax here?"

"He reminded me that today was June 1st, which means..."

"The Nurses' Ball is tonight. I almost forgot." He joined her on the sofa.

"With all the Carly in the Lake stuff, you're entitled. I was just about to tell Jax about my whirlwind wedding when my jealous husband burst in." She took his hand and brought it to her cheek. He felt the softness of her skin.

"You sure you weren't trying to keep our marriage a secret?"

"Why would I?"

"I'm not exactly a Harvard grad."

She brought both of her hands to his face and forced him to look at her. "Sonny Corinthos, you are smarter than most of my former classmates. And I love you. I'm proud to be your wife." She kissed him tenderly. "So, why don't we postpone our appointment with the realtor until tomorrow and go get ready for the Nurses' Ball?"

"Are you sure you feel up to it?"

"I thought I had the flu, but I feel better now. I know how important Stone was to you." She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Plus, I'm looking forward to showing off my handsome husband to Port Charles society."

He kissed her, gently brushing his lips against hers. "It's a date."

Quarter to six and Sonny found himself waiting impatiently at the bottom of the staircase for Alexis. The prospect of the evening excited him. He'd get the chance to see the sister he'd lost too soon. Perhaps he'd get the opportunity to ask his brother-in-law about his child he'd lost 21 years ago. Mostly, he couldn't wait to see Ned's face when he learned that he married Alexis…the same woman who'd hitched truck to keep from marrying him. Sonny couldn't help but be angry with Ned after all he'd done to keep him from his daughter in his previous life.

She cleared her throat to shake him from his thoughts. His eyes met hers and then scanned downward. She was a vision. She wore a simple, strapless, black cocktail dress with a cinched waist and a hint of crinoline at the hem. Her stilettos were sexy as all get out, but they unnerved him. He knew their daughter was growing inside her and the thought of a spill down a flight of stairs terrified him. "You look amazing."

"Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself." He watched as she took in his black tuxedo. He'd gelled his hair back, stripping it of its natural curl. He kissed her on the cheek. He was careful not to muss her makeup…that could wait until later. "Mr. Corinthos, are you ready?"

"Yes. Are you ready Mrs...?"

"Davis-Corinthos," she offered quickly causing Sonny to smile brightly. "And yes, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

All eyes focused on the couple as they entered the ballroom of the Port Charles hotel. linked at the hands, they were greeted warmly by Lucy Coe Collins. Lucy was so busy with the evening's festivities that she didn't notice the pair was holding hands. They followed her to Sonny's table stopping briefly at the Quartermaine table where his once dearly departed sister sat with her then husband A.J. Quartermaine. At the sight of them, he felt Alexis tighten her grip around his fingers. She needn't worry. If it hadn't been for A.J.'s schemes, Alexis wouldn't be carrying their little girl inside of her, even if she didn't know it, yet. Yes, he now knew he made a mistake by trying to control his sister's life. If he hadn't, maybe she wouldn't have endured three divorces and a miscarriage before her 25th birthday. He greeted A.J. coolly, but cordially and he gave his sister a warm hug. He promised her they would spend time together in the weeks to come. And he sincerely looked forward to it.

They arrived at his table which was, as always, located prominently in the front. As he heard the whispers, he realized that prior to now, he and Alexis had never engaged in any public displays of affection. Now, the simple interlock of their fingers had caused whispers. Johnny took a seat next to Alexis.

Zander approached the table, tentatively at first, then less so after Alexis's smile greeted him warmly. As he hugged Alexis, Sonny noticed how much of a boy he still seemed. Before, he'd allowed Carly's jealousy games and Jason's disdain for Zander to separate him from the man-child who once wanted so much to be his protégé. Knowing the boy's fate and the trouble that preceded his death, Sonny felt a pain in the pit of his stomach. Alexis had been right when she once told him he should encourage Zander to go to college. She'd been right about so many things and wrong about so many others. Sonny promised himself he'd make things right for everyone this time.

Zander shook his hand. He'd forgotten how tense things were between them in 2002. He'd actually even had the boy beaten. After he'd learned Alexis had kept his daughter from him in the past, he'd wondered if that played into her decision. She'd loved the kid as if he was her own and Sonny knew he betrayed her when he turned on the boy but he was out of control when he went back to Carly.

"Sonny, I have to admit I was surprised to receive the invitation to join you at your table this afternoon. I'm even more surprised to see Alexis here, too." He noticed the way Zander fidgeted with his hands.

Sonny smiled. "I wanted to make things right between us. I shouldn't have asked you to watch Carly for me. I apologize." Sonny couldn't help smiling as he caught sight of Alexis grinning.

"Thanks man." Zander's voice crackled. "If you need me to do anything, say the word."

Sonny wondered why he hadn't noticed that Zander had needed him every bit as much as Stone had when he was young. "There is one thing." Sonny smiled.

"Anything," the boy agreed eagerly.

"Congratulate us. Alexis and I got married two weeks ago."

Zander's jaw dropped. It was a few seconds before he was able to speak. He then engulfed Alexis in a hug before Sonny extended his arms to welcome a hug himself.

Next, Kristina arrived with Max in tow. She rambled something about Nedly parking the car and she was annoyed about Max being with her. Sonny didn't care. This time he was determined to keep her safe. He wondered if she was annoyed that Max was guarding her or whether she just wished it was Johnny. He'd seen the glances between them in Puerto Rico. Plus, he was aware of Johnny's crush on Alexis, so developing a crush on Kristina wouldn't be too much of a stretch. It wasn't so much that he didn't trust Johnny with his sister-in-law, Stone told him he could. It was just he knew Alexis would worry about her sister being involved with someone so close to the danger in his life.

While the night was still young, he and Alexis danced to a slow number on the balcony. He took in the scent of her hair, the smell of her skin and the look in her eyes.
"I love you," he whispered as he pulled her closer to him. They allowed the moment between them to linger before they returned to their table.

His father was the next to arrive. He'd always favored Carly. Sonny knew it was because she was as big of a screw-up as he was. Sonny knew he'd soften the first time he held his granddaughter in his arms. Even though the news of their marriage was a surprise, Mike was able to affix a pleasant smile on his face and wish them both congratulations.

Ned arrived at the table and indiscreetly pulled Kristina to the side. Sonny could hear him whisper that he refused to sit with "Corinthos."

Kristina said rather openly, "I'm sitting with my family. You can join me or not."

Ned stopped whispering and spoke up. "Alexis may be your family, but Corinthos isn't."

To the surprise of all, Alexis spoke up. "Actually Ned, he is. Sonny is my husband."