Chapter Fourteen

Alexis woke up slowly the next morning. Before she even opened her eyes she was stretching, feeling all the aches in her body but loving that she felt that way. She expected to find Sonny curled up next to her but she could tell she was alone in the bed.

Slowly her eyes opened. The room was empty. She sat up in bed, doing her best to push away any fears or doubts. Even if Sonny didn't enjoy the night- which she damn well knew he did considering his reactions- its not like he would grab his stuff and flee before she even got up.

Still being alone gave her time to think, to worry, to wonder if this was truly the start of something life changing for them or just their second night stand.

"Just so you know...I am in love with you," floated through her mind, taking her right back to being pressed against the door of this hotel room when Sonny whispered that into her ear.

There was no way she would give into doubts about him now. Alexis crawled out of bed and grabbed a robe. She headed for the shower.

Ten minutes later the bathroom door opened and Sonny teased "You started without me, counselor? We'll have to do something about that."

Soon he was out of his clothes and into the shower with her. She pressed her palms first against the sides of his face and they laughed and kissed. Then ran her hands down his chest, around his back, and over his ass.

Sonny moved her wet hair aside and started to kiss her neck, causing soft moans to escape her lips. His fingers moved to stroke over her and the intensity of her moans rocketed upwards, until just his fingers weren't enough and she was saying "Now, now, yes...oh."

Alexis didn't try to hold back a thing. There was no reason to. The moment she agreed to the date she knew it was time to trust this man with all of herself again, to show him how much she needed him, ached for him, wanted him inside of her taking her over the edge of insanity. Usually, a place like that would terrify her and she would fight everyone and everything to not show that fear. But, with him, it wasn't like that- not anymore. Now she could lose herself, her cool veneer, her walls and all her defense mechanisms and just let go...just take him back into her heart, mind, spirit, and body all the way...pulling him closer instead of pushing him back...she could come the last few steps into the life she had been craving for over five years.

He called out her name, as her nails dug into his back, and water soaked them both. Soon he was murmuring, urging her to come with him, and then they were simultaneously riding a wave of ecstasy, holding on to each other with all they had, not willing to leave the other behind for even a second.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

While they ate breakfast, Sonny asked "So don't you want to know where I was at when you woke up?"

"I don't know," she smiled "do I? Out plotting some kind of criminal undertaking, were you?"

They were both dressed again and sitting at the table in the room eating french toast.

He asked, "Would I do something like that? What do you take me for- some kind of gangster?"

She laughed.

"No," Sonny said, flashing her some dimples, "I wasn't doing anything criminal. So don't go calling the NYPD on me."

"Never."

"Oh, yeah?"

"I'd wait till we got home so I could prosecute you in Port Charles, " she joked. "Because you know I will be stealing back the job that was stolen from me."

Sonny shook his head at her, but chuckled. "I was actually..." his face got serious "shopping."

She set down her fork, studying him. "What couldn't wait till we got home? Souvenirs for the kids?"

"Nope, for you."

Sonny stood up and walked over to where his suit was hanging on a hook in the closet. He pulled out a jewelry box.

He turned and their eyes connected.

(We sailed on together
We drifted apart
and here you are by my side

So now I come to you
With open arms
Nothing to hide
Believe what I say) ( Journey)

A soft, sweet smile graced Alexis face. Through a lump in her throat she said, "You know you didn't have to..."

"I wanted it," he insisted. "Wouldn't want you to forget our time here."

He walked over and kneeled next to her chair.

"Come on, Sonny, get up. You don't have to..."

"Shh. For once, shhh. I want to." Sonny opened the box to reveal a necklace that had multiple diamonds on it. "One stone for each of our children and one stone for us...this is to show you that I know what it took for us to get here...that I know you could have not given me this chance, that I could have lost you forever because I pushed you away...it's to remind you that the most important thing in my world is always going to be what these stones represent...our kids and us. Will you wear this and...tell me we have a real shot this time."

(So here I am with open arms


Hoping you'll see
what your love means to me
Open arms)

She blinked, trying to hold the tears back, but it didn't work. Alexis started crying and gasping for air.

Sonny's eyes got wide and he went to search for a paper bag. He found one and came back. "Breathe."

"I ..." she took the bag. "I thought..."

"Just breathe."

"But I was..."

He looked right into her eyes. "You got to breath first, then talk. It don't work the other way around."

She started to calm down and finally said, "I was sure I was done with that hyperventilating stuff."

"Not so much."

"No, not so much when you are around, I suppose." Alexis smiled. She stood up and took his hands in hers, leaning her forehead against his.

(And now that you've come back
turned night into day.
I need you to stay.)

"You know," Alexis said "you don't have to buy me anything or take me anywhere to show me how you feel. Just be honest with me and be by my side when I need you the most- which, I'll admit, will probably be all the time. Just be with me and I will believe in us."

Slowly, he kissed her, letting even more of his heart show in that moment than he had before. A tear slid down her cheek when he pulled away.

"The necklace is beautiful. I love it. Thank you."

"No, thank you, Alexis. I probably gave you every reason in the world to not trust me...to think I would put my job or some other woman before you...but you're still here right now. You use reason for everything, logic...but if you did that this time we wouldn't be together...so thanks for...taking the risk."

"You're worth it."

His eyes closed. He let out a long breath. She cupped his cheeks and planted soft kisses all around his mouth then directly on his lips. "Our love is worth it," Alexis added.

(So now I come to you with open arms.


Nothing to hide,
believe what I say.


So here I am with open arms.


Hoping you'll see what your love means to me.
Open arms)