SUN N.Y. – Chapter 14
Once again, Alexis woke up alone. It wasn't that she and Todd hadn't any more "mistakes" over the last few weeks, it's just that Todd was an even worse insomniac than Sonny. Every time Alexis and Todd had been together, she had awaken only to find his side of the bed empty. It was during those times that she thought of Sonny with his arms around her, seemingly protecting her from the world. Even still she was usually comforted by the thought that Todd was somewhere nearby: downstairs at his desk, on the sofa, in the kitchen ready to bring her crackers on queasy mornings like these. Knowing that he was in another state was actually a bit disconcerting.
What she found to be more disconcerting was that she was unsure if she missed Todd or whether she missed not missing Sonny when Todd was around. At first she was certain that it was the latter and not the former. Now she was certain that it was both and that was terrifying.
Alexis shook off the thought and jumped in the shower. It was nearly 9 a.m. and one thing she could be certain of was that Sonny would be making his daily visit. The moment he learned that Todd was out of town and that Alexis would be staying at her own apartment more, he began making daily visits, always bearing gifts.
The first day he appeared with his most charming smile and a small white box. He was promptly greeted with the door slammed in his face. Alexis did not find out what was in the box until she heard his apartment door close behind him. The box held Gardenias, just like the ones he had sent on Valentines Day. As she remembered the way he insulted her a couple of weeks before, she dumped them in the garbage. Magically, the Gardenias reappeared in a bowl of water. Though she fervently denied it, Alexis suspected "Moonbeam" was the culprit. The next day, Sonny appeared behind a vase of Roses, an exact replica of the ones he gave her the first time he brow beat her into representing Jason. Once again, he was met with the slamming of the door.
On Wednesday, after she slammed the door in Sonny's face, she opened it to find blue sapphire earrings which matched her mother's diamond necklace. For the first time a note was attached. It simply read, "To give to your daughter." Alexis was extremely moved and allowed her eyes to water, until she saw Sonny standing across the hallway grinning at her. "You know," he smiled, "it would be easier if you just took the gift and then slammed the door in my face." A laugh slipped out despite his efforts to control it.
"I will remember that in the future." Alexis said, as she stood from her kneeling position. "By the way, it's not polite to eavesdrop on people."
Sonny closed the door to his apartment and began to walk toward Penthouse 2, closing the distance between them. When he reached her, he responded softly, "It's only eavesdropping if two people are talking. Besides, I'm only trying to apologize."
Alexis glanced toward him, then smiled. "Maybe I'll let you apologize tomorrow." She punctuated her statement with the slam of the door. Though she wanted to be angry, Alexis had begun to look forward to their daily visits.
Sonny whispered aloud, "maybe tomorrow." At least, he thought, she wants to see you tomorrow. He returned to his apartment and phoned an associate. As he dialed the now familiar phone number, he thought about life's strange ironies. He was calling the last person in the world he had ever thought he would have to go to for help, particularly for help with Alexis. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
"She said, she might let me apologize tomorrow." Sonny chuckled, growing more confident by the minute. "Are you ready for phase two?"
"No," the voice replied, "Alexis will never forgive me."
"Don't worry she'll forgive you. In fact, we'll name our first born after you." Sonny smiled as he considered Jason's suggestion that Alexis might be pregnant with his first born already.
"Really?" The voice asked, surprise apparent.
Sonny laughed. "No."
"Good, because I'm hoping that you being with Alexis will only be a temporary solution to the problem."
"I think it will be temporary...we'll probably only stay together the next 40 or 50 years."
The voice on the other end sighed. "You know, you're not making me feel any better. Tell me why I agreed to this again?"
"You are doing this because you care about Alexis. Because Manning is bad news. He's a rapist and a terrorist. And you know I'm in love with Alexis and she's in love with me, and...." Sonny paused for dramatic effect. "I can keep her safe if Helena or any other Cassadines try to go after her.. .and don't forget we have a contract."
"You won't let me forget. Keep me posted."
"Of course."
Thursday morning came finding Sonny anxious for nine o'clock to arrive. In his hand, he held a black velvet box. He rubbed his finger against the box and smiled. "You're going to love this." Sonny hummed as he slid out of his door. He caught a slight smile on Johnny's face. "What is it Johnny?"
"I just wanted to say, Good luck with Ms. Davis." Johnny said hesitantly, not wanting to overstep his bounds.
Sonny cocked his head to the side and inched closer to Johnny. "You like Alexis a lot, don't you?"
"All the guys do."
"I hope you don't like her so much that I'm going to have to fire you after I marry her?"
Johnny froze until he saw that a grin had crept on to Sonny's face. He patted Johnny on the shoulder. "Loosen up." Sonny continued to bounce toward Alexis' apartment. He reached the door and knocked. There was no answer. He was about to reach for the master key when he realized the door was open. Sonny stepped in, cautiously looking around. "Alexis?" he called out. He took the stairs to at a time until he reached her bedroom, just in time to her Alexis gargling.
A few seconds later, Alexis emerged. She wore a simple pair of jeans and what looked to be a man's T-shirt...probably Todd's. Her eyes were weak and her face was flushed.
"You look like h*ll." Sonny managed.
"And you're lousy at apologizing. What are you doing up here anyway?" Alexis asked once she realized he was in her bedroom.
"The door was open." Sonny visually examined Alexis.
"Kristina probably forgot to lock it when she went for her run. Why are you staring at me?"
Sonny smiled, "Because I was serious, you look awful. Morning sickness?"
"Right now it is morning sickness, but I expect a full bout of afternoon or evening sickness later on." Alexis smiled faintly. "The doctor expects it to be over soon."
"How soon?" Sonny wondered to himself. He wouldn't ask her though. He would never allow her to believe that he only wanted to be with her because she might be pregnant with his child. He walked to the bathroom and then emerged carrying a damp wash cloth. Sinking onto the bed, he patted the space on the bed beside him. "Come here."
"Don't think I don't remember what happened the last time you did that, " Alexis thought as she walked hesitantly to the bed.
Sincerity was apparent as he spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you, Alexis. I just want to take care of you."
Alexis sat beside Sonny on the bed. He placed the soft cloth on her head then gently leaned them both back against the pillows. Alexis allowed herself to enjoy the sensation of being held. "This isn't necessary," she lied.
"Would you just let me do something nice? You helped me out when I almost lost it about Courtney and A.J. Let me do this for you."
"And aren't you forgetting something? Like my present." Alexis hated that curiosity had come to make her wonder what gift Sonny had brought.
"It's a surprise. I'll give it to you when you feel better." Sonny moved a few strands of her bangs from her forehead.
"Fine. But I still haven't forgiven you. You haven't even apologized, yet."
"I know. But you see, if I apologize, there will be no reason for me to keep coming back."
Alexis simply rolled her eyes and settled in against his chest. This is what she missed. Sonny was the most tender man she knew...most of the time. Why had he come back to her...everyday? All she could figure out was that now that Carly had betrayed him again, and now, he wanted his friend back. Maybe he even wanted more. She had someone now...sort of and she was not about to be Sonny's rebound girl. And she intended to tell him that...as soon as she woke up.
Sonny combed his fingers through Alexis's hair. As he watched her sleep, he kicked himself for having been blinded by his own pride. He should have told her how he felt when Carly came back. Problem was he didn't know for sure then. It didn't matter, though, the stage was already set. He would tell her exactly how he felt...tomorrow.
Todd leaned back in his seat in first class. After having bought out all the seats in First class, he was certain to be alone. Quickly, he dialed a number. "Briggs.....yeah it's Manning. I outdid myself this time. Seems Janine Matthews pulled a fast one. What I'm saying is Courtney Matthews isn't Corinthos's sister....Oh no, he's got family in town. You're going to drop when you find out who Sonny's pop got pregnant."