Somebody Told Me… The Art of Living lies in a Fine Mingling of Letting Go and Holding On
Alexis and Sonny had their chance. Would they be lucky enough to get a second one? If they only knew when to let go and when to hold on. Isn't that what life is all about?
"She's on her way with Andrei as escort."
"What about him?"
"I couldn't help it."
"That is unacceptable. He has made inquiries about my whereabouts on information he received from you."
"Maybe it's good thing."
"I will be the judge of that."
Harbourview Towers:
"Carly moving in with me is not going to happen," Sonny stated simply. "I will get you a new place where the boys can be with you. We will arrange something with custody, Michael will be going to college next year," Sonny reasoned.
"That's not what I am talking about, I want us to be a family." Carly pleaded.
"Carly, we will always be family, but you and I can't live together under the same roof. To what end? The boys are old enough now that they know what is real and what is not. You made a life with Jax and the boys. And I let you go." Sonny replied emotionally, stressing the last part. He had fought against it so much and now, he had made peace with it. So much had happened with Kristina's attack, Jason's death, the divorce and everything else.
"Now that, that is over, you can't come back. I've moved on and you should too," Sonny implored.
"It won't be safe, what about the business?" Carly asked, trying a different tactic.
It was now or never. He had to tell her the truth. She had borne the brunt of his lifestyle choice in the business. She deserved to know and to know, from him.
"Carly," he took a deep breath, "I sold the business."
"What? Why? When?" Carly exclaimed, "What about Jason?"
"What about him?" Sonny asked curiously.
"How will this affect him?"
"Carly, Jason is dead," Sonny whispered.
Lakehouse:
"Wasn't it weird when my mom and dad were singing Karaoke together?"
"What do you mean?"
"Dad was singing Karaoke! Sonny Corinthos, local mobster singing Karaoke. That is weird, Michael!" Kristina exclaimed.
"He is not a mobster anymore," Michael stated proudly.
"I mean they were laughing and smiling at each other and having a good time. Dad even grabbed my mom and she wasn't annoyed. She seemed to enjoy to it," Kristina rambled, trying to make sense of her parents' behavior.
"So, Alexis and Dad have gotten quite close to each other in the past few months. What's wrong with that?" Michael asked curiously.
"Nothing, I just never thought I'd see the day. They are so different with each other."
"Mmmhmm." Michael mumbled distractedly.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, you were saying?" Michael replied.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you again. Did Dad talk to me when I was unconscious?" Kristina asked hesitantly.
"I don't know. I guess," Michael shrugged. Kristina waited for him to elaborate.
"I don't know, Kris, I did, Morgan and Molly did and I know Alexis was always talking to you or at least that's what Dante said, he overheard her. Why?"
"I don't know. I was remembering something Sonny said. I don't know if it really happened or if I was dreaming. I know I dreamed of it as a kid. I always hoped my parents would be together like normal people."
"What did Dad say?" Michael's asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"That's it, you see, I've never heard him speak of anyone like that. He was crying and begging me to wake up," Kristina paused thinking back to that day. "He talked about my mom being his best friend, about how she calmed him, made him laugh, made him a better man, their deep friendship, how he fell in love with her-"
"I am not surprised," Michael interrupted.
"What do you mean?"
"I think Dad has always loved Alexis. There's something there…I know it," Michael replied sagely.
"I don't know about that, but I've been thinking about what he said and whether it could be true. Seeing him and Mom together got me thinking-"
"And that seems to be all you can do stuck here-" Michael commented on Kristina's homebound state.
"By the way, he told him he didn't kill Claudia and I believe him," Kristina continued.
"Give him a chance, Kristina," Michael pleaded.
"I think I'll do that," Kristina assured Michael with a smile. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong now?"
"Nothing's wrong," Michael insisted.
"Puh-lease, you've been distracted this whole time, tell me!" Kristina demanded.
"Carly's back," Michael answer was less than enthusiastic.
"So, that's good. How's she handling the divorce from Uncle Jax?"
"That's it. She's over him just like that and now she is trying to patch our family back together," Michael stated blankly.
"So, that's good."
"It's not. I thought you wanted Dad and Alexis to get together."
"I don't know about that. Dad always seems to go back to Carly," Kristina replied matter-of-factly.
"I am worried … they are just not good together…this is all very confusing," Michael sighed, "What's that supposed to mean, he always goes back to Carly?"
"You know, Sonny has always chosen you guys over us."
"What's this us vs. you guys?" Michael demanded.
"You and Carly over my mom and I," Kristina countered, "At least that's what he did all those years ago. I always wondered what my life would be in a parallel universe, if my parents were together from the beginning, raising me, a different family."
"You're saying it's my fault?" Michael asked losing his temper.
"I am not saying anything of that sort," Kristina yelled back.
"Why are you getting angry?"
"Why are you yelling?"
Just then Alexis walked into Kristina's room, "Is everything okay with you too?" Alexis asked a stoic Michael and an upset Kristina.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Michael asked.
"I heard some yelling and you both look upset."
"We are fine, Mom, just discussing a few things."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, Alexis. I have to go anyways. See you later."
Harbourview Towers:
So, they had their first real conversation. Sonny was mulling over it leaning against the door frame on the other side of Carly's penthouse, their penthouse, at one point. He had been honest with her and he kept his temper in check. He had no other choice. These things had to be said and done.
In the midst of his musings, he was staring at the door of the other penthouse and thought of his neighbours. He thought of Jason who was always there for him. His thoughts then turned to Alexis who used to stay there with her sister Kristina. They were good times, simpler times.
Sonny was just about to leave, when he overheard Carly talking, "Jason, what am I going to do? Everything is changed"
"Talk to Sonny, make him explain…things can go back to normal."
"Michael is spending time with Monica. I don't like it especially Edward poisoning his mind. I know they are your family, but they've never liked me. Do something Jason, or I'll have to come up with a plan myself," Carly begged but received no response.
Turkey:
"Is this seat taken?" He asked politely.
Her only response was to stare at him. Within a few moments, however, she found her voice.
"What are you doing here?" she asked incredulously of the man who walked into the little café and proceeded to sit opposite her.
"I have come to enjoy the Turkish coffee. You? He asked nonchalantly.
"You know, very well, Dante, that I am here for work, what are you doing here?"
"I told you, Turkish coffee!" he reiterated.
"Dante!"
"Gianna!" he mimicked, "Or should I call you Georgie? I know your name is Georgianna but I think I prefer Gianna even though everyone calls you Georgie. Does that confuse you?" he asked.
Her only response was to narrow her eyes at him and sigh helplessly.
Port Charles:
Alexis stopped in at Kelly's for a cup of coffee while Kristina was at General Hospital for an appointment. She was in the middle of reviewing legal briefs when someone pulled up the chair across from her.
She looked up and was met with a set of dimples.
"So, how's Kristina?" was his first question.
Alexis was annoyed. He didn't even ask her permission to sit and he knew it. He was enjoying this and she was having no part of it.
"That is just plain rude! You don't just grab a chair at someone else's table and plop yourself on it. So typical of you! By the way, I am very busy with work, so if you don't mind," Alexis tried shooing him away.
He looked at her intently, a trace of a smirk on his face.
"Alexis, we don't have to stand on ceremony, you and me, after all we've been through," Sonny reasoned, calling over the waitress to get him a cup of coffee. "By the way, you didn't answer my question, how's Kristina?"
"Okay, she's in with Lainey," Alexis answered with a sigh.
She gave up and continued, "I think in another week's time, she will be totally up and about. I think she's getting bored. She is doing school work on her own, without me asking." Both Alexis and Sonny laughed at that.
"So, how are you holding up?" Sonny asked knowing all too well that with Sam in Russia and Alexis here would not be smooth sailing.
"How do you think? I have been calling Sam every day maybe three, four times and with the time difference, I am driving us both crazy. At least she met up with Nikolas and they are together. Andy hasn't left her side so that's a good thing?" Alexis rambled.
"Andy is the guy Johnny arranged, huh?"
"Yeah. Heard from Dante? Is he enjoying his "vacation"? Alexis asked.
"He called saying he reached safely. Olivia is going crazy."
"I totally understand," Alexis said sympathetically.
"I can imagine."
The waitress came by with Sonny's cup of coffee and a refill for Alexis. They sat in a companionable silence until Alexis could take it no longer.
"So, guess what? Kristina and Molly want to relive that Karaoke night by watching the video," Alexis teased, while Sonny groaned.
"Tell me about it, I have lost my street cred here –"Sonny started complaining but was interrupted by Alexis' burst of laughter.
He waited and watched her laugh at him, slightly annoyed, "Street cred?" she asks incredulously.
"Morgan can't believe I even did that, singing and dancing, me, Sonny Corinthos, Michael isn't helping matters, wherever I go, they are laughing. I don't think they take me seriously anymore," Sonny couldn't contain his laughter anymore, joining Alexis.
"It's all your fault too," Sonny continued.
"How's it my fault?" Alexis questioned indignantly.
"You dared me," he stated simply.
Alexis was still grinning, "And you just couldn't refuse! Well, let's add Molly and your daughter to the list. And, for the record, I think that it is sweet."
"Sweet?" Sonny balked.
"Yeah, you are not what you seem. You're a better person than people know and I am glad your kids see that too now," Alexis added thoughtfully.
"Thank you, Alexis," he said sincerely.
They chatted for a while about mundane topics and caught up with each other's lives. Later, Sonny paid the bill and left for an appointment. But, before he did, he leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek, which took her totally by surprise. She looked dumbfounded and he looked content.
Alexis finally got a hold of herself and was about to head out as well, but she wasn't that lucky.
"Hello Carly! What can I do for you?" Alexis asks wryly.
"You must be happy?"
"I am!" Alexis mused. "Kristina's back home healthy, though Sam is-"
"I don't care. Stay away from him!" Carly demanded.
"I can't," Alexis answered honestly. "Jax and I have been friends for forever, so, I don't think-"
"Not Jax! Sonny! Stay away from my husband," Carly interrupted her.
"Last time I checked, you were married to Jax, not Sonny. Did you even care for Jax or was it some elaborate pathetic plan of yours to get back to Sonny?" Alexis demanded angrily.
"Just stay away from Sonny. I am warning you. I am back and there's no need for you to be involved in his life."
Lakehouse:
After her run-in with Carly, Alexis picked up Kristina and just wanted to go home and enjoy her daughter's company. Kristina seemed upset after Michael's visit a few days ago, but refused to talk to Alexis about it, she just hoped it she talked to Lainey. Since these sessions were confidential, Alexis had no idea how they were going, but Kristina never made a fuss over it, so she let it go.
They had lunch together, something Alexis had picked up from Kellys. Kristina was getting very bored staying at home. She had watched enough TV and movies to last a lifetime and read every book and magazine in the house. Occasionally, she would have some visitors.
Today, her visitor was none other than Ethan Lovett, her one and only crush. Maybe he could cheer her up.
He walked in with a gift bag. She was so excited that he came to see her, forget about the gift. He insisted that she open it right away, which she did. It was a stuffed elephant.
"I wanted to get you flowers, but thought against it because at least the stuffed animal would last longer, right?" He asked hesitantly. She couldn't stop blushing. He thought of bringing her flowers.
Kristina readily agreed, "It's so cute. He's adorable." She was gushing now. Ethan was so cute; he seemed relieved that she liked his gift.
"I guess you'll what to name it or something?"
"I guess, any suggestions? Dumbo, maybe?" Kristina asked playfully.
He laughed openly, "Not at the moment, what's this?" Ethan asked pulling out a Calculus book from the corner table. "Your mom has you doing homework?" he asked incredulously.
"No, not my mom, I was getting bored with all the movies that I felt like doing some schoolwork."
Ethan's only response was to stare at her.
"I know, I know. I am a nerd," Kristina admitted sheepishly.
"No, not a nerd, just academically inclined," he joked, "Or completely bored." She whole heartedly agreed.
Just then, Ethan's cell rang and he had to leave. She wished he could have stayed longer.
Sonny's Office:
"Is that why you didn't want me to move in with you?" Carly demanded, barging into Sonny's office.
"What are you talking about?" Sonny was just getting off the phone with Dante.
"You and that woman, Alexis," she replied disdainfully.
He waited for her to continue.
"I saw you having lunch with her."
"So, what if I was? I don't answer to you, Carly." He was beginning to losing his patience with her.
"I bet she is using Kristina's accident to get closer to you…monopolizing your time against our family. So, what, have you been spending all your time with them leaving the boys and me out in the cold?" That did it.
"Carly what the hell are you talking about? You divorced me, you married Jax, you made a life with him and now that, that is over, you come running back to me like we had this great love affair. We didn't. We don't. We are over. You gave me two wonderful sons in Michael and Morgan and I will always be grateful. We are toxic together. Whether I move on with Alexis or not, you and I are finished." Sonny said finally, his anger getting the better of him.
"Jason is our biggest supporter. He would fight for us," Carly replied emotionally.
"Remember the good times Sonny, you, me, Michael and Jason and then Morgan came along. We were happy."
"No, we weren't… we fought all the time. Michael and Morgan were caught in the middle. Jason played referee, not to mention the lying, the cheating, the mistrust on both sides. I am not blaming you. I am blaming the both of us. We are over. Please understand that," Sonny pleaded.
"Jason will make you understand-"
"He's dead, Carly," Sonny reiterated.
"I know."
"Are you sure?" For some reason, Sonny didn't believe her.