Ch. 25
"Is everything okay, dad. You made it sound urgent." Kristina asked as she took a seat in her father's office at the coffee store.
"Once Robin gets here, which should be shortly, we can chat. In the meantime, how are you doing?" he asked his daughter as he offered her a soda.
"Everything is great. I finished my mid-terms and I'm really enjoying my internship. Dr. Hunter says I've got what it takes. I actually got to observe a surgery, which was super cool." She says with a grin.
"You didn't faint at the sight of blood?" he asks with a smile so proud with how far she's come.
"Nope, not at all. I mean the inner workings of the body is just so fascinating."
"That's good to hear, Kristina. I'm glad you found something that you're interested in." Sonny comments. "And things are good with Ethan?"
Kristina smiles softly just thinking about him, "Things are good. Dad, I'm really glad you trust him."
"Well we had a little talk. He knows what I expect. And I trust that you know what you should expect from any guy that dates you." he says.
"I'm just glad you didn't threaten him." She leans forward happy to be in this place with him, "But more importantly, I'm glad that we can have an open conversation about this."
"So am I, sweetheart. So am I." Sonny gets up and gives his daughter a hug and a kiss on the head just as Robin enters, "Awww..you two are so cute. Maybe I should leave so you can have more daughter-father bonding time?"
Sonny steps forward and gives Robin an embrace, "You look good."
"Well I feel good." She says as she gives him a quick hug.
"So, dad don't keep us in suspense, what was so urgent?"
He looks at both the women and clasps his hands together, "It's about Brenda."
Kristina rolls her eyes playfully, "Well duh dad, I figured that when you said you wanted Robin here."
Robin giggles, "Spit it out Sonny."
"Okay, well I want to marry her."
"Dad, come on. Tell us something we don't already know."
"How about if I wanted to marry her in the near future? Like in maybe 48 hours?" Sonny asks. "We talked about getting married on the island. And now that Brenda has picked out her wedding dress, and you two have your dresses? Why can't we just get this done now?"
Kristina's eyes light up, "This is going to be so awesome."
Sonny looks to Robin, "As her official BFF, what do you think? You think she'd go for this. No more planning, lets just go. I've got a priest on stand-by. I just say the word and he'll be there to marry us."
"I think she's going to love it. She said she couldn't wait to get married to you, so why wait any longer."
"So you'll help me with the surprise?" he asks.
Robin gives him a look, "Of course. You know I've been waiting for this day to happen for a very long time."
"Okay so the plane is ready to leave whenever we're ready. We'll fly out tomorrow morning and take the rest of the day to relax and finish up any other last minute details for the wedding. Then I will officially make her my wife and whisk her off to a honeymoon, and the rest of you can stay on the island for a few more days and return back to Port Charles when you want. Does that sound good?" he asks.
Kristina begins to jump up and down in excitement, "It sounds awesome to me."
Jason was headed back to the garage to finish up his current project when he encountered Lisa and her son PJ. He had hoped to ignore her and continue walking but when she saw him she immediately called him out, "Your Robin's friend right?"
"What's it to you?" he replies.
The four-month old PJ was seated on her lap making gurgling sounds. To any passerby the sight of the mother and son was a thing of beauty. But Jason knew better. Lisa had used her child in a twisted game and would continue to do so. He just hoped that Robin was now out of danger from this psychopath. "Don't you think you owe me a debt of gratitude?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, "And why would that be?"
"Oh come on Jason, don't play innocent. Now that Patrick and Robin are getting divorced, you can have her. And well, I'll get Patrick back. I'd say that's a win-win situation for the both of us, don't you?"
Jason shook his head in disgust, "For your information, this is not a win-win situation. You ruined a family."
"Oh don't you get all judgmental on me. I know who you are and what you've done. So don't go acting as if you're better than me. And please stop this act you're pulling. You know as well as I that this permanent split between Patrick and Robin was for the best."
Jason noticed that the ire in Lisa's voice was causing PJ to fuss. Poor thing he thought. For the sake of the child, Jason decided to not get into it any further. It was futile talking to this woman. Heck, it was worse than talking to Carly when she was on a rampage. He looked at her and simply replied, "I don't need to do this with you. It's a waste of time so I'm just going to go."
He walked away but he still heard her scream out, "You're a hypocrite, you know that."
Matt was surprised as he entered his home to find it eerily quite. Normally around this time, he wound find Maxie in the kitchen attempting to be as domestic as possible with mixed results. He headed into the bedroom and smiled upon encountering his dear wife in bed.
"Matt is that you?" she asked wearily.
He rushes over, "Are you feeling sick?"
She shakes her head, "No just have been feeling a little run down lately."
"I have a surprise for you." he says
Her eyes light up, "Oh yeah what is it?"
He hands her a bag, "I got you those chocolate croissants from Sugared Sweets."
"Oh hand them over now." Maxie smiles with glee as she opens the bag. Her face suddenly turns into disgust as she rushes out of the bed and into the bathroom and all Matt can hear are gagging sounds. "Maxie, is everything okay?"
Matt enters the bathroom and grabs a washcloth as Maxie rinses her mouth out. She turns to him as he starts to gently wipe her face, "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. All my favorite foods seem to disgust me lately. I'm always throwing up, like all the time and I'm so tired."
They both walk back to the bedroom and Matt has her sit on the bed. "I feel so tired all the time and I'm throwing up." She begins to cry, and it's not pretty. "Look at me, I'm a mess. My clothes barely fit and that's why I'm wearing your clothes."
Only because she says something does Matt notice she's wearing his boxers and a tank. He thinks she looks pretty sexy in it despite what she might think of herself at that moment. "Um Maxie."
She looks to her husband trying to push back the tears, "What?"
"Is there a chance you might be pregnant?"
Her eyes widen with sudden clarity causing her to jump and cover her mouth. She begins to pace in the small bedroom, "I mean I never thought about it, but now that you say." She runs into the walk-in closet as Matt just stares at her, "What are you doing?"
She rushes out of the closet frantically putting the leggings on and then a jacket. She finishes her look with a baseball cap that she pulls way down practically hiding her face. "Maxie, what's with the hat?"
"My uncle Mac cannot see me buy a pregnancy kit. Heck,no one can. We need to make absolute sure no one knows and we can confirm if we indeed are…oh my god I might be pregnant." She starts to realize as she shakes her hands rattled by her nerves. She looks to her husband, "Don't just sit there, let's go."
Half an hour later, Matt and Maxie are sitting in their very compact bathroom. "How long does it take?"
"Five minutes, and no time isn't up yet." Matt states as they wait quietly.
There is complete silence between the two as they contemplate what could possibly happen with a baby in their lives. "I think it's time."
Maxie holds onto Matt's hand tightly. He sees the fear in her eyes. He gently caresses her face, "It's going to be okay."
"Is it, Matt? I don't know how to be a mother. It's not like I had a great role model with my mom. "
He smiles as he leans forward and kisses her on the forehead, "Well, I've never been a father, so this will be a first for the both of us. And considering my dad was never around either... but I have a feeling that together we'll figure it out."
Maxie takes a deep breath. It is moments like these that make her love even more. No matter what, he always finds a way to calm her down. She gives him a smile and squeezes his hand tightly, "Okay, let's figure this out together."
They both walked into the bathroom and looked at the stick. Matt picked it up, "Look's like we're going to be parents."
"I'm going to be fat." Maxie whined at the revelation of the news.
Matt simply laughs as he embraces her closely, "Well you should know by now I'm going to love you no matter what."
Maxie begins to freak out, "Oh my god Matt, we're going to have to tell Mac."
"So no strippers?" Mike asked his son.
Sonny shook his head. "I just want a quiet night with the guys."
Mike's smile got wider, "Poker night it is."
"Dante, watch out. Your grandfather is a card shark."
Dante eyed Mike, "Oh I think I can handle him."
"That's what I thought. But you've been warned. He's really good." Jason stated as he sat at the table prepping the table for the poker game.
Michael takes a seat at the table and gives his grandfather a smile, "Well what are you waiting for? Let's get this started."
"What do you think the guys are doing right now?" Lulu asked as she settled into her chair and took a sip of champagne.
Lying on the table getting a massage, Brenda turned her head towards her friends. "I don't want to know. I just want to enjoy this."
"Hmmmm I'm with Brenda on this." Robin commented as she was getting a manicure. "Who cares what the guys are doing? It's very rare to indulge like this."
"I can't believe that by this time tomorrow, you're going to be my step-mother." Kristina gushed.
Brenda smiles, "I'm glad that you're happy about this. I'm sure it seems like we're rushing this."
Robin laughed out loud, "Well maybe to Kristina and Lulu, but I've been waiting ever so patiently for this day to come."
"All I know is that I've never seen my dad so happy. He seems to be really at peace." Kristina comments. "And I know a lot of it has to do with you."
"I agree. Even Dante said the same thing a few days ago. Sonny seems more relaxed with you around. I don't think I've ever seen him smile as much as he has in the last few months." Lulu added.
"Who knew that having a crazy stalker would lead me back to Port Charles and back to Sonny." Brenda says as she gets up from the table and sits next to the girls, awaiting her turn for a manicure and pedicure. "I really thought we were done."
Robin shakes her head as she takes a bite of the tropical fruit salad, "I didn't I always knew that if you two put the fighting and jealousy aside, that you'd find each other again."
"You had more faith in us that we did." Brenda laughs, "I'm sure we both drove you crazy."
Robin laughs, "I'm not going to lie. Sometimes I just wanted to scream at the both of you for being so stubborn. But you know what, I knew that it wouldn't make a difference. You two needed to get to this place on your own. I couldn't force it even if I wanted to. But yes, I never gave up hope that the two of you would be together again. And now we're here."
Kristina sighed, "How'd you know, Bren? That my dad was the one."
"I think I loved your father the minute I met him. He was this handsome and dangerous man. And I couldn't help myself." Brenda reminisces.
"And I thought you were crazy to get involved with someone like him." Robin comments. She recalls meeting him, "I was so judgmental then."
"You were young and sheltered and let's not forget the police commissioner's niece. It was ingrained in you to not trust him after all that he did back then. And you know me, I was so young and trying to get over Jagger. Your father was meant to be a distraction, but the more I got to know him I realized how special he was to me. Despite the fact that your father and I had a lot of ups and downs, he always remained in my heart."
A few hours later, Mike threw his cards down on the table, "That's it. I'm done for the night."
Dante and Michael give each other a high-five as Jason and Sonny laugh. "Looks like my sons schooled you Mike."
Mike chuckles, "Well if I'm going to lose, I'd rather it be to family instead of someone else." Mike gets up from the table and grabs himself a drink, "So you ready for tomorrow? No cold feet?"
Sonny shakes his head, "Nope. Not this time."
Mike gives his son a pat on the shoulder, "That's good to hear. You and Brenda were meant for each other and I'm glad you realized that."
"It took him long enough to figure it out." Jason commented with a smile. "Brenda has always been the one for you."
"You're right. She has always been the one for me. No matter what the two of us have gone through, we always find each other. And this time I'm making sure I don't let her go."
Mike raises his glass, "To Brenda."
The men all raise their glasses as well, "To Brenda."
They all drink up as Sonny gets up, "I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to turn in. I've got a wedding to get to tomorrow."
Sonny woke up very early the next day. He couldn't help but be beyond excited that he was finally marrying the woman of his dreams. It had been a long time coming. As he wandered on the beach just to reflect on the last few years of his life, he found a breathless Robin slowly approaching him, "You're up early."
"Thought I'd go for a run." Robin replied as she plopped down on the sand. "I can't believe this day has finally come. You and Brenda finally getting married."
Sonny sat down next to her with an easy smile on his face, "Stone has waited a very long time for this."
Robin smiles as she nods her head, the breeze softly blowing her hair, "He's probably up in heaven right now with a bucket of popcorn waiting for it all to go down."
Sonny chuckles at the thought, "I'm sure he is."
"Sonny." Robin says softly causing him to turn towards her. "I'm really happy that you're getting married to Brenda. Not because she's my best friend, but because you've loved her for a very long time now. I'm glad you're not afraid to live your life anymore."
Sonny's face softens. "I've loved her for more than a decade now, maybe more? I just know that she is a part of me as much as I'm a part of her. I don't know how to describe it but to say I feel whole. I am finally absolutely complete. Does that even make sense?" Sonny laughs a bit wiping the moisture from his eyes.
She reaches out and holds his hand tightly, "It makes absolute sense."
"Hey what's going on here? You trying to steal the groom?" Jason asked in a teasing manner.
Both Sonny and Robin looked up and smiled. "We were just talking." Sonny says as he gives Robin a hug.
Sonny gets up, "I better get going. I want to get a massage before later today." He looks to Jason, "You got the rings?"
"I have the rings Sonny. They're in a safe place."
"Good, because I'm counting on you."
"When have I let you down?" Jason asks.
Sonny simply answers, "Never."
"Exactly. Now go relax and I'll see you later."
Robin and Jason watch as Sonny returns to the hotel. He looks at her, "Mind if I join you?"
"Sure."
Jason plops down next to her crossing his legs. "How was last night?"
"It was nice. How was your night?" she asks.
"Good."
"Any strippers?" Robin asks with curiosity.
Jason gives her a strange look as he answers, "No. Did you have strippers?"
Robin laughs, "No, it was a night of relaxation."
"Same here. Sonny wanted it to just be the guys." Jason remarked as he stretched his legs out and admiring the sky as the sun began to fully make its appearance.
Robin brings her legs to her chest wrapping her arms around them as she turns to look at Jason, "I've been so wrapped up with Patrick and this wedding, I forgot to ask about you. How are things?"
Jason has a wide grin on his face, "I'd have to say life is good. Sonny and Brenda are finally getting married. And it looks like Carly is starting to finally get it."
Robin nods her head, "It's strange you know."
"What is?"
"Carly, being civil. Michael brought her to one of his appointments. She asked questions and listened patiently. She actually seemed concerned."
Jason smiles, "I think she finally realized what she was going to lose. It may have decade a couple of decades or so. I'm just glad she is treating you with the respect you deserve."
"Okay enough about me. And aside from Sonny, Brenda, Carly, all of it. What about you? Are you happy? You've made a lot of life changes lately and I guess I'm just wondering if you regret any of it?"
He reaches out and caresses her cheek simply studying her face. He pulls his hand away and shakes his head as the wind softly blew. "I don't miss my old life at all. I mean in some ways it's still the same but at the same time it's entirely different."
"Different good or different bad?"
"Different good. Not having to worry about the mob or being caught up in Sonny's life. I mean he seems to finally have found the peace he's always been searching for in Brenda. And I do see Carly changing. I do. And the business is good. It's starting to grow." He reaches out and holds her hand in his. "And I have you back in my life. We're talking again. We're no longer those polite strangers from years ago. I think that's all I could ask for."
Brenda looked at the clock in her suite and the smile on her face just got wider. She had turned to her bridesmaids and simply stated, "It's time."
"You're not nervous?" Robin asked with curiosity.
Brenda stood up from her vanity as she took the flowers from Kristina, "There's nothing to be nervous about. I've been waiting all my life for this moment and it's finally here."
Robin leans in and gives her friend a tight hug, "Yes it is. I'm so happy for you and Sonny."
Kristina gives her future step-mother a hug, "Dad is so lucky to have you."
Brenda returns the hug with a tight embrace, "I'm not only gaining a husband tonight but I'm getting some great kids out of this."
"Okay so the dress is new, you've got the diamond and pearl earrings which are borrowed, what about blue? Do we have anything that is blue?"
Lulu smiled as she offered up a little bag, "Here you go Bren."
Bren looks at her future daughter-in-law, "What is this?"
"Just open it."
Brenda opens the bag to see the deep navy blue garter and smiles, "it's perfect."
Robin bites her lower lip in anticipation, "You ready to be Mrs. Corinthos?"
Brenda straightens her gown after having slipped on the garter and takes a deep breath, "I've waited my whole life for this. I'm more than ready."
Twenty minutes later Sonny found himself standing on the beach surrounded by his family and friends. He looked up as the music began to play and the smile on his face only got wider at the sight of his bride. He could hardly breathe astounded by her beauty. Even after all this time, her beauty still overwhelmed him.
If Brenda was being honest, she barely noticed her family and friends surrounding her and Sonny. All she had were eyes for him. Her heart was overfilled with joy having finally arrived at this moment.
It was a quick yet beautiful ceremony. The wedding party went further down the beach enjoying a surf and turf dinner among the tiki torches and the moon-lit sky.
The music began to play as Sonny stood up, "Care to dance wife?"
Brenda gave her husband a huge grin, "Absolutely." Sonny took her to the dance floor as everyone slowly made their way to the dance floor themselves.
"I'm finally Mrs. Sonny Corinthos." Brenda whispered as she leaned her head against her husband's shoulder as they slowly swayed to the song. Sonny kissed the top of his wife's head, "We are finally together. For always."
Brenda looks up into his brown eyes as she smiles wide and echoes the same sentiment, "Always and forever. Nothing is going to tear us apart."
[Verse 1: John Legend]
What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
[Hook: John Legend]
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
"So is Ethan treating you right?" Jason asks as he dances with Kristina.
She playfully rolled her eyes, "Yes Jason. He is treating me very well."
A small smile is on his lips, "That's all I want to hear Kristina. I want to hear that you are happy. That's all that matters."
Kristina turns to look at Robin who is dancing with Michael, "Well what about you?"
"What about me?"
"You and Robin. You two seem to be getting very close." Kristina observed.
Jason looks at Robin and just simply smiles, "Things are good between us."
"Aw come on Jas. You know I'm not the only person that deserves to be happy. You do too, you know."
He looks thoughtfully at the young woman before him, "Why are you so concerned about my happiness?"
She smiles back as she shrugs her shoulders, "Maybe because I'm growing up and realizing everyone deserves to be happy. There was a time when I was so self-centered and well you know a brat. You of all people know that all too well."
Jason laughs, "Well I was hoping it was just a phase you were going through, and I'm glad to see that it was."
"As am I. So tell me does she make you happy?" Kristina asks with curiosity.
"Who?" Jason asks.
"You know I'm talking about Robin, silly." Kristina states.
"You don't think it's a little weird that we're talking about this?"
"Why should it be?" Kristina asks.
"Well my ex-girlfriend just happens to be your half-sister." Jason comments.
"And your point is?" Kristina asks with a laugh. Jason just gives her a look. "I was brought up in dysfunction Jason, if you didn't notice. So no it's not weird. I know for a fact that Sam is happy with her fiancé. And well I see you smiling more often than I've ever seen you smile, so I think that's a good thing. You're not so broody."
"I don't brood, Kristina."
"Yeah yeah, like I wasn't a brat, Jas. You were a brooder. And now well it seems like you're more of a smiler these days. Well at least when I see you around Robin."
"Fine I was a brooder, but things change. Like you've really matured a lot, Kristina." Jason comments.
She playfully hits him on the shoulder, "I'm glad you noticed. But let's focus on you and keeping that smile on your face." With that being said she grabs his hand and leads him towards Michael and Robin.
"Michael, we need to talk now." Kristina said in a somewhat demanding voice as Jason watched.
Michael turns to her and she grabs her brother's hand and looks to Jason, "You need to keep Robin company while my brother and I discuss a few things."
Robin giggles a bit as she watches Kristina drag her brother across the dance floor. Jason smirks as he turns to Robin, "You care to dance?"
It didn't go unnoticed to either Sonny or Brenda at what just happened on the dance floor. Brenda laughs as she looks to her husband, "Did you put her up to that?"
Sonny just smiles innocently, "No, but I think everyone is in agreement that those two need to get together." Brenda looks at him and she knows for a fact that her husband is lying. But she doesn't mind because if it means getting her best friend reunited with his best friend, well was there anything really wrong with that.
"And be happy just like us?"
"Something like that." Sonny replies as he wraps his arms around his wife just a little bit tighter, "It's kind of like old times."
"You mean the Fabulous Four?" she asks.
"Is that what you called us?"
Brenda nods, "When we were good…"
"We were great." Sonny finishes her thought. "They could be great again, don't you think?"
Brenda observes her dear friends, "Just give it time Sonny. Trust me I want them together as much as you do, but we have to be patient. Let them find their way to each other in their own time."
"You mean the way Jason and Robin were patient with us and the way we found ourselves together again?" he asks.
"Exactly." Brenda replies as she leans in to give her husband a kiss.
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard
I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
"They're watching us you know." Robin says as she looks up into Jason's blue eyes. "You think they planned this?"
Jason gives her a small smile as they dance slowly, "What do you think? And I bet you it was Sonny who orchestrated this whole thing."
"Brenda, yes. Sonny, I don't think so." Robin says as she watches the just married couple closely.
"Well it doesn't matter who orchestrated this whole thing, I'm just glad I'm dancing with you." Jason says honestly.
"Well you could have asked me?" she says.
"And I would have but Kristina got to me first." He states. "But it doesn't matter we're here now."
"You're right. We're dancing and I'm having a good time." Robin confesses.
"Uh guys.." Dante says as a ways of interrupting.
Both Jason and Robin turn towards him. "The music stopped a few minutes ago. We were going to go cut the cake now if you want to join?"
Jason lets go of Robin's hand as the two smile awkwardly as they head back over to the dining area with Dante leading the way. Jason looks over to Robin and can't help but be happy. It was starting to feel more and more like the old times and he couldn't help but enjoy himself.
As Brenda and Sonny cut the cake and kissed for what seemed like the millionth time tonight, all Jason could think of was the woman beside him. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful Robin looked in the strapless green dress that played well against her smooth tan skin. Her hair was up in soft loose waves and he was tempted to lean over and kiss her neck. He fought to hold back his inner most desires. She was still the most beautiful thing to him and he didn't want to rush her. She was just getting out of a marriage and the last thing she'd want was another relationship. But he couldn't help but have a small smile on his face replaying the words she had said Well you could have asked me? Was that a sign of hope and a promise of something more for the future? As he looked at her smiling at the newly married couple, he couldn't help but wonder if there was such a thing as happily-ever-after for the both of them.