A hint of what could be perhaps? Any Sexis fans ? Critical reviews would be, well awesome :)

For the Love of Family

Chapter 25: I Told You! My Daddy Loves My Mommy!

Alexis pulled into the parking lot at St. Catherine's Academy and parked. Kristina had attended St. Catherine's for only a little over a year as she had initially attended her regular zoned elementary school which was on the Port Charles High School Campus. But Sonny had worried that there wasn't sufficient protection at public school and Alexis had caved about halfway through kindergarten and allowed Kristina to transfer. Alexis supposed she should be grateful to Sonny for paying tuition for Kristina to attend a private catholic school but if she had her choice she would move to the Lilac Park neighborhood and have Kristina attend Lilac Park Elementary, which was where Nicole Quartermaine attended.

When Alexis got out of her car she was surprised to see Emily Quartermaine getting out of the car in the next parking space. She did remember that Kristina had mentioned her art show to Emily when they had run into her at the coffee shop, but Alexis hadn't planned on Emily actually coming. "Hi Alexis, how is your day going?" Emily asked falling instep with her as they walked across the parking lot to the school.

"I've had better days," Alexis said flatly.

"I'm sorry. I truly don't mean to pry but if there's anything you want to talk about," Emily said.

"No, but thanks for the offer. Kristina will be thrilled that you came," Alexis said adeptly changing the conversation.

"Well I had NRP this morning but we got out in plenty of time for me to have lunch with Matt and Ellen and still make it here. I was going to bring Nicole but she's at piano lessons this afternoon and then she and grandfather are leaving to go watch Katelyn run at Penn Relays. Mom is on call tonight and dad is tomorrow so they couldn't make it, and I'm taking my ACLS recertification tomorrow or I would have gone with them," Emily explained.

"Well that's nice," Alexis said blandly. She really had no idea what Emily was really talking about.

"Theoretically grandfather is going so someone can chauffeur Kate and Nicole to the pool to get in their morning swim workout. But in reality Penn Relays is totally his scene," Emily said smiling.

"I've never been," Alexis said as they walked up the walk in front of the school.

"I ran there in high school and then college. The atmosphere is amazing; the crowd is electric, so grandfather and his bullhorn level cheering fit right in. I think he wanted to bring Kristina this year actually," Emily said.

"Well there was no way Sonny was letting Edward take his daughter out of state. Maybe she can go to one of Kate's other meets," Alexis suggested.

"Yes I kind of figured that. Just remember we all love Kristina even if she isn't Ned's biological child," Emily said following Alexis into the school.

"I know, and I appreciate the way that you all have been considerate of Kristina's feelings. I only wish Ned had been so considerate. I know he isn't really Kristina's father but since I made the mistake of keeping that secret for almost four years I understand why Kristina formed a bond. I suppose it's really all my fault. But I can't make Ned see that he's not just punishing me he's punishing Kristina and she's just a scared little girl," Alexis said tears forming her eyes.

Emily led the woman who at one point she had thought might become her aunt over to some chairs in the lobby and guided her to a chair. "We all make kind of naïve choices sometimes Alexis. The problem is we can't go back and have a redo. I think Ned is still grieving his loss, I'm not excusing his behavior but I'm praying that he'll find the strength to let Kristina back in some time," Emily said.

"Kristina didn't die though, he doesn't have to grieve anything," Alexis said.

"His relationship with Kristina changed and well Ned isn't the best at handling change from my experience," Emily said.

"But that doesn't make it any easier for Kristina. Three years later she still does grieve what she lost. Perhaps it would be easier for her to take if Ned had died, but she still sees him around town sometimes almost daily. I'm sorry that came out all wrong," Alexis said.

"No, I kind of understand, I mean not about Ned dying, but how his rejection just rubs more salt in the wound," Emily said.

"Exactly, I just wanted something so much better for Kristina than the dysfunctional family I grew up in. But I ruined it I fathered a child with a wonderful man who just happened to also be a criminal. I was afraid so I lied and denounced her true father. Then as if ruining one child wasn't enough I married a truly evil man and had a child with him," Alexis said sobbing.

"Alexis, you didn't know what Ric was really like when you married him. A lot of people were surprised by who he really was. You have two beautiful little girls and they have a lot of people in their lives who love them and a mom who would go to the ends of the Earth for either of them. They're going to come out on the other side," Emily said.

"I'm sorry Emily sometimes I just get so worried sometimes," Alexis said dabbing at her eyes with some Kleenex from her purse.

"I think that's an occupational hazard of being a mom, or so I've been told," Emily said smiling.

"Perhaps you're right, we better get to the gym for Kristina's art show. I'm not sure if Sonny was going to be able to make it and if Kristina is there without anyone then she won't handle that well," Alexis said as they stood.

"Well I mentioned it to grandfather, I think he was going to try to stop by in between meetings," Emily said.

When they entered the gym they saw Kristina standing with Sonny. Alexis ignored the fact that Max and Milo were attempting to blend in with the crowd. Kristina laughed at something Sonny had said and he scooped her up into his arms. As they turned around Kristina caught sight of her mother and Emily. Sonny put her down and she ran to them. Emily and Alexis both took an arm and they all rejoined Sonny. "Guess what Mommy? Granpapa came!" Granpapa was what Kristina had called Edward when she was younger and couldn't get out great grandfather. The name had stuck though and Kristina's Christmas gifts had still carried tags proclaiming they were from Granpapa four months earlier.

"Unfortunately Eddie couldn't stay long. He had a meeting to get to. He sends his regards," Sonny informed her.

"Well that's nice that your grandfather was able to see your art. Did he and your father manage to play nicely?" Alexis asked.

"You don't think Eddie and I can just have a nice conversation? Do you think I am a ruffian?" Sonny asked giving Alexis a dimpled smile.

"Well the last time that you and Edward were together Kristina put you both in time out," Alexis pointed out.

"Well Eddie got longer than I did," Sonny said indignantly.

Kristina giggled.

"Well the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only one minute per year of age," Emily said with a laugh. Her laugh faded a little as she saw Nikolas Cassidine entering the gym. Kristina noticed him too and squealed with pleasure. Emily reflected momentarily on the irony of the whole situation. Nikolas Cassidine had been one of the first boys she had ever crushed on. But in time she had realized that losing herself to date Nikolas just wasn't worth it. The ironic part was that almost as soon as Emily had moved on, Nikolas had decided that he loved her. The fact that his brother was married to one of Emily's good friends Elizabeth Webber-Spencer didn't help the situation.

"You came," Kristina squealed as Nikolas joined them.

"Of course I did I told you I would," Nikolas began. "You're looking beautiful as always Emily," he said.

Emily blushed a little at the praise, "Thank you Nikolas," she said then she turned to Kristina and bent down, "So would you like to give me the guided tour and show me your art?" she asked.

"Yes!" Kristina said happily taking Emily's hand and starting across the gym.

After they left Nikolas continued to glance longingly. "She's so great with kids; she's going to be such a great pediatrician. I've always said that," he began.

Alexis decided not to point out to her nephew that he had been the one trying to talk Emily out of going off to medical school at Columbia and felt it would have been better for her to have joined Elizabeth in the nursing program at PCU.

"You don't think she will be?" Nikolas challenged his aunt and Sonny.

"I'm sure Emily will be very talented as a pediatrician she's smart and she cares that's a big part of it I would think," Sonny agreed.

"Well I'm sure she's going to be great, as I was telling Alan PCGH is fortunate to have her. I'm just glad she's come back home and we have another chance to make our relationship work," Nikolas said.

"Well I agree that Emily will become an asset to PCGH but Nikolas darling she's engaged to marry Patrick," Alexis said.

"Engagements don't always lead to weddings Alexis. Dr. Drake doesn't really love her the way I could," Nikolas said.

Sonny refrained from comment on that one. Anyone who had seen Dr. Patrick Drake watch as Emily sang to the children at the PCGH Christmas Party could see that he was seeing his future children in her eyes. Sonny knew the look because he had given it to two women. One who he had never been able to make things work with but still loved and one who had given him a daughter. Of course perhaps the fact that he had married neither of those women supported Nikolas' perspective Sonny realized with irony.

They were saved from further comment on Nikolas' pipe dreams when his cell phone began to ring. "I better take this, it might be a hospital emergency," Nikolas said stepping away from them to take the call.

Alexis inhaled deeply and then exhaled. "I thought he was finally starting to accept Emily's impending marriage I guess I was wrong."

"Well sometimes it's hard to give up your soulmate," Sonny said speaking from experience. In his case the problem was that he had been afraid to see the truth until it was too late.

"I don't really see that Emily is Nikolas' soul mate. I think it's more of a crutch for Nikolas to avoid other relationships," Alexis said.

"Perhaps," Sonny said noncommittally.

"Anyway enough about Nikolas, seriously please tell me that Edward is actually unharmed at his meeting," she joked.

"Trust me Lex he's fine. He came, he admired Kristina's art. He mentioned that Alan and Monica have opened the pool and invited Kristina and Molly over to swim. I pointed out that Kristina and Molly were not born with fins like Nicole and Katelyn seem to have been. He pointed out that Alan, Monica, and Emily are all doctors and Katelyn is now a certified lifeguard. Then he realized he had a meeting at three so he said goodbye to Kristina and left. Actually probably about ten minutes before you and Emily walked in," Sonny said smiling.

"Wait so you and Edward had a civil conversation. What is the world coming to?" Alexis joked.

"You're telling me, Ashton actually apologized to me this morning," Sonny said.

"Ned apologized? For what?" Alexis asked uneasily.

"Well it was after court, he said he could accept that I loved Brooke and he'd try to not interfere in our relationship as long as I didn't put her in danger," Sonny said.

"Oh right that was today, how did that go?" Alexis asked.

"Well Lauren was great. Lois is miffed though I guess because Ned got custody, Lois has to go to parenting classes, and Brooke has to do drug testing and counseling. But that shouldn't be a problem, Brooke's a good kid and she's clean," Sonny said.

"How are you so sure about that?" Alexis asked.

"You can do very effective drug testing with just a few strands of hair. The test came back negative," Sonny said smugly.

"So your saying you drug tested a minor without her knowledge or her parents permission?" Alexis demanded.

"Ok lighten up, Lois knew we were doing it she thought it was a good idea. We knew that Brooke was going to need to probably give a sample after court and you never go into a situation without knowing what you're up against. I taught you that," Sonny said.

"Well there is no way those results would ever be admissible," Alexis challenged.

"They don't need to be, we just needed to remove the element of surprise," Sonny said.

"Well I don't agree with your methods Mr. Corinthos," Alexis quipped.

"Of course counselor," Sonny said smiling again. His smile faded a little as Nikolas rejoined them. He had been enjoying his banter with Alexis as it took him back to an earlier time before he had made several crucial mistakes.

"I guess it wasn't a hospital emergency," Alexis observed.

"No, it was Liz. She seems to forget that I am not Lucky's keeper," Nikolas said a little miffed.

Alexis had no interest in staying on the topic of Lucky especially since he currently had more criminal charges pending. "Are you still going to that risk management seminar this weekend?" she asked an attempt at topic change.

"Yes, I fly out Friday morning, I may invite Emily," Nikolas said.

Alexis didn't get the chance to remind him that Emily was probably too busy planning her wedding to Patrick to go on vacation with him because Kristina and Emily appeared at their side.

Sonny regarded Emily curious if she had caught Nikolas' plan as they approached. "I had a lot of fun Kristina but I have a few errands to take care of before dinner so I'm going to go," Emily said embracing the little girl.

"Thank you for coming, ok who wants the next tour?" Kristina asked gleefully.

"Why don't you let Nikolas go next?" Alexis suggested. Nikolas scowled at his aunt but didn't want to disappoint his cousin so he did go with Kristina who skipped off happily dragging him along.

"Nice save there counselor," Sonny said after Nikolas was out of earshot.

"Well I figured Emily deserved a smooth exit," Alexis quipped.

"Speaking of exits, what are your plans after this is over?" Sonny asked.

Alexis wavered was he going to invite her to dinner? She supposed it made sense and Kristina would love it if the three of them had dinner together but Alexis knew that if she did that she was unwrapping her heart again and that scared her.

"I have a lot of work to do tonight," Alexis said.

"I was just asking because Kristina has been missing Mike so I was thinking maybe we could all have dinner tonight, the five of us," Sonny suggested.

"Five?"

"You, me, Mike, Kristina and Molly. Anyway you have to eat at some point right?" Sonny said smiling and flashing his should be illegal dimples.

"Well I suppose you're right I do need to eat, and Kristina has been clamoring for lasagna since the last time she was at your house. I can barely boil water so you know I can't make that and the stuff from a box doesn't fool her," Alexis said.

"I could make some and you could put it in the freezer and just pull it out to bake, you could do that," Sonny suggested.

"Thank you but tonight Kristina can have both her lasagna and her daddy which is what I think she wanted anyway," Alexis said.

"You know how important she is to me," Sonny said.

"Yes, I do, and I'm sorry that you missed out on the first almost four years of her life. I've been thinking, she's really old enough now that she could spend the night at your house one night a week. I wanted to ask you about it though before I told Kristina," Alexis said.

"I would love that Lex thanks!" Sonny said picking Alexis up in the excitement.

Across the gym Nikolas and Kristina took in the scene. "See Nikolas I told you that my daddy loved my mommy!" Kristina squealed excitedly.