We are now at the end of Dara and Sonny's journey. Thank you so much for taking this ride with them and me. Thank you to everyone who read and especially those who read and responded. I really appreciated hearing what you thought about the story. This story started off as just a one-off and turned into something more. A special thanks to Therese. I hope you enjoy the final chapter of THE PLEDGE.
"How about Adella Kathleen or Kathleen Adella?" Dara suggested.
Sonny shook his head. "She needs a name of her own. Not one marred in the past or death."
"We'd be honoring our loved ones."
He shook his head again. "The boys liked Zoë."
Dara looked at her sienna brown colored daughter with her head full of dark brown hair and light brown eyes. She was beautiful. Absolutely perfect. Did she look like a Zoë? "Zoë," she murmured. "Zoë- -Zoë what?"
Motioning for her to scoot over, Sonny climbed on the bed and took Zoë from her. "My precious baby girl. Zoë Angela. Daddy's angel."
Shaking her head, Dara laughed. "She already has you wrapped her around her little, bitty finger."
Giving Zoë Eskimo kisses, Sonny smiled. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For giving me this baby girl. For allowing me to be here. Morgan's birth was shrouded in the kidnapping, shooting. And Ned had the joy of being with Kristina. But for Zoë, I was right beside you holding your hand, encouraging you, watching this curly hair emerge, cutting her umbilical cord, being the first person to hold her. This has been the greatest thing I've ever been apart of. Thank you." He leaned over and softly kissed Dara.
"No, thank you. For being here and loving us. I love you."
Sonny beamed. Finally.
She heard his unspoken word. "I know, finally. When you left my dorm room, I didn't think I was going to make it. Then Craig came along and I felt like I had the best parts of us with me. We were happy together and when Marcus came along, I thought this is the happiest I'll ever be.
And then once again my world was shattered and once again you stepped in and helped me sort through the ashes and helped me rebuild. You never gave up when I wouldn't admit my true feelings. You put up with my attitudes, my mourning Marcus. You've stood by me, never judging me, only loving me in your possessive, caring, jealous, overprotective way that only you can. And I hope I can offer you those same things with my love."
Reaching up, he grabbed her and pulled her into a lustful, possessive kiss.
"Tut! Tut! You have to wait six weeks before you give this one another sibling," Dr. Meadows informed them as she walked into the room.
They pulled apart and smiled unashamedly at her.
"It's going to be a long six weeks," Dara said under her breath, making Sonny smile.
"What are you two whispering about over there?" Dara questioned, as Laura took Kristina to the restroom.
Sonny and Stefan walked closer to the hospital bed.
"I was telling Michael about an article I read about a convicted murderer in Ohio who died after a short but violent and ghastly illness," Stefan answered.
"Did you know this person?" she asked, adjusting the baby's blanket.
"No, I did not. His case peaked my interest due to the nature of his crime."
"Which was?" Sonny chimed in.
"He seemingly without reason murdered his best friend and employee in cold blood then patiently waited for the police."
"That's not that unusual in some respects; approximately 85 of murder victims are murdered by a loved one or someone they knew," Dara commented.
"True." Stefan nodded.
"What was the illness?" Sonny asked.
"The authorities are not sure. The autopsy proved to be inconclusive."
"Did I hear the word autopsy?" Laura questioned, walking back into the room. "No talk about death or sadness on such a happy day."
"Yes, I'm sorry. Michael, Dara, Zoë, please forgive me. Such topics are inappropriate on such a joyous occasion."
"No problem," Sonny said.
"Zoë Angela Taggert Corinthos meet Marcus Taggert, your dad."
Dara held her newborn so she could see her father's headstone.
"He is shining down on you from heaven, loving you like crazy. He would have been so proud to call you his daughter."
Covering her daughter again, she cradled Zoë in her arms.
"I miss you. Sometimes I expect to see you pop up next to me at Craig's games. And other times, I hardly can recall our lives together. It seems like another lifetime. I loved you with my whole heart, never doubt that, but I've moved on and I'm done apologizing and feeling bad about that. I love Michael Corinthos, Junior, and he loves me, Craig, and Zoë. I know that's all you would want for us, to be loved."
She paused, took a red rose out of the side of the baby bag, and placed it in the vase next to his headstone. "Rest in peace, Marcus Allen Taggert."
As she stepped back from his grave, she felt his presence without even turning around. She leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her and their daughter. "I loved him."
"I know you did."
"But you owned a piece of me that no one could touch. And even after we went our separate ways, when I asked for your help, you came through with no questions asked, disregarding the years we spent opposing each other and didn't speak. You kept your promise to me to bring me the heads of Marcus' killers even though he was your enemy. I will never forget that."
Turning around in the circle of his arms, she gazed into his eyes. "Let's go home."
Taking the baby from her and the bag, Sonny took his wife's hand and escorted her home, now that she had finally laid the past to rest.
"I love you, Sonny Corinthos."
"I love you, too, Dara Corinthos."
THE END
