Yeesh, I didn't think this chapter would get written tonight, but I pushed through. I'm really sad, but we're getting close-ish to the end. Who wants that sequel idea?

Chapter 57- A Bodyguard Revealed

It had been a week since the wedding, and it seemed everyday Julian and Sam would get another lead on Drew. Chase and Kristina were growing more serious and took Danny and Leo for a ride in his police car this past weekend. Molly and TJ enjoyed their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic but were excited to come home and start on their lives as a married couple. Lucas became very stressed with Wiley's upcoming custody hearing. He was always on edge and had trouble sleeping each night. Alexis focused most of her work energy on building a case against Carly. She truly thought Carly didn't stand a chance without Michael in her corner, except she had Diane. Diane was a good lawyer and would likely find something to use against Lucas.

After working into the evening, Alexis folded Lucas' case and grabbed her purse. It was finally getting warmer outside and all she needed was a light jacket. When she reached the parking lot, she stopped in her tracks. Written in neon pink across her windshield, it said, We Know What You Know. Her chest grew heavy and her breathing sped up. She stared at it for what felt like an eternity and headed back to her office. She pulled out her phone and tried Julian first. No answer. She dialed 911. "I'd like to report some vandalism."

"Your name and location, Miss?"

"Alex—"

Her phone was ripped from her hand. She suddenly felt numb. She slowly turned and almost dropped to the floor.

"Please, don't scream."

Alexis rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Nikolas. "Oh my gosh…" She let go of him and cupped his face in her hands. "You really are alive."

He smiled slightly, then she smacked his chest.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Alexis yelled. "It's enough you'd let me think you were dead, but Laura and Spencer?"

"You need to keep your voice down," Nikolas whispered. "You're being watched."

She stared at him.

"And you can't call the police."

"What? Why?"

"They'll go after you. And no one can know I'm alive."

Alexis scoffed. "Do you know that everyone thinks Charlotte is imagining you? They think she lost it after Cassandra Pierce kidnapped her. Why would you tell her that you're her bodyguard?"

"Because I'm protecting her."

"From what?"

"Valentin."

"Valentin?" Alexis scrunched her face. "He may be pure Cassadine right down to the bone, but he spoils that girl and wouldn't hurt her. But even so, Spencer should be your priority, why aren't you protecting him?"

"Because he's safe with my mother. Safer than he'd be if I revealed myself. Charlotte is the one who's in danger."

"From Valentin? Why?"

He swallowed hard. "I can't tell you. And you have to promise me to not go to the police with what you know. And stop investigating this. The less you know, the better. And most of all, do not go to Cabot again. Because now that they know what you found out from Grandmother's portrait, they're not happy."

"Who is they?"

"I can't answer anymore questions. At this point they're just sending you warnings. As long as you don't find out more, you'll be safe."

"And if I do find out more?"

He stared at her hard. "You don't want to find out."

She huffed loudly. "And you're sure I'm safe? Because the kids—"

"Like I said, don't find out more information and you will be. And don't tell anyone what you know."

"But Julian and Sam could help."

"They'll be targeted if you tell them."

Alexis' stomach went hallow. "What about your mother and Spencer? They need you."

He shook his head. "That's not an option right now. They are safe for the time being. Now, go home and pretend you never saw me. Pretend you don't know a thing." He kissed her cheek and disappeared.

She leaned against her desk and looked at the framed pictures of her family. Goosebumps prickled her arms and she hugged herself.

Alexis made her way back to the parking lot and her eyes grew wide. The writing on her windshield was gone.

GHGHGH

When Alexis arrived home, Julian, Sam, and Lucas were sitting on the couch. She slowly unzipped her coat.

"Mom!" Sam jumped up and hugged her. "Why are you home so late?"

"I, uh… got caught up at the office," Alexis said softly.

"Why so tense, Lex?" Julian asked.

Alexis swallowed hard. "Just a little stressed with work."

"Well, come sit." Sam sat down and patted the spot beside her. "There's something Lucas and I have been wanting to talk to you and Dad about."

Alexis sat beside her. "Is everything all right?"

Sam nodded and looked at Lucas.

"We were going to wait a little longer, but we've been talking it over and we think if we do it sooner, it could help my case," Lucas said.

Sam held Julian and Alexis' hands and gave them a squeeze. "We are both so grateful for everything you've done these past six months for us, the kids…"

"But Sam and I can't keep taking advantage of you," Lucas continued.

Julian scrunched his face. "You're not taking advantage of us."

"But we can't live here forever," Sam said. "That's why Lucas and I are moving to a condo together."

"With Danny, Scout, and Wiley," Lucas said.

Alexis licked her dry lips.

"But the kids are doing so well here," Julian said. "And you both are too. We're a family!"

"And we always will be," Lucas said. "But we're in our 30s…"

"Well, technically I'll be 40 in May…" Sam said. "Which is crazy to me."

"It's time we get back out on our own," Lucas said.

"But there's lots of room here," Julian argued, his eyes actually welling with tears. "And Leo loves having his niece and nephews to play with."

Alexis stared at her lap.

"But it'll look better to the judge if he or she sees me as an independent adult," Lucas said. "Not dependent on his parents."

"We don't imagine living together for long," Sam said. "A year tops. But just to help each other get back on our feet."

"And the sooner we move the better," Lucas said.

"I agree," Alexis finally said.

Sam's mouth dropped slightly, and she locked eyes with Alexis. "I thought… I thought…"

"We thought you'd resist more than Dad," Lucas finished for her.

Nikolas' words "They'll be targeted if you tell them." kept repeating in Alexis' head. Even though he said that she's probably safe right now, she couldn't risk putting them in danger. So, she said, "Lucas is right, it'll help his case."

"Lex, you're not helping…" Julian rubbed his chin and choked up a bit. "I knew it would happen eventually… but I don't want either of you to leave. This is the family none of us had."

Alexis fought the tears springing to her eyes, but she knew this had to happen. Sam wouldn't take her eyes off of her.

"When?" Julian asked.

"April first," Lucas said.

Julian's eyebrows furrowed. "Why so soon?"

"Because the hearing is in three weeks and we need to be settled by then," Lucas said.

Sam finally turned away from Alexis, her shoulders shrinking, as if hurt that her mother didn't show more emotion over her leaving. But Alexis' heart ached knowing that her daughter, stepson, and grandchildren, including Wiley, would be leaving her. And what pained her even more was that she wouldn't be fighting them on it.