chapter7
Chapter 7
***R/NC-17***

Once Zander and Emily reached the island, they were greeted by more of Sonny's guards and they were escorted to the house on the beach. Emily noticed the water was so blue, crystal blue so crystal clear you could see to the reefs below. The white sandy beaches were beautiful was they lay against the white surf that came rolling in. The warm Caribbean breezes felt nice against her soft and supple skin and she was for sure this was just a little piece of Heaven for her and Zander. She wished they could stay here forever and never return to Port Charles, New York. Zander had grabbed the bags from the trunk of the car as he and Emily followed the guards to the front door of the huge house that stood before them. Sonny certainly knew how to relax in luxury, and he certainly knew what they needed right now. They needed some down time, some time to relax and enjoy each other without interruptions or worries about their life in Port Charles.

As they entered the foyer of the beach house, he noticed how spacious and free flowing the house was. Sonny had mentioned they would have anything and everything they could want while staying there. His personnel had strict instructions during their stay and they should just relax and enjoy their time together. Zander set the bags down at the bottom of the spiral stair case that lead to the upstairs bedrooms as Emily had wandered into the living room area where the outside walls were full length windows and a pair of french doors on either side that lead to a patio area that overlooked the ocean. She opened one of the doors to feel the warm breezes that were blowing outside as she heard the sound of the ocean that was only a few feet from the house. She couldn't believe she was here, a place this beautiful only existed in the movies and in her dreams. Zander walked towards her across the white marble floors of the living room and stepped outside. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and they just gazed out at the ocean that welcomed them.

Jason had asked Zander to call him as soon as they got settled at the house, so as he went to call Jason as Emily turned to explore a little more. She made her way towards the spiral stair case that led upstairs as she noticed the beautiful indoor pool that sat on the backside of the house. She strolled down the corridor to the open area that contained a small kidney shaped pool, certainly big enough for two. The pool over looked part of the beach below and she noticed the sunlight shown in through the large windows that surrounded the room. She wandered a little more and found herself upstairs in the master suite. She had never seen a bedroom this large before, it was as large as Zander's whole apartment. As she entered the room she noticed a large four poster mahogany bed that was draped with white chiffon that was blowing in the breeze, along with the white chiffon curtains that were draped over the curtain rods that they were hung on. The bed had a white lace eyelet type coverlet with white percale eyelet sheets and two large poofy pillows that lay at the headboard. She walked towards the window that had been opened and peered out over the ocean that lay below. "It was so beautiful here..." she thought as she heard Zander come up the stairs. She turned around and noticed he was standing in the doorway. "Emily...are you okay?"...he asked as he walked over to where she was standing at the window. "I'm fine.." she said as they stood side by side and wrapped their arms around each other.

As nighttime fell across the ocean, he and Emily walked along the white sandy beach hand and hand. The moonlight glistened across the waves of the ocean as the white surf rolled over their bare feet. As they walked along the edge of the water, both were remembering how much they had been through together over the past 2 years. Both of them were so ready to move on with their lives together, it was time to let go of the past and to look forward to the future. Zander and Emily sat on the beach just looking out across the water as the moon lit up the sky. He turned to her and kissed her lightly on her lips as the warm breeze gently danced through her auburn hair. She took his face in her hands and deepened the kiss with passion and force. He embraced her as he laid her down on the warm white sand. As he hovered over her, he began to unbutton her shirt and slowly removed it from her. He noticed her skin was warm to the touch as he kissed her lightly on her shoulder and as he drifted his kisses along her neck, she tilted her head back and away to entice him even more. His mouth soon found hers as she began to remove his tee he was wearing. They broke the kiss if only for a moment as he slipped the tee over his head and at the same moment she lowered her hand and unbuttoned his jeans. He removed the piece of clothing was inhabiting him and slowly unbuttoned her jeans with one hand as the other reached around and lightly moved a stray hair that fell across her face. Their desires for each other were about to be reached as they lie on the white sand beach and the warm salty water came rushing over their bodies. He kissed her with such passion it took her breath away. As he cupped his hands around her face and her's did to him, their passion reached the pinnacle of intensity. He slid the straps of her black satin bra down her arms and removed it from her body as she slowly reached down and began to remove the boxers he was wearing. He kissed her softly as his mouth found the tender skin of her breast and his tongue teasing her nipple till she was aroused. She could feel his tongue as it gently played with her and as it teased her hardened nipple. She laid her head back and closed her eyes as she became aroused to no end. He slowly drifted his kissed down the front of her midsection which led him to her lower abdomen. He couldn't help but think of the child which grew within her as he slowly repositioned himself down between her thighs. As she laid there in ecstasy, he softly kissed her tender skin of her inner thighs and as she flinched, he looked up at her concerned wondering if she was okay. He noticed she was enjoying every one of his touches so he continued without saying a word. His tender kisses moved towards her warm flesh that was now moist to the touch. She felt every glide of his finger as it slid in a rhythm within her body and as he softly kissed her on her lower abdomen. His kisses drifted upward towards her midsection as free hand caressed her soft skin. She felt him softly caressed her waist as he hovered over top of her kissing her body every step of the way towards her neck. As he hovered over her, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed him close to her. His hips gently forced open her legs as she wrapped them around him and she felt him push himself inside her. As they laid on the white sandy beach wrapped in each other's arms the white salty surf rushed over their warm bodies. As they embraced each other he leaned in closer to her as his mouth found hers once again and as they kissed passionately. They moved with the rhythm of each other as both of them were about to reach their peaks. The intensity grew stronger with every thrust of his hips as he deepened every stroke. He could feel her muscles contract as she reached her level of ecstasy and he noticed as her head laid on the sand she closed her eyes and thrust her hips against his. A few more strokes inside her was what he needed to release all of what was bottled inside of him. He held her close as he rolled over on his back and she found herself on top. He loosened his grip and she sat up on his abdomen, he still inside her. With a shift of her body, they were no longer one, but two who loved each other even more then before. She knew how much he loved her so, but she felt the love so much more now. As she laid back into the joint of his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her and held her close, as the other hand drifted across her lower abdomen. He noticed she was showing the signs of her pregnancy as he ran his hands across her little belly that held their baby. She was so beautiful and she would only become more beautiful as she progressed in her pregnancy.

They laid on the white sand for a little while underneath the moonlight and the stars in the midnight sky before heading back to the house. It was after midnight as they entered the house with some of their clothes in hand. Zander took her hand and led her to the spiral staircase that led up to the bedroom. He could see that she was exhausted from their walk on the beach so he swept her up into his arms as she wrapped her arms around his muscular neck. He held her close as he made his way up the stairs. Once in the bedroom he carried her over to the four poster bed and laid her down gently underneath the white chiffon canopy. "I love you, Em.." he said as he released her from his arms. "I love you to..Zander" she replied as she pulled him closer. He kissed her softly as she drifted across the bed to make room for him to lay next to her. His arms wrapped around her, she laid her head on his chest and laid her arm across the ripples of his abdomen. She could feel the warm ocean breeze as it came across their bodies and filtered through the open window.

As the moonlight drifted across the open floors of the master suite, they held each other close and fell asleep in each others arms.

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Alan and Monica still reeling from the news about their new grandchild, had come to the agreement something needed to happen before they lose this grand-child like they had with Michael. Monica and Alan both have been trying to contact Emily for the past few days and all they have gotten was the answering machine. Assuming Emily might have been out at the times of the phone call, they decided to go visit the apartment instead. Upon arriving to the apartment, Alan noticed one of Sonny's guards at the back of the alley. As he and Monica approached the stairs, Rick walked toward them with a purpose. "Mr. Smith and Ms. Quartermaine are not available right now, and I would ask if you could stop back another time for a visit." Rick said as he blocked the path to the stairs. "We didn't come to see the criminal, we came to see our daughter!" Alan said forcefully as he tried to by-pass Rick. "Mr. Quartermaine, I was specifically instructed not to allow you access to your daughter. Now I told you once, please don't make me tell you again!" Rick said with a side step to block Alan once again from going towards the stairs. "Instructed by whom?.." Monica asked as she stood in front of him. "By Mr. Smith and Mr. Cornithos, now please leave the premises before I have both of you removed." Rick said as he moved towards them. "Is Emily here?...We came to see her and we are not leaving till we get some answers!" Alan said forcefully as he got up in Rick's face. As Alan and Monica were having words with Rick in the alley, two other guards came in from behind them. Emily's parents stood in disgust and frustration as they were being intimidated by a couple of Sonny's goons. "This is not right! She is our daughter for Pete Sake!" Monica replied as her eyes welled up with tears. "They cannot do this to us, we are her parents, she is carrying our grandchild!" she said as she pointed in the direction of the loft. "Zander took her away from us 2 years ago and damn it, he is not going to take her away from us again! And we want to see her, now!" Alan shouted as he felt the presence of the other guards behind him. "Look, Mr. Quartermaine...Mrs. Quartermaine...the two of you are not permitted to see your daughter! And I am not at liberty to tell you if she is here or not, so please do not ask." Rick said as he motioned to the other guards to escort Alan and Monica to their car. "Well, I tell you what...you have not seen the last of this Quartermaine. And you can tell that criminal she is having our grandchild with that we will be back to see our daughter!" Alan said as he pointed and shook his index finger towards the apartment above. Rick just stood there and shook his head in amazement at what just happened with Em's parents as Alan and Monica got in their car and backed out of the alley. As they drove down the street heading home, Alan was so angry with what just happened he sat in the car pounding his fists against the steering wheel. Monica noticed his anger had boiled to the breaking point as they pulled into the long driveway that led up to the house.

Edward and Lila were waiting for them in the living room when they came back from supposedly seeing Emily. Edward knew something was wrong by the looks on their faces when they walked into the room. "Did you see her, did you see our Emily?" Edward asked as he stood up from the chair he had been sitting in. "No, we didn't see her. Hell we couldn't even get passed the guards. " Alan said as he took a seat on the sofa. "Guards?! Who's guards, where?" Edward replied as his look became concerned. "Zander and Sonny have three guards posted in the alley and at the door of the apartment. If we wouldn't of left, they would of removed us." Monica said as her tears streamed down her face. "Oh Alan, what are we going to do?" she said as she sat down beside him and he wrapped his arm around her. "What we are going to do is march right over there and remove Emily from the clutches of that..that..that deviant!" Edward bellowed as he paced the floor of the room. "We can't do that Edward, she's eighteen, she can do what she wants. And she wants to be with Zander, there's nothing we can do to stop her." Monica said as she sat back against the sofa cushion. "Monica she is carrying his child for goodness sake, you two should be breaking down their door and dragging her out of there before it's too late." he replied as he paced. "It's already too late, Father. She is under Zander and Sonny's protection now and we have lost her completely." Alan said as he sat on the sofa with his arms crossed in front of him. "So you're just gonna give up, and hand her to over to those criminals!" Edward replied. "Father, what do want us to do?! She has made her decision, she wants to be with Zander and she has alienated her family to do it!" Alan said as Monica noticed his blood pressure was rising by the mention of Zander's name. "What about this child, our Emily is carrying that deviant's child!" Edward said as he came and sat down on the chair in front of him. "Edward, now stop this! Emily has made her decision, can't we just respect that." Lila said as she sat in her chair along side of him. The voice of reason within the Quartermaine family had spoken in the defense of Emily. Lila had been always stood behind Emily in her decisions about Zander and repected her feelings. She was the only Quartermaine that respected her decision to move out, and to move on with her life without the family. It was what Emily needed to do and Lila respected that.

The family had really hit the breaking point some time ago when Zander brought her back from Arizona, but this time was the last straw. One of their own was carrying this criminal's child, and in their minds Zander was the enemy here, not the family. In their minds, he did nothing to prove them wrong, he had done so many things to Emily that proved them right. The family sat in the living room just frustrated, angry and heartbroken that Emily would do this to them. To alienate herself from them and to keep their grand-child from them, in their minds this was all Zander's influence.

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The night had become the dawn as Zander awoke with Emily in his arms. He looked down at her and noticed her smiling back at him. As the cool ocean breeze came over them that blew through the window he kissed her softly on her lips to say good morning. Today was the first day of new beginnings for them. Today was the day that Zander had planned to marry his beautiful bride. He slipped out from underneath the sheets and pulled on his boxers as she lay there watching his every move. A smile came over her face as she sat up and watched as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "What?...what's the matter?" he said with a puzzled look on his face. "Nothing, nothing's a matter...I'm just watching." she said as she leaned closer to him. "Well, if you are watching...do you like what you see?" he said flirtatiously. He could see her eyes undressing him as she looked up and down..."I like....I like very much." she replied as she teased him when she touched his bare chest. Zander knew what she wanted, cause he wanted it to, but today was their wedding day and it was getting late. "Come on...let's go we' re late..." he said as he kissed her quickly and stood up from the bed. "Late for what?.." she asked confused about what he had said. "Oh, I see now you don't want to marry me?" he said with a grin. "Marry you!...here..now!" she replied as she jumped up out of bed. "Yes now...the minister should be here in a few...let's schussel.." he replied as he strolled towards the bathroom for a shower. "Now you decide to tell me!....Why didn't you say anything last night?" she replied as she stood in the doorway of the bathroom. "Well, cause last night we were kind of busy..." he said as he cleared his throat and motioned for her to close the door.. "Yeah I guess we were...weren't we?" she replied as she watched him remove his boxers.

"What am I going to wear?!" she thought to herself as she noticed something hanging on the back of the bedroom door. "What in the world...." she mumbled as she took the garment bag off the hook. She took the bag in her hands and laid it across the bed. She started to unzip the bag and noticed the white wedding gown that was inside. She took the bag off and tossed it to the side as she stood in awe of the white simple wedding dress that lay before her. "Sonny." she said to herself as she heard the bathroom door open. She was in such awe of the dress, she didn't even notice that Zander had come out of the bathroom in only a towel. "Whatcha got there, Em?" he asked as he came over and stood beside her. "Oh, uh...my wedding dress it looks like." she replied as she noticed he was dripping water all over the floor. "It's beautiful." he replied as he looked at her smiling. "Yeah, it is. Sonny has good taste." she said as she began taking it off the hanger. "Sonny?...Sonny nothin'...I have good taste." he said as she looked at him. "You. You bought this for me?...." she asked as she held the dress up in front of her admiring it in the full length mirror that stood in the corner. "I thought you might need something nice to wear when we exchange our vows this morning on the beach." he said with a grin. "On the beach?..." she replied as she turned around. "Yeah...Oh did I forget to tell you that too?"...he said with a devilish grin. "Zander?!...I had just assumed that we were going...." she started to say when he said..."Going to what...get married in a church here on the island like a traditional couple would?...Em, if you haven't noticed we are not a traditional couple." "Yeah, we certainly are not that.." she replied as she chuckled at the thought. "So, are you gonna put it on or just stand there holding it.." he said with grin. "Yeah, of course I am...but first I need a shower." she replied as she layed it across the bed and headed for the bathroom. He watched her as she walked across the room...he couldn't wait to have her as his wife.

As she closed the bathroom door, he took his clothes he had planned out of the closet. He had arranged everything a few days before they left Port Charles. The minister should be here shortly and they were to be married on the beach at 10 o'clock this morning. It was already 9 and knowing Emily she would need the whole hour to get ready. He dried off the drops of water that remained on his skin and he began to get dressed. She came out of the bathroom as he slipped on his black dress pants. "Here let me help you with that.." she said as she came over and helped him with the suspenders that were attached to the waistband of the pants. He noticed that she now was only wearing a towel and her hair was wet from the shower. "I can get this...you just get dressed and I'll meet you down stairs..okay." he said as he kissed her lightly on her lips that were moist with water droplets. "Okay...I'll be down in a sec.." she said as she watched him walk out the door and towards the stairs. He knew that that wasn't true...a sec...with Emily...an hour at least, he thought as a grin came over his face.

Emily stood in front of the full length mirror as her towel dropped to the floor. She stood there staring at her bare body and as she turned sideways she noticed she was starting to show. Her pregnancy was progressing nicely and Dr. Meadows had told her she was in excellant health. The baby's heartbeat was just fine and she should have no problems carrying this baby to term she thought as she rubbed her hand lightly over her little baby belly and smiled. But now, she needed to get dressed and marry the man who was waiting for her downstairs. As she began to slip her dress over her head as she heard Zander calling from down stairs. She hadn't been that long, what was he yelling for her for...."In a sec!" she yelled down the stairs. "That's what you said 10 minutes ago, Em.." he replied as she turned the hair dryer on to dry her hair. With the dryer on she couldn't hear anything...and that is why she didn't notice that he had made his way back up to the bedroom and stood in the doorway waiting for her. When the dryer was turned off, she layed it down and was surprised to see him standing there watching her. "Come here, let me help you with that..." he said as he walked over and started zipping up the back zipper of her dress. As she pulled her auburn hair to the front, he zipped the zipper the last few notches. "There...all zipped up. Are ya ready...Ms. Quartermaine." he asked as she turned around and fell into his arms. "I am...Mr. Smith." she replied as her lips found his. He couldn't keep his hands or eyes off of her. She looked amazingly beautiful in her white wedding dress as he just stood there in awe of her presence. "Are you coming..geezsh?" she asked as he was watching her walk towards the door of the bedroom. "I'm right behind you.." he replied as he followed her out the door and down the stairs.

The minister was waiting for them on perfect spot Zander had picked out as he and Emily walked hand and hand towards him. Those butterflies she had felt in the doctor's office had returned and her stomach turned to knots as she was getting nervous and anxious about exchanging vows with Zander. She had wanted this for so long, and the day had finally arrived when she and Zander would say "I do". She was just hoping that she wouldn't wake up from this dream and find herself back in her room at the Quartermaines. He looked down at her and noticed she looked a little pale. "Are you alright..Em?" he asked as wrapped his arm around her. "Yeah,...I'm fine..I guess it's just nerves." she replied as she smiled back at him. "There is no reason to be nervous..I'll be with you every step of the way.." he said with a grin.

"Good morning..Mr. Smith." the minister said as he extended his hand. "Good morning.." Zander answered as he shook hands with him. "This must be your lovely bride?...No?" he asked. "Hi...I'm Emily.." she said as she shook the hand of the minister as well. "Nice to meet you..Emily. I'm Father Ramirez." the minister said with a smile. "If the two of you are ready, we can begin.." he asked as Zander took her hand. Emily squeezed Zander's hand and smiled..."We're ready.." she said as she released the breath she had been holding. It was perfect...her and Zander stood on the white sand beach only a few feet from the ocean as they held hands and the minister spoke about the life they would be living as one. The ocean breezes flirted with her auburn hair and flowed through the bottom half of her dress. The sun glistened off the water as the surf came towards the shore and as the minister asked her if she would repeat these words. "I, Emily Quartermaine...take thee Zander to be my husband from this day forward. I promise to love, honor and cherish him till death do us part." Emily repeated word for word as the minister instructed as she looked into Zander's brown eyes. "Zander.." the minister replied. "I, Zander Smith...take thee Emily to be my wife from this day forward. I promise to love, honor, and cherish her till death do us part." He replied as he smiled at her. "The rings?" the minister asked as he extended his hand. Zander reached in his pants pocket to retrieve the two gold wedding bands he had. He placed them in the minister's hand as he blessed the rings that lay before him. "Now take her ring and place it on her left hand and repeat after me." the minister said as he extended his hand towards Zander. Zander reached for Emily's gold band with one hand and took her left hand with the other. "With this ring...I thee wed." Father Ramirez said. "With this ring..I thee wed." Zander repeated as he slipped the wedding band on Emily's left hand. "Emily...now take his ring and repeat after me." Emily reached for the gold band with one hand as she took Zander's left hand with the other. "With this ring...I thee wed." Emily looked at Zander and repeated..."With this ring..I thee wed." As they took a hold of each other's hands, the minister spoke a blessing and pronounced them man and wife. "You may kiss your bride..Mr. Smith." he said as a smile came over his face. Zander wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down as his mouth found hers. They stood on the beach embracing for a few moments as the surf rippled behind them. Father Ramirez stood admiring the love they shared.

Zander and Emily walked hand and hand back to the house as Sonny's guards met them at the front door. One of the guards pulled Zander aside to speak to him for a few moments, and Emily wondered what was up. She walked inside the house as Zander stood conversing with the guard. A few moments later he walked in and asked her to sit, he need to talk with her. She sat admiring the gold wedding band on her left hand as he sat down beside her. She wondered what was so important and got anxious about what he was about to say. "Emily...your parents are on a rampage back in Port Charles." Zander said as he noticed her smiles became frowns. "Why do are they doing this to us?" she asked as he noticed she was getting upset. "Look, they don't know that we left Port Charles...Rick has strict instructions and he wouldn't crack if his life depended on it." Zander said as he held her hand. "Now, we can stay here on the island as long as we want, or we can return to Port Charles. It's up to you...Em?" She looked at him as her eyes welled up with tears. "We don't have to go back, right?"...she asked. "No we don't...Sonny has everything under control there, but I thought it would be best if you knew what was going on at home." She looked at him and sighed.."Zander I really don't want to deal with them right now, I really don't. I just want to spend a few days with you. Right here in your arms." she replied as she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Okay, so we stay. I'll call Sonny and let him know that we are staying and that he should do what he thinks is best for the situation at home." "Zander..." she said as he reached for the cell phone that laid on the table. "May I..." she said as she reached for the phone. Zander handed her the phone thinking that she may want to call her parents. She flipped open the phone and dialed a number into the pad. "Elizabeth! It's Em..." she said into the phone. He knew her only to well...she couldn't go a day without talking to Elizabeth. "Guess what just happened?" Emily said as she was again Zander's blushing bride. "Zander and I got married on the beach no 10 minutes ago."..."Yes you heard me right...MARRIED!!" she said as her face lit up. Emily stood and walked across the room as Zander sat and watched the anger and the disappointment dissipate. "Now, Elizabeth you can't tell anyone. I mean no one." ... "Okay, maybe one.." she replied as Zander knew she meant Lucky. " I heard my parents are on a rampage there in Port Charles.." "Well, good let them worry..." "Zander and I are taking a few days for ourselves for a change...and I will call you when we return.." "No, I can't tell you where I am...let's just say that I have found that little piece of Heaven everyone keeps talking about.." "Okay..now remember no one besides Lucky knows that Zander and I got married." "Alright I'll talk to you in a few days....bye Elizabeth." Emily flipped the phone closed and walked back over and sat down next to her husband. "Okay now you can call Sonny.." she said as she handed him the phone. "What?..." she said as he smiled at her. "I figured you would call Elizabeth.." he replied as he flipped open the phone to make his call to Sonny. "Zander....you know me too well..." she replied with a grin.

Zander stood up and walked across the room to make his call to Sonny. Emily sat and admired the gold wedding band on her left hand that was now partnering her diamond engagement ring he had given her so many months ago. They were officially married and there was nothing her parents or anyone else could do to split them up. From what she gathered from the conversation Zander was having with Sonny, no one knew that they were not in Port Charles..except for Elizabeth and Lucky and she knew they wouldn't say anything to jeopardize this plan of theirs. See, she and Zander had planned to come to the island to marry without anyone knowing so they would now hold the wild card if her parents tried any of their antics to split them up once and for all. Not this time, she was holding all the cards and she wasn't going to be intimidated by her family. She would pull out all the stops if she had to. And she wasn't afraid to use her influence with Sonny to get what she wanted...and that was to be a happy family with Zander and the baby she was carrying. She was now protecting what was hers and she was not going to allow anyone to take it away from her. They have come to far and their love would survive anything the Quartermaines were about to throw at them.

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Back in Port Charles, the Quartermaine's were planning their strategy against Zander and Sonny. Although they were not intimidated by the mob boss and his associates they were worried about having Emily stuck in the middle of this war.

Alan and Edward met with lawyers and more lawyers trying everything they could do to keep Emily away from the deviants she was associated with. The lawyers had told them since she was 18 years old, she was legally an adult and there wasn't much they could do legally. Things would go from bad to worse if she and Zander got married because the only loophole the Quartermaine's had was that she was still their daughter and her closest kin. They could have her evaluated to say that she was incompetent and that the only thing for them to do would to take custody of her and send her somewhere for treatment. Unbeknownst to the Quartermaine's, she and Zander are married and their plans were sure to backfire once Emily had returned home. Alan and Edward were hatching a plan that would rock Sonny's underground world and he wouldn't know what hit him.

Although Sonny at this particular moment was taking precautions of his own. He too was involved in meetings with his people to make sure there were no legal or technical loopholes that the Quartermaine's could find. And he made sure that Zander, Emily and their baby would be protected against the Quartermaine's and their powerful influence. Sonny knew that the Quartermaine's wouldn't back down when it came to Emily and especially now that she was carrying Zander's child. They were more determined then ever to get her away from him. He had no doubts that he would protect them and would do everything in his power to keep them from the Quartermaine's wrath.

As Port Charles got ready for the showdown between Corinthos and the Quartermaine's, Elizabeth and Lucky were as happy as they could be. They were now married about 3 months and it made it all more special because now Zander and Emily were married too. The four of them had become such close friends over the last two years it was amazing. Lucky never thought in a million years that he would say that Zander Smith was a good friend and that he was a good man. He protected, supported and loved Emily. He would lay down his life for Emily and Lucky respected that. Lucky would do the same for Elizabeth and he knew that he loved her as much as Zander loved Emily.

Elizabeth explained the situation with Lucky about Emily and that she and Zander would be back in a few days. He was to tell no one about the phone call and that Zander and Emily were married. She explained to him that this was a significant part of their plan to alienate the family and to keep them far away from the baby Emily was carrying. Emily would explain more when they returned home in a few days. Elizabeth knew that she and only 2 other people knew that Zander and Emily had gotten married and they were Sonny and Jason. So it was crucial that no one else found out. Lucky agreed that he wouldn't tell a soul about the elopement so there was no need to worry about what they were thinking. Zander and Emily would be fine and their lives as well as their baby's life would be protected. Protected by those who cared about them the most. Sonny and Jason would make sure of that.

As plans were in the works in Port Charles between Sonny and Jason, Alexis worked feverishly to assist Sonny with regard to the legality of the situation. She had done her research on other cases that were held in the same regards to Emily's. Alexis had found the same loophole as the Quartermaine's lawyers had. The Quartermaine's would have to prove that Emily was incompetent and that she needed to be placed somewhere that would provide treatment. However, now that she and Zander were married there wasn't much they could do, but try to claim rights to the child. Alexis had wanted to avoid another Carly and AJ fiasco so she searched for cases that would assist them against the chance that this was the road the Quartermaine's would take in their fight against Zander. The child would be his number one weakness, next to Emily. And if the Quartermaine's couldn't latch onto Emily the child would become their next target.

Time passed as Sonny, Jason and Alexis worked hard to hatch a plan of their own against the Quartermaine's. The time was drawing near that Zander and Emily would return from the island and Sonny knew the Quartermaine's would be there to unleash their anger on them. The plan had to come off without a hitch and the three of them had to stay alert and on their guard at all times. Knowing the Quartermaine's as the three of them do, it was more than likely they would strike when they least expected it. The three of them waited for the Quartermaine's to strike as the eleventh hour came down on Zander and Emily's return. Jason, Sonny and Alexis arrived at the airport to await the arrival of the plane.

Jason and Sonny departed from the limo as Alexis sat anxiously awaiting for the plane to arrive. As Sonny and Jason waited outside the car aware of their surroundings and cautiously watching for the slightest sign of trouble. They knew the Quartermaine's had no idea about Zander and Emily's trip to the island and they wanted it to stay that way. At this moment, Sonny was holding all the cards and he didn't want to gamble with lives at risk. Jason noticed the plane that was circling the airport, and that it had began to make it's descent onto the runway. They knew that their plan would work and that they had to let the happily married couple in on what was about to happen. Jason certainly agreed as did Alexis that Zander and Emily had to be told, it was crucial that neither of them made any moves towards the Quartermaine's until they were told to. It was for their own protection and certainly Zander would understand that. Emily and the baby had become top priority in his life and nothing was going to keep them from him.

The plane landed and taxied down the runway towards the hanger where Sonny and Jason waited patiently. Once the plane came to a complete stop the stairs were dropped down to the platform so Zander and Emily could disembark. The happy couple walked hand and hand down the stairs laughing and just enjoying each other's company. Sonny thought it was cruel to ruin the mood, but they had business to attend to. Jason and Sonny approached them as they walked off the platform towards the limo that was waiting. Zander noticed Sonny and Jason walking towards them with a purpose and a look of concern came over him. Emily left go of his hand and rushed to embrace Jason. She fell into his arms as he wrapped his arms around her tightly...he was so glad to see her back in Port Charles safe and sound. As Emily embraced Jason, Sonny met Zander and the two of them shook hands as they walked back towards the limo. The four of them walked to the limo as Jason, Sonny and Zander looked around as if to see if anyone was watching them as they assisted Emily into the car. Alexis was waiting for her as she leaned in the back of the limo and got in. "Alexis! .... It is so good to see you!" Emily said as she made herself comfortable in the seat. "It's good to see you to..Emily." Alexis replied as the boys got into the car with them and closed the doors. Sonny knocked a few times on the glass partition and the driver started to drive away from the hanger. The mood had took a serious direction as the guys looked at each other with such intensity. Emily being the new bride was beaming with joy as Zander got a intense look on his face. "What's wrong?...What happened?" he asked as he sat forward in the seat and interlaced his fingers. "There is business to attend to, Zander and for now the two of you will be staying with Alexis. " Sonny said as he looked at him with a strong glare. Zander knew in that moment there was something wrong and something was about to happen. He reached down and took Emily's hand in his as to prepare her for some bad news. They looked at each other and Zander's eyes told the story, Emily didn't even have to ask what was going on.

As they rode back to Sonny's penthouse, he explained the plan and what was about to happen once the Quartermaine's knew they had returned home. Sonny and Jason tried to explain what was happening in Port Charles while they had been visiting the island. Emily's face fell ashen as she heard the happenings with her family, and she couldn't believe it. She would of never guessed they would go this far, but they were determined to take her away from Zander. Now, that she and Zander were married the family would try so much harder to destroy what they had. She and Zander had agreed that this was the only way to keep what they had and that they would stop at nothing to keep the Quartermaine's away from their child. Emily loved her family, but she loved the family she created with Zander more. She had chosen her life with Zander over her family months ago and the Quartermaine's just couldn't accept or respect her decision. As she sat there next to Zander, she felt her anger and resentment building against her family. He had looked over at her as he noticed the look of revenge and resentment in her eyes. This was a part of her he had never seen before, and became concerned for her and the baby. He knew this would not be good for either of them but he also knew there was no talking her out of this. She wanted to hatch this plan on her family as much as anyone did that was sitting in the limo. The look in her eyes intensified as the limo passed the Quartermaine mansion as they headed back into Port Charles. He knew right then and there that she would stop at nothing to protect her own. He had always done the protecting but it was now her turn and he knew there was no holding her back.

Everyone in Port Charles were prepared for the battle between the Quartermaine's and Sonny Corinthos, but they were not prepared for the war that was about to be unleashed.

Chapter 8