chapter18
Chapter 18

Zander awoke to the annoying sound of the alarm that sat next to the bed on the night stand. Still groggy he noticed he needed to rise and shine so he could see Alex before he went on to the hospital to see Emily and his new son, Dante. He laid quietly for a moment as he turned his head to his side and stared at the emptiness beside him. The bed was lonely without Emily sleeping next to him...the sheets he lay between had grown colder since he had been sleeping alone. It was unbearable for him to ever think he could live without her....he needed her, and he needed her to need him.

He slipped out from beneath the silk sheets and walked across the room to the window that overlooked the bay. He stood silent in his black boxers and noticed the sun was on the verge of coming over the horizon as he stared into the beautiful sunrise and thought about what he will do about Steph and Alex. He needed for them to return to Virginia but in the same thought he needed them to stay. He didn't want to loose the chance to get to know his first born. Alex was so important to him and he had lost so much time because of circumstances, he didn't want to allow anymore time to slip by...she deserved to have a relationship with her daddy.

He glanced over his shoulder and noticed the time on the clock read seven o'clock am. With that, he turned and headed for his morning shower.

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Emily awoke by hearing her hospital door open as she looked in the direction of the voice that called her name. She observed her mother standing in the doorway of her room as she pulled herself together after her long overdue nap...not so much a full night sleep because on the maternity floor there is no such thing. "Emily..." Monica began. "Yeah, I'm up..come on in.." Emily responded to her mother's request even before she asked. Still feeling a little groggy from her nap she ran her hands over her hair that was in desperate need of a washing...she had been so exhausted and stiff the day before she just wanted to sleep. "How are you feeling this morning?" her mother asked as she pulled the chair closer so she could sit next to Emily's bed. "Still tired...can't get much sleep around here...but I'm fine and ready to go home." Emily replied as she adjusted the covers on the bed. "Have you seen Dante this morning?" she added as her mother brushed back a stray hair away from her eyes. "I wanted to but I went down to the nursery and the duty nurse said he was in here with you...?" Monica said as she looked across the bed at her grand-son sleeping peacefully in his glass bassinet. "Yeah...the duty nurse and I fed him last night around 4 am in the nursery and she allowed me to keep him with me in my room till the next feeding...which should be very soon." she replied as there was a knock on the door. "Come..in.." Emily said with a raised voice.

As the door opened slightly and she saw Reginald's head peek in through the opening. "Are you up for some visitors?" he asked as he pushed open to allow Lila to motor her wheelchair through. Emily noticed her visitor was her grandmother as a smile came over her face. "Grandmother..! It is so nice to see you..." She replied as she literally jumped from the bed and quickly went to hug Lila. "It's good to see you my dear.. How are you feeling?" Lila asked as Reginald stood behind her listening and admiring Dante in his bassinet. "I'm feeling fine, Grandmother...just fine." "And Dante..how he doing..."Lila replied as she looked across the bed at her great grand-son. "He's fine too...he's just perfect." Emily said as she walked around the bed to the other side and picked up her newborn son in her arms. Dante expressed his sleepiness with a precious little yawn as Emily walked back over to her grandmother's side. "He is perfect..isn't he?" she replied as she looked adoringly at him. "He sure is and we love him so much.." Emily said as she leaned in and kissed him lightly on his forehead.

Emily's visitors stood gazing at the newest edition to the Quartermaine family as all observed his every feature. "Ya know..he has Zander's eyes..." Monica replied as Emily passed her son to her mother. "Ya think..." she replied with a grin. "Emily...those are his father's eyes..now don't tell me you didn't notice..." her mother said as she adjusted his blanket. "Of course I did...and he certainly has the Quartermaine traits as well." she replied with a smile. "What's that dear..." Lila said as she took Emily's hand. "Well, he certainly has a set of lungs...we have found that out first hand." she replied with a giggle. As the rest joined in with the thought of having the lungs of a Quartermaine.

Emily's private room had become not so private anymore, she had her limit of visitors with her as the duty nurse brought Emily Dante's bottle...it was time for his first feeding of the day. Emily thought it would be a nice gesture if she left her mother feed Dante....she was sure she would enjoy the experience. Emily handed off the bottle to Monica as she made her way to the rocker in the corner of the room and took a seat with Dante peacefully sleeping in her arms. As Monica fed her grandson breakfast as Emily said her good byes to her Grandmother and Reginald. She knew that the precious moments spent with Dante were the best medicine for Lila's broken heart. The situation with her and Zander had taken a toll on Lila's spirits and her spending some time with Dante, changed all that. Emily was glad she could help her Grandmother in a way that know one else could.

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After his morning shower, Zander quickly got dressed and headed down stairs for some strong coffee he desperately was in need of. As he reached the landing of the stairs he heard Antonio knock and open the door to the apartment. "Yes..Antonio.." Zander said as he approached the door that was ajar. "Mr. Corinthos is here to see you..." Antonio replied as he opened the door further and let Sonny pass. "Hey..want some coffee.." Zander said as he met Sonny in the foyer with a friendly pat on his shoulder. "Yeah..thanks.." Sonny replied as he removed his overcoat and followed Zander into the kitchen. "So...what can I do for you this morning..Sonny.." he replied as he poured two cups of coffee to their brims. "Well...I heard from Alexis that your ex is back in town..." Sonny replied with a smile. "Don't remind me.."

"Why didn't you say anything..." Sonny replied as he sipped his coffee. "About Steph or about Alex..." Zander replied as he added sugar to the coffee he had poured for himself. "Either one...." "Well to tell you the truth I was hoping that my past wouldn't come back to stare me in face at my door step...I wanted to keep it in the past were it belonged." Zander replied as he made his way into the living room leaving Sonny standing in the kitchen. Sonny looked puzzled at what he said. "Well....Alexis explained the situation and you did what you had to do to protect your family." Sonny said as he approached Zander who sat on the sofa in the living room with his feet propped up on the ottoman. "How long is the ex staying in Port Charles?" he added. "Hopefully not long...I can't protect all of them with psycho Juan lurking around the city...that's all I need is she running into him somewhere. Knowing Juan he would know who she was and think she would be a good place to start with getting to me...and I don't want that to turn into a problem. Right now, I have to keep Emily and Dante safe...they are my top priority right now...Steph and Alex have to go back to Virginia before something happens to either one of them. I'm just hoping she takes my instructions and goes without making a big deal out of this." Zander replied as kept his eye on his watch.

Sonny noticed Zander looking down at his watch every five minutes and decided he should go...it seemed Zander had places to be. "Well...thanks for the coffee and the explaination of your ex...but I really gotta run." Sonny stated as he rose from his seat on the sofa. "Zander...you know anything you need..you call me." he added as he reached for his overcoat. "Thanks..Sonny..but I think I need to deal with the ex on my own. I created this mess three years ago, it's time I dealt with my past." Zander replied as he walked Sonny to the door. Sonny nodded in acknowledgment as Zander opened the door and noticed Antonio still posted at the elevator down the hall. "How's Antonio working out for you?" Sonny asked as he turned and faced Zander once again. "Fine..just fine." he replied. Sonny made his way down the hall towards the elevator as Zander said "Sonny..thanks."

Sonny nodded and stepped onto the elevator as Zander stood a brief moment in the doorway before closing the door to the apartment. Zander stood in the foyer and took one more look around and thought he should get going himself....he needed to stop and see Steph and Alex before heading to the hospital to see Emily and Dante. He grabbed his coat and his keys and headed out the door.

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The duty nurse was gracious enough to allow Emily to keep Dante with her during the morning hours before it was time for Dante's all important baby shots...something she knew he would not enjoy..if he was anything like his mom. Monica and Emily spent some quality mother and daughter time together while they waited for the nurse to bring Dante back to the room.

"So..how does it feel to be a mother now?" Monica asked as she sat on the bed next to Emily who sat propped up in the hospital bed. "Mom...it feels..wonderful. I never thought I could be this happy. I have Zander and now I have Dante....we have a nice home..great friends and I have a family who loves me." Emily replied as she took her mother's hand. "And we always will love you...we never stopped loving you Emily..." Monica added as the door opened and Elizabeth appeared. "Hey you...may I come in?" she replied as she peered into the room. "Hey...to you too...sure come on in..." Emily replied as her face lit up at the sight of her best friend standing in the doorway. "I think this is my cue to leave and return to work...I'll see you later.." Monica said as she stood and leaned over to kiss Emily on her forehead. "Okay...if you come back in a few hours..Dante will need a feeding again.." Emily hinted to her mom as she stood at the door. "I'll remember you said that...kiddo." she smiled as she pointed at Emily with her index finger extended. "Okay..mom." Emily replied with a smile as Elizabeth came and sat next to her.

"So..how are things with you and Lucky?" Emily asked as she turned to Elizabeth. "Good....actually to tell you the truth I came not only to see you but to hopefully spread some good news of our own." Elizabeth said with a smile. "No...nuh..uh...get out!...You and Lucky!"..Emily replied as she perked up to hear the news that obviously Elizabeth was about to tell her. "I'm not for sure..I just had the tests done this morning...I won't know till later this afternoon, but I think so..." she replied as she could barely hold this good news any longer. "Elizabeth..I am so happy for the two of you..you guys deserve this..you do know that, don't you.." Emily replied as she adjusted the blankets that covered her. "I just hope that I'm not getting my hopes up for a disappointment if I'm not...cause Lucky really wants it to be positive...and I don't want to disappoint him.." she said as Lucky appeared in the doorway. "Okay...I heard my name...you two talking about me again...You know that is quite rude.." he said with a smile. "Yes we were talking about you...and how it may be Elizabeth lying here in a hospital bed in nine months.." Emily replied as Lucky made his way to her side. "Oh...see I knew she couldn't keep this a secret very long.." he said as he kissed Elizabeth on her cheek.

Elizabeth and Lucky sat a while visiting with Emily has the time past quickly. Elizabeth wondering the outcome of her tests and Emily wondering what could be keeping Zander. He is normally the first one to visit and now it was mid morning and he still hasn't shown up yet. Emily assumed he got hung up with Sonny about business and dismissed his absence to work.

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Zander wandered into the Port Charles Hotel and made his way to the elevators to see Steph. He was hoping she would reconsider staying in Port Charles and just go back to Virginia. Although knowing Steph she would make a big deal out this and try to manipulate the situation to her advantage...she was good at that...manipulation.

Zander had made his way to their room and stood a brief moment in the hall before knocking on the door. He had no idea what to expect when the door opened and saw Steph standing in front of him once again. "Hey...come on in..." she stated as he stood in the doorway. "Thanks..." he replied as he stepped into the hotel room. "Alex is still sleeping, so it will give us time to talk." Steph replied as she lead him by the hand towards the small sofa that sat in the middle of the room. "Talk about what...is there another bombshell you need to tell me.." Zander asked as he felt her grip tighten on his hand.

"As a matter of fact there is...and it was my main reason to find you..." she replied as Zander started to prepare himself for more bad news. "Okay...tell me..what is this time?" he said as they took their seats on the small sofa. "Alex..this is serious and I need to have your undivided attention..." she said as she held his hand in hers. The look that came across her face was noticeable and worried him for a moment. "You got it...now tell me what is going on..."

Steph took a deep breath and began with this.."I started my search for you because I need you to take Alex...." Zander didn't think he heard her correctly..."What do you mean take Alex? Take her where?" Steph turned to him and he noticed her eyes fill with tears. "I need you to keep Alex with you...I need you to raise her to be a young lady I can be proud of..." she replied as a stray tear trickled down her cheek. "Steph...what are you talking about..why would you need me to raise her..she has you.." he replied as he wiped the stray tear away. "Alex...trust me...Alex needs you to be there for her when I am no longer here to care for her." "Steph, stop talking in circles and tell me what is going on with you..." he replied forcefully.

Steph sat in silence as Zander held her hand tightly and noticed what she had to tell him was painful and would not be easy for her to say. "Alex...the doctors in Virginia give me about 6 months. Now, I have seen numerous doctors and specialists and there is nothing they can do..." she replied as the tears streamed from her eyes. Zander heard every word she said and he didn't say a word...he took her in his arms and held on for dear life. As they sat embracing, he was hesitant to even ask about the medical condition that had placed her in such a situation. "Alex...I need you to care for and raise Alex after I'm gone...I need you to raise your daughter." she added as the embrace became tighter. "Steph...you know I will..she is my child...and that's a given. I will do my best to raise Alex as you would want her to be raised. And I promise you right now...she will always be protected and cared for. Does Alex know...." They broke the embrace when he said those words as she dried her tears and replied.."No..she don't know..I haven't had the heart to tell her. And I really don't think she would understand." "Okay...so what do we do now...I mean what do you need me to do.." he replied as she rose from her seat. "I need for you to make sure that you are made Alex's legal parent and guardian. Because I am sure my family is going to throw a fit when they realize you have taken a hold of your parental rights after I'm gone." she replied as she wandered across the room. "Consider it done...what else do you need?" he asked as he watched her sob in front of the large window of the room. "I just need you to promise me that whatever happens...you will tell our daughter how much I loved her." she said as he stood and approached her from behind. "Steph...she knows how much she is loved..." he replied as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Promise me Alex...promise me that you will tell her...just promise.." she sobbed as she turned and faced him. Zander felt her pain and felt her sadness knowing that their daughter would grow up without knowing her mother. "I promise...I promise to I will tell her every day of her life how much her mother loved her..." he said as they embraced once more.

Chapter 19