chapter19
Chapter 19

Dante had been adjusting nicely to his new surroundings over the last few weeks, although not sleeping through the night both Zander and Emily were completely exhausted and found themselves taking short naps throughout the day just to catch up on their sleep. Zander looked at the clock that sat next to his side of the bed, and he couldn't believe that in a matter of a half an hour the alarm would sound waking him once again from a sleepless night. He looked over his shoulder and saw Emily sleeping peacefully. "Well..at least someone can sleep around here..." he whispered to himself. He laid on his back staring at the ceiling and thinking about Steph and what she had told him a few weeks prior. He did as she asked and spoke with Alexis about taking guardianship and custody of his daughter in case of her mother's death. It was not a pleasant thing to do or a pleasant thought, but to ensure Alex would receive the best, he needed to do this for her. He raised he arms and placed his hands behind his head as he thought the unpleasant thoughts about Juan still being out there somewhere. The suspects the PCPD had in custody for a few months now, had still not cracked and the Commissioner didn't think there was much else to try to convince them to turn over Juan. He, Sonny and Jason had done all they could to secure Emily and Dante's safety during this time and were hopeful that a contact would be able to point them in a direction to where Juan had been hiding.

He was deep in thought when he heard Emily become restless and she started to toss and turn as she lye next to him. As she whimpered softly, he knew she was dreaming something awful, but he was hesitant to wake her. He turned to her and drifted closer to her warm body as he wrapped his arms around her. She felt his presence as she snuggled closer to him and the sounds of her dream seemed to dissipate. After a few quiet moments, she turned towards him and wrapped her arms around him as they laid face to face. She still groggy and half asleep she tilted her head up and kissed him lightly on his soft lips. "Morning..." she said as she released the kiss. "Morning..." he replied as he brushed her hair across her shoulder from front to back. "Dante awake yet.." she asked as she peered across the room at his bassinet. "No...shhh....he's been sleeping for three hours now..and I'd like to keep it that way for awhile..." Zander replied as he intertwined his legs with hers. "So, what do you have planned for today..." she asked as she drew herself closer to him. "I wish it was sleep but I have to be at the warehouse in a couple of hours....why, what do you have planned.." he asked as their legs slid against each other underneath the silk sheets. "Nothing really...I too was hoping for an extra nap today...but after yesterday I don't think Dante is going to let that happen..." she replied as she heard his quiet whimpers from across the room. "What did I tell ya...he is up with the sun like clock work..." she added with a grin.

"Well...I guess our quiet time is done spent...I might as well get up and shower and do some paperwork before heading down to the warehouse." he replied as he heard the beginnings of Dante's cry. "Sounds like that is my cue..." she said as she heard his cry as well. Zander slipped out from beneath the sheets and turned the alarm off as he headed for the shower. Emily watched him as he walked across the floor towards the bathroom. "Okay..kiddo..mommy's comin'.." she said in a soothing voice as she slipped out from beneath the silk sheets. Emily heard the shower running as she went to pick up Dante to quiet him down. She turned and placed him on the bed and re-wrapped him in his blanket as she watched him carefully as she reached for an outfit for him to wear. In no time Zander returned and took out a fine outfit to wear to the warehouse, so she knew it was more than paperwork today. Zander never wore a business type suit unless it was a business meeting. "Hun..could you watch him for just a sec..." she asked as she placed her hand on Dante as if to hold him still. "Sure..." Zander replied as he laid down above Dante and began tickling his little belly. Dante loved that...he giggled and coo'd every time. Emily stood across the room and watched Zander play with Dante. He was such a great daddy and he loved spending time with him. "Okay you two...." she said with a giggle. "Come on baby....let's get you changed and dressed for the day...you can't lay around in your jammies all day now can you.." she said to Dante as hovered over him. Zander just laid there and watch her cooing over their son, it was just amazing to watch her taking care of him as she does. Emily noticed that Zander was taking it all in and smiled at the thought of what he was thinking. "What..." she said with a smile and a giggle. "Nothin'..." he replied with a giggle of his own.

Emily finished dressing Dante in a cute little jumper outfit as Zander got himself dressed for his meeting at the warehouse. "We'll see you down stairs..." Zander said as he and Dante made their way down the stairs. As Emily got herself dressed for the day, Zander and Dante headed for the kitchen. Zander bounced Dante in his arms as he went to make his breakfast. Emily descended from upstairs and noticed Zander in the kitchen. "Here...I'll do that you get your coffee before you go into withdrawals..." she said with a giggle as she reached for one of Dante's bottles in the refrigerator. Zander passed Dante to Emily and poured himself a cup of coffee which he so desperately needed. As Emily made Dante's breakfast Zander took him and tied a bib around his neck. Emily handed the warm bottle to Zander as he cradled Dante in his arms. "Well, you can't tell me that he ain't hungry...." Zander said as Dante took to the bottle right away. "Like father, like son..." Emily replied with a smirk. "Funny....I must say that you are funny...even with only a few hours of sleep..." he replied as he wandered while Dante drank his breakfast. "Hey...I'm funny all the time..." she laughed. "Funny looking maybe..." he replied jokingly as he ducked out of the way of a flying dish towel. "Talk about being funny...." she replied as she reached down and picked up the dishtowel that now laid on the floor. "Hey...I try..." he said with a shrug of the shoulders and a devilish grin. Emily just rolled her eyes and giggled at this comment as she threw the dishtowel on the counter. "Hey you...make sure he gets his full 2 ounces...okay.." she said in a raised voice as Zander made his way around the apartment with Dante still cradled in his arms. "Yes..mom." he replied as he stood by the window as the morning sun peeked over the horizon. "I have a name you know...." he replied as he turned around and looked at her from across the room. "Yes but you have so many...I just figured hey you was easier to remember.." she replied with a grin. "Okay miss smarty pants....rattle some off..let's see how many names I have..." he said as he walked towards the kitchen once again. "Okay...where shall I start...gosh there are so many of them..I don't know if I can remember them...hmmm." she said as leaned against the kitchen cabinet and sipped her coffee. "How bout...the one you are called so often...what's Grandfather call you...oh yes..."deviant"...and hooligan...and let's not forget criminal..." she said as she distanced herself from him knowing that once he places Dante in his carrier...she is in for it. Zander had right about enough of her funny business this morning....as he placed Dante in his carrier that sat on the dining room table. And without warning....Zander was all over her like there was no tomorrow. They laughed and giggled while Dante sat watched his parents make fools of themselves and giggled at what how they were acting. "Now stop that...." she giggled as Zander wouldn't let up on the tickling. He knew it got her everytime and she never said gave up. "Stop what..." he said as he put on his most serious face. "Stop the tickling' now...you know you never get the best of me that way...." she replied with a smirk. "Yes but it so much fun...." he replied as he continued the tickling' torture he started. "Okay...I give..." she replied as they laughed at the thought of her crying Uncle already. Zander released her from his grip and as she stood a safe distance from him she said "Not!" Zander had walked over to Dante who laid quietly in his seat as he said to him..."Your mommy is having way to much fun with daddy this morning. And you know....daddy always wins..which means mommy's gonna get it.

The two of them were laughing and playing around they were completely oblivious to the fact that Antonio had left Alexis into the apartment. Alexis stood in the foyer as she noticed they were having a good time and cleared her throat to grab their attention. Both than noticed she was standing there waiting for them to notice her. "Oh..sorry, Alexis..." Zander said as he cleared his throat and got serious on her. "And how old are you?" she replied as a smile came across her face. "Don't mind us..we are a little punch drunk this morning...not enough sleep does that to you...ya know." Emily replied with a smile as she picked up Dante out of his seat. "I completely understand..." Alexis replied as she walked over and took some papers out of her satchel. "What's this?" Zander asked as he sifted through the papers she laid on the table. "This is coffee business...I need your signature on these.." she replied as Emily poured her a cup of coffee. "Pen.." Zander said as he held his hand out for Alexis to give him a pen to sign the papers. "Oh..yeah..here.." she replied as she handed him the pen from the side pocket of her satchel. "Coffee?" Emily asked as she handed Alexis the cup. "Yeah..thanks." she replied as she took the cup from Emily and made a funny face at Dante who looked at her with his bright blue eyes. "You are too cute...you know that.." she replied as she brushed his face with her index finger. "Gee thanks..." Zander replied as he handed back her pen. "Not you...Dante.." Alexis replied as she slapped him kiddingly in the arm. "Are we done here....I gotta get to the warehouse..." he asked as he put on his suit jacket. "Yeah...we're done." Alexis replied as she made some more funny faces at the baby.

"Hun...weren't you gonna ask Alexis something?" Emily said as she followed Zander as he put on his overcoat. "Oh, yeah...I was gonna ask you something when I had the chance. And I guess now is as good a time as any." he replied as he slipped his arms through the armholes of his coat. "Shoot..." Alexis said as she buckled her satchel closed. "Emily and I were wondering if you consider being Dante's Godmother?" he asked as he softly caressed Dante's head. "Godmother..." she replied as she stood in amazement that they would ask her. She stood in thought about being a Godmother...she was never a Godmother before..and was really pleased they thought of her. "Sure..why not...I feel privileged that you asked me..." she replied as she stood sipping her coffee. "Great..Emily will fill you in on all the details..." he replied as he leaned in and kissed Emily good-bye. "Bye sweetie...you take care of mommy today...and watch out for her ticklin'...she doesn't do it as good as daddy does it...but it will do in a jam..." he said to Dante as he tickled his belly and kissed him gently on his cheek. "You wait till you get home...I'll get you yet..." Emily replied with a devilish grin. "You think so..." he replied as he opened the door of the apartment. "No I know so...now get outta here before your late..." Emily replied with a serious face. "Okay....I see how we play..." he replied as she pointed his index finger at her as he backed his way out the door.

The door closed shut as Emily looked down at Dante who was wide awake and stared back at her with his blue eyes. "Are you two always like that in the morning?" Alexis asked as she held Dante's little hand. "Sleepless nights are to blame for this one...many sleepless nights." Emily said as it sounded like good enough excuse for their misbehavior in front of their attorney. "Aww..how can this little guy be so much trouble...say are you to blame for the sleepless nights..." Alexis replied as she took him from Emily and cradled him against her. Alexis stood and bounced him gently in her arms as she made the funniest faces as he looked up at her. "Alexis...you better watch out...they rub off on you..ya know.." Emily replied as she refilled her coffee cup. "What does..." Alexis replied as she walked back towards the kitchen. "Babies...." she replied as she leaned against the cabinet. "Oh...babies...well..I would need a second party to be involved with that now wouldn't I?" Alexis replied as she looked down at Dante in her arms. "Haven't heard from Ned...huh?" Emily replied as she sipped her coffee. "Nope...and I wasn't really expecting him to call either." she replied as she began to pass Dante back to Emily. "I really hurt him and I just don't know how to fix it..." she replied as she turned to grab her satchel. "I'm sure he has regrets about things he said or done in your relationship.." Emily replied as she turned off the coffee pot. "I don't know..he left before I could ask him..." she said as she placed her satchel on her shoulder. "I'm sorry that it didn't work out between you two..." Emily replied as she walked with Dante out of the kitchen. "Yeah..me too." Alexis replied as she made her way towards the door of the apartment. "Hey..I'll let you know about the christening as soon as I finalize some plans.." Emily replied as Alexis opened the door. "Okay....you know where to find me.." she replied as she stepped into the hallway. "Okay...I'll call you later..than.." Emily replied as she stood on the other side of the door. "Okay..till later.." Alexis replied as she turned to go towards the elevators. Emily stood and watched her step into the elevator and then she closed the door.

"What are we gonna do with your Godmother...kiddo..." Emily said as she looked down at Dante who was more interested with the light fixture above their heads. Emily looked up to see what he was staring at and noticed the light above them. "You like that light, huh.." she replied as she reached back and flipped the switch so the light came on. Dante didn't leave the light out of his sight as she flipped it on and off. "Pretty..." she said as she cooed right along with him admiring the pretty light his mother was creating for him by flipping on and off the light switch. "Gee...if I would of known the light would of been entertainment for you I would of started this yesterday..." she replied with a giggle.

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Zander had made his way down to the warehouse where he had a business meeting with Sonny and Jason this morning. He noticed both of them sitting in the office when he arrived and glanced at his watch checking to be sure he wasn't late. He said good morning way too many times before he reached the office which was situated in the back of the warehouse. "I'm not late, am I?" he asked as he entered the office and closed the door behind him. "No..we're just early..." Sonny replied as he sat behind his desk. "So...how's Emily and the baby?" Jason asked as he sat on the arm of the sofa. "Fine...actually great considering none of us has a full nights sleep in over three weeks." he replied as he took off his overcoat and laid across the back of the chair. "Glad to hear it..." Jason replied with a grin. "Okay...so what's up?" Zander asked as he took a seat in front of Sonny's desk. "Well....I guess we need to discuss the Juan situation." Sonny replied as he sat up in his chair and placed his arms on top of the desk and folded his hands together. "Okay...well do we even know where he is?" Zander asked as he leaned forward in his chair. "Sonny seems to think that he may have went back to Puerto Rico because of all the heat here in Port Charles." Jason added as he took a seat next to Zander. "That would make sense...but would he be that smart...we're talking about Juan here..." Zander replied as he looked at Sonny and than at Jason. "Yes..but remember he has the connections in Puerto Rico to keep him underground for a long time..." Sonny replied as he glared at Zander from across his desk. "True....so what do we do about it?" Zander asked as he glared back. "Well....that's where Jason is gonna earn his keep." Sonny replied as he pointed to Jason. "I'm gonna go down to Puerto Rico and poke around see what I come up with...." he replied as he looked at Zander. "While Jason is gone...we need to have the tightest security just in case he didn't go back to Puerto Rico." Sonny replied as he looked at Zander whose only concern at the moment was Emily and Dante. "I'm gonna beef up the guards on your apartment and on your person, so if you need any more security....just let me know and we will take care of it." he added as he pointed at Zander with his index finger with his elbow rested on the top of the desk. Zander nodded in agreement with the plans so far and he knew Sonny would keep in touch with Jason as far as what he would find out in Puerto Rico. "Now...Jason you get going..and report back to me on anything...even if you don't feel it is important...call me. And Zander..there are papers on your desk I need signatures on ASAP." Sonny said as Jason rose from his seat and Zander did the same.

Zander watched Jason as he walked with a purpose back through the warehouse the same way he came. He noticed a stack of paperwork on his desk that needed to be sifted through. Zander took a seat behind the desk in his office and started going through the file folders that lay in front of him.

It wasn't too long till he had all the paperwork signed and back to Sonny for his approval. Once the paperwork was complete....Sonny made the suggestion that Zander go home. He would be heading home shortly that there was no sense Zander stay either. The most important things were taken care of and if he need Zander, he would call. Zander agreed and headed home for the day.

As Zander left the warehouse, the bodyguards following only a few feet behind him as he made his way to the limo that was waiting for him. As he stepped into the limo, he heard his cell phone ringing in his pocket. He reached into his pocket and took his cell in his hand and flipped it open. "Hello....." Zander said as he answered it. "You have a very adorable little family now, don't you?" the voice said on the other end and Zander knew it was Juan, he recognized his voice. "Yes I do and you are not going to harm them in any way....are you Juan?!" he replied hoping to get confirmation it was indeed Juan he was talking to. "Well, now you know Zander if I listened to you that wouldn't make this game fun now would it...." Juan replied as Zander became panicked about where he was calling him from. Just than he noticed Sonny emerging from the warehouse and he stepped back out of the limo as Sonny witnessed Zander's weird behavior as he spoke on the phone. Zander had gotten close enough to Sonny and mouthed to him that it was Juan on the phone. Sonny wanted details of the conversation between he and Juan, what was said and what Juan intended to do. "What do you want..." Zander asked as he stood next to Sonny in front of the warehouse. "Zander...you should know me better than that...it's not what I want...it's who I want." Juan replied as his voice became cold and calculating. "There is no way in hell you are getting your hands on my wife!" Zander said forcefully as the anger over took him. "Well it seems to me....Zander...that I hold all the cards in our little game..." Juan replied cold as ever. "You shouldn't be the one making threats...here..Zander.." he added. "Juan I don't make threats...I make promises and I promise you...that if you touch Emily or my son in any way...I will come after you and I will make you pay....pay with your life." Zander threatened as he heard Juan was still hanging on to the open line. "Catch me if you can..Zander..." Juan replied coaxing Zander on. Zander had heard enough from him and with that he flipped the phone closed.

Damn him...damn him straight to hell!...Zander said with contemptment and anger as he and Sonny stood silently in front of the warehouse. "Zander...what did Juan say?" Sonny asked as he hesitated because of the emotional state Zander was obviously experiencing. "He wants Emily...and he is not afraid to get his hands on her anyway he can. Sonny I have to protect her and Dante...I have to..." Zander replied as the two of them stood face to face. "Zander....we are going to protect them....Juan won't be able to come with in a mile of your family...I can promise you that!" Sonny said as he reached for his cell phone in his jacket pocket. Zander stood on the docks as he looked out over the bay and tried to calm himself down before heading home. "Johnny....I need to assign more guards over at Zander's apartment...like now!" Sonny instructed to his now number one man. "I need guards on the apartment, the building, Zander, Emily, and I want to know who comes and goes...got that?" he added. "Good...we can't take any chances this time...Johnny." With that said Sonny flipped closed his phone and placed it back into his jacket pocket. While Sonny was calling Johnny, Zander made a phone call home to check on Emily and Dante. Everything seemed to be fine and there had been no phone calls or visitors today...but he was concerned so he decided to head home. They said their pleasantries good-bye and Zander got in the limo to head home.

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Emily and Dante had fallen asleep on the sofa in the living room and she had awaken by the opening of the door to the apartment. She gently placed Dante in his bassinet that sat beside her she noticed Zander had finally come home. "Em...we need to talk.." he said as he hung up his overcoat. "Shhh...Dante's finally sleeping.." she said as she placed her finger to her lips. "Oh...sorry..." he replied in a whisper. She adjusted the blanket that covered him and followed Zander to the kitchen where he had gone for a drink. "What's wrong...what happened?" she asked as she leaned against the kitchen cabinet. "I got a call today on my cell phone from...Juan." he replied as he noticed the fear set into her eyes. "Sonny and I have added extra security to the apartment, the building, to you and to me." he added. "And what that is gonna keep him at bay...Zander this is Juan we are talking about..he had our apartment blown up...you really think a few body guards are going to stop him..." she asked with desperation in her voice. "Emily..please....precautions are being arranged and you and Dante are perfectly safe here...please let Sonny, Jason and I handle Juan." he said as he wrapped his arms around her. She drew herself closer to him as he tried to soothe her fears. "Zander don't underestimate Juan...he can be very dangerous..." she began as they looked at each other still embracing in the kitchen. "He's playing a game..Emily and you are the prize. There is not a chance in hell he is going to get near you or Dante....I can promise you that." Zander replied as he drew her close once again.

Emily felt so safe with Zander. She knew that he would protect her and Dante at all costs and Zander was not going to back down from any fight...including this dangerous game that Juan has decided to include him as a player and her as the prize. Juan will find out just how dangerous Sonny can be and how protective Zander and Jason are of her and Dante. When Zander spoke of her being protected from Juan, she believed him whole-heartedly and knew she would be safe with him by her side. Juan didn't stand a chance in hell...Zander would kill him before he got close to her again.

Chapter 20