chapter20
Chapter 20

The morning sun glistened on the horizon against the Port Charles bay, as Zander and Emily dressed little Dante in the traditional christening gown Lila had given to Emily for this very special day. Because of the situation over the last few weeks with Juan, Zander had left the asking of Sonny to be Godfather till a few days prior to the christening. Emily and Zander had made all the arrangements for the christening at St. Matthews and had invited all of their friends and Emily's family. Zander was going to be on his best behavior with Edward because today was Dante's day and it was a special occasion for everyone.

While Emily bathed Dante, Zander got a chance to shower himself and get dressed for today's event. It didn't take her long before she returned to the bedroom with Dante in her arms, he was wrapped in a terry cloth bath towel and was as beautiful as the day they brought him home. He was a little fussy this morning but that was normal for Dante. Zander came out of the shower dripping water all over the floor and wearing only a plush blue bath towel, as Emily watched him walk across the hardwood floor of the bed room towards the closet. He noticed her watching his every move and grinned at the thought her thinking what she was thinking. As Zander took the clothes from the closet and laid them across the bed, Emily placed Dante back in bassinet till she was finished with her shower. "Keep an eye on him..." she said as she went into the bathroom. "Always..." Zander replied as he started buttoning up his silk dress shirt. Zander did as promised and kept his eye on his son who was coo'ing across the room in the bassinet as he finished getting dressed. He noticed when he put on his watch that the time was growing near to leave for the church.

"Aren't you done yet?..." he asked as Emily came out of the bathroom in her pink terry robe. "Hey...you want me to look my best now don't you?" she replied as she took her personables out of the dresser drawer. "Well..don't take to long, we only have about an hour till we have to be at the church. "Zander..don't worry..we'll be there on time..." she replied as she reached for her best pant suit that hung in the closet.

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With Juan's whereabouts still unknown, Sonny and Jason were working hard at keeping tabs on the contacts who may have the pertinent information to Juan's whereabouts. "Sonny....are you ready yet?" Carly called from upstairs..as Sonny sat at his desk doing some paperwork. "My question is are you ready?" he responded as Johnny announced Alexis. "Hey..." Sonny said as he looked over his shoulder and glanced at her. "Hey...yourself.." she replied as she walked towards him. "So are you ready for the big day.." she asked as she removed her overcoat. "Well, look at you..." he said as he avoided her question. Alexis looked herself up and down noticing she was wearing not the typical business suit she normal wore. "Thanks...I feel a little uncomfortable...but it shall pass I'm sure." she replied as Carly came walking down the stairs. "Sonny...let's go..or we'll be late..." Carly said as she was followed by Laticia. "We'll be back in a few hours..." she added as she directed her statement to Laticia. "Don't worry, the kids will be fine.." Laticia added as she picked up a few toys that were laying around the living room. "Carly...we will be there on time...don't worry.." Sonny said as he placed the paperwork he was working on back in the desk drawer and locked it. Sonny rose from his chair and put on his overcoat as he, Carly and Alexis headed out the door.

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"I can't believe I am going to this...this thing with that deviant!" Edward bellowed as he walked with a purpose into the living room where the family had gathered before leaving for the church. "Edward, please...we don't need to hear you whining about Zander. Today is a special day for all of us and we would like to enjoy it without incident." Monica replied as she adjusted Alan's tie. "Now...is everyone here and are we all ready to go?" she asked as she smoothed over the front of Alan's suit. "I think so...AJ's not here yet..." Alan replied as he scanned the room and counting the heads of those who were in attendance. "He's probably in a drunken stuper by now...." Edward said as he sat sipping his coffee. "Everyone waiting for me...boy, don't I feel special.." AJ replied as he strolled into the room. Everyone who were in attendance had their eyes on him when he walked into the room. "Well..are we gonna go to the church or not?..." AJ added as he stood with his hands in his overcoat pockets. The Quartermain family followed AJ as all of them headed for the church.

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Zander, Emily and Dante were the first to arrive at St. Matthews and they noticed the church had been filled with fresh flowers so there was a beautiful aroma that tickled their senses when they opened the large wooden doors and walked into the empty church. "Looks like we are the first ones here..." Emily said as she slid Dante's hood off his head and unzipped his coat. She noticed that Zander was a little nervous, she didn't know if it was the fact they were surrounded by emptiness of the church, or the fact that he had to spend an hour with Grandfather in the same room. Zander walked through the double doors in to the sanctuary of the church and walked down the isle towards the alter. Emily stood and watched Zander walk towards the alter of the church and for a brief moment stood and hung his head as if in prayer. She stood confused and puzzled because Zander hadn't mentioned to her even if he was in any way religious or of any faith. She had chose St. Matthews because the Quartermaine family would bring her here many times .

As Emily stood and obsversed Zanders reaction to the feelings he seemed to ba having, she was approached by Father Mulcahey. "Good Morning Emily..." he said as he approached her and Dante who stood in the doorway of the sanctuary. "Good Morning Father..." she replied as she glanced at him and quickly glanced back at Zander who still stood in front of the alter. "The others should be here shortly, Father..than we can get started." she added as she adjusted her hold on Dante. "Take your time...I don't have anything scheduled for the rest of the day. I will be in the rectory when you are ready you can have someone come and get me..." he said as he glanced down the alter towards Zander who sat quietly in the first pew. "Is something troubling your husband?" he added as he side stepped Emily. "I'm not sure Father...he has much on his mind these days..." she replied as she saw the light of the morning sun filter through the opening of the church doors behind them. She noticed Father Mulcahey had turned to greet the guests who were arriving for the christening as she slowly walked down the isle towards Zander who sat in the front pew. As she approached her husband, he heard her footsteps and turned to look at her. "Zander are you okay..." she asked as she sat in the pew directly behind him. "Can we not talk about this now...today's Dante's day..." he said as he hung his head. "Sure....we can talk about it later...k.." Emily replied with question about his avoidance to the question. She rose from her seat and caressed his shoulder gently with a comforting hand as she turned and walked back down the isle towards the back of the church.

Emily noticed her family had arrived and were waiting patiently in the foyer of the church speaking with Father Mulcahey. "Well..I see all of you made it.." she said as she approached her family. "We wouldn't miss it...." Monica said as she stepped towards her and reached for a hug. "We love you..." Monica whispered to Emily as they embraced. "I know..I love you too.." she replied as she broke the embrace with her mother. "May I..." Monica asked as she glanced at Dante who looked so comfortable and conent in his mother's arms. "Sure...here..let me take his coat off, he'll be more comfortable..." she replied as she removed Dante's coat and held it in her hand as Monica cradled her grand son close. The rest of the family gathered around Monica and admired him as Zander came to join Emily and his son.

The church doors opened and Sonny and Carly walked into the foyer as silence overcame the Quartermaine gathering. Edward clinched his jaw and his hands as Sonny made his appearance known by saying hello to Emily and Zander. Alan was becoming uncomfortable with the company his daughter was keeping and had some serious thoughts of confronting the group, but decided against it when he glanced down at his grand-son. Alexis followed in tow and closed the church door behind her. She approached Zander and Emily as Father Mulcahey urged the guests to take their seats in the sanctuary of the church. Monica handed Dante back to Emily as she passed and entered the church through the double doors. Emily turned and watched her family take their seats in the front of the church. "Everyone ready to face the firing squad that awaits..." Zander said as he glanced down towards the piranhas that are awaiting at the end of the isle. "Now..stop...come on.." Emily smirked and took his arm as they proceeded to walk down the isle together with Sonny and Carly along with Alexis in toe.

"I wish I could of gave you this for real..." Zander whispered to his wife as he leaned closer to her. "What, walking down the isle..." she said as she looked at him with a smile. "Yeah...I wish I could of given you all of this..." he replied as they approached the front of the church. "Zander...you have..and so much more..." Emily replied as she leaned in and kissed him gently on his cheek. "Are you ready to do this..." she added as they stepped up to the baptismal podium. "Let's do it..." he replied as he took Dante from her motherly arms. Emily gestured to Alexis and Sonny to join them as she glanced at her family who sat a few feet from them. She noticed Edward and Alan were trying their hardest to put on their happiest faces for this special day and she loved them for it. The family has been very loud with their opinions about Zander and their relationship, and for her father and grandfather to hold their tongues for 5 minutes was a miracle in itself.

Sonny and Alexis took their places next to Zander and Emily as Father Mulcahy was ready to begin the ceremony. Zander passed Dante to Sonny who stood next too him as instructed by the minister. Sonny cradled him close to him as Alexis looked on to the bonding that was so obviously taking place between the Sonny and the precious child he was holding.

The smell of the freshest flowers filled the church as the morning sun filtered through the stain glass windows and all who were to be witness to the baptism of Dante Alexander Smith sat patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin.

"Friends and family of Emily and Zander have gathered here to witness the baptism of their son, Dante Alexander Smith." Father Mulcahy began as the doors to the church swung open and there stood a silhouette of a tall man in the doorway. "Zander..." Emily questioned. Zander glanced at Emily to acknowledge her question and looked towards the back of the church at the man who stood before them. Zander stepped down from the alter and walked towards the man who stood silently in the back of the church.

As Zander approached him, he stepped forward and out of the doorway. "Alex...." the man said as he stood before Zander. Zander looked shocked as he recognized the past who he came face to face with. Tension filled the room as the two men stood facing each other in silence. Zander could hear the whispering that was going on behind him as he stood face to face with his father.

Sequel - Love Thy Family