*~Chapter 8~*

***Alexis' Penthouse***

(It's been two weeks since the accident and Alexis has come home from the hospital. Her and Ned haven't really talked about them and where they stand with each other. Alexis is sitting on the couch and Ned is coming out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee in hand. He hands one to Alexis and sits down next to her.)

Ned: Penny for your thoughts

Alexis: I was just thinking.

Ned: About?

Alexis: (coyly) Stuff.

Ned: Care to elaborate?

Alexis: Well....(unsure) how I never told why I did what I did, where we stand with each other. I mean I don't know where do we go from here? It's not like we can just pick up where we left off. We haven't really talked and I mean really talked since... I can't even remember.

Ned: Ok well lets talk now, there's no sense in delaying it. We're going to have to eventually.

Alexis: Ok. So where do we start?

Ned: How about why you ran away. I know I never actually gave you a chance to explain and I'd like to know why... I don't think it was me, but then again I could be wrong.

Alexis: No it wasn't you. It was me... I was running away from myself.

Ned:(confused) What?

Alexis: It's just sometimes I feel that by loving you I'm going to lose myself...almost like I'm going to disappear.

Ned: (still completely confused) I don't understand.

Alexis: I don't know how to explain it. It's just how I feel.

Ned:(trying to lighten the mood) And here I thought it was your past.

Alexis: Well it is.

Ned: oh (laughs slightly)

Alexis: At one point or another everybody I had loved has left me alone and subconsciously I was afraid that you would do it to. It was stupid I know. I know you love me I do and I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you,(there's a knock at the door)

Ned:(clearly annoyed) Ignore it.

Alexis: You know I can't do that. (gets up to answer it and looks sympathetically at him). Sonny hi.

Sonny: Do you have a minute?

Alexis: (looks at Ned) No I don't. I'm in the middle of something very important.(to say Ned looks surprised is not even enough)

Sonny: It'll only be a minute Alexis.

Alexis: Nope sorry I can't do it now Sonny. Is anybody life on the line right now

Sonny: No, but...

Alexis Then it will have to wait. Bye Sonny.(shuts the door and walks back over to the couch) Proud of Me?

Ned: Very.

Alexis: Now where was I?

Ned: You were saying how you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me.

Alexis (turning serious) Oh yeah... I did, I do but the chance of it not working out... I wanted to spare myself the heartbreak, it was a risk I didn't want to take and it was selfish I know that I wasn't thinking of you at all and for that I'm sorry. If I could turn back time I would have taken your hand at that alter and said can we skip this please and ran away with you, but I can't...(pause) You have to know that I love you. The question is where do we go from here?

Ned: I know you love me and I think I understand now why you did it. Honestly I don't know where we go from here. Do we pick up where we left off, try to get back to the way we were?

Alexis:(quickly) Yes. (pause) Can I ask you something?

Ned: Yes. I would think you know that by now. (laughs at her)

Alexis: Are you happy about this?

Ned: This?

Alexis: The baby.(looks down)

Ned: (makes her look at him) Yes I am. I love you and I this just makes things more perfect. It's not the way I pictured it, the way it's happening I mean, I dreamed of us being married and having a house.

Alexis: Your not the only one who pictured it that way.

Ned: (making her look at him again and brushing a strand of hair away form her face)Alexis, honey, I want this baby. When you told me you were pregnant, which might I add next time if you could find a better way to break the news I'd appreciate it, I was shocked I'll admit it but then I was thinking about it and picturing you, me, and this baby well I liked the idea, I couldn't be happier.

Alexis: Yeah I'm sorry about that and what makes you think there's going to be a next time?

Ned: (laughs) Ok your forgiven and trust me there will be next time.

Alexis You think so.

Ned: Are you happy about this?

Alexis: At first no. We weren't really on very good terms and I was sure a baby was the last thing we needed. and then it occurred to me when I was in the hospital that it was what we needed. So yes I am happy about this. Do you know you are making all my dreams come true?

Ned: It occurred to me yes. I love you

Alexis I love you too. (they kiss. and it becomes more evolved and passionate and before you know it he's carrying her upstairs where they make love and once again becoming one with each other.)