Chapter 15

Filling a tumbler full of whiskey, Sonny gave it to Roy and asked that they join him at the dining room table figuring the acoustics would be better there for Alexis.

As each of the four sat down, Zander pulled a manila envelope from inside his shirt and addressed the others.

"I was sent here with a message for you guys."

Opening the envelope he took out an 8" x 10" photo and laid it upside down in the middle of the table.

"I was asked to remind each of you to remember what this war has already cost a friend of ours."

Reaching again toward the photo he turned it over to reveal a picture of Kristina.

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Alexis stood and walked away from the desk.

Seeing the grief overtake her friend again, Felicia went to her and put her arm around her.

"You asked them to trust you, now it's your turn to trust them."

"Thanks, Felicia."

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"Roy, I'm laying everything on the line tonight. As far as I am concerned you and I just met and we have no history. Can you accept that and help us end this war?"

Sonny knew it would have to be him who called the truce between Roy and himself. Roy had to see that he was sincere in his wish to start fresh. Lifting his hand he extended it across the table and waited.

Roy hesitated just a fraction of a second before taking Sonny's hand and shaking it in agreement that a truce was now in place.

"We start here and now. I guess I should start the ball rolling here and come clean about how this all started.

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Alexis and Felicia sat quietly listening as Roy lay out step-by-step what had transpired since finding the original million dollars. Not really realizing it they had mutually moved to the sofa in the room and sat holding hands while the men they loved worked together to find a solution to end the violence.

Alexis wasn't really concerned anymore about the how, her goal had already been satisfied. She was able to bring them all together. Something they were unable and unwilling to do on their own. As she half-heartedly listened to the conversation, she let her mind wander and relived the moments she shared with Sonny over the past two years. Feeling her heart begin to soften, she returned her focus to Kristina and the fact that she lost her life due to the war that was raging now on the waterfront. A waterfront that was owned almost entirely by Sonny.

Felicia felt Alexis tighten her hold on her and glanced up to see what the problem was. In all of her life she had never seen such an agonized look in someone's eyes. Turning toward her, she squeezed Alexis' hand enough to draw her attention.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Yes, but I can't until they finish and I talk to Zander one more time."

"Sounds like they're wrapping it up now. Let's go see."

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Standing to stretch, Sonny looked around the table at his guests and felt satisfied. The plan they mutually formulated sounded good. Shaking Mac and Roy's hand he escorted them to the door and let them go. Turning to Zander, he smiled.

"Well that went better than I thought it would."

"You did good, Sonny. You were almost human."

Laughing at the good natured teasing Sonny stepped closer to Zander.

"It's over Alexis. We can handle it from here. I'd like to keep the picture though if you don't mind. Zander can give me your answer in the morning."

Refocusing on Zander, Sonny walked him to the door.

"Zander, why don't you come by in the morning and we'll get started, ok?"

"I'll need to check with Alexis first, but I don't think it will be a problem. Wait a minute my pager is going off..."

Checking the pager he reached to pull the cellphone out of his pocket.

"Something wrong, Alexis?" Listening a moment he glanced at Sonny. He turned the phone off, put it back in his pocket and returned to the table. Picking up the picture and studying it a moment he walked back to Sonny and handed it to him.

"She said it was fine for you to have the picture. I'm worried about her, Sonny. I could tell she had been crying just now by her voice. Look, I'm going to stay with her tonight, so I'll see you in the morning sometime."

"Ok, Zander. Be careful out there."

Watching Zander hit the elevator button Sonny felt the need to call him back.

"Zander, wait."

Joining him in the hall, Sonny laid his hand on his shoulder.

"You handled yourself very well tonight. I was proud of you. Let's talk about that other plan of yours in the morning. I'd like to help."

"Thanks, Sonny. See ya later."

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Disconnecting the call, Alexis returned to sit beside Felicia on the sofa.

"He has the ability to destroy me, but he also has the ability to make me love him beyond reason. You want to know why I needed to talk to you? It is because you are standing where I was standing two years ago. But Felicia, before I continue I need to know that I can trust you to keep my confidences. Whatever we discuss has to be kept between us. Can I count on you for that?"

"Alexis after what you have done for me and those I love, you have my undying loyalty for the rest of my life. We are friends first and always."

"Thank you. I can see where you are headed with Roy. And I like and respect you too much to let you continue on your present course without warning you. So, I am going to tell you what I was never able to tell my sister until she was on her deathbed. Sonny and I started out in a strict attorney/client relationship. Over time and because of a lot of different circumstances we became friends. Somewhere in all of it the line between friendship and something more became blurred and we ended up in a relationship neither one of us knew what to do with. Now, almost 5 months later, here I sit in love with a married man, who is partially responsible for the death of my sister, a man I don't want anywhere near me and I am carrying his child."

Felicia's heart broke at the pain she heard come from her friend as she related what she had been through. So this is what put the agony in her eyes. Reaching toward Alexis, she pulled her into her arms and rocked her gently while she cried.

"Don't worry, I understand what you are trying to tell me. I couldn't see it until now."

Pulling away from Alexis, Felicia gazed at her questioningly.

"So tell me, counselor just what are we going to do about this. I don't believe either one of us has what it takes to completely walk away from what we feel. We just weren't built to deny truth. And frankly, I think we need to haul off and kick them both in the butt until they straighten up."

Laughing at her friend Alexis reached and pulled Felicia into another quick hug.

"Thanks, Felicia. I needed to laugh. There has been precious little of it in my life since all this started and believe me I've thought about kicking Sonny, but it wasn't his butt I was thinking about."

"Well there's an idea."

Watching Felicia anxiously, Alexis wanted to ask her a favor, but didn't quite know how to go about it.

"Um... Felicia, I wanted to... um... ask... a..."

"Ok, now that's just downright insulting. Why are you stammering around like you're afraid of me? Spit it out girl."

"You know Felicia, I do believe you have a bit of Kristina in you. Which is what I need because quite honestly I am scared to death about having this baby and I need a friend to help me get through it. Kristina was supposed to be here for this, but well... you know. So I'm looking for a replacement."

"You idiot. I'm your replacement. You just call me whenever you need to, about anything. But, first things first. Does Sonny know? No, I can answer that myself. He doesn't and yes I understand why so we don't have to go there. You didn't honestly believe I would buy the Ned story after just hearing what you've been up to the last couple of years and what are you laughing so hard at? Alexis, what are you laughing at?"

"You. Has anyone ever told you to breathe, Felicia? I think I'm going to like having you around."