Chapter 4
The next two weeks passed in a whirlwind for Alexis. Furnishing the cottage, settling in and finally having the time and freedom to learn the ways of her daughter kept her running from dawn to dusk. Challenging adventures for a woman who laughingly chided herself for her lack of domesticity. Through it all, the small smile of contentment never left her face.
And then there were the evenings. When the day was done and she settled down into the swing on the veranda to watch the sunset… her eyes often meeting the challenge of a new battle. To rest upon the beauty of a pure sunset or on the purity of a face that looked up at her happily satisfied to sit within the comfort of a mother's arms and rest in the bond that was being forged between them.
It was the time that Alexis spent with Kristina at the close of each day that gave her a peace she had never known before and wings to soar above the waves that slapped against the sand each evening as the tide rolled in to visit. And the memory of Port Charles gradually found its own compartment in a heart too familiar with what to do with the unpleasant events of life. It was only when Alexis lay Kristina down for the night and quietly shared the dreams she held for her daughter in a quiet soothing whisper that Alexis could finally admit that she missed a certain pair of dark eyes; eyes that could reach into the depths of her soul and fill her with desires that longed to be free. Kristina was the only one Alexis would confide her deepest yearnings to and as the two of them drew their day to a close together the child would reach out to capture a mother's finger before slipping into a night full of fairy tales. And a mother filled with want would sit a while longer beside her and dream of dashing handsome princes who rode like the wind on the backs of snow white stallions to rescue her from the loneliness that always crept in to bed with her during the wee hours of the morning.
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It was a particularly breezy evening and Alexis stopped long enough to retrieve a glass of wine before returning to the swing on the veranda. Tonight as she lay her daughter down for the evening a feeling of expectancy washed over her preventing her from following Kristina into a night of rest. As she sat on the porch listening to the breeze rustling through the trees and the surf pounding against the shoreline, Alexis let her mind wander; a practice she normally refused to indulge in as it always brought the pain of the past few years too close to the surface. But she couldn't let go of the feeling that something was different tonight.
Just as Alexis finished the last of the wine in her glass she heard the sound of a car approaching over the layer rocks and shells that served as her driveway. Sighing with welcome recognition she stood up and stepped off the porch as she noticed Gale and Kale Redmond in the front seat. Gale proved to be invaluable over the past couple of weeks in helping to put her home together and Alexis was finding herself becoming closer to the brash outgoing warm personable woman. She was everything that Alexis could never be and it was refreshing to have someone close by who spoke her mind without coloring her words with vague innuendos and attempts to sweeten the truths of daily living. Life was hard. Time and tragedy forced Gale to understand that truth early in life just as it had Alexis. Gale lived and spoke truth regardless of how it sounded. She believed that a person should always be aware that no one is invulnerable to the horrors that life can inflict on a person in a moments notice and her actions as well as her daily interactions with people proved that fact. Alexis admired Gale for her willingness to stand up for what she believed in regardless of the consequences. She was also becoming quite fond of the woman.
Drawing closer to the car she suddenly let go of an excited cry as Alice unfolded herself from the back seat. Running the last few feet Alexis threw her arms around an embarrassed Alice and laughed with abandon.
"You're Here. You're finally here. Oh Alice, I am so glad to see you."
"Hello, Miss Davis."
"Did your trip go okay? Kristina is going to be so happy to see you. I can't wait for you to see her. Here… let me have your suitcase."
"Miss Davis?"
"We have your room all ready for you. It's right next to Kristina's and mine is on the other side of her. Are you hungry?"
"Miss Davis?"
"I can't believe you're finally here. Come in, Come in. Hi Gale…"
"Miss Davis? I thought it was Mrs. Alice Bergen."
Alexis suddenly stopped her rambling at the sound of a familiar deep male voice and turned to face Kale. His closeness disturbed her as she remembered the conversation from two weeks ago when he asked her name in order to pick up her luggage. Somehow their paths had failed to cross since that first meeting. Alexis settled a look of daring on her face as she looked up at him.
"Alice is Kristina's nanny and my friend. She will be staying with us for as long as she likes."
"And why would you travel under your nanny's name rather than your own?"
"I gave you the name on the luggage. What business is it of yours whose luggage I travel with as long as it's not yours?"
Standing beside the car, Gale suddenly laughed at the two of them squared off against each other like they were ready to step into a boxing ring of some kind.
"Kale, leave the woman alone. You're meddling and being a complete nuisance. Hi, Alexis. I apologize for my brother's suspicious nature. He's got a bug up his butt about something and his manners have completely left the building."
Gale walked over to the both of them and slung her arm over Alexis' shoulder and fixed her brother with a threatening glare.
"If you'll kindly get the rest of Miss Bergen's bags we'll gladly let you get back to your life in the valley, big brother."
Alexis felt the anger rise as she watched Kale's eyes run the length of her and finally settle on her eyes with a look of disdain before answering his sister.
"It doesn't bother you one bit that you don't know anything about this woman or what brought her to this particular island, does it?"
"Actually no… it doesn't. What I do know is that since the island changed owners three weeks ago, you've been impossible to live with and I just think you need to go take a long walk off a short pier. You're upsetting everyone and if you raise your voice just one more decibel and wake that precious baby up, you and I are definitely going to have a problem, mister."
Gale felt Alexis stiffen under her arm and looked toward her as Kale strode angrily off to attend to his sisters instructions. A thought suddenly presented itself to her as she glanced over and saw the look on Alexis' face. Hastily putting the thought away, she decided it would be wise to wait for a more opportune time to question her friend. Something was telling Gale that the recent purchase of the island and the sudden appearance of Alexis a week later, were indeed not just a coincidence after all. Especially if a certain woman possessed the ability to hand of the full purchase price of a home without blinking an eye. Gazing at Alice who stood quietly behind Alexis like a bodyguard of some sort, Gale suppressed the smile that threatened and addressed her.
"Miss Bergen, welcome to our island. I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Now if you'll let me help you get your bags inside, I'll take off and leave you two to catch up. I know Alexis is just filled with stories to tell you about the past couple of weeks."
Alexis felt a bit of the tension fall away as Alice finally spoke up and smiled indulgently.
"I can take care of my bags thank you, but you best tell 'him' that from now on he best be a little more respectful around Miss Davis. I won't tolerate someone getting in her face like that again. You tell him that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check on Kristina."
Neither Gale nor Alexis could stop the grins from appearing on their faces at the protective stance Alice was taking toward the Davis women. Alexis turned to Gale and shrugged innocently. Hopefully Gale would let it go without a lot of questions Alexis had no intention of answering. Too many secrets were bound between Alice and herself. And they needed to remain there.
"Gale, thank you for bringing Alice in from the airport. I think I'll go in with her and help her get unpacked. Coffee in the morning as usual?"
Gale understood that Alexis was politely asking her to leave and it didn't bother her one bit. It was refreshing to have someone around that knew how to be honest about what they wanted or needed.
"Yep. Coffee… bright and early."
Alexis laughed shaking her head back and forth.
"You know it still amazes me that there is at least one person in this world who can actually drink my coffee, and claim to like it."
With a twinkle in her eye Gale volleyed a return question back over her shoulder as she turned toward home.
"Would you rather have coffee at my place?"
Alexis forced a look of horror across her face as she called back.
"NO! Absolutely not! I'd like to see my daughter grow up, thank you."
Starting for the front door to follow Alice inside, Alexis muttered softly.
"How anyone's coffee could be worse than mine is a mystery to me."
Knowing where she would find Alice, Alexis headed straight for her daughter's room and leaned against the doorframe watching the big beautiful woman lean over and kiss her daughter's cheek.
Sensing someone in the room, Alice turned as Alexis walked toward her.
"I've missed her, Miss Davis."
"Alice, my name is Alexis. You are a part of our little family now so calling me anything other than Alexis is unacceptable. And I know she has missed you as well. I can't wait for her to see you in the morning. Come on… let me show you your room."
As Alexis turned she felt Alice's hand reach out and stop her.
"We have to talk Miss… I mean Alexis. I have to tell you…"
Seeing her distress, Alexis lay her hand on Alice's and patted it a couple of times.
"I know, Alice. Let's get you settled first and then we'll talk, okay?"
"Okay."
Leading Alice from the room Alexis began the age-old task of preparing herself for bad news. There was one difference this time though. The past two weeks had given Alexis time to regroup and remember the woman she used to be… prided herself on being. And the little girl who now lay peacefully asleep in her crib did more than anyone else could have to help her mother become strong again. Alexis was ready to face whatever news Alice was bringing.
Leaving Alice to unpack a few of her belongings she headed toward the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. It was going to be a long night. During her two weeks of setting up house, Alexis was forced to make a decision. Consideration and fairness dictated that Alice be told the truth regarding the events of the past year and why it was now necessary to cut off all communications with Port Charles. Alice needed to be given the chance to back out of her agreement if she wanted to once she was aware of all the facts.
Seating herself on the sofa she set two coffee cups down smiling as Alice came in and sat down on the other end of the couch. Alexis couldn't help teasing her.
"Remember the last time you and I shared a couch?"
"Miss Davis… I mean Alexis you shouldn't… I mean I…"
If the friendship that Alexis wanted to build with Alice stood a chance of progressing, Alexis knew she needed to somehow make it clear to Alice that she was no longer a servant. She was just as important to the household as Alexis and Kristina were. But, how do you convince a woman of Alice's stature and ingrained sense of inferiority that she was needed as a friend, a companion; a trusted integral part of their little family now. Leaning forward, Alexis realized that in sharing the truths of her life and opening herself up to the woman, it would go farther than anything else would to convince Alice that she was definitely more than a servant. Infinitely more.
"Alice, before we go any further, I want you to know just how much I appreciate all that you did for me while my daughter was… estranged from me. You did more for me than you realize every time you helped me get to her. I'm sure there were things that you heard and saw that confused you, but before we're through here tonight, you will understand everything and you will have to make a decision on whether you actually want to stay with us once you know the whole truth."
"It doesn't matter what you tell me. I'm staying if you still want me to. Can't go back there anyway. People think I'm dead or something now. At least that's what your brother's trying to get them to think."
Alexis smiled regretfully. Stefan was holding to his promise in his inimitable style.
"I'm sorry, Alice. Stefan tends to take his promises very serious. He made a promise to do whatever he had to in order to keep my whereabouts undisclosed and I'm afraid that your wishes were sacrificed to that end."
"Don't be sorry. Best thing really. I don't have any family that would want to look for me and I wouldn't give you two cents for any of those Quartermaines, except for Miss Lila that is. So me being here is best for everybody."
Alexis settled further back onto the couch resting against its arm and brought her feet up curling them underneath her. Taking a deep breath against the turmoil inside, she began to explain everything to Alice.
"Well, first. You need to know that Cassadine Industries now owns this island. No one but Stefan, myself and now you knows that bit of news. In order for us to remain hidden we needed to settle somewhere that afforded us some way of keeping up with anyone coming or going from the island. There is a guard stationed at the airport that is keeping tabs on who visits the island. He has a photo of all the Quartermaines as well as Kristina's father and anyone associated with him."
Alice frowned at the wording of Alexis' statement.
"You make it sound like Mr. Ashton is being treated separate from the Quartermaines."
Alexis took another deep breath and continued now fully aware of the intelligence of the woman who sat next to her.
"No, Alice. He is being treated just like everyone else in his family. Kristina's father is another matter."
"Mr. Ashton isn't Kristina's father."
It wasn't a question. Instead of dwelling on the statement Alice fell silent and waited for Alexis to continue.
"No. He isn't."
"Then Mr. Ashton didn't have any rights where Miss Kristina was concerned and makes the way he was acting even more wrong."
Alexis took a sip of coffee and studied Alice over the rim of her cup. Looking into the big woman's soft eyes, Alexis found a confidant. A confidant worth trusting… worth sharing her secrets with and she smiled.
"Ned acted like Kristina's father because he and I agreed before she was born that he would be Kristina's father as far as the world was concerned. I just never realized what that would mean given how the past year has played out. Sit back and relax, Alice. This is going to take a while."
So as a warm gentle breeze blew threw the house Alexis opened the door to the secrets of the past couple of years and laid her soul bare for this big soft-hearted beautiful woman. It was an emotional and sometimes difficult task to get through, but for Alice' sake… it needed to be done.
When she reached the events surrounding her sister's death, Alice reached out and took hold of Alexis' hand and squeezed once before letting go. It was an unusually impulsive gesture on her part, but the tears that ran down the face of the wounded woman beside her reached her deeper than anything else had in a long time. Big, tough, no nonsense Alice suddenly found herself trying to hide a couple of errant tears.
Alice prided herself on being able to read people. It was a talent that came from years of standing on the outside looking in… of being invisible in a crowd of one. It was a talent that for the first time in her life she wished she didn't possess. Looking at Alexis tell such horrifying tales was enough, but to be able to see what it all had done to her on the inside was hurting Alice more than she would ever admit to anyone. Especially Alexis. Alice knew Alexis would not appreciate pity of any kind, nor would she cotton to words that just filled the air. So she continued to listen as attentively as she could and when the story was finally finished, she stood up and reached for Alexis' cup.
"I'll get us a refill then we can talk about what's been going on since you left."
Alexis frowned a moment looking up at Alice, then smiled. Alice understood.
"No questions, Alice?"
"No questions needed. It's been tough for you. You didn't ask to be dealt the hand you were given, but you did the best you could with it. And you did what you had to for the wee one. From now on you and me… we keep on doing what's best to protect her. What else has to be said?"
Alexis suddenly stood up and threw her arms around Alice laughing incredulously at the enormous generosity and warmth of the woman who was choosing to live her life with a debatably sane woman and her child.
"Alice, welcome to the family."