Chapter 6
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Alexis was stunned that Alice knew Sonny was Kristina's father. And if it were true, there was only one way she could know… Alice confirmed her suspicion.
"Mr. Ashton."
Her breath caught in her throat choking her and she reached for the vodka again forcing Alice to jump in to help when it spilled in her attempt to fill her glass.
"Let me get that, Alexis. You sit back and let me finish this quick."
Alice finished pouring a double shot of vodka for Alexis then sat back and began to explain how she knew about Sonny Corinthos.
"I was waiting for the time to come that I was supposed to leave the house and meet Mr. Cassadine when Mr. Corinthos busted into the house yelling his head off for Mr. Ashton. Mr. Ashton came down the stairs followed by the wicked witch and just as he reached the bottom Mr. Corinthos flew at him and just about knocked him into eternity. It seems that Mr. Ashton called him earlier in the morning and when Mr. Corinthos didn't jump high enough to satisfy him, he figured he'd get to him with a few home truths. If I hadn't been trying to lay low so I could get out of there, I think I would have smacked that idiot myself. But, he yelled it out, plain as day for everybody to hear. Said he called Mr. Corinthos for help in finding you and when he didn't get it he figured Mr. Corinthos would change his tune if he knew he would be looking for his own kid."
Alice watched Alexis' face pale, but kept on until she finished.
"Mr. Corinthos yelled right back at him that he would find his daughter if it took the rest of his life and if Mr. Ashton wanted to live to a ripe old age he best stay out of the way and forget he ever knew Kristina. After a few more threats from both sides, Mr. Corinthos took off yelling at his bodyguard to take him to your brother's home."
Alexis stood shakily and began to pace nervously. Sonny knew. And he was coming after his daughter. Turning swiftly she questioned Alice.
"Did you have a chance to talk to Stefan before you left?"
"Yeah. We had to make a change the plans for how I was supposed to leave. Rather than flying out, I got on a boat and rode for a couple of hours and then flew out from a small airport down the coast a couple a hundred miles. Everything was done real secret like. Mr. Cassadine didn't want me to stay in Port Charles any longer since Mr. Corinthos had people all over the place paying for information about anything or anyone who got close to Miss Kristina over the past year. But, I have a note for you from Mr. Cassadine as well. He told me to make sure you knew that you were safe and he was still doing everything he could to keep your location hid. There is no way anybody can trace either one of us to this little island."
Crossing back over to Alice and taking the second envelope from her, Alexis tore it open and began reading.
"Dearest Alexis,
We knew it wouldn't be easy, but as I've always told you, persistence is always rewarded. All we need do now is keep a low profile and you must continue to keep your affairs well beneath the scope of interest. Your Mr. Corinthos is certainly making a pest of himself. I'll leave that to Alice to explain when she arrives, but rest assured that he will not be able to trace your location. There is no hard evidence to be found anywhere that can lead him to you so relax and know that you and the newest member of our family are now safe.
There will be a vessel arriving in a week at the north harbor of 'Runaway Bay' delivering transportation to you. It is a private port and one that is only accessed by Cassadine Industries. It will not dock until after dark and will be gone by morning. Although we own the island now, I still think it best that no one on the island is able to connect you to the Cassadine name. Be discreet, Alexis. I know it will require a little finesse on your end, but I think it will be to your advantage if you not advertise your wealth. I have received the bank draft for the recent purchase of your home through our Switzerland account and have now liquidated all of your assets. It will be held in trust for you until a time when you need it as we agreed. There will be a few gifts that I wish to bestow on my niece arriving as well. You'll find everything in the storage area of the utility vehicle along with a long-range radio that will allow us to speak to each other should the need arise. You will also find a rather sizable amount of cash in a briefcase. It should be enough to cover any need you have for the first few months of your stay until you can secure a source of income on your own.
I will be returning to Greece shortly with the explanation that Port Charles has lost its appeal since my sister was forced to leave her home. Nicholas is hurt by your decision to leave without speaking to him. However when the time is right, we will send a message to him that you are well and no longer wish to have ties with the Cassadine name or family. The day will come when we can explain everything to him and I am assured that he will understand why we handled things as we did. I am reasonably certain that he has already reached the conclusion that you did what you must to ensure the safety of Kristina. Do not worry, Alexis. It is time for you to settle down and rest. Live your life to the fullest and teach our little Kristina that life doesn't have to be constantly filled with mistrust, anger and retribution for past failings. Teach her the truths her namesake knew and lived by and she'll grow up ready to meet her destiny. Above all else; remember that I love you and eagerly await a time when I can once again look upon your beautiful face and share the stories of our youth.
Forever your devoted brother
Stephan
Alexis folded the letter slowly with the smallest of smiles touching her lips. He came through for her. They were safe. Raising her head she looked at Alice as a tear escaped, leaving the sanctity of her well-guarded emotions.
"It's alright, Alice. We're safe. Stephan took care of everything."
Alice stood up and took the few steps that would bring her close enough to look into Alexis' eyes.
"Everything, Alexis?"
"What are you getting at, Alice?"
"I'd say he took care of isolating us real good from the right people, but that just means he also made it so you never see Dr. Lewis again. Are you sure that's what you really want?"
Alexis dropped her eyes away from Alice's piercing gaze unwilling to let her see just how much her question disturbed her. The thought of never seeing Cameron again was already plaguing her. Now that she was away from Port Charles and could look at the past year more objectively without all of the trauma and madness, she knew without a doubt that it was the steady presence of Cameron day after day in her life that kept her from completely losing her mind. He along with Zander were the only ones she truly missed now. But, it couldn't be helped. Kristina's chance for a normal life was the driving force behind every decision she made now. Reaching toward Alice, Alexis lay her hand on the woman's arm reassuringly for a moment then returned to the couch.
"It can't be helped, Alice. Kristina's future is our highest priority now."
"You've given up a lot for the wee one. How do you think she will feel about that once she's old enough to understand the sacrifices you made for her?"
Alice reclaimed her seat beside Alexis and waited for her answer.
"She won't know, Alice. If I can give her everything that was denied me through circumstance, then she'll never have a reason to question the whys and wherefores of how we came to be here. We will make her life as normal as we possibly can and provide her with all that she'll need both physically and emotionally."
"Awful big task you've set for yourself, given you won't have a support system in place for yourself when times get tough."
Alexis studied Alice for a moment taking in the wisdom of her words, accepting the ring of truth they held. She was right… there would be difficult days ahead. The proof of that fact lay rooted in her own past, having grown up herself without a father. But there was one solace she did have through those years. Stephan was her comfort on more occasions than it was possible to count. Kristina would not have that comfort. But, she would have Alice. They would both have Alice who seemed to possess so much more wisdom than Alexis originally thought. And now that she was free from all the madness that stripped her of her ability to reason and analyze different situations rationally, she would continue to grow stronger, more confident of herself and determined to excel in her new role as a parent. And when the inevitable trials landed at her feet she would remember past words that always settled her enough to handle a situation without hyperventilating. 'All you have to do is breathe, Alexis,' she thought. 'He not only gave you Kristina, but he proved to you that taking an extra moment to breathe could get you past the panic.' Alexis allowed a sad smile of regret as she thought of Sonny. So much gained and yet, so much lost. She missed her friend and although whatever love she felt for him was long past, she knew without a doubt that she what little time they shared together she saw the best of Sonny and for that she was truly grateful. It was the man that reached down and took hold of her soul that Alexis would always remember and keep safe for the time when her daughter would begin to question the absence of her father.
"Alexis?"
Jumping at the sound of Alice calling her, Alexis smiled sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, Alice. My rambling thoughts took over and decided to take me for a ride. Where were we?"
"I figure that look on your face had more to do with Kristina's father than it did Dr. Lewis. Like maybe some day you're gonna end up telling her about him."
Alexis chuckled at the insight of the older woman. "Was that a lucky guess or am I more transparent that I originally thought?"
"Just puttin' two and two together."
Alexis stood up and stretched keeping her gaze on Alice. "Keep that up and my secrets won't be worth a dime."
"You just let me know if I cross a line and I'll back the tractor up in record time."
Alice knew a lot more than she wanted Alexis to know she did. Working at the Q's was hard and exacting work, but given the way things turned out… she knew everything happened the way it did for a reason. She heard so much more than a normal house servant would hear. From the moment Kristina entered the house, Alice made it her business to know as much as possible about everyone that got close to her. What no one suspected on either side of the custody issue was that Miss Lila's unseen hand was the guiding force behind Alice's constant care of Kristina. On the instruction of Lila, Alice was to stay as close to the child as possible and garner any information she could from the conversations surrounding and regarding the child. She reported on the antics of everyone as often as she could, but the day that Miss Alexis was slapped by Skye in front of the wee one was almost more than Alice could stand. She left her post immediately and marched up to inform Lila of the incident. Normally a calm unassuming presence around the house, it was all Alice could do to keep her voice down as she railed against the injustice being done to both mother and daughter under that roof. Alice remembered Lila's calm voice…
"My dear Alice… we both know that child does not belong in this house. She belongs with her mother, but I simply don't have enough proof yet to back up what we know to be true regarding my grandson's lack of parental rights. So, it is up to you to keep that child safe until I do. I am not pleased with anything that has occurred where that child is concerned and although my son insists on keeping Skye under this roof, it is with regret that I admit she is more like my daughter, Tracy, than any of us are willing to concede. She is a trouble-maker that will eventually tear this family apart unless I figure a way of getting rid of her before she does irreparable damage. So I must ask you to continue being my eyes and ears for a while longer. Will you continue to help me, Alice?"
Unaware of the interest she was garnering from her companion, Alice smiled as she thought of Miss Lila. Quiet words found their way to ears that were suddenly alert with questions.
"Such a sweet soul and nobody's fool."
"Alice… who are you talking about?"
Alice blushed realizing her thoughts were heard.
"I was just thinking about Miss Lila and what she was planning."
"Lila Quartermaine?"
"Yeah. Didn't know she was on your side, did you?"
"My side?"
"Reggie wasn't the only one in the house who was completely loyal to Miss Lila. And when Miss Lila sets her mind on something… best set your cap to accepting whatever she says. And she knew that something was wrong where Kristina was concerned. So she asked me to make sure I stayed as close to the wee one as much as possible and keep my ears open anytime it looked like some funny business was going on. She was working on a way to get rid of Skye and I guess she still is, but my main job was to report anything unusual to her when something involving Kristina came up or about her custody."
Alexis froze… if Alice was the eyes and ears of Lila Quartermaine, then…
"You know a lot more than just what I've told you. You witnessed every conversation I had with Ned, Skye or Cameron in that house. You… and Lila knew Ned wasn't her father."
Her immediate instinct was to panic… and just as she felt her breathe leave her she remembered. 'Sonny already knows. And we're safe. Breathe, Alexis.' She then looked back toward Alice as another question popped up.
So why didn't you know who Dobson was sooner?"
The blush that rose on Alice's face could have matched the brightest Christmas bulb ever lit as she stammered a response.
"It seems to be a family curse or something, but… I… I sort of lose a few of my smarts when… you know… when I set my sights on an attractive gentleman. Can we just not talk about that anymore? It's the most humiliating experience of my life."
Alexis laughed outright at the look of complete mortification on her friends face recognizing immediately what she felt.
"Alice if that's the most humiliated you've ever been, then you need to stick around me for a while. That's a walk in the park compared to some of the stunts I've pulled."
Alexis stood and looked down affectionately at Alice.
"I really am glad that you've decided to stay with us, Alice. We needed you… I need you. However, right now I'm beat and morning is going to come pretty early when her highness decides to wake the house. So, I think I'll take off to bed. Make this your home, Alice. Everything you will need until you can do your own shopping is already in your room waiting for you."
Alice stood up and just as Alexis moved past her toward her bedroom she lightly punched her in the arm. The most comfortable way she knew of to express her gratitude and liking for Alexis.
"Thanks for taking me in, Alexis. It's been a long time since I felt like I was really welcome in someone's home. Guess I need to start thinking about this place as my home too now."
"It sure would help when I have to explain to the neighbors why I'm living with a Mishkynite that drinks vodka like water."
Alice recognized the teasing in her voice and laughed fully quickly covering her mouth as she recognized the intensity of her belly laugh was vibrating through the house. Living with Alexis and Kristina was going to be fun. Alice went to her room with a big smile on her face and completely happy for the first time in quite a long time. Alice had finally found a home and it seemed, a family to call her own.