Epilogue

Chapter 20

It was mid-morning and the sun was full of its glory without a cloud in the sky to dampen its warm rays. A slight breeze whispered through the trees and the fragrance of the ocean filled the air. There were many mornings in the past that could match the splendor of this morning. But, today was special… Kristina was home.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing you sit here like this and it's been 5 years now."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, still… content… settled."

Alexis smiled looking toward the man who sat next to her slowly swinging them back and forth on the front porch of the little island cottage she purchased eighteen years ago.

"In my wildest dreams I never would have imagined a time in my life where sitting peacefully without constantly running numerous scenarios through my head on how to get out of one fix or another would be a normal daily occurrence. This is my life now and I'm content with it. I'll never regret coming here with Kristina when she was a baby… it was the right thing to do. For her and for me."

Cameron raised his arm and slid it behind her to pull her closer. He leaned over slightly and kissed her on the forehead.

"Even though it kept us apart for so many years?"

Reaching up she caught his hand and pulled his arm closer around her smiling wistfully as she gazed out over the ocean.

"I missed you all those years, but I wasn't ready for you, Cameron. I needed the time away to finally understand and put everything in its place before I could open up to the idea of you. But, you already know all of this… why are you bringing it up again… today of all days?"

"I've just been thinking, Alexis. I guess it's because of what today will mean to us… to you specifically. Are you ready, sweetheart?"

Alexis shifted uncomfortably beside him leaning toward him to lay her head on his shoulder.

"No, Cameron. I'm not ready. I don't want to do this… Do you know how much it hurts to even think about it?"

"Yes. I know. But, she wouldn't have it any other way."

Tears began to slowly slip down her cheeks as she raised her head to meet his eyes.

"I thought she would ask you… why me? Why is she insisting that it be me?"

"Don't you know, mom?"

Cameron and Alexis both jumped at the sound of Kristina's voice in the doorway. Alexis leaned forward slightly a smile breaking across her face.

"Good morning, my little one? How did you sleep?"

Kristina grinned widely at the beloved endearment leaning down to place a quick kiss on her mother's cheek.

"I slept fine, mom. There's nothing like coming home and snuggling down into a soft familiar bed that's carried you safely to sleep most of your life." Leaning over her mother, she quickly kissed Cameron on the cheek before standing back up. "Hi, dad. I've missed you."

Not content with a little peck on the cheek, Cameron stood up and pulled her into a bear hug.

"I've missed you too, bug. This place has been awful quiet without that motor mouth of yours around. And it's nice to see that smile on your mother's face once again. How was your trip?"

Chuckling at Cameron's favorite nickname for her, Kristina slapped at him for teasing her then wrapped her arm around his waist. College life was proving to be Kristina's most enjoyable adventure thus far in her young life. Rather than follow TK to Columbia, Kristina chose to begin her study of law at Harvard, just as her mother did when she decided to become an attorney.

"The trip was fine and I could certainly use a few days away from the books. Mom, we need to talk about a few case laws. I'm not too sure I agree with some of the precedents I've been reading on a certain issue."

Alexis laughed and reached out to capture Kristina's hand squeezing it for a moment before letting go. Her heart swelled every time she looked at her daughter. As a child Kristina was beautiful, but as a young woman… she took on a radiance that astonished Alexis. Her daughter was happy, well adjusted… satisfied with her life. And she lived it to the fullest never questioning where she belonged, never doubting her identity or her right to live independent of past relations. The day she walked away from Sonny when he came to the island for her, Kristina began to emotionally separate him from her life as much as possible. She agreed to see him on occasion, but only at her discretion and never on the island. If Sonny Corinthos wanted to see his daughter, he had to fly to Greece where his life would not endanger her and where her Uncle Stephan was always close by to protect her if the need arose. It worked for a couple of years until suddenly one week after her 15th birthday, Kristina was summoned to Port Charles to receive her inheritance from her late father's estate. With her mother by her side, Kristina placed his will and all of the documents regarding his assets into the casket beside him whispering quietly. "I won't allow your life to hurt mine. Take your money and power with you. Maybe now you can find a little peace. I just wish you could have wanted to be with me more than you wanted your crazy life. But, why would you when you couldn't even care enough about my mom to be civil to her." As she turned away she looked up into her mother's brimming eyes. "What a wasted life…" From that moment on, Kristina put her father's memory away and began calling Cameron dad. Looking down at her mother now, Kristina motioned for her to move over then sat down beside her.

"It's been a while since we've sat together in this swing. I miss our evening chats."

Putting her arm around her daughter, Alexis pulled her close eyeing Cameron with a teasing grin.

"So do I, sweetheart. Cameron tried to fill in as best he could, but it just wasn't the same. He just doesn't understand how to talk girl talk."

Rolling his eyes, Cameron laughed.

"Okay, I get the picture. I'll leave you two to your 'girl talk', I've got errands to run."

Bending down Cameron kissed both women on the cheek then stood back up smiling widely.

"It sure is good to have you home, bug. Your mom is not easy to live with when you're away."

As soon as Cameron was outside the reach of their voices, Kristina turned to Alexis and frowned slightly.

"Mom, you promised not to let my leaving for college keep you down. What's Cameron talking about? Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

Alexis reached up and brushed the hair away from her daughter's eyes and smiled gently.

"Do you know how much I love you, sweetheart?"

"Yes, I do and you didn't answer my question."

"I still come out here every night and spend an hour with you just like we always did. It makes me happy just to sit here and remember my baby girl."

Turning toward her mother, Kristina reached for her hands as a cold chill ran down her spine.

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you doing this now? Are you sick or something?"

Realizing that her words were scaring her daughter, Alexis raised their entwined hands to her heart and smiled.

"There's nothing wrong, sweetheart. It is my right as the mother of the bride to reminisce on the day of my daughter's wedding."

Kristina smiled gently and reached up with loving fingers to touch the side of her mother's face.

"And that's fine, but when I walked out here you did not sound very happy. Why don't you want to do it, Mom?"

"Kristina, it should be Cameron or your Uncle Stephan."

"Why? Were they here every day of my life making it possible for me to be happy… were they here when I scraped my knee taking a tumble over a soccer ball… or heaven forbid received a bad grade. Was it their eyes I woke up to every morning and went to sleep with every night? You gave me the most precious gift of my life the day you moved us to this island. I will never forget the sacrifices you made for me or take them for granted. Mom, you have been by my side guiding, guarding or carrying me my whole life. You and I are a part of each other and I won't take a chance of losing this special connection we have. It's too much a part of who I am… it's too important to me. So when I asked you to walk with me down the aisle, I wasn't asking you to give me away. I'm asking you if you will walk with me into a new life. I'm not in to tradition, Mom. There is nothing traditional about our lives. My life began with you, eighteen years ago. I will not leave you sitting on a cold bench behind me while I stand with TK and recite the words that will tie me to him for the rest of my life. I'm taking you with me, mom."

Barely able to speak from the weight of her emotions, Alexis choked back a sob and quietly began to try and separate herself from her daughter.

"Kristina, my sweet angel. Thomas loves you with all his heart. His whole life has been geared toward keeping you safe and happy. Even though I love you all the more for what you've just said… when you stand with him this afternoon… when you promise to love and honor him… honey, you have to let me go. It won't be fair to him for you to stay so closely connected to me. It's time for you to let go of my hand and take his."

"Can't I have both, Mom? I need you both. I need you… I will always need you… and TK understands that. Before I asked you to walk with me, I talked to TK about it. He loves you so much… not just because you're my mother… but, he will never forget how you stayed and cared for Gale when dad wanted to move back to Port Charles. You made it easier for her to die when you promised to watch over her son for her. TK was in bad shape for quite a while until you finally sat down and talked to him. He needed more than I could give him… he needed a mother and since his was gone… you gave him what he needed and he will always love you for that. There will be times in both my life and in Thomas's that we will need guidance… support… and there is no one on this earth we would rather look to for those things than you. Now do you understand why I am asking you to walk with me?

With a heart so full she feared she couldn't contain it, Alexis pulled Kristina into a bone-crushing hug and held on for dear life.

"How did it happen, Kristina? Of all the little girls in the world… how did I get so blessed for it to be you that was given to me? Do you know what you have meant to me all these years, my little one? Do you know how much happiness and joy you brought into my life? I cannot imagine a day without you anymore… you have been so much my heart for so long that all of the pain and sadness I lived with before you… it's only a vague shadow in my memories now."

Leaning back, Alexis gazed into her daughter's eyes for a moment before reaching behind her and pulling out a velvet case.

"It's time, Kristina."

"Time for what, mom?"

"For you to receive the stones of your heritage."

Kristina gasped as Alexis lifted the top of the velvet case. A necklace that had been viewed on so many occasions… that her mother looked at with love… with sadness… with hope. She looked up at her mother's precious face.

"Are you sure, mom? I mean… it's… it's the last thing grandmother touched before she died." Seeing the look of remembrance on her mother's face, Kristina reached up with both hands and closed her fingers around her mother's hands that gently held the necklace. When Alexis finally looked up, Kristina shook her head. "No, mom. Not yet. It is enough for me to know that you wanted to, but for now they belong with you. Hang on to them for a while longer. Keep them as long as you can… and when you can no longer pick them up and clasp them around your neck… that's when I'll take over the responsibility of caring for them. When it is my daughter's turn to receive the heritage, she will know of them what I know and she will love those who wore them before us… she will love them as I have… those who have worn these stones will be as alive to my children as they were to me. I'll keep Grandmother Kristin and Aunt Kristina as alive for my children as you kept them for me. I'll make sure they know that there is a love that transcends time and space. I'll teach them the same way you taught me. Walk with me, mom… don't let me step into a new life without you by my side."

Openly crying now, Alexis very carefully separated the two strands then reached up and clasped one strand of the necklace around her daughter's neck. "For today, we will both wear our heritage. I will wear the strand momma placed in my hands years ago and you can wear the strand that belonged to my sister, your Aunt Kristina. And it would be my heart's desire to walk with you today."

***************

"Are you ready, little bit?"

"TK, don't you think we're slightly passed the 'little bit' stage now?"

"Not on your life… you've always been my little bit of sunshine and that will never change. Come out here and give your almost husband a whopper before we get this show on the road."

Thomas Kale was standing just outside Kristina's bedroom door waiting for her to finish dressing. Hearing the door open he stepped back and whistled dramatically.

"Boy, little bit. You look great."

"Do you know how many rules you're breaking right now, TK? You're not supposed to see me until I get to the altar."

"But, that's so conventional and we have never been conventional, K. Besides, Cameron and I have been busy today. We've upset everything you put together and now I'm going to give you the wedding of your life."

Kristina looked up with shining eyes and tried desperately to put a look of irritation on her face… failing miserably. Thomas Kale had never let her down in all the years they shared together. It wasn't likely he could do it today… on their day.

"Do you know how hard mom and I worked to put this wedding together, Thomas Kale? Are you actually trying to tell me that all that hard work was wasted?"

TK smiled down at the only woman who had ever held his heart.

"Not wasted, K… just rearranged. Now, come on. Your mom is waiting and if we're going to do this right, we have to get started now."

"You certainly are being mysterious about all of this."

"You'll see, K. We are going to remember every single moment of the next hour for the rest of our lives… and if we ever find that we need to be reminded of who we are together… we'll be able to look back at this moment and we'll know that long before we ever laid eyes on one another… you and I were meant to be together."

"You keep talking like that Thomas Kale and we won't make the wedding on time."

"Now now… remember our pact."

Kristina leaned against the doorframe and stared at TK with curiosity and concern.

"Are you really not sorry we waited until today before we… you know… did it?"

Thomas chuckled at her inability to actually say the words.

"Well… since it was my idea..."

"I know. You've been pretty adamant about waiting much to my intense frustration at times. Why, TK?"

"I guess it's okay to tell you now since it's time to take the next step. You see, I knew when I was 16 that I wanted you to someday be my wife. You were only 12, K. I had to keep things right in my head. I needed my best friend to be separate from what I felt as a man for as long as I could. What we've had through the years… it has been my resting place… I could always depend on having someone to talk to that would always be on my side no matter what… who cared about me enough to tell me the truth whenever I was getting out of line or something. I needed that just as much as you did. It may sound pretty lame, but all these years we've been together as best friends… the first moment I realized that there was more to how I felt about you… it was important for me to keep protecting the friendship. Not just for you, but for myself as well. I needed to keep the 'tikki' you depended on safe from the TK that wanted to know you intimately. I didn't want to cross a line that might hurt what we had together until you and I were both ready to take it to the next level. You've been mine from the first day I laid eyes on you, K. I took on the responsibility of taking care of you any way I could and I took that responsibility very seriously. I still need to protect you from the big bad world even if it means protecting you from me at times. I've never loved anyone the way I love you, K. Everything I've ever needed in my life… I found it all in you. The depth of what I feel for you sometimes scares me."

It was becoming hard for Kristina to keep her hands from reaching for him… she wanted to touch him so much… but his words kept her in place. She would honor his request… she would honor their friendship… their bond… What he was asking of her meant a great deal to him and that was enough for her. So she teased him.

"You know I've been ready to take our relationship to the next level for a while now, don't you?"

"You made it pretty hard to ignore, K. It took everything I had on a couple of occasions to walk away from you. There's been many a cold shower waiting for me after leaving you."

Leaning just the slightest bit toward him, Kristina whispered… "There won't be a cold shower available anywhere on this island, Thomas Kale once that ring is on my finger."

Completing the distance between them, Thomas leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering back… "I won't be the one needing one… but, you might given you're gonna be pretty hot from what I intend to do to you."

Straightening back up, Thomas chuckled at the crimson blush on Kristina's cheeks. Taking her hand in his, he led her into the living room where Cameron and Alexis were waiting.

The next hour of Kristina's life would forever be firmly etched in her memory. From the moment Thomas led her into the living room it was a fairy tale wedding. He placed her hand into her mother's then leaned down and kissed her cheek before stepping back and looking toward her mom who gently began to lead her outside. The sun was just beginning its final descent as she looked over at her mother finding tears slipping slowly down her cheeks.

While Kristina was dressing, Cameron filled Alexis in on the changes he and Thomas made regarding the wedding, so rather than leading her daughter to the car for the trip to the church. Alexis lifted her arm and settled it around her daughter's waist and gently led her down to beach where a canopy stood erect over a bed of palm frons. There were dozens of white roses and purple hydrangeas surrounding the area and in the middle a white podium with the priest calmly awaiting the procession. Crystal globes shielded a mass of candles from the gentle breeze. Leading Kristina to stand before the minister, Alexis looked up to catch Kristina's eye then turned toward the west. Just as the sun laid to rest another day, Alexis reached for Thomas' hand and placed it in Kristina's holding them both within her own then looked up at the man who held her daughter's heart.

"Thomas, the day that Kristina and I moved here we began a ritual that has become very special to the both of us. In the beginning it was more for me than it was for her, but as she began to get older… that changed. Every day of Kristina's life there was one hour that belonged to her and her alone. It was the sunset hour and it was set aside especially for her. In that time Kristina was able to settle whatever problems she faced during the day, to talk about the things that bothered her; to make peace with the activities of her day. Tonight I am handing over to you that gift. And it is a gift, Thomas. I'm asking you to continue the ritual and to make it as much your own as it is Kristina's. You will need this hour as much as she will in the years to come. And I want you to always remember that Cameron and I will always be there for you should you find you need anything."

With a choked voice, Thomas answered her charge.

"From this day on, I will give to Kristina and myself the gift you are passing on to me. And because I can think of no one who could ever come as close to being my mother as my own was… If you will allow me… I will now hold you as close as I did my own mother for the rest of my life.  You are just as much a part of me as she was and I will love you just the same."

Leaning down he placed a kiss on Alexis' cheek tasting the salt of her tears and he felt her love for him in a way that he never had before and it reached that place inside that before now only his mother could have reached.

Alexis reached up and lay her hand on Thomas' cheek and nodded before turning to Kristina.

"You, my beautiful daughter… words fail me when I look at you. No mother could ever love a child as much as I have loved you. In all the things I've been able to teach you over the years, there has been so much more that you have taught me. I've learned that loving someone can be the sweetest most rewarding gift… I've learned that love is not a bargaining chip… But, I think the most astonishing thing I've learned with you is that life is easier when you give yourself a few extra moments during the day to simply breathe. You gave me what I've longed for all my life. You gave me peace, joy, laughter and when the time was right… you meddled so thoroughly in my life that you ended up returning Cameron to me. You will always be with me, Kristina whether we're together or not. From the moment you were conceived you became my most precious treasure.  You are and always will be a part of my heart.  Now, it's time for you to take the next step. Let go of my hand, Kristina and take Thomas'. Walk with him the rest of the way. And if you find yourself ever in need of a mother's love and care… I'll never be far away."

Leaning forward Alexis kissed her daughter on the cheek then took her hands away from Thomas and Kristina's then immediately reached back for Cameron's strength to lean on.

He quietly questioned her. "You okay?" Nodding vigorously, Alexis refused to think of her own emotions… of what was actually happening in front of her… There would be time later to deal with the ache she felt deep inside. Her arms suddenly felt heavy with the need to hold her daughter within her arms, but instead she reached for Cameron's arms. He would make the ache easier to bear.

His arms enfolded her and she felt the tremors threatening to overtake her ease. Taking a deep breath she leaned into him and watched the rest of the ceremony with his arms around her holding her up and sustaining her as no one else could in that moment. Her beautiful baby girl… suddenly a bride… a woman… no longer a child. As the tears fell in rivers she reached over to capture the hand of a blubbering Alice, who had quietly stepped into the circle after completing her mission.

The home Gale Redmond left for Thomas had been completely redecorated and would now serve as a 'get-a-way' for Kristina and Thomas. It was a wedding gift from Alexis and Alice. Alice spent the day readying it for the newlywed's first night as man and wife. It was the only thing she could think to do to keep herself occupied enough to stop the relentless tears she shed over the fact that the most treasured person in her life was getting married. Once the ceremony was over and her good-byes were said, Alice was going home; back to Russia for an extended period of time. There was only one thing that would bring her back and late the night before she sat down with Kristina and promised to come if ever Kristina wished for a nanny. With a heart breaking she reached out and pulled Kristina into a gruff hug then went to her room where she spent the rest of the night remembering the past years and the day a wee babe came into her life and changed it.

"You may now kiss the bride…"

The words jolted Alexis out of the fog of memories that were racing across her mind. She straightened and waited for Thomas to complete his favorite part of the service, then plastered a smile on her face as Kristina turned to face them.

Reaching out for Thomas' hand she gazed with love at her mother.

"Mom, I have a surprise for you. And I want to give it to you now, before Thomas and I leave."

She looked up at Thomas and nodded once, knowing that he had taken care of making sure the gift was close by. She stepped closer to Alexis and waited for Thomas to retrieve the box that was gaily wrapped in foil boasting a host of ribbons and bows.

"Kristina, today is not about the bride giving gifts. It's about your wedding, honey. This is your day."

"And it's yours, mom. I'm not ready for my part of this particular gift yet… but I will be. I just want you to know that one way or another we're tied to each other and you can't get rid of me simply by marrying me off to this hunk standing next to me."

Accepting the gift, Alexis watched Kristina look up at Thomas with total adoration on her face and rather than make a scene that would keep them from leaving as soon as possible, she reached down and pulled the top off the box and pushed the tissue aside gasping aloud at what lay within.

Shoving the box at Cameron to hold for her, Alexis reached in and lifted out a plaque that read "Law Offices of Davis and Davis, Founded November 19, 2002." With tears again streaming down her face she suddenly looked up at Kristina in confusion.

"2002? Kristina, that was the day you were born. I don't understand."

"We began our partnership on that day, mom. I just had to grow up some to become an active participant. That plaque already has a home. Thomas and I used the funds that Uncle Stephan set aside for me to purchase an office building in downtown Port Charles. We're going home, Mom. All of us."

Accepting the breath-stealing hug from her mother, Kristina looked into the eyes of another woman who had given up her life to keep her safe and happy. Gently extricating herself from her mother's arms she moved to stand in front of Alice and smiled.

"All of us, Alice. You may not have a child to take care of anymore, but mom still needs you just as much as I do. You're not going anywhere, but back to Port Charles with the rest of us."

Turning back to Thomas, Kristina reached for him and without taking her eyes from him addressed the small gathering.

"Now, Thomas and I have a certain item to take care of that he has refused me for far too long… So, you guys have a wonderful evening and we'll see you tomorrow sometime or maybe the next day… or maybe the day after that…"

Cameron laughed at the red tinge that hi-lighted Thomas' face. Wrapping his arm around Alexis then pulling Alice underneath his other arm he turned them all back toward the cottage.

"We'll see you when we see you, bug. If you need anything just give us a shout and I'm sure your mom or Alice will be sitting on ready to cater to your every wish. Ooooffff. What'd you do that for, Alexis?"

Alexis tried to hurry them away while hiding her own blush.

"Hush, Cameron. You're embarrassing all of us."

"It's not me. Talk to your daughter over there. She's the one leaving all the doors wide open."

Slapping her hand over Cameron's mouth, Alexis pushed him harder toward the cottage shouting over her shoulder.

"Night, Kristina… Thomas. Have a good… nice…" Alexis couldn't finish her thought muttering instead. "How in the hell does a mother wish her daughter a good night… ? Well at least they're married now. And just when did you turn into such a prude, Alexis Davis."

Releasing Alice, Cameron leaned over and whispered into Alexis' ear. "I hope he's going to do the same thing I'm fixing to do to her mother."

"CAMERON."

"I hope he's going to prove to our daughter that he loves her just as much as I love her mother. Now come on and stop being such a mother bear. She's happy… she loves him and whether you know it or not… Thomas loved her enough to keep that part of their time together sacred until their wedding night."

Alexis bolted from underneath his arm and turned around to face him with a look of shock on her face.

"You mean to tell me that tonight is her first… that she and Thomas haven't before…"

"You didn't know that, Alexis."

"Why in the hell does my daughter always keep the most important things a secret until I find them out some time after the fact. And just how in the hell did you find out that little bit of news?"

Cameron was openly laughing at Alexis, but calmed with the question she asked.

"I felt it was my responsibility as the only real father figure in her life to make sure that she was being respected. I sat Thomas down one afternoon and laid the law down. Seems I didn't have to though. He had already decided on his own that he was not interested in consummating their relationship until they were man and wife. Said he respected her and their friendship too much to do anything to hurt it."

Alexis grinned widely. "Have I ever told you how much I adore that boy?"

"You've mentioned it. Now, can you take your mind off your daughter for a while and let me have your complete attention for the rest of the evening. I have a surprise for you."

"You have a surprise for me?"

Cameron watched Alice walk toward her car and waved goodbye to her before turning back to Alexis leading her into the cottage loving the sound of the gasp that left her body at what lay before her.

Every candle in the house was lit and conveniently lighting the living room. The fire was lit and a bottle of champagne was cooling next to a spread of treats.

"Cameron? Did you do all of this… no, you couldn't you were with me."

"It was a big beautiful angel named Alice. She helped me. I want you all to myself tonight, Alexis. No Alice, no Thomas, and no Kristina. Tonight is just for you and I. Care to join me in a feast of the soul?"

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Alexis looked up into the most beautiful beguiling set of eyes. This was her man. Her Cameron. Her heart, her life, her future…

"Hey handsome, care to make love to a starving woman?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

And next door, lying next to a roaring fire a soft sweet heart stopping kiss ignited a familiar passionate fire between two souls that were destined to be one.  A hungry fire that would finally be quenched…