Chapter 87

"Alexis, I don't know what you and Johnny talked about this morning, but it seems like a weight has been lifted from him."

Alexis and Joy were busy packing up some of the remaining items in the suite in preparation for their departure the next morning. Sonny and Johnny had already packed up most of the big things and were on their way into town to deliver them to where they belonged. As a group they decided that they did not want to deal with a lot of packing and moving on the day of their departure, so the bulk of the process was being handled the afternoon before.

"Sometime in the next few days, when you and Johnny have settled into your new home... ask him, Joy. He'll tell you what we talked about this morning. I think he has wanted to all along, but just didn't know how to approach it. He needs to tell you about it, and if you open the door it may make it easier for him."

"I am so happy he has you to talk to, Alexis. Sometimes a guy needs more than just his wife to help him get through things and he trusts you. I still can't believe the change in him from the man who first came to visit you. He is so different. For a while I didn't think he even knew how to smile. He was so shy and reserved. But, being here with you... doing what he could to help you... it changed him. It was like he finally realized he could be somebody. He told me once that he lived in shadows so long that he forgot what it felt like to feel the sun on his face. I thought that was so sad."

"He is a very beautiful man, Joy. And I don't mean his outward appearance. I cannot imagine a couple more suited for each other than you and Johnny. You two complement each other perfectly and it is calming for me to see you two together."

"Thank you, Alexis. That means so much coming from you."

Reaching down to open the drawer on her bedside table, Alexis pulled out a locket and turned back to face Joy.

"Joy, I asked Sonny to go by my apartment and get this for me a few days ago.  I want to give it to you. It is a gift to show my appreciation for what you have done for me since I've been here. Even though it was Johnny who I woke up to, I know in my heart that it was also your devotion and care of my physical needs that helped me feel safe enough to return. This locket belonged to my sister. It was one of her favorites and I want you to have it. You have been more than a friend to me and I want you to know that I have learned a great deal from you during my stay here. I've never seen you panic or get angry. You've been a calm and steady force during this whole ordeal. You've walked around here everyday like everything was proceeding just as it was intended. Nothing ever caused you to lose hope for the cause you committed yourself to. As much as Johnny did for me, in your own way you matched him in your care of me and I just want you to know how much your life has affected mine."

Joy felt Alexis take her hand into hers and place the locket in her palm. Looking down, she couldn't see it through the tears that filled her eyes. Closing her fingers around it, she put her arms around Alexis and hugged her tightly.

"I... I... don't know what to say... I... I... I didn't think it was possible... girl you've left me speechless."

Delighted at the response she received from Joy, Alexis grinned in relief.

"Now that's a first. I didn't think you could ever run out of things to say."

Joy laughed and dropped her arms from around Alexis. The glow on her face filled Alexis' heart with warmth.

"Alexis... I... I wouldn't trade this time with you for all the gold in the world. Between you and Johnny, my whole world has turned around and I feel like a new woman. There is so much I want to learn from you... so much that you can teach me. Can we get together... I mean often... just to talk about things and.. and.. I don't know just get to know one another better?"

Joy ducked her head shyly at the request she made of Alexis. For the life of her she couldn't imagine being friends with such a beautifully courageous and gracious woman as she saw Alexis to be. Tightening her grip on the locket that lay nestled in the palm of her hand, she felt really accepted by Alexis on a level that she would never have expected.

"Joy, I think I want that more than you do. I miss my friend Chloe and I miss my sister. I need a woman around to help me stay balanced and you do that for me. I need you in my life. So, yes; you and I are going to get to know one another and become the best of friends."

"Alexis, is it possible to be so happy that you feel like you're going to explode?"

Alexis laughed nodding her head.

"It has to be, because I've actually felt that once or twice over the past couple of days. But, don't you worry. We're going to get used to that feeling. I think the men in our lives are going to work day and night to make sure we never see another day of sadness if it's at all possible."

"I know; Johnny promised me he would do his best to see that I have everything I ever want or need. It's going to be a bit tricky in the beginning to try and help him realize that there are going to be times that I need to do things for myself; that I don't need the world… that sometimes all I need is just a bit of 'alone' time."

"I know what you mean. It's going to be equally difficult to get Sonny to back off, but we are very resourceful women. We'll find a way to work it so that they give us what we need without even realizing that somewhere along the way their musty antiquated ideas fell by the wayside."

Joy laughed outright.

"Oh, Alexis. You are simply priceless. I have so much to learn and I have a master to learn from. We are going to have so much fun together living across the hall from each other."

Alexis' attention had returned to her suitcase and hearing Joy's last statement caused her head to come up quickly.

"Across the hall? You're going to be across the hall?"

Joy's face fell. She couldn't read the expression on her friends face and she became instantly afraid that she and Johnny might have been too presumptuous.

"Is that not ok, Alexis? You don't want Johnny and... "

Joy was not able to finish her question as her breath was taken from her when Alexis grabbed hold of her and squeezed tightly.

"I didn't know how I was going to handle it... going back there. I didn't really want to go back to the apartment. But, you and Johnny... how am I ever going to repay you two for all you've done for me... what you mean to me."

Joy heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. Bringing her arms up she returned the hug.

"Well, the first thing you're going to do is let go of me. You've effectively taken away my ability to breath. And secondly, we're friends. Any kind of talk regarding payback is offensive. And lastly, you were never in danger of going anywhere alone if you didn't want to. If it weren't Sonny, it would be Johnny or me. And if not us, then this little bundle you're carrying would keep you company. You will never find yourself alone again unless it's what you want, Alexis. In fact, you're going to have to get comfortable enough with me to be able to say outright, 'Joy, I need some time alone.' Now, before we get too maudlin, let's finish this up and see what we're going to do about feeding those guys when they get back."

Lowering her arms, Alexis gazed at Joy with a small contented smile.

"Thank you, Joy... for being my friend."

"Oh pooh, as if you had any say in the matter. Now come on and shut that brain of yours down for awhile."

Alexis shook her head in amused resignation and followed Joy out of the bedroom. Allowing Joy to walk on ahead of her toward the kitchen, Alexis stopped at the door and turned back to glance out the window. In a voice quiet and full of love...

"I'm ok, Kristina. I have people who love me... really love me and care about what happens to me. And I'm learning... things that you sometimes tried to teach me. So, you rest now and know that I'm happy and I will love you always."

As a lone tear traveled down her cheek, Alexis lowered her head a moment then with an anticipation that she found somewhat alien, joined Joy in the kitchen.

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Her day began with a blue jay sitting just outside her window singing a song of love to its mate. Stretching out to slowly awaken her body to a new day, Alexis lay for a moment just listening. Turning her head toward the window she caught sight of the little bird and smiled. Simple pleasures... little miracles of life that often were over-looked... Alexis promised herself that from now on she would take the time to enjoy those simple pleasures. Things like watching squirrels play, listening to the calming sound of a brook, spending a few moments of every day relaxing and enjoying the fact that she was alive and healthy... and free to love.

Hearing a knock on her door, she slowly sat up and rested against the headboard before calling out to her visitor to come in. She smiled contentedly as her favorite miracle peeked in with his beautiful smile and cavernous dimples that begged for her touch.

"Hey."

One word... just one word from him and her heart flipped upside down.

"Good morning. You look good enough to kiss."

"So do you. Care to give it a try?"

"Come here."

Sonny closed the door behind him and walked over to sit down on the side of the bed as close to her as he could get without actually sitting on her. Setting the cup of hot tea down on her bedside table he turned back to her to find her arms reaching for him. Smiling he mirrored her and reached to pull her into in his arms. He let her take the initiative and felt the warmth that he could only associate with Alexis begin to radiate through him as her lips found his. Sweet, soft, lingering... and pure. Alexis... his heart, his soul... the reason he awoke this morning from a night filled with beautiful, peaceful dreams of her.

Drawing back, she reached up to touch his cheek and found tears in his eyes.

"Sonny?"

He reached up and let his fingers trace the outline of her lips before softly caressing her cheek.

"It's ok. It happens a lot now. All I have to do is think of you, touch you... look at you and it happens. I can't seem to control it yet. You asked me not to leave you again... and I know in here," Sonny lifted her hand to lay against his heart as he continued, "I know... I never will. And that does something to me inside... knowing that I'll never have to be alone again. It kind of knocks my socks off."

Returning him to the circle of her arms, she rested her cheek against his and whispered.

"Tell me about it. It does the same thing to me. Do you think we'll ever get used to feeling like this?"

"Honestly? I hope not. I don't ever want to get used to it. I want to feel this way the rest of my life."

Dipping her head, a look of absoluteness fell on her face and she whispered as if to herself.

"Good point!  Me too!"

Leaning back against the headboard and reaching for her cup of tea... Alexis smiled at the contentment she saw on Sonny's face. She reached for his other hand and lay her own within it. Her focus stilled on the sight of their entwined fingers. Her attention was so intent that she jumped slightly when she heard Sonny speak again.

"How's my baby girl doing this morning?"

"Outside of being hungry, she's fine."

"Well that's that then. Up and at 'em, woman. My little girl is not going to go hungry while I flirt with her mother. Get up angel and get dressed so I can feed my daughter."

Alexis laughed carelessly as Sonny pulled her from the bed, tea splashing everywhere.

"Sonny, you're making a mess."

"Not as big as the mess I'm gonna make if you don't get busy."

"Is that a threat?"

"Absolutely not. It's a well thought out, highly motivated promise of delightful things to come should the mother of my child decide not to take me seriously."

Seeing the look of pure amusement and devilment fill his eyes. Alexis sauntered closer to him and in a low, impassioned voice...

"That sounds more sensual than highly motivated... care to elaborate a little?"

Sonny's breath caught in his throat. He had seen that look on her face only once before and it brought back a host of memories that left him fighting for breath.

"You need to stop right now, Alexis Davis or we are not going to get my daughter fed much less leave this room any time soon."

Turning on her heel saucily Alexis reached up and flipped her bangs out of her face and started toward the closet with a not so thought out response...

"Promises, Promises."

She shrieked as she felt Sonny's arms grab her from behind lifting her off the floor and quicker than a wink found herself pinned beneath him on the bed laughing hysterically until her eyes found his and her laughter stilled. She felt his heart beating against hers with the same accelerated rhythm... a rhythm she remembered... a rhythm so in tune with each other that it was impossible to separate one heart from the other. And in another moment, lips that once long ago fulfilled her every need found their home again and Alexis wrapped her arms around Sonny and rested.

Hearing the bedroom door fly open, Sonny and Alexis looked up to find Johnny and Joy standing in the doorway. Alexis, with her hand covering her eyes turned toward the wall and tried to control her laughter. The look of fear on the faces of her friends quickly morphed into embarrassment at the sight of what they barged in on. She could feel what the intrusion was doing to Sonny and couldn't contain her mirth.

And Sonny, feeling the effect of Alexis' laughter, only served to increase his already out of control body. Totally frustrated and trying to reign in his very evident aroused state, Sonny addressed the intruders.

"Don't you two know how to knock?"

Johnny, with a face the color of the inside of a pomegranate, was rooted to the spot. His motor skills effectively abandoning him to his embarrassment. And Joy, reaching to pull him out of the room did the best she could to get out of the situation with as much dignity as possible.

"You know, given our present address, hearing a shriek come out of this room is not something either one of us would expect this early in the morning unless something was wrong. But, seeing that Alexis is in good hands... uhmm I... I... I mean... not anything wrong... uhmm... Geez, Sonny you could have warned us you were here. Come on, Johnny... it seems Alexis has everything under control and we're not needed here after all."

Hearing the door close behind them, Alexis couldn't hold it any longer and laughed until tears rolled from her eyes while Sonny simply dropped his head in exasperation as the need for a cold shower swept over him. Getting up he pulled Alexis with him muttering 'almost' incoherently.

"And I had to set them up across the hall from you... I hope my daughter grows up to be smarter than I am."

And again, Alexis laughed while pulling him back into her arms to coax the frustration from him. It didn't take long... looking into his eyes she saw the moment he gave in to the humor of the situation and thrilled as he began to laugh with her.