Part II:

Silence lingered in the air after the revelation. Sonny and Alexis staring at Kristina and Kristina staring at her father. Again, she compared her face to his. Seeing the same gleam in his eyes, that she herself had.

"Kristina," began Alexis, softly. The fear that her daughter was angry with them ran more rampant now. Like both her parents, Kristina had the exceptional ability to hide what she was feeling.

"I have your face." Kristina said to Sonny. "When I look in the mirror. . .in the emptiness in my eyes. . .I'm looking at your eyes."

"Sweetheart, I know this is a shock for you." interjected Alexis. "I know that you must be angry with us for keeping this from you." Kristina's unreadable gaze flickered to her mother's. The sorrow she saw in her mother and father's eyes erased any anger she could feel.

"Why?" asked Kristina after a moment. And easy smile crossed her lips. "Why was it such a big secret? Was someone else involved?"

"A lot of people were involved." answered Sonny. "But the only people who mattered where the three of us. Your mother did what she felt was right for you, and I agreed."

"You let her keep me from you? Why?"

"Because my life was not safe for you or your mother. And the thought that something could happen to either one of you. . ." Sonny trailed off. He looked to Alexis, who had a stunned look on her face. "Your mother and I were friends once upon a time. Best friends. We told each other things that we had never told anyone before, we respected each other's privacy, we had a lot in common. More than we thought we did."

"I don't understand."

Sonny nodded and gave her a small smile. "I want to make two things clear to you before we go on. One, your mother and I love you very, very much. We have only, and always, wanted the best possible life for you. Two, your mother and I, despite what people think, did create you out of love."

"So. . .why?" asked Kristina, more confused now as emotions flooded her.

"When your mother and I became friends, there was a woman in my life. We didn't get along at first, but she was pregnant with my child, and we tried to work out our differences for that baby. But, she lost the baby before he was born. And, long story short, my relationship with that woman was a rocky, unstable. . .sham. But I was obligated to her because. . ."

"I get it." Kristina swallowed hard. "This woman kept you apart?"

"In some ways, yes." answered Sonny.

"Kristina," began Alexis. "Sweetheart, your father and I. . .things happened between your father and I that caused his then ex-wife, Carly to retaliate. She drove her car over a bluff and stayed gone a few days to punish us. When she came back, she. . .I sent your father to her. But that, has nothing to do with this. A lot of bad things happened that. . ." Alexis looked at Sonny. "The only thing your father and I thought about. . .was you and how to keep you safe." She knelt down in front of Kristina. "I am so sorry that you didn't have the love of both of us growing up. You didn't know your father the way you should have. I am so sorry about that. I never wanted that for you. But I could not jeopardize your well-being. And there were elements in your father's life that would have done just that." She brushed the tear that slipped from Kristina's eyes from her cheek. "I know that you must be angry and hurting inside. But please know that everything we did, was out of love for you."

Kristina nodded and leaned forward to hug her mother. "I know, Ma."

Sonny watched as the two most important women in his life bonded further. It warmed his heart to know they were so close, so forgiving and understanding with each other. Kristina's ability to trust and forgive was staggering and refreshing. Something he's spent his whole life without.

"Can spend a minute with. . ." began Kristina.

"You can call me Sonny." He interrupted.

"Can I spend a minute with Dad alone, please, Ma?" Sonny's eyes watered at the sound of her calling him Dad.

"Of course." Alexis smiled and stood. "I'll go start dinner."

"You can cook now?" joked Sonny.

"It's been fourteen years, Sonny. I've learned a thing or two." She smiled again and left for the kitchen, leaving father and daughter alone for the first time in fourteen years.

"So," began Sonny. "I hear you're going to Stanford in the fall?"

Kristina smiled and nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, anything."

"Did you want to be without me? Without us? Because of your other family?"

"No." answered Sonny, honestly. "I didn't want to be, no. But I chose to be."

"At Ma's request?"

"No. Your mother has spent your entire life feeling guilty for not telling me about you, never knowing that I knew all along." At the confusion in her eyes. "I live a dangerous life. People die, get hurt, hurt the people I care for to get to me. I couldn't let that happen to you or your mother."

Kristina nodded understandingly. "You're the reason she never married. I used to think that it was because she was always working or spending time with me, but it was because of you. She's never loved anybody else."

"Neither have I." replied Sonny. "Your mother is the love of my life. And so are you."

In a silent, meaningful gesture, Kristina extended her hand. With immense trepidation, Sonny took it. Tears flowed from both their eyes as he pulled her into an embrace. Alexis cried from the doorway, having been watching, before she headed back to the kitchen.

"I love you, Kristina." said Sonny.

Smiling, finally feeling whole. "I want to know everything about you, Dad. Even the bad stuff, okay? And I want you to know everything about me."

"I will, Mija. We have plenty of time." He kissed her forehead. "Plenty of time."

Drying her eyes. "Let's go help, Ma." She grabbed Sonny's hand and began to lead him towards the kitchen.

"First thing I want to know, Mija, who is this Jackson you talked about?"

"Oh," Kristina smiled. "He's my boyfriend."

Sonny sighed, heavily. "Bring him by. I want to meet him."

"Why?"

"Because he's dating my daughter. I want to know if he's good enough for you."

"Dad. . ."

"I take it back. Nobody is good enough for you."

"Oh, Dad." Kristina laughed as they walked into the kitchen.

They weren't a normal family. But, again, what family is?

- End -