Well, once you're done with this chapter you're all are going to hate me. All that I ask is that you keep you're rants to one email please... and remember I do have a plan...might not be a good one, LOL...but it's a plan...
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Chapter 21
"Where the heck have you been, young lady?"
Gia smiled over at Juan, closing the cottage door behind her. "I was running some errands, Dad." She rolled her eyes, giggling at Juan's stern expression. Shaking her head, she looked around the room decorated with colorful steamers and dozens of balloons. "What's going on here?"
"A party. What's it look like?" Shari said, setting down the plate of cheese puffs and chips she'd brought from the kitchen. Gia watched Shari walk back through the door, stepping aside to let Nik, who was carrying a punch bowl to the table, pass her by. He smiled at Gia, waving, and followed Shari behind the swinging door.
Stopping in the middle of adjusting a homemade sign, Juan called over his shoulder. "I think Nik likes the whole host position a little too much if you catch my drift."
"I heard that." came the muffled response from the other room.
Gia surveyed the room slowly, her eyes falling on the banner above her head.
Juan jolted at the sound of her laughter, almost dropping the end of the banner he's been taping down. Giving her a strange look, he pressed the tape down and hopped off the stool, gazing up at the sign, ignoring Gia's uncontrollable giggles. "I don't see what's so funny."
Pointing at the object of her amusement, she responded between fits of laughter. "'Glad you were sprung'? I mean really Juan."
"I thought it was appropriate." He replied, sending a sullen look in her direction.
"You would."
"Hey!"
"I just can't wait for Emily to see it."
Emily materialized on the stairs, skipping down into the room. "Wait till I see what?" She stopped short at the sight of the banner. "Juan...did you have to illustrate it?"
The doorbell rang and thinking it best to stay out of the line of fire, Gia rushed to answer it, pulling the door open with a smile. It froze in place when she met Lucky's blue stare. "Lucky."
He noticed her smile fall and the fact that it was his fault didn't go unnoticed. Reaching out to grip her wrist before she turned away, he pleaded with her. "Gia, we need to talk."
He felt her stiffen under his touch, heard her breathing change. Felt the same quickening of her pulse that was happening to his. Loosening his hand, he caressed the small indent in her hand. "Please."
Gia gave him a small nod of assent and he let the breath he's hadn't realized he'd been holding out. Closing the door quietly behind him, he glanced in to room and observed Juan and Emily talking. Emily... He wasn't sure if his best friend knew or not but he needed to tell her how much Zander really cared about her. He wanted to see her as happy as he was planning of making himself and Gia. Raising his hand, he caressed the soft skin of Gia's face. "Can you give me a minute?"
Gia pushed her disappointment away and nodded, her eyes hiding beneath her full lashes. She'd seen the change the minute he'd seen Emily. "Of course." Without waiting for another word, she hurried to the kitchen, leaning against the inside wall. The tears threatened to spill but she took a deep breath. She refused to cry. Not this time. Gathering her strength, she pushed away from the wall and made her way back into the room. Heartache could wait. She had a party to help with.
Johnny paced the floor, glancing at Carly occasionally on the couch. He'd needed to talk to someone or he'd would've burst. Sonny could have listened but he hadn't wanted to burden his friends with his problems. Sonny has enough on his mind. Especially tonight. After a full minute of silence, he halted, taking seat on the ottoman. "What do I do, Carly?"
Still reeling from Johnny's declaration, she'd taken the opportunity to let him talk, while she thought of a way to help both Johnny and Alexis. She knew she should stay out of it. It's what Sonny would have done. But she knew her friends and if they didn't get a push in the right direction, hell would freeze over before either one would make a move.
"Have you told her?"
"We're not talking right now."
"Why?"
Sighing deeply, Johnny rammed his fingers through his hair and looked up at Carly sheepishly. "Because I pushed her. I know Alexis, Carly. Better than most. She'd rather face her entire psychotic family, as Luke so lovingly calls them, than face a real chance at happiness."
"She's marrying Ned, John."
Johnny shook his head, springing to his feet. "She won't marry him."
"How do you know that?"
"Trust me. She won't."
A startling thought sprang into Carly's head. "Johnny, you aren't planning on..." She made a motion across her neck.
"What? No, Carly. I'm not going to kill Ned." He would have laughed at her if it weren't for the fact that he'd had that very same thought recently. "Hadn't even occurred to me." He mumbled, noting the stare she sent him. "What am I going to do, C?"
"Well, first, you're going to get you're butt moving to that meeting I'm trying really hard not to dwell on. Then, once you return yourself, my uncle and my beautiful husband safely to me, you go and talk to her honestly. Lay out there. If it's meant to be, it'll happen."
"You think?"
"Look John," Carly leaned forward, her hands braced on Sonny's desk. "You got to take a chance. How else are you supposed to know? You told me that, remember? What would have happened if I hadn't listened? Huh?"
Knowing that she was right, Johnny pulled Carly into a warm embrace." Thank you."
"Hey it's the least I can do. I mean you've put up with me and Sonny for how long now?"
"Good point."
He watched Carly gather her purse and coat, pausing to check for her keys. She glanced up to see Johnny watching her with a bemused expression. "What?"
"Where exactly are you going?"
"I'm not going to follow you or anything, Mr. Paranoid."
"Uh-huh."
Carly rolled her eyes, herding Johnny out the door with her. "Rick and I have a few errands to run. Ain't that right, Ricky?"
Rick laughed and nodded in agreement. None of the guards ever said no to Carly anyway. "We're going shopping for tomorrow."
"Well, make sure she doesn't talk you into taking her to any meetings or anything." Johnny called out to her as he headed to the elevator.
"Go away, Johnny." Carly smiled, waving him off. Her smile fell the moment the elevator doors slid closed behind him. Rick noted the worry etched on her brow and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Mrs. C. Johnny will take care of Mr. Spencer and Mr. Corinthos."
"I know. I know." Carly pushed her worry aside and patted Rick's hand. "Come on, Ricky. Let's go spend some money."
"Where is he?"
Luke folded his hands calmly, his eyes following Sonny's frantic pacing. "Son?"
"Hmm?"
"If you don't stop pacing I'm going to break your legs."
Sonny paused, glaring at dock stairs, before finally taking a seat next to Luke on the bench. "Happy?"
"Ecstatic. Sonny, calm down. It's just a meeting. We got it covered, right?"
"I know but I can't shake this feeling, Luke."
"Look, Sorel set his meeting up, right? So, we've taken every precaution just in case it's an ambush. Don't worry." Sonny didn't look very reassured so Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, we don't do it. If you feel that something's wrong than let's postpone it."
Sonny contemplated that suggestion carefully. He could cancel the meeting and be home in half an hour sharing dinner with his family. An image of Carly, Michael and Zander flashed through his mind. He needed to do this for them. Sorel wouldn't let them be.
"No. We need to set this plan on motion. My family depends on it."
Luke nodded, sensing that need to protect his family that was such a part of Sonny. He could understand that. "Good. Then we do this." He glanced at his friend quickly. "You ever think we're two lucky bastards, Sonny?"
Sonny met his eyes knowing exactly what Luke was thinking. "Hell, yes." They laughed together comfortably. After a moment Sonny brought his gaze to look out over the view of the PC skyline. "You know, when I came to this town I never thought I'd end up here."
"As I recall when you came to town you were out to get me."
"That's not completely true." He jabbed Luke arm with his elbow sharply. "Hey, I'm glad we worked it all out."
"Me too. I'd figured guys like us would be dead by now." Luke smiled wryly. "But, you know we've looked out for each other."
Sonny nodded in agreement. "And when you meet the right woman."
"You can say that again."
Sonny's face grew serious and he turned to Luke, admiration and respect shining in his eyes. " You know, I still think of you like..."
"I know, Sonny. Me, too." Luke burst out laughing suddenly. "I just had a thought."
"What?"
"If you're wife heard us talk she'd never let us live it down."
"Very true. So would Laura." Sonny looked thoughtful for a second. "We're so not telling them."
"Oh hell no."
"Mike!" Zander placed the bag of groceries he was carrying down. He hurried over to Mike, hugging the older man warmly.
"Hey kid." Mike returned the embrace, his throat tightening. Pulling back, he took a good look at Zander. Other than the circles under his eyes, he looked well. Mike could only imagine how much sleep the kid had gotten. "You look a little waned. What you got in there?"
"Just thought I'd bring some stuff back to PH. I meant to get something at Kelly's but Tammy looked swamped so..."
Mike grinned, taking the bags into his arms. "Well, how about this. I have to check in at the Outback and..."
"The Outback?"
"Yeah. Remember that idea we had about me buying my own restaurant."
"Pops, that's great! When are you going into business? Do Sonny and Carly know? I'm still working there, right?"
Mike held up his hand laughing at the barrage of questions." Look, let's go check it out, then we'll stop by the Recovery Room so I can make sure that Mary and Victor don't need my help and after that we'll go to Sonny and Carly's. I'll give you a detailed report there. It'll take an hour. Tops."
Zander regarded his watch, seeing that it was only about six. "Okay. That'll give us time to cook something for the guys."
"Sounds like a plan." Mike patted Zander lightly on the arm, directing him to his car. "Besides gives us a chance to come up with a plan."
"For what?"
"Haven't you heard?" Zander shrugged, climbing into the car. Having heard about many new developments in the lives of his loved ones that day he wasn't sure what Mike was referring to. He waited until Mike had seated himself behind the wheel. "Alexis and Johnny?"
Mike paused, gaping at Zander from the driver's side. "Lexi and John? Get out!"
"Oh. I thought you knew. I mean you were the one running around free."
"Man, You'll have to fill me in on that one."
"Okay so what was it that you were talking about?"
Mike stared at him seriously. "Carly's cooking dinner." He glared as Zander laughed uproariously. "What? It's a scary thought, son." He argued starting the car and pulling away from the curb." But I think I got a plan."
Zander grinned widely. "I missed you, old man."
"I missed you, too, kid."
The smell of rust, sweat and decay permeated the air in the warehouse. Luke shivered, scanning the area inside the darken room. He could smell the underlying odor of something else in the air. Hearing the hollow echo of their footsteps against the concrete adding to the sense of doom that passed over him. He glanced at Sonny, knowing that his partners' thoughts were the same as his own. Something seemed off. He turned to Johnny, whose hand had come to rest on the inside pocket of his coat.
"Corinthos."
They came to a standstill; their heads turning to watch a group of men step out of the shadows and move to join them in the center of the room. Glancing around them, Luke noted all the dark corners a person could hide in. It was a steel enforced room, hooks hanging from chains, stacks of boxes in groups all over the floor, and heavy machinery everywhere the eye could see. The same feeling of panic rose and Luke seized the opportunity to focus his attention on the situation at hand.
"Alright, Sorel. I'm here. What's this about?"
Sorel regarded Sonny with suspicion and a hint of confusion. "What the hell are you talking about, Corinthos? You're the one who called this meeting."
It starts with one thing
I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
keep that in mind
I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
All I know
"No I didn't..." The huge doors closed with a bang and Sonny turned to Luke, the realization in his eyes reflected in his friends. Johnny pulled Sonny to the ground seconds before the room was filled with the sound of gunfire.
Luke dove behind a stack of the boxes, splinters falling on his head from the impact of the rapid-fire machine guns. He couldn't make out how many men or where they were coming from. He could hear the rest of Sonny's men banging against the doors, yelling for more back up.
He glanced up, removing his gun from his inside pocket and meeting Sonny's eyes across the space between them. They'd been set up.
Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
It's so unreal
"You can't be serious, Juan."
Nik grinned, placing the last of the food on the table. He joined his friends who were standing in front of the huge banner. "I think he really is."
"Only Juan." Gia declared, keeping her eyes on the sign and avoiding Lucky who was spending the entire night watching her intently. "By the way, did anyone actually tell Zander we were throwing him a party?"
"That's a good question." Nik fixed Emily with a look before turning to Gia. "I don't..." He glimpsed movement outside the window and halted mid-sentence. Gia sensed his tension and twisted around to see what had captured Nik's attention. She heard the distinct sound of a clip before the cottage was gorged with gunfire.
Didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on, but didn't even know
Wasted it all just to watch you go
I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when
Lucky clenched Emily body, hauling them both to the carpeted floor. He heard the sound of breaking glass, felt the shards fall over them. Shari's scream echoed in his head, bringing his head up.
He caught sight of Juan shielding Shari. His frightened eyes met Lucky and he jerked his head to the front hall. He leaned down to Emily, whispering harshly in her ear. "Stay put." The gunfire continued, bullets destroying the doors and windows almost completely. Forcing himself to remain at a crawl, he glimpsed at what Juan had been trying to show him.
In the corner behind the half torn door sat his brother, hurt and scared. But Lucky's eyes only focused on one thing: Gia lay bleeding in Nikolas arms.
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
Zander followed Mike out of his office and into the main room of the Recovery Room. He waved at Mary and Victor who stood together at the bar serving the afternoon crowd.
"Never really thought this place got so busy, Mike."
An explosion of wood and glass caught off Mike's response. Zander was thrown forward, his head hitting a table as he fell. The smell of smoke saturated the air and the sound of frightened screams filled his ears. Opening his eyes slowly, Zander could make out bodies strewn on the floor. He shook his head, trying to clear the pain away.
One thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
keep that in mind
I designed this rhyme, to remind myself how
I tried so hard
Rising slowly to his feet, his eyes surveyed the damage. The back half of the Recovery Room has been blown out. Pipes stuck out of the wall and wires hung from the ceiling. The floor has fallen out at one end and he could see Victor trying to reach down to help people who had fallen below. He looked around for Mary and Mike, catching sight of Mary guiding customer out of the door.
Fire was still raging where the bomb had gone off. Zander scanned the room, trying to make out Mike's form in the room. He helped a young woman and her child to the door, handing them to Mary. "Have you seen Mike?" Mary brought panic filled eyes to his face, shaking her hair slowly. Fear overtook him and he stumbled over tables and chairs, frantically searching the room. He stopped short as he watched Victor bend over a body. Mike's body.
In spite of the way you were mocking me
Acting like I was part of your property
Remembering all the times you fought with me
I'm surprised it got so (far)
Alexis smiled over at Tammy, placing her money on the counter.
"Hey, you know better."
"How in the world do you make any money, anyway?" Alexis pushed the bill back at her. Tammy crossed her arms, refusing to accept it.
"Don't even bother Ms.Davis. She won't take it." Leticia smirked at them both, looking down at Michael, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, she doesn't even take Daddy's money."
Leticia, Tammy, and Alexis laughed, patting him on the cheeks. They waved goodbye to Tammy and made their way to the door. "Where you two headed?"
"Home."
"That's go-" The explosion caught Alexis off guard, flinging her drink out of her hands. She watched in horror as the roof collapsed, trapping her, Michael and Leticia underneath.
Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me (in the end)
You kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I
"That's not funny, Rick."
Still laughing, Rick shook his head. "I'm just saying. Don't like expect anyone but Michael, Zander and Sonny to even try the food." He crossed the docks with Carly, scanning the area.
"You know, you guys are going to eat your words one of these days."
"Hey better our words than your..."
Carly made an indignant noise and swiveled around, intent on beating him with her bag. Her smile fell at seeing the man behind her guard. "Rick!" Before Rick had time to react Vinnie plunged his knife into Rick's neck.
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
Vinnie focused on Carly, relishing her scream. He pulled the knife out, wiping it clean as he let Rick's body fall. Reaching into her bag, Carly pulled out a 6 millimeter, aiming steady at him. "Son of bitch." Carly pulled the trigger but Vinnie jerked the gun out her hand, the bullet hitting a nearby wall. Carly felt the blow at the back of her neck, falling on her knees. Stars swam before her eyes and she could feel him behind her.
She was pushed onto the ground, her coat ripped open. With all strength she jabbed her knee into Vinne's crouch. He howled in pain, bringing his hand up and hitting her twice on her face with his fist. Carly felt the metallic taste of blood on her tongue.
"You want it rough, bitch." Jerking her head up, he banged it repeatedly on the floor. He ripped at her shirt, exposing her breasts to the cold air. Carly squirmed; pushing hard against him, earning another hit on face. Her eyes rolled in her head, numbness threatening to overcome her. She fought it, opening her swollen eyes and glaring at Vinne.
"You going to be good for Vinnie."
"Fuck you." Carly spit out, bracing herself for the hit she knew would follow. She'd die here. She knew she would. Sonny...
"Let her go."
I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
And for all this
There's only one thing you should know
Carly heard a voice trough the haze and felt Vinnie's weight lifted off of her. Her vision blurred but she could see the outline of two figures. She struggled for the strength to crawl away. Inching herself on her hands, she backed away slowly, her eyes staying on Vinnie and the other man who was immersed in the shadows.
"I told you she was mine."
"Sorry, Boss..."
Carly heard the snap of Vinnie's neck and watched him fall limply.
He stepped out of the shadows and smiled coldly, seeing the recognition in her eyes.
"Carly."
"Oh God..."
I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
And for all this
There's only one thing you should know
"No. God.... no..." Carly sobbed, her mind unable to wrap itself around what had just happened. "Why are you doing this?"
"You and Sonny took everything away from me. I felt I should repay the favor." Carly caught the glint of the gun he held at his side. Looking up into his dull, lifeless eyes she knew he would do whatever he wanted. Images of her family flashed in front of her.
Of the life she'd finally had.
The dinners she'd shared with her family. Sunday mornings at church listening to Father Coates. Joking with Luke about his relationships. Laughing with her mother about Lucas' "romantic" woes. Seeing her beautiful husband play with their son. The nights of passion he'd given her. The warmth of love.
The life she'd been looking forward to.
Zander, Emily, Lucky and Gia laughing together. Luke and Michael playing dump trucks. Bobbie caressing her hair and telling her how proud she was of her. Alexis and Leticia helping her pick out baby cloths. Sonny and Johnny arguing over anything and everything. Sonny smiling down at her with love. She held on to that image, keeping it close to her heart.
She opened her eyes and glared at her oldest friend. "I wouldn't change a damn thing, you know."
She watched rage fill Jason's eyes moments before he raised the gun and aimed. "I know." He pulled the trigger and Carly's world was plunged into darkness.
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
Lyrics: In the End by Linkin Park
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