Emily awoke with a start. Something wasn't right. She hurried up the stairs and checked Morgan's room first. He was sound asleep then she checked Michael's he wasn't there. She panicked until she noticed his snow gear was gone. She threw on a hat and gloves and hurried out after him. He shouldn't be out alone. How could I have fallen asleep? You've been doing that so much more lately. You need to stop being so tired. Off in the distance she could see Michael sitting in the snow; thankfully he had gotten a bright red coat and hat for Christmas. She walked up slowly and then saw Max standing protectively off in the distance. He smiled at her and tilted his head.

"Thanks," she mouthed with a sincere smile. She sat down next to Michael not caring that her jeans were getting soaking wet. "Hey, what's up?" she asked noticing his ice skates were laced on.

"I just- I couldn't sleep." Emily nodded and they starred up at the sky. She wasn't going to push. Michael sighed. "I just feel like mama is angry at me some how."

Concern and sympathy swept over Emily. "Hey why do you think that?" she asked drawing him closer. She could tell he was suppressing his tears.

"I just feel torn between Mom and Dad like if I choose to stay at one place I'll disappoint the other."

"I can understand that. You feel like you'd be choosing sides when they ask you where you'd like to spend the night."

"Yea and I just wish-," he shook his head. "I know that Mom can't be with him but it's just- it's just hard getting used to I guess. But I know I have to."

Emily smiled and hugged him gently. "That's very mature of you. I don't know if I could be so generous."

Michael laughed.

Emily grabbed her skates from underneath the bench and laced them on. They each had a cubby for their ice skates.

"Come on might as well have some fun if we can't sleep."

They skated around laughing and almost colliding all the time. The snow fell lightly upon them as they tumbled off the ice and into the snow. Emily couldn't stop laughing.

"Snow angel!" she exclaimed.

Michael looked at her curiously as she dropped back into the snow.

Sonny set his briefcase on his desk. He called Max quickly because it wasn't like him to leave the house until he got home. He had left a guard in his stead, but it was still odd.

"Out by the pond, sir," he said.

Sonny listened as Max explained the situation. He watched happily as his son and Emily rolled around in the snow. He walked over quietly and realized that his Gucci leather shoes were probably destroyed, but for some reason he didn't care. He wanted to share in their happiness after such a miserable several hours.

Emily got up and pulled Michael up.

"Snow angels," she explained to Michael.

He tilted his head to a side. "I guess."

She rustled his hair and looked up at Sonny. Her breath caught in her throat and her hand squeezed Michael's shoulder gently.

"Time for bed," said Emily sternly. Michael rolled his eyes but reluctantly said good night to them both. "He couldn't sleep and I found him out here. I figured I'd wear off some of his energy."

Sonny chuckled. "I don't think that's possible, but I'm not mad. It was good to come home to laughter."

Emily ran her hands through her wet hair. "My hat," she said looking around.

"Right-," said Sonny bending down at the same time as Emily to get it. "Here," he whispered huskily. Emily bit her lower lip. Don't do it Sonny. She's too innocent. Your life would destroy her. You know there's no point in starting anything. Don't do it.

For once in her life Emily took a chance and kissed Sonny passionately. She went to pull away, but Sonny grabbed the back of her head gently but possessively and kissed her as fiercely back. They finally lost their balance and fell back into the snow. Emily laughed innocently while Sonny just grinned. Then their world was interrupted by a ring. Sonny groaned and took out his cell phone.

"Hello," he said standing up. He helped Emily up and held onto her hand a little longer than necessary.

Emily gave him an understanding smile and strolled back towards the house glancing back to see Sonny watching her intently. Yes! Her thoughts were interrupted when she got into the house and realized for the first time how cold she truly was. She hadn't dressed properly for staying outside that long. Everything from her feet to her hair was soaked through and through. She shivered as she hurried up the stairs to take a hot shower.

Emily hurried the boys into the elevator. They were going to be late for their doctor's appointment. They had reached General Hospital at the time when they were supposed to be upstairs waiting to be taken in. Emily had Morgan on her hip because he refused to go and there was no way a child was going to tell her what he was doing and not doing. She was sure Michael, as big brother's do, had told him some horror stories about the doctor's office.

"You'll get a lollipop, sweetie. Don't you want that?" Morgan shook his head and buried it in her shoulder as he did so. "All right. Well, your mommy will be here afterwards and she told me that she's going to take her two big boys out for ice cream sundaes, but I don't know if you can go if you don't act like a big boy like Michael."

"Yea, babies can't go," said Michael half to annoy his brother and half to help Emily.

"I'm not a baby!" exclaimed Morgan.

"Then don't whine like one," retorted Michael.

The two went to argue, but Emily stopped them. "Stop, or neither of you will be getting ice cream. You'll go home to bed." God bed sounds good, sleep would be great. Elizabeth was waiting for her upstairs. They were supposed to go out for a lunch, but Emily wasn't sure if she could stay awake the whole time. She had been fighting a bad cold for a few days now.

"Hey Morgan, Michael," said Elizabeth as they all walked quickly towards the doctor's office. "I'm going to be your nurse today because Jill called out sick. Is that OK?"

Michael nodded and Morgan followed suit.

"Mom!" exclaimed Michael running into Carly's arms.

"Hey, honey. I got out of that meeting last minute. I can take them." Carly strained to say the next words, "Thank you though for offering."

"No problem," said Emily handing her Morgan. "I'll see you guys-" she dropped to the ground hitting her head.

"Emily!" screamed Michael. Morgan cried. Carly put Morgan on the ground and ran over to Emily.

"Emily!" exclaimed Elizabeth checking her vitals.

"We need a doctor!" screamed Carly.

"Use the phone!" said Elizabeth pointing to the phone at the vacant nurse's station. "Come on Em, I need you. Don't do this. Wake up."

Nurses came and lifted Emily onto a stretcher and Monica started working on her right away. Carly grabbed her cell phone and called Jason.

Sonny came home and the house was empty. He checked his cell phone but there were no messages. He quickly called Carly who only told him she had the boys and that they were staying with her tonight. He sat down on the couch and starred at the wall. The house was quiet all he had wanted for the past few weeks was a few hours of peace and quiet. Now that he had it, he missed the noise of the children and Emily in the house. He picked up his cell phone and called Emily's cell. "No answer," he said surprised. He looked over at the pictures of his children that Emily had got him. Christina. He shook his head. I never see my beautiful girl anymore. He called up Alexis and expected her to say no, but to his surprise she agreed to let him have his daughter for dinner. She didn't even put up a fight which surprised him greatly. She's probably just worn out from Molly. Christina staid the night because they fell asleep watching Ice Princess on the couch. They had breakfast in the morning at Kelly's. Alexis called to check in and said Christina needed a dress for Melissa's birthday party. Sonny and Christina spent the whole day together. He tried calling Emily all day and finally when he came home and she wasn't there. He called Jason who finally told him the truth.

Emily lay in her hospital bed trying to get some rest, but all she could think of was how she should call Sonny and tell him what was going on. She didn't want to though. He's probably worried sick, but I can't lie to him and I can't tell him the truth. I can't. She turned her head the other way and looked out the window. Say it again Em, why don't you. I'll just wait till we get the second test results and if they say the same thing then, then I'll tell him.

Carly walked into Emily's hospital room coat folded over her arms. "I called Jason. He said that they'll be her in ten minutes."

"Not Sonny right?" asked Emily alarmed.

"No, Jason and Sam," Carly raised an eyebrow. "Why? Why don't you want Sonny here?"

"Because- because he has enough to worry about, and I don't want him to worry about me."

Carly snorted and sat down. "Why you think it'll pain him too much to know you fainted because you had a bad cold. Or you don't want him to tell you to leave because you're in love with him!" she exclaimed. She went on a tirade until Emily finally snapped.

"Stop it, Carly. It's not just a cold, the doctors-," she stopped. "The doctor's think that I might-." She took a deep breath. "That I might be out of remission."

"What?" asked Carly kicking herself. She didn't particularly like Emily, but she didn't wish this on her. OK so maybe she wished her dead a few times but that was only in the heat of anger.

"So can you, can you please not tell Sonny. I don't want him to worry. He's got you, the boys, and his business to worry about. He doesn't need me as well. I don't even know if it's true, but I just- and I also don't want his pity."

Carly reluctantly nodded understanding. "OK, but let me give you some advice. If you lie to Sonny, you have no hope for anything with him."

"I know, but I just might have to."

Carly then saw the pain and love in Emily's eyes. It made her jealous, but at the same time she felt so much sympathy for her. "I won't say anything. I promise that I won't be like Robin and tell the world business that's not my own." She went to walk out the door but stopped. "Good luck and I hope you feel better."

Emily smiled. "Thanks, Carly. Can you just tell the boys that I'm going to be fine and that I'll see them later?"

Carly nodded and walked out.

Emily begged Tony to let her go early. She promised to rest a lot. She got to Sonny's house just in time to see the boys get out of Carly's car. They ran over and hugged Emily. She rustled Michael's hair as she always did and placed a kiss on each of their heads.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Morgan.

"Much better. So much better that I think we all need to have hot chocolate and popcorn while we watch Home Alone."

Morgan smiled and grabbed Michael's hand. They raced into the house after giving Carly one more hug and kiss.

Carly smiled and walked over. "So, you feeling better."

Emily nodded. "Yea actually a lot better."

"Are you sure you're up to watching the boys because I can take them to work with me."

"It's fine. Sonny said he's taking them to lunch so I'll take a nap then."

"If you need anything, just call OK." Carly turned but then stopped. "Emily I know we haven't always gotten along and although I don't want you or any woman with Sonny. You are Jason's sister and my children's aunt so I guess we should put our mutual distaste for each other aside for their sakes," she added.

Emily smiled. "I'm game if you are."

Carly nodded. "Good. See you later," she said waving hurrying off to answer her cell phone or something else that was of vital importance to her life or her business.

Life went on as normal except Sonny had to go away on business. So Emily took care of the kids during the day with help from Leticia. Michael finally figured out that Emily was sicker than she said she was and Emily had to explain everything to him.

Michael sat on the couch in Emily's arms. "So could you die?"

"Yes, but I promise that I won't be going anywhere without a serious fight."

"Does dad know?"

Emily shook her head. "He's worried about your mom, Jason, you boys, and business has been pretty busy lately. I don't want to add to it. So can you just not tell him? I'm going to tell him when he gets back from Miami. I just want him to do what he has to do without anymore pressures on his mind."

Michael nodded. "OK. Does it hurt?"

"The cancer?"

"Yea."

Emily smiled. "It only hurts when I see how sad it's making you."

He gave her a look. "No really Emily."

"No, it doesn't hurt not yet anyway. I'm on some new medication and they think it's going to help."

"Does Jason know?"

"Jason, doesn't know. You are one of very few people who know the truth."

"Really?" he asked his ego getting a boost. Morgan came in.

"I'm hungry," he said.

"I'll make lunch!" exclaimed Michael running into the kitchen.

"I'll help!" Morgan ran in after him.

"Don't run and be careful." Leticia smiled and walked in after them.

Emily took a nap and when she woke up Michael and Morgan were carrying a circular tray. They held it in front of Emily. They had used pepperonis to form a heart and Emily.

"You two did this all by yourself?" she asked smiling.

"Yea well Leticia had to put it in the oven."

"Thank you," she said hugging them both.

Carly sat at the concierge desk sipping her coffee contemplating everything that had been going on the past few weeks. Sonny's business trip took a week longer than expected and by the time he got back Emily was deep into her treatment. Her hair had staid amazingly, but she was getting weaker by the day. Carly could tell how much the cancer was taking out of her and she couldn't understand how Emily managed to take care of the boys and keep up with her medical studies. She knew that pretty soon she was going to be too weak to do it. She was all ready talking to Courtney to see if she could take over while Emily was getting better. Emily had protested so deeply that Carly didn't have the heart to ask Courtney to take over. She knew that feeling of desperation of trying to hold onto everything that makes you happy. It wasn't going to be possible forever but she'd let Emily have it for as long as she could.

Sonny said anxiously on the plane. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder and he knew for sure that no matter what Jason said he couldn't be without Emily. He missed her kind words and gentle guidance. He missed seeing her with boys or seeing her with patients at work. He missed the debates they had whether about spoiling the children or what he should do with Manny Ruiz.

Sonny groaned. Manny Ruiz was the reason he had to go to Miami in the first place. He had to twist some hands and show who was still in charge. Jason was well enough to take care of things in Port Charles, but he couldn't travel yet.

"Sir, we're going to need you to turn off any electronic devices in a minute."

"OK I just need to make a phone call." He hit 4 on his phone. "Sam, I need you to do me a few favors," he said grinning.

Emily splashed her face with cold water. It had been a long day. She had finally told Jason and Sam about the cancer. It just wasn't fair to keep it from them anymore. She walked back into her room and found a white box with a beautiful purple silk ribbon tied in a bow around it. She pulled out a beautiful sapphire silk and chiffon cocktail dress. It had an intricately beaded silk bodice and then a chiffon bottom. She slipped it on with a pair of glittering heels. She read the note at the bottom of the box.

"There's a limo waiting outside."

She slipped on her white coat and gloves. She touched her locket before she did the last button. She walked outside and Max opened the door for her before he hurried to the front of the limo. She anxiously waited for it to reach the final destination. She almost leapt out of the limo as it pulled into a remote location. She entered the beautiful white silk tent that was strewn with lights that lit it dimly. To one side was a table with champagne and candles. The man to the right of it caught her attention more.

"Sonny," she said walking over to him. "Whose all this for?"

"That woman behind you," he said smiling.

"She's very lucky." She kissed him gently. "You didn't have to do all this."

"I think our first date should be something memorable."

Emily smiled. "Well then you'll have to do a lot more than this."

He grinned as he opened the champagne. "Don't worry there's more."

Emily almost went wide eyed. "More?"

Sam sauntered in. "Don't worry he knows he's not getting lucky because if he did then Jason would kill him." She smiled. "Sorry, but I forgot to do one last thing," she said put two plates down on the table. "Have fun."

"You did all this?" asked Emily.

"Well somebody had to help Sonny we all know he's not the romantic type," she said sarcastically. Sonny just sipped his wine.

Emily laughed. "Thanks." Sam hugged Emily.

"Don't overdo it OK?" she whispered. "All right you two don't do anything that I would do."

"Was Sam the girl behind the scenes pulling all this together?"

"Everything but the dress and the champagne. I picked those out. I told Sam what I wanted she just made it happen."

"Shall we?" he asked pulling out her chair.

The tent was heat by heaters placed at various locations. Emily shrugged of her coat.

Sonny grinned. "You look gorgeous."

"Admiring your own taste," she teased.

"That's only a compliment to you."

She blushed. The night went well. They danced and laughed until midnight.

"Close your eyes," said Sonny putting his hands on her waist and leading her outside. Emily heard a horse.

"A sleigh?" she asked.

"We didn't get to do it on Christmas so-." He helped her up and the settled in with a pile of blankets on their laps.

"This has been great. I really needed this," she said resting her head against his chest.

"It's not over yet. Sam said you could use a break. So-."

Emily opened her eyes and saw a good sized log cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. Sonny helped her out and they went inside. They lay down by the fire. Emily was almost asleep with her head on Sonny's chest and his arms wrapped protectively around her.

"How'd I do? Sam told me my wooing skills probably were out of practice." He could feel Emily smile.

"Mmmm… well there's always room for improvement."

He kissed her head. "Go to sleep."

"I have to tell you something," she said almost asleep. "My cancer's back."