Chapter 14

Alexis' quiet voice penetrated Sonny's thoughts. He didn't want to see what she was trying to show him. He didn't want to ever see Carly again. He didn't want to be reminded day in and day out of the mess she made of his life. But, he finally recognized what Alexis was trying to say as gently as she could. Most of Sonny's anger right now was about what Carly had done to him. He finally saw that he had been putting himself and what he wanted ahead of what Michael needed.

Alexis moved to sit on the coffee table in front of him and Johnny recognizing where this was going stepped back outside to give Sonny some privacy to deal with his feelings.

Sonny slowly leaned forward, put his arms around Alexis' waist and laid his head in her lap. He had been through so much the last few weeks and he needed to know someone cared about him. And he knew, from all he heard today, that this woman had given him everything she had. She protected his son. And she protected him. Sure there would be repercussions for the actions she took on his behalf. But, that was ok. He would deal with it. Right now, he simply needed her to hold him as his mother had when he was young and the world seemed just a little to big to a small boy just trying to survive.

Sonny needed to again release the anger he held inside all of his life against a world full of hatred. As he laid his head in her lap, he let go and it broke her heart to hear the sobs coming from this man who had stolen her heart. Yes, she loved him. She loved him as she had loved no one else in her life. Much of what she did was done for him as much as for Michael. She put her arms around him and quietly held him until he there were no more tears to shed.

Sonny finally released Alexis, and raised his eyes to meet hers wondering what he would see. His head knew he would probably see her acceptance of him, but his heart needed to know that she accepted him also, unconditionally.

Alexis waited until his eyes met hers. She saw fear in them. But, this was different, she knew he was waiting for a response from her and he was afraid of it.

He needed so much for her to love him, as he loved her. The simple admission to himself shocked him. When had he had fallen in love with her? And did it really matter?

As Sonny sat up to look into her eyes, her hands fell away from his body and they suddenly felt so empty. As she gazed into his eyes, she again raised her arms and encircled him bringing him closer to her. She wanted him to know, needed him to know that he was safe with her. There was no need to worry; his secrets were safe with her.

Sonny felt her arms go around him and it felt like he had finally come home. He closed his arms around her and he felt whole again. She fit perfectly within the circle of his arms and he was reluctant to let her go.

They remained in their embrace just a moment longer and finally separated knowing that there was still business to attend to. He needed closure and she needed to give it to him.

Alexis noticed that Johnny had quietly slipped from the room and looked to Sonny to see what he wanted. "Tell him to come back in. It's ok. We need to finish this."

"Ok, Sonny."

"Johnny, can you rejoin us now." Alexis took Johnny's hand and ushered him back in. Just before he sat down she squeezed his hand just enough to say thanks and before he released her hand he squeezed it back in response. She thrilled at how much she had come to love this man. Her brother! She loved the sound of it. Sitting down, she pulled him down beside her and sat forward to get back down to business.

"Ok, guys. Here's how I see it. I'm trying to imagine how Michael would feel should he find out his Mother was sent to prison by his father. Would he care? Would he remember enough of what she put him through for him to care if she were in prison? So here's what I propose. Carly will be served tomorrow afternoon with the divorce contract. I will place a note in the envelope to her stating that I will be available for any questions she may have at say... here, around 4:00. We all know she will head straight here to find out what's going on. At that point, I will give her a copy of the charges and evidence we have against her. She will then be allowed to make the choice herself of either going to prison or signing over sole custody of Michael to Sonny. Also, she will be handed a copy of a restraining order that prevents her from coming within 100ft of Michael until Sonny has that order changed at his discretion."

Shifting to look fully at Sonny she continued. "You should not be anywhere near this place until she leaves, Sonny. It will only antagonize her and our end result may be compromised. I think Johnny should be here with me in case she goes ballistic. You should probably take Michael out sailing or something. We will join back up tomorrow evening at...? She looked to Johnny to confirm the time and he knew what she was asking.

"We can meet back here at 8:15." Johnny related with confidence and winked at Alexis.

She smiled and turned back to Sonny, "Well, what do you think?"

Sonny and Johnny looked at each other and began laughing so hard they were finding it hard to remain seated in their chairs. And the more they laughed, the more bothered Alexis became. She finally had enough and picked up a pillow in each hand and began beating them each in turn until they finally quit laughing.

"Sonny, what are you laughing at?" And cutting a quick look at Johnny fired off a quick, "And don't you start again either!"

Johnny picked up a pillow and hid his face behind it. He couldn't trust himself to keep his cool.

Sonny stood up, walked over to Alexis and hugged her so tightly the found it hard to breathe.

"Alexis, as much as I'd like to be a fly on the wall in here at 4:00 tomorrow afternoon, Michael and I will be on a boat sailing around Spoon Island."

"You mean you like my idea?" Alexis couldn't believe it. Sonny wasn't putting up a fight. 'What's gotten into him?' she wondered.

"Sonny, are you ok?

"Sure Lex. You have argued your point of view quite well. I can't find one thing wrong with your proposal. Of course, if you hadn't already mentioned that Johnny would be here with you, then that would have been my only change in the plan. You see, counselor, I recognized a long time ago that you are a force to be reckoned with. You'll handle Carly and my priority will be Michael, as it should be." Sonny turned to walk into the kitchen and suddenly turned around as he remembered he might ought to mention something else to her. "Oh, Alexis, by the way..." he waited for her to meet his eyes. "I love you."

By the time Alexis' mind wrapped itself around Sonny's last parting shot he was gone. She turned to Johnny with wide eyes and asked. "Did he say what I think he said?"

Johnny stood and started toward the door, "Yea, I think I'll make myself scarce. This is getting too heavy for me. Call me when you need me to come back. Hey, Alexis?"

"Yea, Johnny..."

He could tell he only had half of her attention.

"HEY, ALEXIS!"

He had her attention now.

"What are you yelling at? I'm right here."

"It would have been nice, if you had said it back to him."

Alexis turned around picked up another pillow and let it fly. It hit the door just as Johnny closed it and she heard him laughing all the way down the hall.