Chapter 3

While Sonny and Alexis were starting their day together in Penthouse 4, Johnny and Kristina were enjoying breakfast together in Penthouse 2. Rather than sleeping they stayed up most of the night talking and catching up with each other. Finding his sisters was allowing Johnny the satisfaction of beginning to find his way back to the boy he now remembered. He felt his heart opening up again and he felt the laughter that had been so lost to him begin to rise within him. He wanted to laugh, he wanted to feel free again.

Kristina sat across from her brother and wondered what he could be thinking that would bring such peace to his face. Life for her not anywhere near as traumatic as it seemed for her brother and sister. She couldn't imagine a life without laughter. Couldn't imagine living with fear or grief. She was well loved and cared for all of her life. Being adopted did not hold any regret. It was all she ever knew and to her it meant love and devotion. She grew up in a loving committed family. So naturally to hear Alexis and Johnny talk of their lives was disturbing. What they endured in their past just seemed to be part of a bad dream. She couldn't fathom such cruelties.

"Johnny, where are you?"

"Just coming to terms with the past couple of days."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Yea, will you promise me you'll never wander off again?"

Kristina could tell he was remembering the day he thought she died.

"Hey, you have my word. I'll always let you know where I am or where I'm going. Johnny, I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere. It's you, me and Alexis now."

'Thanks, Kris."

"Kris?"

"Well I can't very well call you Lexie now, can I? Gee, this could get hairy. Would you prefer I not call you Kris?"

"It's ok. I don't remember the things you remember so I don't have any emotional ties to nicknames the way you do. So don't worry about it. Ok?"

Kristina finished her answer to him as she got up to answer the knock at the door.

"Alexis, you don't have to knock. You belong here just as much as we do. How are you doing?"

"Good morning, Kristina. I'm fine." She kissed Kristina on the cheek and headed over to Johnny sitting at the breakfast table.

"Good morning, Johnny. How are you doing? You've been through quite a lot the last few days. Are you handling things ok? How are you physically?" She bent to wrap her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. The bear hug he gave her in return punctuated his response.

"Hey, Lexie. I'm fine. I'm doing just great. This one here is a talker though. She wore me out with that tongue of hers last night." He shot a quick wink at Kristina and turned his attention back to Alexis.

"How are you doing this morning? You handling things ok?"

"Yeah. Sonny and I are handling things just fine. He wants to see you at the Grille and said he would meet you there in half an hour. I've got to go to the courthouse and I thought I would ask Kristina if she would like to accompany me."

Alexis looked over to Kristina to wait for her answer.

"Hey, sure. Sounds great. You gonna put anybody away this morning?"

Laughing, Alexis turned toward Johnny... "I think this one is going to be a handful, don't you?"

"She always was. Now, you get to have fun chasing her all over the place."

"Hey, I don't need a keeper. I can take care of myself." Kristina looking irritated finally noticed the looks of conspiracy being passed between Johnny and Alexis.

"You're kidding right?"

"Yes, love. We're teasing you. You better get used to it. I don't imagine it will stop any time soon." Alexis put her arms around Kristina and hugged her.

"Go get ready, I'll wait for you."

Johnny stood and put an arm around both sisters, hugged them and left to go meet Sonny. With a light hearted step he left the Port Charles Tower and continued on his way to the PC Grille. Those who passed him on the streets recognized him as Sonny's bodyguard and were astonished at the change in the man. Always before when they saw him there hadn't been enough of a personality evident to make a lasting impression. He made the same impression a piece of old furniture would. Without personality his eyes had been void. Today he was different. The women who passed him were enamored of him, could feel a presence about him. He carried himself as a man of importance would and the smile on his face was beautiful and peaceful.