Chapter 19
Alexis glanced over at Sonny to gauge how he was reacting to all that they were hearing and was concerned by his reaction. He had not moved since Dixon began reciting the account of his service to Helena. What concerned her the most was that he looked unwilling to give Dixon the benefit of a doubt. She stood, walked over to him and guided him outside the hearing of Dixon and Johnny.
"Sonny, what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking all of this is just a little too coincidental to be fact. Aren't you the least bit concerned that you may be falling for a line here? Must I remind you that up until yesterday, you thought this man was a trusted friend?"
"Excuse me, but have you been in the same room with us for the past hour? How can you not see the truth in his words? Are you so limited in your vision, that you can only see what you want to see?"
"I don't see any need for you to attack me, Alexis."
"Sonny, I am not attacking you. I am concerned about you. While Johnny and I have sat and watched this man tell his story, you have stood over here alienating yourself from it all. You have not been willing to hear him."
"I heard every word he said."
"No, Sonny. You heard sounds coming out of his mouth. You did not hear his words. To hear his story, you would have also have to hear his pain, his fear, his love of his mother and my sister. You haven't been willing to do that. And I would like to know why?"
"You have been in danger for the last twenty years because of that man. How do you expect me to forget that? Every day of your life was under a microscope because he was tied to those monsters."
"Sonny, you are correct in saying he was tied to them just as much as I am. But, what you seem to have a problem grasping is it wasn't his choice."
"He HAD a choice."
"Did he, Sonny. Did he really? What would you have done, had it been your mother who was being threatened? Before you so calmly dismiss him, you might want to reevaluate your position here. Don't let the violence you've lived with all your life keep you from knowing and understanding that people make mistakes. They are not perfect. They simply live moment by moment; looking for a way to survive the arrows life throws at them day in and day out. They live for hope and if they are lucky enough to find any and it is ripped away from them, they fight as hard as they can to get it back. Because without hope, we can't exist."
Sonny raised his eyes to hers, turned around and walked out of the room. How could she not see that he was only trying to keep her safe? It angered him that she brought his mother into this. He had a duty to perform and that was all there was to it. He promised Johnny that he would protect Alexis and Kristina and he would not go back on his word. He stopped at the bar and poured himself a brandy.
Standing there, swirling the amber liquid around and around, Sonny paused just long enough to let a little of what Alexis said seep into his consciousness. What was that she was saying about hope? Did he have hope? Sonny thought for a while and a slow comprehension invaded his musings. Hope. He did have hope. She was his hope. Hope was not necessarily a now thing. Hope was the future. When he looked into his future, he hoped she would be there. When he thought of tonight, he hoped she would be there with him. He understood what she was trying to tell him. Dixon had been trying to protect his hope. His mother and Kristina. He did what was necessary to ensure their safety. Dixon wasn't so different than he was. He simply chosen to protect without violence. Sonny put the glass of brandy down without drinking any of it and returned to the suite next door.
Alexis looked up as he entered and went to join him. She noticed his slight smile and knew that he understood. As she neared him she raised her arms and slid into his embrace and heard his words. "Mi amore, I'm sorry. Now my ears are open."
They walked back to the table and the four of them together began to figure out what needed to be done.
Johnny's attention was diverted suddenly to the form on the sofa. Kristina was awaking. Walking quickly over to her, he kneeled beside her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Johnny, is Dicky still here?"
"Yes and he's awful worried about you. Would you like to come sit with us? There are still a lot of things to work out, but I think you can handle it. I would prefer if you just listen though. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Johnny. My mouth is shut. Dicky will let me know when it is time to speak again. It is a little game we play. He used to get tired of my rambling too."
It did not pass unnoticed by Johnny that Kristina had not said anything about what she previously heard and he was glad. He would let Dixon and Alexis handle that. He led her to the table and pulled up a chair for her between Alexis and Dixon. He smiled as he watched both Alexis and Dixon lay a hand on each of hers to comfort her, and walked back around the table to return to his seat ready to get down to business.
"Ok, Dix. Ready to get to it?"
"Yes, very ready. Let's get to it. I have actual evidence stashed away that will put Stavros behind bars for the rest of his life."
Alexis, Johnny, and Sonny were staggered by Dixon's statement. However, Sonny was the only one who knew that with that one statement the whole mess was almost over.
"Uhm... Alexis? What would you say if I told you that this could all be over with today?"
To say they were all flabbergasted by Sonny's question would be an understatement. Alexis spoke first.
"What do you mean, Sonny. We have to find them first?"
"I have them already." Sonny stated it very quietly.
"You have them?"
"Yes. At the warehouse."
Warily, she asked and waited for his response. "Unharmed?"
"So far, yes. Stavros seems to be trying Diego's patience. One moment and I'll call to check on them again. Dixon, will you trust me for the next few minutes? I need some information from you."
Dixon looking to Alexis was reassured by her nod. "Yes, Mr. Corinthos. What can I tell you?"
"First, the name is Sonny. Second, I have some operatives in Greece. I own a casino there. I'd like them to pick up your mother and bring her here. I don't want to take a chance on Helena getting a message out before we shut her down. If I get them on the phone can you tell them how to get to her?"
Overwhelmed at his generosity, Dixon stood to shake his hand.
"All my gratitude, sir. Whatever you need of me. I will owe you for the rest of my life."
"Dixon, aren't you a little tired of not owning your own life? We are family, you owe me nothing."
Alexis could not contain herself any longer. Rising with tears in her eyes she hugged Sonny and kissed him passionately right there in front of everyone. She couldn't help the blush her actions precipitated and didn't care either. She slowly released him as she heard Dixon and Johnny shifting nervously behind her.
"Gee, Alexis. You can do that sort of stuff after we leave, you know." Johnny's face was beet red.
"No, Johnny, I think they're cute." Kristina was grinning from ear to ear.
Composing themselves and sitting back down, Johnny directed the conversation back to the problem at hand.
"What did the old boy do, that would cause Helena to stop her pursuit of Kristina?"
"There was a matter of the rape and murder of the chief constables underage daughter. I am the only one who can provide the constable with the evidence to convict Stavros. If anything were to happen to me, Kristina or my mother, then the evidence would find its way to the constable."
"Where is the evidence now?"
"I keep a copy of it with me at all times, but the original is buried under the headstone of Poppa's grave. I buried it there the night I made the deal with Helena. She has seen the evidence and knows it is real."
Sonny stood and walked away from them deep in thought. Once he settled in his mind all of his questions, he walked back toward the group.
"Here is what I propose. Johnny you go with Dixon to get his copy of the evidence. Make 5 more copies; one for each of us and an extra copy. I will call Diego and have him bring Helena and Stavros to my penthouse. We stand before them, united as one and present to them the same deal Dixon presented to them twenty years ago. They leave us alone, all of us, including our relatives and any future family we may have, in return for our silence. That keeps them from Dixon and his family, Alexis and hers, any of our future children and all done without the shedding of blood." Sonny sat back in silence and waited for their response.
Kristina was first. She placed her hand in the middle of the table and waited.
Dixon was second. He placed his hand in the middle of the table on top of Kristina's.
Johnny was third. He placed his hand on top of Dixon's.
Alexis was next and then Sonny.
Not only did they place their seal of approval on Sonny's proposal, but on that day, in that room, five individual people made a choice to seal themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. They would stand together and fight the battles that would come their way, united as one; a dominant force to be reckoned with.