Chapter 11

It had been three weeks since the shooting and every waking moment was busy for Alexis. Between caring for Sonny and Johnny, seeing to Michael's needs and trying to handle the cases she started before the shooting; Alexis was worn out. She even took care of having Sonny's penthouse cleaned up. The first time she walked into the penthouse to get some clothes for Sonny she had been physically sick. She saw where Sonny fell after being shot and the bloodstain in the carpet was large, but Johnny's blood was everywhere. She had to replace the couch and have the rugs replaced as well. She couldn't imagine anyone losing so much blood and surviving. But, he did survive. He had been moved to a private room five days after being shot and he was coming home in a couple of days. Sonny had been home for two weeks now and proving to be just as difficult as ever. She tried to keep him from doing too much, but Sonny was Sonny. And all she could do was try.

Sonny bought Penthouse 2 and ordered it to be completely renovated. He wanted Johnny to have a place to stay when he came home that was close by. He stayed at Johnny's side every day until he was released and had then went back to the hospital every day since to spend a few hours sitting with him. Johnny tried to tell him it wasn't necessary, but Sonny wouldn't listen. Johnny saved his life again and Sonny was bound to him.

After receiving a call from Dixon, Alexis needed to take a trip to New York and she wanted to go before Johnny came home. But, she there was some news she needed to impart to Sonny first. One of the investigations she started prior to the shooting proved fruitful and it had a direct bearing on Sonny. She was staying in Penthouse 2 since it had been renovated for Johnny and was expecting Sonny for dinner. Upon hearing his knock she called for him to come in.

"Alexis, sweetheart, you ready for dinner?"

"Yeah, but I have some news for you that you may want to sit down for."

Sonny looked at her skeptically.

"This doesn't sound good."

"Well, I think that is going to depend on your point of view. I've done it again."

"What have you done?"

"I stepped in and took care of a problem without consulting you."

Sonny lowered his head, closed his eyes and waited.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Garrett were arrested three days ago and charged with child abuse. They were sentenced to thirty years each."

Sonny caught his breath and slowly raised his eyes to meet hers.

"Sonny, you have to breathe. I know I should have told you. But, I didn't know if I could get the proof that I needed to convict them. Sonny? Say something."

He couldn't move. Was it the same Garrett? Was it true? How did she find them?

"Alexis...how?"

"I called the child endangerment facility in the town you lived in. They keep a listing of every foster care family that has ever had a complaint leveled against them. I started from there and went backwards. It's the same family you were..." She couldn't say it, at least not until he recognized the truth of what she was saying. He had to be given time to process it.

"It's ok. Go on, tell me the rest."

"There were several charges of abuse, but no one was ever able to prove it. I had a couple of my associates begin a search of all children that were ever placed with them. They faxed the list to me; I scanned it onto my laptop, took your name off and reprinted it. I sent it back to them and told them to start at the top and see how many they could find who would be willing to testify against the Garrett's. There were three who were hospitalized due to physical abuse. All three testified and there is no longer a Garrett foster home."

"Why?" Sonny's voice was ragged. He was stunned.

"Because they were hurting children. Because they hurt you."

Sonny brought her to him with such force that she had trouble keeping her balance as well as her breath. He held her tighter than he had ever held anyone before in his life. His body was shaking and he couldn't control it. He brought his hands up to her face and stared into her eyes. His hands began to caress her face, to know every inch of it. He looked into her eyes once more and asked her again...

"Why...?" He needed more.

"Because, I love you."

"Alexis, I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much. I want to hold you... close... feel you breathe... I want to pull you inside of me so you can never leave me."

"Sonny, I'm not going anywhere. I am here now, with you. I am yours for as long as you want me. The first thing I want to see each morning when I wake is your face. My day does not find peace until I see you. I cannot close my eyes at night without seeing your face. I want nothing more than to be with you."