Chapter 13
Alexis sat down beside Johnny and reached for the envelope she left on the coffee table when she came in. She pulled out the document inside and held it in her hand as she started to speak.
"Johnny, my birth name was not Alexis Davis. I took that name when I joined the Harvard law program. I wanted to get as far away from my past as I possibly could. I believe that you have done the same thing."
Johnny felt the uneasiness begin to rise within him. He didn't like where this was going.
"I need you to know Johnny that I love you very much and everything that you and I have experienced in the past two months was real and it has meant the world to me. You are my brother in every way that matters to me. That will never change. Do you believe that?"
"I know you love me. I ain't so good at saying it myself, but you gotta know I do... I mean... you know... love you." Alexis smiled at his clumsy and sincere attempt to share his feelings.
"Then hold my hand and look at this document. It's my birth certificate."
Johnny took her hand in his and did as she asked. He scanned the certificate and found the name she wanted him to see. "Natasha Alexandra Cassadine." He threw her hand down as all color fell from his face. He attempted to get up and fell backward as he lost his balance. She knew from his face that he was trying to run, just as she had.
"Johnny wait, listen, I changed my name to get away from them. Please wait, Johnny you're going to hurt yourself. Johnny, please don't run from me. You don't have to be afraid of me."
"Alexis, don't. I can't go back there. Don't make me. I can't. It will kill me. You can't make me go back, I won't. Sonny? Don't let her take me back."
It was the voice of a child and Alexis knew she had to get control of him. The trauma that he suffered at 'their' hands was just as damaging to him as it had been to her. She motioned for Sonny to come closer.
"Johnny, Sonny is right here and you know that he is not going to let you go anywhere. I don't want to take you anywhere. You are right where you belong. This is your home now."
Sonny quickly stepped closer so Johnny could see him. "Hey man. You're not going anywhere. I need you here too much. But, you gotta calm down. After what you've done for me, I wouldn't let anybody take you anywhere you didn't want to go? Not even Alexis, man."
Johnny calmed somewhat and turned back to Alexis. "How did you find me? I was so careful trying to hide where I came from."
"That was my question when I saw your signature on those adoption papers. I reacted the same way you just did. Only I got away with it. Remember? I left for New York that morning."
Sonny was taking it all in and was finding it hard to keep up. There was something big going on here and it was enough to terrorize two of the most important people in his life. But, he promised her he would stay quiet until it was over and he would keep his word to her.
Alexis needed to finish telling Johnny what she learned from Dixon so she steeled herself to begin again.
"Johnny, I need to tell you my story. Do you think you can handle it right now?"
"I need to know who you are. I need to know I wasn't wrong about you. Tell me."