Epilogue

Returning Home Interlude

Note: Okay so I admit it, I love this family. I love their nuances and everything about them so I decided why not a little follow-up? Let's see Michael graduate and the chaos, laughter, and love that this will bring. So here it is my little journey back into the lives of the Davis-Corinthos family. Also, at the end it gets kinda of racy, email me for the rest if you are interested.

Two Months Later

"Stone, Chloe are you ready yet?" Alexis called up the stairs as was met with silence, followed by a grunt and a disbelieving snort.

"Mom, you do know that my brother and sister may be advanced but not even at three months of age can they respond in complete sentences?" Kristina came down the stairs dressed in the same dress she wore for the wedding in the hospital with her brother securely fastened on her hip.

Morgan followed her shortly with his sister on his hip and his best suit on. "Mom, Kristina's right, Chloe and Stone are too young to be answering your demands yet anyway."

Alexis smiled at her family as she adjusted Stone on her hip and checked her watch, "It was a joke you guys. I knew that you two were in charge of getting your brother and sister ready for the graduation so I wanted to ensure that you were keeping on with your end of the bargain. Michael and Alicia have already left for the stadium, you know the graduates have to be there two hours early. Courtney and Jax were in charge of the electronics so I think Jax hired a news station. Your father is currently in the kitchen working on making food for god knows how many people and Jason is doing security at the graduation. Although why I'm still not sure?"

Kristina laughed and said, "Uncle Jason told me that he didn't want anything messing with the graduation of his nephew. He's not taking any chances." Kristina handed her brother who was dressed in an infant black tuxedo over to her mother and smiled deviously, "I'm going into the kitchen. I'm going to try to see if I can't get Dad to let me try some of the food that he's prepared for the graduation party. It might not beat what he prepared for Morgan and I's party but it might do."

Morgan laughed shortly as he walked down the stairs and called after his sister, "Kristina the proper grammar in that sentence was Morgan and mine not Morgan and I's!" Walking over to the playpen that now rested in the middle of the living room he placed his sister who was dressed in an lovely one piece lavender dress that matched the creamy mocha skinned color of her face. She protested slightly about being put down but when confronted with her toys quietly settled down.

"Sonny, we are waiting on you. Everyone else is ready."

Sonny stuck his head out of the kitchen and greeted his wife with a tongue stuck out. "You aren't the one who has to come up with a menu for about 50 people for their eldest son's graduation."

Alexis grinned back as dimpled grin met dimpled grin and said, "No I didn't have to come up with the menu but I did have to get four children ready."

Kristina stomped her foot in protest, "Now wait a minute Mom. Morgan and I were responsible for getting Stone and Chloe ready. You didn't help with that at all."

Alexis glared at her daughter and cleared her throat, "I had to organize the movement, and it was very tiring work I'll have you know." Checking her watch she met Sonny's eyes once again, "Sonny we really do have to go, I don't know how long Kristina and Zander can hold our seats."

Alexis had sent Kristina and Zander along to reserve at least 3 rows of seats for the graduation. Her sister had called her shortly on her cell phone to emphasize that she needed to arrive at the stadium shortly because another lady was complaining about her saving seats. Fortunately Jason had come over and claimed security but she didn't know how long that was going to last.

Sonny pulled off his apron and Alexis grinned as she realized that he had on a nice suit underneath. Sonny took the time to review his wife's face and dress. She was clothed in a stunning two-piece tailored black/coral suit that brought out the color in her eyes. You couldn't tell that she had just been through a trying ordeal that culminated with the birth of twins.

Alexis allowed her husband's perusal of her face and attire but quickly grew impatient, "Alright Sonny. That's enough staring. Did you turn off all of the utensils in the kitchen?"

Morgan snorted from behind her, "Utensils Mom? We really have to take that Beginners Cooking Class down at the college. We can do it on the weekends and Dad and Michael can watch the twins."

Sonny laughed good-naturedly "I don't want your mother anywhere near my kitchen. I don't want to have to start looking for another house because she burned this one down. You can just forget that notion right now! Besides, she's more useful in other arenas of the house." Sonny had the pleasure of watching the blush rise across his wife's face.

Kristina reached in the playpen for her sister and said, "Okay Dad. Enough with the foreplay you two you already have five of us so cut it out. We have to go or we are going to be late for my brother's graduation!"

Sonny grabbed for the keys and put his arm around her waist all the while mumbling about kids being too young for a sexual education class.

Stadium

The stadium was packed upon their arrival and Alexis quickly pulled out her cell phone. "Okay Kristina, we have arrived all six of us. Where are you guys located exactly?"

Kristina exhaled a deep breath; "You know that we almost lost the seats three times? If Jason hadn't glared at the people who were threatening us we could have been up in the nosebleed section. Anyway Johnny and Max are guarding your row but you better hurry. Bobbie just sat down and took one of those seats."

Alexis listened attentively and said, "Okay come on. Kristina's going to send Zander out to meet us and take us to our seats."

Sonny nodded and shuffled Chloe on his hip that grabbed at his ear and giggled. Stone on the other hand was none too happy that his sister was getting all of the attention from his father and started to reach for him while Alexis was on the phone.

Alexis exasperated hung up and said, "Here you go Sonny. Your children seem to only love you; I guess I only come into play when it's feeding time." Alexis handed Stone over to Sonny who was having a hard time balancing both twins on his hips as they walked towards their seats.

Arriving at the seats was no easy task. Alexis reminded herself to send her sister a large gift basket. The people in the row next to them were busy rolling their eyes and making not so quiet remarks under their breaths. Alexis smiled brilliantly at her sister and handed her son over to her,

"Stone needs a diaper change. Here is his bag, thanks for saving us seats." Kristina smiled graciously and accepted her nephew and started towards the bathroom.

Zander smiled at his extended family as they all settled in, "So Sonny. What did you make us to eat after we get out of this place?"

Sonny laughed proudly as he shifted Chloe on his knee and started in to tell Zander the menu, "So I decided to start with some Stuffed Mushrooms filled to the brim with Italian sausage, bread crumbs and another special ingredient of mine."

Morgan and Kristina started to cry in protest, "Now Dad when we had our party, you told us that Stuffed Mushrooms took too much time to make so we just had antipasto and salad. Why are you going all out for Michael?"

Alexis laughed at Sonny's predicament. She had warned him, just cater. That way there will be no distinctions but no, he had become offended at the idea of catering and told her to leave his kitchen. Well let's see how he gets out of this one.

Zander saved him from having to speak and said, "Okay you guys your Dad didn't really have a choice now did he? It was either this or…."

Alexis silently willed herself to drown out the voices of Zander and Sonny as she picked up her daughter and moved over to where Bobbie was sitting and sat down next to her. Bobbie smiled at her nicely and said, "So how's Ms. Chloe doing?"

Alexis had always felt a kinship for the woman in front of her. Stuck with Carly for a child was certainly no easy task. "You are coming over to the house afterward for whatever Sonny has cooked up for Michael's graduation right?"

Bobbie shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't want to intrude."

Alexis put a hand on her shoulder and said, "You have just as much a right to be there as I do."

Bobbie laughed to herself as she listened to the sincerity in Alexis' voice. She smiled softly, "Carly tried to make me hate you. She told me that you would stop at nothing to win her rightful place in the hearts of her children and Sonny and wasn't allowing her anywhere near her family. I tried to feel empathy for my daughter but it was a little hard to side with her, with you fighting with Sonny for those kids happiness and she's halfway around the world doing god knows what with who knows who. Then when Jason told me what she had plotted with Helena, my stomach dropped out."

Alexis grimaced softly, "Jason didn't need to tell you the truth. Carly will always have a special place in my heart. God that sounds downright crazy on my part but it's the truth. How could I hate the woman that blessed me with Michael and Morgan?"

Bobbie smiled to her and said, "I would be honored to attend the party back at the house. I hear that Alicia and Michael are getting pretty serious. I think it's time I get to know my grandson's girlfriend better don't you think?"

Alexis smiled and said, "That they are and yes you'd better. So we can expect to see you back at the house then?" Alexis stood up and positioned Chloe on her arm and started back when Bobbie called to her.

"Alexis?"

Alexis turned around and met Bobbie's eyes. She stood up and handed her a card and said, "When Carly heard that it was Michael's graduation she sent me this card to give to him. I think it would be best if it came from you don't you?"

Alexis shook her head refusing to accept the card; "Michael would love it if this card came from his grandmother."

"Okay Jason, take your niece and tell me what the hell you were thinking telling Bobbie the truth. She doesn't need another reason to be disappointed in her child does she?"

Jason grinned and reached for Chloe eager to diffuse the situation that arose from Sonny instructing him to tell all to Bobbie. "Look Alexis, I wasn't going to tell her but your husband threatened me."

Alexis sat down as the ceremony started to begin and spoke to him quietly and said, "What are you talking about Sonny threatened you? I thought we all agreed that we were going to keep the alliance of Helena and Carly a secret from Port Charles!"

Jason flinched as he bounced Chloe gently on his knee, "Look I agreed with you but Sonny got tired of hearing how Carly was trying to influence Bobbie into going up against you guys so he told me to tell her the truth to keep her quiet."

Alexis rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat, "There were other ways to handle that issue. You didn't need to let Bobby know how bad her daughter really is."

"Michael Corinthos," the applause could be heard throughout the stadium as three rows of families and supporters rose to scream at his name. Alexis looked over at Sonny to see him wiping away tears at the corner of his eyes and decided to let the issue with Bobbie go. This was as much his day as it was Michael's. He didn't deserve to have a fight that didn't have any importance now.

After he had accepted his diploma, Alexis watched as Courtney and Jax helped disassemble the television crew. Her cell phone rang as a text message appeared from Jax stating that they would be at the house later with the finished videotape eager to eat whatever Sonny had prepared.

Alexis turned to Kristina and Zander and hugged them both, "Thank you guys for helping us share in this special day. Don't forget that we want you back at the house to eat Sonny's food. He made enough for an army and I don't want any leftovers."

Kristina and Zander nodded while Alexis deftly gathered her family to go meet Michael downstairs.

Alicia wrapped her arms around her boyfriend in joy. "We made it Michael! Can you believe it? God, I thought the whole stadium would roar when your name was called though didn't you?"

Michael grinned sheepishly and said, "What can I say? I have a family who loves me dearly. Did you see my Aunt Courtney and Uncle Jax with the television crew?"

Alicia giggled to herself, "I thought I was the only one who saw that. You know that was your mother's doing. You guys will probably watch the tape when you get home."

Michael nodded and said, "I wouldn't laugh if I were you. I think you were taped as well."

Alicia gasped in horror, "There is no way that they taped me. I'm not the main source of attraction."

Michael laughed, "Guilt by association sweetie. You're my girl and in my mom's head that means that she's just as excited about you!"

Alicia rolled her eyes, "My parents want to meet your parents tonight. What should I do? Should I stall or say that they're too busy?"

Michael closed his eyes in fear. He had been dreading the day that Alicia's parents would meet his. His parents had been all over the news even before they had gotten married and formed the family and Michael knew that had left a bad taste in their mouth, "We can't keep avoiding them meeting Alicia, and I mean they are my parents. I just hope your parents are okay with who they are and what they represent in my life."

Alicia nodded and wrapped her arms around Michael; "I was worried about them accepting you and look at them now. They were just as excited with you graduating as they were with me. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Michael nodded in agreement as he heard yells and screams from behind him. He spun around and was greeted with his family. He felt tears come to his eyes as he reviewed each member carefully. His mother was holding onto his father's arms loosely each one holding his brother and sister. His mother looked relaxed, peaceful, and joyful all at once. His father looked the happiest he had ever seen him with tracks of tears in his eyes. He then moved on to his brother Morgan who was busy holding onto his camera phone taking pictures of his surrounding while grinning broadly. He then settled on Kristina, his sister and felt the joy rise in him. There was something to be mentioned about having a sister that everyone could technically call your half sister but your heart never feel half full when you look at her. She stood beaming at him and Alicia. He saw his grandmother, aunts and uncles and wealth of family and friends who now surrounded him on his special day.

Alexis handed Jason the twins so she could focus on her eldest son. She pulled Michael into a hug and kissed him gently on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you sweetie, I could just burst. I always knew you could do it."

Michael squeezed his mother too him overcome with happiness that she was even here to share in this special day with him. "I love you too Mom and none of this would be possible without the love of you and Dad and our family. You guys are everything to me. Don't ever forget that."

Alexis skillfully swiped at the tears that had leaked out her eyes and nodded at her son. She pulled away and went over and pulled Alicia in to a hug. "You did it Alicia. You are coming over to the house after graduation right? And you are still bringing your parents correct? Sonny and I haven't had a chance to meet them and we are very anxious to get to know them."

Sonny walked over to his son, "You've had a lot of obstacles in your lifetime. More than any child should ever have to deal with in three lifetimes but you have always rose above anything life has thrown at you. I'm proud of you son and I love you so very much."

Michael felt the tears spring to his eyes at the moving words of his father, "Dad I love you too. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, you and mom raised my right."

Sonny moved away to his wife's side to give congratulations to his girlfriend as Michael's brothers and sisters crowded around him.

"Way to go Mike. I can't wait until I graduate!"

Michael laughed at his sister and reached for his little brother, "So Stone what do you think of your brother out there. That will be you one day kid and we'll all be here just like we are now cheering you on."

At The House Later That Day

The commotion at the house later that evening was incomparable. Family, supporters, and friends all squeezed into the two-story Davis-Corinthos house to wish Michael a happy graduation day.

Michael sat down on the steps of his house as the commotion outside got to be too much for him.

A voice from behind him cleared their throat, "So want to tell me what motivated you to come outside?"

Michael turned around in shock, "Mom how and why did you escape all the noise to come over and see me?"

Alexis sat down next to him and said, "When I noticed the main guest of honor went missing at his own party I got worried. What's going on too much noise for you?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders, "Mom we will have so little time together as a family before I have to go off to college it just feels weird that I have to share it with everybody. I guess I just came out here for a little quiet time. Besides, you know that Aunt Courtney has played the tape of my graduation at least five times since we got home?"

Alexis wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed her son to her. "I love you. Your family loves you but we aren't the only lucky ones. You have a wealth of friends who want to share this special moment with you not to mention a girlfriend. Where is Alicia by the way?"

Michael smiled softly and said, "Her parents had their own ideas of festivities and decided to party together quietly prior to coming over to the Corinthos household. They wanted to meet you finally."

Alexis rolled her eyes and flinched visibly "You think they'll like us right?"

Michael smiled at his mother it never ceased to amaze him. There was always this hint of vulnerability that she hid from the rest of the world and only at certain times did she allow it to be seen. "Mom, how could anyone not love you guys? Come on, enough of my pity party we have a party to get back too."

Gift Time

"Jason, why did you purchase my son an all inclusive trip to Puerto Rico for his graduation gift?"

Alexis looked at her husband's best friend in disgust, "He's eighteen, he just graduated from high school and he has a girlfriend? Are you trying to get him into trouble?"

Michael grinned at his uncle and silently mouthed thank you.

Sonny grinned in conjunction with his son and said, "So when are the dates for the trip? We'll make this a family vacation. Something we can all do together before Michael has to go off to college."

Alexis nodded in approval. "Nice save there Corinthos. There is no way that my eldest son is going to Puerto Rico on his own, we'll make it a family vacation." She grinned and handled Michael the last gift on the table, "This is from you father and me."

Michael grinned at his parents, "You shouldn't have. What is it?"

Alexis waved the box in front of his face, "Open it, and find out."

Michael looked at his parents in confusion and proceeded to open the wrapper on the small box. "It's a empty box."

Alexis nodded and said, "Kind of like your future sweetheart, you have the decision and the means to choose whatever you want to do from this moment on."

Kristina snorted from behind her brother and said, "Lame gift."

Alexis rolled her eyes at her daughter and said, "It's not a lame gift Kristina, and I will not have you talk about the gift in that way."

Michael smiled graciously while inwardly cringing and said, "Thanks Mom."

Sonny couldn't contain his mirth as the giggles overflowed, "Okay I can't keep it up. We got you a car kiddo, the one you've been staring at in the Toyota parking lot. Kristina thanks for helping with the joke but your face Michael it was priceless."

As all of the guest slowly treaded away and only family was left they all laid around on the sofa exhausted.

Alexis came down the stairs slowly, "I just put Stone and Chloe to bed so we have some time to ourselves. I think this party was a success, what do you guys think?"

All murmured exhausted replies of agreement as Alexis sat down next to Michael on the couch, "So did you enjoy yourself son?"

Michael nodded and said, "Bobbie gave me a card from Carly. I haven't opened it yet."

Alexis wrapped her arms around Michael's shoulder, "If you don't want to open the card or you want to wait until you are all alone you can. We don't have to be here for you to read the card."

Michael shrugged his shoulders in an uncaring gesture, "Look Mom. What she says and what she does has absolutely no affect on me. I don't care what's in this card."

Alexis nodded and said, "That's fine but if you need us well be here."

After The Party

After they had cleared away all of the trash, the doorbell rang. Alexis stared at Sonny in exasperation.

"Look if that's another well wisher from your previous life, I'm coming after you. Kristina and Morgan have turned in and I don't want anymore-unexpected visitors. I swear for a moment when the party was ending and all these hoodlums showed up, I thought I was in an episode of The Thin Man." (Note... Watch any of the Thin Man movies and you'll know what I'm talking about!)

Sonny laughed and said, "Sweetheart, what do you expect? That was my past. My past will always touch my future."

Alexis walked to the door and opened the door to two timid people hands clasped together as if they were about to go in the line of fire.

Alexis graced the strangers with a smile, "May I help you?"

A voice from behind the pair cleared their throat, "Mrs. Corinthos, these are my parents Melissa and Terry."

Alexis grinned broadly and turned to Sonny and smiled and beckoned him over, "Please come in, Mr. & Mrs. Steele, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Melissa and Terry entered the house at their daughter's gentle push as Alexis closed the door behind him.

She smiled, "Please have a seat. Feel free at home. We've taken so much to Alicia over here that I feel she's one of the clan, I'm just sorry that we couldn't have met sooner."

Melissa and Terry sat down next to Alicia. Melissa turned to her and after clearing her throat spoke softly, "We wanted to meet you as well Mrs. Corinthos but Alicia told us that you had just recently gotten out of the hospital. We didn't want to intrude on your convalescence."

Alexis inwardly groaned to herself. Great, they were introverts. No jokes, they would have to be on their best behavior so as not to scare them away for Michael's sake anyway. She looked at Sonny and silently communicated with her eyes, the need for discretion. Sonny met her eyes with a devilish twinkle. Alexis swore under her breath, Sonny wanted to play with these people.

"So Terry, what is that you do for a living?"

Terry smiled graciously at the cultured woman in front of him and spoke softly, "I'm a professor at the local college."

Alexis smiled softly, "That's wonderful. Alicia told me that she adores the both of you but we haven't really had a chance to sit down and talk about your lives."

Sonny who had remained silent during the exchange sat forward, "So what do you teach at the college Teach?"

Alexis glared at him warningly but he continued, "I mean I never graduated high school and I might want to take your class one day."

Alexis stood up and rolled her eyes desperately trying to change the subject, "I apologize for my husband Terry. It's been a long day; he just finished cooking a wonderful dinner for fifty of our closest friends and family to celebrate Michael's graduation. By the way, would you like to have any leftovers?"

Sonny sat back and decided to let Alexis handle these people from here on out. She was a lawyer after all and this was for Michael so he better stop joking.

"I do apologize Mr. Steele, I'm just a humorous type of guy."

Terry glared at him, "Mr. Corinthos, my wife and I came at the behest of our daughter but we must say that we have never been a big fan of yours. We were never impressed at how you were always in the news and if it wasn't for the fact that your wife the lawyer…."

Alicia stood up in shock, "Dad, would you stop please! I told you on the way over that I wasn't going to tolerate you disrespecting my boyfriend's parents. I love Michael and he loves Me. Why can't you understand that and be supportive?"

Michael came down the stairs at this moment to see his father glaring at Terry threateningly while his mother was trying to comfort his girlfriend. Upon seeing him his mother pulled away from comforting Alicia and turned her comforting over to him.

Alexis cleared her throat and sat down across from Melissa and Terry, "I must say that I'm disappointed Mr. & Mrs. Steele. You have certainly raised a daughter who doesn't judge so I'm shocked that you would immediately jump to conclusions about the status of our house. Yes our house is filled with drama, but it's also filled with love and understanding. It's an understanding that apparently you don't have or don't want to have. It's a pity that you don't want to understand that our children love each other and we should do our best to support and up build not berate and tear down."

Terry sat back effectively shamed at the lady's words.

Sonny grinned from his spot on the sofa at his wife's passionate defense of their family and love, "Case closed."

After All Guests are Gone

Closing the door behind them she turned to Sonny.

"What a pair those two were huh?"

Sonny walked up and wrapped his arms around her waist, "I love you sweetheart."

Alexis walked away from him and said, "I'm still mad at you. You didn't have to help stir the pot with your little display there. I mean really Sonny, we are trying to win the family over not scare them off at the first meeting. We may have to be in-laws with these people one day. I don't want them to think that we are completely inept at being good parents and a good environment for their child."

Sonny put a finger to her lips, "You talk too much. You're right, I just got kinda upset with their snootiness. I just wanted to shake them up a little bit but your right I wasn't thinking. That's not what Michael needed from me."

Alexis smiled at him, "So I didn't get to tell you…. I had a meeting today."

Sonny nodded as they started to turn all the lights off downstairs. Michael had stated that he was taking Alicia out for a spin in his new car but would be home in time for his curfew. Brought back to reality by her words he turned to her, "Oh yea? Who was the meeting with."

Alexis entered their room and flipped on the light and entered the bathroom and shut the door.

Sonny sat down on the bed exhausted from the day and started undressing. After throwing his watch on the dresser he realized that Alexis had never finished her thought.

"Alexis, you never told me who the appointment was with."

Alexis opened the door and leaned against the doorjamb. "I had an appointment with Dr. Meadows."

Sonny turned around and felt the air leave his lungs as he gripped the dresser for support. Alexis stood in front of him clad in an ivory teddy that was barely covered by the jacket that stopped at the edge of her thighs. He croaked out, "What did the Dr. say?"

Alexis walked over to where Sonny was leaning against the dresser and interlocked their fingers and kissed his neck, cheek before whispering on his lips, "She told me that everything checked out and that anytime I wanted to resume lovemaking with my husband I was able to…"

Sonny's eyes slid shut as she continued to work her magic on his body. She kissed his neck and then his shoulders and then he heard her timid voice speak, "Sonny am I alone in this here?"

Sonny's eyes flew open in shock at his wife and dragged her into his arms and kissed her breathless. "I'm scared Alexis. I've been without you too long. Tonight is your night, I'm following your pace."

Alexis smiled with her confidence restored and said, "In that case Mr. Corinthos lay on the bed. It's going to be a long night."

Thanks EP