Author's Note: This chapter is so much longer than my other ones. I think the key was that as I typed this, I had some romantic music playing. Maybe from now on that's what I need to do when I write my stories. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was a lot of fun to write.

Dear Diary,

The past week has flown by so quickly. After Helena left, Sonny brought me and the boys to a place that he refers to as 'the island'. Sometimes I'll catch him sitting on the balcony facing the beach with a far away look on his face. I think this place holds many memories for him. I wonder if someday he'll be able to open up to me, like I've been able to open up to him. I feel so safe when I'm with Sonny. He makes me feel like there's nothing he wouldn't do to keep me from ever feeling a moment of pain. This place is so beautiful. The water is an amazing color, and the sand on the beaches is so fine and soft. I have enjoyed many evenings on the beach watching the waves hit the beach, letting all my cares be carried out into the ocean with the undertow. Tonight Sonny said he's got a surprise for me. Leticia will be taking the boys to see a movie so that we can be alone. There are times I must admit that I feel nervous when I'm alone with him. The more I'm around him, the stronger this feeling becomes. I'm not quite sure what this all means. It's been a very long time since I felt this way around a man. On the one hand it's quite encouraging. Maybe this means that I'm not completely broken as a woman inside. On the other hand, it's a little disturbing. Sonny is Jason's best friend. Not only that, he's considerably older than me. I guess I'm just being silly. I mean there's no way in a million years that I could fall in love with Sonny Corinthos. I'm sure it's just a silly crush and eventually it will go away. Right now I need to go get out of my swimsuit so I can hear all about the surprise. Until next time, chow.

Meanwhile Sonny had been watching Emily out on the beach. She had walked at the waters edge for a while, and then sat down to write an entry in the journal he had bought her. Sometimes he wondered what she was thinking. She was such a mystery to him. She had endured more than any woman should have to, and was able to retain an incredible amount of inner strength. She was definitely Jason's sister. That's why he felt so protective of her.

"You know it's more than that. I hate to break it to you my man, but you're starting to see her as much more than just Jason's little sister. She is unlike most women you've known. You're drawn to her for reasons you can't quite put your finger on. You need to watch yourself when you're around her. You don't want your new feelings towards her, whatever they may be, to make her feel uncomfortable around you. That's the last thing she needs, and you know you'd never forgive yourself is the reason she was hurt was because of you."

Sonny silently nodded to himself. He knew that he had to focus on keeping her safe until Jason came back. He also had the project that he was working on for her. It was the surprise he had wanted to tell her in private. It had to do with her rape, so he didn't want the boys to be here to hear about it. Emily was in charge of when, or if, she told them about what happened to her. When Sonny saw Emily get up and start back towards the house, he went back inside to wait for her.

Emily walked into the room she was staying in. Sonny had made sure it had been filled with flowers and candles, so that it always smelled nice. Of course, she could also open the french doors and let the breeze blow in off the ocean too. Many nights she left them open so the breeze would make its way to the bed, and let the feel of it put her to sleep. She changed out of the shorts and tank top she had worn down to the beach, and traded them for a pair of capris, a pretty short sleeve blouse and some cute sandals. She had gotten a nice tan while being here, and liked to show off at least some of it. Around her ankle was an anklet she had spotted in one of the local markets that had small sea shells on it. Sonny had seen the way she had looked at it, and had bought it for her without her even having to ask. Sometimes she swore the man was an absolute mind reader. After taking one final look at herself in the mirror, she went to the living room where Sonny was waiting for her.

When she entered the room she looked so much at peace. She had a glow all around her face and eyes. This was the first time he had seen her look like this since that fateful day she showed up on his doorstep soaked by the rain. She looked so beautiful like this. He wanted her to look this happy and at peace always. He hoped that the surprise he had to tell her would help with that.

"Hey Sonny. How has your day been so far?" Sonny smiled at the way she was trying to play off being excited to know the surprise. "It's been a good day for me. I hope that my surprise will make this a great day for you." At the mention of the word surprise, Emily's eyes began to sparkle.

"Get a hold of yourself man. You can't allow yourself to be distracted by the fact that she looks absolutely gorgeous right now. Just tell her the secret and get it over with."

"Oh God, why does he have to smile like that? Is he trying to make me go weak in the knees on purpose? Why can't he just tell me the secret before I can't think of anything else besides how really yummy he looks right now?"

"So are you going to tell me what this secret is, or are you going to make me beg?"

For a brief second Sonny's eyebrows raised at the image that statement evoked in him. He recovered quickly and started to chuckle.

"Did he just take that comment the way I think he did? Oh come on Emily. A man like him would never be interested in someone your age. Get a grip and focus on the surprise. You remember that don't you?"

"Well I was thinking about making you beg, but I reconsidered that after seeing how nice you look."

"What the hell are you saying? What the hell are you doing? Are you really flirting with her? Just tell her the damn surprise already. You know you can't be anything more than just a friend to her. Think of yourself as her big brother. Yeah right."

Sonny sat down at the table. "I think you're gonna want to sit for this, so come over here to the table with me."

"Walk Emily, just walk. You know how to do that right? One foot in front of the other, that's good. Quit acting like such a dork."

Emily sat down at the table opposite of Sonny. Trying to retain her composure while looking at him she asked him what the surprise was. At that point, Sonny's posture became a bit more rigid, almost like part of this was going to be bad news.

"I know that lately you've been going to counseling for the rape. I'm proud of you for going, by the way. I can tell it's really made a difference in how well you're dealing with it."

"Part of how well I'm dealing with it is being with you and the boys. I feel safe with you. I can't imagine going to counseling while living with my family. I just wouldn't feel as safe there as I do. I really owe you alot for being there for me during this time of my life."

The last few words she said were barely above a whisper and he was afraid he had upset her. "I didn't mean to make you upset or think about something so painful Emily. I wouldn't have brought it up, but it has something to do with my surprise. If you need some time, I can wait until later to tell you."

Emily looked up suddenly. "Don't you dare go anywhere until you've told me the surprise. It's been driving me crazy all day long."

"That's not the only thing that's been driving you crazy my dear girl. Don't look now, but I think you're drooling."

Emily grimaced for a second. "I'm fine really. The only reason I got choked up a bit was because I'm so terribly thankful for you and the boys being in my life. You know how we girls can get when we get teary-eyed over good things. Now, please tell me what the surprise is, before you force me to torture it out of you."

Once again, Emily swore she saw Sonny's eyebrows raise in a curious manner. What in the heck was wrong with her?

"Well since counseling has been going so well for you, I've decided to build a counseling center for women who are victims of rape or domestic violence. Not only would it be a place women could go for counseling, but it would be a facility where women could live if they didn't have anywhere safe they could go. I was thinking of naming it the Adella Bowen Center for Women's Safety and Wellness. I decided to use my mother's first name, and your original last name. My mother was a victim of domestic violence, so I thought it would be fitting to include her name."

For a moment Emily sat in stunned silence. Then she walked out onto the balcony hugging her arms to her chest. Sonny quietly followed her. "Did I do or say something wrong? I should have known this was a bad idea. Please Emily, tell me what I can do to make this better."

"You're such a buffoon Sonny. How did you think she was going to take this?"

Every moment that she stood there not looking at him was pure agony. But those moments didn't hurt nearly as much as when she turned to look at him with tears in her eyes. "Oh God Emily, I'm so sorry. I swore nobody would ever hurt you again, and I did just that."

Without warning, Emily was in his arms, crying. All he could do was hold her. They stood that way for a few minutes until she calmed down. Sonny led her to a nearby swing where they both sat down. Emily looked at him, with a shimmer of tears still in her eyes.

"I don't know what to say Sonny. Nobody in my whole life has done something like this for me. There don't seem to be any words to tell you how much this means to me. It's the most beautiful and amazing thing I've heard in a very long time. I'd be honored to have my name combined with your mothers in the name of this shelter you're going to build. You're such an amazing person Sonny. Just when I think there's nothing else you could do to shock me, impress me or make me love and respect you anymore than I already do, you come up with something."

"Did she just say she loved me? Focus man. For the love of God FOCUS!"

"So you're not mad at me? You really like my surprise?"

"I love it Sonny. I love it so much. Where are you going to have it built? It should be somewhere remote. We don't want them to feel like just anybody can gain access to this place that's supposed to be a safe haven for them."

"I can't tell you where I'm going to build it. Let's just say I found what I think is the perfect plot of land to put it on. I just need to get some plans drawn up, and the building can start right away. I just didn't want to start this project until you said it was something you wanted."

"This is the best surprise I've ever gotten in my whole life. Am I going to be able to have any say in how it all looks? I want to at least be able to design the decor in the rooms these women are going to be staying in."

"You'll be able to make all the decisions on the layout and design of this place. All I'm going to contribute is the land and the money to get it built. I want you to take care of everything else. So are you up for this?"

"I've never been more up for anything before this. I'm so excited about this, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to get to sleep tonight. Would you mind sitting out here with me for a while and look at the stars with me?"

"There's nobody else I'd rather do that with than you Emily." He smiled at her and part of her melted a bit inside. He got comfortable on the swing, and then Emily leaned into him getting herself comfortable. They sat that way for about half an hour. Sonny was about to ask Emily if she was cold, when he looked down and saw that she had fallen asleep. He carefully picked her up and carried her to bed. Then he kissed her on the forehead, smiled at her, and left her room. After closing the door behind him, it finally hit him hard.

"Oh my God, I'm falling in love with my best friends sister! Jason is gonna kill me when he finds out."