Chapter Eighteen: A New Beginning

Carly was back after a week away from Port Charles. She missed Michael too much to be away any longer. Being away did help her sort out her feelings for Sonny, she loved him she would always love him. A one night tryst with Alexis wasn't going to ruin a possible lifetime of happiness. She had gone to a doctor about what happened to her in the cabin and began to process and deal with what happened. Lorenzo was a great sounding board she was able to talk to someone who had no opinions about her. He just listened to what she had to say. She had been back a day and had already commissioned someone to rebuild the cottage. Bobbie said she and Michael could stay at the brownstone until it was finished. Now she was on her way to get Michael when she was greeted by an unexpected guest.

Alexis: Hello Carly.

Carly: What do you want?

Alexis: Can I please come in? I'd like to talk.

Carly: Fine, I don't have a lot of time though.

Alexis: I heard that you remembered the night of the accident. I wanted to ask you not to blame Sonny. He was hurt and confused. He didn't realize what he was doing.

Carly: Alexis, I don't blame Sonny for that night. I don't even blame you. Sonny and I are divorced he is free to do what he wants. I heard about the sacrifice you made for Sonny's happiness and mine.

Alexis: What did I do?

Carly: The abortion.

Alexis: Oh, I do want to have children but not the product of a one-night stand. That night between Sonny and I was a mistake. It was the only time. I am out of Sonny's life for good. He found out about the abortion and threw me out of the penthouse. I guess now I know a little about how you felt when Sonny shut you out. That's all I came to say. Bye Carly.

(Alexis turns to leave but Carly grabs her arm and she turns around.)

Carly: Alexis wait.

Alexis: Why?

Carly: It was awful luck that I came there that night. We never got off to a good start. The accident and amnesia has made me see things a little differently. I would like to start over. How about lunch sometime?

Alexis: Sure. I'd like that.

Jax: Alexis, are you ready?

Alexis: I told you I would be a few minutes. Wait in the car then we can go to dinner.

Carly: Dinner? Are you two, a twosome?

Jax: We're working on it.

Carly (smiling): That's great. I have to kick you out now because I have to go pick up Michael.

(They all leave. Carly felt great, Alexis and her were on speaking terms, which she thought would never happen. Alexis was beginning a new life with Jax. Now if she could only figure out what to do about Sonny. Was he really capable of forgiving her? At the penthouse Jason and Ric Lansing had just returned from Puerto Rico, with no leads. About ten minutes after they arrived Benny called to tell him that another warehouse in Miami just burned to the ground.)

Sonny: Damn it!

Jason: What?

Sonny: You've got to go to Miami, another warehouse just burned.

Jason: How?

Sonny: I don't know. I need you to find out. Two warehouses burnt to the ground within a week of each other without a trace of who is behind it. I don't like this.

Ric: I'll check around the legal circuit and see what I can do.

Sonny: Ric, I need you to deal with any families of the employees that were killed, full benefits.

Ric: Ok.

Jason: We'll be back as soon as possible.

Sonny: Ok.

(They leave and Sonny once again is on the phone to Benny to get more information on Miami. In another part of town a man and woman are sitting at a table with surveillance pictures of Sonny, Jason, Carly, and Michael.)

Man: You're sure he didn't see you?

Woman: While you were playing in Long Island I was here working so don't question me.

Man: I wasn't playing. It is imperative to our plan to have the element of surprise. Are you…

Woman: Positive, no one saw me. So does she suspect you?

Man: Don't forget your place. You don't question me.

Woman: Sonny and Carly will never know what hit them.

(They smile and share a drink while looking over the photos. They had been in Port Charles for a month and were almost ready to make their move.)