Dr. Ben Davidson frowned when Alexis moaned and tensed as he palpated her back. "She is still very tender. I'm worried she could have an abscess around her kidney," he said.

"That doesn't sound good," Julian said.

"It isn't. She would need a renal ultrasound or CT Scan to make the diagnosis and then we could try to get interventional radiology to drain it," Ben said.

It sounded reasonable. Julian knew it was. He had promised Alexis he was going to take care of her. He would have to figure it out somehow. "I know she is sick so if you really think this is what we have to do, I trust you and I guess we will figure it out somehow."

"If she is still febrile and extremely tender tomorrow, I'm afraid we don't have a choice," Ben said.

"I understand," Julian said.

XXXXXX

Overwhelming nausea pulled Alexis from sleep. Her whole body felt heavy as if there was just no way she could move but she could feel the full sensation in her throat and knew she was going to be sick again.

Just as she had almost accepted the indignity of vomiting on herself, she felt strong arms scooping her up and holding her over a basin as her abdomen contracted painfully as she heaved and emptied her stomach. Everything seemed to spin, and she felt both overheated and clammy at the same time.

"It's ok, honey, I'm right here," Julian said as he laid her back down and then got up presumably to empty the basin. It was then she realized they weren't alone.

"I'm Dr. Davidson, your friend called me because you weren't feeling well. I just want to check your blood pressure," the stranger said as he wrapped a cuff around her upper arm.

Alexis's head swum. She felt clammy and unsteady. "I don't feel well," she managed.

Dr. Davidson frowned as he removed the blood pressure cuff from her arm. "I don't imagine you do. I think you might feel more comfortable in the hospital," he said.

"No!" Alexis said with as much intensity as she could muster. Her voice came out almost as weak as she felt.

Dr. Davidson reached for a bag of fluids and hung a new bag. He pushed some buttons a pump. "Your blood pressure is a little low—80/46. I'm going to give you some extra fluids and see if that helps. I think you're still very dehydrated. It can be hard to compensate for the fever when it has been 104 or 105 pretty consistently," he said.

Alexis didn't say anything. What could she say? She was overcome by more cramps and nausea. She felt shaky and so, so weak. Julian had returned with the clean basin and a warm wet washcloth which he gently wiped Alexis's face with.

Alexis felt the tears welling up in her eyes and blinked attempting to clear them, but it was no use and soon she was crying. As a child on Cassadine Isle, crying always made things worse but she couldn't stop.

Julian sat down beside her, took her hand, and pulled her into his arms. "Shhh, Alexis, sweetheart, it's ok."

Alexis didn't have the strength to explain how far from ok things were as more chills wracked her aching muscles. "I'm pregnant," she blurted out. As soon as the words were out, she regretted them.

Julian pulled her closer to him and then gently kissed her forehead. "We're going to have a baby!"

Julian's reaction surprised Alexis. He seemed almost happy. For half a second, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to raise a baby with Julian. She realized in that moment how much she wanted the baby, their baby.

"I know this must be scary, but I'll be there every step of the way. I promise," Julian said.

XXXXXX

Dr. Ben Davidson felt like a voyeur as he stood against the wall. He felt like he was intruding into a personal moment, but he wanted to be sure Alexis's blood pressure was improving with the fluids. That was really all he could think about because he was far too conflicted on everything else. His family had learned the hard way that the mafia was no place for small children. He had been almost thirteen when his baby sister had been taken. Perhaps Julian's baby would be safer. Perhaps…

Ben cleared his throat audibly which seemed to get Julian's attention. "How about you just let me recheck that blood pressure and I'll be on my way."

Five minutes later, when he was mildly appeased to see that Alexis's blood pressure had improved to 90/60 Julian followed him to the door. "Uh, congratulations, I guess," Ben offered as he slipped into his coat.

"Thank you. I won't say this was expected but, children are always a blessing and I love her. I really do," Julian said.

"My mother would say if you love her, then get out before that baby is born. Or maybe she would. I haven't spoken to her since Mazie was taken. My father would say it isn't that easy so maybe just forget I said anything," Ben said.

"No, I get it, and you know this isn't anything I ever wanted. But life has a way of happening while you're making alternative plans."

Ben chuckled. Julian's cliché was far more applicable to either of their lives than they would ever be able to explain. They had chosen alternative careers, ethical careers, away from the mob. He was a surgeon. Julian was a CPA. Even so, legitimacy eluded them, and it probably always would.