Author's Note: I will be posting all future chapters to my new Sonny/Claudia fic archive: thehookupzone(dot)net(forward slash)Clonny(forward slash)index(dot)php

Nineteen

Two people instantly took notice of the raven haired Italian beauty that stormed through the Metro Court doors and stalked up to the counter. One of the onlookers approached her, coming up behind her.

"I need a room please." Claudia said to the young man standing behind the counter, but before her could respond Carly stepped in to help.

"I've got it James, thanks." Carly said to the young man and then turn back to Claudia. "Let me guess one of the penthouse suites?"

"Yes and please make sure you put it on my husband's account." Claudia replied with a devilish grin and gleam in her eyes.

"Right, and what has Sonny done to piss you off so badly, if you don't mind me asking."

"He brought the baby things." Claudia stated and Carly stood silently watching her waiting to hear the bad part. "I came home and the house was full of baby furniture, baby toys. He even hired an interior designer to do the nursery." Claudia ranted and Carly eyed her as if she were crazy. "We don't even know the baby's sex and its bad luck to buy things for a baby before you know what you're having."

"Wow," Carly said with a giggle as she pushed the reservation ledger towards Claudia for her to sign.

"Did he do that to you when you were pregnant?" Claudia asked as she signed the ledger.

"No I was the one doing all the shopping, Sonny just paid for it." Carly said with a grin.

"You brought thing before you knew the sex of the baby?" Claudia asked in disbelief.

"Nothing major, just diapers, bottles, onesies. You really can't buy much of anything until you know what you're having. If it's a girl you'd buy a lot of pink and lavender, and if it's a boy a lot of blue and green."

"Where I come from you never buy anything for a baby until you know the sex of the baby. It's bad luck if you do."

"Come on that's just an old wives tale, pure superstition." Carly said as she threw Claudia a sympathetic smile.

"The life that I've lived, the things that I've been through and seen, even caused…the odds are already stacked against this kid, so I'm not taking any chances by tempting the fates." Claudia said as Carly continued to smile and shook her head a bit. "Is it too late for me to purchase a few things from the boutique? I rushed out of the house to quickly I didn't bring anything."

"They're closing as we speak but I'll call down and tell them you're come in. And you're in luck because we just got in a new line of maternity clothes." Carly stated.

"Thanks," Claudia said with a smirk to Carly sly comment about her expanding waistline. She then turned and made her way to the elevators. She entered the elevator alone and pushed the button for the fifth floor which housed the hotel's boutiques. Just before the doors closed completely a hand reached in and the doors opened for Michael Corelli, who entered and pushed the button for his floor. A part of her wanted to rush from the elevator before the doors closed, but she didn't want Corelli to think she was afraid of him, even if being alone with him unnerved her.

"Claudia," He threw out in greeting.

"Mr. Corelli," She replied purposely being formal with him.

"It's nice to see you again, looking as beautiful as ever, and very full of life."

"Please like you haven't been stalking me for weeks," Claudia said with distain. "Why are you still in Port Charles anyway? I thought you were only staying until you concluded your business deal with the Metro Court, which was wrapped up the same day you arrived in Port Charles."

"You are well informed might it be you who is stalking me?"

"Please don't flatter yourself, my husband has made it his business to know everything about you and what you do while you're here."

"Now that's disturbing."

"No more disturbing that a stranger coming into his home demanding that he hand over his wife." Claudia said.

"Well I never demanded, I simply asked for what I thought was rightfully mine, and when Mr. Corinthos said no I graciously left."

"And you've spent every day since harassing me with flowers and gifts."

"Where I come from we call that courting, and I don't recall you returning my flowers nor gifts."

"Where I come from men don't 'court' married women, and the flowers and jewelry were all donated, by my husband, to help rebuild general hospital."

"You sound disappointed." Michael said with a charming smile.

"Well I liked the jewelry, rubies are my favorite." Claudia admitted.

"Yes I know." Michael said. "I could buy you more."

"No thank you my husband already has, and just how do you know that rubies are my favorites?"

"I've made it my business to know all that there is to know about you, Claudia."

"I doubt that." She responded. "Because if you did you'd know that you annoy me and that I usually put a bullet in people who annoy me."

"Yes I know that about you as well, and the fact that I am standing before you tells me that I don't annoy you. Intrigue you maybe, interest you definitely, but annoy you I don't think so." Michael said with a confident smile, and then a brief silence fell between them before he spoke again. "Is there trouble in paradise?" He asked.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't help but overhear the news that you have left your husband."

"I haven't left my husband." Claudia exclaimed. "We just had a misunderstanding." She added.

"A misunderstanding? So you handle all your misunderstandings with your husband by moving out and taking up residence in a hotel?" Corelli pushed further.

"No, he brought things for our baby and we don't even know the sex yet. So, I can't return home until he gets rid of it." Claudia announced.

"Ah," Corelli replied knowing well the superstition from the old country.

"And why am I even telling you anyway, it's none of your business."

"If there is anything that I can do to help you," He offered.

"Yes you can leave me and my husband alone."

"I'm not concerned with your husband,"

"You should be." Claudia stated. "Because you're really pissing him off and he even more trigger happy than me." Michael threw her a chuckle.

"Like I said I'm not at all concerned with your husband, my only concern is for you, your happiness and safety."

"Why, why do you care? We've already established that I'm not leaving Sonny for you. So why are you still pursuing me?"

"Maybe because I think you're worth having." Corelli said with sincerity expressed in his voice and eyes, and for a moment Claudia fell entranced to him, until a sudden jerk of the elevator brought her back to her senses and her surroundings. Michael instinctively reached out and pulled her against his broad chest, to keep her from falling. When the elevator came to a complete stop he steadied her and his hand came to rest against the swell of her belly. "She is growing quickly." He said and Claudia quickly brushed his hand away and stepped back from his grasp.

"What happened, why have we stopped?" She asked as she looked up at the numbers above the doors, with the number three lit up.

"I don't know." Michael replied and he pushed one of the buttons on the panel.

"Right," Claudia threw out as she folded her arms across her chest.

"I assure you, la mia moglie, I had nothing to do with this."

"Don't call me that, excuse me." She said as she moved past him and opened the door above the button panel, where a telephone was encased. She picked of the receiver and held it to her ear. Instantly a voice came over the line.

"Metro Court security desk, how can I help you?" A male voice spoke out.

"Yes this is Claudia Corinthos, and we're in one of your elevators and we're stuck. It just stopped on the third floor but the doors didn't open."

"I'm so sorry about that Mrs. Corinthos we'll get maintenance there ASAP, and you said we. How many are stuck with you?

"Counting myself and my unborn child, just one more, a Mr. Corelli," She answered.

"Hold on we'll get someone there and get you out in a jiff."

"Thank you." She said and then hung up the phone. "They're sending someone to get us out."

"You should have told them that it's no rush, I am enjoying the company." Michael said and then smiled when Claudia rolled her eyes and turned her back to him while she began to push numbers on her cell phone.

"Shit," She cursed under her breath when she couldn't get a signal.

"È il destino," Michael said with a pleased smile as he sat down and leaned his back against the back wall of the elevator.

"Fate my ass, stop whatever it is that you're doing and let me out of this elevator." She demanded as she stood glaring down at him.

"I already told you that I had nothing to do with this."

"Right you just happened into the same elevator I'm in…"

"No, that I did plan I saw you the moment you walked into the hotel, and I purposely followed you onto the elevator. Getting stuck in it with you well as I said è il destino." He said smiling up at her, loving the way she looked when flustered. "You should sit, relax, all we can do now is wait until help arrives." She ignored his words and remained standing while tapping her high heeled boot on the floor.


"You're right on time," Carly greeted the man who came rushing through the door.

"So Claudia did come here." Johnny asked.

"Yup she got one of the penthouse suites, suite 12." Carly answered. "You're right on time too, though I kind of thought you'd make it in before Johnny here." Carly spoke over Johnny's shoulder to the other man approaching.

"He's got a motorcycle." Sonny said. "Where's my wife?"

"Penthouse 12," Carly said as she held out a spare room keycard to him. At that moment one of the hotel's clerks came up.

"Sorry for interrupting Mrs. Jacks, but the security desk just called. The elevators are out, and there's a pregnant woman and man stuck in one of them, it's Mrs. Corinthos," The young clerk said looking sympathetically towards Sonny. "And another tenant a Mr. Corelli."

"My pregnant wife is stuck in an elevator with Michael Corelli?" Sonny repeated. "That son-of-a-bitch!" Sonny roared as he slammed his fist atop the counter.

"Sonny calm down, I'm sure we have people already working on it, see." Carly said as she pointed to the elevators where a maintenance crew had just appeared, and then walked off to talk to them.

"Wait why are you so pissed who the hell is Michael Corelli?" Johnny asked.

"Claudia didn't tell you?" Sonny asked.

"Well I wouldn't be asking you if she did now would I?"

"Corelli is some guy your father sold Claudia to." Sonny answered ignoring Johnny's attitude.

"Say what?"

"Yeah apparently when Claudia was 10 Anthony made some deal with Corelli's father, 20 million dollar for your sister's hand in marriage."

"You've got to be kidding me. Why does that man make it his life's mission to torment my sister, she's his only daughter for God's sake. Aren't fathers supposed to have a special bond with their little girls, protect them not throw them to the wolves any chance they get."

"Your father's twisted, and when I find him I'm going to put him out of Claudia's misery once and for all."

"If I don't get to him first," Johnny said. "I couldn't protect her when we were kids from our father's madness but I can now and I will." Sonny simply nodded his understanding. "So this Corelli guy shows up now, why?"

"Because your father got the dowry and Corelli came for his bride. I told him that Claudia was staying with me and I even offered to pay back the dowry, and I thought the guy would respect things, but he's been in town for weeks now going out of his way to I don't know, woo Claudia, sending her flowers and expensive jewelry. I should have gone with my gut instinct and just had him taken out the first time I saw him with his hands on her, but your sister talked me out of it."

"Well she's right if this guy's family is from the old country, he's probably connected, and mobsters from the old country aren't someone you want to start a war with."

"Old country, new country I don't give a damn about that. No one is going to disrespect me and mine. I'll cut his fucking heart out, gift wrap it and send it back to the old country if he's done anything to my wife." Sonny declared.

"Watch out, you keep talking like that and I might start thinking that you actually care about my sister." Johnny teased.

"Of course I care…you know, she's the mother of my child…right?"

"Right," Johnny said with a chuckle.

"Look your sister and I, we're in a good place. We're not trying to kill each other."

"Well that's good to know."

"We're happy, I'm happy…your sister she's…being with someone who knows the business, knows the life, it's refreshing, you know. Calming, peaceful and I've decided that I'm not gonna let anyone mess with that." Sonny said with conviction.


"You know you really shouldn't wear shoes like that when you're pregnant they don't look safe, you could fall, harm the baby," He stated from his seat on the floor.

"Yeah and you should mind your own business and don't worry about me or my baby." Claudia threw back as she paced the floor of the small elevator.

"I find that you're all I worry about lately, la mia moglie, you and your baby."

"Stop calling me that, I'm not your wife."

"Not yet," He replied with a smile.

"Not ever, and don't you ever mention my baby. Whatever sick twisted games you're trying to play, I don't want my baby brought into it." Claudia declared when the elevator sudden jerked and began to move. Claudia stumbled forward, caught off guard by the movement. She would have fallen face first, if Michael's quick reflexes hadn't caused him to shoot his hands out to grasp her and pull her securely and safely into his arms. She found herself sitting in his lap, cradled in his arms, her face mere inches from his.

"I could make you so happy," Michael declared in a hushed voice as his hot breath tickling her face.

"I am happy," Claudia responded, also in a hushed tone as she stared him directly in the eyes.

"I don't think you are, I think you're settled. I've been told that the only reason you married Mr. Corinthos was for power. I can give you that and so much more. Anything and everything your husband can't or maybe won't give you." Corelli stated an before Claudia could reply the elevator doors opened to the lobby, where Carly, Sonny, Johnny and a maintenance man stood staring down at them.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sonny demanded as he threw an angered glare at the two people on the elevator floor.

"Hi honey," Claudia said nervously smiling as she moved to stand, with Michael standing with her, helping her to regain her footing. "I fell when the elevator started again and Mr. Corelli saved me from falling on my face," She quickly explained as she brushed away Michael's hand, which remained comfortably on her hip, and moved to Sonny.

"Are you ok?" Sonny asked his anger instantly melting into concern.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"I told her that she shouldn't wear those shoes while pregnant, it's very dangerous." Michael threw out casually. The words didn't have time to resonate before Michael found himself pinned against the back wall of the elevator, with Sonny's arm up against his throat. Michael simply smirked, even as his airway restricted.

"Sonny!" Claudia and Carly exclaimed in unison and Johnny moved in and grasped Sonny, trying to pull him off Corelli and after several long seconds of them struggling, Sonny finally relinquished his hold.

"I told you to stay away from my wife," Sonny said his anger so present his entire body shook.

"I currently reside in this hotel Mr. Corinthos," Michael said as he rubbed at his neck. "I use these elevators to come and go. I didn't know your wife would be here, though I was pleased to see her." He said as he smiled warmly at Claudia.

"Do you have a death wish? Why have you been bothering my sister?" Johnny asked as he stared at Corelli in disbelief.

"Johnny Zacchara I presume." Michael extended his hand but Johnny only stared at it, until Michael brought it back to his side. "Who knew a glare could be genetic, even if it's not intimidating at all. In fact you really just look silly, but not you." He said as he tilted his head a bit and spoke directly to Claudia. "On you it's very sexy." He threw in a wink.

"That's it…" Sonny replied as he pulled his gun and aimed it at Corelli's face. Claudia moved to him, throwing her body against his, knowing he wouldn't bowl over her.

"No Sonny," She said, but he didn't lower his gun nor remove his finger from the trigger, which itched to squeeze.

"Is there a problem Mr. Corelli?" Three of his guard that he had ordered to stay in the lobby area came up at seeing the commotion. They each had their guns drawn and aimed as well.

"Whoa this is crazy, please don't do this here." Carly pleaded as she looked about the busy lobby, hoping that the other patrons didn't take notice of what was happening near the elevators.

"Sonny?" A voice asked out of nowhere and eyes turned to Jason Morgan, and the barrels of his two gun, which were aimed toward the three guards. Two of the guards turned their guns onto Jason, while one remained locked onto Sonny, who also held his ground.

"I think this is what you Americans call a Mexican stand-off, yes?" Michael said with a gloat.

"No," Claudia replied as she quickly pulled a gun seemingly out of nowhere and aimed it into the face of the guard focused on Sonny. "Now it's a Mexican stand-off. You know Michael right about now I'm not feeling too happy or safe," She spat out using his earlier words against him, and her words instantly caused his eyes to soften with remorse. He waved his hands at his guards and they quickly lowered their guns.

"My apologies," Michael said. "We shouldn't be acting like such brutes in front of ladies, please accept my apologies."

"I think it would be best if you found someplace else to stay, Mr. Corelli." Carly said with a hard glare.

"I've just purchase a penthouse at the Harbor View Towers, I just need to settle my account here at your lovely hotel." Michael answered.

"I can help you with that right now," Carly said and then turned and walked to the registration desk.

"If you will excuse me," Michael said and waited until Sonny finally lowered his gun, before he brushed past to exit the elevator. "È il destino," He threw out to Claudia.

"Wha…" Johnny began to respond but Claudia shushed him by touching his arm and then shaking her head at him.

"Please just let it go John, let him go crawl back under the rock he came from." Claudia spoke.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sonny asked as he looked at Claudia, and she looked back at him with slightly frightened eyes. "You're packing a gun while you're pregnant?" He asked in a demanding tone and she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief at not having to answer questions about what she had done while in the elevator with Corelli. Even though they hadn't done anything worth mentioning she still felt guilty for some reason.

"It saved your ass didn't it?" She replied.

"What I want to know it where you were packing it," Johnny said and Claudia arched her brow as she threw him a snarky smile. "On second thought I probably don't."

"I don't want you packing heat you could have hurt yourself or the baby." Sonny stated.

"Sonny I've been handling guns since I was a little kid, I can take care of myself."

"Where's Max and Milo?" Jason interjected.

"I left them in the car I only intended to come in, get my wife and then go home." Sonny replied. "I didn't expect to find that son-of-a…Corelli Is becoming a problem," He continued. "I know you want me to just ignore him," He directed these words to Claudia. "But I can't just keep ignoring his disrespectful acts against me and mine." Jason nodded his understanding and agreement. "I want to know the real reason he's still here."

"I'll get some people on it." Jason said.

"I can help," Johnny offered. "I have some connection in Italy I can give them a call and see what I can dig up on the Corelli family." Sonny nodded. "See if there's any interest in them expanding their business to Port Charles."

"I'd appreciate that." Sonny said and then both Jason and Johnny headed out on their mutual tasks. "You ready to come home now?" Sonny asked Claudia as he possessively wrapped his arms around her and led them out of the hotel.

"That depends, have you gotten rid of all the baby stuff?"

"No,"

"Then I'm not…" Claudia began to rant as she pulled from his grasp.

"Don't start freaking out, I didn't get rid of the baby stuff because I figure we could compromise."

"Compromise how?"

"We can swing by Mercy on the way home, get an ultrasound and find out if we're having a boy or a girl. I know we said we wanted to be surprised, but you know you're dying to know." He said with a smile.

"I'm not dying to know I can wait," Claudia said with a smile. "It doesn't matter to me so long as it's healthy, but if 'you' really want to know."

"Ok, lets go." He said as he grasped her hand and tugged her along beside him. "By the way, where are you hiding that gun?" His smile widened as they walked out hand in hand.


È il destino – My wife